Thrown for a (stem) loop: How RNA structure impacts circular RNA regulation and function

Methods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica F. Busa ◽  
Anthony K.L. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
Circular Rna ◽  
Rna Regulation ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals Stem–loop formation drives RNA folding in mechanical unzipping experiments

2022 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. e2025575119
Author(s):  
Paolo Rissone ◽  
Cristiano V. Bizarro ◽  
Felix Ritort
Keyword(s):  
Optical Tweezers ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Nearest Neighbor ◽  
Rna Folding ◽  
General Mechanism ◽  
Loop Formation ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Irreversible Effects ◽  
And Function

Accurate knowledge of RNA hybridization is essential for understanding RNA structure and function. Here we mechanically unzip and rezip a 2-kbp RNA hairpin and derive the 10 nearest-neighbor base pair (NNBP) RNA free energies in sodium and magnesium with 0.1 kcal/mol precision using optical tweezers. Notably, force–distance curves (FDCs) exhibit strong irreversible effects with hysteresis and several intermediates, precluding the extraction of the NNBP energies with currently available methods. The combination of a suitable RNA synthesis with a tailored pulling protocol allowed us to obtain the fully reversible FDCs necessary to derive the NNBP energies. We demonstrate the equivalence of sodium and magnesium free-energy salt corrections at the level of individual NNBP. To characterize the irreversibility of the unzipping–rezipping process, we introduce a barrier energy landscape of the stem–loop structures forming along the complementary strands, which compete against the formation of the native hairpin. This landscape correlates with the hysteresis observed along the FDCs. RNA sequence analysis shows that base stacking and base pairing stabilize the stem–loops that kinetically trap the long-lived intermediates observed in the FDC. Stem–loops formation appears as a general mechanism to explain a wide range of behaviors observed in RNA folding.

scholarly journals The human methyltransferase ZCCHC4 catalyses N6-methyladenosine modification of 28S ribosomal RNA

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 830-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Pinto ◽  
Cathrine B Vågbø ◽  
Magnus E Jakobsson ◽  
Yeji Kim ◽  
Marijke P Baltissen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
Loop Structure ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Stem Loop Structure ◽  
Reversible Modification ◽  
And Shifts ◽  
And Function

Abstract RNA methylations are essential both for RNA structure and function, and are introduced by a number of distinct methyltransferases (MTases). In recent years, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of eukaryotic mRNA has been subject to intense studies, and it has been demonstrated that m6A is a reversible modification that regulates several aspects of mRNA function. However, m6A is also found in other RNAs, such as mammalian 18S and 28S ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), but the responsible MTases have remained elusive. 28S rRNA carries a single m6A modification, found at position A4220 (alternatively referred to as A4190) within a stem–loop structure, and here we show that the MTase ZCCHC4 is the enzyme responsible for introducing this modification. Accordingly, we found that ZCCHC4 localises to nucleoli, the site of ribosome assembly, and that proteins involved in RNA metabolism are overrepresented in the ZCCHC4 interactome. Interestingly, the absence of m6A4220 perturbs codon-specific translation dynamics and shifts gene expression at the translational level. In summary, we establish ZCCHC4 as the enzyme responsible for m6A modification of human 28S rRNA, and demonstrate its functional significance in mRNA translation.

scholarly journals Major alteration in coxsackievirus B3 genomic RNA structure distinguishes a virulent strain from an avirulent strain

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (15) ◽  
pp. 10112-10121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerome Prusa ◽  
Johanna Missak ◽  
Jeff Kittrell ◽  
John J. Evans ◽  
William E. Tapprich
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
Virulent Strain ◽  
Structural Difference ◽  
Coxsackievirus B3 ◽  
Comparative Sequence Analysis ◽  
Avirulent Strain ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Chemical Probing ◽  
Major Alteration ◽  
And Function

AbstractCoxsackievirus B3 (CV-B3) is a cardiovirulent enterovirus that utilizes a 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) to complete critical viral processes. Here, we directly compared the structure of a 5′UTR from a virulent strain with that of a naturally occurring avirulent strain. Using chemical probing analysis, we identified a structural difference between the two 5′UTRs in the highly substituted stem-loop II region (SLII). For the remainder of the 5′UTR, we observed conserved structure. Comparative sequence analysis of 170 closely related enteroviruses revealed that the SLII region lacks conservation. To investigate independent folding and function, two chimeric CV-B3 strains were created by exchanging nucleotides 104–184 and repeating the 5′UTR structural analysis. Neither the parent SLII nor the remaining domains of the background 5′UTR were structurally altered by the exchange, supporting an independent mechanism of folding and function. We show that the attenuated 5′UTR lacks structure in the SLII cardiovirulence determinant.

scholarly journals Reverse Transcription of a Self-Primed Retrotransposon Requires an RNA Structure Similar to the U5-IR Stem-Loop of Retroviruses

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6859-6869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia-Hwei Lin ◽  
Henry L. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Unique Feature ◽  
Gc Content ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Rous Sarcoma ◽  
Large Loop ◽  
Sarcoma Virus ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT An inverted repeat (IR) within the U5 region of the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) mRNA forms a structure composed of a 7-bp stem and a 5-nucleotide (nt) loop. This U5-IR structure has been shown to be required for the initiation of reverse transcription. The mRNA of Tf1, long terminal repeat-containing retrotransposon from fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) contains nucleotides with the potential to form a U5-IR stem-loop that is strikingly similar to that of RSV. The putative U5-IR stem-loop of Tf1 consists of a 7-bp stem and a 25-nt loop. Results from mutagenesis studies indicate that the U5-IR stem-loop in the mRNA of Tf1 does form and that it is required for Tf1 transposition. Although the loop is required for transposition, we were surprised that the specific sequence of the nucleotides within the loop was unimportant for function. Additional investigation indicates that the loss of transposition activity due to a reduction in the loop size to 6 nt could be rescued by increasing the GC content of the stem. This result indicates that the large loop in the Tf1 mRNA relative to that of the RSV allows the formation of the relatively weak U5-IR stem. The levels of Tf1 proteins expressed and the amounts of Tf1 RNA packaged into the virus-like particles were not affected by mutations in the U5-IR structure. However, all of the mutations in the U5-IR structure that caused defects in transposition produced low amounts of reverse transcripts. A unique feature in the initiation of Tf1 reverse transcription is that, instead of a tRNA, the first 11 nt of the Tf1 mRNA serve as the minus-strand primer. Analysis of the 5′ end of Tf1 mRNA revealed that the mutations in the U5-IR stem-loop that resulted in defects in reverse transcription caused a reduction in the cleavage activity required to generate the Tf1 primer. Our results indicate that the U5-IR stems of Tf1 and RSV are conserved in size, position, and function.

scholarly journals Specific Recognition of a Stem-Loop RNA Structure by the Alphavirus Capsid Protein

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1517
Author(s):  
Rebecca S. Brown ◽  
Lisa Kim ◽  
Margaret Kielian
Keyword(s):  
Capsid Protein ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Semliki Forest Virus ◽  
Virus Assembly ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Stem Loop Structure ◽  
Labeled Rna

Alphaviruses are small enveloped viruses with positive-sense RNA genomes. During infection, the alphavirus capsid protein (Cp) selectively packages and assembles with the viral genomic RNA to form the nucleocapsid core, a process critical to the production of infectious virus. Prior studies of the alphavirus Semliki Forest virus (SFV) showed that packaging and assembly are promoted by Cp binding to multiple high affinity sites on the genomic RNA. Here, we developed an in vitro Cp binding assay based on fluorescently labeled RNA oligos. We used this assay to explore the RNA sequence and structure requirements for Cp binding to site #1, the top binding site identified on the genomic RNA during all stages of virus assembly. Our results identify a stem-loop structure that promotes specific binding of the SFV Cp to site #1 RNA. This structure is also recognized by the Cps of the related alphaviruses chikungunya virus and Ross River virus.

scholarly journals The effect of hairpin loop on the structure and gene expression activity of the long-loop G-quadruplex

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subramaniyam Ravichandran ◽  
Maria Razzaq ◽  
Nazia Parveen ◽  
Ambarnil Ghosh ◽  
Kyeong Kyu Kim
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Hairpin Loops ◽  
G Quadruplex ◽  
Reporter Assays ◽  
Expression Activity ◽  
The Stability ◽  
And Function

Abstract G-quadruplex (G4), a four-stranded DNA or RNA structure containing stacks of guanine tetrads, plays regulatory roles in many cellular functions. So far, conventional G4s containing loops of 1–7 nucleotides have been widely studied. Increasing experimental evidence suggests that unconventional G4s, such as G4s containing long loops (long-loop G4s), play a regulatory role in the genome by forming a stable structure. Other secondary structures such as hairpins in the loop might thus contribute to the stability of long-loop G4s. Therefore, investigation of the effect of the hairpin-loops on the structure and function of G4s is required. In this study, we performed a systematic biochemical investigation of model G4s containing long loops with various sizes and structures. We found that the long-loop G4s are less stable than conventional G4s, but their stability increased when the loop forms a hairpin (hairpin-G4). We also verified the biological significance of hairpin-G4s by showing that hairpin-G4s present in the genome also form stable G4s and regulate gene expression as confirmed by in cellulo reporter assays. This study contributes to expanding the scope and diversity of G4s, thus facilitating future studies on the role of G4s in the human genome.

scholarly journals RNA Packing Specificity and Folding during Assembly of the Bacteriophage MS2

2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 339-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ottar Rolfsson ◽  
Katerina Toropova ◽  
Victoria Morton ◽  
Simona Francese ◽  
Gabriella Basnak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Viral Assembly ◽  
Genomic Rna ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Bacteriophage Ms2 ◽  
Protein Dimers ◽  
Phage Capsid ◽  
Type Phage ◽  
Viral Genomic Rna

Using a combination of biochemistry, mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we have been able to show that quasi-equivalent conformer switching in the coat protein (CP) of an RNA bacteriophage (MS2) is controlled by a sequence-specific RNA–protein interaction. The RNA component of this complex is an RNA stem-loop encompassing just 19 nts from the phage genomic RNA, which is 3569 nts in length. This binding results in the conversion of a CP dimer from a symmetrical conformation to an asymmetric one. Only when both symmetrical and asymmetrical dimers are present in solution is assembly of theT = 3 phage capsid efficient. This implies that the conformers, we have characterized by NMR correspond to the two distinct quasi-equivalent conformers seen in the 3D structure of the virion. An icosahedrally-averaged single particle cryo-EM reconstruction of the wild-type phage (to ∼9 Å resolution) has revealed icosahedrally ordered density encompassing up to 90% of the single-stranded RNA genome. The RNA is seen with a novel arrangement of two concentric shells, with connections between them along the 5-fold symmetry axes. RNA in the outer shell interacts with each of the 90 CP dimers in theT = 3 capsid and although the density is icosahedrally averaged, there appears to be a different average contact at the different quasi-equivalent protein dimers: precisely the result that would be expected if protein conformer switching is RNA-mediated throughout the assembly pathway. This unprecedented RNA structure provides new constraints for models of viral assembly and we describe experiments aimed at probing these. Together, these results suggest that viral genomic RNA folding is an important factor in efficient assembly, and further suggest that RNAs that could sequester viral CPs but not fold appropriately could act as potent inhibitors of viral assembly.

Applications of synthetic oligoribonucleotide analogues in studies of RNA structure and function

1994 ◽  
Vol 106 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1022
Author(s):  
Jane A. Grasby ◽  
Clare E. Pritchard ◽  
Michael J. Gait
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
And Function

scholarly journals miR-21 is upregulated, promoting fibrosis and blocking G2/M in irradiated rat cardiac fibroblasts

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10502
Author(s):  
Huan Guo ◽  
Xinke Zhao ◽  
Haixiang Su ◽  
Chengxu Ma ◽  
Kai Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Fibrosis ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Differentially Expressed Gene ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Cardiac Morbidity ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Function

Background Radiation exposure of the thorax is associated with a greatly increased risk of cardiac morbidity and mortality even after several decades of advancement in the field. Although many studies have demonstrated the damaging influence of ionizing radiation on cardiac fibroblast (CF) structure and function, myocardial fibrosis, the molecular mechanism behind this damage is not well understood. miR-21, a small microRNA, promotes the activation of CFs, leading to cardiac fibrosis. miR-21 is overexpressed after irradiation; however, the relationship between increased miR-21 and myocardial fibrosis after irradiation is unclear. This study was conducted to investigate gene expression after radiation-induced CF damage and the role of miR-21 in this process in rats. Methods We sequenced irradiated rat CFs and performed weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) combined with differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis to observe the effect on the expression profile of CF genes after radiation. Results DEG analysis showed that the degree of gene changes increased with the radiation dose. WGCNA revealed three module eigengenes (MEs) associated with 8.5-Gy-radiation—the Yellow, Brown, Blue modules. The three module eigengenes were related to apoptosis, G2/M phase, and cell death and S phase, respectively. By blocking with the cardiac fibrosis miRNA miR-21, we found that miR-21 was associated with G2/M blockade in the cell cycle and was mainly involved in regulating extracellular matrix-related genes, including Grem1, Clu, Gdf15, Ccl7, and Cxcl1. Stem-loop quantitative real-time PCR was performed to verify the expression of these genes. Five genes showed higher expression after 8.5 Gy-radiation in CFs. The target genes of miR-21 predicted online were Gdf15 and Rsad2, which showed much higher expression after treatment with antagomir-miR-21 in 8.5-Gy-irradiated CFs. Thus, miR-21 may play the role of fibrosis and G2/M blockade in regulating Grem1, Clu, Gdf15, Ccl7, Cxcl1, and Rsad2 post-irradiation.

scholarly journals tRNA 2′-O-methylation by a duo of TRM7/FTSJ1 proteins modulates small RNA silencing in Drosophila

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 2050-2072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita T Angelova ◽  
Dilyana G Dimitrova ◽  
Bruno Da Silva ◽  
Virginie Marchand ◽  
Caroline Jacquier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Rna ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Rna Silencing ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Self Recognition ◽  
Silencing Pathways ◽  
Rna Pathways ◽  
And Function

Abstract 2′-O-Methylation (Nm) represents one of the most common RNA modifications. Nm affects RNA structure and function with crucial roles in various RNA-mediated processes ranging from RNA silencing, translation, self versus non-self recognition to viral defense mechanisms. Here, we identify two Nm methyltransferases (Nm-MTases) in Drosophila melanogaster (CG7009 and CG5220) as functional orthologs of yeast TRM7 and human FTSJ1. Genetic knockout studies together with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and RiboMethSeq mapping revealed that CG7009 is responsible for methylating the wobble position in tRNAPhe, tRNATrp and tRNALeu, while CG5220 methylates position C32 in the same tRNAs and also targets additional tRNAs. CG7009 or CG5220 mutant animals were viable and fertile but exhibited various phenotypes such as lifespan reduction, small RNA pathways dysfunction and increased sensitivity to RNA virus infections. Our results provide the first detailed characterization of two TRM7 family members in Drosophila and uncover a molecular link between enzymes catalyzing Nm at specific tRNAs and small RNA-induced gene silencing pathways.

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