1
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Kelley M, Holmes CJ, Herbert C, Rayhan A, Joves J, Uhran M, Klaus L, Frigard R, Singh K, Limbach PA, Addepalli B, Benoit JB. Tyrosine transfer RNA levels and modifications during blood-feeding and vitellogenesis in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39105593 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti must consume a blood meal for the nutrients necessary for egg production. Several transcriptome and proteome changes occur post-blood meal that likely corresponds with codon usage alterations. Transfer RNA (tRNA) is the adapter molecule that reads messenger RNA codons to add the appropriate amino acid during protein synthesis. Chemical modifications to tRNA enhance codon decoding, improving the accuracy and efficiency of protein synthesis. Here, we examined tRNA modifications and transcripts associated with the blood meal and subsequent periods of vitellogenesis in A. aegypti. More specifically, we assessed tRNA transcript abundance and modification levels in the fat body at critical times post blood-feeding. Based on a combination of alternative codon usage and identification of particular modifications, we discovered that increased transcription of tyrosine tRNAs is likely critical during the synthesis of egg yolk proteins in the fat body following a blood meal. Altogether, changes in both the abundance and modification of tRNA are essential factors in the process of vitellogenin production after blood-feeding in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Kelley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Christopher J Holmes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Cassandra Herbert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Asif Rayhan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Judd Joves
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Melissa Uhran
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Lucas Klaus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ronja Frigard
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Khwahish Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Patrick A Limbach
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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2
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Modak A, Kilic Z, Chattrakun K, Terry DS, Kalathur RC, Blanchard SC. Single-Molecule Imaging of Integral Membrane Protein Dynamics and Function. Annu Rev Biophys 2024; 53:427-453. [PMID: 39013028 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-070323-024308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) play central roles in cellular physiology and represent the majority of known drug targets. Single-molecule fluorescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) methods have recently emerged as valuable tools for investigating structure-function relationships in IMPs. This review focuses on the practical foundations required for examining polytopic IMP function using single-molecule FRET (smFRET) and provides an overview of the technical and conceptual frameworks emerging from this area of investigation. In this context, we highlight the utility of smFRET methods to reveal transient conformational states critical to IMP function and the use of smFRET data to guide structural and drug mechanism-of-action investigations. We also identify frontiers where progress is likely to be paramount to advancing the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnab Modak
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Zeliha Kilic
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Kanokporn Chattrakun
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Daniel S Terry
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Ravi C Kalathur
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
| | - Scott C Blanchard
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; , , , , ,
- Department of Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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3
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Li Y, Yi Y, Gao X, Wang X, Zhao D, Wang R, Zhang LS, Gao B, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Cao Q, Chen K. 2'-O-methylation at internal sites on mRNA promotes mRNA stability. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2320-2336.e6. [PMID: 38906115 PMCID: PMC11196006 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.04.011] [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] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
2'-O-methylation (Nm) is a prominent RNA modification well known in noncoding RNAs and more recently also found at many mRNA internal sites. However, their function and base-resolution stoichiometry remain underexplored. Here, we investigate the transcriptome-wide effect of internal site Nm on mRNA stability. Combining nanopore sequencing with our developed machine learning method, NanoNm, we identify thousands of Nm sites on mRNAs with a single-base resolution. We observe a positive effect of FBL-mediated Nm modification on mRNA stability and expression level. Elevated FBL expression in cancer cells is associated with increased expression levels for 2'-O-methylated mRNAs of cancer pathways, implying the role of FBL in post-transcriptional regulation. Lastly, we find that FBL-mediated 2'-O-methylation connects to widespread 3' UTR shortening, a mechanism that globally increases RNA stability. Collectively, we demonstrate that FBL-mediated Nm modifications at mRNA internal sites regulate gene expression by enhancing mRNA stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqiang Li
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yang Yi
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xinlei Gao
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dongyu Zhao
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Li-Sheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Boyang Gao
- Department of Chemistry and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yadong Zhang
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lili Zhang
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qi Cao
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Kaifu Chen
- Basic and Translational Research Division, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Boston, MA, USA; Prostate Cancer Program, Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA.
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4
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Manghrani A, Rangadurai AK, Szekely O, Liu B, Guseva S, Al-Hashimi HM. Quantitative and systematic NMR measurements of sequence-dependent A-T Hoogsteen dynamics uncovers unique conformational specificity in the DNA double helix. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.15.594415. [PMID: 38798635 PMCID: PMC11118333 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The propensities to form lowly-populated short-lived conformations of DNA could vary with sequence, providing an important source of sequence-specificity in biochemical reactions. However, comprehensively measuring how these dynamics vary with sequence is challenging. Using 1H CEST and 13C R 1 ρ NMR, we measured Watson-Crick to Hoogsteen dynamics for an A-T base pair in thirteen trinucleotide sequence contexts. The Hoogsteen population and exchange rate varied 4-fold and 16-fold, respectively, and were dependent on both the 3'- and 5'-neighbors but only weakly dependent on monovalent ion concentration (25 versus 100 mM NaCl) and pH (6.8 versus 8.0). Flexible TA and CA dinucleotide steps exhibited the highest Hoogsteen populations, and their kinetics rates strongly depended on the 3'-neighbor. In contrast, the stiffer AA and GA steps had the lowest Hoogsteen population, and their kinetics were weakly dependent on the 3'-neighbor. The Hoogsteen lifetime was especially short when G-C neighbors flanked the A-T base pair. The Hoogsteen dynamics had a distinct sequence-dependence compared to duplex stability and minor groove width. Thus, our results uncover a unique source of sequence-specificity hidden within the DNA double helix in the form of A-T Hoogsteen dynamics and establish the utility of 1H CEST to quantitively measure sequence-dependent DNA dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Manghrani
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27705, United States
| | - Atul Kaushik Rangadurai
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27705, United States
- Program in Molecular Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON, M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Or Szekely
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27705, United States
| | - Bei Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27705, United States
| | - Serafima Guseva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Hashim M. Al-Hashimi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
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5
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Cui L, Zheng J, Lin Y, Lin P, Lu Y, Zheng Y, Guo B, Zhao X. Decoding the ribosome's hidden language: rRNA modifications as key players in cancer dynamics and targeted therapies. Clin Transl Med 2024; 14:e1705. [PMID: 38797935 PMCID: PMC11128715 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1705] [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] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) modifications, essential components of ribosome structure and function, significantly impact cellular proteomics and cancer biology. These chemical modifications transcend structural roles, critically shaping ribosome functionality and influencing cellular protein profiles. In this review, the mechanisms by which rRNA modifications regulate both rRNA functions and broader cellular physiological processes are critically discussed. Importantly, by altering the translational output, rRNA modifications can shift the cellular equilibrium towards oncogenesis, thus playing a key role in cancer development and progression. Moreover, a special focus is placed on the functions of mitochondrial rRNA modifications and their aberrant expression in cancer, an area with profound implications yet largely uncharted. Dysregulation in these modifications can lead to metabolic dysfunction and apoptosis resistance, hallmark traits of cancer cells. Furthermore, the current challenges and future perspectives in targeting rRNA modifications are highlighted as a therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. In conclusion, rRNA modifications represent a frontier in cancer research, offering novel insights and therapeutic possibilities. Understanding and harnessing these modifications can pave the way for breakthroughs in cancer treatment, potentially transforming the approach to combating this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Cui
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of DentistryUniversity of
California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUSA
| | - Jiarong Zheng
- Department of Dentistry, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yunfan Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Pei Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Ye Lu
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Yucheng Zheng
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
| | - Bing Guo
- Department of Dentistry, The First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouGuangdongChina
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6
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Zhou KI, Pecot CV, Holley CL. 2'- O-methylation (Nm) in RNA: progress, challenges, and future directions. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:570-582. [PMID: 38531653 PMCID: PMC11019748 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079970.124] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
RNA 2'-O-methylation (Nm) is highly abundant in noncoding RNAs including ribosomal RNA (rRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and small nuclear RNA (snRNA), and occurs in the 5' cap of virtually all messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in higher eukaryotes. More recently, Nm has also been reported to occur at internal sites in mRNA. High-throughput methods have been developed for the transcriptome-wide detection of Nm. However, these methods have mostly been applied to abundant RNAs such as rRNA, and the validity of the internal mRNA Nm sites detected with these approaches remains controversial. Nonetheless, Nm in both coding and noncoding RNAs has been demonstrated to impact cellular processes, including translation and splicing. In addition, Nm modifications at the 5' cap and possibly at internal sites in mRNA serve to prevent the binding of nucleic acid sensors, thus preventing the activation of the innate immune response by self-mRNAs. Finally, Nm has been implicated in a variety of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurologic syndromes. In this review, we discuss current challenges in determining the distribution, regulation, function, and disease relevance of Nm, as well as potential future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine I Zhou
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Chad V Pecot
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
- University of North Carolina RNA Discovery Center, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Christopher L Holley
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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7
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Fagre C, Gilbert W. Beyond reader proteins: RNA binding proteins and RNA modifications in conversation to regulate gene expression. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1834. [PMID: 38444048 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1834] [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: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Post-transcriptional mRNA modifications play diverse roles in gene expression and RNA function. In many cases, RNA modifications function by altering how cellular machinery such as RNA binding proteins (RBPs) interact with RNA substrates. For instance, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is recognized by the well-characterized YTH domain-containing family of "reader" proteins. For other mRNA modifications, similar global readers of modification status have not been clearly defined. Rather, most interactions between RBPs and RNA modifications have a more complicated dependence on sequence context and binding modality. The current handful of studies that demonstrate modifications impacting protein binding likely represent only a fraction of the full landscape. In this review, we dissect the known instances of RNA modifications altering RBP binding, specifically m6A, N1-methyladenosine (m1A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), pseudouridine (Ψ), and internal N7-methylguanosine. We then review the biochemical properties of these and other identified mRNA modifications including dihydrouridine (D), N4-acetylcytosine (ac4C), and 2'-O-Methylation (Nme). We focus on how these properties would be likely to impact RNA:RBP interactions, including by changes to hydrogen bond potential, base-stacking efficiency, and RNA conformational preferences. The effects of RNA modifications on secondary structure have been well-studied, and we briefly discuss how structural effects imparted by modifications can lead to protein binding changes. Finally, we discuss strategies for uncovering as-yet-to-be identified modification-sensitive RBP:RNA Interactions. Coordinating future efforts to intersect the epitranscriptome and the RNA-protein interactome will illuminate the rules governing RNA modification recognition and the mechanisms responsible for the biological consequences of mRNA modification. This article is categorized under: RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Fagre
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Wendy Gilbert
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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8
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Ibrahim AGE, Ciullo A, Miyamoto K, Liao K, Jones XM, Yamaguchi S, Li C, Rannou A, Nawaz A, Morris A, Tsi K, Marbán CH, Lee J, Manriquez N, Hong Y, Kumar AN, Dawkins JF, Rogers RG, Marbán E. Augmentation of DNA exonuclease TREX1 in macrophages as a therapy for cardiac ischemic injury. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.20.581294. [PMID: 39026690 PMCID: PMC11257602 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.20.581294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are increasingly recognized as bioactive. Here we report the development of TY1, a synthetic ncRNA bioinspired by a naturally-occurring human small Y RNA with immunomodulatory properties. TY1 upregulates TREX1, an exonuclease that rapidly degrades cytosolic DNA. In preclinical models of myocardial infarction (MI) induced by ischemia/reperfusion, TY1 reduced scar size. The cardioprotective effect of TY1 was abrogated by prior depletion of macrophages and mimicked by adoptive transfer of macrophages exposed either to TY1 or TREX1. Inhibition of TREX1 in macrophages blocked TY1 cardioprotection. Consistent with a central role for TREX1, TY1 attenuated DNA damage in the post-MI heart. This novel mechanism-pharmacologic upregulation of TREX1 in macrophages-establishes TY1 as the prototype for a new class of ncRNA drugs with disease-modifying bioactivity. One Sentence Summary Upregulation of three prime exonuclease, TREX1, in macrophages enhances tissue repair post myocardial infarction.
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9
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Decombe A, Peersen O, Sutto-Ortiz P, Chamontin C, Piorkowski G, Canard B, Nisole S, Decroly E. Internal RNA 2'-O-methylation on the HIV-1 genome impairs reverse transcription. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1359-1373. [PMID: 38015463 PMCID: PMC10853786 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1134] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral RNA genomes are modified by epitranscriptomic marks, including 2'-O-methylation that is added by cellular or viral methyltransferases. 2'-O-Methylation modulates RNA structure, function and discrimination between self- and non-self-RNA by innate immune sensors such as RIG-I-like receptors. This is illustrated by human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) that decorates its RNA genome through hijacking the cellular FTSJ3 2'-O-methyltransferase, thereby limiting immune sensing and interferon production. However, the impact of such an RNA modification during viral genome replication is poorly understood. Here we show by performing endogenous reverse transcription on methylated or hypomethylated HIV-1 particles, that 2'-O-methylation negatively affects HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity. Biochemical assays confirm that RNA 2'-O-methylation impedes reverse transcriptase activity, especially at low dNTP concentrations reflecting those in quiescent cells, by reducing nucleotide incorporation efficiency and impairing translocation. Mutagenesis highlights K70 as a critical amino acid for the reverse transcriptase to bypass 2'-O-methylation. Hence, the observed antiviral effect due to viral RNA 2'-O-methylation antagonizes the FTSJ3-mediated proviral effects, suggesting the fine-tuning of RNA methylation during viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Decombe
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13288, France
| | - Olve Peersen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Priscila Sutto-Ortiz
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13288, France
| | - Célia Chamontin
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Géraldine Piorkowski
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ-IRD 190-Inserm 1207), 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Bruno Canard
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13288, France
| | - Sébastien Nisole
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier 34090, France
| | - Etienne Decroly
- Architecture et Fonction des Macromolécules Biologiques, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille 13288, France
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10
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Camara MB, Lange B, Yesselman JD, Eichhorn C. Visualizing a two-state conformational ensemble in stem-loop 3 of the transcriptional regulator 7SK RNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:940-952. [PMID: 38084902 PMCID: PMC10810284 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1159] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Structural plasticity is integral to RNA function; however, there are currently few methods to quantitatively resolve RNAs that have multiple structural states. NMR spectroscopy is a powerful approach for resolving conformational ensembles but is size-limited. Chemical probing is well-suited for large RNAs but provides limited structural and kinetics information. Here, we integrate the two approaches to visualize a two-state conformational ensemble for the central stem-loop 3 (SL3) of 7SK RNA, a critical element for 7SK RNA function in transcription regulation. We find that the SL3 distal end exchanges between two equally populated yet structurally distinct states in both isolated SL3 constructs and full-length 7SK RNA. We rationally designed constructs that lock SL3 into a single state and demonstrate that both chemical probing and NMR data fit to a linear combination of the two states. Comparison of vertebrate 7SK RNA sequences shows either or both states are highly conserved. These results provide new insights into 7SK RNA structural dynamics and demonstrate the utility of integrating chemical probing with NMR spectroscopy to gain quantitative insights into RNA conformational ensembles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momodou B Camara
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 639 North 12 St, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Bret Lange
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 639 North 12 St, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Joseph D Yesselman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 639 North 12 St, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Catherine D Eichhorn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 639 North 12 St, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication, Lincoln, NE, USA
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11
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Wei H, Xu Y, Lin L, Li Y, Zhu X. A review on the role of RNA methylation in aging-related diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127769. [PMID: 38287578 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Senescence is the underlying mechanism of organism aging and is robustly regulated at the post-transcriptional level. This regulation involves the chemical modifications, of which the RNA methylation is the most common. Recently, a rapidly growing number of studies have demonstrated that methylation is relevant to aging and aging-associated diseases. Owing to the rapid development of detection methods, the understanding on RNA methylation has gone deeper. In this review, we summarize the current understanding on the influence of RNA modification on cellular senescence, with a focus on mRNA methylation in aging-related diseases, and discuss the emerging potential of RNA modification in diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wei
- Reproductive Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China; Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China; Central Laboratory of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China
| | - Yuhao Xu
- Medical School, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China
| | - Li Lin
- Reproductive Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China; Central Laboratory of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China
| | - Yuefeng Li
- Medical School, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China.
| | - Xiaolan Zhu
- Reproductive Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China; Central Laboratory of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001, China.
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12
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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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13
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Geng A, Ganser L, Roy R, Shi H, Pratihar S, Case DA, Al-Hashimi HM. An RNA excited conformational state at atomic resolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8432. [PMID: 38114465 PMCID: PMC10730710 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43673-6] [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] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Sparse and short-lived excited RNA conformational states are essential players in cell physiology, disease, and therapeutic development, yet determining their 3D structures remains challenging. Combining mutagenesis, NMR spectroscopy, and computational modeling, we determined the 3D structural ensemble formed by a short-lived (lifetime ~2.1 ms) lowly-populated (~0.4%) conformational state in HIV-1 TAR RNA. Through a strand register shift, the excited conformational state completely remodels the 3D structure of the ground state (RMSD from the ground state = 7.2 ± 0.9 Å), forming a surprisingly more ordered conformational ensemble rich in non-canonical mismatches. The structure impedes the formation of the motifs recognized by Tat and the super elongation complex, explaining why this alternative TAR conformation cannot activate HIV-1 transcription. The ability to determine the 3D structures of fleeting RNA states using the presented methodology holds great promise for our understanding of RNA biology, disease mechanisms, and the development of RNA-targeting therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainan Geng
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Laura Ganser
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Department of Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Rohit Roy
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Honglue Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Innovative Genomics Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Supriya Pratihar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - David A Case
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Hashim M Al-Hashimi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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14
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Kelley M, Holmes CJ, Herbert C, Rayhan A, Joves J, Uhran M, Frigard R, Singh K, Limbach PA, Addepalli B, Benoit JB. Tyrosine transfer RNA levels and modifications during blood-feeding and vitellogenesis in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.29.569187. [PMID: 38076852 PMCID: PMC10705485 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.29.569187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti must consume a blood meal for the nutrients necessary for egg production. Several transcriptome and proteome changes occur post blood meal that likely corresponds with codon usage alterations. Transfer RNA (tRNA) is the adapter molecule that reads messenger RNA (mRNA) codons to add the appropriate amino acid during protein synthesis. Chemical modifications to tRNA enhance codons' decoding, improving the accuracy and efficiency of protein synthesis. Here, we examined tRNA modifications and transcripts associated with the blood meal and subsequent periods of vitellogenesis in A. aegypti. More specifically, we assessed tRNA transcript abundance and modification levels in the fat body at critical times post blood-feeding. Based on a combination of alternative codon usage and identification of particular modifications, we identified that increased transcription of tyrosine tRNAs is likely critical during the synthesis of egg yolk proteins in the fat body following a blood meal. Altogether, changes in both the abundance and modification of tRNA are essential factors in the process of vitellogenin production after blood-feeding in mosquitoes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Kelley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | | | - Cassandra Herbert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | - Asif Rayhan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | - Judd Joves
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | - Melissa Uhran
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | - Ronja Frigard
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | - Khwahish Singh
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
| | | | | | - Joshua B. Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45211
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15
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Roy R, Geng A, Shi H, Merriman DK, Dethoff EA, Salmon L, Al-Hashimi HM. Kinetic Resolution of the Atomic 3D Structures Formed by Ground and Excited Conformational States in an RNA Dynamic Ensemble. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:22964-22978. [PMID: 37831584 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Knowing the 3D structures formed by the various conformations populating the RNA free-energy landscape, their relative abundance, and kinetic interconversion rates is required to obtain a quantitative and predictive understanding of how RNAs fold and function at the atomic level. While methods integrating ensemble-averaged experimental data with computational modeling are helping define the most abundant conformations in RNA ensembles, elucidating their kinetic rates of interconversion and determining the 3D structures of sparsely populated short-lived RNA excited conformational states (ESs) remains challenging. Here, we developed an approach integrating Rosetta-FARFAR RNA structure prediction with NMR residual dipolar couplings and relaxation dispersion that simultaneously determines the 3D structures formed by the ground-state (GS) and ES subensembles, their relative abundance, and kinetic rates of interconversion. The approach is demonstrated on HIV-1 TAR, whose six-nucleotide apical loop was previously shown to form a sparsely populated (∼13%) short-lived (lifetime ∼ 45 μs) ES. In the GS, the apical loop forms a broad distribution of open conformations interconverting on the pico-to-nanosecond time scale. Most residues are unpaired and preorganized to bind the Tat-superelongation protein complex. The apical loop zips up in the ES, forming a narrow distribution of closed conformations, which sequester critical residues required for protein recognition. Our work introduces an approach for determining the 3D ensemble models formed by sparsely populated RNA conformational states, provides a rare atomic view of an RNA ES, and kinetically resolves the atomic 3D structures of RNA conformational substates, interchanging on time scales spanning 6 orders of magnitude, from picoseconds to microseconds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Roy
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Ainan Geng
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Honglue Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Dawn K Merriman
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Dethoff
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Loïc Salmon
- Department of Chemistry and Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Hashim M Al-Hashimi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
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16
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Fleming AM, Bommisetti P, Xiao S, Bandarian V, Burrows CJ. Direct Nanopore Sequencing for the 17 RNA Modification Types in 36 Locations in the E. coli Ribosome Enables Monitoring of Stress-Dependent Changes. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:2211-2223. [PMID: 37345867 PMCID: PMC10594579 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00166] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
The bacterium Escherichia coli possesses 16S and 23S rRNA strands that have 36 chemical modification sites with 17 different structures. Nanopore direct RNA sequencing using a protein nanopore sensor and helicase brake, which is also a sensor, was applied to the rRNAs. Nanopore current levels, base calling profile, and helicase dwell times for the modifications relative to unmodified synthetic rRNA controls found signatures for nearly all modifications. Signatures for clustered modifications were determined by selective sequencing of writer knockout E. coli and sequencing of synthetic RNAs utilizing some custom-synthesized nucleotide triphosphates for their preparation. The knowledge of each modification's signature, apart from 5-methylcytidine, was used to determine how metabolic and cold-shock stress impact rRNA modifications. Metabolic stress resulted in either no change or a decrease, and one site increased in modification occupancy, while cold-shock stress led to either no change or a decrease. The double modification m4Cm1402 resides in 16S rRNA, and it decreased with both stressors. Using the helicase dwell time, it was determined that the N4 methyl group is lost during both stressors, and the 2'-OMe group remained. In the ribosome, this modification stabilizes binding to the mRNA codon at the P-site resulting in increased translational fidelity that is lost during stress. The E. coli genome has seven rRNA operons (rrn), and the earlier studies aligned the nanopore reads to a single operon (rrnA). Here, the reads were aligned to all seven operons to identify operon-specific changes in the 11 pseudouridines. This study demonstrates that direct sequencing for >16 different RNA modifications in a strand is achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron M. Fleming
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Praneeth Bommisetti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Songjun Xiao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Vahe Bandarian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
| | - Cynthia J. Burrows
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 S. 1400 East, Salt Lake
City, Utah 84112-0850, United States
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17
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Porat J, Slat VA, Rader SD, Bayfield MA. The fission yeast methyl phosphate capping enzyme Bmc1 guides 2'-O-methylation of the U6 snRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8805-8819. [PMID: 37403782 PMCID: PMC10484740 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad563] [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: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Splicing requires the tight coordination of dynamic spliceosomal RNAs and proteins. U6 is the only spliceosomal RNA transcribed by RNA Polymerase III and undergoes an extensive maturation process. In humans and fission yeast, this includes addition of a 5' γ-monomethyl phosphate cap by members of the Bin3/MePCE family as well as snoRNA guided 2'-O-methylation. Previously, we have shown that the Bin3/MePCE homolog Bmc1 is recruited to the S. pombe telomerase holoenzyme by the LARP7 family protein Pof8, where it acts in a catalytic-independent manner to protect the telomerase RNA and facilitate holoenzyme assembly. Here, we show that Bmc1 and Pof8 are required for the formation of a distinct U6 snRNP that promotes 2'-O-methylation of U6, and identify a non-canonical snoRNA that guides this methylation. We also show that the 5' γ-monomethyl phosphate capping activity of Bmc1 is not required for its role in promoting snoRNA guided 2'-O-methylation, and that this role relies on different regions of Pof8 from those required for Pof8 function in telomerase. Our results are consistent with a novel role for Bmc1/MePCE family members in stimulating 2'-O-methylation and a more general role for Bmc1 and Pof8 in guiding noncoding RNP assembly beyond the telomerase RNP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Viktor A Slat
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Stephen D Rader
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, Canada
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18
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Patrasso EA, Raikundalia S, Arango D. Regulation of the epigenome through RNA modifications. Chromosoma 2023; 132:231-246. [PMID: 37138119 PMCID: PMC10524150 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-023-00794-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Chemical modifications of nucleotides expand the complexity and functional properties of genomes and transcriptomes. A handful of modifications in DNA bases are part of the epigenome, wherein DNA methylation regulates chromatin structure, transcription, and co-transcriptional RNA processing. In contrast, more than 150 chemical modifications of RNA constitute the epitranscriptome. Ribonucleoside modifications comprise a diverse repertoire of chemical groups, including methylation, acetylation, deamination, isomerization, and oxidation. Such RNA modifications regulate all steps of RNA metabolism, including folding, processing, stability, transport, translation, and RNA's intermolecular interactions. Initially thought to influence all aspects of the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression exclusively, recent findings uncovered a crosstalk between the epitranscriptome and the epigenome. In other words, RNA modifications feedback to the epigenome to transcriptionally regulate gene expression. The epitranscriptome achieves this feat by directly or indirectly affecting chromatin structure and nuclear organization. This review highlights how chemical modifications in chromatin-associated RNAs (caRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding factors involved in transcription, chromatin structure, histone modifications, and nuclear organization affect gene expression transcriptionally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmely A Patrasso
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Program, IMC University of Applied Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Sweta Raikundalia
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel Arango
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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19
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Camara MB, Lange B, Yesselman JD, Eichhorn CD. Visualizing a two-state conformational ensemble in stem-loop 3 of the transcriptional regulator 7SK RNA. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.09.552709. [PMID: 37609139 PMCID: PMC10441402 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.09.552709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Structural plasticity is integral to RNA function; however, there are currently few methods to quantitatively resolve RNAs that have multiple structural states. NMR spectroscopy is a powerful approach for resolving conformational ensembles but is size-limited. Chemical probing is well-suited for large RNAs but provides limited structural and no kinetics information. Here, we integrate the two approaches to visualize a two-state conformational ensemble for the central stem-loop 3 (SL3) of 7SK RNA, a critical element for 7SK RNA function in transcription regulation. We find that the SL3 distal end exchanges between two equally populated yet structurally distinct states in both isolated SL3 constructs and full-length 7SK RNA. We rationally designed constructs that lock SL3 into a single state and demonstrate that both chemical probing and NMR data fit to a linear combination of the two states. Comparison of vertebrate 7SK RNA sequences shows conservation of both states, suggesting functional importance. These results provide new insights into 7SK RNA structural dynamics and demonstrate the utility of integrating chemical probing with NMR spectroscopy to gain quantitative insights into RNA conformational ensembles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Momodou B. Camara
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 639 North 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Bret Lange
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 639 North 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Joseph D. Yesselman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 639 North 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication
| | - Catherine D. Eichhorn
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska, 639 North 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
- Nebraska Center for Integrated Biomolecular Communication
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20
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Kapinova A, Mazurakova A, Halasova E, Dankova Z, Büsselberg D, Costigliola V, Golubnitschaja O, Kubatka P. Underexplored reciprocity between genome-wide methylation status and long non-coding RNA expression reflected in breast cancer research: potential impacts for the disease management in the framework of 3P medicine. EPMA J 2023; 14:249-273. [PMID: 37275549 PMCID: PMC10236066 DOI: 10.1007/s13167-023-00323-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female malignancy reaching a pandemic scale worldwide. A comprehensive interplay between genetic alterations and shifted epigenetic regions synergistically leads to disease development and progression into metastatic BC. DNA and histones methylations, as the most studied epigenetic modifications, represent frequent and early events in the process of carcinogenesis. To this end, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are recognized as potent epigenetic modulators in pathomechanisms of BC by contributing to the regulation of DNA, RNA, and histones' methylation. In turn, the methylation status of DNA, RNA, and histones can affect the level of lncRNAs expression demonstrating the reciprocity of mechanisms involved. Furthermore, lncRNAs might undergo methylation in response to actual medical conditions such as tumor development and treated malignancies. The reciprocity between genome-wide methylation status and long non-coding RNA expression levels in BC remains largely unexplored. Since the bio/medical research in the area is, per evidence, strongly fragmented, the relevance of this reciprocity for BC development and progression has not yet been systematically analyzed. Contextually, the article aims at:consolidating the accumulated knowledge on both-the genome-wide methylation status and corresponding lncRNA expression patterns in BC andhighlighting the potential benefits of this consolidated multi-professional approach for advanced BC management. Based on a big data analysis and machine learning for individualized data interpretation, the proposed approach demonstrates a great potential to promote predictive diagnostics and targeted prevention in the cost-effective primary healthcare (sub-optimal health conditions and protection against the health-to-disease transition) as well as advanced treatment algorithms tailored to the individualized patient profiles in secondary BC care (effective protection against metastatic disease). Clinically relevant examples are provided, including mitochondrial health control and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Kapinova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Alena Mazurakova
- Department of Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Erika Halasova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Dankova
- Biomedical Center Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Dietrich Büsselberg
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Education City, Qatar Foundation, 24144 Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Olga Golubnitschaja
- Predictive, Preventive, and Personalised (3P) Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Kubatka
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 036 01 Martin, Slovakia
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21
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Decombe A, El Kazzi P, Decroly E. Interplay of RNA 2'-O-methylations with viral replication. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 59:101302. [PMID: 36764118 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Viral RNAs (vRNAs) are decorated by post-transcriptional modifications, including methylation of nucleotides. Methylations regulate biological functions linked to the sequence, structure, and protein interactome of RNA. Several RNA viruses were found to harbor 2'-O-methylations, affecting the ribose moiety of RNA. This mark was initially shown to target the first and second nucleotides of the 5'-end cap structure of mRNA. More recently, nucleotides within vRNA were also reported to carry 2'-O-methylations. The consequences of such methylations are still puzzling since they were associated with both proviral and antiviral effects. Here, we focus on the mechanisms governing vRNA 2'-O-methylation and we explore the possible roles of this epitranscriptomic modification for viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Decombe
- AFMB, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, UMR 7257, Case 925, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Priscila El Kazzi
- AFMB, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, UMR 7257, Case 925, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Etienne Decroly
- AFMB, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, UMR 7257, Case 925, 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.
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22
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Marušič M, Toplishek M, Plavec J. NMR of RNA - Structure and interactions. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2023; 79:102532. [PMID: 36746110 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA was shown to have a more substantial role in the regulation of diverse cellular processes than anticipated until recently. Answers to questions what is the structure of specific RNAs, how structure changes to accommodate different functional roles, and how RNA senses other biomolecules and changes its fold upon interaction create a complete representation of RNA involved in cellular processes. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy encompasses a collection of methods and approaches that offer insight into several structural aspects of RNAs. We review the most recent advances in the field of viral, long non-coding, regulatory, and four-stranded RNAs, with an emphasis on the detection of dynamic sub-states and in view of chemical modifications that expand RNA's function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Marušič
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maria Toplishek
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janez Plavec
- Slovenian NMR Center, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia; University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Ljubljana, Slovenia; EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, Cesta OF 13, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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23
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Keszthelyi TM, Tory K. The importance of pseudouridylation: human disorders related to the fifth nucleoside. Biol Futur 2023:10.1007/s42977-023-00158-3. [PMID: 37000312 DOI: 10.1007/s42977-023-00158-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Pseudouridylation is one of the most abundant RNA modifications in eukaryotes, making pseudouridine known as the "fifth nucleoside." This highly conserved alteration affects all non-coding and coding RNA types. Its role and importance have been increasingly widely researched, especially considering that its absence or damage leads to serious hereditary diseases. Here, we summarize the human genetic disorders described to date that are related to the participants of the pseudouridylation process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kálmán Tory
- Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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24
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Dörner K, Ruggeri C, Zemp I, Kutay U. Ribosome biogenesis factors-from names to functions. EMBO J 2023; 42:e112699. [PMID: 36762427 PMCID: PMC10068337 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The assembly of ribosomal subunits is a highly orchestrated process that involves a huge cohort of accessory factors. Most eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis factors were first identified by genetic screens and proteomic approaches of pre-ribosomal particles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Later, research on human ribosome synthesis not only demonstrated that the requirement for many of these factors is conserved in evolution, but also revealed the involvement of additional players, reflecting a more complex assembly pathway in mammalian cells. Yet, it remained a challenge for the field to assign a function to many of the identified factors and to reveal their molecular mode of action. Over the past decade, structural, biochemical, and cellular studies have largely filled this gap in knowledge and led to a detailed understanding of the molecular role that many of the players have during the stepwise process of ribosome maturation. Such detailed knowledge of the function of ribosome biogenesis factors will be key to further understand and better treat diseases linked to disturbed ribosome assembly, including ribosomopathies, as well as different types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Dörner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Molecular Life Sciences Ph.D. Program, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Ruggeri
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,RNA Biology Ph.D. Program, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ivo Zemp
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Kutay
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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25
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Lipid nanoparticles technology in vaccines: Shaping the future of prophylactic medicine. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2023; 222:113111. [PMID: 36586237 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.113111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Throughout decades, the intrinsic power of the immune system to fight pathogens has inspired researchers to develop techniques that enable the prevention or treatment of infections via boosting the immune response against the target pathogens, which has led to the evolution of vaccines. The recruitment of Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as either vaccine delivery platforms or immunogenic modalities has witnessed a breakthrough recently, which has been crowned with the development of effective LNPs-based vaccines against COVID-19. In the current article, we discuss some principles of such a technology, with a special focus on the technical aspects from a translational perspective. Representative examples of LNPs-based vaccines against cancer, COVID-19, as well as other infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and allergies are highlighted, considering the challenges and promises. Lastly, the key features that can improve the clinical translation of this area of endeavor are inspired.
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Lu B, Chen X, Liu X, Chen J, Qin H, Chen S, Zhao Y. C/D box small nucleolar RNA SNORD104 promotes endometrial cancer by regulating the 2'-O-methylation of PARP1. J Transl Med 2022; 20:618. [PMID: 36566215 PMCID: PMC9790134 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03802-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are dysregulated in many cancers, although their exact role in tumor genesis and progression remains unclear. METHODS The expression profiles of snoRNAs in endometrial cancer (EC) tissues were analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, and SNORD104 was identified as an upregulated snoRNA in EC. The tumorigenic role of SNORD104 in EC was established in CCK8, colony formation, EdU, apoptosis, Transwell, and in vivo xenograft experiments. The molecular mechanisms of SNORD104 were analyzed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), Nm-seq, RTL-P assay, RNA stability assay, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. RESULTS Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated knockdown of SNORD104 in Ishikawa cells significantly inhibited their proliferation, colony formation ability, migration, and invasion in vitro and increased apoptosis. On the other hand, overexpression of SNORD104 promoted EC growth in vivo and in vitro. RIP assay showed that SNORD104 binds to the 2'-O-methyltransferase fibrillarin (FBL), and according to the results of Nm-seq and RTL-P assay, SNORD104 upregulated PARP1 (encoding poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1) 2'-O-methylation. The binding of FBL to PARP1 mRNA was also verified by RIP assay. Furthermore, SNORD104 expression was positively correlated with PARP1 expression in EC tissues. In the presence of actinomycin D, SNORD104 increased the stability of PARP1 mRNA and promoted its nuclear localization. Finally, silencing FBL or PARP1 in the HEC1B cells overexpressing SNORD104 inhibited their proliferative and clonal capacities and increased apoptosis rates. CONCLUSIONS SNORD104 enhances PARP1 mRNA stability and translation in the EC cells by upregulating 2'-O-methylation and promotes tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingfeng Lu
- grid.417009.b0000 0004 1758 4591Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Raod, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Chen
- grid.417009.b0000 0004 1758 4591Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Raod, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin Liu
- grid.417009.b0000 0004 1758 4591Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Raod, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingwen Chen
- grid.417009.b0000 0004 1758 4591Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Raod, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Honglei Qin
- grid.417009.b0000 0004 1758 4591Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Raod, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuo Chen
- grid.417009.b0000 0004 1758 4591Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Raod, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhao
- grid.417009.b0000 0004 1758 4591Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Raod, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150 Guangdong People’s Republic of China
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Vaillant A. Oligonucleotide-Based Therapies for Chronic HBV Infection: A Primer on Biochemistry, Mechanisms and Antiviral Effects. Viruses 2022; 14:v14092052. [PMID: 36146858 PMCID: PMC9502277 DOI: 10.3390/v14092052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Three types of oligonucleotide-based medicines are under clinical development for the treatment of chronic HBV infection. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and synthetic interfering RNA (siRNA) are designed to degrade HBV mRNA, and nucleic acid polymers (NAPs) stop the assembly and secretion of HBV subviral particles. Extensive clinical development of ASOs and siRNA for a variety of liver diseases has established a solid understanding of their pharmacodynamics, accumulation in different tissue types in the liver, pharmacological effects, off-target effects and how chemical modifications and delivery approaches affect these parameters. These effects are highly conserved for all ASO and siRNA used in human studies to date. The clinical assessment of several ASO and siRNA compounds in chronic HBV infection in recent years is complicated by the different delivery approaches used. Moreover, these assessments have not considered the large clinical database of ASO/siRNA function in other liver diseases and known off target effects in other viral infections. The goal of this review is to summarize the current understanding of ASO/siRNA/NAP pharmacology and integrate these concepts into current clinical results for these compounds in the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Vaillant
- Replicor Inc., 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada
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28
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Ramakrishnan M, Rajan KS, Mullasseri S, Palakkal S, Kalpana K, Sharma A, Zhou M, Vinod KK, Ramasamy S, Wei Q. The plant epitranscriptome: revisiting pseudouridine and 2'-O-methyl RNA modifications. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:1241-1256. [PMID: 35445501 PMCID: PMC9241379 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that post-transcriptional RNA modifications are highly dynamic and can be used to improve crop production. Although more than 172 unique types of RNA modifications have been identified throughout the kingdom of life, we are yet to leverage upon the understanding to optimize RNA modifications in crops to improve productivity. The contributions of internal mRNA modifications such as N6-methyladenosine (m6 A) and 5-methylcytosine (m5 C) methylations to embryonic development, root development, leaf morphogenesis, flowering, fruit ripening and stress response are sufficiently known, but the roles of the two most abundant RNA modifications, pseudouridine (Ψ) and 2'-O-methylation (Nm), in the cell remain unclear due to insufficient advances in high-throughput technologies in plant development. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the latest methods and insights gained in mapping internal Ψ and Nm and their unique properties in plants and other organisms. In addition, we discuss the limitations that remain in high-throughput technologies for qualitative and quantitative mapping of these RNA modifications and highlight future challenges in regulating the plant epitranscriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muthusamy Ramakrishnan
- Co‐Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern ChinaNanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
- Bamboo Research InstituteNanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
| | - K. Shanmugha Rajan
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology InstituteBar‐Ilan University52900Ramat‐GanIsrael
- Department of Chemical and Structural BiologyWeizmann Institute7610001RehovotIsrael
| | - Sileesh Mullasseri
- School of Ocean Science and TechnologyKerala University of Fisheries and Ocean StudiesCochinIndia
| | - Sarin Palakkal
- The Institute for Drug ResearchSchool of PharmacyThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Krishnan Kalpana
- Department of Plant PathologyAgricultural College and Research InstituteTamilnadu Agricultural University625 104MaduraiTamil NaduIndia
| | - Anket Sharma
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical SilvicultureZhejiang A&F UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | - Mingbing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Subtropical SilvicultureZhejiang A&F UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
- Zhejiang Provincial Collaborative Innovation Center for Bamboo Resources and High‐Efficiency UtilizationZhejiang A&F UniversityHangzhouZhejiangChina
| | | | - Subbiah Ramasamy
- Cardiac Metabolic Disease LaboratoryDepartment of BiochemistrySchool of Biological SciencesMadurai Kamaraj UniversityMaduraiTamil NaduIndia
| | - Qiang Wei
- Co‐Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern ChinaNanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
- Bamboo Research InstituteNanjing Forestry UniversityNanjingJiangsuChina
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Measuring thermodynamic preferences to form non-native conformations in nucleic acids using ultraviolet melting. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112496119. [PMID: 35671421 PMCID: PMC9214542 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112496119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Thermodynamic preferences to form non-native conformations are crucial for understanding how nucleic acids fold and function. However, they are difficult to measure experimentally because this requires accurately determining the population of minor low-abundance (<10%) conformations in a sea of other conformations. Here, we show that melting experiments enable facile measurements of thermodynamic preferences to adopt nonnative conformations in DNA and RNA. The key to this "delta-melt" approach is to use chemical modifications to render specific minor non-native conformations the major state. The validity and robustness of delta-melt is established for four different non-native conformations under various physiological conditions and sequence contexts through independent measurements of thermodynamic preferences using NMR. Delta-melt is faster relative to NMR, simple, and cost-effective and enables thermodynamic preferences to be measured for exceptionally low-populated conformations. Using delta-melt, we obtained rare insights into conformational cooperativity, obtaining evidence for significant cooperativity (1.0 to 2.5 kcal/mol) when simultaneously forming two adjacent Hoogsteen base pairs. We also measured the thermodynamic preferences to form G-C+ and A-T Hoogsteen and A-T base open states for nearly all 16 trinucleotide sequence contexts and found distinct sequence-specific variations on the order of 2 to 3 kcal/mol. This rich landscape of sequence-specific non-native minor conformations in the DNA double helix may help shape the sequence specificity of DNA biochemistry. Thus, melting experiments can now be used to access thermodynamic information regarding regions of the free energy landscape of biomolecules beyond the native folded and unfolded conformations.
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30
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Taghavi A, Riveros I, Wales DJ, Yildirim I. Evaluating Geometric Definitions of Stacking for RNA Dinucleoside Monophosphates Using Molecular Mechanics Calculations. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:3637-3653. [PMID: 35652685 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
RNA modulation via small molecules is a novel approach in pharmacotherapies, where the determination of the structural properties of RNA motifs is considered a promising way to develop drugs capable of targeting RNA structures to control diseases. However, due to the complexity and dynamic nature of RNA molecules, the determination of RNA structures using experimental approaches is not always feasible, and computational models employing force fields can provide important insight. The quality of the force field will determine how well the predictions are compared to experimental observables. Stacking in nucleic acids is one such structural property, originating mainly from London dispersion forces, which are quantum mechanical and are included in molecular mechanics force fields through nonbonded interactions. Geometric descriptions are utilized to decide if two residues are stacked and hence to calculate the stacking free energies for RNA dinucleoside monophosphates (DNMPs) through statistical mechanics for comparison with experimental thermodynamics data. Here, we benchmark four different stacking definitions using molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories for 16 RNA DNMPs produced by two different force fields (RNA-IL and ff99OL3) and show that our stacking definition better correlates with the experimental thermodynamics data. While predictions within an accuracy of 0.2 kcal/mol at 300 K were observed in RNA CC, CU, UC, AG, GA, and GG, stacked states of purine-pyrimidine and pyrimidine-purine DNMPs, respectively, were typically underpredicted and overpredicted. Additionally, population distributions of RNA UU DNMPs were poorly predicted by both force fields, implying a requirement for further force field revisions. We further discuss the differences predicted by each RNA force field. Finally, we show that discrete path sampling (DPS) calculations can provide valuable information and complement the MD simulations. We propose the use of experimental thermodynamics data for RNA DNMPs as benchmarks for testing RNA force fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirhossein Taghavi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Ivan Riveros
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - David J Wales
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Ilyas Yildirim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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31
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RNA modifications can affect RNase H1-mediated PS-ASO activity. MOLECULAR THERAPY - NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 28:814-828. [PMID: 35664704 PMCID: PMC9136273 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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32
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Barozzi C, Zacchini F, Asghar S, Montanaro L. Ribosomal RNA Pseudouridylation: Will Newly Available Methods Finally Define the Contribution of This Modification to Human Ribosome Plasticity? Front Genet 2022; 13:920987. [PMID: 35719370 PMCID: PMC9198423 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.920987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In human rRNA, at least 104 specific uridine residues are modified to pseudouridine. Many of these pseudouridylation sites are located within functionally important ribosomal domains and can influence ribosomal functional features. Until recently, available methods failed to reliably quantify the level of modification at each specific rRNA site. Therefore, information obtained so far only partially explained the degree of regulation of pseudouridylation in different physiological and pathological conditions. In this focused review, we provide a summary of the methods that are now available for the study of rRNA pseudouridylation, discussing the perspectives that newly developed approaches are offering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Barozzi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Biomedica Applicata, CRBA, Universita di Bologna, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federico Zacchini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Biomedica Applicata, CRBA, Universita di Bologna, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sidra Asghar
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Biomedica Applicata, CRBA, Universita di Bologna, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Montanaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Centro di Ricerca Biomedica Applicata, CRBA, Universita di Bologna, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, Bologna, Italy
- Departmental Program in Laboratory Medicine, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Lorenzo Montanaro,
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33
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Dayie TK, Olenginski LT, Taiwo KM. Isotope Labels Combined with Solution NMR Spectroscopy Make Visible the Invisible Conformations of Small-to-Large RNAs. Chem Rev 2022; 122:9357-9394. [PMID: 35442658 PMCID: PMC9136934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA is central to the proper function of cellular processes important for life on earth and implicated in various medical dysfunctions. Yet, RNA structural biology lags significantly behind that of proteins, limiting mechanistic understanding of RNA chemical biology. Fortunately, solution NMR spectroscopy can probe the structural dynamics of RNA in solution at atomic resolution, opening the door to their functional understanding. However, NMR analysis of RNA, with only four unique ribonucleotide building blocks, suffers from spectral crowding and broad linewidths, especially as RNAs grow in size. One effective strategy to overcome these challenges is to introduce NMR-active stable isotopes into RNA. However, traditional uniform labeling methods introduce scalar and dipolar couplings that complicate the implementation and analysis of NMR measurements. This challenge can be circumvented with selective isotope labeling. In this review, we outline the development of labeling technologies and their application to study biologically relevant RNAs and their complexes ranging in size from 5 to 300 kDa by NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore K. Dayie
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Lukasz T. Olenginski
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Kehinde M. Taiwo
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
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34
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Estevez M, Li R, Paul B, Daneshvar K, Mullen AC, Romerio F, Addepalli B. Identification and mapping of post-transcriptional modifications on the HIV-1 antisense transcript Ast in human cells. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:697-710. [PMID: 35168996 PMCID: PMC9014878 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079043.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) encodes multiple RNA molecules. Transcripts that originate from the proviral 5' long terminal repeat (LTR) function as messenger RNAs for the expression of 16 different mature viral proteins. In addition, HIV-1 expresses an antisense transcript (Ast) from the 3'LTR, which has both protein-coding and noncoding properties. While the mechanisms that regulate the coding and noncoding activities of Ast remain unknown, post-transcriptional modifications are known to influence RNA stability, interaction with protein partners, and translation capacity. Here, we report the nucleoside modification profile of Ast obtained through liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. The epitranscriptome includes a limited set of modified nucleosides but predominantly ribose methylations. A number of these modifications were mapped to specific positions of the sequence through RNA modification mapping procedures. The presence of modifications on Ast is consistent with the RNA-modifying enzymes interacting with Ast The identification and mapping of Ast post-transcriptional modifications is expected to elucidate the mechanisms through which this versatile molecule can carry out diverse activities in different cell compartments. Manipulation of post-transcriptional modifications on the Ast RNA may have therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Estevez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, USA
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Biplab Paul
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Kaveh Daneshvar
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Alan C Mullen
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Fabio Romerio
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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Ribosomal RNA 2'- O-methylations regulate translation by impacting ribosome dynamics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2117334119. [PMID: 35294285 PMCID: PMC8944910 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2117334119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceThe presence of RNA chemical modifications has long been known, but their precise molecular consequences remain unknown. 2'-O-methylation is an abundant modification that exists in RNA in all domains of life. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) represents a functionally important RNA that is heavily modified by 2'-O-methylations. Although abundant at functionally important regions of the rRNA, the contribution of 2'-O-methylations to ribosome activities is unknown. By establishing a method to disturb rRNA 2'-O-methylation patterns, we show that rRNA 2'-O-methylations affect the function and fidelity of the ribosome and change the balance between different ribosome conformational states. Our work links 2'-O-methylation to ribosome dynamics and defines a set of critical rRNA 2'-O-methylations required for ribosome biogenesis and others that are dispensable.
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36
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D’Esposito RJ, Myers CA, Chen AA, Vangaveti S. Challenges with Simulating Modified RNA: Insights into Role and Reciprocity of Experimental and Computational Approaches. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030540. [PMID: 35328093 PMCID: PMC8949676 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA is critical to a broad spectrum of biological and viral processes. This functional diversity is a result of their dynamic nature; the variety of three-dimensional structures that they can fold into; and a host of post-transcriptional chemical modifications. While there are many experimental techniques to study the structural dynamics of biomolecules, molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) play a significant role in complementing experimental data and providing mechanistic insights. The accuracy of the results obtained from MDS is determined by the underlying physical models i.e., the force-fields, that steer the simulations. Though RNA force-fields have received a lot of attention in the last decade, they still lag compared to their protein counterparts. The chemical diversity imparted by the RNA modifications adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging problem. Insight into the effect of RNA modifications upon RNA folding and dynamics is lacking due to the insufficiency or absence of relevant experimental data. This review provides an overview of the state of MDS of modified RNA, focusing on the challenges in parameterization of RNA modifications as well as insights into relevant reference experiments necessary for their calibration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J. D’Esposito
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA; (R.J.D.); (A.A.C.)
| | - Christopher A. Myers
- Department of Physics, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA;
| | - Alan A. Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA; (R.J.D.); (A.A.C.)
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Sweta Vangaveti
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- Correspondence:
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Structure and mechanism of the methyltransferase ribozyme MTR1. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:547-555. [PMID: 35301481 PMCID: PMC7612680 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-00976-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
RNA-catalysed RNA methylation was recently shown to be part of the catalytic repertoire of ribozymes. The methyltransferase ribozyme MTR1 catalyses the site-specific synthesis of 1-methyladenosine (m1A) in RNA, using O6-methylguanine (m6G) as methyl group donor. Here we report the crystal structure of MTR1 at a resolution of 2.8 Å, which reveals a guanine binding site reminiscent of natural guanine riboswitches. The structure represents the postcatalytic state of a split ribozyme in complex with the m1A-containing RNA product and the demethylated cofactor guanine. The structural data suggest the mechanistic involvement of a protonated cytidine in the methyl transfer reaction. A synergistic effect of two 2'-O-methylated ribose residues in the active site results in accelerated methyl group transfer. Supported by these results, it seems plausible that modified nucleotides may have enhanced early RNA catalysis and that metabolite-binding riboswitches may resemble inactivated ribozymes that have lost their catalytic activity during evolution.
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Towards SINEUP-based therapeutics: Design of an in vitro synthesized SINEUP RNA. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 27:1092-1102. [PMID: 35228902 PMCID: PMC8857549 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
SINEUPs are a novel class of natural and synthetic non-coding antisense RNA molecules able to increase the translation of a target mRNA. They present a modular organization comprising an unstructured antisense target-specific domain, which sets the specificity of each individual SINEUP, and a structured effector domain, which is responsible for the translation enhancement. In order to design a fully functional in vitro transcribed SINEUP for therapeutics applications, SINEUP RNAs were synthesized in vitro with a variety of chemical modifications and screened for their activity on endogenous target mRNA upon transfection. Three combinations of modified ribonucleotides-2'O methyl-ATP (Am), N6 methyl-ATP (m6A), and pseudo-UTP (ψ)-conferred SINEUP activity to naked RNA. The best combination tested in this study was fully modified with m6A and ψ. Aside from functionality, this combination conferred improved stability upon transfection and higher thermal stability. Common structural determinants of activity were identified by circular dichroisms, defining a core functional structure that is achieved with different combinations of modifications.
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Ke Y, Ghalandari B, Huang S, Li S, Huang C, Zhi X, Cui D, Ding X. 2'- O-Methyl modified guide RNA promotes the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discrimination ability of CRISPR-Cas12a systems. Chem Sci 2022; 13:2050-2061. [PMID: 35308857 PMCID: PMC8848812 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc06832f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR–Cas12a system has been widely applied to genome editing and molecular diagnostics. However, off-target cleavages and false-positive results remain as major concerns in Cas12a practical applications. Herein, we propose a strategy by utilizing the 2′-O-methyl (2′-OMe) modified guide RNA (gRNA) to promote the Cas12a's specificity. Gibbs free energy analysis demonstrates that the 2′-OMe modifications at the 3′-end of gRNA effectively suppress the Cas12a's overall non-specific affinity while maintaining high on-target affinity. For general application illustrations, HBV genotyping and SARS-CoV-2 D614G mutant biosensing platforms are developed to validate the enhanced Cas12a's specificity. Our results indicate that the 2′-OMe modified gRNAs could discriminate single-base mutations with at least two-fold enhanced specificity compared to unmodified gRNAs. Furthermore, we investigate the enhancing mechanisms of the 2′-OMe modified Cas12a systems by molecular docking simulations and the results suggest that the 2′-OMe modifications at the 3′-end of gRNA reduce the Cas12a's binding activity to off-target DNA. This work offers a versatile and universal gRNA design strategy for highly specific Cas12a system development. This study illustrates that 2′-O-methyl modified gRNAs improve the specificity of the CRISPR–Cas12a system (mg-CRISPR) via suppressing the Cas12a's affinity to off-target DNA and provides an efficient strategy for high-specificity gRNA design.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 China
| | - Behafarid Ghalandari
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 China
| | - Shiyi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 China
| | - Sijie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 China
| | - Chengjie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 China
| | - Xiao Zhi
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 China
| | - Daxiang Cui
- Shanghai Engineering Centre for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment Instrument, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
| | - Xianting Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Institute for Personalized Medicine, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai 200030 China
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40
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Le T, Sun C, Chang J, Zhang G, Yin X. mRNA Vaccine Development for Emerging Animal and Zoonotic Diseases. Viruses 2022; 14:401. [PMID: 35215994 PMCID: PMC8877136 DOI: 10.3390/v14020401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, mRNA vaccines hold great promise because of their low risk of insertional mutagenesis, high potency, accelerated development cycles, and potential for low-cost manufacture. In past years, several mRNA vaccines have entered clinical trials and have shown promise for offering solutions to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases such as rabies, Zika, and influenza. Recently, the successful application of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has further validated the platform and opened the floodgates to mRNA vaccine's potential in infectious disease prevention, especially in the veterinary field. In this review, we describe our current understanding of the mRNA vaccines and the technologies used for mRNA vaccine development. We also provide an overview of mRNA vaccines developed for animal infectious diseases and discuss directions and challenges for the future applications of this promising vaccine platform in the veterinary field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Le
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; (T.L.); (C.S.)
| | - Chao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; (T.L.); (C.S.)
| | - Jitao Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; (T.L.); (C.S.)
| | - Guijie Zhang
- Departments of Animal Science, School of Agriculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, China
| | - Xin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150069, China; (T.L.); (C.S.)
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41
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Chemical modifications to mRNA nucleobases impact translation elongation and termination. Biophys Chem 2022; 285:106780. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2022.106780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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42
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Zhu Y, Holley CL, Carmichael GG. Transcriptome-Wide Identification of 2'-O-Methylation Sites with RibOxi-Seq. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2404:393-407. [PMID: 34694622 PMCID: PMC9165532 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1851-6_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The ability to detect 2'-O-methylation sites (Nm) in high-throughput fashion is important, as increasing evidence points to a more diverse landscape for this RNA modification as well as the possibility of yet unidentified functions. Here we describe an optimized version of RibOxi-seq, which is built upon the original published method, that not only accurately profiles ribosomal RNA (rRNA) Nm sites with minimal RNA input but is also robust enough to identify mRNA intronic and exonic sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinzhou Zhu
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology Division), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Christopher L Holley
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology Division), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gordon G Carmichael
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UCONN Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
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43
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Mitterer V, Pertschy B. RNA folding and functions of RNA helicases in ribosome biogenesis. RNA Biol 2022; 19:781-810. [PMID: 35678541 PMCID: PMC9196750 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2079890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis involves the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and its stepwise folding into the unique structure present in mature ribosomes. rRNA folding starts already co-transcriptionally in the nucleolus and continues when pre-ribosomal particles further maturate in the nucleolus and upon their transit to the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. While the approximate order of folding of rRNA subdomains is known, especially from cryo-EM structures of pre-ribosomal particles, the actual mechanisms of rRNA folding are less well understood. Both small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and proteins have been implicated in rRNA folding. snoRNAs hybridize to precursor rRNAs (pre-rRNAs) and thereby prevent premature folding of the respective rRNA elements. Ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) and ribosome assembly factors might have a similar function by binding to rRNA elements and preventing their premature folding. Besides that, a small group of ribosome assembly factors are thought to play a more active role in rRNA folding. In particular, multiple RNA helicases participate in individual ribosome assembly steps, where they are believed to coordinate RNA folding/unfolding events or the release of proteins from the rRNA. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on mechanisms of RNA folding and on the specific function of the individual RNA helicases involved. As the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the organism in which ribosome biogenesis and the role of RNA helicases in this process is best studied, we focused our review on insights from this model organism, but also make comparisons to other organisms where applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Mitterer
- Biochemistry Center, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, Heidelberg, Germany
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Brigitte Pertschy
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstrasse 50, Graz, Austria
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44
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Fairman CW, Lever AML, Kenyon JC. Evaluating RNA Structural Flexibility: Viruses Lead the Way. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112130. [PMID: 34834937 PMCID: PMC8624864 DOI: 10.3390/v13112130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of RNA structure has lagged behind that of proteins and most other biological polymers, largely because of its ability to adopt multiple, and often very different, functional conformations within a single molecule. Flexibility and multifunctionality appear to be its hallmarks. Conventional biochemical and biophysical techniques all have limitations in solving RNA structure and to address this in recent years we have seen the emergence of a wide diversity of techniques applied to RNA structural analysis and an accompanying appreciation of its ubiquity and versatility. Viral RNA is a particularly productive area to study in that this economy of function within a single molecule admirably suits the minimalist lifestyle of viruses. Here, we review the major techniques that are being used to elucidate RNA conformational flexibility and exemplify how the structure and function are, as in all biology, tightly linked.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew M. L. Lever
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University, Level 5, Addenbrookes’ Hospital (Box 157), Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- Correspondence: (A.M.L.L.); (J.C.K.); Tel.: +44-(0)-1223-747308 (A.M.L.L. & J.C.K.)
| | - Julia C. Kenyon
- Homerton College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 8PH, UK;
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University, Level 5, Addenbrookes’ Hospital (Box 157), Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- Correspondence: (A.M.L.L.); (J.C.K.); Tel.: +44-(0)-1223-747308 (A.M.L.L. & J.C.K.)
