1
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The Terminal Extensions of Dbp7 Influence Growth and 60S Ribosomal Subunit Biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043460. [PMID: 36834876 PMCID: PMC9960301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribosome synthesis is a complex process that involves a large set of protein trans-acting factors, among them DEx(D/H)-box helicases. These are enzymes that carry out remodelling activities onto RNAs by hydrolysing ATP. The nucleolar DEGD-box protein Dbp7 is required for the biogenesis of large 60S ribosomal subunits. Recently, we have shown that Dbp7 is an RNA helicase that regulates the dynamic base-pairing between the snR190 small nucleolar RNA and the precursors of the ribosomal RNA within early pre-60S ribosomal particles. As the rest of DEx(D/H)-box proteins, Dbp7 has a modular organization formed by a helicase core region, which contains conserved motifs, and variable, non-conserved N- and C-terminal extensions. The role of these extensions remains unknown. Herein, we show that the N-terminal domain of Dbp7 is necessary for efficient nuclear import of the protein. Indeed, a basic bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) could be identified in its N-terminal domain. Removal of this putative NLS impairs, but does not abolish, Dbp7 nuclear import. Both N- and C-terminal domains are required for normal growth and 60S ribosomal subunit synthesis. Furthermore, we have studied the role of these domains in the association of Dbp7 with pre-ribosomal particles. Altogether, our results show that the N- and C-terminal domains of Dbp7 are important for the optimal function of this protein during ribosome biogenesis.
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2
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Hirsch AG, Becker D, Lamping JP, Krebber H. Unraveling the stepwise maturation of the yeast telomerase including a Cse1 and Mtr10 mediated quality control checkpoint. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22174. [PMID: 34773052 PMCID: PMC8590012 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01599-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerases elongate the ends of chromosomes required for cell immortality through their reverse transcriptase activity. By using the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae we defined the order in which the holoenzyme matures. First, a longer precursor of the telomerase RNA, TLC1 is transcribed and exported into the cytoplasm, where it associates with the protecting Sm-ring, the Est and the Pop proteins. This partly matured telomerase is re-imported into the nucleus via Mtr10 and a novel TLC1-import factor, the karyopherin Cse1. Remarkably, while mutations in all known transport factors result in short telomere ends, mutation in CSE1 leads to the amplification of Y′ elements in the terminal chromosome regions and thus elongated telomere ends. Cse1 does not only support TLC1 import, but also the Sm-ring stabilization on the RNA enableling Mtr10 contact and nuclear import. Thus, Sm-ring formation and import factor contact resembles a quality control step in the maturation process of the telomerase. The re-imported immature TLC1 is finally trimmed into the 1158 nucleotides long mature form via the nuclear exosome. TMG-capping of TLC1 finalizes maturation, leading to mature telomerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Greta Hirsch
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie Und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Becker
- Philipps-Universität Marburg, Klinik für Dermatologie Und Allergologie, Baldingerstraße, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Philipp Lamping
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie Und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Heike Krebber
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie Und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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3
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Vasianovich Y, Bajon E, Wellinger RJ. Telomerase biogenesis requires a novel Mex67 function and a cytoplasmic association with the Sm 7 complex. eLife 2020; 9:60000. [PMID: 33095156 PMCID: PMC7644208 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The templating RNA is the core of the telomerase reverse transcriptase. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the complex life cycle and maturation of telomerase includes a cytoplasmic stage. However, timing and reason for this cytoplasmic passage are poorly understood. Here, we use inducible RNA tagging experiments to show that immediately after transcription, newly synthesized telomerase RNAs undergo one round of nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling. Their export depends entirely on Crm1/Xpo1, whereas re-import is mediated by Kap122 plus redundant, kinetically less efficient import pathways. Strikingly, Mex67 is essential to stabilize newly transcribed RNA before Xpo1-mediated nuclear export. The results further show that the Sm7 complex associates with and stabilizes the telomerase RNA in the cytoplasm and promotes its nuclear re-import. Remarkably, after this cytoplasmic passage, the nuclear stability of telomerase RNA no longer depends on Mex67. These results underscore the utility of inducible RNA tagging and challenge current models of telomerase maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Vasianovich
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Bajon
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Raymund J Wellinger
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
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4
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Becker D, Hirsch AG, Bender L, Lingner T, Salinas G, Krebber H. Nuclear Pre-snRNA Export Is an Essential Quality Assurance Mechanism for Functional Spliceosomes. Cell Rep 2019; 27:3199-3214.e3. [PMID: 31189105 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Removal of introns from pre-mRNAs is an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression, mediated by spliceosomes that contain snRNAs as key components. Although snRNAs are transcribed in the nucleus and function in the same compartment, all except U6 shuttle to the cytoplasm. Surprisingly, the physiological relevance for shuttling is unclear, in particular because the snRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were reported to remain nuclear. Here, we show that all yeast pre-snRNAs including U6 undergo a stepwise maturation process after nuclear export by Mex67 and Xpo1. Sm- and Lsm-ring attachment occurs in the cytoplasm and is important for the snRNA re-import, mediated by Cse1 and Mtr10. Finally, nuclear pre-snRNA cleavage and trimethylation of the 5'-cap finalizes shuttling. Importantly, preventing pre-snRNAs from being exported or processed results in faulty spliceosome assembly and subsequent genome-wide splicing defects. Thus, pre-snRNA export is obligatory for functional splicing and resembles an essential evolutionarily conserved quality assurance step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Becker
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anna Greta Hirsch
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lysann Bender
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Lingner
- Transkriptomanalyselabor, Institut für Entwicklungsbiochemie, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Salinas
- Transkriptomanalyselabor, Institut für Entwicklungsbiochemie, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Heike Krebber
- Abteilung für Molekulare Genetik, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften (GZMB), Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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5
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Gruss OJ, Meduri R, Schilling M, Fischer U. UsnRNP biogenesis: mechanisms and regulation. Chromosoma 2017; 126:577-593. [PMID: 28766049 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-017-0637-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Macromolecular complexes composed of proteins or proteins and nucleic acids rather than individual macromolecules mediate many cellular activities. Maintenance of these activities is essential for cell viability and requires the coordinated production of the individual complex components as well as their faithful incorporation into functional entities. Failure of complex assembly may have fatal consequences and can cause severe diseases. While many macromolecular complexes can form spontaneously in vitro, they often require aid from assembly factors including assembly chaperones in the crowded cellular environment. The assembly of RNA protein complexes implicated in the maturation of pre-mRNAs (termed UsnRNPs) has proven to be a paradigm to understand the action of assembly factors and chaperones. UsnRNPs are assembled by factors united in protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5)- and survival motor neuron (SMN)-complexes, which act sequentially in the UsnRNP production line. While the PRMT5-complex pre-arranges specific sets of proteins into stable intermediates, the SMN complex displaces assembly factors from these intermediates and unites them with UsnRNA to form the assembled RNP. Despite advanced mechanistic understanding of UsnRNP assembly, our knowledge of regulatory features of this essential and ubiquitous cellular function remains remarkably incomplete. One may argue that the process operates as a default biosynthesis pathway and does not require sophisticated regulatory cues. Simple theoretical considerations and a number of experimental data, however, indicate that regulation of UsnRNP assembly most likely happens at multiple levels. This review will not only summarize how individual components of this assembly line act mechanistically but also why, how, and when the UsnRNP workflow might be regulated by means of posttranslational modification in response to cellular signaling cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver J Gruss
- Department of Genetics, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Karlrobert-Kreiten-Str. 13, 53115, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Rajyalakshmi Meduri
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Würzburg, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schilling
- Department of Genetics, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Karlrobert-Kreiten-Str. 13, 53115, Bonn, Germany
| | - Utz Fischer
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Würzburg, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany.
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6
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Han L, Marcus E, D'Silva S, Phizicky EM. S. cerevisiae Trm140 has two recognition modes for 3-methylcytidine modification of the anticodon loop of tRNA substrates. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:406-419. [PMID: 28003514 PMCID: PMC5311504 DOI: 10.1261/rna.059667.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The 3-methylcytidine (m3C) modification is ubiquitous in eukaryotic tRNA, widely found at C32 in the anticodon loop of tRNAThr, tRNASer, and some tRNAArg species, as well as in the variable loop (V-loop) of certain tRNASer species. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, formation of m3C32 requires Trm140 for six tRNA substrates, including three tRNAThr species and three tRNASer species, whereas in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, two Trm140 homologs are used, one for tRNAThr and one for tRNASer The occurrence of a single Trm140 homolog is conserved broadly among Ascomycota, whereas multiple Trm140-related homologs are found in metazoans and other fungi. We investigate here how S. cerevisiae Trm140 protein recognizes its six tRNA substrates. We show that Trm140 has two modes of tRNA substrate recognition. Trm140 recognizes G35-U36-t6A37 of the anticodon loop of tRNAThr substrates, and this sequence is an identity element because it can be used to direct m3C modification of tRNAPhe However, Trm140 recognition of tRNASer substrates is different, since their anticodons do not share G35-U36 and do not have any nucleotides in common. Rather, specificity of Trm140 for tRNASer is achieved by seryl-tRNA synthetase and the distinctive tRNASer V-loop, as well as by t6A37 and i6A37 We provide evidence that all of these components are important in vivo and that seryl-tRNA synthetase greatly stimulates m3C modification of tRNASer(CGA) and tRNASer(UGA) in vitro. In addition, our results show that Trm140 binding is a significant driving force for tRNA modification and suggest separate contributions from each recognition element for the modification.
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MESH Headings
- Anticodon/chemistry
- Anticodon/metabolism
- Base Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Cloning, Molecular
- Cytidine/analogs & derivatives
- Cytidine/genetics
- Cytidine/metabolism
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Microfilament Proteins/genetics
- Microfilament Proteins/metabolism
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Protein Binding
- Protein Biosynthesis
- Protein Domains
- RNA, Transfer, Phe/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Phe/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Phe/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Ser/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Ser/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Ser/metabolism
- RNA, Transfer, Thr/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer, Thr/genetics
- RNA, Transfer, Thr/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism
- Substrate Specificity
- tRNA Methyltransferases/genetics
- tRNA Methyltransferases/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Erin Marcus
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Sonia D'Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
| | - Eric M Phizicky
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642, USA
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7
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Schwer B, Roth AJ, Shuman S. Will the circle be unbroken: specific mutations in the yeast Sm protein ring expose a requirement for assembly factor Brr1, a homolog of Gemin2. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2017; 23:420-430. [PMID: 27974620 PMCID: PMC5311505 DOI: 10.1261/rna.059881.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
A seven-subunit Sm protein ring assembles around specific U-rich RNA segments of the U1, U2, U4, and U5 snRNPs that direct pre-mRNA splicing. Using human snRNP crystal structures to guide mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we gained new insights into structure-function relationships of the SmD1 and SmD2 subunits. Of 18 conserved amino acids comprising their RNA-binding sites or intersubunit interfaces, only Arg88 in SmD1 and Arg97 in SmD2 were essential for growth. Tests for genetic interactions with non-Sm splicing factors identified benign mutations of SmD1 (N37A, R88K, R93A) and SmD2 (R49A, N66A, R97K, D99A) that were synthetically lethal with null alleles of U2 snRNP subunits Lea1 and/or Msl1. Tests of 264 pairwise combinations of SmD1 and SmD2 alleles with each other and with a collection of SmG, SmE, SmF, SmB, and SmD3 alleles revealed 92 instances of inter-Sm synthetic lethality. We leveraged the Sm mutant collection to illuminate the function of the yeast Sm assembly factor Brr1 and its relationship to the metazoan Sm assembly factor Gemin2. Mutations in the adjacent SmE (K83A), SmF (K32A, F33A, R74K), SmD2 (R49A, N66A, E74A, R97K, D99A), and SmD1 (E18A, N37A) subunits-but none in the SmG, SmD3, and SmB subunits-were synthetically lethal with brr1Δ. Using complementation of brr1Δ lethality in two Sm mutant backgrounds as an in vivo assay of Brr1 activity, we identified as essential an N-terminal segment of Brr1 (amino acids 24-47) corresponding to the Gemin2 α1 helix that interacts with SmF and a Brr1 C-terminal peptide (336QKDLIE341) that, in Gemin2, interacts with SmD2.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Gene Expression
- Genes, Lethal
- Genetic Complementation Test
- Humans
- Mutation
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/chemistry
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical
- Protein Conformation, beta-Strand
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- Protein Subunits/chemistry
- Protein Subunits/genetics
- Protein Subunits/metabolism
- RNA Splicing
- RNA, Small Nuclear/chemistry
- RNA, Small Nuclear/genetics
- RNA, Small Nuclear/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins/chemistry
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/genetics
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/chemistry
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism
- Sequence Alignment
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Spliceosomes/genetics
- Spliceosomes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Schwer
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Allen J Roth
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Stewart Shuman
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute, New York, New York 10065, USA
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8
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Schwer B, Kruchten J, Shuman S. Structure-function analysis and genetic interactions of the SmG, SmE, and SmF subunits of the yeast Sm protein ring. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:1320-8. [PMID: 27417296 PMCID: PMC4986888 DOI: 10.1261/rna.057448.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
A seven-subunit Sm protein ring forms a core scaffold of the U1, U2, U4, and U5 snRNPs that direct pre-mRNA splicing. Using human snRNP structures to guide mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we gained new insights into structure-function relationships of the SmG, SmE, and SmF subunits. An alanine scan of 19 conserved amino acids of these three proteins, comprising the Sm RNA binding sites or inter-subunit interfaces, revealed that, with the exception of Arg74 in SmF, none are essential for yeast growth. Yet, for SmG, SmE, and SmF, as for many components of the yeast spliceosome, the effects of perturbing protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions are masked by built-in functional redundancies of the splicing machine. For example, tests for genetic interactions with non-Sm splicing factors showed that many benign mutations of SmG, SmE, and SmF (and of SmB and SmD3) were synthetically lethal with null alleles of U2 snRNP subunits Lea1 and Msl1. Tests of pairwise combinations of SmG, SmE, SmF, SmB, and SmD3 alleles highlighted the inherent redundancies within the Sm ring, whereby simultaneous mutations of the RNA binding sites of any two of the Sm subunits are lethal. Our results suggest that six intact RNA binding sites in the Sm ring suffice for function but five sites may not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Schwer
