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Transmutation of tRNA over time

Nature Genetics volume 22, pages 8–9 (1999)Cite this article

Although the existence of an 'RNA' world, in which RNA stored all genetic information and carried out most catalytic reactions, was proposed three decades ago1, it is only in the past fifteen years or so—after the groundbreaking discovery of catalytic RNA (refs 2,3)—that the concept has taken hold4. Between the 'RNA' world and the world we know today (in which DNA is the primary hereditary macromolecule), an intermediate 'ribonucleoprotein' (RNP) world must have existed. Triggered by the emergence of a more advanced protein biosynthesis machinery, polypeptides of increasing complexity would have assumed vital functions in the cell. Which types of RNA served as primordial messenger RNA (mRNA) during this transition period? As with many questions that concern molecular evolution, one must rely heavily on clues provided by today's genomes.

mRNA contains an unexpected abundance of tRNA-like sequences, even in protein coding regions. For example, database searches have revealed many tRNA-like motifs in genes encoding proteins as diverse as elongation factor EF-Tu in Escherichia coli and a myosin heavy chain (myo-3) in Caenorhabiditis elegans5. It is difficult to determine whether these motifs date back to the RNP world—which would indicate the recruitment of tRNAs or tRNA-like sequences as early mRNAs—or to more recent times. While the acquisition of tRNA elements via tRNA-derived6 short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs), has certainly contributed the majority of the currently discernible tRNA motifs in the genome, the original proposal of Eigen and Winkler-Oswatitsch7—that tRNAs (or adapters) doubled as mRNAs during the emergence of ribosomes in primitive cells—is one that deserves continued attention.

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  1. Institute of Experimental Pathology, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, ZMBE, University of Münster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 56, Münster, Germany

    Jürgen Brosius

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Brosius, J. Transmutation of tRNA over time. Nat Genet 22, 8–9 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/8711

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