Visualizing compaction of polysomes in bacteria.

During protein synthesis, many translating ribosomes are bound together with an mRNA molecule to form polysomes (or polyribosomes). While the spatial organization of bacterial polysomes has been well studied in vitro, little is known about how they cluster when cellular conditions are highly constrained. To better understand this, we used electron tomography, template matching, and three-dimensional modeling to analyze the supramolecular network of ribosomes after induction of translational pauses. In Escherichia coli, we overexpressed an mRNA carrying a polyproline motif known to induce pausing during translation. When working with a strain lacking transfer-messenger RNA, the principle actor in the "trans-translation" rescuing system, the cells survived the hijacking of the translation machinery but this resulted in a sharp modification of the ribosomal network. The results of our experiments demonstrate that single ribosomes are replaced with large amounts of compacted polysomes. These polysomes are highly organized, principally forming hairpins and dimers of hairpins that stack together. We propose that these spatial arrangements help maintain translation efficiency when the rescue systems are absent or overwhelmed.

Interaction network linking the human H3N2 influenza A virus genomic RNA segments.

The genome of influenza A viruses is comprised of eight negative-sense viral RNAs (vRNAs) that form viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs). In order to be infectious, an influenza A viral particle must encapsidate at least one copy of each of the vRNAs. Thus, even though genome segmentation is evolutionary advantageous, it undeniably complicates viral assembly, which is believed to occur through a selective mechanism that still remains to be understood. Using electron tomography 3D-reconstructions, we show that the eight vRNPs of an influenza A Moscow/10/99 (H3N2) virus are interconnected within a star-like structure as they emerge from a unique "transition zone" at the budding tip of the virions. Notably, this "transition zone" is thick enough to accommodate all described packaging signals. We also report that, in vitro, each vRNA segment is involved in a direct contact with at least one other vRNA partner, in a single network of intermolecular interactions. We show that in several cases, the regions involved in vRNA/vRNA interactions overlap with previously identified packaging signals. Our results thus provide support for the involvement of RNA/RNA interactions in the selection and specific packaging of influenza A genomic RNAs, which appear embedded into an organised supramolecular complex likely held together by direct base-pairings between packaging signals.

A supramolecular assembly formed by influenza A virus genomic RNA segments.

The influenza A virus genome consists of eight viral RNAs (vRNAs) that form viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs). Even though evidence supporting segment-specific packaging of vRNAs is accumulating, the mechanism ensuring selective packaging of one copy of each vRNA into the viral particles remains largely unknown. We used electron tomography to show that the eight vRNPs emerge from a common 'transition zone' located underneath the matrix layer at the budding tip of the virions, where they appear to be interconnected and often form a star-like structure. This zone appears as a platform in 3D surface rendering and is thick enough to contain all known packaging signals. In vitro, all vRNA segments are involved in a single network of intermolecular interactions. The regions involved in the strongest interactions were identified and correspond to known packaging signals. A limited set of nucleotides in the 5' region of vRNA 7 was shown to interact with vRNA 6 and to be crucial for packaging of the former vRNA. Collectively, our findings support a model in which the eight genomic RNA segments are selected and packaged as an organized supramolecular complex held together by direct base pairing of the packaging signals.

Importance of viral genomic composition in modulating glycoprotein content on the surface of influenza virus particles.

Despite progress in our knowledge of the internal organisation of influenza virus particles, little is known about the determinants of their morphology and, more particularly, of the actual abundance of structural proteins at the virion level. To address these issues, we used cryo-EM to focus on viral (and host) factors that might account for observed differences in virion morphology and characteristics such as size, shape and glycoprotein (GP) spike density. Twelve recombinant viruses were characterised in terms of their morphology, neuraminidase activity and virus growth. The genomic composition was shown to be important in determining the GP spike density. In particular, polymerase gene segments and especially PB1/PB2 were shown to have a prominent influence in addition to that for HA in determining GP spike density, a feature consistent with a functional link between these virus components important for virus fitness.

tmRNA-SmpB: a journey to the centre of the bacterial ribosome.

Ribosomes mediate protein synthesis by decoding the information carried by messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and catalysing peptide bond formation between amino acids. When bacterial ribosomes stall on incomplete messages, the trans-translation quality control mechanism is activated by the transfer-messenger RNA bound to small protein B (tmRNA-SmpB ribonucleoprotein complex). Trans-translation liberates the stalled ribosomes and triggers degradation of the incomplete proteins. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structures of tmRNA-SmpB accommodated or translocated into stalled ribosomes. Two atomic models for each state are proposed. This study reveals how tmRNA-SmpB crosses the ribosome and how, as the problematic mRNA is ejected, the tmRNA resume codon is placed onto the ribosomal decoding site by new contacts between SmpB and the nucleotides upstream of the tag-encoding sequence. This provides a structural basis for the transit of the large tmRNA-SmpB complex through the ribosome and for the means by which the tmRNA internal frame is set for translation to resume.

Accommodation of tmRNA-SmpB into stalled ribosomes: a cryo-EM study.

In eubacteria, translation of defective messenger RNAs (mRNAs) produces truncated polypeptides that stall on the ribosome. A quality control mechanism referred to as trans-translation is performed by transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA), a specialized RNA acting as both a tRNA and an mRNA, associated with small protein B (SmpB). So far, a clear view of the structural movements of both the protein and RNA necessary to perform accommodation is still lacking. By using a construct containing the tRNA-like domain as well as the extended helix H2 of tmRNA, we present a cryo-electron microscopy study of the process of accommodation. The structure suggests how tmRNA and SmpB move into the ribosome decoding site after the release of EF-Tu.GDP. While two SmpB molecules are bound per ribosome in a preaccommodated state, our results show that during accommodation the SmpB protein interacting with the small subunit decoding site stays in place while the one interacting with the large subunit moves away. Relative to canonical translation, an additional movement is observed due to the rotation of H2. This suggests that the larger movement required to resume translation on a tmRNA internal open reading frame starts during accommodation.

Parainfluenza virus type 5 (PIV-5) morphology revealed by cryo-electron microscopy.

The knowledge of parainfluenza type 5 (PIV-5) virion morphology is essentially based on the observation of negatively stained preparations in conventional transmission electron microscopy (CTEM). In this study, the ultrastructure of frozen-hydrated intact PIV-5 was examined by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Cryo-EM revealed a majority of spherical virions (70%), with a lower pleiomorphy than originally observed in CTEM. Phospholipid bilayer thickness, spike length and glycoprotein spikes density were measured. About 2000 glycoprotein spikes were present in an average-sized spherical virion. Altogether, these data depict a more precise view of PIV-5 morphology.

Apo-Hsp90 coexists in two open conformational states in solution.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Hsp90 (90 kDa heat-shock protein) plays a key role in the folding and activation of many client proteins involved in signal transduction and cell cycle control. The cycle of Hsp90 has been intimately associated with large conformational rearrangements, which are nucleotide-binding-dependent. However, up to now, our understanding of Hsp90 conformational changes derives from structural information, which refers to the crystal states of either recombinant Hsp90 constructs or the prokaryotic homologue HtpG (Hsp90 prokaryotic homologue). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Here, we present the first nucleotide-free structures of the entire eukaryotic Hsp90 (apo-Hsp90) obtained by small-angle X-ray scattering and single-particle cryo-EM (cryo-electron microscopy). We show that, in solution, apo-Hsp90 is in a conformational equilibrium between two open states that have never been described previously. By comparing our cryo-EM maps with HtpG and known Hsp90 structures, we establish that the structural changes involved in switching between the two Hsp90 apo-forms require large movements of the NTD (N-terminal domain) and MD (middle domain) around two flexible hinge regions. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows, for the first time, the structure of the entire eukaryotic apo-Hsp90, along with its intrinsic flexibility. Although large structural rearrangements, leading to partial closure of the Hsp90 dimer, were previously attributed to the binding of nucleotides, our results reveal that they are in fact mainly due to the intrinsic flexibility of Hsp90 dimer. Taking into account the preponderant role of the dynamic nature of the structure of Hsp90, we reconsider the Hsp90 ATPase cycle.

Supramolecular shuttle and protective agent: a multiple role of methylated cyclodextrins in the chemoselective hydrogenation of benzene derivatives with ruthenium nanoparticles.

Efficient chemoselectivities have been obtained in the hydrogenation of benzene derivatives under biphasic liquid-liquid conditions using Ru(0) nanoparticles stabilized and controlled by the relevant choice of cavity and methylation degree of cyclodextrins.

Aquaglyceroporins, one channel for two molecules.

In the light of the recently published structure of GlpF and AQP1, we have analysed the nature of the residues which could be involved in the formation of the selectivity filter of aquaporins, glycerol facilitators and aquaglyceroporins. We demonstrate that the functional specificity for major intrinsic protein (MIP) channels can be explained on one side by analysing the polar environment of the residues that form the selective filter. On the other side, we show that the channel selectivity could be associated with the oligomeric state of the membrane protein. We conclude that a non-polar environment in the vicinity of the top of helix 5 could allow aquaglyceroporins and GlpF to exist as monomers within the hydrophobic environment of the membrane.

Functional characterization of a microbial aquaglyceroporin.

The major intrinsic proteins (MIPs) constitute a widespread membrane channel family essential for osmotic cell equilibrium. The MIPs can be classified into three functional subgroups: aquaporins, glycerol facilitators and aquaglyceroporins. Bacterial MIP genes have been identified in archaea as well as in Gram-positive and Gram-negative eubacteria. However, with the exception of Escherichia coli, most bacterial MIPs have been analysed by sequence homology. Since no MIP has yet been functionally characterized in Gram-positive bacteria, we have studied one of these members from Lactococcus lactis. This MIP is shown to be permeable to glycerol, like E. coli GlpF, and to water, like E. coli AqpZ. This is the first characterization of a microbial MIP that has a mixed function. This result provides important insights to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the MIP family and to elucidate the molecular pathway of water and other solutes in these channels.

A functional water channel protein in the pathogenic bacterium Brucella abortus.

The gene for a new bacterial aquaporin, AqpX, was cloned from the pathogenic Gram-negative bacterium Brucella abortus. The gene was mapped on the large chromosome of B. abortus. It is flanked by one upstream and two downstream copies of the Brucella repeated sequence Bru-RS. Prediction from the nucleotide sequence indicated that the protein is a member of the MIP family, which comprises channels for water and/or solute transport. Expression in Xenopus oocytes and cryoelectron microscopy of Escherichia coli cells transformed with the aqpX gene confirmed that the protein is an efficient water channel. Glycerol uptake experiments in E. coli also showed that the protein is not able to transport glycerol.