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Structural characterization of U*-1915 in domain IV from Escherichia coli 23S ribosomal RNA as 3-methylpseudouridine.

Mass spectrometry-based methods have been used to study post-transcriptional modification in the 1900-1974 nt segment of domain IV in 23S rRNA of Escherichia coli, a region which interacts with domain V in forming the three- dimensional structure of the peptidyl transferase center within the ribosome. A nucleoside constituent of M r 258 (U*)which occurs at position 1915, within the highly modified oligonucleotide sequence 1911-psiAACU*Apsi-1917, was characterized as 3-methylpseudouridine (m3psi). The assignment was confirmed by chemical synthesis of m3psi and comparison with the natural nucleoside by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. 3-Methylpseudouridine is previously unknown in nature and is the only known derivative of the common modified nucleoside pseudouridine thus far found in bacterial rRNA.

Base Sequence↗

Ultrastructural study on nuclear bodies of the rat parotid glands.

Nuclear bodies of types I, II, III and IV are constantly present in rat parotid glands. They become apparent on the 21st day and afterwards. Type IV nuclear bodies were chiefly found in the striated ducts. Nuclei containing 3 and more nuclear bodies were found as early as the 3rd month, although only in the striated ducts. Nuclear bodies are not related to glycogen or DNA replication but probably to rRNA metabolism. This study leads to a better understanding of nuclear bodies modifications which can be observed ultrastructurally in human salivary glands pathology. Their increased number in some nuclei may be the expression of an alteration of the cell metabolism.

Animals↗

The structure and evolution of archaebacterial ribosomal RNAs.

A cladistic analysis of 553 5S rRNA sequences has revealed a Ur-5S rRNA, the ancestor of all present-day 5S rRNA molecules. Previously stated characteristic differences between the eubacterial and eukaryotic molecules, namely, the length base-pairing schemes of helices D, can be used as a marker for the various archaebacterial branches. One model comprises Thermococcus, Thermoplasma, methanobacteria, and halobacteria; a second comprises the Sulfolobales; and a third is represented only by the single organism Octopus Spring species 1. A relaxed selection pressure on helix E with subsequent deletions is observed in Methanobacteriales, Methanococcales, and eubacteria. The secondary structures are supported by enzymatic digestion and chemical modification studies of the 5S rRNAs. Reconstitution of eubacterial 50S ribosomal subunits with 5S rRNA from Halobacterium and Thermoplasma has revealed 100% incorporation, while eukaryotic 5S rRNAs yielded a 50% incorporation. Relevant positions of the small-subunit rRNA are selected to answer the question of the monophyly of archaebacteria. Eight positions account for monophyly, eight for an ancestry of eubacteria with halophile methanogens and eukaryotes with eocytes (paraphyly of archaebacteria), and two for an ancestry of eubacteria with eocytes. A refinement of the neighborliness method of S. Sattath and A. Tversky resulted in a monophyly of archaebacteria when all positions are treated equally and in a paraphyly when tranversions are weighted twice over transitions.

Archaea↗

Conformational changes induced in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae GTPase-associated rRNA by ribosomal stalk components and a translocation inhibitor.

The yeast ribosomal GTPase associated center is made of parts of the 26S rRNA domains II and VI, and a number of proteins including P0, P1alpha, P1beta, P2alpha, P2beta and L12. Mapping of the rRNA neighborhood of the proteins was performed by footprinting in ribosomes from yeast strains lacking different GTPase components. The absence of protein P0 dramatically increases the sensitivity of the defective ribosome to degradation hampering the RNA footprinting. In ribosomes lacking the P1/P2 complex, protection of a number of nucleotides is detected around positions 840, 880, 1100, 1220-1280 and 1350 in domain II as well as in several positions in the domain VI alpha-sarcin region. The protection pattern resembles the one reported for the interaction of elongation factors in bacterial systems. The results exclude a direct interaction of these proteins with the rRNA and are compatible with an increase in the ribosome affinity for EF-2 in the absence of the acidic P proteins. Interestingly, a sordarin derivative inhibitor of EF-2 causes an opposite effect, increasing the reactivity in positions protected by the absence of P1/P2. Similarly, a deficiency in protein L12 exposes nucleotides G1235, G1242, A1262, A1269, A1270 and A1272 to chemical modification, thus situating the protein binding site in the most conserved part of the 26S rRNA, equivalent to the bacterial protein L11 binding site.

Antifungal Agents↗

Automatic display of RNA secondary structures.

A set of programs written in C language with the GL library and under UNIX has been developed for generating compact, pleasant and non-overlapping displays of secondary structures of ribonucleic acids. The first program, rnasearch, implements a new search procedure that dynamically rearranges overlapping portions of the two-dimensional drawing while preserving clear and readable displays of the two-dimensional structure. The algorithm is fast (the execution time for the command rnasearch is 38.6 s for the 16S rRNA of Escherichia coli with 1542 bases), accepts outputs from two-dimensional prediction programs and therefore allows for rapid comparison between the various two-dimensional folds generated. A second program, rnadisplay, allows the graphical display of the computed two-dimensional structures on a graphics workstation. Otherwise, it is possible to obtain a paper output of the two-dimensional structure by using the program print2D which builds a Postscript file. Moreover the two-dimensional drawing can be labelled for representing data coming from chemical modifications and/or enzymatic cleavages. Application to a few secondary structures such as RNaseP, 5S rRNA and 16S rRNA are given.

Algorithms↗

The tylosin resistance gene tlrB of Streptomyces fradiae encodes a methyltransferase that targets G748 in 23S rRNA.

tlrB is one of four resistance genes encoded in the operon for biosynthesis of the macrolide tylosin in antibiotic-producing strains of Streptomyces fradiae. Introduction of tlrB into Streptomyces lividans similarly confers tylosin resistance. Biochemical analysis of the rRNA from the two Streptomyces species indicates that in vivo TlrB modifies nucleotide G748 within helix 35 of 23S rRNA. Purified recombinant TlrB retains its activity and specificity in vitro and modifies G748 in 23S rRNA as well as in a 74 nucleotide RNA containing helix 35 and surrounding structures. Modification is dependent on the presence of the methyl group donor, S-adenosyl methionine. Analysis of the 74-mer RNA substrate by biochemical and mass spectrometric methods shows that TlrB adds a single methyl group to the base of G748. Homologues of TlrB in other bacteria have been revealed through database searches, indicating that TlrB is the first member to be described in a new subclass of rRNA methyltransferases that are implicated in macrolide drug resistance.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Methyltransferase that modifies guanine 966 of the 16 S rRNA: functional identification and tertiary structure.

N(2)-Methylguanine 966 is located in the loop of Escherichia coli 16 S rRNA helix 31, forming a part of the P-site tRNA-binding pocket. We found yhhF to be a gene encoding for m(2)G966 specific 16 S rRNA methyltransferase. Disruption of the yhhF gene by kanamycin resistance marker leads to a loss of modification at G966. The modification could be rescued by expression of recombinant protein from the plasmid carrying the yhhF gene. Moreover, purified m(2)G966 methyltransferase, in the presence of S-adenosylomethionine (AdoMet), is able to methylate 30 S ribosomal subunits that were purified from yhhF knock-out strain in vitro. The methylation is specific for G966 base of the 16 S rRNA. The m(2)G966 methyltransferase was crystallized, and its structure has been determined and refined to 2.05A(.) The structure closely resembles RsmC rRNA methyltransferase, specific for m(2)G1207 of the 16 S rRNA. Structural comparisons and analysis of the enzyme active site suggest modes for binding AdoMet and rRNA to m(2)G966 methyltransferase. Based on the experimental data and current nomenclature the protein expressed from the yhhF gene was renamed to RsmD. A model for interaction of RsmD with ribosome has been proposed.

Escherichia coli↗

2000 Year-old ancient equids: an ancient-DNA lesson from pompeii remains.

Ancient DNA extracted from 2000 year-old equine bones was examined in order to amplify mitochondrial and nuclear DNA fragments. A specific equine satellite-type sequence representing 3.7%-11% of the entire equine genome, proved to be a suitable target to address the question of the presence of aDNA in ancient bones. The PCR strategy designed to investigate this specific target also allowed us to calculate the molecular weight of amplifiable DNA fragments. Sequencing of a 370 bp DNA fragment of mitochondrial control region allowed the comparison of ancient DNA sequences with those of modern horses to assess their genetic relationship. The 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene was also examined to unravel the post-mortem base modification feature and to test the status of Pompeian equids taxon on the basis of a Mae III restriction site polymorphism.

