Disruption of GW bodies impairs mammalian RNA interference

Principles and effects of microRNA-mediated post-transcriptional gene regulation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are abundant regulatory RNAs involved in the regulation of many key biological processes. Recent advances in understanding the mechanism of RNA interference and miRNA-mediated mechanisms shed light on major principals of the formation of the regulatory complex and provide models to explain how these small regulatory RNA species interfere with gene expression and how they influence the translational status of the transcriptome.

Detection of the argonaute protein Ago2 and microRNAs in the RNA induced silencing complex (RISC) using a monoclonal antibody

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA molecules responsible for post-transcriptional gene silencing by the degradation or translational inhibition of their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). This process of gene silencing, known as RNA interference (RNAi), is mediated by highly conserved Argonaute (Ago) proteins which are the key components of the RNA induced silencing complex (RISC). In humans, Ago2 is responsible for the endonuclease cleavage of targeted mRNA and it interacts with the mRNA-binding protein GW182, which is a marker for cytoplasmic foci referred to as GW bodies (GWBs). We demonstrated that the anti-Ago2 monoclonal antibody 4F9 recognized GWBs in a cell cycle dependent manner and was capable of capturing miRNAs associated with Ago2. Since Ago2 protein is the effector protein of RNAi, anti-Ago2 monoclonal antibody may be useful in capturing functional miRNAs.

Gawky is a component of cytoplasmic mRNA processing bodies required for early Drosophila development

In mammalian cells, the GW182 protein localizes to cytoplasmic bodies implicated in the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) stability, translation, and the RNA interference pathway. Many of these functions have also been assigned to analogous yeast cytoplasmic mRNA processing bodies. We have characterized the single Drosophila melanogaster homologue of the human GW182 protein family, which we have named Gawky (GW). Drosophila GW localizes to punctate, cytoplasmic foci in an RNA-dependent manner. Drosophila GW bodies (GWBs) appear to function analogously to human GWBs, as human GW182 colocalizes with GW when expressed in Drosophila cells. The RNA-induced silencing complex component Argonaute2 and orthologues of LSm4 and Xrn1 (Pacman) associated with 5′–3′ mRNA degradation localize to some GWBs. Reducing GW activity by mutation or antibody injection during syncytial embryo development leads to abnormal nuclear divisions, demonstrating an early requirement for GWB-mediated cytoplasmic mRNA regulation. This suggests that gw represents a previously unknown member of a small group of genes that need to be expressed zygotically during early embryo development.

Formation of GW bodies is a consequence of microRNA genesis

GW bodies (GWBs), or mammalian P bodies, proposed to be involved in messenger RNA storage and/or degradation, have recently been linked to RNA interference and microRNA (miRNA) processing. We report that endogenous let-7 miRNA co-precipitates with the GW182 protein complex. In addition, knockdown of two proteins, Drosha and its protein partner DGCR8, which are vital to the generation of mature miRNA, results in the loss of GWBs. Subsequent introduction of short interference RNA specific to lamin A/C is accompanied by reassembly of GWBs and concurrent knockdown of lamin A/C protein. Taken together, these studies show that miRNAs are crucial components in GWB formation.

Quantitative proteomics identifies Gemin5, a scaffolding protein involved in ribonucleoprotein assembly, as a novel partner for eukaryotic initiation factor 4E

Protein complexes are dynamic entities; identification and quantitation of their components is critical in elucidating functional roles under specific cellular conditions. We report the first quantitative proteomic analysis of the human cap-binding protein complex. Components and proteins associated with the translation initiation eIF4F complex that may affect complex formation were identified and quantitated under distinct growth conditions. Site-specific phosphorylation of eIF4E and eIF4G and elevated levels of eIF4G:eIF4E complexes in phorbol ester treated HEK293 cells, and in serum-starved tumorigenic human mesenchymal stromal cells, attested to their activated translational states. The WD-repeat, scaffolding-protein Gemin5 was identified as a novel eIF4E binding partner, which interacted directly with eIF4E through a motif (YXXXXLPhi) present in a number of eIF4E-interacting partners. Elevated levels of Gemin5:eIF4E complexes were found in phorbol ester treated HEK293 cells. Gemin5 and eIF4E co-localized to cytoplasmic P-bodies in human osteosarcoma U2OS cells. Interaction between eIF4E and Gemin5 and their co-localization to the P-bodies, may serve to recruit capped mRNAs to these RNP complexes, for functions related to RNP assembly, remodeling and/or transition from active translation to mRNA degradation. Our results demonstrate that our quantitative proteomic strategy can be applied to the identification and quantitation of protein complex components in human cells grown under different conditions.

