U1 snRNA is cleaved by RNase III and processed through an Sm site-dependent pathway

Spliceosomal snRNAs, the Essential Players in pre-mRNA Processing in Eukaryotic Nucleus: From Biogenesis to Functions and Spatiotemporal Characteristics

Spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are a fundamental class of non-coding small RNAs abundant in the nucleoplasm of eukaryotic cells, playing a crucial role in splicing precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). They are transcribed by DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (Pol II) or III (Pol III), and undergo subsequent processing and 3' end cleavage to become mature snRNAs. Numerous protein factors are involved in the transcription initiation, elongation, termination, splicing, cellular localization, and terminal modification processes of snRNAs. The transcription and processing of snRNAs are regulated spatiotemporally by various mechanisms, and the homeostatic balance of snRNAs within cells is of great significance for the growth and development of organisms. snRNAs assemble with specific accessory proteins to form small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) that are the basal components of spliceosomes responsible for pre-mRNA maturation. This article provides an overview of the biological functions, biosynthesis, terminal structure, and tissue-specific regulation of snRNAs.

ISG20 and nuclear exosome promote destabilization of nascent transcripts for spliceosomal U snRNAs and U1 variants

Primary RNA transcripts are processed in a plethora of ways to become mature functional forms. In one example, human spliceosomal U snRNAs are matured at their 3'-end by an exonuclease termed TOE1. This process is important because mutations in TOE1 gene can cause a human genetic disease, pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH). Nevertheless, TOE1 may not be the only maturation exonuclease for U snRNAs in the cell. Here, we biochemically identify two exonucleolytic factors, Interferon-stimulated gene 20-kDa protein (ISG20) and the nuclear exosome as such candidates, using a newly developed in vitro system that recapitulates 3'-end maturation of U1 snRNA. However, extensive 3'-end sequencing of endogenous U1 snRNA of the knockdown (KD) cells revealed that these factors are not the maturation factors per se. Instead, the nascent transcripts of the spliceosomal U snRNAs as well as of unstable U1 variants were found to increase in quantity upon KD of the factors. These results indicated that ISG20 and the nuclear exosome promote the degradation of nascent spliceosomal U snRNAs and U1 variants, and therefore implied their role in the quality control of newly synthesized U snRNAs.

Competition between maturation and degradation drives human snRNA 3' end quality control

Polymerases and exonucleases act on 3' ends of nascent RNAs to promote their maturation or degradation but how the balance between these activities is controlled to dictate the fates of cellular RNAs remains poorly understood. Here, we identify a central role for the human DEDD deadenylase TOE1 in distinguishing the fates of small nuclear (sn)RNAs of the spliceosome from unstable genome-encoded snRNA variants. We found that TOE1 promotes maturation of all regular RNA polymerase II transcribed snRNAs of the major and minor spliceosomes by removing posttranscriptional oligo(A) tails, trimming 3' ends, and preventing nuclear exosome targeting. In contrast, TOE1 promotes little to no maturation of tested U1 variant snRNAs, which are instead targeted by the nuclear exosome. These observations suggest that TOE1 is positioned at the center of a 3' end quality control pathway that selectively promotes maturation and stability of regular snRNAs while leaving snRNA variants unprocessed and exposed to degradation in what could be a widespread mechanism of RNA quality control given the large number of noncoding RNAs processed by DEDD deadenylases.

Repositioning the Sm-Binding Site in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Telomerase RNA Reveals RNP Organizational Flexibility and Sm-Directed 3'-End Formation

Telomerase RNA contains a template for synthesizing telomeric DNA and has been proposed to act as a flexible scaffold for holoenzyme protein subunits in the RNP. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the telomerase RNA, TLC1, is bound by the Sm₇ protein complex, which is required for stabilization of the predominant, non-polyadenylated (poly(A)–) TLC1 isoform. However, it remains unclear (1) whether Sm₇ retains this function when its binding site is repositioned within TLC1, as has been shown for other TLC1-binding telomerase subunits, and (2) how Sm₇ stabilizes poly(A)– TLC1. Here, we first show that Sm₇ can stabilize poly(A)– TLC1 even when its binding site is repositioned via circular permutation to several different positions within TLC1, further supporting the conclusion that the telomerase holoenzyme is organizationally flexible. Next, we show that when an Sm site is inserted 5′ of its native position and the native site is mutated, Sm₇ stabilizes shorter forms of poly(A)– TLC1 in a manner corresponding to how far upstream the new site was inserted, providing strong evidence that Sm₇ binding to TLC1 controls where the mature poly(A)– 3′ is formed by directing a 3′-to-5′ processing mechanism. In summary, our results show that Sm₇ and the 3′ end of yeast telomerase RNA comprise an organizationally flexible module within the telomerase RNP and provide insights into the mechanistic role of Sm₇ in telomerase RNA biogenesis.

Nuclear Pre-snRNA Export Is an Essential Quality Assurance Mechanism for Functional Spliceosomes

Removal of introns from pre-mRNAs is an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression, mediated by spliceosomes that contain snRNAs as key components. Although snRNAs are transcribed in the nucleus and function in the same compartment, all except U6 shuttle to the cytoplasm. Surprisingly, the physiological relevance for shuttling is unclear, in particular because the snRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were reported to remain nuclear. Here, we show that all yeast pre-snRNAs including U6 undergo a stepwise maturation process after nuclear export by Mex67 and Xpo1. Sm- and Lsm-ring attachment occurs in the cytoplasm and is important for the snRNA re-import, mediated by Cse1 and Mtr10. Finally, nuclear pre-snRNA cleavage and trimethylation of the 5'-cap finalizes shuttling. Importantly, preventing pre-snRNAs from being exported or processed results in faulty spliceosome assembly and subsequent genome-wide splicing defects. Thus, pre-snRNA export is obligatory for functional splicing and resembles an essential evolutionarily conserved quality assurance step.

Structure and function of Rnt1p: An alternative to RNAi for targeted RNA degradation

The double-stranded RNA-binding protein (dsRBP) family controls RNA editing, stability, and function in all eukaryotes. The central feature of this family is the recognition of a generic RNA duplex using highly conserved double-stranded RNA-binding domain (dsRBD) that recognizes the characteristic distance between the minor grooves created by the RNA helix. Variations on this theme that confer species and functional specificities have been reported but most dsRBPs retain their capacity to bind generic dsRNA. The ribonuclease III (RNase III) family members fall into four classes, represented by bacterial RNase III, yeast Rnt1p, human Drosha, and human Dicer, respectively. Like all dsRBPs and most members of the RNase III family, Rnt1p has a dsRBD, but unlike most of its kin, it poorly binds to generic RNA helices. Instead, Rnt1p, the only known RNase III expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that lacks the RNAi (RNA interference) machinery, recognizes a specific class of stem-loop structures. To recognize the specific substrates, the dsRBD of Rnt1p is specialized, featuring a αβββααα topology and a sequence-specific RNA-binding motif at the C-terminus. Since the discovery of Rnt1p in 1996, significant progress has been made in studies of its genetics, function, structure, and mechanism of action, explaining the reasons and mechanisms for the increased specificity of this enzyme and its impact on the mechanism of RNA degradation. This article is categorized under: RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes.

