Mistranslating tRNA variants have anticodon- and sex-specific impacts on Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) are vital in determining the specificity of translation. Mutations in tRNA genes can result in the misincorporation of amino acids into nascent polypeptides in a process known as mistranslation. Since mistranslation has different impacts, depending on the type of amino acid substitution, our goal here was to compare the impact of different mistranslating tRNA^Ser variants on fly development, lifespan, and behavior. We established 2 mistranslating fly lines, one with a tRNA^Ser variant that misincorporates serine at valine codons (V→S) and the other that misincorporates serine at threonine codons (T→S). While both mistranslating tRNAs increased development time and developmental lethality, the severity of the impacts differed depending on amino acid substitution and sex. The V→S variant extended embryonic, larval, and pupal development whereas the T→S only extended larval and pupal development. Females, but not males, containing either mistranslating tRNA presented with significantly more anatomical deformities than controls. Since mistranslation disrupts cellular translation and proteostasis, we also tested the hypothesis that tRNA variants impact fly lifespan. Interestingly, mistranslating females experienced extended lifespan whereas mistranslating male lifespan was unaffected. Consistent with delayed neurodegeneration and beneficial effects of mistranslation, mistranslating flies from both sexes showed improved locomotion as they aged. The ability of mistranslating tRNA variants to have both positive and negative effects on fly physiology and behavior has important implications for human health given the prevalence of tRNA variants in humans.