The Xenopus intron-encoded U17 snoRNA is produced by exonucleolytic processing of its precursor in oocytes

Splicing inactivation generates hybrid mRNA-snoRNA transcripts targeted by cytoplasmic RNA decay

Many small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA)s are processed from introns of host genes, but the importance of splicing for proper biogenesis and the fate of the snoRNAs is not well understood. Here, we show that inactivation of splicing factors or mutation of splicing signals leads to the accumulation of partially processed hybrid messenger RNA-snoRNA (hmsnoRNA) transcripts. hmsnoRNAs are processed to the mature 3' ends of the snoRNAs by the nuclear exosome and bound by small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins. hmsnoRNAs are unaffected by translation-coupled RNA quality-control pathways, but they are degraded by the major cytoplasmic exonuclease Xrn1p, due to their messenger RNA (mRNA)-like 5' extensions. These results show that completion of splicing is required to promote complete and accurate processing of intron-encoded snoRNAs and that splicing defects lead to degradation of hybrid mRNA-snoRNA species by cytoplasmic decay, underscoring the importance of splicing for the biogenesis of intron-encoded snoRNAs.

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.

Maturation of mammalian H/ACA box snoRNAs: PAPD5-dependent adenylation and PARN-dependent trimming

Small nucleolar and small Cajal body RNAs (snoRNAs and scaRNAs) of the H/ACA box and C/D box type are generated by exonucleolytic shortening of longer precursors. Removal of the last few nucleotides at the 3' end is known to be a distinct step. We report that, in human cells, knock-down of the poly(A) specific ribonuclease (PARN), previously implicated only in mRNA metabolism, causes the accumulation of oligoadenylated processing intermediates of H/ACA box but not C/D box RNAs. In agreement with a role of PARN in snoRNA and scaRNA processing, the enzyme is concentrated in nucleoli and Cajal bodies. Oligo(A) tails are attached to a short stub of intron sequence remaining beyond the mature 3' end of the snoRNAs. The noncanonical poly(A) polymerase PAPD5 is responsible for addition of the oligo(A) tails. We suggest that deadenylation is coupled to clean 3' end trimming, which might serve to enhance snoRNA stability.

Evolutionary profiling of the U49 snoRNA gene

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are involved in precursor ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) processing and rRNA base modifications (2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation). Their genomic organization show great flexibility: some are individually or polycistronically transcribed, while others are encoded within introns of other genes. Here, we present an evolutionary analysis of the U49 gene in seven species. In all species analyzed, U49 contains the typical hallmarks of C and D box motifs, and a conserved 12-15 nt sequence complementary to rRNA that define them as homologs. In mouse, human, and Drosophila U49 is found encoded within introns of different genes, and in plants it is transcribed polycistronically from four different locations. In addition, U49 has two copies in two different introns of the RpL14 gene in Drosophila. The results indicate a substantial degree of duplication and translocation of the U49 gene in evolution. In light of its variable organization we discuss which of the two proposed mechanisms of rearrangement has acted upon the U49 snoRNA gene: chromosomal duplication or transposition through an RNA intermediate.

Structural and sequence evolution of U17 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) and its phylogenetic congruence in chelonians

Vertebrate U17 RNA is an intron-encoded H/CA box containing snoRNA, which has been intensively studied in the last decade, though its precise role in ribosome biogenesis is not yet clear. A consensus secondary structure for the U17 RNA molecule has been derived from the comparative sequence and structural evolution analysis of U17 snoRNA among vertebrates. Its phylogenetic congruence above class level has been tested and preliminary data on chelonians suggest that also in this order, U17 snoRNA evolved congruently with phylogeny. We herein extend our analysis to other components of this reptile group. According to the sequence data that have also emerged from chelonians, the U17 RNA molecule can be divided into two main domains: the 5'-variable domain, which presents the sequence motifs capable of base-pairing with the 18S rRNA target and spanning STEM1, -2, and -3, and the 3'-conserved domain, consisting of STEM4. In vertebrates, the latter RNA region shows a high conservation both in secondary structure and in the presence of the three sequence motifs 5'-AUUCCUA-3', 5'-U(G/U)ACU-3', and 5'-AACCC-3'. We tested the phylogenetic congruence of U17 evolution with chelonian relationships: Our results are significantly similar to those emerging from mtDNA and morphological systematics. Some discrepancies (e.g., the position of Platysternon) need to be addressed in greater depth.

