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RNA editing by adenosine deaminases generates RNA and protein diversity.

RNA editing is defined as a post-transcriptional change of a gene-encoded sequence at the RNA level, excluding alterations due to processes such as pre-mRNA splicing and 3'-end formation. RNA editing is found in many organisms and can occur either by the insertion or deletion of nucleotides or by the substitution of bases by modification. The nucleoside inosine (I) was first detected in cytoplasmic tRNA and was later found in messenger RNA precursors (pre-mRNAs) and in viral transcripts. It is formed by hydrolytic deamination of a genomically encoded adenosine (A) at C6 of the base and this reaction is catalysed by a family of related enzymes. ADARs (for adenosine deaminases acting on RNA) catalyse A to I conversion either promiscuously or site-specifically in pre-mRNAs, viral RNAs and synthetic double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), whereas ADATs (for adenosine deaminases acting on tRNA) are involved in inosine formation in tRNAs. ADAT1 generates I at position 37 (3' of the anticodon) in eukaryotic tRNA(Ala). ADAT2 and ADAT3 function as a heterodimer which catalyses inosine formation at the wobble position (position 34) in eukaryotic tRNAs. Here, we review the state of knowledge on ADARs and ADATs and their RNA substrates, with an emphasis on the developments over the past few years that have increased the understanding of the mechanism of action of these enzymes and of the functional consequences of the widespread modification they catalyse.

Adenosine↗

A pentatricopeptide repeat protein is essential for RNA editing in chloroplasts.

RNA editing is a process of RNA maturation involved in the insertion, deletion or modification of nucleotides. In organellar transcripts of higher plants, specific cytidine residues are converted into uridine residues. In many cases, editing results in the restoration of conserved amino acid residues, a process that is essential for protein function in plastids. Despite the technical breakthrough in establishing systems in vivo and in vitro for analysing RNA editing, its machinery still remains to be identified in higher plants. Here we introduce a genetic approach and report the discovery of a gene responsible for the specific RNA editing event in the chloroplast.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Annealing of RNA editing substrates facilitated by guide RNA-binding protein gBP21.

RNA editing within the mitochondria of African trypanosomes is characterized by the insertion and deletion of uridylate residues into otherwise incomplete primary transcripts. The reaction takes place in a high molecular mass ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex of uncertain composition. Furthermore, factors that interact with the RNP complex during the reaction are by and large unknown. Here we present evidence for an editing-related biochemical activity of the gRNA-binding protein gBP21. Using recombinant gBP21 preparations, we show that the protein stimulates the annealing of gRNAs to cognate pre-mRNAs in vitro. This represents the presumed first step of the editing reaction. Kinetic data establish an enhancement of the second order rate constant for the gRNA- pre-mRNA interaction. gBP21-mediated annealing is not exclusive for RNA editing substrates since complementary RNAs, unrelated to the editing process, can also be hybridized. The gBP21-dependent RNA annealing activity was identified in mitochondrial extracts of trypanosomes and can be inhibited by immunoprecipitation of the polypeptide. The data suggest a factor-like contribution of gBP21 to the RNA editing process by accelerating the rate of gRNA-pre-mRNA anchor formation.

Animals↗

Aptazyme-directed A-to-I RNA editing.

As a promising therapeutic approach, the RNA editing process can correct pathogenic mutations and is reversible and tunable, without permanently altering the genome. RNA editing mediated by human ADAR proteins offers unique advantages, including high specificity and low immunogenicity. Compared to CRISPR-based gene editing techniques, RNA editing events are temporary, which can reduce the risk of long-term unintended side effects, making off-target edits less concerning than DNA-targeting methods. Moreover, ADAR-based RNA editing tools are less likely to elicit immune reactions because ADAR proteins are of human origin, and their small size makes them relatively easy to incorporate into gene therapy vectors, such as adeno-associated virus vectors (AAVs), which have limited space. Despite the promise of RNA editing as a therapeutic approach, precise temporal and spatial control of RNA editing is still lacking. Therefore, we have developed a small molecule-inducible RNA editing strategy by incorporating aptazymes into the guide RNA of the BoxB-λN-ADAR system. This chapter provides detailed protocols for targeted RNA editing by ADAR deaminases using aptazyme-based guide RNAs controlled by exogenous small molecules, marking the earliest use of aptazymes to regulate RNA editing strategies. Once small molecules are added or removed, aptazymes trigger self-cleavage to release the guide RNA, thus achieving small molecule-controlled RNA editing. To satisfy different RNA editing applications, we have realized the conditional activation and deactivation of A-to-I RNA editing of target mRNA using switch aptazymes. We provide step-by-step protocols for constructing guide RNA plasmids for regulatory purposes and conducting small molecule-induced RNA regulatory editing experiments in cells.

