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Lancaster CL, Moberg KH, Corbett AH. Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Gene Expression and the Intricate Life of Eukaryotic mRNAs. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2025; 16:e70007. [PMID: 40059537 PMCID: PMC11949413 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.70007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2024] [Revised: 02/17/2025] [Accepted: 02/18/2025] [Indexed: 03/29/2025]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing appreciation for how regulatory events that occur either co- or post-transcriptionally contribute to the control of gene expression. Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are extensively regulated throughout their metabolism in a precise spatiotemporal manner that requires sophisticated molecular mechanisms for cell-type-specific gene expression, which dictates cell function. Moreover, dysfunction at any of these steps can result in a variety of human diseases, including cancers, muscular atrophies, and neurological diseases. This review summarizes the steps of the central dogma of molecular biology, focusing on the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly L. Lancaster
- Department of Biology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Department of Cell Biology Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, Emory University Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kenneth H. Moberg
- Department of Cell Biology Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Anita H. Corbett
- Department of Biology, Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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2
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Jangra R, Trant J, Sharma P. Water-mediated ribonucleotide-amino acid pairs and higher-order structures at the RNA-protein interface: analysis of the crystal structure database and a topological classification. NAR Genom Bioinform 2024; 6:lqae161. [PMID: 39664815 PMCID: PMC11632616 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqae161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 10/16/2024] [Accepted: 11/07/2024] [Indexed: 12/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Water is essential for the formation, stability and function of RNA-protein complexes. To delineate the structural role of water molecules in shaping the interactions between RNA and proteins, we comprehensively analyzed a dataset of 329 crystal structures of these complexes to identify water-mediated hydrogen-bonded contacts at RNA-protein interface. Our survey identified a total of 4963 water bridges. We then employed a graph theory-based approach to present a robust classification scheme, encompassing triplets, quartets and quintet bridging topologies, each further delineated into sub-topologies. The frequency of water bridges within each topology decreases with the increasing degree of water node, with simple triplet water bridges outnumbering the higher-order topologies. Overall, this analysis demonstrates the variety of water-mediated interactions and highlights the importance of water as not only the medium but also the organizing principle underlying biomolecular interactions. Further, our study emphasizes the functional significance of water-mediated interactions in RNA-protein complexes, and paving the way for exploring how these interactions operate in complex biological environments. Altogether, this understanding not only enhances insights into biomolecular dynamics but also informs the rational design of RNA-protein complexes, providing a framework for potential applications in biotechnology and therapeutics. All the scripts, and data are available at https://github.com/PSCPU/waterbridges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raman Jangra
- Computational Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - John F Trant
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave. Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada
- We-Spark Health Institute, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave. Windsor ON, N9B 3P4, Canada
- Binary Star Research Services, University of Windsor, LaSalle, ON, N9J 3X8, Canada
| | - Purshotam Sharma
- Computational Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh 160014, India
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave. Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada
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3
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Feng Y, Zhu S, Liu T, Zhi G, Shao B, Liu J, Li B, Jiang C, Feng Q, Wu P, Wang D. Surmounting Cancer Drug Resistance: New Perspective on RNA-Binding Proteins. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1114. [PMID: 37631029 PMCID: PMC10458901 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), being pivotal elements in both physiological and pathological processes, possess the ability to directly impact RNA, thereby exerting a profound influence on cellular life. Furthermore, the dysregulation of RBPs not only induces alterations in the expression levels of genes associated with cancer but also impairs the occurrence of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Consequently, these circumstances can give rise to aberrations in cellular processes, ultimately resulting in alterations within the proteome. An aberrant proteome can disrupt the equilibrium between oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, promoting cancer progression. Given their significant role in modulating gene expression and post-transcriptional regulation, directing therapeutic interventions towards RBPs represents a viable strategy for combating drug resistance in cancer treatment. RBPs possess significant potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers for diverse cancer types. Gaining comprehensive insights into the structure and functionality of RBPs, along with delving deeper into the molecular mechanisms underlying RBPs in tumor drug resistance, can enhance cancer treatment strategies and augment the prognostic outcomes for individuals afflicted with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peijie Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (S.Z.); (T.L.); (G.Z.); (B.S.); (J.L.); (B.L.); (C.J.); (Q.F.)
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (S.Z.); (T.L.); (G.Z.); (B.S.); (J.L.); (B.L.); (C.J.); (Q.F.)
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4
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Ding Q, Li R, Ren X, Chan LY, Ho VWS, Xie D, Ye P, Zhao Z. Genomic architecture of 5S rDNA cluster and its variations within and between species. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:238. [PMID: 35346033 PMCID: PMC8961926 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08476-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ribosomal DNAs (rDNAs) are arranged in purely tandem repeats, preventing them from being reliably assembled onto chromosomes during generation of genome assembly. The uncertainty of rDNA genomic structure presents a significant barrier for studying their function and evolution. RESULTS Here we generate ultra-long Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and short NGS reads to delineate the architecture and variation of the 5S rDNA cluster in the different strains of C. elegans and C. briggsae. We classify the individual rDNA's repeating units into 25 types based on the unique sequence variations in each unit of C. elegans (N2). We next perform assembly of the cluster by taking advantage of the long reads that carry these units, which led to an assembly of 5S rDNA cluster consisting of up to 167 consecutive 5S rDNA units in the N2 strain. The ordering and copy number of various rDNA units are consistent with the separation time between strains. Surprisingly, we observed a drastically reduced level of variation in the unit composition in the 5S rDNA cluster in the C. elegans CB4856 and C. briggsae AF16 strains than in the C. elegans N2 strain, suggesting that N2, a widely used reference strain, is likely to be defective in maintaining the 5S rDNA cluster stability compared with other wild isolates of C. elegans or C. briggsae. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that Nanopore DNA sequencing reads are capable of generating assembly of highly repetitive sequences, and rDNA units are highly dynamic both within and between population(s) of the same species in terms of sequence and copy number. The detailed structure and variation of the 5S rDNA units within the rDNA cluster pave the way for functional and evolutionary studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiutao Ding
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Runsheng Li
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoliang Ren
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lu-Yan Chan
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vincy W S Ho
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Dongying Xie
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pohao Ye
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhongying Zhao
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Analysis, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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5
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Dreab A, Bayse CA. Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Reduced and Oxidized TFIIIA Zinc Fingers Free and Interacting with 5S RNA. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:903-913. [PMID: 35143196 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c01272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Interactions of zinc finger (ZF) proteins with nucleic acids and proteins play an important role in DNA transcription and repair, biochemical recognition, and protein regulation. The release of Zn2+ through oxidation of cysteine thiolates is associated with disruption of gene expression and DNA repair, preventing tumor growth. Multi-microsecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to examine the effect of Cys oxidation on the ZF456 fragment of transcription factor III A (TFIIIA) and its complex with 5S RNA. In the absence of 5S RNA, the reduced ZF456 peptide undergoes conformational changes in the secondary structure due to the reorientation of the intact ZF domains. Upon oxidation, the individual ZF domains unfold to various degrees, yielding a globular ZF456 peptide with ZF4 and ZF6, responsible for base-specific hydrogen bonds with 5S RNA, losing their ββα-folds. ZF5, on the other hand, participates in nonspecific interactions through its α-helix that conditionally unravels early in the simulation. In the presence of RNA, oxidation of the ZF456 peptide disrupts the key hydrogen bonding interactions between ZF5/ZF6 and 5S RNA. However, interactions with ZF4 are dependent on the protonation state of His119.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Dreab
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529, United States
| | - Craig A Bayse
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529, United States
