1
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Hynes C, Kakumani PK. Regulatory role of RNA-binding proteins in microRNA biogenesis. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1374843. [PMID: 38567098 PMCID: PMC10985210 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1374843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that silence gene expression through their interaction with complementary sequences in the 3' untranslated regions (UTR) of target mRNAs. miRNAs undergo a series of steps during their processing and maturation, which are tightly regulated to fine-tune their abundance and ability to function in post-transcriptional gene silencing. miRNA biogenesis typically involves core catalytic proteins, namely, Drosha and Dicer, and several other RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that recognize and interact with miRNA precursors and/or their intermediates, and mature miRNAs along with their interacting proteins. The series of RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions are critical to maintaining miRNA expression levels and their function, underlying a variety of cellular processes. Throughout this article, we review RBPs that play a role in miRNA biogenesis and focus on their association with components of the miRNA pathway with functional consequences in the processing and generation of mature miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pavan Kumar Kakumani
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada
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2
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Li M, Zhang Z, Guan L, Ji S, Lu P. ERH gene knockdown inhibits the proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells through MCM complex and EMT process. Gene 2024; 892:147855. [PMID: 37778419 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the role of the Enhancer of rudimentary homolog (ERH) gene on the proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells, and its mechanism. METHODS ARPE-19 cells were divided into ERH gene knockdown (ERH KD) and normal ERH gene (ERH NC) groups and infected with respected virus. Cell counting kit-8 assay, wound-healing assay, and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate the effects of the ERH gene on cell proliferation, migration, and cell cycle. A 4D label-free quantitative proteomic analysis was conducted to obtain the ERH gene knockdown-related differential proteins list (DPL). Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), protein domain analysis, subcellular localization analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed to explore the main downstream functions of the ERH gene. Proteins related to DNA replication, cell cycle, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were identified by Western blot test. RESULTS The ERH gene was successfully knocked down in ARPE-19 cells of the ERH KD group. The proliferation and migration of cells were reduced and the cell cycle was arrested at the S phase in the ERH KD group. A DPL of 47 upregulated and 108 downregulated proteins was obtained, and their functions were explored and found to be associated with the MCM complex, DNA replication, and cell cycle. Protein domain analysis, protein subcellular localization analysis, and PPI analysis showed that the MCM complex may play a key role in the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells affected by the ERH gene. DNA replication, cell cycle, and EMT-related proteins were affected when the ERH gene was knocked down. CONCLUSION Knockdown of ERH gene inhibits the proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells through the MCM complex and EMT process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meili Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute of Xuzhou, No. 269 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Zhengpei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute of Xuzhou, No. 269 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Lina Guan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute of Xuzhou, No. 269 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Sujuan Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Xuzhou Municipal Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou First People's Hospital, Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Institute of Xuzhou, No. 269 Daxue Road, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Peirong Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, No. 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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3
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Bofill-De Ros X, Vang Ørom UA. Recent progress in miRNA biogenesis and decay. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-8. [PMID: 38031325 PMCID: PMC10761092 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2288741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are a class of small regulatory RNAs that mediate regulation of protein synthesis by recognizing sequence elements in mRNAs. MicroRNAs are processed through a series of steps starting from transcription and primary processing in the nucleus to precursor processing and mature function in the cytoplasm. It is also in the cytoplasm where levels of mature microRNAs can be modulated through decay mechanisms. Here, we review the recent progress in the lifetime of a microRNA at all steps required for maintaining their homoeostasis. The increasing knowledge about microRNA regulation upholds great promise as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Bofill-De Ros
- RNA Biology and Innovation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ulf Andersson Vang Ørom
- RNA Biology and Innovation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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4
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Shang R, Lee S, Senavirathne G, Lai EC. microRNAs in action: biogenesis, function and regulation. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:816-833. [PMID: 37380761 PMCID: PMC11087887 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00611-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Ever since microRNAs (miRNAs) were first recognized as an extensive gene family >20 years ago, a broad community of researchers was drawn to investigate the universe of small regulatory RNAs. Although core features of miRNA biogenesis and function were revealed early on, recent years continue to uncover fundamental information on the structural and molecular dynamics of core miRNA machinery, how miRNA substrates and targets are selected from the transcriptome, new avenues for multilevel regulation of miRNA biogenesis and mechanisms for miRNA turnover. Many of these latest insights were enabled by recent technological advances, including massively parallel assays, cryogenic electron microscopy, single-molecule imaging and CRISPR-Cas9 screening. Here, we summarize the current understanding of miRNA biogenesis, function and regulation, and outline challenges to address in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renfu Shang
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Seungjae Lee
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gayan Senavirathne
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric C Lai
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA.
