The yeast Ski complex is a hetero-tetramer

Quantitative Investigation of FAD2 Cosuppression Reveals RDR6-Dependent and RDR6-Independent Gene Silencing Pathways

The frequency and extent of transgene-mediated cosuppression varies substantially among plant genes. However, the underlying mechanisms leading to strong cosuppression have received little attention. In previous studies, we showed that the expression of FAD2 in the seeds of Arabidopsis results in strong RDR6-mediated cosuppression, where both endogenous and transgenic FAD2 were silenced. Here, the FAD2 strong cosuppression system was quantitatively investigated to identify the genetic factors by the expression of FAD2 in their mutants. The involvement of DCL2, DCL4, AGO1, and EIN5 was first confirmed in FAD2 cosuppression. SKI2, a remover of 3' end aberrant RNAs, was newly identified as being involved in the cosuppression, while DCL3 was identified as antagonistic to DCL2 and DCL3. FAD2 cosuppression was markedly reduced in dcl2, dcl4, and ago1. The existence of an RDR6-independent cosuppression was revealed for the first time, which was demonstrated by weak gene silencing in rdr6 ein5 ski2. Further investigation of FAD2 cosuppression may unveil unknown genetic factor(s).

Transcriptional elongation control in developmental gene expression, aging, and disease

The elongation stage of transcription by RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) is central to the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental cues in metazoan. Dysregulated transcriptional elongation has been associated with developmental defects as well as disease and aging processes. Decades of genetic and biochemical studies have painstakingly identified and characterized an ensemble of factors that regulate RNA Pol II elongation. This review summarizes recent findings taking advantage of genetic engineering techniques that probe functions of elongation factors in vivo. We propose a revised model of elongation control in this accelerating field by reconciling contradictory results from the earlier biochemical evidence and the recent in vivo studies. We discuss how elongation factors regulate promoter-proximal RNA Pol II pause release, transcriptional elongation rate and processivity, RNA Pol II stability and RNA processing, and how perturbation of these processes is associated with developmental disorders, neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and aging.

SKI complex: A multifaceted cytoplasmic RNA exosome cofactor in mRNA metabolism with links to disease, developmental processes, and antiviral responses

RNA stability and quality control are integral parts of gene expression regulation. A key factor shaping eukaryotic transcriptomes, mainly via 3'-5' exoribonucleolytic trimming or degradation of diverse transcripts in nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments, is the RNA exosome. Precise exosome targeting to various RNA molecules requires strict collaboration with specialized auxiliary factors, which facilitate interactions with its substrates. The predominant class of cytoplasmic RNA targeted by the exosome are protein-coding transcripts, which are carefully scrutinized for errors during translation. Normal, functional mRNAs are turned over following protein synthesis by the exosome or by Xrn1 5'-3'-exonuclease, acting in concert with Dcp1/2 decapping complex. In turn, aberrant transcripts are eliminated by dedicated surveillance pathways, triggered whenever ribosome translocation is impaired. Cytoplasmic 3'-5' mRNA decay and surveillance are dependent on the tight cooperation between the exosome and its evolutionary conserved co-factor-the SKI (superkiller) complex (SKIc). Here, we summarize recent findings from structural, biochemical, and functional studies of SKIc roles in controlling cytoplasmic RNA metabolism, including links to various cellular processes. Mechanism of SKIc action is illuminated by presentation of its spatial structure and details of its interactions with exosome and ribosome. Furthermore, contribution of SKIc and exosome to various mRNA decay pathways, usually converging on recycling of ribosomal subunits, is delineated. A crucial physiological role of SKIc is emphasized by describing association between its dysfunction and devastating human disease-a trichohepatoenteric syndrome (THES). Eventually, we discuss SKIc functions in the regulation of antiviral defense systems, cell signaling and developmental transitions, emerging from interdisciplinary investigations. This article is categorized under: RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes.

Loss of FOCAD, operating via the SKI messenger RNA surveillance pathway, causes a pediatric syndrome with liver cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is usually a late-onset and life-threatening disease characterized by fibrotic scarring and inflammation that disrupts liver architecture and function. While it is typically the result of alcoholism or hepatitis viral infection in adults, its etiology in infants is much less understood. In this study, we report 14 children from ten unrelated families presenting with a syndromic form of pediatric liver cirrhosis. By genome/exome sequencing, we found recessive variants in FOCAD segregating with the disease. Zebrafish lacking focad phenocopied the human disease, revealing a signature of altered messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation processes in the liver. Using patient's primary cells and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated inactivation in human hepatic cell lines, we found that FOCAD deficiency compromises the SKI mRNA surveillance pathway by reducing the levels of the RNA helicase SKIC2 and its cofactor SKIC3. FOCAD knockout hepatocytes exhibited lowered albumin expression and signs of persistent injury accompanied by CCL2 overproduction. Our results reveal the importance of FOCAD in maintaining liver homeostasis and disclose a possible therapeutic intervention point via inhibition of the CCL2/CCR2 signaling axis.

Identifying and Exploring the Candidate Susceptibility Genes of Cirrhosis Using the Multi-Tissue Transcriptome-Wide Association Study

Objective: We identify and explore the candidate susceptibility genes for cirrhosis and their underlying biological mechanism.

Methods: We downloaded the genome-wide association studies summary data of 901 cirrhosis cases and 451,363 controls and integrated them with reference models of five potential tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project, including whole blood, liver, pancreas, spleen, and thyroid, to identify genes whose expression is predicted to be associated with cirrhosis. Then, we downloaded gene expression data of individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma from TCGA database to conduct differential expression analysis to validate these identified genes and explored their possible role in driving cirrhosis via functional enrichment and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).

Results: We identified 10 significant genes (SKIV2L, JPH4, UQCC2, RP11-91I8.3, MAU2, ERAP1, PUS3, ZNF677, ARHGAP40, and SHANK3) associated with cirrhosis at a Bonferroni-corrected threshold of p < 0.01, among which two (SKIV2L and JPH4) were identified in the liver and five (SKIV2L, JPH4, MAU2, SHANK3, and UQCC2) were validated by differential expression analysis at an FDR-corrected threshold of p < 0.01. The enrichment analysis showed that the degradation process of RNA, which is enriched by 58 genes, is significantly under-enriched in liver cancer tissues (p = 0.0268).

Conclusion: We have identified several candidate genes for cirrhosis in multiple tissues and performed differential genetic analysis using the liver cancer database to verify the significant genes. We found that the genes SKIV2L and JPH4 identified in the liver are of particular concern. Finally, through enrichment analysis, we speculate that the process of mRNA transcription and RNA degradation may play a role in cirrhosis.

Characterizing Endogenous Protein Complexes with Biological Mass Spectrometry

Biological mass spectrometry (MS) encompasses a range of methods for characterizing proteins and other biomolecules. MS is uniquely powerful for the structural analysis of endogenous protein complexes, which are often heterogeneous, poorly abundant, and refractive to characterization by other methods. Here, we focus on how biological MS can contribute to the study of endogenous protein complexes, which we define as complexes expressed in the physiological host and purified intact, as opposed to reconstituted complexes assembled from heterologously expressed components. Biological MS can yield information on complex stoichiometry, heterogeneity, topology, stability, activity, modes of regulation, and even structural dynamics. We begin with a review of methods for isolating endogenous complexes. We then describe the various biological MS approaches, focusing on the type of information that each method yields. We end with future directions and challenges for these MS-based methods.

The human SKI complex regulates channeling of ribosome-bound RNA to the exosome via an intrinsic gatekeeping mechanism

The superkiller (SKI) complex is the cytoplasmic co-factor and regulator of the RNA-degrading exosome. In human cells, the SKI complex functions mainly in co-translational surveillance-decay pathways, and its malfunction is linked to a severe congenital disorder, the trichohepatoenteric syndrome. To obtain insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating the human SKI (hSKI) complex, we structurally characterized several of its functional states in the context of 80S ribosomes and substrate RNA. In a prehydrolytic ATP form, the hSKI complex exhibits a closed conformation with an inherent gating system that effectively traps the 80S-bound RNA into the hSKI2 helicase subunit. When active, hSKI switches to an open conformation in which the gating is released and the RNA 3′ end exits the helicase. The emerging picture is that the gatekeeping mechanism and architectural remodeling of hSKI underpin a regulated RNA channeling system that is mechanistically conserved among the cytoplasmic and nuclear helicase-exosome complexes.

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hSKI has closed and open states connected to different helicase conformations

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The intrinsic closed state traps the RNA 3′ end and blocks the RNA exit path

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ATP induces the open state of hSKI, allowing 80S ribosome-bound RNA extraction

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The hSKI open state primes hSKI2 for channeling RNA to the cytosolic exosome

Nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA exosomes and PELOTA1 prevent miRNA-induced secondary siRNA production in Arabidopsis

Amplification of short interfering RNA (siRNAs) via RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) is of fundamental importance in RNA silencing. Plant microRNA (miRNA) action generally does not involve engagement of RdRPs, in part thanks to a poorly understood activity of the cytoplasmic exosome adaptor SKI2. Here, we show that inactivation of the exosome subunit RRP45B and SKI2 results in similar patterns of miRNA-induced siRNA production. Furthermore, loss of the nuclear exosome adaptor HEN2 leads to secondary siRNA production from miRNA targets largely distinct from those producing siRNAs in ski2. Importantly, mutation of the Release Factor paralogue PELOTA1 required for subunit dissociation of stalled ribosomes causes siRNA production from miRNA targets overlapping with, but distinct from, those affected in ski2 and rrp45b mutants. We also show that in exosome mutants, miRNA targets can be sorted into producers and non-producers of illicit secondary siRNAs based on trigger miRNA levels and miRNA:target affinity rather than on presence of 5′-cleavage fragments. We propose that stalled RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC) and ribosomes, but not mRNA cleavage fragments released from RISC, trigger siRNA production, and that the exosome limits siRNA amplification by reducing RISC dwell time on miRNA target mRNAs while PELOTA1 does so by reducing ribosome stalling.

Assembly of multicomponent machines in RNA metabolism: A common theme in mRNA decay pathways

Multicomponent protein-RNA complexes comprising a ribonuclease and partner RNA helicase facilitate the turnover of mRNA in all domains of life. While these higher-order complexes provide an effective means of physically and functionally coupling the processes of RNA remodeling and decay, most ribonucleases and RNA helicases do not exhibit sequence specificity in RNA binding. This raises the question as to how these assemblies select substrates for processing and how the activities are orchestrated at the precise moment to ensure efficient decay. The answers to these apparent puzzles lie in the auxiliary components of the assemblies that might relay decay-triggering signals. Given their function within the assemblies, these components may be viewed as "sensors." The functions and mechanisms of action of the sensor components in various degradation complexes in bacteria and eukaryotes are highlighted here to discuss their roles in RNA decay processes. This article is categorized under: RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition.

