Nhp2p and Nop10p are essential for the function of H/ACA snoRNPs

Molecular and functional characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster conserved smORFome

Short polypeptides encoded by small open reading frames (smORFs) are ubiquitously found in eukaryotic genomes and are important regulators of physiology, development, and mitochondrial processes. Here, we focus on a subset of 298 smORFs that are evolutionarily conserved between Drosophila melanogaster and humans. Many of these smORFs are conserved broadly in the bilaterian lineage, and ∼182 are conserved in plants. We observe remarkably heterogeneous spatial and temporal expression patterns of smORF transcripts-indicating wide-spread tissue-specific and stage-specific mitochondrial architectures. In addition, an analysis of annotated functional domains reveals a predicted enrichment of smORF polypeptides localizing to mitochondria. We conduct an embryonic ribosome profiling experiment and find support for translation of 137 of these smORFs during embryogenesis. We further embark on functional characterization using CRISPR knockout/activation, RNAi knockdown, and cDNA overexpression, revealing diverse phenotypes. This study underscores the importance of identifying smORF function in disease and phenotypic diversity.

Novel pathological variants of NHP2 affect N-terminal domain flexibility, protein stability, H/ACA Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex formation and telomerase activity

Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are characterized by short telomeres, premature aging, bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition. Germline mutations in NHP2, encoding for one component of the telomerase cofactor H/ACA RNA binding complex together with Dyskerin, NOP10 and GAR1, have been previously reported in rare cases of TBDs. Here, we report two novel NHP2 variants (NHP2-A39T and NHP2-T44M) identified in a compound heterozygous patient affected by premature aging, bone marrow failure/myelodysplastic syndrome and gastric cancer. Although still able to support cell viability, both variants reduce the levels of hTR, the telomerase RNA component, and telomerase activity, expanding the panel of NHP2 pathological variants. Furthermore, both variants fail to be incorporated in the H/ACA RNA binding complex when in competition with wild-type endogenous NHP2, and the lack of incorporation causes their drastic proteasomal degradation. By RoseTTAFold prediction followed by molecular dynamics simulations, we reveal a dramatic distortion of residues 33-41, which normally position on top of the NHP2 core, as the main defect of NHP2-A39T, and high flexibility and the misplacement of the N-terminal region (residues 1-24) in NHP2-T44M and, to a lower degree, in NHP2-A39T. Because deletion of amino acids 2-24 causes a reduction in NHP2 levels only in the presence of wild-type NHP2, while deletion of amino acids 2-38 completely disrupts NHP2 stability, we propose that the two variants are mis-incorporated into the H/ACA binding complex due to the altered dynamics of the first 23 amino acids and/or the distortion of the residues 25-41 loop.

Control of protein synthesis through mRNA pseudouridylation by dyskerin

Posttranscriptional modifications of mRNA have emerged as regulators of gene expression. Although pseudouridylation is the most abundant, its biological role remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the pseudouridine synthase dyskerin associates with RNA polymerase II, binds to thousands of mRNAs, and is responsible for their pseudouridylation, an action that occurs in chromatin and does not appear to require a guide RNA with full complementarity. In cells lacking dyskerin, mRNA pseudouridylation is reduced, while at the same time, de novo protein synthesis is enhanced, indicating that this modification interferes with translation. Accordingly, mRNAs with fewer pseudouridines due to knockdown of dyskerin are translated more efficiently. Moreover, mRNA pseudouridylation is severely reduced in patients with dyskeratosis congenita caused by inherited mutations in the gene encoding dyskerin (i.e., DKC1). Our findings demonstrate that pseudouridylation by dyskerin modulates mRNA translatability, with important implications for both normal development and disease.

The coordinated management of ribosome and translation during injury and regeneration

Diverse acute and chronic injuries induce damage responses in the gastrointestinal (GI) system, and numerous cell types in the gastrointestinal tract demonstrate remarkable resilience, adaptability, and regenerative capacity in response to stress. Metaplasias, such as columnar and secretory cell metaplasia, are well-known adaptations that these cells make, the majority of which are epidemiologically associated with an elevated cancer risk. On a number of fronts, it is now being investigated how cells respond to injury at the tissue level, where diverse cell types that differ in proliferation capacity and differentiation state cooperate and compete with one another to participate in regeneration. In addition, the cascades or series of molecular responses that cells show are just beginning to be understood. Notably, the ribosome, a ribonucleoprotein complex that is essential for translation on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and in the cytoplasm, is recognized as the central organelle during this process. The highly regulated management of ribosomes as key translational machinery, and their platform, rough endoplasmic reticulum, are not only essential for maintaining differentiated cell identity, but also for achieving successful cell regeneration after injury. This review will cover in depth how ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum, and translation are regulated and managed in response to injury (e.g., paligenosis), as well as why this is essential for the proper adaptation of a cell to stress. For this, we will first discuss how multiple gastrointestinal organs respond to stress through metaplasia. Next, we will cover how ribosomes are generated, maintained, and degraded, in addition to the factors that govern translation. Finally, we will investigate how ribosomes and translation machinery are dynamically regulated in response to injury. Our increased understanding of this overlooked cell fate decision mechanism will facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal tract tumors, focusing on ribosomes and translation machinery.

The emerging diagnostic and therapeutic roles of small nucleolar RNAs in lung diseases

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules that range from 60 to 300 nucleotides in length and are primarily located in the nucleoli of cells. They play a critical role in modifying ribosomal RNA and can also regulate alternative splicing and posttranscriptional modification of mRNA. Alterations in snoRNA expression can affect numerous cellular processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, fibrosis, and inflammation, making them a promising target for diagnostics and treatment of various human pathologies. Recent evidence suggests that abnormal snoRNA expression is strongly associated with the development and progression of several lung diseases, such as lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary hypertension, as well as COVID-19. While few studies have shown a causal relationship between snoRNA expression and disease onset, this research field presents exciting opportunities for identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets in lung disease. This review discusses the emerging role and molecular mechanisms of snoRNAs in the pathogenesis of lung diseases, focusing on research opportunities, clinical studies, biomarkers, and therapeutic potential.

Human dyskerin binds to cytoplasmic H/ACA-box-containing transcripts affecting nuclear hormone receptor dependence

Background

Dyskerin is a nuclear protein involved in H/ACA box snoRNA-guided uridine modification of RNA. In humans, its defective function is associated with cancer development and induces specific post-transcriptional alterations of gene expression. In this study, we seek to unbiasedly identify mRNAs regulated by dyskerin in human breast cancer-derived cells.

Results

We find that dyskerin depletion affects the expression and the association with polysomes of selected mRNA isoforms characterized by the retention of H/ACA box snoRNA-containing introns. These snoRNA retaining transcripts (snoRTs) are bound by dyskerin in the cytoplasm in the form of shorter 3′ snoRT fragments. We then characterize the whole cytoplasmic dyskerin RNA interactome and find both H/ACA box snoRTs and protein-coding transcripts which may be targeted by the snoRTs’ guide properties. Since a fraction of these protein-coding transcripts is involved in the nuclear hormone receptor binding, we test to see if this specific activity is affected by dyskerin. Obtained results indicate that dyskerin dysregulation may alter the dependence on nuclear hormone receptor ligands in breast cancer cells. These results are paralleled by consistent observations on the outcome of primary breast cancer patients stratified according to their tumor hormonal status. Accordingly, experiments in nude mice show that the reduction of dyskerin levels in estrogen-dependent cells favors xenograft development in the absence of estrogen supplementation.

Conclusions

Our work suggests a cytoplasmic function for dyskerin which could affect mRNA post-transcriptional networks relevant for nuclear hormone receptor functions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13059-022-02746-3.

Small but strong: Pivotal roles and potential applications of snoRNAs in hematopoietic malignancies

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) belong to a family of noncoding RNAs that are 60-300 nucleotides in length, and they are classified into two classes according to their structure and function: C/D box snoRNAs, playing an essential role in 2’-O-methylation modification on ribosomal RNA; H/ACA box snoRNAs, involved in the pseudouridylation of rRNA. SnoRNAs with unclear functions, no predictable targets, and unusual subcellular locations are called orphan snoRNAs. Recent studies have revealed abnormal expression and demonstrated the pivotal roles of snoRNAs and their host genes in various types of hematological malignancies. This review discusses recent discoveries concerning snoRNAs in a variety of hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma, lymphoma and leukemia, and sheds light on the application of snoRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers as well as therapeutic targets of hematological malignancies in the future.

The Role of Hsp90-R2TP in Macromolecular Complex Assembly and Stabilization

Hsp90 is a ubiquitous molecular chaperone involved in many cell signaling pathways, and its interactions with specific chaperones and cochaperones determines which client proteins to fold. Hsp90 has been shown to be involved in the promotion and maintenance of proper protein complex assembly either alone or in association with other chaperones such as the R2TP chaperone complex. Hsp90-R2TP acts through several mechanisms, such as by controlling the transcription of protein complex subunits, stabilizing protein subcomplexes before their incorporation into the entire complex, and by recruiting adaptors that facilitate complex assembly. Despite its many roles in protein complex assembly, detailed mechanisms of how Hsp90-R2TP assembles protein complexes have yet to be determined, with most findings restricted to proteomic analyses and in vitro interactions. This review will discuss our current understanding of the function of Hsp90-R2TP in the assembly, stabilization, and activity of the following seven classes of protein complexes: L7Ae snoRNPs, spliceosome snRNPs, RNA polymerases, PIKKs, MRN, TSC, and axonemal dynein arms.

Structural Analysis of the Plasmodial Proteins ZNHIT3 and NUFIP1 Provides Insights into the Selectivity of a Conserved Interaction

Malaria is a widespread and lethal disease caused by the Plasmodium parasites that can infect human beings through Anopheles mosquitoes. For that reason, the biology of Plasmodium needs to be studied to develop antimalarial treatments. By determining the three-dimensional structures of macromolecules, structural biology helps to understand the function of proteins and can reveal how interactions occur between biological partners. Here, we studied the ZNHIT3 and NUFIP1 proteins from Plasmodium falciparum, two proteins tightly linked to the ribosome biology. Due to their important functions in post-translational modifications of ribosomal RNAs and in ribophagy, these proteins participate in the survival of cells. In this study, we solved the three-dimensional structure of a thermally stable and species-dependent complex between fragments of these proteins. Our results were compared to the AlphaFold predictions, which motivated the study of the free ZNHIT3 fragment that binds NUFIP1. We showed that the latter fragment multimerized in vitro but also had the inner ability to change its conformation to escape the solvent exposition of key hydrophobic residues involved in the interaction with NUFIP1. Our data could open the gate to selective drug discovery processes involving these two proteins.

Nhp2 is a reader of H2AQ105me and part of a network integrating metabolism with rRNA synthesis

Ribosome biogenesis is an essential cellular process that requires integration of extracellular cues, such as metabolic state, with intracellular signalling, transcriptional regulation and chromatin accessibility at the ribosomal DNA. Here, we demonstrate that the recently identified histone modification, methylation of H2AQ105 (H2AQ105me), is an integral part of a dynamic chromatin network at the rDNA locus. Its deposition depends on a functional mTor signalling pathway and acetylation of histone H3 at position K56, thus integrating metabolic and proliferative signals. Furthermore, we identify a first epigenetic reader of this modification, the ribonucleoprotein Nhp2, which specifically recognizes H2AQ105me. Based on functional and proteomic data, we suggest that Nhp2 functions as an adapter to bridge rDNA chromatin with components of the small subunit processome to efficiently coordinate transcription of rRNA with its post‐transcriptional processing. We support this by showing that an H2AQ105A mutant has a mild defect in early processing of rRNA.

NHP2 deficiency impairs rRNA biogenesis and causes pulmonary fibrosis and Høyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome

Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures at the end of chromosomes. The telomerase complex, constituted of the catalytic subunit TERT, the RNA matrix hTR and several cofactors, including the H/ACA box ribonucleoproteins Dyskerin, NOP10, GAR1, NAF1 and NHP2, regulates telomere length. In humans, inherited defects in telomere length maintenance are responsible for a wide spectrum of clinical premature aging manifestations including pulmonary fibrosis (PF), dyskeratosis congenita (DC), bone marrow failure and predisposition to cancer. NHP2 mutations have been so far reported only in two patients with DC. Here, we report the first case of Høyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome, the severe form of DC, caused by biallelic missense mutations in NHP2. Additionally, we identified three unrelated patients with PF carrying NHP2 heterozygous mutations. Strikingly, one of these patients acquired a somatic mutation in the promoter of TERT that likely conferred a selective advantage in a subset of blood cells. Finally, we demonstrate that a functional deficit of human NHP2 affects ribosomal RNA biogenesis. Together, our results broaden the functional consequences and clinical spectrum of NHP2 deficiency.

SUMOylation- and GAR1-Dependent Regulation of Dyskerin Nuclear and Subnuclear Localization

The nuclear and subnuclear compartmentalization of the telomerase-associated protein and H/ACA ribonucleoprotein component dyskerin is an important although incompletely understood aspect of H/ACA ribonucleoprotein function. Four SUMOylation sites were previously identified in the C-terminal nuclear/nucleolar localization signal (N/NoLS) of dyskerin. We found that a cytoplasmic localized C-terminal truncation variant of dyskerin lacking most of the C-terminal N/NoLS represents an under-SUMOylated variant of dyskerin compared to wild-type dyskerin. We demonstrate that mimicking constitutive SUMOylation of dyskerin using a SUMO3 fusion construct can drive nuclear accumulation of this variant and that the SUMO site K467 in this N/NoLS is particularly important for the subnuclear localization of dyskerin to the nucleolus in a mature H/ACA complex assembly- and SUMO-dependent manner. We also characterize a novel SUMO-interacting motif in the mature H/ACA complex component GAR1 that mediates the interaction between dyskerin and GAR1. Mislocalization of dyskerin, either in the cytoplasm or excluded from the nucleolus, disrupts dyskerin function and leads to reduced interaction of dyskerin with the telomerase RNA. These data indicate a role for dyskerin C-terminal N/NoLS SUMOylation in regulating the nuclear and subnuclear localization of dyskerin, which is essential for dyskerin function as both a telomerase-associated protein and as an H/ACA ribonucleoprotein.

H/ACA snoRNA levels are regulated during stem cell differentiation

H/ACA small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) guide pseudouridylation as part of a small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein complex (snoRNP). Disruption of H/ACA snoRNA levels in stem cells impairs pluripotency, yet it remains unclear how H/ACA snoRNAs contribute to differentiation. To determine if H/ACA snoRNA levels are dynamic during differentiation, we comprehensively profiled H/ACA snoRNA abundance in multiple murine cell types and during differentiation in three cellular models, including mouse embryonic stem cells and mouse myoblasts. We determined that the profiles of H/ACA snoRNA abundance are cell-type specific, and we identified a subset of snoRNAs that are specifically regulated during differentiation. Additionally, we demonstrated that a decrease in Snora27 abundance upon differentiation corresponds to a decrease in pseudouridylation of its target site within the E-site transfer RNA (tRNA) binding region of the 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in the large ribosomal subunit. Together, these data point toward a potential model in which H/ACA snoRNAs are specifically regulated during differentiation to alter pseudouridylation and fine tune ribosome function.

snR30/U17 Small Nucleolar Ribonucleoprotein: A Critical Player during Ribosome Biogenesis

The small nucleolar RNA snR30 (U17 in humans) plays a unique role during ribosome synthesis. Unlike most members of the H/ACA class of guide RNAs, the small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) complex assembled on snR30 does not direct pseudouridylation of ribosomal RNA (rRNA), but instead snR30 is critical for 18S rRNA processing during formation of the small subunit (SSU) of the ribosome. Specifically, snR30 is essential for three pre-rRNA cleavages at the A₀/01, A₁/1, and A₂/2a sites in yeast and humans, respectively. Accordingly, snR30 is the only essential H/ACA guide RNA in yeast. Here, we summarize our current knowledge about the interactions and functions of snR30, discuss what remains to be elucidated, and present two non-exclusive hypotheses on the possible molecular function of snR30 during ribosome biogenesis. First, snR30 might be responsible for recruiting other proteins including endonucleases to the SSU processome. Second, snR30 may contribute to the refolding of pre-rRNA into a required conformation that serves as a checkpoint during ribosome biogenesis facilitating pre-rRNA cleavage. In both scenarios, the snR30 snoRNP may have scaffolding and RNA chaperoning activity. In conclusion, the snR30 snoRNP is a crucial player with an unknown molecular mechanism during ribosome synthesis, posing many interesting future research questions.

snoRNPs: Functions in Ribosome Biogenesis

Ribosomes are perhaps the most critical macromolecular machine as they are tasked with carrying out protein synthesis in cells. They are incredibly complex structures composed of protein components and heavily chemically modified RNAs. The task of assembling mature ribosomes from their component parts consumes a massive amount of energy and requires greater than 200 assembly factors. Among the most critical of these are small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs). These are small RNAs complexed with diverse sets of proteins. As suggested by their name, they localize to the nucleolus, the site of ribosome biogenesis. There, they facilitate multiple roles in ribosomes biogenesis, such as pseudouridylation and 2′-O-methylation of ribosomal (r)RNA, guiding pre-rRNA processing, and acting as molecular chaperones. Here, we reviewed their activity in promoting the assembly of ribosomes in eukaryotes with regards to chemical modification and pre-rRNA processing.

Telomeres in Plants and Humans: Not So Different, Not So Similar

Parallel research on multiple model organisms shows that while some principles of telomere biology are conserved among all eukaryotic kingdoms, we also find some deviations that reflect different evolutionary paths and life strategies, which may have diversified after the establishment of telomerase as a primary mechanism for telomere maintenance. Much more than animals, plants have to cope with environmental stressors, including genotoxic factors, due to their sessile lifestyle. This is, in principle, made possible by an increased capacity and efficiency of the molecular systems ensuring maintenance of genome stability, as well as a higher tolerance to genome instability. Furthermore, plant ontogenesis differs from that of animals in which tissue differentiation and telomerase silencing occur during early embryonic development, and the “telomere clock” in somatic cells may act as a preventive measure against carcinogenesis. This does not happen in plants, where growth and ontogenesis occur through the serial division of apical meristems consisting of a small group of stem cells that generate a linear series of cells, which differentiate into an array of cell types that make a shoot and root. Flowers, as generative plant organs, initiate from the shoot apical meristem in mature plants which is incompatible with the human-like developmental telomere shortening. In this review, we discuss differences between human and plant telomere biology and the implications for aging, genome stability, and cell and organism survival. In particular, we provide a comprehensive comparative overview of telomere proteins acting in humans and in Arabidopsis thaliana model plant, and discuss distinct epigenetic features of telomeric chromatin in these species.

Unique Archaeal Small RNAs

Advances in genome-wide sequence technologies allow for detailed insights into the complexity of RNA landscapes of organisms from all three domains of life. Recent analyses of archaeal transcriptomes identified interaction and regulation networks of noncoding RNAs in this understudied domain. Here, we review current knowledge of small, noncoding RNAs with important functions for the archaeal lifestyle, which often requires adaptation to extreme environments. One focus is RNA metabolism at elevated temperatures in hyperthermophilic archaea, which reveals elevated amounts of RNA-guided RNA modification and virus defense strategies. Genome rearrangement events result in unique fragmentation patterns of noncoding RNA genes that require elaborate maturation pathways to yield functional transcripts. RNA-binding proteins, e.g., L7Ae and LSm, are important for many posttranscriptional control functions of RNA molecules in archaeal cells. We also discuss recent insights into the regulatory potential of their noncoding RNA partners.

Arabidopsis thaliana NOP10 is required for gametophyte formation

The female gametophyte is crucial for sexual reproduction of higher plants, yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying its development. Here, we report that Arabidopsis thaliana NOP10 (AtNOP10) is required for female gametophyte formation. AtNOP10 was expressed predominantly in the seedling and reproductive tissues, including anthers, pollen grains, and ovules. Mutations in AtNOP10 interrupted mitosis of the functional megaspore during early development and prevented polar nuclear fusion in the embryo sacs. AtNOP10 shares a high level of amino acid sequence similarity with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) NOP10 (ScNOP10), an important component of the H/ACA small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles (H/ACA snoRNPs) implicated in 18S rRNA synthesis and rRNA pseudouridylation. Heterologous expression of ScNOP10 complemented the mutant phenotype of Atnop10. Thus, AtNOP10 influences functional megaspore mitosis and polar nuclear fusion during gametophyte formation in Arabidopsis.

