prp8 mutations that cause human retinitis pigmentosa lead to a U5 snRNP maturation defect in yeast

Retinitis pigmentosa-linked mutations impair the snRNA unwinding activity of SNRNP200 and reduce pre-mRNA binding of PRPF8

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a hereditary disorder caused by mutations in more than 70 different genes including those that encode proteins important for pre-mRNA splicing. Most RP-associated mutations in splicing factors reduce either their expression, stability or incorporation into functional splicing complexes. However, we have previously shown that two RP mutations in PRPF8 (F2314L and Y2334N) and two in SNRNP200 (S1087L and R1090L) behaved differently, and it was still unclear how these mutations affect the functions of both proteins. To investigate this in the context of functional spliceosomes, we used iCLIP in HeLa and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. We found that both mutations in the RNA helicase SNRNP200 change its interaction with U4 and U6 snRNAs. The significantly broader binding profile of mutated SNRNP200 within the U4 region upstream of the U4/U6 stem I strongly suggests that its activity to unwind snRNAs is impaired. This was confirmed by FRAP measurements and helicase activity assays comparing mutant and WT protein. The RP variants of PRPF8 did not affect snRNAs, but showed a reduced binding to pre-mRNAs, which resulted in the slower splicing of introns and altered expression of hundreds of genes in RPE cells. This suggests that changes in the expression and splicing of specific genes are the main driver of retinal degeneration in PRPF8-linked RP.

Structure of the human 20S U5 snRNP

The 20S U5 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) is a 17-subunit RNA-protein complex and a precursor of the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP, the major building block of the precatalytic spliceosome. CD2BP2 is a hallmark protein of the 20S U5 snRNP, absent from the mature tri-snRNP. Here we report a high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy structure of the 20S U5 snRNP, shedding light on the mutually exclusive interfaces utilized during tri-snRNP assembly and the role of the CD2BP2 in facilitating this process.

Structural basis of human U5 snRNP late biogenesis and recycling

Pre-mRNA splicing by the spliceosome requires the biogenesis and recycling of its small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complexes, which are consumed in each round of splicing. The human U5 snRNP is the ~1 MDa 'heart' of the spliceosome and is recycled through an unknown mechanism involving major architectural rearrangements and the dedicated chaperones CD2BP2 and TSSC4. Late steps in U5 snRNP biogenesis similarly involve these chaperones. Here we report cryo-electron microscopy structures of four human U5 snRNP-CD2BP2-TSSC4 complexes, revealing how a series of molecular events primes the U5 snRNP to generate the ~2 MDa U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP, the largest building block of the spliceosome.

Co-translational binding of importins to nascent proteins

Various cellular quality control mechanisms support proteostasis. While, ribosome-associated chaperones prevent the misfolding of nascent chains during translation, importins were shown to prevent the aggregation of specific cargoes in a post-translational mechanism prior the import into the nucleoplasm. Here, we hypothesize that importins may already bind ribosome-associated cargo in a co-translational manner. We systematically measure the nascent chain association of all importins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by selective ribosome profiling. We identify a subset of importins that bind to a wide range of nascent, often uncharacterized cargoes. This includes ribosomal proteins, chromatin remodelers and RNA binding proteins that are aggregation prone in the cytosol. We show that importins act consecutively with other ribosome-associated chaperones. Thus, the nuclear import system is directly intertwined with nascent chain folding and chaperoning.

Pre-mRNA splicing-associated diseases and therapies

Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is an essential step in human gene expression and is carried out by a large macromolecular machine called the spliceosome. Given the spliceosome's role in shaping the cellular transcriptome, it is not surprising that mutations in the splicing machinery can result in a range of human diseases and disorders (spliceosomopathies). This review serves as an introduction into the main features of the pre-mRNA splicing machinery in humans and how changes in the function of its components can lead to diseases ranging from blindness to cancers. Recently, several drugs have been developed that interact directly with this machinery to change splicing outcomes at either the single gene or transcriptome-scale. We discuss the mechanism of action of several drugs that perturb splicing in unique ways. Finally, we speculate on what the future may hold in the emerging area of spliceosomopathies and spliceosome-targeted treatments.

Structural and functional investigation of the human snRNP assembly factor AAR2 in complex with the RNase H-like domain of PRPF8

The crystal structure of human AAR2 bound to the central spliceosomal factor PRPF8 and in vitro functional data yield insights into the structural basis of snRNP assembly in humans.

Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes (snRNPs) represent the main subunits of the spliceosome. While the assembly of the snRNP core particles has been well characterized, comparably little is known of the incorporation of snRNP-specific proteins and the mechanisms of snRNP recycling. U5 snRNP assembly in yeast requires binding of the the Aar2 protein to Prp8p as a placeholder to preclude premature assembly of the SNRNP200 helicase, but the role of the human AAR2 homolog has not yet been investigated in detail. Here, a crystal structure of human AAR2 in complex with the RNase H-like domain of the U5-specific PRPF8 (PRP8F RH) is reported, revealing a significantly different interaction between the two proteins compared with that in yeast. Based on the structure of the AAR2–PRPF8 RH complex, the importance of the interacting regions and residues was probed and AAR2 variants were designed that failed to stably bind PRPF8 in vitro. Protein-interaction studies of AAR2 with U5 proteins using size-exclusion chromatography reveal similarities and marked differences in the interaction patterns compared with yeast Aar2p and imply phosphorylation-dependent regulation of AAR2 reminiscent of that in yeast. It is found that in vitro AAR2 seems to lock PRPF8 RH in a conformation that is only compatible with the first transesterification step of the splicing reaction and blocks a conformational switch to the step 2-like, Mg²⁺-coordinated conformation that is likely during U5 snRNP biogenesis. These findings extend the picture of AAR2 PRP8 interaction from yeast to humans and indicate a function for AAR2 in the spliceosomal assembly process beyond its role as an SNRNP200 placeholder in yeast.

Splicing Variants, Protein-Protein Interactions, and Drug Targeting in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome and Small Cell Lung Cancer

Alternative splicing (AS) is a biological operation that enables a messenger RNA to encode protein variants (isoforms) that give one gene several functions or properties. This process provides one of the major sources of use for understanding the proteomic diversity of multicellular organisms. In combination with post-translational modifications, it contributes to generating a variety of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) that are essential to cellular homeostasis or proteostasis. However, cells exposed to many kinds of stresses (aging, genetic changes, carcinogens, etc.) sometimes derive cancer or disease onset from aberrant PPIs caused by DNA mutations. In this review, we summarize how splicing variants may form a neomorphic protein complex and cause diseases such as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and we discuss how protein–protein interfaces obtained from the variants may represent efficient therapeutic target sites to treat HGPS and SCLC.

OUP accepted manuscript

Biogenesis of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) and their recycling after splicing require numerous assembly/recycling factors whose modes of action are often poorly understood. The intrinsically disordered TSSC4 protein has been identified as a nuclear-localized U5 snRNP and U4/U6-U5 tri-snRNP assembly/recycling factor, but how TSSC4’s intrinsic disorder supports TSSC4 functions remains unknown. Using diverse interaction assays and cryogenic electron microscopy-based structural analysis, we show that TSSC4 employs four conserved, non-contiguous regions to bind the PRPF8 Jab1/MPN domain and the SNRNP200 helicase at functionally important sites. It thereby inhibits SNRNP200 helicase activity, spatially aligns the proteins, coordinates formation of a U5 sub-module and transiently blocks premature interaction of SNRNP200 with at least three other spliceosomal factors. Guided by the structure, we designed a TSSC4 variant that lacks stable binding to the PRPF8 Jab1/MPN domain or SNRNP200 in vitro. Comparative immunoprecipitation/mass spectrometry from HEK293 nuclear extract revealed distinct interaction profiles of wild type TSSC4 and the variant deficient in PRPF8/SNRNP200 binding with snRNP proteins, other spliceosomal proteins as well as snRNP assembly/recycling factors and chaperones. Our findings elucidate molecular strategies employed by an intrinsically disordered protein to promote snRNP assembly, and suggest multiple TSSC4-dependent stages during snRNP assembly/recycling.

Pre-mRNA Processing Factors and Retinitis Pigmentosa: RNA Splicing and Beyond

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common inherited retinal disease characterized by progressive degeneration of photoreceptors and/or retinal pigment epithelium that eventually results in blindness. Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPF3, 4, 6, 8, 31, SNRNP200, and RP9) have been linked to 15–20% of autosomal dominant RP (adRP) cases. Current evidence indicates that PRPF mutations cause retinal specific global spliceosome dysregulation, leading to mis-splicing of numerous genes that are involved in a variety of retina-specific functions and/or general biological processes, including phototransduction, retinol metabolism, photoreceptor disk morphogenesis, retinal cell polarity, ciliogenesis, cytoskeleton and tight junction organization, waste disposal, inflammation, and apoptosis. Importantly, additional PRPF functions beyond RNA splicing have been documented recently, suggesting a more complex mechanism underlying PRPF-RPs driven disease pathogenesis. The current review focuses on the key RP-PRPF genes, depicting the current understanding of their roles in RNA splicing, impact of their mutations on retinal cell’s transcriptome and phenome, discussed in the context of model species including yeast, zebrafish, and mice. Importantly, information on PRPF functions beyond RNA splicing are discussed, aiming at a holistic investigation of PRPF-RP pathogenesis. Finally, work performed in human patient-specific lab models and developing gene and cell-based replacement therapies for the treatment of PRPF-RPs are thoroughly discussed to allow the reader to get a deeper understanding of the disease mechanisms, which we believe will facilitate the establishment of novel and better therapeutic strategies for PRPF-RP patients.