The evolution of controlled multitasked gene networks: the role of introns and other noncoding RNAs in the development of complex organisms

Eukaryotic phenotypic diversity arises from multitasking of a core proteome of limited size. Multitasking is routine in computers, as well as in other sophisticated information systems, and requires multiple inputs and outputs to control and integrate network activity. Higher eukaryotes have a mosaic gene structure with a dual output, mRNA (protein-coding) sequences and introns, which are released from the pre-mRNA by posttranscriptional processing. Introns have been enormously successful as a class of sequences and comprise up to 95% of the primary transcripts of protein-coding genes in mammals. In addition, many other transcripts (perhaps more than half) do not encode proteins at all, but appear both to be developmentally regulated and to have genetic function. We suggest that these RNAs (eRNAs) have evolved to function as endogenous network control molecules which enable direct gene-gene communication and multitasking of eukaryotic genomes. Analysis of a range of complex genetic phenomena in which RNA is involved or implicated, including co-suppression, transgene silencing, RNA interference, imprinting, methylation, and transvection, suggests that a higher-order regulatory system based on RNA signals operates in the higher eukaryotes and involves chromatin remodeling as well as other RNA-DNA, RNA-RNA, and RNA-protein interactions. The evolution of densely connected gene networks would be expected to result in a relatively stable core proteome due to the multiple reuse of components, implying that cellular differentiation and phenotypic variation in the higher eukaryotes results primarily from variation in the control architecture. Thus, network integration and multitasking using trans-acting RNA molecules produced in parallel with protein-coding sequences may underpin both the evolution of developmentally sophisticated multicellular organisms and the rapid expansion of phenotypic complexity into uncontested environments such as those initiated in the Cambrian radiation and those seen after major extinction events.

Processing of intron-encoded box C/D small nucleolar RNAs lacking a 5',3'-terminal stem structure

The C and D box-containing (box C/D) small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) function in the nucleolytic processing and 2'-O-methylation of precursor rRNA. In vertebrates, most box C/D snoRNAs are processed from debranched pre-mRNA introns by exonucleolytic activities. Elements directing accurate snoRNA excision are located within the snoRNA itself; they comprise the conserved C and D boxes and an adjoining 5',3'-terminal stem. Although the terminal stem has been demonstrated to be essential for snoRNA accumulation, many snoRNAs lack a terminal helix. To identify the cis-acting elements supporting the accumulation of intron-encoded box C/D snoRNAs devoid of a terminal stem, we have investigated the in vivo processing of the human U46 snoRNA and an artificial snoRNA from the human beta-globin pre-mRNA. We demonstrate that internal and/or external stem structures located within the snoRNA or in the intronic flanking sequences support the accumulation of mammalian box C/D snoRNAs lacking a canonical terminal stem. In the intronic precursor RNA, transiently formed external and/or stable internal base-pairing interactions fold the C and D boxes together and therefore facilitate the binding of snoRNP proteins. Since the external intronic stems are degraded during snoRNA processing, we propose that the C and D boxes alone can provide metabolic stability for the mature snoRNA.

Ribosome synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The synthesis of ribosomes is one of the major metabolic pathways in all cells. In addition to around 75 individual ribosomal proteins and 4 ribosomal RNAs, synthesis of a functional eukaryotic ribosome requires a remarkable number of trans-acting factors. Here, we will discuss the recent, and often surprising, advances in our understanding of ribosome synthesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These will underscore the unexpected complexity of eukaryotic ribosome synthesis.

Identification of a novel element required for processing of intron-encoded box C/D small nucleolar RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Processing of intron-encoded box C/D small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) in metazoans through both the splicing-dependent and -independent pathways requires the conserved core motif formed by boxes C and D and the adjoining 5'-3'-terminal stem. By comparative analysis, we found that five out of six intron-encoded box C/D snoRNAs in yeast do not possess a canonical terminal stem. Instead, complementary regions within the flanking host intron sequences have been identified in all these cases. Here we show that these sequences are essential for processing of U18 and snR38 snoRNAs and that they compensate for the lack of a canonical terminal stem. We also show that the Rnt1p endonuclease, previously shown to be required for the processing of many snoRNAs encoded by monocistronic or polycistronic transcriptional units, is not required for U18 processing. Our results suggest a role of the complementary sequences in the early recognition of intronic snoRNA substrates and point out the importance of base pairing in favoring the communication between boxes C and D at the level of pre-snoRNA molecules for efficient assembly with snoRNP-specific factors.

Box H and box ACA are nucleolar localization elements of U17 small nucleolar RNA

The nucleolar localization elements (NoLEs) of U17 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), which is essential for rRNA processing and belongs to the box H/ACA snoRNA family, were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. Injection of mutant U17 transcripts into Xenopus laevis oocyte nuclei revealed that deletion of stems 1, 2, and 4 of U17 snoRNA reduced but did not prevent nucleolar localization. The deletion of stem 3 had no adverse effect. Therefore, the hairpins of the hairpin-hinge-hairpin-tail structure formed by these stems are not absolutely critical for nucleolar localization of U17, nor are sequences within stems 1, 3, and 4, which may tether U17 to the rRNA precursor by base pairing. In contrast, box H and box ACA are major NoLEs; their combined substitution or deletion abolished nucleolar localization of U17 snoRNA. Mutation of just box H or just the box ACA region alone did not fully abolish the nucleolar localization of U17. This indicates that the NoLEs of the box H/ACA snoRNA family function differently from the bipartite NoLEs (conserved boxes C and D) of box C/D snoRNAs, where mutation of either box alone prevents nucleolar localization.

Splicing-independent processing of plant box C/D and box H/ACA small nucleolar RNAs

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are involved in various aspects of ribosome biogenesis and rRNA maturation. Plants have a unique organisation of snoRNA genes where multiple, different genes are tightly clustered at a number of different loci. The maize gene clusters studied here include genes from both of the two major classes of snoRNAs (box C/D and box H/ACA) and are transcribed as a polycistronic pre-snoRNA transcript from an upstream promoter. In contrast to vertebrate and yeast intron-encoded snoRNAs, which are processed from debranched introns by exonuclease activity, the particular organisation of plant snoRNA genes suggests a different mode of expression and processing. Here we show that single and multiple plant snoRNAs can be processed from both non-intronic and intronic transcripts such that processing is splicing-independent and requires endonucleolytic activity. Processing of these different snoRNAs from the same polycistronic transcript suggests that the processing machineries needed by each class are not spatially separated in the nucleolus/nucleus.

Seven novel methylation guide small nucleolar RNAs are processed from a common polycistronic transcript by Rat1p and RNase III in yeast

Through a computer search of the genome of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the coding sequences of seven different box C/D antisense small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) with the structural hallmarks of guides for rRNA ribose methylation have been detected clustered over a 1.4-kb tract in an inter-open reading frame region of chromosome XIII. The corresponding snoRNAs have been positively identified in yeast cells. Disruption of the nonessential snoRNA gene cluster specifically suppressed the seven cognate rRNA ribose methylations but did not result in any growth delay under the conditions of yeast culture tested. The seven snoRNAs are processed from a common polycistronic transcript synthesized from an independent promoter, similar to some plant snoRNAs but in marked contrast with their vertebrate functional homologues processed from pre-mRNA introns containing a single snoRNA. Processing of the polycistronic precursor requires nucleases also involved in rRNA processing, i.e., Rnt1p and Rat1p. After disruption of the RNT1 gene, the yeast ortholog of bacterial RNase III, production of the seven mature snoRNAs was abolished, while the polycistronic snoRNA precursor accumulated. In cells lacking functional Rat1p, an exonuclease involved in the processing of both pre-rRNA and intron-encoded snoRNAs, several processing intermediates of the polycistronic precursor accumulated. This allowed for the mapping in the precursor of the presumptive Rnt1p endonucleolytic cuts which provide entry sites for subsequent exonucleolytic trimming of the pre-snoRNAs. In line with known properties of double-stranded RNA-specific RNase III, pairs of Rnt1p cuts map next to each other on opposite strands of long double-helical stems in the secondary structure predicted for the polycistronic snoRNA precursor.

Elements essential for accumulation and function of small nucleolar RNAs directing site-specific pseudouridylation of ribosomal RNAs

During site-specific pseudouridylation of eukaryotic rRNAs, selection of correct substrate uridines for isomerization into pseudouridine is directed by small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). The pseudouridylation guide snoRNAs share a common 'hairpin-hinge- hairpin-tail' secondary structure and two conserved sequence motifs, the H and ACA boxes, located in the single-stranded hinge and tail regions, respectively. In the 5'- and/or 3'-terminal hairpin, an internal loop structure, the pseudouridylation pocket, selects the target uridine through formation of base-pairing interactions with rRNAs. Here, essential elements for accumulation and function of rRNA pseudouridylation guide snoRNAs have been analysed by expressing various mutant yeast snR5, snR36 and human U65 snoRNAs in yeast cells. We demonstrate that the H and ACA boxes that are required for formation of the correct 5' and 3' ends of the snoRNA, respectively, are also essential for the pseudouridylation reaction directed by both the 5'- and 3'-terminal pseudouridylation pockets. Similarly, RNA helices flanking the two pseudouridylation pockets are equally essential for pseudouridylation reactions mediated by either the 5' or 3' hairpin structure, indicating that the two hairpin domains function in a highly co-operative manner. Finally, we demonstrate that by manipulating the rRNA recognition motifs of pseudouridylation guide snoRNAs, novel pseudouridylation sites can be generated in yeast rRNAs.

Intronic snoRNA biosynthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae depends on the lariat-debranching enzyme: intron length effects and activity of a precursor snoRNA

The eukaryotic small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are involved in processing of pre-rRNA and modification of rRNA nucleotides. Some snoRNAs are derived from mono- or polycistronic transcription units, whereas others are encoded in introns of protein genes. The present study addresses the role of the RNA lariat-debranching enzyme (Dbr1p) in the synthesis and function of intronic snoRNAs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Intronic snoRNA production was determined to depend on Dbr1p. Accumulation of mature intronic snoRNAs is reduced in a dbr1 mutant; instead, intronic snoRNAs are "trapped" within host intron lariats. Interestingly, the extent of intronic snoRNA accumulation in the form of lariats in dbr1 cells varied among different intronic snoRNAs. Intronic snoRNAs encoded within shorter introns, such as U24 and snR38, accumulate more unprocessed lariat precursors than those encoded within longer introns, e.g., U18 and snR39. This correlation was corroborated by experiments conducted with model intron:U24 snoRNA constructs. These results support a splicing-dependent exonucleolytic pathway for the biosynthesis of intronic snoRNAs. Curiously, U24 in a lariat may be functional in directing methylation of ribosomal RNA.

The host gene for intronic U17 small nucleolar RNAs in mammals has no protein-coding potential and is a member of the 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine gene family

Intron-encoded U17a and U17b RNAs are members of the H/ACA-box class of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) participating in rRNA processing and modification. We have investigated the organization and expression of the U17 locus in human cells and found that intronic U17a and U17b sequences are transcribed as part of the three-exon transcription unit, named U17HG, positioned approximately 9 kb upstream of the RCC1 locus. Comparison of the human and mouse U17HG genes has revealed that snoRNA-encoding intron sequences but not exon sequences are conserved between the two species and that neither human nor mouse spliced U17HG poly(A)+ RNAs have the potential to code for proteins. Analyses of polysome profiles and effects of translation inhibitors on the abundance of U17HG RNA in HeLa cells indicated that despite its cytoplasmic localization, little if any U17HG RNA is associated with polysomes. This distinguishes U17HG RNA from another non-protein-coding snoRNA host gene product, UHG RNA, described previously (K. T. Tycowski, M. D. Shu, and J. A. Steitz, Nature 379:464-466, 1996). Determination of the 5' terminus of the U17HG RNA revealed that transcription of the U17HG gene starts with a C residue followed by a polypyrimidine tract, making this gene a member of the 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine (5'TOP) family, which includes genes encoding ribosomal proteins and some translation factors. Interestingly, other known snoRNA host genes, including the UHG gene (Tycowski et al., op. cit.), have features of the 5'TOP genes. Similar characteristics of the transcription start site regions in snoRNA host and ribosomal protein genes raise the possibility that expression of components of ribosome biogenesis and translational machineries is coregulated.

