Structural investigation of the GlmS ribozyme bound to Its catalytic cofactor

Multidimensional Applications and Challenges of Riboswitches in Biosensing and Biotherapy

Riboswitches have received significant attention over the last two decades for their multiple functionalities and great potential for applications in various fields. This article highlights and reviews the recent advances in biosensing and biotherapy. These fields involve a wide range of applications, such as food safety detection, environmental monitoring, metabolic engineering, live cell imaging, wearable biosensors, antibacterial drug targets, and gene therapy. The discovery, origin, and optimization of riboswitches are summarized to help readers better understand their multidimensional applications. Finally, this review discusses the multidimensional challenges and development of riboswitches in order to further expand their potential for novel applications.

Phosphonate and Thiasugar Analogues of Glucosamine-6-phosphate: Activation of the glmS Riboswitch and Antibiotic Activity

The glmS riboswitch is a motif found in 5'-untranslated regions of bacterial mRNA that controls the synthesis of glucosamine-6-phosphate (GlcN6P), an essential building block for the bacterial cell wall, by a feedback mechanism. Activation of the glmS riboswitch by GlcN6P mimics interferes with the ability of bacteria to synthesize its cell wall. Accordingly, GlcN6P mimics acting as glmS activators are promising candidates for future antibiotic drugs that may overcome emerging bacterial resistance against established antibiotics. We describe the synthesis of a series of phosphonate mimics of GlcN6P as well as the thiasugar analogue of GlcN6P. The phosphonate mimics differ in their pKa value to answer the question of whether derivatives with a pKa matching that of GlcN6P would be efficient glmS activators. We found that all derivatives activate the riboswitch, however, less efficiently than GlcN6P. This observation can be explained by the missing hydrogen bonds in the case of phosphonates and is valuable information for the design of future GlcN6P mimics. The thiasugar analogue of GlcN6P on the other hand turned out to be a glmS riboswitch activator with the same activity as the natural metabolite GlcN6P. The nonphosphorylated thiasugar displayed antimicrobial activity against certain bacilli. Therefore, the compound is a promising lead structure for the development of future antibiotics with a potentially novel mode of action.

Advances in chaperone-assisted RNA crystallography using synthetic antibodies

RNA molecules play essential roles in many biological functions, from gene expression regulation, cellular growth, and metabolism to catalysis. They frequently fold into three-dimensional structures to perform their functions. Therefore, determining RNA structure represents a key step for understanding the structure-function relationships and developing RNA-targeted therapeutics. X-ray crystallography remains a method of choice for determining high-resolution RNA structures, but it has been challenging due to difficulties associated with RNA crystallization and phasing. Several natural and synthetic RNA binding proteins have been used to facilitate RNA crystallography. Having unique properties to help crystal packing and phasing, synthetic antibody fragments, specifically the Fabs, have emerged as promising RNA crystallization chaperones, and so far, over a dozen of RNA structures have been solved using this strategy. Nevertheless, multiple steps in this approach need to be improved, including the recombinant expression of these anti-RNA Fabs, to warrant the full potential of these synthetic Fabs as RNA crystallization chaperones. This review highlights the nuts and bolts and recent advances in the chaperone-assisted RNA crystallography approach, specifically emphasizing the Fab antibody fragments as RNA crystallization chaperones.

Rock, scissors, paper: How RNA structure informs function

RNA can fold back on itself to adopt a wide range of structures. These range from relatively simple hairpins to intricate 3D folds and can be accompanied by regulatory interactions with both metabolites and macromolecules. The last 50 yr have witnessed elucidation of an astonishing array of RNA structures including transfer RNAs, ribozymes, riboswitches, the ribosome, the spliceosome, and most recently entire RNA structuromes. These advances in RNA structural biology have deepened insight into fundamental biological processes including gene editing, transcription, translation, and structure-based detection and response to temperature and other environmental signals. These discoveries reveal that RNA can be relatively static, like a rock; that it can have catalytic functions of cutting bonds, like scissors; and that it can adopt myriad functional shapes, like paper. We relate these extraordinary discoveries in the biology of RNA structure to the plant way of life. We trace plant-specific discovery of ribozymes and riboswitches, alternative splicing, organellar ribosomes, thermometers, whole-transcriptome structuromes and pan-structuromes, and conclude that plants have a special set of RNA structures that confer unique types of gene regulation. We finish with a consideration of future directions for the RNA structure-function field.

General Strategies for RNA X-ray Crystallography

An extremely small proportion of the X-ray crystal structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank are of RNA or RNA-protein complexes. This is due to three main obstacles to the successful determination of RNA structure: (1) low yields of pure, properly folded RNA; (2) difficulty creating crystal contacts due to low sequence diversity; and (3) limited methods for phasing. Various approaches have been developed to address these obstacles, such as native RNA purification, engineered crystallization modules, and incorporation of proteins to assist in phasing. In this review, we will discuss these strategies and provide examples of how they are used in practice.

Architectures and complex functions of tandem riboswitches

Riboswitch architectures that involve the binding of a single ligand to a single RNA aptamer domain result in ordinary dose-response curves that require approximately a 100-fold change in ligand concentration to cover nearly the full dynamic range for gene regulation. However, by using multiple riboswitches or aptamer domains in tandem, these ligand-sensing structures can produce additional, complex gene control outcomes. In the current study, we have computationally searched for tandem riboswitch architectures in bacteria to provide a more complete understanding of the diverse biological and biochemical functions of gene control elements that are made exclusively of RNA. Numerous different arrangements of tandem homologous riboswitch architectures are exploited by bacteria to create more ‘digital’ gene control devices, which operate over a narrower ligand concentration range. Also, two heterologous riboswitch aptamers are sometimes employed to create two-input Boolean logic gates with various types of genetic outputs. These findings illustrate the sophisticated genetic decisions that can be made by using molecular sensors and switches based only on RNA.

RNA as a Major-Groove Ligand: RNA-RNA and RNA-DNA Triplexes Formed by GAA and UUC or TTC Sequences

Friedreich's ataxia is associated with noncanonical nucleic acid structures that emerge when GAA:TTC repeats in the first intron of the FXN gene expand beyond a critical number of repeats. Specifically, the noncanonical repeats are associated with both triplexes and R-loops. Here, we present an in silico investigation of all possible triplexes that form by attaching a third RNA strand to an RNA:RNA or DNA:DNA duplex, complementing previous DNA-based triplex studies. For both new triplexes results are similar. For a pyridimine UUC⁺ third strand, the parallel orientation is stable while its antiparallel counterpart is unstable. For a neutral GAA third strand, the parallel conformation is stable. A protonated GA⁺A third strand is stable in both parallel and antiparallel orientations. We have also investigated Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ ion distributions around the triplexes. The presence of Mg²⁺ ions helps stabilize neutral, antiparallel GAA triplexes. These results (along with previous DNA-based studies) allow for the emergence of a complete picture of the stability and structural characteristics of triplexes based on the GAA and TTC/UUC sequences, thereby contributing to the field of trinucleotide repeats and the associated unusual structures that trigger expansion.

Multidimensional insights into the repeated electromagnetic field stimulation and biosystems interaction in aging and age-related diseases

We provide a multidimensional sequence of events that describe the electromagnetic field (EMF) stimulation and biological system interaction. We describe this process from the quantum to the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. We hypothesized that the sequence of events of these interactions starts with the oscillatory effect of the repeated electromagnetic stimulation (REMFS). These oscillations affect the interfacial water of an RNA causing changes at the quantum and molecular levels that release protons by quantum tunneling. Then protonation of RNA produces conformational changes that allow it to bind and activate Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1 (HSF1). Activated HSF1 binds to the DNA expressing chaperones that help regulate autophagy and degradation of abnormal proteins. This action helps to prevent and treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (PD) by increasing clearance of pathologic proteins. This framework is based on multiple mathematical models, computer simulations, biophysical experiments, and cellular and animal studies. Results of the literature review and our research point towards the capacity of REMFS to manipulate various networks altered in aging (Reale et al. PloS one 9, e104973, 2014), including delay of cellular senescence (Perez et al. 2008, Exp Gerontol 43, 307-316) and reduction in levels of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) (Perez et al. 2021, Sci Rep 11, 621). Results of these experiments using REMFS at low frequencies can be applied to the treatment of patients with age-related diseases. The use of EMF as a non-invasive therapeutic modality for Alzheimer’s disease, specifically, holds promise. It is also necessary to consider the complicated and interconnected genetic and epigenetic effects of the REMFS-biological system’s interaction while avoiding any possible adverse effects.

Synthesis, DFT Molecular Geometry and Anticancer Activity of Symmetrical 2,2'-(2-Oxo-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-1,3(2H)-diyl) Diacetate and Its Arylideneacetohydrazide Derivatives

To identify new candidate anticancer compounds, we here report the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives: diethyl 2,2′-(2-oxo-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-1,3(2H)-diyl) diacetate and its arylideneacetohydrazide derivatives, using ultrasonic irradiation and conventional heating. The compounds were confirmed by Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (JEOL, Tokyo, Japan) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy (Thermoscientific, Waltham, MA, USA). The molecular structure and electronic properties of the studied compounds were predicted for the acetohydrazide hydrazones. These compounds exist as a mixture of configurational and conformational isomerism as well as amido-amidic acid tautomerism. The NMR spectral data proved the predominance of syn-E amido isomers. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) predicted stability in the gas phase and showed that syn-E amido isomers are the most stable in the presence of an electron donating group, while the anti-isomer is the most stable in the presence of electron-attracting substituents. The anticancer activity of these synthetic compounds 6a, 6b and 6c towards both colon cancer (HCT-116) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells was examined by MTT assay and DAPI staining. The MTT assay revealed a strong antiproliferative effect against the cancer cells at low concentrations, and interestingly, no significant inhibitory action against the non-cancerous cell line, HEK-293. The IC50 values for HCT-116 were 29.5 + 4.53 µM, 57.9 + 7.01 µM and 40.6 + 5.42 µM for 6a, 6b, and 6c, respectively. The IC50 values for HeLa cells were 57.1 + 6.7 µM, 65.6 + 6.63 µM and 33.8 + 3.54 µM for 6a, 6b, and 6c, respectively. DAPI staining revealed that these synthesized benzimidazole derivatives caused apoptotic cell death in both the colon and cervical cancer cells. Thus, these synthetic compounds demonstrate encouraging anticancer activity as well as being safe for normal human cells, making them attractive candidates as anticancer agents.

Structural Insights Into Tautomeric Dynamics in Nucleic Acids and in Antiviral Nucleoside Analogs

DNA (2'-deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid) play diverse functional roles in biology and disease. Despite being comprised primarily of only four cognate nucleobases, nucleic acids can adopt complex three-dimensional structures, and RNA in particular, can catalyze biochemical reactions to regulate a wide variety of biological processes. Such chemical versatility is due in part to the phenomenon of nucleobase tautomerism, whereby the bases can adopt multiple, yet distinct isomeric forms, known as tautomers. For nucleobases, tautomers refer to structural isomers that differ from one another by the position of protons. By altering the position of protons on nucleobases, many of which play critical roles for hydrogen bonding and base pairing interactions, tautomerism has profound effects on the biochemical processes involving nucleic acids. For example, the transient formation of minor tautomers during replication could generate spontaneous mutations. These mutations could arise from the stabilization of mismatches, in the active site of polymerases, in conformations involving minor tautomers that are indistinguishable from canonical base pairs. In this review, we discuss the evidence for tautomerism in DNA, and its consequences to the fidelity of DNA replication. Also reviewed are RNA systems, such as the riboswitches and self-cleaving ribozymes, in which tautomerism plays a functional role in ligand recognition and catalysis, respectively. We also discuss tautomeric nucleoside analogs that are efficacious as antiviral drug candidates such as molnupiravir for coronaviruses and KP1212 for HIV. The antiviral efficacy of these analogs is due, in part, to their ability to exist in multiple tautomeric forms and induce mutations in the replicating viral genomes. From a technical standpoint, minor tautomers of nucleobases are challenging to identify directly because they are rare and interconvert on a fast, millisecond to nanosecond, time scale. Nevertheless, many approaches including biochemical, structural, computational and spectroscopic methods have been developed to study tautomeric dynamics in RNA and DNA systems, and in antiviral nucleoside analogs. An overview of these methods and their applications is included here.

