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Lee HK, Lee YT, Fan L, Wilt HM, Conrad CE, Yu P, Zhang J, Shi G, Ji X, Wang YX, Stagno JR. Crystal structure of Escherichia coli thiamine pyrophosphate-sensing riboswitch in the apo state. Structure 2023; 31:848-859.e3. [PMID: 37253356 PMCID: PMC10335363 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP)-sensing riboswitch is one of the earliest discovered and most widespread riboswitches. Numerous structural studies have been reported for this riboswitch bound with various ligands. However, the ligand-free (apo) structure remains unknown. Here, we report a 3.1 Å resolution crystal structure of Escherichia coli TPP riboswitch in the apo state, which exhibits an extended, Y-shaped conformation further supported by small-angle X-ray scattering data and driven molecular dynamics simulations. The loss of ligand interactions results in helical uncoiling of P5 and disruption of the key tertiary interaction between the sensory domains. Opening of the aptamer propagates to the gene-regulatory P1 helix and generates the key conformational flexibility needed for the switching behavior. Much of the ligand-binding site at the three-way junction is unaltered, thereby maintaining a partially preformed pocket. Together, these results paint a dynamic picture of the ligand-induced conformational changes in TPP riboswitches that confer conditional gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Kyung Lee
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Yun-Tzai Lee
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Lixin Fan
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering Core Facility of National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Haley M Wilt
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Chelsie E Conrad
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ping Yu
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Jinwei Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Genbin Shi
- Biomolecular Structure Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Xinhua Ji
- Biomolecular Structure Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Yun-Xing Wang
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Jason R Stagno
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Center for Structural Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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Zhang M, Liu G, Zhang Y, Chen T, Feng S, Cai R, Lu C. The Second Class of Tetrahydrofolate (THF-II) Riboswitches Recognizes the Tetrahydrofolic Acid Ligand via Local Conformation Changes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23115903. [PMID: 35682583 PMCID: PMC9180208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Riboswitches are regulatory noncoding RNAs found in bacteria, fungi and plants, that modulate gene expressions through structural changes in response to ligand binding. Understanding how ligands interact with riboswitches in solution can shed light on the molecular mechanisms of this ancient regulators. Previous studies showed that riboswitches undergo global conformation changes in response to ligand binding to relay information. Here, we report conformation switching models of the recently discovered tetrahydrofolic acid-responsive second class of tetrahydrofolate (THF-II) riboswitches in response to ligand binding. Using a combination of selective 2′-hydroxyl acylation, analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE) assay, 3D modeling and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we found that the ligand specifically recognizes and reshapes the THF-II riboswitch loop regions, but does not affect the stability of the P3 helix. Our results show that the THF-II riboswitch undergoes only local conformation changes in response to ligand binding, rearranging the Loop1-P3-Loop2 region and rotating Loop1 from a ~120° angle to a ~75° angle. This distinct conformation changes suggest a unique regulatory mechanism of the THF-II riboswitch, previously unseen in other riboswitches. Our findings may contribute to the fields of RNA sensors and drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; (M.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Guangfeng Liu
- National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China;
| | - Yunlong Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; (M.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Ting Chen
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; (M.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Shanshan Feng
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; (M.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.C.); (S.F.)
| | - Rujie Cai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (C.L.); Tel.: +86-21-6779-2740 (C.L.)
| | - Changrui Lu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; (M.Z.); (Y.Z.); (T.C.); (S.F.)
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (C.L.); Tel.: +86-21-6779-2740 (C.L.)
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Torabi SF, Chen YL, Zhang K, Wang J, DeGregorio SJ, Vaidya AT, Su Z, Pabit SA, Chiu W, Pollack L, Steitz JA. Structural analyses of an RNA stability element interacting with poly(A). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2026656118. [PMID: 33785601 PMCID: PMC8040590 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026656118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cis-acting RNA elements are crucial for the regulation of polyadenylated RNA stability. The element for nuclear expression (ENE) contains a U-rich internal loop flanked by short helices. An ENE stabilizes RNA by sequestering the poly(A) tail via formation of a triplex structure that inhibits a rapid deadenylation-dependent decay pathway. Structure-based bioinformatic studies identified numerous ENE-like elements in evolutionarily diverse genomes, including a subclass containing two ENE motifs separated by a short double-helical region (double ENEs [dENEs]). Here, the structure of a dENE derived from a rice transposable element (TWIFB1) before and after poly(A) binding (∼24 kDa and ∼33 kDa, respectively) is investigated. We combine biochemical structure probing, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to investigate the dENE structure and its local and global structural changes upon poly(A) binding. Our data reveal 1) the directionality of poly(A) binding to the dENE, and 2) that the dENE-poly(A) interaction involves a motif that protects the 3'-most seven adenylates of the poly(A). Furthermore, we demonstrate that the dENE does not undergo a dramatic global conformational change upon poly(A) binding. These findings are consistent with the recently solved crystal structure of a dENE+poly(A) complex [S.-F. Torabi et al., Science 371, eabe6523 (2021)]. Identification of additional modes of poly(A)-RNA interaction opens new venues for better understanding of poly(A) tail biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed-Fakhreddin Torabi
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06536
- HHMI, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06536
| | - Yen-Lin Chen
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Kaiming Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Jimin Wang
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06536
| | - Suzanne J DeGregorio
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06536
- HHMI, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06536
