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Structural genomics of RNA.

A detailed understanding of the functions and interactions of biological macromolecules requires knowledge of their molecular structures. Structural genomics, the systematic determination of all macromolecular structures represented in a genome, is focused at present exclusively on proteins. It is clear, however, that RNA molecules play a variety of significant roles in cells, including protein synthesis and targeting, many forms of RNA processing and splicing, RNA editing and modification, and chromosome end maintenance. To comprehensively understand the biology of a cell, it will ultimately be necessary to know the identity of all encoded RNAs, the molecules with which they interact and the molecular structures of these complexes. This report focuses on the feasibility of structural genomics of RNA, approaches to determining RNA structures and the potential usefulness of an RNA structural database for both predicting folds and deciphering biological functions of RNA molecules.

Computational Biology↗

Specific regions of the intervening sequences of beta-globin RNA are resistant to nuclease in 50S heterogeneous nuclear RNA-protein complexes.

The specific assembly of heterogeneous nuclear RNA-protein complexes (hnRNPs) containing precursor beta-globin RNA was investigated by using the 50S hnRNP released from chicken reticulocyte nuclei by endogenous nuclease. The nuclease-resistant regions were mapped on adult beta-globin intervening sequences (IVS) at the resolution of nucleotides with an RNA mapping method [Patton, J. R. and Chae, C.-B. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 3991-3995]. We found that there is one 28-nucleotide-long nuclease-resistant region in the first IVS and there are four nuclease-resistant regions in the second IVS. Of particular interest is the presence in 50S hnRNP of a nuclease-resistant region (24-28 nucleotides long) in both IVS immediately upstream from the putative lariat branch site in an RNA splicing intermediate. Our results demonstrate that hnRNPs containing precursor beta-globin RNA are, like those containing mature beta-globin RNA, assembled in a site-specific manner.

Animals↗

Gene expression in plant mitochondria: transcriptional and post-transcriptional control.

The informational content of the mitochondrial genome in plants is, although small, essential for each cell. Gene expression in these organelles involves a number of distinct transcriptional and post-transcriptional steps. The complex post-transcriptional processes of plant mitochondria such as 5' and 3' RNA processing, intron splicing, RNA editing and controlled RNA stability extensively modify individual steady-state RNA levels and influence the mRNA quantities available for translation. In this overview of the processes in mitochondrial gene expression, we focus on confirmed and potential sites of regulatory interference and discuss the evolutionary origins of the transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes.

Cell Nucleus↗

Expression studies of delta-globin gene alleles associated with reduced hemoglobin A2 levels in Greek Cypriots.

We previously identified five delta-globin gene alleles associated with reduced hemoglobin (Hb) A2 (Trifillis, P., Ioannou, P., Schwartz, E., and Surrey, S. (1991) Blood 78, 3298-3305). We have now evaluated functional consequences of the changes after expression in COS-1 cells to monitor effects on RNA splicing. In addition, variant Hb A2 tetramers were expressed in yeast to assess effects of amino acid changes on oxygen binding and stability to heat and mechanical agitation. The G --> T change at codon 27 and the A --> G change in IVS-2 both affect RNA splicing, whereas the C --> T change at codon 97 and the AT deletion in IVS-2 have no effect. Oxygen equilibrium curves of the Hb A2 variants expressed in yeast were similar to that of wild type Hb A2. None of the three variant Hb A2 tetramers (Thr --> Ile at codon 4 (Hb deltaT4I), Ala --> Ser at codon 27 (Hb deltaA27S), and Arg --> Cys at codon 116 (Hb deltaR116C)) showed decreased heat stability compared with Hb A2, whereas the Hb deltaT4I variant showed highest instability to mechanical agitation. Co-expression in yeast of alpha-globin chain and the delta-chain variant containing a Leu --> Pro change at codon 141 yielded no identifiable tetramers, suggesting lack of assembly or severe tetramer instability. These studies show the probable cause for decreased Hb A2 for two alleles is due to defective splicing, whereas decreased protein stability, increased tetramer association with red cell membranes, increased interdisulfide bond formation of delta-chains, which inhibits assembly with alpha-chains, and/or reduced assembly is suggested for the other three alleles.

Alleles↗

Developmental expression of the murine spliceosome-associated protein mSAP49.

