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Roesmann F, Sertznig H, Klaassen K, Wilhelm A, Heininger D, Heß S, Elsner C, Marschalek R, Santiago ML, Esser S, Sutter K, Dittmer U, Widera M. The interferon-regulated host factor hnRNPA0 modulates HIV-1 production by interference with LTR activity, mRNA trafficking, and programmed ribosomal frameshifting. J Virol 2024:e0053424. [PMID: 38899932 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00534-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The interplay between host factors and viral components impacts viral replication efficiency profoundly. Members of the cellular heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein family (hnRNPs) have been extensively studied as HIV-1 host dependency factors, but whether they play a role in innate immunity is currently unknown. This study aimed to identify hnRNPA0 as a type I interferon (IFN)-repressed host factor in HIV-1-infected cells. Knockdown of hnRNPA0, a situation that mirrors conditions under IFN stimulation, increased LTR activity, export of unspliced HIV-1 mRNA, viral particle production, and thus, increased infectivity. Conversely, hnRNPA0 overexpression primarily reduced plasmid-driven and integrated HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) activity, significantly decreasing total viral mRNA and protein levels. In addition, high levels of hnRNPA0 significantly reduced the HIV-1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting efficiency, resulting in a shift in the HIV-1 p55/p15 ratio. The HIV-1 alternative splice site usage remained largely unaffected by altered hnRNPA0 levels suggesting that the synergistic inhibition of the LTR activity and viral mRNA transcription, as well as impaired ribosomal frameshifting efficiency, are critical factors for efficient HIV-1 replication regulated by hnRNPA0. The pleiotropic dose-dependent effects under high or low hnRNPA0 levels were further confirmed in HIV-1-infected Jurkat cells. Finally, our study revealed that hnRNPA0 levels in PBMCs were lower in therapy-naive HIV-1-infected individuals compared to healthy controls. Our findings highlight a significant role for hnRNPA0 in HIV-1 replication and suggest that its IFN-I-regulated expression levels are critical for viral fitness allowing replication in an antiviral environment.IMPORTANCERNA-binding proteins, in particular, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), have been extensively studied. Some act as host dependency factors for HIV-1 since they are involved in multiple cellular gene expression processes. Our study revealed hnRNPA0 as an IFN-regulated host factor, that is differently expressed after IFN-I treatment in HIV-1 target cells and lower expressed in therapy-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals. Our findings demonstrate the significant pleiotropic role of hnRNPA0 in viral replication: In high concentrations, hnRNPA0 limits viral replication by negatively regulating Tat-LTR transcription, retaining unspliced mRNA in the nucleus, and significantly impairing programmed ribosomal frameshifting. Low hnRNPA0 levels as observed in IFN-treated THP-1 cells, particularly facilitate HIV LTR activity and unspliced mRNA export, suggesting a role in innate immunity in favor of HIV replication. Understanding the mode of action between hnRNPA0 and HIV-1 gene expression might help to identify novel therapeutically strategies against HIV-1 and other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Roesmann
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Helene Sertznig
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katleen Klaassen
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Alexander Wilhelm
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Delia Heininger
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heß
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carina Elsner
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rolf Marschalek
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
| | - Mario L Santiago
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Stefan Esser
- Institute for the Research on HIV and AIDS-associated Diseases University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, HPSTD Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Sutter
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for the Research on HIV and AIDS-associated Diseases University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Institute for the Research on HIV and AIDS-associated Diseases University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Institute for Medical Virology, Frankfurt, Germany
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2
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Ohyama T, Osawa T, Sekine SI, Ishii Y. NMR Studies of Genomic RNA in 3' Untranslated Region Unveil Pseudoknot Structure that Initiates Viral RNA Replication in SARS-CoV-2. JACS AU 2024; 4:1323-1333. [PMID: 38665648 PMCID: PMC11041675 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
In the 3' untranslated region of the SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA genome, genomic RNA replication is initiated in the highly conserved region called 3'PK, containing three stem structures (P1pk, P2, and P5). According to one proposed mechanism, P1pk and distal P2 stems switch their structure to a pseudoknot through base-pairing, thereby initiating transcription by recruiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complexed with nonstructural proteins (nsp)7 and nsp8. However, experimental evidence of pseudoknot formation or structural switching is unavailable. Using SARS-CoV-2 3'PK fragments, we show that 3'PK adopted stem-loop and pseudoknot forms in a mutually exclusive manner. When P1pk and P2 formed a pseudoknot, the P5 stem, which includes a sequence at the 3' end, exited from the stem-loop structure and opened up. Interaction with the nsp7/nsp8 complex destabilized the stem-loop form but did not alter the pseudoknot form. These results suggest that the interaction between the pseudoknot and nsp7/nsp8 complex transformed the 3' end of viral genomic RNA into single-stranded RNA ready for synthesis, presenting the unique pseudoknot structure as a potential pharmacological target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takako Ohyama
- Laboratory for Advanced NMR Application and
Development, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN,
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Kanagawa,
Japan
- School of Life Science and Technology,
Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku,
Yokohama 226-8503, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuo Osawa
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology,
Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, 1-7-22
Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shun-ichi Sekine
- Laboratory for Transcription Structural Biology,
Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, 1-7-22
Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Ishii
- Laboratory for Advanced NMR Application and
Development, Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN,
1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045, Kanagawa,
Japan
- School of Life Science and Technology,
Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku,
Yokohama 226-8503, Kanagawa, Japan
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3
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Machida K, Tanaka R, Miki S, Noseda S, Yuasa-Sunagawa M, Imataka H. High-throughput screening for a SARS-CoV-2 frameshifting inhibitor using a cell-free protein synthesis system. Biotechniques 2024; 76:161-168. [PMID: 38293767 DOI: 10.2144/btn-2023-0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Programmed-1 ribosomal frameshifting (-1 PRF) is a translational mechanism adopted by some viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. To find a compound that can inhibit -1 PRF in SARS-CoV-2, we set up a high-throughput screening system using a HeLa cell extract-derived cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system. A total of 32,000 compounds were individually incubated with the CFPS system programmed with a -1 PRF-EGFP template. Several compounds were observed to decrease the -1 PRF-driven fluorescence, and one of them had some suppressive effect on -1 PRF of a SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence in transfected cells. Thus the CFPS system can be used as a tool for a high-throughput screening of chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kodai Machida
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Himeji, 671-2201, Japan
| | - Rin Tanaka
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Himeji, 671-2201, Japan
| | - Seraya Miki
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Himeji, 671-2201, Japan
| | - Shotaro Noseda
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Himeji, 671-2201, Japan
| | - Mayumi Yuasa-Sunagawa
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Himeji, 671-2201, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Imataka
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Himeji, 671-2201, Japan
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4
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Karousis ED, Schubert K, Ban N. Coronavirus takeover of host cell translation and intracellular antiviral response: a molecular perspective. EMBO J 2024; 43:151-167. [PMID: 38200146 PMCID: PMC10897431 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-023-00019-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses are a group of related RNA viruses that cause respiratory diseases in humans and animals. Understanding the mechanisms of translation regulation during coronaviral infections is critical for developing antiviral therapies and preventing viral spread. Translation of the viral single-stranded RNA genome in the host cell cytoplasm is an essential step in the life cycle of coronaviruses, which affects the cellular mRNA translation landscape in many ways. Here we discuss various viral strategies of translation control, including how members of the Betacoronavirus genus shut down host cell translation and suppress host innate immune functions, as well as the role of the viral non-structural protein 1 (Nsp1) in the process. We also outline the fate of viral RNA, considering stress response mechanisms triggered in infected cells, and describe how unique viral RNA features contribute to programmed ribosomal -1 frameshifting, RNA editing, and translation shutdown evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos D Karousis
- Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Schubert
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nenad Ban
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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5
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Richardson MO, Eddy SR. ORFeus: a computational method to detect programmed ribosomal frameshifts and other non-canonical translation events. BMC Bioinformatics 2023; 24:471. [PMID: 38093195 PMCID: PMC10720069 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-023-05602-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In canonical protein translation, ribosomes initiate translation at a specific start codon, maintain a single reading frame throughout elongation, and terminate at the first in-frame stop codon. However, ribosomal behavior can deviate at each of these steps, sometimes in a programmed manner. Certain mRNAs contain sequence and structural elements that cause ribosomes to begin translation at alternative start codons, shift reading frame, read through stop codons, or reinitiate on the same mRNA. These processes represent important translational control mechanisms that can allow an mRNA to encode multiple functional protein products or regulate protein expression. The prevalence of these events remains uncertain, due to the difficulty of systematic detection. RESULTS We have developed a computational model to infer non-canonical translation events from ribosome profiling data. CONCLUSION ORFeus identifies known examples of alternative open reading frames and recoding events across different organisms and enables transcriptome-wide searches for novel events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary O Richardson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sean R Eddy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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6
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Abstract
Protein synthesis by the ribosome is the final stage of biological information transfer and represents an irreversible commitment to gene expression. Accurate translation of messenger RNA is therefore essential to all life, and spontaneous errors by the translational machinery are highly infrequent (∼1/100,000 codons). Programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting (-1PRF) is a mechanism in which the elongating ribosome is induced at high frequency to slip backward by one nucleotide at a defined position and to continue translation in the new reading frame. This is exploited as a translational regulation strategy by hundreds of RNA viruses, which rely on -1PRF during genome translation to control the stoichiometry of viral proteins. While early investigations of -1PRF focused on virological and biochemical aspects, the application of X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and the advent of deep sequencing and single-molecule approaches have revealed unexpected structural diversity and mechanistic complexity. Molecular players from several model systems have now been characterized in detail, both in isolation and, more recently, in the context of the elongating ribosome. Here we provide a summary of recent advances and discuss to what extent a general model for -1PRF remains a useful way of thinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris H Hill
- York Structural Biology Laboratory, York Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom;
| | - Ian Brierley
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom;
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7
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Hu Q, Jia H, Wang Y, Xu S. Force-Induced Visualization of Nucleic Acid Functions with Single-Nucleotide Resolution. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:7762. [PMID: 37765816 PMCID: PMC10536483 DOI: 10.3390/s23187762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids are major targets for molecular sensing because of their wide involvement in biological functions. Determining their presence, movement, and binding specificity is thus well pursued. However, many current techniques are usually sophisticated, expensive, and often lack single-nucleotide resolution. In this paper, we report the force-induced visualization method that relies on the novel concept of mechanical force to determine the functional positions of nucleic acids with single-nucleotide resolution. The use of an adjustable mechanical force overcomes the variation of analyte concentration and differences in buffer conditions that are common in biological settings. Two examples are described to validate the method: one is probing the mRNA movement during ribosomal translocation, and the other is revealing the interacting sites and strengths of DNA-binding drugs based on the force amplitude. The flexibility of the method, simplicity of the associated device, and capability of multiplexed detection will potentially enable a broad range of biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongzheng Hu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (Q.H.)
| | - Haina Jia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (Q.H.)
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA;
| | - Shoujun Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (Q.H.)
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8
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Lafon-Hughes L. Towards Understanding Long COVID: SARS-CoV-2 Strikes the Host Cell Nucleus. Pathogens 2023; 12:806. [PMID: 37375496 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite what its name suggests, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic causative agent "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2" (SARS-CoV-2) were not always confined, neither temporarily (being long-term rather than acute, referred to as Long COVID) nor spatially (affecting several body systems). Moreover, the in-depth study of this ss(+) RNA virus is defying the established scheme according to which it just had a lytic cycle taking place confined to cell membranes and the cytoplasm, leaving the nucleus basically "untouched". Cumulative evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 components disturb the transport of certain proteins through the nuclear pores. Some SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins such as Spike (S) and Nucleocapsid (N), most non-structural proteins (remarkably, Nsp1 and Nsp3), as well as some accessory proteins (ORF3d, ORF6, ORF9a) can reach the nucleoplasm either due to their nuclear localization signals (NLS) or taking a shuttle with other proteins. A percentage of SARS-CoV-2 RNA can also reach the nucleoplasm. Remarkably, controversy has recently been raised by proving that-at least under certain conditions-, SARS-CoV-2 sequences can be retrotranscribed and inserted as DNA in the host genome, giving rise to chimeric genes. In turn, the expression of viral-host chimeric proteins could potentially create neo-antigens, activate autoimmunity and promote a chronic pro-inflammatory state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lafon-Hughes
- Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
- Grupo de Biofisicoquímica, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Centro Universitario Regional Litoral Norte, Universidad de la República (CENUR-UdelaR), Salto 50000, Uruguay
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9
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Duda E. How much (evil) intelligence can be encoded by 30 kb? Biol Futur 2023:10.1007/s42977-023-00153-8. [PMID: 36752964 PMCID: PMC9907195 DOI: 10.1007/s42977-023-00153-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Genomes of most RNA viruses are rarely larger than the size of an average human gene (10-15 kb) and still code for a number of biologically active polypeptides that modify the immune system and metabolism of the host organism in an amazingly complex way. Prolonged coevolution developed tricks by which viruses can dodge many protective mechanisms of the host and lead to the formation of molecular mimicry patterns. Some viruses inhibit the interferon response, interfere with the membrane destroying effects of the activated complement cascade. They can replicate in cellular compartments formed by inner membranes of the cell hiding their characteristic features from diverse pattern recognition receptors. In many cases-and in this respect, the new coronavirus is a champion-they can exploit our own defensive mechanisms to cause serious harm, severe symptoms and frequently deadly disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernő Duda
- Department of Medical Biology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, 6720, Szeged, Hungary.
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10
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Pekarek L, Zimmer MM, Gribling-Burrer AS, Buck S, Smyth R, Caliskan N. Cis-mediated interactions of the SARS-CoV-2 frameshift RNA alter its conformations and affect function. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:728-743. [PMID: 36537211 PMCID: PMC9881162 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 contains a frameshift stimulatory element (FSE) that allows access to an alternative reading frame through -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF). -1PRF in the 1a/1b gene is essential for efficient viral replication and transcription of the viral genome. -1PRF efficiency relies on the presence of conserved RNA elements within the FSE. One of these elements is a three-stemmed pseudoknot, although alternative folds of the frameshift site might have functional roles as well. Here, by complementing ensemble and single-molecule structural analysis of SARS-CoV-2 frameshift RNA variants with functional data, we reveal a conformational interplay of the 5' and 3' immediate regions with the FSE and show that the extended FSE exists in multiple conformations. Furthermore, limiting the base pairing of the FSE with neighboring nucleotides can favor or impair the formation of the alternative folds, including the pseudoknot. Our results demonstrate that co-existing RNA structures can function together to fine-tune SARS-CoV-2 gene expression, which will aid efforts to design specific inhibitors of viral frameshifting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Pekarek
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI-HZI), Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Redmond Smyth
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Redmond Smyth.
| | - Neva Caliskan
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +49 931 318 5298;
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11
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Geneticin shows selective antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 by interfering with programmed −1 ribosomal frameshifting. Antiviral Res 2022; 208:105452. [PMID: 36341734 PMCID: PMC9617636 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is currently causing an unprecedented pandemic. While vaccines are massively deployed, we still lack effective large-scale antiviral therapies. In the quest for antivirals targeting conserved structures, we focused on molecules able to bind viral RNA secondary structures. Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics known to interact with the ribosomal RNA of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and have previously been shown to exert antiviral activities by interacting with viral RNA. Here we show that the aminoglycoside geneticin is endowed with antiviral activity against all tested variants of SARS-CoV-2, in different cell lines and in a respiratory tissue model at non-toxic concentrations. The mechanism of action is an early inhibition of RNA replication and protein expression related to a decrease in the efficiency of the −1 programmed ribosomal frameshift (PRF) signal of SARS-CoV-2. Using in silico modeling, we have identified a potential binding site of geneticin in the pseudoknot of frameshift RNA motif. Moreover, we have selected, through virtual screening, additional RNA binding compounds, interacting with the same site with increased potency.
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12
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Romero Romero ML, Landerer C, Poehls J, Toth‐Petroczy A. Phenotypic mutations contribute to protein diversity and shape protein evolution. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4397. [PMID: 36040266 PMCID: PMC9375231 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Errors in DNA replication generate genetic mutations, while errors in transcription and translation lead to phenotypic mutations. Phenotypic mutations are orders of magnitude more frequent than genetic ones, yet they are less understood. Here, we review the types of phenotypic mutations, their quantifications, and their role in protein evolution and disease. The diversity generated by phenotypic mutation can facilitate adaptive evolution. Indeed, phenotypic mutations, such as ribosomal frameshift and stop codon readthrough, sometimes serve to regulate protein expression and function. Phenotypic mutations have often been linked to fitness decrease and diseases. Thus, understanding the protein heterogeneity and phenotypic diversity caused by phenotypic mutations will advance our understanding of protein evolution and have implications on human health and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Romero Romero
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Dresden Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Cedric Landerer
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Dresden Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Jonas Poehls
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Dresden Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Agnes Toth‐Petroczy
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics Dresden Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden Dresden Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life TU Dresden Dresden Germany
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13
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Varricchio C, Mathez G, Pillonel T, Bertelli C, Kaiser L, Tapparel C, Brancale A, Cagno V. Geneticin shows selective antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 by interfering with programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.03.08.483429. [PMID: 35291297 PMCID: PMC8923105 DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.08.483429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is currently causing an unprecedented pandemic. While vaccines are massively deployed, we still lack effective large-scale antiviral therapies. In the quest for antivirals targeting conserved structures, we focused on molecules able to bind viral RNA secondary structures. Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics known to interact with the ribosomal RNA of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and have previously been shown to exert antiviral activities by interacting with viral RNA. Here we show that the aminoglycoside geneticin is endowed with antiviral activity against all tested variants of SARS-CoV-2, in different cell lines and in a respiratory tissue model at non-toxic concentrations. The mechanism of action is an early inhibition of RNA replication and protein expression related to a decrease in the efficiency of the -1 programmed ribosomal frameshift (PRF) signal of SARS-CoV-2. Using in silico modelling, we have identified a potential binding site of geneticin in the pseudoknot of frameshift RNA motif. Moreover, we have selected, through virtual screening, additional RNA binding compounds, interacting with the same site with increased potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Varricchio
- Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, UK
| | - Gregory Mathez
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Trestan Pillonel
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claire Bertelli
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Kaiser
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Center for Emerging Viruses, Geneva University Hospitals, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Tapparel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, 1206 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Brancale
- Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, UK
| | - Valeria Cagno
- Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
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14
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Jones CP, Ferré-D'Amaré AR. Crystal structure of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) frameshifting pseudoknot. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:239-249. [PMID: 34845084 PMCID: PMC8906546 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078825.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 produces two long viral protein precursors from one open reading frame using a highly conserved RNA pseudoknot that enhances programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting. The 1.3 Å-resolution X-ray structure of the pseudoknot reveals three coaxially stacked helices buttressed by idiosyncratic base triples from loop residues. This structure represents a frameshift-stimulating state that must be deformed by the ribosome and exhibits base-triple-adjacent pockets that could be targeted by future small-molecule therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Jones
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Adrian R Ferré-D'Amaré
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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15
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Arévalo DM, Anokhina VS, Swart OLR, Miller BL. Expanding the known structure space for RNA binding: a test of 2,5-diketopiperazine. Org Biomol Chem 2022; 20:606-612. [PMID: 34927652 PMCID: PMC8900054 DOI: 10.1039/d1ob01976g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
