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Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by 5'LTR decoy RNA.

Long terminal repeats (5'-LTR) contain essential enhancer and promoter elements that act as targets for cellular and viral regulatory proteins. The interplay of these cis-acting sequences with specific transcription factors (NF kappa B, Ap1, and Sp1) present in infected cells determines the rate of transcription initiation from the 5'-LTR promoter element, and thus strongly influences the level of viral replication. Furthermore, Tat functions to enhance transcriptional elongation by binding to the trans-activation response element (TAR). These transcriptional factors enhance the transcriptional elongation from the HIV-1 promoter. HIV-1 genomic RNA packaging is a highly specific process involving interactions between the viral Gag precursor and cis acting packaging signals in the 5' leader sequence of HIV-1 genomic RNA. We examined the suppression effect of HIV-1 expression by the decoy RNAs targeted to these HIV-1 transcriptional and packaging regulatory regions. HIV-1 expression was inhibited by the 5'-LTR decoy RNA, and measured by the amount of HIV-1 gag p24 protein, but no inhibition of HIV-1 packaging could be detected.

Animals↗

Cell lysis directed by sigmaE in early stationary phase and effect of induction of the rpoE gene on global gene expression in Escherichia coli.

It has been shown that Escherichia coli cells with increased expression of the rpoE gene encoding sigma(E) exhibit enhanced cell lysis in early stationary phase. Further analysis of the lysis phenomenon was performed using a transient expression system of the rpoE gene and by DNA microarray. The former analysis revealed a sigma(E)-directed cell lysis, specific for early stationary phase but not for the exponential phase. The microarray analysis with RNAs from exponential and early stationary phase cells revealed that a large number of genes were up- or down-regulated when the rpoE gene was induced, and that several genes were induced in a phase-specific manner. The upregulated genes include many previously identified sigma(E) regulon genes, suggesting that a large number of genes are under the control of sigma(E) in this organism. These genes are involved in various cellular activities, including the cell envelope, cellular processes, regulatory functions, transport and translation. Genes that are presumably related to phase-specific cell lysis in E. coli are discussed.

Escherichia coli↗

Evolution of virus and defective-interfering RNAs in BHK cells persistently infected with Sindbis virus.

We analyzed a BHK cell line persistently infected with Sindbis virus for 16 months and a virus (Sin-16) cloned from these cells. Sin-16 virus was resistant to the defective interfering particles present in the original infection. We found that (i) cells infected with Sin-16 were impaired in the processing of a viral precursor glycoprotein, (ii) high-multiplicity passaging of Sin-16 gave rise to a variant that was able to generate and be inhibited by defective-interfering particles to which the original Sin-16 virus was resistant, and (iii) the persistently infected culture contained a heterogeneous mixture of defective Sindbis virus RNAs which were not packaged into extracellular particles. To determine whether these intracellular RNAs could interfere with the replication of Sin-16, we analyzed cells that were cloned from the persistently infected culture. One clone (A3) synthesized a single defective viral RNA which was lost with continued passaging in culture. Infection of A3 cells with Sin-16 showed that the presence of the defective RNA greatly enhanced cell survival and led to enrichment of this RNA. In contrast, cured cells were highly susceptible to killing by Sin-16, and survivors did not synthesize this RNA. Thus, A3 cells were not genetically altered in their response to Sin-16, but were protected from the cytopathic effects of infection by an RNA with the characteristics of a defective-interfering RNA.

Animals↗

Molecular analysis of an enhancin gene in the Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus.

A Lymantria dispar nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdMNPV) gene has been identified that encodes a homolog to the granulovirus (GV) enhancin proteins that are capable of enhancing the infection of other baculoviruses. Enhancin genes have been identified and sequenced for three species of GVs but have not been found in any other nuclear polyhedrosis virus to date. The LdMNPV enhancin gene is located between 67.6 and 70.1 kbp on the viral genome. Northern and primer extension analyses of viral RNAs indicate that the enhancin gene transcripts are expressed at late times postinfection from a consensus baculovirus late promoter. The LdMNPV enhancin exhibits 29% amino acid identity to the enhancin proteins of the Trichoplusia ni, Pseudaletia unipuncta, and Helicoverpa armigera GVs. All four proteins contain a conserved zinc-binding domain characteristic of metalloproteases. A recombinant virus (enhancin::cat) was constructed in which the LdMNPV enhancin gene was inactivated by insertion mutagenesis in order to ascertain the effect of the enhancin protein on viral potency. The bioassay results indicate that disruption of the enhancin gene in the LdMNPV results in a reduction in viral potency.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recruitment of a basal polyadenylation factor by the upstream sequence element of the human lamin B2 polyadenylation signal.

