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Overview of the Leishmaniavirus endoribonuclease and functions of other endoribonucleases affecting viral gene expression.

Leishmaniaviruses (LRV) are double-stranded RNA viruses that persistently infect some strains of the protozoan parasite Leishmania. The identification of a short viral RNA transcript led to our discovery of an endoribonuclease activity of the LRV capsid protein. Other known endoribonucleases serve a variety of diverse roles in the regulated balance of processing and degradation of both cellular and viral RNAs, thus determining the amount and functionality of specific RNA molecules in a cell at any given time. The consequence of LRV RNA cleavage on the LRV life cycle has not yet been determined. Here we review the LRV endoribonuclease and discuss potential roles for this endoribonuclease activity in the context of the involvement of other endoribonucleases in regulating viral gene expression and replicative capacity.

Animals↗

Purification and properties of a novel pyrimidine-specific endoribonuclease termed endoribonuclease VII from calf thymus that is modulated by polyadenylate.

Endoribonuclease VII, a novel endoribonuclease from calf thymus, was identified and purified by us. The purified enzyme has Mr = 74,000; its homogeneity was checked by analysis in polyacrylamide gels (both in the presence and in the absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate). The nuclease cleaves poly(U) and poly(C) while other single-stranded homopolyribo- as well as polydeoxyribonucleotides are not degraded; poly(A,C) is hydrolyzed to a smaller extent, while poly(U) X poly(A) is not degraded at all. Poly(A) modulates the poly(U)-degrading activity; at a molar ratio of approximately 1 [poly(A)]:10 [poly(U)], a more than 100% stimulation of the enzyme activity was achieved, while at lower ratios an almost complete inhibition of the enzyme activity resulted. Binding studies revealed that endoribonuclease VII has a marked affinity for poly(A) and poly(U). During hydrolysis, oligo(U)12 fragments with 3'-OH and 5'-P termini are formed. The basic enzyme (pI = 8.5) has its activity optimum at pH 7.2, requiring neither monovalent nor divalent cations; the enzyme is not inhibited by thiol group reagents. Several lines of evidence suggesting a role of endoribonuclease VII in mRNA processing are presented.

Animals↗

Trypanosoma brucei: calcium-dependent endoribonuclease is associated with inhibitor protein.

T. brucei cytoplasmic calcium-dependent alkaline ribonuclease activity from DEAE-cellulose fractionation was separated into endoribonuclease and exoribonuclease activities by hydroxyapatite chromatography. T. brucei cytoplasmic extract markedly decreased the endoribonuclease activity, but slightly potentiated the activities of the exoribonuclease and bovine ribonuclease A. While the endoribonuclease was activated by trypsin, the exoribonuclease and bovine ribonuclease A were partially inactivated by trypsin. The endoribonuclease was activated by p-chloromercuribenzoate or N-ethylmaleimide; the exoribonuclease was not affected by these sulfhydryl group reagents. Free ribonuclease was separated from the latent endoribonuclease by 1 M NaCl-Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The results demonstrate that T. brucei cytoplasm contains a latent endoribonuclease consisting of ribonuclease and inhibitor protein.

Animals↗

Evidence that the fully assembled capsid of Leishmania RNA virus 1-4 possesses catalytically active endoribonuclease activity.

In this study, Leishmania RNA virus 1-4 (LRV1-4) particles purified from host Leishmania guyanensis promastigotes were examined for capsid endoribonuclease. Temperature optimum for the endoribonuclease activity was found to be at 37(O)C to 42(O)C and the activity was specifically inhibited by the aminoglycoside antibiotics, neomycin, kanamycin, and hygromycin and by 100 mM levels of NaCl or KCl. To determine the catalytic domain of the capsid endoribonuclease activity, three point-mutation at cysteine residues at C47S (P1), C128/ 133S (P2), and C194R (P3) were prepared and each gene was constructed into baculoviruses and expressed in Sf9 insect cells. LRV1-4 capsid N- terminus (N2 and N3) and C-terminus (C1 and C2) deletion mutants (Cadd et al., 1994) were also examined by in vitro RNA cleavage assay. The results showed that the capsid mutants; C1, C2, N3, P1, and P2 were capable of forming proper virus-like particles (VLPs) and they all possessed the specific endoribonuclease activity. However, two assembly-defective capsid mutants, N2 (N- terminus 24-amino acids deletion) and P3 mutants, did not retain the specific endoribonuclease activity. Taken together, the results suggest that at least 24 amino acids from the N-terminal region and C194 residue in LRV1-4 capsid protein are functionally important for LRV1-4 viral assembly and the capsid endoribonuclease activity may be dependent upon the properly assembled LRV1-4 virus particles.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Ribosomal RNA processing. Limited cleavages of mouse preribosomal RNA by a nucleolar endoribonuclease include the early +650 processing site.