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Joshua Kruchten
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Stewart Shuman
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute, New York, New York 10065, USA
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9
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Borg RM, Fenech Salerno B, Vassallo N, Bordonne R, Cauchi RJ. Disruption of snRNP biogenesis factors Tgs1 and pICln induces phenotypes that mirror aspects of SMN-Gemins complex perturbation in Drosophila, providing new insights into spinal muscular atrophy. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 94:245-58. [PMID: 27388936 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The neuromuscular disorder, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), results from insufficient levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Together with Gemins 2-8 and Unrip, SMN forms the large macromolecular SMN-Gemins complex, which is known to be indispensable for chaperoning the assembly of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). It remains unclear whether disruption of this function is responsible for the selective neuromuscular degeneration in SMA. In the present study, we first show that loss of wmd, the Drosophila Unrip orthologue, has a negative impact on the motor system. However, due to lack of a functional relationship between wmd/Unrip and Gemin3, it is likely that Unrip joined the SMN-Gemins complex only recently in evolution. Second, we uncover that disruption of either Tgs1 or pICln, two cardinal players in snRNP biogenesis, results in viability and motor phenotypes that closely resemble those previously uncovered on loss of the constituent members of the SMN-Gemins complex. Interestingly, overexpression of both factors leads to motor dysfunction in Drosophila, a situation analogous to that of Gemin2. Toxicity is conserved in the yeast S. pombe where pICln overexpression induces a surplus of Sm proteins in the cytoplasm, indicating that a block in snRNP biogenesis is partly responsible for this phenotype. Importantly, we show a strong functional relationship and a physical interaction between Gemin3 and either Tgs1 or pICln. We propose that snRNP biogenesis is the pathway connecting the SMN-Gemins complex to a functional neuromuscular system, and its disturbance most likely leads to the motor dysfunction that is typical in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Borg
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR5535, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Benji Fenech Salerno
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rémy Bordonne
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR5535, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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10
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Borg RM, Bordonne R, Vassallo N, Cauchi RJ. Genetic Interactions between the Members of the SMN-Gemins Complex in Drosophila. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130974. [PMID: 26098872 PMCID: PMC4476591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The SMN-Gemins complex is composed of Gemins 2–8, Unrip and the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Limiting levels of SMN result in the neuromuscular disorder, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which is presently untreatable. The most-documented function of the SMN-Gemins complex concerns the assembly of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Despite multiple genetic studies, the Gemin proteins have not been identified as prominent modifiers of SMN-associated mutant phenotypes. In the present report, we make use of the Drosophila model organism to investigate whether viability and motor phenotypes associated with a hypomorphic Gemin3 mutant are enhanced by changes in the levels of SMN, Gemin2 and Gemin5 brought about by various genetic manipulations. We show a modifier effect by all three members of the minimalistic fly SMN-Gemins complex within the muscle compartment of the motor unit. Interestingly, muscle-specific overexpression of Gemin2 was by itself sufficient to depress normal motor function and its enhanced upregulation in all tissues leads to a decline in fly viability. The toxicity associated with increased Gemin2 levels is conserved in the yeast S. pombe in which we find that the cytoplasmic retention of Sm proteins, likely reflecting a block in the snRNP assembly pathway, is a contributing factor. We propose that a disruption in the normal stoichiometry of the SMN-Gemins complex depresses its function with consequences that are detrimental to the motor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Borg
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta GC
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR5535, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Rémy Bordonne
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR5535, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta GC
| | - Ruben J. Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta GC
- * E-mail:
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11
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Schwer B, Shuman S. Structure-function analysis and genetic interactions of the Yhc1, SmD3, SmB, and Snp1 subunits of yeast U1 snRNP and genetic interactions of SmD3 with U2 snRNP subunit Lea1. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2015; 21:1173-86. [PMID: 25897024 PMCID: PMC4436669 DOI: 10.1261/rna.050583.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Yhc1 and U1-C are essential subunits of the yeast and human U1 snRNP, respectively, that stabilize the duplex formed by U1 snRNA at the pre-mRNA 5' splice site (5'SS). Mutational analysis of Yhc1, guided by the human U1 snRNP crystal structure, highlighted the importance of Val20 and Ser19 at the RNA interface. Though benign on its own, V20A was lethal in the absence of branchpoint-binding complex subunit Mud2 and caused a severe growth defect in the absence of U1 subunit Nam8. S19A caused a severe defect with mud2▵. Essential DEAD-box ATPase Prp28 was bypassed by mutations of Yhc1 Val20 and Ser19, consistent with destabilization of U1•5'SS interaction. We extended the genetic analysis to SmD3, which interacts with U1-C/Yhc1 in U1 snRNP, and to SmB, its neighbor in the Sm ring. Whereas mutations of the interface of SmD3, SmB, and U1-C/Yhc1 with U1-70K/Snp1, or deletion of the interacting Snp1 N-terminal peptide, had no growth effect, they elicited synthetic defects in the absence of U1 subunit Mud1. Mutagenesis of the RNA-binding triad of SmD3 (Ser-Asn-Arg) and SmB (His-Asn-Arg) provided insights to built-in redundancies of the Sm ring, whereby no individual side-chain was essential, but simultaneous mutations of Asn or Arg residues in SmD3 and SmB were lethal. Asn-to-Ala mutations SmB and SmD3 caused synthetic defects in the absence of Mud1 or Mud2. All three RNA site mutations of SmD3 were lethal in cells lacking the U2 snRNP subunit Lea1. Benign C-terminal truncations of SmD3 were dead in the absence of Mud2 or Lea1 and barely viable in the absence of Nam8 or Mud1. In contrast, SMD3-E35A uniquely suppressed the temperature-sensitivity of lea1▵.
