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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Identification of GroEL as a constituent of an mRNA-protection complex in Escherichia coli.

An RNA-binding activity has been identified in Escherichia coli that provides physical protection of RNA against ribonucleases in an ATP- and Mg(2+)-dependent manner. This binding activity is stimulated under growth conditions known to cause a decrease in the rate of mRNA decay. RNA protection is mediated by a protein complex that contains a modified form of the chaperonin GroEL as an indispensable constituent. These results suggest a new role for GroEL as an RNA chaperone.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed2005

Stimulation of poly(A) synthesis by Escherichia coli poly(A)polymerase I is correlated with Hfq binding to poly(A) tails.

The bacterial Lsm protein, host factor I (Hfq), is an RNA chaperone involved in many types of RNA transactions such as replication and stability, control of small RNA activity and polyadenylation. In this latter case, Hfq stimulates poly(A) synthesis and binds poly(A) tails that it protects from exonucleolytic degradation. We show here, that there is a correlation between Hfq binding to the 3' end of an RNA molecule and its ability to stimulate RNA elongation catalyzed by poly(A)polymerase I. In contrast, formation of the Hfq-RNA complex inhibits elongation of the RNA by polynucleotide phosphorylase. We demonstrate also that Hfq binding is not affected by the phosphorylation status of the RNA molecule and occurs equally well at terminal or internal stretches of poly(A).

Escherichia coli Proteins↗
PubMed2002

RNA folding in vivo.

RNA folding in vivo is influenced by the cellular environment, the vectorial nature of transcription and translation, trans-acting factors and ion homeostasis. Specific RNA-binding proteins promote RNA folding by stabilizing the native structure or by guiding folding. In contrast, RNA chaperones, which are believed to interact nonspecifically with RNA, were proposed to resolve misfolded RNA structures and to promote intermolecular RNA-RNA annealing. Small trans-acting noncoding RNAs are thought to modulate mRNA structures, thereby regulating gene expression. So far, there is some evidence that in vitro and invivo RNA folding pathways share basic features. However, it is unclear whether the rules deduced from in vitro folding experiments generally apply to invivo conditions.

3' Flanking Region↗
PubMed2000

The role of cold-shock proteins in low-temperature adaptation of food-related bacteria.

There is a considerable interest in the cold adaptation of food-related bacteria, including starter cultures for industrial food fermentations, food spoilage bacteria and food-borne pathogens. Mechanisms that permit low-temperature growth involve cellular modifications for maintaining membrane fluidity, the uptake or synthesis of compatible solutes, the maintenance of the structural integrity of macromolecules and macromolecule assemblies, such as ribosomes and other components that affect gene expression. A specific cold response that is shared by nearly all food-related bacteria is the induction of the synthesis so-called cold-shock proteins (CSPs), which are small (7 kDa) proteins that are involved in mRNA folding, protein synthesis and/or freeze protection. In addition, CSPs are able to bind RNA and it is believed that these proteins act as RNA chaperones, thereby reducing the increased secondary folding of RNA at low temperatures. In this review established and novel aspects concerning the structure, function and control of these CSPs are discussed. A model for bacterial cold adaptation, with a central role for ribosomal functioning, and possible mechanisms for low-temperature sensing are discussed.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed2002

The human La (SS-B) autoantigen interacts with DDX15/hPrp43, a putative DEAH-box RNA helicase.

