RNAs involved in copy-number control and incompatibility of plasmid R1

Plasmid R1--replication and its control

Plasmid R1 is a low-copy-number plasmid belonging to the IncFII group. The genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and physiology of R1 replication and its control are summarised and discussed in the present communication. Replication of R1 starts at a unique origin, oriR1, and proceeds unidirectionally according to the Theta mode. Plasmid R1 replicates during the entire cell cycle and the R1 copies in the cell are members of a pool from which a plasmid copy at random is selected for replication. However, there is an eclipse period during which a newly replicated copy does not belong to this pool. Replication of R1 is controlled by an antisense RNA, CopA, that is unstable and formed constitutively; hence, its concentration is a measure of the concentration of the plasmid. CopA-RNA interacts with its complementary target, CopT-RNA, that is located upstream of the RepA message on the repA-mRNA. CopA-RNA post-transcriptionally inhibits translation of the repA-mRNA. CopA- and CopT-RNA interact in a bimolecular reaction which results in an inverse proportionality between the relative rate of replication (replications per plasmid copy and cell cycle) and the copy number; the number of replications per cell and cell cycle, n, is independent of the actual copy number in the individual cells, the so-called +n mode of control. Single base-pair substitutions in the copA/copT region of the plasmid genome may result in mutants that are compatible with the wild type. Loss of CopA activity results in (uncontrolled) so-called runaway replication, which is lethal to the host but useful for the production of proteins from cloned genes. Plasmid R1 also has an ancillary control system, CopB, that derepresses the synthesis of repA-mRNA in cells that happen to contain lower than normal number of copies. Plasmid R1, as other plasmids, form clusters in the cell and plasmid replication is assumed to take place in the centre of the cells; this requires traffic from the cluster to the replication factories and back to the clusters. The clusters are plasmid-specific and presumably based on sequence homology.

Expression and regulation of the Msx1 natural antisense transcript during development

Bidirectional transcription, leading to the expression of an antisense (AS) RNA partially complementary to the protein coding sense (S) RNA, is an emerging subject in mammals and has been associated with various processes such as RNA interference, imprinting and transcription inhibition. Homeobox genes do not escape this bidirectional transcription, raising the possibility that such AS transcription occurs during embryonic development and may be involved in the complexity of regulation of homeobox gene expression. According to the importance of the Msx1 homeobox gene function in craniofacial development, especially in tooth development, the expression and regulation of its recently identified AS transcripts were investigated in vivo in mouse from E9.5 embryo to newborn, and compared with the S transcript and the encoded protein expression pattern and regulation. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of S, AS transcripts and protein are consistent with a role of AS RNA in the regulation of Msx1 expression in timely controlled developmental sites. Epithelial–mesenchymal interactions were shown to control the spatial organization of S and also AS RNA expression during early patterning of incisors and molars in the odontogenic mesenchyme. To conclude, this study clearly identifies the Msx1 AS RNA involvement during tooth development and evidences a new degree of complexity in craniofacial developmental biology: the implication of endogenous AS RNAs.

Antisense RNA regulation by stable complex formation in the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pAD1 par addiction system

The par stability determinant, encoded by the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pAD1, is the only antisense RNA regulated postsegregational killing system identified in gram-positive bacteria. Because of the unique organization of the par locus, the par antisense RNA, RNA II, binds to its target, RNA I, at relatively small, interspersed regions of complementarity. The results of this study suggest that, rather than targeting the antisense bound message for rapid degradation, as occurs in most other antisense RNA regulated systems, RNA I and RNA II form a relatively stable, presumably translationally inactive complex. The stability of the RNA I-RNA II complex would allow RNA I to persist in an untranslated state unless or until the encoding plasmid was lost. After plasmid loss, RNA II would be removed from the complex, allowing translational activation of RNA I. The mechanism of RNA I activation in vivo is unknown, but in vitro dissociation experiments suggest that active removal of RNA II, for example by a cellular RNase, may be required.

Engineered riboregulators enable post-transcriptional control of gene expression

Recent studies have demonstrated the important enzymatic, structural and regulatory roles of RNA in the cell. Here we present a post-transcriptional regulation system in Escherichia coli that uses RNA to both silence and activate gene expression. We inserted a complementary cis sequence directly upstream of the ribosome binding site in a target gene. Upon transcription, this cis-repressive sequence causes a stem-loop structure to form at the 5'-untranslated region of the mRNA. The stem-loop structure interferes with ribosome binding, silencing gene expression. A small noncoding RNA that is expressed in trans targets the cis-repressed RNA with high specificity, causing an alteration in the stem-loop structure that activates expression. Such engineered riboregulators may lend insight into mechanistic actions of endogenous RNA-based processes and could serve as scalable components of biological networks, able to function with any promoter or gene to directly control gene expression.

Bacterial mitosis: partitioning protein ParA oscillates in spiral-shaped structures and positions plasmids at mid-cell

The par2 locus of Escherichia coli plasmid pB171 encodes oscillating ATPase ParA, DNA binding protein ParB and two cis-acting DNA regions to which ParB binds (parC1 and parC2). Three independent techniques were used to investigate the subcellular localization of plasmids carrying par2. In cells with a single plasmid focus, the focus located preferentially at mid-cell. In cells with two foci, these located at quarter-cell positions. In the absence of ParB and parC1/parC2, ParA-GFP formed stationary helices extending from one end of the nucleoid to the other. In the presence of ParB and parC1/parC2, ParA-GFP oscillated in spiral-shaped structures. Amino acid substitutions in ParA simultaneously abolished ParA spiral formation, oscillation and either plasmid localization or plasmid separation at mid-cell. Therefore, our results suggest that ParA spirals position plasmids at the middle of the bacterial nucleoid and subsequently separate them into daughter cells.