Small nucleolar RNAs: versatile trans-acting molecules of ancient evolutionary origin

The small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are an abundant class of trans-acting RNAs that function in ribosome biogenesis in the eukaryotic nucleolus. Elegant work has revealed that most known snoRNAs guide modification of pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) by base pairing near target sites. Other snoRNAs are involved in cleavage of pre-rRNA by mechanisms that have not yet been detailed. Moreover, our appreciation of the cellular roles of the snoRNAs is expanding with new evidence that snoRNAs also target modification of small nuclear RNAs and messenger RNAs. Many snoRNAs are produced by unorthodox modes of biogenesis including salvage from introns of pre-mRNAs. The recent discovery that homologs of snoRNAs as well as associated proteins exist in the domain Archaea indicates that the RNA-guided RNA modification system is of ancient evolutionary origin. In addition, it has become clear that the RNA component of vertebrate telomerase (an enzyme implicated in cancer and cellular senescence) is related to snoRNAs. During its evolution, vertebrate telomerase RNA appears to have co-opted a snoRNA domain that is essential for the function of telomerase RNA in vivo. The unique properties of snoRNAs are now being harnessed for basic research and therapeutic applications.

Downregulation of NHP2 promotes proper cyst formation in Drosophila ovary

In Drosophila ovary, germline stem cells (GSCs) divide to produce two daughter cells. One daughter is maintained as a GSC, whereas the other initiates cyst formation, a process involving four synchronous mitotic divisions that form 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-cell cysts. In this study, we found that reduction in the level of NHP2, a component of the H/ACA small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein complex that catalyzes rRNA pseudouridylation, promotes progression to 8-cell cysts. NHP2 protein was concentrated in the nucleoli of germline cells during cyst formation. NHP2 expression, as well as the nucleolar size, abruptly decreased during progression from 2-cell to 4-cell cysts. Reduction in NHP2 activity in the germline caused accumulation of 4- and 8-cell cysts and decreased the number of single cells. In addition, NHP2 knockdown impaired the transition to 16-cell cysts. Furthermore, a tumorous phenotype caused by Sex-lethal (Sxl) knockdown, which is characterized by accumulation of single and two-cell cysts, was partially rescued by NHP2 knockdown. When Sxl and NHP2 activities were concomitantly repressed, the numbers of four- and eight-cell cysts were increased. In addition, Sxl protein physically interacted with NHP2 mRNA in ovaries. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that Sxl represses NHP2 activity at the post-transcriptional level to promote proper cyst formation. Because NHP2 knockdown did not affect global protein synthesis in the germarium, we speculate that changes in NHP2-dependent pseudouridylation, which is involved in translation of specific mRNAs, must be intact in order to promote proper cyst formation.

Bioinformatics Analysis of Genes and Pathways of CD11b+/Ly6Cintermediate Macrophages after Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), which could induce the poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanism of the functional changes of CDllb+/Ly6Cintermediate macrophages after renal IRI. The gene expression profiles of CDllb+/Ly6Cintermcdiate macrophages of the sham surgery mice, and the mice 4 h, 24 h and 9 days after renal IRI were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Analysis of mRNA expression profiles was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), biological processes and pathways by the series test of cluster. Protein-protein interaction network was constructed and analysed to discover the key genes. A total of 6738 DEGs were identified and assigned to 20 model profiles. DEGs in profile 13 were one of the predominant expression profiles, which are involved in immune cell chemotaxis and proliferation. Signet analysis showed that Atp5al, Atp5o, Cox4i, Cdc42, Rac2 and Nhp2 were the key genes involved in oxidation-reduction, apoptosis, migration, M1-M2 differentiation, and proliferation of macrophages. RPS18 may be an appreciate reference gene as it was stable in macrophages. The identified DEGs and their enriched pathways investigate factors that may participate in the functional changes of CD 1lb+Ly6Cintermediate macrophages after renal IRI. Moreover, the vital gene Nhp2 may involve the polarization of macrophages, which may be a new target to affect the process of AKI.

The Rio1p ATPase hinders premature entry into translation of late pre-40S pre-ribosomal particles

Cytoplasmic maturation of precursors to the small ribosomal subunit in yeast requires the intervention of a dozen assembly factors (AFs), the precise roles of which remain elusive. One of these is Rio1p that seems to intervene at a late step of pre-40S particle maturation. We have investigated the role played by Rio1p in the dynamic association and dissociation of AFs with and from pre-40S particles. Our results indicate that Rio1p depletion leads to the stalling of at least 4 AFs (Nob1p, Tsr1p, Pno1p/Dim2p and Fap7p) in 80S-like particles. We conclude that Rio1p is important for the timely release of these factors from 80S-like particles. In addition, we present immunoprecipitation and electron microscopy evidence suggesting that when Rio1p is depleted, a subset of Nob1p-containing pre-40S particles associate with translating polysomes. Using Nob1p as bait, we purified pre-40S particles from cells lacking Rio1p and performed ribosome profiling experiments which suggest that immature 40S subunits can carry out translation elongation. We conclude that lack of Rio1p allows premature entry of pre-40S particles in the translation process and that the presence of Nob1p and of the 18S rRNA 3′ extension in the 20S pre-rRNA is not incompatible with translation elongation.

Noncoding RNA Surveillance: The Ends Justify the Means

Numerous surveillance pathways sculpt eukaryotic transcriptomes by degrading unneeded, defective, and potentially harmful noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Because aberrant and excess ncRNAs are largely degraded by exoribonucleases, a key characteristic of these RNAs is an accessible, protein-free 5' or 3' end. Most exoribonucleases function with cofactors that recognize ncRNAs with accessible 5' or 3' ends and/or increase the availability of these ends. Noncoding RNA surveillance pathways were first described in budding yeast, and there are now high-resolution structures of many components of the yeast pathways and significant mechanistic understanding as to how they function. Studies in human cells are revealing the ways in which these pathways both resemble and differ from their yeast counterparts, and are also uncovering numerous pathways that lack equivalents in budding yeast. In this review, we describe both the well-studied pathways uncovered in yeast and the new concepts that are emerging from studies in mammalian cells. We also discuss the ways in which surveillance pathways compete with chaperone proteins that transiently protect nascent ncRNA ends from exoribonucleases, with partner proteins that sequester these ends within RNPs, and with end modification pathways that protect the ends of some ncRNAs from nucleases.

Acute telomerase components depletion triggers oxidative stress as an early event previous to telomeric shortening

Loss of function of dyskerin (DKC1), NOP10 and TIN2 are responsible for different inheritance patterns of Dyskeratosis congenita (DC; ORPHA1775). They are key components of telomerase (DKC1 and NOP10) and shelterin (TIN2), and play an important role in telomere homeostasis. They participate in several fundamental cellular processes by contributing to Dyskeratosis congenita through mechanisms that are not fully understood. Presence of oxidative stress was postulated to result from telomerase ablation. However, the resulting disturbed redox status can promote telomere attrition by generating a vicious circle, which promotes cellular senescence. This fact prompted us to study if acute loss of DKC1, NOP10 and TINF2 can promote redox disequilibrium as an early event when telomere shortening has not yet taken place. We generated siRNA-mediated (DKC1, NOP10 and TINF2) cell lines by RNA interference, which was confirmed by mRNA and protein expression analyses. No telomere shortening occurred in any silenced cell line. Depletion of H/ACA ribonucleoproteins DKC1 and NOP10 diminished telomerase activity via TERC down-regulation, and produced alterations in pseudouridylation and ribosomal biogenesis. An increase in the GSSG/GSH ratio, carbonylated proteins and oxidized peroxiredoxin-6 was observed, in addition to MnSOD and TRX1 overexpression in the siRNA DC cells. Likewise, high PARylation levels and high PARP1 protein expression were detected. In contrast, the silenced TINF2 cells did not alter any evaluated oxidative stress marker. Altogether these findings lead us to conclude that loss of DKC1 and NOP10 functions induces oxidative stress in a telomere shortening independent manner.