The human La (SS-B) autoantigen is an abundantly expressed putative RNA chaperone, functioning in various intracellular processes involving RNA. To further explore the molecular mechanisms by which La functions in these processes, we performed large-scale immunoprecipitations of La from HeLa S100 extracts using the anti-La monoclonal antibody SW5. La-associated proteins were subsequently identified by sequence analysis. This approach allowed the identification of DDX15 as a protein interacting with La. DDX15, the human ortholog of yeast Prp43, is a member of the superfamily of DEAH-box RNA helicases that appeared to interact with La both in vivo and in vitro. The region needed for the interaction with La partly overlaps the DEAH-box domain of DDX15. Immunofluorescence data indicated that endogenous DDX15 accumulates in U snRNP containing nuclear speckles in HEp-2 cells. Surprisingly DDX15 also accumulates in the nucleoli of HEp-2 cells. Moreover, DDX15 and La seem to colocalize in the nucleoli. Regions of DDX15 involved in nuclear, nuclear speckle, and nucleolar localization are located within the N- and C-terminal regions flanking the DEAH-box. RNA coprecipitation experiments indicated that DDX15 is associated with spliceosomal U small nuclear RNAs in HeLa cell extracts. The possible functional implications of the interaction between La and DDX15 are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

A role for the Escherichia coli H-NS-like protein StpA in OmpF porin expression through modulation of micF RNA stability.

When a wild-type strain of Escherichia coli and its stpA, hns and stpA hns mutant derivatives were compared by two-dimensional protein gel electrophoresis, the levels of expression of several proteins were found to vary. One of these was identified as the outer membrane porin protein, OmpF. In the stpA hns double mutant, the level of OmpF was downregulated dramatically, whereas in hns or stpA single mutants, it was affected only slightly. Transcription from the ompF promoter was reduced by 64% in the double mutant; however, the level of ompF mRNA was reduced by 96%. This post-transcriptional expression was found to result from a strong reduction in the half-life of ompF message in the double mutant. The micF antisense RNA was shown to be involved in OmpF regulation by StpA using a strain deleted for micF. Moreover, micF antisense RNA accumulated considerably in an stpA hns background. Transcriptional data from a micF-lacZ fusion and measurements of micF RNA half-life confirmed that this was caused by transcriptional derepression of micF as a result of the hns lesion and increased micF RNA stability due to the absence of StpA (a known RNA chaperone). These data suggest a novel facet to the regulation of OmpF expression, namely destabilization of micF RNA by StpA.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Structure of the C-terminal domain of human La protein reveals a novel RNA recognition motif coupled to a helical nuclear retention element.

The La protein is an important component of ribonucleoprotein complexes that acts mainly as an RNA chaperone to facilitate correct processing and maturation of RNA polymerase III transcripts, but can also stimulate translation initiation. We report here the structure of the C-terminal domain of human La, which comprises an atypical RNA recognition motif (La225-334) and a long unstructured C-terminal tail. The central beta sheet of La225-334 reveals novel features: the putative RNA binding surface is formed by a five-stranded beta sheet and, strikingly, is largely obscured by a long C-terminal alpha helix that encompasses a recently identified nuclear retention element. Contrary to previous observations, we find that the La protein does not contain a dimerization domain.

Amino Acid Motifs↗
PubMed2003

Extending the 'stressy' edge: molecular chaperones flirting with RNA.

A number of intriguing observations have emerged during the past years indicating that certain classes of the evolutionarily highly conserved heat shock or stress proteins extend their molecular partnerships beyond the originally recognized protein world. In this review, following a brief introduction to the 70-kDa family of stress proteins, we summarize the main aspects of RNA recognition and binding by this class of molecules. By highlighting some biochemical features of both the protein and RNA partners, we attempt to embed the central parts of this interaction in the context of potential physiological relevance. As perhaps true for many newly recognized molecular interactions, the phenomenon of RNA recognition and binding by molecular chaperones discussed in this review calls for a place of ever-growing importance in the functional genomic era, where an expanding number of previously unsuspected molecular partnerships are uncovered by virtue of powerful high throughput methodologies. We suggest that integration of this new knowledge into the long-outlined 'classical' network of cellular metabolism at both the biochemical and architectural level is pivotal to the emerging 'synthesis era' of today's cell biology.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Cold shock domain proteins and glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana can promote the cold adaptation process in Escherichia coli.

