Mechanisms for U2AF to define 3' splice sites and regulate alternative splicing in the human genome

Chromatin environment, transcriptional regulation, and splicing distinguish lincRNAs and mRNAs

While long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) and mRNAs share similar biogenesis pathways, these transcript classes differ in many regards. LincRNAs are less evolutionarily conserved, less abundant, and more tissue-specific, suggesting that their pre- and post-transcriptional regulation is different from that of mRNAs. Here, we perform an in-depth characterization of the features that contribute to lincRNA regulation in multiple human cell lines. We find that lincRNA promoters are depleted of transcription factor (TF) binding sites, yet enriched for some specific factors such as GATA and FOS relative to mRNA promoters. Surprisingly, we find that H3K9me3—a histone modification typically associated with transcriptional repression—is more enriched at the promoters of active lincRNA loci than at those of active mRNAs. Moreover, H3K9me3-marked lincRNA genes are more tissue-specific. The most discriminant differences between lincRNAs and mRNAs involve splicing. LincRNAs are less efficiently spliced, which cannot be explained by differences in U1 binding or the density of exonic splicing enhancers but may be partially attributed to lower U2AF65 binding and weaker splicing-related motifs. Conversely, the stability of lincRNAs and mRNAs is similar, differing only with regard to the location of stabilizing protein binding sites. Finally, we find that certain transcriptional properties are correlated with higher evolutionary conservation in both DNA and RNA motifs and are enriched in lincRNAs that have been functionally characterized.

Antisense Oligonucleotides Modulating Activation of a Nonsense-Mediated RNA Decay Switch Exon in the ATM Gene

ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia, mutated) is an important cancer susceptibility gene that encodes a key apical kinase in the DNA damage response pathway. ATM mutations in the germ line result in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), a rare genetic syndrome associated with hypersensitivity to double-strand DNA breaks and predisposition to lymphoid malignancies. ATM expression is limited by a tightly regulated nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) switch exon (termed NSE) located in intron 28. In this study, we identify antisense oligonucleotides that modulate NSE inclusion in mature transcripts by systematically targeting the entire 3.1-kb-long intron. Their identification was assisted by a segmental deletion analysis of transposed elements, revealing NSE repression upon removal of a distant antisense Alu and NSE activation upon elimination of a long terminal repeat transposon MER51A. Efficient NSE repression was achieved by delivering optimized splice-switching oligonucleotides to embryonic and lymphoblastoid cells using chitosan-based nanoparticles. Together, these results provide a basis for possible sequence-specific radiosensitization of cancer cells, highlight the power of intronic antisense oligonucleotides to modify gene expression, and demonstrate transposon-mediated regulation of NSEs.

Wild-Type U2AF1 Antagonizes the Splicing Program Characteristic of U2AF1-Mutant Tumors and Is Required for Cell Survival

We have asked how the common S34F mutation in the splicing factor U2AF1 regulates alternative splicing in lung cancer, and why wild-type U2AF1 is retained in cancers with this mutation. A human lung epithelial cell line was genetically modified so that U2AF1S34F is expressed from one of the two endogenous U2AF1 loci. By altering levels of mutant or wild-type U2AF1 in this cell line and by analyzing published data on human lung adenocarcinomas, we show that S34F-associated changes in alternative splicing are proportional to the ratio of S34F:wild-type gene products and not to absolute levels of either the mutant or wild-type factor. Preferential recognition of specific 3' splice sites in S34F-expressing cells is largely explained by differential in vitro RNA-binding affinities of mutant versus wild-type U2AF1 for those same 3' splice sites. Finally, we show that lung adenocarcinoma cell lines bearing U2AF1 mutations do not require the mutant protein for growth in vitro or in vivo. In contrast, wild-type U2AF1 is required for survival, regardless of whether cells carry the U2AF1S34F allele. Our results provide mechanistic explanations of the magnitude of splicing changes observed in U2AF1-mutant cells and why tumors harboring U2AF1 mutations always retain an expressed copy of the wild-type allele.

The power of fission: yeast as a tool for understanding complex splicing

Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential component of eukaryotic gene expression. Many metazoans, including humans, regulate alternative splicing patterns to generate expansions of their proteome from a limited number of genes. Importantly, a considerable fraction of human disease causing mutations manifest themselves through altering the sequences that shape the splicing patterns of genes. Thus, understanding the mechanistic bases of this complex pathway will be an essential component of combating these diseases. Dating almost to the initial discovery of splicing, researchers have taken advantage of the genetic tractability of budding yeast to identify the components and decipher the mechanisms of splicing. However, budding yeast lacks the complex splicing machinery and alternative splicing patterns most relevant to humans. More recently, many researchers have turned their efforts to study the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which has retained many features of complex splicing, including degenerate splice site sequences, the usage of exonic splicing enhancers, and SR proteins. Here, we review recent work using fission yeast genetics to examine pre-mRNA splicing, highlighting its promise for modeling the complex splicing seen in higher eukaryotes.

