Kenjyo Miyauchi

The 3|[prime]| termini of mouse Piwi-interacting RNAs are 2|[prime]|-O-methylated

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a germline-specific class of small noncoding RNAs that are essential for spermatogenesis, but their function and biogenesis remain elusive. Here we report a post-transcriptional modification of mouse piRNAs. Mass spectrometric analysis reveals that the piRNAs tested are fully modified by 2′-O-methylation at their 3′ termini. This observation may provide a clue to the biogenesis and function of piRNAs in spermatogenesis.

Discovery and characterization of tRNAIle lysidine synthetase (TilS)

In the bacterial decoding system, the AUA codon is deciphered as isoleucine by tRNAIle bearing lysidine (L, 2‐lysyl‐cytidine) at the wobble position. Lysidine is an essential modification that determines both the codon and amino acid specificities of tRNAIle. We identified an enzyme named tRNAIle lysidine synthetase (TilS) that catalyzes lysidine formation by using lysine and ATP as substrates. Biochemical studies revealed a molecular mechanism of lysidine formation that consists of two consecutive reactions involving the adenylated tRNA intermediate. In addition, we deciphered how Escherichia coli TilS specifically discriminates between tRNAIle and the structurally similar tRNAMet, which bears the same anticodon loop. Recent structural studies unveiled tRNA recognition by TilS, and a molecular basis of lysidine formation at atomic resolution.

Rectifier of aberrant mRNA splicing recovers tRNA modification in familial dysautonomia

Significance Familial dysautonomia (FD) is caused by missplicing of the IκB kinase complex-associated protein (IKAP) gene, which results in the skipping of exon 20, especially in neurons. FD would be treatable if exon 20 inclusion were increased correctly to reestablish correct splicing. Here, we have established a dual-color splicing reporter that recapitulates FD-type splicing. By using this reporter, we have identified a small chemical compound, named rectifier of aberrant splicing (RECTAS), that rectifies the aberrant splicing of FD. RECTAS promotes both exon 20 inclusion and the product IKAP expression in cells of patients with FD. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that modification levels of wobble uridine residues of several tRNAs are reduced in FD cells and that RECTAS can recover not only tRNA modifications but also cell viability of FD cells. Familial dysautonomia (FD), a hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, is caused by missplicing of exon 20, resulting from an intronic mutation in the inhibitor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells, kinase complex-associated protein (IKBKAP) gene encoding IKK complex-associated protein (IKAP)/elongator protein 1 (ELP1). A newly established splicing reporter assay allowed us to visualize pathogenic splicing in cells and to screen small chemicals for the ability to correct the aberrant splicing of IKBKAP. Using this splicing reporter, we screened our chemical libraries and identified a compound, rectifier of aberrant splicing (RECTAS), that rectifies the aberrant IKBKAP splicing in cells from patients with FD. Here, we found that the levels of modified uridine at the wobble position in cytoplasmic tRNAs are reduced in cells from patients with FD and that treatment with RECTAS increases the expression of IKAP and recovers the tRNA modifications. These findings suggest that the missplicing of IKBKAP results in reduced tRNA modifications in patients with FD and that RECTAS is a promising therapeutic drug candidate for FD.

Decoding system for the AUA codon by tRNAIle with the UAU anticodon in Mycoplasma mobile

Deciphering the genetic code is a fundamental process in all living organisms. In many bacteria, AUA codons are deciphered by tRNAIle2 bearing lysidine (L) at the wobble position. L is a modified cytidine introduced post-transcriptionally by tRNAIle-lysidine synthetase (TilS). Some bacteria, including Mycoplasma mobile, do not carry the tilS gene, indicating that they have established a different system to decode AUA codons. In this study, tRNAIle2 has been isolated from M. mobile and was found to contain a UAU anticodon without any modification. Mycoplasma mobile isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS) recognized the UAU anticodon, whereas Escherichia coli IleRS did not efficiently aminoacylate tRNAIle2UAU. In M. mobile IleRS, a single Arg residue at position 865 was critical for specificity for the UAU anticodon and, when the corresponding site (W905) in E. coli IleRS was substituted with Arg, the W905R mutant efficiently aminoacylated tRNA with UAU anticodon. Mycoplasma mobile tRNAIle2 cannot distinguish between AUA and AUG codon on E. coli ribosome. However, on M. mobile ribosome, M. mobile tRNAIle2UAU specifically recognized AUA codon, and not AUG codon, suggesting M. mobile ribosome has a property that prevents misreading of AUG codon. These findings provide an insight into the evolutionary reorganization of the AUA decoding system.

