Loss of Conserved rRNA Modifications in the Peptidyl Transferase Center Leads to Diminished Protein Synthesis and...

Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are extensively modified during the transcription and subsequent maturation. Three types of modifications, 2'-O-methylation of ribose moiety, pseudouridylation, and base modifications, are introduced either by a snoRNA-driven mechanism or by stand-alone enzymes. Modified nucleotides are clustered at the functionally important sites, including peptidyl transferase center (PTC). Therefore, it has been hypothesised that the modified nucleotides play an important role in ensuring the functionality of the ribosome. In this study, we demonstrate that seven 25S rRNA modifications, including four evolutionarily conserved modifications, in the proximity of PTC can be simultaneously depleted without loss of cell viability. Yeast mutants lacking three snoRNA genes (snR34, snR52, and snR65) and/or expressing enzymatically inactive variants of spb1(D52A/E679K) and nop2(C424A/C478A) were constructed. The results show that rRNA modifications in PTC contribute collectively to efficient translation in eukaryotic cells. The deficiency of seven modified nucleotides in 25S rRNA resulted in reduced cell growth, cold sensitivity, decreased translation levels, and hyperaccurate translation, as indicated by the reduced missense and nonsense suppression. The modification m⁵C2870 is crucial in the absence of the other six modified nucleotides. Thus, the pattern of rRNA-modified nucleotides around the PTC is essential for optimal ribosomal translational activity and translational fidelity.