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Stability and structure of RNA duplexes containing isoguanosine and isocytidine.

Isoguanosine (iG) and isocytidine (iC) differ from guanosine (G) and cytidine (C), respectively, in that the amino and carbonyl groups are transposed. The thermodynamic properties of a set of iG, iC containing RNA duplexes have been measured by UV optical melting. It is found that iG-iC replacements usually stabilize duplexes, and the stabilization per iG-iC pair is sequence-dependent. The sequence dependence can be fit to a nearest-neighbor model in which the stabilities of iG--iC pairs depend on the adjacent iG--iC or G--C pairs. For 5'-CG-3'/3'-GC-5' and 5'-GG-3'/3'-CC-5' nearest neighbors, the free energy differences upon iG-iC replacement are smaller than 0.2 kcal/mol at 37 degrees C, regardless of the number of replacements. For 5'-GC-3'/3'-CG-5', however, each iG--iC replacement adds 0.6 kcal/mol stabilizing free energy at 37 degrees C. Stacking propensities of iG and iC as unpaired nucleotides at the end of a duplex are similar to those of G and C. An NMR structure is reported for r(CiGCGiCG)(2) and found to belong to the A-form family. The structure has substantial deviations from standard A-form but is similar to published NMR and/or crystal structures for r(CGCGCG)(2) and 2'-O-methyl (CGCGCG)(2). These results provide benchmarks for theoretical calculations aimed at understanding the fundamental physical basis for the thermodynamic stabilities of nucleic acid duplexes.

Adenosine↗

An RNA complex of the HIV-1 A-loop and tRNA(Lys,3) is stabilized by nucleoside modifications.

The HIV transcription initiation complex involves a putative interaction between the primer tRNA anticodon and a conserved A-rich loop in the HIV genome. Surface plasmon resonance was used to demonstrate that the hypermodified nucleosides in the tRNA anticodon stem loop (ASL) stabilize RNA-RNA interactions in a model for the anticodon/A-loop complex. tRNA ASL hairpins with the modifications of Escherchia coli tRNALys and human tRNALys,3 each form stable complexes. Partially modified tRNA ASLs bind the A-loop hairpin with lesser affinity, and it was found that the modifications of the bacterial and mammalian tRNAs make distinct contributions toward stabilizing the RNA complex. One model for the anticodon/A-loop RNA complex that is consistent with the known modification effects on tRNA structure and function is that of complementary tRNAs, as seen for the published crystal structure of tRNAAsp.

Adenosine↗

Stabilization of translationally active mRNA by prokaryotic REP sequences.

The REP sequence is a highly conserved inverted repeat that is present in about 25% of all E. coli transcription units. We show that the REP sequence can stabilize upstream RNA, independently of any other sequences, by protection from 3'-5' exonuclease attack. The REP sequence is frequently responsible for the differential stability of different segments of mRNA within an operon. We demonstrate that REP-stabilized mRNA can be translated in vivo and that cloning the REP sequence downstream of a gene can increase protein synthesis. This provides direct evidence that alterations in mRNA stability can play a role in determining bacterial gene expression. The implications of these findings for the mechanisms of mRNA degradation and for the role of RNA stability in the regulation of gene expression are discussed.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Stability of the TAR RNA and its complex with arginine.

Most stable secondary structures and their stabilization energies of the TAR RNA with +1 to +104 nucleotide-sequence region were calculated at different temperatures by using thermodynamic parameters for RNA structure prediction. The most stable secondary structure has one bulge and one loop within the region of +20 to +40 nucleotide sequence, and its stabilization energy at 37 degrees C was -46.3 kcal mol-1. The interaction of a TAR bulge oligomer (TARBO) with arginine (Arg) which was in the binding site of a Tat protein was also investigated by CD measurements. The addition of Arg did not affect the CD spectrum of TARBO. The result was different from that of the RNA oligomer with both bulge and loop.

Arginine↗

Linking splicing to Pol II transcription stabilizes pre-mRNAs and influences splicing patterns.

