[Replacement of Hydroxylated His39 in Ribosomal Protein uL15 with Ala or Thr Impairs the Translational Activity of Human Ribosomes].

Post-translational hydroxylation occurs in three mammalian ribosomal proteins, uS12, uL2, and uL15, which are located in the small (S) and large (L) subunits of the ribosome near the most important decoding and peptidyltransferase functional centers. We have used cell cultures, which produce protein uL15 labeled with the 3xFLAG epitope at the C-terminus (uL15^(3xFLAG)) or mutant forms of uL15^(3xFLAG) that contain His39Ala, His39Thr, or His40Ala substitutions, to examine the role of hydroxylated His39 of uL15 in maintaining the translational activity of ribosomes. It has been found that exogenous uL15^(3xFLAG) is able to functionally replace endogenous uL15 in HEK293 cells transfected with an appropriate DNA construct. However, the translational activity of ribosomes decreases by about 35% in cells that produce the above mutant forms of uL15^(3xFLAG) compared with that in cells that produce nonmutated uL15^(3xFLAG). Analysis of the structural model of the human ribosome has allowed us to assume that the hydroxyl group in His39 is involved in the local stabilization of the ribosome structure through the formation of a hydrogen bond between this group and the nitrogen atom of the His40 imidazole ring. Given that His39 is located near the E site of the ribosome, we believe that this stabilization of the ribosome structure ensures the maintenance of its translational activity.

[Common features in arrangements of ribosomal protein S26e binding sites on its own pre-mRNA and the 18S rRNA].

It is known that human ribosomal protein (rp) S26e can bind to the first intron of its own pre-mRNA and thereby inhibit its splicing. In this work, hydroxyl radical footprinting was applied for detailed mapping of the rpS26e binding site on an RNA transcript corresponding to the rpS26e pre-mRNA fragment containing the first intron flanked by the first exon and a part of the second exon sequences. Nucleotides of this RNA protected from hydroxyl radical attack in the presence of rpS26e were identified. Most of them are found in the region of the 3'-splice site of the first intron within a purine-rich sequence, which forms a loop connecting two helices in the predicted secondary structure of the rpS26e pre-mRNA fragment, and the remaining nucleotides are located near the 5'-splice site. Comparison of arrangements of rpS26e binding sites on the pre-mRNA and 18S rRNA secondary structures reveals similar elements in the organization of these sites. It was found that both sites contain a structural motif, represented by an extended purine-rich loop between two helices, which could be recognized by rpS26e upon binding to these RNAs. The data obtained shed light on the structural aspects of RNA-protein interactions underlying autoregulation of human RPS26e gene expression at the splicing step.

[Mg2+ ions affect the structure of the central domain of the 18S rRNA in the vicinity of the ribosomal protein S13 binding site].

It is known that Mg2+ ions at high concentrations stabilize the structure of the 16S rRNA in a conformation favorable for binding to the ribosomal proteins in the course of the eubacterial 30S ribosomal subunits assembly in vitro. Effect of Mg2+ on the formation of the 18S rRNA structure at the 40S subunit assembly remains poorly explored. In this paper, we show that the sequentional increase of the Mg2+ concentration from 0.5 mM to 20 mM leads to a significant decrease of the affinity of recombinant human ribosomal protein S13 (rpS13e) to a RNA transcript corresponding to the central domain fragment of the 18S rRNA (18SCD). The regions near the rpS13e binding site in 18SCD (including the nucleotides of helices H20 and H22), whose availabilities to hydroxyl radicals were dependent on the Mg2+ concentration, were determined. It was found that increase of the concentrations of Mg2+ results in the enhanced accessibilities of nucleotides G933-C937 and C1006-A1009 in helix H22 and reduces those of nucleotides A1023, A1024, and A1028-S1026 in the helix H20. Comparison of the results obtained with the crystallographic data on the structure of the central domain of 18S rRNA in the 40S ribosomal subunit led to conclusion that increase of Mg2+ concentrations results in the reorientation of helices H20 and H24 relatively helices H22 and H23 to form a structure, in which these helices are positioned the same way as in 40S subunits. Hence, saturation of the central domain of 18S rRNA with coordinated Mg2+ ions causes the same changes in its structure as rpS13e binding does, and leads to decreasing of this domain affinity to the protein.

