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The modification of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli by an alkylating derivative of rifamycin SV.

3-(2-Bromo[1-14C]acetamidoethyl)-thio-rifamycin SV, abbreviated BrAcNEtS-Rif, and alkylating derivative of rifamycin SV was synthesized. A four-fold excess of BrAcNEtS-Rif inhibited the enzymic activity of RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli to 97%. Incubation of RNA polymerase with Br[14C]AcNEtS-Rif led to covalent substitution. The reaction of Br[14C]AcNEtS-Rif with enzyme at a ratio of 1.4:1 and a concentration of 63 nM was found to proceed with a half life of 1 h at 37 degrees C. The enzyme could be protected from reaction with BrAcNEtS-Rif by either rifampicin or the hybrid [poly(dT)]-[r(Ap)5a]. The modification of holoenzyme by Br[14C]AcNEtS-Rif in the presence of p-hydroxymercuribenzene sulfonic acid (pOH-HgBzSO3H) or 4 M LiCl occurred with faster kinetics and led to a higher degree of substitution. Reaction of Br[14C]AcNEtS-Rif with RNA polymerase core enzyme caused predominant substitution of subunit beta. In the case of RNA polymerase holenzyme the radioactive substituents were evenly distributed between subunits beta and sigma. Apparently the topology of the rifamycin binding site of holoenzyme, similarly to core enzyme, precludes attacks of nucleophilic functions from beta' and alpha, but it allows nucleophilic functions from subunits beta and sigma to react with equal probability on BrAcNEtS-Rif. In the presence of a 20-fold excess of pOH-HgBzSO3H, the modification of holoenzyme was drastically altered. Virtually all substitution took place on subunit beta', very little on beta and none on subunits sigma and alpha.

Alkylating Agents↗

Molecular targets of 5-fluoroorotate in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.

5-Fluoroorotate is known to have potent antimalarial activity against chloroquine-susceptible as well as chloroquine-resistant clones of Plasmodium falciparum. It was hypothesized that this activity was mediated through synthesis of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridylate, an inactivator of thymidylate synthase, or through incorporation of 5-fluoropyrimidine residues into nucleic acids. Treatment of P. falciparum in culture with 100 nM 5-fluoroorotate resulted in rapid inactivation of malarial thymidylate synthase activity. A 50% loss of thymidylate synthase activity as well as a 50% decrease in parasite proliferation were seen with 5 nM 5-fluoroorotate. Dihydrofolate reductase activity, which resides on the same bifunctional protein as thymidylate synthase, was not affected by 5-fluoroorotate treatment. Incubation of malarial parasites with 3 to 10 microM radioactive 5-fluoroorotic acid for 48 h resulted in significant incorporation of radioactivity into the RNA fraction of P. falciparum; approximately 9% of the uridine residues were substituted with 5-fluorouridine. However, compared with the 50% inhibitory concentrations of 5-fluoroorotate, a 1,000-fold higher concentration of the pyrimidine analog was required to see significant modification of RNA molecules. Results of these studies are consistent with the hypothesis that thymidylate synthase is the primary target of 5-fluoroorotate in malarial parasites.

Animals↗

Initiation and regulation mechanisms of ribosomal RNA transcription in the eukaryote Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Acanthamoeba rRNA transcription involves the binding of a transcription initiation factor (TIF) to the core promoter of rDNA to form the preinitiation complex. This complex is formed in the absence of RNA polymerase I, and persists for multiple rounds of initiation. Polymerase I next binds to form the initiation complex. This binding is DNA sequence-independent, and is directed by protein-protein contacts with TIF. DNA melting occurs in a separate step. In contrast to most prokaryotic transcription, melting occurs only following nucleotide addition and beta-gamma hydrolysis of ATP is not required as for polymerase II. Growth-dependent regulation of rRNA transcription is accomplished by modification of RNA polymerase I. The inactive form of polymerase (PolE) is unable to bind to the promoter and has altered heat stability. PolE is still active in elongation; thus, the modification affects the polymerase site involved in TIF contact. Modification of a polymerases I and III common subunit has been detected leading to the suggestion that transcription of stable RNAs of the ribosome might be co-regulated by this mechanism.

