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Processing of phage T4 td-encoded RNA is analogous to the eukaryotic group I splicing pathway.

Several features of the split td gene of phage T4 suggest an RNA processing mechanism analogous to that of the self-splicing rRNA of Tetrahymena and other group I eukaryotic introns. Previous work has revealed conserved sequence elements and the ability of td-encoded RNA to self-splice in vitro. We show here that a noncoded guanosine residue is covalently joined to the 5' end of the intron during processing. Further, we demonstrate the existence of linear and circular intron forms in RNA extracted from T4-infected cells and from uninfected Escherichia coli expressing the cloned td gene. Sequence analysis of the intron cyclization junction indicates that the noncoded guanosine and one additional nucleotide are lost from the 5' end of the intron upon cyclization. This analysis places a uridine residue upstream of the cyclization site, in analogy to three other group I cyclization junctions. These striking similarities to the splicing intermediates of eukaryotic group I introns point not only to an analogous processing pathway and conserved features of cyclization site recognition but also to a common ancestry between this prokaryotic intervening sequence and the group I eukaryotic introns.

Animals↗

Possible inhibition of group I intron RNA by resveratrol and genistein.

The increasing incidence of pathogens and drug resistance has become major threat in the current arena. Hence, there is a need for the development of alternative therapeutic target to combat increase in resistance problem other than the cell membrane. Besides DNA, recently RNA has been recognized as a central target site for drug design. Group I intron RNA is a unique class of RNA molecule that undergoes self-catalytic activity due to its unique folded structure that catalyze number of cellular reactions. Recently, in vitro studies have shown that the folded structure of group I intron RNA could be a potential target site for therapeutic agents. Its presence in human pathogen like Candida albicans and absence in humans, suggests that the intron could act as an alternative therapeutic target. Therefore, our interest has been to explore the RNA binding activity of dietary compounds resveratrol and genistein. The binding efficacy of resveratrol and genistein (P/D ratio's - 11.76, 4.71, 2.35, 1.17, 0.58) to group I intron RNA transcript and circular-intervening sequences (C-IVS) of Tetrahymena thermophila and the binding efficacy of resveratrol and genistein (P/D ratio's - 2.35, 1.17, 0.58, 0.29) to 25S rRNA of C. albicans is measured by quantification of the RNA using densitometric method. This suggests that these natural compounds might bind with intron RNA and acts as an potential target and modulates the cellular process during therapeutic intervention.

Candida albicans↗

In vitro translation of the full-length RNA transcript of figwort mosaic virus (Caulimovirus).

The circular DNA genome of FMV consists of seven tandemly arranged genes placed successively on a full-length RNA transcript that spans the entire circular viral genome. This transcript is a tentative mRNA for at least five of the six major conserved genes of this virus (genes I-V) that are positioned on this transcript. The sixth major gene (gene VI) is expressed as a separate monocistronic transcript. A long 5'-nontranslated leader (598 nucleotides), a small nonconserved gene (VII), and a short intergenic region (57 nucleotides) precede the five major conserved genes (I through V) on the full-length transcript. A reporter gene (CAT), as a separate cistron or fused in-frame, to viral cistrons in various downstream positions in cloned versions of the viral genome was used in a transcription vector to generate artificial full-length transcripts of FMV. When these mRNAs were translated in vitro (rabbit reticulocyte lysate system), the reporter gene was translated efficiently in all positions. Translation of internal native viral gene positioned on the full-length transcript of FMV was also determined (the gene VI product). These observations suggest that the full-length FMV transcript functions as a polycistronic mRNA in plants. Results are best explained on the basis of translational coupling/relay race model.

Animals↗

Yeast 20 S RNA replicon. Replication intermediates and encoded putative RNA polymerase.