Alternative splicing of U2AF1 reveals a shared repression mechanism for duplicated exons

The auxiliary factor of U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U2AF) facilitates branch point (BP) recognition and formation of lariat introns. The gene for the 35-kD subunit of U2AF gives rise to two protein isoforms (termed U2AF35a and U2AF35b) that are encoded by alternatively spliced exons 3 and Ab, respectively. The splicing recognition sequences of exon 3 are less favorable than exon Ab, yet U2AF35a expression is higher than U2AF35b across tissues. We show that U2AF35b repression is facilitated by weak, closely spaced BPs next to a long polypyrimidine tract of exon Ab. Each BP lacked canonical uridines at position -2 relative to the BP adenines, with efficient U2 base-pairing interactions predicted only for shifted registers reminiscent of programmed ribosomal frameshifting. The BP cluster was compensated by interactions involving unpaired cytosines in an upstream, EvoFold-predicted stem loop (termed ESL) that binds FUBP1/2. Exon Ab inclusion correlated with predicted free energies of mutant ESLs, suggesting that the ESL operates as a conserved rheostat between long inverted repeats upstream of each exon. The isoform-specific U2AF35 expression was U2AF65-dependent, required interactions between the U2AF-homology motif (UHM) and the α6 helix of U2AF35, and was fine-tuned by exon Ab/3 variants. Finally, we identify tandem homologous exons regulated by U2AF and show that their preferential responses to U2AF65-related proteins and SRSF3 are associated with unpaired pre-mRNA segments upstream of U2AF-repressed 3′ss. These results provide new insights into tissue-specific subfunctionalization of duplicated exons in vertebrate evolution and expand the repertoire of exon repression mechanisms that control alternative splicing.

Global regulation of alternative RNA splicing by the SR-rich protein RBM39

BACKGROUND

RBM39 is a serine/arginine-rich RNA-binding protein that is highly homologous to the splicing factor U2AF65. However, the role of RBM39 in alternative splicing is poorly understood.

METHODS

In this study, RBM39-mediated global alternative splicing was investigated using RNA-Seq and genome-wide RBM39-RNA interactions were mapped via cross-linking and immunoprecipitation coupled with deep sequencing (CLIP-Seq) in wild-type and RBM39-knockdown MCF-7 cells.

RESULTS

RBM39 was involved in the up- or down-regulation of the transcript levels of various genes. Hundreds of alternative splicing events regulated by endogenous RBM39 were identified. The majority of these events were cassette exons. Genes containing RBM39-regulated alternative exons were found to be linked to G2/M transition, cellular response to DNA damage, adherens junctions and endocytosis. CLIP-Seq analysis showed that the binding site of RBM39 was mainly in proximity to 5' and 3' splicing sites. Considerable RBM39 binding to mRNAs encoding proteins involved in translation was observed. Of particular importance, ~20% of the alternative splicing events that were significantly regulated by RBM39 were similarly regulated by U2AF65.

CONCLUSIONS

RBM39 is extensively involved in alternative splicing of RNA and helps regulate transcript levels. RBM39 may modulate alternative splicing similarly to U2AF65 by either directly binding to RNA or recruiting other splicing factors, such as U2AF65.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The current study offers a genome-wide view of RBM39's regulatory function in alternative splicing. RBM39 may play important roles in multiple cellular processes by regulating both alternative splicing of RNA molecules and transcript levels.

Functional genomics analyses of RNA-binding proteins reveal the splicing regulator SNRPB as an oncogenic candidate in glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor. Currently, GBM has an extremely poor outcome and there is no effective treatment. In this context, genomic and transcriptomic analyses have become important tools to identify new avenues for therapies. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are master regulators of co- and post-transcriptional events; however, their role in GBM remains poorly understood. To further our knowledge of novel regulatory pathways that could contribute to gliomagenesis, we have conducted a systematic study of RBPs in GBM.