Obtaining Crystals of Nucleic Acids in Complex with the Protein U1A Using the Soaking Method

X-ray crystallography is one of the most prominent techniques for determining high-resolution structures of nucleic acids. The major challenges are to obtain well-diffracting single crystals and to solve the phase problem. The absence of structural information impedes the elucidation of the molecular details of biological processes. A particularly intriguing example is the RNA-cleavage catalyzed by the 10-23 deoxyribozyme (DNAzyme). This DNAzyme consists of a catalytic core that is flanked by two substrate binding arms, which can be designed to bind any RNA of interest. Structure elucidation of the 10-23 DNAzyme in a biologically relevant conformation faces three major challenges: (1) stabilization of the RNA substrate to capture the DNA:RNA complex in the pre-catalytic conformation, (2) prevention of the formation of an artificial duplex conformation due to a self-complementary sequence in the catalytic core of the DNAzyme, and (3) the crystallization of nucleic acids with their uniform surfaces. Here, we provide a protocol for an innovative strategy facilitating the crystallization of protein:nucleic acid complexes using a soaking approach and discuss on how to apply this protocol for the structure elucidation of the 10-23 DNAzyme. For this purpose, we describe the purification procedure of an optimized variant of the RNA-binding protein U1A, the crystallization of this specific U1A variant, the soaking process with its specific RNA hairpin loop, and finally suggest a strategy for applying this procedure on the 10-23 DNAzyme in complex with its specific RNA target.

Preparation of Site-Specifically Spin-Labeled RNA by in Vitro Transcription Using an Expanded Genetic Alphabet

Recent advances in pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy enable studying structure and folding of nucleic acids. An efficient introduction of spin labels at specific positions within the oligonucleotide sequence is a prerequisite. We here present a step-by-step guide to synthesize long RNA oligonucleotides bearing spin labels at specific positions within the sequence. RNA preparation is achieved enzymatically via in vitro transcription using an expanded genetic alphabet. Highly structured, several hundred nucleotides long RNAs with two nitroxide spin labels at specific positions can be prepared by this method.

Targeting glmS Ribozyme with Chimeric Antisense Oligonucleotides for Antibacterial Drug Development

Due to the steady rise of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria worldwide, it is critical to develop novel antibacterial drugs. This article presents chimeric antisense oligonucleotides that inhibit the bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most frequent causes of hospital-acquired infections. The chimeric antisense oligonucleotides have a combination of first- and second-generation chemical modification. To deliver the antisense oligonucleotides into a cell, we apply a cell-penetrating oligopeptide attached to them. We have performed complete bioinformatics analyses of the glmS ribozyme present in S. aureus and its essential role in the biochemical pathway of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthesis. Besides, we have analyzed the bacteria for alternative metabolic pathways, such as the nagA gene. The first antisense oligonucleotide explicitly targets the glmS riboswitch, while the second explicitly targets the nagA mRNA. We have evaluated that combined, the antisense oligonucleotides block the synthesis of glucosamine-6-phosphate entirely and inhibit the bacterial growth of S. aureus. However, the glmS riboswitch targeting the antisense oligonucleotide is sufficient to inhibit the growth of S. aureus with a MIC80 of 5 μg/mL. The glmS ribozyme is a very suitable target for antibacterial drug development with antisense oligonucleotides.

Self-cleaving ribozymes: substrate specificity and synthetic biology applications

Various self-cleaving ribozymes appearing in nature catalyze the sequence-specific intramolecular cleavage of RNA and can be engineered to catalyze cleavage of appropriate substrates in an intermolecular fashion, thus acting as true catalysts. The mechanisms of the small, self-cleaving ribozymes have been extensively studied and reviewed previously. Self-cleaving ribozymes can possess high catalytic activity and high substrate specificity; however, substrate specificity is also engineerable within the constraints of the ribozyme structure. While these ribozymes share a common fundamental catalytic mechanism, each ribozyme family has a unique overall architecture and active site organization, indicating that several distinct structures yield this chemical activity. The multitude of catalytic structures, combined with some flexibility in substrate specificity within each family, suggests that such catalytic RNAs, taken together, could access a wide variety of substrates. Here, we give an overview of 10 classes of self-cleaving ribozymes and capture what is understood about their substrate specificity and synthetic applications. Evolution of these ribozymes in an RNA world might be characterized by the emergence of a new ribozyme family followed by rapid adaptation or diversification for specific substrates.

Self-cleaving ribozymes have become important tools of synthetic biology. Here we summarize the substrate specificity and applications of the main classes of these ribozymes.

Riboswitch Mechanisms: New Tricks for an Old Dog

Discovered almost twenty years ago, riboswitches turned out to be one of the most common regulatory systems in bacteria, with representatives found in eukaryotes and archaea. Unlike many other regulatory elements, riboswitches are entirely composed of RNA and capable of modulating expression of genes by direct binding of small cellular molecules. While bacterial riboswitches had been initially thought to control production of enzymes and transporters associated with small organic molecules via feedback regulatory circuits, later findings identified riboswitches directing expression of a wide range of genes and responding to various classes of molecules, including ions, signaling molecules, and others. The 5'-untranslated mRNA regions host a vast majority of riboswitches, which modulate transcription or translation of downstream genes through conformational rearrangements in the ligand-sensing domains and adjacent expression-controlling platforms. Over years, the repertoire of regulatory mechanisms employed by riboswitches has greatly expanded; most recent studies have highlighted the importance of alternative mechanisms, such as RNA degradation, for the riboswitch-mediated genetic circuits. This review discusses the plethora of bacterial riboswitch mechanisms and illustrates how riboswitches utilize different features and approaches to elicit various regulatory responses.

