RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

About: RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 13904 publications have been published within this topic receiving 767954 citations. The topic is also known as: RdRp & RNA replicase.

The function of a stem-loop in telomerase RNA is linked to the DNA repair protein Ku.

Abstract: The telomerase enzyme lengthens telomeres, an activity essential for chromosome stability in most eukaryotes. The enzyme is composed of a specialized reverse transcriptase and a template RNA (ref. 1). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, overexpression of TLC1, the telomerase RNA gene, disrupts telomeric structure2. The result is both shortened telomere length and loss of a special chromatin structure that normally silences telomere-proximal genes. Because telomerase function is not required for telomeric silencing, we postulated that the dominant-negative effect caused by overexpression of TLC1 RNA originates in a normal interaction between the RNA and an unknown telomeric factor important for silencing; the overexpressed RNA presumably continues to bind the factor and compromises its function3. Here we show that a 48-nt stem-loop structure within the 1.3-kb TLC1 RNA is necessary and sufficient for disrupting telomeric silencing and shortening telomeres. Moreover, this short RNA sequence appears to function through an interaction with the conserved DNA end-binding protein Ku (ref. 4). We propose that, in addition to its roles in telomeric silencing, homologous recombination and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), S. cerevisiae Ku also helps to recruit or activate telomerase at the telomere through an interaction with this stem-loop of TLC1 RNA.

Ribosomal RNA synthesis and processing in a particulate site in the HeLa cell nucleus.

Abstract: A particulate fraction has been isolated from detergent-prepared HeLa cell nuclei. The fraction consists largely of organelles that resemble the nucleoli of intact cells. The 45S RNA that is precursor to 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA is associated with the fraction. The 32S RNA that is labeled after the 45S RNA and is the apparent precursor to 28S RNA is also associated with the fraction. The nucleoplasm contains 28S RNA that behaves as an intermediate between the 32S nucleolar RNA and the 28S cytoplasmic RNA.

Replication of Tobacco Mosaic Virus on Endoplasmic Reticulum and Role of the Cytoskeleton and Virus Movement Protein in Intracellular Distribution of Viral RNA

Abstract: Little is known about the mechanisms of intracellular targeting of viral nucleic acids within infected cells. We used in situ hybridization to visualize the distribution of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) viral RNA (vRNA) in infected tobacco protoplasts. Immunostaining of the ER lumenal binding protein (BiP) concurrent with in situ hybridization revealed that vRNA colocalized with the ER, including perinuclear ER. At midstages of infection, vRNA accumulated in large irregular bodies associated with cytoplasmic filaments while at late stages, vRNA was dispersed throughout the cytoplasm and was associated with hair-like protrusions from the plasma membrane containing ER. TMV movement protein (MP) and replicase colocalized with vRNA, suggesting that viral replication and translation occur in the same subcellular sites. Immunostaining with tubulin provided evidence of colocalization of vRNA with microtubules, while disruption of the cytoskeleton with pharmacological agents produced severe changes in vRNA localization. Mutants of TMV lacking functional MP accumulated vRNA, but the distribution of vRNA was different from that observed in wild-type infection. MP was not required for association of vRNA with perinuclear ER, but was required for the formation of the large irregular bodies and association of vRNA with the hair-like protrusions.

Polyadenylation sites for influenza virus mRNA.

Abstract: Polyadenylated transcripts of influenza virus RNA are incomplete copies of the individual genome segments, lacking sequences complementary to the 5'-terminal nucleotides of the virion RNA. By using a procedure which depends on the polyadenylic acid tail of the mRNA being encoded in part by the genome, we have determined that the common tract of uridine residues, approximately 17 to 22 nucleotides from the 5' end of each segment, is the site of polyadenylation of influenza virus mRNA.

U6 small nuclear RNA is transcribed by RNA polymerase III.

Abstract: A DNA fragment homologous to U6 small nuclear RNA was isolated from a human genomic library and sequenced. The immediate 5'-flanking region of the U6 DNA clone had significant homology with a potential mouse U6 gene, including a "TATA box" at a position 26-29 nucleotides upstream from the transcription start site. Although this sequence element is characteristic of RNA polymerase II promoters, the U6 gene also contained a polymerase III "box A" intragenic control region and a typical run of five thymines at the 3' terminus (noncoding strand). The human U6 DNA clone was accurately transcribed in a HeLa cell S100 extract lacking polymerase II activity. U6 RNA transcription in the S100 extract was resistant to alpha-amanitin at 1 microgram/ml but was completely inhibited at 200 micrograms/ml. A comparison of fingerprints of the in vitro transcript and of U6 RNA synthesized in vivo revealed sequence congruence. U6 RNA synthesis in isolated HeLa cell nuclei also displayed low sensitivity to alpha-amanitin, in contrast to U1 and U2 RNA transcription, which was inhibited greater than 90% at 1 microgram/ml. In addition, U6 RNA synthesized in isolated nuclei was efficiently immunoprecipitated by an antibody against the La antigen, a protein known to bind most other RNA polymerase III transcripts. These results establish that, in contrast to the polymerase II-directed transcription of mammalian genes for U1-U5 small nuclear RNAs, human U6 RNA is transcribed by RNA polymerase III.