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Transient silencing of DKC1 and NOP10 genes produce oxidative stress.

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Cells depleted of DKC1 and NOP10 are susceptible to DNA damage.

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Acute DKC1 and NOP10 depletion disrupts RNA maturation.

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Oxidative stress is an early event previous to telomere shortening.

Synthesis, Function, and Heterogeneity of snoRNA-Guided Posttranscriptional Nucleoside Modifications in Eukaryotic Ribosomal RNAs

Ribosomal RNAs contain numerous 2'-O-methylated nucleosides and pseudouridines. Methylation of the 2' oxygen of ribose moieties and isomerization of uridines into pseudouridines are catalyzed by C/D and H/ACA small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles, respectively. We review the composition, structure, and mode of action of archaeal and eukaryotic C/D and H/ACA particles. Most rRNA modifications cluster in functionally crucial regions of the rRNAs, suggesting they play important roles in translation. Some of these modifications promote global translation efficiency or modulate translation fidelity. Strikingly, recent quantitative nucleoside modification profiling methods have revealed that a subset of modification sites is not always fully modified. The finding of such ribosome heterogeneity is in line with the concept of specialized ribosomes that could preferentially translate specific mRNAs. This emerging concept is supported by findings that some human diseases are caused by defects in the rRNA modification machinery correlated with a significant alteration of IRES-dependent translation.

Posttranscriptional RNA Pseudouridylation

Pseudouridine (Ψ) is the most abundant posttranscriptional modification in noncoding RNAs. Pseudouridines are often clustered in important regions of rRNAs (ribosomal RNAs), snRNAs (small nuclear RNAs), and tRNAs (transfer RNAs), contributing to RNA function. Pseudouridylation is governed by two independent mechanisms. The first involves single protein enzymes called pseudouridine synthases (PUSs) that alone recognize the substrate and catalyze the isomerization of uridine to pseudouridine (RNA-independent pseudouridylation). The second is an RNA-guided pseudouridylation by a family of box H/ACA RNPs (ribonucleoproteins), each of which consists of a unique RNA (box H/ACA RNA) and four common core proteins (Cbf5/NAP57/Dyskerin, Nhp2/L7Ae, Nop10, and Gar1). The RNA component serves as a guide that base pairs with the substrate RNA and directs the enzyme (Cbf5) to carry out the pseudouridylation reaction at a specific site. The crystal structures of many PUSs have been solved in numerous organisms including E. coli and human. Several partial and complete crystal structures of archaea and yeast box H/ACA RNPs are available, providing a rich source of information regarding the molecular interactions between protein components and box H/ACA RNA. Over the years, several experimental systems have been developed to study the mechanism and function of pseudouridylation. Apart from noncoding RNA pseudouridylation, recent experiments have provided evidence of mRNA pseudouridylation as well. Despite remarkable progress, there is a need to accelerate efforts in order to understand the detailed mechanisms and functions of RNA pseudouridylation.

New prospects for targeting telomerase beyond the telomere

Telomerase activity is responsible for the maintenance of chromosome end structures (telomeres) and cancer cell immortality in most human malignancies, making telomerase an attractive therapeutic target. The rationale for targeting components of the telomerase holoenzyme has been strengthened by accumulating evidence indicating that these molecules have extra-telomeric functions in tumour cell survival and proliferation. This Review discusses current knowledge of the biogenesis, structure and multiple functions of telomerase-associated molecules intertwined with recent advances in drug discovery approaches. We also describe the fertile ground available for the pursuit of next-generation small-molecule inhibitors of telomerase.

Molecular basis of telomere dysfunction in human genetic diseases

Mutations in genes encoding proteins required for telomere structure, replication, repair and length maintenance are associated with several debilitating human genetic disorders. These complex telomere biology disorders (TBDs) give rise to critically short telomeres that affect the homeostasis of multiple organs. Furthermore, genome instability is often a hallmark of telomere syndromes, which are associated with increased cancer risk. Here, we summarize the molecular causes and cellular consequences of disease-causing mutations associated with telomere dysfunction.

Accurate placement of substrate RNA by Gar1 in H/ACA RNA-guided pseudouridylation

H/ACA RNA-guided ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP), the most complicated RNA pseudouridylase so far known, uses H/ACA guide RNA for substrate capture and four proteins (Cbf5, Nop10, L7Ae and Gar1) for pseudouridylation. Although it was shown that Gar1 not only facilitates the product release, but also enhances the catalytic activity, the chemical role that Gar1 plays in this complicated machinery is largely unknown. Kinetics measurement on Pyrococcus furiosus RNPs at different temperatures making use of fluorescence anisotropy showed that Gar1 reduces the catalytic barrier through affecting the activation entropy instead of enthalpy. Site-directed mutagenesis combined with molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that V149 in the thumb loop of Cbf5 is critical in placing the target uridine to the right position toward catalytic D85 of Cbf5. The enzyme elegantly aligns the position of uridine in the catalytic site with the help of Gar1. In addition, conversion of uridine to pseudouridine results in a rigid syn configuration of the target nucleotide in the active site and causes Gar1 to pull out the thumb. Both factors guarantee the efficient release of the product.

Protein Hit1, a novel box C/D snoRNP assembly factor, controls cellular concentration of the scaffolding protein Rsa1 by direct interaction

Biogenesis of eukaryotic box C/D small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles (C/D snoRNPs) involves conserved trans-acting factors, which are proposed to facilitate the assembly of the core proteins Snu13p/15.5K, Nop58p/NOP58, Nop56p/NOP56 and Nop1p/Fibrillarin on box C/D small nucleolar RNAs (C/D snoRNAs). In yeast, protein Rsa1 acts as a platform, interacting with both the RNA-binding core protein Snu13 and protein Pih1 of the Hsp82-R2TP chaperone complex. In this work, a proteomic approach coupled with functional and structural studies identifies protein Hit1 as a novel Rsa1p-interacting partner involved in C/D snoRNP assembly. Hit1p contributes to in vivo C/D snoRNA stability and pre-RNA maturation kinetics. It associates with U3 snoRNA precursors and influences its 3'-end processing. Remarkably, Hit1p is required to maintain steady-state levels of Rsa1p. This stabilizing activity is likely to be general across eukaryotic species, as the human protein ZNHIT3(TRIP3) showing sequence homology with Hit1p regulates the abundance of NUFIP1, the Rsa1p functional homolog. The nuclear magnetic resonance solution structure of the Rsa1p317-352-Hit1p70-164 complex reveals a novel mode of protein-protein association explaining the strong stability of the Rsa1p-Hit1p complex. Our biochemical data show that C/D snoRNAs and the core protein Nop58 can interact with the purified Snu13p-Rsa1p-Hit1p heterotrimer.

The role of nuclear bodies in gene expression and disease

This review summarizes the current understanding of the role of nuclear bodies in regulating gene expression. The compartmentalization of cellular processes, such as ribosome biogenesis, RNA processing, cellular response to stress, transcription, modification and assembly of spliceosomal snRNPs, histone gene synthesis and nuclear RNA retention, has significant implications for gene regulation. These functional nuclear domains include the nucleolus, nuclear speckle, nuclear stress body, transcription factory, Cajal body, Gemini of Cajal body, histone locus body and paraspeckle. We herein review the roles of nuclear bodies in regulating gene expression and their relation to human health and disease.

RNA-guided isomerization of uridine to pseudouridine--pseudouridylation

Box H/ACA ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), each consisting of one unique guide RNA and 4 common core proteins, constitute a family of complex enzymes that catalyze, in an RNA-guided manner, the isomerization of uridines to pseudouridines (Ψs) in RNAs, a reaction known as pseudouridylation. Over the years, box H/ACA RNPs have been extensively studied revealing many important aspects of these RNA modifying machines. In this review, we focus on the composition, structure, and biogenesis of H/ACA RNPs. We explain the mechanism of how this enzyme family recognizes and specifies its target uridine in a substrate RNA. We discuss the substrates of box H/ACA RNPs, focusing on rRNA (rRNA) and spliceosomal small nuclear RNA (snRNA). We describe the modification product Ψ and its contribution to RNA function. Finally, we consider possible mechanisms of the bone marrow failure syndrome dyskeratosis congenita and of prostate and other cancers linked to mutations in H/ACA RNPs.

Characterization of the interaction between protein Snu13p/15.5K and the Rsa1p/NUFIP factor and demonstration of its functional importance for snoRNP assembly

The yeast Snu13p protein and its 15.5K human homolog both bind U4 snRNA and box C/D snoRNAs. They also bind the Rsa1p/NUFIP assembly factor, proposed to scaffold immature snoRNPs and to recruit the Hsp90-R2TP chaperone complex. However, the nature of the Snu13p/15.5K–Rsa1p/NUFIP interaction and its exact role in snoRNP assembly remained to be elucidated. By using biophysical, molecular and imaging approaches, here, we identify residues needed for Snu13p/15.5K–Rsa1p/NUFIP interaction. By NMR structure determination and docking approaches, we built a 3D model of the Snup13p–Rsa1p interface, suggesting that residues R₂₄₉, R₂₄₆ and K₂₅₀ in Rsa1p and E₇₂ and D₇₃ in Snu13p form a network of electrostatic interactions shielded from the solvent by hydrophobic residues from both proteins and that residue W₂₅₃ of Rsa1p is inserted in a hydrophobic cavity of Snu13p. Individual mutations of residues in yeast demonstrate the functional importance of the predicted interactions for both cell growth and snoRNP formation. Using archaeal box C/D sRNP 3D structures as templates, the association of Snu13p with Rsa1p is predicted to be exclusive of interactions in active snoRNPs. Rsa1p and NUFIP may thus prevent premature activity of pre-snoRNPs, and their removal may be a key step for active snoRNP production.

RNA pseudouridylation: new insights into an old modification

Pseudouridine is the most abundant post-transcriptionally modified nucleotide in various stable RNAs of all organisms. Pseudouridine is derived from uridine via base-specific isomerization, resulting in an extra hydrogen-bond donor that distinguishes it from other nucleotides. In eukaryotes, uridine-to-pseudouridine isomerization is catalyzed primarily by box H/ACA RNPs, ribonucleoproteins that act as pseudouridylases. When introduced into RNA, pseudouridine contributes significantly to RNA-mediated cellular processes. It was recently discovered that pseudouridylation can be induced by stress, suggesting a regulatory role for pseudouridine. It has also been reported that pseudouridine can be artificially introduced into mRNA by box H/ACA RNPs and that such introduction can mediate nonsense-to-sense codon conversion, thus demonstrating a new means of generating coding or protein diversity.

Transcriptome analysis of the parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi: an in-depth examination of pre-mRNA splicing in a reduced eukaryote

BACKGROUND

The microsporidian Encephalitozoon cuniculi possesses one of the most reduced and compacted eukaryotic genomes. Reduction in this intracellular parasite has affected major cellular machinery, including the loss of over fifty core spliceosomal components compared to S. cerevisiae. To identify expression changes throughout the parasite's life cycle and also to assess splicing in the context of this reduced system, we examined the transcriptome of E. cuniculi using Illumina RNA-seq.

RESULTS

We observed that nearly all genes are expressed at three post-infection time-points examined. A large fraction of genes are differentially expressed between the first and second (37.7%) and first and third (43.8%) time-points, while only four genes are differentially expressed between the latter two. Levels of intron splicing are very low, with 81% of junctions spliced at levels below 50%. This is dramatically lower than splicing levels found in two other fungal species examined. We also describe the first case of alternative splicing in a microsporidian, an unexpected complexity given the reduction in spliceosomal components.

CONCLUSIONS

Low levels of splicing observed are likely the result of an inefficient spliceosome; however, at least in one case, splicing appears to be playing a functional role. Although several RNA decay genes are encoded in E. cuniculi, the lack of a few key players could be reducing decay levels and therefore increasing the proportion of unspliced transcripts. Significant proportions of genes are differentially expressed in the first forty-eight hours but not after, indicative of genetic changes that precede the intracellular to infective stage transition.

A comparative transcriptomic analysis reveals conserved features of stem cell pluripotency in planarians and mammals

Many long-lived species of animals require the function of adult stem cells throughout their lives. However, the transcriptomes of stem cells in invertebrates and vertebrates have not been compared, and consequently, ancestral regulatory circuits that control stem cell populations remain poorly defined. In this study, we have used data from high-throughput RNA sequencing to compare the transcriptomes of pluripotent adult stem cells from planarians with the transcriptomes of human and mouse pluripotent embryonic stem cells. From a stringently defined set of 4,432 orthologs shared between planarians, mice and humans, we identified 123 conserved genes that are ≥5-fold differentially expressed in stem cells from all three species. Guided by this gene set, we used RNAi screening in adult planarians to discover novel stem cell regulators, which we found to affect the stem cell-associated functions of tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and stem cell maintenance. Examples of genes that disrupted these processes included the orthologs of TBL3, PSD12, TTC27, and RACK1. From these analyses, we concluded that by comparing stem cell transcriptomes from diverse species, it is possible to uncover conserved factors that function in stem cell biology. These results provide insights into which genes comprised the ancestral circuitry underlying the control of stem cell self-renewal and pluripotency.