We have isolated the mouse homologue of human spliceosome-associated protein SAP49, mSAP49. mSAP49 contains two RNA recognition motifs (RRM) in the N terminus of the predicted amino acid sequence, and a highly basic C terminus rich in glycine/proline. mSAP49 displayed a plastic of expression in cardiac development. In the adult mouse, mSAP49 is widely distributed, although it was found at relatively lower levels in the heart. In situ hybridization analysis of mSAP49 mRNA distribution in staged mouse embryos showed that mSAP49 onset occurs later in the heart than in other embryonic tissues. While mSAP49 expression was found at day 10.0 postconception (pc) in the optic eminence, optic vesicle, hindbrain, and somites, it was not in cardiac structures. mSAP49 was detected in the ventricles at day 11.5, and at day 13.5 it was also detected in the atria. Northern analysis showed that mSAP49 mRNA displayed a peak of expression in the heart at days 14.0-15.0 pc, and its abundance decayed in the adult. This dynamic pattern of cardiac expression suggests that mSAP49 may be contributing to a change in the ratio of spliceosome components during cardiac growth and development, which may have consequences for tissue-specific splicing, RNA stabilization, or translation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression in transgenic tobacco of the bacterial neomycin phosphotransferase gene modified by intron insertions of various sizes.

A plant selectable marker gene consisting of cauliflower mosaic virus expression signals and the protein-coding sequence of bacterial neomycin phosphotransferase was modified by insertion of an intron sequence from a storage protein gene, phaseolin. Correct and efficient splicing of the resulting mosaic RNA was observed in transgenic tobacco plants. The insertion of various linkers or gradual increase of intron size by addition in both orientations of internal intron sequences from another plant gene (parsley, 4-coumarate ligase) had little or no effect on the precision of slicing. The gene activity measured by selectability assay in the protoplast transformation showed that only introns enlarged to 1161 bases and longer caused decreased selectability. The suitability of such mosaic marker genes for studies of RNA splicing, DNA recombination and early events after infection of plants with Agrobacterium is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Solution structure of the pseudo-5' splice site of a retroviral splicing suppressor.

Control of Rous sarcoma virus RNA splicing depends in part on the interaction of U1 and U11 snRNPs with an intronic RNA element called the negative regulator of splicing (NRS). A 23mer RNA hairpin (NRS23) of the NRS directly binds U1 and U11 snRNPs. Mutations that disrupt base-pairing between the loop of NRS23 and U1 snRNA abolish its negative control of splicing. We have determined the solution structure of NRS23 using NOEs, torsion angles, and residual dipolar couplings that were extracted from multidimensional heteronuclear NMR spectra. Our structure showed that the 6-bp stem of NRS23 adopts a nearly A-form duplex conformation. The loop, which consists of 11 residues according to secondary structure probing, was in a closed conformation. U913, the first residue in the loop, was bulged out or dynamic, and loop residues G914-C923, G915-U922, and U916-A921 were base-paired. The remaining UUGU tetraloop sequence did not adopt a stable structure and appears flexible in solution. This tetraloop differs from the well-known classes of tetraloops (GNRA, CUYG, UNCG) in terms of its stability, structure, and function. Deletion of the bulged U913, which is not complementary to U1 snRNA, increased the melting temperature of the RNA hairpin. This hyperstable hairpin exhibited a significant decrease in binding to U1 snRNP. Thus, the structure of the NRS RNA, as well as its sequence, is important for interaction with U1 snRNP and for splicing suppression.

Avian Sarcoma Viruses↗

Cloning and characterization of liver-specific isoform of Chk1 gene from rat.

We have isolated and characterized an isoform of protein kinase Chk1 gene from rat liver and a rat liver cDNA library by 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The gene (Cil) contains the C-terminal region of the Chk1 gene, but the 5'-end is derived from a sequence in the intron of Chk1 preceding the C-terminal domain by differential RNA splicing. The kinase domain of Chk1 gene is absent in this isoform. Tissue RNA and protein blot analyses indicated that Cil was specifically expressed only in rat liver, and its expression increased with liver development. Expression of Cil was found to be reduced in three rat hepatoma cell lines examined. A promoter trap experiment suggested that a promoter was located in the intron preceding the C-terminal domain of Chk1, and transcription from this novel promoter generated the new 5' noncoding exon of Cil. Thus Cil was generated by both alternate promoter usage and differential RNA splicing. UV irradiation induced caffeine-sensitive phosphorylation of both Chk1 and Cil at Ser-345 in Chk1 and its equivalent site in Cil, implying a role for ATR kinase in the phosphorylation of both proteins. We demonstrated the interaction between the kinase domain of Chk1 and Cil using a yeast two-hybrid assay and pull-down technique. In contrast to the effect of Chk1, Cil was found to decrease the transactivating function of p53, and the S63A mutation of Cil abolished this effect. These results suggest that Cil may serve as a dominant negative competitor of Chk1 as suggested previously.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two oncogenes in avian carcinoma virus MH2: myc and mht.

