Cap-dependent RNA splicing in a HeLa nuclear extract

Eukaryotic mRNA decapping factors: molecular mechanisms and activity

Decapping is the enzymatic removal of 5' cap structures from mRNAs in eukaryotic cells. Cap structures normally enhance mRNA translation and stability, and their excision commits an mRNA to complete 5'-3' exoribonucleolytic digestion and generally ends the physical and functional cellular presence of the mRNA. Decapping plays a pivotal role in eukaryotic cytoplasmic mRNA turnover and is a critical and highly regulated event in multiple 5'-3' mRNA decay pathways, including general 5'-3' decay, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), AU-rich element-mediated mRNA decay, microRNA-mediated gene silencing, and targeted transcript-specific mRNA decay. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mRNA decapping is carried out by a single Dcp1-Dcp2 decapping enzyme in concert with the accessory activities of specific regulators commonly known as decapping activators or enhancers. These regulatory proteins include the general decapping activators Edc1, 2, and 3, Dhh1, Scd6, Pat1, and the Lsm1-7 complex, as well as the NMD-specific factors, Upf1, 2, and 3. Here, we focus on in vivo mRNA decapping regulation in yeast. We summarize recently uncovered molecular mechanisms that control selective targeting of the yeast decapping enzyme and discuss new roles for specific decapping activators in controlling decapping enzyme targeting, assembly of target-specific decapping complexes, and the monitoring of mRNA translation. Further, we discuss the kinetic contribution of mRNA decapping for overall decay of different substrate mRNAs and highlight experimental evidence pointing to the functional coordination and physical coupling between events in mRNA deadenylation, decapping, and 5'-3' exoribonucleolytic decay.

Essential roles of RNA cap-proximal ribose methylation in mammalian embryonic development and fertility

Eukaryotic RNA pol II transcripts are capped at the 5' end by the methylated guanosine (m⁷G) moiety. In higher eukaryotes, CMTR1 and CMTR2 catalyze cap-proximal ribose methylations on the first (cap1) and second (cap2) nucleotides, respectively. These modifications mark RNAs as "self," blocking the activation of the innate immune response pathway. Here, we show that loss of mouse Cmtr1 or Cmtr2 leads to embryonic lethality, with non-overlapping sets of transcripts being misregulated, but without activation of the interferon pathway. In contrast, Cmtr1 mutant adult mouse livers exhibit chronic activation of the interferon pathway, with multiple interferon-stimulated genes being expressed. Conditional deletion of Cmtr1 in the germline leads to infertility, while global translation is unaffected in the Cmtr1 mutant mouse liver and human cells. Thus, mammalian cap1 and cap2 modifications have essential roles in gene regulation beyond their role in helping cellular transcripts to evade the innate immune system.

CAPturAM, a Chemo-Enzymatic Strategy for Selective Enrichment and Detection of Physiological CAPAM-Targets

Modified nucleotides impact all aspects of eukaryotic mRNAs and contribute to regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional and translational level. At the 5' cap, adenosine as first transcribed nucleotide is often N⁶ -methyl-2'-O-methyl adenosine (m⁶ A_m ). This modification is tissue dependent and reversible, pointing to a regulatory function. CAPAM was recently identified as methyltransferase responsible for m⁶ A_m formation, however, the direct assignment of its target transcripts proves difficult. Antibodies do not discriminate between internal N⁶ -methyl adenosine (m⁶ A) and m⁶ A_m . Here we present CAPturAM, an antibody-free chemical biology approach for direct enrichment and probing of physiological CAPAM-targets. We harness CAPAM's cosubstrate promiscuity to install propargyl groups on its targets. Subsequent functionalization with an affinity handle allows for their enrichment. Using wildtype and CAPAM^-/- cells, we successfully applied CAPturAM to confirm or disprove CAPAM-targets, facilitating the verification and identification of CAPAM targets.

Quantification of mRNA cap-modifications by means of LC-QqQ-MS

Enzymatic modification of the 5'-cap is a versatile approach to modulate the properties of mRNAs. Transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet) or functional moieties from non-natural analogs by methyltransferases (MTases) allows for site-specific modifications at the cap. These modifications have been used to tune translation or control it in a temporal manner and even influence immunogenicity of mRNA. For quantification of the MTase-mediated cap modification, liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) provides the required sensitivity and accuracy. Here, we describe the complete workflow starting from in vitro transcription to produce mRNAs, via their enzymatic modification at the cap with natural or non-natural moieties to the quantification of these cap-modifications by LC-QqQ-MS.

Transcription and splicing: A two-way street

RNA synthesis by RNA polymerase II and RNA processing are closely coupled during the transcription cycle of protein-coding genes. This coupling affords opportunities for quality control and regulation of gene expression and the effects can go in both directions. For example, polymerase speed can affect splice site selection and splicing can increase transcription and affect the chromatin landscape. Here we review the many ways that transcription and splicing influence one another, including how splicing "talks back" to transcription. We will also place the connections between transcription and splicing in the context of other RNA processing events that define the exons that will make up the final mRNA. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > Splicing Mechanisms RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing.

Practical Synthesis of Cap-4 RNA

Eukaryotic mRNAs possess 5' caps that are determinants for their function. A structural characteristic of 5' caps is methylation, with this feature already present in early eukaryotes such as Trypanosoma. While the common cap-0 (m7 GpppN) shows a rather simple methylation pattern, the Trypanosoma cap-4 displays seven distinguished additional methylations within the first four nucleotides. The study of essential biological functions mediated by these unique structural features of the cap-4 and thereby of the metabolism of an important class of human pathogenic parasites is hindered by the lack of reliable preparation methods. Herein we describe the synthesis of custom-made nucleoside phosphoramidite building blocks for m62 Am and m3 Um, their incorporation into short RNAs, the efficient construction of the 5'-to-5' triphosphate bridge to guanosine by using a solid-phase approach, the selective enzymatic methylation at position N7 of the inverted guanosine, and enzymatic ligation to generate trypanosomatid mRNAs of up to 40 nucleotides in length. This study introduces a reliable synthetic strategy to the much-needed cap-4 RNA probes for integrated structural biology studies, using a combination of chemical and enzymatic steps.

Combining Chemical Synthesis and Enzymatic Methylation to Access Short RNAs with Various 5' Caps

Eukaryotic RNAs are heavily processed, including co- and post-transcriptional formation of various 5' caps. In small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) or small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), the canonical 7m G cap is hypermethylated at the N2 -position, whereas in higher eukaryotes and viruses 2'-O-methylation of the first transcribed nucleotide yields the cap1 structure. The function and potential dynamics of several RNA cap modifications have not been fully elucidated, which necessitates preparative access to these caps. However, the introduction of these modifications during chemical solid-phase synthesis is challenging and enzymatic production of defined short and uniform RNAs also faces difficulties. In this work, the chemical synthesis of RNA is combined with site-specific enzymatic methylation by using the methyltransferases human trimethylguanosine synthase 1 (hTgs1), trimethylguanosine synthase from Giardia lamblia (GlaTgs2), and cap methyltransferase 1 (CMTR1). It is shown that RNAs with di-and trimethylated caps, as well as RNAs with caps methylated at the 2'-O-position of the first transcribed nucleotide, can be conveniently prepared. These highly modified RNAs, with a defined and uniform sequence, are hard to access by in vitro transcription or chemical synthesis alone.

Upregulation of NPL4 promotes bladder cancer cell proliferation by inhibiting DXO destabilization of cyclin D1 mRNA

Background

NPL4 is an important cofactor of the valosin-containing protein (VCP)–NPL4–UFD1 complex. The VCP–NPL4–UFD1 has been considered as a ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) regulator and response to protein degradation. While NPL4 plays important roles in various diseases, little is known about its functions in bladder cancer (BC).

Methods

MTT assays and colony forming test were performed to evaluate cell proliferation ability and Western blotting was used to detect protein expression. Cyclin D1 mRNA expression was detected using qRT-PCR, and coimmunoprecipitation (CoIP) was used to detect protein–protein interactions.

Results

NPL4 was upregulated in BC tissue and correlated with poor prognosis. Upregulation of NPL4 promoted cell proliferation while suppression of NPL4 reduced BC cell proliferation. Upregulation of NPL4 led to overexpression of cyclin D1 by enhancing its mRNA stability. Moreover, NPL4 was found to bind directly to DXO and induce its degradation. DXO was downregulated in BC tissue and regulated BC cell proliferation by destabilizing cyclin D1 mRNA. DXO-mediated NPL4 regulated BC cell proliferation by stabilizing cyclin D1 expression.

Conclusions

The NPL4/DXO/cyclin D1 axis exert crucial role in BC cell growth and is associated with prognosis and may represent a potential therapeutic target for BC.

The complex enzymology of mRNA decapping: Enzymes of four classes cleave pyrophosphate bonds

The 5' ends of most RNAs are chemically modified to enable protection from nucleases. In bacteria, this is often achieved by keeping the triphosphate terminus originating from transcriptional initiation, while most eukaryotic mRNAs and small nuclear RNAs have a 5'→5' linked N7 -methyl guanosine (m7 G) cap added. Several other chemical modifications have been described at RNA 5' ends. Common to all modifications is the presence of at least one pyrophosphate bond. To enable RNA turnover, these chemical modifications at the RNA 5' end need to be reversible. Dependent on the direction of the RNA decay pathway (5'→3' or 3'→5'), some enzymes cleave the 5'→5' cap linkage of intact RNAs to initiate decay, while others act as scavengers and hydrolyse the cap element of the remnants of the 3'→5' decay pathway. In eukaryotes, there is also a cap quality control pathway. Most enzymes involved in the cleavage of the RNA 5' ends are pyrophosphohydrolases, with only a few having (additional) 5' triphosphonucleotide hydrolase activities. Despite the identity of their enzyme activities, the enzymes belong to four different enzyme classes. Nudix hydrolases decap intact RNAs as part of the 5'→3' decay pathway, DXO family members mainly degrade faulty RNAs, members of the histidine triad (HIT) family are scavenger proteins, while an ApaH-like phosphatase is the major mRNA decay enzyme of trypanosomes, whose RNAs have a unique cap structure. Many novel cap structures and decapping enzymes have only recently been discovered, indicating that we are only beginning to understand the mechanisms of RNA decapping. This article is categorized under: RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability RNA Processing > Capping and 5' End Modifications.

Enzymatic Transfer of Photo-Cross-Linkers for RNA-Protein Photo-Cross-Linking at the mRNA 5'-Cap

Photo-cross-linking moieties have proven invaluable for elucidating interactions of biomolecules. While methods for site-specific incorporation of those moieties into proteins have been developed, comparable methods for nucleic acids are lacking. Utilizing the inherent specificity of enzymes, methyltransferases (MTase) exhibiting relaxed cosubstrate specificity in combination with synthetic analogs of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) allow for the precise installation of reporter molecules or affinity tags in various biomolecules. In this chapter, we describe AdoMet analogs with photo-cross-linking moieties that-in combination with an MTase-are ideal for site-specific installation. The workflow for chemo-enzymatic installation of photo-cross-linking moieties at the mRNA cap based on AdoMet analogs is given in detail.

Multicopy suppressors of temperature-sensitive mutations of yeast mRNA capping enzyme

We have isolated three Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes-CES1, CES2, and CES3-- that, when present in high copy, suppress the ts growth defect caused by mutations in the CEG1 gene encoding mRNA guanylyltransferase (capping enzyme). Molecular characterization of the capping enzyme suppressor genes reveals the following. CES2 is identical to ESP1, a gene required for proper nuclear division. We show by deletion analysis that the 1573-amino acid ESP1 polypeptide is composed of distinct functional domains. The C-terminal portion of ESP1 is essential for cell growth, but dispensable for CES2 activity. The N-terminal half of ESP1, which is sufficient for CES2 function, displays local sequence similarity to the small subunit of the vaccinia virus RNA capping enzyme. This suggests a basis for suppression by physical or functional interaction between the CES2 domain of ESP1 and the yeast guanylyltransferase. CES1 encodes a novel hydrophilic 915-amino acid protein. The amino acid sequence of CES1 is uninformative, except for its extensive similarity to another yeast gene product of unknown function. The CES1 homologue (designated CES4) is also a multicopy suppressor of capping enzyme ts mutations. Neither CES1 nor CES4 is essential for cell growth, and a double deletion mutant is viable. CES3 corresponds to BUD5, which encodes a putative guanine nucleotide exchange factor. We hypothesize that CES1, CES4, and BUD5 may impact on RNA transactions downstream of cap synthesis that are cap dependent in vivo.

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.

Synthetic mRNA capping

Eukaryotic mRNA with its 5'-cap is of central importance for the cell. Many studies involving mRNA require reliable preparation and modification of 5'-capped RNAs. Depending on the length of the desired capped RNA, chemical or enzymatic preparation - or a combination of both - can be advantageous. We review state-of-the art methods and give directions for choosing the appropriate approach. We also discuss the preparation and properties of mRNAs with non-natural caps providing novel features such as improved stability or enhanced translational efficiency.

