Nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling of RNA-binding factors: mRNA buffering and beyond

Comparison of Xrn1 and Rat1 5' → 3' exoribonucleases in budding yeast supports the specific role of Xrn1 in cotranslational mRNA decay

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and most eukaryotes carry two 5' → 3' exoribonuclease paralogs. In yeast, they are called Xrn1, which shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, and executes major cytoplasmic messenger RNA (mRNA) decay, and Rat1, which carries a strong nuclear localization sequence (NLS) and localizes to the nucleus. Xrn1 is 30% identical to Rat1 but has an extra ~500 amino acids C-terminal extension. In the cytoplasm, Xrn1 can degrade decapped mRNAs during the last round of translation by ribosomes, a process referred to as "cotranslational mRNA decay." The division of labor between the two enzymes is still enigmatic and serves as a paradigm for the subfunctionalization of many other paralogs. Here we show that Rat1 is capable of functioning in cytoplasmic mRNA decay, provided that Rat1 remains cytoplasmic due to its NLS disruption (cRat1). This indicates that the physical segregation of the two paralogs plays roles in their specific functions. However, reversing segregation is not sufficient to fully complement the Xrn1 function. Specifically, cRat1 can partially restore the cell volume, mRNA stability, the proliferation rate, and 5' → 3' decay alterations that characterize xrn1Δ cells. Nevertheless, cotranslational decay is only slightly complemented by cRat1. The use of the AlphaFold prediction for cRat1 and its subsequent docking with the ribosome complex and the sequence conservation between cRat1 and Xrn1 suggest that the tight interaction with the ribosome observed for Xrn1 is not maintained in cRat1. Adding the Xrn1 C-terminal domain to Rat1 does not improve phenotypes, which indicates that lack of the C-terminal is not responsible for partial complementation. Overall, during evolution, it appears that the two paralogs have acquired specific characteristics to make functional partitioning beneficial.

Influence of cell volume on the gene transcription rate

Cells vary in volume throughout their life cycle and in many other circumstances, while their genome remains identical. Hence, the RNA production factory must adapt to changing needs, while maintaining the same production lines. This paradox is resolved by different mechanisms in distinct cells and circumstances. RNA polymerases have evolved to cope with the particular circumstances of each case and the different characteristics of the several RNA molecule types, especially their stabilities. Here we review current knowledge on these issues. We focus on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where many of the studies have been performed, although we compare and discuss the results obtained in other eukaryotes and propose several ideas and questions to be tested and solved in the future. TAKE AWAY.

Mapping RNA-Protein Interactions with Subcellular Resolution Using Colocalization CLIP

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are essential for RNA metabolism and profoundly impact health and disease. The subcellular organization of RBP interaction networks with target RNAs remains largely unexplored. Here, we develop colocalization CLIP, a method that combines CrossLinking and ImmunoPrecipitation (CLIP) with proximity labeling, to explore in-depth the subcellular RNA interactions of the well-studied RNA-binding protein HuR. Using this method, we uncover HuR's dynamic and location-specific interactions with RNA, revealing alterations in sequence preferences and interactions in the nucleus, cytosol, or stress granule compartments. We uncover HuR's unique binding preferences within stress granules during arsenite stress, illuminating intricate interactions that conventional methodologies cannot capture. Overall, coCLIP provides a powerful method for revealing RBP:RNA interactions based on localization and lays the foundation for an advanced understanding of RBP models that incorporate subcellular location as a critical determinant of their functions.