H/ACA small nucleolar RNA pseudouridylation pockets bind substrate RNA to form three-way junctions that position the target U for modification

RNA modification in normal hematopoiesis and hematologic malignancies

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant RNA modification in eukaryotic cells. Previous studies have shown that m6A plays a critical role under both normal physiological and pathological conditions. Hematopoiesis and differentiation are highly regulated processes, and recent studies on m6A mRNA methylation have revealed how this modification controls cell fate in both normal and malignant hematopoietic states. However, despite these insights, a comprehensive understanding of its complex roles between normal hematopoietic development and malignant hematopoietic diseases remains elusive. This review first provides an overview of the components and biological functions of m6A modification regulators. Additionally, it highlights the origin, differentiation process, biological characteristics, and regulatory mechanisms of hematopoietic stem cells, as well as the features, immune properties, and self-renewal pathways of leukemia stem cells. Last, the article systematically reviews the latest research advancements on the roles and mechanisms of m6A regulatory factors in normal hematopoiesis and related malignant diseases. More importantly, this review explores how targeting m6A regulators and various signaling pathways could effectively intervene in the development of leukemia, providing new insights and potential therapeutic targets. Targeting m6A modification may hold promise for achieving more precise and effective leukemia treatments.

Non‐m6A RNA modifications in haematological malignancies

Dysregulated RNA modifications, stemming from the aberrant expression and/or malfunction of RNA modification regulators operating through various pathways, play pivotal roles in driving the progression of haematological malignancies. Among RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification, the most abundant internal mRNA modification, stands out as the most extensively studied modification. This prominence underscores the crucial role of the layer of epitranscriptomic regulation in controlling haematopoietic cell fate and therefore the development of haematological malignancies. Additionally, other RNA modifications (non-m6A RNA modifications) have gained increasing attention for their essential roles in haematological malignancies. Although the roles of the m6A modification machinery in haematopoietic malignancies have been well reviewed thus far, such reviews are lacking for non-m6A RNA modifications. In this review, we mainly focus on the roles and implications of non-m6A RNA modifications, including N4-acetylcytidine, pseudouridylation, 5-methylcytosine, adenosine to inosine editing, 2'-O-methylation, N1-methyladenosine and N7-methylguanosine in haematopoietic malignancies. We summarise the regulatory enzymes and cellular functions of non-m6A RNA modifications, followed by the discussions of the recent studies on the biological roles and underlying mechanisms of non-m6A RNA modifications in haematological malignancies. We also highlight the potential of therapeutically targeting dysregulated non-m6A modifiers in blood cancer.

2.7 Å cryo-EM structure of human telomerase H/ACA ribonucleoprotein

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) enzyme that extends telomeric repeats at eukaryotic chromosome ends to counterbalance telomere loss caused by incomplete genome replication. Human telomerase is comprised of two distinct functional lobes tethered by telomerase RNA (hTR): a catalytic core, responsible for DNA extension; and a Hinge and ACA (H/ACA) box RNP, responsible for telomerase biogenesis. H/ACA RNPs also have a general role in pseudouridylation of spliceosomal and ribosomal RNAs, which is critical for the biogenesis of the spliceosome and ribosome. Much of our structural understanding of eukaryotic H/ACA RNPs comes from structures of the human telomerase H/ACA RNP. Here we report a 2.7 Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of the telomerase H/ACA RNP. The significant improvement in resolution over previous 3.3 Å to 8.2 Å structures allows us to uncover new molecular interactions within the H/ACA RNP. Many disease mutations are mapped to these interaction sites. The structure also reveals unprecedented insights into a region critical for pseudouridylation in canonical H/ACA RNPs. Together, our work advances understanding of telomerase-related disease mutations and the mechanism of pseudouridylation by eukaryotic H/ACA RNPs.

Pseudouridylation-mediated gene expression modulation

RNA-guided pseudouridylation, a widespread post-transcriptional RNA modification, has recently gained recognition for its role in cellular processes such as pre-mRNA splicing and the modulation of premature termination codon (PTC) readthrough. This review provides insights into its mechanisms, functions, and potential therapeutic applications. It examines the mechanisms governing RNA-guided pseudouridylation, emphasizing the roles of guide RNAs and pseudouridine synthases in catalyzing uridine-to-pseudouridine conversion. A key focus is the impact of RNA-guided pseudouridylation of U2 small nuclear RNA on pre-mRNA splicing, encompassing its influence on branch site recognition and spliceosome assembly. Additionally, the review discusses the emerging role of RNA-guided pseudouridylation in regulating PTC readthrough, impacting translation termination and genetic disorders. Finally, it explores the therapeutic potential of pseudouridine modifications, offering insights into potential treatments for genetic diseases and cancer and the development of mRNA vaccine.

RNA pseudouridine modification in plants

Pseudouridine is one of the well-known chemical modifications in various RNA species. Current advances to detect pseudouridine show that the pseudouridine landscape is dynamic and affects multiple cellular processes. Although our understanding of this post-transcriptional modification mainly depends on yeast and human models, the recent findings provide strong evidence for the critical role of pseudouridine in plants. Here, we review the current knowledge of pseudouridine in plant RNAs, including its synthesis, degradation, regulatory mechanisms, and functions. Moreover, we propose future areas of research on pseudouridine modification in plants.

The "guiding" principles of noncoding RNA function

The human genome is pervasively transcribed and yet only a small fraction of these RNAs (less than 2%) are known to code for proteins. The vast majority of the RNAs are classified as noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and are further subgrouped as small (shorter than 200 bases) and long noncoding RNAs. The ncRNAs have been identified in all three domains of life and regulate diverse cellular processes through transcriptional and posttranscriptional gene regulation. Most of these RNAs work in conjunction with proteins forming a wide array of base pairing interactions. The determinants of these base pairing interactions are now becoming more evident and show striking similarities among the diverse group of ncRNAs. Here we present a mechanistic overview of pairing between RNA-RNA or RNA-DNA that dictates the function of ncRNAs; we provide examples to illustrate that ncRNAs work through shared evolutionary mechanisms that encompasses a guide-target interaction, involving not only classical Watson-Crick but also noncanonical Wobble and Hoogsteen base pairing. We also highlight the similarities in target selection, proofreading, and the ruler mechanism of ncRNA-protein complexes that confers target specificity and target site selection. This article is categorized under: Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs RNA-Based Catalysis > RNA-Mediated Cleavage RNA Evolution and Genomics > RNA and Ribonucleoprotein Evolution.