The role of splicing factors in retinitis pigmentosa: links to cilia

Cilia are critical to numerous biological functions, both in development and everyday homeostatic processes. Diseases arising from genetic mutations that cause cilia dysfunction are termed ciliopathies. Several ubiquitously expressed splicing factors have been implicated in the condition Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a group of diseases characterised by the progressive degeneration of the retina. In many types of RP the disease affects the modified primary cilium of the photoreceptor cells and thus, these types of RP are considered ciliopathies. Here, we discuss sequence variants found within a number of these splicing factors, the resulting phenotypes, and the mechanisms underpinning disease pathology. Additionally, we discuss recent evidence investigating why RP patients with mutations in globally expressed splicing factors present with retina-specific phenotypes.

TSSC4 is a component of U5 snRNP that promotes tri-snRNP formation

U5 snRNP is a complex particle essential for RNA splicing. U5 snRNPs undergo intricate biogenesis that ensures that only a fully mature particle assembles into a splicing competent U4/U6•U5 tri-snRNP and enters the splicing reaction. During splicing, U5 snRNP is substantially rearranged and leaves as a U5/PRPF19 post-splicing particle, which requires re-generation before the next round of splicing. Here, we show that a previously uncharacterized protein TSSC4 is a component of U5 snRNP that promotes tri-snRNP formation. We provide evidence that TSSC4 associates with U5 snRNP chaperones, U5 snRNP and the U5/PRPF19 particle. Specifically, TSSC4 interacts with U5-specific proteins PRPF8, EFTUD2 and SNRNP200. We also identified TSSC4 domains critical for the interaction with U5 snRNP and the PRPF19 complex, as well as for TSSC4 function in tri-snRNP assembly. TSSC4 emerges as a specific chaperone that acts in U5 snRNP de novo biogenesis as well as post-splicing recycling.

The correct assembly and recycling of the multicomponent spliceosome remains largely elusive. Here, the authors show that a previously uncharacterized protein TSSC4 associates with de novo formed spliceosomal U5 snRNP as well as with a post-splicing U5-PRPF19 particle, and that TSSC4 is important for assembly of the splicing competent tri-snRNP.

Ecd promotes U5 snRNP maturation and Prp8 stability

Pre-mRNA splicing catalyzed by the spliceosome represents a critical step in the regulation of gene expression contributing to transcriptome and proteome diversity. The spliceosome consists of five small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs), the biogenesis of which remains only partially understood. Here we define the evolutionarily conserved protein Ecdysoneless (Ecd) as a critical regulator of U5 snRNP assembly and Prp8 stability. Combining Drosophila genetics with proteomic approaches, we demonstrate the Ecd requirement for the maintenance of adult healthspan and lifespan and identify the Sm ring protein SmD3 as a novel interaction partner of Ecd. We show that the predominant task of Ecd is to deliver Prp8 to the emerging U5 snRNPs in the cytoplasm. Ecd deficiency, on the other hand, leads to reduced Prp8 protein levels and compromised U5 snRNP biogenesis, causing loss of splicing fidelity and transcriptome integrity. Based on our findings, we propose that Ecd chaperones Prp8 to the forming U5 snRNP allowing completion of the cytoplasmic part of the U5 snRNP biogenesis pathway necessary to meet the cellular demand for functional spliceosomes.

The Role of the U5 snRNP in Genetic Disorders and Cancer

Pre-mRNA splicing is performed by the spliceosome, a dynamic macromolecular complex consisting of five small uridine-rich ribonucleoprotein complexes (the U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 snRNPs) and numerous auxiliary splicing factors. A plethora of human disorders are caused by genetic variants affecting the function and/or expression of splicing factors, including the core snRNP proteins. Variants in the genes encoding proteins of the U5 snRNP cause two distinct and tissue-specific human disease phenotypes – variants in PRPF6, PRPF8, and SNRP200 are associated with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), while variants in EFTUD2 and TXNL4A cause the craniofacial disorders mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida type (MFDGA) and Burn-McKeown syndrome (BMKS), respectively. Furthermore, recurrent somatic mutations or changes in the expression levels of a number of U5 snRNP proteins (PRPF6, PRPF8, EFTUD2, DDX23, and SNRNP40) have been associated with human cancers. How and why variants in ubiquitously expressed spliceosome proteins required for pre-mRNA splicing in all human cells result in tissue-restricted disease phenotypes is not clear. Additionally, why variants in different, yet interacting, proteins making up the same core spliceosome snRNP result in completely distinct disease outcomes – RP, craniofacial defects or cancer – is unclear. In this review, we define the roles of different U5 snRNP proteins in RP, craniofacial disorders and cancer, including how disease-associated genetic variants affect pre-mRNA splicing and the proposed disease mechanisms. We then propose potential hypotheses for how U5 snRNP variants cause tissue specificity resulting in the restricted and distinct human disorders.

