1
|
Site-Specific Spin Labeling of RNA for NMR and EPR Structural Studies. Methods Mol Biol 2020. [PMID: 32006317 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0278-2_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Many RNA architectures were discovered to be involved in essential biological pathways acting as catalysts and/or regulators of gene expression, transcription, translation, splicing, or viral infection. The key to understand their diverse biological functions is to investigate their structure and dynamic. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a powerful method to gain insight into these properties. However, the study of high-molecular-weight RNAs by NMR remains challenging. Advances in biochemical and NMR methods over the recent years allow to overcome the limitation of NMR. In particular, the incorporation of paramagnetic probes, coupled to the measurement of the induced effects on nuclear spins, has become an efficient tool providing long-range distance restraints and information on dynamic in solution. At the same time, the use of spin label enabled the application of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) to study biological macromolecules. Combining NMR and EPR is emerging as a new approach to investigate the architecture of biological systems.Here, we describe an efficient protocol to introduce a paramagnetic probe into a RNA at a specific position. This method enables various combinations of isotopic labeling for NMR and is also of interest for EPR studies.
Collapse
|
2
|
Hennig J, Warner LR, Simon B, Geerlof A, Mackereth CD, Sattler M. Structural Analysis of Protein-RNA Complexes in Solution Using NMR Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancements. Methods Enzymol 2015; 558:333-362. [PMID: 26068746 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2015.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Biological activity in the cell is predominantly mediated by large multiprotein and protein-nucleic acid complexes that act together to ensure functional fidelity. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is the only method that can provide information for high-resolution three-dimensional structures and the conformational dynamics of these complexes in solution. Mapping of binding interfaces and molecular interactions along with the characterization of conformational dynamics is possible for very large protein complexes. In contrast, de novo structure determination by NMR becomes very time consuming and difficult for protein complexes larger than 30 kDa as data are noisy and sparse. Fortunately, high-resolution structures are often available for individual domains or subunits of a protein complex and thus sparse data can be used to define their arrangement and dynamics within the assembled complex. In these cases, NMR can therefore be efficiently combined with complementary solution techniques, such as small-angle X-ray or neutron scattering, to provide a comprehensive description of the structure and dynamics of protein complexes in solution. Particularly useful are NMR-derived paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs), which provide long-range distance restraints (ca. 20Å) for structural analysis of large complexes and also report on conformational dynamics in solution. Here, we describe the use of PREs from sample production to structure calculation, focusing on protein-RNA complexes. On the basis of recent examples from our own research, we demonstrate the utility, present protocols, and discuss potential pitfalls when using PREs for studying the structure and dynamic features of protein-RNA complexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janosch Hennig
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleißheim, Germany; Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany
| | - Lisa R Warner
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleißheim, Germany; Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany
| | - Bernd Simon
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arie Geerlof
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleißheim, Germany; Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany
| | - Cameron D Mackereth
- Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie, IECB, Univ. Bordeaux, Pessac, France; Inserm, U869, ARNA Laboratory, Bordeaux, France
| | - Michael Sattler
- Institute of Structural Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleißheim, Germany; Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich at Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy, Department Chemie, Technische Universität München, Garching, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lebars I, Vileno B, Bourbigot S, Turek P, Wolff P, Kieffer B. A fully enzymatic method for site-directed spin labeling of long RNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:e117. [PMID: 24981512 PMCID: PMC4150755 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Site-directed spin labeling is emerging as an essential tool to investigate the structural and dynamical features of RNA. We propose here an enzymatic method, which allows the insertion of a paramagnetic center at a specific position in an RNA molecule. The technique is based on a segmental approach using a ligation protocol with T4 RNA ligase 2. One transcribed acceptor RNA is ligated to a donor RNA in which a thio-modified nucleotide is introduced at its 5′-end by in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase. The paramagnetic thiol-specific reagent is subsequently attached to the RNA ligation product. This novel strategy is demonstrated by introducing a paramagnetic probe into the 55 nucleotides long RNA corresponding to K-turn and Specifier Loop domains from the Bacillus subtilis tyrS T-Box leader RNA. The efficiency of the coupling reaction and the quality of the resulting spin-labeled RNA were assessed by Mass Spectrometry, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). This method enables various combinations of isotopic segmental labeling and spin labeling schemes, a strategy that will be of particular interest to investigate the structural and dynamical properties of large RNA complexes by NMR and EPR spectroscopies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Lebars
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Biologie Structurale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104/Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP 10142, 67404 Illkirch cedex, France
| | - Bertrand Vileno
- Institut de Chimie, Laboratoire Propriétés Optiques & Magnétiques des Architectures Moléculaires, Université de Strasbourg, UMR 7177 CNRS, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, CS 90032, 67081 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Sarah Bourbigot
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Biologie Structurale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104/Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP 10142, 67404 Illkirch cedex, France
| | - Philippe Turek
- Institut de Chimie, Laboratoire Propriétés Optiques & Magnétiques des Architectures Moléculaires, Université de Strasbourg, UMR 7177 CNRS, 4 rue Blaise Pascal, CS 90032, 67081 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Philippe Wolff
- Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Plateforme Protéomique Strasbourg Esplanade, FRC 1589 CNRS, 15 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité des ARN, Université de Strasbourg, UPR 9002 CNRS, 15 rue René Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France
| | - Bruno Kieffer
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Département de Biologie Structurale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) UMR 7104/Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U964/Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP 10142, 67404 Illkirch cedex, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nelissen FHT, Girard FC, Tessari M, Heus HA, Wijmenga SS. Preparation of selective and segmentally labeled single-stranded DNA for NMR by self-primed PCR and asymmetrical endonuclease double digestion. Nucleic Acids Res 2009; 37:e114. [PMID: 19553193 PMCID: PMC2761255 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate a new, efficient and easy-to-use method for enzymatic synthesis of (stereo-)specific and segmental (13)C/(15)N/(2)H isotope-labeled single-stranded DNA in amounts sufficient for NMR, based on the highly efficient self-primed PCR. To achieve this, new approaches are introduced and combined. (i) Asymmetric endonuclease double digestion of tandem-repeated PCR product. (ii) T4 DNA ligase mediated ligation of two ssDNA segments. (iii) In vitro dNTP synthesis, consisting of in vitro rNTP synthesis followed by enzymatic stereo-selective reduction of the C2' of the rNTP, and a one-pot add-up synthesis of dTTP from dUTP. The method is demonstrated on two ssDNAs: (i) a 36-nt three-way junction, selectively (13)C(9)/(15)N(3)/(2)H((1',2'',3',4',5',5''))-dC labeled and (ii) a 39-nt triple-repeat three-way junction, selectively (13)C(9)/(15)N(3)/(2)H((1',2'',3',4',5',5''))-dC and (13)C(9)/(15)N(2)/(2)H((1',2'',3',4',5',5''))-dT labeled in segment C20-C39. Their NMR spectra show the spectral simplification, while the stereo-selective (2)H-labeling in the deoxyribose of the dC-residues, straightforwardly provided assignment of their C1'-H2' and C2'-H2' resonances. The labeling protocols can be extended to larger ssDNA molecules and to more than two segments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank H T Nelissen
- Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hasnat A, Bichenkova E, Yu X, Arnold JR, Fisher J, Fedorova O, Andrews J. Fluorescence Spectroscopic and19F NMR Studies of Human Thymidylate Synthase with its Cognate RNA. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2007; 25:253-70. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2007.10507174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
6
|
Wenter P, Reymond L, Auweter SD, Allain FHT, Pitsch S. Short, synthetic and selectively 13C-labeled RNA sequences for the NMR structure determination of protein-RNA complexes. Nucleic Acids Res 2006; 34:e79. [PMID: 16807315 PMCID: PMC1904103 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkl427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2006] [Revised: 05/03/2006] [Accepted: 05/29/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We report an optimized synthesis of all canonical 2'-O-TOM protected ribonucleoside phosphoramidites and solid supports containing [13C5]-labeled ribose moieties, their sequence-specific introduction into very short RNA sequences and their use for the structure determination of two protein-RNA complexes. These specifically labeled sequences facilitate RNA resonance assignments and are essential to assign a high number of sugar-sugar and intermolecular NOEs, which ultimately improve the precision and accuracy of the resulting structures. This labeling strategy is particularly useful for the study of protein-RNA complexes with single-stranded RNA in solution, which is rapidly an increasingly relevant research area in biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Wenter
- Institut des Science et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneEPFL-BCH, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ZürichETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Luc Reymond
- Institut des Science et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneEPFL-BCH, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ZürichETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sigrid D. Auweter
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ZürichETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric H.-T. Allain
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ZürichETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Pitsch