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5
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Kozlowski P. Thirty Years with ERH: An mRNA Splicing and Mitosis Factor Only or Rather a Novel Genome Integrity Protector? Cells 2023; 12:2449. [PMID: 37887293 PMCID: PMC10605862 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
ERH is a 100 to about 110 aa nuclear protein with unique primary and three-dimensional structures that are very conserved from simple eukaryotes to humans, albeit some species have lost its gene, with most higher fungi being a noteworthy example. Initially, studies on Drosophila melanogaster implied its function in pyrimidine metabolism. Subsequently, research on Xenopus laevis suggested that it acts as a transcriptional repressor. Finally, studies in humans pointed to a role in pre-mRNA splicing and in mitosis but further research, also in Caenorhabditis elegans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, demonstrated its much broader activity, namely involvement in the biogenesis of mRNA, and miRNA, piRNA and some other ncRNAs, and in repressive heterochromatin formation. ERH interacts with numerous, mostly taxon-specific proteins, like Mmi1 and Mei2 in S. pombe, PID-3/PICS-1, TOST-1 and PID-1 in C. elegans, and DGCR8, CIZ1, PDIP46/SKAR and SAFB1/2 in humans. There are, however, some common themes in this wide range of processes and partners, such as: (a) ERH homodimerizes to form a scaffold for several complexes involved in the metabolism of nucleic acids, (b) all these RNAs are RNA polymerase II transcripts, (c) pre-mRNAs, whose splicing depends on ERH, are enriched in transcripts of DNA damage response and DNA metabolism genes, and (d) heterochromatin is formed to silence unwanted transcription, e.g., from repetitive elements. Thus, it seems that ERH has been adopted for various pathways that serve to maintain genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Kozlowski
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
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6
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Shang R, Lai EC. Parameters of clustered suboptimal miRNA biogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306727120. [PMID: 37788316 PMCID: PMC10576077 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306727120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear cleavage of a suboptimal primary miRNA hairpin by the Drosha/DGCR8 complex ("Microprocessor") can be enhanced by an optimal miRNA neighbor, a phenomenon termed cluster assistance. Several features and biological impacts of this new layer of miRNA regulation are not fully known. Here, we elucidate the parameters of cluster assistance of a suboptimal miRNA and also reveal competitive interactions amongst optimal miRNAs within a cluster. We exploit cluster assistance as a functional assay for suboptimal processing and use this to invalidate putative suboptimal substrates, as well as identify a "solo" suboptimal miRNA. Finally, we report complexity in how specific mutations might affect the biogenesis of clustered miRNAs in disease contexts. This includes how an operon context can buffer the effect of a deleterious processing variant, but reciprocally how a point mutation can have a nonautonomous effect to impair the biogenesis of a clustered, suboptimal, neighbor. These data expand our knowledge regarding regulated miRNA biogenesis in humans and represent a functional assay for empirical definition of suboptimal Microprocessor substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renfu Shang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY10065
| | - Eric C. Lai
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY10065
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7
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Street L, Rothamel K, Brannan K, Jin W, Bokor B, Dong K, Rhine K, Madrigal A, Al-Azzam N, Kim JK, Ma Y, Abdou A, Wolin E, Doron-Mandel E, Ahdout J, Mujumdar M, Jovanovic M, Yeo GW. Large-scale map of RNA binding protein interactomes across the mRNA life-cycle. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.08.544225. [PMID: 37333282 PMCID: PMC10274859 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.08.544225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) interact with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in diverse ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) during distinct life-cycle stages for their processing and maturation. While substantial attention has focused on understanding RNA regulation by assigning proteins, particularly RBPs, to specific RNA substrates, there has been considerably less exploration leveraging protein-protein interaction (PPI) methodologies to identify and study the role of proteins in mRNA life-cycle stages. To address this gap, we generated an RNA-aware RBP-centric PPI map across the mRNA life-cycle by immunopurification (IP-MS) of ~100 endogenous RBPs across the life-cycle in the presence or absence of RNase, augmented by size exclusion chromatography (SEC-MS). Aside from confirming 8,700 known and discovering 20,359 novel interactions between 1125 proteins, we determined that 73% of our IP interactions are regulated by the presence of RNA. Our PPI data enables us to link proteins to life-cycle stage functions, highlighting that nearly half of the proteins participate in at least two distinct stages. We show that one of the most highly interconnected proteins, ERH, engages in multiple RNA processes, including via interactions with nuclear speckles and the mRNA export machinery. We also demonstrate that the spliceosomal protein SNRNP200 participates in distinct stress granule-associated RNPs and occupies different RNA target regions in the cytoplasm during stress. Our comprehensive RBP-focused PPI network is a novel resource for identifying multi-stage RBPs and exploring RBP complexes in RNA maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Street
- These authors contributed equally
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine Rothamel
- These authors contributed equally
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kristopher Brannan