As the importance of RNA as a therapeutic target has become increasingly recognized, the need for new chemotypes able to bind RNA has grown in significance. We hypothesized that diketopiperazines (DKPs), common substructures in natural products and protein-targeting therapeutic agents, could serve as effective scaffolds for targeting RNA. To confirm this hypothesis, we designed and synthesized two analogs, one incorporating a DKP and one not, of compounds previously demonstrated to bind an RNA critical to the life cycle of HIV-1 with high affinity and specificity. Prior to compound synthesis, calculations employing density functional methods and molecular mechanics conformational searches were used to confirm that the DKP could present functionality in a similar (albeit not identical) orientation to the non DKP-containing compound. We found that both the DKP-containing and parent compound had similar affinities to the target RNA as measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Both compounds were found to have modest but equal anti-HIV activity. These results establish the feasibility of using DKPs to target RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego M. Arévalo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Viktoriya S. Anokhina
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Oliver L. R. Swart
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Benjamin L. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA,Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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16
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Benner BE, Bruce JW, Kentala JR, Murray M, Becker JT, Garcia-Miranda P, Ahlquist P, Butcher SE, Sherer NM. Perturbing HIV-1 Ribosomal Frameshifting Frequency Reveals a cis Preference for Gag-Pol Incorporation into Assembling Virions. J Virol 2022; 96:e0134921. [PMID: 34643428 PMCID: PMC8754204 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01349-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 virion production is driven by Gag and Gag-Pol (GP) proteins, with Gag forming the bulk of the capsid and driving budding, while GP binds Gag to deliver the essential virion enzymes protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase. Virion GP levels are traditionally thought to reflect the relative abundances of GP and Gag in cells (∼1:20), dictated by the frequency of a -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) event occurring in gag-pol mRNAs. Here, we exploited a panel of PRF mutant viruses to show that mechanisms in addition to PRF regulate GP incorporation into virions. First, we show that GP is enriched ∼3-fold in virions relative to cells, with viral infectivity being better maintained at subphysiological levels of GP than when GP levels are too high. Second, we report that GP is more efficiently incorporated into virions when Gag and GP are synthesized in cis (i.e., from the same gag-pol mRNA) than in trans, suggesting that Gag/GP translation and assembly are spatially coupled processes. Third, we show that, surprisingly, virions exhibit a strong upper limit to trans-delivered GP incorporation; an adaptation that appears to allow the virus to temper defects to GP/Gag cleavage that may negatively impact reverse transcription. Taking these results together, we propose a "weighted Goldilocks" scenario for HIV-1 GP incorporation, wherein combined mechanisms of GP enrichment and exclusion buffer virion infectivity over a broad range of local GP concentrations. These results provide new insights into the HIV-1 virion assembly pathway relevant to the anticipated efficacy of PRF-targeted antiviral strategies. IMPORTANCE HIV-1 infectivity requires incorporation of the Gag-Pol (GP) precursor polyprotein into virions during the process of virus particle assembly. Mechanisms dictating GP incorporation into assembling virions are poorly defined, with GP levels in virions traditionally thought to solely reflect relative levels of Gag and GP expressed in cells, dictated by the frequency of a -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) event that occurs in gag-pol mRNAs. Herein, we provide experimental support for a "weighted Goldilocks" scenario for GP incorporation, wherein the virus exploits both random and nonrandom mechanisms to buffer infectivity over a wide range of GP expression levels. These mechanistic data are relevant to ongoing efforts to develop antiviral strategies targeting PRF frequency and/or HIV-1 virion maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bayleigh E. Benner
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- UW—Madison Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - James W. Bruce
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- John and Jeanne Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jacob R. Kentala
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Magdalena Murray
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jordan T. Becker
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Pablo Garcia-Miranda
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Paul Ahlquist
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- John and Jeanne Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Samuel E. Butcher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Nathan M. Sherer
- Department of Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research), Institute for Molecular Virology, and Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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17
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Puray-Chavez M, Lee N, Tenneti K, Wang Y, Vuong HR, Liu Y, Horani A, Huang T, Gunsten SP, Case JB, Yang W, Diamond MS, Brody SL, Dougherty J, Kutluay SB. The translational landscape of SARS-CoV-2 and infected cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2020.11.03.367516. [PMID: 33173862 PMCID: PMC7654850 DOI: 10.1101/2020.11.03.367516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 utilizes a number of strategies to modulate viral and host mRNA translation. Here, we used ribosome profiling in SARS-CoV-2 infected model cell lines and primary airway cells grown at the air-liquid interface to gain a deeper understanding of the translationally regulated events in response to virus replication. We find that SARS-CoV-2 mRNAs dominate the cellular mRNA pool but are not more efficiently translated than cellular mRNAs. SARS-CoV-2 utilized a highly efficient ribosomal frameshifting strategy in comparison to HIV-1, suggesting utilization of distinct structural elements. In the highly permissive cell models, although SARS-CoV-2 infection induced the transcriptional upregulation of numerous chemokines, cytokines and interferon stimulated genes, many of these mRNAs were not translated efficiently. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on host mRNA translation was more subtle in primary cells, with marked transcriptional and translational upregulation of inflammatory and innate immune responses and downregulation of processes involved in ciliated cell function. Together, these data reveal the key role of mRNA translation in SARS-CoV-2 replication and highlight unique mechanisms for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maritza Puray-Chavez
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nakyung Lee
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kasyap Tenneti
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yiqing Wang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Hung R Vuong
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Yating Liu
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Amjad Horani
- Department of Pediatrics, Allergy, Immunology and Pulmonary Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sean P Gunsten
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - James B Case
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Steven L Brody
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sebla B Kutluay
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
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18
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Anokhina VS, Miller BL. Targeting Ribosomal Frameshifting as an Antiviral Strategy: From HIV-1 to SARS-CoV-2. Acc Chem Res 2021; 54:3349-3361. [PMID: 34403258 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of HIV-1 has largely involved targeting viral enzymes using a cocktail of inhibitors. However, resistance to these inhibitors and toxicity in the long term have pushed the field to identify new therapeutic targets. To that end, -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (-1 PRF) has gained attention as a potential node for therapeutic intervention. In this process, a ribosome moves one nucleotide backward in the course of translating a mRNA, revealing a new reading frame for protein synthesis. In HIV-1, -1 PRF allows the virus to regulate the ratios of enzymatic and structural proteins as needed for correct viral particle assembly. Two RNA structural elements are central to -1 PRF in HIV: a slippery sequence and a highly conserved stable hairpin called the HIV-1 frameshifting stimulatory signal (FSS). Dysregulation of -1 PRF is deleterious for the virus. Thus, -1 PRF is an attractive target for new antiviral development. It is important to note that HIV-1 is not the only virus exploiting -1 PRF for regulating production of its proteins. Coronaviruses, including the COVID-19 pandemic virus SARS-CoV-2, also rely on -1 PRF. In SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, -1 PRF is required for synthesis of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and several other nonstructural proteins. Coronaviruses employ a more complex RNA structural element for regulating -1 PRF called a pseudoknot. The purpose of this Account is primarily to review the development of molecules targeting HIV-1 -1 PRF. These approaches are case studies illustrating how the entire pipeline from screening to the generation of high-affinity leads might be implemented. We consider both target-based and function-based screening, with a particular focus on our group's approach beginning with a resin-bound dynamic combinatorial library (RBDCL) screen. We then used rational design approaches to optimize binding affinity, selectivity, and cellular bioavailability. Our tactic is, to the best of our knowledge, the only study resulting in compounds that bind specifically to the HIV-1 FSS RNA and reduce infectivity of laboratory and drug-resistant strains of HIV-1 in human cells. Lessons learned from strategies targeting -1 PRF HIV-1 might provide solutions in the development of antivirals in areas of unmet medical need. This includes the development of new frameshift-altering therapies for SARS-CoV-2, approaches to which are very recently beginning to appear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoriya S. Anokhina
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, United States
| | - Benjamin L. Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, United States
- Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642, United States
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19
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Li Y, Garcia G, Arumugaswami V, Guo F. Structure-based design of antisense oligonucleotides that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.08.23.457434. [PMID: 34462746 PMCID: PMC8404888 DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.23.457434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are an emerging class of drugs that target RNAs. Current ASO designs strictly follow the rule of Watson-Crick base pairing along target sequences. However, RNAs often fold into structures that interfere with ASO hybridization. Here we developed a structure-based ASO design method and applied it to target severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Our method makes sure that ASO binding is compatible with target structures in three-dimensional (3D) space by employing structural design templates. These 3D-ASOs recognize the shapes and hydrogen bonding patterns of targets via tertiary interactions, achieving enhanced affinity and specificity. We designed 3D-ASOs that bind to the frameshift stimulation element and transcription regulatory sequence of SARS-CoV-2 and identified lead ASOs that strongly inhibit viral replication in human cells. We further optimized the lead sequences and characterized structure-activity relationship. The 3D-ASO technology helps fight coronavirus disease-2019 and is broadly applicable to ASO drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, U.S.A
- Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, U.S.A
| | - Gustavo Garcia
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, U.S.A
| | - Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, U.S.A
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, U.S.A
| | - Feng Guo
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, U.S.A
