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Self-splicing introns in tRNA genes of widely divergent bacteria.

The organization of eukaryotic genes into exons separated by introns has been considered as a primordial arrangement but because it does not exist in eubacterial genomes it may be that introns are relatively recent acquisitions. A self-splicing group I intron has been found in cyanobacteria at the same position of the same gene (that encoding leucyl transfer RNA, UAA anticodon) as a similar group I intron of chloroplasts, which indicates that this intron predates the invasion of eukaryotic cells by cyanobacterial endosymbionts. But it is not clear from this isolated example whether introns are more generally present in different genes or in more diverse branches of the eubacteria. Many mitochondria have intron-rich genomes and were probably derived from the alpha subgroup of the purple bacteria (or Proteobacteria), so ancient introns might also have been retained in these bacteria. We describe here the discovery of two small (237 and 205 nucleotides) self-splicing group I introns in members of two proteobacterial subgroups, Agrobacterium tumefaciens (alpha) and Azoarcus sp. (beta). The introns are inserted in genes for tRNA(Arg) and tRNA(Ile), respectively, after the third anticodon nucleotide. Their occurrence in different genes of phylogenetically diverse bacteria indicates that group I introns have a widespread distribution among eubacteria.

Base Sequence

A yeast tRNA(Arg) gene can act as promoter for a 5' flank deficient, non-transcribable tRNA(SUP)6 gene to produce biologically active suppressor tRNA.

In S. cerevisiae most tRNA genes are located and expressed as single entities. The tDNA(Arg)-tDNA(Asp) pair, however, is transcribed into a dimeric precursor before being processed into two mature tRNA species. The second gene of this pair, tDNA(Asp), is totally dependent on the first gene, tDNA(Arg), and its promoter components, for homologous in vitro transcription. The second gene in the pair is now replaced by the ochre suppressor tDNA(SUP)6-o, which, by itself, cannot be transcribed because of a nonfunctional 5' flanking region. The tDNA(Arg)-tDNA(SUP)6-o was transcribed into a dimeric precursor which was processed to mature tRNA molecules as judged in vitro by electrophoretic separation, and in vivo by their ability to suppress ochre but not amber yeast mutations. Mutations in the internal promoter of the first gene decreased transcription, both in vitro and in vivo, of the second-tRNA(SUP)6-o-gene. Thus tDNA(Arg) with its 5' flanking region can act as an external promoter for other RNA polymerase III-read genes that are by themselves inactive due to impaired promoter/modulator regions.

Base Sequence

In vitro study of E.coli tRNA(Arg) and tRNA(Lys) identity elements.

Various tRNA transcripts were constructed to study the identity elements of E.coli tRNA(Arg) and tRNA(Lys). Exchange of the anticodon of the major tRNA(Arg) from ACG to either CCG or CCU did not result in a significant loss of arginine acceptor activity, whereas not only that to UUU but also that to ACA or ACC decreased the activity. Base substitutions and deletion at A20 also impaired the arginine charging activity by over 50-fold. Arginine charging activity was introduced by either substitution of the anticodon from UAC to ACG in tRNA(Val) or from UUU to UCU in tRNA(Lys). Only a single base substitution at the third position of tRNA(Trp) anticodon (CCA) from A to G also gave rise to arginine charging activity, which was elevated to a comparable level to that of the tRNA(Arg) transcript by an additional A20 insertion. Base substitutions of the major tRNA(Arg) at the discriminator position into pyrimidines led to a decrease by factors of three to four. These data show that the third letter of the anticodon G36 or U36 besides the second letter C35 and the A20 in the variable pocket is responsible for the arginine acceptor identity, to which the discriminator base A73 or G73 contributes in an auxiliary fashion. In contrast to the arginine system, the transcript with the wild-type tRNA(Lys) sequence showed only 140-fold lower lysine charging activity than the native tRNA(Lys), suggesting the involvement of base modifications in recognition. Replacement of the anticodon UUU with not only UCU and UAC but also UUA and UUC seriously affected the lysine acceptor activity, and those with GUU and UUG also decreased by factors of 17 and 5, respectively. Introduction of UUU into the anticodons conferred lysine charging activity upon both tRNA(Val) and tRNA(Arg). Substitution of the discriminator base A73 by any of the other bases decreased the lysine acceptor activity by a factor of ten. These results indicate the involvements of all the three bases of the anticodon and A at the discriminator position in lysine specific aminoacylation.

