1
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Miyokawa R, Sasaki E. The role of FIONA1 in alternative splicing and its effects on flowering regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024. [PMID: 39056273 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Miyokawa
- Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, 744, Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Eriko Sasaki
- Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, 744, Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
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2
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Xiang Y, Zhang D, Li L, Xue YX, Zhang CY, Meng QF, Wang J, Tan XL, Li YL. Detection, distribution, and functions of RNA N 6-methyladenosine (m 6A) in plant development and environmental signal responses. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1429011. [PMID: 39081522 PMCID: PMC11286456 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1429011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
The epitranscriptomic mark N 6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common type of messenger RNA (mRNA) post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotes. With the discovery of the demethylase FTO (FAT MASS AND OBESITY-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN) in Homo Sapiens, this modification has been proven to be dynamically reversible. With technological advances, research on m6A modification in plants also rapidly developed. m6A modification is widely distributed in plants, which is usually enriched near the stop codons and 3'-UTRs, and has conserved modification sequences. The related proteins of m6A modification mainly consist of three components: methyltransferases (writers), demethylases (erasers), and reading proteins (readers). m6A modification mainly regulates the growth and development of plants by modulating the RNA metabolic processes and playing an important role in their responses to environmental signals. In this review, we briefly outline the development of m6A modification detection techniques; comparatively analyze the distribution characteristics of m6A in plants; summarize the methyltransferases, demethylases, and binding proteins related to m6A; elaborate on how m6A modification functions in plant growth, development, and response to environmental signals; and provide a summary and outlook on the research of m6A in plants.
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3
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Beusch I, Madhani HD. Understanding the dynamic design of the spliceosome. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:583-595. [PMID: 38641465 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
The spliceosome catalyzes the splicing of pre-mRNAs. Although the spliceosome evolved from a prokaryotic self-splicing intron and an associated protein, it is a vastly more complex and dynamic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) whose function requires at least eight ATPases and multiple RNA rearrangements. These features afford stepwise opportunities for multiple inspections of the intron substrate, coupled with spliceosome disassembly for substrates that fail inspection. Early work using splicing-defective pre-mRNAs or small nuclear (sn)RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae demonstrated that such checks could occur in catalytically active spliceosomes. We review recent results on pre-mRNA splicing in various systems, including humans, suggesting that earlier steps in spliceosome assembly are also subject to such quality control. The inspection-rejection framework helps explain the dynamic nature of the spliceosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Beusch
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hiten D Madhani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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4
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Mehravar M, Wong JJL. Interplay between N 6-adenosine RNA methylation and mRNA splicing. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 87:102211. [PMID: 38838495 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant modification to mRNAs. Loss-of-function studies of main m6A regulators have indicated the role of m6A in pre-mRNA splicing. Recent studies have reported the role of splicing in preventing m6A deposition. Understanding the interplay between m6A and mRNA splicing holds the potential to clarify the significance of these fundamental molecular mechanisms in cell development and function, thereby shedding light on their involvement in the pathogenesis of myriad diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Mehravar
- Epigenetics and RNA Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia
| | - Justin J-L Wong
- Epigenetics and RNA Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia.