Novel CNBP- and La-based translation control systems for mammalian cells

Throughout the development of Xenopus, production of ribosomal proteins (rp) is regulated at the translational level. Translation control is mediated by a terminal oligopyrimidine element (TOP) present in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of rp-encoding mRNAs. TOP elements adopt a specific secondary structure that prevents ribosome-binding and translation-initiation of rp-encoding mRNAs. However, binding of CNBP (cellular nucleic acid binding protein) or La proteins to the TOP hairpin structure abolishes the TOP-mediated transcription block and induces rp production. Based on the specific CNBP-TOP/La-TOP interactions we have designed a translation control system (TCS) for conditional as well as adjustable translation of desired transgene mRNAs in mammalian cells. The generic TCS configuration consists of a plasmid encoding CNBP or La under control of the tetracycline-responsive expression system (TET(OFF)) and a target expression vector containing a TOP module between a constitutive P(SV40) promoter and the human model product gene SEAP (human secreted alkaline phosphatase) (P(SV40)-TOP-SEAP-pA). The TCS technology showed excellent SEAP regulation profiles in transgenic Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Alternatively to CNBP and La, TOP-mediated translation control can also be adjusted by artificial phosphorothioate anti-TOP oligodeoxynucleotides. Confocal laser-scanning microscopy demonstrated cellular uptake of FITC-labeled oligodeoxynucleotides and their localization in perinuclear organelles within 24 hours. Besides their TOP-based translation-controlling capacity, CNBP and La were also shown to increase cap-independent translation from polioviral internal ribosomal entry sites (IRES) and La alone to boost cap-dependent translation initiation. CNBP and La exemplify for the first time the potential of RNA-binding proteins to exert translation control of desired transgenes and to increase heterologous protein production in mammalian cells. We expect both of these assets to advance current gene therapy and biopharmaceutical manufacturing strategies.

Regulation by RNA

In recent years, noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to constitute key elements implicated in a number of regulatory mechanisms in the cell. They are present in bacteria and eukaryotes. The ncRNAs are involved in regulation of expression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, by mediating chromatin modifications, modulating transcription factor activity, and influencing mRNA stability, processing, and translation. Noncoding RNAs play a key role in genetic imprinting, dosage compensation of X-chromosome-linked genes, and many processes of differentiation and development.

Antisense-RNA regulation and RNA interference

For a long time, RNA has been merely regarded as a molecule that can either function as a messenger (mRNA) or as part of the translational machinery (tRNA, rRNA). Meanwhile, it became clear that RNAs are versatile molecules that do not only play key roles in many important biological processes like splicing, editing, protein export and others, but can also--like enzymes--act catalytically. Two important aspects of RNA function--antisense-RNA control and RNA interference (RNAi)--are emphasized in this review. Antisense-RNA control functions in all three kingdoms of life--although the majority of examples are known from bacteria. In contrast, RNAi, gene silencing triggered by double-stranded RNA, the oldest and most ubiquitous antiviral system, is exclusively found in eukaryotes. Our current knowledge about occurrence, biological roles and mechanisms of action of antisense RNAs as well as the recent findings about involved genes/enzymes and the putative mechanism of RNAi are summarized. An interesting intersection between both regulatory mechanisms is briefly discussed.

Antisense RNAs everywhere?

In recent years, systematic searches of both prokaryote and eukaryote genomes have identified a staggering number of small RNAs, the biological functions of which remain unknown. Small RNA-based regulators are well known from bacterial plasmids. They act on target RNAs by sequence complementarity; that is, they are antisense RNAs. Recent findings suggest that many of the novel orphan RNAs encoded by bacterial and eukaryotic chromosomes might also belong to a ubiquitous, heterogeneous class of antisense regulators of gene expression.

The double par locus of virulence factor pB171: DNA segregation is correlated with oscillation of ParA

Prokaryotic plasmids and chromosomes encode partitioning (par) loci that segregate DNA to daughter cells before cell division. Recent database analyses showed that almost all known par loci encode an ATPase and a DNA-binding protein, and one or more cis-acting regions where the proteins act. All par-encoded ATPases belong to one of two protein superfamilies, Walker-type and actin-like ATPases. This property was recently used to divide par loci into Types I and II loci. We show here that the Escherichia coli virulence factor pB171 encodes a double par locus that consists of one Type I and one Type II locus. Separately, each locus stabilized a test-plasmid efficiently. Together, the two loci mediated even more efficient plasmid stabilization. The par loci have a unique genetic organization in that they share a common central region at which the two different DNA-binding proteins probably act. Interestingly, a fusion protein consisting of the Walker-type ParA ATPase and Gfp was functional and oscillated in nucleoid regions on a time scale of minutes. ParA-green fluorescent protein (Gfp) oscillation depended on both ParB and parC but was independent of minCDE. Point mutations in the Walker A box motif simultaneously abolished plasmid stabilization and ParA-Gfp oscillation. These observations raise the possibility that ParA oscillation is prerequisite for active plasmid segregation.