The 5.2-kilobase (kb) RNA genome of avian carcinoma virus MH2 has the genetic structure 5' - delta gag (0.2 kb)-mht (1.2 kb)-myc (1.4 kb)-c(0.4 kb)-poly (A) (0.2 kb)-3'. delta gag is a partial retroviral core protein, mht and myc are cell-derived MH2-specific sequences, and c is the 3'-terminal retroviral vector sequence. the following results were obtained from the complete nucleotide sequences of the mht and myc genes in MH2. (i) delta gag-mht forms a hybrid gene with a contiguous reading frame of 2682 nucleotides that terminates with a stop codon near the 3' end of the mht gene. The 3' 969 nucleotides of mht up to the stop codon are 80% sequence related to the onc-specific raf sequence of murine sarcoma virus 3611 (MSV 3611) (94% homologous at the deduced amino acid level). (ii) The myc coding region in MH2 is preceded by 181 nucleotides derived from the intron immediately upstream from the second exon of the chicken cellular proto-myc gene, followed by an RNA splice acceptor site shared with the proto-myc gene, followed by an RNA splice acceptor site shared with the proto-myc, beyond which it is colinear up to a 3'-termination codon and 40 noncoding nucleotides with the myc sequences of avian retrovirus MC29 and chicken proto-myc. Thus, myc forms, together with a 5' retroviral exon, a second MH2-specific gene. It is concluded that MH2 contains two genes with oncogenic potential, the delta gag-mht gene, which is closely related to the delta gag-raf transforming gene of MSV 3611, and the myc gene, which is related to the transforming gene of MC29. Furthermore, it may be concluded that the cellular proto-onc genes, which on sequence transduction become viral onc genes, are a small group because among the 19 known onc sequences, 5 are shared by different taxonomic groups of viruses of which the mht/raf homology is the closest so far.

Alpharetrovirus↗

Identification of splicing mutations of the last nucleotides of exons, a nonsense mutation, and a missense mutation of the XPAC gene as causes of group A xeroderma pigmentosum.

Four mutations of the XPAC gene were identified as molecular bases of different UV-sensitive subgroups of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) group A. One was a G to C transversion at the last nucleotide of exon 4 in GM1630/GM2062, a little less hypersensitive subgroup than the most sensitive XP2OS/XP12RO. The second mutation was a G to A transition at the last nucleotide of exon 3 in GM2033/GM2090, an intermediate subgroup. Both mutations caused almost complete inactivation of the canonical 5' splice donor site and aberrant RNA splicing. The third mutation was a nucleotide transition altering the Arg-211 codon (CGA) to a nonsense codon (TGA) in another allele of GM2062. The fourth mutation was a nucleotide transversion altering the His-244 codon (CAT) to an Arg codon (CGT) in XP8LO, an intermediate subgroup. Our results strongly suggest that the clinical heterogeneity in XP-A is due to different mutations in the XPAC gene.

Adolescent↗

Distinct changes in intranuclear lamin A/C organization during myoblast differentiation.

Intranuclear lamin foci or speckles have been observed in various cell types. In order to explore the possibility of changes in internal lamin organization during muscle differentiation, we have examined the appearance of A-type lamin speckles that associate with RNA splicing factor speckles in C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes. Lamin speckles were observed in dividing myoblasts but disappeared early during the course of differentiation in postmitotic myocytes, and were absent in myotubes and muscle fibers. However, no changes were seen in the typical peripheral organization of lamins A/C or B1 or in RNA splicing factor speckles. Lamin speckles were also absent in quiescent myoblasts but reappeared as cells were reactivated to enter the cell cycle. These changes were not observed in other quiescent cell types. Immunoblot analysis indicated that the abundance and migration of lamins A and C was not altered in differentiated myoblasts. When myotube or quiescent myoblast nuclei were extracted with nucleases and detergent, a uniformly stained internal lamina was revealed, indicating that lamins A/C were antigenically masked in these cells, probably owing to structural reorganization of the lamina during differentiation or quiescence. Our results suggest that muscle cell differentiation is accompanied by regulated rearrangements in the organization of the A-type lamins.

Animals↗

Control of alternative pre-mRNA splicing by RNA Pol II elongation: faster is not always better.

The realization that the mammalian proteomic complexity is achieved with a limited number of genes demands a better understanding of alternative splicing regulation. Promoter control of alternative splicing was originally described by our group in studies performed on the fibronectin gene. Recently, other labs extended our findings to the cystic fibrosis, CD44 and CGRP genes strongly supporting a coupling between transcription and pre-mRNA splicing. A possible mechanism that would fit in these results is that the promoter itself is responsible for recruiting splicing factors, such as SR proteins, to the site of transcription, possibly through transcription factors that bind the promoter or the transcriptional enhancers. An alternative model, discussed more extensively in this review, involves modulation of RNA pol II (pol II) elongation rate. The model is supported by findings that cis- and trans- acting factors that modulate pol II elongation on a particular template also provoke changes in the alternative splicing balance of the encoded mRNAs.