In vitro assembly of the mouse U14 snoRNP core complex and identification of a 65-kDa box C/D-binding protein

The eukaryotic nucleolus contains a diverse population of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) that have been categorized into two major families based on evolutionarily conserved sequence elements. U14 snoRNA is a member of the larger, box C/D snoRNA family and possesses nucleotide box C and D consensus sequences. In previous studies, we have defined a U14 box C/D core motif that is essential for intronic U14 snoRNA processing. These studies also revealed that nuclear proteins that recognize boxes C/D are required. We have now established an in vitro U14 snoRNP assembly system to characterize protein binding. Electrophoretic mobility-shift analysis demonstrated that all the sequences and structures of the box C/D core motif required for U14 processing are also necessary for protein binding and snoRNP assembly. These required elements include a base paired 5',3' terminal stem and the phylogenetically conserved nucleotides of boxes C and D. The ability of other box C/D snoRNAs to compete for protein binding demonstrated that the box C/D core motif-binding proteins are common to this family of snoRNAs. UV crosslinking of nuclear proteins bound to the U14 core motif identified a 65-kDa mouse snoRNP protein that requires boxes C and D for binding. Two additional core motif proteins of 55 and 50 kDa were also identified by biochemical fractionation of the in vitro-assembled U14 snoRNP complex. Thus, the U14 snoRNP core complex is a multiprotein particle whose assembly requires nucleotide boxes C and D.

Processing of the precursors to small nucleolar RNAs and rRNAs requires common components

The genes encoding the small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) species snR190 and U14 are located close together in the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we report that these two snoRNAs are synthesized by processing of a larger common transcript. In strains mutant for two 5'-->3' exonucleases, Xrn1p and Rat1p, families of 5'-extended forms of snR190 and U14 accumulate; these have 5' extensions of up to 42 and 55 nucleotides, respectively. We conclude that the 5' ends of both snR190 and U14 are generated by exonuclease digestion from upstream processing sites. In contrast to snR190 and U14, the snoRNAs U18 and U24 are excised from the introns of pre-mRNAs which encode proteins in their exonic sequences. Analysis of RNA extracted from a dbr1-delta strain, which lacks intron lariat-debranching activity, shows that U24 can be synthesized only from the debranched lariat. In contrast, a substantial level of U18 can be synthesized in the absence of debranching activity. The 5' ends of these snoRNAs are also generated by Xrn1p and Rat1p. The same exonucleases are responsible for the degradation of several excised fragments of the pre-rRNA spacer regions, in addition to generating the 5' end of the 5.8S rRNA. Processing of the pre-rRNA and both intronic and polycistronic snoRNAs therefore involves common components.

The yeast SEN1 gene is required for the processing of diverse RNA classes

A single base change in the helicase superfamily 1 domain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae SEN1 gene results in a heat-sensitive mutation that alters the cellular abundance of many RNA species. We compared the relative amounts of RNAs between cells that are wild-type and mutant after temperature-shift. In the mutant several RNAs were found to either decrease or increase in abundance. The affected RNAs include tRNAs, rRNAs and small nuclear and nucleolar RNAs. Many of the affected RNAs have been positively identified and include end-matured precursor tRNAs and the small nuclear and nucleolar RNAs U5 and snR40 and snR45. Several small nucleolar RNAs co-immunoprecipitate with Sen1 but differentially associate with the wild-type and mutant protein. Its inactivation also impairs precursor rRNA maturation, resulting in increased accumulation of 35S and 6S precursor rRNAs and reduced levels of 20S, 23S and 27S rRNA processing intermediates. Thus, Sen1 is required for the biosynthesis of various functionally distinct classes of nuclear RNAs. We propose that Sen1 is an RNA helicase acting on a wide range of RNA classes. Its effects on the targeted RNAs in turn enable ribonuclease activity.

