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Ashrafi AM, Mukherjee A, Saadati A, Matysik FM, Richtera L, Adam V. Enhancing the substrate selectivity of enzyme mimetics in biosensing and bioassay: Novel approaches. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 331:103233. [PMID: 38924801 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2024.103233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
A substantial development in nanoscale materials possessing catalytic activities comparable with natural enzymes has been accomplished. Their advantages were owing to the excellent sturdiness in an extreme environment, possibilities of their large-scale production resulting in higher profitability, and easy manipulation for modification. Despite these advantages, the main challenge for artificial enzyme mimetics is the lack of substrate selectivity where natural enzymes flourish. This review addresses this vital problem by introducing substrate selectivity strategies to three classes of artificial enzymes: molecularly imprinted polymers, nanozymes (NZs), and DNAzymes. These rationally designed strategies enhance the substrate selectivity and are discussed and exemplified throughout the review. Various functional mechanisms associated with applying enzyme mimetics in biosensing and bioassays are also given. Eventually, future directives toward enhancing the substrate selectivity of biomimetics and related challenges are discussed and evaluated based on their efficiency and convenience in biosensing and bioassays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir M Ashrafi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Photonics and Electronics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Atripan Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; ELI Beamlines Facility, The Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, Za Radnici 835, 252 41 Dolni Brezany, Czech Republic.
| | - Arezoo Saadati
- Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, CZ-612 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Frank-Michael Matysik
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo- and Biosensors, University Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Lukas Richtera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, CZ-613 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
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2
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Khalifah BA, Alghamdi SA, Alhasan AH. Unleashing the potential of catalytic RNAs to combat mis-spliced transcripts. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1244377. [PMID: 38047291 PMCID: PMC10690607 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1244377] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human transcriptome can undergo RNA mis-splicing due to spliceopathies contributing to the increasing number of genetic diseases including muscular dystrophy (MD), Alzheimer disease (AD), Huntington disease (HD), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Intron retention (IR) is a major inducer of spliceopathies where two or more introns remain in the final mature mRNA and account for many intronic expansion diseases. Potential removal of such introns for therapeutic purposes can be feasible when utilizing bioinformatics, catalytic RNAs, and nano-drug delivery systems. Overcoming delivery challenges of catalytic RNAs was discussed in this review as a future perspective highlighting the significance of utilizing synthetic biology in addition to high throughput deep sequencing and computational approaches for the treatment of mis-spliced transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashayer A. Khalifah
- Institute for Bioengineering, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ali H. Alhasan
- Institute for Bioengineering, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Science and General Studies, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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3
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Siddika MA, Yamada T, Aoyama R, Hidaka K, Sugiyama H, Endo M, Matsumura S, Ikawa Y. Catalytic RNA Oligomers Formed by Co-Oligomerization of a Pair of Bimolecular RNase P Ribozymes. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238298. [PMID: 36500390 PMCID: PMC9740620 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Naturally occurring ribozymes with a modular architecture are promising platforms for construction of RNA nanostructures because modular redesign enables their oligomerization. The resulting RNA nanostructures can exhibit the catalytic function of the parent ribozyme in an assembly dependent manner. In this study, we designed and constructed open-form oligomers of a bimolecular form of an RNase P ribozyme. The ribozyme oligomers were analyzed biochemically and by atomic force microscopy (AFM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mst. Ayesha Siddika
- Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yamada
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Risako Aoyama
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Kumi Hidaka
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Sugiyama
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Masayuki Endo
- Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- Organization for Research and Development of Innovative Science and Technology, Kansai University, Osaka 564-8680, Japan
| | - Shigeyoshi Matsumura
- Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Ikawa
- Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
- Correspondence:
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Unique and Repeated Stwintrons (Spliceosomal Twin Introns) in the Hypoxylaceae. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040397. [PMID: 35448628 PMCID: PMC9024468 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introns are usually non-coding sequences interrupting open reading frames in pre-mRNAs [D1,2]. Stwintrons are nested spliceosomal introns, where an internal intron splits a second donor sequence into two consecutive splicing reactions leading to mature mRNA. In Hypoxylon sp. CO27-5, 36 highly sequence-similar [D1,2] stwintrons are extant (sister stwintrons). An additional 81 [D1,2] sequence-unrelated stwintrons are described here. Most of them are located at conserved gene positions rooted deep in the Hypoxylaceae. Absence of exonic sequence bias at the exon–stwintron junctions and a very similar phase distribution were noted for both groups. The presence of an underlying sequence symmetry in all 117 stwintrons was striking. This symmetry, more pronounced near the termini of most of the full-length sister stwintrons, may lead to a secondary structure that brings into close proximity the most distal splice sites, the donor of the internal and the acceptor of the external intron. The Hypoxylon stwintrons were overwhelmingly excised by consecutive splicing reactions precisely removing the whole intervening sequence, whereas one excision involving the distal splice sites led to a frameshift. Alternative (mis)splicing took place for both sister and uniquely occurring stwintrons. The extraordinary symmetry of the sister stwintrons thus seems dispensable for the infrequent, direct utilisation of the distal splice sites.
