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Dulic M, Godinic-Mikulcic V, Kekez M, Evic V, Rokov-Plavec J. Protein-Protein Interactions of Seryl-tRNA Synthetases with Emphasis on Human Counterparts and Their Connection to Health and Disease. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:124. [PMID: 38255739 PMCID: PMC10817482 DOI: 10.3390/life14010124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Seryl-tRNA synthetases (SerRSs), members of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family, interact with diverse proteins, enabling SerRSs to enhance their role in the translation of the genetic message or to perform alternative functions in cellular processes beyond translation. Atypical archaeal SerRS interacts with arginyl-tRNA synthetase and proteins of the ribosomal P-stalk to optimize translation through tRNA channeling. The complex between yeast SerRS and peroxin Pex21p provides a connection between translation and peroxisome function. The partnership between Arabidopsis SerRS and BEN1 indicates a link between translation and brassinosteroid metabolism and may be relevant in plant stress response mechanisms. In Drosophila, the unusual heterodimeric mitochondrial SerRS coordinates mitochondrial translation and replication via interaction with LON protease. Evolutionarily conserved interactions of yeast and human SerRSs with m3C32 tRNA methyltransferases indicate coordination between tRNA modification and aminoacylation in the cytosol and mitochondria. Human cytosolic SerRS is a cellular hub protein connecting translation to vascular development, angiogenesis, lipogenesis, and telomere maintenance. When translocated to the nucleus, SerRS acts as a master negative regulator of VEGFA gene expression. SerRS alone or in complex with YY1 and SIRT2 competes with activating transcription factors NFκB1 and c-Myc, resulting in balanced VEGFA expression important for proper vascular development and angiogenesis. In hypoxia, SerRS phosphorylation diminishes its binding to the VEGFA promoter, while the lack of nutrients triggers SerRS glycosylation, reducing its nuclear localization. Additionally, SerRS binds telomeric DNA and cooperates with the shelterin protein POT1 to regulate telomere length and cellular senescence. As an antitumor and antiangiogenic factor, human cytosolic SerRS appears to be a promising drug target and therapeutic agent for treating cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and possibly obesity and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jasmina Rokov-Plavec
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.D.); (V.G.-M.); (M.K.); (V.E.)
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2
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Tyczewska A, Grzywacz K. tRNA-derived fragments as new players in regulatory processes in yeast. Yeast 2023; 40:283-289. [PMID: 36385711 DOI: 10.1002/yea.3829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
For a very long time, RNA molecules were treated as transistory molecules, by which the genetic information flows from DNA to proteins; the model proposed in the 1960s accepted that proteins are both the products and the regulators of gene expression. Since then, thousands of reports proved that RNAs should be thought about as the factors that do control gene expression. The pervasive transcription has been reported in many eukaryotic organisms, illustrating a highly interwoven transcriptome organization that includes hundreds of previously unknown noncoding RNAs. The key roles of noncoding RNAs (microRNAs and small interfering RNAs) in gene expression regulation are no longer surprising, as are new classes of noncoding RNAs constantly being discovered. Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are the second most abundant type of RNAs in the cell. Advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies exposed the existence of functional, regulatory tRNA-derived RNA fragments (tRFs), generated from precursor and mature tRNAs. These tRF molecules have been found to play central roles during stress and different pathological conditions. Herein, we present the critical assessment of the discoveries made in the field of tRNA-derived fragments in the past 15 years in various pathogenic and nonpathogenic yeast species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Tyczewska
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Kamilla Grzywacz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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3
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tRNA Synthetases Are Recruited to Yeast Ribosomes by rRNA Expansion Segment 7L but Do Not Require Association for Functionality. Noncoding RNA 2021; 7:ncrna7040073. [PMID: 34842814 PMCID: PMC8628890 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna7040073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein biosynthesis is essential for any organism, yet how this process is regulated is not fully understood at the molecular level. During evolution, ribosomal RNA expanded in specific regions, referred to as rRNA expansion segments (ES). First functional roles of these expansions have only recently been discovered. Here we address the role of ES7La located in the large ribosomal subunit for factor recruitment to the yeast ribosome and the potential consequences for translation. Truncation of ES7La has only minor effects on ribosome biogenesis, translation efficiency and cell doubling. Using yeast rRNA deletion strains coupled with ribosome-specific mass spectrometry we analyzed the interactome of ribosomes lacking ES7La. Three aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases showed reduced ribosome association. Synthetase activities however remained unaltered suggesting that the pool of aminoacylated tRNAs is unaffected by the ES deletion. These results demonstrated that aminoacylation activities of tRNA synthetases per se do not rely on ribosome association. These findings suggest a role of ribosome-associated aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase beyond their core enzymatic functions.
