scholarly journals A Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein in the Plasmodium apicoplast is essential and shows sequence-specific RNA binding

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna L. Hicks ◽  
Imen Lassadi ◽  
Emma Carpenter ◽  
Madeleine Eno ◽  
Alexandros Vardakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Processing ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Binding Motif ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Rna Sequences ◽  
Rnase Protection ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Biochemical Characterisation ◽  
Ppr Proteins

ABSTRACTThe malaria parasite Plasmodium and other apicomplexans such as Toxoplasma evolved from photosynthetic organisms and contain an essential, remnant plastid termed the apicoplast. Transcription of the apicoplast genome is polycistronic with extensive RNA processing. Little is known about the mechanism of post-transcriptional processing. In plant chloroplasts, post-transcriptional RNA processing is controlled by multiple pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins. Here, we present the biochemical characterisation of the single apicoplast-targeted PPR protein. Apicoplast PPR1 is essential, and binds specific RNA sequences corresponding with previously characterized RNA processing sites. We identify the specific binding motif of PPR1. In RNAse protection assays, PPR1 shields apicoplast transcripts from ribonuclease degradation. Our results show that apicoplast RNA processing is under the control of a single protein, thus presenting an Achilles’ heel for the development of new anti-malarial drugs.

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 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 The novel E-subgroup pentatricopeptide repeat protein DEK55 is responsible for RNA editing at multiple sites and for the splicing of nad1 and nad4 in maize

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ru Chang Ren ◽  
Xu Wei Yan ◽  
Ya Jie Zhao ◽  
Yi Ming Wei ◽  
Xiaoduo Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Editing ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Maize Kernel ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Ppr Proteins

Abstract Background Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins compose a large protein family whose members are involved in both RNA processing in organelles and plant growth. Previous reports have shown that E-subgroup PPR proteins are involved in RNA editing. However, the additional functions and roles of the E-subgroup PPR proteins are unknown. Results In this study, we developed and identified a new maize kernel mutant with arrested embryo and endosperm development, i.e., defective kernel (dek) 55 (dek55). Genetic and molecular evidence suggested that the defective kernels resulted from a mononucleotide alteration (C to T) at + 449 bp within the open reading frame (ORF) of Zm00001d014471 (hereafter referred to as DEK55). DEK55 encodes an E-subgroup PPR protein within the mitochondria. Molecular analyses showed that the editing percentage of 24 RNA editing sites decreased and that of seven RNA editing sites increased in dek55 kernels, the sites of which were distributed across 14 mitochondrial gene transcripts. Moreover, the splicing efficiency of nad1 introns 1 and 4 and nad4 intron 1 significantly decreased in dek55 compared with the wild type (WT). These results indicate that DEK55 plays a crucial role in RNA editing at multiple sites as well as in the splicing of nad1 and nad4 introns. Mutation in the DEK55 gene led to the dysfunction of mitochondrial complex I. Moreover, yeast two-hybrid assays showed that DEK55 interacts with two multiple organellar RNA-editing factors (MORFs), i.e., ZmMORF1 (Zm00001d049043) and ZmMORF8 (Zm00001d048291). Conclusions Our results demonstrated that a mutation in the DEK55 gene affects the mitochondrial function essential for maize kernel development. Our results also provide novel insight into the molecular functions of E-subgroup PPR proteins involved in plant organellar RNA processing.

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 The novel E-subgroup pentatricopeptide repeat protein DEK55 is responsible for RNA editing at multiple sites and for the splicing of nad1 and nad4 in maize

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ru Chang Ren ◽  
Xu Wei Yan ◽  
Ya Jie Zhao ◽  
Yi Ming Wei ◽  
Xiaoduo Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Editing ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Maize Kernel ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Ppr Proteins

Abstract Background: Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins compose a large protein family whose members are involved in both RNA processing in organelles and plant growth. Previous reports have shown that E-subgroup PPR proteins are involved in RNA editing. However, the additional functions and roles of the E-subgroup PPR proteins are unknown. Results: In this study, we developed and identified a new maize kernel mutant with arrested embryo and endosperm development, i.e., defective kernel (dek) 55 (dek55). Genetic and molecular evidence suggested that the defective kernels resulted from a mononucleotide alteration (C to T) at +449 bp within the open reading frame (ORF) of Zm00001d014471 (hereafter referred to as DEK55). DEK55 encodes an E-subgroup PPR protein within the mitochondria. Molecular analyses showed that the editing percentage of 24 RNA editing sites decreased and that of seven RNA editing sites increased in dek55 kernels, the sites of which were distributed across 14 mitochondrial gene transcripts. Moreover, the splicing efficiency of nad1 introns 1 and 4 and nad4 intron 1 significantly decreased in dek55 compared with the wild type (WT). These results indicate that DEK55 plays a crucial role in RNA editing at multiple sites as well as in the splicing of nad1 and nad4 introns. Mutation in the DEK55 gene led to the dysfunction of mitochondrial complex I. Moreover, yeast two-hybrid assays showed that DEK55 interacts with two multiple organellar RNA-editing factors (MORFs), i.e., ZmMORF1 (Zm00001d049043) and ZmMORF8 (Zm00001d048291).Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that a mutation in the DEK55 gene affects the mitochondrial function essential for maize kernel development. Our results also provide novel insight into the molecular functions of E-subgroup PPR proteins involved in plant organellar RNA processing.

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 A novel E-subgroup pentatricopeptide repeat protein DEK55 is responsible for RNA editing at multiple sites and splicing of nad1 and nad4 in maize

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ru Chang Ren ◽  
Xu Wei Yan ◽  
Ya Jie Zhao ◽  
Yi Ming Wei ◽  
Xiaoduo Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Editing ◽  
Rna Processing ◽  
Mitochondrial Gene ◽  
Endosperm Development ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Maize Kernel ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Ppr Proteins

Abstract Background: Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins form a large protein family that participates in RNA processing in organelles and plant growth. Previous reports regard E-subgroup PPR proteins as editing factors for RNA editing. However, additional functions and roles of the E-subgroup PPR proteins remain to be investigated.Results: In this study, we developed and identified a new maize kernel mutant with arrested embryo and endosperm development, i.e., defective kernel 55 (dek55). Genetic and molecular evidence suggested that the defective kernels was a result of a mononucleotide alteration (C to T) at +449 bp in the open reading frame (ORF) of Zm00001d014471 (hereafter referred to as DEK55). DEK55 encodes an E-subgroup PPR protein within mitochondria. Molecular analyses showed that the editing ratio of 24 RNA editing sites was decreased and that of seven RNA editing sites was increased in dek55 mutant kernels, which were distributed in 14 mitochondrial gene transcripts. Meanwhile, the splicing efficiency of the nad1 introns 1 and 4 and nad4 intron 1 was significantly decreased in dek55 compared with that of wild-type (WT). These results indicate that DEK55 plays a crucial role in RNA editing at multiple sites as well as in the splicing of nad1 and nad4 introns. Mutation in the DEK55 gene led to the dysfunction of mitochondrial complex I. Yeast two-hybrid assays showed that the DEK55 interacts with two multiple organellar RNA editing factors (MORFs), i.e., ZmMORF1 (Zm00001d049043) and ZmMORF8 (Zm00001d048291), respectively.Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that a mutation in the DEK55 gene affects the mitochondrial function essential for maize kernel development. Our results also provide novel insight into the molecular functions of the E-subgroup PPR proteins in plant organellar RNA processing.

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 The Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein MEF100 Is Required for the Editing of Four Mitochondrial Editing Sites in Arabidopsis

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 468
Author(s):  
Bernard Gutmann ◽  
Michael Millman ◽  
Lilian Vincis Pereira Sanglard ◽  
Ian Small ◽  
Catherine Colas des Francs-Small
Keyword(s):  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Rna Sequences ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Glutamylcysteine Synthetase ◽  
Ppr Proteins ◽  
Mutant Complementation ◽  
Complex I Activity

In Arabidopsis thaliana there are more than 600 C-to-U RNA editing events in the mitochondria and at least 44 in the chloroplasts. Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins provide the specificity for these reactions. They recognize RNA sequences in a partially predictable fashion via key amino acids at the fifth and last position in each PPR motif that bind to individual ribonucleotides. A combined approach of RNA-Seq, mutant complementation, electrophoresis of mitochondrial protein complexes and Western blotting allowed us to show that MEF100, a PPR protein identified in a genetic screen for mutants resistant to an inhibitor of γ -glutamylcysteine synthetase, is required for the editing of nad1-493, nad4-403, nad7-698 and ccmFN2-356 sites in Arabidopsis mitochondria. The absence of editing in mef100 leads to a decrease in mitochondrial Complex I activity, which probably explains the physiological phenotype. Some plants have lost the requirement for MEF100 at one or more of these sites through mutations in the mitochondrial genome. We show that loss of the requirement for MEF100 editing leads to divergence in the MEF100 binding site.

scholarly journals A Trypanosomal Pentatricopeptide Repeat Protein Stabilizes the Mitochondrial mRNAs of Cytochrome Oxidase Subunits 1 and 2

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mascha Pusnik ◽  
André Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Cytochrome Oxidase ◽  
Pentatricopeptide Repeat ◽  
Rna Sequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ppr Protein ◽  
Substrate Level ◽  
Ppr Proteins ◽  
Unknown Composition ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Blue Native

ABSTRACT The pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein family consists of organellar proteins predicted to bind to specific RNA sequences. Plants have hundreds of distinct PPR proteins, whereas other eukaryotes generally have many fewer. The genome of the parasitic protozoon Trypanosoma brucei is predicted to encode more than 30 different PPR proteins, which is an extraordinarily high number for a nonplant organism. Here we report the characterization T. brucei PPR9 (TbPPR9). Epitope tagging shows that the protein is exclusively mitochondrially localized. Interestingly, while in induced RNA interference cell lines TbPPR9 is efficiently downregulated, the level of its mRNA is not affected. Ablation of TbPPR9 selectively abolishes oxidative but not mitochondrial substrate-level phosphorylation. The molecular basis of this phenotype is the fact that TbPPR9 is required for the stability of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) and COX2 mRNAs. This is supported by the observation that ablation of TbPPR9 destabilizes the COX complex but not the cytochrome bc 1 or the ATP synthase complex. Moreover, it was shown by blue native gel electrophoresis that TbPPR9 is present in a large complex of unknown composition.

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