Structure and function of KH domains

Domain definition and interaction mapping for the endonuclease complex hNob1/hPno1

Ribosome biogenesis requires a variety of trans-acting factors in order to produce functional ribosomal subunits. In human cells, the complex formed by the proteins hNob1 and hPno1 is crucial to the site 3 cleavage occurring at the 3'-end of 18S pre-rRNA. However, the properties and activity of this complex are still poorly understood. We present here a detailed characterization of hNob1 organization and its interaction with hPno1. We redefine the boundaries of the endonuclease PIN domain present in hNob1 and we further delineate the precise interacting modules required for complex formation in hNob1 and hPno1. Altogether, our data contributes to a better understanding of the complex biology required during the site 3 cleavage step in ribosome biogenesis.

Structural characterization of a novel KH-domain containing plant chloroplast endonuclease

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a single celled alga that undergoes apoptosis in response to UV-C irradiation. UVI31+, a novel UV-inducible DNA endonuclease in C. reinhardtii, which normally localizes near cell wall and pyrenoid regions, gets redistributed into punctate foci within the whole chloroplast, away from the pyrenoid, upon UV-stress. Solution NMR structure of the first putative UV inducible endonuclease UVI31+ revealed an α₁–β₁–β₂–α₂–α₃–β₃ fold similar to BolA and type II KH-domain ubiquitous protein families. Three α−helices of UVI31+ constitute one side of the protein surface, which are packed to the other side, made of three-stranded β–sheet, with intervening hydrophobic residues. A twenty-three residues long polypeptide stretch (D54-H76) connecting β₁ and β₂ strands is found to be highly flexible. Interestingly, UVI31+ recognizes the DNA primarily through its β–sheet. We propose that the catalytic triad residues involving Ser114, His95 and Thr116 facilitate DNA endonuclease activity of UVI31+. Further, decreased endonuclease activity of the S114A mutant is consistent with the direct participation of Ser114 in the catalysis. This study provides the first structural description of a plant chloroplast endonuclease that is regulated by UV-stress response.

The archaeal ATPase PINA interacts with the helicase Hjm via its carboxyl terminal KH domain remodeling and processing replication fork and Holliday junction

PINA is a novel ATPase and DNA helicase highly conserved in Archaea, the third domain of life. The PINA from Sulfolobus islandicus (SisPINA) forms a hexameric ring in crystal and solution. The protein is able to promote Holliday junction (HJ) migration and physically and functionally interacts with Hjc, the HJ specific endonuclease. Here, we show that SisPINA has direct physical interaction with Hjm (Hel308a), a helicase presumably targeting replication forks. In vitro biochemical analysis revealed that Hjm, Hjc, and SisPINA are able to coordinate HJ migration and cleavage in a concerted way. Deletion of the carboxyl 13 amino acid residues impaired the interaction between SisPINA and Hjm. Crystal structure analysis showed that the carboxyl 70 amino acid residues fold into a type II KH domain which, in other proteins, functions in binding RNA or ssDNA. The KH domain not only mediates the interactions of PINA with Hjm and Hjc but also regulates the hexameric assembly of PINA. Our results collectively suggest that SisPINA, Hjm and Hjc work together to function in replication fork regression, HJ formation and HJ cleavage.

RNA ligase-like domain in activating signal cointegrator 1 complex subunit 1 (ASCC1) regulates ASCC complex function during alkylation damage

Multiple DNA damage response (DDR) pathways have evolved to sense the presence of damage and recruit the proper repair factors. We recently reported a signaling pathway induced upon alkylation damage to recruit the AlkB homolog 3, α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (ALKBH3)-activating signal cointegrator 1 complex subunit 3 (ASCC3) dealkylase-helicase repair complex. As in other DDR pathways, the recruitment of these repair factors is mediated through a ubiquitin-dependent mechanism. However, the machinery that coordinates the proper assembly of this repair complex and controls its recruitment is still poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that the ASCC1 accessory subunit is important for the regulation of ASCC complex function. ASCC1 interacts with the ASCC complex through the ASCC3 helicase subunit. We find that ASCC1 is present at nuclear speckle foci prior to damage, but leaves the foci in response to alkylation. Strikingly, ASCC1 loss significantly increases ASCC3 foci formation during alkylation damage, yet most of these foci lack ASCC2. These results suggest that ASCC1 coordinates the proper recruitment of the ASCC complex during alkylation, a function that appears to depend on a putative RNA-binding motif near the ASCC1 C terminus. Consistent with its role in alkylation damage signaling and repair, ASCC1 knockout through a CRISPR/Cas9 approach results in alkylation damage sensitivity in a manner epistatic with ASCC3. Together, our results identify a critical regulator of the ALKBH3-ASCC alkylation damage signaling pathway and suggest a potential role for RNA-interacting domains in the alkylation damage response.

Handling FMRP and its molecular partners: Structural insights into Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) is a RNA-binding protein (RBP) known to control different steps of mRNA metabolism, even though its complete function is not fully understood yet. Lack or mutations of FMRP lead to Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and a leading monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is well established that FMRP has a multi-domain architecture, a feature that allows this RBP to be engaged in a large interaction network with numerous proteins and mRNAs or non-coding RNAs. Insights into the three-dimensional (3D) structure of parts of its three domains (N-terminus, central domain and C-terminus) were obtained using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and X-ray diffraction, but the complete 3D arrangement of each domain with respect to the others is still missing. Here, we review the structural features of FMRP and of the network of its protein and RNA interactions. Understanding these aspects is the first necessary step towards the design of novel compounds for new therapeutic interventions in FXS.

Sequence, Structure, and Context Preferences of Human RNA Binding Proteins

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) orchestrate the production, processing, and function of mRNAs. Here, we present the affinity landscapes of 78 human RBPs using an unbiased assay that determines the sequence, structure, and context preferences of these proteins in vitro by deep sequencing of bound RNAs. These data enable construction of "RNA maps" of RBP activity without requiring crosslinking-based assays. We found an unexpectedly low diversity of RNA motifs, implying frequent convergence of binding specificity toward a relatively small set of RNA motifs, many with low compositional complexity. Offsetting this trend, however, we observed extensive preferences for contextual features distinct from short linear RNA motifs, including spaced "bipartite" motifs, biased flanking nucleotide composition, and bias away from or toward RNA structure. Our results emphasize the importance of contextual features in RNA recognition, which likely enable targeting of distinct subsets of transcripts by different RBPs that recognize the same linear motif.

Signal sequence-independent targeting of MID2 mRNA to the endoplasmic reticulum by the yeast RNA-binding protein Khd1p

Localization of mRNAs depends on specific RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and critically contributes not only to cell polarization but also to basal cell function. The yeast RBP Khd1p binds to several hundred mRNAs, the majority of which encodes secreted or membrane proteins. We demonstrate that a subfraction of Khd1p associates with artificial liposomes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and that Khd1p endomembrane association is partially dependent on its binding to RNA. ER targeting of at least two mRNAs, MID2 and SLG1/WSC1, requires KHD1 but is independent of their translation. Together, our results suggest interdependence of Khd1p and mRNA for their targeting to the ER and presents additional evidence for signal sequence-independent, RBP-mediated mRNA targeting.