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5
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Shen A, Hencel K, Parker MT, Scott R, Skukan R, Adesina AS, Metheringham CL, Miska EA, Nam Y, Haerty W, Simpson GG, Akay A. U6 snRNA m6A modification is required for accurate and efficient splicing of C. elegans and human pre-mRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae447. [PMID: 38808663 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
pre-mRNA splicing is a critical feature of eukaryotic gene expression. Both cis- and trans-splicing rely on accurately recognising splice site sequences by spliceosomal U snRNAs and associated proteins. Spliceosomal snRNAs carry multiple RNA modifications with the potential to affect different stages of pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we show that the conserved U6 snRNA m6A methyltransferase METT-10 is required for accurate and efficient cis- and trans-splicing of C. elegans pre-mRNAs. The absence of METT-10 in C. elegans and METTL16 in humans primarily leads to alternative splicing at 5' splice sites with an adenosine at +4 position. In addition, METT-10 is required for splicing of weak 3' cis- and trans-splice sites. We identified a significant overlap between METT-10 and the conserved splicing factor SNRNP27K in regulating 5' splice sites with +4A. Finally, we show that editing endogenous 5' splice site +4A positions to +4U restores splicing to wild-type positions in a mett-10 mutant background, supporting a direct role for U6 snRNA m6A modification in 5' splice site recognition. We conclude that the U6 snRNA m6A modification is important for accurate and efficient pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aykut Shen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
| | - Katarzyna Hencel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
| | - Matthew T Parker
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Robyn Scott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Roberta Skukan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
| | | | | | - Eric A Miska
- Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Yunsun Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Wilfried Haerty
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Gordon G Simpson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
- Cell & Molecular Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, DD2 5DA, UK
| | - Alper Akay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ Norwich, UK
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6
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Höfler S, Duss O. Interconnections between m 6A RNA modification, RNA structure, and protein-RNA complex assembly. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302240. [PMID: 37935465 PMCID: PMC10629537 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-RNA complexes exist in many forms within the cell, from stable machines such as the ribosome to transient assemblies like the spliceosome. All protein-RNA assemblies rely on spatially and temporally coordinated interactions between specific proteins and RNAs to achieve a functional form. RNA folding and structure are often critical for successful protein binding and protein-RNA complex formation. RNA modifications change the chemical nature of a given RNA and often alter its folding kinetics. Both these alterations can affect how and if proteins or other RNAs can interact with the modified RNA and assemble into complexes. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common base modification on mRNAs and regulatory noncoding RNAs and has been shown to impact RNA structure and directly modulate protein-RNA interactions. In this review, focusing on the mechanisms and available quantitative information, we discuss first how the METTL3/14 m6A writer complex is specifically targeted to RNA assisted by protein-RNA and other interactions to enable site-specific and co-transcriptional RNA modification and, once introduced, how the m6A modification affects RNA folding and protein-RNA interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Höfler
- https://ror.org/03mstc592 Structural and Computational Biology Unit, EMBL Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olivier Duss
- https://ror.org/03mstc592 Structural and Computational Biology Unit, EMBL Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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7
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Yue J, Lu Y, Sun Z, Guo Y, San León D, Pasin F, Zhao M. Methyltransferase-like (METTL) homologues participate in Nicotiana benthamiana antiviral responses. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2023; 18:2214760. [PMID: 37210738 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2023.2214760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Methyltransferase (MTase) enzymes catalyze the addition of a methyl group to a variety of biological substrates. MTase-like (METTL) proteins are Class I MTases whose enzymatic activities contribute to the epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation of multiple cellular processes. N6-adenosine methylation (m6A) is a common chemical modification of eukaryotic and viral RNA whose abundance is jointly regulated by MTases and METTLs, demethylases, and m6A binding proteins. m6A affects various cellular processes including RNA degradation, post-transcriptional processing, and antiviral immunity. Here, we used Nicotiana benthamiana and plum pox virus (PPV), an RNA virus of the Potyviridae family, to investigated the roles of MTases in plant-virus interaction. RNA sequencing analysis identified MTase transcripts that are differentially expressed during PPV infection; among these, accumulation of a METTL gene was significantly downregulated. Two N. benthamiana METTL transcripts (NbMETTL1 and NbMETTL2) were cloned and further characterized. Sequence and structural analyses of the two encoded proteins identified a conserved S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) binding domain, showing they are SAM-dependent MTases phylogenetically related to human METTL16 and Arabidopsis thaliana FIONA1. Overexpression of NbMETTL1 and NbMETTL2 caused a decrease of PPV accumulation. In sum, our results indicate that METTL homologues participate in plant antiviral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianying Yue
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yan Lu
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Zhenqi Sun
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yuqing Guo
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - David San León
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Fabio Pasin
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas - Universitat Politècnica de València (CSIC-UPV), Valencia, Spain
| | - Mingmin Zhao
- College of Horticulture and Plant Protection, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
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8
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Matveeva A, Vinogradov D, Zhuravlev E, Semenov D, Vlassov V, Stepanov G. Intron Editing Reveals SNORD-Dependent Maturation of the Small Nucleolar RNA Host Gene GAS5 in Human Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17621. [PMID: 38139448 PMCID: PMC10743478 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417621] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The GAS5 gene encodes a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and intron-located small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). Its structure, splice variants, and diverse functions in mammalian cells have been thoroughly investigated. However, there are still no data on a successful knockout of GAS5 in human cells, with most of the loss-of-function experiments utilizing standard techniques to produce knockdowns. By using CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce double-strand breaks in the terminal intronic box C/D snoRNA genes (SNORDs), we created monoclonal cell lines carrying continuous deletions in one of the GAS5 alleles. The levels of GAS5-encoded box C/D snoRNAs and lncRNA GAS5 were assessed, and the formation of the novel splice variants was analyzed. To comprehensively evaluate the influence of specific SNORD mutations, human cell lines with individual mutations in SNORD74 and SNORD81 were obtained. Specific mutations in SNORD74 led to the downregulation of all GAS5-encoded SNORDs and GAS5 lncRNA. Further analysis revealed that SNORD74 contains a specific regulatory element modulating the maturation of the GAS5 precursor transcript. The results demonstrate that the maturation of GAS5 occurs through the m6A-associated pathway in a SNORD-dependent manner, which is a quite intriguing epitranscriptomic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Grigory Stepanov
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia; (A.M.); (D.V.); (E.Z.); (D.S.)
