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Fragile X DNA triplet repeats, (GCC)n, form hairpins with single hydrogen-bonded cytosine.cytosine mispairs at the CpG sites: isotope-edited nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on (GCC)n with selective 15N4-labeled cytosine bases.

Here, we provide a direct proof that the formation of hairpins by (GCC)n at the 5'-UTR of the FMR-1 gene offers a mechanism for CpG hypermethylation associated with the fragile X syndrome. For this, we have performed hetero-nuclear (15N-1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy to probe the structure of the CpG sites in the (GCC)n hairpins that are 15N-labeled at the amino (N4) groups of specific cytosine bases. Analyses of chemical shift, pH-induced chemical exchange, and NOE pattern of the (15N-labeled) amino protons of cytosine bases reveal that the cytosine bases at the CpG sites are intrahelical and well-stacked with the neighboring G.C base-pairs in the stem of these hairpins and probably form single hydrogen-bonded C.C mispairs. Measurements of pH-dependent 1H line-width also demonstrate that the C.C mispairs are more susceptible to open-closure than the G.C base-pairs. Thus, the Cs at the CpG sites of the (GCC)n hairpin are "flipped out" more easily to the activated state than those in the corresponding Watson-Crick duplex, (GCC)n. (GGC)n and this makes the hairpin a better target for methylation by the human methyltransferase, the enzyme that methylates the Cs at the CpG sites.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

dCas-Based Tools to Visualize Chromatin or Modify Epigenetic Marks at Specific Plant Genomic Loci.

Development of locus-specific approaches targeting precise regions on chromatin, for locus/transcription visualization or transcription/epigenetic marks editing, is a critical challenge in functional genetics and epigenetics. Systems engineered from the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and its associated endonuclease (Cas) operate through DNA sequence-specific recognition by so-called guide RNAs, which provides high flexibility and modularity for precise chromatin visualization or edition. Here, we provide an overview of the CRISPR/Cas-derived tools developed for visualization of chromatin loci in live imaging or for effective modification of gene expression. These tools make use of effector modules that combine activators, repressors, and epigenetic modifiers with a deactivated Cas protein (dCas). We present how their use in plants brought advances in visualizing or manipulating the expression of loci involved in agronomically interesting traits such as flowering time and response to drought or heat. We also discuss the limitations and future improvements of the dCas-related technologies, such as more compact and combinatorial systems, spatiotemporal targeting for fine-tuning of gene expression, and live visualization of chromatin dynamics.

Chromatin↗

Lesion bypass DNA polymerases replicate across non-DNA segments.

A critical feature of the robustness of the DNA replication machinery is the ability to complete its task in the presence of interfering DNA damage. A key mechanism responsible for this task is translesion replication (also termed translesion synthesis), carried out by specialized lesion bypass DNA polymerases of the Y superfamily. Here we show that in Escherichia coli, plasmids can be replicated across a segment of foreign non-DNA material, consisting of hydrocarbon chains of 3 or 12 methylene residues. This replication is carried out by DNA polymerase V and proceeds by at least two mechanisms: (i) Editing out the foreign insert, by polymerase "hopping" across it, which can be mediated by looping out of the insert, leading to its deletion, while preserving the DNA sequence. (ii) DNA synthesis through the insert, which occurs by incorporating one or two nucleotides opposite the hydrocarbon chain, yielding a net increase in the length of the DNA sequence. The remarkable ability of DNA polymerase V to insert nucleotides opposite a hydrocarbon chain shows that DNA synthesis can occur in a region of the template strand, which lacks all fundamental features of DNA, including its purine, pyrimidine, sugar, and phosphate moieties, and its hydrophilic and ionic nature. This bypass ability reflects a striking robustness of the translesion replication apparatus and is likely to contribute to its effectiveness in maintaining genome stability.

Base Sequence↗

Specificity mechanisms in the control of transcription.