A highly purified nucleolar associated endoribonuclease was tested for possible involvement in the processing of precursor ribosomal RNA at a primary cleavage site approximately 650 nucleotides downstream from the transcription initiation site. Preribosomal RNA sequences containing the +650 region were synthesized in vitro and subsequently digested over a range of concentrations of the nucleolar endoribonuclease. Cleavages generated by the nucleolar endoribonuclease were localized both by S1 nuclease protection analysis and primer extension analysis. A more precise determination of the specificity of cleavage was achieved by chemical cleavage DNA sequence analysis. These data demonstrated that the purified nucleolar endoribonuclease specifically cleaved the precursor ribosomal RNA transcript at the +650 site. Additional enzyme-dependent cleavages were observed upstream to the +650 site in a region which is rapidly degraded following processing at the +650 site in vivo. No major cleavages were observed for a distance of approximately 250 nucleotides downstream from the +650 site in a conserved region of sequence previously shown to be important in specifying processing at the +650 site. As a control, pancreatic ribonuclease, a single strand-specific endoribonuclease, was shown not to produce similar cleavages in the +650 region, indicating that cleavage by the nucleolar RNase was not simply due to accessibility of the RNA at the +650 site. Taken together, these results suggest that the nucleolar endoribonuclease may be necessary and sufficient to catalyze one of the initial endonucleolytic cleavages in preribosomal RNA processing.

Animals↗

12 S small nuclear ribonucleoprotein-associated acidic-and pyrimidine-specific endoribonuclease from calf thymus and L5178y cells.

12 S ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles were separated from a 45 S RNP complex (Bachmann, M., Zahn, R. K. and Müller, W. E. G. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7033-7040) isolated from calf thymus and L5178y cells. The particles were determined to be associated with an acidic endoribonuclease (pI 4.1; pH optimum 6.2). the enzyme requires Mg2+ and is sensitively inhibited by higher NaCl concentrations. The nuclease specifically degrades poly(U) and poly(C) in an endonucleolytic manner; the end-products are 3'-UMP (85%) and 2',3'-cyclic UMP (12%). Poly(A) strongly inhibits the pI 4.1 endoribonuclease activity. The Michaelis constant (for poly(U)) was determined as 82 microM and the maximal reaction velocity was 0.54 mumol/microgram per h. The endoribonuclease is distinguished from the known pyrimidine-specific ribonucleases (pancreatic ribonuclease and endoribonuclease VII) by further criteria, e.g., resistance to thiol reagents, inhibition by EDTA, Mg2+ requirement, pI and pH optimum. Using the techniques of counterimmunoelectrophoresis and immunoaffinity column chromatography it was shown that the pI 4.1 endoribonuclease-associated 12 S RNP particles display antigenicity to anti-Sm and anti-(U1)-RNP antibodies. An RNA component, isolated from the 12 S-45 S hypercomplex, was identified as U1-snRNA.

Animals↗

Broad-specificity endoribonucleases and mRNA degradation in Escherichia coli.

Crude extracts from Escherichia coli were screened for any broad-specificity endoribonuclease after the cell proteins were fractionated by size. In a mutant lacking the gene for RNase I (molecular mass, 27,156 Da), the only such activities were also in the size range of 23 to 28 kDa. Fractionation by chromatography on a strong cation-exchange resin revealed only two activities. One of them eluted at a salt concentration expected for RNase M and had the specificity of RNase M. It preferred pyrimidine-adenosine bonds, could not degrade purine homopolymers, and had a molecular mass of approximately 27 kDa (V. J. Cannistraro and D. Kennell, Eur. J. Biochem. 181:363-370, 1989). A second fraction, eluting at a higher salt concentration, was active against any phosphodiester bond but was about 100 times less active than are RNase I and RNase I* (a form of RNase I) in the wild-type cell. On the basis of sizing-gel chromatography, this enzyme had a molecular mass of approximately 24 kDa. We call it RNase R (for residual). RNase R is not an abnormal product of the mutant rna gene; a cell carrying many copies of that gene on a plasmid did not synthesize more RNase R. Our search for broad-specificity endoribonucleases was prompted by the expectation that the primary activities for mRNA degradation are expressed by a relatively small number of broad-specificity RNases. If correct, the results suggest that the endoribonucleases for this major metabolic activity reside in the 24- to 28-kDa size range. Endoribonucleases with much greater specificity must have as primary functions the processing of specific RNA molecules at a very limited number of sites as steps in their biosynthesis. In exceptional cases, these endoribonucleases inactivate a specific message that has such a site, and they can also effect total mRNA metabolism indirectly by a global disturbance of the cell physiology. It is suggested that a distinction be made between these processing and degradative activities.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus Nsp15 protein is an endoribonuclease that prefers manganese as a cofactor.

