ADAR proteins: structure and catalytic mechanism.

Since the discovery of the adenosine deaminase (ADA) acting on RNA (ADAR) family of proteins in 1988 (Bass and Weintraub, Cell 55:1089-1098, 1988) (Wagner et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 86:2647-2651, 1989), we have learned much about their structure and catalytic mechanism. However, much about these enzymes is still unknown, particularly regarding the selective recognition and processing of specific adenosines within substrate RNAs.

RNA editing changes the lesion specificity for the DNA repair enzyme NEIL1.

Editing of the pre-mRNA for the DNA repair enzyme NEIL1 causes a lysine to arginine change in the lesion recognition loop of the protein. The two forms of NEIL1 are shown here to have distinct enzymatic properties. The edited form removes thymine glycol from duplex DNA 30 times more slowly than the form encoded in the genome, whereas editing enhances repair of the guanidinohydantoin lesion by NEIL1.

Selective inhibition of ADAR2-catalyzed editing of the serotonin 2c receptor pre-mRNA by a helix-threading peptide.

RNA editing by adenosine deamination is a form of epigenetic control of gene expression wherein the ADAR enzymes convert adenosine to inosine in RNA often changing the meaning of codons. The pre-mRNA for the 2c subtype of serotonin receptor (5-HT2cR) is shown here to support small molecule binding near known editing sites. Furthermore, a helix-threading peptide binds this site and inhibits the in vitro reaction of ADAR2 in an RNA-substrate selective manner.

Matching active site and substrate structures for an RNA editing reaction.

The RNA-editing adenosine deaminases (ADARs) catalyze deamination of adenosine to inosine in a double-stranded structure found in various RNA substrates, including mRNAs. Here we present recent efforts to define structure/activity relationships for the ADAR reaction. We describe the synthesis of new phosphoramidites for the incorporation of 7-substituted-8-aza-7-deazaadenosine derivatives into RNA.

Biochemical and structural studies of N5-carboxyaminoimidazole ribonucleotide mutase from the acidophilic bacterium Acetobacter aceti.

N5-carboxyaminoimidazole ribonucleotide (N5-CAIR) mutase (PurE) catalyzes the reversible interconversion of acid-labile compounds N5-CAIR and 4-carboxy-5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide (CAIR). We have examined PurE from the acidophilic bacterium Acetobacter aceti (AaPurE), focusing on its adaptation to acid pH and the roles of conserved residues His59 and His89. Both AaPurE and Escherichia coli PurE showed quasi-reversible acid-mediated inactivation, but wt AaPurE was much more stable at pH 3.