Cleavage of host tRNAs by mycoplasma membrane-associated nuclease.

ABSTRACT: Mycoplasmas are pathogens causing infectious diseases in various animals, including humans. They are also common contaminants of cell culture. Although it is suggested that mycoplasmas alter nucleic acid metabolism of host cells through their nucleases, the actual impact of the nucleases on host cell RNAs is unknown. Here we report that Mycoplasma hyorhinis, a common laboratory contaminant species, promotes cleavage of host cell transfer RNAs (tRNAs) through a membrane-associated nuclease. When infected by M. hyorhinis, scraping of cells as well as cell lysis induced a marked cleavage of host RNAs. Further analysis suggested that the protein encoded by the membrane nuclease A (mnuA) gene is responsible for the host RNA cleavage. MnuA protein demonstrates DNase and RNase activities dependen

SUBMITTER: Akiyama Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12848938 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature