1
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Chen JL, Leeder WM, Morais P, Adachi H, Yu YT. Pseudouridylation-mediated gene expression modulation. Biochem J 2024; 481:1-16. [PMID: 38174858 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230096] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
RNA-guided pseudouridylation, a widespread post-transcriptional RNA modification, has recently gained recognition for its role in cellular processes such as pre-mRNA splicing and the modulation of premature termination codon (PTC) readthrough. This review provides insights into its mechanisms, functions, and potential therapeutic applications. It examines the mechanisms governing RNA-guided pseudouridylation, emphasizing the roles of guide RNAs and pseudouridine synthases in catalyzing uridine-to-pseudouridine conversion. A key focus is the impact of RNA-guided pseudouridylation of U2 small nuclear RNA on pre-mRNA splicing, encompassing its influence on branch site recognition and spliceosome assembly. Additionally, the review discusses the emerging role of RNA-guided pseudouridylation in regulating PTC readthrough, impacting translation termination and genetic disorders. Finally, it explores the therapeutic potential of pseudouridine modifications, offering insights into potential treatments for genetic diseases and cancer and the development of mRNA vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan L Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, U.S.A
| | | | | | - Hironori Adachi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, U.S.A
| | - Yi-Tao Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, U.S.A
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2
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Pánek J, Roithová A, Radivojević N, Sýkora M, Prusty AB, Huston N, Wan H, Pyle AM, Fischer U, Staněk D. The SMN complex drives structural changes in human snRNAs to enable snRNP assembly. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6580. [PMID: 37852981 PMCID: PMC10584915 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42324-0] [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: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Spliceosomal snRNPs are multicomponent particles that undergo a complex maturation pathway. Human Sm-class snRNAs are generated as 3'-end extended precursors, which are exported to the cytoplasm and assembled together with Sm proteins into core RNPs by the SMN complex. Here, we provide evidence that these pre-snRNA substrates contain compact, evolutionarily conserved secondary structures that overlap with the Sm binding site. These structural motifs in pre-snRNAs are predicted to interfere with Sm core assembly. We model structural rearrangements that lead to an open pre-snRNA conformation compatible with Sm protein interaction. The predicted rearrangement pathway is conserved in Metazoa and requires an external factor that initiates snRNA remodeling. We show that the essential helicase Gemin3, which is a component of the SMN complex, is crucial for snRNA structural rearrangements during snRNP maturation. The SMN complex thus facilitates ATP-driven structural changes in snRNAs that expose the Sm site and enable Sm protein binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Pánek
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Adriana Roithová
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Regulation of Gene Expression, Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Nenad Radivojević
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Sýkora
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Nicholas Huston
- Department of Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, USA
| | - Han Wan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, USA
| | - Anna Marie Pyle
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, USA
| | - Utz Fischer
- Department of Biochemistry, Theodor Boveri Institute, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - David Staněk
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.
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3
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Zhang M, Hwang IT, Li K, Bai J, Chen JF, Weissman T, Zou JY, Lu Z. Classification and clustering of RNA crosslink-ligation data reveal complex structures and homodimers. Genome Res 2022; 32:968-985. [PMID: 35332099 PMCID: PMC9104705 DOI: 10.1101/gr.275979.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The recent development and application of methods based on the general principle of "crosslinking and proximity ligation" (crosslink-ligation) are revolutionizing RNA structure studies in living cells. However, extracting structure information from such data presents unique challenges. Here, we introduce a set of computational tools for the systematic analysis of data from a wide variety of crosslink-ligation methods, specifically focusing on read mapping, alignment classification, and clustering. We design a new strategy to map short reads with irregular gaps at high sensitivity and specificity. Analysis of previously published data reveals distinct properties and bias caused by the crosslinking reactions. We perform rigorous and exhaustive classification of alignments and discover eight types of arrangements that provide distinct information on RNA structures and interactions. To deconvolve the dense and intertwined gapped alignments, we develop a network/graph-based tool Crosslinked RNA Secondary Structure Analysis using Network Techniques (CRSSANT), which enables clustering of gapped alignments and discovery of new alternative and dynamic conformations. We discover that multiple crosslinking and ligation events can occur on the same RNA, generating multisegment alignments to report complex high-level RNA structures and multi-RNA interactions. We find that alignments with overlapped segments are produced from potential homodimers and develop a new method for their de novo identification. Analysis of overlapping alignments revealed potential new homodimers in cellular noncoding RNAs and RNA virus genomes in the Picornaviridae family. Together, this suite of computational tools enables rapid and efficient analysis of RNA structure and interaction data in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Irena T Hwang
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Kongpan Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Jianhui Bai
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Jian-Fu Chen
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Tsachy Weissman
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - James Y Zou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science and Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94305, USA
| | - Zhipeng Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
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4
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Karbstein K. Attacking a DEAD problem: The role of DEAD-box ATPases in ribosome assembly and beyond. Methods Enzymol 2022; 673:19-38. [PMID: 35965007 PMCID: PMC10154911 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2022.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
DEAD-box proteins are a subfamily of ATPases with similarity to RecA-type helicases that are involved in all aspects of RNA Biology. Despite their potential to regulate these processes via their RNA-dependent ATPase activity, their roles remain poorly characterized. Here I describe a roadmap to study these proteins in the context of ribosome assembly, the process that utilizes more than half of all DEAD-box proteins encoded in the yeast genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Karbstein
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States; HHMI Faculty Scholar, Chevy Chase, MD, United States; The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Scripps Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States.
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5
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van der Feltz C, Nikolai B, Schneider C, Paulson JC, Fu X, Hoskins AA. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ecm2 Modulates the Catalytic Steps of pre-mRNA Splicing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 27:rna.077727.120. [PMID: 33547186 PMCID: PMC8051269 DOI: 10.1261/rna.077727.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Genetic, biochemical, and structural studies have elucidated the molecular basis for spliceosome catalysis. Splicing is RNA catalyzed and the essential snRNA and protein factors are well-conserved. However, little is known about how non-essential components of the spliceosome contribute to the reaction and modulate the activities of the fundamental core machinery. Ecm2 is a non-essential yeast splicing factor that is a member of the Prp19-related complex of proteins. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures have revealed that Ecm2 binds the U6 snRNA and is entangled with Cwc2, a factor previously found to promote a catalytically active conformation of the spliceosome. These structures also indicate that Ecm2 and the U2 snRNA likely form a transient interaction during 5' splice site (SS) cleavage. We have characterized genetic interactions between ECM2 and alleles of splicing factors that alter the catalytic steps in splicing. In addition, we have studied how loss of ECM2 impacts splicing of pre-mRNAs containing non-consensus or competing SS. Our results show that ECM2 functions during the catalytic stages of splicing. Our data are consistent with Ecm2 facilitating the formation and stabilization of the 1st-step catalytic site, promoting 2nd-step catalysis, and permiting alternate 5' SS usage. We propose that Cwc2 and Ecm2 can each fine-tune the spliceosome active site in unique ways. Their interaction network may act as a conduit through which splicing of certain pre-mRNAs, such as those containing weak or alternate splice sites, can be regulated.