RESULTS

By measuring expression levels of 1542 human RBPs in GBM samples and glioma stem cell samples, we identified 58 consistently upregulated RBPs. Survival analysis revealed that increased expression of 21 RBPs was also associated with a poor prognosis. To assess the functional impact of those RBPs, we modulated their expression in GBM cell lines and performed viability, proliferation, and apoptosis assays. Combined results revealed a prominent oncogenic candidate, SNRPB, which encodes core spliceosome machinery components. To reveal the impact of SNRPB on splicing and gene expression, we performed its knockdown in a GBM cell line followed by RNA sequencing. We found that the affected genes were involved in RNA processing, DNA repair, and chromatin remodeling. Additionally, genes and pathways already associated with gliomagenesis, as well as a set of general cancer genes, also presented with splicing and expression alterations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides new insights into how RBPs, and specifically SNRPB, regulate gene expression and directly impact GBM development.

RBFox2 Binds Nascent RNA to Globally Regulate Polycomb Complex 2 Targeting in Mammalian Genomes

Increasing evidence suggests that diverse RNA binding proteins (RBPs) interact with regulatory RNAs to regulate transcription. RBFox2 is a well-characterized pre-mRNA splicing regulator, but we now encounter an unexpected paradigm where depletion of this RBP induces widespread increase in nascent RNA production in diverse cell types. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) reveals extensive interaction of RBFox2 with chromatin in a nascent RNA-dependent manner. Bayesian network analysis connects RBFox2 to Polycomb complex 2 (PRC2) and H3K27me3, and biochemical experiments demonstrate the ability of RBFox2 to directly interact with PRC2. Strikingly, RBFox2 inactivation eradicates PRC2 targeting on the majority of bivalent gene promoters and leads to transcriptional de-repression. Together, these findings uncover a mechanism underlying the enigmatic association of PRC2 with numerous active genes, highlight the importance of gene body sequences to gauge transcriptional output, and suggest nascent RNAs as critical signals for transcriptional feedback control to maintain homeostatic gene expression in mammalian genomes.

U2AF35(S34F) Promotes Transformation by Directing Aberrant ATG7 Pre-mRNA 3' End Formation

Recurrent mutations in the splicing factor U2AF35 are found in several cancers and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). How oncogenic U2AF35 mutants promote transformation remains to be determined. Here we derive cell lines transformed by the oncogenic U2AF35(S34F) mutant and identify aberrantly processed pre-mRNAs by deep sequencing. We find that in U2AF35(S34F)-transformed cells the autophagy-related factor 7 (Atg7) pre-mRNA is abnormally processed, which unexpectedly is not due to altered splicing but rather selection of a distal cleavage and polyadenylation (CP) site. This longer Atg7 mRNA is translated inefficiently, leading to decreased ATG7 levels and an autophagy defect that predisposes cells to secondary mutations, resulting in transformation. MDS and acute myeloid leukemia patient samples harboring U2AF35(S34F) have a similar increased use of the ATG7 distal CP site, and previous studies have shown that mice with hematopoietic cells lacking Atg7 develop an MDS-like syndrome. Collectively, our results reveal a basis for U2AF35(S34F) oncogenic activity.

Defective control of pre-messenger RNA splicing in human disease

Examples of associations between human disease and defects in pre-messenger RNA splicing/alternative splicing are accumulating. Although many alterations are caused by mutations in splicing signals or regulatory sequence elements, recent studies have noted the disruptive impact of mutated generic spliceosome components and splicing regulatory proteins. This review highlights recent progress in our understanding of how the altered splicing function of RNA-binding proteins contributes to myelodysplastic syndromes, cancer, and neuropathologies.

αCP binding to a cytosine-rich subset of polypyrimidine tracts drives a novel pathway of cassette exon splicing in the mammalian transcriptome

Alternative splicing (AS) is a robust generator of mammalian transcriptome complexity. Splice site specification is controlled by interactions of cis-acting determinants on a transcript with specific RNA binding proteins. These interactions are frequently localized to the intronic U-rich polypyrimidine tracts (PPT) located 5′ to the majority of splice acceptor junctions. αCPs (also referred to as polyC-binding proteins (PCBPs) and hnRNPEs) comprise a subset of KH-domain proteins with high affinity and specificity for C-rich polypyrimidine motifs. Here, we demonstrate that αCPs promote the splicing of a defined subset of cassette exons via binding to a C-rich subset of polypyrimidine tracts located 5′ to the αCP-enhanced exonic segments. This enhancement of splice acceptor activity is linked to interactions of αCPs with the U2 snRNP complex and may be mediated by cooperative interactions with the canonical polypyrimidine tract binding protein, U2AF65. Analysis of αCP-targeted exons predicts a substantial impact on fundamental cell functions. These findings lead us to conclude that the αCPs play a direct and global role in modulating the splicing activity and inclusion of an array of cassette exons, thus driving a novel pathway of splice site regulation within the mammalian transcriptome.

