scholarly journals In vitro L-A double-stranded RNA synthesis in virus-like particles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1986 ◽  
Vol 83 (12) ◽  
pp. 4433-4437 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Fujimura ◽  
R. Esteban ◽  
R. B. Wickner
1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1552-1561
Author(s):  
R Esteban ◽  
R B Wickner

Killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae bear at least two different double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) encapsidated in 39-nm viruslike particles (VLPs) of which the major coat protein is coded by the larger RNA (L-A dsRNA). The smaller dsRNA (M1 or M2) encodes an extracellular protein toxin (K1 or K2 toxin). Based on their densities on CsCl gradients, L-A- and M1-containing particles can be separated. Using this method, we detected a new type of M1 dsRNA-containing VLP (M1-H VLP, for heavy) that has a higher density than those previously reported (M1-L VLP, for light). M1-H and M1-L VLPs are present together in the same strains and in all those we tested. M1-H, M1-L, and L-A VLPs all have the same types of proteins in the same approximate proportions, but whereas L-A VLPs and M1-L VLPs have one dsRNA molecule per particle, M1-H VLPs contain two M1 dsRNA molecules per particle. Their RNA polymerase produces mainly plus single strands that are all extruded in the case of M1-H particles but are partially retained inside the M1-L particles to be used later for dsRNA synthesis. We show that M1-H VLPs are formed in vitro from the M1-L VLPs. We also show that the peak of M1 dsRNA synthesis is in fractions lighter than M1-L VLPs, presumably those carrying only a single plus M1 strand. We suggest that VLPs carrying two M1 dsRNAs (each 1.8 kilobases) can exist because the particle is designed to carry one L-A dsRNA (4.5 kilobases).


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1552-1561 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Esteban ◽  
R B Wickner

Killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae bear at least two different double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) encapsidated in 39-nm viruslike particles (VLPs) of which the major coat protein is coded by the larger RNA (L-A dsRNA). The smaller dsRNA (M1 or M2) encodes an extracellular protein toxin (K1 or K2 toxin). Based on their densities on CsCl gradients, L-A- and M1-containing particles can be separated. Using this method, we detected a new type of M1 dsRNA-containing VLP (M1-H VLP, for heavy) that has a higher density than those previously reported (M1-L VLP, for light). M1-H and M1-L VLPs are present together in the same strains and in all those we tested. M1-H, M1-L, and L-A VLPs all have the same types of proteins in the same approximate proportions, but whereas L-A VLPs and M1-L VLPs have one dsRNA molecule per particle, M1-H VLPs contain two M1 dsRNA molecules per particle. Their RNA polymerase produces mainly plus single strands that are all extruded in the case of M1-H particles but are partially retained inside the M1-L particles to be used later for dsRNA synthesis. We show that M1-H VLPs are formed in vitro from the M1-L VLPs. We also show that the peak of M1 dsRNA synthesis is in fractions lighter than M1-L VLPs, presumably those carrying only a single plus M1 strand. We suggest that VLPs carrying two M1 dsRNAs (each 1.8 kilobases) can exist because the particle is designed to carry one L-A dsRNA (4.5 kilobases).


1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 404-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Fujimura ◽  
R B Wickner

pet18 mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae confer on the cell the inability to maintain either L-A or M double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) at the nonpermissive temperature. In in vitro experiments, we examined the effects of pet18 mutations on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity associated with virus-like particles (VLPs). pet18 mutations caused thermolabile RNA polymerase activity of L-A VLPs, and this thermolability was found to be due to the instability of the L-A VLP structure. The pet18 mutations did not affect RNA polymerase activity of M VLPs. Furthermore, the temperature sensitivity of wild-type L-A RNA polymerase differed substantially from that of M RNA polymerase. From these results, and from other genetic and biochemical lines of evidence which suggest that replication of M dsRNA requires the presence of L-A dsRNA, we propose that the primary effect of the pet18 mutation is on the L-A VLP structure and that the inability of pet18 mutants to maintain M dsRNA comes from the loss of L-A dsRNA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney L. Steger ◽  
Mackenzie L. Brown ◽  
Owen M. Sullivan ◽  
Crystal E. Boudreaux ◽  
Courtney A. Cohen ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The rotavirus polymerase VP1 mediates all stages of viral RNA synthesis within the confines of subviral particles and while associated with the core shell protein VP2. Transcription (positive-strand RNA [+RNA] synthesis) by VP1 occurs within double-layered particles (DLPs), while genome replication (double-stranded RNA [dsRNA] synthesis) by VP1 occurs within assembly intermediates. VP2 is critical for VP1 enzymatic activity; yet, the mechanism by which the core shell protein triggers polymerase function remains poorly understood. Structural analyses of transcriptionally competent DLPs show that VP1 is located beneath the VP2 core shell and sits slightly off-center from each of the icosahedral 5-fold axes. In this position, the polymerase is contacted by the core shell at 5 distinct surface-exposed sites, comprising VP1 residues 264 to 267, 547 to 550, 614 to 620, 968 to 980, and 1022 to 1025. Here, we sought to test the functional significance of these VP2 contact sites on VP1 with regard to polymerase activity. We engineered 19 recombinant VP1 (rVP1) proteins that contained single- or multipoint alanine mutations within each individual contact site and assayed them for the capacity to synthesize dsRNA in vitro in the presence of rVP2. Three rVP1 mutants (E265A/L267A, R614A, and D971A/S978A/I980A) exhibited diminished in vitro dsRNA synthesis. Despite their loss-of-function phenotypes, the mutants did not show major structural changes in silico, and they maintained their overall capacity to bind rVP2 in vitro via their nonmutated contact sites. These results move us toward a mechanistic understanding of rotavirus replication and identify precise VP2-binding sites on the polymerase surface that are critical for its enzymatic activation. IMPORTANCE Rotaviruses are important pathogens that cause severe gastroenteritis in the young of many animals. The viral polymerase VP1 mediates all stages of viral RNA synthesis, and it requires the core shell protein VP2 for its enzymatic activity. Yet, there are several gaps in knowledge about how VP2 engages and activates VP1. Here, we probed the functional significance of 5 distinct VP2 contact sites on VP1 that were revealed through previous structural studies. Specifically, we engineered alanine amino acid substitutions within each of the 5 VP1 regions and assayed the mutant polymerases for the capacity to synthesize RNA in the presence of VP2 in a test tube. Our results identified residues within 3 of the VP2 contact sites that are critical for robust polymerase activity. These results are important because they enhance the understanding of a key step of the rotavirus replication cycle.