In this overview we analyze and illustrate the principles underlying some of the specificity mechanisms that control the initiation, elongation, and termination phases of transcription. Thermodynamic mechanisms dominate in the first steps of initiation, where promoters at various levels of activation can be considered to be in competition for a limiting supply of core RNA polymerase. In the later stages of initiation, as well as in elongation and termination, the regulatory mechanisms that control specificity are largely kinetic, involving rate competition between branching reaction pathways where the outcome depends on the rates (and equilibria) of reaction and interconversion of different forms of the transcription complex. Elongation complexes are very stable at most positions along the DNA template, meaning that only RNA chain elongation (and editing) can occur at these positions. However, the stability of transcription complexes decreases abruptly when termination sequences are encountered, and here the outcome can be easily switched between elongation and termination (RNA release) by minor changes in the relative rates of these competing processes. Cis effectors, defined as sites at which regulatory proteins bind to upstream activation loci on either the DNA or the nascent RNA, play important roles in the control of both initiation and of the elongation-termination decision. Examples, drawn from studies of phage lambda N-dependent antitermination and E. coli rho-dependent termination processes, illustrate the flexibility and additivity of regulatory components within control mechanisms in transcription that involve multiple determinants. The generality of such regulatory principles are stressed.

Animals↗

Accuracy, lesion bypass, strand displacement and translocation by DNA polymerases.

The structures of DNA polymerases from different families show common features and significant differences that shed light on the ability of these enzymes to accurately copy DNA and translocate. The structure of a B family DNA polymerase from phage RB69 exhibits an active-site closing conformational change in the fingers domain upon forming a ternary complex with primer template in deoxynucleoside triphosphate. The rotation of the fingers domain alpha-helices by 60 degrees upon dNTP binding is analogous to the changes seen in other families of polymerases. When the 3' terminus is bound to the editing 3' exonuclease active site, the orientation of the DNA helix axis changes by 40 degrees and the thumb domain re-orients with the DNA. Structures of substrate and product complexes of T7 RNA polymerase, a structural homologue of T7 DNA polymerase, show that family polymerases use the rotation conformational change of the fingers domain to translocate down the DNA. The fingers opening rotation that results in translocation is powered by the release of the product pyrophosphate and also enables the Pol I family polymerases to function as a helicase in displacing the downstream non-template strand from the template strand.

Bacteriophages↗

RNA editing in the Wilms' tumor susceptibility gene, WT1.

Rat kidney WT1 cDNAs contain either a thymidine or a cytosine residue at position 839. Genomic WT1 DNA contains only T839. To explain these results, we propose the WT1 transcript undergoes RNA editing in which U839 is converted to C, resulting in the replacement of leucine 280 in WT1 by proline. RNA editing at the same nucleotide was observed in WT1 cDNAs from human testis. In functional assays, the WT1-leucine280 polypeptide repressed the EGR-1 promoter in in vitro assays approximately 30% more efficiently than WT1-proline. Edited WT1-C839 mRNA was barely detectable in neonatal kidney, whereas adult rat kidneys contained both U839 and C839-WT1 mRNA, suggesting a role for the two protein isoforms in growth and differentiation.

Animals↗

How an RNA ligase discriminates RNA versus DNA damage.

T4 RNA ligase 2 (Rnl2) exemplifies a family of RNA-joining enzymes that includes protozoan RNA-editing ligases. Rnl2 efficiently seals 3'-OH/5'-PO4 RNA nicks in either a duplex RNA or an RNA:DNA hybrid but cannot seal DNA nicks. RNA specificity arises from a requirement for at least two ribonucleotides immediately flanking the 3'-OH of the nick; the rest of the nicked duplex can be replaced by DNA. The terminal 2'-OH at the nick is important for the attack of the 3'-OH on the 5'-adenylated strand to form a phosphodiester, but dispensable for nick recognition and adenylylation of the 5'-PO4 strand. The penultimate 2'-OH is important for nick recognition. Stable binding of Rnl2 at a nick depends on contacts to both the N-terminal adenylyltransferase domain and its signature C-terminal domain. Nick sensing also requires adenylylation of Rnl2. These results provide insights to the evolution of nucleic acid repair systems.

Bacteriophage T4↗

Prime editing in bacteria with BacPE.

Programmable genome editing technologies have revolutionized the ability of researchers to alter the genomes of microorganisms in a straightforward and efficient manner, significantly advancing the field of microbiology. To date, several CRISPR-Cas-based genome-editing systems have been developed for use in E. coli, including CRISPR/Cas9, base editing, and prime editing technologies. In this chapter, we describe the design and experimental application of BacPE, a variant of prime editing technology optimized for E. coli. BacPE facilitates the introduction of point mutations, insertions, and deletions without the need for double-strand DNA breaks. We demonstrate that BacPE is a powerful tool for genome editing in E. coli and highlight its potential applicability to other bacterial species.

