REF, an evolutionary conserved family of hnRNP-like proteins, interacts with TAP/Mex67p and participates in mRNA nuclear export

The RNA helicase DDX39 contributes to the nuclear export of spliceosomal U snRNA by loading of PHAX onto RNA

RNA helicases are involved in RNA metabolism in an ATP-dependent manner. Although many RNA helicases unwind the RNA structure and/or remove proteins from the RNA, some can load their interacting proteins onto RNAs. Here, we developed an in vitro strategy to identify the ATP-dependent factors involved in spliceosomal uridine-rich small nuclear RNA (U snRNA) export. We identified the RNA helicase UAP56/DDX39B, a component of the mRNA export complex named the transcription-export (TREX) complex, and its closely related RNA helicase URH49/DDX39A as the factors that stimulated RNA binding of PHAX, an adapter protein for U snRNA export. ALYREF, another TREX component, acted as a bridge between PHAX and UAP56/DDX39B. We also showed that UAP56/DDX39B and ALYREF participate in U snRNA export through a mechanism distinct from that of mRNA export. This study describes a novel aspect of the TREX components for U snRNP biogenesis and highlights the loading activity of RNA helicases.

Cryo-EM structure of the CBC-ALYREF complex

In eukaryotes, RNAs transcribed by RNA Pol II are modified at the 5' end with a 7-methylguanosine (m7G) cap, which is recognized by the nuclear cap binding complex (CBC). The CBC plays multiple important roles in mRNA metabolism, including transcription, splicing, polyadenylation, and export. It promotes mRNA export through direct interaction with a key mRNA export factor, ALYREF, which in turn links the TRanscription and EXport (TREX) complex to the 5' end of mRNA. However, the molecular mechanism for CBC-mediated recruitment of the mRNA export machinery is not well understood. Here, we present the first structure of the CBC in complex with an mRNA export factor, ALYREF. The cryo-EM structure of CBC-ALYREF reveals that the RRM domain of ALYREF makes direct contact with both the NCBP1 and NCBP2 subunits of the CBC. Comparing CBC-ALYREF with other cellular complexes containing CBC and/or ALYREF components provides insights into the coordinated events during mRNA transcription, splicing, and export.

Cryo-EM structure of the CBC-ALYREF complex

In eukaryotes, RNAs transcribed by RNA Pol II are modified at the 5' end with a 7-methylguanosine (m 7 G) cap, which is recognized by the nuclear cap binding complex (CBC). The CBC plays multiple important roles in mRNA metabolism including transcription, splicing, polyadenylation, and export. It promotes mRNA export through direct interaction with a key mRNA export factor, ALYREF, which in turn links the TRanscription and EXport (TREX) complex to the 5' end of mRNA. However, the molecular mechanism for CBC mediated recruitment of the mRNA export machinery is not well understood. Here, we present the first structure of the CBC in complex with an mRNA export factor, ALYREF. The cryo-EM structure of CBC-ALYREF reveals that the RRM domain of ALYREF makes direct contact with both the NCBP1 and NCBP2 subunits of the CBC. Comparing CBC-ALYREF with other cellular complexes containing CBC and/or ALYREF components provides insights into the coordinated events during mRNA transcription, splicing, and export.

Inhibition of mRNA nuclear export promotes SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis

The nonstructural protein 1 (Nsp1) of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) is a virulence factor that targets multiple cellular pathways to inhibit host gene expression and antiviral response. However, the underlying mechanisms of the various Nsp1-mediated functions and their contributions to SARS-CoV-2 virulence remain unclear. Among the targets of Nsp1 is the mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) export receptor NXF1-NXT1, which mediates nuclear export of mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Based on Nsp1 crystal structure, we generated mutants on Nsp1 surfaces and identified an acidic N-terminal patch that is critical for interaction with NXF1-NXT1. Photoactivatable Nsp1 probe reveals the RNA Recognition Motif (RRM) domain of NXF1 as an Nsp1 N-terminal binding site. By mutating the Nsp1 N-terminal acidic patch, we identified a separation-of-function mutant of Nsp1 that retains its translation inhibitory function but substantially loses its interaction with NXF1 and reverts Nsp1-mediated mRNA export inhibition. We then generated a recombinant (r)SARS-CoV-2 mutant on the Nsp1 N-terminal acidic patch and found that this surface is key to promote NXF1 binding and inhibition of host mRNA nuclear export, viral replication, and pathogenicity in vivo. Thus, these findings provide a mechanistic understanding of Nsp1-mediated mRNA export inhibition and establish the importance of this pathway in the virulence of SARS-CoV-2.

Time-resolved profiling of RNA binding proteins throughout the mRNA life cycle

mRNAs continually change their protein partners throughout their lifetimes, yet our understanding of mRNA-protein complex (mRNP) remodeling is limited by a lack of temporal data. Here, we present time-resolved mRNA interactome data by performing pulse metabolic labeling with photoactivatable ribonucleoside in human cells, UVA crosslinking, poly(A)+ RNA isolation, and mass spectrometry. This longitudinal approach allowed the quantification of over 700 RNA binding proteins (RBPs) across ten time points. Overall, the sequential order of mRNA binding aligns well with known functions, subcellular locations, and molecular interactions. However, we also observed RBPs with unexpected dynamics: the transcription-export (TREX) complex recruited posttranscriptionally after nuclear export factor 1 (NXF1) binding, challenging the current view of transcription-coupled mRNA export, and stress granule proteins prevalent in aged mRNPs, indicating roles in late stages of the mRNA life cycle. To systematically identify mRBPs with unknown functions, we employed machine learning to compare mRNA binding dynamics with Gene Ontology (GO) annotations. Our data can be explored at chronology.rna.snu.ac.kr.

Identification of ALYREF in pan cancer as a novel cancer prognostic biomarker and potential regulatory mechanism in gastric cancer

ALYREF is considered as a specific mRNA m5C-binding protein which recognizes m5C sites in RNA and facilitates the export of RNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Expressed in various tissues and highly involved in the transcriptional regulation, ALYREF has the potential to become a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for cancer patients. However, few studies focused on its function during carcinogenesis and progress. In order to explore the role of ALYREF on tumorigenesis, TCGA and GTEx databases were used to investigate the relationship of ALYREF to pan-cancer. We found that ALYREF was highly expressed in majority of cancer types and that elevated expression level was positively associated with poor prognosis in many cancers. GO and KEGG analysis showed that ALYREF to be essential in regulating the cell cycle and gene mismatch repair in tumor progression. The correlation analysis of tumor heterogeneity indicated that ALYREF could be specially correlated to the tumor stemness in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). Furthermore, we investigate the potential function of ALYREF on gastric carcinogenesis. Prognostic analysis of different molecular subtypes of gastric cancer (GC) unfolded that high ALYREF expression leads to poor prognosis in certain subtypes of GC. Finally, enrichment analysis revealed that ALYREF-related genes possess the function of regulating cell cycle and apoptosis that cause further influences in GC tumor progression. For further verification, we knocked down the expression of ALYREF by siRNA in GC cell line AGS. Knockdown of ALYREF distinctly contributed to inhibition of GC cell proliferation. Moreover, it is observed that knocked-down of ALYREF induced AGS cells arrested in G1 phase and increased cell apoptosis. Our findings highlighted the essential function of ALYREF in tumorigenesis and revealed the specific contribution of ALYREF to gastric carcinogenesis through pan-cancer analysis and biological experiments.

Targeting neuroblastoma by small-molecule inhibitors of human ALYREF protein: mechanistic insights using molecular dynamics simulations

Neuroblastoma is a tumour of the sympathetic nervous system mainly prevalent in children. Many strategies have been employed to target several drug-targetable proteins for the clinical management of neuroblastoma. However, the heterogeneous nature of neuroblastoma presents serious challenges in drug development for its treatment. Albeit numerous medications have been developed to target various signalling pathways in neuroblastoma, the redundant nature of the tumour pathways makes its suppression unsuccessful. Recently, the quest for neuroblastoma therapy resulted in the identification of human ALYREF, a nuclear protein that plays an essential role in tumour growth and progression. Therefore, this study used the structure-based drug discovery method to identify the putative inhibitors targeting ALYREF for the Neuroblastoma treatment. Herein, a library of 119 blood-brain barrier crossing small molecules from the ChEMBL database was downloaded and docked against the predicted binding pocket of the human ALYREF protein. Based on docking scores, the top four compounds were considered for intermolecular interactions and molecular dynamics simulation analysis, which revealed CHEMBL3752986 and CHEMBL3753744 with substantial affinity and stability with the ALYREF. These results were further supported by binding free energies and essential dynamics analysis of the respective complexes. Hence, this study advocates the sorted compounds targeting ALYREF for further in vitro and in vivo assessment to develop a drug against neuroblastoma.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

mRNA nuclear export: how mRNA identity features distinguish functional RNAs from junk transcripts

The division of the cellular space into nucleoplasm and cytoplasm promotes quality control mechanisms that prevent misprocessed mRNAs and junk RNAs from gaining access to the translational machinery. Here, we explore how properly processed mRNAs are distinguished from both misprocessed mRNAs and junk RNAs by the presence or absence of various 'identity features'.

Cross-linking mass spectrometric analysis of the endogenous TREX complex from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The conserved TREX complex has multiple functions in gene expression such as transcription elongation, 3' end processing, mRNP assembly and nuclear mRNA export as well as the maintenance of genomic stability. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TREX is composed of the pentameric THO complex, the DEAD-box RNA helicase Sub2, the nuclear mRNA export adaptor Yra1, and the SR-like proteins Gbp2 and Hrb1. Here, we present the structural analysis of the endogenous TREX complex of S. cerevisiae purified from its native environment. To this end, we used cross-linking mass spectrometry to gain structural information on regions of the complex that are not accessible to classical structural biology techniques. We also used negative-stain electron microscopy to investigate the organization of the cross-linked complex used for XL-MS by comparing our endogenous TREX complex with recently published structural models of recombinant THO-Sub2 complexes. According to our analysis, the endogenous yeast TREX complex preferentially assembles into a dimer.

Single-molecule quantitation of RNA-binding protein occupancy and stoichiometry defines a role for Yra1 (Aly/REF) in nuclear mRNP organization

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) interact with mRNA to form supramolecular complexes called messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particles. These dynamic assemblies direct and regulate individual steps of gene expression; however, their composition and functional importance remain largely unknown. Here, we develop a total internal reflection fluorescence-based single-molecule imaging assay to investigate stoichiometry and co-occupancy of 15 RBPs within mRNPs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show compositional heterogeneity of single mRNPs and plasticity across different growth conditions, with major co-occupants of mRNPs containing the nuclear cap-binding complex identified as Yra1 (1-10 copies), Nab2 (1-6 copies), and Npl3 (1-6 copies). Multicopy Yra1-bound mRNPs are specifically co-occupied by the THO complex and assembled on mRNAs biased by transcript length and RNA secondary structure. Yra1 depletion results in decreased compaction of nuclear mRNPs demonstrating a packaging function. Together, we provide a quantitative framework for gene- and condition-dependent RBP occupancy and stoichiometry in individual nuclear mRNPs.

The master energy homeostasis regulator PGC-1α exhibits an mRNA nuclear export function

PGC-1α plays a central role in maintaining mitochondrial and energy metabolism homeostasis, linking external stimuli to transcriptional co-activation of genes involved in adaptive and age-related pathways. The carboxyl-terminus encodes a serine/arginine-rich (RS) region and an RNA recognition motif, however the RNA-processing function(s) were poorly investigated over the past 20 years. Here, we show that the RS domain of human PGC-1α directly interacts with RNA and the nuclear RNA export receptor NXF1. Inducible depletion of PGC-1α and expression of RNAi-resistant RS-deleted PGC-1α further demonstrate that its RNA/NXF1-binding activity is required for the nuclear export of some canonical mitochondrial-related mRNAs and mitochondrial homeostasis. Genome-wide investigations reveal that the nuclear export function is not strictly linked to promoter-binding, identifying in turn novel regulatory targets of PGC-1α in non-homologous end-joining and nucleocytoplasmic transport. These findings provide new directions to further elucidate the roles of PGC-1α in gene expression, metabolic disorders, aging and neurodegeneration.

Virus Infection and mRNA Nuclear Export

Gene expression in eukaryotes begins with transcription in the nucleus, followed by the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA), which is then exported to the cytoplasm for its translation into proteins. Along with transcription and translation, mRNA export through the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is an essential regulatory step in eukaryotic gene expression. Multiple factors regulate mRNA export and hence gene expression. Interestingly, proteins from certain types of viruses interact with these factors in infected cells, and such an interaction interferes with the mRNA export of the host cell in favor of viral RNA export. Thus, these viruses hijack the host mRNA nuclear export mechanism, leading to a reduction in host gene expression and the downregulation of immune/antiviral responses. On the other hand, the viral mRNAs successfully evade the host surveillance system and are efficiently exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm for translation, which enables the continuation of the virus life cycle. Here, we present this review to summarize the mechanisms by which viruses suppress host mRNA nuclear export during infection, as well as the key strategies that viruses use to facilitate their mRNA nuclear export. These studies have revealed new potential antivirals that may be used to inhibit viral mRNA transport and enhance host mRNA nuclear export, thereby promoting host gene expression and immune responses.

Emerging roles and functional mechanisms of PIWI-interacting RNAs

PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that associate with proteins of the PIWI clade of the Argonaute family. First identified in animal germ line cells, piRNAs have essential roles in germ line development. The first function of PIWI-piRNA complexes to be described was the silencing of transposable elements, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the germ line genome. Later studies provided new insights into the functions of PIWI-piRNA complexes by demonstrating that they regulate protein-coding genes. Recent studies of piRNA biology, including in new model organisms such as golden hamsters, have deepened our understanding of both piRNA biogenesis and piRNA function. In this Review, we discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of piRNA biogenesis, the molecular mechanisms of piRNA function and the emerging roles of piRNAs in germ line development mainly in flies and mice, and in infertility, cancer and neurological diseases in humans.