2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (19) ◽  
pp. 10623-10629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander A Khromykh ◽  
Natasha Kondratieva ◽  
Jean-Yves Sgro ◽  
Ann Palmenberg ◽  
Edwin G Westaway

ABSTRACT Point mutations that resulted in a substitution of the conserved 3′-penultimate cytidine in genomic RNA or the RNA negative strand of the self-amplifying replicon of the Flavivirus Kunjin virus completely blocked in vivo replication. Similarly, substitutions of the conserved 3′-terminal uridine in the RNA negative or positive strand completely blocked replication or caused much-reduced replication, respectively. The same preference for cytidine in the 3′-terminal dinucleotide was noted in reports of the in vitro activity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) for the other genera of Flaviviridae that also employ a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) template to initiate asymmetric semiconservative RNA positive-strand synthesis. The Kunjin virus replicon results were interpreted in the context of a proposed model for initiation of RNA synthesis based on the solved crystal structure of the RdRp of φ6 bacteriophage, which also replicates efficiently using a dsRNA template with conserved 3′-penultimate cytidines and a 3′-terminal pyrimidine. A previously untested substitution of the conserved pentanucleotide at the top of the 3′-terminal stem-loop of all Flavivirus species also blocked detectable in vivo replication of the Kunjin virus replicon RNA.


1984 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. 1618-1626
Author(s):  
R A Sclafani ◽  
W L Fangman

Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains two double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules, L and M, encapsulated in virus-like particles. After cells are transferred from dense (13C 15N) to light (12C 14N) medium, only two density classes of dsRNA are found, fully light (LL) and fully dense (HH). Cells contain single-stranded copies of both dsRNAs and, at least for L dsRNA, greater than 99% of these single strands are the positive protein-encoding strand. Single-stranded copies of L and M dsRNA accumulate rapidly in cells arrested in the G1 phase. These results parallel previous observations on L dsRNA synthesis and are consistent with a role of the positive single strands as intermediates in dsRNA replication. We propose that new positive strands are displaced from parental molecules and subsequently copied to produce the completely new duplexes.


1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 4807-4815 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Schmitt ◽  
D J Tipper

The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae consist of 4.5-kilobase-pair (kb) L species and 1.7- to 2.1-kb M species, both found in cytoplasmic viruslike particles (VLPs). The L species encode their own capsid protein, and one (LA) has been shown to encode a putative capsid-polymerase fusion protein (cap-pol) that presumably provides VLPs with their transcriptase and replicase functions. The M1 and M2 dsRNAs encode the K1 and K2 toxins and specific immunity mechanisms. Maintenance of M1 and M2 is dependent on the presence of LA, which provides capsid and cap-pol for M dsRNA maintenance. Although a number of different S. cerevisiae killers have been described, only K1 and K2 have been studied in any detail. Their secreted polypeptide toxins disrupt cytoplasmic membrane functions in sensitive yeast cells. K28, named for the wine S. cerevisiae strain 28, appears to be unique; its toxin is unusually stable and disrupts DNA synthesis in sensitive cells. We have now demonstrated that 4.5-kb L28 and 2.1-kb M28 dsRNAs can be isolated from strain 28 in typical VLPs, that these VLPs are sufficient to confer K28 toxin and immunity phenotypes on transfected spheroplasts, and that the immunity of the transfectants is distinct from that of either M1 or M2. In vitro transcripts from the M28 VLPs show no cross-hybridization to denatured M1 or M2 dsRNAs, while L28 is an LA species competent for maintenance of M1. K28, encoded by M28, is thus the third unique killer system in S. cerevisiae to be clearly defined. It is now amenable to genetic analysis in standard laboratory strains.


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