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6
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Bertram K, El Ayoubi L, Dybkov O, Agafonov DE, Will CL, Hartmuth K, Urlaub H, Kastner B, Stark H, Lührmann R. Structural Insights into the Roles of Metazoan-Specific Splicing Factors in the Human Step 1 Spliceosome. Mol Cell 2020; 80:127-139.e6. [PMID: 33007253 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Human spliceosomes contain numerous proteins absent in yeast, whose functions remain largely unknown. Here we report a 3D cryo-EM structure of the human spliceosomal C complex at 3.4 Å core resolution and 4.5-5.7 Å at its periphery, and aided by protein crosslinking we determine its molecular architecture. Our structure provides additional insights into the spliceosome's architecture between the catalytic steps of splicing, and how proteins aid formation of the spliceosome's catalytically active RNP (ribonucleoprotein) conformation. It reveals the spatial organization of the metazoan-specific proteins PPWD1, WDR70, FRG1, and CIR1 in human C complexes, indicating they stabilize functionally important protein domains and RNA structures rearranged/repositioned during the Bact to C transition. Structural comparisons with human Bact, C∗, and P complexes reveal an intricate cascade of RNP rearrangements during splicing catalysis, with intermediate RNP conformations not found in yeast, and additionally elucidate the structural basis for the sequential recruitment of metazoan-specific spliceosomal proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Bertram
- Department of Structural Dynamics, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Leyla El Ayoubi
- Cellular Biochemistry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Olexandr Dybkov
- Cellular Biochemistry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dmitry E Agafonov
- Cellular Biochemistry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cindy L Will
- Cellular Biochemistry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Hartmuth
- Cellular Biochemistry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Bioanalytics Group, Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Straße 40, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Berthold Kastner
- Cellular Biochemistry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Holger Stark
- Department of Structural Dynamics, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Reinhard Lührmann
- Cellular Biochemistry, MPI for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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7
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Beier DH, Carrocci TJ, van der Feltz C, Tretbar US, Paulson JC, Grabowski N, Hoskins AA. Dynamics of the DEAD-box ATPase Prp5 RecA-like domains provide a conformational switch during spliceosome assembly. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:10842-10851. [PMID: 31712821 PMCID: PMC6846040 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The DEAD-box family of proteins are ATP-dependent, RNA-binding proteins implicated in many aspects of RNA metabolism. Pre-mRNA splicing in eukaryotes requires three DEAD-box ATPases (Prp5, Prp28 and Sub2), the molecular mechanisms of which are poorly understood. Here, we use single molecule FRET (smFRET) to study the conformational dynamics of yeast Prp5. Prp5 is essential for stable association of the U2 snRNP with the intron branch site (BS) sequence during spliceosome assembly. Our data show that the Prp5 RecA-like domains undergo a large conformational rearrangement only in response to binding of both ATP and RNA. Mutations in Prp5 impact the fidelity of BS recognition and change the conformational dynamics of the RecA-like domains. We propose that BS recognition during spliceosome assembly involves a set of coordinated conformational switches among U2 snRNP components. Spontaneous toggling of Prp5 into a stable, open conformation may be important for its release from U2 and to prevent competition between Prp5 re-binding and subsequent steps in spliceosome assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Beier
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Tucker J Carrocci
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Integrated Program in Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| | | | - U Sandy Tretbar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Joshua C Paulson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Nikolai Grabowski
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Aaron A Hoskins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Integrated Program in Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 USA
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8
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Cooperative Analysis of Structural Dynamics in RNA-Protein Complexes by Single-Molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Spectroscopy. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25092057. [PMID: 32354083 PMCID: PMC7248720 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25092057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-protein complexes (RNPs) are essential components in a variety of cellular processes, and oftentimes exhibit complex structures and show mechanisms that are highly dynamic in conformation and structure. However, biochemical and structural biology approaches are mostly not able to fully elucidate the structurally and especially conformationally dynamic and heterogeneous nature of these RNPs, to which end single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) spectroscopy can be harnessed to fill this gap. Here we summarize the advantages of strategic smFRET studies to investigate RNP dynamics, complemented by structural and biochemical data. Focusing on recent smFRET studies of three essential biological systems, we demonstrate that investigation of RNPs on a single molecule level can answer important functional questions that remained elusive with structural or biochemical approaches alone: The complex structural rearrangements throughout the splicing cycle, unwinding dynamics of the G-quadruplex (G4) helicase RHAU, and aspects in telomere maintenance regulation and synthesis.
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9
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Abstract
RNA molecules fold into complex three-dimensional structures that sample alternate conformations ranging from minor differences in tertiary structure dynamics to major differences in secondary structure. This allows them to form entirely different substructures with each population potentially giving rise to a distinct biological outcome. The substructures can be partitioned along an existing energy landscape given a particular static cellular cue or can be shifted in response to dynamic cues such as ligand binding. We review a few key examples of RNA molecules that sample alternate conformations and how these are capitalized on for control of critical regulatory functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Teng-Pei Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
| | - Victoria D'Souza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
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10
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van der Feltz C, Hoskins AA. Structural and functional modularity of the U2 snRNP in pre-mRNA splicing. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 54:443-465. [PMID: 31744343 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2019.1691497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) is an essential component of the spliceosome, the cellular machine responsible for removing introns from precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs) in all eukaryotes. U2 is an extraordinarily dynamic splicing factor and the most frequently mutated in cancers. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has transformed our structural and functional understanding of the role of U2 in splicing. In this review, we synthesize these and other data with respect to a view of U2 as an assembly of interconnected functional modules. These modules are organized by the U2 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) for roles in spliceosome assembly, intron substrate recognition, and protein scaffolding. We describe new discoveries regarding the structure of U2 components and how the snRNP undergoes numerous conformational and compositional changes during splicing. We specifically highlight large scale movements of U2 modules as the spliceosome creates and rearranges its active site. U2 serves as a compelling example for how cellular machines can exploit the modular organization and structural plasticity of an RNP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron A Hoskins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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11
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Talkish J, Igel H, Hunter O, Horner SW, Jeffery NN, Leach JR, Jenkins JL, Kielkopf CL, Ares M. Cus2 enforces the first ATP-dependent step of splicing by binding to yeast SF3b1 through a UHM-ULM interaction. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 25:1020-1037. [PMID: 31110137 PMCID: PMC6633205 DOI: 10.1261/rna.070649.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Stable recognition of the intron branchpoint (BP) by the U2 snRNP to form the pre-spliceosome is the first ATP-dependent step of splicing. Genetic and biochemical data from yeast indicate that Cus2 aids U2 snRNA folding into the stem IIa conformation prior to pre-spliceosome formation. Cus2 must then be removed by an ATP-dependent function of Prp5 before assembly can progress. However, the location from which Cus2 is displaced and the nature of its binding to the U2 snRNP are unknown. Here, we show that Cus2 contains a conserved UHM (U2AF homology motif) that binds Hsh155, the yeast homolog of human SF3b1, through a conserved ULM (U2AF ligand motif). Mutations in either motif block binding and allow pre-spliceosome formation without ATP. A 2.0 Å resolution structure of the Hsh155 ULM in complex with the UHM of Tat-SF1, the human homolog of Cus2, and complementary binding assays show that the interaction is highly similar between yeast and humans. Furthermore, we show that Tat-SF1 can replace Cus2 function by enforcing ATP dependence of pre-spliceosome formation in yeast extracts. Cus2 is removed before pre-spliceosome formation, and both Cus2 and its Hsh155 ULM binding site are absent from available cryo-EM structure models. However, our data are consistent with the apparent location of the disordered Hsh155 ULM between the U2 stem-loop IIa and the HEAT repeats of Hsh155 that interact with Prp5. We propose a model in which Prp5 uses ATP to remove Cus2 from Hsh155 such that extended base-pairing between U2 snRNA and the intron BP can occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Talkish
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
| | - Haller Igel
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
| | - Oarteze Hunter
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
| | - Steven W Horner
- Center for RNA Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Nazish N Jeffery
- Center for RNA Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Justin R Leach
- Center for RNA Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Jermaine L Jenkins
- Center for RNA Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Clara L Kielkopf
- Center for RNA Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Manuel Ares
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
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12
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Bao P, Boon KL, Will CL, Hartmuth K, Lührmann R. Multiple RNA-RNA tertiary interactions are dispensable for formation of a functional U2/U6 RNA catalytic core in the spliceosome. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:12126-12138. [PMID: 30335160 PMCID: PMC6294511 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The active 3D conformation of the spliceosome's catalytic U2/U6 RNA core is stabilised by a network of secondary and tertiary RNA interactions, but also depends on spliceosomal proteins for its formation. To determine the contribution towards splicing of specific RNA secondary and tertiary interactions in the U2/U6 RNA core, we introduced mutations in critical U6 nucleotides and tested their effect on splicing using a yeast in vitro U6 depletion/complementation system. Elimination of selected RNA tertiary interactions involving the U6 catalytic triad, or deletions of the bases of U6-U80 or U6-A59, had moderate to no effect on splicing, showing that the affected secondary and tertiary interactions are not required for splicing catalysis. However, removal of the base of U6-G60 of the catalytic triad completely blocked splicing, without affecting assembly of the activated spliceosome or its subsequent conversion into a B*-like complex. Our data suggest that the catalytic configuration of the RNA core that allows catalytic metal M1 binding can be maintained by Protein–RNA contacts. However, RNA stacking interactions in the U2/U6 RNA core are required for productive coordination of metal M2. The functional conformation of the U2/U6 RNA core is thus highly buffered, with overlapping contributions from RNA–RNA and Protein–RNA interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Bao
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kum-Loong Boon
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cindy L Will
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Hartmuth
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Lührmann
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
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13
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Eysmont K, Matylla-Kulińska K, Jaskulska A, Magnus M, Konarska MM. Rearrangements within the U6 snRNA Core during the Transition between the Two Catalytic Steps of Splicing. Mol Cell 2019; 75:538-548.e3. [PMID: 31229405 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The RNA catalytic core of spliceosomes as visualized by cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) remains unchanged at different stages of splicing. However, we demonstrate that mutations within the core of yeast U6 snRNA modulate conformational changes between the two catalytic steps. We propose that the intramolecular stem-loop (ISL) of U6 exists in two competing states, changing between a default, non-catalytic conformation and a transient, catalytic conformation. Whereas stable interactions in the catalytic triplex promote catalysis and their disruptions favor exit from the catalytic conformation, destabilization of the lower ISL stem promotes catalysis and its stabilization supports exit from the catalytic conformation. Thus, in addition to the catalytic triplex, U6-ISL acts as an important dynamic component of the catalytic center. The relative flexibility of the lower U6-ISL stem is conserved across eukaryotes. Similar features are found in U6atac and domain V of group II introns, arguing for the generality of the proposed mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Eysmont
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Agata Jaskulska
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Magnus
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; ReMedy-International Research Agenda Unit, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria M Konarska
- Laboratory of RNA Biology, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; ReMedy-International Research Agenda Unit, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland.
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14
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Plaschka C, Newman AJ, Nagai K. Structural Basis of Nuclear pre-mRNA Splicing: Lessons from Yeast. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2019; 11:cshperspect.a032391. [PMID: 30765413 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a032391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Noncoding introns are removed from nuclear precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) in a two-step phosphoryl transfer reaction by the spliceosome, a dynamic multimegadalton enzyme. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spliceosome were recently determined in eight key states. Combined with the wealth of available genetic and biochemical data, these structures have revealed new insights into the mechanisms of spliceosome assembly, activation, catalysis, and disassembly. The structures show how a single RNA catalytic center forms during activation and accomplishes both steps of the splicing reaction. The structures reveal how spliceosomal helicases remodel the spliceosome for active site formation, substrate docking, reaction product undocking, and spliceosome disassembly and how they facilitate splice site proofreading. Although human spliceosomes contain additional proteins, their cryo-EM structures suggest that the underlying mechanism is conserved across all eukaryotes. In this review, we summarize the current structural understanding of pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Plaschka
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Newman
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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15
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Xia X. RNA-Seq approach for accurate characterization of splicing efficiency of yeast introns. Methods 2019; 176:25-33. [PMID: 30926533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introns in different genes, or even different introns within the same gene, often have different splice sites and differ in splicing efficiency (SE). One expects mass-transcribed genes to have introns with higher SE than weakly transcribed genes. However, such a simple expectation cannot be tested directly because variable SE for these genes is often not measured. Mechanistically, SE should depend on signal strength at key splice sites (SS) such as 5'SS, 3'SS and branchpoint site (BPS), i.e., SE = F(5'SS, 3'SS, BPS). However, without SE, we again cannot model how these splice sites contribute to SE. Here I present an RNA-Seq approach to quantify SE for each of the 304 introns in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) genes, including 24 in the 5'UTR, by measuring 1) number of reads mapped to exon-exon junctions (NEE) as a proxy for the abundance of spliced form, and 2) number of reads mapped to exon-intron junction (NEI5 and NEI3 at 5' and 3' ends of intron) as a proxy for the abundance of unspliced form. The total mRNA is NTotal = NEE + p * NEI5 + (1-p) * NEI3, with the simplest p = 0.5 but statistical methods were presented to estimate p from data. An estimated p is needed because NEI5 is expected to be smaller than NEI3 due to 1) step 1 splicing occurs before step 2 so EI5 is broken before EI3, 2) enrichment of poly(A) mRNA by oligo-dT, and 3) 5' degradation. SE is defined as the proportion (NEE/NTotal). Application of the method shows that ribosomal protein messages are efficiently and mostly cotranscriptionally spliced. Yeast genes with long introns are also spliced efficiently. HAC1/YFL031W is poorly spliced partly because its splicing involves a nonspliceosome mechanism and partly because Ire1p, which participate in splicing HAC1, is hardly expressed. Many putative yeast genes have low SE, and some splice sites are incorrectly annotated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhua Xia
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa K1N 6N5, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada.
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16
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Izumikawa K, Nobe Y, Ishikawa H, Yamauchi Y, Taoka M, Sato K, Nakayama H, Simpson RJ, Isobe T, Takahashi N. TDP-43 regulates site-specific 2'-O-methylation of U1 and U2 snRNAs via controlling the Cajal body localization of a subset of C/D scaRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2487-2505. [PMID: 30759234 PMCID: PMC6412121 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 regulates cellular levels of Cajal bodies (CBs) that provide platforms for the assembly and RNA modifications of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) involved in pre-mRNA splicing. Alterations in these snRNPs may be linked to pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, specific roles for TDP-43 in CBs remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that TDP-43 regulates the CB localization of four UG-rich motif-bearing C/D-box-containing small Cajal body-specific RNAs (C/D scaRNAs; i.e. scaRNA2, 7, 9 and 28) through the direct binding to these scaRNAs. TDP-43 enhances binding of a CB-localizing protein, WD40-repeat protein 79 (WDR79), to a subpopulation of scaRNA2 and scaRNA28; the remaining population of the four C/D scaRNAs was localized to CB-like structures even with WDR79 depletion. Depletion of TDP-43, in contrast, shifted the localization of these C/D scaRNAs, mainly into the nucleolus, as well as destabilizing scaRNA2, and reduced the site-specific 2'-O-methylation of U1 and U2 snRNAs, including at 70A in U1 snRNA and, 19G, 25G, 47U and 61C in U2 snRNA. Collectively, we suggest that TDP-43 and WDR79 have separate roles in determining CB localization of subsets of C/D and H/ACA scaRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Izumikawa
- Department of Applied Biological Science and Global Innovation Research Organizations, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183–8509, Japan
| | - Yuko Nobe
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192–0397, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ishikawa
- Department of Applied Biological Science and Global Innovation Research Organizations, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183–8509, Japan
| | - Yoshio Yamauchi
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192–0397, Japan
| | - Masato Taoka
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192–0397, Japan
| | - Ko Sato
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192–0397, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nakayama
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Richard J Simpson
- Department of Applied Biological Science and Global Innovation Research Organizations, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183–8509, Japan
- La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), LIMS Building 1, Room 412 La Trobe University, Melbourne Victoria 3086, Australia
| | - Toshiaki Isobe
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-ohsawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192–0397, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Takahashi
- Department of Applied Biological Science and Global Innovation Research Organizations, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183–8509, Japan
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Wan R, Bai R, Yan C, Lei J, Shi Y. Structures of the Catalytically Activated Yeast Spliceosome Reveal the Mechanism of Branching. Cell 2019; 177:339-351.e13. [PMID: 30879786 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is executed by the spliceosome. Structural characterization of the catalytically activated complex (B∗) is pivotal for understanding the branching reaction. In this study, we assembled the B∗ complexes on two different pre-mRNAs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and determined the cryo-EM structures of four distinct B∗ complexes at overall resolutions of 2.9-3.8 Å. The duplex between U2 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) and the branch point sequence (BPS) is discretely away from the 5'-splice site (5'SS) in the three B∗ complexes that are devoid of the step I splicing factors Yju2 and Cwc25. Recruitment of Yju2 into the active site brings the U2/BPS duplex into the vicinity of 5'SS, with the BPS nucleophile positioned 4 Å away from the catalytic metal M2. This analysis reveals the functional mechanism of Yju2 and Cwc25 in branching. These structures on different pre-mRNAs reveal substrate-specific conformations of the spliceosome in a major functional state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Wan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Rui Bai
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chuangye Yan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jianlin Lei
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Technology Center for Protein Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yigong Shi
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Mechanisms of Yeast Adaptation to Wine Fermentations. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 58:37-59. [PMID: 30911888 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-13035-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cells face genetic and/or environmental changes in order to outlast and proliferate. Characterization of changes after stress at different "omics" levels is crucial to understand the adaptation of yeast to changing conditions. Wine fermentation is a stressful situation which yeast cells have to cope with. Genome-wide analyses extend our cellular physiology knowledge by pointing out the mechanisms that contribute to sense the stress caused by these perturbations (temperature, ethanol, sulfites, nitrogen, etc.) and related signaling pathways. The model organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was studied in response to industrial stresses and changes at different cellular levels (transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomics), which were followed statically and/or dynamically in the short and long terms. This chapter focuses on the response of yeast cells to the diverse stress situations that occur during wine fermentations, which induce perturbations, including nutritional changes, ethanol stress, temperature stress, oxidative stress, etc.
