Dual function of UPF3B in early and late translation termination

Functional Activity of Isoform 2 of Human eRF1

Eukaryotic release factor eRF1, encoded by the ETF1 gene, recognizes stop codons and induces peptide release during translation termination. ETF1 produces several different transcripts as a result of alternative splicing, from which two eRF1 isoforms can be formed. Isoform 1 codes well-studied canonical eRF1, and isoform 2 is 33 amino acid residues shorter than isoform 1 and completely unstudied. Using a reconstituted mammalian in vitro translation system, we showed that the isoform 2 of human eRF1 is also involved in translation. We showed that eRF1iso2 can interact with the ribosomal subunits and pre-termination complex. However, its codon recognition and peptide release activities have decreased. Additionally, eRF1 isoform 2 exhibits unipotency to UGA. We found that eRF1 isoform 2 interacts with eRF3a but stimulated its GTPase activity significantly worse than the main isoform eRF1. Additionally, we studied the eRF1 isoform 2 effect on stop codon readthrough and translation in a cell-free translation system. We observed that eRF1 isoform 2 suppressed stop codon readthrough of the uORFs and decreased the efficiency of translation of long coding sequences. Based on these data, we assumed that human eRF1 isoform 2 can be involved in the regulation of translation termination. Moreover, our data support previously stated hypotheses that the GTS loop is important for the multipotency of eRF1 to all stop codons. Whereas helix α1 of the N-domain eRF1 is proposed to be involved in conformational rearrangements of eRF1 in the A-site of the ribosome that occur after GTP hydrolysis by eRF3, which ensure hydrolysis of peptidyl-tRNA at the P site of the ribosome.

Development and therapeutic potential of GSPT1 molecular glue degraders: A medicinal chemistry perspective

Unprecedented therapeutic targeting of previously undruggable proteins has now been achieved by molecular-glue-mediated proximity-induced degradation. As a small GTPase, G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) interacts with eRF1, the translation termination factor, to facilitate the process of translation termination. Studied demonstrated that GSPT1 plays a vital role in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and MYC-driven lung cancer. Thus, molecular glue (MG) degraders targeting GSPT1 is a novel and promising approach for treating AML and MYC-driven cancers. In this Perspective, we briefly summarize the structural and functional aspects of GSPT1, highlighting the latest advances and challenges in MG degraders, as well as some representative patents. The structure-activity relationships, mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic features of MG degraders are emphasized to provide a comprehensive compendium on the rational design of GSPT1 MG degraders. We hope to provide an updated overview, and design guide for strategies targeting GSPT1 for the treatment of cancer.

Proinflammatory cytokines suppress nonsense-mediated RNA decay to impair regulated transcript isoform processing in pancreatic β cells

Introduction

Proinflammatory cytokines are implicated in pancreatic ß cell failure in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and are known to stimulate alternative RNA splicing and the expression of nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) components. Here, we investigate whether cytokines regulate NMD activity and identify transcript isoforms targeted in ß cells.

Methods

A luciferase-based NMD reporter transiently expressed in rat INS1(832/13), human-derived EndoC-ßH3, or dispersed human islet cells is used to examine the effect of proinflammatory cytokines (Cyt) on NMD activity. The gain- or loss-of-function of two key NMD components, UPF3B and UPF2, is used to reveal the effect of cytokines on cell viability and function. RNA-sequencing and siRNA-mediated silencing are deployed using standard techniques.

Results

Cyt attenuate NMD activity in insulin-producing cell lines and primary human ß cells. These effects are found to involve ER stress and are associated with the downregulation of UPF3B. Increases or decreases in NMD activity achieved by UPF3B overexpression (OE) or UPF2 silencing raise or lower Cyt-induced cell death, respectively, in EndoC-ßH3 cells and are associated with decreased or increased insulin content, respectively. No effects of these manipulations are observed on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that Cyt increases alternative splicing (AS)-induced exon skipping in the transcript isoforms, and this is potentiated by UPF2 silencing. Gene enrichment analysis identifies transcripts regulated by UPF2 silencing whose proteins are localized and/or functional in the extracellular matrix (ECM), including the serine protease inhibitor SERPINA1/α-1-antitrypsin, whose silencing sensitizes ß-cells to Cyt cytotoxicity. Cytokines suppress NMD activity via UPR signaling, potentially serving as a protective response against Cyt-induced NMD component expression.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the central importance of RNA turnover in ß cell responses to inflammatory stress.

Proinflammatory Cytokines Suppress Nonsense-Mediated RNA Decay to Impair Regulated Transcript Isoform Processing in Pancreatic β-Cells

Proinflammatory cytokines are implicated in pancreatic β-cell failure in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and are known to stimulate alternative RNA splicing and the expression of Nonsense-Mediated RNA Decay (NMD) components. Here, we investigate whether cytokines regulate NMD activity and identify transcript isoforms targeted in β-cells. A luciferase-based NMD reporter transiently expressed in rat INS1(832/13), human-derived EndoC-βH3 or dispersed human islet cells is used to examine the effect of proinflammatory cytokines (Cyt) on NMD activity. Gain- or loss-of function of two key NMD components UPF3B and UPF2 is used to reveal the effect of cytokines on cell viability and function. RNA-sequencing and siRNA-mediated silencing are deployed using standard techniques. Cyt attenuate NMD activity in insulin-producing cell lines and primary human β-cells. These effects are found to involve ER stress and are associated with downregulation of UPF3B. Increases or decreases in NMD activity achieved by UPF3B overexpression (OE) or UPF2 silencing, raises or lowers Cyt-induced cell death, respectively, in EndoC-βH3 cells, and are associated with decreased or increased insulin content, respectively. No effects of these manipulations are observed on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that Cyt increase alternative splicing (AS)-induced exon skipping in the transcript isoforms, and this is potentiated by UPF2 silencing. Gene enrichment analysis identifies transcripts regulated by UPF2 silencing whose proteins are localized and/or functional in extracellular matrix (ECM) including the serine protease inhibitor SERPINA1/α-1-antitrypsin, whose silencing sensitises β-cells to Cyt cytotoxicity. Cytokines suppress NMD activity via UPR signalling, potentially serving as a protective response against Cyt-induced NMD component expression. Our findings highlight the central importance of RNA turnover in β-cell responses to inflammatory stress.

Messenger RNA Surveillance: Current Understanding, Regulatory Mechanisms, and Future Implications

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an evolutionarily conserved surveillance mechanism in eukaryotes primarily deployed to ensure RNA quality control by eliminating aberrant transcripts and also involved in modulating the expression of several physiological transcripts. NMD, the mRNA surveillance pathway, is a major form of gene regulation in eukaryotes. NMD serves as one of the most significant quality control mechanisms as it primarily scans the newly synthesized transcripts and differentiates the aberrant and non-aberrant transcripts. The synthesis of truncated proteins is restricted, which would otherwise lead to cellular dysfunctions. The up-frameshift factors (UPFs) play a central role in executing the NMD event, largely by recognizing and recruiting multiple protein factors that result in the decay of non-physiological mRNAs. NMD exhibits astounding variability in its ability across eukaryotes in an array of pathological and physiological contexts. The detailed understanding of NMD and the underlying molecular mechanisms remains blurred. This review outlines our current understanding of NMD, in regulating multifaceted cellular events during development and disease. It also attempts to identify unanswered questions that deserve further investigation.

Neuronal potassium channel activity triggers initiation of mRNA translation through binding of translation regulators

Neuronal activity stimulates mRNA translation crucial for learning and development. While FMRP (Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein) and CYFIP1 (Cytoplasmic FMR1 Interacting Protein 1) regulate translation, the mechanism linking translation to neuronal activity is not understood. We now find that translation is stimulated when FMRP and CYFIP1 translocate to the potassium channel Slack (KCNT1, Slo2.2). When Slack is activated, both factors are released from eIF4E (Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4E), where they normally inhibit translation initiation. A constitutively active Slack mutation and pharmacological stimulation of the wild-type channel both increase binding of FMRP and CYFIP1 to the channel, enhancing the translation of a reporter for β-actin mRNA in cell lines and the synthesis of β-actin in neuronal dendrites. Slack activity-dependent translation is abolished when both FMRP and CYFIP1 expression are suppressed. The effects of Slack mutations on activity-dependent translation may explain the severe intellectual disability produced by these mutations in humans.

HIGHLIGHTS

Activation of Slack channels triggers translocation of the FMRP/CYFIP1 complexSlack channel activation regulates translation initiation of a β-actin reporter constructA Slack gain-of-function mutation increases translation of β-actin reporter construct and endogenous cortical β-actinFMRP and CYFIP1 are required for Slack activity-dependent translation.

IN BRIEF

Malone et al . show that the activation of Slack channels triggers translocation of the FMRP/CYFIP1 complex from the translation initiation factor eIF4E to the channel. This translocation releases eIF4E and stimulates mRNA translation of a reporter for β-actin and cortical β-actin mRNA, elucidating the mechanism that connects neuronal activity with translational regulation.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway in plants under stress: general gene regulatory mechanism and advances

MAIN CONCLUSION

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in eukaryotes is vital to cellular homeostasis. Further knowledge of its putative role in plant RNA metabolism under stress is pivotal to developing fitness-optimizing strategies. Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), part of the mRNA surveillance pathway, is an evolutionarily conserved form of gene regulation in all living organisms. Degradation of mRNA-bearing premature termination codons and regulation of physiological RNA levels highlight NMD's role in shaping the cellular transcriptome. Initially regarded as purely a tool for cellular RNA quality control, NMD is now considered to mediate various aspects of plant developmental processes and responses to environmental changes. Here we offer a basic understanding of NMD in eukaryotes by explaining the concept of premature termination codon recognition and NMD complex formation. We also provide a detailed overview of the NMD mechanism and its role in gene regulation. The potential role of effectors, including ABCE1, in ribosome recycling during the translation process is also explained. Recent reports of alternatively spliced variants of corresponding genes targeted by NMD in Arabidopsis thaliana are provided in tabular format. Detailed figures are also provided to clarify the NMD concept in plants. In particular, accumulating evidence shows that NMD can serve as a novel alternative strategy for genetic manipulation and can help design RNA-based therapies to combat stress in plants. A key point of emphasis is its function as a gene regulatory mechanism as well as its dynamic regulation by environmental and developmental factors. Overall, a detailed molecular understanding of the NMD mechanism can lead to further diverse applications, such as improving cellular homeostasis in living organisms.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, a simplified view of a complex mechanism

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is both a quality control mechanism and a gene regulation pathway. It has been studied for more than 30 years, with an accumulation of many mechanistic details that have often led to debate and hence to different models of NMD activation, particularly in higher eukaryotes. Two models seem to be opposed, since the first requires intervention of the exon junction complex (EJC) to recruit NMD factors downstream of the premature termination codon (PTC), whereas the second involves an EJC-independent mechanism in which NMD factors concentrate in the 3'UTR to initiate NMD in the presence of a PTC. In this review we describe both models, giving recent molecular details and providing experimental arguments supporting one or the other model. In the end it is certainly possible to imagine that these two mechanisms co-exist, rather than viewing them as mutually exclusive. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(12): 625-632].

Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay: Mechanistic Insights and Physiological Significance

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an evolutionarily conserved surveillance mechanism across eukaryotes and also regulates the expression of physiological transcripts, thus involved in gene regulation. It essentially ensures recognition and removal of aberrant transcripts. Therefore, the NMD protects the cellular system by restricting the synthesis of truncated proteins, potentially by eliminating the faulty mRNAs. NMD is an evolutionarily conserved surveillance mechanism across eukaryotes and also regulates the expression of physiological transcripts, thus involved in gene regulation as well. Primarily, the NMD machinery scans and differentiates the aberrant and non-aberrant transcripts. A myriad of cellular dysfunctions arise due to production of truncated proteins, so the NMD core proteins, the up-frameshift factors (UPFs) recognizes the faulty mRNAs and further recruits factors resulting in the mRNA degradation. NMD exhibits astounding variability in its ability in regulating cellular mechanisms including both pathological and physiological events. But, the detailed underlying molecular mechanisms in NMD remains blurred and require extensive investigation to gain insights on cellular homeostasis. The complexity in understanding of NMD pathway arises due to the involvement of numerous proteins, molecular interactions and their functioning in different steps of this process. Moreover methods such as alternative splicing generates numerous isoforms of mRNA, so it makes difficulties in understanding the impact of alternative splicing on the efficiency of NMD functioning. Role of NMD in cancer development is very complex. Studies have shown that in some cases cancer cells use NMD pathway as a tool to exploit the NMD mechanism to maintain tumor microenvironment. A greater level of understanding about the intricate mechanism of how tumor used NMD pathway for their benefits, a strategy can be developed for targeting and inhibiting NMD factors involved in pro-tumor activity. There are very little amount of information available about the NMD pathway, how it discriminate mRNAs that are targeted by NMD from those that are not. This review highlights our current understanding of NMD, specifically the regulatory mechanisms and attempts to outline less explored questions that warrant further investigations. Taken as a whole, a detailed molecular understanding of the NMD mechanism could lead to wide-ranging applications for improving cellular homeostasis and paving out strategies in combating pathological disorders leaping forward toward achieving United Nations sustainable development goals (SDG 3: Good health and well-being).

Readthrough Approach Using NV Translational Readthrough-Inducing Drugs (TRIDs): A Study of the Possible Off-Target Effects on Natural Termination Codons (NTCs) on TP53 and Housekeeping Gene Expression

Nonsense mutations cause several genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, β-thalassemia, and Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. These mutations induce the formation of a premature termination codon (PTC) inside the mRNA sequence, resulting in the synthesis of truncated polypeptides. Nonsense suppression therapy mediated by translational readthrough-inducing drugs (TRIDs) is a promising approach to correct these genetic defects. TRIDs generate a ribosome miscoding of the PTC named "translational readthrough" and restore the synthesis of full-length and potentially functional proteins. The new oxadiazole-core TRIDs NV848, NV914, and NV930 (NV) showed translational readthrough activity in nonsense-related in vitro systems. In this work, the possible off-target effect of NV molecules on natural termination codons (NTCs) was investigated. Two different in vitro approaches were used to assess if the NV molecule treatment induces NTC readthrough: (1) a study of the translational-induced p53 molecular weight and functionality; (2) the evaluation of two housekeeping proteins' (Cys-C and β2M) molecular weights. Our results showed that the treatment with NV848, NV914, or NV930 did not induce any translation alterations in both experimental systems. The data suggested that NV molecules have a specific action for the PTCs and an undetectable effect on the NTCs.

Translation-coupled mRNA quality control mechanisms

mRNA surveillance pathways are essential for accurate gene expression and to maintain translation homeostasis, ensuring the production of fully functional proteins. Future insights into mRNA quality control pathways will enable us to understand how cellular mRNA levels are controlled, how defective or unwanted mRNAs can be eliminated, and how dysregulation of these can contribute to human disease. Here we review translation-coupled mRNA quality control mechanisms, including the non-stop and no-go mRNA decay pathways, describing their mechanisms, shared trans-acting factors, and differences. We also describe advances in our understanding of the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway, highlighting recent mechanistic findings, the discovery of novel factors, as well as the role of NMD in cellular physiology and its impact on human disease.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in neuronal physiology and neurodegeneration

The processes of mRNA export from the nucleus and subsequent mRNA translation in the cytoplasm are of particular relevance in eukaryotic cells. In highly polarised cells such as neurons, finely-tuned molecular regulation of these processes serves to safeguard the spatiotemporal fidelity of gene expression. Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a cytoplasmic translation-dependent quality control process that regulates gene expression in a wide range of scenarios in the nervous system, including neurodevelopment, learning, and memory formation. Moreover, NMD dysregulation has been implicated in a broad range of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. We discuss how NMD and related aspects of mRNA translation regulate key neuronal functions and, in particular, we focus on evidence implicating these processes in the molecular pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. Finally, we discuss the therapeutic potential and challenges of targeting mRNA translation and NMD across the spectrum of largely untreatable neurological diseases.

UPF3A is dispensable for nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in mouse pluripotent and somatic cells

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a highly conserved regulatory mechanism of post-transcriptional gene expression in eukaryotic cells. NMD plays essential roles in mRNA quality and quantity control and thus safeguards multiple biological processes including embryonic stem cell differentiation and organogenesis. UPF3A and UPF3B in vertebrate species, originated from a single UPF3 gene in yeast, are key factors in the NMD machinery. Although UPF3B is a well-recognized weak NMD-promoting factor, whether UPF3A functions in promoting or suppressing NMD is under debate. In this study, we generated a Upf3a conditional knockout mouse strain and established multiple lines of embryonic stem cells and somatic cells without UPF3A. Through extensive analysis on the expressions of 33 NMD targets, we found UPF3A neither represses NMD in mouse embryonic stem cells, somatic cells, nor in major organs including the liver, spleen, and thymus. Our study reinforces that UPF3A is dispensable for NMD when UPF3B is present. Furthermore, UPF3A may weakly and selectively promote NMD in certain murine organs.

Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay Factor Functions in Human Health and Disease

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a cellular surveillance mechanism that degrades mRNAs with a premature stop codon, avoiding the synthesis of C-terminally truncated proteins. In addition to faulty mRNAs, NMD recognises ~10% of endogenous transcripts in human cells and downregulates their expression. The up-frameshift proteins are core NMD factors and are conserved from yeast to human in structure and function. In mammals, NMD diversified into different pathways that target different mRNAs employing additional NMD factors. Here, we review our current understanding of molecular mechanisms and cellular roles of NMD pathways and the involvement of more specialised NMD factors. We describe the consequences of mutations in NMD factors leading to neurodevelopmental diseases, and the role of NMD in cancer. We highlight strategies of RNA viruses to evade recognition and decay by the NMD machinery.

UPF1-From mRNA Degradation to Human Disorders

Up-frameshift protein 1 (UPF1) plays the role of a vital controller for transcripts, ready to react in the event of an incorrect translation mechanism. It is well known as one of the key elements involved in mRNA decay pathways and participates in transcript and protein quality control in several different aspects. Firstly, UPF1 specifically degrades premature termination codon (PTC)-containing products in a nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD)-coupled manner. Additionally, UPF1 can potentially act as an E3 ligase and degrade target proteins independently from mRNA decay pathways. Thus, UPF1 protects cells against the accumulation of misfolded polypeptides. However, this multitasking protein may still hide many of its functions and abilities. In this article, we summarize important discoveries in the context of UPF1, its involvement in various cellular pathways, as well as its structural importance and mutational changes related to the emergence of various pathologies and disease states. Even though the state of knowledge about this protein has significantly increased over the years, there are still many intriguing aspects that remain unresolved.

Plant transcripts with long or structured upstream open reading frames in the NDL2 5' UTR can escape nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in a reinitiation-independent manner

Many eukaryotic transcripts contain upstream open reading frames (uORFs). Translated uORFs can inhibit the translation of main ORFs by imposing the need for reinitiation of translation. Translated uORFs can also lead to transcript degradation by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway. In mammalian cells, translated uORFs were shown to target their transcripts to NMD if the uORFs were long (>23-32 amino acids), structured, or inhibit reinitiation. Reinitiation was shown to rescue uORF-containing mammalian transcripts from NMD. Much less is known about the significance of the length, structure, and reinitiation efficiency of translated uORFs for NMD targeting in plants. Although high-throughput studies suggested that uORFs do not globally reduce plant transcript abundance, it was not clear whether this was due to NMD-escape-permitting parameters of uORF recognition, length, structure, or reinitiation efficiency. We expressed in Arabidopsis reporter genes that included NDL2 5' untranslated region and various uORFs with modulation of the above parameters. We found that transcripts can escape NMD in plants even when they include efficiently translated uORFs up to 70 amino acids long, or structured uORFs, in the absence of reinitiation. These data highlight an apparent difference between the rules that govern the exposure of uORF-containing transcripts to NMD in mammalian and plant cells.

Features and factors that dictate if terminating ribosomes cause or counteract nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a quality control pathway in eukaryotes that continuously monitors mRNA transcripts to ensure truncated polypeptides are not produced. The expression of many normal mRNAs that encode full-length polypeptides is also regulated by this pathway. Such transcript surveillance by NMD is intimately linked to translation termination. When a ribosome terminates translation at a normal termination codon, NMD is not activated, and mRNA can undergo repeated rounds of translation. On the other hand, when translation termination is deemed abnormal, such as that on a premature termination codon, it leads to a series of poorly understood events involving the NMD pathway, which destabilizes the transcript. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of how the NMD machinery interfaces with the translation termination factors to initiate NMD. We also discuss a variety of cis-acting sequence contexts and trans-acting factors that can cause readthrough, ribosome reinitiation, or ribosome frameshifting at stop codons predicted to induce NMD. These alternative outcomes can lead to the ribosome translating downstream of such stop codons and hence the transcript escaping NMD. NMD escape via these mechanisms can have wide-ranging implications on human health, from being exploited by viruses to hijack host cell systems to being harnessed as potential therapeutic possibilities to treat genetic diseases.

The broader sense of nonsense

The term 'nonsense-mediated mRNA decay' (NMD) was initially coined to describe the translation-dependent degradation of mRNAs harboring premature termination codons (PTCs), but it is meanwhile known that NMD also targets many canonical mRNAs with numerous biological implications. The molecular mechanisms determining on which RNAs NMD ensues are only partially understood. Considering the broad range of NMD-sensitive RNAs and the variable degrees of their degradation, we highlight here the hallmarks of mammalian NMD and point out open questions. We review the links between NMD and disease by summarizing the role of NMD in cancer, neurodegeneration, and viral infections. Finally, we describe strategies to modulate NMD activity and specificity as potential therapeutic approaches for various diseases.

The role of altered translation in intellectual disability and epilepsy

A very high proportion of cases of intellectual disability are genetic in origin and are associated with the occurrence of epileptic seizures during childhood. These two disorders together effect more than 5% of the world's population. One feature linking the two diseases is that learning and memory require the synthesis of new synaptic components and ion channels, while maintenance of overall excitability also requires synthesis of similar proteins in response to altered neuronal stimulation. Many of these disorders result from mutations in proteins that regulate mRNA processing, translation initiation, translation elongation, mRNA stability or upstream translation modulators. One theme that emerges on reviewing this field is that mutations in proteins that regulate changes in translation following neuronal stimulation are more likely to result in epilepsy with intellectual disability than general translation regulators with no known role in activity-dependent changes. This is consistent with the notion that activity-dependent translation in neurons differs from that in other cells types in that the changes in local cellular composition, morphology and connectivity that occur generally in response to stimuli are directly coupled to local synaptic activity and persist for months or years after the original stimulus.

Structures of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay factors UPF3B and UPF3A in complex with UPF2 reveal molecular basis for competitive binding and for neurodevelopmental disorder-causing mutation

UPF3 is a key nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) factor required for mRNA surveillance and eukaryotic gene expression regulation. UPF3 exists as two paralogs (A and B) which are differentially expressed depending on cell type and developmental stage and believed to regulate NMD activity based on cellular requirements. UPF3B mutations cause intellectual disability. The underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive, as many of the mutations lie in the poorly characterized middle-domain of UPF3B. Here, we show that UPF3A and UPF3B share structural and functional homology to paraspeckle proteins comprising an RNA-recognition motif-like domain (RRM-L), a NONA/paraspeckle-like domain (NOPS-L), and extended α-helical domain. These domains are essential for RNA/ribosome-binding, RNA-induced oligomerization and UPF2 interaction. Structures of UPF2's third middle-domain of eukaryotic initiation factor 4G (MIF4GIII) in complex with either UPF3B or UPF3A reveal unexpectedly intimate binding interfaces. UPF3B's disease-causing mutation Y160D in the NOPS-L domain displaces Y160 from a hydrophobic cleft in UPF2 reducing the binding affinity ∼40-fold compared to wildtype. UPF3A, which is upregulated in patients with the UPF3B-Y160D mutation, binds UPF2 with ∼10-fold higher affinity than UPF3B reliant mainly on NOPS-L residues. Our characterization of RNA- and UPF2-binding by UPF3's middle-domain elucidates its essential role in NMD.

No-nonsense: insights into the functional interplay of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay factors

Nonsense-mediated messenger RNA decay (NMD) represents one of the main surveillance pathways used by eukaryotic cells to control the quality and abundance of mRNAs and to degrade viral RNA. NMD recognises mRNAs with a premature termination codon (PTC) and targets them to decay. Markers for a mRNA with a PTC, and thus NMD, are a long a 3'-untranslated region and the presence of an exon-junction complex (EJC) downstream of the stop codon. Here, we review our structural understanding of mammalian NMD factors and their functional interplay leading to a branched network of different interconnected but specialised mRNA decay pathways. We discuss recent insights into the potential impact of EJC composition on NMD pathway choice. We highlight the coexistence and function of different isoforms of up-frameshift protein 1 (UPF1) with an emphasis of their role at the endoplasmic reticulum and during stress, and the role of the paralogs UPF3B and UPF3A, underscoring that gene regulation by mammalian NMD is tightly controlled and context-dependent being conditional on developmental stage, tissue and cell types.

Human UPF3A and UPF3B enable fault-tolerant activation of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

The paralogous human proteins UPF3A and UPF3B are involved in recognizing mRNAs targeted by nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD). UPF3B has been demonstrated to support NMD, presumably by bridging an exon junction complex (EJC) to the NMD factor UPF2. The role of UPF3A has been described either as a weak NMD activator or an NMD inhibitor. Here, we present a comprehensive functional analysis of UPF3A and UPF3B in human cells using combinatory experimental approaches. Overexpression or knockout of UPF3A as well as knockout of UPF3B did not substantially change global NMD activity. In contrast, the co‐depletion of UPF3A and UPF3B resulted in a marked NMD inhibition and a transcriptome‐wide upregulation of NMD substrates, demonstrating a functional redundancy between both NMD factors. In rescue experiments, UPF2 or EJC binding‐deficient UPF3B largely retained NMD activity. However, combinations of different mutants, including deletion of the middle domain, showed additive or synergistic effects and therefore failed to maintain NMD. Collectively, UPF3A and UPF3B emerge as fault‐tolerant, functionally redundant NMD activators in human cells.

Mammalian UPF3A and UPF3B can activate nonsense-mediated mRNA decay independently of their exon junction complex binding

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is governed by the three conserved factors-UPF1, UPF2, and UPF3. While all three are required for NMD in yeast, UPF3B is dispensable for NMD in mammals, and its paralog UPF3A is suggested to only weakly activate or even repress NMD due to its weaker binding to the exon junction complex (EJC). Here, we characterize the UPF3A/B-dependence of NMD in human cell lines deleted of one or both UPF3 paralogs. We show that in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells, NMD can operate in a UPF3B-dependent and -independent manner. While UPF3A is almost dispensable for NMD in wild-type cells, it strongly activates NMD in cells lacking UPF3B. Notably, NMD remains partially active in cells lacking both UPF3 paralogs. Complementation studies in these cells show that EJC-binding domain of UPF3 paralogs is dispensable for NMD. Instead, the conserved "mid" domain of UPF3 paralogs is consequential for their NMD activity. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the mammalian UPF3 proteins play a more active role in NMD than simply bridging the EJC and the UPF complex.

Gene Variants Involved in Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay Suggest a Role in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition with unclear etiology. Many genes have been associated with ASD risk, but the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. An important post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism that plays an essential role during neurodevelopment, the Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay (NMD) pathway, may contribute to ASD risk. In this study, we gathered a list of 46 NMD factors and regulators and investigated the role of genetic variants in these genes in ASD. By conducting a comprehensive search for Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs) in NMD genes using Whole Exome Sequencing data from 1828 ASD patients, we identified 270 SNVs predicted to be damaging in 28.7% of the population. We also analyzed Copy Number Variants (CNVs) from two cohorts of ASD patients (N = 3570) and discovered 38 CNVs in 1% of cases. Importantly, we discovered 136 genetic variants (125 SNVs and 11 CNVs) in 258 ASD patients that were located within protein domains required for NMD. These gene variants are classified as damaging using in silico prediction tools, and therefore may interfere with proper NMD function in ASD. The discovery of NMD genes as candidates for ASD in large patient genomic datasets provides evidence supporting the involvement of the NMD pathway in ASD pathophysiology.

Unusual SMG suspects recruit degradation enzymes in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

Degradation of eukaryotic RNAs that contain premature termination codons (PTC) during nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is initiated by RNA decapping or endonucleolytic cleavage driven by conserved factors. Models for NMD mechanisms, including recognition of PTCs or the timing and role of protein phosphorylation for RNA degradation are challenged by new results. For example, the depletion of the SMG5/7 heterodimer, thought to activate RNA degradation by decapping, leads to a phenotype showing a defect of endonucleolytic activity of NMD complexes. This phenotype is not correlated to a decreased binding of the endonuclease SMG6 with the core NMD factor UPF1, suggesting that it is the result of an imbalance between active (e.g., in polysomes) and inactive (e.g., in RNA-protein condensates) states of NMD complexes. Such imbalance between multiple complexes is not restricted to NMD and should be taken into account when establishing causal links between gene function perturbation and observed phenotypes.

Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay, a Finely Regulated Mechanism

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is both a mechanism for rapidly eliminating mRNAs carrying a premature termination codon and a pathway that regulates many genes. This implies that NMD must be subject to regulation in order to allow, under certain physiological conditions, the expression of genes that are normally repressed by NMD. Therapeutically, it might be interesting to express certain NMD-repressed genes or to allow the synthesis of functional truncated proteins. Developing such approaches will require a good understanding of NMD regulation. This review describes the different levels of this regulation in human cells.

Genome-wide chromosomal association of Upf1 is linked to Pol II transcription in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Although the RNA helicase Upf1 has hitherto been examined mostly in relation to its cytoplasmic role in nonsense mediated mRNA decay (NMD), here we report high-throughput ChIP data indicating genome-wide association of Upf1 with active genes in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This association is RNase sensitive, correlates with Pol II transcription and mRNA expression levels. Changes in Pol II occupancy were detected in a Upf1 deficient (upf1Δ) strain, prevalently at genes showing a high Upf1 relative to Pol II association in wild-type. Additionally, an increased Ser2 Pol II signal was detected at all highly transcribed genes examined by ChIP-qPCR. Furthermore, upf1Δ cells are hypersensitive to the transcription elongation inhibitor 6-azauracil. A significant proportion of the genes associated with Upf1 in wild-type conditions are also mis-regulated in upf1Δ. These data envisage that by operating on the nascent transcript, Upf1 might influence Pol II phosphorylation and transcription.

Deciphering the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway to identify cancer cell vulnerabilities for effective cancer therapy

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a highly conserved cellular surveillance mechanism, commonly studied for its role in mRNA quality control because of its capacity of degrading mutated mRNAs that would produce truncated proteins. However, recent studies have proven that NMD hides more complex tasks involved in a plethora of cellular activities. Indeed, it can control the stability of mutated as well as non-mutated transcripts, tuning transcriptome regulation. NMD not only displays a pivotal role in cell physiology but also in a number of genetic diseases. In cancer, the activity of this pathway is extremely complex and it is endowed with both pro-tumor and tumor suppressor functions, likely depending on the genetic context and tumor microenvironment. NMD inhibition has been tested in pre-clinical studies showing favored production of neoantigens by cancer cells, which can stimulate the triggering of an anti-tumor immune response. At the same time, NMD inhibition could result in a pro-tumor effect, increasing cancer cell adaptation to stress. Since several NMD inhibitors are already available in the clinic to treat genetic diseases, these compounds could be redirected to treat cancer patients, pending the comprehension of these variegated NMD regulation mechanisms. Ideally, an effective strategy should exploit the anti-tumor advantages of NMD inhibition and simultaneously preserve its intrinsic tumor suppressor functions. The targeting of NMD could provide a new therapeutic opportunity, increasing the immunogenicity of tumors and potentially boosting the efficacy of the immunotherapy agents now available for cancer treatment.

Selective destabilization of polypeptides synthesized from NMD-targeted transcripts

The translation of mRNAs that contain a premature termination codon (PTC) generates truncated proteins that may have toxic dominant negative effects. Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) is an mRNA surveillance pathway that degrades PTC-containing mRNAs to limit the production of truncated proteins. NMD activation requires a ribosome terminating translation at a PTC, but what happens to the polypeptides synthesized during the translation cycle needed to activate NMD is incompletely understood. Here, by establishing reporter systems that encode the same polypeptide sequence before a normal termination codon or PTC, we show that termination of protein synthesis at a PTC is sufficient to selectively destabilize polypeptides in mammalian cells. Proteasome inhibition specifically rescues the levels of nascent polypeptides produced from PTC-containing mRNAs within an hour, but also disrupts mRNA homeostasis within a few hours. PTC-terminated polypeptide destabilization is also alleviated by depleting the central NMD factor UPF1 or SMG1, the kinase that phosphorylates UPF1 to activate NMD, but not by inhibiting SMG1 kinase activity. Our results suggest that polypeptide degradation is linked to PTC recognition in mammalian cells and clarify a framework to investigate these mechanisms.

eIF3j facilitates loading of release factors into the ribosome

eIF3j is one of the eukaryotic translation factors originally reported as the labile subunit of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF3. The yeast homolog of this protein, Hcr1, has been implicated in stringent AUG recognition as well as in controlling translation termination and stop codon readthrough. Using a reconstituted mammalian in vitro translation system, we showed that the human protein eIF3j is also important for translation termination. We showed that eIF3j stimulates peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis induced by a complex of eukaryotic release factors, eRF1-eRF3. Moreover, in combination with the initiation factor eIF3, which also stimulates peptide release, eIF3j activity in translation termination increases. We found that eIF3j interacts with the pre-termination ribosomal complex, and eRF3 destabilises this interaction. In the solution, these proteins bind to each other and to other participants of translation termination, eRF1 and PABP, in the presence of GTP. Using a toe-printing assay, we determined the stage at which eIF3j functions – binding of release factors to the A-site of the ribosome before GTP hydrolysis. Based on these data, we assumed that human eIF3j is involved in the regulation of translation termination by loading release factors into the ribosome.

Ribosome dynamics and mRNA turnover, a complex relationship under constant cellular scrutiny

Eukaryotic gene expression is closely regulated by translation and turnover of mRNAs. Recent advances highlight the importance of translation in the control of mRNA degradation, both for aberrant and apparently normal mRNAs. During translation, the information contained in mRNAs is decoded by ribosomes, one codon at a time, and tRNAs, by specifically recognizing codons, translate the nucleotide code into amino acids. Such a decoding step does not process regularly, with various obstacles that can hinder ribosome progression, then leading to ribosome stalling or collisions. The progression of ribosomes is constantly monitored by the cell which has evolved several translation-dependent mRNA surveillance pathways, including nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), no-go decay (NGD), and non-stop decay (NSD), to degrade certain problematic mRNAs and the incomplete protein products. Recent progress in sequencing and ribosome profiling has made it possible to discover new mechanisms controlling ribosome dynamics, with numerous crosstalks between translation and mRNA decay. We discuss here various translation features critical for mRNA decay, with particular focus on current insights from the complexity of the genetic code and also the emerging role for the ribosome as a regulatory hub orchestrating mRNA decay, quality control, and stress signaling. Even if the interplay between mRNA translation and degradation is no longer to be demonstrated, a better understanding of their precise coordination is worthy of further investigation. This article is categorized under: RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability Translation > Translation Regulation RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes.

A (dis)integrated stress response: Genetic diseases of eIF2α regulators

The integrated stress response (ISR) is a conserved mechanism by which eukaryotic cells remodel gene expression to adapt to intrinsic and extrinsic stressors rapidly and reversibly. The ISR is initiated when stress-activated protein kinases phosphorylate the major translation initiation factor eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2ɑ (eIF2ɑ), which globally suppresses translation initiation activity and permits the selective translation of stress-induced genes including important transcription factors such as activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4). Translationally repressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and noncoding RNAs assemble into cytoplasmic RNA-protein granules and polyadenylated RNAs are concomitantly stabilized. Thus, regulated changes in mRNA translation, stability, and localization to RNA-protein granules contribute to the reprogramming of gene expression that defines the ISR. We discuss fundamental mechanisms of RNA regulation during the ISR and provide an overview of a growing class of genetic disorders associated with mutant alleles of key translation factors in the ISR pathway. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease Translation > Translation Regulation RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development.

Blasticidin S inhibits mammalian translation and enhances production of protein encoded by nonsense mRNA

Deciphering translation is of paramount importance for the understanding of many diseases, and antibiotics played a pivotal role in this endeavour. Blasticidin S (BlaS) targets translation by binding to the peptidyl transferase center of the large ribosomal subunit. Using biochemical, structural and cellular approaches, we show here that BlaS inhibits both translation elongation and termination in Mammalia. Bound to mammalian terminating ribosomes, BlaS distorts the 3′CCA tail of the P-site tRNA to a larger extent than previously reported for bacterial ribosomes, thus delaying both, peptide bond formation and peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis. While BlaS does not inhibit stop codon recognition by the eukaryotic release factor 1 (eRF1), it interferes with eRF1’s accommodation into the peptidyl transferase center and subsequent peptide release. In human cells, BlaS inhibits nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and, at subinhibitory concentrations, modulates translation dynamics at premature termination codons leading to enhanced protein production.

Ribosome Recycling by ABCE1 Links Lysosomal Function and Iron Homeostasis to 3' UTR-Directed Regulation and Nonsense-Mediated Decay

Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) is a pathway that degrades mRNAs containing premature termination codons. Here we describe a genome-wide screen for NMD factors that uncovers an unexpected mechanism that broadly governs 3' untranslated region (UTR)-directed regulation. The screen reveals that NMD requires lysosomal acidification, which allows transferrin-mediated iron uptake, which, in turn, is necessary for iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biogenesis. This pathway maintains the activity of the Fe-S cluster-containing ribosome recycling factor ABCE1, whose impaired function results in movement of ribosomes into 3' UTRs, where they displace exon junction complexes, abrogating NMD. Importantly, these effects extend beyond NMD substrates, with ABCE1 activity required to maintain the accessibility of 3' UTRs to diverse regulators, including microRNAs and RNA binding proteins. Because of the sensitivity of the Fe-S cluster of ABCE1 to iron availability and reactive oxygen species, these findings reveal an unanticipated vulnerability of 3' UTR-directed regulation to lysosomal dysfunction, iron deficiency, and oxidative stress.

Nonsense-mediated RNA decay and its bipolar function in cancer

Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) was first described as a quality-control mechanism that targets and rapidly degrades aberrant mRNAs carrying premature termination codons (PTCs). However, it was found that NMD also degrades a significant number of normal transcripts, thus arising as a mechanism of gene expression regulation. Based on these important functions, NMD regulates several biological processes and is involved in the pathophysiology of a plethora of human genetic diseases, including cancer. The present review aims to discuss the paradoxical, pro- and anti-tumorigenic roles of NMD, and how cancer cells have exploited both functions to potentiate the disease. Considering recent genetic and bioinformatic studies, we also provide a comprehensive overview of the present knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of different NMD modulation-based approaches in cancer therapy, reflecting on the challenges imposed by the complexity of this disease. Furthermore, we discuss significant advances in the recent years providing new perspectives on the implications of aberrant NMD-escaping frameshifted transcripts in personalized immunotherapy design and predictive biomarker optimization. A better understanding of how NMD differentially impacts tumor cells according to their own genetic identity will certainly allow for the application of novel and more effective personalized treatments in the near future.

Regulation of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in neural development and disease

Eukaryotes have evolved a variety of mRNA surveillance mechanisms to detect and degrade aberrant mRNAs with potential deleterious outcomes. Among them, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) functions not only as a quality control mechanism targeting aberrant mRNAs containing a premature termination codon but also as a posttranscriptional gene regulation mechanism targeting numerous physiological mRNAs. Despite its well-characterized molecular basis, the regulatory scope and biological functions of NMD at an organismal level are incompletely understood. In humans, mutations in genes encoding core NMD factors cause specific developmental and neurological syndromes, suggesting a critical role of NMD in the central nervous system. Here, we review the accumulating biochemical and genetic evidence on the developmental regulation and physiological functions of NMD as well as an emerging role of NMD dysregulation in neurodegenerative diseases.

Consequences for Pancreatic β-Cell Identity and Function of Unregulated Transcript Processing

Mounting evidence suggests a role for alternative splicing (AS) of transcripts in the normal physiology and pathophysiology of the pancreatic β-cell. In the apparent absence of RNA repair systems, RNA decay pathways are likely to play an important role in controlling the stability, distribution and diversity of transcript isoforms in these cells. Around 35% of alternatively spliced transcripts in human cells contain premature termination codons (PTCs) and are targeted for degradation via nonsense-mediated decay (NMD), a vital quality control process. Inflammatory cytokines, whose levels are increased in both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes, stimulate alternative splicing events and the expression of NMD components, and may or may not be associated with the activation of the NMD pathway. It is, however, now possible to infer that NMD plays a crucial role in regulating transcript processing in normal and stress conditions in pancreatic β-cells. In this review, we describe the possible role of Regulated Unproductive Splicing and Translation (RUST), a molecular mechanism embracing NMD activity in relationship to AS and translation of damaged transcript isoforms in these cells. This process substantially reduces the abundance of non-functional transcript isoforms, and its dysregulation may be involved in pancreatic β-cell failure in diabetes.

Readthrough of stop codons under limiting ABCE1 concentration involves frameshifting and inhibits nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

To gain insight into the mechanistic link between translation termination and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), we depleted the ribosome recycling factor ABCE1 in human cells, resulting in an upregulation of NMD-sensitive mRNAs. Suppression of NMD on these mRNAs occurs prior to their SMG6-mediated endonucleolytic cleavage. ABCE1 depletion caused ribosome stalling at termination codons (TCs) and increased ribosome occupancy in 3′ UTRs, implying enhanced TC readthrough. ABCE1 knockdown indeed increased the rate of readthrough and continuation of translation in different reading frames, providing a possible explanation for the observed NMD inhibition, since enhanced readthrough displaces NMD activating proteins from the 3′ UTR. Our results indicate that stalling at TCs triggers ribosome collisions and activates ribosome quality control. Collectively, we show that improper translation termination can lead to readthrough of the TC, presumably due to ribosome collisions pushing the stalled ribosomes into the 3′ UTR, where it can resume translation in-frame as well as out-of-frame.

Functional roles of human Up-frameshift suppressor 3 (UPF3) proteins: From nonsense-mediated mRNA decay to neurodevelopmental disorders

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a post-transcriptional quality control mechanism that eradicates aberrant transcripts from cells. Aberrant transcripts are recognized by translating ribosomes, eRFs, and trans-acting NMD factors leading to their degradation. The trans-factors are conserved among eukaryotes and consist of UPF1, UPF2, and UPF3 proteins. Intriguingly, in humans, UPF3 exists as paralog proteins, UPF3A, and UPF3B. While UPF3 paralogs are traditionally known to be involved in the NMD pathway, there is a growing consensus that there are other critical cellular functions beyond quality control that are dictated by the UPF3 proteins. This review presents the current knowledge on the biochemical functions of UPF3 paralogs in diverse cellular processes, including NMD, translation, and genetic compensation response. We also discuss the contribution of the UPF3 paralogs in development and function of the central nervous system and germ cells. Furthermore, significant advances in the past decade have provided new perspectives on the implications of UPF3 paralogs in neurodevelopmental diseases. In this regard, genome- and transcriptome-wide sequencing analysis of patient samples revealed that loss of UPF3B is associated with brain disorders such as intellectual disability, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia. Therefore, we further aim to provide an insight into the brain diseases associated with loss-of-function mutations of UPF3B.

Deciphering the molecular mechanism of stop codon readthrough

Recognition of the stop codon by the translation machinery is essential to terminating translation at the right position and to synthesizing a protein of the correct size. Under certain conditions, the stop codon can be recognized as a coding codon promoting translation, which then terminates at a later stop codon. This event, called stop codon readthrough, occurs either by error, due to a dedicated regulatory environment leading to generation of different protein isoforms, or through the action of a readthrough compound. This review focuses on the mechanisms of stop codon readthrough, the nucleotide and protein environments that facilitate or inhibit it, and the therapeutic interest of stop codon readthrough in the treatment of genetic diseases caused by nonsense mutations.

The Branched Nature of the Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay Pathway

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a conserved translation-coupled quality control mechanism in all eukaryotes that regulates the expression of a significant fraction of both the aberrant and normal transcriptomes. In vertebrates, NMD has become an essential process owing to expansion of the diversity of NMD-regulated transcripts, particularly during various developmental processes. Surprisingly, however, some core NMD factors that are essential for NMD in simpler organisms appear to be dispensable for vertebrate NMD. At the same time, numerous NMD enhancers and suppressors have been identified in multicellular organisms including vertebrates. Collectively, the available data suggest that vertebrate NMD is a complex, branched pathway wherein individual branches regulate specific mRNA subsets to fulfill distinct physiological functions.

Human NMD ensues independently of stable ribosome stalling

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a translation-dependent RNA degradation pathway that is important for the elimination of faulty, and the regulation of normal, mRNAs. The molecular details of the early steps in NMD are not fully understood but previous work suggests that NMD activation occurs as a consequence of ribosome stalling at the termination codon (TC). To test this hypothesis, we established an in vitro translation-coupled toeprinting assay based on lysates from human cells that allows monitoring of ribosome occupancy at the TC of reporter mRNAs. In contrast to the prevailing NMD model, our in vitro system reveals similar ribosomal occupancy at the stop codons of NMD-sensitive and NMD-insensitive reporter mRNAs. Moreover, ribosome profiling reveals a similar density of ribosomes at the TC of endogenous NMD-sensitive and NMD-insensitive mRNAs in vivo. Together, these data show that NMD activation is not accompanied by stable stalling of ribosomes at TCs.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) was thought to ensue when ribosomes fail to terminate translation properly. However, the authors observe similar ribosome occupancy at stop codons of NMD sensitive and insensitive mRNAs, showing that human NMD is not activated by stable ribosome stalling as previously suggested.

(Phospho)proteomic Profiling of Microsatellite Unstable CRC Cells Reveals Alterations in Nuclear Signaling and Cholesterol Metabolism Caused by Frameshift Mutation of NMD Regulator UPF3A

DNA mismatch repair-deficient colorectal cancers (CRCs) accumulate numerous frameshift mutations at repetitive sequences recognized as microsatellite instability (MSI). When coding mononucleotide repeats (cMNRs) are affected, tumors accumulate frameshift mutations and premature termination codons (PTC) potentially leading to truncated proteins. Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) can degrade PTC-containing transcripts and protect from such faulty proteins. As it also regulates normal transcripts and cellular physiology, we tested whether NMD genes themselves are targets of MSI frameshift mutations. A high frequency of cMNR frameshift mutations in the UPF3A gene was found in MSI CRC cell lines (67.7%), MSI colorectal adenomas (55%) and carcinomas (63%). In normal colonic crypts, UPF3A expression was restricted to single chromogranin A-positive cells. SILAC-based proteomic analysis of KM12 CRC cells revealed UPF3A-dependent down-regulation of several enzymes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Furthermore, reconstituted UPF3A expression caused alterations of 85 phosphosites in 52 phosphoproteins. Most of them (38/52, 73%) reside in nuclear phosphoproteins involved in regulation of gene expression and RNA splicing. Since UPF3A mutations can modulate the (phospho)proteomic signature and expression of enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism in CRC cells, UPF3A may influence other processes than NMD and loss of UPF3A expression might provide a growth advantage to MSI CRC cells.

Inhibition of post-termination ribosome recycling at premature termination codons in UPF1 ATPase mutants

Recognition and rapid degradation of mRNA harboring premature translation termination codons (PTCs) serves to protect cells from accumulating non-functional and potentially toxic truncated polypeptides. Targeting of PTC-containing transcripts is mediated by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway and requires a conserved set of proteins including UPF1, an RNA helicase whose ATPase activity is essential for NMD. Previously, we identified a functional interaction between the NMD machinery and terminating ribosomes based on 3’ RNA decay fragments that accrue in UPF1 ATPase mutants. Herein, we show that those decay intermediates originate downstream of the PTC and harbor 80S ribosomes that migrate into the mRNA 3’ UTR independent of canonical translation. Accumulation of 3’ RNA decay fragments is determined by both RNA sequence downstream of the PTC and the inactivating mutation within the active site of UPF1. Our data reveal a failure in post-termination ribosome recycling in UPF1 ATPase mutants.

New insights into no-go, non-stop and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay complexes

Eukaryotes possess a variety of translational control mechanisms which function in the surveillance of mRNAs, discriminating between normal and aberrant translation elongation and termination, triggering mRNA decay. The three major evolutionarily conserved eukaryotic pathways are No-Go, Non-Stop and Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay. Recent findings suggest that stalling of the ribosome, due to mRNA secondary structure or translation into poly(A)-stretches, leads to ribosome collisions which are detected by No-Go/Non-Stop mRNA decay factors. Subsequent ribosome ubiquitination at the interface of two collided ribosomes is considered the signal for mRNA decay. Similarly, translation termination at a premature stop codon is slower than normal, leading to recruitment and activation of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay factors, including SMG1-8-9. Here, we detail new insights into the molecular mechanisms of these pathways.

UPF1-Mediated RNA Decay-Danse Macabre in a Cloud

Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) is the prototype example of a whole family of RNA decay pathways that unfold around a common central effector protein called UPF1. While NMD in yeast appears to be a linear pathway, NMD in higher eukaryotes is a multifaceted phenomenon with high variability with respect to substrate RNAs, degradation efficiency, effector proteins and decay-triggering RNA features. Despite increasing knowledge of the mechanistic details, it seems ever more difficult to define NMD and to clearly distinguish it from a growing list of other UPF1-mediated RNA decay pathways (UMDs). With a focus on mammalian, we here critically examine the prevailing NMD models and the gaps and inconsistencies in these models. By exploring the minimal requirements for NMD and other UMDs, we try to elucidate whether they are separate and definable pathways, or rather variations of the same phenomenon. Finally, we suggest that the operating principle of the UPF1-mediated decay family could be considered similar to that of a computing cloud providing a flexible infrastructure with rapid elasticity and dynamic access according to specific user needs.

A Day in the Life of the Exon Junction Complex

The exon junction complex (EJC) is an abundant messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) component that is assembled during splicing and binds to mRNAs upstream of exon-exon junctions. EJCs accompany the mRNA during its entire life in the nucleus and the cytoplasm and communicate the information about the splicing process and the position of introns. Specifically, the EJC’s core components and its associated proteins regulate different steps of gene expression, including pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA export, translation, and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). This review summarizes the most important functions and main protagonists in the life of the EJC. It also provides an overview of the latest findings on the assembly, composition and molecular activities of the EJC and presents them in the chronological order, in which they play a role in the EJC’s life cycle.

The Complex Relationship between HTLV-1 and Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay (NMD)

Before the establishment of an adaptive immune response, retroviruses can be targeted by several cellular host factors at different stages of the viral replication cycle. This intrinsic immunity relies on a large diversity of antiviral processes. In the case of HTLV-1 infection, these active innate host defense mechanisms are debated. Among these mechanisms, we focused on an RNA decay pathway called nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which can target multiple viral RNAs, including HTLV-1 unspliced RNA, as has been recently demonstrated. NMD is a co-translational process that depends on the RNA helicase UPF1 and regulates the expression of multiple types of host mRNAs. RNA sensitivity to NMD depends on mRNA organization and the ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) composition. HTLV-1 has evolved several means to evade the NMD threat, leading to NMD inhibition. In the early steps of infection, NMD inhibition favours the production of HTLV-1 infectious particles, which may contribute to the survival of the fittest clones despite genome instability; however, its direct long-term impact remains to be investigated.

Quality and quantity control of gene expression by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is one of the best characterized and most evolutionarily conserved cellular quality control mechanisms. Although NMD was first found to target one-third of mutated, disease-causing mRNAs, it is now known to also target ~10% of unmutated mammalian mRNAs to facilitate appropriate cellular responses - adaptation, differentiation or death - to environmental changes. Mutations in NMD genes in humans are associated with intellectual disability and cancer. In this Review, we discuss how NMD serves multiple purposes in human cells by degrading both mutated mRNAs to protect the integrity of the transcriptome and normal mRNAs to control the quantities of unmutated transcripts.