Proteins of the human 40S ribosomal subunit involved in hepatitis C IRES binding as revealed from fluorescent labeling.

Initiation of translation of genomic RNA (gRNA) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is provided by a highly structured fragment in its 5'-untranslated region, the so-called Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES). In this work, the exposed NH2-groups of proteins in the 40S subunit of the human ribosome and in its binary complexes with RNA transcripts corresponding to the full-size HCV IRES or its fragments were probed using the N-hydroxysuccinimide derivative of the fluorescent dye Cy3. Comparison of efficiencies of modification of ribosomal proteins in free subunits and in their binary complexes with the RNA transcripts revealed ribosomal proteins involved in the HCV IRES binding. It was found that binding of the 40S subunits with the RNA transcript corresponding to full-size HCV IRES results in a decrease in modification levels of ribosomal protein (rp) S27 and, to a lesser extent of rpS10; also, a noticeable decrease in the efficiency of labeling of proteins RACK1/S2/S3a was observed. When a fragment of HCV IRES containing the initial part of the open reading frame (ORF) of the viral gRNA was deleted, the level of rpS10 modification became the same as in free subunits, whereas the levels of modification of rpS27 and the RACK1/S2/S3a group remained virtually unchanged compared to those observed in the complex of 40S subunit with the full-size HCV IRES. Binding of 40S subunits to a fragment of the HCV IRES lacking an ORF and domain II increased the modification level of the RACK1/S2/S3a proteins, while the efficiencies of labeling of rpS10 and rpS27 remained the same as upon the deletion of the ORF fragment. Comparison of these results with known structural and biochemical data on the organization of 40S subunit and the location of the HCV IRES on it revealed structural elements of the IRES contacting exposed lysine residues of the above-mentioned ribosomal proteins. Thus, it was found that the majority of exposed lysine residues of rpS27 are involved in the binding of the HCV IRES region formed by the junction of subdomains IIIa, IIIb, and IIIc with the central stalk of domain III, and that several lysine residues of rpS10 participate in the binding of the HCV IRES region corresponding to the initial part of the ORF of the viral gRNA. In addition, we concluded that lysine residues of rpS3a are involved in the binding of domains II and III of HCV IRES.

[Fragment of mRNA coding part that is complementary to region 1638-1650 of wheat 18S rRNA functions as a translational enhancer].

Possible involvement of 18S rRNA fragment 1638-1650 including basements of the helices h44 and h28 and nucleotides of the ribosomal decoding site in the cap-independent translation initiation on plant ribosomes is studied. This rRNA fragment is shown to be accessible for complementary interactions within the 40S ribosomal subunit. It is found that the sequence complementary to the 18S rRNA fragment 1638-1650 is able to enhance efficiency of a reporter mRNA translation when placed just after the initiation codon. The results obtained indicate that in the course of the cap-independent translation initiation, complementary interactions can occur between mRNA coding sequence and 18S rRNA fragment in the region of the ribosomal decoding site.

[Probable involvement of 3'-terminal segment of 18S rRNA in translation initiation of uncapped mRNAs in plants].

A possibility of involvement of 3'-terminal 18S rRNA segment in the cap-independent initiation of translation on plant ribosomes was studied. It was shown that 3-terminal segment (nucleotides 1777-1811) of 18S rRNA including the last hairpin 45 is accessible for complementary interactions in 40S ribosomal subunits. Oligonucleotides complementary to this segment of rRNA when added to wheat germ cell-free protein synthesizing system were found to specifically inhibit translation of uncapped reporter mRNA coding for beta-glucuronidase, which bears in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) a leader sequence of potato virus Y (PVY) genomic RNA possessing fragments complementary to the region 1777-1811. It was shown that a sequence corresponding to nucleotides 291-316 of PVY, which is complementary to a major portion of the 3-terminal 18S rRNA segment 1777-1808, when placed into 5'-UTR, is able to enhance translational efficiency of the reporter mRNAs. The results obtained suggest that complementary interactions between mRNA 5'-UTR and 18S rRNA 3'-terminal segment can take place in the course of cap-independent translation initiation.