The 20 S RNA genome is a circular single-stranded replicon, present in most laboratory yeast strains, whose copy number is induced 10,000-fold by transfer of cells to acetate medium without a carbon source. We have sequenced most of the 20 S RNA genome, and the (+) strand has a long open reading frame with the potential to encode a protein with homology to viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases. The presence of a typical cAMP-dependent phosphorylation site in the putative RNA polymerase suggests that the acetate amplification of the 20 S RNA genome might be mediated by cAMP, a signal known to transmit the same nutritional status information to the sporulation-control system. Our inability to clone across the gap in the sequence suggests either autocatalytic cleavage of the RNA in the reverse transcriptase reaction, an unusual linkage of 5' and 3' ends of a fundamentally linear molecule, or a structure unusually resistant to reverse transcription. The identity of our sequence with that of the accompanying paper (Rodriguez-Cousino, N., Esteban, L.M., and Esteban, R. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 12772-12778) for W double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) suggests that W is the replicative form of 20 S RNA. The presence of single-stranded (+) and (-) strands and greater than unit length molecules suggests a rolling circle mode of replication as has been suggested for viroids.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Group I permuted intron-exon (PIE) sequences self-splice to produce circular exons.

Circularly permuted group I intron precursor RNAs, containing end-to-end fused exons which interrupt half-intron sequences, were generated and tested for self-splicing activity. An autocatalytic RNA can form when the primary order of essential intron sequence elements, splice sites, and exons are permuted in this manner. Covalent attachment of guanosine to the 5' half-intron product, and accurate exon ligation indicated that the mechanism and specificity of splicing were not altered. However, because the exons were fused and the order of the splice sites reversed, splicing released the fused-exon as a circle. With this arrangement of splice sites, circular exon production was a prediction of the group I splicing mechanism. Circular RNAs have properties that would make them attractive for certain studies of RNA structure and function. Reversal of splice site sequences in a context that allows splicing, such as those generated by circularly permuted group I introns, could be used to generate short defined sequences of circular RNA in vitro and perhaps in vivo.

Anabaena↗

Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses: structure of their genomes and general properties.

Hepatitis A virus is an enteric picornavirus. Its genome is a single stranded RNA molecule of positive-strand polarity of 7478 bases. This sequence codes for a polyprotein which is processed to give rise to viral proteins VP-1, VP-2, VP-3 and others. Hepatitis B virus, a major worldwide infectious and cancer promoting agent contains a DNA genome of 3226 base pairs that replicates by a reverse transcriptase via an RNA intermediate. Extensive sequencing and expression experiments have revealed four major genes named surface, core, polymerase and X which are coded in more than one reading frame. Furthermore, within a frame, proteins are expressed from multiple initiation codons resulting in several related products. The viral genome of hepatitis C virus (nonA-nonB), an elusive major infectious agent, has recently been cloned. This genome is a single positive-stranded RNA of at least 10,000 bases which codes for several antigens, some of them associated specifically with nonA-nonB hepatitis infections. The hepatitis D (delta) viral agent, an infectious agent requiring a hepadnarious for propagation, contains a covalently closed circular single-stranded RNA genome of 1167 nucleotides. This genome encodes the protein p24 and p27 that bind specifically to antisera from patients with chronic hepatitis D infections.

Genes, Viral↗

Structure of RNA polymerase II promoters. Conformational alterations and template properties of circularized Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL1-GAL10 divergent promoters.

A DNA fragment encompassing the Saccharomyces cerevisiae GAL1--GAL10 divergent promoters (914 bp) has been circularized in vitro with T4 DNA ligase. We have defined a set of conditions that allows the production of a series of nine topoisomers covering a range from relaxed to highly negatively supercoiled DNA. Topoisomers were recovered in pure form from agarose gels and were analysed singly for the presence of sites sensitive to the single strand-specific endonuclease Pl. In this way, the occurrence of conformational alterations as a function of the linking deficiency of the closed DNA domain has been determined. Interestingly, sites of Pl hypersensitivity localize on the three sequences identified as relevant for the in vitro transcription of the GAL1 moiety of the divergent promoter: the upstream activator sequence (UAS), the TATA sequence, and the RNA initiation site (RIS). In vitro transcription with purified S. cerevisiae RNA polymerase II shows that activation of transcription parallels the appearance of conformational alterations on the UAS, the TATA and the RIS sequences.

Base Composition↗

Genometric analyses of the organization of circular chromosomes: a universal pressure determines the direction of ribosomal RNA genes transcription relative to chromosome replication.

