Proteinases of betaretroviruses bind single-stranded nucleic acids through a novel interaction module, the G-patch

Intrinsic disorder and salt-dependent conformational changes of the N-terminal region of TFIP11 splicing factor

Tuftelin Interacting Protein 11 (TFIP11) was identified as a critical human spliceosome assembly regulator, interacting with multiple proteins and localising in membrane-less organelles. However, a lack of structural information on TFIP11 limits the rationalisation of its biological role. TFIP11 is predicted as an intrinsically disordered protein (IDP), and more specifically concerning its N-terminal (N-TER) region. IDPs lack a defined tertiary structure, existing as a dynamic conformational ensemble, favouring protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions. IDPs are involved in liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), driving the formation of subnuclear compartments. Combining disorder prediction, molecular dynamics, and spectroscopy methods, this contribution shows the first evidence TFIP11 N-TER is a polyampholytic IDP, exhibiting a structural duality with the coexistence of ordered and disordered assemblies, depending on the ionic strength. Increasing the salt concentration enhances the protein conformational flexibility, presenting a more globule-like shape, and a fuzzier unstructured arrangement that could favour LLPS and protein-RNA interaction. The most charged and hydrophilic regions are the most impacted, including the G-Patch domain essential to TFIP11 function. This study gives a better understanding of the salt-dependent conformational behaviour of the N-TER TFIP11, supporting the hypothesis of the formation of different types of protein assembly, in line with its multiple biological roles.

AKT1 phosphorylates RBM17 to promote Sox2 transcription by modulating alternative splicing of FOXM1 to enhance cancer stem cell properties in colorectal cancer cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The existence of cancer stem cells (CSC) causes tumor relapses, metastasis, and resistance to conventional therapy. Alternative splicing has been shown to affect physiological and pathological processes. Accumulating evidence has confirmed that targeting alternative splicing could be an effective strategy to treat CRC. Currently, the role of alternative splicing in the regulation of CSC properties in CRC has not been elucidated. Here, we show that RBM17 displays oncogenic roles in CRC cells. RBM17 enhances cell proliferation and reduces chemotherapeutic-induced apoptosis in CRC cells. Besides, RBM17 increases CD133 positive and ALDEFLUOR positive populations and promotes sphere formation in CRC cells. In mechanism studies, we found that FOXM1 is critical for RBM17 enhanced CSC properties. Moreover, FOXM1 alternative splicing is essential for RBM17 enhanced CSC properties in CRC cells. Additionally, RBM17 enhances CSC characteristics by controlling FOXM1 expression to promote Sox2 expression. Furthermore, AKT1 works as an upstream kinase to control RBM17-mediated FOXM1 alternative splicing and enhancement of CSC properties in CRC cells. Our study reveals that AKT1-RBM17-FOXM1-Sox2 axis could be a potential target for modulating alternative splicing to reduce CSC properties in CRC cells.

SPF45/RBM17-dependent, but not U2AF-dependent, splicing in a distinct subset of human short introns

Human pre-mRNA introns vary in size from under fifty to over a million nucleotides. We searched for essential factors involved in the splicing of human short introns by screening siRNAs against 154 human nuclear proteins. The splicing activity was assayed with a model HNRNPH1 pre-mRNA containing short 56-nucleotide intron. We identify a known alternative splicing regulator SPF45 (RBM17) as a constitutive splicing factor that is required to splice out this 56-nt intron. Whole-transcriptome sequencing of SPF45-deficient cells reveals that SPF45 is essential in the efficient splicing of many short introns. To initiate the spliceosome assembly on a short intron with the truncated poly-pyrimidine tract, the U2AF-homology motif (UHM) of SPF45 competes out that of U2AF⁶⁵ (U2AF2) for binding to the UHM-ligand motif (ULM) of the U2 snRNP protein SF3b155 (SF3B1). We propose that splicing in a distinct subset of human short introns depends on SPF45 but not U2AF heterodimer.

The length distribution of human pre-mRNA introns is very extensive. The authors demonstrate that splicing in a subset of short introns is dependent on SPF45 (RBM17), which replaces authentic U2AF-heterodimer on the truncated poly-pyrimidine tracts and interacts with the U2 snRNP protein SF3b155.

G-patch domain-containing protein 4 localizes to both the nucleoli and Cajal bodies and regulates cell growth and nucleolar structure

Ribosome formation occurs in the nucleolus through interaction with various trans-acting factors. Therefore, hundreds of nucleolar proteins have a function in ribosome formation, although the precise function of each nucleolar protein in ribosome formation is largely unclear. We have previously identified an uncharacterized protein, G-patch domain-containing protein 4 (GPATCH4 or G4), as a component of the pre-ribosomes purified with either nucleolin (NCL) or NPM1. In this present study, we sought to clarify the localization and function of G4. We identified that G4 localizes to both the nucleolus and the Cajal body. Although knockdown of G4 did not have a significant effect on pre-ribosomal RNA processing, cell growth did decrease. Interestingly, G4 knockdown also decreased the number of fibrillar center and dense fibrillar component regions inside the nucleolus. This data has identified G4 as a novel nucleolar protein involved in the regulation of cell growth and nucleolar structure.

Regulation of DEAH-box RNA helicases by G-patch proteins

RNA helicases of the DEAH/RHA family form a large and conserved class of enzymes that remodel RNA protein complexes (RNPs) by translocating along the RNA. Driven by ATP hydrolysis, they exert force to dissociate hybridized RNAs, dislocate bound proteins or unwind secondary structure elements in RNAs. The sub-cellular localization of DEAH-helicases and their concomitant association with different pathways in RNA metabolism, such as pre-mRNA splicing or ribosome biogenesis, can be guided by cofactor proteins that specifically recruit and simultaneously activate them. Here we review the mode of action of a large class of DEAH-specific adaptor proteins of the G-patch family. Defined only by their eponymous short glycine-rich motif, which is sufficient for helicase binding and stimulation, this family encompasses an immensely varied array of domain compositions and is linked to an equally diverse set of functions. G-patch proteins are conserved throughout eukaryotes and are even encoded within retroviruses. They are involved in mRNA, rRNA and snoRNA maturation, telomere maintenance and the innate immune response. Only recently was the structural and mechanistic basis for their helicase enhancing activity determined. We summarize the molecular and functional details of G-patch-mediated helicase regulation in their associated pathways and their involvement in human diseases.

Downregulation of RNA binding motif protein 17 expression inhibits proliferation of hypopharyngeal carcinoma FaDu cells

RNA binding motif protein 17 (RBM17) is a protein-coding gene. The protein encoded by RBM17 is involved in the regulation of alternative splicing and is overexpressed in cancer. The present study aimed to determine the effect of RBM17-knockdown in hypopharyngeal carcinoma FaDu cells using the lentivirus-mediated shRNA method. Cell proliferation was detected by an MTT assay. Flow cytometry analysis was used to determine cell cycle distribution and apoptosis. The results of the present study demonstrated that RBM17 expression was significantly decreased in FaDu cells infected with lentivirus-shRNA. Knockdown of RBM17 expression by shRNA significantly reduced cell proliferation, augmented cell apoptosis and arrested cells at the G₂/M phase in FaDu cells. The results of the present study indicate that RBM17 serves a notable role in cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

Limited portability of G-patch domains in regulators of the Prp43 RNA helicase required for pre-mRNA splicing and ribosomal RNA maturation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Prp43 DExD/H-box protein is required for progression of the biochemically distinct pre-messenger RNA and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) maturation pathways. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Spp382/Ntr1, Sqs1/Pfa1, and Pxr1/Gno1 proteins are implicated as cofactors necessary for Prp43 helicase activation during spliceosome dissociation (Spp382) and rRNA processing (Sqs1 and Pxr1). While otherwise dissimilar in primary sequence, these Prp43-binding proteins each contain a short glycine-rich G-patch motif required for function and thought to act in protein or nucleic acid recognition. Here yeast two-hybrid, domain-swap, and site-directed mutagenesis approaches are used to investigate G-patch domain activity and portability. Our results reveal that the Spp382, Sqs1, and Pxr1 G-patches differ in Prp43 two-hybrid response and in the ability to reconstitute the Spp382 and Pxr1 RNA processing factors. G-patch protein reconstitution did not correlate with the apparent strength of the Prp43 two-hybrid response, suggesting that this domain has function beyond that of a Prp43 tether. Indeed, while critical for Pxr1 activity, the Pxr1 G-patch appears to contribute little to the yeast two-hybrid interaction. Conversely, deletion of the primary Prp43 binding site within Pxr1 (amino acids 102-149) does not impede rRNA processing but affects small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) biogenesis, resulting in the accumulation of slightly extended forms of select snoRNAs, a phenotype unexpectedly shared by the prp43 loss-of-function mutant. These and related observations reveal differences in how the Spp382, Sqs1, and Pxr1 proteins interact with Prp43 and provide evidence linking G-patch identity with pathway-specific DExD/H-box helicase activity.

Regulation of DEAH/RHA helicases by G-patch proteins

RNA helicases from the DEAH/RHA family are present in all the processes of RNA metabolism. The function of two helicases from this family, Prp2 and Prp43, is regulated by protein partners containing a G-patch domain. The G-patch is a glycine-rich domain discovered by sequence alignment, involved in protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interaction. Although it has been shown to stimulate the helicase's enzymatic activities, the precise role of the G-patch domain remains unclear. The role of G-patch proteins in the regulation of Prp43 activity has been studied in the two biological processes in which it is involved: splicing and ribosome biogenesis. Depending on the pathway, the activity of Prp43 is modulated by different G-patch proteins. A particular feature of the structure of DEAH/RHA helicases revealed by the Prp43 structure is the OB-fold domain in C-terminal part. The OB-fold has been shown to be a platform responsible for the interaction with G-patch proteins and RNA. Though there is still no structural data on the G-patch domain, in the current model, the interaction between the helicase, the G-patch protein, and RNA leads to a cooperative binding of RNA and conformational changes of the helicase.

Breast cancer-associated protein--a novel binding partner of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus protease

We identified breast cancer-associated protein (BCA3) as a novel binding partner of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) protease (PR). The interaction was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunocolocalization of MPMV PR and BCA3. Full-length but not C-terminally truncated BCA3 was incorporated into MPMV virions. We ruled out the potential role of the G-patch domain, a glycine-rich domain located at the C terminus of MPMV PR, in BCA3 interaction and virion incorporation. Expression of BCA3 did not affect MPMV particle release and proteolytic processing; however, it slightly increased MPMV infectivity.

Insights into the activation of the helicase Prp43 by biochemical studies and structural mass spectrometry

Splicing of precursor messenger RNA is a hallmark of eukaryotic cells, which is carried out by the spliceosome, a multi-megadalton ribonucleoprotein machinery. The splicing reaction removes non-coding regions (introns) and ligates coding regions (exons). The spliceosome is a highly dynamic ribonucleoprotein complex that undergoes dramatic structural changes during its assembly, the catalysis and its disassembly. The transitions between the different steps during the splicing cycle are promoted by eight conserved DExD/H box ATPases. The DEAH-box protein Prp43 is responsible for the disassembly of the intron-lariat spliceosome and its helicase activity is activated by the G-patch protein Ntr1. Here, we investigate the activation of Prp43 by Ntr1 in the presence and absence of RNA substrate by functional assays and structural proteomics. Residues 51–110 of Ntr1 were identified to be the minimal fragment that induces full activation. We found protein–protein cross-links that indicate that Prp43 interacts with the G-patch motif of Ntr1 through its C-terminal domains. Additionally, we report on functionally important RNA binding residues in both proteins and propose a model for the activation of the helicase.

Phosphorylation of the alternative mRNA splicing factor 45 (SPF45) by Clk1 regulates its splice site utilization, cell migration and invasion

Alternative mRNA splicing is a mechanism to regulate protein isoform expression and is regulated by alternative splicing factors. The alternative splicing factor 45 (SPF45) is overexpressed in cancer, although few biological effects of SPF45 are known, and few splicing targets have been identified. We previously showed that Extracellular Regulated Kinase 2 (ERK2) phosphorylation of SPF45 regulates cell proliferation and adhesion to fibronectin. In this work, we show that Cdc2-like kinase 1 (Clk1) phosphorylates SPF45 on eight serine residues. Clk1 expression enhanced, whereas Clk1 inhibition reduced, SPF45-induced exon 6 exclusion from Fas mRNA. Mutational analysis of the Clk1 phosphorylation sites on SPF45 showed both positive and negative regulation of splicing, with a net effect of inhibiting SPF45-induced exon 6 exclusion, correlating with reduced Fas mRNA binding. However, Clk1 enhanced SPF45 protein expression, but not mRNA expression, whereas inhibition of Clk1 increased SPF45 degradation through a proteasome-dependent pathway. Overexpression of SPF45 or a phospho-mimetic mutant, but not a phospho-inhibitory mutant, stimulated ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion, correlating with increased fibronectin expression, ERK activation and enhanced splicing and phosphorylation of full-length cortactin. Our results demonstrate for the first time that SPF45 overexpression enhances cell migration and invasion, dependent on biochemical regulation by Clk1.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation of splicing factor 45 (SPF45) regulates SPF45 alternative splicing site utilization, proliferation, and cell adhesion

