scholarly journals Productive mRNA stem loop-mediated transcriptional slippage: Crucial features in common with intrinsic terminators

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (16) ◽  
pp. E1984-E1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Penno ◽  
Virag Sharma ◽  
Arthur Coakley ◽  
Mary O’Connell Motherway ◽  
Douwe van Sinderen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Loop Formation ◽  
Nascent Transcript ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Virus Expression ◽  
Transcriptional Slippage

Escherichia coliand yeast DNA-dependent RNA polymerases are shown to mediate efficient nascent transcript stem loop formation-dependent RNA-DNA hybrid realignment. The realignment was discovered on the heteropolymeric sequence T5C5 and yields transcripts lacking a C residue within a corresponding U5C4. The sequence studied is derived from aRoseiflexusinsertion sequence (IS) element where the resulting transcriptional slippage is required for transposase synthesis. The stability of the RNA structure, the proximity of the stem loop to the slippage site, the length and composition of the slippage site motif, and the identity of its 3′ adjacent nucleotides (nt) are crucial for transcripts lacking a single C. In many respects, the RNA structure requirements for this slippage resemble those for hairpin-dependent transcription termination. In a purified in vitro system, the slippage efficiency ranges from 5% to 75% depending on the concentration ratios of the nucleotides specified by the slippage sequence and the 3′ nt context. The only previous proposal of stem loop mediated slippage, which was in Ebola virus expression, was based on incorrect data interpretation. We propose a mechanical slippage model involving the RNAP translocation state as the main motor in slippage directionality and efficiency. It is distinct from previously described models, including the one proposed for paramyxovirus, where following random movement efficiency is mainly dependent on the stability of the new realigned hybrid. In broadening the scope for utilization of transcription slippage for gene expression, the stimulatory structure provides parallels with programmed ribosomal frameshifting at the translation level.

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 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 Stability of HIV Frameshift Site RNA Correlates with Frameshift Efficiency and Decreased Virus Infectivity

2016 ◽  
Vol 90 (15) ◽  
pp. 6906-6917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Garcia-Miranda ◽  
Jordan T. Becker ◽  
Bayleigh E. Benner ◽  
Alexander Blume ◽  
Nathan M. Sherer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermodynamic Stability ◽  
Virus Infectivity ◽  
Ribosomal Frameshift ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Assembly Mechanism ◽  
Polyprotein Precursor ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
In Cells

ABSTRACTHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication is strongly dependent upon a programmed ribosomal frameshift. Here we investigate the relationships between the thermodynamic stability of the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) RNA frameshift site stem-loop, frameshift efficiency, and infectivity, using pseudotyped HIV-1 and HEK293T cells. The data reveal a strong correlation between frameshift efficiency and local, but not overall, RNA thermodynamic stability. Mutations that modestly increase the local stability of the frameshift site RNA stem-loop structure increase frameshift efficiency 2-fold to 3-fold in cells. Thus, frameshift efficiency is determined by the strength of the thermodynamic barrier encountered by the ribosome. These data agree with previousin vitromeasurements, suggesting that there are no virus- or host-specific factors that modulate frameshifting. The data also indicate that there are no sequence-specific requirements for the frameshift site stem-loop. A linear correlation between Gag-polymerase (Gag-Pol) levels in cells and levels in virions supports the idea of a stochastic virion assembly mechanism. We further demonstrate that the surrounding genomic RNA secondary structure influences frameshift efficiency and that a mutation that commonly arises in response to protease inhibitor therapy creates a functional but inefficient secondary slippery site. Finally, HIV-1 mutants with enhanced frameshift efficiencies are significantly less infectious, suggesting that compounds that increase frameshift efficiency by as little as 2-fold may be effective at suppressing HIV-1 replication.IMPORTANCEHIV, like many retroviruses, utilizes a −1 programmed ribosomal frameshift to generate viral enzymes in the form of a Gag-Pol polyprotein precursor. Thus, frameshifting is essential for viral replication. Here, we utilized a panel of mutant HIV strains to demonstrate that in cells, frameshifting efficiency is correlated with the stability of the local thermodynamic barrier to ribosomal translocation. Increasing the stability of the frameshift site RNA increases the frameshift efficiency 2-fold to 3-fold. Mutant viruses with increased frameshift efficiencies have significantly reduced infectivity. These data suggest that this effect might be exploited in the development of novel antiviral strategies.

scholarly journals Mutations in an essential U2 small nuclear RNA structure cause cold-sensitive U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein function by favoring competing alternative U2 RNA structures.

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1689-1697 ◽  
Author(s):  
M I Zavanelli ◽  
J S Britton ◽  
A H Igel ◽  
M Ares
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
Cold Sensitivity ◽  
Small Nuclear Rna ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Alternative Structures ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Alternative Conformation ◽  
Cold Sensitive ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein

Mutations in stem-loop IIa of yeast U2 RNA cause cold-sensitive growth and cold-sensitive U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein function in vitro. Cold-sensitive U2 small nuclear RNA adopts an alternative conformation that occludes the loop and disrupts the stem but does so at both restrictive and permissive temperatures. To determine whether alternative U2 RNA structure causes the defects, we tested second-site mutations in U2 predicted to disrupt the alternative conformation. We find that such mutations efficiently suppress the cold-sensitive phenotypes and partially restore correct U2 RNA folding. A genetic search for additional suppressors of cold sensitivity revealed two unexpected mutations in the base of an adjacent stem-loop. Direct probing of RNA structure in vivo indicates that the suppressors of cold sensitivity act to improve the stability of the essential stem relative to competing alternative structures by disrupting the alternative structures. We suggest that many of the numerous cold-sensitive mutations in a variety of RNAs and RNA-binding proteins could be a result of changes in the stability of a functional RNA conformation relative to a competing structure. The presence of an evolutionarily conserved U2 sequence positioned to form an alternative structure argues that this region of U2 is dynamic during the assembly or function of the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein.

scholarly journals Ebola Virus VP30 Is an RNA Binding Protein

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 8967-8976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinu P. John ◽  
Tan Wang ◽  
Scott Steffen ◽  
Sonia Longhi ◽  
Connie S. Schmaljohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Transcriptional Start Site ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Binding Activity ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered Regions

ABSTRACT The Ebola virus (EBOV) genome encodes for several proteins that are necessary and sufficient for replication and transcription of the viral RNAs in vitro; NP, VP30, VP35, and L. VP30 acts in trans with an RNA secondary structure upstream of the first transcriptional start site to modulate transcription. Using a bioinformatics approach, we identified a region within the N terminus of VP30 with sequence features that typify intrinsically disordered regions and a putative RNA binding site. To experimentally assess the ability of VP30 to directly interact with the viral RNA, we purified recombinant EBOV VP30 to >90% homogeneity and assessed RNA binding by UV cross-linking and filter-binding assays. VP30 is a strongly acidophilic protein; RNA binding became stronger as pH was decreased. Zn2+, but not Mg2+, enhanced activity. Enhancement of transcription by VP30 requires a RNA stem-loop located within nucleotides 54 to 80 of the leader region. VP30 showed low binding affinity to the predicted stem-loop alone or to double-stranded RNA but showed a good binding affinity for the stem-loop when placed in the context of upstream and downstream sequences. To map the region responsible for interacting with RNA, we constructed, purified, and assayed a series of N-terminal deletion mutations of VP30 for RNA binding. The key amino acids supporting RNA binding activity map to residues 26 to 40, a region rich in arginine. Thus, we show for the first time the direct interaction of EBOV VP30 with RNA and the importance of the N-terminal region for binding RNA.

scholarly journals Analysis and Optimization of Conditions for the Use of 2′,7′-Dichlorofluorescein Diacetate in Cultured Hepatocytes

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 674
Author(s):  
Megan J. Reiniers ◽  
Lianne R. de Haan ◽  
Laurens F. Reeskamp ◽  
Mans Broekgaarden ◽  
Rowan F. van Golen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Medium Composition ◽  
Cultured Hepatocytes ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Membrane Transport Proteins ◽  
Dichlorofluorescein Diacetate ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
The Stability

Numerous liver pathologies encompass oxidative stress as molecular basis of disease. The use of 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH2-DA) as fluorogenic redox probe is problematic in liver cell lines because of membrane transport proteins that interfere with probe kinetics, among other reasons. The properties of DCFH2-DA were analyzed in hepatocytes (HepG2, HepaRG) to characterize methodological issues that could hamper data interpretation and falsely skew conclusions. Experiments were focused on probe stability in relevant media, cellular probe uptake/retention/excretion, and basal oxidant formation and metabolism. DCFH2-DA was used under optimized experimental conditions to intravitally visualize and quantify oxidative stress in real-time in HepG2 cells subjected to anoxia/reoxygenation. The most important findings were that: (1) the non-fluorescent DCFH2-DA and the fluorescent DCF are rapidly taken up by hepatocytes, (2) DCF is poorly retained in hepatocytes, and (3) DCFH2 oxidation kinetics are cell type-specific. Furthermore, (4) DCF fluorescence intensity was pH-dependent at pH < 7 and (5) the stability of DCFH2-DA in cell culture medium relied on medium composition. The use of DCFH2-DA to measure oxidative stress in cultured hepatocytes comes with methodological and technical challenges, which were characterized and solved. Optimized in vitro and intravital imaging protocols were formulated to help researchers conduct proper experiments and draw robust conclusions.

scholarly journals Mutations in an essential U2 small nuclear RNA structure cause cold-sensitive U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein function by favoring competing alternative U2 RNA structures

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 1689-1697
Author(s):  
M I Zavanelli ◽  
J S Britton ◽  
A H Igel ◽  
M Ares
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
Cold Sensitivity ◽  
Small Nuclear Rna ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Alternative Structures ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Alternative Conformation ◽  
Cold Sensitive ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein

Mutations in stem-loop IIa of yeast U2 RNA cause cold-sensitive growth and cold-sensitive U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein function in vitro. Cold-sensitive U2 small nuclear RNA adopts an alternative conformation that occludes the loop and disrupts the stem but does so at both restrictive and permissive temperatures. To determine whether alternative U2 RNA structure causes the defects, we tested second-site mutations in U2 predicted to disrupt the alternative conformation. We find that such mutations efficiently suppress the cold-sensitive phenotypes and partially restore correct U2 RNA folding. A genetic search for additional suppressors of cold sensitivity revealed two unexpected mutations in the base of an adjacent stem-loop. Direct probing of RNA structure in vivo indicates that the suppressors of cold sensitivity act to improve the stability of the essential stem relative to competing alternative structures by disrupting the alternative structures. We suggest that many of the numerous cold-sensitive mutations in a variety of RNAs and RNA-binding proteins could be a result of changes in the stability of a functional RNA conformation relative to a competing structure. The presence of an evolutionarily conserved U2 sequence positioned to form an alternative structure argues that this region of U2 is dynamic during the assembly or function of the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein.

scholarly journals Supramolecular cylinders target bulge structures in the 5’ UTR of the RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 and inhibit viral replication

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lazaros Melidis ◽  
Harriet J. Hill ◽  
Nicholas J. Coltman ◽  
Scott P. Davies ◽  
Kinga Winczura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Replication ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Dynamic Structures ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

AbstractThe untranslated regions (UTRs) of viral genomes contain a variety of conserved yet dynamic structures crucial for viral replication, providing drug targets for the development of broad spectrum anti-virals. We combine in vitro RNA analysis with Molecular Dynamics simulations to build the first 3D models of the structure and dynamics of key regions of the 5’ UTR of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Furthermore, we determine the binding of metallo-supramolecular helicates (cylinders) to this RNA structure. These nano-size agents are uniquely able to thread through RNA junctions and we identify their binding to a 3-base bulge and the central cross 4-way junction located in the stem loop 5. Finally, we show these RNA-binding cylinders suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication, highlighting their potential as novel antiviral agents.

scholarly journals Role of RNA Structure and Susceptibility to RNase E in Regulation of a Cold Shock mRNA, cspA mRNA

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (12) ◽  
pp. 4353-4358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet S. Hankins ◽  
Christopher Zappavigna ◽  
Annie Prud'homme-Généreux ◽  
George A. Mackie
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
Cold Shock ◽  
Translational Efficiency ◽  
Rnase E ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Differential Stability

ABSTRACT Degradation of the cspA mRNA in vivo is very rapid at temperatures greater than 30°C and is moderately dependent on RNase E. Investigations in vitro show that degradosomes prepared from normal or cold-shocked cultures cleave the cspA mRNA preferentially at a single site in vitro between two stem-loops ∼24 residues 3′ to the termination codon and ∼31 residues from the 3′ end. The site of cleavage is independent of the temperature and largely independent of the phosphorylation status of the 5′ end of cspA mRNA. A 5′ stem-loop, potential occlusion of the initiation and termination codons, temperature-dependent translational efficiency, and the position of the RNase E cleavage site can explain the differential stability of the cspA mRNA.

scholarly journals Sequence Requirements for Viral RNA Replication and VPg Uridylylation Directed by the Internal cis-Acting Replication Element (cre) of Human Rhinovirus Type 14

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (15) ◽  
pp. 7485-7494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Yang ◽  
Rene Rijnbrand ◽  
Kevin L. McKnight ◽  
Eckard Wimmer ◽  
Aniko Paul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Structure ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Rna Replication ◽  
Human Rhinovirus ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Base Substitution ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Additional Support

ABSTRACT Until recently, the cis-acting signals required for replication of picornaviral RNAs were believed to be restricted to the 5′ and 3′ noncoding regions of the genome. However, an RNA stem-loop in the VP1-coding sequence of human rhinovirus type 14 (HRV-14) is essential for viral minus-strand RNA synthesis (K. L. McKnight and S. M. Lemon, RNA 4:1569-1584, 1998). The nucleotide sequence of the apical loop of this internal cis-acting replication element (cre) was critical for RNA synthesis, while secondary RNA structure, but not primary sequence, was shown to be important within the duplex stem. Similar cres have since been identified in other picornaviral genomes. These RNA segments appear to serve as template for the uridylylation of the genome-linked protein, VPg, providing the VPg-pUpU primer required for viral RNA transcription (A. V. Paul et al., J. Virol. 74:10359-10370, 2000). Here, we show that the minimal functional HRV-14 cre resides within a 33-nucleotide (nt) RNA segment that is predicted to form a simple stem-loop with a 14-nt loop sequence. An extensive mutational analysis involving every possible base substitution at each position within the loop segment defined the sequence that is required within this loop for efficient replication of subgenomic HRV-14 replicon RNAs. These results indicate that three consecutive adenosine residues (nt 2367 to 2369) within the 5′ half of this loop are critically important for cre function and suggest that a common RNNNAARNNNNNNR loop motif exists among the cre sequences of enteroviruses and rhinoviruses. We found a direct, positive correlation between the capacity of mutated cres to support RNA replication and their ability to function as template in an in vitro VPg uridylylation reaction, suggesting that these functions are intimately linked. These data thus define more precisely the sequence and structural requirements of the HRV-14 cre and provide additional support for a model in which the role of the cre in RNA replication is to act as template for VPg uridylylation.

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