Nuclear surveillance and degradation of hypomodified initiator tRNAMet in S. cerevisiae

Genes Dev. 2004 Jun 1;18(11):1227-40. doi: 10.1101/gad.1183804. Epub 2004 May 14.

Abstract

The tRNA m(1)A58 methyltransferase is composed of two subunits encoded by the essential genes TRM6 and TRM61 (formerly GCD10 and GCD14). The trm6-504 mutation results in a defective m(1)A methyltransferase (Mtase) and a temperature-sensitive growth phenotype that is attributable to the absence of m(1)A58 and consequential tRNA(i)(Met) instability. We used a genetic approach to identify the genes responsible for tRNA(i)(Met) degradation in trm6 cells. Three recessive extragenic mutations that suppress trm6-504 mutant phenotypes and restore hypomodified tRNA(i)(Met) to near normal levels were identified. The wild-type allele of one suppressor, DIS3/RRP44, encodes a 3'-5' exoribonuclease and a member of the multisubunit exosome complex. We provide evidence that a functional nuclear exosome is required for the degradation of tRNA(i)(Met) lacking m(1)A58. A second suppressor gene encodes Trf4p, a DNA polymerase (pol sigma) with poly(A) polymerase activity. Whereas deletion of TRF4 leads to stabilization of tRNA(i)(Met), overexpression of Trf4p destabilizes the hypomodified tRNA(i)(Met) in trm6 cells. The hypomodified, but not wild-type, pre-tRNA(i)(Met) accumulates as a polyadenylated species, whose abundance and length distribution both increase upon Trf4p overexpression. These data indicate that a tRNA surveillance pathway exists in yeast that requires Trf4p and the exosome for polyadenylation and degradation of hypomodified pre-tRNA(i)(Met).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / metabolism
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-3 / genetics
  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-3 / metabolism
  • Exoribonucleases / genetics
  • Exoribonucleases / metabolism
  • Exosome Multienzyme Ribonuclease Complex
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Genes, Suppressor
  • Mutation
  • Polyadenylation
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA, Transfer, Met / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • tRNA Methyltransferases / genetics
  • tRNA Methyltransferases / metabolism

Substances

  • Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-3
  • Fungal Proteins
  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA, Transfer, Met
  • RRP4 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Gcd10 protein, S cerevisiae
  • tRNA Methyltransferases
  • GCD14 protein, S cerevisiae
  • tRNA (adenine(58)-N(1))-methyltransferase
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
  • PAP2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Exoribonucleases
  • Exosome Multienzyme Ribonuclease Complex
  • DIS3 protein, S cerevisiae