RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei: identification and comparison of adenovirus 2 encoded transcripts synthesized in vitro and vivo

Mapping of Early and Late Transcripts Encoded by the Autographa californica Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Genome: Is Viral RNA Spliced?

Early and late transcripts were mapped on the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus genome by Northern blotting and hybridization with the cloned viral EcoRI fragments. At least 11 early and about 90 late RNAs were compared with over 32 polypeptides synthesized by in vitro translation of hybrid-selected RNA. The latter method, of course, had its limitations also and did not guarantee that all viral RNAs could be detected in this way. A comparison of cytoplasmic and total cellular RNAs showed no clear-cut differences in their size distributions. We found that there were more RNA classes than corresponding proteins encoded by them and mapped by in vitro translation. By using the Berk-Sharp method and analyses of DNA-RNA hybrids by one-dimensional or two-dimensional neutral and alkaline gel electrophoreses, we were unable to adduce evidence for RNA splicing in this viral system. Minor splices, particularly at sites close to the termini of RNA molecules, could not be excluded.

Spliced exons of adenovirus late RNAs colocalize with snRNP in a specific nuclear domain

Posttranscriptional steps in the production of mRNA include well characterized polyadenylation and splicing reactions, but it is also necessary to understand how RNA is transported within the nucleus from the site of its transcription to the nuclear pore, where it is translocated to the cytoplasmic compartment. Determining the localization of RNA within the nucleus is an important aspect of understanding RNA production and may provide clues for investigating the trafficking of RNA within the nucleus and the mechanism for its export to the cytoplasm. We have previously shown that late phase adenovirus-infected cells contain large clusters of snRNP and non-snRNP splicing factors; the presence of these structures is correlated with high levels of viral late gene transcription. The snRNP clusters correspond to enlarged interchromatin granules present in late phase infected cells. Here we show that polyadenylated RNA and spliced tripartite leader exons from the viral major late transcription unit are present in these same late phase snRNP-containing structures. We find that the majority of the steady state viral RNA present in the nucleus is spliced at the tripartite leader exons. Tripartite leader exons are efficiently exported from the nucleus at a time when we detect their accumulation in interchromatin granule clusters. Since the enlarged interchromatin granules contain spliced and polyadenylated RNA, we suggest that viral RNA may accumulate in this late phase structure during an intranuclear step in RNA transport.

Dynamic organization of splicing factors in adenovirus-infected cells

Adenovirus infection affects the nuclear distribution of host splicing factors. Late phase-infected cells contain discrete clusters of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) that are separate from centers containing the viral 72-kilodalton DNA-binding protein (72K protein). In the present study, we demonstrate that these snRNP clusters also contain splicing factors from the SR protein family. We show that a previously described monoclonal antibody, 3C5, detects SR proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrate that late region 3 transcription occurs at a maximal rate in infected cultures in which greater than 90% of the cells contain the snRNP clusters, indicating that such cells are actively transcribing their late genes. During the onset of the late phase, the intranuclear distribution of splicing factors is very different from that seen after the late phase is established. When late viral transcription commences, cells with snRNP clusters are less prevalent than in cultures that are maintaining maximum levels of late transcription. Instead, a cell type which shows snRNPs, concentrated in foci that also contain the viral 72K DNA-binding protein is detected. This cell type disappears from cultures by 18 to 20 h after a high-multiplicity infection. These results suggest a dynamic organization of splicing factors in infected cells that can be correlated to the status of viral gene expression. Our work also provides an explanation for the differing results that have been published concerning the organization of splicing factors in the adenovirus-infected cell nucleus (L. F. Jiménez-García and D. L. Spector, Cell 73:47-59, 1993). During the present study we observed that a monoclonal antibody against the SC-35 protein, which was used by Jiménez-García and Spector to study the localization of the SC-35 splicing factor in adenovirus-infected cells, cross-reacts with the adenovirus 72K DNA-binding protein and is thus unsuitable for this type of study.

Nuclear organization of splicing small nuclear ribonucleoproteins in adenovirus-infected cells

We have studied the effect of adenovirus infection on the nuclear organization of splicing small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) in HeLa cells. In uninfected HeLa cells, snRNPs are widespread throughout the nucleoplasm but also are concentrated in specific nuclear structures, including coiled bodies, interchromatin granules, and perichromatin fibrils. We have used immunofluorescence microscopy to study the localization of splicing snRNPs relative to centers of viral DNA synthesis and accumulation identified with antiserum against the viral 72,000-molecular-weight single-stranded DNA-binding protein (72K protein). Splicing snRNPs were independently detected with both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific for common snRNP antigens, snRNP-specific proteins, and the snRNA-specific 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine 5' cap structure. We have examined infected cells 2 to 24 h after infection, and, in the majority of these cells, we observed no colocalization of the snRNP and 72K-protein staining patterns. In the late phase, snRNPs were found to markedly concentrate in discrete clusters that were distinct from the centers of viral DNA synthesis and accumulation identified with anti-72K protein. We have treated cells with hydroxyurea at various times after infection to inhibit aspects of the virus infectious program. We have found that the accumulation of snRNP clusters is correlated with late gene expression rather than with DNA synthesis or early gene expression. Finally, we show that the late-phase snRNP clusters colocalize with a monoclonal antibody that primarily stains interchromatin granules. These results suggest that the centers of snRNP concentration in late-phase infected cells are likely to correspond to interchromatin granule clusters.

Modulation of alternative splicing of adenoviral E1A transcripts: factors involved in the early-to-late transition

The E1A pre-mRNA of adenovirus is spliced into three mRNA species (13S, 12S, and 9S mRNAs) by the use of three alternative 5'-splice sites. The 13S and 9S mRNAs predominate during the early and late periods of infection, respectively. With HeLa nuclear extracts isolated in early and late periods of infection, we were able to reproduce a 13S-9S modulation that resembles that occurring in infected cells. An in vitro analysis of the cis-acting parameters involved in the 13S-9S switch indicates that the 13S mRNA splicing inhibition is one of the first events of the late period and leads to the subsequent stimulation of the 9S mRNA reaction. The new abilities of the late nuclear extract for the 9S mRNA reaction were also confirmed by analyzing splicing of a major late transcript containing leaders 1 and 2 separated by the wild-type intervening sequence (IVS) of 1021 nucleotides. Complementation experiments show that the trans-acting factor(s) are micrococcal nuclease sensitive. They were partially characterized by induction experiments, and we show that the primary factors responsible for the 13S-9S modulation in vitro are viral RNAs of high molecular weight that accumulate late in infection. We postulate that the splicing modulation of E1A pre-mRNA results from an indirect mode of action for these viral RNAs, based on a sequestration of common splicing factors that are not present in vast excess in HeLa cells.

RNA-binding properties of hnRNP proteins

The RNA-binding properties of the hnRNP monoparticle proteins were examined using a renaturing blotting procedure. All 'core' proteins are able to bind single-stranded nucleic acids, probably not sequence-specific. The core proteins C1 and, in one case A2 and B2, are able to bind nucleic acids which are double-stranded or which show a high degree of base-paired regions, among them U1 snRNA, whereas A1, B1 and C2 are unable to bind base-paired nucleic acids. The characteristics of C1 in binding base-paired nucleic acids are especially interesting, since the involvement of C1 in the splicing process has been described.

Synthesis of 5S rRNA and putative precursor tRNAs in nuclei isolated from wheat embryos

Nuclei isolated from wheat embryos synthesize 4.5S precursor tRNAs and 5S rRNA in vitro. The precursor tRNAs can be processed to 4S tRNAs. Transcription of the tRNA and 5S rRNA genes is carried out by endogenous RNA polymerase III, and addition of exogenous wheat RNA polymerase III results in increased transcription on these genes. A number of experimental results suggest that proper initiation and accurate transcription of the tRNA and 5S rRNA genes occurs with isolated wheat nuclei.

A labile inhibitor blocks immunoglobulin kappa-light-chain-gene transcription in a pre-B leukemic cell line

The murine pre-B leukemic cell line 70Z/3 contains both an unrearranged immunoglobulin kappa-light-chain gene and a functionally rearranged but silent kappa-light-chain gene. Mitogenic stimulation of growing 70Z/3 cells with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates kappa-light-gene transcription and results in a 10- to 20-fold increase in cytoplasmic kappa-light-chain mRNA. The induction of kappa gene expression by LPS was probed by using an inhibitor of protein synthesis. Concomitant treatment of 70Z/3 cells with LPS and cycloheximide failed to block kappa-light-chain mRNA accumulation, indicating that new protein synthesis is not required for the activation of kappa-gene expression. Treatment of 70Z/3 cells with cycloheximide alone resulted in kappa-mRNA induction equivalent to those produced by LPS alone. The kappa mRNA synthesized in the presence of cycloheximide was intact and able to direct the synthesis of kappa light chains. Nuclear transcription assays revealed that cycloheximide, like LPS, activated kappa-gene transcription. These findings indicate that the trans-acting factors necessary for kappa-light-chain-gene transcription are present in pre-B cells, but their activity is blocked by short-lived inhibitory proteins.

RNA sequence containing hexanucleotide AAUAAA directs efficient mRNA polyadenylation in vitro

To determine whether a specific nucleotide sequence is required to direct polyadenylation of a simian virus 40 early pre-mRNA in a soluble HeLa whole-cell lysate, we constructed a series of rearranged and deleted DNA templates, transcribed them in vitro, and determined whether the resultant RNAs could be polyadenylated when incubated in whole-cell lysate. When a 237-base-pair DNA fragment encoding the 3' end of the simian virus 40 early pre-mRNA was transferred to recombinant plasmids encoding RNAs that were not substrates for polyadenylation, the resultant RNAs could now be polyadenylated efficiently. In one case, the chimeric RNA was polyadenylated even more efficiently than was the original simian virus 40 early transcript. Analysis of the RNAs produced from the deletion mutant templates revealed that only RNAs containing at least one copy of the AAUAAA sequence situated near the 3' end and implicated in 3'-end formation and polyadenylation in vivo could be polyadenylated in vitro. Surprisingly, this sequence directed polyadenylation of pre-mRNAs not only when near the RNA 3' end, i.e., 50 nucleotides or less away, but also when the 3' end was situated over 400 nucleotides downstream. Thus, our results show that a polyadenylic acid polymerase activity in HeLa lysates can recognize a specific nucleotide sequence in pre-mRNA and then, in the absence of the nucleolytic cleavage that presumably occurs in vivo, locate the RNA 3' end and use it as a primer for polyadenylic acid synthesis.

Isolation and characterization of cytoplasmic poly(A) polymerase from cryptobiotic gastrulae of Artemia salina

Poly(A) polymerase has been purified to near homogeneity from the cytoplasm of Artemia salina cryptobiotic gastrulae by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and phosphocellulose P11, gel filtration on CL-Sepharose 6B, affinity chromatography on poly(A)-Sepharose 4B and ATP-agarose. The enzyme is fully dependent on exogeneous oligo(riboadenylic acid) and is free of any nuclease or other enzyme activities. In standard assay conditions the enzyme preparation has a specific activity of 5.6 mumol AMP . h-1 . (mg protein)-1. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis reveals the presence of only two proteins with Mr 94 000 and 70 000. The Mr-70 000 protein has been identified as poly(A) polymerase. The enzyme is exclusively activated by Mn2+. Addition of Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, NH4+, K+ or Na+ inhibits the enzymatic reaction. The activity is specific for ATP and competitive inhibition is observed in the presence of other ribonucleoside 5'-triphosphates. AMP incorporation is time-dependent and is increased non-linearly with protein and primer concentration.

RNA sequence containing hexanucleotide AAUAAA directs efficient mRNA polyadenylation in vitro

To determine whether a specific nucleotide sequence is required to direct polyadenylation of a simian virus 40 early pre-mRNA in a soluble HeLa whole-cell lysate, we constructed a series of rearranged and deleted DNA templates, transcribed them in vitro, and determined whether the resultant RNAs could be polyadenylated when incubated in whole-cell lysate. When a 237-base-pair DNA fragment encoding the 3' end of the simian virus 40 early pre-mRNA was transferred to recombinant plasmids encoding RNAs that were not substrates for polyadenylation, the resultant RNAs could now be polyadenylated efficiently. In one case, the chimeric RNA was polyadenylated even more efficiently than was the original simian virus 40 early transcript. Analysis of the RNAs produced from the deletion mutant templates revealed that only RNAs containing at least one copy of the AAUAAA sequence situated near the 3' end and implicated in 3'-end formation and polyadenylation in vivo could be polyadenylated in vitro. Surprisingly, this sequence directed polyadenylation of pre-mRNAs not only when near the RNA 3' end, i.e., 50 nucleotides or less away, but also when the 3' end was situated over 400 nucleotides downstream. Thus, our results show that a polyadenylic acid polymerase activity in HeLa lysates can recognize a specific nucleotide sequence in pre-mRNA and then, in the absence of the nucleolytic cleavage that presumably occurs in vivo, locate the RNA 3' end and use it as a primer for polyadenylic acid synthesis.

Calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide transcription unit: tissue-specific expression involves selective use of alternative polyadenylation sites

Different 3' coding exons in the rat calcitonin gene are used to generate distinct mRNAs encoding either the hormone calcitonin in thyroidal C-cells or a new neuropeptide referred to as calcitonin gene-related peptide in neuronal tissue, indicating the RNA processing regulation is one strategy used in tissue-specific regulation of gene expression in the brain. Although the two mRNAs use the same transcriptional initiation site and have identical 5' terminal sequences, their 3' termini are distinct. The polyadenylation sites for calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNAs are located at the end of the exons 4 and 6, respectively. Termination of transcription after the calcitonin exon does not dictate the production of calcitonin mRNA, because transcription proceeds through both calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide exons irrespective of which mRNA is ultimately produced. In isolated nuclei, both polyadenylation sites appear to be utilized; however, the proximal (calcitonin) site is preferentially used in nuclei from tissues producing calcitonin mRNA. These data suggest that the mechanism dictating production of each mRNA involves the selective use of alternative polyadenylation sites.

Differential stability of host mRNAs in Friend erythroleukemia cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1

The consequences of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection on cellular macromolecules were investigated in Friend erythroleukemia cells. The patterns of protein synthesis, examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, demonstrated that by 4 h postinfection the synthesis of many host proteins, with the exception of histones, was inhibited. Examination of the steady-state level of histone H3 mRNA by molecular hybridization of total RNA to a cloned mouse histone H3 complementary DNA probe demonstrated that the ratio of histone H3 mRNA to total RNA remained unchanged for the first 4 h postinfection. In contrast, the steady-state levels of globin and actin mRNAs decreased progressively at early intervals postinfection. Studies on RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei demonstrated that the transcription of the histone H3 gene was inhibited to approximately the same extent as that of actin gene. We concluded that the stabilization of preexisting histone H3 mRNA was responsible for the persistence of H3 mRNA and histone protein synthesis in herpes simplex virus type 1-infected Friend erythroleukemia cells. The possible mechanisms influencing the differential stability of host mRNAs during the course of productive infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 are discussed.

Calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide transcription unit: tissue-specific expression involves selective use of alternative polyadenylation sites

Different 3' coding exons in the rat calcitonin gene are used to generate distinct mRNAs encoding either the hormone calcitonin in thyroidal C-cells or a new neuropeptide referred to as calcitonin gene-related peptide in neuronal tissue, indicating the RNA processing regulation is one strategy used in tissue-specific regulation of gene expression in the brain. Although the two mRNAs use the same transcriptional initiation site and have identical 5' terminal sequences, their 3' termini are distinct. The polyadenylation sites for calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNAs are located at the end of the exons 4 and 6, respectively. Termination of transcription after the calcitonin exon does not dictate the production of calcitonin mRNA, because transcription proceeds through both calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide exons irrespective of which mRNA is ultimately produced. In isolated nuclei, both polyadenylation sites appear to be utilized; however, the proximal (calcitonin) site is preferentially used in nuclei from tissues producing calcitonin mRNA. These data suggest that the mechanism dictating production of each mRNA involves the selective use of alternative polyadenylation sites.

A model for the excision of introns 1 and 2 from adenoviral major late pre-messenger RNAs

Total steady-state RNA was extracted from nuclei of HeLa cells late after infection with adenovirus serotype 2. Most of the nuclear RNA is transcribed from the major late transcription unit (16.2 to 100.0 map units). To study the cleavage reactions involved in the splicing of leaders 1 and 2, we have used the S1 nuclease mapping technique with restriction fragments located in the region of intron 1 as DNA probes. The S1 mapping data showed that in total nuclear RNA, RNA species accumulate from which the 5' part of intron 1 has been excised, but which still contain the 3' part of the intron. This indicates that intron 1 can be removed in a stepwise fashion following the 5' to 3' direction. We have compared the nucleotide sequences from the ends of the putative processing intermediates. The internal cleavage sites do not resemble the consensus 5' or 3' splice site sequences. However, they show considerable homology to the sequence 5' A-T-G-A-T-G-G-C-A-T 3', which may act as a signal for internal cleavage. The intermediates are present in both the poly(A)+ and poly(A)- RNA fractions, although with different relative intensities. Primer extension experiments have been performed in which a primer, located with its left end in leader 2, is extended into intron 1. The results show that there may be a cleavage site as short as 35 nucleotides before the 3' splice site. Cleavage at the 3' splice site seems to be rapidly followed by ligation of leader 1 to leader 2. A model for RNA splicing based on these findings and data from the literature is presented.

Splicing pathways of SV40 mRNAs in X. laevis oocytes differ in their requirements for snRNPs

To examine the role of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) in mRNA splicing, we have injected SV40 DNA, in the presence or absence of anti-Sm or anti-(U1)RNP antibodies, into the nucleus of X. laevis oocytes, and analyzed the viral specific RNAs and proteins that were synthesized. In the absence of antibodies, the majority of the viral mRNAs were spliced, giving rise to transcripts and proteins analogous to those found in infected monkey cells. However, the relative efficiencies with which the various splice sites were utilized were different in the two cell types. When sera from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients containing anti-Sm or anti-(U1)RNP antibodies were coinjected with the viral DNA, splicing of L-strand-specific (late) mRNA was dramatically inhibited. Cleavage at both 5' and 3' splice sites was blocked, leading to an accumulation of unspliced primary transcripts. Neither the total amount of late RNA synthesized nor the formation of mature polyadenylated late mRNA 3' ends was affected. These results indicate that U1 snRNPs play a crucial role in mRNA splicing in vivo. Unexpectedly, the effects of the sera on E-strand-specific (early) viral mRNA splicing were different. All anti-Sm or -(U1)RNP sera tested had no detectable effect on the splicing of the mRNA coding for the small tumor antigen. A subset of these sera, however, inhibited large tumor antigen mRNA splicing. On the basis of these data it is suggested that different pre-mRNAs, or even different splice sites within the same pre-mRNA, have dissimilar interactions with snRNP particles in the splicing reaction.

Accelerated onset of viral transcription in adenovirus-infected HeLa cells treated with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate

When adenovirus type 5-infected HeLa cells were exposed to the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, short pulse-labeling with [3H]uridine in vivo and [3H]UTP incorporation by isolated nuclei in vitro were both consistent with a decreased latent period before initiation by RNA polymerase at early viral promoters. Acceleration was not dependent upon concurrent protein synthesis and could not be attributed to rapid entry of virus into the cell nucleus. 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate suppressed the transcription-delay phenotype of the E1a mutant, hr1, without restoring its ability to replicate.

Accelerated onset of viral transcription in adenovirus-infected HeLa cells treated with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate

When adenovirus type 5-infected HeLa cells were exposed to the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, short pulse-labeling with [3H]uridine in vivo and [3H]UTP incorporation by isolated nuclei in vitro were both consistent with a decreased latent period before initiation by RNA polymerase at early viral promoters. Acceleration was not dependent upon concurrent protein synthesis and could not be attributed to rapid entry of virus into the cell nucleus. 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate suppressed the transcription-delay phenotype of the E1a mutant, hr1, without restoring its ability to replicate.

Liposome-mediated insertion of intact DNA into isolated nuclei. Potential for a new in vitro transcription system

DNA molecules sequestered within negatively charged liposomes became nuclei-associated following interaction between isolated mouse plasmacytoma nuclei and liposomes. Few if any liposomes appeared to adhere to washed nuclei following their interaction with liposomes, suggesting that DNA was internalized. Liposome-delivered, radioactive pBR322 DNA re-extracted from nuclei appeared intact, whereas DNA from nuclei incubated with naked DNA was degraded. Up to 2 X 10(10) D of DNA were inserted into each nucleus. DNA delivered into nuclei via liposome was transcribed as shown by the fact that about 1% of the RNA synthesized in nuclei injected with pBR322 or E. coli DNA hybridized with moderate excess of homologous DNA. pBR322-specific RNA synthesized in isolated nuclei consisted of large MW transcripts. Experiments in which SV40 DNA and pBR322 DNA were delivered simultaneously in equimolar amounts into nuclei indicated that SV40 DNA was transcribed as efficiently as pBR322 DNA.

Inhibition of RNA cleavage but not polyadenylation by a point mutation in mRNA 3' consensus sequence AAUAAA

A single U leads to G transversion in the 3' consensus sequence AAUAAA of the adenovirus early region 1A gene was constructed and the effect of this mutation on processing of the 3' end of the nuclear early region 1A RNAs was analysed. The results demonstrate that the intact AAUAAA is not required for RNA polyadenylation but is required for the cleavage step preceding polyadenylation to occur efficiently.

Structure of a cluster of mouse histone genes

The four mouse histone genes (2 H3 genes, an H2b gene and an H2a gene) present in a cloned 12.9 kilobase fragment of DNA have been completely sequenced including both 5' and 3' flanking regions. These genes are expressed in cultured mouse cells and the 3' and 5' ends of the mRNA have been determined by S1 nuclease mapping. These genes code for a minor fraction of the histone mRNAs expressed in cultured mouse cells. They comprise at most 5-8% of the total histone mRNA of each type. The two H3 genes code for H3.2 and H3.1 histone proteins, while the H2b gene codes for an H2b.1 protein with a single amino acid change (val-leu) at position 18. Only the 3' portion of the H2a gene is contained in the clone and there is an amino acid change (alanine-proline) at position 126. Comparison of the 5' and 3' flanking sequences reveals a conserved sequence at the 3' end of the mRNA which forms a hairpin loop structure. The codon usage in the genes is non-random and there has been no discrimination against CG doublets in the coding region of the genes.

Accurate and specific polyadenylation of mRNA precursors in a soluble whole-cell lysate

Conditions have been developed which allow for the efficient, accurate, and specific polyadenylation of exogenously added mRNA precursors in a whole-cell lysate derived from HeLa cells. Precursors are prepared by in vitro transcription using linear DNA templates in a HeLa whole-cell lysate, purified, and added to another lysate. Under optimal conditions (which are quite precise with respect to several variables), 70% or more of the precursor molecules become polyadenylated, and the length of the poly(A) segment added is controlled much as it is in vivo, giving rise to 150-300-nucleotide long stretches of poly(A). Under suboptimal conditions, both the fraction of precursor RNA that becomes polyadenylated and also the length of the poly(A) segment added are reduced. The in vitro polyadenylation reaction is also remarkably specific: Only in vitro-synthesized pre-mRNAs that contain a 3' end located at or slightly downstream from the corresponding in vivo mRNA 3' end site can be efficiently polyadenylated in vitro. These results suggest that the poly(A) polymerase requires one or more protein (or RNA) factors in order to bring about accurate and specific polyadenylation in vitro, and that the poly(A) polymerase complex must interact with a specific recognition signal at the 3' end of mRNA precursors in order to catalyze subsequent polyadenylation.

Human beta-globin pre-mRNA synthesized in vitro is accurately spliced in Xenopus oocyte nuclei

To study the mechanisms of RNA splicing we have synthesized beta-globin mRNA precursors by in vitro transcription using a plasmid in which a human beta-globin gene is fused to an efficient bacteriophage promoter. The structural requirements for accurate splicing of the in vitro synthesized pre-mRNAs were investigated by injection into Xenopus oocyte nuclei. We detect splicing only if the pre-mRNA is capped in vitro prior to injection; uncapped RNA is rapidly degraded. In addition, we find that in vitro synthesized pre-mRNAs that are not polyadenylated or lack a normal 3' end are spliced following injection into oocytes. The observation that a purified pre-mRNA can be spliced in oocytes indicates that transcription and splicing are not obligatorily coupled. When an in vitro synthesized beta-globin pre-mRNA containing a splice junction mutation is microinjected, the affected junction is not spliced, indicating that sequences necessary for accurate splicing in human cells are also necessary for splicing in oocytes.

Histone mRNA concentrations are regulated at the level of transcription and mRNA degradation

The levels of histone mRNA are rapidly reduced after treatment of cultured cells with hydroxyurea or cytosine arabinonucleoside. The histone mRNA for the replicative histone variants is destroyed rapidly, with a half-life of 10-15 min. The levels of mRNA coding for the replacement histone variant H3.3 were unchanged after treatment with DNA synthesis inhibitors. In addition to the rapid destruction of histone mRNA, there was a reduction to 1/5th in the rate of transcription of the histone genes. Lymphoma cells (S49) arrested in G1 by cyclic AMP produce and contain significant levels of histone mRNA. Hydroxyurea reduces the rate of transcription and the levels of histone mRNA in the G1-arrested cells.

Alternative splicing pathways exist in the formation of adenoviral late messenger RNAs

Total rapidly labeled RNA was extracted from nuclei of HeLa cells late after infection with adenovirus type 2. Most of this nuclear RNA is transcribed from the major late transcription unit (16.2 to 100.0 map units (m.u.)). To study the cleavage reactions that are involved in RNA splicing, we used the S1 nuclease mapping technique with HindIII B (16.8 to 31.5 m.u.) and XhoI F (15.5 to 22.4 m.u.) restriction fragments as DNA probes. The S1 mapping data showed that both intron 1 (16.3 to 19.1 m.u.) and intron 2 (19.4 to 26.2 m.u.) can be excised in more than one step. Kinetic labeling and pulse--chase experiments demonstrated that certain cleavage sites in the RNA are used within three minutes after the start of transcription, while other cleavages occur only after a significant time-lag. The use of 5.6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole enabled us to label the nuclear RNA exclusively from the 5' end. Such an approach showed that the first cleavages are introduced in the nascent RNA before the RNA polymerase has passed more than 2000 nucleotides beyond the cleavage site. The chronology of the appearance of processing intermediates that results from cleavage of the RNA indicates that preferentially intron 1 is removed before intron 2. This is an agreement with the finding that leader 1 is ligated to leader 2 before ligation of leader 2 to leader 3 takes place. However, we have found that alternative splicing pathways exist in the excision of introns 1 and 2, demonstrating that cleavage in intron 2 may occur before intron 1 is attacked by the splicing enzymes.

Molecular cloning of DNA complementary to mRNA of the baculovirus Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus: location and gene products of RNA transcripts found late in infection

DNAs complementary to late Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) mRNA were synthesized by reverse transcription and cloned in Escherichia coli by using pBR322 as a vector. Eleven different cDNAs were distinguished in our screening of 45 AcNPV-homologous clones. Location of the regions of cDNA homology with respect to the AcNPV physical map showed that the 11 cDNAs were dispersed throughout the genome. The most abundant cDNA insertion, representing approximately one-third of the late viral mRNAs, was homologous to the AcNPV HindIII-P,Q and EcoRI-P fragments. The direction of transcription in this region was from left to right on a linearized AcNPV physical map. Hybridization selection followed by in vitro translation showed that this region encoded a 7,200-dalton (7.2K) protein which comigrated with a minor protein found in the extracellular nonoccluded form of the virus (NOV). Similarly, the gene for polyhedrin, the major structural protein of the occluded virus form, was located, at least in part, in the HindIII-V/EcoRI-I region of the AcNPV map. The polyhedrin transcript represented approximately one-quarter of the viral polyadenylic acid-containing RNAs at 27 h postinfection. Another relatively abundant cDNA was homologous to the HindIII-A/EcoRI-C/SstI-G region, and RNA selected by this cDNA directed the synthesis of two proteins (31K and 30K). The protein products of five other cDNA-selected RNAs were identified. The HindIII-D/EcoRI-O, HindIII-C/EcoRI-D, HindIII-B1/EcoRI-E, and HindIII-B2/EcoRI-H regions of the AcNPV L-1 genome were homologous to RNAs which directed the synthesis of a 57K protein, a 25K protein, a 61K protein, and a 37K protein (plus a minor 26K protein), respectively. Late mRNA selected by a cDNA homologous to the HindIII-P/EcoRI-B region of the AcNPV map directed the synthesis of 31K and 30K proteins which comigrated with the 31K and 30K proteins translated from RNA selected by the HindIII-A/EcoRI-C/SstI-G cDNA. Three other cDNAs have not been correlated yet with specific protein products.

Accurate in vitro splicing of human beta-globin RNA

Human beta-globin RNA transcribed from an exogenous DNA template is spliced in vitro by concentrated whole cell extracts from HeLa cells. Using the primer extension technique, we have shown that the small intervening sequence is spliced accurately and that the sequence of the product across the splice junction is identical to that of beta-globin mRNA prepared from human reticulocytes. The efficiency of the splicing reaction is low. The RNA transcript containing both introns and terminated upstream from the polyadenylation site is spliced most efficiently. The transcript which is terminated downstream from the polyadenylation site is not spliced at all. Thalassemic beta-globin RNA which carries an extra splice site in the small intron is also spliced, albeit with a low yield.

Mechanism of action of dichloro-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole: effect on in vitro transcription

The adenosine analog 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB) and its mono- and triphosphate derivatives inhibit RNA polymerase II-specific transcription in an extract of whole HeLa cells. The analog does not inhibit RNA polymerase III-specific adenovirus VA RNA transcription in the whole cell extract. With purified RNA polymerase II under nonspecific transcription conditions, no effect on DRB could be detected. DRB is equally effective in inhibiting in vitro transcription from several of the adenovirus promoters and the human epsilon-globin gene. The inhibitory effects are in the order DRB greater than DRB monophosphate greater than DRB triphosphate. Thus DRB acts in vitro presumably on systems in which specific RNA polymerase II initiation of transcription occurs and with no detectable effect on premature termination. This will provide a suitable model for study of the molecular mechanism of action of DRB on transcription.

Assembly of nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles during in vitro transcription

The assembly of heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) into ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles has been investigated during in vitro transcription in isolated nuclei. Approximately 80% of the in vitro transcription observed in mouse Friend erythroleukemia cell nuclei is attributable to the activity of RNA polymerase II. In vitro hnRNA transcripts are assembled into particles having the same properties as the nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) particles in which hnRNA is found in vivo. Direct contact of hnRNP proteins with newly transcribed hnRNA was demonstrated by nuclease protection experiments and by the covalent transfer of 32P-labeled nucleotides from [alpha-32P]UTP-labeled hnRNA transcripts to specific proteins by RNA--protein crosslinking followed by nuclease digestion and electrophoresis of the nucleotide-bearing proteins. The availability of an in vitro system for hnRNP assembly opens a new route for investigating the functional relationship between nuclear structure and mRNA processing.

In vitro transcription of adenovirus

A series of recombinants of adenovirus DNA fragments and pBR322 was used to test the transcriptional activity of the nine known adenovirus promoters in a cell-free extract. Specific initiation was seen at all five early promoters as well as at the major late promotor and at the intermediate promoter for polypeptide IX. The system failed to recognize the two other adenovirus promoters, which were prominent in vivo only at intermediate and late stages in infection. Microheterogeneity of 5' termini at several adenovirus promoters, previously shown in vivo, was reproduced in the in vitro reaction and indeed appeared to result from heterogeneous initiation rather than 5' processing. To test for the presence of soluble factors involved in regulation of nRNA synthesis, the activity of extracts prepared from early and late stages of infection was compared on an assortment of viral promoter sites. Although mock and early extracts showed identical transcription patterns, extracts prepared from late stages gave 5- to 10-fold relative enhancement of the late and polypeptide IX promoters as compared with early promoters.

Transcription and processing of adenoviral RNA by extracts from HeLa cells

Concentrated extracts from HeLa cells prepared by the procedure of Sugden and Keller [Sugden, B. & Keller, W. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 3777-3788] can synthesize RNA molecules of discrete lengths in the presence of DNA templates carrying complete viral transcription units. Accurate initiation of transcription was shown to occur at the "major late" promoter and at the promoter for the "early region III" transcription unit of the adenovirus 2 genome. A cloned fragment of adenovirus 2 DNA containing the early region III transcription unit directs the synthesis of discrete RNA species, many of which correspond in length to spliced early region III mRNAs isolated from adenovirus 2-infected HeLa cells. As shown by hybridization/nuclease S2 analysis, RNA splicing and the formation of specific 3' ends are also taking place in vitro.

