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An intergenic G-rich region in Leishmania tarentolae kinetoplast maxicircle DNA is a pan-edited cryptogene encoding ribosomal protein S12.

Six short G-rich intergenic regions in the maxicircle of Leishmania tarentolae are conserved in location and polarity in two other kinetoplastid species. We show here that G-rich region 6 (G6) represents a pan-edited cryptogene which contains at least two domains edited independently in a 3'-to-5' manner connected by short unedited regions. In the completely edited RNA, 117 uridines are added at 49 sites and 32 uridines are deleted at 13 sites, creating a translated 85-amino-acid polypeptide. Similar polypeptides are probably encoded by pan-edited G6 transcripts in two other species. The G6 polypeptide has significant sequence similarity to the family of S12 ribosomal proteins. A minicircle-encoded gRNA overlaps 12 editing sites in G6 mRNA, and chimeric gRNA/mRNA molecules were shown to exist, in agreement with the transesterification model for editing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genomic organization of Trypanosoma brucei kinetoplast DNA minicircles.

The sequences of seven new Trypanosoma brucei kinetoplast DNA minicircles were obtained. A detailed comparative analysis of these sequences and those of the 18 complete kDNA minicircle sequences from T. brucei available in the database was performed. These 25 different minicircles contain 86 putative gRNA genes. The number of gRNA genes per minicircle varies from 2 to 5. In most cases, the genes are located between short imperfect inverted repeats, but in several minicircles there are inverted repeat cassettes that did not contain identifiable gRNA genes. Five minicircles contain single gRNA genes not surrounded by identifiable repeats. Two pairs of closely related minicircles may have recently evolved from common ancestors: KTMH1 and KTMH3 contained the same gRNA genes in the same order, whereas KTCSGRA and KTCSGRB contained two gRNA genes in the same order and one gRNA gene specific to each. All minicircles could be classified into two classes on the basis of a short substitution within the highly conserved region, but the minicircles in these two classes did not appear to differ in terms of gRNA content or gene organization. A number of redundant gRNAs containing identical editing information but different sequences were present. The alignments of the predicted gRNAs with the edited mRNA sequences varied from a perfect alignment without gaps to alignments with multiple mismatches. Multiple gRNAs overlapped with upstream gRNAs, but in no case was a complete set of overlapping gRNAs covering an entire editing domain obtained. We estimate that a minimum set of approximately 65 additional gRNAs would be required for complete overlapping sets. This analysis should provide a basis for detailed studies of the evolution and role in RNA editing of kDNA minicircles in this species.

Animals↗

The double-stranded RNA-binding motif, a versatile macromolecular docking platform.

The double-stranded RNA-binding motif (dsRBM) is an alphabetabetabetaalpha fold with a well-characterized function to bind structured RNA molecules. This motif is widely distributed in eukaryotic proteins, as well as in proteins from bacteria and viruses. dsRBM-containing proteins are involved in processes ranging from RNA editing to protein phosphorylation in translational control and contain a variable number of dsRBM domains. The structural work of the past five years has identified a common mode of RNA target recognition by dsRBMs and dissected this recognition into two functionally separated interaction modes. The first involves the recognition of specific moieties of the RNA A-form helix by two protein loops, while the second is based on the interaction between structural elements flanking the RNA duplex with the first helix of the dsRBM. The latter interaction can be tuned by other protein elements. Recent work has made clear that dsRBMs can also recognize non-RNA targets (proteins and DNA), and act in combination with other dsRBMs and non-dsRBM motifs to play a regulatory role in catalytic processes. The elucidation of functional networks coordinated by dsRBM folds will require information on the precise functional relationship between different dsRBMs and a clarification of the principles underlying dsRBM-protein recognition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Splicing-active nuclear extracts from rat brain.

In the nervous system, alternative pre-mRNA splicing generates the diverse protein machineries needed for cell excitation and synaptic communication. Yet, many questions remain about how these mechanisms are regulated by RNA binding proteins in the environment of differentiated cells and tissues. Here, we describe the preparation and use of splicing active nuclear extracts derived from the cerebellum and cerebral cortex regions of rat brain as a resource for in vitro studies. These tissue-specific extracts promote the neuron-specific pathway of splicing, and display characteristic changes in hnRNP protein function and expression. These extracts can be used in combination with affinity selection and depletion/complementation assays to identify regulatory factors and to characterize their interactions and effects on spliceosome assembly. The ability to prepare extracts from brain regions at a range of postnatal ages provides opportunities to address related questions as a function of cell differentiation. These neuronal extracts may also be valuable for the development of in vitro assays to elucidate other neuron-specific RNA processing pathways, such as 3' end formation, RNA editing, or miRNA maturation.

Animals↗

Crystal structures of T. brucei MRP1/MRP2 guide-RNA binding complex reveal RNA matchmaking mechanism.

The mitochondrial RNA binding proteins MRP1 and MRP2 form a heteromeric complex that functions in kinetoplastid RNA editing. In this process, MRP1/MRP2 serves as a matchmaker by binding to guide RNAs and facilitating their hybridization with cognate preedited mRNAs. To understand the mechanism by which this complex performs RNA matchmaking, we determined structures of Trypanosoma brucei apoMRP1/MRP2 and an MRP1/MRP2-gRNA complex. The structures show that MRP1/MRP2 is a heterotetramer and, despite little sequence homology, each MRP subunit exhibits the same "Whirly" transcription-factor fold. The gRNA molecule binds to the highly basic beta sheet surface of the MRP complex via nonspecific, electrostatic contacts. Strikingly, while the gRNA stem/loop II base is anchored to the basic surface, stem/loop I (the anchor sequence) is unfolded and its bases exposed to solvent. Thus, MRP1/MRP2 acts as an RNA matchmaker by stabilizing the RNA molecule in an unfolded conformation suitable for RNA-RNA hybridization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of bacteriophage KVP40 and T4 RNA ligase 2.

Bacteriophage T4 RNA ligase 2 (Rnl2) exemplifies a subfamily of RNA strand-joining enzymes that includes the trypanosome RNA editing ligases. A homolog of T4 Rnl2 is encoded in the 244-kbp DNA genome of vibriophage KVP40. We show that the 335-amino acid KVP40 Rnl2 is a monomeric protein that catalyzes RNA end-joining through ligase-adenylate and RNA-adenylate (AppRNA) intermediates. In the absence of ATP, pre-adenylated KVP40 Rnl2 reacts with an 18-mer 5'-PO(4) single-strand RNA (pRNA) to form an 18-mer RNA circle. In the presence of ATP, Rnl2 generates predominantly AppRNA. Isolated AppRNA can be circularized by KVP40 Rnl2 in the absence of ATP. The reactivity of phage Rnl2 and the distribution of the products are affected by the length of the pRNA substrate. Whereas 18-mer and 15-mer pRNAs undergo intramolecular sealing by T4 Rnl2 to form monomer circles, a 12-mer pRNA is ligated intermolecularly to form dimers, and a 9-mer pRNA is unreactive. In the presence of ATP, the 15-mer and 12-mer pRNAs are converted to AppRNAs, but the 9-mer pRNA is not. A single 5' deoxynucleotide substitution of an 18-mer pRNA substrate has no apparent effect on the 5' adenylation or circularization reactions of T4 Rnl2. In contrast, a single deoxyribonucleoside at the 3' terminus strongly and selectively suppresses the sealing step, thereby resulting in accumulation of high levels of AppRNA in the absence of ATP. The ATP-dependent "capping" of RNA with AMP by Rnl2 is reminiscent of the capping of eukaryotic mRNA with GMP by GTP:RNA guanylyltransferase and suggests an evolutionary connection between bacteriophage Rnl2 and eukaryotic RNA capping enzymes.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Structure-function analysis of the Z-DNA-binding domain Zalpha of dsRNA adenosine deaminase type I reveals similarity to the (alpha + beta) family of helix-turn-helix proteins.

RNA editing alters pre-mRNA through site-selective adenosine deamination, which results in codon changes that lead to the production of novel proteins. An enzyme that catalyzes this reaction, double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase (ADAR1), contains two N-terminal Z-DNA-binding motifs, Zalpha and Zbeta, the function of which is as yet unknown. In this study, multidimensional NMR spectroscopy was used to show that the topology of Zalpha is alpha1beta1alpha2alpha3beta2beta3. Long-range NOEs indicate that beta1 and beta3 interact with each other. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to identify residues in alpha3, beta3 and the loop connecting beta2 to beta3 that affect Z-DNA binding. Also identified were 11 hydrophobic residues that are essential for protein stability. Comparison with known structures reveals some similarity between Zalpha and (alpha + beta) helix-turn-helix proteins, such as histone 5 and the family of hepatocyte nuclear factor-3 winged-helix-turn-helix transcription factors. Taken together, the structural and functional data suggest that recognition of Z-DNA by Zalpha involves residues in both the alpha3 helix and the C-terminal beta-sheet.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Computer methods for locating kinetoplastid cryptogenes.

RNA editing in the mitochondria of kinetoplastid protoza involves the insertion and/or deletion of precise numbers of uridine residues at precise locations in the numbers of uridine residues at precise locations in the transcribed RNA of certain genes. These genes are known as cryptogenes. In this paper we study computational algorithms to search for unknown cryptogenes and for the associated templates for insertion of uridines, gRNA sequences. The pairwise similarity search algorithm of Smith and Waterman (1) is modified to study this problem. The algorithm searches for unknown gRNAs given the cryptogene sequence. The method is tested on 4 known cryptogenes from L.tarentolae which are known to have 7 associated gRNAs. The statistical distribution of the longest gRNA when comparing random sequences is derived. Finally we develop an algorithm to search for cryptogenes using amino acid sequences from related proteins.

Algorithms↗

Structure and mechanism of RNA ligase.

T4 RNA ligase 2 (Rnl2) exemplifies an RNA ligase family that includes the RNA editing ligases (RELs) of Trypanosoma and Leishmania. The Rnl2/REL enzymes are defined by essential signature residues and a unique C-terminal domain, which we show is essential for sealing of 3'-OH and 5'-PO4 RNA ends by Rnl2, but not for ligase adenylation or phosphodiester bond formation at a preadenylated AppRNA end. The N-terminal segment Rnl2(1-249) of the 334 aa Rnl2 protein comprises an autonomous adenylyltransferase/AppRNA ligase domain. We report the 1.9 A crystal structure of the ligase domain with AMP bound at the active site, which reveals a shared fold, catalytic mechanism, and evolutionary history for RNA ligases, DNA ligases, and mRNA capping enzymes.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗

High frequency of single-base transitions and extreme frequency of precise multiple-base reversion mutations in poliovirus.

We employed independent clones of a temperature-sensitive mutant of type 1 poliovirus, 3AB-310/4, to quantitate the frequency of specific U----C transitions at nucleotide 5310, within the genomic region encoding polypeptide 3AB, which is involved in the initiation of RNA replication. Only this U----C base substitution restores the wild-type phenotypic ability to form plaques at 39 degrees C; the other two base substitutions at this site are lethal. The observed frequency of this specific transition averaged 2 x 10(-5), and all revertant viruses forming plaques at 39 degrees C contained the expected cytidine at nucleotide 5310. Incredibly, only 3 of 10 revertants exhibited this one specific U----C transition whereas 7 of 10 exhibited this same transition plus four additional base substitutions that precisely reverted temperature-sensitive 3AB-310/4 to wild-type poliovirus sequence (these latter four mutations had been introduced into 3AB-310/4 as silent third base mutations to provide new restriction sites in infectious cDNAs). No other mutations were detected in this polypeptide 3AB domain in either the single-base or the precise 5-base revertants. No intermediates were seen; all revertants exhibited either the single U----C transition at nucleotide 5310 or the same transition plus four precise reversions to the wild-type sequence at sites 8, 11, 43, and 46 bases distant from nucleotide 5310. Similar results were obtained after transfection of cDNA-derived transcripts. We discuss possible mechanisms for our data. These include (but may not be limited to) error-prone polymerase activity, sequential RNA recombination events joining independent mutations, or some unusual RNA editing process.

Base Sequence↗

Mice deficient in APOBEC2 and APOBEC3.

The activation-induced deaminase/apolipoprotein B-editing catalytic subunit 1 (AID/APOBEC) family comprises four groups of proteins. Both AID, a lymphoid-specific DNA deaminase that triggers antibody diversification, and APOBEC2 (function unknown) are found in all vertebrates examined. In contrast, APOBEC1, an RNA-editing enzyme in gastrointestinal cells, and APOBEC3 are restricted to mammals. The function of most APOBEC3s, of which there are seven in human but one in mouse, is unknown, although several human APOBEC3s act as host restriction factors that deaminate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication intermediates. A more primitive function of APOBEC3s in protecting against the transposition of endogenous retroelements has, however, been proposed. Here, we focus on mouse APOBEC2 (a muscle-specific protein for which we find no evidence of a deaminating activity on cytidine whether as a free nucleotide or in DNA) and mouse APOBEC3 (a DNA deaminase which we find widely expressed but most abundant in lymphoid tissue). Gene-targeting experiments reveal that both APOBEC2 (despite being an ancestral member of the family with no obvious redundancy in muscle) and APOBEC3 (despite its proposed role in restricting endogenous retrotransposition) are inessential for mouse development, survival, or fertility.

APOBEC Deaminases↗

Synthesis and analysis of RNA containing 6-trifluoromethylpurine ribonucleoside.

We report the synthesis of a 5'-DMT-2'-TBDMS-protected phosphoramidite of 6-trifluoromethylpurine ribonucleoside ((TFM)P) and its use in the site-specific incorporation of 6-trifluoromethylpurine into RNA. Properties of (TFM)P-substituted RNA suggest it will be valuable in the study of RNA structure and the binding of RNA-modifying enzymes, particularly the RNA-editing adenosine deaminases. Reaction: see text.

Amides↗

Rewiring the keyboard: evolvability of the genetic code.

The genetic code evolved in two distinct phases. First, the 'canonical' code emerged before the last universal ancestor; subsequently, this code diverged in numerous nuclear and organelle lineages. Here, we examine the distribution and causes of these secondary deviations from the canonical genetic code. The majority of non-standard codes arise from alterations in the tRNA, with most occurring by post-transcriptional modifications, such as base modification or RNA editing, rather than by substitutions within tRNA anticodons.

Animals↗

Interferons: potential roles in affect.

A review of the literature on interferons was conducted and possible roles in neuropsychiatric disorders with affective disturbances are assessed. Interferons and interferon receptors are present in the limbic system where they appear to exert physiological effects pertinent to affect, most potently when levels rise during CNS infections. Interferons interact closely with cytokines and nitric oxide, signaling molecules implicated in depression. Results from knock-out mice suggest a role for interferon-gamma in moderating fear and anxiety, while other lines of evidence point to a role in arousal and circadian rhythms. The interferon-alpha receptor deploys an arginine methyltransferase affecting RNA editing and splicing, which seem to be disrupted in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe), an effective antidepressant, may owe its effects in the latter disorders in part to variations in the strength of interferon-alpha signaling impacting RNA processing. Antiviral effects of interferons are of interest in lieu of viral theories of affective disorders. Finally, the relative levels of interferons gamma and alpha might play important roles in neural, and glial, development, as well as the dialog between the CNS and the immune system.

Affect↗

Molecular comparison of the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic hsp70 of Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major.

We compared the expression and localization of the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic hsp70 of the protozoans Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major. The mitochondrial protein is encoded by multiple mRNA in all species, while the cytoplasmic protein is encoded by a single mRNA. In all three species, the mitochondrial hsp70 is concentrated in the kinetoplast, a submitochondrial structure that houses the unusual DNA (kDNA) that characterizes this group of organisms, while the cytoplasmic protein is distributed throughout the cell. These results suggest that, in all kinetoplastid species, mt-hsp70 has a specific function in kDNA biology, possibly in the processes of kDNA replication, RNA editing or kinetoplast structure.

Animals↗

Double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase: nucleic acid binding properties.

The RNA-specific adenosine deaminase (ADAR1, herein referred to as ADAR) is an interferon-inducible RNA-editing enzyme. ADAR catalyzes the C-6 deamination of adenosine in double-stranded (ds) structures present in viral RNAs and cellular pre-mRNAs as well as synthetic dsRNA substrates. ADAR possesses three functionally distinct copies of the highly conserved double-stranded RNA binding R motif (RI, RII, RIII) implicated in the recognition of dsRNA structures within the substrate RNAs. ADAR is also a Z-DNA-binding protein. Two Z-DNA binding motifs (Zalpha and Zbeta) present in ADAR correspond to repeated regions homologous to the N-terminal region of the vaccinia virus E3L protein. Here we describe assay methods for measurement of ADAR enzymatic activity, dsRNA binding activity, and Z-DNA binding activity.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

Isolation and characterization of a U-specific 3'-5'-exonuclease from mitochondria of Leishmania tarentolae.

We have purified a 3'-5'-exoribonuclease from mitochondrial extract of Leishmania tarentolae over 4000-fold through six column fractionations. This enzyme digested RNA in a distributive manner, showed a high level of specificity for 3'-terminal Us, and was blocked by a terminal dU; there was slight exonucleolytic activity on a 3'-terminal A or C but no activity on a 3'-terminal G residue. The enzyme preferred single-stranded 3'-oligo(U) overhangs and did not digest duplex RNA. Two other 3'-5'-exoribonuclease activities were also detected in the mitochondrial extract, one of which was stimulated by a 3'-phosphate and the other of which degraded RNAs with a 3'-OH to mononucleotides in a processive manner. The properties of the distributive U-specific 3'-5'-exoribonuclease suggest an involvement in the U-deletion RNA editing reaction that occurs in the mitochondrion of these cells.

Animals↗

Chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes from a liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha--gene organization and molecular evolution.

The complete nucleotide sequence of chloroplast DNA (121,025 basepairs, bp) from a liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha, has made clear the entire gene organization of the chloroplast genome. Quite a few genes encoding components of photosynthesis and protein synthesis machinery have been identified by comparative computer analysis. We also identified the complete nucleotide sequence of the liverwort mitochondrial DNA and deduced 96 possible genes in the sequence of 186,608 bp. The complete nucleotide sequence from chloroplast DNA comprises twenty introns (19 group II and 1 group I) in 18 different genes. One of the chloroplast group II introns separated the ribosomal protein gene in the trans-position. The mitochondrial genome also has thirty-two introns (25 group II and 7 group I) in the coding regions of 17 genes. From the evolutionary point of view, we describe the origin of organellar introns which gave the evidence for their vertical and horizontal transfers and their intragenic propagation, and RNA editing which was apparently lacking in the liverwort chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