We have investigated how the upstream sequence element (USE) of the lamin B2 poly(A) signal mediates efficient 3'-end formation. In vitro analysis demonstrates that this USE increases both the efficiency of 3'-end cleavage and the processivity of poly(A) addition. Cross-linking using selectively labeled synthetic RNAs confirms that cleavage stimulation factor interacts with the sequences downstream of the cleavage site, while electrophoresis mobility shift assays demonstrate that the USE directly stabilizes the binding of the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor to the poly(A) signal. Thus in common with other poly(A) signals, the lamin B2 USE directly enhances the binding of basal poly(A) factors. In addition, a novel 55-kDa protein binds to the USE and the core poly(A) signal and appears to inhibit cleavage. The binding activity of this factor appears to change during the cell cycle, being greatest in S phase, when the lamin B2 gene is transcribed.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Transcription of the blk gene in human B lymphocytes is controlled by two promoters.

Genomic DNA containing the first exon and 5'-flanking region of the human protein tyrosine kinase, blk, was isolated. Sequence analysis identified a TG repeat element in this region with enhancer activity, but no TATA or CCAAT sequences were found. Two blk transcripts of 2.2 and 2.5 kilobases were identified in various B-cell lines by Northern blot analyses, and primer extension experiments demonstrated two clusters of multiple transcription start sites. Subsequent promoter analyses by transient transfection assays with a reporter gene identified two promoter elements in the human blk gene. Promoter P1 contains sequences that have been shown to regulate the expression of immunoglobulin genes and promoter P2 contains elements that are highly conserved in the promoter of major histocompatibility complex class II genes, as well as a B-cell-specific activator protein- (BSAP) binding site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that the binding of a protein to the BSAP-binding site was correlated with the presence of the 2.5-kilobase blk transcript. These data suggest that the two human blk RNAs arise from the transcription of the blk gene by two distinct promoters and that these promoters may be subject to regulation by different trans-acting factors.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Selection of cryptic 5' splice sites by group II intron RNAs in vitro.

Recognition of 5' splice points by group I and group II self-splicing introns involves the interaction of exon sequences--directly preceding the 5' splice site--with intronic sequence elements. We show here that the exon binding sequences (EBS) of group II intron aI5c can accept various substitutes of the authentic intron binding sites (IBS) provided in cis or in trans. The efficiency of cleavages at these cryptic 5' splice sites was enhanced by deletion of the authentic IBS2 element. All cryptic 5' cleavage sites studied here were preceded by an IBS1 like sequence; indicating that the IBS1/EBS1 pairing alone is sufficient for proper 5' splice site selection by the intronic EBS element. The results are discussed in terms of minimal requirements for 5' cleavages and position effects of IBS sites relative to the intron.

Exons↗

Rational probe optimization and enhanced detection strategy for microRNAs using microarrays.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators participating in biological processes ranging from differentiation to carcinogenesis. We developed a rational probe design algorithm and a sensitive labelling scheme for optimizing miRNA microarrays. Our microarray contains probes for all validated miRNAs from five species, with the potential for drawing on species conservation to identify novel miRNAs with homologous probes. These methods are useful for high-throughput analysis of micro RNAs from various sources, and allow analysis with limiting quantities of RNA. The system design can also be extended for use on Luminex beads or on 96-well plates in an ELISA-style assay. We optimized hybridization temperatures using sequence variations on 20 of the probes and determined that all probes distinguish wild-type from 2 nt mutations, and most probes distinguish a 1 nt mutation, producing good selectivity between closely-related small RNA sequences. Results of tissue comparisons on our microarrays reveal patterns of hybridization that agree with results from Northern blots and other methods.