Severe growth defect in a Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutant defective in intron lariat degradation

The cDNAs and genes encoding the intron lariat-debranching enzyme were isolated from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe based on their homology with the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene. The cDNAs were shown to be functional in an interspecific complementation experiment; they can complement an S. cerevisiae dbr1 null mutant. About 2.5% of budding yeast S. cerevisiae genes have introns, and the accumulation of excised introns in a dbr1 null mutant has little effect on cell growth. In contrast, many S. pombe genes contain introns, and often multiple introns per gene, so that S. pombe is estimated to contain approximately 40 times as many introns as S. cerevisiae. The S. pombe dbr1 gene was disrupted and shown to be nonessential. Like the S. cerevisiae mutant, the S. pombe null mutant accumulated introns to high levels, indicating that intron lariat debranching represents a rate-limiting step in intron degradation in both species. Unlike the S. cerevisiae mutant, the S. pombe dbr1::leu1+ mutant had a severe growth defect and exhibited an aberrant elongated cell shape in addition to an intron accumulation phenotype. The growth defect of the S. pombe dbr1::leu1+ strain suggests that debranching activity is critical for efficient intron RNA degradation and that blocking this pathway interferes with cell growth.

Identification of specific nucleotide sequences and structural elements required for intronic U14 snoRNA processing

Vertebrate U14 snoRNAs are encoded within hsc70 pre-mRNA introns and U14 biosynthesis occurs via an intron-processing pathway. We have shown previously that essential processing signals are located in the termini of the mature U14 molecule and replacement of included boxes C or D with oligo C disrupts snoRNA synthesis. The experiments detailed here now define the specific nucleotide sequences and structures of the U14 termini that are essential for intronic snoRNA processing. Mutagenesis studies demonstrated that a 5', 3'-terminal stem of at least three contiguous base pairs is required. A specific helix sequence is not necessary and this stem may be extended to as many as 15 base pairs without affecting U14 processing. The spatial positioning of boxes C and D with respect to the terminal stem is also important. Detailed analysis of boxes C and D revealed that both consensus sequences possess essential nucleotides. Some, but not all, of these critical nucleotides correspond to those required for the stable accumulation of nonintronic yeast U14 snoRNA. The presence of box C and D consensus sequences flanking a terminal stem in many snoRNA species indicates the importance of this "terminal core motif" for snoRNA processing.

Fugu intron oversize reveals the presence of U15 snoRNA coding sequences in some introns of the ribosomal protein S3 gene

We present here the analysis of the genomic organization of the Fugu gene coding for ribosomal protein S3 and its intron encoded U15 RNA, and compare it with the homologous human and Xenopus genes. Only two of the six Fugu S3 gene introns do not contain the U15 sequence and are in fact shorter than 100 nucleotides, as most Fugu introns. The other four introns are somewhat longer and contain sequences homologous to U15 RNA; two of these represent functional copies, as shown by microinjections of Fugu transcripts into Xenopus oocytes, whereas the other two appear to be nonfunctional pseudocopies. Thus Fugu turns out to be ideal for the study of intron encoded snoRNAs, partly because of the reduced cloning and sequencing workload, and partly because the intron length per se can be an indication of the presence of a snoRNA coding sequence.

Evidence that two latency-associated transcripts of herpes simplex virus type 1 are nonlinear

The latency-associated transcripts (LATs) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) are the only viral gene products that accumulate to abundant levels in latently infected cells. Others have reported species of 2.0, 1.50, and 1.45 kb; only the 2.0-kb species is seen in productively infected cells, and there is evidence that it behaves as an intron. We examined the LATs both in trigeminal ganglia of latently infected mice and in productively infected cultures of monkey CV-1 cells. After glyoxalation, RNA was subjected to high-resolution agarose gel electrophoresis and Northern (RNA) analysis, a procedure capable of resolving linear and nonlinear RNA species. Under these conditions, we resolved the 2.0-kb LAT into two species; the slower species was much more abundant and had a mobility significantly slower than expected for a linear RNA. To test the hypothesis that this RNA was in fact nonlinear, we used partial hydrolysis by sodium carbonate and oligonucleotide-directed RNase H digestion. These procedures changed the mobility of the slower species into that of the faster species. Similarly, the mobility of the 1.50-kb LAT, which was much more abundant than the 1.45-kb LAT, was changed by these procedures to that of the 1.45-kb LAT. Our data show that the two major LAT species are nonlinear, and they support an interpretation of stable lariat structures.