The potential versatility of RNA catalysis

It is commonly thought that in the early development of life on this planet RNA would have acted both as a store of genetic information and as a catalyst. While a number of RNA enzymes are known in contemporary cells, they are largely confined to phosphoryl transfer reactions, whereas an RNA based metabolism would have required a much greater chemical diversity of catalysis. Here we discuss how RNA might catalyze a wider variety of chemistries, and particularly how information gleaned from riboswitches could suggest how ribozymes might recruit coenzymes to expand their chemical range. We ask how we might seek such activities in modern biology. This article is categorized under: RNA-Based Catalysis > Miscellaneous RNA-Catalyzed Reactions Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Riboswitches RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry.

Riboswitch control of bacterial RNA stability

Although riboswitches have long been known to regulate translation initiation and transcription termination, a growing body of evidence indicates that they can also control bacterial RNA lifetimes by acting directly to hasten or impede RNA degradation. Ligand binding to the aptamer domain of a riboswitch can accelerate RNA decay by triggering a conformational change that exposes sites to endonucleolytic cleavage or by catalyzing the self-cleavage of a prefolded ribozyme. Alternatively, the conformational change induced by ligand binding can protect RNA from degradation by blocking access to an RNA terminus or internal region that would otherwise be susceptible to attack by an exonuclease or endonuclease. Such changes in RNA longevity often accompany a parallel effect of the same riboswitch on translation or transcription. Consequently, a single riboswitch aptamer may govern the function of multiple effector elements (expression platforms) that are co-resident within a transcript and act independently of one another.

Riboswitches as Drug Targets for Antibiotics

Riboswitches reside in the untranslated region of RNA and regulate genes involved in the biosynthesis of essential metabolites through binding of small molecules. Since their discovery at the beginning of this century, riboswitches have been regarded as potential antibacterial targets. Using fragment screening, high-throughput screening and rational ligand design guided by X-ray crystallography, lead compounds against various riboswitches have been identified. Here, we review the current status and suitability of the thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), flavin mononucleotide (FMN), glmS, guanine, and other riboswitches as antibacterial targets and discuss them in a biological context. Further, we highlight challenges in riboswitch drug discovery and emphasis the need to develop riboswitch specific high-throughput screening methods.

Testing the CRISPR-Cas9 and glmS ribozyme systems in Leishmania tarentolae

Leishmania parasites include important pathogens and model organisms and are even used for the production of recombinant proteins. However, functional genomics and the characterization of essential genes are often limited in Leishmania because of low-throughput technologies for gene disruption or tagging and the absence of components for RNA interference. Here, we tested the T7 RNA polymerase-dependent CRISPR-Cas9 system by Beneke et al. and the glmS ribozyme-based knock-down system in the model parasite Leishmania tarentolae. We successfully deleted two reference genes encoding the flagellar motility factor Pf16 and the salvage-pathway enzyme adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, resulting in immotile and drug-resistant parasites, respectively. In contrast, we were unable to disrupt the gene encoding the mitochondrial flavoprotein Erv. Cultivation of L. tarentolae in standard BHI medium resulted in a constitutive down-regulation of an episomal mCherry-glmS reporter by 40 to 60%. For inducible knock-downs, we evaluated the growth of L. tarentolae in alternative media and identified supplemented MEM, IMDM and McCoy's 5A medium as candidates. Cultivation in supplemented MEM allowed an inducible, glucosamine concentration-dependent down-regulation of the episomal mCherry-glmS reporter by more than 70%. However, chromosomal glmS-tagging of the genes encoding Pf16, adenine phosphoribosyltransferase or Erv did not reveal a knock-down phenotype. Our data demonstrate the suitability of the CRISPR-Cas9 system for the disruption and tagging of genes in L. tarentolae as well as the limitations of the glmS system, which was restricted to moderate efficiencies for episomal knock-downs and caused no detectable phenotype for chromosomal knock-downs.

Fundamental studies of functional nucleic acids: aptamers, riboswitches, ribozymes and DNAzymes

This review aims at juxtaposing common versus distinct structural and functional strategies that are applied by aptamers, riboswitches, and ribozymes/DNAzymes. Focusing on recently discovered systems, we begin our analysis with small-molecule binding aptamers, with emphasis on in vitro-selected fluorogenic RNA aptamers and their different modes of ligand binding and fluorescence activation. Fundamental insights are much needed to advance RNA imaging probes for detection of exo- and endogenous RNA and for RNA process tracking. Secondly, we discuss the latest gene expression-regulating mRNA riboswitches that respond to the alarmone ppGpp, to PRPP, to NAD⁺, to adenosine and cytidine diphosphates, and to precursors of thiamine biosynthesis (HMP-PP), and we outline new subclasses of SAM and tetrahydrofolate-binding RNA regulators. Many riboswitches bind protein enzyme cofactors that, in principle, can catalyse a chemical reaction. For RNA, however, only one system (glmS ribozyme) has been identified in Nature thus far that utilizes a small molecule - glucosamine-6-phosphate - to participate directly in reaction catalysis (phosphodiester cleavage). We wonder why that is the case and what is to be done to reveal such likely existing cellular activities that could be more diverse than currently imagined. Thirdly, this brings us to the four latest small nucleolytic ribozymes termed twister, twister-sister, pistol, and hatchet as well as to in vitro selected DNA and RNA enzymes that promote new chemistry, mainly by exploiting their ability for RNA labelling and nucleoside modification recognition. Enormous progress in understanding the strategies of nucleic acids catalysts has been made by providing thorough structural fundaments (e.g. first structure of a DNAzyme, structures of ribozyme transition state mimics) in combination with functional assays and atomic mutagenesis.

EPR Distance Measurements on Long Non-coding RNAs Empowered by Genetic Alphabet Expansion Transcription

We present herein a novel nitroxide spin label-containing RNA triphosphate TPT3NO and its application for site-specific spin-labeling of RNA through in vitro transcription using an expanded genetic alphabet. Our strategy allows the facile preparation of spin-labeled RNAs with sizes ranging from short RNA oligonucleotides to large, complex RNA molecules with over 370 nucleotides by standard in vitro transcription. As a proof of concept, inter-spin distance distributions are measured by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in short self-complementary RNA sequences and in a well-studied 185 nucleotide non-coding RNA, the B. subtilis glmS ribozyme. The approach is then applied to probe for the first time the folding of the 377 nucleotide A-region of the long non-coding RNA Xist, by PELDOR.

