NMR structure of a classical pseudoknot: interplay of single- and double-stranded RNA.

Pseudoknot formation folds the 3' ends of many plant viral genomic RNAs into structures that resemble transfer RNA in global folding and in their reactivity to transfer RNA-specific proteins. The solution structure of the pseudoknotted T arm and acceptor arm of the transfer RNA-like structure of turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The molecule is stabilized by the hairpin formed by the 5' end of the RNA, and by the intricate interactions related to the loops of the pseudoknot. Loop 1 spans the major groove of the helix with only two of its four nucleotides. Loop 2, which crosses the minor groove, interacts closely with its opposing helix, in particular through hydrogen bonds with a highly conserved adenine. The structure resulting from this interaction between the minor groove and single-stranded RNA at helical junctions displays internal mobility, which may be a general feature of RNA pseudoknots that regulates their interaction with proteins or other RNA molecules.

NMR studies of the interaction of gene-V protein of bacteriophage M13 with oligonucleotides.

This paper describes the preparation of deuterated phenylalanine ([2H7]-phenylalanine) and the isolation of phage M13 encoded gene-V protein in which this deuterated amino acid was incorporated. Using this protein spectral assignments of resonances in the aromatic region of the 1H-NMR spectrum of the gene-V protein have been made. Furthermore the interaction of the gene-V protein with the tetranucleotide d(pC-G-C-G) and the hexanucleotide d(pC-G-C-G-C-G) was investigated. From the changes in the aromatic region of the NMR spectrum occurring after binding, it is concluded that at least one phenylalanine and one tyrosine is involved in the interaction with the oligonucleotides via stacking.

Residue-specific assignments of resonances in the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of ribosomal protein E-L30 by systematic application of two-dimensional Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance methods.

A two-dimensional Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance study of the ribosomal protein E-L30 is reported. Five two-dimensional techniques, namely: nuclear magnetic resonance J-resolved spectroscopy, correlated spectroscopy, double quantum spectroscopy, relayed coherence transfer and nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy were used. Qualitative inspection of the spectra obtained by these techniques provided evidence that the E-L30 molecule has a well-defined structure in solution. This analysis indicated that, despite the fact that the protein is stable only at moderate temperatures and neutral pH, a structural analysis of the molecule would be feasible. A detailed analysis of the spectra permitted unambiguous discrimination between the spin systems of different amino acids, resulting in residue-specific resonance assignments. We were able to assign all resonances of all six threonine, four valine, five alanine, two histidine, two serine, one phenylalanine, one asparagine and one aspartic acid residue of E-L30. Complete resonance assignment was obtained for two glycine residues. Partial assignments became available for all six isoleucine, three glycine and one glutamine residue. These results form a sound basis for the structure determination of the protein described in the accompanying paper.

Sequential resonance assignments as a basis for the determination of a three-dimensional structure of protein E-L30 of Escherichia coli.

Nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectra of ribosomal protein E-L30 were searched for interresidual connectivities involving peptide bond amide protons in order to establish sequential neighbourships between amino acid residues. By comparing these data with the actual amino acid sequence of the protein, sequential resonance assignments became available for almost 90% for the amino acids in E-L30. With the aid of these assignments, some 30 nuclear Overhauser connectivities could be interpreted in terms of short interproton distances involving remote sites in the polypeptide chain. It turned out that these contacts between residues generated enough constraints to permit construction of a three-dimensional structure for the protein.

The detailed structure of tandem G.A mismatched base-pair motifs in RNA duplexes is context dependent.