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19
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Structural studies of the spliceosome: past, present and future perspectives. Biochem Soc Trans 2018; 46:1407-1422. [PMID: 30420411 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The spliceosome is a multi-subunit RNA-protein complex involved in the removal of non-coding segments (introns) from between the coding regions (exons) in precursors of messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Intron removal proceeds via two transesterification reactions, occurring between conserved sequences at intron-exon junctions. A tightly regulated, hierarchical assembly with a multitude of structural and compositional rearrangements posed a great challenge for structural studies of the spliceosome. Over the years, X-ray crystallography dominated the field, providing valuable high-resolution structural information that was mostly limited to individual proteins and smaller sub-complexes. Recent developments in the field of cryo-electron microscopy allowed the visualisation of fully assembled yeast and human spliceosomes, providing unprecedented insights into substrate recognition, catalysis, and active site formation. This has advanced our mechanistic understanding of pre-mRNA splicing enormously.
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20
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Ray S, Widom JR, Walter NG. Life under the Microscope: Single-Molecule Fluorescence Highlights the RNA World. Chem Rev 2018; 118:4120-4155. [PMID: 29363314 PMCID: PMC5918467 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of single-molecule (SM) fluorescence techniques has opened up a vast new toolbox for exploring the molecular basis of life. The ability to monitor individual biomolecules in real time enables complex, dynamic folding pathways to be interrogated without the averaging effect of ensemble measurements. In parallel, modern biology has been revolutionized by our emerging understanding of the many functions of RNA. In this comprehensive review, we survey SM fluorescence approaches and discuss how the application of these tools to RNA and RNA-containing macromolecular complexes in vitro has yielded significant insights into the underlying biology. Topics covered include the three-dimensional folding landscapes of a plethora of isolated RNA molecules, their assembly and interactions in RNA-protein complexes, and the relation of these properties to their biological functions. In all of these examples, the use of SM fluorescence methods has revealed critical information beyond the reach of ensemble averages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nils G. Walter
- Department of Chemistry, Single Molecule Analysis Group, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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21
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Zhang X, Yan C, Zhan X, Li L, Lei J, Shi Y. Structure of the human activated spliceosome in three conformational states. Cell Res 2018; 28:307-322. [PMID: 29360106 PMCID: PMC5835773 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2018.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During each cycle of pre-mRNA splicing, the pre-catalytic spliceosome (B complex) is converted into the activated spliceosome (Bact complex), which has a well-formed active site but cannot proceed to the branching reaction. Here, we present the cryo-EM structure of the human Bact complex in three distinct conformational states. The EM map allows atomic modeling of nearly all protein components of the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP), including three of the SF3a complex and seven of the SF3b complex. The structure of the human Bact complex contains 52 proteins, U2, U5, and U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA), and a pre-mRNA. Three distinct conformations have been captured, representing the early, mature, and late states of the human Bact complex. These complexes differ in the orientation of the Switch loop of Prp8, the splicing factors RNF113A and NY-CO-10, and most components of the NineTeen complex (NTC) and the NTC-related complex. Analysis of these three complexes and comparison with the B and C complexes reveal an ordered flux of components in the B-to-Bact and the Bact-to-B* transitions, which ultimately prime the active site for the branching reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Zhang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chuangye Yan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiechao Zhan
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lijia Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jianlin Lei
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,Technology Center for Protein Sciences, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yigong Shi
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.,Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Westlake University, Shilongshan Road No. 18, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310064, China
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22
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Bao P, Höbartner C, Hartmuth K, Lührmann R. Yeast Prp2 liberates the 5' splice site and the branch site adenosine for catalysis of pre-mRNA splicing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:1770-1779. [PMID: 28864812 PMCID: PMC5688998 DOI: 10.1261/rna.063115.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The RNA helicase Prp2 facilitates the remodeling of the spliceosomal Bact complex to the catalytically activated B* complex just before step one of splicing. As a high-resolution cryo-EM structure of the B* complex is currently lacking, the precise spliceosome remodeling events mediated by Prp2 remain poorly understood. To investigate the latter, we used chemical structure probing to compare the RNA structure of purified yeast Bact and B* complexes. Our studies reveal deviations from conventional RNA helices in the functionally important U6 snRNA internal stem-loop and U2/U6 helix Ib in the activated Bact complex, and to a lesser extent in B*. Interestingly, the N7 of U6-G60 of the catalytic triad becomes accessible to DMS modification in the B* complex, suggesting that the Hoogsteen interaction with U6-A52 is destabilized in B*. Our data show that Prp2 action does not unwind double-stranded RNA, but enhances the flexibility of the first step reactants, the pre-mRNA's 5' splice site and branch site adenosine. Prp2 therefore appears to act primarily as an RNPase to achieve catalytic activation by liberating the first step reactants in preparation for catalysis of the first step of splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Bao
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Claudia Höbartner
- Research Group Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Georg-August-University, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Hartmuth
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Lührmann
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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van der Feltz C, DeHaven AC, Hoskins AA. Stress-induced Pseudouridylation Alters the Structural Equilibrium of Yeast U2 snRNA Stem II. J Mol Biol 2017; 430:524-536. [PMID: 29079482 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In yeast, the U2 small nuclear ribonucleic acid (snRNA) component of the spliceosome is targeted for additional post-transcriptional modifications in response to cellular stress. Uridines 56 and 93 are both modified to pseudouridines (Ψ) during nutrient deprivation, while U56 is also pseudouridylated during heat shock. Both positions are located within stem II, which must toggle between two mutually exclusive structures during splicing. Stem IIa forms during spliceosome assembly, and stem IIc forms during the catalytic steps. We have studied how uridine 56 and 93 pseudouridylation impacts conformational switching of stem II. Using single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer, we show that Ψ56 dampens conformational dynamics of stem II and stabilizes stem IIc. In contrast, Ψ93 increases dynamics of non-stem IIc conformations. Pseudouridylation impacts conformational switching of stem II by Mg2+ or the U2 protein Cus2; however, when Mg2+ and Cus2 are used in combination, the impacts of pseudouridylation can be suppressed. These results show that stress-induced post-transcriptional modification of U56 and U93 alters snRNA conformational dynamics by distinct mechanisms and that protein and metal cofactors of the spliceosome alter how snRNAs respond to these modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse van der Feltz
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Alexander C DeHaven
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Aaron A Hoskins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 433 Babcock Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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24
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Pérez-Torrado R, Barrio E, Querol A. Alternative yeasts for winemaking: Saccharomyces non-cerevisiae and its hybrids. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2017; 58:1780-1790. [DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2017.1285751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Pérez-Torrado
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos, IATA-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
- Departament de Genètica, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eladio Barrio
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos, IATA-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
- Departament de Genètica, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Querol
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos, IATA-CSIC, Paterna, Spain
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25
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Mechanistic Insights Into Catalytic RNA-Protein Complexes Involved in Translation of the Genetic Code. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2017. [PMID: 28683922 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The contemporary world is an "RNA-protein world" rather than a "protein world" and tracing its evolutionary origins is of great interest and importance. The different RNAs that function in close collaboration with proteins are involved in several key physiological processes, including catalysis. Ribosome-the complex megadalton cellular machinery that translates genetic information encoded in nucleotide sequence to amino acid sequence-epitomizes such an association between RNA and protein. RNAs that can catalyze biochemical reactions are known as ribozymes. They usually employ general acid-base catalytic mechanism, often involving the 2'-OH of RNA that activates and/or stabilizes a nucleophile during the reaction pathway. The protein component of such RNA-protein complexes (RNPCs) mostly serves as a scaffold which provides an environment conducive for the RNA to function, or as a mediator for other interacting partners. In this review, we describe those RNPCs that are involved at different stages of protein biosynthesis and in which RNA performs the catalytic function; the focus of the account is on highlighting mechanistic aspects of these complexes. We also provide a perspective on such associations in the context of proofreading during translation of the genetic code. The latter aspect is not much appreciated and recent works suggest that this is an avenue worth exploring, since an understanding of the subject can provide useful insights into how RNAs collaborate with proteins to ensure fidelity during these essential cellular processes. It may also aid in comprehending evolutionary aspects of such associations.
