Name: an in vitro assay to detect trna-isopentenyl transferase activity
Uploaded: 2018-10-08T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity at JoVE.com

We would like to thank Dr. David Engelke for his guidance and helpful comments on this manuscript. PJS - Ball State University laboratory startup funds; DAB - grant 1R15AI130950-01.

NOTE: The protocol was adapted from Ref. 24.
1. Obtain RNA and Enzyme of Interest
<ol>
	<li>Use in vitro transcribed RNAs internally labeled with 32P, and recombinant His6-Mod5 expressed in and purified from E. coli, as previously described24.
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		<li>Introduce in vitro transcribed RNAs (section 3) using T7 RNA polymerase in the presence of unlabeled ATP, UTP, CTP, GTP and 10 &#181;Ci of gel-purified, e...

<ol>
	<li>Boccaletto, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=MODOMICS:+a+database+of+RNA+modification+pathways.+2017+update.">MODOMICS: a database of RNA modification pathways. 2017 update.</a> Nucleic Acids Research. 46 (D1), 303-307 (2018).</li><li>Lewis, C. J., Pan, T., Kalsotra, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RNA+modifications+and+structures+cooperate+to+guide+RNA-protein+interactions.">RNA modifications and structures cooperate to guide RNA-protein interactions.</a> Nature Reviews: Molecular and Cellular Biology. 18 (3), 202-210 (2017).</li><li>Soll, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enzymatic+modification+of+transfer+RNA.">Enzymatic modification of transfer RNA.</a> Science. 173 (3994), 293-299 (1971).</li><li>Schweizer, U., Bohleber, S., Fradejas-Villar, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+modified+base+isopentenyladenosine+and+its+derivatives+in+tRNA.">The modified base isopentenyladenosine and its derivatives in tRNA.</a> RNA Biology. 14 (9), 1197-1208 (2017).</li><li>Persson, B. C., Esberg, B., Olafsson, O., Bjork, G. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthesis+and+function+of+isopentenyl+adenosine+derivatives+in+tRNA.">Synthesis and function of isopentenyl adenosine derivatives in tRNA.</a> Biochimie. 76 (12), 1152-1160 (1994).</li><li>Urbonavicius, J., Qian, Q., Durand, J. M., Hagervall, T. G., Bjork, G. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improvement+of+reading+frame+maintenance+is+a+common+function+for+several+tRNA+modifications.">Improvement of reading frame maintenance is a common function for several tRNA modifications.</a> EMBO Journal. 20 (17), 4863-4873 (2001).</li><li>Aubee, J. I., Olu, M., Thompson, K. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+i6A37+tRNA+modification+is+essential+for+proper+decoding+of+UUX-Leucine+codons+during+rpoS+and+iraP+translation.">The i6A37 tRNA modification is essential for proper decoding of UUX-Leucine codons during rpoS and iraP translation.</a> RNA. 22 (5), 729-742 (2016).</li><li>Caillet, J., Droogmans, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+cloning+of+the+Escherichia+coli+miaA+gene+involved+in+the+formation+of+delta+2-isopentenyl+adenosine+in+tRNA.">Molecular cloning of the Escherichia coli miaA gene involved in the formation of delta 2-isopentenyl adenosine in tRNA.</a> Journal of Bacteriology. 170 (9), 4147-4152 (1988).</li><li>Soderberg, T., Poulter, C. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Escherichia+coli+dimethylallyl+diphosphate:tRNA+dimethylallyltransferase:+essential+elements+for+recognition+of+tRNA+substrates+within+the+anticodon+stem-loop.">Escherichia coli dimethylallyl diphosphate:tRNA dimethylallyltransferase: essential elements for recognition of tRNA substrates within the anticodon stem-loop.</a> Biochemistry. 39 (21), 6546-6553 (2000).</li><li>Dihanich, M. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+characterization+of+MOD5,+a+gene+required+for+isopentenylation+of+cytoplasmic+and+mitochondrial+tRNAs+of+Saccharomyces+cerevisiae.">Isolation and characterization of MOD5, a gene required for isopentenylation of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.</a> Molecular and Cellular Biology. 7 (1), 177-184 (1987).</li><li>Lemieux, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+physiological+rates+in+Caenorhabditis+elegans+by+a+tRNA-modifying+enzyme+in+the+mitochondria.">Regulation of physiological rates in Caenorhabditis elegans by a tRNA-modifying enzyme in the mitochondria.</a> Genetics. 159 (1), 147-157 (2001).