251
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LeBlanc RM, Longhini AP, Le Grice SF, Johnson BA, Dayie TK. Combining asymmetric 13C-labeling and isotopic filter/edit NOESY: a novel strategy for rapid and logical RNA resonance assignment. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:e146. [PMID: 28934505 PMCID: PMC5766159 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2015] [Revised: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although ∼98% of the human genomic output is transcribed as non-protein coding RNA, <2% of the protein data bank structures comprise RNA. This huge structural disparity stems from combined difficulties of crystallizing RNA for X-ray crystallography along with extensive chemical shift overlap and broadened linewidths associated with NMR of RNA. While half of the deposited RNA structures in the PDB were solved by NMR methods, the usefulness of NMR is still limited by the high cost of sample preparation and challenges of resonance assignment. Here we propose a novel strategy for resonance assignment that combines new strategic 13C labeling technologies with filter/edit type NOESY experiments to greatly reduce spectral complexity and crowding. This new strategy allowed us to assign important non-exchangeable resonances of proton and carbon (1', 2', 2, 5, 6 and 8) nuclei using only one sample and <24 h of NMR instrument time for a 27 nt model RNA. The method was further extended to assigning a 6 nt bulge from a 61 nt viral RNA element justifying its use for a wide range RNA chemical shift resonance assignment problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regan M. LeBlanc
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Andrew P. Longhini
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | | | - Bruce A. Johnson
- One Moon Scientific, Inc., Westfield, NJ 07090, USA
- Structural Biology Initiative, Advanced Science Research Center at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Theodore K. Dayie
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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252
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Tolbert M, Morgan CE, Pollum M, Crespo-Hernández CE, Li ML, Brewer G, Tolbert BS. HnRNP A1 Alters the Structure of a Conserved Enterovirus IRES Domain to Stimulate Viral Translation. J Mol Biol 2017; 429:2841-2858. [PMID: 28625847 PMCID: PMC5610934 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Enteroviruses use a type I Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) structure to facilitate protein synthesis and promote genome replication. Type I IRES elements require auxiliary host proteins to organize RNA structure for 40S ribosomal subunit assembly. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 stimulates enterovirus 71 (EV71) translation in part through specific interactions with its stem loop II (SLII) IRES domain. Here, we determined a conjoined NMR-small angle x-ray scattering structure of the EV71 SLII domain and a mutant that significantly attenuates viral replication by abrogating hnRNP A1 interactions. Native SLII adopts a locally compact structure wherein stacking interactions in a conserved 5'-AUAGC-3' bulge preorganize the adjacent helices at nearly orthogonal orientations. Mutating the bulge sequence to 5'-ACCCC-3' ablates base stacking in the loop and globally reorients the SLII structure. Biophysical titrations reveal that the 5'-AUAGC-3' bulge undergoes a conformational change to assemble a functional hnRNP A1-RNA complex. Importantly, IRES mutations that delete the bulge impair viral translation and completely inhibit replication. Thus, this work provides key details into how an EV71 IRES structure adapts to hijack a cellular protein, and it suggests that the SLII domain is a potential target for antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7078 USA
| | - Christopher E Morgan
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7078 USA
| | - Marvin Pollum
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7078 USA
| | | | - Mei-Ling Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, 08854 USA
| | - Gary Brewer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, 08854 USA
| | - Blanton S Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106-7078 USA.
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253
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Ball CB, Solem AC, Meganck RM, Laederach A, Ramos SBV. Impact of RNA structure on ZFP36L2 interaction with luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:1209-1223. [PMID: 28455422 PMCID: PMC5513066 DOI: 10.1261/rna.060467.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
ZFP36L2 (L2) destabilizes AU-rich element (ARE)-containing transcripts and has been implicated in female fertility. We have shown that only one of three putative AREs within the 3' UTR of murine luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA, ARE2197 (UAUUUAU), is capable of interacting with L2. To assess whether structural elements of ARE2197 could explain this unique binding ability, we performed whole-transcript SHAPE-MaP (selective 2' hydroxyl acylation by primer extension-mutational profiling) of the full-length mLHR mRNA. The data revealed that the functional ARE2197 is located in a hairpin loop structure and most nucleotides are highly reactive. In contrast, each of the nonbinding AREs, 2301 and 2444, contains only a pentamer AUUUA; and in ARE2301 much of the ARE sequence is poorly accessible. Because the functional mARE was also found to be conserved in humans at the sequence level (ARE 2223), we decided to investigate whether binding and structure are also preserved. Similar to mouse, only one ARE in hLHR mRNA is capable of binding to L2; and it is also located in a hairpin structure, based on our SHAPE-MaP data. To investigate the role of secondary structure in the binding, we mutated specific nucleotides in both functional AREs. Mutations in the flexible stem region proximal to the loop that enforce strong base-pairing, drastically reduced L2 binding affinity; this confirms that the structural context is critical for L2 recognition of hARE2223. Collectively, our results suggest that a combination of minimal ARE sequence, placement of the ARE in a hairpin loop, and stem flexibility mediate high-affinity L2 binding to hLHR mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Ball
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Amanda C Solem
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Rita M Meganck
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Alain Laederach
- Biology Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Silvia B V Ramos
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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254
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Chetnani B, Mondragón A. Molecular envelope and atomic model of an anti-terminated glyQS T-box regulator in complex with tRNAGly. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:8079-8090. [PMID: 28531275 PMCID: PMC5570125 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
A T-box regulator or riboswitch actively monitors the levels of charged/uncharged tRNA and participates in amino acid homeostasis by regulating genes involved in their utilization or biosynthesis. It has an aptamer domain for cognate tRNA recognition and an expression platform to sense the charge state and modulate gene expression. These two conserved domains are connected by a variable linker that harbors additional secondary structural elements, such as Stem III. The structural basis for specific tRNA binding is known, but the structural basis for charge sensing and the role of other elements remains elusive. To gain new structural insights on the T-box mechanism, a molecular envelope was calculated from small angle X-ray scattering data for the Bacillus subtilis glyQS T-box riboswitch in complex with an uncharged tRNAGly. A structural model of an anti-terminated glyQS T-box in complex with its cognate tRNAGly was derived based on the molecular envelope. It shows the location and relative orientation of various secondary structural elements. The model was validated by comparing the envelopes of the wild-type complex and two variants. The structural model suggests that in addition to a possible regulatory role, Stem III could aid in preferential stabilization of the T-box anti-terminated state allowing read-through of regulated genes.
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MESH Headings
- Bacillus subtilis/genetics
- Bacillus subtilis/metabolism
- Base Sequence
- Models, Molecular
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- RNA, Bacterial/chemistry
- RNA, Bacterial/genetics
- RNA, Bacterial/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Gly/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Gly/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Gly/metabolism
- Riboswitch/genetics
- Scattering, Small Angle
- X-Ray Diffraction
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhaskar Chetnani
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Alfonso Mondragón
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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255
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Chen T, Romesberg FE. Polymerase Chain Transcription: Exponential Synthesis of RNA and Modified RNA. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:9949-9954. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b03981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tingjian Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Floyd E. Romesberg
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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256
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RNA structure refinement using NMR solvent accessibility data. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5393. [PMID: 28710477 PMCID: PMC5511288 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05821-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
NMR spectroscopy is a powerful technique to study ribonucleic acids (RNAs) which are key players in a plethora of cellular processes. Although the NMR toolbox for structural studies of RNAs expanded during the last decades, they often remain challenging. Here, we show that solvent paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (sPRE) induced by the soluble, paramagnetic compound Gd(DTPA-BMA) provide a quantitative measure for RNA solvent accessibility and encode distance-to-surface information that correlates well with RNA structure and improves accuracy and convergence of RNA structure determination. Moreover, we show that sPRE data can be easily obtained for RNAs with any isotope labeling scheme and is advantageous regarding sample preparation, stability and recovery. sPRE data show a large dynamic range and reflect the global fold of the RNA suggesting that they are well suited to identify interaction surfaces, to score structural models and as restraints in RNA structure determination.