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MESH Headings
- Autoantigens/chemistry
- Autoantigens/genetics
- Autoantigens/metabolism
- Binding Sites
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- Humans
- Models, Molecular
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear/genetics
- Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear/genetics
- Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/genetics
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/growth & development
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/chemistry
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Schwer
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Stewart Shuman
- Molecular Biology Program, Sloan-Kettering Institute, New York, New York 10065, USA
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12
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Characterization and in vivo functional analysis of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe ICLN gene. Mol Cell Biol 2013; 34:595-605. [PMID: 24298023 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01407-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During the early steps of snRNP biogenesis, the survival motor neuron (SMN) complex acts together with the methylosome, an entity formed by the pICln protein, WD45, and the PRMT5 methyltransferase. To expand our understanding of the functional relationship between pICln and SMN in vivo, we performed a genetic analysis of an uncharacterized Schizosaccharomyces pombe pICln homolog. Although not essential, the S. pombe ICln (SpICln) protein is important for optimal yeast cell growth. The human ICLN gene complements the Δicln slow-growth phenotype, demonstrating that the identified SpICln sequence is the bona fide human homolog. Consistent with the role of human pICln inferred from in vitro experiments, we found that the SpICln protein is required for optimal production of the spliceosomal snRNPs and for efficient splicing in vivo. Genetic interaction approaches further demonstrate that modulation of ICln activity is unable to compensate for growth defects of SMN-deficient cells. Using a genome-wide approach and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR validation tests, we also show that splicing is differentially altered in Δicln cells. Our data are consistent with the notion that splice site selection and spliceosome kinetics are highly dependent on the concentration of core spliceosomal components.
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13
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Cell-type-specific transcriptional profiles of the dimorphic pathogen Penicillium marneffei reflect distinct reproductive, morphological, and environmental demands. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2013; 3:1997-2014. [PMID: 24062530 PMCID: PMC3815061 DOI: 10.1534/g3.113.006809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Penicillium marneffei is an opportunistic human pathogen endemic to Southeast Asia. At 25° P. marneffei grows in a filamentous hyphal form and can undergo asexual development (conidiation) to produce spores (conidia), the infectious agent. At 37° P. marneffei grows in the pathogenic yeast cell form that replicates by fission. Switching between these growth forms, known as dimorphic switching, is dependent on temperature. To understand the process of dimorphic switching and the physiological capacity of the different cell types, two microarray-based profiling experiments covering approximately 42% of the genome were performed. The first experiment compared cells from the hyphal, yeast, and conidiation phases to identify "phase or cell-state-specific" gene expression. The second experiment examined gene expression during the dimorphic switch from one morphological state to another. The data identified a variety of differentially expressed genes that have been organized into metabolic clusters based on predicted function and expression patterns. In particular, C-14 sterol reductase-encoding gene ergM of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway showed high-level expression throughout yeast morphogenesis compared to hyphal. Deletion of ergM resulted in severe growth defects with increased sensitivity to azole-type antifungal agents but not amphotericin B. The data defined gene classes based on spatio-temporal expression such as those expressed early in the dimorphic switch but not in the terminal cell types and those expressed late. Such classifications have been helpful in linking a given gene of interest to its expression pattern throughout the P. marneffei dimorphic life cycle and its likely role in pathogenicity.
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14
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Coelho Ribeiro MDL, Espinosa J, Islam S, Martinez O, Thanki JJ, Mazariegos S, Nguyen T, Larina M, Xue B, Uversky VN. Malleable ribonucleoprotein machine: protein intrinsic disorder in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spliceosome. PeerJ 2013; 1:e2. [PMID: 23638354 PMCID: PMC3628832 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies revealed that a significant fraction of any given proteome is presented by proteins that do not have unique 3D structures as a whole or in significant parts. These intrinsically disordered proteins possess dramatic structural and functional variability, being especially enriched in signaling and regulatory functions since their lack of fixed structure defines their ability to be involved in interaction with several proteins and allows them to be re-used in multiple pathways. Among recognized disorder-based protein functions are interactions with nucleic acids and multi-target binding; i.e., the functions ascribed to many spliceosomal proteins. Therefore, the spliceosome, a multimegadalton ribonucleoprotein machine catalyzing the excision of introns from eukaryotic pre-mRNAs, represents an attractive target for the focused analysis of the abundance and functionality of intrinsic disorder in its proteinaceous components. In yeast cells, spliceosome consists of five small nuclear RNAs (U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6) and a range of associated proteins. Some of these proteins constitute cores of the corresponding snRNA-protein complexes known as small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Other spliceosomal proteins have various auxiliary functions. To gain better understanding of the functional roles of intrinsic disorder, we have studied the prevalence of intrinsically disordered proteins in the yeast spliceosome using a wide array of bioinformatics methods. Our study revealed that similar to the proteins associated with human spliceosomes (Korneta & Bujnicki, 2012), proteins found in the yeast spliceosome are enriched in intrinsic disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria de Lourdes Coelho Ribeiro
- Cancer Imaging Metabolism, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute , United States ; Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida , Tampa, Florida , United States
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15
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Swaraz AM, Park YD, Hur Y. Knock-out mutations of Arabidopsis SmD3-b induce pleotropic phenotypes through altered transcript splicing. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2011; 180:661-671. [PMID: 21421416 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2011.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2010] [Revised: 01/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
