Publications

• An RNA 5'-triphosphatase related to the protein tyrosine phosphatases.

  Takagi T., Moore C.R., Diehn F., Buratowski S.

  mRNA capping requires the sequential action of three enzymatic activities: RNA triphosphatase, guanylyl-transferase, and methyltransferase. Here we characterize a gene (CEL-1) believed to encode the C. elegans capping enzyme. CEL-1 has a C-terminal domain containing motifs found in yeast and vacci ... >> More

  mRNA capping requires the sequential action of three enzymatic activities: RNA triphosphatase, guanylyl-transferase, and methyltransferase. Here we characterize a gene (CEL-1) believed to encode the C. elegans capping enzyme. CEL-1 has a C-terminal domain containing motifs found in yeast and vaccinia virus capping enzyme guanylyltransferases. The N-terminal domain of CEL-1 has RNA triphosphatase activity. Surprisingly, this domain does not resemble the vaccinia virus capping enzyme but does have significant sequence similarity to the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) enzyme family. However, CEL-1 has no detectable PTP activity. The mechanism of the RNA triphosphatase is similar to that of PTPs: the active site contains a conserved nucleophilic cysteine required for activity. These results broaden the superfamily of PTP-like phosphatases to include enzymes with RNA substrates. << Less

  Cell 89:867-873(1997) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 6 other entries.

• Cloning and characterization of two human cDNAs encoding the mRNA capping enzyme.

  Tsukamoto T., Shibagaki Y., Murakoshi T., Suzuki M., Nakamura A., Gotoh H., Mizumoto K.

  Previous studies demonstrated that the mammalian mRNA capping enzyme is a bifunctional enzyme containing RNA 5'-triphosphatase and mRNA guanylyl-transferase activities in a single polypeptide. In yeast, both the above activities are separated into two different subunits, alpha and beta, the genes ... >> More

  Previous studies demonstrated that the mammalian mRNA capping enzyme is a bifunctional enzyme containing RNA 5'-triphosphatase and mRNA guanylyl-transferase activities in a single polypeptide. In yeast, both the above activities are separated into two different subunits, alpha and beta, the genes for which we have cloned recently. It is thus interesting to compare the structural and functional relationships between the mammalian and yeast capping enzymes. Here we isolated two human cDNAs encoding mRNA capping enzymes termed hCAP1a and hCAP1b which encode 597 and 541 amino acids, respectively. They are different only at the region coding for the C-terminal portion of the enzyme. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences with other cellular and viral capping enzymes showed that all the regions conserved among mRNA guanylyltransferases are observed in our clones except one conserved C-terminal region which was absent in the hCAP1b protein. The purified recombinant hCAP1a gene product, hCAP1a, exhibited both RNA 5'-triphosphatase and mRNA guanylyltransferase activities. Deletion mutant analysis of hCAP1a showed that the N-terminal 213 amino acid fragment containing a tyrosine specific protein phosphatase motif catalyzed the RNA 5'-triphosphatase activity and the C-terminal 369 amino acid fragment exhibited the mRNA guanylyltransferase activity. On the other hand, hCAP1b showed RNA 5'-triphosphatase activity, but neither enzyme-GMP covalent complex formation nor cap structure formation was detected. << Less

  Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 243:101-108(1998) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Messenger RNA guanylyltransferase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. II. Catalytic properties.

  Itoh N., Mizumoto K., Kaziro Y.

  Highly purified mRNA-capping enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae catalyzes (a) removal of the gamma-phosphoryl group from the 5'-end of the newly formed mRNA and (b) guanylylation of the resulting diphosphoryl end. Characteristics of the two reactions catalyzed by this enzyme are studied. Guanyly ... >> More