RUNNING INTERFERENCE: Prospects and Obstacles to Using Small Interfering RNAs as Small Molecule Drugs

RNA interference (RNAi) is a well-conserved, ubiquitous, endogenous mechanism that uses small noncoding RNAs to silence gene expression. The endogenous small RNAs, called microRNAs, are processed from hairpin precursors and regulate important genes involved in cell death, differentiation, and development. RNAi also protects the genome from invading genetic elements, encoded by transposons and viruses. When small double-stranded RNAs, called small interfering (si)RNAs, are introduced into cells, they bind to the endogenous RNAi machinery to disrupt the expression of mRNAs containing complementary sequences with high specificity. Any disease-causing gene and any cell type or tissue can potentially be targeted. This technique has been rapidly utilized for gene-function analysis and drug-target discovery and validation. Harnessing RNAi also holds great promise for therapy, although introducing siRNAs into cells in vivo remains an important obstacle. Pilot siRNA clinical studies began just three years after the discovery that RNAi works in mammalian cells. This review discusses recent progress and obstacles to using siRNAs as small molecule drugs.

A brief history of RNAi: the silence of the genes

The use of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway to eliminate gene products has greatly facilitated the understanding of gene function. Behind this remarkable pathway is an intricate network of proteins that ensures the degradation of the target mRNA. In this review, we explore the history of RNAi as well as highlighting recent discoveries.

Sbp1p affects translational repression and decapping in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The relationship between translation and mRNA turnover is critical to the regulation of gene expression. One major pathway for mRNA turnover occurs by deadenylation, which leads to decapping and subsequent 5'-to-3' degradation of the body of the mRNA. Prior to mRNA decapping, a transcript exits translation and enters P bodies to become a potential decapping substrate. To understand the transition from translation to decapping, it is important to identify the factors involved in this process. In this work, we identify Sbp1p (formerly known as Ssb1p), an abundant RNA binding protein, as a high-copy-number suppressor of a conditional allele in the decapping enzyme. Sbp1p overexpression restores normal decay rates in decapping-defective strains and increases P-body size and number. In addition, Sbp1p promotes translational repression of mRNA during glucose deprivation. Moreover, P-body formation is reduced in strains lacking Sbp1p. Sbp1p acts in conjunction with Dhh1p, as it is required for translational repression and P-body formation in pat1Delta strains under these conditions. These results identify Sbp1p as a new protein that functions in the transition of mRNAs from translation to an mRNP complex destined for decapping.

mRNA degradation by miRNAs and GW182 requires both CCR4:NOT deadenylase and DCP1:DCP2 decapping complexes

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) silence the expression of target genes post-transcriptionally. Their function is mediated by the Argonaute proteins (AGOs), which colocalize to P-bodies with mRNA degradation enzymes. Mammalian P-bodies are also marked by the GW182 protein, which interacts with the AGOs and is required for miRNA function. We show that depletion of GW182 leads to changes in mRNA expression profiles strikingly similar to those observed in cells depleted of the essential Drosophila miRNA effector AGO1, indicating that GW182 functions in the miRNA pathway. When GW182 is bound to a reporter transcript, it silences its expression, bypassing the requirement for AGO1. Silencing by GW182 is effected by changes in protein expression and mRNA stability. Similarly, miRNAs silence gene expression by repressing protein expression and/or by promoting mRNA decay, and both mechanisms require GW182. mRNA degradation, but not translational repression, by GW182 or miRNAs is inhibited in cells depleted of CAF1, NOT1, or the decapping DCP1:DCP2 complex. We further show that the N-terminal GW repeats of GW182 interact with the PIWI domain of AGO1. Our findings indicate that GW182 links the miRNA pathway to mRNA degradation by interacting with AGO1 and promoting decay of at least a subset of miRNA targets.

