Archaeal and eukaryotic homologs of Hfq: A structural and evolutionary perspective on Sm function

New insight into the structure and function of Hfq C-terminus

Accumulating evidence indicates that RNA metabolism components assemble into supramolecular cellular structures to mediate functional compartmentalization within the cytoplasmic membrane of the bacterial cell. This cellular compartmentalization could play important roles in the processes of RNA degradation and maturation. These components include Hfq, the RNA chaperone protein, which is involved in the post-transcriptional control of protein synthesis mainly by the virtue of its interactions with several small regulatory ncRNAs (sRNA). The Escherichia coli Hfq is structurally organized into two domains. An N-terminal domain that folds as strongly bent β-sheets within individual protomers to assemble into a typical toroidal hexameric ring. A C-terminal flexible domain that encompasses approximately one-third of the protein seems intrinsically unstructured. RNA-binding function of Hfq mainly lies within its N-terminal core, whereas the function of the flexible domain remains controversial and largely unknown. In the present study, we demonstrate that the Hfq-C-terminal region (CTR) has an intrinsic property to self-assemble into long amyloid-like fibrillar structures in vitro. We show that normal localization of Hfq within membrane-associated coiled structures in vivo requires this C-terminal domain. This finding establishes for the first time a function for the hitherto puzzling CTR, with a plausible central role in RNA transactions.

We showed that Hfq C-terminal region (CTR) has an intrinsic property to self-assemble into amyloid-like fibrils. This region is required for cellular assembly of Hfq into membrane-associated coiled structures. The work establishes a new function for this naturally unstructured Hfq domain.

The Heptameric SmAP1 and SmAP2 Proteins of the Crenarchaeon Sulfolobus Solfataricus Bind to Common and Distinct RNA Targets

Sm and Sm-like proteins represent an evolutionarily conserved family with key roles in RNA metabolism. Sm-based regulation is diverse and can range in scope from eukaryotic mRNA splicing to bacterial quorum sensing, with at least one step in these processes being mediated by an RNA-associated molecular assembly built on Sm proteins. Despite the availability of several 3D-structures of Sm-like archaeal proteins (SmAPs), their function has remained elusive. The aim of this study was to shed light on the function of SmAP1 and SmAP2 of the crenarchaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus (Sso). Using co-purification followed by RNA_Seq different classes of non-coding RNAs and mRNAs were identified that co-purified either with both paralogues or solely with Sso-SmAP1 or Sso-SmAP2. The large number of associated intron-containing tRNAs and tRNA/rRNA modifying RNAs may suggest a role of the two Sso-SmAPs in tRNA/rRNA processing. Moreover, the 3D structure of Sso-SmAP2 was elucidated. Like Sso-SmAP1, Sso-SmAP2 forms homoheptamers. The binding of both proteins to distinct RNA substrates is discussed in terms of surface conservation, structural differences in the RNA binding sites and differences in the electrostatic surface potential of the two Sso-SmAP proteins. Taken together, this study may hint to common and different functions of both Sso-SmAPs in Sso RNA metabolism.

Effects of Hfq on the conformation and compaction of DNA

Hfq is a bacterial pleiotropic regulator that mediates several aspects of nucleic acids metabolism. The protein notably influences translation and turnover of cellular RNAs. Although most previous contributions concentrated on Hfq's interaction with RNA, its association to DNA has also been observed in vitro and in vivo. Here, we focus on DNA-compacting properties of Hfq. Various experimental technologies, including fluorescence microscopy imaging of single DNA molecules confined inside nanofluidic channels, atomic force microscopy and small angle neutron scattering have been used to follow the assembly of Hfq on DNA. Our results show that Hfq forms a nucleoprotein complex, changes the mechanical properties of the double helix and compacts DNA into a condensed form. We propose a compaction mechanism based on protein-mediated bridging of DNA segments. The propensity for bridging is presumably related to multi-arm functionality of the Hfq hexamer, resulting from binding of the C-terminal domains to the duplex. Results are discussed in regard to previous results obtained for H-NS, with important implications for protein binding related gene regulation.

Fluorescence reporters for Hfq oligomerization and RNA annealing

Fluorescence spectroscopy is a sensitive technique for detecting protein-protein, protein-RNA, and RNA-RNA interactions, requiring only nanomolar concentrations of labeled components. Fluorescence anisotropy provides information about the assembly of multi-subunit proteins, while molecular beacons provide a sensitive and quantitative reporter for base pairing between complementary RNAs. Here we present a detailed protocol for labeling Hfq protein with cyanine 3-maleimide and dansyl chloride to study the protein oligomerization and RNA binding by semi-native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and fluorescence anisotropy. We also present a detailed protocol for measuring the rate of annealing between a molecular beacon and a target RNA in the presence of Hfq using a stopped-flow spectrometer.

Structural model of an mRNA in complex with the bacterial chaperone Hfq

The Sm-like protein Hfq (host factor Q-beta phage) facilitates regulation by bacterial small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) in response to stress and other environmental signals. Here, we present a low-resolution model of Escherichia coli Hfq bound to the rpoS mRNA, a bacterial stress response gene that is targeted by three different sRNAs. Selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation and primer extension, small-angle X-ray scattering, and Monte Carlo molecular dynamics simulations show that the distal face and lateral rim of Hfq interact with three sites in the rpoS leader, folding the RNA into a compact tertiary structure. These interactions are needed for sRNA regulation of rpoS translation and position the sRNA target adjacent to an sRNA binding region on the proximal face of Hfq. Our results show how Hfq specifically distorts the structure of the rpoS mRNA to enable sRNA base pairing and translational control.

Origin of spliceosomal introns and alternative splicing

In this work we review the current knowledge on the prehistory, origins, and evolution of spliceosomal introns. First, we briefly outline the major features of the different types of introns, with particular emphasis on the nonspliceosomal self-splicing group II introns, which are widely thought to be the ancestors of spliceosomal introns. Next, we discuss the main scenarios proposed for the origin and proliferation of spliceosomal introns, an event intimately linked to eukaryogenesis. We then summarize the evidence that suggests that the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA) had remarkably high intron densities and many associated characteristics resembling modern intron-rich genomes. From this intron-rich LECA, the different eukaryotic lineages have taken very distinct evolutionary paths leading to profoundly diverged modern genome structures. Finally, we discuss the origins of alternative splicing and the qualitative differences in alternative splicing forms and functions across lineages.

RNA binding by Hfq and ring-forming (L)Sm proteins: a trade-off between optimal sequence readout and RNA backbone conformation

The eukaryotic Sm and the Sm-like (LSm) proteins form a large family that includes LSm proteins in archaea and the Hfq proteins in bacteria. Commonly referred to as the (L)Sm protein family, the various members play important roles in RNA processing, decay, and riboregulation. Particularly interesting from a structural point of view is their ability to assemble into doughnut-shaped rings, which allows them to bind preferentially the uridine-rich 3′-end of RNA oligonucleotides. With an emphasis on Hfq, this review compares the RNA-binding properties of the various (L)Sm rings that were recently co-crystallized with RNA substrates, and it discusses how these properties relate to physiological function.

Hfq protein deficiency in Escherichia coli affects ColE1-like but not λ plasmid DNA replication

Hfq is a nucleic acid-binding protein involved in controlling several aspects of RNA metabolism. It achieves this regulatory function by modulating the translational activity and stability of different mRNAs, generally via interactions with stress-related small regulatory sRNAs. However, besides its role in the coordination of translation of bacterial mRNA, Hfq is also a nucleoid-associated DNA-binding protein. Motivated by the above property of Hfq, we investigated if hfq gene mutation has implications for the regulation of DNA replication. Efficiency of ColE1-like (pMB1- and p15A replicons) and bacteriophage λ-derived plasmids' replication has been investigated in wild-type strain and otherwise isogenic hfq mutant of Escherichia coli. Significant differences in plasmid amount and kinetics of plasmid DNA synthesis were observed between the two tested bacterial hosts for ColE1-like replicons, but not for λ plasmid. Furthermore, ColE1-like plasmids replicated more efficiently in wild-type cells than in the hfq mutant in the early exponential phase of growth, but less efficiently in late exponential and early stationary phases. Hfq levels in the wild-type host, estimated by Western-blotting, were increased at the latter phases relative to the former one. Moreover, effects of the hfq mutation on ColE1-like plasmid replication were impaired in the absence of the rom gene, coding for a protein enhancing RNA I-RNA II interactions during the control of the replication initiation. These results are discussed in the light of a potential mechanism by which Hfq protein may influence replication of some, but not all, replicons in E. coli.

Mapping Hfq-RNA interaction surfaces using tryptophan fluorescence quenching

Hfq is a posttranscriptional riboregulator and RNA chaperone that binds small RNAs and target mRNAs to effect their annealing and message-specific regulation in response to environmental stressors. Structures of Hfq-RNA complexes indicate that U-rich sequences prefer the proximal face and A-rich sequences the distal face; however, the Hfq-binding sites of most RNAs are unknown. Here, we present an Hfq-RNA mapping approach that uses single tryptophan-substituted Hfq proteins, all of which retain the wild-type Hfq structure, and tryptophan fluorescence quenching (TFQ) by proximal RNA binding. TFQ properly identified the respective distal and proximal binding of A15 and U6 RNA to Gram-negative Escherichia coli (Ec) Hfq and the distal face binding of (AA)3A, (AU)3A and (AC)3A to Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) Hfq. The inability of (GU)3G to bind the distal face of Sa Hfq reveals the (R-L)n binding motif is a more restrictive (A-L)n binding motif. Remarkably Hfq from Gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) binds (GU)3G on its proximal face. TFQ experiments also revealed the Ec Hfq (A-R-N)n distal face-binding motif should be redefined as an (A-A-N)n binding motif. TFQ data also demonstrated that the 5'-untranslated region of hfq mRNA binds both the proximal and distal faces of Ec Hfq and the unstructured C-terminus.