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45
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Șelaru A, Costache M, Dinescu S. Epitranscriptomic signatures in stem cell differentiation to the neuronal lineage. RNA Biol 2021; 18:51-60. [PMID: 34582322 PMCID: PMC8677044 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1985348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Considered to be a field that is continuously growing, epitranscriptomics analyzes the modifications that occur in RNA transcripts and their downstream effects. As epigenetic modifications found in DNA and histones exhibit specific roles on various biological processes, also epitranscriptomic marks control gene expression patterns that are crucial for proper cell proliferation, differentiation and tissue development. Thus, various epitranscriptomic signatures have been identified to play specific roles during stem cell differentiation towards the neuronal and glial lineages, axonal guidance, synaptic plasticity, thus leading to the development of the mature brain tissue. Here we describe in-depth molecular mechanism underlying the most important RNA modifications with emerging roles in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Șelaru
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marieta Costache
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorina Dinescu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
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46
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Liu B, Shi H, Rangadurai A, Nussbaumer F, Chu CC, Erharter KA, Case DA, Kreutz C, Al-Hashimi HM. A quantitative model predicts how m 6A reshapes the kinetic landscape of nucleic acid hybridization and conformational transitions. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5201. [PMID: 34465779 PMCID: PMC8408185 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25253-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a post-transcriptional modification that controls gene expression by recruiting proteins to RNA sites. The modification also slows biochemical processes through mechanisms that are not understood. Using temperature-dependent (20°C-65°C) NMR relaxation dispersion, we show that m6A pairs with uridine with the methylamino group in the anti conformation to form a Watson-Crick base pair that transiently exchanges on the millisecond timescale with a singly hydrogen-bonded low-populated (1%) mismatch-like conformation in which the methylamino group is syn. This ability to rapidly interchange between Watson-Crick or mismatch-like forms, combined with different syn:anti isomer preferences when paired (~1:100) versus unpaired (~10:1), explains how m6A robustly slows duplex annealing without affecting melting at elevated temperatures via two pathways in which isomerization occurs before or after duplex annealing. Our model quantitatively predicts how m6A reshapes the kinetic landscape of nucleic acid hybridization and conformational transitions, and provides an explanation for why the modification robustly slows diverse cellular processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Honglue Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Atul Rangadurai
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Felix Nussbaumer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Chia-Chieh Chu
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kevin Andreas Erharter
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David A Case
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Christoph Kreutz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hashim M Al-Hashimi
- Department of Biochemistry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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47
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Yang SL, DeFalco L, Anderson DE, Zhang Y, Aw JGA, Lim SY, Lim XN, Tan KY, Zhang T, Chawla T, Su Y, Lezhava A, Merits A, Wang LF, Huber RG, Wan Y. Comprehensive mapping of SARS-CoV-2 interactions in vivo reveals functional virus-host interactions. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5113. [PMID: 34433821 PMCID: PMC8387478 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25357-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is a major threat to global health. Here, we investigate the RNA structure and RNA-RNA interactions of wildtype (WT) and a mutant (Δ382) SARS-CoV-2 in cells using Illumina and Nanopore platforms. We identify twelve potentially functional structural elements within the SARS-CoV-2 genome, observe that subgenomic RNAs can form different structures, and that WT and Δ382 virus genomes fold differently. Proximity ligation sequencing identify hundreds of RNA-RNA interactions within the virus genome and between the virus and host RNAs. SARS-CoV-2 genome binds strongly to mitochondrial and small nucleolar RNAs and is extensively 2'-O-methylated. 2'-O-methylation sites are enriched in viral untranslated regions, associated with increased virus pair-wise interactions, and are decreased in host mRNAs upon virus infection, suggesting that the virus sequesters methylation machinery from host RNAs towards its genome. These studies deepen our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity and provide a platform for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwy Ling Yang
- Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Regulation, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Louis DeFalco
- Biomolecular Function Discovery, Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Matrix #07-01, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Danielle E Anderson
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yu Zhang
- Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Regulation, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jong Ghut Ashley Aw
- Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Regulation, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Su Ying Lim
- Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Regulation, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xin Ni Lim
- Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Regulation, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kiat Yee Tan
- Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Regulation, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tong Zhang
- Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Regulation, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tanu Chawla
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yan Su
- Laboratory of translational diagnostics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alexander Lezhava
- Laboratory of translational diagnostics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andres Merits
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Lin-Fa Wang
- Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Roland G Huber
- Biomolecular Function Discovery, Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Matrix #07-01, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Yue Wan
- Epigenetic and Epitranscriptomic Regulation, Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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48
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Manavski N, Vicente A, Chi W, Meurer J. The Chloroplast Epitranscriptome: Factors, Sites, Regulation, and Detection Methods. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081121. [PMID: 34440296 PMCID: PMC8394491 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Modifications in nucleic acids are present in all three domains of life. More than 170 distinct chemical modifications have been reported in cellular RNAs to date. Collectively termed as epitranscriptome, these RNA modifications are often dynamic and involve distinct regulatory proteins that install, remove, and interpret these marks in a site-specific manner. Covalent nucleotide modifications-such as methylations at diverse positions in the bases, polyuridylation, and pseudouridylation and many others impact various events in the lifecycle of an RNA such as folding, localization, processing, stability, ribosome assembly, and translational processes and are thus crucial regulators of the RNA metabolism. In plants, the nuclear/cytoplasmic epitranscriptome plays important roles in a wide range of biological processes, such as organ development, viral infection, and physiological means. Notably, recent transcriptome-wide analyses have also revealed novel dynamic modifications not only in plant nuclear/cytoplasmic RNAs related to photosynthesis but especially in chloroplast mRNAs, suggesting important and hitherto undefined regulatory steps in plastid functions and gene expression. Here we report on the latest findings of known plastid RNA modifications and highlight their relevance for the post-transcriptional regulation of chloroplast gene expression and their role in controlling plant development, stress reactions, and acclimation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Manavski
- Plant Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Street 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (N.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Alexandre Vicente
- Plant Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Street 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (N.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Wei Chi
- Photosynthesis Research Center, Key Laboratory of Photobiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China;
| | - Jörg Meurer
- Plant Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Großhaderner Street 2-4, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany; (N.M.); (A.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-218074556
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49
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Baudin-Baillieu A, Namy O. Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a Powerful Model for Studying rRNA Modifications and Their Effects on Translation Fidelity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147419. [PMID: 34299038 PMCID: PMC8307265 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal RNA is a major component of the ribosome. This RNA plays a crucial role in ribosome functioning by ensuring the formation of the peptide bond between amino acids and the accurate decoding of the genetic code. The rRNA carries many chemical modifications that participate in its maturation, the formation of the ribosome and its functioning. In this review, we present the different modifications and how they are deposited on the rRNA. We also describe the most recent results showing that the modified positions are not 100% modified, which creates a heterogeneous population of ribosomes. This gave rise to the concept of specialized ribosomes that we discuss. The knowledge accumulated in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is very helpful to better understand the role of rRNA modifications in humans, especially in ribosomopathies.
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50
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From Antisense RNA to RNA Modification: Therapeutic Potential of RNA-Based Technologies. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050550. [PMID: 34068948 PMCID: PMC8156014 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic oligonucleotides interact with a target RNA via Watson-Crick complementarity, affecting RNA-processing reactions such as mRNA degradation, pre-mRNA splicing, or mRNA translation. Since they were proposed decades ago, several have been approved for clinical use to correct genetic mutations. Three types of mechanisms of action (MoA) have emerged: RNase H-dependent degradation of mRNA directed by short chimeric antisense oligonucleotides (gapmers), correction of splicing defects via splice-modulation oligonucleotides, and interference of gene expression via short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). These antisense-based mechanisms can tackle several genetic disorders in a gene-specific manner, primarily by gene downregulation (gapmers and siRNAs) or splicing defects correction (exon-skipping oligos). Still, the challenge remains for the repair at the single-nucleotide level. The emerging field of epitranscriptomics and RNA modifications shows the enormous possibilities for recoding the transcriptome and repairing genetic mutations with high specificity while harnessing endogenously expressed RNA processing machinery. Some of these techniques have been proposed as alternatives to CRISPR-based technologies, where the exogenous gene-editing machinery needs to be delivered and expressed in the human cells to generate permanent (DNA) changes with unknown consequences. Here, we review the current FDA-approved antisense MoA (emphasizing some enabling technologies that contributed to their success) and three novel modalities based on post-transcriptional RNA modifications with therapeutic potential, including ADAR (Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA)-mediated RNA editing, targeted pseudouridylation, and 2′-O-methylation.
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