A single acetylation of 18 S rRNA is essential for biogenesis of the small ribosomal subunit in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Background: Post-transcriptional modifications of rRNAs play important roles in biogenesis and function of ribosome. Results: Identification of an essential RNA acetyltransferase Rra1p responsible for forming N4-acetylcytidine at position 1773 in 18 S rRNA. Conclusion: Rra1p and ac4C1773 are required for pre-18 S rRNA processing. Significance: Rra1p modulates 40 S subunit biogenesis through a single acetylation of 18 S rRNA by sensing nuclear acetyl-CoA concentration. Biogenesis of eukaryotic ribosome is a complex event involving a number of non-ribosomal factors. During assembly of the ribosome, rRNAs are post-transcriptionally modified by 2′-O-methylation, pseudouridylation, and several base-specific modifications, which are collectively involved in fine-tuning translational fidelity and/or modulating ribosome assembly. By mass-spectrometric analysis, we demonstrated that N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) is present at position 1773 in the 18 S rRNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, we found an essential gene, KRE33 (human homolog, NAT10), that we renamed RRA1 (ribosomal RNA cytidine acetyltransferase 1) encoding an RNA acetyltransferase responsible for ac4C1773 formation. Using recombinant Rra1p, we could successfully reconstitute ac4C1773 in a model rRNA fragment in the presence of both acetyl-CoA and ATP as substrates. Upon depletion of Rra1p, the 23 S precursor of 18 S rRNA was accumulated significantly, which resulted in complete loss of 18 S rRNA and small ribosomal subunit (40 S), suggesting that ac4C1773 formation catalyzed by Rra1p plays a critical role in processing of the 23 S precursor to yield 18 S rRNA. When nuclear acetyl-CoA was depleted by inactivation of acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACS2), we observed temporal accumulation of the 23 S precursor, indicating that Rra1p modulates biogenesis of 40 S subunit by sensing nuclear acetyl-CoA concentration.

ALKBH1 is an RNA dioxygenase responsible for cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNA modifications

Abstract ALKBH1 is a 2-oxoglutarate- and Fe2+-dependent dioxygenase responsible for multiple cellular functions. Here, we show that ALKBH1 is involved in biogenesis of 5-hydroxymethyl-2΄-O-methylcytidine (hm5Cm) and 5-formyl-2΄-O-methylcytidine (f5Cm) at the first position (position 34) of anticodon in cytoplasmic tRNALeu, as well as f5C at the same position in mitochondrial tRNAMet. Because f5C34 of mitochondrial tRNAMet is essential for translation of AUA, a non-universal codon in mammalian mitochondria, ALKBH1-knockout cells exhibited a strong reduction in mitochondrial translation and reduced respiratory complex activities, indicating that f5C34 formation mediated by ALKBH1 is required for efficient mitochondrial functions. We reconstituted formation of f5C34 on mitochondrial tRNAMetin vitro, and found that ALKBH1 first hydroxylated m5C34 to form hm5C34, and then oxidized hm5C34 to form f5C34. Moreover, we found that the frequency of 1-methyladenosine (m1A) in two mitochondrial tRNAs increased in ALKBH1-knockout cells, indicating that ALKBH1 also has demethylation activity toward m1A in mt-tRNAs. Based on these results, we conclude that nuclear and mitochondrial ALKBH1 play distinct roles in tRNA modification.

