S4-alpha mRNA translation regulation complex. II. Secondary structures of the RNA regulatory site in the presence and absence of S4

The secondary structure of the Escherichia coli alpha mRNA leader sequence has been determined using nucleases specific for single- or double-stranded RNA. Three different length alpha RNA fragments were studied at 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C. A very stable eight base-pair helix forms upstream from the ribosome initiation site, defining a 29 base loop. There is evidence for base-pairing between nucleotides within this loop and for a "pseudo-knot" interaction of some loop bases with nucleotides just 3' to the initiation codon, forming a region of complex structure. A weak helix also pairs sequences near the 5' terminus of the alpha mRNA with bases near the Shine-Dalgarno sequence. Affinity constants for the translational repressor S4 binding different length alpha mRNA fragments indicate that most of the S4 recognition features must be contained within the main helix and hairpin regions. Binding of S4 to the alpha mRNA alters the structure of the 29 base hairpin region, and probably melts the weak pairing between the 5' and 3' termini of the leader. The pseudo-knot structure and the conformational changes associated with it provide a link between the structures of the S4 binding site and the ribosome binding site. The alpha mRNA may therefore play an active role in mediating translational repression.     

Complementarity between the mRNA 5' untranslated region and 18S ribosomal RNA can inhibit translation

In eubacteria, base pairing between the 3' end of 16S rRNA and the ribosome-binding site of mRNA is required for efficient initiation of translation. An interaction between the 18S rRNA and the mRNA was also proposed for translation initiation in eukaryotes. Here, we used an antisense RNA approach in vivo to identify the regions of 18S rRNA that might interact with the mRNA 5' untranslated region (5' UTR). Various fragments covering the entire mouse 18S rRNA gene were cloned 5' of a cat reporter gene in a eukaryotic vector, and translation products were analyzed after transient expression in human cells. For the largest part of 18S rRNA, we show that the insertion of complementary fragments in the mRNA 5' UTR do not impair translation of the downstream open reading frame (ORF). When translation inhibition is observed, reduction of the size of the complementary sequence to less than 200 nt alleviates the inhibitory effect. A single fragment complementary to the 18S rRNA 3' domain retains its inhibitory potential when reduced to 100 nt. Deletion analyses show that two distinct sequences of approximately 25 nt separated by a spacer sequence of 50 nt are required for the inhibitory effect. Sucrose gradient fractionation of polysomes reveals that mRNAs containing the inhibitory sequences accumulate in the fractions with 40S ribosomal subunits, suggesting that translation is blocked due to stalling of initiation complexes. Our results support an mRNA-rRNA base pairing to explain the translation inhibition observed and suggest that this region of 18S rRNA is properly located for interacting with mRNA.     

The role of bases upstream of the Shine-Dalgarno region and in the coding sequence in the control of gene expression in Escherichia coli: translation and stability of mRNAs in vivo

A range of translational initiation regions (TIR) was created by combining synthetic DNA fragments derived from the atpB-atpE intercistronic sequence of Escherichia coli with the cDNA sequence encoding mature human interleukin 2 (IL-2), the E. coli fnr gene, or an fnr::lacZ gene fusion. Both the overall rates of gene expression and the relative concentrations and stabilities of the corresponding mRNA species were estimated in strains bearing the constructs on plasmids. These measurements served as the basis for analyses of the relationship between the structure of the TIR and the true rates of translation that it promotes. The constructs involving the IL-2 cDNA were predicted to allow much less stable secondary structure within the TIR than those involving the N-terminal region of the fnr gene. Thus by combining one set of upstream sequences with two different types of N-terminal coding sequence, it was possible to distinguish between the respective influences of primary and secondary structure upon initiation. The data indicate that in the presence of a given Shine-Dalgarno (SD)/start codon combination, the decisive factor for translational initiation efficiency is the stability of base pairing involving, or in the vicinity of, this region. The sequences contributing to this secondary structure can be many bases upstream of the SD region and/or downstream of the start codon. There was no indication that the specific base sequence upstream of the SD region could, other than to the extent that it contributed to the local secondary structure, significantly influence the efficiency of translational initiation.     

