The structure of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase complexed with an RNA pseudoknot inhibitor

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase mutations that confer decreased in vitro susceptibility to anti-RT DNA aptamer RT1t49 confer cross resistance to other anti-RT aptamers but not to standard RT inhibitors

RNA and DNA aptamers specific for HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) can inhibit reverse transcription in vitro. RNA aptamers have been shown to potently block HIV-1 replication in culture. We previously reported mutants of HIV-1 RT with substitutions N255D or N265D that display resistance to the DNA aptamer RT1t49. Variant viruses bearing these mutations singly or in combination were compromised for replication. In order to address the wider applicability of such aptamers, HIV-1 RT variants containing the N255D, N265D or both (Dbl) were tested for the extent of their cross-resistance to other DNA/RNA aptamers as well as to other RT inhibitors. Both N265D and Dbl RTs were resistant to most aptamers tested. N255D mutant displayed mild resistance to two of the DNA aptamers, little change in sensitivity to three and hypersensitivity to one. Although all mutants displayed wild type-like ribonuclease H activity, their activity was compromised under conditions that prevent re-binding. This suggests that the processivity defect caused by these mutations can also affect RNase H function thus contributing further to the replication defect in mutant viruses. These results indicate that mutants conferring resistance to anti-RT aptamers significantly affect many HIV-1 RT enzymatic activities, which could contribute to preventing the development of resistance in vivo. If such mutations were to arise in vivo, our results suggest that variant viruses should remain susceptible to many existing anti-RT inhibitors. This result was tempered by the observation that NRTI-resistance mutations such as K65R can confer resistance to some anti-RT aptamers.

Aptamers to Escherichia coli core RNA polymerase that sense its interaction with rifampicin, sigma-subunit and GreB

Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) is the central enzyme of gene expression that is responsible for the synthesis of all types of cellular RNAs. The process of transcription is accompanied by complex structural rearrangements of RNAP. Despite the recent progress in structural studies of RNAP, detailed mechanisms of conformational changes of RNAP that occur at different stages of transcription remain unknown. The goal of this work was to obtain novel ligands to RNAP which would target different epitopes of the enzyme and serve as specific probes to study the mechanism of transcription and conformational flexibility of RNAP. Using in vitro selection methods, we obtained 13 classes of ssDNA aptamers against Escherichia coli core RNAP. The minimal nucleic acid scaffold (an oligonucleotide construct imitating DNA and RNA in elongation complex), rifampicin and the sigma70-subunit inhibited binding of the aptamers to RNAP core but did not affect the dissociation rate of preformed RNAP-aptamer complexes. We argue that these ligands sterically block access of the aptamers to their binding sites within the main RNAP channel. In contrast, transcript cleavage factor GreB increased the rate of dissociation of preformed RNAP-aptamer complexes. This suggested that GreB that binds RNAP outside the main channel actively disrupts RNAP-aptamer complexes by inducing conformational changes in the channel. We propose that the aptamers obtained in this work will be useful for studying the interactions of RNAP with various ligands and regulatory factors and for investigating the conformational flexibility of the enzyme.

Structure of the Human Telomerase RNA Pseudoknot Reveals Conserved Tertiary Interactions Essential for Function

Human telomerase contains a 451 nt RNA (hTR) and several proteins, including a specialized reverse transcriptase (hTERT). The 5' half of hTR comprises the pseudoknot (core) domain, which includes the RNA template for telomere synthesis and a highly conserved pseudoknot that is required for telomerase activity. The solution structure of this essential pseudoknot, presented here, reveals an extended triple helix surrounding the helical junction. The network of tertiary interactions explains the phylogenetic sequence conservation and existing human and mouse TR functional studies as well as mutations linked to disease. Thermodynamic stability, dimerization potential, and telomerase activity of mutant RNAs that alter the tertiary contacts were investigated. Telomerase activity is strongly correlated with tertiary structure stability, whereas there is no correlation with dimerization potential of the pseudoknot. These studies reveal that a conserved pseudoknot tertiary structure is required for telomerase activity.

Structure and mechanism of DNA polymerases

DNA polymerases are molecular motors directing the synthesis of DNA from nucleotides. All polymerases have a common architectural framework consisting of three canonical subdomains termed the fingers, palm, and thumb subdomains. Kinetically, they cycle through various states corresponding to conformational transitions, which may or may not generate force. In this review, we present and discuss the kinetic, structural, and single-molecule works that have contributed to our understanding of DNA polymerase function.