Dynamics and consequences of spliceosome E complex formation

The spliceosome must identify the correct splice sites (SS) and branchsite (BS) used during splicing. E complex is the earliest spliceosome precursor in which the 5' SS and BS are defined. Definition occurs by U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) binding the 5' SS and recognition of the BS by the E complex protein (ECP) branchpoint bridging protein (BBP). We have used single molecule fluorescence to study Saccharomyces cerevisiae U1 and BBP interactions with RNAs. E complex is dynamic and permits frequent redefinition of the 5' SS and BS. BBP influences U1 binding at the 5' SS by promoting long-lived complex formation. ECPs facilitate U1 association with RNAs with weak 5' SS and prevent U1 accumulation on RNAs containing hyperstabilized 5' SS. The data reveal a mechanism for how U1 binds the 5' SS and suggest that E complex harnesses this mechanism to stimulate recruitment and retention of U1 on introns.

Our genes contain coded instructions for making the molecules in our bodies, but this information must be extensively processed before it can be used. The instructions from each gene are first copied into a molecule called a pre-mRNA, before a process known as splicing removes certain sections to form a mature mRNA molecule. Splicing can remove different sections of the pre-mRNA to make different mRNA molecules from the same gene depending on the current needs of the cell.

Splicing is controlled by a combination of proteins and other molecules, collectively called the spliceosome. A part of the spliceosome called U1 recognizes the start of pre-mRNA sections that need to be removed, which is referred to as the five-prime splice site (or “5’ SS” for short). The attachment of U1 to such a site allows other molecules to also attach to the pre-mRNA, which eventually assemble a spliceosome. The very first steps in this process involve U1 and a set of other proteins that create what is called the “Early” or “E” complex. Although there are many molecules involved in the E complex, it was not known how they interact with each other and how this affects which splice sites are used for splicing in different cells.

Using advanced microscopy, Larson and Hoskins examined individual U1 molecules from yeast cells while the molecules formed E complexes and identified two different ways U1 can bind to five-prime splice sites. One process involved U1 attaching to pre-mRNA for a short time, whilst the other involved a longer association between U1 and pre-mRNA. Sometimes U1 could also transition between the first process and the second. The results showed that other parts of the E complex affected which process was used at different sites by affecting the type or duration of U1’s attachment.

All U1 particles use the same components to attach to splice sites in all pre-mRNAs, but the most used splice sites are not always those that are predicted to have the strongest attachments to U1. This work helps to reveal how other proteins involved in splicing influence this effect, altering U1’s ability to attach to pre-mRNAs to suit each new situation. This also allows cells to change gene splicing to fit different situations. Many genes in our bodies rely on splicing and understanding this process in detail could be the key to diagnosing and treating a range of different illnesses.

5' End Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Cap in Human Cells Promotes RNA Decay through DXO-Mediated deNADding

Eukaryotic mRNAs generally possess a 5' end N7 methyl guanosine (m⁷G) cap that promotes their translation and stability. However, mammalian mRNAs can also carry a 5' end nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) cap that, in contrast to the m⁷G cap, does not support translation but instead promotes mRNA decay. The mammalian and fungal noncanonical DXO/Rai1 decapping enzymes efficiently remove NAD⁺ caps, and cocrystal structures of DXO/Rai1 with 3'-NADP⁺ illuminate the molecular mechanism for how the "deNADding" reaction produces NAD⁺ and 5' phosphate RNA. Removal of DXO from cells increases NAD⁺-capped mRNA levels and enables detection of NAD⁺-capped intronic small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), suggesting NAD⁺ caps can be added to 5'-processed termini. Our findings establish NAD⁺ as an alternative mammalian RNA cap and DXO as a deNADding enzyme modulating cellular levels of NAD⁺-capped RNAs. Collectively, these data reveal that mammalian RNAs can harbor a 5' end modification distinct from the classical m⁷G cap that promotes rather than inhibits RNA decay.

New insights into decapping enzymes and selective mRNA decay

Removal of the 5' end cap is a critical determinant controlling mRNA stability and efficient gene expression. Removal of the cap is exquisitely controlled by multiple direct and indirect regulators that influence association with the cap and the catalytic step. A subset of these factors directly stimulate activity of the decapping enzyme, while others influence remodeling of factors bound to mRNA and indirectly stimulate decapping. Furthermore, the components of the general decapping machinery can also be recruited by mRNA-specific regulatory proteins to activate decapping. The Nudix hydrolase, Dcp2, identified as a first decapping enzyme, cleaves capped mRNA and initiates 5'-3' degradation. Extensive studies on Dcp2 led to broad understanding of its activity and the regulation of transcript specific decapping and decay. Interestingly, seven additional Nudix proteins possess intrinsic decapping activity in vitro and at least two, Nudt16 and Nudt3, are decapping enzymes that regulate mRNA stability in cells. Furthermore, a new class of decapping proteins within the DXO family preferentially function on incompletely capped mRNAs. Importantly, it is now evident that each of the characterized decapping enzymes predominantly modulates only a subset of mRNAs, suggesting the existence of multiple decapping enzymes functioning in distinct cellular pathways. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1379. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1379 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

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.

mRNA export through an additional cap-binding complex consisting of NCBP1 and NCBP3

The flow of genetic information from DNA to protein requires polymerase-II-transcribed RNA characterized by the presence of a 5'-cap. The cap-binding complex (CBC), consisting of the nuclear cap-binding protein (NCBP) 2 and its adaptor NCBP1, is believed to bind all capped RNA and to be necessary for its processing and intracellular localization. Here we show that NCBP1, but not NCBP2, is required for cell viability and poly(A) RNA export. We identify C17orf85 (here named NCBP3) as a cap-binding protein that together with NCBP1 forms an alternative CBC in higher eukaryotes. NCBP3 binds mRNA, associates with components of the mRNA processing machinery and contributes to poly(A) RNA export. Loss of NCBP3 can be compensated by NCBP2 under steady-state conditions. However, NCBP3 becomes pivotal under stress conditions, such as virus infection. We propose the existence of an alternative CBC involving NCBP1 and NCBP3 that plays a key role in mRNA biogenesis.

Cap-binding complex (CBC)

The 7mG (7-methylguanosine cap) formed on mRNA is fundamental to eukaryotic gene expression. Protein complexes recruited to 7mG mediate key processing events throughout the lifetime of the transcript. One of the most important mediators of 7mG functions is CBC (cap-binding complex). CBC has a key role in several gene expression mechanisms, including transcription, splicing, transcript export and translation. Gene expression can be regulated by signalling pathways which influence CBC function. The aim of the present review is to discuss the mechanisms by which CBC mediates and co-ordinates multiple gene expression events.