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257
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Sun G, Riggs AD. A Simple and Cost-Effective Approach for In Vitro Production of Sliced siRNAs as Potent Triggers for RNAi. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2017; 8:345-355. [PMID: 28918034 PMCID: PMC5537206 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We have studied the molecular properties of in-vitro-transcribed sliced small interfering RNAs (tsli-siRNAs) as an alternative RNAi agent for chemically synthesized siRNA. We describe here a simple and cost-effective procedure for high-purity production of tsli-siRNA using bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerases. tsli-siRNAs exhibit potent gene knockdown effects, with efficacy comparable with that of chemically synthesized sli-siRNAs and classical siRNAs. Furthermore, we found that it is very easy to prepare potent tsli-siRNAs with modified bases, such as 2′-fluorine- or biotin-16-modified tsli-siRNAs. tsli-siRNAs can cause a mild innate immune response, which can be easily eliminated by alkaline phosphatase treatment. On the other hand, this feature, which can be useful as a trigger of the innate immune response, can be enhanced by polynucleotide kinase treatment. Because of the simplicity of preparation and purification, the procedure presented here could be useful for the production of RNAi or immunostimulatory reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guihua Sun
- Department of Diabetes Complications & Metabolism, Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
| | - Arthur D Riggs
- Department of Diabetes Complications & Metabolism, Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 E. Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
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258
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Kawarada L, Suzuki T, Ohira T, Hirata S, Miyauchi K, Suzuki T. ALKBH1 is an RNA dioxygenase responsible for cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNA modifications. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:7401-7415. [PMID: 28472312 PMCID: PMC5499545 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ALKBH1 is a 2-oxoglutarate- and Fe2+-dependent dioxygenase responsible for multiple cellular functions. Here, we show that ALKBH1 is involved in biogenesis of 5-hydroxymethyl-2΄-O-methylcytidine (hm5Cm) and 5-formyl-2΄-O-methylcytidine (f5Cm) at the first position (position 34) of anticodon in cytoplasmic tRNALeu, as well as f5C at the same position in mitochondrial tRNAMet. Because f5C34 of mitochondrial tRNAMet is essential for translation of AUA, a non-universal codon in mammalian mitochondria, ALKBH1-knockout cells exhibited a strong reduction in mitochondrial translation and reduced respiratory complex activities, indicating that f5C34 formation mediated by ALKBH1 is required for efficient mitochondrial functions. We reconstituted formation of f5C34 on mitochondrial tRNAMetin vitro, and found that ALKBH1 first hydroxylated m5C34 to form hm5C34, and then oxidized hm5C34 to form f5C34. Moreover, we found that the frequency of 1-methyladenosine (m1A) in two mitochondrial tRNAs increased in ALKBH1-knockout cells, indicating that ALKBH1 also has demethylation activity toward m1A in mt-tRNAs. Based on these results, we conclude that nuclear and mitochondrial ALKBH1 play distinct roles in tRNA modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Kawarada
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takeo Suzuki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohira
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shoji Hirata
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kenjyo Miyauchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Suzuki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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259
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Abbott JA, Guth E, Kim C, Regan C, Siu VM, Rupar CA, Demeler B, Francklyn CS, Robey-Bond SM. The Usher Syndrome Type IIIB Histidyl-tRNA Synthetase Mutation Confers Temperature Sensitivity. Biochemistry 2017. [PMID: 28632987 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Histidyl-tRNA synthetase (HARS) is a highly conserved translation factor that plays an essential role in protein synthesis. HARS has been implicated in the human syndromes Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Type 2W and Type IIIB Usher (USH3B). The USH3B mutation, which encodes a Y454S substitution in HARS, is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion and associated with childhood deafness, blindness, and episodic hallucinations during acute illness. The biochemical basis of the pathophysiologies linked to USH3B is currently unknown. Here, we present a detailed functional comparison of wild-type (WT) and Y454S HARS enzymes. Kinetic parameters for enzymes and canonical substrates were determined using both steady state and rapid kinetics. Enzyme stability was examined using differential scanning fluorimetry. Finally, enzyme functionality in a primary cell culture was assessed. Our results demonstrate that the Y454S substitution leaves HARS amino acid activation, aminoacylation, and tRNAHis binding functions largely intact compared with those of WT HARS, and the mutant enzyme dimerizes like the wild type does. Interestingly, during our investigation, it was revealed that the kinetics of amino acid activation differs from that of the previously characterized bacterial HisRS. Despite the similar kinetics, differential scanning fluorimetry revealed that Y454S is less thermally stable than WT HARS, and cells from Y454S patients grown at elevated temperatures demonstrate diminished levels of protein synthesis compared to those of WT cells. The thermal sensitivity associated with the Y454S mutation represents a biochemical basis for understanding USH3B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie A Abbott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont , Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
| | - Ethan Guth
- Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, Norwich University , Northfield, Vermont 05663, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Borries Demeler
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
| | - Christopher S Francklyn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont , Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
| | - Susan M Robey-Bond
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont , Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States
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260
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Shi W, Gong P. A practical approach to generate suitable de novo synthesis RNA template for a flavivirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Virol Sin 2017. [PMID: 28646484 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-017-4003-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Peng Gong
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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261
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Applications of NMR to structure determination of RNAs large and small. Arch Biochem Biophys 2017; 628:42-56. [PMID: 28600200 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool to investigate the structure and dynamics of RNA, because many biologically important RNAs have conformationally flexible structures, which makes them difficult to crystallize. Functional, independently folded RNA domains, range in size between simple stem-loops of as few as 10-20 nucleotides, to 50-70 nucleotides, the size of tRNA and many small ribozymes, to a few hundred nucleotides, the size of more complex RNA enzymes and of the functional domains of non-coding transcripts. In this review, we discuss new methods for sample preparation, assignment strategies and structure determination for independently folded RNA domains of up to 100 kDa in molecular weight.
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262
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Abstract
Poly(A) tails are found at the 3' end of almost every eukaryotic mRNA and are important for the stability of mRNAs and their translation into proteins. Thus, removal of the poly(A) tail, a process called deadenylation, is critical for regulation of gene expression. Most deadenylation enzymes are components of large multi-protein complexes. Here, we describe an in vitro deadenylation assay developed to study the exonucleolytic activities of the multi-protein Ccr4-Not and Pan2-Pan3 complexes. We discuss how this assay can be used with short synthetic RNAs, as well as longer RNA substrates generated using in vitro transcription. Importantly, quantitation of the reactions allows detailed analyses of deadenylation in the presence and absence of accessory factors, leading to new insights into targeted mRNA decay.
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263
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Pei S, Slinger BL, Meyer MM. Recognizing RNA structural motifs in HT-SELEX data for ribosomal protein S15. BMC Bioinformatics 2017; 18:298. [PMID: 28587636 PMCID: PMC5461778 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-017-1704-y] [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] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proteins recognize many different aspects of RNA ranging from single stranded regions to discrete secondary or tertiary structures. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) of in vitro selected populations offers a large scale method to study RNA-proteins interactions. However, most existing analysis methods require that the binding motifs are enriched in the population relative to earlier rounds, and that motifs are found in a loop or single stranded region of the potential RNA secondary structure. Such methods do not generalize to all RNA-protein interaction as some RNA binding proteins specifically recognize more complex structures such as double stranded RNA. RESULTS In this study, we use HT-SELEX derived populations to study the landscape of RNAs that interact with Geobacillus kaustophilus ribosomal protein S15. Our data show high sequence and structure diversity and proved intractable to existing methods. Conventional programs identified some sequence motifs, but these are found in less than 5-10% of the total sequence pool. Therefore, we developed a novel framework to analyze HT-SELEX data. Our process accounts for both sequence and structure components by abstracting the overall secondary structure into smaller substructures composed of a single base-pair stack, which allows us to leverage existing approaches already used in k-mer analysis to identify enriched motifs. By focusing on secondary structure motifs composed of specific two base-pair stacks, we identified significantly enriched or depleted structure motifs relative to earlier rounds. CONCLUSIONS Discrete substructures are likely to be important to RNA-protein interactions, but they are difficult to elucidate. Substructures can help make highly diverse sequence data more tractable. The structure motifs provide limited accuracy in predicting enrichment suggesting that G. kaustophilus S15 can either recognize many different secondary structure motifs or some aspects of the interaction are not captured by the analysis. This highlights the importance of considering secondary and tertiary structure elements and their role in RNA-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shermin Pei
- Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., 02467, Chestnut Hill, USA
| | - Betty L Slinger
- Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., 02467, Chestnut Hill, USA
| | - Michelle M Meyer
- Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., 02467, Chestnut Hill, USA.
