scholarly journals Genome Size Reduction and Transposon Activity Impact tRNA Gene Diversity While Ensuring Translational Stability in Birds

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jente Ottenburghs ◽  
Keyi Geng ◽  
Alexander Suh ◽  
Claudia Kutter
Keyword(s):  
Trna Gene ◽  
Gene Evolution ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Gene Diversity ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Genetic Regulation ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Avian Genomes

Abstract As a highly diverse vertebrate class, bird species have adapted to various ecological systems. How this phenotypic diversity can be explained genetically is intensively debated and is likely grounded in differences in the genome content. Larger and more complex genomes could allow for greater genetic regulation that results in more phenotypic variety. Surprisingly, avian genomes are much smaller compared to other vertebrates but contain as many protein-coding genes as other vertebrates. This supports the notion that the phenotypic diversity is largely determined by selection on non-coding gene sequences. Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) represent a group of non-coding genes. However, the characteristics of tRNA genes across bird genomes have remained largely unexplored. Here, we exhaustively investigated the evolution and functional consequences of these crucial translational regulators within bird species and across vertebrates. Our dense sampling of 55 avian genomes representing each bird order revealed an average of 169 tRNA genes with at least 31% being actively used. Unlike other vertebrates, avian tRNA genes are reduced in number and complexity but are still in line with vertebrate wobble pairing strategies and mutation-driven codon usage. Our detailed phylogenetic analyses further uncovered that new tRNA genes can emerge through multiplication by transposable elements. Together, this study provides the first comprehensive avian and cross-vertebrate tRNA gene analyses and demonstrates that tRNA gene evolution is flexible albeit constrained within functional boundaries of general mechanisms in protein translation.

scholarly journals Transfer RNA genes experience exceptionally elevated mutation rates

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (36) ◽  
pp. 8996-9001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan P. Thornlow ◽  
Josh Hough ◽  
Jacquelyn M. Roger ◽  
Henry Gong ◽  
Todd M. Lowe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mutation Rate ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Gene Evolution ◽  
Purifying Selection ◽  
Mutation Rates ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Biological Synthesis ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Simple Method

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are a central component for the biological synthesis of proteins, and they are among the most highly conserved and frequently transcribed genes in all living things. Despite their clear significance for fundamental cellular processes, the forces governing tRNA evolution are poorly understood. We present evidence that transcription-associated mutagenesis and strong purifying selection are key determinants of patterns of sequence variation within and surrounding tRNA genes in humans and diverse model organisms. Remarkably, the mutation rate at broadly expressed cytosolic tRNA loci is likely between 7 and 10 times greater than the nuclear genome average. Furthermore, evolutionary analyses provide strong evidence that tRNA genes, but not their flanking sequences, experience strong purifying selection acting against this elevated mutation rate. We also find a strong correlation between tRNA expression levels and the mutation rates in their immediate flanking regions, suggesting a simple method for estimating individual tRNA gene activity. Collectively, this study illuminates the extreme competing forces in tRNA gene evolution and indicates that mutations at tRNA loci contribute disproportionately to mutational load and have unexplored fitness consequences in human populations.

PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSES OF FRINGILLIDAE (AVES: PASSERIFORMES) USING MITOCHONDRIAL tRNA GENE SEQUENCES AND SECONDARY STRUCTURE

2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (03) ◽  
pp. 413-424
Author(s):  
BO CUI ◽  
FEI MA ◽  
XIANG WANG ◽  
YI SUN ◽  
LI YU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Likelihood Method ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Gene Sequences ◽  
Mitochondrial Trna ◽  
Mitochondrial Trna Genes ◽  
Mitochondrial Trna Gene

