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Ribosomal crystallography: initiation, peptide bond formation, and amino acid polymerization are hampered by antibiotics.

High-resolution structures of ribosomal complexes revealed that minute amounts of clinically relevant antibiotics hamper protein biosynthesis by limiting ribosomal mobility or perturbing its elaborate architecture, designed for navigating and controlling peptide bond formation and continuous amino acid polymerization. To accomplish this, the ribosome contributes positional rather than chemical catalysis, provides remote interactions governing accurate substrate alignment within the flexible peptidyl-transferase center (PTC) pocket, and ensures nascent-protein chirality through spatial limitations. Peptide bond formation is concurrent with aminoacylated-tRNA 3' end translocation and is performed by a rotatory motion around the axis of a sizable ribosomal symmetry-related region, which is located around the PTC in all known crystal structures. Guided by ribosomal-RNA scaffold along an exact pattern, the rotatory motion results in stereochemistry that is optimal for peptide bond formation and for nascent protein entrance into the exit tunnel, the main target of antibiotics targeting ribosomes. By connecting the PTC, the decoding center, and the tRNA entrance and exit regions, the symmetry-related region can transfer intraribosomal signals, guaranteeing smooth processivity of amino acid polymerization.

Amino Acids↗

MicroRNA biogenesis: isolation and characterization of the microprocessor complex.

The recently discovered microRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of small regulatory RNAs that have been implicated in controlling diverse pathways in a variety of organisms (1, 2). For posttranscriptional gene silencing, one strand of the miRNA is used to guide components of the RNA interference machinery, including Argonaute 2, to messenger RNAs (mRNAs) with complementary sequences (3, 4). Thus, targeted mRNAs are either cleaved by the endonuclease Argonaute 2 (5, 6), or protein synthesis is blocked by an as yet uncharacterized mechanism (7, 8). Genes encoding miRNAs are transcribed as long primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) that are sequentially processed by components of the nucleus and cytoplasm to yield a mature, approx 22-nucleotide (nt)-long miRNA (9). Two members of the ribonuclease (RNase) III endonuclease protein family, Drosha and Dicer, have been implicated in this two-step processing (10-13). To further our understanding of miRNA biogenesis and function it will be essential to identify the protein complexes involved. We were interested in defining the proteins required for the initial nuclear processing of pri-miRNAs to the approx 60- to 70-nt stem-loop intermediates known as precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) (9, 10). This led to our identification of a protein complex we termed Microprocessor, which is necessary and sufficient for processing pri-miRNA to premiRNAs (14). The Microprocessor complex comprises Drosha and the double-stranded RNAbinding protein DiGeorge syndrome critical region 8 gene (DGCR8), which is deleted in DiGeorge syndrome (15, 16). In this chapter, we detail the methods used for the biochemical isolation and identification of the Microprocessor complex from human cells. We include a protocol for the in vitro analysis of pri-miRNA processing activity of the purified Microprocessor complex.

Cell Line↗

Mitochondria related gene signature serves as prognosis prediction and risk stratification of cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CHOL) is a highly aggressive biliary malignancy with poor clinical outcomes and limited effective prognostic biomarkers. Mitochondrial dysfunction participates in multiple oncological processes of CHOL, yet the prognostic roles of mitochondria‑related genes (MRGs) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize MRGs expression in CHOL and develop a molecular prognostic model for predicting patient survival and guiding clinical management. METHODS: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and clinical data of CHOL were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) (GSE89748) databases. Differentially expressed MRGs were identified, and 10 machine learning algorithms were used to construct prognostic models. The optimal model (highest average C-index) was selected to establish a mitochondria-related risk score (MRRS), which was validated internally and externally. A nomogram integrating clinical factors and MRRS was developed, and biological mechanisms were explored via functional and immune analyses. RESULTS: A 3-MRG (MAP3K1, MRPL18, PYGB) prognostic signature was constructed, stratifying patients into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different overall survival. The model showed high predictive accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) up to 0.845, and MRRS was an independent prognostic factor. The signature was associated with mitochondrial pathways, and the high-risk group had distinct immune infiltration and mutation profiles. CONCLUSIONS: A validated MRG prognostic model effectively stratifies CHOL patients and has potential clinical value for prognosis prediction. Further validation in larger cohorts is needed to confirm its applicability.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CHOL)↗

Conserved genes encode guide RNAs in mitochondria of Crithidia fasciculata.

RNA editing is the post-transcriptional alteration of the nucleotide sequence of RNA, which in trypanosome mitochondria is characterized by the insertion and deletion of uridine residues. It has recently been proposed that the information for the sequence alteration in Leishmania tarentolae is provided by small guide (g) RNAs encoded in the mitochondrial DNA [Blum et al. (1990) Cell, 60, 189-198]. We are studying the mechanism of RNA editing in the insect trypanosome Crithidia fasciculata and report that: (i) a full length, conventional DNA gene or an independently replicating RNA gene that could encode the edited MURF3 transcript is absent when probed for in sensitive, calibrated assay systems; (ii) in all cases (seven) investigated in C. fasciculata so far, putative gRNA genes are found in a position in the mitochondrial DNA virtually identical to that in L. tarentolae and (iii) also in C. fasciculata, the putative gRNA genes are transcribed into small RNAs with discrete 5' ends. These results provide strong evolutionary evidence in support of the participation of gRNAs in RNA editing. Remarkably, in C. fasciculata the basepaired region of some putative gRNA:mRNA hybrids contains a C:A non-Watson-Crick basepair.

Animals↗

Modulating the splicing activity of Tetrahymena ribozyme via RNA self-assembly.

The internal guiding sequence (IGS) is normally located at the 5' end of trans-splicing ribozymes that are derived from the Tetrahymena group I intron, and is required for the recognition of substrate RNAs and for trans-splicing reactions. Here, we separated the Tetrahymena group I intron at the L2 loop to produce two fragments: the IGS-containing substrate, and the IGS-lacking ribozyme. We show here that two fragments can complex not through the IGS interaction but under the guidance of appended interacting nucleotides, and perform trans-splicing. The splicing reactions took place both in vitro and in mammalian cells, and the spliced mRNA product from the self-assembled ribozyme complex can be translated into functional proteins in vivo. The splicing efficiency was dependent on the length of appending nucleotides.

Animals↗

RNA sequence and base pairing effects on insertion editing in Trypanosoma brucei.

RNA editing inserts and deletes uridylates (U's) in kinetoplastid mitochondrial pre-mRNAs by a series of enzymatic steps. Small guide RNAs (gRNAs) specify the edited sequence. Editing, though sometimes extensive, is precise. The effects of mutating pre-mRNA and gRNA sequences in, around, and upstream of the editing site on the specificity and efficiency of in vitro insertion editing were examined. U's could be added opposite guiding pyrimidines, but guiding purines, particularly A's, were required for efficient ligation. A base pair between mRNA and gRNA immediately upstream of the editing site was not required for insertion editing, although it greatly enhanced its efficiency and accuracy. In addition, a gRNA/mRNA duplex upstream of the editing site enhanced insertion editing when it was close to the editing site, but prevented cleavage, and hence editing, when immediately adjacent to the editing site. Thus, several aspects of mRNA-gRNA interaction, as well as gRNA base pairing with added U's, optimize editing efficiency, although they are not required for insertion editing.

Animals↗

Quantitation of RNA editing substrates, products and potential intermediates: implications for developmental regulation.

Kinetoplast mitochondrial RNA editing is the developmentally regulated post-transcriptional process of uridine insertion and deletion in mRNAs directed by short guide RNAs (gRNAs), which creates functional mRNAs. Two mechanisms are proposed: transesterification which predicts gRNA/mRNA chimeric intermediates, and enzymatic steps which allow but do not require chimeric intermediates. We quantitated the copy number of apocytochrome b (CYb) gRNAs, edited/unedited mRNAs and gRNA/mRNA chimeras in bloodstream and procyclic form cells of Trypanosoma brucei. Both forms have 35 copies/cell of two gRNAs. Bloodstream forms contain 15 unedited and edited CYb mRNA molecules/cell while procyclic forms have four times as much unedited and over 10 times as much edited mRNA. Chimera levels are very low, 350-5000-fold lower than unedited mRNA or gRNAs, but are over 10 times more abundant in procyclic than bloodstream forms. These results are consistent with chimeras being editing intermediates if their resolution is rapid in respect to their formation, although they could be non-productive byproducts of the editing reaction. Bloodstream chimera sequences differ from procyclic chimeras. These results indicate that developmental regulation is not by gRNA abundance and suggest that it occurs at the level of gRNA utilization possibly by changing abundance of unedited CYb mRNA.

