Resonance assignment and secondary structure determination of a C-terminal fragment of the lupus autoantigen (La) protein containing a putative RNA recognition motif (RRM)

ALARM NMR for HTS triage and chemical probe validation

Nonspecific target engagement by test compounds and purported chemical probes is a significant source of assay interference and promiscuous bioactivity in high-throughput screening (HTS) and chemical biology. Most counter-screens for thiol-reactive compounds utilize mass spectrometry or fluorescence detection, and non-proteinaceous reporters like glutathione that may not always approximate the reactivity of protein side-chains. By contrast, a La assay to detect reactive molecules by nuclear magnetic resonance (ALARM NMR) is an industry-developed protein-based [¹H-¹³C]-heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) NMR counter-screen to identify nonspecific protein interactions by test compounds by reporting their tendencies to modulate the human La antigen conformation. This Current Protocol is a users-guide to the production of the ¹³C-labeled La antigen reporter protein, the reaction of test compounds with this reporter protein, as well as the collection and analysis of characteristic NMR spectra. Combined with other assay interference counter-screens, this assay will enhance chemical biology by helping researchers better prioritize chemical matter and which will increase the number of tractable HTS screening actives and aid in the development of better chemical probes.

The La and related RNA-binding proteins (LARPs): structures, functions, and evolving perspectives

La was first identified as a polypeptide component of ribonucleic protein complexes targeted by antibodies in autoimmune patients and is now known to be a eukaryote cell-ubiquitous protein. Structure and function studies have shown that La binds to a common terminal motif, UUU-3'-OH, of nascent RNA polymerase III (RNAP III) transcripts and protects them from exonucleolytic decay. For precursor-tRNAs, the most diverse and abundant of these transcripts, La also functions as an RNA chaperone that helps to prevent their misfolding. Related to this, we review evidence that suggests that La and its link to RNAP III were significant in the great expansions of the tRNAomes that occurred in eukaryotes. Four families of La-related proteins (LARPs) emerged during eukaryotic evolution with specialized functions. We provide an overview of the high-resolution structural biology of La and LARPs. LARP7 family members most closely resemble La but function with a single RNAP III nuclear transcript, 7SK, or telomerase RNA. A cytoplasmic isoform of La protein as well as LARPs 6, 4, and 1 function in mRNA metabolism and translation in distinct but similar ways, sometimes with the poly(A)-binding protein, and in some cases by direct binding to poly(A)-RNA. New structures of LARP domains, some complexed with RNA, provide novel insights into the functional versatility of these proteins. We also consider LARPs in relation to ancestral La protein and potential retention of links to specific RNA-related pathways. One such link may be tRNA surveillance and codon usage by LARP-associated mRNAs. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1430. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1430 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Backbone and side chain NMR assignment, along with the secondary structure prediction of RRM2 domain of La protein from a lower eukaryote exhibiting identical structural organization with its human homolog

The La protein (Lupus antigen), a key mediator during biogenesis of RNA polymerase III transcripts, contains a characteristic La motif and one or two RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains, depending on the organism of origin. The RRM1 domain is conserved in higher eukaryotes and located in the N-terminal region, whereas the C-terminal RRM2 domain is absent in most lower eukaryotes and its specific role remains, so far, uncharacterized. Here, we present the backbone and side-chain assignment of the (1)H, (13)C and (15)N resonances of RRM2 of La protein from Dictyostelium discoideum. Interestingly, the La protein in this lower eukaryote, exhibits high homology to its human counterpart. Moreover, it contains two RRM domains, instead of one, raising questions on its evolutionary origin and the putative role of RRM2 in vivo. We also provide its secondary structure as predicted by the TALOS+ online tool.

Analysis of the interaction with the hepatitis C virus mRNA reveals an alternative mode of RNA recognition by the human La protein

Human La protein is an essential factor in the biology of both coding and non-coding RNAs. In the nucleus, La binds primarily to 3' oligoU containing RNAs, while in the cytoplasm La interacts with an array of different mRNAs lacking a 3' UUU(OH) trailer. An example of the latter is the binding of La to the IRES domain IV of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, which is associated with viral translation stimulation. By systematic biophysical investigations, we have found that La binds to domain IV using an RNA recognition that is quite distinct from its mode of binding to RNAs with a 3' UUU(OH) trailer: although the La motif and first RNA recognition motif (RRM1) are sufficient for high-affinity binding to 3' oligoU, recognition of HCV domain IV requires the La motif and RRM1 to work in concert with the atypical RRM2 which has not previously been shown to have a significant role in RNA binding. This new mode of binding does not appear sequence specific, but recognizes structural features of the RNA, in particular a double-stranded stem flanked by single-stranded extensions. These findings pave the way for a better understanding of the role of La in viral translation initiation.

Structure of the C-terminal domain of human La protein reveals a novel RNA recognition motif coupled to a helical nuclear retention element

The La protein is an important component of ribonucleoprotein complexes that acts mainly as an RNA chaperone to facilitate correct processing and maturation of RNA polymerase III transcripts, but can also stimulate translation initiation. We report here the structure of the C-terminal domain of human La, which comprises an atypical RNA recognition motif (La225-334) and a long unstructured C-terminal tail. The central beta sheet of La225-334 reveals novel features: the putative RNA binding surface is formed by a five-stranded beta sheet and, strikingly, is largely obscured by a long C-terminal alpha helix that encompasses a recently identified nuclear retention element. Contrary to previous observations, we find that the La protein does not contain a dimerization domain.