Cap-binding complex (CBC)

The 7mG (7-methylguanosine cap) formed on mRNA is fundamental to eukaryotic gene expression. Protein complexes recruited to 7mG mediate key processing events throughout the lifetime of the transcript. One of the most important mediators of 7mG functions is CBC (cap-binding complex). CBC has a key role in several gene expression mechanisms, including transcription, splicing, transcript export and translation. Gene expression can be regulated by signalling pathways which influence CBC function. The aim of the present review is to discuss the mechanisms by which CBC mediates and co-ordinates multiple gene expression events.

A mammalian pre-mRNA 5' end capping quality control mechanism and an unexpected link of capping to pre-mRNA processing

Recently, we reported that two homologous yeast proteins, Rai1 and Dxo1, function in a quality control mechanism to clear cells of incompletely 5' end-capped messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Here, we report that their mammalian homolog, Dom3Z (referred to as DXO), possesses pyrophosphohydrolase, decapping, and 5'-to-3' exoribonuclease activities. Surprisingly, we found that DXO preferentially degrades defectively capped pre-mRNAs in cells. Additional studies show that incompletely capped pre-mRNAs are inefficiently spliced at all introns, a fact that contrasts with current understanding, and are also poorly cleaved for polyadenylation. Crystal structures of DXO in complex with substrate mimic and products at a resolution of up to 1.5Å provide elegant insights into the catalytic mechanism and molecular basis for their three apparently distinct activities. Our data reveal a pre-mRNA 5' end capping quality control mechanism in mammalian cells, indicating DXO as the central player for this mechanism, and demonstrate an unexpected intimate link between proper 5' end capping and subsequent pre-mRNA processing.

An exon splice enhancer primes IGF2:IGF2R binding site structure and function evolution

Placental development and genomic imprinting coevolved with parental conflict over resource distribution to mammalian offspring. The imprinted genes IGF2 and IGF2R code for the growth promoter insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and its inhibitor, mannose 6-phosphate (M6P)/IGF2 receptor (IGF2R), respectively. M6P/IGF2R of birds and fish do not recognize IGF2. In monotremes, which lack imprinting, IGF2 specifically bound M6P/IGF2R via a hydrophobic CD loop. We show that the DNA coding the CD loop in monotremes functions as an exon splice enhancer (ESE) and that structural evolution of binding site loops (AB, HI, FG) improved therian IGF2 affinity. We propose that ESE evolution led to the fortuitous acquisition of IGF2 binding by M6P/IGF2R that drew IGF2R into parental conflict; subsequent imprinting may then have accelerated affinity maturation.

Structure of the guanylyltransferase domain of human mRNA capping enzyme

The enzyme guanylyltransferase (GTase) plays a central role in the three-step catalytic process of adding an (m7)GpppN cap cotranscriptionally to nascent mRNA (pre-mRNAs). The 5'-mRNA capping process is functionally and evolutionarily conserved from unicellular organisms to human. However, the GTases from viruses and yeast have low amino acid sequence identity (∼25%) with GTases from mammals that, in contrast, are highly conserved (∼98%). We have defined by limited proteolysis of human capping enzyme residues 229-567 as comprising the minimum enzymatically active human GTase (hGTase) domain and have determined the structure by X-ray crystallography. Seven related conformational states of hGTase exist in the crystal. The GTP-binding site is evolutionarily and structurally conserved. The positional variations of the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding fold lid domain over the GTP-binding site provide snapshots of the opening and closing of the active site cleft through a swivel motion. The pattern of conserved surface residues in mammals, but not in yeast, supports the finding that the recognition of the capping apparatus by RNA polymerase II and associated transcription factors is highly conserved in mammals, and the mechanism may differ somewhat from that in yeast. The hGTase structure should help in the design of biochemical and molecular biology experiments to explore the proteinprotein and proteinRNA interactions that ensure regulated transcription of genes in humans and other mammals.

Cap and cap-binding proteins in the control of gene expression

The 5' mRNA cap structure is essential for efficient gene expression from yeast to human. It plays a critical role in all aspects of the life cycle of an mRNA molecule. Capping occurs co-transcriptionally on the nascent pre-mRNA as it emerges from the RNA exit channel of RNA polymerase II. The cap structure protects mRNAs from degradation by exonucleases and promotes transcription, polyadenylation, splicing, and nuclear export of mRNA and U-rich, capped snRNAs. In addition, the cap structure is required for the optimal translation of the vast majority of cellular mRNAs, and it also plays a prominent role in the expression of eukaryotic, viral, and parasite mRNAs. Cap-binding proteins specifically bind to the cap structure and mediate its functions in the cell. Two major cellular cap-binding proteins have been described to date: eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) in the cytoplasm and nuclear cap binding complex (nCBC), a nuclear complex consisting of a cap-binding subunit cap-binding protein 20 (CBP 20) and an auxiliary protein cap-binding protein 80 (CBP 80). nCBC plays an important role in various aspects of nuclear mRNA metabolism such as pre-mRNA splicing and nuclear export, whereas eIF4E acts primarily as a facilitator of mRNA translation. In this review, we highlight recent findings on the role of the cap structure and cap-binding proteins in the regulation of gene expression. We also describe emerging regulatory pathways that control mRNA capping and cap-binding proteins in the cell.

Regulation of mRNA cap methylation

The 7-methylguanosine cap added to the 5′ end of mRNA is essential for efficient gene expression and cell viability. Methylation of the guanosine cap is necessary for the translation of most cellular mRNAs in all eukaryotic organisms in which it has been investigated. In some experimental systems, cap methylation has also been demonstrated to promote transcription, splicing, polyadenylation and nuclear export of mRNA. The present review discusses how the 7-methylguanosine cap is synthesized by cellular enzymes, the impact that the 7-methylguanosine cap has on biological processes, and how the mRNA cap methylation reaction is regulated.

Synthesis and application of a new 2',3'-isopropylidene guanosine substituted cap analog

The synthesis and biological evaluation of a new cap analog, which is modified at the C2' and C3' positions of N(7)-methylguanosine is reported. The new cap analog, P(1)-2',3'-isopropylidene, 7-methylguanosine-5'P(3)-guanosine-5'triphosphate was assayed with respect to its effects on efficiency of incorporation into RNAs during in vitro transcription, and intracellular stability and translational activity of its 5'-capped mRNAs, upon transfection into HeLa cells. The intracellular stability of 5'-capped and uncapped full length test mRNAs was measured by using a real-time RT-PCR assay. The RNA with the 5'-modified cap was found to be approximately 1.7 times more stable than the RNA with the 5'-standard cap and approximately 2.5 times more stable than the uncapped control RNA. The translational efficiency was monitored by measuring the luciferase activity of a variety of in vitro synthesized and capped RNAs coding for a luciferase fusion protein after transfection into HeLa cells. The RNA capped with the 2',3'-isopropylidene substituted analog, (m(7,2',3'-isopropylidene)G[5']ppp[5']G), was translated the most efficiently, with approximately 2.9-fold more activity than the standard cap (m(7)G[5']ppp[5']G). The observed increase in the level of protein synthesis is likely resulted as a consequence of exclusively forward capped transcripts and increased cellular stability of the 5'-modified capped mRNA (Poly A).

