1
|
Norppa AJ, Chowdhury I, van Rooijen LE, Ravantti JJ, Snel B, Varjosalo M, Frilander MJ. Distinct functions for the paralogous RBM41 and U11/U12-65K proteins in the minor spliceosome. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4037-4052. [PMID: 38499487 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we identify RBM41 as a novel unique protein component of the minor spliceosome. RBM41 has no previously recognized cellular function but has been identified as a paralog of U11/U12-65K, a known unique component of the U11/U12 di-snRNP. Both proteins use their highly similar C-terminal RRMs to bind to 3'-terminal stem-loops in U12 and U6atac snRNAs with comparable affinity. Our BioID data indicate that the unique N-terminal domain of RBM41 is necessary for its association with complexes containing DHX8, an RNA helicase, which in the major spliceosome drives the release of mature mRNA from the spliceosome. Consistently, we show that RBM41 associates with excised U12-type intron lariats, is present in the U12 mono-snRNP, and is enriched in Cajal bodies, together suggesting that RBM41 functions in the post-splicing steps of the minor spliceosome assembly/disassembly cycle. This contrasts with U11/U12-65K, which uses its N-terminal region to interact with U11 snRNP during intron recognition. Finally, while RBM41 knockout cells are viable, they show alterations in U12-type 3' splice site usage. Together, our results highlight the role of the 3'-terminal stem-loop of U12 snRNA as a dynamic binding platform for the U11/U12-65K and RBM41 proteins, which function at distinct stages of the assembly/disassembly cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antto J Norppa
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Iftekhar Chowdhury
- Molecular Systems Biology Research Group and Proteomics Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura E van Rooijen
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Janne J Ravantti
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Berend Snel
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Molecular Systems Biology Research Group and Proteomics Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko J Frilander
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Akinyi MV, Frilander MJ. At the Intersection of Major and Minor Spliceosomes: Crosstalk Mechanisms and Their Impact on Gene Expression. Front Genet 2021; 12:700744. [PMID: 34354740 PMCID: PMC8329584 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.700744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Many eukaryotic species contain two separate molecular machineries for removing non-coding intron sequences from pre-mRNA molecules. The majority of introns (more than 99.5% in humans) are recognized and excised by the major spliceosome, which utilizes relatively poorly conserved sequence elements at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the intron that are used for intron recognition and in subsequent catalysis. In contrast, the minor spliceosome targets a rare group of introns (approximately 0.5% in humans) with highly conserved sequences at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the intron. Minor introns coexist in the same genes with major introns and while the two intron types are spliced by separate spliceosomes, the two splicing machineries can interact with one another to shape mRNA processing events in genes containing minor introns. Here, we review known cooperative and competitive interactions between the two spliceosomes and discuss the mechanistic basis of the spliceosome crosstalk, its regulatory significance, and impact on spliceosome diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen V Akinyi
- Institute of Biotechnology/Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko J Frilander
- Institute of Biotechnology/Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Norppa AJ, Frilander MJ. The integrity of the U12 snRNA 3' stem-loop is necessary for its overall stability. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:2835-2847. [PMID: 33577674 PMCID: PMC7968993 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Disruption of minor spliceosome functions underlies several genetic diseases with mutations in the minor spliceosome-specific small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) and proteins. Here, we define the molecular outcome of the U12 snRNA mutation (84C>U) resulting in an early-onset form of cerebellar ataxia. To understand the molecular consequences of the U12 snRNA mutation, we created cell lines harboring the 84C>T mutation in the U12 snRNA gene (RNU12). We show that the 84C>U mutation leads to accelerated decay of the snRNA, resulting in significantly reduced steady-state U12 snRNA levels. Additionally, the mutation leads to accumulation of 3′-truncated forms of U12 snRNA, which have undergone the cytoplasmic steps of snRNP biogenesis. Our data suggests that the 84C>U-mutant snRNA is targeted for decay following reimport into the nucleus, and that the U12 snRNA fragments are decay intermediates that result from the stalling of a 3′-to-5′ exonuclease. Finally, we show that several other single-nucleotide variants in the 3′ stem-loop of U12 snRNA that are segregating in the human population are also highly destabilizing. This suggests that the 3′ stem-loop is important for the overall stability of the U12 snRNA and that additional disease-causing mutations are likely to exist in this region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antto J Norppa
- Institute of Biotechnology, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 5, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko J Frilander
- Institute of Biotechnology, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 5, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Doggett K, Williams BB, Markmiller S, Geng FS, Coates J, Mieruszynski S, Ernst M, Thomas T, Heath JK. Early developmental arrest and impaired gastrointestinal homeostasis in U12-dependent splicing-defective Rnpc3-deficient mice. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 24:1856-1870. [PMID: 30254136 PMCID: PMC6239176 DOI: 10.1261/rna.068221.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Splicing is an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression. While the majority of introns is excised by the U2-dependent, or major class, spliceosome, the appropriate expression of a very small subset of genes depends on U12-dependent, or minor class, splicing. The U11/U12 65K protein (hereafter 65K), encoded by RNPC3, is one of seven proteins that are unique to the U12-dependent spliceosome, and previous studies including our own have established that it plays a role in plant and vertebrate development. To pinpoint the impact of 65K loss during mammalian development and in adulthood, we generated germline and conditional Rnpc3-deficient mice. Homozygous Rnpc3-/- embryos died prior to blastocyst implantation, whereas Rnpc3+/- mice were born at the expected frequency, achieved sexual maturity, and exhibited a completely normal lifespan. Systemic recombination of conditional Rnpc3 alleles in adult (Rnpc3lox/lox ) mice caused rapid weight loss, leukopenia, and degeneration of the epithelial lining of the entire gastrointestinal tract, the latter due to increased cell death and a reduction in cell proliferation. Accompanying this, we observed a loss of both 65K and the pro-proliferative phospho-ERK1/2 proteins from the stem/progenitor cells at the base of intestinal crypts. RT-PCR analysis of RNA extracted from purified preparations of intestinal epithelial cells with recombined Rnpc3lox alleles revealed increased frequency of U12-type intron retention in all transcripts tested. Our study, using a novel conditional mouse model of Rnpc3 deficiency, establishes that U12-dependent splicing is not only important during development but is indispensable throughout life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Doggett
- Development and Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Ben B Williams
- Development and Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Sebastian Markmiller
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Fan-Suo Geng
- Development and Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Janine Coates
- Development and Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Stephen Mieruszynski
- Development and Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, Victoria 3050, Australia
| | - Tim Thomas
- Development and Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Joan K Heath
- Development and Cancer Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3050, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Norppa AJ, Kauppala TM, Heikkinen HA, Verma B, Iwaï H, Frilander MJ. Mutations in the U11/U12-65K protein associated with isolated growth hormone deficiency lead to structural destabilization and impaired binding of U12 snRNA. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 24:396-409. [PMID: 29255062 PMCID: PMC5824358 DOI: 10.1261/rna.062844.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the components of the minor spliceosome underlie several human diseases. A subset of patients with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) harbors mutations in the RNPC3 gene, which encodes the minor spliceosome-specific U11/U12-65K protein. Although a previous study showed that IGHD patient cells have defects in U12-type intron recognition, the biochemical effects of these mutations on the 65K protein have not been characterized. Here, we show that a proline-to-threonine missense mutation (P474T) and a nonsense mutation (R502X) in the C-terminal RNA recognition motif (C-RRM) of the 65K protein impair the binding of 65K to U12 and U6atac snRNAs. We further show that the nonsense allele is targeted to the nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) pathway, but in an isoform-specific manner, with the nuclear-retained 65K long-3'UTR isoform escaping the NMD pathway. In contrast, the missense P474T mutation leads, in addition to the RNA-binding defect, to a partial defect in the folding of the C-RRM and reduced stability of the full-length protein, thus reducing the formation of U11/U12 di-snRNP complexes. We propose that both the C-RRM folding defect and NMD-mediated decrease in the levels of the U11/U12-65K protein reduce formation of the U12-type intron recognition complex and missplicing of a subset of minor introns leading to pituitary hypoplasia and a subsequent defect in growth hormone secretion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antto J Norppa
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuuli M Kauppala
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri A Heikkinen
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bhupendra Verma
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hideo Iwaï
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko J Frilander
- Institute of Biotechnology, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jutzi D, Akinyi MV, Mechtersheimer J, Frilander MJ, Ruepp MD. The emerging role of minor intron splicing in neurological disorders. Cell Stress 2018; 2:40-54. [PMID: 31225466 PMCID: PMC6558932 DOI: 10.15698/cst2018.03.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression. Mutations in cis-acting sequence elements within pre-mRNA molecules or trans-acting factors involved in pre-mRNA processing have both been linked to splicing dysfunction that give rise to a large number of human diseases. These mutations typically affect the major splicing pathway, which excises more than 99% of all introns in humans. However, approximately 700-800 human introns feature divergent intron consensus sequences at their 5' and 3' ends and are recognized by a separate pre-mRNA processing machinery denoted as the minor spliceosome. This spliceosome has been studied less than its major counterpart, but has received increasing attention during the last few years as a novel pathomechanistic player on the stage in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review the current knowledge on minor spliceosome function and discuss its potential pathomechanistic role and impact in neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jutzi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maureen V Akinyi
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Jonas Mechtersheimer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.,Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mikko J Frilander
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Marc-David Ruepp
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.,United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute Centre, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, SE5 9NU London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Minor spliceosome and disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 79:103-112. [PMID: 28965864 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The U12-dependent (minor) spliceosome excises a rare group of introns that are characterized by a highly conserved 5' splice site and branch point sequence. Several new congenital or somatic diseases have recently been associated with mutations in components of the minor spliceosome. A common theme in these diseases is the detection of elevated levels of transcripts containing U12-type introns, of which a subset is associated with other splicing defects. Here we review the present understanding of minor spliceosome diseases, particularly those associated with the specific components of the minor spliceosome. We also present a model for interpreting the molecular-level consequences of the different diseases.
Collapse
|
8
|
Wegener M, Müller-McNicoll M. Nuclear retention of mRNAs - quality control, gene regulation and human disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 79:131-142. [PMID: 29102717 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear retention of incompletely spliced or mature mRNAs emerges as a novel, previously underappreciated layer of gene regulation, which enables the cell to rapidly respond to stress, viral infection, differentiation cues or changing environmental conditions. Focusing on mammalian cells, we discuss recent insights into the mechanisms and functions of nuclear retention, describe retention-promoting features in protein-coding transcripts and propose mechanisms for their regulated release into the cytoplasm. Moreover, we discuss examples of how aberrant nuclear retention of mRNAs may lead to human diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marius Wegener
- RNA Regulation Group, Cluster of Excellence 'Macromolecular Complexes', Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Michaela Müller-McNicoll
- RNA Regulation Group, Cluster of Excellence 'Macromolecular Complexes', Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|