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Structural characterization of the catalytic subunit of a novel RNA splicing endonuclease.

The RNA splicing endonuclease is responsible for recognition and excision of nuclear tRNA and all archaeal introns. Despite the conserved RNA cleavage chemistry and a similar enzyme assembly, currently known splicing endonuclease families have limited RNA specificity. Different from previously characterized splicing endonucleases in Archaea, the splicing endonuclease from archaeum Sulfolobus solfataricus was found to contain two different subunits and accept a broader range of substrates. Here, we report a crystal structure of the catalytic subunit of the S.solfataricus endonuclease at 3.1 angstroms resolution. The structure, together with analytical ultracentrifugation analysis, identifies the catalytic subunit as an inactive but stable homodimer, thus suggesting the possibility of two modes of functional assembly for the active enzyme.

Catalytic Domain↗

Identical G+1 to A mutations in three different introns of the type III procollagen gene (COL3A1) produce different patterns of RNA splicing in three variants of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. IV. An explanation for exon skipping some mutations and not others.

Identical G+1 mutations in three different introns of the gene for type III procollagen (COL3A1) that cause aberrant splicing of RNA were found in three probands with life-threatening variants of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Because the three mutations were in a gene with multiple and homologous exons, they provided an interesting test for factors that influence aberrant splicing. The G+1 to A mutation in intron 16 caused extensive exon skipping, the G+1 to A mutation in intron 20 caused both use of a cryptic splice site and retention of all the intron sequences, and the G+1 to A mutation in intron 42 caused efficient use of a single cryptic splice site. The different patterns of RNA splicing were not explained by evaluation of potential cryptic splice sites in the introns by either their homology with 5'-splice sites from other genes or by their delta G(0)37 values for binding to U1 RNA. Instead, the results suggested that the patterns of aberrant RNA splicing were primarily determined by the relative rates at which adjacent introns were normally spliced.

Adenine↗

A mutation in the pro alpha 2(I) gene (COL1A2) for type I procollagen in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VII: evidence suggesting that skipping of exon 6 in RNA splicing may be a common cause of the phenotype.

Fibroblasts from a proband with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VII synthesized approximately equal amounts of normal and shortened pro alpha 2(I) chains of type I procollagen. Nuclease S1 probe protection experiments with mRNA demonstrated that the pro alpha 2(I) chains were shortened because of a deletion of most or all of the 54 nucleotides in exon 6, the exon that contains codons for the cleavage site for procollagen N-proteinase. Sequencing of genomic clones revealed a single-base mutation that converted the first nucleotide of intron 6 from G to A. Therefore, the mutation was a change, in the -GT-consensus splice site, that produced efficient exon skipping. Allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridizations demonstrated that the proband's mother, father, and brother did not have the mutation. Therefore, the mutation was a sporadic one. Analysis of potential 5' splice sites in the 5' end of intron 6 indicated that none had favorable values by the two commonly employed techniques for evaluating such sites. The proband is the fourth reported proband with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome VII with a single-base mutation that causes skipping of exon 6 in the splicing of RNA from either the COL1A1 gene or COL1A2 gene. No other mutations in the two type I procollagen genes have been found in the syndrome. Therefore, such mutations may be a common cause of the phenotype. The primers developed should be useful in screening for the same or similar mutations causing the disease.

Alleles↗

Mimicking the first step of RNA splicing: an artificial DNA enzyme can synthesize branched RNA using an oligonucleotide leaving group as a 5'-exon analogue.

