tRNA-like Structure Research Articles

Host-like RNA Elements Regulate Virus Translation.

Viruses are obligate, intracellular parasites that co-opt host cell machineries for propagation. Critical among these machineries are those that translate RNA into protein and their mechanisms of control. Most regulatory mechanisms effectuate their activity by targeting sequence or structural features at the RNA termini, i.e., at the 5' or 3' ends, including the untranslated regions (UTRs). Translation of most eukaryotic mRNAs is initiated by 5' cap-dependent scanning. In contrast, many viruses initiate translation at internal RNA regions at internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). Eukaryotic mRNAs often contain upstream open reading frames (uORFs) that permit condition-dependent control of downstream major ORFs. To offset genome compression and increase coding capacity, some viruses take advantage of out-of-frame overlapping uORFs (oORFs). Lacking the essential machinery of protein synthesis, for example, ribosomes and other translation factors, all viruses utilize the host apparatus to generate virus protein. In addition, some viruses exhibit RNA elements that bind host regulatory factors that are not essential components of the translation machinery. SARS-CoV-2 is a paradigm example of a virus taking advantage of multiple features of eukaryotic host translation control: the virus mimics the established human GAIT regulatory element and co-opts four host aminoacyl tRNA synthetases to form a stimulatory binding complex. Utilizing discontinuous transcription, the elements are present and identical in all SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNAs (and the genomic RNA). Thus, the virus exhibits a post-transcriptional regulon that improves upon analogous eukaryotic regulons, in which a family of functionally related mRNA targets contain elements that are structurally similar but lacking sequence identity. This "thrifty" virus strategy can be exploited against the virus since targeting the element can suppress the expression of all subgenomic RNAs as well as the genomic RNA. Other 3' end viral elements include 3'-cap-independent translation elements (3'-CITEs) and 3'-tRNA-like structures. Elucidation of virus translation control elements, their binding proteins, and their mechanisms can lead to novel therapeutic approaches to reduce virus replication and pathogenicity.

Diversity and modularity of tyrosine-accepting tRNA-like structures.

Certain positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses contain elements at their 3' termini that structurally mimic tRNAs. These tRNA-like structures (TLSs) are classified based on which amino acid is covalently added to the 3' end by host aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. Recently, a cryoEM reconstruction of a representative tyrosine-accepting tRNA-like structure (TLSTyr) from brome mosaic virus (BMV) revealed a unique mode of recognition of the viral anticodon-mimicking domain by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. Some viruses in the hordeivirus genus of Virgaviridae are also selectively aminoacylated with tyrosine, yet these TLS RNAs have a different architecture in the 5' domain that comprises the atypical anticodon loop mimic. Herein, we present bioinformatic and biochemical data supporting a distinct secondary structure for the 5' domain of the hordeivirus TLSTyr compared to those in Bromoviridae Despite forming a different secondary structure, the 5' domain is necessary to achieve robust in vitro aminoacylation. Furthermore, a chimeric RNA containing the 5' domain from the BMV TLSTyr and the 3' domain from a hordeivirus TLSTyr are aminoacylated, illustrating modularity in these structured RNA elements. We propose that the structurally distinct 5' domain of the hordeivirus TLSTyrs performs the same role in mimicking the anticodon loop as its counterpart in the BMV TLSTyr Finally, these structurally and phylogenetically divergent types of TLSTyr provide insight into the evolutionary connections between all classes of viral tRNA-like structures.

Comparative Mitogenomic Analyses of Darkling Beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Provide Evolutionary Insights into tRNA-like Sequences.