Animals↗

Is the Trypanosoma brucei REL1 RNA ligase specific for U-deletion RNA editing, and is the REL2 RNA ligase specific for U-insertion editing?

It was shown previously that the REL1 mitochondrial RNA ligase in Trypanosoma brucei was a vital gene and disruption affected RNA editing in vivo, whereas the REL2 RNA ligase gene could be down-regulated with no effect on cell growth or on RNA editing. We performed down-regulation of REL1 in procyclic T. brucei (midgut insect forms) by RNA interference and found a 40-50% inhibition of Cyb editing, which has only U-insertions, as well as a similar inhibition of ND7 editing, which has both U-insertions and U-deletions. In addition, both U-insertion and U-deletion in vitro pre-cleaved editing were inhibited to similar extents. We also found little if any effect of REL1 down-regulation on the sedimentation coefficient or abundance of the RNA ligase-containing L-complex (Aphasizhev, R., Aphasizheva, I., Nelson, R. E., Gao, G., Simpson, A. M., Kang, X., Falick, A. M., Sbicego, S., and Simpson, L. (2003) EMBO J. 22, 913-924), suggesting that the inhibition of both insertion and deletion editing was not due to a disruption of the L-complex. Together with the evidence that down-regulation of REL2 has no effect on cell growth or on RNA editing in vivo or in vitro, these data suggest that the REL1 RNA ligase may be active in vivo in both U-insertion and U-deletion editing. The in vivo biological role of REL2 remains obscure.

Animals↗

Escherichia coli cytidine deaminase provides a molecular model for ApoB RNA editing and a mechanism for RNA substrate recognition.

ApoB RNA-editing enzyme (APOBEC-1) is a cytidine deaminase. Molecular modeling and mutagenesis show that APOBEC-1 is related in quaternary and tertiary structure to Escherichia coli cytidine deaminase (ECCDA). Both enzymes form a homodimer with composite active sites constructed with contributions from each monomer. Significant gaps are present in the APOBEC-1 sequence, compared to ECCDA. The combined mass of the gaps (10 kDa) matches that for the minimal RNA substrate. Their location in ECCDA suggests how APOBEC-1 can be reshaped to accommodate an RNA substrate. In this model, the asymmetrical binding to one active site of a downstream U (equivalent to the deamination product) helps target the other active site for deamination of the upstream C substrate.

APOBEC-1 Deaminase↗

RNA editing in plant mitochondria.

RNA editing in plant mitochondria alters nearly all mRNAs by C to U and U to C transitions. In some species more than 400 edited sites have been identified with significant effects on the encoded proteins. RNA editing occurs in higher and lower plants and presumably has evolved before the differentiation of land plants. Current research focuses on the elucidation of the biochemistry and the specificity determinants of RNA editing in plant mitochondria.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Editing machines: the complexities of trypanosome RNA editing.

The assembly and disassembly of ribonucleoprotein complexes containing substrate precursor mRNAs and guide RNAs is crucial to the initiation and propagation of RNA editing. We discuss here the composition of these complexes and how their assembly may regulate RNA editing.

Animals↗

A pentatricopeptide repeat protein is a site recognition factor in chloroplast RNA editing.

In higher plants, RNA editing is a post-transcriptional process that converts C to U in organelle mRNAs. We have previously shown that an Arabidopsis thaliana crr4 mutant is defective with respect to RNA editing for creating the translational initial codon of the plastid ndhD gene (the ndhD-1 site). CRR4 contains 11 pentatricopeptide repeat motifs but does not contain any domains that are likely to be involved in the editing activity. The green fluorescent protein fused to the putative transit peptide of CRR4 targeted the plastid. The recombinant CRR4 expressed in Escherichia coli specifically bound to the 25 nucleotides of the upstream and the 10 nucleotides of the downstream sequences surrounding the editing site of ndhD-1. The target C nucleotide of this editing is not essential for the binding of CRR4. Taken together with the genetic evidence, we conclude that the pentatricopeptide repeat protein CRR4 is a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein that acts as a site recognition factor in plastid RNA editing.

Arabidopsis↗

Ecotype allelic variation in C-to-U editing extent of a mitochondrial transcript identifies RNA-editing quantitative trait loci in Arabidopsis.

