The mutant distribution of an RNA species replicated by Q beta replicase

Slippage at the initiation of RNA synthesis by Qβ replicase results in a periodic polyG pattern

The repetitive copying of template nucleotides due to transcriptional slippage has not been reported for RNA-directed RNA polymerases of positive-strand RNA phages. We unexpectedly observed that, with GTP as the only substrate, Qβ replicase, the RNA-directed RNA polymerase of bacteriophage Qβ, synthesizes by transcriptional slippage polyG strands, which on denaturing electrophoresis produce a ladder with at least three clusters of bolder bands. The ≈ 15-nt-long G₁₅ , the major product of the shortest cluster, is tightly bound by the enzyme but can be released by the ribosomal protein S1, which, as a Qβ replicase subunit, normally promotes the release of a completed transcript. 7-deaza-GTP suppresses the polyG synthesis and abolishes the periodic pattern, suggesting that the N7 atom is needed for the initiation of RNA synthesis and the formation of the structure recognized by protein S1. The results provide new insights into the mechanism of RNA synthesis by the RNA-directed RNA polymerase of a single-stranded RNA phage.

RNA mutagenesis yields highly diverse mRNA libraries for in vitro protein evolution

BACKGROUND

In protein drug development, in vitro molecular optimization or protein maturation can be used to modify protein properties. One basic approach to protein maturation is the introduction of random DNA mutations into the target gene sequence to produce a library of variants that can be screened for the preferred protein properties. Unfortunately, the capability of this approach has been restricted by deficiencies in the methods currently available for random DNA mutagenesis and library generation. Current DNA based methodologies generally suffer from nucleotide substitution bias that preferentially mutate particular base pairs or show significant bias with respect to transitions or transversions. In this report, we describe a novel RNA-based random mutagenesis strategy that utilizes Qbeta replicase to manufacture complex mRNA libraries with a mutational spectrum that is close to the ideal.

RESULTS

We show that Qbeta replicase generates all possible base substitutions with an equivalent preference for mutating A/T or G/C bases and with no significant bias for transitions over transversions. To demonstrate the high diversity that can be sampled from a Qbeta replicase-generated mRNA library, the approach was used to evolve the binding affinity of a single domain VNAR shark antibody fragment (12Y-2) against malarial apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) via ribosome display. The binding constant (KD) of 12Y-2 was increased by 22-fold following two consecutive but discrete rounds of mutagenesis and selection. The mutagenesis method was also used to alter the substrate specificity of beta-lactamase which does not significantly hydrolyse the antibiotic cefotaxime. Two cycles of RNA mutagenesis and selection on increasing concentrations of cefotaxime resulted in mutants with a minimum 10,000-fold increase in resistance, an outcome achieved faster and with fewer overall mutations than in comparable studies using other mutagenesis strategies.

CONCLUSION

The RNA based approach outlined here is rapid and simple to perform and generates large, highly diverse populations of proteins, each differing by only one or two amino acids from the parent protein. The practical implications of our results are that suitable improved protein candidates can be recovered from in vitro protein evolution approaches using significantly fewer rounds of mutagenesis and selection, and with little or no collateral damage to the protein or its mRNA.

Exact solution of the Eigen model with general fitness functions and degradation rates

We present an exact solution of Eigen's quasispecies model with a general degradation rate and fitness functions, including a square root decrease of fitness with increasing Hamming distance from the wild type. The found behavior of the model with a degradation rate is analogous to a viral quasispecies under attack by the immune system of the host. Our exact solutions also revise the known results of neutral networks in quasispecies theory. To explain the existence of mutants with large Hamming distances from the wild type, we propose three different modifications of the Eigen model: mutation landscape, multiple adjacent mutations, and frequency-dependent fitness in which the steady-state solution shows a multicenter behavior.

Transitions in understanding of RNA viruses: a historical perspective

This chapter documents that RNA viruses have been known for over a century to be genetically variable. In recent decades, genetic and molecular analyses demonstrate that they form RNA quasispecies populations; the most rapidly mutating, highly variable and genetically versatile life forms on earth. Their enormous populations, rapid replication and extreme genetic plasticity can allow rates of evolution that exceed those of their eukaryotic host populations by millions-fold.

What is a quasispecies?

