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Nelson CH, Pandey UB. Function and dysfunction of GEMIN5: understanding a novel neurodevelopmental disorder. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:2377-2386. [PMID: 38526274 PMCID: PMC11090446 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent identification of a neurodevelopmental disorder with cerebellar atrophy and motor dysfunction (NEDCAM) has resulted in an increased interest in GEMIN5, a multifunction RNA-binding protein. As the largest member of the survival motor neuron complex, GEMIN5 plays a key role in the biogenesis of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins while also exhibiting translational regulatory functions as an independent protein. Although many questions remain regarding both the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of this new disorder, considerable progress has been made in the brief time since its discovery. In this review, we examine GEMIN5 within the context of NEDCAM, focusing on the structure, function, and expression of the protein specifically in regard to the disorder itself. Additionally, we explore the current animal models of NEDCAM, as well as potential molecular pathways for treatment and future directions of study. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in our understanding of this unique member of the survival motor neuron complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H. Nelson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Udai B. Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Children’s Neuroscience Institute, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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2
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Matera AG, Steiner RE, Mills CA, Herring LE, Garcia EL. Chaperoning the chaperones: Proteomic analysis of the SMN complex reveals conserved and etiologic connections to the proteostasis network. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.15.594402. [PMID: 38903116 PMCID: PMC11188114 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Molecular chaperones and co-chaperones are highly conserved cellular components that perform variety of duties related to the proper three-dimensional folding of the proteome. The web of factors that carries out this essential task is called the proteostasis network (PN). Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) represent an underexplored area in terms of the connections they make with the PN. The Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) complex is an RNP assembly chaperone and serves as a paradigm for studying how specific small nuclear (sn)RNAs are identified and paired with their client substrate proteins. SMN protein is the eponymous component of a large complex required for the biogenesis of uridine-rich small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (U-snRNPs) and localizes to distinct membraneless organelles in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of animal cells. SMN forms the oligomeric core of this complex, and missense mutations in its YG box self-interaction domain are known to cause Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The basic framework for understanding how snRNAs are assembled into U-snRNPs is known, the pathways and mechanisms used by cells to regulate their biogenesis are poorly understood. Given the importance of these processes to normal development as well as neurodegenerative disease, we set out to identify and characterize novel SMN binding partners. Here, we carried out affinity purification mass spectrometry (AP-MS) of SMN using stable fly lines exclusively expressing either wildtype or SMA-causing missense alleles. Bioinformatic analyses of the pulldown data, along with comparisons to proximity labeling studies carried out in human cells, revealed conserved connections to at least two other major chaperone systems including heat shock folding chaperones (HSPs) and histone/nucleosome assembly chaperones. Notably, we found that heat shock cognate protein Hsc70-4 and other HspA family members preferentially interacted with SMA-causing alleles of SMN. Hsc70-4 is particularly interesting because its mRNA is aberrantly sequestered by a mutant form of TDP-43 in mouse and Drosophila ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) disease models. Most important, a missense allele of Hsc70-4 (HspA8 in mammals) was recently identified as a bypass suppressor of the SMA phenotype in mice. Collectively, these findings suggest that chaperone-related dysfunction lies at the etiological root of both ALS and SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Gregory Matera
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC, USA
- Departments of Biology and Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- RNA Discovery and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Centers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Rebecca E. Steiner
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC, USA
| | - C. Alison Mills
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Laura E. Herring
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Eric L. Garcia
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, USA
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3
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Garcia EL, Steiner RE, Raimer AC, Herring LE, Matera AG, Spring AM. Dysregulation of innate immune signaling in animal models of spinal muscular atrophy. BMC Biol 2024; 22:94. [PMID: 38664795 PMCID: PMC11044505 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-024-01888-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neuromuscular disease caused by hypomorphic loss of function in the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. SMA presents across a broad spectrum of disease severity. Unfortunately, genetic models of intermediate SMA have been difficult to generate in vertebrates and are thus unable to address key aspects of disease etiology. To address these issues, we developed a Drosophila model system that recapitulates the full range of SMA severity, allowing studies of pre-onset biology as well as late-stage disease processes. RESULTS Here, we carried out transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of mild and intermediate Drosophila models of SMA to elucidate molecules and pathways that contribute to the disease. Using this approach, we elaborated a role for the SMN complex in the regulation of innate immune signaling. We find that mutation or tissue-specific depletion of SMN induces hyperactivation of the immune deficiency (IMD) and Toll pathways, leading to overexpression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and ectopic formation of melanotic masses in the absence of an external challenge. Furthermore, the knockdown of downstream targets of these signaling pathways reduced melanotic mass formation caused by SMN loss. Importantly, we identify SMN as a negative regulator of a ubiquitylation complex that includes Traf6, Bendless, and Diap2 and plays a pivotal role in several signaling networks. CONCLUSIONS In alignment with recent research on other neurodegenerative diseases, these findings suggest that hyperactivation of innate immunity contributes to SMA pathology. This work not only provides compelling evidence that hyperactive innate immune signaling is a primary effect of SMN depletion, but it also suggests that the SMN complex plays a regulatory role in this process in vivo. In summary, immune dysfunction in SMA is a consequence of reduced SMN levels and is driven by cellular and molecular mechanisms that are conserved between insects and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Garcia
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Rebecca E Steiner
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- RNA Discovery and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Centers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA
- Present Address: Lake, Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL, USA
| | - Amanda C Raimer
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA
- Present Address, Radford University, Radford, VA, USA
| | - Laura E Herring
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - A Gregory Matera
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA.
