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    RNA. 2008 Aug;14(8):1663-70. Epub 2008 Jun 20.

    Human DNMT2 methylates tRNA(Asp) molecules using a DNA methyltransferase-like catalytic mechanism.

    Source

    Biochemistry Laboratory, School of Engineering and Science, Jacobs University Bremen, 28759 Bremen, Germany.

    Abstract

    Although their amino acid sequences and structure closely resemble DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt2 proteins were recently shown by Goll and colleagues to function as RNA methyltransferases transferring a methyl group to the C5 position of C38 in tRNA(Asp). We observe that human DNMT2 methylates tRNA isolated from Dnmt2 knock-out Drosophila melanogaster and Dictyostelium discoideum. RNA extracted from wild type D. melanogaster was methylated to a lower degree, but in the case of Dictyostelium, there was no difference in the methylation of RNA isolated from wild-type and Dnmt2 knock-out strains. Methylation of in vitro transcribed tRNA(Asp) confirms it to be a target of DNMT2. Using site directed mutagenesis, we show here that the enzyme has a DNA methyltransferase-like mechanism, because similar residues from motifs IV, VI, and VIII are involved in catalysis as identified in DNA methyltransferases. In addition, exchange of C292, which is located in a CFT motif conserved among Dnmt2 proteins, strongly reduced the catalytic activity of DNMT2. Dnmt2 represents the first example of an RNA methyltransferase using a DNA methyltransferase type of mechanism.

    PMID:
    18567810
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
    PMCID:
    PMC2491481
    Free PMC Article

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