title: Genomic organization, expression, and subcellular localization of mouse mitochondrial seryl-tRNA synthetase.
abstract: We report here the identification and characterization of the mouse mitochondrial seryl-tRNA synthetase (mtSerRS). The genomic organization of mouse mtSerRS has been elucidated. The mouse mtSerRS gene containing 16 exons encodes a 519 residue protein with a strong homology to the mitochondria-like seryl-tRNA synthetase of bacteria, yeast, and other homologs. The mouse mtSerRS is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, but more abundantly in tissues with high metabolic rates including heart and liver. Surprisingly, this gene, unlike other nuclear genes encoding mitochondrial proteins, exhibited a low expression in skeletal muscle and brain. Furthermore, immunofluorescence analysis of NIH3T3 cells expressing the mtSerRS-GFP fusion protein demonstrated that the mouse mtSerRS localizes in mitochondrion. These observations suggest that the mouse mtSerRS is an evolutionarily conserved protein involved in aminoacylation. Thus, it may play a role in the fidelity in mitochondrial translation and pathogenesis of deafness-associated mutations in the mitochondrial tRNA(Ser(UCN)).
authors.affiliation: Division and Program in Human Genetics and Center for Hearing and Deafness Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.forename: Qingfeng
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Ronghua
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Min-Xin
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Guan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D023281:Genomics; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology*; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D012714:Serine-tRNA Ligase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012714:Serine-tRNA Ligase