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264
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van Roon AMM, Oubridge C, Obayashi E, Sposito B, Newman AJ, Séraphin B, Nagai K. Crystal structure of U2 snRNP SF3b components: Hsh49p in complex with Cus1p-binding domain. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:968-981. [PMID: 28348170 PMCID: PMC5435868 DOI: 10.1261/rna.059378.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Spliceosomal proteins Hsh49p and Cus1p are components of SF3b, which together with SF3a, Msl1p/Lea1p, Sm proteins, and U2 snRNA, form U2 snRNP, which plays a crucial role in pre-mRNA splicing. Hsh49p, comprising two RRMs, forms a heterodimer with Cus1p. We determined the crystal structures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae full-length Hsh49p as well as its RRM1 in complex with a minimal binding region of Cus1p (residues 290-368). The structures show that the Cus1 fragment binds to the α-helical surface of Hsh49p RRM1, opposite the four-stranded β-sheet, leaving the canonical RNA-binding surface available to bind RNA. Hsh49p binds the 5' end region of U2 snRNA via RRM1. Its affinity is increased in complex with Cus1(290-368)p, partly because an extended RNA-binding surface forms across the protein-protein interface. The Hsh49p RRM1-Cus1(290-368)p structure fits well into cryo-EM density of the Bact spliceosome, corroborating the biological relevance of our crystal structure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris Oubridge
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Eiji Obayashi
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Benedetta Sposito
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Newman
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Bertrand Séraphin
- Equipe Labellisée La Ligue, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104/Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U964/Université de Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France
| | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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265
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Abstract
Reverse genetics allows introduction of specific alterations into a viral genome. Studies performed with mutant viruses generated using reverse genetics approaches have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of viral replication and pathogenesis, and also have led to development of novel vaccines and virus-based vectors. Here, we describe the reverse genetics system that allows for production and recovery of mammalian orthoreovirus, a double-stranded (ds) RNA virus, from plasmids that encode the viral genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnasha D Stuart
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Matthew B Phillips
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA
| | - Karl W Boehme
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, 72205, USA.
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266
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Chang AT, Tran M, Nikonowicz EP. Structure and Dynamics of the Tetra-A Loop and (A-A)-U Sequence Motif within the Coliphage GA Replicase RNA Operator. Biochemistry 2017; 56:2690-2700. [PMID: 28488852 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The three-dimensional structure of a RNA hairpin containing the RNA operator binding site for bacteriophage GA coat protein is presented. The phage GA operator contains the asymmetric (A-A)-U sequence motif and is capped by a four-adenine (tetra-A) loop. The uridine of the (A-A)-U motif preferentially pairs with the 5'-proximal cross-strand adenine, and the 3'-proximal adenine stacks into the helix. The tetra-A loop is well-ordered with adenine residues 2-4 forming a 3' stack. This loop conformation stands in contrast to the structure of the 5'-AUUA loop of the related phage MS2 operator in which residues 1 and 2 form a 5' stack. The context dependence of the (A-A)-U sequence motif conformation was examined using structures of 76 unique occurrences from the Protein Data Bank. The motif almost always has one adenine bulged and the other adenine adopting an A-U base pair. In the case in which the (A-A)-U motif is flanked by only one Watson-Crick base pair, the adenine adjacent to the flanking base pair tends to bulge; 80% of motifs with a 3' flanking pair have a 3' bulged adenine, and 84% of motifs with a 5' flanking pair have a 5' bulged adenine. The frequencies of 3'- and 5'-proximal adenines bulging are 33 and 67%, respectively, when the (A-A)-U motif is flanked by base pairs on both sides. Although a 3' flanking cytidine correlates (88%) with bulging of the 5'-proximal adenine, no strict dependence on flanking nucleotide identity was identified for the 5' side.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Chang
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77251-1892, United States
| | - Michelle Tran
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77251-1892, United States
| | - Edward P Nikonowicz
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University , Houston, Texas 77251-1892, United States
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267
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Affiliation(s)
- Masato Ikeda
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193
- United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193
- Center for Highly Advanced Integration of Nano and Life Sciences, Gifu University (G-CHAIN), Gifu 501-1193
| | - Marina Kabumoto
- United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193
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268
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Eggert F, Kulikov K, Domnick C, Leifels P, Kath-Schorr S. Iluminated by foreign letters - Strategies for site-specific cyclopropene modification of large functional RNAs via in vitro transcription. Methods 2017; 120:17-27. [PMID: 28454775 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The synthesis of sequence-specifically modified long RNA molecules, which cannot entirely be prepared via solid phase synthesis methods is experimentally challenging. We are using a new approach based on an expanded genetic alphabet preparing site-specifically modified RNA molecules via standard in vitro transcription. In this report, the site-specific labeling of functional RNAs, in particular ribozymes and a long non-coding RNA with cyclopropene moieties, is presented. We provide detailed instructions for RNA labeling via in vitro transcription and include required analytical methods to verify production and identity of the transcript. We further present post-transcriptional inverse electron demand Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions on the cyclopropene-modified sequences and discuss applications of the genetic alphabet expansion transcription for in vitro preparation of labeled functional RNAs with complex foldings. In detail, the glmS and CPEB3 ribozymes were site-specifically decorated with methyl cyclopropene moieties using the unnatural TPT3CP triphosphate and were proven to be still functional. In addition, the structurally complex A region of the Xist lncRNA (401nt) was site-specifically modified with methyl cyclopropene and detected by fluorescence after cycloaddition reaction with a tetrazine-BODIPY conjugate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Eggert
- LIMES Institute, Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katharina Kulikov
- LIMES Institute, Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christof Domnick
- LIMES Institute, Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Philipp Leifels
- LIMES Institute, Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kath-Schorr
- LIMES Institute, Chemical Biology & Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany.
