51
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Maass PG, Barutcu AR, Shechner DM, Weiner CL, Melé M, Rinn JL. Spatiotemporal allele organization by allele-specific CRISPR live-cell imaging (SNP-CLING). Nat Struct Mol Biol 2018; 25:176-184. [PMID: 29343869 PMCID: PMC5805655 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-017-0015-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Imaging and chromatin capture techniques have shed important insights into our understanding of nuclear organization. A limitation of these techniques is the inability to resolve allele-specific spatiotemporal properties of genomic loci in living cells. Here, we describe an allele-specific CRISPR live-cell DNA imaging technique (SNP-CLING) to provide the first comprehensive insights into allelic positioning across space and time in mouse embryonic stem cells and fibroblasts. In 3D-imaging, we studied alleles on different chromosomes in relation to one another and relative to nuclear substructures such as the nucleolus. We find that alleles maintain similar positions relative to each other and the nucleolus, however loci occupy different unique positions. To monitor spatiotemporal dynamics by SNP-CLING, we performed 4D-imaging, determining that alleles are either stably positioned, or fluctuating during cell state transitions, such as apoptosis. SNP-CLING is a universally applicable technique that enables dissecting allele-specific spatiotemporal genome organization in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp G Maass
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - A Rasim Barutcu
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David M Shechner
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, The University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Catherine L Weiner
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marta Melé
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John L Rinn
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, BioFrontiers, Boulder, CO, USA.
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52
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Mahas A, Neal Stewart C, Mahfouz MM. Harnessing CRISPR/Cas systems for programmable transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. Biotechnol Adv 2018; 36:295-310. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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53
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Yoshimura H, Ozawa T. Real-Time Fluorescence Imaging of Single-Molecule Endogenous Noncoding RNA in Living Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1649:337-347. [PMID: 29130208 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7213-5_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Visualizing RNA in living cells is increasingly important to facilitate accumulation of knowledge about the relation between specific RNA dynamics and physiological events. Single-molecule fluorescence imaging of target RNAs is an excellent approach to analyzing intracellular RNA motion, but it requires special techniques for probe design and microscope setup. Herein, we present a principle and protocol of an RNA visualization probe based on an RNA binding protein of the Pumilio homology domain (PUM-HD). We also describe the setup and operation of a microscope, and introduce an application to visualize telomeric repeats-containing RNA with telomeres and a telomere-related protein: hnRNPA1. This imaging technique is applicable to visualization of different RNAs, especially including repetitive sequences, in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Yoshimura
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takeaki Ozawa
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
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54
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Shinoda K, Tsuji S, Futaki S, Imanishi M. Nested PUF Proteins: Extending Target RNA Elements for Gene Regulation. Chembiochem 2017; 19:171-176. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kouki Shinoda
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Shogo Tsuji
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Shiroh Futaki
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Miki Imanishi
- Institute for Chemical Research Kyoto University Uji Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
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55
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Bao H, Wang N, Wang C, Jiang Y, Liu J, Xu L, Wu J, Shi Y. Structural basis for the specific recognition of 18S rRNA by APUM23. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:12005-12014. [PMID: 29036323 PMCID: PMC5714250 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
PUF (Pumilio/fem-3 mRNA binding factor) proteins, a conserved family of RNA-binding proteins, recognize specific single-strand RNA targets in a specific modular way. Although plants have a greater number of PUF protein members than do animal and fungal systems, they have been the subject of fewer structural and functional investigations. The aim of this study was to elucidate the involvement of APUM23, a nucleolar PUF protein in the plant Arabidopsis, in pre-rRNA processing. APUM23 is distinct from classical PUF family proteins, which are located in the cytoplasm and bind to 3'UTRs of mRNA to modulate mRNA expression and localization. We found that the complete RNA target sequence of APUM23 comprises 11 nt in 18S rRNA at positions 1141-1151. The complex structure shows that APUM23 has 10 PUF repeats; it assembles into a C-shape, with an insertion located within the inner concave surface. We found several different RNA recognition features. A notable structural feature of APUM23 is an insertion in the third PUF repeat that participates in nucleotide recognition and maintains the correct conformation of the target RNA. Our findings elucidate the mechanism for APUM23's-specific recognition of 18S rRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Bao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Na Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Chongyuan Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Yiyang Jiang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Jiuyang Liu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Li Xu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Jihui Wu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Yunyu Shi
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Science at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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56
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Yoshimura H. Live Cell Imaging of Endogenous RNAs Using Pumilio Homology Domain Mutants: Principles and Applications. Biochemistry 2017; 57:200-208. [PMID: 29164876 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Recently, dynamic changes in the location of RNA in space and time in living cells have become a target of interest in biology because of their essential roles in controlling physiological phenomena. To visualize RNA, methods for the fluorescent labeling of RNA in living cells have been developed. For RNA labeling, oligonucleotide-based RNA probes have mainly been used because of their high selectivity for target RNAs. By contrast, protein-based RNA probes have not been used widely because of their lack of design flexibility, although they have various potential advantages compared with nucleotide-based probes, such as controllability of intracellular localization, high detectability, and ease of introduction into cells and transgenic organisms in a cell type and tissue specific manner by genetic engineering techniques. This Perspective focuses on a possible approach to the development of protein-based RNA probes using Pumilio homology domain (PUM-HD) mutants. The PUM-HD is a domain of an RNA binding protein that allows custom-made modifications to recognize a given eight-base RNA sequence. PUM-HD-based RNA probes have been applied to visualize various RNAs in living cells. Here, the techniques and RNA imaging results obtained using the PUM-HD are introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Yoshimura
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo , 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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57