DcpS scavenger decapping enzyme can modulate pre-mRNA splicing

The human scavenger decapping enzyme, DcpS, functions to hydrolyze the resulting cap structure following cytoplasmic mRNA decay yet is, surprisingly, a nuclear protein by immunofluorescence. Here, we show that DcpS is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein that contains separable nuclear import and Crm-1-dependent export signals. We postulated that the presence of DcpS in both cellular compartments and its ability to hydrolyze cap structure may impact other cellular events dependent on cap-binding proteins. An shRNA-engineered cell line with markedly diminished DcpS levels led to a corresponding reduction in cap-proximal intron splicing of a reporter minigene and endogenous genes. The impaired cap catabolism and resultant imbalanced cap concentrations were postulated to sequester the cap-binding complex (CBC) from its normal splicing function. In support of this explanation, DcpS efficiently displaced the nuclear cap-binding protein Cbp20 from cap structure, and complementation with Cbp20 reversed the reduced splicing, indicating that modulation of splicing by DcpS is mediated through Cbp20. Our studies demonstrate that the significance of DcpS extends beyond its well-characterized role in mRNA decay and involves a broader range of functions in RNA processing including nuclear pre-mRNA splicing.

Cap-dependent eukaryotic initiation factor-mRNA interactions probed by cross-linking

Cap-dependent ribosome recruitment to eukaryotic mRNAs during translation initiation is stimulated by the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4F complex and eIF4B. eIF4F is a heterotrimeric complex composed of three subunits: eIF4E, a 7-methyl guanosine cap binding protein; eIF4A, a DEAD-box RNA helicase; and eIF4G. The interactions of eIF4E, eIF4A, and eIF4B with mRNA have previously been monitored by chemical- and UV-based cross-linking approaches aimed at characterizing the initial protein/mRNA interactions that lead to ribosome recruitment. These studies have led to a model whereby eIF4E interacts with the 7-methyl guanosine cap structure in an ATP-independent manner, followed by an ATP-dependent interaction of eIF4A and eIF4B. Herein, we apply a splint-ligation-mediated approach to generate 4-thiouridine-containing mRNA adjacent to a radiolabel group that we utilize to monitor cap-dependent cross-linking of proteins adjacent to, and downstream from, the cap structure. Using this approach, we demonstrate interactions between eIF4G, eIF4H, and eIF3 subunits with the mRNA during the cap recognition process.

RNA stability regulates differential expression of the metastasis protein, osteopontin, in hepatocellular cancer

BACKGROUND

Osteopontin (OPN) is a potential therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), because it is a critical mediator of metastatic function. The molecular mechanisms that determine expression of OPN in HCC, however, are unknown. In this study, we examine differential OPN expression in the 2 HCC cell lines: HepG2 and Hep3B.

METHODS

OPN expression, metastatic function, OPN promoter activity, and active transcription of OPN mRNA and its decay were assessed in the 2 HCC cell lines using standard techniques. RNA gel-shift assays were performed to determine binding of cytoplasmic proteins to OPN mRNA.

RESULTS

Expression of OPN cellular/secreted protein and mRNA was greater in HepG2 than Hep3B cells (P < .01). Transient transfection of the OPN promoter construct demonstrated equivalent luciferase activities in the 2 cell lines; the rate of transcription was also equivalent as determined by chromatin immuno-precipitation assay. OPN mRNA half-life was 21 +/- 1 h and 3 +/- 1 h in HepG2 and Hep3B, respectively (P < .02). In HepG2 and Hep3B, the nucleotide sequence of OPN and its 5'-UTR, 3'-UTR, and poly (A) tail lengths were identical. A luciferase construct coupled in line with OPN-5'-UTR and OPN 3'-UTR presented greater expression in HepG2 (P < .01 vs Hep3B). Deletion of nt 10-57 of the OPN 5'-UTR restored luciferase and HA-tagged OPN protein expression in Hep3B but not in Hep G2. RNA gel-shift assays demonstrate different patterns of protein binding to OPN 5'-UTR between the 2 HCC cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that RNA stability is a new, previously unrecognized mechanism that regulates OPN expression in HCC to convey metastatic function.

Phosphorothioate cap analogs stabilize mRNA and increase translational efficiency in mammalian cells

Capped RNAs synthesized by in vitro transcription have found wide utility for studying mRNA function and metabolism and for producing proteins of interest. We characterize here a recently synthesized series of cap analogs with improved properties that contain a sulfur substitution for a nonbridging oxygen in either the alpha-, beta-, or gamma-phosphate moieties, m(2) (7,2'-O )Gppp(S)G, m(2) (7,2'-O )Gpp(S)pG, and m(2) (7,2'-O )Gp(S)ppG, respectively. The new compounds were also modified at the 2'-O position of the m(7)Guo to make them anti-reverse cap analogs (ARCAs), i.e., they are incorporated exclusively in the correct orientation during in vitro transcription. Each of the S-ARCAs exists in two diastereoisomeric forms (D1 and D2) that can be resolved by reverse-phase HPLC. A major in vivo pathway for mRNA degradation is initiated by removal of the cap by the pyrophosphatase Dcp1/Dcp2, which cleaves between the alpha- and beta-phosphates. Oligonucleotides capped with m(2) (7,2'-O )Gpp(S)pG (D2) were completely resistant to hydrolysis by recombinant human Dcp2 in vitro, whereas those capped with m(2) (7,2'-O )Gpp(S)pG (D1) and both isomers of m(2) (7,2'-O )Gppp(S)G were partially resistant. Luciferase mRNA capped with m(2) (7,2'-O )Gpp(S)pG (D2) had a t (1/2) of 257 min in cultured HC11 mammary epithelial cells compared with 86 min for m(7)Gp(3)G-capped mRNA. Luciferase mRNAs capped with m(2) (7,2'-O )Gpp(S)pG (D1) and m(2) (7,2'-O )Gpp(S)pG (D2) were translated 2.8-fold and 5.1-fold, respectively, more efficiently in HC11 cells than those capped with m(7)Gp(3)G. The greater yield of protein due to combining higher translational efficiency with longer t (1/2) of mRNA should benefit applications that utilize RNA transfection such as protein production, anti-cancer immunization, and gene therapy.