The 3' end formation in small RNAs

Small RNAs are a major class of RNAs along with transfer RNAs, ribosomal RNAs, and messenger RNAs. They vary in size from less than 100 nucleotides to several thousand nucleotides and have been identified and characterized both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Small RNAs participate in a variety of cellular functions including regulating RNA synthesis, RNA processing, guiding modifications in RNA, and in transport of proteins. Small RNAs are generated by a series of posttranscriptional processing steps following transcription. While RNA 5' end structure, 5' cap formation, and RNA processing mechanisms have been fairly well characterized, the 3' end processing is poorly understood. Recent data point to an emerging theme in small RNAs metabolism in which the 3' end processing is mediated by the exosome, a large multienzyme complex. In addition to removal of nucleotides by the exosome, there is simultaneous rebuilding of the 3' end of some small RNA by adenylation and/or uridylation. This review presents a picture of both degradative and rebuilding reactions operative on the 3' end of some small RNA molecules in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Transcriptomes of six mutants in the Sen1 pathway reveal combinatorial control of transcription termination across the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome

Transcriptome studies on eukaryotic cells have revealed an unexpected abundance and diversity of noncoding RNAs synthesized by RNA polymerase II (Pol II), some of which influence the expression of protein-coding genes. Yet, much less is known about biogenesis of Pol II non-coding RNA than mRNAs. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, initiation of non-coding transcripts by Pol II appears to be similar to that of mRNAs, but a distinct pathway is utilized for termination of most non-coding RNAs: the Sen1-dependent or “NNS” pathway. Here, we examine the effect on the S. cerevisiae transcriptome of conditional mutations in the genes encoding six different essential proteins that influence Sen1-dependent termination: Sen1, Nrd1, Nab3, Ssu72, Rpb11, and Hrp1. We observe surprisingly diverse effects on transcript abundance for the different proteins that cannot be explained simply by differing severity of the mutations. Rather, we infer from our results that termination of Pol II transcription of non-coding RNA genes is subject to complex combinatorial control that likely involves proteins beyond those studied here. Furthermore, we identify new targets and functions of Sen1-dependent termination, including a role in repression of meiotic genes in vegetative cells. In combination with other recent whole-genome studies on termination of non-coding RNAs, our results provide promising directions for further investigation.

The information stored in the DNA of a cell’s chromosomes is transmitted to the rest of the cell by transcribing the DNA into RNA copies or “transcripts”. The fidelity of this process, and thus the health of the cell, depends critically on the proper function of proteins that direct transcription. Since hundreds of genes, each specifying a unique RNA transcript, are arranged in tandem along each chromosome, the beginning and end of each gene must be marked in the DNA sequence. Although encoded in DNA, the signal for terminating an RNA transcript is usually recognized in the transcript itself. We examined the genome-wide functional targets of six proteins implicated in transcription termination by identifying transcripts whose structure or abundance is altered by a mutation that compromises the activity of each protein. For a small minority of transcripts, a mutation in any of the six proteins disrupts termination. Much more commonly, a transcript is affected by a mutation in only one or a few of the six proteins, revealing the varying extent to which the proteins cooperate with one another. We discovered affected transcripts that were not known to be controlled by any of the six proteins, including a cohort of genes required for meiosis.

The catalytic efficiency of yeast ribonuclease III depends on substrate specific product release rate

Members of the ribonuclease III (RNase III) family regulate gene expression by triggering the degradation of double stranded RNA (dsRNA). Hundreds of RNase III cleavage targets have been identified and their impact on RNA maturation and stability is now established. However, the mechanism defining substrates’ reactivity remains unclear. In this study, we developed a real-time FRET assay for the detection of dsRNA degradation by yeast RNase III (Rnt1p) and characterized the kinetic bottlenecks controlling the reactivity of different substrates. Surprisingly, the results indicate that Rnt1p cleavage reaction is not only limited by the rate of catalysis but can also depend on base-pairing of product termini. Cleavage products terminating with paired nucleotides, like the degradation signals found in coding mRNA sequence, were less reactive and more prone to inhibition than products having unpaired nucleotides found in non-coding RNA substrates. Mutational analysis of U5 snRNA and Mig2 mRNA confirms the pairing of the cleavage site as a major determinant for the difference between cleavage rates of coding and non-coding RNA. Together the data indicate that the base-pairing of Rnt1p substrates encodes reactivity determinants that permit both constitutive processing of non-coding RNA while limiting the rate of mRNA degradation.

Loss of the Yeast SR Protein Npl3 Alters Gene Expression Due to Transcription Readthrough

Yeast Npl3 is a highly abundant, nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling, RNA-binding protein, related to metazoan SR proteins. Reported functions of Npl3 include transcription elongation, splicing and RNA 3’ end processing. We used UV crosslinking and analysis of cDNA (CRAC) to map precise RNA binding sites, and strand-specific tiling arrays to look at the effects of loss of Npl3 on all transcripts across the genome. We found that Npl3 binds diverse RNA species, both coding and non-coding, at sites indicative of roles in both early pre-mRNA processing and 3’ end formation. Tiling arrays and RNAPII mapping data revealed 3’ extended RNAPII-transcribed RNAs in the absence of Npl3, suggesting that defects in pre-mRNA packaging events result in termination readthrough. Transcription readthrough was widespread and frequently resulted in down-regulation of neighboring genes. We conclude that the absence of Npl3 results in widespread 3' extension of transcripts with pervasive effects on gene expression.

Npl3 is a yeast mRNA binding protein with many reported functions in RNA processing. We wanted to identify direct targets and therefore combined analyses of the transcriptome-wide effects of the loss of Npl3 on gene expression with UV crosslinking and bioinformatics to identify RNA-binding sites for Npl3. We found that Npl3 binds diverse sites on large numbers of transcripts, and that the loss of Npl3 results in transcriptional readthrough on many genes. One effect of this transcription readthrough is that the expression of numerous flanking genes is strongly down regulated. This underlines the importance of faithful termination for the correct regulation of gene expression. The effects of the loss of Npl3 are seen on both mRNAs and non-protein coding RNAs. These have distinct but overlapping termination mechanisms, with both classes requiring Npl3 for correct RNA packaging.