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Dönmüş B, Ünal S, Kirmizitaş FC, Türkoğlu Laçin N. Virus-associated ribozymes and nano carriers against COVID-19. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 49:204-218. [PMID: 33645342 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2021.1890103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a zoo tonic, highly pathogenic virus. The new type of coronavirus with contagious nature spread from Wuhan (China) to the whole world in a very short time and caused the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 has turned into a global public health crisis due to spreading by close person-to-person contact with high transmission capacity. Thus, research about the treatment of the damages caused by the virus or prevention from infection increases everyday. Besides, there is still no approved and definitive, standardized treatment for COVID-19. However, this disaster experienced by human beings has made us realize the significance of having a system ready for use to prevent humanity from viral attacks without wasting time. As is known, nanocarriers can be targeted to the desired cells in vitro and in vivo. The nano-carrier system targeting a specific protein, containing the enzyme inhibiting the action of the virus can be developed. The system can be used by simple modifications when we encounter another virus epidemic in the future. In this review, we present a potential treatment method consisting of a nanoparticle-ribozyme conjugate, targeting ACE-2 receptors by reviewing the virus-associated ribozymes, their structures, types and working mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beyza Dönmüş
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sinan Ünal
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatma Ceren Kirmizitaş
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nelisa Türkoğlu Laçin
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Yıldız Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Leier A, Bedwell DM, Chen AT, Dickson G, Keeling KM, Kesterson RA, Korf BR, Marquez Lago TT, Müller UF, Popplewell L, Zhou J, Wallis D. Mutation-Directed Therapeutics for Neurofibromatosis Type I. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 20:739-753. [PMID: 32408052 PMCID: PMC7225739 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Significant advances in biotechnology have led to the development of a number of different mutation-directed therapies. Some of these techniques have matured to a level that has allowed testing in clinical trials, but few have made it to approval by drug-regulatory bodies for the treatment of specific diseases. While there are still various hurdles to be overcome, recent success stories have proven the potential power of mutation-directed therapies and have fueled the hope of finding therapeutics for other genetic disorders. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art of various therapeutic approaches and assess their applicability to the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type I (NF1). NF1 is caused by the loss of function of neurofibromin, a tumor suppressor and downregulator of the Ras signaling pathway. The condition is characterized by a variety of phenotypes and includes symptoms such as skin spots, nervous system tumors, skeletal dysplasia, and others. Hence, depending on the patient, therapeutics may need to target different tissues and cell types. While we also discuss the delivery of therapeutics, in particular via viral vectors and nanoparticles, our main focus is on therapeutic techniques that reconstitute functional neurofibromin, most notably cDNA replacement, CRISPR-based DNA repair, RNA repair, antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics including exon skipping, and nonsense suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Leier
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - David M Bedwell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ann T Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - George Dickson
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Kim M Keeling
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Robert A Kesterson
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Bruce R Korf
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | | | - Ulrich F Müller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Linda Popplewell
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Jiangbing Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Deeann Wallis
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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7
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Hieronymus R, Müller S. Engineering of hairpin ribozyme variants for RNA recombination and splicing. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019; 1447:135-143. [PMID: 30941784 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The hairpin ribozyme is a small, naturally occurring RNA that catalyzes the reversible cleavage of RNA substrates. Among the small endonucleolytic ribozymes, the hairpin ribozyme possesses the unique feature of the internal equilibrium between cleavage and ligation being shifted toward ligation. This allows control of the reaction outcome by structural design: fragments that are strongly bound to the ribozyme are preferentially ligated, whereas substrates that easily dissociate upon cleavage, such that they are not available for religation, are preferentially cleaved. We have made use of this characteristic feature in engineering a number of hairpin ribozyme variants by programmed conformational design that carry out cascades of cleavage and ligation reactions, and as a result mediate more complex RNA processing reactions. Here, we review our work on the engineering of hairpin ribozyme variants for RNA recombination and regular and back-splicing, and discuss the relevance of such activities in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabine Müller