Mt-rps3 is an ancient gene which provides insight into the evolution of fungal mitochondrial genomes

The nuclear ribosomal protein S3 (Rps3) is implicated in the assembly of the ribosomal small subunit. Fungi and plants present a gene copy in their mitochondrial (mt) genomes. An analysis of 303 complete fungal mt genomes showed that, when rps3 is found, it is either a free-standing gene or an anchored gene within the omega intron of the rnl gene. Early divergent fungi, Basidiomycota and all yeasts but the CTG group belong to the first case, and Pezizomycotina to the second. Its position, size and genetic code employed are conserved within species of the same Order. Size variability is attributed to different number of repeats. These repeats consist of AT-rich sequences. MtRps3 proteins lack the KH domain, necessary for binding to rRNA, in their N-terminal region. Their C-terminal region is conserved in all Domains of life. Phylogenetic analysis showed that nuclear and mtRps3 proteins are descendants of archaeal and a-proteobacterial homologues, respectively. Thus, fungal mt-rps3 gene is an ancient gene which evolved within the endosymbiotic model and presents different evolutionary routes: (a) coming from a-proteobacteria, it was relocated to another region of the mt genome, (b) via its insertion to the omega intron, it was transferred to the nucleus and/or got lost, and (c) it was re-routed to the mt genome again. Today, Basidiomycota and Saccharomycetales seem to follow the first evolutionary route and almost all Pezizomycotina support the second scenario with their exceptions being the result of the third scenario, i.e., the gene's re-entry to the mt genome.

Trans-acting translational regulatory RNA binding proteins

The canonical molecular machinery required for global mRNA translation and its control has been well defined, with distinct sets of proteins involved in the processes of translation initiation, elongation and termination. Additionally, noncanonical, trans-acting regulatory RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are necessary to provide mRNA-specific translation, and these interact with 5' and 3' untranslated regions and coding regions of mRNA to regulate ribosome recruitment and transit. Recently it has also been demonstrated that trans-acting ribosomal proteins direct the translation of specific mRNAs. Importantly, it has been shown that subsets of RBPs often work in concert, forming distinct regulatory complexes upon different cellular perturbation, creating an RBP combinatorial code, which through the translation of specific subsets of mRNAs, dictate cell fate. With the development of new methodologies, a plethora of novel RNA binding proteins have recently been identified, although the function of many of these proteins within mRNA translation is unknown. In this review we will discuss these methodologies and their shortcomings when applied to the study of translation, which need to be addressed to enable a better understanding of trans-acting translational regulatory proteins. Moreover, we discuss the protein domains that are responsible for RNA binding as well as the RNA motifs to which they bind, and the role of trans-acting ribosomal proteins in directing the translation of specific mRNAs. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes Translation > Translation Regulation Translation > Translation Mechanisms.

Ankyrin repeat and single KH domain 1 (ANKHD1) drives renal cancer cell proliferation via binding to and altering a subset of miRNAs

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) represents the most common kidney cancer worldwide. Increased cell proliferation associated with abnormal microRNA (miRNA) regulation are hallmarks of carcinogenesis. Ankyrin repeat and single KH domain 1 (ANKHD1) is a highly conserved protein found to interact with core cancer pathways in Drosophila; however, its involvement in RCC is completely unexplored. Quantitative PCR studies coupled with large-scale genomics data sets demonstrated that ANKHD1 is significantly up-regulated in kidneys of RCC patients when compared with healthy controls. Cell cycle analysis revealed that ANKHD1 is an essential factor for RCC cell division. To understand the molecular mechanism(s) utilized by ANKHD1 to drive proliferation, we performed bioinformatics analyses that revealed that ANKHD1 contains a putative miRNA-binding motif. We screened 48 miRNAs with tumor-enhancing or -suppressing activities and found that ANKHD1 binds to and regulates three tumor-suppressing miRNAs (i.e. miR-29a, miR-205, and miR-196a). RNA-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that ANKHD1 physically interacts with its target miRNAs via a single K-homology domain, located in the C terminus of the protein. Functionally, we discovered that ANKHD1 positively drives ccRCC cell mitosis via binding to and suppressing mainly miR-29a and to a lesser degree via miR-196a/205, leading to up-regulation in proliferative genes such as CCDN1. Collectively, these data identify ANKHD1 as a new regulator of ccRCC proliferation via specific miRNA interactions.

Recognition of RNA N6-methyladenosine by IGF2BP proteins enhances mRNA stability and translation

N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is the most prevalent modification in eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and is interpreted by its readers, such as YTH domain-containing proteins, to regulate mRNA fate. Here we report the insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding proteins (IGF2BPs; including IGF2BP1/2/3) as a distinct family of m⁶A readers that target thousands of mRNA transcripts through recognizing the consensus GG(m⁶A)C sequence. In contrast to the mRNA-decay-promoting function of YTHDF2, IGF2BPs promote the stability and storage of their target mRNAs (e.g., MYC) in an m⁶A-depedent manner under normal and stress conditions and thus affect gene expression output. Moreover, the K homology (KH) domains of IGF2BPs are required for their recognition of m⁶A and are critical for their oncogenic functions. Our work therefore reveals a different facet of the m⁶A-reading process that promotes mRNA stability and translation, and highlights the functional importance of IGF2BPs as m⁶A readers in post-transcriptional gene regulation and cancer biology.

A brave new world of RNA-binding proteins

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are typically thought of as proteins that bind RNA through one or multiple globular RNA-binding domains (RBDs) and change the fate or function of the bound RNAs. Several hundred such RBPs have been discovered and investigated over the years. Recent proteome-wide studies have more than doubled the number of proteins implicated in RNA binding and uncovered hundreds of additional RBPs lacking conventional RBDs. In this Review, we discuss these new RBPs and the emerging understanding of their unexpected modes of RNA binding, which can be mediated by intrinsically disordered regions, protein-protein interaction interfaces and enzymatic cores, among others. We also discuss the RNA targets and molecular and cellular functions of the new RBPs, as well as the possibility that some RBPs may be regulated by RNA rather than regulate RNA.

Engineering RNA-Binding Proteins by Modular Assembly of RanBP2-Type Zinc Fingers

Deciphering the function of the nonprotein-coding portion of genomes represents one of the major challenges that molecular biology is facing today. Numerous classes of RNAs have been discovered over the last past decade and appear to play important regulatory roles in gene expression and disease. The ability to study and manipulate these RNAs relies on the development of programmable RNA-binding molecules such as RNA-binding proteins. Most RNA-binding proteins have modular architectures and combine different RNA-binding domains that provide binding affinity toward a specific RNA sequence and/or structure. Herein, we describe a general strategy to design single-stranded RNA-binding proteins using RanBP2-type zinc-finger (ZF) domains that can recognize a given RNA sequence with high affinity and specificity.

Arabidopsis KHZ1 and KHZ2, two novel non-tandem CCCH zinc-finger and K-homolog domain proteins, have redundant roles in the regulation of flowering and senescence

The two novel CCCH zinc-finger and K-homolog (KH) proteins, KHZ1 and KHZ2, play important roles in regulating flowering and senescence redundantly in Arabidopsis. The CCCH zinc-finger proteins and K-homolog (KH) proteins play important roles in plant development and stress responses. However, the biological functions of many CCCH zinc-finger proteins and KH proteins remain uncharacterized. In Arabidopsis, KHZ1 and KHZ2 are characterized as two novel CCCH zinc-finger and KH domain proteins which belong to subfamily VII in CCCH family. We obtained khz1, khz2 mutants and khz1 khz2 double mutants, as well as overexpression (OE) lines of KHZ1 and KHZ2. Compared with the wild type (WT), the khz2 mutants displayed no defects in growth and development, and the khz1 mutants were slightly late flowering, whereas the khz1 khz2 double mutants showed a pronounced late flowering phenotype. In contrast, artificially overexpressing KHZ1 and KHZ2 led to the early flowering. Consistent with the late flowering phenotype, the expression of flowering repressor gene FLC was up-regulated, while the expression of flowering integrator and floral meristem identity (FMI) genes were down-regulated significantly in khz1 khz2. In addition, we also observed that the OE plants of KHZ1 and KHZ2 showed early leaf senescence significantly, whereas the khz1 khz2 double mutants showed delayed senescence of leaf and the whole plant. Both KHZ1 and KHZ2 were ubiquitously expressed throughout the tissues of Arabidopsis. KHZ1 and KHZ2 were localized to the nucleus, and possessed both transactivation activities and RNA-binding abilities. Taken together, we conclude that KHZ1 and KHZ2 have redundant roles in the regulation of flowering and senescence in Arabidopsis.