Quality control of assembly-defective U1 snRNAs by decapping and 5'-to-3' exonucleolytic digestion

The accurate biogenesis of RNA-protein complexes is a key aspect of eukaryotic cells. Defects in Sm protein complex binding to snRNAs are known to reduce levels of snRNAs, suggesting an unknown quality control system for small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) assembly. snRNA quality control may also be relevant in spinal muscular atrophy, which is caused by defects in the survival motor neuron (SMN)1 gene, an assembly factor for loading the Sm complex on snRNAs and, when severely reduced, can lead to reduced levels of snRNAs and splicing defects. To determine how assembly-defective snRNAs are degraded, we first demonstrate that yeast U1 Sm-mutant snRNAs are degraded either by Rrp6- or by Dcp2-dependent decapping/5'-to-3' decay. Knockdown of the decapping enzyme DCP2 in mammalian cells also increases the levels of assembly-defective snRNAs and suppresses some splicing defects seen in SMN-deficient cells. These results identify a conserved mechanism of snRNA quality control, and also suggest a general paradigm wherein the phenotype of an "RNP assembly disease" might be suppressed by inhibition of a competing RNA quality control mechanism.

Solution structure and metal ion binding sites of the human CPEB3 ribozyme's P4 domain

Three ribozymes are known to occur in humans, the CPEB3 ribozyme, the CoTC ribozyme, and the hammerhead ribozyme. Here, we present the NMR solution structure of a well-conserved motif within the CPEB3 ribozyme, the P4 domain. In addition, we discuss the binding sites and impact of Mg(2+) and [Co(NH3)6](3+), a spectroscopic probe for [Mg(H2O)6](2+), on the structure. The well-defined P4 region is a hairpin closed with a UGGU tetraloop that shows a distinct electrostatic surface potential and a characteristic, strongly curved backbone trajectory. The P4 hairpin contains two specific Mg(2+) binding sites: one outer-sphere binding site close to the proposed CPEB3 ribozyme active site with potential relevance for maintaining a compact fold of the ribozyme core, and one inner-sphere binding site, probably stabilizing the tetraloop structure. The structure of the tetraloop resembles an RNase III recognition structure, as previously described for an AGUU tetraloop. The detailed knowledge of the P4 domain and its metal ion binding preferences thus brings us closer to understanding the importance of Mg(2+) binding for the CPEB3 ribozyme's fold and function in the cell.

Non-mRNA 3' end formation: how the other half lives

The release of nascent RNA from transcribing RNA polymerase complexes is required for all further functions carried out by RNA molecules. The elements and processing machinery involved in 3' end formation therefore represent key determinants in the biogenesis and accumulation of cellular RNA. While these factors have been well-characterized for messenger RNA, recent work has elucidated analogous pathways for the 3' end formation of other important cellular RNA. Here, we discuss four specific cases of non-mRNA 3' end formation-metazoan small nuclear RNA, Saccharomyces cerevisiae small nuclear RNA, Schizosaccharomyces pombe telomerase RNA, and the mammalian MALAT1 large noncoding RNA-as models of alternative mechanisms to generate RNA 3' ends. Comparison of these disparate processing pathways reveals an emerging theme of evolutionary ingenuity. In some instances, evidence for the creation of a dedicated processing complex exists; while in others, components are utilized from the existing RNA processing machinery and modified to custom fit the unique needs of the RNA substrate. Regardless of the details of how non-mRNA 3' ends are formed, the lengths to which biological systems will go to release nascent transcripts from their DNA templates are fundamental for cell survival.

The Sm complex is required for the processing of non-coding RNAs by the exosome

A key question in the field of RNA regulation is how some exosome substrates, such as spliceosomal snRNAs and telomerase RNA, evade degradation and are processed into stable, functional RNA molecules. Typical feature of these non-coding RNAs is presence of the Sm complex at the 3′end of the mature RNA molecule. Here, we report that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae presence of intact Sm binding site is required for the exosome-mediated processing of telomerase RNA from a polyadenylated precursor into its mature form and is essential for its function in elongating telomeres. Additionally, we demonstrate that the same pathway is involved in the maturation of snRNAs. Furthermore, the insertion of an Sm binding site into an unstable RNA that is normally completely destroyed by the exosome, leads to its partial stabilization. We also show that telomerase RNA accumulates in Schizosaccharomyces pombe exosome mutants, suggesting a conserved role for the exosome in processing and degradation of telomerase RNA. In summary, our data provide important mechanistic insight into the regulation of exosome dependent RNA processing as well as telomerase RNA biogenesis.

The Diverse Functions of Fungal RNase III Enzymes in RNA Metabolism

Enzymes from the ribonuclease III family bind and cleave double-stranded RNA to initiate RNA processing and degradation of a large number of transcripts in bacteria and eukaryotes. This chapter focuses on the description of the diverse functions of fungal RNase III members in the processing and degradation of cellular RNAs, with a particular emphasis on the well-characterized representative in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Rnt1p. RNase III enzymes fulfill important functions in the processing of the precursors of various stable noncoding RNAs such as ribosomal RNAs and small nuclear and nucleolar RNAs. In addition, they cleave and promote the degradation of specific mRNAs or improperly processed forms of certain mRNAs. The cleavage of these mRNAs serves both surveillance and regulatory functions. Finally, recent advances have shown that RNase III enzymes are involved in mediating fail-safe transcription termination by RNA polymerase II (Pol II), by cleaving intergenic stem-loop structures present downstream from Pol II transcription units. Many of these processing functions appear to be conserved in fungal species close to the Saccharomyces genus, and even in more distant eukaryotic species.

RNA degradation in Saccharomyces cerevisae

All RNA species in yeast cells are subject to turnover. Work over the past 20 years has defined degradation mechanisms for messenger RNAs, transfer RNAs, ribosomal RNAs, and noncoding RNAs. In addition, numerous quality control mechanisms that target aberrant RNAs have been identified. Generally, each decay mechanism contains factors that funnel RNA substrates to abundant exo- and/or endonucleases. Key issues for future work include determining the mechanisms that control the specificity of RNA degradation and how RNA degradation processes interact with translation, RNA transport, and other cellular processes.