- Institut für Biochemie, Universität Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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8
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Petree JR, Yehl K, Galior K, Glazier R, Deal B, Salaita K. Site-Selective RNA Splicing Nanozyme: DNAzyme and RtcB Conjugates on a Gold Nanoparticle. ACS Chem Biol 2018; 13:215-224. [PMID: 29155548 PMCID: PMC6085866 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Modifying RNA through either splicing or editing is a fundamental biological process for creating protein diversity from the same genetic code. Developing novel chemical biology tools for RNA editing has potential to transiently edit genes and to provide a better understanding of RNA biochemistry. Current techniques used to modify RNA include the use of ribozymes, adenosine deaminase, and tRNA endonucleases. Herein, we report a nanozyme that is capable of splicing virtually any RNA stem-loop. This nanozyme is comprised of a gold nanoparticle functionalized with three enzymes: two catalytic DNA strands with ribonuclease function and an RNA ligase. The nanozyme cleaves and then ligates RNA targets, performing a splicing reaction that is akin to the function of the spliceosome. Our results show that the three-enzyme reaction can remove a 19 nt segment from a 67 nt RNA loop with up to 66% efficiency. The complete nanozyme can perform the same splice reaction at 10% efficiency. These splicing nanozymes represent a new promising approach for gene manipulation that has potential for applications in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R. Petree
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Kevin Yehl
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Kornelia Galior
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Roxanne Glazier
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Brendan Deal
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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9
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Tanaka T, Hirata Y, Tominaga Y, Furuta H, Matsumura S, Ikawa Y. Heterodimerization of Group I Ribozymes Enabling Exon Recombination through Pairs of Cooperative trans-Splicing Reactions. Chembiochem 2017; 18:1659-1667. [PMID: 28556398 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201700053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Group I (GI) self-splicing ribozymes are attractive tools for biotechnology and synthetic biology. Several trans-splicing and related reactions based on GI ribozymes have been developed for the purpose of recombining their target mRNA sequences. By combining trans-splicing systems with rational modular engineering of GI ribozymes it was possible to achieve more complex editing of target RNA sequences. In this study we have developed a cooperative trans-splicing system through rational modular engineering with use of dimeric GI ribozymes derived from the Tetrahymena group I intron ribozyme. The resulting pairs of ribozymes exhibited catalytic activity depending on their selective dimerization. Rational modular redesign as performed in this study would facilitate the development of sophisticated regulation of double or multiple trans-splicing reactions in a cooperative manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Tanaka
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yusuke Hirata
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Yuto Tominaga
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Furuta
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Moto-oka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Shigeyoshi Matsumura
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Ikawa
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
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10
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Design and Experimental Evolution of trans-Splicing Group I Intron Ribozymes. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22010075. [PMID: 28045452 PMCID: PMC6155759 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Group I intron ribozymes occur naturally as cis-splicing ribozymes, in the form of introns that do not require the spliceosome for their removal. Instead, they catalyze two consecutive trans-phosphorylation reactions to remove themselves from a primary transcript, and join the two flanking exons. Designed, trans-splicing variants of these ribozymes replace the 3′-portion of a substrate with the ribozyme’s 3′-exon, replace the 5′-portion with the ribozyme’s 5′-exon, or insert/remove an internal sequence of the substrate. Two of these designs have been evolved experimentally in cells, leading to variants of group I intron ribozymes that splice more efficiently, recruit a cellular protein to modify the substrate’s gene expression, or elucidate evolutionary pathways of ribozymes in cells. Some of the artificial, trans-splicing ribozymes are promising as tools in therapy, and as model systems for RNA evolution in cells. This review provides an overview of the different types of trans-splicing group I intron ribozymes that have been generated, and the experimental evolution systems that have been used to improve them.