</li><li>Golovko, A., Sitbon, F., Tillberg, E., Nicander, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+a+tRNA+isopentenyltransferase+gene+from+Arabidopsis+thaliana.">Identification of a tRNA isopentenyltransferase gene from Arabidopsis thaliana.</a> Plant Molecular Biology. 49 (2), 161-169 (2002).</li><li>Warner, G. J., Rusconi, C. P., White, I. E., Faust, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+and+sequencing+of+two+isopentenyladenosine-modified+transfer+RNAs+from+Chinese+hamster+ovary+cells.">Identification and sequencing of two isopentenyladenosine-modified transfer RNAs from Chinese hamster ovary cells.</a> Nucleic Acids Research. 26 (23), 5533-5535 (1998).</li><li>Golovko, A., Hjalm, G., Sitbon, F., Nicander, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cloning+of+a+human+tRNA+isopentenyl+transferase.">Cloning of a human tRNA isopentenyl transferase.</a> Gene. 258 (1-2), 85-93 (2000).</li><li>Kernohan, K. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Matchmaking+facilitates+the+diagnosis+of+an+autosomal-recessive+mitochondrial+disease+caused+by+biallelic+mutation+of+the+tRNA+isopentenyltransferase+(TRIT1)+gene.">Matchmaking facilitates the diagnosis of an autosomal-recessive mitochondrial disease caused by biallelic mutation of the tRNA isopentenyltransferase (TRIT1) gene.</a> Human Mutations. 38 (5), 511-516 (2017).</li><li>Yarham, J. W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Defective+i6A37+modification+of+mitochondrial+and+cytosolic+tRNAs+results+from+pathogenic+mutations+in+TRIT1+and+its+substrate+tRNA.">Defective i6A37 modification of mitochondrial and cytosolic tRNAs results from pathogenic mutations in TRIT1 and its substrate tRNA.</a> PLoS Genetics. 10 (6), 1004424 (2014).</li><li>Smaldino, P. J., Read, D. F., Pratt-Hyatt, M., Hopper, A. K., Engelke, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+cytoplasmic+and+nuclear+populations+of+the+eukaryote+tRNA-isopentenyl+transferase+have+distinct+functions+with+implications+in+human+cancer.">The cytoplasmic and nuclear populations of the eukaryote tRNA-isopentenyl transferase have distinct functions with implications in human cancer.</a> Gene. 556 (1), 13-18 (2015).</li><li>Lamichhane, T. N., Mattijssen, S., Maraia, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+cells+have+a+limited+set+of+tRNA+anticodon+loop+substrates+of+the+tRNA+isopentenyltransferase+TRIT1+tumor+suppressor.">Human cells have a limited set of tRNA anticodon loop substrates of the tRNA isopentenyltransferase TRIT1 tumor suppressor.</a> Molecular and Cellular Biology. 33 (24), 4900-4908 (2013).</li><li>Swoboda, R. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antimelanoma+CTL+recognizes+peptides+derived+from+an+ORF+transcribed+from+the+antisense+strand+of+the+3'+untranslated+region+of+TRIT1.">Antimelanoma CTL recognizes peptides derived from an ORF transcribed from the antisense strand of the 3' untranslated region of TRIT1.</a> Molecular Therapy Oncolytics. 1, 14009 (2015).</li><li>Yue, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+breast+cancer+candidate+genes+using+gene+co-expression+and+protein-protein+interaction+information.">Identification of breast cancer candidate genes using gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction information.</a> Oncotarget. 7 (24), 36092-36100 (2016).</li><li>Chen, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Association+of+polymorphisms+and+haplotype+in+the+region+of+TRIT1,+MYCL1+and+MFSD2A+with+the+risk+and+clinicopathological+features+of+gastric+cancer+in+a+southeast+Chinese+population.">Association of polymorphisms and haplotype in the region of TRIT1, MYCL1 and MFSD2A with the risk and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer in a southeast Chinese population.</a> Carcinogenesis. 34 (5), 1018-1024 (2013).</li><li>Spinola, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+and+functional+characterization+of+the+candidate+tumor+suppressor+gene+TRIT1+in+human+lung+cancer.">Identification and functional characterization of the candidate tumor suppressor gene TRIT1 in human lung cancer.</a> Oncogene. 24 (35), 5502-5509 (2005).</li><li>Spinola, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ethnic+differences+in+frequencies+of+gene+polymorphisms+in+the+MYCL1+region+and+modulation+of+lung+cancer+patients'+survival.">Ethnic differences in frequencies of gene polymorphisms in the MYCL1 region and modulation of lung cancer patients' survival.</a> Lung Cancer. 55 (3), 271-277 (2007).</li><li>Read, D. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Aggregation+of+Mod5+is+affected+by+tRNA+binding+with+implications+for+tRNA+gene-mediated+silencing.">Aggregation of Mod5 is affected by tRNA binding with implications for tRNA gene-mediated silencing.</a> FEBS Letters. 591 (11), 1601-1610 (2017).</li><li>Waller, T. J., Read, D. F., Engelke, D. R., Smaldino, P. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+human+tRNA-modifying+protein,+TRIT1,+forms+amyloid+fibers+in+vitro.">The human tRNA-modifying protein, TRIT1, forms amyloid fibers in vitro.</a> Gene. 612, 19-24 (2017).</li><li>Suzuki, G., Shimazu, N., Tanaka, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+yeast+prion,+Mod5,+promotes+acquired+drug+resistance+and+cell+survival+under+environmental+stress.">A yeast prion, Mod5, promotes acquired drug resistance and cell survival under environmental stress.</a> Science. 336 (6079), 355-359 (2012).</li><li>Soderberg, T., Poulter, C. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Escherichia+coli+dimethylallyl+diphosphate:tRNA+dimethylallyltransferase:+site-directed+mutagenesis+of+highly+conserved+residues.">Escherichia coli dimethylallyl diphosphate:tRNA dimethylallyltransferase: site-directed mutagenesis of highly conserved residues.</a> Biochemistry. 40 (6), 1734-1740 (2001).</li><li>Lamichhane, T. N., Blewett, N. H., Maraia, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Plasticity+and+diversity+of+tRNA+anticodon+determinants+of+substrate+recognition+by+eukaryotic+A37+isopentenyltransferases.">Plasticity and diversity of tRNA anticodon determinants of substrate recognition by eukaryotic A37 isopentenyltransferases.</a> Rna. 17 (10), 1846-1857 (2011).</li><li>Lamichhane, T. N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lack+of+tRNA+modification+isopentenyl-A37+alters+mRNA+decoding+and+causes+metabolic+deficiencies+in+fission+yeast.">Lack of tRNA modification isopentenyl-A37 alters mRNA decoding and causes metabolic deficiencies in fission yeast.</a> Molecular and Cellular Biology. 33 (15), 2918-2929 (2013).</li><li>Laten, H., Gorman, J., Bock, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isopentenyladenosine+deficient+tRNA+from+an+antisuppressor+mutant+of+Saccharomyces+cerevisiae.">Isopentenyladenosine deficient tRNA from an antisuppressor mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.</a> Nucleic Acids Research. 5 (11), 4329-4342 (1978).</li><li>Etcheverry, T., Colby, D., Guthrie, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+precursor+to+a+minor+species+of+yeast+tRNASer+contains+an+intervening+sequence.">A precursor to a minor species of yeast tRNASer contains an intervening sequence.</a> Cell. 18 (1), 11-26 (1979).</li><li>Yan, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+high-throughput+quantitative+approach+reveals+more+small+RNA+modifications+in+mouse+liver+and+their+correlation+with+diabetes.">A high-throughput quantitative approach reveals more small RNA modifications in mouse liver and their correlation with diabetes.</a> Analytical Chemistry. 85 (24), 12173-12181 (2013).</li><li>Su, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+analysis+of+ribonucleoside+modifications+in+tRNA+by+HPLC-coupled+mass+spectrometry.">Quantitative analysis of ribonucleoside modifications in tRNA by HPLC-coupled mass spectrometry.</a> Nature Protocols. 9 (4), 828-841 (2014).</li><li>Jonkhout, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+RNA+modification+landscape+in+human+disease.">The RNA modification landscape in human disease.</a> Rna. 23 (12), 1754-1769 (2017).</li><li>Dominissini, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+dynamic+N(1)-methyladenosine+methylome+in+eukaryotic+messenger+RNA.">The dynamic N(1)-methyladenosine methylome in eukaryotic messenger RNA.</a> Nature. 530 (7591), 441-446 (2016).</li><li>Meyer, K. 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RNA modifications continue to be shown to play ever more important and diverse roles in cellular and organismal function. As such, the development of assays to interrogate RNA modifying enzymes is central to better understanding the fundamental aspects of biology. This protocol describes a high-resolution in vitro assay to characterize the tRNA modification activity of Mod5.
This protocol has the distinct advantage of providing a direct, and easily interpretable readout of isopentenyl...