CAR-1 and trailer hitch: driving mRNP granule function at the ER?

The targeting of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to specific subcellular sites for local translation plays an important role in diverse cellular and developmental processes in eukaryotes, including axis formation, cell fate determination, spindle pole regulation, cell motility, and neuronal synaptic plasticity. Recently, a new conserved class of Lsm proteins, the Scd6 family, has been implicated in controlling mRNA function. Depletion or mutation of members of the Scd6 family, Caenorhabditis elegans CAR-1 and Drosophila melanogaster trailer hitch, lead to a variety of developmental phenotypes, which in some cases can be linked to alterations in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Scd6/Lsm proteins are RNA binding proteins and are found in RNP complexes associated with translational control of mRNAs, and these complexes can colocalize with the ER. These findings raise the possibility that localization and translational regulation of mRNAs at the ER plays a role in controlling the organization of this organelle.

RNA interference effector proteins localize to mobile cytoplasmic puncta in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Ago1, Dcr1 and Rdp1 are the core components of the RNA interference (RNAi) apparatus in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. They function in distinct gene-silencing pathways that direct homology-dependent degradation of mRNA and modification of chromatin. In addition, Ago1 and Dcr1 regulate enactment of Cdc2-dependent cell cycle checkpoints. The ability of the RNAi apparatus to perform multiple roles in these divergent pathways is sure to require dynamic localization of Ago1, Dcr1 and/or Rdp1. Although limited information is available, comprehensive studies regarding the relative localizations of Ago1, Dcr1 and Rdp1 are lacking. To this end, we employed live-cell imaging and immunoelectron microscopy to study the intracellular localizations of these proteins. In contrast to previous reports, our study results indicate that the bulk of Ago1 and Dcr1 form stable complexes and are associated with large, mobile, highly dynamic cytoplasmic elements. The majority of Rdp1 is localized to the nucleus, but a pool of Rdp1 is associated with the same cytoplasmic structures. The movements of these structures were dependent upon ATP and intact microtubules. Recruitment of the RNAi core proteins to these structures was not dependent upon siRNAs. Together, our data indicate that the enzymes required for the initiation and effector phases of RNA-dependent gene silencing are concentrated in a common intracellular location, an arrangement that would be expected to result in highly efficient post-transcriptional gene silencing.

Human retroviral host restriction factors APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F localize to mRNA processing bodies

APOBEC3G is an antiviral host factor capable of inhibiting the replication of both exogenous and endogenous retroviruses as well as hepatitis B, a DNA virus that replicates through an RNA intermediate. To gain insight into the mechanism whereby APOBEC3G restricts retroviral replication, we investigated the subcellular localization of the protein. Herein, we report that APOBEC3G localizes to mRNA processing (P) bodies, cytoplasmic compartments involved in the degradation and storage of nontranslating mRNAs. Biochemical analysis revealed that APOBEC3G localizes to a ribonucleoprotein complex with other P-body proteins which have established roles in cap-dependent translation (eIF4E and eIF4E-T), translation suppression (RCK/p54), RNA interference–mediated post-transcriptional gene silencing (AGO2), and decapping of mRNA (DCP2). Similar analysis with other APOBEC3 family members revealed a potential link between the localization of APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F to a common ribonucleoprotein complex and P-bodies with potent anti–HIV-1 activity. In addition, we present evidence suggesting that an important role for HIV-1 Vif, which subverts both APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F antiviral function by inducing their degradation, could be to selectively remove these proteins from and/or restrict their localization to P-bodies. Taken together, the results of this study reveal a novel link between innate immunity against retroviruses and P-bodies suggesting that APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F could function in the context of P-bodies to restrict HIV-1 replication.