Cancer-associated SF3B1 mutations affect alternative splicing by promoting alternative branchpoint usage

Hotspot mutations in the spliceosome gene SF3B1 are reported in ∼20% of uveal melanomas. SF3B1 is involved in 3'-splice site (3'ss) recognition during RNA splicing; however, the molecular mechanisms of its mutation have remained unclear. Here we show, using RNA-Seq analyses of uveal melanoma, that the SF3B1(R625/K666) mutation results in deregulated splicing at a subset of junctions, mostly by the use of alternative 3'ss. Modelling the differential junctions in SF3B1(WT) and SF3B1(R625/K666) cell lines demonstrates that the deregulated splice pattern strictly depends on SF3B1 status and on the 3'ss-sequence context. SF3B1(WT) knockdown or overexpression do not reproduce the SF3B1(R625/K666) splice pattern, qualifying SF3B1(R625/K666) as change-of-function mutants. Mutagenesis of predicted branchpoints reveals that the SF3B1(R625/K666)-promoted splice pattern is a direct result of alternative branchpoint usage. Altogether, this study provides a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying splicing alterations induced by mutant SF3B1 in cancer, and reveals a role for alternative branchpoints in disease.

Genomic functions of U2AF in constitutive and regulated splicing

The U2AF heterodimer is generally accepted to play a vital role in defining functional 3' splice sites in pre-mRNA splicing. Given prevalent mutations in U2AF, particularly in the U2AF1 gene (which encodes for the U2AF35 subunit) in blood disorders and other human cancers, there are renewed interests in these classic splicing factors to further understand their regulatory functions in RNA metabolism in both physiological and disease settings. We recently reported that U2AF has a maximal capacity to directly bind ˜88% of functional 3' splice sites in the human genome and that numerous U2AF binding events also occur in various exonic and intronic locations, thus providing additional mechanisms for the regulation of alternative splicing besides their traditional role in titrating weak splice sites in the cell. These findings, coupled with the existence of multiple related proteins to both U2AF65 and U2AF35, beg a series of questions on the universal role of U2AF in functional 3' splice site definition, their binding specificities in vivo, potential mechanisms to bypass their requirement for certain intron removal events, contribution of splicing-independent functions of U2AF to important cellular functions, and the mechanism for U2AF mutations to invoke specific diseases in humans.

Balance between short and long isoforms of cFLIP regulates Fas-mediated apoptosis in vivo

cFLIP, an inhibitor of apoptosis, is a crucial regulator of cellular death by apoptosis and necroptosis; its importance in development is exemplified by the embryonic lethality in cFLIP-deficient animals. A homolog of caspase 8 (CASP8), cFLIP exists in two main isoforms: cFLIPL (long) and cFLIPR (short). Although both splice variants regulate death receptor (DR)-induced apoptosis by CASP8, the specific role of each isoform is poorly understood. Here, we report a previously unidentified model of resistance to Fas receptor-mediated liver failure in the wild-derived MSM strain, compared with susceptibility in C57BL/6 (B6) mice. Linkage analysis in F2 intercross (B6 x MSM) progeny identified several MSM loci controlling resistance to Fas-mediated death, including the caspase 8- and FADD-like apoptosis regulator (Cflar) locus encoding cFLIP. Furthermore, we identified a 21-bp insertion in the 3' UTR of the fifth exon of Cflar in MSM that influences differential splicing of cFLIP mRNA. Intriguingly, we observed that MSM liver cells predominantly express the FLIPL variant, in contrast to B6 liver cells, which have higher levels of cFLIPR. In keeping with this finding, genome-wide RNA sequencing revealed a relative abundance of FLIPL transcripts in MSM hepatocytes whereas B6 liver cells had significantly more FLIPR mRNA. Importantly, we show that, in the MSM liver, CASP8 is present exclusively as its cleaved p43 product, bound to cFLIPL. Because of partial enzymatic activity of the heterodimer, it might prevent necroptosis. On the other hand, it prevents cleavage of CASP8 to p10/20 necessary for cleavage of caspase 3 and, thus, apoptosis induction. Therefore, MSM hepatocytes are predisposed for protection from DR-mediated cell death.