Circumstances and mechanisms of inhibition of translation by secondary structure in eucaryotic mRNAs.

This paper describes in vitro experiments with two types of intramolecular duplex structures that inhibit translation in cis by preventing the formation of an initiation complex or by causing the complex to be abortive. One stem-loop structure (delta G = -30 kcal/mol) prevented mRNA from engaging 40S subunits when the hairpin occurred 12 nucleotides (nt) from the cap but had no deleterious effect when it was repositioned 52 nt from the cap. This result confirms prior in vivo evidence that the 40S subunit-factor complex, once bound to mRNA, has considerable ability to penetrate secondary structure. Consequently, translation is most sensitive to secondary structure at the entry site for ribosomes, i.e., the 5' end of the mRNA. The second stem-loop structure (hp7; delta G = -61 kcal/mol, located 72 nt from the cap) was too stable to be unwound by 40S ribosomes, hp7 did not prevent a 40S ribosomal subunit from binding but caused the 40S subunit to stall on the 5' side of the hairpin, exactly as the scanning model predicts. Control experiments revealed that 80S elongating ribosomes could disrupt duplex structures, such as hp7, that were too stable to be penetrated by the scanning 40S ribosome-factor complex. A third type of base-paired structure shown to inhibit translation in vivo involves a long-range interaction between the 5' and 3' noncoding sequences.     

The initiation of translation in E. coli: apparent base pairing between the 16srRNA and downstream sequences of the mRNA.

Bacteriophage T7's gene 0.3, coding for an antirestriction protein, possesses one of the strongest translation initiation regions (TIR) in E. coli. It was isolated on DNA fragments of differing length and cloned upstream of the mouse dihydrofolate reductase gene in an expression vector to control the translation of this gene's sequence. The TIR's efficiency was highly dependent on nucleotides +15 to +26 downstream of the gene's AUG. This sequence is complementary to nucleotides 1471-1482 of the 16srRNA. Similar sequences complementary to this rRNA region are present in other efficient TIRs of the E. coli genome and those of its bacteriophages. There seems to be a correlation between this sequence homology and the efficiency of the initiation signals. We propose that this region specifies a stimulatory interaction between the mRNA and 16srRNA besides the Shine-Dalgarno interaction during the translation initiation step.     

Functional equivalence of common and unique sequences in the 3' untranslated regions of alfalfa mosaic virus RNAs 1, 2, and 3.

The 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) RNAs 1, 2, and 3 consist of a common 3'-terminal sequence of 145 nucleotides (nt) and upstream sequences of 18 to 34 nt that are unique for each RNA. The common sequence can be folded into five stem-loop structures, A to E, despite the occurrence of 22 nt differences between the three RNAs in this region. Exchange of the common sequences or full-length UTRs between the three genomic RNAs did not affect the replication of these RNAs in vivo, indicating that the UTRs are functionally equivalent. Mutations that disturbed base pairing in the stem of hairpin E reduced or abolished RNA replication, whereas compensating mutations restored RNA replication. In vitro, the 3' UTRs of the three RNAs were recognized with similar efficiencies by the AMV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). A deletion analysis of template RNAs indicated that a 3'-terminal sequence of 127 nt in each of the three AMV RNAs was not sufficient for recognition by the RdRp. Previously, it has been shown that this 127-nt sequence is sufficient for coat protein binding. Apparently, sequences required for recognition of AMV RNAs by the RdRp are longer than sequences required for CP binding.     

The 5'' region of the p53 gene: evolutionary conservation and evidence for a negative regulatory element.

The 5' regions of the mouse, rat and human functional p53 genes were isolated and analysed. All three genes possess a non-coding exon, comprising exclusively 5' untranslated sequences. This exon contains extensive diad symmetry near the 5' end of p53 mRNA, possibly allowing for the formation of a stable hairpin structure in this mRNA. The nucleotide sequence within this hairpin element is highly conserved among the species. A DNA stretch of 225 bp preceding the p53 mRNA cap site possesses distinct promoter activity when assayed in the CAT system. However, this activity is practically abolished when further upstream p53 sequences (approximately 120 bp) are included in front of the CAT gene. This suggests that the control of p53 gene expression is complex and involves a negative regulatory element.     

