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Williams ME, Cloete R. Molecular Modeling of Subtype-Specific Tat Protein Signatures to Predict Tat-TAR Interactions That May Be Involved in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:866611. [PMID: 35464972 PMCID: PMC9021916 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.866611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 is responsible for a spectrum of neurocognitive deficits defined as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The HIV transactivator of transcription (Tat) protein plays a key role in the neuropathophysiology of HAND. The Tat protein functions by transactivation of viral genes through its interaction with the transactivation response (TAR) RNA element. Subtype-specific Tat protein signatures including C31S, R57S and Q63E present in Tat subtype C has previously been linked to a lowered neuropathophysiology compared to Tat subtype B. In this study, we attempted to understand the molecular mechanism by which Tat subtype-specific variation, particularly, C31S, R57S, and Q63E influence the Tat-TAR interaction. We performed molecular modeling to generate accurate three-dimensional protein structures of the HIV-1 Tat subtypes C and B using the Swiss model webserver. Thereafter, we performed a molecular docking of the TAR RNA element to each of the Tat subtypes B and C protein structures using the HDOCK webserver. Our findings indicate that Tat subtype B had a higher affinity for the TAR RNA element compared to Tat subtype C based on a higher docking score of −187.37, a higher binding free energy value of −9834.63 ± 216.17 kJ/mol, and a higher number of protein–nucleotide interactions of 26. Furthermore, Tat subtype B displayed more flexible regions when bound to the TAR element and this flexibility could account for the stronger affinity of Tat subtype B to TAR. From the Tat signatures linked to neuropathogenesis, only R57/R57S are involved in Tat-TAR interaction. Due to the lack of electrostatic interactions observed between Tat subtype C and TAR, weaker affinity is observed, and this may contribute to a lower level of neuropathophysiology observed in subtype C infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monray E. Williams
- Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Monray E. Williams,
| | - Ruben Cloete
- South African Medical Research Council Bioinformatics Unit, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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Prusty S, Sarkar R, Chakraborty A, Roy S. Correlation in Domain Fluctuations Navigates Target Search of a Viral Peptide along RNA. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:12678-12689. [PMID: 34756044 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Biological macromolecules often exhibit correlations in fluctuations involving distinct domains. This study decodes their functional implications in RNA-protein recognition and target-specific binding. The target search of a peptide along RNA in a viral TAR-Tat complex is closely monitored using atomistic simulations, steered molecular dynamics simulations, free energy calculations, and a machine-learning-based clustering technique. An anticorrelated domain fluctuation is identified between the tetraloop and the bulge region in the apo form of TAR RNA that sets a hierarchy in the domain-specific fluctuations at each binding event and that directs the succeeding binding footsteps. Thus, at each binding footstep, the dynamic partner selects an RNA location for binding where it senses a higher fluctuation, which is conventionally reduced upon binding. This event stimulates an alternate domain fluctuation, which then dictates sequential binding footstep/s and thus the search progresses. Our cross-correlation maps show that the fluctuations relay from one domain to another specific domain until the anticorrelation between those interdomain fluctuations sustains. Artificial attenuation of that hierarchical domain fluctuation inhibits specific RNA binding. The binding is completed with the arrival of a few long-lived water molecules that mediate slightly distant RNA-protein sites and finally stabilize the overall complex. The study underscores the functional importance of naturally designed fluctuating RNA motifs (bulge, tetraloop) and their interplay in dictating the directionality of the search in a highly dynamic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangram Prusty
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Campus Road, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Raju Sarkar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Campus Road, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Amrita Chakraborty
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Campus Road, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
| | - Susmita Roy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Campus Road, Mohanpur, West Bengal 741246, India
