The polysome-associated proteins Scp160 and Bfr1 prevent P body formation under normal growth conditions

The high-density lipoprotein binding protein HDLBP is an unusual RNA-binding protein with multiple roles in cancer and disease

The high-density lipoprotein binding protein (HDLBP) is the human member of an evolutionarily conserved family of RNA-binding proteins, the vigilin protein family. These proteins are characterized by 14 or 15 RNA-interacting KH (heterologous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K homology) domains. While mainly present at the cytoplasmic face of the endoplasmic reticulum, HDLBP and its homologs are also found in the cytosol and nucleus. HDLBP is involved in various processes, including translation, chromosome segregation, cholesterol transport and carcinogenesis. Especially, its association with the latter two has attracted specific interest in the HDLBP's molecular role. In this review, we give an overview of some of the functions of the protein as well as introduce its impact on different kinds of cancer, its connection to lipid metabolism and its role in viral infection. We also aim at addressing the possible use of HDLBP as a drug target or biomarker and discuss its future implications.

Eukaryotic mRNA decapping factors: molecular mechanisms and activity

Decapping is the enzymatic removal of 5' cap structures from mRNAs in eukaryotic cells. Cap structures normally enhance mRNA translation and stability, and their excision commits an mRNA to complete 5'-3' exoribonucleolytic digestion and generally ends the physical and functional cellular presence of the mRNA. Decapping plays a pivotal role in eukaryotic cytoplasmic mRNA turnover and is a critical and highly regulated event in multiple 5'-3' mRNA decay pathways, including general 5'-3' decay, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), AU-rich element-mediated mRNA decay, microRNA-mediated gene silencing, and targeted transcript-specific mRNA decay. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mRNA decapping is carried out by a single Dcp1-Dcp2 decapping enzyme in concert with the accessory activities of specific regulators commonly known as decapping activators or enhancers. These regulatory proteins include the general decapping activators Edc1, 2, and 3, Dhh1, Scd6, Pat1, and the Lsm1-7 complex, as well as the NMD-specific factors, Upf1, 2, and 3. Here, we focus on in vivo mRNA decapping regulation in yeast. We summarize recently uncovered molecular mechanisms that control selective targeting of the yeast decapping enzyme and discuss new roles for specific decapping activators in controlling decapping enzyme targeting, assembly of target-specific decapping complexes, and the monitoring of mRNA translation. Further, we discuss the kinetic contribution of mRNA decapping for overall decay of different substrate mRNAs and highlight experimental evidence pointing to the functional coordination and physical coupling between events in mRNA deadenylation, decapping, and 5'-3' exoribonucleolytic decay.

The Molecular and Functional Interaction Between Membrane-Bound Organelles and Membrane-Less Condensates

A major recent advance in cell biology is the mechanistic and kinetic understanding of biogenesis of many membrane-less condensates. As membrane-less condensates and membrane-bound organelles are two major approaches used by the eukaryotic cells to organize cellular contents, it is not surprising that these membrane-less condensates interact with the membrane-bound organelles and are dynamically regulated by the cellular signaling, metabolic states, and proteostasis network. In this review, I will discuss recent progress in the biogenesis of membrane-less condensates and their connections with well-studied membrane-bound organelles. Future work will reveal the molecular and functional connectome among different condensates and membrane-bound organelles.

IP6K1 upregulates the formation of processing bodies by influencing protein-protein interactions on the mRNA cap

Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 (IP6K1) is a small molecule kinase that catalyzes the conversion of the inositol phosphate IP6 to 5-IP7. We show that IP6K1 acts independently of its catalytic activity to upregulate the formation of processing bodies (P-bodies), which are cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules that store translationally repressed mRNA. IP6K1 does not localise to P-bodies, but instead binds to ribosomes, where it interacts with the mRNA decapping complex - the scaffold protein EDC4, activator proteins DCP1A/B, decapping enzyme DCP2 and RNA helicase DDX6. Along with its partner 4E-T, DDX6 is known to nucleate protein-protein interactions on the 5' mRNA cap to facilitate P-body formation. IP6K1 binds the translation initiation complex eIF4F on the mRNA cap, augmenting the interaction of DDX6 with 4E-T (also known as EIF4ENIF1) and the cap-binding protein eIF4E. Cells with reduced IP6K1 show downregulated microRNA-mediated translational suppression and increased stability of DCP2-regulated transcripts. Our findings unveil IP6K1 as a novel facilitator of proteome remodelling on the mRNA cap, tipping the balance in favour of translational repression over initiation, thus leading to P-body assembly. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

