Abstract
Kinetoplastids are unicellular eukaryotic parasites responsible for human pathologies such as Chagas disease, sleeping sickness or Leishmaniasis1. They possess a single large mitochondrion, essential for the parasite survival2. In kinetoplastids mitochondrion, most of the molecular machineries and gene expression processes have significantly diverged and specialized, with an extreme example being their mitochondrial ribosomes3. These large complexes are in charge of translating the few essential mRNAs encoded by mitochondrial genomes4,5. Structural studies performed in Trypanosoma brucei already highlighted the numerous peculiarities of these mitoribosomes and the maturation of their small subunit3,6. However, several important aspects mainly related to the large subunit remain elusive, such as the structure and maturation of its ribosomal RNA3. Here, we present a cryo-electron microscopy study of the protozoans Leishmania tarentolae and Trypanosoma cruzi mitoribosomes. For both species, we obtained the structure of their mature mitoribosomes, complete rRNA of the large subunit as well as previously unidentified ribosomal proteins. Most importantly, we introduce the structure of an LSU assembly intermediate in presence of 16 identified maturation factors. These maturation factors act both on the intersubunit and solvent sides of the LSU, where they refold and chemically modify the rRNA and prevent early translation before full maturation of the LSU.
Introduction
Kinetoplastids are unicellular eukaryotic parasites, causative agents of several human and livestock pathologies1. They are potentially lethal, affecting more than 20 million people worldwide1. In part due to their parasitic nature, they strongly diverged from other eukaryotic model species. Kinetoplastids evolved to live in and infect a large variety of eukaryotic organisms in very different molecular environments. Consequently, beyond the general similarities, kinetoplastids species have diverged evolutionarily from each other and their protein sequence identity can be relatively low7. They possess a single large mitochondrion, a crucial component of their cellular architecture, where gene expression machineries have also largely diverged, notably their mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes)3–5,8–10. These sophisticated RNA-proteins complexes translate the few mRNAs still encoded by mitochondrial genomes. The mitoribosomes composition and structure greatly diverged from their bacterial ancestor, with the most extreme case described to date being in fact the kinetoplastids mitoribosomes. With highly reduced rRNAs, and more than 80 supernumerary ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) compared to bacteria, completely reshaping the overall ribosome structure. Recent structural studies performed in Trypanosoma brucei have highlighted the particularities of this mitoribosome structure and composition as well as the assembly processes of the small subunit (SSU)3,6. However, in spite of the very comprehensive structural characterization of the full T. brucei SSU and its maturation, several pivotal aspects related to the LSU remained uncharacterized. For instance, a large portion of the LSU at the intersubunit side, including the whole rRNA peptidyl-transfer centre (PTC) along with several r-proteins where unresolved3. Moreover, in contrast to the SSU, nearly nothing is known about the LSU maturation and assembly. More generally, the maturation of the mitoribosomes in all eukaryotic species remains largely underexplored. Here, we present a cryo-EM investigation of the full mature mitoribosomes from two different kinetoplastids, Leishmania tarentolae (L. tarentolae) and Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). Most importantly, we reveal the structure of an assembly intermediate of the LSU displaying unprecedented details on rRNA maturation in these very singular mitoribosomes, some of which can probably be generalized to the maturation of all rRNA.
In order to obtain high-resolution reconstructions of the full kinetoplastids mitoribosomes, we purified mitochondrial vesicles from both L. tarentolae and T. cruzi, and directly purified the mitoribosomes from sucrose gradient (see Methods). All of our collected fractions were analyzed by nano-LC MS/MS (Extended Data Table 1 and 2) in order to determine their proteomic composition. We collected micrographs from multiple vitrified samples corresponding to different sucrose-gradient density peaks for both species and following image processing we obtained cryo-EM reconstructions of the full mitoribosomes, but also the dissociated SSU. Most importantly, we also derived reconstructions of what appeared to be an assembly intermediate of L. tarentolae LSU. After extensive rounds of 2D and 3D classification and refinement we obtained the structure of L. tarentolae and T. cruzi complete and mature mitoribosomes at 3.9 Å and 6 Å, respectively (Extended Data Figs. 1, 2 and 3). Other notable features include the intersubunit contacts and two distinct rotational states in T. cruzi. Similarly to T. brucei3, our cryo-EM analysis revealed a reconstruction of an early initiation complex from T. cruzi at 3.1 and 3.2 Å for the body and the head of the SSU, respectively (Extended Data Fig. 4). Further focused refinement on the LSU, SSU head and SSU body generated reconstructions at 3.6, 3.8 and 4 Å, respectively for L. tarentolae (Extended Data Figs. 1 and 2), and 3.7 and 4.5 Å for T. cruzi LSU and SSU, respectively (Extended Data Fig. 3). Combined, these reconstructions, along with the mass-spectrometry data allowed to build nearly complete atomic models, with only few protein densities still remaining unidentified.
General description of mature kinetoplastids mitoribosomes
Even though T. cruzi and L. tarentolae proteins are of relative modest sequence identity (~70%) for such closely related species7, the tertiary structures of the r-proteins and rRNAs as well as the overall structure of the mitoribosomes were nearly entirely identical (Extended Data Fig. 3). Both ribosomes are large complexes mainly formed by proteins (Fig. 1 and Extended Data Fig. 3), 68 in the LSU and 54 in the SSU (Extended Data Table 3), rRNA constituting only 15% of the total mass. The SSU was reconstructed to high resolution and appears similar to what was previously observed3,6. We obtained reconstructions of the latter in the context of the full ribosomes from L. tarentolae and T. cruzi, but also dissociated in the context of what appears to be a partial initiation complex from T. cruzi, bound to mt-IF3, which accumulated naturally in our samples (Fig. 1 and Extended Data Fig. 4). In the presence of mt-IF3, the 9S rRNA, in particular the highly reduced helix 44, and uS12m are clearly stabilized. However, in the context of the full ribosome, mt-IF3 is no longer present and the 9S rRNA along with uS12m at the subunit interface are significantly more flexible resulting in a scanter resolution. Moreover, for the T. cruzi mitoribosome reconstruction, two distinct rotational states are observed, strongly suggesting a fully assembled mitoribosome structure capable of undergoing different conformational states (Extended Data Fig. 3). In contrast to what is observed in prokaryotes and other mitoribosomes, very few of the intersubunit bridges are strictly conserved and most of them rely on protein-protein interactions. However, most of the observed intersubunit bridges are spatially conserved as compared to other known ribosomes but involve here kinetoplastid-specific r-proteins. (Extended Data Fig. 5).
The reconstruction of the large subunit derived from the full mature ribosome (Fig. 1) allowed us to build the entire 12S rRNA including domains IV and V at the interface subunit (Figs. 1 b-c and 4), revealing the catalytic PTC, as well as its intertwined interactions with r-proteins. The structure of the domains IV and V is globally conserved, even when compared to classical prokaryotic ribosomes (Fig. 4). Among the 68 LSU characterized proteins, uL2m, uL14m, and extensions of bL19m, mL68, previously unaccounted for3, were visualised and detected by mass-spectrometry (Fig. 2). These proteins and extensions squeeze through the rRNA and stabilize it in a very intricate manner, compared to the classical prokaryotic and cytosolic ribosomes. Surprisingly, compared to what was previously described on the solvent side of the LSU in T. brucei3, proteins mL67, mL71, mL77, mL78 and mL81, localized close to the peptide channel exit, are absent (Fig. 1 and 2). However, these proteins are present in the assembly intermediate, as described and discussed hereafter.
General description of the LSU assembly intermediate
During L. tarentolae 3D classification, a class of particles presenting LSU-like features was found to naturally accumulate in our sample (Extended Data Fig. 1). This class is rather distinct from classical LSU classes observed previously. After refinement and post-processing, this class resulted in a 3.4 Å reconstruction of the complex (Fig. 1). This reconstruction, when compared to the mature LSU, allowed us to visualize significant differences. Indeed, a large portion of the 12S rRNA appears to be unfolded, or at least highly flexible at the intersubunit face (Fig. 4). In addition, large well resolved protein densities were observed occupying the position of the rRNA at this region. Moreover, the whole central protuberance (CP) is missing and several additional protein densities were observed on the solvent side (Fig. 1 e-f). Therefore, it clearly appeared that this complex corresponds to an LSU assembly intermediate. Our cryo-EM reconstructions, along with the MS/MS analysis, allowed us to build an atomic model of this LSU assembly intermediate (Fig. 2 d-e). Compared to the mature LSU, this assembly intermediate lacks 18 core r-proteins but includes 16 maturation factors (including mL67, mL71, mL77, mL78 and mL81 that were previously described as r-proteins3). On the interface, domain IV of the 12S rRNA appears unfolded and several portions of the rRNA undergo refolding or modifications.
Solvent side
On the solvent side, close to the peptide channel exit, a crown of proteins composed of mL67, mL71, mL77, mL78 and mL81 was observed in the assembly intermediate (Fig. 3), but not on the full mature mitoribosome. The analysis of their structure and interaction network can suggest two main roles. Parts of them hold the 3’ and 5’ extremities of the 12S rRNA. Indeed, the 5’ end of the 12S rRNA is surrounded by several positively charged residues of mL67 coordinating and stabilizing this extremity (Fig. 3 a). On the 3’ end, mL67 again, with the help of mL81 as well as r-proteins bL17m and mL85, stabilize this extremity that is more flexible in the mature LSU (Fig. 3 b), as suggested by its scanter density in the latter. Hence, in the context of the assembly intermediate, these proteins, mainly mL67, hold both 12S rRNA extremities, most likely stabilizing the rRNA in its r-protein shell during its maturation.
