Project description:Previously, combined loss of specific anticodon loop modifications was shown to impair the function of distinct tRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Surprisingly, each scenario resulted in shared cellular phenotypes, the basis of which is unclear. To investigate how loss of different tRNA modifications can induce overlapping phenotypes, we characterized global transcription patterns of modification mutants with defects in either tRNAGlnUUG or tRNALysUUU function. We observe that the mutants share an inappropriate induction of multiple starvation responses, including derepression of glucose and nitrogen catabolite-repressed genes as well as improper activation of amino acid biosynthesis and autophagy genes, all of which occur prematurely and inadequately in exponential growth phase. We further demonstrate that improper responses to starvation as well as the propensity of the tRNA modification mutants to form protein aggregates are diminished upon overexpression of tRNAGlnUUG or tRNALysUUU, the tRNA species that lack the modifications of interest. Hence, our data suggest that global alterations in mRNA translation and proteostasis (rather than codon specific defects in translation) account for the transcriptional stress signatures that are commonly triggered by loss of anticodon modifications in different tRNAs.
Project description:In most eukaryotes, the wobble position of tRNA with a GUN anticodon is queuosine-modified (Q34). Q is synthesized exclusively by eubacteria and salvaged by eukaryotes as a nutrient to replace G34 in tRNAs. Q34 modification stimulates Dnmt2/Pmt1-dependent C38 methylation in the tRNAAsp anticodon loop in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Due to the location of both modification in the anticodon loop, we anticipated an influence on translation. Our experimental setup allowed for the analysis of effects from each modification alone or a combination of both.
Project description:In most eukaryotes and bacteria, queuosine (Q) replaces the guanosine at the wobble position of tRNAs harboring a GUN anticodon. To faithfully detect Q-modification in RNAs from Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Shigella flexneri, Q-MaP-Seq was established and applied to tRNAs from S. pombe WT (AEP1) cells and Shigella flexneri WT cells and tgt∆ cells. Q-modification of in vitro-transcribed RNAs and RNAs isolated from S. pombe and S. flexneri followed by reverse transcription using the RT-active DNA polymerase variant RT-KTq I614Y and sequencing of unmodified compared to modified RNAs allowed identification of Q-sites within tRNAs.
Project description:Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) maintain translational fidelity through strict charging by their cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and codon:anticodon base pairing with the mRNA at the ribosome. Mistranslation occurs when an amino acid not specified by the genetic code is incorporated into a protein. Since alanyl-tRNA synthetase uniquely recognizes a G3:U70 base pair in alanine tRNAs and the anticodon plays no role in charging, alanine tRNA variants with anticodon mutations have the potential to mistranslate alanine. Our goal was to quantify mis-incorporation of alanine into proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains expressing one of 57 different alanine tRNA anticodon variants. Using mass spectrometry, we observed mistranslation for 45 of the variants when expressed on single-copy plasmids.
Project description:Transcriptomic profile between the control and treatment showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched on regulation of response to stimulus,regulation of cell cycle process, peptidyl-amino acid modification, regulation of cell communication, fatty acid elongation, arachidonic acid metabolism, ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation
Project description:Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are vital in determining the specificity of translation. Mutations in tRNAs can result in the mis-incorporation of amino acids into nascent polypeptides in a process known as mistranslation. Here, our goal was to test the impacts of different types of mistranslation in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, as impact of mistranslation depends on the type of amino acid substitution. We created two fly lines - one expressing a serine tRNA variant with valine anticodon and the other with a serine tRNA variant with a threonine anticodon. Using mass spectrometry, we measure the amount of mistranslation at various points in fly development.