Selective pressures related to gene function and chromosomal architecture are acting on genome sequences and can be revealed, for instance, by appropriate genometric methods. Cumulative nucleotide skew analyses, i.e., GC, TA, and ORF orientation skews, predict the location of the origin of DNA replication for 88 out of 100 completely sequenced bacterial chromosomes. These methods appear fully reliable for proteobacteria, Gram-positives, and spirochetes as well as for euryarchaeotes. Based on this genome architecture information, coorientation analyses reveal that in prokaryotes, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes encoding the small and large ribosomal subunits are all transcribed in the same direction as DNA replication; that is, they are located along the leading strand. This result offers a simple and reliable method for circumscribing the region containing the origin of the DNA replication and reveals a strong selective pressure acting on the orientation of rRNA genes similar to the weaker one acting on the orientation of ORFs. Rate of coorientation of transfer RNA (tRNA) genes with DNA replication appears to be taxon-specific. Analyzing nucleotide biases such as GC and TA skews of genes and plotting one against the other reveals a taxonomic clusterization of species. All ribosomal RNA genes are enriched in Gs and depleted in Cs, the only so far known exception being the rRNA genes of deuterostomian mitochondria. However, this exception can be explained by the fact that in the chromosome of the human mitochondrion, the model of the deuterostomian organelle genome, DNA replication, and rRNA transcription proceed in opposite directions. A general rule is deduced from prokaryotic and mitochondrial genomes: ribosomal RNA genes that are transcribed in the same direction as the DNA replication are enriched in Gs, and those transcribed in the opposite direction are depleted in Gs.

Base Composition↗

Characterization of group I introns in generating circular RNAs as vaccines.

Circular RNAs are an increasingly important class of RNA molecules that can be engineered as RNA vaccines and therapeutics. Here, we screened eight different group I introns for their ability to circularize and delineated different features that are important for their function. First, we identified the Scytalidium dimidiatum group I intron as causing minimal innate immune activation inside cells, underscoring its potential to serve as an effective RNA vaccine without triggering unwanted reactogenicity. Additionally, mechanistic RNA structure analysis was used to identify the P9 domain as important for circularization, showing that swapping sequences can restore pairing to improve the circularization of poor circularizers. We also determined the diversity of sequence requirements for the exon 1 and exon 2 (E1 and E2) domains of different group I introns and engineered a S1 tag within the domains for positive purification of circular RNAs. In addition, this flexibility in E1 and E2 enables substitution with less immunostimulatory sequences to enhance protein production. Our work deepens the understanding of the properties of group I introns, expands the panel of introns that can be used, and improves the manufacturing process to generate circular RNAs for vaccines and therapeutics.

RNA, Circular↗

Expression of hepatitis delta virus RNA deletions: cis and trans requirements for self-cleavage, ligation, and RNA packaging.

The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) genome is a circular, single-stranded, rod-shaped, 1.7-kb RNA that replicates via a rolling-circle mechanism. Viral ribozymes function to cleave replication intermediates which are then ligated to generate the circular product. HDV expresses two forms of a single protein, the small and large delta antigens (delta Ag-S and delta Ag-L), which associate with viral RNA in a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) structure. While delta Ag-S is required for RNA replication, delta Ag-L inhibits this process but promotes the assembly of the RNP into mature virions. In this study, we have expressed full-length and deleted HDV RNA inside cells to determine the minimal RNA sequences required for self-cleavage, ligation, RNP packaging, and virion assembly and to assess the role of either delta antigen in each of these processes. We report the following findings. (i) The cleavage and ligation reactions did not require either delta antigen and were not inhibited in their presence. (ii) delta Ag-L, in the absence of delta Ag-S, formed an RNP with HDV RNA which could be assembled into secreted virus-like particles. (iii) Full-length HDV RNAs were stabilized in the presence of either delta antigen and accumulated to much higher levels than in their absence. (iv) As few as 348 nucleotides of HDV RNA were competent for circle formation, RNP assembly, and incorporation into virus-like particles. (v) An HDV RNA incapable of folding into the rod-like structure was not packaged by delta Ag-L.

Antigens, Viral↗

Proton NMR studies on the covalently linked RNA-DNA hybrid r(GCG)d(TATACGC). Assignment of proton resonances by application of the nuclear Overhauser effect.