Extraction of mRNA from Stalled Ribosomes by the Ski Complex

The evolutionarily conserved Ski2-Ski3-Ski8 (Ski) complex containing the 3'→5' RNA helicase Ski2 binds to 80S ribosomes near the mRNA entrance and facilitates 3'→5' exosomal degradation of mRNA during ribosome-associated mRNA surveillance pathways. Here, we assayed Ski's activity using an in vitro reconstituted translation system and report that this complex efficiently extracts mRNA from 80S ribosomes in the 3'→5' direction in a nucleotide-by-nucleotide manner. The process is ATP dependent and can occur on pre- and post-translocation ribosomal complexes. The Ski complex can engage productively with mRNA and extract it from 80S complexes containing as few as 19 (but not 13) 3'-terminal mRNA nucleotides starting from the P site. The mRNA-extracting activity of the Ski complex suggests that its role in mRNA quality control pathways is not limited to acceleration of exosomal degradation and could include clearance of stalled ribosomes from mRNA, poising mRNA for degradation and rendering stalled ribosomes recyclable by Pelota/Hbs1/ABCE1.

Purification and Reconstitution of the S. cerevisiae TRAMP and Ski Complexes for Biochemical and Structural Studies

The RNA exosome is a macromolecular machine that degrades a large variety of RNAs from their 3'-end. It comprises the major 3'-to-5' exonuclease in the cell, completely degrades erroneous and overly abundant RNAs, and is also involved in the precise processing of RNAs. To degrade transcripts both specifically and efficiently the exosome functions together with compartment-specific cofactors. In the yeast S. cerevisiae, the exosome associates with the Ski complex in the cytoplasm and with Mtr4 alone or with Mtr4 as part of the TRAMP complex in the nucleus. Here we describe how to produce, purify, and assemble the Ski and TRAMP complexes from S. cerevisiae.

RNA Exosomes and Their Cofactors

The RNA exosome is a ribonucleolytic multiprotein complex that is conserved and essential in all eukaryotes. Although we tend to speak of "the" exosome complex, it should be more correctly viewed as several different subtypes that share a common core. Subtypes of the exosome complex are present in the cytoplasm, the nucleus and the nucleolus of all eukaryotic cells, and carry out the 3'-5' processing and/or degradation of a wide range of RNA substrates.Because the substrate specificity of the exosome complex is determined by cofactors, the system is highly adaptable, and different organisms have adjusted the machinery to their specific needs. Here, we present an overview of exosome complexes and their cofactors that have been described in different eukaryotes.

Native Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Affinity-Captured Endogenous Yeast RNA Exosome Complexes

Native mass spectrometry (MS) enables direct mass measurement of intact protein assemblies generating relevant subunit composition and stoichiometry information. Combined with cross-linking and structural data, native MS-derived information is crucial for elucidating the architecture of macromolecular assemblies by integrative structural methods. The exosome complex from budding yeast was among the first endogenous protein complexes to be affinity isolated and subsequently characterized by this technique, providing improved understanding of its composition and structure. We present a protocol that couples efficient affinity capture of yeast exosome complexes and sensitive native MS analysis, including rapid affinity isolation of the endogenous exosome complex from cryolysed yeast cells, elution in nondenaturing conditions by protease cleavage, depletion of the protease, buffer exchange, and native MS measurements using an Orbitrap-based instrument (Exactive Plus EMR).

An RNA Metabolism and Surveillance Quartet in the Major Histocompatibility Complex

At the central region of the mammalian major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a complement gene cluster that codes for constituents of complement C3 convertases (C2, factor B and C4). Complement activation drives the humoral effector functions for immune response. Sandwiched between the genes for serine proteinase factor B and anchor protein C4 are four less known but critically important genes coding for essential functions related to metabolism and surveillance of RNA during the transcriptional and translational processes of gene expression. These four genes are NELF-E (RD), SKIV2L (SKI2W), DXO (DOM3Z) and STK19 (RP1 or G11) and dubbed as NSDK. NELF-E is the subunit E of negative elongation factor responsible for promoter proximal pause of transcription. SKIV2L is the RNA helicase for cytoplasmic exosomes responsible for degradation of de-polyadenylated mRNA and viral RNA. DXO is a powerful enzyme with pyro-phosphohydrolase activity towards 5' triphosphorylated RNA, decapping and exoribonuclease activities of faulty nuclear RNA molecules. STK19 is a nuclear kinase that phosphorylates RNA-binding proteins during transcription. STK19 is also involved in DNA repair during active transcription and in nuclear signal transduction. The genetic, biochemical and functional properties for NSDK in the MHC largely stay as a secret for many immunologists. Here we briefly review the roles of (a) NELF-E on transcriptional pausing; (b) SKIV2L on turnover of deadenylated or expired RNA 3'→5' through the Ski-exosome complex, and modulation of inflammatory response initiated by retinoic acid-inducible gene 1-like receptor (RLR) sensing of viral infections; (c) DXO on quality control of RNA integrity through recognition of 5' caps and destruction of faulty adducts in 5'→3' fashion; and (d) STK19 on nuclear protein phosphorylations. There is compelling evidence that a dysregulation or a deficiency of a NSDK gene would cause a malignant, immunologic or digestive disease.