Ligand discovery using small molecule microarrays

Small molecule microarrays have recently been used to identify ligands for several proteins, and several themes regarding screening strategies and limitations have emerged. In this review, some of the technical issues related to the manufacture and screening of small molecule microarrays, as well as prospects for small molecule microarrays in several areas of drug discovery and chemistry, are discussed.

SELEX-derived aptamers of the duck hepatitis B virus RNA encapsidation signal distinguish critical and non-critical residues for productive initiation of reverse transcription

Protein-primed replication of hepatitis B viruses (HBVs) is initiated by the chaperone dependent binding of the reverse transcriptase (P protein) to the bulged epsilon stem-loop on the pregenomic RNA, and the epsilon-templated synthesis of the 5' terminal nucleotides of the first DNA strand. How P protein recognizes the initiation site is poorly understood. In mammalian HBVs and in duck HBV (DHBV) the entire stem-loop is extensively base paired; in other avian HBVs the upper stem regions have a low base pairing potential. Initiation can be reconstituted with in vitro translated DHBV, but not HBV, P protein and DHBV epsilon (Depsilon) RNA. Employing the SELEX method on a constrained library of Depsilon upper stem variants, we obtained a series of well-binding aptamers. Most contained C-rich consensus motifs with very low base pairing potential; some supported initiation, others did not. Consensus-based secondary mutants allowed to pin down this functional difference to the residues flanking the conserved loop, and an unpaired U. In vitro active consensus sequences also supported virus replication. Hence, most of the upper stem acts as a spacer, which, if not base paired, warrants accessibility of relevant anchor residues. This suggests that the base paired Depsilon represents an exceptional rather than a prototypic avian HBV epsilon signal, and it offers an explanation as to why attempts to in vitro reconstitute initiation with human HBV have thus far failed.

Selective inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) RNase H by small RNA hairpins and dumbbells

We present here the design of a novel class of RNA inhibitors of the RNase H domain of HIV-1 RT, a ribonuclease activity that is essential for viral replication in vivo. Specifically, we show that small RNA hairpins and dumbbells can selectively inhibit the RNase H activity of HIV-1 RT without affecting other cellular RNases H (e.g., E. coli and human RNase H). These results suggest that the inhibitors do not interact with the nucleic acid binding site of RT RNase H, as this region should be well conserved among the various enzymes. The most potent inhibitors displayed IC50 values in the 3-8 microM range. Remarkably, the DNA polymerase activity, an intrinsic property of HIV RT, was not inhibited by the hairpin and dumbbell aptamers, a property not previously observed for any nucleic acid aptamer directed against RT RNase H. The results described here suggest a noncompetitive binding mechanism, as outlined in the differential inhibitory characteristics of each of the nucleic acid aptamers against the bacterial, human, and viral RNase H homologues.

DafA Cycles Between the DnaK Chaperone System and Translational Machinery

DafA is encoded by the dnaK operon of Thermus thermophilus and mediates the formation of a highly stable complex between the chaperone DnaK and its co-chaperone DnaJ under normal growth conditions. DafA(Tth) contains 87 amino acid residues and is the only member of the DnaK(Tth) chaperone system for which no corresponding protein has yet been identified in other organisms and whose particular function has remained elusive. Here, we show directly that the DnaK(Tth)-DnaJ(Tth)-DafA(Tth) complex cannot represent the active chaperone species since DafA(Tth) inhibits renaturation of firefly luciferase by suppressing substrate association. Since DafA(Tth) must be released before the substrate proteins can bind we hypothesized that free DafA(Tth) might have regulatory functions connected to the heat shock response. Here, we present evidence that supports this hypothesis. We identified the 70S ribosome as binding target of free DafA(Tth). Our results show that the association of DafA(Tth) and 70S ribosomes does not require the participation of DnaK(Tth) or DnaJ(Tth). On the contrary, the assembly of DnaK(Tth)-DnaJ(Tth)-DafA(Tth) and ribosome-DafA(Tth) complexes seems to be competitive. These findings strongly suggest the involvement of DafA(Tth) in regulatory processes occurring at a translational level, which could represent a new mechanism of heat shock response as an adaptation to elevated temperature.