The Cellular Processing Capacity Limits the Amounts of Chimeric U7 snRNA Available for Antisense Delivery

Many genetic diseases are induced by mutations disturbing the maturation of pre-mRNAs, often affecting splicing. Antisense oligoribonucleotides (AONs) have been used to modulate splicing thereby circumventing the deleterious effects of mutations. Stable delivery of antisense sequences is achieved by linking them to small nuclear RNA (snRNAs) delivered by viral vectors, as illustrated by studies where therapeutic exon skipping was obtained in animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Yet, clinical translation of these approaches is limited by the amounts of vector to be administered. In this respect, maximizing the amount of snRNA antisense shuttle delivered by the vector is essential. Here, we have used a muscle- and heart-specific enhancer (MHCK) to drive the expression of U7 snRNA shuttles carrying antisense sequences against the human or murine DMD pre-mRNAs. Although antisense delivery and subsequent exon skipping were improved both in tissue culture and in vivo, we observed the formation of additional U7 snRNA by-products following gene transfer. These included aberrantly 3′ processed as well as unprocessed species that may arise because of the saturation of the cellular processing capacity. Future efforts to increase the amounts of functional U7 shuttles delivered into a cell will have to take this limitation into account.

Reporter mRNAs cleaved by Rnt1p are exported and degraded in the cytoplasm

For most protein coding genes, termination of transcription by RNA polymerase II is preceded by an endonucleolytic cleavage of the nascent transcript. The 3' product of this cleavage is rapidly degraded via the 5' exoribonuclease Rat1p which is thought to destabilize the RNA polymerase II complex. It is not clear whether RNA cleavage is sufficient to trigger nuclear RNA degradation and transcription termination or whether the fate of the RNA depends on additional elements. For most mRNAs, this cleavage is mediated by the cleavage and polyadenylation machinery, but it can also be mediated by Rnt1p. We show that Rnt1p cleavage of an mRNA is not sufficient to trigger nuclear degradation or transcription termination. Insertion of an Rnt1p target site into a reporter mRNA did not block transcription downstream of the cleavage site, but instead produced two unstable cleavage products, neither of which were stabilized by inactivation of Rat1p. In contrast, the 3' and 5' cleavage products were stabilized by the deletion of the cytoplasmic 5' exoribonuclease (Xrn1p) or by inactivation of the cytoplasmic RNA exosome. These data indicate that transcription termination and nuclear degradation is not the default fate of cleaved RNAs and that specific promoter and/or sequence elements are required to determine the fate of the cleavage products.

Conserved and divergent features of the structure and function of La and La-related proteins (LARPs)

Genuine La proteins contain two RNA binding motifs, a La motif (LAM) followed by a RNA recognition motif (RRM), arranged in a unique way to bind RNA. These proteins interact with an extensive variety of cellular RNAs and exhibit activities in two broad categories: i) to promote the metabolism of nascent pol III transcripts, including precursor-tRNAs, by binding to their common, UUU-3'OH containing ends, and ii) to modulate the translation of certain mRNAs involving an unknown binding mechanism. Characterization of several La-RNA crystal structures as well as biochemical studies reveal insight into their unique two-motif domain architecture and how the LAM recognizes UUU-3'OH while the RRM binds other parts of a pre-tRNA. Recent studies of members of distinct families of conserved La-related proteins (LARPs) indicate that some of these harbor activity related to genuine La proteins, suggesting that their UUU-3'OH binding mode has been appropriated for the assembly and regulation of a specific snRNP (e.g., 7SK snRNP assembly by hLARP7/PIP7S). Analyses of other LARP family members suggest more diverged RNA binding modes and specialization for cytoplasmic mRNA-related functions. Thus it appears that while genuine La proteins exhibit broad general involvement in both snRNA-related and mRNA-related functions, different LARP families may have evolved specialized activities in either snRNA or mRNA-related functions. In this review, we summarize recent progress that has led to greater understanding of the structure and function of La proteins and their roles in tRNA processing and RNP assembly dynamics, as well as progress on the different LARPs.

The assembly of a spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle

The U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) are essential elements of the spliceosome, the enzyme that catalyzes the excision of introns and the ligation of exons to form a mature mRNA. Since their discovery over a quarter century ago, the structure, assembly and function of spliceosomal snRNPs have been extensively studied. Accordingly, the functions of splicing snRNPs and the role of various nuclear organelles, such as Cajal bodies (CBs), in their nuclear maturation phase have already been excellently reviewed elsewhere. The aim of this review is, then, to briefly outline the structure of snRNPs and to synthesize new and exciting developments in the snRNP biogenesis pathways.

Nonpolyadenylated RNA polymerase II termination is induced by transcript cleavage

Although the termination of transcription and 3' RNA processing of the eukaryotic mRNA has been linked to a polyadenylation signal and a transcript cleavage process, much less is known about the termination or processing of nonpolyadenylated RNA polymerase II transcripts. An efficiently expressed plasmid-based expression system was used to study the termination and processing of Schizosaccharomyces pombe U3 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) transcripts in vivo. The termination assay was linked to cell transformation, and restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to determine levels of plasmid-derived U3 snoRNA. Mutation analyses in vivo indicate that the maturation of the 3' end is not directly dependent on an external cis-acting sequence or structure; rather, it is dependent on a transcript cleavage that can occur hundreds or even thousands of nucleotides downstream of the mature U3 snoRNA sequence. Similarly, termination is dependent on the same transcript cleavage that is localized in a hairpin structure that normally follows the 3' end of the U3 snoRNA but that also can be moved hundreds or thousands of nucleotides downstream. Both processes, however, can be induced simultaneously and equally efficiently with a single unrelated Pac1 endonuclease-labile structure. The results support a "reversed torpedoes" model in which a single cleavage allows exonucleases and/or other protein factors access to the transcript leading to transcription termination in one direction and RNA maturation in the other direction.

Evolution of small nuclear RNAs in S. cerevisiae, C. albicans, and other hemiascomycetous yeasts

The spliceosome is a large, dynamic ribonuclear protein complex, required for the removal of intron sequences from newly synthesized eukaryotic RNAs. The spliceosome contains five essential small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs): U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6. Phylogenetic comparisons of snRNAs from protists to mammals have long demonstrated remarkable conservation in both primary sequence and secondary structure. In contrast, the snRNAs of the hemiascomycetous yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have highly unusual features that set them apart from the snRNAs of other eukaryotes. With an emphasis on the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, we have now identified and compared snRNAs from newly sequenced yeast genomes, providing a perspective on spliceosome evolution within the hemiascomycetes. In addition to tracing the origins of previously identified snRNA variations present in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have found numerous unexpected changes occurring throughout the hemiascomycetous lineages. Our observations reveal interesting examples of RNA and protein coevolution, giving rise to altered interaction domains, losses of deeply conserved snRNA-binding proteins, and unique snRNA sequence changes within the catalytic center of the spliceosome. These same yeast lineages have experienced exceptionally high rates of intron loss, such that modern hemiascomycetous genomes contain introns in only approximately 5% of their genes. Also, the splice site sequences of those introns that remain adhere to an unusually strict consensus. Some of the snRNA variations we observe may thus reflect the altered intron landscape with which the hemiascomycetous spliceosome must contend.