Animals↗

Identification by UV cross-linking of oligo(U)-binding proteins in mitochondria of the insect trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata.

RNA editing in trypanosomes is the process of insertion and deletion of U residues at specific sites of mitochondrial transcripts mediated by short guide RNAs (gRNAs) that have a 3' oligo(U) extension. Here we describe the identification by UV cross-linking of proteins present in mitochondrial extracts from Crithidia fasciculata with a high affinity for gRNAs, and the characterization of the binding specificity. A 65-kDa protein binds to gRNAs provided they are equipped with a U tail, to post-transcriptionally labelled mitoribosomal 9S and 12S RNAs that also possess a 3' terminal stretch of U residues, and to free oligo(U) sequences with a minimal length of 23-29 nucleotides. It does not bind to a number of control RNAs, one of which has an internal U stretch of 13 residues. Poly(U), but not poly(C) or total yeast RNA, efficiently competes for binding to gRNA. Proteins of 88 kDa and 30 kDa also bind to gRNAs with a U tail, to mitochondrial ribosomal RNAs and to oligo(U). These proteins, however, require longer oligo(U) for binding (> 39 nucleotides) and they also have an affinity for other U-rich RNAs and poly(C). For comparison, part of the analysis was also carried out with a mitochondrial extract from Trypanosoma brucei. In this organism, gRNA-binding proteins of 83 kDa and 64 kDa were found with the same preference for 3'-terminal oligomeric U stretches as the C. fasciculata 65-kDa protein, whereas the binding specificity of a 26-kDa protein resembled that of the C. fasciculata 88-kDa and 30-kDa proteins. The possible involvement of the proteins in the editing process is discussed.

Animals↗

RNA editing in kinetoplastid protozoa.

Mitochondrial transcripts in kinetoplastids undergo remarkable posttranscriptional editing by uridylate insertion and deletion. The often dramatic remodeling of pre-mRNA sequences is directed by small guide RNAs (gRNAs) to produce mature mRNAs. In vitro analyses of editing have been used to determine the mechanism of editing and show that editing occurs by a series of enzyme-catalyzed steps. They also show that chimeric gRNA/mRNA molecules are not editing intermediates as proposed but are aberrant end products of editing. The complexes and molecules that catalyze editing are now being identified and characterized. The origin of editing, its developmental regulation which helps control the switching between terminal respiratory systems during the life cycle of trypanosomes, and other areas for future study are discussed.

Animals↗

Cross-clade inhibition of HIV-1 replication and cytopathology by using RNase P-associated external guide sequences.

RNase P complexes have been proposed as a novel RNA-based gene interference strategy to inhibit gene expression in human malignancies and infectious diseases. This approach is based on the sequence-specific design of an external guide sequence (EGS) RNA molecule that can specifically hybridize to almost any complementary target mRNA and facilitate its cleavage by the RNase P enzyme component. We designed a truncated RNase P-associated EGS molecule to specifically recognize the U5 region of HIV-1 mRNA and mediate cleavage of hybridized mRNA by the RNase P enzyme. Genes encoding for this U5-EGS (560) molecule, as well as a U5 EGS (560D) antisense control, were cloned into retroviral plasmids and transferred into a CD4(+) T cell line. Transfected cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of HIV-1 clinical isolates from clades A, B, C, and F. Heterogeneous cultures of CD4(+) T cells expressing the U5 EGS (560) molecule were observed to maintain CD4 levels, were devoid of cytopathology, and did not produce HIV p24 gag antigen through 30 days after exposure to all HIV-1 clades at a multiplicity of infection of 0.01. Identical cells expressing the U5 EGS (560D) antisense control molecule underwent a loss of CD4 expression, produced elevated levels of HIV-1, and formed large syncytia similar to untreated cells. When the viral inoculum was increased at the time of exposure (multiplicity of infection = 0.05), the inhibitory effect of the U5 EGS (560) molecule was overwhelmed, but viral-mediated cytopathology and particle production were delayed compared with control cell populations. Viral replication and cytopathology associated with infection of multiple HIV-1 clades can be effectively inhibited in CD4(+) cells expressing the RNase P-associated U5 EGS (560) molecule.