Alternative Splicing↗

Correspondence between a mammalian spliceosome component and an essential yeast splicing factor.

None of the mammalian splicing factors that have been cloned corresponds to the yeast pre-messenger RNA splicing factors, the PRP proteins. Here, a generalizable strategy was used to isolate a complementary DNA encoding the mammalian spliceosome-associated protein (SAP) SAP 62. It is demonstrated that SAP 62 is the likely functional homolog of the yeast PRP11 protein. Both PRP11 and SAP 62 associate stably with the spliceosome, contain a single zinc finger, and display significant amino acid sequence similarity. Unlike PRP11, SAP 62 contains 22 proline-rich heptapeptide repeats at the carboxyl-terminus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

HnRNP L binds a cis-acting RNA sequence element that enables intron-dependent gene expression.

Most pre-mRNAs require an intron for efficient processing in higher eukaryotes. To test the hypothesis that intron-independent gene expression involves positive, cis-acting RNA sequence elements, we constructed chimeric genes in which various regions of the naturally intronless HSV-TK gene were inserted into an intronless variant of the highly intron-dependent human beta-globin gene. Using a transient transfection assay, we identified a 119-nucleotide sequence element contained within the transcribed region of the HSV-TK gene that enables efficient cytoplasmic accumulation of globin RNA in the absence of splicing. RNA UV-cross-linking assays indicated that a 68-kD protein present in nuclear extracts of HeLa and COS cells specifically binds to this HSV-TK sequence element. This 68-kD protein was found to cross-react with an antiserum specific to hnRNP L. Recombinant hnRNP L was shown to bind with high sequence specificity to this RNA sequence element. Analysis of substitution mutants in this element indicated that binding of hnRNP L correlates with accumulation of the RNA in the cytoplasm. Thus, we conclude that (1) hnRNP L binds in a sequence-specific manner to this RNA sequence element that enables intron-independent gene expression, and (2) intron-independent pre-mRNA processing and transport involves sequence-specific RNA-protein interactions between cis-acting RNA sequence elements and proteins such as hnRNP L. This sequence element may be of general use for the efficient expression of cDNA versions of intron-dependent genes.

Animals↗

Nonreciprocal packaging of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 RNA: a possible role for the p2 domain of Gag in RNA encapsidation.

The ability of human immunodeficiency virus types 1 (HIV-1) and 2 (HIV-2) to cross-package each other's RNA was investigated by cotransfecting helper virus constructs with vectors derived from both viruses from which the gag and pol sequences had been removed. HIV-1 was able to package both HIV-1 and HIV-2 vector RNA. The unspliced HIV-1 vector RNA was packaged preferentially over spliced RNA; however, unspliced and spliced HIV-2 vector RNA were packaged in proportion to their cytoplasmic concentrations. The HIV-2 helper virus was unable to package the HIV-1 vector RNA, indicating a nonreciprocal RNA packaging relationship between these two lentiviruses. Chimeric proviruses based on HIV-2 were constructed to identify the regions of the HIV-1 Gag protein conferring RNA-packaging specificity for the HIV-1 packaging signal. Two chimeric viruses were constructed in which domains within the HIV-2 gag gene were replaced by the corresponding domains in HIV-1, and the ability of the chimeric proviruses to encapsidate an HIV-1-based vector was studied. Wild-type HIV-2 was unable to package the HIV-1-based vector; however, replacement of the HIV-2 nucleocapsid by that of HIV-1 generated a virus with normal protein processing which could package the HIV-1-based vector. The chimeric viruses retained the ability to package HIV-2 genomic RNA, providing further evidence for a lack of reciprocity in RNA-packaging ability between the HIV-1 and HIV-2 nucleocapsid proteins. Inclusion of the p2 domain of HIV-1 Gag in the chimera significantly enhanced packaging.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intermolecular exon ligation of the rRNA precursor of Tetrahymena: oligonucleotides can function as 5' exons.

The dinucleotide CpUOH, when incubated with self-splicing Tetrahymena pre-rRNA in the absence of GTP, functions as a 5' exon. It cleaves the precursor exactly at the 3' splice site and becomes covalently ligated to the 3' exon. Other oligonucleotides with sequences that resemble CUCUCU, the sequence at the 3' end of the 5' exon, can add to the 3' exon in this reaction. Such splicing in trans is most readily explained by a site within the intervening sequence that binds the last few nucleotides of the 5' exon. This binding site functions in splice site recognition and is also part of the active site of the ribozyme. The mechanism by which 5' splice sites are selected in Tetrahymena rRNA and group I mitochondrial RNA splicing is like that used in nuclear mRNA splicing, in that it involves specific pairing of bases adjacent to the splice site with a complementary RNA sequence.

Animals↗