Tenebrionidae is widely recognized owing to its species diversity and economic importance. Here, we determined the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of three Tenebrionidae species (Melanesthes exilidentata, Anatolica potanini, and Myladina unguiculina) and performed a comparative mitogenomic analysis to characterize the evolutionary characteristics of the family. The tenebrionid mitogenomes were highly conserved with respect to genome size, gene arrangement, base composition, and codon usage. All protein-coding genes evolved under purifying selection. The largest non-coding region (i.e., control region) showed several unusual features, including several conserved repetitive fragments (e.g., A+T-rich regions, G+C-rich regions, Poly-T tracts, TATA repeat units, and longer repetitive fragments) and tRNA-like structures. These tRNA-like structures can bind to the appropriate anticodon to form a cloverleaf structure, although base-pairing is not complete. We summarized the quantity, types, and conservation of tRNA-like sequences and performed functional and evolutionary analyses of tRNA-like sequences with various anticodons. Phylogenetic analyses based on three mitogenomic datasets and two tree inference methods largely supported the monophyly of each of the three subfamilies (Stenochiinae, Pimeliinae, and Lagriinae), whereas both Tenebrioninae and Diaperinae were consistently recovered as polyphyletic. We obtained a tenebrionid mitogenomic phylogeny: (Lagriinae, (Pimeliinae, ((Tenebrioninae + Diaperinae), Stenochiinae))). Our results provide insights into the evolution and function of tRNA-like sequences in tenebrionid mitogenomes and contribute to our general understanding of the evolution of Tenebrionidae.

Characteristics of long-distance mobile mRNAs from shoot to root in grafted plant species

Thousands of long-distance mobile mRNAs were identified from different grafting systems, based on high-throughput sequencing technology. Moreover, the long-distance delivery of RNAs was proved to involve multiple mechanisms. Here, we analyzed the homology, motif, and tRNA-like structure (TLS) of long-distance mobile mRNAs identified by RNA-seq as well as the RNA-binding protein (RBP) in nine grafting combinations including Arabidopsis thaliana, Vitis vinifera, Cucumis sativus, Citrullus lanatus, Nicotiana benthamiana, Malus domestica, Pyrus spp., Glycine max and Phaseolus vulgaris. Although several mRNAs were found to be shared in herbaceous, woody, and related species, the vast majority of long-distance mobile mRNAs were species-specific. Four non-specific movement-related motifs were identified, while the TLS was not necessary for mRNA long distance mobility. In addition, we found that RBPs were conserved among herbaceous and woody plants as well as related species. This paper reports a further in-depth analysis of the endogenous mechanisms by which the species-specific transportable mRNAs were selected by bioinformatics, in order to provide insights for future research on long-distance mobile mRNAs.

Identification of over ten thousand candidate structured RNAs in viruses and phages

Structured RNAs play crucial roles in viruses, exerting influence over both viral and host gene expression. However, the extensive diversity of structured RNAs and their ability to act in cis or trans positions pose challenges for predicting and assigning their functions. While comparative genomics approaches have successfully predicted candidate structured RNAs in microbes on a large scale, similar efforts for viruses have been lacking. In this study, we screened over 5 million DNA and RNA viral sequences, resulting in the prediction of 10,006 novel candidate structured RNAs. These predictions are widely distributed across taxonomy and ecosystem. We found transcriptional evidence for 206 of these candidate structured RNAs in the human fecal microbiome. These candidate RNAs exhibited evidence of nucleotide covariation, indicative of selective pressure maintaining the predicted secondary structures. Our analysis revealed a diverse repertoire of candidate structured RNAs, encompassing a substantial number of putative tRNAs or tRNA-like structures, Rho-independent transcription terminators, and potentially cis-regulatory structures consistently positioned upstream of genes. In summary, our findings shed light on the extensive diversity of structured RNAs in viruses, offering a valuable resource for further investigations into their functional roles and implications in viral gene expression and pave the way for a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between viruses and their hosts at the molecular level.

Multiple Levels of Triggered Factors and the Obligated Requirement of Cell-to-Cell Movement in the Mutation Repair of Cucumber Mosaic Virus with Defects in the tRNA-like Structure.

