scholarly journals Engineered PUF proteins: new flexible toolkits to target the replication of RNA viruses

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-13
Author(s):  
Seyed Jalal Kiani ◽  
Zohreh Yousefi Ghalejoogh ◽  
Katayoun Samimi-Rad
Keyword(s):  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Rna Recognition ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Cell Viability Assay ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Puf Proteins ◽  
Viability Assay ◽  
Recognition Code

Aim: The RNA recognition code of an RNA-binding protein known as Pumilio/FBF (PUF) protein was reprogrammed in order to provide binding to internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome. Materials & methods: The ability of the modified protein to repress IRES-dependent translation was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter assay, cell viability assay, cell cytotoxicity assay and anti-HCV assay. Results: The modified protein was able to reduce reporter gene expression (>30%) and HCV viral load (>98%) and reduced HCV-induced cytotoxicity to the level observed in uninfected cells. Conclusion: Our results can set the stage for using modified PUFs for interfering with critical steps such as replication and translation in virus life cycle, especially RNA viruses.

scholarly journals Insights from structural studies of the Cardiovirus 2A protein

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neva Caliskan ◽  
Chris H. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Viruses ◽  
Rna Binding Protein ◽  
Structural Studies ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Translation Strategies ◽  
The Family ◽  
Regulatory Functions

Cardioviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses of the family Picornaviridae. In addition to being the first example of internal ribosome entry site utilization, cardioviruses also employ a series of alternative translation strategies, such as Stop-Go translation and programmed ribosome frameshifting. Here, we focus on cardiovirus 2A protein, which is not only a primary virulence factor, but also exerts crucial regulatory functions during translation, including activation of viral ribosome frameshifting and inhibition of host cap-dependent translation. Only recently, biochemical and structural studies have allowed us to close the gaps in our knowledge of how cardiovirus 2A is able to act in diverse translation-related processes as a novel RNA-binding protein. This review will summarize these findings, which ultimately may lead to the discovery of other RNA-mediated gene expression strategies across a broad range of RNA viruses.

scholarly journals Efficient Translation Initiation Directed by the 900-Nucleotide-Long and GC-Rich 5′ Untranslated Region of the Human Retrotransposon LINE-1 mRNA Is Strictly Cap Dependent Rather than Internal Ribosome Entry Site Mediated

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (13) ◽  
pp. 4685-4697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey E. Dmitriev ◽  
Dmitri E. Andreev ◽  
Ilya M. Terenin ◽  
Ivan A. Olovnikov ◽  
Vladimir S. Prassolov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Translation Initiation ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Cellular Mrnas ◽  
Internal Initiation

ABSTRACT Retrotransposon L1 is a mobile genetic element of the LINE family that is extremely widespread in the mammalian genome. It encodes a dicistronic mRNA, which is exceptionally rare among eukaryotic cellular mRNAs. The extremely long and GC-rich L1 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) directs synthesis of numerous copies of RNA-binding protein ORF1p per mRNA. One could suggest that the 5′UTR of L1 mRNA contained a powerful internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element. Using transfection of cultured cells with the polyadenylated monocistronic (L1 5′UTR-Fluc) or bicistronic (Rluc-L1 5′UTR-Fluc) RNA constructs, capped or uncapped, it has been firmly established that the 5′UTR of L1 does not contain an IRES. Uncapping reduces the initiation activity of the L1 5′UTR to that of background. Moreover, the translation is inhibited by upstream AUG codons in the 5′UTR. Nevertheless, this cap-dependent initiation activity of the L1 5′UTR was unexpectedly high and resembles that of the beta-actin 5′UTR (84 nucleotides long). Strikingly, the deletion of up to 80% of the nucleotide sequence of the L1 5′UTR, with most of its stem loops, does not significantly change its translation initiation efficiency. These data can modify current ideas on mechanisms used by 40S ribosomal subunits to cope with complex 5′UTRs and call into question the conception that every long GC-rich 5′UTR working with a high efficiency has to contain an IRES. Our data also demonstrate that the ORF2 translation initiation is not directed by internal initiation, either. It is very inefficient and presumably based on a reinitiation event.