Successful replication of viruses and other intracellular pathogens in their respective host cells requires that they overcome a series of replication restrictions or “roadblocks” established by the cell. In the case of HIV-1, the ability of the virus to replicate in human cells is dependent on its ability to neutralize APOBEC3G, a DNA editing enzyme that incorporates into virions and renders them noninfectious. Although a potentially devastating inhibitor of HIV-1 replication, the virus evades APOBEC3G by inducing its degradation during virus assembly. APOBEC3G is also capable of inhibiting the replication of other retroviruses as well as the hepadnavirus hepatitis B, a DNA virus that replicates through an RNA intermediate, suggesting that APOBEC3G may function in cellular defense against a broad range of viral pathogens. Here, Rana and colleagues present their findings that APOBEC3G localizes to specialized compartments in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells known as mRNA processing (P) bodies, which function in the degradation and storage of cellular mRNA. Furthermore, they show that APOBEC3G assembles into a ribonucleoprotein complex with P-body proteins involved in translation, translation suppression, RNA interference, and mRNA decapping. These novel and exciting findings have broad-scale implications for APOBEC3G function and for the role of P-bodies in both cellular defense against viruses and retroviral assembly.

Genome-wide analysis of mRNAs regulated by Drosha and Argonaute proteins in Drosophila melanogaster

RNA silencing pathways are conserved gene regulation mechanisms that elicit decay and/or translational repression of mRNAs complementary to short interfering RNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs). The fraction of the transcriptome regulated by these pathways is not known, but it is thought that each miRNA may have hundreds of targets. To identify transcripts regulated by silencing pathways at the genomic level, we examined mRNA expression profiles in Drosophila melanogaster cells depleted of four Argonaute paralogs (i.e., AGO1, AGO2, PIWI, or Aubergine) that play essential roles in RNA silencing. We also profiled cells depleted of the miRNA-processing enzyme Drosha. The results reveal that transcripts differentially expressed in Drosha-depleted cells have highly correlated expression in the AGO1 knockdown and are significantly enriched in predicted and validated miRNA targets. The levels of a subset of miRNA targets are also regulated by AGO2. Moreover, AGO1 and AGO2 silence the expression of a common set of mobile genetic elements. Together, these results indicate that the functional overlap between AGO1 and AGO2 in Drosophila is more important than previously thought.

Processing body autoantibodies reconsidered

Processing bodies (P-bodies) are cellular structures that have critical roles in mRNA degradation and post-transcriptional gene silencing. Some patients with autoimmune disease have high titer antibodies directed against P-bodies, and certain sera have been used as markers for the GW182 component of these structures. This study shows that available reference sera are unreliable markers for GW182 because the sera contain antibodies directed against Ge-1, a second P-body autoantigen.

RNA-associated protein 55 (RAP55) localizes to mRNA processing bodies and stress granules

The mRNA processing body (P-body) is a cellular structure that has an important role in mRNA degradation. P-bodies have also been implicated in RNAi-mediated post-transcriptional gene silencing. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize novel components of the mammalian P-body. Approximately 5% of patients with the autoimmune disease primary biliary cirrhosis have antibodies directed against this structure. Serum from one of these patients was used to identify a cDNA encoding RAP55, a 463-amino acid protein. RAP55 colocalized with previously identified P-body components DCP1a and Ge-1. RAP55 contains an N-terminal Sm-like domain and two C-terminal RGG-rich domains separated by an FDF motif. The two RGG domains and the FDF domain were necessary and sufficient to target the protein to P-bodies. A fragment of RAP55 consisting of the FDF and the second RGG domains did not localize to P-bodies, but was able to displace other P-body components from this structure. After cells were subjected to arsenite-induced stress, RAP55 was detected in TIA-containing stress granules. The second RGG domain was necessary and sufficient for stress granule localization. siRNA-mediated knock-down of RAP55 resulted in loss of P-bodies, suggesting that RAP55 acts prior to the 5'-decapping step in mRNA degradation. The results of this study show that RAP55 is a component of P-bodies in cells at rest and localizes in stress granules in arsenite-treated cells. RAP55 may serve to shuttle mRNAs between P-bodies and stress granules.

