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Feng H, Lu XJ, Maji S, Liu L, Ustianenko D, Rudnick ND, Zhang C. Structure-based prediction and characterization of photo-crosslinking in native protein-RNA complexes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2279. [PMID: 38480694 PMCID: PMC10937933 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46429-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
UV-crosslinking of protein and RNA in direct contacts has been widely used to study protein-RNA complexes while our understanding of the photo-crosslinking mechanisms remains poor. This knowledge gap is due to the challenge of precisely mapping the crosslink sites in protein and RNA simultaneously in their native sequence and structural contexts. Here we systematically analyze protein-RNA interactions and photo-crosslinking by bridging crosslinked nucleotides and amino acids mapped using different assays with protein-RNA complex structures. We developed a computational method PxR3D-map which reliably predicts crosslink sites using structural information characterizing protein-RNA interaction interfaces. Analysis of the informative features revealed that photo-crosslinking is facilitated by base stacking with not only aromatic residues, but also dipeptide bonds that involve glycine, and distinct mechanisms are utilized by different RNA-binding domains. Our work suggests protein-RNA photo-crosslinking is highly selective in the cellular environment, which can guide data interpretation and further technology development for UV-crosslinking-based assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Feng
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Xiang-Jun Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Suvrajit Maji
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Linxi Liu
- Department of Statistics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Dmytro Ustianenko
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Noam D Rudnick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Chaolin Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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2
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Knörlein A, Sarnowski CP, de Vries T, Stoltz M, Götze M, Aebersold R, Allain FHT, Leitner A, Hall J. Nucleotide-amino acid π-stacking interactions initiate photo cross-linking in RNA-protein complexes. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2719. [PMID: 35581222 PMCID: PMC9114321 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30284-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Photo-induced cross-linking is a mainstay technique to characterize RNA-protein interactions. However, UV-induced cross-linking between RNA and proteins at “zero-distance” is poorly understood. Here, we investigate cross-linking of the RBFOX alternative splicing factor with its hepta-ribonucleotide binding element as a model system. We examine the influence of nucleobase, nucleotide position and amino acid composition using CLIR-MS technology (crosslinking-of-isotope-labelled-RNA-and-tandem-mass-spectrometry), that locates cross-links on RNA and protein with site-specific resolution. Surprisingly, cross-linking occurs only at nucleotides that are π-stacked to phenylalanines. Notably, this π-stacking interaction is also necessary for the amino-acids flanking phenylalanines to partake in UV-cross-linking. We confirmed these observations in several published datasets where cross-linking sites could be mapped to a high resolution structure. We hypothesize that π-stacking to aromatic amino acids activates cross-linking in RNA-protein complexes, whereafter nucleotide and peptide radicals recombine. These findings will facilitate interpretation of cross-linking data from structural studies and from genome-wide datasets generated using CLIP (cross-linking-and-immunoprecipitation) methods. Although UV-induced cross-linking is a widely used method to study RNA-protein complexes, the cross-linking reactions are poorly understood. Here, the authors show that π-stacking interactions between nucleobases and aromatic amino acids play a key role in the cross-linking process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Knörlein
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chris P Sarnowski
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Tebbe de Vries
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Stoltz
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Götze
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ruedi Aebersold
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Faculty of Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric H-T Allain
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Leitner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan Hall
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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3
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Sarnowski CP, Bikaki M, Leitner A. Cross-linking and mass spectrometry as a tool for studying the structural biology of ribonucleoproteins. Structure 2022; 30:441-461. [PMID: 35366400 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2022.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cross-linking and mass spectrometry (XL-MS) workflows represent an increasingly popular technique for low-resolution structural studies of macromolecular complexes. Cross-linking reactions take place in the solution state, capturing contact sites between components of a complex that represent the native, functionally relevant structure. Protein-protein XL-MS protocols are widely adopted, providing precise localization of cross-linking sites to single amino acid positions within a pair of cross-linked peptides. In contrast, protein-RNA XL-MS workflows are evolving rapidly and differ in their ability to localize interaction regions within the RNA sequence. Here, we review protein-protein and protein-RNA XL-MS workflows, and discuss their applications in studies of protein-RNA complexes. The examples highlight the complementary value of XL-MS in structural studies of protein-RNA complexes, where more established high-resolution techniques might be unable to produce conclusive data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris P Sarnowski
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland; Systems Biology PhD Program, University of Zürich and ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Bikaki
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Leitner
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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4
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Elcheva IA, Spiegelman VS. Targeting RNA-binding proteins in acute and chronic leukemia. Leukemia 2021; 35:360-376. [PMID: 33149266 PMCID: PMC7868134 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-01066-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play a crucial role in cellular physiology by regulating RNA processing, translation, and turnover. In neoplasms, RBP support of cancer-relevant expression of alternatively spliced, modified, and stabilized mRNA transcripts is essential to self-renewal, proliferation, and adaptation to stress. In this review, we assess the impact of key families of RBPs in leukemogenesis, review progress in targeting those proteins with small molecules, and discuss how multilevel composition of posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression could be used for potential therapies in acute and chronic leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina A Elcheva
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
| | - Vladimir S Spiegelman
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
