Modifications of tRNA are important for proper cell growth and protein translation, and defects in modifications can lead to diseases in humans and growth defects in other organisms. Over 100 tRNA modifications have been identified, but the enzymes responsible for some of these modifications are still unknown. One such modification is 2’-O-methylation of the nucleotide at position 39 (Nm39) in certain tRNAs in plants and animals. This modification is not found in yeast and is formed by an unknown enzyme in animals and plants. This modification occurs in humans on tRNAGly(CCC), and on tRNATrp from tobacco, wheat, and fruit flies in the form of 2’-O-methylated pseudouridine (Ψm). In eukaryotes, Pus3 modifies uridine to pseudouridine at position 39. This project focuses on finding the enzyme responsible for forming Nm39 on plant tRNAs. We have expressed a plant tRNA that would normally have the Nm39 modification, along with candidate methyltransferases in yeast. We can identify the enzyme in this manner, because yeast tRNA does form the Nm39 modification. Presence of Ψm on the plant tRNA when expressed with a candidate gene will indicate that the candidate gene encodes the enzyme responsible for the modification. Once the enzyme is identified in plants, we will identify and test the function of the human sequence homolog. Since many tRNA modifications are linked to diseases, the unknown enzyme could be encoded by a gene that is linked to human disease.

Identification of the methyltransferase responsible for 2’-O-methylation on tRNA residue position 39 in plants

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.