A genome-wide analysis of C/D and H/ACA-like small nucleolar RNAs in Trypanosoma brucei reveals a trypanosome-specific pattern of rRNA modification

RNA. 2005 May;11(5):619-45. doi: 10.1261/rna.7174805.

Abstract

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) constitute newly discovered noncoding small RNAs, most of which function in guiding modifications such as 2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation on rRNAs and snRNAs. To investigate the genome organization of Trypanosoma brucei snoRNAs and the pattern of rRNA modifications, we used a whole-genome approach to identify the repertoire of these guide RNAs. Twenty-one clusters encoding for 57 C/D snoRNAs and 34 H/ACA-like RNAs, which have the potential to direct 84 methylations and 32 pseudouridines, respectively, were identified. The number of 2'-O-methyls (Nms) identified on rRNA represent 80% of the expected modifications. The modifications guided by these RNAs suggest that trypanosomes contain many modifications and guide RNAs relative to their genome size. Interestingly, approximately 40% of the Nms are species-specific modifications that do not exist in yeast, humans, or plants, and 40% of the species-specific predicted modifications are located in unique positions outside the highly conserved domains. Although most of the guide RNAs were found in reiterated clusters, a few single-copy genes were identified. The large repertoire of modifications and guide RNAs in trypanosomes suggests that these modifications possibly play a central role in these parasites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Pairing
  • Base Sequence
  • Computational Biology
  • Conserved Sequence / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Protozoan / genetics
  • Genome, Protozoan*
  • Genomics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multigene Family / genetics
  • RNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics*
  • RNA, Protozoan / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / chemistry
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / metabolism*
  • Species Specificity
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / classification*
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar