1
|
Chow LT, Vassylyev DG. Application of a Novel CL7/Im7 Affinity System in Purification of Complex and Pharmaceutical Proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2466:61-82. [PMID: 35585311 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2176-9_5] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We have developed the CL7/Im7 protein purification system to achieve high-yield, high-purity and high-activity (HHH) products in one step. The system is based on the natural ultrahigh-affinity complex between the two small proteins encoded by colicinogenic plasmids carried by certain E. coli strains, the DNAse domain of colicin E7 (CE7; MW ~ 15 kDa) and its natural endogenous inhibitor, the immunity protein 7 (Im7; MW ~ 10 kDa). CL7 is an engineered variant of CE7, in which the toxic DNA-binding and catalytic activities have been eliminated while retaining the high affinity to Im7. CL7 is used as a protein tag, while Im7 is covalently attached to agarose beads. To make the CL7/Im7 technique easy to use, we have designed a set of the E. coli expression vectors for fusion of a target protein to the protease-cleavable CL7-tag either at the N- or the C-terminus, and also have the options of the dual (CL7/His8) tag. A subset of vectors is dedicated for cloning membrane and multisubunit proteins. The CL7/Im7 system has several notable advatantages over other available affinity purification techniques. First, high concentrations of the small Im7 protein are coupled to the beads resulting in the high column capacities (up to 60 mg/mL). Second, an exceptional stability of Im7 allows for multiple (100+) regeneration cycles with no loss of binding capacities. Third, the CL7-tag improves protein expression levels, solubility and, in some cases, assists folding of the target proteins. Fourth, the on-column proteolytic elution produces purified proteins with few or no extra amino acid residues. Finally, the CL7/Im7 affinity is largely insensitive to high salt concentrations. For many target proteins, loading the bacterial lysates on the Im7 column in high salt is a key to high purity. Altogether, these properties of the CL7/Im7 system allow for a one-step HHH purification of most challenging, biologically and clinically significant proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise T Chow
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Dmitry G Vassylyev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
KIreeva M, Trang C, Matevosyan G, Turek-Herman J, Chasov V, Lubkowska L, Kashlev M. RNA-DNA and DNA-DNA base-pairing at the upstream edge of the transcription bubble regulate translocation of RNA polymerase and transcription rate. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:5764-5775. [PMID: 29771376 PMCID: PMC6009650 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocation of RNA polymerase (RNAP) along DNA may be rate-limiting for transcription elongation. The Brownian ratchet model posits that RNAP rapidly translocates back and forth until the post-translocated state is stabilized by NTP binding. An alternative model suggests that RNAP translocation is slow and poorly reversible. To distinguish between these two models, we take advantage of an observation that pyrophosphorolysis rates directly correlate with the abundance of the pre-translocated fraction. Pyrophosphorolysis by RNAP stabilized in the pre-translocated state by bacteriophage HK022 protein Nun was used as a reference point to determine the pre-translocated fraction in the absence of Nun. The stalled RNAP preferentially occupies the post-translocated state. The forward translocation rate depends, among other factors, on melting of the RNA–DNA base pair at the upstream edge of the transcription bubble. DNA–DNA base pairing immediately upstream from the RNA–DNA hybrid stabilizes the post-translocated state. This mechanism is conserved between E. coli RNAP and S. cerevisiae RNA polymerase II and is partially dependent on the lid domain of the catalytic subunit. Thus, the RNA–DNA hybrid and DNA reannealing at the upstream edge of the transcription bubble emerge as targets for regulation of the transcription elongation rate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria KIreeva
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Cyndi Trang
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Gayane Matevosyan
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Joshua Turek-Herman
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Vitaly Chasov
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Lucyna Lubkowska
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Mikhail Kashlev
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Belogurov GA, Artsimovitch I. The Mechanisms of Substrate Selection, Catalysis, and Translocation by the Elongating RNA Polymerase. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:3975-4006. [PMID: 31153902 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Multi-subunit DNA-dependent RNA polymerases synthesize all classes of cellular RNAs, ranging from short regulatory transcripts to gigantic messenger RNAs. RNA polymerase has to make each RNA product in just one try, even if it takes millions of successive nucleotide addition steps. During each step, RNA polymerase selects a correct substrate, adds it to a growing chain, and moves one nucleotide forward before repeating the cycle. However, RNA synthesis is anything but monotonous: RNA polymerase frequently pauses upon encountering mechanical, chemical and torsional barriers, sometimes stepping back and cleaving off nucleotides from the growing RNA chain. A picture in which these intermittent dynamics enable processive, accurate, and controllable RNA synthesis is emerging from complementary structural, biochemical, computational, and single-molecule studies. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the mechanism and regulation of the on-pathway transcription elongation. We review the details of substrate selection, catalysis, proofreading, and translocation, focusing on rate-limiting steps, structural elements that modulate them, and accessory proteins that appear to control RNA polymerase translocation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Irina Artsimovitch
- Department of Microbiology and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fan H, Conn AB, Williams PB, Diggs S, Hahm J, Gamper HB, Hou YM, O'Leary SE, Wang Y, Blaha GM. Transcription-translation coupling: direct interactions of RNA polymerase with ribosomes and ribosomal subunits. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:11043-11055. [PMID: 28977553 PMCID: PMC5737488 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In prokaryotes, RNA polymerase and ribosomes can bind concurrently to the same RNA transcript, leading to the functional coupling of transcription and translation. The interactions between RNA polymerase and ribosomes are crucial for the coordination of transcription with translation. Here, we report that RNA polymerase directly binds ribosomes and isolated large and small ribosomal subunits. RNA polymerase and ribosomes form a one-to-one complex with a micromolar dissociation constant. The formation of the complex is modulated by the conformational and functional states of RNA polymerase and the ribosome. The binding interface on the large ribosomal subunit is buried by the small subunit during protein synthesis, whereas that on the small subunit remains solvent-accessible. The RNA polymerase binding site on the ribosome includes that of the isolated small ribosomal subunit. This direct interaction between RNA polymerase and ribosomes may contribute to the coupling of transcription to translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haitian Fan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Adam B Conn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Preston B Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Stephen Diggs
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Joseph Hahm
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Howard B Gamper
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Ya-Ming Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Seán E O'Leary
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Gregor M Blaha
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Miropolskaya N, Feklistov A, Nikiforov V, Kulbachinskiy A. Site-specific aptamer inhibitors of Thermus RNA polymerase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 495:110-115. [PMID: 29097207 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.10.151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) is an RNA-synthesizing molecular machine and a target for antibiotics. In transcription, RNAP can interact with DNA sequence-specifically, during promoter recognition by the σ-containing holoenzyme, or nonspecifically, during productive RNA elongation by the core RNAP. We describe high-affinity single-stranded DNA aptamers that are specifically recognized by the core RNAP from Thermus aquaticus. The aptamers interact with distinct epitopes inside the RNAP main channel, including the rifamycin pocket, and sense the binding of other RNAP ligands such as rifamycin and the σA subunit. The aptamers inhibit RNAP activity and can thus be used for functional studies of transcription and development of novel RNAP inhibitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Miropolskaya
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq. 2, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Andrey Feklistov
- The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Vadim Nikiforov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq. 2, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Andrey Kulbachinskiy
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq. 2, Moscow 123182, Russia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Efficient, ultra-high-affinity chromatography in a one-step purification of complex proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E5138-E5147. [PMID: 28607052 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1704872114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein purification is an essential primary step in numerous biological studies. It is particularly significant for the rapidly emerging high-throughput fields, such as proteomics, interactomics, and drug discovery. Moreover, purifications for structural and industrial applications should meet the requirement of high yield, high purity, and high activity (HHH). It is, therefore, highly desirable to have an efficient purification system with a potential to meet the HHH benchmark in a single step. Here, we report a chromatographic technology based on the ultra-high-affinity (Kd ∼ 10-14-10-17 M) complex between the Colicin E7 DNase (CE7) and its inhibitor, Immunity protein 7 (Im7). For this application, we mutated CE7 to create a CL7 tag, which retained the full binding affinity to Im7 but was inactivated as a DNase. To achieve high capacity, we developed a protocol for a large-scale production and highly specific immobilization of Im7 to a solid support. We demonstrated its utility with one-step HHH purification of a wide range of traditionally challenging biological molecules, including eukaryotic, membrane, toxic, and multisubunit DNA/RNA-binding proteins. The system is simple, reusable, and also applicable to pulldown and kinetic activity/binding assays.
Collapse
|
7
|
Imashimizu M, Shimamoto N, Oshima T, Kashlev M. Transcription elongation. Heterogeneous tracking of RNA polymerase and its biological implications. Transcription 2015; 5:e28285. [PMID: 25764114 PMCID: PMC4214235 DOI: 10.4161/trns.28285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of transcription elongation via pausing of RNA polymerase has multiple physiological roles. The pausing mechanism depends on the sequence heterogeneity of the DNA being transcribed, as well as on certain interactions of polymerase with specific DNA sequences. In order to describe the mechanism of regulation, we introduce the concept of heterogeneity into the previously proposed alternative models of elongation, power stroke and Brownian ratchet. We also discuss molecular origins and physiological significances of the heterogeneity.
Collapse
|
8
|
Xu L, Wang W, Chong J, Shin JH, Xu J, Wang D. RNA polymerase II transcriptional fidelity control and its functional interplay with DNA modifications. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 50:503-19. [PMID: 26392149 DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2015.1087960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Accurate genetic information transfer is essential for life. As a key enzyme involved in the first step of gene expression, RNA polymerase II (Pol II) must maintain high transcriptional fidelity while it reads along DNA template and synthesizes RNA transcript in a stepwise manner during transcription elongation. DNA lesions or modifications may lead to significant changes in transcriptional fidelity or transcription elongation dynamics. In this review, we will summarize recent progress toward understanding the molecular basis of RNA Pol II transcriptional fidelity control and impacts of DNA lesions and modifications on Pol II transcription elongation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Xu
- a Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of California San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Wei Wang
- a Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of California San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Jenny Chong
- a Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of California San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Ji Hyun Shin
- a Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of California San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Jun Xu
- a Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of California San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Dong Wang
- a Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of California San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Olspert A, Chung BYW, Atkins JF, Carr JP, Firth AE. Transcriptional slippage in the positive-sense RNA virus family Potyviridae. EMBO Rep 2015; 16:995-1004. [PMID: 26113364 PMCID: PMC4552492 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201540509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The family Potyviridae encompasses ~30% of plant viruses and is responsible for significant economic losses worldwide. Recently, a small overlapping coding sequence, termed pipo, was found to be conserved in the genomes of all potyvirids. PIPO is expressed as part of a frameshift protein, P3N-PIPO, which is essential for virus cell-to-cell movement. However, the frameshift expression mechanism has hitherto remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that transcriptional slippage, specific to the viral RNA polymerase, results in a population of transcripts with an additional "A" inserted within a highly conserved GAAAAAA sequence, thus enabling expression of P3N-PIPO. The slippage efficiency is ~2% in Turnip mosaic virus and slippage is inhibited by mutations in the GAAAAAA sequence. While utilization of transcriptional slippage is well known in negative-sense RNA viruses such as Ebola, mumps and measles, to our knowledge this is the first report of its widespread utilization for gene expression in positive-sense RNA viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allan Olspert
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Betty Y-W Chung
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John F Atkins
- Schools of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - John P Carr
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew E Firth
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sekine SI, Murayama Y, Svetlov V, Nudler E, Yokoyama S. The ratcheted and ratchetable structural states of RNA polymerase underlie multiple transcriptional functions. Mol Cell 2015; 57:408-21. [PMID: 25601758 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Revised: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP) accomplishes multiple tasks during transcription by assuming different structural forms. Reportedly, the "tight" form performs nucleotide addition to nascent RNA, while the "ratcheted" form is adopted for transcription inhibition. In this study, we performed Cys-pair crosslinking (CPX) analyses of various transcription complexes of a bacterial RNAP and crystallographic analyses of its backtracked and Gre-factor-bound states to clarify which of the two forms is adopted. The ratcheted form was revealed to support GreA-dependent transcript cleavage, long backtracking, hairpin-dependent pausing, and termination. In contrast, the tight form correlated with nucleotide addition, mismatch-dependent pausing, one-nucleotide backtracking, and factor-independent transcript cleavage. RNAP in the paused/backtracked state, but not the nucleotide-addition state, readily transitions to the ratcheted form ("ratchetable"), indicating that the tight form represents two distinct regulatory states. The 3' end and the hairpin structure of the nascent RNA promote the ratchetable nature by modulating the trigger-loop conformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shun-ichi Sekine
- RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Division of Structural and Synthetic Biology, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Yuko Murayama
- RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; Division of Structural and Synthetic Biology, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Vladimir Svetlov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Evgeny Nudler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Shigeyuki Yokoyama
- RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; RIKEN Structural Biology Laboratory, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Davis E, Chen J, Leon K, Darst SA, Campbell EA. Mycobacterial RNA polymerase forms unstable open promoter complexes that are stabilized by CarD. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 43:433-45. [PMID: 25510492 PMCID: PMC4288152 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku1231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli has served as the archetypal organism on which the overwhelming majority of biochemical characterizations of bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) have been focused; the properties of E. coli RNAP have been accepted as generally representative for all bacterial RNAPs. Here, we directly compare the initiation properties of a mycobacterial transcription system with E. coli RNAP on two different promoters. The detailed characterizations include abortive transcription assays, RNAP/promoter complex stability assays and DNAse I and KMnO4 footprinting. Based on footprinting, we find that promoter complexes formed by E. coli and mycobacterial RNAPs use very similar protein/DNA interactions and generate the same transcription bubbles. However, we find that the open promoter complexes formed by E. coli RNAP on the two promoters tested are highly stable and essentially irreversible (with lifetimes much greater than 1 h), while the open promoter complexes on the same two promoters formed by mycobacterial RNAP are very unstable (lifetimes of about 2 min or less) and readily reversible. We show here that CarD, an essential mycobacterial transcription activator that is not found in E. coli, stabilizes the mycobacterial RNAP/open promoter complexes considerably by preventing transcription bubble collapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Davis
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - James Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Katherine Leon
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Seth A Darst
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Campbell
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Markov DA, Wojtas ID, Tessitore K, Henderson S, McAllister WT. Yeast DEAD box protein Mss116p is a transcription elongation factor that modulates the activity of mitochondrial RNA polymerase. Mol Cell Biol 2014; 34:2360-9. [PMID: 24732805 PMCID: PMC4054322 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00160-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
DEAD box proteins have been widely implicated in regulation of gene expression. Here, we show that the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae DEAD box protein Mss116p, previously known as a mitochondrial splicing factor, also acts as a transcription factor that modulates the activity of the single-subunit mitochondrial RNA polymerase encoded by RPO41. Binding of Mss116p stabilizes paused mitochondrial RNA polymerase elongation complexes in vitro and favors the posttranslocated state of the enzyme, resulting in a lower concentration of nucleotide substrate required to escape the pause; this mechanism of action is similar to that of elongation factors that enhance the processivity of multisubunit RNA polymerases. In a yeast strain in which the RNA splicing-related functions of Mss116p are dispensable, overexpression of RPO41 or MSS116 increases cell survival from colonies that were exposed to low temperature, suggesting a role for Mss116p in enhancing the efficiency of mitochondrial transcription under stress conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy A Markov
- Department of Cell Biology, Rowan University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ireneusz D Wojtas
- Department of Cell Biology, Rowan University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kassandra Tessitore
- Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Program, Rowan University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - Simmone Henderson
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| | - William T McAllister
- Department of Cell Biology, Rowan University, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Xu L, Da L, Plouffe SW, Chong J, Kool E, Wang D. Molecular basis of transcriptional fidelity and DNA lesion-induced transcriptional mutagenesis. DNA Repair (Amst) 2014; 19:71-83. [PMID: 24767259 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2014.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Maintaining high transcriptional fidelity is essential for life. Some DNA lesions lead to significant changes in transcriptional fidelity. In this review, we will summarize recent progress towards understanding the molecular basis of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcriptional fidelity and DNA lesion-induced transcriptional mutagenesis. In particular, we will focus on the three key checkpoint steps of controlling Pol II transcriptional fidelity: insertion (specific nucleotide selection and incorporation), extension (differentiation of RNA transcript extension of a matched over mismatched 3'-RNA terminus), and proofreading (preferential removal of misincorporated nucleotides from the 3'-RNA end). We will also discuss some novel insights into the molecular basis and chemical perspectives of controlling Pol II transcriptional fidelity through structural, computational, and chemical biology approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Xu
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0625, United States
| | - Linati Da
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0625, United States
| | - Steven W Plouffe
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0625, United States
| | - Jenny Chong
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0625, United States
| | - Eric Kool
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5080, United States.
| | - Dong Wang
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0625, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Murayama Y, Sekine SI, Yokoyama S. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analyses of Thermus thermophilus backtracked RNA polymerase. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2013; 69:174-7. [PMID: 23385762 PMCID: PMC3564623 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309113000055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP) synthesizes RNA complementary to the template DNA. During transcript elongation, RNAP often undergoes backward translocation ('backtracking') by dissociating the 3' end of the nascent RNA transcript from the template DNA. While the backtracked state of RNAP is inactive in RNA elongation, it actively hydrolyses the RNA 3' end to regenerate the active elongation complex. To study the structural basis of the backtracked state and its cleavage activity, two backtracked RNAP complexes were reconstituted by assembling Thermus thermophilus RNAP with designed nucleic acid scaffolds. The reconstituted backtracked complexes were active in the transcript-cleavage reaction. These complexes were crystallized and X-ray diffraction data sets were obtained at resolutions of 3.4 and 3.7 Å.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Murayama
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Shun-ichi Sekine
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Yokoyama
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- RIKEN Systems and Structural Biology Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Intrinsic translocation barrier as an initial step in pausing by RNA polymerase II. J Mol Biol 2012; 425:697-712. [PMID: 23238253 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pausing of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) by backtracking on DNA is a major regulatory mechanism in control of eukaryotic transcription. Backtracking occurs by extrusion of the 3' end of the RNA from the active center after bond formation and before translocation of RNAP II on DNA. In several documented cases, backtracking requires a special signal such as A/T-rich sequences forming an unstable RNA-DNA hybrid in the elongation complex. However, other sequence-dependent backtracking signals and conformations of RNAP II leading to backtracking remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate with S. cerevisiae RNAP II that a cleavage-deficient elongation factor TFIIS (TFIIS(AA)) enhances backtracked pauses during regular transcription. This is due to increased efficiency of formation of an intermediate that leads to backtracking. This intermediate may involve misalignment at the 3' end of the nascent RNA in the active center of the yeast RNAP II, and TFIIS(AA) promotes formation of this intermediate at the DNA sequences, presenting a high-energy barrier to translocation. We proposed a three-step mechanism for RNAP II pausing in which a prolonged dwell time in the pre-translocated state increases the likelihood of the 3' RNA end misalignment facilitating a backtrack pausing. These results demonstrate an important role of the intrinsic blocks to forward translocation in pausing by RNAP II.
Collapse
|
16
|
Bochkareva A, Yuzenkova Y, Tadigotla VR, Zenkin N. Factor-independent transcription pausing caused by recognition of the RNA-DNA hybrid sequence. EMBO J 2011; 31:630-9. [PMID: 22124324 PMCID: PMC3273390 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2011.432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2011] [Accepted: 11/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase pausing during transcription is implicated in controlling gene expression. This study identifies a new type of pausing mechanism, by which the RNAP core recognizes the shape of base pairs of the RNA–DNA hybrid, which determines the rate of translocation and the nucleotide addition cycle. The expression of a number of viral and bacterial genes is shown to be subject to this mechanism. Pausing of transcription is an important step of regulation of gene expression in bacteria and eukaryotes. Here we uncover a factor-independent mechanism of transcription pausing, which is determined by the ability of the elongating RNA polymerase to recognize the sequence of the RNA–DNA hybrid. We show that, independently of thermodynamic stability of the elongation complex, RNA polymerase directly ‘senses' the shape and/or identity of base pairs of the RNA–DNA hybrid. Recognition of the RNA–DNA hybrid sequence delays translocation by RNA polymerase, and thus slows down the nucleotide addition cycle through ‘in pathway' mechanism. We show that this phenomenon is conserved among bacterial and eukaryotic RNA polymerases, and is involved in regulatory pauses, such as a pause regulating the production of virulence factors in some bacteria and a pause regulating transcription/replication of HIV-1. The results indicate that recognition of RNA–DNA hybrid sequence by multi-subunit RNA polymerases is involved in transcription regulation and may determine the overall rate of transcription elongation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Bochkareva
- Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hein PP, Palangat M, Landick R. RNA transcript 3'-proximal sequence affects translocation bias of RNA polymerase. Biochemistry 2011; 50:7002-14. [PMID: 21739957 DOI: 10.1021/bi200437q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Translocation of RNA polymerase on DNA is thought to involve oscillations between pretranslocated and posttranslocated states that are rectified by nucleotide addition or pyrophosphorolysis. The pretranslocated register is also a precursor to transcriptional pause states that mediate regulation of transcript elongation. However, the determinants of bias between the pretranslocated and posttranslocated states are incompletely understood. To investigate translocation bias in multisubunit RNA polymerases, we measured rates of pyrophosphorolysis, which occurs in the pretranslocated register, in minimal elongation complexes containing T. thermophilus or E. coli RNA polymerase. Our results suggest that the identity of RNA:DNA nucleotides in the active site are strong determinants of susceptibility to pyrophosphorolysis, and thus translocation bias, with the 3' RNA nucleotide favoring the pretranslocated state in the order U > C > A > G. The preference of 3' U vs G for the pretranslocated register appeared to be universal among both bacterial and eukaryotic RNA polymerases and was confirmed by exonuclease III footprinting of defined elongation complexes. However, the relationship of pyrophosphate concentration to the rate of pyrophosphorolysis of 3' U-containing versus 3' G-containing elongation complexes did not match predictions of a simple mechanism in which 3'-RNA seqeunce affects only translocation bias and pyrophosphate (PPi) binds only to the pretranslocated state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pyae P Hein
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Tagami S, Sekine SI, Kumarevel T, Hino N, Murayama Y, Kamegamori S, Yamamoto M, Sakamoto K, Yokoyama S. Crystal structure of bacterial RNA polymerase bound with a transcription inhibitor protein. Nature 2010; 468:978-82. [PMID: 21124318 DOI: 10.1038/nature09573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2009] [Accepted: 10/12/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The multi-subunit DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP) is the principal enzyme of transcription for gene expression. Transcription is regulated by various transcription factors. Gre factor homologue 1 (Gfh1), found in the Thermus genus, is a close homologue of the well-conserved bacterial transcription factor GreA, and inhibits transcription initiation and elongation by binding directly to RNAP. The structural basis of transcription inhibition by Gfh1 has remained elusive, although the crystal structures of RNAP and Gfh1 have been determined separately. Here we report the crystal structure of Thermus thermophilus RNAP complexed with Gfh1. The amino-terminal coiled-coil domain of Gfh1 fully occludes the channel formed between the two central modules of RNAP; this channel would normally be used for nucleotide triphosphate (NTP) entry into the catalytic site. Furthermore, the tip of the coiled-coil domain occupies the NTP β-γ phosphate-binding site. The NTP-entry channel is expanded, because the central modules are 'ratcheted' relative to each other by ∼7°, as compared with the previously reported elongation complexes. This 'ratcheted state' is an alternative structural state, defined by a newly acquired contact between the central modules. Therefore, the shape of Gfh1 is appropriate to maintain RNAP in the ratcheted state. Simultaneously, the ratcheting expands the nucleic-acid-binding channel, and kinks the bridge helix, which connects the central modules. Taken together, the present results reveal that Gfh1 inhibits transcription by preventing NTP binding and freezing RNAP in the alternative structural state. The ratcheted state might also be associated with other aspects of transcription, such as RNAP translocation and transcription termination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Tagami
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Tang GQ, Anand VS, Patel SS. Fluorescence-based assay to measure the real-time kinetics of nucleotide incorporation during transcription elongation. J Mol Biol 2010; 405:666-78. [PMID: 21035457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2010.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2010] [Revised: 10/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanism and fidelity of transcription by the RNA polymerase (RNAP) requires measurement of the dissociation constant (K(d)) of correct and incorrect NTPs and their incorporation rate constants (k(pol)). Currently, such parameters are obtained from radiometric-based assays that are both tedious and discontinuous. Here, we report a fluorescence-based assay for measuring the real-time kinetics of single-nucleotide incorporation during transcription elongation. The fluorescent adenine analogue 2-aminopurine was incorporated at various single positions in the template or the nontemplate strand of the promoter-free elongation substrate. On addition of the correct NTP to the T7 RNAP-DNA, 2-aminopurine fluorescence increased rapidly and exponentially with a rate constant similar to the RNA extension rate obtained from the radiometric assay. The fluorescence stopped-flow assay, therefore, provides a high-throughput way to measure the kinetic parameters of RNA synthesis. Using this assay, we report the k(pol) and K(d) of all four correct NTP additions by T7 RNAP, which showed a range of values of 145-190 s(-1) and 28-124 μM, respectively. The fluorescent elongation substrates were used to determine the misincorporation kinetics as well, which showed that T7 RNAP discriminates against incorrect NTP both at the nucleotide binding and incorporation steps. The fluorescence-based assay should be generally applicable to all DNA-dependent RNAPs, as they use similar elongation substrates. It can be used to elucidate the mechanism, fidelity, and sequence dependency of transcription and is a rapid means to screen for inhibitors of RNAPs for therapeutic purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qing Tang
- Department of Biochemistry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 683 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kireeva M, Kashlev M, Burton ZF. Translocation by multi-subunit RNA polymerases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2010; 1799:389-401. [PMID: 20097318 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2010.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2009] [Revised: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
DNA template and RNA/DNA hybrid movement through RNA polymerase (RNAP) is referred to as "translocation". Because nucleic acid movement is coupled to NTP loading, pyrophosphate release, and conformational changes, the precise ordering of events during bond addition is consequential. Moreover, based on several lines of experimental evidence, translocation, pyrophosphate release or an associated conformational change may determine the transcription elongation rate. In this review we discuss various models of translocation, the data supporting the hypothesis that translocation rate determines transcription elongation rate and also data that may be inconsistent with this point of view. A model of the nucleotide addition cycle accommodating available experimental data is proposed. On the basis of this model, the molecular mechanisms regulating translocation and potential routes for NTP entry are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kireeva
- National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tagami S, Sekine SI, Kumarevel T, Yamamoto M, Yokoyama S. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of Thermus thermophilus transcription elongation complex bound to Gfh1. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2009; 66:64-8. [PMID: 20057074 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309109049215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2009] [Accepted: 11/18/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
RNA polymerase (RNAP) elongates RNA by iterative nucleotide-addition cycles (NAC). A specific structural state (or states) of RNAP may be the target of transcription elongation factors. Gfh1, a Thermus thermophilus Gre-family protein, inhibits NAC. To elucidate which RNAP structural state Gfh1 associates with, the T. thermophilus RNAP elongation complex (EC) was cocrystallized with Gfh1. Of the 70 DNA/RNA scaffolds tested, two (for EC1 and EC2) were successfully crystallized. In the presence of Gfh1, EC1 and EC2 yielded crystals belonging to space group P2(1) with similar unit-cell parameters (crystals 1 and 2, respectively). X-ray diffraction data sets were obtained at 3.6 and 3.8 A resolution, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Tagami
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Stepanova EV, Shevelev AB, Borukhov SI, Severinov KV. Mechanisms of action of RNA polymerase-binding transcription factors that do not bind to DNA. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2009. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350909050017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
23
|
Kent T, Kashkina E, Anikin M, Temiakov D. Maintenance of RNA-DNA hybrid length in bacterial RNA polymerases. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:13497-13504. [PMID: 19321439 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m901898200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
During transcription elongation the nascent RNA remains base-paired to the template strand of the DNA before it is displaced and the two strands of the DNA reanneal, resulting in the formation of a transcription "bubble" of approximately 10 bp. To examine how the length of the RNA-DNA hybrid is maintained, we assembled transcription elongation complexes on synthetic nucleic acid scaffolds that mimic the situation in which transcript displacement is compromised and the polymerase synthesizes an extended hybrid. We found that in such complexes bacterial RNA polymerase exhibit an intrinsic endonucleolytic cleavage activity that restores the hybrid to its normal length. Mutations in the region of the RNA polymerase near the site of RNA-DNA separation result in altered RNA displacement and translocation functions and as a consequence in different patterns of proofreading activities. Our data corroborate structural findings concerning the elements involved in the maintenance of the length of the RNA-DNA hybrid and suggest interplay between polymerase translocation, DNA strand separation, and intrinsic endonucleolytic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana Kent
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford, New Jersey 08084
| | - Ekaterina Kashkina
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford, New Jersey 08084
| | - Michael Anikin
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford, New Jersey 08084
| | - Dmitry Temiakov
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford, New Jersey 08084.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Kinetic pathway of pyrophosphorolysis by a retrotransposon reverse transcriptase. PLoS One 2008; 3:e1389. [PMID: 18167548 PMCID: PMC2148107 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2007] [Accepted: 12/02/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA and RNA polymerases use a common phosphoryl transfer mechanism for base addition that requires two or three acidic amino acid residues at their active sites. We previously showed, for the reverse transcriptase (RT) encoded by the yeast retrotransposon Ty1, that one of the three conserved active site aspartates (D(211)) can be substituted by asparagine and still retain in vitro polymerase activity, although in vivo transposition is lost. Transposition is partially restored by second site suppressor mutations in the RNAse H domain. The novel properties of this amino acid substitution led us to express the WT and D(211)N mutant enzymes, and study their pre-steady state kinetic parameters. We found that the k(pol) was reduced by a factor of 223 in the mutant, although the K(d) for nucleotide binding was unaltered. Further, the mutant enzyme had a marked preference for Mn(2+) over Mg(2+). To better understand the functions of this residue within the Ty1 RT active site, we have now examined the in vitro properties of WT and D(211)N mutant Ty1 RTs in carrying out pyrophosphorolysis, the reverse reaction to polymerization, where pyrophosphate is the substrate and dNTPs are the product. We find that pyrophosphorolysis is efficient only when the base-paired primer template region is >14 bases, and that activity increases when the primer end is blunt-ended or recessed by only a few bases. Using pre-steady state kinetic analysis, we find that the rate of pyrophosphorolysis (k(pyro)) in the D(211)N mutant is nearly 320 fold lower than the WT enzyme, and that the mutant enzyme has an approximately 170 fold lower apparent K(d) for pyrophosphate. These findings indicate that subtle substrate differences can strongly affect the enzyme's ability to properly position the primer-end to carry out pyrophosphorolysis. Further the kinetic data suggests that the D(211) residue has a role in pyrophosphate binding and release, which could affect polymerase translocation, and help explain the D(211)N mutant's transposition defect.
Collapse
|
25
|
Kashkina EA, Anikin MV, McAllister WT, Kochetkov N, Temyakov DE. Determination of the melting site of the DNA duplex in the active center of bacterial RNA-polymerase by fluorescence quenching technique. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2007; 416:285-9. [PMID: 18064834 DOI: 10.1134/s160767290705016x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E A Kashkina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 32, Moscow, 117984, Russia
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sipos K, Szigeti R, Dong X, Turnbough CL. Systematic mutagenesis of the thymidine tract of the pyrBI attenuator and its effects on intrinsic transcription termination in Escherichia coli. Mol Microbiol 2007; 66:127-38. [PMID: 17725561 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2007.05902.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The pyrBI attenuator of Escherichia coli is an intrinsic transcription terminator composed of DNA with a hyphenated dyad symmetry and an adjacent 8 bp T:A tract (T-tract). These elements specify a G+C-rich terminator hairpin followed by a run of eight uridine residues (U-tract) in the RNA transcript. In this study, we examined the effects on in vivo transcription termination of systematic base substitutions in the T/U-tract of the pyrBI attenuator. We found that these substitutions diminished transcription termination efficiency to varying extents, depending on the nature and position of the substitution. In general, substitutions closer to the dyad symmetry/terminator hairpin exhibited the most significant effects. Additionally, we examined the effects on in vivo transcription termination of mutations that insert from 1 to 4 bases between the terminator hairpin and U-tract specified by the pyrBI attenuator. Our results show an inverse relationship between termination efficiency and the number of bases inserted. The effects of the substitution and insertion mutations on termination efficiency at the pyrBI attenuator were also measured in vitro, which corroborated the in vivo results. Our results are discussed in terms of the current models for intrinsic transcription termination and estimating termination efficiencies at intrinsic terminators of other bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katalin Sipos
