1
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Strobel EJ. Isolation of E. coli RNA polymerase transcription elongation complexes by selective solid-phase photoreversible immobilization. Methods Enzymol 2023; 691:223-250. [PMID: 37914448 PMCID: PMC10950060 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The ability to prepare defined transcription elongation complexes (TECs) is a fundamental tool for investigating the interplay between RNA polymerases (RNAPs) and nascent RNA. To facilitate the preparation of defined TECs that contain arbitrarily long and complex transcripts, we developed a procedure for isolating roadblocked E. coli TECs from an in vitro transcription reaction using solid-phase photoreversible immobilization. Our approach uses a modified DNA template that contains both a 5' photocleavable biotin tag and an internal biotin-TEG transcription stall site. Because the footprint of a TEC at the stall site sequesters the biotin-TEG tag, DNA template molecules that contain a TEC can be reversibly immobilized on streptavidin-coated magnetic beads by the 5' photocleavable biotin tag. In contrast, DNA template molecules that do not contain a TEC are retained on the beads because the biotin-TEG tag is exposed and can bind streptavidin. In this way, DNA template molecules that contain a TEC are gently separated from free DNA and DNA that contains non-productive transcription complexes. This procedure yields precisely positioned TECs that are >95% pure with >30% yield relative to the amount of input DNA template. The resulting complexes are >99% stable for at least 3 h and can be used for biochemical investigations of nascent RNA structure and function in the context of E. coli RNAP. The procedure is likely generalizable to any RNAP that arrests at and sequesters the internal biotin-TEG stall site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Strobel
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States.
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2
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Wee LM, Tong AB, Florez Ariza AJ, Cañari-Chumpitaz C, Grob P, Nogales E, Bustamante CJ. A trailing ribosome speeds up RNA polymerase at the expense of transcript fidelity via force and allostery. Cell 2023; 186:1244-1262.e34. [PMID: 36931247 PMCID: PMC10135430 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
In prokaryotes, translation can occur on mRNA that is being transcribed in a process called coupling. How the ribosome affects the RNA polymerase (RNAP) during coupling is not well understood. Here, we reconstituted the E. coli coupling system and demonstrated that the ribosome can prevent pausing and termination of RNAP and double the overall transcription rate at the expense of fidelity. Moreover, we monitored single RNAPs coupled to ribosomes and show that coupling increases the pause-free velocity of the polymerase and that a mechanical assisting force is sufficient to explain the majority of the effects of coupling. Also, by cryo-EM, we observed that RNAPs with a terminal mismatch adopt a backtracked conformation, while a coupled ribosome allosterically induces these polymerases toward a catalytically active anti-swiveled state. Finally, we demonstrate that prolonged RNAP pausing is detrimental to cell viability, which could be prevented by polymerase reactivation through a coupled ribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Meng Wee
- QB3-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Alexander B Tong
- QB3-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Alfredo Jose Florez Ariza
- QB3-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Cristhian Cañari-Chumpitaz
- QB3-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Patricia Grob
- QB3-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Eva Nogales
- QB3-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Carlos J Bustamante
- QB3-Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Physics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Kavli Energy Nanoscience Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA; Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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3
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Johnson RS, Strausbauch M, McCloud C. An NTP-driven mechanism for the nucleotide addition cycle of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase during transcription. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273746. [PMID: 36282801 PMCID: PMC9595533 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The elementary steps of transcription as catalyzed by E. coli RNA polymerase during one and two rounds of the nucleotide addition cycle (NAC) were resolved in rapid kinetic studies. Modelling of stopped-flow kinetic data of pyrophosphate release in a coupled enzyme assay during one round of the NAC indicates that the rate of pyrophosphate release is significantly less than that for nucleotide incorporation. Upon modelling of the stopped-flow kinetic data for pyrophosphate release during two rounds of the NAC, it was observed that the presence of the next nucleotide for incorporation increases the rate of release of the first pyrophosphate equivalent; incorrect nucleotides for incorporation had no effect on the rate of pyrophosphate release. Although the next nucleotide for incorporation increases the rate of pyrophosphate release, it is still significantly less than the rate of incorporation of the first nucleotide. The results from the stopped-flow kinetic studies were confirmed by using quench-flow followed by thin-layer chromatography (QF-TLC) with only the first nucleotide for incorporation labeled on the gamma phosphate with 32P to monitor pyrophosphate release. Collectively, the results are consistent with an NTP-driven model for the NAC in which the binding of the next cognate nucleotide for incorporation causes a synergistic conformational change in the enzyme that triggers the more rapid release of pyrophosphate, translocation of the enzyme along the DNA template strand and nucleotide incorporation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald S. Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Mark Strausbauch
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christopher McCloud
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
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4
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The Development of Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy: From Polymer Biophysics to Molecular Machines. Q Rev Biophys 2022; 55:e9. [PMID: 35916314 DOI: 10.1017/s0033583522000087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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5
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The role of the maleimide ring system on the structure-activity relationship of showdomycin. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 237:114342. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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6
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Kurepina N, Chudaev M, Kreiswirth BN, Nikiforov V, Mustaev A. Mutations compensating for the fitness cost of rifampicin resistance in Escherichia coli exert pleiotropic effect on RNA polymerase catalysis. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:5739-5756. [PMID: 35639764 PMCID: PMC9177976 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of drug-resistant bacteria represents one of the most significant medical problems of our time. Bacterial fitness loss associated with drug resistance can be counteracted by acquisition of secondary mutations, thereby enhancing the virulence of such bacteria. Antibiotic rifampicin (Rif) targets cellular RNA polymerase (RNAP). It is potent broad spectrum drug used for treatment of bacterial infections. We have investigated the compensatory mechanism of the secondary mutations alleviating Rif resistance (Rifr) on biochemical, structural and fitness indices. We find that substitutions in RNAP genes compensating for the growth defect caused by βQ513P and βT563P Rifr mutations significantly enhanced bacterial relative growth rate. By assaying RNAP purified from these strains, we show that compensatory mutations directly stimulated basal transcriptional machinery (2-9-fold) significantly improving promoter clearance step of the transcription pathway as well as elongation rate. Molecular modeling suggests that compensatory mutations affect transcript retention, substrate loading, and nucleotidyl transfer catalysis. Strikingly, one of the identified compensatory substitutions represents mutation conferring rifampicin resistance on its own. This finding reveals an evolutionary process that creates more virulent species by simultaneously improving the fitness and augmenting bacterial drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kurepina
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
| | - Maxim Chudaev
- Public Health Research Institute, and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Barry N Kreiswirth
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA
| | - Vadim Nikiforov
- Public Health Research Institute, and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Arkady Mustaev
- Public Health Research Institute, and Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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7
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Paudel BP, Xu ZQ, Jergic S, Oakley AJ, Sharma N, Brown SHJ, Bouwer JC, Lewis PJ, Dixon NE, van Oijen AM, Ghodke H. Mechanism of transcription modulation by the transcription-repair coupling factor. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:5688-5712. [PMID: 35641110 PMCID: PMC9177983 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Elongation by RNA polymerase is dynamically modulated by accessory factors. The transcription-repair coupling factor (TRCF) recognizes paused/stalled RNAPs and either rescues transcription or initiates transcription termination. Precisely how TRCFs choose to execute either outcome remains unclear. With Escherichia coli as a model, we used single-molecule assays to study dynamic modulation of elongation by Mfd, the bacterial TRCF. We found that nucleotide-bound Mfd converts the elongation complex (EC) into a catalytically poised state, presenting the EC with an opportunity to restart transcription. After long-lived residence in this catalytically poised state, ATP hydrolysis by Mfd remodels the EC through an irreversible process leading to loss of the RNA transcript. Further, biophysical studies revealed that the motor domain of Mfd binds and partially melts DNA containing a template strand overhang. The results explain pathway choice determining the fate of the EC and provide a molecular mechanism for transcription modulation by TRCF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishnu P Paudel
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Zhi-Qiang Xu
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Slobodan Jergic
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Aaron J Oakley
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Nischal Sharma
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Simon H J Brown
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - James C Bouwer
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Peter J Lewis
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Nicholas E Dixon
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Antoine M van Oijen
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Harshad Ghodke
- Molecular Horizons and School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.,Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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8
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Kelly SL, Szyjka CE, Strobel EJ. Purification of synchronized E. coli transcription elongation complexes by reversible immobilization on magnetic beads. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101789. [PMID: 35247385 PMCID: PMC8969151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Synchronized transcription elongation complexes (TECs) are a fundamental tool for in vitro studies of transcription and RNA folding. Transcription elongation can be synchronized by omitting one or more nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) from an in vitro transcription reaction so that RNA polymerase can only transcribe to the first occurrence of the omitted nucleotide(s) in the coding DNA strand. This approach was developed over four decades ago and has been applied extensively in biochemical investigations of RNA polymerase enzymes, but has not been optimized for RNA-centric assays. In this work, we describe the development of a system for isolating synchronized TECs from an in vitro transcription reaction. Our approach uses a custom 5' leader sequence, called C3-SC1, to reversibly capture synchronized TECs on magnetic beads. We first show using electrophoretic mobility shift and high-resolution in vitro transcription assays that complexes isolated by this procedure, called C3-SC1TECs, are >95% pure, >98% active, highly synchronous (94% of complexes chase in <15s upon addition of saturating NTPs), and compatible with solid-phase transcription; the yield of this purification is ∼8%. We then show that C3-SC1TECs perturb, but do not interfere with, the function of ZTP (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside 5'-triphosphate)-sensing and ppGpp (guanosine-3',5'-bisdiphosphate)-sensing transcriptional riboswitches. For both riboswitches, transcription using C3-SC1TECs improved the efficiency of transcription termination in the absence of ligand but did not inhibit ligand-induced transcription antitermination. Given these properties, C3-SC1TECs will likely be useful for developing biochemical and biophysical RNA assays that require high-performance, quantitative bacterial in vitro transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skyler L Kelly
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Courtney E Szyjka
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Eric J Strobel
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA.
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9
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Fei J, Xu J, Li Z, Xu K, Wang D, Kassavetis GA, Kadonaga JT. NDF is a transcription factor that stimulates elongation by RNA polymerase II. Genes Dev 2022; 36:294-299. [PMID: 35273076 PMCID: PMC8973848 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349150.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Here, Fei et al. found that NDF, which was identified as a bilaterian nucleosome-destabilizing factor, is also a Pol II transcription factor that stimulates elongation with plain DNA templates in the absence of nucleosomes. Their findings demonstrate that NDF is a Pol II binding transcription elongation factor that is localized over gene bodies and is conserved from yeast to humans. RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation is a critical step in gene expression. Here we found that NDF, which was identified as a bilaterian nucleosome-destabilizing factor, is also a Pol II transcription factor that stimulates elongation with plain DNA templates in the absence of nucleosomes. NDF binds directly to Pol II and enhances elongation by a different mechanism than that used by transcription factor TFIIS. Moreover, yeast Pdp3, which is related to NDF, binds to Pol II and stimulates elongation. Thus, NDF is a Pol II binding transcription elongation factor that is localized over gene bodies and is conserved from yeast to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Fei
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Jun Xu
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Ziwei Li
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Kevin Xu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - George A Kassavetis
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - James T Kadonaga
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
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10
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Fluorogenic RNA aptamers to probe transcription initiation and co-transcriptional RNA folding by multi-subunit RNA polymerases. Methods Enzymol 2022; 675:207-233. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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11
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Abstract
Transcription of DNA into RNA is crucial to life, and understanding RNA polymerase (RNAP) function has received considerable attention. In contrast, how the nascent RNA folds into structures that impact transcription itself and regulate gene expression remains poorly understood. Here, we combine single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer and site-specific fluorescent labelling of transcripts within native complexes to enable real-time cotranscriptional folding studies of a metabolite-sensing riboswitch from Escherichia coli. By monitoring the folding of riboswitches stalled at RNAP pausing sites and during active elongation, we reveal a crucial role for RNAP, which directs RNA folding to allow thiamin pyrophosphate sensing within a precise, transcriptional hotspot. Our approach offers a unique opportunity to unveil cotranscriptional processes in eukaryotic and bacterial systems. Cotranscriptional RNA folding is crucial for the timely control of biological processes, but because of its transient nature, its study has remained challenging. While single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is unique to investigate transient RNA structures, its application to cotranscriptional studies has been limited to nonnative systems lacking RNA polymerase (RNAP)–dependent features, which are crucial for gene regulation. Here, we present an approach that enables site-specific labeling and smFRET studies of kilobase-length transcripts within native bacterial complexes. By monitoring Escherichia coli nascent riboswitches, we reveal an inverse relationship between elongation speed and metabolite-sensing efficiency and show that pause sites upstream of the translation start codon delimit a sequence hotspot for metabolite sensing during transcription. Furthermore, we demonstrate a crucial role of the bacterial RNAP actively delaying the formation, within the hotspot sequence, of competing structures precluding metabolite binding. Our approach allows the investigation of cotranscriptional regulatory mechanisms in bacterial and eukaryotic elongation complexes.
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12
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Strobel EJ. Preparation of E. coli RNA polymerase transcription elongation complexes by selective photoelution from magnetic beads. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:100812. [PMID: 34023383 PMCID: PMC8212663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro studies of transcription frequently require the preparation of defined elongation complexes. Defined transcription elongation complexes (TECs) are typically prepared by constructing an artificial transcription bubble from synthetic oligonucleotides and RNA polymerase. This approach is optimal for diverse applications but is sensitive to nucleic acid length and sequence and is not compatible with systems where promoter-directed initiation or extensive transcription elongation is crucial. To complement scaffold-directed approaches for TEC assembly, I have developed a method for preparing promoter-initiated Escherichia coli TECs using a purification strategy called selective photoelution. This approach combines TEC-dependent sequestration of a biotin-triethylene glycol transcription stall site with photoreversible DNA immobilization to enrich TECs from an in vitro transcription reaction. I show that selective photoelution can be used to purify TECs that contain a 273-bp DNA template and 194-nt structured RNA. Selective photoelution is a straightforward and robust procedure that, in the systems assessed here, generates precisely positioned TECs with >95% purity and >30% yield. TECs prepared by selective photoelution can contain complex nucleic acid sequences and will therefore likely be useful for investigating RNA structure and function in the context of RNA polymerases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Strobel
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
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13
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Mäkinen JJ, Shin Y, Vieras E, Virta P, Metsä-Ketelä M, Murakami KS, Belogurov GA. The mechanism of the nucleo-sugar selection by multi-subunit RNA polymerases. Nat Commun 2021; 12:796. [PMID: 33542236 PMCID: PMC7862312 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21005-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerases (RNAPs) synthesize RNA from NTPs, whereas DNA polymerases synthesize DNA from 2'dNTPs. DNA polymerases select against NTPs by using steric gates to exclude the 2'OH, but RNAPs have to employ alternative selection strategies. In single-subunit RNAPs, a conserved Tyr residue discriminates against 2'dNTPs, whereas selectivity mechanisms of multi-subunit RNAPs remain hitherto unknown. Here, we show that a conserved Arg residue uses a two-pronged strategy to select against 2'dNTPs in multi-subunit RNAPs. The conserved Arg interacts with the 2'OH group to promote NTP binding, but selectively inhibits incorporation of 2'dNTPs by interacting with their 3'OH group to favor the catalytically-inert 2'-endo conformation of the deoxyribose moiety. This deformative action is an elegant example of an active selection against a substrate that is a substructure of the correct substrate. Our findings provide important insights into the evolutionary origins of biopolymers and the design of selective inhibitors of viral RNAPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne J Mäkinen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Yeonoh Shin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Eeva Vieras
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Pasi Virta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Katsuhiko S Murakami
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Center for RNA Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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14
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Kang JY, Llewellyn E, Chen J, Olinares PDB, Brewer J, Chait BT, Campbell EA, Darst SA. Structural basis for transcription complex disruption by the Mfd translocase. eLife 2021; 10:62117. [PMID: 33480355 PMCID: PMC7864632 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription-coupled repair (TCR) is a sub-pathway of nucleotide excision repair (NER) that preferentially removes lesions from the template-strand (t-strand) that stall RNA polymerase (RNAP) elongation complexes (ECs). Mfd mediates TCR in bacteria by removing the stalled RNAP concealing the lesion and recruiting Uvr(A)BC. We used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize Mfd engaging with a stalled EC and attempting to dislodge the RNAP. We visualized seven distinct Mfd-EC complexes in both ATP and ADP-bound states. The structures explain how Mfd is remodeled from its repressed conformation, how the UvrA-interacting surface of Mfd is hidden during most of the remodeling process to prevent premature engagement with the NER pathway, how Mfd alters the RNAP conformation to facilitate disassembly, and how Mfd forms a processive translocation complex after dislodging the RNAP. Our results reveal an elaborate mechanism for how Mfd kinetically discriminates paused from stalled ECs and disassembles stalled ECs to initiate TCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Young Kang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Eliza Llewellyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - James Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Paul Dominic B Olinares
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Joshua Brewer
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Brian T Chait
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Campbell
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
| | - Seth A Darst
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, United States
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15
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Mycobacterial HelD is a nucleic acids-clearing factor for RNA polymerase. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6419. [PMID: 33339823 PMCID: PMC7749160 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20158-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA synthesis is central to life, and RNA polymerase (RNAP) depends on accessory factors for recovery from stalled states and adaptation to environmental changes. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which a helicase-like factor HelD recycles RNAP. We report a cryo-EM structure of a complex between the Mycobacterium smegmatis RNAP and HelD. The crescent-shaped HelD simultaneously penetrates deep into two RNAP channels that are responsible for nucleic acids binding and substrate delivery to the active site, thereby locking RNAP in an inactive state. We show that HelD prevents non-specific interactions between RNAP and DNA and dissociates stalled transcription elongation complexes. The liberated RNAP can either stay dormant, sequestered by HelD, or upon HelD release, restart transcription. Our results provide insights into the architecture and regulation of the highly medically-relevant mycobacterial transcription machinery and define HelD as a clearing factor that releases RNAP from nonfunctional complexes with nucleic acids.
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16
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Olinares PDB, Kang JY, Llewellyn E, Chiu C, Chen J, Malone B, Saecker RM, Campbell EA, Darst SA, Chait BT. Native Mass Spectrometry-Based Screening for Optimal Sample Preparation in Single-Particle Cryo-EM. Structure 2020; 29:186-195.e6. [PMID: 33217329 PMCID: PMC7867593 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have enabled the structural determination of numerous protein assemblies at high resolution, yielding unprecedented insights into their function. However, despite its extraordinary capabilities, cryo-EM remains time-consuming and resource-intensive. It is therefore beneficial to have a means for rapidly assessing and optimizing the quality of samples prior to lengthy cryo-EM analyses. To do this, we have developed a native mass spectrometry (nMS) platform that provides rapid feedback on sample quality and highly streamlined biochemical screening. Because nMS enables accurate mass analysis of protein complexes, it is well suited to routine evaluation of the composition, integrity, and homogeneity of samples prior to their plunge-freezing on EM grids. We demonstrate the utility of our nMS-based platform for facilitating cryo-EM studies using structural characterizations of exemplar bacterial transcription complexes as well as the replication-transcription assembly from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Dominic B Olinares
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Jin Young Kang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Eliza Llewellyn
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Courtney Chiu
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - James Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Brandon Malone
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ruth M Saecker
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Campbell
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Seth A Darst
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Brian T Chait
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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17
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Šiková M, Wiedermannová J, Převorovský M, Barvík I, Sudzinová P, Kofroňová O, Benada O, Šanderová H, Condon C, Krásný L. The torpedo effect in Bacillus subtilis: RNase J1 resolves stalled transcription complexes. EMBO J 2020; 39:e102500. [PMID: 31840842 PMCID: PMC6996504 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019102500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
RNase J1 is the major 5'-to-3' bacterial exoribonuclease. We demonstrate that in its absence, RNA polymerases (RNAPs) are redistributed on DNA, with increased RNAP occupancy on some genes without a parallel increase in transcriptional output. This suggests that some of these RNAPs represent stalled, non-transcribing complexes. We show that RNase J1 is able to resolve these stalled RNAP complexes by a "torpedo" mechanism, whereby RNase J1 degrades the nascent RNA and causes the transcription complex to disassemble upon collision with RNAP. A heterologous enzyme, yeast Xrn1 (5'-to-3' exonuclease), is less efficient than RNase J1 in resolving stalled Bacillus subtilis RNAP, suggesting that the effect is RNase-specific. Our results thus reveal a novel general principle, whereby an RNase can participate in genome-wide surveillance of stalled RNAP complexes, preventing potentially deleterious transcription-replication collisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Šiková
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
| | - Jana Wiedermannová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
| | - Martin Převorovský
- Department of Cell BiologyFaculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Ivan Barvík
- Division of Biomolecular PhysicsInstitute of PhysicsCharles UniversityPrague 2Czech Republic
| | - Petra Sudzinová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
| | - Olga Kofroňová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
| | - Oldřich Benada
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
| | - Hana Šanderová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
| | - Ciarán Condon
- UMR8261CNRSUniversité de ParisInstitut de Biologie Physico‐ChimiqueParisFrance
| | - Libor Krásný
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
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18
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Prajapati RK, Rosenqvist P, Palmu K, Mäkinen JJ, Malinen AM, Virta P, Metsä-Ketelä M, Belogurov GA. Oxazinomycin arrests RNA polymerase at the polythymidine sequences. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:10296-10312. [PMID: 31495891 PMCID: PMC6821320 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxazinomycin is a C-nucleoside antibiotic that is produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus and closely resembles uridine. Here, we show that the oxazinomycin triphosphate is a good substrate for bacterial and eukaryotic RNA polymerases (RNAPs) and that a single incorporated oxazinomycin is rapidly extended by the next nucleotide. However, the incorporation of several successive oxazinomycins or a single oxazinomycin in a certain sequence context arrested a fraction of the transcribing RNAP. The addition of Gre RNA cleavage factors eliminated the transcriptional arrest at a single oxazinomycin and shortened the nascent RNAs arrested at the polythymidine sequences suggesting that the transcriptional arrest was caused by backtracking of RNAP along the DNA template. We further demonstrate that the ubiquitous C-nucleoside pseudouridine is also a good substrate for RNA polymerases in a triphosphorylated form but does not inhibit transcription of the polythymidine sequences. Our results collectively suggest that oxazinomycin functions as a Trojan horse substrate and its inhibitory effect is attributable to the oxygen atom in the position corresponding to carbon five of the uracil ring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranjit K Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Petja Rosenqvist
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Kaisa Palmu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Janne J Mäkinen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Anssi M Malinen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Pasi Virta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Mikko Metsä-Ketelä
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland
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19
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The capping enzyme facilitates promoter escape and assembly of a follow-on preinitiation complex for reinitiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:22573-22582. [PMID: 31591205 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1905449116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
After synthesis of a short nascent RNA, RNA polymerase II (pol II) dissociates general transcription factors (GTFs; TFIIA, TFIIB, TBP, TFIIE, TFIIF, and TFIIH) and escapes the promoter, but many of the mechanistic details of this process remain unclear. Here we developed an in vitro transcription system from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that allows conversion of the preinitiation complex (PIC) to bona fide initially transcribing complex (ITC), elongation complex (EC), and reinitiation complex (EC+ITC). By biochemically isolating postinitiation complexes stalled at different template positions, we have determined the timing of promoter escape and the composition of protein complexes associated with different lengths of RNA. Almost all of the postinitiation complexes retained the GTFs when pol II was stalled at position +27 relative to the transcription start site, whereas most complexes had completed promoter escape when stalled at +49. This indicates that GTFs remain associated with pol II much longer than previously expected. Nevertheless, the long-persisting transcription complex containing RNA and all of the GTFs is unstable and is susceptible to extensive backtracking of pol II. Addition of the capping enzyme and/or Spt4/5 significantly increased the frequency of promoter escape as well as assembly of a follow-on PIC at the promoter for reinitiation. These data indicate that elongation factors play an important role in promoter escape and that ejection of TFIIB from the RNA exit tunnel of pol II by the growing nascent RNA is not sufficient to complete promoter escape.
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20
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Rosenqvist P, Palmu K, Prajapati RK, Yamada K, Niemi J, Belogurov GA, Metsä-Ketelä M, Virta P. Characterization of C-nucleoside Antimicrobials from Streptomyces albus DSM 40763: Strepturidin is Pseudouridimycin. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8935. [PMID: 31222036 PMCID: PMC6586884 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45375-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudouridimycin (PUM), a selective inhibitor of bacterial RNA polymerase has been previously detected in microbial-extracts of two strains of Streptomyces species (strain ID38640 and ID38673). Here, we isolated PUM and its deoxygenated analogue desoxy-pseudouridimycin (dPUM) from Streptomyces albus DSM 40763, previously reported to produce the metabolite strepturidin (STU). The isolated compounds were characterized by HRMS and spectroscopic techniques and they selectively inhibited transcription by bacterial RNA polymerase as previously reported for PUM. In contrast, STU could not be detected in the cultures of S. albus DSM 40763. As the reported characteristics reported for STU are almost identical with that of PUM, the existence of STU was questioned. We further sequenced the genome of S. albus DSM 40763 and identified a gene cluster that contains orthologs of all PUM biosynthesis enzymes but lacks the enzymes that would conceivably allow biosynthesis of STU as an additional product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petja Rosenqvist
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Kaisa Palmu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Keith Yamada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Jarmo Niemi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Mikko Metsä-Ketelä
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Pasi Virta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, FIN-20014, Turku, Finland.
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21
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The Role of Pyrophosphorolysis in the Initiation-to-Elongation Transition by E. coli RNA Polymerase. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:2528-2542. [PMID: 31029704 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
RNA polymerase can cleave a phosphodiester bond at the 3' end of a nascent RNA in the presence of pyrophosphate producing NTP. Pyrophosphorolysis has been characterized during elongation steps of transcription where its rate is significantly slower than the forward rate of NMP addition. In contrast, we report here that pyrophosphorolysis can occur in a millisecond time scale during the transition of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase from initiation to elongation at the psbA2 promoter. This rapid pyrophosphorolysis occurs during productive RNA synthesis as opposed to abortive RNA synthesis. Dissociation of σ70 or RNA extension beyond nine nucleotides dramatically reduces the rate of pyrophosphorolysis. We argue that the rapid pyrophosphorolysis allows iterative cycles of cleavage and re-synthesis of the 3' phosphodiester bond by the productive complexes in the early stage of transcription. This iterative process may provide an opportunity for the σ70 to dissociate from the RNA exit channel of the enzyme, enabling RNA to extend through the channel.
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22
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Myka KK, Küsters K, Washburn R, Gottesman ME. DksA-RNA polymerase interactions support new origin formation and DNA repair in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 2019; 111:1382-1397. [PMID: 30779388 PMCID: PMC6488371 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.14227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The formation of new replication origins (cSDR) and repair of DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) in E. coli share a commonality. We find that the two processes require the RNAP‐associated factor, DksA. However, whereas cSDR also relies on (p)ppGpp, the alarmone molecule is dispensable for the repair of topoisomerase type II (Top II) DNA adducts and associated DSBs. The requirement for DksA in repair of nalidixic acid (Nal)‐induced DSBs or for the formation of new origins is not suppressed by a greA deletion mutation, indicating an active role of DksA rather than competition with GreA for insertion into the RNAP secondary channel. Like dksA mutations, transcription termination factor Rho mutations also confer sensitivity to Nal. The rho and dksA mutations are not epistatic, suggesting they involve different repair pathways. The roles of DksA in DSB repair and cSDR differ; certain DksA and RNAP mutants are able to support the first process, but not the latter. We suggest that new origin formation and DNA repair of protein adducts with DSBs may both involve the removal of RNAP without destruction of the RNA:DNA hybrid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila K Myka
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kira Küsters
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert Washburn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Max E Gottesman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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23
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Turtola M, Mäkinen JJ, Belogurov GA. Active site closure stabilizes the backtracked state of RNA polymerase. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:10870-10887. [PMID: 30256972 PMCID: PMC6237748 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
All cellular RNA polymerases (RNAP) occasionally backtrack along the template DNA as part of transcriptional proofreading and regulation. Here, we studied the mechanism of RNAP backtracking by one nucleotide using two complementary approaches that allowed us to precisely measure the occupancy and lifetime of the backtracked state. Our data show that the stability of the backtracked state is critically dependent on the closure of the RNAP active site by a mobile domain, the trigger loop (TL). The lifetime and occupancy of the backtracked state measurably decreased by substitutions of the TL residues that interact with the nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) substrate, whereas amino acid substitutions that stabilized the closed active site increased the lifetime and occupancy. These results suggest that the same conformer of the TL closes the active site during catalysis of nucleotide incorporation into the nascent RNA and backtracking by one nucleotide. In support of this hypothesis, we construct a model of the 1-nt backtracked complex with the closed active site and the backtracked nucleotide in the entry pore area known as the E-site. We further propose that 1-nt backtracking mimics the reversal of the NTP substrate loading into the RNAP active site during on-pathway elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti Turtola
- University of Turku, Department of Biochemistry, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Janne J Mäkinen
- University of Turku, Department of Biochemistry, FIN-20014 Turku, Finland
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24
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Structure of activated transcription complex Pol II-DSIF-PAF-SPT6. Nature 2018; 560:607-612. [PMID: 30135578 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Gene regulation involves activation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) that is paused and bound by the protein complexes DRB sensitivity-inducing factor (DSIF) and negative elongation factor (NELF). Here we show that formation of an activated Pol II elongation complex in vitro requires the kinase function of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) and the elongation factors PAF1 complex (PAF) and SPT6. The cryo-EM structure of an activated elongation complex of Sus scrofa Pol II and Homo sapiens DSIF, PAF and SPT6 was determined at 3.1 Å resolution and compared to the structure of the paused elongation complex formed by Pol II, DSIF and NELF. PAF displaces NELF from the Pol II funnel for pause release. P-TEFb phosphorylates the Pol II linker to the C-terminal domain. SPT6 binds to the phosphorylated C-terminal-domain linker and opens the RNA clamp formed by DSIF. These results provide the molecular basis for Pol II pause release and elongation activation.
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25
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Vos SM, Farnung L, Urlaub H, Cramer P. Structure of paused transcription complex Pol II-DSIF-NELF. Nature 2018; 560:601-606. [PMID: 30135580 PMCID: PMC6245578 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0442-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 227] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Metazoan gene regulation often involves the pausing of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in the promoter-proximal region. Paused Pol II is stabilized by the protein complexes DRB sensitivity-inducing factor (DSIF) and negative elongation factor (NELF). Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of a paused transcription elongation complex containing Sus scrofa Pol II and Homo sapiens DSIF and NELF at 3.2 Å resolution. The structure reveals a tilted DNA-RNA hybrid that impairs binding of the nucleoside triphosphate substrate. NELF binds the polymerase funnel, bridges two mobile polymerase modules, and contacts the trigger loop, thereby restraining Pol II mobility that is required for pause release. NELF prevents binding of the anti-pausing transcription elongation factor IIS (TFIIS). Additionally, NELF possesses two flexible 'tentacles' that can contact DSIF and exiting RNA. These results define the paused state of Pol II and provide the molecular basis for understanding the function of NELF during promoter-proximal gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seychelle M Vos
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lucas Farnung
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, Göttingen, Germany
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Bioanalytics Group, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patrick Cramer
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Göttingen, Germany.
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26
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Trigger loop of RNA polymerase is a positional, not acid-base, catalyst for both transcription and proofreading. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E5103-E5112. [PMID: 28607053 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1702383114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The active site of multisubunit RNA polymerases (RNAPs) is highly conserved from humans to bacteria. This single site catalyzes both nucleotide addition required for RNA transcript synthesis and excision of incorrect nucleotides after misincorporation as a proofreading mechanism. Phosphoryl transfer and proofreading hydrolysis are controlled in part by a dynamic RNAP component called the trigger loop (TL), which cycles between an unfolded loop and an α-helical hairpin [trigger helices (TH)] required for rapid nucleotide addition. The precise roles of the TL/TH in RNA synthesis and hydrolysis remain unclear. An invariant histidine residue has been proposed to function in the TH form as a general acid in RNA synthesis and as a general base in RNA hydrolysis. The effects of conservative, nonionizable substitutions of the TL histidine (or a neighboring TL arginine conserved in bacteria) have not yet been rigorously tested. Here, we report that glutamine substitutions of these residues, which preserve polar interactions but are incapable of acid-base chemistry, had little effect on either phosphoryl transfer or proofreading hydrolysis by Escherichia coli RNAP. The TL substitutions did, however, affect the backtracking of RNAP necessary for proofreading and potentially the reactivity of the backtracked nucleotide. We describe a unifying model for the function of the RNAP TL, which reconciles available data and our results for representative RNAPs. This model explains diverse effects of the TL basic residues on catalysis through their effects on positioning reactants for phosphoryl transfer and easing barriers to transcript backtracking, rather than as acid-base catalysts.
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27
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Abstract
During transcriptional elongation, RNA polymerases (RNAP) employ a stepping mechanism to translocate along the DNA template while synthesizing RNA. Optical trapping assays permit the progress of single molecules of RNA polymerase to be monitored in real time, at resolutions down to the level of individual base pairs. Additionally, optical trapping assays permit the application of exquisitely controlled, external forces on RNAP. Responses to such forces can reveal details of the load-dependent kinetics of transcriptional elongation and pausing. Traditionally, the bacterial form of RNAP from E. coli has served as a model for the study of transcriptional elongation using optical traps. However, it is now feasible to perform optical trapping experiments using the eukaryotic polymerase, RNAPII, as well. In this report, we describe the methods to perform optical trapping transcriptional elongation assays with both prokaryotic RNAP and eukaryotic RNAPII. We provide detailed instructions on how to reconstitute transcription elongation complexes, derivatize beads used in the assays, and perform optical trapping measurements.
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28
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Nucleosomal arrangement affects single-molecule transcription dynamics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:12733-12738. [PMID: 27791062 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1602764113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, gene expression depends on chromatin organization. However, how chromatin affects the transcription dynamics of individual RNA polymerases has remained elusive. Here, we use dual trap optical tweezers to study single yeast RNA polymerase II (Pol II) molecules transcribing along a DNA template with two nucleosomes. The slowdown and the changes in pausing behavior within the nucleosomal region allow us to determine a drift coefficient, χ, which characterizes the ability of the enzyme to recover from a nucleosomal backtrack. Notably, χ can be used to predict the probability to pass the first nucleosome. Importantly, the presence of a second nucleosome changes χ in a manner that depends on the spacing between the two nucleosomes, as well as on their rotational arrangement on the helical DNA molecule. Our results indicate that the ability of Pol II to pass the first nucleosome is increased when the next nucleosome is turned away from the first one to face the opposite side of the DNA template. These findings help to rationalize how chromatin arrangement affects Pol II transcription dynamics.
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29
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Turtola M, Belogurov GA. NusG inhibits RNA polymerase backtracking by stabilizing the minimal transcription bubble. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27697152 PMCID: PMC5100998 DOI: 10.7554/elife.18096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Universally conserved factors from NusG family bind at the upstream fork junction of transcription elongation complexes and modulate RNA synthesis in response to translation, processing, and folding of the nascent RNA. Escherichia coli NusG enhances transcription elongation in vitro by a poorly understood mechanism. Here we report that E. coli NusG slows Gre factor-stimulated cleavage of the nascent RNA, but does not measurably change the rates of single nucleotide addition and translocation by a non-paused RNA polymerase. We demonstrate that NusG slows RNA cleavage by inhibiting backtracking. This activity is abolished by mismatches in the upstream DNA and is independent of the gate and rudder loops, but is partially dependent on the lid loop. Our comprehensive mapping of the upstream fork junction by base analogue fluorescence and nucleic acids crosslinking suggests that NusG inhibits backtracking by stabilizing the minimal transcription bubble. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18096.001 Cells decode genes in two steps. First, they synthesize a molecule similar to DNA, called RNA, which is a complementary copy of the gene. This process, known as transcription, creates an intermediate RNA molecule that is turned into protein in the second step. RNA polymerase is an enzyme that carries out transcription; it separates the two strands of the DNA helix so that the RNA can be synthesized from the DNA template. By opening up the DNA downstream of where active copying is taking place, and re-annealing it upstream, RNA polymerase maintains a structure called a "transcription bubble". RNA polymerases do not copy continuously but oscillate back and forth along the DNA. Sometimes larger backwards oscillations, known as backtracking, temporarily block the production of the RNA molecule and slow down the transcription process. A protein called NusG helps to couple transcription to the other related processes that happen at the same time. One end of the protein, the N-terminal domain, anchors it to RNA polymerase and stimulates transcription elongation. The other end, the C-terminal domain, interacts with other proteins involved in the related processes and can positively or negatively control transcription elongation. Nevertheless it was poorly understood how NusG carries out these roles. Turtola and Belogurov investigated how NusG from the bacterium Escherichia coli affects the individual steps of transcription elongation. A simple experimental system was used, consisting of short pieces of DNA and RNA, an RNA polymerase and NusG. A transcription bubble resembles an opening in a zipper with two sliders; and rather than affecting the synthesis of RNA, NusG affected the part that corresponds to the “slider” located at the rear edge of the bubble. NusG helped this slider-like element to bring the DNA strands at this edge of the bubble back together and modified it so that it behaved as a ratchet that inhibited RNA polymerase from backtracking. This did not affect the smaller backwards and forwards oscillations of RNA polymerase. Turtola and Belogurov suggest that these newly discovered effects play a key role in regulating transcription; NusG’s N-terminal domain makes the RNA polymerase more efficient, whilst the C-terminal domain makes it amenable to control by other proteins. Future studies will investigate whether these effects are seen in more complex experimental systems, which include proteins that interact with NusG. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18096.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Matti Turtola
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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30
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Abstract
During DNA transcription, RNA polymerases often adopt inactive backtracked states. Recovery from backtracks can occur by 1D diffusion or cleavage of backtracked RNA, but how polymerases make this choice is unknown. Here, we use single-molecule optical tweezers experiments and stochastic theory to show that the choice of a backtrack recovery mechanism is determined by a kinetic competition between 1D diffusion and RNA cleavage. Notably, RNA polymerase I (Pol I) and Pol II recover from shallow backtracks by 1D diffusion, use RNA cleavage to recover from intermediary depths, and are unable to recover from extensive backtracks. Furthermore, Pol I and Pol II use distinct mechanisms to avoid nonrecoverable backtracking. Pol I is protected by its subunit A12.2, which decreases the rate of 1D diffusion and enables transcript cleavage up to 20 nt. In contrast, Pol II is fully protected through association with the cleavage stimulatory factor TFIIS, which enables rapid recovery from any depth by RNA cleavage. Taken together, we identify distinct backtrack recovery strategies of Pol I and Pol II, shedding light on the evolution of cellular functions of these key enzymes.
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31
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Zhang J, Landick R. A Two-Way Street: Regulatory Interplay between RNA Polymerase and Nascent RNA Structure. Trends Biochem Sci 2016; 41:293-310. [PMID: 26822487 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The vectorial (5'-to-3' at varying velocity) synthesis of RNA by cellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs) creates a rugged kinetic landscape, demarcated by frequent, sometimes long-lived, pauses. In addition to myriad gene-regulatory roles, these pauses temporally and spatially program the co-transcriptional, hierarchical folding of biologically active RNAs. Conversely, these RNA structures, which form inside or near the RNA exit channel, interact with the polymerase and adjacent protein factors to influence RNA synthesis by modulating pausing, termination, antitermination, and slippage. Here, we review the evolutionary origin, mechanistic underpinnings, and regulatory consequences of this interplay between RNAP and nascent RNA structure. We categorize and rationalize the extensive linkage between the transcriptional machinery and its product, and provide a framework for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwei Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Robert Landick
- Departments of Biochemistry and Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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32
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Yakhnin AV, Murakami KS, Babitzke P. NusG Is a Sequence-specific RNA Polymerase Pause Factor That Binds to the Non-template DNA within the Paused Transcription Bubble. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:5299-308. [PMID: 26742846 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.704189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
NusG, referred to as Spt5 in archaeal and eukaryotic organisms, is the only transcription factor conserved in all three domains of life. This general transcription elongation factor binds to RNA polymerase (RNAP) soon after transcription initiation and dissociation of the RNA polymerase σ factor. Escherichia coli NusG increases transcription processivity by suppressing RNAP pausing, whereas Bacillus subtilis NusG dramatically stimulates pausing at two sites in the untranslated leader of the trpEDCFBA operon. These two regulatory pause sites participate in transcription attenuation and translational control mechanisms, respectively. Here we report that B. subtilis NusG makes sequence-specific contacts with a T-rich sequence in the non-template DNA (ntDNA) strand within the paused transcription bubble. NusG protects T residues of the recognition sequence from permanganate oxidation, and these T residues increase the affinity of NusG to the elongation complex. Binding of NusG to RNAP does not require interaction with RNA. These results indicate that bound NusG prevents forward movement of RNA polymerase by simultaneously contacting RNAP and the ntDNA strand. Mutational studies indicate that amino acid residues of two short regions within the NusG N-terminal domain are primarily responsible for recognition of the trp operon pause signals. Structural modeling indicates that these two regions are adjacent to each another in the protein. We propose that recognition of specific sequences in the ntDNA and stimulation of RNAP pausing is a conserved function of NusG-like transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Yakhnin
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Katsuhiko S Murakami
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Paul Babitzke
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
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33
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Esyunina D, Turtola M, Pupov D, Bass I, Klimašauskas S, Belogurov G, Kulbachinskiy A. Lineage-specific variations in the trigger loop modulate RNA proofreading by bacterial RNA polymerases. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:1298-308. [PMID: 26733581 PMCID: PMC4756841 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA cleavage by bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) has been implicated in transcriptional proofreading and reactivation of arrested transcription elongation complexes but its molecular mechanism is less understood than the mechanism of nucleotide addition, despite both reactions taking place in the same active site. RNAP from the radioresistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans is characterized by highly efficient intrinsic RNA cleavage in comparison with Escherichia coli RNAP. We find that the enhanced RNA cleavage activity largely derives from amino acid substitutions in the trigger loop (TL), a mobile element of the active site involved in various RNAP activities. The differences in RNA cleavage between these RNAPs disappear when the TL is deleted, or in the presence of GreA cleavage factors, which replace the TL in the active site. We propose that the TL substitutions modulate the RNA cleavage activity by altering the TL folding and its contacts with substrate RNA and that the resulting differences in transcriptional proofreading may play a role in bacterial stress adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Esyunina
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov square 2, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Matti Turtola
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Danil Pupov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov square 2, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Irina Bass
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov square 2, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | | | - Georgiy Belogurov
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Andrey Kulbachinskiy
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov square 2, Moscow 123182, Russia
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34
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Čabart P, Jin H, Li L, Kaplan CD. Activation and reactivation of the RNA polymerase II trigger loop for intrinsic RNA cleavage and catalysis. Transcription 2015; 5:e28869. [PMID: 25764335 PMCID: PMC4574878 DOI: 10.4161/trns.28869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to RNA synthesis, multisubunit RNA polymerases (msRNAPs) support enzymatic reactions such as intrinsic transcript cleavage. msRNAP active sites from different species appear to exhibit differential intrinsic transcript cleavage efficiency and have likely evolved to allow fine-tuning of the transcription process. Here we show that a single amino-acid substitution in the trigger loop (TL) of Saccharomyces RNAP II, Rpb1 H1085Y, engenders a gain of intrinsic cleavage activity where the substituted tyrosine appears to participate in acid-base chemistry at alkaline pH for both intrinsic cleavage and nucleotidyl transfer. We extensively characterize this TL substitution for each of these reactions by examining the responses RNAP II enzymes to catalytic metals, altered pH, and factor inputs. We demonstrate that TFIIF stimulation of the first phosphodiester bond formation by RNAP II requires wild type TL function and that H1085Y substitution within the TL compromises or alters RNAP II responsiveness to both TFIIB and TFIIF. Finally, Mn(2+) stimulation of H1085Y RNAP II reveals possible allosteric effects of TFIIB on the active center and cooperation between TFIIB and TFIIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Čabart
- a Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics; Texas A&M University; College Station, TX
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35
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Arimbasseri AG, Maraia RJ. Mechanism of Transcription Termination by RNA Polymerase III Utilizes a Non-template Strand Sequence-Specific Signal Element. Mol Cell 2015; 58:1124-32. [PMID: 25959395 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism of transcription termination by a eukaryotic RNA polymerase (RNAP) has been limited by lack of a characterizable intermediate that reflects transition from an elongation complex to a true termination event. While other multisubunit RNAPs require multipartite cis-signals and/or ancillary factors to mediate pausing and release of the nascent transcript from the clutches of these enzymes, RNAP III does so with precision and efficiency on a simple oligo(dT) tract, independent of other cis-elements or trans-factors. We report an RNAP III pre-termination complex that reveals termination mechanisms controlled by sequence-specific elements in the non-template strand. Furthermore, the TFIIF-like RNAP III subunit C37 is required for this function of the non-template strand signal. The results reveal the RNAP III terminator as an information-rich control element. While the template strand promotes destabilization via a weak oligo(rU:dA) hybrid, the non-template strand provides distinct sequence-specific destabilizing information through interactions with the C37 subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneeshkumar G Arimbasseri
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Richard J Maraia
- Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Commissioned Corps, US Public Health Service.
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36
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Productive mRNA stem loop-mediated transcriptional slippage: Crucial features in common with intrinsic terminators. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E1984-93. [PMID: 25848054 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1418384112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli and yeast DNA-dependent RNA polymerases are shown to mediate efficient nascent transcript stem loop formation-dependent RNA-DNA hybrid realignment. The realignment was discovered on the heteropolymeric sequence T5C5 and yields transcripts lacking a C residue within a corresponding U5C4. The sequence studied is derived from a Roseiflexus insertion sequence (IS) element where the resulting transcriptional slippage is required for transposase synthesis. The stability of the RNA structure, the proximity of the stem loop to the slippage site, the length and composition of the slippage site motif, and the identity of its 3' adjacent nucleotides (nt) are crucial for transcripts lacking a single C. In many respects, the RNA structure requirements for this slippage resemble those for hairpin-dependent transcription termination. In a purified in vitro system, the slippage efficiency ranges from 5% to 75% depending on the concentration ratios of the nucleotides specified by the slippage sequence and the 3' nt context. The only previous proposal of stem loop mediated slippage, which was in Ebola virus expression, was based on incorrect data interpretation. We propose a mechanical slippage model involving the RNAP translocation state as the main motor in slippage directionality and efficiency. It is distinct from previously described models, including the one proposed for paramyxovirus, where following random movement efficiency is mainly dependent on the stability of the new realigned hybrid. In broadening the scope for utilization of transcription slippage for gene expression, the stimulatory structure provides parallels with programmed ribosomal frameshifting at the translation level.
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37
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Arimbasseri AG, Maraia RJ. Biochemical analysis of transcription termination by RNA polymerase III from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1276:185-98. [PMID: 25665564 PMCID: PMC6311530 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2392-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic RNA polymerase III (pol III) transcribes short noncoding RNA genes such as those encoding tRNAs, 5S rRNA, U6 snRNA, and a few others. As compared to its pol II counterpart, Pol III has several advantages, including the relative simplicity, stability, and more direct connectivity of its transcription machinery. Only two transcription factor complexes, TFIIIB and TFIIIC, are required to faithfully initiate and direct multiple rounds of transcription by pol III. Moreover, in contrast to an intricate multipartite mechanism of pol II termination, pol III termination is extremely simple, responsive to a monopartite signal (oligo T stretch on the nontemplate DNA strand) and mediated by a stably associated termination subcomplex of three integral subunits (Arimbasseri et al. Transcription 4(6), 2013). This makes pol III a valuable model for dissecting intrinsic molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic transcription termination. In this chapter, we provide protocols we adapted to study the biochemistry of transcription termination by S. cerevisiae pol III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneeshkumar G Arimbasseri
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Building 31, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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38
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Hnilicová J, Jirát Matějčková J, Šiková M, Pospíšil J, Halada P, Pánek J, Krásný L. Ms1, a novel sRNA interacting with the RNA polymerase core in mycobacteria. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:11763-76. [PMID: 25217589 PMCID: PMC4191392 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Small RNAs (sRNAs) are molecules essential for a number of regulatory processes in the bacterial cell. Here we characterize Ms1, a sRNA that is highly expressed in Mycobacterium smegmatis during stationary phase of growth. By glycerol gradient ultracentrifugation, RNA binding assay, and RNA co-immunoprecipitation, we show that Ms1 interacts with the RNA polymerase (RNAP) core that is free of the primary sigma factor (σA) or any other σ factor. This contrasts with the situation in most other species where it is 6S RNA that interacts with RNAP and this interaction requires the presence of σA. The difference in the interaction of the two types of sRNAs (Ms1 or 6S RNA) with RNAP possibly reflects the difference in the composition of the transcriptional machinery between mycobacteria and other species. Unlike Escherichia coli, stationary phase M. smegmatis cells contain relatively few RNAP molecules in complex with σA. Thus, Ms1 represents a novel type of small RNAs interacting with RNAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarmila Hnilicová
- Department of Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Jirát Matějčková
- Department of Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Šiková
- Department of Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Pospíšil
- Department of Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Halada
- Department of Molecular Structure Characterization, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Pánek
- Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Krásný
- Department of Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic
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39
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Afonin K, Kasprzak WK, Bindewald E, Kireeva M, Viard M, Kashlev M, Shapiro BA. In silico design and enzymatic synthesis of functional RNA nanoparticles. Acc Chem Res 2014; 47:1731-41. [PMID: 24758371 PMCID: PMC4066900 DOI: 10.1021/ar400329z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
CONSPECTUS: The use of RNAs as scaffolds for biomedical applications has several advantages compared with other existing nanomaterials. These include (i) programmability, (ii) precise control over folding and self-assembly, (iii) natural functionalities as exemplified by ribozymes, riboswitches, RNAi, editing, splicing, and inherent translation and transcription control mechanisms, (iv) biocompatibility, (v) relatively low immune response, and (vi) relatively low cost and ease of production. We have tapped into several of these properties and functionalities to construct RNA-based functional nanoparticles (RNA NPs). In several cases, the structural core and the functional components of the NPs are inherent in the same construct. This permits control over the spatial disposition of the components, intracellular availability, and precise stoichiometry. To enable the generation of RNA NPs, a pipeline is being developed. On one end, it encompasses the rational design and various computational schemes that promote design of the RNA-based nanoconstructs, ultimately producing a set of sequences consisting of RNA or RNA-DNA hybrids, which can assemble into the designed construct. On the other end of the pipeline is an experimental component, which takes the produced sequences and uses them to initialize and characterize their proper assembly and then test the resulting RNA NPs for their function and delivery in cell culture and animal models. An important aspect of this pipeline is the feedback that constantly occurs between the computational and the experimental parts, which synergizes the refinement of both the algorithmic methodologies and the experimental protocols. The utility of this approach is depicted by the several examples described in this Account (nanocubes, nanorings, and RNA-DNA hybrids). Of particular interest, from the computational viewpoint, is that in most cases, first a three-dimensional representation of the assembly is produced, and only then are algorithms applied to generate the sequences that will assemble into the designated three-dimensional construct. This is opposite to the usual practice of predicting RNA structures from a given sequence, that is, the RNA folding problem. To be considered is the generation of sequences that upon assembly have the proper intra- or interstrand interactions (or both). Of particular interest from the experimental point of view is the determination and characterization of the proper thermodynamic, kinetic, functionality, and delivery protocols. Assembly of RNA NPs from individual single-stranded RNAs can be accomplished by one-pot techniques under the proper thermal and buffer conditions or, potentially more interestingly, by the use of various RNA polymerases that can promote the formation of RNA NPs cotransciptionally from specifically designed DNA templates. Also of importance is the delivery of the RNA NPs to the cells of interest in vitro or in vivo. Nonmodified RNAs rapidly degrade in blood serum and have difficulties crossing biological membranes due to their negative charge. These problems can be overcome by using, for example, polycationic lipid-based carriers. Our work involves the use of bolaamphiphiles, which are amphipathic compounds with positively charged hydrophilic head groups at each end connected by a hydrophobic chain. We have correlated results from molecular dynamics computations with various experiments to understand the characteristics of such delivery agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill
A. Afonin
- Basic
Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Wojciech K. Kasprzak
- Basic
Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research,
Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Eckart Bindewald
- Basic
Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research,
Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Maria Kireeva
- Gene
Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Mathias Viard
- Basic
Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
- Basic
Science Program, Leidos Biomedical Research,
Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Mikhail Kashlev
- Gene
Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Bruce A. Shapiro
- Basic
Research Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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40
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Coliphage HK022 Nun protein inhibits RNA polymerase translocation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:E2368-75. [PMID: 24853501 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1319740111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Nun protein of coliphage HK022 arrests RNA polymerase (RNAP) in vivo and in vitro at pause sites distal to phage λ N-Utilization (nut) site RNA sequences. We tested the activity of Nun on ternary elongation complexes (TECs) assembled with templates lacking the λ nut sequence. We report that Nun stabilizes both translocation states of RNAP by restricting lateral movement of TEC along the DNA register. When Nun stabilized TEC in a pretranslocated register, immediately after NMP incorporation, it prevented binding of the next NTP and stimulated pyrophosphorolysis of the nascent transcript. In contrast, stabilization of TEC by Nun in a posttranslocated register allowed NTP binding and nucleotidyl transfer but inhibited pyrophosphorolysis and the next round of forward translocation. Nun binding to and action on the TEC requires a 9-bp RNA-DNA hybrid. We observed a Nun-dependent toe print upstream to the TEC. In addition, mutations in the RNAP β' subunit near the upstream end of the transcription bubble suppress Nun binding and arrest. These results suggest that Nun interacts with RNAP near the 5' edge of the RNA-DNA hybrid. By stabilizing translocation states through restriction of TEC lateral mobility, Nun represents a novel class of transcription arrest factors.
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41
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Malinen AM, NandyMazumdar M, Turtola M, Malmi H, Grocholski T, Artsimovitch I, Belogurov GA. CBR antimicrobials alter coupling between the bridge helix and the β subunit in RNA polymerase. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3408. [PMID: 24598909 PMCID: PMC3959191 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) is a validated target for antibacterial drugs. CBR703 series antimicrobials allosterically inhibit transcription by binding to a conserved α helix (β' bridge helix, BH) that interconnects the two largest RNAP subunits. Here we show that disruption of the BH-β subunit contacts by amino-acid substitutions invariably results in accelerated catalysis, slowed-down forward translocation and insensitivity to regulatory pauses. CBR703 partially reverses these effects in CBR-resistant RNAPs while inhibiting catalysis and promoting pausing in CBR-sensitive RNAPs. The differential response of variant RNAPs to CBR703 suggests that the inhibitor binds in a cavity walled by the BH, the β' F-loop and the β fork loop. Collectively, our data are consistent with a model in which the β subunit fine tunes RNAP elongation activities by altering the BH conformation, whereas CBRs deregulate transcription by increasing coupling between the BH and the β subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anssi M. Malinen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Monali NandyMazumdar
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Matti Turtola
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Henri Malmi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Thadee Grocholski
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Irina Artsimovitch
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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42
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Imashimizu M, Oshima T, Lubkowska L, Kashlev M. Direct assessment of transcription fidelity by high-resolution RNA sequencing. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:9090-104. [PMID: 23925128 PMCID: PMC3799451 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancerous and aging cells have long been thought to be impacted by transcription errors that cause genetic and epigenetic changes. Until now, a lack of methodology for directly assessing such errors hindered evaluation of their impact to the cells. We report a high-resolution Illumina RNA-seq method that can assess noncoded base substitutions in mRNA at 10−4–10−5 per base frequencies in vitro and in vivo. Statistically reliable detection of changes in transcription fidelity through ∼103 nt DNA sites assures that the RNA-seq can analyze the fidelity in a large number of the sites where errors occur. A combination of the RNA-seq and biochemical analyses of the positions for the errors revealed two sequence-specific mechanisms that increase transcription fidelity by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase: (i) enhanced suppression of nucleotide misincorporation that improves selectivity for the cognate substrate, and (ii) increased backtracking of the RNA polymerase that decreases a chance of error propagation to the full-length transcript after misincorporation and provides an opportunity to proofread the error. This method is adoptable to a genome-wide assessment of transcription fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiko Imashimizu
- Gene Regulation and Chromosome Biology Laboratory, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702, USA and Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5, Takayama, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
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43
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Distinguishing core and holoenzyme mechanisms of transcription termination by RNA polymerase III. Mol Cell Biol 2013; 33:1571-81. [PMID: 23401852 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01733-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination by RNA polymerase (Pol) III serves multiple purposes; it delimits interference with downstream genes, forms 3' oligo(U) binding sites for the posttranscriptional processing factor, La protein, and resets the polymerase complex for reinitiation. Although an interplay of several Pol III subunits is known to collectively control these activities, how they affect molecular function of the active center during termination is incompletely understood. We have approached this using immobilized Pol III-nucleic acid scaffolds to examine the two major components of termination, transcription pausing and RNA release. This allowed us to distinguish two mechanisms of termination by isolated Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pol III. A core mechanism can operate in the absence of C53/37 and C11 subunits but requires synthesis of 8 or more 3' U nucleotides, apparently reflecting inherent sensitivity to an oligo(rU·dA) hybrid that is the termination signal proper. The holoenzyme mechanism requires fewer U nucleotides but uses C53/37 and C11 to slow elongation and prevent terminator arrest. N-terminal truncation of C53 or point mutations that disable the cleavage activity of C11 impair their antiarrest activities. The data are consistent with a model in which C53, C37, and C11 activities are functionally integrated with the active center of Pol III during termination.