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Shanmugam T, Abbasi N, Kim HS, Kim HB, Park NI, Park GT, Oh SA, Park SK, Muench DG, Choi Y, Park YI, Choi SB. An Arabidopsis divergent pumilio protein, APUM24, is essential for embryogenesis and required for faithful pre-rRNA processing. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 92:1092-1105. [PMID: 29031033 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.13745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Pumilio RNA-binding proteins are largely involved in mRNA degradation and translation repression. However, a few evolutionarily divergent Pumilios are also responsible for proper pre-rRNA processing in human and yeast. Here, we describe an essential Arabidopsis nucleolar Pumilio, APUM24, that is expressed in tissues undergoing rapid proliferation and cell division. A T-DNA insertion for APUM24 did not affect the male and female gametogenesis, but instead resulted in a negative female gametophytic effect on zygotic cell division immediately after fertilization. Additionally, the mutant embryos displayed defects in cell patterning from pro-embryo through globular stages. The mutant embryos were marked by altered auxin maxima, which were substantiated by the mislocalization of PIN1 and PIN7 transporters in the defective embryos. Homozygous apum24 callus accumulates rRNA processing intermediates, including uridylated and adenylated 5.8S and 25S rRNA precursors. An RNA-protein interaction assay showed that the histidine-tagged recombinant APUM24 binds RNAin vitro with no apparent specificity. Overall, our results demonstrated that APUM24 is required for rRNA processing and early embryogenesis in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiruvenkadam Shanmugam
- Division of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Myongji University, Yongin, Kyunggi-do, 449-728, South Korea
| | - Nazia Abbasi
- Division of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Myongji University, Yongin, Kyunggi-do, 449-728, South Korea
| | - Hyung-Sae Kim
- Division of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Myongji University, Yongin, Kyunggi-do, 449-728, South Korea
| | - Ho Bang Kim
- Division of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Myongji University, Yongin, Kyunggi-do, 449-728, South Korea
| | - Nam-Il Park
- Division of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Myongji University, Yongin, Kyunggi-do, 449-728, South Korea
| | - Guen Tae Park
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-747, South Korea
| | - Sung Aeong Oh
- School of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 702-701, South Korea
| | - Soon Ki Park
- School of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 702-701, South Korea
| | - Douglas G Muench
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Yeonhee Choi
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-747, South Korea
| | - Youn-Il Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 305-764, South Korea
| | - Sang-Bong Choi
- Division of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Myongji University, Yongin, Kyunggi-do, 449-728, South Korea
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58
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de Ruiter A, Polyansky AA, Zagrovic B. Dependence of Binding Free Energies between RNA Nucleobases and Protein Side Chains on Local Dielectric Properties. J Chem Theory Comput 2017; 13:4504-4513. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.6b01202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anita de Ruiter
- Department of Structural
and Computational Biology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, Vienna A-1030, Austria
| | - Anton A. Polyansky
- Department of Structural
and Computational Biology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, Vienna A-1030, Austria
| | - Bojan Zagrovic
- Department of Structural
and Computational Biology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, Vienna A-1030, Austria
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59
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Wang B, Ye K. Nop9 binds the central pseudoknot region of 18S rRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:3559-3567. [PMID: 28053123 PMCID: PMC5389560 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw1323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The assembly of eukaryotic ribosomes requires numerous factors that transiently associate with evolving pre-ribosomal particles. The Pumilio repeat-containing protein Nop9 briefly associates with the 90S pre-ribosome during its co-transcriptional assembly. Here, we show that Nop9 specifically binds an 11-nucleotide sequence of 18S rRNA that forms the 3΄ side of the central pseudoknot and helix 28 in the mature subunit. Crystal structures of Nop9 in the free and RNA-bound states reveal a new type of Pumilio repeat protein with a distinct structure, target sequence and RNA-binding mode. Nop9 contains 10 Pumilio repeats arranged into a U-shaped scaffold. The target RNA is recognized by two stretches of repeats in a bipartite manner, and three central bases are unrecognized as a result of the degeneracy of repeats 6 and 7. Our data suggest that Nop9 regulates the folding of 18S rRNA at early assembly stages of 90S.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.,National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China.,Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Keqiong Ye
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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60
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PUM1 is a biphasic negative regulator of innate immunity genes by suppressing LGP2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E6902-E6911. [PMID: 28760986 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1708713114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PUM1 is an RNA binding protein shown to regulate the stability and function of mRNAs bearing a specific sequence. We report the following: (i) A key function of PUM1 is that of a repressor of key innate immunity genes by repressing the expression of LGP2. Thus, between 12 and 48 hours after transfection of human cells with siPUM1 RNA there was an initial (phase 1) upsurge of transcripts encoding LGP2, CXCL10, IL6, and PKR. This was followed 24 hours later (phase 2) by a significant accumulation of mRNAs encoding RIG-I, SP100, MDA5, IFIT1, PML, STING, and IFNβ. The genes that were not activated encoded HDAC4 and NF-κB1. (ii) Simultaneous depletion of PUM1 and LGP2, CXCL10, or IL6 revealed that up-regulation of phase 1 and phase 2 genes was the consequence of up-regulation of LGP2. (iii) IFNβ produced 48-72 hours after transfection of siPUM1 was effective in up-regulating LGP2 and phase 2 genes and reducing the replication of HSV-1 in untreated cells. (iv) Because only half of genes up-regulated in phase 1 and 2 encode mRNAs containing PUM1 binding sites, the upsurge in gene expression could not be attributed solely to stabilization of mRNAs in the absence of PUM1. (v) Lastly, depletion of PUM2 does not result in up-regulation of phase 1 or phase 2 genes. The results of the studies presented here indicate that PUM1 is a negative regulator of LGP2, a master regulator of innate immunity genes expressed in a cascade fashion.
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61
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van Gijtenbeek LA, Kok J. Illuminating Messengers: An Update and Outlook on RNA Visualization in Bacteria. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1161. [PMID: 28690601 PMCID: PMC5479882 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To be able to visualize the abundance and spatiotemporal features of RNAs in bacterial cells would permit obtaining a pivotal understanding of many mechanisms underlying bacterial cell biology. The first methods that allowed observing single mRNA molecules in individual cells were introduced by Bertrand et al. (1998) and Femino et al. (1998). Since then, a plethora of techniques to image RNA molecules with the aid of fluorescence microscopy has emerged. Many of these approaches are useful for the large eukaryotic cells but their adaptation to study RNA, specifically mRNA molecules, in bacterial cells progressed relatively slow. Here, an overview will be given of fluorescent techniques that can be used to reveal specific RNA molecules inside fixed and living single bacterial cells. It includes a critical evaluation of their caveats as well as potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieke A van Gijtenbeek
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan Kok
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
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62
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Abil Z, Gumy LF, Zhao H, Hoogenraad CC. Inducible Control of mRNA Transport Using Reprogrammable RNA-Binding Proteins. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:950-956. [PMID: 28260376 PMCID: PMC5477001 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Localization of mRNA is important
in a number of cellular processes
such as embryogenesis, cellular motility, polarity, and a variety
of neurological processes. A synthetic device that controls cellular
mRNA localization would facilitate investigations on the significance
of mRNA localization in cellular function and allow an additional
level of controlling gene expression. In this work, we developed the
PUF (Pumilio and FBF homology domain)-assisted localization of RNA
(PULR) system, which utilizes a eukaryotic cell’s cytoskeletal
transport machinery to reposition mRNA within a cell. Depending on
the cellular motor used, we show ligand-dependent transport of mRNA
toward either pole of the microtubular network of cultured cells.