At least 163 distinct posttranscriptional RNA modifications have been identified, with these modifications conferring diverse and context-dependent functions to RNAs, directly influencing RNA structure, and affecting interactions of RNA with other molecules1,2. As the appreciation for the number and variety of RNA modifications increases, it is critical to develop assays that can reliably interrogate both the RNA modifications and the enzymes that catalyze them.
One of the first RNA modifications to be identified occurs at base 37 in tRNAs, adjacent to the anti-codon on the 3&#39; side3,4. An isopentenyl group is transferred from dimethylallylpyrophosphate (DMAPP) to the N6 position of adenosine 37 (i6A37) 3,5 on a subset of both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAs. i6A37 improves translation fidelity and efficiency by increasing the tRNA&#39;s affinity for the ribosome4,6 and i6A37 is important for stress response in bacteria7. The enzymes that perform this modification are termed tRNA isopentenyl transferases and are highly conserved in bacteria8,9, fungi10, worms11, plants12, and higher eukaryotes13, including humans14.
Mutations in the human tRNA isopentenyl transferase gene, TRIT1, are associated with human disease. For example, a mutation in TRIT1 is correlated with a severe mitochondrial disease, likely caused by a defect in mitochondrial protein synthesis15,16. Furthermore, TRIT1 has been described as a tumor suppressor gene17,18 and is implicated in several types of cancers including melanoma19, breast20, gastric21, and lung cancers22,23. Finally, TRIT1 and Mod5 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) isopentenyl transferases are aggregation-prone proteins that form prion-like amyloid fibers24,25,26. These observations potentially implicate tRNA isopentenyl transferases in neurodegenerative diseases, although direct evidence for this has not yet been shown.
Given the role that isopentenyl transferases play in translation and disease, methods that directly measure i6A isopentenyl transferase activity are important for a mechanistic understanding of these enzymes under normal and disease states. An increasing number of methods are available to detect i6A RNA modifications, including in vitro isopentenylation assays, positive hybridization in the absence of i6A (PHA6) assays, thin layer chromatography (TLC), amino acid acceptance activity assays, and mass spectrometry approaches (Reviewed in Ref. 4).
An in vitro isopentenylation assay has been described that utilizes 14C-DMAPP and unlabeled tRNAs. In this assay, radioactive carbon is transferred to RNA from 14C-DMAPP by the isopentenyl transferase. While this assay is highly sensitive, it is often difficult to determine the specific residue that is modified9,20,27. PHA6 assays rely on the bulky i6A modification interfering with hybridization of a 32P-labeled probe spanning the modified residue. As such, hybridization is greater in the absence of an i6A modification18,28,29. PHA6 assays are highly sensitive, and capable of analyzing total RNA extracted from cellular lysates. Additionally, the ability to design probes specific to the RNA of interest gives this method substantial target flexibility. However, PHA6 assays are limited to the characterization of modifications that occur on residues within the targeted region of the probe and therefore are less likely to identify novel modification sites. In addition, as absence of binding is indicative of modification, other modifications or mutations that affect RNA binding will confound data analysis.
Another approach combines benzyl DEAE cellulose (BD) cellulose chromatography with amino acid acceptance activity as a readout of i6A modifications in tRNA30. This approach directly assays the function of the i6A modification, but it is an indirect approach to detect i6A modification and lacks resolution to map modifications to a specific residue in the RNA. A TLC approach has been used to detect total tRNA i6A modifications. In this approach, internally 32P-labeled tRNAs are digested to single nucleotides and two-dimensional TLC analysis is used to identify isopentenylation. This approach is highly sensitive in detecting total i6A in a given RNA sample but upon digestion, all sequence information is lost; thus, the investigator has no way of determining which residues have been modified31.
More recently, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods have been developed that quantitatively compare total RNA modifications between species, cell types, and experimental conditions32,33,34. A limitation of this methodology is that it is less able to determine the identity and position within the RNA from which the modified nucleoside was derived34. Furthermore, the expertise and equipment necessary to execute these experiments limit the practicality of this approach.
In addition, several next-generation sequencing technologies have been developed to map RNA modifications transcriptome-wide34. Immunoprecipitation of RNAs with antibodies specific to a particular modification (RIP-Seq) enable the investigator to identify all sequences containing a specific modification35,36. Additionally, reverse transcriptase-based approaches such as Chem-Seq and non-random mismatch sequencing rely on perturbations of the reverse transcription reaction at the modified residues37,38,39. Despite the advantage of these techniques to map RNA modifications transcriptome-wide, RIP-seq and Chem-Seq technologies are limited by the lack of reliable antibodies or reactive chemicals available for each specific modification, respectively34. Furthermore, reverse transcriptase enzymes required to perform Chem-Seq and non-random mismatch sequencing techniques can be impeded by stable RNA structures. The highly modified and structurally stable nature of tRNAs make them especially difficult to interrogate using these techniques. To date, next-generation sequencing-based technologies have not yet been utilized to map i6A modifications34.
Herein, we describe a simple and direct approach to detect i6A tRNA modifications in vitro. This method utilizes incubation of RNAs with recombinant S. cerevisiae isopentenyl transferase (Mod5), followed by RNase T1 digestion, and 1-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis to map i6A modifications. This approach is direct and requires little specialized expertise to analyze the data. Furthermore, this method is adaptable to other RNA modifying enzymes, including enzymes that covalently change the molecular weight of RNA or an RNA&#39;s mobility through a gel.