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44
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Weixlbaumer A, Leon K, Landick R, Darst SA. Structural basis of transcriptional pausing in bacteria. Cell 2013; 152:431-41. [PMID: 23374340 PMCID: PMC3564060 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2012] [Revised: 11/08/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional pausing by multisubunit RNA polymerases (RNAPs) is a key mechanism for regulating gene expression in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and is a prerequisite for transcription termination. Pausing and termination states are thought to arise through a common, elemental pause state that is inhibitory for nucleotide addition. We report three crystal structures of Thermus RNAP elemental paused elongation complexes (ePECs). The structures reveal the same relaxed, open-clamp RNAP conformation in the ePEC that may arise by failure to re-establish DNA contacts during translocation. A kinked bridge-helix sterically blocks the RNAP active site, explaining how this conformation inhibits RNAP catalytic activity. Our results provide a framework for understanding how RNA hairpin formation stabilizes the paused state and how the ePEC intermediate facilitates termination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katherine Leon
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Robert Landick
- Departments of Biochemistry and Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Seth A. Darst
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Intrinsic translocation barrier as an initial step in pausing by RNA polymerase II. J Mol Biol 2012; 425:697-712. [PMID: 23238253 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) by backtracking on DNA is a major regulatory mechanism in control of eukaryotic transcription. Backtracking occurs by extrusion of the 3' end of the RNA from the active center after bond formation and before translocation of RNAP II on DNA. In several documented cases, backtracking requires a special signal such as A/T-rich sequences forming an unstable RNA-DNA hybrid in the elongation complex. However, other sequence-dependent backtracking signals and conformations of RNAP II leading to backtracking remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate with S. cerevisiae RNAP II that a cleavage-deficient elongation factor TFIIS (TFIIS(AA)) enhances backtracked pauses during regular transcription. This is due to increased efficiency of formation of an intermediate that leads to backtracking. This intermediate may involve misalignment at the 3' end of the nascent RNA in the active center of the yeast RNAP II, and TFIIS(AA) promotes formation of this intermediate at the DNA sequences, presenting a high-energy barrier to translocation. We proposed a three-step mechanism for RNAP II pausing in which a prolonged dwell time in the pre-translocated state increases the likelihood of the 3' RNA end misalignment facilitating a backtrack pausing. These results demonstrate an important role of the intrinsic blocks to forward translocation in pausing by RNAP II.
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Strathern J, Malagon F, Irvin J, Gotte D, Shafer B, Kireeva M, Lubkowska L, Jin DJ, Kashlev M. The fidelity of transcription: RPB1 (RPO21) mutations that increase transcriptional slippage in S. cerevisiae. J Biol Chem 2012; 288:2689-99. [PMID: 23223234 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.429506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The fidelity of RNA synthesis depends on both accurate template-mediated nucleotide selection and proper maintenance of register between template and RNA. Loss of register, or transcriptional slippage, is particularly likely on homopolymeric runs in the template. Transcriptional slippage can alter the coding capacity of mRNAs and is used as a regulatory mechanism. Here we describe mutations in the largest subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II that substantially increase the level of transcriptional slippage. Alleles of RPB1 (RPO21) with elevated slippage rates were identified among 6-azauracil-sensitive mutants and were also isolated using a slippage-dependent reporter gene. Biochemical characterization of polymerase II isolated from these mutants confirms elevated levels of transcriptional slippage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Strathern
- National Cancer Institute, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA.
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Zhou J, Schweikhard V, Block SM. Single-molecule studies of RNAPII elongation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2012; 1829:29-38. [PMID: 22982192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2012.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Revised: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Elongation, the transcriptional phase in which RNA polymerase (RNAP) moves processively along a DNA template, occurs via a fundamental enzymatic mechanism that is thought to be universally conserved among multi-subunit polymerases in all kingdoms of life. Beyond this basic mechanism, a multitude of processes are integrated into transcript elongation, among them fidelity control, gene regulatory interactions involving elongation factors, RNA splicing or processing factors, and regulatory mechanisms associated with chromatin structure. Many kinetic and molecular details of the mechanism of the nucleotide addition cycle and its regulation, however, remain elusive and generate continued interest and even controversy. Recently, single-molecule approaches have emerged as powerful tools for the study of transcription in eukaryotic organisms. Here, we review recent progress and discuss some of the unresolved questions and ongoing debates, while anticipating future developments in the field. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA Polymerase II Transcript Elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhou
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Malinen AM, Turtola M, Parthiban M, Vainonen L, Johnson MS, Belogurov GA. Active site opening and closure control translocation of multisubunit RNA polymerase. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:7442-51. [PMID: 22570421 PMCID: PMC3424550 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multisubunit RNA polymerase (RNAP) is the central information-processing enzyme in all cellular life forms, yet its mechanism of translocation along the DNA molecule remains conjectural. Here, we report direct monitoring of bacterial RNAP translocation following the addition of a single nucleotide. Time-resolved measurements demonstrated that translocation is delayed relative to nucleotide incorporation and occurs shortly after or concurrently with pyrophosphate release. An investigation of translocation equilibrium suggested that the strength of interactions between RNA 3′ nucleotide and nucleophilic and substrate sites determines the translocation state of transcription elongation complexes, whereas active site opening and closure modulate the affinity of the substrate site, thereby favoring the post- and pre-translocated states, respectively. The RNAP translocation mechanism is exploited by the antibiotic tagetitoxin, which mimics pyrophosphate and induces backward translocation by closing the active site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anssi M Malinen
- Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland
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Kaplan CD, Jin H, Zhang IL, Belyanin A. Dissection of Pol II trigger loop function and Pol II activity-dependent control of start site selection in vivo. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002627. [PMID: 22511879 PMCID: PMC3325174 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2011] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural and biochemical studies have revealed the importance of a conserved, mobile domain of RNA Polymerase II (Pol II), the Trigger Loop (TL), in substrate selection and catalysis. The relative contributions of different residues within the TL to Pol II function and how Pol II activity defects correlate with gene expression alteration in vivo are unknown. Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pol II as a model, we uncover complex genetic relationships between mutated TL residues by combinatorial analysis of multiply substituted TL variants. We show that in vitro biochemical activity is highly predictive of in vivo transcription phenotypes, suggesting direct relationships between phenotypes and Pol II activity. Interestingly, while multiple TL residues function together to promote proper transcription, individual residues can be separated into distinct functional classes likely relevant to the TL mechanism. In vivo, Pol II activity defects disrupt regulation of the GTP-sensitive IMD2 gene, explaining sensitivities to GTP-production inhibitors, but contrasting with commonly cited models for this sensitivity in the literature. Our data provide support for an existing model whereby Pol II transcriptional activity provides a proxy for direct sensing of NTP levels in vivo leading to IMD2 activation. Finally, we connect Pol II activity to transcription start site selection in vivo, implicating the Pol II active site and transcription itself as a driver for start site scanning, contravening current models for this process. Transcription by multisubunit RNA polymerases (msRNAPs) is essential for all kingdoms of life. A conserved region within msRNAPs called the trigger loop (TL) is critical for selection of nucleotide substrates and activity. We present analysis of the RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) TL from the model eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our experiments reveal how TL residues differentially contribute to viability and transcriptional activity. We find that in vivo growth phenotypes correlate with severity of transcriptional defects and that changing Pol II activity to either faster or slower than wild type causes specific transcription defects. We identify transcription start site selection as sensitive to Pol II catalytic activity, proposing that RNA synthesis (an event downstream of many steps in the initiation process) contributes to where productive transcription occurs. Pol II transcription activity was excluded from previous models for selection of productive Pol II start sites. Finally, drug sensitivity data have been widely interpreted to indicate that Pol II mutants defective in elongation properties are sensitized to reduction in GTP levels (a Pol II substrate). Our data suggest an alternate explanation, that sensitivity to decreased GTP levels may be explained in light of Pol II mutant transcriptional start site defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig D Kaplan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America.
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Zhilina EV, Miropolskaya NA, Bass IA, Brodolin KL, Kulbachinskiy AV. Characteristics of σ-dependent pausing by RNA polymerases from Escherichia coli and Thermus aquaticus. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2012; 76:1098-106. [PMID: 22098235 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297911100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The σ(70) subunit of RNA polymerase (RNAP) is the major transcription initiation factor in Escherichia coli. During transcription initiation, conserved region 2 of the σ(70) subunit interacts with the -10 promoter element and plays a key role in DNA melting around the starting point of transcription. During transcription elongation, the σ(70) subunit can induce pauses in RNA synthesis owing to interactions of region 2 with DNA regions similar to the -10 promoter element. We demonstrated that the major σ subunit from Thermus aquaticus (σ(A)) is also able to induce transcription pausing by T. aquaticus RNAP. However, hybrid RNAP containing the σ(A) subunit and E. coli core RNAP is unable to form pauses during elongation, while being able to recognize promoters and initiate transcription. Inability of the σ(A) subunit to induce pausing by E. coli RNAP is explained by the substitutions of non-conserved amino acids in region 2, in the subregions interacting with the RNAP core enzyme. Thus, changes in the structure of region 2 of the σ(70) subunit have stronger effects on transcription pausing than on promoter recognition, likely by weakening the interactions of the σ subunit with the core RNAP during transcription elongation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V Zhilina
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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