Characterization of a short isoform of human Tgs1 hypermethylase associating with small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein core proteins and produced by limited proteolytic processing

Tgs1 is the hypermethylase responsible for m(3)G cap formation of U small nuclear RNAs (U snRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). In vertebrates, hypermethylation of snRNAs occurs in the cytoplasm, whereas this process takes place in the nucleus for snoRNAs. Accordingly, the hypermethylase is found in both compartments with a diffuse localization in the cytoplasm and a concentration in Cajal bodies in the nucleoplasm. In this study, we report that the Tgs1 hypermethylase exists as two species, a full-length cytoplasmic isoform and a shorter nuclear isoform of 65-70 kDa. The short isoform exhibits methyltransferase activity and associates with components of box C/D and H/ACA snoRNPs, pointing to a role of this isoform in hypermethylation of snoRNAs. We also show that production of the short Tgs1 isoform is inhibited by MG132, suggesting that it results from proteasomal limited processing of the full-length Tgs1 protein. Together, our results suggest that proteasome maturation constitutes a mechanism regulating Tgs1 function by generating Tgs1 species with different substrate specificities, subcellular localizations, and functions.

Human RBM28 protein is a specific nucleolar component of the spliceosomal snRNPs

The biogenesis of spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) involves organized translocations between the cytoplasm and certain nuclear domains, such as Cajal bodies and nucleoli. Here we identify human RBM28 protein as a novel snRNP component, based on affinity selection of U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP). As shown by immunofluorescence, RBM28 is a nucleolar protein. Anti-RBM28 immunoprecipitation from HeLa cell lysates revealed that this protein specifically associates with U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 snRNAs. Our data provide the first evidence that RBM28 is a common nucleolar component of the spliceosomal ribonucleoprotein complexes, possibly coordinating their transition through the nucleolus.

RNAi interference of XPO1 and Sm genes and their effect on the spliced leader RNA in Trypanosoma brucei

In trypanosomes, trans-splicing is a major essential RNA-processing mechanism that involves the addition of a spliced leader sequence to all mRNAs from a small RNA species, known as the spliced leader RNA (SL RNA). SL RNA maturation is poorly understood and it is not clear where assembly with Sm proteins takes place. In this study, we followed the localization of the SL RNA during knockdown of Sm proteins and XPO1, which in metazoa functions in transport of mRNA and U snRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. We found that XPO1 has no role in SL RNA biogenesis in wild-type cells, or when the cells are depleted of Sm proteins. During Sm depletion, 'defective' SL RNA lacking cap modification at position +4 first accumulates in the nucleus, suggesting that Sm assembly on SL RNA most probably takes place in this compartment. Only after massive nuclear accumulation is the 'defective' SL RNA exported to the cytoplasm to form SL RNP-C, which may be a route to dispose of SL RNA when its normal biogenesis is blocked.

Microarray detection of novel nuclear RNA substrates for the exosome

Microarray analyses were performed on yeast strains mutant for the nuclear-specific exosome components Rrp6p and Rrp47p/Lrp1p or the core component Rrp41p/Ski6p, at permissive temperature and following transfer to 37 degrees C. 339 mRNAs showed clearly altered expression levels, with an unexpectedly high degree of heterogeneity in the different exosome mutants. In contrast, no clear alterations were seen in strains lacking the cytoplasmic exosome component Ski7p. 27 mRNAs that were overexpressed in each strain defective in the nuclear exosome are good candidates for regulation by nuclear turnover. These included the mRNA for the autoregulated RNA-binding protein Nrd1p. Northern and primer extension analyses confirmed the elevated NRD1 mRNA levels in exosome mutants, and revealed the accumulation of truncated 5' fragments of the mRNA. These contain a predicted Nrd1p-binding site, potentially sequestering the protein and disrupting its autoregulation. Several genes located immediately downstream of independently transcribed snoRNA genes were overexpressed in exosome mutants, presumably due to stabilization of the products of transcription termination read-through. Further analyses indicated that many snoRNA and snRNA genes are inefficiently terminated, but read-through transcripts into downstream ORFs are normally rapidly degraded by the exosome.

Contributions of Trf4p- and Trf5p-dependent polyadenylation to the processing and degradative functions of the yeast nuclear exosome

The nuclear exosome is involved in a large number of RNA processing and surveillance pathways. RNase III cleavage intermediates destined to be 3'-processed or degraded can be detected when the Rrp6p subunit of the nuclear exosome is absent. Here we show that these processing and degradation intermediates are polyadenylated, and that their polyadenylation is dependent on the activity of Trf4p and Trf5p, two variant poly(A) polymerases. Polyadenylation of cleavage intermediates was inhibited when Trf4p was absent, and reduced to various extents in the absence of Trf5p, suggesting that these two poly(A) polymerases play functionally distinct roles in the polyadenylation of these RNA species. Finally, in the absence of Trf4p, we observed 3'-extended forms of the U4 snRNA that are similar to those observed in the absence of Rrp6p. These results suggest that polyadenylation of RNA processing intermediates plays a functional role in RNA processing pathways and is not limited to RNA surveillance functions.

Biochemical and genomic analysis of substrate recognition by the double-stranded RNA binding domain of yeast RNase III

Members of the RNase III family of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) endonucleases are important enzymes of RNA metabolism in eukaryotic cells. Rnt1p is the only known member of the RNase III family of endonucleases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Previous studies have shown that Rnt1p cleaves dsRNA capped by a conserved AGNN tetraloop motif, which is a major determinant for Rnt1p binding and cleavage. The solution structure of the dsRNA-binding domain (dsRBD) of Rnt1p bound to a cognate RNA substrate revealed the structural basis for binding of the conserved tetraloop motif by alpha-helix 1 of the dsRBD. In this study, we have analyzed extensively the effects of mutations of helix 1 residues that contact the RNA. We show, using microarray analysis, that mutations of these amino acids induce substrate-specific processing defects in vivo. Cleavage kinetics and binding studies show that these mutations affect RNA cleavage and binding in vitro to different extents and suggest a function for some specific amino acids of the dsRBD in the catalytic positioning of the enzyme. Moreover, we show that 2'-hydroxyl groups of nucleotides of the tetraloop or adjacent base pairs predicted to interact with residues of alpha-helix 1 are important for Rnt1p cleavage in vitro. This study underscores the importance of a few amino acid contacts for positioning of a dsRBD onto its RNA target, and implicates the specific orientation of helix 1 on the RNA for proper positioning of the catalytic domain.