The concept of the quasispecies as a society formed from a clone of an asexually reproducing organism is reviewed. A broad spectrum of mutants is generated that compete one with another. Eventually a steady state is formed where each mutant type is represented according to its fitness and its formation by mutation. This quasispecies has a defined wild type sequence, which is the weighted average of all genotypes present. The quasispecies concept has been shown to affect the pathway of evolution and has been studied on RNA viruses which have a particularly high mutation rate. They (and possibly the majority of other species) operate close to the error threshold that allows maximum exploration of sequence space while conserving the information content of the genotype. The consequences of the quasispecies concept for the new 'evolutionary technology' are discussed.

The error threshold

Basic principles underlying the population dynamics of bacteria and viruses are presented, with emphasis on RNA viruses. Concepts reviewed here include fitness, mutant generation, competition, selection, sequence space and the theoretical origins of quasispecies. A "wild-type" virus is no longer viewed as the fittest type, but as the center of gravity of a population landscape. A consequence of quasispecies is the existence of an error threshold for selective competence. The error threshold has a justification in quasispecies theory and lends itself to exploration of strategies to drive viral populations over the error threshold, the central theme of this volume.

Fitness distributions in exponentially growing asexual populations

We explore a mean-field model for the evolution of exponentially growing populations of mutating replicators. Motivated by recent in vitro experiments devised to analyze phenotypic properties of bacterial and viral populations subjected to serial population transfers, we allow our in silico individuals to undergo unrestricted growth before applying bottleneck events. Different dynamical regimes of our model can be mapped to different experimental situations. Numerical and analytical results for fitness distributions calculated at the statistically stationary states of the dynamics compare favorably with available experimental data. Our model and results provide a common framework to better understand populations evolving under different selection pressures.

Self-induced structural switches in RNA

Many biologically active RNAs show a switch in their secondary structure, which is accompanied by changes in their function. Such changes in secondary structure often require trans-acting factors, e.g. RNA chaperones. However, several biologically active RNAs do not require trans-acting factors for this structural switch, which is therefore indicated here as a "self-induced switch". These self-induced structural switches have several characteristics in common. They all start from a metastable structure, which is maintained for some time allowing or blocking a particular function of the RNA. Hereafter, a structural element becomes available, e.g. during transcription, triggering a rapid transition into a stable conformation, which again is accompanied by either a gain or loss of function. A further common element of this type of switches is the involvement of a branch migration or strand displacement reaction, which lowers the energy barrier of the reaction sufficiently to allow rapid refolding. Here, we review a number of these self-induced switches in RNA secondary structure as proposed for several systems. A general model for this type of switches is presented, showing its importance in the biology of functionally active RNAs.

Molecular intermediates of fitness gain of an RNA virus: characterization of a mutant spectrum by biological and molecular cloning

The mutant spectrum of a virus quasispecies in the process of fitness gain of a debilitated foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) clone has been analysed. The mutant spectrum was characterized by nucleotide sequencing of three virus genomic regions (internal ribosome entry site; region between the two AUG initiation codons; VP1-coding region) from 70 biological clones (virus from individual plaques formed on BHK-21 cell monolayers) and 70 molecular clones (RT--PCR products cloned in E. coli). The biological and molecular clones provided statistically indistinguishable definitions of the mutant spectrum with regard to the distribution of mutations among the three genomic regions analysed and with regard to the types of mutations, mutational hot-spots and mutation frequencies. Therefore, the molecular cloning procedure employed provides a simple protocol for the characterization of mutant spectra of viruses that do not grow in cell culture. The number of mutations found repeated among the clones analysed was higher than expected from the mean mutation frequencies. Some components of the mutant spectrum reflected genomes that were dominant in the prior evolutionary history of the virus (previous passages), confirming the presence of memory genomes in virus quasispecies. Other components of the mutant spectrum were genomes that became dominant at a later stage of evolution, suggesting a predictive value of mutant spectrum analysis with regard to the outcome of virus evolution. The results underline the observation that greater insight into evolutionary processes of viruses may be gained from detailed clonal analyses of the mutant swarms at the sequence level.

Ribosome display and affinity maturation: from antibodies to single V-domains and steps towards cancer therapeutics

Protein affinity maturation using molecular evolution techniques to produce high-affinity binding proteins is an important step in the generation of reagents for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Currently, the most commonly used molecular evolution processes involve mutation of a single gene into complex gene repertoires followed by selection from a display library. Fd-bacteriophage are the most popular display vectors, but are limited in their capacity for library presentation, speed of processing and mutation frequency. Recently, the potential of ribosome display for directed molecular evolution was recognised and developed into a rapid and simple affinity selection strategy using ribosome complexes to display antibody fragments (scFv). Ribosome display and selection has the potential to generate and display large libraries more representative of the theoretical optima for naïve repertoires (10(14)). Even more important is the application of ribosome display for the affinity maturation of individual proteins by rapid mutation and selection cycles. These display strategies can apply to other members of the immunoglobulin superfamily; for example single V-domains which have an important application in providing specific targeting to either novel or refractory cancer markers. We discuss the application of ribosome display and selection in conjunction with variable domain (CTLA-4) libraries as the first step towards this objective and review affinity maturation strategies for in vitro ribosome display systems.

Natural selection: a phase transition?

Information has two aspects: a quantity to be called 'extent' and a quality which may be termed 'content' since it deals with meaning. The latter originates via selective self-organization, which can be described also in quantitative physical terms. A prerequisite is the reproducibility of the informational substrate forming the basis of selection. This paper focuses on selection being the analogue of a physical phase transition. In Section 1 the criteria for phase transitions are formulated. Section 2 introduces the concept of information space and describes information as selected points or regions in this space. In Section 3 selection is analyzed in terms of the criteria for phase transitions, and in Section 4 the concept is confronted with experimental data. The conclusion is reached that information content is generated via selection, which can be described as a phase transition in information space.

The natural 6 S RNA found in Q beta-infected cells is derived from host and phage RNA

The RNA of Escherichia coli infected with RNA bacteriophage Q beta was isolated and screened for replicable short-chained RNA. In contrast to earlier assumptions we show that (i) short-chained replicable RNA is a very minor part of the RNA synthesized in the infection cycle, and (ii) that the replicable RNA isolated from infected cells is derived from cellular RNA, in particular 23 S rRNA and 10 Sa RNA, and from Q beta RNA itself. None of the many RNA species known from in vitro experiments was found. The RNA species isolated were all inefficient templates. No replicable RNA could be isolated from non-infected cells. Even in cells expressing high amounts of Q beta replicase very few RNA species could be isolated. RNA generated in vitro in template-free synthesis is therefore not derived from RNA species found in vivo, and replicable RNA found in vitro is generated by a mechanism fundamentally different from the one operating in vivo.

Rescue of the RNA phage genome from RNase III cleavage

The secondary structure of the RNA from the single-stranded RNA bacteriophages, like MS2 and Qb, has evolved to serve a variety of functions such as controlling gene expression, exposing binding sites for the replicase and capsid proteins, allowing strand separation and so forth. On the other hand, all of these foldings have to perform in bacterial cells in which various RNA splitting enzymes are present. We therefore examined whether phage RNA structure is under selective pressure by host RNases. Here we show this to be true for RNase III. A fully double-stranded hairpin of 17 bp, which is an RNase III target, was inserted into a non-coding region of the MS2 RNA genome. In an RNase III-host these phages survived but in wild-type bacteria they did not. Here the stem underwent Darwinian evolution to a structure that was no longer a substrate for RNase III. This was achieved in three different ways: (i) the perfect stem was maintained but shortened by removing all or most of the insert; (ii) the stem acquired suppressor mutations that replaced Watson-Crick base pairs by mismatches; (iii) the stem acquired small deletions or insertions that created bulges. These insertions consist of short stretches of non-templated A or U residues. Their origin is ascribed to polyadenylation at the site of the RNase III cut (in the + or - strand) either by Escherichia coli poly(A) polymerase or by idling MS2 replicase.

Probing RNA-protein interactions using pyrene-labeled oligodeoxynucleotides: Qbeta replicase efficiently binds small RNAs by recognizing pyrimidine residues

Binding of small RNAs by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of coliphage Qbeta was studied utilizing a fluorometric assay. A DNA oligonucleotide probe of sequence 5'-d(TTTTTCC) was 5'-end-labeled with pyrene. In this construct, the proximal thymine residues efficiently quench the fluorophore emission in solution. Upon stoichiometric binding of one probe per polymerase molecule, the pyrene steady-state fluorescence increases by two orders of magnitude, the fluorescence anisotropy increases, and a long fluorescence lifetime component of 140 ns appears. With addition of replicable RNA, steady-state fluorescence decreases in a concentration dependent manner and the long lifetime component is lost. This observation most likely reflects displacement of the pyrene-labeled probe from the proposed nucleic acid binding site II of Qbeta replicase. The effect was utilized to access binding affinities of different RNAs to this site in a reverse titration assay format. In 10 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7.0), 100 mM NaCl, at 16 degrees C, equilibrium dissociation constants for different template midi- and minivariant RNAs were calculated to be in the nanomolar range. In general, the minus and plus strands, concomitantly synthesized by Qbeta replicase during replication, exhibited discriminative affinities, while their hybrid bound less efficiently than either of the single strands. Different non-replicable tRNAs also bound to the polymerase with comparable dissociation constants. By titration with DNA homo-oligonucleotides it was shown that the probed site on Qbeta replicase does not require a 2' hydroxyl group for binding nucleic acids, but recognizes pyrimidine residues. Its interaction with thymine is lost in an A.T base-pair, while that with cytosine is retained after Watson-Crick base-pairing. These findings can explain the affinities of RNA-Qbeta replicase interactions reported here and in earlier investigations. The sensitivity of the described fluorometric assay allows detection of RNA amplification by Qbeta replicase in real-time.

RNA virus mutations and fitness for survival

RNA viruses exploit all known mechanisms of genetic variation to ensure their survival. Distinctive features of RNA virus replication include high mutation rates, high yields, and short replication times. As a consequence, RNA viruses replicate as complex and dynamic mutant swarms, called viral quasispecies. Mutation rates at defined genomic sites are affected by the nucleotide sequence context on the template molecule as well as by environmental factors. In vitro hypermutation reactions offer a means to explore the functional sequence space of nucleic acids and proteins. The evolution of a viral quasispecies is extremely dependent on the population size of the virus that is involved in the infections. Repeated bottleneck events lead to average fitness losses, with viruses that harbor unusual, deleterious mutations. In contrast, large population passages result in rapid fitness gains, much larger than those so far scored for cellular organisms. Fitness gains in one environment often lead to fitness losses in an alternative environment. An important challenge in RNA virus evolution research is the assignment of phenotypic traits to specific mutations. Different constellations of mutations may be associated with a similar biological behavior. In addition, recent evidence suggests the existence of critical thresholds for the expression of phenotypic traits. Epidemiological as well as functional and structural studies suggest that RNA viruses can tolerate restricted types and numbers of mutations during any specific time point during their evolution. Viruses occupy only a tiny portion of their potential sequence space. Such limited tolerance to mutations may open new avenues for combating viral infections.

Molecular evolution of RNA in vitro

Experimental studies of RNA evolution in vitro are reviewed in the context of Eigen's 1971 theory and its subsequent extensions. Current research activity and future prospects for using automated molecular biology techniques for in vitro evolution experiments are surveyed.

Principles and methods of evolutionary biotechnology

Evolutionary biotechnology applies the principles of molecular evolution to biotechnology, leading to novel techniques for the creation of biomolecules with a great variety of functions for technical and medical purposes. Several basic principles for the application of evolutionary strategies can be derived from a comprehensive theory of molecular evolution. Prerequisites for evolutionary biotechnology are summarized with respect to the different classes of biomolecules and a few, selected applications are described in detail. Concepts for the technical implementation of evolutionary strategies are presented which allow automatized, high throughput processes.

In vitro evolution of terminal protein-containing genomes

A new self-sustained terminal protein-primed DNA amplification system has been used to describe in vitro evolutionary changes affecting maintenance of the genome size of bacteriophage phi29. These changes involve generation and efficient amplification of short palindromic molecules containing an inverted duplication of one of the original DNA ends. A template-switching mechanism is proposed to account for the appearance of these molecules. After their formation, they would replicate by means of hairpin intermediates. Relevant kinetic information about this DNA replication system has been obtained from the competition between the input full-length phi29 DNA and its derived truncated versions. The physiological relevance of these molecules and the mechanisms to control their formation are discussed.

Evolutionary reconstruction of a hairpin deleted from the genome of an RNA virus

The intercistronic region between the maturation and coat-protein genes of RNA phage MS2 contains important regulatory and structural information. The sequence participates in two adjacent stem-loop structures, one of which, the coat-initiator hairpin, controls coat-gene translation and is thus under strong selection pressure. We have removed 19 out of the 23 nucleotides constituting the intercistronic region, thereby destroying the capacity of the phage to build the two hairpins. The deletion lowered coat-protein yield more than 1000-fold, and the titer of the infectious clone carrying the deletion dropped 10 orders of magnitude as compared with the wild type. Two types of revertants were recovered. One had, in two steps, recruited 18 new nucleotides that served to rebuild the two hairpins and the lost Shine-Dalgarno sequence. The other type had deleted an additional six nucleotides, which allowed the reconstruction of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence and the initiator hairpin, albeit by sacrificing the remnants of the other stem-loop. The results visualize the immense genetic repertoire created by, what appears as, random RNA recombination. It would seem that in this genetic ensemble every possible new RNA combination is represented.