Maf1-mediated repression of RNA polymerase III transcription inhibits tRNA degradation via RTD pathway

Abstract

tRNA precursors, which are transcribed by RNA polymerase III, undergo end-maturation, splicing and base modifications. Hypomodified tRNAs, such as tRNAVal(AAC), lacking 7-methylguanosine and 5-methylcytidine modifications, are subject to degradation by a rapid tRNA decay pathway. Here we searched for genes which, when overexpressed, restored stability of tRNAVal(AAC) molecules in a modification–deficient trm4Δtrm8Δ mutant. We identified TEF1 and VAS1, encoding elongation factor eEF1A and valyl-tRNA synthetase respectively, which likely protect hypomodified tRNAVal(AAC) by direct interactions. We also identified MAF1 whose product is a general negative regulator of RNA polymerase III. Expression of an Maf1-7A mutant that constitutively repressed RNA polymerase III transcription resulted in increased stability of hypomodified tRNAVal(AAC). Strikingly, inhibition of tRNA transcription in a Maf1-independent manner, either by point mutation in RNA polymerase III subunit Rpc128 or decreased expression of Rpc17 subunit, also suppressed the turnover of the hypomodified tRNAVal(AAC). These results support a model where inhibition of tRNA transcription leads to stabilization of hypomodified tRNAVal(AAC) due to more efficient protection by tRNA-interacting proteins.