RNA helicase, encoded by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae nuclear gene SUV3, is a subunit of the mitochondrial (mt) degradosome: an enzyme complex that takes part in turnover of mtRNAs. Deletion of the SUV3 gene leads to a variety of disturbances in mtRNA metabolism and results in respiratory incompetence of yeast cells. Here we show that the nuclear gene MSS116, which codes for a mitochondrial putative RNA helicase necessary for splicing of several mt introns, can suppress the lack of the SUV3 gene. Overexpression of the Mss116 putative helicase from a multicopy plasmid present in the SUV3-deleted strains partially restores respiratory competence, brings the steady-state levels of COB and ATP6/8 mRNA back almost to normal and lowers the accumulation of 21S rRNA and ATP6/8 RNA precursors to the wild-type levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a substitution of one RNA helicase by another, belonging to a different class of RNA helicases.

• PMID: 12402239
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• PubMed

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Journal Article | Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Authors

Minczuk M, Dmochowska A, Palczewska M, Stepien PP

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