scholarly journals In Vivo Analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae COX2 mRNA 5′-Untranslated Leader Functions in Mitochondrial Translation Initiation and Translational Activation

Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 147 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather M Dunstan ◽  
Noelle S Green-Willms ◽  
Thomas D Fox

Abstract We have used mutational and revertant analysis to study the elements of the 54-nucleotide COX2 5′-untranslated leader involved in translation initiation in yeast mitochondria and in activation by the COX2 translational activator, Pet111p. We generated a collection of mutants with substitutions spanning the entire COX2 5′-UTL by in vitro mutagenesis followed by mitochondrial transformation and gene replacement. The phenotypes of these mutants delimit a 31-nucleotide segment, from −16 to −46, that contains several short sequence elements necessary for COX2 5′-UTL function in translation. The sequences from −16 to −47 were shown to be partially sufficient to promote translation in a foreign context. Analysis of revertants of both the series of linker-scanning alleles and two short deletion/insertion alleles has refined the positions of several possible functional elements of the COX2 5′-untranslated leader, including a putative RNA stem-loop structure that functionally interacts with Pet111p and an octanucleotide sequence present in all S. cerevisiae mitochondrial mRNA 5′-UTLs that is a potential rRNA binding site.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 4087-4097
Author(s):  
J Wang ◽  
N Suzuki ◽  
Y Nishida ◽  
T Kataoka

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, adenylyl cyclase forms a complex with the 70-kDa cyclase-associated protein (CAP). By in vitro mutagenesis, we assigned a CAP-binding site of adenylyl cyclase to a small segment near its C terminus and created mutants which lost the ability to bind CAP. CAP binding was assessed first by observing the ability of the overproduced C-terminal 150 residues of adenylyl cyclase to sequester CAP, thereby suppressing the heat shock sensitivity of yeast cells bearing the activated RAS2 gene (RAS2Val-19), and then by immunoprecipitability of adenylyl cyclase activity with anti-CAP antibody and by direct measurement of the amount of CAP bound. Yeast cells whose chromosomal adenylyl cyclase genes were replaced by the CAP-nonbinding mutants possessed adenylyl cyclase activity fully responsive to RAS2 protein in vitro. However, they did not exhibit sensitivity to heat shock in the RAS2Val-19 background. When glucose-induced accumulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) was measured in these mutants carrying RAS2Val-19, a rapid transient rise indistinguishable from that of wild-type cells was observed and a high peak level and following persistent elevation of the cAMP concentration characteristic of RAS2Val-19 were abolished. In contrast, in the wild-type RAS2 background, similar cyclase gene replacement did not affect the glucose-induced cAMP response. These results suggest that the association with CAP, although not involved in the in vivo response to the wild-type RAS2 protein, is somehow required for the exaggerated response of adenylyl cyclase to activated RAS2.


1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 1595-1604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy R. Sturm ◽  
Michael C. Yu ◽  
David A. Campbell

ABSTRACT Addition of a 39-nucleotide (nt) spliced leader (SL) bytrans splicing is a basic requirement for all trypanosome nuclear mRNAs. The SL RNA in Leishmania tarentolae is a 96-nt precursor transcript synthesized by a polymerase that resembles polymerase II most closely. To analyze SL RNA genesis, we mutated SL RNA intron structures and sequence elements: stem-loops II and III, the Sm-binding site, and the downstream T tract. Using an exon-tagged SL RNA gene, we examined the phenotypes produced by a second-site 10-bp linker scan mutagenic series and directed mutagenesis. Here we report that transcription is terminated by the T tract, which is common to the 3′ end of all kinetoplastid SL RNA genes, and that more than six T’s are required for efficient termination in vivo. We describe mutants whose SL RNAs end in the T tract or appear to lack efficient termination but can generate wild-type 3′ ends. Transcriptionally active nuclear extracts show staggered products in the T tract, directed by eight or more T’s. The in vivo and in vitro data suggest that SL RNA transcription termination is staggered in the T tract and is followed by nucleolytic processing to generate the mature 3′ end. We show that the Sm-binding site and stem-loop III structures are necessary for correct 3′-end formation. Thus, we have defined the transcription termination element for the SL RNA gene. The termination mechanism differs from that of vertebrate small nuclear RNA genes and the SL RNA homologue in Ascaris.


2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 2778-2789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinghu Ren ◽  
Martin A. Gorovsky

ABSTRACT Tetrahymena thermophila cells contain three forms of H2A: major H2A.1 and H2A.2, which make up ∼80% of total H2A, and a conserved variant, H2A.Z. We showed previously that acetylation of H2A.Z was essential (Q. Ren and M. A. Gorovsky, Mol. Cell 7:1329-1335, 2001). Here we used in vitro mutagenesis of lysine residues, coupled with gene replacement, to identify the sites of acetylation of the N-terminal tail of the major H2A and to analyze its function in vivo. Tetrahymena cells survived with all five acetylatable lysines replaced by arginines plus a mutation that abolished acetylation of the N-terminal serine normally found in the wild-type protein. Thus, neither posttranslational nor cotranslational acetylation of major H2A is essential. Surprisingly, the nonacetylatable N-terminal tail of the major H2A was able to replace the essential function of the acetylation of the H2A.Z N-terminal tail. Tail-swapping experiments between H2A.1 and H2A.Z revealed that the nonessential acetylation of the major H2A N-terminal tail can be made to function as an essential charge patch in place of the H2A.Z N-terminal tail and that while the pattern of acetylation of an H2A N-terminal tail is determined by the tail sequence, the effects of acetylation on viability are determined by properties of the H2A core and not those of the N-terminal tail itself.