Identification and dynamic changes of RNAs isolated from RALY-containing ribonucleoprotein complexes

RALY is a member of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein family (hnRNP), a large family of RNA-binding proteins involved in many aspects of RNA metabolism. Although RALY interactome has been recently characterized, a comprehensive global analysis of RALY-associated RNAs is lacking and the biological function of RALY remains elusive. Here, we performed RIP-seq analysis to identify RALY interacting RNAs and assessed the role of RALY in gene expression. We demonstrate that RALY binds specific coding and non-coding RNAs and associates with translating mRNAs of mammalian cells. Among the identified transcripts, we focused on ANXA1 and H1FX mRNAs, encoding for Annexin A1 and for the linker variant of the histone H1X, respectively. Both proteins are differentially expressed by proliferating cells and are considered as markers for tumorigenesis. We demonstrate that cells lacking RALY expression exhibit changes in the levels of H1FX and ANXA1 mRNAs and proteins in an opposite manner. We also provide evidence for a direct binding of RALY to the U-rich elements present within the 3΄UTR of both transcripts. Thus, our results identify RALY as a poly-U binding protein and as a regulator of H1FX and ANXA1 in mammalian cells.

Absence of the KhpA and KhpB (JAG/EloR) RNA-binding proteins suppresses the requirement for PBP2b by overproduction of FtsA in Streptococcus pneumoniae D39

Suppressor mutations were isolated that obviate the requirement for essential PBP2b in peripheral elongation of peptidoglycan from the midcells of dividing Streptococcus pneumoniae D39 background cells. One suppressor was in a gene encoding a single KH-domain protein (KhpA). ΔkhpA suppresses deletions in most, but not all (mltG), genes involved in peripheral PG synthesis and in the gpsB regulatory gene. ΔkhpA mutations reduce growth rate, decrease cell size, minimally affect shape and induce expression of the WalRK cell-wall stress regulon. Reciprocal co-immunoprecipitations show that KhpA forms a complex in cells with another KH-domain protein (KhpB/JAG/EloR). ΔkhpA and ΔkhpB mutants phenocopy each other exactly, consistent with a direct interaction. RNA-immunoprecipitation showed that KhpA/KhpB bind an overlapping set of RNAs in cells. Phosphorylation of KhpB reported previously does not affect KhpB function in the D39 progenitor background. A chromosome duplication implicated FtsA overproduction in Δpbp2b suppression. We show that cellular FtsA concentration is negatively regulated by KhpA/B at the post-transcriptional level and that FtsA overproduction is necessary and sufficient for suppression of Δpbp2b. However, increased FtsA only partially accounts for the phenotypes of ΔkhpA mutants. Together, these results suggest that multimeric KhpA/B may function as a pleiotropic RNA chaperone controlling pneumococcal cell division.

RNA Binding Protein Regulation and Cross-Talk in the Control of AU-rich mRNA Fate

mRNA metabolism is tightly orchestrated by highly-regulated RNA Binding Proteins (RBPs) that determine mRNA fate, thereby influencing multiple cellular functions across biological contexts. Here, we review the interplay between six well-known RBPs (TTP, AUF-1, KSRP, HuR, TIA-1, and TIAR) that recognize AU-rich elements (AREs) at the 3' untranslated regions of mRNAs, namely ARE-RBPs. Examples of the links between their cross-regulations and modulation of their targets are analyzed during mRNA processing, turnover, localization, and translational control. Furthermore, ARE recognition can be self-regulated by several factors that lead to the prevalence of one RBP over another. Consequently, we examine the factors that modulate the dynamics of those protein-RNA transient interactions to better understand the final consequences of the regulation mediated by ARE-RBPs. For instance, factors controlling the RBP isoforms, their conformational state or their post-translational modifications (PTMs) can strongly determine the fate of the protein-RNA complexes. Moreover, mRNA specific sequence and secondary structure or subtle environmental changes are also key determinants to take into account. To sum up, the whole understanding of such a fine tuned regulation is a challenge for future research and requires the integration of all the available structural and functional data by in vivo, in vitro and in silico approaches.

A jack of all trades: the RNA-binding protein vigilin

The vigilin family of proteins is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to humans and characterized by the proteins' 14 or 15 hnRNP K homology (KH) domains, typically associated with RNA-binding. Vigilin is the largest RNA-binding protein (RBP) in the KH domain-containing family and one of the largest RBP known to date. Since its identification 30 years ago, vigilin has been shown to bind over 700 mRNAs and has been associated with cancer progression and cardiovascular disease. We provide a brief historic overview of vigilin research and outline the proteins' different functions, focusing on maintenance of genome ploidy, heterochromatin formation, RNA export, as well as regulation of translation, mRNA transport, and mRNA stability. The multitude of associated functions is reflected by the large number of identified interaction partners, ranging from tRNAs, mRNAs, ribosomes and ribosome-associated proteins, to histone methyltransferases and DNA-dependent protein kinases. Most of these partners bind to vigilin's carboxyterminus, and the two most C-terminal KH domains of the protein, KH13 and KH14, represent the main mRNA-binding interface. Since the nuclear functions of vigilins in particular are not conserved, we outline a model for the basal functions of vigilins, as well as those which were acquired during the transition from unicellular organisms to metazoa. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1448. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1448 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Mechanism of mRNA-STAR domain interaction: Molecular dynamics simulations of Mammalian Quaking STAR protein

STAR proteins are evolutionary conserved mRNA-binding proteins that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression at all stages of RNA metabolism. These proteins possess conserved STAR domain that recognizes identical RNA regulatory elements as YUAAY. Recently reported crystal structures show that STAR domain is composed of N-terminal QUA1, K-homology domain (KH) and C-terminal QUA2, and mRNA binding is mediated by KH-QUA2 domain. Here, we present simulation studies done to investigate binding of mRNA to STAR protein, mammalian Quaking protein (QKI). We carried out conventional MD simulations of STAR domain in presence and absence of mRNA, and studied the impact of mRNA on the stability, dynamics and underlying allosteric mechanism of STAR domain. Our unbiased simulations results show that presence of mRNA stabilizes the overall STAR domain by reducing the structural deviations, correlating the ‘within-domain’ motions, and maintaining the native contacts information. Absence of mRNA not only influenced the essential modes of motion of STAR domain, but also affected the connectivity of networks within STAR domain. We further explored the dissociation of mRNA from STAR domain using umbrella sampling simulations, and the results suggest that mRNA binding to STAR domain occurs in multi-step: first conformational selection of mRNA backbone conformations, followed by induced fit mechanism as nucleobases interact with STAR domain.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) promotes lung tumorigenesis via attenuating p53 stability

Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3/IMP3/KOC), initially identified as an RNA-binding protein, is highly expressed in embryonic tissues and a variety of cancers. Previously, our group reported that IGF2BP3 may serve as a potential diagnostic marker for lung cancer. However, little is known about the function of IGF2BP3 in lung cancer development. Here we demonstrate that IGF2BP3 expression was markedly increased in lung cancer tissues compared to normal tissues at both mRNA and protein levels. Overexpression of IGF2BP3 in lung cancer cells promoted cell proliferation, tumor migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo, whereas knockdown of IGF2BP3 exhibited opposite effects. Notably IGF2BP3 was directly associated with a deubiquitinase Ubiquitin specific peptidase 10 (USP10) and attenuated its function in stabilizing p53 protein. Silencing IGF2BP3 expression in lung cancer cells consistently increased the half-life and protein level of p53 and induced G0/G1 arrest. Thus, our data together demonstrate that IGF2BP3 promotes lung tumorigenesis via attenuating p53 protein stability.