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4
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Levin D, Tuller T. Whole cell biophysical modeling of codon-tRNA competition reveals novel insights related to translation dynamics. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008038. [PMID: 32649657 PMCID: PMC7375613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of mRNA translation models has been demonstrated across many fields of science and biotechnology. However, a whole cell model with codon resolution and biophysical dynamics is still lacking. We describe a whole cell model of translation for E. coli. The model simulates all major translation components in the cell: ribosomes, mRNAs and tRNAs. It also includes, for the first time, fundamental aspects of translation, such as competition for ribosomes and tRNAs at a codon resolution while considering tRNAs wobble interactions and tRNA recycling. The model uses parameters that are tightly inferred from large scale measurements of translation. Furthermore, we demonstrate a robust modelling approach which relies on state-of-the-art practices of translation modelling and also provides a framework for easy generalizations. This novel approach allows simulation of thousands of mRNAs that undergo translation in the same cell with common resources such as ribosomes and tRNAs in feasible time. Based on this model, we demonstrate, for the first time, the direct importance of competition for resources on translation and its accurate modelling. An effective supply-demand ratio (ESDR) measure, which is related to translation factors such as tRNAs, has been devised and utilized to show superior predictive power in complex scenarios of heterologous gene expression. The devised model is not only more accurate than the existing models, but, more importantly, provides a framework for analyzing complex whole cell translation problems and variables that haven't been explored before, making it important in various biomedical fields. mRNA translation is a fundamental process in all living organisms and the importance of its modeling has been demonstrated across many fields of science and biotechnology. Specifically, modeling a whole cell context with a high resolution has been a great challenge in the field, making many important problems un-addressable. In this study we devised a novel model, which allows, for the first time, simultaneous simulation of thousands of mRNAs, along with various bio-physical aspects that affect translation (such as codon-resolution dynamics and shared resources pool of both ribosomes and tRNAs). We demonstrated (using experimental data) that this model is more accurate than existing ones, and, more importantly, provides a framework for addressing complex translation problems (such as heterologous expression) at whole cell scale and in reasonable time. We demonstrated the model using E. coli data, but the model can be easily tailored to other organisms as well. Our model addresses an urgent unmet need for biophysically accurate whole cell translation model with resources coupling and has potential applications in many fields, including medicine and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doron Levin
- Biomedical Engineering Dept., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamir Tuller
- Biomedical Engineering Dept., Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- * E-mail:
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5
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Kekez M, Zanki V, Kekez I, Baranasic J, Hodnik V, Duchêne A, Anderluh G, Gruic‐Sovulj I, Matković‐Čalogović D, Weygand‐Durasevic I, Rokov‐Plavec J. Arabidopsis
seryl‐
tRNA
synthetase: the first crystal structure and novel protein interactor of plant aminoacyl‐
tRNA
synthetase. FEBS J 2019; 286:536-554. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Revised: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Kekez
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Vladimir Zanki
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Ivana Kekez
- Division of General and Inorganic Chemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Jurica Baranasic
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Vesna Hodnik
- National Institute of Chemistry Ljubljana Slovenia
- Biotechnical faculty University of Ljubljana Slovenia
| | - Anne‐Marie Duchêne
- Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes CNRS, Université de Strasbourg Strasbourg Cedex France
| | | | - Ita Gruic‐Sovulj
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Dubravka Matković‐Čalogović
- Division of General and Inorganic Chemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Ivana Weygand‐Durasevic
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
| | - Jasmina Rokov‐Plavec
- Division of Biochemistry Department of Chemistry Faculty of Science University of Zagreb Croatia
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6
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Abstract
The pool of transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules in cells allows the ribosome to decode genetic information. This repertoire of molecular decoders is positioned in the crossroad of the genome, the transcriptome, and the proteome. Omics and systems biology now allow scientists to explore the entire repertoire of tRNAs of many organisms, revealing basic exciting biology. The tRNA gene set of hundreds of species is now characterized, in addition to the tRNA genes of organelles and viruses. Genes encoding tRNAs for certain anticodon types appear in dozens of copies in a genome, while others are universally absent from any genome. Transcriptome measurement of tRNAs is challenging, but in recent years new technologies have allowed researchers to determine the dynamic expression patterns of tRNAs. These advances reveal that availability of ready-to-translate tRNA molecules is highly controlled by several transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulatory processes. This regulation shapes the proteome according to the cellular state. The tRNA pool profoundly impacts many aspects of cellular and organismal life, including protein expression level, translation accuracy, adequacy of folding, and even mRNA stability. As a result, the shape of the tRNA pool affects organismal health and may participate in causing conditions such as cancer and neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roni Rak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100 Israel;
| | - Orna Dahan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100 Israel;