Gene Editing↗

The nucleotide sequence of the variable region in Trypanosoma brucei completes the sequence analysis of the maxicircle component of mitochondrial kinetoplast DNA.

The nucleotide sequence of two non-contiguous DNA fragments of 4.0 and 2.2 kb, respectively, of the kinetoplast maxicircle of Trypanosoma brucei brucei EATRO strain 427 has been determined, completing the sequence analysis of the so-called variable region (see also de Vries et al., 1988, Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 27, 71-82). Analysis of the entire 8-kb variable region sequence revealed the presence of a 5.2-kb cluster of imperfect, tandemly repeated sequences, flanked by DNA of unique sequence. Both repetitive and unique DNA evolve rapidly, but comparison to the closely related strain EATRO 164 indicated that the repetitive cluster is more prone to sequence and size divergence. The variable region is transcribed into RNAs of varying lengths but appears to be devoid of genes encoding mitochondrial proteins or tRNAs, as judged from computer analysis. Moreover, genes that could encode guide RNAs involved in producing the known edited mitochondrial mRNA sequences are also absent. The repetitive DNA cluster within this region consists of 14 blocks each containing one 130 bp repeat and a variable number of 19 bp repeats. A duplicated sequence was identified (5'-GGGGTTGGTGT) which proved to be identical to the eleven 5'-terminal residues of the universal minicircle dodecamer involved in initiation of leading strand synthesis. This suggests a role for these sequences in the initiation of maxicircle DNA replication. With the data presented in this report, the nucleotide sequence analysis of the 23016 bp maxicircle of T. brucei brucei EATRO strain 427 has been completed.

Animals↗

Insertional editing in mitochondria of Physarum.

RNA produced from a number of genes on the mitochondrial (mt) DNA of Physarum polycephalum have nucleotides inserted at specific sites in their sequence. These insertions are spaced at approximately 25 nucleotide intervals and create open reading frames in mRNA and functional structure in tRNAs and rRNAs. Although most of the insertions at a site are single cytidines; single uridines and certain dinucleotides containing adenosine and guanosine as well as cytidine and uridine are also occasionally inserted at certain sites. This mixed nucleotide insertional RNA editing is unique among currently characterized editing systems.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

RNA editing of atp6 transcripts from male-sterile and normal cytoplasms of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).

The complete cDNA sequence corresponding to the rapeseed atp6 gene transcript (coding for subunit 6 of F0-ATPase) has been determined by a method involving cDNA synthesis, using specific oligonucleotides as primers, followed by PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing of the amplification products. Only one modification, a C-to-U conversion, has been found when compared to the genomic mitochondrial DNA sequence. Comparison of the extent and frequency of RNA editing of the pol cytoplasmic male sterile (cms) atp6 transcript with those of normal atp6 transcript indicates that there is no variation between the editing status of the atp6 transcripts from pol cms and normal cytoplasms.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Conserved genes encode guide RNAs in mitochondria of Crithidia fasciculata.

RNA editing is the post-transcriptional alteration of the nucleotide sequence of RNA, which in trypanosome mitochondria is characterized by the insertion and deletion of uridine residues. It has recently been proposed that the information for the sequence alteration in Leishmania tarentolae is provided by small guide (g) RNAs encoded in the mitochondrial DNA [Blum et al. (1990) Cell, 60, 189-198]. We are studying the mechanism of RNA editing in the insect trypanosome Crithidia fasciculata and report that: (i) a full length, conventional DNA gene or an independently replicating RNA gene that could encode the edited MURF3 transcript is absent when probed for in sensitive, calibrated assay systems; (ii) in all cases (seven) investigated in C. fasciculata so far, putative gRNA genes are found in a position in the mitochondrial DNA virtually identical to that in L. tarentolae and (iii) also in C. fasciculata, the putative gRNA genes are transcribed into small RNAs with discrete 5' ends. These results provide strong evolutionary evidence in support of the participation of gRNAs in RNA editing. Remarkably, in C. fasciculata the basepaired region of some putative gRNA:mRNA hybrids contains a C:A non-Watson-Crick basepair.

Animals↗

In planta genome editing in citrus facilitated by co-expression of CRISPR/Cas and developmental regulators.