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Davidian AG, Dyomin AG, Galkina SA, Makarova NE, Dmitriev SE, Gaginskaya ER. 45S rDNA Repeats of Turtles and Crocodiles Harbor a Functional 5S rRNA Gene Specifically Expressed in Oocytes. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 39:6432055. [PMID: 34905062 PMCID: PMC8789306 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In most eukaryotic genomes, tandemly repeated copies of 5S rRNA genes are clustered outside the nucleolus organizer region (NOR), which normally encodes three other major rRNAs: 18S, 5.8S, and 28S. Our analysis of turtle rDNA sequences has revealed a 5S rDNA insertion into the NOR intergenic spacer in antisense orientation. The insertion (hereafter called NOR-5S rRNA gene) has a length of 119 bp and coexists with the canonical 5S rDNA clusters outside the NOR. Despite the ∼20% nucleotide difference between the two 5S gene sequences, their internal control regions for RNA polymerase III are similar. Using the turtle Trachemys scripta as a model species, we showed the NOR-5S rDNA specific expression in oocytes. This expression is concurrent with the NOR rDNA amplification during oocyte growth. We show that in vitellogenic oocytes, the NOR-5S rRNA prevails over the canonical 5S rRNA in the ribosomes, suggesting a role of modified ribosomes in oocyte-specific translation. The orders Testudines and Crocodilia seem to be the only taxa of vertebrates with such a peculiar rDNA organization. We speculate that the amplification of the 5S rRNA genes as a part of the NOR DNA during oogenesis provides a dosage balance between transcription of all the four ribosomal RNAs while producing a maternal pool of extra ribosomes. We further hypothesize that the NOR-5S rDNA insertion appeared in the Archelosauria clade during the Permian period and was lost later in the ancestors of Aves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asya G Davidian
- Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexander G Dyomin
- Laboratory of Cell Technologies, Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russia
| | - Svetlana A Galkina
- Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nadezhda E Makarova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey E Dmitriev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena R Gaginskaya
- Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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7
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Parsonnet NV, Lammer NC, Holmes ZE, Batey RT, Wuttke DS. The glucocorticoid receptor DNA-binding domain recognizes RNA hairpin structures with high affinity. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:8180-8192. [PMID: 31147715 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) binds the noncoding RNA Gas5 via its DNA-binding domain (DBD) with functional implications in pro-apoptosis signaling. Here, we report a comprehensive in vitro binding study where we have determined that GR-DBD is a robust structure-specific RNA-binding domain. GR-DBD binds to a diverse range of RNA hairpin motifs, both synthetic and biologically derived, with apparent mid-nanomolar affinity while discriminating against uniform dsRNA. As opposed to dimeric recognition of dsDNA, GR-DBD binds to RNA as a monomer and confers high affinity primarily through electrostatic contacts. GR-DBD adopts a discrete RNA-bound state, as assessed by NMR, distinct from both free and DNA-bound. NMR and alanine mutagenesis suggest a heightened involvement of the C-terminal α-helix of the GR-DBD in RNA-binding. RNA competes for binding with dsDNA and occurs in a similar affinity range as dimer binding to the canonical DNA element. Given the prevalence of RNA hairpins within the transcriptome, our findings strongly suggest that many RNAs have potential to impact GR biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas V Parsonnet
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 596, Boulder, CO 80309-0596, USA
| | - Nickolaus C Lammer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 596, Boulder, CO 80309-0596, USA
| | - Zachariah E Holmes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 596, Boulder, CO 80309-0596, USA
| | - Robert T Batey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 596, Boulder, CO 80309-0596, USA
| | - Deborah S Wuttke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Campus Box 596, Boulder, CO 80309-0596, USA
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8
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Cenik ES, Meng X, Tang NH, Hall RN, Arribere JA, Cenik C, Jin Y, Fire A. Maternal Ribosomes Are Sufficient for Tissue Diversification during Embryonic Development in C. elegans. Dev Cell 2019; 48:811-826.e6. [PMID: 30799226 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans provides an amenable system to explore whether newly composed ribosomes are required to progress through development. Despite the complex pattern of tissues that are formed during embryonic development, we found that null homozygotes lacking any of the five different ribosomal proteins (RPs) can produce fully functional first-stage larvae, with similar developmental competence seen upon complete deletion of the multi-copy ribosomal RNA locus. These animals, relying on maternal but not zygotic contribution of ribosomal components, are capable of completing embryogenesis. In the absence of new ribosomal components, the resulting animals are arrested before progression from the first larval stage and fail in two assays for postembryonic plasticity of neuronal structure. Mosaic analyses of larvae that are a mixture of ribosome-competent and non-competent cells suggest a global regulatory mechanism in which ribosomal insufficiency in a subset of cells triggers organism-wide growth arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Sarinay Cenik
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Xuefeng Meng
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Ngang Heok Tang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Joshua A Arribere
- Department of MCD Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Can Cenik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Yishi Jin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Andrew Fire
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Kakade P, Mahadik K, Balaji KN, Sanyal K, Nagaraja V. Two negative regulators of biofilm development exhibit functional divergence in conferring virulence potential toCandida albicans. FEMS Yeast Res 2018; 19:5057869. [DOI: 10.1093/femsyr/foy078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Kakade
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, C V Raman Avenue, New Biological Sciences Building, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Kasturi Mahadik
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, C V Raman Avenue, New Biological Sciences Building, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Kithiganahalli Narayanaswamy Balaji
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, C V Raman Avenue, New Biological Sciences Building, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Kaustuv Sanyal
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560064, India
| | - Valakunja Nagaraja
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, C V Raman Avenue, New Biological Sciences Building, Bangalore 560012, India
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore 560064, India
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10
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Long Y, Wang X, Youmans DT, Cech TR. How do lncRNAs regulate transcription? SCIENCE ADVANCES 2017; 3:eaao2110. [PMID: 28959731 PMCID: PMC5617379 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aao2110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 514] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
It has recently become apparent that RNA, itself the product of transcription, is a major regulator of the transcriptional process. In particular, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are so numerous in eukaryotes, function in many cases as transcriptional regulators. These RNAs function through binding to histone-modifying complexes, to DNA binding proteins (including transcription factors), and even to RNA polymerase II. In other cases, it is the act of lncRNA transcription rather than the lncRNA product that appears to be regulatory. We review recent progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs modulate gene expression and future opportunities in this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yicheng Long
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado BioFrontiers Institute, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Xueyin Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado BioFrontiers Institute, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Daniel T. Youmans
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado BioFrontiers Institute, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Thomas R. Cech
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado BioFrontiers Institute, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
- Corresponding author.
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11
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Trumbić Ž, Bekaert M, Taggart JB, Bron JE, Gharbi K, Mladineo I. Development and validation of a mixed-tissue oligonucleotide DNA microarray for Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus (Linnaeus, 1758). BMC Genomics 2015; 16:1007. [PMID: 26607231 PMCID: PMC4659210 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2208-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The largest of the tuna species, Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), inhabits the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and is considered to be an endangered species, largely a consequence of overfishing. T. thynnus aquaculture, referred to as fattening or farming, is a capture based activity dependent on yearly renewal from the wild. Thus, the development of aquaculture practices independent of wild resources can provide an important contribution towards ensuring security and sustainability of this species in the longer-term. The development of such practices is today greatly assisted by large scale transcriptomic studies. RESULTS We have used pyrosequencing technology to sequence a mixed-tissue normalised cDNA library, derived from adult T. thynnus. A total of 976,904 raw sequence reads were assembled into 33,105 unique transcripts having a mean length of 893 bases and an N50 of 870. Of these, 33.4% showed similarity to known proteins or gene transcripts and 86.6% of them were matched to the congeneric Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) genome, compared to 70.3% for the more distantly related Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) genome. Transcript sequences were used to develop a novel 15 K Agilent oligonucleotide DNA microarray for T. thynnus and comparative tissue gene expression profiles were inferred for gill, heart, liver, ovaries and testes. Functional contrasts were strongest between gills and ovaries. Gills were particularly associated with immune system, signal transduction and cell communication, while ovaries displayed signatures of glycan biosynthesis, nucleotide metabolism, transcription, translation, replication and repair. CONCLUSIONS Sequence data generated from a novel mixed-tissue T. thynnus cDNA library provide an important transcriptomic resource that can be further employed for study of various aspects of T. thynnus ecology and genomics, with strong applications in aquaculture. Tissue-specific gene expression profiles inferred through the use of novel oligo-microarray can serve in the design of new and more focused transcriptomic studies for future research of tuna physiology and assessment of the welfare in a production environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Željka Trumbić
- University Department of Marine Studies, University of Split, Split, Croatia.
| | - Michaël Bekaert
- Institute of Aquaculture, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK.
| | - John B Taggart
- Institute of Aquaculture, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK.
| | - James E Bron
- Institute of Aquaculture, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK.
| | - Karim Gharbi
- Edinburgh Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, Scotland, UK.
| | - Ivona Mladineo
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Croatia.