In addition, implementation of the reprogrammable PUF domain allowed
the transport of untagged endogenous mRNA in primary neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanar Abil
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Laura F. Gumy
- Cell
Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Bioengineering,
Department of Chemistry, and Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Casper C. Hoogenraad
- Cell
Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584CH Utrecht, The Netherlands
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63
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Wei HH, Liu Y, Wang Y, Lu Q, Yang X, Li J, Wang Z. Engineering Artificial Factors to Specifically Manipulate Alternative Splicing in Human Cells. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28518098 DOI: 10.3791/54967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The processing of most eukaryotic RNAs is mediated by RNA Binding Proteins (RBPs) with modular configurations, including an RNA recognition module, which specifically binds the pre-mRNA target and an effector domain. Previously, we have taken advantage of the unique RNA binding mode of the PUF domain in human Pumilio 1 to generate a programmable RNA binding scaffold, which was used to engineer various artificial RBPs to manipulate RNA metabolism. Here, a detailed protocol is described to construct Engineered Splicing Factors (ESFs) that are specifically designed to modulate the alternative splicing of target genes. The protocol includes how to design and construct a customized PUF scaffold for a specific RNA target, how to construct an ESF expression plasmid by fusing a designer PUF domain and an effector domain, and how to use ESFs to manipulate the splicing of target genes. In the representative results of this method, we have also described the common assays of ESF activities using splicing reporters, the application of ESF in cultured human cells, and the subsequent effect of splicing changes. By following the detailed protocols in this report, it is possible to design and generate ESFs for the regulation of different types of Alternative Splicing (AS), providing a new strategy to study splicing regulation and the function of different splicing isoforms. Moreover, by fusing different functional domains with a designed PUF domain, researchers can engineer artificial factors that target specific RNAs to manipulate various steps of RNA processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan-Huan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS)
| | - Yuanlong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS)
| | - Yang Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Second Affiliated Hospital, Cancer Center, Dalian Medical University
| | - Qianyun Lu
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS)
| | - Xuerong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS)
| | - Jiefu Li
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS)
| | - Zefeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences (SIBS);
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64
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Arvola RM, Weidmann CA, Tanaka Hall TM, Goldstrohm AC. Combinatorial control of messenger RNAs by Pumilio, Nanos and Brain Tumor Proteins. RNA Biol 2017; 14:1445-1456. [PMID: 28318367 PMCID: PMC5785226 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2017.1306168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotes possess a vast array of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that affect mRNAs in diverse ways to control protein expression. Combinatorial regulation of mRNAs by RBPs is emerging as the rule. No example illustrates this as vividly as the partnership of 3 Drosophila RBPs, Pumilio, Nanos and Brain Tumor, which have overlapping functions in development, stem cell maintenance and differentiation, fertility and neurologic processes. Here we synthesize 30 y of research with new insights into their molecular functions and mechanisms of action. First, we provide an overview of the key properties of each RBP. Next, we present a detailed analysis of their collaborative regulatory mechanism using a classic example of the developmental morphogen, hunchback, which is spatially and temporally regulated by the trio during embryogenesis. New biochemical, structural and functional analyses provide insights into RNA recognition, cooperativity, and regulatory mechanisms. We integrate these data into a model of combinatorial RNA binding and regulation of translation and mRNA decay. We then use this information, transcriptome wide analyses and bioinformatics predictions to assess the global impact of Pumilio, Nanos and Brain Tumor on gene regulation. Together, the results support pervasive, dynamic post-transcriptional control.
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Affiliation(s)
- René M Arvola
- a Department of Biological Chemistry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA.,d Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota , USA
| | - Chase A Weidmann
- b Department of Chemistry , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , USA
| | - Traci M Tanaka Hall
- c Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences , National Institutes of Health , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina , USA
| | - Aaron C Goldstrohm
- d Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota , USA
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65
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Abstract
Numerous attempts have been made to identify and engineer sequence-specific RNA endonucleases, as these would allow for efficient RNA manipulation. However, no natural RNA endonuclease that recognizes RNA in a sequence-specific manner has been described to date. Here, we report that SUPPRESSOR OF THYLAKOID FORMATION 1 (SOT1), an Arabidopsis pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein with a small MutS-related (SMR) domain, has RNA endonuclease activity. We show that the SMR moiety of SOT1 performs the endonucleolytic maturation of 23S and 4.5S rRNA through the PPR domain, specifically recognizing a 13-nucleotide RNA sequence in the 5' end of the chloroplast 23S-4.5S rRNA precursor. In addition, we successfully engineered the SOT1 protein with altered PPR motifs to recognize and cleave a predicted RNA substrate. Our findings point to SOT1 as an exciting tool for RNA manipulation.
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66
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Repression of the Internal Ribosome Entry Site-dependent Translation of Hepatitis C Virus by an Engineered PUF Protein. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2017. [DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.45022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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67
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Kellermann SJ, Rentmeister A. A FACS-based screening strategy to assess sequence-specific RNA-binding of Pumilio protein variants in E. coli. Biol Chem 2017; 398:69-75. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2016-0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Sequence-specific and programmable binding of proteins to RNA bears the potential to detect and manipulate target RNAs. Applications include analysis of subcellular RNA localization or post-transcriptional regulation but require sequence-specificity to be readily adjustable to any target RNA. The Pumilio homology domain binds an eight nucleotide target sequence in a predictable manner allowing for rational design of variants with new specificities. We describe a high-throughput system for screening Pumilio variants based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting of E. coli. Our approach should help optimizing variants obtained from rational design regarding folding and stability or identifying new variants with alternative binding modes.
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68
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Yamada T, Yoshimura H, Shimada R, Hattori M, Eguchi M, Fujiwara TK, Kusumi A, Ozawa T. Spatiotemporal analysis with a genetically encoded fluorescent RNA probe reveals TERRA function around telomeres. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38910. [PMID: 27958374 PMCID: PMC5153658 DOI: 10.1038/srep38910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) controls the structure and length of telomeres through interactions with numerous telomere-binding proteins. However, little is known about the mechanism by which TERRA regulates the accessibility of the proteins to telomeres, mainly because of the lack of spatiotemporal information of TERRA and its-interacting proteins. We developed a fluorescent probe to visualize endogenous TERRA to investigate its dynamics in living cells. Single-particle fluorescence imaging revealed that TERRA accumulated in a telomere-neighboring region and trapped diffusive heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1), thereby inhibiting hnRNPA1 localization to the telomere. These results suggest that TERRA regulates binding of hnRNPA1 to the telomere in a region surrounding the telomere, leading to a deeper understanding of the mechanism of TERRA function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshimichi Yamada
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hideaki Yoshimura
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Rintaro Shimada
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Hattori
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Eguchi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Takahiro K Fujiwara
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akihiro Kusumi
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Takeaki Ozawa
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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69
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Abstract
Advances in protein engineering tools, both computational and experimental, has afforded many new protein structures and functions. Here, we present a snapshot of repeat-protein engineering efforts towards new, versatile, alternative binding scaffolds for use in analytical sensors and as imaging agents. Analytical assays, sensors and imaging agents based on the direct binding of analyte are increasingly important for research and diagnostics in medicine, food safety, and national security.