| | - Yitzhak Pilpel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100 Israel;
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7
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Mleczko AM, Celichowski P, Bąkowska-Żywicka K. Transfer RNA-derived fragments target and regulate ribosome-associated aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:S1874-9399(17)30380-2. [PMID: 29883755 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ribosome-associated noncoding (ranc) RNAs are a novel class of short regulatory RNAs with functions and origins that have not been well studied. In this present study, we functionally characterized the molecular activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived fragments (tRFs) during protein biosynthesis. Our results indicate ribosome-associated tRFs derived from both 5' (ranc-5'-tRFs) and 3'-part of tRNAs (ranc-3'-tRFs) have regulatory roles during translation. We demonstrated five 3'-tRFs and one 5'-tRF associate with a small ribosomal subunit and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aa-RSs) in yeast. Furthermore, we discovered that four yeast aa-RSs interact directly with yeast ribosomes. tRFs interactions with ribosome-associated aa-RSs correlate with impaired efficiency of tRNA aminoacylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Mleczko
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego St. 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Piotr Celichowski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego St. 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Kamilla Bąkowska-Żywicka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego St. 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland.
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8
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Crnković A, Čavužić M, Godinić-Mikulčić V, Anderluh G, Weygand-Đurašević I, Gruić-Sovulj I. An archaeal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex for improved substrate quality control. Biochimie 2017; 147:36-45. [PMID: 29273296 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) decode genetic information by coupling tRNAs with cognate amino acids. In the archaeon Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus arginyl- and seryl-tRNA synthetase (ArgRS and SerRS, respectively) form a complex which enhances serylation and facilitates tRNASer recycling through its association with the ribosome. Yet, the way by which complex formation participates in Arg-tRNAArg synthesis is still unresolved. Here we utilized pull down and surface plasmon resonance experiments with truncated ArgRS variants to demonstrate that ArgRS uses its N-terminal domain to establish analogous interactions with both SerRS and cognate tRNAArg, providing a rationale for the lack of detectable SerRS•[ArgRS•tRNAArg] complex. In contrast, stable ternary ArgRS•[SerRS•tRNASer] complex was easily detected supporting the model wherein ArgRS operates in serylation by modulating SerRS affinity toward tRNASer. We also found that the interaction with SerRS suppresses arginylation of unmodified tRNAArg by ArgRS, which, by itself, does not discriminate against tRNAArg substrates lacking posttranscriptional modifications. Hence, there is a fundamentally different participation of the protein partners in Arg-tRNA and Ser-tRNA synthesis. Propensity of the ArgRS•SerRS complex to exclude unmodified tRNAs from translation leads to an attractive hypothesis that SerRS•ArgRS complex might act in vivo as a safeguarding switch that improves translation accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Crnković
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Mirela Čavužić
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vlatka Godinić-Mikulčić
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ivana Weygand-Đurašević
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ita Gruić-Sovulj
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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9
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Thurlow B, Davis JH, Leong V, Moraes TF, Williamson JR, Ortega J. Binding properties of YjeQ (RsgA), RbfA, RimM and Era to assembly intermediates of the 30S subunit. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:9918-9932. [PMID: 27382067 PMCID: PMC5175332 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding regarding the function of YjeQ (also called RsgA), RbfA, RimM and Era in ribosome biogenesis has been derived in part from the study of immature 30S particles that accumulate in null strains lacking one of these factors. However, their mechanistic details are still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that these immature particles are not dead-end products of assembly, but progress into mature 30S subunits. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that in vivo the occupancy level of these factors in these immature 30S particles is below 10% and that the concentration of factors does not increase when immature particles accumulate in cells. We measured by microscale thermophoresis that YjeQ and Era binds to the mature 30S subunit with high affinity. However, the binding affinity of these factors to the immature particles and of RimM and RbfA to mature or immature particles was weak, suggesting that binding is not occurring at physiological concentrations. These results suggest that in the absence of these factors, the immature particles evolve into a thermodynamically stable intermediate that exhibits low affinity for the assembly factors. These results imply that the true substrates of YjeQ, RbfA, RimM and Era are immature particles that precede the ribosomal particles accumulating in the knockouts strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Thurlow
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Diseases Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Joseph H Davis
- Department of Integrative Computational and Structural Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Vivian Leong
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Diseases Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S4K1, Canada
| | - Trevor F Moraes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S1A8, Canada
| | - James R Williamson
- Department of Integrative Computational and Structural Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Joaquin Ortega
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences and M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Diseases Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S4K1, Canada