Acanthamoeba↗

Residues of the Bacillus subtilis phage phi 29 transcriptional activator required both to interact with RNA polymerase and to activate transcription.

Regulatory protein p4 from Bacillus subtilis phage phi 29 activates transcription from the viral late promoter, PA3, by stabilizing the binding of RNA polymerase to the DNA as a closed complex. Protein p4-induced DNA bending and direct contacts between p4 and RNA polymerase have been proposed to play a role in P(A3) activation. By site-directed mutagenesis at the carboxyl end of protein p4 we have identified residues that are critical both to interact with RNA polymerase and to activate transcription. Substitution of arginine 120 gives rise to a p4 derivative unable to activate transcription, that can bind to DNA and induce a normal DNA bending, but does not stimulate the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter and cannot form complexes with RNA polymerase. Modification of the closely located residue leucine 117 had a similar but milder effect. The results obtained suggest that arginine 120 and leucine 117 form part of the activating domain of the protein, and show that direct contacts between protein p4 and RNA polymerase play a critical role in transcription activation. The p4-induced DNA bending is therefore necessary but not sufficient for the activation of the PA3 promoter.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Chick cytoplasmic actin and muscle actin have different structural genes.

Actins isolated from embryonic chick brain and muscle differ in mobility when subjected to electrophoresis in gels containing urea and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Experiments were carried out to determine whether these actins are products of different structural genes and differ in primary amino acid sequence, or whether they are products of the same structural gene but are different because of post-translational modification. Messenger RNA from brain and muscle tissue was used to direct cell-free protein synthesis in wheat germ extracts. The synthesized actins were identified by conversion from globular to fibrous actin and by two-dimensional chromatographic analysis of tryptic peptides. The differences in electrophoretic mobility of brain compared to muscle actin were maintained in the cell-free protein synthetic products. Therefore, these mobility differences were not due to post-translational modification. It was concluded that brain and muscle actin are coded by different messenger RNAs and therefore arise from different structural genes. In addition, messenger RNA from 13- and 16-day embryonic thigh muscle directed the synthesis of both brain- and muscle-type actins, suggesting that muscle cell differentiation involves the regulation of at least two different actin genes.

Actins↗

RNA polymerase II is a glycoprotein. Modification of the COOH-terminal domain by O-GlcNAc.

The largest subunit of mammalian RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) contains at its carboxyl terminus an unusual domain consisting of 52 tandem repeats of the consensus sequence Tyr-Ser-Pro-Thr-Ser-Pro-Ser. This domain, designated the COOH-terminal domain (CTD), is essential for viability and is extensively phosphorylated during the transition from preinitiation complex assembly to elongation (1). Indeed, phosphorylation of the CTD may play an important regulatory role in this transition. We show here that the CTD is also modified by a novel form of protein glycosylation, O-GlcNAc. This modification has been found on numerous transcription factors and other nuclear and cytosolic proteins (2). Glycopeptides obtained by proteolytic digestion of the CTD were purified by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography and sequenced. Results from such experiments suggest that glycosylation occurs at multiple sites throughout the CTD, similar to the phosphorylation of this domain. The carbohydrate, however, is not detectable on the phosphorylated form of the enzyme. This observation is consistent with the idea that phosphorylation and glycosylation are mutually exclusive modifications. The CTD of RNAP II, therefore, appears to exist in three distinct conformational states: unmodified, phosphorylated, and glycosylated. The differential modification of the CTD may play an important role in the regulated expression of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Processing of a cellular polypeptide by 3CD proteinase is required for poliovirus ribonucleoprotein complex formation.

