Anna Ochi

Pseudouridine at position 55 in tRNA controls the contents of other modified nucleotides for low-temperature adaptation in the extreme-thermophilic eubacterium Thermus thermophilus

Pseudouridine at position 55 (Ψ55) in eubacterial tRNA is produced by TruB. To clarify the role of the Ψ55 modification, we constructed a truB gene disruptant (ΔtruB) strain of Thermus thermophilus which is an extreme-thermophilic eubacterium. Unexpectedly, the ΔtruB strain exhibited severe growth retardation at 50°C. We assumed that these phenomena might be caused by lack of RNA chaperone activity of TruB, which was previously hypothetically proposed by others. To confirm this idea, we replaced the truB gene in the genome with mutant genes, which express TruB proteins with very weak or no enzymatic activity. However the growth retardation at 50°C was not rescued by these mutant proteins. Nucleoside analysis revealed that Gm18, m5s2U54 and m1A58 in tRNA from the ΔtruB strain were abnormally increased. An in vitro assay using purified tRNA modification enzymes demonstrated that the Ψ55 modification has a negative effect on Gm18 formation by TrmH. These experimental results show that the Ψ55 modification is required for low-temperature adaptation to control other modified. 35S-Met incorporation analysis showed that the protein synthesis activity of the ΔtruB strain was inferior to that of the wild-type strain and that the cold-shock proteins were absence in the ΔtruB cells at 50°C.

Aquifex aeolicus tRNA (N2,N2-Guanine)-dimethyltransferase (Trm1) Catalyzes Transfer of Methyl Groups Not Only to Guanine 26 but Also to Guanine 27 in tRNA

Transfer RNA (N2,N2-guanine)-dimethyltransferase (Trm1) catalyzes N2,N2-dimethylguanine formation at position 26 (m22G26) in tRNA. In the reaction, N2-guanine at position 26 (m2G26) is generated as an intermediate. The trm1 genes are found only in archaea and eukaryotes, although it has been reported that Aquifex aeolicus, a hyper-thermophilic eubacterium, has a putative trm1 gene. To confirm whether A. aeolicus Trm1 has tRNA methyltransferase activity, we purified recombinant Trm1 protein. In vitro methyl transfer assay revealed that the protein has a strong tRNA methyltransferase activity. We confirmed that this gene product is expressed in living A. aeolicus cells and that the enzymatic activity exists in cell extract. By preparing 22 tRNA transcripts and testing their methyl group acceptance activities, it was demonstrated that this Trm1 protein has a novel tRNA specificity. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that it catalyzes methyl transfers not only to G26 but also to G27 in substrate tRNA. Furthermore, it was confirmed that native tRNACys has an m22G26m2G27 or m22G26m22G27 sequence, demonstrating that these modifications occur in living cells. Kinetic studies reveal that the m2G26 formation is faster than the m2G27 formation and that disruption of the G27-C43 base pair accelerates velocity of the G27 modification. Moreover, we prepared an additional 22 mutant tRNA transcripts and clarified that the recognition sites exist in the T-arm structure. This long distance recognition results in multisite recognition by the enzyme.

Flexible recognition of the tRNA G18 methylation target site by TrmH methyltransferase through first binding and induced fit processes

Transfer RNA (Gm18) methyltransferase (TrmH) catalyzes methyl transfer from S-adenosyl-l-methionine to a conserved G18 in tRNA. We investigated the recognition mechanism of Thermus thermophilus TrmH for its guanosine target. Thirteen yeast tRNAPhe mutant transcripts were prepared in which the modification site and/or other nucleotides in the D-loop were substituted by dG, inosine, or other nucleotides. We then conducted methyl transfer kinetic studies, gel shift assays, and inhibition experiments using these tRNA variants. Sites of methylation were confirmed with RNA sequencing or primer extension. Although the G18G19 sequence is not essential for methylation by TrmH, disruption of G18G19 severely reduces the efficiency of methyl transfer. There is strict recognition of guanosine by TrmH, in that methylation occurs at the adjacent G19 when the G18 is replaced by dG or adenosine. The fact that TrmH methylates guanosine in D-loops from 4 to 12 nucleotides in length suggests that selection of the position of guanosine within the D-loop is relatively flexible. Our studies also demonstrate that the oxygen 6 atom of the guanine base is a positive determinant for TrmH recognition. The recognition process of TrmH for substrate is inducible and product-inhibited, in that tRNAs containing Gm18 are excluded by TrmH. In contrast, substitution of G18 with dG18 results in the formation of a more stable TrmH-tRNA complex. To address the mechanism, we performed the stopped-flow pre-steady state kinetic analysis. The result clearly showed that the binding of TrmH to tRNA is composed of at least three steps, the first bi-molecular binding and the subsequent two uni-molecular induced-fit processes.