Polyazacyclophanes incorporating two pyridine units and a heteroaromatic pendant group as potential cleaving agents of mRNA 5'-cap structure

Four hexaazacyclophanes, 16a-d, incorporating two pyridine units and a (pyridin-2-yl)methyl or (quinolin-2-yl)methyl pendant group at one of the ring N-atoms have been prepared. The key step of the synthesis is an intermolecular cyclization of N,N-bis{[6-(tosyloxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]methyl}-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamide (7) with either tert-butyl bis{2-[(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)amino]ethyl}carbamate (2a) or tert-butyl bis{3-[(2-nitrophenylsulfonyl)amino]propyl}carbamate (2b) in the presence of anhydrous Cs(2)CO(3). Removal of the acid-labile tert-butoxycarbonyl protection then allows attachment of the pendant group by reductive alkylation to the exposed secondary amino group, and deprotection of the remaining aliphatic ring N-atoms completes the synthesis. The ability of the cyclophanes and their dinuclear Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) complexes to cleave the mRNA cap structure, m(7)G(5')pppG(5') (1), has been studied.

Metal ion complexes of macrocyclic polyamines enhance both the phosphate hydrolysis and imidazole ring opening of RNA 5'-cap structure

The cleavage of P1-(7-methylguanosyl-5') P3-(guanosyl-5') triphosphate, a RNA 5'-cap model, by 2-hydroxyethyl- (6a-6c) and 2-aminoethyl- (7a-7c) substituted macrocycles in the presence and absence of Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions has been studied at pH 7.2 and 60 degrees. In the presence of the metal ions, hydrolysis of the phosphate group is enhanced. The mono- and dinuclear Zn2+ complexes promote solely the phosphate hydrolysis, whereas the corresponding Cu2+ complexes accelerate both the phosphate hydrolysis and the imidazole ring opening of the 7-methylguanine base. In the absence of the metal ions, the macrocycles mainly promote breakdown of the 7-methylguanine base, most probably by enhancing the nucleophilic attack of hydroxide ion on the C(8)-atom by shielding the repulsive negative charge on the phosphate moiety. The 2-hydroxyethyl and 2-aminoethyl side arms exhibit a two- to three-fold rate acceleration. Opening of the imidazole ring eventually results in cleavage of the triphosphate bridge.

Differential Inhibition of mRNA Degradation Pathways by Novel Cap Analogs

mRNA degradation predominantly proceeds through two alternative routes: the 5'-->3' pathway, which requires deadenylation followed by decapping and 5'-->3' hydrolysis; and the 3'-->5' pathway, which involves deadenylation followed by 3'-->5' hydrolysis and finally decapping. The mechanisms and relative contributions of each pathway are not fully understood. We investigated the effects of different cap structure (Gp(3)G, m(7)Gp(3)G, or m(2)(7,3'-O) Gp(3)G) and 3' termini (A(31),A(60), or G(16)) on both translation and mRNA degradation in mammalian cells. The results indicated that cap structures that bind eIF4E with higher affinity stabilize mRNA to degradation in vivo. mRNA stability depends on the ability of the 5' terminus to bind eIF4E, not merely the presence of a blocking group at the 5'-end. Introducing a stem-loop in the 5'-UTR that dramatically reduces translation, but keeping the cap structure the same, does not alter the rate of mRNA degradation. To test the relative contributions of the 5'-->3' versus 3'-->5' pathways, we designed and synthesized two new cap analogs, in which a methylene group was substituted between the alpha- and beta-phosphate moieties, m(2)(7,3'-O)Gpp(CH2)pG and m(2)(7,3'-O)Gp(CH2)ppG, that are predicted to be resistant to cleavage by Dcp1/Dcp2 and DcpS, respectively. These cap analogs were recognized by eIF4E and conferred cap-dependent translation to mRNA both in vitro and in vivo. Oligonucleotides capped with m(2)(7,3'-O)Gpp(CH2)pG were resistant to hydrolysis by recombinant human Dcp2 in vitro. mRNAs capped with m(2)(7,3'-O)Gpp(CH2)pG, but not m(2)(7,3'-O)Gp(CH2)ppG, were more stable in vivo, indicating that the 5'-->3' pathway makes a major contribution to overall degradation. Luciferase mRNA containing a 5'-terminal m(2)(7,3'-O)Gpp(CH2)pG and 3'-terminal poly(G) had the greatest stability of all mRNAs tested.

Macrocyclic amines as catalysts of the hydrolysis of the triphosphate bridge of the mRNA 5'-cap structure

The reactions of a 5'-cap model compound P1-(7-methylguanosine) P3-guanosine 5',5'-triphosphate, m7GpppG, were studied in the presence of three different macrocyclic amines (2-4) under neutral conditions. The only products observed in the absence of the macrocycles resulted from the base-catalysed imidazole ring-opening and the acid-catalysed cleavage of the N7-methylguanosine base, whereas in the presence of these catalysts hydrolysis of the triphosphate bridge predominated. The latter reaction yielded guanosine 5'-monophosphate, guanosine 5'-diphosphate, 7-methylguanosine 5'-monophosphate and 7-methylguanosine 5'-diphosphate as the initial products, indicating that both of the phosphoric anhydride bonds were cleaved. The overall catalytic activity of all three macrocycles was comparable. The hydrolysis to guanosine 5'-diphosphate and 7-methylguanosine 5'-monophosphate was slightly more favoured than the cleavage to yield guanosine 5'-monophosphate and 7-methylguanosine diphosphate. All the macrocycles also enhanced the subsequent hydrolysis of the nucleoside diphosphates, 2 being more efficient than 3 and 4.

Hydrolytic reactions of diadenosine 5',5'-triphosphate

The hydrolysis of diadenosine 5',5'-triphosphate to AMP and ADP has been studied over a wide pH-range. Under acidic conditions the reaction shows a first-order dependence on the hydronium ion concentration. Below pH 3 the rate-increase begins to level off. From pH 6 to 9 the hydrolysis is slow and pH-independent. Base-catalysed hydrolysis is observed in NaOH-solutions. Under alkaline conditions an intramolecular nucleophilic attack on the phosphate producing 3',5'-cAMP is also observed, but it is slower than the intermolecular reaction. Depurination of the adenosine moieties competes with the hydrolysis both under acidic and alkaline conditions, but the mechanisms are different. The temperature-dependence of the hydrolysis of Ap(3)A and the depurination of adenosine moieties were studied under acidic conditions, and the activation parameters of the reactions were calculated. The results of the work reflect the fact that the negatively charged polyphosphate group is very resistant towards nucleophilic attack. An efficient catalysis is only observed under acidic conditions, where the phosphate group becomes protonated. General acids or bases did not catalyse the hydrolysis. Furthermore, hydroxide ion catalysed cleavage is only observed at high base concentrations and other negatively charged nucleophiles did not attack the phosphate groups of diadenosine polyphosphates.

