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A plasmid-based reverse genetics system for influenza A virus.

A reverse genetics system for negative-strand RNA viruses was first successfully developed for influenza viruses. This technology involved the transfection of in vitro-reconstituted ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes into influenza virus-infected cells. We have now developed a method that allows intracellular reconstitution of RNP complexes from plasmid-based expression vectors. Expression of a viral RNA-like transcript is achieved from a plasmid containing a truncated human polymerase I (polI) promoter and a ribozyme sequence that generates the desired 3' end by autocatalytic cleavage. The polI-driven plasmid is cotransfected into human 293 cells with polII-responsive plasmids that express the viral PB1, PB2, PA, and NP proteins. This exclusively plasmid-driven system results in the efficient transcription and replication of the viral RNA-like reporter and allows the study of cis- and trans-acting signals involved in the transcription and replication of influenza virus RNAs. Using this system, we have also been able to rescue a synthetic neuraminidase gene into a recombinant influenza virus. This method represents a convenient alternative to the previously established RNP transfection system.

Base Sequence↗

Calreticulin binds preferentially with B cell linear epitopes of Ro60 kD autoantigen, enhancing recognition by anti-Ro60 kD autoantibodies.

Calreticulin is a molecular chaperone to newly synthesized polypeptides. Previous studies suggested that calreticulin is probably a protein member of the Ro/La RNP complex. The aims of this study were (a) to investigate whether linear B cell epitopes of the Ro/La RNP complex are bound to calreticulin and (b) if the complex peptide-calreticulin is recognized specifically by anti-Ro autoantibodies. Calreticulin was isolated from either human or pig spleen using a multi-step purification method and found to interact preferentially with biotinylated peptides derived from the sequence of the Ro60 kD 175-184aa(10p) and 216-232aa(17p). The interaction of the peptide-calreticulin complex was favoured by the combination of heat treatment, divalent cations and ATP. La/SSB epitopes did not react with calreticulin. Peptides corresponding to La/SSB epitopes as well as the common epitope of Sm did not interact with calreticulin. Thirty-eight anti-Ro60 KD positive and 23 anti-Ro60 kD negative sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) were tested. All anti-Ro60 kD positive sera bound the complex calreticulin-17p, while 95% of the same sera had activity against the complex calreticulin - 10p. Tested individually, calreticulin, pep10p and pep17p presented very low reactivity (8%, 11% and 29%, respectively) against anti-Ro60 kD positive sera. Anti-Ro60 KD negative sera did not exhibit significant reactivity either with calreticulin, 10rho and 17rho or with the complexes calreticulin - 10p and calreticulin-17p (<5%). These results suggest that calreticulin can induce conformation-dependent recognition of the Ro60 kD epitopes, leading eventually to their recognition by autoantibodies. This is the first time that such a relationship is shown between a chaperone protein and fragments of an intracellular autoantigen. This work also provides insights into the understanding of mechanisms for autoantibody production. Furthermore, this association can be proved useful for the development of new sensitive assays for autoantibody detection.

Animals↗

Characterization of two classes of ribonucleoprotein complexes possibly involved in RNA editing from Leishmania tarentolae mitochondria.

The molecular mechanism of RNA editing in trypanosomatid mitochondria is an unsolved problem. We show that two classes of ribonucleoprotein complexes exist in a mitochondrial extract from Leishmania tarentolae and appear to be involved in RNA editing. The 'G' class of RNP complexes consists of 170-300 A particles which contain guide RNAs and proteins, show little terminal uridylyl transferase (TUTase) activity and exhibit an in vitro RNA editing-like activity. The 'T' class consists of approximately six RNP complexes, the endogenous RNA of which can be self-labeled with [alpha-32P]UTP. The most abundant T complex, T-IV, is visualized by electron microscopy as 80-140 A particles. This complex exhibits TUTase activity in the native gel and contains guide RNAs. Both G and T complexes are possibly involved with RNA editing in vivo. These results are a starting point for the analysis of the biochemistry of RNA editing.

Animals↗

Identification and characterisation of a novel human RNA-binding protein.

The processing of heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) into a mature message occurs within a number of different nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes which bind to the hnRNA and provide the machinery for these modifying events. Although some components of the nuclear RNP complexes have been isolated, many remain to be elucidated. We report here the isolation of a novel human nucleic-acid-binding protein isolated by screening a lambda gt11 expression library with an oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe. The complete cDNA clone (E5.1) is homologous to a recently published murine sequence. The human gene encodes a ubiquitously expressed mRNA sequence with a putative open reading frame of 305 amino acids and contains a number of domains found in well characterised RNA-binding proteins. The E5.1-derived RNA recognition motif (RRM) is phylogenetically most related to the hnRNP C protein, a component of heterogeneous nuclear RNP particles which participates in mRNA splicing in vitro. E5.1 may, therefore, represent a novel gene, encoding a protein involved in processing of precursor RNAs into mature mRNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Anti-5S RNA/protein (RNP) antibody levels correlate with disease activity in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis.

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and nephritis without antibodies to dsDNA but with antibodies to a 5S RNA/protein (RNP) complex is presented. Combined RNA precipitation and Western blotting experiments strongly suggested that these newly identified autoantibodies recognized a distinct epitope on the L5 ribosomal protein of the L5/5S RNP complex first described by Steitz et al. [1]. Quantification of the anti-5S RNP antibody levels was done by hybridizing Northern blots of immunoprecipitated RNA from serial serum samples with a 32P-labelled oligoprobe specific for the 5S ribosomal RNA. These studies revealed a strong association between anti-5S RNP autoantibody titre and severity of SLE nephritis over a 3-year prospective study. Our results indicate that the L5/5S RNP can be a target of autoimmune response, and and may serve, in some cases, as marker of SLE severity and response to therapy.

Antibody Specificity↗

Efficient RNA 2'-O-methylation requires juxtaposed and symmetrically assembled archaeal box C/D and C'/D' RNPs.

Box C/D ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes direct the nucleotide-specific 2'-O-methylation of ribonucleotide sugars in target RNAs. In vitro assembly of an archaeal box C/D sRNP using recombinant core proteins L7, Nop56/58 and fibrillarin has yielded an RNA:protein enzyme that guides methylation from both the terminal box C/D core and internal C'/D' RNP complexes. Reconstitution of sRNP complexes containing only box C/D or C'/D' motifs has demonstrated that the terminal box C/D RNP is the minimal methylation-competent particle. However, efficient ribonucleotide 2'-O-methylation requires that both the box C/D and C'/D' RNPs function within the full-length sRNA molecule. In contrast to the eukaryotic snoRNP complex, where the core proteins are distributed asymmetrically on the box C/D and C'/D' motifs, all three archaeal core proteins bind both motifs symmetrically. This difference in core protein distribution is a result of altered RNA-binding capabilities of the archaeal and eukaryotic core protein homologs. Thus, evolution of the box C/D nucleotide modification complex has resulted in structurally distinct archaeal and eukaryotic RNP particles.

Archaea↗

Neurotrophin-induced transport of a beta-actin mRNP complex increases beta-actin levels and stimulates growth cone motility.

Neurotrophin regulation of actin-dependent changes in growth cone motility may depend on the signaling of beta-actin mRNA transport. Formation of an RNP complex between the beta-actin mRNA zipcode sequence and Zipcode Binding Protein 1 (ZBP1) was required for its localization to growth cones. Antisense oligonucleotides to the zipcode inhibited formation of this RNP complex in vitro and the neurotrophin-induced localization of beta-actin mRNA and ZBP1 granules. Live cell imaging of neurons transfected with EGFP-ZBP1 revealed fast, bidirectional movements of granules in neurites that were inhibited by antisense treatment, as visualized by FRAP analysis. NT-3 stimulation of beta-actin protein localization was dependent on the 3'UTR and inhibited by antisense treatment. Growth cones exhibited impaired motility in the presense of antisense. These results suggest a novel mechanism to influence growth cone dynamics involving the regulated transport of mRNA.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Detection and characterization of a 3' untranslated region ribonucleoprotein complex associated with human alpha-globin mRNA stability.