Molecular clocks reduce plasmid loss rates: the R1 case

Plasmids control their replication so that the replication frequency per plasmid copy responds to the number of plasmid copies per cell. High sensitivity amplification in replication response to copy number deviations generally reduces variation in copy numbers between different single cells, thereby reducing the plasmid loss rate in a cell population. However, experiments show that plasmid R1 has a gradual, insensitive replication control predicting considerable copy number variation between single cells. The critical step in R1 copy number control is regulation of synthesis of a rate-limiting cis-acting replication protein, RepA. De novo synthesis of a large number of RepA molecules is required for replication, suggesting that copy number control is exercised at multiple steps. In this theoretical kinetic study we analyse R1 multistep copy number control and show that it results in the insensitive replication response found experimentally but that it at the same time effectively prohibits the existence of only one plasmid copy in a dividing cell. In combination with the partition system of R1, this can lead to very high segregational stability. The R1 control mechanism is compared to the different multistep copy number control of plasmid ColE1 that is based on conventional sensitivity amplification. This implies that while copy number control for ColE1 efficiently corrects for fluctuations that have already occurred, R1 copy number control prevents their emergence in cells that by chance start their cycle with only one plasmid copy. We also discuss how regular, clock-like, behaviour of single plasmid copies becomes hidden in experiments probing collective properties of a population of plasmid copies because the individual copies are out of phase. The model is formulated using master equations, taking a stochastic approach to regulation, but the mathematical formalism is kept to a minimum and the model is simplified to its bare essence. This simplicity makes it possible to extend the analysis to other replicons with similar design principles.

The Escherichia coli dnaA gene: four functional domains

The Escherichia coli DnaA protein is a sequence-specific DNA binding protein that promotes the initiation of replication of the bacterial chromosome, and of several plasmids including pSC101. Twenty-eight novel missense mutations of the E. coli dnaA gene were isolated by selecting for their inability to replicate a derivative of pSC101 when contained in a lambda vector. Characterization of these as well as seven novel nonsense mutations and one in-frame deletion mutation are described here. Results suggest that E. coli DnaA protein contains four functional domains. Mutations that affect residues in the P-loop or Walker A motif thought to be involved in ATP binding identify one domain. The second domain maps to a region near the C terminus and is involved in DNA binding. The function of the third domain that maps near the N terminus is unknown but may be involved in the ability of DnaA protein to oligomerize. Two alleles encoding different truncated gene products retained the ability to promote replication from the pSC101 origin but not oriC, identifying a fourth domain dispensable for replication of pSC101 but essential for replication from the bacterial chromosomal origin, oriC.

Novel alleles of the Escherichia coli dnaA gene are defective in replication of pSC101 but not of oriC

Five novel alleles of the Escherichia coli dnaA gene that were temperature sensitive in maintenance of pSC101, a plasmid that is dependent on this gene for replication, were isolated. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that four of the five alleles arose from single base substitutions, whereas the fifth contained three base substitutions, two of which were silent. Whereas all five alleles were temperature sensitive in vivo for pSC101 maintenance, genetic and biochemical characterization indicated that only two were defective in replication from the chromosomal origin, oriC. As previously characterized mutations are defective in replication for both pSC101 and oriC, the dnaA mutations specifically defective in pSC101 maintenance represent a novel class. We speculate that one or more of these pSC101-specific mutants are defective in interaction with pSC101 RepA protein, which is also required for initiation of plasmid DNA replication.

The replication of an IncL/M plasmid is subject to antisense control

A 2,385-bp sequence that contains the information for the autonomous replication of the IncL/M plasmid pMU604 was characterized. Genetic analyses revealed that the replicon specifies at least four structural genes, designated repA, repB, repC, and rnaI. The repA gene encodes a protein with a molecular weight of 40,861 which probably functions as an initiator for replication. The functions of the proteins of the repB and repC genes are unclear; however, mutations in the start codon of repB reduced the expression of both repB and repA, indicating that these two genes are translationally coupled. The rnal gene encodes a small antisense RNA of about 75 to 77 bases and is responsible for the incompatibility phenotype, thus implicating its role as the main copy number determinant. RNAI exerts its effect in trans to repress the expression of repA at the posttranscriptional level. Furthermore, two complementary sequences of 8 bases, with the potential to interact and form a putative pseudoknot structure, were identified in the leader region of the repA mRNA. Base-pairing between the two complementary sequences was shown to be critical for efficient repA expression. A model for the regulation of pMU604 replication involving both translational coupling and pseudoknot formation is proposed.

Replication control of plasmid R1: disruption of an inhibitory RNA structure that sequesters the repA ribosome-binding site permits tap-independent RepA synthesis

The replication frequency of plasmid R1 is controlled by an antisense RNA, CopA, that inhibits the synthesis of the replication initiator protein, RepA, at the post-transcriptional level. This inhibition is indirect and affects translation of a leader peptide reading frame (tap). Translation of tap is required for repA translation (Blomberg et al., 1992). Here we asked whether an RNA stem-loop sequestering the repA ribosome-binding site blocks tap translation-independent repA expression. Destabilization of this structure resulted in tap-independent RepA synthesis, concomitant with a loss of CopA-mediated inhibition; thus, CopA acts at the level of tap translation. Structure probing of RepA mRNAs confirmed that the introduced mutations induced a local destabilization in the repA ribosome-binding site stem-loop. An increased spacing between the repA Shine-Dalgarno region and the start codon permitted even higher repA expression. In Incl alpha/IncB plasmids, an RNA pseudoknot acts as an activator for rep translation. We suggest that the regulatory pathway in plasmid R1 does not involve an activator RNA pseudoknot.