Simple SummaryBased on analysis of the tRNA-like structure (TLS) mutation in cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), mutation repair is correlated with several levels of triggered factors, including the dose of inoculation of virus mutants, the quantity effect on corresponding viral RNA, and the quality effect on corresponding viral RNA. All types of TLS mutation in different RNAs of CMV can be repaired at a low dose around the dilution end-point. At a high dose of inoculation, TLS mutations in RNA2 and RNA3, but not RNA1, can be repaired, which correlates with the relative quantity defect of RNA2 or the genome size defect of RNA3. In addition, all the above types of mutation repair necessarily require cell-to-cell movement, which presents the obligated effect of cell-to-cell movement on mutation repair.Some debilitating mutations in RNA viruses are repairable; however, the triggering factors of mutation repair remain largely unknown. In this study, multiple triggering factors of mutation repair are identified based on genetic damage to the TLS in CMV. TLS mutations in different RNAs distinctively impact viral pathogenicity and present different types of mutation repair. RNA2 relative reduction level or RNA3 sequence change resulting from TLS mutation is correlated with a high rate of mutation repair, and the TLS mutation of RNA1 fails to be repaired at the high inoculum dose. However, the TLS mutation of RNA1 can be repaired at a low dose of inoculation, particularly around the dilution end-point or in the mixed inoculation with RNA2 having a pre-termination mutation of the 2b gene, an RNAi suppressor. Taken together, TLS mutations resulting in quality or quantity defects of the viral genome or TLS mutations at low doses around the dilution end-point are likely to be repaired. Different levels of TLS mutation repair necessarily require cell-to-cell movement, therefore implying its obligated effect on the evolution of low-fitness viruses and providing a new insight into Muller’s ratchet. This study provides important information on virus evolution and the application of mild viral vaccines.

Peptide Bond Formation between Aminoacyl-Minihelices by a Scaffold Derived from the Peptidyl Transferase Center.

The peptidyl transferase center (PTC) in the ribosome is composed of two symmetrically arranged tRNA-like units that contribute to peptide bond formation. We prepared units of the PTC components with putative tRNA-like structure and attempted to obtain peptide bond formation between aminoacyl-minihelices (primordial tRNAs, the structures composed of a coaxial stack of the acceptor stem on the T-stem of tRNA). One of the components of the PTC, P1c2UGGU (74-mer), formed a dimer and a peptide bond was formed between two aminoacyl-minihelices tethered by the dimeric P1c2UGGU. Peptide synthesis depended on both the existence of the dimeric P1c2UGGU and the sequence complementarity between the ACCA-3′ sequence of the minihelix. Thus, the tRNA-like structures derived from the PTC could have originated as a scaffold of aminoacyl-minihelices for peptide bond formation through an interaction of the CCA sequence of minihelices. Moreover, with the same origin, some would have evolved to constitute the present PTC of the ribosome, and others to function as present tRNAs.

A viral RNA uses conformational rearrangements of a dynamic tRNA-like structure to hijack cellular machinery

RNA viruses use multifunctional, structural elements in their untranslated regions (UTRs) to hijack cellular machinery, but detailed mechanisms are often difficult to understand due to the dynamic nature of RNA structure. We used cryo-EM to visualize a mysterious 55kDa tRNA-like structure (TLS) at the 3 end of the brome mosaic virus (BMV) genome that is recognized and aminoacylated by cellular tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) and that plays critical functions in the viral life cycle. Although the BMV TLS has served as a model system of RNA structure-function relationships for decades, the structural nature of its tRNA-mimicry had remained elusive.

Natural infection of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis) by anovel member of the family Tymoviridae in Colombia.

Purple passion fruit is one of the most important fruit exports of Colombia, but its productivity is being compromised by the emergence of several viral diseases. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) surveys of viruses in purple passion fruit fields in the province of Antioquia suggested infection by anew member of the family Tymoviridae. In this work, we characterize the complete genome sequence of this virus, tentatively named purple passionfruit leaf deformation virus (PpLDV), and evaluate its distribution in Antioquia. PpLDV was assembled at high coverage in four datasets from different regions. The 6.1kb genome of PpLDV encodes asingle polyprotein with domains characteristic of the family Tymoviridae, contains amarafibox-like promoter and the 3'-UTR can fold into atRNA-like secondary structure with avaline anti-codon. Phylogenetic analysis of the polyprotein revealed that PpLDV is adistinct member of the family Tymoviridae, more closely related to the genus Tymovirus and the unclassified Poinsettia mosaic virus (PnMV). The presence of PpLDV was confirmed by RT-qPCR and RT-PCR in samples from commercial purple passion fruit fields, plantlets and seed sprouts collected in Antioquia using primers designed in this study. Keywords: high-throughput sequencing; Marafivirus; Passifloraceae; plant virology; RT-qPCR; Tymovirus.