Dyskerin: an essential pseudouridine synthase with multifaceted roles in ribosome biogenesis, splicing, and telomere maintenance

Dyskerin and its homologs are ancient and conserved enzymes that catalyze the most common post-transcriptional modification found in cells, pseudouridylation. The resulting pseudouridines provide stability to RNA molecules and regulate ribosome biogenesis and splicing events. Dyskerin does not act independently-it is the core component of a protein heterotetramer, which associates with RNAs that contain the H/ACA motif. The variety of H/ACA RNAs that guide the function of this ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex highlights the diversity of cellular processes in which dyskerin participates. When associated with small nucleolar (sno) RNAs, it regulates ribosomal (r) RNAs and ribosome biogenesis. By interacting with small Cajal body (sca) RNAs, it targets small nuclear (sn) RNAs to regulate pre-mRNA splicing. As a component of the telomerase holoenzyme, dyskerin binds to the telomerase RNA to modulate telomere maintenance. In a disease context, dyskerin malfunction can result in multiple detrimental phenotypes. Mutations in DKC1, the gene that encodes dyskerin, cause the premature aging syndrome X-linked dyskeratosis congenita (X-DC), a still incurable disorder that typically leads to bone marrow failure. In this review, we present the classical and most recent findings on this essential protein, discussing the evolutionary, structural, and functional aspects of dyskerin and the H/ACA RNP. The latest research underscores the role that dyskerin plays in the regulation of gene expression, translation efficiency, and telomere maintenance, along with the impacts that defective dyskerin has on aging, cell proliferation, haematopoietic potential, and cancer.

H/ACA Small Ribonucleoproteins: Structural and Functional Comparison Between Archaea and Eukaryotes

During ribosome synthesis, ribosomal RNA is modified through the formation of many pseudouridines and methylations which contribute to ribosome function across all domains of life. In archaea and eukaryotes, pseudouridylation of rRNA is catalyzed by H/ACA small ribonucleoproteins (sRNPs) utilizing different H/ACA guide RNAs to identify target uridines for modification. H/ACA sRNPs are conserved in archaea and eukaryotes, as they share a common general architecture and function, but there are also several notable differences between archaeal and eukaryotic H/ACA sRNPs. Due to the higher protein stability in archaea, we have more information on the structure of archaeal H/ACA sRNPs compared to eukaryotic counterparts. However, based on the long history of yeast genetic and other cellular studies, the biological role of H/ACA sRNPs during ribosome biogenesis is better understood in eukaryotes than archaea. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the current knowledge on H/ACA sRNPs from archaea, in particular their structure and function, and relates it to our understanding of the roles of eukaryotic H/ACA sRNP during eukaryotic ribosome synthesis and beyond. Based on this comparison of our current insights into archaeal and eukaryotic H/ACA sRNPs, we discuss what role archaeal H/ACA sRNPs may play in the formation of ribosomes.

The presence of the ACA box in archaeal H/ACA guide RNAs promotes atypical pseudouridylation

Archaea and eukaryotes, in addition to protein-only enzymes, also possess ribonucleoproteins containing an H/ACA guide RNA plus four proteins that produce pseudouridine (Ψ). Although typical conditions for these RNA-guided reactions are known, certain variant conditions allow pseudouridylation. We used mutants of the two stem-loops of the Haloferax volcanii sR-h45 RNA that guides three pseudouridylations in 23S rRNA and their target RNAs to characterize modifications under various atypical conditions. The 5' stem-loop produces Ψ2605 and the 3' stem-loop produces Ψ1940 and Ψ1942. The latter two modifications require unpaired "UVUN" (V = A, C, or G) in the target and ACA box in the guide. Ψ1942 modification requires the presence of U1940 (or Ψ1940). Ψ1940 is not produced in the Ψ1942-containing substrate, suggesting a sequential modification of the two residues. The ACA box of a single stem-loop guide is not required when typically unpaired "UN" is up to 17 bases from its position in the guide, but is needed when the distance increases to 19 bases or the N is paired. However, ANA of the H box of the double stem-loop guide is needed even for the 5' typical pseudouridylation. The most 5' unpaired U in a string of U's is converted to Ψ, and in the absence of an unpaired U, a paired U can also be modified. Certain mutants of the Cbf5 protein affect pseudouridylation by the two stem-loops of sR-h45 differently. This study will help elucidate the conditions for production of nonconstitutive Ψ's, determine functions for orphan H/ACA RNAs and in target designing.

Base-pairing interactions between substrate RNA and H/ACA guide RNA modulate the kinetics of pseudouridylation, but not the affinity of substrate binding by H/ACA small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins

H/ACA small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs) pseudouridylate RNA in eukaryotes and archaea. They target many RNAs site-specifically through base-pairing interactions between H/ACA guide and substrate RNA. Besides ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and small nuclear RNA (snRNA), H/ACA snoRNPs are thought to also modify messenger RNA (mRNA) with potential impacts on gene expression. However, the base pairing between known target RNAs and H/ACA guide RNAs varies widely in nature, and therefore the rules governing substrate RNA selection are still not fully understood. To provide quantitative insight into substrate RNA recognition, we systematically altered the sequence of a substrate RNA target by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae H/ACA guide RNA snR34. Time courses measuring pseudouridine formation revealed a gradual decrease in the initial velocity of pseudouridylation upon reducing the number of base pairs between substrate and guide RNA. Changing or inserting nucleotides close to the target uridine severely impairs pseudouridine formation. Interestingly, filter binding experiments show that all substrate RNA variants bind to H/ACA snoRNPs with nanomolar affinity. Next, we showed that binding of inactive, near-cognate RNAs to H/ACA snoRNPs does not inhibit their activity for cognate RNAs, presumably because near-cognate RNAs dissociate rapidly. We discuss that the modulation of initial velocities by the base-pairing strength might affect the order and efficiency of pseudouridylation in rRNA during ribosome biogenesis. Moreover, the binding of H/ACA snoRNPs to near-cognate RNAs may be a mechanism to search for cognate target sites. Together, our data provide critical information to aid in the prediction of productive H/ACA guide-substrate RNA pairs.