Fringillidae is a large and diverse family of Passeriformes. So far, however, Fringillidae relationships deduced from morphological features and by a number of molecular approaches have remained unproven. Recently, much attention has been attracted to mitochondrial tRNA genes, whose sequence and secondary structural characteristics have shown to be useful for Acrodont Lizards and deep-branch phylogenetic studies. In order to identify useful phylogenetic markers and test Fringillidae relationships, we have sequenced three major clusters of mitochondrial tRNA genes from 15 Fringillidae taxa. A coincident tree, with coturnix as outgroup, was obtained through Maximum-likelihood method using combined dataset of 11 mitochondrial tRNA gene sequences. The result was similar to that through Neighbor-joining but different from Maximum-parsimony methods. Phylogenetic trees constructed with stem-region sequences of 11 genes had many different topologies and lower confidence than with total sequences. On the other hand, some secondary structural characteristics may provide phylogenetic information on relatively short internal branches at under-genus level. In summary, our data indicate that mitochondrial tRNA genes can achieve high confidence on Fringillidae phylogeny at subfamily level, and stem-region sequences may be suitable only at above-family level. Secondary structural characteristics may also be useful to resolve phylogenetic relationship between different genera of Fringillidae with good performance.

An evaluation of mitochondrial tRNA gene evolution and its relation to the genetic code

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Cedergren
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Code ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Gene Evolution ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Gene Structures ◽  
And Function ◽  
First Time ◽  
Mitochondrial Trna Gene

Extensive sequence data on mitochondrial (mt) tRNAs give for the first time an opportunity to evaluate tRNA gene evolution in this organelle. Deductions from these gene structures relate to the evolution of tRNA genes in other cellular systems and to the origin of the genetic code. Mt tRNAs, in contrast to the prokaryotic nature of chloroplastic tRNA structure, can not at the present time be definitely related to either prokaryotic or eukaryotic tRNAs, probably because of a higher mutation rate in mitochondria.Fungal mt tRNAs having the same anticodon and function are generally similar enough to be considered homologous. Comparisons of all mt tRNA sequences contained in the same mitochondrion indicate that some tRNAs originated by duplication of a prototypic gene which, after divergence, led to tRNAs having different amino acid specificities. The deviant mt genetic code, although admittedly permitting a simpler decoding mechanism, is not useful in determining whether the origin of mitochondria had preceded or was derived from prokaryotes or eukaryotes, since the genetic code is variable even among mitochondria. Variants of the mt genetic code lead to speculation on the nature of die primordial code and its relation to the present "universal" code.

scholarly journals Frequent tRNA gene translocation towards the boundaries with control regions contributes to the highly dynamic mitochondrial genome organization of the parasitic lice of mammals

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Ge Dong ◽  
Yalun Dong ◽  
Xian-Guo Guo ◽  
Renfu Shao
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Genome ◽  
Control Region ◽  
Genome Organization ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Single Chromosome ◽  
Gene Translocation ◽  
Sucking Lice ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Mt Genome

Abstract Background The typical single-chromosome mitochondrial (mt) genome of animals has fragmented into multiple minichromosomes in the lineage Mitodivisia, which contains most of the parasitic lice of eutherian mammals. These parasitic lice differ from each other even among congeneric species in mt karyotype, i.e. the number of minichromosomes, and the gene content and gene order in each minichromosome, which is in stark contrast to the extremely conserved single-chromosome mt genomes across most animal lineages. How fragmented mt genomes evolved is still poorly understood. We use Polyplax sucking lice as a model to investigate how tRNA gene translocation shapes the dynamic mt karyotypes. Results We sequenced the full mt genome of the Asian grey shrew louse, Polyplax reclinata. We then inferred the ancestral mt karyotype for Polyplax lice and compared it with the mt karyotypes of the three Polyplax species sequenced to date. We found that tRNA genes were entirely responsible for mt karyotype variation among these three species of Polyplax lice. Furthermore, tRNA gene translocation observed in Polyplax lice was only between different types of minichromosomes and towards the boundaries with the control region. A similar pattern of tRNA gene translocation can also been seen in other sucking lice with fragmented mt genomes. Conclusions We conclude that inter-minichromosomal tRNA gene translocation orientated towards the boundaries with the control region is a major contributing factor to the highly dynamic mitochondrial genome organization in the parasitic lice of mammals.

scholarly journals Effect of intron mutations on processing and function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUP53 tRNA in vitro and in vivo.