- These authors contributed equally
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for RNA Therapeutics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wenhao Jin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Bokor
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Dong
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kevin Rhine
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Assael Madrigal
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Norah Al-Azzam
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jenny Kim Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yanzhe Ma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ahmed Abdou
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erica Wolin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ella Doron-Mandel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua Ahdout
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Mayuresh Mujumdar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Marko Jovanovic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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8
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Zhang L, Xu X, Su X. Modifications of noncoding RNAs in cancer and their therapeutic implications. Cell Signal 2023:110726. [PMID: 37230201 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In the last 50 years, over 150 various chemical modifications on RNA molecules, including mRNAs, rRNAs, tRNAs, and other noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), have been identified and characterized. These RNA modifications regulate RNA biogenesis and biological functions and are widely involved in various physiological processes and diseases, including cancer. In recent decades, broad interest has arisen in the epigenetic modification of ncRNAs due to the increased knowledge of the critical roles of ncRNAs in cancer. In this review, we summarize the various modifications of ncRNAs and highlight their roles in cancer initiation and progression. In particular, we discuss the potential of RNA modifications as novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Xiaonan Xu
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612-9497, USA
| | - Xiulan Su
- Clinical Medical Research Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010050, Inner Mongolia, China.
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9
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Son S, Kim B, Yang J, Kim VN. Role of the proline-rich disordered domain of DROSHA in intronic microRNA processing. Genes Dev 2023; 37:383-397. [PMID: 37236670 PMCID: PMC10270192 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350275.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
DROSHA serves as a gatekeeper of the microRNA (miRNA) pathway by processing primary transcripts (pri-miRNAs). While the functions of structured domains of DROSHA have been well documented, the contribution of N-terminal proline-rich disordered domain (PRD) remains elusive. Here we show that the PRD promotes the processing of miRNA hairpins located within introns. We identified a DROSHA isoform (p140) lacking the PRD, which is produced by proteolytic cleavage. Small RNA sequencing revealed that p140 is significantly impaired in the maturation of intronic miRNAs. Consistently, our minigene constructs demonstrated that PRD enhances the processing of intronic hairpins, but not those in exons. Splice site mutations did not affect the PRD's enhancing effect on intronic constructs, suggesting that the PRD acts independently of splicing reaction by interacting with sequences residing within introns. The N-terminal regions from zebrafish and Xenopus DROSHA can replace the human counterpart, indicating functional conservation despite poor sequence alignment. Moreover, we found that rapidly evolving intronic miRNAs are generally more dependent on PRD than conserved ones, suggesting a role of PRD in miRNA evolution. Our study reveals a new layer of miRNA regulation mediated by a low-complexity disordered domain that senses the genomic contexts of miRNA loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soomin Son
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Baekgyu Kim
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jihye Yang
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - V Narry Kim
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea;
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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10
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Le TNY, Le CT, Nguyen TA. Pri-miRNA cleavage assays for the Microprocessor complex. Methods Enzymol 2023; 692:217-230. [PMID: 37925180 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
The Microprocessor complex (MP) is a vital component in the biogenesis of microRNAs (miRNAs) in animals. It plays a crucial role in the biogenesis of microRNAs (miRNAs) in mammals as it cleaves primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) to initiate their production. The accurate enzymatic activity of MP is critical to ensuring proper sequencing and expression of miRNAs and their correct cellular functions. RNA elements in pri-miRNAs, including secondary structures and sequencing motifs, RNA editing and modifications, and cofactors, can impact MP cleavage and affect miRNA expression and sequence. To evaluate MP cleavage activity with various RNA substrates under different conditions, we set up an in vitro pri-miRNA cleavage assay. This involves purifying human MP from HEK293E cells, synthesizing pri-miRNAs using in vitro transcription, and performing pri-miRNA cleavage assays using basic laboratory equipment and reagents. These procedures can be performed in various labs and improved for high-throughput analysis of enzymatic activities with thousands of RNA substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Nhu-Y Le
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Cong Truc Le
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong, P.R. China
| | - Tuan Anh Nguyen
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong, P.R. China.