RST1 and RIPR connect the cytosolic RNA exosome to the Ski complex in Arabidopsis

The RNA exosome is a key 3’−5’ exoribonuclease with an evolutionarily conserved structure and function. Its cytosolic functions require the co-factors SKI7 and the Ski complex. Here we demonstrate by co-purification experiments that the ARM-repeat protein RESURRECTION1 (RST1) and RST1 INTERACTING PROTEIN (RIPR) connect the cytosolic Arabidopsis RNA exosome to the Ski complex. rst1 and ripr mutants accumulate RNA quality control siRNAs (rqc-siRNAs) produced by the post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) machinery when mRNA degradation is compromised. The small RNA populations observed in rst1 and ripr mutants are also detected in mutants lacking the RRP45B/CER7 core exosome subunit. Thus, molecular and genetic evidence supports a physical and functional link between RST1, RIPR and the RNA exosome. Our data reveal the existence of additional cytosolic exosome co-factors besides the known Ski subunits. RST1 is not restricted to plants, as homologues with a similar domain architecture but unknown function exist in animals, including humans.

Cytosolic RNA degradation by the RNA exosome requires the Ski complex. Here the authors show that the proteins RST1 and RIPR assist the RNA exosome and the Ski complex in RNA degradation, thereby preventing the production of secondary siRNAs from endogenous mRNAs.

A specialised SKI complex assists the cytoplasmic RNA exosome in the absence of direct association with ribosomes

The Ski2-Ski3-Ski8 (SKI) complex assists the RNA exosome during the 3' to 5' degradation of cytoplasmic transcripts. Previous reports showed that the SKI complex is involved in the 3' to 5' degradation of mRNAs, including 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) and devoid of ribosomes. Paradoxically, we recently showed that the SKI complex directly interacts with ribosomes during the co-translational mRNA decay and that this interaction is necessary for its RNA degradation promoting activity. Here, we characterised a new SKI-associated factor, Ska1, that associates with a subpopulation of the SKI complex. We showed that Ska1 is specifically involved in the degradation of long 3'UTR-containing mRNAs, poorly translated mRNAs as well as other RNA regions not associated with ribosomes, such as cytoplasmic lncRNAs. We further show that the overexpression of SKA1 antagonises the SKI-ribosome association. We propose that the Ska1-SKI complex assists the cytoplasmic exosome in the absence of direct association of the SKI complex with ribosomes.

Genetic and Structural Analysis of a SKIV2L Mutation Causing Tricho-hepato-enteric Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Advances in genomics have facilitated the discovery of monogenic disorders in patients with unique gastro-intestinal phenotypes. Syndromic diarrhea, also called tricho-hepato-enteric (THE) syndrome, results from deleterious mutations in SKIV2L or TTC37 genes. The main features of this disorder are intractable diarrhea, abnormal hair, facial dysmorphism, immunodeficiency and liver disease.

AIM

To report on a patient with THE syndrome and present the genetic analysis that facilitated diagnosis.

METHODS

Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in a 4-month-old female with history of congenital diarrhea and severe failure to thrive but without hair anomalies or dysmorphism. Since the parents were first-degree cousins, the analysis focused on an autosomal recessive model. Sanger sequencing was used to validate suspected variants. Mutated protein structure was modeled to assess the effect of the mutation on protein function.

RESULTS

We identified an autosomal recessive C.1891G > A missense mutation (NM_006929) in SKIV2L gene that was previously described only in a compound heterozygous state as causing THE syndrome. The mutation was determined to be deleterious in multiple prediction models. Protein modeling suggested that the mutation has the potential to cause structural destabilization of SKIV2L, either through conformational changes, interference with the protein's packing, or changes at the protein's interface.

CONCLUSIONS

THE syndrome can present with a broad range of clinical features in the neonatal period. WES is an important diagnostic tool in patients with congenital diarrhea and can facilitate diagnosis of various diseases presenting with atypical features.

Altered RNA metabolism due to a homozygous RBM7 mutation in a patient with spinal motor neuropathy

The exosome complex is the most important RNA processing machinery within the cell. Mutations in its subunits EXOSC8 and EXOSC3 cause pontocerebellar hypoplasia, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and central nervous system demyelination. We present a patient with SMA-like phenotype carrying a homozygous mutation in RBM7-a subunit of the nuclear exosome targeting (NEXT) complex-which is known to bind and carry specific subtypes of coding and non-coding RNAs to the exosome. The NEXT complex with other protein complexes is responsible for the substrate specificity of the exosome. We performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis on primary fibroblasts of patients with mutations in EXOSC8 and RBM7 and gene knock-down experiments using zebrafish as a model system. RNA-seq analysis identified significantly altered expression of 62 transcripts shared by the two patient cell lines. Knock-down of rbm7, exosc8 and exosc3 in zebrafish showed a common pattern of defects in motor neurons and cerebellum. Our data indicate that impaired RNA metabolism may underlie the clinical phenotype by fine tuning gene expression which is essential for correct neuronal differentiation.