Moreover, next to the rRNA extremities, the peptide channel exit is entirely remodeled compared to the mature LSU, as proteins mL71, mL77, mL78 reshape the peptide exit. These proteins slightly extend and split the channel exit in two parts (Fig. 3 c). However, the channel itself is completely blocked by the N-terminal part of mL71, which therefore would prevent active translation (Fig. 3 d), similarly to mL45 that prevents translation until the mitoribosome is bound to the mitochondrial inner membrane in mammals11. Upon maturation, these factors are disengaged, and a classical peptide channel is restored, similar in structure to bacterial ribosomes (Fig. 3 c-d). Hence, we hypothesize that these proteins, previously observed in T. brucei3, are actually maturation factors and that the LSU reconstruction of T. brucei is more likely to be a late assembly intermediate (Fig. 7 b). Upon their dissociation from the mature LSU, a novel protein that we termed mL109 replaces mL67 and marks the maturation of this region (Fig. 3).
Intersubunit side
On the intersubunit side, a large portion of the 12S rRNA, corresponding to domain IV, appears unfolded and several proteins occupy its position, acting on the immature domain V. Based on our cryo-EM reconstructions coupled with MS/MS analysis and structural and sequence homologies, 11 factors were identified bound to the intersubunit side (Fig. 5). We termed these proteins “mt-LAFs” for mitochondrial LSU assembly factors, consistently with the proposed nomenclature6. Some of these factors belong to the family of GTPases and RNA helicases/isomerases, classic actors of ribosome biogenesis and were observed with their respective ligands and rRNA targets (Fig. 6 e). Others are RNA modification enzymes. Part of these factors exhibit homology with bacterial and eukaryotic maturation factors previously identified. However, most of these ribosome maturation factors have never been structurally captured in an assembly intermediate context.
The first noticeable difference with the mature LSU is the absence of central protuberance (CP). Indeed, 8 proteins composing the CP are missing and some of the surrounding proteins adopt different conformations (Extended Data Fig. 6). In the assembly intermediate, the binding of the CP block is prevented by mt-LAF1 and mt-LAF6 (Fig. 5 a and Extended Data Fig. 6). The factor mt-LAF1 is a DEAD-box RNA helicase, where both the catalytic and ATP-binding sites are conserved12, and the ATP ligand is clearly observed (Fig. 6 e). It occupies the spatial positions of bL27m, bL31m, bL33m and mL82. The role of this family of helicase proteins is to unwind RNA structures and/or RNA-protein complexes, thus they are highly involved in ribosome maturation. Mt-LAF1 shows similarity with Has1, previously described in yeast pre-60S maturation and with Mss116, involved in yeast mitoribosome maturation13,14 (Extended Data Fig. 7). Here, it contacts two different segments of the 12S rRNA, the tip of H37 loop (residues 341-346) shifting the whole helix, compared to the mature LSU (Fig. 6e), and a single strand (residues 968-975) that will become part of H88 from domain V after its maturation. Thus, mt-LAF1 appears to be involved in the maturation of domain V rRNA. The second factor, mt-LAF6, is in direct contact with mt-LAF1, but does not contact rRNA. Compared to the mature LSU, it occupies the place of mL38, mL69 and mL82. It shows high homology with tRNA pseudouridine synthases, however several residues of the active site are not conserved (Extended Data Fig. 8), hinting that the protein has lost its original function here. Its role seems to be a placeholder for CP r-proteins, thus acting together with mt-LAF1 to prevent the CP r-proteins premature association. When mt-LAF 1 and 6 are disengaged, the CP r-proteins (composed of 8 proteins) can dock onto the LSU (Extended Data Fig. 6). Moreover, the mL59/64 C-terminal part that is flexible in the assembly intermediate can contact and stabilize the CP in the mature LSU context.
