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Primary structural features of rosaceous S-RNases associated with gametophytic self-incompatibility.

We isolated cDNA clones encoding five S-RNases (S1-, S3-, S5-, S6-, S7-RNases) from pistils of Pyrus pyrifolia (Japanese pear), a member of the Rosaceae. Their amino acid sequences were aligned with those of other rosaceous S-RNases sequenced so far. A total of 76 conserved amino acid residues were stretched throughout the sequence, but were absent from the 51-66 region which was designated the hypervariable (HV) region. The phylogenetic tree of rosaceous S-RNases showed that S-RNase polymorphism predated the divergence of Pyrus and Malus. Pairwise comparison of these S-RNases detected two highly homologous pairs, P. pyrifolia S1- and S4-RNases (90.0%) and P. pyrifolia S3- and S5-RNases (95.5%). The positions of amino acid substitutions between S1- and S4-RNases were spread over the entire region, but in the pair of S3- and S5-RNases, amino acid substitutions were found in the 21-90 region including the HV region. The substitutions in this restricted region appear to be sufficient to discriminate between S3 and S5 pollen and to trigger the self-incompatible reaction.

Alleles↗

Association of RNase mitochondrial RNA processing enzyme with ribonuclease P in higher ordered structures in the nucleolus: a possible coordinate role in ribosome biogenesis.

RNase mitochondrial RNA processing enzyme (MRP) is a nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particle that participates in 5.8S ribosomal RNA maturation in eukaryotes. This enzyme shares a polypeptide and an RNA structural motif with ribonuclease P (RNase P), a nuclear endoribonuclease originally described in the nucleus that processes RNA transcripts to generate their mature 5' termini. Both enzymes are also located in mitochondria. This report further characterizes the relationship between RNase MRP and RNase P. Antisense affinity selection with biotinylated 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotides and glycerol gradient fractionation experiments demonstrated that small subpopulations of RNase MRP and RNase P associate with each other in vivo in macromolecular complex, possibly 60-80S preribosomes. This latter notion was supported by fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments with antisense oligonucleotides that localized that RNA components of RNase MRP and RNase P to the nucleolus and to discrete cytoplasmic structures. These findings suggest that small subpopulations of RNase MRP and RNase P are physically associated, and that both may function in ribosomal RNA maturation or ribosome assembly.

Base Sequence↗

RNase-L-dependent destabilization of interferon-induced mRNAs. A role for the 2-5A system in attenuation of the interferon response.

The 2-5A system is an interferon-regulated RNA degradation pathway with antiviral, growth-inhibitory, and pro-apoptotic activities. RNase-L mediates the antiviral activity through the degradation of viral RNAs, and the anticellular effects of the 2-5A system are thought to be similarly mediated through the degradation of cellular transcripts. However, specific RNase-L-regulated cellular RNAs have not been identified. To isolate candidate RNase-L substrates, differential display was used to identify mRNAs that exhibited increased expression in RNase-L-deficient N1E-115 cells as compared with RNase-L-transfected cells. A novel interferon-stimulated gene encoding a 43-kDa ubiquitin-specific protease, designated ISG43, was identified in this screen. ISG43 expression is induced by interferon and negatively regulated by RNase-L. ISG43 induction is a primary response to interferon treatment and requires a functional JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The kinetics of ISG43 induction were identical in wild type and RNase-L knock-out fibroblasts; however, the decline in ISG43 mRNA following interferon treatment was markedly attenuated in RNase-L knock-out fibroblasts. The delayed shut-off kinetics of ISG43 mRNA corresponded to an increase in its half-life in RNase-L-deficient cells. ISG15 mRNA also displayed RNase-L-dependent regulation. These findings identify a novel role for the 2-5A system in the attenuation of the interferon response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Efficient reduction of target RNAs by small interfering RNA and RNase H-dependent antisense agents. A comparative analysis.