RNA Quality Control as a Key to Suppressing RNA Silencing of Endogenous Genes in Plants

RNA quality control of endogenous RNAs is an integral part of eukaryotic gene expression and often relies on exonucleolytic degradation to eliminate dysfunctional transcripts. In parallel, exogenous and selected endogenous RNAs are degraded through RNA silencing, which is a genome defense mechanism used by many eukaryotes. In plants, RNA silencing is triggered by the production of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) by RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASEs (RDRs) and proceeds through small interfering (si) RNA-directed, ARGONAUTE (AGO)-mediated cleavage of homologous transcripts. Many studies revealed that plants avert inappropriate posttranscriptional gene silencing of endogenous coding genes by using RNA surveillance mechanisms as a safeguard to protect their transcriptome profiles. The tug of war between RNA surveillance and RNA silencing ensures the appropriate partitioning of endogenous RNA substrates among these degradation pathways. Here we review recent advances on RNA quality control and its role in the suppression of RNA silencing at endogenous genes and discuss the mechanisms underlying the crosstalk among these pathways.

Novel mutations in SKIV2L and TTC37 genes in Malaysian children with trichohepatoenteric syndrome

Trichohepatoenteric syndrome (THES) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that is classically associated with intractable diarrhea with an onset within the first few months of life. Herein, we investigated and reported novel mutations in two causal genes in 3 Malaysian cases. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood obtained from patients in two Malaysian Chinese families. The exons of SKIV2L and TTC37 genes were amplified and sequenced by bi-directional sequencing to identify the point mutations within the coding sequence. Three Chinese boys from two families with characteristic features and clinical course were diagnosed with THES. In family-1, two point mutations were identified in the SKIV2L gene (c.1891G>A and c.3187C>T). In family-2, a single-nucleotide duplication (c.3426dupA) was found in the TTC37 gene. These mutations cause the production of abnormal non-functional gene product leading to the clinical manifestations in the patients. We reported three point mutations, which have not been previously described in other patients with THES in SKIV2L and TTC37 genes, including one nonsense, one frameshift, and one missense mutations.

A Robust Workflow for Native Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Affinity-Isolated Endogenous Protein Assemblies

The central players in most cellular events are assemblies of macromolecules. Structural and functional characterization of these assemblies requires knowledge of their subunit stoichiometry and intersubunit connectivity. One of the most direct means for acquiring such information is so-called "native mass spectrometry (MS)", wherein the masses of the intact assemblies and parts thereof are accurately determined. It is of particular interest to apply native MS to the study of endogenous protein assemblies-i.e., those wherein the component proteins are expressed at endogenous levels in their natural functional states, rather than the overexpressed (sometimes partial) constructs commonly employed in classical structural studies, whose assembly can introduce stoichiometry artifacts and other unwanted effects. To date, the application of native MS to the elucidation of endogenous protein complexes has been limited by the difficulty in obtaining pristine cell-derived assemblies at sufficiently high concentrations for effective analysis. Here, to address this challenge, we present a robust workflow that couples rapid and efficient affinity isolation of endogenous protein complexes with a sensitive native MS readout. The resulting workflow has the potential to provide a wealth of data on the stoichiometry and intersubunit connectivity of endogenous protein assemblies-information that is key to successful integrative structural elucidation of biological systems.

SKI2 mediates degradation of RISC 5'-cleavage fragments and prevents secondary siRNA production from miRNA targets in Arabidopsis

Small regulatory RNAs are fundamental in eukaryotic and prokaryotic gene regulation. In plants, an important element of post-transcriptional control is effected by 20–24 nt microRNAs (miRNAs) and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) bound to the ARGONAUTE1 (AGO1) protein in an RNA induced silencing complex (RISC). AGO1 may cleave target mRNAs with small RNA complementarity, but the fate of the resulting cleavage fragments remains incompletely understood. Here, we show that SKI2, SKI3 and SKI8, subunits of a cytoplasmic cofactor of the RNA exosome, are required for degradation of RISC 5′, but not 3′-cleavage fragments in Arabidopsis. In the absence of SKI2 activity, many miRNA targets produce siRNAs via the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 6 (RDR6) pathway. These siRNAs are low-abundant, and map close to the cleavage site. In most cases, siRNAs were produced 5′ to the cleavage site, but several examples of 3′-spreading were also identified. These observations suggest that siRNAs do not simply derive from RDR6 action on stable 5′-cleavage fragments and hence that SKI2 has a direct role in limiting secondary siRNA production in addition to its function in mediating degradation of 5′-cleavage fragments.

Exosome substrate targeting: the long and short of it

The exosome ribonuclease complex functions in both the limited trimming of the 3'-ends of nuclear substrates during RNA processing events and the complete destruction of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNAs. The two RNases of the eukaryotic exosome, Rrp44 (rRNA-processing protein 44) and Rrp6, are bound at either end of a catalytically inert cylindrical core. RNA substrates are threaded through the internal channel of the core to Rrp44 by RNA helicase components of the nuclear TRAMP complex (Trf4-Air2-Mtr4 polyadenylation complex) or the cytoplasmic Ski (superkiller) complex. Recent studies reveal that Rrp44 can also associate directly with substrates via channel-independent routes. Although the substrates of the exosome are known, it is not clear whether specific substrates are restricted to one or other pathway. Data currently available support the model that processed substrates are targeted directly to the catalytic subunits, whereas at least some substrates that are directed towards discard pathways must be threaded through the exosome core.

