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J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 279, Issue 28, 28862-28872, July 9, 2004
5'-3' RNA-RNA Interaction Facilitates Cap- and Poly(A) Tail-independent Translation of Tomato Bushy Stunt Virus mRNAA POTENTIAL COMMON MECHANISM FOR TOMBUSVIRIDAE*![]() ![]() From the Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3, Canada
Received for publication, February 4, 2004 , and in revised form, April 21, 2004.
Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) is the prototypical member of the genus Tombusvirus in the family Tombusviridae. The (+)-strand RNA genome of TBSV lacks both a 5' cap and a 3' poly(A) tail and instead contains a 3'-terminal RNA sequence that acts as a cap-independent translational enhancer (3' CITE). In this study, we have determined the RNA secondary structure of the translation-specific central segment of the 3' CITE, termed region 3.5 (R3.5). MFOLD structural modeling combined with solution structure mapping and comparative sequence analysis indicate that R3.5 adopts a branched structure that contains three major helices. Deletion and substitution studies revealed that two of these extended stem-loop (SL) structures are essential for 3' CITE activity in vivo. In particular, the terminal loop of one of these SLs, SL-B, was found to be critical for translation. Compensatory mutational analysis showed that SL-B functions by base pairing with another SL, SL3, in the 5' untranslated region of the TBSV genome. Thus, efficient translation of TBSV mRNA in vivo requires a 5'-3' RNA-RNA interaction that effectively circularizes the message. Similar types of interactions are also predicted to occur in TBSV subgenomic mRNAs between their 5' untranslated regions and the 3' CITE, and both genomic and subgenomic 5'-3' interactions are well conserved in all members of the genus Tombusvirus. In addition, a survey of other genera in Tombusviridae revealed the potential for similar 5'-3' RNA-RNA-based interactions in their viral mRNAs, suggesting that this mechanism extends throughout this large virus family.
One of the earliest steps in the reproductive cycle of (+)-strand RNA viruses is translation of their encoded proteins by the translational machinery of the host (1, 2). In eukaryotes, most cellular mRNAs contain both a 5' cap and a 3' poly(A) tail, and these terminal structures act synergistically to stimulate translation (35). This translational enhancement depends on a protein bridge formed between these two structures by eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding to the 5' cap, poly(A)-binding protein binding to the poly(A) tail, and eukaryotic initiation factor 4G binding simultaneously to both of these proteins (6). Assembly of this complex results in the formation of a closed loop (5) and there is growing evidence that message circularization is a fundamental requirement for efficient translation of eukaryotic mRNAs (710). Eukaryotic (+)-strand RNA viruses must either possess a 5' cap and 3' poly(A) tail or adopt alternative strategies that allow for efficient translation of their encoded viral proteins (1, 2). In this regard, translationally active viral RNA genomes have been identified that do not contain one or both of these terminal mRNAs structures. Examples of the latter case include (+)-strand RNA genomes in the families Tombusviridae (11) and Luteoviridae (12, 13). To compensate for the absence of both a 5' cap and a 3' poly(A) tail (11, 14, 15), BYDV1 (genus Luteovirus) (16, 17) and several members of the large family Tombusviridae, including STNV (genus Necrovirus) (18, 19), TBSV (genus Tombusvirus) (20, 21), TCV (genus Carmovirus) (22), Hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus (genus Carmovirus) (23), and RCNMV (genus Dianthovirus) (24) contain RNA sequences in the 3' region of their genomes that function as translational enhancers (TEs). For BYDV and STNV, it has been proposed that their TEs function to recruit the translational machinery of the host (25, 26). Consistent with this notion, the TEs of BYDV and STNV have been reported to interact in vitro with canonical translation initiation factors (10, 27). The recruitment of translation factors to a 3'-proximal TE would then require their subsequent delivery to the 5' end of the viral mRNA, where initiation of translation occurs (10). Accordingly, it has been shown that a 5'-3' RNA-RNA interaction is required for efficient translation of BYDV mRNA, but not for STNV mRNA (10, 28). The BYDV interaction is formed by a kissing-loop structure involving an RNA hairpin in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the viral genome and another hairpin in the 3' TE (10). This interaction acts to circularize the message, as occurs in cellular mRNAs, and could potentially deliver translation factors to the 5' end of the viral message (10).
Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) is the prototypical member of the genus Tombusvirus in the family Tombusviridae (11). Its 4.8-kb long (+)-strand RNA genome lacks both a 5' cap and 3' poly(A) tail and encodes five functional proteins (11, 29) (Fig. 1). The 5'-proximal p33 and its read through product p92 are translated directly from the genome and both are essential for viral RNA synthesis (20, 30). The larger p92 is the viral RdRp, whereas p33 is a critical accessory replication protein. The more 3'-proximal ORFs, designated p41, p22, and p19, are translated from two subgenomic mRNAs that are 3'-coterminal with the genome and are transcribed during infections (Fig. 1) (3133). The encoded products correspond to coat protein (29), movement protein (34), and the suppressor of gene silencing (35, 36), respectively.
Previously, we have shown that efficient cap- and poly(A) tail-independent translation of TBSV RNAs requires a 3'-terminal RNA sequence referred to as the 3' cap-independent translational enhancer (3' CITE) (20, 21). The 3' CITE encompasses three contiguous regions (termed RIII, R3.5, and RIV) that correspond to 400 nucleotides (nt) of the 3' end of the genome (Fig. 1). Interestingly, RIII and RIV are also important and essential, respectively, for viral RNA replication and are always present in TBSV-derived subviral replicons, termed defective interfering (DI) RNAs (3741) (Fig. 1). In contrast, the central R3.5 is dispensable for replication but essential for translation (20, 42). Thus, R3.5 represents a translation-specific RNA element that requires flanking RIII and RIV for efficient activity in vivo (21). In the present study we focused our attention on the translation-specific R3.5 in TBSV. Our results revealed that this region forms a well defined RNA secondary structure that is also conserved in other tombusviruses. Interestingly, R3.5-mediated translation of TBSV mRNAs was found to require a long distance RNA-RNA base pairing interaction between R3.5 and the 5' UTR of the genome. This type of RNA-based mechanism may also be used by other genera in the family Tombusviridae.
Plasmid ConstructionConstruction of a full-length TBSV genome, T-100, HS175, DI-83 II, and DI-72 have been described previously (20, 21, 29, 42). All mutant constructs described below were generated using DI-83 II and PCR-based oligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis in combination with standard recombinant DNA cloning techniques. Each construct was sequenced across its entire PCR-derived segment.
Mutant LB-UUCG construction involved replacement of a SalI/SphI fragment (45014766) in DI-83
Mutant 5a was generated by replacing the BstXI/MfeI fragment (1263) in DI-83 Mutants PMa, PMb, and PMc construction were carried out as described above for the 5-series clones except that generation of PMa and PMb used primer pairs PMF5'-3'PMV/TBSV5' (5'-CGCGCGCGCCAGTGAATTGGGCCCTAATACGACTCACTATAGGAAATTCTCCAGGATTTCTCGACTGCAATCGTTTATCTGGTG) and P46, and PMF5'-3'PMV/TBSV3' (5'-GGATGACGAGTCGACTCGGGCTCCGCACTAGGTTTGCAGGCCTAGAGGATGG) and P9, respectively. Similarly, mutant Va, Vb, and Vc constructions were carried out as described above except that generation of Va and Vb used primer pairs vGOF#5 (5'-CGCGCGCGCCAGTGAATTGGGCCCTAATACGACTCACTATAGGAAATTCTCCAGGATTTCTCGAGGTTTGGTCGCCTCGTTTATCTGGTG) and P46, and pUC19-GOF#6 (5'-GGATGACGAGTCGACTCGGGCTCCGCACTACGACCTAGTTCGTAGGGGATGG) and P9, respectively. Computer-aided Analysis of Viral RNAThe nucleotide sequences for TBSV (NC_001554 [GenBank] ), TBSVs (AJ249740 [GenBank] ), TBSVp (U80935 [GenBank] ), AMCV (X62493 [GenBank] ), CBLV (AY163842 [GenBank] ), cymbidium ringspot virus (X15511 [GenBank] ), cucumber necrosis virus (M25270 [GenBank] ), carnation Italian ringspot virus (X85215 [GenBank] ), pear latent virus (AY100482 [GenBank] ), pelargonium necrotic spot virus (NC_005285 [GenBank] ), lettuce necrotic stunt virus (AJ288944 [GenBank] ), pothos latent virus (X87115 [GenBank] ), oat chlorotic stunt virus (NC_003633 [GenBank] ), pea stem necrosis virus (NC_004995 [GenBank] ), maize chlorotic mottle virus (NC_003627 [GenBank] ), TNV (M33002 [GenBank] ), PMV (NC_002598 [GenBank] ), SPMV (M17182 [GenBank] ), and RCNMV RNA-1 (NC_003756 [GenBank] ) were obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBankTM genetic sequence data base. RNA alignments were carried out using ClustalW (44) and RNA secondary structures were predicted at 37 °C by using MFOLD version 3.1 (45, 46). In Vitro TranscriptionViral RNA transcripts were generated in vitro using an AmpliScribe T7 transcription kit (Epicenter Technologies) with SmaI-digested DNA constructs as templates as described previously (42). Transcript concentrations were determined spectrophotometrically and their integrity was confirmed via ethidium bromide staining after agarose gel electrophoresis.
RNA Secondary Structure ProbingFor in vitro analysis of RNA secondary structure, transcripts of DI-83
Isolation and Transfection of ProtoplastsProtoplasts were prepared from 68-day-old cucumber cotyledons (var. Straight 8) as described previously (42). Quantification was carried out by bright field microscopy using a hemacytometer. Purified protoplasts (
Analysis of Viral RNATotal nucleic acids were harvested from protoplasts as described previously (42). Equal aliquots of the total nucleic acid were separated in 1.2% agarose gel. The gels were stained with ethidium bromide and examined to ensure that the samples were not degraded and were loaded evenly. Viral RNAs were detected by electrophoretic transfer to nylon membrane followed by Northern blot analysis using a 32P-end-labeled oligonucleotide probe complementary to the 3' terminus of the TBSV genome (P9). Quantification of the bound viral RNAs was performed by radioanalytical scanning of the blot using an InstantImager (Packard Instrument Co.). Stability assays were carried out as described above except that samples were harvested at different time intervals and the levels of DI-83
RNA Secondary Structure of R3.5The 3' CITE is composed of three contiguous regions that were defined on the basis of their presence (RIII and RIV) or absence (R3.5) in prototypical TBSV DI RNAs (Fig. 1) (20). The RNA secondary structures of RIII and RIV have been defined previously, but that for R3.5 has not (38, 40). To determine the structure of R3.5, solution structure probing in vitro was performed and the results were plotted on the most stable MFOLD-predicted RNA secondary structure (45, 46) (Fig. 2). There was a strong correlation between the reactivity of three different single-strand specific reagents (1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl)-carbodiimide, diethyl pyrocarbonate, and RNase T1) and residues predicted to be unpaired (Fig. 2B). Also, RNase V1, which has a substrate preference for base paired and stacked residues, cleaved within several of the predicted helical portions of R3.5. These data support the presence of three extended stems, termed S-A, SL-B, and SL-C, centered on a 3-helix junction (Fig. 2B).
Results from comparative sequence analysis that included nine additional tombusvirus genomes were consistent with the secondary structure proposed (Fig. 3). With the exception of CBLV (which contained only SL-B), all maintained the basic Y-shaped structure defined for TBSV (Fig. 2B) and contained numerous mono- and covarying base pairs in each of the three major stems (Fig. 3). The terminal loop sequence of SL-B, 5'-UUGGUC, was also well conserved, except for CBLV, which had a 1-nt substitution in this sequence and pear latent virus that had an extra adenylate on either side (Fig. 3B). The SL-C-terminal loop, an ultra stable tetraloop 5'-GAAA in TBSV, was conserved in all but lettuce necrotic stunt virus, where it was replaced by a different ultra stable tetraloop, 5'-UUCG (48) (Fig. 3C). Overall, these comparative data sets support the RNA secondary structure model proposed for TBSV R3.5 in which it adopts a well defined Y-shaped domain that includes two conserved terminal loops (Fig. 2B).
SL-B and SL-C were of special interest as they could extend out from R3.5 and potentially interact with other factors. In particular, GNRA-type tetraloops (where N is any nucleotide and R is a purine), as found in SL-C, can interact with specific RNA receptors (49). Similarly, terminal loops containing a U-turn motif (YUNR, where Y is a pyrimidine), such as that in SL-B, are commonly found in the terminal loops of regulatory RNAs that function by base pairing with their RNA targets (50). Thus, based on the presence of these two motifs, both terminal loops represented good candidates for mediating functionally relevant RNA-RNA interactions.
Sequences in R3.5 and the 5' UTR Are Required for Efficient Translation in VivoTo determine whether SL-B and/or SL-C were relevant to translation we used a trans-complementation translational assay system developed previously (Fig. 4A) (20, 21). All of the viral mRNAs used in this system are uncapped and non-polyadenylated. In the assay the "test" mRNA, DI-83
As an initial step to investigate the structural features of R3.5 important for translation, targeted deletions and substitutions were introduced into SL-B or SL-C in DI-83 II (Fig. 4B). Following their co-transfection into cucumber protoplasts along with HS175 and DI-72, the accumulation of DI-72 was quantified by Northern blot analysis (Fig. 4C). Complete deletion of either SL in mutants SL-B and SL-C resulted in extremely low levels of reporter DI RNA accumulation, indicating significant impairment of p33 translation (Fig. 4, B and C). Next, to investigate whether the terminal loops on these SLs were important, each was substituted with a UUCG tetraloop (Fig. 4B). In mutant LB-UUCG, the substitution greatly reduced reporter DI RNA accumulation ( 6% compared with WT), whereas in mutant LC-UUCG the modification led to notably increased levels ( 225%) (Fig. 4, B and C). The ability of SL-C to tolerate a terminal loop substitution is consistent with the sequence variation observed in lettuce necrotic stunt virus (Fig. 3C), whereas the critical nature of the terminal loop of SL-B is in agreement with its essentially invariant presence in all tombusviruses (Fig. 3B). Additionally, the result with LC-UUCG demonstrates that our assay system (using WT DI-83 II as the standard) is not "saturated" and is also capable of detecting increases in translational activity. These results indicate that SL-B and SL-C are critical for efficient translation of p33 and that their terminal loops contribute to their activities.
The clear importance of the terminal loop of SL-B, along with the presence of a U-turn motif within this loop, prompted us to search for potential RNA base pairing partners for it. Examination of the sequences flanking the p33 ORF in DI-83
To determine whether SL3 in the TSD was important for translational activity, this structure, along with some flanking sequences, was deleted from DI-83 II to create SL2/3 (Fig. 4D). The lack of detectable accumulation of the reporter DI RNA in co-transfections with this mutant indicated that the deletion severely compromised translation (Fig. 4E). To more precisely target the complementary sequence in SL3, the 6-nt long loop sequence was replaced with a 4-nt long tetraloop, 5'-UUCG (Fig. 4D). Although still detectable, the more localized modification in mutant L3-UUCG led to a 5-fold reduction in reporter DI RNA accumulation (Fig. 4E). Therefore, efficient translation requires terminal loop sequences in SL3 and in SL-B, which are complementary to each other (Fig. 5). Base Complementarity between SL3 and SL-B Is Essential for Efficient Translation in VivoCompensatory mutational analysis, in which base pairing between complementary sequences is first disrupted and then restored, is a common strategy used to provide evidence for a functional interaction between two RNA sequences. This approach was used to test the functional relevance of the proposed interaction between SL3 and SL-B.
The initial set of compensatory mutations analyzed, 5a, 5b, and 5c, contained tandem substitutions that would maintain the YUNR motifs in both loops (Fig. 6A, i). When these mutants were assayed, the substitutions in mutants 5a and 5b had different effects (Fig. 6B, i). Mutant 5a showed a moderate increase in DI RNA accumulation (
To acquire further evidence for the importance of the proposed interaction, two additional sets of compensatory mutations were generated. In the second set of mutants, several nucleotides within the loops of SL3 and SL-B were substituted (Fig. 6A, ii). Mutants PMa and PMb, containing disruptive substitutions, mediated lower DI RNA accumulation ( 20 and 60%, respectively), whereas the restorative mutant PMc promoted very efficient accumulation ( 160%) (Fig. 6B, ii). The strong correlation between disruption/restoration of base pairing and weak/strong activity supports an important functional role for the interaction in mediating efficient translation. In addition, partial disruption of the YUNR motifs in these mutants suggests that a canonical form of the motif is not essential (Fig. 6A, ii).
In the third set of mutants, different 12-nt long segments encompassing the two SLs were substituted singly or reciprocally (Fig. 6A, iii). Mutants Va and Vb contained identical loops (and adjacent stems) from either SL-B or SL3, respectively, and both showed reduced activity to Potential 5'-3' RNA-RNA Interactions in Genomic and Subgenomic mRNAs Are Conserved in Tombusvirus Genomes R3.5 is also present in the two 3'-coterminal TBSV subgenomic mRNAs, thus it could potentially facilitate translation in these additional viral contexts (Fig. 1). In agreement with this concept, sequences complementary to the terminal loop of SL-B are present in the 5' UTRs of both subgenomic mRNAs (Fig. 5, shaded box). For subgenomic mRNA2, the putative interacting sequence is present in a predicted terminal loop, whereas for subgenomic mRNA1, the complementary sequence corresponds to a linear 5'-terminal segment. Inspection of other tombusvirus sequences revealed that both the genomic and subgenomic mRNA 5'-3' interactions described for TBSV are strictly conserved and, importantly, include a number of mono- and co-variations within predicted base paired regions (Fig. 7). The maintenance of corresponding complementary sequences in all tombusvirus mRNAs further supports the functional relevance of our experimental findings.
Tombusviridae Members Contain Complementarity in Their 5' and 3' UTRsThe family Tombusviridae consists of a large group of viruses currently divided into eight genera (15). These viruses share various properties, including (i) icosahedral particles, (ii) RdRps belonging to supergroup II, and (iii) genomes lacking 5' caps and 3' poly(A) tails (15). Based on the latter feature, we wondered if the 5'-3' base pairing requirement observed for TBSV extended to other genera in Tombusviridae. Indeed, at least one other member of this family, TNV (Genus Necrovirus) has been reported previously to contain 5' and 3'-proximal complementary sequences that could potentially facilitate translation (10). To investigate whether this phenomenon was in fact more widespread, we analyzed genomic sequences from members of the six other genera in Tombusviridae (Aureusvirus, Avenavirus, Carmovirus, Dianthovirus, Machlomovirus, and Panicovirus). Complementary segments between genomic 5' and 3' UTRs were identified in various members and an example for each genus is provided in Fig. 8. It should be noted that there were some genomes that lacked compelling 5'-3' interactions. For example, TCV and several other carmoviruses contain 5' UTRs that are largely unstructured and show no significant complementarity to their respective 3' UTR sequences (data not shown). Notwithstanding, we were able to identify plausible interactions in the carmovirus, pea stem necrosis virus (Fig. 8). Thus, it is possible that only some members of a particular genus utilize a 5'-3' RNA-RNA-based communication mechanism. Furthermore, in the bi-segmented genome of RCNMV (genus Dianthovirus), RNA1 (and its subgenomic mRNA) possessed a potential interaction, whereas RNA2 did not (Fig. 8). This implies that the mechanism of 5'-3' communication within the genome of a single virus may vary.
Common features of the translationally relevant 5'-3' RNA-RNA interactions in TBSV and BYDV are the location of the interacting sequences in terminal loops and the presence of similar potential interactions in corresponding subgenomic mRNAs (10). In agreement with these properties, complementary sequences in the 5' and 3' UTRs of the different genera were located in predicted terminal loops and corresponding potential 5'-3' interactions were also identified in their subgenomic mRNAs, and in an associated satellite virus of PMV. The presence of these characteristic features add strength to the concept that this mechanism extends throughout the family Tombusviridae.
Structural Properties of R3.5A combination of approaches was used to define the structure of R3.5. Our current working model for this region is one in which it forms a branched 3-helix structure containing at least two functional SLs, SL-B and SL-C. The sequence covariation observed within the three helical regions in different tombusviruses suggests that their primary role is nonspecific structural support. However, some of the internal loops and bulges in these stems are highly conserved and could potentially function in a sequence-dependent manner. The terminal loop of SL-B is essentially invariant in tombusviruses. However, we have shown that this sequence, and that of its loop partner SL3, can tolerate substantial modifications without major effects on translational activity, as long as complementary between them is maintained. This apparent flexibility in sequence identity is in stark contrast to that observed for the equivalent 5'-3' loop-loop interaction in BYDV (10). For BYDV, compensatory changes of even a single base pair were not tolerated well, particularly for the loop partner in the 3' TE (10). Consequently, it was proposed that this sequence may have other roles in addition to mediating 5'-3' communication (10). Further structural differences between the TBSV 3' CITE and the BYDV 3' TE, include (i) different sized terminal loops in the relevant hairpins (6 versus 5 nt, respectively); (ii) different length stretches of complementarity for the interacting sequences (9 versus 5 bp); (iii) the absence in TBSV of a 17-nt tract of sequence that is conserved in the TEs of BYDV, necroviruses, and dianthoviruses (17); (iv) the location of the 3' CITE between RNA replication elements (i.e. RIII and RIV); (v) a more 3' genomic position for the 3' CITE; (vi) the presence of the 3' CITE at the 3' end of all TBSV mRNAs (in BYDV its 3' TE is present in the 5' UTR of subgenomic mRNA2 and absent in subgenomic mRNA3); and (vii) different overall secondary structures for the two RNA domains (25). Some of these differences likely account for the observation that, in side-by-side comparisons, the TBSV 3' CITE is not functional in conventional wheat germ in vitro translation systems, whereas the BYDV 3' TE is fully active (21). Role of the 5'-3' SL3/SL-B InteractionThe results from analyses of three different sets of compensatory mutants support a functional base pairing interaction between SL3 and SL-B. Long distance RNA-RNA base pairing interactions have been shown to function in different fundamental processes in (+)-strand RNA virus reproduction. These include, genome replication (51, 52), subgenomic mRNA transcription (3133, 5355) and viral mRNA translation (10, 56). In TBSV, the SL3/SL-B interaction is clearly not essential for viral RNA replication, as DI RNAs lacking R3.5 are able to replicate very efficiently (42). As for transcription, other sets of long distance RNA-RNA interactions have been found to promote transcription of TBSV subgenomic mRNAs, making it less likely that the SL3/SL-B interaction functions directly in this process (3133). Therefore, the role of this interaction is likely limited to mediating translation of viral proteins. In terms of translation, one effect of the 5'-3' RNA-RNA-based interaction is to circularize viral messages (10). For cellular mRNAs, protein-based circularization of messages is thought to (i) facilitate stabilization of ribonucleoprotein complexes involved in translation initiation; (ii) help protect the message from decay; (iii) mediate ribosome recycling; and/or (iv) promote preferential translation of full-length messages (3, 5, 6, 57). Some or all of these activities, which would act to increase translation, could also be facilitated by the RNA-RNA interaction in TBSV. However, an additional critical role, mediating delivery of recruited factors to the 5' end of the message, has been postulated for the corresponding interaction in BYDV, and this function could also apply to TBSV (10, 25). In this case, the 3' CITE would act to recruit translation factors/machinery, whereas the SL3/SL-B interaction would mediate their delivery to the 5' end of the message. A recruiting role for the 3' CITE seems reasonable, as the variable nature of 5' UTRs in genomic and subgenomic mRNAs make them unlikely candidates for binding to the same factor(s). Conversely, the presence of identical copies of the 3' CITE at the 3' end of all TBSV viral messages is consistent with the binding of a common factor(s). Regulatory Aspects of the 5'-3' InteractionR3.5 was originally defined as an RNA segment consistently absent in prototypical TBSV DI RNAs (20). Its location between replication-related RIII and RIV indicates that translation and RNA replication elements are integrated physically. Interestingly, SL3, the pairing partner for SL-B, is also nestled within a replication context. In fact, with the exception of SL3, all of the SLs in the 5'-proximal TSD play significant roles in promoting efficient viral RNA replication (47, 58).2
The close physical association of translation and replication elements in both the 5' and 3' UTR of the TBSV genome could be related to regulatory mechanisms that control these two distinct processes. During infections, the genome first serves as a message for translation and subsequently as a template for replication. There is evidence from studies on poliovirus that translation is antagonistic to replication and, consequently, mechanisms to down-regulate translation prior to replication are required (60, 61). Considering the essential nature of the 5'-3' RNA-RNA interaction for TBSV translation, it is possible that the binding of replication factors to sites near the interacting SLs could disrupt their communication and, thus, suppress translation (e.g. binding to either the TSD and/or R3.5). A version of this type of mechanism is used by Poliovirus where the binding of viral protein 3CD to the 5'-terminal cloverleaf RNA structure down-regulates translation of the genome (60). An alternative possibility, suggested for BYDV, could also apply to TBSV (56). In this hypothetical model, the viral RdRp disrupts the essential 5'-3' interaction at the 3' locale during ()-strand synthesis of the genome. This then inhibits translation and clears the path of the RdRp of oncoming ribosomes. Future studies will investigate whether these or other translation-to-replication switching mechanisms operate in TBSV. Prevalence of the 5'-3' RNA-RNA InteractionOne of the common features of members of the family Tombusviridae is that they lack 5' caps and 3' poly(A) tails (15). Our survey of this family for other potential examples of RNA-RNA-based communication revealed candidates in all genera. It is interesting to note that one of our examples, RCNMV RNA-1, was shown to be translationally active when its 5' UTR is replaced with a non-viral sequence (24). Although this result seems to challenge the relevance of the 5'-3' RNA-RNA-based interaction proposed for this genome segment, it is possible that the replacement 5' UTR sequence contained a complementary RNA sequence that was able to mediate a similar type of 5'-3' interaction. Indeed, 5' UTR replacement sequences have been shown to contain fortuitous complementary sequences that can act as efficient substitutes (59, 62).3 This possibility, combined with the presence of a compelling corresponding interaction in the subgenomic mRNA of RCNMV RNA-1, leaves open the possibility that this genomic segment does indeed utilize an RNA-RNA-based communication mechanism.
Experimental support that the sequences identified in at least one of our examples can mediate this type of interaction comes from the replacement of the loop sequences in SL3 and SL-B in TBSV with those from the PMV genome. The mutant series PMa, -b, and -c were actually designed so as to replace the terminal loop sequences of SL3, SL-B, or both, respectively, with the corresponding loops from PMV (refer to Figs. 6, A, ii, and 8). The ability of the PMV loop sequences to functionally substitute for those of TBSV demonstrates their potential to mediate a similar 5'-3' interaction in the PMV genome. This finding thus bolsters the concept that other members of Tombusviridae utilize a 5'-3' RNA-RNA interaction as part of their translational mechanism. This idea is also supported indirectly by two very recent reports on TNV (family Tombusviridae) that showed a requirement for either the genomic 5' UTR (62) or subgenomic mRNA2 5' UTR (59) for 3' TE-mediated translation. However, an attempt to demonstrate a functionally relevant interaction between the genomic 5' UTR and 3' TE of TNV by compensatory mutational analysis was not successful, possibly because of a sequence-specific function for the 3' element (62). Consequently, TBSV represents the only member of the family Tombusviridae for which a translationally important 5'-3' RNA-RNA interaction has been confirmed experimentally.
* This work was supported in part by NSERC and PREA. The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.
1 The abbreviations used are: BYDV, barley yellow dwarf virus; AMCV, artichoke mottled crinkle virus; CBLV, cucumber Bulgarian latent virus; CITE, cap independent translational enhancer; DI, defective interfering; ORF, open reading frame; PMV, panicum mosaic virus; R3.5, region 3.5; RCNMV, red clover necrotic mosaic virus; RdRp, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase; SL, stem-loop; STNV, satellite tobacco mosaic virus; TNV, tobacco necrosis virus; TBSV, tomato bushy stunt virus; TE, translational enhancer; TNV, tobacco necrosis virus; TSD, T-shaped domain; UTR, untranslated region; nt, nucleotide(s); WT, wild type.
2 Ray, D., Na, H., and White, K. A. (2004) J. Virol., in press.
3 M. R. Fabian and K. A. White, unpublished data.
We thank members of our laboratory of reviewing the manuscript.
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