TL;DR: A general strategy to produce numerous gRNAs from a single polycistronic gene via the endogenous tRNA-processing system is developed and shown to significantly increase CRISPR/Cas9 multiplex editing capability and efficiency in plants and is expected to have broad applications for small RNA expression and genome engineering.
Abstract: The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 nuclease (Cas9) system is being harnessed as a powerful tool for genome engineering in basic research, molecular therapy, and crop improvement. This system uses a small guide RNA (gRNA) to direct Cas9 endonuclease to a specific DNA site; thus, its targeting capability is largely constrained by the gRNA-expressing device. In this study, we developed a general strategy to produce numerous gRNAs from a single polycistronic gene. The endogenous tRNA-processing system, which precisely cleaves both ends of the tRNA precursor, was engineered as a simple and robust platform to boost the targeting and multiplex editing capability of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. We demonstrated that synthetic genes with tandemly arrayed tRNA–gRNA architecture were efficiently and precisely processed into gRNAs with desired 5′ targeting sequences in vivo, which directed Cas9 to edit multiple chromosomal targets. Using this strategy, multiplex genome editing and chromosomal-fragment deletion were readily achieved in stable transgenic rice plants with a high efficiency (up to 100%). Because tRNA and its processing system are virtually conserved in all living organisms, this method could be broadly used to boost the targeting capability and editing efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 toolkits.
TL;DR: The tRNA identity problem: past, present and future Small RNA oligonucleotide substrates for specific aminoacylations tRNA discrimination in aminoacylation Recognition in the glutamine tRNA system: from structure to function
Abstract: Transfer RNA after four decades tRNA: discovery, early work and total synthesis of tRNA genes Structure and expression of prokaryotic tRNA genes Transcription of eukaryotic tRNA genes tRNA processing nucleases Recent studies of RNase P Splicing of tRNA precursors Primary, secondary and tertiary structure of tRNAs Organellar tRNAs: biosynthesis and function tRNA-like structures in plant viral RNAs Biosynthesis and function of modified nucleosides Modified nucleosides and codon recognition tRNA sequences and variations in the genetic code Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases: occurrence, structure and function Bacterial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases: genes and regulation of expression The tRNA identity problem: past, present and future Small RNA oligonucleotide substrates for specific aminoacylations tRNA discrimination in aminoacylation Recognition in the glutamine tRNA system: from structure to function The aspartic acid tRNA system: recognition by a class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase Recognition of aminoacyl-tRNAs by protein elongatin factors tRNA on the ribosome: a waggle theory Discontinuous triplet decoding with or without re-pairing by peptidyl tRNA Translational suppression: when two wrongs do make a right Initiator tRNAs and initiation of protein synthesis The selenocysteine-inserting tRNA species: structure and function Glutamyl-tRNA as an intermediate in glutamate conversions
TL;DR: This review highlights new findings on the diverse pathways of tRNA maturation, and on the formation and function of a number of modifications, on the regulation of t RNA biosynthesis, quality control tRNA turnover mechanisms, widespread tRNA cleavage pathways activated in response to stress and other growth conditions.
Abstract: tRNA biology has come of age, revealing an unprecedented level of understanding and many unexpected discoveries along the way. This review highlights new findings on the diverse pathways of tRNA maturation, and on the formation and function of a number of modifications. Topics of special focus include the regulation of tRNA biosynthesis, quality control tRNA turnover mechanisms, widespread tRNA cleavage pathways activated in response to stress and other growth conditions, emerging evidence of signaling pathways involving tRNA and cleavage fragments, and the sophisticated intracellular tRNA trafficking that occurs during and after biosynthesis.
TL;DR: An integrated reagent toolkit and streamlined protocols work across diverse plant species to enable sophisticated genome edits and it is demonstrated that Cas9 nickases induce gene targeting at frequencies comparable to native Cas9 when they are delivered on geminivirus replicons.
Abstract: We report a comprehensive toolkit that enables targeted, specific modification of monocot and dicot genomes using a variety of genome engineering approaches Our reagents, based on transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system, are systematized for fast, modular cloning and accommodate diverse regulatory sequences to drive reagent expression Vectors are optimized to create either single or multiple gene knockouts and large chromosomal deletions Moreover, integration of geminivirus-based vectors enables precise gene editing through homologous recombination Regulation of transcription is also possible A Web-based tool streamlines vector selection and construction One advantage of our platform is the use of the Csy-type (CRISPR system yersinia) ribonuclease 4 (Csy4) and tRNA processing enzymes to simultaneously express multiple guide RNAs (gRNAs) For example, we demonstrate targeted deletions in up to six genes by expressing 12 gRNAs from a single transcript Csy4 and tRNA expression systems are almost twice as effective in inducing mutations as gRNAs expressed from individual RNA polymerase III promoters Mutagenesis can be further enhanced 25-fold by incorporating the Trex2 exonuclease Finally, we demonstrate that Cas9 nickases induce gene targeting at frequencies comparable to native Cas9 when they are delivered on geminivirus replicons The reagents have been successfully validated in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), Medicago truncatula, wheat (Triticum aestivum), and barley (Hordeum vulgare)
TL;DR: It is shown that the prosomes and these protease complexes are very similar or identical with respect to their size, polypeptide composition, immunological cross-reactivity, appearance in the electron microscope, radial symmetry of subunits, subcellular localization, and proteolytic activities.
Abstract: There have been many reports that eukaryotic cells contain ring-shaped 19S or 20S particles which are composed of numerous polypeptide subunits ranging in size between 25 and 35 kilodaltons. Because these particles seemed to copurify with inactive mRNA, they were assumed to function in regulating mRNA translation and hence were named 'prosomes' (for 'programmed-o-some'). A number of properties have been reported for these structures, including an association with specific RNA species or with certain heat-shock proteins and involvement in tRNA processing or aminoacyl tRNA synthesis. However, these proposed activities have not been supported by definitive evidence. During studies of the proteolytic systems in mammalian tissues, we noted many similarities between these 19S particles and the high molecular weight protease complexes that are present in most or all eukaryotic cells. This (700 kilodalton) enzyme complex, designated here as LAMP for 'large alkaline multi-functional protease', contains three distinct endoproteolytic sites which function at neutral or alkaline pH and are specific for hydrolysis of proteins, hydrophobic peptides, or basic peptides. This protease also exists in a latent form which can be activated by polylysine, fatty acids, or ATP. In this report, we show that the prosomes and these protease complexes are very similar or identical with respect to their size, polypeptide composition, immunological cross-reactivity, appearance in the electron microscope, radial symmetry of subunits, subcellular localization, and proteolytic activities. Therefore, the 'prosome' probably plays a critical role in intracellular protein breakdown, and we propose that it be renamed 'proteasome'.