Post-transcriptional pseudouridylation in mRNA as well as in some major types of noncoding RNAs

Pseudouridylation is a post-transcriptional isomerization reaction that converts a uridine to a pseudouridine (Ψ) within an RNA chain. Ψ has chemical properties that are distinct from that of uridine and any other known nucleotides. Experimental data accumulated thus far have indicated that Ψ is present in many different types of RNAs, including coding and noncoding RNAs. Ψ is particularly concentrated in rRNA and spliceosomal snRNAs, and plays an important role in protein translation and pre-mRNA splicing, respectively. Ψ has also been found in mRNA, but its function there remains essentially unknown. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and functions of RNA pseudouridylation, focusing on rRNA, snRNA and mRNA. We also discuss the methods, which have been developed to detect Ψs in RNAs. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: mRNA modifications in gene expression control edited by Dr. Soller Matthias and Dr. Fray Rupert.

Guide-substrate base-pairing requirement for box H/ACA RNA-guided RNA pseudouridylation

Box H/ACA RNAs are a group of small RNAs found in abundance in eukaryotes (as well as in archaea). Although their sequences differ, eukaryotic box H/ACA RNAs all share the same unique hairpin-hinge-hairpin-tail structure. Almost all of them function as guides that primarily direct pseudouridylation of rRNAs and spliceosomal snRNAs at specific sites. Although box H/ACA RNA-guided pseudouridylation has been extensively studied, the detailed rules governing this reaction, especially those concerning the guide RNA-substrate RNA base-pairing interactions that determine the specificity and efficiency of pseudouridylation, are still not exactly clear. This is particularly relevant given that the lengths of the guide sequences involved in base-pairing vary from one box H/ACA RNA to another. Here, we carry out a detailed investigation into guide-substrate base-pairing interactions, and identify the minimum number of base pairs (8), required for RNA-guided pseudouridylation. In addition, we find that the pseudouridylation pocket, present in each hairpin of box H/ACA RNA, exhibits flexibility in fitting slightly different substrate sequences. Our results are consistent across three independent pseudouridylation pockets tested, suggesting that our findings are generally applicable to box H/ACA RNA-guided RNA pseudouridylation.

Life under the Microscope: Single-Molecule Fluorescence Highlights the RNA World

The emergence of single-molecule (SM) fluorescence techniques has opened up a vast new toolbox for exploring the molecular basis of life. The ability to monitor individual biomolecules in real time enables complex, dynamic folding pathways to be interrogated without the averaging effect of ensemble measurements. In parallel, modern biology has been revolutionized by our emerging understanding of the many functions of RNA. In this comprehensive review, we survey SM fluorescence approaches and discuss how the application of these tools to RNA and RNA-containing macromolecular complexes in vitro has yielded significant insights into the underlying biology. Topics covered include the three-dimensional folding landscapes of a plethora of isolated RNA molecules, their assembly and interactions in RNA-protein complexes, and the relation of these properties to their biological functions. In all of these examples, the use of SM fluorescence methods has revealed critical information beyond the reach of ensemble averages.

Bioinformatics Analysis of Genes and Pathways of CD11b+/Ly6Cintermediate Macrophages after Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), which could induce the poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanism of the functional changes of CDllb+/Ly6Cintermediate macrophages after renal IRI. The gene expression profiles of CDllb+/Ly6Cintermcdiate macrophages of the sham surgery mice, and the mice 4 h, 24 h and 9 days after renal IRI were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Analysis of mRNA expression profiles was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), biological processes and pathways by the series test of cluster. Protein-protein interaction network was constructed and analysed to discover the key genes. A total of 6738 DEGs were identified and assigned to 20 model profiles. DEGs in profile 13 were one of the predominant expression profiles, which are involved in immune cell chemotaxis and proliferation. Signet analysis showed that Atp5al, Atp5o, Cox4i, Cdc42, Rac2 and Nhp2 were the key genes involved in oxidation-reduction, apoptosis, migration, M1-M2 differentiation, and proliferation of macrophages. RPS18 may be an appreciate reference gene as it was stable in macrophages. The identified DEGs and their enriched pathways investigate factors that may participate in the functional changes of CD 1lb+Ly6Cintermediate macrophages after renal IRI. Moreover, the vital gene Nhp2 may involve the polarization of macrophages, which may be a new target to affect the process of AKI.

Synthesis, Function, and Heterogeneity of snoRNA-Guided Posttranscriptional Nucleoside Modifications in Eukaryotic Ribosomal RNAs

Ribosomal RNAs contain numerous 2'-O-methylated nucleosides and pseudouridines. Methylation of the 2' oxygen of ribose moieties and isomerization of uridines into pseudouridines are catalyzed by C/D and H/ACA small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles, respectively. We review the composition, structure, and mode of action of archaeal and eukaryotic C/D and H/ACA particles. Most rRNA modifications cluster in functionally crucial regions of the rRNAs, suggesting they play important roles in translation. Some of these modifications promote global translation efficiency or modulate translation fidelity. Strikingly, recent quantitative nucleoside modification profiling methods have revealed that a subset of modification sites is not always fully modified. The finding of such ribosome heterogeneity is in line with the concept of specialized ribosomes that could preferentially translate specific mRNAs. This emerging concept is supported by findings that some human diseases are caused by defects in the rRNA modification machinery correlated with a significant alteration of IRES-dependent translation.

Nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the III-IV-V three-way junction from the Varkud satellite ribozyme and identification of magnesium-binding sites using paramagnetic relaxation enhancement

The VS ribozyme is a catalytic RNA found within some natural isolates of Neurospora that is being used as a model system to improve our understanding of RNA structure, catalysis, and engineering. The catalytic domain contains five helical domains (SLII-SLVI) that are organized by two three-way junctions. The III-IV-V junction is required for high-affinity binding of the substrate domain (SLI) through formation of a kissing loop interaction with SLV. Here, we determine the high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure of a 47-nucleotide RNA containing the III-IV-V junction (J345). The J345 RNA adopts a Y-shaped fold typical of the family C three-way junctions, with coaxial stacking between stems III and IV and an acute angle between stems III and V. The NMR structure reveals that the core of the III-IV-V junction contains four stacked base triples, a U-turn motif, a cross-strand stacking interaction, an A-minor interaction, and a ribose zipper. In addition, the NMR structure shows that the cCUUGg tetraloop used to stabilize stem IV adopts a novel RNA tetraloop fold, different from the known gCUUGc tetraloop structure. Using Mn(2+)-induced paramagnetic relaxation enhancement, we identify six Mg(2+)-binding sites within J345, including one associated with the cCUUGg tetraloop and two with the junction core. The NMR structure of J345 likely represents the conformation of the III-IV-V junction in the context of the active VS ribozyme and suggests that this junction functions as a dynamic hinge that contributes to substrate recognition and catalysis. Moreover, this study highlights a new role for family C three-way junctions in long-range tertiary interactions.