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70
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Chen Y, Yang F, Zubovic L, Pavelitz T, Yang W, Godin K, Walker M, Zheng S, Macchi P, Varani G. Targeted inhibition of oncogenic miR-21 maturation with designed RNA-binding proteins. Nat Chem Biol 2016; 12:717-23. [PMID: 27428511 PMCID: PMC4990487 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The RNA Recognition Motif (RRM) is the largest family of eukaryotic RNA-binding proteins. Engineered RRMs with new specificity would provide valuable tools and an exacting test of our understanding of specificity. We have achieved the first successful re-design of the specificity of an RRM using rational methods and demonstrated re-targeting of activity in cells. We engineered the conserved RRM of human Rbfox proteins to specifically bind to the terminal loop of miR-21 precursor with high affinity and inhibit its processing by Drosha and Dicer. We further engineered Giardia Dicer by replacing its PAZ domain with the designed RRM. The reprogrammed enzyme degrades pre-miR-21 specifically in vitro and suppresses mature miR-21 levels in cells, which results in increased expression of PDCD4 and significantly decreased viability for cancer cells. The results demonstrate the feasibility of engineering the sequence-specificity of RRMs and of using this ubiquitous platform for diverse biological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lorena Zubovic
- Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Tom Pavelitz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Wen Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Katherine Godin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Matthew Walker
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Suxin Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Paolo Macchi
- Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Gabriele Varani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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71
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Abil Z, Zhao H. Engineering reprogrammable RNA-binding proteins for study and manipulation of the transcriptome. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 11:2658-65. [PMID: 26166256 DOI: 10.1039/c5mb00289c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
With the expanding interest in RNA biology, interest in artificial RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) is likewise increasing. RBPs can be designed in a modular fashion, whereby effector and RNA-binding domains are combined in chimeric proteins that exhibit both functions and can be applied for regulation of a broad range of biological processes. The elucidation of the RNA recognition code for Pumilio and fem-3 mRNA-binding factor (PUF) homology proteins allowed engineering of artificial RBPs for targeting endogenous mRNAs. In this review, we will focus on the recent advances in elucidating and reprogramming PUF domain specificity, update on several promising applications of PUF-based designer RBPs, and discuss some other domains that hold the potential to be used as the RNA-binding scaffolds for designer RBP engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanar Abil
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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72
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Spåhr H, Rozanska A, Li X, Atanassov I, Lightowlers RN, Chrzanowska-Lightowlers ZMA, Rackham O, Larsson NG. SLIRP stabilizes LRPPRC via an RRM-PPR protein interface. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:6868-82. [PMID: 27353330 PMCID: PMC5001613 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
LRPPRC is a protein that has attracted interest both for its role in post-transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial gene expression and more recently because numerous mutated variants have been characterized as causing severe infantile mitochondrial neurodegeneration. LRPPRC belongs to the pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein family, originally defined by their RNA binding capacity, and forms a complex with SLIRP that harbours an RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain. We show here that LRPPRC displays a broad and strong RNA binding capacity in vitro in contrast to SLIRP that associates only weakly with RNA. The LRPPRC–SLIRP complex comprises a hetero-dimer via interactions by polar amino acids in the single RRM domain of SLIRP and three neighbouring PPR motifs in the second quarter of LRPPRC, which critically contribute to the LRPPRC–SLIRP binding interface to enhance its stability. Unexpectedly, specific amino acids at this interface are located within the PPRs of LRPPRC at positions predicted to interact with RNA and within the RNP1 motif of SLIRP's RRM domain. Our findings thus unexpectedly establish that despite the prediction that these residues in LRPPRC and SLIRP should bind RNA, they are instead used to facilitate protein–protein interactions, enabling the formation of a stable complex between these two proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Spåhr
- Department of Mitochondrial Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, D-50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Agata Rozanska
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Xinping Li
- Proteomics Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, D-50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ilian Atanassov
- Proteomics Core Facility, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, D-50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Robert N Lightowlers
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | | | - Oliver Rackham
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Nils-Göran Larsson
- Department of Mitochondrial Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, D-50931 Cologne, Germany Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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73
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Shen C, Zhang D, Guan Z, Liu Y, Yang Z, Yang Y, Wang X, Wang Q, Zhang Q, Fan S, Zou T, Yin P. Structural basis for specific single-stranded RNA recognition by designer pentatricopeptide repeat proteins. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11285. [PMID: 27088764 PMCID: PMC4837458 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As a large family of RNA-binding proteins, pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins mediate multiple aspects of RNA metabolism in eukaryotes. Binding to their target single-stranded RNAs (ssRNAs) in a modular and base-specific fashion, PPR proteins can serve as designable modules for gene manipulation. However, the structural basis for nucleotide-specific recognition by designer PPR (dPPR) proteins remains to be elucidated. Here, we report four crystal structures of dPPR proteins in complex with their respective ssRNA targets. The dPPR repeats are assembled into a right-handed superhelical spiral shell that embraces the ssRNA. Interactions between different PPR codes and RNA bases are observed at the atomic level, revealing the molecular basis for the modular and specific recognition patterns of the RNA bases U, C, A and G. These structures not only provide insights into the functional study of PPR proteins but also open a path towards the potential design of synthetic sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Shen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Delin Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Zeyuan Guan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yexing Liu
- Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhao Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yan Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - QunXia Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Shilong Fan
- Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Tingting Zou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ping Yin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement and National Centre of Plant Gene Research, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China,
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74
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Nelles DA, Fang MY, O'Connell MR, Xu JL, Markmiller SJ, Doudna JA, Yeo GW. Programmable RNA Tracking in Live Cells with CRISPR/Cas9. Cell 2016; 165:488-96. [PMID: 26997482 PMCID: PMC4826288 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.02.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 387] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
RNA-programmed genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 from Streptococcus pyogenes has enabled rapid and accessible alteration of specific genomic loci in many organisms. A flexible means to target RNA would allow alteration and imaging of endogenous RNA transcripts analogous to CRISPR/Cas-based genomic tools, but most RNA targeting methods rely on incorporation of exogenous tags. Here, we demonstrate that nuclease-inactive S. pyogenes CRISPR/Cas9 can bind RNA in a nucleic-acid-programmed manner and allow endogenous RNA tracking in living cells. We show that nuclear-localized RNA-targeting Cas9 (RCas9) is exported to the cytoplasm only in the presence of sgRNAs targeting mRNA and observe accumulation of ACTB, CCNA2, and TFRC mRNAs in RNA granules that correlate with fluorescence in situ hybridization. We also demonstrate time-resolved measurements of ACTB mRNA trafficking to stress granules. Our results establish RCas9 as a means to track RNA in living cells in a programmable manner without genetically encoded tags.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Nelles
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mark Y Fang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mitchell R O'Connell
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Center for RNA Systems Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Jia L Xu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sebastian J Markmiller
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jennifer A Doudna
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology and Center for RNA Systems Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Chemistry, Innovative Genomics Initiative and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Physical Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 1190777, Singapore.
