Double-stranded RNA deaminase ADAR1 increases host susceptibility to virus infection

The RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding protein that modifies cellular and viral RNA sequences by adenosine deamination. ADAR1 has been demonstrated to play important roles in embryonic erythropoiesis, viral response, and RNA interference. In human hepatitis virus infection, ADAR1 has been shown to target viral RNA and to suppress viral replication through dsRNA editing. It is not clear whether this antiviral effect of ADAR1 is a common mechanism in response to viral infection. Here, we report a proviral effect of ADAR1 that enhances replication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) through a mechanism independent of dsRNA editing. We demonstrate that ADAR1 interacts with dsRNA-activated protein kinase PKR, inhibits its kinase activity, and suppresses the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2alpha) phosphorylation. Consistent with the inhibitory effect on PKR activation, ADAR1 increases VSV infection in PKR+/+ mouse embryonic fibroblasts; however, no significant effect was found in PKR-/- cells. This proviral effect of ADAR1 requires the N-terminal domains but does not require the deaminase domain. These findings reveal a novel mechanism of ADAR1 that increases host susceptibility to viral infection by inhibiting PKR activation.     

PKR-dependent mechanisms of gene expression from a subgenomic hepatitis C virus clone

Studies on hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication have been greatly advanced by the development of cell culture models for HCV known as replicon systems. The prototype replicon consists of a subgenomic HCV RNA in which the HCV structural region is replaced by the neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII) gene, and translation of the HCV proteins NS3 to NS5 is directed by the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES). The interferon (IFN)-inducible protein kinase PKR plays an important role in cell defense against virus infection by impairing protein synthesis as a result of eIF-2alpha phosphorylation. Here, we show that expression of the viral nonstructural (NS) and PKR proteins and eIF-2alpha phosphorylation are all variably regulated in proliferating replicon Huh7 cells. In proliferating cells, induction of PKR protein by IFN-alpha is inversely proportional to viral RNA replication and NS protein expression, whereas eIF-2alpha phosphorylation is induced by IFN-alpha in proliferating but not in serum-starved replicon cells. The role of PKR and eIF-2alpha phosphorylation was further addressed in transient-expression assays in Huh7 cells. These experiments demonstrated that activation of PKR results in the inhibition of EMCV IRES-driven NS protein synthesis from the subgenomic viral clone through mechanisms that are independent of eIF-2alpha phosphorylation. Unlike NS proteins, HCV IRES-driven NPTII protein synthesis from the subgenomic clone was resistant to PKR activation. Interestingly, activation of PKR could induce HCV IRES-dependent mRNA translation from dicistronic constructs, but this stimulatory effect was mitigated by the presence of the viral 3' untranslated region. Thus, PKR may assume multiple roles in modulating HCV replication and protein synthesis, and tight control of PKR activity may play an important role in maintaining virus replication and allowing infection to evade the host's IFN system.     

Stress-induced apoptosis associated with null mutation of ADAR1 RNA editing deaminase gene

One type of RNA editing involves the conversion of adenosine residues into inosine in double-stranded RNA through the action of adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADAR). A-to-I RNA editing of the coding sequence could result in synthesis of proteins not directly encoded in the genome. ADAR edits also non-coding sequences of target RNAs, such as introns and 3'-untranslated regions, which may affect splicing, translation, and mRNA stability. Three mammalian ADAR gene family members (ADAR1-3) have been identified. Here we investigated phenotypes of mice homozygous for ADAR1 null mutation. Although live ADAR1-/- embryos with normal gross appearance could be recovered up to E11.5, widespread apoptosis was detected in many tissues. Fibroblasts derived from ADAR1-/- embryos were also prone to apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. Our results demonstrate an essential requirement for ADAR1 in embryogenesis and suggest that it functions to promote survival of numerous tissues by editing one or more double-stranded RNAs required for protection against stress-induced apoptosis.     

Dimerization of ADAR2 is mediated by the double-stranded RNA binding domain

Members of the family of adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) can catalyze the hydrolytic deamination of adenosine to inosine and thereby change the sequence of specific mRNAs with highly double-stranded structures. The ADARs all contain one or more repeats of the double-stranded RNA binding motif (DRBM). By both in vitro and in vivo assays, we show that the DRBMs of rat ADAR2 are necessary and sufficient for dimerization of the enzyme. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) demonstrates that ADAR2 also exists as dimers in living mammalian cells and that mutation of DRBM1 lowers the dimerization affinity while mutation of DRBM2 does not. Nonetheless, the editing efficiency of the GluR2 Q/R site depends on a functional DRBM2. The ADAR2 DRBMs thus serve differential roles in RNA dimerization and GluR2 Q/R editing, and we propose a model for RNA editing that incorporates the new findings.     