Animals↗

Evaluation of pepsin treatment for electron microscopic RNA in situ hybridization on ultra-thin cryosections of cultured cells.

The in situ hybridization (ISH) technique, as applied to electron microscopic detection of RNAs, was evaluated for ultra-thin cryosections of cultured rat fibroblasts (rat 9G). Experimental variables to balance penetration of detection reagents and preservation of ultrastructural morphology included various strengths of aldehyde fixation and pepsin treatment. We performed ISH for 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) followed by ultra-small colloidal gold immunocytochemistry and silver enhancement. An acceptable balance for 28S rRNA ISH detection was obtained using mild cross-linking fixation followed by treatment with a relative high concentration of pepsin for a short time. The ISH method presented in this study was compatible with immunocytochemical detection of protein as demonstrated by double-labeling experiments.

Animals↗

Small interfering RNA and gene silencing in transgenic mice and rats.

After short duplexes of synthetic 21-23 nt RNAs (siRNA) were reported to be effective in silencing specific genes, a vector-based approach for siRNAs was demonstrated in mammalian cultured cell lines. However, the effect of RNA interference (RNAi) on various differentiated cells in live animals remains unknown. In this report, we demonstrate that transgenically supplied siRNA can silence ubiquitously expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein in every part of the mouse and rat body. These results suggest that transgenic RNAi could function as an alternative method of gene silencing by applying homologous recombination to embryonic stem (ES) cells, and should be successful even in species where ES cell lines remain unestablished.

Animals↗

ROS1, a repressor of transcriptional gene silencing in Arabidopsis, encodes a DNA glycosylase/lyase.

Mutations in the Arabidopsis ROS1 locus cause transcriptional silencing of a transgene and a homologous endogenous gene. In the ros1 mutants, the promoter of the silenced loci is hypermethylated, which may be triggered by small RNAs produced from the transgene repeats. The transcriptional silencing in ros1 mutants can be released by the ddm1 mutation or the application of the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. ROS1 encodes an endonuclease III domain nuclear protein with bifunctional DNA glycosylase/lyase activity against methylated but not unmethylated DNA. The ros1 mutant shows enhanced sensitivity to genotoxic agents methyl methanesulfonate and hydrogen peroxide. We suggest that ROS1 is a DNA repair protein that represses homology-dependent transcriptional gene silencing by demethylating the target promoter DNA.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Human cytomegalovirus UL83-coded pp65 virion protein inhibits antiviral gene expression in infected cells.

The initial interaction of human cytomegalovirus with fibroblasts triggers, and then partially blocks, an innate immune response pathway that leads to the induction of IFN-responsive genes and proinflammatory chemokines. Infection of fibroblasts with human cytomegalovirus inhibited their ability to respond to exogenous IFN. Consistent with the observation that the block did not depend on de novo viral protein synthesis, ectopic expression of the viral UL83-coded pp65, an abundant virion protein, inhibited IFN signaling. Furthermore, DNA array analysis showed that infection with a pp65-deficient mutant virus caused a much stronger induction of many IFN-response and proinflammatory chemokine RNAs than infection with wild-type virus. The nuclear DNA-binding activities of transcription factors NF-kappaB and IRF1 were induced to a much greater extent after infection with the pp65-deficient mutant than with wild-type virus. IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 DNA-binding was modestly enhanced, whereas IRF3 activity was not affected by mutation of pp65. Together, these results imply that pp65, which is delivered to newly infected cells in the virion, antagonizes a pathway that affects NF-kappaB and IRF1 and prevents the accumulation of mRNAs encoded by numerous cellular antiviral genes.

Base Sequence↗

Synergism in replication and translation of messenger RNA in a cell-free system.

