Programmable sequence-specific click-labeling of RNA using archaeal box C/D RNP methyltransferases

Nucleic Acids Res. 2012 Aug;40(14):6765-73. doi: 10.1093/nar/gks381. Epub 2012 May 7.

Abstract

Biophysical and mechanistic investigation of RNA function requires site-specific incorporation of spectroscopic and chemical probes, which is difficult to achieve using current technologies. We have in vitro reconstituted a functional box C/D small ribonucleoprotein RNA 2'-O-methyltransferase (C/D RNP) from the thermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus abyssi and demonstrated its ability to transfer a prop-2-ynyl group from a synthetic cofactor analog to a series of preselected target sites in model tRNA and pre-mRNA molecules. Target selection of the RNP was programmed by changing a dodecanucleotide guide sequence in a 64-nt C/D guide RNA leading to efficient derivatization of three out of four new targets in each RNA substrate. We also show that the transferred terminal alkyne can be further appended with a fluorophore using a bioorthogonal azide-alkyne 1,3-cycloaddition (click) reaction. The described approach for the first time permits synthetically tunable sequence-specific labeling of RNA with single-nucleotide precision.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Base Sequence
  • Click Chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Methyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Organoselenium Compounds / chemistry
  • Organoselenium Compounds / metabolism
  • Pyrococcus abyssi / enzymology
  • RNA Precursors / chemistry
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / chemistry*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Transfer / chemistry*
  • RNA, Transfer / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism*
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / analogs & derivatives
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / chemistry
  • S-Adenosylmethionine / metabolism

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Organoselenium Compounds
  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • SeAdoYn
  • S-Adenosylmethionine
  • RNA, Transfer
  • Methyltransferases