A new chemical procedure for 32P-labeling of ribonucleic acids at their 5'-ends after isolation

A Small RNA, SaaS, Promotes Salmonella Pathogenicity by Regulating Invasion, Intracellular Growth, and Virulence Factors

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is a common foodborne pathogen that infects both humans and animals. The S. Enteritidis virulence regulation network remains largely incomplete, and knowledge regarding the specific virulence phenotype of small RNAs (sRNAs) is limited. Here, we investigated the role of a previously identified sRNA, Salmonella adhesive-associated sRNA (SaaS), in the virulence phenotype of S. Enteritidis by constructing mutant (ΔsaaS) and complemented (ΔsaaS/psaaS) strains. SaaS did not affect S. Enteritidis; it was activated in the simulated intestinal environment (SIE), regulating the expression of virulence target genes. We discovered that it directly binds ssaV mRNA. Caco-2 and RAW 264.7 cell assays revealed that SaaS promoted S. Enteritidis invasion and damage to epithelial cells while suppressing macrophage overgrowth and destruction. Furthermore, a BALB/c mouse model demonstrated that the deletion of SaaS significantly reduced mortality and attenuated the deterioration of pathophysiology, bacterial dissemination into systemic circulation, and systemic inflammation. Our findings indicate that SaaS is required for S. Enteritidis virulence and further highlight its biological role in bacterial pathogenesis. IMPORTANCE Salmonella is a zoonotic pathogen with high virulence worldwide, and sRNAs have recently been discovered to play important roles. We explored the biological characteristics of the sRNA SaaS and developed two cell infection models and a mouse infection model. SaaS is an SIE-responsive sRNA that regulates the expression of virulence-targeted genes. Additionally, it differentially mediates invasion and intracellular growth for survival and infection of the epithelium and macrophages. We further found that SaaS enhanced bacterial virulence by promoting lethality, colonization, and inflammatory response. These findings provide a better understanding of the critical role of sRNA in bacterial virulence.

5'-Terminal capping of RNA by guanylyltransferase from HeLa cell nuclei

A soluble extract prepared from HeLa cell nuclei has been shown to catalyze the 5'-terminal modification of RNA and synthetic polyribonucleotides to form m7G(5')pppA-and m7G(5')-pppG- structures referred to as caps. The reaction involves the transfer of a GMP moiety from GTP to the 5' end of an RNA molecule containing at least two terminal phosphates. Significantly, neither the beta nor the gamma phosphates of GTP are transferred and polynucleotides with no 5'-terminal phosphate or only one are not acceptors. In the absence of methyl donor, G(5')pppA- and G(5')pppG- structures were synthesized, indicating that methylation is not required for guanylylation. Cap formation was considered to occur by the following mechanism: (see article), in which AdoMet is S-adenosylmethionine, AdoHcy is S-adenosylhomocysteine, and (p)ppN- represents either the original 5' end of an RNA molecule or an internal site to which one or more phosphates were added after processing.

Translation of satellite tobacco necrosis virus ribonucleic acid by an in vitro system from wheat germ

The RNA of satellite tobacco necrosis virus (STNV) is an effective messenger RNA when translated in an in vitro system from wheat germ. This RNA codes for only STNV coat protein, as indicated (1) by coincidence of the tryptic fingerprints of the translation product and of STNV coat protein, (2) by equivalent size of the translation product and STNV coat protein, and (3) by isolation of an initial peptide of the in vitro product containing the amino acid sequence of the N terminus of STNV coat protein. STNV RNA does not contain a 5'-terminal m7G(5')ppp(5')Np---group and translation of STNV RNA by the wheat germ system does not involve prior formation of 5'-terminal m7G(5')ppp(5') nP---groups on STNV RNA. STNV RNA and 125I-labeled STNV RNA form a specific initiation complex when incubated with initiator tRNA, GTP, initiation factors, and wheat germ ribosomes. Treatment of this specific initiation complex with ribonuclease A allows isolation of an 125I-labeled oligonucleotide protected from ribonuclease A by the initiation complex. This specific oligonucleotide contains approximately 38 nucleotides, including nucleotide sequences that coincide with the codons of the N-terminal amino acids of STNV coat proteins.

Identification of the 5' end of Rous sarcoma virus RNA

The 5'-terminal triphosphate of the 35S RNA isolated from Rous sarcoma virus is blocked by 7-methylguanosine in 5' linkage with the penultimate nucleoside which is methylated in the 2'-O-ribose position, a type of endgroup found in all animal mRNAs investigated during the past year. The specific nuclease-resistant terminal fragment of RSV RNA has the structure 7mG5'ppp5'GmpCp-. This finding supports the belief that RNA of Rous sarcoma virus represents a (+) strand messenger which may be directly translated upon infection.

Relationship of the first step in protein synthesis to ppGpp: formation of A(5')ppp(5')Gpp

In the presence of purified Escherichia coli lysyl-tRNA synthetase [L-lysine:tRNALys ligase (AMP-forming) EC 6.1.1.6], L-lysine, and ATP, addition of the nucleotide ppGpp results in formation of a unique product-A(5')ppp(5') Gpp. The same compound is also formed very rapidly in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system when ppGpp is added. The possible significance of this reaction in the rapid turnover of ppGpp and as a more general mechanism by which an AMP residue is activated and introduced onto a 5'-diphosphorylated species, including the 5'-end of an RNA, is further discussed.

Modification of the 5'-terminus of mRNA by soluble guanylyl and methyl transferases from vaccinia virus

RNA guanylyl and methyl transferases have been solubilized from vaccinia virus cores. The guanylyl transferase specifically adds a GMP residue to the 5'-terminus of unmethylated vaccinia virus mRNA to form the structures G(5')ppp(5')Gp- and G(5')ppp(5')Ap-. Studies with [alpha-32P]GTP and [beta, gamma-32P]GTP indicated that only the alpha-phosphate is transferred. In the presence of S-adenosylmethionine, the methyl transferases convert the blocked 5'-termini to m7G(5')ppp(5')Gmp- and m7G(5')ppp(5')Amp-. Similarly, the enzymes can modify synthetic poly(A) to form the structure m7G(5')ppp(5')Amp-.