Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins as sequence-specificity factors in post-transcriptional processes in organelles

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1643-1647 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Delannoy ◽  
W.A. Stanley ◽  
C.S. Bond ◽  
I.D. Small
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Sequence Specificity ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Ppr Proteins

PPR (pentatricopeptide repeat) genes form a large family particularly prevalent in higher plants and targeted to organelles. They are involved in many post-transcriptional processes such as splicing, editing, processing and translation. Current data suggest that PPR proteins are involved in targeting effectors to the correct sites on the correct transcripts but the molecular mechanisms for RNA binding and effector recruitment by PPR proteins are not understood yet.

scholarly journals In vivo stabilization of endogenous chloroplast RNAs by customized artificial pentatricopeptide repeat proteins

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolay Manavski ◽  
Louis-Valentin Meteignier ◽  
Margarita Rojas ◽  
Andreas Brachmann ◽  
Alice Barkan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Sequence Specificity ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Functional Capabilities ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Repeat Proteins ◽  
Ppr Proteins ◽  
Physical Barriers

ABSTRACTPentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are helical repeat-proteins that bind RNA in a modular fashion with a sequence-specificity that can be manipulated by the use of an amino acid code. As such, PPR repeats are promising scaffolds for the design of RNA binding proteins for synthetic biology applications. However, the in vivo functional capabilities of artificial PPR proteins built from consensus PPR motifs are just starting to be explored. Here, we report in vivo functions of an artificial PPR protein, dPPRrbcL, made of consensus PPR motifs that were designed to bind a sequence near the 5’ end of rbcL transcripts in Arabidopsis chloroplasts. We used a functional complementation assay to demonstrate that this protein bound its intended RNA target with specificity in vivo and that it substituted for a natural PPR protein by stabilizing processed rbcL mRNA. We targeted a second protein of analogous design to the petL 5’ UTR, where it substituted for the native stabilizing PPR protein PGR3, albeit inefficiently. These results showed that artificial PPRs can be engineered to functionally mimic the class of native PPR proteins that serve as physical barriers against exoribonucleases.

scholarly journals Searching for a Match: Structure, Function and Application of Sequence-Specific RNA-Binding Proteins

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 1927-1938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren K Dedow ◽  
Julia Bailey-Serres
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Sequence Specificity ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Rna Sequences ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Ppr Proteins ◽  
Modular Structures

Abstract Plants encode over 1800 RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that modulate a myriad of steps in gene regulation from chromatin organization to translation, yet only a small number of these proteins and their target transcripts have been functionally characterized. Two classes of eukaryotic RBPs, pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) and pumilio/fem-3 binding factors (PUF), recognize and bind to specific sequential RNA sequences through protein–RNA interactions. These modular proteins possess helical structural units containing key residues with high affinity for specific nucleotides, whose sequential order determines binding to a specific target RNA sequence. PPR proteins are nucleus-encoded, but largely regulate post-transcriptional gene regulation within plastids and mitochondria, including splicing, translation and RNA editing. Plant PUFs are involved in gene regulatory processes within the cell nucleus and cytoplasm. The modular structures of PPRs and PUFs that determine sequence specificity has facilitated identification of their RNA targets and biological functions. The protein-based RNA-targeting of PPRs and PUFs contrasts to the prokaryotic cluster regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated proteins (Cas) that target RNAs in prokaryotes. Together the PPR, PUF and CRISPR-Cas systems provide varied opportunities for RNA-targeted engineering applications.

scholarly journals Functions of PPR Proteins in Plant Growth and Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11274
Author(s):  
Xiulan Li ◽  
Mengdi Sun ◽  
Shijuan Liu ◽  
Qian Teng ◽  
Shihui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Plant Mitochondria ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Plant Growth And Development ◽  
Ppr Proteins

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins form a large protein family in land plants, with hundreds of different members in angiosperms. In the last decade, a number of studies have shown that PPR proteins are sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins involved in multiple aspects of plant organellar RNA processing, and perform numerous functions in plants throughout their life cycle. Recently, computational and structural studies have provided new insights into the working mechanisms of PPR proteins in RNA recognition and cytidine deamination. In this review, we summarized the research progress on the functions of PPR proteins in plant growth and development, with a particular focus on their effects on cytoplasmic male sterility, stress responses, and seed development. We also documented the molecular mechanisms of PPR proteins in mediating RNA processing in plant mitochondria and chloroplasts.