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Use of a Fluorescent Aptamer RNA as an Exonic Sequence to Analyze Self-Splicing Ability of aGroup I Intron from Structured RNAs. BIOLOGY 2016; 5:biology5040043. [PMID: 27869660 PMCID: PMC5192423 DOI: 10.3390/biology5040043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 11/14/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Group I self-splicing intron constitutes an important class of functional RNA molecules that can promote chemical transformation. Although the fundamental mechanism of the auto-excision from its precursor RNA has been established, convenient assay systems for its splicing activity are still useful for a further understanding of its detailed mechanism and of its application. Because some host RNA sequences, to which group I introns inserted form stable three-dimensional (3D) structures, the effects of the 3D structures of exonic elements on the splicing efficiency of group I introns are important but not a fully investigated issue. We developed an assay system for group I intron self-splicing by employing a fluorescent aptamer RNA (spinach RNA) as a model exonic sequence inserted by the Tetrahymena group I intron. We investigated self-splicing of the intron from spinach RNA, serving as a model exonic sequence with a 3D structure.
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12
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Müller S, Appel B, Balke D, Hieronymus R, Nübel C. Thirty-five years of research into ribozymes and nucleic acid catalysis: where do we stand today? F1000Res 2016; 5. [PMID: 27408700 PMCID: PMC4926735 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.8601.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of the first catalytic RNA in 1981, the field of ribozyme research has developed from the discovery of catalytic RNA motifs in nature and the elucidation of their structures and catalytic mechanisms, into a field of engineering and design towards application in diagnostics, molecular biology and medicine. Owing to the development of powerful protocols for selection of nucleic acid catalysts with a desired functionality from random libraries, the spectrum of nucleic acid supported reactions has greatly enlarged, and importantly, ribozymes have been accompanied by DNAzymes. Current areas of research are the engineering of allosteric ribozymes for artificial regulation of gene expression, the design of ribozymes and DNAzymes for medicinal and environmental diagnostics, and the demonstration of RNA world relevant ribozyme activities. In addition, new catalytic motifs or novel genomic locations of known motifs continue to be discovered in all branches of life by the help of high-throughput bioinformatic approaches. Understanding the biological role of the catalytic RNA motifs widely distributed in diverse genetic contexts belongs to the big challenges of future RNA research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Müller
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Bettina Appel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Darko Balke
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Robert Hieronymus
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Claudia Nübel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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13
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Crucial steps to life: From chemical reactions to code using agents. Biosystems 2016; 140:49-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Revised: 12/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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14
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Amini ZN, Müller UF. Increased efficiency of evolved group I intron spliceozymes by decreased side product formation. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2015; 21:1480-1489. [PMID: 26106216 PMCID: PMC4509937 DOI: 10.1261/rna.051888.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The group I intron ribozyme from Tetrahymena was recently reengineered into a trans-splicing variant that is able to remove 100-nt introns from pre-mRNA, analogous to the spliceosome. These spliceozymes were improved in this study by 10 rounds of evolution in Escherichia coli cells. One clone with increased activity in E. coli cells was analyzed in detail. Three of its 10 necessary mutations extended the substrate binding duplexes, which led to increased product formation and reduced cleavage at the 5'-splice site. One mutation in the conserved core of the spliceozyme led to a further reduction of cleavage at the 5'-splice site but an increase in cleavage side products at the 3'-splice site. The latter was partially reduced by six additional mutations. Together, the mutations increased product formation while reducing activity at the 5'-splice site and increasing activity at the 3'-splice site. These results show the adaptation of a ribozyme that evolved in nature for cis-splicing to trans-splicing, and they highlight the interdependent function of nucleotides within group I intron ribozymes. Implications for the possible use of spliceozymes as tools in research and therapy, and as a model for the evolution of the spliceosome, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaleh N Amini
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0356, USA
| | - Ulrich F Müller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0356, USA
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