Surface topography of ribosomal RNA

Sequence-specific cleavage of small-subunit (SSU) rRNA with oligonucleotides and RNase H: a rapid and simple approach to SSU rRNA-based quantitative detection of microorganisms

A rapid and simple approach to the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA-based quantitative detection of a specific group of microorganisms in complex ecosystems has been developed. The method employs sequence-specific cleavage of rRNA molecules with oligonucleotides and RNase H. Defined mixtures of SSU rRNAs were mixed with an oligonucleotide (referred to as a "scissor probe") that was specifically designed to hybridize with a particular site of targeted rRNA and were subsequently digested with RNase H to proceed to sequence-dependent rRNA scission at the hybridization site. Under appropriate reaction conditions, the targeted rRNAs were correctly cut into two fragments, whereas nontargeted rRNAs remained intact under the same conditions. The specificity of the cleavage could be properly adjusted by controlling the hybridization stringency between the rRNA and the oligonucleotides, i.e., by controlling either the temperature of the reaction or the formamide concentration in the hybridization-digestion buffer used for the reaction. This enabled the reliable discrimination of completely matched rRNA sequences from single-base mismatched sequences. For the detection of targeted rRNAs, the resulting RNA fragment patterns were analyzed by gel electrophoresis with nucleotide-staining fluorescent dyes in order to separate cleaved and intact rRNA molecules. The relative abundance of the targeted SSU rRNA fragments in the total SSU rRNA could easily be calculated without the use of an external standard by determining the signal intensity of individual SSU rRNA bands in the electropherogram. This approach provides a fast and easy means of identification, detection, and quantification of a particular group of microbes in clinical and environmental specimens based on rRNA.

Is the in situ accessibility of the 16S rRNA of Escherichia coli for Cy3-labeled oligonucleotide probes predicted by a three-dimensional structure model of the 30S ribosomal subunit?

Systematic studies on the hybridization of fluorescently labeled, rRNA-targeted oligonucleotides have shown strong variations in in situ accessibility. Reliable predictions of target site accessibility would contribute to more-rational design of probes for the identification of individual microbial cells in their natural environments. During the past 3 years, numerous studies of the higher-order structure of the ribosome have advanced our understanding of its spatial conformation. These studies range from the identification of rRNA-rRNA interactions based on covariation analyses to physical imaging of the ribosome for the identification of protein-rRNA interactions. Here we reevaluate our Escherichia coli 16S rRNA in situ accessibility data with regard to a tertiary-structure model of the small subunit of the ribosome. We localized target sequences of 176 oligonucleotides on a 3.0-A-resolution three-dimensional (3D) model of the 30S ribosomal subunit. Little correlation was found between probe hybridization efficiency and the proximity of the probe target region to the surface of the 30S ribosomal subunit model. We attribute this to the fact that fluorescence in situ hybridization is performed on fixed cells containing denatured ribosomes, whereas 3D models of the ribosome are based on its native conformation. The effects of different fixation and hybridization protocols on the fluorescence signals conferred by a set of 10 representative probes were tested. The presence or absence of the strongly denaturing detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate had a much more pronounced effect than a change of fixative from paraformaldehyde to ethanol.

Preparation of a 'beheaded' derivative of the 30S ribosomal subunit

Oligodesoxyribonucleotide-directed cleavage of protein-deficient Thermus thermophilus derivatives of the 30S ribosomal subunits with RNase H is described. A homogeneous RNP fragment has been isolated as a result of the cleavage and subsequent purification in the sucrose gradient. It corresponds to the central and 5' domains of the 30S ribosomal subunit. The high compactness of the fragment in solution suggests that it can be considered as a 'beheaded' derivative of the 30S ribosomal subunit. The absence of a reconstitution stage in isolation of the 22S RNP fragment provides for its preparation in large amounts.

Studying functional significance of the sequence 980-1061 in the central domain of human 18S rRNA using complementary DNA probes

Region 980-1061 in human 18S rRNA has been chosen on the basis of our previous results, indicating that cross-linking sites of the alkylating mRNA analogs are located within this region. In the present study, we have used 10 DNA 15-mers complementary to various overlapping sequences within the 18S rRNA positions 980-1061. Their abilities to bind selectively to the target rRNA sequences were proved by hydrolysis of 18S rRNA within heteroduplexes with the corresponding probes by RNase H. Four sequences (980-994, 987-1001, 1025-1039 and 1032-1046) were found to be well accessible for binding of the respective cDNA probes within 40S subunits. None of the oligomers inhibited tRNA(Phe)-dependent binding of oligo(U) messenger to 40S subunits and binding of Met-tRNA(imet) to 40S subunits in the presence of eIF-2 and nonhydrolysable GTP analog. Nevertheless, two probes (complementary to the 18S rRNA sequences 987-1001 and 1025-1039) being covalently attached to 40S subunits, inhibited translation of poly(U) by human 80S ribosomes in a cell-free system. The same oligomers revealed the most pronounced inhibitory action on the binding of messenger trinucleotide in the complex pAUG.40S.Met-tRNA(imet).eIF-2.GTP. Results of these functional assays demonstrate the importance of the 18S rRNA sequences 987-1001 and 1025-1039 for translation process on human ribosomes, most probably at the initiation step.

RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions in 30 S ribosomal subunits. Association of 16 S rRNA fragments in the presence of ribosomal proteins

The E. coli 16 S rRNA with single-site breaks centered at position 777 or 785 was obtained by RNase H site-specific cleavage of rRNA. Spontaneous dissociation of the cleaved 16 S rRNA into fragments occurred under 'native' conditions. The reassociation of the 16 S rRNA fragments was possible only in the presence of ribosomal proteins. The combination of S4 and S16(S17) ribosomal proteins interacting mainly with the 5'-end domain of 16 S rRNA was sufficient for reassociation of the fragments. The 30 S subunits with fragmented RNA at ca. 777 region retained some poly(U)-directed protein synthetic activity.

Ribonucleases H of retroviral and cellular origin

Ribonucleases H (RNases H) are enzymes which catalyse the hydrolysis of the RNA-strand of an RNA-DNA hybrid. Retroviral reverse transcriptases possess RNase H activity in addition to their RNA- as well as DNA-dependent DNA-polymerizing activity. These enzymes transcribe the viral single stranded RNA-genome into double stranded DNA, which then can be handled by the host cell like one of its own genes. Various, sometimes highly repeated, sequences related to retroviruses and like these encompassing two separate domains, one of which potentially codes for a DNA polymerizing, the other for an RNase H activity, are found in genomes of uninfected cells. In addition proteins coded for by cellular genes (e.g. from E. coli and from yeast) are known, which exhibit RNase H activity, the biological function of which is not fully understood. In the light of these facts the question of whether retroviral RNases H could be promising targets for antiviral drugs is discussed.