Site-directed mutagenesis of the binding site for ribosomal protein S8 within 16S ribosomal RNA from Escherichia coli.

Twelve specific alterations have been introduced into the binding site for ribosomal protein S8 in Escherichia coli 16S rRNA. Appropriate rDNA segments were first cloned into bacteriophage M13 vectors and subjected to bisulfite and oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis in vitro. Subsequently, the mutagenized sequences were placed within the rrnB operon of plasmid pNO1301 and the mutant plasmids were used to transform E. coli recipients. The growth rates of cells containing the mutant plasmids were determined and compared with that of cells containing the wild-type plasmid. Only those mutations which occurred at highly conserved positions, or were expected to disrupt the secondary structure of the binding site, increased the doubling time appreciably. The most striking changes in growth rate resulted from mutations that altered a small internal loop within the S8 binding site. This structure is phylogenetically conserved in prokaryotic 16S rRNAs and may play a direct role in S8-16S rRNA recognition and interaction.     

Photochemical cross-linking of unmodified acetylvalyl-tRNA to 16S RNA at the ribosomal P site.

Acetylvalyl-, acetylphenylalanyl-, and formylmethionyl-tRNA which were derivatized at their 4-thiouridine residues with the photoaffinity label, p-azidophenacyl bromide, were nonenzymatically bound to salt-washed ribosomes. More than 90% of the binding was to the P site as judged by reactivity with puromycin. Subsequent irradiation (greater than 310 nm) of the tRNA-ribosome complexes resulted in the covalent linking of only the acetylvalyl-tRNA to the 30S subunit. Attachment was solely to the 16S RNA with an efficiency of cross-linking of 13--15%. Covalent linking was 90% inhibited by prior treatment with puromycin, showing that the covalent linking reaction had taken place at the P site. Cross-linking required irradiation and mRNA but was not dependent on the presence of the photoaffinity probe in the tRNA. tRNAs whose 4-thiouridine had been modified with unreactive analogues of p-azidophenacyl bromide or unmodified acetylvalyl-tRNA exhibited the same cross-linking behavior as photoaffinity probe-modified acetylvalyl-tRNA. Furthermore, even acetylvalyl-tRNA whose 4-thiouridine had been removed by treatment with H2O2 was quantitatively as active as unmodified tRNA. These results provide the first demonstration of direct photochemical cross-linking of tRNA to ribosomes.     

Mutagenesis at the mRNA decoding site in the 16S ribosomal RNA using the specialized ribosome system in Escherichia coli.

In the specialized ribosome system, a distinct pool of mutated ribosomes is dedicated to the translation of one particular mRNA species. This was accomplished by altering the Shine-Dalgarno sequence on the mRNA and its complementary anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence on the plasmid-borne 16S rRNA gene. Here, using the specialized ribosome system, we were able to introduce mutations in key regions of the 16S rRNA and could study their effect on translation in vivo. The C1400 region has been implicated to play a role in the actual mRNA decoding process. Several ribosomal mutations were introduced in this region. We showed that substitution of the evolutionary highly conserved C1400 residue by a G- or an A-residue inhibits ribosomal activity by 80% and 50% respectively, whereas, a C to a U change at this conserved position does not affect overall ribosomal activity. The adjacent stem structure (1410-1490) was also examined. Disruption of the stem by replacing either one of the arms of this stem, with a different sequence, inhibits ribosomal activity by approximately 80%. A small but significant restoration of translation could be achieved by recreating a complementary stem with a different sequence. We found that full reversion of activity could be obtained when such mutated ribosomes were made spectinomycin resistant by introducing a C to A substitution at position 1192 which is located far away in the secondary structure map of the 16S rRNA molecule. Based on these results we conclude that some, but not all, of the nucleotides in the conserved C1400 region play a key role in translation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

In vitro selection of RNA aptamers that bind to colicin E3 and structurally resemble the decoding site of 16S ribosomal RNA