Tertiary structure prediction of RNA-RNA complexes using a secondary structure and fragment-based method

A method has been developed for predicting the tertiary structures of RNA-RNA complex structures using secondary structure information and a fragment assembly algorithm. The linker base pair and secondary structure potential derived from the secondary structure information are particularly useful for prediction. Application of this method to several kinds of RNA-RNA complex structures, including kissing loops, hammerhead ribozymes, and other functional RNAs, produced promising results. Use of the secondary structure potential effectively restrained the conformational search space, leading to successful prediction of kissing loop structures, which mainly consist of common structural elements. The failure to predict more difficult targets had various causes but should be overcome through such measures as tuning the balance of the energy contributions from the Watson-Crick and non- Watson-Crick base pairs, by obtaining knowledge about a wider variety of RNA structures.

A novel paramagnetic relaxation enhancement tag for nucleic acids: a tool to study structure and dynamics of RNA

In this work, we present a novel 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPO) radical phosphoramidite building block, which can be attached to the 5'-terminus of nucleic acids. To investigate the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) emanating from this radical center, we incorporated the TEMPO label into various types of RNAs. We measured proton PREs for selectively (13)C-isotope labeled nucleotides to derive long-range distance restraints in a short 15 nucleotide stem-loop model system, underscoring the potential of the 5'-TEMPO tag to determine long-range distance restraints for solution structure determination. We subsequently applied the distance-dependent relaxation enhancement induced by the nitroxide radical to discern two folding states in a bistable RNA. Finally, we investigated the fast conformational sampling of the HIV-1 TAR RNA, a paradigm for structural flexibility in nucleic acids. With PRE NMR in combination with molecular dynamics simulations, the structural plasticity of this RNA was analyzed in the absence and presence of the ligand L-argininamide.

Ribosome biogenesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ribosomes are highly conserved ribonucleoprotein nanomachines that translate information in the genome to create the proteome in all cells. In yeast these complex particles contain four RNAs (>5400 nucleotides) and 79 different proteins. During the past 25 years, studies in yeast have led the way to understanding how these molecules are assembled into ribosomes in vivo. Assembly begins with transcription of ribosomal RNA in the nucleolus, where the RNA then undergoes complex pathways of folding, coupled with nucleotide modification, removal of spacer sequences, and binding to ribosomal proteins. More than 200 assembly factors and 76 small nucleolar RNAs transiently associate with assembling ribosomes, to enable their accurate and efficient construction. Following export of preribosomes from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, they undergo final stages of maturation before entering the pool of functioning ribosomes. Elaborate mechanisms exist to monitor the formation of correct structural and functional neighborhoods within ribosomes and to destroy preribosomes that fail to assemble properly. Studies of yeast ribosome biogenesis provide useful models for ribosomopathies, diseases in humans that result from failure to properly assemble ribosomes.

Regulation of snoRNAs in cancer: close encounters with interferon

The interferon (IFN) family of cytokines regulates many cellular processes, such as transcription, translation, post-translational modifications, and protein degradation. IFNs induce growth inhibition and/or cell death, depending on the cell type, by employing different proteins. This review describes a novel growth-suppressive pathway employed by IFNs that affects rRNA levels. Maturation of rRNA involves numerous noncoding small regulatory RNA-guided processes. These regulatory RNAs, called small nucleolar RNA (snoRNAs), function as a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) in the nucleolus. The biogenesis of snoRNPs is dependent on core protein and assembly factors. Our laboratory recently isolated a growth-suppressive protein gene associated with retinoid-IFN-induced mortality (GRIM)-1 using a genetic screen. IFN-inducible GRIM-1 (SHQ1) is an assembly factor that controls one arm of the snoRNP machinery. GRIM-1 inhibits sno/scaRNP formation to induce growth suppression via reduction in mature rRNA levels. Loss of GRIM-1 observed in certain cancers implicates it to be a novel tumor suppressor. Certain snoRNAs have been reported to act as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors in vitro. Recent studies have shown that certain sno/scaRNAs are further processed into micro RNA-like molecules to control translation of protein-coding RNAs. We present a model as to how these small regulatory RNAs influence cell growth and a potential role for GRIM-1 in this process.

RNA pseudouridylation: new insights into an old modification

Pseudouridine is the most abundant post-transcriptionally modified nucleotide in various stable RNAs of all organisms. Pseudouridine is derived from uridine via base-specific isomerization, resulting in an extra hydrogen-bond donor that distinguishes it from other nucleotides. In eukaryotes, uridine-to-pseudouridine isomerization is catalyzed primarily by box H/ACA RNPs, ribonucleoproteins that act as pseudouridylases. When introduced into RNA, pseudouridine contributes significantly to RNA-mediated cellular processes. It was recently discovered that pseudouridylation can be induced by stress, suggesting a regulatory role for pseudouridine. It has also been reported that pseudouridine can be artificially introduced into mRNA by box H/ACA RNPs and that such introduction can mediate nonsense-to-sense codon conversion, thus demonstrating a new means of generating coding or protein diversity.

Kinetic and thermodynamic characterization of the reaction pathway of box H/ACA RNA-guided pseudouridine formation

The box H/ACA RNA-guided pseudouridine synthase is a complicated ribonucleoprotein enzyme that recruits substrate via both the guide RNA and the catalytic subunit Cbf5. Structural studies have revealed multiple conformations of the enzyme, but a quantitative description of the reaction pathway is still lacking. Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, we here measured the equilibrium dissociation constants and kinetic association and dissociation rates of substrate and product complexes mimicking various reaction intermediate states. These data support a sequential model for substrate loading and product release regulated by the thumb loop of Cbf5. The uridine substrate is first bound primarily through interaction with the guide RNA and then loaded into the active site while progressively interacted with the thumb. After modification, the subtle chemical structure change from uridine to pseudouridine at the target site triggers the release of the thumb, resulting in an intermediate complex with the product bound mainly by the guide RNA. By dissecting the role of Gar1 in individual steps of substrate turnover, we show that Gar1 plays a major role in catalysis and also accelerates product release about 2-fold. Our biophysical results integrate with previous structural knowledge into a coherent reaction pathway of H/ACA RNA-guided pseudouridylation.