The tRNA recognition mechanism of folate/FAD-dependent tRNA methyltransferase (TrmFO)

Background: RNA modification enzymes select specific RNAs as substrates. Results: A novel assay for folate-dependent tRNA methyltransferase (TrmFO) was developed that clarified positive and negative determinants of TrmFO. Conclusion: TrmFO recognizes a T-arm structure including the U54U55C56 sequence and G53-C61 base pair; A38 prevents incorrect methylation of U32. Significance: Studying how proteins recognize RNA is crucial for understanding RNA maturation processes. The conserved U54 in tRNA is often modified to 5-methyluridine (m5U) and forms a reverse Hoogsteen base pair with A58 that stabilizes the L-shaped tRNA structure. In Gram-positive and some Gram-negative eubacteria, m5U54 is produced by folate/FAD-dependent tRNA (m5U54) methyltransferase (TrmFO). TrmFO utilizes N5,N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2THF) as a methyl donor. We previously reported an in vitro TrmFO assay system, in which unstable [14C]CH2THF was supplied from [14C]serine and tetrahydrofolate by serine hydroxymethyltransferase. In the current study, we have improved the TrmFO assay system by optimization of enzyme and substrate concentrations and introduction of a filter assay system. Using this assay, we have focused on the tRNA recognition mechanism of TrmFO. 42 tRNA mutant variants were prepared, and experiments with truncated tRNA and microhelix RNAs revealed that the minimum requirement of TrmFO exists in the T-arm structure. The positive determinants for TrmFO were found to be the U54U55C56 sequence and G53-C61 base pair. The gel mobility shift assay and fluorescence quenching showed that the affinity of TrmFO for tRNA in the initial binding process is weak. The inhibition experiments showed that the methylated tRNA is released before the structural change process. Furthermore, we found that A38 prevents incorrect methylation of U32 in the anticodon loop. Moreover, the m1A58 modification clearly accelerates the TrmFO reaction, suggesting a synergistic effect of the m5U54, m1A58, and s2U54 modifications on m5s2U54 formation in Thermus thermophilus cells. The docking model of TrmFO and the T-arm showed that the G53-C61 base pair is not able to directly contact the enzyme.

The Catalytic Domain of Topological Knot tRNA Methyltransferase (TrmH) Discriminates between Substrate tRNA and Nonsubstrate tRNA via an Induced-fit Process

Background: Topologically knotted tRNA methyltransferases specifically recognize substrate tRNA. Results: Site-directed mutagenesis studies, chimeric protein analysis, and pre-steady state kinetics clarify the tRNA recognition sites of TrmH. Conclusion: The N- and C-terminal regions function in the initial binding process, and substrate tRNA is discriminated by the catalytic domain in an induced-fit process. Significance: Study of how proteins recognize RNA is crucial for understanding RNA maturation processes. A conserved guanosine at position 18 (G18) in the D-loop of tRNAs is often modified to 2′-O-methylguanosine (Gm). Formation of Gm18 in eubacterial tRNA is catalyzed by tRNA (Gm18) methyltransferase (TrmH). TrmH enzymes can be divided into two types based on their substrate tRNA specificity. Type I TrmH, including Thermus thermophilus TrmH, can modify all tRNA species, whereas type II TrmH, for example Escherichia coli TrmH, modifies only a subset of tRNA species. Our previous crystal study showed that T. thermophilus TrmH is a class IV S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent methyltransferase, which maintains a topological knot structure in the catalytic domain. Because TrmH enzymes have short stretches at the N and C termini instead of a clear RNA binding domain, these stretches are believed to be involved in tRNA recognition. In this study, we demonstrate by site-directed mutagenesis that both N- and C-terminal regions function in tRNA binding. However, in vitro and in vivo chimera protein studies, in which four chimeric proteins of type I and II TrmHs were used, demonstrated that the catalytic domain discriminates substrate tRNAs from nonsubstrate tRNAs. Thus, the N- and C-terminal regions do not function in the substrate tRNA discrimination process. Pre-steady state analysis of complex formation between mutant TrmH proteins and tRNA by stopped-flow fluorescence measurement revealed that the C-terminal region works in the initial binding process, in which nonsubstrate tRNA is not excluded, and that structural movement of the motif 2 region of the catalytic domain in an induced-fit process is involved in substrate tRNA discrimination.