The highly stable nature of globin mRNA is of central importance to erythroid cell differentiation. We have previously identified cytidine-rich (C-rich) segments in the human alpha-globin mRNA 3' untranslated region (alpha-3'UTR) which are critical in the maintenance of mRNA stability in transfected erythroid cells. In the present studies, we have detected trans-acting factors which interact with these cis elements to mediate this stabilizing function. A sequence-specific ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex is assembled after incubation of the alpha-3'UTR with a variety of cytosolic extracts. This so-called alpha-complex is sequence specific and is not formed on the 3'UTR of either beta-globin or growth hormone mRNAs. Furthermore, base substitutions within the C-rich stretches which destabilize alpha-globin mRNA in vivo result in a parallel disruption of the alpha-complex in vitro. Competition studies with a series of homoribopolymers reveals a striking sensitivity of alpha-complex formation to poly(C), suggesting the presence of a poly(C)-binding activity within the alpha-complex. Three predominant proteins are isolated by alpha-3'UTR affinity chromatography. One of these binds directly to poly(C). This cytosolic poly(C)-binding protein is distinct from previously described nuclear poly(C)-binding heterogeneous nuclear RNPs and is necessary but not sufficient for alpha-complex formation. These data suggest that a messenger RNP complex formed by interaction of defined segments within the alpha-3'UTR with a limited number of cytosolic proteins, including a potentially novel poly(C)-binding protein, is of functional importance in establishing high-level stability of alpha-globin mRNA.

Animals↗

Conserved spacing between the box C/D and C'/D' RNPs of the archaeal box C/D sRNP complex is required for efficient 2'-O-methylation of target RNAs.

RNA-guided nucleotide modification complexes direct the post-transcriptional nucleotide modification of both archaeal and eukaryotic RNAs. We have previously demonstrated that efficient 2'-O-methylation activity guided by an in vitro reconstituted archaeal box C/D sRNP requires juxtaposed box C/D and C'/D' RNP complexes. In these experiments, we investigate the importance of spatially positioning the box C/D and C'/D' RNPs within the sRNP complex for nucleotide modification. Initial sequence analysis of 245 archaeal box C/D sRNAs from both Eukyarchaeota and Crenarchaeota kingdoms revealed highly conserved spacing between the box C/D and C'/D' RNA motifs. Distances between boxes C to D' and C' to D (D' and D spacers, respectively) exhibit highly constrained lengths of 12 nucleotides (nt). Methanocaldococcus jannaschii sR8 sRNA, a model box C/D sRNA with D and D' spacers of 12 nt, was mutated to alter the distance between the two RNA motifs. sRNAs with longer or shorter spacer regions could still form sRNPs by associating with box C/D core proteins, L7, Nop56/58, and fibrillarin, comparable to wild-type sR8. However, these reconstituted box C/D sRNP complexes were severely deficient in methylation activity. Alteration of the D and D' spacer lengths disrupted the guided methylation activity of both the box C/D and C'/D' RNP complexes. When only one spacer region was altered, methylation activity of the corresponding RNP was lost. Collectively, these results demonstrate the importance of box C/D and C'/D' RNP positioning for preservation of critical inter-RNP interactions required for efficient box C/D sRNP-guided nucleotide methylation.

Archaeal Proteins↗

Assembly of an active group II intron-maturase complex by protein dimerization.