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26
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van der Feltz C, Hoskins AA. Methodologies for studying the spliceosome's RNA dynamics with single-molecule FRET. Methods 2017; 125:45-54. [PMID: 28529063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The spliceosome is an extraordinarily dynamic molecular machine in which significant changes in composition as well as protein and RNA conformation are required for carrying out pre-mRNA splicing. Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) can be used to elucidate these dynamics both in well-characterized model systems and in entire spliceosomes. These types of single-molecule data provide novel information about spliceosome components and can be used to identify sub-populations of molecules with unique behaviors. When smFRET is combined with single-molecule fluorescence colocalization, conformational dynamics can be further linked to the presence or absence of a given spliceosome component. Here, we provide a description of experimental considerations, approaches, and workflows for smFRET with an emphasis on applications for the splicing machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse van der Feltz
- Department of Biochemistry, 433 Babcock Dr., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Aaron A Hoskins
- Department of Biochemistry, 433 Babcock Dr., University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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27
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Abstract
Major developments in cryo-electron microscopy in the past three or four years have led to the solution of a number of spliceosome structures at high resolution, e.g., the fully assembled but not yet active spliceosome (Bact), the spliceosome just after the first step of splicing (C), and the spliceosome activated for the second step (C*). Therefore 30 years of genetics and biochemistry of the spliceosome can now be interpreted at the structural level. I have closely examined the RNase H domain of Prp8 in each of the structures. Interestingly, the RNase H domain has different and unexpected roles in each of the catalytic steps of splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Abelson
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143
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28
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Structural toggle in the RNaseH domain of Prp8 helps balance splicing fidelity and catalytic efficiency. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:4739-4744. [PMID: 28416677 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1701462114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential step of eukaryotic gene expression that requires both high efficiency and high fidelity. Prp8 has long been considered the "master regulator" of the spliceosome, the molecular machine that executes pre-mRNA splicing. Cross-linking and structural studies place the RNaseH domain (RH) of Prp8 near the spliceosome's catalytic core and demonstrate that prp8 alleles that map to a 17-aa extension in RH stabilize it in one of two mutually exclusive structures, the biological relevance of which are unknown. We performed an extensive characterization of prp8 alleles that map to this extension and, using in vitro and in vivo reporter assays, show they fall into two functional classes associated with the two structures: those that promote error-prone/efficient splicing and those that promote hyperaccurate/inefficient splicing. Identification of global locations of endogenous splice-site activation by lariat sequencing confirms the fidelity effects seen in our reporter assays. Furthermore, we show that error-prone/efficient RH alleles suppress a prp2 mutant deficient at promoting the first catalytic step of splicing, whereas hyperaccurate/inefficient RH alleles exhibit synthetic sickness. Together our data indicate that prp8 RH alleles link splicing fidelity with catalytic efficiency by biasing the relative stabilities of distinct spliceosome conformations. We hypothesize that the spliceosome "toggles" between such error-prone/efficient and hyperaccurate/inefficient conformations during the splicing cycle to regulate splicing fidelity.
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Sidarovich A, Will CL, Anokhina MM, Ceballos J, Sievers S, Agafonov DE, Samatov T, Bao P, Kastner B, Urlaub H, Waldmann H, Lührmann R. Identification of a small molecule inhibitor that stalls splicing at an early step of spliceosome activation. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28300534 PMCID: PMC5354520 DOI: 10.7554/elife.23533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Small molecule inhibitors of pre-mRNA splicing are important tools for identifying new spliceosome assembly intermediates, allowing a finer dissection of spliceosome dynamics and function. Here, we identified a small molecule that inhibits human pre-mRNA splicing at an intermediate stage during conversion of pre-catalytic spliceosomal B complexes into activated Bact complexes. Characterization of the stalled complexes (designated B028) revealed that U4/U6 snRNP proteins are released during activation before the U6 Lsm and B-specific proteins, and before recruitment and/or stable incorporation of Prp19/CDC5L complex and other Bact complex proteins. The U2/U6 RNA network in B028 complexes differs from that of the Bact complex, consistent with the idea that the catalytic RNA core forms stepwise during the B to Bact transition and is likely stabilized by the Prp19/CDC5L complex and related proteins. Taken together, our data provide new insights into the RNP rearrangements and extensive exchange of proteins that occurs during spliceosome activation. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.23533.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Anzhalika Sidarovich
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cindy L Will
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maria M Anokhina
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Javier Ceballos
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sonja Sievers
- Compound Management and Screening Center, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Dmitry E Agafonov
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Timur Samatov
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Penghui Bao
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Berthold Kastner
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henning Urlaub
- Bioanalytics Group, Institute for Clinical Chemistry Göttingen, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Department of Chemical Biology, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Reinhard Lührmann
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
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30
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Mayerle M, Guthrie C. Genetics and biochemistry remain essential in the structural era of the spliceosome. Methods 2017; 125:3-9. [PMID: 28132896 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The spliceosome is not a single macromolecular machine. Rather it is a collection of dynamic heterogeneous subcomplexes that rapidly interconvert throughout the course of a typical splicing cycle. Because of this, for many years the only high resolution structures of the spliceosome available were of smaller, isolated protein or RNA components. Consequently much of our current understanding of the spliceosome derives from biochemical and genetic techniques. Now with the publication of multiple, high resolution structures of the spliceosome, some question the relevance of traditional biochemical and genetic techniques to the splicing field. We argue such techniques are not only relevant, but vital for an in depth mechanistic understanding of pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Mayerle
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Christine Guthrie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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31
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Fica SM, Oubridge C, Galej WP, Wilkinson ME, Bai XC, Newman AJ, Nagai K. Structure of a spliceosome remodelled for exon ligation. Nature 2017; 542:377-380. [PMID: 28076345 PMCID: PMC5321579 DOI: 10.1038/nature21078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The spliceosome excises introns from pre-mRNAs in two sequential transesterifications – branching and exon ligation1 – catalysed at a single catalytic metal site in U6 snRNA2,3. The recent structures of the spliceosomal C complex4,5 with the cleaved 5’-exon and lariat—3’-exon bound to the catalytic centre revealed that branching-specific factors such as Cwc25 lock the branch helix into position for nucleophilic attack of the branch adenosine at the 5’-splice site. Furthermore, the ATPase Prp16 is positioned to bind and translocate the intron downstream of the branch point to destabilize branching-specific factors and release the branch helix from the active site4. Here we present the 3.8Å cryo-EM structure of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae spliceosome stalled after Prp16-mediated remodelling but prior to exon ligation. While the U6 snRNA catalytic core remains firmly held in the active site cavity of Prp8 by proteins common to both steps, the branch helix has rotated by 75 degrees compared to complex C and is stabilized into a new position by Prp17, Cef1, and the reoriented Prp8 RNaseH domain. This rotation of the branch helix removes the branch adenosine from the catalytic core, creates a space for 3’-exon docking, and restructures the pairing of the 5’-splice site with the U6 snRNA ACAGAGA region. Slu7 and Prp18, which promote exon ligation, bind together to the Prp8 RNaseH domain. The ATPase Prp22, bound to Prp8 in place of Prp16, could interact with the 3’-exon, suggesting a possible basis for mRNA release after exon ligation6,7. Together with the C complex structure4, our new C* complex structure reveals the two major conformations of the spliceosome during the catalytic stages of splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian M Fica
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Chris Oubridge
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Wojciech P Galej
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Max E Wilkinson
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Xiao-Chen Bai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Andrew J Newman
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
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32
