1
|
Smith A, Zhang I, Trang P, Liu F. Engineering of RNase P Ribozymes for Therapy against Human Cytomegalovirus Infection. Viruses 2024; 16:1196. [PMID: 39205170 PMCID: PMC11360822 DOI: 10.3390/v16081196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based gene interference and editing strategies, such as antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes, RNA interference (RNAi), and CRISPR/Cas9 coupled with guide RNAs, are exciting research tools and show great promise for clinical applications in treating various illnesses. RNase P ribozymes have been engineered for therapeutic applications against human viruses such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). M1 ribozyme, the catalytic RNA subunit of RNase P from Escherichia coli, can be converted into a sequence-specific endonuclease, M1GS ribozyme, which is capable of hydrolyzing an mRNA target base-pairing with the guide sequence. M1GS RNAs have been shown to hydrolyze essential HCMV mRNAs and block viral progeny production in virus-infected cell cultures. Furthermore, RNase P ribozyme variants with enhanced hydrolyzing activity can be generated by employing in vitro selection procedures and exhibit better ability in suppressing HCMV gene expression and replication in cultured cells. Additional studies have also examined the antiviral activity of RNase P ribozymes in mice in vivo. Using cytomegalovirus infection as an example, this review summarizes the principles underlying RNase P ribozyme-mediated gene inactivation, presents recent progress in engineering RNase P ribozymes for applications in vitro and in mice, and discusses the prospects of using M1GS technology for therapeutic applications against HCMV as well as other pathogenic viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam Smith
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Isadora Zhang
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Phong Trang
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Fenyong Liu
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kirsebom LA, Liu F, McClain WH. The discovery of a catalytic RNA within RNase P and its legacy. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107318. [PMID: 38677513 PMCID: PMC11143913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Sidney Altman's discovery of the processing of one RNA by another RNA that acts like an enzyme was revolutionary in biology and the basis for his sharing the 1989 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Thomas Cech. These breakthrough findings support the key role of RNA in molecular evolution, where replicating RNAs (and similar chemical derivatives) either with or without peptides functioned in protocells during the early stages of life on Earth, an era referred to as the RNA world. Here, we cover the historical background highlighting the work of Altman and his colleagues and the subsequent efforts of other researchers to understand the biological function of RNase P and its catalytic RNA subunit and to employ it as a tool to downregulate gene expression. We primarily discuss bacterial RNase P-related studies but acknowledge that many groups have significantly contributed to our understanding of archaeal and eukaryotic RNase P, as reviewed in this special issue and elsewhere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leif A Kirsebom
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Fenyong Liu
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.
| | - William H McClain
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sridhara S. Multiple structural flavors of RNase P in precursor tRNA processing. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1835. [PMID: 38479802 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
The precursor transfer RNAs (pre-tRNAs) require extensive processing to generate mature tRNAs possessing proper fold, structural stability, and functionality required to sustain cellular viability. The road to tRNA maturation follows an ordered process: 5'-processing, 3'-processing, modifications at specific sites, if any, and 3'-CCA addition before aminoacylation and recruitment to the cellular protein synthesis machinery. Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a universally conserved endonuclease in all domains of life, performing the hydrolysis of pre-tRNA sequences at the 5' end by the removal of phosphodiester linkages between nucleotides at position -1 and +1. Except for an archaeal species: Nanoarchaeum equitans where tRNAs are transcribed from leaderless-position +1, RNase P is indispensable for life and displays fundamental variations in terms of enzyme subunit composition, mechanism of substrate recognition and active site architecture, utilizing in all cases a two metal ion-mediated conserved catalytic reaction. While the canonical RNA-based ribonucleoprotein RNase P has been well-known to occur in bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, the occurrence of RNA-free protein-only RNase P in eukaryotes and RNA-free homologs of Aquifex RNase P in prokaryotes has been discovered more recently. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of structural diversity displayed by various RNA-based and RNA-free RNase P holoenzymes towards harnessing critical RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions in achieving conserved pre-tRNA processing functionality. Furthermore, alternate roles and functional interchangeability of RNase P are discussed in the context of its employability in several clinical and biotechnological applications. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > tRNA Processing RNA Evolution and Genomics > RNA and Ribonucleoprotein Evolution RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Sridhara
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Trang P, Zhang I, Liu F. In Vitro Amplification and Selection of Engineered RNase P Ribozyme for Gene Targeting Applications. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2822:419-429. [PMID: 38907932 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3918-4_26] [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: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Ribozymes engineered from the RNase P catalytic RNA (M1 RNA) represent promising gene-targeting agents for clinical applications. We describe in this report an in vitro amplification and selection procedure for generating active RNase P ribozyme variants with improved catalytic efficiency. Using the amplification and selection procedure, we have previously generated ribozyme variants that were highly active in cleaving a herpes simplex virus 1-encoded mRNA in vitro and inhibiting its expression in virally infected human cells. In this chapter, we use an overlapping region of the mRNAs for the IE1 and IE2 proteins of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a target substrate. We provide detailed protocols and include methods for establishing the procedure for the amplification and selection of active mRNA-cleaving RNase P ribozymes. The in vitro amplification and selection system represents an excellent approach for engineering highly active RNase P ribozymes that can be used in both basic research and clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phong Trang
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Isadora Zhang
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Fenyong Liu
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bottino P, Pastrone L, Curtoni A, Bondi A, Sidoti F, Zanotto E, Cavallo R, Solidoro P, Costa C. Antiviral Approach to Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Overview of Conventional and Novel Strategies. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2372. [PMID: 37894030 PMCID: PMC10608897 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102372] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus capable of establishing a lifelong persistence in the host through a chronic state of infection and remains an essential global concern due to its distinct life cycle, mutations, and latency. It represents a life-threatening pathogen for immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ transplanted patients, HIV-positive individuals, and hematopoietic stem cell recipients. Multiple antiviral approaches are currently available and administered in order to prevent or manage viral infections in the early stages. However, limitations due to side effects and the onset of antidrug resistance are a hurdle to their efficacy, especially for long-term therapies. Novel antiviral molecules, together with innovative approaches (e.g., genetic editing and RNA interference) are currently in study, with promising results performed in vitro and in vivo. Since HCMV is a virus able to establish latent infection, with a consequential risk of reactivation, infection management could benefit from preventive treatment for critical patients, such as immunocompromised individuals and seronegative pregnant women. This review will provide an overview of conventional antiviral clinical approaches and their mechanisms of action. Additionally, an overview of proposed and developing new molecules is provided, including nucleic-acid-based therapies and immune-mediated approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bottino
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Lisa Pastrone
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Antonio Curtoni
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Alessandro Bondi
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Francesca Sidoti
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Elisa Zanotto
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Rossana Cavallo
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Paolo Solidoro
- Pneumology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Cristina Costa
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yan B, Liu Y, Chen YC, Liu F. A RNase P Ribozyme Inhibits Gene Expression and Replication of Hepatitis B Virus in Cultured Cells. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030654. [PMID: 36985227 PMCID: PMC10058342 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), an international public health concern, is a leading viral cause of liver disease, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Sequence-specific ribozymes derived from ribonuclease P (RNase P) catalytic RNA are being explored for gene targeting applications. In this study, we engineered an active RNase P ribozyme, M1-S-A, targeting the overlapping region of HBV S mRNA, pre-S/L mRNA, and pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), all deemed essential for viral infection. Ribozyme M1-S-A cleaved the S mRNA sequence efficiently in vitro. We studied the effect of RNase P ribozyme on HBV gene expression and replication using the human hepatocyte HepG2.2.15 culture model that harbors an HBV genome and supports HBV replication. In these cultured cells, the expression of M1-S-A resulted in a reduction of more than 80% in both HBV RNA and protein levels and an inhibition of about 300-fold in the capsid-associated HBV DNA levels when compared to the cells that did not express any ribozymes. In control experiments, cells expressing an inactive control ribozyme displayed little impact on HBV RNA and protein levels, and on capsid-associated viral DNA levels. Our study signifies that RNase P ribozyme can suppress HBV gene expression and replication, implying the promise of RNase P ribozymes for anti-HBV therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yan
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yujun Liu
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Yuan-Chuan Chen
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Fenyong Liu
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Program in Comparative Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(510)-643-2436; Fax: +1-(510)-643-9955
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Adamson CS, Nevels MM. Bright and Early: Inhibiting Human Cytomegalovirus by Targeting Major Immediate-Early Gene Expression or Protein Function. Viruses 2020; 12:v12010110. [PMID: 31963209 PMCID: PMC7019229 DOI: 10.3390/v12010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), one of eight human herpesviruses, establishes lifelong latent infections in most people worldwide. Primary or reactivated HCMV infections cause severe disease in immunosuppressed patients and congenital defects in children. There is no vaccine for HCMV, and the currently approved antivirals come with major limitations. Most approved HCMV antivirals target late molecular processes in the viral replication cycle including DNA replication and packaging. “Bright and early” events in HCMV infection have not been exploited for systemic prevention or treatment of disease. Initiation of HCMV replication depends on transcription from the viral major immediate-early (IE) gene. Alternative transcripts produced from this gene give rise to the IE1 and IE2 families of viral proteins, which localize to the host cell nucleus. The IE1 and IE2 proteins are believed to control all subsequent early and late events in HCMV replication, including reactivation from latency, in part by antagonizing intrinsic and innate immune responses. Here we provide an update on the regulation of major IE gene expression and the functions of IE1 and IE2 proteins. We will relate this insight to experimental approaches that target IE gene expression or protein function via molecular gene silencing and editing or small chemical inhibitors.
Collapse
|