Repeated parallel evolution of minimal rRNAs revealed from detailed comparative analysis

The concept of a minimal ribosomal RNA-containing ribosome, a structure with a minimal set of elements capable of providing protein biosynthesis, is essential for understanding this fundamental cellular process. Nematodes and trypanosomes have minimal mitochondrial rRNAs and detailed reconstructions of their secondary structures indicate that certain conserved helices have been lost in these taxa. In contrast, several recent studies on acariform mites have argued that minimal rRNAs may evolve via shortening of secondary structure elements but not the loss of these elements as shown for trypanosomes and nematodes. Based on extensive structural analysis of chelicerate arthropods, we demonstrate that extremely short rRNAs of acariform mites share certain structural modifications with nematodes and trypanosomes: loss of helices of the GTPase region and divergence in the evolutionarily conserved connecting loop between helices H1648 and H1764 of the large subunit rRNA. These highly concerted parallel modifications indicate that minimal rRNAs were generated under the strong selection that favored or tolerated reductions of helices in particular locations while maintaining the functionality of the rRNA molecules throughout evolution. We also discuss potential evolution of minimal rRNAs and atypical transfer RNAs.