Telomere lengthening and other functions of telomerase

Telomerase is an enzyme that maintains the length of the telomere. The telomere length specifies the number of divisions a cell can undergo before it finally dies (i.e. the proliferative potential of cells). For example, telomerase is activated in embryonic cell lines and the telomere length is maintained at a constant level; therefore, these cells have an unlimited fission potential. Stem cells are characterized by a lower telomerase activity, which enables only partial compensation for the shortening of telomeres. Somatic cells are usually characterized by the absence of telomerase activity. Telomere shortening leads to the attainment of the Hayflick limit, the transition of cells to a state of senescence. The cells subsequently enter a state of crisis, accompanied by massive cell death. The surviving cells become cancer cells, which are capable both of dividing indefinitely and maintaining telomere length (usually with the aid of telomerase). Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase. It consists of two major components: telomerase RNA (TER) and reverse transcriptase (TERT). TER is a non-coding RNA, and it contains the region which serves as a template for telomere synthesis. An increasing number of articles focussing on the alternative functions of telomerase components have recently started appearing. The present review summarizes data on the structure, biogenesis, and functions of telomerase.

Mammalian HCA66 protein is required for both ribosome synthesis and centriole duplication

Ribosome production, one of the most energy-consuming biosynthetic activities in living cells, is adjusted to growth conditions and coordinated with the cell cycle. Connections between ribosome synthesis and cell cycle progression have been described, but the underlying mechanisms remain only partially understood. The human HCA66 protein was recently characterized as a component of the centrosome, the major microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) in mammalian cells, and was shown to be required for centriole duplication and assembly of the mitotic spindle. We show here that HCA66 is also required for nucleolar steps of the maturation of the 40S ribosomal subunit and therefore displays a dual function. Overexpression of a dominant negative version of HCA66, accumulating at the centrosome but absent from the nucleoli, alters centrosome function but has no effect on pre-rRNA processing, suggesting that HCA66 acts independently in each process. In yeast and HeLa cells, depletion of MTOC components does not impair ribosome synthesis. Hence our results suggest that both in yeast and human cells, assembly of a functional MTOC and ribosome synthesis are not closely connected processes.

Discovery of Pyrobaculum small RNA families with atypical pseudouridine guide RNA features

In the Eukarya and Archaea, small RNA-guided pseudouridine modification is believed to be an essential step in ribosomal RNA maturation. While readily modeled and identified by computational methods in eukaryotic species, these guide RNAs have not been found in most archaeal genomes. Using high-throughput transcriptome sequencing and comparative genomics, we have identified ten novel small RNA families that appear to function as H/ACA pseudouridylation guide sRNAs, yet surprisingly lack several expected canonical features. The new RNA genes are transcribed and highly conserved across at least six species in the archaeal hyperthermophilic genus Pyrobaculum. The sRNAs exhibit a single hairpin structure interrupted by a conserved kink-turn motif, yet only two of ten families contain the complete canonical structure found in all other H/ACA sRNAs. Half of the sRNAs lack the conserved 3'-terminal ACA sequence, and many contain only a single 3' guide region rather than the canonical 5' and 3' bipartite guides. The predicted sRNA structures contain guide sequences that exhibit strong complementarity to ribosomal RNA or transfer RNA. Most of the predicted targets of pseudouridine modification are structurally equivalent to those known in other species. One sRNA appears capable of guiding pseudouridine modification at positions U54 and U55 in most or all Pyrobaculum tRNAs. We experimentally tested seven predicted pseudouridine modifications in ribosomal RNA, and all but one was confirmed. The structural insights provided by this new set of Pyrobaculum sRNAs will augment existing models and may facilitate the identification and characterization of new guide sRNAs in other archaeal species.

Zebrafish models for dyskeratosis congenita reveal critical roles of p53 activation contributing to hematopoietic defects through RNA processing

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare bone marrow failure syndrome in which hematopoietic defects are the main cause of mortality. The most studied gene responsible for DC pathogenesis is DKC1 while mutations in several other genes encoding components of the H/ACA RNP telomerase complex, which is involved in ribosomal RNA(rRNA) processing and telomere maintenance, have also been implicated. GAR1/nola1 is one of the four core proteins of the H/ACA RNP complex. Through comparative analysis of morpholino oligonucleotide induced knockdown of dkc1 and a retrovirus insertion induced mutation of GAR1/nola1 in zebrafish, we demonstrate that hematopoietic defects are specifically recapitulated in these models and that these defects are significantly reduced in a p53 null mutant background. We further show that changes in telomerase activity are undetectable at the early stages of DC pathogenesis but rRNA processing is clearly defective. Our data therefore support a model that deficiency in dkc1 and nola1 in the H/ACA RNP complex likely contributes to the hematopoietic phenotype through p53 activation associated with rRNA processing defects rather than telomerase deficiency during the initial stage of DC pathogenesis.

The H/ACA RNP assembly factor SHQ1 functions as an RNA mimic

SHQ1 is an essential assembly factor for H/ACA ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) required for ribosome biogenesis, pre-mRNA splicing, and telomere maintenance. SHQ1 binds dyskerin/NAP57, the catalytic subunit of human H/ACA RNPs, and this interaction is modulated by mutations causing X-linked dyskeratosis congenita. We report the crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of yeast SHQ1, Shq1p, and its complex with yeast dyskerin/NAP57, Cbf5p, lacking its catalytic domain. The C-terminal domain of Shq1p interacts with the RNA-binding domain of Cbf5p and, through structural mimicry, uses the RNA-protein-binding sites to achieve a specific protein-protein interface. We propose that Shq1p operates as a Cbf5p chaperone during RNP assembly by acting as an RNA placeholder, thereby preventing Cbf5p from nonspecific RNA binding before association with an H/ACA RNA and the other core RNP proteins.

Utp23p is required for dissociation of snR30 small nucleolar RNP from preribosomal particles

Yeast snR30 is an essential box H/ACA small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) that promotes 18S rRNA processing through forming transient base-pairing interactions with the newly synthesized 35S pre-rRNA. By using a novel tandem RNA affinity selection approach, followed by coimmunoprecipitation and in vivo cross-linking experiments, we demonstrate that in addition to the four H/ACA core proteins, Cbf5p, Nhp2p, Nop10p and Gar1p, a fraction of snR30 specifically associates with the Utp23p and Kri1p nucleolar proteins. Depletion of Utp23p and Kri1p has no effect on the accumulation and recruitment of snR30 to the nascent pre-ribosomes. However, in the absence of Utp23p, the majority of snR30 accumulates in large pre-ribosomal particles. The retained snR30 is not base-paired with the 35S pre-rRNA, indicating that its aberrant tethering to nascent preribosomes is likely mediated by pre-ribosomal protein(s). Thus, Utp23p may promote conformational changes of the pre-ribosome, essential for snR30 release. Neither Utp23p nor Kri1p is required for recruitment of snR30 to the nascent pre-ribosome. On the contrary, depletion of snR30 prevents proper incorporation of both Utp23p and Kri1p into the 90S pre-ribosome containing the 35S pre-rRNA, indicating that snR30 plays a central role in the assembly of functionally active small subunit processome.