Comprehensive sequence-to-function mapping of cofactor-dependent RNA catalysis in the glmS ribozyme

Massively parallel, quantitative measurements of biomolecular activity across sequence space can greatly expand our understanding of RNA sequence-function relationships. We report the development of an RNA-array assay to perform such measurements and its application to a model RNA: the core glmS ribozyme riboswitch, which performs a ligand-dependent self-cleavage reaction. We measure the cleavage rates for all possible single and double mutants of this ribozyme across a series of ligand concentrations, determining kcat and KM values for active variants. These systematic measurements suggest that evolutionary conservation in the consensus sequence is driven by maintenance of the cleavage rate. Analysis of double-mutant rates and associated mutational interactions produces a structural and functional mapping of the ribozyme sequence, revealing the catalytic consequences of specific tertiary interactions, and allowing us to infer structural rearrangements that permit certain sequence variants to maintain activity.

Expanding crystallization tools for nucleic acid complexes using U1A protein variants

The major bottlenecks in structure elucidation of nucleic acids are crystallization and phasing. Co-crystallization with proteins is a straight forward approach to overcome these challenges. The human RNA-binding protein U1A has previously been established as crystallization module, however, the absence of UV-active residues and the predetermined architecture in the asymmetric unit constitute clear limitations of the U1A system. Here, we report three crystal structures of tryptophan-containing U1A variants, which expand the crystallization toolbox for nucleic acids. Analysis of the structures complemented by SAXS, NMR spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy allow for insights into the potential of the U1A variants to serve as crystallization modules for nucleic acids. In addition, we report a fast and efficient protocol for crystallization of RNA by soaking and present a fluorescence-based approach for detecting RNA-binding in crystallo. Our results provide a new tool set for the crystallization of RNA and RNA:DNA complexes.

A Modified In Vitro Transcription Approach to Improve RNA Synthesis and Ribozyme Cleavage Efficiency

RNA elements such as catalytic RNA, riboswitch, microRNA, and long non-coding RNA perform a major role in cellular processes. A complete understanding of cellular processes is impossible without knowing the structure-function relationship of participating RNA molecules that ultimately requires large quantities of pure RNAs. Thus, structural/functional analyses of emerging RNAs necessitate revised protocols for improved RNA quantity and quality. Here we present a modified in vitro transcription protocol to enhance ribozyme cleaving efficiency and RNA yield by working on two variables, i.e., incubation temperature and limiting GTPs. Following an improved RNA synthesis, the target RNA is purified from transcription mixture components through denaturing size-exclusion chromatography. The protocol confirms that cyclic elevated incubation temperatures during transcription and increased concentrations of GTPs improve the production rate of RNA. Our modified in vitro transcription method improves the ribozyme cleaving efficiency and targets RNA yield by four- to fivefold that can benefit almost any RNA-related study from protein-RNA interaction analysis to crystallography.

A Dual-Sensing DNA Nanostructure with an Ultrabroad Detection Range

Despite considerable interest in the development of biosensors that can measure analyte concentrations with a dynamic range spanning many orders of magnitude, this goal has proven difficult to achieve. We describe here a modular biosensor architecture that integrates two different readout mechanisms into a single-molecule construct that can achieve target detection across an extraordinarily broad dynamic range. Our dual-mode readout DNA biosensor combines an aptamer and a DNAzyme to quantify adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with two different mechanisms, which respond to low (micromolar) and high (millimolar) concentrations by generating distinct readouts based on changes in fluorescence and absorbance, respectively. Importantly, we have also devised regulatory strategies to fine-tune the target detection range of each sensor module by controlling the target-sensitivity of each readout mechanism. Using this strategy, we report the detection of ATP at a dynamic range spanning 1-500 000 μM, more than 5 orders of magnitude, representing the largest dynamic range reported to date with a single biosensor construct.

Classification of the nucleolytic ribozymes based upon catalytic mechanism

The nucleolytic ribozymes carry out site-specific RNA cleavage reactions by nucleophilic attack of the 2'-oxygen atom on the adjacent phosphorus with an acceleration of a million-fold or greater. A major part of this arises from concerted general acid-base catalysis. Recent identification of new ribozymes has expanded the group to a total of nine and this provides a new opportunity to identify sub-groupings according to the nature of the general base and acid. These include nucleobases, hydrated metal ions, and 2'-hydroxyl groups. Evolution has selected a number of different combinations of these elements that lead to efficient catalysis. These differences provide a new mechanistic basis for classifying these ribozymes.

Riboswitch distribution, structure, and function in bacteria

Riboswitches are gene control elements that directly bind to specific ligands to regulate gene expression without the need for proteins. They are found in all three domains of life, including Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota. Riboswitches are mostly spread in bacteria and archaea. In this paper, we discuss the general distribution, structure, and function of 28 different riboswitch classes as we focus our attention on riboswitches in bacteria. Bacterial riboswitches regulate gene expression by four distinct mechanisms. They regulate the expression of a limited number of genes. However, most of these genes are responsible for the synthesis of essential metabolites without which the cell cannot function. Therefore, riboswitch distribution is also important for antibacterial drug development.

Hatchet ribozyme structure and implications for cleavage mechanism

Self-cleaving ribozymes are RNAs that catalyze position-specific cleavage of their phosphodiester backbone. The cleavage site of the newly discovered hatchet ribozyme is located at the very 5′ end of its consensus secondary structure motif. Here we report on the 2.1-Å crystal structure of the hatchet ribozyme in the product state, which defines its intricate tertiary fold and identifies key residues lining the catalytic pocket. This in turn has allowed us to propose a model of the precatalytic state structure and a role in catalysis for a conserved guanine. This study therefore provides a structure-based platform toward an improved understanding of the catalytic mechanism of hatchet ribozymes.

