Arsenic toxicity is regulated by queuine availability and oxidation-induced reprogramming of the human tRNA epitranscriptome
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ABSTRACT: Cells respond to environmental stress by regulating gene expression at the level of both transcription and translation. The ~50 modified ribonucleotides of the human epitranscriptome contribute to the latter, with mounting evidence that dynamic regulation of tRNA wobble modifications leads to selective translation of stress response proteins from codon-biased genes. Here we show that the response of human HepG2 cells to arsenite exposure is regulated by the availability of queuine, a micronutrient and essential precursor to the wobble modification queuosine (Q) on tRNAs reading GUN codons. Among oxidizing and alkylating agents at equitoxic concentrations, arsenite exposure caused an oxidant-specific increase in Q that correlated with up-regulation of proteins from codon-biased genes involved in energy metabolism. Limiting queuine increased arsenite-induced cell death, altered translation, increased reactive oxygen species levels, and caused mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition to revealing a new epitranscriptomic facet of arsenite toxicity and response, our results highlight the mechanistic links between environmental exposures, stress tolerance, and micronutrients.
INSTRUMENT(S): Q Exactive HF
ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)
TISSUE(S): Hepatocyte, Liver
SUBMITTER: Peter Dedon
LAB HEAD: Peter Dedon
PROVIDER: PXD030726 | Pride | 2022-08-27
REPOSITORIES: Pride
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