SmD3 is a core protein of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) essential for splicing of primary transcripts. To elucidate function of SmD3 protein in plants, phenotypes and gene expression of SmD3 knock-out and overexpressing mutants in Arabidopsis have been analyzed. smd3-a knock-out mutant or SmD3-a and SmD3-b overexpressors did not show phenotypic alteration. Knock-out of SmD3-b resulted in the pleotropic phenotypes of delayed flowering time and completion of life cycle, reduced root growth, partially defective leaf venation, abnormal numbers of trichome branches, and changed numbers of floral organs. Microarray data revealed that the smd3-b mutant had altered expression of genes related to the above phenotypes, indirectly suggesting that changed splicing of these genes may cause the observed phenotypes. Splicing of selected genes was either totally blocked or reduced in the smd3-b mutant, indicating the important role of SmD3-b in the process. A double knock-out mutant of smd3-a and smd3-b could not be generated, indicating possible redundant function of these two genes. All data indicate that SmD3-b may be major component of the spliceosomal snRNP in Arabidopsis, but the function of SmD3-a may be redundant.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Swaraz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
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16
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Reijns MAM, Auchynnikava T, Beggs JD. Analysis of Lsm1p and Lsm8p domains in the cellular localization of Lsm complexes in budding yeast. FEBS J 2009; 276:3602-17. [PMID: 19490016 PMCID: PMC2776932 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07080.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, two heteroheptameric Sm-like (Lsm) complexes that differ by a single subunit localize to different cellular compartments and have distinct functions in RNA metabolism. The cytoplasmic Lsm1–7p complex promotes mRNA decapping and localizes to processing bodies, whereas the Lsm2–8p complex takes part in a variety of nuclear RNA processing events. The structural features that determine their different functions and localizations are not known. Here, we analyse a range of mutant and hybrid Lsm1 and Lsm8 proteins, shedding light on the relative importance of their various domains in determining their localization and ability to support growth. Although no single domain is either essential or sufficient for cellular localization, the Lsm1p N-terminus may act as part of a nuclear exclusion signal for Lsm1–7p, and the shorter Lsm8p N-terminus contributes to nuclear accumulation of Lsm2–8p. The C-terminal regions seem to play a secondary role in determining localization, with little or no contribution coming from the central Sm domains. The essential Lsm8 protein is remarkably resistant to mutation in terms of supporting viability, whereas Lsm1p appears more sensitive. These findings contribute to our understanding of how two very similar protein complexes can have different properties.
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17
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Frechin M, Senger B, Brayé M, Kern D, Martin RP, Becker HD. Yeast mitochondrial Gln-tRNA(Gln) is generated by a GatFAB-mediated transamidation pathway involving Arc1p-controlled subcellular sorting of cytosolic GluRS. Genes Dev 2009; 23:1119-30. [PMID: 19417106 DOI: 10.1101/gad.518109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
It is impossible to predict which pathway, direct glutaminylation of tRNA(Gln) or tRNA-dependent transamidation of glutamyl-tRNA(Gln), generates mitochondrial glutaminyl-tRNA(Gln) for protein synthesis in a given species. The report that yeast mitochondria import both cytosolic glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase and tRNA(Gln) has challenged the widespread use of the transamidation pathway in organelles. Here we demonstrate that yeast mitochondrial glutaminyl-tRNA(Gln) is in fact generated by a transamidation pathway involving a novel type of trimeric tRNA-dependent amidotransferase (AdT). More surprising is the fact that cytosolic glutamyl-tRNA synthetase ((c)ERS) is imported into mitochondria, where it constitutes the mitochondrial nondiscriminating ERS that generates the mitochondrial mischarged glutamyl-tRNA(Gln) substrate for the AdT. We show that dual localization of (c)ERS is controlled by binding to Arc1p, a tRNA nuclear export cofactor that behaves as a cytosolic anchoring platform for (c)ERS. Expression of Arc1p is down-regulated when yeast cells are switched from fermentation to respiratory metabolism, thus allowing increased import of (c)ERS to satisfy a higher demand of mitochondrial glutaminyl-tRNA(Gln) for mitochondrial protein synthesis. This novel strategy that enables a single protein to be localized in both the cytosol and mitochondria provides a new paradigm for regulation of the dynamic subcellular distribution of proteins between membrane-separated compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Frechin
- UPR 9002, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
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18
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Zaric BL, Kambach C. Reconstitution of recombinant human LSm complexes for biochemical, biophysical, and cell biological studies. Methods Enzymol 2008; 448:57-74. [PMID: 19111171 DOI: 10.1016/s0076-6879(08)02604-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Sm and Sm-like (LSm) proteins are an ancient family of proteins present in all branches of life. Having originally arisen as RNA chaperones and stabilizers, the family has diversified greatly and fulfills a number of central tasks in various RNA processing events, ranging from pre-mRNA splicing to histone mRNA processing to mRNA degradation. Defects in Sm/LSm protein-containing ribonucleoprotein assembly and function lead to severe medical disorders like spinal muscular atrophy. Sm and LSm proteins always assemble into and function in the form of ringlike hexameric or heptameric complexes whose composition and architecture determine their intracellular location and RNA and effector protein binding specificity and function Sm/LSm complexes that have been assembled in vitro from recombinant components provide a flexible and invaluable tool for detailed cell biological, biochemical, and biophysical studies on these biologically and medically important proteins. We describe here protocols for the construction of bacterial LSm coexpression vectors, expression and purification of LSm proteins and subcomplexes, and the in vitro reconstitution of fully functional human LSm1-7 and LSm2-8 heptameric complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozidarka L Zaric
- Institut Curie, UMR 7147, Equipe: Recombinaison et Instabilité Génétique, Paris, France
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19
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Bertrand E, Bordonné R. Assembly and Traffic of Small Nuclear RNPs. RNA TRAFFICKING AND NUCLEAR STRUCTURE DYNAMICS 2008; 35:79-97. [PMID: 15113080 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-74266-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Bertrand
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS UMR 5535-IFR 122, 1919 route de Mende, 34293, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
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20
