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Approximately 150 nucleotides from the 5' end of an influenza A segment 1 defective virion RNA are needed for genome stability during passage of defective virus in infected cells.

Defective influenza A virus RNAs analyzed in two studies so far possess at least 80-90 nucleotides from the 5' end of the virion RNA segment and more typically around 200 nucleotides, whereas the 3' sequence could be as short as 25 nucleotides (P. A. Jennings et al., Cell 34, 619-627; 1983; S. D. Duhaut and N. J. Dimmock, Virology 247, 241-253, 1998). To determine the biological significance of the highly conserved 5' sequence, we constructed plasmids that expressed a naturally occurring defective segment 1 RNA from A/equine/Newmarket/7339/79 (EQV, H3N8) or modified RNAs with lesser amounts of the 5' end. These had terminal 5' sequences of 220 nucleotides (POLI-220), 150 nucleotides (POLI-150), 80 nucleotides (POLI-80), and 30 nucleotides (POLI-30). Their remaining sequence came from the 3' end of virion RNA, and all were exactly 445 nucleotides in length. After transfection with one of the RNA-expressing POLI plasmids and plasmids encoding PB1, PB2, PA, and NP proteins, Vero cells were infected with a helper influenza virus of one of three different subtypes (the parental H3N8, an H2N2, or an H1N1 virus). Progeny infectious and presumptive progeny defective virus in the resulting tissue culture fluids were then passaged serially to new cultures up to 10 times. We found that POLI-220 and POLI-150 RNAs proved stable on passage and POLI-80 RNA was detected intermittently, while POLI-30 was not detected beyond passage three. Data were essentially reproducible with the three helper viruses and in two cell lines. It thus appears that the terminal 5' 150 nucleotides are necessary for influenza virion RNA molecules to be replicated and packaged consistently in cell culture. The possible functional significance of the 5' sequence is discussed.

Animals↗

Impact of forced selection of tRNAs on HIV-1 replication and genome stability highlight preferences for selection of certain tRNAs.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) exclusively selects tRNA(Lys,3) as the primer for initiation of reverse transcription. How and why HIV-1 selects the tRNA is unresolved. To address this issue, we have generated HIV-1 in which the PBS was changed to be complementary to alternative tRNAs. In this study, we report on HIV-1 that have the PBS mutated to be complementary to tRNA(Thr), tRNA(Phe), tRNA(Ser) and tRNA(Tyr). Virus with a PBS complementary to tRNA(Thr) grew slightly slower than the wild type virus and maintained the PBS for an extended culture period before finally reverting back to utilize tRNA(Lys,3). In contrast, viruses with a PBS complementary to tRNA(Phe) or tRNA(Ser) rapidly reverted to utilize tRNA(Lys,3) following limited in vitro replication, while a virus with a PBS complementary to tRNA(Tyr) had severely compromised infectivity and did not productively infect a continuous T cell line (SupT1) or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Modification of the A-loop region to be complementary to tRNA(Thr) with the mutation in the PBS to be complementary to tRNA(Thr) resulted in a virus that could stably utilize this tRNA while the modification of the A-loop to be complementary to the anticodon of tRNA(Ser) did not allow the virus to stably utilize tRNA(Ser). Modification of the A-loop region to be complementary to the anticodon of tRNA(Phe) severely impacted the replication of this virus. Finally, the modification of the A-loop region to be complementary to tRNA(Tyr) did not rescue the virus with a PBS complementary to tRNA(Tyr). The results of these studies demonstrate the diverse effects that alteration of the PBS to force selection of alternative primers have on HIV-1 replication and provide a framework to understand the dynamics of primer selection.

Base Sequence↗

Carotenoids and genomic stability.

Epidemiological evidence abounds for a link between intake of carotenoids from fruit and vegetable foods and relatively low incidence of various cancers. However, intervention trials have shown, in some cases, a significant increase in occurrence of lung cancer in those volunteers taking supplements of beta-carotene. More information is clearly needed about the mechanism of action of carotenoids. Effects of carotenoids on cells in culture include inhibition of DNA synthesis and proliferation, changes in gene expression, decreased micronucleus frequency, and inhibition of transformation via synthesis of gap-junction proteins. Experiments with animal models are unsatisfactory because of the very poor uptake of carotenoids in rodents compared with man. In humans, oxidative damage to lymphocytes correlates negatively with plasma carotenoid concentrations, and the level of DNA damage is susceptible to reduction by carotenoid-rich foods. It seems clear that the carotenoids act as antioxidants in vivo, and yet this activity may not result in cancer prevention.

Antioxidants↗

Vitamin C and genomic stability.

Vitamin C, a water-soluble glucose derivative, has considerable antioxidant activity in vitro, in part because of its ease of oxidation and because the semidehydroascorbate radical derived from it is of low reactivity. Vitamin C in vivo is an essential cofactor for a range of enzymes involved in diverse metabolic pathways, but much recent literature has focused on its antioxidant effects. Consumption of foods rich in Vitamin C (fruits and vegetables) is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, of many types of cancer and possibly of neurodegenerative disease, but the extent to which Vitamin C contributes to these effects is uncertain. Data using biomarkers of oxidative damage to DNA bases have given no compelling evidence to date that ascorbate supplements can decrease the levels of oxidative DNA damage in vivo, except perhaps in subjects with very low Vitamin C intakes. Similarly, there is no conclusive evidence from studies of strand breaks, micronuclei, or chromosomal aberrations for a protective effect of Vitamin C. There is limited evidence that supplements of Vitamin C might have beneficial effects in disorders of vascular function, and that diet-derived Vitamin C may decrease gastric cancer incidence in certain populations, but it is not clear whether it is the antioxidant or other properties of ascorbate that are responsible for these two actions.

Animals↗

Vitamin E and genome stability.

Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are generated continuously cause mutagenic alterations resulting in cancer, aging and abnormalities in the nervous system. Accumulating evidence indicates that Vitamin E, the most potent lipid peroxyl radical scavenger, may reduce free radical induced chromosomal damages through inhibition of free radical formation, and activation of endonuclease that can be triggered by intracellular oxidative stress, and by increasing the rate of removal of damaged DNA. Although some studies suggest a potential usefulness of Vitamin E in the prevention of mutagenic effects caused by genotoxic free radicals, other studies report no effects. Thus the data are not conclusive enough to be used as a basis to change the current recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Future research should address molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of Vitamin E and develop appropriate biologically relevant biomarkers of DNA damage to further help in determining the dietary levels of Vitamin E needed to protect the genetic pool from internally and externally induced DNA damages.

Animals↗

Interference by toxic metal ions with zinc-dependent proteins involved in maintaining genomic stability.

Metal ions are essential components of biological systems; nevertheless, even essential elements may have toxic or carcinogenic properties. Thus, besides As(III) and Cd(II), also Ni(II) and Co(II) have been shown previously to disturb different types of DNA repair systems at low, non-cytotoxic concentrations. Since some metals exert high affinities for SH groups, we investigated whether zinc finger structures in DNA-binding motifs of DNA repair proteins are potential targets for toxic metal ions. The bacterial formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg protein) involved in base excision repair was inhibited by Cd(II), Cu(II) and Hg(II) with increasing efficiencies, whereas Co(II), As(III), Pb(II) and Ni(II) had no effect. Furthermore, Cd(II) still disturbed enzyme function when bound to metallothionein. Strong inhibition was also observed in the presence of phenylselenyl chloride, followed by selenocystine, while selenomethionine was not inhibitory. Regarding the mammalian XPA protein involved in the recognition of DNA lesions during nucleotide excision repair, its DNA-binding capacity was diminished by Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II), while Hg(II), Pb(II) and As(III) were ineffective. Finally, the H(2)O(2)-induced activation of the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) involved in DNA strand break detection and apoptosis was greatly reduced by Cd(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and As(III). Similarly, the disruption of correct p53 folding and DNA binding by Cd(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) has been shown by other authors. Therefore, zinc-dependent proteins involved in DNA repair and cell-cycle control may represent sensitive targets for some toxic metals such as Cd(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Cu(II), as well as for some selenium compounds. Relevant mechanisms of inhibition appear to be the displacement of zinc by other transition metals as well as redox reactions leading to thiol/disulfide interchange.

Cations, Divalent↗

Roles of the Werner syndrome protein in pathways required for maintenance of genome stability.

Werners syndrome is a disease of premature aging where the patients appear much older than their chronological age. The gene codes for a protein that is a helicase and an exonuclease, and recently we have learned about some of its protein interactions. These interactions are being discussed as they shed light on the molecular pathways in which Werner protein participates. Insight into these pathways brings insight into the aging process.

Catalysis↗