1
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Li Z, Bilic M, Nagar B. Isolation of short RNAs with homogeneous 3'-ends using quaternary-amine anion exchange chromatography. Biol Methods Protoc 2024; 9:bpae033. [PMID: 38855193 PMCID: PMC11162090 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Visualizing RNA-protein interactions through structural approaches requires the use of RNA molecules purified to homogeneity. We describe here a simple and effective method, free of acrylamide contamination and without using UV radiation, to separate in vitro synthesized, heterogeneous RNA transcripts (up to ∼15 nucleotides) at single-nucleotide resolution by quaternary-amine anion exchange chromatography. The quality of short RNAs isolated through this method is validated by gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and crystallization with a protein-binding partner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixian Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre de recherche en biologie structurale, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada
| | - Mia Bilic
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre de recherche en biologie structurale, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada
| | - Bhushan Nagar
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre de recherche en biologie structurale, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada
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2
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Haslecker R, Pham VV, Glänzer D, Kreutz C, Dayie TK, D'Souza VM. Extending the toolbox for RNA biology with SegModTeX: a polymerase-driven method for site-specific and segmental labeling of RNA. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8422. [PMID: 38110450 PMCID: PMC10728113 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44254-3] [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: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA performs a wide range of functions regulated by its structure, dynamics, and often post-transcriptional modifications. While NMR is the leading method for understanding RNA structure and dynamics, it is currently limited by the inability to reduce spectral crowding by efficient segmental labeling. Furthermore, because of the challenging nature of RNA chemistry, the tools being developed to introduce site-specific modifications are increasingly complex and laborious. Here we use a previously designed Tgo DNA polymerase mutant to present SegModTeX - a versatile, one-pot, copy-and-paste approach to address these challenges. By precise, stepwise construction of a diverse set of RNA molecules, we demonstrate the technique to be superior to RNA polymerase driven and ligation methods owing to its substantially high yield, fidelity, and selectivity. We also show the technique to be useful for incorporating some fluorescent- and a wide range of other probes, which significantly extends the toolbox of RNA biology in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Haslecker
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Vincent V Pham
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - David Glänzer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Kreutz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Theodore Kwaku Dayie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20782, USA
| | - Victoria M D'Souza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
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3
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Deng J, Fang X, Huang L, Li S, Xu L, Ye K, Zhang J, Zhang K, Zhang QC. RNA structure determination: From 2D to 3D. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 3:727-737. [PMID: 38933295 PMCID: PMC11197651 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA molecules serve a wide range of functions that are closely linked to their structures. The basic structural units of RNA consist of single- and double-stranded regions. In order to carry out advanced functions such as catalysis and ligand binding, certain types of RNAs can adopt higher-order structures. The analysis of RNA structures has progressed alongside advancements in structural biology techniques, but it comes with its own set of challenges and corresponding solutions. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in RNA structure analysis techniques, including structural probing methods, X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, cryo-electron microscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering. Often, a combination of multiple techniques is employed for the integrated analysis of RNA structures. We also survey important RNA structures that have been recently determined using various techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xianyang Fang
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lin Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics and Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Lilei Xu
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Keqiong Ye
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology & Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kaiming Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics and Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Qiangfeng Cliff Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology & Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
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4
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Xue Y, Li J, Chen D, Zhao X, Hong L, Liu Y. Observation of structural switch in nascent SAM-VI riboswitch during transcription at single-nucleotide and single-molecule resolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2320. [PMID: 37087479 PMCID: PMC10122661 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38042-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing RNAs fold differently as they are transcribed, which modulates their finally adopted structures. Riboswitches regulate gene expression by structural change, which are sensitive to co-transcriptionally structural biology. Here we develop a strategy to track the structural change of RNAs during transcription at single-nucleotide and single-molecule resolution and use it to monitor individual transcripts of the SAM-VI riboswitch (riboSAM) as transcription proceeds, observing co-existence of five states in riboSAM. We report a bifurcated helix in one newly identified state from NMR and single-molecule FRET (smFRET) results, and its presence directs the translation inhibition in our cellular translation experiments. A model is proposed to illustrate the distinct switch patterns and gene-regulatory outcome of riboSAM when SAM is present or absent. Our strategy enables the precise mapping of RNAs' conformational landscape during transcription, and may combine with detection methods other than smFRET for structural studies of RNAs in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jun Li
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Dian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xizhu Zhao
- Zhiyuan College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Liang Hong
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Institute of Natural Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Shanghai, 200232, China.
| | - Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
- Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Shanghai, 200232, China.
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5
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Functional Relationships between Long Non-Coding RNAs and Estrogen Receptor Alpha: A New Frontier in Hormone-Responsive Breast Cancer Management. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021145. [PMID: 36674656 PMCID: PMC9863308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In the complex and articulated machinery of the human genome, less than 2% of the transcriptome encodes for proteins, while at least 75% is actively transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Among the non-coding transcripts, those ≥200 nucleotides long (lncRNAs) are receiving growing attention for their involvement in human diseases, particularly cancer. Genomic studies have revealed the multiplicity of processes, including neoplastic transformation and tumor progression, in which lncRNAs are involved by regulating gene expression at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels by mechanism(s) that still need to be clarified. In breast cancer, several lncRNAs were identified and demonstrated to have either oncogenic or tumor-suppressive roles. The functional understanding of the mechanisms of lncRNA action in this disease could represent a potential for translational applications, as these molecules may serve as novel biomarkers of clinical use and potential therapeutic targets. This review highlights the relationship between lncRNAs and the principal hallmark of the luminal breast cancer phenotype, estrogen receptor α (ERα), providing an overview of new potential ways to inhibit estrogenic signaling via this nuclear receptor toward escaping resistance to endocrine therapy.
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6
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Graczyk A, Radzikowska-Cieciura E, Kaczmarek R, Pawlowska R, Chworos A. Modified Nucleotides for Chemical and Enzymatic Synthesis of Therapeutic RNA. Curr Med Chem 2023; 30:1320-1347. [PMID: 36239720 DOI: 10.2174/0929867330666221014111403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, RNA has emerged as a medium with a broad spectrum of therapeutic potential, however, for years, a group of short RNA fragments was studied and considered therapeutic molecules. In nature, RNA plays both functions, with coding and non-coding potential. For RNA, like any other therapeutic, to be used clinically, certain barriers must be crossed. Among them, there are biocompatibility, relatively low toxicity, bioavailability, increased stability, target efficiency and low off-target effects. In the case of RNA, most of these obstacles can be overcome by incorporating modified nucleotides into its structure. This may be achieved by both, in vitro and in vivo biosynthetic methods, as well as chemical synthesis. Some advantages and disadvantages of each approach are summarized here. The wide range of nucleotide analogues has been tested for their utility as monomers for RNA synthesis. Many of them have been successfully implemented, and a lot of pre-clinical and clinical studies involving modified RNA have been carried out. Some of these medications have already been introduced into clinics. After the huge success of RNA-based vaccines that were introduced into widespread use in 2020, and the introduction to the market of some RNA-based drugs, RNA therapeutics containing modified nucleotides appear to be the future of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Graczyk
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland
| | - Ewa Radzikowska-Cieciura
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland
| | - Renata Kaczmarek
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland
| | - Roza Pawlowska
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Chworos
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland
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7
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Mollica L, Cupaioli FA, Rossetti G, Chiappori F. An overview of structural approaches to study therapeutic RNAs. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1044126. [PMID: 36387283 PMCID: PMC9649582 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1044126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RNAs provide considerable opportunities as therapeutic agent to expand the plethora of classical therapeutic targets, from extracellular and surface proteins to intracellular nucleic acids and its regulators, in a wide range of diseases. RNA versatility can be exploited to recognize cell types, perform cell therapy, and develop new vaccine classes. Therapeutic RNAs (aptamers, antisense nucleotides, siRNA, miRNA, mRNA and CRISPR-Cas9) can modulate or induce protein expression, inhibit molecular interactions, achieve genome editing as well as exon-skipping. A common RNA thread, which makes it very promising for therapeutic applications, is its structure, flexibility, and binding specificity. Moreover, RNA displays peculiar structural plasticity compared to proteins as well as to DNA. Here we summarize the recent advances and applications of therapeutic RNAs, and the experimental and computational methods to analyze their structure, by biophysical techniques (liquid-state NMR, scattering, reactivity, and computational simulations), with a focus on dynamic and flexibility aspects and to binding analysis. This will provide insights on the currently available RNA therapeutic applications and on the best techniques to evaluate its dynamics and reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mollica
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, L.I.T.A/University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Federica Chiappori
- National Research Council—Institute for Biomedical Technologies, Milan, Italy
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8
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Cheung E, Xia Y, Caporini MA, Gilmore JL. Tools shaping drug discovery and development. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 3:031301. [PMID: 38505278 PMCID: PMC10903431 DOI: 10.1063/5.0087583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Spectroscopic, scattering, and imaging methods play an important role in advancing the study of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical therapies. The tools more familiar to scientists within industry and beyond, such as nuclear magnetic resonance and fluorescence spectroscopy, serve two functions: as simple high-throughput techniques for identification and purity analysis, and as potential tools for measuring dynamics and structures of complex biological systems, from proteins and nucleic acids to membranes and nanoparticle delivery systems. With the expansion of commercial small-angle x-ray scattering instruments into the laboratory setting and the accessibility of industrial researchers to small-angle neutron scattering facilities, scattering methods are now used more frequently in the industrial research setting, and probe-less time-resolved small-angle scattering experiments are now able to be conducted to truly probe the mechanism of reactions and the location of individual components in complex model or biological systems. The availability of atomic force microscopes in the past several decades enables measurements that are, in some ways, complementary to the spectroscopic techniques, and wholly orthogonal in others, such as those related to nanomechanics. As therapies have advanced from small molecules to protein biologics and now messenger RNA vaccines, the depth of biophysical knowledge must continue to serve in drug discovery and development to ensure quality of the drug, and the characterization toolbox must be opened up to adapt traditional spectroscopic methods and adopt new techniques for unraveling the complexities of the new modalities. The overview of the biophysical methods in this review is meant to showcase the uses of multiple techniques for different modalities and present recent applications for tackling particularly challenging situations in drug development that can be solved with the aid of fluorescence spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and small-angle scattering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Cheung
- Moderna, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Yan Xia
- Moderna, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Marc A. Caporini
- Moderna, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Jamie L. Gilmore
- Moderna, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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9
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Aguion PI, Marchanka A, Carlomagno T. Nucleic acid-protein interfaces studied by MAS solid-state NMR spectroscopy. J Struct Biol X 2022; 6:100072. [PMID: 36090770 PMCID: PMC9449856 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjsbx.2022.100072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Solid-state NMR (ssNMR) has become a well-established technique to study large and insoluble protein assemblies. However, its application to nucleic acid-protein complexes has remained scarce, mainly due to the challenges presented by overlapping nucleic acid signals. In the past decade, several efforts have led to the first structure determination of an RNA molecule by ssNMR. With the establishment of these tools, it has become possible to address the problem of structure determination of nucleic acid-protein complexes by ssNMR. Here we review first and more recent ssNMR methodologies that study nucleic acid-protein interfaces by means of chemical shift and peak intensity perturbations, direct distance measurements and paramagnetic effects. At the end, we review the first structure of an RNA-protein complex that has been determined from ssNMR-derived intermolecular restraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Innig Aguion
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ), Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexander Marchanka
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ), Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167 Hannover, Germany
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstr. 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Teresa Carlomagno
- School of Biosciences/College of Life and Enviromental Sciences, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences/College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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10
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Dayie TK, Olenginski LT, Taiwo KM. Isotope Labels Combined with Solution NMR Spectroscopy Make Visible the Invisible Conformations of Small-to-Large RNAs. Chem Rev 2022; 122:9357-9394. [PMID: 35442658 PMCID: PMC9136934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA is central to the proper function of cellular processes important for life on earth and implicated in various medical dysfunctions. Yet, RNA structural biology lags significantly behind that of proteins, limiting mechanistic understanding of RNA chemical biology. Fortunately, solution NMR spectroscopy can probe the structural dynamics of RNA in solution at atomic resolution, opening the door to their functional understanding. However, NMR analysis of RNA, with only four unique ribonucleotide building blocks, suffers from spectral crowding and broad linewidths, especially as RNAs grow in size. One effective strategy to overcome these challenges is to introduce NMR-active stable isotopes into RNA. However, traditional uniform labeling methods introduce scalar and dipolar couplings that complicate the implementation and analysis of NMR measurements. This challenge can be circumvented with selective isotope labeling. In this review, we outline the development of labeling technologies and their application to study biologically relevant RNAs and their complexes ranging in size from 5 to 300 kDa by NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore K. Dayie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Lukasz T. Olenginski
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Kehinde M. Taiwo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
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11
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Matsuo T, Arluison V, Wien F, Peters J. Structural Information on Bacterial Amyloid and Amyloid-DNA Complex Obtained by Small-Angle Neutron or X-Ray Scattering. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2538:75-93. [PMID: 35951294 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2529-3_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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Small-angle scattering is a powerful technique to obtain structural information on biomacromolecules in aqueous solution at the sub-nanometer and nanometer length scales. It provides the sizes and overall shapes of the scattering particles. While small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has often been used for structural analysis of a single-component system, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been used to reveal the internal organization of a multicomponent system such as protein-protein and protein-DNA complexes. This is due to the fact that the neutron scattering length is largely different between hydrogen and deuterium, and thus it allows to make a specific component in complexes "invisible" to neutrons by changing the H2O/D2O ratio in the solvent with or without molecular deuteration. In this chapter, we describe a method to characterize the biomolecular structures using SANS and SAXS, in particular, focusing on fibrillar proteins such as bacterial amyloids and their complexes with nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuhito Matsuo
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LiPhy, Grenoble, France.
- Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Tokai, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Véronique Arluison
- Laboratoire Léon Brillouin LLB, CEA, CNRS UMR 12, Université Paris Saclay, CEA Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Frank Wien
- DISCO Beamline, Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers Saint Aubin, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Judith Peters
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LiPhy, Grenoble, France.
- Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France.
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12
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Dagenais P, Desjardins G, Legault P. An integrative NMR-SAXS approach for structural determination of large RNAs defines the substrate-free state of a trans-cleaving Neurospora Varkud Satellite ribozyme. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:11959-11973. [PMID: 34718697 PMCID: PMC8599749 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The divide-and-conquer strategy is commonly used for protein structure determination, but its applications to high-resolution structure determination of RNAs have been limited. Here, we introduce an integrative approach based on the divide-and-conquer strategy that was undertaken to determine the solution structure of an RNA model system, the Neurospora VS ribozyme. NMR and SAXS studies were conducted on a minimal trans VS ribozyme as well as several isolated subdomains. A multi-step procedure was used for structure determination that first involved pairing refined NMR structures with SAXS data to obtain structural subensembles of the various subdomains. These subdomain structures were then assembled to build a large set of structural models of the ribozyme, which was subsequently filtered using SAXS data. The resulting NMR-SAXS structural ensemble shares several similarities with the reported crystal structures of the VS ribozyme. However, a local structural difference is observed that affects the global fold by shifting the relative orientation of the two three-way junctions. Thus, this finding highlights a global conformational change associated with substrate binding in the VS ribozyme that is likely critical for its enzymatic activity. Structural studies of other large RNAs should benefit from similar integrative approaches that allow conformational sampling of assembled fragments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Dagenais
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Box 6128, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Quebec, Canada
| | - Geneviève Desjardins
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Box 6128, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pascale Legault
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Box 6128, Downtown Station, Montreal, QC H3C 3J7, Quebec, Canada
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13
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Aguion PI, Marchanka A. Strategies for RNA Resonance Assignment by 13C/ 15N- and 1H-Detected Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:743181. [PMID: 34746232 PMCID: PMC8563574 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.743181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Magic angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR (ssNMR) is an established tool that can be applied to non-soluble or non-crystalline biomolecules of any size or complexity. The ssNMR method advances rapidly due to technical improvements and the development of advanced isotope labeling schemes. While ssNMR has shown significant progress in structural studies of proteins, the number of RNA studies remains limited due to ssNMR methodology that is still underdeveloped. Resonance assignment is the most critical and limiting step in the structure determination protocol that defines the feasibility of NMR studies. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in RNA resonance assignment methods and approaches for secondary structure determination by ssNMR. We critically discuss advantages and limitations of conventional 13C- and 15N-detected experiments and novel 1H-detected methods, identify optimal regimes for RNA studies by ssNMR, and provide our view on future ssNMR studies of RNA in large RNP complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Marchanka
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ), Leibniz University Hannover, Hanover, Germany
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14
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Olenginski LT, Taiwo KM, LeBlanc RM, Dayie TK. Isotope-Labeled RNA Building Blocks for NMR Structure and Dynamics Studies. Molecules 2021; 26:5581. [PMID: 34577051 PMCID: PMC8466439 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA structural research lags behind that of proteins, preventing a robust understanding of RNA functions. NMR spectroscopy is an apt technique for probing the structures and dynamics of RNA molecules in solution at atomic resolution. Still, RNA analysis by NMR suffers from spectral overlap and line broadening, both of which worsen for larger RNAs. Incorporation of stable isotope labels into RNA has provided several solutions to these challenges. In this review, we summarize the benefits and limitations of various methods used to obtain isotope-labeled RNA building blocks and how they are used to prepare isotope-labeled RNA for NMR structure and dynamics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz T. Olenginski
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (L.T.O.); (K.M.T.); (R.M.L.)
| | - Kehinde M. Taiwo
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (L.T.O.); (K.M.T.); (R.M.L.)
| | - Regan M. LeBlanc
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (L.T.O.); (K.M.T.); (R.M.L.)
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 50 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210, USA
| | - Theodore K. Dayie
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Organization, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (L.T.O.); (K.M.T.); (R.M.L.)
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15
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Matsuo T. Viewing SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein in Terms of Molecular Flexibility. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:454. [PMID: 34064163 PMCID: PMC8224284 DOI: 10.3390/biology10060454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The latest coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia leading to the pandemic, contains 29 proteins. Among them, nucleocapsid protein (NCoV2) is one of the abundant proteins and shows multiple functions including packaging the RNA genome during the infection cycle. It has also emerged as a potential drug target. In this review, the current status of the research of NCoV2 is described in terms of molecular structure and dynamics. NCoV2 consists of two domains, i.e., the N-terminal domain (NTD) and the C-terminal domain (CTD) with a disordered region between them. Recent simulation studies have identified several potential drugs that can bind to NTD or CTD with high affinity. Moreover, it was shown that the degree of flexibility in the disordered region has a large effect on drug binding rate, suggesting the importance of molecular flexibility for the NCoV2 function. Molecular flexibility has also been shown to be integral to the formation of droplets, where NCoV2, RNA and/or other viral proteins gather through liquid-liquid phase separation and considered important for viral replication. Finally, as one of the future research directions, a strategy for obtaining the structural and dynamical information on the proteins contained in droplets is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuhito Matsuo
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan;
- Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique (LiPhy), Grenoble-Alpes University, 140 Rue de la Physique, 38402 Saint Martin d’Hères, France
- Institut Laue-Langevin, 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, CEDEX 9, 38042 Grenoble, France
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16
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Liu B, Shi H, Al-Hashimi HM. Developments in solution-state NMR yield broader and deeper views of the dynamic ensembles of nucleic acids. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2021; 70:16-25. [PMID: 33836446 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acids do not fold into a single conformation, and dynamic ensembles are needed to describe their propensities to cycle between different conformations when performing cellular functions. We review recent advances in solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods and their integration with computational techniques that are improving the ability to probe the dynamic ensembles of DNA and RNA. These include computational approaches for predicting chemical shifts from structure and generating conformational libraries from sequence, measurements of exact nuclear Overhauser effects, development of new probes to study chemical exchange using relaxation dispersion, faster and more sensitive real-time NMR techniques, and new NMR approaches to tackle large nucleic acid assemblies. We discuss how these advances are leading to new mechanistic insights into gene expression and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Honglue Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hashim M Al-Hashimi
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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17
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Detection and Labeling of Small Non-Coding RNAs by Splinted Ligation. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 33792872 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1386-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Discovery and characterization of microRNAs (miRNAs) and other families of small RNAs lead researchers to study their structures/functions and their expression patterns. The splinted ligation method described here is based on nucleic acid hybridization. It is optimized for the direct labeling and quantitative detection of small RNAs. A specific bridge DNA oligonucleotide is used, which is perfectly complementary to both the target small RNA and a labeled ligation nucleic acid. The target RNA is subsequently labeled by ligation, detected by analysis in denaturing conditions, and quantified by phosphorimaging. The protocol does not require any specific material, and the procedure is fast and sensitive.
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18
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Advanced approaches for elucidating structures of large RNAs using NMR spectroscopy and complementary methods. Methods 2020; 183:93-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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19
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Emwas AH, Szczepski K, Poulson BG, Chandra K, McKay RT, Dhahri M, Alahmari F, Jaremko L, Lachowicz JI, Jaremko M. NMR as a "Gold Standard" Method in Drug Design and Discovery. Molecules 2020; 25:E4597. [PMID: 33050240 PMCID: PMC7594251 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Studying disease models at the molecular level is vital for drug development in order to improve treatment and prevent a wide range of human pathologies. Microbial infections are still a major challenge because pathogens rapidly and continually evolve developing drug resistance. Cancer cells also change genetically, and current therapeutic techniques may be (or may become) ineffective in many cases. The pathology of many neurological diseases remains an enigma, and the exact etiology and underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. Viral infections spread and develop much more quickly than does the corresponding research needed to prevent and combat these infections; the present and most relevant outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, which originated in Wuhan, China, illustrates the critical and immediate need to improve drug design and development techniques. Modern day drug discovery is a time-consuming, expensive process. Each new drug takes in excess of 10 years to develop and costs on average more than a billion US dollars. This demonstrates the need of a complete redesign or novel strategies. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) has played a critical role in drug discovery ever since its introduction several decades ago. In just three decades, NMR has become a "gold standard" platform technology in medical and pharmacology studies. In this review, we present the major applications of NMR spectroscopy in medical drug discovery and development. The basic concepts, theories, and applications of the most commonly used NMR techniques are presented. We also summarize the advantages and limitations of the primary NMR methods in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul-Hamid Emwas
- Core Labs, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kacper Szczepski
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
| | - Benjamin Gabriel Poulson
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
| | - Kousik Chandra
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
| | - Ryan T. McKay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2W2, Canada;
| | - Manel Dhahri
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Yanbu El-Bahr 46423, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Fatimah Alahmari
- Nanomedicine Department, Institute for Research and Medical, Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Lukasz Jaremko
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
| | - Joanna Izabela Lachowicz
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Università di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Biological and Environmental Sciences & Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.S.); (B.G.P.); (K.C.); (L.J.)
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20
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Boyd PS, Brown JB, Brown JD, Catazaro J, Chaudry I, Ding P, Dong X, Marchant J, O’Hern CT, Singh K, Swanson C, Summers MF, Yasin S. NMR Studies of Retroviral Genome Packaging. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101115. [PMID: 33008123 PMCID: PMC7599994 DOI: 10.3390/v12101115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly all retroviruses selectively package two copies of their unspliced RNA genomes from a cellular milieu that contains a substantial excess of non-viral and spliced viral RNAs. Over the past four decades, combinations of genetic experiments, phylogenetic analyses, nucleotide accessibility mapping, in silico RNA structure predictions, and biophysical experiments were employed to understand how retroviral genomes are selected for packaging. Genetic studies provided early clues regarding the protein and RNA elements required for packaging, and nucleotide accessibility mapping experiments provided insights into the secondary structures of functionally important elements in the genome. Three-dimensional structural determinants of packaging were primarily derived by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A key advantage of NMR, relative to other methods for determining biomolecular structure (such as X-ray crystallography), is that it is well suited for studies of conformationally dynamic and heterogeneous systems—a hallmark of the retrovirus packaging machinery. Here, we review advances in understanding of the structures, dynamics, and interactions of the proteins and RNA elements involved in retroviral genome selection and packaging that are facilitated by NMR.