2013 ◽  
Vol 289 (3) ◽  
pp. 1704-1722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fujun Zhou ◽  
Sarah E. Walker ◽  
Sarah F. Mitchell ◽  
Jon R. Lorsch ◽  
Alan G. Hinnebusch

eIF4B has been implicated in attachment of the 43 S preinitiation complex (PIC) to mRNAs and scanning to the start codon. We recently determined that the internal seven repeats (of ∼26 amino acids each) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae eIF4B (yeIF4B) compose the region most critically required to enhance mRNA recruitment by 43 S PICs in vitro and stimulate general translation initiation in yeast. Moreover, although the N-terminal domain (NTD) of yeIF4B contributes to these activities, the RNA recognition motif is dispensable. We have now determined that only two of the seven internal repeats are sufficient for wild-type (WT) yeIF4B function in vivo when all other domains are intact. However, three or more repeats are needed in the absence of the NTD or when the functions of eIF4F components are compromised. We corroborated these observations in the reconstituted system by demonstrating that yeIF4B variants with only one or two repeats display substantial activity in promoting mRNA recruitment by the PIC, whereas additional repeats are required at lower levels of eIF4A or when the NTD is missing. These findings indicate functional overlap among the 7-repeats and NTD domains of yeIF4B and eIF4A in mRNA recruitment. Interestingly, only three highly conserved positions in the 26-amino acid repeat are essential for function in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we identified conserved motifs in the NTD and demonstrate functional overlap of two such motifs. These results provide a comprehensive description of the critical sequence elements in yeIF4B that support eIF4F function in mRNA recruitment by the PIC.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 4087-4097 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Wang ◽  
N Suzuki ◽  
Y Nishida ◽  
T Kataoka

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, adenylyl cyclase forms a complex with the 70-kDa cyclase-associated protein (CAP). By in vitro mutagenesis, we assigned a CAP-binding site of adenylyl cyclase to a small segment near its C terminus and created mutants which lost the ability to bind CAP. CAP binding was assessed first by observing the ability of the overproduced C-terminal 150 residues of adenylyl cyclase to sequester CAP, thereby suppressing the heat shock sensitivity of yeast cells bearing the activated RAS2 gene (RAS2Val-19), and then by immunoprecipitability of adenylyl cyclase activity with anti-CAP antibody and by direct measurement of the amount of CAP bound. Yeast cells whose chromosomal adenylyl cyclase genes were replaced by the CAP-nonbinding mutants possessed adenylyl cyclase activity fully responsive to RAS2 protein in vitro. However, they did not exhibit sensitivity to heat shock in the RAS2Val-19 background. When glucose-induced accumulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) was measured in these mutants carrying RAS2Val-19, a rapid transient rise indistinguishable from that of wild-type cells was observed and a high peak level and following persistent elevation of the cAMP concentration characteristic of RAS2Val-19 were abolished. In contrast, in the wild-type RAS2 background, similar cyclase gene replacement did not affect the glucose-induced cAMP response. These results suggest that the association with CAP, although not involved in the in vivo response to the wild-type RAS2 protein, is somehow required for the exaggerated response of adenylyl cyclase to activated RAS2.


Genetics ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 659-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
L S Folley ◽  
T D Fox

Abstract We have used a generally applicable strategy for gene replacement in yeast mitochondria to mutate the translation initiation codon of the COX3 gene from AUG to AUA. The mutation, cox3-1, substantially reduced, but did not eliminate, translation of cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (coxIII). Strains bearing the mutation exhibited a leaky (partial) nonrespiratory growth phenotype and a reduced incorporation of radiolabeled amino acids into coxIII in vivo in the presence of cycloheximide. Hybridization experiments demonstrated that the mutation had little or no effect on levels of the COX3 mRNA. Residual translation of the cox3-1 mutant mRNA was dependent upon the three nuclearly coded mRNA-specific activators PET494, PET54 and PET122, known from previous studies to work through a site (or sites) upstream of the initiation codon to promote translation of the wild-type mRNA. Furthermore, respiratory growth of cox3-1 mutant strains was sensitive to decreased dosage of genes PET494 and PET122 in heterozygous mutant diploids, unlike the growth of strains carrying wild-type mtDNA. Some residual translation of the cox3-1 mRNA appeared to initiate at the mutant AUA codon, despite the fact that the 610-base 5'-mRNA leader contains numerous AUA triplets. We conclude that, while AUG is an important component of the COX3 translation initiation site, the site probably is also specified by other sequence or structural features.