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11
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Vilimova M, Pfeffer S. Post-transcriptional regulation of polycistronic microRNAs. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1749. [PMID: 35702737 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
An important proportion of microRNA (miRNA) genes tend to lie close to each other within animal genomes. Such genomic organization is generally referred to as miRNA clusters. Even though many miRNA clusters have been greatly studied, most attention has been usually focused on functional impacts of clustered miRNA co-expression. However, there is also another compelling aspect about these miRNA clusters, their polycistronic nature. Being transcribed on a single RNA precursor, polycistronic miRNAs benefit from common transcriptional regulation allowing their coordinated expression. And yet, numerous reports have revealed striking discrepancies in the accumulation of mature miRNAs produced from the same cluster. Indeed, the larger polycistronic transcripts can act as platforms providing unforeseen post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling individual miRNA processing, thus leading to differential miRNA expression, and sometimes even challenging the general assumption that polycistronic miRNAs are co-expressed. In this review, we aim to address the current knowledge about how miRNA polycistrons are post-transcriptionally regulated. In particular, we will focus on the mechanisms occurring at the level of the primary transcript, which are highly relevant for individual miRNA processing and as such have a direct repercussion on miRNA function within the cell. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Biogenesis of Effector Small RNAs RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Vilimova
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Sébastien Pfeffer
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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12
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Graille M. ERH: a plug-and-play protein important for gene silencing and cell cycle progression. FEBS J 2023; 290:688-691. [PMID: 36334004 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In metazoans, most proteins have pleiotropic cellular functions and have the ability to interact with several factors to accomplish these different functions. This is the case of eukaryotic ERH proteins, a family of homodimeric proteins involved in DNA replication and cell cycle control as well as in gene silencing by contributing either to the biogenesis of small interference RNAs (miRNAs, piRNAs) or to the recruitment of RNA decay machineries. Very recently, several crystal structures describing complexes formed by eukaryotic ERH proteins and several small peptides from various partners have highlighted the existence of different binding sites on the surface of ERH proteins. In this issue of The FEBS Journal, Wang et al. present the crystal structure of the complex formed between the human ERH protein and a short peptide of the CIZ1 protein, one of its partners. Altogether, this information will be particularly important for future studies aimed at dissecting the different biological functions governed by this family of highly conserved proteins. Comment on: https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16611.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Graille
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule (BIOC), CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
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13
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Wang X, Xie H, Zhu Z, Zhang J, Xu C. Molecular basis for the recognition of CIZ1 by ERH. FEBS J 2023; 290:712-723. [PMID: 36047590 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Enhancer of rudimentary homologue (ERH), a small protein conserved in eukaryotes, is involved in a wide spectrum of cellular events, including cell cycle progression, piRNA biogenesis, miRNA maturation and gene expression. Human ERH is recruited to replication foci by CDKN1A-interacting zinc finger protein 1 (CIZ1), and plays an important role in cell growth control. However, the molecular basis for CIZ1 recognition by ERH remains unknown. By using GST pull-down experiment, we found that a fragment within CIZ1, upstream of its first zinc finger, is sufficient for binding to ERH. We solved the structure of CIZ1-bound ERH, in which the ERH dimer binds to two CIZ1 fragments to form a 2 : 2 heterotetramer. CIZ1 forms intermolecular antiparallel β-strands with ERH, and its binding surface on ERH is distinct from those of other known ERH-binding ligands. The ERH-CIZ1 interface was further validated by mutagenesis and binding experiments. Our structural study complemented by biochemistry experiments not only provides insights into a previously unidentified ligand-binding mode for ERH but also sheds light on the understanding of evolutionarily conserved roles for ERH orthologs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Huabin Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhongliang Zhu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jiahai Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chao Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Cellular Dynamics, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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14
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Komatsu S, Kitai H, Suzuki HI. Network Regulation of microRNA Biogenesis and Target Interaction. Cells 2023; 12:306. [PMID: 36672241 PMCID: PMC9856966 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are versatile, post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Canonical miRNAs are generated through the two-step DROSHA- and DICER-mediated processing of primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) transcripts with optimal or suboptimal features for DROSHA and DICER cleavage and loading into Argonaute (AGO) proteins, whereas multiple hairpin-structured RNAs are encoded in the genome and could be a source of non-canonical miRNAs. Recent advances in miRNA biogenesis research have revealed details of the structural basis of miRNA processing and cluster assistance mechanisms that facilitate the processing of suboptimal hairpins encoded together with optimal hairpins in polycistronic pri-miRNAs. In addition, a deeper investigation of miRNA-target interaction has provided insights into the complexity of target recognition with distinct outcomes, including target-mediated miRNA degradation (TDMD) and cooperation in target regulation by multiple miRNAs. Therefore, the coordinated or network regulation of both miRNA biogenesis and miRNA-target interaction is prevalent in miRNA biology. Alongside recent advances in the mechanistic investigation of miRNA functions, this review summarizes recent findings regarding the ordered regulation of miRNA biogenesis and miRNA-target interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Komatsu