The solution structure of the RNA duplex (rGGGCUGAAGCCCU), containing tandem G.A mismatches has been determined by NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics. A homonuclear 3D TOCSY-NOESY was used to derive 18 to 30 distance restraints per nucleotide, as well as all gamma torsion angles and sugar puckers for the central UGAA part of the molecule. Using these constraints, together with cross-strand distances, involving exchangeable imino protons, and essentially all other torsion angles that can accurately be determined (i.e. beta, epsilon) otherwise, the structure of the UGAA domain could be determined with high precision (r.m.s.d. 0.62 A), without the aid of isotopically enriched RNA. The G.A base-pairs are of the sheared pairing type, with both nucleotides in the anti conformation, and hydrogen bonds between the guanine 2-amino and the adenine N7 and between the guanine N3 and the adenine 6-amino. Surprisingly the sugar of the guanosine of the G.A. mismatch adopts a 2'-endo sugar pucker conformation. Comparison with other RNA structures, in which two such G.A base-pairs are formed reveals that this detailed structure depends on the identity of the base 5' to the guanosine in the tandem G.A base-pairs. A geometrical model for the incorporation of sheared tandem G.A base-pairs in A-form helices is formulated, which explains the distinct different stacking properties and helical parameters in sequences containing tandem, sheared G.A base-pairs.

Functionally important correlated motions in the single-stranded DNA-binding protein encoded by filamentous phage Pf3.

To elucidate the interplay between different parts of dimeric single-stranded DNA-binding proteins we have studied the correlated motions in the protein encoded by filamentous phage Pf3 via the combined use of 15N-NMR relaxation experiments, molecular dynamics simulations and essential dynamics calculations. These studies provide insight into the mechanism underlying the protein-DNA binding reaction. The most important motions can be described by a few essential modes. Most outstanding is the correlated symmetric motion of the DNA-binding wings, which are far apart in the structure. This motion determines the access of DNA to the DNA-binding domain. A correlation between the motion of the DNA-binding wing and the complex loop is indicated to play a role in the cooperative binding of the protein to DNA. These motions are in the nanosecond regime in correspondence with the 15N-NMR relaxation experiments.

Two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the gene V-encoded single-stranded DNA-binding protein of the filamentous bacteriophage IKe. I. Structure elucidation of the DNA-binding wing.

Two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques were used to obtain residue- and sequence-specific assignments in the 1H spectrum of the single-stranded DNA-binding protein encoded by gene V of the filamentous phage IKe (IKe GVP). The residue-specific assignments are based on the analysis of J-correlated spectra, i.e. correlated spectroscopy and homonuclear-Hartmann-Hahn total correlated spectroscopy. Complete assignments of side-chain spin systems, e.g. long side-chains, were, to a major part, derived from two-dimensional spectra obtained by means of the latter technique. Sequence-specific residue assignments were obtained for the two neighbouring residues V41 and Y42, and the amino acid sequence segment encompassing residues S17 through I29. The structure of this segment, a beta-loop, was deduced from the interresidue nuclear Overhauser effect pattern. Residues S17 through V19 and P26 through I29 form an anti-parallel beta-ladder segment, whereas residues Q21 to K25 constitute the loop region. The beta-loop is expected to project into the solution and is intimately involved in binding to single-stranded DNA; it is therefore designated the "DNA-binding wing". By analogy with the structure of the DNA-binding wing deduced from IKe GVP, a similar structure is proposed for the corresponding domain of the gene V protein encoded by the filamentous phage Ff for which, from X-ray diffraction studies, a three-dimensional structure has been deduced. Essential differences appear to exist between the DNA-binding domain in the X-ray structure and that proposed in this paper. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.

A model of the complex between single-stranded DNA and the single-stranded DNA binding protein encoded by gene V of filamentous bacteriophage M13.

A contact analysis and a series of restrained molecular dynamics simulations were employed to derive a model of the complex between single-stranded DNA and the single-stranded DNA-binding protein encoded by gene V of the filamentous phage M13. The study is based on the recently elucidated solution structure of the Tyr41-->His mutant of the protein. Electron microscopy studies, indicating that the complex forms a flexible, left-handed helical coil with a diameter of 8 to 9 nm and an average pitch of 9 nm, were taken into consideration. The contact analysis served to determine the helix parameters that permit the energetically most favourable packing of protein molecules. Then a protein super-helix was built, into which two extended strands of DNA were modelled using restrained molecular dynamics. Specific constraints were included to ensure that the DNA would position itself into the binding groove of the protein. These constraints are based on recent NMR spin label experiments which offered a direct identification of the amino acids of the protein present in the DNA-binding domain. We present a model for the complex which is in full agreement with the existing reliable biophysical and biochemical data. A description of the protein-protein interface is given and the protein-DNA interaction is discussed in view of the derived model. In addition, we demonstrate that, on the basis of the available experimental data, and not imposing the left-handedness of the nucleoprotein complex, it is feasible to build also a plausible model for the complex which exhibits the opposite, i.e. right-handed, helical sense. This nucleoprotein structure features characteristics highly similar to those of the left-handed helix.