CRISPR-dCas13-tracing reveals transcriptional memory and limited mRNA export in developing zebrafish embryos

BACKGROUND

Understanding gene transcription and mRNA-protein (mRNP) dynamics in single cells in a multicellular organism has been challenging. The catalytically dead CRISPR-Cas13 (dCas13) system has been used to visualize RNAs in live cells without genetic manipulation. We optimize this system to track developmentally expressed mRNAs in zebrafish embryos and to understand features of endogenous transcription kinetics and mRNP export.

RESULTS

We report that zygotic microinjection of purified CRISPR-dCas13-fluorescent proteins and modified guide RNAs allows single- and dual-color tracking of developmentally expressed mRNAs in zebrafish embryos from zygotic genome activation (ZGA) until early segmentation period without genetic manipulation. Using this approach, we uncover non-synchronized de novo transcription between inter-alleles, synchronized post-mitotic re-activation in pairs of alleles, and transcriptional memory as an extrinsic noise that potentially contributes to synchronized post-mitotic re-activation. We also reveal rapid dCas13-engaged mRNP movement in the nucleus with a corralled and diffusive motion, but a wide varying range of rate-limiting mRNP export, which can be shortened by Alyref and Nxf1 overexpression.

CONCLUSIONS

This optimized dCas13-based toolkit enables robust spatial-temporal tracking of endogenous mRNAs and uncovers features of transcription and mRNP motion, providing a powerful toolkit for endogenous RNA visualization in a multicellular developmental organism.

ALYREF, a novel factor involved in breast carcinogenesis, acts through transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms selectively regulating the short NEAT1 isoform

The RNA-binding protein ALYREF (THOC4) is involved in transcriptional regulation and nuclear mRNA export, though its role and molecular mode of action in breast carcinogenesis are completely unknown. Here, we identified high ALYREF expression as a factor for poor survival in breast cancer patients. ALYREF significantly influenced cellular growth, apoptosis and mitochondrial energy metabolism in breast cancer cells as well as breast tumorigenesis in orthotopic mouse models. Transcriptional profiling, phenocopy and rescue experiments identified the short isoform of the lncRNA NEAT1 as a molecular trigger for ALYREF effects in breast cancer. Mechanistically, we found that ALYREF binds to the NEAT1 promoter region to enhance the global NEAT1 transcriptional activity. Importantly, by stabilizing CPSF6, a protein that selectively activates the post-transcriptional generation of the short isoform of NEAT1, as well as by direct binding and stabilization of the short isoform of NEAT1, ALYREF selectively fine-tunes the expression of the short NEAT1 isoform. Overall, our study describes ALYREF as a novel factor contributing to breast carcinogenesis and identifies novel molecular mechanisms of regulation the two isoforms of NEAT1.

Cellular hnRNPAB interacts with avian influenza viral protein PB2 and inhibits virus replication potentially by restricting PB2 mRNA nuclear export and PB2 protein level

The PB2 protein of avian influenza virus (AIV) is essential for transcription and replication of virus genome. In this study, we reported that chicken heterogenous nuclear riboncleoprotein AB (hnRNPAB) cooperated with avian influenza viral protein PB2 and inhibited the polymerase activity and virus replication. We found that hnRNPAB was associated with PB2 mRNA and overexpression of hnRNPAB reduced PB2 mRNA nuclear export and PB2 protein level, but had no influence on PB2 mRNA level. At the same time, overexpression of hnRNPAB also reduced protein levels rather than mRNA levels of PA, PB1 and NP. In addition, overexpression of hnRNPAB restricted the polymerase activity and virus replication, while knockdown of hnRNPAB resulted in enhanced polymerase activity and virus replication. Lastly, virus infection induced the nuclear accumulation of hnRNPAB, but did not cause the change of expression level of endogenous hnRNPAB in DF-1 cells. Collectively, these findings suggested that hnRNPAB played a restrictive role in polymerase activity and virus replication potentially through inhibiting PB2 mRNA nuclear export and PB2 protein level.

Cryo-EM structure of the yeast TREX complex and coordination with the SR-like protein Gbp2

The evolutionarily conserved TRanscript-EXport (TREX) complex plays central roles during mRNP (messenger ribonucleoprotein) maturation and export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. In yeast, TREX is composed of the THO sub-complex (Tho2, Hpr1, Tex1, Mft1, and Thp2), the DEAD box ATPase Sub2, and Yra1. Here we present a 3.7 Å cryo-EM structure of the yeast THO•Sub2 complex. The structure reveals the intimate assembly of THO revolving around its largest subunit Tho2. THO stabilizes a semi-open conformation of the Sub2 ATPase via interactions with Tho2. We show that THO interacts with the serine-arginine (SR)-like protein Gbp2 through both the RS domain and RRM domains of Gbp2. Cross-linking mass spectrometry analysis supports the extensive interactions between THO and Gbp2, further revealing that RRM domains of Gbp2 are in close proximity to the C-terminal domain of Tho2. We propose that THO serves as a landing pad to configure Gbp2 to facilitate its loading onto mRNP.

TPR is required for the efficient nuclear export of mRNAs and lncRNAs from short and intron-poor genes

While splicing has been shown to enhance nuclear export, it has remained unclear whether mRNAs generated from intronless genes use specific machinery to promote their export. Here, we investigate the role of the major nuclear pore basket protein, TPR, in regulating mRNA and lncRNA nuclear export in human cells. By sequencing mRNA from the nucleus and cytosol of control and TPR-depleted cells, we provide evidence that TPR is required for the efficient nuclear export of mRNAs and lncRNAs that are generated from short transcripts that tend to have few introns, and we validate this with reporter constructs. Moreover, in TPR-depleted cells reporter mRNAs generated from short transcripts accumulate in nuclear speckles and are bound to Nxf1. These observations suggest that TPR acts downstream of Nxf1 recruitment and may allow mRNAs to leave nuclear speckles and properly dock with the nuclear pore. In summary, our study provides one of the first examples of a factor that is specifically required for the nuclear export of intronless and intron-poor mRNAs and lncRNAs.

