Mak5p, which is required for the maintenance of the M1 dsRNA virus, is encoded by the yeast ORF YBR142w and is involved in the biogenesis of the 60S subunit of the ribosome

Genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolic characterization of 2-Phenylethanol-resistant Saccharomyces cerevisiae obtained by evolutionary engineering

2-Phenylethanol is an aromatic compound commonly used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Due to increasing demand for natural products by consumers, the production of this flavor by microbial fermentation is gaining interest, as a sustainable alternative to chemical synthesis or expensive plant extraction, both processes relying on the use of fossil resources. However, the drawback of the fermentation process is the high toxicity of 2-phenylethanol to the producing microorganism. The aim of this study was to obtain a 2-phenylethanol-resistant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain by in vivo evolutionary engineering and characterize the adapted yeast at the genomic, transcriptomic and metabolic levels. For this purpose, the tolerance to 2-phenylethanol was developed by gradually increasing the concentration of this flavor compound through successive batch cultivations, leading to an adapted strain that could tolerate 3.4 g/L of 2-phenylethanol, which was about 3-times better than the reference strain. Genome sequencing of the adapted strain identified point mutations in several genes, notably in HOG1 that encodes the Mitogen-Activated Kinase of the high-osmolarity signaling pathway. As this mutation is localized in the phosphorylation lip of this protein, it likely resulted in a hyperactive protein kinase. Transcriptomic analysis of the adapted strain supported this suggestion by revealing a large set of upregulated stress-responsive genes that could be explained in great part by HOG1-dependent activation of the Msn2/Msn4 transcription factor. Another relevant mutation was found in PDE2 encoding the low affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase, the missense mutation of which may lead to hyperactivation of this enzyme and thereby enhance the stressful state of the 2-phenylethanol adapted strain. In addition, the mutation in CRH1 that encodes a chitin transglycosylase implicated in cell wall remodeling could account for the increased resistance of the adapted strain to the cell wall-degrading enzyme lyticase. Finally, the potent upregulation of ALD3 and ALD4 encoding NAD⁺ -dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase together with the observed phenylacetate resistance of the evolved strain suggest a resistance mechanism involving conversion of 2-phenylethanol into phenylacetaldehyde and phenylacetate implicating these dehydrogenases.

Sequence-specific remodeling of a topologically complex RNP substrate by Spb4

DEAD-box ATPases are ubiquitous enzymes essential in all aspects of RNA biology. However, the limited in vitro catalytic activities described for these enzymes are at odds with their complex cellular roles, most notably in driving large-scale RNA remodeling steps during the assembly of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). We describe cryo-EM structures of 60S ribosomal biogenesis intermediates that reveal how context-specific RNA unwinding by the DEAD-box ATPase Spb4 results in extensive, sequence-specific remodeling of rRNA secondary structure. Multiple cis and trans interactions stabilize Spb4 in a post-catalytic, high-energy intermediate that drives the organization of the three-way junction at the base of rRNA domain IV. This mechanism explains how limited strand separation by DEAD-box ATPases is leveraged to provide non-equilibrium directionality and ensure efficient and accurate RNP assembly.

Glucocorticoids mediate transcriptome-wide alternative polyadenylation: Potential mechanistic and clinical implications

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a common genetic regulatory mechanism that generates distinct 3' ends for RNA transcripts. Changes in APA have been associated with multiple biological processes and disease phenotypes. However, the role of hormones and their drug analogs in APA remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated transcriptome-wide the impact of glucocorticoids on APA in 30 human B-lymphoblastoid cell lines. We found that glucocorticoids could regulate APA for a subset of genes, possibly by changing the expression of 142 RNA-binding proteins, some with known APA-regulating properties. Interestingly, genes with glucocorticoid-mediated APA were enriched in viral translation-related pathways, while genes with glucocorticoid-mediated expression were enriched in interferon and interleukin pathways, suggesting that glucocorticoid-mediated APA might result in functional consequences distinct from gene expression. For example, glucocorticoids, a pharmacotherapy for severe COVID-19, were found to change the APA but not the expression of LY6E, an important antiviral inhibitor in coronavirus diseases. Glucocorticoid-mediated APA was also cell-type-specific, suggesting an action of glucocorticoids that may be unique to immune regulation. We also observed evidence for genotype-dependent glucocorticoid-mediated APA (referred to as pharmacogenomic-alterative polyadenylation quantitative trait loci), providing potential functional mechanisms for a series of common genetic variants that had previously been associated with immune disorders, but without a clear mechanism. In summary, this study reports a series of observations regarding the impact of glucocorticoids on APA, raising the possibility that this mechanism might have implications for both disease pathophysiology and drug therapy.