Small self-cleaving ribozymes catalyze site-specific cleavage of their own phosphodiester backbone with implications for viral genome replication, pre-mRNA processing, and alternative splicing. We report on the 2.1-Å crystal structure of the hatchet ribozyme product, which adopts a compact pseudosymmetric dimeric scaffold, with each monomer stabilized by long-range interactions involving highly conserved nucleotides brought into close proximity of the scissile phosphate. Strikingly, the catalytic pocket contains a cavity capable of accommodating both the modeled scissile phosphate and its flanking 5′ nucleoside. The resulting modeled precatalytic conformation incorporates a splayed-apart alignment at the scissile phosphate, thereby providing structure-based insights into the in-line cleavage mechanism. We identify a guanine lining the catalytic pocket positioned to contribute to cleavage chemistry. The functional relevance of structure-based insights into hatchet ribozyme catalysis is strongly supported by cleavage assays monitoring the impact of selected nucleobase and atom-specific mutations on ribozyme activity.

Small-Molecule-Binding Riboswitches

RNA is a versatile biomolecule capable of transferring information, taking on distinct three-dimensional shapes, and reacting to ambient conditions. RNA molecules utilize a wide range of mechanisms to control gene expression. An example of such regulation is riboswitches. Consisting exclusively of RNA, they are able to control important metabolic processes, thus providing an elegant and efficient RNA-only regulation system. Existing across all domains of life, riboswitches appear to represent one of the most highly conserved mechanisms for the regulation of a broad range of biochemical pathways. Through binding of a wide range of small-molecule ligands to their so-called aptamer domain, riboswitches undergo a conformational change in their downstream "expression platform." In consequence, the pattern of gene expression changes, which in turn results in increased or decreased protein production. Riboswitches unite the sensing and transduction of a signal that can directly be coupled to the metabolism of the cell; thus they constitute a very potent regulatory mechanism for many organisms. Highly specific RNA-binding domains not only occur in vivo but can also be evolved by means of the SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) method, which allows in vitro selection of aptamers against almost any ligand. Coupling of these aptamers with an expression platform has led to the development of synthetic riboswitches, a highly active research field of great relevance and immense potential. The aim of this review is to summarize developments in the riboswitch field over the last decade and address key questions of recent research.

Neomycin-dependent hammerhead ribozymes for the direct control of gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Hammerhead ribozyme-based RNA switches have been proven to be powerful tools for conditional gene regulation in various organisms. We present neomycin-dependent hammerhead ribozymes (HHR) that influence gene expression in a ligand- and dose-dependent manner in S. cerevisiae. We utilized a novel design of fusing the aptamer domain to the HHR enabling for the first time the identification of genetic ON- and OFF-switches within the same library. For this purpose a neomycin aptamer was fused to stem 1 of a type 3 hammerhead ribozyme via an addressable three-way junction that shows high flexibility at the connection site. An in vivo screening approach identified sequences that allow to induce or repress gene expression 2- to 3-fold in response to neomycin addition. The ribozyme switches operate at neomycin concentrations that show no toxic effect on cell growth and pose powerful genetic tools to study and modulate cellular function in yeast.

Recent advances and future trends of riboswitches: attractive regulatory tools

Bacterial genomes contain a huge amount of different genes. These genes are spatiotemporally expressed to accomplish some required functions within the organism. Inside the cell, any step of gene expression may be modulated at four possible places such as transcription initiation, translation regulation, mRNA stability and protein stability. To achieve this, there is a necessity of strong regulators either natural or synthetic which can fine-tune gene expression regarding the required function. In recent years, riboswitches as metabolite responsive control elements residing in the untranslated regions of certain messenger RNAs, have been known to control gene expression at transcription or translation level. Importantly, these control elements do not prescribe the involvement of protein factors for metabolite binding. However, they own their particular properties to sense intramolecular metabolites (ligands). Herein, we highlighted current important bacterial riboswitches, their applications to support genetic control, ligand-binding domain mechanisms and current progress in synthetic riboswitches.

Self-cleavage of the glmS ribozyme core is controlled by a fragile folding element

Riboswitches modulate gene expression in response to small-molecule ligands. Switching is generally thought to occur via the stabilization of a specific RNA structure conferred by binding the cognate ligand. However, it is unclear whether any such stabilization occurs for riboswitches whose ligands also play functional roles, such as the glmS ribozyme riboswitch, which undergoes self-cleavage using its regulatory ligand, glucosamine 6-phosphate, as a catalytic cofactor. To address this question, it is necessary to determine both the conformational ensemble and its ligand dependence. We used optical tweezers to measure folding dynamics and cleavage rates for the core glmS ribozyme over a range of forces and ligand conditions. We found that the folding of a specific structural element, the P2.2 duplex, controls active-site formation and catalysis. However, the folded state is only weakly stable, regardless of cofactor concentration, supplying a clear exception to the ligand-based stabilization model of riboswitch function.

A metabolic checkpoint protein GlmR is important for diverting carbon into peptidoglycan biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis

The Bacillus subtilis GlmR (formerly YvcK) protein is essential for growth on gluconeogenic carbon sources. Mutants lacking GlmR display a variety of phenotypes suggestive of impaired cell wall synthesis including antibiotic sensitivity, aberrant cell morphology and lysis. To define the role of GlmR, we selected suppressor mutations that ameliorate the sensitivity of a glmR null mutant to the beta-lactam antibiotic cefuroxime or restore growth on gluconeogenic carbon sources. Several of the resulting suppressors increase the expression of the GlmS and GlmM proteins that catalyze the first two committed steps in the diversion of carbon from central carbon metabolism into peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Chemical complementation studies indicate that the absence of GlmR can be overcome by provision of cells with N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), even under conditions where GlcNAc cannot re-enter central metabolism and serve as a carbon source for growth. Our results indicate that GlmR facilitates the diversion of carbon from the central metabolite fructose-6-phosphate, which is limiting in cells growing on gluconeogenic carbon sources, into peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Our data suggest that GlmR stimulates GlmS activity, and we propose that this activation is antagonized by the known GlmR ligand and peptidoglycan intermediate UDP-GlcNAc. Thus, GlmR presides over a new mechanism for the regulation of carbon partitioning between central metabolism and peptidoglycan biosynthesis.