Long first exons and epigenetic marks distinguish conserved pachytene piRNA clusters from other mammalian genes

In the male germ cells of placental mammals, 26-30-nt-long PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) emerge when spermatocytes enter the pachytene phase of meiosis. In mice, pachytene piRNAs derive from ~100 discrete autosomal loci that produce canonical RNA polymerase II transcripts. These piRNA clusters bear 5' caps and 3' poly(A) tails, and often contain introns that are removed before nuclear export and processing into piRNAs. What marks pachytene piRNA clusters to produce piRNAs, and what confines their expression to the germline? We report that an unusually long first exon (≥ 10 kb) or a long, unspliced transcript correlates with germline-specific transcription and piRNA production. Our integrative analysis of transcriptome, piRNA, and epigenome datasets across multiple species reveals that a long first exon is an evolutionarily conserved feature of pachytene piRNA clusters. Furthermore, a highly methylated promoter, often containing a low or intermediate level of CG dinucleotides, correlates with germline expression and somatic silencing of pachytene piRNA clusters. Pachytene piRNA precursor transcripts bind THOC1 and THOC2, THO complex subunits known to promote transcriptional elongation and mRNA nuclear export. Together, these features may explain why the major sources of pachytene piRNA clusters specifically generate these unique small RNAs in the male germline of placental mammals.

Viral regulation of mRNA export with potentials for targeted therapy

Eukaryotic gene expression begins with transcription in the nucleus to synthesize mRNA (messenger RNA), which is subsequently exported to the cytoplasm for translation to protein. Like transcription and translation, mRNA export is an important regulatory step of eukaryotic gene expression. Various factors are involved in regulating mRNA export, and thus gene expression. Intriguingly, some of these factors interact with viral proteins, and such interactions interfere with mRNA export of the host cell, favoring viral RNA export. Hence, viruses hijack host mRNA export machinery for export of their own RNAs from nucleus to cytoplasm for translation to proteins for viral life cycle, suppressing host mRNA export (and thus host gene expression and immune/antiviral response). Therefore, the molecules that can impair the interactions of these mRNA export factors with viral proteins could emerge as antiviral therapeutic agents to suppress viral RNA transport and enhance host mRNA export, thereby promoting host gene expression and immune response. Thus, there has been a number of studies to understand how virus hijacks mRNA export machinery in suppressing host gene expression and promoting its own RNA export to the cytoplasm for translation to proteins required for viral replication/assembly/life cycle towards developing targeted antiviral therapies, as concisely described here.

Structural insights into the nucleic acid remodeling mechanisms of the yeast THO-Sub2 complex

The yeast THO complex is recruited to active genes and interacts with the RNA-dependent ATPase Sub2 to facilitate the formation of mature export-competent messenger ribonucleoprotein particles and to prevent the co-transcriptional formation of RNA:DNA-hybrid-containing structures. How THO-containing complexes function at the mechanistic level is unclear. Here, we elucidated a 3.4 Å resolution structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae THO-Sub2 by cryo-electron microscopy. THO subunits Tho2 and Hpr1 intertwine to form a platform that is bound by Mft1, Thp2, and Tex1. The resulting complex homodimerizes in an asymmetric fashion, with a Sub2 molecule attached to each protomer. The homodimerization interfaces serve as a fulcrum for a seesaw-like movement concomitant with conformational changes of the Sub2 ATPase. The overall structural architecture and topology suggest the molecular mechanisms of nucleic acid remodeling during mRNA biogenesis.

Structure of the human core transcription-export complex reveals a hub for multivalent interactions

The export of mRNA from nucleus to cytoplasm requires the conserved and essential transcription and export (TREX) complex (THO-UAP56/DDX39B-ALYREF). TREX selectively binds mRNA maturation marks and licenses mRNA for nuclear export by loading the export factor NXF1-NXT1. How TREX integrates these marks and achieves high selectivity for mature mRNA is poorly understood. Here, we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the human THO-UAP56/DDX39B complex at 3.3 Å resolution. The seven-subunit THO-UAP56/DDX39B complex multimerizes into a 28-subunit tetrameric assembly, suggesting that selective recognition of mature mRNA is facilitated by the simultaneous sensing of multiple, spatially distant mRNA regions and maturation marks. Two UAP56/DDX39B RNA helicases are juxtaposed at each end of the tetramer, which would allow one bivalent ALYREF protein to bridge adjacent helicases and regulate the TREX-mRNA interaction. Our structural and biochemical results suggest a conserved model for TREX complex function that depends on multivalent interactions between proteins and mRNA.

It's Not the Destination, It's the Journey: Heterogeneity in mRNA Export Mechanisms

The process of creating a translation-competent mRNA is highly complex and involves numerous steps including transcription, splicing, addition of modifications, and, finally, export to the cytoplasm. Historically, much of the research on regulation of gene expression at the level of the mRNA has been focused on either the regulation of mRNA synthesis (transcription and splicing) or metabolism (translation and degradation). However, in recent years, the advent of new experimental techniques has revealed the export of mRNA to be a major node in the regulation of gene expression, and numerous large-scale and specific mRNA export pathways have been defined. In this chapter, we will begin by outlining the mechanism by which most mRNAs are homeostatically exported ("bulk mRNA export"), involving the recruitment of the NXF1/TAP export receptor by the Aly/REF and THOC5 components of the TREX complex. We will then examine various mechanisms by which this pathway may be controlled, modified, or bypassed in order to promote the export of subset(s) of cellular mRNAs, which include the use of metazoan-specific orthologs of bulk mRNA export factors, specific cis RNA motifs which recruit mRNA export machinery via specific trans-acting-binding factors, posttranscriptional mRNA modifications that act as "inducible" export cis elements, the use of the atypical mRNA export receptor, CRM1, and the manipulation or bypass of the nuclear pore itself. Finally, we will discuss major outstanding questions in the field of mRNA export heterogeneity and outline how cutting-edge experimental techniques are providing new insights into and tools for investigating the intriguing field of mRNA export heterogeneity.

Mip6 binds directly to the Mex67 UBA domain to maintain low levels of Msn2/4 stress-dependent mRNAs

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) participate in all steps of gene expression, underscoring their potential as regulators of RNA homeostasis. We structurally and functionally characterize Mip6, a four-RNA recognition motif (RRM)-containing RBP, as a functional and physical interactor of the export factor Mex67. Mip6-RRM4 directly interacts with the ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain of Mex67 through a loop containing tryptophan 442. Mip6 shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm in a Mex67-dependent manner and concentrates in cytoplasmic foci under stress. Photoactivatable ribonucleoside-enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation experiments show preferential binding of Mip6 to mRNAs regulated by the stress-response Msn2/4 transcription factors. Consistent with this binding, MIP6 deletion affects their export and expression levels. Additionally, Mip6 interacts physically and/or functionally with proteins with a role in mRNA metabolism and transcription such as Rrp6, Xrn1, Sgf73, and Rpb1. These results reveal a novel role for Mip6 in the homeostasis of Msn2/4-dependent transcripts through its direct interaction with the Mex67 UBA domain.

Quality control of mRNAs at the entry of the nuclear pore: Cooperation in a complex molecular system

Despite extensive research on how mRNAs are quality controlled prior to export into the cytoplasm, the exact underlying mechanisms are still under debate. Specifically, it is unclear how quality control proteins at the entry of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) distinguish normal and aberrant mRNAs. While some of the involved components are suggested to act as switches and recruit different factors to normal versus aberrant mRNAs, some experimental and computational evidence suggests that the combined effect of the regulated stochastic interactions between the involved components could potentially achieve an efficient quality control of mRNAs. In this review, we present a state-of-the-art portrait of the mRNA quality control research and discuss the current hypotheses proposed for dynamics of the cooperation between the involved components and how it leads to their shared goal: mRNA quality control prior to export into the cytoplasm.