DDX24 is required for muscle fiber organization and the suppression of wound-induced Wnt activity necessary for pole re-establishment during planarian regeneration

Planarians have a remarkable ability to undergo whole-body regeneration. Successful regeneration outcome is determined by processes like polarity establishment at the wound site, which is followed by pole (organizer) specification. Interestingly, these determinants are almost exclusively expressed by muscles in these animals. However, the molecular toolkit that enables the functional versatility of planarian muscles remains poorly understood. Here we report that SMED_DDX24, a D-E-A-D Box RNA helicase, is necessary for planarian survival and regeneration. We found that DDX24 is enriched in muscles and its knockdown disrupts muscle fiber organization. This leads to defective pole specification, which in turn results in misregulation of many positional control genes specifically during regeneration. ddx24 RNAi also upregulates wound-induced Wnt signalling. Suppressing this ectopic Wnt activity rescues the knockdown phenotype by enabling better anterior pole regeneration. To summarize, our work highlights the role of an RNA helicase in muscle fiber organization, and modulating amputation-induced wnt levels, both of which seem critical for pole re-organization, thereby regulating whole-body regeneration.

RNA folding and functions of RNA helicases in ribosome biogenesis

Eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis involves the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and its stepwise folding into the unique structure present in mature ribosomes. rRNA folding starts already co-transcriptionally in the nucleolus and continues when pre-ribosomal particles further maturate in the nucleolus and upon their transit to the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. While the approximate order of folding of rRNA subdomains is known, especially from cryo-EM structures of pre-ribosomal particles, the actual mechanisms of rRNA folding are less well understood. Both small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and proteins have been implicated in rRNA folding. snoRNAs hybridize to precursor rRNAs (pre-rRNAs) and thereby prevent premature folding of the respective rRNA elements. Ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) and ribosome assembly factors might have a similar function by binding to rRNA elements and preventing their premature folding. Besides that, a small group of ribosome assembly factors are thought to play a more active role in rRNA folding. In particular, multiple RNA helicases participate in individual ribosome assembly steps, where they are believed to coordinate RNA folding/unfolding events or the release of proteins from the rRNA. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on mechanisms of RNA folding and on the specific function of the individual RNA helicases involved. As the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the organism in which ribosome biogenesis and the role of RNA helicases in this process is best studied, we focused our review on insights from this model organism, but also make comparisons to other organisms where applicable.

Characterization of R-Loop-Interacting Proteins in Embryonic Stem Cells Reveals Roles in rRNA Processing and Gene Expression

Chromatin-associated RNAs have diverse roles in the nucleus. However, their mechanisms of action are poorly understood, in part because of the inability to identify proteins that specifically associate with chromatin-bound RNAs. Here, we address this problem for a subset of chromatin-associated RNAs that form R-loops-RNA-DNA hybrid structures that include a displaced strand of ssDNA. R-loops generally form cotranscriptionally and have important roles in regulation of gene expression, immunoglobulin class switching, and other processes. However, unresolved R-loops can lead to DNA damage and chromosome instability. To identify factors that may bind and regulate R-loop accumulation or mediate R-loop-dependent functions, we used a comparative immunoprecipitation/MS approach, with and without RNA-protein crosslinking, to identify a stringent set of R-loop-binding proteins in mouse embryonic stem cells. We identified 364 R-loop-interacting proteins, which were highly enriched for proteins with predicted RNA-binding functions. We characterized several R-loop-interacting proteins of the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases and found that these proteins localize to the nucleolus and, to a lesser degree, the nucleus. Consistent with their localization patterns, we found that these helicases are required for rRNA processing and regulation of gene expression. Surprisingly, depletion of these helicases resulted in misregulation of highly overlapping sets of protein-coding genes, including many genes that function in differentiation and development. We conclude that R-loop-interacting DEAD-box helicases have nonredundant roles that are critical for maintaining the normal embryonic stem cell transcriptome.