The mRNA decapping complex is buffered by nuclear localization

mRNA decay is a key step in regulating the cellular proteome. Processing bodies (P-bodies) are thought to be sites of mRNA decay and/or storage. P-body units assemble into P-body granules under stress conditions. How this assembly is regulated, however, remains poorly understood. Here, we show, in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that the translational repressor Scd6 and the decapping stimulator Edc3 act partially redundantly in P-body assembly by sequestering the Dcp1-Dcp2 (denoted Dcp1/2) decapping complex in the cytoplasm and preventing it from becoming imported into the nucleus by the karyopherin β protein Kap95. One of two nuclear localization signals in Dcp2 overlaps with the RNA-binding site, suggesting an additional mechanism to regulate Dcp1/2 localization. Nuclear Dcp1/2 does not drive mRNA decay and might be stored there as a readily releasable pool, indicating a dynamic equilibrium between cytoplasmic and nuclear Dcp1/2. Cytoplasmic Dcp1/2 is linked to Dhh1 via Edc3. Functional P-bodies are present at the endoplasmic reticulum where Dcp2 potentially acts to increase the local concentration of Dhh1 through interaction with Edc3 to drive phase separation and hence P-body formation.

Seeking a Role for Translational Control by Alternative Polyadenylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) represents an important mechanism for regulating isoform-specific translation efficiency, stability, and localisation. Though some progress has been made in understanding its consequences in metazoans, the role of APA in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae remains a relative mystery because, despite abundant studies on the translational state of mRNA, none differentiate mRNA isoforms’ alternative 3′-end. This review discusses the implications of alternative polyadenylation in S. cerevisiae using other organisms to draw inferences. Given the foundational role that research in this yeast has played in the discovery of the mechanisms of cleavage and polyadenylation and in the drivers of APA, it is surprising that such an inference is required. However, because advances in ribosome profiling are insensitive to APA, how it impacts translation is still unclear. To bridge the gap between widespread observed APA and the discovery of any functional consequence, we also provide a review of the experimental techniques used to uncover the functional importance of 3′ UTR isoforms on translation.

Bidirectional Genetic Control of Phenotypic Heterogeneity and Its Implication for Cancer Drug Resistance

Negative genetic regulators of phenotypic heterogeneity, or phenotypic capacitors/stabilizers, elevate population average fitness by limiting deviation from the optimal phenotype and increase the efficacy of natural selection by enhancing the phenotypic differences among genotypes. Stabilizers can presumably be switched off to release phenotypic heterogeneity in the face of extreme or fluctuating environments to ensure population survival. This task could, however, also be achieved by positive genetic regulators of phenotypic heterogeneity, or "phenotypic diversifiers," as shown by recently reported evidence that a bacterial divisome factor enhances antibiotic resistance. We hypothesized that such active creation of phenotypic heterogeneity by diversifiers, which is functionally independent of stabilizers, is more common than previously recognized. Using morphological phenotypic data from 4,718 single-gene knockout strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we systematically identified 324 stabilizers and 160 diversifiers and constructed a bipartite network between these genes and the morphological traits they control. Further analyses showed that, compared with stabilizers, diversifiers tended to be weaker and more promiscuous (regulating more traits) regulators targeting traits unrelated to fitness. Moreover, there is a general division of labor between stabilizers and diversifiers. Finally, by incorporating NCI-60 human cancer cell line anticancer drug screening data, we found that human one-to-one orthologs of yeast diversifiers/stabilizers likely regulate the anticancer drug resistance of human cancer cell lines, suggesting that these orthologs are potential targets for auxiliary treatments. Our study therefore highlights stabilizers and diversifiers as the genetic regulators for the bidirectional control of phenotypic heterogeneity as well as their distinct evolutionary roles and functional independence.

RGG-motif containing mRNA export factor Gbp2 acts as a translation repressor

Complex cascades of RNA-binding proteins regulate the mRNA metabolism and influence gene expression. Several distinct proteins act at different stages of mRNA life cycle. SR family proteins in yeast are implicated in mRNA processing and nuclear export. In this report, we uncover the role of an SR/RGG-motif containing mRNA export factor Gbp2 in mRNA translation regulation. We demonstrate that Gbp2 localizes to cytoplasmic granules upon heat shock and oxidative stress. Our pull-down assays demonstrate that Gbp2 directly binds to the conserved translation factor eIF4G1 via its RGG motif. We further mapped the region on eIF4G1 to which Gbp2 binds and observed that the binding region overlaps with another translation repressor Sbp1. We found that the RGG-motif deletion mutant is defective in localizing to polysome fractions. Upon tethering Gbp2 to a GFP reporter mRNA in vivo, translation of GFP reporter decreased significantly indicating that Gbp2 acts as a translation repressor. Consistent with these results, we show that Gbp2 can directly repress mRNA translation in the in vitro translation systems in an RGG-motif dependent manner. Taken together, our results establish that the mRNA export factor Gbp2 has a vital role in repressing translation of mRNA. We propose that Gbp2 is a multifaceted RGG-motif protein responsible for translational repression without affecting mRNA levels.

