Structural basis of 3'-tRNA maturation by the human mitochondrial RNase Z complex

EMBO J. 2024 Dec;43(24):6573-6590. doi: 10.1038/s44318-024-00297-w. Epub 2024 Nov 8.

Abstract

Maturation of human mitochondrial tRNA is essential for cellular energy production, yet the underlying mechanisms remain only partially understood. Here, we present several cryo-EM structures of the mitochondrial RNase Z complex (ELAC2/SDR5C1/TRMT10C) bound to different maturation states of mitochondrial tRNAHis, showing the molecular basis for tRNA-substrate selection and catalysis. Our structural insights provide a molecular rationale for the 5'-to-3' tRNA processing order in mitochondria, the 3'-CCA antideterminant effect, and the basis for sequence-independent recognition of mitochondrial tRNA substrates. Furthermore, our study links mutations in ELAC2 to clinically relevant mitochondrial diseases, offering a deeper understanding of the molecular defects contributing to these conditions.

Keywords: Cryo-EM; ELAC2; Mitochondria; RNA Processing; RNase Z.

MeSH terms

  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Endoribonucleases* / chemistry
  • Endoribonucleases* / genetics
  • Endoribonucleases* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Methyltransferases
  • Mitochondria* / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / chemistry
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
  • RNA, Mitochondrial / chemistry
  • RNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • RNA, Mitochondrial / metabolism
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism
  • RNA, Transfer, His / chemistry
  • RNA, Transfer, His / genetics
  • RNA, Transfer, His / metabolism

Substances

  • Endoribonucleases
  • ELAC2 protein, human
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • TRMT10c protein, human
  • RNA, Transfer, His
  • RNase Z
  • RNA, Transfer
  • RNA, Mitochondrial
  • Methyltransferases
  • Neoplasm Proteins