A large portion of the 12S rRNA is unfolded, which corresponds to the entire domain IV (Fig. 4), and several maturation factors are present in the region that will later be occupied by the rRNA after its maturation, including a triptych of GTPases, mt-LAF3, mt-LAF4 and mt-LAF5 (Fig. 5 c and Extended Fig 9). While some of these GTPase have already been identified in bacteria15,16 (Extended Data Table 3), this is the first time that they are observed acting together on a maturating ribosomal complex at the reported resolution. GTPases have widespread roles in the cell17. These enzymes usually exist in two states, active and inactive, where the transition between the states is triggered by GTP hydrolysis. This results in conformational changes of the enzyme that allow its binding to or release from specific targets. mt-LAF5 has two characteristic G-domains, similarly to its bacterial homologue, EngA, also known as GTPase Der15. Its role is crucial for domain IV PTC folding in bacteria, a role that is likely conserved here for mt-LAF5 given that their binding sites are similar. mt-LAF4 is bound to H33-35 and appears here to prevent uL2m association. Mt-LAF3 (homolog to the bacterial GTPase RgbA18) is in contact with mt-LAF 5 and 2. However, it is the only GTPase that does not make significant contacts with the rRNA (Fig. 5 c), suggesting that it has either already performed its function, or is still awaiting for its rRNA target (Extended Data Fig. 9 b).
Three RNA modification enzymes were found in the assembly intermediate structure, one pseudouridine synthase (termed “mt-LAF2”) and two methyltransferases forming a homodimer (termed “mt-LAF7 a and b”). The protein mt-LAF2 is a pseudouridine synthase D family enzyme that shows high homology with RluD, a bacterial enzyme responsible for the modification of several residues on H69 in domain IV of 23S rRNA19,20 (Extended Data Fig. 8).In our reconstruction, we clearly observe a uridine residue flipped-out of an RNA regular helix to engage the catalytic core of the enzyme (Fig. 6 d). Mt-LAF7 a and b are RNA 2’O-methyltransferases that belong to the SpoU family, which are enzymes wildly involved in methylation of the 23S rRNA in prokaryotes21,22 (Extended Data Fig. 10). They are located at the P-stalk region (Fig. 6 a). Surprisingly, the P-stalk structure in the immature rRNA is radically different compared to its mature form. Indeed, the P-stalk rRNA undergoes drastic structural rearrangements between the immature state, where it is shaped into two adjacent large regular helices (Fig. 6 a), and the mature P-stalk (Fig. 6 c), where it doesn’t form any RNA helices. Interestingly, even though the fold is radically different, the immature P-stalk rRNA still spans all the way and interacts with the distal uL11m (Fig. 6 b) that retains its position in the mature P-stalk. While the nearby homodimeric factors mt-LAF7.a/mt-LAF7.b are in close proximity to the rRNA, they cannot be unambiguously interpreted to bind it directly. mt-LAF7.a/mt-LAF7.b contact uL11m and mL53 inducing the shift of the P-stalk r-protein block compared to the mature structure. Moreover, several surrounding r-proteins such as uL10m or uL16m are absent. Mt-LAF7 a and b are most likely the homologs of the NHR SpoU described in S. actuosus21;. which are involved in an adenine methylation in H43 of the P-stalk. Due to their position in our assembly intermediate, it is possible that they modify the P-stalk rRNA. The latter will thus be reshaped into its mature structure afterwards, probably under the action of a helicase analogue to mt-LAF1 (Extended Data Fig. 7 c).
Lastly, a complex formed by three assembly factors is found bound to uL14m, close to the P-stalk. This complex is formed by mt-LAF8, directly contacting uL14m and the tip of H95 (residues 1133-1136), mt-SAF32 and mt-LAF9 (Fig. 5 b and 7 a). This complex is nearly identical to the MALSU1:L0R8F8:mt-ACP complex observed in the human mitoribosome LSU assembly intermediate23. Indeed, each factor shows high homology to their mammalian homologs, mt-LAF9 corresponding to L0R8F8, mt-SAF32 to mt-ACP and finally mt-LAF8 to MALSU1. The latter shows high homology to the conserved and well characterized bacterial ribosome silencing factor (RsfS) (Fig. 7 e). RsfS is known to prevent premature subunit association during diminished nutrient availability, a molecular mechanism mimicked by eIF6 in eukaryotes24,25. However, in mitoribosomes, as shown in human, the RsfS homolog alone is not able to prevent subunit association and the anti-subunit association activity can only be achieved in the presence of mt-SAF32 and mt-LAF9.
Discussion
We describe the structures of the full kinetoplastids mitoribosomes from L. tarentolae and T. cruzi. These reconstructions allowed us to characterize the complete 12S rRNA of the large subunit revealing notably the yet uncharacterized domain IV and V including the PTC. While kinetoplastids mitoribosomes represent one of the most extreme cases of rRNA reduction6,26, these regions are structurally conserved compared to bacterial and other mitochondrial ribosomes (Fig. 4). These rRNA domains represent part of the conserved functional core of the ribosome, where the peptidyl transfer is catalyzed, in addition of being a conserved binding surface to the small subunit27.