ADAR2 A-->I editing: site selectivity and editing efficiency are separate events

ADAR enzymes, adenosine deaminases that act on RNA, form a family of RNA editing enzymes that convert adenosine to inosine within RNA that is completely or largely double-stranded. Site-selective A→I editing has been detected at specific sites within a few structured pre-mRNAs of metazoans. We have analyzed the editing selectivity of ADAR enzymes and have chosen to study the naturally edited R/G site in the pre-mRNA of the glutamate receptor subunit B (GluR-B). A comparison of editing by ADAR1 and ADAR2 revealed differences in the specificity of editing. Our results show that ADAR2 selectively edits the R/G site, while ADAR1 edits more promiscuously at several other adenosines in the double-stranded stem. To further understand the mechanism of selective ADAR2 editing we have investigated the importance of internal loops in the RNA substrate. We have found that the immediate structure surrounding the editing site is important. A purine opposite to the editing site has a negative effect on both selectivity and efficiency of editing. More distant internal loops in the substrate were found to have minor effects on site selectivity, while efficiency of editing was found to be influenced. Finally, changes in the RNA structure that affected editing did not alter the binding abilities of ADAR2. Overall these findings suggest that binding and catalysis are independent events.     

Substrate-dependent contribution of double-stranded RNA-binding motifs to ADAR2 function

ADAR2 is a double-stranded RNA-specific adenosine deaminase involved in the editing of mammalian RNAs by the site-specific conversion of adenosine to inosine (A-to-I). ADAR2 contains two tandem double-stranded RNA-binding motifs (dsRBMs) that are not only important for efficient editing of RNA substrates but also necessary for localizing ADAR2 to nucleoli. The sequence and structural similarity of these motifs have raised questions regarding the role(s) that each dsRBM plays in ADAR2 function. Here, we demonstrate that the dsRBMs of ADAR2 differ in both their ability to modulate subnuclear localization as well as to promote site-selective A-to-I conversion. Surprisingly, dsRBM1 contributes to editing activity in a substrate-dependent manner, indicating that dsRBMs recognize distinct structural determinants in each RNA substrate. Although dsRBM2 is essential for the editing of all substrates examined, a point mutation in this motif affects editing for only a subset of RNAs, suggesting that dsRBM2 uses unique sets of amino acid(s) for functional interactions with different RNA targets. The dsRBMs of ADAR2 are interchangeable for subnuclear targeting, yet such motif alterations do not support site-selective editing, indicating that the unique binding preferences of each dsRBM differentially contribute to their pleiotropic function.     

Modulation of microRNA processing and expression through RNA editing by ADAR deaminases

Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) are involved in editing of adenosine residues to inosine in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Although this editing recodes and alters functions of several mammalian genes, its most common targets are noncoding repeat sequences, indicating the involvement of this editing system in currently unknown functions other than recoding of protein sequences. Here we show that specific adenosine residues of certain microRNA (miRNA) precursors are edited by ADAR1 and ADAR2. Editing of pri-miR-142, the precursor of miRNA-142, expressed in hematopoietic tissues, resulted in suppression of its processing by Drosha. The edited pri-miR-142 was degraded by Tudor-SN, a component of RISC and also a ribonuclease specific to inosine-containing dsRNAs. Consequently, mature miRNA-142 expression levels increased substantially in ADAR1 null or ADAR2 null mice. Our results demonstrate a new function of RNA editing in the control of miRNA biogenesis.     

Induction of protein translation by ADAR1 within living cell nuclei is not dependent on RNA editing

Translation of mRNA is usually cytoplasmic. We report that the RNA editing enzyme ADAR1, which catalyzes the deamination of adenosine to inosine in double-stranded RNA substrates, induces translation within the nucleus, possibly at the surface of the nucleolus. This activity does not depend on RNA editing. Two regions within ADAR1 are defined that act independently of each other to induce translation: the first includes the double-stranded RNA binding domains (DRBMs) of ADAR1 while the second maps to the C-terminal portion of the catalytic domain. Point mutations within each domain are identified that reduce nuclear translation; those in the DRBM region are also known to diminish RNA binding. This report adds to the growing functionality ascribed to the nucleus.     

Enhancement of replication of RNA viruses by ADAR1 via RNA editing and inhibition of RNA-activated protein kinase

Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) is a double-stranded RNA binding protein and RNA-editing enzyme that modifies cellular and viral RNAs, including coding and noncoding RNAs. This interferon (IFN)-induced protein was expected to have an antiviral role, but recent studies have demonstrated that it promotes the replication of many RNA viruses. The data from these experiments show that ADAR1 directly enhances replication of hepatitis delta virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1, vesicular stomatitis virus, and measles virus. The proviral activity of ADAR1 occurs through two mechanisms: RNA editing and inhibition of RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR). While these pathways have been found independently, the two mechanisms can act in concert to increase viral replication and contribute to viral pathogenesis. This novel type of proviral regulation by an IFN-induced protein, combined with some antiviral effects of hyperediting, sheds new light on the importance of ADAR1 during viral infection and transforms our overall understanding of the innate immune response.     

ADAR1介导的RNA编辑在血液肿瘤中的调控作用

RNA编辑是发生于双链RNA（dsRNA）上的一类重要转录后反应,可通过碱基插入、缺失或替换的方式改变RNA的核苷酸序列从而丰富转录组和蛋白质组水平的多样性。哺乳动物中最常见的RNA编辑是ADAR家族介导的腺嘌呤-次黄嘌呤编辑（A-to-I）,其在碱基配对过程中被识别为鸟嘌呤。人类转录组中已报道了数百万个A-to-I编辑位点,而ADAR1是最主要的催化酶。在血液肿瘤中,ADAR1的失调将直接影响基因编码区、非编码区和miRNA前体的A-to-I编辑状态,从而导致一系列分子事件改变,如蛋白质编码序列改变、内含子滞留、选择性剪接和miRNA生物发生受抑制。近年来研究发现,异常的RNA编辑导致分子调控网络的紊乱,促进细胞增殖、凋亡受阻和细胞耐药,是白血病干细胞（LSCs）生成和干性维持的重要因素。目前,以RNA编辑为靶点的新药（如rebecsinib）已经在动物实验中取得良好疗效。有别于传统抗肿瘤药,表观遗传抗肿瘤药有望克服血液肿瘤的耐药、复发难题,为患者提供全新治疗选择。本综述总结了ADAR1介导的RNA编辑在血液肿瘤中的作用机制及其生物学功能研究的进展,并探讨了其在药物研发和临床应用中的价值。     

Inosine-Mediated Modulation of RNA Sensing by Toll-Like Receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR8

RNA-specific adenosine deaminase (ADAR)-mediated adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing is a critical arm of the antiviral response. However, mechanistic insights into how A-to-I RNA editing affects viral infection are lacking. We posited that inosine incorporation into RNA facilitates sensing of nonself RNA by innate immune sensors and accordingly investigated the impact of inosine-modified RNA on Toll-like receptor 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) sensing. Inosine incorporation into synthetic single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) potentiated tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or alpha interferon (IFN-α) production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in a sequence-dependent manner, indicative of TLR7/8 recruitment. The effect of inosine incorporation on TLR7/8 sensing was restricted to immunostimulatory ssRNAs and was not seen with inosine-containing short double-stranded RNAs or with a deoxy-inosine-modified ssRNA. Inosine-mediated increase of self-secondary structure of an ssRNA resulted in potentiated IFN-α production in human PBMCs through TLR7 recruitment, as established through the use of a TLR7 antagonist and Tlr7-deficient cells. There was a correlation between hyperediting of influenza A viral ssRNA and its ability to stimulate TNF-α, independent of 5′-triphosphate residues, and involving Adar-1. Furthermore, A-to-I editing of viral ssRNA directly enhanced mouse Tlr7 sensing, when present in proportions reproducing biologically relevant levels of RNA editing. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that inosine incorporation into immunostimulatory ssRNA can potentiate TLR7/8 activation. Our results suggest a novel function of A-to-I RNA editing, which is to facilitate TLR7/8 sensing of phagocytosed viral RNA.     

Solution structure of the N-terminal dsRBD of Drosophila ADAR and interaction studies with RNA

Adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADAR) catalyze adenosine to inosine (A-to-I) editing in double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) substrates. Inosine is read as guanosine by the translation machinery; therefore A-to-I editing events in coding sequences may result in recoding genetic information. Whereas vertebrates have two catalytically active enzymes, namely ADAR1 and ADAR2, Drosophila has a single ADAR protein (dADAR) related to ADAR2. The structural determinants controlling substrate recognition and editing of a specific adenosine within dsRNA substrates are only partially understood. Here, we report the solution structure of the N-terminal dsRNA binding domain (dsRBD) of dADAR and use NMR chemical shift perturbations to identify the protein surface involved in RNA binding. Additionally, we show that Drosophila ADAR edits the R/G site in the mammalian GluR-2 pre-mRNA which is naturally modified by both ADAR1 and ADAR2. We then constructed a model showing how dADAR dsRBD1 binds to the GluR-2 R/G stem-loop. This model revealed that most side chains interacting with the RNA sugar-phosphate backbone need only small displacement to adapt for dsRNA binding and are thus ready to bind to their dsRNA target. It also predicts that dADAR dsRBD1 would bind to dsRNA with less sequence specificity than dsRBDs of ADAR2. Altogether, this study gives new insights into dsRNA substrate recognition by Drosophila ADAR.