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10
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Quax TEF, Claassens NJ, Söll D, van der Oost J. Codon Bias as a Means to Fine-Tune Gene Expression. Mol Cell 2015; 59:149-61. [PMID: 26186290 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2015.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 405] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The redundancy of the genetic code implies that most amino acids are encoded by multiple synonymous codons. In all domains of life, a biased frequency of synonymous codons is observed at the genome level, in functionally related genes (e.g., in operons), and within single genes. Other codon bias variants include biased codon pairs and codon co-occurrence. Although translation initiation is the key step in protein synthesis, it is generally accepted that codon bias contributes to translation efficiency by tuning the elongation rate of the process. Moreover, codon bias plays an important role in controlling a multitude of cellular processes, ranging from differential protein production to protein folding. Here we review currently known types of codon bias and how they may influence translation. We discuss how understanding the principles of codon bias and translation can contribute to improved protein production and developments in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa E F Quax
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands; Institut für Biologie II, Albert Ludwig Universität Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nico J Claassens
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dieter Söll
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 266 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | - John van der Oost
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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11
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Eriani G, Karam J, Jacinto J, Morris Richard E, Geslain R. MIST, a Novel Approach to Reveal Hidden Substrate Specificity in Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130042. [PMID: 26067673 PMCID: PMC4465971 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs) constitute a family of RNA-binding proteins, that participate in the translation of the genetic code, by covalently linking amino acids to appropriate tRNAs. Due to their fundamental importance for cell life, AARSs are likely to be one of the most ancient families of enzymes and have therefore been characterized extensively. Paradoxically, little is known about their capacity to discriminate tRNAs mainly because of the practical challenges that represent precise and systematic tRNA identification. This work describes a new technical and conceptual approach named MIST (Microarray Identification of Shifted tRNAs) designed to study the formation of tRNA/AARS complexes independently from the aminoacylation reaction. MIST combines electrophoretic mobility shift assays with microarray analyses. Although MIST is a non-cellular assay, it fully integrates the notion of tRNA competition. In this study we focus on yeast cytoplasmic Arginyl-tRNA synthetase (yArgRS) and investigate in depth its ability to discriminate cellular tRNAs. We report that yArgRS in submicromolar concentrations binds cognate and non-cognate tRNAs with a wide range of apparent affinities. In particular, we demonstrate that yArgRS binds preferentially to type II tRNAs but does not support their misaminoacylation. Our results reveal important new trends in tRNA/AARS complex formation and potential deep physiological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Eriani
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 67084, Strasbourg, CEDEX, France
| | - Joseph Karam
- Laboratory of tRNA Biology, Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jomel Jacinto
- Laboratory of tRNA Biology, Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Erin Morris Richard
- Laboratory of tRNA Biology, Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Renaud Geslain
- Laboratory of tRNA Biology, Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
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12
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Cui Z, Stein V, Tnimov Z, Mureev S, Alexandrov K. Semisynthetic tRNA complement mediates in vitro protein synthesis. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:4404-13. [PMID: 25822136 DOI: 10.1021/ja5131963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Genetic code expansion is a key objective of synthetic biology and protein engineering. Most efforts in this direction are focused on reassigning termination or decoding quadruplet codons. While the redundancy of genetic code provides a large number of potentially reassignable codons, their utility is diminished by the inevitable interaction with cognate aminoacyl-tRNAs. To address this problem, we sought to establish an in vitro protein synthesis system with a simplified synthetic tRNA complement, thereby orthogonalizing some of the sense codons. This quantitative in vitro peptide synthesis assay allowed us to analyze the ability of synthetic tRNAs to decode all of 61 sense codons. We observed that, with the exception of isoacceptors for Asn, Glu, and Ile, the majority of 48 synthetic Escherichia coli tRNAs could support protein translation in the cell-free system. We purified to homogeneity functional Asn, Glu, and Ile tRNAs from the native E. coli tRNA mixture, and by combining them with synthetic tRNAs, we formulated a semisynthetic tRNA complement for all 20 amino acids. We further demonstrated that this tRNA complement could restore the protein translation activity of tRNA-depleted E. coli lysate to a level comparable to that of total native tRNA. To confirm that the developed system could efficiently synthesize long polypeptides, we expressed three different sequences coding for superfolder GFP. This novel semisynthetic translation system is a powerful tool for tRNA engineering and potentially enables the reassignment of at least 9 sense codons coding for Ser, Arg, Leu, Pro, Thr, and Gly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenling Cui
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and the Australian Institute for Bioengeneering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Viktor Stein
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and the Australian Institute for Bioengeneering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zakir Tnimov