Substrate tRNA Recognition Mechanism of Eubacterial tRNA (m1A58) Methyltransferase (TrmI)

Background: tRNA methyltransferases specifically recognize substrate tRNAs. Results: To clarify the tRNA recognition mechanism of TrmI, three tRNA species and 45 variants were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: TrmI recognizes the aminoacyl stem, variable region, C56, purine 57, A58, and U60 in the T-loop of tRNA. Significance: Our in vitro experimental results explain the regulation of in vivo methylation levels in tRNAs. TrmI generates N1-methyladenosine at position 58 (m1A58) in tRNA. The Thermus thermophilus tRNAPhe transcript was methylated efficiently by T. thermophilus TrmI, whereas the yeast tRNAPhe transcript was poorly methylated. Fourteen chimeric tRNA transcripts derived from these two tRNAs revealed that TrmI recognized the combination of aminoacyl stem, variable region, and T-loop. This was confirmed by 10 deletion tRNA variants: TrmI methylated transcripts containing the aminoacyl stem, variable region, and T-arm. The requirement for the T-stem itself was confirmed by disrupting the T-stem. Disrupting the interaction between T- and D-arms accelerated the methylation, suggesting that this disruption is included in part of the reaction. Experiments with 17 point mutant transcripts elucidated the positive sequence determinants C56, purine 57, A58, and U60. Replacing A58 with inosine and 2-aminopurine completely abrogated methylation, demonstrating that the 6-amino group in A58 is recognized by TrmI. T. thermophilus tRNAGGUThrGGUThr contains C60 instead of U60. The tRNAGGUThr transcript was poorly methylated by TrmI, and replacing C60 with U increased the methylation, consistent with the point mutation experiments. A gel shift assay revealed that tRNAGGUThr had a low affinity for TrmI than tRNAPhe. Furthermore, analysis of tRNAGGUThr purified from the trmI gene disruptant strain revealed that the other modifications in tRNA accelerated the formation of m1A58 by TrmI. Moreover, nucleoside analysis of tRNAGGUThr from the wild-type strain indicated that less than 50% of tRNAGGUThr contained m1A58. Thus, the results from the in vitro experiments were confirmed by the in vivo methylation patterns.

The C-terminal region of thermophilic tRNA (m7G46) methyltransferase (TrmB) stabilizes the dimer structure and enhances fidelity of methylation.

Transfer RNA (m7G46) methyltransferase catalyzes methyl‐transfer from S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine to N7 atom of the semi‐conserved G46 base in tRNA. Aquifex aeolicus is a hyper thermophilic eubacterium that grows at close to 95°C. A. aeolicus tRNA (m7G46) methyltransferase [TrmB] has an elongated C‐terminal region as compared with mesophilic counterparts. In this study, the authors focused on the functions of this C‐terminal region. Analytic gel filtration chromatography and amino acid sequencing reveled that the start point (Glu202) of the C‐terminal region is often cleaved by proteases during purification steps and the C‐terminal region tightly binds to another subunit even in the presence of 6M urea. Because the C‐terminal region contains abundant basic amino acid residues, the authors assumed that some of these residues might be involved in tRNA binding. To address this idea, the authors prepared eight alanine substitution mutant proteins. However, measurements of initial velocities of these mutant proteins suggested that the basic amino acid residues in the C‐terminal region are not involved in tRNA binding. The authors investigated effects of the deletion of the C‐terminal region. Deletion mutant protein of the C‐terminal region (the core protein) was precipitated by incubation at 85°C, while the wild type protein was soluble at that temperature, demonstrating that the C‐terminal region contributes to the protein stability at high temperatures. The core protein had a methyl‐transfer activity to yeast tRNAPhe transcript. Furthermore, the core protein slowly methylated tRNA transcripts, which did not contain G46 base. Moreover, the modified base was identified as m7G by two‐dimensional thin layer chromatography. Thus, the deletion of the C‐terminal region causes nonspecific methylation of N7 atom of guanine base(s) in tRNA transcripts. Proteins 2008.