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, U.S.A
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20
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Roman C, Lewicka A, Koirala D, Li NS, Piccirilli JA. The SARS-CoV-2 Programmed -1 Ribosomal Frameshifting Element Crystal Structure Solved to 2.09 Å Using Chaperone-Assisted RNA Crystallography. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:1469-1481. [PMID: 34328734 PMCID: PMC8353986 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting element (PFSE) of SARS-CoV-2 is a well conserved structured RNA found in all coronaviruses' genomes. By adopting a pseudoknot structure in the presence of the ribosome, the PFSE promotes a ribosomal frameshifting event near the stop codon of the first open reading frame Orf1a during translation of the polyprotein pp1a. Frameshifting results in continuation of pp1a via a new open reading frame, Orf1b, that produces the longer pp1ab polyprotein. Polyproteins pp1a and pp1ab produce nonstructural proteins NSPs 1-10 and NSPs 1-16, respectively, which contribute vital functions during the viral life cycle and must be present in the proper stoichiometry. Both drugs and sequence alterations that affect the stability of the -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting element disrupt the stoichiometry of the NSPs produced, which compromise viral replication. For this reason, the -1 programmed frameshifting element is considered a promising drug target. Using chaperone assisted RNA crystallography, we successfully crystallized and solved the three-dimensional structure of the PFSE. We observe a three-stem H-type pseudoknot structure with the three stems stacked in a vertical orientation stabilized by two triple base pairs at the stem 1/stem 2 and stem 1/stem 3 junctions. This structure provides a new conformation of PFSE distinct from the bent conformations inferred from midresolution cryo-EM models and provides a high-resolution framework for mechanistic investigations and structure-based drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Roman
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Anna Lewicka
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Deepak Koirala
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, Maryland 21250, United States
| | - Nan-Sheng Li
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Joseph A. Piccirilli
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
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21
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Ryder SP, Morgan BR, Coskun P, Antkowiak K, Massi F. Analysis of Emerging Variants in Structured Regions of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome. Evol Bioinform Online 2021; 17:11769343211014167. [PMID: 34017166 PMCID: PMC8114311 DOI: 10.1177/11769343211014167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has motivated a widespread effort to understand its epidemiology and pathogenic mechanisms. Modern high-throughput sequencing technology has led to the deposition of vast numbers of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences in curated repositories, which have been useful in mapping the spread of the virus around the globe. They also provide a unique opportunity to observe virus evolution in real time. Here, we evaluate two sets of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences to identify emerging variants within structured cis-regulatory elements of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Overall, 20 variants are present at a minor allele frequency of at least 0.5%. Several enhance the stability of Stem Loop 1 in the 5' untranslated region (UTR), including a group of co-occurring variants that extend its length. One appears to modulate the stability of the frameshifting pseudoknot between ORF1a and ORF1b, and another perturbs a bi-ss molecular switch in the 3'UTR. Finally, 5 variants destabilize structured elements within the 3'UTR hypervariable region, including the S2M (stem loop 2 m) selfish genetic element, raising questions as to the functional relevance of these structures in viral replication. Two of the most abundant variants appear to be caused by RNA editing, suggesting host-viral defense contributes to SARS-CoV-2 genome heterogeneity. Our analysis has implications for the development of therapeutics that target viral cis-regulatory RNA structures or sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean P Ryder
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Brittany R Morgan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Peren Coskun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Katianna Antkowiak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Francesca Massi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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22
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Mao Y, Lin R, Xu S, Wang Y. High-Resolution DNA Dual-Rulers Reveal a New Intermediate State in Ribosomal Frameshifting. Chembiochem 2021; 22:1775-1778. [PMID: 33458897 PMCID: PMC8014572 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Ribosomal frameshifting is an important pathway used by many viruses for protein synthesis that involves mRNA translocation of various numbers of nucleotides. Resolving the mRNA positions with subnucleotide precision will provide critical mechanistic information that is difficult to obtain with current techniques. We report a method of high‐resolution DNA rulers with subnucleotide precision and the discovery of new frameshifting intermediate states on mRNA containing a GA7G motif. Two intermediate states were observed with the aid of fusidic acid, one at the “0” reading frame and the other near the “−1” reading frame, in contrast to the “−2” and “−1” frameshifting products found in the absence of the antibiotic. We termed the new near‐“−1” intermediate the Post(−1*) state because it was shifted by approximately half a nucleotide compared to the normal “−1” reading frame at the 5’‐end. This indicates a ribosome conformation that is different from the conventional model of three reading frames. Our work reveals uniquely precise mRNA motions and subtle conformational changes that will complement structural and fluorescence studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Mao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 3585 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Ran Lin
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Shoujun Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, 3585 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
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23
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Halma MTJ, Ritchie DB, Woodside MT. Conformational Shannon Entropy of mRNA Structures from Force Spectroscopy Measurements Predicts the Efficiency of -1 Programmed Ribosomal Frameshift Stimulation. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 126:038102. [PMID: 33543960 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.126.038102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
-1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (-1 PRF) is stimulated by structures in messenger RNA (mRNA), but the factors determining -1 PRF efficiency are unclear. We show that -1 PRF efficiency varies directly with the conformational heterogeneity of the stimulatory structure, quantified as the Shannon entropy of the state occupancy, for a panel of stimulatory structures with efficiencies from 2% to 80%. The correlation is force dependent and vanishes at forces above those applied by the ribosome. These results support the hypothesis that heterogeneous conformational dynamics are a key factor in stimulating -1 PRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T J Halma
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Dustin B Ritchie
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Michael T Woodside
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
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24
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Douglas J, Drummond AJ, Kingston RL. Evolutionary history of cotranscriptional editing in the paramyxoviral phosphoprotein gene. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab028. [PMID: 34141448 PMCID: PMC8204654 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The phosphoprotein gene of the paramyxoviruses encodes multiple protein products. The P, V, and W proteins are generated by transcriptional slippage. This process results in the insertion of non-templated guanosine nucleosides into the mRNA at a conserved edit site. The P protein is an essential component of the viral RNA polymerase and is encoded by a faithful copy of the gene in the majority of paramyxoviruses. However, in some cases, the non-essential V protein is encoded by default and guanosines must be inserted into the mRNA in order to encode P. The number of guanosines inserted into the P gene can be described by a probability distribution, which varies between viruses. In this article, we review the nature of these distributions, which can be inferred from mRNA sequencing data, and reconstruct the evolutionary history of cotranscriptional editing in the paramyxovirus family. Our model suggests that, throughout known history of the family, the system has switched from a P default to a V default mode four times; complete loss of the editing system has occurred twice, the canonical zinc finger domain of the V protein has been deleted or heavily mutated a further two times, and the W protein has independently evolved a novel function three times. Finally, we review the physical mechanisms of cotranscriptional editing via slippage of the viral RNA polymerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Douglas
- Centre for Computational Evolution, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- School of Computer Science, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Alexei J Drummond
- Centre for Computational Evolution, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Richard L Kingston
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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25
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Yang L, Toh DFK, Krishna MS, Zhong Z, Liu Y, Wang S, Gong Y, Chen G. Tertiary Base Triple Formation in the SRV-1 Frameshifting Pseudoknot Stabilizes Secondary Structure Components. Biochemistry 2020; 59:4429-4438. [PMID: 33166472 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Minor-groove base triples formed between stem 1 and loop 2 of the simian retrovirus type 1 (SRV-1) mRNA frameshifting pseudoknot are essential in stimulating -1 ribosomal frameshifting. How tertiary base triple formation affects the local stabilities of secondary structures (stem 1 and stem 2) and thus ribosomal frameshifting efficiency is not well understood. We made a short peptide nucleic acid (PNA) that is expected to invade stem 1 of the SRV-1 pseudoknot by PNA-RNA duplex formation to mimic the stem 1 unwinding process by a translating ribosome. In addition, we used a PNA for invading stem 2 in the SRV-1 pseudoknot. Our nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis data for the binding of PNA to the SRV-1 pseudoknot and mutants reveal that mutations in loop 2 disrupting base triple formation between loop 2 and stem 1 in the SRV-1 pseudoknot result in enhanced invasion by both PNAs. Our data suggest that tertiary stem 1-loop 2 base triple interactions in the SRV-1 pseudoknot can stabilize both of the secondary structural components, stem 1 and stem 2. Stem 2 stability is thus coupled to the structural stability of stem 1-loop 2 base triples, mediated through a long-range effect. The apparent dissociation constants of both PNAs are positively correlated with the pseudoknot mechanical stabilities and frameshifting efficiencies. The relatively simple PNA local invasion experiment may be used to characterize the energetic contribution of tertiary interactions and ligand binding in many other RNA and DNA structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 4, Section 2, North Jianshe Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610054, P. R. China.,School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), No. 2001 Longxiang Boulevard, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China.,Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Desiree-Faye Kaixin Toh
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Manchugondanahalli S Krishna
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Zhensheng Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies, School of Physics and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, P. R. China
| | - Yiyao Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 4, Section 2, North Jianshe Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610054, P. R. China
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 4, Section 2, North Jianshe Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610054, P. R. China