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21
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Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of [2-13C, 7-15 N]-ATP for facile NMR analysis of RNA. MONATSHEFTE FUR CHEMIE 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00706-020-02667-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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22
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Jones AN, Sattler M. Challenges and perspectives for structural biology of lncRNAs-the example of the Xist lncRNA A-repeats. J Mol Cell Biol 2020; 11:845-859. [PMID: 31336384 PMCID: PMC6917512 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjz086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the discovery of numerous long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) transcripts in the human genome, their important roles in biology and human disease are emerging. Recent progress in experimental methods has enabled the identification of structural features of lncRNAs. However, determining high-resolution structures is challenging as lncRNAs are expected to be dynamic and adopt multiple conformations, which may be modulated by interaction with protein binding partners. The X-inactive specific transcript (Xist) is necessary for X inactivation during dosage compensation in female placental mammals and one of the best-studied lncRNAs. Recent progress has provided new insights into the domain organization, molecular features, and RNA binding proteins that interact with distinct regions of Xist. The A-repeats located at the 5′ end of the transcript are of particular interest as they are essential for mediating silencing of the inactive X chromosome. Here, we discuss recent progress with elucidating structural features of the Xist lncRNA, focusing on the A-repeats. We discuss the experimental and computational approaches employed that have led to distinct structural models, likely reflecting the intrinsic dynamics of this RNA. The presence of multiple dynamic conformations may also play an important role in the formation of the associated RNPs, thus influencing the molecular mechanism underlying the biological function of the Xist A-repeats. We propose that integrative approaches that combine biochemical experiments and high-resolution structural biology in vitro with chemical probing and functional studies in vivo are required to unravel the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha N Jones
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich and Bavarian NMR Center at Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85747, Germany
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, 85764, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich and Bavarian NMR Center at Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Garching, 85747, Germany
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23
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Abramov G, Velyvis A, Rennella E, Wong LE, Kay LE. A methyl-TROSY approach for NMR studies of high-molecular-weight DNA with application to the nucleosome core particle. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:12836-12846. [PMID: 32457157 PMCID: PMC7293644 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2004317117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of methyl-transverse relaxation-optimized spectroscopy (methyl-TROSY)-based NMR methods, in concert with robust strategies for incorporation of methyl-group probes of structure and dynamics into the protein of interest, has facilitated quantitative studies of high-molecular-weight protein complexes. Here we develop a one-pot in vitro reaction for producing NMR quantities of methyl-labeled DNA at the C5 and N6 positions of cytosine (5mC) and adenine (6mA) nucleobases, respectively, enabling the study of high-molecular-weight DNA molecules using TROSY approaches originally developed for protein applications. Our biosynthetic strategy exploits the large number of naturally available methyltransferases to specifically methylate DNA at a desired number of sites that serve as probes of structure and dynamics. We illustrate the methodology with studies of the 153-base pair Widom DNA molecule that is simultaneously methyl-labeled at five sites, showing that high-quality 13C-1H spectra can be recorded on 100 μM samples in a few minutes. NMR spin relaxation studies of labeled methyl groups in both DNA and the H2B histone protein component of the 200-kDa nucleosome core particle (NCP) establish that methyl groups at 5mC and 6mA positions are, in general, more rigid than Ile, Leu, and Val methyl probes in protein side chains. Studies focusing on histone H2B of NCPs wrapped with either wild-type DNA or DNA methylated at all 26 CpG sites highlight the utility of NMR in investigating the structural dynamics of the NCP and how its histone core is affected through DNA methylation, an important regulator of transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gili Abramov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Algirdas Velyvis
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Bioscience Department, Syngenta, Jealott's Hill Research Centre, Bracknell RG42 6EY, United Kingdom
| | - Enrico Rennella
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Leo E Wong
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Lewis E Kay
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada;
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
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24
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Self‐Assembly of DNA and RNA Building Blocks Explored by Nitrogen‐14 NMR Crystallography: Structure and Dynamics. Chemphyschem 2020; 21:1044-1051. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201901214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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25
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Delhommel F, Gabel F, Sattler M. Current approaches for integrating solution NMR spectroscopy and small-angle scattering to study the structure and dynamics of biomolecular complexes. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:2890-2912. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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26
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Asadi-Atoi P, Barraud P, Tisne C, Kellner S. Benefits of stable isotope labeling in RNA analysis. Biol Chem 2020; 400:847-865. [PMID: 30893050 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RNAs are key players in life as they connect the genetic code (DNA) with all cellular processes dominated by proteins. They contain a variety of chemical modifications and many RNAs fold into complex structures. Here, we review recent progress in the analysis of RNA modification and structure on the basis of stable isotope labeling techniques. Mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy are the key tools and many breakthrough developments were made possible by the analysis of stable isotope labeled RNA. Therefore, we discuss current stable isotope labeling techniques such as metabolic labeling, enzymatic labeling and chemical synthesis. RNA structure analysis by NMR is challenging due to two major problems that become even more salient when the size of the RNA increases, namely chemical shift overlaps and line broadening leading to complete signal loss. Several isotope labeling strategies have been developed to provide solutions to these major issues, such as deuteration, segmental isotope labeling or site-specific labeling. Quantification of modified nucleosides in RNA by MS is only possible through the application of stable isotope labeled internal standards. With nucleic acid isotope labeling coupled mass spectrometry (NAIL-MS), it is now possible to analyze the dynamic processes of post-transcriptional RNA modification and demodification. The trend, in both NMR and MS RNA analytics, is without doubt shifting from the analysis of snapshot moments towards the development and application of tools capable of analyzing the dynamics of RNA structure and modification profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paria Asadi-Atoi
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Pierre Barraud
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (IBPC), UMR 8261, CNRS, Université Paris Diderot, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Carine Tisne
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique (IBPC), UMR 8261, CNRS, Université Paris Diderot, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Stefanie Kellner
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Butenandtstr. 5-13, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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27
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Schnieders R, Keyhani S, Schwalbe H, Fürtig B. More than Proton Detection-New Avenues for NMR Spectroscopy of RNA. Chemistry 2020; 26:102-113. [PMID: 31454110 PMCID: PMC6973061 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201903355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ribonucleic acid oligonucleotides (RNAs) play pivotal roles in cellular function (riboswitches), chemical biology applications (SELEX-derived aptamers), cell biology and biomedical applications (transcriptomics). Furthermore, a growing number of RNA forms (long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs) but also RNA modifications are identified, showing the ever increasing functional diversity of RNAs. To describe and understand this functional diversity, structural studies of RNA are increasingly important. However, they are often more challenging than protein structural studies as RNAs are substantially more dynamic and their function is often linked to their structural transitions between alternative conformations. NMR is a prime technique to characterize these structural dynamics with atomic resolution. To extend the NMR size limitation and to characterize large RNAs and their complexes above 200 nucleotides, new NMR techniques have been developed. This Minireview reports on the development of NMR methods that utilize detection on low-γ nuclei (heteronuclei like 13 C or 15 N with lower gyromagnetic ratio than 1 H) to obtain unique structural and dynamic information for large RNA molecules in solution. Experiments involve through-bond correlations of nucleobases and the phosphodiester backbone of RNA for chemical shift assignment and make information on hydrogen bonding uniquely accessible. Previously unobservable NMR resonances of amino groups in RNA nucleobases are now detected in experiments involving conformational exchange-resistant double-quantum 1 H coherences, detected by 13 C NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, 13 C and 15 N chemical shifts provide valuable information on conformations. All the covered aspects point to the advantages of low-γ nuclei detection experiments in RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robbin Schnieders
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Str. 760438FrankfurtGermany
| | - Sara Keyhani
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Str. 760438FrankfurtGermany
| | - Harald Schwalbe
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Str. 760438FrankfurtGermany
| | - Boris Fürtig
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical BiologyCenter for Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance (BMRZ)Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität FrankfurtMax-von-Laue-Str. 760438FrankfurtGermany
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28
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Integrative Structural Biology of Protein-RNA Complexes. Structure 2020; 28:6-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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29
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Marchant J, Summers MF, Johnson BA. Assigning NMR spectra of RNA, peptides and small organic molecules using molecular network visualization software. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2019; 73:525-529. [PMID: 31325088 PMCID: PMC6859155 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-019-00271-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
NMR assignment typically involves analysis of peaks across multiple NMR spectra. Chemical shifts of peaks are measured before being assigned to atoms using a variety of methods. These approaches quickly become complicated by overlap, ambiguity, and the complexity of correlating assignments among multiple spectra. Here we propose an alternative approach in which a network of linked peak-boxes is generated at the predicted positions of peaks across all spectra. These peak-boxes correlate known relationships and can be matched to the observed spectra. The method is illustrated with RNA, but a variety of molecular types should be readily tractable with this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Marchant
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA
| | - Michael F Summers
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA
| | - Bruce A Johnson
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, 85 St. Nicholas Terrace, New York, NY, 10031, USA.
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30
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Nikolaev Y, Ripin N, Soste M, Picotti P, Iber D, Allain FHT. Systems NMR: single-sample quantification of RNA, proteins and metabolites for biomolecular network analysis. Nat Methods 2019; 16:743-749. [PMID: 31363225 PMCID: PMC6837886 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-019-0495-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cellular behavior is controlled by the interplay of diverse biomolecules. Most experimental methods, however, can only monitor a single molecule class or reaction type at a time. We developed an in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) approach, which permitted dynamic quantification of an entire 'heterotypic' network-simultaneously monitoring three distinct molecule classes (metabolites, proteins and RNA) and all elementary reaction types (bimolecular interactions, catalysis, unimolecular changes). Focusing on an eight-reaction co-transcriptional RNA folding network, in a single sample we recorded over 35 time points with over 170 observables each, and accurately determined five core reaction constants in multiplex. This reconstruction revealed unexpected cross-talk between the different reactions. We further observed dynamic phase-separation in a system of five distinct RNA-binding domains in the course of the RNA transcription reaction. Our Systems NMR approach provides a deeper understanding of biological network dynamics by combining the dynamic resolution of biochemical assays and the multiplexing ability of 'omics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaroslav Nikolaev
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Nina Ripin
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Soste
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paola Picotti
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dagmar Iber
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric H-T Allain
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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31
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Leitner A, Dorn G, Allain FHT. Combining Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy for Integrative Structural Biology of Protein-RNA Complexes. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2019; 11:a032359. [PMID: 31262947 PMCID: PMC6601463 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a032359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Deciphering complex RNA-protein interactions on a (near-)atomic level is a hurdle that hinders advancing our understanding of fundamental processes in RNA metabolism and RNA-based gene regulation. To overcome challenges associated with individual structure determination methods, structural information derived from complementary biophysical methods can be combined in integrative structural biology approaches. Here, we review recent advances in such hybrid structural approaches with a focus on combining mass spectrometric analysis of cross-linked protein-RNA complexes and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Leitner
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biology, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Georg Dorn
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric H-T Allain
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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32
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Zhang H, Keane SC. Advances that facilitate the study of large RNA structure and dynamics by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2019; 10:e1541. [PMID: 31025514 PMCID: PMC7169810 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The characterization of functional yet nonprotein coding (nc) RNAs has expanded the role of RNA in the cell from a passive player in the central dogma of molecular biology to an active regulator of gene expression. The misregulation of ncRNA function has been linked with a variety of diseases and disorders ranging from cancers to neurodegeneration. However, a detailed molecular understanding of how ncRNAs function has been limited; due, in part, to the difficulties associated with obtaining high-resolution structures of large RNAs. Tertiary structure determination of RNA as a whole is hampered by various technical challenges, all of which are exacerbated as the size of the RNA increases. Namely, RNAs tend to be highly flexible and dynamic molecules, which are difficult to crystallize. Biomolecular nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy offers a viable alternative to determining the structure of large RNA molecules that do not readily crystallize, but is itself hindered by some technical limitations. Recently, a series of advancements have allowed the biomolecular NMR field to overcome, at least in part, some of these limitations. These advances include improvements in sample preparation strategies as well as methodological improvements. Together, these innovations pave the way for the study of ever larger RNA molecules that have important biological function. This article is categorized under: RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics, and Chemistry Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaqun Zhang
- Biophysics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sarah C Keane
- Biophysics Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Gao X, Shu X, Song Y, Cao J, Gao M, Wang F, Wang Y, Sun JZ, Liu J, Tang BZ. Visualization and quantification of cellular RNA production and degradation using a combined fluorescence and mass spectrometry characterization assay. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:8321-8324. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc03923f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A combined fluorescence and mass spectrometry assay is developed to visualize and quantify cellular RNA production and degradation.
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35
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Accessing Structure, Dynamics and Function of Biological Macromolecules by NMR Through Advances in Isotope Labeling. J Indian Inst Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s41745-018-0085-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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36
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Marchanka A, Kreutz C, Carlomagno T. Isotope labeling for studying RNA by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2018; 71:151-164. [PMID: 29651587 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-018-0180-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids play key roles in most biological processes, either in isolation or in complex with proteins. Often they are difficult targets for structural studies, due to their dynamic behavior and high molecular weight. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (ssNMR) provides a unique opportunity to study large biomolecules in a non-crystalline state at atomic resolution. Application of ssNMR to RNA, however, is still at an early stage of development and presents considerable challenges due to broad resonances and poor dispersion. Isotope labeling, either as nucleotide-specific, atom-specific or segmental labeling, can resolve resonance overlaps and reduce the line width, thus allowing ssNMR studies of RNA domains as part of large biomolecules or complexes. In this review we discuss the methods for RNA production and purification as well as numerous approaches for isotope labeling of RNA. Furthermore, we give a few examples that emphasize the instrumental role of isotope labeling and ssNMR for studying RNA as part of large ribonucleoprotein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Marchanka
- Centre for Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ) and Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christoph Kreutz
- Organic Chemistry, University of Innsbruck (CCB), Innrain 80/82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Teresa Carlomagno
- Centre for Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ) and Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 38, 30167, Hanover, Germany.
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Group of NMR-based Structural Chemistry, Inhoffenstraße 7, 38124, Brunswick, Germany.
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37
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Nichols PJ, Born A, Henen MA, Strotz D, Celestine CN, Güntert P, Vögeli B. Extending the Applicability of Exact Nuclear Overhauser Enhancements to Large Proteins and RNA. Chembiochem 2018; 19:1695-1701. [PMID: 29883016 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Distance-dependent nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOEs) are one of the most popular and important experimental restraints for calculating NMR structures. Despite this, they are mostly employed as semiquantitative upper distance bounds, and this discards the wealth of information that is encoded in the cross-relaxation rate constant. Information that is lost includes exact distances between protons and dynamics that occur on the sub-millisecond timescale. Our recently introduced exact measurement of the NOE (eNOE) requires little additional experimental effort relative to other NMR observables. So far, we have used eNOEs to calculate multistate ensembles of proteins up to approximately 150 residues. Here, we briefly revisit eNOE methodology and present two new directions for the use of eNOEs: applications to large proteins and RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parker J Nichols
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Alexandra Born
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Morkos A Henen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Dean Strotz
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Chi N Celestine
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, BMC Box 582, 75123, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Peter Güntert
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 2, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Beat Vögeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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Baronti L, Karlsson H, Marušič M, Petzold K. A guide to large-scale RNA sample preparation. Anal Bioanal Chem 2018; 410:3239-3252. [PMID: 29546546 PMCID: PMC5937877 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-018-0943-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RNA is becoming more important as an increasing number of functions, both regulatory and enzymatic, are being discovered on a daily basis. As the RNA boom has just begun, most techniques are still in development and changes occur frequently. To understand RNA functions, revealing the structure of RNA is of utmost importance, which requires sample preparation. We review the latest methods to produce and purify a variation of RNA molecules for different purposes with the main focus on structural biology and biophysics. We present a guide aimed at identifying the most suitable method for your RNA and your biological question and highlighting the advantages of different methods. Graphical abstract In this review we present different methods for large-scale production and purification of RNAs for structural and biophysical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Baronti
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Scheeles Väg 2, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hampus Karlsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Scheeles Väg 2, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maja Marušič
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Scheeles Väg 2, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Katja Petzold
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Scheeles Väg 2, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
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39
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Liu Y, Holmstrom E, Yu P, Tan K, Zuo X, Nesbitt DJ, Sousa R, Stagno JR, Wang YX. Incorporation of isotopic, fluorescent, and heavy-atom-modified nucleotides into RNAs by position-selective labeling of RNA. Nat Protoc 2018; 13:987-1005. [PMID: 29651055 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2018.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Site-specific incorporation of labeled nucleotides is an extremely useful synthetic tool for many structural studies (e.g., NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and X-ray crystallography) of RNA. However, specific-position-labeled RNAs >60 nt are not commercially available on a milligram scale. Position-selective labeling of RNA (PLOR) has been applied to prepare large RNAs labeled at desired positions, and all the required reagents are commercially available. Here, we present a step-by-step protocol for the solid-liquid hybrid phase method PLOR to synthesize 71-nt RNA samples with three different modification applications, containing (i) a 13C15N-labeled segment; (ii) discrete residues modified with Cy3, Cy5, or biotin; or (iii) two iodo-U residues. The flexible procedure enables a wide range of downstream biophysical analyses using precisely localized functionalized nucleotides. All three RNAs were obtained in <2 d, excluding time for preparing reagents and optimizing experimental conditions. With optimization, the protocol can be applied to other RNAs with various labeling schemes, such as ligation of segmentally labeled fragments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Erik Holmstrom
- JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Ping Yu
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kemin Tan
- Structural Biology Center, Department of Biosciences, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
| | - Xiaobing Zuo
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois, USA
| | - David J Nesbitt
- JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
| | - Rui Sousa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Jason R Stagno
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Yun-Xing Wang
- Protein-Nucleic Acid Interaction Section, Structural Biophysics Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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40
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Kremser J, Strebitzer E, Plangger R, Juen MA, Nußbaumer F, Glasner H, Breuker K, Kreutz C. Chemical synthesis and NMR spectroscopy of long stable isotope labelled RNA. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 53:12938-12941. [PMID: 29155431 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc06747j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We showcase the high potential of the 2'-cyanoethoxymethyl (CEM) methodology to synthesize RNAs with naturally occurring modified residues carrying stable isotope (SI) labels for NMR spectroscopic applications. The method was applied to synthesize RNAs with sizes ranging between 60 to 80 nucleotides. The presented approach gives the possibility to selectively modify larger RNAs (>60 nucleotides) with atom-specifically 13C/15N-labelled building blocks. The method harbors the unique potential to address structural as well as dynamic features of these RNAs with NMR spectroscopy but also using other biophysical methods, such as mass spectrometry (MS), or small angle neutron/X-ray scattering (SANS, SAXS).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kremser
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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41
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Yang Y, Wang S. RNA Characterization by Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy. Chemistry 2018; 24:8698-8707. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201705583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Yang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering and Beijing NMR Center; Peking University; No.5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District Beijing 100871 P. R. China
| | - Shenlin Wang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering and Beijing NMR Center; Peking University; No.5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District Beijing 100871 P. R. China
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42
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Engelhard DM, Meyer A, Berndhäuser A, Schiemann O, Clever GH. Di-copper(ii) DNA G-quadruplexes as EPR distance rulers. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:7455-7458. [DOI: 10.1039/c8cc04053b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Paramagnetic Cu(ii) complexes, immobilized via four-point-attachment to both ends of G-quadruplexes, serve as EPR-based distance rulers for studying DNA structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Engelhard
- Depart. of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- TU Dortmund University
- Dortmund
- Germany
| | - Andreas Meyer
- Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Wegelerstr. 12
- Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
- Bonn
- Germany
| | - Andreas Berndhäuser
- Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Wegelerstr. 12
- Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
- Bonn
- Germany
| | - Olav Schiemann
- Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Wegelerstr. 12
- Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
- Bonn
- Germany
| | - Guido H. Clever
- Depart. of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- TU Dortmund University
- Dortmund
- Germany
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43
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Muttach F, Muthmann N, Reichert D, Anhäuser L, Rentmeister A. A benzylic linker promotes methyltransferase catalyzed norbornene transfer for rapid bioorthogonal tetrazine ligation. Chem Sci 2017; 8:7947-7953. [PMID: 29619168 PMCID: PMC5858020 DOI: 10.1039/c7sc03631k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Site-specific alkylation of complex biomolecules is critical for late-stage product diversification as well as post-synthetic labeling and manipulation of proteins and nucleic acids. Promiscuous methyltransferases in combination with analogs of S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet) can functionalize all major classes of biomolecules. We show that benzylic moieties are transferred by Ecm1 with higher catalytic efficiency than the natural AdoMet. A relative specificity of up to 80% is achieved when a norbornene moiety is placed in para-position, enabling for the first time enzymatic norbornene transfer to specific positions in DNA and RNA- even in cell lysate. Subsequent tetrazine ligation of the stable norbornene moiety is fast, efficient, biocompatible and - in combination with an appropriate tetrazine - fluorogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Muttach
- University of Münster , Department of Chemistry , Institute of Biochemistry , Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 2 , 48149 Münster , Germany .
| | - N Muthmann
- University of Münster , Department of Chemistry , Institute of Biochemistry , Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 2 , 48149 Münster , Germany .
| | - D Reichert
- University of Münster , Department of Chemistry , Institute of Biochemistry , Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 2 , 48149 Münster , Germany .
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM) , University of Münster , Germany .
| | - L Anhäuser
- University of Münster , Department of Chemistry , Institute of Biochemistry , Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 2 , 48149 Münster , Germany .
| | - A Rentmeister
- University of Münster , Department of Chemistry , Institute of Biochemistry , Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 2 , 48149 Münster , Germany .
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC1003-CiM) , University of Münster , Germany .
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44
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Shu X, Dai Q, Wu T, Bothwell IR, Yue Y, Zhang Z, Cao J, Fei Q, Luo M, He C, Liu J. N 6-Allyladenosine: A New Small Molecule for RNA Labeling Identified by Mutation Assay. J Am Chem Soc 2017; 139:17213-17216. [PMID: 29116772 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b06837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
RNA labeling is crucial for the study of RNA structure and metabolism. Herein we report N6-allyladenosine (a6A) as a new small molecule for RNA labeling through both metabolic and enzyme-assisted manners. a6A behaves like A and can be metabolically incorporated into newly synthesized RNAs inside mammalian cells. We also show that human RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferases METTL3/METTL14 can work with a synthetic cofactor, namely allyl-SAM (S-adenosyl methionine with methyl replaced by allyl) in order to site-specifically install an allyl group to the N6-position of A within specific sequence to generate a6A-labeled RNAs. The iodination of N6-allyl group of a6A under mild buffer conditions spontaneously induces the formation of N1,N6-cyclized adenosine and creates mutations at its opposite site during complementary DNA synthesis of reverse transcription. The existing m6A in RNA is inert to methyltransferase-assisted allyl labeling, which offers a chance to differentiate m6A from A at individual RNA sites. Our work demonstrates a new method for RNA labeling, which could find applications in developing sequencing methods for nascent RNAs and RNA modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Shu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Qing Dai
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Ian R Bothwell
- Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center , New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Yanan Yue
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Zezhou Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Jie Cao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Qili Fei
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Minkui Luo
- Molecular Pharmacology and Chemistry Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center , New York, New York 10065, United States
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Jianzhao Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University , Zheda Road 38, Hangzhou 310027, China.,Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University , Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, China
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45
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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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46
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Nußbaumer F, Juen MA, Gasser C, Kremser J, Müller T, Tollinger M, Kreutz C. Synthesis and incorporation of 13C-labeled DNA building blocks to probe structural dynamics of DNA by NMR. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:9178-9192. [PMID: 28911104 PMCID: PMC5587810 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the synthesis of atom-specifically 13C-modified building blocks that can be incorporated into DNA via solid phase synthesis to facilitate investigations on structural and dynamic features via NMR spectroscopy. In detail, 6-13C-modified pyrimidine and 8-13C purine DNA phosphoramidites were synthesized and incorporated into a polypurine tract DNA/RNA hybrid duplex to showcase the facile resonance assignment using site-specific labeling. We also addressed micro- to millisecond dynamics in the mini-cTAR DNA. This DNA is involved in the HIV replication cycle and our data points toward an exchange process in the lower stem of the hairpin that is up-regulated in the presence of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein 7. As another example, we picked a G-quadruplex that was earlier shown to exist in two folds. Using site-specific 8-13C-2'deoxyguanosine labeling we were able to verify the slow exchange between the two forms on the chemical shift time scale. In a real-time NMR experiment the re-equilibration of the fold distribution after a T-jump could be monitored yielding a rate of 0.012 min-1. Finally, we used 13C-ZZ-exchange spectroscopy to characterize the kinetics between two stacked X-conformers of a Holliday junction mimic. At 25°C, the refolding process was found to occur at a forward rate constant of 3.1 s-1 and with a backward rate constant of 10.6 s-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Nußbaumer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Andreas Juen
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Catherina Gasser
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Johannes Kremser
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Müller
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Martin Tollinger
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Kreutz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, Innrain 80/82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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47
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Zhang W, Turney T, Surjancev I, Serianni AS. Enzymatic synthesis of ribo- and 2'-deoxyribonucleosides from glycofuranosyl phosphates: An approach to facilitate isotopic labeling. Carbohydr Res 2017; 449:125-133. [PMID: 28780317 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2017.07.006] [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: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Milligram quantities of α-D-ribofuranosyl 1-phosphate (sodium salt) (αR1P) were prepared by the phosphorolysis of inosine, catalyzed by purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNPase). The αR1P was isolated by chromatography in >95% purity and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Aqueous solutions of αR1P were stable at pH 6.4 and 4 °C for several months. The isolated αR1P was N-glycosylated with different nitrogen bases (adenine, guanine and uracil) using PNPase or uridine phosphorylase (UPase) to give the corresponding ribonucleosides in high yield based on the glycosyl phosphate. This methodology is attractive for the preparation of stable isotopically labeled ribo- and 2'-deoxyribonucleosides because of the ease of product purification and convenient use and recycling of nitrogen bases. The approach eliminates the need for separate reactions to prepare individual furanose-labeled ribonucleosides, since only one ribonucleoside (inosine) needs to be labeled, if desired, in the furanose ring, the latter achieved by a high-yield chemical N-glycosylation. 2'-Deoxyribonucleosides were prepared from 2'-deoxyinosine using the same methodology with minor modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5670 USA.
| | - Toby Turney
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5670 USA
| | - Ivana Surjancev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5670 USA
| | - Anthony S Serianni
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5670 USA.
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48
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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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49
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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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50
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Stelling AL, Xu Y, Zhou H, Choi SH, Clay MC, Merriman DK, Al-Hashimi HM. Robust IR-based detection of stable and fractionally populated G-C + and A-T Hoogsteen base pairs in duplex DNA. FEBS Lett 2017; 591:1770-1784. [PMID: 28524232 PMCID: PMC5584567 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Noncanonical G-C+ and A-T Hoogsteen base pairs can form in duplex DNA and play roles in recognition, damage repair, and replication. Identifying Hoogsteen base pairs in DNA duplexes remains challenging due to difficulties in resolving syn versus antipurine bases with X-ray crystallography; and size limitations and line broadening can make them difficult to characterize by NMR spectroscopy. Here, we show how infrared (IR) spectroscopy can identify G-C+ and A-T Hoogsteen base pairs in duplex DNA across a range of different structural contexts. The utility of IR-based detection of Hoogsteen base pairs is demonstrated by characterizing the first example of adjacent A-T and G-C+ Hoogsteen base pairs in a DNA duplex where severe broadening complicates detection with NMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L Stelling
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yu Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Huiqing Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Seung H Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mary C Clay
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Hashim M Al-Hashimi
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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