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At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Conserved role of a complement-like protein in phagocytosis revealed by dsRNA knockout in cultured cells of the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae.

We characterize a novel hemocyte-specific acute phase glycoprotein from the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae. It shows substantial structural and functional similarities, including the highly conserved thioester motif, to both a central component of mammalian complement system, factor C3, and to a pan-protease inhibitor, alpha2-macroglobulin. Most importantly, this protein serves as a complement-like opsonin and promotes phagocytosis of some Gram-negative bacteria in a mosquito hemocyte-like cell line. Chemical inactivation by methylamine and depletion by double-stranded RNA knockout demonstrate that this function is dependent on the internal thioester bond. This evidence of a complement-like function in a protostome animal adds substantially to the accumulating evidence of a common ancestry of immune defenses in insects and vertebrates.

Animals↗

RT-PCR for detecting five distinct Tospovirus species using degenerate primers and dsRNA template.

RT-PCR procedures for detection of multiple species of tospovirus from plant tissues were investigated. Downstream primers were designated from the 3' untranslated sequences of the S RNA. An upstream primer was designated from the degenerated sequences of the nucleocapsid protein. Approximately 450 bp DNA fragments were detected when Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)- or Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV)- infected tissues were examined. Approximately 350 bp DNA fragments were detected when Watermelon silver mottle virus (WSMoV)- or Melon yellow spot virus (MYSV)-infected tissues were examined. Template RNA was extracted using CF 11 cellulose powder, and nonspecific amplification became unnoticeable when double-stranded RNA was used. The amplified fragments of WSMoV were differentiated from those of MYSV by AluI or TaqI digestion. The amplified fragments of TSWV were differentiated from those of INSV by DraI or HindIII digestion. An alstroemeria plant that was infected with an unidentified tospovirus was also examined, and a 350 bp fragment that was 97% identical to Iris yellow spot virus was detected. This method, therefore, detected at least five distinct Tospovirus species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Generation of full-length cDNA of the two genomic dsRNA segments of infectious bursal disease virus.

To determine the complete nucleotide sequence of Infectious Bursal Disease virus (IBDV) isolates, an efficient method was developed to generate full-length cDNA of both the genomic A- and B-segments. Reverse transcription was carried out at the highest possible temperature (50 degrees C) for the reverse transcriptase enzyme, and the single stranded cDNA was subsequently amplified by using an optimized PCR. The double stranded, full-length cDNA was efficiently cloned into a high copy number plasmid. Our results show that the entire cDNA of both the A- and B-segment of a classical attenuated isolate (CEF94), and a very virulent field isolate (D6948), can be cloned. The method will simplify greatly the procedure to generate full-length cDNA and determine the nucleotide sequence of the entire genome of IBDV isolates.

Animals↗

The influence of dsRNA viruses on the biology of plant pathogenic fungi.

Double-stranded RNA viruses are ubiquitous in fungi. They are non-infective and, like most prokaryotic plasmids, are only transmitted to compatible strains via cell fusion. Most are cryptic, but some with an established phenotype, such as the hypoviruses of the chestnut-blight fungus, have been studied for their potential as biological control agents of fungi.

Fungi↗

Essential role for the dsRNA-dependent protein kinase PKR in innate immunity to viral infection.

The double-stranded (ds) RNA-dependent protein kinase PKR is considered to play an important role in interferon's (IFN's) response to viral infection. Here, we demonstrate that mice lacking PKR are predisposed to lethal intranasal infection by the usually innocuous vesicular stomatitis virus, and also display increased susceptibility to influenza virus infection. Our data indicate that in normal cells, PKR primarily prevents virus replication by inhibiting the translation of viral mRNAs through phosphorylation of eIF2alpha, while concomitantly assisting in the production of autocrine IFN and the establishment of an antiviral state. These results show that PKR is an essential component of innate immunity that acts early in host defense prior to the onset of IFN counteraction and the acquired immune response.

Animals↗

Immune responsiveness, tolerance and dsRNA: implications for traditional paradigms.

Double-stranded (ds)RNA motifs are central to immune regulation and block tolerance to tumor-associated, self- and foreign antigens. In addition, they could explain why DNA vectors encoding self-replicating mRNA (replicons) are more immunogenic than conventional DNA vaccines. Accumulating evidence on the immunomodulatory roles of dsRNAs warrants a reconsideration of various models of immune homeostasis.

Animals↗

Spectroscopic characterization of a DNA-binding domain, Z alpha, from the editing enzyme, dsRNA adenosine deaminase: evidence for left-handed Z-DNA in the Z alpha-DNA complex.

Double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase (ADAR1) is an ubiquitous enzyme in metazoa that edits pre-mRNA changing adenosine to inosine in regions of double-stranded RNA. Zalpha, an N-terminal domain of human ADAR1 encompassing 76 amino acid residues, shows apparent specificity for the left-handed Z-DNA conformation adopted by alternating (dGdC) polymers modified by bromination or methylation, as well as for (dGdC)13 inserts present in supercoiled plasmids. Here, a combination of circular dichroism, fluorescence, and gel-retardation studies is utilized to characterize recombinant Zalpha peptide and to examine its interaction with DNA. Results from laser-Raman spectroscopy experiments provide direct evidence for the existence of Z-DNA in peptide-DNA complexes.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

1JNH values show that N1...N3 hydrogen bonds are stronger in dsRNA A:U than dsDNA A:T base pairs.

Here, we show that 1JNH values are on average 0.4 Hz less negative for double-stranded RNA A:U than for DNA A:T base pairs, which, according to existing theory, suggests that RNA N1...N3 hydrogen bond distances are about 0.02 A shorter than those of DNA. Also, there is a statistically relevant trend between 1JNH and 2hDelta13C2 values, which supports the original hypothesis that 2hDelta13C2 values are also sensitive to hydrogen bond distances. Finally, a context dependence is observed for these values, which suggests that hydrogen-bonding and base-stacking interactions are coupled.

Adenine↗

RNA editing of hepatitis delta virus antigenome by dsRNA-adenosine deaminase.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a subviral human pathogen that requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) for packaging. Concurrent infection by HBV and HDV increases the risk of severe liver disease compared to infection with HBV alone. The HDV genome is a closed circular RNA of about 1,700 bases which is replicated through an RNA intermediate, the antigenome. Both RNAs can be folded into highly base-paired, rod-shaped structures, similar to the plant viroid RNAs. Two forms of the sole HDV protein, hepatitis delta antigen, are derived from a single open reading frame by RNA editing; the enzymes responsible for the editing have not been characterized. Here we report that the purified enzyme dsRAD (for double-stranded-RNA-adenosine deaminase) can edit HDV antigenomic RNA in vitro. Most important, we observe that mutations in critical sequences of the antigenome have identical effects on in vitro and in vivo editing, suggesting that dsRAD, or a closely related enzyme, is responsible for editing HDV RNA in vivo.

Adenosine↗

Synthetic dsRNA Dicer substrates enhance RNAi potency and efficacy.

RNA interference (RNAi) is the process of sequence-specific post-transcriptional gene silencing triggered by double-stranded RNAs. In attempts to identify RNAi triggers that effectively function at lower concentrations, we found that synthetic RNA duplexes 25-30 nucleotides in length can be up to 100-fold more potent than corresponding conventional 21-mer small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Some sites that are refractory to silencing by 21-mer siRNAs can be effectively targeted by 27-mer duplexes, with silencing lasting up to 10 d. Notably, the 27-mers do not induce interferon or activate protein kinase R (PKR). The enhanced potency of the longer duplexes is attributed to the fact that they are substrates of the Dicer endonuclease, directly linking the production of siRNAs to incorporation in the RNA-induced silencing complex. These results provide an alternative strategy for eliciting RNAi-mediated target cleavage using low concentrations of synthetic RNA as substrates for cellular Dicer-mediated cleavage.

Gene Expression Regulation↗

SOCS1-negative feedback of STAT1 activation is a key pathway in the dsRNA-induced innate immune response of human keratinocytes.

Toll-like receptor (TLR)3 is a receptor for virus-associated double-stranded RNA, and triggers antiviral immune responses during viral infection. Epidermal keratinocytes express TLR3 and provide an innate immune defense against viral infection. Since the intracellular regulatory mechanism is unknown, we hypothesized that the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)-suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) system regulates the innate immune response of keratinocytes. Treatment with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) resulted in the rapid translocation of IFN regulatory factor (IRF)-3 into the nucleus, followed by phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3. The activation of STATs by poly(I:C) probably occurs in an indirect fashion, through poly(I:C)-induced IFN. We infected cells with the dominant-negative forms of STAT1 (STAT1F), STAT3 (STAT3F), and SOCS1 using adenovirus vectors. Infection with STAT1F suppressed the induction of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha by poly(I:C), whereas STAT3F had a minimal effect, which indicates that STAT1 mediates MIP-1alpha induction. SOCS1, which is a negative feedback regulator of STAT1 signaling, was induced by treatment with poly(I:C). SOCS1 infection inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1 and significantly reduced poly(I:C)-induced MIP-1alpha production. Furthermore, STAT1-SOCS1 regulated poly(I:C)-induced TLR3 and IRF-7 expression. However, SOCS1 did not affect NF-kappaB signaling. Thus, the STAT1-SOCS1 pathway regulates the innate immune response via TLR3 signaling in epidermal keratinocytes.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

The catalytic activity of dsRNA-dependent protein kinase, PKR, is required for NF-kappaB activation.

The double stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), in addition to its role as a translational controlling factor, is a key transcriptional regulator exerting antiviral and antitumoral activities. We have previously shown that induction of NF-kappaB by PKR is involved in apoptosis commitment and this process is mediated through activation of the IKK complex. To gain insights into the mechanism of activation of NF-kappaB by PKR, we have analysed the domains of PKR involved in IKK activation and subsequent NF-kappaB induction. In PKR(0/0) cells infected with a collection of vaccinia virus (VV) recombinants expressing different mutant forms of PKR, we found that only PKR forms conserving the catalytic activity are able to activate NF-kappaB. An inactive PKR mutant (K296R), was unable to induce NF-kappaB activation despite full expression of the protein in a wide range of concentrations, as defined by Western blot, EMSA, IKK kinase activity and NF-kappaB transactivation assays. Moreover, the mutant PKR (K296R) acts as a dominant negative of PKR-induced eIF-2alpha phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation. However, PKR mutants unable to activate NF-kappaB still retain their ability to associate with the IKK complex, as confirmed by immunoprecipitation analysis. We conclude that the catalytic activity of PKR and not only a protein-protein interaction with the IKK complex, is needed for activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB.

Animals↗