Stable Stem Loop Research Articles

3′ Terminal Putative Stem–Loop Structure Required for the Accumulation of Cymbidium Ringspot Viral RNA

Defective interfering (DI) RNA of cymbidium ringspot tombusvirus (CymRSV) was used to identify thecis-acting nature of the last 77-nt sequence of the viral genome which is required for DI RNA accumulation. The 3′-terminalcis-essential domain of both genomic and DI RNAs can be folded into a stable stem–loop structure composed of three hairpins and two short non-base-paired regions. None of the three conserved stem–loops can be deleted without abolishing the infectivity of DI RNA. Similarly, those mutants in which base-paired stem regions were disrupted by single-, double-, or triple-base substitutions were unable to replicate. However, when the original structures were reconstructed by compensatory mutations the viability of the molecules was also restored. Limited mutation (1 or 2 nt) in the non-base-paired region did not show any significant effect on viral replication. Our results strongly suggest that the proposed structure for the 3′ terminus of the viral genome is very important for viral RNA replication. It is very likely that the function of this structure is to promote the minus-strand synthesis of CymRSV DI RNA. Evidence is provided that the proposed 3′-terminal structure is relevant not only for CymRSV DI but for genomic RNA as well.

Complete Sequence of the Mitochondrial DNA of the Rhodophyte Chondrus crispus(Gigartinales). Gene Content and Genome Organization

The complete nucleotide sequence of the circular mitochondrial (mt) DNA from the red alga Chondrus crispuswas determined (25, 836 nucleotides, A+T content 72.1%). Fifty one genes were identified. They include genes encoding three subunits of the cytochrome oxidase ( cox1 to 3), apocytochrome b ( cob), seven subunits of the NADH dehydrogenase complex ( nad1to 6, nad4L), two ATPase subunits ( atp6and atp9), three ribosomal RNAs ( rrn5, srnand Irn), 23 tRNAs and four ribosomal proteins ( rps3, rps11, rps12and rpl16). Two subunits of the succinate dehydrogenase complex ( sdhBand sdhC), usually found on nuclear genomes, are also located on the mtDNA of C. crispus.One group IIb intron is inserted in the tRNA IIegene. Six potentially functional open reading frames were identified, four of them having counterparts among green plant mtDNAs. The use of a modified genetic code and the absence of RNA editing, previously reported for the cox3gene, appears as a general characteristic of this molecule. Mitochondrial genes are encoded on both DNA strands, in two opposite major transcriptional directions, suggesting the existence of two main transcriptional units. Two long and stable stem-loops were identified in intergenic regions, which are believed to be involved with transcription and replication. The main structural features of this genome are compared with the overall organization of mtDNAs and are discussed in view of the evolution of mitochondria.

Rho-independent terminators without 3' poly-U tails from the early region of actinophage øC31.

Previous work has identified three intergenic regions from the early region of actinophage øC31 where transcription was either terminated or the mRNA was processed. Here we show using in vivo and in vitro approaches that these regions contain rho-independent terminators designated eta, etb and etc. Transcripts through eta-c would be expected to form stable RNA stem-loops but would lack poly-U tails. Eta-c contained part or all of the conserved sequences 5' AGCCCC and 5' GGGGCTT. A Streptomyces 'terminator probe' vector, pUGT1, was constructed and used to assay the efficiency of termination of transcription by eta-c from the thiostrepton-inducible tipA promoter by measuring the expression of a downstream reporter gene (aphII). In pUGT1 etb was at best a minor terminator in vivo whilst eta and etc exhibited strong termination activity. In vitro termination was assayed using templates containing a synthetic promoter recognised by E.coli RNA polymerase and fragments containing eta-c inserted downstream. All three terminators stimulated the formation of 3' ends in the promoter-distal arm of the inverted repeats with efficiencies eta > etc > etb. As all three terminators either overlap with or lie close to sequences which interact with phage repressor proteins (conserved inverted repeats, CIRs) and these can potentially form stem-loop structures in RNA, the effect of CIRs on termination was also investigated. Termination at etb was unaffected by the presence or absence on the transcription template of CIR3. CIR4 forms the central 17 bp of etc and a 37 nt deletion which eliminated this stem-loop abolished termination in vivo and in vitro. Eta was investigated using an antisense oligonucleotide interference assay; an oligo designed to bind the 5' arm of eta inhibited termination whilst an oligo antisense to CIR5 was ineffective and an oligo targeted further upstream enhanced termination. Taken together these data show that eta-c are intrinsic, rho-independent terminators of varying efficiencies despite the absence of a poly-U tail.