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9
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Benitez-Alfonso Y, Soanes BK, Zimba S, Sinanaj B, German L, Sharma V, Bohra A, Kolesnikova A, Dunn JA, Martin AC, Khashi U Rahman M, Saati-Santamaría Z, García-Fraile P, Ferreira EA, Frazão LA, Cowling WA, Siddique KHM, Pandey MK, Farooq M, Varshney RK, Chapman MA, Boesch C, Daszkowska-Golec A, Foyer CH. Enhancing climate change resilience in agricultural crops. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R1246-R1261. [PMID: 38052178 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Climate change threatens global food and nutritional security through negative effects on crop growth and agricultural productivity. Many countries have adopted ambitious climate change mitigation and adaptation targets that will exacerbate the problem, as they require significant changes in current agri-food systems. In this review, we provide a roadmap for improved crop production that encompasses the effective transfer of current knowledge into plant breeding and crop management strategies that will underpin sustainable agriculture intensification and climate resilience. We identify the main problem areas and highlight outstanding questions and potential solutions that can be applied to mitigate the impacts of climate change on crop growth and productivity. Although translation of scientific advances into crop production lags far behind current scientific knowledge and technology, we consider that a holistic approach, combining disciplines in collaborative efforts, can drive better connections between research, policy, and the needs of society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beth K Soanes
- Centre for Plant Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Sibongile Zimba
- Centre for Plant Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK; Horticulture Department, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Besiana Sinanaj
- Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Liam German
- Centre for Plant Sciences, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Vinay Sharma
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad 502324, India
| | - Abhishek Bohra
- State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Centre for Crop and Food Innovation, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Anastasia Kolesnikova
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Jessica A Dunn
- Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; Institute for Sustainable Food, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Azahara C Martin
- Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (IAS-CSIC), Córdoba 14004, Spain
| | - Muhammad Khashi U Rahman
- Microbiology and Genetics Department, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca 37007, Spain; Institute for Agribiotechnology Research (CIALE), University of Salamanca, Villamayor de la Armuña 37185, Spain
| | - Zaki Saati-Santamaría
- Microbiology and Genetics Department, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca 37007, Spain; Institute for Agribiotechnology Research (CIALE), University of Salamanca, Villamayor de la Armuña 37185, Spain; Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Paula García-Fraile
- Microbiology and Genetics Department, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca 37007, Spain; Institute for Agribiotechnology Research (CIALE), University of Salamanca, Villamayor de la Armuña 37185, Spain
| | - Evander A Ferreira
- Institute of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Universitária 1000, 39404547, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leidivan A Frazão
- Institute of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Universitária 1000, 39404547, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Wallace A Cowling
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Kadambot H M Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Manish K Pandey
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad 502324, India
| | - Muhammad Farooq
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia; Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoud 123, Oman
| | - Rajeev K Varshney
- State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Centre for Crop and Food Innovation, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Mark A Chapman
- Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building 85, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Christine Boesch
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Agata Daszkowska-Golec
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Jagiellonska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland
| | - Christine H Foyer
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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10
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Parker MT, Fica SM, Barton GJ, Simpson GG. Inter-species association mapping links splice site evolution to METTL16 and SNRNP27K. eLife 2023; 12:e91997. [PMID: 37787376 PMCID: PMC10581693 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic genes are interrupted by introns that are removed from transcribed RNAs by splicing. Patterns of splicing complexity differ between species, but it is unclear how these differences arise. We used inter-species association mapping with Saccharomycotina species to correlate splicing signal phenotypes with the presence or absence of splicing factors. Here, we show that variation in 5' splice site sequence preferences correlate with the presence of the U6 snRNA N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase METTL16 and the splicing factor SNRNP27K. The greatest variation in 5' splice site sequence occurred at the +4 position and involved a preference switch between adenosine and uridine. Loss of METTL16 and SNRNP27K orthologs, or a single SNRNP27K methionine residue, was associated with a preference for +4 U. These findings are consistent with splicing analyses of mutants defective in either METTL16 or SNRNP27K orthologs and models derived from spliceosome structures, demonstrating that inter-species association mapping is a powerful orthogonal approach to molecular studies. We identified variation between species in the occurrence of two major classes of 5' splice sites, defined by distinct interaction potentials with U5 and U6 snRNAs, that correlates with intron number. We conclude that variation in concerted processes of 5' splice site selection by U6 snRNA is associated with evolutionary changes in splicing signal phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Parker