  Highly purified mRNA-capping enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae catalyzes (a) removal of the gamma-phosphoryl group from the 5'-end of the newly formed mRNA and (b) guanylylation of the resulting diphosphoryl end. Characteristics of the two reactions catalyzed by this enzyme are studied. Guanylyltransferase is most active at pH 7.0 in the presence of 3 mM Mg2+, and utilizes GTP as a guanylyl donor with an apparent Km of 5 microM, and ppGCC (A2, U2, G)n as a guanylyl acceptor with two Km values of 0.5 and 4 microM. It catalyzes GTP-PPi exchange in the absence of the acceptor RNA, and forms a covalent enzyme-GMP intermediate having Mr = 45,000 in sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. RNAs with 5'-diphosphoryl as well as 5'-triphosphoryl ends are capped, while mononucleotides such as GDP and ppGp are inert. Since guanylyltransferase can utilize ppGpC and ppGpCpC as acceptors, the presence of at least one phosphodiester bond seems to be sufficient for the acceptor activity. However, oligonucleotides of longer chain length are preferred. RNA 5'-triphosphatase associated with the purified enzyme requires Mg2+ and exhibits a broad pH optimum from 6.5 to 8.5, and an apparent Km value for pppA-terminated poly(A) is 1.4 microM. The enzyme is specific for the gamma-phosphoryl group at the 5'-terminus of RNA and does not hydrolyze ATP. It can hydrolyze the gamma-phosphoryl group of pppGp, but the RNA substrates with longer chain length are preferred. << Less

  J. Biol. Chem. 259:13930-13936(1984) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Structural insights to how mammalian capping enzyme reads the CTD code.

  Ghosh A., Shuman S., Lima C.D.

  Physical interaction between the phosphorylated RNA polymerase II carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) and cellular capping enzymes is required for efficient formation of the 5' mRNA cap, the first modification of nascent mRNA. Here, we report the crystal structure of the RNA guanylyltransferase compone ... >> More

  Physical interaction between the phosphorylated RNA polymerase II carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) and cellular capping enzymes is required for efficient formation of the 5' mRNA cap, the first modification of nascent mRNA. Here, we report the crystal structure of the RNA guanylyltransferase component of mammalian capping enzyme (Mce) bound to a CTD phosphopeptide. The CTD adopts an extended β-like conformation that docks Tyr1 and Ser5-PO(4) onto the Mce nucleotidyltransferase domain. Structure-guided mutational analysis verified that the Mce-CTD interface is a tunable determinant of CTD binding and stimulation of guanylyltransferase activity, and of Mce function in vivo. The location and composition of the CTD binding site on mammalian capping enzyme is distinct from that of a yeast capping enzyme that recognizes the same CTD primary structure. Thus, capping enzymes from different taxa have evolved different strategies to read the CTD code. << Less

  Mol. Cell 43:299-310(2011) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 6 other entries.

• mRNA capping: biological functions and applications.

  Ramanathan A., Robb G.B., Chan S.H.

  The 5' m7G cap is an evolutionarily conserved modification of eukaryotic mRNA. Decades of research have established that the m7G cap serves as a unique molecular module that recruits cellular proteins and mediates cap-related biological functions such as pre-mRNA processing, nuclear export and cap ... >> More

  The 5' m7G cap is an evolutionarily conserved modification of eukaryotic mRNA. Decades of research have established that the m7G cap serves as a unique molecular module that recruits cellular proteins and mediates cap-related biological functions such as pre-mRNA processing, nuclear export and cap-dependent protein synthesis. Only recently has the role of the cap 2'O methylation as an identifier of self RNA in the innate immune system against foreign RNA has become clear. The discovery of the cytoplasmic capping machinery suggests a novel level of control network. These new findings underscore the importance of a proper cap structure in the synthesis of functional messenger RNA. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of the biological roles of mRNA caps in eukaryotic cells. We will also discuss different means that viruses and their host cells use to cap their RNA and the application of these capping machineries to synthesize functional mRNA. Novel applications of RNA capping enzymes in the discovery of new RNA species and sequencing the microbiome transcriptome will also be discussed. We will end with a summary of novel findings in RNA capping and the questions these findings pose. << Less

  Nucleic Acids Res 44:7511-7526(2016) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 15 other entries.

• Characterization of the vaccinia virus RNA 5'-triphosphatase and nucleotide triphosphate phosphohydrolase activities. Demonstrate that both activities are carried out at the same active site.

  Myette J.R., Niles E.G.