scholarly journals A Peptide Derived from RNA Recognition Motif 2 of Human La Protein Binds to Hepatitis C Virus Internal Ribosome Entry Site, Prevents Ribosomal Assembly, and Inhibits Internal Initiation of Translation

2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (15) ◽  
pp. 9842-9853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renuka Pudi ◽  
Sudhamani S. Ramamurthy ◽  
Saumitra Das
Keyword(s):  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Rna Recognition Motif ◽  
Rna Recognition ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Recognition Motif ◽  
La Protein ◽  
Initiation Of Translation ◽  
Internal Initiation ◽  
Hcv Ires

ABSTRACT Human La protein is known to interact with hepatitis C virus (HCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and stimulate translation. Previously, we demonstrated that mutations within HCV SL IV lead to reduced binding to La-RNA recognition motif 2 (RRM2) and drastically affect HCV IRES-mediated translation. Also, the binding of La protein to SL IV of HCV IRES was shown to impart conformational alterations within the RNA so as to facilitate the formation of functional initiation complex. Here, we report that a synthetic peptide, LaR2C, derived from the C terminus of La-RRM2 competes with the binding of cellular La protein to the HCV IRES and acts as a dominant negative inhibitor of internal initiation of translation of HCV RNA. The peptide binds to the HCV IRES and inhibits the functional initiation complex formation. An Huh7 cell line constitutively expressing a bicistronic RNA in which both cap-dependent and HCV IRES-mediated translation can be easily assayed has been developed. The addition of purified TAT-LaR2C recombinant polypeptide that allows direct delivery of the peptide into the cells showed reduced expression of HCV IRES activity in this cell line. The study reveals valuable insights into the role of La protein in ribosome assembly at the HCV IRES and also provides the basis for targeting ribosome-HCV IRES interaction to design potent antiviral therapy.

scholarly journals RNA-binding Protein HuR Interacts with Thrombomodulin 5′Untranslated Region and Represses Internal Ribosome Entry Site–mediated Translation under IL-1β Treatment

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 3812-3822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiu-Hung Yeh ◽  
Liang-Yi Hung ◽  
Chin Hsu ◽  
Shu-Yun Le ◽  
Pin-Tse Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Sepsis And Septic Shock

Reduction in host-activated protein C levels and resultant microvascular thrombosis highlight the important functional role of protein C anticoagulant system in the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock. Thrombomodulin (TM) is a critical factor to activate protein C in mediating the anticoagulation and anti-inflammation effects. However, TM protein content is decreased in inflammation and sepsis, and the mechanism is still not well defined. In this report, we identified that the TM 5′ untranslated region (UTR) bearing the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element controls TM protein expression. Using RNA probe pulldown assay, HuR was demonstrated to interact with the TM 5′UTR. Overexpression of HuR protein inhibited the activity of TM IRES, whereas on the other hand, reducing the HuR protein level reversed this effect. When cells were treated with IL-1β, the IRES activity was suppressed and accompanied by an increased interaction between HuR and TM 5′UTR. In the animal model of sepsis, we found the TM protein expression level to be decreased while concurrently observing the increased interaction between HuR and TM mRNA in liver tissue. In summary, HuR plays an important role in suppression of TM protein synthesis in IL-1β treatment and sepsis.

scholarly journals Cancer-associated mRNAs regulated by the Helix-Loop-Helix motif of human EIF3A

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Volegova ◽  
Jamie H.D. Cate
Keyword(s):  
Translation Initiation ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Translation Initiation Factor ◽  
Initiation Factor ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Helix Loop Helix ◽  
Small Set

