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The U5 RNA of trypanosomes deviates from the canonical U5 RNA: the Leptomonas collosoma U5 RNA and its coding gene.

Fractionation of the abundant small ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) of the trypanosomatid Leptomonas collosoma revealed the existence of a group of unidentified small RNPs that were shown to fractionate differently than the well-characterized trans-spliceosomal RNPs. One of these RNAs, an 80-nt RNA, did not possess a trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap structure but did possess a 5' phosphate terminus and an invariant consensus U5 snRNA loop 1. The gene coding for the RNA was cloned, and the coding region showed 55% sequence identity to the recently described U5 homologue of Trypanosoma brucei [Dungan, J. D., Watkins, K. P. & Agabian, N. (1996) EMBO J. 15, 4016-4029]. The L. collosoma U5 homologue exists in multiple forms of RNP complexes, a 10S monoparticle, and two subgroups of 18S particles that either contain or lack the U4 and U6 small nuclear RNAs, suggesting the existence of a U4/U6.U5 tri-small nuclear RNP complex. In contrast to T. brucei U5 RNA (62 nt), the L. collosoma homologue is longer (80 nt) and possesses a second stem-loop. Like the trypanosome U3, U6, and 7SL RNA genes, a tRNA gene coding for tRNACys was found 98 nt upstream to the U5 gene. A potential for base pair interaction between U5 and SL RNA in the 5' splice site region (positions -1 and +1) and downstream from it is proposed. The presence of a U5-like RNA in trypanosomes suggests that the most essential small nuclear RNPs are ubiquitous for both cis- and trans-splicing, yet even among the trypanosomatids the U5 RNA is highly divergent.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ribonucleoprotein-like structures from coronavirus particles.

The structure of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex of three coronaviruses was investigated. A single-stranded helix of diam. 14 to 16 nm and up to 320 nm in length was released from disrupted particles of human coronavirus strain 229E and mouse hepatitis virus strain 3 after incubation in mild conditions. The helical complexes appeared to be composed of globular subunits with long axes of 5 to 7 nm surrounding a hollow core of diam. 3 to 4 nm. The complexes were shown to be sensitive to both pancreatic RNase and to pronase. No undegraded internal component was obtained from disrupted avian infectious bronchitis virus particles. We conclude that these structures are RNP complexes. The similarity between these RNPs and those of other large lipid containing RNA viruses is discussed.

Coronaviridae↗

Multiprotein complexes of the survival of motor neuron protein SMN with Gemins traffic to neuronal processes and growth cones of motor neurons.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons, is caused by mutations or deletions of the SMN1 gene encoding the survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein. In immortalized non-neuronal cell lines, SMN has been shown to form a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex with Gemin proteins, which is essential for the assembly of small nuclear RNPs (snRNPs). An additional function of SMN in neurons has been hypothesized to facilitate assembly of localized messenger RNP complexes. We have shown that SMN is localized in granules that are actively transported into neuronal processes and growth cones. In cultured motor neurons, SMN granules colocalized with ribonucleoprotein Gemin proteins but not spliceosomal Sm proteins needed for snRNP assembly. Quantitative analysis of endogenous protein colocalization in growth cones after three-dimensional reconstructions revealed a statistically nonrandom association of SMN with Gemin2 (40%) and Gemin3 (48%). SMN and Gemin containing granules distributed to both axons and dendrites of differentiated motor neurons. A direct interaction between SMN and Gemin2 within single granules was indicated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis of fluorescently tagged and overexpressed proteins. High-speed dual-channel imaging of live neurons depicted the rapid and bidirectional transport of the SMN-Gemin complex. The N terminus of SMN was required for the recruitment of Gemin2 into cytoplasmic granules and enhanced Gemin2 stability. These findings provide new insight into the molecular composition of distinct SMN multiprotein complexes in neurons and motivation to investigate deficiencies of localized RNPs in SMA.