Poliovirus interactions with host cells were investigated by studying the formation of ribonucleoprotein complexes at the 3' end of poliovirus negative-strand RNA which are presumed to be involved in viral RNA synthesis. It was previously shown that two host cell proteins with molecular masses of 36 and 38 kDa bind to the 3' end of viral negative-strand RNA at approximately 3 to 4 h after infection. We tested the hypothesis that preexisting cellular proteins are modified during the course of infection and are subsequently recruited to play a role in viral replication. It was demonstrated that the 38-kDa protein, either directly or indirectly, is the product of processing by poliovirus 3CD/3C proteinase. Only the modified 38-kDa protein, not its precursor protein, has a high affinity for binding to the 3' end of viral negative-strand RNA. This modification depends on proteolytically active proteinase, and a direct correlation between the levels of 3CD proteinase and the 38-kDa protein was demonstrated in infected tissue culture cells. The nucleotide (nt) 5-10 region (positive-strand numbers) of poliovirus negative-strand RNA is important for binding of the 38-kDa protein. Deletion of the nt 5-10 region in full-length, positive-strand RNA renders the RNA noninfectious in transfection experiments. These results suggest that poliovirus 3CD/3C proteinase processes a cellular protein which then plays an essential role during the viral life cycle.

3C Viral Proteases↗

Sigma 29-like protein is a common sporulation-specific element in bacteria of the genus Bacillus.

A monoclonal antibody specific for an antigenic determinant on the Bacillus subtilis sporulation-induced sigma factor sigma 29 reacted with proteins similar in size to sigma 29 in extracts of sporulating Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus natto, and Bacillus pumilus but not in extracts prepared from vegetatively growing cultures of these bacteria. These results indicate that RNA polymerase modifications, initially described for B. subtilis, are likely to be common among sporulating Bacillus spp. and that at least some of the specific modifications that are observed in sporulating B. subtilis are conserved among members of this genus.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Ribosomal RNA structure in the diploid and phylogenetically polyploid amphibian species Hyla and Odontophrynus.

Ribosomal RNA of the diploid amphibian species Hyla chrysoscelis and Odontophrynus americanus is structurally modified by hidden breaks. Phylogenetically polyploid related species like the tetraploid Hyla versicolor, the tetraploid Odontophrynus americanus and the octoploid Ceratophrys ornata do not show hidden breaks in ribosomal RNA. Structural modifications of rRNA molecules in diploid amphibians has no detectable effect on the ribosomal activity in vitro.

Amphibians↗

Inactivation of bacteriophage T7 DNA-dependent RNA polymerase by 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine. Identification of the modification site and the effect of the modification on enzyme action.

Bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase was covalently modified by 5'-[4-fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]adenosine (4-FSO2BzAdo). The modified enzyme lacks the ability to catalyze RNA synthesis from the phi 10 promoter of bacteriophage T7; both promoter and GTP binding being markedly decreased. The mild hydrolysis of the ester bond of 4-FSO2BzAdo within the covalent enzyme-inhibitor complex restores the RNA synthesis at a lower rate. Sequence studies show that Lys172 is the target of modification by 4-FSO2BzAdo. This residue, which is situated in the polypeptide region connecting two domains of RNA polymerase, was shown to be the primary site of the limited proteolysis occurring in vivo [Ikeda, R. A. & Richardson, C. C. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 3790-3799]. We propose that Lys172 is located outside the active site. Once this residue has reacted with 4-FSO2BzAdo, the nucleoside moiety of the analog is fixed in the NTP-binding site of the active centre and prevents binding of the substrates. Here, Lys172 per se is not important for the activity but serves as an 'anchor' for binding of the inhibitor.

Adenosine↗

The C. elegans Tousled-like kinase (TLK-1) has an essential role in transcription.

BACKGROUND: The Tousled kinases comprise an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins that have been previously implicated in chromatin remodeling, DNA replication, and DNA repair. Here, we used RNA mediated interference (RNAi) to determine the function of the C. elegans Tousled kinase (TLK-1) during embryonic development. RESULTS: TLK-1-deficient embryos arrested with a phenotype reminiscent of embryos that are broadly defective in transcription, and the expression of several reporter genes was dramatically reduced in tlk-1(RNAi) embryos. Furthermore, posttranslational modifications of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and histone H3 that have been correlated with transcription elongation, phosphorylation of the RNAPII CTD at Serine 2, and methylation of histone H3 at Lysine 36 were found at significantly reduced levels in tlk-1(RNAi) embryos as compared to wild-type. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal a surprising requirement for a Tousled-like kinase in transcriptional regulation during development, likely during the elongation phase. In addition, our results confirm that the link between RNAPII phosphorylation and histone H3 methylation previously observed in budding yeast is functionally conserved in metazoans.

Animals↗

MAPMAN: a user-driven tool to display genomics data sets onto diagrams of metabolic pathways and other biological processes.

MAPMAN is a user-driven tool that displays large data sets onto diagrams of metabolic pathways or other processes. SCAVENGER modules assign the measured parameters to hierarchical categories (formed 'BINs', 'subBINs'). A first build of TRANSCRIPTSCAVENGER groups genes on the Arabidopsis Affymetrix 22K array into >200 hierarchical categories, providing a breakdown of central metabolism (for several pathways, down to the single enzyme level), and an overview of secondary metabolism and cellular processes. METABOLITESCAVENGER groups hundreds of metabolites into pathways or groups of structurally related compounds. An IMAGEANNOTATOR module uses these groupings to organise and display experimental data sets onto diagrams of the users' choice. A modular structure allows users to edit existing categories, add new categories and develop SCAVENGER modules for other sorts of data. MAPMAN is used to analyse two sets of 22K Affymetrix arrays that investigate the response of Arabidopsis rosettes to low sugar: one investigates the response to a 6-h extension of the night, and the other compares wild-type Columbia-0 (Col-0) and the starchless pgm mutant (plastid phosphoglucomutase) at the end of the night. There were qualitatively similar responses in both treatments. Many genes involved in photosynthesis, nutrient acquisition, amino acid, nucleotide, lipid and cell wall synthesis, cell wall modification, and RNA and protein synthesis were repressed. Many genes assigned to amino acid, nucleotide, lipid and cell wall breakdown were induced. Changed expression of genes for trehalose metabolism point to a role for trehalose-6-phosphate (Tre6P) as a starvation signal. Widespread changes in the expression of genes encoding receptor kinases, transcription factors, components of signalling pathways, proteins involved in post-translational modification and turnover, and proteins involved in the synthesis and sensing of cytokinins, abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene revealing large-scale rewiring of the regulatory network is an early response to sugar depletion.

Abscisic Acid↗

Isolation of single-site Escherichia coli mutants deficient in thiamine and 4-thiouridine syntheses: identification of a nuvC mutant.

A method is described to rapidly select and classify many independent near-UV irradiation-resistant Escherichia coli mutants, which include tRNA modification and RNA synthesis control mutants. One class of these mutants was found to be simultaneously deficient in thiamine biosynthesis and in the ability to modify uridine in tRNA to 4-thiouridine, known to be the target for near-UV irradiation. These mutants were found to be unable to make thiazole, a thiamine precursor. The addition of thiazole restores the thiamine deficiency but does not render the cells near-UV irradiation sensitive. In vitro studies on one of these mutants indicated a deficiency in protein factor C (nuvC), required for the 4-thiouridine modification of tRNA. In P1 transduction, the thiazole marker cotransduced with the histidine marker, which places the thiazole marker between 42 and 46 min on the E. coli chromosome map. Both thiamine production and 4-thiouridine production were resumed by 87% of the spontaneous reversions, suggesting a single-point mutation. Our results indicate that we have isolated nuvC mutants and that the nuvC polypeptide is involved in two functions, tRNA modification and thiazole biosynthesis.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Chemical modification as a tool for analysis of messenger RNA secondary structure in ribonucleoprotein particles.

Chemical modification of unpaired bases is demonstrated in this study to be a reliable method for determining the conformation of nucleotides in mRNA. The modified nucleotides are identified by primer extension using reverse transcriptase. We have used this procedure to compare the structure of limited regions of SV40 T-antigen mRNA in solution, in nonpolysome-bound cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoprotein particles, and in nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes. The results indicate that SV40 T-antigen mRNA adopts a specific structure both in solution and when complexed with cellular proteins. The structures adopted by the mRNA in solution and in native cellular protein particles are very similar.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗

Modifications of aminoglycoside antibiotics targeting RNA.

The increased awareness of the central role of RNA has led to realization that RNA, as structural and functional information accumulation, is also drug target to small molecular therapy. Aminoglycosides are a group of well-known antibiotics, which function through binding to specific sites in prokaryotic ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and affecting the fidelity of protein synthesis. Unfortunately, their clinical practice has been curtailed by toxicity and rapid increasing number of resistant strains. Therefore, it is highly desirable to design new modified aminoglycosides that will overcome the undesirable properties of natural occurring aminoglycosides. On the other hand, aminoglycosides as potential antiviral (HIV) agents were also reported. Herein, we survey the current efforts to develop new aminoglycoside derivatives with modification and reconstruction on each sugar ring and review the latest advances in structure-activity relationships (SAR).

Aminoglycosides↗

Monitoring of RNA polymerase-DNA UP element interaction by a fluorescent probe conjugated to alpha subunit.

The carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase alpha subunit was specifically modified by a reporter label, fluorescein mercuric acetate (FMMA), conjugated to Cys269 on the surface of UP element recognition helix. The modified enzyme was used to investigate RNA polymerase interaction with different promoters, either with or without an UP element. In a single-round transcription assay, the activity of modified RNA polymerase was found to decrease as measured with rrnBP1, trpP and lacP2 promoters but not with many other promoters including mutant rrnBP1 without the UP element, supporting the idea that Cys269 or the domain including Cys269 is involved in UP element recognition. Both trpP and lacP2 have sequence similarity to the rrnBP1 UP element. The chemical modification of RNA polymerase, however, did not affect an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant with rrnBP1, as measured by gel-retardation assays, indicating that the DNA-binding ability is retained even after FMMA conjugation. Interaction with the rrnBP1 UP element led to substantial alterations in the spectral parameters of the reporter label, which are different from those induced by complex formation with promoters without UP elements. A pronounced spectral blue shift suggests that the labeled surface of alphaCTD closely approaches the charged UP DNA helix. These observations imply that the fluorescent labeling at Cys269 can be used as a good tool for monitoring the presence or absence of an UP element in a given promoter. Spectral parameters of the label displayed the spectral blue shift when the modified RNA polymerase interacted with trpP, supporting the prediction that this promoter carries an rrnBP1-type UP element.

Base Sequence↗

Use of circular permutation and end modification to position photoaffinity probes for analysis of RNA structure.

Photocrosslinking allows first-order structural analysis with relatively small amounts of biological material and can be applied in complex in vitro systems. In this article we describe methods for positioning both arylazide and thionucleotide photoagents within an RNA of interest by end modification of circularly permuted RNAs. Application of this technique provided a library of constraints that, together with biochemical and phylogenetic comparative data, were used to develop a structure model of the bacterial ribonuclease P ribozyme-substrate complex. Circularly permuted genes for in vitro transcription are generated by PCR from tandem genes. Circularly permuted RNA transcripts can be modified with high efficiency at both the 5' and 3' termini with arylazide crosslinking reagents, or transcription can be primed with photoactive nucleotide analog monophosphates such as 6-thioguanosine. These crosslinking agents can be used over a wide range of experimental conditions but remain inert until they are activated by UV light. Crosslinked sites are subsequently mapped by reverse transcriptase primer extension of gel-purified crosslinked species. In addition to providing basic protocols for these methods, we discuss approaches for establishing the relevance of crosslinking data to native RNA structure.

Aminophylline↗

Role of covalent modifications of histones in regulating gene expression.

DNA is organized into a hierarchy of structures, resulting in the level of compaction required to pack 2m of DNA into a nucleus with a diameter of 10 micrometer. The orderly packaging of DNA in the nucleus plays an important role in the functional aspects of gene regulation. A small percentage of chromatin is made available to transcription factors and the transcription machinery, while the remainder of the genome is in a state that is essentially invisible to the RNA polymerases. Modification of histones has a key role in altering chromatin higher order structure and function. In this review, we will present the latest developments in the study of histone modifications (ubiquitination, acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation) and the enzymes involved in these processes.

Acetylation↗