Loss of the RNA trimethylguanosine cap is compatible with nuclear accumulation of spliceosomal snRNAs but not pre-mRNA splicing or snRNA processing during animal development

The 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap is one of the first identified modifications on eukaryotic RNAs. TMG, synthesized by the conserved Tgs1 enzyme, is abundantly present on snRNAs essential for pre-mRNA splicing. Results from ex vivo experiments in vertebrate cells suggested that TMG ensures nuclear localization of snRNAs. Functional studies of TMG using tgs1 mutations in unicellular organisms yield results inconsistent with TMG being indispensable for either nuclear import or splicing. Utilizing a hypomorphic tgs1 mutation in Drosophila, we show that TMG reduction impairs germline development by disrupting the processing, particularly of introns with smaller sizes and weaker splice sites. Unexpectedly, loss of TMG does not disrupt snRNAs localization to the nucleus, disputing an essential role of TMG in snRNA transport. Tgs1 loss also leads to defective 3' processing of snRNAs. Remarkably, stronger tgs1 mutations cause lethality without severely disrupting splicing, likely due to the preponderance of TMG-capped snRNPs. Tgs1, a predominantly nucleolar protein in Drosophila, likely carries out splicing-independent functions indispensable for animal development. Taken together, our results suggest that nuclear import is not a conserved function of TMG. As a distinctive structure on RNA, particularly non-coding RNA, we suggest that TMG prevents spurious interactions detrimental to the function of RNAs that it modifies.

A Snu114-GTP-Prp8 module forms a relay station for efficient splicing in yeast

The single G protein of the spliceosome, Snu114, has been proposed to facilitate splicing as a molecular motor or as a regulatory G protein. However, available structures of spliceosomal complexes show Snu114 in the same GTP-bound state, and presently no Snu114 GTPase-regulatory protein is known. We determined a crystal structure of Snu114 with a Snu114-binding region of the Prp8 protein, in which Snu114 again adopts the same GTP-bound conformation seen in spliceosomes. Snu114 and the Snu114–Prp8 complex co-purified with endogenous GTP. Snu114 exhibited weak, intrinsic GTPase activity that was abolished by the Prp8 Snu114-binding region. Exchange of GTP-contacting residues in Snu114, or of Prp8 residues lining the Snu114 GTP-binding pocket, led to temperature-sensitive yeast growth and affected the same set of splicing events in vivo. Consistent with dynamic Snu114-mediated protein interactions during splicing, our results suggest that the Snu114–GTP–Prp8 module serves as a relay station during spliceosome activation and disassembly, but that GTPase activity may be dispensable for splicing.

Spliceosomopathies: Diseases and mechanisms

The spliceosome is a complex of RNA and proteins that function together to identify intron-exon junctions in precursor messenger-RNAs, splice out the introns, and join the flanking exons. Mutations in any one of the genes encoding the proteins that make up the spliceosome may result in diseases known as spliceosomopathies. While the spliceosome is active in all cell types, with the majority of the proteins presumably expressed ubiquitously, spliceosomopathies tend to be tissue-specific as a result of germ line or somatic mutations, with phenotypes affecting primarily the retina in retinitis pigmentosa, hematopoietic lineages in myelodysplastic syndromes, or the craniofacial skeleton in mandibulofacial dysostosis. Here we describe the major spliceosomopathies, review the proposed mechanisms underlying retinitis pigmentosa and myelodysplastic syndromes, and discuss how this knowledge may inform our understanding of craniofacial spliceosomopathies.

A Drosophila model to study retinitis pigmentosa pathology associated with mutations in the core splicing factor Prp8

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) represents genetically heterogeneous and clinically variable disease characterized by progressive degeneration of photoreceptors resulting in a gradual loss of vision. The autosomal dominant RP type 13 (RP13) has been linked to the malfunction of PRPF8, an essential component of the spliceosome. Over 20 different RP-associated PRPF8 mutations have been identified in human patients. However, the cellular and molecular consequences of their expression in vivo in specific tissue contexts remain largely unknown. Here, we establish a Drosophila melanogaster model for RP13 by introducing the nine distinct RP mutations into the fly PRPF8 ortholog prp8 and express the mutant proteins in precise spatiotemporal patterns using the Gal4/UAS system. We show that all nine RP-Prp8 mutant proteins negatively impact developmental timing, albeit to a different extent, when expressed in the endocrine cells producing the primary insect moulting hormone. In the developing eye primordium, uncommitted epithelial precursors rather than differentiated photoreceptors appeared sensitive to Prp8 malfunction. Expression of the two most pathogenic variants, Prp8S>F and Prp8H>R, induced apoptosis causing alterations to the adult eye morphology. The affected tissue mounted stress and cytoprotective responses, while genetic programs underlying neuronal function were attenuated. Importantly, the penetrance and expressivity increased under prp8 heterozygosity. In contrast, blocking apoptosis alleviated cell loss but not the redox imbalance. Remarkably, the pathogenicity of the RP-Prp8 mutations in Drosophila correlates with the severity of clinical phenotypes in patients carrying the equivalent mutations, highlighting the suitability of the Drosophila model for in-depth functional studies of the mechanisms underlying RP13 etiology.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