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and the Australian Institute for Bioengeneering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Sergey Mureev
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and the Australian Institute for Bioengeneering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Kirill Alexandrov
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience and the Australian Institute for Bioengeneering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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13
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Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complexes in evolution. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:6571-94. [PMID: 25807264 PMCID: PMC4394549 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16036571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are essential enzymes for interpreting the genetic code. They are responsible for the proper pairing of codons on mRNA with amino acids. In addition to this canonical, translational function, they are also involved in the control of many cellular pathways essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Association of several of these enzymes within supramolecular assemblies is a key feature of organization of the translation apparatus in eukaryotes. It could be a means to control their oscillation between translational functions, when associated within a multi-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex (MARS), and nontranslational functions, after dissociation from the MARS and association with other partners. In this review, we summarize the composition of the different MARS described from archaea to mammals, the mode of assembly of these complexes, and their roles in maintenance of cellular homeostasis.
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14
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Laporte D, Huot JL, Bader G, Enkler L, Senger B, Becker HD. Exploring the evolutionary diversity and assembly modes of multi-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complexes: lessons from unicellular organisms. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:4268-78. [PMID: 25315413 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) are ubiquitous and ancient enzymes, mostly known for their essential role in generating aminoacylated tRNAs. During the last two decades, many aaRSs have been found to perform additional and equally crucial tasks outside translation. In metazoans, aaRSs have been shown to assemble, together with non-enzymatic assembly proteins called aaRSs-interacting multifunctional proteins (AIMPs), into so-called multi-synthetase complexes (MSCs). Metazoan MSCs are dynamic particles able to specifically release some of their constituents in response to a given stimulus. Upon their release from MSCs, aaRSs can reach other subcellular compartments, where they often participate to cellular processes that do not exploit their primary function of synthesizing aminoacyl-tRNAs. The dynamics of MSCs and the expansion of the aaRSs functional repertoire are features that are so far thought to be restricted to higher and multicellular eukaryotes. However, much can be learnt about how MSCs are assembled and function from apparently 'simple' organisms. Here we provide an overview on the diversity of these MSCs, their composition, mode of assembly and the functions that their constituents, namely aaRSs and AIMPs, exert in unicellular organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphné Laporte
- UMR 'Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie', CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 21 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Jonathan L Huot
- UMR 'Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie', CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 21 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Gaétan Bader
- UMR 'Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie', CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 21 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Ludovic Enkler
- UMR 'Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie', CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 21 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Bruno Senger
- UMR 'Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie', CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 21 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Hubert Dominique Becker
- UMR 'Génétique Moléculaire, Génomique, Microbiologie', CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 21 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
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Gould N, Hendy O, Papamichail D. Computational tools and algorithms for designing customized synthetic genes. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2014; 2:41. [PMID: 25340050 PMCID: PMC4186344 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2014.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in DNA synthesis have enabled the construction of artificial genes, gene circuits, and genomes of bacterial scale. Freedom in de novo design of synthetic constructs provides significant power in studying the impact of mutations in sequence features, and verifying hypotheses on the functional information that is encoded in nucleic and amino acids. To aid this goal, a large number of software tools of variable sophistication have been implemented, enabling the design of synthetic genes for sequence optimization based on rationally defined properties. The first generation of tools dealt predominantly with singular objectives such as codon usage optimization and unique restriction site incorporation. Recent years have seen the emergence of sequence design tools that aim to evolve sequences toward combinations of objectives. The design of optimal protein-coding sequences adhering to multiple objectives is computationally hard, and most tools rely on heuristics to sample the vast sequence design space. In this review, we study some of the algorithmic issues behind gene optimization and the approaches that different tools have adopted to redesign genes and optimize desired coding features. We utilize test cases to demonstrate the efficiency of each approach, as well as identify their strengths and limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Gould
- Department of Computer Science, The College of New Jersey , Ewing, NJ , USA
| | - Oliver Hendy
- Department of Biology, The College of New Jersey , Ewing, NJ , USA
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