The functional complexity of the RNA-binding protein Yra1: mRNA biogenesis, genome stability and DSB repair

The mRNA export adaptor Yra1 is essential in S. cerevisiae, and conserved from yeast to human (ALY/REF). It is well characterized for its function during transcription elongation, 3' processing and mRNA export. Recently, different studies linked Yra1 to genome stability showing that Yra1 overexpression causes DNA Double Strand Breaks through DNA:RNA hybrids stabilization, and that Yra1 depletion affects DSB repair. However, the mechanisms through which Yra1 contributes to genome stability maintenance are not fully understood. Interestingly, our results showed that the Yra1 C-box domain is required for Yra1 recruitment to an HO-induced irreparable DSB following extensive resection, and that it is essential to repair an HO-induced reparable DSB. Furthermore, we defined that the C-box domain of Yra1 plays a crucial role in DSB repair through homologous recombination but not through non-homologous end joining. Future studies aim at deciphering the mechanism by which Yra1 contributes to DSB repair by searching for Yra1 partners important for this process. This review focuses on the functional complexity of the Yra1 protein, not only summarizing its role in mRNA biogenesis but also emphasizing its auto-regulation and implication in genome integrity either through DNA:RNA hybrids stabilization or DNA double strand break repair in S. cerevisiae.

SAGA DUBm-mediated surveillance regulates prompt export of stress-inducible transcripts for proteostasis

During stress, prompt export of stress-inducible transcripts is critical for cell survival. Here, we characterize a function of the SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase) deubiquitylating module (DUBm) in monitoring messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) biogenesis to regulate non-canonical mRNA export of stress-inducible transcripts. Our genetic and biochemical analyses suggest that there is a functional relationship between Sgf73p of DUBm and the essential mRNA export factor, Yra1p. Under physiological conditions, Sgf73p is critical for the proper chromatin localization and RNA binding of Yra1p, while also quality controlling the biogenesis of mRNPs in conjunction with the nuclear exosome exonuclease, Rrp6p. Under environmental stress, when immediate transport of stress-inducible transcripts is imperative, Sgf73p facilitates the bypass of canonical surveillance and promotes the timely export of necessary transcripts. Overall, our results show that the Sgf73p-mediated plasticity of gene expression is important for the ability of cells to tolerate stress and regulate proteostasis to survive under environmental uncertainty.

Stress-inducible transcripts are quickly exported to preserve cell survival when cells are under stress. Here, the authors suggest that Sgf73p of the SAGA deubiquitylating module monitors messenger ribonucleoprotein biogenesis to regulate non-canonical export of stress-inducible transcripts.

Co-transcriptional Loading of RNA Export Factors Shapes the Human Transcriptome

During gene expression, RNA export factors are mainly known for driving nucleo-cytoplasmic transport. While early studies suggested that the exon junction complex (EJC) provides a binding platform for them, subsequent work proposed that they are only recruited by the cap binding complex to the 5′ end of RNAs, as part of TREX. Using iCLIP, we show that the export receptor Nxf1 and two TREX subunits, Alyref and Chtop, are recruited to the whole mRNA co-transcriptionally via splicing but before 3′ end processing. Consequently, Alyref alters splicing decisions and Chtop regulates alternative polyadenylation. Alyref is recruited to the 5′ end of RNAs by CBC, and our data reveal subsequent binding to RNAs near EJCs. We demonstrate that eIF4A3 stimulates Alyref deposition not only on spliced RNAs close to EJC sites but also on single-exon transcripts. Our study reveals mechanistic insights into the co-transcriptional recruitment of mRNA export factors and how this shapes the human transcriptome.

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5′ cap binding complex CBC acts as a transient landing pad for Alyref

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Alyref is deposited upstream of the exon-exon junction next to the EJC

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Alyref can be deposited on introns and regulate splicing

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Chtop is mainly deposited on 3′ UTRs and influences poly(A) site choices

The mRNA export adaptor Yra1 contributes to DNA double-strand break repair through its C-box domain

Yra1 is an mRNA export adaptor involved in mRNA biogenesis and export in S. cerevisiae. Yra1 overexpression was recently shown to promote accumulation of DNA:RNA hybrids favoring DNA double strand breaks (DSB), cell senescence and telomere shortening, via an unknown mechanism. Yra1 was also identified at an HO-induced DSB and Yra1 depletion causes defects in DSB repair. Previous work from our laboratory showed that Yra1 ubiquitination by Tom1 is important for mRNA export. Here, we found that Yra1 is also ubiquitinated by the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases Slx5-Slx8 implicated in the interaction of irreparable DSB with nuclear pores. We further show that Yra1 binds an HO-induced irreparable DSB in a process dependent on resection. Importantly, a Yra1 mutant lacking the evolutionarily conserved C-box is not recruited to an HO-induced irreparable DSB and becomes lethal under DSB induction in a HO-cut reparable system. Together, the data provide evidence that Yra1 plays a crucial role in DSB repair via homologous recombination. While Yra1 sumoylation and/or ubiquitination are dispensable, the Yra1 C-box region is essential in this process.

Overlapping motifs on the herpes viral proteins ICP27 and ORF57 mediate interactions with the mRNA export adaptors ALYREF and UIF

The TREX complex mediates the passage of bulk cellular mRNA export to the nuclear export factor TAP/NXF1 via the export adaptors ALYREF or UIF, which appear to act in a redundant manner. TREX complex recruitment to nascent RNA is coupled with 5′ capping, splicing and polyadenylation. Therefore to facilitate expression from their intronless genes, herpes viruses have evolved a mechanism to circumvent these cellular controls. Central to this process is a protein from the conserved ICP27 family, which binds viral transcripts and cellular TREX complex components including ALYREF. Here we have identified a novel interaction between HSV-1 ICP27 and an N-terminal domain of UIF in vivo, and used NMR spectroscopy to locate the UIF binding site within an intrinsically disordered region of ICP27. We also characterized the interaction sites of the ICP27 homolog ORF57 from KSHV with UIF and ALYREF using NMR, revealing previously unidentified binding motifs. In both ORF57 and ICP27 the interaction sites for ALYREF and UIF partially overlap, suggestive of mutually exclusive binding. The data provide a map of the binding sites responsible for promoting herpes virus mRNA export, enabling future studies to accurately probe these interactions and reveal the functional consequences for UIF and ALYREF redundancy.