The solution structure of the Tyr41-->His mutant of the single-stranded DNA binding protein encoded by gene V of the filamentous bacteriophage M13.

The solution structure of mutant Tyr41-->His of the single-stranded DNA binding protein encoded by gene V of the filamentous bacteriophage M13 has been investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Two- and three-dimensional NMR experiments have been employed with a variety of NMR samples of gene V protein, some of which were uniformly enriched with either 15N or 13C. The structure of mutant Tyr41-->His of the M13 gene V protein which occurs in solution as a symmetric dimer was calculated using a two-stage procedure. The first step of the procedure involved the calculation of a set of individual monomer structures using the distance geometry program DIANA. This was then followed by the calculation of dimer structures employing "simulated annealing" protocols with the program X-PLOR. Hereby, the problem of assignment of intra- and inter-subunit NOEs of the symmetric dimer was circumvented through use of a target function that correctly deals with the intra- and inter-subunit contributions to the NOE peaks. Furthermore, a pseudo energy term was employed to restrain the symmetry of the dimer. In addition to this novel calculation strategy, we have incorporated distance information for a set of NOEs which were unambiguously identified as inter-subunit NOEs using an NMR strategy based on asymmetric labelling. A total of 20 structures were calculated for the M13 gene V protein mutant Tyr41-->His based on approximately 1000 experimental restraints derived from the NMR data. The structure of residues 1 to 15 and 29 to 87 of both monomers is reasonably well determined with an average atomic r.m.s. difference between the individual structures and the respective mean structure of approximately 0.9 A for the backbone atoms and approximately 1.4 A for all atoms. The orientation of the exposed anti-parallel beta-loop (residues 16 to 28) with respect to the core could not be determined. The molecular architecture of each of the monomers includes a five-stranded beta-barrel enclosing a hydrophobic core and two-antiparallel beta-loops. The dimer structure is stabilized predominantly by hydrophobic residues primarily involving the symmetry-related dyad domains (residues 64 to 82) of the monomers. Residues which are close to bound single-stranded DNA were identified previously from binding experiments with spin-labelled oligonucleotides. The solution structure of mutant Tyr41-->His of the M13 gene V protein is consistent with these binding data and provides a clear view of the protein's single-stranded DNA binding path.

Solution structure of the M13 major coat protein in detergent micelles: a basis for a model of phage assembly involving specific residues.

The three-dimensional structure of the major coat protein of bacteriophage M13, solubilized in detergent micelles, has been determined using heteronuclear multidimensional NMR and restrained molecular dynamics. The protein consists of two alpha-helices, running from residues 8 to 16 and 25 to 45, respectively. These two helices are connected by a flexible and distorted helical hinge region. The structural properties of the coat protein make it resemble a flail, in which the hydrophobic helix (residues 25 to 45) is the handle and the other, amphipathic, helix the swingle. In this metaphor, the hinge region is the connecting piece of leather. The mobility of the residues in the hinge region is likely to enable a smooth transformation from the membrane-bound form, mimicked by the structure in detergent micelles, into the structure in the mature phage. A specific distribution of the residues over the surface of the two helices was observed in the presented high-resolution structure of the membrane-bound form of the major coat protein as well as in the structure in the mature phage. All data suggest that this arrangement of residues is important for the interactions of the protein with the membrane, for correct protein-DNA and protein-protein interactions in the phage and for a proper growth of the phage during the assembly process. By combining our findings with earlier NMR results on the major coat protein in detergent micelles, we were able to construct a model that addresses the role of specific residues in the assembly process.