Anti-infective nitazoxanide disrupts transcription of ribosome biogenesis-related genes in yeast

BACKGROUND

Nitazoxanide is a broad-spectrum, anti-parasitic, anti-protozoal, anti-viral drug, whose mechanisms of action have remained elusive.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to provide insight into the mechanisms of action of nitazoxanide and the related eukaryotic host responses by characterizing transcriptome profiles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exposed to nitazoxanide.

METHODS

RNA-Seq was used to investigate the transcriptome profiles of three strains of S. cerevisiae with dsRNA virus-like elements, including a strain that hosts M28 encoding the toxic protein K28. From the strain with M28, an additional sub-strain was prepared by excluding M28 using a nitazoxanide treatment.

RESULTS

Our transcriptome analysis revealed the effects of nitazoxanide on ribosome biogenesis. Many genes related to the UTP A, UTP B, Mpp10-Imp3-Imp4, and Box C/D snoRNP complexes were differentially regulated by nitazoxanide exposure in all of the four tested strains/sub-strains. Examples of the differentially regulated genes included UTP14, UTP4, NOP4, UTP21, UTP6, and IMP3. The comparison between the M28-laden and non-M28-laden sub-strains showed that the mitotic cell cycle was more significantly affected by nitazoxanide exposure in the non-M28-laden sub-strain.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our study reveals that nitazoxanide disrupts regulation of ribosome biogenesis-related genes in yeast.

RNA helicases mediate structural transitions and compositional changes in pre-ribosomal complexes

Production of eukaryotic ribosomal subunits is a highly dynamic process; pre-ribosomes undergo numerous structural rearrangements that establish the architecture present in mature complexes and serve as key checkpoints, ensuring the fidelity of ribosome assembly. Using in vivo crosslinking, we here identify the pre-ribosomal binding sites of three RNA helicases. Our data support roles for Has1 in triggering release of the U14 snoRNP, a critical event during early 40S maturation, and in driving assembly of domain I of pre-60S complexes. Binding of Mak5 to domain II of pre-60S complexes promotes recruitment of the ribosomal protein Rpl10, which is necessary for subunit joining and ribosome function. Spb4 binds to a molecular hinge at the base of ES27 facilitating binding of the export factor Arx1, thereby promoting pre-60S export competence. Our data provide important insights into the driving forces behind key structural remodelling events during ribosomal subunit assembly.

Role of the yeast ribosomal protein L16 in ribosome biogenesis

Most ribosomal proteins play essential roles in ribosome synthesis and function. In this study, we have analysed the contribution of yeast ribosomal protein L16 to ribosome biogenesis. We show that in vivo depletion of the essential L16 protein results in a deficit in 60S subunits and the appearance of half-mer polysomes. This phenotype is likely due to the instability and rapid turnover of early and intermediate pre-60S particles, as evidenced by the reduced steady-state levels of 27SBS and 7SL /S pre-rRNA, and the low amounts of de novo synthesized 27S pre-rRNA and 25S rRNA. Additionally, depletion of L16 blocks nucleocytoplasmic export of pre-60S particles. Moreover, we show that L16 assembles in the nucleolus and binds to early 90S preribosomal particles. Many evolutionarily conserved ribosomal proteins possess extra eukaryote-specific amino- or carboxy-terminal extensions and/or internal loops. Here, we have also investigated the role of the eukaryote-specific carboxy-terminal extension of L16. Progressive truncation of this extension recapitulates, albeit to a lesser extent, the growth and ribosome biogenesis defects of the L16 depletion. We conclude that L16 assembly is a prerequisite to properly stabilize rRNA structures within early pre-60S particles, thereby favouring efficient 27S pre-rRNA processing within the internal transcribed spacer 1 at sites A3 and B1 . Upon depletion of L16, the lack of this stabilization aborts early pre-60S particle assembly and subjects these intermediates to turnover.