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2663-2673 ◽  
Author(s):  
M C Strobel ◽  
J Abelson
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Nuclear Extract ◽  
Nonsense Suppression ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Suppressor Activity ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Made In

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae leucine-inserting amber suppressor tRNA gene SUP53 (a tRNALeu3 allele) was used to investigate the relationship between precursor tRNA structure and mature tRNA function. This gene encodes a pre-tRNA which contains a 32-base intron. The mature tRNASUP53 contains a 5-methylcytosine modification of the anticodon wobble base. Mutations were made in the SUP53 intron. These mutant genes were transcribed in an S. cerevisiae nuclear extract preparation. In this extract, primary tRNA gene transcripts are end-processed and base modified after addition of cofactors. The base modifications made in vitro were examined, and the mutant pre-tRNAs were analyzed for their ability to serve as substrates for partially purified S. cerevisiae tRNA endonuclease and ligase. Finally, the suppressor function of these mutant tRNA genes was assayed after their integration into the S. cerevisiae genome. Mutant analysis showed that the totally intact precursor tRNA, rather than any specific sequence or structure of the intron, was necessary for efficient nonsense suppression by tRNASUP53. Less efficient suppressor activity correlated with the absence of the 5-methylcytosine modification. Most of the intron-altered precursor tRNAs were successfully spliced in vitro, indicating that modifications are not critical for recognition by the tRNA endonuclease and ligase.

scholarly journals The first mitochondrial genome of the genus Exhippolysmata (Decapoda: Caridea: Lysmatidae), with gene rearrangements and phylogenetic associations in Caridea

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-ying Ye ◽  
Jing Miao ◽  
Ya-hong Guo ◽  
Li Gong ◽  
Li-hua Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Genome ◽  
Gene Order ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Complete Mitochondrial Genome ◽  
Bootstrap Support ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Gene Rearrangements ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Gc Skew ◽  
Strong Bootstrap Support

AbstractThe complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of animals can provide useful information for evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses. The mitogenome of the genus Exhippolysmata (i.e., Exhippolysmata ensirostris) was sequenced and annotated for the first time, its phylogenetic relationship with selected members from the infraorder Caridea was investigated. The 16,350 bp mitogenome contains the entire set of 37 common genes. The mitogenome composition was highly A + T biased at 64.43% with positive AT skew (0.009) and negative GC skew (− 0.199). All tRNA genes in the E. ensirostris mitogenome had a typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnS1 (AGN), which appeared to lack the dihydrouridine arm. The gene order in the E. ensirostris mitogenome was rearranged compared with those of ancestral decapod taxa, the gene order of trnL2-cox2 changed to cox2-trnL2. The tandem duplication-random loss model is the most likely mechanism for the observed gene rearrangement of E. ensirostris. The ML and BI phylogenetic analyses place all Caridea species into one group with strong bootstrap support. The family Lysmatidae is most closely related to Alpheidae and Palaemonidae. These results will help to better understand the gene rearrangements and evolutionary position of E. ensirostris and lay a foundation for further phylogenetic studies of Caridea.

scholarly journals In Vitro Import of a Nuclearly Encoded tRNA into Mitochondria of Solanum tuberosum

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 4000-4012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludovic Delage ◽  
André Dietrich ◽  
Anne Cosset ◽  
Laurence Maréchal-Drouard
Keyword(s):  
Solanum Tuberosum ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Plant Mitochondria ◽  
Protein Translation ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Vitro Assay ◽  
Trna Import