A functional role for some Fugu introns larger than the typical short ones: the example of the gene coding for ribosomal protein S7 and snoRNA U17

The compact genome of Fugu rubripes, with its very small introns, appears to be particularly suitable to study intron-encoded functions. We have analyzed the Fugu gene for ribosomal protein S7 (formerly S8, see Note), whose Xenopus homolog contains in its introns the coding sequences for the small nucleolar RNA U17. Except for intron length, the organization of the Fugu S7 gene is very similar to that of the Xenopus counterpart. The total length of the Fugu S7 gene is 3930 bp, compared with 12691 bp for Xenopus. This length difference is uniquely due to smaller introns. Although short, the six introns are longer than the approximately 100 bp size of most Fugu introns, as they host U17 RNA coding sequences. While four of the six U17 sequences are 'canonical', the remaining two represent diverged U17 pseudocopies. In fact, microinjection in Xenopus oocytes of in vitro synthesized Fugu transcripts containing the 'canonical' U17f sequence results in efficient production of mature U17 RNA, while injection of a transcript containing the U17 psi b sequence does not.

Processing of fibrillarin-associated snoRNAs from pre-mRNA introns: an exonucleolytic process exclusively directed by the common stem-box terminal structure

Nucleoli contain complex populations of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) likely to be involved in pre-rRNA processing and ribosome biogenesis. A growing family of snoRNAs which interacts with nucleolar protein fibrillarin is structurally related by the presence of long complementarities to rRNA (12 to 21 nucleotides) and of a pair of common sequence motifs, termed boxes C and D. All are encoded in introns and produced by processing of intronic RNA. We have analysed the mechanism of processing of one of these snoRNAs, U20, by transfection in mouse cells. We show here that the cis-acting signals for its processing are restricted to a minor portion of the mature snoRNA sequence. A terminal structure in which the two box motifs are brought in close vicinity by the pairing of the 5' and 3' terminal nucleotides is sufficient to direct faithful processing. Particularly, the key role of the terminal stem shared by most snoRNAs of this family is demonstrated by the effect of compensatory mutations. Our results also indicate that faithful processing at both ends of the snoRNA can be uncoupled and that it is not strictly dependent on pre-mRNA splicing. Finally, our data point to the exclusive involvement of 5'-->3' and 3'-->5' exonucleolytic activities in the processing of intronic snoRNAs of this family.

Small nucleolar RNA

A growing list of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) has been characterized in eukaryotes. They are transcribed by RNA polymerase II or III; some snoRNAs are encoded in the introns of other genes. The nonintronic polymerase II transcribed snoRNAs receive a trimethylguanosine cap, probably in the nucleus, and move to the nucleolus. snoRNAs are complexed with proteins, sometimes including fibrillarin. Localization and maintenance in the nucleolus of some snoRNAs requires the presence of initial precursor rRNA (pre-rRNA). Many snoRNAs have conserved sequence boxes C and D and a 3' terminal stem; the role of these features are discussed. Functional assays done for a few snoRNAs indicate their roles in rRNA processing for cleavage of the external and internal transcribed spacers (ETS and ITS). U3 is the most abundant snoRNA and is needed for cleavage of ETS1 and ITS1; experimental results on U3 binding sites in pre-rRNA are reviewed. 18S rRNA production also needs U14, U22, and snR30 snoRNAs, whereas U8 snoRNA is needed for 5.8S and 28S rRNA production. Other snoRNAs that are complementary to 18S or 28S rRNA might act as chaperones to mediate RNA folding. Whether snoRNAs join together in a large rRNA processing complex (the "processome") is not yet clear. It has been hypothesized that such complexes could anchor the ends of loops in pre-rRNA containing 18S or 28S rRNA, thereby replacing base-paired stems found in pre-rRNA of prokaryotes.