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
- Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kitai
- Department of Nephrology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Hiroshi I. Suzuki
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
- Institute for Glyco-Core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research, Gifu University Institute for Advanced Study, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
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15
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Shcherbakova L, Pardo M, Roumeliotis T, Choudhary J. Identifying and characterising Thrap3, Bclaf1 and Erh interactions using cross-linking mass spectrometry. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 6:260. [PMID: 35865489 PMCID: PMC9270653 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17160.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) is a powerful technology capable of yielding structural insights across the complex cellular protein interaction network. However, up to date most of the studies utilising XL-MS to characterise individual protein complexes' topology have been carried out on over-expressed or recombinant proteins, which might not accurately represent native cellular conditions. Methods: We performed XL-MS using MS-cleavable crosslinker disuccinimidyl sulfoxide (DSSO) after immunoprecipitation of endogenous BRG/Brahma-associated factors (BAF) complex and co-purifying proteins. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD027611. Results: Although we did not detect the expected enrichment of crosslinks within the BAF complex, we identified numerous crosslinks between three co-purifying proteins, namely Thrap3, Bclaf1 and Erh. Thrap3 and Bclaf1 are mostly disordered proteins for which no 3D structure is available. The XL data allowed us to map interaction surfaces on these proteins, which overlap with the non-disordered portions of both proteins. The identified XLs are in agreement with homology-modelled structures suggesting that the interaction surfaces are globular. Conclusions: Our data shows that MS-cleavable crosslinker DSSO can be used to characterise in detail the topology and interaction surfaces of endogenous protein complexes without the need for overexpression. We demonstrate that Bclaf1, Erh and Thrap3 interact closely with each other, suggesting they might form a novel complex, hereby referred to as BET complex. This data can be exploited for modelling protein-protein docking to characterise the three-dimensional structure of the complex. Endogenous XL-MS might be challenging due to crosslinker accessibility, protein complex abundance or isolation efficiency, and require further optimisation for some complexes like the BAF complex to detect a substantial number of crosslinks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mercedes Pardo
- Cancer Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, UK, London, UK
| | | | - Jyoti Choudhary
- Cancer Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, UK, London, UK,
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16
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Shcherbakova L, Pardo M, Roumeliotis T, Choudhary J. Identifying and characterising Thrap3, Bclaf1 and Erh interactions using cross-linking mass spectrometry. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 6:260. [PMID: 35865489 PMCID: PMC9270653 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17160.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) is a powerful technology capable of yielding structural insights across the complex cellular protein interaction network. However, up to date most of the studies utilising XL-MS to characterise individual protein complexes' topology have been carried out on over-expressed or recombinant proteins, which might not accurately represent native cellular conditions. Methods: We performed XL-MS using MS-cleavable crosslinker disuccinimidyl sulfoxide (DSSO) after immunoprecipitation of endogenous BRG/Brahma-associated factors (BAF) complex and co-purifying proteins. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD027611. Results: Although we did not detect the expected enrichment of crosslinks within the BAF complex, we identified numerous crosslinks between three co-purifying proteins, namely Thrap3, Bclaf1 and Erh. Thrap3 and Bclaf1 are mostly disordered proteins for which no 3D structure is available. The XL data allowed us to map interaction surfaces on these proteins, which overlap with the non-disordered portions of both proteins. The identified XLs are in agreement with homology-modelled structures suggesting that the interaction surfaces are globular. Conclusions: Our data shows that MS-cleavable crosslinker DSSO can be used to characterise in detail the topology and interaction surfaces of endogenous protein complexes without the need for overexpression. We demonstrate that Bclaf1, Erh and Thrap3 interact closely with each other, suggesting they might form a novel complex, hereby referred to as TEB complex. This data can be exploited for modelling protein-protein docking to characterise the three-dimensional structure of the complex. Endogenous XL-MS might be challenging due to crosslinker accessibility, protein complex abundance or isolation efficiency, and require further optimisation for some complexes like the BAF complex to detect a substantial number of crosslinks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mercedes Pardo
- Cancer Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, UK, London, UK
| | | | - Jyoti Choudhary
- Cancer Biology, Institute of Cancer Research, UK, London, UK,
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17