Widespread JNK-dependent alternative splicing induces a positive feedback loop through CELF2-mediated regulation of MKK7 during T-cell activation

In this study, Martinez et al. find a positive feedback loop in the JNK signaling pathway through the alternative splicing of MKK7, identify the RNA-binding protein CELF2 as a major regulator of MKK7 splicing, and show that ∼25% of T-cell receptor-mediated alternative splicing events are dependent on JNK signaling. This study provides insight into a novel paradigm for the reciprocal interplay of signaling and splicing.

Alternative splicing is prevalent among genes encoding signaling molecules; however, the functional consequence of differential isoform expression remains largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that, in response to T-cell activation, the Jun kinase (JNK) kinase MAP kinase kinase 7 (MKK7) is alternatively spliced to favor an isoform that lacks exon 2. This isoform restores a JNK-docking site within MKK7 that is disrupted in the larger isoform. Consistently, we show that skipping of MKK7 exon 2 enhances JNK pathway activity, as indicated by c-Jun phosphorylation and up-regulation of TNF-α. Moreover, this splicing event is itself dependent on JNK signaling. Thus, MKK7 alternative splicing represents a positive feedback loop through which JNK promotes its own signaling. We further show that repression of MKK7 exon 2 is dependent on the presence of flanking sequences and the JNK-induced expression of the RNA-binding protein CELF2, which binds to these regulatory elements. Finally, we found that ∼25% of T-cell receptor-mediated alternative splicing events are dependent on JNK signaling. Strikingly, these JNK-dependent events are also significantly enriched for responsiveness to CELF2. Together, our data demonstrate a widespread role for the JNK–CELF2 axis in controlling splicing during T-cell activation, including a specific role in propagating JNK signaling.

Exon-centric regulation of ATM expression is population-dependent and amenable to antisense modification by pseudoexon targeting

ATM is an important cancer susceptibility gene that encodes a critical apical kinase of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway. We show that a key nonsense-mediated RNA decay switch exon (NSE) in ATM is repressed by U2AF, PUF60 and hnRNPA1. The NSE activation was haplotype-specific and was most promoted by cytosine at rs609621 in the NSE 3' splice-site (3'ss), which is predominant in high cancer risk populations. NSE levels were deregulated in leukemias and were influenced by the identity of U2AF35 residue 34. We also identify splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) that exploit competition of adjacent pseudoexons to modulate NSE levels. The U2AF-regulated exon usage in the ATM signalling pathway was centred on the MRN/ATM-CHEK2-CDC25-cdc2/cyclin-B axis and preferentially involved transcripts implicated in cancer-associated gene fusions and chromosomal translocations. These results reveal important links between 3'ss control and ATM-dependent responses to double-strand DNA breaks, demonstrate functional plasticity of intronic variants and illustrate versatility of intronic SSOs that target pseudo-3'ss to modify gene expression.

The Activation-Induced Assembly of an RNA/Protein Interactome Centered on the Splicing Factor U2AF2 Regulates Gene Expression in Human CD4 T Cells

Activation of CD4 T cells is a reaction to challenges such as microbial pathogens, cancer and toxins that defines adaptive immune responses. The roles of T cell receptor crosslinking, intracellular signaling, and transcription factor activation are well described, but the importance of post-transcriptional regulation by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) has not been considered in depth. We describe a new model expanding and activating primary human CD4 T cells and applied this to characterizing activation-induced assembly of splicing factors centered on U2AF2. We immunoprecipitated U2AF2 to identify what mRNA transcripts were bound as a function of activation by TCR crosslinking and costimulation. In parallel, mass spectrometry revealed the proteins incorporated into the U2AF2-centered RNA/protein interactome. Molecules that retained interaction with the U2AF2 complex after RNAse treatment were designated as "central" interactome members (CIMs). Mass spectrometry also identified a second class of activation-induced proteins, "peripheral" interactome members (PIMs), that bound to the same transcripts but were not in physical association with U2AF2 or its partners. siRNA knockdown of two CIMs and two PIMs caused changes in activation marker expression, cytokine secretion, and gene expression that were unique to each protein and mapped to pathways associated with key aspects of T cell activation. While knocking down the PIM, SYNCRIP, impacts a limited but immunologically important set of U2AF2-bound transcripts, knockdown of U2AF1 significantly impairs assembly of the majority of protein and mRNA components in the activation-induced interactome. These results demonstrated that CIMs and PIMs, either directly or indirectly through RNA, assembled into activation-induced U2AF2 complexes and play roles in post-transcriptional regulation of genes related to cytokine secretion. These data suggest an additional layer of regulation mediated by the activation-induced assembly of RNA splicing interactomes that is important for understanding T cell activation.

