Identification of three G.U base pairs in Bacillus subtilis ribosomal 5S RNA via 500-MHz proton homonuclear Overhauser enhancements

Three distinct G.U base pairs in Bacillus subtilis 5S RNA have been identified via homonuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE) of their low-field (9-15 ppm) proton Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonances at 11.75 T. With these G.U resonances as starting points, short segments of NOE connectivity can be established. One G.U-G.C-G.C segment (most probably G4.C112-G5.C111-U6.G110) can definitely be assigned to the terminal helix. The existence of at least part of the terminal helical stem of the secondary structure of a Gram-positive bacterial 5S RNA has thus been established for the first time by direct experimental observation. Addition of Mg2+ produces almost no conformational changes in the terminal stem but results in major conformational changes elsewhere in the structure, as reflected by changes in the 1H 500-MHz low-field NMR spectrum. Assignment of the two remaining G.U base pairs will require further experiments (e.g., enzymatic-cleavage fragments). Finally, the implications of these results for analysis of RNA secondary structure are discussed.     

Identification and assignment of base pairs in the "tuned helix" of intact and ribonuclease T1 cleavage fragments of wheat germ ribosomal 5S RNA via 500-MHz proton homonuclear Overhauser enhancements

Wheat germ has been chosen as a representative eukaryote for study of ribosomal 5S RNA secondary structure. Proton homonuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE's) at 500 MHz for the hydrogen-bonded base-pair protons in the 10-15 ppm region are used to establish the identity (A X U, G X C, or G X U) and base-pair sequence (e.g., G X C-A X U-C X G) within a given helical segment. Assignment of that segment to particular base pairs in the secondary structure is based upon NOE's conducted at different temperatures (to determine which signals "melt" together), variation of salt conditions (to produce differential chemical shifts in order to better distinguish components of an unresolved spectral envelope), and isolation and purification of RNase T1 cleavage fragments (in order to reduce the spectrum to just a few base pairs). The NOE patterns for the RNase T1 fragments are the same as in the intact 5S RNA, supporting the assumption that structural features of this region in the intact 5S RNA are preserved in the fragment. Chemical shifts predicted from ring current induced effects for a proposed base-pair sequence are then compared to experimental chemical shifts. By these methods, a portion of the "tuned helix" segment (namely, the base-pair sequence C18G60-A19U59-C20G58) is demonstrated spectroscopically for the first time in any 5S RNA. The tuned helix and common arm segments are less stable than the rest of the molecule. Variation of sodium and magnesium levels reveals multiple configurations of the wheat germ 5S RNA in solution.     

Identification and assignment of base pairs in three helical stems of Torulopsis utilis ribosomal 5S RNA and its RNase T1 and RNase T2 cleaved fragments via 500-MHz proton homonuclear overhauser enhancements

Imino proton resonances in the downfield region (10-14 ppm) of the 500-MHz 1H NMR spectrum of Torulopsis utilis 5S RNA are identified (A X U, G X C, or G X U) and assigned to base pairs in helices I, IV, and V via analysis of homonuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE) from intact T. utilis 5S RNA, its RNase T1 and RNase T2 digested fragments, and a second yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) 5S RNA whose nucleotide sequence differs at only six residues from that of T. utilis 5S RNA. The near-identical chemical shifts and NOE behavior of most of the common peaks from these four RNAs strongly suggest that helices I, IV, and V retain the same conformation after RNase digestion and that both T. utilis and S. cerevisiae 5S RNAs share a common secondary and tertiary structure. Of the four G X U base pairs identified in the intact 5S RNA, two are assigned to the terminal stem (helix I) and the other two to helices IV and V. Seven of the nine base pairs of the terminal stem have been assigned. Our experimental demonstration of a G X U base pair in helix V supports the 5S RNA secondary structural model of Luehrsen and Fox [Luehrsen, K. R., & Fox, G.E. (1981) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78, 2150-2154]. Finally, the base-pair proton peak assigned to the terminal G X U in helix V of the RNase T2 cleaved fragment is shifted downfield from that in the intact 5S RNA, suggesting that helices I and V may be coaxial in intact T. utilis 5S RNA.     

500-MHz proton homonuclear Overhauser evidence for additional base pair in the common arm of eukaryotic ribosomal 5S RNA: wheat germ

A "common-arm" fragment from wheat germ (Triticum aestivum) 5S RNA has been produced by enzymatic cleavage with RNase T1 and sequenced via autoradiography of electrophoresis gels for the end-labeled fragments obtained by further RNase T1 partial digestion. The existence, base pair composition, and base pair sequence of the common arm are demonstrated for the first time by means of proton 500-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance. From Mg2+ titration, temperature variation, ring current calculations, sequence comparisons, and proton homonuclear Overhauser enhancement experiments, additional base pairs in the common arm of the eukaryotic 5S RNA secondary structure are detected. Two base pairs, G41 X C34 and A42 X U33 in the hairpin loop, could account for the lack of binding between the conserved GAAC segment of 5S RNA and the conserved Watson-Crick-complementary GT psi C segment of tRNAs.     

Morpholino spin-labeling for base-pair sequencing of a 3'-terminal RNA stem by proton homonuclear Overhauser enhancements: yeast ribosomal 5S RNA

Base-pair sequences for 5S and 5.8S RNAs are not readily extracted from proton homonuclear nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) connectivity experiments alone, due to extensive peak overlap in the downfield (11-15 ppm) proton NMR spectrum. In this paper, we introduce a new method for base-pair proton peak assignment for ribosomal RNAs, based upon the distance-dependent broadening of the resonances of base-pair protons spatially proximal to a paramagnetic group. Introduction of a nitroxide spin-label covalently attached to the 3'-terminal ribose provides an unequivocal starting point for base-pair hydrogen-bond proton NMR assignment. Subsequent NOE connectivities then establish the base-pair sequence for the terminal stem of a 5S RNA. Periodate oxidation of yeast 5S RNA, followed by reaction with 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO-NH2) and sodium borohydride reduction, produces yeast 5S RNA specifically labeled with a paramagnetic nitroxide group at the 3'-terminal ribose. Comparison of the 500-MHz 1H NMR spectra of native and 3'-terminal spin-labeled yeast 5S RNA serves to identify the terminal base pair (G1 . C120) and its adjacent base pair (G2 . U119) on the basis of their proximity to the 3'-terminal spin-label. From that starting point, we have then identified (G . C, A . U, or G . U) and sequenced eight of the nine base pairs in the terminal helix via primary and secondary NOE's.     

Demonstration of the GC-rich common arm in yeast ribosomal 5.8S RNA via 500-MHz proton nuclear magnetic resonance and Overhauser enhancements

In this paper we report the first 1H NMR study of the base-paired secondary structure of yeast 5.8S RNA. On the basis of a combination of homonuclear Overhauser enhancements and temperature dependence of the proton 500-MHz NMR spectrum, we are able to identify and assign eight of the nine base pairs in the most thermally stable helical arm: G116.C137-C117.G136-C118.G135- C119.G134-C120.G133-U121.G132- U122.A131-G123.C130. This arm contains an unusually temperature-stable (to 71 degrees C) segment of four consecutive G.C base pairs. This work constitutes the most direct evidence to date for the existence and base-pair sequence of the GC-rich helix, which is common to most currently popular secondary structural models for eukaryotic 5.8S ribosomal RNA.     

500-MHz proton NMR evidence for two solution structures of the common arm base-paired segment of wheat germ 5S ribosomal RNA

The base-pair protons of the common arm duplex fragment of wheat germ (Triticum aestivum) ribosomal 5S RNA have been identified and assigned by means of 500-MHz proton NMR spectroscopy. The two previously reported extra base pairs within the fragment [Li et al. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 1578-1585] are now explained by the presence of two distinct solution structures of the common arm fragment (and its corresponding base-paired segment in intact 5S rRNA). The present conclusions are supported by one- and two-dimensional proton homonuclear Overhauser enhancements in H2O and by temperature variation and Mg2+ titration of the downfield 1H NMR spectrum. The difference between the two conformers is most likely due to difference in helical tightness. Some additional amino proton resonances have also been assigned.     

Sequence analysis of T1 ribonuclease fragments of 18S ribosomal RNA by 5''-terminal labeling, partial digestion, and homochromatography fingerprinting.

The method employed to determine the sequence of a T1 RNase fragment, A-A-A-A-A-U-A-A-C-A-A-U-A-C-A-Gp, from Novikoff rat hepatoma 18S ribosomal RNA is described. This method is applicable to any oligoribonucleotide produced by specific endonucleases that leave the newly cleaved 5'-end free for labeling with polynucleotide kinase and gamma-(32p)-ATP. The (32p)-labeled oligoribonucleotide is subjected to partial endonucleolytic digestion and fractionated by two-dimensional homochromatography fingerprinting. The nucleotide sequence is determined by following mobility shifts of the labeled and partially digested oligoribonucleotides in homochromatography fingerprinting.     

Comparison of nucleotide sequences of large T1 ribonuclease fragments of 18S ribosomal RNA of rat and chicken.

Nucleotide sequences of large T1 ribonuclease fragments of 18S ribosomal RNA of Novikoff rat ascites hepatoma cells and chicken lymphoblastoid cells were determined and compared. Among the 19 large T1 ribonuclease fragments examined of rat 18S ribosomal RNA, 12 fragments were found to be the same in chicken 18S ribosomal RNA. Three fragments of rat 18S ribosomal RNA were not found among large T1 ribonuclease fragments of chicken 18S ribosomal RNA. Four fragments of rat 18S ribosomal RNA were found to be changed in chicken 18S ribosomal RNA. All the changes were point mutations except the change in the largest T1 ribonuclease fragment 1 which is 21 nucleotides long. 2'-0-methylation at the center of the fragment was lost in chicken 18S ribosomal RNA; all the other nucleotides were the same.     

Involvement of precursor-specific segments in the in vitro maturation of Bacillus subtilis precursor 5S ribosomal RNA.

In vitro maturation of precursor 5S ribosomal RNA (p5A) from Bacillus subtilis effected by RNase M5 yields mature 5S RNA (m5, 116 nucleotides), and 3' precursor-specific segment (42 nucleotides), and a 5' precursor-specific segment (21 nucleotides) (Sogin, M.L., Pace, B., and Pace, N.R. (1977), J. Biol. Chem. 252, 1350). Limited digestion of p5A with RNase T2 introduces a single scission at position 60 of the molecule; m5 is cleaved at the corresponding nucleotide residue. The complementary "halves" of the molecules could be isolated from denaturing polyacrylamide gels. The isolated fragments of p5A are not substrates for RNase M5, suggesting that some recognition elements can be utilized by RNase M5 only when presented in double-helical form. In exploring the involvement of the precursor-specific segments in the RNase M5-p5A interaction, substrate molecules lacking the 3' or 5' precursor-specific segment were constructed by reannealing complementary "halves" from p5A and m5 RNA. The artificial substrate lacking the 5'-terminal precursor segment was cleaved very much more slowly than the lacking t' segment; the 5' precursor-specific segment therefore contains one or more components recognized by RNase M5 during its interaction with the p5A substrate.     

Oligonucleotide sequences of pancreatic and T1 ribonuclease digests of 5S ribosomal RNA from mouse cells.

Oligonucleotides produced by complete pancreatic and T1 RNase digestion of 5S ribosomal RNA from a mouse hepatoma, MH 134, have been separated with two-dimensional electrophoresis and their nucleotide sequences determined. Except for the presence of a 5'-terminal diphosphate, these nucleotide sequences were identical with those of KB cells, confirming the identity of the primary structure of 5S RNA between these animals. Both oligonucleotide patterns produced with these enzymes from 5S RNA of the liver were also identical with those of the hepatoma. All these agree with the strong conservation of 5S RNA genes in animal species. However, when 5S ribosomal RNA was extracted from ribosomes which were prepared from microsomal pellet, pancreatic RNase digest contained two trinucleotides (A-G-Cp and G-A-Cp) that were not found in 5S RNA prepared with a one-step procedure. It was concluded that different isolation procedure might indeed cause artifactual fragments on enzymatic digestion due to internal nicks produced during isolation. The significance of 5'-terminal diphosphate in relation to the biosynthesis of 5S ribosomal RNA is also discussed.     

Nuclear Overhauser experiments at 500 MHz on the downfield proton spectra of 5S ribonucleic acid and its complex with ribosomal protein L25

The downfield (9-15 ppm) proton spectrum of Escherichia coli 5S RNA has been examined at 500 MHz by using nuclear Overhauser methods. The data confirm the existence of the terminal and procaryotic loop helices within the molecule [Fox, G. E., & Woese, C. R. (1975) Nature (London) 256, 505-506]. Very little stable, double-helical structure is detectable in the third loop of the molecule, the one comprising bases 12-68. The downfield spectrum of 5S RNA is perturbed in a highly specific manner upon addition of protein L25 to the system. The changes seen strongly suggest that the binding site for L25 on 5S RNA includes the procaryotic loop helix, but not the terminal stem helix. Similar complexes formed between L25 and the 5S RNA fragment consisting of bases 1-11, 69-87, and 89-120 show exactly the same spectral alterations. A number of downfield resonances appear in the spectra of these complexes which have no counterparts in the free RNA, suggesting the stabilization of new RNA structures by the protein. There are some indications of protein-nucleic acid nuclear Overhauser effects.     

15N-labeled 5S RNA. Identification of uridine base pairs in Escherichia coli 5S RNA by 1H-15N multiple quantum NMR

Escherichia coli 5S RNA labeled with 15N at N3 of the uridines was isolated from the S phi-187 uracil auxotroph grown on a minimal medium supplemented with [3-15N]uracil. 1H-15N multiple quantum filtered and 2D chemical shift correlated spectra gave resonances for the uridine imino 1H-15N units whose protons were exchanging slowly with solvent. Peaks with 1H/15N shifts at 11.6/154.8, 11.7/155.0, 11.8/155.5, 12.1/155.0, and 12.2/155.0 ppm were assigned to GU interactions. Two labile high-field AU resonances at 12.6/156.8 and 12.8/157.3 ppm typical of AU pairs in a shielded environment at the end of a helix were seen. Intense AU signals were also found at 13.4/158.5 and 13.6/159.2 ppm where 1H-15N units in normal Watson-Crick pairs resonate. 1H resonances at 10.6 and 13.8 ppm were too weak, presumably because of exchange with water, to give peaks in chemical shift correlated spectra. 1H chemical shifts suggest that the resonance at 13.8 ppm represents a labile AU pair, while the resonance at 10.6 ppm is typical of a tertiary interaction between U and a tightly bound water or a phosphate residue. The NMR data are consistent with proposed secondary structures for 5S RNA.     

Identification of Escherichia coli and Bacillus stearothermophilus ribosomal protein binding sites on Escherichia coli 5S RNA.

Summary E. coli [³²P]-labelled 5S RNA was complexed with E. coli and B. stearothermophilus 50S ribosomal proteins. Limited T₁ RNase digestion of each complex yielded three major fragments which were analysed for their sequences and rebinding of proteins. The primary binding sites for the E. coli binding proteins were determined to be sequences 18 to 57 for E-L5, 58 to 100 for E-L18 and 101 to 116 for E-L25. Rebinding experiments of purified E. coli proteins to the 5S RNA fragments led to the conclusion that E-L5 and E-L25 have secondary binding sites in the section 58 to 100, the primary binding site for E-L18. Since B. stearothermophilus proteins B-L5 and BL22 were found to interact with sequences 18 to 57 and 58 to 100 it was established that the thermophile proteins recognize and interact with RNA sequences similar to those of E. coli. Comparison of the E. coli 5S RNA sequence with those of other prokaryotic 5S RNAs reveals that the ribosomal proteins interact with the most conserved sections of the RNA.Paper number 12 on structure and function of 5S RNA.Preceding paper: Wrede, P. and Erdmann, V.A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 74, 2706–2709 (1977)     

Identification of the gene encoding the 5S ribosomal RNA maturase in Bacillus subtilis: mature 5S rRNA is dispensable for ribosome function

Over 25 years ago, Pace and coworkers described an activity called RNase M5 in Bacillus subtilis cell extracts responsible for 5S ribosomal RNA maturation (Sogin & Pace, Nature, 1974, 252:598-600). Here we show that RNase M5 is encoded by a gene of previously unknown function that is highly conserved among the low G + C gram-positive bacteria. We propose that the gene be named rnmV. The rnmV gene is nonessential. B. subtilis strains lacking RNase M5 do not make mature 5S rRNA, indicating that this process is not necessary for ribosome function. 5S rRNA precursors can, however, be found in both free and translating ribosomes. In contrast to RNase E, which cleaves the Escherichia coli 5S precursor in a single-stranded region, which is then trimmed to yield mature 5S RNA, RNase M5 cleaves the B. subtilis equivalent in a double-stranded region to yield mature 5S rRNA in one step. For the most part, eubacteria contain one or the other system for 5S rRNA production, with an imperfect division along gram-negative and gram-positive lines. A potential correlation between the presence of RNase E or RNase M5 and the single- or double-stranded nature of the predicted cleavage sites is explored.     

Circular dichroism and 500-MHz proton magnetic resonance studies of the interaction of Escherichia coli translational initiation factor 3 protein with the 16S ribosomal RNA 3' cloacin fragment

The RNA helix destabilizing properties of Escherichia coli initiation factor 3 protein (IF3), and its affinity for an evolutionarily conserved sequence at the 3' end of 16S rRNA, led us to examine the details of the protein-nucleic acid interactions upon IF3 binding to the 49-nucleotide 3'-terminal cloacin DF13 fragment of 16S rRNA by studying the circular dichroism (CD) and proton magnetic resonance spectra of the RNA, the protein, and their complex. In a physiological tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer, where the interaction is primarily nonionic and sequence specific, addition of IF3 decreases the RNA 268-nm CD peak hyperbolically by 19% to an end point of about one IF3 per RNA strand. The titration curve is best fit by an association constant of (1.80 +/- 0.05) X 10(7) M-1, within the range estimated by a nuclease mapping study of the same system [Wickstrom, E. (1983) Nucleic Acids Res. 11, 2035-2052]. In a low-salt phosphate buffer without Mg2+, where the interaction is primarily ionic and nonspecific, titration with IF3 decreases the peak CD sigmoidally by 35% to an end point of two IF3 per strand. The titration curve is best fit by an intrinsic association constant of (1.7 +/- 0.7) X 10(6) M-1 for each IF3 and a cooperativity constant of 33 +/- 6. In a physiological phosphate buffer lacking Mg2+, the dispersion of aromatic proton magnetic resonance peaks and upfield-shifted methyl proton resonances indicates a high degree of secondary and tertiary structure in the protein. In an equimolar mixture of IF3 and RNA cloacin fragment, several changes in identifiable IF3 and RNA resonances are observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)