The GUL-1 Protein Binds Multiple RNAs Involved in Cell Wall Remodeling and Affects the MAK-1 Pathway in Neurospora crassa

The Neurospora crassa GUL-1 is part of the COT-1 pathway, which plays key roles in regulating polar hyphal growth and cell wall remodeling. We show that GUL-1 is a bona fide RNA-binding protein (RBP) that can associate with 828 "core" mRNA species. When cell wall integrity (CWI) is challenged, expression of over 25% of genomic RNA species are modulated (2,628 mRNAs, including the GUL-1 mRNA). GUL-1 binds mRNAs of genes related to translation, cell wall remodeling, circadian clock, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), as well as CWI and MAPK pathway components. GUL-1 interacts with over 100 different proteins, including stress-granule and P-body proteins, ER components and components of the MAPK, COT-1, and STRIPAK complexes. Several additional RBPs were also shown to physically interact with GUL-1. Under stress conditions, GUL-1 can localize to the ER and affect the CWI pathway-evident via altered phosphorylation levels of MAK-1, interaction with mak-1 transcript, and involvement in the expression level of the transcription factor adv-1. We conclude that GUL-1 functions in multiple cellular processes, including the regulation of cell wall remodeling, via a mechanism associated with the MAK-1 pathway and stress-response.

Complex Interactions Between Membrane-Bound Organelles, Biomolecular Condensates and the Cytoskeleton

Membrane-bound and membraneless organelles/biomolecular condensates ensure compartmentalization into functionally distinct units enabling proper organization of cellular processes. Membrane-bound organelles form dynamic contacts with each other to enable the exchange of molecules and to regulate organelle division and positioning in coordination with the cytoskeleton. Crosstalk between the cytoskeleton and dynamic membrane-bound organelles has more recently also been found to regulate cytoskeletal organization. Interestingly, recent work has revealed that, in addition, the cytoskeleton and membrane-bound organelles interact with cytoplasmic biomolecular condensates. The extent and relevance of these complex interactions are just beginning to emerge but may be important for cytoskeletal organization and organelle transport and remodeling. In this review, we highlight these emerging functions and emphasize the complex interplay of the cytoskeleton with these organelles. The crosstalk between membrane-bound organelles, biomolecular condensates and the cytoskeleton in highly polarized cells such as neurons could play essential roles in neuronal development, function and maintenance.

Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation by Intrinsically Disordered Protein Regions of Viruses: Roles in Viral Life Cycle and Control of Virus-Host Interactions

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are unable to adopt a unique 3D structure under physiological conditions and thus exist as highly dynamic conformational ensembles. IDPs are ubiquitous and widely spread in the protein realm. In the last decade, compelling experimental evidence has been gathered, pointing to the ability of IDPs and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a phenomenon driving the formation of membrane-less organelles (MLOs). These biological condensates play a critical role in the spatio-temporal organization of the cell, where they exert a multitude of key biological functions, ranging from transcriptional regulation and silencing to control of signal transduction networks. After introducing IDPs and LLPS, we herein survey available data on LLPS by IDPs/IDRs of viral origin and discuss their functional implications. We distinguish LLPS associated with viral replication and trafficking of viral components, from the LLPS-mediated interference of viruses with host cell functions. We discuss emerging evidence on the ability of plant virus proteins to interfere with the regulation of MLOs of the host and propose that bacteriophages can interfere with bacterial LLPS, as well. We conclude by discussing how LLPS could be targeted to treat phase separation-associated diseases, including viral infections.