Epstein-Barr Virus-Induced Nodules on Viral Replication Compartments Contain RNA Processing Proteins and a Viral Long Noncoding RNA

Profound alterations in host cell nuclear architecture accompany the lytic phase of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Viral replication compartments assemble, host chromatin marginalizes to the nuclear periphery, cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein translocates to the nucleus, and polyadenylated mRNAs are sequestered within the nucleus. Virus-induced changes to nuclear architecture that contribute to viral host shutoff (VHS) must accommodate selective processing and export of viral mRNAs. Here we describe additional previously unrecognized nuclear alterations during EBV lytic infection in which viral and cellular factors that function in pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export are redistributed. Early during lytic infection, before formation of viral replication compartments, two cellular pre-mRNA splicing factors, SC35 and SON, were dispersed from interchromatin granule clusters, and three mRNA export factors, Y14, ALY, and NXF1, were depleted from the nucleus. During late lytic infection, virus-induced nodular structures (VINORCs) formed at the periphery of viral replication compartments. VINORCs were composed of viral (BMLF1 and BGLF5) and cellular (SC35, SON, SRp20, and NXF1) proteins that mediate pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export. BHLF1 long noncoding RNA was invariably found in VINORCs. VINORCs did not contain other nodular nuclear cellular proteins (PML or coilin), nor did they contain viral proteins (BRLF1 or BMRF1) found exclusively within replication compartments. VINORCs are novel EBV-induced nuclear structures. We propose that EBV-induced dispersal and depletion of pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export factors during early lytic infection contribute to VHS; subsequent relocalization of these pre-mRNA processing and mRNA export proteins to VINORCs and viral replication compartments facilitates selective processing and export of viral mRNAs.IMPORTANCE In order to make protein, mRNA transcribed from DNA in the nucleus must enter the cytoplasm. Nuclear export of mRNA requires correct processing of mRNAs by enzymes that function in splicing and nuclear export. During the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) lytic cycle, nuclear export of cellular mRNAs is blocked, yet export of viral mRNAs is facilitated. Here we report the dispersal and dramatic reorganization of cellular (SC35, SON, SRp20, Y14, ALY, and NXF1) and viral (BMLF1 and BGLF5) proteins that play key roles in pre-mRNA processing and export of mRNA. These virus-induced nuclear changes culminate in formation of VINORCs, novel nodular structures composed of viral and cellular RNA splicing and export factors. VINORCs localize to the periphery of viral replication compartments, where viral mRNAs reside. These EBV-induced changes in nuclear organization may contribute to blockade of nuclear export of host mRNA, while enabling selective processing and export of viral mRNA.

ALY RNA-Binding Proteins Are Required for Nucleocytosolic mRNA Transport and Modulate Plant Growth and Development

The regulated transport of mRNAs from the cell nucleus to the cytosol is a critical step linking transcript synthesis and processing with translation. However, in plants, only a few of the factors that act in the mRNA export pathway have been functionally characterized. Flowering plant genomes encode several members of the ALY protein family, which function as mRNA export factors in other organisms. Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ALY1 to ALY4 are commonly detected in root and leaf cells, but they are differentially expressed in reproductive tissue. Moreover, the subnuclear distribution of ALY1/2 differs from that of ALY3/4. ALY1 binds with higher affinity to single-stranded RNA than double-stranded RNA and single-stranded DNA and interacts preferentially with 5-methylcytosine-modified single-stranded RNA. Compared with the full-length protein, the individual RNA recognition motif of ALY1 binds RNA only weakly. ALY proteins interact with the RNA helicase UAP56, indicating a link to the mRNA export machinery. Consistently, ALY1 complements the lethal phenotype of yeast cells lacking the ALY1 ortholog Yra1. Whereas individual aly mutants have a wild-type appearance, disruption of ALY1 to ALY4 in 4xaly plants causes vegetative and reproductive defects, including strongly reduced growth, altered flower morphology, as well as abnormal ovules and female gametophytes, causing reduced seed production. Moreover, polyadenylated mRNAs accumulate in the nuclei of 4xaly cells. Our results highlight the requirement of efficient mRNA nucleocytosolic transport for proper plant growth and development and indicate that ALY1 to ALY4 act partly redundantly in this process; however, differences in expression and subnuclear localization suggest distinct functions.

RNA Nuclear Export: From Neurological Disorders to Cancer

The presence of a nuclear envelope, also known as nuclear membrane, defines the structural framework of all eukaryotic cells by separating the nucleus, which contains the genetic material, from the cytoplasm where the synthesis of proteins takes place. Translation of proteins in Eukaryotes is thus dependent on the active transport of DNA-encoded RNA molecules through pores embedded within the nuclear membrane. Several mechanisms are involved in this process generally referred to as RNA nuclear export or nucleocytoplasmic transport of RNA. The regulated expression of genes requires the nuclear export of protein-coding messenger RNA molecules (mRNAs) as well as non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) together with proteins and pre-assembled ribosomal subunits. The nuclear export of mRNAs is intrinsically linked to the co-transcriptional processing of nascent transcripts synthesized by the RNA polymerase II. This functional coupling is essential for the survival of cells allowing for timely nuclear export of fully processed transcripts, which could otherwise cause the translation of abnormal proteins such as the polymeric repeat proteins produced in some neurodegenerative diseases. Alterations of the mRNA nuclear export pathways can also lead to genome instability and to various forms of cancer. This chapter will describe the molecular mechanisms driving the nuclear export of RNAs with a particular emphasis on mRNAs. It will also review their known alterations in neurological disorders and cancer, and the recent opportunities they offer for the potential development of novel therapeutic strategies.

RNA Degradation in Neurodegenerative Disease

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) homeostasis is dynamically modulated in response to changing physiological conditions. Tight regulation of RNA abundance through both transcription and degradation determines the amount, timing, and location of protein translation. This balance is of particular importance in neurons, which are among the most metabolically active and morphologically complex cells in the body. As a result, any disruptions in RNA degradation can have dramatic consequences for neuronal health. In this chapter, we will first discuss mechanisms of RNA stabilization and decay. We will then explore how the disruption of these pathways can lead to neurodegenerative disease.

SRSF1-dependent nuclear export inhibition of C9ORF72 repeat transcripts prevents neurodegeneration and associated motor deficits

Hexanucleotide repeat expansions in the C9ORF72 gene are the commonest known genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Expression of repeat transcripts and dipeptide repeat proteins trigger multiple mechanisms of neurotoxicity. How repeat transcripts get exported from the nucleus is unknown. Here, we show that depletion of the nuclear export adaptor SRSF1 prevents neurodegeneration and locomotor deficits in a Drosophila model of C9ORF72-related disease. This intervention suppresses cell death of patient-derived motor neuron and astrocytic-mediated neurotoxicity in co-culture assays. We further demonstrate that either depleting SRSF1 or preventing its interaction with NXF1 specifically inhibits the nuclear export of pathological C9ORF72 transcripts, the production of dipeptide-repeat proteins and alleviates neurotoxicity in Drosophila, patient-derived neurons and neuronal cell models. Taken together, we show that repeat RNA-sequestration of SRSF1 triggers the NXF1-dependent nuclear export of C9ORF72 transcripts retaining expanded hexanucleotide repeats and reveal a novel promising therapeutic target for neuroprotection.