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Ruiz-Arroyo VM, Nam Y. Dynamic Protein-RNA recognition in primary MicroRNA processing. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2022; 76:102442. [PMID: 36067707 PMCID: PMC9509664 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are prevalent regulators of gene expression, controlling most of the proteome in multicellular organisms. To generate the functional small RNAs, precise processing steps are required. In animals, microRNA biogenesis is initiated by Microprocessor that minimally consists of the Drosha enzyme and its partner, DGCR8. This first step is critical for selecting primary microRNAs, and many RNA-binding proteins and regulatory pathways target both the accuracy and efficiency of microRNA maturation. Structures of Drosha and DGCR8 in complex with primary microRNAs elucidate how RNA structural features rather than sequence provide the framework for substrate recognition. Comparing multiple states of Microprocessor and the closely related Dicer homologs shed light on the dynamic protein-RNA complex assembly and disassembly required to recognize RNAs with diverse sequences via common structural features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M Ruiz-Arroyo
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Biophysics, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. https://twitter.com/@Ruiz_Arroy0
| | - Yunsun Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Biophysics, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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18
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Jungers CF, Djuranovic S. Modulation of miRISC-Mediated Gene Silencing in Eukaryotes. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:832916. [PMID: 35237661 PMCID: PMC8882679 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.832916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is regulated at multiple levels in eukaryotic cells. Regulation at the post-transcriptional level is modulated by various trans-acting factors that bind to specific sequences in the messenger RNA (mRNA). The binding of different trans factors influences various aspects of the mRNA such as degradation rate, translation efficiency, splicing, localization, etc. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short endogenous ncRNAs that combine with the Argonaute to form the microRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC), which uses base-pair complementation to silence the target transcript. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) contribute to post-transcriptional control by influencing the mRNA stability and translation upon binding to cis-elements within the mRNA transcript. RBPs have been shown to impact gene expression through influencing the miRISC biogenesis, composition, or miRISC-mRNA target interaction. While there is clear evidence that those interactions between RBPs, miRNAs, miRISC and target mRNAs influence the efficiency of miRISC-mediated gene silencing, the exact mechanism for most of them remains unclear. This review summarizes our current knowledge on gene expression regulation through interactions of miRNAs and RBPs.
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19
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Leitão AL, Enguita FJ. A Structural View of miRNA Biogenesis and Function. Noncoding RNA 2022; 8:ncrna8010010. [PMID: 35202084 PMCID: PMC8874510 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna8010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Since their discovery in 1993, they have been the subject of deep study due to their involvement in many important biological processes. Compared with other ncRNAs, miRNAs are generated from devoted transcriptional units which are processed by a specific set of endonucleases. The contribution of structural biology methods for understanding miRNA biogenesis and function has been essential for the dissection of their roles in cell biology and human disease. In this review, we summarize the application of structural biology for the characterization of the molecular players involved in miRNA biogenesis (processors and effectors), starting from the X-ray crystallography methods to the more recent cryo-electron microscopy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lúcia Leitão
- MEtRICs, Department of Sciences and Technology of Biomass, NOVA School of Science and Technology, FCT NOVA, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - Francisco J. Enguita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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20
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Vardapour R, Kehl T, Kneitz S, Ludwig N, Meese E, Lenhof HP, Gessler M. The DGCR8 E518K mutation found in Wilms tumors leads to a partial miRNA processing defect that alters gene expression patterns and biological processes. Carcinogenesis 2021; 43:82-93. [PMID: 34919667 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgab110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common renal tumor in childhood. We and others have previously identified oncogenic driver mutations affecting the microprocessor genes DROSHA and DGCR8 that lead to altered miRNA expression patterns. In the case of DGCR8, a single recurrent hotspot mutation (E518K) was found in the RNA binding domain. To functionally assess this mutation in vitro, we generated mouse Dgcr8-KO embryonic stem cell (mESC) lines with an inducible expression of wild-type or mutant DGCR8, mirroring the hemizygous mutant expression seen in WT. RNA-seq analysis revealed significant differences of miRNA expression profiles in DGCR8-E518K compared to DGCR8-wild-type mESCs. The E518K mutation only led to a partial rescue of the reported miRNA processing defect in Dgcr8-KO, with selectively reduced expression of numerous canonical miRNAs. Nevertheless, DGCR8-E518K retained significant activity given its ability to still process many miRNAs. Subsequent to altered miRNA levels, the expression of mRNA targets was likewise changed. Functional assays showed that DGCR8-E518K cells still have a partial proliferation and differentiation defect but were able to rescue critical biological processes in embryoid body development. The stem cell program could be shut down and all three germ layers were formed. These findings suggest that the E518K mutation leads to a partial reduction of microprocessor activity and altered specificity with selective impairment only in certain developmental contexts, apparently including nephrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Vardapour