[Binding of human ribosomal protein S13 to the central domain of 18S rRNA].

Human ribosomal protein S13 is a structural element of the small subunit of ribosome. It is a homologue of eubacterial ribosomal protein S15, and, besides, it possesses an extended N-terminal region, characteristic of the S15p family in eukaryotes and archaea. In the present study, we investigated binding of recombinant ribosomal protein S13 and its mutants containing deletions or substitutions of amino acid residues in different regions with an RNA transcript corresponding to a fragment of the central domain of 18S rRNA. We found that replacement of ultra-conservative residues H101 and D108 as well as deletions of either 29 C-terminal or 27 N-terminal residues substantially reduced affinity of the protein to the RNA transcript. Deletion of 54 C-terminal or 80 N-terminal residues completely deprived the protein of binding capacity. Using a footprinting assay, we identified sites in the RNA transcript changing their accessibilities to action of hydroxyl radicals under binding of either full-length protein S13 or its mutant lacking 27 N-terminal residues. It is shown that these sites are located mainly in helix H22 of the 18S rRNA and in the region of its junction with helix H20 and are consistent predominantly with contacts of the rRNA with the conserved part of the protein. We concluded that binding of ribosomal protein S13 to 18S rRNA is provided mainly by conserved motifs of the protein corresponding to those motifs in its eubacterial homologue that are involved in the interaction with 16S rRNA in the 30S subunit. Role of the N-terminal region of the protein in its binding to the central domain of 18S rRNA is discussed.

[Region 1112-1123 in the central domain of 18S rRNA in 40S subunits of plant ribosomes: accessibility for complementary interactions and the functional role].

The binding of the 18S RNA of the 40S subunits of wheat germ ribosomes to an oligodeoxyribonucleotide complementary to the 1112-1123 region of the central domain of this RNA molecule has been studied. The selective binding of this oligomer to the complementary RNA fragment and the inhibition of the translation of uncapped chimeric RNA containing enhancer sequences in the 5'-untranslated region upstream of the reporter sequence coding for beta-glucuronidase has been shown in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system. The use of a derivative of the aforementioned oligomer containing an alkylating group at the 5' end allowed for the demonstration that the 1112-1123 region of 18S RNA can form a heteroduplex with the complementary sequence of the oligomer. The data obtained show that the 1112-1123 region in loop 27 of the central domain of 18S RNA of 40S ribosomal subunits is exposed on the subunit surface and probably participates in the cap-independent binding of the subunits to mRNA due to the complementary interaction with the enhancer sequences.

[Human ribosomal protein S16 inhibites excision of the first intron from its own].

Recombinant human ribosomal protein S16 (rpS16) is shown to bind specifically to a fragment of its own pre-mRNA that includes exons 1 and 2, intron 1, and part of intron 2, and to inhibit the splicing of the fragment in vitro. The weaker binding of other recombinant human ribosomal proteins, S10 and S13, to this pre-mRNA fragment indicated that the binding of rpS16 was specific. Besides, poly(AU) and rpS16 mRNA fragment affected poorly the binding of rpS16 to its pre-mRNA, providing another evidence that the interaction was specific. RpS16 specifically inhibited the pre-mRNA fragment splicing whereas recombinant rpS10 and rpS16 did not affect excision of intron from this pre-mRNA fragment in contrast to rpS16. Those positions in rpS16 pre-mRNA fragment that were protected by rpS16 against cleavage by RNases T1, T2 and V1 were found to be located closely to the branch point and 3' splice site in the pre-mRNA. Results obtained support the possibility of the autoregulation of rpS13 pre-mRNA splicing through feedback mechanism.

C-terminal fragment of human laminin-binding protein contains a receptor domain for venezuelan equine encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis viruses.

Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies (MABs) to human laminin-binding protein (LBP) can efficiently block the penetration of some alpha- and flaviviruses into the cell. A panel of 13 types of MABs to human recombinant LBP was used for more detailed study of the mechanism of this process. Competitive analysis has shown that MABs to LBP can be divided into six different competition groups. MABs 4F6 and 8E4 classified under competition groups 3 and 4 can inhibit the replication of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), which is indicative of their interaction with the receptor domain of LBP providing for binding with virions. According to enzyme immunoassay and immunoblotting data, polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies to MABs 4F6 and 8E4 modeling paratopes of the LBP receptor domain can specifically interact with VEEV E2 protein and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) E protein. Mapping of binding sites of MABs 4F6 and 8E4 with LBP by constructing short deletion fragments of the human LBP molecule has shown that MAB 8E4 interacts with the fragment of amino acid residues 187-210, and MAB 4F6 interacts with the fragment of residues 263-278 of LBP protein, which is represented by two TEDWS peptides separated by four amino acid residues. This suggested that the LBP receptor domain interacting with VEEV E2 and TBEV E viral proteins is located at the C-terminal fragment of the LBP molecule. A model of the spatial structure of the LBP receptor domain distally limited by four linear loops (two of which are represented by experimentally mapped regions of amino acid residues 187-210 and 263-278) as well as the central beta-folded region turning into the alpha-helical site including residues 200-216 of the LBP molecule and providing for the interaction with the laminin-1 molecule has been proposed.

[Mutual effect of human ribosomal proteins S5 and S16 on their binding with 18S rRNA fragment 1203-1236/1521-1698].

Human ribosomal proteins S5 and S16 are homologues of prokaryotic ribosomal proteins S7p and S9p, respectively, that according to X-ray crystallography data on the Thermus thermophilus 30S ribosomal subunit contact the 3'-terminal 16S rRNA region formed by helices H28-H30 and H38-H43. In the present work we report studying mutual effect of human ribosomal proteins S5 and S16 on their binding with RNA transcript corresponding to the region 1203-1236/1521-1698 of the 18S rRNA (helices H28-30 and H41-43), which is homologous to thel6S rRNA region known to contain binding site of S7p and part of binding site of S9p. It was shown that simultaneous binding of ribosomal proteins S5 and S16 with this RNA transcript causes conformational changes in it stabilizing the complex by involvement of new parts of the RNA that interact with neither S5 nor S16 in the respective binary complexes.

[Molecular environment of the IIId subdomain of the IRES element of hepatitits C virus RNA on the human 40S ribosomal subunit].

The molecular environment of the key subdomain IIId of the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the binary complex with the human 40S ribosomal subunit was studied. To this end, HCV IRES derivatives bearing perfluorophenylazido groups activatable by mild UV at nucleotide G263 or A275 in the subdomain IIId stem were used. They were prepared by the complementarily addressed modification of the corresponding RNA transcript with alkylating oligodeoxynucleotide derivatives. None of the RNA derivatives were shown to be crosslinked to the 18S rRNA. It was found that the photoreactive groups of the IRES G263 and A275 nucleotides are crosslinked to ribosomal proteins S3a, S14, and S16. For the IRES derivative with the photoreactive group in nucleotide G263, the degree of modification of proteins S14 and S16 was greater than that of S3a, whereas the derivative containing the same photoreactive group in nucleotide A275 was mainly crosslinked to proteins S3a and S14. An analysis of the data led to the conclusion that, in the binary complex of HCV IRES elements with the small subunit of the 80S ribosome, its subdomain IIId stem is located on the outer subunit surface between the head and the body next to the "beak" near the exit of mRNA from the ribosome.

[Binding of the IRES of hepatitis C virus RNA to the 40S ribosomal subunit: role of protein p40].

Ribosomal protein p40 is a structural component of the 40S ribosomal subunit, which is partially homologuos to prokaryotic ribosomal protein S2 and has a long eukaryote-specific C-terminal region. In the present work, we have studied the binding of the Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA to the 40S ribosomal subunit either deficient on protein p40, or saturated with the recombinant p40, or pre-bound to monoclonal antibodies (MAB) 4F6 against p40. It was shown that the apparent association constant of HCV IRES binding to 40S subunits directly depends on p40 content in the subunits. Binding of MAB 4F6 against p40 to 40S subunits prevented the HCV IRES binding by the subunits and blocked translation of the IRES-containing RNA in cell-free translation system. The data obtained point to the involvement of the ribosomal protein p40 in the binding of the HCV IRES by ribosomes and therefore in initiation of translation of RNA of this virus.

[Protein S3 fragments neighboring mRNA during elongation and translation termination on the human ribosome].

