The yfiC gene of E. coli encodes an adenine-N6 methyltransferase that specifically modifies A37 of tRNA1Val(cmo5UAC) |
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Authors: | Anna Y. Golovina Petr V. Sergiev Andrey V. Golovin Marina V. Serebryakova Irina Demina Vadim M. Govorun Olga A. Dontsova |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia;2.A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119992, Russia;3.Research Institute for Physical-Chemical Medicine, Ministry of Public Health of Russian Federation, 119992 Malaya Pirogovskaya 1a, Moscow, Russia |
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Abstract: | Transfer RNA is highly modified. Nucleotide 37 of the anticodon loop is represented by various modified nucleotides. In Escherichia coli, the valine-specific tRNA (cmo5UAC) contains a unique modification, N6-methyladenosine, at position 37; however, the enzyme responsible for this modification is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the yfiC gene of E. coli encodes an enzyme responsible for the methylation of A37 in tRNA1Val. Inactivation of yfiC gene abolishes m6A formation in tRNA1Val, while expression of the yfiC gene from a plasmid restores the modification. Additionally, unmodified tRNA1Val can be methylated by recombinant YfiC protein in vitro. Although the methylation of m6A in tRNA1Val by YfiC has little influence on the cell growth under standard conditions, the yfiC gene confers a growth advantage under conditions of osmotic and oxidative stress. |
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Keywords: | tRNA modification methylation yfiC N6-methyl adenosine |
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