Biogenesis and functions of aminocarboxypropyluridine in tRNA.

ABSTRACT: Transfer (t)RNAs contain a wide variety of post-transcriptional modifications, which play critical roles in tRNA stability and functions. 3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)uridine (acp³U) is a highly conserved modification found in variable- and D-loops of tRNAs. Biogenesis and functions of acp³U have not been extensively investigated. Using a reverse-genetic approach supported by comparative genomics, we find here that the Escherichia coli yfiP gene, which we rename tapT (tRNA aminocarboxypropyltransferase), is responsible for acp³U formation in tRNA. Recombinant TapT synthesizes acp³U at position 47 of tRNAs in the presence of S-adenosylmethionine. Biochemical experiments reveal that acp³U47 confers thermal stability on tRNA. Curiously, the

SUBMITTER: Takakura M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6895100 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature