scholarly journals Heterogeneous dissociation process of truncated RNAs by oligomerized Vasa helicase

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshimi Kinoshita ◽  
Ryo Murakami ◽  
Nao Muto ◽  
Shintaroh Kubo ◽  
Ryo Iizuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Rna Helicases ◽  
Double Stranded Rna ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Ping Pong ◽  
Dissociation Efficiency ◽  
Rna Unwinding

AbstractRNA helicases are enzymes that generally unwind double-stranded RNA using ATP hydrolysis energy, mainly involved in RNA metabolism, transcription, translation, and mRNA splicing. While the helicase core is crucial for RNA unwinding activity, N- and C-terminal extensions of specific helicases may contain an intrinsically disordered region for electrostatic interaction, resulting in the formation of droplets in the cytoplasm. However, how the disordered region of the RNA helicase contributes to RNA unwinding and dissociation remains unclear. Here, we focused on Bombyx mori Vasa, which unwinds truncated target transposon RNAs from the piRNA-induced silencing complex piRISC. In this study, we used single-molecule techniques to visualise how Vasa dynamically interacts with piRISC and investigate how Vasa oligomerization is involved in the process of piRNA amplification, named the ping-pong pathway. We found that Vasa’s oligomerization is required during these processes in vitro and in vivo, and that Vasa triggers the dissociation of truncated RNA in heterogeneous pathways. Our single-molecule results suggest that oligomerized Vasa guides the timing of the process regulating overall dissociation efficiency.

Regulation of RNA helicase activity: principles and examples

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Donsbach ◽  
Dagmar Klostermeier
Keyword(s):  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Rna Degradation ◽  
Rna Helicases ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
Rna Duplexes ◽  
Self Association

Abstract RNA helicases are a ubiquitous class of enzymes involved in virtually all processes of RNA metabolism, from transcription, mRNA splicing and export, mRNA translation and RNA transport to RNA degradation. Although ATP-dependent unwinding of RNA duplexes is their hallmark reaction, not all helicases catalyze unwinding in vitro, and some in vivo functions do not depend on duplex unwinding. RNA helicases are divided into different families that share a common helicase core with a set of helicase signature motives. The core provides the active site for ATP hydrolysis, a binding site for the non-sequence-specific interactions with RNA, and in many cases a basal unwinding activity. Its activity is often regulated by flanking domains, by interaction partners, or by self-association. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms that modulate the activities of the helicase core. Case studies on selected helicases with functions in translation, splicing, and RNA sensing illustrate the various modes and layers of regulation in time and space that harness the helicase core for a wide spectrum of cellular tasks.

scholarly journals Transcription factor clusters regulate genes in eukaryotic cells

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam JM Wollman ◽  
Sviatlana Shashkova ◽  
Erik G Hedlund ◽  
Rosmarie Friemann ◽  
Stefan Hohmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Functional Unit ◽  
Yeast Genome ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Genome Model ◽  
Nuclear Targets

Transcription is regulated through binding factors to gene promoters to activate or repress expression, however, the mechanisms by which factors find targets remain unclear. Using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, we determined in vivo stoichiometry and spatiotemporal dynamics of a GFP tagged repressor, Mig1, from a paradigm signaling pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We find the repressor operates in clusters, which upon extracellular signal detection, translocate from the cytoplasm, bind to nuclear targets and turnover. Simulations of Mig1 configuration within a 3D yeast genome model combined with a promoter-specific, fluorescent translation reporter confirmed clusters are the functional unit of gene regulation. In vitro and structural analysis on reconstituted Mig1 suggests that clusters are stabilized by depletion forces between intrinsically disordered sequences. We observed similar clusters of a co-regulatory activator from a different pathway, supporting a generalized cluster model for transcription factors that reduces promoter search times through intersegment transfer while stabilizing gene expression.

scholarly journals The disordered P granule protein LAF-1 drives phase separation into droplets with tunable viscosity and dynamics

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (23) ◽  
pp. 7189-7194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shana Elbaum-Garfinkle ◽  
Younghoon Kim ◽  
Krzysztof Szczepaniak ◽  
Carlos Chih-Hsiung Chen ◽  
Christian R. Eckmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Phase Boundary ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
P Granules ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered

P granules and other RNA/protein bodies are membrane-less organelles that may assemble by intracellular phase separation, similar to the condensation of water vapor into droplets. However, the molecular driving forces and the nature of the condensed phases remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the Caenorhabditis elegans protein LAF-1, a DDX3 RNA helicase found in P granules, phase separates into P granule-like droplets in vitro. We adapt a microrheology technique to precisely measure the viscoelasticity of micrometer-sized LAF-1 droplets, revealing purely viscous properties highly tunable by salt and RNA concentration. RNA decreases viscosity and increases molecular dynamics within the droplet. Single molecule FRET assays suggest that this RNA fluidization results from highly dynamic RNA–protein interactions that emerge close to the droplet phase boundary. We demonstrate than an N-terminal, arginine/glycine rich, intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) domain of LAF-1 is necessary and sufficient for both phase separation and RNA–protein interactions. In vivo, RNAi knockdown of LAF-1 results in the dissolution of P granules in the early embryo, with an apparent submicromolar phase boundary comparable to that measured in vitro. Together, these findings demonstrate that LAF-1 is important for promoting P granule assembly and provide insight into the mechanism by which IDP-driven molecular interactions give rise to liquid phase organelles with tunable properties.

scholarly journals A 2-dimensional ratchet model describes assembly initiation of a specialized bacterial cell surface

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (43) ◽  
pp. 21789-21799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A. Peluso ◽  
Taylor B. Updegrove ◽  
Jiji Chen ◽  
Hari Shroff ◽  
Kumaran S. Ramamurthi
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Bacterial Spores ◽  
Coat Proteins ◽  
Structural Protein ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Protein Shell ◽  
Ratchet Model

Bacterial spores are dormant cells that are encased in a thick protein shell, the “coat,” which participates in protecting the organism’s DNA from environmental insults. The coat is composed of dozens of proteins that assemble in an orchestrated fashion during sporulation. In Bacillus subtilis, 2 proteins initiate coat assembly: SpoVM, which preferentially binds to micron-scale convex membranes and marks the surface of the developing spore as the site for coat assembly; and SpoIVA, a structural protein recruited by SpoVM that uses ATP hydrolysis to drive its irreversible polymerization around the developing spore. Here, we describe the initiation of coat assembly by SpoVM and SpoIVA. Using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy in vivo in sporulating cells and in vitro on synthetic spores, we report that SpoVM’s localization is primarily driven by a lower off-rate on membranes of preferred curvature in the absence of other coat proteins. Recruitment and polymerization of SpoIVA results in the entrapment of SpoVM on the forespore surface. Using experimentally derived reaction parameters, we show that a 2-dimensional ratchet model can describe the interdependent localization dynamics of SpoVM and SpoIVA, wherein SpoVM displays a longer residence time on the forespore surface, which favors recruitment of SpoIVA to that location. Localized SpoIVA polymerization in turn prevents further sampling of other membranes by prelocalized SpoVM molecules. Our model therefore describes the dynamics of structural proteins as they localize and assemble at the correct place and time within a cell to form a supramolecular complex.

scholarly journals Transcription factor clusters regulate genes in eukaryotic cells

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam J. M. Wollman ◽  
Sviatlana Shashkova ◽  
Erik G. Hedlund ◽  
Rosmarie Friemann ◽  
Stefan Hohmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Functional Unit ◽  
Yeast Genome ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Genome Model ◽  
Nuclear Targets

AbstractTranscription is regulated through binding factors to gene promoters to activate or repress expression, however, the mechanisms by which factors find targets remain unclear. Using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, we determined in vivo stoichiometry and spatiotemporal dynamics of a GFP tagged repressor, Mig1, from a paradigm signaling pathway of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We find the repressor operates in clusters, which upon extracellular signal detection, translocate from the cytoplasm, bind to nuclear targets and turnover. Simulations of Mig1 configuration within a 3D yeast genome model combined with a promoter-specific, fluorescent translation reporter confirmed clusters are the functional unit of gene regulation. In vitro and structural analysis on reconstituted Mig1 suggests that clusters are stabilized by depletion forces between intrinsically disordered sequences. We observed similar clusters of a co-regulatory activator from a different pathway, supporting a generalized cluster model for transcription factors that reduces promoter search times through intersegment transfer while stabilizing gene expression.

scholarly journals Intrinsically disordered regions regulate both catalytic and non-catalytic activities of the MutLα mismatch repair complex

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoori Kim ◽  
Christopher M. Furman ◽  
Carol M. Manhart ◽  
Eric Alani ◽  
Ilya J. Finkelstein
Keyword(s):  
Mismatch Repair ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Facilitated Diffusion ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered Regions ◽  
Associated Proteins ◽  
Dna Substrate ◽  
Disordered Regions

AbstractIntrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are present in at least 30% of the eukaryotic proteome and are enriched in chromatin-associated proteins. Using a combination of genetics, biochemistry, and single-molecule biophysics, we characterize how IDRs regulate the functions of the yeast MutLα (Mlh1-Pms1) mismatch repair (MMR) complex. Shortening or scrambling the IDRs in both subunits ablates MMR in vivo. Mlh1-Pms1 complexes with shorter IDRs that disrupt MMR retain wild-type DNA binding affinity but are impaired for diffusion on both naked and nucleosome-coated DNA. Moreover, the IDRs also regulate the ATP hydrolysis and nuclease activities that are encoded in the structured N- and C-terminal domains of the complex. This combination of phenotypes underlies the catastrophic MMR defect seen with the mutant MutLα in vivo. More broadly, this work highlights an unanticipated multi-functional role for IDRs in regulating both facilitated diffusion on chromatin and nucleolytic processing of a DNA substrate.

scholarly journals The Design and Preclinical Evaluation of a Single-Label Bimodal Nanobody Tracer for Image-Guided Surgery

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 360
Author(s):  
Pieterjan Debie ◽  
Noemi B. Declerck ◽  
Danny van Willigen ◽  
Celine M. Huygen ◽  
Bieke De Sloovere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Nuclear Imaging ◽  
Primary Amines ◽  
Resection Margins ◽  
Fluorescent Light ◽  
Single Structure ◽  
Fluorescence Images

Intraoperative guidance using targeted fluorescent tracers can potentially provide surgeons with real-time feedback on the presence of tumor tissue in resection margins. To overcome the limited depth penetration of fluorescent light, combining fluorescence with SPECT/CT imaging and/or gamma-ray tracing has been proposed. Here, we describe the design and preclinical validation of a novel bimodal nanobody-tracer, labeled using a “multifunctional single attachment point” (MSAP) label, integrating a Cy5 fluorophore and a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) chelator into a single structure. After conjugation of the bimodal MSAP to primary amines of the anti-HER2 nanobody 2Rs15d and 111In-labeling of DTPA, the tracer’s characteristics were evaluated in vitro. Subsequently, its biodistribution and tumor targeting were assessed by SPECT/CT and fluorescence imaging over 24 h. Finally, the tracer’s ability to identify small, disseminated tumor lesions was investigated in mice bearing HER2-overexpressing SKOV3.IP1 peritoneal lesions. [111In]In-MSAP.2Rs15d retained its affinity following conjugation and remained stable for 24 h. In vivo SPECT/CT and fluorescence images showed specific uptake in HER2-overexpressing tumors with low background. High tumor-to-muscle ratios were obtained at 1h p.i. and remained 19-fold on SPECT/CT and 3-fold on fluorescence images over 24 h. In the intraperitoneally disseminated model, the tracer allowed detection of larger lesions via nuclear imaging, while fluorescence enabled accurate removal of submillimeter lesions. Bimodal nuclear/fluorescent nanobody-tracers can thus be conveniently designed by conjugation of a single-molecule MSAP-reagent carrying a fluorophore and chelator for radioactive labeling. Such tracers hold promise for clinical applications.

scholarly journals Topical Application of Double-Stranded RNA Targeting 2b and CP Genes of Cucumber mosaic virus Protects Plants against Local and Systemic Viral Infection

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 963
Author(s):  
Maria C. Holeva ◽  
Athanasios Sklavounos ◽  
Rajendran Rajeswaran ◽  
Mikhail M. Pooggin ◽  
Andreas E. Voloudakis
Keyword(s):  
Cucumber Mosaic Virus ◽  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Topical Application ◽  
Plant Virus ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Tobacco Plants ◽  
Double Stranded Rna

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is a destructive plant virus with worldwide distribution and the broadest host range of any known plant virus, as well as a model plant virus for understanding plant–virus interactions. Since the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) as a major antiviral defense, RNAi-based technologies have been developed for plant protection against viral diseases. In plants and animals, a key trigger of RNAi is double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) processed by Dicer and Dicer-like (DCL) family proteins in small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). In the present study, dsRNAs for coat protein (CP) and 2b genes of CMV were produced in vitro and in vivo and applied onto tobacco plants representing a systemic solanaceous host as well as on a local host plant Chenopodium quinoa. Both dsRNA treatments protected plants from local and systemic infection with CMV, but not against infection with unrelated viruses, confirming sequence specificity of antiviral RNAi. Antiviral RNAi was effective when dsRNAs were applied simultaneously with or four days prior to CMV inoculation, but not four days post inoculation. In vivo-produced dsRNAs were more effective than the in vitro-produced; in treatments with in vivo dsRNAs, dsRNA-CP was more effective than dsRNA-2b, while the effects were opposite with in vitro dsRNAs. Illumina sequencing of small RNAs from in vivo dsRNA-CP treated and non-treated tobacco plants revealed that interference with CMV infection in systemic leaves coincides with strongly reduced accumulation of virus-derived 21- and 22-nucleotide (nt) siRNAs, likely generated by tobacco DCL4 and DCL2, respectively. While the 21-nt class of viral siRNAs was predominant in non-treated plants, 21-nt and 22-nt classes accumulated at almost equal (but low) levels in dsRNA treated plants, suggesting that dsRNA treatment may boost DCL2 activity. Taken together, our findings confirm the efficacy of topical application of dsRNA for plant protection against viruses and shed more light on the mechanism of antiviral RNAi.

scholarly journals DisA Limits RecG Activities at Stalled or Reversed Replication Forks

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1357
Author(s):  
Rubén Torres ◽  
Carolina Gándara ◽  
Begoña Carrasco ◽  
Ignacio Baquedano ◽  
Silvia Ayora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Holliday Junctions ◽  
Genome Integrity ◽  
Stable Complex ◽  
Dna Unwinding ◽  
Replication Forks ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
Checkpoint Protein

The DNA damage checkpoint protein DisA and the branch migration translocase RecG are implicated in the preservation of genome integrity in reviving haploid Bacillus subtilis spores. DisA synthesizes the essential cyclic 3′, 5′-diadenosine monophosphate (c‑di-AMP) second messenger and such synthesis is suppressed upon replication perturbation. In vitro, c-di-AMP synthesis is suppressed when DisA binds DNA structures that mimic stalled or reversed forks (gapped forks or Holliday junctions [HJ]). RecG, which does not form a stable complex with DisA, unwinds branched intermediates, and in the presence of a limiting ATP concentration and HJ DNA, it blocks DisA-mediated c-di-AMP synthesis. DisA pre-bound to a stalled or reversed fork limits RecG-mediated ATP hydrolysis and DNA unwinding, but not if RecG is pre-bound to stalled or reversed forks. We propose that RecG-mediated fork remodeling is a genuine in vivo activity, and that DisA, as a molecular switch, limits RecG-mediated fork reversal and fork restoration. DisA and RecG might provide more time to process perturbed forks, avoiding genome breakage.

scholarly journals Aerobic Growth of Escherichia coli Is Reduced, and ATP Synthesis Is Selectively Inhibited when Five C-terminal Residues Are Deleted from the ϵ Subunit of ATP Synthase

2015 ◽  
Vol 290 (34) ◽  
pp. 21032-21041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naman B. Shah ◽  
Thomas M. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Atp Synthase ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Atp Synthesis ◽  
Intrinsic Rate ◽  
Synthesis Rate ◽  
Final Segment ◽  
Rotary Catalysis

F-type ATP synthases are rotary nanomotor enzymes involved in cellular energy metabolism in eukaryotes and eubacteria. The ATP synthase from Gram-positive and -negative model bacteria can be autoinhibited by the C-terminal domain of its ϵ subunit (ϵCTD), but the importance of ϵ inhibition in vivo is unclear. Functional rotation is thought to be blocked by insertion of the latter half of the ϵCTD into the central cavity of the catalytic complex (F1). In the inhibited state of the Escherichia coli enzyme, the final segment of ϵCTD is deeply buried but has few specific interactions with other subunits. This region of the ϵCTD is variable or absent in other bacteria that exhibit strong ϵ-inhibition in vitro. Here, genetically deleting the last five residues of the ϵCTD (ϵΔ5) caused a greater defect in respiratory growth than did the complete absence of the ϵCTD. Isolated membranes with ϵΔ5 generated proton-motive force by respiration as effectively as with wild-type ϵ but showed a nearly 3-fold decrease in ATP synthesis rate. In contrast, the ϵΔ5 truncation did not change the intrinsic rate of ATP hydrolysis with membranes. Further, the ϵΔ5 subunit retained high affinity for isolated F1 but reduced the maximal inhibition of F1-ATPase by ϵ from >90% to ∼20%. The results suggest that the ϵCTD has distinct regulatory interactions with F1 when rotary catalysis operates in opposite directions for the hydrolysis or synthesis of ATP.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document