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

Galão, Rui Pedro Ribeiro; Chari, Ashwin; Alves-Rodrigues, Isabel; Lobão, Daniela; Mas, Antonio Juan; Kambach, Christian; Fischer, Utz; Díez Antón, Juana, 1962-

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1261/rna.1712910

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

Citation

Galão RP, Chari A, Alves-Rodrigues I, Lobão D, Mas A, Kambach C et al. LSm1-7 complexes bind to specific sites in viral RNA genomes and regulate their translation and replication. RNA. 2010;16(4):817-27. DOI: 10.1261/rna.1712910

Abstract

LSm1-7 complexes promote cellular mRNA degradation, in addition to translation and replication of positive-strand RNA viruses such as the Brome mosaic virus (BMV). Yet, how LSm1-7 complexes act on their targets remains elusive. Here, we report that reconstituted recombinant LSm1-7 complexes directly bind to two distinct RNA-target sequences in the BMV genome, a tRNA-like structure at the 3'-untranslated region and two internal A-rich single-stranded regions. Importantly, in vivo analysis shows that these sequences regulate the translation and replication of the BMV genome. Furthermore, both RNA-target sequences resemble those found for Hfq, the LSm counterpart in bacteria, suggesting conservation through evolution. Our results provide the first evidence that LSm1-7 complexes interact directly with viral RNA genomes and open new perspectives in the understanding of LSm1-7 functions.