5' sequences of rubella virus RNA stimulate translation of chimeric RNAs and specifically interact with two host-encoded proteins.

Sequences at the 5' and 3' ends of the rubella virus (RV) genomic RNA can potentially form stable stem-loop (SL) structures that are postulated to be involved in virus replication. We have analyzed the function of these putative SL structures in RNA translation by constructing chimeric chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) RNAs, flanked either by both 5'- and 3'-terminal sequence domains from the RV genome or several deletion derivatives of the same sequences. After in vitro transcription of chimeric RNAs, the translational efficiencies of these RNAs were compared by the rabbit reticulocyte lysate translation system. For in vivo translation studies, the level of CAT activity was measured for chimeric RV/CAT RNAs expressed in transfected cells by the adenovirus major late promoter. Both in vivo and in vitro translation activities of the chimeric RNAs revealed that the presence of 5' and 3' SL sequences of RV RNA, in correct (+) orientation and context [5'(+)SL and 3'(+)SL, respectively] was necessary for efficient translation of chimeric RV/CAT RNAs. The presence of the RV 5'(+)SL sequence had the primary enhancing effect on translation. To identify host proteins which interact with the 5'(+)SL which may be involved in RV RNA translation, RNA gel-shift and UV cross-linking assays were employed. Two host proteins 59 and 52 kDa in size, present in cytosolic extracts from both uninfected and RV-infected cells, specifically interacted with the RV 5'(+)SL RNA. Direct binding comparisons between wild-type and mutant 5'(+)SL RNAs demonstrated that sequences in and around the bulge region of the terminal stem domain of this structure constituted a protein binding determinant. Human serum, qualified for anti-Ro/SS-A antigen specificity, immunoprecipitated 59- and 52-kDa protein-RNA complexes containing the RV 5'(+)SL RNA. However, poly- and monoclonal antisera raised against the recombinant 60- and 52-kDa Ro proteins failed to precipitate complexes containing the 5'(+)SL RNA. The identity of the proteins binding this RV cis-acting element remains to be determined; however, their role in RV translation is discussed.

Specific binding of host cell proteins to the 3'-terminal stem-loop structure of rubella virus negative-strand RNA

At the 5' end of the rubella virus genomic RNA, there are sequences that can form a potentially stable stem-loop (SL) structure. The complementary negative-strand equivalent of the 5'-end SL structure of positive-strand rubella virus RNA [5' (+) SL structure] is thought to serve as a promoter for the initiation of positive-strand synthesis. We screened the negative-strand equivalent of the 5' (+) SL structure (64 nucleotides) and the adjacent region of the negative-strand RNA for their ability to bind to host cell proteins. Specific binding to the 64-nucleotide-long potential SL structure of three cytosolic proteins with relative molecular masses of 97, 79, and 56 kDa was observed by UV-induced covalent cross-linking. There was a significant increase in the binding of the 97-kDa protein from cells upon infection with rubella virus. Altering the SL structure by deleting sequences in either one of the two potential loops abolished the binding interaction. The 56-kDa protein also appeared to bind specifically to an SL derived from the 3' end of positive-strand RNA. The 3'-terminal structure of rubella virus negative-strand RNA shared the same protein-binding activity with similar structures in alphaviruses, such as Sindbis virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus. A possible role for the host proteins in the replication of rubella virus and alphaviruses is discussed.