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269
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Dorn G, Leitner A, Boudet J, Campagne S, von Schroetter C, Moursy A, Aebersold R, Allain FHT. Structural modeling of protein-RNA complexes using crosslinking of segmentally isotope-labeled RNA and MS/MS. Nat Methods 2017; 14:487-490. [PMID: 28346450 PMCID: PMC5505470 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.4235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are key regulators of cellular function. We established an efficient approach that combines segmental isotope labeling of RNA with photo-crosslinking and tandem mass spectrometry to localize protein-RNA interactions simultaneously at amino acid and nucleotide resolution. The approach was tested on Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein 1 and U1 small nuclear RNP and the results support integrative atomic-scale structural modeling thus providing mechanistic insights into RNP regulated processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Dorn
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - A Leitner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - J Boudet
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - S Campagne
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - C von Schroetter
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - A Moursy
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - R Aebersold
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - F H-T Allain
- Department of Biology, Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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270
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Bingaman JL, Messina KJ, Bevilacqua PC. Probing fast ribozyme reactions under biological conditions with rapid quench-flow kinetics. Methods 2017; 120:125-134. [PMID: 28315484 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Reaction kinetics on the millisecond timescale pervade the protein and RNA fields. To study such reactions, investigators often perturb the system with abiological solution conditions or substrates in order to slow the rate to timescales accessible by hand mixing; however, such perturbations can change the rate-limiting step and obscure key folding and chemical steps that are found under biological conditions. Mechanical methods for collecting data on the millisecond timescale, which allow these perturbations to be avoided, have been developed over the last few decades. These methods are relatively simple and can be conducted on affordable and commercially available instruments. Here, we focus on using the rapid quench-flow technique to study the fast reaction kinetics of RNA enzymes, or ribozymes, which often react on the millisecond timescale under biological conditions. Rapid quench of ribozymes is completely parallel to the familiar hand-mixing approach, including the use of radiolabeled RNAs and fractionation of reactions on polyacrylamide gels. We provide tips on addressing and preventing common problems that can arise with the rapid-quench technique. Guidance is also offered on ensuring the ribozyme is properly folded and fast-reacting. We hope that this article will facilitate the broader use of rapid-quench instrumentation to study fast-reacting ribozymes under biological reaction conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L Bingaman
- Department of Chemistry and Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
| | - Kyle J Messina
- Department of Chemistry and Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Philip C Bevilacqua
- Department of Chemistry and Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
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271
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Todd GC, Duchon A, Inlora J, Olson ED, Musier-Forsyth K, Ono A. Inhibition of HIV-1 Gag-membrane interactions by specific RNAs. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:395-405. [PMID: 27932583 PMCID: PMC5311501 DOI: 10.1261/rna.058453.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 particle assembly, which occurs at the plasma membrane (PM) of cells, is driven by the viral polyprotein Gag. Gag recognizes phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2], a PM-specific phospholipid, via the highly basic region (HBR) in its N-terminal matrix (MA) domain. The HBR is also known to bind to RNA. We have previously shown, using an in vitro liposome binding assay, that RNA inhibits Gag binding to membranes that lack PI(4,5)P2 If this RNA block is removed by RNase treatment, Gag can bind nonspecifically to other negatively charged membranes. In an effort to identify the RNA species that confer this inhibition of Gag membrane binding, we have tested the impact of purified RNAs on Gag interactions with negatively charged liposomes lacking PI(4,5)P2 We found that some tRNA species and RNAs containing stem-loop 1 of the psi region in the 5' untranslated region of the HIV-1 genome impose inhibition of Gag binding to membranes lacking PI(4,5)P2 In contrast, a specific subset of tRNAs, as well as an RNA sequence previously selected in vitro for MA binding, failed to suppress Gag-membrane interactions. Furthermore, switching the identity of charged residues in the HBR did not diminish the susceptibility of Gag-liposome binding for each of the RNAs tested, while deletion of most of the NC domain abrogates the inhibition of membrane binding mediated by the RNAs that are inhibitory to WT Gag-liposome binding. These results support a model in which NC facilitates binding of RNA to MA and thereby promotes RNA-based inhibition of Gag-membrane binding.
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MESH Headings
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/chemical synthesis
- Aptamers, Nucleotide/pharmacology
- Base Pairing
- Base Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Cell Membrane/chemistry
- Cell Membrane/drug effects
- Cell Membrane/metabolism
- Cloning, Molecular
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- HIV-1/chemistry
- Humans
- Liposomes/antagonists & inhibitors
- Liposomes/chemistry
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate/chemistry
- Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate/deficiency
- Protein Binding/drug effects
- RNA, Transfer/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer/pharmacology
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/chemistry
- Static Electricity
- gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/antagonists & inhibitors
- gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/chemistry
- gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics
- gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle C Todd
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Alice Duchon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology, and Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Jingga Inlora
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Erik D Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology, and Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology, and Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Akira Ono
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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272
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Cantara WA, Hatterschide J, Wu W, Musier-Forsyth K. RiboCAT: a new capillary electrophoresis data analysis tool for nucleic acid probing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:240-249. [PMID: 27821510 PMCID: PMC5238798 DOI: 10.1261/rna.058404.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Chemical and enzymatic probing of RNA secondary structure and RNA/protein interactions provides the basis for understanding the functions of structured RNAs. However, the ability to rapidly perform such experiments using capillary electrophoresis has been hampered by relatively labor-intensive data analysis software. While these computationally robust programs have been shown to calculate residue-specific reactivities to a high degree of accuracy, they often require time-consuming manual intervention and lack the ability to be easily modified by users. To alleviate these issues, RiboCAT (Ribonucleic acid capillary-electrophoresis analysis tool) was developed as a user-friendly, Microsoft Excel-based tool that reduces the need for manual intervention, thereby significantly shortening the time required for data analysis. Features of this tool include (i) the use of an Excel platform, (ii) a method of intercapillary signal alignment using internal size standards, (iii) a peak-sharpening algorithm to more accurately identify peaks, and (iv) an open architecture allowing for simple user intervention. Furthermore, a complementary tool, RiboDOG (RiboCAT data output generator) was designed to facilitate the comparison of multiple data sets, highlighting potential inconsistencies and inaccuracies that may have occurred during analysis. Using these new tools, the secondary structure of the HIV-1 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) was determined using selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE), matching the results of previous work.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Cantara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Joshua Hatterschide
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Weixin Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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273
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Li Y, Fin A, McCoy L, Tor Y. Polymerase-Mediated Site-Specific Incorporation of a Synthetic Fluorescent Isomorphic G Surrogate into RNA. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:1303-1307. [PMID: 28000329 PMCID: PMC5241218 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201609327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
An enzyme-mediated approach for the assembly of singly modified RNA constructs in which specific G residues are replaced with th G, an emissive isomorphic G surrogate, is reported. Transcription in the presence of th G and native nucleoside triphosphates enforces initiation with the unnatural analogue, yielding 5'-end modified transcripts that can be mono-phosphorylated and ligated to provide longer site-specifically modified RNA constructs. The scope of this unprecedented enzymatic approach to non-canonical purine-containing RNAs is explored via the assembly of several altered hammerhead (HH) ribozymes and a singly modified HH substrate. By strategically modifying key positions, a mechanistic insight into the ribozyme-mediated cleavage is gained. Additionally, the emissive features of the modified nucleoside and its responsiveness to environmental changes can be used to monitor cleavage in real time by steady state fluorescence spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0358, USA
| | - Andrea Fin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0358, USA
| | - Lisa McCoy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0358, USA
| | - Yitzhak Tor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0358, USA
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274
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Cantara WA, Olson ED, Musier-Forsyth K. Analysis of RNA structure using small-angle X-ray scattering. Methods 2017; 113:46-55. [PMID: 27777026 PMCID: PMC5253320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to their role in correctly attaching specific amino acids to cognate tRNAs, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS) have been found to possess many alternative functions and often bind to and act on other nucleic acids. In contrast to the well-defined 3D structure of tRNA, the structures of many of the other RNAs recognized by aaRSs have not been solved. Despite advances in the use of X-ray crystallography (XRC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) for structural characterization of biomolecules, significant challenges to solving RNA structures still exist. Recently, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has been increasingly employed to characterize the 3D structures of RNAs and RNA-protein complexes. SAXS is capable of providing low-resolution tertiary structure information under physiological conditions and with less intensive sample preparation and data analysis requirements than XRC, NMR and cryo-EM. In this article, we describe best practices involved in the process of RNA and RNA-protein sample preparation, SAXS data collection, data analysis, and structural model building.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Cantara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Erik D Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States.
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275
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Design and Experimental Evolution of trans-Splicing Group I Intron Ribozymes. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22010075. [PMID: 28045452 PMCID: PMC6155759 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Group I intron ribozymes occur naturally as cis-splicing ribozymes, in the form of introns that do not require the spliceosome for their removal. Instead, they catalyze two consecutive trans-phosphorylation reactions to remove themselves from a primary transcript, and join the two flanking exons. Designed, trans-splicing variants of these ribozymes replace the 3′-portion of a substrate with the ribozyme’s 3′-exon, replace the 5′-portion with the ribozyme’s 5′-exon, or insert/remove an internal sequence of the substrate. Two of these designs have been evolved experimentally in cells, leading to variants of group I intron ribozymes that splice more efficiently, recruit a cellular protein to modify the substrate’s gene expression, or elucidate evolutionary pathways of ribozymes in cells. Some of the artificial, trans-splicing ribozymes are promising as tools in therapy, and as model systems for RNA evolution in cells. This review provides an overview of the different types of trans-splicing group I intron ribozymes that have been generated, and the experimental evolution systems that have been used to improve them.
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276
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Abstract
The approval of clinical trials by the competent authorities requires comprehensive quality documentation on the new drug to be used on the clinical trial participant. In the EU quality data is summarized as Investigational Medicinal Product Dossier (IMPD), in the USA as Investigational New Drug (IND) Application. For that, several preconditions concerning production, quality control, and assurance have to be fulfilled. Here, specific requirements related to mRNA vaccines are addressed on the basis of European standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Schmid
- University of Applied Sciences Albstadt-Sigmaringen, Anton-Günther-Str. 51, 72488, Sigmaringen, Germany.
