Transient kinetic studies of the antiviral Drosophila Dicer-2 reveal roles of ATP in self•nonself discrimination

Some RIG-I-like receptors discriminate viral and cellular dsRNA by their termini, and Drosophila melanogaster Dicer-2 (dmDcr-2) differentially processes dsRNA with blunt or 2 nucleotide 3'-overhanging termini. We investigated the transient kinetic mechanism of the dmDcr-2 reaction using a rapid reaction stopped-flow technique and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Indeed, we found that ATP binding to dmDcr-2's helicase domain impacts association and dissociation kinetics of dsRNA in a termini-dependent manner, revealing termini-dependent discrimination of dsRNA on a biologically-relevant time-scale (seconds). ATP hydrolysis promotes transient unwinding of dsRNA termini followed by slow rewinding, and directional translocation of the enzyme to the cleavage site. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy reveals a nucleotide-dependent modulation in conformational fluctuations (nanoseconds) of the helicase and Platform•PAZ domains that is correlated with termini-dependent dsRNA cleavage. Our study offers a kinetic framework for comparison to other Dicers, as well as all members of the RIG-I- like receptors involved in innate immunity.

A real-time, transient kinetic study of Drosophila melanogaster Dicer-2 elucidates mechanism of termini-dependent cleavage of dsRNA

SUMMARYDrosophila melanogaster Dicer-2 (dmDcr-2) differentially processes dsRNA with blunt or 2 nucleotide 3’-overhanging termini. We investigated the transient kinetic mechanism of these reactions using a rapid reaction stopped-flow technique and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. We found that ATP binding to dmDcr-2’s helicase domain impacts the kinetics of dsRNA binding and dissociation in a termini-dependent manner, emphasizing the termini-dependent discrimination of dsRNA on a biologically-relevant time-scale. ATP-hydrolysis mediates local unwinding of dsRNA, and directional translocation on unwound single-stranded RNA, which is concurrent with a slow rewinding prior to dsRNA cleavage. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy reveals a nucleotide-dependent change in conformational dynamics of the helicase and Platform•PAZ domains in the nanosecond timescale that is correlated with termini-dependent dsRNA cleavage. Our study delineates kinetic events and transient intermediates for a Dicer-catalyzed reaction, thus establishing a framework for understanding other Dicers and how accessory factors modulate the reaction.

Using pan RNA-seq analysis to reveal the ubiquitous existence of 5’ end and 3’ end small RNAs

In this study, we used pan RNA-seq analysis to reveal the ubiquitous existence of 5’ end and 3’ end small RNAs. 5’ and 3’ sRNAs alone can be used to annotate mitochondrial with 1-bp resolution and nuclear non-coding genes and identify new steady-state RNAs, which are usually from functional genes. Using 5’, 3’ and intronic sRNAs, we revealed that the enzymatic dsRNA cleavage and RNAi could involve in the RNA degradation and gene expression regulation of U1 snRNA in human. The further study of 5’, 3’ and intronic sRNAs help rediscover double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) cleavage, RNA interference (RNAi) and the regulation of gene expression, which challenges the classical theories. In this study, we provided a simple and cost effective way for the annotation of mitochondrial and nuclear non-coding genes and the identification of new steady-state RNAs, particularly long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). We also provided a different point of view for cancer and virus, based on the new discoveries of dsRNA cleavage, RNAi and the regulation of gene expression.

Loquacious-PD facilitatesDrosophilaDicer-2 cleavage through interactions with the helicase domain and dsRNA

Loquacious-PD (Loqs-PD) is required for biogenesis of many endogenous siRNAs inDrosophila. In vitro, Loqs-PD enhances the rate of dsRNA cleavage by Dicer-2 and also enables processing of substrates normally refractory to cleavage. Using purified components, and Loqs-PD truncations, we provide a mechanistic basis for Loqs-PD functions. Our studies indicate that the 22 amino acids at the C terminus of Loqs-PD, including an FDF-like motif, directly interact with the Hel2 subdomain of Dicer-2’s helicase domain. This interaction is RNA-independent, but we find that modulation of Dicer-2 cleavage also requires dsRNA binding by Loqs-PD. Furthermore, while the first dsRNA-binding motif of Loqs-PD is dispensable for enhancing cleavage of optimal substrates, it is essential for enhancing cleavage of suboptimal substrates. Finally, our studies define a previously unrecognized Dicer interaction interface and suggest that Loqs-PD is well positioned to recruit substrates into the helicase domain of Dicer-2.

The Baculovirus Antiapoptotic p35 Protein Functions as an Inhibitor of the Host RNA Interference Antiviral Response

ABSTRACTRNA interference (RNAi) is considered an ancient antiviral defense in diverse organisms, including insects. Virus infections generate double-strand RNAs (dsRNAs) that trigger the RNAi machinery to process dsRNAs into virus-derived short interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs), which target virus genomes, mRNAs, or replication intermediates. Viruses, in turn, have evolved viral suppressors of RNAi (VSRs) to counter host antiviral RNAi. Following recent discoveries that insects mount an RNAi response against DNA viruses, in this study, we found thatAutographa californicamultiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) infection similarly induces an RNAi response inSpodoptera frugiperdacells by generating a large number of vsiRNAs postinfection. Interestingly, we found that AcMNPV expresses a potent VSR to counter RNAi. The viralp35gene, which is well known as an inhibitor of apoptosis, was found to be responsible for the suppression of RNAi in diverse insect and mammalian cells. The VSR activity of p35 was further confirmed by ap35-null AcMNPV that did not suppress the response. In addition, our results showed that the VSR activity is not due to inhibition of dsRNA cleavage by Dicer-2 but acts downstream in the RNAi pathway. Furthermore, we found that the VSR activity is not linked to the antiapoptotic activity of the protein. Overall, our results provide evidence for the existence of VSR activity in a double-stranded DNA virus and identify the responsible gene, which is involved in the inhibition of RNAi as well as apoptosis.IMPORTANCEOur findings demonstrate the occurrence of an insect RNAi response against a baculovirus (AcMNPV) that is highly utilized in microbial control, biological and biomedical research, and protein expression. Moreover, our investigations led to the identification of a viral suppressor of RNAi activity and the gene responsible for the activity. Notably, this gene is also a potent inhibitor of apoptosis. The outcomes signify the dual role of a virus-encoded protein in nullifying two key antiviral responses, apoptosis and RNAi.