Mobile Host mRNAs Are Translated to Protein in the Associated Parasitic Plant Cuscuta campestris

Cuscuta spp. are obligate parasites that connect to host vascular tissue using a haustorium. In addition to water, nutrients, and metabolites, a large number of mRNAs are bidirectionally exchanged between Cuscuta spp. and their hosts. This trans-specific movement of mRNAs raises questions about whether these molecules function in the recipient species. To address the possibility that mobile mRNAs are ultimately translated, we built upon recent studies that demonstrate a role for transfer RNA (tRNA)-like structures (TLSs) in enhancing mRNA systemic movement. C. campestris was grown on Arabidopsis that expressed a β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter transgene either alone or in GUS-tRNA fusions. Histochemical staining revealed localization in tissue of C. campestris grown on Arabidopsis with GUS-tRNA fusions, but not in C. campestris grown on Arabidopsis with GUS alone. This corresponded with detection of GUS transcripts in Cuscuta on Arabidopsis with GUS-tRNA, but not in C. campestris on Arabidopsis with GUS alone. Similar results were obtained with Arabidopsis host plants expressing the same constructs containing an endoplasmic reticulum localization signal. In C. campestris, GUS activity was localized in the companion cells or phloem parenchyma cells adjacent to sieve tubes. We conclude that host-derived GUS mRNAs are translated in C. campestris and that the TLS fusion enhances RNA mobility in the host-parasite interactions.

Identification and Molecular Characterization of a Novel Hordeivirus Associated With Yellow Mosaic Disease of Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) in Europe.

Wild plants serve as a large reservoir of known and yet-unknown viruses and as a source of viral pathogens of cultivated plants. Yellow mosaic disease of forest shrub Ligustrum vulgare (privet) was recurrently observed in Europe for more than 100 years. Using a universal virus identification approach based on deep sequencing and de novo assembly of viral small interfering (si)RNAs we identified a causative agent of this disease in Switzerland and reconstructed its complete 3-segmented RNA genome. Notably, a short 3′-terminal common region (CR) attached to each segment via a ∼53–71 nucleotide poly(A) tract, as determined by RT-PCR sequencing, was initially identified as an orphan siRNA contig with conserved tRNA-like secondary structure. Phylogenomic analysis classified this virus as a novel member in the genus Hordeivirus of family Virgaviridae, which we named ligustrum mosaic virus (LigMV). Similar to other hordeiviruses, LigMV formed rod-shape virions (visualized by electron microscopy), was transmitted through seeds and could also be mechanically transmitted to herbaceous hosts Chenopodium quinoa and Nicotiana benthamiana. Blot hybridization analysis identified genomic and subgenomic RNAs, sharing the 3′-CR and likely serving as monocistronic mRNAs for seven evolutionarily-conserved viral proteins including two subunits of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, coat protein, triple gene block proteins mediating viral movement and cysteine-rich suppressor of RNA silencing. Analysis of size, polarity, and hotspot profiles of viral siRNAs suggested that they are produced by the plant antiviral Dicer-like (DCL) proteins DCL2 and DCL4 processing double-stranded intermediates of genomic RNA replication. Whole genome sequencing of French and Austrian isolates of LigMV revealed its genetic stability over a wide geographic range (>99% nucleotide identity to Swiss isolates and each other), suggesting its persistence and spread in Europe via seed dispersal.

TRNA-like leader-trailer interaction promotes 3'-end maturation of MALAT1.

Human metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) is a nuclear long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that is highly overexpressed in many cancer tissues and plays important roles in tumor progression and metastasis. The MALAT1 primary transcript contains evolutionarily conserved structural elements in its 3′-terminal region: a triple helix forming element called element for nuclear expression (ENE) and a downstream tRNA-like structure called mascRNA. Instead of being polyadenylated, mature MALAT1 is generated by recognition and processing of the mascRNA by RNase P. A genomically encoded A-rich tract at the new 3′ end of MALAT1, which is generated upon RNase P cleavage, forms a triple helical structure with the upstream ENE. Triplex formation is vital for stabilization of the mature transcript and for subsequent accumulation and oncogenic activity of MALAT1. Here, we demonstrate that efficient 3′-end maturation of MALAT1 is dependent on an interaction between the A-rich tract and the mascRNA 3′ trailer. Using mutational analyses of cell-based reporter accumulation, we show that an extended mascRNA acceptor stem and formation of a single bulged A 5′ to the RNase P cleavage site are required for efficient maturation of the nascent MALAT1 3′ end. Our results should benefit the development of therapeutic approaches to cancer through targeting MALAT1.