Computational prediction and validation of C/D, H/ACA and Eh_U3 snoRNAs of Entamoeba histolytica

BACKGROUND

Small nucleolar RNAs are a highly conserved group of small RNAs found in eukaryotic cells. Genes encoding these RNAs are diversely located throughout the genome. They are functionally conserved, performing post transcriptional modification (methylation and pseudouridylation) of rRNA and other nuclear RNAs. They belong to two major categories: the C/D box and H/ACA box containing snoRNAs. U3 snoRNA is an exceptional member of C/D box snoRNAs and is involved in early processing of pre-rRNA. An antisense sequence is present in each snoRNA which guides the modification or processing of target RNA. However, some snoRNAs lack this sequence and often they are called orphan snoRNAs.

RESULTS

We have searched snoRNAs of Entamoeba histolytica from the genome sequence using computational programmes (snoscan and snoSeeker) and we obtained 99 snoRNAs (C/D and H/ACA box snoRNAs) along with 5 copies of Eh_U3 snoRNAs. These are located diversely in the genome, mostly in intergenic regions, while some are found in ORFs of protein coding genes, intron and UTRs. The computationally predicted snoRNAs were validated by RT-PCR and northern blotting. The expected sizes were in agreement with the observed sizes for all C/D box snoRNAs tested, while for some of the H/ACA box there was indication of processing to generate shorter products.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed the presence of snoRNAs in E. histolytica, an early branching eukaryote, and the structural features of E. histolytica snoRNAs were well conserved when compared with yeast and human snoRNAs. This study will help in understanding the evolution of these conserved RNAs in diverse phylogenetic groups.

Attenuation of loop-receptor interactions with pseudoknot formation

RNA tetraloops can recognize receptors to mediate long-range interactions in stable natural RNAs. In vitro selected GNRA tetraloop/receptor interactions are usually more ‘G/C-rich’ than their ‘A/U-rich’ natural counterparts. They are not as widespread in nature despite comparable biophysical and chemical properties. Moreover, while AA, AC and GU dinucleotide platforms occur in natural GAAA/11 nt receptors, the AA platform is somewhat preferred to the others. The apparent preference for ‘A/U-rich’ GNRA/receptor interactions in nature might stem from an evolutionary adaptation to avoid folding traps at the level of the larger molecular context. To provide evidences in favor of this hypothesis, several riboswitches based on natural and artificial GNRA receptors were investigated in vitro for their ability to prevent inter-molecular GNRA/receptor interactions by trapping the receptor sequence into an alternative intra-molecular pseudoknot. Extent of attenuation determined by native gel-shift assays and co-transcriptional assembly is correlated to the G/C content of the GNRA receptor. Our results shed light on the structural evolution of natural long-range interactions and provide design principles for RNA-based attenuator devices to be used in synthetic biology and RNA nanobiotechnology.

Structure of H/ACA RNP protein Nhp2p reveals cis/trans isomerization of a conserved proline at the RNA and Nop10 binding interface

H/ACA small nucleolar and Cajal body ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) function in site-specific pseudouridylation of eukaryotic rRNA and snRNA, rRNA processing, and vertebrate telomerase biogenesis. Nhp2, one of four essential protein components of eukaryotic H/ACA RNPs, forms a core trimer with the pseudouridylase Cbf5 and Nop10 that binds to H/ACA RNAs specifically. Crystal structures of archaeal H/ACA RNPs have revealed how the protein components interact with each other and with the H/ACA RNA. However, in place of Nhp2p, archaeal H/ACA RNPs contain L7Ae, which binds specifically to an RNA K-loop motif absent from eukaryotic H/ACA RNPs, while Nhp2 binds a broader range of RNA structures. We report solution NMR studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nhp2 (Nhp2p), which reveal that Nhp2p exhibits two major conformations in solution due to cis/trans isomerization of the evolutionarily conserved Pro83. The equivalent proline is in the cis conformation in all reported structures of L7Ae and other homologous proteins. Nhp2p has the expected α-β-α fold, but the solution structures of the major conformation of Nhp2p with trans Pro83 and of Nhp2p-S82W with cis Pro83 reveal that Pro83 cis/trans isomerization affects the positions of numerous residues at the Nop10 and RNA binding interface. An S82W substitution, which stabilizes the cis conformation, also stabilizes the association of Nhp2p with H/ACA snoRNPs expressed in vivo. We propose that Pro83 plays a key role in the assembly of the eukaryotic H/ACA RNP, with the cis conformation locking in a stable Cbf5-Nop10-Nhp2 ternary complex and positioning the protein backbone to interact with the H/ACA RNA.

Structures of ribonucleoprotein particle modification enzymes

Small nucleolar and Cajal body ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs) are required for the maturation of ribosomes and spliceosomes. They consist of small nucleolar RNA or Cajal body RNA combined with partner proteins and represent the most complex RNA modification enzymes. Recent advances in structure and function studies have revealed detailed information regarding ribonucleoprotein assembly and substrate binding. These enzymes form intertwined RNA-protein assemblies that facilitate reversible binding of the large ribosomal RNA or small nuclear RNA. These revelations explain the specificity among the components in enzyme assembly and substrate modification. The multiple conformations of individual components and those of complete RNPs suggest a dynamic assembly process and justify the requirement of many assembly factors in vivo.

Poly(A) tail recognition by a viral RNA element through assembly of a triple helix

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus produces a highly abundant, nuclear noncoding RNA, polyadenylated nuclear (PAN) RNA, which contains an element that prevents its decay. The 79-nucleotide expression and nuclear retention element (ENE) was proposed to adopt a secondary structure like that of a box H/ACA small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), with a U-rich internal loop that hybridizes to and protects the PAN RNA poly(A) tail. The crystal structure of a complex between the 40-nucleotide ENE core and oligo(A)(9) RNA at 2.5 angstrom resolution reveals that unlike snoRNAs, the U-rich loop of the ENE engages its target through formation of a major-groove triple helix. A-minor interactions extend the binding interface. Deadenylation assays confirm the functional importance of the triple helix. Thus, the ENE acts as an intramolecular RNA clamp, sequestering the PAN poly(A) tail and preventing the initiation of RNA decay.

Rapid global structure determination of large RNA and RNA complexes using NMR and small-angle X-ray scattering

Among the greatest advances in biology today are the discoveries of various roles played by RNA in biological processes. However, despite significant advances in RNA structure determination using X-ray crystallography [1] and solution NMR [2-4], the number of bona fide RNA structures is very limited, in comparison with the growing number of known functional RNAs. This is because of great difficulty in growing crystals or/and obtaining phase information, and severe size constraints on structure determination by solution NMR spectroscopy. Clearly, there is an acute need for new methodologies for RNA structure determination. The prevailing approach for structure determination of RNA in solution is a "bottom-up" approach that was basically transplanted from the approach used for determining protein structures, despite vast differences in both structural features and chemical compositions between these two types of biomacromolecules. In this chapter, we describe a new method, which has been reported recently, for rapid global structure determination of RNAs using solution-based NMR spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering. The method treats duplexes as major building blocks of RNA structures. By determining the global orientations of the duplexes and the overall shape, the global structure of an RNA can be constructed and further regularized using Xplor-NIH. The utility of the method was demonstrated in global structure determination of two RNAs, a 71-nt and 102-nt RNAs with an estimated backbone RMSD ∼3.0Å. The global structure opens door to high-resolution structure determination in solution.

Box H/ACA small ribonucleoproteins

Box H/ACA RNAs represent an abundant, evolutionarily conserved class of small noncoding RNAs. All H/ACA RNAs associate with a common set of proteins, and they function as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) enzymes mainly in the site-specific pseudouridylation of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) and small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs). Some H/ACA RNPs function in the nucleolytic processing of precursor rRNA (pre-rRNA) and synthesis of telomeric DNA. Thus, H/ACA RNPs are essential for three fundamental cellular processes: protein synthesis, mRNA splicing, and maintenance of genome integrity. Recently, great progress has been made toward understanding of the biogenesis, intracellular trafficking, structure, and function of H/ACA RNPs.

Solution structure of the cap-independent translational enhancer and ribosome-binding element in the 3' UTR of turnip crinkle virus

The 3(') untranslated region (3(') UTR) of turnip crinkle virus (TCV) genomic RNA contains a cap-independent translation element (CITE), which includes a ribosome-binding structural element (RBSE) that participates in recruitment of the large ribosomal subunit. In addition, a large symmetric loop in the RBSE plays a key role in coordinating the incompatible processes of viral translation and replication, which require enzyme progression in opposite directions on the viral template. To understand the structural basis for the large ribosomal subunit recruitment and the intricate interplay among different parts of the molecule, we determined the global structure of the 102-nt RBSE RNA using solution NMR and small-angle x-ray scattering. This RNA has many structural features that resemble those of a tRNA in solution. The hairpins H1 and H2, linked by a 7-nucleotide linker, form the upper part of RBSE and hairpin H3 is relatively independent from the rest of the structure and is accessible to interactions. This global structure provides insights into the three-dimensional layout for ribosome binding, which may serve as a structural basis for its involvement in recruitment of the large ribosomal subunit and the switch between viral translation and replication. The experimentally determined three-dimensional structure of a functional element in the 3(') UTR of an RNA from any organism has not been previously reported. The RBSE structure represents a prototype structure of a new class of RNA structural elements involved in viral translation/replication processes.

The box H/ACA ribonucleoprotein complex: interplay of RNA and protein structures in post-transcriptional RNA modification

The box H/ACA ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are protein-RNA complexes responsible for pseudouridylation, the most abundant post-transcriptional modification of cellular RNAs. Integrity of its box H/ACA domain is also essential for assembly and stability of the human telomerase RNP. The recent publication of the complete box H/ACA RNP structures combined with the previously reported structures of the protein and RNA components makes it possible to deduce the structural accommodation that accompanies assembly of the full particle. This analysis reveals how the protein components distort the RNA component of the RNP, enabling productive docking of the substrate RNA into the enzymatic active site.

The 3' end of Turnip crinkle virus contains a highly interactive structure including a translational enhancer that is disrupted by binding to the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

Precise temporal control is needed for RNA viral genomes to translate sufficient replication-required products before clearing ribosomes and initiating replication. A 3' translational enhancer in Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) overlaps an internal T-shaped structure (TSS) that binds to 60S ribosomal subunits. The higher-order structure in the region was examined through alteration of critical sequences revealing novel interactions between an H-type pseudoknot and upstream residues, and between the TSS and internal and terminal loops of an upstream hairpin. Our results suggest that the TSS forms a stable scaffold that allows for simultaneous interactions with external sequences through base pairings on both sides of its large internal symmetrical loop. Binding of TCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) to the region potentiates a widespread conformational shift with substantial rearrangement of the TSS region, including the element required for efficient ribosome binding. Degrading the RdRp caused the RNA to resume its original conformation, suggesting that the initial conformation is thermodynamically favored. These results suggest that the 3' end of TCV folds into a compact, highly interactive structure allowing RdRp access to multiple elements including the 3' end, which causes structural changes that potentiate the shift between translation and replication.

Evolutionary history of selenocysteine incorporation from the perspective of SECIS binding proteins

Background

The co-translational incorporation of selenocysteine into nascent polypeptides by recoding the UGA stop codon occurs in all domains of life. In eukaryotes, this event requires at least three specific factors: SECIS binding protein 2 (SBP2), a specific translation elongation factor (eEFSec), selenocysteinyl tRNA, and a cis-acting selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element in selenoprotein mRNAs. While the phylogenetic relationships of selenoprotein families and the evolution of selenocysteine usage are well documented, the evolutionary history of SECIS binding proteins has not been explored.

Results

In this report we present a phylogeny of the eukaryotic SECIS binding protein family which includes SBP2 and a related protein we herein term SBP2L. Here we show that SBP2L is an SBP2 paralogue in vertebrates and is the only form of SECIS binding protein in invertebrate deuterostomes, suggesting a key role in Sec incorporation in these organisms, but an SBP2/SBP2L fusion protein is unable to support Sec incorporation in vitro. An in-depth phylogenetic analysis of the conserved L7Ae RNA binding domain suggests an ancestral relationship with ribosomal protein L30. In addition, we describe the emergence of a motif upstream of the SBP2 RNA binding domain that shares significant similarity with a motif within the pseudouridine synthase Cbf5.

Conclusion

Our analysis suggests that SECIS binding proteins arose once in evolution but diverged significantly in multiple lineages. In addition, likely due to a gene duplication event in the early vertebrate lineage, SBP2 and SBP2L are paralogous in vertebrates.

Structural mechanism of substrate RNA recruitment in H/ACA RNA-guided pseudouridine synthase

H/ACA RNAs form ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) with proteins Cbf5, Nop10, L7Ae, and Gar1 and guide site-specific conversion of uridine into pseudouridine in cellular RNAs. The crystal structures of H/ACA RNP with substrate bound at the active site cleft reveal that the substrate is recruited through sequence-specific pairing with guide RNA and essential protein contacts. Substrate binding leads to a reorganization of a preset pseudouridylation pocket and an adaptive movement of the PUA domain and the lower stem of the H/ACA RNA. Moreover, a thumb loop flips from the Gar1-bound state in the substrate-free RNP structure to tightly associate with the substrate. Mutagenesis and enzyme kinetics analysis suggest a critical role of Gar1 and the thumb in substrate turnover, particularly in product release. Comparison with tRNA Psi55 synthase TruB reveals the structural conservation and adaptation between an RNA-guided and stand-alone pseudouridine synthase and provides insight into the guide-independent activity of Cbf5.

Structure of a functional ribonucleoprotein pseudouridine synthase bound to a substrate RNA

Box H/ACA small nucleolar and Cajal body ribonucleoprotein particles comprise the most complex pseudouridine synthases and are essential for ribosome and spliceosome maturation. The multistep and multicomponent-mediated enzyme mechanism remains only partially understood. Here we report a crystal structure at 2.35 A of a substrate-bound functional archaeal enzyme containing three of the four proteins, Cbf5, Nop10 and L7Ae, and a box H/ACA RNA that reveals detailed information about the protein-only active site. The substrate RNA, containing 5-fluorouridine at the modification position, is fully docked and catalytically rearranged by the enzyme in a manner similar to that seen in two stand-alone pseudouridine synthases. Structural analysis provides a mechanism for plasticity in the diversity of guide RNA sequences used and identifies a substrate-anchoring loop of Cbf5 that also interacts with Gar1 in unliganded structures. Activity analyses of mutated proteins and RNAs support the structural findings and further suggest a role of the Cbf5 loop in regulation of enzyme activity.

Structure and functional studies of the CS domain of the essential H/ACA ribonucleoparticle assembly protein SHQ1

H/ACA ribonucleoprotein particles are essential for ribosomal RNA and telomerase RNA processing and metabolism. Shq1p has been identified as an essential eukaryotic H/ACA small nucleolar (sno) ribonucleoparticle (snoRNP) biogenesis and assembly factor. Shq1p is postulated to be involved in the early biogenesis steps of H/ACA snoRNP complexes, and Shq1p depletion leads to a specific decrease in H/ACA small nucleolar RNA levels and to defects in ribosomal RNA processing. Shq1p contains two predicted domains as follows: an N-terminal CS (named after CHORD-containing proteins and SGT1) or HSP20-like domain, and a C-terminal region of high sequence homology called the Shq1 domain. Here we report the crystal structure and functional studies of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Shq1p CS domain. The structure consists of a compact anti-parallel beta-sandwich fold that is composed of two beta-sheets containing four and three beta-strands, respectively, and a short alpha-helix. Deletion studies showed that the CS domain is required for the essential functions of Shq1p. Point mutations in residues Phe-6, Gln-10, and Lys-80 destabilize Shq1p in vivo and induce a temperature-sensitive phenotype with depletion of H/ACA small nucleolar RNAs and defects in rRNA processing. Although CS domains are frequently found in co-chaperones of the Hsp90 molecular chaperone, no interaction was detected between the Shq1p CS domain and yeast Hsp90 in vitro. These results show that the CS domain is essential for Shq1p function in H/ACA snoRNP biogenesis in vivo, possibly in an Hsp90-independent manner.

Long-distance placement of substrate RNA by H/ACA proteins

The structural basis for accurate placement of substrate RNA by H/ACA proteins is studied using a nonintrusive fluorescence assay. A model substrate RNA containing 2-aminopurine immediately 3' of the uridine targeted for modification produces distinct fluorescence signals that report the substrate's docking status within the enzyme active site. We combined substrate RNA with complete and subcomplexes of H/ACA ribonucleoprotein particles and monitored changes in the substrate conformation. Our results show that each of the three accessory proteins, as well as an active site residue, have distinct effects on substrate conformations, presumably as docking occurs. Interestingly, in some cases these effects are exerted far from the active site. Application of our data to an available structural model of the holoenzyme, enables the functional role of each accessory protein in substrate placement to come into view.

Combined in silico and experimental identification of the Pyrococcus abyssi H/ACA sRNAs and their target sites in ribosomal RNAs

How far do H/ACA sRNPs contribute to rRNA pseudouridylation in Archaea was still an open question. Hence here, by computational search in three Pyrococcus genomes, we identified seven H/ACA sRNAs and predicted their target sites in rRNAs. In parallel, we experimentally identified 17 Ψ residues in P. abyssi rRNAs. By in vitro reconstitution of H/ACA sRNPs, we assigned 15 out of the 17 Ψ residues to the 7 identified H/ACA sRNAs: one H/ACA motif can guide up to three distinct pseudouridylations. Interestingly, by using a 23S rRNA fragment as the substrate, one of the two remaining Ψ residues could be formed in vitro by the aCBF5/aNOP10/aGAR1 complex without guide sRNA. Our results shed light on structural constraints in archaeal H/ACA sRNPs: the length of helix H2 is of 5 or 6 bps, the distance between the ANA motif and the targeted U residue is of 14 or 15 nts, and the stability of the interaction formed by the substrate rRNA and the 3′-guide sequence is more important than that formed with the 5′-guide sequence. Surprisingly, we showed that a sRNA–rRNA interaction with the targeted uridine in a single-stranded 5′-UNN-3′ trinucleotide instead of the canonical 5′-UN-3′ dinucleotide is functional.

Unveiling substrate RNA binding to H/ACA RNPs: one side fits all

The H/ACA RNP pseudouridylases function on a large number of extraordinarily complex RNA substrates including pre-ribosomal and small nuclear RNAs. Recent structural data show that H/ACA RNPs capture their RNA substrates via a simple one-sided attachment model. However, the precise placement of each RNA substrate into the active site of the catalytic subunit relies on the essential functions of the RNP proteins. The specific roles of each H/ACA RNP protein are being elucidated by a combination of structural and biochemical studies.

Substrate RNA positioning in the archaeal H/ACA ribonucleoprotein complex

The most complex RNA pseudouridylases are H/ACA ribonucleoprotein particles, which use a guide RNA for substrate capture and four proteins (Cbf5, Nop10, Gar1 and L7Ae/NHP2) for substrate modification. Here we report the three-dimensional structure of a catalytically deficient archaeal enzyme complex (including the guide RNA and three of the four essential proteins) bound to a substrate RNA. Extensive interactions of Cbf5 with one guide-substrate helix and a guide RNA stem shape the forked guide–substrate RNA complex structure and position the substrate in proximity of the Cbf5 catalytic center. Our structural and complementary fluorescence analyses also indicate that precise placement of the target uridine at the active site requires a conformation of the guide–substrate RNA duplex that is brought about by the previously identified concurrent interaction of the guide RNA with L7Ae and a composite Cbf5-Nop10 surface, and further identify a residue that is critical in this process.

Probing the conformation of human tRNA(3)(Lys) in solution by NMR

Human tRNA(3)(Lys) acts as a primer for the reverse transcription of human immunodeficiency virus genomic RNA. To form an initiation complex with genomic RNA, tRNA(3)(Lys) must reorganize its secondary structure. To provide a starting point for mechanistic studies of the formation of the initiation complex, we here present solution NMR investigations of human tRNA(3)(Lys). We use a straightforward set of NMR experiments to show that tRNA(3)(Lys) adopts a standard transfer ribonucleic acid tertiary structure in solution, and that Mg(2+) is required for this folding. The results underscore the power of NMR to reveal rapidly the conformation of RNAs.

Dynamic interactions within sub-complexes of the H/ACA pseudouridylation guide RNP

H/ACA RNP complexes change uridines to pseudouridines in target non-coding RNAs in eukaryotes and archaea. H/ACA RNPs are comprised of a guide RNA and four essential proteins: Cbf5 (pseudouridine synthase), L7Ae, Gar1 and Nop10 in archaea. The guide RNA captures the target RNA via two antisense elements brought together to form a contiguous binding site within the pseudouridylation pocket (internal loop) of the guide RNA. Cbf5 and L7Ae interact independently with the guide RNA, and here we have examined the impacts of these proteins on the RNA in nucleotide protection assays. The results indicate that the interactions observed in a fully assembled H/ACA RNP are established in the sub-complexes, but also reveal a unique Cbf5-guide RNA interaction that is displaced by L7Ae. In addition, the results indicate that L7Ae binding at the kink (k)-turn of the guide RNA induces the formation of the upper stem, and thus also the pseudouridylation pocket. Our findings indicate that L7Ae is essential for formation of the substrate RNA binding site in the archaeal H/ACA RNP, and suggest that k-turn-binding proteins may remodel partner RNAs with important effects distant from the protein-binding site.

The PUA domain - a structural and functional overview

The pseudouridine synthase and archaeosine transglycosylase (PUA) domain is a compact and highly conserved RNA-binding motif that is widespread among diverse types of proteins from the three kingdoms of life. Its three-dimensional architecture is well established, and the structures of several PUA-RNA complexes reveal a common RNA recognition surface, but also some versatility in the way in which the motif binds to RNA. The PUA domain is often part of RNA modification enzymes and ribonucleoproteins, but it has also been unexpectedly found fused to enzymes involved in proline biosynthesis, where it plays an unknown role. The functional impact of the domain varies with the protein studied, ranging from minor to essential effects. PUA motifs are involved in dyskeratosis congenita and cancer, pointing to links between RNA metabolism and human diseases.

Identification of determinants in the protein partners aCBF5 and aNOP10 necessary for the tRNA:Psi55-synthase and RNA-guided RNA:Psi-synthase activities

Protein aNOP10 has an essential scaffolding function in H/ACA sRNPs and its interaction with the pseudouridine(Psi)-synthase aCBF5 is required for the RNA-guided RNA:Psi-synthase activity. Recently, aCBF5 was shown to catalyze the isomerization of U55 in tRNAs without the help of a guide sRNA. Here we show that the stable anchoring of aCBF5 to tRNAs relies on its PUA domain and the tRNA CCA sequence. Nonetheless, interaction of aNOP10 with aCBF5 can counterbalance the absence of the PUA domain or the CCA sequence and more generally helps the aCBF5 tRNA:Psi55-synthase activity. Whereas substitution of the aNOP10 residue Y14 by an alanine disturbs this activity, it only impairs mildly the RNA-guided activity. The opposite effect was observed for the aNOP10 variant H31A. Substitution K53A or R202A in aCBF5 impairs both the tRNA:Psi55-synthase and the RNA-guided RNA:Psi-synthase activities. Remarkably, the presence of aNOP10 compensates for the negative effect of these substitutions on the tRNA: Psi55-synthase activity. Substitution of the aCBF5 conserved residue H77 that is expected to extrude the targeted U residue in tRNA strongly affects the efficiency of U55 modification but has no major effect on the RNA-guided activity. This negative effect can also be compensated by the presence of aNOP10.

Mutational analysis of a viral RNA element that counteracts rapid RNA decay by interaction with the polyadenylate tail

We previously demonstrated that the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus polyadenylated nuclear RNA contains a 79-nt cis-acting element, the ENE, which allows intronless polyadenylated transcripts to accumulate to high nuclear levels by protecting them from rapid degradation. We proposed a model based on the predicted structure of the ENE in which a U-rich internal loop hybridizes with the 3'-polyadenylate (polyA) tail to sequester it from exonucleolytic attack. We have tested this model by mutational analysis of the ENE. Point mutations in the predicted U-rich internal loop and in the flanking stems abolish the ENE's ability to (i) interact with the polyA tail, (ii) inhibit deadenylation in vitro, and (iii) stabilize transcripts in vivo. In all but one case, compensatory mutations in the flanking stems restore ENE activities, demonstrating the importance of these stems and uncovering a unique role for the loop-proximal G-C base pair in the lower stem. Increasing the U content of the U-rich internal loop surprisingly decreases stability in vivo but does not affect deadenylation in vitro, comparable to the effects of deleting certain "unstructured" regions of the ENE. Taken together, our data support the formation of the proposed ENE secondary structure in vivo and argue that the specific ENE structure inhibits rapid RNA decay in cis by engaging in a limited set of base-pairing interactions with the polyA tail.