Animals↗

A small nucleolar RNP protein is required for pseudouridylation of eukaryotic ribosomal RNAs.

Eukaryotic rRNAs possess numerous post-transcriptionally modified nucleotides. The most abundant modifications, 2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation, occur in the nucleolus during rRNA processing. The nucleolus contains a large number of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) most of which can be classified into two distinct families defined by conserved sequence boxes and common associated proteins. The C and D box-containing snoRNAs are associated with fibrillarin, and most of them function as guide RNAs in site-specific ribose methylation of rRNAs. The nucleolar function of the other class of snoRNAs, which share box H and ACA elements and are associated with a glycine- and arginine-rich nucleolar protein, Gar1p, remains elusive. Here we demonstrate that the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gar1 snoRNP protein plays an essential and specific role in the overall pseudouridylation of yeast rRNAs. These results establish a novel function for Gar1 protein and indicate that the box H/ACA snoRNAs, or at least a subset of these snoRNAs, function in the site-specific pseudouridylation of rRNAs.

Alleles↗

RNA metabolism during the sexual differentiation of rat hypothalamus.

Modifications in the basal molecular biology parameters (total concentrations of RNA, DNA, proteins, rRNA, tRNa, free and polysomal bound poly-A+ mRNA) have been determined daily in the growing hypothalamus of male and female rats from day 1 to day 8 after birth. Changes observed in the parameters studied in this work occurred mainly in the first 48 h after birth. In males tRNA and free mRNA (f-mRNA) contents decreased from day 1 to day 2 and then their concentrations remained more or less constant. Total mRNA significantly decreased from day 1 to day 3 and showed a further significant decrease from day 6 to day 8. Polysomal bound-mRNA (b-mRNA) decreased from day 1 to day 3, then increased to day 6, and finally decreased once more from day 6 to day 8. The b-mRNA/f-mRNA, mRNA/rRNA and mRNA/total RNA ratios showed a bimodal behavior with a first peak on day 2, and a second, smaller peak, on days 6-7. The changes observed in the females on the first 2-3 days of life were the inverse of those observed in the males, most of the parameters studied showed a sharp increase from day 1 to day 2 or to day 3 and then a drastic decrease. The only exception to this behavior was the b-mRNA/f-mRNA ratio which showed a small decrease from day 1 to day 2, followed by a continuous increase from day 2 to day 8. b-mRNA concentrations, after the sharp decrease from day 2 to day 3 of life, increased from day 3 to day 7.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Changes in the protein-synthesizing system of a HeLa cell culture exposed to a number of trace elements].

The authors investigated the cytopathic action of maximal allowable concentrations (MAC) of zinc, nickel, cobalt, cadmium and fluorine on cell culture. The most significant changes in RNA synthesis were noticed after exposure to zinc MAC. After exposure to the MAC of zinc, nickel and fluorine considerable modifications of protein synthesis were recorded. It was established that the content of rRNA increased after incubation with all trace elements under study for 24 hours. The amount of protein experienced significant changes after nickel introduction into the incubation medium. It is concluded that exposure to some of trace elements entails considerable changes in cell metabolism.

Autoradiography↗

Unique structural and stabilizing roles for the individual pseudouridine residues in the 1920 region of Escherichia coli 23S rRNA.

The synthesis of a 5'-O-BzH-2'- O -ACE-protected pseudouridine phosphoramidite is reported [BzH, benzhydryloxy-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)silyl; ACE, bis(2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl]. The availability of the phosphoramidite allows for reliable and efficient syntheses of hairpin RNAs containing single or multiple pseudouridine modifications in the stem or loop regions. Five 19-nt hairpin RNAs representing the 1920-loop region (G(1906)-C(1924)) of Escherichia coli 23S rRNA were synthesized with pseudouridine residues located at positions 1911, 1915 and 1917. Thermodynamic parameters, circular dichroism spectra and NMR data are presented for all five RNAs. Overall, three different structural contexts for the pseudouridine residues were examined and compared with the unmodified RNA. Our main findings are that pseudouridine modifications exhibit a range of effects on RNA stability and structure, depending on their locations. More specifically, pseudouridines in the single-stranded loop regions of the model RNAs are slightly destabilizing, whereas a pseudo-uridine at the stem-loop junction is stabilizing. Furthermore, the observed effects on stability are approximately additive when multiple pseudouridine residues are present. The possible relationship of these results to RNA function is discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Investigation of ribosome binding by the Shiga toxin A1 subunit, using competition and site-directed mutagenesis.

The enzymatic subunit of Shiga toxin (StxA1) is a member of the ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) family, which includes the ricin A chain as well as other examples of plant toxins. StxA1 catalytically depurinates a well-conserved GAGA tetra-loop of 28S rRNA which lies in the acceptor site of eukaryotic ribosomes. The specific activities of native StxA1, as well as mutated forms of the enzyme with substitutions in catalytic site residues, were measured by an in vitro translation assay. Electroporation was developed as an alternative method for the delivery of purified A1 polypeptides into Vero cells. Site-directed mutagenesis coupled with N-bromosuccinimide modification indicated that the sole tryptophan residue of StxA1 is required for binding it to the 28S rRNA backbone. Northern analysis established that the catalytic site substitutions reduced enzymatic activity by specifically interfering with the capacity of StxA1 to depurinate 28S rRNA. Ribosomes were protected from StxA1 by molar excesses of tRNA and free adenine, indicating that RIPs have the capacity to enter the acceptor site groove prior to binding and depurinating the GAGA tetra-loop.

Adenine↗

Chemical probing of adenine residues within the secondary structure of rabbit 18S ribosomal RNA.

The location of unpaired adenine residues within the secondary structure of rabbit 18S ribosomal RNA was determined by chemical probing. Naked 18S rRNA was first prepared by digestion of purified 40S subunits with matrix-bound proteinase K in sodium dodecyl sulfate, thereby omitting the use of nucleic acid denaturants. Adenines within naked 18S rRNA were chemically probed by using either diethyl pyrocarbonate or dimethyl sulfate, which specifically react with unpaired nucleotides [Peattie, D. A., & Gilbert, W. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 77, 4679-4682]. Adenine modification sites were identified by polyacrylamide sequencing gel electrophoresis either upon aniline-induced strand scission of 32P-end-labeled intact and fragmented rRNA or by primer extension using sequence-specific DNA oligomers with reverse transcriptase. The data indicate good agreement between the general pattern of adenine reactivity and the location of unpaired regions in 18S rRNA determined by comparative sequence analysis [Chan, Y.-L., Gutell, R., Noller, H. F., & Wool, I. G. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 224-230]. The overall reactivity of adenine residues toward single-strand-specific chemical probes was, also, similar for both rabbit and Escherichia coli small rRNA. The number of strongly reactive adenines appearing within phylogenetically determined helical segments, however, was greater in rabbit 18S rRNA than for E. coli 16S rRNA. Some of these adenines were found clustered in specific helices. Such differences suggest a greater irregularity of many of the helical elements within mammalian 18S rRNA, as compared with prokaryotic 16S rRNA. These helical irregularities could be important for protein association and also may represent biologically relevant flexible regions of the molecule.

Adenine↗

Synthesis, modifications, and turnover of proteins during aging.

Slowing down of bulk protein synthesis is one of the most commonly observed biochemical changes during aging. The implications and consequences of slower rates of protein synthesis are manifold, including a decrease in the availability of enzymes for the maintenance, repair, and normal metabolic functioning of the cell, an inefficient removal of inactive, abnormal, and damaged macromolecules in the cell, the inefficiency of the intracellular and intercellular signalling pathways, and a decrease in the production and secretion of hormones, antibodies, neurotransmitters, and the components of the extracellular matrix. Age-related changes in the activity, specificity, and stability of a large number of proteins have been reported. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for such alterations are still poorly understood. Studies on various components of the protein synthetic machinery have revealed a decline in the efficiency and accuracy of ribosomes, an increase in the levels of rRNA and tRNA, and a decrease in the amounts and activities of elongation factors. Because posttranslational modifications of proteins determine their activity and stability, alterations in the extent and level of various modifications such as phosphorylation, methylation, ADP-ribosylation, oxidation, glycation, and conformational changes during aging are being studied. Changes in the regulation of protein synthesis, posttranslational modifications, and protein turnover are crucial determinants of age-related decline in the maintenance, repair, and survival of the organism.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Transient mitochondrial transcript level decay in oxidative stressed chondrocytes.

Steady-state levels of 12S rRNA and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 mRNA (ND4) mitochondrial transcripts were measured on rabbit articular chondrocyte in culture. In pseudosynchronized chondrocytes, changes of mitochondrial RNA levels were observed during the progression of the cells in the cell cycle. Oxidative stress generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system (HX-XO) induced a transient decrease in the levels of both ND4 and 12S rRNA. Mitochondrial RNA levels recovered 24 h after the oxidative stress. These RNA level changes were not associated with modifications in the structure or the copy number of the mitochondrial genome. Furthermore, the decrease in the amount of the mitochondrial transcripts observed may be related to a transient inhibition of mitochondrial transcription since the treatment of cells with ethidium bromide (a mitochondrial transcription inhibitor) resulted in the same decrease in 12S rRNA level as HX-XO treatment alone.

Animals↗

Mutations in the leader region of ribosomal RNA operons cause structurally defective 30 S ribosomes as revealed by in vivo structural probing.

The biogenesis of functional ribosomes is regulated in a very complex manner, involving different proteins and RNA molecules. RNAs are not only essential components of both ribosomal subunits but also transiently interacting factors during particle formation. In eukaryotes snoRNAs act as molecular chaperones to assist maturation, modification and assembly. In a very similar way highly conserved leader sequences of bacterial rRNA operons are involved in the correct formation of 30 S ribosomal subunits. Certain mutations in the rRNA leader region cause severe growth defects due to malfunction of ribosomes which are assembled from such transcription units. To understand how the leader sequences act to facilitate the formation of the correct 30 S subunits we performed in vivo chemical probing to assess structural differences between ribosomes assembled either from rRNA transcribed from wild-type operons or from operons which contain mutations in the rRNA leader region. Cells transformed with plasmids containing the respective rRNA operons were reacted with dimethylsulphate (DMS). Ribosomes were isolated by sucrose gradient centrifugation and modified nucleotides within the 16 S rRNA were identified by primer extension reaction. Structural differences between ribosomes from wild-type and mutant rRNA operons occur in several clusters within the 16 S rRNA secondary structure. The most prominent differences are located in the central domain including the universally conserved pseudoknot structure which connects the 5', the central and the 3' domain of 16 S rRNA. Two other clusters with structural differences fall in the 5' domain where the leader had been shown to interact with mature 16 S rRNA and within the ribosomal protein S4 binding site. The other differences in structure are located in sites which are also known as sites for the action of several antibiotics. The data explain the functional defects of ribosomes from rRNA operons with leader mutations and help to understand the altered biogenesis pathway from mutations in an rRNA leader region to the formation of functionally defective ribosomes.

Base Sequence↗

General screening procedure for RNA modificationless mutants: isolation of Escherichia coli strains with specific defects in RNA methylation.

A general method for the isolation of mutants of Escherichia coli that are defective in RNA modification is described. The method is based on the fact that RNA with specific undermodifications accumulates under nonpermissive growth conditions and that such a defect can be detected by remodification either in vivo at permissive conditions or in vitro. The method provides a means by which to study mutations affecting essential modification reactions. The usefulness of the method was demonstrated by the isolation of two rRNA and two tRNA methylation defective mutants. Both rRNA mutants accept methyl groups into their 23S rRNA in vitro. Analyses of in vitro methylated 23S rRNA from one of the mutants revealed the presence of several methylated nucleosides, of which 6-methyladenosine was the most abundant (40% of recovered radioactivity). In 23S rRNA from the other mutant, the only product formed in vitro was 5-methylcytidine. The tRNA mutants are characterized in the accompanying paper.

Escherichia coli↗