Evolution of small and large ribosomal RNAs from accretion of tRNA subelements.

ABSTRACT

tRNAs presumably accreted into modern ribosomal RNAs. Previous analyses showed similar secondary structures for ancient rRNA subelements and theoretical minimal RNA rings, candidate tRNA ancestors rationally designed from tRNA-unrelated principles. Here, analyses test which tRNA secondary structure subelements resemble ancient/recent rRNA subelements. Results show that ribosomal RNA subelements evolved from structures resembling 1. Upper half part of the tRNA secondary structure; and 2. Towards structures resembling (a) tRNA 5' stem-loop hairpins in large rRNA subunit and (b) tRNA lower half part in small rRNA subunit (stop and start codons conservation model). tRNAs and rRNAs presumably originated from the tRNA upper half part including the acceptor stem. Modern split 5' and 3' tRNA genes (spliced at anticodons) apparently reproduce ancestral-like states, because the acceptor stem protocode suggests acceptor stems evolved from spliced anticodon-like stem-loop hairpins, strengthening central roles for acceptor stem CCA-addition at translation origins. The Root-Bernstein hypothesis on the existence of tRNA structural symmetries presumably reflects late 5' tRNA stem-loop hairpin duplications, some integrating rRNAs. Analyses of tRNA subelements similarities with rRNA subelements suggest tRNAs evolved and re-evolved by different duplication-fusions, along different structural subdivision models. Hence, sequential/parallel processes, perhaps in the same ancestral organism(s) produced polyphyletic tRNAs. Results confirm RNA ring usefulness for understanding prebiotic and early life evolution, and their similarities with primordial protein coding and tRNA genes.