Non-Watson–Crick base pairs mediate specific interactions responsible for RNA–RNA self-assembly and RNA–protein recognition. An unambiguous and descriptive nomenclature with well-defined and nonoverlapping parameters is needed to communicate concisely structural information about RNA base pairs. The definitions should reflect underlying molecular structures and interactions and, thus, facilitate automated annotation, classification, and comparison of new RNA structures. We propose a classification based on the observation that the planar edge-to-edge, hydrogen-bonding interactions between RNA bases involve one of three distinct edges: the Watson–Crick edge, the Hoogsteen edge, and the Sugar edge (which includes the 2′-OH and which has also been referred to as the Shallow-groove edge). Bases can interact in either of two orientations with respect to the glycosidic bonds, cis or trans relative to the hydrogen bonds. This gives rise to 12 basic geometric types with at least two H bonds connecting the bases. For each geometric type, the relative orientations of the strands can be easily deduced. High-resolution examples of 11 of the 12 geometries are presently available. Bifurcated pairs, in which a single exocyclic carbonyl or amino group of one base directly contacts the edge of a second base, and water-inserted pairs, in which single functional groups on each base interact directly, are intermediate between two of the standard geometries. The nomenclature facilitates the recognition of isosteric relationships among base pairs within each geometry, and thus facilitates the recognition of recurrent three-dimensional motifs from comparison of homologous sequences. Graphical conventions are proposed for displaying non-Watson–Crick interactions on a secondary structure diagram. The utility of the classification in homology modeling of RNA tertiary motifs is illustrated.

A small ribozyme ligase (L1) selected from a random sequence population appears to utilize non-Watson–Crick base pairs at its ligation junction. Mutational and selection analyses confirmed the presence of these base pairings. Randomization of the L1 core and selection of active ligases yielded highly active variants whose rates were on the order of 1 min−1. Base-pairing covariations confirmed the general secondary structure of the ligase, and the most active ligases contained a novel pentuple sequence covariation. The optimized L1 ligases may be optimal within their sequence spaces, and minimal ligases that span less than 60 nt in length have been engineered based on these results.

Allosteric ribozymes are engineered RNAs that operate as molecular switches whose rates of catalytic activity are modulated by the binding of specific effector molecules. New RNA molecular switches can be created by using “allosteric selection,” a molecular engineering process that combines modular rational design and in vitro evolution strategies. In this report, we describe the characterization of 3′,5′-cyclic nucleotide monophosphate (cNMP)-dependent hammerhead ribozymes that were created using allosteric selection (Koizumi et al., Nat Struct Biol, 1999, 6:1062–1071). Artificial phylogeny data generated by random mutagenesis and reselection of existing cGMP-, cCMP-, and cAMP-dependent ribozymes indicate that each is comprised of distinct effector-binding and catalytic domains. In addition, patterns of nucleotide covariation and direct mutational analysis both support distinct secondary-structure organizations for the effector-binding domains. Guided by these structural models, we were able to disintegrate each allosteric ribozyme into separate ligand-binding and catalytic modules. Examinations of the independent effector-binding domains reveal that each retains its corresponding cNMP-binding function. These results validate the use of allosteric selection and modular engineering as a means of simultaneously generating new nucleic acid structures that selectively bind ligands. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the binding affinity of an allosteric ribozyme can be improved through random mutagenesis and allosteric selection under conditions that favor tighter binding. This “affinity maturation” effect is expected to be a valuable attribute of allosteric selection as future endeavors seek to apply engineered allosteric ribozymes as biosensor components and as controllable genetic switches.

Although the hammerhead reaction proceeds most efficiently in divalent cations, cleavage in 4 M LiCl is only ∼10-fold slower than under standard conditions of 10 mM MgCl2 (Murray et al., Chem Biol, 1998, 5:587–595; Curtis & Bartel, RNA, 2001, this issue, pp. 546–552). To determine if the catalytic mechanism with high concentrations of monovalent cations is similar to that with divalent cations, we compared the activities of a series of modified hammerhead ribozymes in the two ionic conditions. Nearly all of the modifications have similar deleterious effects under both reaction conditions, suggesting that the hammerhead adopts the same general catalytic structure with both monovalent and divalent cations. However, modification of three ligands previously implicated in the binding of a functional divalent metal ion have substantially smaller effects on the cleavage rate in Li+ than in Mg2+. This result suggests that an interaction analogous to the interaction made by this divalent metal ion is absent in the monovalent reaction. Although the contribution of this divalent metal ion to the overall reaction rate is relatively modest, its presence is needed to achieve the full catalytic rate. The role of this ion appears to be in facilitating formation of the active structure, and any direct chemical role of metal ions in hammerhead catalysis is small.