Discovery of the β-barrel–type RNA methyltransferase responsible for N6-methylation of N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine in tRNAs

Methylation is a versatile reaction involved in the synthesis and modification of biologically active molecules, including RNAs. N6-methyl-threonylcarbamoyl adenosine (m6t6A) is a post-transcriptional modification found at position 37 of tRNAs from bacteria, insect, plants, and mammals. Here, we report that in Escherichia coli, yaeB (renamed as trmO) encodes a tRNA methyltransferase responsible for the N6-methyl group of m6t6A in tRNAThr specific for ACY codons. TrmO has a unique single-sheeted β-barrel structure and does not belong to any known classes of methyltransferases. Recombinant TrmO employs S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) as a methyl donor to methylate t6A to form m6t6A in tRNAThr. Therefore, TrmO/YaeB represents a novel category of AdoMet-dependent methyltransferase (Class VIII). In a ΔtrmO strain, m6t6A was converted to cyclic t6A (ct6A), suggesting that t6A is a common precursor for both m6t6A and ct6A. Furthermore, N6-methylation of t6A enhanced the attenuation activity of the thr operon, suggesting that TrmO ensures efficient decoding of ACY. We also identified a human homolog, TRMO, indicating that m6t6A plays a general role in fine-tuning of decoding in organisms from bacteria to mammals.

Taurine-containing Uridine Modifications in tRNA Anticodons Are Required to Decipher Non-universal Genetic Codes in Ascidian Mitochondria

Variations in the genetic code are found frequently in mitochondrial decoding systems. Four non-universal genetic codes are employed in ascidian mitochondria: AUA for Met, UGA for Trp, and AGA/AGG(AGR) for Gly. To clarify the decoding mechanism for the non-universal genetic codes, we isolated and analyzed mitochondrial tRNAs for Trp, Met, and Gly from an ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi. Mass spectrometric analysis identified 5-taurinomethyluridine (τm5U) at the anticodon wobble positions of tRNAMet(AUR), tRNATrp(UGR), and tRNAGly(AGR), suggesting that τm5U plays a critical role in the accurate deciphering of all four non-universal codes by preventing the misreading of pyrimidine-ending near-cognate codons (NNY) in their respective family boxes. Acquisition of the wobble modification appears to be a prerequisite for the genetic code alteration.

Nucleoside Analysis by Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry.

RNA molecules contain a wide variety of chemical modifications that cannot be deduced from the genomic sequence. RNA modifications confer a chemical diversity to simple RNA molecules, enabling a greater variety of biological functions. To detect RNA modifications, highly sensitive analytical tools are required. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) has been playing a vital role in analyzing minor modified nucleosides in RNA specimens from various sources. Reverse-phase chromatography (RPC) has been used for LC/MS for a long time because RPC is compatible with electrospray ionization (ESI) MS. However, RPC is not always suitable for detecting hydrophilic or polar nucleosides. We here describe a different mode of LC/MS for detecting RNA modifications using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). HILIC/ESI-MS is a valuable alternative for profiling modified nucleosides.

Identification of 2-methylthio cyclic N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (ms2ct6A) as a novel RNA modification at position 37 of tRNAs.

Abstract Transfer RNA modifications play pivotal roles in protein synthesis. N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (t6A) and its derivatives are modifications found at position 37, 3΄-adjacent to the anticodon, in tRNAs responsible for ANN codons. These modifications are universally conserved in all domains of life. t6A and its derivatives have pleiotropic functions in protein synthesis including aminoacylation, decoding and translocation. We previously discovered a cyclic form of t6A (ct6A) as a chemically labile derivative of t6A in tRNAs from bacteria, fungi, plants and protists. Here, we report 2-methylthio cyclic t6A (ms2ct6A), a novel derivative of ct6A found in tRNAs from Bacillus subtilis, plants and Trypanosoma brucei. In B. subtilis and T. brucei, ms2ct6A disappeared and remained to be ms2t6A and ct6A by depletion of tcdA and mtaB homologs, respectively, demonstrating that TcdA and MtaB are responsible for biogenesis of ms2ct6A.