Novel Methyltransferase for Modified Uridine Residues at the Wobble Position of tRNA

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Abstract
We have identified a novel tRNA methyltransferase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that we designate Trm9. This enzyme, the product of theYML014w gene, catalyzes the esterification of modified uridine nucleotides, resulting in the formation of 5-methylcarbonylmethyluridine in tRNAArg3 and 5-methylcarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine in tRNAGlu. In intact yeast cells, disruption of the TRM9 gene results in the complete loss of these modified wobble bases and increased sensitivity at 37°C to paromomycin, a translational inhibitor. These results suggest a role for this potentially reversible methyl esterification reaction when cells are under stress.