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In silico mutagenesis of RNA splicing in HIV-1.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) relies on both partial and complete splicing of its full-length RNA transcripts to generate a distribution of essential spliced mRNA products. The complexity of the splicing process, which can employ multiple alternative splice sites, challenges our ability to understand how mutations in splice sites may influence the composition of the resulting mRNA pool and, more broadly, the development of viral progeny. Here, we begin to systematically address these issues by developing a mechanistic mathematical model for the splicing process. We identify as key parameters the probabilities that the cellular splice machinery selects specific splice acceptors, and we show how the splicing process depends on these probabilities. Further, by incorporating this splicing model into a detailed kinetic model for HIV-1 intracellular development we find that an increase in the fraction of either rev or tat mRNA in the HIV-1 mRNA pool is generally beneficial for HIV-1 growth. However, a splice site mutation that excessively increases the fraction of either mRNA can be detrimental due to the corresponding reduction in the other mRNA, suggesting that a balance of Rev and Tat is needed in order for HIV-1 to optimize its growth. Although our model is based on still very limited quantitative data on RNA splicing, Rev-mediated splicing regulation and nuclear export, and the effects of associated mutations, it serves as a starting point for better understanding how variations in essential post-transcriptional functions can impact the intracellular development of HIV-1.

Computational Biology↗

EWS.Fli-1 fusion protein interacts with hyperphosphorylated RNA polymerase II and interferes with serine-arginine protein-mediated RNA splicing.

Ewing's sarcoma displays a characteristic chromosomal translocation that results in fusion of the N-terminal domain of the Ewing's sarcoma protein (EWS) to the C-terminal DNA-binding domain of the ETS family transcription factor Fli-1 (Friend leukemia integration-1). EWS possesses structural motifs suggesting a role in transactivation as well as RNA binding. We demonstrate that wild-type EWS protein functions as an adapter molecule coupling transcription to RNA splicing by binding to hyperphosphorylated RNA polymerase II through the N-terminal domain of EWS and recruiting serine-arginine (SR) splicing factors through the C-terminal domain of EWS. The oncogenic EWS.Fli-1 fusion protein retains the ability to bind to hyperphosphorylated RNA polymerase II but lacks the ability to recruit SR proteins because of replacement of the C-terminal domain of EWS by Fli-1. In an in vivo splicing assay, the EWS.Fli-1 fusion protein inhibits SR protein-mediated E1A pre-mRNA splicing in a dominant-negative manner. These results indicate that EWS.Fli-1 interferes with the normal function of EWS and implicate uncoupling of gene transcription from RNA splicing in the pathogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma.

Animals↗

Molecular model for messenger RNA splicing.

A molecular model is presented for a messenger RNA (mRNA) "splice region." The model requires cation coordination to reduce backbone-backbone electrostatic repulsion and it allows for every base residue on the pre-mRNA to be stacked in A-form helical geometry with a recognition element on the intron or exon (or both) sides of the splice junction. The two nucleotides involved in the initial steps of the cleavage-ligation mechanism must adopt a non-A-form geometry, which ideally positions reactive groups on the pre-mRNA for the necessary catalytic chemistry. The model is also consistent with available biochemical data on splicing reactions.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Complicated RNA splicing of chicken telomerase reverse transcriptase revealed by profiling cells both positive and negative for telomerase activity.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is an essential component of the telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex which maintains telomeres. The objective of this study was to investigate chicken TERT (cTERT) alternative RNA splicing profiles of samples varying for telomerase activity and immortalization parameters. These included systems both in vivo (gastrula embryo, embryo and adult liver) and in vitro (chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) and DT40 cells). Nineteen cTERT variants were discovered, which were generated through exon skipping, intron retention, and alternative usage of splice donor and acceptor sites. Three variants were predicted to introduce in-frame mutations, whereas the others were predicted to have premature termination codons. The number of cTERT variants detected ranged from 10 in adult liver to 13 in CEFs. One variant (V4) was found in all samples and was predicted to generate a truncated protein lacking telomerase catalytic activity. Interestingly, the standard TERT expected from the full-length transcript was expressed not only in telomerase-positive, but also in telomerase-negative samples. The complicated expression profiles of cTERT in various cell systems suggest that sophisticated regulatory pathways are involved in cTERT pre-mRNA editing. Further, these results support the body of increasing evidence that alternative splicing of TERT, both in human and chicken, contributes to telomerase activity regulation.

