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Montepietra D, Tesei G, Martins JM, Kunze MBA, Best RB, Lindorff-Larsen K. FRETpredict: a Python package for FRET efficiency predictions using rotamer libraries. Commun Biol 2024; 7:298. [PMID: 38461354 PMCID: PMC10925062 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05910-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a widely-used and versatile technique for the structural characterization of biomolecules. Here, we introduce FRETpredict, an easy-to-use Python software to predict FRET efficiencies from ensembles of protein conformations. FRETpredict uses a rotamer library approach to describe the FRET probes covalently bound to the protein. The software efficiently and flexibly operates on large conformational ensembles such as those generated by molecular dynamics simulations to facilitate the validation or refinement of molecular models and the interpretation of experimental data. We provide access to rotamer libraries for many commonly used dyes and linkers and describe a general methodology to generate new rotamer libraries for FRET probes. We demonstrate the performance and accuracy of the software for different types of systems: a rigid peptide (polyproline 11), an intrinsically disordered protein (ACTR), and three folded proteins (HiSiaP, SBD2, and MalE). FRETpredict is open source (GPLv3) and is available at github.com/KULL-Centre/FRETpredict and as a Python PyPI package at pypi.org/project/FRETpredict .
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Montepietra
- Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental Sustainability Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, 43125, Italy
- Istituto Nanoscienze - CNR-NANO, Center S3, via G. Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulio Tesei
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory & the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - João M Martins
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory & the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Micha B A Kunze
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory & the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Robert B Best
- Laboratory of Chemical Physics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-0520, USA.
| | - Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory & the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DK-2200, Denmark.
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2
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Haase N, Holtkamp W, Christ S, Heinemann D, Rodnina MV, Rudorf S. Decomposing bulk signals to reveal hidden information in processive enzyme reactions: A case study in mRNA translation. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011918. [PMID: 38442108 PMCID: PMC10942256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Processive enzymes like polymerases or ribosomes are often studied in bulk experiments by monitoring time-dependent signals, such as fluorescence time traces. However, due to biomolecular process stochasticity, ensemble signals may lack the distinct features of single-molecule signals. Here, we demonstrate that, under certain conditions, bulk signals from processive reactions can be decomposed to unveil hidden information about individual reaction steps. Using mRNA translation as a case study, we show that decomposing a noisy ensemble signal generated by the translation of mRNAs with more than a few codons is an ill-posed problem, addressable through Tikhonov regularization. We apply our method to the fluorescence signatures of in-vitro translated LepB mRNA and determine codon-position dependent translation rates and corresponding state-specific fluorescence intensities. We find a significant change in fluorescence intensity after the fourth and the fifth peptide bond formation, and show that both codon position and encoded amino acid have an effect on the elongation rate. This demonstrates that our approach enhances the information content extracted from bulk experiments, thereby expanding the range of these time- and cost-efficient methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadin Haase
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Hannover, Germany
| | - Wolf Holtkamp
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Department of Physical Biochemistry, Göttingen, Germany
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Division of Allergology, Langen, Germany
| | - Simon Christ
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dag Heinemann
- Leibniz University Hannover, Hannover Centre for Optical Technologies (HOT), Hannover, Germany
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Horticultural Production Systems, Hannover, Germany
- Leibniz University Hannover, PhoenixD Cluster of Excellence, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marina V. Rodnina
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Department of Physical Biochemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sophia Rudorf
- Leibniz University Hannover, Institute of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Hannover, Germany
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3
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Marina VI, Bidzhieva M, Tereshchenkov AG, Orekhov D, Sagitova VE, Sumbatyan NV, Tashlitsky VN, Ferberg AS, Maviza TP, Kasatsky P, Tolicheva O, Paleskava A, Polshakov VI, Osterman IA, Dontsova OA, Konevega AL, Sergiev PV. An easy tool to monitor the elemental steps of in vitro translation via gel electrophoresis of fluorescently labeled small peptides. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:298-307. [PMID: 38164606 PMCID: PMC10870375 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079766.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Several methods are available to visualize and assess the kinetics and efficiency of elemental steps of protein biosynthesis. However, each of these methods has its own limitations. Here, we present a novel, simple and convenient tool for monitoring stepwise in vitro translation initiated by BODIPY-Met-tRNA. Synthesis and release of very short, 1-7 amino acids, BODIPY-labeled peptides, can be monitored using urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Very short BODIPY-labeled oligopeptides might be resolved this way, in contrast to widely used Tris-tricine gel electrophoresis, which is suitable to separate peptides larger than 1 kDa. The method described in this manuscript allows one to monitor the steps of translation initiation, peptide transfer, translocation, and termination as well as their inhibition at an unprecedented single amino acid resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeriya I Marina