Nonstructural protein 15 (Nsp15) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) produced in Escherichia coli has endoribonuclease activity that preferentially cleaved 5' of uridylates of RNAs. Blocking either the 5' or 3' terminus did not affect cleavage. Double- and single-stranded RNAs were both substrates for Nsp15 but with different kinetics for cleavage. Mn(2+) at 2 to 10 mM was needed for optimal endoribonuclease activity, but Mg(2+) and several other divalent metals were capable of supporting only a low level of activity. Concentrations of Mn(2+) needed for endoribonuclease activity induced significant conformation change(s) in the protein, as measured by changes in tryptophan fluorescence. A similar endoribonucleolytic activity was detected for the orthologous protein from another coronavirus, demonstrating that the endoribonuclease activity of Nsp15 may be common to coronaviruses. This work presents an initial biochemical characterization of a novel coronavirus endoribonuclease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

RNase L and increased endoribonuclease activities in the mononuclear cells of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

During investigations of the interferon-induced 2',5' oligoadenylate synthetase/RNase L system in malignancy, RNase L activity and an increased endoribonuclease activity were observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) extracts from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. The cleavage of rRNA from intact ribosomes was used as the assay for both RNase L and the increased endoribonuclease activities. Novel rRNA cleavage products (NCP) were generated by extracts of Ficoll-purified mononuclear cells from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients and in the granulocytic fraction of both patients and healthy controls. Determination of the time course of rRNA degradation demonstrated that the novel cleavage products were rapidly derived from the further endoribonucleolytic degradation of the RNase L derived specific cleavage products. Prolonged incubation of mononuclear cell extracts from healthy controls also yielded the novel rRNA cleavage products. Comparisons of the kinetics of NCP production suggest that the novel endoribonuclease activity can be approximately 240-fold greater in PBMC extracts from CML patients than controls. Analysis of peripheral blood WBC count and differential indicated that the increased RNase activities were associated with the presence of immature granulocytic cells in the peripheral blood (p = 0.001, Fisher's exact test). However, these activities were also found in the mononuclear cells of a CML patient in lymphoid blast crisis. Since CML is a stem cell disease, the novel endoribonuclease activity may be indicative of active disease, rather than a marker for immature granulocytes. Thus, the RNase L and increased endoribonuclease activities may play a functional role in the biology of chronic myelogenous leukemia and may be important in the mechanism of action of interferon therapy in this disease.

Endoribonucleases↗

A novel spermidine-dependent endoribonuclease activity caused by RNA-protein complex in mouse FM3A cell extracts.

We have found a novel spermidine-dependent endoribonuclease activity in mouse FM3A cell extracts. This endoribonuclease cleaves RNA substrates containing a sequence CCCCCGGUUUGU in its middle. This activity is lost either by heat- or micrococcal nuclease-pretreatment. When heat-pretreated extracts and micrococcal nuclease-pretreated ones are mixed, the activity is restored, suggesting that this activity requires both RNA and protein components. Testing the restoration of the lost endoribonuclease activity in micrococcal nuclease-pretreated extracts by addition of fractionated cellular RNAs, we identified an approximately 65 nucleotide RNA required for this endoribonuclease activity.

Animals↗

Mutational analysis of the SARS virus Nsp15 endoribonuclease: identification of residues affecting hexamer formation.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus virus non-structural protein 15 is a Mn2+-dependent endoribonuclease with specificity for cleavage at uridylate residues. To better understand structural and functional characteristics of Nsp15, 22 mutant versions of Nsp15 were produced in Escherichia coli as His-tagged proteins and purified by metal-affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. Nineteen of the mutants were soluble and were analyzed for enzymatic activity. Six mutants, including four at the putative active site, were significantly reduced in endoribonuclease activity. Two of the inactive mutants had unusual secondary structures compared to the wild-type protein, as measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Gel-filtration analysis, velocity sedimentation ultracentrifugation, and native gradient pore electrophoresis all showed that the wild-type protein exists in an equilibrium between hexamers and monomers in solution, with hexamers dominating at micromolar protein concentration, while native gradient pore electrophoresis also revealed the presence of trimers. A mutant in the N terminus of Nsp15 was impaired in hexamer formation and had low endoribonuclease activity, suggesting that oligomerization is required for endoribonuclease activity. This idea was supported by titration experiments showing that enzyme activity was strongly concentration-dependent, indicating that oligomeric Nsp15 is the active form. Three-dimensional reconstruction of negatively stained single particles of Nsp15 viewed by transmission electron microscopic analysis suggested that the six subunits were arranged as a dimer of trimers with a number of cavities or channels that may constitute RNA binding sites.

Amino Acids↗

Identification of the Ro and La antigens in the endoribonuclease VII--ribonucleoprotein complex.

45 S RNP (ribonucleoprotein) particles from calf thymus or L5178y mouse lymphoma cells contain the poly(A)-modulated and oligo(U)-binding endoribonuclease VII [Bachmann, Zahn & Müller (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 7033-7040]. From these particles a 4.5 S RNA was isolated that possesses an oligo(U) sequence. By using monospecific and non-cross-reacting antibodies directed against the La or Ro antigen, both proteins were identified in the endoribonuclease VII-RNP complex after phosphorylation in vitro. In a second approach, endoribonuclease VII activity was identified in immunoaffinity-purified Ro RNPs after preparative isoelectric focusing. Therefore we conclude that the 4.5 S RNA belongs to the Ro RNAs. The results indicate a possible function of endoribonuclease VII in activating stored mRNAs.

Animals↗

Identification of an erythroid-enriched endoribonuclease activity involved in specific mRNA cleavage.

Stability of the human alpha-globin mRNA is conferred by a ribonucleoprotein complex termed the alpha-complex, which acts by impeding deadenylation. Using our recently devised in vitro decay assay, we demonstrate that the alpha-complex also functions by protecting the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) from an erythroid-enriched, sequence-specific endoribonuclease activity. The cleavage site was mapped to a region protected by the alpha-complex and is regulated by the presence of the alpha-complex. Similar endoribonuclease cleavage products were also detected in erythroid cells expressing an exogenous alpha-globin gene. Nucleotide substitution of the target sequence renders the RNA refractory to the endoribonuclease activity. Insertion of the target sequence onto a heterologous RNA confers sequence-specific cleavage on the chimeric RNA, demonstrating the sequence specificity of this activity. We conclude that the alpha-complex stabilizes the alpha-globin mRNA in erythroid cells by a multifaceted approach, one aspect of which is to protect the 3'-UTR from specific endoribonuclease cleavage.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Selection of a preribosomal RNA processing site by a nucleolar endoribonuclease involves formation of a stable complex.

A nucleolar endoribonuclease from mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, that has been implicated in the endonucleolytic cleavage of mouse precursor ribosomal RNA, specifically and stably binds an in vitro-derived rRNA transcript containing the +650 early processing site. The specificity of binding was demonstrated by mobility shift analysis, glycerol gradient velocity sedimentation analysis, and UV-crosslinking studies. Binding did not require Mg2+ and therefore was not dependent on cleavage; however, binding was dependent on the presence of the early +650 processing site since a pre-rRNA transcript with the +650 processing site deleted failed to compete in binding. A small nucleolar RNA component was not required for the formation of this stable complex or for the specific cleavage of a processing competent pre-rRNA transcript. UV crosslinking studies using 32P-labeled 5-azidouridine-substituted pre-rRNA with bound nucleolar endoribonuclease identified three closely sized polypeptides of approximately 50, approximately 48, and approximately 45 kDa, respectively, that specifically crosslinked to the processing competent rRNA transcript. These three polypeptides species were identified following ribonuclease digestion and electrophoresis on a SDS-polyacrylamide gel. An identical pattern of labeled polypeptides was also identified from gel mobility shift analysis where the specifically shifted material was U.V. crosslinked. The largest of these polypeptides corresponded to the estimated size of the nucleolar endoribonuclease, while the lower molecular weight species may represent partially proteolyzed enzyme. Overall, these results suggest that the unique specificity of the nucleolar endoribonuclease may, in part, be attributed to the formation of a stable complex at the +650 processing site for mouse preribosomal RNA, and that formation of this unique stable complex affords a means to specifically label the limited amount of available partially purified enzyme for sequence analysis.

Animals↗

Processing of naked 45-S ribosomal RNA precursor in vitro by an RNA-associated endoribonuclease.

A processing endoribonuclease was isolated from the cytoplasm of chick embryos. The enzyme was easily obtained using an RNA extraction procedure based on a mild deproteinization with Sarkosyl and cold phenol/chloroform. This technique assured the recovery of several proteins and the endoribonuclease in association with the RNA. It was demonstrated that this endoribonuclease was capable of promoting, in vitro, a precise processing of naked 45-S ribosomal RNA precursor to molecules resembling the intermediates as well as the 28-S and 18-S cytoplasmic RNAs found in vivo. The presence of magnesium ions was required for the correct processing function of the enzyme. In addition, under the same conditions, the mature ribosomal RNA substrates were degraded at a slower rate by this RNA-associated RNase. It was possible to fractionate the enzymatic preparation into two different populations by means of a sucrose gradient: one associated and the other partially free of an RNA component. The effect of the intrinsic RNA associated with the endoribonuclease on the enzymatic activity was tested by analyzing both the enzymatic populations and the total enzymatic preparation treated with pronase or with immobilized pancreatic RNase. In all cases in which the RNA component was present, the enzyme showed processing activity. On the other hand, when the RNA component was absent or at least partially degraded the enzyme proved to be more active in processing precursor molecules and in promoting extensive degradation of mature RNA species. Although the presence of RNA in association with the enzyme was demonstrated, its role in the regulation of the enzymatic activity is yet not clear.

Animals↗

Immunosuppressive function of hepatitis B antigens in vitro: role of endoribonuclease V as one potential trans inactivator for cytokines in macrophages and human hepatoma cells.

The mRNAs of transiently expressed cytokine genes contain AUUUA-rich sequences in the 3' untranslated regions. In order to examine whether the AU-specific endoribonuclease V (EC 3.1.27.8) described previously by us transinactivates those mRNA species, we introduced a 51-nucleotide ATTTA sequence from tumor necrosis factor into the 3' untranslated region of beta-globin gene. Transcripts of that construct, synthesized in vitro, were prone to endoribonuclease V digestion at those AU-rich sequences. Stimulation of human macrophages with lipopolysaccharide resulted in a shift of the association state of the enzyme from the nuclear matrix-associated to the free form. This shift was strongly prevented by the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and more weakly by hepatitis B nucleocapsid antigen and hepatitis B antigen of the X region. HBsAg and, to a lesser extent, hepatitis B nucleocapsid antigen and hepatitis B antigen of the X region inhibited the release of alpha interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, while it had no effect on interleukin-1 production from stimulated macrophages. Using the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5, we provide further experimental evidence that endoribonuclease V acts in trans as a posttranscriptional inactivator for nuclear matrix-associated cytokine transcripts. These results suggest that those cytokine transcripts which contain reiterated (overlapping) AUUUA sequences are degraded by nuclear matrix-associated endoribonuclease V. This degradation was comparably high in cells incubated with HBsAg or cells which produced this antigen.

Animals↗

Mapping of the RNA-binding and endoribonuclease domains of NIPP1, a nuclear targeting subunit of protein phosphatase 1.

NIPP1 (351 residues) is a major regulatory and RNA-anchoring subunit of protein phosphatase 1 in the nucleus. Using recombinant and synthetic fragments of NIPP1, the RNA-binding domain was mapped to the C-terminal residues 330-351. A synthetic peptide encompassing this sequence equalled intact NIPP1 in RNA-binding affinity and could be used to dissociate NIPP1 from the nuclear particulate fraction. An NIPP1 fragment consisting of residues 225-351 (Ard1/NIPP1gamma), that may be encoded by an alternatively spliced transcript in transformed B-lymphocytes, displayed a single-strand Mg(2+)-dependent endoribonuclease activity. However, full-length NIPP1 and NIPP1(143-351) were not able to cleave RNA, indicating that the endoribonuclease activity of NIPP1 is restrained by its central domain. The endoribonuclease activity was also recovered in the RNA-binding domain, NIPP1(330-351), but with a 30-fold lower specific activity. Thus, the endoribonuclease catalytic site and the RNA-binding site both reside in the C-terminal 22 residues of NIPP1. The latter domain does not conform to any known nucleic-acid binding motif.

Alternative Splicing↗

Endoribonuclease IV. 2. Further investigation on the specificity.

The poly(A)-specific endoribonuclease IV produces oligo(A) fragments of a chain length of 10 AMP nucleotides. One enzyme molecule performs 1700 cleavages per min; the cleavages occur randomly. The endoribonuclease IV is a nuclear enzyme which is present in the oviduct of quails in a concentration of 40 000 enzyme molecules per cell. Poly(A) segments on mRNA are selectively hydrolyzed by endoribonuclease IV; the poly(A)-free part of the RNA is not affected. After incubation with the enzyme, a residual oligo(A) stretch of 5 AMP nucleotides remains on poly(A)-rich RNA. The endoribonuclease IV does not disintegrate the polyribosomal complex after incubation in vitro and the enzyme has also no influence on the translational capacity of a cell-free protein-synthesizing system.

Animals↗