RNA processing is carried out in close proximity to the site of transcription, suggesting a regulatory link between transcription and pre-mRNA splicing. Using an in vitro transcription/splicing assay, we demonstrate that an association of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription and pre-mRNA splicing is required for efficient gene expression. Pol II-synthesized RNAs containing functional splice sites are protected from nuclear degradation, presumably because the local concentration of the splicing machinery is sufficiently high to ensure its association over interactions with nucleases. Furthermore, the process of transcription influences alternative splicing of newly synthesized pre-mRNAs. Because other RNA polymerases do not provide similar protection from nucleases, and their RNA products display altered splicing patterns, the link between transcription and RNA processing is RNA Pol II-specific. We propose that the connection between transcription by Pol II and pre-mRNA splicing guarantees an extended half-life and proper processing of nascent pre-mRNAs.

DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases↗

Characterization of the molecular mechanisms involved in the differential production of erythrose-4-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase and class II fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase in Escherichia coli.

A gapA-pgk gene tandem coding the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, is most frequently found in bacteria. However, in Enterobacteriaceae, gapA is replaced by an epd open reading frame (ORF) coding an erythrose-4-phosphate dehydrogenase and an fbaA ORF coding the class II fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase follows pgk. Although epd expression is very low in Escherichia coli, we show that, in the presence of glucose, the 3 epd, pgk and fbaA ORFs are efficiently cotranscribed from promoter epd P0. Conservation of promoter epd P0 is likely due to its important role in modulation of the metabolic flux during glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. As a consequence, we found that the epd translation initiation region and ORF have been adapted in order to limit epd translation and to create an efficient RNase E entry site. We also show that fbaA is cotranscribed with pgk, from promoter epd P0 or an internal pgk P1 promoter of the extended -10 class. The differential expression of pgk and fbaA also depends upon an RNase E segmentation process, leading to individual mRNAs with different stabilities. The secondary structures of the RNA regions containing the RNase E sites were experimentally determined which brings important information on the structural features of RNase E ectopic sites.

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗

RNA-dependent folding and stabilization of C5 protein during assembly of the E. coli RNase P holoenzyme.

The pre-tRNA processing enzyme ribonuclease P is a ribonucleoprotein. In Escherichia coli assembly of the holoenzyme involves binding of the small (119 amino acid residue) C5 protein to the much larger (377 nucleotide) P RNA subunit. The RNA subunit makes the majority of contacts to the pre-tRNA substrate and contains the active site; however, binding of C5 stabilizes P RNA folding and contributes to high affinity substrate binding. Here, we show that RNase P ribonucleoprotein assembly also influences the folding of C5 protein. Thermal melting studies demonstrate that the free protein population is a mixture of folded and unfolded conformations under conditions where it assembles quantitatively with the RNA subunit. Changes in the intrinsic fluorescence of a unique tryptophan residue located in the folded core of C5 provide further evidence for an RNA-dependent conformational change during RNase P assembly. Comparisons of the CD spectra of the free RNA and protein subunits with that of the holoenzyme provide evidence for changes in P RNA structure in the presence of C5 as indicated by previous studies. Importantly, monitoring the temperature dependence of the CD signal in regions of the holoenzyme spectra that are dominated by protein or RNA structure permitted analysis of the thermal melting of the individual subunits within the ribonucleoprotein. These analyses reveal a significantly higher Tm for C5 when bound to P RNA and show that unfolding of the protein and RNA are coupled. These data provide evidence for a general mechanism in which the favorable free energy for formation of the RNA-protein complex offsets the unfavorable free energy of structural rearrangements in the RNA and protein subunits.

Circular Dichroism↗

Stabilization of a ribosomal RNA tertiary structure by ribosomal protein L11.

Interactions between ribosomal protein L11 and a domain of large subunit rRNA have been highly conserved and are essential for efficient protein synthesis. To study the effects of L11 on rRNA folding, a homolog of the Escherichia coli L11 gene has been amplified from Bacillus stearothermophilus DNA and cloned into a phage T7 polymerase-based expression system. The expressed protein is 93% homologous to the L11 homolog from Bacillus subtilis, denatures at temperatures above 72 degrees C, and has nearly identical rRNA binding properties as the Escherichia coli L11 in terms of RNA affinity constants and their dependences on temperature, Mg2+ concentration, monovalent cation, and RNA mutations. Mg2+ and NH4+ are specifically bound by the RNA-protein complex, with apparent ion-RNA affinities of 1.6 mM-1 and 19 M-1, respectively, at 0 degree C. The effect of the thermostable L11 on the unfolding of a 60 nucleotide rRNA fragment containing its binding domain has been examined in melting experiments. The lowest temperature RNA transition, which is attributed to tertiary structure unfolding, is stabilized by approximately 25 degrees C, and the interaction has an intrinsic enthalpy of approximately 13 kcal/mol. The thermal stability of the protein-RNA complex is enhanced by increasing Mg2+ concentration and by NH4+ relative to Na+. Thus L11, NH4+, and Mg2+ all bind and stabilize the same rRNA tertiary interactions, which are conserved and presumably important for ribosome function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determinants of RNA hairpin loop-loop complex stability.