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo 121205, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Medina Bidzhieva
- Molecular and Radiation Biophysics Division, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of NRC "Kurchatov Institute," Gatchina 188300, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnologies, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg 195251, Russia
| | - Andrey G Tereshchenkov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Dmitry Orekhov
- R&D Department, VIC Animal Health, Severny, Belgorod Region 308519, Russia
| | | | - Nataliya V Sumbatyan
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Vadim N Tashlitsky
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Artem S Ferberg
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Tinashe P Maviza
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo 121205, Russia
| | - Pavel Kasatsky
- Molecular and Radiation Biophysics Division, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of NRC "Kurchatov Institute," Gatchina 188300, Russia
| | - Olga Tolicheva
- Molecular and Radiation Biophysics Division, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of NRC "Kurchatov Institute," Gatchina 188300, Russia
| | - Alena Paleskava
- Molecular and Radiation Biophysics Division, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of NRC "Kurchatov Institute," Gatchina 188300, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnologies, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg 195251, Russia
| | - Vladimir I Polshakov
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University Moscow, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Ilya A Osterman
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo 121205, Russia
| | - Olga A Dontsova
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo 121205, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Department of Functioning of Living Systems, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Andrey L Konevega
- Molecular and Radiation Biophysics Division, Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of NRC "Kurchatov Institute," Gatchina 188300, Russia
- Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnologies, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint Petersburg 195251, Russia
| | - Petr V Sergiev
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Skolkovo 121205, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Institute of Functional Genomics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
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4
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Alston JJ, Soranno A, Holehouse AS. Integrating single-molecule spectroscopy and simulations for the study of intrinsically disordered proteins. Methods 2021; 193:116-135. [PMID: 33831596 PMCID: PMC8713295 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades, intrinsically disordered proteins and protein regions (IDRs) have emerged from a niche corner of biophysics to be recognized as essential drivers of cellular function. Various techniques have provided fundamental insight into the function and dysfunction of IDRs. Among these techniques, single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular simulations have played a major role in shaping our modern understanding of the sequence-encoded conformational behavior of disordered proteins. While both techniques are frequently used in isolation, when combined they offer synergistic and complementary information that can help uncover complex molecular details. Here we offer an overview of single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular simulations in the context of studying disordered proteins. We discuss the various means in which simulations and single-molecule spectroscopy can be integrated, and consider a number of studies in which this integration has uncovered biological and biophysical mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhullian J Alston
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis 63110, MO, USA; Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis 63130, MO, USA
| | - Andrea Soranno
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis 63110, MO, USA; Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis 63130, MO, USA.
| | - Alex S Holehouse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis 63110, MO, USA; Center for Science and Engineering of Living Systems (CSELS), Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis 63130, MO, USA.
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5
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Qiao Y, Luo Y, Long N, Xing Y, Tu J. Single-Molecular Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Measurement on Structures and Interactions of Biomolecules. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:492. [PMID: 33925350 PMCID: PMC8145425 DOI: 10.3390/mi12050492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) inherits the strategy of measurement from the effective "spectroscopic ruler" FRET and can be utilized to observe molecular behaviors with relatively high throughput at nanometer scale. The simplicity in principle and configuration of smFRET make it easy to apply and couple with other technologies to comprehensively understand single-molecule dynamics in various application scenarios. Despite its widespread application, smFRET is continuously developing and novel studies based on the advanced platforms have been done. Here, we summarize some representative examples of smFRET research of recent years to exhibit the versatility and note typical strategies to further improve the performance of smFRET measurement on different biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Q.); (Y.L.); (N.L.)
| | - Yuhan Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Q.); (Y.L.); (N.L.)
| | - Naiyun Long
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Q.); (Y.L.); (N.L.)
| | - Yi Xing
- Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China;
| | - Jing Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China; (Y.Q.); (Y.L.); (N.L.)
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Sanders JC, Holmstrom ED. Integrating single-molecule FRET and biomolecular simulations to study diverse interactions between nucleic acids and proteins. Essays Biochem 2021; 65:37-49. [PMID: 33600559 PMCID: PMC8052285 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20200022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The conformations of biological macromolecules are intimately related to their cellular functions. Conveniently, the well-characterized dipole-dipole distance-dependence of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) makes it possible to measure and monitor the nanoscale spatial dimensions of these conformations using fluorescence spectroscopy. For this reason, FRET is often used in conjunction with single-molecule detection to study a wide range of conformationally dynamic biochemical processes. Written for those not yet familiar with the subject, this review aims to introduce biochemists to the methodology associated with single-molecule FRET, with a particular emphasis on how it can be combined with biomolecular simulations to study diverse interactions between nucleic acids and proteins. In the first section, we highlight several conceptual and practical considerations related to this integrative approach. In the second section, we review a few recent research efforts wherein various combinations of single-molecule FRET and biomolecular simulations were used to study the structural and dynamic properties of biochemical systems involving different types of nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and RNA) and proteins (e.g., folded and disordered).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua C Sanders
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, U.S.A
| | - Erik D Holmstrom
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, U.S.A
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, U.S.A
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7
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Licatalosi DD, Ye X, Jankowsky E. Approaches for measuring the dynamics of RNA-protein interactions. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2020; 11:e1565. [PMID: 31429211 PMCID: PMC7006490 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RNA-protein interactions are pivotal for the regulation of gene expression from bacteria to human. RNA-protein interactions are dynamic; they change over biologically relevant timescales. Understanding the regulation of gene expression at the RNA level therefore requires knowledge of the dynamics of RNA-protein interactions. Here, we discuss the main experimental approaches to measure dynamic aspects of RNA-protein interactions. We cover techniques that assess dynamics of cellular RNA-protein interactions that accompany biological processes over timescales of hours or longer and techniques measuring the kinetic dynamics of RNA-protein interactions in vitro. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Evolution and Genomics > Ribonomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donny D Licatalosi
- Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Xuan Ye
- Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Eckhard Jankowsky
- Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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8
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Wang MW, Zhu HH, Wang PY, Zeng D, Wu YY, Liu LW, Wu ZB, Li Z, Yang S. Synthesis of Thiazolium-Labeled 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Thioethers as Prospective Antimicrobials: In Vitro and in Vivo Bioactivity and Mechanism of Action. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:12696-12708. [PMID: 31657554 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b03952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a type of thiazolium-labeled 1,3,4-oxadiazole thioether bridged by diverse alkyl chain lengths was constructed. The antimicrobial activity of the fabricated thioether toward plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi was then screened. Antibacterial evaluation indicated that title compounds possess specific characteristics that enable them to severely attack three phytopathogens, namely, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri with minimal EC50 values of 0.10, 3.27, and 3.50 μg/mL, respectively. Three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship models were established to direct the following excogitation for exploring higher active drugs. The in vivo study against plant bacterial diseases further identified the prospective application of title compounds as alternative antibacterial agents. The proteomic technique, scanning electron microscopy patterns, and fluorescence spectrometry were exploited to investigate the antibacterial mechanism. Additionally, some target compounds performed superior inhibitory actions against three tested fungal strains. In view of their simple molecular architecture and highly efficient bioactivity, these substrates could be further explored as promising surrogates for fighting against plant microbial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education , Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University , Guiyang 550025 , China
| | - Huai-He Zhu
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education , Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University , Guiyang 550025 , China
| | - Pei-Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education , Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University , Guiyang 550025 , China
| | - Dan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education , Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University , Guiyang 550025 , China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education , Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University , Guiyang 550025 , China
| | - Li-Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education , Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University , Guiyang 550025 , China
| | - Zhi-Bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education , Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University , Guiyang 550025 , China
| | - Zhong Li
- College of Pharmacy , East China University of Science & Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
| | - Song Yang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education , Center for R&D of Fine Chemicals of Guizhou University , Guiyang 550025 , China
- College of Pharmacy , East China University of Science & Technology , Shanghai 200237 , China
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9
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Hanspach G, Trucks S, Hengesbach M. Strategic labelling approaches for RNA single-molecule spectroscopy. RNA Biol 2019; 16:1119-1132. [PMID: 30874475 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2019.1593093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Most single-molecule techniques observing RNA in vitro or in vivo require fluorescent labels that have to be connected to the RNA of interest. In recent years, a plethora of methods has been developed to achieve site-specific labelling, in many cases under near-native conditions. Here, we review chemical as well as enzymatic labelling methods that are compatible with single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy or microscopy and show how these can be combined to offer a large variety of options to site-specifically place one or more labels in an RNA of interest. By either chemically forming a covalent bond or non-covalent hybridization, these techniques are prerequisites to perform state-of-the-art single-molecule experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerd Hanspach
- a Goethe-University Frankfurt, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Sven Trucks
- a Goethe-University Frankfurt, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology , Frankfurt , Germany
| | - Martin Hengesbach
- a Goethe-University Frankfurt, Institute for Organic Chemistry and Chemical Biology , Frankfurt , Germany
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mRNAs and lncRNAs intrinsically form secondary structures with short end-to-end distances. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4328. [PMID: 30337527 PMCID: PMC6193969 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06792-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The 5' and 3' termini of RNA play important roles in many cellular processes. Using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), we show that mRNAs and lncRNAs have an intrinsic propensity to fold in the absence of proteins into structures in which the 5' end and 3' end are ≤7 nm apart irrespective of mRNA length. Computational estimates suggest that the inherent proximity of the ends is a universal property of most mRNA and lncRNA sequences. Only guanosine-depleted RNA sequences with low sequence complexity are unstructured and exhibit end-to-end distances expected for the random coil conformation of RNA. While the biological implications remain to be explored, short end-to-end distances could facilitate the binding of protein factors that regulate translation initiation by bridging mRNA 5' and 3' ends. Furthermore, our studies provide the basis for measuring, computing and manipulating end-to-end distances and secondary structure in RNA in research and biotechnology.
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11
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Coller J, Grayhack EJ. The analysis of translational mechanisms that modulate gene expression. Methods 2018; 137:1-2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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