TRNA-like structures and their functions.

tRNA-like structures (TLSs) were first identified in the RNA genomes of turnip yellow mosaic virus. Since then, TLSs have been found in many other species including mammals, and the RNAs harboring these structures range from viral genomic RNAs to mRNAs and noncoding RNAs. Some progress has also been made on understanding their functions that include regulation of RNA replication, translation enhancement, RNA-protein interaction, and more. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the regulations and functions of these TLSs. Possible future directions of the field are also briefly discussed.

Tissue and regional expression patterns of dicistronic tRNA\u2013mRNA transcripts in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and their evolutionary co-appearance with vasculature in land plants

Transfer RNAs (tRNA) are crucial adaptor molecules between messenger RNA (mRNA) and amino acids. Recent evidence in plants suggests that dicistronic tRNA-like structures also act as mobile signals for mRNA transcripts to move between distant tissues. Co-transcription is not a common feature in the plant nuclear genome and, in the few cases where polycistronic transcripts have been found, they include non-coding RNA species, such as small nucleolar RNAs and microRNAs. It is not known, however, the extent to which dicistronic transcripts of tRNA and mRNAs are expressed in field-grown plants, or the factors contributing to their expression. We analysed tRNA–mRNA dicistronic transcripts in the major horticultural crop grapevine (Vitis vinifera) using a novel pipeline developed to identify dicistronic transcripts from high-throughput RNA-sequencing data. We identified dicistronic tRNA–mRNA in leaf and berry samples from 22 commercial vineyards. Of the 124 tRNA genes that were expressed in both tissues, 18 tRNA were expressed forming part of 19 dicistronic tRNA–mRNAs. The presence and abundance of dicistronic molecules was tissue and geographic sub-region specific. In leaves, the expression patterns of dicistronic tRNA–mRNAs significantly correlated with tRNA expression, suggesting that their transcriptional regulation might be linked. We also found evidence of syntenic genomic arrangements of tRNAs and protein-coding genes between grapevine and Arabidopsis thaliana, and widespread prevalence of dicistronic tRNA–mRNA transcripts among vascular land plants but no evidence of these transcripts in non-vascular lineages. This suggests that the appearance of plant vasculature and tRNA–mRNA occurred concurrently during the evolution of land plants.

MascRNA and its parent lncRNA MALAT1 promote proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating ERK/MAPK signaling pathway

MALAT1-associated small cytoplasmic RNA (mascRNA) is a cytoplasmic tRNA-like small RNA derived from nucleus-located long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1). While MALAT1 was extensively studied and was found to function in multiple cellular processes, including tumorigenesis and tumor progression, the role of mascRNA was largely unknown. Here we show that mascRNA is upregulated in multiple cancer cell lines and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) clinical samples. Using HCC cells as model, we found that mascRNA and its parent lncRNA MALAT1 can both promote cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Correspondingly, both of them can enhance the tumor growth in mice subcutaneous tumor model and can promote metastasis by tail intravenous injection of HCC cells. Furthermore, we revealed that mascRNA and MALAT1 can both activate ERK/MAPK signaling pathway, which regulates metastasis-related genes and may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of HCC cells. Our results indicate a coordination in function and mechanism of mascRNA and MALAT1 during development and progress of HCC, and provide a paradigm for deciphering tRNA-like structures and their parent transcripts in mammalian cells.

Structure-guided engineering of adenine base editor with minimized RNA off-targeting activity

Both adenine base editors (ABEs) and cytosine base editors (CBEs) have been recently revealed to induce transcriptome-wide RNA off-target editing in a guide RNA-independent manner. Here we construct a reporter system containing E.coli Hokb gene with a tRNA-like motif for robust detection of RNA editing activities as the optimized ABE, ABEmax, induces highly efficient A-to-I (inosine) editing within an E.coli tRNA-like structure. Then, we design mutations to disrupt the potential interaction between TadA and tRNAs in structure-guided principles and find that Arginine 153 (R153) within TadA is essential for deaminating RNAs with core tRNA-like structures. Two ABEmax or mini ABEmax variants (TadA* fused with Cas9n) with deletion of R153 within TadA and/or TadA* (named as del153/del153* and mini del153) are successfully engineered, showing minimized RNA off-targeting, but comparable DNA on-targeting activities. Moreover, R153 deletion in recently reported ABE8e or ABE8s can also largely reduce their RNA off-targeting activities. Taken together, we develop a strategy to generate engineered ABEs (eABEs) with minimized RNA off-targeting activities.