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75
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Kellermann SJ, Rentmeister A. A Genetically Encodable System for Sequence-Specific Detection of RNAs in Two Colors. Chembiochem 2016; 17:895-9. [PMID: 26919688 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Multicolor readout is an important feature of RNA detection techniques aiming at the investigation of RNA localization. Several detection methods have been developed, however they require either transfection of cells with the probe or prior tagging of the target RNA. We report a fully genetically encodable system for simultaneous detection of two RNAs by using green and yellow fluorescence based on tetramolecular fluorescence complementation (TetFC). To obtain yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), substitution T203Y was introduced into one of the three non-fluorescent GFP fragments; this was fused to different variants of the Homo sapiens Pumilio homology domain. Using different sets of fusion proteins we were able to discriminate between two closely related target RNAs based on the fluorescence signals at the respective wavelengths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie J Kellermann
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 2, 48149, Münster, Germany.,Department of Chemistry, Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Hamburg, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Rentmeister
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 2, 48149, Münster, Germany. .,Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003-CiM), University of Münster, Wilhelm-Klemm-Strasse 2, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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76
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Kulkarni M, Nirwan N, van Aelst K, Szczelkun MD, Saikrishnan K. Structural insights into DNA sequence recognition by Type ISP restriction-modification enzymes. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:4396-408. [PMID: 26975655 PMCID: PMC4872093 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering restriction enzymes with new sequence specificity has been an unaccomplished challenge, presumably because of the complexity of target recognition. Here we report detailed analyses of target recognition by Type ISP restriction-modification enzymes. We determined the structure of the Type ISP enzyme LlaGI bound to its target and compared it with the previously reported structure of a close homologue that binds to a distinct target, LlaBIII. The comparison revealed that, although the two enzymes use almost a similar set of structural elements for target recognition, the residues that read the bases vary. Change in specificity resulted not only from appropriate substitution of amino acids that contacted the bases but also from new contacts made by positionally distinct residues directly or through a water bridge. Sequence analyses of 552 Type ISP enzymes showed that the structural elements involved in target recognition of LlaGI and LlaBIII were structurally well-conserved but sequentially less-conserved. In addition, the residue positions within these structural elements were under strong evolutionary constraint, highlighting the functional importance of these regions. The comparative study helped decipher a partial consensus code for target recognition by Type ISP enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kulkarni
- Division of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune 411008, India
| | - Neha Nirwan
- Division of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune 411008, India
| | - Kara van Aelst
- DNA-Protein Interactions Unit, School of Biochemistry, Medical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Mark D Szczelkun
- DNA-Protein Interactions Unit, School of Biochemistry, Medical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Kayarat Saikrishnan
- Division of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune 411008, India
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77
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De-coding and re-coding RNA recognition by PUF and PPR repeat proteins. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2016; 36:116-21. [PMID: 26874972 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PUF and PPR proteins are two families of α-helical repeat proteins that recognize single-stranded RNA sequences. Both protein families hold promise as scaffolds for designed RNA-binding domains. A modular protein RNA recognition code was apparent from the first crystal structures of a PUF protein in complex with RNA, and recent studies continue to advance our understanding of natural PUF protein recognition (de-coding) and our ability to engineer specificity (re-coding). Degenerate recognition motifs make de-coding specificity of individual PPR proteins challenging. Nevertheless, re-coding PPR protein specificity using a consensus recognition code has been successful.
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78
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Yoshimura H, Ozawa T. Monitoring of RNA Dynamics in Living Cells Using PUM-HD and Fluorescent Protein Reconstitution Technique. Methods Enzymol 2016; 572:65-85. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2016.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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79
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Hogan GJ, Brown PO, Herschlag D. Evolutionary Conservation and Diversification of Puf RNA Binding Proteins and Their mRNA Targets. PLoS Biol 2015; 13:e1002307. [PMID: 26587879 PMCID: PMC4654594 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of a gene’s expression pattern by acquisition and loss of sequences recognized by specific regulatory RNA binding proteins may be a major mechanism in the evolution of biological regulatory programs. We identified that RNA targets of Puf3 orthologs have been conserved over 100–500 million years of evolution in five eukaryotic lineages. Focusing on Puf proteins and their targets across 80 fungi, we constructed a parsimonious model for their evolutionary history. This model entails extensive and coordinated changes in the Puf targets as well as changes in the number of Puf genes and alterations of RNA binding specificity including that: 1) Binding of Puf3 to more than 200 RNAs whose protein products are predominantly involved in the production and organization of mitochondrial complexes predates the origin of budding yeasts and filamentous fungi and was maintained for 500 million years, throughout the evolution of budding yeast. 2) In filamentous fungi, remarkably, more than 150 of the ancestral Puf3 targets were gained by Puf4, with one lineage maintaining both Puf3 and Puf4 as regulators and a sister lineage losing Puf3 as a regulator of these RNAs. The decrease in gene expression of these mRNAs upon deletion of Puf4 in filamentous fungi (N. crassa) in contrast to the increase upon Puf3 deletion in budding yeast (S. cerevisiae) suggests that the output of the RNA regulatory network is different with Puf4 in filamentous fungi than with Puf3 in budding yeast. 3) The coregulated Puf4 target set in filamentous fungi expanded to include mitochondrial genes involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and other nuclear-encoded RNAs with mitochondrial function not bound by Puf3 in budding yeast, observations that provide additional evidence for substantial rewiring of post-transcriptional regulation. 