The regulation of alternative mRNA splicing factors by extracellular cues and signal transduction cascades is poorly understood. Using an engineered extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) that can utilize ATP analogs, we have identified the alternative mRNA splicing factor 45 (SPF45), which is overexpressed in cancer, as a novel coimmunoprecipitating ERK2 substrate. ERK2 phosphorylated SPF45 on Thr71 and Ser222 in vitro and in cells in response to H-RasV12, B-RAF-V600E, and activated MEK1. Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) and p38α also phosphorylated SPF45 in vitro and associated with SPF45 in cells. SPF45 was differentially phosphorylated in cells by all three mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in response to phorbol myristate acid (PMA), H(2)O(2), UV, and anisomycin stimulation. ERK and p38 activation decreased SPF45-dependent exon 6 exclusion from fas mRNA in a minigene assay in cells. Stable overexpression of SPF45 in SKOV-3 cells dramatically inhibited cell proliferation in a phosphorylation-dependent manner through inhibition of ErbB2 expression. SPF45 overexpression also induced EDA inclusion into fibronectin transcripts and fibronectin expression in a phosphorylation-dependent and -independent manner, respectively, specifically affecting cellular adhesion to a fibronectin matrix. These data identify SPF45 as the first splicing factor regulated by multiple MAP kinase pathways and show effects of both SPF45 overexpression and phosphorylation.

Regulation of chemoresistance via alternative messenger RNA splicing

The acquisition of resistance to chemotherapy is a significant problem in the treatment of cancer, greatly increasing patient morbidity and mortality. Tumors are often sensitive to chemotherapy upon initial treatment, but repeated treatments can select for those cells that were able to survive initial therapy and have acquired cellular mechanisms to enhance their resistance to subsequent chemotherapy treatment. Many cellular mechanisms of drug resistance have been identified, most of which result from changes in gene and protein expression. While changes at the transcriptional level have been duly noted, it is primarily the post-transcriptional processing of pre-mRNA into mature mRNA that regulates the composition of the proteome and it is the proteome that actually regulates the cell's response to chemotherapeutic insult, inducing cell survival or death. During pre-mRNA processing, intronic non-protein-coding sequences are removed and protein-coding exons are spliced to form a continuous template for protein translation. Alternative splicing involves the differential inclusion or exclusion of exonic sequences into the mature transcript, generating different mRNA templates for protein production. This regulatory mechanism enables the potential to produce many different protein isoforms from the same gene. In this review I will explain the mechanism of alternative pre-mRNA splicing and look at some specific examples of how splicing factors, splicing factor kinases and alternative splicing of specific pre-mRNAs from genes have been shown to contribute to acquisition of the drug resistant phenotype.

The G-patch domain of Mason-Pfizer monkey virus is a part of reverse transcriptase

Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV), like some other betaretroviruses, encodes a G-patch domain (GPD). This glycine-rich domain, which has been predicted to be an RNA binding module, is invariably localized at the 3' end of the pro gene upstream of the pro-pol ribosomal frameshift sequence of genomic RNAs of betaretroviruses. Following two ribosomal frameshift events and the translation of viral mRNA, the GPD is present in both Gag-Pro and Gag-Pro-Pol polyproteins. During the maturation of the Gag-Pro polyprotein, the GPD transiently remains a C-terminal part of the protease (PR), from which it is then detached by PR itself. The destiny of the Gag-Pro-Pol-encoded GPD remains to be determined. The function of the GPD in the retroviral life cycle is unknown. To elucidate the role of the GPD in the M-PMV replication cycle, alanine-scanning mutational analysis of its most highly conserved residues was performed. A series of individual mutations as well as the deletion of the entire GPD had no effect on M-PMV assembly, polyprotein processing, and RNA incorporation. However, a reduction of the reverse transcriptase (RT) activity, resulting in a drop in M-PMV infectivity, was determined for all GPD mutants. Immunoprecipitation experiments suggested that the GPD is a part of RT and participates in its function. These data indicate that the M-PMV GPD functions as a part of reverse transcriptase rather than protease.

