scholarly journals The RNA Architecture of the SARS-CoV-2 3′-Untranslated Region

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1473
Author(s):  
Junxing Zhao ◽  
Jianming Qiu ◽  
Sadikshya Aryal ◽  
Jennifer L. Hackett ◽  
Jingxin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Dimethyl Sulfate ◽  
Nonstructural Proteins ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Chemical Probing ◽  
Mutational Profiling ◽  
Genome Transcription ◽  
Polymerase Binding ◽  
Transcription And Replication

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic. The 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of this β-CoV contains essential cis-acting RNA elements for the viral genome transcription and replication. These elements include an equilibrium between an extended bulged stem-loop (BSL) and a pseudoknot. The existence of such an equilibrium is supported by reverse genetic studies and phylogenetic covariation analysis and is further proposed as a molecular switch essential for the control of the viral RNA polymerase binding. Here, we report the SARS-CoV-2 3′ UTR structures in cells that transcribe the viral UTRs harbored in a minigene plasmid and isolated infectious virions using a chemical probing technique, namely dimethyl sulfate (DMS)-mutational profiling with sequencing (MaPseq). Interestingly, the putative pseudoknotted conformation was not observed, indicating that its abundance in our systems is low in the absence of the viral nonstructural proteins (nsps). Similarly, our results also suggest that another functional cis-acting element, the three-helix junction, cannot stably form. The overall architectures of the viral 3′ UTRs in the infectious virions and the minigene-transfected cells are almost identical.

scholarly journals Role of the 3′ tRNA-Like Structure in Tobacco Mosaic Virus Minus-Strand RNA Synthesis by the Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase In Vitro

2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (24) ◽  
pp. 11671-11680 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. M. Osman ◽  
C. L. Hemenway ◽  
K. W. Buck
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Tobacco Mosaic Virus ◽  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Central Core ◽  
Minus Strand ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Polymerase Binding

ABSTRACT A template-dependent RNA polymerase has been used to determine the sequence elements in the 3′ untranslated region of tobacco mosaic virus RNA that are required for promotion of minus-strand RNA synthesis and binding to the RNA polymerase in vitro. Regions which were important for minus-strand synthesis were domain D1, which is equivalent to a tRNA acceptor arm; domain D2, which is similar to a tRNA anticodon arm; an upstream domain, D3; and a central core, C, which connects domains D1, D2, and D3 and determines their relative orientations. Mutational analysis of the 3′-terminal 4 nucleotides of domain D1 indicated the importance of the 3′-terminal CA sequence for minus-strand synthesis, with the sequence CCCA or GGCA giving the highest transcriptional efficiency. Several double-helical regions, but not their sequences, which are essential for forming pseudoknot and/or stem-loop structures in domains D1, D2, and D3 and the central core, C, were shown to be required for high template efficiency. Also important were a bulge sequence in the D2 stem-loop and, to a lesser extent, a loop sequence in a hairpin structure in domain D1. The sequence of the 3′ untranslated region upstream of domain D3 was not required for minus-strand synthesis. Template-RNA polymerase binding competition experiments showed that the highest-affinity RNA polymerase binding element region lay within a region comprising domain D2 and the central core, C, but domains D1 and D3 also bound to the RNA polymerase with lower affinity.

scholarly journals Small cis-Acting Sequences That Specify Secondary Structures in a Chloroplast mRNA Are Essential for RNA Stability and Translation

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 8479-8491 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Higgs ◽  
Risa S. Shapiro ◽  
Karen L. Kindle ◽  
David B. Stern
Keyword(s):  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Rna Stability ◽  
Dimethyl Sulfate ◽  
Secondary Structures ◽  
Rna Modification ◽  
Range Interaction ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Chloroplast Mrna