A low-molecular-weight RNA species in yeast mitochondria arising from a 3' end trimming of cytochrome b pre-mRNA

Immobilization of yeast mitochondrial RNA on nitrocellulose filters without prior alkali treatment revealed a low-MW RNA species (integral of 300 bases) which hybridizes specifically to the RNA coding strand of a DNA fragment BglII-HinfI at the 3' end of the COB-BOX gene. This RNA species (often a doublet) was found in several independent preparations of wild-type mtRNA and even in box- mutants blocked in the earliest steps of mRNA maturation (e.g. box 8-1). It may, therefore, result from an endonucleolytic cut similar to that which precedes the addition of a poly-A tail in other systems.

The Role of the poly(A) sequence in mammalian messenger RNA

The poly(A) sequence is added to 3' termini of nuclear RNA segments destined to become part of the mRNA, and may play an essential role in the selection of these segments. It appears to be required for at least some of the splicing events involved in mRNA processing. In the cytoplasm, the poly(A) segment is the target of a degradation process which causes its gradual shortening, and leads to a heterogeneous steady-state poly(A)-size distribution. Complete loss of the poly(A) is probably followed by inactivation of the mRNA, since chains depleted of poly(A) do not accumulate in the cells. A role for this sequence in the promotion of mRNA stability is suggested by the behavior of globin mRNA depleted of poly(A) after injection into frog oocytes. The poly(A) shortening process may be part of the mRNA inactivation mechanism, as indicated by the greater sensitivity to degradation of the poly(A) of some short-lived mRNAs. However, the stochastic mRNA decay implies that new and old mRNA chains, with long and short poly(A) segments, respectively are equally susceptible to inactivation. The poly(A)-lacking histone mRNAs are stable only in cells engaged in DNA replication. Present knowledge favors a role for poly(A) in the control of mRNA stability. Loss of this sequence could be controlled through modulation of poly(A)-protein interactions or through masking of a sequence directly adjacent to the poly(A). In the nucleus, the poly(A) sequence could also serve as stabilizing agent, but, in addition, it might interact with the splicing machinery.

Transcripts from the adenovirus-2 major late promoter yield a single early family of 3' coterminal mRNAs and five late families

The major late promoter of adeovirus-2 is located at coordinate 16.45 and initiates synthesis of nuclear precursors that are processed into mRNAs which fall into five 3- co-terminal families, L1-L5. These mRNAs all share a common tripartite 5' leader with a capped terminus encoded at th RNA initiation site. We show that the coorindate 16.45 RNA initiation site is also an early promoter, and yields transcripts detectable as early as 1 hr post-infection, prior to DNA replication and the early-late switch at 6-8 hr. Polyadenylated cytoplasmic RNA from the first 3- co-terminal family, L1, is also produced from the earliest stages of infection. L1 mRNA accumulates in the cytoplasm in the presence of cycloheximide, which blocks DNA replication and the onset of the late phase. Early nuclear RNA contains the same capped 5' terminal RNAase T-1 undecanucleotide and promoter proximal oligonucleotides present in late transcripts. This implies that precisely the same transcription start site is utilized for early L1 mRNA synthesis as is used during the late stage for L1-L5 late mRNA synthesis. In contrast to the early apperance of L1 mRNA, neither L2 nor L3 mRNAs are detected until 5-6 hr post infection. We cnclude that a major event in the Ad-2 early-late switch is a novel form of control which activates L2-L5 mRNA production.

Transcription and RNA processing by the DNA tumour viruses

Messenger RNA synthesis by the DNA tumour viruses proceeds by a complex but versatile series of transcription and RNA processing steps. The major mechanistic features of this pathway are probably very similar to those used by the animal cell host itself. The viruses have, however, evolved intricate arrangements of protein coding sequences and sites for RNA initiation, polyadenylation and splicing which allow them to use their genetic information to maximum advantage.

DNA-dependent transcription of adenovirus genes in a soluble whole-cell extract

We have developed a cell-free system for studying the synthesis of mRNA in mammalian cells. The system consists of a dialyzed and concentrated whole-cell extract derived from HeLa cells, small molecules and cofactors needed for transcription, and exogenously added DNA. Accurate transcription by RNA polymerase II is entirely dependent upon addition of promoter-containing eukaryotic DNA. At optimal DNA and extract concentrations, transcription initiation from the adenovirus serotype 2 late promoter is readily detectable, and specific transcripts over 4000 nucleotides in length are observed. The RNA synthesized in vitro contains the same 5' capped RNase T1 undecanucleotide as does the in vivo transcript. RNA synthesis also initiates accurately at both an early and an intermediate adenovirus promoter site.