The 7S11 deoxyribozyme synthesizes 2',5'-branched RNA by mediating the nucleophilic attack of an internal 2'-hydroxyl group of one RNA substrate into the 5'-triphosphate of a second RNA substrate, with pyrophosphate as the leaving group. Here we comprehensively examined the role of the leaving group in the 7S11-catalyzed reaction by altering the 5'-phosphorylation state and the length of the second RNA substrate. When the leaving group is the less stabilized phosphate or hydroxide anion as provided by a 5'-diphosphate or 5'-monophosphate, the same 2',5'-branched product is formed as when pyrophosphate is the leaving group, but with an approximately 50- or approximately 1000-fold lower rate (Brønsted beta(LG) = -0.40). When the 5'-end of the RNA substrate that bears the leaving group is longer by one or more nucleotides, either the new 5'-terminal alpha-phosphate or the original alpha-phosphate can be attacked by the branch-site 2'-hydroxyl group; in the latter case, the leaving group is an oligonucleotide. The choice between these alpha-phosphate reaction sites is determined by the subtle balance between the length of the single-stranded 5'-extension and the stability of the leaving group. Because the branch-site adenosine is a bulged nucleotide flanked by Watson-Crick duplex regions, we earlier concluded that 7S11 structurally mimics the first step of natural RNA splicing. The observation of 7S11-catalyzed branch formation with an oligonucleotide leaving group strengthens this resemblance to natural RNA splicing, with the oligonucleotide playing the role of the 5'-exon in the first step. These findings reinforce the notion that splicing-related catalysis can be achieved by artificial nucleic acid enzymes that are much smaller than the spliceosome and group II introns.

DNA, Catalytic↗

The RNA splicing factor hSlu7 is required for correct 3' splice-site choice.

The production of correctly spliced messenger RNA requires two catalytic splicing steps. During step II, exon 1 attacks an adenine-guanine (AG) dinucleotide at the 3' splice site. This AG is usually located between 18 and 40 nucleotides downstream from the branch site, and closer AGs are skipped in favour of AGs located more optimally downstream. At present, little is understood about how the correct AG is distinguished from other AGs. Here we describe a metazoan splicing factor (hSlu7) that is required for selection of the correct AG. In the absence of hSlu7, use of the correct AG is suppressed and incorrect AGs are activated. We investigated this loss of fidelity by analysing spliceosomes assembled in the absence of hSlu7. These studies reveal that exon 1 is loosely associated with these spliceosomes. Thus, the improperly held exon cannot access the correct AG, but can attack other AGs indiscriminately. We conclude that hSlu7 is required to hold exon 1 tightly within the spliceosome for attack on a prespecified AG.

Adenine↗

Detection and mapping of spliced RNA from a human hepatoma cell line transfected with the hepatitis B virus genome.

HepG2 cells, known to support the replication and virion formation of hepatitis B virus (HBV), were transfected with a cosmid constructed to contain 12 tandem head-to-tail repeats of the HBV genome for effective HBV genome expression. We detected previously identified RNAs of 3.3, 2.3, and 2.0 kilobases (kb) that code for core antigen, large surface antigen, and middle/major surface antigen, respectively. We also detected four additional RNAs of 2.1, 1.7, 1.1, and 0.7 kb [the lengths exclude the poly(A) tail]. S1 mapping and nucleotide sequencing data showed that the 2.1-kb RNA is a spliced RNA whose 5' and 3' ends are identical to those of the 3.3-kb RNA. The results suggest that the 2.1-kb RNA codes for an altered core antigen lacking the last amino acid, cysteine, and that expression of the 3.3-kb pregenomic RNA is regulated, at least in part, by splicing. The map positions of the 1.7- and 1.1-kb RNAs suggest that they code for the carboxyl-terminal portions of the putative polymerase, whereas the 0.7-kb RNA codes for the X protein.

Antigens, Viral↗

Metabolism of pre-messenger RNA splicing cofactors: modification of U6 RNA is dependent on its interaction with U4 RNA.

The requirements for the formation of pseudouridine (psi) in U4 and U6 RNAs, cofactors in the splicing of pre-messenger RNA, were investigated in vitro using HeLa nuclear (NE) and cytoplasmic (S100) extracts. Maximal psi formation for both RNAs was extract order-dependent. Maximal psi formation in U4 RNA required incubation in S100 followed by the addition of NE, paralleling the in vivo maturation pathway of U4 RNA. In contrast, maximal formation of psi in U6 RNA required incubation in NE followed by the addition of S100 extract. Since U6 RNA does not exit the nucleus in vivo the contribution of S100 was investigated. In experiments where the extracts were treated with micrococcal nuclease to digest endogenous snRNAs, the efficient formation of psi in U6 RNA was dependent on the presence of U4 RNA, but not in U5 RNA or tRNA. When mutant U4 RNAs that inhibit or strengthen the interaction between U4 RNA, and U6 RNA were substituted for wild-type U4 RNA, the results confirmed the need for the interaction between these two RNAs for psi formation in U6 RNA. U6 RNA isolated from glycerol gradients after incubation in extracts had four times as much psi when associated with U4 RNA.