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12
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Mondragón E, Maher LJ. Anti-Transcription Factor RNA Aptamers as Potential Therapeutics. Nucleic Acid Ther 2015; 26:29-43. [PMID: 26509637 PMCID: PMC4753637 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2015.0566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are DNA-binding proteins that play critical roles in regulating gene expression. These proteins control all major cellular processes, including growth, development, and homeostasis. Because of their pivotal role, cells depend on proper TF function. It is, therefore, not surprising that TF deregulation is linked to disease. The therapeutic drug targeting of TFs has been proposed as a frontier in medicine. RNA aptamers make interesting candidates for TF modulation because of their unique characteristics. The products of in vitro selection, aptamers are short nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) that bind their targets with high affinity and specificity. Aptamers can be expressed on demand from transgenes and are intrinsically amenable to recognition by nucleic acid-binding proteins such as TFs. In this study, we review several natural prokaryotic and eukaryotic examples of RNAs that modulate the activity of TFs. These examples include 5S RNA, 6S RNA, 7SK, hepatitis delta virus-RNA (HDV-RNA), neuron restrictive silencer element (NRSE)-RNA, growth arrest-specific 5 (Gas5), steroid receptor RNA activator (SRA), trophoblast STAT utron (TSU), the 3' untranslated region of caudal mRNA, and heat shock RNA-1 (HSR1). We then review examples of unnatural RNA aptamers selected to inhibit TFs nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), TATA-binding protein (TBP), heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), and runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1). The field of RNA aptamers for DNA-binding proteins continues to show promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Mondragón
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine , Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Louis James Maher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine , Rochester, Minnesota
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13
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Tan C, Li W, Wang W. Localized frustration and binding-induced conformational change in recognition of 5S RNA by TFIIIA zinc finger. J Phys Chem B 2013; 117:15917-25. [PMID: 24266699 DOI: 10.1021/jp4052165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Protein TFIIIA is composed of nine tandemly arranged Cys2His2 zinc fingers. It can bind either to the 5S RNA gene as a transcription factor or to the 5S RNA transcript as a chaperone. Although structural and biochemical data provided valuable information on the recognition between the TFIIIIA and the 5S DNA/RNA, the involved conformational motions and energetic factors contributing to the binding affinity and specificity remain unclear. In this work, we conducted MD simulations and MM/GBSA calculations to investigate the binding-induced conformational changes in the recognition of the 5S RNA by the central three zinc fingers of TFIIIA and the energetic factors that influence the binding affinity and specificity at an atomistic level. Our results revealed drastic interdomain conformational changes between these three zinc fingers, involving the exposure/burial of several crucial DNA/RNA binding residues, which can be related to the competition between DNA and RNA for the binding of TFIIIA. We also showed that the specific recognition between finger 4/finger 6 and the 5S RNA introduces frustrations to the nonspecific interactions between finger 5 and the 5S RNA, which may be important to achieve optimal binding affinity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Tan
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructure and Department of Physics, Nanjing University , Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
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14
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Fumagalli S, Ivanenkov VV, Teng T, Thomas G. Suprainduction of p53 by disruption of 40S and 60S ribosome biogenesis leads to the activation of a novel G2/M checkpoint. Genes Dev 2012; 26:1028-40. [PMID: 22588717 DOI: 10.1101/gad.189951.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Impairment of ribosome biogenesis leads to p53 induction and cell cycle arrest, a checkpoint involved in human disease. Induction of p53 is attributed to the binding and inhibition of human double minute 2 (Hdm2) by a subset of ribosomal proteins (RPs): RPS7, RPL5, RPL11, and RPL23. However, we found that only RPL11 or RPL5, in a mutually dependent manner, elicit this response. We show that depletion of RPS7 or RPL23, like depletion of other RPs, except for RPL11 and RPL5, induces a p53 response and that the effects of RPS7 and RPL23 on p53 induction reported earlier may be ascribed to inhibition of global translation. Moreover, we made the surprising observation that codepletion of two essential RPs, one from each subunit, but not the same subunit, leads to suprainduction of p53. This led to the discovery that the previously proposed RPL11-dependent mechanism of p53 induction, thought to be caused by abrogation of 40S biogenesis and continued 60S biogenesis, is still operating, despite abrogation of 60S biogenesis. This response leads to both a G1 block and a novel G2/M block not observed when disrupting either subunit alone. Thus, induction of p53 is mediated by distinct mechanisms, with the data pointing to an essential role for ribosomal subunits beyond translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Fumagalli
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45237, USA.
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15
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Burdach J, O'Connell MR, Mackay JP, Crossley M. Two-timing zinc finger transcription factors liaising with RNA. Trends Biochem Sci 2012; 37:199-205. [PMID: 22405571 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2012.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2011] [Revised: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Classical zinc fingers (ZFs) are one of the most common protein domains in higher eukaryotes and have been known for almost 30 years to act as sequence-specific DNA-binding domains. This knowledge has come, however, from the study of a small number of archetypal proteins, and a larger picture is beginning to emerge that ZF functions are far more diverse than originally suspected. Here, we review the evidence that a subset of ZF proteins live double lives, binding to both DNA and RNA targets and frequenting both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. This duality can create an important additional level of gene regulation that serves to connect transcriptional and post-transcriptional control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Burdach
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia
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16
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Weiss TC, Zhai GG, Bhatia SS, Romaniuk PJ. An RNA aptamer with high affinity and broad specificity for zinc finger proteins. Biochemistry 2010; 49:2732-40. [PMID: 20175561 DOI: 10.1021/bi9016654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
A class of RNA aptamers that demonstrates a high affinity for a large variety of C(2)H(2) zinc finger proteins was isolated from a library of random RNA sequences by the zinc finger protein TFIIIA. These aptamers have one or more copies of the consensus sequence GGGUGGG, which is part of a putative hairpin loop in the proposed structure of the most abundant aptamer, RNA1. Binding of zinc finger proteins to RNA1 relies upon zinc-dependent folding of the protein, the affinity of an individual protein for RNA1 being determined by the number of tandem zinc finger motifs. The properties of RNA1 were compared to the properties of two other aptamers from the same selection experiment: RNA21, which binds to some but not all zinc finger proteins tested, and RNA22, which binds only to the 5S rRNA binding zinc finger proteins TFIIIA and p43. The binding of three different zinc finger proteins to RNA1 was compared, and the results indicate that the RNA1-protein interaction occurs by several distinct mechanisms. Mutagenesis of RNA1 confirmed that the GGGUGGG consensus sequence presented in a hairpin conformation is required for high-affinity binding of zinc finger proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristen C Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, P.O. Box 3055, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6, Canada
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17
