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Burgardt R, Lambert D, Heuwieser C, Sack M, Wagner G, Weinberg Z, Wachter A. Positioning of pyrimidine motifs around cassette exons defines their PTB-dependent splicing in Arabidopsis. Plant J 2024. [PMID: 38578875 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a complex process that generates transcript variants from a single pre-mRNA and is involved in numerous biological functions. Many RNA-binding proteins are known to regulate AS; however, little is known about the underlying mechanisms, especially outside the mammalian clade. Here, we show that polypyrimidine tract binding proteins (PTBs) from Arabidopsis thaliana regulate AS of cassette exons via pyrimidine (Py)-rich motifs close to the alternative splice sites. Mutational studies on three PTB-dependent cassette exon events revealed that only some of the Py motifs in this region are critical for AS. Moreover, in vitro binding of PTBs did not reflect a motif's impact on AS in vivo. Our mutational studies and bioinformatic investigation of all known PTB-regulated cassette exons from A. thaliana and human suggested that the binding position of PTBs relative to a cassette exon defines whether its inclusion or skipping is induced. Accordingly, exon skipping is associated with a higher frequency of Py stretches within the cassette exon, and in human also upstream of it, whereas exon inclusion is characterized by increased Py motif occurrence downstream of said exon. Enrichment of Py motifs downstream of PTB-activated 5' splice sites is also seen for PTB-dependent intron removal and alternative 5' splice site events from A. thaliana, suggesting this is a common step of exon definition. In conclusion, the position-dependent AS regulatory mechanism by PTB homologs has been conserved during the separate evolution of plants and mammals, while other critical features, in particular intron length, have considerably changed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rica Burgardt
- Institute for Molecular Physiology (imP), University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dorothee Lambert
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christina Heuwieser
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Sack
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstraße 16-18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gabriele Wagner
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zasha Weinberg
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Centre for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstraße 16-18, 04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andreas Wachter
- Institute for Molecular Physiology (imP), University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 32, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
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2
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Altina NH, Maranon DG, Anderson JR, Donaldson MK, Elmegerhi S, St Clair LA, Perera R, Geiss BJ, Wilusz J. The leader RNA of SARS-CoV-2 sequesters polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTBP1) and influences pre-mRNA splicing in infected cells. Virology 2024; 592:109986. [PMID: 38290414 PMCID: PMC10923090 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.109986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
The large amount of viral RNA produced during infections has the potential to interact with and effectively sequester cellular RNA binding proteins, thereby influencing aspects of post-transcriptional gene regulation in the infected cell. Here we demonstrate that the abundant 5' leader RNA region of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNAs can interact with the cellular polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTBP1). Interestingly, the effect of a knockdown of PTBP1 protein on cellular gene expression is also mimicked during SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting that this protein may be functionally sequestered by viral RNAs. Consistent with this model, the alternative splicing of mRNAs that is normally controlled by PTBP1 is dysregulated during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Collectively, these data suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 leader RNA sequesters the cellular PTBP1 protein during infection, resulting in significant impacts on the RNA biology of the host cell. These alterations in post-transcriptional gene regulation may play a role in SARS-CoV-2 mediated molecular pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia H Altina
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - David G Maranon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - John R Anderson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Meghan K Donaldson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Suad Elmegerhi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Laura A St Clair
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Rushika Perera
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Brian J Geiss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wilusz
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
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Loeser J, Bauer J, Janßen K, Rockenbach K, Wachter A. A transient in planta editing assay identifies specific binding of the splicing regulator PTB as a prerequisite for cassette exon inclusion. Plant Mol Biol 2024; 114:22. [PMID: 38443687 PMCID: PMC10914923 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-024-01414-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The dynamic interaction of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with their target RNAs contributes to the diversity of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes that are involved in a myriad of biological processes. Identifying the RNP components at high resolution and defining their interactions are key to understanding their regulation and function. Expressing fusions between an RBP of interest and an RNA editing enzyme can result in nucleobase changes in target RNAs, representing a recent addition to experimental approaches for profiling RBP/RNA interactions. Here, we have used the MS2 protein/RNA interaction to test four RNA editing proteins for their suitability to detect target RNAs of RBPs in planta. We have established a transient test system for fast and simple quantification of editing events and identified the hyperactive version of the catalytic domain of an adenosine deaminase (hADARcd) as the most suitable editing enzyme. Examining fusions between homologs of polypyrimidine tract binding proteins (PTBs) from Arabidopsis thaliana and hADARcd allowed determining target RNAs with high sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, almost complete editing of a splicing intermediate provided insight into the order of splicing reactions and PTB dependency of this particular splicing event. Addition of sequences for nuclear localisation of the fusion protein increased the editing efficiency, highlighting this approach's potential to identify RBP targets in a compartment-specific manner. Our studies have established the editing-based analysis of interactions between RBPs and their RNA targets in a fast and straightforward assay, offering a new system to study the intricate composition and functions of plant RNPs in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorinde Loeser