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Sebastian M Fica
- Department of Biochemistry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Gordon G Simpson
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
- Cell & Molecular Sciences, James Hutton InstituteInvergowrieUnited Kingdom
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11
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Shen A, Hencel K, Parker MT, Scott R, Skukan R, Adesina AS, Metheringham CL, Miska EA, Nam Y, Haerty W, Simpson GG, Akay A. U6 snRNA m6A modification is required for accurate and efficient cis- and trans-splicing of C. elegans mRNAs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.16.558044. [PMID: 37745402 PMCID: PMC10516052 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.16.558044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
pre-mRNA splicing is a critical feature of eukaryotic gene expression. Many eukaryotes use cis-splicing to remove intronic sequences from pre-mRNAs. In addition to cis-splicing, many organisms use trans-splicing to replace the 5' ends of mRNAs with a non-coding spliced-leader RNA. Both cis- and trans-splicing rely on accurately recognising splice site sequences by spliceosomal U snRNAs and associated proteins. Spliceosomal snRNAs carry multiple RNA modifications with the potential to affect different stages of pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we show that m6A modification of U6 snRNA A43 by the RNA methyltransferase METT-10 is required for accurate and efficient cis- and trans-splicing of C. elegans pre-mRNAs. The absence of U6 snRNA m6A modification primarily leads to alternative splicing at 5' splice sites. Furthermore, weaker 5' splice site recognition by the unmodified U6 snRNA A43 affects splicing at 3' splice sites. U6 snRNA m6A43 and the splicing factor SNRNP27K function to recognise an overlapping set of 5' splice sites with an adenosine at +4 position. Finally, we show that U6 snRNA m6A43 is required for efficient SL trans-splicing at weak 3' trans-splice sites. We conclude that the U6 snRNA m6A modification is important for accurate and efficient cis- and trans-splicing in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aykut Shen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
| | - Katarzyna Hencel
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Matthew T Parker
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Robyn Scott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Roberta Skukan
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
| | | | | | - Eric A Miska
- Wellcome/CRUK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Yunsun Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Wilfried Haerty
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
- Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Gordon G Simpson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
- Cell & Molecular Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, DD2 5DA, UK
| | - Alper Akay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich
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12
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Breger K, Kunkler CN, O'Leary NJ, Hulewicz JP, Brown JA. Ghost authors revealed: The structure and function of human N 6 -methyladenosine RNA methyltransferases. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 15:e1810. [PMID: 37674370 PMCID: PMC10915109 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the discovery of modified nucleic acids nearly 75 years ago, their biological functions are still being elucidated. N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) is the most abundant modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and has also been detected in non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNA, ribosomal RNA, and small nuclear RNA. In general, m6 A marks can alter RNA secondary structure and initiate unique RNA-protein interactions that can alter splicing, mRNA turnover, and translation, just to name a few. Although m6 A marks in human RNAs have been known to exist since 1974, the structures and functions of methyltransferases responsible for writing m6 A marks have been established only recently. Thus far, there are four confirmed human methyltransferases that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the N6 position of adenosine, producing m6 A: methyltransferase-like protein (METTL) 3/METTL14 complex, METTL16, METTL5, and zinc-finger CCHC-domain-containing protein 4. Though the methyltransferases have unique RNA targets, all human m6 A RNA methyltransferases contain a Rossmann fold with a conserved SAM-binding pocket, suggesting that they utilize a similar catalytic mechanism for methyl transfer. For each of the human m6 A RNA methyltransferases, we present the biological functions and links to human disease, RNA targets, catalytic and kinetic mechanisms, and macromolecular structures. We also discuss m6 A marks in human viruses and parasites, assigning m6 A marks in the transcriptome to specific methyltransferases, small molecules targeting m6 A methyltransferases, and the enzymes responsible for hypermodified m6 A marks and their biological functions in humans. Understanding m6 A methyltransferases is a critical steppingstone toward establishing the m6 A epitranscriptome and more broadly the RNome. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtis Breger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Charlotte N Kunkler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Nathan J O'Leary
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jacob P Hulewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jessica A Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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13
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Wang C, Ulryck N, Herzel L, Pythoud N, Kleiber N, Guérineau V, Jactel V, Moritz C, Bohnsack M, Carapito C, Touboul D, Bohnsack K, Graille M. N 2-methylguanosine modifications on human tRNAs and snRNA U6 are important for cell proliferation, protein translation and pre-mRNA splicing. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:7496-7519. [PMID: 37283053 PMCID: PMC10415138 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Modified nucleotides in non-coding RNAs, such as tRNAs and snRNAs, represent an important layer of gene expression regulation through their ability to fine-tune mRNA maturation and translation. Dysregulation of such modifications and the enzymes installing them have been linked to various human pathologies including neurodevelopmental disorders and cancers. Several methyltransferases (MTases) are regulated allosterically by human TRMT112 (Trm112 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae), but the interactome of this regulator and targets of its interacting MTases remain incompletely characterized. Here, we have investigated the interaction network of human TRMT112 in intact cells and identify three poorly characterized putative MTases (TRMT11, THUMPD3 and THUMPD2) as direct partners. We demonstrate that these three proteins are active N2-methylguanosine (m2G) MTases and that TRMT11 and THUMPD3 methylate positions 10 and 6 of tRNAs, respectively. For THUMPD2, we discovered that it directly associates with the U6 snRNA, a core component of the catalytic spliceosome, and is required for the formation of m2G, the last 'orphan' modification in U6 snRNA. Furthermore, our data reveal the combined importance of TRMT11 and THUMPD3 for optimal protein synthesis and cell proliferation as well as a role for THUMPD2 in fine-tuning pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Wang
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule (BIOC), CNRS, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Nathalie Ulryck
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule (BIOC), CNRS, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Lydia Herzel
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nicolas Pythoud
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR 7178, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 Strasbourg, France
| | - Nicole Kleiber
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Vincent Guérineau
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, UPR 2301, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Vincent Jactel
- Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique (LSO), CNRS, École polytechnique, ENSTA, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Chloé Moritz
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR 7178, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 Strasbourg, France
| | - Markus T Bohnsack
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells” (MBExC), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christine Carapito
- Laboratoire de Spectrométrie de Masse BioOrganique, CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, IPHC UMR 7178, Infrastructure Nationale de Protéomique ProFI, FR2048 Strasbourg, France
| | - David Touboul
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles, UPR 2301, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Laboratoire de Chimie Moléculaire (LCM), CNRS, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Katherine E Bohnsack
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marc Graille
- Laboratoire de Biologie Structurale de la Cellule (BIOC), CNRS, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France
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14
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Amara U, Hu J, Cai J, Kang H. FLK is an mRNA m 6A reader that regulates floral transition by modulating the stability and splicing of FLC in Arabidopsis. MOLECULAR PLANT 2023; 16:919-929. [PMID: 37050878 DOI: 10.1016/j.molp.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which is added, removed, and interpreted by m6A writers, erasers, and readers, respectively, is the most abundant modification in eukaryotic mRNAs. The m6A marks play a pivotal role in the regulation of floral transition in plants. FLOWERING LOCUS K (FLK), an RNA-binding protein harboring K-homology (KH) motifs, is known to regulate floral transition by repressing the levels of a key floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis. However, the molecular mechanism underlying FLK-mediated FLC regulation remains unclear. In this study, we identified FLK as a novel mRNA m6A reader protein that directly binds the m6A site in the 3'-untranslated region of FLC transcripts to repressing FLC levels by reducing its stability and splicing. Importantly, FLK binding of FLC transcripts was abolished in vir-1, an m6A writer mutant, and the late-flowering phenotype of the flk mutant could not be rescued by genetic complementation using the mutant FLKm gene, in which the m6A reader encoding function was eliminated, indicating that FLK binds and regulates FLC expression in an m6A-dependent manner. Collectively, our study has addressed a long-standing question of how FLK regulates FLC transcript levels and established a molecular link between the FLK-mediated recognition of m6A modifications on FLC transcripts and floral transition in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umme Amara
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Jianzhong Hu
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Jing Cai
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Hunseung Kang
- Department of Applied Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea.
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15
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Shinde H, Dudhate A, Kadam US, Hong JC. RNA methylation in plants: An overview. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1132959. [PMID: 36938064 PMCID: PMC10014531 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1132959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
RNA methylation is an important post-transcriptional modification that influences gene regulation. Over 200 different types of RNA modifications have been identified in plants. In animals, the mystery of RNA methylation has been revealed, and its biological role and applications have become increasingly clear. However, RNA methylation in plants is still poorly understood. Recently, plant science research on RNA methylation has advanced rapidly, and it has become clear that RNA methylation plays a critical role in plant development. This review summarizes current knowledge on RNA methylation in plant development. Plant writers, erasers, and readers are highlighted, as well as the occurrence, methods, and software development in RNA methylation is summarized. The most common and abundant RNA methylation in plants is N6-methyladenosine (m6A). In Arabidopsis, mutations in writers, erasers, and RNA methylation readers have affected the plant's phenotype. It has also been demonstrated that methylated TRANSLATIONALLY CONTROLLED TUMOR PROTEIN 1-messenger RNA moves from shoot to root while unmethylated TCTP1-mRNA does not. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation, in conjunction with next-generation sequencing, has been a watershed moment in plant RNA methylation research. This method has been used successfully in rice, Arabidopsis, Brassica, and maize to study transcriptome-wide RNA methylation. Various software or tools have been used to detect methylated RNAs at the whole transcriptome level; the majority are model-based analysis tools (for example, MACS2). Finally, the limitations and future prospects of methylation of RNA research have been documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshraj Shinde
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Ambika Dudhate
- Sequencing and Genome Discovery Center, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Ulhas S. Kadam
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC), Division of Life Science and Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Chan Hong
- Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Research Center (PMBBRC), Division of Life Science and Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju-daero, Jinju, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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16
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Chuong NN, Doan PPT, Wang L, Kim JH, Kim J. Current Insights into m 6A RNA Methylation and Its Emerging Role in Plant Circadian Clock. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:624. [PMID: 36771711 PMCID: PMC9920239 DOI: 10.3390/plants12030624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
N6-adenosine methylation (m6A) is a prevalent form of RNA modification found in the expressed transcripts of many eukaryotic organisms. Moreover, m6A methylation is a dynamic and reversible process that requires the functioning of various proteins and their complexes that are evolutionarily conserved between species and include methylases, demethylases, and m6A-binding proteins. Over the past decade, the m6A methylation process in plants has been extensively studied and the understanding thereof has drastically increased, although the regulatory function of some components relies on information derived from animal systems. Notably, m6A has been found to be involved in a variety of factors in RNA processing, such as RNA stability, alternative polyadenylation, and miRNA regulation. The circadian clock in plants is a molecular timekeeping system that regulates the daily and rhythmic activity of many cellular and physiological processes in response to environmental changes such as the day-night cycle. The circadian clock regulates the rhythmic expression of genes through post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA. Recently, m6A methylation has emerged as an additional layer of post-transcriptional regulation that is necessary for the proper functioning of the plant circadian clock. In this review, we have compiled and summarized recent insights into the molecular mechanisms behind m6A modification and its various roles in the regulation of RNA. We discuss the potential role of m6A modification in regulating the plant circadian clock and outline potential future directions for the study of mRNA methylation in plants. A deeper understanding of the mechanism of m6A RNA regulation and its role in plant circadian clocks will contribute to a greater understanding of the plant circadian clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Nguyen Chuong
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology & Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 690756, Republic of Korea
| | - Phan Phuong Thao Doan
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology & Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 690756, Republic of Korea
| | - Lanshuo Wang
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology & Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 690756, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hee Kim
- Subtropical Horticulture Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 690756, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongsik Kim
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Advanced Convergence Technology & Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 690756, Republic of Korea
- Subtropical Horticulture Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 690756, Republic of Korea
- Faculty of Science Education, Jeju National University, Jeju 690756, Republic of Korea
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