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA.
- RNA Discovery and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Centers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA.
| | - Ashlyn M Spring
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, 27402, USA.
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4
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Garcia EL, Steiner RE, Raimer AC, Herring LE, Matera AG, Spring AM. Dysregulation of innate immune signaling in animal models of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.14.571739. [PMID: 38168196 PMCID: PMC10760185 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.14.571739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neuromuscular disease caused by hypomorphic loss of function in the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. SMA presents across broad spectrum of disease severity. Unfortunately, vertebrate models of intermediate SMA have been difficult to generate and are thus unable to address key aspects of disease etiology. To address these issues, we developed a Drosophila model system that recapitulates the full range of SMA severity, allowing studies of pre-onset biology as well as late-stage disease processes. Results Here, we carried out transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of mild and intermediate Drosophila models of SMA to elucidate molecules and pathways that contribute to the disease. Using this approach, we elaborated a role for the SMN complex in the regulation of innate immune signaling. We find that mutation or tissue-specific depletion of SMN induces hyperactivation of the Immune Deficiency (IMD) and Toll pathways, leading to overexpression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and ectopic formation of melanotic masses in the absence of an external challenge. Furthermore, knockdown of downstream targets of these signaling pathways reduced melanotic mass formation caused by SMN loss. Importantly, we identify SMN as a negative regulator of an ubiquitylation complex that includes Traf6, Bendless and Diap2, and plays a pivotal role in several signaling networks. Conclusions In alignment with recent research on other neurodegenerative diseases, these findings suggest that hyperactivation of innate immunity contributes to SMA pathology. This work not only provides compelling evidence that hyperactive innate immune signaling is a primary effect of SMN depletion, but it also suggests that the SMN complex plays a regulatory role in this process in vivo. In summary, immune dysfunction in SMA is a consequence of reduced SMN levels and is driven by cellular and molecular mechanisms that are conserved between insects and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L. Garcia
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, USA
| | - Rebecca E. Steiner
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Amanda C. Raimer
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Laura E. Herring
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - A. Gregory Matera
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Ashlyn M. Spring
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro NC, USA
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5
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Zhang X, Guo Y, Xu L, Wang Y, Sheng G, Gao F, Yuan Z. Novel compound heterozygous mutation and phenotype in the tetratricopeptide repeat-like domain of the GEMIN5 gene in two Chinese families. J Hum Genet 2023; 68:789-792. [PMID: 37479787 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-023-01184-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND GEMIN5 is an RNA-binding protein that regulates multiple molecular functions, including splicing, localisation, translation, and mRNA stability. GEMIN5 mutations present a syndrome centred on cerebellar dysplasia, including motor dysfunction, developmental delay, cerebellar atrophy, and hypotonia. CASES We report three patients from two families with novel compound heterozygous mutations in the tetratricopeptide repeat-like domain of the GEMIN5 gene who presented with motor dysfunction, developmental delay, and ataxia syndrome. Novel variants were identified: c.2551_c.2552delCT (Leu851Glufs*30) and c.2911 C > G (Gln971Glu) in Family 1, and c.3287 T > C (Leu1096Pro) and c.2882 G > C (Trp961 Ser) in Family 2, which were inherited from their parents. Moreover, infantile spasms syndrome(ISs) was diagnosed in the family. CONCLUSION We report the first case of ISs caused by GEMIN5 gene mutations. Our cases expand on GEMIN5 variants and neurological phenotypes, reinforcing the crucial impact of tetratricopeptide repeat-like domain variants in the GEMIN5 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yanzhao Guo
- Department of Rehabilitation, Xi'an TCM Hospital of Encephalopathy, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Lu Xu
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yilong Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Guoxia Sheng
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Zhefeng Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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6