Proton NMR spectra of a covalently linked self-complementary RNA X DNA hybrid, r(GCG)-d(TATACGC), are recorded in H2O and D2O. Imino proton resonances as well as the non-exchangeable base and H-1' resonances are unambiguously assigned by means of nuclear. Overhauser effect measurements. Additional information was obtained by 31P NMR and circular dichroism spectra. The RNA parts in the duplex attain full conformational purity and adopt the usual A-RNA conformation. The DNA residues opposite the RNA tract do not adopt an A-type structure completely. Their respective sugar rings still appear to possess a certain conformational freedom. The same holds true for the central d(-TATA-) sequence which forms a DNA X DNA duplex. There appears to be a structural break in this part: the first two residues, T(4) and A(5), are clearly influenced by the adjacent RNA structure, whereas residues T(6) and A(7) behave quite similar to what usually is found in DNA duplexes in aqueous solution.

Base Sequence↗

Kinetics and efficiency of polyadenylation of late polyomavirus nuclear RNA: generation of oligomeric polyadenylated RNAs and their processing into mRNA.

The rate and efficiency of polyadenylation of late polyomavirus RNA in the nucleus of productively infected mouse kidney cells were determined by measuring incorporation of [3H]uridine into total and polyadenylated viral RNAs fractionated by oligodeoxythymidylic acid-cellulose chromatography. Polyadenylation is rapid: the average delay between synthesis and polyadenylation of viral RNA in the nucleus is 1 to 2 min. However, only 10 to 25% of viral RNA molecules become polyadenylated. Polyadenylated RNAs in the nucleus are a family of molecules which differ in size by an integral number of viral genome lengths (5.3 kilobases). These RNAs are generated by repeated passage of RNA polymerase around the circular viral DNA, accompanied by addition of polyadenylic acid to a unique 3' end situated 2.2 + n(5.3) kilobases from the 5' end of the RNAs (n can be an integer from 0 to at least 3). Between 30 and 50% of the sequences in nuclear polyadenylated RNA are conserved during processing and transport to the cytoplasm as mRNA. This is consistent with the molar ratios of nuclear polyadenylated RNAs in the different size classes, and it suggests that most polyadenylated nuclear RNA is efficiently processed to mRNA. Thus, the low overall conservation of viral RNA sequences between nucleus and cytoplasm is explained by (i) low efficiency of polyadenylation of nuclear RNA and (ii) removal of substantial parts of polyadenylated RNAs during splicing. The correlation between inefficient termination of transcription and inefficient polyadenylation of transcripts suggests that these two events may be causally linked.

Biological Transport↗

Antiviral activity of clevudine [L-FMAU, (1-(2-fluoro-5-methyl-beta, L-arabinofuranosyl) uracil)] against woodchuck hepatitis virus replication and gene expression in chronically infected woodchucks (Marmota monax).

L: -FMAU [1-(2-fluoro-5-methyl-beta,L-arabinofuranosyl) uracil] has been shown to be an effective inhibitor of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and duck hepatitis B virus replication in cell culture and duck hepatitis B virus replication in acutely infected Peking ducks. The woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) and its natural host, the Eastern woodchuck (Marmota monax), have been established as a predictive model for the evaluation of antiviral therapies against chronic HBV infection. In this report, the antiviral activity of l-FMAU against WHV replication in chronically infected woodchucks is described. Four weeks of once-daily oral administration of L-FMAU significantly reduced viremia, antigenemia, intrahepatic WHV replication, and intrahepatic expression of woodchuck hepatitis virus core antigen (WHcAg) in a dose-dependent manner. At the highest dose administered (10 mg/kg/d), significant reductions of intrahepatic WHV RNA and covalently closed circular (ccc)WHV-DNA levels also were observed. The reduction in viremia was remarkably rapid at the higher doses of L-FMAU, with greater than 1,000-fold reductions in WHV-DNA serum levels observed after as little as 2 to 3 days of therapy. Following the withdrawal of therapy, a dose-related delay in viremia rebound was observed. At the highest doses used, viremia remained significantly suppressed in at least one half of the treated animals for 10 to 12 weeks' posttreatment. No evidence of drug-related toxicity was observed in the treated animals. L-FMAU is an exceptionally potent antihepadnaviral agent in vitro and in vivo, and is a suitable candidate for antiviral therapy of chronic HBV infection.

Animals↗

RNA-primed DNA synthesis in vitro.

In vitro DNA synthesis on single-stranded circular DNA can be initiated by RNA primers. RNA chains are covalently extended by DNA polymerase II from KB cells and DNA polymerase I from Micrococcus luteus, but not by an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase from avian myeloblastosis virus. The reaction product consists of DNA chains with a piece of RNA at their 5'-ends, hydrogen bonded to the template DNA. The primer RNA is linked to the product DNA via a 3':5'-phosphodiester bond, and can be specifically removed by ribonuclease H. The possible role of ribonuclease H in RNA-primed DNA synthesis in vivo is discussed.

Avian Leukosis Virus↗

Nucleolin promotes secondary structure in ribosomal RNA.

The effect of nucleolin on the secondary structure of RNA was studied using circular dichroism (CD). Nucleolin caused decreases in the main positive bands and shifts to higher wavelengths in the CD spectra of synthetic polynucleotides such as poly(G) and poly(A) indicating helix destabilizing activity. In contrast, nucleolin effected increases in signal and shifts to lower wavelengths of the peaks of CD spectra of ribosomal RNA, suggesting enhancement of secondary structure. Another major nucleolar RNA binding protein, B23, had helix destabilizing activity but did not enhance RNA secondary structure. It is proposed that nucleolin promotes formation of secondary structure in preribosomal RNA during the early stages of ribosome biogenesis.

Animals↗

Circular oligonucleotides: new concepts in oligonucleotide design.

Recent progress in the synthesis and properties of circular oligonucleotides as ligands for DNA and RNA and as templates for polymerase enzymes is described. Small synthetic circular DNAs, RNAs, and chimeric analogues ranging from 28 to 74 nucleotides in size have been synthesized with the use of nonenzymatic ligation strategy. Some of these were designed to undergo triplex formation with single-stranded DNA and RNA targets, and many bind with affinities and sequence selectivities considerably greater than those seen for linear oligonucleotides. Design strategies and modes of binding are discussed in the light of possible use of such molecules as hybridization probes, molecular diagnostics, and sequence-specific inhibitors of gene expression. Small circular oligonucleotides have also been shown to act as unusually efficient templates for DNA and RNA polymerases, which produce long, repeating copies of the circular sequence by a rolling circle process.

DNA↗

5'-3' RNA-RNA interaction facilitates cap- and poly(A) tail-independent translation of tomato bushy stunt virus mrna: a potential common mechanism for tombusviridae.

Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) is the prototypical member of the genus Tombusvirus in the family Tombusviridae. The (+)-strand RNA genome of TBSV lacks both a 5' cap and a 3' poly(A) tail and instead contains a 3'-terminal RNA sequence that acts as a cap-independent translational enhancer (3' CITE). In this study, we have determined the RNA secondary structure of the translation-specific central segment of the 3' CITE, termed region 3.5 (R3.5). MFOLD structural modeling combined with solution structure mapping and comparative sequence analysis indicate that R3.5 adopts a branched structure that contains three major helices. Deletion and substitution studies revealed that two of these extended stem-loop (SL) structures are essential for 3' CITE activity in vivo. In particular, the terminal loop of one of these SLs, SL-B, was found to be critical for translation. Compensatory mutational analysis showed that SL-B functions by base pairing with another SL, SL3, in the 5' untranslated region of the TBSV genome. Thus, efficient translation of TBSV mRNA in vivo requires a 5'-3' RNA-RNA interaction that effectively circularizes the message. Similar types of interactions are also predicted to occur in TBSV subgenomic mRNAs between their 5' untranslated regions and the 3' CITE, and both genomic and subgenomic 5'-3' interactions are well conserved in all members of the genus Tombusvirus. In addition, a survey of other genera in Tombusviridae revealed the potential for similar 5'-3' RNA-RNA-based interactions in their viral mRNAs, suggesting that this mechanism extends throughout this large virus family.

Base Sequence↗