ABSTRACT Nucleus-encoded proteins interact with cis-acting elements in chloroplast transcripts to promote RNA stability and translation. We have analyzed the structure and function of three such elements within the Chlamydomonas petD 5′ untranslated region; petD encodes subunit IV of the cytochromeb 6/f complex. These elements were delineated by linker-scanning mutagenesis, and RNA secondary structures were investigated by mapping nuclease-sensitive sites in vitro and by in vivo dimethyl sulfate RNA modification. Element I spans a maximum of 8 nucleotides (nt) at the 5′ end of the mRNA; it is essential for RNA stability and plays a role in translation. This element appears to form a small stem-loop that may interact with a previously described nucleus-encoded factor to block 5′→3′ exoribonucleolytic degradation. Elements II and III, located in the center and near the 3′ end of the 5′ untranslated region, respectively, are essential for translation, but mutations in these elements do not affect mRNA stability. Element II is a maximum of 16 nt in length, does not form an obvious secondary structure, and appears to bind proteins that protect it from dimethyl sulfate modification. Element III spans a maximum of 14 nt and appears to form a stem-loop in vivo, based on dimethyl sulfate modification and the sequences of intragenic suppressors of element III mutations. Furthermore, mutations in element II result in changes in the RNA structure near element III, consistent with a long-range interaction that may promote translation.

scholarly journals Using All-Atom Potentials to Refine RNA Structure Predictions of SARS-CoV-2 Stem Loops

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6188
Author(s):  
Christina Bergonzo ◽  
Andrea L. Szakal
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Conformational Equilibrium ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Dimethyl Sulfate ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Loop 2 ◽  
Sampling Times

A considerable amount of rapid-paced research is underway to combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In this work, we assess the 3D structure of the 5′ untranslated region of its RNA, in the hopes that stable secondary structures can be targeted, interrupted, or otherwise measured. To this end, we have combined molecular dynamics simulations with previous Nuclear Magnetic Resonance measurements for stem loop 2 of SARS-CoV-1 to refine 3D structure predictions of that stem loop. We find that relatively short sampling times allow for loop rearrangement from predicted structures determined in absence of water or ions, to structures better aligned with experimental data. We then use molecular dynamics to predict the refined structure of the transcription regulatory leader sequence (TRS-L) region which includes stem loop 3, and show that arrangement of the loop around exchangeable monovalent potassium can interpret the conformational equilibrium determined by in-cell dimethyl sulfate (DMS) data.

scholarly journals Remdesivir and Ledipasvir among the FDA-Approved Antiviral Drugs Have Potential to Inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Replication

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1052
Author(s):  
Rameez Hassan Pirzada ◽  
Muhammad Haseeb ◽  
Maria Batool ◽  
MoonSuk Kim ◽  
Sangdun Choi
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Drugs ◽  
Effective Concentration ◽  
Nonstructural Proteins ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
Direct Acting Antiviral ◽  
Rapid Spread ◽  
Half Maximal Effective Concentration ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Direct Acting ◽  
Transcription And Replication

The rapid spread of the virus, the surge in the number of deaths, and the unavailability of specific SARS-CoV-2 drugs thus far necessitate the identification of drugs with anti-COVID-19 activity. SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cell and assembles a multisubunit RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex of viral nonstructural proteins that plays a substantial role in the transcription and replication of the viral genome. Therefore, RdRp is among the most suitable targets in RNA viruses. Our aim was to investigate the FDA approved antiviral drugs having potential to inhibit the viral replication. The methodology adopted was virtual screening and docking of FDA-approved antiviral drugs into the RdRp protein. Top hits were selected and subjected to molecular dynamics simulations to understand the dynamics of RdRp in complex with these drugs. The antiviral activity of the drugs against SARS-CoV-2 was assessed in Vero E6 cells. Notably, both remdesivir (half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) 6.6 μM, 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) > 100 µM, selectivity index (SI) = 15) and ledipasvir (EC50 34.6 μM, CC50 > 100 µM, SI > 2.9) exerted antiviral action. This study highlights the use of direct-acting antiviral drugs, alone or in combination, for better treatments of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Dendritic Transport and Localization of Protein Kinase Mζ mRNA