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277
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Xiao SJ. Assembling RNA Nanoparticles. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1500:81-96. [PMID: 27813002 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6454-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
RNA nanoparticles are designed and self-assembled according to noncanonical interactions of naturally conserved RNA motifs and/or canonical Watson-Crick base-pairing interactions, which have potential applications in gene therapy and nanomedicine. These artificially engineered nanoparticles are mainly synthesized from in vitro transcribed RNAs, purified by denaturing and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and characterized with native PAGE, AFM, and TEM technologies. The protocols of in vitro transcription, denaturing and native PAGE, and RNA nanoparticle self-assembly are described in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shou-Jun Xiao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
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278
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Kireeva ML, Afonin KA, Shapiro BA, Kashlev M. Cotranscriptional Production of Chemically Modified RNA Nanoparticles. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1632:91-105. [PMID: 28730434 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7138-1_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
RNA nanoparticles consisting of multiple RNA strands of different sequences forming various three-dimensional structures emerge as promising carriers of siRNAs, RNA aptamers, and ribozymes. In vitro transcription of a mixture of dsDNA templates encoding all the subunits of the RNA nanoparticle may result in cotranscriptional self-assembly of the nanoparticle. Based on our experience with production of RNA nanorings, RNA nanocubes, and RNA three-way junctions, we propose a strategy for optimization of the cotranscriptional production of chemically modified ribonuclease-resistant RNA nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Kireeva
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC, USA
- The Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Bruce A Shapiro
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- RNA Structure and Design Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Mikhail Kashlev
- RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
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279
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Stanton MG, Murphy-Benenato KE. Messenger RNA as a Novel Therapeutic Approach. TOPICS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/7355_2016_30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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280
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Veerareddygari GR, Mueller EG. Kinetic Isotope Effect Studies to Elucidate the Reaction Mechanism of RNA-Modifying Enzymes. Methods Enzymol 2017; 596:523-546. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2017.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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281
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Zakrevsky P, Parlea L, Viard M, Bindewald E, Afonin KA, Shapiro BA. Preparation of a Conditional RNA Switch. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1632:303-324. [PMID: 28730448 PMCID: PMC10802921 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7138-1_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
RNA has gained great interest for use in biomedical and therapeutic applications. This is due in part to RNA's ability to perform multiple functions, including the regulation of endogenously expressed genes. However, the ability of RNA based drugs to distinguish target diseased cells from healthy tissue remains challenging. Here we present methods for the production of a recently developed conditional RNA switch that releases a Dicer substrate RNA in response to interaction with a specific RNA biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Zakrevsky
- RNA Structure and Design Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Lorena Parlea
- RNA Structure and Design Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Mathias Viard
- RNA Structure and Design Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Eckart Bindewald
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
- The Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, 28223, USA
| | - Bruce A Shapiro
- RNA Structure and Design Section, RNA Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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282
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Post K, Olson ED, Naufer MN, Gorelick RJ, Rouzina I, Williams MC, Musier-Forsyth K, Levin JG. Mechanistic differences between HIV-1 and SIV nucleocapsid proteins and cross-species HIV-1 genomic RNA recognition. Retrovirology 2016; 13:89. [PMID: 28034301 PMCID: PMC5198506 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-016-0322-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The nucleocapsid (NC) domain of HIV-1 Gag is responsible for specific recognition and packaging of genomic RNA (gRNA) into new viral particles. This occurs through specific interactions between the Gag NC domain and the Psi packaging signal in gRNA. In addition to this critical function, NC proteins are also nucleic acid (NA) chaperone proteins that facilitate NA rearrangements during reverse transcription. Although the interaction with Psi and chaperone activity of HIV-1 NC have been well characterized in vitro, little is known about simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) NC. Non-human primates are frequently used as a platform to study retroviral infection in vivo; thus, it is important to understand underlying mechanistic differences between HIV-1 and SIV NC. RESULTS Here, we characterize SIV NC chaperone activity for the first time. Only modest differences are observed in the ability of SIV NC to facilitate reactions that mimic the minus-strand annealing and transfer steps of reverse transcription relative to HIV-1 NC, with the latter displaying slightly higher strand transfer and annealing rates. Quantitative single molecule DNA stretching studies and dynamic light scattering experiments reveal that these differences are due to significantly increased DNA compaction energy and higher aggregation capability of HIV-1 NC relative to the SIV protein. Using salt-titration binding assays, we find that both proteins are strikingly similar in their ability to specifically interact with HIV-1 Psi RNA. In contrast, they do not demonstrate specific binding to an RNA derived from the putative SIV packaging signal. CONCLUSIONS Based on these studies, we conclude that (1) HIV-1 NC is a slightly more efficient NA chaperone protein than SIV NC, (2) mechanistic differences between the NA interactions of highly similar retroviral NC proteins are revealed by quantitative single molecule DNA stretching, and (3) SIV NC demonstrates cross-species recognition of the HIV-1 Psi RNA packaging signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klara Post
- Section on Viral Gene Regulation, Program in Genomics of Differentiation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-2780 USA
| | - Erik D. Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - M. Nabuan Naufer
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Robert J. Gorelick
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702-1201 USA
| | - Ioulia Rouzina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Mark C. Williams
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for Retrovirus Research, and Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
| | - Judith G. Levin
- Section on Viral Gene Regulation, Program in Genomics of Differentiation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-2780 USA
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283
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Li Y, Fin A, McCoy L, Tor Y. Polymerase‐Mediated Site‐Specific Incorporation of a Synthetic Fluorescent Isomorphic G Surrogate into RNA. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201609327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0358 USA
| | - Andrea Fin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0358 USA
| | - Lisa McCoy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0358 USA
| | - Yitzhak Tor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California, San Diego 9500 Gilman Drive La Jolla CA 92093-0358 USA
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284
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Fitzsimmons CM, Fujimori DG. Determinants of tRNA Recognition by the Radical SAM Enzyme RlmN. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167298. [PMID: 27902775 PMCID: PMC5130265 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
RlmN, a bacterial radical SAM methylating enzyme, has the unusual ability to modify two distinct types of RNA: 23S rRNA and tRNA. In rRNA, RlmN installs a methyl group at the C2 position of A2503 of 23S rRNA, while in tRNA the modification occurs at nucleotide A37, immediately adjacent to the anticodon triplet. Intriguingly, only a subset of tRNAs that contain an adenosine at position 37 are substrates for RlmN, suggesting that the enzyme carefully probes the highly conserved tRNA fold and sequence features to identify its targets. Over the past several years, multiple studies have addressed rRNA modification by RlmN, while relatively few investigations have focused on the ability of this enzyme to modify tRNAs. In this study, we utilized in vitro transcribed tRNAs as model substrates to interrogate RNA recognition by RlmN. Using chimeras and point mutations, we probed how the structure and sequence of RNA influences methylation, identifying position 38 of tRNAs as a critical determinant of substrate recognition. We further demonstrate that, analogous to previous mechanistic studies with fragments of 23S rRNA, tRNA methylation requirements are consistent with radical SAM reactivity. Together, our findings provide detailed insight into tRNA recognition by a radical SAM methylating enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Fitzsimmons
- Chemistry and Chemical Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Danica Galonić Fujimori
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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285
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Chen YC, Wang CW, Lee JD, Chen PC, Chang HT. Control of the Fluorescence of DNA-templated Silver Nanoclusters by Adenosine Triphosphate and Mercury(II). J CHIN CHEM SOC-TAIP 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/jccs.201600246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chieh Chen
- Department of Chemistry; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Jennifer D. Lee
- Department of Chemistry; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Po-Cheng Chen
- Department of Chemistry; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
| | - Huan-Tsung Chang
- Department of Chemistry; National Taiwan University; Taipei Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry; Chung Yuan Christian University; Taoyuan City 32023 Taiwan
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286
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Pereira P, Queiroz JA, Figueiras A, Sousa F. Current progress on microRNAs-based therapeutics in neurodegenerative diseases. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2016; 8. [PMID: 27882692 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs)-based therapy has recently emerged as a promising strategy in the treatments of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, in this review, the most recent and important challenges and advances on the development of miRNA therapeutics for brain targeting are discussed. In particular, this review highlights current knowledge and progress in the field of manufacturing, recovery, isolation, purification, and analysis of these therapeutic oligonucleotides. Finally, the available miRNA delivery systems are reviewed and an analysis is presented in what concerns to the current challenges that have to be addressed to ensure their specificity and efficacy. Overall, it is intended to provide a perspective on the future of miRNA-based therapeutics, focusing the biotechnological approach to obtain miRNAs. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1409. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1409 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pereira
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - João A Queiroz
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Figueiras
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fani Sousa
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
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287
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Nowak CM, Lawson S, Zerez M, Bleris L. Guide RNA engineering for versatile Cas9 functionality. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:9555-9564. [PMID: 27733506 PMCID: PMC5175371 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats system allows a single guide RNA (sgRNA) to direct a protein with combined helicase and nuclease activity to the DNA. Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9), a CRISPR-associated protein, has revolutionized our ability to probe and edit the human genome in vitro and in vivo Arguably, the true modularity of the Cas9 platform is conferred through the ease of sgRNA programmability as well as the degree of modifications the sgRNA can tolerate without compromising its association with SpCas9 and function. In this review, we focus on the properties and recent engineering advances of the sgRNA component in Cas9-mediated genome targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chance M Nowak
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Center for Systems Biology, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Seth Lawson
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Megan Zerez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Center for Systems Biology, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Leonidas Bleris
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Center for Systems Biology, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
- Bioengineering Department, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
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288
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Arora A, Beilstein MA, Shippen DE. Evolution of Arabidopsis protection of telomeres 1 alters nucleic acid recognition and telomerase regulation. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:9821-9830. [PMID: 27651456 PMCID: PMC5175356 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protection of telomeres (POT1) binds chromosome ends, recognizing single-strand telomeric DNA via two oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding folds (OB-folds). The Arabidopsis thaliana POT1a and POT1b paralogs are atypical: they do not exhibit telomeric DNA binding, and they have opposing roles in regulating telomerase activity. AtPOT1a stimulates repeat addition processivity of the canonical telomerase enzyme, while AtPOT1b interacts with a regulatory lncRNA that represses telomerase activity. Here, we show that OB1 of POT1a, but not POT1b, has an intrinsic affinity for telomeric DNA. DNA binding was dependent upon a highly conserved Phe residue (F65) that in human POT1 directly contacts telomeric DNA. F65A mutation of POT1aOB1 abolished DNA binding and diminished telomerase repeat addition processivity. Conversely, AtPOT1b and other POT1b homologs from Brassicaceae and its sister family, Cleomaceae, naturally bear a non-aromatic amino acid at this position. By swapping Val (V63) with Phe, AtPOT1bOB1 gained the capacity to bind telomeric DNA and to stimulate telomerase repeat addition processivity. We conclude that, in the context of DNA binding, variation at a single amino acid position promotes divergence of the AtPOT1b paralog from the ancestral POT1 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Arora
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Mark A Beilstein
- School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Dorothy E Shippen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, 2128 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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289
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Nasiri AH, Wurm JP, Immer C, Weickhmann AK, Wöhnert J. An intermolecular G-quadruplex as the basis for GTP recognition in the class V-GTP aptamer. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:1750-1759. [PMID: 27659052 PMCID: PMC5066627 DOI: 10.1261/rna.058909.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Many naturally occurring or artificially created RNAs are capable of binding to guanine or guanine derivatives with high affinity and selectivity. They bind their ligands using very different recognition modes involving a diverse set of hydrogen bonding and stacking interactions. Apparently, the potential structural diversity for guanine, guanosine, and guanine nucleotide binding motifs is far from being fully explored. Szostak and coworkers have derived a large set of different GTP-binding aptamer families differing widely in sequence, secondary structure, and ligand specificity. The so-called class V-GTP aptamer from this set binds GTP with very high affinity and has a complex secondary structure. Here we use solution NMR spectroscopy to demonstrate that the class V aptamer binds GTP through the formation of an intermolecular two-layered G-quadruplex structure that directly incorporates the ligand and folds only upon ligand addition. Ligand binding and G-quadruplex formation depend strongly on the identity of monovalent cations present with a clear preference for potassium ions. GTP binding through direct insertion into an intermolecular G-quadruplex is a previously unobserved structural variation for ligand-binding RNA motifs and rationalizes the previously observed specificity pattern of the class V aptamer for GTP analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir H Nasiri
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jan Philip Wurm
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carina Immer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anna Katharina Weickhmann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jens Wöhnert
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ), Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe-University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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290
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Abbott JA, Livingston NM, Egri SB, Guth E, Francklyn CS. Characterization of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase stability and substrate interaction by differential scanning fluorimetry. Methods 2016; 113:64-71. [PMID: 27794454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 10/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) is a fluorescence-based assay to evaluate protein stability by determining protein melting temperatures. Here, we describe the application of DSF to investigate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS) stability and interaction with ligands. Employing three bacterial AARS enzymes as model systems, methods are presented here for the use of DSF to measure the apparent temperatures at which AARSs undergo melting transitions, and the effect of AARS substrates and inhibitors. One important observation is that the extent of temperature stability realized by an AARS in response to a particular bound ligand cannot be predicted a priori. The DSF method thus serves as a rapid and highly quantitative approach to measure AARS stability, and the ability of ligands to influence the temperature at which unfolding transitions occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie A Abbott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
| | - Nathan M Livingston
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Shawn B Egri
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA
| | - Ethan Guth
- Chemistry & Biochemistry Department, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 05663, USA
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291
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Lou TF, Weidmann CA, Killingsworth J, Tanaka Hall TM, Goldstrohm AC, Campbell ZT. Integrated analysis of RNA-binding protein complexes using in vitro selection and high-throughput sequencing and sequence specificity landscapes (SEQRS). Methods 2016; 118-119:171-181. [PMID: 27729296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) collaborate to control virtually every aspect of RNA function. Tremendous progress has been made in the area of global assessment of RBP specificity using next-generation sequencing approaches both in vivo and in vitro. Understanding how protein-protein interactions enable precise combinatorial regulation of RNA remains a significant problem. Addressing this challenge requires tools that can quantitatively determine the specificities of both individual proteins and multimeric complexes in an unbiased and comprehensive way. One approach utilizes in vitro selection, high-throughput sequencing, and sequence-specificity landscapes (SEQRS). We outline a SEQRS experiment focused on obtaining the specificity of a multi-protein complex between Drosophila RBPs Pumilio (Pum) and Nanos (Nos). We discuss the necessary controls in this type of experiment and examine how the resulting data can be complemented with structural and cell-based reporter assays. Additionally, SEQRS data can be integrated with functional genomics data to uncover biological function. Finally, we propose extensions of the technique that will enhance our understanding of multi-protein regulatory complexes assembled onto RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Fang Lou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, United States
| | - Chase A Weidmann
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Jordan Killingsworth
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
| | - Traci M Tanaka Hall
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, United States
| | - Aaron C Goldstrohm
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
| | - Zachary T Campbell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, United States.