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Du Z, Uversky VN. Functional roles of intrinsic disorder in CRISPR-associated protein Cas9. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2017; 13:1770-1780. [PMID: 28692085 DOI: 10.1039/c7mb00279c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Protein intrinsic disorder is an important characteristic commonly detected in multifunctional or RNA- and DNA-binding proteins. Due to their high conformational flexibility and solvent accessibility, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and IDP regions (IDPRs) execute diverse functions including interaction with multiple partners, and are frequently subjected to various post-translational modifications. Recent studies on the components comprising the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) system have elucidated the crystal structure of Cas9 proteins and the mechanism by which the Cas9-sgRNA complex recognizes and cleaves its target DNA. Yet the extent and functional implications of intrinsic disorder in the Cas9 protein have never been fully assessed. Here, we present a comprehensive computational analysis based on both sequence and structural data in an attempt to investigate the roles of IDPRs in the functioning of Cas9 proteins of different origin. We conclude that among the functional roles of IDPRs in Cas9 proteins are recognition of the target DNA and mediation of nucleic acid and protein binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Du
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC07, Tampa, Florida, USA
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Fujiwara Y, Hase K, Wada K, Kabuta T. An RNautophagy/DNautophagy receptor, LAMP2C, possesses an arginine-rich motif that mediates RNA/DNA-binding. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 460:281-6. [PMID: 25772617 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomes are sites for the degradation of diverse cellular components. We recently discovered novel lysosomal systems we termed RNautophagy and DNautophagy. In these systems, RNA and DNA, respectively, are directly imported into lysosomes and degraded. A lysosomal membrane protein, LAMP2C was identified as a receptor for these pathways. The short C-terminal cytosolic tail of LAMP2C binds directly to both RNA and DNA. In this study, we examined the mechanisms underlying recognition of nucleic acids by the cytosolic sequence of LAMP2C. We found that the sequence possesses features of the arginine-rich motif, an RNA-recognition motif found in a wide range of RNA-binding proteins. Substitution of arginine residues in the LAMP2C cytosolic sequence completely abolished its binding capacity for nucleic acids. A scrambled form of the sequence showed affinity to RNA and DNA equivalent to that of the wild-type sequence, as is the case for other arginine-rich motifs. We also found that cytosolic sequences of other LAMP family proteins, LAMP1 and CD68/LAMP4, also possess arginine residues, and show affinity for nucleic acids. Our results provide further insight into the mechanisms underlying RNautophagy and DNautophagy, and may contribute to a better understanding of lysosome function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuki Fujiwara
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsunori Hase
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Electrical Engineering and Bioscience, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiji Wada
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Kabuta
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.
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Su Y, Deng G, Gai Y, Li Y, Gao Y, Du J, Geng Y, Chen Q, Qiao W. Comparative functional analysis of Jembrana disease virus Tat protein on lentivirus long terminal repeat promoters: evidence for flexibility at its N-terminus. Virol J 2009; 6:179. [PMID: 19860923 PMCID: PMC2775740 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-6-179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2009] [Accepted: 10/28/2009] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Jembrana disease virus (JDV) encodes a potent regulatory protein Tat that strongly stimulates viral expression by transactivating the long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter. JDV Tat (jTat) promotes the transcription from its own LTR as well as non-cognate LTRs, by recruiting host transcription factors and facilitating transcriptional elongation. Here, we compared the sequence requirements of jTat for transactivation of JDV, bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) LTRs. Results In this study, we identified the minimal protein sequence for LTR activation using jTat truncation mutants. We found that jTat N-terminal residues were indispensable for transactivating the HIV LTR. In contrast, transactivation of BIV and JDV LTRs depended largely on an arginine-rich motif and some flanking residues. Competitive inhibition assay and knockdown analysis showed that P-TEFb was required for jTat-mediated LTR transactivation, and a mammalian two-hybrid assay revealed the robust interaction of jTat with cyclin T1. In addition, HIV LTR transactivation was largely affected by fusion protein at the jTat N-terminus despite the fact that the cyclin T1-binding affinity was not altered. Furthermore, the jTat N-terminal sequence enabled HIV Tat to transactivate BIV and JDV LTRs, suggesting the flexibility at the jTat N-terminus. Conclusion This study showed the distinct sequence requirements of jTat for HIV, BIV and JDV LTR activation. Residues responsible for interaction with cyclin T1 and transactivation response element are the key determinants for transactivation of its cognate LTR. N-terminal residues in jTat may compensate for transactivation of the HIV LTR, based on the flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Su