Nonnucleoside inhibitor binding affects the interactions of the fingers subdomain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase with DNA

Site-directed photoaffinity cross-linking experiments were performed by using human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) mutants with unique cysteine residues at several positions (i.e., positions 65, 67, 70, and 74) in the fingers subdomain of the p66 subunit. Since neither the introduction of the unique cysteine residues into the fingers nor the modification of the SH groups of these residues with photoaffinity cross-linking reagents caused a significant decrease in the enzymatic activities of RT, we were able to use this system to measure distances between specific positions in the fingers domain of RT and double-stranded DNA. HIV-1 RT is quite flexible. There are conformational changes associated with binding of the normal substrates and nonnucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs). Cross-linking was used to monitor intramolecular movements associated with binding of an NNRTI either in the presence or in the absence of an incoming deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP). Binding an incoming dNTP at the polymerase active site decreased the efficiency of cross-linking but caused only modest changes in the preferred positions of cross-linking. This finding suggests that the fingers of p66 are closer to an extended template in the "open" configuration of the enzyme with the fingers away from the active site than in the closed configuration with the fingers in direct contact with the incoming dNTP. NNRTI binding caused increased cross-linking in experiments with diazirine reagents (especially with a diazirine reagent with a longer linker) and a moderate shift in the preferred sites of interaction with the template. Cross-linking occurred closer to the polymerase active site for RTs modified at positions 70 and 74. The effects of NNRTI binding were more pronounced in the absence of a bound dNTP; pretreatment of HIV-1 RT with an NNRTI reduced the effect of dNTP binding. These observations can be explained if the binding of NNRTI causes a decrease in the flexibility in the fingers subdomain of RT-NNRTI complex and a decrease in the distance from the fingers to the template extension.

Monitoring protein modification with allosteric ribozymes

An allosteric ribozyme is an RNA-based enzyme (ribozyme) whose catalytic activity is modulated by molecular recognition of a protein. The direct coupling of a detectable catalytic event to molecular recognition by an allosteric ribozyme enables simple assays for quantitative protein detection. Most significantly, the mode of development and molecular recognition characteristics of allosteric ribozymes are fundamentally different from antibodies, providing them with functional characteristics that complement those of antibodies. Allosteric ribozymes can be developed using native proteins and, therefore, are often sensitive to protein conformation. In contrast, antibodies tend to recognize a series of adjacent amino acids as a consequence of antigen presentation and typically are not sensitive to protein conformation. Unlike antibody development, the development of allosteric ribozymes is a completely in vitro process that allows the specificity of an allosteric ribozyme to be tightly controlled. These significant differences from antibodies allow the pre-programmed development of conformation-state-specific protein detection reagents that can be used to investigate the activation-state of signal transduction components.

Assembly, purification and crystallization of an active HIV-1 reverse transcriptase initiation complex

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) initiates DNA synthesis from the 3' end of human tRNA(Lys3). We have used cis-acting hammerhead ribozymes to produce homogeneous-length transcribed tRNA(Lys3) and have developed conditions for purifying highly structured RNAs on a modified tube-gel apparatus. Titration experiments show that this RNA can assemble into an initiation complex that contains equimolar amounts of HIV-1 RT, transcribed tRNA(Lys3), and chemically synthesized template RNA. We have purified this complex using gel-filtration chromatography and have found that it is homogeneous with respect to molecular weight, demonstrating that the initiation complex forms a single discrete species at micromolar concentrations. When this initiation complex is supplied with deoxynucleotides, essentially all of the tRNA is used as a primer by HIV-1 RT and is fully extended to the 5' end of the template. Thus, in vitro transcribed tRNA can be used efficiently as a primer by HIV-1 RT. We have also obtained crystals of the HIV-1 initiation complex that require the precisely defined ends of this in vitro transcribed tRNA(Lys3) to grow.