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292
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Rye-McCurdy T, Olson ED, Liu S, Binkley C, Reyes JP, Thompson BR, Flanagan JM, Parent LJ, Musier-Forsyth K. Functional Equivalence of Retroviral MA Domains in Facilitating Psi RNA Binding Specificity by Gag. Viruses 2016; 8:v8090256. [PMID: 27657107 PMCID: PMC5035970 DOI: 10.3390/v8090256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Retroviruses specifically package full-length, dimeric genomic RNA (gRNA) even in the presence of a vast excess of cellular RNA. The “psi” (Ψ) element within the 5′-untranslated region (5′UTR) of gRNA is critical for packaging through interaction with the nucleocapsid (NC) domain of Gag. However, in vitro Gag binding affinity for Ψ versus non-Ψ RNAs is not significantly different. Previous salt-titration binding assays revealed that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag bound to Ψ RNA with high specificity and relatively few charge interactions, whereas binding to non-Ψ RNA was less specific and involved more electrostatic interactions. The NC domain was critical for specific Ψ binding, but surprisingly, a Gag mutant lacking the matrix (MA) domain was less effective at discriminating Ψ from non-Ψ RNA. We now find that Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) Gag also effectively discriminates RSV Ψ from non-Ψ RNA in a MA-dependent manner. Interestingly, Gag chimeras, wherein the HIV-1 and RSV MA domains were swapped, maintained high binding specificity to cognate Ψ RNAs. Using Ψ RNA mutant constructs, determinants responsible for promoting high Gag binding specificity were identified in both systems. Taken together, these studies reveal the functional equivalence of HIV-1 and RSV MA domains in facilitating Ψ RNA selectivity by Gag, as well as Ψ elements that promote this selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffiny Rye-McCurdy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Center for Retroviral Research, and Center for RNA Biology, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Erik D Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Center for Retroviral Research, and Center for RNA Biology, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Shuohui Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Center for Retroviral Research, and Center for RNA Biology, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Christiana Binkley
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Center for Retroviral Research, and Center for RNA Biology, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Joshua-Paolo Reyes
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Center for Retroviral Research, and Center for RNA Biology, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Brian R Thompson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Center for Retroviral Research, and Center for RNA Biology, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - John M Flanagan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Leslie J Parent
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Center for Retroviral Research, and Center for RNA Biology, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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293
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Ageely EA, Kartje ZJ, Rohilla KJ, Barkau CL, Gagnon KT. Quadruplex-Flanking Stem Structures Modulate the Stability and Metal Ion Preferences of RNA Mimics of GFP. ACS Chem Biol 2016; 11:2398-406. [PMID: 27467146 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.6b00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The spinach family of RNA aptamers are RNA mimics of green fluorescent protein (GFP) that have previously been designed to address the challenges of imaging RNA inside living cells. However, relatively low levels of free intracellular magnesium limited the practical use of these aptamers. Recent cell-based selections identified the broccoli RNA aptamer, which requires less magnesium for fluorescence, but the basis for magnesium preference remained unclear. Here, we find that the broccoli RNA structure is very similar to that of baby spinach, a truncated version of the spinach aptamer. Differences in stability and metal ion preferences between these two aptamers, and among broccoli mutants, are primarily associated with the sequence and structure of predicted quadruplex-flanking stem structures. Mutation of purine-purine pairs in broccoli at the terminal stem-quadruplex transition caused reversion of broccoli to a higher magnesium dependence. Unique duplex-to-quadruplex transitions in GFP-mimic RNAs likely explain their sensitivity to magnesium for stability and fluorescence. Thus, optimizations designed to improve aptamers should take into consideration the role of metal ions in stabilizing the transitions and interactions between independently folding RNA structural motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A. Ageely
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
| | - Zachary J. Kartje
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
| | - Kushal J. Rohilla
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
| | - Christopher L. Barkau
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
| | - Keith T. Gagnon
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, Carbondale, Illinois 62901, United States
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294
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Bar-Yaacov D, Frumkin I, Yashiro Y, Chujo T, Ishigami Y, Chemla Y, Blumberg A, Schlesinger O, Bieri P, Greber B, Ban N, Zarivach R, Alfonta L, Pilpel Y, Suzuki T, Mishmar D. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA Is Methylated by tRNA Methyltransferase TRMT61B in All Vertebrates. PLoS Biol 2016; 14:e1002557. [PMID: 27631568 PMCID: PMC5025228 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial ribosome, which translates all mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)-encoded proteins, should be tightly regulated pre- and post-transcriptionally. Recently, we found RNA-DNA differences (RDDs) at human mitochondrial 16S (large) rRNA position 947 that were indicative of post-transcriptional modification. Here, we show that these 16S rRNA RDDs result from a 1-methyladenosine (m1A) modification introduced by TRMT61B, thus being the first vertebrate methyltransferase that modifies both tRNA and rRNAs. m1A947 is conserved in humans and all vertebrates having adenine at the corresponding mtDNA position (90% of vertebrates). However, this mtDNA base is a thymine in 10% of the vertebrates and a guanine in the 23S rRNA of 95% of bacteria, suggesting alternative evolutionary solutions. m1A, uridine, or guanine may stabilize the local structure of mitochondrial and bacterial ribosomes. Experimental assessment of genome-edited Escherichia coli showed that unmodified adenine caused impaired protein synthesis and growth. Our findings revealed a conserved mechanism of rRNA modification that has been selected instead of DNA mutations to enable proper mitochondrial ribosome function. Two solutions were selected during evolution to allow proper function of the vertebrate mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNAeither RNA methylation by a tRNA methyltransferase or ancient evolutionary mutation. RNA modifications constitute an important layer of information, with functional implications that are not written in the underlying DNA sequence. Recently, we observed an apparent RNA-DNA difference (RDD) at position 947 of the human mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), but its nature and mechanism were unclear. Here we show that this disparity reflects an m1A modification (methylation at position 1 of the adenine moiety), and demonstrated by a combination of knock-down experiments in cells and in vitro methylation assays that the tRNA methyltransferase TRMT61B is the best candidate enzyme to introduce this modification. We also show that this modification is present in most of the 16S rRNA molecules in isolated mitochondrial ribosomes, and that it occurs in all vertebrates with an adenine (90% of the vertebrates), but not in those with a thymidine at this 16S rRNA position. Finally, as the first step towards understanding the functional importance of this rRNA modification, we used a genome-edited bacterial system to demonstrate that an unmodified adenine reduced the growth and translation rates of the bacteria as compared to both wild-type bacteria and mutant bacteria with a thymidine in the relevant position. Hence, three solutions were selected during evolution to allow proper function of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA—either RNA modification or two alternative ancient evolutionary DNA mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Bar-Yaacov
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Idan Frumkin
- Department of Molecular Genetics, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yuka Yashiro
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Chujo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuma Ishigami
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yonatan Chemla
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Amit Blumberg
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Orr Schlesinger
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Philipp Bieri
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Basil Greber
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nenad Ban
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Raz Zarivach
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Lital Alfonta
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Yitzhak Pilpel
- Department of Molecular Genetics, the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tsutomu Suzuki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: (DM); (TS)
| | - Dan Mishmar
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- * E-mail: (DM); (TS)
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295
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Dallmann A, Beribisky AV, Gnerlich F, Rübbelke M, Schiesser S, Carell T, Sattler M. Site-Specific Isotope-Labeling of Inosine Phosphoramidites and NMR Analysis of an Inosine-Containing RNA Duplex. Chemistry 2016; 22:15350-15359. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201602784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andre Dallmann
- Institute of Structural Biology; Helmholtz Zentrum München; Ingolstädter Landstraße 1 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR; Department Chemie; Technische Universität München; Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching Germany
- Department of Chemistry; Humboldt Universität zu Berlin; 12489 Berlin Germany
| | - Alexander V. Beribisky
- Institute of Structural Biology; Helmholtz Zentrum München; Ingolstädter Landstraße 1 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR; Department Chemie; Technische Universität München; Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching Germany
| | - Felix Gnerlich
- Center for Integrated Protein Science at the Department of Chemistry; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Butenandtstraße 5-13 81377 Munich Germany
| | - Martin Rübbelke
- Institute of Structural Biology; Helmholtz Zentrum München; Ingolstädter Landstraße 1 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR; Department Chemie; Technische Universität München; Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching Germany
| | - Stefan Schiesser
- Center for Integrated Protein Science at the Department of Chemistry; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Butenandtstraße 5-13 81377 Munich Germany
| | - Thomas Carell
- Center for Integrated Protein Science at the Department of Chemistry; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Butenandtstraße 5-13 81377 Munich Germany
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology; Helmholtz Zentrum München; Ingolstädter Landstraße 1 85764 Neuherberg Germany
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Chair Biomolecular NMR; Department Chemie; Technische Universität München; Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching Germany
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296
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Wu S, Mao G, Kirsebom LA. Inhibition of Bacterial RNase P RNA by Phenothiazine Derivatives. Biomolecules 2016; 6:biom6030038. [PMID: 27618117 PMCID: PMC5039424 DOI: 10.3390/biom6030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a need to identify novel scaffolds and targets to develop new antibiotics. Methylene blue is a phenothiazine derivative, and it has been shown to possess anti-malarial and anti-trypanosomal activities. Here, we show that different phenothiazine derivatives and pyronine G inhibited the activities of three structurally different bacterial RNase P RNAs (RPRs), including that from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with Ki values in the lower μM range. Interestingly, three antipsychotic phenothiazines (chlorpromazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine), which are known to have antibacterial activities, also inhibited the activity of bacterial RPRs, albeit with higher Ki values than methylene blue. Phenothiazines also affected lead(II)-induced cleavage of bacterial RPR and inhibited yeast tRNA(Phe), indicating binding of these drugs to functionally important regions. Collectively, our findings provide the first experimental data showing that long, noncoding RNAs could be targeted by different phenothiazine derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiying Wu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Box 596, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala SE-751 24, Sweden.