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Salvadó Z, Ramos-Alonso L, Tronchoni J, Penacho V, García-Ríos E, Morales P, Gonzalez R, Guillamón JM. Genome-wide identification of genes involved in growth and fermentation activity at low temperature in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 236:38-46. [PMID: 27442849 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Fermentation at low temperatures is one of the most popular current winemaking practices because of its reported positive impact on the aromatic profile of wines. However, low temperature is an additional hurdle to develop Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeasts, which are already stressed by high osmotic pressure, low pH and poor availability of nitrogen sources in grape must. Understanding the mechanisms of adaptation of S. cerevisiae to fermentation at low temperature would help to design strategies for process management, and to select and improve wine yeast strains specifically adapted to this winemaking practice. The problem has been addressed by several approaches in recent years, including transcriptomic and other high-throughput strategies. In this work we used a genome-wide screening of S. cerevisiae diploid mutant strain collections to identify genes that potentially contribute to adaptation to low temperature fermentation conditions. Candidate genes, impaired for growth at low temperatures (12°C and 18°C), but not at a permissive temperature (28°C), were deleted in an industrial homozygous genetic background, wine yeast strain FX10, in both heterozygosis and homozygosis. Some candidate genes were required for growth at low temperatures only in the laboratory yeast genetic background, but not in FX10 (namely the genes involved in aromatic amino acid biosynthesis). Other genes related to ribosome biosynthesis (SNU66 and PAP2) were required for low-temperature fermentation of synthetic must (SM) in the industrial genetic background. This result coincides with our previous findings about translation efficiency with the fitness of different wine yeast strains at low temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoel Salvadó
- Departamento de Biotecnología de los alimentos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos (CSIC), Avda. Agustín Escardino 7, E-46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (CSIC, Universidad de la Rioja, Gobierno de La Rioja), Madre de Dios 51, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Lucía Ramos-Alonso
- Departamento de Biotecnología de los alimentos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos (CSIC), Avda. Agustín Escardino 7, E-46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jordi Tronchoni
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (CSIC, Universidad de la Rioja, Gobierno de La Rioja), Madre de Dios 51, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Vanessa Penacho
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (CSIC, Universidad de la Rioja, Gobierno de La Rioja), Madre de Dios 51, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Estéfani García-Ríos
- Departamento de Biotecnología de los alimentos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos (CSIC), Avda. Agustín Escardino 7, E-46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pilar Morales
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (CSIC, Universidad de la Rioja, Gobierno de La Rioja), Madre de Dios 51, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Ramon Gonzalez
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y del Vino (CSIC, Universidad de la Rioja, Gobierno de La Rioja), Madre de Dios 51, 26006 Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - José Manuel Guillamón
- Departamento de Biotecnología de los alimentos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos (CSIC), Avda. Agustín Escardino 7, E-46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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33
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DeHaven AC, Norden IS, Hoskins AA. Lights, camera, action! Capturing the spliceosome and pre-mRNA splicing with single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2016; 7:683-701. [PMID: 27198613 PMCID: PMC4990488 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The process of removing intronic sequences from a precursor to messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) to yield a mature mRNA transcript via splicing is an integral step in eukaryotic gene expression. Splicing is carried out by a cellular nanomachine called the spliceosome that is composed of RNA components and dozens of proteins. Despite decades of study, many fundamentals of spliceosome function have remained elusive. Recent developments in single-molecule fluorescence microscopy have afforded new tools to better probe the spliceosome and the complex, dynamic process of splicing by direct observation of single molecules. These cutting-edge technologies enable investigators to monitor the dynamics of specific splicing components, whole spliceosomes, and even cotranscriptional splicing within living cells. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:683-701. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1358 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C. DeHaven
- Integrated Program in Biochemistry, U. Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Department of Biochemistry, U. Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Ian S. Norden
- Integrated Program in Biochemistry, U. Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Department of Biochemistry, U. Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Aaron A. Hoskins
- Department of Biochemistry, U. Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
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Semlow DR, Blanco MR, Walter NG, Staley JP. Spliceosomal DEAH-Box ATPases Remodel Pre-mRNA to Activate Alternative Splice Sites. Cell 2016; 164:985-98. [PMID: 26919433 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During pre-mRNA splicing, a central step in the expression and regulation of eukaryotic genes, the spliceosome selects splice sites for intron excision and exon ligation. In doing so, the spliceosome must distinguish optimal from suboptimal splice sites. At the catalytic stage of splicing, suboptimal splice sites are repressed by the DEAH-box ATPases Prp16 and Prp22. Here, using budding yeast, we show that these ATPases function further by enabling the spliceosome to search for and utilize alternative branch sites and 3' splice sites. The ATPases facilitate this search by remodeling the splicing substrate to disengage candidate splice sites. Our data support a mechanism involving 3' to 5' translocation of the ATPases along substrate RNA and toward a candidate site, but, surprisingly, not across the site. Thus, our data implicate DEAH-box ATPases in acting at a distance by pulling substrate RNA from the catalytic core of the spliceosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Semlow
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, 920 East 58(th) Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Mario R Blanco
- Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Single Molecule Analysis Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Nils G Walter
- Single Molecule Analysis Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 North University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jonathan P Staley
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, 920 East 58(th) Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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35
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Cryo-EM structure of the spliceosome immediately after branching. Nature 2016; 537:197-201. [PMID: 27459055 PMCID: PMC5156311 DOI: 10.1038/nature19316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing proceeds by two consecutive transesterification reactions via a lariat-intron intermediate. Here we present the 3.8 Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of the spliceosome immediately after lariat formation. The 5'-splice site is cleaved but remains close to the catalytic Mg2+ site in the U2/U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) triplex, and the 5'-phosphate of the intron nucleotide G(+1) is linked to the branch adenosine 2'OH. The 5'-exon is held between the Prp8 amino-terminal and linker domains, and base-pairs with U5 snRNA loop 1. Non-Watson-Crick interactions between the branch helix and 5'-splice site dock the branch adenosine into the active site, while intron nucleotides +3 to +6 base-pair with the U6 snRNA ACAGAGA sequence. Isy1 and the step-one factors Yju2 and Cwc25 stabilize docking of the branch helix. The intron downstream of the branch site emerges between the Prp8 reverse transcriptase and linker domains and extends towards the Prp16 helicase, suggesting a plausible mechanism of remodelling before exon ligation.
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36
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García-Ríos E, Querol A, Guillamón JM. iTRAQ-based proteome profiling of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and cryotolerant species Saccharomyces uvarum and Saccharomyces kudriavzevii during low-temperature wine fermentation. J Proteomics 2016; 146:70-9. [PMID: 27343759 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2016.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Temperature is one of the most important parameters to affect the duration and rate of alcoholic fermentation and final wine quality. Some species of the Saccharomyces genus have shown better adaptation at low temperature than Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which was the case of cryotolerant yeasts Saccharomyces uvarum and Saccharomyces kudriavzevii. In an attempt to detect inter-specific metabolic differences, we characterized the proteomic landscape of these cryotolerant species grown at 12°C and 28°C, which we compared with the proteome of S. cerevisiae (poorly adapted at low temperature). Our results showed that the main differences among the proteomic profiling of the three Saccharomyces strains grown at 12°C and 28°C lay in translation, glycolysis and amino acid metabolism. Our data corroborate previous transcriptomic results, which suggest that S. kudriavzevii is better adapted to grow at low temperature as a result of enhanced more efficient translation. Fitter amino acid biosynthetic pathways can also be mechanisms that better explain biomass yield in cryotolerant strains. Yet even at low temperature, S. cerevisiae is the most fermentative competitive species. A higher concentration of glycolytic and alcoholic fermentation enzymes in the S. cerevisiae strain might explain such greater fermentation activity. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Temperature is one of the main relevant environmental variables that microorganisms have to cope with and it is also a key factor in some industrial processes that involve microorganisms. However, we are still far from understanding the molecular and physiological mechanisms of adaptation at low temperatures. The results obtained in this study provided a global atlas of the proteome changes triggered by temperature in three different species of the genus Saccharomyces with different degree of cryotolerance. These results would facilitate a better understanding of mechanisms for how yeast could adapt at the low temperature of growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estéfani García-Ríos
- Departamento de Biotecnología de los alimentos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos (CSIC), Avda. Agustín Escardino, 7, E-46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Querol
- Departamento de Biotecnología de los alimentos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos (CSIC), Avda. Agustín Escardino, 7, E-46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Manuel Guillamón
- Departamento de Biotecnología de los alimentos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos (CSIC), Avda. Agustín Escardino, 7, E-46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain.