Solution structure of the pseudoknot of SRV-1 RNA, involved in ribosomal frameshifting.

RNA pseudoknots play important roles in many biological processes. In the simian retrovirus type-1 (SRV-1) a pseudoknot together with a heptanucleotide slippery sequence are responsible for programmed ribosomal frameshifting, a translational recoding mechanism used to control expression of the Gag-Pol polyprotein from overlapping gag and pol open reading frames. Here we present the three-dimensional structure of the SRV-1 pseudoknot determined by NMR. The structure has a classical H-type fold and forms a triple helix by interactions between loop 2 and the minor groove of stem 1 involving base-base and base-sugar interactions and a ribose zipper motif, not identified in pseudoknots so far. Further stabilization is provided by a stack of five adenine bases and a uracil in loop 2, enforcing a cytidine to bulge. The two stems of the pseudoknot stack upon each other, demonstrating that a pseudoknot without an intercalated base at the junction can induce efficient frameshifting. Results of mutagenesis data are explained in context with the present three-dimensional structure. The two base-pairs at the junction of stem 1 and 2 have a helical twist of approximately 49 degrees, allowing proper alignment and close approach of the three different strands at the junction. In addition to the overwound junction the structure is somewhat kinked between stem 1 and 2, assisting the single adenosine in spanning the major groove of stem 2. Geometrical models are presented that reveal the importance of the magnitude of the helical twist at the junction in determining the overall architecture of classical pseudoknots, in particular related to the opening of the minor groove of stem 1 and the orientation of stem 2, which determines the number of loop 1 nucleotides that span its major groove.

Two-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the gene V-encoded single-stranded DNA-binding protein of the filamentous bacteriophage IKe. II. Characterization of the DNA-binding wing with the aid of spin-labelled oligonucleotides.

The DNA-binding domain of the single-stranded DNA-binding protein IKe GVP was studied by means of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, through use of oligonucleotides of two and three adenyl residues in length, that were spin-labelled at their 3' and/or 5' termini. These spin-labelled ligands were found to cause line broadening of specific protein resonances when bound to the protein, although they were present in small quantities, i.e. of the order of 0.04 molar equivalent and less. The line broadening of protein resonances was made manifest by means of difference one and two-dimensional spectroscopy. Difference one-dimensional experiments revealed line broadening of the same protein resonances upon binding of either 3' or 5' spin-labelled oligonucleotides. Evidence in favour of the existence of a fixed 5' to 3' orientation in the binding of oligonucleotides to the protein surface was therefore not obtained from the spin-labelled oligonucleotide binding studies. Residue-specific assignments of broadened resonances could not, or could only sparsely, be derived from the difference one-dimensional spectra, because of the tremendous overlap in the aliphatic region of the spectrum. In contrast, such assignments were easily obtained from the difference two-dimensional spectra, which were recorded by means of both total correlated spectroscopy and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy. Difference signals were detected for 15 spin systems; ten out of these were assigned to the residues I29, Y27, S20, G18, R16, T28, K22, Q21, V19 and S17 in the amino acid sequence of IKe GVP; the other five spin systems could be assigned to a phenylalanyl residue, an arginyl or lysyl residue, an aspartic acid or asparagyl residue, a glycyl residue and a glutamic acid or glutamyl residue. From the evaluation of the relative difference signals, it was concluded that the direct surroundings of the spin-label group of the labelled oligonucleotide in the bound state is composed of the first five residues in the former group of residues and the five residues in the latter group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

High-resolution proton magnetic resonance studies of the 3'-terminal colicin fragment of 16 S ribosomal RNA from Escherichia coli. Assignment of iminoproton resonances by nuclear Overhauser effect experiments and the influence of adenine dimethylation on the hairpin conformation.

The "colicin" fragments comprising the 49 3'-terminal nucleotides of 16 S ribosomal RNA have been isolated from wild-type Escherichia coli and from a kasugamycin-resistant mutant that lacks methylation of two geminal adenine residues. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectra (500 MHz) were recorded at various temperatures. The low-field resonances arising from the hydrogen-bonded iminoprotons of paired bases were assigned using the nuclear Overhauser effect (n.o.e.). Crucial to the interpretation of the spectra are the resonances that originate from the two hydrogen-bonded iminoprotons of a U X G basepair. Combined with temperature-jump relaxation kinetics experiments the n.o.e.s lead to the conclusion that a conserved A X U/U X G junction in the hairpin is a thermolabile dislocation in the helix. The n.m.r. spectra of the wild-type and mutant fragment are only different with respect to the iminoproton resonances of the two base-pairs adjoining the hairpin loop. The spectra recorded at various temperatures tend to indicate that dimethylation of the adenosines labilizes these base-pairs, but no definitive conclusions are drawn. The results confirm our previous views that dimethylation of the adenosine residues affects the conformation of the hairpin loop.

Solution structure of the type 1 blue copper protein amicyanin from Thiobacillus versutus.

A three-dimensional solution structure of amicyanin from Thiobacillus versutus has been determined by distance geometry and restrained molecular dynamics. A total of 984 experimentally derived constraints were used for the final refinement (881 distance constraints and 103 dihedral angle constraints). Stereospecific assignments were made for 17 prochiral beta-methylene protons (33%) and the methyl groups of eight valine residues. Fourteen structures were selected to represent the solution structure. They show an average pairwise backbone root-mean-square deviation of 1.19 A. The overall structure can be described as a beta-sandwich, built up of nine beta-strands. The copper atom is located between three loops on one end of the molecule. Two of these loops contribute the copper ligands. His54 is on the loop between beta-strands 4 and 5. The other three ligands, Cys93, His96 and Met99, are located evenly spaced on the loop between beta-strands 8 and 9. This loop is folded in two consecutive type 1 turns with His96 as the donor and acceptor of the NHi-CO(i-3) hydrogen bonds. The folding is reminiscent of the general cupredoxin fold. Considerably different are the large 21 residue N-terminal extension, that is unique to amicyanin and forms an extra beta-strand (strand 1), and the region between beta-strands 5 and 7. The partly surface-exposed copper ligand His96 is surrounded by a hydrophobic patch consisting of seven residues.

The transition from a neutral-pH double helix to a low-pH triple helix induces a conformational switch in the CCCG tetraloop closing a Watson-Crick stem.

The CCCG-loop in a DNA fragment, which is capable of forming an intramolecular triple helix as well as a hairpin structure, was investigated by NMR and molecular modeling studies. The structure of this loop is found as a type II conformation, one of the three commonly observed folding patterns of tetraloops, irrespective of the geometry of the underlying helix. In each situation, the loop exhibits a base-pair between the first cytosine and the guanine residue of the loop. The geometry of this base-pair, however, depends upon the circumstances. At neutral pH, in the hairpin form of the molecule, a Watson-Crick C.G base-pair is formed, whereas at low pH, when the strand exists as an intramolecular triple helix, a Hoogsteen C(+)-G base-pair is present. We used molecular modeling to lay the foundations for understanding the observed conformational switch. A lower amount of strain, related to the short C1'-C1' of the base-pair, and protonation effects of the structure comprising the Hoogsteen base-pair turn out to outweigh the effects of a more stable base-pair, improved stacking and more favorable interactions in the minor groove of the structure comprising the Watson-Crick C.G base-pair. The models also provide an explanation for the general preference of loops meeting the consensus sequence--d(CYNG)--to fold into a type II conformation, i.e. with the base of second loop residue turned into the minor groove.

Recommendations for the presentation of NMR structures of proteins and nucleic acids.

The recommendations presented here are designed to support easier communication of NMR data and NMR structures of proteins and nucleic acids through unified nomenclature and reporting standards. Much of this document pertains to the reporting of data in journal articles; however, in the interest of the future development of structural biology, it is desirable that the bulk of the reported information be stored in computer-accessible form and be freely accessible to the scientific community in standardized formats for data exchange. These recommendations stem from an IUPAC-IUBMB-IUPAB inter-union venture with the direct involvement of ICSU and CODATA. The Task Group has reviewed previous formal recommendations and has extended them in the light of more recent developments in the field of biomolecular NMR spectroscopy. Drafts of the recommendations presented here have been examined critically by more than 50 specialists in the field and have gone through two rounds of extensive modification to incorporate suggestions and criticisms.

Solution structure of a HNA-RNA hybrid.

BACKGROUND: Synthetic nucleic acid analogues with a conformationally restricted sugar-phosphate backbone are widely used in antisense strategies for biomedical and biochemical applications. The modified backbone protects the oligonucleotides against degradation within the living cell, which allows them to form stable duplexes with sequences in target mRNAs with the aim of arresting their translation. The biologically most active antisense oligonucleotides also trigger cleavage of the target RNA through activation of endogenous RNase H. Systematic studies of synthetic oligonucleotides have also been conducted to delineate the origin of the chirality of DNA and RNA that are both composed of D-nucleosides. RESULTS: Hexitol nucleic acids (HNA) are the first example of oligonucleotides with a six-membered carbohydrate moiety that can bind strongly and selectively to complementary RNA oligomers. We present the first high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance structure of a HNA oligomer bound to a complementary RNA strand. The HNA-RNA complex forms an anti-parallel heteroduplex and adopts a helical conformation that belongs to the A-type family. Possibly, due to the rigidity of the rigid chair conformation of the six-membered ring both the HNA and RNA strand in the duplex are well defined. The observed absence of end-fraying effects also indicate a reduced conformational flexibility of the HNA-RNA duplex compared to canonical dsRNA or an RNA-DNA duplex. CONCLUSIONS: The P-P distance across the minor groove, which is close to A-form, and the rigid conformation of the HNA-RNA complex, explain its resistance towards degradation by Rnase H. The A-form character of the HNA-RNA duplex and the reduced flexibility of the HNA strand is possibly responsible for the stereoselectivity of HNA templates in non-enzymatic replication of oligonucleotides, supporting the theory that nucleosides with six-membered rings could have existed at some stage in molecular evolution.

1H, 13C, and 15N resonance assignments of Fusarium solani pisi cutinase and preliminary features of the structure in solution.

Essentially complete (96%) sequence-specific assignments were made for the backbone and side-chain 1H, 13C, and 15N resonances of Fusarium solani pisi cutinase, produced as a 214-residue heterologous protein in Escherichia coli, using heteronuclear NMR techniques. Three structural features were noticed during the assignment. (1) The secondary structure in solution corresponds mostly with the structure from X-ray diffraction, suggesting that both structures are globally similar. (2) The HN of Ala32 has a strongly upfield-shifted resonance at 3.97 ppm, indicative of an amide-aromatic hydrogen bond to the indole ring of Trp69 that stabilizes the N-terminal side of the parallel beta-sheet. (3) The NMR data suggest that the residues constituting the oxyanion hole are quite mobile in the free enzyme in solution, in contrast to the existence of a preformed oxyanion hole as observed in the crystal structure. Apparently, cutinase forms its oxyanion hole upon binding of the substrate like true lipases.

Tryptophan mediated photoreduction of disulfide bond causes unusual fluorescence behaviour of Fusarium solani pisi cutinase.

The fluorescence signal of the single tryptophan residue (Trp69) of Fusarium solani pisi cutinase is highly quenched. However, prolonged irradiation of the enzyme in the tryptophan absorption band causes an increase of the tryptophan fluorescence quantum yield by an order of magnitude. By using a combination of NMR spectroscopy and chemical detection of free thiol groups with a sulfhydryl reagent we could unambiguously show that the unusual fluorescence behaviour of Trp69 in cutinase is caused by the breaking of the disulfide bond between Cys31 and Cys109 upon irradiation, while the amide-aromatic hydrogen bond between Ala32 and Trp69 remains intact. This is the first example of tryptophan mediated photoreduction of a disulfide bond in proteins.