A cotranscriptional model for 3'-end processing of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae pre-ribosomal RNA precursor

Cleavage of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae primary ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcript in the 3' external transcribed spacer (ETS) by Rnt1p generates the 35S pre-rRNA, the earliest detectable species in the pre-rRNA processing pathway. In this study we show that Rnt1p is concentrated in a subnucleolar dot-shaped territory distinct from the nucleolar body. The 35S pre-rRNA is localized at the periphery of the Rnt1p dot, in a pattern that suggests a diffusion of the 35S pre-rRNA from the site of Rnt1p processing. When plasmid-borne versions of the rDNA are used to express rRNAs, the Rnt1p territory reorganizes around these plasmids, suggesting a close association between Rnt1p and the plasmid-borne rDNA units. Rnt1p was found associated with the endogenous rDNA by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Deletion of functionally important Rnt1p domains result in a loss of the dot-shaped territory, showing that this subnucleolar territory corresponds to a functional site of processing. These results show that a large fraction of Rnt1p is localized at the site of transcription of the rDNA, suggesting that the cleavage of the primary pre-rRNA transcript to generate the 35S pre-rRNA is a cotranscriptional event.

Conservation of RNase III processing pathways and specificity in hemiascomycetes

Rnt1p, the only known Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNase III endonuclease, plays important functions in the processing of precursors of rRNAs (pre-rRNAs) and of a large number of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). While most eukaryotic RNases III, including the Schizosaccharomyces pombe enzyme Pac1p, cleave double-stranded RNA without sequence specificity, Rnt1p cleavage relies on the presence of terminal tetraloop structures that carry the consensus sequence AGNN. To search for the conservation of these processing signals, I have systematically analyzed predicted secondary structures of the 3' external transcribed spacer (ETS) sequences of the pre-rRNAs and of flanking sequences of snRNAs and snoRNAs from sequences available in 13 other Hemiascomycetes species. In most of these species, except in Yarrowia lipolytica, double-stranded RNA regions capped by terminal AGNN tetraloops can be found in the 3' ETS sequences of rRNA, in the 5'- or 3'-end flanking sequences of sn(o)RNAs, or in the intergenic spacers of polycistronic snoRNA transcription units. This analysis shows that RNase III processing signals and RNase III cleavage specificity are conserved in most Hemiascomycetes species but probably not in the evolutionarily more distant species Y. lipolytica.

A complex pathway for 3' processing of the yeast U3 snoRNA

Mature U3 snoRNA in yeast is generated from the 3'-extended precursors by endonucleolytic cleavage followed by exonucleolytic trimming. These precursors terminate in poly(U) tracts and are normally stabilised by binding of the yeast La homologue, Lhp1p. We report that normal 3' processing of U3 requires the nuclear Lsm proteins. On depletion of any of the five essential proteins, Lsm2-5p or Lsm8p, the normal 3'-extended precursors to the U3 snoRNA were lost. Truncated fragments of both mature and pre-U3 accumulated in the Lsm-depleted strains, consistent with substantial RNA degradation. Pre-U3 species were co-precipitated with TAP-tagged Lsm3p, but the association with spliced pre-U3 was lost in strains lacking Lhp1p. The association of Lhp1p with pre-U3 was also reduced on depletion of Lsm3p or Lsm5p, indicating that binding of Lhp1p and the Lsm proteins is interdependent. In contrast, a tagged Sm-protein detectably co-precipitated spliced pre-U3 species only in strains lacking Lhp1p. We propose that the Lsm2-8p complex functions as a chaperone in conjunction with Lhp1p to stabilise pre-U3 RNA species during 3' processing. The Sm complex may function as a back-up to stabilise 3' ends that are not protected by Lhp1p.

3'-box-dependent processing of human pre-U1 snRNA requires a combination of RNA and protein co-factors

Using an in vitro system we have recently shown that the 3' ends of human pre-snRNAs synthesized by RNA polymerase II are produced by RNA processing directed by the snRNA gene-specific 3' box. Towards a complete characterization of this processing reaction we have further investigated the in vitro requirements for proper 3' end formation of pre-U1 snRNA. Here we show that the 5' cap plays a stimulatory role and processing requires creatine phosphate. Our results also indicate that the pre-U1 processing activity is heat sensitive and that an RNA component is required. In addition, the exact sequence adjacent to the 3' box influences the position of the pre-U1 3' end produced in vitro. Interestingly, the processing extract active for 3'-box-dependent processing also contains an activity that converts the 3' end of RNA containing the U1 Sm protein binding site and the 3' terminal stem-loop into the mature form.

Cell cycle-dependent nuclear localization of yeast RNase III is required for efficient cell division

Members of the double-stranded RNA-specific ribonuclease III (RNase III) family were shown to affect cell division and chromosome segregation, presumably through an RNA interference-dependent mechanism. Here, we show that in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where the RNA interference machinery is not conserved, an orthologue of RNase III (Rnt1p) is required for progression of the cell cycle and nuclear division. The deletion of Rnt1p delayed cells in both G1 and G2/M phases of the cell cycle. Nuclear division and positioning at the bud neck were also impaired in Deltarnt1 cells. The cell cycle defects were restored by the expression of catalytically inactive Rnt1p, indicating that RNA cleavage is not essential for cell cycle progression. Rnt1p was found to exit from the nucleolus to the nucleoplasm in the G2/M phase, and perturbation of its localization pattern delayed the progression of cell division. A single mutation in the Rnt1p N-terminal domain prevented its accumulation in the nucleoplasm and slowed exit from mitosis without any detectable effects on RNA processing. Together, the data reveal a new role for a class II RNase III in the cell cycle and suggest that at least some members of the RNase III family possess catalysis-independent functions.