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Spiller MP, Reijns MAM, Beggs JD. Requirements for nuclear localization of the Lsm2-8p complex and competition between nuclear and cytoplasmic Lsm complexes. J Cell Sci 2007; 120:4310-20. [PMID: 18029398 PMCID: PMC2584364 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.019943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sm-like (Lsm) proteins are ubiquitous, multifunctional proteins that are involved in the processing and/or turnover of many RNAs. In eukaryotes, a hetero-heptameric complex of seven Lsm proteins (Lsm2-8) affects the processing of small stable RNAs and pre-mRNAs in the nucleus, whereas a different hetero-heptameric complex of Lsm proteins (Lsm1-7) promotes mRNA decapping and decay in the cytoplasm. These two complexes have six constituent proteins in common, yet localize to separate cellular compartments and perform apparently disparate functions. Little is known about the biogenesis of the Lsm complexes, or how they are recruited to different cellular compartments. We show that, in yeast, the nuclear accumulation of Lsm proteins depends on complex formation and that the Lsm8p subunit plays a crucial role. The nuclear localization of Lsm8p is itself most strongly influenced by Lsm2p and Lsm4p, its presumed neighbours in the Lsm2-8p complex. Furthermore, overexpression and depletion experiments imply that Lsm1p and Lsm8p act competitively with respect to the localization of the two complexes, suggesting a potential mechanism for co-regulation of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA processing. A shift of Lsm proteins from the nucleus to the cytoplasm under stress conditions indicates that this competition is biologically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Spiller
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JR, UK
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21
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prp8 mutations that cause human retinitis pigmentosa lead to a U5 snRNP maturation defect in yeast. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2007; 14:1077-83. [PMID: 17934474 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb1303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2007] [Accepted: 08/28/2007] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prp8 protein (Prp8p) is a highly conserved pre-mRNA splicing factor and a component of spliceosomal U5 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Although it is ubiquitously expressed, mutations in the C terminus of human Prp8p cause the retina-specific disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The biogenesis of U5 snRNPs is poorly characterized. We present evidence for a cytoplasmic precursor U5 snRNP in yeast that lacks the mature U5 snRNP component Brr2p and depends on a nuclear localization signal in Prp8p for its efficient nuclear import. The association of Brr2p with the U5 snRNP occurs within the nucleus. RP mutations in Prp8p in yeast result in nuclear accumulation of the precursor U5 snRNP, apparently as a consequence of disrupting the interaction of Prp8p with Brr2p. We therefore propose a novel assembly pathway for U5 snRNP complexes that is disrupted by mutations that cause human RP.
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22
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Seibel NM, Eljouni J, Nalaskowski MM, Hampe W. Nuclear localization of enhanced green fluorescent protein homomultimers. Anal Biochem 2007; 368:95-9. [PMID: 17586454 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2007.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2007] [Revised: 04/24/2007] [Accepted: 05/22/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its variants are used in many studies to determine the subcellular localization of other proteins by analyzing fusion proteins. The main problem for nuclear localization studies is the fact that, to some extent, GFP translocates to the nucleus on its own. Because the nuclear import could be due to unspecific diffusion of the relatively small GFP through the nuclear pores, we analyzed the localization of multimers of a GFP variant, the enhanced GFP (EGFP). By detecting the fluorescence of the expressed proteins in gels after nonreducing SDS-PAGE, we demonstrate the integrity of the expressed proteins. Nevertheless, even EGFP homotetramers and homohexamers are found in the nuclei of the five analyzed mammalian cell lines. The use of fusion constructs of small proteins with multimeric EGFP alone, therefore, is not adequate to prove nuclear import processes. Fusion to tetrameric EGFP in combination with a careful quantification of the fluorescence intensities in the nucleus and cytoplasm might be sufficient in many cases to identify a significant difference between the fusion protein and tetrameric EGFP alone to deduce a nuclear localization signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Maria Seibel
- Department of Biochemistry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany
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23
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Dickmanns A, Ficner R. Role of the 5’-cap in the biogenesis of spliceosomal snRNPs. FINE-TUNING OF RNA FUNCTIONS BY MODIFICATION AND EDITING 2005. [DOI: 10.1007/b106799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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24
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Girard C, Mouaikel J, Neel H, Bertrand E, Bordonné R. Nuclear localization properties of a conserved protuberance in the Sm core complex. Exp Cell Res 2004; 299:199-208. [PMID: 15302587 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2004.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2003] [Revised: 04/22/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear import signal of snRNPs is composed of two essential components, the m(3)G cap structure of the snRNA and the Sm core NLS carried by the Sm protein core complex. We have previously proposed that, in yeast, this last determinant is represented by a basic-rich protuberance formed by the C-terminal extensions of Sm proteins. In mammals, as well as in other organisms, this component has not yet been precisely defined. Using GFP-Sm fusion constructs and immunolocalization as well as biochemical experiments, we show here that the C-terminal domains of human SmD1 and SmD3 proteins possess nuclear localization properties. Deletions of these domains increase cytoplasmic fluorescence and cytoplasmic localization of GFP-Sm mutant fusion alleles. Our results are consistent with a model in which the Sm core NLS is evolutionarily conserved and composed of a basic-rich protuberance formed by C-terminal domains of different Sm subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyrille Girard
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, IFR122, CNRS UMR 5535, Montpellier, France
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25