The conformational plasticity of eukaryotic RNA-dependent ATPases

RNA helicases are present in all domains of life and participate in almost all aspects of RNA metabolism, from transcription and processing to translation and decay. The diversity of pathways and substrates that they act on is reflected in the diversity of their individual functions, structures, and mechanisms. However, RNA helicases also share hallmark properties. At the functional level, they promote rearrangements of RNAs and RNP particles by coupling nucleic acid binding and release with ATP hydrolysis. At the molecular level, they contain two domains homologous to the bacterial RecA recombination protein. This conserved catalytic core is flanked by additional domains, which typically regulate the ATPase activity in cis. Binding to effector proteins targets or regulates the ATPase activity in trans. Structural and biochemical studies have converged on the plasticity of RNA helicases as a fundamental property that is used to control their timely activation in the cell. In this review, we focus on the conformational regulation of conserved eukaryotic RNA helicases.

Global analysis of eukaryotic mRNA degradation reveals Xrn1-dependent buffering of transcript levels

The rates of mRNA synthesis and degradation determine cellular mRNA levels and can be monitored by comparative dynamic transcriptome analysis (cDTA) that uses nonperturbing metabolic RNA labeling. Here we present cDTA data for 46 yeast strains lacking genes involved in mRNA degradation and metabolism. In these strains, changes in mRNA degradation rates are generally compensated by changes in mRNA synthesis rates, resulting in a buffering of mRNA levels. We show that buffering of mRNA levels requires the RNA exonuclease Xrn1. The buffering is rapidly established when mRNA synthesis is impaired, but is delayed when mRNA degradation is impaired, apparently due to Xrn1-dependent transcription repressor induction. Cluster analysis of the data defines the general mRNA degradation machinery, reveals different substrate preferences for the two mRNA deadenylase complexes Ccr4-Not and Pan2-Pan3, and unveils an interwoven cellular mRNA surveillance network.

The yeast ski complex: crystal structure and RNA channeling to the exosome complex

The Ski complex is a conserved multiprotein assembly required for the cytoplasmic functions of the exosome, including RNA turnover, surveillance, and interference. Ski2, Ski3, and Ski8 assemble in a tetramer with 1:1:2 stoichiometry. The crystal structure of an S. cerevisiae 370 kDa core complex shows that Ski3 forms an array of 33 TPR motifs organized in N-terminal and C-terminal arms. The C-terminal arm of Ski3 and the two Ski8 subunits position the helicase core of Ski2 centrally within the complex, enhancing RNA binding. The Ski3 N-terminal arm and the Ski2 insertion domain allosterically modulate the ATPase and helicase activities of the complex. Biochemical data suggest that the Ski complex can thread RNAs directly to the exosome, coupling the helicase and the exoribonuclease through a continuous RNA channel. Finally, we identify a Ski8-binding motif common to Ski3 and Spo11, rationalizing the moonlighting properties of Ski8 in mRNA decay and meiosis.

Threading the barrel of the RNA exosome

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A wide range of in vivo targets for the exosome complex has been established.

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RNA polymerase III transcripts have emerged as major substrates.

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The human nucleus has spatially localized forms of the exosome, with matching cofactors.

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Structural analyses reveal a highly conserved RNA path through the eukaryotic exosome.

In eukaryotes, the exosome complex degrades RNA backbones and plays key roles in RNA processing and surveillance. It was predicted that RNA substrates are threaded through a central channel. This pathway is conserved between eukaryotic and archaeal complexes, even though nuclease activity was lost from the nine-subunit eukaryotic core (EXO-9) and transferred to associated proteins. The exosome cooperates with nuclear and cytoplasmic cofactors, including RNA helicases Mtr4 and Ski2, respectively. Structures of an RNA-bound exosome and both helicases revealed how substrates are channeled through EXO-9 to the associated nuclease Rrp44. Recent high-throughput analyses provided fresh insights relating exosome structure to its diverse in vivo functions. They also revealed surprisingly high degradation rates for newly synthesized RNAs, particularly RNA polymerase III transcripts.

RNA decay machines: the exosome

The multisubunit RNA exosome complex is a major ribonuclease of eukaryotic cells that participates in the processing, quality control and degradation of virtually all classes of RNA in Eukaryota. All this is achieved by about a dozen proteins with only three ribonuclease activities between them. At first glance, the versatility of the pathways involving the exosome and the sheer multitude of its substrates are astounding. However, after fifteen years of research we have some understanding of how exosome activity is controlled and applied inside the cell. The catalytic properties of the eukaryotic exosome are fairly well described and attention is now drawn to how the interplay between these activities impacts cell physiology. Also, it has become evident that exosome function relies on many auxiliary factors, which are intensely studied themselves. In this way, the focus of exosome research is slowly leaving the test tube and moving back into the cell. The exosome also has an interesting evolutionary history, which is evident within the eukaryotic lineage but only fully appreciated when considering similar protein complexes found in Bacteria and Archaea. Thus, while we keep this review focused on the most comprehensively described yeast and human exosomes, we shall point out similarities or dissimilarities to prokaryotic complexes and proteins where appropriate. The article is divided into three parts. In Part One we describe how the exosome is built and how it manifests in cells of different organisms. In Part Two we detail the enzymatic properties of the exosome, especially recent data obtained for holocomplexes. Finally, Part Three presents an overview of the RNA metabolism pathways that involve the exosome. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA Decay mechanisms.