RNA recognition mechanism of eukaryote tRNA (m7G46) methyltransferase (Trm8–Trm82 complex)

Yeast tRNA (m7G46) methyltransferase contains two protein subunits (Trm8 and Trm82). To address the RNA recognition mechanism of the Trm8–Trm82 complex, we investigated methyl acceptance activities of eight truncated yeast tRNAPhe transcripts. Both the D‐stem and T‐stem structures were required for efficient methyl‐transfer. To clarify the role of the D‐stem structure, we tested four mutant transcripts, in which tertiary base pairs were disrupted. The tertiary base pairs were important but not essential for the methyl‐transfer to yeast tRNAPhe transcript, suggesting that these base pairs support the induced fit of the G46 base into the catalytic pocket.

Substrate tRNA Recognition Mechanism of a Multisite-specific tRNA Methyltransferase, Aquifex aeolicus Trm1, Based on the X-ray Crystal Structure

Archaeal and eukaryotic tRNA (N2,N2-guanine)-dimethyltransferase (Trm1) produces N2,N2-dimethylguanine at position 26 in tRNA. In contrast, Trm1 from Aquifex aeolicus, a hyper-thermophilic eubacterium, modifies G27 as well as G26. Here, a gel mobility shift assay revealed that the T-arm in tRNA is the binding site of A. aeolicus Trm1. To address the multisite specificity, we performed an x-ray crystal structure study. The overall structure of A. aeolicus Trm1 is similar to that of archaeal Trm1, although there is a zinc-cysteine cluster in the C-terminal domain of A. aeolicus Trm1. The N-terminal domain is a typical catalytic domain of S-adenosyl-l-methionine-dependent methyltransferases. On the basis of the crystal structure and amino acid sequence alignment, we prepared 30 mutant Trm1 proteins. These mutant proteins clarified residues important for S-adenosyl-l-methionine binding and enabled us to propose a hypothetical reaction mechanism. Furthermore, the tRNA-binding site was also elucidated by methyl transfer assay and gel mobility shift assay. The electrostatic potential surface models of A. aeolicus and archaeal Trm1 proteins demonstrated that the distribution of positive charges differs between the two proteins. We constructed a tRNA-docking model, in which the T-arm structure was placed onto the large area of positive charge, which is the expected tRNA-binding site, of A. aeolicus Trm1. In this model, the target G26 base can be placed near the catalytic pocket; however, the nucleotide at position 27 gains closer access to the pocket. Thus, this docking model introduces a rational explanation of the multisite specificity of A. aeolicus Trm1.

Production of yeast tRNA (m7G46) methyltransferase (Trm8-Trm82 complex) in a wheat germ cell-free translation system

Cell-free translation systems are a powerful tool for the production of many kinds of proteins. However the production of proteins made up of hetero subunits is a major problem. In this study, we selected yeast tRNA (m(7)G46) methyltransferase (Trm8-Trm82 heterodimer) as a model protein. The enzyme catalyzes a methyl-transfer from S-adenosyl-l-methionine to the N(7) atom of guanine at position 46 in tRNA. When Trm8 or Trm82 mRNA were used for cell-free translation, Trm8 and Trm82 proteins could be synthesized. Upon mixing the synthesized Trm8 and Trm82 proteins, no active Trm8-Trm82 heterodimer was produced. Active Trm8-Trm82 heterodimer was only synthesized under conditions, in which both Trm8 and Trm82 mRNAs were co-translated. These results strongly suggest that the association of the Trm8 and Trm82 subunits is translationally controlled in living cells. Kinetic parameters of purified Trm8-Trm82 heterodimer were measured and these showed that the protein has comparable activity to other tRNA methyltransferases. The production of the m(7)G base at position 46 in tRNA was confirmed by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography and aniline cleavage of the methylated tRNA.