Silencing of Sm proteins in Trypanosoma brucei by RNA interference captured a novel cytoplasmic intermediate in spliced leader RNA biogenesis

In Trypanosoma brucei the small nuclear (sn) RNAs U1, U2, U4, and U5, as well as the spliced leader (SL) RNA, bind the seven Sm canonical proteins carrying the consensus Sm motif. To determine the function of these proteins in snRNA and SL RNA biogenesis, two of the Sm core proteins, SmE and SmD1, were silenced by RNAi. Surprisingly, whereas the level of all snRNAs, including U1, U2, U4, and U5 was reduced during silencing, the level of SL RNA was dramatically elevated, but the levels of U6 and spliced leader-associated RNA (SLA1) remained unchanged. The SL RNA that had accumulated in silenced cells lacked modification at the cap4 nucleotide but harbored modifications at the cap1 and cap2 nucleotides and carried the characteristic psi. This SL RNA possessed a longer tail and had accumulated in the cytoplasm in 10 and 50 S particles that were found by in situ hybridization to be present in "speckles." We propose a model for SL RNA biogenesis involving a cytoplasmic phase and suggest that the trypanosome-specific "cap4" nucleotides function as a signal for export and import of SL RNA out and into the nucleus. The SL RNA biogenesis pathway differs from that of U sn ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) in that it is the only RNA that binds Sm proteins that were stabilized under Sm depletion in a novel RNP, which we termed SL RNP-C.

RNAse III-mediated degradation of unspliced pre-mRNAs and lariat introns

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has emerged as a modulator of gene expression, from gene silencing to antiviral responses. Here we show that dsRNA stem-loop structures found in intronic regions of the S. cerevisiae RPS22B and RPL18A transcripts trigger degradation of unspliced pre-mRNAs and lariat introns and can control the level of mRNA produced from these intron-containing genes. The dsRNA regions are cleaved by Rnt1p, the yeast ortholog of RNase III, which creates an entry site for complete degradation by the Xrn1p and Rat1p exonucleases and by the nuclear exosome. These results identify an alternative discard pathway for precursors and products of the splicing machinery and a physiological function for dsRNA in eukaryotic RNA catabolism.

Sequence dependence of substrate recognition and cleavage by yeast RNase III

Yeast Rnt1p is a member of the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) specific RNase III family of endoribonucleases involved in RNA processing and RNA interference (RNAi). Unlike other RNase III enzymes, which recognize a variety of RNA duplexes, Rnt1p cleaves specifically RNA stems capped with the conserved AGNN tetraloop. This unusual substrate specificity challenges the established dogma for substrate selection by RNase III and questions the dsRNA contribution to recognition by Rnt1p. Here we show that the dsRNA sequence adjacent to the tetraloop regulates Rnt1p cleavage by interfering with RNA binding. In context, sequences surrounding the cleavage site directly influence the cleavage efficiency. Introduction of sequences that stabilize the RNA helix enhanced binding while reducing the turnover rate indicating that, unlike the tetraloop, Rnt1p binding to the dsRNA helix may become rate-limiting. These results suggest that Rnt1p activity is strictly regulated by a combination of primary and tertiary structural elements allowing a substrate-specific binding and cleavage efficiency.

Lsm Proteins are required for normal processing and stability of ribosomal RNAs

Depletion of any of the essential Lsm proteins, Lsm2-5p or Lsm8p, delayed pre-rRNA processing and led to the accumulation of many aberrant processing intermediates, indicating that an Lsm complex is required to maintain the normally strict order of processing events. In addition, high levels of degradation products derived from both precursors and mature rRNAs accumulated in Lsm-depleted strains. Depletion of the essential Lsm proteins reduced the apparent processivity of both 5' and 3' exonuclease activities involved in 5.8S rRNA processing, and the degradation intermediates that accumulated were consistent with inefficient 5' and 3' degradation. Many, but not all, pre-rRNA species could be coprecipitated with tagged Lsm3p, but not with tagged Lsm1p or non-tagged control strains, suggesting their direct interaction with an Lsm2-8p complex. We propose that Lsm proteins facilitate RNA protein interactions and structural changes required during ribosomal subunit assembly.

Biogenesis of yeast telomerase depends on the importin mtr10

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) involved in chromosome end replication, but its biogenesis is poorly understood. The RNA component of yeast telomerase (Tlc1) is synthesized as a polyadenylated precursor and then processed to a mature poly(A)- form. We report here that the karyopherin Mtr10p is required for the normal accumulation of mature Tlc1 and its proper localization to the nucleus. Neither TLC1 transcription nor the stability of poly(A)- Tlc1 is significantly affected in mtr10delta cells. Tlc1 was mostly nuclear in a wild-type background, and this localization was not affected by mutations in other telomerase components. Strikingly, in the absence of Mtr10p, Tlc1 was found dispersed throughout the entire cell. Our results are compatible with two alternative models. First, Mtr10p may import a cytoplasmic complex containing Tlc1 and perhaps other components of telomerase, and shuttling of Tlc1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and back may be necessary for the biogenesis of telomerase (the "shuttling" model). Second, Mtr10p may be necessary for the nuclear import of some enzyme needed for the nuclear processing and maturation of Tlc1, and in the absence of this maturation, poly(A)+ Tlc1 is aberrantly exported to the cytoplasm (the "processing enzyme" model).

A physical interaction between Gar1p and Rnt1pi is required for the nuclear import of H/ACA small nucleolar RNA-associated proteins

During rRNA biogenesis, multiple RNA and protein substrates are modified and assembled through the coordinated activity of many factors. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the double-stranded RNA nuclease Rnt1p and the H/ACA snoRNA pseudouridylase complex participate in the transformation of the nascent pre-rRNA transcript into 35S pre-rRNA. Here we demonstrate the binding of a component of the H/ACA complex (Gar1p) to Rnt1p in vivo and in vitro in the absence of other factors. In vitro, Rnt1p binding to Gar1p is mutually exclusive of its RNA binding and cleavage activities. Mutations in Rnt1p that disrupt Gar1p binding do not inhibit RNA cleavage in vitro but slow RNA processing, prevent nucleolar localization of H/ACA snoRNA-associated proteins, and reduce pre-rRNA pseudouridylation in vivo. These results demonstrate colocalization of various components of the rRNA maturation complex and suggest a mechanism that links rRNA pseudouridylation and cleavage factors.

Hypermethylation of the cap structure of both yeast snRNAs and snoRNAs requires a conserved methyltransferase that is localized to the nucleolus

The m(7)G caps of most spliceosomal snRNAs and certain snoRNAs are converted posttranscriptionally to 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (m(3)G) cap structures. Here, we show that yeast Tgs1p, an evolutionarily conserved protein carrying a signature of S-AdoMet methyltransferase, is essential for hypermethylation of the m(7)G caps of both snRNAs and snoRNAs. Deletion of the yeast TGS1 gene abolishes the conversion of the m(7)G to m(3)G caps and produces a cold-sensitive splicing defect that correlates with the retention of U1 snRNA in the nucleolus. Consistently, Tgs1p is also localized in the nucleolus. Our results suggest a trafficking pathway in which yeast snRNAs and snoRNAs cycle through the nucleolus to undergo m(7)G cap hypermethylation.