Syndromic diarrhea/Tricho-hepato-enteric syndrome

Abstract

Syndromic diarrhea/Tricho-hepato-enteric syndrome (SD/THE) is a rare and severe bowel disorder caused by mutation in SKIV2L or in TTC37, 2 genes encoding subunits of the putative human SKI complex. The estimated prevalence is 1/1,000,000 births and the transmission is autosomal recessive. The classical form is characterized by 5 clinical signs: intractable diarrhea of infancy beginning in the first month of life, usually leading to failure to thrive and requiring parenteral nutrition; facial dysmorphism characterised by prominent forehead and cheeks, broad nasal root and hypertelorism; hair abnormalities described as woolly and easily removable; immune disorders resulting from defective antibody production; intrauterine growth restriction. The aetiology is a defect in TTC37, a TPR containing protein, or in the RNA helicase SKIV2L, both constituting the putative human ski complex. The ski complex is a heterotetrameric cofactor of the cytoplasmic RNA exosome which ensures aberrants mRNAs decay. The diagnosis SD/THE is initially based on clinical findings and confirmed by direct sequencing of TTC37 and SKIV2L. Differential diagnosis with the other causes of intractable diarrhea is easily performed by pathologic investigations. During their clinical course, most of the children require parenteral nutrition and often immunoglobulin supplementation. With time, some of them can be weaned off parenteral nutrition and immunoglobulin supplementation. The prognosis depends on the management and is largely related to the occurrence of parenteral nutrition complications or infections. Even with optimal management, most of the children seem to experience failure to thrive and final short stature. Mild mental retardation is observed in half of the cases.

Abstract in French

Les diarrhées syndromiques ou syndrome tricho-hepato-enterique (SD/THE) sont un syndrome rare et sévère dont l’incidence est estimée à 1 cas pour 1 million de naissances et la transmission autosomique récessive. La forme typique associe 5 signes cliniques: une diarrhée grave rebelle nécessitant dans la majorité des cas une nutrition parentérale du fait de la malnutrition, une dysmorphie avec un front large et bombé, une racine du nez large et un hypertélorisme, des anomalies des cheveux qui sont fragiles, cassants, incoiffables et qualifiés de « laineux », un retard de croissance intra utérine et des anomalies de l’immunité à type de déficit en immunoglobuline ou d’absence de réponse aux antigènes vaccinaux. Des anomalies de deux protéines peuvent être à l’origine du syndrome SD/THE: TTC37, une protéine à motif TPR et SKIV2L, une hélicase à ARN, toutes 2 étant des constituants du complexe SKI humain. Le complexe SKI est un co-facteur de l’exosome cytoplasmique qui assure la dégradation des ARN aberrants ou exogènes. Le diagnostic est d’abord clinique puis confirmé par le séquençage des gènes TTC37 et SKIV2L. Le diagnostic différentiel avec les autres formes de diarrhées intraitables est fait grâce aux analyses anatomopathologiques qui montrent dans les autres formes, des lésions spécifiques. La prise en charge clinique repose sur la nutrition parentérale et la supplémentation en immunoglobuline si nécessaire. Un certain nombre d’enfants peuvent être sevrés de la nutrition parentérale et des supplémentations en immunoglobulines. En cas d’atteinte hépatique, celle-ci peut être sévère et conduire au décès. Même avec une prise en charge optimale, les enfants présentent une petite taille et, dans la moitié des cas, un retard mental modéré.

Disease name/synonyms – Syndromic diarrhea – Phenotypic diarrhea – Tricho-hepato-enteric syndrome – Intractable diarrhea of infancy with facial dysmorphism – Trichorrhexis nodosa and cirrhosis – Neonatal hemochromatosis phenotype with intractable diarrhea and hair abnormalities – Intractable infant diarrhea associated with phenotypic abnormalities and immune deficiency- Syndromatic diarrhea. [ORPHA84064 MIM 222470 and MIM614602]. Possibly chronic diarrhea and skin hyperpigmentation.

Ski2-like RNA helicase structures: common themes and complex assemblies

Ski2-like RNA helicases are large multidomain proteins involved in a variety of RNA processing and degradation events. Recent structures of Mtr4, Ski2 and Brr2 provide our first view of these intricate helicases. Here we review these structures, which reveal a conserved ring-like architecture that extends beyond the canonical RecA domains to include a winged helix and ratchet domain. Comparison of apo- and RNA-bound Mtr4 structures suggests a role for the winged helix domain as a molecular hub that coordinates RNA interacting events throughout the helicase. Unique accessory domains provide expanded diversity and functionality to each Ski2-like family member. A common theme is the integration of Ski2-like RNA helicases into larger protein assemblies. We describe the central role of Mtr4 and Ski2 in formation of complexes that activate RNA decay by the eukaryotic exosome. The current structures provide clues into what promises to be a fascinating view of these dynamic assemblies.

Degradation of mRNAs that lack a stop codon: a decade of nonstop progress

Nonstop decay is the mechanism of identifying and disposing aberrant transcripts that lack in-frame stop codons. It is hypothesized that these transcripts are identified during translation when the ribosome arrives at the 3' end of the mRNA and stalls. Presumably, the ribosome stalling recruits additional cofactors, Ski7 and the exosome complex. The exosome degrades the transcript using either one of its ribonucleolytic activities, and the ribosome and the peptide are both released. Additional precautionary measures by the nonstop decay pathway may include translational repression of the nonstop transcript after translation, and proteolysis of the released peptide by the proteasome. This surveillance mechanism protects the cells from potentially harmful truncated proteins, but it may also be involved in mediating critical cellular functions of transcripts that are prone to stop codon read-through. Important advances have been made in the past decade as we learn that nonstop decay may have implications in human disease.

Yeast RNA viruses as indicators of exosome activity: human exosome hCsl4p participates in RNA degradation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae'

The exosome is an evolutionarily conserved 10-mer complex involved in RNA metabolism, located in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic exosome plays an important role in mRNA turnover through its 3'→5' exonucleolytic activity. The superkiller (SKI) phenotype of yeast was originally identified as an increase of killer toxin production due to elevated levels of the L-A double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) Totivirus and its satellite toxin-encoding M dsRNA. Most SKI genes were later shown to be either components of the exosome or modulators of its activity. Variations in the amount of Totivirus are, thus, good indicators of yeast exosome activity, and can be used to analyse its components. Furthermore, if exosome proteins of higher eukaryotes were functional in S. cerevisiae, these viruses would provide a simple tool to analyse their function. In this work, we have found that hCSL4, the human orthologue of SKI4 in the yeast exosome, rescues the null phenotype of the deletion mutant. hCsl4p shares with Ski4p conserved S1 RNA-binding domains, but lacks the N-terminal third of Ski4p. Nevertheless, it interacts with the Dis3p exonuclease of yeast exosome, and partially complements the superkiller phenotype of ski4-1 mutation. The elimination of the N-terminal third of Ski4p does not affect its activity, indicating that it is dispensable for RNA degradation. We have also identified the point mutation G152E in hCSL4, equivalent to the ski4-1 mutation G253E, which impairs the activity of the protein, thus validating our approach of using yeast RNA virus to analyse the exosome of higher eukaryotes.

Native MS: an ’ESI‚ way to support structure- and fragment-based drug discovery

The success of early drug-discovery programs depends on the adequate combination of complementary and orthogonal technologies allowing hit/lead compounds to be optimized and improve therapeutic activity. Among the available biophysical methods, native MS recently emerged as an efficient method for compound-binding screening. Native MS is a highly sensitive and accurate screening technique. This review provides a description of the general approach and an overview of the possible characterization of ligand-binding properties. How native MS supports structure- and fragment-based drug research will also be discussed, with examples from the literature and internal developments. Native MS shows strong potential for in-depth characterization of ligand-binding properties. It is also a reliable screening technique in drug-discovery processes.

Receiver domains control the active-state stoichiometry of Aquifex aeolicus sigma54 activator NtrC4, as revealed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A common challenge with studies of proteins in vitro is determining which constructs and conditions are most physiologically relevant. sigma(54) activators are proteins that undergo regulated assembly to form an active ATPase ring that enables transcription by sigma(54)-polymerase. Previous studies of AAA(+) ATPase domains from sigma(54) activators have shown that some are heptamers, while others are hexamers. Because active oligomers assemble from off-state dimers, it was thought that even-numbered oligomers should dominate, and that heptamer formation would occur when individual domains of the activators, rather than the intact proteins, were studied. Here we present results from electrospray ionization mass spectrometry experiments characterizing the assembly states of intact NtrC4 (a sigma(54) activator from Aquifex aeolicus, an extreme thermophile), as well as its ATPase domain alone, and regulatory-ATPase and ATPase-DNA binding domain combinations. We show that the full-length and activated regulatory-ATPase proteins form hexamers, whereas the isolated ATPase domain, unactivated regulatory-ATPase, and ATPase-DNA binding domain form heptamers. Activation of the N-terminal regulatory domain is the key factor stabilizing the hexamer form of the ATPase, relative to the heptamer.

Comparative multiplexed mass spectrometric analyses of endogenously expressed yeast nuclear and cytoplasmic exosomes

Here we combined tandem affinity purification with several mass-spectrometry-based approaches to gain more insight into the composition and structure of the yeast nuclear-cytoplasmic exosome protein complex. The yeast exosome fulfills several different functions in RNA metabolism and can be localized in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. These two exosome complexes differ in protein composition, although they share several constituents. We focused on these differences in composition by selecting a nuclear-specific exosome protein (Rrp6) and a cytoplasmic-specific protein (Ski7) as the tandem-affinity-purification-tagged affinity bait protein. First, we investigated both these purified exosome assemblies by macromolecular mass spectrometry (MS) to determine the stability and mass of the intact protein complexes and to obtain information on composition and core constituents. We used tandem MS on these intact protein complexes to further probe the composition and to obtain insight into the peripheral nature of some of the constituents. Finally, we combine stable isotope labeling with MS to quantitate differences in exosome composition and posttranslational modifications. We identified a few phosphorylation sites that are differentially regulated between the cytoplasmic exosome and the nuclear exosome. From all of these data, we conclude that the yeast nuclear exosome and the cytoplasmic exosome share a common stable core complex, but are decorated with quite a few differing peripheral proteins. We show that the nuclear exosome selectively copurifies with the alpha/beta importin heterodimer, which is known to be involved in the transport of proteins across the nuclear membrane.

Native mass spectrometry: a bridge between interactomics and structural biology

Native mass spectrometry is an emerging technology that allows the topological investigation of intact protein complexes with high sensitivity and a theoretically unrestricted mass range. This unique tool provides complementary information to established technologies in structural biology, and also provides a link to high-throughput interactomics studies, which do not generate information on exact protein complex-composition, structure or dynamics. Here I review the current state of native mass spectrometry technology and discuss several important biological applications. I also describe current experimental challenges in native mass spectrometry, encouraging readers to contribute to solutions.