High-resolution structure of a retroviral protease folded as a monomer

Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV), a D-type retrovirus assembling in the cytoplasm, causes simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) in rhesus monkeys. Its pepsin-like aspartic protease (retropepsin) is an integral part of the expressed retroviral polyproteins. As in all retroviral life cycles, release and dimerization of the protease (PR) is strictly required for polyprotein processing and virion maturation. Biophysical and NMR studies have indicated that in the absence of substrates or inhibitors M-PMV PR should fold into a stable monomer, but the crystal structure of this protein could not be solved by molecular replacement despite countless attempts. Ultimately, a solution was obtained in mr-rosetta using a model constructed by players of the online protein-folding game Foldit. The structure indeed shows a monomeric protein, with the N- and C-termini completely disordered. On the other hand, the flap loop, which normally gates access to the active site of homodimeric retropepsins, is clearly traceable in the electron density. The flap has an unusual curled shape and a different orientation from both the open and closed states known from dimeric retropepsins. The overall fold of the protein follows the retropepsin canon, but the C(α) deviations are large and the active-site 'DTG' loop (here NTG) deviates up to 2.7 Å from the standard conformation. This structure of a monomeric retropepsin determined at high resolution (1.6 Å) provides important extra information for the design of dimerization inhibitors that might be developed as drugs for the treatment of retroviral infections, including AIDS.

G-patch domain and KOW motifs-containing protein, GPKOW; a nuclear RNA-binding protein regulated by protein kinase A

Background

Post-transcriptional processing of pre-mRNA takes place in several steps and requires involvement of a number of RNA-binding proteins. How pre-mRNA processing is regulated is in large enigmatic. The catalytic (C) subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) is a serine/threonine kinase, which regulates numerous cellular processes including pre-mRNA splicing. Despite that a significant fraction of the C subunit is found in splicing factor compartments in the nucleus, there are no indications of a direct interaction between RNA and PKA. Based on this we speculate if the specificity of the C subunit in regulating pre-mRNA splicing may be mediated indirectly through other nuclear proteins.

Results

Using yeast two-hybrid screening with the PKA C subunit Cbeta2 as bait, we identified the G-patch domain and KOW motifs-containing protein (GPKOW), also known as the T54 protein or MOS2 homolog, as an interaction partner for Cbeta2. We demonstrate that GPKOW, which contains one G-patch domain and two KOW motifs, is a nuclear RNA-binding protein conserved between species. GPKOW contains two sites that are phosphorylated by PKA in vitro. By RNA immunoprecipitation and site directed mutagenesis of the PKA phosphorylation sites we revealed that GPKOW binds RNA in vivo in a PKA sensitive fashion.

Conclusion

GPKOW is a RNA-binding protein that binds RNA in a PKA regulated fashion. Together with our previous results demonstrating that PKA regulates pre-mRNA splicing, our results suggest that PKA phosphorylation is involved in regulating RNA processing at several steps.

Backbone (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N NMR assignment for the inactive form of the retroviral protease of the murine intracisternal A-type particle, inMIA-14 PR

Proteases play a crucial role in the retroviral infection but so far the mechanism of their regulation remains unclear. Protease MIA-14 from murine intracisternal A-type particles, containing a C-terminal domain rich in glycines (G-patch), is responsible for binding of single-stranded oligonucleotides (both RNA and DNA) without inhibiting the proteolytic activity. For investigations of untill now poorly characterized protease-oligonucleotide interactions, assignments of the observed NMR frequencies are mandatory. An almost complete assignments of the main chain and (13)C(beta) side chain resonances of the 34 kDa homo-dimeric inMIA-14 PR is presented in this study.