| | - Yubin Gong
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 4, Section 2, North Jianshe Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610054, P. R. China
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), No. 2001 Longxiang Boulevard, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P. R. China.,Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
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Kelly JA, Olson AN, Neupane K, Munshi S, San Emeterio J, Pollack L, Woodside MT, Dinman JD. Structural and functional conservation of the programmed -1 ribosomal frameshift signal of SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). J Biol Chem 2020; 295:10741-10748. [PMID: 32571880 PMCID: PMC7397099 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ac120.013449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 17 years after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) epidemic, the world is currently facing the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). According to the most optimistic projections, it will take more than a year to develop a vaccine, so the best short-term strategy may lie in identifying virus-specific targets for small molecule-based interventions. All coronaviruses utilize a molecular mechanism called programmed -1 ribosomal frameshift (-1 PRF) to control the relative expression of their proteins. Previous analyses of SARS-CoV have revealed that it employs a structurally unique three-stemmed mRNA pseudoknot that stimulates high -1 PRF rates and that it also harbors a -1 PRF attenuation element. Altering -1 PRF activity impairs virus replication, suggesting that this activity may be therapeutically targeted. Here, we comparatively analyzed the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 frameshift signals. Structural and functional analyses revealed that both elements promote similar -1 PRF rates and that silent coding mutations in the slippery sites and in all three stems of the pseudoknot strongly ablate -1 PRF activity. We noted that the upstream attenuator hairpin activity is also functionally retained in both viruses, despite differences in the primary sequence in this region. Small-angle X-ray scattering analyses indicated that the pseudoknots in SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 have the same conformation. Finally, a small molecule previously shown to bind the SARS-CoV pseudoknot and inhibit -1 PRF was similarly effective against -1 PRF in SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that such frameshift inhibitors may be promising lead compounds to combat the current COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie A Kelly
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Alexandra N Olson
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Krishna Neupane
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sneha Munshi
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Josue San Emeterio
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | | | - Jonathan D Dinman
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
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27
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Gupta A, Bansal M. RNA-mediated translation regulation in viral genomes: computational advances in the recognition of sequences and structures. Brief Bioinform 2020; 21:1151-1163. [PMID: 31204430 PMCID: PMC7109810 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbz054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA structures are widely distributed across all life forms. The global conformation of these structures is defined by a variety of constituent structural units such as helices, hairpin loops, kissing-loop motifs and pseudoknots, which often behave in a modular way. Their ubiquitous distribution is associated with a variety of functions in biological processes. The location of these structures in the genomes of RNA viruses is often coordinated with specific processes in the viral life cycle, where the presence of the structure acts as a checkpoint for deciding the eventual fate of the process. These structures have been found to adopt complex conformations and exert their effects by interacting with ribosomes, multiple host translation factors and small RNA molecules like miRNA. A number of such RNA structures have also been shown to regulate translation in viruses at the level of initiation, elongation or termination. The role of various computational studies in the preliminary identification of such sequences and/or structures and subsequent functional analysis has not been fully appreciated. This review aims to summarize the processes in which viral RNA structures have been found to play an active role in translational regulation, their global conformational features and the bioinformatics/computational tools available for the identification and prediction of these structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmita Gupta
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Manju Bansal
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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28
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Ryder SP, Morgan BR, Massi F. Analysis of Rapidly Emerging Variants in Structured Regions of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020. [PMID: 32577650 DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.27.120105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has motivated a widespread effort to understand its epidemiology and pathogenic mechanisms. Modern high-throughput sequencing technology has led to the deposition of vast numbers of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences in curated repositories, which have been useful in mapping the spread of the virus around the globe. They also provide a unique opportunity to observe virus evolution in real time. Here, we evaluate two cohorts of SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences to identify rapidly emerging variants within structured cis-regulatory elements of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Overall, twenty variants are present at a minor allele frequency of at least 0.5%. Several enhance the stability of Stem Loop 1 in the 5'UTR, including a set of co-occurring variants that extend its length. One appears to modulate the stability of the frameshifting pseudoknot between ORF1a and ORF1b, and another perturbs a bi-stable molecular switch in the 3'UTR. Finally, five variants destabilize structured elements within the 3'UTR hypervariable region, including the S2M stem loop, raising questions as to the functional relevance of these structures in viral replication. Two of the most abundant variants appear to be caused by RNA editing, suggesting host-viral defense contributes to SARS-CoV-2 genome heterogeneity. This analysis has implications for the development of therapeutics that target viral cis-regulatory RNA structures or sequences, as rapidly emerging variations in these regions could lead to drug resistance.
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29
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Penn WD, Harrington HR, Schlebach JP, Mukhopadhyay S. Regulators of Viral Frameshifting: More Than RNA Influences Translation Events. Annu Rev Virol 2020; 7:219-238. [PMID: 32600156 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-012120-101548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) is a conserved translational recoding mechanism found in all branches of life and viruses. In bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes PRF is used to downregulate protein production by inducing a premature termination of translation, which triggers messenger RNA (mRNA) decay. In viruses, PRF is used to drive the production of a new protein while downregulating the production of another protein, thus maintaining a stoichiometry optimal for productive infection. Traditionally, PRF motifs have been defined by the characteristics of two cis elements: a slippery heptanucleotide sequence followed by an RNA pseudoknot or stem-loop within the mRNA. Recently, additional cis and new trans elements have been identified that regulate PRF in both host and viral translation. These additional factors suggest PRF is an evolutionarily conserved process whose function and regulation we are just beginning to understand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley D Penn
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
| | - Haley R Harrington
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA
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30
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Kelly JA, Olson AN, Neupane K, Munshi S, Emeterio JS, Pollack L, Woodside MT, Dinman JD. Structural and functional conservation of the programmed -1 ribosomal frameshift signal of SARS-CoV-2. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.03.13.991083. [PMID: 32587971 PMCID: PMC7310627 DOI: 10.1101/2020.03.13.991083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
17 years after the SARS-CoV epidemic, the world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. Given the most optimistic projections estimating that it will take over a year to develop a vaccine, the best short-term strategy may lie in identifying virus-specific targets for small molecule interventions. All coronaviruses utilize a molecular mechanism called -1 PRF to control the relative expression of their proteins. Prior analyses of SARS-CoV revealed that it employs a structurally unique three-stemmed mRNA pseudoknot to stimulate high rates of -1 PRF, and that it also harbors a -1 PRF attenuation element. Altering -1 PRF activity negatively impacts virus replication, suggesting that this molecular mechanism may be therapeutically targeted. Here we present a comparative analysis of the original SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 frameshift signals. Structural and functional analyses revealed that both elements promote similar rates of -1 PRF and that silent coding mutations in the slippery sites and in all three stems of the pseudoknot strongly ablated -1 PRF activity. The upstream attenuator hairpin activity has also been functionally retained. Small-angle x-ray scattering indicated that the pseudoknots in SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 had the same conformation. Finally, a small molecule previously shown to bind the SARS-CoV pseudoknot and inhibit -1 PRF was similarly effective against -1 PRF in SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that such frameshift inhibitors may provide promising lead compounds to counter the current pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie A. Kelly
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Alexandra N. Olson
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park MD 20742 USA
| | - Krishna Neupane
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G2E1 Canada
| | - Sneha Munshi
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G2E1 Canada
| | - Josue San Emeterio
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | - Lois Pollack
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
| | | | - Jonathan D. Dinman
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park MD 20742 USA
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31
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Isolation of a Chinook Salmon Bafinivirus (CSBV) in Imported Goldfish Carassius auratus L. in the United Kingdom and Evaluation of Its Virulence in Resident Fish Species. Viruses 2020; 12:v12050578. [PMID: 32466150 PMCID: PMC7290303 DOI: 10.3390/v12050578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This is the first record of a fish nidovirus isolated from a consignment of goldfish at the United Kingdom (UK) border. The full-length viral genome was 25,985 nt, sharing a 97.9% nucleotide identity with the Chinook salmon bafinivirus (CSBV) NIDO with two deletions of 537 and 480 nt on the ORF Ia protein. To assess the potential impact on UK fish species, Atlantic salmon, common carp and goldfish were exposed to the virus via an intraperitoneal (IP) injection and bath challenge. Moribundity was recorded in only 8% of IP-injected goldfish. A high viral load, ≈107 of the CSBV PpIa gene, was measured in the kidney of moribund goldfish. Mild histopathological changes were observed in the kidneys of challenged carps. Ultrastructural observations in renal tubule epithelial cells of goldfish showed cylindrical tubes (≈15 nm in diameter) and tubular structures budding spherical virions (≈200 nm in diameter) with external spike-like structures. Negative staining showed both circular and bacilliform virions. Seroconversion was measured in common carp and goldfish but not in Atlantic salmon. This study reinforces the potential risk of novel and emerging pathogens being introduced to recipient countries via the international ornamental fish trade and the importance of regular full health screens at the border inspection posts to reduce this risk.
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32
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Thulson E, Hartwick EW, Cooper-Sansone A, Williams MAC, Soliman ME, Robinson LK, Kieft JS, Mouzakis KD. An RNA pseudoknot stimulates HTLV-1 pro-pol programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 26:512-528. [PMID: 31980578 PMCID: PMC7075266 DOI: 10.1261/rna.070490.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifts (-1 PRFs) are commonly used by viruses to regulate their enzymatic and structural protein levels. Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a carcinogenic retrovirus that uses two independent -1 PRFs to express viral enzymes critical to establishing new HTLV-1 infections. How the cis-acting RNA elements in this viral transcript function to induce frameshifting is unknown. The objective of this work was to conclusively define the 3' boundary of and the RNA elements within the HTLV-1 pro-pol frameshift site. We hypothesized that the frameshift site structure was a pseudoknot and that its 3' boundary would be defined by the pseudoknot's 3' end. To test these hypotheses, the in vitro frameshift efficiencies of three HTLV-1 pro-pol frameshift sites with different 3' boundaries were quantified. The results indicated that nucleotides included in the longest construct were essential to highly efficient frameshift stimulation. Interestingly, only this construct could form the putative frameshift site pseudoknot. Next, the secondary structure of this frameshift site was determined. The dominant structure was an H-type pseudoknot which, together with the slippery sequence, stimulated frameshifting to 19.4(±0.3)%. The pseudoknot's critical role in frameshift stimulation was directly revealed by examining the impact of structural changes on HTLV-1 pro-pol -1 PRF. As predicted, mutations that occluded pseudoknot formation drastically reduced the frameshift efficiency. These results are significant because they demonstrate that a pseudoknot is important to HTLV-1 pro-pol -1 PRF and define the frameshift site's 3' boundary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Thulson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado 81301, USA
| | - Erik W Hartwick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Andrew Cooper-Sansone
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado 81301, USA
| | - Marcus A C Williams
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado 81301, USA
| | - Mary E Soliman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California 90045, USA
| | - Leila K Robinson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California 90045, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Kieft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Kathryn D Mouzakis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California 90045, USA
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33
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Ficarelli M, Antzin-Anduetza I, Hugh-White R, Firth AE, Sertkaya H, Wilson H, Neil SJD, Schulz R, Swanson CM. CpG Dinucleotides Inhibit HIV-1 Replication through Zinc Finger Antiviral Protein (ZAP)-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms. J Virol 2020; 94:e01337-19. [PMID: 31748389 PMCID: PMC7158733 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01337-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CpG dinucleotides are suppressed in the genomes of many vertebrate RNA viruses, including HIV-1. The cellular antiviral protein ZAP (zinc finger antiviral protein) binds CpGs and inhibits HIV-1 replication when CpGs are introduced into the viral genome. However, it is not known if ZAP-mediated restriction is the only mechanism driving CpG suppression. To determine how CpG dinucleotides affect HIV-1 replication, we increased their abundance in multiple regions of the viral genome and analyzed the effect on RNA expression, protein abundance, and infectious-virus production. We found that the antiviral effect of CpGs was not correlated with their abundance. Interestingly, CpGs inserted into some regions of the genome sensitize the virus to ZAP antiviral activity more efficiently than insertions into other regions, and this sensitivity can be modulated by interferon treatment or ZAP overexpression. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the virus to endogenous ZAP was correlated with its sensitivity to the ZAP cofactor KHNYN. Finally, we show that CpGs in some contexts can also inhibit HIV-1 replication by ZAP-independent mechanisms, and one of these is the activation of a cryptic splice site at the expense of a canonical splice site. Overall, we show that the location and sequence context of the CpG in the viral genome determines its antiviral activity.IMPORTANCE Some RNA virus genomes are suppressed in the nucleotide combination of a cytosine followed by a guanosine (CpG), indicating that they are detrimental to the virus. The antiviral protein ZAP binds viral RNA containing CpGs and prevents the virus from multiplying. However, it remains unknown how the number and position of CpGs in viral genomes affect restriction by ZAP and whether CpGs have other antiviral mechanisms. Importantly, manipulating the CpG content in viral genomes could help create new vaccines. HIV-1 shows marked CpG suppression, and by introducing CpGs into its genome, we show that ZAP efficiently targets a specific region of the viral genome, that the number of CpGs does not predict the magnitude of antiviral activity, and that CpGs can inhibit HIV-1 gene expression through a ZAP-independent mechanism. Overall, the position of CpGs in the HIV-1 genome determines the magnitude and mechanism through which they inhibit the virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Ficarelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rupert Hugh-White
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew E Firth
- Division of Virology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Helin Sertkaya
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Harry Wilson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart J D Neil
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Reiner Schulz
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chad M Swanson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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34
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Korniy N, Goyal A, Hoffmann M, Samatova E, Peske F, Pöhlmann S, Rodnina MV. Modulation of HIV-1 Gag/Gag-Pol frameshifting by tRNA abundance. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:5210-5222. [PMID: 30968122 PMCID: PMC6547452 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of translation in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a –1 programmed ribosome frameshifting event that produces the Gag-Pol fusion polyprotein. The constant Gag to Gag-Pol ratio is essential for the virion structure and infectivity. Here we show that the frameshifting efficiency is modulated by Leu-tRNALeu that reads the UUA codon at the mRNA slippery site. This tRNALeu isoacceptor is particularly rare in human cell lines derived from T-lymphocytes, the cells that are targeted by HIV-1. When UUA decoding is delayed, the frameshifting follows an alternative route, which maintains the Gag to Gag-Pol ratio constant. A second potential slippery site downstream of the first one is normally inefficient but can also support –1-frameshifting when altered by a compensatory resistance mutation in response to current antiviral drug therapy. Together these different regimes allow the virus to maintain a constant –1-frameshifting efficiency to ensure successful virus propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Korniy
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Akanksha Goyal
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Samatova
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frank Peske
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.,Faculty of Biology and Psychology, University of Göttingen, Wilhelm-Weber-Str. 2, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marina V Rodnina
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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35
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Murata A, Nakamori M, Nakatani K. Modulating RNA secondary and tertiary structures by mismatch binding ligands. Methods 2019; 167:78-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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36
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Complex dynamics under tension in a high-efficiency frameshift stimulatory structure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:19500-19505. [PMID: 31409714 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1905258116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific structures in mRNA can stimulate programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF). PRF efficiency can vary enormously between different stimulatory structures, but the features that lead to efficient PRF stimulation remain uncertain. To address this question, we studied the structural dynamics of the frameshift signal from West Nile virus (WNV), which stimulates -1 PRF at very high levels and has been proposed to form several different structures, including mutually incompatible pseudoknots and a double hairpin. Using optical tweezers to apply tension to single mRNA molecules, mimicking the tension applied by the ribosome during PRF, we found that the WNV frameshift signal formed an unusually large number of different metastable structures, including all of those previously proposed. From force-extension curve measurements, we mapped 2 mutually exclusive pathways for the folding, each encompassing multiple intermediates. We identified the intermediates in each pathway from length changes and the effects of antisense oligomers blocking formation of specific contacts. Intriguingly, the number of transitions between the different conformers of the WNV frameshift signal was maximal in the range of forces applied by the ribosome during -1 PRF. Furthermore, the occupancy of the pseudoknotted conformations was far too low for static pseudoknots to account for the high levels of -1 PRF. These results support the hypothesis that conformational heterogeneity plays a key role in frameshifting and suggest that transitions between different conformers under tension are linked to efficient PRF stimulation.
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37
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Matsumoto S, Caliskan N, Rodnina MV, Murata A, Nakatani K. Small synthetic molecule-stabilized RNA pseudoknot as an activator for -1 ribosomal frameshifting. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:8079-8089. [PMID: 30085309 PMCID: PMC6144811 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed –1 ribosomal frameshifting (−1PRF) is a recoding mechanism to make alternative proteins from a single mRNA transcript. −1PRF is stimulated by cis-acting signals in mRNA, a seven-nucleotide slippery sequence and a downstream secondary structure element, which is often a pseudoknot. In this study we engineered the frameshifting pseudoknot from the mouse mammary tumor virus to respond to a rationally designed small molecule naphthyridine carbamate tetramer (NCTn). We demonstrate that NCTn can stabilize the pseudoknot structure in mRNA and activate –1PRF both in vitro and in human cells. The results illustrate how NCTn-inducible –1PRF may serve as an important component of the synthetic biology toolbox for the precise control of gene expression using small synthetic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saki Matsumoto
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (ISIR), Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
| | - Neva Caliskan
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Josef-Schneider-Str.2/D15, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Marina V Rodnina
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Asako Murata
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (ISIR), Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Nakatani
- Department of Regulatory Bioorganic Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (ISIR), Osaka University, 8-1 Mihogaoka, Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0047, Japan
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38
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Korniy N, Samatova E, Anokhina MM, Peske F, Rodnina MV. Mechanisms and biomedical implications of -1 programmed ribosome frameshifting on viral and bacterial mRNAs. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:1468-1482. [PMID: 31222875 PMCID: PMC6771820 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Some proteins are expressed as a result of a ribosome frameshifting event that is facilitated by a slippery site and downstream secondary structure elements in the mRNA. This review summarizes recent progress in understanding mechanisms of –1 frameshifting in several viral genes, including IBV 1a/1b, HIV‐1 gag‐pol, and SFV 6K, and in Escherichia coli dnaX. The exact frameshifting route depends on the availability of aminoacyl‐tRNAs: the ribosome normally slips into the –1‐frame during tRNA translocation, but can also frameshift during decoding at condition when aminoacyl‐tRNA is in limited supply. Different frameshifting routes and additional slippery sites allow viruses to maintain a constant production of their key proteins. The emerging idea that tRNA pools are important for frameshifting provides new direction for developing antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Korniy
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Samatova
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maria M Anokhina
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Frank Peske
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marina V Rodnina
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
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Lyon K, Aguilera LU, Morisaki T, Munsky B, Stasevich TJ. Live-Cell Single RNA Imaging Reveals Bursts of Translational Frameshifting. Mol Cell 2019; 75:172-183.e9. [PMID: 31178355 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ribosomal frameshifting during the translation of RNA is implicated in human disease and viral infection. While previous work has uncovered many details about single RNA frameshifting kinetics in vitro, little is known about how single RNA frameshift in living systems. To confront this problem, we have developed technology to quantify live-cell single RNA translation dynamics in frameshifted open reading frames. Applying this technology to RNA encoding the HIV-1 frameshift sequence reveals a small subset (∼8%) of the translating pool robustly frameshift. Frameshifting RNA are translated at similar rates as non-frameshifting RNA (∼3 aa/s) and can continuously frameshift for more than four rounds of translation. Fits to a bursty model of frameshifting constrain frameshifting kinetic rates and demonstrate how ribosomal traffic jams contribute to the persistence of the frameshifting state. These data provide insight into retroviral frameshifting and could lead to alternative strategies to perturb the process in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Lyon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Genome Architecture and Function, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Luis U Aguilera
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Tatsuya Morisaki
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Genome Architecture and Function, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Brian Munsky
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - Timothy J Stasevich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Genome Architecture and Function, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA; World Research Hub Initiative, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan.
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40
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Abstract
Coronaviruses are pathogens with a serious impact on human and animal health. They mostly cause enteric or respiratory disease, which can be severe and life threatening, e.g., in the case of the zoonotic coronaviruses causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in humans. Despite the economic and societal impact of such coronavirus infections, and the likelihood of future outbreaks of additional pathogenic coronaviruses, our options to prevent or treat coronavirus infections remain very limited. This highlights the importance of advancing our knowledge on the replication of these viruses and their interactions with the host. Compared to other +RNA viruses, coronaviruses have an exceptionally large genome and employ a complex genome expression strategy. Next to a role in basic virus replication or virus assembly, many of the coronavirus proteins expressed in the infected cell contribute to the coronavirus-host interplay. For example, by interacting with the host cell to create an optimal environment for coronavirus replication, by altering host gene expression or by counteracting the host’s antiviral defenses. These coronavirus–host interactions are key to viral pathogenesis and will ultimately determine the outcome of infection. Due to the complexity of the coronavirus proteome and replication cycle, our knowledge of host factors involved in coronavirus replication is still in an early stage compared to what is known for some other +RNA viruses. This review summarizes our current understanding of coronavirus–host interactions at the level of the infected cell, with special attention for the assembly and function of the viral RNA-synthesising machinery and the evasion of cellular innate immune responses.
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Focus on Translation Initiation of the HIV-1 mRNAs. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010101. [PMID: 30597859 PMCID: PMC6337239 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To replicate and disseminate, viruses need to manipulate and modify the cellular machinery for their own benefit. We are interested in translation, which is one of the key steps of gene expression and viruses that have developed several strategies to hijack the ribosomal complex. The type 1 human immunodeficiency virus is a good paradigm to understand the great diversity of translational control. Indeed, scanning, leaky scanning, internal ribosome entry sites, and adenosine methylation are used by ribosomes to translate spliced and unspliced HIV-1 mRNAs, and some require specific cellular factors, such as the DDX3 helicase, that mediate mRNA export and translation. In addition, some viral and cellular proteins, including the HIV-1 Tat protein, also regulate protein synthesis through targeting the protein kinase PKR, which once activated, is able to phosphorylate the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2α, which results in the inhibition of cellular mRNAs translation. Finally, the infection alters the integrity of several cellular proteins, including initiation factors, that directly or indirectly regulates translation events. In this review, we will provide a global overview of the current situation of how the HIV-1 mRNAs interact with the host cellular environment to produce viral proteins.
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Walder R, Van Patten WJ, Ritchie DB, Montange RK, Miller TW, Woodside MT, Perkins TT. High-Precision Single-Molecule Characterization of the Folding of an HIV RNA Hairpin by Atomic Force Microscopy. NANO LETTERS 2018; 18:6318-6325. [PMID: 30234311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b02597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The folding of RNA into a wide range of structures is essential for its diverse biological functions from enzymatic catalysis to ligand binding and gene regulation. The unfolding and refolding of individual RNA molecules can be probed by single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), enabling detailed characterization of the conformational dynamics of the molecule as well as the free-energy landscape underlying folding. Historically, high-precision SMFS studies of RNA have been limited to custom-built optical traps. Although commercial atomic force microscopes (AFMs) are widely deployed and offer significant advantages in ease-of-use over custom-built optical traps, traditional AFM-based SMFS lacks the sensitivity and stability to characterize individual RNA molecules precisely. Here, we developed a high-precision SMFS assay to study RNA folding using a commercial AFM and applied it to characterize a small RNA hairpin from HIV that plays a key role in stimulating programmed ribosomal frameshifting. We achieved rapid data acquisition in a dynamic assay, unfolding and then refolding the same individual hairpin more than 1,100 times in 15 min. In comparison to measurements using optical traps, our AFM-based assay featured a stiffer force probe and a less compliant construct, providing a complementary measurement regime that dramatically accelerated equilibrium folding dynamics. Not only did kinetic analysis of equilibrium trajectories of the HIV RNA hairpin yield the traditional parameters used to characterize folding by SMFS (zero-force rate constants and distances to the transition state), but we also reconstructed the full 1D projection of the folding free-energy landscape comparable to state-of-the-art studies using dual-beam optical traps, a first for this RNA hairpin and AFM studies of nucleic acids in general. Looking forward, we anticipate that the ease-of-use of our high-precision assay implemented on a commercial AFM will accelerate studying folding of diverse nucleic acid structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Walder
- JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and University of Colorado , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
| | - William J Van Patten
- JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and University of Colorado , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
| | - Dustin B Ritchie
- Department of Physics , University of Alberta , Edmonton AB T6G 2E1 , Canada
| | - Rebecca K Montange
- JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and University of Colorado , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
| | - Ty W Miller
- JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and University of Colorado , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
| | - Michael T Woodside
- Department of Physics , University of Alberta , Edmonton AB T6G 2E1 , Canada
| | - Thomas T Perkins
- JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and University of Colorado , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology , University of Colorado , Boulder , Colorado 80309 , United States
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43
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Accounting for Programmed Ribosomal Frameshifting in the Computation of Codon Usage Bias Indices. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2018; 8:3173-3183. [PMID: 30111621 PMCID: PMC6169388 DOI: 10.1534/g3.118.200185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Experimental evidence shows that synonymous mutations can have important consequences on genetic fitness. Many organisms display codon usage bias (CUB), where synonymous codons that are translated into the same amino acid appear with distinct frequency. Within genomes, CUB is thought to arise from selection for translational efficiency and accuracy, termed the translational efficiency hypothesis (TEH). Indeed, CUB indices correlate with protein expression levels, which is widely interpreted as evidence for translational selection. However, these tests neglect -1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (-1 PRF), an important translational disruption effect found across all organisms of the tree of life. Genes that contain -1 PRF signals should cost more to express than genes without. Thus, CUB indices that do not consider -1 PRF may overestimate genes’ true adaptation to translational efficiency and accuracy constraints. Here, we first investigate whether -1 PRF signals do indeed carry such translational cost. We then propose two corrections for CUB indices for genes containing -1 PRF signals. We retest the TEH in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under these corrections. We find that the correlation between corrected CUB index and protein expression remains intact for most levels of uniform -1 PRF efficiencies, and tends to increase when these efficiencies decline with protein expression. We conclude that the TEH is strengthened and that -1 PRF events constitute a promising and useful tool to examine the relationships between CUB and selection for translation efficiency and accuracy.
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Patil KM, Toh DFK, Yuan Z, Meng Z, Shu Z, Zhang H, Ong A, Krishna MS, Lu L, Lu Y, Chen G. Incorporating uracil and 5-halouracils into short peptide nucleic acids for enhanced recognition of A-U pairs in dsRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:7506-7521. [PMID: 30011039 PMCID: PMC6125629 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Revised: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) structures form triplexes and RNA-protein complexes through binding to single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) regions and proteins, respectively, for diverse biological functions. Hence, targeting dsRNAs through major-groove triplex formation is a promising strategy for the development of chemical probes and potential therapeutics. Short (e.g., 6-10 mer) chemically-modified Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) have been developed that bind to dsRNAs sequence specifically at physiological conditions. For example, a PNA incorporating a modified base thio-pseudoisocytosine (L) has an enhanced recognition of a G-C pair in an RNA duplex through major-groove L·G-C base triple formation at physiological pH, with reduced pH dependence as observed for C+·G-C base triple formation. Currently, an unmodified T base is often incorporated into PNAs to recognize a Watson-Crick A-U pair through major-groove T·A-U base triple formation. A substitution of the 5-methyl group in T by hydrogen and halogen atoms (F, Cl, Br, and I) causes a decrease of the pKa of N3 nitrogen atom, which may result in improved hydrogen bonding in addition to enhanced base stacking interactions. Here, we synthesized a series of PNAs incorporating uracil and halouracils, followed by binding studies by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and thermal melting. Our results suggest that replacing T with uracil and halouracils may enhance the recognition of an A-U pair by PNA·RNA2 triplex formation in a sequence-dependent manner, underscoring the importance of local stacking interactions. Incorporating bromouracils and chlorouracils into a PNA results in a significantly reduced pH dependence of triplex formation even for PNAs containing C bases, likely due to an upshift of the apparent pKa of N3 atoms of C bases. Thus, halogenation and other chemical modifications may be utilized to enhance hydrogen bonding of the adjacent base triples and thus triplex formation. Furthermore, our experimental and computational modelling data suggest that PNA·RNA2 triplexes may be stabilized by incorporating a BrUL step but not an LBrU step, in dsRNA-binding PNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran M Patil
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Desiree-Faye Kaixin Toh
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Zhen Yuan
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Zhenyu Meng
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Zhiyu Shu
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Haiping Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
| | - Alan Ann Lerk Ong
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Manchugondanahalli S Krishna
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Lanyuan Lu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551
| | - Yunpeng Lu
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
| | - Gang Chen
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371
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45
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Yang L, Zhong Z, Tong C, Jia H, Liu Y, Chen G. Single-Molecule Mechanical Folding and Unfolding of RNA Hairpins: Effects of Single A-U to A·C Pair Substitutions and Single Proton Binding and Implications for mRNA Structure-Induced -1 Ribosomal Frameshifting. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:8172-8184. [PMID: 29884019 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b02970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A wobble A·C pair can be protonated at near physiological pH to form a more stable wobble A+·C pair. Here, we constructed an RNA hairpin (rHP) and three mutants with one A-U base pair substituted with an A·C mismatch on the top (near the loop, U22C), middle (U25C), and bottom (U29C) positions of the stem, respectively. Our results on single-molecule mechanical (un)folding using optical tweezers reveal the destabilization effect of A-U to A·C pair substitution and protonation-dependent enhancement of mechanical stability facilitated through an increased folding rate, or decreased unfolding rate, or both. Our data show that protonation may occur rapidly upon the formation of an apparent mechanical folding transition state. Furthermore, we measured the bulk -1 ribosomal frameshifting efficiencies of the hairpins by a cell-free translation assay. For the mRNA hairpins studied, -1 frameshifting efficiency correlates with mechanical unfolding force at equilibrium and folding rate at around 15 pN. U29C has a frameshifting efficiency similar to that of rHP (∼2%). Accordingly, the bottom 2-4 base pairs of U29C may not form under a stretching force at pH 7.3, which is consistent with the fact that the bottom base pairs of the hairpins may be disrupted by ribosome at the slippery site. U22C and U25C have a similar frameshifting efficiency (∼1%), indicating that both unfolding and folding rates of an mRNA hairpin in a crowded environment may affect frameshifting. Our data indicate that mechanical (un)folding of RNA hairpins may mimic how mRNAs unfold and fold in the presence of translating ribosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Yang
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 21 Nanyang Link , Singapore 637371
| | - Zhensheng Zhong
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 21 Nanyang Link , Singapore 637371.,School of Physics, and State Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials and Technologies , Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou 510275 , People's Republic of China
| | - Cailing Tong
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 21 Nanyang Link , Singapore 637371
| | - Huan Jia
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 21 Nanyang Link , Singapore 637371
| | - Yiran Liu
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 21 Nanyang Link , Singapore 637371
| | - Gang Chen
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , Nanyang Technological University , 21 Nanyang Link , Singapore 637371
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46
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Noncoding RNAs in Retrovirus Replication. RETROVIRUS-CELL INTERACTIONS 2018. [PMCID: PMC7173536 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-811185-7.00012-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Although a limited percentage of the genome produces proteins, approximately 90% is transcribed, indicating important roles for noncoding RNA (ncRNA). It is now known that these ncRNAs have a multitude of cellular functions ranging from the regulation of gene expression to roles as structural elements in ribonucleoprotein complexes. ncRNA is also represented at nearly every step of viral life cycles. This chapter will focus on ncRNAs of both host and viral origin and their roles in retroviral life cycles. Cellular ncRNA represents a significant portion of material packaged into retroviral virions and includes transfer RNAs, 7SL RNA, U RNA, and vault RNA. Initially thought to be random packaging events, these host RNAs are now proposed to contribute to viral assembly and infectivity. Within the cell, long ncRNA and endogenous retroviruses have been found to regulate aspects of the retroviral life cycle in diverse ways. Additionally, the HIV-1 transactivating response element RNA is thought to impact viral infection beyond the well-characterized role as a transcription activator. RNA interference, thought to be an early version of the innate immune response to viral infection, can still be observed in plants and invertebrates today. The ability of retroviral infection to manipulate the host RNAi pathway is described here. Finally, RNA-based therapies, including gene editing approaches, are being explored as antiretroviral treatments and are discussed.
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47
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Penno C, Kumari R, Baranov PV, van Sinderen D, Atkins JF. Stimulation of reverse transcriptase generated cDNAs with specific indels by template RNA structure: retrotransposon, dNTP balance, RT-reagent usage. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:10143-10155. [PMID: 28973469 PMCID: PMC5737552 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA dependent DNA-polymerases, reverse transcriptases, are key enzymes for retroviruses and retroelements. Their fidelity, including indel generation, is significant for their use as reagents including for deep sequencing. Here, we report that certain RNA template structures and G-rich sequences, ahead of diverse reverse transcriptases can be strong stimulators for slippage at slippage-prone template motif sequence 3′ of such ‘slippage-stimulatory’ structures. Where slippage is stimulated, the resulting products have one or more additional base(s) compared to the corresponding template motif. Such structures also inhibit slippage-mediated base omission which can be more frequent in the absence of a relevant stem–loop. Slippage directionality, base insertion and omission, is sensitive to the relative concentration ratio of dNTPs specified by the RNA template slippage-prone sequence and its 5′ adjacent base. The retrotransposon-derived enzyme TGIRT exhibits more slippage in vitro than the retroviral enzymes tested including that from HIV. Structure-mediated slippage may be exhibited by other polymerases and enrich gene expression. A cassette from Drosophila retrotransposon Dme1_chrX_2630566, a candidate for utilizing slippage for its GagPol synthesis, exhibits strong slippage in vitro. Given the widespread occurrence and importance of retrotransposons, systematic studies to reveal the extent of their functional utilization of RT slippage are merited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Penno
- School of Biochemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Romika Kumari
- School of Biochemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Pavel V Baranov
- School of Biochemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Douwe van Sinderen
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Atkins
- School of Biochemistry, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5330, USA
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48
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Wapling J, Srivastava S, Shehu-Xhilaga M, Tachedjian G. Targeting Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Assembly, Maturation and Budding. Drug Target Insights 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/117739280700200020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Wapling
- Molecular Interactions Group, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - Seema Srivastava
- Molecular Interactions Group, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Miranda Shehu-Xhilaga
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Alfred Hospital, Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia
| | - Gilda Tachedjian
- Molecular Interactions Group, Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Victoria 3181, Australia
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49
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Antzin-Anduetza I, Mahiet C, Granger LA, Odendall C, Swanson CM. Increasing the CpG dinucleotide abundance in the HIV-1 genomic RNA inhibits viral replication. Retrovirology 2017; 14:49. [PMID: 29121951 PMCID: PMC5679385 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-017-0374-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) structural protein Gag is necessary and sufficient to form viral particles. In addition to encoding the amino acid sequence for Gag, the underlying RNA sequence could encode cis-acting elements or nucleotide biases that are necessary for viral replication. Furthermore, RNA sequences that inhibit viral replication could be suppressed in gag. However, the functional relevance of RNA elements and nucleotide biases that promote or repress HIV-1 replication remain poorly understood. RESULTS To characterize if the RNA sequence in gag controls HIV-1 replication, the matrix (MA) region was codon modified, allowing the RNA sequence to be altered without affecting the protein sequence. Codon modification of nucleotides (nt) 22-261 or 22-378 in gag inhibited viral replication by decreasing genomic RNA (gRNA) abundance, gRNA stability, Gag expression, virion production and infectivity. Comparing the effect of these point mutations to deletions of the same region revealed that the mutations inhibited infectious virus production while the deletions did not. This demonstrated that codon modification introduced inhibitory sequences. There is a much lower than expected frequency of CpG dinucleotides in HIV-1 and codon modification introduced a substantial increase in CpG abundance. To determine if they are necessary for inhibition of HIV-1 replication, codons introducing CpG dinucleotides were mutated back to the wild type codon, which restored efficient Gag expression and infectious virion production. To determine if they are sufficient to inhibit viral replication, CpG dinucleotides were inserted into gag in the absence of other changes. The increased CpG dinucleotide content decreased HIV-1 infectivity and viral replication. CONCLUSIONS The HIV-1 RNA sequence contains low abundance of CpG dinucleotides. Increasing the abundance of CpG dinucleotides inhibits multiple steps of the viral life cycle, providing a functional explanation for why CpG dinucleotides are suppressed in HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irati Antzin-Anduetza
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Charlotte Mahiet
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Luke A Granger
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Charlotte Odendall
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Chad M Swanson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London, 3rd Floor Borough Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
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50
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Kim HK, Tinoco I. EF-G catalyzed translocation dynamics in the presence of ribosomal frameshifting stimulatory signals. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:2865-2874. [PMID: 27799473 PMCID: PMC5389563 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw1020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting (-1PRF) is tightly regulated by messenger RNA (mRNA) sequences and structures in expressing two or more proteins with precise ratios from a single mRNA. Using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) between (Cy5)EF-G and (Cy3)tRNALys, we studied the translational elongation dynamics of -1PRF in the Escherichia coli dnaX gene, which contains three frameshifting signals: a slippery sequence (A AAA AAG), a Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence and a downstream hairpin. The frameshift promoting signals mostly impair the EF-G-catalyzed translocation step of the two tRNALys and the slippery codons from the A- and P- sites. The hairpin acts as a road block slowing the translocation rate. The upstream SD sequence together with the hairpin promotes dissociation of futile EF-G and thus causes multiple EF-G driven translocation attempts. A slippery sequence also helps dissociation of the EF-G by providing alternative base-pairing options. These results indicate that frameshifting takes place during the repetitive ribosomal conformational changes associated with EF-G dissociation upon unsuccessful translocation attempts of the second slippage codon from the A- to the P- sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Kyung Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ignacio Tinoco
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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