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Hu Y, Hou Y, Zhou S, Wang Y, Shen C, Mu L, Su D, Zhang R. Mechanism of assembly of snRNP cores assisted by ICln and the SMN complex in fission yeast. iScience 2023; 26:107604. [PMID: 37664592 PMCID: PMC10470402 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The spliceosomal snRNP cores, each comprised of a snRNA and a seven-membered Sm ring (D1/D2/F/E/G/D3/B), are assembled by twelve chaperoning proteins in human. However, only six assembly-assisting proteins, ICln and the SMN complex (SMN/Gemin2/Gemin6-8), have been found in Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Sp). Here, we used recombinant proteins to reconstitute the chaperone machinery and investigated the roles of these proteins systematically. We found that, like the human system, the assembly in S. pombe requires ICln and the SMN complex sequentially. However, there are several significant differences. For instance, h_F/E/G forms heterohexamers and heterotrimers, while Sp_F/E/G only forms heterohexamers; h_Gemin2 alone can bind D1/D2/F/E/G, but Sp_Gemin2 cannot. Moreover, we found that Sp_Gemin2 is essential using genetic approaches. These mechanistic studies reveal that these six proteins are necessary and sufficient for Sm core assembly at the molecular level, and enrich our understanding of the chaperone systems in species variation and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yan Hou
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Shijie Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Yingzhi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Congcong Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Li Mu
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Dan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
| | - Rundong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu 610041, P.R. China
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7
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Francisco-Velilla R, Embarc-Buh A, Abellan S, del Caño-Ochoa F, Ramón-Maiques S, Martinez-Salas E. Phosphorylation of T897 in the dimerization domain of Gemin5 modulates protein interactions and translation regulation. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6182-6191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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8
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Altassan R, Qudair A, Alokaili R, Alhasan K, Faqeih EA, Alhashem A, Alowain M, Alsayed M, Rahbeeni Z, Albadi L, Alkuraya FS, Anderson EN, Rajan D, Pandey UB. Further delineation of GEMIN4 related neurodevelopmental disorder with microcephaly, cataract, and renal abnormalities syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2022; 188:2932-2940. [PMID: 35861185 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in GEMIN4 have recently been linked to an inherited autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder characterized with microcephaly, cataracts, and renal abnormalities (NEDMCR syndrome). This report provides a retrospective review of 16 patients from 11 unrelated Saudi consanguineous families with GEMIN4 mutations. The cohort comprises 11 new and unpublished clinical details from five previously described patients. Only two missense, homozygous, pathogenic variants were found in all affected patients, suggesting a founder effect. All patients shared global developmental delay with variable ophthalmological, renal, and skeletal manifestations. In addition, we knocked down endogenous Drosophila GEMIN4 in neurons to further investigate the mechanism of the functional defects in affected patients. Our fly model findings demonstrated developmental defects and motor dysfunction suggesting that loss of GEMIN4 function is detrimental in vivo; likely similar to human patients. To date, this study presents the largest cohort of patients affected with GEMIN4 mutations. Considering that identifying GEMIN4 defects in patients presenting with neurodevelopmental delay and congenital cataract will help in early diagnosis, appropriate management and prevention plans that can be made for affected families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqaiah Altassan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Qudair
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Riyadh Alokaili
- Department of Radiology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid Alhasan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pediatrics, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eissa A Faqeih
- Medical Genetics Section, King Fahad Medical City, Children's Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Alhashem
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammed Alowain
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moeanaldeen Alsayed
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zuhair Rahbeeni
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lama Albadi
- Department of Translational Genomics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fowzan S Alkuraya
- Department of Translational Genomics, Centre for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eric N Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Deepa Rajan
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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9
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Francisco-Velilla R, Embarc-Buh A, Del Caño-Ochoa F, Abellan S, Vilar M, Alvarez S, Fernandez-Jaen A, Kour S, Rajan DS, Pandey UB, Ramón-Maiques S, Martinez-Salas E. Functional and structural deficiencies of Gemin5 variants associated with neurological disorders. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/7/e202201403. [PMID: 35393353 PMCID: PMC8989681 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of RNA-binding proteins is often linked to a wide range of human disease, particularly with neurological conditions. Gemin5 is a member of the survival of the motor neurons (SMN) complex, a ribosome-binding protein and a translation reprogramming factor. Recently, pathogenic mutations in Gemin5 have been reported, but the functional consequences of these variants remain elusive. Here, we report functional and structural deficiencies associated with compound heterozygosity variants within the Gemin5 gene found in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. These clinical variants are located in key domains of Gemin5, the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-like dimerization module and the noncanonical RNA-binding site 1 (RBS1). We show that the TPR-like variants disrupt protein dimerization, whereas the RBS1 variant confers protein instability. All mutants are defective in the interaction with protein networks involved in translation and RNA-driven pathways. Importantly, the TPR-like variants fail to associate with native ribosomes, hampering its involvement in translation control and establishing a functional difference with the wild-type protein. Our study provides insights into the molecular basis of disease associated with malfunction of the Gemin5 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Francisco-Velilla
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Azman Embarc-Buh
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Del Caño-Ochoa
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV-CSIC), Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Salvador Abellan
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marçal Vilar
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV-CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Sara Alvarez
- New Integrated Medical Genetics (NIMGENETICS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Fernandez-Jaen
- Neuropediatric Department, Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud, Madrid, Spain.,School of Medicine, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sukhleen Kour
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Deepa S Rajan
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Santiago Ramón-Maiques
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV-CSIC), Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Encarnacion Martinez-Salas
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
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10
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Aldhalaan H, AlBakheet A, AlRuways S, AlMutairi N, AlNakiyah M, AlGhofaili R, Cardona-Londoño KJ, Alahmadi KO, AlQudairy H, AlRasheed MM, Colak D, Arold ST, Kaya N. A Novel GEMIN4 Variant in a Consanguineous Family Leads to Neurodevelopmental Impairment with Severe Microcephaly, Spastic Quadriplegia, Epilepsy, and Cataracts. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:genes13010092. [PMID: 35052432 PMCID: PMC8774908 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in GEMIN4 contribute to a hereditary disorder characterized by neurodevelopmental features, microcephaly, cataracts, and renal abnormalities (known as NEDMCR). To date, only two homoallelic variations have been linked to the disease. Moreover, clinical features associated with the variants have not been fully elucidated yet. Here, we identified a novel variant in GEMIN4 (NM_015721:exon2:c.440A>G:p.His147Arg) in two siblings from a consanguineous Saudi family by using whole exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequence verification. We comprehensively investigated the patients’ clinical features, including brain imaging and electroencephalogram findings, and compared their phenotypic characteristics with those of previously reported cases. In silico prediction and structural modeling support that the p.His147Arg variant is pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesham Aldhalaan
- Neurosciences Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Albandary AlBakheet
- Translational Genomic Department, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.); (M.A.); (R.A.); (H.A.)
| | - Sarah AlRuways
- Translational Genomic Department, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.); (M.A.); (R.A.); (H.A.)
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Nouf AlMutairi
- Translational Genomic Department, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.); (M.A.); (R.A.); (H.A.)
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Maha AlNakiyah
- Translational Genomic Department, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.); (M.A.); (R.A.); (H.A.)
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Reema AlGhofaili
- Translational Genomic Department, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.); (M.A.); (R.A.); (H.A.)
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Kelly J. Cardona-Londoño
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.J.C.-L.); (S.T.A.)
| | - Khalid Omar Alahmadi
- Department of Radiology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Hanan AlQudairy
- Translational Genomic Department, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.); (M.A.); (R.A.); (H.A.)
| | - Maha M. AlRasheed
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Dilek Colak
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Scientific Computing, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Stefan T. Arold
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; (K.J.C.-L.); (S.T.A.)
| | - Namik Kaya
- Translational Genomic Department, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia; (A.A.); (S.A.); (N.A.); (M.A.); (R.A.); (H.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +966-11-4647272 (ext. 39612)
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11
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Embarc-Buh A, Francisco-Velilla R, Camero S, Pérez-Cañadillas JM, Martínez-Salas E. The RBS1 domain of Gemin5 is intrinsically unstructured and interacts with RNA through conserved Arg and aromatic residues. RNA Biol 2021; 18:496-506. [PMID: 34424823 PMCID: PMC8677033 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1962666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Gemin5 is a multifaceted RNA-binding protein that comprises distinct structural domains, including a WD40 and TPR-like for which the X-ray structure is known. In addition, the protein contains a non-canonical RNA-binding domain (RBS1) towards the C-terminus. To understand the RNA binding features of the RBS1 domain, we have characterized its structural characteristics by solution NMR linked to RNA-binding activity. Here we show that a short version of the RBS1 domain that retains the ability to interact with RNA is predominantly unfolded even in the presence of RNA. Furthermore, an exhaustive mutational analysis indicates the presence of an evolutionarily conserved motif enriched in R, S, W, and H residues, necessary to promote RNA-binding via π-π interactions. The combined results of NMR and RNA-binding on wild-type and mutant proteins highlight the importance of aromatic and arginine residues for RNA recognition by RBS1, revealing that the net charge and the π-amino acid density of this region of Gemin5 are key factors for RNA recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sergio Camero
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, CSIC, Madrid
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12
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Emerging Roles of Gemin5: From snRNPs Assembly to Translation Control. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113868. [PMID: 32485878 PMCID: PMC7311978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play a pivotal role in the lifespan of RNAs. The disfunction of RBPs is frequently the cause of cell disorders which are incompatible with life. Furthermore, the ordered assembly of RBPs and RNAs in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles determines the function of biological complexes, as illustrated by the survival of the motor neuron (SMN) complex. Defects in the SMN complex assembly causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an infant invalidating disease. This multi-subunit chaperone controls the assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), which are the critical components of the splicing machinery. However, the functional and structural characterization of individual members of the SMN complex, such as SMN, Gemin3, and Gemin5, have accumulated evidence for the additional roles of these proteins, unveiling their participation in other RNA-mediated events. In particular, Gemin5 is a multidomain protein that comprises tryptophan-aspartic acid (WD) repeat motifs at the N-terminal region, a dimerization domain at the middle region, and a non-canonical RNA-binding domain at the C-terminal end of the protein. Beyond small nuclear RNA (snRNA) recognition, Gemin5 interacts with a selective group of mRNA targets in the cell environment and plays a key role in reprogramming translation depending on the RNA partner and the cellular conditions. Here, we review recent studies on the SMN complex, with emphasis on the individual components regarding their involvement in cellular processes critical for cell survival.
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13
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Maccallini P, Bavasso F, Scatolini L, Bucciarelli E, Noviello G, Lisi V, Palumbo V, D'Angeli S, Cacchione S, Cenci G, Ciapponi L, Wakefield JG, Gatti M, Raffa GD. Intimate functional interactions between TGS1 and the Smn complex revealed by an analysis of the Drosophila eye development. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008815. [PMID: 32453722 PMCID: PMC7289441 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Trimethylguanosine synthase 1 (TGS1) is a conserved enzyme that mediates formation of the trimethylguanosine cap on several RNAs, including snRNAs and telomerase RNA. Previous studies have shown that TGS1 binds the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, whose deficiency causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Here, we analyzed the roles of the Drosophila orthologs of the human TGS1 and SMN genes. We show that the Drosophila TGS1 protein (dTgs1) physically interacts with all subunits of the Drosophila Smn complex (Smn, Gem2, Gem3, Gem4 and Gem5), and that a human TGS1 transgene rescues the mutant phenotype caused by dTgs1 loss. We demonstrate that both dTgs1 and Smn are required for viability of retinal progenitor cells and that downregulation of these genes leads to a reduced eye size. Importantly, overexpression of dTgs1 partially rescues the eye defects caused by Smn depletion, and vice versa. These results suggest that the Drosophila eye model can be exploited for screens aimed at the identification of genes and drugs that modify the phenotypes elicited by Tgs1 and Smn deficiency. These modifiers could help to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying SMA pathogenesis and devise new therapies for this genetic disease. We explored the functional relationships between TGS1 and SMN using Drosophila as model organism. TGS1 is an enzyme that modifies the structure of the 5’-end of several RNAs, including telomerase RNA and the small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) that are required for messenger RNA maturation. The SMN protein regulates snRNAs biogenesis and mutations in human SMN cause Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a devastating disorder characterized by neurodegeneration, progressive paralysis and death. We show that mutations in the Drosophila TGS1 (dTgs1) gene cause lethality, which is rescued by a human TGS1 transgene. We also show that the dTgs1 protein physically interacts with all subunits of the Smn complex, and that downregulation of either dTgs1 or Smn leads to a reduced Drosophila eye size. Notably, overexpression of dTgs1 partially rescues the eye defects caused by Smn knockdown, and vice versa, indicating that these genes cooperate in eye development. These results suggest that the eye model can be exploited for screens aimed at detection of chemical and genetic modifiers of the eye mutant phenotype elicited by dTgs1 and Smn deficiency, providing new clues about SMA pathogenesis and potential therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Maccallini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bavasso
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Livia Scatolini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gemma Noviello
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Lisi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Palumbo
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone D'Angeli
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Cacchione
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cenci
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Istituto Pasteur, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ciapponi
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - James G. Wakefield
- Biosciences/Living Systems Institute, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Maurizio Gatti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari (IBPM) del CNR, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail: (MG); (GDR)
| | - Grazia Daniela Raffa
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “C Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail: (MG); (GDR)
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14
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Moreno-Morcillo M, Francisco-Velilla R, Embarc-Buh A, Fernández-Chamorro J, Ramón-Maiques S, Martinez-Salas E. Structural basis for the dimerization of Gemin5 and its role in protein recruitment and translation control. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:788-801. [PMID: 31799608 PMCID: PMC6954437 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In all organisms, a selected type of proteins accomplishes critical roles in cellular processes that govern gene expression. The multifunctional protein Gemin5 cooperates in translation control and ribosome binding, besides acting as the RNA-binding protein of the survival of motor neuron (SMN) complex. While these functions reside on distinct domains located at each end of the protein, the structure and function of the middle region remained unknown. Here, we solved the crystal structure of an extended tetratricopeptide (TPR)-like domain in human Gemin5 that self-assembles into a previously unknown canoe-shaped dimer. We further show that the dimerization module is functional in living cells driving the interaction between the viral-induced cleavage fragment p85 and the full-length Gemin5, which anchors splicing and translation members. Disruption of the dimerization surface by a point mutation in the TPR-like domain prevents this interaction and also abrogates translation enhancement induced by p85. The characterization of this unanticipated dimerization domain provides the structural basis for a role of the middle region of Gemin5 as a central hub for protein-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Moreno-Morcillo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Azman Embarc-Buh
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Santiago Ramón-Maiques
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Group 739, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER)- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Valencia, Spain
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15
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Cacciottolo R, Ciantar J, Lanfranco M, Borg RM, Vassallo N, Bordonné R, Cauchi RJ. SMN complex member Gemin3 self-interacts and has a functional relationship with ALS-linked proteins TDP-43, FUS and Sod1. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18666. [PMID: 31822699 PMCID: PMC6904755 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53508-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The predominant motor neuron disease in infants and adults is spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), respectively. SMA is caused by insufficient levels of the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein, which operates as part of the multiprotein SMN complex that includes the DEAD-box RNA helicase Gemin3/DDX20/DP103. C9orf72, SOD1, TDP-43 and FUS are ranked as the four major genes causing familial ALS. Accumulating evidence has revealed a surprising molecular overlap between SMA and ALS. Here, we ask the question of whether Drosophila can also be exploited to study shared pathogenic pathways. Focusing on motor behaviour, muscle mass and survival, we show that disruption of either TBPH/TDP-43 or Caz/FUS enhance defects associated with Gemin3 loss-of-function. Gemin3-associated neuromuscular junction overgrowth was however suppressed. Sod1 depletion had a modifying effect in late adulthood. We also show that Gemin3 self-interacts and Gem3ΔN, a helicase domain deletion mutant, retains the ability to interact with its wild-type counterpart. Importantly, mutant:wild-type dimers are favoured more than wild-type:wild-type dimers. In addition to reinforcing the link between SMA and ALS, further exploration of mechanistic overlaps is now possible in a genetically tractable model organism. Notably, Gemin3 can be elevated to a candidate for modifying motor neuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Cacciottolo
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Joanna Ciantar
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Maia Lanfranco
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rebecca M Borg
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.,Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Neville Vassallo
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rémy Bordonné
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, CNRS-UMR 5535, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta. .,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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