On the small ribosomal subunit, the 9S rRNA appears to be more flexible than its counterpart LSU 12S rRNA, as indicated by its scanter densities at the intersubunit face (Fig. 1). It is important to highlight that the entire SSU 9S rRNA only conserves a reduced number of secondary structures (10 helices3) and most of its nucleotides are organized in single strands that are intertwined with the r-proteins. In our study, its structure was derived from the SSU/mt-IF3 complex where the 9S rRNA densities are solid and interpretable, corroborated by previous studies3,6. The reason of the accumulation of these SSU/mt-IF3 complexes is unclear but could reflect a relative low level of translation initiation in T. cruzi, at least at the growth stage at which the parasites were harvested. An additional explanation could be the fairly high hydrophobicity index of uS12m that is one of the only two r-proteins (along with uS3m) encoded by the mitochondrial genome in kinetoplastids. Indeed, recruiting such a hydrophobic r-protein to the negatively charged rRNA surface may require the presence of mt-IF3 that stabilizes it on the SSU intersubunit face rRNA (Extended Data Fig. 4). In such case, these SSU/mt-IF3 complexes would correspond to a small subunit ready to initiate translation. The biological rational for the presence in kinetoplastids mitoribosomes of such a hydrophobic r-protein (uS12m) embedded in the rRNA at this strategic region remains to be unveiled but could be related to the regulation of the nuclear-mitochondrial crosstalk.
We also describe an assembly intermediate of the large subunit of L. tarentolae mitoribosome. Assembly intermediates in mitoribosomes have only been structurally characterized in mammals for the LSU23 and in T. brucei for the SSU6. Here, our reconstruction enabled the identification of 16 proteins factors involved in various ways in the LSU maturation. A portion of these factors appears to be conserved in bacteria while the rest are specific to kinetoplastids mitoribosome. The kinetoplastid-specific factors are found on a region of the LSU that has evolutionally diverged the most in terms of structure, i.e. on the solvent-side of the LSU. The positions and interactions of these factors suggest two main roles. First, they maintain the partially unfolded and maturing rRNA 3’ and 5’ extremities in the LSU protein shell till the complete maturation of the 12S rRNA (Fig. 3). Second, they prevent any premature translation by blocking the peptide channel exit. This molecular mechanism is a known feature of immature LSU/ribosome. For instance, during cytosolic 60S maturation the Rei1 protein probes and clots the nascent peptide tunnel28. Another example can be found in the human mitoribosome where mL45 similarly blocks the channel till the binding to the inner mitochondrial membrane11.
The other maturation factors have homologs found in bacterial, cytosolic and mitochondrial ribosome biogenesis processes. They act on the intersubunit side of the LSU where the 12S rRNA is mostly conserved and to some extent similar to bacteria. Amongst these conserved factors, three modification enzymes, two 2’O-methyltransferase (mt-LAF7 a and b) and one pseudouridine synthase (mt-LAF2). The global structures and active sites of mt-LAF 7 and 2 are conserved (Extended Data Fig. 8 and 10). Mt-LAF7 a and b are RNA 2’O-methyltransferases that belong to the SpoU family. Compared to the bacterial enzymes, their structure as well as their dimerization are conserved. Their catalytic core, involved in SAM binding, is conserved as well as their N-terminal domain, involved in dsRNA binding (Extended Data Fig. 10). In the assembly intermediate, mt-LAF7 a and b are located near to three possible targets, H95 and the two helices of the immature P-stalk. Several of these enzymes are involved in methylation of the 23S rRNA in prokaryotes21,22.The NHR SpoU described in S. actuosus21, are involved in an adenine methylation in H43 of the P-stalk. Given that mt-LAF7 a and b are located close to the P-stalk, it is possible that their target is similar to NHR SpoU. The folding of the immature P-stalk in two helices would therefore be crucial for mt-LAF7 a and b to recognize their target and perform methylation. The protein mt-LAF2 is a pseudouridine synthase D family enzyme that shows high homology to RluD, a conserved bacterial enzyme responsible for the pseudouridylation of several residues on H69 in domain IV of 23S rRNA19,20. This enzyme is highly conserved in all Rlu bacterial enzymes (Extended Data Fig. 8) and is essential for ribosome biogenesis and cell growth in bacteria29. In our reconstruction, we clearly observe a uridine residue flipped-out of an RNA regular helix to engage the catalytic core of the enzyme as previously characterized for these enzymes (Fig. 6 d and Extended Data Fig. 8), strongly suggesting that this factor is catalytically functional.