4) Puf3 also expanded and diversified its targets in filamentous fungi, gaining interactions with the mRNAs encoding the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complex I as well as hundreds of other mRNAs with nonmitochondrial functions. The many concerted and conserved changes in the RNA targets of Puf proteins strongly support an extensive role of RNA binding proteins in coordinating gene expression, as originally proposed by Keene. Rewiring of Puf-coordinated mRNA targets and transcriptional control of the same genes occurred at different points in evolution, suggesting that there have been distinct adaptations via RNA binding proteins and transcription factors. The changes in Puf targets and in the Puf proteins indicate an integral involvement of RNA binding proteins and their RNA targets in the adaptation, reprogramming, and function of gene expression. A map of the evolutionary history of Puf proteins and their RNA targets shows that reprogramming of global gene expression programs via adaptive mutations that affect protein-RNA interactions is an important source of biological diversity. We set out to trace the evolutionary history of an RNA binding protein and how its interactions with targets change over evolution. Identifying this natural history is a step toward understanding the critical differences between organisms and how gene expression programs are rewired during evolution. Using bioinformatics and experimental approaches, we broadly surveyed the evolution of binding targets of a particular family of RNA binding proteins—the Puf proteins, whose protein sequences and target RNA sequences are relatively well-characterized—across 99 eukaryotic species. We found five groups of species in which targets have been conserved for at least 100 million years and then took advantage of genome sequences from a large number of fungal species to deeply investigate the conservation and changes in Puf proteins and their RNA targets. Our analyses identified multiple and extensive reconfigurations during the natural history of fungi and suggest that RNA binding proteins and their RNA targets are profoundly involved in evolutionary reprogramming of gene expression and help define distinct programs unique to each organism. Continuing to uncover the natural history of RNA binding proteins and their interactions will provide a unique window into the gene expression programs of present day species and point to new ways to engineer gene expression programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J. Hogan
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Patrick O. Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (POB); (DH)
| | - Daniel Herschlag
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (POB); (DH)
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80
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Krutkina E, Klaiman D, Margalit T, Jerabeck-Willemsen M, Kaufmann G. Dual nucleotide specificity determinants of an infection aborting anticodon nuclease. Virology 2015; 487:260-72. [PMID: 26569352 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 04/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The anticodon nuclease (ACNase) PrrC is silenced by a DNA restriction-modification (RM) protein and activated by a phage T4-encoded restriction inhibitor. The activation is driven by GTP hydrolysis while dTTP, which accumulates during the infection, stabilizes the active form. We show here, first, that the ABC-ATPase N-domains of PrrC can accommodate the two nucleotides simultaneously. Second, mutating a sequence motif that distinguishes the N-domain of PrrC from typical ABC-ATPases implicates three residues in the specificity for dTTP. Third, failure to bind dTTP or its deprivation hastened the centrifugal sedimentation of PrrC, possibly due to exposed sticky PrrC surfaces. Fourth, dTTP inhibited the GTPase activity of PrrC, probably by preventing GDP from leaving. These observations, correlated with relevant traits of a related ACNase, further suggest that PrrC utilizes GTP at canonical ABC-ATPase sites and binds dTTP to distinct sites exposed upon disruption of the ACNase-silencing interaction with the RM partner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Krutkina
- Department of Biochemistry, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Daniel Klaiman
- Department of Biochemistry, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Tamar Margalit
- Department of Biochemistry, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | | | - Gabriel Kaufmann
- Department of Biochemistry, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel.
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81
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Zhang C, Muench DG. A Nucleolar PUF RNA-binding Protein with Specificity for a Unique RNA Sequence. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:30108-18. [PMID: 26487722 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.691675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PUF proteins are a conserved group of sequence specific RNA-binding proteins that bind to RNA in a modular fashion. The RNA-binding domain of PUF proteins typically consists of eight clustered Puf repeats. Plant genomes code for large families of PUF proteins that show significant variability in their predicted Puf repeat number, organization, and amino acid sequence. Here we sought to determine whether the observed variability in the RNA-binding domains of four plant PUFs results in a preference for nonclassical PUF RNA target sequences. We report the identification of a novel RNA binding sequence for a nucleolar Arabidopsis PUF protein that contains an atypical RNA-binding domain. The Arabidopsis PUM23 (APUM23) binding sequence was 10 nucleotides in length, contained a centrally located UUGA core element, and had a preferred cytosine at nucleotide position 8. These RNA sequence characteristics differ from those of other PUF proteins, because all natural PUFs studied to date bind to RNAs that contain a conserved UGU sequence at their 5' end and lack specificity for cytosine. Gel mobility shift assays validated the identity of the APUM23 binding sequence and supported the location of 3 of the 10 predicted Puf repeats in APUM23, including the cytosine-binding repeat. The preferred 10-nucleotide sequence bound by APUM23 is present within the 18S rRNA sequence, supporting the known role of APUM23 in 18S rRNA maturation. This work also reveals that APUM23, an ortholog of yeast Nop9, could provide an advanced structural backbone for Puf repeat engineering and target-specific regulation of cellular RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Zhang
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Douglas G Muench
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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82
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Abstract
Pumilio is an RNA-binding protein originally identified in Drosophila, with a Puf domain made up of eight Puf repeats, three helix bundles arranged in a rainbow architecture, where each repeat recognizes a single base of the RNA-binding sequence. The eight-base recognition sequence can therefore be modified simply via mutation of the repeat that recognizes the base to be changed and this is understood in detail via high-resolution crystal structures. The binding mechanism is also altered in a variety of homologues from different species, with bases flipped out from the binding site to regenerate a consensus sequence. Thus Pumilios can be designed with bespoke RNA recognition sequences and can be fused to nucleases, split GFP, etc. as tools in vitro and in cells.