  D1R1-545, an active subdomain of the large subunit of vaccinia virus mRNA capping enzyme possessing ATPase, RNA 5'-triphosphatase, and guanylyltransferase activities, was expressed in Escherichia coli and shown to be functionally equivalent to the heterodimeric enzyme (Myette, J. R., and Niles, E. ... >> More

  D1R1-545, an active subdomain of the large subunit of vaccinia virus mRNA capping enzyme possessing ATPase, RNA 5'-triphosphatase, and guanylyltransferase activities, was expressed in Escherichia coli and shown to be functionally equivalent to the heterodimeric enzyme (Myette, J. R., and Niles, E. G. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 11936-11944). A detailed characterization of the phosphohydrolytic activities of D1R1-545 demonstrates that, in addition to ATPase and RNA 5'-triphosphatase activities, the capping enzyme also possesses a general nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase activity that lacks a preference for the nucleoside base or sugar. Nucleoside triphosphate and mRNA saturation kinetics are markedly different, with RNA exhibiting a Km and turnover number 100- and 10-fold less, respectively, than those values measured for any NTP. The linear competitive inhibition of RNA 5'-triphosphatase activity by ATP, and the relative manner by which both ATPase and RNA 5'-triphosphatase activities are inhibited by specific oligonucleotides, kinetically demonstrate that each activity is carried out at a common active site. Direct UV photo-cross-linking of either 32P-radiolabeled ATP or 23-mer triphosphorylated RNA, followed by cyanogen bromide cleavage of the photo-linked enzyme, localizes the major binding site for both ATP and RNA to a region between amino acids 1 and 221. The inability of ATP to competitively inhibit either E approximately GMP formation or the transfer of GMP to RNA kinetically differentiates the phosphohydrolase active site from the guanylyltransferase active site. << Less

  J Biol Chem 271:11945-11952(1996) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Structure and mechanism of yeast RNA triphosphatase: an essential component of the mRNA capping apparatus.

  Lima C.D., Wang L.K., Shuman S.

  RNA triphosphatase is an essential mRNA processing enzyme that catalyzes the first step in cap formation. The 2.05 A crystal structure of yeast RNA triphosphatase Cet1p reveals a novel active site fold whereby an eight-stranded beta barrel forms a topologically closed triphosphate tunnel. Interact ... >> More

  RNA triphosphatase is an essential mRNA processing enzyme that catalyzes the first step in cap formation. The 2.05 A crystal structure of yeast RNA triphosphatase Cet1p reveals a novel active site fold whereby an eight-stranded beta barrel forms a topologically closed triphosphate tunnel. Interactions of a sulfate in the center of the tunnel with a divalent cation and basic amino acids projecting into the tunnel suggest a catalytic mechanism that is supported by mutational data. Discrete surface domains mediate Cet1p homodimerization and Cet1p binding to the guanylyltransferase component of the capping apparatus. The structure and mechanism of fungal RNA triphosphatases are completely different from those of mammalian mRNA capping enzymes. Hence, RNA triphosphatase presents an ideal target for structure-based antifungal drug discovery. << Less

  Cell 99:533-543(1999) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 2 other entries.

• Structure and mechanism of the RNA triphosphatase component of mammalian mRNA capping enzyme.

  Changela A., Ho C.K., Martins A., Shuman S., Mondragon A.

  The 5' capping of mammalian pre-mRNAs is initiated by RNA triphosphatase, a member of the cysteine phosphatase superfamily. Here we report the 1.65 A crystal structure of mouse RNA triphosphatase, which reveals a deep, positively charged active site pocket that can fit a 5' triphosphate end. Struc ... >> More

  The 5' capping of mammalian pre-mRNAs is initiated by RNA triphosphatase, a member of the cysteine phosphatase superfamily. Here we report the 1.65 A crystal structure of mouse RNA triphosphatase, which reveals a deep, positively charged active site pocket that can fit a 5' triphosphate end. Structural, biochemical and mutational results show that despite sharing an HCxxxxxR(S/T) motif, a phosphoenzyme intermediate and a core alpha/beta-fold with other cysteine phosphatases, the mechanism of phosphoanhydride cleavage by mammalian capping enzyme differs from that used by protein phosphatases to hydrolyze phosphomonoesters. The most significant difference is the absence of a carboxylate general acid catalyst in RNA triphosphatase. Residues conserved uniquely among the RNA phosphatase subfamily are important for function in cap formation and are likely to play a role in substrate recognition. << Less

  EMBO J. 20:2575-2586(2001) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 2 other entries.

• Identification of a novel function of the alphavirus capping apparatus. RNA 5'-triphosphatase activity of Nsp2.