An expanded class of histidine-accepting viral tRNA-like structures.

Structured RNA elements are common in the genomes of RNA viruses, often playing critical roles during viral infection. Some viral RNA elements use forms of tRNA mimicry, but the diverse ways this mimicry can be achieved are poorly understood. Histidine-accepting tRNA-like structures (TLSHis) are examples found at the 3′ termini of some positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses where they interact with several host proteins, induce histidylation of the RNA genome, and facilitate processes important for infection, to include genome replication. As only five TLSHis examples had been reported, we explored the possible larger phylogenetic distribution and diversity of this TLS class using bioinformatic approaches. We identified many new examples of TLSHis, yielding a rigorous consensus sequence and secondary structure model that we validated by chemical probing of representative TLSHis RNAs. We confirmed new examples as authentic TLSHis by demonstrating their ability to be histidylated in vitro, then used mutational analyses to imply a tertiary interaction that is likely analogous to the D- and T-loop interaction found in canonical tRNAs. These results expand our understanding of how diverse RNA sequences achieve tRNA-like structure and function in the context of viral RNA genomes and lay the groundwork for high-resolution structural studies of tRNA mimicry by histidine-accepting TLSs.

RNA Motifs and Modification Involve in RNA Long-Distance Transport in Plants.

A large number of RNA molecules have been found in the phloem of higher plants, and they can be transported to distant organelles through the phloem. RNA signals are important cues to be evolving in fortification strategies by long-distance transportation when suffering from various physiological challenges. So far, the mechanism of RNA selectively transportation through phloem cells is still in progress. Up to now, evidence have shown that several RNA motifs including Polypyrimidine (poly-CU) sequence, transfer RNA (tRNA)-related sequence, Single Nucleotide Mutation bound with specific RNA binding proteins to form Ribonucleotide protein (RNP) complexes could facilitate RNA mobility in plants. Furthermore, some RNA secondary structure such as tRNA-like structure (TLS), untranslation region (UTR) of mRNA, stem-loop structure of pre-miRNA also contributed to the mobility of RNAs. Latest researchs found that RNA methylation such as methylated 5′ cytosine (m5C) played an important role in RNA transport and function. These studies lay a theoretical foundation to uncover the mechanism of RNA transport. We aim to provide ideas and clues to inspire future research on the function of RNA motifs in RNA long-distance transport, furthermore to explore the underlying mechanism of RNA systematic signaling.

Towards plant resistance to viruses using protein-only RNase P

Plant viruses cause massive crop yield loss worldwide. Most plant viruses are RNA viruses, many of which contain a functional tRNA-like structure. RNase P has the enzymatic activity to catalyze the 5′ maturation of precursor tRNAs. It is also able to cleave tRNA-like structures. However, RNase P enzymes only accumulate in the nucleus, mitochondria, and chloroplasts rather than cytosol where virus replication takes place. Here, we report a biotechnology strategy based on the re-localization of plant protein-only RNase P to the cytosol (CytoRP) to target plant viruses tRNA-like structures and thus hamper virus replication. We demonstrate the cytosol localization of protein-only RNase P in Arabidopsis protoplasts. In addition, we provide in vitro evidences for CytoRP to cleave turnip yellow mosaic virus and oilseed rape mosaic virus. However, we observe varied in vivo results. The possible reasons have been discussed. Overall, the results provided here show the potential of using CytoRP for combating some plant viral diseases.

The tRNA‐like small noncoding RNA mascRNA promotes global protein translation

mascRNA is a small cytoplasmic RNA derived from the lncRNA MALAT1. After being processed by the tRNA processing enzymes RNase P and RNase Z, mascRNA undergoes CCA addition like tRNAs and folds into a tRNA-like cloverleaf structure. While MALAT1 functions in multiple cellular processes, the role of mascRNA was largely unknown. Here, we show that mascRNA binds directly to the multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) component glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (QARS). mascRNA promotes global protein translation and cell proliferation by positively regulating QARS protein levels. Our results uncover a role of mascRNA that is independent of MALAT1, but could be part of the molecular mechanism of MALAT1's function in cancer, and providea paradigm for understanding tRNA-like structures in mammalian cells.