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Klug A. The discovery of zinc fingers and their development for practical applications in gene regulation and genome manipulation. Q Rev Biophys 2010; 43:1-21. [PMID: 20478078 DOI: 10.1017/s0033583510000089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A long-standing goal of molecular biologists has been to construct DNA-binding proteins for the control of gene expression. The classical Cys2His2 (C2H2) zinc finger design is ideally suited for such purposes. Discriminating between closely related DNA sequences both in vitro and in vivo, this naturally occurring design was adopted for engineering zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) to target genes specifically. Zinc fingers were discovered in 1985, arising from the interpretation of our biochemical studies on the interaction of the Xenopus protein transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) with 5S RNA. Subsequent structural studies revealed its three-dimensional structure and its interaction with DNA. Each finger constitutes a self-contained domain stabilized by a zinc (Zn) ion ligated to a pair of cysteines and a pair of histidines and also by an inner structural hydrophobic core. This discovery showed not only a new protein fold but also a novel principle of DNA recognition. Whereas other DNA-binding proteins generally make use of the 2-fold symmetry of the double helix, functioning as homo- or heterodimers, zinc fingers can be linked linearly in tandem to recognize nucleic acid sequences of varying lengths. This modular design offers a large number of combinatorial possibilities for the specific recognition of DNA (or RNA). It is therefore not surprising that the zinc finger is found widespread in nature, including 3% of the genes of the human genome. The zinc finger design can be used to construct DNA-binding proteins for specific intervention in gene expression. By fusing selected zinc finger peptides to repression or activation domains, genes can be selectively switched off or on by targeting the peptide to the desired gene target. It was also suggested that by combining an appropriate zinc finger peptide with other effector or functional domains, e.g. from nucleases or integrases to form chimaeric proteins, genomes could be modified or manipulated. The first example of the power of the method was published in 1994 when a three-finger protein was constructed to block the expression of a human oncogene transformed into a mouse cell line. The same paper also described how a reporter gene was activated by targeting an inserted 9-base pair (bp) sequence, which acts as the promoter. Thus, by fusing zinc finger peptides to repression or activation domains, genes can be selectively switched off or on. It was also suggested that, by combining zinc fingers with other effector or functional domains, e.g. from nucleases or integrases, to form chimaeric proteins, genomes could be manipulated or modified. Several applications of such engineered ZFPs are described here, including some of therapeutic importance, and also their adaptation for breeding improved crop plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Klug
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
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18
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Abstract
An account is given of the discovery of the classical Cys(2)His(2) zinc finger, arising from the interpretation of biochemical studies on the interaction of the Xenopus protein transcription factor IIIA with 5S RNA, and of structural studies on its structure and its interaction with DNA. The finger is a self-contained domain stabilized by a zinc ion ligated to a pair of cysteines and a pair of histidines, and by an inner hydrophobic core. This discovery showed not only a new protein fold but also a novel principle of DNA recognition. Whereas other DNA binding proteins generally make use of the two-fold symmetry of the double helix, zinc fingers can be linked linearly in tandem to recognize nucleic acid sequences of varying lengths. This modular design offers a large number of combinatorial possibilities for the specific recognition of DNA (or RNA). It is therefore not surprising that the zinc finger is found widespread in nature, including 3% of the genes of the human genome. The zinc finger design is ideally suited for engineering proteins to target specific genes. In the first example of their application in 1994, a three-finger protein was constructed to block the expression of an oncogene transformed into a mouse cell line. In addition, a reporter gene was activated by targeting an inserted zinc finger promoter. Thus, by fusing zinc finger peptides to repression or activation domains, genes can be selectively switched off or on. It was also suggested that by combining zinc fingers with other effector domains, e.g., from nucleases or integrases, to form chimeric proteins, genomes could be manipulated or modified. Several applications of such engineered zinc finger proteins are described here, including some of therapeutic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Klug
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom.
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19
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Smirnov AV, Entelis NS, Krasheninnikov IA, Martin R, Tarassov IA. Specific features of 5S rRNA structure - its interactions with macromolecules and possible functions. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2009; 73:1418-37. [PMID: 19216709 DOI: 10.1134/s000629790813004x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Small non-coding RNAs are today a topic of great interest for molecular biologists because they can be regarded as relicts of a hypothetical "RNA world" which, apparently, preceded the modern stage of organic evolution on Earth. The small molecule of 5S rRNA (approximately 120 nucleotides) is a component of large ribosomal subunits of all living beings (5S rRNAs are not found only in mitoribosomes of fungi and metazoans). This molecule interacts with various protein factors and 23S (28S) rRNA. This review contains the accumulated data to date concerning 5S rRNA structure, interactions with other biological macromolecules, intracellular traffic, and functions in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Smirnov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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20
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Bhatia SS, Weiss TC, Romaniuk PJ. Contribution of Individual Amino Acids to the 5S RNA Binding Activity of the Xenopus Zinc Finger Protein p43. Biochemistry 2008; 47:8398-405. [DOI: 10.1021/bi800080c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Simran S. Bhatia
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3055, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6, Canada
| | - Tristen C. Weiss
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3055, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6, Canada
| | - Paul J. Romaniuk
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3055, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6, Canada
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21
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Zhang J, Harnpicharnchai P, Jakovljevic J, Tang L, Guo Y, Oeffinger M, Rout MP, Hiley SL, Hughes T, Woolford JL. Assembly factors Rpf2 and Rrs1 recruit 5S rRNA and ribosomal proteins rpL5 and rpL11 into nascent ribosomes. Genes Dev 2007; 21:2580-92. [PMID: 17938242 PMCID: PMC2000323 DOI: 10.1101/gad.1569307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2007] [Accepted: 08/21/2007] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
More than 170 proteins are necessary for assembly of ribosomes in eukaryotes. However, cofactors that function with each of these proteins, substrates on which they act, and the precise functions of assembly factors--e.g., recruiting other molecules into preribosomes or triggering structural rearrangements of pre-rRNPs--remain mostly unknown. Here we investigated the recruitment of two ribosomal proteins and 5S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) into nascent ribosomes. We identified a ribonucleoprotein neighborhood in preribosomes that contains two yeast ribosome assembly factors, Rpf2 and Rrs1, two ribosomal proteins, rpL5 and rpL11, and 5S rRNA. Interactions between each of these four proteins have been confirmed by binding assays in vitro. These molecules assemble into 90S preribosomal particles containing 35S rRNA precursor (pre-rRNA). Rpf2 and Rrs1 are required for recruiting rpL5, rpL11, and 5S rRNA into preribosomes. In the absence of association of these molecules with pre-rRNPs, processing of 27SB pre-rRNA is blocked. Consequently, the abortive 66S pre-rRNPs are prematurely released from the nucleolus to the nucleoplasm, and cannot be exported to the cytoplasm.