The Arabidopsis lncRNA ASCO modulates the transcriptome through interaction with splicing factors

Alternative splicing (AS) is a major source of transcriptome diversity. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as regulators of AS through different molecular mechanisms. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the AS regulators NSRs interact with the ALTERNATIVE SPLICING COMPETITOR (ASCO) lncRNA. Here, we analyze the effect of the knock-down and overexpression of ASCO at the genome-wide level and find a large number of deregulated and differentially spliced genes related to flagellin responses and biotic stress. In agreement, ASCO-silenced plants are more sensitive to flagellin. However, only a minor subset of deregulated genes overlaps with the AS defects of the nsra/b double mutant, suggesting an alternative way of action for ASCO. Using biotin-labeled oligonucleotides for RNA-mediated ribonucleoprotein purification, we show that ASCO binds to the highly conserved spliceosome component PRP8a. ASCO overaccumulation impairs the recognition of specific flagellin-related transcripts by PRP8a. We further show that ASCO also binds to another spliceosome component, SmD1b, indicating that it interacts with multiple splicing factors. Hence, lncRNAs may integrate a dynamic network including spliceosome core proteins, to modulate transcriptome reprogramming in eukaryotes.

Early splicing functions of fission yeast Prp16 and its unexpected requirement for gene Silencing is governed by intronic features

Prp16 is a DEAH box pre-mRNA splicing factor that triggers a key spliceosome conformational switch to facilitate second step splicing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, Prp16 functions are largely unexplored in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, an attractive model with exon-intron architecture more relevant to several other eukaryotes. Here, we generated mis-sense alleles in SpPrp16 whose consequences on genome-wide splicing uncover its nearly global splicing role with only a small subset of unaffected introns. Prp16 dependent and independent intron categories displayed a striking difference in the strength of intronic 5' splice site (5'SS)-U6 snRNA and branch site (BS)-U2 snRNA interactions. Selective weakening of these interactions could convert a Prp16 dependent intron into an independent one. These results point to the role of SpPrp16 in destabilizing 5'SS-U6snRNA and BS-U2snRNA interactions which plausibly trigger structural alterations in the spliceosome to facilitate first step catalysis. Our data suggest that SpPrp16 interactions with early acting factors, its enzymatic activities and association with intronic elements collectively account for efficient and accurate first step catalysis. In addition to splicing derangements in the spprp16F528S mutant, we show that SpPrp16 influences cell cycle progression and centromeric heterochromatinization. We propose that strong 5'SS-U6 snRNA and BS-U2 snRNA complementarity of intron-like elements in non-coding RNAs which lead to complete splicing arrest and impaired Seb1 functions at the pericentromeric loci may cumulatively account for the heterochromatin defects in spprp16F528S cells. These findings suggest that the diverse Prp16 functions within a genome are likely governed by its intronic features that influence splice site-snRNA interaction strength.

Functional Assessment of Patient-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Edited by CRISPR/Cas9

Retinitis pigmentosa is the most common form of inherited blindness and can be caused by a multitude of different genetic mutations that lead to similar phenotypes. Specifically, mutations in ubiquitously expressed splicing factor proteins are known to cause an autosomal dominant form of the disease, but the retina-specific pathology of these mutations is not well understood. Fibroblasts from a patient with splicing factor retinitis pigmentosa caused by a missense mutation in the PRPF8 splicing factor were used to produce three diseased and three CRISPR/Cas9-corrected induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) clones. We differentiated each of these clones into retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells via directed differentiation and analyzed the RPE cells in terms of gene and protein expression, apicobasal polarity, and phagocytic ability. We demonstrate that RPE cells can be produced from patient-derived and corrected cells and they exhibit morphology and functionality similar but not identical to wild-type RPE cells in vitro. Functionally, the RPE cells were able to establish apicobasal polarity and phagocytose photoreceptor outer segments at the same capacity as wild-type cells. These data suggest that patient-derived iPSCs, both diseased and corrected, are able to differentiate into RPE cells with a near normal phenotype and without differences in phagocytosis, a result that differs from previous mouse models. These RPE cells can now be studied to establish a disease-in-a-dish system relevant to retinitis pigmentosa.

Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa-associated gene PRPF8 is essential for hypoxia-induced mitophagy through regulating ULK1 mRNA splicing

Aged and damaged mitochondria can be selectively degraded by specific autophagic elimination, termed mitophagy. Defects in mitophagy have been increasingly linked to several diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases and other aging-related diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms of mitophagy are not fully understood. Here, we identify PRPF8 (pre-mRNA processing factor 8), a core component of the spliceosome, as an essential mediator in hypoxia-induced mitophagy from an RNAi screen based on a fluorescent mitophagy reporter, mt-Keima. Knockdown of PRPF8 significantly impairs mitophagosome formation and subsequent mitochondrial clearance through the aberrant mRNA splicing of ULK1, which mediates macroautophagy/autophagy initiation. Importantly, autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP)-associated PRPF8 mutant R2310K is defective in regulating mitophagy. Moreover, knockdown of other adRP-associated splicing factors, including PRPF6, PRPF31 and SNRNP200, also lead to ULK1 mRNA mis-splicing and mitophagy defects. Thus, these findings demonstrate that PRPF8 is essential for mitophagy and suggest that dysregulation of spliceosome-mediated mitophagy may contribute to pathogenesis of retinitis pigmentosa.