scholarly journals Identification of Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins in the Model OrganismDictyostelium discoideum

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Manna ◽  
Jessica Brewster ◽  
Christian Barth
Keyword(s):  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Antisense Inhibition ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Repeat Proteins ◽  
Ppr Proteins ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat Proteins ◽  
Encoding Genes

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are RNA binding proteins with functions in organelle RNA metabolism. They are found in all eukaryotes but have been most extensively studied in plants. We report on the identification of 12 PPR-encoding genes in the genome of the protistDictyostelium discoideum, with potential homologs in other members of the same lineage and some predicted novel functions for the encoded gene products in protists. For one of the gene products, we show that it localizes to the mitochondria, and we also demonstrate that antisense inhibition of its expression leads to slower growth, a phenotype associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

scholarly journals Cofactor-Independent RNA Editing by a Synthetic S-Type PPR Protein

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalia Bernath-Levin ◽  
Jason Schmidberger ◽  
Suvi Honkanen ◽  
Bernard Gutmann ◽  
Yueming Kelly Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Editing ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Ppr Proteins ◽  
P Type

ABSTRACT Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are RNA-binding proteins that are attractive tools for RNA processing in synthetic biology applications given their modular structure and ease of design. Several distinct types of motifs have been described from natural PPR proteins, but almost all work so far with synthetic PPR proteins has focused on the most widespread P-type motifs. We have investigated synthetic PPR proteins based on tandem repeats of the more compact S-type PPR motif found in plant organellar RNA editing factors, and particularly prevalent in the lycophyte Selaginella. With the aid of a novel plate-based screening method we show that synthetic S-type PPR proteins are easy to design, bind with high affinity and specificity, and are functional in a wide range of pH, salt and temperature conditions. We find that they outperform a synthetic P-type PPR scaffold in many situations. We designed an S-type editing factor to edit an RNA target in E. coli and demonstrate that it edits effectively without requiring any additional cofactors to be added to the system. These qualities make S-type PPR scaffolds ideal for developing new RNA processing tools.

scholarly journals Research Progress of PPR Proteins in RNA Editing, Stress Response, Plant Growth and Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tengfei Qin ◽  
Pei Zhao ◽  
Jialiang Sun ◽  
Yuping Zhao ◽  
Yaxin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Rna Editing ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Plant Growth And Development ◽  
Ppr Proteins

RNA editing is a posttranscriptional phenomenon that includes gene processing and modification at specific nucleotide sites. RNA editing mainly occurs in the genomes of mitochondria and chloroplasts in higher plants. In recent years, pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins, which may act as trans-acting factors of RNA editing have been identified, and the study of PPR proteins has become a research focus in molecular biology. The molecular functions of these proteins and their physiological roles throughout plant growth and development are widely studied. In this minireview, we summarize the current knowledge of the PPR family, hoping to provide some theoretical reference for future research and applications.

scholarly journals Mechanism of RNA stabilization and translational activation by a pentatricopeptide repeat protein

2010 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 415-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Prikryl ◽  
Margarita Rojas ◽  
Gadi Schuster ◽  
Alice Barkan
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Repeat Proteins ◽  
Rna Remodeling ◽  
Ppr Proteins ◽  
Maize Protein ◽  
Rna Stabilization ◽  
The Stability

Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins comprise a large family of helical repeat proteins that bind RNA and modulate organellar RNA metabolism. The mechanisms underlying the functions attributed to PPR proteins are unknown. We describe in vitro studies of the maize protein PPR10 that clarify how PPR10 modulates the stability and translation of specific chloroplast mRNAs. We show that recombinant PPR10 bound to its native binding site in the chloroplast atpI–atpH intergenic region (i) blocks both 5′→3′ and 3′→ 5 exoribonucleases in vitro; (ii) is sufficient to define the native processed atpH mRNA 5′-terminus in conjunction with a generic 5′→3′ exoribonuclease; and (iii) remodels the structure of the atpH ribosome-binding site in a manner that can account for PPR10’s ability to enhance atpH translation. In addition, we show that the minimal PPR10-binding site spans 17 nt. We propose that the site-specific barrier and RNA remodeling activities of PPR10 are a consequence of its unusually long, high-affinity interface with single-stranded RNA, that this interface provides a functional mimic to bacterial small RNAs, and that analogous activities underlie many of the biological functions that have been attributed to PPR proteins.

scholarly journals The design and structural characterization of a synthetic pentatricopeptide repeat protein

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin S. Gully ◽  
Kunal R. Shah ◽  
Mihwa Lee ◽  
Kate Shearston ◽  
Nicole M. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Consensus Sequence ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Ppr Proteins

Proteins of the pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) superfamily are characterized by tandem arrays of a degenerate 35-amino-acid α-hairpin motif. PPR proteins are typically single-stranded RNA-binding proteins with essential roles in organelle biogenesis, RNA editing and mRNA maturation. A modular, predictable code for sequence-specific binding of RNA by PPR proteins has recently been revealed, which opens the door to thede novodesign of bespoke proteins with specific RNA targets, with widespread biotechnological potential. Here, the design and production of a synthetic PPR protein based on a consensus sequence and the determination of its crystal structure to 2.2 Å resolution are described. The crystal structure displays helical disorder, resulting in electron density representing an infinite superhelical PPR protein. A structural comparison with related tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) proteins, and with native PPR proteins, reveals key roles for conserved residues in directing the structure and function of PPR proteins. The designed proteins have high solubility and thermal stability, and can form long tracts of PPR repeats. Thus, consensus-sequence synthetic PPR proteins could provide a suitable backbone for the design of bespoke RNA-binding proteins with the potential for high specificity.

scholarly journals A synthetic RNA editing factor edits its target site in chloroplasts and bacteria

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Santana Royan ◽  
Bernard Gutmann ◽  
Catherine Colas des Francs-Small ◽  
Suvi Honkanen ◽  
Jason Schmidberger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Editing ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Target Sequence ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Ppr Proteins

AbstractMembers of the pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein family act as specificity factors in C-to-U RNA editing. The expansion of the PPR superfamily in plants provides the sequence variation required for design of consensus-based RNA-binding proteins. We used this approach to design a synthetic RNA editing factor to target one of the sites in the Arabidopsis chloroplast transcriptome recognised by the natural editing factor CHLOROPLAST BIOGENESIS 19 (CLB19). We show that our synthetic editing factor specifically recognises the target sequence in in vitro binding assays. The designed factor is equally specific for the target rpoA site when expressed in chloroplasts and in the bacterium E. coli. This study serves as a successful pilot into the design and application of programmable RNA editing factors based on plant PPR proteins.

scholarly journals Functioning of PPR Proteins in Organelle RNA Metabolism and Chloroplast Biogenesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinwei Wang ◽  
Yaqi An ◽  
Pan Xu ◽  
Jianwei Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Higher Plants ◽  
Rna Metabolism ◽  
Chloroplast Biogenesis ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Cooperative Action ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Ppr Proteins ◽  
Environmental Responses ◽  
Rna Maturation ◽  
Post Transcriptional Regulation

The pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins constitute one of the largest nuclear-encoded protein families in higher plants, with over 400 members in most sequenced plant species. The molecular functions of these proteins and their physiological roles during plant growth and development have been widely studied. Generally, there is mounting evidence that PPR proteins are involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of chloroplast and/or mitochondrial genes, including RNA maturation, editing, intron splicing, transcripts’ stabilization, and translation initiation. The cooperative action of RNA metabolism has profound effects on the biogenesis and functioning of both chloroplasts and mitochondria and, consequently, on the photosynthesis, respiration, and development of plants and their environmental responses. In this review, we summarize the latest research on PPR proteins, specifically how they might function in the chloroplast, by documenting their mechanism of molecular function, their corresponding RNA targets, and their specific effects upon chloroplast biogenesis and host organisms.

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