Control of replication of the Lactobacillus pentosus plasmid p353-2: evidence for a mechanism involving transcriptional attenuation of the gene coding for the replication protein

The synthesis of plasmid DNA and of RNA encoded by the replication protein gene (rep) of plasmid p353-2 of Lactobacillus pentosus was studied for the wild-type plasmid and for a mutant plasmid with a deletion in the 5' untranslated region of the rep gene. Plasmid p353-2 codes for two countertranscript RNAs (CT-RNA) of approximately 75 and 250 nucleotides transcribed from the 5' untranslated region of the rep gene, in opposite directions. In a mutant plasmid with a deletion of the promoter and part of the CT-RNA-encoding sequence which shows a 5- to 10-fold increase in copy number compared to the wild-type plasmid, no CT-RNA could be detected. In the wild-type plasmid more than 90% of transcription initiated at a promoter upstream of the rep gene is prematurely terminated to form a 190 nucleotide truncated RNA, whereas in the mutant plasmid nearly all transcripts reach a size (1100 nucleotides) corresponding to that of the rep gene. A model is presented for the role of CT-RNA in control of plasmid replication, similar to that previously presented for the staphylococcal plasmid pT181, involving a mechanism of transcriptional attenuation of rep RNA at a site just upstream of the rep gene.

In vitro and in vivo analysis of transcription within the replication region of plasmid pIP501

Derivatives of the conjugative streptococcal plasmid pIP501 replicate stably in Bacillus subtilis. The region essential for replication of pIP501 has been narrowed down to a 2.2 kb DNA segment, the sequence of which has been determined. This region comprises two genes, copR and repR, proposed to be involved in copy control and replication. By in vitro and in vivo transcriptional analysis we characterized three active promoters, pI, pII and pIII within this region. A putative fourth promoter (pIV) was neither active in vitro nor in vivo. We showed that copR is transcribed from promoter pI while the repR gene is transcribed from promoter pII located just downstream of copR. The pII transcript encompasses a 329 nucleotide (nt) long leader sequence. A counter transcript that was complementary to a major part of this leader was found to originate from a third promoter pIII. The secondary structure of the counter transcript revealed several stem-loop regions. A regulatory function for this antisense RNA in the control of repR expression is proposed. Comparative analysis of the replication regions of pAM beta 1 and pSM19035 suggested a similar organization of transcriptional units, suggesting that an antisense RNA is produced by these plasmids also.

Copy number control of the streptococcal plasmid pIP501 occurs at three levels

Transcriptional analysis of the replication region of plasmid pIP501 has revealed three active promoters. The repR gene which is essential for pIP501 replication was transcribed from promoter pII. A small antisense RNA (136 nt, RNAIII) generated from promoter pIII was complementary to the leader region of the repR mRNA. Introduction of either point mutations or deletions into promoter pIII or RNAIII resulted in a 5-20fold increased plasmid copy number suggesting a negative regulatory function for RNAIII. The copR gene, the complete DNA and amino acid sequence of which is reported, was dispensable for pIP501 replication. However, deletion of the copR promoter pI and/or the copR coding sequence led to a 10-20fold increase in plasmid copy number. This effect was also observed when a -1 frameshift mutation was introduced into the CopR coding region. Mutations in copR and pIII/RNAIII were not additive. It is, therefore, proposed that both components act at the same level of copy number control most likely in a sequential way. A second level of copy number control was found to involve an inverted repeat structure upstream of and overlapping with promoter pII. Destruction of this repeat sequence by deletion caused an increase in copy number 2-3fold higher than that observed for either RNAIII or copR mutations. A working model is proposed how different components of pIP501 interact to regulate its copy number.

Isolation and properties of the RepA1 protein of the IncFII replicon, RepFIC

The initiator protein RepA1 of the IncFII replicon RepFIC derived from the enterotoxin plasmid EntP307 has been cloned under the control of the lambda PL promoter. This has enabled us to overproduce this protein and study its properties. Here we show that RepA1 is a soluble basic protein with an experimentally determined molecular weight of 40,000. Deletion analysis indicates that the overproduced protein originates from the open reading frame which we previously designated as coding for RepA1. We have also shown that the replication function of the replicon RepFIC depends on the intact RepA1 coding frame.

Comparative analysis of the replication regions of IncB, IncK, and IncZ plasmids

Minireplicons from the I-complex plasmids R387 (IncK) and pIE545 (IncZ) were constructed, and the nucleotide sequences of their replication regions were compared with that of the B plasmid, pMU720. The coding sequence of the putative replication protein, RepA, of each plasmid was located. RepA of K and B plasmids were homologous, whereas RepA of Z resembled RepA1 of FII plasmid. Sequences upstream of RepA were conserved in the three I-complex plasmids. Group B and Z plasmids were incompatible.

Control of replication of plasmid R1: the intergenic region between copA and repA modulates the level of expression of repA

The RepA protein of plasmid R1 is rate-limiting for initiation of R1 replication. Its synthesis is mainly regulated by interactions of the antisense RNA, CopA, with the leader region of the RepA mRNA, CopT. This work describes the characterization of several mutants with sequence alterations in the intergenic region between the copA gene and the repA reading frame. The analysis showed that most of the mutations led both to a decrease in stability of maintenance of mini-R1 derivatives and to lowered repA expression assayed in translational repA-lacZ fusion constructs. Destruction of the copA gene and replacement of the upstream region by the tac promoter in the latter constructs indicated that these mutations per se alter the expression of repA. In addition, we show that particular mutations in this region can directly affect CopA-mediated control, either by changing the kinetics of interaction of CopA RNA with the RepA mRNA and/or by modifying the activity of the copA promoter. These data indicate the importance of the region analysed in the process that controls R1 replication.