Position dependence of the Rous sarcoma virus negative regulator of splicing element reflects proximity to a 5' splice site

Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) requires incomplete splicing of its viral transcripts to maintain efficient replication. A splicing inhibitor element, the negative regulator of splicing (NRS), is located near the 5' end of the RNA but the significance of this positioning is not known. In a heterologous intron the NRS functions optimally when positioned close to the authentic 5' splice site. This observation led us to investigate the basis of the position dependence. Four explanations were put forth and stressed the role of three major elements involved in splicing, the 3' splice site, the 5' splice site, and the 5' end cap structure. NRS function was unrelated to its position relative to the 3' splice site or the cap structure and appeared to depend on its position relative to the authentic 5' splice site. We conclude that position dependence may reflect distance constraints necessary for competition of the NRS with the authentic 5' splice site for pairing with the 3' splice sites.

Pokeweed antiviral protein binds to the cap structure of eukaryotic mRNA and depurinates the mRNA downstream of the cap

Several cap-binding proteins from both the nucleus and cytosol have been identified that mediate processes such as pre-mRNA splicing, translation initiation, and mRNA turnover. Here we describe a novel cap-binding protein, pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP), a 29-kDa type I ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) isolated from Phytolacca americana. In addition to depurinating the sarcin/ricin loop of the large rRNA, an activity common to all RIPs, we have reported recently that PAP depurinates capped, but not uncapped RNAs in vitro. Here we characterize this activity further and, using affinity chromatography, show that PAP binds to the m7Gppp cap structure. PAP UV-crosslinks to m7GpppG-capped luciferase mRNA more efficiently than GpppG-capped luciferase mRNA, indicating specificity for the methylated guanosine. We present evidence that PAP does not remove the cap structure or depurinate the m7Gppp as shown by primer extension of capped and uncapped luciferase transcripts incubated with PAP. Modeling studies of cap interaction with PAP predict that the cap structure would bind to the active site of PAP in a similar manner to guanine. We map the depurination sites on the capped luciferase RNA and illustrate that depurination occurs at specific adenine and guanine residues throughout the RNA sequence. Incubation of isolated ribosomes with PAP and increasing molar concentrations of m7GpppG relative to PAP resulted in a decrease in the level of rRNA depurination. Therefore, at elevated concentrations, the methylated cap structure competes with the adenine or guanine for binding to PAP, even though the affinity of PAP for capped message is almost fourfold lower than for rRNA. These results demonstrate that the activity of PAP is not limited to rRNA depurination, but that PAP binds to the cap structure and depurinates mRNAs downstream of the cap in vitro. These findings may have implications for understanding PAP activity in vivo.

Nuclear eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) colocalizes with splicing factors in speckles

The eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) plays a pivotal role in the control of protein synthesis. eIF4E binds to the mRNA 5' cap structure, m(7)GpppN (where N is any nucleotide) and promotes ribosome binding to the mRNA. It was previously shown that a fraction of eIF4E localizes to the nucleus (Lejbkowicz, F., C. Goyer, A. Darveau, S. Neron, R. Lemieux, and N. Sonenberg. 1992. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 89:9612-9616). Here, we show that the nuclear eIF4E is present throughout the nucleoplasm, but is concentrated in speckled regions. Double label immunofluorescence confocal microscopy shows that eIF4E colocalizes with Sm and U1snRNP. We also demonstrate that eIF4E is specifically released from the speckles by the cap analogue m(7)GpppG in a cell permeabilization assay. However, eIF4E is not released from the speckles by RNase A treatment, suggesting that retention of eIF4E in the speckles is not RNA-mediated. 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole (DRB) treatment of cells causes the condensation of eIF4E nuclear speckles. In addition, overexpression of the dual specificity kinase, Clk/Sty, but not of the catalytically inactive form, results in the dispersion of eIF4E nuclear speckles.

Viral and cellular mRNA capping: past and prospects

This chapter focuses on the history of the discovery of cap and an update of research on viral and cellular-messenger RNA (mRNA) capping. Cap structures of the type m⁷ GpppN(m)pN(m)p are present at the 5′ ends of nearly all eukaryotic cellular and viral mRNAs. A cap is added to cellular mRNA precursors and to the transcripts of viruses that replicate in the nucleus during the initial phases of transcription and before other processing events, including internal N⁶A methylation, 3′-poly (A) addition, and exon splicing. Despite the variations on the methylation theme, the important biological consequences of a cap structure appear to correlate with the N⁷-methyl on the 5′-terminal G and the two pyrophosphoryl bonds that connect m⁷G in a 5′–5′ configuration to the first nucleotide of mRNA. In addition to elucidating the biochemical mechanisms of capping and the downstream effects of this 5′- modification on gene expression, the advent of gene cloning has made available an ever-increasing amount of information on the proteins responsible for producing caps and the functional effects of other cap-related interactions. Genetic approaches have demonstrated the lethal consequences of cap failure in yeasts, and complementation studies have shown the evolutionary functional conservation of capping from unicellular to metazoan organisms.

Inhibition of translation of mRNAs containing gamma-monomethylphosphate cap structure in frog oocytes and in mammalian cells

The gamma-monomethylphosphate cap structure is found in several eukaryotic small RNAs including nuclear U6, U6atac, 7SK, plant nucleolar U3, and rodent cytoplasmic B2 RNAs. In the case of human U6 snRNA, the 5' end sequence corresponding to nucleotides 1-25 serves as the capping signal and directs the formation of methylphosphate cap structure. In this study, we show that the U6 RNA capping signal, when introduced at the 5' end of RNAs, can efficiently direct the methylphosphate cap formation in RNAs of up to 2.7 kb long, as well as in different mRNAs. These data show that the methylphosphate capping signal functions in mRNAs having different primary sequences and different lengths. Presence of the methylphosphate cap structure on the 5' end of a luciferase mRNA with EMCV 5' noncoding region, which is translated in an IRES-dependent pathway, resulted in a 6- to 100-fold inhibition of translation compared to the same mRNA with a 5' triphosphate when microinjected into frog oocytes or expressed in mouse cells in tissue culture. Thus, conversion of the pppG structure to a methyl-pppG structure on the 5' end of an mRNA, which is translated in an IRES-dependent pathway, results in severe inhibition of translation. These data show that the 5' end motif of mRNAs plays an important role even in the IRES-mediated mRNA translation.