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83
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Szempruch AJ, Choudhury R, Wang Z, Hajduk SL. In vivo analysis of trypanosome mitochondrial RNA function by artificial site-specific RNA endonuclease-mediated knockdown. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2015; 21:1781-1789. [PMID: 26264591 PMCID: PMC4574754 DOI: 10.1261/rna.052084.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Trypanosomes possess a unique mitochondrial genome called the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA). Many kDNA genes encode pre-mRNAs that must undergo guide RNA-directed editing. In addition, alternative mRNA editing gives rise to diverse mRNAs and several kDNA genes encode open reading frames of unknown function. To better understand the mechanism of RNA editing and the function of mitochondrial RNAs in trypanosomes, we have developed a reverse genetic approach using artificial site-specific RNA endonucleases (ASREs) to directly silence kDNA-encoded genes. The RNA-binding domain of an ASRE can be programmed to recognize unique 8-nucleotide sequences, allowing the design of ASREs to cleave any target RNA. Utilizing an ASRE containing a mitochondrial localization signal, we targeted the extensively edited mitochondrial mRNA for the subunit A6 of the F0F1 ATP synthase (A6) in the procyclic stage of Trypanosoma brucei. This developmental stage, found in the midgut of the insect vector, relies on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation for ATP production with A6 forming the critical proton half channel across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Expression of an A6-targeted ASRE in procyclic trypanosomes resulted in a 50% reduction in A6 mRNA levels after 24 h, a time-dependent decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and growth arrest. Expression of the A6-ASRE, lacking the mitochondrial localization signal, showed no significant growth defect. The development of the A6-ASRE allowed the first in vivo functional analysis of an edited mitochondrial mRNA in T. brucei and provides a critical new tool to study mitochondrial RNA biology in trypanosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Szempruch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Rajarshi Choudhury
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Zefeng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Stephen L Hajduk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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84
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Wei H, Wang Z. Engineering RNA-binding proteins with diverse activities. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2015; 6:597-613. [DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Wei
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology; MPG-CAS Partner Institute of Computational Biology; Shanghai China
| | - Zefeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Computational Biology; MPG-CAS Partner Institute of Computational Biology; Shanghai China
- Department of Pharmacology; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill NC USA
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85
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Kopniczky MB, Moore SJ, Freemont PS. Multilevel Regulation and Translational Switches in Synthetic Biology. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON BIOMEDICAL CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS 2015; 9:485-496. [PMID: 26336145 DOI: 10.1109/tbcas.2015.2451707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In contrast to the versatility of regulatory mechanisms in natural systems, synthetic genetic circuits have been so far predominantly composed of transcriptionally regulated modules. This is about to change as the repertoire of foundational tools for post-transcriptional regulation is quickly expanding. We provide an overview of the different types of translational regulators: protein, small molecule and ribonucleic acid (RNA) responsive and we describe the new emerging circuit designs utilizing these tools. There are several advantages of achieving multilevel regulation via translational switches and it is likely that such designs will have the greatest and earliest impact in mammalian synthetic biology for regenerative medicine and gene therapy applications.
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86
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Nahalka J, Hrabarova E, Talafova K. Protein-RNA and protein-glycan recognitions in light of amino acid codes. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2015; 1850:1942-52. [PMID: 26145579 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA-binding proteins, in cooperation with non-coding RNAs, play important roles in post-transcriptional regulation. Non-coding micro-RNAs control information flow from the genome to the glycome by interacting with glycan-synthesis enzymes. Glycan-binding proteins read the cell surface and cytoplasmic glycome and transfer signals back to the nucleus. The profiling of the protein-RNA and protein-glycan interactomes is of significant medicinal importance. SCOPE OF REVIEW This review discusses the state-of-the-art research in the protein-RNA and protein-glycan recognition fields and proposes the application of amino acid codes in profiling and programming the interactomes. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The deciphered PUF-RNA and PPR-RNA amino acid recognition codes can be explained by the protein-RNA amino acid recognition hypothesis based on the genetic code. The tripartite amino acid code is also involved in protein-glycan interactions. At present, the results indicate that a system of four codons ("gnc", where n=g - guanine, c - cytosine, u - uracil or a - adenine) and four amino acids (G - glycine, A - alanine, V - valine, D - aspartic acid) could be the original genetic code that imprinted "rules" into both recognition processes. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Amino acid recognition codes have provocative potential in the profiling and programming of the protein-RNA and protein-glycan interactomes. The profiling and even programming of the interactomes will play significant roles in diagnostics and the development of therapeutic procedures against cancer and neurodegenerative, developmental and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Nahalka
- Institute of Chemistry, Centre for Glycomics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-84538 Bratislava, Slovak Republic; Institute of Chemistry, Centre of Excellence for White-green Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, SK-94976 Nitra, Slovak Republic.
| | - Eva Hrabarova
- Institute of Chemistry, Centre for Glycomics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-84538 Bratislava, Slovak Republic; Institute of Chemistry, Centre of Excellence for White-green Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, SK-94976 Nitra, Slovak Republic
| | - Klaudia Talafova
- Institute of Chemistry, Centre for Glycomics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, SK-84538 Bratislava, Slovak Republic; Institute of Chemistry, Centre of Excellence for White-green Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, SK-94976 Nitra, Slovak Republic
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87
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Nelles DA, Fang MY, Aigner S, Yeo GW. Applications of Cas9 as an RNA-programmed RNA-binding protein. Bioessays 2015; 37:732-9. [PMID: 25880497 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201500001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR-Cas system has gained widespread application as a genome editing and gene regulation tool as simultaneous cellular delivery of the Cas9 protein and guide RNAs enables recognition of specific DNA sequences. The recent discovery that Cas9 can also bind and cleave RNA in an RNA-programmable manner indicates the potential utility of this system as a universal nucleic acid-recognition technology. RNA-targeted Cas9 (RCas9) could allow identification and manipulation of RNA substrates in live cells, empowering the study of cellular gene expression, and could ultimately spawn patient- and disease-specific diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Here we describe the development of RCas9 and compare it to previous methods for RNA targeting, including engineered RNA-binding proteins and other types of CRISPR-Cas systems. We discuss potential uses ranging from live imaging of transcriptional dynamics to patient-specific therapies and applications in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Nelles
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mark Y Fang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Stefan Aigner
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Stem Cell Program, and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Molecular Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institutes, Agency for Science, Technology & Research and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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88
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Cao J, Arha M, Sudrik C, Mukherjee A, Wu X, Kane RS. A universal strategy for regulating mRNA translation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:4353-62. [PMID: 25845589 PMCID: PMC4417184 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe a simple strategy to control mRNA translation in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells which relies on a unique protein–RNA interaction. Specifically, we used the Pumilio/FBF (PUF) protein to repress translation by binding in between the ribosome binding site (RBS) and the start codon (in Escherichia coli), or by binding to the 5′ untranslated region of target mRNAs (in mammalian cells). The design principle is straightforward, the extent of translational repression can be tuned and the regulator is genetically encoded, enabling the construction of artificial signal cascades. We demonstrate that this approach can also be used to regulate polycistronic mRNAs; such regulation has rarely been achieved in previous reports. Since the regulator used in this study is a modular RNA-binding protein, which can be engineered to target different 8-nucleotide RNA sequences, our strategy could be used in the future to target endogenous mRNAs for regulating metabolic flows and signaling pathways in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jicong Cao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Manish Arha
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Chaitanya Sudrik
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Abhirup Mukherjee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Xia Wu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Ravi S Kane