Effect of Ribose Conformation on RNA Cleavage via Internal Transesterification

RNA cleavage via internal transesterification is a fundamental reaction involved in RNA processing and metabolism, and the regulation thereof. Herein, the influence of ribose conformation on this reaction was investigated with conformationally constrained ribonucleotides. RNA cleavage rates were found to decrease in the order South-constrained ribonucleotide > native ribonucleotide ≫ North-constrained counterpart, indicating that the ribose conformation plays an important role in modulating RNA cleavage via internal transesterification.

ykkC riboswitches employ an add-on helix to adjust specificity for polyanionic ligands

The ykkC family of bacterial riboswitches combines several widespread classes that have similar secondary structures and consensus motifs but control different genes in response to different cellular metabolites. Here we report the crystal structures of two distinct ykkC riboswitches specifically bound to their cognate ligands ppGpp, a second messenger involved in stress response, or PRPP, a precursor in purine biosynthesis. Both RNAs adopt similar structures and contain a conserved core previously observed in the guanidine-specific ykkC riboswitch. However, ppGpp and PRPP riboswitches uniquely employ an additional helical element that joins the ends of the ligand-sensing domains and creates a tunnel for direct and Mg²⁺-mediated binding of ligands. Mutational and footprinting experiments highlight the importance of conserved nucleotides forming the tunnel and long-distance contacts for ligand binding and genetic response. Our work provides new insights into the specificity of riboswitches and gives a unique opportunity for future studies of RNA evolution.

Binding properties of chiral ruthenium(II) complexes Λ- and Δ-[Ru(bpy)2dppz-11-CO2Me]2+ toward the triplex RNA poly(U)•poly(A)*poly(U)

Two chiral ruthenium(II) complexes containing ligand dppz-CO₂Me (dppz-11-CO₂Me = dipyrido[3,2-a,2',3'-c]phenazine-11-carboxylic acid methyl ester), Δ-[Ru(bpy)₂dppz-11-CO₂Me]²⁺ (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; Δ-1) and Λ-[Ru(bpy)₂dppz-11-CO₂Me]²⁺ (Λ-1), were synthesized and characterized. The binding of the two enantiomers with the triplex RNA poly(U)•poly(A)*poly(U) was carried out by various biophysical techniques. Analysis of the absorption and fluorescence features indicates that the binding strengths of the two enantiomers toward the triplex RNA differ only slightly from each other. The total increase in viscosity and shape of the curves for the triplex RNA with Λ-1 is similar to that with Δ-1, suggesting the binding modes of two enantiomers with the triplex RNA are intercalation. Thermal melting measurements indicate that the stabilization effects clearly depended on the concentrations of Λ-1 and Δ-1. However, the third-strand stabilizing effect of Δ-1 dramatically differs from that of Λ-1 when they interact with the chiral environment of the RNA triple at pH = 7.0 and [Na⁺] = 35 mM. Combined with the CD (CD = circular dichroism) variations of the triplex RNA with either Λ-1 or Δ-1, the reason for their different triplex stabilization effects may originate from the two enantiomers through different orientations intercalating into nucleobases of the triplex. In addition, effects of higher ionic strengths on the triplex stabilization in the absence and presence of the two enantiomers have also been studied. The results presented here may be useful for understanding the binding properties of the triplex RNA with small molecule, particularly chiral ruthenium(II) complexes.

De novo discovery of structural motifs in RNA 3D structures through clustering

As functional components in three-dimensional (3D) conformation of an RNA, the RNA structural motifs provide an easy way to associate the molecular architectures with their biological mechanisms. In the past years, many computational tools have been developed to search motif instances by using the existing knowledge of well-studied families. Recently, with the rapidly increasing number of resolved RNA 3D structures, there is an urgent need to discover novel motifs with the newly presented information. In this work, we classify all the loops in non-redundant RNA 3D structures to detect plausible RNA structural motif families by using a clustering pipeline. Compared with other clustering approaches, our method has two benefits: first, the underlying alignment algorithm is tolerant to the variations in 3D structures. Second, sophisticated downstream analysis has been performed to ensure the clusters are valid and easily applied to further research. The final clustering results contain many interesting new variants of known motif families, such as GNAA tetraloop, kink-turn, sarcin-ricin and T-loop. We have also discovered potential novel functional motifs conserved in ribosomal RNA, sgRNA, SRP RNA, riboswitch and ribozyme.

RNA Structural Dynamics As Captured by Molecular Simulations: A Comprehensive Overview

With both catalytic and genetic functions, ribonucleic acid (RNA) is perhaps the most pluripotent chemical species in molecular biology, and its functions are intimately linked to its structure and dynamics. Computer simulations, and in particular atomistic molecular dynamics (MD), allow structural dynamics of biomolecular systems to be investigated with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. We here provide a comprehensive overview of the fast-developing field of MD simulations of RNA molecules. We begin with an in-depth, evaluatory coverage of the most fundamental methodological challenges that set the basis for the future development of the field, in particular, the current developments and inherent physical limitations of the atomistic force fields and the recent advances in a broad spectrum of enhanced sampling methods. We also survey the closely related field of coarse-grained modeling of RNA systems. After dealing with the methodological aspects, we provide an exhaustive overview of the available RNA simulation literature, ranging from studies of the smallest RNA oligonucleotides to investigations of the entire ribosome. Our review encompasses tetranucleotides, tetraloops, a number of small RNA motifs, A-helix RNA, kissing-loop complexes, the TAR RNA element, the decoding center and other important regions of the ribosome, as well as assorted others systems. Extended sections are devoted to RNA-ion interactions, ribozymes, riboswitches, and protein/RNA complexes. Our overview is written for as broad of an audience as possible, aiming to provide a much-needed interdisciplinary bridge between computation and experiment, together with a perspective on the future of the field.