AbstractImproper regulation of translation initiation, a vital check-point of protein synthesis in the cell, has been linked to a number of cancers. Overexpression of protein subunits of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) has been associated with increased translation of mRNAs involved in cell proliferation. In addition to playing a major role in general translation initiation by serving as a scaffold for the assembly of translation initiation complexes, eIF3 regulates translation of specific cellular mRNAs and viral RNAs. Mutations in the N-terminal Helix-Loop-Helix (HLH) RNA-binding motif of the EIF3A subunit in eIF3 interfere with Hepatitis C Virus Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) mediated translation initiationin vitro. Here we show that the EIF3A HLH motif controls translation of a small set of cellular transcripts enriched in oncogenic mRNAs, includingMYC. We also demonstrate that the HLH motif of EIF3A acts specifically on the 5’-UTR ofMYCmRNA and modulates the function of EIF4A1 on select transcripts during translation initiation. In Ramos lymphoma cell lines, which are dependent on MYC overexpression, mutations in the HLH motif greatly reduce MYC expression, impede proliferation and sensitize cells to anti-cancer compounds. These results reveal the potential of the EIF3A HLH motif in eIF3 as a promising chemotherapeutic target.SummaryThe Helix Loop Helix motif of EIF3A controls translation of a small set of oncogenic cellular transcripts, includingMYC, and modulates the function of translation initiation factor EIF4A1 during translation initiation on select mRNAs.

scholarly journals Deconstructing internal ribosome entry site elements: an update of structural motifs and functional divergences

Open Biology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 180155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Lozano ◽  
Rosario Francisco-Velilla ◽  
Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
Keyword(s):  
Internal Ribosome Entry Site ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Complexes ◽  
Structure Conservation ◽  
Initiation Of Translation

Beyond the general cap-dependent translation initiation, eukaryotic organisms use alternative mechanisms to initiate protein synthesis. Internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements are cis -acting RNA regions that promote internal initiation of translation using a cap-independent mechanism. However, their lack of primary sequence and secondary RNA structure conservation, as well as the diversity of host factor requirement to recruit the ribosomal subunits, suggest distinct types of IRES elements. In spite of this heterogeneity, conserved motifs preserve sequences impacting on RNA structure and RNA–protein interactions important for IRES-driven translation. This conservation brings the question of whether IRES elements could consist of basic building blocks, which upon evolutionary selection result in functional elements with different properties. Although RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) perform a crucial role in the assembly of ribonucleoprotein complexes, the versatility and plasticity of RNA molecules, together with their high flexibility and dynamism, determines formation of macromolecular complexes in response to different signals. These properties rely on the presence of short RNA motifs, which operate as modular entities, and suggest that decomposition of IRES elements in short modules could help to understand the different mechanisms driven by these regulatory elements. Here we will review evidence suggesting that model IRES elements consist of the combination of short modules, providing sites of interaction for ribosome subunits, eIFs and RBPs, with implications for definition of criteria to identify novel IRES-like elements genome wide.

scholarly journals Repurposing Potential of Riluzole as an ITAF Inhibitor in mTOR Therapy Resistant Glioblastoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelica Benavides-Serrato ◽  
Jacquelyn T. Saunders ◽  
Brent Holmes ◽  
Robert N. Nishimura ◽  
Alan Lichtenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Binding ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Mtor Inhibitors ◽  
Hnrnp A1 ◽  
Entry Site ◽  
Internal Ribosome Entry ◽  
Docking Analysis ◽  
In Silico Docking ◽  
Effective Therapeutic Option

Internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated protein synthesis has been demonstrated to play an important role in resistance to mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) targeted therapies. Previously, we have demonstrated that the IRES trans-acting factor (ITAF), hnRNP A1 is required to promote IRES activity and small molecule inhibitors which bind specifically to this ITAF and curtail IRES activity, leading to mTOR inhibitor sensitivity. Here we report the identification of riluzole (Rilutek®), an FDA-approved drug for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), via an in silico docking analysis of FDA-approved compounds, as an inhibitor of hnRNP A1. In a riluzole-bead coupled binding assay and in surface plasmon resonance imaging analyses, riluzole was found to directly bind to hnRNP A1 and inhibited IRES activity via effects on ITAF/RNA-binding. Riluzole also demonstrated synergistic anti-glioblastoma (GBM) affects with mTOR inhibitors in vitro and in GBM xenografts in mice. These data suggest that repurposing riluzole, used in conjunction with mTOR inhibitors, may serve as an effective therapeutic option in glioblastoma.

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