Purification and characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rnt1p nuclease

In this article, we have described methods used to purify Rnt1p and study its biochemical properties. Rnt1p can be easily purified from bacteria as N-terminal His6-tagged protein and its activity may be monitored in vitro. Rnt1p cleaves the RNA by binding to a cleavage site followed by hydrolysis and product release. The kinetic parameters of Rnt1p are similar to those of other nucleases, including bacterial RNase III. The ability of Rnt1p to bind substrate without cleaving it in the absence of divalent metal ions provides a convenient means to study RNA recognition and binding independent of catalysis. The gel mobility shift and in-the-gel cleavage assays described here reveal the formation of two Rnt1p-RNA complexes with different cleavage activities, suggesting that the protein may bind the substrate in two different forms or through a two-step binding reaction.

Ribonuclease III: new sense from nuisance

RNases play an important role in the processing of precursor RNAs, creating the mature, functional RNAs. The ribonuclease III family currently is one of the most interesting families of endoribonucleases. Surprisingly, RNase III is involved in the maturation of almost every class of prokaryotic and eukaryotic RNA. We present an overview of the various substrates and their processing. RNase III contains one of the most prominent protein domains used in RNA-protein recognition, the double-stranded RNA binding domain (dsRBD). Progress in the understanding of this domain is summarized. Furthermore, RNase III only recently emerged as a key player in the new exciting biological field of RNA silencing, or RNA interference. The eukaryotic RNase III homologues which are likely involved in this process are compared with the other members of the RNase III family.

Solution structure of conserved AGNN tetraloops: insights into Rnt1p RNA processing

Rnt1p, the yeast orthologue of RNase III, cleaves rRNAs, snRNAs and snoRNAs at a stem capped with conserved AGNN tetraloop. Here we show that 9 bp long stems ending with AGAA or AGUC tetraloops bind to Rnt1p and direct specific but sequence-independent RNA cleavage when provided with stems longer than 13 bp. The solution structures of these two tetraloops reveal a common fold for the terminal loop stabilized by non-canonical A-A or A-C pairs and extensive base stacking. The conserved nucleotides are stacked at the 5' side of the loop, exposing their Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen faces for recognition by Rnt1p. These results indicate that yeast RNase III recognizes the fold of a conserved single-stranded tetraloop to direct specific dsRNA cleavage.

A novel family of RNA tetraloop structure forms the recognition site for Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNase III

RNases III are a family of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) endoribonucleases involved in the processing and decay of a large number of cellular RNAs as well as in RNA interference. The dsRNA substrates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNase III (Rnt1p) are capped by tetraloops with the consensus sequence AGNN, which act as the primary docking site for the RNase. We have solved the solution structures of two RNA hairpins capped by AGNN tetraloops, AGAA and AGUU, using NMR spectroscopy. Both tetraloops have the same overall structure, in which the backbone turn occurs on the 3' side of the syn G residue in the loop, with the first A and G in a 5' stack and the last two residues in a 3' stack. A non-bridging phosphate oxygen and the universal G which are essential for Rnt1p binding are strongly exposed. The compared biochemical and structural analysis of various tetraloop sequences defines a novel family of RNA tetraloop fold with the consensus (U/A)GNN and implicates this conserved structure as the primary determinant for specific recognition of Rnt1p substrates.

Both N-terminal catalytic and C-terminal RNA binding domain contribute to substrate specificity and cleavage site selection of RNase III

The double-stranded RNA-specific endoribonuclease III (RNase III) of bacteria consists of an N-terminal nuclease domain and a double-stranded RNA binding domain (dsRBD) at the C-terminus. Analysis of two hybrid proteins consisting of the N-terminal half of Escherichia coli RNase III fused to the dsRBD of the Rhodobacter capsulatus enzyme and vice versa reveals that both domains in combination with the particular substrate determine substrate specificity and cleavage site selection. Extension of the spacer between the two domains of the E. coli enzyme from nine to 20 amino acids did not affect cleavage site selection.

The La protein

Ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells, the La protein associates with the 3' termini of many newly synthesized small RNAs. RNAs bound by the La protein include all nascent transcripts made by RNA polymerase III as well as certain small RNAs synthesized by other RNA polymerases. Recent genetic and biochemical analyses have revealed that binding by the La protein protects the 3' ends of these RNAs from exonucleases. This La-mediated stabilization is required for the normal pathway of pre-tRNA maturation, facilitates assembly of small RNAs into functional RNA-protein complexes, and contributes to nuclear retention of certain small RNAs. Studies of mutant La proteins have given some insights into how the La protein specifically recognizes its RNA targets. However, many questions remain regarding the molecular mechanisms by which La protein binding influences multiple steps in small RNA biogenesis. This review focuses on the roles of the La protein in small RNA biogenesis and also discusses data that implicate the La protein in the translation of specific mRNAs.

Symmetrical dimethylation of arginine residues in spliceosomal Sm protein B/B' and the Sm-like protein LSm4, and their interaction with the SMN protein

Arginine residues in RG-rich proteins are frequently dimethylated posttranslationally by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). The most common methylation pattern is asymmetrical dimethylation, a modification important for protein shuttling and signal transduction. Symmetrically dimethylated arginines (sDMA) have until now been confined to the myelin basic protein MBP and the Sm proteins D1 and D3. We show here by mass spectrometry and protein sequencing that also the human Sm protein B/B' and, for the first time, one of the Sm-like proteins, LSm4, contain sDMA in vivo. The symmetrical dimethylation of B/B', LSm4, D1, and D3 decisively influences their binding to the Tudor domain of the "survival of motor neurons" protein (SMN): inhibition of dimethylation by S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) abolished the binding of D1, D3, B/B', and LSm4 to this domain. A synthetic peptide containing nine sDMA-glycine dipeptides, but not asymmetrically modified or nonmodified peptides, specifically inhibited the interaction of D1, D3, B/B', LSm4, and UsnRNPs with SMN-Tudor. Recombinant D1 and a synthetic peptide could be methylated in vitro by both HeLa cytosolic S100 extract and nuclear extract; however, only the cytosolic extract produced symmetrical dimethylarginines. Thus, the Sm-modifying PRMT is cytoplasmic, and symmetrical dimethylation of B/B', D1, and D3 is a prerequisite for the SMN-dependent cytoplasmic core-UsnRNP assembly. Our demonstration of sDMAs in LSm4 suggests additional functions of sDMAs in tri-UsnRNP biogenesis and mRNA decay. Our findings also have interesting implications for the understanding of the aetiology of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).