The broad goals of this proposal are to provide a molecular-level understanding of how RNA enzymes (ribozymes) catalyze chemical reactions. We are studying a self-cleaving RNA that was originally identified in the human hepatitis delta virus, but is now known to be widely distributed in nature. This ribozyme harnesses a nucleobase with a dramatically shifted pKA and a divalent metal ion to catalyze an RNA cleavage reaction. We will integrate X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamics, and solution biochemistry experiments to learn how the three dimensional structure of the RNA interacts with its metal cofactors to achieve catalysis and how the molecular motions of this dynamic RNA contribute to its reactivity. Our first specific aim describes the strategies we will use to solve the three dimensional structure using X-ray crystallography, and to verify that the conformation and any disorder observed in the crystal mimics the conformation of the active ribozyme in solution. In our second specific aim, we will use molecular dynamics to characterize the motions that occur within the ribozyme active site and to understand the role of disorder in ribozyme catalysis. The last specific aim describes biochemical and spectroscopic experiments designed to dissect the contributions of active site components to catalysis. We will analyze potential ligands to the catalytic metal ion, probe the mechanism by which the catalytic metal ion contributes to catalysis, and explore using solution biochemistry the positioning and motions of nucleotides upstream of the scissile phosphate and how they contribute to the reaction pathway. The results of this study will provide an in-depth structural and mechanistic analysis of one ribozyme. However, in the post genomic age, we are seeing an unexpected contribution of non-coding RNA sequences to regulation of gene expression. Ribozymes and riboswitches are being discovered in a variety of contexts, including within eukaryotic transcriptomes. It is therefore essential to have in our knowledge base some in-depth knowledge of a few paradigm systems such as the hepatitis delta virus ribozyme in order to fully understand the catalytic potential of common ribozymes and unique orphan ribozymes.

Public Health Relevance

In the post genomic age, we are seeing an unexpected contribution of non-coding RNA sequences, including ribozymes, to regulation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression. To fully understand how these non-coding, functional RNAs work, we are undertaking an in depth structural and mechanistic analysis of a ribozyme. We anticipate that the results of this study will provide clues as to the catalytic strategies of many ribozymes, some of which will be therapeutic targets.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM095923-04
Application #
8601108
Study Section
Macromolecular Structure and Function B Study Section (MSFB)
Program Officer
Preusch, Peter C
Project Start
2011-01-01
Project End
2015-12-31
Budget Start
2014-01-01
Budget End
2014-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$271,263
Indirect Cost
$63,535
Name
Purdue University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Earth Sciences/Natur
DUNS #
072051394
City
West Lafayette
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47907
Chen, Haoyuan; Giese, Timothy J; Golden, Barbara L et al. (2017) Divalent Metal Ion Activation of a Guanine General Base in the Hammerhead Ribozyme: Insights from Molecular Simulations. Biochemistry 56:2985-2994
Mir, Aamir; Golden, Barbara L (2016) Two Active Site Divalent Ions in the Crystal Structure of the Hammerhead Ribozyme Bound to a Transition State Analogue. Biochemistry 55:633-6
Yennawar, Neela H; Fecko, Julia A; Showalter, Scott A et al. (2016) A High-Throughput Biological Calorimetry Core: Steps to Startup, Run, and Maintain a Multiuser Facility. Methods Enzymol 567:435-60
Thaplyal, Pallavi; Ganguly, Abir; Hammes-Schiffer, Sharon et al. (2015) Inverse thio effects in the hepatitis delta virus ribozyme reveal that the reaction pathway is controlled by metal ion charge density. Biochemistry 54:2160-75
Mir, Aamir; Chen, Ji; Robinson, Kyle et al. (2015) Two Divalent Metal Ions and Conformational Changes Play Roles in the Hammerhead Ribozyme Cleavage Reaction. Biochemistry 54:6369-81
Thaplyal, Pallavi; Bevilacqua, Philip C (2014) Experimental approaches for measuring pKa's in RNA and DNA. Methods Enzymol 549:189-219
Ganguly, Abir; Thaplyal, Pallavi; Rosta, Edina et al. (2014) Quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical free energy simulations of the self-cleavage reaction in the hepatitis delta virus ribozyme. J Am Chem Soc 136:1483-96
Thaplyal, Pallavi; Ganguly, Abir; Golden, Barbara L et al. (2013) Thio effects and an unconventional metal ion rescue in the genomic hepatitis delta virus ribozyme. Biochemistry 52:6499-514
Chen, Ji; Ganguly, Abir; Miswan, Zulaika et al. (2013) Identification of the catalytic Mgýýýýý ion in the hepatitis delta virus ribozyme. Biochemistry 52:557-67
Wilcox, Jennifer L; Ahluwalia, Amarpreet K; Bevilacqua, Philip C (2011) Charged nucleobases and their potential for RNA catalysis. Acc Chem Res 44:1270-9

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