In higher plants, RNA editing is a posttranscriptional process that converts C to U in organelle mRNAs. Although RNA editing in mitochondria occurs much more frequently than in chloroplasts, editing of exogenously supplied RNA substrates in vitro and in organello has shown that editing in the two organelles shares some common features. In particular, the 20 nucleotides upstream of the editing site play an important role in specifying the C to be edited. Biochemical approaches have allowed the identification of features of cis-sequences necessary for RNA editing to occur, but have failed to identify any of the components of the mitochondrial editing machinery. In order to implement a genetic approach for identification of editing factors, we have identified a polymorphism in the editing efficiency of a mitochondrial site between two ecotypes of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), Columbia (Col) and Landsberg erecta (Ler). In rosette leaves, an editing site within the ccb206 mitochondrial gene is more highly edited in Col than in Ler. Depending on the development stage and tissue analyzed, the difference in editing extent varies between the two ecotypes; for example, in floral buds, editing extent does not differ. Single-point regression analysis of the editing efficiency in a sample of recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between Col and Ler allowed the identification of two quantitative trait loci controlling this trait. A member of the pentatricopeptide repeat protein family that carries a putative mitochondrial transit sequence has been identified near a major quantitative trait locus on chromosome 4.

Alleles↗

Cell type-specific loss of atp6 RNA editing in cytoplasmic male sterile Sorghum bicolor.

RNA editing and cytoplasmic male sterility are two important phenomena in higher plant mitochondria. To determine whether correlations might exist between the two, RNA editing in different tissues of Sorghum bicolor was compared employing reverse transcription-PCR and subsequent sequence analysis. In etiolated shoots, RNA editing of transcripts of plant mitochondrial atp6, atp9, nad3, nad4, and rps12 genes was identical among fertile or cytoplasmic male sterile plants. We then established a protocol for mitochondrial RNA isolation from plant anthers and pollen to include in these studies. Whereas RNA editing of atp9, nad3, nad4, and rps12 transcripts in anthers was similar to etiolated shoots, mitochondrial atp6 RNA editing was strongly reduced in anthers of the A3Tx398 male sterile line of S. bicolor. atp6 transcripts of wheat and selected plastid transcripts in S. bicolor showed normal RNA editing, indicating that loss of atp6 RNA editing is specific for cytoplasmic male sterility S. bicolor mitochondria. Restoration of fertility in F1 and F2 lines correlated with an increase in RNA editing of atp6 transcripts. Our data suggest that loss of atp6 RNA editing contributes to or causes cytoplasmic male sterility in S. bicolor. Further analysis of the mechanism of cell type-specific loss of atp6 RNA editing activity may advance our understanding of the mechanism of RNA editing.

Cytoplasm↗

The specificity of nucleotide removal during RNA editing in Trypanosoma brucei.

RNA editing in Trypanosoma brucei produces mature mRNAs by posttranscriptional insertion and deletion of uridylates (Us) by a series of catalytic steps, which include endoribonucleolytic cleavage, 3' terminal addition or removal of Us, and RNA ligation. Preedited mRNA (pre-mRNA) and guide RNA (gRNA) that are mutated at or near the editing site (ES) were used to examine the effects on the specificity of in vitro editing. Sequences that are not predicted to form a gRNA/pre-mRNA base pair immediately 5' to the ES still supported accurate editing. Substitution of a non-U nucleotide at various positions within a stretch of Us that are normally removed from the ES resulted in deletion of only the Us that were 3' to the substituted nucleotide. Overall, ES selection by the endoribonuclease, the specificity of the 3' exoribonuclease for Us, and ligation appear to act in concert to ensure the production of accurately edited RNA.

Animals↗

Mutagenesis of apobec-1, the catalytic subunit of the mammalian apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, reveals distinct domains that mediate cytosine nucleoside deaminase, RNA binding, and RNA editing activity.

Apolipoprotein (apo) B48 is synthesized by mammalian small intestine as a result of post-transcriptional RNA editing. This process is mediated by an enzyme complex containing a catalytic subunit, apobec-1, which is homologous to other cytidine deaminases, particularly in a domain (H/C)-(A/V)-E-(X)24-30-P-C-(X)2-C which coordinates zinc, apobec-1, expressed as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein, demonstrates both apoB RNA editing and cytidine deaminase activity. His61, Cys93, and Cys96, the putative zinc-coordinating residues, were mutated to Arg, Ser, and Ser, respectively, with loss of RNA editing activity and either great reduction or abolition of cytidine deaminase activity. Mutation of the catalytically active Glu63 residue to Gln and Pro92 to Leu abolished both cytidine deaminase and RNA editing activity. The conservative His61-->Cys mutation, which should coordinate zinc, retained both editing and cytidine deaminase activity. Thus, zinc binding is required for both apoB RNA editing and cytidine deaminase activity. Mutation of the first four leucines within the heptad repeat of the leucine-rich region (LRR) of apobec-1 resulted in reduced RNA editing but preservation of wild-type cytidine deaminase activity. GST/APOBEC-1 was also demonstrated to cross-link to apoB RNA. Mutation of His61-->Arg abolished RNA binding, while the Glu63-->Gln and Cys96-->Ser mutant proteins showed wild-type levels of RNA binding. The remaining mutants had reduced levels of activity. Overexpression of wild-type apobec-1 in McA 7777 cells resulted in a 5-6-fold increase in editing of endogenous apoB. Transfection of the His61-->Cys, LRR, and Cys93-->Ser mutants increased endogenous editing 2-3-fold, while Glu63-->Gln and His61-->Arg mutants acted as dominant negatives, reducing endogenous editing. These data suggest that apobec-1 has distinct functional domains which modulate activity in the context of the apoB mRNA editing enzyme.