Records of RNA locations in living yeast revealed through covalent marks

RNA movements and localization pervade biology, from embryonic development to disease. To identify RNAs at specific locations, we developed a strategy in which a uridine-adding enzyme is anchored to subcellular sites, where it directly marks RNAs with 3' terminal uridines. This localized RNA recording approach yields a record of RNA locations, and is validated through identification of RNAs localized selectively to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or mitochondria. We identify a broad dual localization pattern conserved from yeast to human cells, in which the same battery of mRNAs encounter both ER and mitochondria in both species, and include an mRNA encoding a key stress sensor. Subunits of many multiprotein complexes localize to both the ER and mitochondria, suggesting coordinated assembly. Noncoding RNAs in the course of RNA surveillance and processing encounter both organelles. By providing a record of RNA locations over time, the approach complements those that capture snapshots of instantaneous positions.

Phase Separation in Membrane Biology: The Interplay between Membrane-Bound Organelles and Membraneless Condensates

In eukaryotic cells, various membrane-bound organelles compartmentalize diverse cellular activities in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. Numerous membraneless organelles assembled via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), known as condensates, also facilitate compartmentalization of cellular functions. Emerging evidence shows that these two organelle types interact in many biological processes. Membranes modulate the biogenesis and dynamics of phase-separated condensates by serving as assembly platforms or by forming direct contacts. Phase separation of membrane-associated proteins participates in various trafficking events, such as clustering of vesicles for temporally controlled fusion and storage, and transport of membraneless condensates on membrane-bound organelles. Phase separation also acts in cargo trafficking pathways by sorting and docking cargos for translocon-mediated transport across membranes, by shuttling cargos through the nuclear pore complex, and by triggering the formation of surrounding autophagosomes for delivery to lysosomes. The coordinated actions of membrane-bound and membraneless organelles ensure spatiotemporal control of various cellular functions.

The endoplasmic reticulum-associated mRNA-binding proteins ERBP1 and ERBP2 interact in bloodstream-form Trypanosoma brucei

Kinetoplastids rely heavily on post-transcriptional mechanisms for control of gene expression, and on RNA-binding proteins that regulate mRNA splicing, translation and decay. Trypanosoma brucei ERBP1 (Tb927.10.14150) and ERBP2 (Tb927.9.9550) were previously identified as mRNA binding proteins that lack canonical RNA-binding domains. We show here that ERBP1 is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, like ERBP2, and that the two proteins interact in vivo. Loss of ERBP1 from bloodstream-form T. brucei initially resulted in a growth defect but proliferation was restored after more prolonged cultivation. Pull-down analysis of tagged ERBP1 suggests that it preferentially binds to ribosomal protein mRNAs. The ERBP1 sequence resembles that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bfr1, which also localises to the endoplasmic reticulum and binds to ribosomal protein mRNAs. However, unlike Bfr1, ERBP1 does not bind to mRNAs encoding secreted proteins, and it is also not recruited to stress granules after starvation.

Translational Regulation of Pmt1 and Pmt2 by Bfr1 Affects Unfolded Protein O-Mannosylation

O-mannosylation is implicated in protein quality control in Saccharomyces cerevisiae due to the attachment of mannose to serine and threonine residues of un- or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This process also designated as unfolded protein O-mannosylation (UPOM) that ends futile folding cycles and saves cellular resources is mainly mediated by protein O-mannosyltransferases Pmt1 and Pmt2. Here we describe a genetic screen for factors that influence O-mannosylation in yeast, using slow-folding green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a reporter. Our screening identifies the RNA binding protein brefeldin A resistance factor 1 (Bfr1) that has not been linked to O-mannosylation and ER protein quality control before. We find that Bfr1 affects O-mannosylation through changes in Pmt1 and Pmt2 protein abundance but has no effect on PMT1 and PMT2 transcript levels, mRNA localization to the ER membrane or protein stability. Ribosome profiling reveals that Bfr1 is a crucial factor for Pmt1 and Pmt2 translation thereby affecting unfolded protein O-mannosylation. Our results uncover a new level of regulation of protein quality control in the secretory pathway.

Local translation of yeast ERG4 mRNA at the endoplasmic reticulum requires the brefeldin A resistance protein Bfr1

Brefeldin A resistance factor 1 (Bfr1p) is a nonessential RNA-binding protein and multicopy suppressor of brefeldin A sensitivity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Deletion of BFR1 leads to multiple defects, including altered cell shape and size, change in ploidy, induction of P-bodies and chromosomal missegregation. Bfr1p has been shown to associate with polysomes, binds to several hundred mRNAs, and can target some of them to P-bodies. Although this implies a role of Bfr1p in translational control of mRNAs, its molecular function remains elusive. In the present study, we show that mutations in RNA-binding residues of Bfr1p impede its RNA-dependent colocalization with ER, yet do not mimic the known cellular defects seen upon BFR1 deletion. However, a Bfr1 RNA-binding mutant is impaired in binding to ERG4 mRNA, which encodes an enzyme required for the final step of ergosterol biosynthesis. Consistently, bfr1Δ strains show a strong reduction in Erg4p protein levels, most likely because of degradation of misfolded Erg4p. Polysome profiling of bfr1Δ or bfr1 mutant strains reveals a strong shift of ERG4 mRNA to polysomes, consistent with a function of Bfr1p in elongation or increased ribosome loading. Collectively, our data reveal that Bfr1 has at least two separable functions: one in RNA binding and cotranslational protein translocation into the ER and one in ploidy control or chromosome segregation.

