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The Candida Albicans Gene Encoding the Cytoplasmic Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase: Implications for the Evolution of CUG Codon Reassignment

O'Sullivan, Justin M., Mihr, Marian J., Santos, Manuel, Tuite, Mick F. (2001) The Candida Albicans Gene Encoding the Cytoplasmic Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase: Implications for the Evolution of CUG Codon Reassignment. Gene, 275 (1). pp. 133-140. ISSN 0378-1119. (doi:10.1016/S0378-1119(01)00632-1) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:5465)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1119(01)00632-1

Abstract

In a number of Candida species the 'universal' leucine codon CUG is decoded as serine. To help understand the evolution of such a codon reassignment we have analyzed the Candida albicans leucyl-tRNA synthetase (CaLeuRS) gene (CaCDC60). The predicted CaLeuRS sequence shows a significant level of amino acid identity to LeuRS from other organisms. A mitochondrial LeuRS (ScNAM2) homologue, which shared low identity with the CaLeuRS, was also identified in C. albicans. Antigenically-related LeuRSs were identified in a range of Candida species decoding the CUG codon as both serine and leucine, using an antibody raised against the N-terminal 15 amino acids of the CaLeuRS. Complementation experiments demonstrated that the CaLeuRS was able to functionally complement a Saccharomyces cerevisiae cdc60:kanMX null mutation. We conclude that there is no alteration in tRNA recognition and aminoacylation by the C. albicans LeuRS, which argues against it having a role in codon reassignment. The nucleotide sequences of the CaCDC60 and CaNAM2 genes were deposited at GenBank under Accession numbers AF293346 and AF352020, respectively.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/S0378-1119(01)00632-1
Additional information: 0378-1119 (Print) Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Uncontrolled keywords: Amino Acid Sequence Candida albicans/enzymology/*genetics Cloning, Molecular Codon/genetics Cytoplasm/enzymology DNA, Fungal/chemistry/genetics Evolution, Molecular Genes, Fungal/genetics Genetic Code/genetics Genetic Complementation Test Leucine-tRNA Ligase/*genetics Molecular Sequence Data Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics Sequence Analysis, DNA Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Depositing User: Michael Tuite
Date Deposited: 28 Oct 2008 18:39 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:43 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/5465 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Santos, Manuel.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Tuite, Mick F..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5214-540X
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