Base Sequence↗

Identification of spliced RNA species of Drosophila melanogaster gypsy retrotransposon. New evidence for retroviral nature of the gypsy element.

We have identified a novel RNA species of Drosophila melanogaster gypsy retrotransposon that is ca. 2 kb in length and corresponds to the third open reading frame (ORF3) of the gypsy element. This RNA is generated by splicing of the primary gypsy transcript, as is the case for retroviral env gene expression. Therefore, the striking resemblance between gypsy and retroviruses has now been extended by this study to the expression strategies of these retroelements. The primary structure of spliced RNA was determined, and its analysis shows that both gypsy subfamilies (6K and 7K) apparently are able to encode functionally active ORF3 translation products.

Animals↗

Comparison of Rous sarcoma virus RNA processing in chicken and mouse fibroblasts: evidence for double-spliced RNA in nonpermissive mouse cells.

Rous sarcoma virus, an avian retrovirus, transforms but does not replicate in mammalian cells. To determine to what extent differences in RNA splicing might contribute to this lack of productive infection, cloned proviral DNA derived from the Prague A strain of Rous sarcoma virus was transfected into mouse NIH 3T3 cells, and the viral RNA was compared by RNase protection with viral RNA from transfected chicken embryo fibroblasts by using a tandem antisense riboprobe spanning the three major splice sites. The levels of viral RNA in NIH 3T3 cells compared with those in chicken embryo fibroblasts were lower, but the RNA was spliced at increased efficiency. The difference in the ratio of unspliced to spliced RNA levels was not due to the increased lability of unspliced RNA in NIH 3T3 cells. Although chicken embryo fibroblasts contained equal levels of src and env mRNAs, spliced viral mRNAs in NIH 3T3 cells were almost exclusively src. In NIH 3T3 cells the env mRNA was further processed by using a cryptic 5' splice site located within the env coding sequences and the normal src 3' splice site to form a double-spliced mRNA. This mRNA was identical to the src mRNA, except that a 159-nucleotide sequence from the 5' end of the env gene was inserted at the src splice junction. Smaller amounts of single-spliced RNA were also present in which only the region between the cryptic 5' and src 3' splice sites was spliced out. The aberrant processing of the viral env mRNA in NIH 3T3 cells may in part explain the nonpermissiveness of these cells to productive Rous sarcoma virus infection.

Animals↗

The presence of RNA splicing signals in the cDNA construct of the E2 gene of classical swine fever virus affected its expression.

E2 is the major neutralizing antigen for classical swine fever virus (CSFV) infection. Previously, we have cloned and sequenced the E2 cDNA of Taiwan strain p97 by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method from CSFV-infected tissue. The presence of RNA splicing donor and acceptor sites were found in the cDNA sequence. In this study, transfection of E2 cDNA into mammalian cells resulted in the production of a spliced RNA. Site-directed mutagenesis of the donor and acceptor sites prevented the RNA splicing event and generated a full length transcript in COS7 cells. Although the spliced E2 transcript has not been reported in natural infection of CSFV, this study suggested that the potential splicing sites affected the E2 gene expression when the plasmid-based E2 gene was introduced into mammalian cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of the SmB' splicing protein in rodent cells capable of following an alternative RNA splicing pathway.

The expression of the SmB and SmB' spliceosome proteins in a variety of cell types and tissues has been investigated. Although SmB is found in all cells studied, the SmB' protein is found only in a small number of rodent cell types. The presence of this protein is correlated with the ability to utilize an alternative pathway of RNA splicing which is not available in most cell types. This is the first demonstration of tissue specific expression of a protein component of the spliceo-some and suggests a role for SmB' in the regulation of some cases of alternative RNA splicing.

Animals↗

The relevance of alternative RNA splicing to pharmacogenomics.

The importance of alternative RNA splicing in the generation of genetic diversity is now widely accepted. This article highlights how alternative RNA splicing can have an impact on drug efficacy and safety, and demonstrates its potential pharmacogenomic value. The analysis of the repertoire of alternative RNA splicing events could potentially identify markers of pharmacogenomic relevance with high sensitivity and specificity and also provides a route through which genes can be selected for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. Recent methodological advances, including microarray and splice-dedicated expression profiling, have made it possible to perform high-throughput alternative splicing analyses.