Comparative Analysis of RNAi-Based Methods to Down-Regulate Expression of Two Genes Expressed at Different Levels in Myzus persicae

With the increasing availability of aphid genomic data, it is necessary to develop robust functional validation methods to evaluate the role of specific aphid genes. This work represents the first study in which five different techniques, all based on RNA interference and on oral acquisition of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), were developed to silence two genes, ALY and Eph, potentially involved in polerovirus transmission by aphids. Efficient silencing of only Eph transcripts, which are less abundant than those of ALY, could be achieved by feeding aphids on transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana expressing an RNA hairpin targeting Eph, on Nicotiana benthamiana infected with a Tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-Eph recombinant virus, or on in vitro-synthesized Eph-targeting dsRNA. These experiments showed that the silencing efficiency may differ greatly between genes and that aphid gut cells seem to be preferentially affected by the silencing mechanism after oral acquisition of dsRNA. In addition, the use of plants infected with recombinant TRV proved to be a promising technique to silence aphid genes as it does not require plant transformation. This work highlights the need to pursue development of innovative strategies to reproducibly achieve reduction of expression of aphid genes.

Regulation of RNA-binding proteins affinity to export receptors enables the nuclear basket proteins to distinguish and retain aberrant mRNAs

Export of messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs) into the cytoplasm is a fundamental step in gene regulation processes, which is meticulously quality controlled by highly efficient mechanisms in eukaryotic cells. Yet, it remains unclear how the aberrant mRNAs are recognized and retained inside the nucleus. Using a new modelling approach for complex systems, namely the agent-based modelling (ABM) approach, we develop a minimal model of the mRNA quality control (QC) mechanism. Our results demonstrate that regulation of the affinity of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to export receptors along with the weak interaction between the nuclear basket protein (Mlp1 or Tpr) and RBPs are the minimum requirements to distinguish and retain aberrant mRNAs. Our results show that the affinity between Tpr and RBPs is optimized to maximize the retention of aberrant mRNAs. In addition, we demonstrate how the length of mRNA affects the QC process. Since longer mRNAs spend more time in the nuclear basket to form a compact conformation and initiate their export, nuclear basket proteins could more easily capture and retain them inside the nucleus.

Splicing-independent loading of TREX on nascent RNA is required for efficient expression of dual-strand piRNA clusters in Drosophila

In this study, Hur et al. identified a novel function for the TREX complex, which is critical for pre-mRNA processing and mRNA nuclear export. They found that Thoc5 and other TREX components are essential for the biogenesis of noncoding RNA and delineate a novel mechanism for TREX loading on nascent RNA.

The conserved THO/TREX (transcription/export) complex is critical for pre-mRNA processing and mRNA nuclear export. In metazoa, TREX is loaded on nascent RNA transcribed by RNA polymerase II in a splicing-dependent fashion; however, how TREX functions is poorly understood. Here we show that Thoc5 and other TREX components are essential for the biogenesis of piRNA, a distinct class of small noncoding RNAs that control expression of transposable elements (TEs) in the Drosophila germline. Mutations in TREX lead to defects in piRNA biogenesis, resulting in derepression of multiple TE families, gametogenesis defects, and sterility. TREX components are enriched on piRNA precursors transcribed from dual-strand piRNA clusters and colocalize in distinct nuclear foci that overlap with sites of piRNA transcription. The localization of TREX in nuclear foci and its loading on piRNA precursor transcripts depend on Cutoff, a protein associated with chromatin of piRNA clusters. Finally, we show that TREX is required for accumulation of nascent piRNA precursors. Our study reveals a novel splicing-independent mechanism for TREX loading on nascent RNA and its importance in piRNA biogenesis.

The nuclear basket mediates perinuclear mRNA scanning in budding yeast

Single-molecule resolution particle tracking reveals that mRNAs in S. cerevisiae scan the nuclear periphery before being exported to the cytoplasm and that this process is mediated by both components of the nuclear basket and the mRNP.

After synthesis and transit through the nucleus, messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are exported to the cytoplasm through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). At the NPC, messenger ribonucleoproteins (mRNPs) first encounter the nuclear basket where mRNP rearrangements are thought to allow access to the transport channel. Here, we use single mRNA resolution live cell microscopy and subdiffraction particle tracking to follow individual mRNAs on their path toward the cytoplasm. We show that when reaching the nuclear periphery, RNAs are not immediately exported but scan along the nuclear periphery, likely to find a nuclear pore allowing export. Deletion or mutation of the nuclear basket proteins MLP1/2 or the mRNA binding protein Nab2 changes the scanning behavior of mRNPs at the nuclear periphery, shortens residency time at nuclear pores, and results in frequent release of mRNAs back into the nucleoplasm. These observations suggest a role for the nuclear basket in providing an interaction platform that keeps RNAs at the periphery, possibly to allow mRNP rearrangements before export.

The new (dis)order in RNA regulation

RNA-binding proteins play a key role in the regulation of all aspects of RNA metabolism, from the synthesis of RNA to its decay. Protein-RNA interactions have been thought to be mostly mediated by canonical RNA-binding domains that form stable secondary and tertiary structures. However, a number of pioneering studies over the past decades, together with recent proteome-wide data, have challenged this view, revealing surprising roles for intrinsically disordered protein regions in RNA binding. Here, we discuss how disordered protein regions can mediate protein-RNA interactions, conceptually grouping these regions into RS-rich, RG-rich, and other basic sequences, that can mediate both specific and non-specific interactions with RNA. Disordered regions can also influence RNA metabolism through protein aggregation and hydrogel formation. Importantly, protein-RNA interactions mediated by disordered regions can influence nearly all aspects of co- and post-transcriptional RNA processes and, consequently, their disruption can cause disease. Despite growing interest in disordered protein regions and their roles in RNA biology, their mechanisms of binding, regulation, and physiological consequences remain poorly understood. In the coming years, the study of these unorthodox interactions will yield important insights into RNA regulation in cellular homeostasis and disease.

Excess of Yra1 RNA-Binding Factor Causes Transcription-Dependent Genome Instability, Replication Impairment and Telomere Shortening

Yra1 is an essential nuclear factor of the evolutionarily conserved family of hnRNP-like export factors that when overexpressed impairs mRNA export and cell growth. To investigate further the relevance of proper Yra1 stoichiometry in the cell, we overexpressed Yra1 by transforming yeast cells with YRA1 intron-less constructs and analyzed its effect on gene expression and genome integrity. We found that YRA1 overexpression induces DNA damage and leads to a transcription-associated hyperrecombination phenotype that is mediated by RNA:DNA hybrids. In addition, it confers a genome-wide replication retardation as seen by reduced BrdU incorporation and accumulation of the Rrm3 helicase. In addition, YRA1 overexpression causes a cell senescence-like phenotype and telomere shortening. ChIP-chip analysis shows that overexpressed Yra1 is loaded to transcribed chromatin along the genome and to Y’ telomeric regions, where Rrm3 is also accumulated, suggesting an impairment of telomere replication. Our work not only demonstrates that a proper stoichiometry of the Yra1 mRNA binding and export factor is required to maintain genome integrity and telomere homeostasis, but suggests that the cellular imbalance between transcribed RNA and specific RNA-binding factors may become a major cause of genome instability mediated by co-transcriptional replication impairment.