Endogenous expression of a high-affinity pseudoknot RNA aptamer suppresses replication of HIV-1

Aptamers, small oligonucleotides derived from an in vitro evolution process called SELEX, are promising therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Although very effective in vitro, only a few examples are available showing their potential in vivo. We have analyzed the effect of a well characterized pseudoknot RNA aptamer selected for tight binding to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 reverse transcriptase on HIV replication. Transient intracellular expression of a chimeric RNA consisting of the human initiator tRNA(Met) (tRNA(Meti))/aptamer sequence in human 293T cells showed inhibition of HIV particle release by >75% when the cells were co-transfected with proviral HIV-1 DNA. Subsequent virus production of human T-lymphoid C8166 cells, infected with viral particles derived from co-transfected 293T cells, was again reduced by >75% as compared with the control. As the observed effects are additive, in this model for virus spread, the total reduction of HIV particle formation by transient intracellular expression of the pseudoknot RNA aptamer amounts to >95%. Low-dose HIV infection of human T cells stably expressing the aptamer did not show any virus replication over a period of 35 days. This is the first example of an RNA aptamer selected against a viral enzyme target to show powerful antiviral activity in HIV-1-permissive human T-lymphoid cell lines.

Potent inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication by template analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors derived by SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment)

RNA aptamers derived by SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) and specific for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) bind at the template-primer cleft with high affinity and inhibit its activity. In order to determine the potential of such template analog RT inhibitors (TRTIs) to inhibit HIV-1 replication, 10 aptamers were expressed with flanking, self-cleaving ribozymes to generate aptamer RNA transcripts with minimal flanking sequences. From these, six aptamers (70.8,13, 70.15, 80.55,65, 70.28, 70.28t34, and 1.1) were selected based on binding constants (K(d)) and the degree of inhibition of RT in vitro (50% inhibitory concentration [IC(50)]). These six aptamers were each stably expressed in 293T cells followed by transfection of a molecular clone of HIV(R3B). Analysis of the virion particles revealed that the aptamers were encapsidated into the virions released and that the packaging of the viral genomic RNA or the cognate primer, tRNA(Lys)(3), was apparently unaffected. Infectivity of virions produced from 293T cell lines expressing the aptamers, as measured by infecting LuSIV reporter cells, was reduced by 90 to 99.5% compared to virions released from cells not expressing any aptamers. PCR analysis of newly made viral DNA upon infection with virions containing any of the three aptamers with the strongest binding affinities (70.8,13, 70.15, and 80.55,65) showed that all three were able to form the minus-strand strong-stop DNA. However, virions with the aptamers 70.8 and 70.15 were defective for first-strand transfer, suggesting an early block in viral reverse transcription. Jurkat T cells expressing each of the three aptamers, when infected with HIV(R3B), completely blocked the spread of HIV in culture. We found that the replication of nucleoside analog RT inhibitor-, nonnucleoside analog RT inhibitor-, and protease inhibitor-resistant viruses was strongly suppressed by the three aptamers. In addition, some of the HIV subtypes were severely inhibited (subtypes A, B, D, E, and F), while others were either moderately inhibited (subtypes C and O) or were naturally resistant to inhibition (chimeric A/D subtype). As virion-encapsidated TRTIs can predispose virions for inhibition immediately upon entry, they should prove to be efficacious agents in gene therapy approaches for AIDS.

Mutations that confer resistance to template-analog inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 reverse transcriptase lead to severe defects in HIV replication

We isolated two template analog reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor-resistant mutants of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 RT by using the DNA aptamer, RT1t49. The mutations associated, N255D or N265D, displayed low-level resistance to RT1t49, while high-level resistance could be observed when both mutations were present (Dbl). Molecular clones of HIV that contained the mutations produced replication-defective virions. All three RT mutants displayed severe processivity defects. Thus, while biochemical resistance to the DNA aptamer RT1t49 can be generated in vitro via multiple mutations, the overlap between the aptamer- and template-primer-binding pockets favors mutations that also affect the RT-template-primer interaction. Therefore, viruses with such mutations are replication defective. Potent inhibition and a built-in mechanism to render aptamer-resistant viruses replication defective make this an attractive class of inhibitors.

Mechanisms of retroviral recombination

Recombination is a major source of genetic variability in retroviruses. Each viral particle contains two single-stranded genomic RNAs. Recombination mostly results from a switch in template between these two RNAs during reverse transcription. Here we emphasize the main mechanisms underlying recombination that are emerging from recent advances in biochemical and cell culture techniques. Increasing evidence supporting the involvement of RNA secondary structures now complements the predominant role classically attributed to enzyme pausing during reverse transcription. Finally, the implications of recombination on the dynamics of emergence of genomic aberrations in retroviruses are discussed.