Inhibition of HIV-LTR gene expression by oligonucleotides targeted to the TAR element

All human immunodeficiency virus mRNAs contain a sequence known as TAR (trans-activating responsive sequence). The TAR element forms a stable RNA stem-loop structure which binds the HIV tat (trans-activator) protein and mediates increased viral gene expression. In principle, molecules which bind to the TAR RNA structure would inhibit trans-activation by perturbing the native RNA secondary structure. We have constructed a series of phosphodiester and phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides which specifically bind to the HIV TAR element. Specific binding to the TAR element was demonstrated in vitro with enzymatically synthesized TAR RNA. The TAR-directed phosphorothioates inhibited trans-activation in a sequence-dependent fashion in a cell culture model using an HIV LTR/human placental alkaline phosphatase gene fusion and tat protein supplied in trans. The molecules also inhibited HIV replication in both acute and chronically infected viral assays, but without sequence specificity. We have constructed a series of vectors consisting of the MMTV promoter and 5'-untranslated region of four different mRNAs, including the TAR region, to study the effect of TAR on gene expression in heterologous systems. The results suggest that, in the absence of the HIV LTR, the TAR element has a repressive effect on gene expression, which is relieved by tat.

Nucleotide sequence and transcriptional analysis of molecular clones of CAEV which generate infectious virus

The lentivirus caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) is closely related by nucleotide sequence homology to visna virus and other sheep lentiviruses and shows less similarity to the other animal and human lentiviruses. The genomic organization of CAEV is very similar to that of visna virus and the South African ovine maedi visna virus (SA-OMVV) as well as to those of other primate lentiviruses. The CAEV genome includes the small open reading frames (ORF) between pol and env which are the hallmarks of the lentivirus genomes. The most striking difference in the organization of CAEV is in the env gene. The Env polyproteins of visna virus and the related SA-OMVV contain 20 amino acids between the translational start and the signal peptide not present in CAEV. In addition to nucleotide sequence analysis, the transcriptional products of CAEV were determined by Northern analysis. The viral mRNA present in cells transfected with the infectious clone reveal a pattern characteristic of the mRNAs observed in other lentivirus infections. The putative tat ORF of CAEV could be identified by genomic location and amino acid homology to the visna virus tat gene. However, the CAEV rev gene could not be identified in a similar fashion. Thus, to determine the location of the rev ORF cDNA clones were obtained by PCR amplification of the mRNA from infected cells. To determine if a Rev response element was contained in the CAEV genome, secondary structural analysis of the viral RNA was performed. A stable stem loop structure which is similar in location, stability, and configuration to that determined for the Rev response element of HIV was found.

Mutational analysis of the primer RNA template region in the replication origin ( oric) of bacteriophage G4: priming signal recognition by Escherichia coli primase

The primase-dependent phage G4 origin of complementary DNA strand synthesis ( G4 ori c ) contains three stable stem-loops (I, II, and III) upstream from the initiation point of primer RNA (pRNA). Site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce alterations into the nucleotide (nt) sequence of the G4 ori c pRNA template region. Mutations in stem-loop I, that changed the length of the stem and the sequence of the loop, slightly depressed, but did not abolish, G4 ori c activity. However, functional G4 ori c activity was destroyed when the sequence containing the starting position of pRNA synthesis was deleted, or when insertions were introduced between the pRNA starting position (5'-CTG-3') and stem-loop I. Reintroducing a CTG as part of a PstI linker close to stem-loop I, however, resulted in recovery of G4 ori c functional activity. These results suggest that the specific nt sequence, containing 5'-CTG-3', between nt 3994 and 4007, and also the distance between the starting position of pRNA synthesis and stem-loop I, are essential structural features for G4 ori c function.

Control of reovirus messenger RNA translation efficiency by the regions upstream of initiation codons

The 10 species of reovirus messenger RNA are translated in vivo with efficiencies/frequencies that differ by as much as 100-fold. The sl mRNA, which is translated 10 times less efficiently than the s4 mRNA but 10 times more efficiently than the /1 and ml mRNAs, has a unique BamH1 cleavage site located immediately downstream of its initiation codon. Because the reovirus mRNAs have been cloned, this provides the opportunity for placing modified and altered sequences upstream of its coding sequence. The translation efficiencies of the variant mRNAs, transcribed via the SP6 in vitro transcription system, can then be measured in the rabbit reticuloycte lysate in vitro translation system. Using this system it was found that replacing the 5′-upstream sequence of the s4 mRNA with that of the s4 mRNA increases its in vitro translation efficiency by 4-fold; that the trinucleotide immediately upstream of the s1 initiation codon renders it very weak, and that it is only slightly superior to the weakest Kozak consensus sequence; that the nature of the nucleotides further upstream than position −3 can profoundly affect translation efficiency; that the nature of this effect is in turn markedly modified by the nature of nucleotides in positions −1 to −3; and that there is a minimum optimal 5′-upstream sequence length of about 14 nucleotides. We also investigated the effect of secondary structure involvement on the ability of 5′-upstream sequences to promote translation. Two effects were noted. First, being part of moderately stable stem loops (ΔG, −18 kcal/mol) decreased translation efficiency about 3-fold; second, mRNA in which only three 5′-terminal nucleotides were unpaired were translated five times less efficiently than mRNA in which six nucleotides were unpaired. Accessibility of the 5′-cap as well as secondary structure of the 5′-upstream sequences are therefore factors that affect translation efficiency. Finally, we showed that the ml mRNA, which is transcribed very poorly in vivo, is translated very efficiently in vitro; and that its 5′-upstream sequence is as effective in increasing protein σ1 formation as that of s4 mRNA. Since both ml mRNA and protein μ2 are stable in infected cells, the reason why ml mRNA is translated so inefficiently in vivo therefore remains unexplained.

Structural organization of the mouse mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase gene

Structural organization of the mouse mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37) gene was determined by analyzing a genomic DNA fragment isolated from a cosmid library. The gene is 12,000 base-pairs long and contains nine exons interrupted by eight introns of various sizes. The 5′ and 3′-flanking regions, and the exact sizes and boundaries of the exon blocks including the transcription-initiation sites were determined. In the 5′-flanking region, there is neither a TATA box nor a CAAT box. Instead of these sequences, there are six copies of the GGGCGG or CCGCCC sequence, which is a potential binding site for the transcription factor, Spl. The 5′-flanking region up to about 600 nucleotides is G + C-rich (65%) and contains sequences compatible with the formation of a number of potentially stable stem—loop structures. S 1 nuclease mapping and primer extension analysis demonstrated that transcription of the mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase gene initiates at multiple sites. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the promoter region of the mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase gene with that of the mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase gene, revealed that there are several highly conserved regions between these two mitochondrial enzyme genes participating in the malate-aspartate shuttle.

Cloning and characterization of livH, the structural gene encoding a component of the leucine transport system in Escherichia coli.

The physical location of the genetically defined livH gene was mapped in the 17-kilobase plasmid pOX1 by using transposon Tn5 inactivation mapping and further confirmed by subcloning and complementation analysis. These results indicated that the livH gene maps 3' to livK, the gene encoding the leucine-specific binding protein. Moreover, the nucleotide sequence of the livH gene and its flanking regions was determined. The livH gene is encoded starting 47 base pairs downstream from the livK gene, and it is transcribed in the same direction as the livK gene. The livK-livH intergenic region lacks promoter sequences and contains a GC-rich sequence that could lead to the formation of a stable stem loop structure. The coding sequence of the livH gene, which is 924 base pairs, specifies a very hydrophobic protein of 308 amino acid residues. Expression of livH-containing plasmids in minicells suggested that a poorly expressed protein with an Mr of 30,000 could be the livH gene product.

Stable stem-loop and cruciform DNA structures: isolation of mutants with rearrangements of the palindromic sequence at the simian virus 40 replication origin.

With the objective of generating DNA molecules that form stable stem-loop structures or cruciform structures in solution, we have altered the palindromic sequence at the Simian Virus 40 (SV40) replication origin. These alterations include: deletion of 18 of the 27 base pairs (bp) in the 13-bp inverted repeat; deletion of 26 of the 27 bp; substitution of the entire 27 bp with a totally different 26-bp sequence containing a 13-bp inverted repeat; and substitution of the 27 bp with an 8-bp sequence containing a 4-bp inverted repeat. The DNA from these mutants was purified. Mutant DNAs were hybridized to wild-type SV40 DNA or to each other, and the heteroduplexes were purified. The predicted structures were verified by S1 and restriction endonuclease digestion. The mutants - the heteroduplexes have not been tested - are capable of complementing tsA mutants and/or transforming mouse cells.

Locations and nucleotide sequences of three major class III promoters for bacteriophage T3 RNA polymerase on T3 DNA.

The DNA sequences of three major class III T3 RNA polymerase promoters located at 45.0, 55.0, and 64.8% on the standard T3 genetic map have been determined. The precise RNA initiation sites were also determined by 5'-terminal RNA sequence analysis of the transcripts synthesized from the promoter-containing DNA fragments. Alignment of these three class III promoters and a previously determined T3 RNA polymerase promoter at 1.05% on T3 genetic map, with start points of transcription (+1) in register, indicates a high degree of sequence conservation among the four T3 RNA polymerase promoters. The sequences are identical between positions -12 and +4 and are uniformly A-T between -12 and -17. The conserved portion of the (-) strand sequence is 5' (sequence in text) Upstream from -17 and downstream from +4 the sequences diverge. Comparison of this sequence with a prototype 23-base pair promoter sequence for T7 RNA polymerase shows overall homology between positions -17 and +4 with conserved divergence at residues -2 and between -10 and -12. Furthermore, careful examination of the nucleotide sequences around 45.0 and 64.8 T3 map units shows that the putative RNA sequences arising from these regions by overlapping transcription from upstream promoters can be arranged into stable stemloop structures thought to be required for RNase III cleavage. This pattern is similar to those reported for the corresponding T7 RNA polymerase promoters on T7 DNA (Dunn. J. J., and Studier, F. W. (1983) J. Mol. Biol. 166, 477-535).

A novel intercistronic regulatory element of prokaryotic operons.

The nucleotide sequences of the intercistronic regions from several multicistronic operons have recently been determined. In many cases such intercistronic regions consist of only a few base pairs (bp); in certain extreme cases, where the initiation codon of one gene overlaps the termination codon of the previous gene, intercistronic regions are essentially absent1,2. However, in other cases intercistronic regions can be up to several hundred base pairs long; it seems reasonable to suppose that, at least in these cases, such regions have a role in regulating expression of the operon. Indeed, a regulatory function for the large intercistronic region of the rplJL–rpoBC operon has been demonstrated3. We have now identified a genetic element, common to intercistronic regions from three independent bacterial operons (the histidine transport and the histidine biosynthetic operons of Salmonella typhimurium and the malK–lamB operon of the malB region of Escherichia coli), which we believe to be important in regulating the differential expression of individual genes in these multicistronic operons. A similar element is also found immediately following the trpR gene of E. coli although in this case it is not known whether or not a distal gene exists. Each of these elements consists of a long dyad symmetry which, once transcribed, could form an exceptionally stable stem–loop structure with a stem of up to 35 bp. In each case smaller palindromic units are also found, some of which overlap the main symmetry. The stem–loop structures show remarkable homology (---90%) and probably have a common evolutionary origin, possibly an insertion element. It seems that the function of these structures is to effect a decrease in expression of distal genes in an operon.