1
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Heng X, Herrera AP, Song Z, Boris-Lawrie K. Retroviral PBS-segment sequence and structure: Orchestrating early and late replication events. Retrovirology 2024; 21:12. [PMID: 38886829 PMCID: PMC11181671 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-024-00646-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
An essential regulatory hub for retroviral replication events, the 5' untranslated region (UTR) encodes an ensemble of cis-acting replication elements that overlap in a logical manner to carry out divergent RNA activities in cells and in virions. The primer binding site (PBS) and primer activation sequence initiate the reverse transcription process in virions, yet overlap with structural elements that regulate expression of the complex viral proteome. PBS-segment also encompasses the attachment site for Integrase to cut and paste the 3' long terminal repeat into the host chromosome to form the provirus and purine residues necessary to execute the precise stoichiometry of genome-length transcripts and spliced viral RNAs. Recent genetic mapping, cofactor affinity experiments, NMR and SAXS have elucidated that the HIV-1 PBS-segment folds into a three-way junction structure. The three-way junction structure is recognized by the host's nuclear RNA helicase A/DHX9 (RHA). RHA tethers host trimethyl guanosine synthase 1 to the Rev/Rev responsive element (RRE)-containing RNAs for m7-guanosine Cap hyper methylation that bolsters virion infectivity significantly. The HIV-1 trimethylated (TMG) Cap licenses specialized translation of virion proteins under conditions that repress translation of the regulatory proteins. Clearly host-adaption and RNA shapeshifting comprise the fundamental basis for PBS-segment orchestrating both reverse transcription of virion RNA and the nuclear modification of m7G-Cap for biphasic translation of the complex viral proteome. These recent observations, which have exposed even greater complexity of retroviral RNA biology than previously established, are the impetus for this article. Basic research to fully comprehend the marriage of PBS-segment structures and host RNA binding proteins that carry out retroviral early and late replication events is likely to expose an immutable virus-specific therapeutic target to attenuate retrovirus proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Heng
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA.
| | - Amanda Paz Herrera
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
| | - Zhenwei Song
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Kathleen Boris-Lawrie
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA.
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2
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Gu W, Luozhong S, Cai S, Londhe K, Elkasri N, Hawkins R, Yuan Z, Su-Greene K, Yin Y, Cruz M, Chang YW, McMullen P, Wu C, Seo C, Guru A, Gao W, Sarmiento T, Schaffer C, Nishimura N, Cerione R, Yu Q, Warden M, Langer R, Jiang S. Extracellular vesicles incorporating retrovirus-like capsids for the enhanced packaging and systemic delivery of mRNA into neurons. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:415-426. [PMID: 38374224 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts the systemic delivery of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) into diseased neurons. Although leucocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can cross the BBB at inflammatory sites, it is difficult to efficiently load long mRNAs into the EVs and to enhance their neuronal uptake. Here we show that the packaging of mRNA into leucocyte-derived EVs and the endocytosis of the EVs by neurons can be enhanced by engineering leucocytes to produce EVs that incorporate retrovirus-like mRNA-packaging capsids. We transfected immortalized and primary bone-marrow-derived leucocytes with DNA or RNA encoding the capsid-forming activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) protein as well as capsid-stabilizing Arc 5'-untranslated-region RNA elements. These engineered EVs inherit endothelial adhesion molecules from donor leukocytes, recruit endogenous enveloping proteins to their surface, cross the BBB, and enter the neurons in neuro-inflammatory sites. Produced from self-derived donor leukocytes, the EVs are immunologically inert, and enhanced the neuronal uptake of the packaged mRNA in a mouse model of low-grade chronic neuro-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Gu
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Sijin Luozhong
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Simian Cai
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Ketaki Londhe
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nadine Elkasri
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Robert Hawkins
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Zhefan Yuan
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Kai Su-Greene
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Yujie Yin
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Margaret Cruz
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Yu-Wei Chang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Patrick McMullen
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Chunyan Wu
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Changwoo Seo
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Akash Guru
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Wenting Gao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Tara Sarmiento
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Chris Schaffer
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nozomi Nishimura
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Richard Cerione
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Qiuming Yu
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Melissa Warden
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Robert Langer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Shaoyi Jiang
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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3
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Levintov L, Vashisth H. Structural and computational studies of HIV-1 RNA. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-32. [PMID: 38100535 PMCID: PMC10730233 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2289709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses remain a global threat to animals, plants, and humans. The type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is a member of the retrovirus family and carries an RNA genome, which is reverse transcribed into viral DNA and further integrated into the host-cell DNA for viral replication and proliferation. The RNA structures from the HIV-1 genome provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the viral replication cycle. Moreover, these structures serve as models for designing novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we review structural data on RNA from the HIV-1 genome as well as computational studies based on these structural data. The review is organized according to the type of structured RNA element which contributes to different steps in the viral replication cycle. This is followed by an overview of the HIV-1 transactivation response element (TAR) RNA as a model system for understanding dynamics and interactions in the viral RNA systems. The review concludes with a description of computational studies, highlighting the impact of biomolecular simulations in elucidating the mechanistic details of various steps in the HIV-1's replication cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lev Levintov
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA
| | - Harish Vashisth
- Department of Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, USA
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4
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Chkuaseli T, White K. Dimerization of an umbravirus RNA genome activates subgenomic mRNA transcription. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8787-8804. [PMID: 37395397 PMCID: PMC10484742 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Many eukaryotic RNA viruses transcribe subgenomic (sg) mRNAs during infections to control expression of a subset of viral genes. Such transcriptional events are commonly regulated by local or long-range intragenomic interactions that form higher-order RNA structures within these viral genomes. In contrast, here we report that an umbravirus activates sg mRNA transcription via base pair-mediated dimerization of its plus-strand RNA genome. Compelling in vivo and in vitro evidence demonstrate that this viral genome dimerizes via a kissing-loop interaction involving an RNA stem-loop structure located just upstream from its transcriptional initiation site. Both specific and non-specific features of the palindromic kissing-loop complex were found to contribute to transcriptional activation. Structural and mechanistic aspects of the process in umbraviruses are discussed and compared with genome dimerization events in other RNA viruses. Notably, probable dimer-promoting RNA stem-loop structures were also identified in a diverse group of umbra-like viruses, suggesting broader utilization of this unconventional transcriptional strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamari Chkuaseli
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - K Andrew White
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
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5
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Yang X, Liu Y, Cui W, Liu M, Wang W. Distinct Gag interaction properties of HIV-1 RNA 5' leader conformers reveal a mechanism for dimeric genome selection. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:217-227. [PMID: 36384962 PMCID: PMC9891258 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079347.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
During HIV-1 assembly, two copies of viral genomic RNAs (gRNAs) are selectively packaged into new viral particles. This process is mediated by specific interactions between HIV-1 Gag and the packaging signals at the 5' leader (5'L) of viral gRNA. 5'L is able to adopt different conformations, which promotes either gRNA dimerization and packaging or Gag translation. Dimerization and packaging are coupled. Whether the selective packaging of the gRNA dimer is due to favorable interactions between Gag and 5'L in the packaging conformation is not known. Here, using RNAs mimicking the two 5'L conformers, we show that the 5'L conformation dramatically affects Gag-RNA interactions. Compared to the RNA in the translation conformation (5'LT), the RNA in the packaging conformation (5'LP) can bind more Gag molecules. Gag associates with 5'LP faster than it binds to 5'LT, whereas Gag dissociates from 5'LP more slowly. The Gag-5'LP complex is more stable at high salt concentrations. The NC-SP2-p6 region of Gag likely accounts for the faster association and slower dissociation kinetics for the Gag-5'LP interaction and for the higher stability. In summary, our data suggest that conformational changes play an important role in the selection of dimeric genomes, probably by affecting the binding kinetics and stability of the Gag-5'L complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yong Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wen Cui
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Mengmeng Liu
- Office of Research Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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6
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Wang K, He Y, Shen Y, Wang Y, Xu X, Song X, Sun T. Effect of pausing on the cotranscriptional folding kinetics of RNAs. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 221:1345-1355. [PMID: 36115451 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.09.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The pausing event in RNA molecule folding that occurs during the cotranscription process plays a critical role in cellular RNA function. Based on Conformational Resampling through Kinetic Relaxation (CRKR), this paper investigates a method to reveal the specifics of pausing for RNA cotranscriptional folding of 117-nucleotide E. coli SRP RNA and 73-nucleotide HIV-1 TAR RNA. It can be inferred from the results that pausing events generate valid cotranscriptional conformational rearrangement to protect the function structures and influence the folding pathway, which is remarkably consistent with the experimental results. Additionally, different transcription speeds result in different levels of protection capability. The folding pathway or conformational rearrangement can also be affected by a change in transcription speed after pausing site. These findings illuminate that RNAs with functional structures undergo complex rearrangement folding in pausing events, and different RNAs prefer different speeds for specific folding pathways. Moreover, pausing in particular circumstances can be employed to regulate the population of final functional structures. In conclusion, this paper offers fresh perspectives on the pausing event in the cotranscriptional folding of RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Wang
- Department of Physics, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310008, China
| | - Yunan He
- Department of Physics, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310008, China
| | - Yu Shen
- Department of Physics, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310008, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Physics, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310008, China
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213001, China
| | - Xiaohui Song
- Eye Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, China.
| | - Tingting Sun
- Department of Physics, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310008, China.
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7
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Cantara WA, Pathirage C, Hatterschide J, Olson ED, Musier-Forsyth K. Phosphomimetic S207D Lysyl-tRNA Synthetase Binds HIV-1 5'UTR in an Open Conformation and Increases RNA Dynamics. Viruses 2022; 14:1556. [PMID: 35891536 PMCID: PMC9315659 DOI: 10.3390/v14071556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions between lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS) and HIV-1 Gag facilitate selective packaging of the HIV-1 reverse transcription primer, tRNALys3. During HIV-1 infection, LysRS is phosphorylated at S207, released from a multi-aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex and packaged into progeny virions. LysRS is critical for proper targeting of tRNALys3 to the primer-binding site (PBS) by specifically binding a PBS-adjacent tRNA-like element (TLE), which promotes release of the tRNA proximal to the PBS. However, whether LysRS phosphorylation plays a role in this process remains unknown. Here, we used a combination of binding assays, RNA chemical probing, and small-angle X-ray scattering to show that both wild-type (WT) and a phosphomimetic S207D LysRS mutant bind similarly to the HIV-1 genomic RNA (gRNA) 5'UTR via direct interactions with the TLE and stem loop 1 (SL1) and have a modest preference for binding dimeric gRNA. Unlike WT, S207D LysRS bound in an open conformation and increased the dynamics of both the PBS region and SL1. A new working model is proposed wherein a dimeric phosphorylated LysRS/tRNA complex binds to a gRNA dimer to facilitate tRNA primer release and placement onto the PBS. Future anti-viral strategies that prevent this host factor-gRNA interaction are envisioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A. Cantara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (C.P.); (J.H.); (E.D.O.)
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Chathuri Pathirage
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (C.P.); (J.H.); (E.D.O.)
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Joshua Hatterschide
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (C.P.); (J.H.); (E.D.O.)
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Erik D. Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (C.P.); (J.H.); (E.D.O.)
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; (C.P.); (J.H.); (E.D.O.)
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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8
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Xu X, Jin L, Xie L, Chen SJ. Landscape Zooming toward the Prediction of RNA Cotranscriptional Folding. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:2002-2015. [PMID: 35133833 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.1c01233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
RNA molecules fold as they are transcribed. Cotranscriptional folding of RNA plays a critical role in RNA functions in vivo. Present computational strategies focus on simulations where large structural changes may not be completely sampled. Here, we describe an alternative approach to predicting cotranscriptional RNA folding by zooming in and out of the RNA folding energy landscape. By classifying the RNA structural ensemble into "partitions" based on long, stable helices, we zoom out of the landscape and predict the overall slow folding kinetics from the interpartition kinetic network, and for each interpartition transition, we zoom in on the landscape to simulate the kinetics. Applications of the model to the 117-nucleotide E. coli SRP RNA and the 59-nucleotide HIV-1 TAR RNA show agreements with the experimental data and new structural and kinetic insights into biologically significant conformational switches and pathways for these important systems. This approach, by zooming in/out of an RNA folding landscape at different resolutions, might allow us to treat large RNAs in vivo with transcriptional pause, transcription speed, and other in vivo effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213001, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Department of Physics, Department of Biochemistry, and Institute of Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
| | - Liangxu Xie
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213001, China
| | - Shi-Jie Chen
- Department of Physics, Department of Biochemistry, and Institute of Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, United States
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9
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Ye L, Gribling-Burrer AS, Bohn P, Kibe A, Börtlein C, Ambi UB, Ahmad S, Olguin-Nava M, Smith M, Caliskan N, von Kleist M, Smyth RP. Short- and long-range interactions in the HIV-1 5' UTR regulate genome dimerization and packaging. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2022; 29:306-319. [PMID: 35347312 PMCID: PMC9010304 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-022-00746-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
RNA dimerization is the noncovalent association of two human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) genomes. It is a conserved step in the HIV-1 life cycle and assumed to be a prerequisite for binding to the viral structural protein Pr55Gag during genome packaging. Here, we developed functional analysis of RNA structure-sequencing (FARS-seq) to comprehensively identify sequences and structures within the HIV-1 5' untranslated region (UTR) that regulate this critical step. Using FARS-seq, we found nucleotides important for dimerization throughout the HIV-1 5' UTR and identified distinct structural conformations in monomeric and dimeric RNA. In the dimeric RNA, key functional domains, such as stem-loop 1 (SL1), polyadenylation signal (polyA) and primer binding site (PBS), folded into independent structural motifs. In the monomeric RNA, SL1 was reconfigured into long- and short-range base pairings with polyA and PBS, respectively. We show that these interactions disrupt genome packaging, and additionally show that the PBS-SL1 interaction unexpectedly couples the PBS with dimerization and Pr55Gag binding. Altogether, our data provide insights into late stages of HIV-1 life cycle and a mechanistic explanation for the link between RNA dimerization and packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqing Ye
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anne-Sophie Gribling-Burrer
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Bohn
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anuja Kibe
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Charlene Börtlein
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Uddhav B. Ambi
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Shazeb Ahmad
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marco Olguin-Nava
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maureen Smith
- grid.13652.330000 0001 0940 3744P5 Systems Medicine of Infectious Disease, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Neva Caliskan
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany ,grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Max von Kleist
- grid.13652.330000 0001 0940 3744P5 Systems Medicine of Infectious Disease, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Redmond P. Smyth
- grid.498164.6Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Würzburg, Germany ,grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Faculty of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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10
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Selective packaging of HIV-1 RNA genome is guided by the stability of 5' untranslated region polyA stem. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2114494118. [PMID: 34873042 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114494118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To generate infectious virus, HIV-1 must package two copies of its full-length RNA into particles. HIV-1 transcription initiates from multiple, neighboring sites, generating RNA species that only differ by a few nucleotides at the 5' end, including those with one (1G) or three (3G) 5' guanosines. Strikingly, 1G RNA is preferentially packaged into virions over 3G RNA. We investigated how HIV-1 distinguishes between these nearly identical RNAs using in-gel chemical probing combined with recently developed computational tools for determining RNA conformational ensembles, as well as cell-based assays to quantify the efficiency of RNA packaging into viral particles. We found that 1G and 3G RNAs fold into distinct structural ensembles. The 1G RNA, but not the 3G RNA, primarily adopts conformations with an intact polyA stem, exposed dimerization initiation site, and multiple, unpaired guanosines known to mediate Gag binding. Furthermore, we identified mutants that exhibited altered genome selectivity and packaged 3G RNA efficiently. In these mutants, both 1G and 3G RNAs fold into similar conformational ensembles, such that they can no longer be distinguished. Our findings demonstrate that polyA stem stability guides RNA-packaging selectivity. These studies also uncover the mechanism by which HIV-1 selects its genome for packaging: 1G RNA is preferentially packaged because it exposes structural elements that promote RNA dimerization and Gag binding.
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11
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Blakemore RJ, Burnett C, Swanson C, Kharytonchyk S, Telesnitsky A, Munro JB. Stability and conformation of the dimeric HIV-1 genomic RNA 5'UTR. Biophys J 2021; 120:4874-4890. [PMID: 34529947 PMCID: PMC8595565 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During HIV-1 assembly, the viral Gag polyprotein specifically selects the dimeric RNA genome for packaging into new virions. The 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of the dimeric genome may adopt a conformation that is optimal for recognition by Gag. Further conformational rearrangement of the 5′UTR, promoted by the nucleocapsid (NC) domain of Gag, is predicted during virus maturation. Two 5′UTR dimer conformations, the kissing dimer (KD) and the extended dimer (ED), have been identified in vitro, which differ in the extent of intermolecular basepairing. Whether 5′UTRs from different HIV-1 strains with distinct sequences have access to the same dimer conformations has not been determined. Here, we applied fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy and single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer imaging to demonstrate that 5′UTRs from two different HIV-1 subtypes form (KDs) with divergent stabilities. We further show that both 5′UTRs convert to a stable dimer in the presence of the viral NC protein, adopting a conformation consistent with extensive intermolecular contacts. These results support a unified model in which the genomes of diverse HIV-1 strains adopt an ED conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Blakemore
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine and School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts; Graduate Program in Molecular Microbiology, Tufts University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Cleo Burnett
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Canessa Swanson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland Baltimore Country, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Siarhei Kharytonchyk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Alice Telesnitsky
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - James B Munro
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine and School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts.
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12
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Show your cap or be packaged into HIV-1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2115344118. [PMID: 34583998 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2115344118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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13
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RNA Structures and Their Role in Selective Genome Packaging. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091788. [PMID: 34578369 PMCID: PMC8472981 DOI: 10.3390/v13091788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To generate infectious viral particles, viruses must specifically select their genomic RNA from milieu that contains a complex mixture of cellular or non-genomic viral RNAs. In this review, we focus on the role of viral encoded RNA structures in genome packaging. We first discuss how packaging signals are constructed from local and long-range base pairings within viral genomes, as well as inter-molecular interactions between viral and host RNAs. Then, how genome packaging is regulated by the biophysical properties of RNA. Finally, we examine the impact of RNA packaging signals on viral evolution.
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14
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Melidis L, Hill HJ, Coltman NJ, Davies SP, Winczura K, Chauhan T, Craig JS, Garai A, Hooper CAJ, Egan RT, McKeating JA, Hodges NJ, Stamataki Z, Grzechnik P, Hannon MJ. Supramolecular Cylinders Target Bulge Structures in the 5' UTR of the RNA Genome of SARS-CoV-2 and Inhibit Viral Replication. ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 133:18292-18299. [PMID: 38505190 PMCID: PMC10947172 DOI: 10.1002/ange.202104179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The untranslated regions (UTRs) of viral genomes contain a variety of conserved yet dynamic structures crucial for viral replication, providing drug targets for the development of broad spectrum anti-virals. We combine in vitro RNA analysis with molecular dynamics simulations to build the first 3D models of the structure and dynamics of key regions of the 5' UTR of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Furthermore, we determine the binding of metallo-supramolecular helicates (cylinders) to this RNA structure. These nano-size agents are uniquely able to thread through RNA junctions and we identify their binding to a 3-base bulge and the central cross 4-way junction located in stem loop 5. Finally, we show these RNA-binding cylinders suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication, highlighting their potential as novel anti-viral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazaros Melidis
- Physical Sciences for Health CentreUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Harriet J. Hill
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | | | - Scott P. Davies
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Kinga Winczura
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Tasha Chauhan
- Physical Sciences for Health CentreUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - James S. Craig
- Physical Sciences for Health CentreUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Aditya Garai
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | | | - Ross T. Egan
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Jane A. McKeating
- Nuffield Department of Medicine & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI)Oxford UniversityOxfordOX3 7BNUK
| | - Nikolas J. Hodges
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Zania Stamataki
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Pawel Grzechnik
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Michael J. Hannon
- Physical Sciences for Health CentreUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
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15
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Melidis L, Hill HJ, Coltman NJ, Davies SP, Winczura K, Chauhan T, Craig JS, Garai A, Hooper CAJ, Egan RT, McKeating JA, Hodges NJ, Stamataki Z, Grzechnik P, Hannon MJ. Supramolecular Cylinders Target Bulge Structures in the 5' UTR of the RNA Genome of SARS-CoV-2 and Inhibit Viral Replication*. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:18144-18151. [PMID: 33915014 PMCID: PMC8222931 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202104179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The untranslated regions (UTRs) of viral genomes contain a variety of conserved yet dynamic structures crucial for viral replication, providing drug targets for the development of broad spectrum anti-virals. We combine in vitro RNA analysis with molecular dynamics simulations to build the first 3D models of the structure and dynamics of key regions of the 5' UTR of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Furthermore, we determine the binding of metallo-supramolecular helicates (cylinders) to this RNA structure. These nano-size agents are uniquely able to thread through RNA junctions and we identify their binding to a 3-base bulge and the central cross 4-way junction located in stem loop 5. Finally, we show these RNA-binding cylinders suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication, highlighting their potential as novel anti-viral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lazaros Melidis
- Physical Sciences for Health CentreUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Harriet J. Hill
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | | | - Scott P. Davies
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Kinga Winczura
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Tasha Chauhan
- Physical Sciences for Health CentreUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - James S. Craig
- Physical Sciences for Health CentreUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Aditya Garai
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | | | - Ross T. Egan
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Jane A. McKeating
- Nuffield Department of Medicine & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Oxford Institute (COI)Oxford UniversityOxfordOX3 7BNUK
| | - Nikolas J. Hodges
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Zania Stamataki
- Institute of Immunology and ImmunotherapyUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Pawel Grzechnik
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
| | - Michael J. Hannon
- Physical Sciences for Health CentreUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of BirminghamEdgbastonBirminghamB15 2TTUK
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16
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Chameettachal A, Vivet-Boudou V, Pitchai F, Pillai V, Ali L, Krishnan A, Bernacchi S, Mustafa F, Marquet R, Rizvi T. A purine loop and the primer binding site are critical for the selective encapsidation of mouse mammary tumor virus genomic RNA by Pr77Gag. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:4668-4688. [PMID: 33836091 PMCID: PMC8096270 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Retroviral RNA genome (gRNA) harbors cis-acting sequences that facilitate its specific packaging from a pool of other viral and cellular RNAs by binding with high-affinity to the viral Gag protein during virus assembly. However, the molecular intricacies involved during selective gRNA packaging are poorly understood. Binding and footprinting assays on mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) gRNA with purified Pr77Gag along with in cell gRNA packaging study identified two Pr77Gag binding sites constituting critical, non-redundant packaging signals. These included: a purine loop in a bifurcated stem-loop containing the gRNA dimerization initiation site, and the primer binding site (PBS). Despite these sites being present on both unspliced and spliced RNAs, Pr77Gag specifically bound to unspliced RNA, since only that could adopt the native bifurcated stem-loop structure containing looped purines. These results map minimum structural elements required to initiate MMTV gRNA packaging, distinguishing features that are conserved amongst divergent retroviruses from those perhaps unique to MMTV. Unlike purine-rich motifs frequently associated with packaging signals, direct involvement of PBS in gRNA packaging has not been documented in retroviruses. These results enhance our understanding of retroviral gRNA packaging/assembly, making it not only a target for novel therapeutic interventions, but also development of safer gene therapy vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akhil Chameettachal
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Valérie Vivet-Boudou
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, Strasbourg, France
| | - Fathima Nuzra Nagoor Pitchai
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vineeta N Pillai
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lizna Mohamed Ali
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anjana Krishnan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Serena Bernacchi
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, Strasbourg, France
| | - Farah Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
| | - Roland Marquet
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, UPR 9002, Strasbourg, France
| | - Tahir A Rizvi
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
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17
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Deng Y, Hammond JA, Pauszek R, Ozog S, Chai I, Rabuck-Gibbons J, Lamichhane R, Henderson SC, Millar DP, Torbett BE, Williamson JR. Discrimination between Functional and Non-functional Cellular Gag Complexes involved in HIV-1 Assembly. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:166842. [PMID: 33539875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.166842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
HIV-1 Gag and Gag-Pol are responsible for viral assembly and maturation and represent a major paradigm for enveloped virus assembly. Numerous intracellular Gag-containing complexes (GCCs) have been identified in cellular lysates using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. While these complexes are universally present in Gag-expressing cells, their roles in virus assembly are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that most GCC species are predominantly comprised of monomeric or dimeric Gag molecules bound to ribosomal complexes, and as such, are not on-pathway intermediates in HIV assembly. Rather, these GCCs represent a population of Gag that is not yet functionally committed for incorporation into a viable virion precursor. We hypothesize that these complexes act as a reservoir of monomeric Gag that can incorporate into assembling viruses, and serve to mitigate non-specific intracellular Gag oligomerization. We have identified a subset of large GCC complexes, comprising more than 20 Gag molecules, that may be equivalent to membrane-associated puncta previously shown to be bona fide assembling-virus intermediates. This work provides a clear rationale for the existence of diverse GCCs, and serves as the foundation for characterizing on-pathway intermediates early in virus assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisong Deng
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - John A Hammond
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Raymond Pauszek
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Stosh Ozog
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Ilean Chai
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Jessica Rabuck-Gibbons
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Rajan Lamichhane
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Scott C Henderson
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - David P Millar
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Bruce E Torbett
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - James R Williamson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States; Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States; The Skaggs Institute of Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States.
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18
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Krupkin M, Jackson LN, Ha B, Puglisi EV. Advances in understanding the initiation of HIV-1 reverse transcription. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2020; 65:175-183. [PMID: 32916568 PMCID: PMC9973426 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Many viruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), use RNA as their genetic material. How viruses harness RNA structure and RNA-protein interactions to control their replication remains obscure. Recent advances in the characterization of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, the enzyme that converts its single-stranded RNA genome into a double-stranded DNA copy, reveal how the reverse transcription complex evolves during initiation. Here we highlight these advances in HIV-1 structural biology and discuss how they are furthering our understanding of HIV and related ribonucleoprotein complexes implicated in viral disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miri Krupkin
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lynnette Nthenya Jackson
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Betty Ha
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Elisabetta Viani Puglisi
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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19
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Boyd PS, Brown JB, Brown JD, Catazaro J, Chaudry I, Ding P, Dong X, Marchant J, O’Hern CT, Singh K, Swanson C, Summers MF, Yasin S. NMR Studies of Retroviral Genome Packaging. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101115. [PMID: 33008123 PMCID: PMC7599994 DOI: 10.3390/v12101115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly all retroviruses selectively package two copies of their unspliced RNA genomes from a cellular milieu that contains a substantial excess of non-viral and spliced viral RNAs. Over the past four decades, combinations of genetic experiments, phylogenetic analyses, nucleotide accessibility mapping, in silico RNA structure predictions, and biophysical experiments were employed to understand how retroviral genomes are selected for packaging. Genetic studies provided early clues regarding the protein and RNA elements required for packaging, and nucleotide accessibility mapping experiments provided insights into the secondary structures of functionally important elements in the genome. Three-dimensional structural determinants of packaging were primarily derived by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A key advantage of NMR, relative to other methods for determining biomolecular structure (such as X-ray crystallography), is that it is well suited for studies of conformationally dynamic and heterogeneous systems—a hallmark of the retrovirus packaging machinery. Here, we review advances in understanding of the structures, dynamics, and interactions of the proteins and RNA elements involved in retroviral genome selection and packaging that are facilitated by NMR.
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20
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Osmer PS, Singh G, Boris-Lawrie K. A New Approach to 3D Modeling of Inhomogeneous Populations of Viral Regulatory RNA. Viruses 2020; 12:v12101108. [PMID: 33003639 PMCID: PMC7650772 DOI: 10.3390/v12101108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tertiary structure (3D) is the physical context of RNA regulatory activity. Retroviruses are RNA viruses that replicate through the proviral DNA intermediate transcribed by hosts. Proviral transcripts form inhomogeneous populations due to variable structural ensembles of overlapping regulatory RNA motifs in the 5′-untranslated region (UTR), which drive RNAs to be spliced or translated, and/or dimerized and packaged into virions. Genetic studies and structural techniques have provided fundamental input constraints to begin predicting HIV 3D conformations in silico. Using SimRNA and sets of experimentally-determined input constraints of HIVNL4-3 trans-activation responsive sequence (TAR) and pairings of unique-5′ (U5) with dimerization (DIS) or AUG motifs, we calculated a series of 3D models that differ in proximity of 5′-Cap and the junction of TAR and PolyA helices; configuration of primer binding site (PBS)-segment; and two host cofactors binding sites. Input constraints on U5-AUG pairings were most compatible with intramolecular folding of 5′-UTR motifs in energetic minima. Introducing theoretical constraints predicted metastable PolyA region drives orientation of 5′-Cap with TAR, U5 and PBS-segment helices. SimRNA and the workflow developed herein provides viable options to predict 3D conformations of inhomogeneous populations of large RNAs that have been intractable to conventional ensemble methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick S. Osmer
- Department of Astronomy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Gatikrushna Singh
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA;
| | - Kathleen Boris-Lawrie
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-612-625-2100
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21
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Cullen H, Schorn AJ. Endogenous Retroviruses Walk a Fine Line between Priming and Silencing. Viruses 2020; 12:v12080792. [PMID: 32718022 PMCID: PMC7472051 DOI: 10.3390/v12080792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) in mammals are closely related to infectious retroviruses and utilize host tRNAs as a primer for reverse transcription and replication, a hallmark of long terminal repeat (LTR) retroelements. Their dependency on tRNA makes these elements vulnerable to targeting by small RNAs derived from the 3′-end of mature tRNAs (3′-tRFs), which are highly expressed during epigenetic reprogramming and potentially protect many tissues in eukaryotes. Here, we review some key functions of ERV reprogramming during mouse and human development and discuss how small RNA-mediated silencing maintains genome stability when ERVs are temporarily released from heterochromatin repression. In particular, we take a closer look at the tRNA primer binding sites (PBS) of two highly active ERV families in mice and their sequence variation that is shaped by the conflict of successful tRNA priming for replication versus evasion of silencing by 3′-tRFs.
