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Related Concept Videos

RNA Editing02:23

RNA Editing

RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification where a precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) nucleotide sequence is changed by base insertion, deletion, or modification. The extent of RNA editing varies from a few hundred bases, in mitochondrial DNA of trypanosomes, to a just single base, in nuclear genes of mammals. Even a single base change in the pre-mRNA can convert a codon for one amino acid into the codon for another amino acid or a stop codon. This type of re-coding can significantly affect the...
Transfer RNA Synthesis02:36

Transfer RNA Synthesis

One of the unique features of tRNA is the presence of modified bases. In some tRNAs, modified bases account for nearly 20% of the total bases in the molecule. Altogether, these unusual bases protect the tRNA from enzymatic degradation by RNases.
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...
Transfer RNA Synthesis02:36

Transfer RNA Synthesis

One of the unique features of tRNA is the presence of modified bases. In some tRNAs, modified bases account for nearly 20% of the total bases in the molecule. Altogether, these unusual bases protect the tRNA from enzymatic degradation by RNases.
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...
Mitochondrial Protein Sorting01:39

Mitochondrial Protein Sorting

Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death.  Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins01:39

Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins

Mitochondrial precursors are partially unfolded or loosely folded polypeptide chains. Newly synthesized precursors are inhibited from spontaneously folding into their native conformation by the cytosolic chaperones, heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70), and mitochondrial import stimulation factors (MSFs). Precursors bound to MSFs are guided to the TOM70-TOM37 receptors, while precursors bound to Hsp70  chaperones are targetted to TOM20-TOM22 receptor complexes.
Most of the mitochondrial precursors...

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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

RNA Catalyst as a Reporter for Screening Drugs against RNA Editing in Trypanosomes
09:19

RNA Catalyst as a Reporter for Screening Drugs against RNA Editing in Trypanosomes

Published on: July 22, 2014

Mitochondrial RNA processing in trypanosomes.

Ruslan Aphasizhev1, Inna Aphasizheva

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, B240 Medical Sciences I, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. ruslan@uci.edu

Research in Microbiology
|May 21, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Trypanosome mitochondrial RNA processing involves 3' end modifications like adenylation and uridylation. These steps are crucial for the biogenesis, stability, and function of mitochondrial RNAs, including guide RNAs and ribosomal RNAs.

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Rapid Isolation of the Mitoribosome from HEK Cells

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Published on: July 22, 2014

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Trypanosome mitochondria possess a unique kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) comprising maxicircles and minicircles.
  • Mitochondrial gene expression involves complex RNA processing, including editing, maturation, and 3' end modifications.
  • Guide RNAs (gRNAs) and ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) require specific processing steps for functionality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the critical roles of RNA 3' adenylation and uridylation in trypanosome mitochondrial RNA metabolism.
  • To highlight the integrated network of mitochondrial genome expression, focusing on pre- and post-editing RNA processing.
  • To elucidate the essentiality of these 3' end modifications for the biogenesis, stability, and function of mitochondrial RNAs.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of mitochondrial RNA processing pathways in trypanosomes.
  • Focus on nucleolytic processing and 3' end modifications (adenylation and uridylation) of various mitochondrial RNAs.
  • Integration of recent findings on the interconnectedness of RNA editing, gRNA maturation, and rRNA processing.

Main Results:

  • RNA 3' adenylation and uridylation are essential processes for mitochondrial RNA biogenesis and stability.
  • These modifications are critical for the proper functioning of mRNAs, gRNAs, and rRNAs within the trypanosome mitochondrion.
  • Recent studies reveal a highly integrated network governing mitochondrial gene expression, extending beyond RNA editing.

Conclusions:

  • 3' end adenylation and uridylation are indispensable for the functional integrity of trypanosome mitochondrial RNAs.
  • Understanding these processes provides insights into the overall regulation of mitochondrial gene expression in trypanosomes.
  • This work emphasizes the interconnectedness of RNA processing steps in ensuring mitochondrial function.