title: Misfolded human tRNA isodecoder binds and neutralizes a 3' UTR-embedded Alu element.
abstract: Several classes of small noncoding RNAs are key players in cellular metabolism including mRNA decoding, RNA processing, and mRNA stability. Here we show that a tRNA(Asp) isodecoder, corresponding to a human tRNA-derived sequence, binds to an embedded Alu RNA element contained in the 3' UTR of the human aspartyl-tRNA synthetase mRNA. This interaction between two well-known classes of RNA molecules, tRNA and Alu RNA, is driven by an unexpected structural motif and induces a global rearrangement of the 3' UTR. Besides, this 3' UTR contains two functional polyadenylation signals. We propose a model where the tRNA/Alu interaction would modulate the accessibility of the two alternative polyadenylation sites and regulate the stability of the mRNA. This unique regulation mechanism would link gene expression to RNA polymerase III transcription and may have implications in a primate-specific signal pathway.
authors: Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, RNA Architecture and Reactivity, Université de Strasbourg, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, 15 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
authors: Joëlle
authors: J
authors: Rudinger-Thirion
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Lescure
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Paulus
authors: Magali
authors: M
authors: Frugier
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics*; D020087:Alu Elements / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D001226:Aspartate-tRNA Ligase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011487:Protein Conformation; D059370:RNA Folding / Q000502:physiology*; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012349:RNA, Transfer, Asp / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D017931:DNA Primers; D012349:RNA, Transfer, Asp; D001226:Aspartate-tRNA Ligase