Splicing regulation by long noncoding RNAs

Massive high-throughput sequencing techniques allowed the identification of thousands of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and a plethora of different mRNA processing events occurring in higher organisms. Long ncRNAs can act directly as long transcripts or can be processed into active small si/miRNAs. They can modulate mRNA cleavage, translational repression or the epigenetic landscape of their target genes. Recently, certain long ncRNAs have been shown to play a crucial role in the regulation of alternative splicing in response to several stimuli or during disease. In this review, we focus on recent discoveries linking gene regulation by alternative splicing and its modulation by long and small ncRNAs.

Exonic mutations and exon skipping: Lessons learned from DFNA5

Dysregulation of splicing is a common factor underlying many inherited diseases including deafness. For one deafness-associated gene, DFNA5, perturbation of exon 8 splicing results in a constitutively active truncated protein. To date, only intronic mutations have been reported to cause exon 8 skipping in patients with DFNA5-related deafness. In five families with postlingual progressive autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss, we employed two next-generation sequencing platforms-OtoSCOPE and whole exome sequencing-followed by variant filtering and prioritization based on both minor allele frequency and functional consequence using a customized bioinformatics pipeline to identify three novel and two recurrent mutations in DFNA5 that segregated with hearing loss in these families. The three novel mutations are all missense variants within exon 8 that are predicted computationally to decrease splicing efficiency or abolish it completely. We confirmed their functional impact in vitro using mini-genes carrying each mutant DFNA5 exon 8. In so doing, we present the first exonic mutations in DFNA5 to cause deafness, expand the mutational spectrum of DFNA5-related hearing loss, and highlight the importance of assessing the effect of coding variants on splicing.

Molecular Mechanism and Evolution of Nuclear Pre-mRNA and Group II Intron Splicing: Insights from Cryo-Electron Microscopy Structures

Nuclear pre-mRNA splicing and group II intron self-splicing both proceed by two-step transesterification reactions via a lariat intron intermediate. Recently determined cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of catalytically active spliceosomes revealed the RNA-based catalytic core and showed how pre-mRNA substrates and reaction products are positioned in the active site. These findings highlight a strong structural similarity to the group II intron active site, strengthening the notion that group II introns and spliceosomes evolved from a common ancestor. Prp8, the largest and most conserved protein in the spliceosome, cradles the active site RNA. Prp8 and group II intron maturase have a similar domain architecture, suggesting that they also share a common evolutionary origin. The interactions between maturase and key group II intron RNA elements, such as the exon-binding loop and domains V and VI, are recapitulated in the interactions between Prp8 and key elements in the spliceosome's catalytic RNA core. Structural comparisons suggest that the extensive RNA scaffold of the group II intron was gradually replaced by proteins as the spliceosome evolved. A plausible model of spliceosome evolution is discussed.

SUMO conjugation to spliceosomal proteins is required for efficient pre-mRNA splicing

Pre-mRNA splicing is catalyzed by the spliceosome, a multi-megadalton ribonucleoprotein machine. Previous work from our laboratory revealed the splicing factor SRSF1 as a regulator of the SUMO pathway, leading us to explore a connection between this pathway and the splicing machinery. We show here that addition of a recombinant SUMO-protease decreases the efficiency of pre-mRNA splicing in vitro. By mass spectrometry analysis of anti-SUMO immunoprecipitated proteins obtained from purified splicing complexes formed along the splicing reaction, we identified spliceosome-associated SUMO substrates. After corroborating SUMOylation of Prp3 in cultured cells, we defined Lys 289 and Lys 559 as bona fide SUMO attachment sites within this spliceosomal protein. We further demonstrated that a Prp3 SUMOylation-deficient mutant while still capable of interacting with U4/U6 snRNP components, is unable to co-precipitate U2 and U5 snRNA and the spliceosomal proteins U2-SF3a120 and U5-Snu114. This SUMOylation-deficient mutant fails to restore the splicing of different pre-mRNAs to the levels achieved by the wild type protein, when transfected into Prp3-depleted cultured cells. This mutant also shows a diminished recruitment to active spliceosomes, compared to the wild type protein. These findings indicate that SUMO conjugation plays a role during the splicing process and suggest the involvement of Prp3 SUMOylation in U4/U6•U5 tri-snRNP formation and/or recruitment.