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: 0041 21 6939380; Fax: 0041 21 6939380;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Blad H, Reiter NJ, Abildgaard F, Markley JL, Butcher SE. Dynamics and metal ion binding in the U6 RNA intramolecular stem-loop as analyzed by NMR. J Mol Biol 2005; 353:540-55. [PMID: 16181635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2005.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2005] [Revised: 07/30/2005] [Accepted: 08/17/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The U6 RNA intramolecular stem-loop (ISL) is a conserved component of the spliceosome, and contains an essential metal ion binding site centered between a protonated adenine, A79, and U80. Correlated with protonation of A79, U80 undergoes a base-flipping conformational change accompanied by significant helical movement. We have investigated the dynamics of the U6 ISL by analyzing the power dependence of 13C NMR relaxation rates in the rotating frame. The data provide evidence that the conformational transition is centered around an exchange lifetime of 84 micros. The U80 nucleotide displays low internal mobility on the picosecond time-scale at pH 7.0 but high internal mobility at pH 6.0, in agreement with the global transition resulting in the base of U80 adopting a looped-out conformation with increased dynamic disorder. A kinetic analysis suggests that the conformational change, rather than adenine protonation, is the rate-limiting step in the pathway of the conformational transition. Two nucleotides, U70 and U80, were found from chemical shift perturbation mapping to interact with the magnesium ion, with apparent K(d) values in the micromolar to millimolar range. These nucleotides also displayed metal ion-induced elevation of R1 rates, which can be explained by a model that assumes dynamic metal ion coordination concomitant with an induced higher shielding anisotropy for the base 13C nuclei. Addition of Mg2+ shifts the conformational equilibrium toward the high-pH (base-stacked) structure, accompanied by a significant drop in the apparent pK(a) of A79.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heike Blad
- NMRFAM, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Edwards TE, Robinson BH, Sigurdsson ST. Identification of amino acids that promote specific and rigid TAR RNA-tat protein complex formation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 12:329-37. [PMID: 15797217 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2005.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2004] [Revised: 01/19/2005] [Accepted: 01/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Tat protein and the transactivation responsive (TAR) RNA form an essential complex in the HIV lifecycle, and mutations in the basic region of the Tat protein alter this RNA-protein molecular recognition. Here, EPR spectroscopy was used to identify amino acids, flanking an essential arginine of the Tat protein, which contribute to specific and rigid TAR-Tat complex formation by monitoring changes in the mobility of nitroxide spin-labeled TAR RNA nucleotides upon binding. Arginine to lysine N-terminal mutations did not affect TAR RNA interfacial dynamics. In contrast, C-terminal point mutations, R56 in particular, affected the mobility of nucleotides U23 and U38, which are involved in a base-triple interaction in the complex. This report highlights the role of dynamics in specific molecular complex formation and demonstrates the ability of EPR spectroscopy to study interfacial dynamics of macromolecular complexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Edwards
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Structure determination of protein?RNA complexes in solution provides unique insights into factors that are involved in protein/RNA recognition. Here, we review the methodology used in our laboratory to overcome the challenges of protein?RNA structure determination by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We use as two examples complexes recently solved in our laboratory, the nucleolin RBD12/b2NRE and Rnt1p dsRBD/snR47h complexes. Topics covered are protein and RNA preparation, complex formation, identification of the protein/RNA interface, protein and RNA resonance assignment, intermolecular NOE assignment, and structure calculation and analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haihong Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Finger LD, Trantirek L, Johansson C, Feigon J. Solution structures of stem-loop RNAs that bind to the two N-terminal RNA-binding domains of nucleolin. Nucleic Acids Res 2003; 31:6461-72. [PMID: 14602904 PMCID: PMC275560 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkg866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2003] [Revised: 09/30/2003] [Accepted: 09/30/2003] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleolin, a multi-domain protein involved in ribosome biogenesis, has been shown to bind the consensus sequence (U/G)CCCG(A/G) in the context of a hairpin loop structure (nucleolin recognition element; NRE). Previous studies have shown that the first two RNA-binding domains in nucleolin (RBD12) are responsible for the interaction with the in vitro selected NRE (sNRE). We have previously reported the structures of nucleolin RBD12, sNRE and nucleolin RBD12-sNRE complex. A comparison of free and bound sNRE shows that the NRE loop becomes structured upon binding. From this observation, we hypothesized that the disordered hairpin loop of sNRE facilitates conformational rearrangements when the protein binds. Here, we show that nucleolin RBD12 is also sufficient for sequence- specific binding of two NRE sequences found in pre-rRNA, b1NRE and b2NRE. Structural investigations of the free NREs using NMR spectroscopy show that the b1NRE loop is conformationally heterogeneous, while the b2NRE loop is structured. The b2NRE forms a hairpin capped by a YNMG-like tetraloop. Comparison of the chemical shifts of sNRE and b2NRE in complex with nucleolin RBD12 suggests that the NRE consensus nucleotides adopt a similar conformation. These results show that a disordered NRE consensus sequence is not a prerequisite for nucleolin RBD12 binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L David Finger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|