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37
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Effenberger KA, Urabe VK, Prichard BE, Ghosh AK, Jurica MS. Interchangeable SF3B1 inhibitors interfere with pre-mRNA splicing at multiple stages. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:350-9. [PMID: 26742993 PMCID: PMC4748813 DOI: 10.1261/rna.053108.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The protein SF3B1 is a core component of the spliceosome, the large ribonucleoprotein complex responsible for pre-mRNA splicing. Interest in SF3B1 intensified when tumor exome sequencing revealed frequent specific SF3B1 mutations in a variety of neoplasia and when SF3B1 was identified as the target of three different cancer cell growth inhibitors. A better mechanistic understanding of SF3B1's role in splicing is required to capitalize on these discoveries. Using the inhibitor compounds, we probed SF3B1 function in the spliceosome in an in vitro splicing system. Formerly, the inhibitors were shown to block early steps of spliceosome assembly, consistent with a previously determined role of SF3B1 in intron recognition. We now report that SF3B1 inhibitors also interfere with later events in the spliceosome cycle, including exon ligation. These observations are consistent with a requirement for SF3B1 throughout the splicing process. Additional experiments aimed at understanding how three structurally distinct molecules produce nearly identical effects on splicing revealed that inactive analogs of each compound interchangeably compete with the active inhibitors to restore splicing. The competition indicates that all three types of compounds interact with the same site on SF3B1 and likely interfere with its function by the same mechanism, supporting a shared pharmacophore model. It also suggests that SF3B1 inhibition does not result from binding alone, but is consistent with a model in which the compounds affect a conformational change in the protein. Together, our studies reveal new mechanistic insight into SF3B1 as a principal player in the spliceosome and as a target of inhibitor compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin A Effenberger
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
| | - Veronica K Urabe
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
| | - Beth E Prichard
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
| | - Arun K Ghosh
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
| | - Melissa S Jurica
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
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38
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Rodgers ML, Tretbar US, Dehaven A, Alwan AA, Luo G, Mast HM, Hoskins AA. Conformational dynamics of stem II of the U2 snRNA. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:225-36. [PMID: 26631165 PMCID: PMC4712673 DOI: 10.1261/rna.052233.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The spliceosome undergoes dramatic changes in both small nuclear RNA (snRNA) composition and structure during assembly and pre-mRNA splicing. It has been previously proposed that the U2 snRNA adopts two conformations within the stem II region: stem IIa or stem IIc. Dynamic rearrangement of stem IIa into IIc and vice versa is necessary for proper progression of the spliceosome through assembly and catalysis. How this conformational transition is regulated is unclear; although, proteins such as Cus2p and the helicase Prp5p have been implicated in this process. We have used single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to study U2 stem II toggling between stem IIa and IIc. Structural interconversion of the RNA was spontaneous and did not require the presence of a helicase; however, both Mg(2+) and Cus2p promote formation of stem IIa. Destabilization of stem IIa by a G53A mutation in the RNA promotes stem IIc formation and inhibits conformational switching of the RNA by both Mg(2+) and Cus2p. Transitioning to stem IIa can be restored using Cus2p mutations that suppress G53A phenotypes in vivo. We propose that during spliceosome assembly, Cus2p and Mg(2+) may work together to promote stem IIa formation. During catalysis the spliceosome could then toggle stem II with the aid of Mg(2+) or with the use of functionally equivalent protein interactions. As noted in previous studies, the Mg(2+) toggling we observe parallels previous observations of U2/U6 and Prp8p RNase H domain Mg(2+)-dependent conformational changes. Together these data suggest that multiple components of the spliceosome may have evolved to switch between conformations corresponding to open or closed active sites with the aid of metal and protein cofactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Rodgers
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - U Sandy Tretbar
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Alexander Dehaven
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Amir A Alwan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - George Luo
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Hannah M Mast
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Aaron A Hoskins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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39
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Papasaikas P, Valcárcel J. The Spliceosome: The Ultimate RNA Chaperone and Sculptor. Trends Biochem Sci 2015; 41:33-45. [PMID: 26682498 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The spliceosome, one of the most complex machineries of eukaryotic cells, removes intronic sequences from primary transcripts to generate functional messenger and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA). Genetic, biochemical, and structural data reveal that the spliceosome is an RNA-based enzyme. Striking mechanistic and structural similarities strongly argue that pre-mRNA introns originated from self-catalytic group II ribozymes. However, in the spliceosome, protein components organize and activate the catalytic-site RNAs, and recognize and pair together splice sites at intron boundaries. The spliceosome is a dynamic, reversible, and flexible machine that chaperones small nuclear (sn) RNAs and a variety of pre-mRNA sequences into conformations that enable intron removal. This malleability likely contributes to the regulation of alternative splicing, a prevalent process contributing to cell differentiation, homeostasis, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Papasaikas
- Centre de Regulació Genòmica, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu-Fabra, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Valcárcel
- Centre de Regulació Genòmica, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu-Fabra, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Passeig Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain.
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40
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Liu YC, Cheng SC. Functional roles of DExD/H-box RNA helicases in Pre-mRNA splicing. J Biomed Sci 2015; 22:54. [PMID: 26173448 PMCID: PMC4503299 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-015-0161-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Splicing of precursor mRNA takes place via two consecutive steps of transesterification catalyzed by a large ribonucleoprotein complex called the spliceosome. The spliceosome is assembled through ordered binding to the pre-mRNA of five small nuclear RNAs and numerous protein factors, and is disassembled after completion of the reaction to recycle all components. Throughout the splicing cycle, the spliceosome changes its structure, rearranging RNA-RNA, RNA-protein and protein-protein interactions, for positioning and repositioning of splice sites. DExD/H-box RNA helicases play important roles in mediating structural changes of the spliceosome by unwinding of RNA duplexes or disrupting RNA-protein interactions. DExD/H-box proteins are also implicated in the fidelity control of the splicing process at various steps. This review summarizes the functional roles of DExD/H-box proteins in pre-mRNA splicing according to studies conducted mostly in yeast and will discuss the concept of the complicated splicing reaction based on recent findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Chi Liu
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, 115, Republic of China.
| | - Soo-Chen Cheng
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, 115, Republic of China.
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41
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Abstract
The human spliceosome is a large ribonucleoprotein complex that catalyzes pre-mRNA splicing. It consists of five snRNAs and more than 200 proteins. Because of this complexity, much work has focused on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spliceosome, viewed as a highly simplified system with fewer than half as many splicing factors as humans. Nevertheless, it has been difficult to ascribe a mechanistic function to individual splicing factors or even to discern which are critical for catalyzing the splicing reaction. We have identified and characterized the splicing machinery from the red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, which has been reported to harbor only 26 intron-containing genes. The U2, U4, U5, and U6 snRNAs contain expected conserved sequences and have the ability to adopt secondary structures and form intermolecular base-pairing interactions, as in other organisms. C. merolae has a highly reduced set of 43 identifiable core splicing proteins, compared with ∼90 in budding yeast and ∼140 in humans. Strikingly, we have been unable to find a U1 snRNA candidate or any predicted U1-associated proteins, suggesting that splicing in C. merolae may occur without the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle. In addition, based on mapping the identified proteins onto the known splicing cycle, we propose that there is far less compositional variability during splicing in C. merolae than in other organisms. The observed reduction in splicing factors is consistent with the elimination of spliceosomal components that play a peripheral or modulatory role in splicing, presumably retaining those with a more central role in organization and catalysis.
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Liang WW, Cheng SC. A novel mechanism for Prp5 function in prespliceosome formation and proofreading the branch site sequence. Genes Dev 2015; 29:81-93. [PMID: 25561497 PMCID: PMC4281567 DOI: 10.1101/gad.253708.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The DEAD-box RNA helicase Prp5 is required for the formation of the prespliceosome through an ATP-dependent function to remodel U2 snRNPs and an ATP-independent function of unknown mechanism. Liang and Cheng show that Prp5 binds to the spliceosome in association with U2 by interacting with the branchpoint-interacting stem–loop and is released upon base-pairing of U2 with the branch site to allow the recruitment of the tri-snRNP. The DEAD-box RNA helicase Prp5 is required for the formation of the prespliceosome through an ATP-dependent function to remodel U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) and an ATP-independent function of unknown mechanism. Prp5 has also been implicated in proofreading the branch site sequence, but the molecular mechanism has not been well characterized. Using actin precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) carrying branch site mutations, we identified a Prp5-containing prespliceosome with Prp5 directly bound to U2 small nuclear RNA (snRNA). Prp5 is in contact with U2 in regions on and near the branchpoint-interacting stem–loop (BSL), suggesting that Prp5 may function in stabilizing the BSL. Regardless of its ATPase activity, Prp5 mutants that suppress branch site mutations associate with the spliceosome less tightly and allow more tri-snRNP binding for the reaction to proceed. Our results suggest a novel mechanism for how Prp5 functions in prespliceosome formation and proofreading of the branch site sequence. Prp5 binds to the spliceosome in association with U2 by interacting with the BSL and is released upon the base-pairing of U2 with the branch site to allow the recruitment of the tri-snRNP. Mutations impairing U2–branch site base-pairing retard Prp5 release and impede tri-snRNP association. Prp5 mutations that destabilize the Prp5–U2 interaction suppress branch site mutations by allowing progression of the pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Wei Liang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan; Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Soo-Chen Cheng
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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43
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Sharma S, Wongpalee SP, Vashisht A, Wohlschlegel JA, Black DL. Stem-loop 4 of U1 snRNA is essential for splicing and interacts with the U2 snRNP-specific SF3A1 protein during spliceosome assembly. Genes Dev 2015; 28:2518-31. [PMID: 25403181 PMCID: PMC4233244 DOI: 10.1101/gad.248625.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The pairing of 5′ and 3′ splice sites across an intron is a critical step in spliceosome formation and its regulation. Sharma et al. report a new interaction between stem–loop 4 (SL4) of the U1 snRNA, which recognizes the 5′ splice, and a component of the U2 snRNP complex, which assembles across the intron at the 3′ splice site. U1-SL4 interacts with the SF3A1 protein of the U2 snRNP, and this interaction occurs within prespliceosomal complexes assembled on the pre-mRNA. The pairing of 5′ and 3′ splice sites across an intron is a critical step in spliceosome formation and its regulation. Interactions that bring the two splice sites together during spliceosome assembly must occur with a high degree of specificity and fidelity to allow expression of functional mRNAs and make particular alternative splicing choices. Here, we report a new interaction between stem–loop 4 (SL4) of the U1 snRNA, which recognizes the 5′ splice site, and a component of the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) complex, which assembles across the intron at the 3′ splice site. Using a U1 snRNP complementation assay, we found that SL4 is essential for splicing in vivo. The addition of free U1-SL4 to a splicing reaction in vitro inhibits splicing and blocks complex assembly prior to formation of the prespliceosomal A complex, indicating a requirement for a SL4 contact in spliceosome assembly. To characterize the interactions of this RNA structure, we used a combination of stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC), biotin/Neutravidin affinity pull-down, and mass spectrometry. We show that U1-SL4 interacts with the SF3A1 protein of the U2 snRNP. We found that this interaction between the U1 snRNA and SF3A1 occurs within prespliceosomal complexes assembled on the pre-mRNA. Thus, SL4 of the U1 snRNA is important for splicing, and its interaction with SF3A1 mediates contact between the 5′ and 3′ splice site complexes within the assembling spliceosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Sharma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
| | | | | | | | - Douglas L Black
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
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44
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Tronchoni J, Medina V, Guillamón JM, Querol A, Pérez-Torrado R. Transcriptomics of cryophilic Saccharomyces kudriavzevii reveals the key role of gene translation efficiency in cold stress adaptations. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:432. [PMID: 24898014 PMCID: PMC4058008 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Comparative transcriptomics and functional studies of different Saccharomyces species have opened up the possibility of studying and understanding new yeast abilities. This is the case of yeast adaptation to stress, in particular the cold stress response, which is especially relevant for the food industry. Since the species Saccharomyces kudriavzevii is adapted to grow at low temperatures, it has been suggested that it contains physiological adaptations that allow it to rapidly and efficiently acclimatise after cold shock. Results In this work, we aimed to provide new insights into the molecular basis determining this better cold adaptation of S. kudriavzevii strains. To this end, we have compared S. cerevisiae and S. kudriavzevii transcriptome after yeast adapted to cold shock. The results showed that both yeast mainly activated the genes related to translation machinery by comparing 12°C with 28°C, but the S. kudriavzevii response was stronger, showing an increased expression of dozens of genes involved in protein synthesis. This suggested enhanced translation efficiency at low temperatures, which was confirmed when we observed increased resistance to translation inhibitor paromomycin. Finally, 35S-methionine incorporation assays confirmed the increased S. kudriavzevii translation rate after cold shock. Conclusions This work confirms that S. kudriavzevii is able to grow at low temperatures, an interesting ability for different industrial applications. We propose that this adaptation is based on its enhanced ability to initiate a quick, efficient translation of crucial genes in cold adaptation among others, a mechanism that has been suggested for other microorganisms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-432) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Roberto Pérez-Torrado
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de los Alimentos (CSIC), Burjassot, P,O, Box 73E-46100 Valencia, Spain.