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
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Xie B, Invernizzi CF, Richard S, Wainberg MA. Arginine methylation of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Tat protein by PRMT6 negatively affects Tat Interactions with both cyclin T1 and the Tat transactivation region. J Virol 2007; 81:4226-34. [PMID: 17267505 PMCID: PMC1866113 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01888-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Arginine methylation has been shown to regulate signal transduction, protein subcellular localization, gene transcription, and protein-protein interactions that ultimately alter gene expression. Although the role of cellular protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT) in viral gene expression is largely unknown, we recently showed that the Tat protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a substrate for one such enzyme, termed PRMT6. However, the mechanism by which arginine methylation impairs the transactivation potential of Tat and the sites of arginine methylation within Tat remain obscure. We now show that Tat is a specific in vitro and in vivo substrate of PRMT6 which targets the Tat R52 and R53 residues for arginine methylation. Such Tat methylation led to decreased interaction with the Tat transactivation region (TAR) of viral RNA. Furthermore, arginine methylation of Tat negatively affected Tat-TAR-cyclin T1 ternary complex formation and diminished cyclin T1-dependent Tat transcriptional activation. Overexpression of wild-type PRMT6, but not a methylase-inactive PRMT6 mutant, reduced levels of Tat transactivation of HIV-1 long terminal repeat chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and luciferase reporter plasmids in a dose-dependent manner. In cell-based assays, knockdown of PRMT6 resulted in increased HIV-1 production and faster viral replication. Thus, PRMT6 can compromise Tat transcriptional activation and may represent a form of innate cellular immunity in regard to HIV-1 replication. Finding a way of inhibiting or stimulating PRMT6 activity might help to drive quiescently infected cells out of latency or combat HIV-1 replication, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baode Xie
- McGill University AIDS Centre, Department of Medicine, Terry Fox Molecular Oncology Group, Lady Davis Institute, St. Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Côte-Ste-Catherine Rd., Montréal, Québec H3T 1E2, Canada
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Edwards TE, Robinson BH, Sigurdsson ST. Identification of amino acids that promote specific and rigid TAR RNA-tat protein complex formation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 12:329-37. [PMID: 15797217 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2005.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2004] [Revised: 01/19/2005] [Accepted: 01/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Tat protein and the transactivation responsive (TAR) RNA form an essential complex in the HIV lifecycle, and mutations in the basic region of the Tat protein alter this RNA-protein molecular recognition. Here, EPR spectroscopy was used to identify amino acids, flanking an essential arginine of the Tat protein, which contribute to specific and rigid TAR-Tat complex formation by monitoring changes in the mobility of nitroxide spin-labeled TAR RNA nucleotides upon binding. Arginine to lysine N-terminal mutations did not affect TAR RNA interfacial dynamics. In contrast, C-terminal point mutations, R56 in particular, affected the mobility of nucleotides U23 and U38, which are involved in a base-triple interaction in the complex. This report highlights the role of dynamics in specific molecular complex formation and demonstrates the ability of EPR spectroscopy to study interfacial dynamics of macromolecular complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Edwards
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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Hook B, Bernstein D, Zhang B, Wickens M. RNA-protein interactions in the yeast three-hybrid system: affinity, sensitivity, and enhanced library screening. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2005; 11:227-33. [PMID: 15613539 PMCID: PMC1370711 DOI: 10.1261/rna.7202705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2004] [Accepted: 11/17/2004] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The yeast three-hybrid system has become a useful tool in analyzing RNA-protein interactions. An RNA sequence is tested in combination with an RNA-binding protein linked to a transcription activation domain (AD). A productive RNA-protein interaction activates a reporter gene in vivo. The system has been used to test candidate RNA-protein pairs, to isolate mutations in each interacting partner, and to identify proteins that bind a given RNA sequence. However, the relationship between reporter gene activation and in vitro affinity of an RNA-protein interaction has not been examined systematically. This limits interpretation of the data and complicates the development of new strategies. Here, we analyze several key