Only one out of the three strong ribosomal binding sites of the early region of bacteriophage T7 exhibits high translational efficiency in fragments of about 30 base pairs

Within the early region of bacteriophage T7 three genes, 0.3, 1 and 1.3, are most efficiently expressed. They belong to the strongest initiation signals of Escherichia coli. In the T7 wild-type situation the proteins are produced with a molar ratio of gene 1:1.3:0.3 protein = 1:3.9:9.7. DNA fragments of about 30 base pairs comprising the ribosomal binding sites (RBS) of these genes were synthesized and cloned into derivatives of the pDS1 vector ribosomal binding sites (RBS) of these genes were synthesized and cloned into two derivatives of the pDS1 vector just upstream of the mouse dihydrofolate reductase gene. Although all tested RBS fragments contained an initiation triplet, a Shine-Dalgarno sequence and some nucleotides upstream and downstream of this region, only the gene 1.3 RBS fragment showed high efficiency whereas those of genes 0.3 and 1 were at the border of significance. The amount of synthesized mRNA was about the same for all three constructs. A major influence of vector-derived sequences on the RBS activity could be ruled out. The high translational activity of the short 1.3 gene RBS seems to be largely due to its primary structure. The other two RBSs studied require much longer sequences for high activity.     

m RNA5′端不同位置的二级结构对原核生物翻译起始的影响

 一个 2 1 bp的序列插入 B50中的人 PCNA- Lac Z′融合蛋白 m RNA的 SD序列的上游 1 1 bpH ind 切点处 ,构成正、反向插入的两个重组质粒 B50 il、B50 i2 .通过计算机程序对 m RNA二级结构的模拟分析 ,B50 il的插入序列在翻译起始区 (TIR)前形成一个发夹结构 ,但不影响 TIR的二级结构 ;B50 i2的插入序列在 TIR 5′端形成一个二级结构 ;而另一克隆 D1 3与 B50因 SD前后的 6个和 7个碱基序列的不同 ;使翻译起始区 TIR的 SD到 AUG附近的二级结构不相同 .实验测定的四者的β-半乳糖苷酶活性与计算机计算的解开 m RNA TIR的二级结构所需能量ΔE进行比较 ,其结果说明 m RNA TIR前面的二级结构对翻译起始无影响 ,而位于 TIR的 5′端的二级结构对翻译起始效率是有影响的 .不过 ,它与 m RNA TIR的 SD到 AUG的附近的二级结构对翻译起始效率的影响相比 ,TIR5′端二级结构的影响比较小 .同时 ,PCNA- Lac Z和 PCNA- Lac Z′两种融合蛋白的β-半乳糖苷酶活性也进行了比较 ,酶活性有差别 ,但不同质粒酶活性的比值仍相同 .     

Sequence and translation of the murine coronavirus 5''-end genomic RNA reveals the N-terminal structure of the putative RNA polymerase.

A 28-kilodalton protein has been suggested to be the amino-terminal protein cleavage product of the putative coronavirus RNA polymerase (gene A) (M.R. Denison and S. Perlman, Virology 157:565-568, 1987). To elucidate the structure and mechanism of synthesis of this protein, the nucleotide sequence of the 5' 2.0 kilobases of the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus strain JHM genome was determined. This sequence contains a single, long open reading frame and predicts a highly basic amino-terminal region. Cell-free translation of RNAs transcribed in vitro from DNAs containing gene A sequences in pT7 vectors yielded proteins initiated from the 5'-most optimal initiation codon at position 215 from the 5' end of the genome. The sequence preceding this initiation codon predicts the presence of a stable hairpin loop structure. The presence of an RNA secondary structure at the 5' end of the RNA genome is supported by the observation that gene A sequences were more efficiently translated in vitro when upstream noncoding sequences were removed. By comparing the translation products of virion genomic RNA and in vitro transcribed RNAs, we established that our clones encompassing the 5'-end mouse hepatitis virus genomic RNA encode the 28-kilodalton N-terminal cleavage product of the gene A protein. Possible cleavage sites for this protein are proposed.     

The murine gene encoding the highly conserved Sm B protein contains a nonfunctional alternative 3' splice site.

The cDNA and partial genomic nucleotide (nt) sequences were derived for the mouse Sm B polypeptide and compared to the cDNA and genomic sequences encoding human Sm B. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequences from the mouse and human genes are identical with the exception of a single conserved aa substitution, accounting for the ability of anti-Sm antibodies to recognize the Sm polypeptides from a broad range of species. The genomic sequence of mouse B gene is similar to the human B genomic locus that extends from exon 6 to exon 7. These loci include conservation of both 3' alternative splice sites and putative branch points required to process B and B' mRNAs in human cells. However, the nt sequence downstream from the putative distal 3' splice junction and single nt flanking the 3' splice site consensus sequence, differ between mouse and human B. This results in a murine mRNA with a different predicted secondary structure around the distal 3' splice site when compared to humans. Thus, secondary structural constraints in the mRNA or changes in the exon sequence might prevent recognition of this alternative splice site to form B' mRNA in murine tissues.     

Bacterial expression of rat liver succinyl-CoA synthetase alpha-subunit. Factors that contribute to blocked translation of transcripts encoding a mitochondrial signal sequence

This study comprises a detailed evaluation of factors that are necessary to achieve high levels of expression of eukaryotic proteins in bacterial systems. We attempted to express a rat liver cDNA clone encoding the precursor to the alpha-subunit of succinyl-CoA synthetase in an Escherichia coli expression system, without success. Removal of the region encoding the mitochondrial signal peptide (115 nucleotides) allowed efficient expression of the mature protein. This nucleotide sequence was shown to block expression at the level of translation. Two regions within this fragment were able to block the expression of other genes such as E. coli lacZ. Inhibition of expression was due to the close proximity of these inhibitory sequences with the translation initiation region (TIR). Insertion of a spacer between the inhibitory sequence and the TIR relieved the block in translation. Analysis of the 115-nucleotide fragment identified sequences capable of extensive base-pairing with the Shine-Dalgarno and surrounding sequences. Such secondary structures are capable of blocking the formation of competent translation initiation complexes.     

Integration of satellite bacteriophage P4 in Escherichia coli. DNA sequences of the phage and host regions involved in site-specific recombination

We determined the DNA sequences of regions essential for bacteriophage P4 integration. A 20 base-pair core sequence in both phage (P4attP) and host (P4attB) attachment regions contains the recombination site. In P4attP this sequence is flanked by five repeated sequences. A 1.3 x 10(3) base open reading frame codes for P4 integrase. Two possible promoters are upstream from P4int. One would be recognized by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and may be repressed by integrase protein. The second would be recognized by RNA polymerase modified after infection by a P4 helper phage, P2. The P4attB core sequence is the 3' end of a leucine tRNA gene. Downstream from this tRNA in E. coli K-12 is a region homologous to P4int that may be part of a cryptic prophage.     

The 3' terminal colicin fragment of Escherichia coli 16S ribosomal RNA. Conformational details revealed by enzymic and chemical probing

The conformation of the colicin fragment of E. coli 16S rRNA was probed with various nucleases and with the adenosine-specific reagent diethylpyrocarbonate (DEP). The results confirm the presence of a stable central hairpin in the colicin fragment and a weaker additional secondary structure involving the regions 5' and 3' to this hairpin. By monitoring DEP accessibility at various stages of heat-denaturation sequential unfolding of individual base pairs was followed. In agreement with previous results it could be shown that dimethylation of the two adjacent adenosines in the hairpin loop (a feature in virtually all ribosomes) leads to a destabilization of the hairpin helix. Accessibilities of G residues, involved in the weaker additional secondary structure is anomalous. One G residue is sensitive to the single strand specific RNase T1 and insensitive to DEP, while the situation is reversed for the adjoining G residue. The strong reaction of the latter G-residue with DEP is unusual and indicates a very special conformation.