Costantino, D. A. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2018

A folded viral noncoding RNA blocks host cell exoribonucleases through programmed remodeling of RNA structure

Folded RNA elements that block processive 5'[->]3' cellular exoribonucleases (xrRNAs) to produce biologically active viral non-coding RNAs were discovered in flaviviruses, potentially revealing a new mode of RNA maturation. However, it was unknown if this RNA structure-dependent mechanism exists elsewhere and if so, whether a singular RNA fold is required. Here, we demonstrate the existence of authentic RNA structure-dependent xrRNAs in dianthoviruses, plant-infecting viruses unrelated to animal-infecting flaviviruses. These novel xrRNAs have no sequence similarity to known xrRNAs, thus we used a combination of biochemistry and virology to characterize their sequence requirements and mechanism of stopping exoribonucleases. By solving the structure of a dianthovirus xrRNAs by x-ray crystallography, we reveal a complex fold that is very different from the flavivirus xrRNAs. However, both versions of xrRNAs contain a unique topological feature that is created by a different set of intramolecular contacts; this may be a defining structural feature of xrRNAs. Remarkably, the dianthovirus xrRNA can use co-degradational remodeling, exploiting the exoribonucleases degradation-linked helicase activity to help form their resistant structure; such a mechanism has not previously been reported. Convergent evolution has created RNA structure-dependent exoribonuclease resistance in different contexts, which establishes it as a general RNA maturation mechanism and defines xrRNAs as an authentic functional class of RNAs.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2017

Computational Design of Asymmetric Three-dimensional RNA Structures and Machines.

The emerging field of RNA nanotechnology seeks to create nanoscale 3D machines by repurposing natural RNA modules, but successes have been limited to symmetric assemblies of single repeating motifs. We present RNAMake, a suite that automates design of RNA molecules with complex 3D folds. We first challenged RNAMake with the paradigmatic problem of aligning a tetraloop and sequence-distal receptor, previously only solved via symmetry. Single-nucleotide-resolution chemical mapping, native gel electrophoresis, and solution x-ray scattering confirmed that 11 of the 16 miniTTR designs successfully achieved clothespin-like folds. A 2.55 [A] diffraction-resolution crystal structure of one design verified formation of the target asymmetric nanostructure, with large sections achieving near-atomic accuracy (< 2.0 [A]). Finally, RNAMake designed asymmetric segments to tether the 16S and 23S rRNAs together into a synthetic singlestranded ribosome that remains uncleaved by ribonucleases and supports life in Escherichia coli, a challenge previously requiring several rounds of trial-and-error.

bioengineering↗