Drosophila SPF45: a bifunctional protein with roles in both splicing and DNA repair

The sequence of the SPF45 protein is significantly conserved, yet functional studies have identified it as a splicing factor in animal cells and as a DNA-repair protein in plants. Using a combined genetic and biochemical approach to investigate this apparent functional discrepancy, we unify and validate both of these studies by demonstrating that the Drosophila melanogaster protein is bifunctional, with independent functions in DNA repair and splicing. We find that SPF45 associates with the U2 snRNP and that mutations that remove the C-terminal end of the protein disrupt this interaction. Although animals carrying this mutation are viable, they are nevertheless compromised in their ability to regulate Sex-lethal splicing, demonstrating that Sex-lethal is an important physiological target of SPF45. Furthermore, these mutant animals exhibit phenotypes diagnostic of difficulties in recovering from exogenously induced DNA damage. The conclusion that SPF45 functions in the DNA-repair pathway is strengthened by finding both genetic and physical interactions between SPF45 and RAD201, a previously uncharacterized member of the RecA/Rad51 protein family. Together with our finding that the fly SPF45 protein increases the survival rate of mutagen-treated bacteria lacking the RecG helicase, these studies provide the tantalizing suggestion that SPF45 has an ancient and evolutionarily conserved role in DNA repair.

Assigning function to a protein relies on information about similar proteins in different species, and is based on the view that conservation of sequence generally parallels conservation of function. In this article, Chaouki and Salz focus on SPF45, a protein that, at first glance, appears to break this rule. Although the sequence of SPF45 is highly conserved, in animals cells SPF45 functions as a splicing factor, but in plant cells it functions as a DNA repair protein. This functional discrepancy is resolved here through the demonstration that, in D. melanogaster, SPF45 is a bifunctional protein with independent functions in DNA repair and splicing. Support for this conclusion includes the observation that mutant animals lacking SPF45 function display defects in both splicing and DNA repair. In addition, the authors show that SPF45 associates with two distinct groups of proteins; those that participate in RNA splicing and those that participate in DNA repair. The finding that the D. melanogaster protein is bifunctional suggests that the human protein may also have more than one function. This has important clinical implications because elevated SPF45 levels have been correlated with resistance to chemotherapy.

U2AF-homology motif interactions are required for alternative splicing regulation by SPF45

The U2AF-homology motif (UHM) mediates protein-protein interactions between factors involved in constitutive RNA splicing. Here we report that the splicing factor SPF45 regulates alternative splicing of the apoptosis regulatory gene FAS (also called CD95). The SPF45 UHM is necessary for this activity and binds UHM-ligand motifs (ULMs) present in the 3' splice site-recognizing factors U2AF65, SF1 and SF3b155. We describe a 2.1-A crystal structure of SPF45-UHM in complex with a ULM peptide from SF3b155. Features distinct from those of previously described UHM-ULM structures allowed the design of mutations in the SPF45 UHM that selectively impair binding to individual ULMs. Splicing assays using the ULM-selective SPF45 variants demonstrate that individual UHM-ULM interactions are required for FAS splicing regulation by SPF45 in vivo. Our data suggest that networks of UHM-ULM interactions are involved in regulating alternative splicing.

The Role of the S-S Bridge in Retroviral Protease Function and Virion Maturation

Retroviral proteases are translated as a part of Gag-related polyproteins, and are released and activated during particle release. Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) Gag polyproteins assemble into immature capsids within the cytoplasm of the host cells; however, their processing occurs only after transport to the plasma membrane and subsequent release. Thus, the activity of M-PMV protease is expected to be highly regulated during the replication cycle. It has been proposed that reversible oxidation of protease cysteine residues might be responsible for such regulation. We show that cysteine residues in M-PMV protease can form an intramolecular S-S bridge. The disulfide bridge shifts the monomer/dimer equilibrium in favor of the dimer, and increases the proteolytic activity significantly. To investigate the role of this disulfide bridge in virus maturation and replication, we engineered an M-PMV clone in which both protease cysteine residues were replaced by alanine (M-PMV(PRC7A/C106A)). Surprisingly, the cysteine residues were dispensable for Gag polyprotein processing within the virus, indicating that even low levels of protease activity are sufficient for polyprotein processing during maturation. However, the long-term infectivity of M-PMV(PRC7A/C106A) was noticeably compromised. These results show clearly that the proposed redox mechanism does not rely solely on the formation of the stabilizing S-S bridge in the protease. Thus, in addition to the protease disulfide bridge, reversible oxidation of cysteine and/or methionine residues in other domains of the Gag polyprotein or in related cellular proteins must be involved in the regulation of maturation.