Anticodon

Chromosomal assignment of a large tRNA gene cluster (tRNA(Leu), tRNA(Gln), tRNA(Lys), tRNA(Arg), tRNA(Gly)) to 17p13.1.

A cluster of tRNA genes (tRNA(UAGLeu), tRNA(CUGGln), tRNA(UUULys), tRNA(UCUArg)) and an adjacent tRNA(GCCGly) have been assigned to human chromosome 17p12-p13.1 by in situ hybridization using a 4.2 kb human DNA fragment for tRNA(Leu), tRNA(Gln), tRNA(Lys), tRNA(Arg), and, for tRNA(Gly), 1.3 kb and 0.58 kb human DNA fragments containing these genes as probes. This localization was confirmed and refined to 17p13.100-p13.105 using a somatic cell hybrid mapping panel. Preliminary experiments with the biotinylated tRNA Leu, Gln, Lys, Arg probe and metaphase spreads from other great apes suggest the presence of a hybridization site on the long arm of gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) chromosome 19 and the short arm of orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) chromosome 19 providing further support for homology between HSA17, GGO19 and PPY19.

Animals

An archaebacterial cell-free transcription system. The expression of tRNA genes from Methanococcus vannielii is mediated by a transcription factor.

Our understanding of the mechanism of RNA biosynthesis in archaebacteria is limited, due in part to the inability of purified RNA polymerases to transcribe purified genes accurately in vitro. In the present study, we show that cell extracts of Methanococcus vannielii and Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus purified by gradient centrifugation synthesize a distinct transcript from templates harboring a cloned homologous tRNA(Val) and tRNA(Arg) gene. The in vitro transcripts initiate with GTP at the same sites as in Methanococcus cells. About 60% of the sequence of the in vitro RNA products was analyzed by dideoxyterminated primer extension and found to be identical with that of the precursors of tRNA(Val) and tRNA(Arg). This finding indicates that this RNA polymerase fraction both initiates and terminates transcription faithfully in vitro. After purification of a cell-free extract (S-100) of M. thermolithotrophicus by phosphocellulose chromatography, the endogenous RNA polymerase has lost its ability to transcribe the tRNA(Val) gene accurately. The activity directing specific expression of this template was reconstituted by the addition of a protein-fraction devoid of RNA polymerase activity. Thus, a transcription factor appears to be required for accurate cell-free expression of tRNA genes from M. vannielii.

Base Sequence

A set of tRNAs that lack either the T psi C arm or the dihydrouridine arm: towards a minimal tRNA adaptor.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecules of the nematode worms, Caenorhabditis elegans and Ascaris suum contain 22 putative genes for non-standard forms of tRNAs. The inferred transcripts can be folded into 20 separate structures each resembling a tRNA whose T psi C arm and variable loop are replaced with a simple loop of 6-12 nucleotides. In two further structures [that resemble tRNAs for ser(UCN) and ser(AGN)], the dihydrouridine arm is replaced by a loop of 5-8 nucleotides. By hybridizing mt-tRNA gene-specific oligonucleotide probes to nematode RNAs, we have obtained evidence for transcription of at least nine C.elegans and three A.suum mt-tRNA genes. Each transcript (tRNA) is the exact size predicted from the respective DNA sequence, to which three nucleotides, presumably CCA, have been added following transcription. An exception was C.elegans mt-tRNAasn, most molecules of which had one nucleotide (plus CCA) more than predicted from the gene. The data presented strongly support the conclusion that the functional mt-tRNAs of nematode worms are direct transcripts (with only CCA addition) of the structurally unusual mt-tRNA genes. There is no evidence of trans-splicing or RNA editing to add the sequences missing from these nonstandard tRNAs. We presume, therefore, that the non-standard forms are active in mitochondrial protein synthesis.