APOBEC-1 Deaminase↗

Hepatitis D virus RNA editing: specific modification of adenosine in the antigenomic RNA.

RNA editing plays a central role in the life cycle of hepatitis D virus (HDV), a subviral human pathogen. Previous studies (J.L. Casey, K.F. Bergmann, T.L. Brown, and J.L. Gerin, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 89:7149-7153, 1992; H. Zheng, T.-B. Fu, D. Lazinski, and J. Taylor, J. Virol. 66:4693-4697, 1992) had concluded that the genomic RNA of HDV was the target for RNA editing and that the editing reaction was a conversion of U to C. However, we show here that the antigenomic RNA of HDV is in fact the target for HDV RNA editing, which is therefore a conversion of A to G. This result is verified by using an assay specific for editing on the antigenomic RNA and by analyzing the editing of site-directed mutant RNAs in transfected cells and in cell extracts. Because editing occurs in the absence of viral antigens and the specificity for the HDV editing target site is present even in extracts from Drosophila cells, it is likely that HDV RNA is edited by one or more cellular factors that are conserved among higher eukaryotes. These results raise the likelihood that double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase specifically edits HDV antigenomic RNA.

Adenosine↗

ADAR1 interacts with NF90 through double-stranded RNA and regulates NF90-mediated gene expression independently of RNA editing.

The RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 modifies adenosines by deamination and produces A-to-I mutations in mRNA. ADAR1 was recently demonstrated to function in host defense and in embryonic erythropoiesis during fetal liver development. The mechanisms for these phenotypic effects are not yet known. Here we report a novel function of ADAR1 in the regulation of gene expression by interacting with the nuclear factor 90 (NF90) proteins, known regulators that bind the antigen response recognition element (ARRE-2) and have been demonstrated to stimulate transcription and translation. ADAR1 upregulates NF90-mediated gene expression by interacting with the NF90 proteins, including NF110, NF90, and NF45. A knockdown of NF90 with small interfering RNA suppresses this function of ADAR1. Coimmunoprecipitation and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) digestion demonstrate that ADAR1 is associated with NF110, NF90, and NF45 through the bridge of cellular dsRNA. Studies with ADAR1 deletions demonstrate that the dsRNA binding domain and a region covering the Z-DNA binding domain and the nuclear export signal comprise the complete function of ADAR1 in upregulating NF90-mediated gene expression. These data suggest that ADAR1 has the potential both to change information content through editing of mRNA and to regulate gene expression through interacting with the NF90 family proteins.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

High levels of RNA editing in a vascular plant chloroplast genome: analysis of transcripts from the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris.

We sequenced transcripts from all putative genes for proteins, rRNAs, and a selection of gene-encoding tRNAs in the chloroplast genome of the fern Adiantum capillus-veneris. We detected 350 RNA editing sites when the cDNA sequence was compared to that of the genomic DNA. Of these sites, 10% were U-to-C edits and 90% were C-to-U edits. RNA editing created 19 new start codons, three new stop codons, and "repaired" 26 internal stop codons. Of the 332 editing sites that altered a codon, 26% were in the first codon position, 68% in the second, and 6% in the third. We also detected 21 silent edits, as well as 19 edits that were in untranslated regions, including introns and the anticodon of tRNA(Leu). The latter edit provided a tRNA that is not otherwise encoded in this genome and accounts for a heavily used leucine codon. The level of RNA editing in this fern is more than ten times that of any other vascular plant examined across an entire chloroplast genome. A previous study found even higher levels of editing in a hornwort (942 sites). This suggests that the relatively low levels of editing in seed plants (less than 0.05%) may not be typical for land plants, and that RNA editing may play a major role in chloroplast genome processing. Additionally, we found that 53 editing sites in A. capillus-veneris are homologous to editing sites in the hornwort, and some other land plants. This implies that a major component of RNA editing sites have been conserved for hundreds of millions of years.

Adiantum↗