MOS2, a protein containing G-patch and KOW motifs, is essential for innate immunity in Arabidopsis thaliana

Innate immunity is critical for sensing and defending against microbial infections in multicellular organisms. In plants, disease resistance genes (R genes) play central roles in recognizing pathogens and initiating downstream defense cascades. Arabidopsis SNC1 encodes a TIR-NBS-LRR-type R protein with a similar structure to nucleotide binding oligomerization domain (Nod) proteins in animals. A point mutation in the region between the NBS and LRR of SNC1 results in constitutive activation of defense responses in the snc1 mutant. Here, we report the identification and characterization of mos2-1, a mutant suppressing the constitutive defense responses in snc1. Analysis of mos2 single mutants indicated that it is not only required for resistance specified by multiple R genes, but also for basal resistance. Map-based cloning of MOS2 revealed that it encodes a novel nuclear protein that contains one G-patch and two KOW domains and has homologs across the animal kingdom. The presence of both G-patch and KOW domains in the MOS2 protein suggests that it probably functions as an RNA binding protein critical for plant innate immunity. Our discovery on the biological functions of MOS2 will shed light on functions of the MOS2 homologs in animals, where they may also play important roles in innate immunity.

The RNA Binding G-patch Domain in Retroviral Protease Is Important for Infectivity and D-type Morphogenesis of Mason-Pfizer Monkey Virus

Retroviral proteases (PRs) cleave the viral polyprotein precursors into functional mature proteins late during particle release and are essential for viral replication. Unlike most retroviruses, beta-retroviruses, including Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV), assemble immature capsids within the cytoplasm of the cell. The activation of beta-retroviral proteases must be highly regulated, because processing of the Gag-related polyprotein precursors occurs only after transport of immature capsids to the plasma membrane and budding. Several beta-retroviral proteases have unique C-terminal extension sequences, containing a glycine-rich motif (G-patch), which specifically binds in vitro to single-stranded nucleic acids. In M-PMV PR the G-patch is removed in vitro as well as in vivo by autoproteolytic processing to yield truncated active forms of PR. To investigate the role of the G-patch domain on the virus life cycle, we introduced mutations within the C-terminal domain of protease. We found that the G-patch domain of M-PMV PR is not required for the processing of viral polyproteins, but it significantly influences the infectivity of M-PMV, the activity of reverse transcriptase, and assembly of immature capsid within the cells. These results demonstrate for the first time that the G-patch domain of M-PMV PR is critical for the life cycle of beta-retroviruses, and its evolutionary conservation within members of this genus suggests its importance for retroviruses that display D-type morphology.

Use of endogenous retroviral sequences (ERVs) and structural markers for retroviral phylogenetic inference and taxonomy

BACKGROUND

Endogenous retroviral sequences (ERVs) are integral parts of most eukaryotic genomes and vastly outnumber exogenous retroviruses (XRVs). ERVs with a relatively complete structure were retrieved from the genetic archives of humans and chickens, diametrically opposite representatives of vertebrate retroviruses (over 3300 proviruses), and analyzed, using a bioinformatic program, RetroTector, developed by us. This rich source of proviral information, accumulated in a local database, and a collection of XRV sequences from the literature, allowed the reconstruction of a Pol based phylogenetic tree, more extensive than previously possible. The aim was to find traits useful for classification and evolutionary studies of retroviruses. Some of these traits have been used by others, but they are here tested in a wider context than before.

RESULTS

In the ERV collection we found sequences similar to the XRV-based genera: alpha-, beta-, gamma-, epsilon- and spumaretroviruses. However, the occurrence of intermediates between them indicated an evolutionary continuum and suggested that taxonomic changes eventually will be necessary. No delta or lentivirus representatives were found among ERVs. Classification based on Pol similarity is congruent with a number of structural traits. Acquisition of dUTPase occurred three times in retroviral evolution. Loss of one or two NC zinc fingers appears to have occurred several times during evolution. Nucleotide biases have been described earlier for lenti-, delta- and betaretroviruses and were here confirmed in a larger context.

CONCLUSION

Pol similarities and other structural traits contribute to a better understanding of retroviral phylogeny. "Global" genomic properties useful in phylogenies are i.) translational strategy, ii.) number of Gag NC zinc finger motifs, iii.) presence of Pro N-terminal dUTPase (dUTPasePro), iv.) presence of Pro C-terminal G-patch and v.) presence of a GPY/F motif in the Pol integrase (IN) C-terminal domain. "Local" retroviral genomic properties useful for delineation of lower level taxa are i.) host species range, ii.) nucleotide compositional bias and iii.) LTR lengths.