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			<td style="width:176px;">National Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">EC-833</td>
			<td>As part of a kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">UreaGel Buffer</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">National Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">EC-833</td>
			<td>As part of a kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">10x TBE</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">National Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">EC-833</td>
			<td>As part of a kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ammonium persulfate (APS)</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">7727-54-0</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">N,N,N&#8242;,N&#8242;-Tetramethylethylenediamine (TMED)</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">T9281</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Tris base</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">T1503</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Boric acid</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">10043-35-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">EDTA</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">60-00-4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">ATP</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">34369-07-8</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:216px;">MgCl2</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">7786-30-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">DMAPP</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Caymen Chemical</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1186-30-7</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Super RNaseIN</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">AM2694</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">2-mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">60-24-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Ethanol</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">64-17-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Sodiume acetate</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">127-09-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Rnase T1</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">EN0541</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Glycerol</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">56-81-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Xylene cyanol</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">2650-17-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Equipment and Supplies</td>
			<td style="width:176px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Short glass plates (20-40 cm W x 40 cm L)</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">The Gel Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Long glass plates (20-40 cm W x 40 cm L)</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">The Gel Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Vertical gel apparatus</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">The Gel Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">S2-3040</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">50 mL disposable syringe</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">03-377-26</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Stainless steel binder clips</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Idea Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1066</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Phosphoscreen</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">28-9564-74</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Plastic wrap</td>
			<td style="width:176px;">(local grocery store)</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