Combination of the Q beta replicase reaction with the Escherichia coli cell-free translation system markedly enhances replication of a recombinant RQ-DHFR RNA consisting of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) mRNA sequence inserted into RQ135(-1) RNA, an efficient naturally occurring Q beta replicase template. The enhancement is associated with a replication asymmetry previously described for the replication of Q beta phage RNA in vivo; the sense (+)-strands are produced in large excess over the antisense (-)-strands. This, in turn, results in increased synthesis of the functionally active DHFR. These effects are not observed when DHFR mRNAs or RQ135(-1) RNAs are used as templates, if the translation system is not complete, or if it is inhibited by puromycin. The coupled replication-translation of nonviral mRNA recombinants can serve as a useful model for studying the fundamental aspects of virus amplification and can be implemented for large-scale protein synthesis in vitro.

Base Sequence↗

Noncoding transcription controls the developmental dynamics of long-range gene regulation.

The genomic regions regulating gene expression are often themselves transcribed into a variety of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). However, the regulatory roles of this noncoding transcription remain largely unknown. By using live imaging, we reveal that the sequential transcription of ncRNAs emanating from distinct regulatory elements underlies gene activation in Drosophila embryos. Single-allele co-visualization uncovers that optimal gene activation is achieved by only moderate levels of enhancer activity. Disrupting enhancer-associated ncRNAs causes precocious gene activation, providing evidence that ncRNAs control the timing of gene expression in development. We further show that enhancer transcription can regulate long-range interactions within complex regulatory landscapes. We propose that ncRNAs locally modulate regulatory element activity in cis to shape genome organization and orchestrate the temporal control of gene expression in development.

Journal Article↗

Hepatitis B virus nucleocapsid assembly: primary structure requirements in the core protein.

As a step toward understanding the assembly of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsid at a molecular level, we sought to define the primary sequence requirements for assembly of the HBV core protein. This protein can self assemble upon expression in Escherichia coli. Applying this system to a series of C-terminally truncated core protein variants, we mapped the C-terminal limit for assembly to the region between amino acid residues 139 and 144. The size of this domain agrees well with the minimum length of RNA virus capsid proteins that fold into an eight-stranded beta-barrel structure. The entire Arg-rich C-terminal domain of the HBV core protein is not necessary for assembly. However, the nucleic acid content of particles formed by assembly-competent core protein variants correlates with the presence or absence of this region, as does particle stability. The nucleic acid found in the particles is RNA, between about 100 to some 3,000 nucleotides in length. In particles formed by the full-length protein, the core protein mRNA appears to be enriched over other, cellular RNAs. These data indicate that protein-protein interactions provided by the core protein domain from the N terminus to the region around amino acid 144 are the major factor in HBV capsid assembly, which proceeds without the need for substantial amounts of nucleic acid. The presence of the basic C terminus, however, greatly enhances encapsidation of nucleic acid and appears to make an important contribution to capsid stability via protein-nucleic acid interactions. The observation of low but detectable levels of nucleic acid in particles formed by core protein variants lacking the Arg-rich C terminus suggests the presence of a second nucleic acid-binding motif in the first 144 amino acids of the core protein. Based on these findings, the potential importance of the C-terminal core protein region during assembly in vivo into authentic, replication-competent nucleocapsids is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) synthetase cDNA and the inhibition of fruit ripening by its antisense RNA in transgenic tomato plants.

A 1.7 kb fragment of ACC synthetase cDNA, one member of the ACC synthetase multigene family, was amplified from total tomato cDNA through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned in E. coli. Restriction mapping and sequencing analysis confirmed its fidelity and correctness. The cloned ACC synthetase gene was then inserted into a binary vector pBin437, in an inverted orientation between the CaMV 35S promoter with duplicated enhancers and the Nos 3' transcriptional termination sequence, to construct an expression vector pBACC. Transgenic tomato plants were obtained by A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation of cotyledons. PCR detection and Southern blot analysis confirmed the integration of the antisense ACC synthetase gene in the transformed tomato genome. The results from RT-PCR of RNAs isolated from transgenic tomato leaves confirmed that antisense ACC synthetase RNA was synthesized in these transgenic plants. The amount of ethylene released from transgenic tomato fruits was reduced significantly to about 30% of that released by non-transformed controls. The inhibition effect of antisense RNA on fruit ripening was observed in transgenic plants and their progeny (T1). The shelf life of transgenic tomato fruits was at least 60 days at room temperature without significant change in hardness and color. After 15-20 days of treatment of the transgenic fruits with ethylene, most of them reached the ripe stage. The antisense ACC synthetase gene was inherited as a single gene in the progenies of transgenic tomatoes determined by T1 progeny analysis, consistent with the results of Southern blot analysis. Transgenic homozygotes expressing antisense ACC synthetase RNA showed prolonged shelf life in the T2 progeny.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Mechanism of synergy of levamisole and fluorouracil: induction of human leukocyte antigen class I in a colorectal cancer cell line.

BACKGROUND: The use of the combination of fluorouracil (5-FU) and levamisole has been shown to improve the survival of patients with resected Dukes' stage C colon carcinoma. 5-FU is incorporated into RNA, which results in aberrant processing and turnover of RNA. Neither the mechanism of synergy between the two drugs nor the precise molecular mechanism of action of levamisole is known. Each drug has previously been shown to alter the expression of class I human leukocyte antigens (HLA class I) in colorectal cancer cell lines. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of interaction between 5-FU and levamisole by investigating the effect of this combination on HLA class I gene expression in the colorectal cancer cell line WiDr. METHODS: WiDr cells were treated either with 5-FU alone or with 5-FU and levamisole. Expression of HLA class I antigens was analyzed by flow cytometry using the monoclonal antibody W6/32. Specific DNA probes for HLA class I, beta 2-microglobulin, beta-actin, HLA class II, and p53 (also known as TP53) were used in Northern blot analysis of the steady-state level of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and for "run-on" transcription analysis. RESULTS: 5-FU alone produced more than 50% increases in the expression of the HLA class I antigens, and levamisole caused a further 8%-18% increase. 5-FU caused the steady-state level of HLA class I mRNAs to increase by about 80%, and levamisole enhanced this effect of 5-FU by a further 70%. 5-FU did not increase the other mRNAs. In vitro run-on transcription revealed that 5-FU caused a 20%-57% reduction in RNA synthesis, while levamisole caused a 30%-190% increase in RNA synthesis. Levamisole therefore reversed the inhibition of RNA synthesis caused by 5-FU. Both drugs had a general effect on RNA synthesis that was not restricted to HLA class I transcription. CONCLUSIONS: The apparent synergy between levamisole and 5-FU is a result of the incorporation of 5-FU, which may stabilize HLA class I mRNAs, leading to their accumulation, while levamisole augments the accumulation of these stable mRNAs by increasing the rate of transcription. IMPLICATIONS: Levamisole reduces the toxicity of 5-FU caused by generalized inhibition of RNA synthesis, and at the same time augments the effects of 5-FU, which may be due to selective stabilization of certain mRNAs.

Blotting, Northern↗

RNA G-quadruplexes emerge from a compacted coil-like ensemble via multiple pathways.

RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4s) are emerging as vital structural elements involved in processes like gene regulation, translation, and genome stability. Found in untranslated regions of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), they influence translation efficiency and mRNA localization. Additionally, rG4s of long noncoding RNAs and telomeric RNA play roles in RNA processing and cellular aging. Despite their significance, the atomic-level folding mechanisms of rG4s remain poorly understood due to their complexity. We studied the folding of the r(GGGA)3GGG and r(GGGUUA)3GGG (TERRA) sequences into parallel-stranded rG4 using all-atom enhanced-sampling molecular dynamics simulations, applying well-tempered metadynamics coupled with solute tempering. The obtained folding pathways suggest that RNA initially adopts a compacted coil-like ensemble characterized by dynamic guanine stacking and pairing. The three-quartet rG4 gradually forms from this compacted coil ensemble via diverse routes involving strand rearrangements and guanine incorporations. While the folding mechanism is multipathway, various two-quartet rG4 structures appear to be a common transitory ensemble along most routes. Thus, the process seems more complex than previously predicted, as G-hairpins or G-triplexes do not act as distinct intermediates, even though some are occasionally sampled. We also discuss the challenges of applying enhanced sampling methodologies to such a multidimensional free-energy surface and address the force-field limitations.

G-Quadruplexes↗