- Theodor-Boveri-Institute/Biocenter, Developmental Biochemistry, Wuerzburg University, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Tim Kehl
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Susanne Kneitz
- Theodor-Boveri-Institute/Biocenter, Physiological Chemistry, Wuerzburg University, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Ludwig
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Eckart Meese
- Department of Human Genetics, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Lenhof
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Manfred Gessler
- Theodor-Boveri-Institute/Biocenter, Developmental Biochemistry, Wuerzburg University, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, 97078 Wuerzburg, Germany
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21
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Vilimova M, Contrant M, Randrianjafy R, Dumas P, Elbasani E, Ojala PM, Pfeffer S, Fender A. Cis regulation within a cluster of viral microRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:10018-10033. [PMID: 34417603 PMCID: PMC8464075 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs involved in virtually all biological processes. Although many of them are co-expressed from clusters, little is known regarding the impact of this organization on the regulation of their accumulation. In this study, we set to decipher a regulatory mechanism controlling the expression of the ten clustered pre-miRNAs from Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We measured in vitro the efficiency of cleavage of each individual pre-miRNA by the Microprocessor and found that pre-miR-K1 and -K3 were the most efficiently cleaved pre-miRNAs. A mutational analysis showed that, in addition to producing mature miRNAs, they are also important for the optimal expression of the whole set of miRNAs. We showed that this feature depends on the presence of a canonical pre-miRNA at this location since we could functionally replace pre-miR-K1 by a heterologous pre-miRNA. Further in vitro processing analysis suggests that the two stem-loops act in cis and that the cluster is cleaved in a sequential manner. Finally, we exploited this characteristic of the cluster to inhibit the expression of the whole set of miRNAs by targeting the pre-miR-K1 with LNA-based antisense oligonucleotides in cells either expressing a synthetic construct or latently infected with KSHV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Vilimova
- Université de Strasbourg, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Maud Contrant
- Université de Strasbourg, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Ramy Randrianjafy
- Université de Strasbourg, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Philippe Dumas
- Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Department of Integrated structural Biology, 1 rue Laurent Fries, BP10142, 67404 Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Endrit Elbasani
- Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, P.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi M Ojala
- Translational Cancer Medicine Research Program, P.O. Box 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sébastien Pfeffer
- Université de Strasbourg, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Aurélie Fender
- Université de Strasbourg, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire du CNRS, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, 67084 Strasbourg, France
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22
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Wang X, Zeng C, Liao S, Zhu Z, Zhang J, Tu X, Yao X, Feng X, Guang S, Xu C. Molecular basis for PICS-mediated piRNA biogenesis and cell division. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5595. [PMID: 34552083 PMCID: PMC8458385 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25896-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
By incorporating two mutually exclusive factors, PID-1 and TOST-1, C. elegans PICS complex plays important roles in piRNA biogenesis, chromosome segregation and cell division. We firstly map the interaction network between PICS subunits, then uncover the mechanisms underlying the interactions between PICS subunits by solving several complex structures, including those of TOFU-6/PICS-1, ERH-2/PICS-1, and ERH-2/TOST-1. Our biochemical experiment also demonstrates that PICS exists as an octamer consisting of two copies of each subunit. Combining structural analyses with mutagenesis experiments, we identify interfacial residues of PICS subunits that are critical for maintaining intact PICS complex in vitro. Furthermore, using genetics, cell biology and imaging experiments, we find that those mutants impairing the in vitro interaction network within PICS, also lead to dysfunction of PICS in vivo, including mislocalization of PICS, and reduced levels of piRNAs or aberrant chromosome segregation and cell division. Therefore, our work provides structural insights into understanding the PICS-mediated piRNA biogenesis and cell division. C. elegans piRNA biogenesis and chromosome segregation (PICS) complex is composed of TOFU-6, PICS-1, ERH-2, and two mutually exclusive factors PID-1 and TOST-1. By employing biochemical, structural, and cellular biology methods, the authors show that the PICS complex is an octamer consisting of two copies of each subunit, and functions in piRNA biogenesis and mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
| | - Chenming Zeng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
| | - Shanhui Liao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
| | - Zhongliang Zhu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
| | - Jiahai Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
| | - Xiaoming Tu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
| | - Xuebiao Yao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
| | - Xuezhu Feng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China.
| | - Shouhong Guang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China.
| | - Chao Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles & Cellular Dynamics, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China.