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-2170, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Vassylyev DG, Vassylyeva MN, Zhang J, Palangat M, Artsimovitch I, Landick R. Structural basis for substrate loading in bacterial RNA polymerase. Nature 2007; 448:163-8. [PMID: 17581591 DOI: 10.1038/nature05931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 294] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2007] [Accepted: 05/11/2007] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of substrate loading in multisubunit RNA polymerase is crucial for understanding the general principles of transcription yet remains hotly debated. Here we report the 3.0-A resolution structures of the Thermus thermophilus elongation complex (EC) with a non-hydrolysable substrate analogue, adenosine-5'-[(alpha,beta)-methyleno]-triphosphate (AMPcPP), and with AMPcPP plus the inhibitor streptolydigin. In the EC/AMPcPP structure, the substrate binds to the active ('insertion') site closed through refolding of the trigger loop (TL) into two alpha-helices. In contrast, the EC/AMPcPP/streptolydigin structure reveals an inactive ('preinsertion') substrate configuration stabilized by streptolydigin-induced displacement of the TL. Our structural and biochemical data suggest that refolding of the TL is vital for catalysis and have three main implications. First, despite differences in the details, the two-step preinsertion/insertion mechanism of substrate loading may be universal for all RNA polymerases. Second, freezing of the preinsertion state is an attractive target for the design of novel antibiotics. Last, the TL emerges as a prominent target whose refolding can be modulated by regulatory factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry G Vassylyev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, 402B Kaul Genetics Building, 720 20th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Vassylyev DG, Vassylyeva MN, Perederina A, Tahirov TH, Artsimovitch I. Structural basis for transcription elongation by bacterial RNA polymerase. Nature 2007; 448:157-62. [PMID: 17581590 DOI: 10.1038/nature05932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 345] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2007] [Accepted: 05/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The RNA polymerase elongation complex (EC) is both highly stable and processive, rapidly extending RNA chains for thousands of nucleotides. Understanding the mechanisms of elongation and its regulation requires detailed information about the structural organization of the EC. Here we report the 2.5-A resolution structure of the Thermus thermophilus EC; the structure reveals the post-translocated intermediate with the DNA template in the active site available for pairing with the substrate. DNA strand separation occurs one position downstream of the active site, implying that only one substrate at a time can specifically bind to the EC. The upstream edge of the RNA/DNA hybrid stacks on the beta'-subunit 'lid' loop, whereas the first displaced RNA base is trapped within a protein pocket, suggesting a mechanism for RNA displacement. The RNA is threaded through the RNA exit channel, where it adopts a conformation mimicking that of a single strand within a double helix, providing insight into a mechanism for hairpin-dependent pausing and termination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry G Vassylyev
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, 402B Kaul Genetics Building, 720 20th Street South, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kashkina E, Anikin M, Brueckner F, Lehmann E, Kochetkov SN, McAllister WT, Cramer P, Temiakov D. Multisubunit RNA polymerases melt only a single DNA base pair downstream of the active site. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:21578-82. [PMID: 17526498 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.c700098200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
To extend the nascent transcript, RNA polymerases must melt the DNA duplex downstream from the active site to expose the next acceptor base for substrate binding and incorporation. A number of mechanisms have been proposed to account for the manner in which the correct substrate is selected, and these differ in their predictions as to how far the downstream DNA is melted. Using fluorescence quenching experiments, we provide evidence that cellular RNA polymerases from bacteria and yeast melt only one DNA base pair downstream from the active site. These data argue against a model in which multiple NTPs are lined up downstream of the active site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Kashkina
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kyzer S, Ha KS, Landick R, Palangat M. Direct versus limited-step reconstitution reveals key features of an RNA hairpin-stabilized paused transcription complex. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:19020-8. [PMID: 17502377 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m701483200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We have identified minimal nucleic acid scaffolds capable of reconstituting hairpin-stabilized paused transcription complexes when incubated with RNAP either directly or in a limited step reconstitution assay. Direct reconstitution was achieved using a 29-nucleotide (nt) RNA whose 3'-proximal 9-10 nt pair to template DNA within an 11-nt noncomplementary bubble of a 39-bp duplex DNA; the 5'-proximal 18 nt of RNA forms the his pause RNA hairpin. Limited-step reconstitution was achieved on the same DNAs using a 27-nt RNA that can be 3'-labeled during reconstitution and then extended 2 nt past the pause site to assay transcriptional pausing. Paused complexes formed by either method recapitulated key features of a promoter-initiated, hairpin-stabilized paused complex, including a slow rate of pause escape, resistance to transcript cleavage and pyrophosphorolysis, and enhancement of pausing by the elongation factor NusA. These findings establish that RNA upstream from the pause hairpin and pyrophosphate are not essential for pausing and for NusA action. Reconstitution of the his paused transcription complex provides a valuable tool for future studies of protein-nucleic interactions involved in transcriptional pausing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scotty Kyzer
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|