RNA interference can be considered as an antisense mechanism of action that utilizes a double-stranded RNase to promote hydrolysis of the target RNA. We have performed a comparative study of optimized antisense oligonucleotides designed to work by an RNA interference mechanism to oligonucleotides designed to work by an RNase H-dependent mechanism in human cells. The potency, maximal effectiveness, duration of action, and sequence specificity of optimized RNase H-dependent oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotide duplexes were evaluated and found to be comparable. Effects of base mismatches on activity were determined to be position-dependent for both siRNA oligonucleotides and RNase H-dependent oligonucleotides. In addition, we determined that the activity of both siRNA oligonucleotides and RNase H-dependent oligonucleotides is affected by the secondary structure of the target mRNA. To determine whether positions on target RNA identified as being susceptible for RNase H-mediated degradation would be coincident with siRNA target sites, we evaluated the effectiveness of siRNAs designed to bind the same position on the target mRNA as RNase H-dependent oligonucleotides. Examination of 80 siRNA oligonucleotide duplexes designed to bind to RNA from four distinct human genes revealed that, in general, activity correlated with the activity to RNase H-dependent oligonucleotides designed to the same site, although some exceptions were noted. The one major difference between the two strategies is that RNase H-dependent oligonucleotides were determined to be active when directed against targets in the pre-mRNA, whereas siRNAs were not. These results demonstrate that siRNA oligonucleotide- and RNase H-dependent antisense strategies are both valid strategies for evaluating function of genes in cell-based assays.

Animals↗

Characterization and purification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNase MRP reveals a new unique protein component.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, RNase mitochondrial RNA processing (MRP) is an essential endoribonuclease that consists of one RNA component and at least nine protein components. Characterization of the complex is complicated by the fact that eight of the known protein components are shared with a related endoribonuclease, RNase P. To fully characterize the RNase MRP complex, we purified it to apparent homogeneity in a highly active state using tandem affinity purification. In addition to the nine known protein components, both Rpr2 and a protein encoded by the essential gene YLR145w were present in our preparations of RNase MRP. Precipitation of a tagged version of Ylr145w brought with it the RNase MRP RNA, but not the RNase P RNA. A temperature-sensitive ylr145w mutant was generated and found to exhibit a rRNA processing defect identical to that seen in other RNase MRP mutants, whereas no defect in tRNA processing was observed. Homologues of the Ylr145w protein were found in most yeasts, fungi, and Arabidopsis. Based on this evidence, we propose that YLR145w encodes a novel protein component of RNase MRP, but not RNase P. We recommend that this gene be designated RMP1, for RNase MRP protein 1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Alternative function of a protein kinase homology domain in 2', 5'-oligoadenylate dependent RNase L.

RNase L is the 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A)-dependent endoribonuclease that functions in interferon action and apoptosis. One of the intriguing, albeit unexplained, features of RNase L is its significant homology to protein kinases. Despite the homology, however, no protein kinase activity was detected during activation and RNA cleavage reactions with human RNase L. Similarly, the kinase plus ribonuclease domains of RNase L produced no detectable protein kinase activity in contrast to the phosphorylation obtained with homologous domains of the related kinase and endoribonuclease, yeast IRE1p. In addition, neither ATP nor pA(2'p5'A)3was hydrolyzed by RNase L. To further investigate the function of the kinase homology in RNase L, the conserved lysine at residue 392 in protein kinase-like domain II was replaced with an arginine residue. The resulting mutant, RNase LK392R, showed >100-fold decreases in 2-5A-dependent ribonuclease activity without reducing 2-5A- or RNA-binding activities. The greatly reduced activity of RNase LK392Rwas correlated to a defect in the ability of RNase L to dimerize. These results demonstrate a critical role for lysine 392 in the activation and dimerization of RNase L, thus suggesting that these two activities are intimately linked.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Initiation of tRNA maturation by RNase E is essential for cell viability in E. coli.

