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LSm1-7 complexes bind to specific sites in viral RNA genomes and regulate their translation and replication

Rui Pedro Galão1, Ashwin Chari, Isabel Alves-Rodrigues

  • 1Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.

RNA (New York, N.Y.)
|February 26, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The LSm1-7 complex directly binds viral RNA, regulating translation and replication. This finding reveals conserved mechanisms between yeast and bacterial RNA-binding proteins.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Virology
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • LSm1-7 complexes are crucial for mRNA degradation and viral RNA replication.
  • The precise mechanisms by which LSm1-7 complexes interact with their RNA targets are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the direct RNA-binding interactions of LSm1-7 complexes with the Brome mosaic virus (BMV) genome.
  • To elucidate the functional significance of these interactions in viral translation and replication.

Main Methods:

  • Reconstitution of recombinant LSm1-7 complexes.
  • In vitro RNA-binding assays to identify target sequences.
  • In vivo analysis of viral RNA translation and replication.

Main Results:

  • Reconstituted LSm1-7 complexes directly bind to specific RNA sequences within the BMV genome, including a 3'-untranslated region tRNA-like structure and internal A-rich regions.
  • These identified RNA sequences are critical for regulating BMV genome translation and replication in vivo.
  • The identified RNA-binding motifs show similarity to bacterial Hfq protein binding sites, suggesting evolutionary conservation.

Conclusions:

  • LSm1-7 complexes directly interact with viral RNA genomes, providing the first direct evidence of this interaction.
  • The findings reveal conserved RNA-binding strategies between eukaryotic LSm1-7 complexes and bacterial Hfq.
  • This study opens new avenues for understanding LSm1-7 complex functions in RNA metabolism and viral replication.

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