To date, only few examples of rRNA modifications were characterized in mitoribosomes, the best being described in human30. Only three types of modification were identified in the human mitoribosomal rRNA: nucleobase methylation, 2’-O-methylation and pseudouridylation. Given the conservation level of mt-LAF 7 and 2 (Extended Data Fig. 8 and 10) as well as the rRNA regions that they target, it is expected that other modifications found in bacteria31 and mitoribosomes30 in domains IV and V might also be conserved in kinetoplastids mitoribosomes (such as Um2552 in E. coli, equivalent to mitoribosome human Um136930). In our reconstruction, we also observed the presence of an inactive pseudouridine synthase, mt-LAF6, as deduced by the lack of conservation of critical catalytic amino acids, compared to bacterial, human and yeast homologs (Extended Data Fig. 7 a). Its location on the LSU assembly intermediate suggests its repurposing as an anti-binding factor, as it interferes with the binding of the central protuberance (Extended Data Fig. 6).
Three GTPases, all homologs of bacterial proteins, are also found in our reconstruction (Extended Data Fig. 9). The bacterial homologs of two of them, EngA (homolog of mt-LAF5) and RbgA (homolog of mt-LAF3) were previously described in context of the 50S15,16. Mt-LAF5, in the GTP state, (Extended Data Fig. 9 a) interacts with H74-75 of domain V and mt-LAF3 that contacts mt-LAF5 through its N-terminal domain. Similarly to the described roles of these proteins in bacteria, they bind the assembly intermediate rRNA to facilitate the folding of domain IV and V helices15,16. The third GTPase, mt-LAF4, is homologous to EngB/YihA in bacteria that was structurally characterized alone, outside the context of the maturing LSU. Here, we show that in the L. tarentolae LSU assembly intermediate, mt-LAF4 contacts helices H33-35 of domain II and occupies the place of uL2m (Extended Data Fig. 9 c). Finally, the DEAD-box RNA helicase mt-LAF1 is found on the immature H88 (Extended Data Fig. 7). Comparison with other structures of DEAD-box enzymes revealed that, aside from the presence of a flexible insertion domain between the DEAD and helicase domains, the overall organization of the domains is conserved. Ligand and RNA binding are also performed in a conserved fashion. mt-LAF1 is in the closed state of its cycle, acting on a single stranded portion of H88, confirming its activity. Although the role of the flexible insertion domain between the DEAD and helicase domains is unknown, it does not appear to hamper its function. This factor has no obvious bacterial homologs but shows similarity to Has114 and Mss11613. While Has1 participates in the maturation of H16 in the pre-60S cytosolic ribosome, Mss116 appears to be mt-LAF1 yeast mitochondrial homolog. The structure of Mss116 was solved alone, off the context of the maturing yeast mitochondrial ribosome13. Therefore, our structure provides invaluable insight on the molecular basis of the maturation function of this protein.
Lastly, the mt-LAF8:mt-LAF9:mt-SAF32 complex is composed by the bacteria-conserved Rsfs factor (mt-LAF8) and two repurposed respiratory complex I components (mt-SAF32 and mt-LAF9)32–34. The latter are supernumerary subunits of the complex I in eukaryotes, i.e. that they are not part of the core proteins found in bacterial complex I35, but were acquired during respiratory complex I evolution in mitochondria36,37. Interestingly, they interact together in the same fashion as in the mitochondrial complex I (Fig. 7 a-e). Moreover, in the T. brucei SSU assemblosome6, mt-SAF32 binds mt-SAF31 that possesses a LYR-domain (LYR designate the conserved tripeptide motif Leucine, Tyrosine and Arginine). LYR-domains are characterized by a specific fold made of three antiparallel helices. Mt-LAF9 found in our structure also contains a LYR-domain, thus mt-SAF32 most likely recognize the characteristic LYR fold in order to bind to mt-SAF31 and mt-LAF9 in the context of SSU and LSU assembly intermediates. Even though respiratory chain components in kinetoplastids appear strongly divergent from the rest of eukaryotes38, the presence of the mt-LAF9:mt-SAF32 in both human LSU assembly intermediate and complex I, in addition to the presence of mt-SAF32 in kinetoplastids SSU assembly intermediate, suggests a multi-role of these proteins and hint at a possible crosstalk between mitoribosome maturation and respiratory complex assembly.The natural accumulation of the LSU assembly intermediate in our sample could be promoted by the presence of the mt-LAF8:mt-SAF32:mt-LAF9 complex, which might be stress-induced or caused by diminished nutrient availability, likewise in bacteria. Interestingly, as its name already indicates, mt-SAF-32 is also found in the SSU assembly intermediates, likewise at a peripheral position of the intersubunit side6.