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Fica SM, Mefford MA, Piccirilli JA, Staley JP. Evidence for a group II intron-like catalytic triplex in the spliceosome. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2014; 21:464-471. [PMID: 24747940 PMCID: PMC4257784 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
To catalyze pre-mRNA splicing, U6 small nuclear RNA positions two metals that interact directly with the scissile phosphates. U6 metal ligands correspond stereospecifically to metal ligands within the catalytic domain V of a group II self-splicing intron. Domain V ligands are organized by base-triple interactions, which also juxtapose the 3' splice site with the catalytic metals. However, in the spliceosome, the mechanism for organizing catalytic metals and recruiting the substrate has remained unclear. Here we show by genetics, cross-linking and biochemistry in yeast that analogous triples form in U6 and promote catalytic-metal binding and both chemical steps of splicing. Because the triples include an element that defines the 5' splice site, they also provide a mechanism for juxtaposing the pre-mRNA substrate with the catalytic metals. Our data indicate that U6 adopts a group II intron-like tertiary conformation to catalyze splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian M Fica
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL
| | - Melissa A Mefford
- Committee on Genetics Genomics and Systems Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Joseph A Piccirilli
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Jonathan P Staley
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago IL
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Valadkhan S. The role of snRNAs in spliceosomal catalysis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2014; 120:195-228. [PMID: 24156945 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381286-5.00006-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
The spliceosomes, large ribonucleoprotein (RNP) assemblies that remove the intervening sequences from pre-mRNAs, contain a large number of proteins and five small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs). One snRNA, U6, contains highly conserved sequences that are thought to be the functional counterparts of the RNA elements that form the active site of self-splicing group II intron ribozymes. An in vitro-assembled, protein-free complex of U6 with U2, the base-pairing partner in the spliceosomal catalytic core, can catalyze a two-step splicing reaction in the absence of all other spliceosomal factors, suggesting that the two snRNAs may form all or a large share of the spliceosomal active site. On the other hand, several spliceosomal proteins are thought to help in the formation of functionally required RNA-RNA interactions in the catalytic core. Whether they also contribute functional groups to the spliceosomal active site, and thus whether the spliceosomes are RNA or RNP enzymes remain uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Valadkhan
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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47
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Abstract
Superfamily 2 helicase proteins are ubiquitous in RNA biology and have an extraordinarily broad set of functional roles. Central among these roles are the promotion of rearrangements of structured RNAs and the remodeling of ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), allowing formation of native RNA structure or progression through a functional cycle of structures. Although all superfamily 2 helicases share a conserved helicase core, they are divided evolutionarily into several families, and it is principally proteins from three families, the DEAD-box, DEAH/RHA, and Ski2-like families, that function to manipulate structured RNAs and RNPs. Strikingly, there are emerging differences in the mechanisms of these proteins, both between families and within the largest family (DEAD-box), and these differences appear to be tuned to their RNA or RNP substrates and their specific roles. This review outlines basic mechanistic features of the three families and surveys individual proteins and the current understanding of their biological substrates and mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Jarmoskaite
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712; ,
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Wlodaver AM, Staley JP. The DExD/H-box ATPase Prp2p destabilizes and proofreads the catalytic RNA core of the spliceosome. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2014; 20:282-94. [PMID: 24442613 PMCID: PMC3923124 DOI: 10.1261/rna.042598.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
After undergoing massive RNA and protein rearrangements during assembly, the spliceosome undergoes a final, more subtle, ATP-dependent rearrangement that is essential for catalysis. This rearrangement requires the DEAH-box protein Prp2p, an RNA-dependent ATPase. Prp2p has been implicated in destabilizing interactions between the spliceosome and the protein complexes SF3 and RES, but a role for Prp2p in destabilizing RNA-RNA interactions has not been explored. Using directed molecular genetics in budding yeast, we have found that a cold-sensitive prp2 mutation is suppressed not only by mutations in SF3 and RES components but also by a range of mutations that disrupt the spliceosomal catalytic core element U2/U6 helix I, which is implicated in juxtaposing the 5' splice site and branch site and in positioning metal ions for catalysis within the context of a putative catalytic triplex; indeed, mutations in this putative catalytic triplex also suppressed a prp2 mutation. Remarkably, we also found that prp2 mutations rescue lethal mutations in U2/U6 helix I. These data provide evidence that RNA elements that comprise the catalytic core are already formed at the Prp2p stage and that Prp2p destabilizes these elements, directly or indirectly, both to proofread spliceosome activation and to promote reconfiguration of the spliceosome to a fully competent, catalytic conformation.
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Zhao C, Anklin C, Greenbaum NL. Use of 19F NMR Methods to Probe Conformational Heterogeneity and Dynamics of Exchange in Functional RNA Molecules. Methods Enzymol 2014; 549:267-85. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801122-5.00012-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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50
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Anokhina M, Bessonov S, Miao Z, Westhof E, Hartmuth K, Lührmann R. RNA structure analysis of human spliceosomes reveals a compact 3D arrangement of snRNAs at the catalytic core. EMBO J 2013; 32:2804-18. [PMID: 24002212 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2013.198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although U snRNAs play essential roles in splicing, little is known about the 3D arrangement of U2, U6, and U5 snRNAs and the pre-mRNA in active spliceosomes. To elucidate their relative spatial organization and dynamic rearrangement, we examined the RNA structure of affinity-purified, human spliceosomes before and after catalytic step 1 by chemical RNA structure probing. We found a stable 3-way junction of the U2/U6 snRNA duplex in active spliceosomes that persists minimally through step 1. Moreover, the formation of alternating, mutually exclusive, U2 snRNA conformations, as observed in yeast, was not detected in different assembly stages of human spliceosomal complexes (that is, B, B(act), or C complexes). Psoralen crosslinking revealed an interaction during/after step 1 between internal loop 1 of the U5 snRNA, and intron nucleotides immediately downstream of the branchpoint. Using the experimentally derived structural constraints, we generated a model of the RNA network of the step 1 spliceosome, based on the crystal structure of a group II intron through homology modelling. The model is topologically consistent with current genetic, biochemical, and structural data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Anokhina
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
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