parameters of the three-hybrid system, using as a model the interaction of a PUF protein, FBF-1, with a range of RNA targets. We compare activation of two reporter genes as a function of the in vitro affinity of the interaction. HIS3 and LacZ expression levels are directly related to affinity over a 10-fold range of Kd. Expression of the reporter genes also is directly related to the abundance of the activation domain fusion protein. We describe a new yeast strain, YBZ1, that simplifies screening of cDNA/AD libraries. This strain possesses a tandem, head-to-tail dimer of a high-affinity variant of MS2 coat protein, fused to a monomer of the LexA DNA-binding protein. We show that the use of this strain in cDNA library screens increases the number of genuine, sequence-specific positives detected, and at the same time reduces the background of false, RNA-independent positives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad Hook
- Department of Biochemistry, 433 Babcock Drive, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Russell RS, Liang C, Wainberg MA. Is HIV-1 RNA dimerization a prerequisite for packaging? Yes, no, probably? Retrovirology 2004; 1:23. [PMID: 15345057 PMCID: PMC516451 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-1-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2004] [Accepted: 09/02/2004] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
During virus assembly, all retroviruses specifically encapsidate two copies of full-length viral genomic RNA in the form of a non-covalently linked RNA dimer. The absolute conservation of this unique genome structure within the Retroviridae family is strong evidence that a dimerized genome is of critical importance to the viral life cycle. An obvious hypothesis is that retroviruses have evolved to preferentially package two copies of genomic RNA, and that dimerization ensures the proper packaging specificity for such a genome. However, this implies that dimerization must be a prerequisite for genome encapsidation, a notion that has been debated for many years. In this article, we review retroviral RNA dimerization and packaging, highlighting the research that has attempted to dissect the intricate relationship between these two processes in the context of HIV-1, and discuss the therapeutic potential of these putative antiretroviral targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodney S Russell
- McGill AIDS Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote Ste-Catherine Road Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1E2
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B4
| | - Chen Liang
- McGill AIDS Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote Ste-Catherine Road Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1E2
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B4
| | - Mark A Wainberg
- McGill AIDS Centre, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote Ste-Catherine Road Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1E2
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B4
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B4
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Roldan A, Russell RS, Marchand B, Götte M, Liang C, Wainberg MA. In vitro identification and characterization of an early complex linking HIV-1 genomic RNA recognition and Pr55Gag multimerization. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:39886-94. [PMID: 15247214 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m405632200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The minimal protein requirements that drive virus-like particle formation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been established. The C-terminal domain of capsid (CTD-CA) and nucleocapsid (NC) are the most important domains in a so-called minimal Gag protein (mGag). The CTD is essential for Gag oligomerization. NC is known to bind and encapsidate HIV-1 genomic RNA. The spacer peptide, SP1, located between CA and NC is important for the multimerization process, viral maturation and recognition of HIV-1 genomic RNA by NC. In this study, we show that NC in the context of an mGag protein binds HIV-1 genomic RNA with almost 10-fold higher affinity. The protein region encompassing the 11th alpha-helix of CA and the proposed alpha-helix in the CA/SP1 boundary region play important roles in this increased binding capacity. Furthermore, sequences downstream from stem loop 4 of the HIV-1 genomic RNA are also important for this RNA-protein interaction. In gel shift assays using purified mGag and a model RNA spanning the region from +223 to +506 of HIV-1 genomic RNA, we have identified an early complex (EC) formation between 2 proteins and 1 RNA molecule. This EC was not present in experiments performed with a mutant mGag protein, which contains a CTD dimerization mutation (M318A). These data suggest that the dimerization interface of the CTD plays an important role in EC formation, and, as a consequence, in RNA-protein association and multimerization. We propose a model for the RNA-protein interaction, based on previous results and those presented in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Roldan
- McGill University AIDS Centre, Lady Davis Institute-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada
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