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
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89
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Genetically encoded tools for RNA imaging in living cells. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2015; 31:42-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2014.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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90
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Gully BS, Shah KR, Lee M, Shearston K, Smith NM, Sadowska A, Blythe AJ, Bernath-Levin K, Stanley WA, Small ID, Bond CS. The design and structural characterization of a synthetic pentatricopeptide repeat protein. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 71:196-208. [PMID: 25664731 DOI: 10.1107/s1399004714024869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Proteins of the pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) superfamily are characterized by tandem arrays of a degenerate 35-amino-acid α-hairpin motif. PPR proteins are typically single-stranded RNA-binding proteins with essential roles in organelle biogenesis, RNA editing and mRNA maturation. A modular, predictable code for sequence-specific binding of RNA by PPR proteins has recently been revealed, which opens the door to the de novo design of bespoke proteins with specific RNA targets, with widespread biotechnological potential. Here, the design and production of a synthetic PPR protein based on a consensus sequence and the determination of its crystal structure to 2.2 Å resolution are described. The crystal structure displays helical disorder, resulting in electron density representing an infinite superhelical PPR protein. A structural comparison with related tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) proteins, and with native PPR proteins, reveals key roles for conserved residues in directing the structure and function of PPR proteins. The designed proteins have high solubility and thermal stability, and can form long tracts of PPR repeats. Thus, consensus-sequence synthetic PPR proteins could provide a suitable backbone for the design of bespoke RNA-binding proteins with the potential for high specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin S Gully
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kunal R Shah
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mihwa Lee
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Shearston
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nicole M Smith
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Agata Sadowska
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amanda J Blythe
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kalia Bernath-Levin
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Will A Stanley
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ian D Small
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Charles S Bond
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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91
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Andries O, Kitada T, Bodner K, Sanders NN, Weiss R. Synthetic biology devices and circuits for RNA-based ‘smart vaccines’: a propositional review. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 14:313-31. [DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.997714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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92
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Abstract
Subcellular, sequence-specific detection of RNA in vivo is a powerful tool to study the macromolecular transport that occurs through plasmodesmata. The RNA-binding domain of Pumilio proteins can be engineered to bind RNA sequences of choice and fused to fluorescent proteins for RNA imaging. This chapter describes the construction of a Pumilio-based imaging system to track the RNA of Tobacco mosaic virus in vivo, and practical aspects of RNA live-cell imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Tilsner
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, University of St Andrews, BMS Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9ST, UK,
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93
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Coquille S, Filipovska A, Chia T, Rajappa L, Lingford JP, Razif MF, Thore S, Rackham O. An artificial PPR scaffold for programmable RNA recognition. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5729. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
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94
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A divergent Pumilio repeat protein family for pre-rRNA processing and mRNA localization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:18554-9. [PMID: 25512524 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1407634112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pumilio/feminization of XX and XO animals (fem)-3 mRNA-binding factor (PUF) proteins bind sequence specifically to mRNA targets using a single-stranded RNA-binding domain comprising eight Pumilio (PUM) repeats. PUM repeats have now been identified in proteins that function in pre-rRNA processing, including human Puf-A and yeast Puf6. This is a role not previously ascribed to PUF proteins. Here we present crystal structures of human Puf-A that reveal a class of nucleic acid-binding proteins with 11 PUM repeats arranged in an "L"-like shape. In contrast to classical PUF proteins, Puf-A forms sequence-independent interactions with DNA or RNA, mediated by conserved basic residues. We demonstrate that equivalent basic residues in yeast Puf6 are important for RNA binding, pre-rRNA processing, and mRNA localization. Thus, PUM repeats can be assembled into alternative folds that bind to structured nucleic acids in addition to forming canonical eight-repeat crescent-shaped RNA-binding domains found in classical PUF proteins.
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95
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Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are important regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. Genomes typically encode dozens to hundreds of proteins containing RNA-binding domains, which collectively recognize diverse RNA sequences and structures. Recent advances in high-throughput methods for assaying the targets of RBPs in vitro and in vivo allow large-scale derivation of RNA-binding motifs as well as determination of RNA–protein interactions in living cells. In parallel, many computational methods have been developed to analyze and interpret these data. The interplay between RNA secondary structure and RBP binding has also been a growing theme. Integrating RNA–protein interaction data with observations of post-transcriptional regulation will enhance our understanding of the roles of these important proteins.
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96
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97
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Wu CH, Holden MT, Smith LM. Enzymatic fabrication of high-density RNA arrays. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2014; 53:13514-7. [PMID: 25339581 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201408747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A powerful new strategy for the fabrication of high-density RNA arrays is described. A high-density DNA array is fabricated by standard photolithographic methods, the surface-bound DNA molecules are enzymatically copied into their RNA complements from a surface-bound RNA primer, and the DNA templates are enzymatically destroyed, leaving behind the desired RNA array. The strategy is compatible with 2'-fluoro-modified (2'F) ribonucleoside triphosphates (rNTPs), which may be included in the polymerase extension reaction to impart nuclease resistance and other desirable characteristics to the synthesized RNAs. The use and fidelity of the arrays are explored with DNA hybridization, DNAzyme cleavage, and nuclease digestion experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Hsien Wu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706 (USA)
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98
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Abstract
Embryonic stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and somatic cell reprogramming require the interplay of multiple pluripotency factors, epigenetic remodelers, and extracellular signaling pathways. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are involved in a wide range of regulatory pathways, from RNA metabolism to epigenetic modifications. In recent years we have witnessed more and more studies on the discovery of new RBPs and the assessment of their functions in a variety of biological systems, including stem cells. We review the current studies on RBPs and focus on those that have functional implications in pluripotency, differentiation, and/or reprogramming in both the human and mouse systems.
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99
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100
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Campbell ZT, Valley CT, Wickens M. A protein-RNA specificity code enables targeted activation of an endogenous human transcript. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2014; 21:732-8. [PMID: 24997599 PMCID: PMC4125476 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Programmable protein scaffolds that target DNA are invaluable tools for genome engineering and designer control of transcription. RNA manipulation provides broad new opportunities for control, including changes in translation. PUF proteins are an attractive platform for that purpose because they bind specific single-stranded RNA sequences by using short repeated modules, each contributing three amino acids that contact an RNA base. Here, we identified the specificities of natural and designed combinations of those three amino acids, using a large randomized RNA library. The resulting specificity code reveals the RNA binding preferences of natural proteins and enables the design of new specificities. Using the code and a translational activation domain, we designed a protein that targets endogenous cyclin B1 mRNA in human cells, increasing sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Our study provides a guide for rational design of engineered mRNA control, including translational stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary T Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Cary T Valley
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Marvin Wickens
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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