Animals↗

Zinc ion dependent B-cell epitope, associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome, resides within the putative zinc finger domain of Ro60kD autoantigen: physical and immunologic properties.

The Ro/La ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex is composed of the proteins Ro60kD, Ro52kD, and La48kD that are in association with one small cytoplasmic RNA (YRNA). Specific protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions are thought to occur through the RNP and zinc-finger secondary structure elements of the Ro60kD protein. The aim of our study was to investigate the antigenic properties of the zinc finger domain of the Ro60KD autoantigen and its contribution to the formation of Ro/La RNP complex. It was found that the peptide VSLVCEKLCNEKLLKKARIHPFHILIA (Zif-1), which corresponds to the natural sequence of the zinc finger domain (301-327), and the peptide C(Acm)NEKLLKKARIC(Acm), analogous to the intermediate loop 310-319 (Zif-3) of the same domain of Ro60KD, are recognized by the majority of anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB positive sera (82.6% and 77.1%, respectively) in the absence of zinc ions. The same sera failed to react with Zif-1 peptide in the presence of Zn2+. In contrast, the addition of zinc ions was necessary for the binding of Zif-1 to recombinant Ro52KD as shown by direct binding experiments of the recombinant protein with synthetic peptides. Our data suggest the zinc finger domain of Ro60kD contains a B-cell epitope with high specificity for primary Sjogren's syndrome. Furthermore, depending on the presence of zinc ions, the zinc finger domain of the Ro60KD protein can exist in two different conformational states favoring either an interaction with the Ro52KD protein or binding with autoantibodies.

Autoantibodies↗

Role of RNA in enzymatic activity of the reverse transcriptase of hepatitis B viruses.

The hepadnavirus reverse transcriptase is a multifunction enzyme. In addition to its role in DNA synthesis, the polymerase is required for RNA packaging and also functions as the primer for minus-strand DNA synthesis. Previously, we demonstrated that the protein-priming activity of the polymerase requires a viral RNA segment, termed epsilon, which serves as a template for the synthesis of a short DNA oligomer that is covalently attached to the reverse transcriptase (G.-H. Wang and C. Seeger, J. Virol. 67:6507-6512, 1993). We now report that epsilon is sufficient for activation of the reverse transcriptase to prime DNA synthesis through the formation of a stable RNA-protein (RNP) complex. We also demonstrate that the binding reaction depends on sequence-specific determinants on epsilon. Moreover, our results indicate that two genetically separated domains of the reverse transcriptase are required for formation of the RNP complex. Finally, we show that the polymerase has a DNA polymerase activity in the absence of epsilon which does not depend on the protein-priming mechanism.

Animals↗

Rabies virus nucleoprotein as a carrier for foreign antigens.

Rabies virus (RV) nucleoprotein (N) tightly encapsidates the genomic and antigenomic RNA of RV to form the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. Antigens, such as N, presented in a highly organized structure are sufficient and even desirable to activate B cells to proliferate and produce antibodies. In addition to activating B cells to proliferate, it has been shown that RV N in the RNP complex induces potent T helper cell responses resulting in long-lasting and strong humoral immune responses against RV. The possibility to systematically incorporate foreign genes into the genome of RV and produce a recombinant virus allows us to examine whether the immunogenicity of foreign antigens can be enhanced by incorporation into the RV RNP structure. To test this hypothesis we constructed a recombinant RV expressing a RV N-GFP fusion protein. The chimeric N-GFP fusion protein was efficiently expressed and incorporated into RV RNP and virions. Moreover, the recombinant RNP induces a strong humoral immune response against GFP in mice. In contrast, mice inoculated with GFP alone or a combination of wild-type RV RNPs and GFP did not trigger any GFP-specific humoral responses using the same immunization schedule. These data indicate the usefulness of RV-based vectors as killed vaccines against other infectious diseases.

Animals↗

Inhibition of bacterial RNase P by aminoglycoside-arginine conjugates.

The potential of RNAs and RNA-protein (RNP) complexes as drug targets is currently being explored in various investigations. For example, a hexa-arginine derivative of neomycin (NeoR) and a tri-arginine derivative of gentamicin (R3G) were recently shown to disrupt essential RNP interactions between the trans-activator protein (Tat) and the Tat-responsive RNA (trans-activating region) in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and also inhibit HIV replication in cell culture. Based on certain structural similarities, we postulated that NeoR and R3G might also be effective in disrupting RNP interactions and thereby inhibiting bacterial RNase P, an essential RNP complex involved in tRNA maturation. Our results indicate that indeed both NeoR and R3G inhibit RNase P activity from evolutionarily divergent pathogenic bacteria and do so more effectively than they inhibit partially purified human RNase P activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and RNA binding properties of the polycytidylate-binding proteins alphaCP1 and alphaCP2.

Regulation of mRNA turnover is a critical control mechanism of gene expression and is influenced by ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes that form on cis elements. All mRNAs have an intrinsic half-life and in many cases these half-lives can be altered by a variety of stimuli that are manifested through the formation or disruption of an RNP structure. The stability of alpha-globin mRNA is determined by elements in the 3' untranslated region that are bound by an RNP complex (alpha-complex) which appears to control the erythroid-specific accumulation of alpha-globin mRNA. The alpha-complex could consist of up to six distinct proteins or protein families. One of these families is a prominent polycytidylate binding activity which consists of two highly homologous proteins, alpha-complex proteins 1 and 2 (alphaCP1 and alphaCP2). This article focuses on various methodologies for the detection and manipulation of alphaCP1 and alphaCP2 binding to RNA and details means of isolating and characterizing mRNA bound by these proteins to study mRNA turnover and its regulation.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Effect of influenza virus matrix protein and viral RNA on ribonucleoprotein formation and nuclear export.

The formation of influenza virus ribonucleoprotein (RNP) is a necessary step in viral assembly and maturation in infected cells, but the mechanism remains incompletely understood. Influenza virus proteins such as matrix (M1) and cellular proteins have been implicated in assembly and transport of RNP. To study the assembly of RNP and the translocation of RNP complexes in cells, RNPs were reconstituted from nucleoprotein (NP), M1, and viral RNA (vRNA) synthesized in vitro. The syntheses were accomplished using specific plasmids in a system coupling transcription and translation under the control of the T7 promoter. The density of the resulting RNP complexes was analyzed by glycerol gradient centrifugation and the morphology was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Protomers of NP self-assembled into circular oligomers regardless of the presence of vRNA or M1. However, helical structures similar in conformation and density to RNPs purified directly from influenza virus were formed only when M1 and vRNA were also present. In the absence of vRNA, no helical structures were formed from NP and M1. The plasmids also contained the CMV promoter, which permitted expression of M1, NP, and vRNA in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK). M1 and NP were both present in the cytoplasm of MDCK also expressing vRNA, but NP was retained in the nucleus of cells expressing M1 without vRNA. Our data demonstrate for the first time that vRNA and M1 together promote the self-assembly of influenza virus NP into the quaternary helical structure typical of the viral RNP. The results also indicate that the interaction of NP with vRNA and M1 in a system devoid of other viral proteins can lead to translocation of RNP from nucleus to cytoplasm.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Molecular analysis of alpha ecdysone induced 16S complexes in Drosophila Schneider's S3 cells.