| | - Anand T Vaidya
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06536
- HHMI, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06536
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 10 500046 Hyderabad, India
| | - Zhaoming Su
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Suzette A Pabit
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Wah Chiu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305;
- James H. Clark Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
- Division of CryoEM and Bioimaging, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA 94025
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853;
| | - Joan A Steitz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06536;
- HHMI, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06536
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Four steps for revealing and adjusting the 3D structure of aptamers in solution by small-angle X-ray scattering and computer simulation. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:6723-6732. [PMID: 31396648 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-02045-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid (NA) aptamers bind to their targets with high affinity and selectivity. The three-dimensional (3D) structures of aptamers play a major role in these non-covalent interactions. Here, we use a four-step approach to determine a true 3D structure of aptamers in solution using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and molecular structure restoration (MSR). The approach consists of (i) acquiring SAXS experimental data of an aptamer in solution, (ii) building a spatial distribution of the molecule's electron density using SAXS results, (iii) constructing a 3D model of the aptamer from its nucleotide primary sequence and secondary structure, and (iv) comparing and refining the modeled 3D structures with the experimental SAXS model. In the proof-of-principle we analyzed the 3D structure of RE31 aptamer to thrombin in a native free state at different temperatures and validated it by circular dichroism (CD). The resulting 3D structure of RE31 has the most energetically favorable conformation and the same elements such as a B-form duplex, non-complementary region, and two G-quartets which were previously reported by X-ray diffraction (XRD) from a single crystal. More broadly, this study demonstrates the complementary approach for constructing and adjusting the 3D structures of aptamers, DNAzymes, and ribozymes in solution, and could supply new opportunities for developing functional nucleic acids. Graphical abstract.
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Muthig M, Prévost S, Orglmeister R, Gradzielski M. Indirect Fourier transform in the context of statistical inference. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA A-FOUNDATION AND ADVANCES 2016; 72:557-69. [DOI: 10.1107/s2053273316009657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Inferring structural information from the intensity of a small-angle scattering (SAS) experiment is an ill-posed inverse problem. Thus, the determination of a solution is in general non-trivial. In this work, the indirect Fourier transform (IFT), which determines the pair distance distribution function from the intensity and hence yields structural information, is discussed within two different statistical inference approaches, namely a frequentist one and a Bayesian one, in order to determine a solution objectively From the frequentist approach the cross-validation method is obtained as a good practical objective function for selecting an IFT solution. Moreover, modern machine learning methods are employed to suppress oscillatory behaviour of the solution, hence extracting only meaningful features of the solution. By comparing the results yielded by the different methods presented here, the reliability of the outcome can be improved and thus the approach should enable more reliable information to be deduced from SAS experiments.
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Rapid RNA-ligand interaction analysis through high-information content conformational and stability landscapes. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8898. [PMID: 26638992 PMCID: PMC4686816 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure and biological properties of RNAs are a function of changing cellular conditions, but comprehensive, simultaneous investigation of the effect of multiple interacting environmental variables is not easily achieved. We have developed an efficient, high-throughput method to characterize RNA structure and thermodynamic stability as a function of multiplexed solution conditions using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). In a single FRET experiment using conventional quantitative PCR instrumentation, 19,400 conditions of MgCl2, ligand and temperature are analysed to generate detailed empirical conformational and stability landscapes of the cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) riboswitch. The method allows rapid comparison of RNA structure modulation by cognate and non-cognate ligands. Landscape analysis reveals that kanamycin B stabilizes a non-native, idiosyncratic conformation of the riboswitch that inhibits c-di-GMP binding. This demonstrates that allosteric control of folding, rather than direct competition with cognate effectors, is a viable approach for pharmacologically targeting riboswitches and other structured RNA molecules. The structure and biological properties of RNAs are a function of changing cellular conditions. Here, Baird et al. report a high-throughput Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) method to rapidly compare RNA structure modulation by cognate and non-cognate ligands across multiplexed solution conditions.
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Tuukkanen AT, Svergun DI. Weak protein-ligand interactions studied by small-angle X-ray scattering. FEBS J 2014; 281:1974-87. [PMID: 24588935 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is a powerful technique for studying weak interactions between proteins and their ligands (other proteins, DNA/RNA or small molecules) in solution. SAXS provides knowledge about the equilibrium state, the stoichiometry of binding and association-dissociation processes. The measurements are conducted in a solution environment that allows easy monitoring of modifications in protein-ligand association state upon environmental changes. Model-free parameters such as the molecular mass of a system and the radius of gyration can be obtained directly from the SAXS data and give indications about the association state. SAXS is also widely employed to build models of biological assemblies at a resolution of approximately 10-20 Å. Low-resolution shapes can be generated ab initio, although more detailed and biologically interpretable information can be obtained by hybrid modelling. In the latter approach, composite structures of protein-ligand complexes are constructed using atomic models of individual molecules. These may be predicted homology models or experimental structures from X-ray crystallography or NMR. This review focuses on using SAXS data to model structures of protein-ligand complexes and to study their dynamics. The combination of SAXS with other methods such as size exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering is discussed.
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