Dataset Information

Minimal Hammerhead Ribozymes with Uncompromised Catalytic Activity.

ABSTRACT: We report here that a single additional trans-Hoogsteen base-pairing interaction in the minimal hammerhead ribozyme transforms an RNA sequence possessing typically modest catalytic activity into one possessing greatly enhanced catalytic activity that is instead typical of full-length natural hammerhead RNAs that have additional extensive tertiary contact interactions. Formation of this additional base-pairing interaction requires only that the substrate RNA sequence contains a U at a position seven nucleotides 3' to the cleavage site. No additions or changes are required in the minimal hammerhead ribozyme enzyme strand sequence (providing that the naturally occurring GUGA tetraloop of Stem II is maintained). This finding unambiguously demonstrates that a single Hoogsteen base-pairing interaction, in full-length hammerheads possessing this interaction, is sufficient for stabilizing the ribozyme active site, including alignment of the attacking nucleophile for the required inline hammerhead ribozyme reaction mechanism. This finding also implies that the idiosyncratic arrays of additional tertiary contacts observed in all naturally occurring full-length hammerhead sequences have evolved to prevent deleterious alternative pairing interactions within the context of the variety of natural sequences arising in vivo. Finally, this finding greatly simplifies and rationalizes the design of fast-cleaving engineered synthetic ribozymes as RNA nucleolytic reagents and as subjects for enzyme kinetics and mechanistic investigations.

SUBMITTER: O'Rourke SM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4464905 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Minimal Hammerhead Ribozymes with Uncompromised Catalytic Activity.

O'Rourke Sara M SM Estell William W Scott William G WG

Journal of molecular biology 20150514 14

We report here that a single additional trans-Hoogsteen base-pairing interaction in the minimal hammerhead ribozyme transforms an RNA sequence possessing typically modest catalytic activity into one possessing greatly enhanced catalytic activity that is instead typical of full-length natural hammerhead RNAs that have additional extensive tertiary contact interactions. Formation of this additional base-pairing interaction requires only that the substrate RNA sequence contains a U at a position se ...[more]

PMID: 25981451

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Project description:BackgroundRibozymes are small catalytic RNAs that possess the dual functions of sequence-specific RNA recognition and site-specific cleavage. Trans-cleaving ribozymes can inhibit translation of genes at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems and are thus useful tools for studies of gene function. However, identification of target sites for efficient cleavage poses a challenge. Here, we have considered a number of structural and thermodynamic parameters that can affect the efficiency of target cleavage, in an attempt to identify rules for the selection of functional ribozymes.ResultsWe employed the Sfold program for RNA secondary structure prediction, to account for the likely population of target structures that co-exist in dynamic equilibrium for a specific mRNA molecule. We designed and prepared 15 hammerhead ribozymes to target GUC cleavage sites in the mRNA of the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). These ribozymes were tested, and their catalytic activities were measured in vitro. We found that target disruption energy owing to the alteration of the local target structure necessary for ribozyme binding, and the total energy change of the ribozyme-target hybridization, are two significant parameters for prediction of ribozyme activity. Importantly, target disruption energy is the major contributor to the predictability of ribozyme activity by the total energy change. Furthermore, for a target-site specific ribozyme, incorrect folding of the catalytic core, or interactions involving the two binding arms and the end sequences of the catalytic core, can have detrimental effects on ribozyme activity.ConclusionThe findings from this study suggest rules for structure-based rational design of trans-cleaving hammerhead ribozymes in gene knockdown studies. Tools implementing these rules are available from the Sribo module and the Srna module of the Sfold program available through Web server at http://sfold.wadsworth.org.

Dataset Information

Minimal Hammerhead Ribozymes with Uncompromised Catalytic Activity.

Publications

Minimal Hammerhead Ribozymes with Uncompromised Catalytic Activity.

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