Mutational analysis of an RNA internal loop as a reactivity epitope for Escherichia coli ribonuclease III substrates

The enzymatic cleavage of double-stranded (ds) RNA is an obligatory step in the maturation and decay of many cellular and viral RNAs. The primary agents of dsRNA processing are members of the ribonuclease III (RNase III) superfamily, which are highly conserved in eukaryotic and bacterial cells. Escherichia coli RNase III participates in the maturation of the ribosomal RNAs and in the maturation and decay of cellular and phage mRNAs. E. coli RNase III-dependent cleavage events can regulate gene expression by controlling mRNA stability and translational activity. RNase III recognizes its substrates and selects the scissile phosphodiester(s) by recognizing specific RNA sequence and structural elements, termed reactivity epitopes. Some E. coli RNase III substrates contain an internal loop, in which is located the single scissile phosphodiester. The specific features of the internal loop that establish the pattern of single-strand cleavage are not known. A mutational analysis of the asymmetric [4 nt/5 nt] internal loop of the phage T7 R1.1 substrate reveals that cleavage reactivity is largely independent of internal loop sequence. Instead, the [4/5] asymmetry per se is the primary determinant of cleavage of a single bond within the 5 nt strand of the internal loop. The T7 R1.1 internal loop lacks elements of local tertiary structure, as revealed by sensitivity to cleavage by terbium ion and by the ability of the internal loop to destabilize a small model duplex. The internal loop functions as a discrete structural element in that the pattern of cleavage can be controlled by the specific type of asymmetry. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of RNase III substrate function as a gene regulatory element.     

Ethidium-dependent uncoupling of substrate binding and cleavage by Escherichia coli ribonuclease III

Ethidium bromide (EB) is known to inhibit cleavage of bacterial rRNA precursors by Escherichia coli ribonuclease III, a dsRNA-specific nuclease. The mechanism of EB inhibition of RNase III is not known nor is there information on EB-binding sites in RNase III substrates. We show here that EB is a reversible, apparently competitive inhibitor of RNase III cleavage of small model substrates in vitro. Inhibition is due to intercalation, since (i) the inhibitory concentrations of EB are similar to measured EB intercalation affinities; (ii) substrate cleavage is not affected by actinomycin D, an intercalating agent that does not bind dsRNA; (iii) the EB concentration dependence of inhibition is a function of substrate structure. In contrast, EB does not strongly inhibit the ability of RNase III to bind substrate. EB also does not block substrate binding by the C-terminal dsRNA-binding domain (dsRBD) of RNase III, indicating that EB perturbs substrate recognition by the N-terminal catalytic domain. Laser photocleavage experiments revealed two ethidium-binding sites in the substrate R1.1 RNA. One site is in the internal loop, adjacent to the scissile bond, while the second site is in the lower stem. Both sites consist of an A-A pair stacked on a CG pair, a motif which apparently provides a particularly favorable environment for intercalation. These results indicate an inhibitory mechanism in which EB site-specifically binds substrate, creating a cleavage-resistant complex that can compete with free substrate for RNase III. This study also shows that RNase III recognition and cleavage of substrate can be uncoupled and supports an enzymatic mechanism of dsRNA cleavage involving cooperative but not obligatorily linked actions of the dsRBD and the catalytic domain.     

Characterization of the reactivity determinants of a novel hairpin substrate of yeast RNase III

RNase III enzymes form a conserved family of proteins that specifically cleave double-stranded (dsRNA). These proteins are involved in a variety of cellular functions, including the processing of many non-coding RNAs, mRNA decay, and RNA interference. Yeast RNase III (Rnt1p) selects its substrate by recognizing the structure generated by a conserved NGNN tetraloop (G2-loop). Mutations of the invariant guanosine stringently inhibit binding and cleavage of all known Rnt1p substrates. Surprisingly, we have found that the 5' end of small nucleolar RNA 48 is processed by Rnt1p in the absence of a G2-loop. Instead, biochemical and structural analyses revealed that cleavage, in this case, is directed by a hairpin capped with an AAGU tetraloop, with a preferred adenosine in the first position (A1-loop). Chemical probing indicated that A1-loops adopt a distinct structure that varies at the 3' end where Rnt1p interacts with G2-loops. Consistently, chemical footprinting and chemical interference assays indicate that Rnt1p binds to G2 and A1-loops using different sets of nucleotides. Also, cleavage and binding assays showed that the N-terminal domain of Rnt1p aids selection of A1-capped hairpins. Together, the results suggest that Rnt1p recognizes at least two distinct classes of tetraloops using flexible protein RNA interactions. This underscores the capacity of double-stranded RNA binding proteins to use several recognition motifs for substrate identification.     

Processing of RNA in Escherichia coli is limited in the absence of ribonuclease III,ribonuclease E and ribonuclease P

A strain of Escherichia coli lacking RNAase III and containing thermolabile RNAase E and RNAase P was labeled with ³²P_i at a non-permissive temperature. RNA molecules were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Most of the small RNA species were isolated and analyzed for the presence of 5′ nucleoside triphosphates. In 16 of the 22 species analyzed a significant number of the individual molecules contained 5′ di or triphosphates. We conclude, therefore, that very little endonucleolytic RNA processing occurs in the absence of the three RNA processing enzymes RNAase III, RNAase E and RNAase P.     

Intrinsic double-stranded-RNA processing activity of Escherichia coli ribonuclease III lacking the dsRNA-binding domain.

The ribonuclease III superfamily represents a structurally related group of double-strand (ds) specific endoribonucleases which play key roles in diverse prokaryotic and eukaryotic RNA maturation and degradation pathways. A dsRNA-binding domain (dsRBD) is a conserved feature of the superfamily and is important for substrate recognition. RNase III family members also exhibit a "catalytic" domain, in part defined by a set of highly conserved amino acids, of which at least one (a glutamic acid) is important for cleavage but not for substrate binding. However, it is not known whether the catalytic domain requires the dsRBD for activity. This report shows that a truncated form of Escherichia coli RNase III lacking the dsRBD (RNase III[DeltadsRBD]) can accurately cleave small processing substrates in vitro. Optimal activity of RNase III[DeltadsRBD] is observed at low salt concentrations (<60 mM Na(+)), either in the presence of Mg(2+) (>25 mM) or Mn(2+) ( approximately 5 mM). At 60 mM Na(+) and 5 mM Mn(2+) the catalytic efficiency of RNase III[DeltadsRBD] is similar to that of RNase III at physiological salt concentrations and Mg(2+). In the presence of Mg(2+) RNase III[DeltadsRBD] is less efficient than the wild-type enzyme, due to a higher K(m). Similar to RNase III, RNase III[DeltadsRBD] is inhibited by high concentrations of Mn(2+), which is due to metal ion occupancy of an inhibitory site on the enzyme. RNase III[DeltadsRBD] retains strict specificity for dsRNA, as indicated by its inability to cleave (rA)(25), (rU)(25), or (rC)(25). Moreover, dsDNA, ssDNA, or an RNA-DNA hybrid are not cleaved. Low (micromolar) concentrations of ethidium bromide block RNase III[DeltadsRBD] cleavage of substrate, which is similar to the inhibition seen with RNase III and is indicative of an intercalative mode of inhibition. Finally, RNase III[DeltadsRBD] is sensitive to specific Watson-Crick base-pair substitutions which also inhibit RNase III. These findings support an RNase III mechanism of action in which the catalytic domain (i) can function independently of the dsRBD, (ii) is dsRNA-specific, and (iii) participates in cleavage site selection.     

DNA sequence of the gene coding for Escherichia coli ribonuclease H

The gene for Escherichia coli ribonuclease H has been studied by use of a plasmid which contains a segment of the E. coli chromosome. The genomic DNA was subcloned from pLC28-22 to pBR322 by use of various restriction enzymes. Such subcloning limited the RNase H gene to a piece of DNA no longer than 760 base pairs. Cells bearing plasmids containing the RNase H gene produce as much as 10-15 times the normal amount of RNase H without any drastic effect on maintenance of the plasmid or cell growth. DNA sequence analysis has permitted the prediction of a protein whose molecular weight is 17,559 (155 amino acid residues). The predicted sequence was confirmed by amino acid analysis, NH2-terminal amino acid sequence, and size determination of highly purified RNase H.     

The DNA sequence of the gene (rnc) encoding ribonuclease III of Escherichia coli.

The DNA sequence of a 1,076 base pair BglI-BamHI fragment containing the entire rnc gene for ribonuclease III (RNase III) was determined. An open reading frame of 681 base pairs was found in this region which encodes a protein of 227 amino acid residues (calculated molecular weight = 25,218). When this open reading frame was cloned into a high expression vector, pIN-III, a protein of apparent molecular weight of 26,000 was produced upon induction of the cloned gene. This product accounted for up to 5% of the total cellular protein, and comigrated with purified RNase III. RNase III enzyme activity was induced in parallel with the production of the 26,000 molecular weight protein. A putative promoter was found 170 base pairs upstream from the initiation codon. In the long leader region a very stable stem-bulge-stem structure was found which closely resembles typical RNase III cleavage sites. This structure may be cleaved by RNase III to auto-regulate the expression of the rnc gene.     

Characterization of ribonuclease HII from Escherichia coli overproduced in a soluble form

Escherichia coli RNase HII is composed of 198 amino acid residues. The enzyme has been overproduced in an insoluble form, purified in a urea-denatured form, and refolded with poor yield [M. Itaya (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 8587-8591]. To facilitate the preparation of the enzyme in an amount sufficient for physicochemical studies, we constructed an overproducing strain in which E. coli RNase HII is produced in a soluble form. The enzyme was purified from this strain and its biochemical and physicochemical properties were characterized. The good agreement in the molecular weights estimated from SDS-PAGE (23,000) and gel filtration (22,000) suggests that the enzyme acts as a monomer. From the far-UV circular dichroism spectrum, its helical content was calculated to be 23%. The enzyme showed Mn(2+)-dependent RNase H activity. Its specific activity determined using (3)H-labeled M13 RNA/DNA hybrid as a substrate was comparable to but slightly higher than that of the refolded enzyme, indicating that the enzyme overproduced and purified in a soluble form is more suitable for structural and functional analyses than the refolded enzyme.     

Unaltered stability of newly synthesized RNA in strains of Escherichia coli missing a ribonuclease specific for double-stranded RNA

Pairs of very closely related Escherichia coli strains were prepared, one having the wild-type allele for ribonuclease III, an enzyme which specifically degrades double-stranded RNA, and the other having a mutant RNase III allele. Growth and phage plating efficiency were compared in these strains. The RNase III+ strains grow better than the RNase III- strains and plate T7 and lambda phage better, but T4 plates with the same efficiency on both strains. On the other hand, the half lives of newly synthesized RNA as well as of functional beta-galactosidase mRNA are similar in both kind of strains. These two parameters, however, are significantly longer in both strains as compared to the original strain from which they were derived. Also, no difference in the differential induction of beta-galactosidase was observed between such strains. Thus, we have to conclude that either ribonuclease III does not play a significant role in the functioning and stability of newly synthesized mRNA, or that enough enzymatic activity was left, residual RNase III or some other enzyme to deal with double-stranded regions in the message.     

Cleavage by ribonuclease III of the complex of 30 S pre-ribosomal RNA and ribosomal proteins of Escherichia coli

In lysates of Escherichia coli strain AB301-105, newly-formed 30 S pre-ribosomal RNA moved in a complex with protein, at 53 S. A 53 S particle also formed from the purified RNA and 30 S and 50 S ribosomal proteins, and could be cleaved by RNAase III to yield 30 S and 48 S particles.     

Decay of RNA in RNA processing mutants of Escherichia coli

Summary Stability of RNA was tested in strains of Escherichia, coli carrying single, double, or triple mutations in the RNA processing enzymes RNase III, RNase E and RNase P. Tests were carried out for total pulse labeled RNA, -galactosidase mRNA and for the decay of preexisting RNA during carbon starvation. Decay of RNA was measured at premissive and nonpermissive temperatures and in no case were significant differences between mutants and non-mutant strains found. Therefore, we conclude that the three processing enzymes; RNase III, E and P do not contribute significantly to turnover of RNA in Escherichia coli.     

Transfer RNA determinants for translational editing by Escherichia coli valyl-tRNA synthetase

Valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS) has difficulty differentiating valine from structurally similar non-cognate amino acids, most prominently threonine. To minimize errors in aminoacylation and translation the enzyme catalyzes a proofreading (editing) reaction that is dependent on the presence of cognate tRNA^Val. Editing occurs at a site functionally distinct from the aminoacylation site of ValRS and previous results have shown that the 3′-terminus of tRNA^Val is recognized differently at the two sites. Here, we extend these studies by comparing the contribution of aminoacylation identity determinants to productive recognition of tRNA^Val at the aminoacylation and editing sites, and by probing tRNA^Val for editing determinants that are distinct from those required for aminoacylation. Mutational analysis of Escherichia coli tRNA^Val and identity switch experiments with non-cognate tRNAs reveal a direct relationship between the ability of a tRNA to be aminoacylated and its ability to stimulate the editing activity of ValRS. This suggests that at least a majority of editing by the enzyme entails prior charging of tRNA and that misacylated tRNA is a transient intermediate in the editing reaction.     

DNA sequencing of the Escherichia coli ribonuclease III gene and its mutations

Summary A 0.7 kb DNA fragment of the Escherichia coli K12 chromosome was shown to contain the structural gene for RNAse III (rnc). The DNA sequence of the gene was determined and its alteration in an RNAse III defective mutant, AB301-105, was identified. DNA sequence analysis also showed that a secondary-site suppressor of a temperature-sensitive mutation in the E. coli ribosomal protein gene, rpsL, occurred within the rnc gene, providing genetic evidence for the interaction of ribosomal proteins with RNAse III, which in turn acts on the nascent ribosomal RNA during assembly of ribosomes in E. coli.