Alternative Splicing↗

Preprotachykinin gene expression in the human basal ganglia: characterization of mRNAs and pre-mRNAs produced by alternate RNA splicing.

The nature and distribution of preprotachykinin (PPT, i.e. substance P/neurokinin A-encoding) gene expression in human basal ganglia was determined. Northern blot analysis visualized a single band of approximately 1300 bases, confirming the postmortem stability of PPT mRNA. Gross anatomical analysis indicated that PPT gene expression was relatively evenly distributed throughout the human caudate and putamen, but absent in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra. Nuclease protection analysis of these tissues established that human PPT mRNA consisted of approximately 80-85% beta-PPT (exon 1-7 derived) mRNA and 15-20% gamma-PPT (minus exon 4), with no alpha-PPT (minus exon 6) mRNA detected; these data contrast with the proportions of PPT mRNAs seen in non-human species. The incompletely spliced PPT RNA species detected in basal ganglia accounted for approximately 8% of total human PPT RNA and suggested a fixed order of exon splicing. Since various PPT mRNAs encode different combinations of tachykinin peptides with distinct biological activities, the markedly different proportions of PPT mRNAs seen in human basal ganglia compared to non-human tissues may be of physiological significance.

Animals↗

A pyrimidine-rich exonic splicing suppressor binds multiple RNA splicing factors and inhibits spliceosome assembly.

The bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV-1) exonic splicing suppressor (ESS) is juxtaposed immediately downstream of BPV-1 splicing enhancer 1 and negatively modulates selection of a suboptimal 3' splice site at nucleotide 3225. The present study demonstrates that this pyrimidine-rich ESS inhibits utilization of upstream 3' splice sites by blocking early steps in spliceosome assembly. Analysis of the proteins that bind to the ESS showed that the U-rich 5' region binds U2AF65 and polypyrimidine tract binding protein, the C-rich central part binds 35- and 54-55-kDa serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins, and the AG-rich 3' end binds alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2. Mutational and functional studies indicated that the most critical region of the ESS maps to the central C-rich core (GGCUCCCCC). This core sequence, along with additional nonspecific downstream nucleotides, is sufficient for partial suppression of spliceosome assembly and splicing of BPV-1 pre-mRNAs. The inhibition of splicing by the ESS can be partially relieved by excess purified HeLa SR proteins, suggesting that the ESS suppresses pre-mRNA splicing by interfering with normal bridging and recruitment activities of SR proteins.

Alternative Splicing↗

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H is required for optimal U11 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein binding to a retroviral RNA-processing control element: implications for U12-dependent RNA splicing.

An RNA-processing element from Rous sarcoma virus, the negative regulator of splicing (NRS), represses splicing to generate unspliced RNA that serves as mRNA and as genomic RNA for progeny virions and also promotes polyadenylation of the unspliced RNA. Integral to NRS function is the binding of U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP), but its binding is controlled by U11 snRNP that binds to an overlapping site. U11 snRNP, the U1 counterpart for splicing of U12-dependent introns, binds the NRS remarkably well and requires G-rich elements just downstream of the consensus U11 binding site. We present evidence that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) H binds to the NRS G-rich elements and that hnRNP H is required for optimal U11 binding in vitro. It is further shown that hnRNP H (but not hnRNP F) can promote U11 binding and splicing from the NRS in vivo when tethered to the RNA as an MS2 fusion protein. Interestingly, 17% of the naturally occurring U12-dependent introns have at least two potential hnRNP H binding sites positioned similarly to the NRS. For two such introns from the SCN4A and P120 genes, we show that hnRNP H binds to each in a G-tract-dependent manner, that G-tract mutations strongly reduce splicing of minigene RNA, and that tethered hnRNP H restores splicing to mutant RNA. In support of a role for hnRNP H in both splicing pathways, hnRNP H antibodies co-precipitate U1 and U11 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins. These results indicate that hnRNP H is an auxiliary factor for U11 binding to the NRS and that, more generally, hnRNP H is a splicing factor for a subset of U12-dependent introns that harbor G-rich elements.

Avian Sarcoma Viruses↗