Although numerous ribonucleases have been identified over the past 40 years, most have been associated primarily with the biological reaction that was used for their identification. Thus an enzyme like RNase P has been assumed to be strictly involved tRNA processing. Likewise the RNase Z family of enzymes has also been thought to be only involved in tRNA processing, while RNase III type proteins, at least in prokaryotes are considered rRNA maturation enzymes. However, more recent experiments have demonstrated that most of these ribonucleases have multiple functions in the cell. When one carefully looks at what is known about the pathways of rRNA maturation, tRNA processing and mRNA decay, it becomes clear that many of the existing models for these processes are far too simplistic and in some cases probably incorrect. In addition, not much is known regarding the enzymatic overlap among these important pathways. For example, during the current grant period, we have demonstrated the existence of multiple new pathways for tRNA processing that require either RNase E, RNase P or polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) as the first step in processing tRNA precursorsAccordingly, this application describes a series of experiments that will focus on developing a more complete understanding of post-transcriptional RNA metabolism in the model prokaryote, Escherichia coli. Our approach will be to use a combination of unique bacterial strains, high density tiling microarrays as well as other molecular biological, biochemical and bioinformatic approaches. Specific experiments include: 1. Determine the molecular mechanism(s) of 30S rRNA processing;2. Comprehensive analysis of tRNA processing pathways;and, 3. Transcriptome-wide analysis of the initiation of mRNA processing and decay. With the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria, the need to better understand the overall mechanism of post-transcriptional RNA metabolism is becoming increasingly important. Information gained from this work could be instrumental in the identification of potential new drug targets.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM081554-07
Application #
8655544
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Bender, Michael T
Project Start
2008-03-15
Project End
2016-04-30
Budget Start
2014-05-01
Budget End
2015-04-30
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Georgia
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Athens
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30602
Mohanty, Bijoy K; Kushner, Sidney R (2018) Enzymes Involved in Posttranscriptional RNA Metabolism in Gram-Negative Bacteria. Microbiol Spectr 6:
Bowden, Katherine E; Wiese, Nicholas S; Perwez, Tariq et al. (2017) The rph-1-Encoded Truncated RNase PH Protein Inhibits RNase P Maturation of Pre-tRNAs with Short Leader Sequences in the Absence of RppH. J Bacteriol 199:
Mildenhall, Kristen B; Wiese, Nicholas; Chung, Daewhan et al. (2016) RNase E-based degradosome modulates polyadenylation of mRNAs after Rho-independent transcription terminators in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 101:645-55
Agrawal, Ankit; Mohanty, Bijoy K; Kushner, Sidney R (2014) Processing of the seven valine tRNAs in Escherichia coli involves novel features of RNase P. Nucleic Acids Res 42:11166-79
Mohanty, Bijoy K; Kushner, Sidney R (2013) Deregulation of poly(A) polymerase I in Escherichia coli inhibits protein synthesis and leads to cell death. Nucleic Acids Res 41:1757-66
Stead, Mark B; Agrawal, Ankit; Bowden, Katherine E et al. (2012) RNAsnap™: a rapid, quantitative and inexpensive, method for isolating total RNA from bacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 40:e156
Mohanty, Bijoy K; Maples, Valerie F; Kushner, Sidney R (2012) Polyadenylation helps regulate functional tRNA levels in Escherichia coli. Nucleic Acids Res 40:4589-603
Mohanty, Bijoy K; Kushner, Sidney R (2011) Bacterial/archaeal/organellar polyadenylation. Wiley Interdiscip Rev RNA 2:256-76
Stead, Mark B; Marshburn, Sarah; Mohanty, Bijoy K et al. (2011) Analysis of Escherichia coli RNase E and RNase III activity in vivo using tiling microarrays. Nucleic Acids Res 39:3188-203
Mohanty, Bijoy K; Kushner, Sidney R (2010) Processing of the Escherichia coli leuX tRNA transcript, encoding tRNA(Leu5), requires either the 3'-->5' exoribonuclease polynucleotide phosphorylase or RNase P to remove the Rho-independent transcription terminator. Nucleic Acids Res 38:597-607

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