2006 ◽  
Vol 87 (12) ◽  
pp. 3667-3677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Lu ◽  
Jiamin Zhang ◽  
Xiaochun Wang ◽  
Hong Jiang ◽  
Chuanfeng Liu ◽  
...  

Ectropis obliqua picorna-like virus (EoPV) is a newly described insect virus that is classified as a putative member of the genus Iflavirus. The virus possesses a large, positive-sense RNA genome encoding a single polyprotein that shares physicochemical properties with those of members of the family Picornaviridae. The 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) plays an important role in picornavirus translation initiation, as it contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that mediates cap-independent translation. To investigate translation in EoPV, an extensive range of mutations were engineered within the 5′ UTR and the effects of these changes were examined in vitro and in vivo by using a bicistronic construct. Results showed that deletions within the first 63 nt had little impact on IRES activity, whilst core IRES function was contained within stem–loops C and D, as their removal abrogated IRES activity significantly. In contrast to these findings, removal of stem–loop G containing two cryptic AUGs caused a remarkable increase in IRES activity, which was further investigated by site-directed mutagenesis at these two positions. It was also confirmed that initiation of protein synthesis occurs at AUG6 (position 391–394) and not at the AUG immediately downstream of the polypyrimidine tract. Mutation of the polypyrimidine tract (CCTTTC) had a slight effect on EoPV IRES activity. Furthermore, mutations of the RAAA motif led to a decrease in IRES activity of approximately 40 % in vitro, but these results were not supported by in vivo experiments. In conclusion, this study reveals that the EoPV IRES element is unique, although it has features in common with the type II IRESs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (20) ◽  
pp. 10935-10945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanta Karki ◽  
Kathrina Castillo ◽  
Zhaolan Ding ◽  
Olivia Kerr ◽  
Teresa M. Lamb ◽  
...  

The circadian clock in eukaryotes controls transcriptional and posttranscriptional events, including regulation of the levels and phosphorylation state of translation factors. However, the mechanisms underlying clock control of translation initiation, and the impact of this potential regulation on rhythmic protein synthesis, were not known. We show that inhibitory phosphorylation of eIF2α (P-eIF2α), a conserved translation initiation factor, is clock controlled in Neurospora crassa, peaking during the subjective day. Cycling P-eIF2α levels required rhythmic activation of the eIF2α kinase CPC-3 (the homolog of yeast and mammalian GCN2), and rhythmic activation of CPC-3 was abolished under conditions in which the levels of charged tRNAs were altered. Clock-controlled accumulation of P-eIF2α led to reduced translation during the day in vitro and was necessary for the rhythmic synthesis of select proteins in vivo. Finally, loss of rhythmic P-eIF2α levels led to reduced linear growth rates, supporting the idea that partitioning translation to specific times of day provides a growth advantage to the organism. Together, these results reveal a fundamental mechanism by which the clock regulates rhythmic protein production, and provide key insights into how rhythmic translation, cellular energy, stress, and nutrient metabolism are linked through the levels of charged versus uncharged tRNAs.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 2149-2153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Feng ◽  
L E Gunter ◽  
E L Organ ◽  
D R Cavener

The importance to in vivo translation of sequences immediately upstream of the Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) start codon was examined at two developmental stages. Mutations were introduced into the Adh gene in vitro, and the mutant gene was inserted into the genome via germ line transformation. An A-to-T substitution at the -3 position did not affect relative translation rates of the ADH protein at the second-instar larval stage but resulted in a 2.4-fold drop in translation of ADH at the adult stage. A second mutant gene, containing five mutations in the region -1 to -9, was designed to completely block translation initiation. However, transformant lines bearing these mutations still exhibit detectable ADH, albeit at substantially reduced levels. The average fold reduction at the second-instar larval stage was 5.9, while at the adult stage a 12.5-fold reduction was observed.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3463-3471 ◽  
Author(s):  
S R Schmid ◽  
P Linder

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF-4A) possesses an in vitro helicase activity that allows the unwinding of double-stranded RNA. This activity is dependent on ATP hydrolysis and the presence of another translation initiation factor, eIF-4B. These two initiation factors are thought to unwind mRNA secondary structures in preparation for ribosome binding and initiation of translation. To further characterize the function of eIF-4A in cellular translation and its interaction with other elements of the translation machinery, we have isolated mutations in the TIF1 and TIF2 genes encoding eIF-4A in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that three highly conserved domains of the D-E-A-D protein family, encoding eIF-4A and other RNA helicases, are essential for protein function. Only in rare cases could we make a conservative substitution without affecting cell growth. The mutants show a clear correlation between their growth and in vivo translation rates. One mutation that results in a temperature-sensitive phenotype reveals an immediate decrease in translation activity following a shift to the nonpermissive temperature. These in vivo results confirm previous in vitro data demonstrating an absolute dependence of translation on the TIF1 and TIF2 gene products.


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