Group II intron-encoded proteins promote both splicing and mobility of the intron RNA through formation of a specific RNA-protein complex. The Lactococcus lactis L1.LtrB intron encodes a maturase, LtrA, with reverse transcriptase homology and specific binding affinity for two domains of the intron RNA. The catalytically active ribonucleoprotein (RNP) has splicing, endonuclease, and reverse transcriptase activity, enabling efficient insertion of the intron sequence by a retro-homing mechanism. To determine the composition and assembly mechanism of the RNP complex, purified LtrA protein was analyzed for its ability to recognize a series of intron-derived RNAs. Equilibrium dissociation measurements show that LtrA recognizes two intronic domains, DI and DIV. However, distinct electrostatic requirements for binding imply different modes of molecular recognition in each case. Stoichiometric binding experiments show that the functional RNP complex consists of a dimeric protein species bound to a single intron RNA. Significant differences between the measured equilibrium dissociation constants and kinetically derived values suggest that conformational changes accompany assembly of the intron-maturase complex, and results of limited proteolysis and fluorescence spectroscopy experiments suggest that significant RNA-dependent structural changes within the maturase occur upon association with the intron. These results support a mutually induced fit model in which RNA-dependent conformational changes within LtrA enable stable association of the protein dimer with two independent intron domains to form a functional RNP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Potato virus X RNA-mediated assembly of single-tailed ternary 'coat protein-RNA-movement protein' complexes.

Different models have been proposed for the nature of the potexvirus transport form that moves from cell to cell over the infected plant: (i) genomic RNA moves as native virions; or (ii) in vitro-assembled non-virion ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes consisting of viral RNA, coat protein (CP) and movement protein (MP), termed TGBp1, serve as the transport form in vivo. As the structure of these RNPs has not been elucidated, the products assembled in vitro from potato virus X (PVX) RNA, CP and TGBp1 were characterized. The complexes appeared as single-tailed particles (STPs) with a helical, head-like structure composed of CP subunits located at the 5'-proximal region of PVX RNA; the TGBp1 was bound to the terminal CP molecules of the head. Remarkably, no particular non-virion RNP complexes were observed. These data suggest that the CP-RNA interactions resulting in head formation prevailed over TGBp1-RNA binding upon STP assembly from RNA, CP and TGBp1. STPs could be assembled from the 5' end of PVX RNA and CP in the absence of TGBp1. The translational ability of STPs was characterized in a cell-free translation system. STPs lacking TGBp1 were entirely non-translatable; however, they were rendered translatable by binding of TGBp1 to the end of the head. It is suggested that the RNA-mediated assembly of STPs proceeds via two steps. Firstly, non-translatable CP-RNA STPs are produced, due to encapsidation of the 5'-terminal region. Secondly, the TGBp1 molecules bind to the end of a polar head, resulting in conversion of the STPs into a translatable form.

Biological Transport, Active↗

Isolation of distinct small ribonucleoprotein particles containing the spliced leader and U2 RNAs of Trypanosoma brucei.

Messenger RNA maturation in trypanosomes involves an RNA trans-splicing reaction in which a 39 nucleotide 5'-spliced leader (SL), derived from an independently transcribed 139 nucleotide SL RNA, is joined to pre-mRNAs. Trans-splicing intermediates are structurally consistent with a mechanism of SL addition which is similar to that of cis-splicing of nuclear pre-mRNAs; homologous components (e.g. the U small nuclear RNAs) exist in both cis- and trans-splicing systems, suggesting that these also participate in the two types of splicing reactions. In this study, ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes containing the trypanosome SL and U2 RNAs were purified and characterized. Although present at low levels in cellular extracts, the SL and U2 RNPs are the two most abundant of the several non-ribosomal small RNP complexes in these cells. The purification scheme utilizes ion-exchange chromatography, equilibrium density centrifugation, and gel filtration chromatography and reveals that the SL RNP shares biophysical properties with U RNPs of trypanosomes and other eukaryotes; its sedimentation coefficient in sucrose gradients is approximately 10 S, and it is resistant to dissociation during Cs2SO4 equilibrium density centrifugation. Complete separation of the SL and U2 RNPs was achieved by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Proteins purifying with the SL and U2 RNPs were identified by 125I-labeling of tyrosine residues. Four SL RNP proteins with approximate molecular masses of 36, 32, 30, and 27 kDa and one U2 RNP protein of 31 kDa were identified, suggesting that different polypeptides are associated with these two RNAs. These particles are not immunoprecipitated by anti-Sm sera which recognizes U snRNP proteins of other eukaryotes including humans plants and yeast.