Colicin E3 is a ribonuclease that specifically cleaves at the site after A1493 of 16S rRNA in Escherichia coli ribosomes, thus inactivating translation. To analyze the interaction between colicin E3 and 16S rRNA, we used in vitro selection to isolate RNA ligands (aptamers) that bind to the C-terminal ribonuclease domain of colicin E3, from a degenerate RNA pool. Although the aptamers were not digested by colicin E3, they specifically bound to the protein (K(d) = 2-14 nM) and prevented the 16S rRNA cleavage by the C-terminal ribonuclease domain. Among these aptamers, aptamer F2-1 has a sequence similar to that of the region around the cleavage site from residue 1484 to 1506, including the decoding site, of E. coli 16S rRNA. The secondary structure of aptamer F2-1 was determined by the base pair covariation among the variants obtained by a second in vitro selection, using a doped RNA pool based on the aptamer F2-1 sequence. The sequence and structural similarities between the aptamers and 16S rRNA provide insights into the recognition of colicin E3 by this specific 16S rRNA region.     

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.     

Assembly of the 5' and 3' minor domains of 16S ribosomal RNA as monitored by tethered probing from ribosomal protein S20

The ribosomal protein (r-protein) S20 is a primary binding protein. As such, it interacts directly and independently with the 5′ domain as well as the 3′ minor domain of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in minimal particles and the fully assembled 30S subunit. The interactions observed between r-protein S20 and the 5′ domain of 16S rRNA are quite extensive, while those between r-protein S20 and the 3′ minor domain are significantly more limited. In this study, directed hydroxyl radical probing mediated by Fe(II)-derivatized S20 proteins was used to monitor the folding of 16S rRNA during r-protein association and 30S subunit assembly. An analysis of the cleavage patterns in the minimal complexes [16S rRNA and Fe(II)-S20] and the fully assembled 30S subunit containing the same Fe(II)-derivatized proteins shows intriguing similarities and differences. These results suggest that the two domains, 5′ and 3′ minor, are organized relative to S20 at different stages of assembly. The 5′ domain acquires, in a less complex ribonucleoprotein particle than the 3′ minor domain, the same architecture as observed in mature subunits. These results are similar to what would be predicted of subunit assembly by the 5′-to-3′ direction assembly model.     

The topography of the 3''-terminal region of Escherichia coli 16S ribosomal RNA; an intra-RNA cross-linking study.

30S ribosomal subunits, 70S ribosomes or polysomes from E. coli were subjected to mild ultraviolet irradiation, and the 3'-terminal region of the 16S RNA was excised by 'addressed cleavage' using ribonuclease H in the presence of suitable complementary oligodeoxynucleotides. RNA fragments from this region containing intra-RNA cross-links were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and the cross-link sites identified by our standard procedures. Five new cross-links were found in the 30S subunit, which were localized at positions 1393-1401 linked to 1531-1532, 1393-1401 linked to 1506, 1393-1401 to 1502-1504, 1402-1403 to 1498-1501, and 1432 to 1465-69, respectively. In 70S ribosomes or polysomes the first four of these were absent, but instead two cross-links between the 1400-region and tRNA were observed. These results are discussed in the context of the tertiary folding of the 3'-terminal region of the 16S RNA and its known functional significance as part of the ribosomal decoding centre.     

The Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit; an optimized three-dimensional fit between the ribosomal proteins and the 16S RNA.

We have generated a computerized fit between the 3-dimensional map of the E.coli 30S ribosomal proteins, as determined by neutron scattering, and the recently published 3-dimensional model for the 16S RNA. To achieve this, the framework of coordinates for RNA-protein cross-link sites on the phosphate backbone in the RNA model was related to the corresponding framework of coordinates for the mass centres of the proteins by a least squares fitting procedure. The resulting structure, displayed on a computer graphics system, gives the first complete picture of the E.coli 30S ribosomal subunit showing both the proteins and the double-helical regions of the RNA. The root mean square distance between cross-link sites and protein centres is 32 A. The position of the mass centre of the combined double-helical regions was calculated from the model and compared with the position of the mass centre of the complete set of proteins. The two centres are displaced relative to one another by 20 A in the model structure, in good agreement with the experimental value of 25 A found by neutron scattering.     

Radiochemical cross-linking between proteins and RNA within 70 S ribosomal particles from E. coli MRE600

In the absence of oxygen, gamma-irradiation produces covalent links between some ribosomal proteins and 16 S RNA to 23 S RNA, within 70 S ribosomes from E. coli MRE600. Under optimal conditions minimizing the structural modifications induced by radiations, in situ formed cross-links appear specific and reflect close RNA-protein contacts. In view of these results, the spatial organization of the 30 S, 50 S subunit interfaces is discussed. In addition, the gamma-irradiation technique reveals that subunit association induces modifications of some protein--RNA interactions.     

Codon choice and potential complementarity between mRNA downstream of the initiation codon and bases 1471-1480 in 16S ribosomal RNA affects expression of glnS.

A cis-acting expression mutation, GAG to GAA, in the third codon of the glnS gene is analyzed. Both codons code for glutamic acid but the mutation is known to increase gene expression by four fold. We show that the mutation has an effect only if it is located in the beginning of a gene but not if located internally. Data are presented that suggest that the reason for the increased expression by the mutation is the potential formation of one more base pair between the mRNA and 16S ribosomal RNA. Gene expression varies about 16 fold as the number of potential base pairs within the sequence 1471-1480 in 16S RNA increase from two to ten. We also give evidence that supports the idea that the presence of rare codons near the beginning of the mRNA can affect expression.     

From stand-by to decoding site. Adjustment of the mRNA on the 30S ribosomal subunit under the influence of the initiation factors.

The hypothesis of an adjustment of the mRNA in its ribosomal channel under the influence of the initiation factors has been tested by site-directed crosslinking experiments. Complexes containing 30S subunits with bound mRNA having 4-thio-uracil at specific positions were prepared in the presence or absence of initiation factors and/or fMet-tRNA and subjected to UV irradiation to obtain specific crosslinks of the radioactively labeled mRNA with bases of the 16S rRNA and with ribosomal proteins. The subsequent identification of the specific sites of both mRNA and rRNA and individual ribosomal proteins involved in the crosslinking, obtained under different conditions of complex formation, provide direct evidence for the occurrence of a partial relocation of the mRNA on the 30S ribosomal subunits under the influence of the factors. The nature of this mRNA relocation is compatible with our previous proposal of a shift of the template from an initial ribosomal "stand-by site" to a second site closer to that occupied when the initiation triplet of the mRNA is decoded in the P-site.     

The decoding region of 16S RNA; a cross-linking study of the ribosomal A, P and E sites using tRNA derivatized at position 32 in the anticodon loop.

A photo-reactive diazirine derivative was attached to the 2-thiocytidine residue at position 32 of tRNA(Arg)I from Escherichia coli. This modified tRNA was bound under suitable conditions to the A, P or E site of E.coli ribosomes. After photo-activation of the diazirine label, the sites of cross-linking to 16S rRNA were identified by our standard procedures. Each of the three tRNA binding sites showed a characteristic pattern of cross-linking. From tRNA at the A site, a major cross-link was observed to position 1378 of the 16S RNA, and a minor one to position 936. From the P site, there were major cross-links to positions 693 and to 957 and/or 966, as well as a minor cross-link to position 1338. The E site bound tRNA showed major cross-links to position 693 (identical to that from the P site) and to positions 1376/1378 (similar, but not identical, to the cross-link observed from the A site). Immunological analysis of the concomitantly cross-linked ribosomal proteins indicated that S7 was the major target of cross-linking from all three tRNA sites, with S11 as a minor product. The results are discussed in terms of the overall topography of the decoding region of the 30S ribosomal subunit.