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Arluison V, Folichon M, Marco S, Derreumaux P, Pellegrini O, Seguin J, Hajnsdorf E, Regnier P. The C-terminal domain of Escherichia coli Hfq increases the stability of the hexamer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 271:1258-65. [PMID: 15030475 DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.2004.04026.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Hfq (Host factor 1) polypeptide is a nucleic acid binding protein involved in the synthesis of many polypeptides. Hfq particularly affects the translation and the stability of several RNAs. In an earlier study, the use of fold recognition methods allowed us to detect a relationship between Escherichia coli Hfq and the Sm topology. This topology was further validated by a series of biophysical studies and the Hfq structure was modelled on an Sm protein. Hfq forms a beta-sheet ring-shaped hexamer. As our previous study predicted a large number of alternative conformations for the C-terminal region, we have determined whether the last 19 C-terminal residues are necessary for protein function. We find that the C-terminal truncated protein is fully capable of binding a polyadenylated RNA (K(d) of 120 pm vs. 50 pm for full-length Hfq). This result shows that the functional core of E. coli Hfq resides in residues 1-70 and confirms previous genetic studies. Using equilibrium unfolding studies, however, we find that full-length Hfq is 1.8 kcal x mol(-1) more stable than its truncated variant. Electron microscopy analysis of both truncated and full-length proteins indicates a structural rearrangement between the subunits upon truncation. This conformational change is coupled to a reduction in beta-strand content, as determined by Fourier transform infra-red. On the basis of these results, we propose that the C-terminal domain could protect the interface between the subunits and stabilize the hexameric Hfq structure. The origin of this C-terminal domain is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Arluison
- Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique CNRS UPR 9073 conventionnée avec l'université Paris 7, Paris, France
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26
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Zeiner GM, Foldynová S, Sturm NR, Lukes J, Campbell DA. SmD1 is required for spliced leader RNA biogenesis. EUKARYOTIC CELL 2004; 3:241-4. [PMID: 14871954 PMCID: PMC329508 DOI: 10.1128/ec.3.1.241-244.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2003] [Accepted: 12/10/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The Sm-binding site of the kinetoplastid spliced leader RNA has been implicated in accurate spliced leader RNA maturation and trans-splicing competence. In Trypanosoma brucei, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of SmD1 caused defects in spliced leader RNA maturation, displaying aberrant 3'-end formation, partial formation of cap 4, and overaccumulation in the cytoplasm; U28 pseudouridylation was unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gusti M Zeiner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1489, USA
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27
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Iwai A, Hasumura Y, Nojima T, Takegami T. Hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein NS3 binds to Sm-D1, a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein associated with autoimmune disease. Microbiol Immunol 2003; 47:601-11. [PMID: 14524621 DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2003.tb03423.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes a persistent infection, chronic hepatitis, and leads to hepatocellular carcinoma. Nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) of HCV possesses protease, nucleoside triphosphatase, and helicase activities. Using the yeast two hybrid assay, we identified Sm-D1, a host protein that binds to NS3. Sm-D1 is a component of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complexes which are associated with autoimmune disease. Sm-D1 has Gly-Arg (GR) repeats at the C terminus, which contains dimethylarginine modified by post-translational modification and may constitute an immunoreactive determinant. Deletion mutants revealed that the C-terminal region of Sm-D1 containing the GR repeats was the binding region for NS3, and the expression feature of Sm-D1 was affected by co-expression of NS3. Immunostaining assay demonstrated that NS3 was also present in the nucleus of cells overexpressing Sm-D1, although it was usually found in cytoplasm. The localization of NS3 could change following interaction with Sm-D1 and affect the function of Sm-D1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Iwai
- High Tech Research Center, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan
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28
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Mouaikel J, Bujnicki JM, Tazi J, Bordonné R. Sequence-structure-function relationships of Tgs1, the yeast snRNA/snoRNA cap hypermethylase. Nucleic Acids Res 2003; 31:4899-909. [PMID: 12907733 PMCID: PMC169889 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkg656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2003] [Revised: 06/18/2003] [Accepted: 06/18/2003] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Tgs1 methyltransferase (MTase) is responsible for conversion of the m(7)G caps of snRNAs and snoRNAs to a 2,2,7- trimethylguanosine structure. To learn more about the evolutionary origin of Tgs1 and to identify structural features required for its activity, we performed a structure-function study. By using sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis, we found that Tgs1 shows strongest similarity to Mj0882, a protein related to a family comprised of bacterial rRNA:m(2)G MTases RsmC and RsmD. The structural information of Mj0882 was used to build a homology model of Tgs1p which allowed us to predict the range of the minimal globular MTase domain and the localization of other residues that may be important for enzyme function. To further characterize functional domains of Tgs1, mutants were constructed and tested for their effects on cell viability, subcellular localization and binding to the small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) and small nucleolar RNPs (snoRNPs). We found that the N-terminal domain of the hypermethylase is dispensable for binding to the common snRNPs and snoRNPs proteins but essential for correct nucleolar localization. Site- directed mutagenesis of Tgs1 allowed also the identification of the residues likely to be involved in the formation of the m7G-binding site and the catalytic center.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Mouaikel
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, IFR122 CNRS-UMR5535, 1919 route de Mende, 34000 Montpellier, France
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Ferrezuelo F, Steiner B, Aldea M, Futcher B. Biogenesis of yeast telomerase depends on the importin mtr10. Mol Cell Biol 2002; 22:6046-55. [PMID: 12167699 PMCID: PMC134008 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.22.17.6046-6055.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2002] [Revised: 03/25/2002] [Accepted: 06/04/2002] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) involved in chromosome end replication, but its biogenesis is poorly understood. The RNA component of yeast telomerase (Tlc1) is synthesized as a polyadenylated precursor and then processed to a mature poly(A)- form. We report here that the karyopherin Mtr10p is required for the normal accumulation of mature Tlc1 and its proper localization to the nucleus. Neither TLC1 transcription nor the stability of poly(A)- Tlc1 is significantly affected in mtr10delta cells. Tlc1 was mostly nuclear in a wild-type background, and this localization was not affected by mutations in other telomerase components. Strikingly, in the absence of Mtr10p, Tlc1 was found dispersed throughout the entire cell. Our results are compatible with two alternative models. First, Mtr10p may import a cytoplasmic complex containing Tlc1 and perhaps other components of telomerase, and shuttling of Tlc1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and back may be necessary for the biogenesis of telomerase (the "shuttling" model). Second, Mtr10p may be necessary for the nuclear import of some enzyme needed for the nuclear processing and maturation of Tlc1, and in the absence of this maturation, poly(A)+ Tlc1 is aberrantly exported to the cytoplasm (the "processing enzyme" model).