Yra1 is an essential nuclear RNA-binding protein that plays a role in mRNA export in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cellular levels of Yra1 are tightly auto-regulated by splicing of an unusual intron in its pre-mRNA, removal of which causes Yra1 overexpression that results in a dominant-negative growth defect and mRNA export defect. We wondered whether or not YRA1 overexpression has an effect on genome integrity that could explain the loss of cell viability. Our analyses reveal that YRA1 overexpression causes DNA damage, confers a hyperrecombination phenotype that depends on transcription and that is mediated by RNA:DNA hybrids. YRA1 overexpression also leads to a cell senescence-like phenotype and telomere shortening. We show by ChIP-chip analysis that Yra1 binds to active chromatin and Y’ telomeric regions when it is overexpressed, in agreement with a possible role of this mRNP factor in the maintenance of telomere integrity. Our data indicate that YRA1 overexpression correlates with replication impairment as inferred by the reduction of BrdU incorporation and the increase of Rrm3 recruitment, a helicase involved in replication fork progression, at transcribed genes and Y’ regions. We conclude that the stoichiometry of specific RNA-binding factors such as Yra1 at telomeres is critical for genome integrity and for preventing transcription-replication conflicts.

Recruitment, Duplex Unwinding and Protein-Mediated Inhibition of the Dead-Box RNA Helicase Dbp2 at Actively Transcribed Chromatin

RNA helicases play fundamental roles in modulating RNA structures and facilitating RNA-protein (RNP) complex assembly in vivo. Previously, our laboratory demonstrated that the DEAD-box RNA helicase Dbp2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is required to promote efficient assembly of the co-transcriptionally associated mRNA-binding proteins Yra1, Nab2, and Mex67 onto poly(A)(+)RNA. We also found that Yra1 associates directly with Dbp2 and functions as an inhibitor of Dbp2-dependent duplex unwinding, suggestive of a cycle of unwinding and inhibition by Dbp2. To test this, we undertook a series of experiments to shed light on the order of events for Dbp2 in co-transcriptional mRNP assembly. We now show that Dbp2 is recruited to chromatin via RNA and forms a large, RNA-dependent complex with Yra1 and Mex67. Moreover, single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer and bulk biochemical assays show that Yra1 inhibits unwinding in a concentration-dependent manner by preventing the association of Dbp2 with single-stranded RNA. This inhibition prevents over-accumulation of Dbp2 on mRNA and stabilization of a subset of RNA polymerase II transcripts. We propose a model whereby Yra1 terminates a cycle of mRNP assembly by Dbp2.

A short conserved motif in ALYREF directs cap- and EJC-dependent assembly of export complexes on spliced mRNAs

The export of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) is the final of several nuclear posttranscriptional steps of gene expression. The formation of export-competent mRNPs involves the recruitment of export factors that are assumed to facilitate transport of the mature mRNAs. Using in vitro splicing assays, we show that a core set of export factors, including ALYREF, UAP56 and DDX39, readily associate with the spliced RNAs in an EJC (exon junction complex)- and cap-dependent manner. In order to elucidate how ALYREF and other export adaptors mediate mRNA export, we conducted a computational analysis and discovered four short, conserved, linear motifs present in RNA-binding proteins. We show that mutation in one of the new motifs (WxHD) in an unstructured region of ALYREF reduced RNA binding and abolished the interaction with eIF4A3 and CBP80. Additionally, the mutation impaired proper localization to nuclear speckles and export of a spliced reporter mRNA. Our results reveal important details of the orchestrated recruitment of export factors during the formation of export competent mRNPs.

In vivo single-particle imaging of nuclear mRNA export in budding yeast demonstrates an essential role for Mex67p

Many messenger RNA export proteins have been identified; yet the spatial and temporal activities of these proteins and how they determine directionality of messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complex export from the nucleus remain largely undefined. Here, the bacteriophage PP7 RNA-labeling system was used in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to follow single-particle mRNP export events with high spatial precision and temporal resolution. These data reveal that mRNP export, consisting of nuclear docking, transport, and cytoplasmic release from a nuclear pore complex (NPC), is fast (∼ 200 ms) and that upon arrival in the cytoplasm, mRNPs are frequently confined near the nuclear envelope. Mex67p functions as the principal mRNP export receptor in budding yeast. In a mex67-5 mutant, delayed cytoplasmic release from NPCs and retrograde transport of mRNPs was observed. This proves an essential role for Mex67p in cytoplasmic mRNP release and directionality of transport.

Splicing promotes the nuclear export of β-globin mRNA by overcoming nuclear retention elements

Most current models of mRNA nuclear export in vertebrate cells assume that an mRNA must have specialized signals in order to be exported from the nucleus. Under such a scenario, mRNAs that lack these specialized signals would be shunted into a default pathway where they are retained in the nucleus and eventually degraded. These ideas were based on the selective use of model mRNA reporters. For example, it has been shown that splicing promotes the nuclear export of certain model mRNAs, such as human β-globin, and that in the absence of splicing, the cDNA-derived mRNA is retained in the nucleus and degraded. Here we provide evidence that β-globin mRNA contains an element that actively retains it in the nucleus and degrades it. Interestingly, this nuclear retention activity can be overcome by increasing the length of the mRNA or by splicing. Our results suggest that contrary to many current models, the default pathway for most intronless RNAs is to be exported from the nucleus, unless the RNA contains elements that actively promote its nuclear retention.

RNA helicase MOV10 functions as a co-factor of HIV-1 Rev to facilitate Rev/RRE-dependent nuclear export of viral mRNAs

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exploits multiple host factors during its replication. The REV/RRE-dependent nuclear export of unspliced/partially spliced viral transcripts needs the assistance of host proteins. Recent studies have shown that MOV10 overexpression inhibited HIV-1 replication at various steps. However, the endogenous MOV10 was required in certain step(s) of HIV-1 replication. In this report, we found that MOV10 potently enhances the nuclear export of viral mRNAs and subsequently increases the expression of Gag protein and other late products through affecting the Rev/RRE axis. The co-immunoprecipitation analysis indicated that MOV10 interacts with Rev in an RNA-independent manner. The DEAG-box of MOV10 was required for the enhancement of Rev/RRE-dependent nuclear export and the DEAG-box mutant showed a dominant-negative activity. Our data propose that HIV-1 utilizes the anti-viral factor MOV10 to function as a co-factor of Rev and demonstrate the complicated effects of MOV10 on HIV-1 life cycle.