Diverse regulation of 3' splice site usage

The regulation of splice site (SS) usage is important for alternative pre-mRNA splicing and thus proper expression of protein isoforms in cells; its disruption causes diseases. In recent years, an increasing number of novel regulatory elements have been found within or nearby the 3'SS in mammalian genes. The diverse elements recruit a repertoire of trans-acting factors or form secondary structures to regulate 3'SS usage, mostly at the early steps of spliceosome assembly. Their mechanisms of action mainly include: (1) competition between the factors for RNA elements, (2) steric hindrance between the factors, (3) direct interaction between the factors, (4) competition between two splice sites, or (5) local RNA secondary structures or longer range loops, according to the mode of protein/RNA interactions. Beyond the 3'SS, chromatin remodeling/transcription, posttranslational modifications of trans-acting factors and upstream signaling provide further layers of regulation. Evolutionarily, some of the 3'SS elements seem to have emerged in mammalian ancestors. Moreover, other possibilities of regulation such as that by non-coding RNA remain to be explored. It is thus likely that there are more diverse elements/factors and mechanisms that influence the choice of an intron end. The diverse regulation likely contributes to a more complex but refined transcriptome and proteome in mammals.

Mammalian splicing factor SF1 interacts with SURP domains of U2 snRNP-associated proteins

Splicing factor 1 (SF1) recognizes the branch point sequence (BPS) at the 3′ splice site during the formation of early complex E, thereby pre-bulging the BPS adenosine, thought to facilitate subsequent base-pairing of the U2 snRNA with the BPS. The 65-kDa subunit of U2 snRNP auxiliary factor (U2AF65) interacts with SF1 and was shown to recruit the U2 snRNP to the spliceosome. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments of SF1-interacting proteins from HeLa cell extracts shown here are consistent with the presence of SF1 in early splicing complexes. Surprisingly almost all U2 snRNP proteins were found associated with SF1. Yeast two-hybrid screens identified two SURP domain-containing U2 snRNP proteins as partners of SF1. A short, evolutionarily conserved region of SF1 interacts with the SURP domains, stressing their role in protein–protein interactions. A reduction of A complex formation in SF1-depleted extracts could be rescued with recombinant SF1 containing the SURP-interaction domain, but only partial rescue was observed with SF1 lacking this sequence. Thus, SF1 can initially recruit the U2 snRNP to the spliceosome during E complex formation, whereas U2AF65 may stabilize the association of the U2 snRNP with the spliceosome at later times. In addition, these findings may have implications for alternative splicing decisions.

Deciphering targeting rules of splicing modulator compounds: case of TG003

Background

Recent advances in the development of small chemical compounds that can modulate RNA splicing brought excitement to the field of splicing-targeting therapy. Splicing-targeting therapy tries to ameliorate the disease by altering the exon combination of transcripts to reduce the undesired effect of genetic mutations. However, the knowledge and tools to understand factors contributing to splicing modulator compound sensitivity have been lacking. Our goal was to establish a method to characterize sequence features found in compound sensitive exons.

Results

Here we developed a comparative transcriptomic approach to explore features that make an exon sensitive to a chemical compound. In this study, we chose TG003, a potential drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and performed RNA-sequencing on samples from human and mouse skeletal muscle cells, with and without TG003 treatments. We compared TG003 responsiveness between homologous exon pairs and identified 21 pairs in which human exons were skip-enhanced but not mouse exons. We compared the sequence features; splice site scores, number of splicing factor binding sites, and properties of branch sequence and polypyrimidine tracts, and found that polypyrimidine tracts were stronger (longer stretches and richer content of consecutive polypyrimidine) in the mouse TG003 insensitive exons. We also compared the features between TG003 skip-enhanced and insensitive exons within the species, and discovered that human TG003 skip-enhanced exons were shorter and had less splicing factor binding sites than the group of human TG003 insensitive exons. Mouse insensitive exons homologous to human TG003 skip-enhanced exons shared these properties. Our results suggested that these features are prerequisites for TG003 skip-enhanced exons and weak polypyrimidine tracts are defining features, which were supported by a decision tree analysis on all cassette exons in human.