Happy birthday: 25 years of DEAD-box proteins

RNA helicases of the DEAD-box family are found in all eukaryotes, most bacteria and many archaea. They play important roles in rearranging RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions. DEAD-box proteins are ATP-dependent RNA binding proteins and RNA-dependent ATPases. The first helicases of this large family of proteins were described in the 1980s. Since then our perception of these proteins has dramatically changed. From bona fide helicases, they became RNA binding proteins that separate duplex RNAs, in a local manner, by binding and bending the target RNA. In the present review we describe some of the experiments that were important milestones in the life of DEAD-box proteins since their birth 25 years ago.

MDM2 mediates nonproteolytic polyubiquitylation of the DEAD-Box RNA helicase DDX24

MDM2 mediates the ubiquitylation and thereby triggers the proteasomal degradation of the tumor suppressor protein p53. However, genetic evidence suggests that MDM2 contributes to multiple regulatory networks independently of p53 degradation. We have now identified the DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX24 as a nucleolar protein that interacts with MDM2. DDX24 was found to bind to the central region of MDM2, resulting in the polyubiquitylation of DDX24 both in vitro and in vivo. Unexpectedly, however, the polyubiquitylation of DDX24 did not elicit its proteasomal degradation but rather promoted its association with preribosomal ribonucleoprotein (pre-rRNP) processing complexes that are required for the early steps of pre-rRNA processing. Consistently with these findings, depletion of DDX24 in cells impaired pre-rRNA processing and resulted both in abrogation of MDM2 function and in consequent p53 stabilization. Our results thus suggest an unexpected role of MDM2 in the nonproteolytic ubiquitylation of DDX24, which may contribute to the regulation of pre-rRNA processing.

Mak5 and Ebp2 act together on early pre-60S particles and their reduced functionality bypasses the requirement for the essential pre-60S factor Nsa1

Ribosomes are the molecular machines that translate mRNAs into proteins. The synthesis of ribosomes is therefore a fundamental cellular process and consists in the ordered assembly of 79 ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) and four ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) into a small 40S and a large 60S ribosomal subunit that form the translating 80S ribosomes. Most of our knowledge concerning this dynamic multi-step process comes from studies with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which have shown that assembly and maturation of pre-ribosomal particles, as they travel from the nucleolus to the cytoplasm, relies on a multitude (>200) of biogenesis factors. Amongst these are many energy-consuming enzymes, including 19 ATP-dependent RNA helicases and three AAA-ATPases. We have previously shown that the AAA-ATPase Rix7 promotes the release of the essential biogenesis factor Nsa1 from late nucleolar pre-60S particles. Here we show that mutant alleles of genes encoding the DEAD-box RNA helicase Mak5, the C/D-box snoRNP component Nop1 and the rRNA-binding protein Nop4 bypass the requirement for Nsa1. Interestingly, dominant-negative alleles of RIX7 retain their phenotype in the absence of Nsa1, suggesting that Rix7 may have additional nuclear substrates besides Nsa1. Mak5 is associated with the Nsa1 pre-60S particle and synthetic lethal screens with mak5 alleles identified the r-protein Rpl14 and the 60S biogenesis factors Ebp2, Nop16 and Rpf1, which are genetically linked amongst each other. We propose that these 'Mak5 cluster' factors orchestrate the structural arrangement of a eukaryote-specific 60S subunit surface composed of Rpl6, Rpl14 and Rpl16 and rRNA expansion segments ES7L and ES39L. Finally, over-expression of Rix7 negatively affects growth of mak5 and ebp2 mutant cells both in the absence and presence of Nsa1, suggesting that Rix7, at least when excessively abundant, may act on structurally defective pre-60S subunits and may subject these to degradation.

Ribosome biogenesis in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Ribosomes are highly conserved ribonucleoprotein nanomachines that translate information in the genome to create the proteome in all cells. In yeast these complex particles contain four RNAs (>5400 nucleotides) and 79 different proteins. During the past 25 years, studies in yeast have led the way to understanding how these molecules are assembled into ribosomes in vivo. Assembly begins with transcription of ribosomal RNA in the nucleolus, where the RNA then undergoes complex pathways of folding, coupled with nucleotide modification, removal of spacer sequences, and binding to ribosomal proteins. More than 200 assembly factors and 76 small nucleolar RNAs transiently associate with assembling ribosomes, to enable their accurate and efficient construction. Following export of preribosomes from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, they undergo final stages of maturation before entering the pool of functioning ribosomes. Elaborate mechanisms exist to monitor the formation of correct structural and functional neighborhoods within ribosomes and to destroy preribosomes that fail to assemble properly. Studies of yeast ribosome biogenesis provide useful models for ribosomopathies, diseases in humans that result from failure to properly assemble ribosomes.

Yeast and human RNA helicases involved in ribosome biogenesis: current status and perspectives

Ribosome biogenesis is a fundamental process that is conserved in eukaryotes. Although spectacular progress has been made in understanding mammalian ribosome synthesis in recent years, by far, this process has still been best characterised in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In yeast, besides the rRNAs, the ribosomal proteins and the 75 small nucleolar RNAs, more than 250 non-ribosomal proteins, generally referred to as trans-acting factors, are involved in ribosome biogenesis. These factors include nucleases, RNA modifying enzymes, ATPases, GTPases, kinases and RNA helicases. Altogether, they likely confer speed, accuracy and directionality to the ribosome synthesis process, however, the precise functions for most of them are still largely unknown. This review summarises our current knowledge on eukaryotic RNA helicases involved in ribosome biogenesis, particularly focusing on the most recent advances with respect to the molecular roles of these enzymes and their co-factors in yeast and human cells. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Biology of RNA helicases-Modulation for life.

DExD/H-box RNA helicases in ribosome biogenesis

Ribosome synthesis requires a multitude of cofactors, among them DExD/H-box RNA helicases. Bacterial RNA helicases involved in ribosome assembly are not essential, while eukaryotes strictly require multiple DExD/H-box proteins that are involved in the much more complex ribosome biogenesis pathway. Here, RNA helicases are thought to act in structural remodeling of the RNPs including the modulation of protein binding, and they are required for allowing access or the release of specific snoRNPs from pre-ribosomes. Interestingly, helicase action is modulated by specific cofactors that can regulate recruitment and enzymatic activity. This review summarizes the current knowledge and focuses on recent findings and open questions on RNA helicase function and regulation in ribosome synthesis.

Powering through ribosome assembly

Ribosome assembly is required for cell growth in all organisms. Classic in vitro work in bacteria has led to a detailed understanding of the biophysical, thermodynamic, and structural basis for the ordered and correct assembly of ribosomal proteins on ribosomal RNA. Furthermore, it has enabled reconstitution of active subunits from ribosomal RNA and proteins in vitro. Nevertheless, recent work has shown that eukaryotic ribosome assembly requires a large macromolecular machinery in vivo. Many of these assembly factors such as ATPases, GTPases, and kinases hydrolyze nucleotide triphosphates. Because these enzymes are likely regulatory proteins, much work to date has focused on understanding their role in the assembly process. Here, we review these factors, as well as other sources of energy, and their roles in the ribosome assembly process. In addition, we propose roles of energy-releasing enzymes in the assembly process, to explain why energy is used for a process that occurs largely spontaneously in bacteria. Finally, we use literature data to suggest testable models for how these enzymes could be used as targets for regulation of ribosome assembly.

The requirement of the DEAD-box protein DDX24 for the packaging of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA

RNA helicases play important roles in RNA metabolism. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) does not carry its own RNA helicase, the virus thus needs to exploit cellular RNA helicases to promote the replication of its RNA at various steps such as transcription, folding and transport. In this study, we report that knockdown of a DEAD-box protein named DDX24 inhibits the packaging of HIV-1 RNA and thus diminishes viral infectivity. The decreased viral RNA packaging as a result of DDX24-knockdown is observed only in the context of the Rev/RRE (Rev response element)-dependent but not the CTE (constitutive transport element)-mediated nuclear export of viral RNA, which is explained by the specific interaction of DDX24 with the Rev protein. We propose that DDX24 acts at the early phase of HIV-1 RNA metabolism prior to nuclear export and the consequence of this action extends to the viral RNA packaging stage during virus assembly.