A zebrafish model of dyskeratosis congenita reveals hematopoietic stem cell formation failure resulting from ribosomal protein-mediated p53 stabilization

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a bone marrow failure disorder characterized by shortened telomeres, defective stem cell maintenance, and highly heterogeneous phenotypes affecting predominantly tissues that require high rates of turnover. Here we present a mutant zebrafish line with decreased expression of nop10, one of the known H/ACA RNP complex genes with mutations linked to DC. We demonstrate that this nop10 loss results in 18S rRNA processing defects and collapse of the small ribosomal subunit, coupled to stabilization of the p53 tumor suppressor protein through small ribosomal proteins binding to Mdm2. These mutants also display a hematopoietic stem cell deficiency that is reversible on loss of p53 function. However, we detect no changes in telomere length in nop10 mutants. Our data support a model of DC whereupon in early development mutations involved in the H/ACA complex contribute to bone marrow failure through p53 deregulation and loss of initial stem cell numbers while their role in telomere maintenance does not contribute to DC until later in life.

Identification of novel proteins associated with yeast snR30 small nucleolar RNA

H/ACA small nucleolar RNPs (snoRNPs) that guide pseudouridylation reactions are comprised of one small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) and four common proteins (Cbf5, Gar1, Nhp2 and Nop10). Unlike other H/ACA snoRNPs, snR30 is essential for the early processing reactions that lead to the production of 18S ribosomal RNA in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To determine whether snR30 RNP contains specific proteins that contribute to its unique functional properties, we devised an affinity purification strategy using TAP-tagged Gar1 and an RNA aptamer inserted in snR30 snoRNA to selectively purify the RNP. Northern blotting and pCp labeling experiments showed that S1-tagged snR30 snoRNA can be selectively purified with streptavidin beads. Protein analysis revealed that aptamer-tagged snR30 RNA was associated with the four H/ACA proteins and a number of additional proteins: Nop6, ribosomal proteins S9 and S18 and histones H2B and H4. Using antibodies raised against Nop6 we show that endogenous Nop6 localizes to the nucleolus and that it cosediments with snR30 snoRNA in sucrose density gradients. We demonstrate through primer extension experiments that snR30 snoRNA is required for cleavages at site A0, A1 and A2, and that the absence of Nop6 decreases the efficiency of cleavage at site A2. Finally, electron microscopy analyses of chromatin spreads from cells depleted of snR30 snoRNA show that it is required for SSU processome assembly.

Structure of H/ACA RNP protein Nhp2p reveals cis/trans isomerization of a conserved proline at the RNA and Nop10 binding interface

H/ACA small nucleolar and Cajal body ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) function in site-specific pseudouridylation of eukaryotic rRNA and snRNA, rRNA processing, and vertebrate telomerase biogenesis. Nhp2, one of four essential protein components of eukaryotic H/ACA RNPs, forms a core trimer with the pseudouridylase Cbf5 and Nop10 that binds to H/ACA RNAs specifically. Crystal structures of archaeal H/ACA RNPs have revealed how the protein components interact with each other and with the H/ACA RNA. However, in place of Nhp2p, archaeal H/ACA RNPs contain L7Ae, which binds specifically to an RNA K-loop motif absent from eukaryotic H/ACA RNPs, while Nhp2 binds a broader range of RNA structures. We report solution NMR studies of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nhp2 (Nhp2p), which reveal that Nhp2p exhibits two major conformations in solution due to cis/trans isomerization of the evolutionarily conserved Pro83. The equivalent proline is in the cis conformation in all reported structures of L7Ae and other homologous proteins. Nhp2p has the expected α-β-α fold, but the solution structures of the major conformation of Nhp2p with trans Pro83 and of Nhp2p-S82W with cis Pro83 reveal that Pro83 cis/trans isomerization affects the positions of numerous residues at the Nop10 and RNA binding interface. An S82W substitution, which stabilizes the cis conformation, also stabilizes the association of Nhp2p with H/ACA snoRNPs expressed in vivo. We propose that Pro83 plays a key role in the assembly of the eukaryotic H/ACA RNP, with the cis conformation locking in a stable Cbf5-Nop10-Nhp2 ternary complex and positioning the protein backbone to interact with the H/ACA RNA.

Structural and functional evidence of high specificity of Cbf5 for ACA trinucleotide

Cbf5 is the catalytic subunit of the H/ACA small nucleolar/Cajal body ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs) responsible for site specific isomerization of uridine in ribosomal and small nuclear RNA. Recent evidence from studies on archaeal Cbf5 suggests its second functional role in modifying tRNA U55 independent of guide RNA. In order to act both as a stand-alone and a RNP pseudouridine synthase, Cbf5 must differentiate features in H/ACA RNA from those in tRNA or rRNA. Most H/ACA RNAs contain a hallmark ACA trinucleotide downstream of the H/ACA motif. Here we challenged an archaeal Cbf5 (in the form of a ternary complex with its accessory proteins Nop10 and Gar1) with T-stem-loop RNAs with or without ACA trinucleotide in the stem. Although these substrates were previously shown to be substrates for the bacterial stand-alone pseudouridine synthase TruB, the Cbf5-Nop10-Gar1 complex was only able to modify those without ACA trinucleotide. A crystal structure of Cbf5-Nop10-Gar1 trimer bound with an ACA-containing T-stem-loop revealed that the ACA trinucleotide detracted Cbf5 from the stand-alone binding mode, thereby suggesting that the H/ACA RNP-associated function of Cbf5 likely supersedes its stand-alone function.

Post-transcriptional modification of RNAs by artificial Box H/ACA and Box C/D RNPs

RNA-guided RNA 2'-O-methylation and pseudouridylation are naturally occurring processes, in which guide RNAs specifically direct modifications to rRNAs or spliceosomal snRNAs in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Modifications can profoundly alter the properties of an RNA, thus influencing the contributions of the RNA to the cellular process in which it participates. Recently, it has been shown that, by expressing artificial guide RNAs (derived from naturally occurring guide RNAs), modifications can also be specifically introduced into other RNAs, thus offering an opportunity to study RNAs in vivo. Here, we present strategies for constructing guide RNAs and manipulating RNA modifications in the nucleus.

A novel Nop5-sRNA interaction that is required for efficient archaeal box C/D sRNP formation

Archaeal and eukaryotic box C/D RNPs catalyze the 2'-O-methylation of ribosomal RNA, a modification that is essential for the correct folding and function of the ribosome. Each archaeal RNP contains three core proteins--L7Ae, Nop5, and fibrillarin (methyltransferase)--and a box C/D sRNA. Base-pairing between the sRNA guide region and the rRNA directs target site selection with the C/D and related C'/D' motifs functioning as protein binding sites. Recent structural analysis of in vitro assembled archaeal complexes has produced two divergent models of box C/D sRNP structure. In one model, the complex is proposed to be monomeric, while the other suggests a dimeric sRNP. The position of the RNA in the RNP is significantly different in each model. We have used UV-cross-linking to characterize protein-RNA contacts in the in vitro assembled Pyrococcus furiosus box C/D sRNP. The P. furiosus sRNP components assemble into complexes that are the expected size of di-sRNPs. Analysis of UV-induced protein-RNA cross-links revealed a novel interaction between the ALFR motif, in the Nop domain of Nop5, and the guide/spacer regions of the sRNA. We show that the ALFR motif and the spacer sequence adjacent to box C or C' are important for box C/D sRNP assembly in vitro. These data therefore reveal new RNA-protein contacts in the box C/D sRNP and suggest a role for Nop5 in substrate binding and/or release.