Conclusions

In this study we established a comparative transcriptomic approach, which shed lights on how small chemical compounds modulate RNA splicing. The results described here was the first attempt to decipher the targeting rules of a splicing modulator compound. We expect that this approach would contribute to the precise understanding of the mechanism of TG003-induced splicing modulation, expand target diseases of splicing modulators in general, as well as the development of new splicing modulators.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12867-015-0044-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Combined analysis identifies six genes correlated with augmented malignancy from non-small cell to small cell lung cancer

With increased malignancy, lung cancer can be classified into adenocarcinoma (ADC), squamous cell carcinoma (SQC), large cell carcinoma (LCC), and the small cell subtype (SCLC); yet, elucidations to this augmented malignancy has not been addressed. In this study, we elucidated the molecular diversity among these subtypes by investigating large-scale sequencing datasets. Among genes upregulated from normal, ADC, SQC, LCC to SCLC, six hub genes were found closely correlated with adverse clinical outcome and were testified on cellular or tissue level with quantitative RT-PCR. Cox regression model was then built to generate a risk signature. The possible linkages among these genes were also explored. Transcript levels of BUB1, E2F1, ESPL1, GTSE1, RAB3B, and U2AF2 were found significantly elevated from normal, ADC, SQC, LCC to SCLC. Overexpression of one or multiple of these genes was correlated with adverse overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) in the whole patient cohort or groups stratified according to clinical variables, while most of all six genes were independent prognostic factors. When used as a six-gene risk signature, patients with high signature score displayed more unfavorable clinical variables and poorer outcome. Tight regulative relationships were found within these genes, while BUB1 and E2F1 were likely to be the drivers. We considered the augmented malignancy from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to SCLC might be due to the elevation of these six genes. We believe these genes were powerful cancer prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets in lung cancer; moreover, changes of their level might be correlated with lung cancer phenotype plasticity.

Aberrant RNA splicing in cancer; expression changes and driver mutations of splicing factor genes

Alternative splicing is a widespread process contributing to structural transcript variation and proteome diversity. In cancer, the splicing process is commonly disrupted, resulting in both functional and non-functional end-products. Cancer-specific splicing events are known to contribute to disease progression; however, the dysregulated splicing patterns found on a genome-wide scale have until recently been less well-studied. In this review, we provide an overview of aberrant RNA splicing and its regulation in cancer. We then focus on the executors of the splicing process. Based on a comprehensive catalog of splicing factor encoding genes and analyses of available gene expression and somatic mutation data, we identify cancer-associated patterns of dysregulation. Splicing factor genes are shown to be significantly differentially expressed between cancer and corresponding normal samples, and to have reduced inter-individual expression variation in cancer. Furthermore, we identify enrichment of predicted cancer-critical genes among the splicing factors. In addition to previously described oncogenic splicing factor genes, we propose 24 novel cancer-critical splicing factors predicted from somatic mutations.

Improved binding site assignment by high-resolution mapping of RNA-protein interactions using iCLIP

Individual-nucleotide resolution crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) allows the determination of crosslinking sites of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) on RNAs. iCLIP is based on ultraviolet light crosslinking of RBPs to RNA, reverse transcription and high-throughput sequencing of fragments terminating at the site of crosslinking. As a result, start sites of iCLIP fragments are expected to cluster with a narrow distribution, typically representing the site of direct interaction between the RBP and the RNA. Here we show that for several RBPs (eIF4A3, PTB, SRSF3, SRSF4 and hnRNP L), the start sites of iCLIP fragments show a fragment length-dependent broader distribution that can be shifted to positions upstream of the known RNA-binding site. We developed an analysis tool that identifies these shifts and can improve the positioning of RBP binding sites.

Nuclear retention of full-length HTT RNA is mediated by splicing factors MBNL1 and U2AF65

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Recent evidence suggests that HD is a consequence of multimodal, non-mutually exclusive mechanisms of pathogenesis that involve both HTT protein- and HTT RNA-triggered mechanisms. Here we provide further evidence for the role of expanded HTT (expHTT) RNA in HD by demonstrating that a fragment of expHTT is cytotoxic in the absence of any translation and that the extent of cytotoxicity is similar to the cytotoxicity of an expHTT protein fragment encoded by a transcript of similar length and with a similar repeat size. In addition, full-length (FL) expHTT is retained in the nucleus. Overexpression of the splicing factor muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) increases nuclear retention of expHTT and decreases the expression of expHTT protein in the cytosol. The splicing and nuclear export factor U2AF65 has the opposite effect, decreasing expHTT nuclear retention and increasing expression of expHTT protein. This suggests that MBNL1 and U2AF65 play a role in nuclear export of expHTT RNA.