Conformational analysis of nevirapine, a non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor, based on quantum mechanical calculations

The structure and the conformational behavior of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor, 11-cyclopropyl-5,11dihydro-4-methyl-6H-dipyrido[3,2-b2',3'-e][1,4]diazepin-6-one (nevirapine), is investigated by semiempirical (MNDO, AMI and PM3) method, ab initio at the HF/3-21G and HF/6-31G** levels and density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G** level. The fully optimized structure and rotational potential of the nitrogen and carbon bond in the cyclopropyl ring were examined in detail. A similar geometrical minimum is obtained from all methods which shows an almost identical structure to the geometry of the molecule in the complex structure with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. To get some information on the structure in solution, NMR chemical shift calculations were also performed by a density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G** level, using GIAO approximation. The calculated 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectra for the energy minimum geometry agree well with the experimental results, which indicated that the geometry of nevirapine in solution is very similar to that of the molecule in the inhibition complex. Furthermore, the obtained results are compared to the conformational studies of other non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and reveal a common agreement of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. The specific butterfly-like shape and conformational flexibility within the side chain of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors play an important role inducing conformational change of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase structure and are essential for the association at the inhibition pocket.

Intramers as promising new tools in functional proteomics

Aptamers are valuable tools for studying numerous aspects of biological processes, opening up new experimental opportunities to analyse the function of a wide range of cellular molecules. Functional RNA molecules can be rapidly selected in vitro from complex combinatorial mixtures of different sequences. Recently, it was shown that in vitro selection processes can be automated: the first generation selection robots will soon mean aptamers for several targets can be isolated in parallel within days rather than weeks. Aptamers not only exhibit highly specific molecular recognition properties but are also able to modulate the function of their cognate targets in a highly specific manner by agonistic or antagonistic mechanisms. These properties prompted the development of novel technologies to exploit the use of aptamers to modulate distinct functions of biological targets. Recent controlled expression of aptamers inside cells demonstrated their impressive potential as rapidly generated intracellular inhibitors of biomolecules. Intracellularly applied aptamers are also called 'intramers'. Here we discuss recent developments and strategies for intramer-based technologies that have the potential to greatly facilitate characterisation of unknown protein functions in the context of their natural expression status in vivo. Thus, intramer-based technologies offer many promising applications in functional genomics, proteomics and drug discovery.

Temperature-dependent equilibrium between the open and closed conformation of the p66 subunit of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase revealed by site-directed spin labelling

X-ray crystallographic studies of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase complexed with or without substrates or inhibitors show that the heterodimeric enzyme adopts distinct conformations that differ in the orientation of the so-called thumb subdomain in the large subunit. Site-directed spin labelling of mutated residue positions W24C and K287C is applied here to determine the distances between the fingers and thumb subdomains of liganded and unliganded RT in solution. The inter-spin distances of a DNA/DNA and a pseudoknot RNA complexed reverse transcriptase in solution was found to agree with the respective crystal data of the open and closed conformations. For the unliganded reverse transcriptase a temperature-dependent equilibrium between these two states was observed. The fraction of the closed conformation decreased from 95% at 313 K to 65% at 273 K. The spectral separation between the two structures was facilitated by the use of a perdeuterated ([15)N]nitroxide methane-thiosulfonate spin label.

Protein-RNA recognition

The x-ray structure of the glutamine aminoacyl tRNA synthetase bound to its cognate tRNA(Gln) and ATP was reported by Steitz and co-workers in 1989, providing the first high resolution structure of a protein-RNA complex. Since then, high resolution structures have been reported for RNA complexes with five other tRNA synthetases, the elongation factor Tu, the bacteriophage MS2 coat protein, the human spliceosomal U1A and U2B"-U1A' proteins, and the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein. Although the number of high resolution structures of protein-RNA complexes are rather small, some general themes have begun to emerge regarding the nature and mechanisms of protein-RNA recognition.

New developments in structure determination of pseudoknots

Recently, several high-resolution structures of-RNA pseudoknots have become available. Here we review the progress in this area. The majority of the structures obtained belong to the classical or H-type pseudoknot family. The most complicated pseudoknot structure elucidated so far is the Hepatitis Delta Virus ribozyme, which forms a nested double pseudoknot. In particular, the structure-function relationships of the H-type pseudoknots involved in translational frameshifting have received much attention. All molecules considered show interesting new structural motifs.

HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-pseudoknot RNA aptamer interaction has a binding affinity in the low picomolar range coupled with high specificity

Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is a powerful method for the identification of small oligonucleotides that bind with high affinity and specificity to target proteins. Such DNAs/RNAs are a new class of potential chemotherapeutics that could block the enzymatic activity of pathologically relevant proteins. We have conducted a detailed biochemical study of the interaction of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) with a SELEX-derived pseudoknot RNA aptamer. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of site-directed spin-labeled RT mutants revealed that this aptamer was selected for binding to the "closed" conformation of the enzyme. Kinetic analysis showed that the RNA inhibitor bound to HIV RT in a two-step process, with association rates similar to those described for model DNA/DNA and DNA/RNA substrates. However, the dissociation of the pseudoknot RNA from RT was dramatically slower than observed for model substrates. Equilibrium binding studies revealed an extraordinarily low K(d), of about 25 pm, for the enzyme-aptamer interaction, presumably a consequence of the slow off-rates. Additionally, this pseudoknot aptamer is highly specific for HIV-1 RT, with the closely related HIV-2 enzyme showing a binding affinity close to 4 orders of magnitude lower.

Probing contacts between the ribonuclease H domain of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and nucleic acid by site-specific photocross-linking

Cys(38) and Cys(280) of p66/p51 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) can be converted to Ser without affecting enzyme function. We have exploited this feature to construct and purify "monocysteine" RT derivatives for site-specific modification with the photoactivable cross-linking agent, p-azidophenacyl bromide. Acylation of a unique cysteine residue introduced at the extreme C terminus of the p66 subunit (C(561)) with an azidophenacyl group allowed us to probe contacts between residues C-terminal to alpha-helix E' of the RNase H domain and structurally divergent nucleic acid duplexes. In a binary complex of RT and template-primer, we demonstrate efficient cross-linking to primer nucleotides -21 to -24/-25, and template nucleotides -18 to -21. Cross-linking specificity was confirmed by an analogous evaluation following limited primer extension, where the profile is displaced by the register of DNA synthesis. Finally, contact with a DNA primer hybridized to an isogenic RNA or DNA template indicates subtle alterations in cross-linking specificity, suggesting differences in nucleic acid geometry between duplex DNA and RNA/DNA hybrids at the RNase H domain. These data exemplify how site-specific acylation of HIV-1 RT can be used to provide high resolution structural data to complement crystallographic studies.

The small ribosomal subunit from Thermus thermophilus at 4.5 A resolution: pattern fittings and the identification of a functional site

The electron density map of the small ribosomal subunit from Thermus thermophilus, constructed at 4.5 A resolution, shows the recognizable morphology of this particle, as well as structural features that were interpreted as ribosomal RNA and proteins. Unbiased assignments, carried out by quantitative covalent binding of heavy atom compounds at predetermined sites, led to the localization of the surface of the ribosomal protein S13 at a position compatible with previous assignments, whereas the surface of S11 was localized at a distance of about twice its diameter from the site suggested for its center by neutron scattering. Proteins S5 and S7, whose structures have been determined crystallographically, were visually placed in the map with no alterations in their conformations. Regions suitable to host the fold of protein S15 were detected in several positions, all at a significant distance from the location of this protein in the neutron scattering map. Targeting the 16S RNA region, where mRNA docks to allow the formation of the initiation complex by a mercurated mRNA analog, led to the characterization of its vicinity.

Refined model for primer/template binding by HIV-1 reverse transcriptase: pre-steady-state kinetic analyses of primer/template binding and nucleotide incorporation events distinguish between different binding modes depending on the nature of the nucleic acid substrate