Mechanism of post-segregational killing by the hok/sok system of plasmid R1: sok antisense RNA regulates formation of a hok mRNA species correlated with killing of plasmid-free cells

The hok/sok system of plasmid R1, which mediates plasmid stabilization via killing of plasmid-free segregants, encodes two genes: hok and sok. The hok gene product is a potent cell-killing protein. The expression of hok is regulated post-transcriptionally by the sok gene-encoded repressor, an antisense RNA complementary to the hok mRNA leader region. We show here that the hok mRNA is very stable, while the sok RNA decays rapidly. We also observe a new hok mRNA species which is 70 nucleotides shorter in the 3'-end than the full-length hok transcript. The appearance of the truncated hok mRNA was found to be regulated by the sok antisense RNA. Furthermore, the presence of the truncated hok mRNA was found to be correlated with efficient expression of the Hok protein. On the basis of these findings, we propose an extended model in order to explain the killing of plasmid-free segregants by the hok/sok system.

Structural and functional similarities between the replication region of the Yersinia virulence plasmid and the RepFIIA replicons

We sequenced the minimum replication region of the virulence plasmid pYVe439-80 from a serogroup O:9 Yersinia enterocolitica. This sequence is 68% homologous on a 1,873-nucleotide stretch to the sequence of the RepFIIA replicon of the resistance plasmid R100. The sequence contains two open reading frames, repA and repB, encoding proteins of 33,478 and 9,568 daltons, respectively. The amino acid sequences of the two proteins are 77 and 55% identical, respectively, to proteins RepA1 and RepA2 of the R100 replicon. Analysis of minicells transformed with a copy number mutant demonstrated that the replication region of pYVe439-80 directs the synthesis of a 33-kilodalton protein. Disruption of repA, encoding this protein, abolished replication. Two regions of pYVe439-80 are 76 and 70% homologous, respectively, to the copy number control antisense RNA and to the origin of replication region of R100. A mutation introduced in the pYVe439-80 DNA corresponding to the R100 sequence encoding the copy number control antisense RNA resulted in an increase in copy number, indicating a functional homology between the two replicons.

Role of countertranscript RNA in the copy number control system of an IncB miniplasmid

Transcriptional mapping studies of the IncB minireplicon pMU720 demonstrated the existence of a long RNA molecule, RNA II, whose 5' portion is complementary to the product of the incompatibility gene RNA I. By using gene fusion and transcriptional fusion plasmids, it was shown that RNA I regulated the expression of the RNA II gene product and that it did so primarily at the level of translation. The target of RNA I was mapped to lie within a 216-base region of RNA II containing the sequence complementary to RNA I. Introduction of the target for RNA I in trans increased the copy number of an IncB minireplicon, indicating that RNA I and RNA II form the basis of the copy number control system of IncB plasmids.

Secondary structure analysis of the RepA mRNA leader transcript involved in control of replication of plasmid R1

The main replication control function in plasmid R1 is an antisense RNA, CopA RNA. By binding to its target (CopT) in the leader of the RepA mRNA, CopA RNA inhibits the expression of the rate-limiting RepA protein. The formation of the RNA duplex has been proposed to alter the folding around the RepA start region. Knowledge of the secondary structure of both CopA and CopT RNA is crucial for an understanding of the regulation. Previously, we reported the structure of CopA RNA under native conditions. In the present communication we have analyzed the secondary structure of the RepA leader transcript. Our main findings are: The two loops of CopA RNA have their correspondence in CopT RNA. No major structural changes are found downstream of the duplex when CopA was bound to its target RNA during transcription. Furthermore, in agreement with CopA/CopT RNA binding studies reported recently we do not find evidence for the existence of a binding window.

Structural and functional organization of ColE2 and ColE3 replicons

The complete nucleotide sequences of the 1.5 kb regions of ColE2 and ColE3 plasmids containing the segments sufficient for autonomous replication have been determined. They are quite homologous (greater than 90%), indicating that these two plasmids share common mechanisms of initiation of replication and its regulation. An open reading frame with a coding capacity for a protein of about 300 amino acids is present in both ColE2 and ColE3 and it actually specifies the Rep (for replication) protein, which is the plasmid specific trans-acting factor required for autonomous replication. The amino acid sequences of the Rep proteins of ColE2 and ColE3 are quite homologous (greater than 90%). The cis-acting sites (origins) where replication initiates in the presence of the trans-acting factors consist of 32 bp for ColE2 and 33bp for ColE3. They are the smallest of all the prokaryotic replication origins so far reported. They are nonhomologous only at two positions, one of which, a deletion of a single nucleotide in ColE2 (or an insertion in ColE3), determines the plasmid specificity in interaction of the origins with the Rep proteins. Both plasmids carry a region with an identical nucleotide sequence and the one in ColE2, the IncA region, has been shown to express incompatibility against both ColE2 and ColE3. These results indicate that these plasmids share a common IncA determinant. A possibility that a small anti-sense RNA is involved in copy number control and incompatibility (IncA function) was suggested.

Identification and classification of bacterial plasmids

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Analysis of the incompatibility determinants of I-complex plasmids

The isolation and characterization of minireplicons corresponding to group B and I-complex plasmids are reported. The molecular structures of the small RNAs that may play a major role in the replication control and incompatibility reactions of the plasmids are compared. A mutant plasmid with changed copy number and incompatibility specificity is described. This mutant had a single-base-pair substitution in the DNA region that codes for the small RNA.

Identification of components of a new stability system of plasmid R1, ParD, that is close to the origin of replication of this plasmid

We provide evidence that a mutation which derepresses an autoregulated system that is located in the vicinity of the basic replicon of R1, stabilizes the ParA- and ParB- miniplasmid of R1 pKN1562, without increasing its copy number. The system, which we have called ParD, maps inside the 1.45-kb PstI-EcoRI fragment that is adjacent to the origin of replication of the plasmid. Two proteins whose expression is coordinated are components of the system. The sequence of the PstI-EcoRI fragment was obtained. The wild-type ParD system determines in cis a basal but detectable stability.

Copy-number of broad host-range plasmid R1162 is regulated by a small RNA

We have shown previously [Kim, K. and Meyer, R.J. (1985) J. Mol. Biol. 185,755-767] that copy-number of the broad host-range plasmid R1162 is controlled by the amounts of two proteins, encoded by cotranscribed genes comprising a region of the plasmid called RepI. We have now demonstrated that expression of RepI is negatively regulated by a 75 base RNA that is complementary to a segment of the RepI message. Increased intracellular amounts of RNA molecules that include this segment relieve the inhibition of RepI gene expression, suggesting that the target for regulation is the mRNA itself. A mutation decreasing the amount of the 75 base RNA results in elevated plasmid copy-number. Thus, consistent with our previous observations, regulation of the expression of the RepI genes is a factor in controlling plasmid copy-number.

Characterization of the gene products produced in minicells by pSM1, a derivative of R100

At least ten polypeptides larger than 6 kilodaltons (K) are produced in minicells from the miniplasmid pSM1 in vivo. pSM1 (5804 bp) is a small derivative of the drug resistance plasmid R100 (ca. 90 kb) and carries the R100 essential replication region as well as some non-essential functions. Cloned restriction fragments of pSM1 and plasmids with deletions within pSM1 sequences were used to assign eight of the ten observed polypeptides to specific coding regions of pSM1. Two of these polypeptides were identified as RepA1 and RepA2, proteins encoded by the essential replication region of pSM1/R100. The nucleotide sequence consisting of 885 bp outside the essential replication region is presented here. This sequence contains an open reading frame, orf4, for a protein 22.9 K in size, and one of the pSM1-encoded polypeptides was identified as the orf4 gene product. Five additional polypeptides were shown to be the products of other open reading frames mapping outside the essential replication region. Specific functions have been assigned to four of these polypeptides and tentatively to the fifth.

Nucleotide sequences of five IncF plasmid finP alleles

The nucleotide sequences of five finP alleles from various IncF plasmids (finP types I to V) as well as of three finP mutations were determined and compared. The finP gene specificity could be attributed to a variable, six-to-seven-nucleotide loop located between inverted repeats, and the sequence data were consistent with the product of finP being an RNA molecule rather than a protein. The finP mutations interrupted a proposed finP promoter or destabilized a predicted stem-and-loop structure in the finP RNA molecule.

Cloning, mapping, and sequencing of plasmid R100 traM and finP genes

The fertility control gene finP, the transfer gene traM, and the transfer origin, oriT, of plasmid R100 were isolated on a single 1.2-kilobase EcoRV fragment and were then subcloned as HaeIII fragments. The sequence of the 754-base-pair finP-containing fragment is reported here. In addition to the finP gene, the sequence includes all but two bases of the R100 traM open reading frame and apparently all of the leader mRNA sequence and amino end of the traJ gene of R100. The sequence contains two open reading frames which encode small proteins on the opposite strand from the traM and traJ genes. It also shows two sets of inverted repeats that have the characteristics of transcription terminators. One set is positioned as if it was the traM terminator, and the other set, which is downstream from the first, sits in the middle of the leader mRNA sequence for traJ. On the bottom strand, this inverted repeat has the structure of a rho-independent terminator. Other less-stable inverted repeats overlap this second terminator in the same way as is seen in attenuation sequences, and the two separate small open reading frames on the bottom strand also totally overlap the stem of the rho-independent terminator, suggesting that their translation would cause shifting of termination to the bottom strand homolog of the putative traM terminator. The finP gene product was not identified, but the gene was mapped to the sequence which contains the traJ gene. It either overlaps traJ or is antisense to it.

Incompatibility repressor in a RepA-like replicon of the IncFI plasmid ColV2-K94

The replication region Rep1 of the IncFI plasmid ColV2-K94 was cloned on self-replicating restriction fragments. Rep1 was structurally and functionally homologous to the RepA replicon of IncFII R plasmids. Despite this close relationship, these two replication systems were compatible with each other. The nucleotide sequence of the copA incompatibility-replication control gene of Rep1 was determined and compared with the copA sequence of RepA. Six base changes were found in a 24-base-pair span of the copA gene; these may result in the formation of a new, more stable, 49-base stem-loop structure in the potential CopA RNA repressor molecule. We postulate that these alterations weaken the interaction between RNA transcripts of the Rep1 and RepA replicons.

Structural analysis of an RNA molecule involved in replication control of plasmid R1

The replication control circuit of the FII plasmids R1, R100 and R6-5 involves a small untranslated RNA molecule of about 93 nucleotides. This RNA, designated CopA RNA in plasmid R1, acts in vivo as a post-transcriptional inhibitor of the expression of the RepA protein whose synthesis is required for each round of plasmid replication. We have studied the structure of CopA RNA in solution by probing with single-strand- as well as double-strand-specific nucleases. Our data show that CopA RNA has two stem-loop structures connected by a long spacer region and a single-stranded 3'-tail. Enzyme reactions were performed under buffer conditions where we find strong and specific binding of CopA RNA to its target RNA (to be published elsewhere), and the patterns were compared to digests in two other buffer systems. All partial cleavages supported the proposed secondary structure. We also analyzed the stem-loop regions of CopA RNAs from two R1 copy number mutants. The data show that both RNAs have altered loop structures. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Terminators of transcription with RNA polymerase from Escherichia coli: what they look like and how to find them

We present here a compilation of prokaryotic transcription terminator sequences (ref. 1-152). The compilation includes 49 independent terminators, 52 speculated independent terminators, 27 sites shown to function in vivo, and some 20 proven or speculated rho-dependent terminators. In addition to the well-known features of independent terminators (dyad symmetry and T-run), two consensus are found: CGGG(C/G) upstream and TCTG downstream of the termination point. A subset of the collection of sequence has been used to construct a computer algorithm to locate independent terminators by sequence analysis.

Two functions of the E protein are key elements in the plasmid F replication control system

By using a plasmid carrying a translational fusion between the E gene of the IncFI plasmid F and the lacZ gene, we located the operator of the autogenously regulated E gene to an inverted repeat overlapping the E-gene promoter and showing perfect homology to part of the sequence found in all the direct repeats of two regions exerting an inhibitory effect on F replication, incB and incC. Excess E protein provided in trans to an F plasmid increased the replication frequency of the F plasmid. This stimulatory effect was counteracted by increased dosages of incB or incC. A model is proposed for the replication control system of F in which the key elements are autoregulation of E-gene expression and titration of E protein by incB and incC.

Incompatibility mutants of IncFII plasmid NR1 and their effect on replication control

DNA from the replication control region of plasmid NR1 or of the Inc- copy mutant pRR12 was cloned into a pBR322 vector plasmid. These pBR322 derivatives were mutagenized in vitro with hydroxylamine and transformed into Escherichia coli cells that harbored either NR1 or pRR12. After selection for the newly introduced pBR322 derivatives only, those cells which retained the unselected resident NR1 or pRR12 plasmids were examined further. By this process, 134 plasmids with Inc- mutations in the cloned NR1 or pRR12 DNA were obtained. These mutants fell into 11 classes. Two of the classes had plasmids with deletions or insertions in the NR1 DNA and were not examined further. Plasmids with apparent point mutations were classified by examining (i) their ability to reconstitute a functional NR1-derived replicon (Rep+ or Rep-), (ii) the copy numbers of the Rep+ reconstituted replicons, (iii) the cross-reactivity of incompatability among the various mutant classes and parental plasmids, and (iv) the trans effects of the mutants on the copy number and stable inheritance of a coresident plasmid.

Copy mutant of mini-Rts1: lowered binding affinity of mutated RepA protein to direct repeats

Nucleotide sequence analysis of mini-Rts1 and its copy mutant disclosed the presence of two clusters of direct-repeat sequences flanking the coding region for the 33,000-dalton RepA protein and two base substitutions on the mini-Rts1cop1 genome (Kamio et al., J. Bacteriol. 158:307-312, 1984). On subcloning of the left cluster (incI) that is located downstream from repA, the five 24-base-pair repeats expressed a stronger incompatibility toward mini-Rts1 than did the four repeats. The right cluster (incII) that contains three 21-base-pair repeats also exhibited strong incompatibility toward mini-Rts1. By separating the two base substitutions of mini-Rts1cop1, the mutation that is responsible for the copy increase was determined to be a single base change in the RepA coding region. Both clusters of the repeats, cloned separately into the vector plasmid, showed a weaker incompatibility toward mini-Rts1cop1 than to the wild-type mini-Rts1. These findings suggest a lowered binding affinity of the mutated RepA protein to the direct repeats.

DNA-protein interactions during replication of genetic elements of bacteria

Specific interactions of DNA with proteins are required for both the replication of deoxyribonucleic acid proper and its regulation. Genetic elements of bacteria, their extrachromosomal elements in particular, represent a suitable model system for studies of these processes at the molecular level. In addition to replication enzymes (DNA polymerases), a series of other protein factors (e.g. topoisomerases, DNA unwinding enzymes, and DNA binding proteins) are involved in the replication of the chromosomal, phage and plasmid DNA. Specific interactions of proteins with DNA are particularly important in the regulation of initiation of DNA synthesis. Association of DNAs with the cell membrane also plays an important role in their replication in bacteria.

Transcription and its regulation in the basic replicon region of plasmid R1

The transcriptional units in the basic replicon of plasmid R1 were defined by means of gene fusions. It was found that in the wild-type plasmid there is one large mRNA encoding both the control factor copB and the positive replication factor repA. A second, internal transcription initiation site, the repA promoter, is usually repressed by the copB protein, and is therefore only of significance in the absence of this control factor. By induction of the repA promoter through gradual dilution of the copB repressor it was shown that translation of repA-mRNA, controlled by the copA-RNA, is significantly increased only when the rate of repA transcription is above a certain level. No indication was found for a possible interference from convergent copA transcription on repA transcription.

Analysis of the individual regulatory components of the IncFII plasmid replication control system

Replication of the IncFII plasmid NR1 is controlled by regulating the amount of synthesis of the repA1 initiator protein at both the transcriptional and translational levels. We have examined mutations which have altered each of these levels of regulation, resulting in different plasmid copy numbers. The genes which encode each of the individual wild-type or mutant regulatory components from the replication control region of NR1 have been cloned independently into pBR322 vectors, and their effects in trans, either individually or in various combinations, on plasmid incompatibility, stability, copy number, and repA1 gene expression have been defined.

Incompatibility and IncFII plasmid replication control

The DNA coding for replication control and incompatibility of the plasmid NR1 serves as a template in vivo and in vitro for RNA transcription in both directions. In the rightward direction, RNA synthesis begins from 2 different promoters, one of which is regulated and the other constitutive. In vivo, each of these transcripts is more than 1,000 nucleotides long, terminating near the estimated site for the origin of replication. These transcripts serve as messenger RNA for several proteins. One protein (repA1) is required for replication and another (repA2) serves as the repressor for the regulated rightward promoter. RNA synthesis in the leftward direction is constitutive and produces a single transcript of 91 nucleotides which is complementary in sequence to the rightward transcripts. This small transcript is the incompatibility product which regulates the replication of the plasmid. When the intracellular concentration of the small transcript is experimentally varied, the rate of translation of the rightward transcripts and the rate of initiation of replication (plasmid copy number) vary inversely to its concentration. The mode of action of this inhibitor RNA is likely to be formation of an RNA-RNA duplex with the rightward transcripts, thereby inhibiting the translation which would produce the required replication protein. The probability that a rightward transcript will escape interaction with the small RNA molecules and thus allow replication to initiate can be predicted from the laws of mass action based on base-stacking free energies for the likely sequences of initial contact. The estimated intracellular RNA concentrations, based on quantitative hybridization experiments, are agreement with those predicted from the calculated equilibrium constants for duplex formation.

Maintenance of bacterial plasmids: comparison of theoretical calculations and experiments with plasmid R1 in Escherichia coli

Plasmid R1 was tested for stable maintenance in Escherichia coli K12. Populations carrying a transfer-negative derivative of plasmid R1drd-19 were grown exponentially for 72 generations in LB medium. Out of nearly 5000 cells none had lost the plasmid; hence the rate of loss of the plasmid is less than 3 X 10(-6) per cell and cell generation. Other experiments showed that the loss rate was less than or equal to 10(-7) per cell and cell generation. Plasmid R1 replication is controlled so that, on average, n copies are synthesized per cell and cell generation irrespective of the copy number (as long as it is at least one). A theoretical analysis was performed, based on the assumption that there is a Poissonian spread around n in each class of cells (each class defined by the number of R1 copies at birth). Two models for partitioning were analyzed, Equi-partitioning and Pair Site Partitioning; in the latter, each daughter is guaranteed one plasmid copy, whereas the rest of the copies are assumed to be randomly distributed. The copy number distribution was found to be fairly narrow in both cases, with at least 90% of the population in the range n/2-3n/2 for baby cells and in the range n-3n for cells just before cell division. Plasmid-free cells were estimated to appear at a frequency which for the copy number of R1 (n = 3-4) was 1.5 X 10(-3) - 8 X 10(-5) for equipartitioning and 6 X 10(-3) - 6 X 10(-4) for pair site partitioning, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Second replicon in ColV2-K94 mediates the stable coexistence of two incompatible plasmids

The colicin-producing plasmid pWS12, a Tn903 derivative of ColV2-K94, was found to be incompatible with the IncFI plasmids KLF1 and R386. It was compatible with the IncFII plasmids R538 and R100. Three overlapping mini-ColV derivatives, pWS15, pWS16 and pWS17, were obtained by restriction digestion of pWS12. Unlike pWS12, pWS16 exhibited incompatibility with both IncFI and IncFII plasmids, whereas the pWS15 and pWS17 plasmids expressed IncFII incompatibility but not the IncFI incompatibility of their parental ColV plasmid. We show that, although pWS12 has an IncFII replicon, Rep1, it does not normally express IncFII incompatibility because a second replicon, Rep2 (homologous to the secondary replicon of F), functions during the stable coexistence of the plasmid with IncFII plasmids. When Rep2 is deleted (as in the mini-ColV plasmids) or made nonfunctional (as in a PolA mutant strain), ColV then behaves as an IncFII plasmid.

IncFII plasmid incompatibility product and its target are both RNA transcripts

The region of DNA coding for incompatibility (inc) and copy number control (cop) of the IncFII plasmid NR1 is transcribed in both the rightward and leftward directions. The rightward transcripts serve as mRNA for the repA1 protein, which is required for replication. A small, 91-base leftward transcript is synthesized from the opposite DNA strand and is complementary to a portion of the rightward mRNA near its 5' end. A 262-base-pair Sau3A restriction fragment that encodes the small leftward transcript, but does not include the rightward transcription promoters, was cloned into the vector pBR322 or pUC8. The same fragment was cloned from an Inc- mutant of NR1 that does not make the small leftward transcript. Transcription through the cloned fragments in these derivatives was under control of the tetracycline resistance gene in pBR322 or the lac promoter-operator in pUC8. In one orientation of the inserted DNA, a hybrid transcript containing rightward NR1 RNA sequences was synthesized. In the other orientation, a hybrid transcript containing leftward NR1 RNA sequences was synthesized. These plasmids were used to vary the intracellular levels of the rightward or leftward NR1 RNA transcripts and to test their effects in trans on various coresident derivatives of NR1. An excess of rightward NR1 RNA in trans stimulated expression of the essential repA1 gene and caused an increase in the copy number of a coresident NR1 plasmid. An excess of leftward NR1 RNA in trans inhibited the expression of the repA1 gene and lowered the coresident NR1 copy number, thereby causing incompatibility. A pBR322 derivative with no transcription through the cloned NR1 DNA had no effect in trans. These results suggest that the small leftward transcript is the incompatibility inhibitor of NR1 and that its target is the complementary portion of the rightward mRNA.