A novel 3' splice site recognition by the two zinc fingers in the U2AF small subunit

The pre-mRNA splicing reaction of eukaryotic cells has to be carried out extremely accurately, as failure to recognize the splice sites correctly causes serious disease. The small subunit of the U2AF heterodimer is essential for the determination of 3' splice sites in pre-mRNA splicing, and several single-residue mutations of the U2AF small subunit cause severe disorders such as myelodysplastic syndromes. However, the mechanism of RNA recognition is poorly understood. Here we solved the crystal structure of the U2AF small subunit (U2AF23) from fission yeast, consisting of an RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain flanked by two conserved CCCH-type zinc fingers (ZFs). The two ZFs are positioned side by side on the β sheet of the RRM domain. Further mutational analysis revealed that the ZFs bind cooperatively to the target RNA sequence, but the RRM domain acts simply as a scaffold to organize the ZFs and does not itself contact the RNA directly. This completely novel and unexpected mode of RNA-binding mechanism by the U2AF small subunit sheds light on splicing errors caused by mutations of this highly conserved protein.

Splicing inhibition of U2AF65 leads to alternative exon skipping

U2 snRNP auxiliary factor 65 kDa (U2AF(65)) is a general splicing factor that contacts polypyrimidine (Py) tract and promotes prespliceosome assembly. In this report, we show that U2AF(65) stimulates alternative exon skipping in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)-related survival motor neuron (SMN) pre-mRNA. A stronger 5' splice-site mutation of alternative exon abolishes the stimulatory effects of U2AF(65). U2AF(65) overexpression promotes its own binding only on the weaker, not the stronger, Py tract. We further demonstrate that U2AF(65) inhibits splicing of flanking introns of alternative exon in both three-exon and two-exon contexts. Similar U2AF(65) effects were observed in Fas (Apo-1/CD95) pre-mRNA. Strikingly, we demonstrate that U2AF(65) even inhibits general splicing of adenovirus major late (Ad ML) or β-globin pre-mRNA. Thus, we conclude that U2AF(65) possesses a splicing Inhibitory function that leads to alternative exon skipping.

Evolutionary emergence of a novel splice variant with an opposite effect on the cell cycle

Alternative splicing contributes greatly to the diversification of mammalian proteomes, but the molecular basis for the evolutionary emergence of splice variants remains poorly understood. We have recently found a novel class of splicing regulatory elements between the polypyrimidine tract (Py) and 3' AG (REPA) at intron ends in many human genes, including the multifunctional PRMT5 (for protein arginine methyltransferase 5) gene. The PRMT5 element is comprised of two G tracts that arise in most mammals and accompany significant exon skipping in human transcripts. The G tracts inhibit splicing by recruiting heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) H and F (H/F) to reduce U2AF65 binding to the Py, causing exon skipping. The resulting novel shorter variant PRMT5S exhibits a histone H4R3 methylation effect similar to that seen with the original longer PRMT5L isoform but exhibits a distinct localization and preferential control of critical genes for cell cycle arrest at interphase in comparison to PRMT5L. This report thus provides a molecular mechanism for the evolutionary emergence of a novel splice variant with an opposite function in a fundamental cell process. The presence of REPA elements in a large group of genes implies their wider impact on different cellular processes for increased protein diversity in humans.

Identification of U2AF(35)-dependent exons by RNA-Seq reveals a link between 3' splice-site organization and activity of U2AF-related proteins

The auxiliary factor of U2 small nuclear RNA (U2AF) is a heterodimer consisting of 65- and 35-kD proteins that bind the polypyrimidine tract (PPT) and AG dinucleotides at the 3′ splice site (3′ss). The gene encoding U2AF35 (U2AF1) is alternatively spliced, giving rise to two isoforms U2AF35a and U2AF35b. Here, we knocked down U2AF35 and each isoform and characterized transcriptomes of HEK293 cells with varying U2AF35/U2AF65 and U2AF35a/b ratios. Depletion of both isoforms preferentially modified alternative RNA processing events without widespread failure to recognize 3′ss or constitutive exons. Over a third of differentially used exons were terminal, resulting largely from the use of known alternative polyadenylation (APA) sites. Intronic APA sites activated in depleted cultures were mostly proximal whereas tandem 3′UTR APA was biased toward distal sites. Exons upregulated in depleted cells were preceded by longer AG exclusion zones and PPTs than downregulated or control exons and were largely activated by PUF60 and repressed by CAPERα. The U2AF(35) repression and activation was associated with a significant interchange in the average probabilities to form single-stranded RNA in the optimal PPT and branch site locations and sequences further upstream. Although most differentially used exons were responsive to both U2AF subunits and their inclusion correlated with U2AF levels, a small number of transcripts exhibited distinct responses to U2AF35a and U2AF35b, supporting the existence of isoform-specific interactions. These results provide new insights into function of U2AF and U2AF35 in alternative RNA processing.