Recently, Murray et al. (Chem Biol, 1998, 5:587–595) found that the hammerhead ribozyme does not require divalent metal ions for activity if incubated in high (≥1 M) concentrations of monovalent ions. We further characterized the hammerhead cleavage reaction in the absence of divalent metal. The hammerhead is active in a wide range of monovalent ions, and the rate enhancement in 4 M Li+ is only 20-fold less than that in 10 mM Mg2+. Among the Group I monovalent metals, rate correlates in a log-linear manner with ionic radius. The pH dependence of the reaction is similar in 10 mM Mg2+, 4 M Li+, and 4 M Na+. The exchange-inert metal complex Co(NH3)63+ also supports substantial hammerhead activity. These results suggest that a metal ion does not act as a base in the reaction, and that the effects of different metal ions on hammerhead cleavage rates primarily reflect structural contributions to catalysis.

We have analyzed by nucleotide analog interference mapping (NAIM) pools of precursor or mature tRNA molecules, carrying a low level of Rp-RMPαS (R = A, G, I) or Rp-c7-deaza-RMPαS (R = A, G) modifications, to identify functional groups that contribute to the specific interaction with and processing efficiency by Escherichia coli RNase P RNA. The majority of interferences were found in the acceptor stem, T arm, and D arm, including the strongest effects observed at positions G19, G53, A58, and G71. In some cases (interferences at G5, G18, and G71), the affected functional groups are candidates for direct contacts with RNase P RNA. Several modifications disrupt intramolecular tertiary contacts known to stabilize the authentic tRNA fold. Such indirect interference effects were informative as well, because they allowed us to compare the structural constraints required for ptRNA processing versus product binding. Our ptRNA processing and mature tRNA binding NAIM analyses revealed overlapping but nonidentical patterns of interference effects, suggesting that substrate binding and cleavage involves binding modes or conformational states distinct from the binding mode of mature tRNA, the product of the reaction.

Eukaryotic RNase P and RNase MRP are endoribonucleases composed of RNA and protein subunits. The RNA subunits of each enzyme share substantial secondary structural features, and most of the protein subunits are shared between the two. One of the conserved RNA subdomains, designated P3, has previously been shown to be required for nucleolar localization. Phylogenetic sequence analysis suggests that the P3 domain interacts with one of the proteins common to RNase P and RNase MRP, a conclusion strengthened by an earlier observation that the essential domain can be interchanged between the two enzymes. To examine possible functions of the P3 domain, four conserved nucleotides in the P3 domain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNase P RNA (RPR1) were randomized to create a library of all possible sequence combinations at those positions. Selection of functional genes in vivo identified permissible variations, and viable clones that caused yeast to exhibit conditional growth phenotypes were tested for defects in RNase P RNA and tRNA biosynthesis. Under nonpermissive conditions, the mutants had reduced maturation of the RPR1 RNA precursor, an expected phenotype in cases where RNase P holoenzyme assembly is defective. This loss of RPR1 RNA maturation coincided, as expected, with a loss of pre-tRNA maturation characteristic of RNase P defects. To test whether mutations at the conserved positions inhibited interactions with a particular protein, specific binding of the individual protein subunits to the RNA subunit was tested in yeast using the three-hybrid system. Pop1p, the largest subunit shared by RNases P and MRP, bound specifically to RPR1 RNA and the isolated P3 domain, and this binding was eliminated by mutations at the conserved P3 residues. These results indicate that Pop1p interacts with the P3 domain common to RNases P and MRP, and that this interaction is critical in the maturation of RNase P holoenzyme.

The human immunodeficiency virus type-1 matrix protein (HIV-1 MA) is a multifunctional structural protein synthesized as part of the Pr55 gag polyprotein. We have used in vitro genetic selection to identify an RNA consensus sequence that specifically interacts with MA (Kd = 5 × 10−7 M). This 13-nt MA binding consensus sequence bears a high degree of homology (77%) to a region (nt 1433–1446) within the POL open reading frame of the HIV-1 genome (consensus sequence from 38 HIV-1 strains). Chemical interference experiments identified the nucleotides within the MA binding consensus sequence involved in direct contact with MA. We further demonstrate that this RNA–protein interaction is mediated through a stretch of basic amino acids within MA. Mutations that disrupt the interaction between MA and its RNA binding site within the HIV-1 genome resulted in a measurable decrease in viral replication.

Some studies suggest that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) requires downstream 5′ viral polyprotein-coding sequence for efficient initiation of translation, but the role of this RNA sequence in internal ribosome entry remains unresolved. We confirmed that the inclusion of viral sequence downstream of the AUG initiator codon increased IRES-dependent translation of a reporter RNA encoding secretory alkaline phosphatase, but found that efficient translation of chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) required no viral sequence downstream of the initiator codon. However, deletion of an adenosine-rich domain near the 5′ end of the CAT sequence, or the insertion of a small stable hairpin structure (ΔG = −18 kcal/mol) between the HCV IRES and CAT sequences (hpCAT) substantially reduced IRES-mediated translation. Although translation could be restored to both mutants by the inclusion of 14 nt of the polyprotein-coding sequence downstream of the AUG codon, a mutational analysis of the inserted protein-coding sequence demonstrated no requirement for either a specific nucleotide or amino acid-coding sequence to restore efficient IRES-mediated translation to hpCAT. Similar results were obtained with the structurally and phylogenetically related IRES elements of classical swine fever virus and GB virus B. We conclude that there is no absolute requirement for viral protein-coding sequence with this class of IRES elements, but that there is a requirement for an absence of stable RNA structure immediately downstream of the AUG initiator codon. Stable RNA structure immediately downstream of the initiator codon inhibits internal initiation of translation but, in the case of hpCAT, did not reduce the capacity of the RNA to bind to purified 40S ribosome subunits. Thus, stable RNA structure within the 5′ proximal protein-coding sequence does not alter the capacity of the IRES to form initial contacts with the 40S subunit, but appears instead to prevent the formation of subsequent interactions between the 40S subunit and viral RNA in the vicinity of the initiator codon that are essential for efficient internal ribosome entry.

Previously we described an in vitro selection variant abbreviated SERF (in vitro selection from random rRNA fragments) that identifies protein binding sites within large RNAs. With this method, a small rRNA fragment derived from the 23S rRNA was isolated that binds simultaneously and independently the ribosomal proteins L4 and L24 from Escherichia coli. Until now the rRNA structure within the ternary complex L24–rRNA–L4 could not be studied due to the lack of an appropriate experimental strategy. Here we tackle the issue by separating the various complexes via native gel-electrophoresis and analyzing the rRNA structure by in-gel iodine cleavage of phosphorothioated RNA. The results demonstrate that during the transition from either the L4 or L24 binary complex to the ternary complex the structure of the rRNA fragment changes significantly. The identified protein binding sites are in excellent agreement with the recently reported crystal structure of the 50S subunit. Because both proteins play a prominent role in early assembly of the large subunit, the results suggest that the identified rRNA fragment is a key element for the folding of the 23S RNA during early assembly. The introduced in-gel cleavage method should be useful when an RNA structure within mixed populations of different but related complexes should be studied.

Although ribozymes offer tremendous potential for posttranscriptionally controlling expression of targeted genes, their utility is often limited by the accessibility of the targeted regions within the RNA transcripts. Here we describe a method that identifies RNA regions that are accessible to oligonucleotides. Based on this selection protocol, we show that construction of hammerhead ribozymes targeted to the identified regions results in catalytic activities that are consistently and substantially greater than those of ribozymes designed on the basis of computer modeling. Identification of accessible sites should also be widely applicable to design of antisense oligonucleotides and DNAzymes.

The well-studied interaction between the MS2 coat protein and its cognate hairpin was used to test the utility of the methylphosphonate linkage as a phosphate analog. A nitrocellulose filter binding assay was used to measure the change in binding affinity upon introduction of a single methylphosphonate stereoisomer at 13 different positions in the RNA hairpin. Comparing these data to the available crystal structure of the complex shows that all phosphates that are in proximity to the protein show a weaker binding affinity when substituted with a phosphorothioate and control positions show no change. However, in two cases, a methylphosphonate isomer either increased or decreased the binding affinity where no interaction can be detected in the crystal structure. It is possible that methylphosphonate substitutions at these positions affect the structure or flexibility of the hairpin. The utility of the methylphosphonate substitution is compared to phosphate ethylation and phosphorothioate substitution experiments previously performed on the same system.

RNA affinity tags would be very useful for the study of RNAs and ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) as a means for rapid detection, immobilization, and purification. To develop a new affinity tag, streptavidin-binding RNA ligands, termed “aptamers,” were identified from a random RNA library using in vitro selection. Individual aptamers were classified into two groups based on common sequences, and representative members of the groups had sufficiently low dissociation constants to suggest they would be useful affinity tools. Binding of the aptamers to streptavidin was blocked by presaturation of the streptavidin with biotin, and biotin could be used to dissociate RNA/streptavidin complexes. To investigate the practicality of using the aptamer as an affinity tag, one of the higher affinity aptamers was inserted into RPR1 RNA, the large RNA subunit of RNase P. The aptamer-tagged RNase P could be specifically isolated using commercially available streptavidin-agarose and recovered in a catalytically active form when biotin was used as an eluting agent under mild conditions. The aptamer tag was also used to demonstrate that RNase P exists in a monomeric form, and is not tightly associated with RNase MRP, a closely related ribonucleoprotein enzyme. These results show that the streptavidin aptamers are potentially powerful tools for the study of RNAs or RNPs.

Due to a printing error, Figures 3 and 5 of “The stem-loop binding protein forms a highly stable and specific complex with the 3′ stem-loop of histone mRNAs” by Battle and Doudna in RNA 7-1 (pages 123–132) were reproduced incorrectly, without shaded grey areas. Herewith are the figures correctly pictured. The Editor and Publisher regret the mistake.