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Ferrezuelo
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5222, USA
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Allemand E, Dokudovskaya S, Bordonné R, Tazi J. A conserved Drosophila transportin-serine/arginine-rich (SR) protein permits nuclear import of Drosophila SR protein splicing factors and their antagonist repressor splicing factor 1. Mol Biol Cell 2002; 13:2436-47. [PMID: 12134081 PMCID: PMC117325 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e02-02-0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the highly conserved serine/arginine-rich (SR) protein family are nuclear factors involved in splicing of metazoan mRNA precursors. In mammals, two nuclear import receptors, transportin (TRN)-SR1 and TRN-SR2, are responsible for targeting SR proteins to the nucleus. Distinctive features in the nuclear localization signal between Drosophila and mammalian SR proteins prompted us to examine the mechanism by which Drosophila SR proteins and their antagonist repressor splicing factor 1 (RSF1) are imported into nucleus. Herein, we report the identification and characterization of a Drosophila importin beta-family protein (dTRN-SR), homologous to TRN-SR2, that specifically interacts with both SR proteins and RSF1. dTRN-SR has a broad localization in the cytoplasm and the nucleus, whereas an N-terminal deletion mutant colocalizes with SR proteins in nuclear speckles. Far Western experiments established that the RS domain of SR proteins and the GRS domain of RSF1 are required for the direct interaction with dTRN-SR, an interaction that can be modulated by phosphorylation. Using the yeast model system in which nuclear import of Drosophila SR proteins and RSF1 is impaired, we demonstrate that complementation with dTRN-SR is sufficient to target these proteins to the nucleus. Together, the results imply that the mechanism by which SR proteins are imported to the nucleus is conserved between Drosophila and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Allemand
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, Unité Mixte Recherche 5535 du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, l'Institut Fédératif de Recherches 24, F34293 Montpellier, France
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31
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Mouaikel J, Verheggen C, Bertrand E, Tazi J, Bordonné R. Hypermethylation of the cap structure of both yeast snRNAs and snoRNAs requires a conserved methyltransferase that is localized to the nucleolus. Mol Cell 2002; 9:891-901. [PMID: 11983179 DOI: 10.1016/s1097-2765(02)00484-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The m(7)G caps of most spliceosomal snRNAs and certain snoRNAs are converted posttranscriptionally to 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (m(3)G) cap structures. Here, we show that yeast Tgs1p, an evolutionarily conserved protein carrying a signature of S-AdoMet methyltransferase, is essential for hypermethylation of the m(7)G caps of both snRNAs and snoRNAs. Deletion of the yeast TGS1 gene abolishes the conversion of the m(7)G to m(3)G caps and produces a cold-sensitive splicing defect that correlates with the retention of U1 snRNA in the nucleolus. Consistently, Tgs1p is also localized in the nucleolus. Our results suggest a trafficking pathway in which yeast snRNAs and snoRNAs cycle through the nucleolus to undergo m(7)G cap hypermethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Mouaikel
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, IFR 24-CNRS UMR 5535, 1919 route de Mende, 34000 Montpellier, France
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Nixon JEJ, Wang A, Morrison HG, McArthur AG, Sogin ML, Loftus BJ, Samuelson J. A spliceosomal intron in Giardia lamblia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002; 99:3701-5. [PMID: 11854456 PMCID: PMC122587 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.042700299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2001] [Accepted: 12/26/2001] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Short introns occur in numerous protist lineages, but there are no reports of intervening sequences in the protists Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis, which may represent the deepest known branches in the eukaryotic line of descent. We have discovered a 35-bp spliceosomal intron in a gene encoding a putative [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin of G. lamblia. The Giardia intron contains a canonical splice site at its 3' end (AG), a noncanonical splice site at its 5' end (CT), and a branch point sequence that fits the yeast consensus sequence of TACTAAC except for the first nucleotide (AACTAAC). We have also identified several G. lamblia genes with spliceosomal peptides, including homologues of eukaryote-specific spliceosomal peptides (Prp8 and Prp11), several DExH-box RNA-helicases that have homologues in eubacteria, but serve essential functions in the splicing of introns in eukaryotes, and 11 predicted archaebacteria-like Sm and like-Sm core peptides, which coat small nuclear RNAs. Phylogenetic analyses show the Giardia Sm core peptides are the products of multiple, ancestral gene duplications followed by divergence, but they retain strong similarity to Sm and like-Sm peptides of other eukaryotes. Although we have documented only a single intron in Giardia, it likely has other introns and fully functional, spliceosomal machinery. If introns were added during eukaryotic evolution (the introns-late hypothesis), then these results push back the date of this event before the branching of G. lamblia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E J Nixon
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-6018, USA
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Rudt F, Pieler T. Cytosolic import factor- and Ran-independent nuclear transport of ribosomal protein L5. Eur J Cell Biol 2001; 80:661-8. [PMID: 11824785 DOI: 10.1078/0171-9335-00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal protein L5 is a shuttling protein that, in Xenopus oocytes, is involved in the nucleocytoplasmic transport of 5S rRNA. As demonstrated earlier, L5 contains three independent nuclear import signals (NLSs), which function in oocytes as well as in somatic cells. Upon physical separation, these NLSs differ in respect to their capacity to bind to nuclear import factors in vitro and to mediate the nuclear import of a heterologous RNP in vivo. As reported in this communication, analysis of the in vitro nuclear import activity of these three NLSs reveals that they also differ in respect to their requirements for cytosolic import factors and Ran. Nuclear import mediated by the N-terminal and the central NLS depends on cytosolic import factor(s) and Ran, whereas import via the C-terminal NLS occurs independently from these factors. Thus, the presence of multiple NLSs in ribosomal protein L5 appears to allow for efficient nuclear transport via utilisation of multiple, mechanistically different import pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Rudt
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekulare Zellbiologie, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen/Germany
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Abstract
Significant advances have been made in elucidating the biogenesis pathway and three-dimensional structure of the UsnRNPs, the building blocks of the spliceosome. U2 and U4/U6*U5 tri-snRNPs functionally associate with the pre-mRNA at an earlier stage of spliceosome assembly than previously thought, and additional evidence supporting UsnRNA-mediated catalysis of pre-mRNA splicing has been presented.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Crystallography
- Humans
- Macromolecular Substances
- Protein Structure, Tertiary/physiology
- Protein Transport/physiology
- RNA Splicing/genetics
- RNA Splicing/physiology
- RNA, Small Nuclear/chemistry
- RNA, Small Nuclear/genetics
- RNA, Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear/biosynthesis
- Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoprotein, U1 Small Nuclear/genetics
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/biosynthesis
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/genetics
- Spliceosomes/chemistry
- Spliceosomes/genetics
- Spliceosomes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Will
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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Abstract
Within the yeast commitment complex, SmB, SmD1, and SmD3 make direct contact with the pre-mRNA substrate, close to the 5' splice site. Only these three Sm proteins have long and highly charged C-terminal tails, in metazoa as well as in yeast. We replaced these proteins with tail-truncated versions. Genetic assays demonstrate that the tails contribute to similar and overlapping functions, and cross-linking assays show that the tails make direct contact with the pre-mRNA in a largely sequence-independent manner. Other biochemical assays indicate that they function at least in part to stabilize the U1 snRNP-pre-mRNA interaction. We speculate that this role may be general, and may have even evolved to aid weak intermolecular nucleic acid interactions of only a few base pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02254, USA
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