Protonation‐Dependent Base Flipping at Neutral pH in the Catalytic Triad of a Self‐Splicing Bacterial Group II Intron

NMR spectroscopy has revealed pH‐dependent structural changes in the highly conserved catalytic domain 5 of a bacterial group II intron. Two adenines with pK_a values close to neutral pH were identified in the catalytic triad and the bulge. Protonation of the adenine opposite to the catalytic triad is stabilized within a G(syn)–AH⁺(anti) base pair. The pH‐dependent anti‐to‐syn flipping of this G in the catalytic triad modulates the known interaction with the linker region between domains 2 and 3 (J23) and simultaneously the binding of the catalytic Mg²⁺ ion to its backbone. Hence, this here identified shifted pK_a value controls the conformational change between the two steps of splicing.     

Non-unity molecular heritability demonstrated by continuous evolution in vitro

INTRODUCTION: When catalytic RNA is evolved in vitro, the molecule's chemical reactivity is usually the desired selection target. Sometimes the phenotype of a particular RNA molecule cannot be unambiguously determined from its genotype, however. This can occur if a nucleotide sequence can adopt multiple folded states, an example of non-unity heritability (i.e. one genotype gives rise to more than one phenotype). In these cases, more rounds of selection are required to achieve a phenotypic shift. We tested the influence of non-unity heritability at the molecular level by selecting for variants of a ligase ribozyme via continuous evolution. RESULTS: During 20 bursts of continuous evolution of a 152-nucleotide ligase ribozyme in which the Mg2+ concentration was periodically lowered, a nine-error variant of the starting 'wild-type' molecule became dominant in the last eight bursts. This variant appears to be more active than the wild type. Kinetic analyses of the mutant suggest that it may not possess a higher first-order catalytic rate constant, however. Examination of the multiple RNA conformations present under the continuous evolution conditions suggests that the mutant is superior to the wild type because it is less likely to misfold into inactive conformers. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of genotypes that are more likely to exhibit a particular phenotype is an epiphenomenon usually ascribed only to complex living systems. We show that this can occur at the molecular level, demonstrating that in vitro systems may have more life-like characteristics than previously thought, and providing additional support for an RNA world.     

Acid-base and metal-ion binding properties of the RNA dinucleotide uridylyl-(5'-->3')-[5']uridylate (pUpU3-)

It is well known that Mg2+ and other divalent metal ions bind to the phosphate groups of nucleic acids. Subtle differences in the coordination properties of these metal ions to RNA, especially to ribozymes, determine whether they either promote or inhibit catalytic activity. The ability of metal ions to coordinate simultaneously with two neighboring phosphate groups is important for ribozyme structure and activity. However, such an interaction has not yet been quantified. Here, we have performed potentiometric pH titrations to determine the acidity constants of the protonated dinucleotide H2(pUpU)-, as well as the binding properties of pUpU3- towards Mg2+, Mn2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+. Whereas Mg2+, Mn2+, and Cd2+ only bind to the more basic 5'-terminal phosphate group, Pb2+, and to a certain extent also Zn2+, show a remarkably enhanced stability of the [M(pUpU)]- complex. This can be attributed to the formation of a macrochelate by bridging the two phosphate groups within this dinucleotide by these metal ions. Such a macrochelate is also possible in an oligonucleotide, because the basic structural units are the same, despite the difference in charge. The formation degrees of the macrochelated species of [Zn(pUpU)]- and [Pb(pUpU)]- amount to around 25 and 90 %, respectively. These findings are important in the context of ribozyme and DNAzyme catalysis, and explain, for example, why the leadzyme could be selected in the first place, and why this artificial ribozyme is inhibited by other divalent metal ions, such as Mg2+.     

RNA targeting at any chosen site of interest by the novel RNA-protein hybrid ribozyme and the gene discovery based on the hybrid ribozyme libraries

RNA targeting by the RNA-protein hybrid ribozymes, whose protein part can specifically bind to the RNA helicase, is described.     

Restoration of Ribozyme Tertiary Contact and Function by Using a Molecular Glue for RNA

Some RNA classes require folding into the proper higher‐order structures to exert their functions. Hammerhead ribozyme (HHR) requires a folding conformation stabilized by tertiary interaction for full activity. A rationally engineered HHR was developed that was inactive, but could be activated by a synthetic RNA‐binding ligand, naphthyridine carbamate tetramer with Z‐stilbene linker (Z‐NCTS). Binding of Z‐NCTS could induce the formation of an active folding structure and thereby restore ribozyme activity, where Z‐NCTS acts as a molecular glue to bring two isolated RNA loops into contact with each other. Next, we designed a Z‐NCTS‐responsive genetic switch using the HHR sequence inserted into the 3′ untranslated region as a cis‐acting element. We demonstrated that the rationally designed ribozyme switch enabled regulation of gene expression by Z‐NCTS and was functional in mammalian cells.     

Nucleic Acid Catalysis under Potential Prebiotic Conditions

Catalysis by nucleic acids is indispensable for extant cellular life, and it is widely accepted that nucleic acid enzymes were crucial for the emergence of primitive life 3.5‐4 billion years ago. However, geochemical conditions on early Earth must have differed greatly from the constant internal milieus of today's cells. In order to explore plausible scenarios for early molecular evolution, it is therefore essential to understand how different physicochemical parameters, such as temperature, pH, and ionic composition, influence nucleic acid catalysis and to explore to what extent nucleic acid enzymes can adapt to non‐physiological conditions. In this article, we give an overview of the research on catalysis of nucleic acids, in particular catalytic RNAs (ribozymes) and DNAs (deoxyribozymes), under extreme and/or unusual conditions that may relate to prebiotic environments.