Assembly of the U5 snRNP component PRPF8 is controlled by the HSP90/R2TP chaperones

The pre-mRNA splicing factor PRPF8 is a crucial component of the U5 snRNP. Using quantitative proteomics, Malinová et al. show that assembly of the U5 snRNP is controlled by the HSP90/R2TP chaperones and that Retinitis pigmentosa–associated mutations in PRPF8 impair PRPF8 quality control and U5 snRNP chaperone-mediated assembly.

Splicing is catalyzed by the spliceosome, a complex of five major small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs). The pre-mRNA splicing factor PRPF8 is a crucial component of the U5 snRNP, and together with EFTUD2 and SNRNP200, it forms a central module of the spliceosome. Using quantitative proteomics, we identified assembly intermediates containing PRPF8, EFTUD2, and SNRNP200 in association with the HSP90/R2TP complex, its ZNHIT2 cofactor, and additional proteins. HSP90 and R2TP bind unassembled U5 proteins in the cytoplasm, stabilize them, and promote the formation of the U5 snRNP. We further found that PRPF8 mutants causing Retinitis pigmentosa assemble less efficiently with the U5 snRNP and bind more strongly to R2TP, with one mutant retained in the cytoplasm in an R2TP-dependent manner. We propose that the HSP90/R2TP chaperone system promotes the assembly of a key module of U5 snRNP while assuring the quality control of PRPF8. The proteomics data further reveal new interactions between R2TP and the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), pointing to a potential link between growth signals and the assembly of key cellular machines.

Functions and regulation of the Brr2 RNA helicase during splicing

Pre-mRNA splicing entails the stepwise assembly of an inactive spliceosome, its catalytic activation, splicing catalysis and spliceosome disassembly. Transitions in this reaction cycle are accompanied by compositional and conformational rearrangements of the underlying RNA-protein interaction networks, which are driven and controlled by 8 conserved superfamily 2 RNA helicases. The Ski2-like helicase, Brr2, provides the key remodeling activity during spliceosome activation and is additionally implicated in the catalytic and disassembly phases of splicing, indicating that Brr2 needs to be tightly regulated during splicing. Recent structural and functional analyses have begun to unravel how Brr2 regulation is established via multiple layers of intra- and inter-molecular mechanisms. Brr2 has an unusual structure, including a long N-terminal region and a catalytically inactive C-terminal helicase cassette, which can auto-inhibit and auto-activate the enzyme, respectively. Both elements are essential, also serve as protein-protein interaction devices and the N-terminal region is required for stable Brr2 association with the tri-snRNP, tri-snRNP stability and retention of U5 and U6 snRNAs during spliceosome activation in vivo. Furthermore, a C-terminal region of the Prp8 protein, comprising consecutive RNase H-like and Jab1/MPN-like domains, can both up- and down-regulate Brr2 activity. Biochemical studies revealed an intricate cross-talk among the various cis- and trans-regulatory mechanisms. Comparison of isolated Brr2 to electron cryo-microscopic structures of yeast and human U4/U6•U5 tri-snRNPs and spliceosomes indicates how some of the regulatory elements exert their functions during splicing. The various modulatory mechanisms acting on Brr2 might be exploited to enhance splicing fidelity and to regulate alternative splicing.

Cajal bodies and snRNPs - friends with benefits

Spliceosomal snRNPs are complex particles that proceed through a fascinating maturation pathway. Several steps of this pathway are closely linked to nuclear non-membrane structures called Cajal bodies. In this review, I summarize the last 20 y of research in this field. I primarily focus on snRNP biogenesis, specifically on the steps that involve Cajal bodies. I also evaluate the contribution of the Cajal body in snRNP quality control and discuss the role of snRNPs in Cajal body formation.

Splicing controls the ubiquitin response during DNA double-strand break repair

Although evidence that splicing regulates DNA repair is accumulating, the underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear. Here, we report that short-term inhibition of pre-mRNA splicing by spliceosomal inhibitors impairs cellular repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Indeed, interference with splicing as little as 1 h prior to irradiation reduced ubiquitylation of damaged chromatin and impaired recruitment of the repair factors WRAP53β, RNF168, 53BP1, BRCA1 and RAD51 to sites of DNA damage. Consequently, splicing-deficient cells exhibited significant numbers of residual γH2AX foci, as would be expected if DNA repair is defective. Furthermore, we show that this is due to downregulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF8 and that re-introduction of this protein into splicing-deficient cells restores ubiquitylation at sites of DNA damage, accumulation of downstream factors and subsequent repair. Moreover, downregulation of RNF8 explains the defective repair associated with knockdown of various splicing factors in recent genome-wide siRNA screens and, significantly, overexpression of RNF8 counteracts this defect. These discoveries reveal a mechanism that may not only explain how splicing regulates repair of double-strand breaks, but also may underlie various diseases caused by deregulation of splicing factors, including cancer.

Mutations in spliceosomal proteins and retina degeneration

A majority of human genes contain non-coding intervening sequences – introns that must be precisely excised from the pre-mRNA molecule. This event requires the coordinated action of five major small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) along with additional non-snRNP splicing proteins. Introns must be removed with nucleotidal precision, since even a single nucleotide mistake would result in a reading frame shift and production of a non-functional protein. Numerous human inherited diseases are caused by mutations that affect splicing, including mutations in proteins which are directly involved in splicing catalysis. One of the most common hereditary diseases associated with mutations in core splicing proteins is retinitis pigmentosa (RP). So far, mutations in more than 70 genes have been connected to RP. While the majority of mutated genes are expressed specifically in the retina, eight target genes encode for ubiquitous core snRNP proteins (Prpf3, Prpf4, Prpf6, Prpf8, Prpf31, and SNRNP200/Brr2) and splicing factors (RP9 and DHX38). Why mutations in spliceosomal proteins, which are essential in nearly every cell in the body, causes a disease that displays such a tissue-specific phenotype is currently a mystery. In this review, we recapitulate snRNP functions, summarize the missense mutations which are found in spliceosomal proteins as well as their impact on protein functions and discuss specific models which may explain why the retina is sensitive to these mutations.

Prp8 retinitis pigmentosa mutants cause defects in the transition between the catalytic steps of splicing

Pre-mRNA splicing must occur with high fidelity and efficiency for proper gene expression. The spliceosome uses DExD/H box helicases to promote on-pathway interactions while simultaneously minimizing errors. Prp8 and Snu114, an EF2-like GTPase, regulate the activity of the Brr2 helicase, promoting RNA unwinding by Brr2 at appropriate points in the splicing cycle and repressing it at others. Mutations linked to retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a disease that causes blindness in humans, map to the Brr2 regulatory region of Prp8. Previous in vitro studies of homologous mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiaes how that Prp8-RP mutants cause defects in spliceosome activation. Here we show that a subset of RP mutations in Prp8 also causes defects in the transition between the first and second catalytic steps of splicing. Though Prp8-RP mutants do not cause defects in splicing fidelity, they result in an overall decrease in splicing efficiency. Furthermore, genetic analyses link Snu114 GTP/GDP occupancy to Prp8-dependent regulation of Brr2. Our results implicate the transition between the first and second catalytic steps as a critical place in the splicing cycle where Prp8-RP mutants influence splicing efficiency. The location of the Prp8-RP mutants, at the "hinge" that links the Prp8 Jab1-MPN regulatory "tail" to the globular portion of the domain, suggests that these Prp8-RP mutants inhibit regulated movement of the Prp8 Jab1/MPN domain into the Brr2 RNA binding channel to transiently inhibit Brr2. Therefore, in Prp8-linked RP, disease likely results not only from defects in spliceosome assembly and activation, but also because of defects in splicing catalysis.

CryoEM structures of two spliceosomal complexes: starter and dessert at the spliceosome feast

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Recent advances in cryoEM are revolutionizing our understanding of how molecular machines function.

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The structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP has been revealed.

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The structure of Schizosaccharomyces pombe U2.U6.U5 spliceosomal complex has been revealed.

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These structures greatly advanced our understanding of the mechanism of pre-mRNA splicing.

The spliceosome is formed on pre-mRNA substrates from five small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (U1, U2, U4/U6 and U5 snRNPs), and numerous non-snRNP factors. Saccharomyces cerevisiae U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP comprises U5 snRNA, U4/U6 snRNA duplex and approximately 30 proteins and represents a substantial part of the spliceosome before activation. Schizosaccharomyces pombe U2.U6.U5 spliceosomal complex is a post-catalytic intron lariat spliceosome containing U2 and U5 snRNPs, NTC (nineteen complex), NTC-related proteins (NTR), U6 snRNA, and an RNA intron lariat. Two recent papers describe near-complete atomic structures of these complexes based on cryoEM single-particle analysis. The U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP structure provides crucial insight into the activation mechanism of the spliceosome. The U2.U6.U5 complex reveals the striking architecture of NTC and NTR and important features of the group II intron-like catalytic RNA core remaining after spliced mRNA is released. These two structures greatly advance our understanding of the mechanism of pre-mRNA splicing.

Crystallization and biochemical characterization of the human spliceosomal Aar2-Prp8(RNaseH) complex

In eukaryotes, the removal of nuclear noncoding sequences (pre-mRNA splicing) is catalyzed by the spliceosome, which consists of five ribonucleoprotein particles (U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6 snRNPs, each with a respective snRNA) and a plethora of protein factors that aid spliceosomal maturation, assembly, activation and disassembly. Recently, the U5 snRNP maturation factor Aar2p from baker's yeast has been characterized structurally and biochemically. Aar2p binds to the RNaseH (RH) and Jab1/MPN domains of the highly conserved U5-specific Prp8p, which forms a framework for the spliceosomal catalytic centre. Thereby, Aar2p sterically excludes Brr2p, a helicase essential for the catalytic activation of the spliceosome, from Prp8p binding. At the same time, Aar2p blocks U4/U6 di-snRNA binding to Prp8p. