Abstract
The human RNA-activated protein kinase PKR is an interferon-induced protein that is part of the innate immune response and inhibits viral replication. The action of PKR involves RNA-dependent autophosphorylation leading to inhibition of translation. PKR has an N-terminal dsRNA-binding domain that can interact non-sequence specifically with long (>33 bp) stretches of dsRNA leading to activation. In addition, certain viral and cellular RNAs containing non-Watson-Crick structures and multiple, shorter dsRNA sections can regulate PKR. In an effort to identify novel binders and possible activators of PKR, we carried out selections on a partially structured dsRNA library using truncated and full-length versions of PKR. A library with 1011 sequences was constructed and aptamers that bound to His6-tagged proteins were isolated. Characterization revealed a novel minimal RNA motif for activation of PKR with the following unified structural characteristics: a hairpin with a nonconserved imperfect 16-bp dsRNA stem flanked by 10-15-nt single-stranded tails, herein termed a "ss-dsRNA motif." Boundary experiments revealed that the single-stranded tails flanking the dsRNA core provide the critical determinant for activation. The ss-dsRNA motif occurs in a variety of cellular and viral RNAs, suggesting possible novel functions for PKR in nature.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1934-1945 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | RNA |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1 2004 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Molecular Biology
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Activation of the protein kinase PKR by short double-stranded RNAs with single-stranded tails. / Zheng, Xiaofeng; Bevilacqua, Philip C.
In: RNA, Vol. 10, No. 12, 01.12.2004, p. 1934-1945.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Activation of the protein kinase PKR by short double-stranded RNAs with single-stranded tails
AU - Zheng, Xiaofeng
AU - Bevilacqua, Philip C.
PY - 2004/12/1
Y1 - 2004/12/1
N2 - The human RNA-activated protein kinase PKR is an interferon-induced protein that is part of the innate immune response and inhibits viral replication. The action of PKR involves RNA-dependent autophosphorylation leading to inhibition of translation. PKR has an N-terminal dsRNA-binding domain that can interact non-sequence specifically with long (>33 bp) stretches of dsRNA leading to activation. In addition, certain viral and cellular RNAs containing non-Watson-Crick structures and multiple, shorter dsRNA sections can regulate PKR. In an effort to identify novel binders and possible activators of PKR, we carried out selections on a partially structured dsRNA library using truncated and full-length versions of PKR. A library with 1011 sequences was constructed and aptamers that bound to His6-tagged proteins were isolated. Characterization revealed a novel minimal RNA motif for activation of PKR with the following unified structural characteristics: a hairpin with a nonconserved imperfect 16-bp dsRNA stem flanked by 10-15-nt single-stranded tails, herein termed a "ss-dsRNA motif." Boundary experiments revealed that the single-stranded tails flanking the dsRNA core provide the critical determinant for activation. The ss-dsRNA motif occurs in a variety of cellular and viral RNAs, suggesting possible novel functions for PKR in nature.
AB - The human RNA-activated protein kinase PKR is an interferon-induced protein that is part of the innate immune response and inhibits viral replication. The action of PKR involves RNA-dependent autophosphorylation leading to inhibition of translation. PKR has an N-terminal dsRNA-binding domain that can interact non-sequence specifically with long (>33 bp) stretches of dsRNA leading to activation. In addition, certain viral and cellular RNAs containing non-Watson-Crick structures and multiple, shorter dsRNA sections can regulate PKR. In an effort to identify novel binders and possible activators of PKR, we carried out selections on a partially structured dsRNA library using truncated and full-length versions of PKR. A library with 1011 sequences was constructed and aptamers that bound to His6-tagged proteins were isolated. Characterization revealed a novel minimal RNA motif for activation of PKR with the following unified structural characteristics: a hairpin with a nonconserved imperfect 16-bp dsRNA stem flanked by 10-15-nt single-stranded tails, herein termed a "ss-dsRNA motif." Boundary experiments revealed that the single-stranded tails flanking the dsRNA core provide the critical determinant for activation. The ss-dsRNA motif occurs in a variety of cellular and viral RNAs, suggesting possible novel functions for PKR in nature.
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U2 - 10.1261/rna.7150804
DO - 10.1261/rna.7150804
M3 - Article
VL - 10
SP - 1934
EP - 1945
JO - RNA
JF - RNA
SN - 1355-8382
IS - 12
ER -