an in vitro assay to detect trna-isopentenyl transferase activity

N6-isopentenyladenosine RNA modifications are functionally diverse and highly conserved among prokaryotes and eukaryotes. One of the most highly conserved N6-isopentenyladenosine modifications occurs at the A37 position in a subset of tRNAs. This modification improves translation efficiency and fidelity by increasing the affinity of the tRNA for the ribosome. Mutation of enzymes responsible for this modification in eukaryotes are associated with several disease states, including mitochondrial dysfunction and cancer. Therefore, understanding the substrate specificity and biochemical activities of these enzymes is important for understanding of normal and pathologic eukaryotic biology. A diverse array of methods has been employed to characterize i6A modifications. Herein is described a direct approach for the detection of isopentenylation by Mod5. This method utilizes incubation of RNAs with a recombinant isopentenyl transferase, followed by RNase T1 digestion, and 1-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis to detect i6A modifications. In addition, the potential adaptability of this protocol to characterize other RNA-modifying enzymes is discussed.

Mod5 was incubated with a tyrosine tRNA or serine tRNA in the presence or absence of DMAPP. Following the modification reaction, products were RNase T1-digested, which cleaves the 3&#39; end of all guanosines leaving a 3&#39; guanosine monophosphates (GMP)24 (Figure 1). Full digestion of the RNAs produces a predictable pattern of radiolabeled fragments (Figure 2A), which are then resolved ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity at JoVE.com

An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity

Here, we describe a protocol for the biochemical characterization of the yeast RNA-modifying enzyme, Mod5, and discuss how this protocol could be applied to other RNA-modifying enzymes.

An In Vitro Assay to Detect tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity

N6-isopentenyladenosine RNA modifications are functionally diverse and highly conserved among prokaryotes and eukaryotes. One of the most highly conserved ...

The overall goal of this protocol is to biochemically characterize tRNA-Isopentenyl Transferase Activity In Vitro. This method is useful for the in-vitro detection and characterization of tRNA-isopentenyl transferase activity of purified recombinant enzymes. The main advantage of this technique is that it is a simple and direct assay used to detect a covalent RNA modification.Though this method provides insight to tRNA-isopentenyl transferase activity, it's potentially adaptable for the biochemical characterization of wide range or RNA modifying enzymes. The first step in this procedure is to thoroughly clean the glass plates that will be used for casting the gel. Wash the plates with soap and water, rinse well with deionized water, and then clean the plates with isopropanol and lint-free wipes.Next, assemble the plates and spacers. Mix the following reagents to make a 100 milliliter 20%acrylamide, 7.5 molar urea, 1x TBE gel. 80 milliliters of urea gel concentrate, 10 milliliters of urea gel diluent, and 10 milliliters of urea gel buffer.Add 40 microliters of T-med and 800 microliters of freshly prepared 10%ammonium persulfate to the mixture. Draw the gel solution up into a large syringe and dispense the gel solution between the glass plates tapping on the glass while dispensing the solution to prevent bubble formation. Allow the gel to solidify at room temperature for 30 minutes.After the gel has solidified, plant the gel onto a vertical gel apparatus. Fill the upper and lower buffer chambers with 1x TBE. Two hours prior to loading the gel, pre-run the gel at 20 milliamps for two hours to allow the buffer boundary to out run the smallest oligonucleotides.Prepare each reaction for the RNA isopentenylation assay in a final volume of 17 microliters. Add to each tube 50 millimolor Tris-HCl, pH 7.2, 1.2 millimolar ATP, 5.8 millimolar magnesium chloride, 0.2 millimolar DMAPP, 10 units RNase inhibitor, 40, 000 CPM internally 32P labeled RNA, 5.3 micromolar Mod5, and 1.2 millimolar 2-mercaptoethanol. Incubate the reactions at 37 degrees Celsius for one hour.After one hour, ethanol precipitate the RNase using 2.5 volume of 100%ethanol and 1/10 volume of 3.5 molar sodium acetate pH 5.5, and place it negative 20 degrees Celsius for one hour overnight. Next, centrifuge the RNA samples at 15, 400 g's and four degrees Celsius for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the supernatant and wash each RNA pellet with 500 microliters of 70%ethanol.Centrifuge the samples at 15, 400 g's and four degrees Celsius for five minutes. Carefully remove the supernatant and air dry the RNA pellets for 15 minutes or until all ethanol has evaporated. Next re-suspend each RNA pellet in 10 microliters of eight molar urea.Add 150 units of RNase T1 to each sample and incubate at 37 degrees Celsius overnight. On the following day, add two microliters of 6x loading buffer to each sample. Load 10 microliters of each RNA sample on a pre-run, 20%polyacrylamide, 7.5 molar urea gel.Run the gel at 25 milliamps for two hours. After two hours, stop the electrophoresis and remove the gel from the apparatus. Break the seal between the two glass plates and carefully remove one of the glass plates with the gel remaining on either plate.Place a layer of plastic wrap over the gel and expose on a phosphorus screen for three hours. This protocol reliably detects isopentenylation of both canonical and noncanonical tRNA residues modified by the S.cerevisiae isopentenyl tranferase Mod5. In this example tyrosine tRNA was internally labeled with 32P-adenosine and Mod5 was incubated with RNase in the presence or absence of DMAPP.The RNAs were digested with RNase T1 and resolved on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel. Mod5 modifies the predicted residue in the presence of DMAPP and indicated by the shifted 10 nucleotide, triple adenosine containing fragment at nucleoside positions 36 through 38 contain fragment in the tyrosine tRNA. The modified adenosine 37 reside is indicated with an asterisk.Similarly when the serine tRNA is incubated with Mod5 and DMAPP, a complete shift of the 10 nucleotide triple adenosine containing fragment at nucleoside position 36 through 38 is observed. Interestingly, a partial shift of a seven nucleotide fragment is observed that does not contain the triple adenosine containing fragment at nucleoside positions 36 through 38, suggesting that the triple adenosine containing fragment at nucleoside position 36 through 38 sequence and structure may not be required for Mod5 in vitro activity. Once mastered this technique will take two, four to six hour days if it is performed properly.Well attempting this procedure it is important to remember to maintain and monitor the integrity of the RNA, because RNA degradation could effect the RNA modification and will confound data interpretation. Following this procedure mutational studies using your enzyme of interest, could be done to determine specific residues or domains required for enzymatic activity. After its development, this technique paved the way for researchers in the field of RNA biology, to say tRNA-isopentenyl transferase activities of prokaryotic and eukaryotic enzymes.After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to carryout the protocol for the detection of isopentenyl transferase activity of your enzyme of interest. Don't forget that working with radioactivity can be extremely hazardous and precautions such as wearing proper PPE, using adequate shielding, and disposing of radioactivity properly should always be taken while performing this procedure.

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

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Detection of the pH-dependent Activity of Escherichia coli Chaperone HdeB In Vitro and In Vivo

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A Fluorescence-based Assay of Phospholipid Scramblase Activity

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Identification of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 1 Specific Phosphorylation Sites by an In Vitro Kinase Assay

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Quantification of Hypopigmentation Activity In Vitro

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A Fluorogenic Peptide Cleavage Assay to Screen for Proteolytic Activity: Applications for coronavirus spike protein activation

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A Colorimetric Assay of Citrate Synthase Activity in Drosophila Melanogaster

A Colorimetric Assay of Citrate Synthase Activity in Drosophila Melanogaster

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An In Vitro Single-Molecule Imaging Assay for the Analysis of Cap-Dependent Translation Kinetics

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A High-Throughput Enzyme-Coupled Activity Assay to Probe Small Molecule Interaction with the dNTPase SAMHD1

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Continuous Fluorescence-Based Endonuclease-Coupled DNA Methylation Assay to Screen for DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors

DNA methylation, a form of epigenetic gene regulation, is important for normal cellular function. In cells, proteins called DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) ...