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22
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Structural Insights into RNA Dimerization: Motifs, Interfaces and Functions. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25122881. [PMID: 32585844 PMCID: PMC7357161 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In comparison with the pervasive use of protein dimers and multimers in all domains of life, functional RNA oligomers have so far rarely been observed in nature. Their diminished occurrence contrasts starkly with the robust intrinsic potential of RNA to multimerize through long-range base-pairing ("kissing") interactions, self-annealing of palindromic or complementary sequences, and stable tertiary contact motifs, such as the GNRA tetraloop-receptors. To explore the general mechanics of RNA dimerization, we performed a meta-analysis of a collection of exemplary RNA homodimer structures consisting of viral genomic elements, ribozymes, riboswitches, etc., encompassing both functional and fortuitous dimers. Globally, we found that domain-swapped dimers and antiparallel, head-to-tail arrangements are predominant architectural themes. Locally, we observed that the same structural motifs, interfaces and forces that enable tertiary RNA folding also drive their higher-order assemblies. These feature prominently long-range kissing loops, pseudoknots, reciprocal base intercalations and A-minor interactions. We postulate that the scarcity of functional RNA multimers and limited diversity in multimerization motifs may reflect evolutionary constraints imposed by host antiviral immune surveillance and stress sensing. A deepening mechanistic understanding of RNA multimerization is expected to facilitate investigations into RNA and RNP assemblies, condensates, and granules and enable their potential therapeutical targeting.
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23
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Lukasiewicz AJ, Contreras LM. Antisense probing of dynamic RNA structures. Methods 2020; 183:76-83. [PMID: 31991194 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA regulation is influenced by the dynamic changes in conformational accessibility on the transcript. Here we discuss the initial validation of a cell-free antisense probing method for structured RNAs, using the Tetrahymena group I intron as a control target. We observe changes in signal that qualitatively match prior traditional DMS footprinting experiments. Importantly, we have shown that application of this technique can elucidate new RNA information given its sensitivity for detecting rare intermediates that are not as readily observed by single-hit kinetics chemical probing techniques. Observing changes in RNA accessibility has broad applications in determining the effect that regulatory elements have on regional structures. We speculate that this method could be useful in quickly observing those interactions, along with other phenomena that influence RNA accessibility including RNA-RNA interactions and small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Lukasiewicz
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Lydia M Contreras
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States; McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
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24
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Mapping the RNA structural landscape of viral genomes. Methods 2019; 183:57-67. [PMID: 31711930 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional RNA structures are prevalent in viral genomes, and have been shown to play roles in almost every aspect of their biology. However, the majority of viral RNA remains structurally uncharacterized. This is likely to remain true as the cost of sequencing decreases much faster than the cost of structural characterizations. Because of this, there is a need for rapid, inexpensive methods to highlight regions of viral RNA which are ideal candidates for structure-function analyses. The ScanFold method was developed as a single sequence alternative to traditional RNA structural motif discovery pipelines, which rely heavily on well curated sequence alignments to identify conserved RNA structures. ScanFold focuses on identifying (based on their more stable than expected folding energies) the most likely functional structures encoded within a single large RNA sequence, while allowing predicted motifs to be tested for evidence of structural conservation later. Decoupling these processes can be a benefit to researchers studying viruses lacking the ideal phylogenetic depth to yield evidence of structural conservation. Here, we demonstrate how the most significant ScanFold predicted structures correspond to higher base pairing probabilities, SHAPE reactivities, and predict known functional structures within the ZIKV and HIV-1 genomes with accuracy. Best practices and examples are also shown to aid users in utilizing ScanFold for their own systems of interest. ScanFold is available as a Webserver (https://mosslabtools.bb.iastate.edu/scanfold) or can be downloaded (https://github.com/moss-lab/ScanFold) and run locally.
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25
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Abstract
Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) imaging has emerged as a powerful tool to probe conformational dynamics of viral proteins, identify novel structural intermediates that are hiding in averaging population-based measurements, permit access to the energetics of transitions and as such to the precise molecular mechanisms of viral replication. One strength of smFRET is the capability of characterizing biological molecules in their fully hydrated/native state, which are not necessarily available to other structural methods. Elegant experimental design for physiologically relevant conditions, such as intact virions, has permitted the detection of previously unknown conformational states of viral glycoproteins, revealed asymmetric intermediates, and allowed access to the real-time imaging of conformational changes during viral fusion. As more laboratories are applying smFRET, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and the dynamic nature of viral proteins throughout the virus life cycle are predicted to improve and assist the development of novel antiviral therapies and vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maolin Lu
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.
| | - Xiaochu Ma
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Walther Mothes
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.
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