Recent advances in the field of genome editing offer a promising avenue for targeted trait improvements in fruit trees. However, the predominant method taken for genome editing in citrus (and other fruit trees) involves the time-consuming tissue culture approach, thereby prolonging the overall citrus breeding process and subjecting it to the drawbacks associated with somaclonal variation. In this study, we introduce an in planta approach for genome editing in soil-grown citrus plants via direct transformation of young seedlings. Our editing system, abbreviated here as IPGEC (in planta genome editing in citrus), is designed to transiently co-express three key gene groups in citrus tissue via Agrobacterium tumefaciens: (i) a genome-editing catalytic group, (ii) a shoot induction and regeneration group, and (iii) a T-DNA enhanced delivery group. This integrated system significantly improves de novo shoot induction and regeneration efficiency of edited tissue. By incorporating single-guides RNA's (sgRNA's) targeting the carotenoid biosynthetic gene PHYTOENE DESATURASE (CsPDS), the IPGEC system effectively produced mutated albino shoots, confirming its ability to generate homozygous/biallelic genome-edited plants. By using high throughput screening, we provide evidence that transgene-free genome-edited plants could be obtained following the IPGEC approach. Our findings further suggest that the efficiency of specific developmental regulators in inducing transformation and regeneration rates may be cultivar-specific and therefore needs to be optimized per cultivar. Finally, targeted breeding for specific trait improvements in already successful cultivars is likely to revolutionize fruit tree breeding and will pave the way for accelerating the development of high-quality citrus cultivars.

Citrus↗

Processive proofreading is intrinsic to T4 DNA polymerase.

DNA replication occurs in vivo with very high processivity, meaning that the replication complex assembles at the origin(s) of replication and then performs template-directed synthesis of DNA over virtually the entire genome without dissociation. Such processivity also characterizes reconstituted replication holoenzyme complexes in vitro. However, the isolated DNA polymerases are much less processive, especially under physiological conditions. In this paper we monitor the degree of processivity displayed by the bacteriophage T4-coded DNA polymerase while in its proofreading mode by asking whether an isolated polymerase can "edit-out" the 3'-terminal nucleotide from the primer (using the 3'----5'-exonuclease activity of the polymerase) and then switch into the synthesis mode without dissociating from the DNA template. This "switch experiment" is accomplished by using mismatched primer/template substrates as an experimental tool to mimic the situation that T4 DNA polymerase encounters after a misincorporation event has occurred. By performing experiments under single-turnover conditions (obtained using a heparin trap), we demonstrate that T4 DNA polymerase, upon encountering a misincorporated base, neither synthesizes the next base nor dissociates into solution. Instead, with a greater than 80% probability, it removes the misincorporated base and then continues synthesis in a fully processive manner. We also show that the removal of a doubly mispaired sequence from the 3'-terminus of the primer, followed by synthesis, is comparably processive. In contrast, the apparent processivity of removing a triply mispaired terminus is much reduced. Taken together, these observations are consistent with the notion that the "editing active site" of the T4 enzyme optimally accommodates only two unpaired nucleotide residues. Our results do not support the idea that the exonuclease activity of T4 DNA polymerase is highly selective for mismatched termini; they suggest instead that the dwell time at a misincorporated base determines overall editing efficiency. The integrated results of this study provide additional insight into the structure of the T4 DNA polymerase, as well as into the interactions between the polymerase and the polymerase accessory proteins that are required to provide the holoenzyme complex with full processivity.

Base Sequence↗

Full subunit coverage liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LCMS+) of an oligomeric membrane protein: cytochrome b(6)f complex from spinach and the cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus.

Highly active cytochrome b(6)f complexes from spinach and the cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus have been analyzed by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LCMS+). Both size-exclusion and reverse-phase separations were used to separate protein subunits allowing measurement of their molecular masses to an accuracy exceeding 0.01% (+/-3 Da at 30,000 Da). The products of petA, petB, petC, petD, petG, petL, petM, and petN were detected in complexes from both spinach and M. laminosus, while the spinach complex also contained ferredoxin-NADP(+) oxidoreductase (Zhang, H., Whitelegge, J. P., and Cramer, W. A. (2001) Flavonucleotide:ferredoxin reductase is a subunit of the plant cytochrome b(6)f complex. J. Biol. Chem. 276, 38159-38165). While the measured masses of PetC and PetD (18935.8 and 17311.8 Da, respectively) from spinach are consistent with the published primary structure, the measured masses of cytochrome f (31934.7 Da, PetA) and cytochrome b (24886.9 Da, PetB) modestly deviate from values calculated based upon genomic sequence and known post-translational modifications. The low molecular weight protein subunits have been sequenced using tandem mass spectrometry (MSMS) without prior cleavage. Sequences derived from the MSMS spectra of these intact membrane proteins in the range of 3.2-4.2 kDa were compared with translations of genomic DNA sequence where available. Products of the spinach chloroplast genome, PetG, PetL, and PetN, all retained their initiating formylmethionine, while the nuclear encoded PetM was cleaved after import from the cytoplasm. While the sequences of PetG and PetN revealed no discrepancy with translations of the spinach chloroplast genome, Phe was detected at position 2 of PetL. The spinach chloroplast genome reports a codon for Ser at position 2 implying the presence of a DNA sequencing error or a previously undiscovered RNA editing event. Clearly, complete annotation of genomic data requires detailed expression measurements of primary structure by mass spectrometry. Full subunit coverage of an oligomeric intrinsic membrane protein complex by LCMS+ presents a new facet to intact mass proteomics.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ribonucleases from T2 family.