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23
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Perez-Borrajero C, Podvalnaya N, Holleis K, Lichtenberger R, Karaulanov E, Simon B, Basquin J, Hennig J, Ketting RF, Falk S. Structural basis of PETISCO complex assembly during piRNA biogenesis in C. elegans. Genes Dev 2021; 35:1304-1323. [PMID: 34413138 PMCID: PMC8415317 DOI: 10.1101/gad.348648.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, Perez-Borrajero et al. set out to characterize PETISCO architecture and its interaction with RNA, together with its effector proteins TOST-1 and PID-1. Using biochemical and structural biology approaches, the authors found that PETISCO forms a dimer of tetramers, in which dimerization is mediated by both PID-3 and ERH-2. Crystal structures of the PID- 3/TOFU-6 and ERH-2/PID-3 subcomplexes reveal insights into PETISCO assembly, function, and subcellular localization. Using NMR spectroscopy, the authors also characterize the mutually exclusive interplay of ERH-2 with the two effector proteins TOST-1 and PID-1. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) constitute a class of small RNAs that bind PIWI proteins and are essential to repress transposable elements in the animal germline, thereby promoting genome stability and maintaining fertility. C. elegans piRNAs (21U RNAs) are transcribed individually from minigenes as precursors that require 5′ and 3′ processing. This process depends on the PETISCO complex, consisting of four proteins: IFE-3, TOFU-6, PID-3, and ERH-2. We used biochemical and structural biology approaches to characterize the PETISCO architecture and its interaction with RNA, together with its effector proteins TOST-1 and PID-1. These two proteins define different PETISCO functions: PID-1 governs 21U processing, whereas TOST-1 links PETISCO to an unknown process essential for early embryogenesis. Here, we show that PETISCO forms an octameric assembly with each subunit present in two copies. Determination of structures of the TOFU-6/PID-3 and PID-3/ERH-2 subcomplexes, supported by in vivo studies of subunit interaction mutants, allows us to propose a model for the formation of the TOFU-6/PID-3/ERH-2 core complex and its functionality in germ cells and early embryos. Using NMR spectroscopy, we demonstrate that TOST-1 and PID-1 bind to a common surface on ERH-2, located opposite its PID-3 binding site, explaining how PETISCO can mediate different cellular roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Perez-Borrajero
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nadezda Podvalnaya
- Biology of Noncoding RNA Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, 55128 Mainz, Germany.,International PhD Programme on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics and Genome Stability, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Kay Holleis
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Raffael Lichtenberger
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Emil Karaulanov
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Institute of Molecular Biology, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Bernd Simon
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jérôme Basquin
- Department of Structural Cell Biology, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Janosch Hennig
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.,Chair of Biochemistry IV, Biophysical Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - René F Ketting
- Biology of Noncoding RNA Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, 55128 Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Falk
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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24
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Kim K, Baek SC, Lee YY, Bastiaanssen C, Kim J, Kim H, Kim VN. A quantitative map of human primary microRNA processing sites. Mol Cell 2021; 81:3422-3439.e11. [PMID: 34320405 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Maturation of canonical microRNA (miRNA) is initiated by DROSHA that cleaves the primary transcript (pri-miRNA). More than 1,800 miRNA loci are annotated in humans, but it remains largely unknown whether and at which sites pri-miRNAs are cleaved by DROSHA. Here, we performed in vitro processing on a full set of human pri-miRNAs (miRBase version 21) followed by sequencing. This comprehensive profiling enabled us to classify miRNAs on the basis of DROSHA dependence and map their cleavage sites with respective processing efficiency measures. Only 758 pri-miRNAs are confidently processed by DROSHA, while the majority may be non-canonical or false entries. Analyses of the DROSHA-dependent pri-miRNAs show key cis-elements for processing. We observe widespread alternative processing and unproductive cleavage events such as "nick" or "inverse" processing. SRSF3 is a broad-acting auxiliary factor modulating alternative processing and suppressing unproductive processing. The profiling data and methods developed in this study will allow systematic analyses of miRNA regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kijun Kim
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea; School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - S Chan Baek
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea; School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Young-Yoon Lee
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea; School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Carolien Bastiaanssen
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea; School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jeesoo Kim
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea; School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Haedong Kim
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea; School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - V Narry Kim
- Center for RNA Research, Institute for Basic Science, Seoul 08826, Korea; School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
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