2004 ◽  
Vol 279 (50) ◽  
pp. 52613-52622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilham Aliagaevich Muslimov ◽  
Volker Nimmrich ◽  
Alejandro Ivan Hernandez ◽  
Andrew Tcherepanov ◽  
Todd Charlton Sacktor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Translational Control ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Functional Integration ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Memory Storage ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Translational Repressor ◽  
Protein Kinase Mζ

Protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ) is an atypical protein kinase C isoform that has been implicated in the protein synthesis-dependent maintenance of long term potentiation and memory storage in the brain. Synapse-associated kinases are uniquely positioned to promote enduring consolidation of structural and functional modifications at the synapse, provided that kinase mRNA is available on site for local input-specific translation. We now report that the mRNA encoding PKMζ is rapidly transported and specifically localized to synaptodendritic neuronal domains. Transport of PKMζ mRNA is specified by two cis-acting dendritic targeting elements (Mζ DTEs). Mζ DTE1, located at the interface of the 5′-untranslated region and the open reading frame, directs somato-dendritic export of the mRNA. Mζ DTE2, in contrast, is located in the 3′-untranslated region and is required for delivery of the mRNA to distal dendritic segments. Colocalization with translational repressor BC1 RNA in hippocampal dendrites suggests that PKMζ mRNA may be subject to translational control in local domains. Dendritic localization of PKMζ mRNA provides a molecular basis for the functional integration of synaptic signal transduction and translational control pathways.

scholarly journals Identification and characterization of a sequence motif involved in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 2231-2244 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Zhang ◽  
M J Ruiz-Echevarria ◽  
Y Quan ◽  
S W Peltz
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Sequence Motif ◽  
Nonsense Mutations ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Stem Loop Structure ◽  
Nonsense Codon ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay

In both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, nonsense mutations in a gene can enhance the decay rate or reduce the abundance of the mRNA transcribed from that gene, and we call this process nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. We have been investigating the cis-acting sequences involved in this decay pathway. Previous experiments have demonstrated that, in addition to a nonsense codon, specific sequences 3' of a nonsense mutation, which have been defined as downstream elements, are required for mRNA destabilization. The results presented here identify a sequence motif (TGYYGATGYYYYY, where Y stands for either T or C) that can predict regions in genes that, when positioned 3' of a nonsense codon, promote rapid decay of its mRNA. Sequences harboring two copies of the motif from five regions in the PGK1, ADE3, and HIS4 genes were able to function as downstream elements. In addition, four copies of this motif can function as an independent downstream element. The sequences flanking the motif played a more significant role in modulating its activity when fewer copies of the sequence motif were present. Our results indicate the sequences 5' of the motif can modulate its activity by maintaining a certain distance between the sequence motif and the termination codon. We also suggest that the sequences 3' of the motif modulate the activity of the downstream element by forming RNA secondary structures. Consistent with this view, a stem-loop structure positioned 3' of the sequence motif can enhance the activity of the downstream element. This sequence motif is one of the few elements that have been identified that can predict regions in genes that can be involved in mRNA turnover. The role of these sequences in mRNA decay is discussed.

cis-acting elements involved in the alternative translation initiation process of human basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA

1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4796-4805
Author(s):  
A C Prats ◽  
S Vagner ◽  
H Prats ◽  
F Amalric
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽  
Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Fibroblast Growth ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Initiation Of Translation ◽  
Alternative Translation

Four forms of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are synthesized from the same mRNA, resulting from alternative initiations of translation at three CUG start codons and one AUG start codon. The CUG- and AUG-initiated forms have distinct intracellular localizations and can modify cell phenotypes differently, indicating that control of the alternative expression of the different forms of bFGF has an important impact on the cell. In this study, we investigated the roles of the mRNA 5' untranslated region and the alternatively translated region located between the CUG and AUG codons in the regulation of alternative translation of the different forms of bFGF. Deletions and site-directed mutagenesis were carried out in bFGF mRNA leader, and translation was studied in vitro and in vivo. The results enabled us to identify five cis-acting RNA elements (two in the 5' untranslated region and three in the alternatively translated region) involved in the regulation of either global or alternative initiation of translation. Each of these elements had a specific effect on the level of synthesis of the different forms of bFGF. Furthermore, we showed that the 5' untranslated region regulatory elements had different effects on bFGF translation, depending on the translation system used. These results suggest that bFGF translation is modulated by cis-acting elements corresponding to secondary or tertiary RNA structures, which could be the targets of cell-specific trans-acting factors.