The human RNA-binding protein and E3 ligase MEX-3C binds the MEX-3-recognition element (MRE) motif with high affinity

MEX-3 is a K-homology (KH) domain-containing RNA-binding protein first identified as a translational repressor in Caenorhabditis elegans, and its four orthologs (MEX-3A-D) in human and mouse were subsequently found to have E3 ubiquitin ligase activity mediated by a RING domain and critical for RNA degradation. Current evidence implicates human MEX-3C in many essential biological processes and suggests a strong connection with immune diseases and carcinogenesis. The highly conserved dual KH domains in MEX-3 proteins enable RNA binding and are essential for the recognition of the 3'-UTR and post-transcriptional regulation of MEX-3 target transcripts. However, the molecular mechanisms of translational repression and the consensus RNA sequence recognized by the MEX-3C KH domain are unknown. Here, using X-ray crystallography and isothermal titration calorimetry, we investigated the RNA-binding activity and selectivity of human MEX-3C dual KH domains. Our high-resolution crystal structures of individual KH domains complexed with a noncanonical U-rich and a GA-rich RNA sequence revealed that the KH1/2 domains of human MEX-3C bound MRE10, a 10-mer RNA (5'-CAGAGUUUAG-3') consisting of an eight-nucleotide MEX-3-recognition element (MRE) motif, with high affinity. Of note, we also identified a consensus RNA motif recognized by human MEX-3C. The potential RNA-binding sites in the 3'-UTR of the human leukocyte antigen serotype (HLA-A2) mRNA were mapped with this RNA-binding motif and further confirmed by fluorescence polarization. The binding motif identified here will provide valuable information for future investigations of the functional pathways controlled by human MEX-3C and for predicting potential mRNAs regulated by this enzyme.

Identification of EloR (Spr1851) as a regulator of cell elongation in Streptococcus pneumoniae

In a screen for mutations suppressing the lethal loss of PBP2b in Streptococcus pneumoniae we identified Spr1851 (named EloR), a cytoplasmic protein of unknown function whose inactivation removed the requirement for PBP2b as well as RodA. It follows from this that EloR and the two elongasome proteins must be part of the same functional network. This network also includes StkP, as this serine/threonine kinase phosphorylates EloR on threonine 89 (T89). We found that ΔeloR cells, and cells expressing the phosphoablative form of EloR (EloR^T89A ), are significantly shorter than wild-type cells. Furthermore, the phosphomimetic form of EloR (EloR^T89E ) is not tolerated unless the cell in addition acquires a truncated MreC or non-functional RodZ protein. By itself, truncation of MreC as well as inactivation of RodZ gives rise to less elongated cells, demonstrating that the stress exerted by the phosphomimetic form of EloR is relieved by suppressor mutations that reduce or abolish the activity of the elongasome. Of note, it was also found that loss of elongasome activity caused by truncation of MreC elicits increased StkP-mediated phosphorylation of EloR. Together, the results support a model in which phosphorylation of EloR stimulates cell elongation, while dephosphorylation has an inhibitory effect.

The role of intrinsic disorder and dynamics in the assembly and function of the type II secretion system

Many Gram-negative commensal and pathogenic bacteria use a type II secretion system (T2SS) to transport proteins out of the cell. These exported proteins or substrates play a major role in toxin delivery, maintaining biofilms, replication in the host and subversion of host immune responses to infection. We review the current structural and functional work on this system and argue that intrinsically disordered regions and protein dynamics are central for assembly, exo-protein recognition, and secretion competence of the T2SS. The central role of intrinsic disorder-order transitions in these processes may be a particular feature of type II secretion.

Controlling the Messenger: Regulated Translation of Maternal mRNAs in Xenopus laevis Development

The selective translation of maternal mRNAs encoding cell-fate determinants drives the earliest decisions of embryogenesis that establish the vertebrate body plan. This chapter will discuss studies in Xenopus laevis that provide insights into mechanisms underlying this translational control. Xenopus has been a powerful model organism for many discoveries relevant to the translational control of maternal mRNAs because of the large size of its oocytes and eggs that allow for microinjection of molecules and the relative ease of manipulating the oocyte to egg transition (maturation) and fertilization in culture. Consequently, many key studies have focused on the expression of maternal mRNAs during the oocyte to egg transition (the meiotic cell cycle) and the rapid cell divisions immediately following fertilization. This research has made seminal contributions to our understanding of translational regulatory mechanisms, but while some of the mRNAs under consideration at these stages encode cell-fate determinants, many encode cell cycle regulatory proteins that drive these early cell cycles. In contrast, while maternal mRNAs encoding key developmental (i.e., cell-fate) regulators that function after the first cleavage stages may exploit aspects of these foundational mechanisms, studies reveal that these mRNAs must also rely on distinct and, as of yet, incompletely understood mechanisms. These findings are logical because the functions of such developmental regulatory proteins have requirements distinct from cell cycle regulators, including becoming relevant only after fertilization and then only in specific cells of the embryo. Indeed, key maternal cell-fate determinants must be made available in exquisitely precise amounts (usually low), only at specific times and in specific cells during embryogenesis. To provide an appreciation for the regulation of maternal cell-fate determinant expression, an overview of the maternal phase of Xenopus embryogenesis will be presented. This section will be followed by a review of translational mechanisms operating in oocytes, eggs, and early cleavage-stage embryos and conclude with a discussion of how the regulation of key maternal cell-fate determinants at the level of translation functions in Xenopus embryogenesis. A key theme is that the molecular asymmetries critical for forming the body axes are established and further elaborated upon by the selective temporal and spatial regulation of maternal mRNA translation.

Genome-wide analysis of the CCCH zinc finger family identifies tissue specific and stress responsive candidates in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The CCCH zinc finger is a group of proteins characterised by a typical motif consisting of three cysteine residues and one histidine residue. These proteins have been reported to play important roles in regulation of plant growth, developmental processes and environmental responses. In the present study, genome wide analysis of the CCCH zinc finger gene family was carried out in the available chickpea genome. Various bioinformatics tools were employed to predict 58 CCCH zinc finger genes in chickpea (designated CarC3H1-58), which were analysed for their physio-chemical properties. Phylogenetic analysis classified the proteins into 12 groups in which members of a particular group had similar structural organization. Further, the numbers as well as the types of CCCH motifs present in the CarC3H proteins were compared with those from Arabidopsis and Medicago truncatula. Synteny analysis revealed valuable information regarding the evolution of this gene family. Tandem and segmental duplication events were identified and their Ka/Ks values revealed that the CarC3H gene family in chickpea had undergone purifying selection. Digital, as well as real time qRT-PCR expression analysis was performed which helped in identification of several CarC3H members that expressed preferentially in specific chickpea tissues as well as during abiotic stresses (desiccation, cold, salinity). Moreover, molecular characterization of an important member CarC3H45 was carried out. This study provides comprehensive genomic information about the important CCCH zinc finger gene family in chickpea. The identified tissue specific and abiotic stress specific CCCH genes could be potential candidates for further characterization to delineate their functional roles in development and stress.