Animals

Location and nucleotide sequence of the genes for tobacco chloroplast tRNAArg (ACG) and tRNALeu(UAG).

The location and nucleotide sequence of the genes and flanking regions for tRNAArg(ACG) and tRNALeu(UAG) on tobacco chloroplast DNA have been determined. The gene arrangement is 5S rRNA-260 bp-tRNAArg-581 bp-tRNAAsn-5.2 kbp-tRNALeu. The tRNAArg and tRNALeu genes are expressed in the chloroplasts. The opposite strand of the tRNAArg gene contains a tRNAArg-like sequence. The tRNAArg, tRNAAsn and tRNALeu coding regions are contained in open reading frames.

Base Sequence

Seven, eight and nine-membered anticodon loop mutants of tRNA(2Arg) which cause +1 frameshifting. Tolerance of DHU arm and other secondary mutations.

The mutant tRNA(2Arg) encoded by the genetically-selected frameshift suppressor, sufT621, inserts arginine and causes a +1 reading-frame shift at the proline codon, CCG(U). There is an extra base, G36.1, in argV beta, one of the four identical genes for tRNA(2Arg) in the position between bases 36 and 37, corresponding to the 3' side of the anticodon. The new four-base anticodon, predicted from DNA sequencing to be 3' GGCA 5', is complementary to the four-base codon CCGU. Quadruplet translocation promoted by mutant argV does not require perfect complementarity between the codon and the anticodon since synthetic genes encoding derivatives of tRNA(2Arg) and tRNA(1Pro), with four-base anticodons complementary to three out of the four bases of CCGU, were also shown to be capable of frameshifting. Two other mutants of argV, inferred to have normal-size, seven-base anticodon loops, were also found to be capable of four-base-decoding demonstrating that quadruplet translocation promoted by mutant argV does not require an enlarged anticodon loop. Other alleles of argV, predicted to have nine bases in the anticodon loop, were also found to cause frameshifting. The DNA sequence of two of these showed in addition, either a deletion of G24, or a ten-base duplication in the region corresponding to the TFC arm. A general finding is that mutations in the DHU arm of tRNA(2Arg) are compatible with, and in one case necessary for, frameshifting.

Amino Acid Sequence

Characterization of phage-specific transfer RNA molecules coded by Vibrio eltor phage e4.

Transfer RNAs were isolated from phage e4-infected Vibrio eltor Mak 757 cells. These were aminoacylated with 14 individual 3H-labeled L-amino acids. Hybridization of these [3H]aminoacyl-tRNAs with phage e4 DNA revealed that the phage e4 encodes tRNAs for arginine, tryptophan, tyrosine, leucine, and isoleucine. Direct aminoacylation of phage-coded tRNA molecules isolated from phage DNA-RNA hybrids also confirmed this observation.

Bacteriophages

Relaxation of a transfer RNA specificity by removal of modified nucleotides.

The molecular recognition of specific transfer RNAs by the appropriate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase is an important step in determining the accuracy of translation of the genetic message from nucleic acids into proteins. Recent studies using variant tRNAs with specific sequence modifications have indicated particular regions that determine their identity. Here we consider whether the base modifications commonly found in tRNAs contribute to their identity. Although unmodified tRNA(Asp) is charged with aspartate as efficiently as the modified native tRNA, it is mischarged with arginine with considerably increased efficiency. Our results indicate that post-transcriptional modification of tRNAs introduces structural 'anti-determinants', restricting the efficiency with which the tRNAs are charged with inappropriate amino acids.

Arginine

The nucleotide sequence and characterization of four chloroplast tRNAs from the alga codium fragile.

The nucleotide sequences of four chloroplast tRNAs (methionine elongator, lysine, glycine, and arginine) from the siphonaceous green alga Codium fragile have been determined. These tRNAs have an unusually high A-U content compared to other chloroplast tRNAs and show varied, but in general only limited, sequence homology to the corresponding tRNAs of other chloroplasts. The locations of the genes for these four tRNAs have been determined and they show no similarity to the location of the corresponding tRNA genes in other chloroplasts. The Codium chloroplast glycine tRNA has an unmodified uridine in the wobble position of the anticodon, a characteristic rarely found in tRNA but present in mitochondrial tRNAs which read the genetic code by extended wobble.

