Association of guide RNA binding protein gBP21 with active RNA editing complexes in Trypanosoma brucei

Mol Cell Biol. 1998 Oct;18(10):6014-22. doi: 10.1128/MCB.18.10.6014.

Abstract

RNA editing in Trypanosoma brucei mitochondria produces mature mRNAs by a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions that specifically insert or delete uridylates in association with a macromolecular complex. Using a mitochondrial fraction enriched for in vitro RNA editing activity, we produced several monoclonal antibodies that are specific for a 21-kDa guide RNA (gRNA) binding protein initially identified by UV cross-linking. Immunofluorescence studies localize the protein to the mitochondrion, with a preference for the kinetoplast. The antibodies cause a supershift of previously identified gRNA-specific ribonucleoprotein complexes and immunoprecipitate in vitro RNA editing activities that insert and delete uridylates. The immunoprecipitated material also contains gRNA-specific endoribonuclease, terminal uridylyltransferase, and RNA ligase activities as well as gRNA and both edited and unedited mRNA. The immunoprecipitate contains numerous proteins, of which the 21-kDa protein, a 90-kDa protein, and novel 55- and 16-kDa proteins can be UV cross-linked to gRNA. These studies indicate that the 21-kDa protein associates with the ribonucleoprotein complex (or complexes) that catalyze RNA editing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / immunology
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA Editing*
  • RNA*
  • RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida / metabolism*
  • RNA, Mitochondrial
  • RNA, Protozoan*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / genetics*
  • Trypanosoma brucei brucei / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • RNA, Mitochondrial
  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • gBP21 protein, Trypanosoma brucei
  • RNA
  • RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida