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RNase E cleavage in the atpE leader region of atpE/interferon-beta hybrid transcripts in Escherichia coli causes enhanced rates of mRNA decay.

Chimeric transcripts containing the ribosome binding site of the Escherichia coli atpE gene and variants of the human structural interferon-beta gene are subject to RNase E processing in the 5'-untranslated atpE part of the transcripts. The absence of processing at two sites in the atpE leader-sequence caused by the RNase E deficiency in E. coli host N3431 leads to a considerable stabilization of the mRNA moiety. RNase E has originally been described as a processing enzyme for non-mRNAs such as precursor 5 S rRNA and RNA1, but cleavage mRNA substrates have also been reported. RNase E processing of the atpE gene leader sequence-containing transcripts leads to an increased rate of mRNA breakdown. The two RNase E-dependent processing sites in the atpE part of the mRNA transcripts exhibit some similarity to the other known RNase E processing sites. The influence of RNase E cleavage upon post-transcriptional regulation such as RNA stability and the efficiency of translational initiation is discussed.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Genetic polymorphism of human serum ribonuclease I (RNase I).

One of the human urinary ribonucleases (RNases) was isolated and purified to homogeneity (SDS-PAGE) by means of a series of column chromatographies. The enzyme, designated RNase 1, is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 16,000. Rabbit antibody to the purified RNase 1 reacted with human urine and sera, as well as with the purified RNase 1. The genetic polymorphism of serum RNase 1 was studied by polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing (IEF-PAGE) in a pH range of 5-8, followed by immunoblotting with antisera specific for RNase 1. Two common phenotypes, RNASE1 1 and RNASE1 1-2, were easily recognized. The homogeneous phenotype, RNASE1 1, consisted of four major bands with different pI values, and the heterogeneous phenotype, RNASE1 1-2, was presumed to represent a mixture of each of the homogeneous phenotypes 1 and 2; however, the other homogeneous phenotype, RNASE1 2, was not detected in our samples. Family studies are in agreement with an autosomal codominant transmission of the two alleles. Population studies indicate that the frequencies of the RNASE 1 and RNASE1 2 alleles are .988 and .012, respectively.

Adult↗

[Large-scale purification, crystallization and some physicochemical properties of extracellular guanyl-RNases C2 and Pch1].

The purification of RNase C2 from 76.5 1 of Asp. clavatus cultural fluid and RNase Pch1 from 160 1 of Pen. chrysogenum 152 A cultural fluid was described. 1150-fold purification of RNase C2 was attained by precipitation with ammonium sulfate, ion-exchange chromatography and rechromatography on DEAE-cellulose, gel chromatography on Sephadex G-75, and crystallization from diluted acidic buffer. During the preparation of RNase Pch1 additional chromatography on CM-cellulose was used before crystallization, the purification being 2220-fold. It was obtained 600 mg RNase C2 and 900 mg RNase Pch1. Some physico-chemical properties of crystalline RNases were studied.

Aspergillus↗

[Study of mechanisms of increasing serum RNase].

In 1976 Reddi et al. reported increase of serum Ribonuclease (RNase) in pancreatic cancer patients. In this study, the increase in serum RNase activity was observed in patients with pancreatic cancer, coincided with the report by Reddi et al. The increase was also observed in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Especially, in patients with cancer invasion into pancreas, high value was obtained. Patients with other cancers showed the elevation of RNase activities. Thus, the elevation of serum RNase level is not specific only to patients with pancreatic cancer. An selectric focusing test showed no distinguishable difference in patients with pancreatic cancer and healthy persons. In mice with transplanted tumor of pancreas, serum RNase increased. Simultaneously, histological dilatation of pancreatic ducts and destruction of acinus were observed. When pancreas was occupied by tumor, serum RNase was decreased. These results suggest that RNase is not produced by cancer cell but is released from pancreas itself.

Animals↗

Study of RNase A mechanism and folding by means of synthetic 63-residue analogs.

A 63-residue RNase A analog containing residues 26 to 35 then alanine, 41 to 59 and 73 to 84 then glycine, 100 to 110 then glycine, and 117 to 124 was synthesized by the solid phase method. The deletions comprised ordered (an alpha helix, parts of the beta sheet) and less ordered structures including 27 of the 56 residues invariant in mammalian ribonucleases. The synthetic 63-residue analog was cleaved from the insoluble support with liquid HF, reduced-reoxidized, fractionated by gel filtration, and purified further on an affinity column specific for the active site fold of RNase A. It had an activity of 8 to 14 per cent in the transphosphorylation step using poly(C) and poly(U) as substrates. It also had low synthetic and hydrolytic activity (0.2 per cent) and showed RNase A-like specificity toward the substrates tested. This indicated that all residues essential for substrate binding and catalysis were present and that their relative positions in the three-dimensional structure were probably very similar to those in native RNase A. Therefore, structure-function studies with the 63-residue RNase A analog should allow conclusions about the mode of action of the natural enzyme. As a first step in this direction, lysine 41 which is believed to be important for catalysis was replaced in the 63-residue analog by tyrosine or glutamine. The resulting (Tyr-41)- and (Gln 41)-63-residue analogs were also bound by the affinity column and had the same substrate specificity as native RNase A. They differed from each other, from the (Lys 41)-63-residue analog, and the 124-residue natural enzyme only with respect to the relative rates of the catalyzed reactions. Thus, lysine 41 does not seem to be essential for the functioning of RNase A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Defining the enzyme binding domain of a ribonuclease III processing signal. Ethylation interference and hydroxyl radical footprinting using catalytically inactive RNase III mutants.

Ethylation interference and hydroxyl radical footprinting were used to identify substrate ribose-phosphate backbone sites that interact with the Escherichia coli RNA processing enzyme, ribonuclease III. Two RNase III mutants were employed, which bind substrate in vitro similarly as wild-type enzyme, but lack detectable phosphodiesterase activity. Specifically, altering glutamic acid at position 117 to lysine or alanine uncouples substrate binding from cleavage. The two substrates examined are based on the bacteriophage T7 R1.1 RNase III processing signal. One substrate, R1.1 RNA, undergoes accurate single cleavage at the canonical site, while a close variant, R1.1[WC-L] RNA, undergoes coordinate double cleavage. The interference and footprinting patterns for each substrate (i) overlap, (ii) exhibit symmetry and (iii) extend approximately one helical turn in each direction from the RNase III cleavage sites. Divalent metal ions (Mg2+, Ca2+) significantly enhance substrate binding, and confer stronger protection from hydroxyl radicals, but do not significantly affect the interference pattern. The footprinting and interference patterns indicate that (i) RNase III contacts the sugar-phosphate backbone; (ii) the RNase III-substrate interaction spans two turns of the A-form helix; and (iii) divalent metal ion does not play an essential role in binding specificity. These results rationalize the conserved two-turn helix motif seen in most RNase III processing signals, and which is necessary for optimal processing reactivity. In addition, the specific differences in the footprint and interference patterns of the two substrates suggest why RNase III catalyzes the coordinate double cleavage of R1.1[WC-L] RNA, and dsRNA in general, while catalyzing only single cleavage of R1.1 RNA and related substrates in which the scissle bond is within an asymmetric internal loop.

Base Sequence↗

Modulation of the activity of RNase E in vitro by RNA sequences and secondary structures 5' to cleavage sites.

The endoribonuclease RNase E is believed to initiate the degradation of many mRNAs in Escherichia coli, yet the mechanism by which it recognizes cleavage sites is poorly understood. We have prepared derivatives of the mRNA encoding ribosomal protein S20 which contain a single major RNase E cleavage site at residues 300/301 preceded by variable 5' extensions. Three of these RNAs are cleaved in vitro with significantly reduced efficiencies relative to the intact S20 mRNA by both crude RNase E and pure Rne protein (endonuclease component of RNase E). In all three substrates as well as in the full-length mRNA the major cleavage site itself remains single-stranded. One such substrate (t84D) contains a 5' stem-loop structure characterized by three noncanonical A-G pairs. Removal or denaturation of the stem restores efficient cleavage at the major RNase E site. The other two contain single-stranded 5'-termini but apparently lack cleavage sites near the termini. Our data show that sensitivity to RNase E can be influenced by distant structural motifs in the RNA and also suggest a model in which the initial recognition and cleavage of a substrate near its 5' end facilitates sequential cleavages at more distal sites. The model implies that RNase E contains at least a dimer of the Rne subunit and that the products of the first cleavage are retained by Rne prior to the second cleavage.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Design of short external guide sequences (EGSs) for cleavage of target molecules with RNase P.

The minimal substrate for human RNase P consists of the 5' leader sequence, aminoacyl acceptor stem, T-stem and T-loop of tRNA. The sequences corresponding to the D-stem, anticodon stem and loop and variable loop are replaced by a bulge which can be as small as 1 nt, but requires > 4 nt for optimal cleavage by RNase P. We found that a trans construct in which the T loop is opened between G57 and A58 (tRNA numbering system) is still processed by RNase P. The strand that is cleaved can be considered the target RNA while the other strand serves as an External Guide Sequence (EGS). We were also able to delete the nucleotides corresponding to nt 58 to 60 in the T-loop without affecting cleavage of the substrate. We propose that the sequence UUCG or UUCA (nucleotide 55 to 57 in the T-loop) positioned 3' to a double helical region of 12 to 13 basepairs containing a bulge of > 4 nt can form a structure that is recognized by human RNase P. The four nucleotides UUCR probably form a structure that resembles the uridine turn in the Tloop of tRNA. Since recognition by RNase P seems to be independent of the helical sequence, we suggest that this motif can be used for targeting RNA molecules for EGS-directed cleavage by RNase P. Based on these results, several 13-mer EGSs targeted to the 2.1 Kb surface antigen mRNA of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were designed and tested using a co-transcriptional cleavage assay with a 2.1 Kb HBV transcript. Some of these were capable of inducing cleavage of the HBV RNA by RNase P. The use of such small EGSs for the inactivation of various genes will be discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Rad53 regulates RNase H1, which promotes DNA replication through sites of transcription-replication conflict.

RNA-DNA hybrids and R-loops can lead to extensive DNA damage and loss of genomic integrity if not regulated in a timely manner. Although RNase H1 overexpression is frequently used as a tool to resolve R-loops, the regulation of RNase H1, overexpressed or endogenous, remains poorly characterized. We reveal that in yeast, overexpressed RNase H1 (RNH1) has no effect on gene expression, cell growth, or RNA-DNA hybrid resolution in wild-type cells. Overexpressed RNase H1 does, however, remove RNA-DNA hybrids in mutants where hybrids have become dysregulated. Endogenous RNase H1 becomes up-regulated and chromatin-associated in the absence of Sen1 in a DNA replication checkpoint-dependent manner. Rnh1 gets recruited to genomic loci where RNA-DNA hybrids accumulate following the loss of Sen1. Rnh1, together with Sen1, promotes DNA replication at sites of transcription-replication conflict. Hence, RNase H1, overexpressed or endogenous, responds to unscheduled, stress-inducing RNA-DNA hybrids.

Ribonuclease H↗

2-5A induces a conformational change in the ankyrin-repeat domain of RNase L.

RNase L is responsible for the 2-5A host defense system, an RNA degradation pathway present in cells of higher vertebrates that functions in both the antiviral and anticellular activities of interferon. The activity of RNase L is tightly regulated and is exerted only in the presence of 2-5A. The postulated mechanism of its regulation is as follows: the N-terminal half ankyrin-repeat domain masks the C-terminal half nuclease domain in the absence of 2-5A. On binding 2-5A at the ankyrin-repeat domain, RNase L forms a homodimer and removes the ankyrin-repeat domain from the nuclease domain to become the active form. A conformational change in the ankyrin-repeat domain is a key step in this hypothetical mechanism, but there is as yet no evidence for such a change. To clarify the events induced by 2-5A binding, we established procedures for expression and purification of the ankyrin-repeat domain of human RNase L. Fluorescence spectra of the protein showed clear difference in the presence and absence of 2-5A. The alterations in the spectra supported conformational changes of the protein. Time-resolved anisotropy measurements indicated that 2-5A binding led to a significant decrease in the rotational radius of the protein. In addition, 2-5A provided the domain with resistance to protease digestion as a result of a conformational change. These results indicated that the ankyrin-repeat domain of RNase L constricts its structure by binding of 2-5A. This observation suggests a revised model of the 2-5A-induced activation of RNase L.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

A novel cross-linked RNase A dimer with enhanced enzymatic properties.

A new cross-linked ribonuclease A (RNase A) dimer composed of monomeric units covalently linked by a single amide bond between the side-chains of Lys(66) and Glu(9) is described. The dimer was prepared in the absence of water by incubating a lyophilized preparation of RNase, sealed under vacuum, in an oven at 85 degrees C. It was determined that the in vacuo procedure does not induce any significant conformational changes to the overall structure of RNase A, yet the amide cross-link has an increased acid lability, indicating that it is exposed and conformationally strained. Examination of X-ray crystallographic structures indicates that Lys(66) and Glu(9) are not close enough for the in vacuo dimer to adopt any of the known domain-swapped conformations. Therefore, the in vacuo RNase A dimer appears to be a novel dimeric structure. The in vacuo RNase A dimer also exhibits a twofold increase in activity over monomeric RNase A on a per monomer basis. This doubling of enzymatic activity was shown using dsRNA and ssRNA as substrates. In addition to this enhanced ability to degrade RNA, the dimer is not inhibited by the cellular ribonuclease inhibitor protein (cRI).

Animals↗

Use of thermostable and Escherichia coli RNase H in RNA mapping studies.

A recently introduced thermostable RNase H was tested to determine its effectiveness in RNase H mapping reactions. Procedures are described which should have general use with both the thermostable and the Escherichia coli RNase H enzymes. Using the thermostable RNase H at higher temperatures extends the range of oligodeoxyribonucleotide/RNA combinations that yield satisfactory results. Northern blot analyses of total RNA was used to demonstrate that native RNAs can be analyzed by oligodeoxyribonucleotide directed RNase H digestion with minimal sample processing as long as care is taken to maintain thermal stringency both during reaction assembly and termination. Increased thermal stringency allows for higher DNA concentrations to ensure complete site-specific digestion of target RNAs or to permit simultaneous cleavage with multiple oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Partial digests can also be controlled by manipulating oligodeoxyribonucleotide concentrations. In addition, the thermostable RNase H was shown to be active at magnesium ion concentrations as low as 0.1 mM. This allows for optimization of Mg2+ effects on overall sample integrity and DNA/RNA interactions over at least a 20-fold range (2.0-0.1 mM).

Animals↗

The role of RNA structure in determining RNase E-dependent cleavage sites in the mRNA for ribosomal protein S20 in vitro.

An RNA encompassing the 3' 147 residues of the mRNA for ribosomal protein S20 in Escherichia coli constitutes a naturally occurring degradative intermediate whose formation depends on RNase E. We have investigated the role of internal stem-loop structures in the RNase E-dependent cleavage which generates this product from S20 mRNA in a partially fractionated processing system in vitro. Individual stem-loops have been removed by deletion or destabilized by point mutations. No single hairpin structure is absolutely required for RNase E-dependent cleavage at the site 147 residues from the 3' end of the RNA. Primary sequences or secondary structures 5' or 3' to this site exert only a modest influence on the specificity of cleavage but can strongly modify its rate. Moreover, mutations in the S20 mRNA which destabilize stems 5' or 3' to the prominent cleavage site also reveal several strong cryptic RNase E cleavage sites. These data greatly strengthen the hypothesis that RNase E is a single-strand specific endoribonuclease. Our data further demonstrate that stem-loop structures adjacent to the prominent cleavage site are unlikely to provide a site of recognition for RNase E. Rather, they appear to stabilize (or "anchor") the local secondary structure so that the cleavage site is single-stranded and to occlude alternative sites so that the initial products of cleavage resist further attack.

Base Sequence↗

Role of the N terminus in RNase A homologues: differences in catalytic activity, ribonuclease inhibitor interaction and cytotoxicity.

A number of biochemical properties differ dramatically among homologues within the pancreatic ribonuclease superfamily. Human pancreatic ribonuclease (hRNase) has high enzyme activity, extreme sensitivity to ribonuclease inhibitor (RI) and is non-toxic, whereas a homologous RNase from frog eggs, called onconase, has much lower enzyme activity, is not sensitive to RI and is cytotoxic to cancer cell lines and animals. To explore the structural basis of these differences among members in the RNAse family we synthesized genes for onconase, hRNase, a mutant onconase (K9Q) and onconase-hRNase N-terminal hybrids and expressed the proteins in Escherichia coli with final yields of 10 to 50 mg per liter of culture after purification. A recombinant version of onconase with an N-terminal methionine instead of the native pyroglutamyl residue had decreased cytotoxicity and enzyme activity. Cleavage of the recombinant onconase Met-1 residue, and cyclization of the Gln1 residue to reform the pyroglutamyl N terminus, reconstituted cytotoxicity and enzyme activity. Thus a unique role of the pyroglutamyl residue in the active site of amphibian RNases is indicated. Replacement of one to nine residues of onconase with the homologous residues of hRNase increased the enzymatic activity against most of the substrates tested with a simultaneous shift in the enzyme specificity from high preference for poly(U) to slight preference for poly(C). Cytotoxicity of the chimera decreased, dissociating cytotoxicity from enzymatic activity. The molecular basis for the low binding affinity of onconase for RI has been examined experimentally with the recombinant RNases and by fitting onconase and RNase A structures to the coordinates from the recently published RNase A-RI complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Manganese ions induce miscleavage in the Escherichia coli RNase P RNA-catalyzed reaction.

Cleavage by the endoribonuclease RNase P requires the presence of divalent metal ions, of which Mg2+ promotes most efficient cleavage. Here we have studied the importance of there being Mg2+ in RNase P RNA catalysis. It is demonstrated that addition of Mn2+ resulted in a shift of the cleavage site and that this shift was associated with a change in the kinetic constants, in particular kcat. Our data further suggest that the influence of Mn2+ on cleavage site recognition depends on the -1/+73 base-pair in the substrate and the +73/294 base-pair in the RNase P RNA-substrate (RS)-complex. Based on our data we suggest that cleavage in the presence of Mg2+ as the only divalent metal ion proceeds through an intermediate which involves the establishment of the +73/294 base-pair in the RS-complex. By contrast, addition of Mn2+ favours an alternative pathway which results in a shift of the cleavage site. We also studied the influence of Mn2+ on cleavage site recognition and the kinetics of cleavage using various RNase P RNA derivatives carrying substitutions in the region of RNase P RNA that base-pair with the 3' terminal end of the substrate. From these results we conclude that a change in the structure of this RNase P RNA domain influences the involvement of a divalent metal ion(s) in the chemistry of cleavage.

Base Pairing↗

Activation of the IFN-inducible enzyme RNase L causes apoptosis of animal cells.

The interferon (IFN)-induced enzyme RNase L produced by a recombinant vaccinia virus (VV) causes death of mammalian cells with morphological and biochemical characteristics of apoptosis. Coexpression of 2-5A-synthetase enhances apoptosis induced by RNase L Activation of endogenous RNase L by infection with a VV ts mutant (ts22) or with wild-type virus in the presence of the antipoxvirus drug isatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone, a treatment known to significantly increase the amount of double-stranded RNA late during infection, also causes pronounced apoptosis of infected cells. The effects observed with recombinant virus-derived RNase L or with the endogenous enzyme are specific, since apoptosis also occurs in cells derived from mice lacking the IFN-induced protein kinase (PKR). The apoptosis antagonist Bcl-2 prevents induction of cell death by RNase L activation. Apoptosis of mammalian cells by RNase L activation could be a mechanism mediating anticellular actions of IFN.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

RNase X2, a pistil-specific ribonuclease from Petunia inflata, shares sequence similarity with solanaceous S proteins.

Petunia inflata, a species with gametophytic self-incompatibility, has previously been found to contain a large number of ribonucleases in the pistil. The best characterized of the pistil ribonucleases are the products of the S alleles, the S proteins, which are thought to be involved in self-incompatibility interactions. Here we report the characterization of a gene encoding another pistil ribonuclease of P. inflata, RNase X2. Degenerate oligonucleotides, synthesized based on the amino-terminal sequence of RNase X2, were used as probes to isolate cDNA clones, one of which was in turn used as a probe to isolate genomic clones containing the gene for RNase X2, rnx2. The deduced amino acid sequence of RNase X2 shows 42% to 71% identity to the 20 solanaceous S proteins reported so far, with the highest degree of similarity being to S3 and S6 proteins of Nicotiana alata. The cDNA sequence predicts a leader peptide of 22 amino acids, suggesting that RNase X2, like S proteins, is an extracellular ribonuclease. Also, similar to the S gene, rnx2 is expressed only in the pistil, and contains a single intron comparable in size and identical in location to that of the S gene. However, rnx2 is not linked to the S locus, and, in contrast to the highly polymorphic S gene, it is monomorphic. The possible biological function of RNase X2 is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The RNase P of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Ribonuclease P (RNase P) is a key enzyme involved in tRNA biosynthesis. It catalyses the endonucleolytic cleavage of nearly all tRNA precursors to produce 5'-end matured tRNA. RNase P activity has been found in all organisms examined, from bacteria to mammals. Eubacterial RNase RNA is the only known RNA enzyme which functions in trans in nature. Similar behaviour has not been demonstrated in RNase P enzymes examined from archaebacteria or eukaryotes. Characterisation of RNase P enzymes from more diverse eukaryotic species, including the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, is useful for comparative analysis of the structure and function of eukaryotic RNase P.

Animals↗