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MESH Headings
- Active Transport, Cell Nucleus
- GTP Phosphohydrolases
- Genes, Fungal
- Macromolecular Substances
- Models, Biological
- Models, Molecular
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
- RNA, Fungal/chemistry
- RNA, Fungal/genetics
- RNA, Fungal/metabolism
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/chemistry
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Ribosomal Protein L10
- Ribosomal Proteins/chemistry
- Ribosomal Proteins/genetics
- Ribosomal Proteins/metabolism
- Ribosomes/genetics
- Ribosomes/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Piyanun Harnpicharnchai
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Jelena Jakovljevic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Lan Tang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Yurong Guo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
| | | | | | - Shawna L. Hiley
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Timothy Hughes
- Banting and Best Department of Medical Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - John L. Woolford
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
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22
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Lunde BM, Moore C, Varani G. RNA-binding proteins: modular design for efficient function. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2007; 8:479-90. [PMID: 17473849 PMCID: PMC5507177 DOI: 10.1038/nrm2178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 964] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Many RNA-binding proteins have modular structures and are composed of multiple repeats of just a few basic domains that are arranged in various ways to satisfy their diverse functional requirements. Recent studies have investigated how different modules cooperate in regulating the RNA-binding specificity and the biological activity of these proteins. They have also investigated how multiple modules cooperate with enzymatic domains to regulate the catalytic activity of enzymes that act on RNA. These studies have shown how, for many RNA-binding proteins, multiple modules define the fundamental structural unit that is responsible for biological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley M Lunde
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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23
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Berg JM. Metal-Binding Domains in Nucleic Acid-Binding and Gene-Regulatory Proteins. PROGRESS IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/9780470166383.ch3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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24
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Hall TMT. Multiple modes of RNA recognition by zinc finger proteins. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2005; 15:367-73. [PMID: 15963892 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2005.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2005] [Revised: 02/07/2005] [Accepted: 04/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Zinc finger proteins are generally thought of as DNA-binding transcription factors; however, certain classes of zinc finger proteins, including the common C(2)H(2) zinc fingers, function as RNA-binding proteins. Recent structural studies of the C(2)H(2) zinc fingers of transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) and the CCCH zinc fingers of Tis11d in complex with their RNA targets have revealed new modes of zinc finger interaction with nucleic acid. The three C(2)H(2) zinc fingers of TFIIIA use two modes of RNA recognition that differ from the classical mode of DNA recognition, whereas the CCCH zinc fingers of Tis11d recognize specific AU-rich sequences through backbone atom interaction with the Watson-Crick edges of the adenine and uracil bases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Traci M Tanaka Hall
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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25
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Stefl R, Skrisovska L, Allain FHT. RNA sequence- and shape-dependent recognition by proteins in the ribonucleoprotein particle. EMBO Rep 2005; 6:33-8. [PMID: 15643449 PMCID: PMC1299235 DOI: 10.1038/sj.embor.7400325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2004] [Accepted: 11/26/2004] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
At all stages of its life (from transcription to translation), an RNA transcript interacts with many different RNA-binding proteins. The composition of this supramolecular assembly, known as a ribonucleoprotein particle, is diverse and highly dynamic. RNA-binding proteins control the generation, maturation and lifespan of the RNA transcript and thus regulate and influence the cellular function of the encoded gene. Here, we review our current understanding of protein-RNA recognition mediated by the two most abundant RNA-binding domains (the RNA-recognition motif and the double-stranded RNA-binding motif) plus the zinc-finger motif, the most abundant nucleic-acid-binding domain. In addition, we discuss how not only the sequence but also the shape of the RNA are recognized by these three classes of RNA-binding protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Stefl
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich, ETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Lenka Skrisovska
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich, ETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric H.-T. Allain
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich, ETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
- Tel: +41 (0)1 63 33940; Fax: +41 (0)1 63 31294;
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26
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Selective inhibition of c-Myb DNA-binding by RNA polymers. BMC BIOCHEMISTRY 2004; 5:15. [PMID: 15527501 PMCID: PMC533864 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2091-5-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2004] [Accepted: 11/04/2004] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Background The transcription factor c-Myb is expressed in hematopoietic progenitor cells and other rapidly proliferating tissues, regulating genes important for proliferation, differentiation and survival. The DNA-binding domain (DBD) of c-Myb contains three tandemly arranged imperfect repeats, designated Myb domain R1, R2 and R3. The three-dimensional structure of the DBD shows that only the second and third Myb domains are directly involved in sequence-specific DNA-binding, while the R1 repeat does not contact DNA and only marginally affects DNA-binding properties. No structural information is available on the N-terminal 30 residues. Since deletion of the N-terminal region including R1 plays an important role in oncogenic activation of c-Myb, we asked whether this region confers properties beyond DNA-binding to the neighbouring c-Myb DBD. Results Analysis of a putative RNA-binding function of c-Myb DBD revealed that poly(G) preferentially inhibited c-Myb DNA-binding. A strong sequence-selectivity was observed when different RNA polymers were compared. Most interesting, the poly(G) sensitivity was significantly larger for a protein containing the N-terminus and the R1-repeat than for the minimal DNA-binding domain. Conclusion Preferential inhibition of c-Myb DNA binding by poly(G) RNA suggests that c-Myb is able to interact with RNA in a sequence-selective manner. While R2 and R3, but not R1, are necessary for DNA-binding, R1 seems to have a distinct role in enhancing the RNA-sensitivity of c-Myb.
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28
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Lu D, Searles MA, Klug A. Crystal structure of a zinc-finger–RNA complex reveals two modes of molecular recognition. Nature 2003; 426:96-100. [PMID: 14603324 DOI: 10.1038/nature02088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2003] [Accepted: 09/22/2003] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Zinc-finger proteins of the classical Cys2His2 type are the most frequently used class of transcription factor and account for about 3% of genes in the human genome. The zinc-finger motif was discovered during biochemical studies on the transcription factor TFIIIA, which regulates the 5S ribosomal RNA genes of Xenopus laevis. Zinc-fingers mostly interact with DNA, but TFIIIA binds not only specifically to the promoter DNA, but also to 5S RNA itself. Increasing evidence indicates that zinc-fingers are more widely used to recognize RNA. There have been numerous structural studies on DNA binding, but none on RNA binding by zinc-finger proteins. Here we report the crystal structure of a three-finger complex with 61 bases of RNA, derived from the central regions of the complete nine-finger TFIIIA-5S RNA complex. The structure reveals two modes of zinc-finger binding, both of which differ from that in common use for DNA: first, the zinc-fingers interact with the backbone of a double helix; and second, the zinc-fingers specifically recognize individual bases positioned for access in otherwise intricately folded 'loop' regions of the RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duo Lu
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 2QH, UK
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29
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Abstract
A library of random mutations in Xenopus ribosomal protein L5 was generated by error-prone PCR and used to delineate the binding domain for 5S rRNA. All but one of the amino acid substitutions that affected binding affinity are clustered in the central region of the protein. Several of the mutations are conservative substitutions of non-polar amino acid residues that are unlikely to form energetically significant contacts to the RNA. Thermal denaturation, monitored by circular dichroism (CD), indicates that L5 is not fully structured and association with 5S rRNA increases the t(m) of the protein by 16 degrees C. L5 induces changes in the CD spectrum of 5S rRNA, establishing that the complex forms by a mutual induced fit mechanism. Deuterium exchange reveals that a considerable amount of L5 is unstructured in the absence of 5S rRNA. The fluorescence emission of W266 provides evidence for structural changes in the C-terminal region of L5 upon binding to 5S rRNA; whereas, protection experiments demonstrate that the N terminus remains highly sensitive to protease digestion in the complex. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of L5 by the program PONDR predicts that the N and C-terminal regions of L5 are intrinsically disordered, but that the central region, which contains three essential tyrosine residues and other residues important for binding to 5S rRNA, is likely to be structured. Initial interaction of the protein with 5S rRNA likely occurs through this region, followed by induced folding of the C-terminal region. The persistent disorder in the N-terminal domain is possibly exploited for interactions between the L5-5S rRNA complex and other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P DiNitto