- Institute for Molecular Physiology (imP), University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Julia Bauer
- Institute for Molecular Physiology (imP), University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kim Janßen
- Institute for Molecular Physiology (imP), University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kevin Rockenbach
- Institute for Molecular Physiology (imP), University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Andreas Wachter
- Institute for Molecular Physiology (imP), University of Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 17, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
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Gonzalez E, Flatt TG, Farooqi M, Johnson L, Ahmed AA. Polypyrimidine Tract Binding Protein: A Universal Player in Cancer Development. Curr Mol Med 2023:CMM-EPUB-135530. [PMID: 37877563 DOI: 10.2174/0115665240251370231017053236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Polypyrimidine tract binding protein is a 57-Kda protein located in the perinucleolar compartment where it binds RNA and regulates several biological functions through the regulation of RNA splicing. Numerous research articles have been published that address the cellular network and functions of PTB and its isoforms in various disease states. METHODOLOGY Through an extensive PubMed search, we attempt to summarize the relevant research into this biomolecule. RESULTS Besides its roles in embryonic development, neuronal cell growth, RNA metabolism, apoptosis, and hematopoiesis, PTB can affect cancer growth via several metabolic, proliferative, and structural mechanisms. PTB overexpression has been documented in several cancers where it plays a role as a novel prognostic factor. CONCLUSION The diverse carcinogenic effect opens an argument into its potential role in inhibitory targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Gonzalez
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Children Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Terrie G Flatt
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Children Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Midhat Farooqi
- Pathology, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Lisa Johnson
- Seattle Children's Hospital/University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Atif A Ahmed
- Seattle Children's Hospital/University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Joshi A, Esteve V, Buckroyd AN, Blatter M, Allain FHT, Curry S. Solution and crystal structures of a C-terminal fragment of the neuronal isoform of the polypyrimidine tract binding protein (nPTB). PeerJ 2014; 2:e305. [PMID: 24688880 PMCID: PMC3961105 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) serves primarily as a regulator of alternative splicing of messenger RNA, but is also co-opted to other roles such as RNA localisation and translation initiation from internal ribosome entry sites. The neuronal paralogue of PTB (nPTB) is 75% identical in amino acid sequence with PTB. Although the two proteins have broadly similar RNA binding specificities and effects on RNA splicing, differential expression of PTB and nPTB can lead to the generation of alternatively spliced mRNAs. RNA binding by PTB and nPTB is mediated by four RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). We present here the crystal and solution structures of the C-terminal domain of nPTB (nPTB34) which contains RRMs 3 and 4. As expected the structures are similar to each other and to the solution structure of the equivalent fragment from PTB (PTB34). The result confirms that, as found for PTB, RRMs 3 and 4 of nPTB interact with one another to form a stable unit that presents the RNA-binding surfaces of the component RRMs on opposite sides that face away from each other. The major differences between PTB34 and nPTB34 arise from amino acid side chain substitutions on the exposed β-sheet surfaces and adjoining loops of each RRM, which are likely to modulate interactions with RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amar Joshi
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vicent Esteve
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Adrian N Buckroyd
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markus Blatter
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Stephen Curry
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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Ye J, Llorian M, Cardona M, Rongvaux A, Moubarak RS, Comella JX, Bassel-Duby R, Flavell RA, Olson EN, Smith CWJ, Sanchis D. A pathway involving HDAC5, cFLIP and caspases regulates expression of the splicing regulator polypyrimidine tract binding protein in the heart. J Cell Sci 2013; 126:1682-91. [PMID: 23424201 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.121384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB) regulates pre-mRNA splicing, having special relevance for determining gene expression in the differentiating muscle. We have previously shown that PTB protein abundance is progressively reduced during heart development without reduction of its own transcript. Simultaneous reduction of histone deacetylase (HDAC) expression prompted us to investigate the potential link between these events. HDAC5-deficient mice have reduced cardiac PTB protein abundance, and HDAC inhibition in myocytes causes a reduction in endogenous expression of cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (cFLIP) and caspase-dependent cleavage of PTB. In agreement with this, cardiac PTB expression is abnormally high in mice with cardiac-specific executioner caspase deficiency, and cFLIP overexpression prevents PTB cleavage in vitro. Caspase-dependent cleavage triggers further fragmentation of PTB, and these fragments accumulate in the presence of proteasome inhibitors. Experimental modification of the above processes in vivo and in vitro results in coherent changes in the alternative splicing of genes encoding tropomyosin-1 (TPM1), tropomyosin-2 (TPM2) and myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2). Thus, we report a pathway connecting HDAC, cFLIP and caspases regulating the progressive disappearance of PTB, which enables the expression of the adult variants of proteins involved in the regulation of contraction and transcription during cardiac muscle development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junmei Ye
- Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Universitat de Lleida - IRBLLEIDA, Av Rovira Roure, 80, Lleida, 25198 Spain
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