In conclusion, our cryo-EM structures of kinetoplastids mitoribosomes, especially the yet uncharacterized LSU assembly intermediate, shed new lights into ribosome maturation. Even though several proteins are specific to kinetoplastids, most of the maturation factors present in our structure have homologs in other eukaryotes, mitochondria or bacteria (Extended Data Table 3). Hence, our structure unveils the mode of actions of these factors, for which no high-resolution structures in native conditions existed. It also highlights that despite being highly divergent, kinetoplastids mitoribosomes retained several canonical maturation pathways for their rRNAs and probably follow an analogous mechanistic pattern (Fig. 7 f-g). Indeed, in concert, a set of factors intercalate with the premature rRNA (GTPases) to mechanically unpack different premature rRNA domains, allowing RNA helicases to disentangle and unwind the rRNA and several families of modification enzymes to access their targets. The remodeling of the rRNA is also aided by the recruitment of the r-proteins early during the maturation process. This is especially true in the kinetoplastids mitochondria, where most of the r-proteins are already recruited at the observed stage and form a thick protein shell holding the rRNA together. At the same time, various anti-association factors prevent premature binding of r-proteins and the SSU joining.
In spite of large environmental and host diversities in which these parasites evolve, their mitoribosomes are conserved structurally among kinetoplastids. Therefore, our structures could serve as a basis for future experiments to develop more effective and safer kinetoplastid-specific therapeutic strategies. Finally, as kinetoplastids undergo extensive mitochondrial reorganization39 during their life cycle, both in vectors and hosts, it would also be interesting to study mitoribosomes from different stages of development from the parasite’s life cycle.
METHODS
Methods and any associated references are available in the online version of the paper.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS
YH, HS and FW designed and coordinated the experiments. CP and SD purified kinetoplastids mitochondria. FW purified mitoribosomal complexes. LK performed the mass-spectrometry experiments. HS acquired the cryo-EM data and processed the cryo-EM results with YH and FW. HS, YH, FW and AB built the atomic models. FW, HS, MS and YH interpreted the structures. FW, HS, CP, YH and MS wrote and edited the manuscript. YH directed the research.
COMPETING FINANCIAL INTERESTS
The authors declare no competing financial interests.
DATA AVAILABILITY
The cryo-EM maps of the mitoribosome have been deposited at the Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB) with accession codes XXXX. Corresponding atomic models have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) with PDB codes XXXX. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD018981.
ONLINE METHODS
Purification of T. cruzi and L. tarentolae mitochondria
For mitochondria purification, protocols adapted from Hauser et al. 199642 and Schneider et al. 200743 were used. Quickly, cells were re-suspended in SoTE buffer (600 mM sorbitol, 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 1 mM EDTA) to a final concentration of 2.5×109 cells/ml and lysed by nitrogen cavitation at 80 bar for 1 hour. After pressure release the lysate was centrifuged and resuspended in SoTM buffer (600 mM sorbitol, 20 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 5 mM MgCl2) for DNase I treatment during 15 minutes. EDTA was added to stop DNAse treatment and the sample was centrifuged, resuspended in 2 volumes of SoTE containing 50% Histodenz™ (Sigma Aldrich D2158). For L. tarentolae the fraction was loaded onto a 21.7%/25%/28.3/31.6% Histodenz™ step gradients. Gradients were centrifuged for 45 minutes at 100,000 g and the mitochondrial fraction was collected at the 25%/28.3% interface. For T. brucei the fraction was loaded onto a 18%/21%/25%/28% Histodenz™ step gradient and the mitochondrial fraction was collected at the 21%/25% interface.
Purification of mitochondrial ribosomes
For mitoribosome purification, protocols adapted from Waltz & Soufari et al.10 were applied. Quickly, mitochondria were re-suspended in Lysis buffer (20 mM HEPES-KOH, pH 7.6, 100 mM KCl, 20 mM MgCl2, 1 mM DTT, 1 % Triton X-100, 2 % DDM, supplemented with proteases inhibitors (Complete EDTA-free) to a concentration of 1 mg/mL and incubated for 15 min in 4°C. Lysate was clarified by centrifugation at 30.000 g, 20 min at 4°C. The supernatant was loaded on a 40% sucrose cushion in Monosome buffer (same as lysis buffer without Triton X-100 and with 0.02% DDM) and centrifuged at 235.000 g, 3h, 4°C. The crude ribosomes pellet was re-suspended in Monosome buffer and loaded on a 10-30% sucrose gradient in the same buffer and run for 16 h at 65,000 g. Fractions corresponding to mitoribosomes were collected, pelleted and re-suspended in Monosome buffer.