The kinetic mechanism of nucleic acid substrate binding and nucleotide incorporation by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) was analysed using synthetic DNA/DNA and DNA/RNA primer/templates (p/t) without predicted secondary structures in the single-stranded region. Determination of the pre-steady-state kinetics of p/t binding by a combination of stopped-flow and quench flow methods indicate a branched binding mechanism for the HIV-1 RT/nucleic acid interaction. Analysis of p/t-RT association by stopped-flow measurements suggest a three-step binding mode with an initial second-order step followed by two isomerisation steps with rates of about 6 s(-1)and 0.5 s(-1), respectively. Determination of the rate-limiting step of the association process via single turnover, single nucleotide incorporation analysis by quench flow measurements revealed two binding events (the initial second-order step cannot be detected with this experimental set-up) with rates of 4 - 7 s(-1)and 0.4 - 0. 7 s(-1), respectively, indicating that both binding events exist in parallel. Thorough pre-steady-state analysis of single turnover, single nucleotide incorporation kinetics showed that dNTP incorporation occurs with a biphasic exponential burst followed by a linear phase. The exponential burst consists of a fast phase with rates of 20 - 60 s(-1) and a slow phase with rates of 0.5 - 2 s(-1), respectively. The relative distribution of these two burst amplitudes differs significantly depending upon which substrate is used. The DNA/RNA-RT complex shows primarily fast incorporation (>80 %) whereas less than 45 % of the DNA/DNA-RT complex incorporate dNTP rapidly. The same relative distribution of amplitudes concerning the two substrates is also found for the association process of RT and p/t. Analysis of dNTP incorporation of the preformed RT-p/t complex in the presence of a nucleic acid competitor shows no effect on the biphasic burst amplitude, however the linear phase disappears. Here, a refined model of the mechanism of RT-p/t binding is presented which is based on the suggestion that two different RT-p/t complexes are formed, i.e. a productive enzyme/substrate complex which is capable of nucleotide incorporation and a non-productive complex which has to undergo an isomerisation before dNTP incorporation can occur. In addition, binding of RT to its substrate can lead to a dead end complex that is not capable of dNTP incorporation.

Aptamers: An Emerging Class of Molecules That Rival Antibodies in Diagnostics

Antibodies, the most popular class of molecules providing molecular recognition needs for a wide range of applications, have been around for more than three decades. As a result, antibodies have made substantial contributions toward the advancement of diagnostic assays and have become indispensable in most diagnostic tests that are used routinely in clinics today. The development of the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process, however, made possible the isolation of oligonucleotide sequences with the capacity to recognize virtually any class of target molecules with high affinity and specificity. These oligonucleotide sequences, referred to as “aptamers”, are beginning to emerge as a class of molecules that rival antibodies in both therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Aptamers are different from antibodies, yet they mimic properties of antibodies in a variety of diagnostic formats. The demand for diagnostic assays to assist in the management of existing and emerging diseases is increasing, and aptamers could potentially fulfill molecular recognition needs in those assays. Compared with the bellwether antibody technology, aptamer research is still in its infancy, but it is progressing at a fast pace. The potential of aptamers may be realized in the near future in the form of aptamer-based diagnostic products in the market. In such products, aptamers may play a key role either in conjunction with, or in place of, antibodies. It is also likely that existing diagnostic formats may change according to the need to better harness the unique properties of aptamers.

Getting a grip: polymerases and their substrate complexes

Underpinned by a database of more than a dozen different crystal structures, an increasingly complete and coherent picture of polymerase structure and function is emerging. Recently determined structures of DNA and RNA polymerases have revealed some of the molecular features and structural changes governing catalysis, oligomerization, processivity and fidelity. Despite having minimal similarities in sequence and protein topology, the polymerases all display a functionally analogous set of subdomains that bind the primer, template and nucleotide substrates in similar though not identical fashions. The two-metal-ion mechanism for nucleotide incorporation, however, is shared even by nonhomologous polymerases.

Telomerases

Telomerases are RNA-dependent polymerases that catalyse the synthesis of the telomeric DNA at the tips of eukaryotic chromosomes. The recent identification of the catalytic subunit of telomerases from several different species suggests that the core of the telomerase is conserved. The proposed sequence and structural homology between the telomerase catalytic subunit and reverse transcriptases, together with a wealth of genetic and biochemical information, has led to significant advances in our understanding of the mechanism by which telomerases synthesise telomeric DNA.

Minor groove RNA triplex in the crystal structure of a ribosomal frameshifting viral pseudoknot

Many viruses regulate translation of polycistronic mRNA using a -1 ribosomal frameshift induced by an RNA pseudoknot. A pseudoknot has two stems that form a quasi-continuous helix and two connecting loops. A 1.6 A crystal structure of the beet western yellow virus (BWYV) pseudoknot reveals rotation and a bend at the junction of the two stems. A loop base is inserted in the major groove of one stem with quadruple-base interactions. The second loop forms a new minor-groove triplex motif with the other stem, involving 2'-OH and triple-base interactions, as well as sodium ion coordination. Overall, the number of hydrogen bonds stabilizing the tertiary interactions exceeds the number involved in Watson-Crick base pairs. This structure will aid mechanistic analyses of ribosomal frameshifting.