Animals↗

A two-tracked approach to analyze RNA-protein crosslinking sites in native, nonlabeled small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles.

Much attention is currently being devoted to questions of protein and RNA tertiary structures and to the quaternary arrangement of the individual macromolecules in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles. In this article we describe two complementary strategies that allow the identification of RNA-protein contact sites in assembled, nonlabeled RNP particles after UV crosslinking. The first combines immunoprecipitation of UV-irradiated RNP particles under mildly denaturing conditions followed by primer-extension analysis of the crosslinked (and thus coprecipitated) RNA. The second involves the purification of crosslinked peptide-oligonucleotide from RNP particles and the subsequent analysis of the crosslinked peptide and RNA by Edman degradation and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-mass spectrometry (MS), respectively. Although the first approach provides a rapid method for the exact identification of RNA-protein contact sites in purified nonlabeled RNP particles, the latter adds valuable information about potential RNA binding domains within proteins and, thus, about the arrangement of these proteins within the quaternary structures of complex RNP assemblies. Recently, we applied both these strategies successfully to native purified spliceosomal RNP. These methods may be generally applicable to the analysis of RNP complexes, especially as they avoid labeling and reconstitution, both of which risk introducing artifacts.

Binding Sites↗

Ro ribonucleoprotein assembly in vitro. Identification of RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions.

The human Y RNAs, small RNAs with an unknown function, are complexed with at least three proteins: the 60,000 M(r) Ro protein (Ro60), the 52,000 M(r) Ro protein (Ro52) and the La protein (La). In this study we examined the intermolecular interactions between the components of these so-called Ro ribonucleoprotein (Ro RNP) complexes. Incubation of 32P-labelled hY1 RNA in HeLa S100 extract allows the reconstitution of Ro RNP complexes, which were analysed by immunoprecipitation with monospecific antisera. By immunodepletion of HeLa S100 extracts for either Ro60, Ro52 or La, followed by supplementation with recombinant Ro60 or La, it was demonstrated that both Ro60 and La bind to hY1 RNA directly without being influenced by one of the other proteins. However, binding of Ro52 to hY1 RNA required the presence of Ro60, which strongly suggests that the association of Ro52 with Ro RNPs is mediated by protein-protein interactions between Ro60 and Ro52.

Autoantigens↗

The autoregulatory translational control element of poly(A)-binding protein mRNA forms a heteromeric ribonucleoprotein complex.

Repression of poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) mRNA translation involves the binding of PABP to the adenine-rich autoregulatory sequence (ARS) in the 5'-untranslated region of its own mRNA. In this report, we show that the ARS forms a complex in vitro with PABP, and two additional polypeptides of 63 and 105 kDa. The 63 and 105 kDa polypeptides were identified, as IMP1, an ortholog of chicken zip-code binding polypeptide, and UNR, a PABP binding polypeptide, respectively, by mass spectrometry of the ARS RNA affinity purified samples. Using a modified ribonucleoprotein (RNP) immunoprecipitation procedure we further show that indeed, both IMP1 and UNR bind to the ARS containing reporter RNA in vivo. Although both IMP1 and UNR could bind independently to the ARS RNA in vitro, their RNA-binding ability was stimulated by PABP. Mutational analyses of the ARS show that the presence of four of the six oligo(A) regions of the ARS was sufficient to repress translation and the length of the conserved pyrimidine spacers between the oligo(A) sequences was important for ARS function. The ability of mutant ARS RNAs to form the PABP, IMP1 and UNR containing RNP complex correlates well with the translational repressor activity of the ARS. There is also a direct relationship between the length of the poly(A) RNAs and their ability to form a trimeric complex with PABP, and to repress mRNA translation. UV crosslinking studies suggest that the ARS is less efficient than a poly(A) RNA of similar length, to bind to PABP. We show here that the ARS cannot efficiently form a trimeric complex with PABP; therefore, additional interactions with IMP1 and UNR to form a heteromeric RNP complex may be required for maximal repression of PABP mRNA translation under physiological conditions.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Ribonucleotide sequences non-adjacent to poly(A) participate in the poly(A)-protein complex in 15S duck globin mRNP particles.

The study of the interaction between mRNA and proteins in the polyribosomal 15 S duck globin messenger ribonucleoprotein complex showed that proteins protect specific mRNA sequences against digestion by the nonspecific micrococcal nuclease (Nucleic Acids Research 6 (8) 2787, 1979). Here we report the isolation of the poly(A)-protein RNP complex from nuclease digested 15 S mRNP by two different methods: sucrose gradient sedimentation and oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography. We show by fingerprint analysis, that aprt from the periodically fragmented poly(A) segment, mRNA sequences adjacent and non-adjacent to the poly(A) segment are protected by the poly(A) binding proteins against nuclease digestion. The duck globin poly(A)-protein RNP complex, with a sedimentation coefficient between 7 S and 10 S, shows a characteristic protein composition, with a major 73,000 MW polypeptide and some minor components. The results are discussed in view of a dynamic ribonucleoprotein structure.

Animals↗

Ebp1 is a dsRNA-binding protein associated with ribosomes that modulates eIF2alpha phosphorylation.

dsRNA-binding domains (dsRBDs) characterize an expanding family of proteins involved in different cellular processes, ranging from RNA editing and processing to translational control. Here we present evidence that Ebp1, a cell growth regulating protein that is part of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes, contains a dsRBD and that this domain mediates its interaction with dsRNA. Deletion of Ebp1's dsRBD impairs its localization to the nucleolus and its ability to form RNP complexes. We show that in the cytoplasm, Ebp1 is associated with mature ribosomes and that it is able to inhibit the phosphorylation of serine 51 in the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2alpha). In response to various cellular stress, eIF2alpha is phosphorylated by distinct protein kinases (PKR, PERK, GCN2, and HRI), and this event results in protein translation shut-down. Ebp1 overexpression in HeLa cells is able to protect eIF2alpha from phosphorylation at steady state and also in response to various treatments. We demonstrate that Ebp1 interacts with and is phosphorylated by the PKR protein kinase. Our results demonstrate that Ebp1 is a new dsRNA-binding protein that acts as a cellular inhibitor of eIF2alpha phosphorylation suggesting that it could be involved in protein translation control.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

In vitro reconstitution and activity of a C/D box methylation guide ribonucleoprotein complex.

The genomes of hyperthermophilic Archaea encode dozens of methylation guide, C/D box small RNAs that guide 2'-O-methylation of ribose to specific sites in rRNA and various tRNAs. The genes encoding the Sulfolobus homologues of eukaryotic proteins that are known to be present in C/D box small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) complexes were cloned, and the proteins (aFIB, aNOP56, and aL7a) were expressed and purified. The purified proteins along with an in vitro transcript of the Sulfolobus sR1 small RNA were reconstituted in vitro, into an RNP complex. The order of assembly of the three proteins onto the RNA was aL7a, aNOP56, and aFIB. The complex was active in targeting S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-dependent, site-specific 2'-O-methylation of ribose to a short fragment of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) that was complementary to the D box guide region of the sR1 small RNA. The presence of aFIB was essential for methylation; mutant proteins having amino acid replacements in the SAM-binding motif of aFIB were able to assemble into an RNP complex, but the resulting complexes were defective in methylation activity. These experiments define the minimal number of components and the conditions required to achieve in vitro RNA guide-directed 2'-O-methylation of ribose in a target RNA.

Amino Acid Motifs↗