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗

Mammalian RNAi: a practical guide.

Silencing of gene expression by RNA interference (RNAi) has become a powerful tool for the functional annotation of the Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster genomes. Recent advances in the design and delivery of targeting molecules now permit efficient and highly specific gene silencing in mammalian systems as well. RNAi offers a simple, fast, and cost-effective alternative to existing gene targeting technologies both in cell-based and in vivo settings. Synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) and retroviral short hairpin RNA (shRNA) libraries targeting thousands of human and mouse genes are publicly available for high-throughput genetic screens, and knockdown animals can be rapidly generated by lentivirus-mediated transgenesis. RNAi also holds great promise as a novel therapeutic approach. This review provides insight into the current gene silencing techniques in mammalian systems.

Animals↗

Ancient origin of RNA editing in kinetoplastid protozoa.

A rooted phylogenetic tree of the kinetoplastid protozoa has been constructed that, together with a comparative analysis of editing of several genes, leads to the surprising conclusion that extensive or pan-editing with multiple overlapping guide RNAs is more ancient than 5'-editing. The mechanism of editing is still uncertain, but multiple ribonucleoprotein complexes have been identified that contain components of the enzymatic machinery.

Animals↗

Characterization of two classes of ribonucleoprotein complexes possibly involved in RNA editing from Leishmania tarentolae mitochondria.

The molecular mechanism of RNA editing in trypanosomatid mitochondria is an unsolved problem. We show that two classes of ribonucleoprotein complexes exist in a mitochondrial extract from Leishmania tarentolae and appear to be involved in RNA editing. The 'G' class of RNP complexes consists of 170-300 A particles which contain guide RNAs and proteins, show little terminal uridylyl transferase (TUTase) activity and exhibit an in vitro RNA editing-like activity. The 'T' class consists of approximately six RNP complexes, the endogenous RNA of which can be self-labeled with [alpha-32P]UTP. The most abundant T complex, T-IV, is visualized by electron microscopy as 80-140 A particles. This complex exhibits TUTase activity in the native gel and contains guide RNAs. Both G and T complexes are possibly involved with RNA editing in vivo. These results are a starting point for the analysis of the biochemistry of RNA editing.

Animals↗

Transiently expressed short hairpin RNA targeting 126 kDa protein of tobacco mosaic virus interferes with virus infection.

RNA interference (RNAi) silences gene expression by guiding mRNA degradation in a sequence-specific fashion. Small interfering RNA (siRNA), an intermediate of the RNAi pathway, has been shown to be very effective in inhibiting virus infection in mammalian cells and cultured plant cells. Here, we report that Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transient expression of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) could inhibit tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) RNA accumulation by targeting the gene encoding the replication-associated 126 kDa protein in intact plant tissue. Our results indicate that transiently expressed shRNA efficiently interfered with TMV infection. The interference observed is sequence-specific, and time- and site-dependent. Transiently expressed shRNA corresponding to the TMV 126 kDa protein gene did not inhibit cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), an unrelated tobamovirus. In order to interfere with TMV accumulation in tobacco leaves, it is essential for the shRNA constructs to be infiltrated into the same leaves as TMV inoculation. Our results support the view that RNAi opens the door for novel therapeutic procedures against virus diseases. We propose that a combination of the RNAi technique and Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression could be employed as a potent antiviral treatment in plants.nt antiviral treatment in plants.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens↗

Kinetoplastid RNA editing: complexes and catalysts.

RNA editing in kinetoplastids involves post-transcriptional insertion and deletion of uridylates (Us) to produce mature mitochondrial mRNAs with sequences specified by trans acting small guide RNAs. In vitro studies indicate the reaction pathway involves endonucleolytic cleavage of the precursor mRNA at the editing site, uridylate addition or removal at the 3' end of the 5' cleavage product, followed by ligation to the 3' cleavage product. This editing is catalyzed by a macromolecular complex that is in the early stages of characterization. Recent studies have resolved the general mechanism of editing, and show that editing occurs in association with a macromolecular complex.

Animals↗

Negative feedback regulation of Dicer-Like1 in Arabidopsis by microRNA-guided mRNA degradation.

Formation of microRNA (miRNA) requires an RNaseIII domain-containing protein, termed DICER-1 in animals and DICER-LIKE1 (DCL1) in plants, to catalyze processing of an RNA precursor with a fold-back structure. Loss-of-function dcl1 mutants of Arabidopsis have low levels of miRNA and exhibit a range of developmental phenotypes in vegetative, reproductive, and embryonic tissues. In this paper, we show that DCL1 mRNA occurs in multiple forms, including truncated molecules that result from aberrant pre-mRNA processing. Both full-length and truncated forms accumulated to relatively low levels in plants containing a functional DCL1 gene. However, in dcl1 mutant plants, dcl1 RNA forms accumulated to levels several-fold higher than those in DCL1 plants. Elevated levels of DCL1 RNAs were also detected in miRNA-defective hen1 mutant plants and in plants expressing a virus-encoded suppressor of RNA silencing (P1/HC-Pro), which inhibits miRNA-guided degradation of target mRNAs. A miRNA (miR162) target sequence was predicted near the middle of DCL1 mRNA, and a DCL1-derived RNA with the properties of a miR162-guided cleavage product was identified and mapped. These results indicate that DCL1 mRNA is subject to negative feedback regulation through the activity of a miRNA.

Arabidopsis↗

The mechanism of U insertion/deletion RNA editing in kinetoplastid mitochondria.

Recent advances in in vitrosystems and identification of putative enzymatic activities have led to the acceptance of a modified 'enzyme cascade' model for U insertion/deletion RNA editing in kinetoplastid mitochondria. Models involving the transfer of uridines (Us) from the 3'-end of gRNA to the editing site appear to be untenable. Two types of in vitrosystems have been reported: (i) a gRNA-independent U insertion activity that is dependent on the secondary structure of the mRNA; (ii) a gRNA-dependent U insertion activity that requires addition of a gRNA that can form an anchor duplex with the pre-edited mRNA and which contains guiding A and G nucleotides to base pair with the added Us. In the case of the gRNA-mediated reaction, the precise site of cleavage is at the end of the gRNA-mRNA anchor duplex, as predicted by the original model. The model has been modified to include the addition of multiple Us to the 3'-end of the 5'-cleavage fragment, followed by the formation of base pairs with the guiding nucleotides and trimming back of the single-stranded oligo(U) 3'-overhang. The two fragments, which are held together by the gRNA 'splint', are then ligated. Circumstantial in vitroevidence for involvement of an RNA ligase and an endoribonuclease, which are components of a 20S complex, was obtained. Efforts are underway in several laboratories to isolate and characterize specific components of the editing machinery.

Animals↗

Generation of secondary small interfering RNA in cell-autonomous and non-cell autonomous RNA silencing in tobacco.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) species with 21-25 nucleotides in length guide mRNA cleavage, translational arrest, and heterochromatin formation in RNA interference (RNAi). To delineate the target region of RNAi, a construct harboring a transcriptional fusion between parts of the target mRNA and the beta-glucuronidase gene was biolistically delivered into tobacco leaves showing an RNAi phenotype and the assay sequence was transiently expressed. The RNAi effect was monitored by amplification of this chimeric transcript. By using this assay method, we addressed the transitive RNA silencing of a tobacco endoplasmic reticulum omega-3 fatty acid desaturase gene (NtFAD3). In the NtFAD3 RNAi plants, the target region of RNAi was restricted in the inducer region corresponding to a stem sequence of the hairpin double-stranded RNA, indicating that endogenous NtFAD3 mRNA was not a template for an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The secondary NtFAD3 siRNAs were produced in the crossbred plants between the NtFAD3 overexpressed plant and the NtFAD3 RNAi plant. Similarly, the secondary siRNAs were generated in the systemically silenced scion. Although these secondary siRNAs originated preferentially from the 3' region downstream of the inducer region, the secondary siRNAs produced in the silenced scion (non-cell autonomous secondary siRNAs) resulted in the strong degradation of the target mRNA, but the secondary siRNAs in the crossbred plants (cell-autonomous secondary siRNAs) showed limited RNA degradation activity. These results showed that this in vivo assay for determination of RNAi efficiency is a useful tool to delineate RNAi mechanisms.

Biolistics↗