Cellular stress leads to the formation of membraneless stress assemblies in eukaryotic cells

In cells at steady state, two forms of cell compartmentalization coexist: membrane-bound organelles and phase-separated membraneless organelles that are present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Strikingly, cellular stress is a strong inducer of the reversible membraneless compartments referred to as stress assemblies. Stress assemblies play key roles in survival during cell stress and in thriving of cells upon stress relief. The two best studied stress assemblies are the RNA-based processing-bodies (P-bodies) and stress granules that form in response to oxidative, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), osmotic and nutrient stress as well as many others. Interestingly, P-bodies and stress granules are heterogeneous with respect to both the pathways that lead to their formation and their protein and RNA content. Furthermore, in yeast and Drosophila, nutrient stress also leads to the formation of many other types of prosurvival cytoplasmic stress assemblies, such as metabolic enzymes foci, proteasome storage granules, EIF2B bodies, U-bodies and Sec bodies, some of which are not RNA-based. Nutrient stress leads to a drop in cytoplasmic pH, which combined with posttranslational modifications of granule contents, induces phase separation.

Membrane-Bound Meet Membraneless in Health and Disease

Membraneless organelles (MLOs) are defined as cellular structures that are not sealed by a lipidic membrane and are shown to form by phase separation. They exist in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm that is also heavily populated by numerous membrane-bound organelles. Even though the name membraneless suggests that MLOs are free of membrane, both membrane and factors regulating membrane trafficking steps are emerging as important components of MLO formation and function. As a result, we name them biocondensates. In this review, we examine the relationships between biocondensates and membrane. First, inhibition of membrane trafficking in the early secretory pathway leads to the formation of biocondensates (P-bodies and Sec bodies). In the same vein, stress granules have a complex relationship with the cyto-nuclear transport machinery. Second, membrane contributes to the regulated formation of phase separation in the cells and we will present examples including clustering at the plasma membrane and at the synapse. Finally, the whole cell appears to transit from an interphase phase-separated state to a mitotic diffuse state in a DYRK3 dependent manner. This firmly establishes a crosstalk between the two types of cell organization that will need to be further explored.

Asymmetric distribution of glucose transporter mRNA provides a growth advantage in yeast

Asymmetric localization of mRNA is important for cell fate decisions in eukaryotes and provides the means for localized protein synthesis in a variety of cell types. Here, we show that hexose transporter mRNAs are retained in the mother cell of S. cerevisiae until metaphase-anaphase transition (MAT) and then are released into the bud. The retained mRNA was translationally less active but bound to ribosomes before MAT Importantly, when cells were shifted from starvation to glucose-rich conditions, HXT2 mRNA, but none of the other HXT mRNAs, was enriched in the bud after MAT This enrichment was dependent on the Ras/cAMP/PKA pathway, the APC ortholog Kar9, and nuclear segregation into the bud. Competition experiments between strains that only expressed one hexose transporter at a time revealed that HXT2 only cells grow faster than their counterparts when released from starvation. Therefore, asymmetric distribution of HXT2 mRNA provides a growth advantage for daughters, who are better prepared for nutritional changes in the environment. Our data provide evidence that asymmetric mRNA localization is an important factor in determining cellular fitness.