Protein S3 fragments were determined that crosslink to modified mRNA analogues in positions +5 to +12 relative to the first nucleotide in the P-site binding codon in model complexes mimicking states of ribosomes at the elongation and translation termination steps. The mRNA analogues contained a Phe codon UUU/UUC at the 5'-termini that could predetermine the position of the tRNA(Phe) on the ribosome by the location of P-site binding and perfluorophenylazidobenzoyl group at a nucleotide in various positions 3' of the UUU/UUC codon. The crosslinked S3 protein was isolated from 80S ribosomal complexes irradiated with mild UV light and subjected to cyanogen bromide-induced cleavage at methionine residues with subsequent identification of the crosslinked oligopeptides. An analysis of the positions of modified oligopeptides resulting from the cleavage showed that, in dependence on the positions of modified nucleotides in the mRNA analogue, the crosslinking sites were found in the N-terminal half of the protein (fragment 2-127) and/or in the C-terminal fragment 190-236; the latter reflects a new peculiarity in the structure of the mRNA binding center in the ribosome, unknown to date. The results of crosslinking did not depend on the type of A-site codon or on the presence of translation termination factor eRF1.

[C-terminal fragment of ribosomal protein S15 is located at the decoding site of the human ribosome].

Protein S15 is a characteristic component of the mammalian 80S ribosome that neighbors mRNA codon at the decoding site and the downstream triplets. In this study we determined S15 protein fragments located close to mRNA positions +4 to +12 with respect to the first nucleotide of the P site codon on the human ribosome. For cross-linking to ribosomal protein S15, a set of mRNA was used that contained triplet UUU/UUC at the 5'-termini and a perfluorophenyl azide-modified uridine in position 3' of this triplet. The locations of mRNA analogues on the ribosome were governed by tRNAPhe cognate to the UUU/UUC triplet targeted to the P site. Cross-linked S15 protein was isolated from the irradiated with mild UV light complexes of 80S ribosomes with tRNAPhe and mRNA analogues with subsequent cleavage with CNBr that splits polypeptide chain after methionines. Analysis of modified oligopeptides resulted from the cleavage revealed that in all cases cross-linking site was located in C-terminal fragment 111-145 of protein S15 indicating that this fragment is involved in formation of decoding site of the eukaryotic ribosome.

[Interactions of human ribosomal protein S3 with undamaged and damaged DNA].

Human S3 protein (hS3) is a structural component of the ribosome, which, in addition to its role in translation, possesses activities typical of some DNA repair enzymes. Recombinant hS3 purified from inclusion bodies and refolded under different conditions was investigated for its ability to bind and cleave oligodeoxyribonucleotide substrates containing different lesions abundant in cellular DNA (apurine/apyrimidine sites, uracil, 8-oxoguanine, 8-oxoadenine, 5,6-dihydrouracil, hypoxanthine). hS3 catalyzed cleavage of apurine/apyrimidine sites through beta-elimination mechanism forming a transient Schiff base covalent intermediate, but did not cleave substrates containing other lesions. Refolding of hS3 in the presence of Fe2+ and S2- ions did not increase its activity, despite the earlier suggestions that this protein could contain an iron-sulfur cluster. Binding of hS3 to DNA ligands containing oxidized and deaminated bases was less efficient than its binding to undamaged DNA. Therefore, the activity of hS3 on apurine/apyrimidine sites is not likely to be involved in the global in vivo DNA repair but could have a role in the repair in some specific locations in the genome.

[The environment of tRNA 3'-terminus in 80S ribosome A and P sites].

The environment of tRNA 3'-terminus in the 80S ribosomal A and P sites was studied with a tRNA(Asp) analogue that bears a 4-thiouridine residue (s4U) attached to the 3'-terminal adenosine. The tRNA(Asp) analogue was obtained by in vitro T7 transcription followed by crosslinking with [32P]ps4Up and removal of the 3'-terminal phosphate. It was shown that the presence of the additional nucleotide at the 3'-end does not to hinder the codon-dependent binding of the tRNA to the A and P sites of 80S ribosome. Mild UV-irradiation of the ribosomal complexes containing a short appropriately designed mRNA and the tRNA analogue resulted in crosslinking of the analogue exclusively to 28S rRNA. The crosslinking was completely dependent on the presence of s4U in the tRNA analogue. Using hydrolysis of the crosslinked 28S rRNA with RNase H in the presence of deoxyoligomers complementary to various rRNA sequences, we determined that the crosslinking occurred in fragment 4302-4540 of the 28S rRNA. This fragment is evolutionarily conservative and belongs to domain V that is involved in the formation of the peptidyl transferase site in prokaryotic ribosomes. The use of reverse transcription allowed the determination of the tRNA analogue crosslinking in the P site to nucleotides U4461 and U4502, and the analogue in the A site, to nucleotides U4469 and C4507. In addition, nucleotide C4462 was crosslinked to both P site and A site-bound tRNA analogue. An analysis of the results demonstrates that environments of the tRNA 3'-termini are closely similar in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes.

[Binding of human ribosomal protein p40 and its truncated mutants to the small ribosomal subunit].

Ribosomal protein SA (rpSA) or p40 is a structural element of the small subunit of the eukaryotic ribosome. N-terminal and central parts of the protein are homologous to prokaryotic rpS2 whereas its C-terminal part is eukaryote specific. In this study we showed that samples of 40S ribosomal subunits isolated from full-term human placenta are variably deficient in the rpSA content. To reveal rpSA ability to bind to human 40S ribosomal subunits, recombinant rpSA and its mutant forms with N- and C-terminal deletions have been synthesized. It was shown that both full-size and truncated from the N-terminus proteins were able to bind to the 40S subunits whereas the mutant truncated from C-terminus was not.

[Protein S3 in the human 80S ribosome adjoins mRNA from 3'-side of the A-site codon].

The protein environment of mRNA 3' of the A-site codon (the decoding site) in the human 80S ribosome was studied using a set of oligoribonucleotide derivatives bearing a UUU triplet at the 5'-end and a perfluoroarylazide group at one of the nucleotide residues at the 3'-end of this triplet. Analogues of mRNA were phased into the ribosome using binding at the tRNAPhe P-site, which recognizes the UUU codon. Mild UV irradiation of ribosome complexes with tRNAPhe and mRNA analogues resulted in the predominant crosslinking of the analogues with the 40S subunit components, mainly with proteins and, to a lesser extent, with rRNA. Among the 40S subunit ribosomal proteins, the S3 protein was the main target for modification in all cases. In addition, minor crosslinking with the S2 protein was observed. The crosslinking with the S3 and S2 proteins occurred both in triple complexes and in the absence of tRNA. Within triple complexes, crosslinking with S15 protein was also found, its efficiency considerably falling when the modified nucleotide was moved from positions +5 to +12 relative to the first codon nucleotide in the P-site. In some cases, crosslinking with the S30 protein was observed, it was most efficient for the derivative containing a photoreactive group at the +7 adenosine residue. The results indicate that the S3 protein in the human ribosome plays a key role in the formation of the mRNA binding site 3' of the codon in the decoding site.

[Human ribosomal protein S13 inhibits splicing of the own pre-mRNA].

Recombinant human ribosomal protein S13 (rpS 13) is shown to bind specifically a fragment of its own pre-mRNA that includes exons 1 and 2, intron 1, and part of intron 2, and to inhibit the splicing of that fragment in vitro. The weaker binding of other recombinant human ribosomal proteins, S10 and S16, to this pre-mRNA fragment indicated that the binding of rpS 13 was specific. Besides, poly(AU) and adenovirus pre-mRNA fragment affected poorly the binding of rpS 13 to S13 pre-mRNA, providing another evidence that the interaction was specific. RpS 13 specifically inhibited the pre-mRNA splicing whereas recombinant rpS10 and rpS16 did not affect excision of intron from S13 pre-mRNA fragment in contrast to rpS 13. Those positions in S13 pre-mRNA that were protected by rpS13 protein against cleavage by RNases T1, T2 and V1 were found to be located closely to the 5' and 3' splice sites in the pre-mRNA. Intron 1 in S13 pre-mRNA is more highly conserved within mammals than the other introns in S13 pre-mRNA, which supports the possibility of an important role for intron 1 in the regulation of expression of rpS13 gene in mammals.