Ribonucleases are ubiquitous in distribution. Ribonucleases that hydrolyse RNA to 3' mononucleotides via 2', 3' cyclic nucleotides are classified into three groups, RNase A, RNase T1, and RNase T2 families. Apart from salvage of cellular or extracellular RNAs, RNases participate in vital cellular functions such as DNA replication, transcription and RNA processing, splicing and editing, and control of translation by determining the turnover of RNA. T2 family RNases have been implicated in nutrition, phosphate remobilization, self-incompatibility, senescence, and defense against pathogens. They are important analytical enzymes and have been exploited for the structural determination of RNAs. Although considerable information is available on RNase A and T1 family RNases, less information is available on RNases from T2 family except RNase Rh from Rhizopus niveus and RNase LE from tomato. However, during the last few years, the primary structure, active site nature based on sequence homology, and probable mechanism of action have been postulated for some of these enzymes. RNases of T2 family, their occurrence, purification, characteristics, biological role, and applications have been reviewed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tissue- and stage-specific RNA editing of rps 14 transcripts in moss (Physcomitrella patens) chloroplasts.

The C to U editing event that converts an ACG codon to an AUG translation initiation codon in the chloroplast rps 14 transcript is unique to the moss Physcomitrella patens and has not been found in other species. The efficiency of RNA editing was 80% in the young protonemata and decreased to approximately 20% in old protonemata and fully developed leafy shoots. This indicates that RNA editing of this site is regulated in a tissue- and stage-specific manner. In this study, a novel C to U RNA editing site has been identified at the -1 position relative to the AUG. Because the editing site is localized in the mRNA 5' untranslated region, it may affect the efficiency of rps 14 mRNA translation.

Base Sequence↗

Hyaloraphidium curvatum: a linear mitochondrial genome, tRNA editing, and an evolutionary link to lower fungi.

We have sequenced the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of Hyaloraphidium curvatum, an organism previously classified as a colorless green alga but now recognized as a lower fungus based on molecular data. The 29.97-kbp mitochondrial chromosome is maintained as a monomeric, linear molecule with identical, inverted repeats (1.43 kbp) at both ends, a rare genome architecture in mitochondria. The genome encodes only 14 known mitochondrial proteins, 7 tRNAs, the large subunit rRNA and small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA), and 3 ORFs. The SSU rRNA is encoded in two gene pieces that are located 8 kbp apart on the mtDNA. Scrambled and fragmented mitochondrial rRNAs are well known from green algae and alveolate protists but are unprecedented in fungi. Protein genes code for apocytochrome b; cytochrome oxidase 1, 2, and 3, NADH dehydrogenase 1, 2, 3, 4, 4L, 5, and 6, and ATP synthase 6, 8, and 9 subunits, and several of these genes are organized in operon-like clusters. The set of seven mitochondrially encoded tRNAs is insufficient to recognize all codons that occur in the mitochondrial protein genes. When taking into account the pronounced codon bias, at least 16 nuclear-encoded tRNAs are assumed to be imported into the mitochondria. Three of the seven predicted mitochondria-encoded tRNA sequences carry mispairings in the first three positions of the acceptor stem. This strongly suggests that these tRNAs are edited by a mechanism similar to the one seen in the fungus Spizellomyces punctatus and the rhizopod amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii. Our phylogenetic analysis confirms with overwhelming support that H. curvatum is a member of the chytridiomycete fungi, specifically related to the Monoblepharidales.

Animals↗