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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30
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Urnov FD. A feel for the template: zinc finger protein transcription factors and chromatin. Biochem Cell Biol 2003; 80:321-33. [PMID: 12123285 DOI: 10.1139/o02-084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors and chromatin collaborate in bringing the eukaryotic genome to life. An important, and poorly understood, aspect of this collaboration involves targeting the regulators to correct binding sites in vivo. An implicit and insufficiently tested assumption in the field has been that chromatin simply obstructs most sites and leaves only a few functionally relevant ones accessible. The major class of transcription factors in all metazoa, zinc finger proteins (ZFPs), can bind to chromatin in vitro (as clearly shown for Spl, GATA-1 and -4, and the nuclear hormone receptors, for example). Data on the accessibility of DNA within heterochromatin to nonhistone regulators (E.A. Sekinger and D.S. Gross. 2001. Mol. Cell 105: 403-414; C. Jolly et al. 2002. J. Cell. Biol. 156: 775-781) and the ability of the basal transcription machinery to reside within highly condensed chromatin (most recently, R. Christova and T. Oelgeschlaeger. 2002. Nat. Cell Biol. 4: 79-82) further weaken the argument that chromatin acts as an across-the-board deterrent to ZFP binding. These proteins, however, do not bind promiscuously in vivo, and recent data on human cells (C.E. Horak et al. 2002. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99: 2924-2929) confirm earlier data on budding yeast (B. Ren et al. 2000. Science (Washington, D.C.), 290: 2306-2309) that primary DNA sequence, i.e., density of binding sites per unit DNA length, is not the primary determinant of where a ZFP transcription factor will bind in vivo. This article reviews these data and uses ZFP transcription factors as a model system to compare in vitro binding to chromatin by transcription factors with their in vivo behavior in gene regulation. DNA binding domain structure, nonrandom nucleoprotein organization of chromatin at target promoters, and cooperativity of regulator action may all contribute to target site selection in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fyodor D Urnov
- Sangamo Biosciences, Pt Richmond Tech Centre, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
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31
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Huber PW, Rife JP, Moore PB. The structure of helix III in Xenopus oocyte 5 S rRNA: an RNA stem containing a two-nucleotide bulge. J Mol Biol 2001; 312:823-32. [PMID: 11575935 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2001.4966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The solution structure of an oligonucleotide containing the helix III sequence from Xenopus oocyte 5 S rRNA has been determined by NMR spectroscopy. Helix III includes two unpaired adenosine residues, flanked on either side by G:C base-pairs, that are required for binding of ribosomal protein L5. The consensus conformation of helix III in the context provided by this oligonucleotide has the two adenosine residues located in the minor groove and stacked upon the 3' flanking guanosine residue, consistent with biochemical studies of free 5 S rRNA in solution. A distinct break in stacking that occurs between the first adenosine residue of the bulge and the flanking 5' guanosine residue exposes the base of the adenosine residue in the minor groove and the base of the guanosine residue in the major groove. The major groove of the helix is widened at the site of the unpaired nucleotides and the helix is substantially bent; nonetheless, the G:C base-pairs flanking the bulge are intact. The data indicate that there may be conformational heterogeneity centered in the bulge region. The corresponding adenosine residues in the Haloarcula marismortui 50 S ribosomal subunit form a dinucleotide platform, which is quite different from the motif seen in solution. Thus, the conformation of helix III probably changes when 5 S rRNA is incorporated into the ribosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- P W Huber
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
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32
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Moore M, Choo Y, Klug A. Design of polyzinc finger peptides with structured linkers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001; 98:1432-6. [PMID: 11171968 PMCID: PMC29274 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.98.4.1432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger domains are perhaps the most versatile of all known DNA binding domains. By fusing up to six zinc finger modules, which normally recognize up to 18 bp of DNA, designer transcription factors can be produced to target unique sequences within large genomes. However, not all continuous DNA sequences make good zinc finger binding sites. To avoid having to target unfavorable DNA sequences, we designed multizinc finger peptides with linkers capable of spanning long stretches of nonbound DNA. Two three-finger domains were fused by using either transcription factor IIIA for the Xenopus 5S RNA gene (TFIIIA) finger 4 or a non-sequence-specific zinc finger as a "structured" linker. Our gel-shift results demonstrate that these peptides are able to bind with picomolar affinities to target sequences containing 0--10 bp of nonbound DNA. Furthermore, these peptides display greater sequence selectivity and bind with higher affinity than similar six-finger peptides containing long, flexible linkers. These peptides are likely to be of use in understanding the behavior of polydactyl proteins in nature and in the targeting of human, animal, or plant genomes for numerous applications. We also suggest that in certain polydactyl peptides an individual finger can "flip" out of the major groove to allow its neighbors to bind shorter, nontarget DNA sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Moore
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 2QH, United Kingdom.
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33
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Xiong Y, Sundaralingam M. Two crystal forms of helix II of Xenopus laevis 5S rRNA with a cytosine bulge. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2000; 6:1316-1324. [PMID: 10999608 PMCID: PMC1370004 DOI: 10.1017/s135583820000090x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The crystal structure of r(GCCACCCUG).r(CAGGGUCGGC), helix II of the Xenopus laevis 5S rRNA with a cytosine bulge (underlined), has been determined in two forms at 2.2 A (Form I, space group P4(2)2(1)2, a = b = 57.15 A and c = 43.54 A) and 1.7 A (Form II, space group P4(3)2(1)2, a = b = 32.78 A and c = 102.5 A). The helical regions of the nonamers are found in the standard A-RNA conformations and the two forms have an RMS deviation of 0.75 A. However, the cytosine bulge adopts two significantly different conformations with an RMS deviation of 3.9 A. In Form I, the cytosine bulge forms an intermolecular C+*G.C triple in the major groove of a symmetry-related duplex with intermolecular hydrogen bonds between N4C and O6G, and between protonated N3+C and N7G. In contrast, a minor groove C*G.C triple is formed in Form II with intermolecular hydrogen bonds between O2C and N2G, and between N3C and N3G with a water bridge. A partial major groove opening was observed in Form I structure at the bulge site. Two Ca2+ ions were found in Form I helix whereas there were none in Form II. The structural comparison of these two forms indicates that bulged residues can adopt a variety of conformations with little perturbation to the global helix structure. This suggests that bulged residues could function as flexible latches in bridging double helical motifs and facilitate the folding of large RNA molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Xiong
- The Ohio State University, Biological Macromolecular Structure Center, Department of Chemistry, Columbus 43210, USA
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34
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Claussen M, Rudt F, Pieler T. Functional modules in ribosomal protein L5 for ribonucleoprotein complex formation and nucleocytoplasmic transport. J Biol Chem 1999; 274:33951-8. [PMID: 10567357 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.274.48.33951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal protein L5 forms a small, extraribosomal complex with 5 S ribosomal RNA, referred to as the 5 S ribonucleoprotein complex, which shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm in Xenopus oocytes. Mapping elements in L5 that mediate nuclear protein import defines three separate such activities (L5-nuclear localization sequence (NLS)-1, -2, and -3), which are functional in both oocytes and somatic cells. RNA binding activity involves N-terminal as well as C-terminal elements of L5. In contrast to the full-length protein, none of the individual NLSs carrying L5 fragments are able to allow for the predominating accumulation in the nucleoli that is observed with the full-length protein. The separate L5-NLSs differ in respect to two activities. Firstly, only L5-NLS-1 and -3, not L5-NLS-2, are capable of promoting the nuclear transfer of a heterologous, covalently attached ribonucleoprotein complex. Secondly, only L5-NLS-1 is able to bind strongly to a variety of different import receptors; those that recognize L5-NLS-2 and -3 have yet to be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Claussen
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekulare Zellbiologie, Georg-August-Universität, Humboldtallee 23, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany
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35
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Dechampesme AM, Koroleva O, Leger-Silvestre I, Gas N, Camier S. Assembly of 5S ribosomal RNA is required at a specific step of the pre-rRNA processing pathway. J Cell Biol 1999; 145:1369-80. [PMID: 10385518 PMCID: PMC2133170 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.145.7.1369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A collection of yeast strains surviving with mutant 5S RNA has been constructed. The mutant strains presented alterations of the nucleolar structure, with less granular component, and a delocalization of the 25S rRNA throughout the nucleoplasm. The 5S RNA mutations affected helix I and resulted in decreased amounts of stable 5S RNA and of the ribosomal 60S subunits. The shortage of 60S subunits was due to a specific defect in the processing of the 27SB precursor RNA that gives rise to the mature 25S and 5.8S rRNA. The processing rate of the 27SB pre-rRNA was specifically delayed, whereas the 27SA and 20S pre-rRNA were processed at a normal rate. The defect was partially corrected by increasing the amount of mutant 5S RNA. We propose that the 5S RNA is recruited by the pre-60S particle and that its recruitment is necessary for the efficient processing of the 27SB RNA precursor. Such a mechanism could ensure that all newly formed mature 60S subunits contain stoichiometric amounts of the three rRNA components.
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MESH Headings
- Cell Nucleolus/genetics
- Cell Nucleolus/metabolism
- Cell Nucleus/genetics
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Cytoplasm/genetics
- Cytoplasm/metabolism
- Fungal Proteins/genetics
- Fungal Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Genes, Fungal
- Kinetics
- Molecular Weight
- Mutation
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- RNA Precursors/chemistry
- RNA Precursors/genetics
- RNA Precursors/metabolism
- RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional/genetics
- RNA, Fungal/chemistry
- RNA, Fungal/genetics
- RNA, Fungal/metabolism
- RNA, Ribosomal/chemistry
- RNA, Ribosomal/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal/metabolism
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/chemistry
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Ribosomal Proteins/genetics
- Ribosomal Proteins/metabolism
- Ribosomes/chemistry
- Ribosomes/genetics
- Ribosomes/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/growth & development
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Dechampesme
- Service de Biochimie et de Génétique Moléculaire, Commissariat á L'Energie Atomique (CEA)/Saclay, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
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36
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North MT, Allison LA. Nucleolar targeting of 5S RNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes: somatic-type nucleotide substitutions enhance nucleolar localization. J Cell Biochem 1998; 69:490-505. [PMID: 9620175 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4644(19980615)69:4<490::aid-jcb10>3.0.co;2-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In Xenopus laevis oocytes, 5S RNA is stored in the cytoplasm until vitellogenesis, at which time it is imported into the nucleus and targeted to nucleoli for ribosome assembly. This article shows that throughout oogenesis there is a pool of nuclear 5S RNA which is not nucleolar-associated. This distribution reflects that of oocyte-type 5S RNA, which is the major 5S RNA species in oocytes; only small amounts of somatic-type, which differs by six nucleotides, are synthesized. Indeed, 32P-labeled oocyte-type 5S RNA showed a degree of nucleolar localization similar to endogenous 5S RNA (33%) after microinjection. In contrast, 32P-labeled somatic-type 5S RNA showed significantly enhanced localization, whereby 70% of nuclear RNA was associated with nucleoli. A chimeric RNA molecule containing only one somatic-specific nucleotide substitution also showed enhanced localization, in addition to other somatic-specific phenotypes, including enhanced nuclear import and ribosome incorporation. The distribution of 35S-labeled ribosomal protein L5 was similar to that of oocyte-type 5S RNA, even when preassembled with somatic-type 5S RNA. The distribution of a series of 5S RNA mutants was also analyzed. These mutants showed various degrees of localization, suggesting that the efficiency of nucleolar targeting can be influenced by many discrete regions of the 5S RNA molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- M T North
- Department of Zoology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
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37
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Abstract
How is it possible that nine small repeated 'zinc finger' units (each spanning just 3 or 4 base pairs) can protect the whole 50 base pair binding site of TFIIIA and why should such a periodic protein structure give rise to such an asymmetric footprint on DNA? The crystal structure of the first six fingers of TFIIIA bound to 31 base pairs of DNA explains everything: not all zinc fingers act alike.
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38
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Nolte RT, Conlin RM, Harrison SC, Brown RS. Differing roles for zinc fingers in DNA recognition: structure of a six-finger transcription factor IIIA complex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1998; 95:2938-43. [PMID: 9501194 PMCID: PMC19673 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.95.6.2938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The crystal structure of the six NH2-terminal zinc fingers of Xenopus laevis transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) bound with 31 bp of the 5S rRNA gene promoter has been determined at 3.1 A resolution. Individual zinc fingers are positioned differently in the major groove and across the minor groove of DNA to span the entire length of the duplex. These results show how TFIIIA can recognize several separated DNA sequences by using fewer fingers than necessary for continuous winding in the major groove.
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Affiliation(s)
- R T Nolte
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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39
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Wyszko E, Barciszewska M. Purification and characterization of transcription factor IIIA from higher plants. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 1997; 249:107-12. [PMID: 9363760 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1997.t01-2-00107.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factor IIIA (TF IIIA) binds and specifically activates transcription of eukaryotic 5S rRNA genes. It also forms a 7S ribonucleoprotein complex with mature 5S rRNA. Here, we describe the purification and properties of pTF IIIA from higher plants. The purified protein from tulip (Tulipa whittalii) has a molecular mass of about 40 kDa and also binds 5S rRNA and 5S rRNA genes. pTF IIIA also facilitates the transcription of a 5S rRNA gene in a HeLa cell extract.
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MESH Headings
- DNA, Plant/genetics
- DNA, Plant/metabolism
- DNA, Ribosomal/genetics
- DNA, Ribosomal/metabolism
- DNA-Binding Proteins/isolation & purification
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Genes, Plant
- HeLa Cells
- Humans
- Molecular Weight
- Plant Proteins/isolation & purification
- Plant Proteins/metabolism
- Plants/genetics
- Plants/metabolism
- RNA, Plant/genetics
- RNA, Plant/metabolism
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/metabolism
- Ribonucleoproteins/metabolism
- Transcription Factor TFIIIA
- Transcription Factors/isolation & purification
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcription, Genetic
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Affiliation(s)
- E Wyszko
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego, Poznań
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40
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Kehres DG, Subramanyan GS, Hung VS, Rogers GW, Setzer DR. Energetically unfavorable interactions among the zinc fingers of transcription factor IIIA when bound to the 5 S rRNA gene. J Biol Chem 1997; 272:20152-61. [PMID: 9242690 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.272.32.20152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Xenopus transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) binds to over 50 base pairs in the internal control region of the 5 S rRNA gene, yet the binding energy for this interaction (DeltaG0 = -12.8 kcal/mol) is no greater than that exhibited by many proteins that occupy much smaller DNA targets. Despite considerable study, the distribution of the DNA binding energy among the various zinc fingers of TFIIIA remains poorly understood. By analyzing TFIIIA mutants with disruptions of individual zinc fingers, we have previously shown that each finger contributes favorably to binding (Del Rio, S., Menezes, S. R., and Setzer, D. R. (1993) J. Mol. Biol. 233, 567-579). Those results also suggested, however, that simultaneous binding by all nine zinc fingers of TFIIIA may involve a substantial energetic cost. Using complementary N- and C-terminal fragments and full-length proteins containing pairs of disrupted fingers, we now show that energetic interference indeed occurs between zinc fingers when TFIIIA binds to the 5 S rRNA gene and that the greatest interference occurs between fingers at opposite ends of the protein in the TFIIIA.5 S rRNA gene complex. Some, but not all, of the thermodynamically unfavorable strain in the TFIIIA.5 S rRNA gene complex may be derived from bending of the DNA that is necessary to accommodate simultaneous binding by all nine zinc fingers of TFIIIA. The energetics of DNA binding by TFIIIA thus emerges as a compromise between individual favorable contacts of importance along the length of the internal control region and long range strain or distortion in the protein, the 5 S rRNA gene, or both that is necessary to accommodate the various local interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Kehres
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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41
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Abou Elela S, Nazar RN. The ribosomal 5.8S RNA as a target site for p53 protein in cell differentiation and oncogenesis. Cancer Lett 1997; 117:23-8. [PMID: 9233827 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3835(97)00196-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the ribosomal 5.8S rRNA of human cells is partially methylated in a tissue-specific fashion, a modification which occurs largely or entirely in the cytoplasm. More recent studies have shown that the 5.8S rRNA forms a covalent linkage with tumor suppressor p53 protein and have suggested that this RNA plays a functional role in protein elongation. We now show that the expression of p53 protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe results in cells which: morphologically resemble transformed cells expressing mutant 5.8S rRNA; are equally compromised in their ability to sustain protein synthesis, in vitro; and contain polyribosome profiles which strongly resemble the elevated profiles which also are observed with mutated 5.8S rRNA. Taken together, these results provide new physiological evidence of the possibility that the 5.8S rRNA is an important target in the control of ribosome function during cell differentiation and oncogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Abou Elela
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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42
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Abstract
The maturation of the ribosomal 5 S RNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is examined based on the expression of mutant 5 S rRNA genes, in vivo, and a parallel analysis of RNA processing, in vitro. Both types of analysis indicate that 5 S rRNA processing is not dependent on the nucleotide sequence of either the external transcribed spacer or the mature 5 S rRNA. The results further indicate the RNA is processed by an exonuclease activity which is limited primarily or entirely by helix I, the secondary structure formed between the mature and interacting termini. The 5 S RNA binding protein (YL3) also appears not to influence directly the maturation process, but rather to play a role in protecting the rRNA from further degradation by "housekeeping" nucleases. Taken together, the results continue to support a "quality control" function which helps to ensure that during maturation only normal precursors are processed and assembled into active ribosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
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43
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Abstract
Studies on the inhibition of protein synthesis by specific anti 5.8S rRNA oligonucleotides have suggested that this RNA plays an important role in eukaryotic ribosome function. Mutations in the 5. 8S rRNA can inhibit cell growth and compromise protein synthesis in vitro . Polyribosomes from cells expressing these mutant 5.8S rRNAs are elevated in size and ribosome-associated tRNA. Cell free extracts from these cells also are more sensitive to antibiotics which act on the 60S ribosomal subunit by inhibiting elongation. The extracts are especially sensitive to cycloheximide and diphtheria toxin which act specifically to inhibit translocation. Studies of ribosomal proteins show no reproducible changes in the core proteins, but reveal reduced levels of elongation factors 1 and 2 only in ribosomes which contain large amounts of mutant 5.8S rRNA. Polyribosomes from cells which are severely inhibited, but contain little mutant 5.8S rRNA, do not show the same reductions in the elongation factors, an observation which underlines the specific nature of the change. Taken together the results demonstrate a defined and critical function for the 5.8S rRNA, suggesting that this RNA plays a role in ribosome translocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Abou Elela
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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44
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Affiliation(s)
- D D Brown
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Baltimore, Maryland 21210, USA
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45
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Michelotti EF, Michelotti GA, Aronsohn AI, Levens D. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K is a transcription factor. Mol Cell Biol 1996; 16:2350-60. [PMID: 8628302 PMCID: PMC231223 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.16.5.2350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The CT element is a positively acting homopyrimidine tract upstream of the c-myc gene to which the well-characterized transcription factor Spl and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) K, a less well-characterized protein associated with hnRNP complexes, have previously been shown to bind. The present work demonstrates that both of these molecules contribute to CT element-activated transcription in vitro. The pyrimidine-rich strand of the CT element both bound to hnRNP K and competitively inhibited transcription in vitro, suggesting a role for hnRNP K in activating transcription through this single-stranded sequence. Direct addition of recombinant hnRNP K to reaction mixtures programmed with templates bearing single-stranded CT elements increased specific RNA synthesis. If hnRNP K is a transcription factor, then interactions with the RNA polymerase II transcription apparatus are predicted. Affinity columns charged with recombinant hnRNP K specifically bind a component(s) necessary for transcription activation. The depleted factors were biochemically complemented by a crude TFIID phosphocellulose fraction, indicating that hnRNP K might interact with the TATA-binding protein (TBP)-TBP-associated factor complex. Coimmunoprecipitation of a complex formed in vivo between hnRNP K and epitope-tagged TBP as well as binding in vitro between recombinant proteins demonstrated a protein-protein interaction between TBP and hnRNP K. Furthermore, when the two proteins were overexpressed in vivo, transcription from a CT element-dependent reporter was synergistically activated. These data indicate that hnRNP K binds to a specific cis element, interacts with the RNA polymerase II transcription machinery, and stimulates transcription and thus has all of the properties of a transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- E F Michelotti
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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46
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Fridell RA, Fischer U, Lührmann R, Meyer BE, Meinkoth JL, Malim MH, Cullen BR. Amphibian transcription factor IIIA proteins contain a sequence element functionally equivalent to the nuclear export signal of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Rev. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1996; 93:2936-40. [PMID: 8610146 PMCID: PMC39738 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.93.7.2936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Rev protein is required for nuclear export of late HIV-1 mRNAs. This function is dependent on the mutationally defined Rev activation domain, which also forms a potent nuclear export signal. Transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) binds to 5S rRNA transcripts and this interaction has been proposed to play a role in the efficient nuclear export of 5S rRNA in amphibian oocytes. Here it is reported that amphibian TFIIIA proteins contain a sequence element with homology to the Rev activation domain that effectively substitutes for this domain in inducing the nuclear export of late HIV-1 mRNAs. It is further demonstrated that this TFIIIA sequence element functions as a protein nuclear export signal in both human cells and frog oocytes. Thus, this shared protein motif may play an analogous role in mediating the nuclear export of both late HIV-1 RNAs and 5S rRNA transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Fridell
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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47
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Rudt F, Pieler T. Cytoplasmic retention and nuclear import of 5S ribosomal RNA containing RNPs. EMBO J 1996; 15:1383-91. [PMID: 8635471 PMCID: PMC450043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear export of newly transcribed 5S ribosomal RNA in Xenopus oocytes occurs in the context of either a complex with the ribosomal protein L5 (5S RNP) or with the transcription factor IIIA (7S RNP). Here we examine nuclear import of 5S RNA, L5 and TFIIIA. The 5S RNP shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm and only 5S RNA variants which can bind to L5 gain access to the nucleus. The 7S RNP is retained in the cytoplasm. Only TFIIIA which is not bound to 5S RNA is imported into the nucleus. As a novel mechanism for cytoplasmic retention, we propose that RNA binding masks a nuclear localization sequence in TFIIIA. In contrast to the nuclear import of L5, import of TFIIIA is sensitive towards the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) competitor p(lys)-BSA, suggesting that these two proteins make use of different import pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Rudt
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekulare Zellbiologie, Göttingen, Germany
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48
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Abstract
Zinc ions are key structural components of a large number of proteins. The binding of zinc stabilizes the folded conformations of domains so that they may facilitate interactions between the proteins and other macromolecules such as DNA. The modular nature of some of these zinc-containing proteins has allowed the rational design of site-specific DNA binding proteins. The ability of zinc to be bound specifically within a range of tetrahedral sites appears to be responsible for the evolution of the side range of zinc-stabilized structural domains now known to exist. The lack of redox activity for the zinc ion and its binding and exchange kinetics also may be important in the use of zinc for specific functional roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Berg
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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49
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Barciszewska MZ, Erdmann VA, Barciszewski J. Ribosomal 5S RNA: tertiary structure and interactions with proteins. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 1996; 71:1-25. [PMID: 8603119 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185x.1996.tb00740.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Z Barciszewska
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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50
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Rawlings SL, Matt GD, Huber PW. Analysis of the binding of Xenopus transcription factor IIIA to oocyte 5 S rRNA and to the 5 S rRNA gene. J Biol Chem 1996; 271:868-77. [PMID: 8557698 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.271.2.869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Binding of transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) to site-specific mutants of Xenopus oocyte 5 S rRNA has been used to identify important recognition elements in the molecule. The putative base triple G75:U76:A100 appears to determine the conformation of the loop E region whose integrity is especially important for binding of the factor. Proximal substitutions in helices IV and V indicate that the proper folding of loop E is also dependent on these structures. Mutations in helix V affect binding of TFIIIA to 5 S rRNA and to the gene similarly and provide evidence that zinc finger 5 makes sequence-specific contact through the major groove of both nucleic acids. Although fingers 1-3 are positioned along helix IV and loop D, mutations in this region, including those that disrupt the tetraloop or close the opening in the major groove of the helix created by the U80:U96 mismatch, have no impact on binding. Substitutions made at stem-loop junctions in the arm of the RNA comprised of helix II-loop B-helix III display minor decreases in affinity for TFIIIA. Despite the alignment of the factor along nearly the entire length of 5 S rRNA, the essential elements for high affinity binding are limited to the central region of the molecule. Analysis of the corresponding mutations in the gene confirm that box C and the intermediate element provide the high affinity sites for binding of the factor to the DNA. Despite the small thermodynamic contribution made by contacts to box A, mutations made in this element can cause substantial changes in the orientation of the carboxyl-terminal fingers along the 5'-end of the internal control region.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Rawlings
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
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