A Glycine Riboswitch in Streptococcus pyogenes Controls Expression of a Sodium:Alanine Symporter Family Protein Gene

Regulatory RNAs play important roles in the control of bacterial gene expression. In this study, we investigated gene expression regulation by a putative glycine riboswitch located in the 5'-untranslated region of a sodium:alanine symporter family (SAF) protein gene in the group A Streptococcus pyogenes serotype M49 strain 591. Glycine-dependent gene expression mediated by riboswitch activity was studied using a luciferase reporter gene system. Maximal reporter gene expression was observed in the absence of glycine and in the presence of low glycine concentrations. Differences in glycine-dependent gene expression were not based on differential promoter activity. Expression of the SAF protein gene and the downstream putative cation efflux protein gene was investigated in wild-type bacteria by RT-qPCR transcript analyses. During growth in the presence of glycine (≥1 mM), expression of the genes were downregulated. Northern blot analyses revealed premature transcription termination in the presence of high glycine concentrations. Growth in the presence of 0.1 mM glycine led to the production of a full-length transcript. Furthermore, stability of the SAF protein gene transcript was drastically reduced in the presence of glycine. We conclude that the putative glycine riboswitch in S. pyogenes serotype M49 strain 591 represses expression of the SAF protein gene and the downstream putative cation efflux protein gene in the presence of high glycine concentrations. Sequence and secondary structure comparisons indicated that the streptococcal riboswitch belongs to the class of tandem aptamer glycine riboswitches.

Elucidation of Catalytic Strategies of Small Nucleolytic Ribozymes From Comparative Analysis of Active Sites

A number of small, self-cleaving ribozyme classes have been identified including the hammerhead, hairpin, hepatitis delta virus (HDV), Varkud satellite (VS), glmS, twister, hatchet, pistol, and twister sister ribozymes. Within the active sites of these ribozymes, myriad functional groups contribute to catalysis. There has been extensive structure-function analysis of individual ribozymes, but the extent to which catalytic devices are shared across different ribozyme classes is unclear. As such, emergent catalytic principles for ribozymes may await discovery. Identification of conserved catalytic devices can deepen our understanding of RNA catalysis specifically and of enzymic catalysis generally. To probe similarities and differences amongst ribozyme classes, active sites from more than 80 high-resolution crystal structures of self-cleaving ribozymes were compared computationally. We identify commonalities amongst ribozyme classes pertaining to four classic catalytic devices: deprotonation of the 2'OH nucleophile (γ), neutralization of the non-bridging oxygens of the scissile phosphate (β), neutralization of the O5' leaving group (δ), and in-line nucleophilic attack (α). In addition, we uncover conservation of two catalytic devices, each of which centers on the activation of the 2'OH nucleophile by a guanine: one to acidify the 2'OH by hydrogen bond donation to it (γ') and one to acidify the 2'OH by releasing it from non-productive interactions by competitive hydrogen bonding (γ''). Our findings reveal that the amidine functionalities of G, A, and C are especially important for these strategies, and help explain absence of U at ribozyme active sites. The identified γ' and γ'' catalytic strategies help unify the catalytic strategies shared amongst catalytic RNAs and may be important for large ribozymes, as well as protein enzymes that act on nucleic acids.

Structure-based mechanistic insights into catalysis by small self-cleaving ribozymes

Small self-cleaving ribozymes are widely distributed in nature and are essential for rolling-circle-based replication of satellite and pathogenic RNAs. Earlier structure-function studies on the hammerhead, hairpin, glmS, hepatitis delta virus and Varkud satellite ribozymes have provided insights into their overall architecture, their catalytic active site organization, and the role of nearby nucleobases and hydrated divalent cations in facilitating general acid-base and electrostatic-mediated catalysis. This review focuses on recent structure-function research on active site alignments and catalytic mechanisms of the Rzb hammerhead ribozyme, as well as newly-identified pistol, twister and twister-sister ribozymes. In contrast to an agreed upon mechanistic understanding of self-cleavage by Rzb hammerhead and pistol ribozymes, there exists a divergence of views as to the cleavage site alignments and catalytic mechanisms adopted by twister and twister-sister ribozymes. One approach to resolving this conundrum would be to extend the structural studies from currently available pre-catalytic conformations to their transition state mimic vanadate counterparts for both ribozymes.

Allosteric Modulation of the Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Hepatitis Delta Virus-like Ribozyme by Glucosamine 6-Phosphate: The Substrate of the Adjacent Gene Product

Self-cleaving ribozymes were discovered 30 years ago and have been found throughout nature, from bacteria to animals, but little is known about their biological functions and regulation, particularly how cofactors and metabolites alter their activity. A hepatitis delta virus-like self-cleaving ribozyme maps upstream of a phosphoglucosamine mutase (glmM) open reading frame in the genome of the human gut bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. The presence of a ribozyme in the untranslated region of glmM suggests a regulation mechanism of gene expression. In the bacterial hexosamine biosynthesis pathway, the enzyme glmM catalyzes the isomerization of glucosamine 6-phosphate into glucosamine 1-phosphate. In this study, we investigated the effect of these metabolites on the co-transcriptional self-cleavage rate of the ribozyme. Our results suggest that glucosamine 6-phosphate, but not glucosamine 1-phosphate, is an allosteric ligand that increases the self-cleavage rate of drz-Fpra-1, providing the first known example of allosteric modulation of a self-cleaving ribozyme by the substrate of the adjacent gene product. Given that the ribozyme is activated by the glmM substrate, but not the product, this allosteric modulation may represent a potential feed-forward mechanism of gene expression regulation in bacteria.

Ligand design for riboswitches, an emerging target class for novel antibiotics

Riboswitches are cis-acting gene regulatory elements and constitute potential targets for new antibiotics. Recent studies in this field have started to explore these targets for drug discovery. New ligands found by fragment screening, design of analogs of the natural ligands or serendipitously by phenotypic screening have shown antibacterial effects in cell assays against a range of bacteria strains and in animal models. In this review, we highlight the most advanced drug design work of riboswitch ligands and discuss the challenges in the field with respect to the development of antibiotics with a new mechanism of action.