Animals↗

RNA splicing at human immunodeficiency virus type 1 3' splice site A2 is regulated by binding of hnRNP A/B proteins to an exonic splicing silencer element.

The synthesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mRNAs is a complex process by which more than 30 different mRNA species are produced by alternative splicing of a single primary RNA transcript. HIV-1 splice sites are used with significantly different efficiencies, resulting in different levels of mRNA species in infected cells. Splicing of Tat mRNA, which is present at relatively low levels in infected cells, is repressed by the presence of exonic splicing silencers (ESS) within the two tat coding exons (ESS2 and ESS3). These ESS elements contain the consensus sequence PyUAG. Here we show that the efficiency of splicing at 3' splice site A2, which is used to generate Vpr mRNA, is also regulated by the presence of an ESS (ESSV), which has sequence homology to ESS2 and ESS3. Mutagenesis of the three PyUAG motifs within ESSV increases splicing at splice site A2, resulting in increased Vpr mRNA levels and reduced skipping of the noncoding exon flanked by A2 and D3. The increase in Vpr mRNA levels and the reduced skipping also occur when splice site D3 is mutated toward the consensus sequence. By in vitro splicing assays, we show that ESSV represses splicing when placed downstream of a heterologous splice site. A1, A1(B), A2, and B1 hnRNPs preferentially bind to ESSV RNA compared to ESSV mutant RNA. Each of these proteins, when added back to HeLa cell nuclear extracts depleted of ESSV-binding factors, is able to restore splicing repression. The results suggest that coordinate repression of HIV-1 RNA splicing is mediated by members of the hnRNP A/B protein family.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Jimpy mutant mouse: a 74-base deletion in the mRNA for myelin proteolipid protein and evidence for a primary defect in RNA splicing.

The mouse mutant jimpy carries an X chromosome-linked recessive gene defect that affects the formation of myelin in the central nervous system. To understand the molecular basis of the jimpy mutation, we have examined the expression of mRNAs encoding myelin proteolipid protein (PLP). PLP mRNAs were detectable in jimpy brain RNA at 21 days after birth but were severely reduced in abundance compared to wild-type littermates. Nucleotide sequence analysis of cDNA clones for PLP mRNA, isolated from a cDNA library of jimpy brain poly(A)+ RNA, revealed that the PLP mRNA expressed in jimpy contained a deletion of 74 nucleotides with respect to the wild-type sequence. This deletion causes a frameshift in the open reading frame resulting in an altered carboxyl terminus for jimpy PLP. Probes specific for the deleted sequence, however, hybridize with equal efficiency to genomic DNA from jimpy and wild-type littermates, suggesting that the defect in the jimpy PLP mRNA is generated by aberrant RNA processing rather than by deletion of genomic sequences. We conclude that a mutation in the gene for PLP that leads to an incorrectly spliced RNA transcript is the primary defect of this genetic disorder.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Alternative RNA splicing of the MLL gene in normal and malignant cells.

The human MLL (mixed-lineage leukemia or myeloid-lymphoid leukemia) gene belongs to the trithorax gene family of which the Drosophila trithorax (trx) gene is known to regulate homeotic genes through alternative RNA splicing. To test if such a splicing mechanism also operates in MLL, we evaluated mRNA transcripts from a large number of normal and malignant human cells, making use of RT-PCR, PCR cloning, DNA sequencing and Northern blot analysis. Our findings indicate that different cell types transcribe MLL mRNA species lacking exons that generally encode putative regulatory domains such as AT hooks (exon 3), repression domain (exon 6), zinc finger motifs (exon 8) and activation domain (exon 18). Such findings suggest that posttranscriptional regulation by alternative RNA splicing may play an important role in MLL gene expression and provides the rationale for a mechanism by which this gene, with multiple functional domains, could produce discrete protein products that may prove critical in the regulation of human homeobox genes.

Alternative Splicing↗

An NAD derivative produced during transfer RNA splicing: ADP-ribose 1"-2" cyclic phosphate.

Transfer RNA (tRNA) splicing is essential in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as in humans, and many of its features are the same in both. In yeast, the final step of this process is removal of the 2' phosphate generated at the splice junction during ligation. A nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent phosphotransferase catalyzes removal of the 2' phosphate and produces a small molecule. It is shown here that this small molecule is an NAD derivative: adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose 1"-2" cyclic phosphate. Evidence is also presented that this molecule is produced in Xenopus laevis oocytes as a result of dephosphorylation of ligated tRNA.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

The chemistry of self-splicing RNA and RNA enzymes.

Proteins are not the only catalysts of cellular reactions; there is a growing list of RNA molecules that catalyze RNA cleavage and joining reactions. The chemical mechanisms of RNA-catalyzed reactions are discussed with emphasis on the self-splicing ribosomal RNA precursor of Tetrahymena and the enzymatic activities of its intervening sequence RNA. Wherever appropriate, catalysis by RNA is compared to catalysis by protein enzymes.

Chemistry, Organic↗

Mitochondrial and nuclear forms of Wnt13 are generated via alternative promoters, alternative RNA splicing, and alternative translation start sites.

Wnt proteins play a key role in cell survival, cell proliferation, and cell fate during development. In endothelial cells, we identified the expression of Wnt13A, Wnt13B, and Wnt13C mRNAs, which are generated by alternative promoters and alternative RNA splicing. Wnt13A and Wnt13B proteins differ only in their N-terminal sequences. Wnt13A, a typical Wnt, is N-glycosylated and localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, with only a small fraction being secreted. Wnt13B proteins appear as a protein doublet, L-Wnt13B and S-Wnt13B, which are neither N-glycosylated nor secreted. Wnt13B proteins localized mainly to mitochondria, as demonstrated using detection in mitochondria enriched fractions and colocalization with Mitotracker and HSP60. A nuclear localization was also observed in 20% of Wnt13B-expressing cells. Both the N-terminal hydrophobic stretch (residues 1-17) and alpha-helix (residues 26-50) were the main determinants for Wnt13B mitochondrial targeting. Serial deletions of Wnt13B N-terminal sequences abolished its association with mitochondria and favored instead a nuclear localization. The production of S-Wnt13B was independent of the mitochondrial targeting but dependent on an alternative translation start corresponding to Met(74) in L-Wnt13B. The same translation start is used in Wnt13C mRNA to encode a protein undistinguishable from S-Wnt13B. S-Wnt13B when expressed alone localized to the nucleus like Wnt13C, whereas L-Wnt13B localized to mitochondria. Wnt13 nuclear forms increased the beta-catenin/T-cell factor activity in HEK293 cells and increased apoptosis in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Altogether our results demonstrate that, in addition to alternative promoters and RNA splicing, an alternative translation start in Wnt13B and Wnt13C mRNAs increases the complexity of both human wnt13 expression and functions.

Alternative Splicing↗

A single-base change at a splice site in a beta 0-thalassemic gene causes abnormal RNA splicing.

We have studied the structure and transcription of a cloned human beta-globin gene from a fetus diagnosed for beta 0 thalassemia. The sequence of the beta 0 gene differs from that of a normal beta-globin gene at positions 1 and 74 of the second intervening sequence (IVS2). The position 1 change alters the GT dinucleotide conserved at 5' splice sites, while the position 74 change is a common sequence polymorphism. When the cloned beta 0 gene is introduced into HeLa cells by use of an SV40-derived plasmid vector, two abnormally spliced cytoplasmic beta-globin RNAs are detected. The predominant RNA differs from normal beta-globin mRNA by the insertion of the first 47 nucleotides of IVS2 between exons 2 and 3. The less abundant RNA comprises the normal first exon spliced directly to the third. Analysis of nuclear RNA suggests that the beta 0 transcript is inefficiently spliced and that the removal of the two intervening sequences is coupled.

Base Sequence↗

A second trans-spliced RNA leader sequence in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the 22-nucleotide RNA sequence called the spliced leader (SL) is trans-spliced from the 100-nucleotide-long SL RNA to some mRNAs. We have identified a trans-spliced leader (SL2) whose sequence differs from that of the original spliced leader (SL1), although both are 22 nucleotides long. By primer-extension sequencing, SL2 but not SL1 was shown to be present at the 5' end of the mRNA encoded by one of the four glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes. The other three glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes encode mRNAs that have the SL1 but not the SL2 sequence at their 5' ends. Therefore, the trans-splicing process can discriminate the transfer of SL1 from that of SL2 in a gene-specific manner.

Animals↗

U2 as well as U1 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins are involved in premessenger RNA splicing.

Two different experimental approaches have provided evidence that both U2 and U1 snRNPs function in pre-mRNA splicing. When the U2 snRNPs in a nuclear extract are selectively degraded using ribonuclease H and either of two deoxyoligonucleotides complementary to U2 RNA, splicing activity is abolished. Mixing an extract in which U2 has been degraded with one in which U1 has been degraded recovers activity. Use of anti-(U2)RNP autoantibodies demonstrates that U2 snRNPs associate with the precursor RNA during in vitro splicing. At 60 min, but not at 0 min, into the reaction intron fragments that include the branch-point sequence are immunoprecipitated by anti-(U2)RNP. At all times, U1 snRNPs bind the 5' splice site of the pre-mRNA. Possible interactions of the U2 snRNP with the U1 snRNP and with the pre-mRNA during splicing are considered.

Base Sequence↗

Use of a synthetic DNA oligonucleotide to probe the precision of RNA splicing in a yeast mitochondrial petite mutant.

In some strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae the mitochondrial gene coding for 21S rRNA is interrupted by an intron of 1143 bp. This intron contains a reading frame for 235 amino acids: Unassigned Reading Frame (URF). In order to check whether expression of this URF is required for proper splicing of precursors to 21S rRNA, the precision of RNA splicing was analysed in a petite mutant, where no mitochondrial protein synthesis is possible anymore. We have devised a new assay to monitor the precision of the splicing event. The method is of general application, provided that the sequence of the splice boundaries is known. In the case of the 21S rRNA it involves the synthesis of the DNA oligonucleotide d(CGATCCCTATTGTC( complementary to the 5' d(CGATCCCTAT) and 3' d(TGTC) borders flanking the intron in the 21S rRNA gene. The oligonucleotide is labelled with 32p at the 5'-end, hybridised to RNA and subsequently subjected to digestion with S1 nuclease. Resistance to digestion will only be observed if the correct splice-junction is made. The petite mutant we have studied contains a 21S rRNA with the same migration behaviour as wildtype 21S rRNA. In RNA blotting experiments, using an intron specific hybridisation probe, the same intermediates in splicing are found both in wild type and petite mutant. Finally the synthetic oligonucleotide hybridises to petite 21S rRNA and its thermal dissociation behaviour is indistinguishable from a hybrid formed with wildtype 21S rRNA. We conclude that expression of the URF, present in the intron of the 21S rRNA gene, is not required for processing and correct splicing of 21S ribosomal precursor RNA.

Base Sequence↗

Two of the three genetic variants of goat alpha s1-casein which are synthesized at a reduced level have an internal deletion possibly due to altered RNA splicing.

This paper describes the elucidation of the primary structure of the three genetic variants of goat alpha s1-casein, alpha s1-Cn D, E and F, which have been found to be associated with reduced amounts of alpha s1-casein in milk. Variant E has the same electrophoretic mobility as variant B, but differs from the latter by the substitutions of Arg for Lys and of Thr for Ala at positions 100 and 195. A genetically controlled event which does not affect the amino acid sequence of this variant might be responsible for its lower rate of synthesis compared to that of alpha s1-casein B. The deletion of 11 amino acids at positions 59-69 and of 37 amino acids at positions 59-95 in variant B leads to variants D and F. In both cases the deletions, which start at the same position of the polypeptide chain, include the major phosphorylation site of the protein. On the basis of sequence data for casein genes and cDNAs, it was concluded that the deletions occurring in the D and F variants are due to the exclusion of one and several exons, respectively. The observed deletions in the proteins could thus be the consequence of splice site mutations which would induce altered RNA processing and hence reduce the rate of synthesis of the casein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nuclear coactivator-62 kDa/Ski-interacting protein is a nuclear matrix-associated coactivator that may couple vitamin D receptor-mediated transcription and RNA splicing.

Nuclear coactivator-62 kDa/Ski-interacting protein (NCoA62/SKIP) is a putative vitamin D receptor (VDR) and nuclear receptor coactivator protein that is unrelated to other VDR coactivators such as those in the steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) family. The mechanism through which NCoA62/SKIP functions in VDR-activated transcription is unknown. In the present study, we identified a nuclear localization sequence in the COOH terminus of NCoA62/SKIP and showed that NCoA62/SKIP was targeted to nuclear matrix subdomains. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies revealed that endogenous NCoA62/SKIP associated in a 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-dependent manner with VDR target genes in ROS17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells. A cyclic pattern of promoter occupancy by VDR, SRC-1, and NCoA62/SKIP was observed, with NCoA62/SKIP entering these promoter complexes after SRC-1. These studies provide strong support for the proposed role of NCoA62/SKIP as a VDR transcriptional coactivator, and they indicate that key mechanistic differences probably exist between NCoA62/SKIP and SRC coactivators. To explore potential mechanisms, NCoA62/SKIP-interacting proteins were purified from HeLa cell nuclear extracts and identified by mass spectrometry. The identified proteins represent components of the spliceosome as well as other nuclear matrix-associated proteins. Here, we show that a dominant negative inhibitor of NCoA62/SKIP (dnNCoA62/SKIP) interfered with appropriate splicing of transcripts derived from 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced expression of a growth hormone minigene cassette. Taken together, these data show that NCoA62/SKIP has properties that are consistent with those of nuclear receptor coactivators and with RNA spliceosome components, thus suggesting a potential role for NCoA62/SKIP in coupling VDR-mediated transcription to RNA splicing.

Animals↗

Isoform diversity of phosphorylase kinase alpha and beta subunits generated by alternative RNA splicing.

We have sequenced rabbit cDNAs that encode one isoform of the alpha subunit and two isoforms of the beta subunit of phosphorylase kinase, in addition to the single isoform from fast skeletal muscle that has been characterized to date for each subunit. All these isoforms are generated by alternative RNA splicing. The alpha subunit sequence obtained from slow skeletal muscle (soleus) is characterized by an internal deletion of 59 amino acids. This deletion is predominant in mRNA from slow muscle, heart, and uterus and accounts for the smaller alpha subunit variant (alpha') characteristic of phosphorylase kinase purified from slow muscle and heart. The beta subunit mRNA can be differentially spliced at two sites. In all tissues (except skeletal muscle) that were analyzed, an internal segment encoding 28 amino acids of the muscle sequence is replaced by a homologous sequence of identical length, presumably through the use of mutually exclusive exons. In brain and some other tissues, the deduced N-terminal sequence of the beta subunit is also changed. This is achieved by an insertion into the mRNA sequence that interrupts the initial reading frame after 25 codons and starts a new reading frame, encoding a different N terminus of 18 amino acids. This modification probably affects the major regulatory phosphorylation site of the beta subunit.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

RNA splicing.

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Animals↗