The molecular organization of alpha ecdysone induced small heat shock proteins (small hsps) in Schneider's S3 tissue culture cells was analysed. Sucrose gradient centrifugation of cytoplasmic extracts and nondenaturing gel electrophoresis shows that hormone induced small hsps form 16S particles which differ in the relative molar ratios of the small hsps composing the 16S particles. The 16S particles possess a buoyant density in Cs2SO4 of rho = 1.34 g/cm3 which is indicative of RNP complexes with an RNA:protein ratio of 1:4. The RNA component of the 16S particles was identified by cDNA cloning using a cDNA library established from alpha ecdysone induced pupal 16S material. Northern hybridization using the 16S RNP specific partial cDNA clone Ec3 identifies a single alpha ecdysone inducible 300 nt RNA species. Our data suggest that the small hsps may unfold their so far unresolved function in form of RNP complexes.

Animals↗

Rat liver nuclear skeleton and small molecular weight RNA species.

Small molecular weight RNA species (smwRNAs) were studied in rat liver nuclei with and without chromatin as well as with and without nuclear envelope and nucleoplasm. From all the species identified, only two, N5 and 5Sb, were related to ribosomes. The others were localized exclusively in the nuclear skeleton or the spongelike network that was described in the preceding communication. This network or protein matrix contains a less abundant but exclusive set of molecules designated 5Sa, N1, and 4.5S, as well as other more abundant molecules which also exist in rat liver endoplasmic reticulum but not in polysomes or postribosomal RNP complexes. The smwRNAs behave like HnRNA; they remain located in the nuclear skeleton when nuclei are deprived of nucleoplasm and chromatin. With the information presently available, it is not possible to know whetherer both species are in the same or different RNP complexes and whether some of the smwRNAs contribute to the architecture of the nuclear skeleton. Distinct from any other nuclear RNA species, smwRNAs have two unique properties: facility of extraction, and resistance to nuclear ribonuclease digestion.

Animals↗

Role of cellular actin in human parainfluenza virus type 3 genome transcription.

The transcribing ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex of human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) requires cellular actin for transcription of viral genome in vitro (De, B. P., Lesoon, A., and Banerjee, A. K. (1991) J. Virol. 65, 3268-3275). In this communication, we have studied the interactions between different molecular forms of actin and the RNP of HPIV-3 to understand the role of actin in mRNA synthesis. We demonstrate that both polymeric and monomeric forms of actin (obtained by DNase I treatment) bind strongly to the RNP at 100 mM KCl concentration (polymerizing buffer). The binding was virtually abolished at zero KCl concentration (depolymerizing buffer). Isolation of the RNP-actin complex and subsequent use in a transcription reaction showed that the bound actin alone was sufficient for mRNA synthesis in vitro. Interestingly, the DNase I-arrested monomeric form of actin failed to activate mRNA synthesis, indicating a requirement of polymerization of the bound actin during HPIV-3 transcription. Electron microscopic analyses revealed that a drastic structural modification of the RNP occurred because of the polymerization of actin from a loosely coiled and irregular structure to a condensed and flexible structure. Activation of transcription was observed also with poly-L-glutamic acid, a highly acidic polypeptide. However, unlike cellular actin, poly-L glutamic acid was able to activate only 10% of the input RNP. These results suggest that cellular actin activates HPIV-3 transcription by polymerizing specifically on the RNP complex. This event results in an alteration of the RNP structure that enhances its suitability for efficient transcription. The acidic domain of actin may play an important role in this process.

Actins↗

Association of functional influenza viral proteins and RNAs with nuclear chromatin and sub-chromatin structure.

Transcription and replication of the influenza virus genome occur in the nucleus. However, the intra-nuclear localization of viral RNP complexes and the function of nuclear domains involved in viral transcription and replication, if any, are not well known. In the present study, we determined the intra-nuclear localization of viral proteins and viral RNAs and the in vitro RNA synthesis activity of viral RNP complexes associated with distinct nuclear fractions prepared from infected nuclei. A majority of viral RNA polymerases and M1 were recovered in DNase-sensitive fractions, whereas some portion of RNA polymerases and approximately 25% of NP were tightly associated with so-called nuclear matrix fractions. The amount of vRNA associated with the nuclear matrix was significantly more than that of cRNA. The in vitro viral RNA synthesis activity was detected in DNase-insensitive fractions, including the nuclear matrix. In contrast, newly synthesized viral RNAs were recovered in the DNase-sensitive fraction. These observations suggest that vRNP complexes are, at least partially, associated with densely packed chromatin, where viral transcription and replication occur, and the newly synthesized vRNP complexes to be transported into the cytoplasm are released into the nucleoplasm.

Animals↗

Visualization of a group II intron in the 23S rRNA of a stable ribosome.

Thousands of introns have been localized to rRNA genes throughout the three domains of life. The consequences of the presence of either a spliced or an unspliced intron in a rRNA for ribosome assembly and packaging are largely unknown. To help address these questions, and to begin an intron imaging study, we selected a member of the self-splicing group II intron family, which is hypothesized to be the progenitor not only of spliceosomal introns but also of non-LTR retrotransposons. We cloned the self-splicing group II Ll.LtrB intron from Lactococcus lactis into L. lactis 23S rRNA. The 2,492-nt Ll.LtrB intron comprises a catalytic core and an ORF, which encodes a protein, LtrA. LtrA forms a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex with the intron RNA to mediate splicing and mobility. The chimeric 23S-intron RNA was shown to be splicing proficient in its native host in the presence of LtrA. Furthermore, a low-resolution cryo-EM reconstruction of the L. lactis ribosome fused to the intron-LtrA RNP of a splicing-defective Ll.LtrB intron was obtained. The image revealed the intron as a large, well defined structure. The activity and structural integrity of the intron indicate not only that it can coexist with the ribosome but also that its presence permits the assembly of a stable ribosome. Additionally, we view our results as a proof of principle that ribosome chimeras may be generally useful for studying a wide variety of structured RNAs and RNP complexes that are not amenable to NMR, crystallographic, or single-particle cryo-EM methodologies.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Engineered Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Levilactobacillus brevis utilizing ribonucleoprotein-mediated editing for inactivation of hemolysin gene.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Levilactobacillus brevis are widely used probiotics with significant potential as chassis organisms for probiotic engineering. However, their bioengineering remains underdeveloped compared to that of other probiotic bacteria due to the limited availability of genetic tools. Although CRISPR-Cas systems have shown promise for genome editing in Lactobacillus species, strain- or site-specific targeting challenges must be overcome to enhance their broader applicability. This study aimed to develop a novel editing system with reduced dependency on plasmids and antibiotics in L. plantarum WCFS1, L. plantarum SPC 72 - 1 and L. brevis SPC-SNU 70 - 2 using a Cas9-gRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. Although the hlyIII gene has been annotated as a hemolysin-related gene in several Lactobacillus genomes, no functional hemolytic activity has been definitively demonstrated to date. In this study, hlyIII was selected as a target to evaluate genome editing efficiency and to assess its potential relevance to strain safety. To construct ΔhlyIII strains, the RNP complex targeting hlyIII was separately transformed with recombinase RecE/T and double-stranded donor DNA. As a result, ΔhlyIII mutants were obtained under optimized electroporation conditions. Sequencing analysis revealed a 50 bp deletion and the introduction of a stop codon in hlyIII across all mutant strains. The hemolytic activity test showed a reduction in free hemoglobin levels in the ΔhlyIII strains compared to the wild type: 27.0%, 74.3%, and 5.0% in L. plantarum WCFS1, L. plantarum SPC 72 - 1, and L. brevis SPC-SNU 70 - 2, respectively. These results suggest strain-dependent differences in hemolytic activity and indicate that inactivation of hlyIII may contribute to reduced hemolysis, although further validation is needed to clarify its functional role. In conclusion, the hlyIII gene was successfully edited in L. plantarum and L. brevis using Cas9-gRNA ribonucleoprotein-mediated editing, demonstrating the feasibility of this genome editing platform for application in probiotic strains.

Gene Editing↗

Cis-acting signals and trans-acting factors involved in influenza virus RNA synthesis.

Influenza A virus RNA replication and expression is directed from cis-acting sequences present on the viral RNAs with the help of trans-acting factors encoded by the virus. Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes reconstituted from synthetic cDNA-derived RNA and purified viral proteins have facilitated the dissection of these cis-acting signals and trans-acting factors. Prior to these studies influenza viruses and other negative-strand RNA viruses were refractory to molecular genetic manipulations. These reverse genetic studies have helped in defining the promoter and polyadenylation signals required for viral RNA synthesis. Studies involving the use of reconstituted RNP complexes have revealed that the viral proteins PB1, PB2, PA, and the nucleoprotein (NP) are necessary for replication and expression of influenza virus RNA. Inroads have also been made in determining the cellular proteins that participate in influenza virus gene expression and replication. The yeast interactive trap system has been used to identify and clone a gene (NPI-1), which encodes a protein that interacts with the influenza virus NP suggesting that this cellular protein is a trans-acting factor functioning in viral RNA synthesis.

Base Sequence↗

Heat-shock puff 93 D from Drosophila melanogaster: accumulation of a RNP-specific antigen associated with giant particles of possible storage function.

The monoclonal antibody P11 is directed against a 38 000 dalton protein of Drosophila melanogaster. On polytene chromosomes this protein is present in a subset of the RNA polymerase II-containing loci. Here we show by density centrifugation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests that the P11 antigen is part of nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. Indirect immunofluorescence shows that, after prolonged heat-shock, the P11 antigen is present only in the heat-shock puff 93 D. Identical distribution patterns were obtained with another monoclonal antibody, Q18. Unlike P11, this antibody also cross-reacts with D. hydei and D. virilis polytene chromosomes, where the puffs 48 B and 20 CD, respectively, are the only loci prominently stained after heat-shock. The small and giant RNP complexes previously described in these puffs were also observed in puff 93 D. Both types of particle contain the P11 antigen as shown by immunoelectron microscopy. We suggest that the P11 antigen is associated with a special class of RNPs which are possibly involved in the storage of primary transcription products inside the nucleus.

Animals↗

A conserved RNA-protein complex component involved in physiological germline apoptosis regulation in C. elegans.

Two conserved features of oogenesis are the accumulation of translationally quiescent mRNA, and a high rate of stage-specific apoptosis. Little is understood about the function of this cell death. In C. elegans, apoptosis occurring through a specific ;physiological' pathway normally claims about half of all developing oocytes. The frequency of this germ cell death is dramatically increased by a lack of the RNA helicase CGH-1, orthologs of which are involved in translational control in oocytes and decapping-dependent mRNA degradation in yeast processing (P) bodies. Here, we describe a predicted RNA-binding protein, CAR-1, that associates with CGH-1 and Y-box proteins within a conserved germline RNA-protein (RNP) complex, and in cytoplasmic particles in the gonad and early embryo. The CGH-1/CAR-1 interaction is conserved in Drosophila oocytes. When car-1 expression is depleted by RNA interference (RNAi), physiological apoptosis is increased, brood size is modestly reduced, and early embryonic cytokinesis is abnormal. Surprisingly, if apoptosis is prevented car-1(RNAi) animals are characterized by a progressive oogenesis defect that leads rapidly to gonad failure. Elevated germ cell death similarly compensates for lack of the translational regulator CPB-3 (CPEB), orthologs of which function together with CGH-1 in diverse organisms. We conclude that CAR-1 is of critical importance for oogenesis, that the association between CAR-1 and CGH-1 has been conserved, and that the regulation of physiological germ cell apoptosis is specifically influenced by certain functions of the CGH-1/CAR-1 RNP complex. We propose that this cell death pathway facilitates the formation of functional oocytes, possibly by monitoring specific cytoplasmic events during oogenesis.

Animals↗