NS3 Peptide, a novel potent hepatitis C virus NS3 helicase inhibitor: its mechanism of action and antiviral activity in the replicon system

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronic infections represent one of the major and still unresolved health problems because of low efficiency and high cost of current therapy. Therefore, our studies centered on a viral protein, the NS3 helicase, whose activity is indispensable for replication of the viral RNA, and on its peptide inhibitor that corresponds to a highly conserved arginine-rich sequence of domain 2 of the helicase. The NS3 peptide (p14) was expressed in bacteria. Its 50% inhibitory activity in a fluorometric helicase assay corresponded to 725 nM, while the ATPase activity of NS3 was not affected. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies of peptide-protein interactions using the relaxation filtering technique revealed that p14 binds directly to the full-length helicase and its separately expressed domain 1 but not to domain 2. Changes in the NMR chemical shift of backbone amide nuclei ((1)H and (15)N) of domain 1 or p14, measured during complex formation, were used to identify the principal amino acids of both domain 1 and the peptide engaged in their interaction. In the proposed interplay model, p14 contacts the clefts between domains 1 and 2, as well as between domains 1 and 3, preventing substrate binding. This interaction is strongly supported by cross-linking experiments, as well as by kinetic studies performed using a fluorometric assay. The antiviral activity of p14 was tested in a subgenomic HCV replicon assay that showed that the peptide at micromolar concentrations can reduce HCV RNA replication.

The p21-activated protein kinase inhibitor Skb15 and its budding yeast homologue are 60S ribosome assembly factors

Ribosome biogenesis is driven by a large number of preribosomal factors that associate with and dissociate from the preribosomal particles along the maturation pathway. We have previously shown that budding yeast Mak11, whose homologues in other eukaryotes were described as modulating a p21-activated protein kinase function, accumulates in Rlp24-associated pre-60S complexes when their maturation is impeded in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The functional inactivation of WD40 repeat protein Mak11 interfered with the 60S rRNA maturation, led to a cell cycle delay in G(1), and blocked green fluorescent protein-tagged Rpl25 in the nucleoli of yeast cells, indicating an early role of Mak11 in ribosome assembly. Surprisingly, Mak11 inactivation also led to a dramatic destabilization of Rlp24. The suppression of the thermosensitive phenotype of a mak11 mutant by RLP24 overexpression and a direct in vitro interaction between Rlp24 and Mak11 suggest that Mak11 acts as an Rlp24 cofactor during early steps of 60S ribosomal subunit assembly. Moreover, we found that Skb15, the Mak11 homologue in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, also associated with preribosomes and affected 60S biogenesis in fission yeast. It is thus likely that the previously observed phenotypes for MAK11 homologues in other eukaryotes are secondary to the main function of these proteins in ribosome formation.

Dead-box proteins: a family affair--active and passive players in RNP-remodeling

DEAD-box proteins are characterized by nine conserved motifs. According to these criteria, several hundreds of these proteins can be identified in databases. Many different DEAD-box proteins can be found in eukaryotes, whereas prokaryotes have small numbers of different DEAD-box proteins. DEAD-box proteins play important roles in RNA metabolism, and they are very specific and cannot mutually be replaced. In vitro, many DEAD-box proteins have been shown to have RNA-dependent ATPase and ATP-dependent RNA helicase activities. From the genetic and biochemical data obtained mainly in yeast, it has become clear that these proteins play important roles in remodeling RNP complexes in a temporally controlled fashion. Here, I shall give a general overview of the DEAD-box protein family.