Conserved mRNA-granule component Scd6 targets Dhh1 to repress translation initiation and activates Dcp2-mediated mRNA decay in vivo

Scd6 protein family members are evolutionarily conserved components of translationally silent mRNA granules. Yeast Scd6 interacts with Dcp2 and Dhh1, respectively a subunit and a regulator of the mRNA decapping enzyme, and also associates with translation initiation factor eIF4G to inhibit translation in cell extracts. However, the role of Scd6 in mRNA turnover and translational repression in vivo is unclear. We demonstrate that tethering Scd6 to a GFP reporter mRNA reduces mRNA abundance via Dcp2 and suppresses reporter mRNA translation via Dhh1. Thus, in a dcp2Δ mutant, tethered Scd6 reduces GFP protein expression with little effect on mRNA abundance, whereas tethered Scd6 has no impact on GFP protein or mRNA expression in a dcp2Δ dhh1Δ double mutant. The conserved LSm domain of Scd6 is required for translational repression and mRNA turnover by tethered Scd6. Both functions are enhanced in a ccr4Δ mutant, suggesting that the deadenylase function of Ccr4-Not complex interferes with a more efficient repression pathway enlisted by Scd6. Ribosome profiling and RNA-Seq analysis of scd6Δ and dhh1Δ mutants suggests that Scd6 cooperates with Dhh1 in translational repression and turnover of particular native mRNAs, with both processes dependent on Dcp2. Our results suggest that Scd6 can (i) recruit Dhh1 to confer translational repression and (ii) activate mRNA decapping by Dcp2 with attendant degradation of specific mRNAs in vivo, in a manner dependent on the Scd6 LSm domain and modulated by Ccr4.

Translational regulation in response to stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae must dynamically alter the composition of its proteome in order to respond to diverse stresses. The reprogramming of gene expression during stress typically involves initial global repression of protein synthesis, accompanied by the activation of stress‐responsive mRNAs through both translational and transcriptional responses. The ability of specific mRNAs to counter the global translational repression is therefore crucial to the overall response to stress. Here we summarize the major repressive mechanisms and discuss mechanisms of translational activation in response to different stresses in S. cerevisiae. Taken together, a wide range of studies indicate that multiple elements act in concert to bring about appropriate translational responses. These include regulatory elements within mRNAs, altered mRNA interactions with RNA‐binding proteins and the specialization of ribosomes that each contribute towards regulating protein expression to suit the changing environmental conditions.

Phospho-Rasputin Stabilization by Sec16 Is Required for Stress Granule Formation upon Amino Acid Starvation

Most cellular stresses induce protein translation inhibition and stress granule formation. Here, using Drosophila S2 cells, we investigate the role of G3BP/Rasputin in this process. In contrast to arsenite treatment, where dephosphorylated Ser142 Rasputin is recruited to stress granules, we find that, upon amino acid starvation, only the phosphorylated Ser142 form is recruited. Furthermore, we identify Sec16, a component of the endoplasmic reticulum exit site, as a Rasputin interactor and stabilizer. Sec16 depletion results in Rasputin degradation and inhibition of stress granule formation. However, in the absence of Sec16, pharmacological stabilization of Rasputin is not enough to rescue the assembly of stress granules. This is because Sec16 specifically interacts with phosphorylated Ser142 Rasputin, the form required for stress granule formation upon amino acid starvation. Taken together, these results demonstrate that stress granule formation is fine-tuned by specific signaling cues that are unique to each stress. These results also expand the role of Sec16 as a stress response protein.

P-Bodies: Composition, Properties, and Functions

Processing bodies (P-bodies) are cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules primarily composed of translationally repressed mRNAs and proteins related to mRNA decay, suggesting roles in post-transcriptional regulation. P-bodies are conserved in eukaryotic cells and exhibit properties of liquid droplets. However, the function of P-bodies in translational repression and/or mRNA decay remains contentious. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of the molecular composition of P-bodies, the interactions and processes that regulate P-body liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), and the cellular localization of mRNA decay machinery, in the context of how these discoveries refine models of P-body function.

Context-dependent deposition and regulation of mRNAs in P-bodies

Cells respond to stress by remodeling their transcriptome through transcription and degradation. Xrn1p-dependent degradation in P-bodies is the most prevalent decay pathway, yet, P-bodies may facilitate not only decay, but also act as a storage compartment. However, which and how mRNAs are selected into different degradation pathways and what determines the fate of any given mRNA in P-bodies remain largely unknown. We devised a new method to identify both common and stress-specific mRNA subsets associated with P-bodies. mRNAs targeted for degradation to P-bodies, decayed with different kinetics. Moreover, the localization of a specific set of mRNAs to P-bodies under glucose deprivation was obligatory to prevent decay. Depending on its client mRNA, the RNA-binding protein Puf5p either promoted or inhibited decay. Furthermore, the Puf5p-dependent storage of a subset of mRNAs in P-bodies under glucose starvation may be beneficial with respect to chronological lifespan.