Complexes formed by RNA hairpin loops with complementary loop sequences derived from Escherichia coli RNA I and RNA II, which are involved in the control of DNA replication of plasmid ColE1, have been analyzed to determine the sequence and structural elements required to achieve full affinity. Of particular interest is the origin of the enhanced stability of the complex formed by hairpin loops whose loop sequences have been inverted 5' to 3' with respect to wild-type sequences. Full complementarity of the two interacting loops is required to achieve full or enhanced affinity, while the stems of the two hairpins can differ. The major determinant of enhanced affinity lies in the base-pairs formed at positions 1 and 7 of the loops, together with the two base-pairs of each stem which are closest to the loop. Sequence variation in the middle of the loops, or further down the stem away from the loops, exerts only a modest influence on complex stability. We incorporate these results into a model for the loop-loop interaction which accounts for the importance of positions one and seven and the first two nucleotides of the stem, while providing potentially unique structures for recognition by the RNA one modulator protein.

Base Sequence↗

Erythromycin-induced stabilization of ermA messenger RNA in Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.

Erythromycin-induced stabilization of ermA mRNA was studied in Staphylococcus aureus, its original host background, and in Bacillus subtilis, subcloned on plasmid vectors. By RNA blot analysis it was shown that 40 nM-erythromycin specifically increased the chemical half-life of ermA mRNA from 2.5 to 17.5 minutes whereas the half-life of cat-86 mRNA was not increased by erythromycin. While expression of ermA has been shown to be induced by erythromycin at the level of translation, our studies with three ermA constitutive mutants demonstrated that mRNA stabilization in growing cells occurred independently of induced gene expression, suggesting that the stabilized mRNA was not functional for protein synthesis. Studies of ermA/lacZ fusions demonstrated that the 5' end of the mRNA was sufficient to confer stabilization. Translation of specific amino acid codons in a leader peptide located at the extreme 5' end of the mRNA was required for the erythromycin-induced stabilization as a frameshift mutation introduced into the leader peptide determinant abolished stabilization. By S1 mapping, no differences were detected in the length of the 5' or 3' end of ermA mRNA with the addition of erythromycin, indicating that the stabilized transcript was not processed at its ends.

Bacillus subtilis↗

RNA-binding proteins of 37/38 kDa bind specifically to the barley chloroplast psbA 3'-end untranslated RNA.

The stability of the psbA mRNA increases during barley chloroplast development eventually reaching a half-life of over 40 h. Translation of psbA mRNA is also regulated in a complex way. Sequence-specific RNA binding proteins may modulate the translation or stability of the psbA mRNA during chloroplast development. UV cross-linking assays revealed that chloroplast proteins of 37 and 38 kDA bind specifically to the 3' end of psbA transcripts and not to the 5' end of psbA or rbcL transcripts. The two RNA-binding proteins were partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by heparin agarose chromatography. Deletion and site-directed mutation analysis demonstrated that the 37/38RNPs bind in a 30 nucleotide region immediately downstream from the translation termination codon and upstream of sequences capable of forming a stem-loop structure in the 3' end of psbA transcripts. Single-base changes that diminish the binding of the 37RNP also reduce binding of the 38RNP suggesting that these proteins may bind as a heterodimer. The 37/38RNPs that bind within the 3' end of psbA transcripts could modulate transcription termination, translation or mRNA stability.

Base Sequence↗

Stabilization of Z-RNA by chemical bromination and its recognition by anti-Z-DNA antibodies.

Limited chemical bromination of poly[r(C-G)] (32% br8G, 26% br5C) results in partial modification of guanine C8 and cytosine C5, producing a mixture of A- and Z-RNA forms. The Z conformation in the brominated polynucleotide is stabilized at much lower ionic strength than in the unmodified polynucleotide. More extensive bromination of poly[r(C-G)] (greater than 49% br8G, 43% br5C) results in stabilization of a form of RNA having a Z-DNA-like (ZD) CD spectrum in low-salt, pH 7.0-7.5 buffers. Raising the ionic strength to 6 M NaBr or NaClO4 results in a transition in Br-poly[r(C-G)] to a Z-RNA (ZR) conformation as judged by CD spectroscopy. At lower ionic strength Z-DNA-like (ZD) and A-RNA conformations are also present. 1H NMR data demonstrate a 1/1 mixture of A- and Z-RNAs in 110 mM NaBr buffer at 37 degrees C. Nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) experiments permit complete assignments of GH8, CH6, CH5, GH1', and CH1' resonances in both the A- and Z-forms. GH8----GH1' NOEs demonstrate the presence of both A- and Z-form GH8 resonances in slow exchange on the NMR time scale. The NMR results indicate that unbrominated guanine residues undergo transition to the syn conformation (Z-form). Raman scattering data are consistent with a mixture of A- and Z-RNAs in 110 mM NaCl buffer at 37 degrees C. Comparison with the spectrum of Z-DNA indicates that there may be different glycosidic torsion angles in Z-RNA and Z-DNA [Tinoco, I., Jr., Cruz, P., Davis, P., Hall, K., Hardin, C. C., Mathies, R. A., Puglisi, J. D., Trulson, M. O., Johnson, W. C., & Neilson, T. (1986) in Structure and Dynamics of RNA, pp 55-68, Plenum, New York].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies↗

cAMP controls human renin mRNA stability via specific RNA-binding proteins.

It is now recognized that post-transcriptional mechanisms are pivotal to renin production. These involve factors that modulate renin mRNA stability. In 2003 new data has emerged from work in Australia and Germany that has identified several of the, as many as, 20 or so proteins involved. These include CP1 (hnRNP E1), HuR, HADHB, dynamin, nucleolin, YP-1, hnRNP K and MINT-homologous protein. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a crucial regulator of renin secretion as well as transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of expression. Many of the RNA-binding proteins that were identified responded to forskolin, increasing in amount by two to 10-fold. The cAMP mechanisms that regulate renin mRNA target, at least in large part, other genes that presumably encode some of these proteins. The increase in the expression of these then facilitates, sequentially, renin mRNA stabilization and destabilization. Our data, using a battery of different techniques, confirm that CP1 and HuR stabilize renin mRNA, whereas HADHB causes destabilization. These proteins target cis-acting C-rich sequences (in the case of CP1) and AU-rich sequences (HuR) in the distal region of the 3'-untranslated region of renin mRNA. We found HADHB was enriched in juxtaglomerular cells and that that within Calu-6 cells HADHB, HuR and CP1 all localized in nuclear subregions, as well as cytoplasm (HADHB and CP1) and mitochondria (HADHB) commensurate with the role each plays in control of renin mRNA stability. The specific proteins that bind to human renin mRNA have begun to be revealed. Cyclic AMP upregulates the binding of several of these proteins, which in turn affect renin mRNA stability and thus overall expression of renin.

Cyclic AMP↗

Stabilization of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor RNA in a human eosinophil-like cell line requires the AUUUA motifs.

Human eosinophils activated by calcium ionophore produce granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In T lymphocytes GM-CSF messenger RNA (mRNA) stability is regulated by 3' untranslated region (UTR) adenosine-uridine-rich elements (AREs). We show endogenous GM-CSF mRNA is rapidly induced in an eosinophil cell-line (AML14.3D10) after activation with ionomycin. To calculate the decay rate of GM-CSF mRNA in activated cells, eosinophils were transfected with wild-type, full-length GM-CSF mRNA or a mutant version lacking the AUUUA motifs. In unstimulated cells, wild-type GM-CSF mRNA decayed with a half-life time (t1/2) of 6+/-2 min while the mutant decayed with a t1/2 of 20+/-4 min, demonstrating the dominant, destabilizing effect of multiple AUUUA motifs. Within 1 hr of activation by ionomycin, the half-life of transfected wild-type mRNA increased by 2.5-fold, which increased up to 4-fold after 2 hr of activation. The half-life of the mutant GM-CSF was unaffected by ionomycin, demonstrating that ionophore-mediated stabilization requires intact AUUUA motifs. Actinomycin D (ActD) stabilized wild-type GM-CSF mRNA as well, causing poly(A) tail elongation and translation inhibition. These data show that in eosinophil-like cell lines, GM-CSF mRNA is exquisitely unstable but can be markedly stabilized by calcium ionophore. Both effects require intact 3' UTR AREs.

Binding Sites↗

Recent developments in RNA-based strategies for cancer gene therapy.

The introduction of RNA into mammalian cells is a relatively straightforward procedure with many therapeutic applications. An advantage of using mRNA is that protein expression can be achieved in post-mitotic or quiescent cells where there is usually little or no gene expression with non-viral DNA delivery systems. Furthermore, the cleavage of mRNA by catalytic RNA molecules, or ribozymes, is a useful strategy to downregulate aberrant gene expression. The purpose of this review is to provide an update of current applications that use RNA molecules such as mRNA and ribozymes as a basis for gene therapy strategies targeting the initiation and progression of cancer. In particular, we focus on recent developments that improve the delivery and stability of RNA molecules to achieve therapeutic efficacy.

Animals↗

Concentrations of 4.5S RNA and Ffh protein in Escherichia coli: the stability of Ffh protein is dependent on the concentration of 4.5S RNA.

We measured the concentrations of both 4.5S RNA and Ffh protein under a variety of growth conditions and found that there were 400 molecules of 4.5S RNA per 10,000 ribosomes in wild-type cells and that the concentration of Ffh protein was one-fourth of that. This difference in concentration is 1 order of magnitude less than that previously reported but still significant. Pulse-chase labeling experiments indicated that Ffh protein is unstable in cells carrying ffh on high-copy-number plasmids and that simultaneous overproduction of 4.5S RNA stabilizes Ffh protein. Our analyses show that free Ffh protein is degraded with a half-life of approximately 20 min. We also tested whether three previously isolated suppressors of 4.5S RNA deficiency could reduce the requirement for Ffh protein. Since the two sffE suppressors do not suppress the Ffh requirement, we suggest that 4.5S RNA either acts in a sequential reaction with Ffh or has two functions.

Acetates↗

The gene expression profile in refractory periodontitis patients.

BACKGROUND: There are no specific bacterial profiles or diagnostic tests capable of identifying refractory periodontitis patients before a treatment regimen is initiated. Therefore, in this high-risk cohort of patients who do not respond appropriately, host factors that might be partly under genetic control may play a crucial role in their susceptibility. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that patients with refractory periodontitis have multiple upregulated and/or downregulated genes that might be important in influencing clinical risk. METHODS: Oral subepithelial connective tissues were harvested aseptically from seven refractory periodontitis and seven periodontally well-maintained patients. An RNA isolation kit was used to isolate total RNA from tissue samples that had been stabilized in the RNA stabilizing reagent. The isolated total RNA was then subjected to gene expression profiling using the microarray to measure gene expression levels. The retrieved data were analyzed with a computer program for the differential analysis of gene expression microarray experiments. In addition, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed on selected samples to confirm the microarray data's gene expression patterns. RESULTS: A total of 68 upregulated and six downregulated genes were identified that were differentially expressed at least two-fold out of 22,283 genes we analyzed. The selected model provided a 93% intrinsic validation along with a 93% extrinsic validation. To validate the microarray data, five upregulated genes (lactotransferrin [LTF], matrix metalloproteinase-1 [MMP-1], MMP-3, interferon induced-15 [IFI-15], and Homo sapiens hypothetical protein MGC5566) and two downregulated genes (keratin 2A [KRT2A] and desmocollin-1 [DSC-1]) were randomly selected for further analysis by real-time PCR. The relative RNA expression level of these genes measured by real-time PCR was similar to those measured by microarrays. CONCLUSION: The combined use of microarray technology with the computer program for the differential analysis of gene expression microarray experiments provided a set of candidate genes that may serve as novel therapeutic intervention points and improved diagnostic and screening procedures for high-risk individuals.

Aged↗