Comprehensive mutational analysis of yeast DEXD/H box RNA helicases involved in large ribosomal subunit biogenesis

DEXD/H box putative RNA helicases are required for pre-rRNA processing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, although their exact roles and substrates are unknown. To characterize the significance of the conserved motifs for helicase function, a series of five mutations were created in each of the eight essential RNA helicases (Has1, Dbp6, Dbp10, Mak5, Mtr4, Drs1, Spb4, and Dbp9) involved in 60S ribosomal subunit biogenesis. Each mutant helicase was screened for the ability to confer dominant negative growth defects and for functional complementation. Different mutations showed different degrees of growth inhibition among the helicases, suggesting that the conserved regions do not function identically in vivo. Mutations in motif I and motif II (the DEXD/H box) often conferred dominant negative growth defects, indicating that these mutations do not interfere with substrate binding. In addition, mutations in the putative unwinding domains (motif III) demonstrated that conserved amino acids are often not essential for function. Northern analysis of steady-state RNA from strains expressing mutant helicases showed that the dominant negative mutations also altered pre-rRNA processing. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that some RNA helicases associated with each other. In addition, we found that yeasts disrupted in expression of the two nonessential RNA helicases, Dbp3 and Dbp7, grew worse than when either one alone was disrupted.

Characterization of the ATPase and unwinding activities of the yeast DEAD-box protein Has1p and the analysis of the roles of the conserved motifs

The yeast DEAD-box protein Has1p is required for the maturation of 18S rRNA, the biogenesis of 40S r-subunits and for the processing of 27S pre-rRNAs during 60S r-subunit biogenesis. We purified recombinant Has1p and characterized its biochemical activities. We show that Has1p is an RNA-dependent ATPase in vitro and that it is able to unwind RNA/DNA duplexes in an ATP-dependent manner. We also report a mutational analysis of the conserved residues in motif I (86AKTGSGKT93), motif III (228SAT230) and motif VI (375HRVGRTARG383). The in vivo lethal K92A substitution in motif I abolishes ATPase activity in vitro. The mutations S228A and T230A partially dissociate ATPase and helicase activities, and they have cold-sensitive and lethal growth phenotypes, respectively. The H375E substitution in motif VI significantly decreased helicase but not ATPase activity and was lethal in vivo. These results suggest that both ATPase and unwinding activities are required in vivo. Has1p possesses a Walker A-like motif downstream of motif VI (383GTKGKGKS390). K389A substitution in this motif significantly increases the Has1p activity in vitro, which indicates it potentially plays a role as a negative regulator. Finally, rRNAs and poly(A) RNA serve as the best stimulators of the ATPase activity of Has1p among the tested RNAs.

Has1p, a member of the DEAD-box family, is required for 40S ribosomal subunit biogenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Has1 protein, a member of the DEAD-box family of ATP-dependent RNA helicases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been found by different proteomic approaches to be associated with 90S and several pre-60S ribosomal complexes. Here, we show that Has1p is an essential trans-acting factor involved in 40S ribosomal subunit biogenesis. Polysome analyses of strains genetically depleted of Has1p or carrying a temperature-sensitive has1-1 mutation show a clear deficit in 40S ribosomal subunits. Analyses of pre-rRNA processing by pulse-chase labelling, Northern hybridization and primer extension indicate that these strains form less 18S rRNA because of inhibition of processing of the 35S pre-rRNA at the early cleavage sites A0, A1 and A2. Moreover, processing of the 27SA3 and 27SB pre-rRNAs is delayed in these strains. Therefore, in addition to its role in the biogenesis of 40S ribosomal subunits, Has1p is required for the optimal synthesis of 60S ribosomal subunits. Consistent with a role in ribosome biogenesis, Has1p is localized to the nucleolus. On sucrose gradients, Has1p is associated with a high-molecular-weight complex sedimenting at positions equivalent to 60S and pre-60S ribosomal particles. A mutation in the ATP-binding motif of Has1p does not support growth of a has1 null strain, suggesting that the enzymatic activity of Has1p is required in ribosome biogenesis. Finally, sequence comparisons suggest that Has1p homologues exist in all eukaryotes, and we show that a has1 null strain can be fully complemented by the Candida albicans homologue.