An ApiAP2 member regulates expression of clonally variant genes of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Variegated surface antigen expression is key to chronic infection and pathogenesis of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. This protozoan parasite expresses distinct surface molecules that are encoded by clonally variant gene families such as var, rif and stevor. The molecular mechanisms governing activation of individual members remain ill-defined. To investigate the molecular events of the initial transcriptional activation process we focused on a member of the apicomplexan ApiAP2 transcription factor family predicted to bind to the 5′ upstream regions of the var gene family, AP2-exp (PF3D7_1466400). Viable AP2-exp mutant parasites rely on expressing no less than a short truncated protein including the N-terminal AP2 DNA-binding domain. RNA-seq analysis in mutant parasites revealed transcriptional changes in a subset of exported proteins encoded by clonally variant gene families. Upregulation of RIFINs and STEVORs was validated at the protein levels. In addition, morphological alterations were observed on the surface of the host cells infected by the mutants. This work points to a complex regulatory network of clonally variant gene families in which transcription of a subset of members is regulated by the same transcription factor. In addition, we highlight the importance of the non-DNA binding AP2 domain in functional gene regulation.

Numerous interactions act redundantly to assemble a tunable size of P bodies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Eukaryotic cells contain multiple RNA-protein assemblies referred to as RNP granules, which are thought to form through multiple protein-protein interactions analogous to a liquid-liquid phase separation. One class of RNP granules consists of P bodies, which consist of nontranslating mRNAs and the general translation repression and mRNA degradation machinery. P bodies have been suggested to form predominantly through interactions of Edc3 and a prion-like domain on Lsm4. In this work, we provide evidence that P-body assembly can be driven by multiple different protein-protein and/or protein-RNA interactions, including interactions involving Dhh1, Psp2, and Pby1. Moreover, the relative importance of specific interactions can vary with different growth conditions. Based on these observations, we develop a summative model wherein the P-body assembly phenotype of a given mutant can be predicted from the number of currently known protein-protein interactions between P-body components.

A jack of all trades: the RNA-binding protein vigilin

The vigilin family of proteins is evolutionarily conserved from yeast to humans and characterized by the proteins' 14 or 15 hnRNP K homology (KH) domains, typically associated with RNA-binding. Vigilin is the largest RNA-binding protein (RBP) in the KH domain-containing family and one of the largest RBP known to date. Since its identification 30 years ago, vigilin has been shown to bind over 700 mRNAs and has been associated with cancer progression and cardiovascular disease. We provide a brief historic overview of vigilin research and outline the proteins' different functions, focusing on maintenance of genome ploidy, heterochromatin formation, RNA export, as well as regulation of translation, mRNA transport, and mRNA stability. The multitude of associated functions is reflected by the large number of identified interaction partners, ranging from tRNAs, mRNAs, ribosomes and ribosome-associated proteins, to histone methyltransferases and DNA-dependent protein kinases. Most of these partners bind to vigilin's carboxyterminus, and the two most C-terminal KH domains of the protein, KH13 and KH14, represent the main mRNA-binding interface. Since the nuclear functions of vigilins in particular are not conserved, we outline a model for the basal functions of vigilins, as well as those which were acquired during the transition from unicellular organisms to metazoa. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1448. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1448 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Membrane-bound organelles versus membrane-less compartments and their control of anabolic pathways in Drosophila

Classically, we think of cell compartmentalization as being achieved by membrane-bound organelles. It has nevertheless emerged that membrane-less assemblies also largely contribute to this compartmentalization. Here, we compare the characteristics of both types of compartmentalization in term of maintenance of functional identities. Furthermore, membrane less-compartments are critical for sustaining developmental and cell biological events as they control major metabolic pathways. We describe two examples related to this issue in Drosophila, the role of P-bodies in the translational control of gurken in the Drosophila oocyte, and the formation of Sec bodies upon amino-acid starvation in Drosophila cells.

RNA-binding proteins and their role in the regulation of gene expression in Trypanosoma cruzi and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have important functions in the regulation of gene expression. RBPs play key roles in post-transcriptional processes in all eukaryotes, such as splicing regulation, mRNA transport and modulation of mRNA translation and decay. RBPs assemble into different mRNA-protein complexes, which form messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs). Gene expression regulation in trypanosomatids occurs mainly at the post-transcriptional level and RBPs play a key role in all processes. However, the functional characterization of RBPs in Trypanosoma cruzi has been impaired due to the lack of reliable reverse genetic manipulation tools. The comparison of RBPs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and T. cruzi might allow inferring on the function of these proteins based on the information available for the orthologous RNA-binding proteins from the S. cerevisiae model organism. In this review, we discuss the role of some RBPs from T. cruzi and their homologues in regulating gene expression in yeast.