2D IR Correlation Spectroscopy in the Determination of Aggregation and Stability of KH Domain GXXG Loop Peptide in the Presence and Absence of Trifluoroacetate

Trifluoroacetate (TFA) is a strong anion byproduct of solid-phase peptide synthesis. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy can be used to ascertain the presence of this excipient in peptide samples for quality assessment. TFA absorbs as a strong sharp peak (1675 cm^-1) within the amide I' band of the spectral region. A peptide sample and the TFA excipient can be studied simultaneously by FT-IR and 2D IR correlation spectroscopies. In addition, these techniques are able to determine the effect of TFA on the stability of the peptide. Herein, we describe the spectroscopic characterization of the GXXG loop peptide (GXXGlp), which is present in KH domain containing proteins. The sequence of the Homo sapiens Krr1 GXXGlp is evolutionarily conserved (₁₆₅KRRQRLIGPKGSTLKALELLTNCY₁₈₉) and has been associated with ssDNA interaction and ribosome biogenesis. Our goal was to determine the structural elements present in this peptide and evaluate whether TFA affects the stability of GXXGlp during thermal stress. We observed differences in the molecular behavior of the synthetic peptide in the presence and absence of TFA at various peptide concentrations. Finally, 2D IR correlation spectroscopy was used for the determination of the unfolding process, mechanism and extent of peptide aggregation, and the effect of TFA on the stability of the peptide. This spectroscopic method can be applied to the characterization of any synthetic peptide.

The Role of the N-Terminal Domains of Bacterial Initiator DnaA in the Assembly and Regulation of the Bacterial Replication Initiation Complex

The primary role of the bacterial protein DnaA is to initiate chromosomal replication. The DnaA protein binds to DNA at the origin of chromosomal replication (oriC) and assembles into a filament that unwinds double-stranded DNA. Through interaction with various other proteins, DnaA also controls the frequency and/or timing of chromosomal replication at the initiation step. Escherichia coli DnaA also recruits DnaB helicase, which is present in unwound single-stranded DNA and in turn recruits other protein machinery for replication. Additionally, DnaA regulates the expression of certain genes in E. coli and a few other species. Acting as a multifunctional factor, DnaA is composed of four domains that have distinct, mutually dependent roles. For example, C-terminal domain IV interacts with double-stranded DnaA boxes. Domain III drives ATP-dependent oligomerization, allowing the protein to form a filament that unwinds DNA and subsequently binds to and stabilizes single-stranded DNA in the initial replication bubble; this domain also interacts with multiple proteins that control oligomerization. Domain II constitutes a flexible linker between C-terminal domains III–IV and N-terminal domain I, which mediates intermolecular interactions between DnaA and binds to other proteins that affect DnaA activity and/or formation of the initiation complex. Of these four domains, the role of the N-terminus (domains I–II) in the assembly of the initiation complex is the least understood and appears to be the most species-dependent region of the protein. Thus, in this review, we focus on the function of the N-terminus of DnaA in orisome formation and the regulation of its activity in the initiation complex in different bacteria.

The DEAD-box protein DDX43 (HAGE) is a dual RNA-DNA helicase and has a K-homology domain required for full nucleic acid unwinding activity

The K-homology (KH) domain is a nucleic acid-binding domain present in many proteins but has not been reported in helicases. DDX43, also known as HAGE (helicase antigen gene), is a member of the DEAD-box protein family. It contains a helicase core domain in its C terminus and a potential KH domain in its N terminus. DDX43 is highly expressed in many tumors and is, therefore, considered a potential target for immunotherapy. Despite its potential as a therapeutic target, little is known about its activities. Here, we purified recombinant DDX43 protein to near homogeneity and found that it exists as a monomer in solution. Biochemical assays demonstrated that it is an ATP-dependent RNA and DNA helicase. Although DDX43 was active on duplex RNA regardless of the orientation of the single-stranded RNA tail, it preferred a 5' to 3' polarity on RNA and a 3' to 5' direction on DNA. Truncation mutations and site-directed mutagenesis confirmed that the KH domain in DDX43 is responsible for nucleic acid binding. Compared with the activity of the full-length protein, the C-terminal helicase domain had no unwinding activity on RNA substrates and had significantly reduced unwinding activity on DNA. Moreover, the full-length DDX43 protein, with single amino acid change in the KH domain, had reduced unwinding and binding activates on RNA and DNA substrates. Our results demonstrate that DDX43 is a dual helicase and the KH domain is required for its full unwinding activity.

RNA-binding proteins and their role in the regulation of gene expression in Trypanosoma cruzi and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have important functions in the regulation of gene expression. RBPs play key roles in post-transcriptional processes in all eukaryotes, such as splicing regulation, mRNA transport and modulation of mRNA translation and decay. RBPs assemble into different mRNA-protein complexes, which form messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs). Gene expression regulation in trypanosomatids occurs mainly at the post-transcriptional level and RBPs play a key role in all processes. However, the functional characterization of RBPs in Trypanosoma cruzi has been impaired due to the lack of reliable reverse genetic manipulation tools. The comparison of RBPs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and T. cruzi might allow inferring on the function of these proteins based on the information available for the orthologous RNA-binding proteins from the S. cerevisiae model organism. In this review, we discuss the role of some RBPs from T. cruzi and their homologues in regulating gene expression in yeast.

The Structure and Function of the Gram-Positive Bacterial RNA Degradosome

The RNA degradosome is a highly structured protein complex responsible for bulk RNA decay in bacteria. The main components of the complex, ribonucleases, an RNA helicase, and glycolytic enzymes are well-conserved in bacteria. Some components of the degradosome are essential for growth and the disruption of degradosome formation causes slower growth, indicating that this complex is required for proper cellular function. The study of the Escherichia coli degradosome has been performed extensively for the last several decades and has revealed detailed information on its structure and function. On the contrary, the Gram-positive bacterial degradosome, which contains ribonucleases different from the E. coli one, has been studied only recently. Studies on the Gram-positive degradosome revealed that its major component RNase Y was necessary for the full virulence of medically important Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, suggesting that it could be a target of antimicrobial therapy. This review describes the structures and function of Gram-positive bacterial RNA degradosomes, especially those of a Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis, and two important Gram-positive pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.