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Feng H, Bao S, Rahman MA, Weyn-Vanhentenryck SM, Khan A, Wong J, Shah A, Flynn ED, Krainer AR, Zhang C. Modeling RNA-Binding Protein Specificity In Vivo by Precisely Registering Protein-RNA Crosslink Sites. Mol Cell 2019; 74:1189-1204.e6. [PMID: 31226278 PMCID: PMC6676488 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate post-transcriptional gene expression by recognizing short and degenerate sequence motifs in their target transcripts, but precisely defining their binding specificity remains challenging. Crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) allows for mapping of the exact protein-RNA crosslink sites, which frequently reside at specific positions in RBP motifs at single-nucleotide resolution. Here, we have developed a computational method, named mCross, to jointly model RBP binding specificity while precisely registering the crosslinking position in motif sites. We applied mCross to 112 RBPs using ENCODE eCLIP data and validated the reliability of the discovered motifs by genome-wide analysis of allelic binding sites. Our analyses revealed that the prototypical SR protein SRSF1 recognizes clusters of GGA half-sites in addition to its canonical GGAGGA motif. Therefore, SRSF1 regulates splicing of a much larger repertoire of transcripts than previously appreciated, including HNRNPD and HNRNPDL, which are involved in multivalent protein assemblies and phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Feng
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Suying Bao
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | - Sebastien M Weyn-Vanhentenryck
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Aziz Khan
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Justin Wong
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ankeeta Shah
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Elise D Flynn
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Adrian R Krainer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Chaolin Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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6
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Y-box proteins combine versatile cold shock domains and arginine-rich motifs (ARMs) for pleiotropic functions in RNA biology. Biochem J 2018; 475:2769-2784. [PMID: 30206185 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Y-box proteins are single-strand DNA- and RNA-binding proteins distinguished by a conserved cold shock domain (CSD) and a variable C-terminal domain organized into alternating short modules rich in basic or acidic amino acids. A huge literature depicts Y-box proteins as highly abundant, staggeringly versatile proteins that interact with all mRNAs and function in most forms of mRNA-specific regulation. The mechanisms by which Y-box proteins recognize mRNAs are unclear, because their CSDs bind a jumble of diverse elements, and the basic modules in the C-terminal domain are considered to bind nonspecifically to phosphates in the RNA backbone. A survey of vertebrate Y-box proteins clarifies the confusing names for Y-box proteins, their domains, and RNA-binding motifs, and identifies several novel conserved sequences: first, the CSD is flanked by linkers that extend its binding surface or regulate co-operative binding of the CSD and N-terminal and C-terminal domains to proteins and RNA. Second, the basic modules in the C-terminal domain are bona fide arginine-rich motifs (ARMs), because arginine is the predominant amino acid and comprises 99% of basic residues. Third, conserved differences in AA (amino acid) sequences between isoforms probably affect RNA-binding specificity. C-terminal ARMs connect with many studies, demonstrating that ARMs avidly bind sites containing specific RNA structures. ARMs crystallize insights into the under-appreciated contributions of the C-terminal domain to site-specific binding by Y-box proteins and difficulties in identifying site-specific binding by the C-terminal domain. Validated structural biology techniques are available to elucidate the mechanisms by which YBXprot (Y-box element-binding protein) CSDs and ARMs identify targets.
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Ustianenko D, Chiu HS, Treiber T, Weyn-Vanhentenryck SM, Treiber N, Meister G, Sumazin P, Zhang C. LIN28 Selectively Modulates a Subclass of Let-7 MicroRNAs. Mol Cell 2018; 71:271-283.e5. [PMID: 30029005 PMCID: PMC6238216 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
LIN28 is a bipartite RNA-binding protein that post-transcriptionally inhibits the biogenesis of let-7 microRNAs to regulate development and influence disease states. However, the mechanisms of let-7 suppression remain poorly understood because LIN28 recognition depends on coordinated targeting by both the zinc knuckle domain (ZKD), which binds a GGAG-like element in the precursor, and the cold shock domain (CSD), whose binding sites have not been systematically characterized. By leveraging single-nucleotide-resolution mapping of LIN28 binding sites in vivo, we determined that the CSD recognizes a (U)GAU motif. This motif partitions the let-7 microRNAs into two subclasses, precursors with both CSD and ZKD binding sites (CSD+) and precursors with ZKD but no CSD binding sites (CSD-). LIN28 in vivo recognition-and subsequent 3' uridylation and degradation-of CSD+ precursors is more efficient, leading to their stronger suppression in LIN28-activated cells and cancers. Thus, CSD binding sites amplify the regulatory effects of LIN28.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmytro Ustianenko
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hua-Sheng Chiu
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thomas Treiber
- Biochemistry Center Regensburg (BZR), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastien M Weyn-Vanhentenryck
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Nora Treiber
- Biochemistry Center Regensburg (BZR), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Biochemistry Center Regensburg (BZR), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Pavel Sumazin
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Chaolin Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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8
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Chatterji P, Rustgi AK. RNA Binding Proteins in Intestinal Epithelial Biology and Colorectal Cancer. Trends Mol Med 2018; 24:490-506. [PMID: 29627433 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The intestinal epithelium is highly proliferative and consists of crypt invaginations that house stem cells and villus projections with differentiated cells. There exists a dynamic equilibrium between proliferation, migration, differentiation, and senescence that is regulated by several factors. Among these are RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that bind their targets in a both context dependent and independent manner. RBP-RNA complexes act as rheostats by regulating expression of RNAs both co- and post-transcriptionally. This is important, especially in response to intestinal injury, to fuel regeneration. The manner in which these RBPs function in the intestine and their interactions with other pivotal pathways in colorectal cancer may provide a framework for new insights and potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Chatterji
- Division of Gastroenterology, Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, 421 Curie Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anil K Rustgi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Departments of Medicine and Genetics, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, 421 Curie Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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