Gene expression regulatory networks in Trypanosoma brucei: insights into the role of the mRNA-binding proteome

Control of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level is essential in all organisms, and RNA-binding proteins play critical roles from mRNA synthesis to decay. To fully understand this process, it is necessary to identify the complete set of RNA-binding proteins and the functional consequences of the protein-mRNA interactions. Here, we provide an overview of the proteins that bind to mRNAs and their functions in the pathogenic bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei. We describe the production of a small collection of open-reading frames encoding proteins potentially involved in mRNA metabolism. With this ORFeome collection, we used tethering to screen for proteins that play a role in post-transcriptional control. A yeast two-hybrid screen showed that several of the discovered repressors interact with components of the CAF1/NOT1 deadenylation complex. To identify the RNA-binding proteins, we obtained the mRNA-bound proteome. We identified 155 high-confidence candidates, including many not previously annotated as RNA-binding proteins. Twenty seven of these proteins affected reporter expression in the tethering screen. Our study provides novel insights into the potential trypanosome mRNPs composition, architecture and function.

Protein-RNA networks revealed through covalent RNA marks

Protein-RNA networks are ubiquitous and central in biological control. We present an approach, termed “RNA Tagging,” that identifies protein-RNA interactions in vivo by analyzing purified cellular RNA, without protein purification or crosslinking. An RNA-binding protein of interest is fused to an enzyme that adds uridines to the end of RNA. RNA targets bound by the chimeric protein in vivo are covalently marked with uridines and subsequently identified from extracted RNA using high-throughput sequencing. We used this approach to identify hundreds of RNAs bound by a Saccharomyces cerevisiae PUF protein, Puf3p. The method revealed that while RNA-binding proteins productively bind specific RNAs to control their function, they also “sample” RNAs without exerting a regulatory effect. We exploited the method to uncover hundreds of new and likely regulated targets for a protein without canonical RNA-binding domains, Bfr1p. The RNA Tagging approach is well-suited to detect and analyze protein-RNA networks in vivo.

Proteomic Analysis of Dhh1 Complexes Reveals a Role for Hsp40 Chaperone Ydj1 in Yeast P-Body Assembly

P-bodies (PB) are ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes that aggregate into cytoplasmic foci when cells are exposed to stress. Although the conserved mRNA decay and translational repression machineries are known components of PB, how and why cells assemble RNP complexes into large foci remain unclear. Using mass spectrometry to analyze proteins immunoisolated with the core PB protein Dhh1, we show that a considerable number of proteins contain low-complexity sequences, similar to proteins highly represented in mammalian RNP granules. We also show that the Hsp40 chaperone Ydj1, which contains an low-complexity domain and controls prion protein aggregation, is required for the formation of Dhh1-GFP foci on glucose depletion. New classes of proteins that reproducibly coenrich with Dhh1-GFP during PB induction include proteins involved in nucleotide or amino acid metabolism, glycolysis, transfer RNA aminoacylation, and protein folding. Many of these proteins have been shown to form foci in response to other stresses. Finally, analysis of RNA associated with Dhh1-GFP shows enrichment of mRNA encoding the PB protein Pat1 and catalytic RNAs along with their associated mitochondrial RNA-binding proteins. Thus, global characterization of PB composition has uncovered proteins important for PB assembly and evidence suggesting an active role for RNA in PB function.

The ArfGAP2/3 Glo3 and ergosterol collaborate in transport of a subset of cargoes

Proteins reach the plasma membrane through the secretory pathway in which the trans Golgi network (TGN) acts as a sorting station. Transport from the TGN to the plasma membrane is maintained by a number of different pathways that act either directly or via the endosomal system. Here we show that a subset of cargoes depends on the ArfGAP2/3 Glo3 and ergosterol to maintain their proper localization at the plasma membrane. While interfering with neither ArfGAP2/3 activity nor ergosterol biosynthesis individually significantly altered plasma membrane localization of the tryptophan transporter Tat2, the general amino acid permease Gap1 and the v-SNARE Snc1, in a Δglo3 Δerg3 strain those proteins accumulated in internal endosomal structures. Export from the TGN to the plasma membrane and recycling from early endosomes appeared unaffected as the chitin synthase Chs3 that travels along these routes was localized normally. Our data indicate that a subset of proteins can reach the plasma membrane efficiently but after endocytosis becomes trapped in endosomal structures. Our study supports a role for ArfGAP2/3 in recycling from endosomes and in transport to the vacuole/lysosome.