Comprehensive Identification of mRNA-Binding Proteins of Leishmania donovani by Interactome Capture

Leishmania are unicellular eukaryotes responsible for leishmaniasis in humans. Like other trypanosomatids, leishmania regulate protein coding gene expression almost exclusively at the post-transcriptional level with the help of RNA binding proteins (RBPs). Due to the presence of polycystronic transcription units, leishmania do not regulate RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription initiation. Recent evidence suggests that the main control points in gene expression are mRNA degradation and translation. Protein-RNA interactions are involved in every aspect of RNA biology, such as mRNA splicing, polyadenylation, localization, degradation, and translation. A detailed picture of these interactions would likely prove to be highly informative in understanding leishmania biology and virulence. We developed a strategy involving covalent UV cross-linking of RBPs to mRNA in vivo, followed by interactome capture using oligo(dT) magnetic beads to define comprehensively the mRNA interactome of growing L. donovani amastigotes. The protein mass spectrometry analysis of captured proteins identified 79 mRNA interacting proteins which withstood very stringent washing conditions. Strikingly, we found that 49 of these mRNA interacting proteins had no orthologs or homologs in the human genome. Consequently, these may represent high quality candidates for selective drug targeting leading to novel therapeutics. These results show that this unbiased, systematic strategy has the promise to be applicable to study the mRNA interactome during various biological settings such as metabolic changes, stress (low pH environment, oxidative stress and nutrient deprivation) or drug treatment.

Regulation of BC200 RNA-mediated translation inhibition by hnRNP E1 and E2

The long noncoding RNA BC200 (brain cytoplasmic RNA, 200 nucleotides) acts as a translational modulator of local protein synthesis at dendrites. BC200 RNA has been shown to inhibit translation in vitro, but it remains unknown how this translation inhibition might be controlled in a cell. Here, we performed yeast three-hybrid screening and identified hnRNP E1 and hnRNP E2 as BC200 RNA-interacting proteins. We found that: these hnRNA proteins could restore BC200 RNA-inhibited translation; BC200 RNA interacts with hnRNP E1 and E2 mainly through its unique 3' C-rich domain; and the RNA binding specificities and modes of the two proteins differed somewhat. Our results offer new insights into the regulation of BC200 RNA-mediated translation inhibition.

A structural perspective of RNA recognition by intrinsically disordered proteins

Protein-RNA recognition is essential for gene expression and its regulation, which is indispensable for the survival of the living organism at one hand, on the other hand, misregulation of this recognition may lead to their extinction. Polymorphic conformation of both the interacting partners is a characteristic feature of such molecular recognition that promotes the assembly. Many RNA binding proteins (RBP) or regions in them are found to be intrinsically disordered, and this property helps them to play a central role in the regulatory processes. Sequence composition and the length of the flexible linkers between RNA binding domains in RBPs are crucial in making significant contacts with its partner RNA. Polymorphic conformations of RBPs can provide thermodynamic advantage to its binding partner while acting as a chaperone. Prolonged extensions of the disordered regions in RBPs also contribute to the stability of the large cellular machines including ribosome and viral assemblies. The involvement of these disordered regions in most of the significant cellular processes makes RBPs highly associated with various human diseases that arise due to their misregulation.

Additive Promotion of Viral Internal Ribosome Entry Site-Mediated Translation by Far Upstream Element-Binding Protein 1 and an Enterovirus 71-Induced Cleavage Product

The 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) of the enterovirus 71 (EV71) RNA genome contains an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) that is indispensable for viral protein translation. Due to the limited coding capacity of their RNA genomes, EV71 and other picornaviruses typically recruit host factors, known as IRES trans-acting factors (ITAFs), to mediate IRES-dependent translation. Here, we show that EV71 viral proteinase 2A is capable of cleaving far upstream element-binding protein 1 (FBP1), a positive ITAF that directly binds to the EV71 5' UTR linker region to promote viral IRES-driven translation. The cleavage occurs at the Gly-371 residue of FBP1 during the EV71 infection process, and this generates a functional cleavage product, FBP1^1-371. Interestingly, the cleavage product acts to promote viral IRES activity. Footprinting analysis and gel mobility shift assay results showed that FBP1^1-371 similarly binds to the EV71 5' UTR linker region, but at a different site from full-length FBP1; moreover, FBP1 and FBP1^1-371 were found to act additively to promote IRES-mediated translation and virus yield. Our findings expand the current understanding of virus-host interactions with regard to viral recruitment and modulation of ITAFs, and provide new insights into translational control during viral infection.

Many RNA viruses utilize internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) located in the 5’ untranslated region of genomic RNA to translate viral proteins in a cap-independent manner. Host proteins that are recruited to assist in viral IRES-driven translation are known as ITAFs (IRES trans-acting factors), of which far upstream element-binding protein 1 (FBP1) is an example. In this study, we describe a novel regulatory mechanism involving ITAF cleavage, in which FBP1 is cleaved by EV71 viral proteinase 2A to yield a cleavage product, FBP1^1-371, which in turn acts additively with full-length FBP1 to enhance viral IRES-mediated translation and virus yield. Footprinting and gel mobility shift analyses reveal that both full-length FBP1 and its cleavage product bind to the linker region of EV71 5′ UTR, but at different sites. To the best of our understanding, these results shed light on a novel interaction between host ITAFs and picornaviruses, and provide important implications for other virus-host interactions.

PCBP2 enables the cadicivirus IRES to exploit the function of a conserved GRNA tetraloop to enhance ribosomal initiation complex formation

The cadicivirus IRES diverges structurally from canonical Type 1 IRESs (e.g. poliovirus) but nevertheless also contains an essential GNRA tetraloop in a subdomain (d10c) that is homologous to poliovirus dIVc. In addition to canonical initiation factors, the canonical Type 1 and divergent cadicivirus IRESs require the same IRES trans-acting factor, poly(C)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2). PCBP2 has three KH domains and binds poliovirus IRES domain dIV in the vicinity of the tetraloop. How PCBP2 binds the cadicivirus IRES, and the roles of PCBP2 and the tetraloop in Type 1 IRES function are unknown. Here, directed hydroxyl radical probing showed that KH1 also binds near the cadicivirus tetraloop. KH2 and KH3 bind adjacently to an IRES subdomain (d10b) that is unrelated to dIV, with KH3 in an inverted orientation. KH3 is critical for PCBP2's binding to this IRES whereas KH1 is essential for PCBP2's function in promoting initiation. PCBP2 enforced the wild-type structure of d10c when it contained minor destabilizing substitutions, exposing the tetraloop. Strikingly, PCBP2 enhanced initiation on mutant IRESs that retained consensus GNRA tetraloops, whereas mutants with divergent sequences did not respond to PCBP2. These studies show that PCBP2 enables the IRES to exploit the GNRA tetraloop to enhance initiation.

The RNA binding KH domain of Spoonbill depletes pathogenic non-coding spinocerebellar ataxia 8 transcripts and suppresses neurodegeneration in Drosophila

Spinocerebellar ataxia 8 (SCA8) pathogenesis is a resultant of gain-of-function machinery that primarily results at the RNA level. It has been reported that expanded non-coding CTG trinucleotide repeat in the ATXN8OS transcripts leads to SCA8 coupled neurodegeneration. Targeted depletion of pathogenic SCA8 transcripts is a viable therapeutic approach. In this report we have focused on the suppression of toxic RNA gain-of-function associated with SCA8. We report suppression of SCA8 associated neurodegeneration by KH RNA binding domain of Spoonbill. KH domain suppresses pathogenic SCA8 associated phenotype in adult flies. Ectopic expression of KH domain leads to massive reduction in the number and size of SCA8 RNA foci. We show that Spoonbill interacts with toxic SCA8 transcripts via its KH domain and promotes its depletion. Till date, no attempts have been made for therapeutic intervention of SCA8 pathogenesis. Further characterization of Spoonbill KH domain may aid us in designing peptide based therapeutics for SCA8 associated neurodegeneration.