scholarly journals Role of a Stem-Loop Structure inHelicobacter pylori cagATranscript Stability

2018 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
John T. Loh ◽  
Aung Soe Lin ◽  
Amber C. Beckett ◽  
Mark S. McClain ◽  
Timothy L. Cover
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Loop Structure ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transcript Stability ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Caga Protein ◽  
Stem Loop Structure ◽  
Steady State Levels

ABSTRACTHelicobacter pyloriCagA is a secreted effector protein that contributes to gastric carcinogenesis. Previous studies showed that there is variation amongH. pyloristrains in the steady-state levels of CagA and that a strain-specific motif downstream of thecagAtranscriptional start site (the +59 motif) is associated with both high levels of CagA and premalignant gastric histology. ThecagA5′ untranslated region contains a predicted stem-loop-forming structure adjacent to the +59 motif. In the current study, we investigated the effect of the +59 motif and the adjacent stem-loop oncagAtranscript levels andcagAmRNA stability. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we found that mutations predicted to disrupt the stem-loop structure resulted in decreased steady-state levels of both thecagAtranscript and the CagA protein. Additionally, these mutations resulted in a decreasedcagAmRNA half-life. Mutagenesis of the +59 motif without altering the stem-loop structure resulted in reduced steady-statecagAtranscript and CagA protein levels but did not affectcagAtranscript stability.cagAtranscript stability was not affected by increased sodium chloride concentrations, an environmental factor known to augmentcagAtranscript levels and CagA protein levels. These results indicate that both a predicted stem-loop structure and a strain-specific +59 motif in thecagA5′ untranslated region influence the levels ofcagAexpression.

scholarly journals Cap-Independent Translational Enhancement by the 3′ Untranslated Region of Red Clover Necrotic Mosaic Virus RNA1

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (22) ◽  
pp. 12113-12121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Mizumoto ◽  
Masahiro Tatsuta ◽  
Masanori Kaido ◽  
Kazuyuki Mise ◽  
Tetsuro Okuno
Keyword(s):  
Mosaic Virus ◽  
Untranslated Region ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Base Substitution ◽  
Luciferase Reporter Gene ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Genomic Rnas ◽  
Translational Activity ◽  
Independent Translation

ABSTRACT Red clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV) is a member of the genus Dianthovirus and has a bipartite positive-sense genomic RNA with 3′ ends that are not polyadenylated. In this study, we show that both genomic RNA1 and RNA2 lack a 5′ cap structure and that uncapped in vitro transcripts of RCNMV RNA1 replicated to a level comparable to that for capped transcripts in cowpea protoplasts. Because the 5′ cap and 3′ poly(A) tail play important roles in the translation of many eukaryotic mRNAs, genomic RNAs of RCNMV should contain an element(s) responsible for 5′ cap- and poly(A) tail-independent translation of viral protein. By using a luciferase reporter assay system in vivo, we showed that the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of RNA1 alone significantly enhanced translation of the luciferase reporter gene in the absence of the 5′ cap structure. Deletion studies revealed that the middle region (between nucleotides 3596 and 3732) in the 3′ UTR, designated the 3′ translation element of Dianthovirus RNA1 (3′TE-DR1), plays an important role in cap-independent translation. This region contained a stem-loop structure conserved among members of the genera Dianthovirus and Luteovirus. A five-base substitution in the loop abolished cap-independent translational activity, as reported for a luteovirus, indicating that this stem-loop is one of the functional structures in the 3′TE-DR1 involved in cap-independent translation. Finally, we suggest that cap-independent translational activity is required for RCNMV RNA1 replication in protoplasts.

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