ABSTRACT Some of the mitochondrial tRNAs of higher plants are nuclearly encoded and imported into mitochondria. The import of tRNAs encoded in the nucleus has been shown to be essential for proper protein translation within mitochondria of a variety of organisms. Here, we report the development of an in vitro assay for import of nuclearly encoded tRNAs into plant mitochondria. This in vitro system utilizes isolated mitochondria from Solanum tuberosum and synthetic tRNAs transcribed from cloned nuclear tRNA genes. Although incubation of radioactively labeled in vitro-transcribed tRNAAla, tRNAPhe, and tRNAMet-e with isolated potato mitochondria resulted in importation, as measured by nuclease protection, the amount of tRNA transcripts protected at saturation was at least five times higher for tRNAAla than for the two other tRNAs. This difference in in vitro saturation levels of import is consistent with the in vivo localization of these tRNAs, since cytosolic tRNAAla is naturally imported into potato mitochondria whereas tRNAPhe and tRNAMet-e are not. Characterization of in vitro tRNA import requirements indicates that mitochondrial tRNA import proceeds in the absence of any added cytosolic protein fraction, involves at least one protein component on the surface of mitochondria, and requires ATP-dependent step(s) and a membrane potential.

scholarly journals Characterization and Full Genome Sequence of Novel KPP-5 Lytic Phage against Klebsiella pneumoniae Responsible for Recalcitrant Infection

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 342
Author(s):  
Ahmed R. Sofy ◽  
Noha K. El-Dougdoug ◽  
Ehab E. Refaey ◽  
Rehab A. Dawoud ◽  
Ahmed A. Hmed
Keyword(s):  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Burst Size ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Foodborne Pathogen ◽  
Gc Content ◽  
Full Genome Sequence ◽  
Multiple Drug ◽  
Lytic Phage ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Bacteriophage Therapy

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a hazardous opportunistic pathogen that is involved in many serious human diseases and is considered to be an important foodborne pathogen found in many food types. Multidrug resistance (MDR) K. pneumoniae strains have recently spread and increased, making bacteriophage therapy an effective alternative to multiple drug-resistant pathogens. As a consequence, this research was conducted to describe the genome and basic biological characteristics of a novel phage capable of lysing MDR K. pneumoniae isolated from food samples in Egypt. The host range revealed that KPP-5 phage had potent lytic activity and was able to infect all selected MDR K. pneumoniae strains from different sources. Electron microscopy images showed that KPP-5 lytic phage was a podovirus morphology. The one-step growth curve exhibited that KPP-5 phage had a relatively short latent period of 25 min, and the burst size was about 236 PFU/infected cells. In addition, KPP-5 phage showed high stability at different temperatures and pH levels. KPP-5 phage has a linear dsDNA genome with a length of 38,245 bp with a GC content of 50.8% and 40 predicted open reading frames (ORFs). Comparative genomics and phylogenetic analyses showed that KPP-5 is most closely associated with the Teetrevirus genus in the Autographviridae family. No tRNA genes have been identified in the KPP-5 phage genome. In addition, phage-borne virulence genes or drug resistance genes were not present, suggesting that KPP-5 could be used safely as a phage biocontrol agent.

scholarly journals De-novo emergence and template switching of SINE retroposons during the early evolution of passerine birds

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Suh ◽  
Sandra Bachg ◽  
Stephen Donnellan ◽  
Leo Joseph ◽  
Jürgen Brosius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Early Evolution ◽  
Template Switching ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Short Interspersed Elements ◽  
Mammalian Genomes ◽  
Rapid Diversification ◽  
The Common ◽  
Avian Genomes

AbstractPasseriformes (“perching birds” or passerines) make up more than half of all extant bird species. Here, we resolve their deep phylogenetic relationships using presence/absence patterns of short interspersed elements (SINEs), a group of retroposons which is abundant in mammalian genomes but considered largely inactive in avian genomes. The resultant retroposon-based phylogeny provides a powerful and independent corroboration of previous indications derived from sequence-based analyses. Notably, SINE activity began in the common ancestor of Eupasseres (passerines excl. the New Zealand wrens Acanthisittidae) and ceased before the rapid diversification of oscine passerines (songbirds). Furthermore, we find evidence for very recent SINE activity within suboscine passerines, following the emergence of a SINE via acquisition of a different tRNA head as we suggest through template switching. We propose that the early evolution of passerines was unusual among birds in that it was accompanied by activity of SINEs. Their genomic and transcriptomic impact warrants further study in the light of the massive diversification of passerines.

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