RNase E, an essential endoribonuclease in Escherichia coli, is involved in 9S rRNA processing, the degradation of many mRNAs, and the processing of the M1 RNA subunit of RNase P. However, the reason that RNase E is required for cell viability is still not fully understood. In fact, recent experiments have suggested that defects in 9S rRNA processing and mRNA decay are not responsible for the lack of cell growth in RNase E mutants. By using several new rne alleles, we have confirmed these observations and have also ruled out that M1 processing by RNase E is required for cell viability. Rather, our data suggest that the critical in vivo role of RNase E is the initiation of tRNA maturation. Specifically, RNase E catalytic activity starts the processing of both polycistronic operons, such as glyW cysT leuZ, argX hisR leuT proM, and lysT valT lysW valZ lysY lysZ lysQ, as well as monocistronic transcripts like pheU, pheV, asnT, asnU, asnV, and asnW. Cleavage by RNase E within a few nucleotides of the mature 3' CCA terminus is required before RNase P and the various 3' --> 5' exonucleases can complete tRNA maturation. All 59 tRNAs tested involved RNase E processing, although some were cleaved more efficiently than others.

Cell Division↗

Expression of Three RNase Activities during Natural and Dark-Induced Senescence of Wheat Leaves.

We have monitored the activities of RNases WL(A), WL(B), and WL(C) (A Blank, TA McKeon [1991] Plant Physiol 97: 1402-1408) during leaf senescence in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Chinese Spring). When seedlings were induced to senesce in darkness, protein loss from primary leaves began immediately. RNase WL(B) activity was unchanged for 2 days and then rose linearly, reaching a sixfold elevation in 7 days. RNase WL(C) activity declined for 2 days and then rose linearly, reaching a twofold elevation in 7 days. RNase WL(A) activity declined in the first 2 days and was unchanged thereafter. Although differentially expressed, these RNase activities may respond to a common regulatory mechanism(s) which, at 2 days of darkness, signals progression into a more advanced stage of senescence. The RNase activities were also differentially expressed during light-induced recovery, returning to normal levels in dissimilar patterns. In flag leaves of greenhouse-grown wheat, the three RNase activities increased during the early postanthesis period when protein content was stable and underwent further, accelerated accumulation during senescence. RNase WL(B) activity showed the largest overall senescence-associated elevation (sixfold), followed by RNase WL(C) (fourfold) and RNase WL(A) (threefold).

Journal Article↗

Extremely fast hydrogen exchange of ribonuclease-(1-118) as compared with native RNase A and its implication for the conformational energy state.

RNase-(1-118) containing native disulfide bonds is similar in fold to native RNase A but not of lowest Gibbs energy as compared with the isomers containing non-native disulfide bonds. The present n.m.r. studies have indicated a dramatic increase in the exchange rate of all of the 'protected' amide protons of RNase-(1-118) over RNase A. A calculation shows a large increase in the rate of 'opening' of the structure. The exchange rate of the protected amide protons of RNase-(1-120) is slower than RNase-(1-118) but much faster than RNase A. Binding with a synthetic complementing fragment (114-124) markedly reduces the exchange rate of 20 to 25 amide protons of RNase-(1-118). It has previously been shown that binding with a complementing fragment of RNase-(1-118) generates a lowest Gibbs energy state. Thus, using available thermodynamic information for interpretation, we suggest that a) removal of six carboxy terminal residues of RNase A would disrupt coupling between these residues and those distant in the structure (loss of extra stabilizing energy), b) this would, in turn, alter the enthalpy-entropy compensation in such a way that the magnitude of Gibbs energy change favoring folding is significantly reduced without a large change of fold and c) in this activated state the molecule would be highly motile.

Disulfides↗

Inhibition by RNA of RNase H activity associated with reverse transcriptase in Rauscher murine leukemia virus cores.

We reported earlier that core preparations of Rauscher murine leukemia virus, when separated on an isopycnic sucrose gradient, did not contain detectable levels of RNase H activity, while retaining high levels of reverse transcriptase activity. We reexamined this phenomenon, and the earlier observation was found to be reproducible. However, when doubly banded preparations of viral cores were solubilized and reverse transcriptase was isolated by ion-exchange chromatography, a coincident peak of a nuclease activity with the specificity of RNase H was observed, which indicated that RNase H was selectively inhibited in the core fractions. By direct activity measurements using the purified reverse transcriptase-RNase H from cores, this endogenous inhibitor has been identified as the viral RNA. Viral 70S RNA strongly inhibited RNase H activity purified either from whole virions or from prefractionated cores. Other RNAs tested that had inhibitory effects were yeast tRNA, polyadenylic acid, and polyguanylic acid. Polyuridylic acid and polyadenylic acid were moderately inhibitory, and polycytidylic acid did not inhibit the RNase H. A rabbit anti-reverse transcriptase immunoglobulin G inhibited both the reverse transcriptase and RNase H activities of the enzyme purified from cores. These data provide a rational explanation for the failure to detect RNase H activity in core preparations of Rauscher murine leukemia virus. Furthermore, these data are consistent with the idea that the RNase H and reverse transcriptase activities purified from cores reside on the same protein molecule. Possible biological implications of the observed inhibition of RNase H by RNA is discussed.

RNA↗

Antisense RNA based down-regulation of RNaseE in E. coli.

BACKGROUND: Messenger RNA decay is an important mechanism for controlling gene expression in all organisms. The rate of the mRNA degradation directly affects the steady state concentration of mRNAs and therefore influences the protein synthesis. RNaseE has a key importance for the general mRNA decay in E. coli. While RNaseE initiates the degradation of most mRNAs in E. coli, it is likely that the enzyme is also responsible for the degradation of recombinant RNAs. As RNaseE is essential for cell viability and knockout mutants cannot be cultured, we investigated the possibility for a down-regulation of the intracellular level of RNaseE by antisense RNAs. During this study, an antisense RNA based approach could be established which revealed a strong reduction of the intracellular level of RNaseE in E. coli. RESULTS: Despite the autoregulation of rne mRNA by its gene product, significant antisense downregulation of RNaseE is possible. The expression of antisense RNAs did not effect the cell growth negatively. The amount of antisense RNA was monitored quantitatively by a fluorescence based sandwich hybridisation assay. Induction by anhydrotetracycline was followed by a 25-fold increase of the detectable antisense RNA molecules per cell. The antisense RNA level was maintained above 400 molecules per cell until the stationary phase, which caused the level of expressed antisense RNAs to decrease markedly. Western blot experiments revealed the strongest reduction in the RNaseE protein level 90 min after antisense RNA induction. The cellular level of RNaseE could be decreased to 35% of the wild type level. When the growth entered the stationary phase, the RNaseE level was maintained still at 50 to 60% of the wild type level. CONCLUSION: In difference to eukaryotic cells, where the RNAi technology is widely used, this technology is rather unexplored in bacteria, although different natural systems use antisense RNA-based silencing, and a few studies have earlier indicated the potential of this technology also in prokaryotes. Our results show that even complicated self-regulatory systems such as RNaseE may be controlled by antisense RNA technology, indicating that systems based on antisense RNA expression may have a potential for controlling detrimental factors with plasmid-based constructs in arbitrary strains while maintaining their beneficial characteristics. The study also proved that the RNA sandwich hybridisation technique is directly applicable to quantify small RNA molecules in crude cell extracts, which may have a broader application potential as a monitoring tool in RNA inhibition applications.

Journal Article↗

Nuclear domains of the RNA subunit of RNase P.

The ribonucleoprotein enzyme RNase P catalyzes the 5' processing of pre-transfer RNA, and has also recently been implicated in pre-ribosomal RNA processing. In the present investigation, in situ hybridization revealed that RNase P RNA is present throughout the nucleus of mammalian cells. However, rhodamine-labeled human RNase P RNA microinjected into the nucleus of rat kidney (NRK) epithelial cells or human (HeLa) cells initially localized in nucleoli, and subsequently became more evenly distributed throughout the nucleus, similar to the steadystate distribution of endogenous RNase P RNA. Parallel microinjection and immunocytochemical experiments revealed that initially nucleus-microinjected RNase P RNA localized specifically in the dense fibrillar component of the nucleolus, the site of pre-rRNA processing. A mutant RNase P RNA lacking the To antigen binding domain (nucleotides 25-75) did not localize in nucleoli after nuclear microinjection. In contrast, a truncated RNase P RNA containing the To binding domain but lacking nucleotides 89-341 became rapidly localized in nucleoli following nuclear microinjection. However, unlike the full-length RNase P RNA, this 3' truncated RNA remained stably associated with the nucleoli and did not translocate to the nucleoplasm. These results suggest a nucleolar phase in the maturation, ribonucleoprotein assembly or function of RNase P RNA, mediated at least in part by the nucleolar To antigen. These and other recent findings raise the intriguing possibility of a bifunctional role of RNase P in the nucleus: catalyzing pre-ribosomal RNA processing in the nucleolus and pre-transfer RNA processing in the nucleoplasm.

Animals↗

Interaction of the Bacillus subtilis RNase P with the 30S ribosomal subunit.

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a ribozyme required for the 5' maturation of all tRNA. RNase P and the ribosome are the only known ribozymes conserved in all organisms. We set out to determine whether this ribonucleoprotein enzyme interacts with other cellular components, which may imply other functions for this conserved ribozyme. Incubation of the Bacillus subtilis RNase P holoenzyme with fractionated B. subtilis cellular extracts and purified ribosomal subunits results in the formation of a gel-shifted complex with the 30S ribosomal subunit at a binding affinity of approximately 40 nM in 0.1 M NH(4)Cl and 10 mM MgCl(2). The complex does not form with the RNase P RNA alone and is disrupted by a mRNA mimic polyuridine, but is stable in the presence of high concentrations of mature tRNA. Endogenous RNase P can also be detected in the 30S ribosomal fraction. Cleavage of a pre-tRNA substrate by the RNase P holoenzyme remains the same in the presence of the 30S ribosome, but the cleavage of an artificial non-tRNA substrate is inhibited eightfold. Hydroxyl radical protection and chemical modification identify several protected residues located in a highly conserved region in the RNase P RNA. A single mutation within this region significantly reduces binding, providing strong support on the specificity of the RNase P-30S ribosome complex. Our results also suggest that the dimeric form of the RNase P is primarily involved in 30S ribosome binding. We discuss several models on a potential function of the RNase P-30S ribosome complex.

Bacillus subtilis↗

S-RNases from self-incompatible and -compatible apple cultivars: purification, cloning, enzymic properties, and pollen tube growth inhibitory activity.

Four S-RNases (RNase associated with self-incompatibility) were purified from the styles of two apple cultivars (Malus domestica), a self-incompatible cv., Starking Delicious (SD), and a self-compatible cv., Megumi (MG). Each cultivar produced two S-RNases and their enzymatic properties such as specific activity, pH optimum, thermal stability, and molecular mass, were characterized. The four S-RNases inhibited the tube growth of apple pollen in an in vitro bioassay at 25 microg/ml (1.0 microM), but did not distinguish self from non-self pollen. The cDNAs of four S-RNases were cloned, and the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were analyzed. The nucleotide sequence of SD-Se RNase was a new one and the other was identical to that of Sc-RNase of cv. Fuji. In MG one was identical to the sequence of SD-Sc RNase and the other to that of Sa-RNase of cv. Golden Delicious except for one base. From results of the isolation amounts and the Western blot analysis for stylar crude extracts the amount of S-RNases in MG was apparently less than that in SD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

RNase ES of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) can complement the rne and rng mutations in Escherichia coli.

The Streptomyces coelicolor gene SCC88.10c encodes a protein (RNase ES) which is homologous to endoribonucleases in the RNase E/G family. We expressed S. coelicolor RNase ES as a 6 x His-tagged protein in an Escherichia coli mutant carrying a rng (which encodes RNase G) or a rne (which encodes RNase E) mutation to study whether S. coelicolor RNase ES is able to complement these mutations in host E. coli cells. The results clearly indicated that the S. coelicolor RNase ES can partially abrogate either the rng::cat or rne-1 mutation, as measured by the ability to suppress the several aberrant phenotypes resulting from the rng or rne mutation. Thus, S. coelicolor RNase ES appears to have the dual ability to supplant the functions of both RNase G and RNase E in E. coli.

Endoribonucleases↗

Effects of RNase L mutations associated with prostate cancer on apoptosis induced by 2',5'-oligoadenylates.

The RNASEL gene, a strong candidate for the hereditary prostate cancer 1 allele (HPC1), encodes a single-stranded specific endoribonuclease involved in the antiviral actions of IFNs. RNase L is activated enzymatically after binding to unusual 5'-phosphorylated, 2',5'-linked oligoadenylates (2-5A). Biostable phosphorothioate analogues of 2-5A were synthesized chemically and used to study the effects of naturally occurring mutations and polymorphisms in RNASEL. The 2-5A analogues induced RNase L activity and caused apoptosis in cultures of late-stage, metastatic human prostate cancer cell lines DU145, PC3, and LNCaP. However, DU145 and PC3 cells were more sensitive to 2-5A than LNCaP cells, which are heterozygous for an inactivating deletion mutation in RNase L. The RNase activities of missense variants of human RNase L were compared after expression in a mouse RNase L(-/-) cell line. Several variants (G59S, I97L, I220V, G296V, S322F, Y529C, and D541E) produced similar levels of RNase L activity as wild-type enzyme. In contrast, the R462Q variant, previously implicated in up to 13% of unselected prostate cancer cases, bound 2-5A at wild-type levels but had a 3-fold decrease in RNase activity. The deficiency in RNase L(R462Q) activity was correlated with a reduction in its ability to dimerize into a catalytically active form. Furthermore, RNase L(R462Q) was deficient in causing apoptosis in response to 2-5A consistent with its possible role in prostate cancer development. Our findings support the notion that RNASEL mutations and some variants allow tumor cells to escape a potent apoptotic pathway.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Antisense inhibition of Escherichia coli RNase P RNA: mechanistic aspects.

The ribonucleoprotein enzyme RNase P catalyzes endonucleolytic 5'-maturation of tRNA primary transcripts in all domains of life. The indispensability of RNase P for bacterial cell growth and the large differences in structure and function between bacterial and eukaryotic RNase P enzymes comply with the basic requirements for a bacterial enzyme to be suitable as a potential novel drug target. We have identified RNA oligonucleotides that start to show an inhibitory effect on bacterial RNase P RNAs of the structural type A (for example, the Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae enzymes) at subnanomolar concentrations in our in vitro precursor tRNA (ptRNA) processing assay. These oligonucleotides are directed against the so-called P15 loop region of RNase P RNA known to interact with the 3'-CCA portion of ptRNA substrates. Lead probing experiments demonstrate that a complementary RNA or DNA 14-mer fully invades the P15 loop region and thereby disrupts local structure in the catalytic core of RNase P RNA. Binding of the RNA 14-mer is essentially irreversible because of a very low dissociation rate. The association rate of this oligonucleotide is on the order of 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) and is thus comparable to those of many other artificial antisense oligonucleotides. The remarkable inhibition efficacy is attributable to the dual effect of direct interference with substrate binding to the RNase P RNA active site and induction of misfolding of the catalytic core of RNase P RNA. Based on our findings, the P15 loop region of bacterial RNase P RNAs of the structural type A can be considered the "Achilles' heel" of the ribozyme and therefore represents a promising target for combatting multiresistant bacterial pathogens.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Characterization of human mitochondrial RNase P: novel aspects in tRNA processing.

Human mitochondrial RNase P does not distinguish itself from other RNase P enzymes by most of its basic properties. 5' phosphates on tRNA products, strict dependence on a divalent cation, independence of ATP or other cofactors, and sensitivity to puromycin are generally characteristic for RNase P. Slow sedimentation of human mitochondrial RNase P in glycerol gradients suggests a molecular weight considerably lower than that of bacterial or nuclear RNase P. In contrast to fungi, all putative components of mammalian mitochondrial RNase P are encoded by the nucleus. Intriguingly, no indication of the involvement of a trans-acting RNA was found in mammalian mitochondrial tRNA processing. Mitochondrial RNase P is resistant to rigorous treatments with nucleases and exhibits a protein-like density in Cs2SO4 gradients. Moreover, an analysis of copurifying RNAs revealed no putative RNase P RNA candidates. These data suggest that mammalian mitochondrial RNase P, unlike its nuclear counterpart or its bacterial relatives, is not a ribonucleoprotein but a protein enzyme.

Biophysical Phenomena↗