Despite the fact that cold shock domain proteins (CSDPs) and glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GRPs) have been implicated to play a role during the cold adaptation process, their importance and function in eukaryotes, including plants, are largely unknown. To understand the functional role of plant CSDPs and GRPs in the cold response, two CSDPs (CSDP1 and CSDP2) and three GRPs (GRP2, GRP4 and GRP7) from Arabidopsis thaliana were investigated. Heterologous expression of CSDP1 or GRP7 complemented the cold sensitivity of BX04 mutant Escherichia coli that lack four cold shock proteins (CSPs) and is highly sensitive to cold stress, and resulted in better survival rate than control cells during incubation at low temperature. In contrast, CSDP2 and GRP4 had very little ability. Selective evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment (SELEX) revealed that GRP7 does not recognize specific RNAs but binds preferentially to G-rich RNA sequences. CSDP1 and GRP7 had DNA melting activity, and enhanced RNase activity. In contrast, CSDP2 and GRP4 had no DNA melting activity and did not enhance RNAase activity. Together, these results indicate that CSDPs and GRPs help E.coli grow and survive better during cold shock, and strongly imply that CSDP1 and GRP7 exhibit RNA chaperone activity during the cold adaptation process.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed2001

The prion protein has RNA binding and chaperoning properties characteristic of nucleocapsid protein NCP7 of HIV-1.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are fatal neurodegenerative diseases associated with the accumulation of a protease-resistant form of the prion protein (PrP). Although PrP is conserved in vertebrates, its function remains to be identified. In vitro PrP binds large nucleic acids causing the formation of nucleoprotein complexes resembling human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) nucleocapsid-RNA complexes and in vivo MuLV replication accelerates the scrapie infectious process, suggesting possible interactions between retroviruses and PrP. Retroviruses, including HIV-1 encode a major nucleic acid binding protein (NC protein) found within the virus where 2000 NC protein molecules coat the dimeric genome. NC is required in virus assembly and infection to chaperone RNA dimerization and packaging and in proviral DNA synthesis by reverse transcriptase (RT). In HIV-1, 5'-leader RNA/NC interactions appear to control these viral processes. This prompted us to compare and contrast the interactions of human and ovine PrP and HIV-1 NCp7 with HIV-1 5'-leader RNA. Results show that PrP has properties characteristic of NCp7 with respect to viral RNA dimerization and proviral DNA synthesis by RT. The NC-like properties of huPrP map to the N-terminal region of huPrP. Interestingly, PrP localizes in the membrane and cytoplasm of PrP-expressing cells. These findings suggest that PrP is a multifunctional protein possibly participating in nucleic acid metabolism.

5' Untranslated Regions↗
PubMed1999

Sequence-selective interactions with RNA by CspB, CspC and CspE, members of the CspA family of Escherichia coli.

The CspA family of Escherichia coli comprises nine homologous proteins, CspA to CspI. CspA, the major cold shock protein, binds RNA with low sequence specificity and low binding affinity. This is considered to be important for its proposed function as an RNA chaperone to prevent the formation of secondary structures in RNA molecules, thus facilitating translation at low temperature. The cellular functions of other Csp proteins are yet to be fully elucidated, and their sequence specific binding capabilities have not been identified. As a step towards identification of the target genes of Csp proteins, we investigated the RNA binding specificities of CspB, CspC and CspE by an in vitro selection approach (SELEX). In the present study, we show that these proteins are able to bind preferentially to specific RNA/single-stranded DNA sequences. The consensus sequences for CspB, CspC and CspE are U/T stretches, AGGGAGGGA and AU/AT-rich regions, especially AAAUUU, respectively. CspE and CspB have Kd values in the range 0.23-0.9 x 10(-6) M, while CspC has 10-fold lower binding affinity. Consistent with our recent findings of transcriptional regulation of cspA by CspE, we have identified a motif identical to the CspE consensus. This motif is the putative CspE-mediated transcription pause recognition site in a 5'-untranslated region of the cspA mRNA.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed2002

Osmolytes stimulate the reconstitution of functional 50S ribosomes from in vitro transcripts of Escherichia coli 23S rRNA.

Functional Escherichia coli 50S ribosomal subunits can be reconstituted from their natural rRNA and protein components. However, when the assembly is performed with in vitro-transcribed 23S rRNA, the reconstitution efficiency is diminished by four orders of magnitude. We tested a variety of chemical chaperones (compounds that are typically used for protein folding), putative RNA chaperones (proteins) and ribosome-targeted antibiotics (small-molecule ligands) that might be reasoned to aid in folding and assembly. Addition of the osmolyte trimethylamine-oxide (TMAO) and the ketolide antibiotic telithromycin (HMR3647) to the reconstitution stimulates its efficiency up to 100-fold yielding a substantially improved system for the in vitro analysis of mutant ribosomes.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2000

Detailed analysis of the phosphorylation of the human La (SS-B) autoantigen. (De)phosphorylation does not affect its subcellular distribution.

The La (SS-B) autoantigen is an evolutionarily conserved phosphoprotein which plays an important role, most likely as an RNA chaperone, in various processes, such as the biosynthesis and maturation of RNA polymerase III transcripts in the cell nucleus and (internal) initiation of translation in the cytoplasm. In this study, the phosphorylation state of this protein from human HeLa and HEp-2 cells was characterized by high-resolution two-dimensional IEF/SDS-PAGE analysis, and phosphorylation sites were mapped by nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the effect of phosphorylation at the sites identified on the subcellular distribution of the protein was studied by site-directed mutagenesis. At least 14 isoelectric isoforms were discerned on 2-D gels with La protein from both types of cells. Metabolic labeling in combination with alkaline phosphatase treatment revealed that only a limited number of these isoforms could be attributed to phosphorylation. Four phosphorylation sites, Thr-302, Ser-325, Thr-362, and Ser-366, were mapped by mass spectrometric analysis of the isolated La protein from HeLa cells or the carboxy-terminal half of this protein. The analysis of mutants of La, in which the respective phosphorylated residues were replaced by either a neutral (alanine) or an acidic (aspartate) residue, by microinjection into Xenopus laevis oocytes on the one hand and transfection of HEp-2 cells on the other hand revealed that the subcellular distribution of this protein was not affected by these amino acid substitutions. These results strongly suggest that the signals that determine the subcellular distribution of this protein are not regulated by (de)phosphorylation of the target residues examined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Responses to cold shock in cyanobacteria.

Acclimation of cyanobacteria to low temperatures involves induction of the expression of several families of genes. Fatty acid desaturases are responsible for maintaining the appropriate fluidity of membranes under stress conditions. RNA-binding proteins, which presumably act analogously to members of the bacterial Csp family of RNA chaperones, are involved in the maintenance of the translation under cold stress. The RNA helicase, whose expression is induced specifically by cold, might be responsible for modifying inappropriate secondary structures of RNAs induced by cold. The cold-inducible family of CIp proteins appears to be involved in the proper folding and processing of proteins. Although genes for cold-inducible proteins in cyanobacteria are heterogeneous, some common features of their untranslated regulatory regions suggest the existence of a common factor(s) that might participate in regulation of the expression of these genes under cold-stress conditions. Studies of the patterns of expression of cold-inducible genes in cyanobacteria have revealed the presence of a cold-sensing mechanism that is associated with their membrane lipids. Available information about cold-shock responses in cyanobacteria and molecular mechanisms of cold acclimation are reviewed in this article.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2004

Habitat diversity and adaptation to environmental stress in encysted embryos of the crustacean Artemia.

Encysted embryos (cysts) of the brine shrimp, Artemia, provide excellent opportunities for the study of biochemical and biophysical adaptation to extremes of environmental stress in animals. Among other virtues, this organism is found in a wide variety of hypersaline habitats, ranging from deserts, to tropics, to mountains. One adaptation implicated in the ecological success of Artemia is p26, a small heat shock protein that previous evidence indicates plays the role of a molecular chaperone in these embryos. We add to that evidence here. We summarize recently published work on thermal tolerance and stress protein levels in embryos from the San Francisco Bay (SFB) of California inoculated into experimental ponds in southern Vietnam where water temperatures are much higher. New results on the relative contents of three stress proteins (hsp70, artemin and p26) will be presented along with data on cysts of A. tibetiana collected from the high plateau of Tibet about 4.5 km above sea level. Unpublished results on the stress protein artemin are discussed briefly in the context of this paper, and its potential role as an RNA chaperone. Interestingly, we show that the substantial tolerance of A. franciscana embryos to ultraviolet (UV) light does not seem to result from intracellular biochemistry but, rather, from their surrounding thick shell, a biophysical adaptation of considerable importance since these embryos receive heavy doses of UV in nature.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1997

Negative regulation of mutS and mutH repair gene expression by the Hfq and RpoS global regulators of Escherichia coli K-12.

The MutS, MutL, and MutH proteins play major roles in several DNA repair pathways. We previously reported that the cellular amounts of MutS and MutH decreased by as much as 10-fold in stationary-phase cultures. Consequently, we tested whether the amounts of MutS, MutL, and MutH were regulated by two global regulators, RpoS (sigma38) and Hfq (HF-I [putative RNA chaperone]), which are involved in stationary-phase transition. We report here that mutations in hfq and rpoS reversed the stationary-phase down-regulation of the amounts of MutS and MutH. hfq regulation of the amount of MutS in stationary-phase cultures was mediated by RpoS-dependent and -independent mechanisms, whereas hfq regulation of the amount of MutH was mediated only through RpoS. Consistent with this interpretation, the amount of MutS but not MutH was regulated by Hfq, but not RpoS, in exponentially growing cells. The amount of MutL remained unchanged in rpoS, hfq-1, and rpoS+, hfq+ strains in exponentially growing and stationary-phase cultures and served as a control. The beta-galactosidase activities of single-copy mutS-lacZ operon and gene fusions suggested that hfq regulates mutS posttranscriptionally in exponentially growing cultures. RNase T2 protection assays revealed increased amounts of mutS transcript that are attributed to increased mutS transcript stability in hfq-1 mutants. Lack of Hfq also increased the amounts and stabilities of transcripts initiated from P(miaA) and P1hfqHS, two of the promoters for hfq, suggesting autoregulation, but did not change the half-life of bulk mRNA. These results suggest that the amounts of MutS and MutH may be adjusted in cells subjected to different stress conditions by an RpoS-dependent mechanism. In addition, Hfq directly or indirectly regulates several genes, including mutS, hfq, and miaA, by an RpoS-independent mechanism that destabilizes transcripts.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1996

Escherichia coli protein analogs StpA and H-NS: regulatory loops, similar and disparate effects on nucleic acid dynamics.

Expression of the Escherichia coli StpA protein was investigated and a functional comparison undertaken with the structurally analogous nucleoid protein H-NS. Analysis of stpA and hns expression indicated that although stpA transcript levels are much lower than those of hns, the two gene products are capable of both negative autogenous control and cross-regulation. Examination of cellular proteins in stpA, hns, or stpA-hns backgrounds revealed that StpA can repress and activate a subset of H-NS-regulated genes. Mechanistic parallels in regulation of gene expression are indicated by the ability of both proteins to inhibit transcription from promoters containing curved DNA sequences, and to form nucleoprotein structures that constrain DNA supercoils. Despite their functional similarities, each molecule is capable of independent activities. Thus, H-NS regulates a class of genes that are unaffected by StpA in vivo, whereas StpA has much stronger RNA chaperone activity in vitro. We therefore propose that in addition to its role as a molecular back-up of H-NS, StpA's superior effect on RNA may be exploited under some specific cellular conditions to promote differential gene expression.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