Grid preparation
4 μL of the samples at a concentration of 2 μg/μl was applied onto Quantifoil R2/2 300-mesh holey carbon grid, which had been coated with thin home-made continuous carbon film and glow-discharged. The sample was incubated on the grid for 30 sec and then blotted with filter paper for 2 sec in a temperature and humidity controlled Vitrobot Mark IV (T = 4°C, humidity 100%, blot force 5) followed by vitrification in liquid ethane pre-cooled by liquid nitrogen.
Single particle cryo-electron microscopy data collection
For the two data-sets (Full and dissociated complexes), data collection was performed on a Talos Arctica instrument (Thermofisher) at 200 kV using the EPU software (Thermofisher) for automated data acquisition. Data were collected at a nominal underfocus of −0.5 to −2.7 μm at a magnification of 120,000 X yielding a pixel size of 1.24 Å. Micrographs were recorded as movie stack on a Falcon III direct electron detector (Thermofisher), each movie stack were fractionated into 20 frames for a total exposure of 1 sec corresponding to an electron dose of 60 ē/Å2.
Electron microscopy image processing
Drift and gain correction and dose weighting were performed using MotionCor244. A dose weighted average image of the whole stack was used to determine the contrast transfer function with the software Gctf45. The following process has been achieved using RELION 3.046. Particles were picked using a Laplacian of gaussian function (min diameter 280 Å, max diameter 480 Å). L. tarentolae full mitoribosome, after 2D classification, 303,140 particles were extracted with a box size of 400 pixels and binned four fold for 3D classification into six classes. Three classes depicting high-resolution features, consisting of 82,060 particles, were selected for refinement, yielding 3.9 Å resolution. After focused refinement with a mask on the LSU, the body and the head of the SSU, 3.6, 4 and 3.8 Å resolution were respectively obtained. For the assembly intermediate of the LSU, after 2D classification, 215,120 particles were extracted with a box size of 400 pixels and binned three fold for 3D classification into 8 classes. Two classes, consisting of 59,200 particles, depicting high-resolution features were selected for refinement, yielding 3.4 Å resolution.
For the T. cruzi full mitoribosomes reconstruction, 126,340 particles were selected after 3D classification for refinement, resulting in a 6 Å resolution reconstruction, which was further refine to 3.7 Å and 4.5 Å resolution for the LSU and SSU respectively. For the T. cruzi mt-IF3 SSU complex, 148,180 particles were selected after 3D classification for refinement, resulting in a 3.5 Å resolution reconstruction, which was further refine to 3.1 Å and 3.2 Å resolution for the SSU body and SSU head respectively. Determination of the local resolution of the final density map was performed using ResMap40.
Structure building and model refinement
The atomic models of the kinetoplastid mitoribosomes were built into the high-resolution maps using Coot, Phoenix and Chimera. Atomic models from E. coli ribosome (5kcr)47, and trypanosoma mitoribosome (6hiv)3 were used as starting points for protein identification and modelisation. For the Leishmania mitoribosome, atomic models were build using L. major protein sequences due to the poor quality of L. tarentolae available data. The online SWISS-MODEL service was used to generate initial models for bacterial and mitochondria conserved r-proteins. Models were then rigid body fitted to the density in Chimera48 and all subsequent modeling was done in Coot49. For the LSU ribosomal RNA, the 23S rRNA from E.coli was docked into the maps and used as template from positioning and reconstruction. Punctual differences were done in Chimera using the “swapna” command line and the model was then further refined in Coot. The global atomic model was refined with VMD using the Molecular Dynamic Flexible Fitting (MDFF) then with PHENIX using a combination of real and reciprocal space refinement for proteins.
Proteomic and statistical analyses of mitochondrial ribosome composition
Mass spectrometry analyses of the ribosome fractions were performed at the Strasbourg-Esplanade proteomic platform and performed as previously10,50. In brief, proteins were trypsin digested and mass spectrometry analyses were carried out by nano LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis on a Thermo QExactive+ mass spectrometer. Quantitative label-free proteomics analysis was performed through in-house bioinformatics pipelines.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work has benefitted from the facilities and expertise of the Biophysical and Structural Chemistry platform (BPCS) at IECB, CNRS UMS3033, Inserm US001, Bordeaux University. We thank A. Bezault for assistance with the Talos Arctica electron microscope. We thank J. Chicher and P. Hamman of the Strasbourg Esplanade proteomic analysis for the proteomic analysis.
This work was funded by a European Research Council Starting Grant (TransTryp ID:759120) and the IdEx junior excellence chair program of the Université de Bordeaux to YH and the French National Program “Investissement d’Avenir” (Labex MitoCross), administered by the “Agence National de la Recherche”, and referenced [ANR-11-LABX-0057_MITOCROSS] to MS. This project was supported by “Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale” (INSERM), “Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique” (CNRS) and Université de Bordeaux.
Footnotes
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