The pre-mRNA 5' cap determines whether U6 small nuclear RNA succeeds U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle at 5' splice sites

Efficient splicing of the 5'-most intron of pre-mRNA requires a 5' m7G(5')ppp(5')N cap, which has been implicated in U1 snRNP binding to 5' splice sites. We demonstrate that the cap alters the kinetic profile of U1 snRNP binding, but its major effect is on U6 snRNA binding. With two alternative wild-type splice sites in an adenovirus pre-mRNA, the cap selectively alters U1 snRNA binding at the site to which cap-independent U1 snRNP binding is stronger and that is used predominantly in splicing; with two consensus sites, the cap acts on both, even though one is substantially preferred for splicing. However, the most striking quantitative effect of the 5' cap is neither on U1 snRNP binding nor on the assembly of large complexes but on the replacement of U1 snRNP by U6 snRNA at the 5' splice site. Inhibition of splicing by a cap analogue is correlated with the loss of U6 interactions at the 5' splice site and not with any loss of U1 snRNP binding.

Isolation and characterization of the Candida albicans gene for mRNA 5'-triphosphatase: association of mRNA 5'-triphosphatase and mRNA 5'-guanylyltransferase activities is essential for the function of mRNA 5'-capping enzyme in vivo

The amino acid sequence of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNA 5'-triphosphatase (TPase) diverges from those of higher eukaryotes. In order to confirm the sequence divergence of TPases in lower and higher eukaryotes, the Candida albicans gene for TPase was identified and characterized. This gene designated CaCET1 (C. albicans mRNA 5'-capping enzyme triphosphatase 1) has an open reading frame of 1.5 kb, which can encode a 59-kDa protein. Although the N-terminal one-fifth of S. cerevisiae TPase (ScCet1p) is missing in CaCet1p, CaCet1p shares significant sequence similarity with ScCet1p over the entire region of the protein; the recombinant CaCet1p, which was expressed as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase (GST), displayed TPase activity in vitro. CaCET1 rescued CET1-deficient S. cerevisiae cells when expressed under the control of the ADH1 promoter, whereas the human capping enzyme derivatives that are active for TPase activity but defective in mRNA 5'-guanylyltransferase (GTase) activity did not. Yeast two-hybrid analysis revealed that C. albicans Cet1p can bind to the S. cerevisiae GTase in addition to its own partner, the C. albicans GTase. In contrast, neither the full-length human capping enzyme nor its TPase domain interacted with the yeast GTase. These results indicate that the failure of the human TPase activity to complement an S. cerevisiae cet1delta null mutation is attributable, at least in part, to the inability of the human capping enzyme to associate with the yeast GTase, and that the physical association of GTase and TPase is essential for the function of the capping enzyme in vivo.

Recombinant human mRNA cap methyltransferase binds capping enzyme/RNA polymerase IIo complexes

Guanine N-7 methylation is an essential step in the formation of the m7GpppN cap structure that is characteristic of eukaryotic mRNA 5' ends. The terminal 7-methylguanosine is recognized by cap-binding proteins that facilitate key events in gene expression including mRNA processing, transport, and translation. Here we describe the cloning, primary structure, and properties of human RNA (guanine-7-)methyltransferase. Sequence alignment of the 476-amino acid human protein with the corresponding yeast ABD1 enzyme demonstrated the presence of several conserved motifs known to be required for methyltransferase activity. We also identified a Drosophila open reading frame that encodes a putative RNA (guanine-7-)methyltransferase and contains these motifs. Recombinant human methyltransferase transferred a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to GpppG 5'ends, which are formed on RNA polymerase II transcripts by the sequential action of RNA 5'-triphosphatase and guanylyltransferase activities in the bifunctional mammalian capping enzyme. Binding studies demonstrated that the human cap methyltransferase associated with recombinant capping enzyme. Consistent with selective capping of RNA polymerase II transcripts, methyltransferase also formed ternary complexes with capping enzyme and the elongating form of RNA polymerase II.

Cloning and characterization of 4EHP, a novel mammalian eIF4E-related cap-binding protein

All eukaryotic mRNAs (except organellar) are capped at their 5' end. The cap structure (m7GpppN, where N is any nucleotide) is extremely important for the processing and translation of mRNA. Several cap-binding proteins that facilitate these processes have been characterized. Here we describe a novel human cytoplasmic protein that is 30% identical and 60% similar to the human translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E). We demonstrate that this protein, named 4E Homologous Protein (4EHP), binds specifically to capped RNA in an ATP- and divalent ion-independent manner. The three-dimensional structure of 4EHP, as predicted by homology modeling, closely resembles that of eIF4E and site-directed mutagenesis analysis of 4EHP strongly suggests that it shares with eIF4E a common mechanism for cap binding. A putative function for 4EHP is discussed.

Accelerated mRNA decay in conditional mutants of yeast mRNA capping enzyme

Current models of mRNA decay in yeast posit that 3' deadenylation precedes enzymatic removal of the 5' cap, which then exposes the naked end to 5' exonuclease action. Here, we analyzed gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells bearing conditional mutations of Ceg1 (capping enzyme), a 52 kDa protein that transfers GMP from GTP to the 5' end of mRNA to form the GpppN cap structure. Shift of ceg1 mutants to restrictive temperature elicited a rapid decline in the rate of protein synthesis, which correlated with a sharp reduction in the steady-state levels of multiple individual mRNAs. ceg1 mutations prevented the accumulation of SSA1 and SSA4 mRNAs that were newly synthesized at the restrictive temperature. Uncapped poly(A)+ SSA4 mRNA accumulated in cells lacking the 5' exoribonuclease Xrn1. These findings provide genetic evidence for the long-held idea that the cap guanylate is critical for mRNA stability. The deadenylation-decapping-degradation pathway appears to be short-circuited when Ceg1 is inactivated.

Isolation and characterization of a human cDNA for mRNA 5'-capping enzyme

The human mRNA 5'-capping enzyme cDNA was identified. Three highly related cDNAs, HCE1 (human mRNAcappingenzyme1), HCE1A and HCE1B , were isolated from a HeLa cDNA library. The HCE1 cDNA has the longest ORF, which can encode a 69 kDa protein. A short region of 69 bp in the 3'-half of the HCE1 ORF was missing in HCE1A and HCE1B , and, additionally, HCE1B has an early translation termination signal, which suggests that the latter two cDNAs represent alternatively spliced product. When expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein with glutathione S -transferase, Hce1p displayed both mRNA 5'-triphosphatase (TPase) and mRNA 5'-guanylyltransferase (GTase) activities, and it formed a cap structure at the 5'-triphosphate end of RNA, demonstrating that it indeed specifies an active mRNA 5'-capping enzyme. The recombinant proteins derived from HCE1A and HCE1B possessed only TPase activity. When expressed from ADH1 promoter, HCE1 but not HCE1A and HCE1B complemented Saccharomyces cerevisiae CEG1 and CET1 , the genes for GTase and TPase, respectively. These results demonstrate that the N-terminal part of Hce1p is responsible for TPase activity and the C-terminal part is essential for GTase activity. In addition, the human TPase domain cannot functionally substitute for the yeast enzyme in vivo.