| | - Guanzhong Mao
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Box 596, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala SE-751 24, Sweden.
| | - Leif A Kirsebom
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Box 596, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala SE-751 24, Sweden.
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297
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Slinger BL, Meyer MM. RNA regulators responding to ribosomal protein S15 are frequent in sequence space. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:9331-9341. [PMID: 27580716 PMCID: PMC5100602 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There are several natural examples of distinct RNA structures that interact with the same ligand to regulate the expression of homologous genes in different organisms. One essential question regarding this phenomenon is whether such RNA regulators are the result of convergent or divergent evolution. Are the RNAs derived from some common ancestor and diverged to the point where we cannot identify the similarity, or have multiple solutions to the same biological problem arisen independently? A key variable in assessing these alternatives is how frequently such regulators arise within sequence space. Ribosomal protein S15 is autogenously regulated via an RNA regulator in many bacterial species; four apparently distinct regulators have been functionally validated in different bacterial phyla. Here, we explore how frequently such regulators arise within a partially randomized sequence population. We find many RNAs that interact specifically with ribosomal protein S15 from Geobacillus kaustophilus with biologically relevant dissociation constants. Furthermore, of the six sequences we characterize, four show regulatory activity in an Escherichia coli reporter assay. Subsequent footprinting and mutagenesis analysis indicates that protein binding proximal to regulatory features such as the Shine–Dalgarno sequence is sufficient to enable regulation, suggesting that regulation in response to S15 is relatively easily acquired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betty L Slinger
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
| | - Michelle M Meyer
- Biology Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
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298
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Cleavage of Model Substrates by Arabidopsis thaliana PRORP1 Reveals New Insights into Its Substrate Requirements. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160246. [PMID: 27494328 PMCID: PMC4975455 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Two broad classes of RNase P trim the 5' leader of precursor tRNAs (pre-tRNAs): ribonucleoprotein (RNP)- and proteinaceous (PRORP)-variants. These two RNase P types, which use different scaffolds for catalysis, reflect independent evolutionary paths. While the catalytic RNA-based RNP form is present in all three domains of life, the PRORP family is restricted to eukaryotes. To obtain insights on substrate recognition by PRORPs, we examined the 5' processing ability of recombinant Arabidopsis thaliana PRORP1 (AtPRORP1) using a panel of pre-tRNASer variants and model hairpin-loop derivatives (pATSer type) that consist of the acceptor-T-stem stack and the T-/D-loop. Our data indicate the importance of the identity of N-1 (the residue immediately 5' to the cleavage site) and the N-1:N+73 base pair for cleavage rate and site selection of pre-tRNASer and pATSer. The nucleobase preferences that we observed mirror the frequency of occurrence in the complete suite of organellar pre-tRNAs in eight algae/plants that we analyzed. The importance of the T-/D-loop in pre-tRNASer for tight binding to AtPRORP1 is indicated by the 200-fold weaker binding of pATSer compared to pre-tRNASer, while the essentiality of the T-loop for cleavage is reflected by the near-complete loss of activity when a GAAA-tetraloop replaced the T-loop in pATSer. Substituting the 2'-OH at N-1 with 2'-H also resulted in no detectable cleavage, hinting at the possible role of this 2'-OH in coordinating Mg2+ ions critical for catalysis. Collectively, our results indicate similarities but also key differences in substrate recognition by the bacterial RNase P RNP and AtPRORP1: while both forms exploit the acceptor-T-stem stack and the elbow region in the pre-tRNA, the RNP form appears to require more recognition determinants for cleavage-site selection.
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299
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Chung CZ, Jo DHS, Heinemann IU. Nucleotide specificity of the human terminal nucleotidyltransferase Gld2 (TUT2). RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:1239-49. [PMID: 27284165 PMCID: PMC4931116 DOI: 10.1261/rna.056077.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The nontemplated addition of single or multiple nucleotides to RNA transcripts is an efficient means to control RNA stability and processing. Cytoplasmic RNA adenylation and the less well-known uridylation are post-transcriptional mechanisms regulating RNA maturation, activity, and degradation. Gld2 is a member of the noncanonical poly(A) polymerases, which include enzymes with varying nucleotide specificity, ranging from strictly ATP to ambiguous to exclusive UTP adding enzymes. Human Gld2 has been associated with transcript stabilizing miRNA monoadenylation and cytoplasmic mRNA polyadenylation. Most recent data have uncovered an unexpected miRNA uridylation activity, which promotes miRNA maturation. These conflicting data raise the question of Gld2 nucleotide specificity. Here, we biochemically characterized human Gld2 and demonstrated that it is a bona fide adenylyltransferase with only weak activity toward other nucleotides. Despite its sequence similarity with uridylyltransferases (TUT4, TUT7), Gld2 displays an 83-fold preference of ATP over UTP. Gld2 is a promiscuous enzyme, with activity toward miRNA, pre-miRNA, and polyadenylated RNA substrates. Apo-Gld2 activity is restricted to adding single nucleotides and processivity likely relies on additional RNA-binding proteins. A phylogeny of the PAP/TUTase superfamily suggests that uridylyltransferases, which are derived from distinct adenylyltransferase ancestors, arose multiple times during evolution via insertion of an active site histidine. A corresponding histidine insertion into the Gld2 active site alters substrate specificity from ATP to UTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Z Chung
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - David Hyung Suk Jo
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Ilka U Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
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300
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Wroblewska Z, Olejniczak M. Hfq assists small RNAs in binding to the coding sequence of ompD mRNA and in rearranging its structure. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:979-94. [PMID: 27154968 PMCID: PMC4911921 DOI: 10.1261/rna.055251.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial protein Hfq participates in the regulation of translation by small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs). Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the role of Hfq in the regulation by sRNAs binding to the 5'-untranslated mRNA regions. However, it remains unknown how Hfq affects those sRNAs that target the coding sequence. Here, the contribution of Hfq to the annealing of three sRNAs, RybB, SdsR, and MicC, to the coding sequence of Salmonella ompD mRNA was investigated. Hfq bound to ompD mRNA with tight, subnanomolar affinity. Moreover, Hfq strongly accelerated the rates of annealing of RybB and MicC sRNAs to this mRNA, and it also had a small effect on the annealing of SdsR. The experiments using truncated RNAs revealed that the contributions of Hfq to the annealing of each sRNA were individually adjusted depending on the structures of interacting RNAs. In agreement with that, the mRNA structure probing revealed different structural contexts of each sRNA binding site. Additionally, the annealing of RybB and MicC sRNAs induced specific conformational changes in ompD mRNA consistent with local unfolding of mRNA secondary structure. Finally, the mutation analysis showed that the long AU-rich sequence in the 5'-untranslated mRNA region served as an Hfq binding site essential for the annealing of sRNAs to the coding sequence. Overall, the data showed that the functional specificity of Hfq in the annealing of each sRNA to the ompD mRNA coding sequence was determined by the sequence and structure of the interacting RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Wroblewska
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Mikolaj Olejniczak
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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