Control of translation and mRNA degradation by miRNAs and siRNAs

The control of translation and mRNA degradation is an important part of the regulation of gene expression. It is now clear that small RNA molecules are common and effective modulators of gene expression in many eukaryotic cells. These small RNAs that control gene expression can be either endogenous or exogenous micro RNAs (miRNAs) and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and can affect mRNA degradation and translation, as well as chromatin structure, thereby having impacts on transcription rates. In this review, we discuss possible mechanisms by which miRNAs control translation and mRNA degradation. An emerging theme is that miRNAs, and siRNAs to some extent, target mRNAs to the general eukaryotic machinery for mRNA degradation and translation control.

RNA granules

Cytoplasmic RNA granules in germ cells (polar and germinal granules), somatic cells (stress granules and processing bodies), and neurons (neuronal granules) have emerged as important players in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. RNA granules contain various ribosomal subunits, translation factors, decay enzymes, helicases, scaffold proteins, and RNA-binding proteins, and they control the localization, stability, and translation of their RNA cargo. We review the relationship between different classes of these granules and discuss how spatial organization regulates messenger RNA translation/decay.

MicroRNA function and mechanism: insights from zebra fish

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that bind to the 3 UTR of mRNAs. We are using zebra fish as a model system to study the developmental roles of miRNAs and to determine the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate target mRNAs. We generated zebra fish embryos that lack the miRNA-processing enzyme Dicer. Mutant embryos are devoid of mature miRNAs and have morphogenesis defects, but differentiate multiple cell types. Injection of miR-430 miRNAs, a miRNA family expressed at the onset of zygotic transcription, rescues the early morphogenesis defects in dicer mutants. miR-430 accelerates the decay of hundreds of maternal mRNAs and induces the deadenylation of target mRNAs. These studies suggest that miRNAs are not obligatory components of all fate specification or signaling pathways but facilitate developmental transitions and induce the deadenylation and decay of hundreds of target mRNAs.

Function and localization of microRNAs in mammalian cells

microRNAs (miRNAs) represent a large set of master regulators of gene expression. They constitute 1-4% of human genes and probably regulate 30% of protein-encoding genes. These small regulatory RNAs act at a posttranscriptional level-mediating translational repression and/or mRNA degradation-through their association with Argonaute protein and target mRNAs. In this paper, we discuss various mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate posttranscriptionally, including their subcellular localization. Recent results indicate that the majority of miRNA-targeted and thus translationally repressed mRNA is probably distributed in the diffuse cytoplasm, even though a small fraction is concentrated in subcellular compartments, such as processing bodies or stress granules; notably, the stress granule localization of Argonaute depends on the presence of miRNAs. Here we discuss the structural requirement of these subcellular compartments in light of their potential miRNA functions.

MicroRNAs, mRNAs, and translation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) comprise a large family of regulatory molecules that repress protein production from targeted mRNAs. Although it is now clear that miRNAs exert pervasive effects on gene expression in animal cells, the mechanism(s) by which they function remains poorly understood. We have analyzed the subcellular distribution of miRNAs in actively growing HeLa cells and find that the vast majority are associated with actively translating mRNAs in polysomes. We also find that a specific miRNA-regulated mRNA (KRAS) is polysome associated and that its translation is impaired, apparently at the level of elongation. These observations are discussed in light of our current understanding of mechanism of miRNA function.

MicroRNAs in gene regulation: when the smallest governs it all

Encoded by the genome of most eukaryotes examined so far, microRNAs (miRNAs) are small approximately 21-nucleotide (nt) noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) derived from a biosynthetic cascade involving sequential processing steps executed by the ribonucleases (RNases) III Drosha and Dicer. Following their recent identification, miRNAs have rapidly taken the center stage as key regulators of gene expression. In this review, we will summarize our current knowledge of the miRNA biosynthetic pathway and its protein components, as well as the processes it regulates via miRNAs, which are known to exert a variety of biological functions in eukaryotes. Although the relative importance of miRNAs remains to be fully appreciated, deregulated protein expression resulting from either dysfunctional miRNA biogenesis or abnormal miRNA-based gene regulation may represent a key etiologic factor in several, as yet unidentified, diseases. Hence is our need to better understand the complexity of the basic mechanisms underlying miRNA biogenesis and function.