  Vasiljeva L., Merits A., Auvinen P., Kaeaeriaeinen L.

  Both genomic and subgenomic RNAs of the Alphavirus have m(7)G(5')ppp(5')N (cap0 structure) at their 5' end. Previously it has been shown that Alphavirus-specific nonstructural protein Nsp1 has guanine-7N-methyltransferase and guanylyltransferase activities needed in the synthesis of the cap struct ... >> More

  Both genomic and subgenomic RNAs of the Alphavirus have m(7)G(5')ppp(5')N (cap0 structure) at their 5' end. Previously it has been shown that Alphavirus-specific nonstructural protein Nsp1 has guanine-7N-methyltransferase and guanylyltransferase activities needed in the synthesis of the cap structure. During normal cap synthesis the 5' gamma-phosphate of the nascent viral RNA chain is removed by a specific RNA 5'-triphosphatase before condensation with GMP, delivered by the guanylyltransferase. Using a novel RNA triphosphatase assay, we show here that nonstructural protein Nsp2 (799 amino acids) of Semliki Forest virus specifically cleaves the gamma,beta-triphosphate bond at the 5' end of RNA. The same activity was demonstrated for Nsp2 of Sindbis virus, as well as for the amino-terminal fragment of Semliki Forest virus Nsp2-N (residues 1-470). The carboxyl-terminal part of Semliki Forest virus Nsp2-C (residues 471-799) had no RNA triphosphatase activity. Replacement of Lys-192 by Asn in the nucleotide-binding site completely abolished RNA triphosphatase and nucleoside triphosphatase activities of Semliki Forest virus Nsp2 and Nsp2-N. Here we provide biochemical characterization of the newly found function of Nsp2 and discuss the unique properties of the entire Alphavirus-capping apparatus. << Less

  J. Biol. Chem. 275:17281-17287(2000) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

• Chlorella virus RNA triphosphatase. Mutational analysis and mechanism of inhibition by tripolyphosphate.

  Gong C., Shuman S.

  Chlorella virus RNA triphosphatase (cvRtp1) is the smallest member of a family of metal-dependent phosphohydrolases that includes the RNA triphosphatases of fungi, protozoa, poxviruses, and baculoviruses. The primary structure of cvRtp1 is more similar to that of the yeast RNA triphosphatase Cet1 ... >> More

  Chlorella virus RNA triphosphatase (cvRtp1) is the smallest member of a family of metal-dependent phosphohydrolases that includes the RNA triphosphatases of fungi, protozoa, poxviruses, and baculoviruses. The primary structure of cvRtp1 is more similar to that of the yeast RNA triphosphatase Cet1 than it is to the RNA triphosphatases of other DNA viruses. To evaluate the higher order structural similarities between cvRtp1 and the fungal enzymes, we performed an alanine scan of individual residues of cvRtp1 that were predicted, on the basis of the crystal structure of Cet1, to be located at or near the active site. Twelve residues (Glu(24), Glu(26), Asp(64), Arg(76), Lys(90), Glu(112), Arg(127), Lys(129), Arg(131), Asp(142), Glu(163), and Glu(165)) were deemed essential for catalysis by cvRtp1, insofar as their replacement by alanine reduced phosphohydrolase activity to <5% of the wild-type value. Structure-activity relationships were elucidated by introducing conservative substitutions at the essential positions. The mutational results suggest that the active site of cvRtp1 is likely to adopt a tunnel fold like that of Cet1 and that a similar constellation of side chains within the tunnel is responsible for metal binding and reaction chemistry. Nonetheless, there are several discordant mutational effects in cvRtp1 versus Cet1, which suggest that different members of the phosphohydrolase family vary in their reliance on certain residues within the active site tunnel. We found that tripolyphosphate and pyrophosphate were potent competitive inhibitors of cvRtp1 (K(i) = 0.6 microm tripolyphosphate and 2.4 microm pyrophosphate, respectively), whereas phosphate had little effect. cvRtp1 displayed a weak intrinsic tripolyphosphatase activity (3% of its ATPase activity) but was unable to hydrolyze pyrophosphate. << Less

  J Biol Chem 277:15317-15324(2002) [PubMed] [EuropePMC]

  This publication is cited by 2 other entries.