scholarly journals Disrupted tRNA Genes and tRNA Fragments: A Perspective on tRNA Gene Evolution

Life ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akio Kanai
Keyword(s):  
Trna Gene ◽  
Gene Evolution ◽  
Trna Genes

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.

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.

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.

A transcriptionally active tRNA gene interferes with nucleosome positioning in vivo

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 4015-4025
Author(s):  
R H Morse ◽  
S Y Roth ◽  
R T Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Rna Polymerase Iii ◽  
Nucleosome Positioning ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Cis Acting

Incorporation into a positioned nucleosome of a cis-acting element essential for replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae disrupts the function of the element in vivo [R. T. Simpson, Nature (London) 343:387-389, 1990]. Furthermore, nucleosome positioning has been implicated in repression of transcription by RNA polymerase II in yeast cells. We have now asked whether the function of cis-acting elements essential for transcription of a gene transcribed by RNA polymerase III can be similarly affected. A tRNA gene was fused to either of two nucleosome positioning signals such that the predicted nucleosome would incorporate near its center the tRNA start site and essential A-box element. These constructs were then introduced into yeast cells on stably maintained, multicopy plasmids. Competent tRNA genes were transcribed in vivo and were not incorporated into positioned nucleosomes. Mutated, inactive tRNA genes were incorporated into nucleosomes whose positions were as predicted. This finding demonstrates that the transcriptional competence of the tRNA gene determined its ability to override a nucleosome positioning signal in vivo and establishes that a hierarchy exists between cis-acting elements and nucleosome positioning signals.

scholarly journals Amber, ochre and opal suppressor tRNA genes derived from a human serine tRNA gene.

1985 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P. Capone ◽  
P.A. Sharp ◽  
U.L. RajBhandary
Keyword(s):  
Trna Gene ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Suppressor Trna

scholarly journals Regulated expression of a mammalian nonsense suppressor tRNA gene in vivo and in vitro using the lac operator/repressor system.

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4271-4278 ◽  
Author(s):  
D E Syroid ◽  
R I Tapping ◽  
J P Capone
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Rna Polymerase Iii ◽  
Lac Repressor ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Lac Operator ◽  
Cell Extracts

We have exploited the Escherichia coli lac operator/repressor system as a means to regulate the expression of a mammalian tRNA gene in vivo and in vitro. An oligonucleotide containing a lac operator (lacO) site was cloned immediately upstream of a human serine amber suppressor (Su+) tRNA gene. Insertion of a single lac repressor binding site at position -1 or -32 relative to the coding region had no effect on the amount of functional tRNA made in vivo, as measured by suppression of a nonsense mutation in the E. coli chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene following cotransfection of mammalian cells. Inclusion of a plasmid expressing the lac repressor in the transfections resulted in 75 to 98% inhibition of suppression activity of lac operator-linked tRNA genes but had no effect on expression of the wild-type gene. Inhibition could be quantitatively relieved with the allosteric inducer isopropylthio-beta-D-galactoside (IPTG). Similarly, transcription in vitro of lac operator-linked tRNA genes in HeLa cell extracts was repressed in the presence of lac repressor, and this inhibition was reversible with IPTG. These results demonstrate that the bacterial lac operator/repressor system can be used to reversibly control the expression of mammalian genes that are transcribed by RNA polymerase III.

scholarly journals Tracing the evolution of the plastome and mitogenome in the Chloropicophyceae uncovered convergent tRNA gene losses and a variant plastid genetic code

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Turmel ◽  
Adriana Lopes dos Santos ◽  
Christian Otis ◽  
Roxanne Sergerie ◽  
Claude Lemieux
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Code ◽  
Trna Gene ◽  
Marine Phytoplankton ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Organelle Genomes ◽  
Phytoplankton Communities ◽  
Plastid Protein ◽  
Intergenic Regions ◽  
Phylogenetic Affinities

AbstractThe tiny green algae belonging to the Chloropicophyceae play a key role in marine phytoplankton communities; this newly erected class of prasinophytes comprises two genera (Chloropicon and Chloroparvula) containing each several species. We sequenced the plastomes and mitogenomes of eight Chloropicon and five Chloroparvula species to better delineate the phylogenetic affinities of these taxa and to infer the suite of changes that their organelle genomes sustained during evolution. The relationships resolved in organelle-based phylogenomic trees were essentially congruent with previously reported rRNA trees, and similar evolutionary trends but distinct dynamics were identified for the plastome and mitogenome. Although the plastome sustained considerable changes in gene content and order at the time the two genera split, subsequently it remained stable and maintained a very small size. The mitogenome, however, was remodeled more gradually and showed more fluctuation in size, mainly as a result of expansions/contractions of intergenic regions. Remarkably, the plastome and mitogenome lost a common set of three tRNA genes, with the trnI(cau) and trnL(uaa) losses being accompanied with important variations in codon usage. Unexpectedly, despite the disappearance of trnI(cau) from the plastome in the Chloroparvula lineage, AUA codons (the codons recognized by this gene product) were detected in certain plastid genes. By comparing the sequences of plastid protein-coding genes from chloropicophycean and phylogenetically diverse chlorophyte algae with those of the corresponding predicted proteins, we discovered that the AUA codon was reassigned from isoleucine to methionine in Chloroparvula. This noncanonical genetic code has not previously been uncovered in plastids.

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