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Molecular and Cellular Biology, October 2009, p. 5214-5225, Vol. 29, No. 19
0270-7306/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/MCB.00520-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Distinct and Overlapping Functions of MRP1/2 and RBP16 in Mitochondrial RNA Metabolism{triangledown}

John C. Fisk, Vladimir Presnyak, Michelle L. Ammerman, and Laurie K. Read*

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14124

Received 22 April 2009/ Returned for modification 29 May 2009/ Accepted 14 July 2009

Mitochondrial RNA metabolism in Trypanosoma brucei is a complex process involving both extensive RNA editing and control of RNA stability. MRP1/2 and RBP16 are two factors that have been implicated in regulating the editing and stability of specific mRNAs. These two factors exhibit similar nonspecific RNA binding and RNA-annealing activities, suggesting that some of their actions may have been previously masked by functional redundancy. Here, we examine the functional interaction of MRP1/2 and RBP16 by separate and simultaneous RNA interference and by overexpressing RBP16 in an MRP1/2-depleted background. Simultaneous depletion of these factors resulted in synthetic lethality in procyclic trypanosomes. Analysis of mitochondrial RNAs in procyclic cells revealed distinct functions for MRP1/2 and RBP16 toward edited apocytochrome b mRNA, redundant functions in stabilization of edited ATPase subunit 6 and cytochrome oxidase subunit 3 mRNAs, and concentration-dependent positive and negative functions for RBP16 toward edited RPS12 mRNAs. While simultaneous MRP1/2-RBP16 depletion had no effect on the growth of bloodstream form cells, massive adverse effects on the levels of almost all mitochondrial RNAs were observed. These studies greatly expand our knowledge regarding the functions of MRP1/2 and RBP16 and suggest that both RNA-specific and life cycle stage-specific factors impact MRP1/2 and RBP16 functions.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214. Phone: (716) 829-3307. Fax: (716) 829-2198. E-mail: lread{at}buffalo.edu

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 20 July 2009.

Molecular and Cellular Biology, October 2009, p. 5214-5225, Vol. 29, No. 19
0270-7306/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/MCB.00520-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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