Base Sequence

Nucleotides that determine Escherichia coli tRNA(Arg) and tRNA(Lys) acceptor identities revealed by analyses of mutant opal and amber suppressor tRNAs.

We have constructed an opal suppressor system in Escherichia coli to complement an existing amber suppressor system to study the structural basis of tRNA acceptor identity, particularly the role of middle anticodon nucleotide at position 35. The opal suppressor tRNA contains a UCA anticodon and the mRNA of the suppressed protein (which is easily purified and sequenced) contains a UGA nonsense triplet. Opal suppressor tRNAs of two tRNA(Arg) isoacceptor sequences each gave arginine in the suppressed protein, while the corresponding amber suppressors with U35 in their CUA anticodons each gave arginine plus a second amino acid in the suppressed protein. Since C35 but not U35 is present in the anticodon of wild-type tRNA(Arg) molecules, while the first anticodon position contains either C34 or U34, these results establish that C35 contributes to tRNA(Arg) acceptor identity. Initial characterizations of opal suppressor tRNA(Arg) mutants by suppression efficiency measurements suggest that the fourth nucleotide from the 3' end of tRNA(Arg) (A73 or G73 in different isoacceptors) also contributes to tRNA(Arg) acceptor identity. Wild-type and mutant versions of opal and amber tRNA(Lys) suppressors were examined, revealing that U35 and A73 are important determinants of tRNA(Lys) acceptor identity. Several possibilities are discussed for the general significance of having tRNA acceptor identity in the same positions in different tRNA acceptor types, as exemplified by positions 35 and 73 in tRNA(Arg) and tRNA(Lys).

Anticodon

Sequences between the internal control regions of tRNAArg of Drosophila melanogaster influence stimulation of transcription of the 5' flanking DNA.

Recombinants between 5' deletion mutants of a tRNA(3bVal) gene which is inactive as an in vitro transcription template and a tRNAArg gene, which is an active in vitro template were made. The 5' flanking region of tRNA(Arg) including 36 nucleotides of the coding sequence of the gene stimulated transcription of the tRNA(3bVal), deleted to the +17 position, gene by over 50 fold. When the 5' flanking region of the tRNA(Arg) gene included 22 nucleotides of the coding sequence stimulation was reduced by a factor of 3. Thus the sequences between +22 and +36 of tRNA(Arg) are required to permit maximum stimulation of tRNA(3bVal) in vitro template activity.

Animals

Absolute in vivo translation rates of individual codons in Escherichia coli. The two glutamic acid codons GAA and GAG are translated with a threefold difference in rate.

We have determined the absolute translation rates for four individual codons in Escherichia coli. We used our previously described system for direct measurements of in vivo translation rates using small, in-frame inserts in the lacZ gene. The inserts consisted of multiple synthetic 30 base-pair DNA oligomers with high densities of the four individual codons, GAA (Glu), GAG (Glu), CCG (Pro) and CGA (Arg). Our method is independent of expression level, of mRNA half-life and of transcription rate. Codon GAA was found to be translated with a rate of 21.6 codons/second whereas codon GAG was translated 3.4-fold slower (6.4 codons/s). These two codons are read by the same tRNA species. Codon CCG and CGA are both read by abundant tRNA species but nevertheless we found them to be translated slowly with rates of 5.8 and 4.2 codons/second, respectively. The context of these codons were varied, but we found no significant influence of context on their translation rates and we suggest a mechanism for why context may not affect translation rates. One insert with a low translation rate gave results that most readily can be explained by assuming queue formation of ribosomes on the insert. Such a queue was found to reduce the expression level by approximately 35%. Our experiments allowed us to estimate the average distance between ribosomes and thereby the translation initiation frequency on the wild-type lacZ mRNA. This was found to be one per three seconds.

Base Sequence