A structural perspective of RNA recognition by intrinsically disordered proteins

Protein-RNA recognition is essential for gene expression and its regulation, which is indispensable for the survival of the living organism at one hand, on the other hand, misregulation of this recognition may lead to their extinction. Polymorphic conformation of both the interacting partners is a characteristic feature of such molecular recognition that promotes the assembly. Many RNA binding proteins (RBP) or regions in them are found to be intrinsically disordered, and this property helps them to play a central role in the regulatory processes. Sequence composition and the length of the flexible linkers between RNA binding domains in RBPs are crucial in making significant contacts with its partner RNA. Polymorphic conformations of RBPs can provide thermodynamic advantage to its binding partner while acting as a chaperone. Prolonged extensions of the disordered regions in RBPs also contribute to the stability of the large cellular machines including ribosome and viral assemblies. The involvement of these disordered regions in most of the significant cellular processes makes RBPs highly associated with various human diseases that arise due to their misregulation.

A de novo frameshift in HNRNPK causing a Kabuki-like syndrome with nodular heterotopia

Kabuki syndrome is a heterogeneous condition characterized by distinctive facial features, intellectual disability, growth retardation, skeletal abnormalities and a range of organ malformations. Although at least two major causative genes have been identified, these do not explain all cases. Here we describe a patient with a complex Kabuki-like syndrome that included nodular heterotopia, in whom testing for several single-gene disorders had proved negative. Exome sequencing uncovered a de novo c.931_932insTT variant in HNRNPK (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K). Although this variant was identified in March 2012, its clinical relevance could only be confirmed following the August 2015 publication of two cases with HNRNPK mutations and an overlapping phenotype that included intellectual disability, distinctive facial dysmorphism and skeletal/connective tissue abnormalities. Whilst we had attempted (unsuccessfully) to identify additional cases through existing collaborators, the two published cases were 'matched' using GeneMatcher, a web-based tool for connecting researchers and clinicians working on identical genes. Our report therefore exemplifies the importance of such online tools in clinical genetics research and the benefits of periodically reviewing cases with variants of unproven significance. Our study also suggests that loss of function variants in HNRNPK should be considered as a molecular basis for patients with Kabuki-like syndrome.

The role of RNA conformation in RNA-protein recognition

Interactions between protein and RNA play a key role in many biological processes in the gene expression pathway. Those interactions are mediated through a variety of RNA-binding protein domains, among them the highly abundant RNA recognition motif (RRM). Here we studied protein-RNA complexes from different RNA binding domain families solved by NMR and x-ray crystallography. Characterizing the structural properties of the RNA at the binding interfaces revealed an unexpected number of nucleotides with unusual RNA conformations, specifically found in RNA-RRM complexes. Moreover, we observed that the RNA nucleotides that are directly involved in interactions with the RRM domains, via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts, are significantly enriched with unique RNA conformations. Further examination of the sequences binding the RRM domain showed a preference for G nucleotides in syn conformation to precede or to follow U nucleotides in the anti-conformation, and U nucleotides in C2' endo conformation to precede U and G nucleotides possessing the more common C3' endo conformation. These findings imply a possible mode of RNA recognition by the RRM domains which enables the recognition of a wide variety of different RNA sequences and shapes. Overall, this study suggests an additional way by which the RRM domain recognizes its RNA target, involving a conformational readout.

Mice deficient in poly(C)-binding protein 4 are susceptible to spontaneous tumors through increased expression of ZFP871 that targets p53 for degradation

Poly(C)-binding protein 4 (PCBP4), also called MCG10 and a target of p53, plays a role in the cell cycle and is implicated in lung tumor suppression. Here, we found that PCBP4-deficient mice are prone to lung adenocarcinoma, lymphoma, and kidney tumor and that PCBP4-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) exhibit enhanced cell proliferation but decreased cellular senescence. We also found that p53 expression is markedly reduced in PCBP4-deficient MEFs and mouse tissues, suggesting that PCBP4 in turn regulates p53 expression. To determine how PCBP4 regulates p53 expression, PCBP4 targets were identified by RNA immunoprecipitation followed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We found that the transcript encoding ZFP871 (zinc finger protein 871; also called ZNF709 in humans) interacts with and is regulated by PCBP4 via mRNA stability. Additionally, we found that ZFP871 physically interacts with p53 and MDM2 proteins. Consistently, ectopic expression of ZFP871 decreases-whereas knockdown of ZFP871 increases-p53 protein stability through a proteasome-dependent degradation pathway. Moreover, loss of ZFP871 reverses the reduction of p53 expression by lack of PCBP4, and thus increased expression of ZFP871 is responsible for decreased expression of p53 in the PCBP4-deficient MEFs and mouse tissues. Interestingly, we found that, like PCBP4, ZFP871 is also regulated by DNA damage and p53. Finally, we showed that knockdown of ZFP871 markedly enhances p53 expression, leading to growth suppression and apoptosis in a p53-dependent manner. Thus, the p53-PCBP4-ZFP871 axis represents a novel feedback loop in the p53 pathway. Together, we hypothesize that PCBP4 is a potential tissue-specific tumor suppressor and that ZFP871 is part of MDM2 and possibly other ubiquitin E3 ligases that target p53 for degradation.

Structural basis of RNA recognition and dimerization by the STAR proteins T-STAR and Sam68

Sam68 and T-STAR are members of the STAR family of proteins that directly link signal transduction with post-transcriptional gene regulation. Sam68 controls the alternative splicing of many oncogenic proteins. T-STAR is a tissue-specific paralogue that regulates the alternative splicing of neuronal pre-mRNAs. STAR proteins differ from most splicing factors, in that they contain a single RNA-binding domain. Their specificity of RNA recognition is thought to arise from their property to homodimerize, but how dimerization influences their function remains unknown. Here, we establish at atomic resolution how T-STAR and Sam68 bind to RNA, revealing an unexpected mode of dimerization different from other members of the STAR family. We further demonstrate that this unique dimerization interface is crucial for their biological activity in splicing regulation, and suggest that the increased RNA affinity through dimer formation is a crucial parameter enabling these proteins to select their functional targets within the transcriptome.

Sam68 and T-STAR are members of the STAR family of proteins, which regulate various aspects of RNA metabolism. Here, the authors reveal structural features required for alternative splicing regulation by these proteins.

Extensive regulation of nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT) expression in human tissues and tumors

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a cofactor in redox reactions and a substrate for NAD-consuming enzymes, such as PARPs and sirtuins. As cancer cells have increased NAD requirements, the main NAD salvage enzymes in humans, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT), are involved in the development of novel anti-cancer therapies. Knowledge of the expression patterns of both genes in tissues and tumors is critical for the use of nicotinic acid (NA) as cytoprotective in therapies using NAMPT inhibitors. Herein, we provide a comprehensive study of NAPRT and NAMPT expression across human tissues and tumor cell lines. We show that both genes are widely expressed under normal conditions and describe the occurrence of novel NAPRT transcripts. Also, we explore some of the NAPRT gene expression mechanisms. Our findings underline that the efficiency of NA in treatments with NAMPT inhibitors is dependent on the knowledge of the expression profiles and regulation of both NAMPT and NAPRT.

Analysis of the interaction between host factor Sam68 and viral elements during foot-and-mouth disease virus infections

BACKGROUND

The nuclear protein Src-associated protein of 68 kDa in mitosis (Sam68) is known to bind RNA and be involved in cellular processes triggered in response to environmental stresses, including virus infection. Interestingly, Sam68 is a multi-functional protein implicated in the life cycle of retroviruses and picornaviruses and is also considered a marker of virus-induced stress granules (SGs). Recently, we demonstrated the partial redistribution of Sam68 to the cytoplasm in FMDV infected cells, its interaction with viral protease 3C(pro), and found a significant reduction in viral titers as consequence of Sam68-specific siRNA knockdowns. Despite of that, details of how it benefits FMDV remains to be elucidated.

METHODS

Sam68 cytoplasmic localization was examined by immunofluorescent microscopy, counterstaining with antibodies against Sam68, a viral capsid protein and markers of SGs. The relevance of RAAA motifs in the IRES was investigated using electromobility shift assays with Sam68 protein and parental and mutant FMDV RNAs. In addition, full genome WT and mutant or G-luc replicon RNAs were tested following transfection in mammalian cells. The impact of Sam68 depletion to virus protein and RNA synthesis was investigated in a cell-free system. Lastly, through co-immunoprecipitation, structural modeling, and subcellular fractionation, viral protein interactions with Sam68 were explored.

RESULTS

FMDV-induced cytoplasmic redistribution of Sam68 resulted in it temporarily co-localizing with SG marker: TIA-1. Mutations that disrupted FMDV IRES RAAA motifs, with putative affinity to Sam68 in domain 3 and 4 cause a reduction on the formation of ribonucleoprotein complexes with this protein and resulted in non-viable progeny viruses and replication-impaired replicons. Furthermore, depletion of Sam68 in cell-free extracts greatly diminished FMDV RNA replication, which was restored by addition of recombinant Sam68. The results here demonstrated that Sam68 specifically co-precipitates with both FMDV 3D(pol) and 3C(pro) consistent with early observations of FMDV 3C(pro)-induced cleavage of Sam68.

CONCLUSION

We have found that Sam68 is a specific binding partner for FMDV non-structural proteins 3C(pro) and 3D(pol) and showed that mutations at RAAA motifs in IRES domains 3 and 4 cause a decrease in Sam68 affinity to these RNA elements and rendered the mutant RNA non-viable. Interestingly, in FMDV infected cells re-localized Sam68 was transiently detected along with SG markers in the cytoplasm. These results support the importance of Sam68 as a host factor co-opted by FMDV during infection and demonstrate that Sam68 interact with both, FMDV RNA motifs in the IRES and viral non-structural proteins 3C(pro) and 3D(pol).

Recognition of distinct RNA motifs by the clustered CCCH zinc fingers of neuronal protein Unkempt

Unkempt is an evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding protein that regulates translation of its target genes and is required for the establishment of the early bipolar neuronal morphology. Here we determined the X-ray crystal structure of mouse Unkempt and show that its six CCCH zinc fingers (ZnFs) form two compact clusters, ZnF1-3 and ZnF4-6, that recognize distinct trinucleotide RNA substrates. Both ZnF clusters adopt a similar overall topology and use distinct recognition principles to target specific RNA sequences. Structure-guided point mutations reduce the RNA binding affinity of Unkempt both in vitro and in vivo, ablate Unkempt's translational control and impair the ability of Unkempt to induce a bipolar cellular morphology. Our study unravels a new mode of RNA sequence recognition by clusters of CCCH ZnFs that is critical for post-transcriptional control of neuronal morphology.

Rabies virus phosphoprotein interacts with ribosomal protein L9 and affects rabies virus replication

Rabies virus is a highly neurotropic virus that can cause fatal infection of the central nervous system in warm-blooded animals. The RABV phosphoprotein (P), an essential cofactor of the virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, is required for virus replication. In this study, the ribosomal protein L9, which has functions in protein translation, is identified as P-interacting cellular factor using phage display analysis. Direct binding between the L9 and P was confirmed by protein pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation analyses. It was further demonstrated that L9 translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it colocalizes with P in cells infected with RABV or transfected with P gene. RABV replication was reduced with L9 overexpression and enhanced with L9 knockdown. Thus, we propose that during RABV infection, P binds to L9 that translocates from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, inhibiting the initial stage of RABV transcription.

A bioinformatic survey of RNA-binding proteins in Plasmodium

Background

The malaria parasites in the genus Plasmodium have a very complicated life cycle involving an invertebrate vector and a vertebrate host. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical factors involved in every aspect of the development of these parasites. However, very few RBPs have been functionally characterized to date in the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Methods

Using different bioinformatic methods and tools we searched P. falciparum genome to list and annotate RBPs. A representative 3D models for each of the RBD domain identified in P. falciparum was created using I-TESSAR and SWISS-MODEL. Microarray and RNAseq data analysis pertaining PfRBPs was performed using MeV software. Finally, Cytoscape was used to create protein-protein interaction network for CITH-Dozi and Caf1-CCR4-Not complexes.

Results

We report the identification of 189 putative RBP genes belonging to 13 different families in Plasmodium, which comprise 3.5 % of all annotated genes. Almost 90 % (169/189) of these genes belong to six prominent RBP classes, namely RNA recognition motifs, DEAD/H-box RNA helicases, K homology, Zinc finger, Puf and Alba gene families. Interestingly, almost all of the identified RNA-binding helicases and KH genes have cognate homologs in model species, suggesting their evolutionary conservation. Exploration of the existing P. falciparum blood-stage transcriptomes revealed that most RBPs have peak mRNA expression levels early during the intraerythrocytic development cycle, which taper off in later stages. Nearly 27 % of RBPs have elevated expression in gametocytes, while 47 and 24 % have elevated mRNA expression in ookinete and asexual stages. Comparative interactome analyses using human and Plasmodium protein-protein interaction datasets suggest extensive conservation of the PfCITH/PfDOZI and PfCaf1-CCR4-NOT complexes.

Conclusions

The Plasmodium parasites possess a large number of putative RBPs belonging to most of RBP families identified so far, suggesting the presence of extensive post-transcriptional regulation in these parasites. Taken together, in silico identification of these putative RBPs provides a foundation for future functional studies aimed at defining a unique network of post-transcriptional regulation in P. falciparum.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2092-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Poly(C) Binding Protein Pcbp2 and Its Retrotransposed Derivative Pcbp1 Are Independently Essential to Mouse Development

RNA-binding proteins participate in a complex array of posttranscriptional controls essential to cell type specification and somatic development. Despite their detailed biochemical characterizations, the degree to which each RNA-binding protein impacts mammalian embryonic development remains incompletely defined, and the level of functional redundancy among subsets of these proteins remains open to question. The poly(C) binding proteins, PCBPs (αCPs and hnRNP E proteins), are encoded by a highly conserved and broadly expressed gene family. The two major Pcbp isoforms, Pcbp2 and Pcbp1, are robustly expressed in a wide range of tissues and exert both nuclear and cytoplasmic controls over gene expression. Here, we report that Pcbp1-null embryos are rendered nonviable in the peri-implantation stage. In contrast, Pcbp2-null embryos undergo normal development until midgestation (12.5 to 13.5 days postcoitum), at which time they undergo a dramatic loss in viability associated with combined cardiovascular and hematopoietic abnormalities. Mice heterozygous for either Pcbp1 or Pcbp2 null alleles display a mild and nondisruptive defect in initial postpartum weight gain. These data reveal that Pcbp1 and Pcbp2 are individually essential for mouse embryonic development and have distinct impacts on embryonic viability and that Pcpb2 has a nonredundant in vivo role in hematopoiesis. These data further provide direct evidence that Pcbp1, a retrotransposed derivative of Pcpb2, has evolved an essential function(s) in the mammalian genome.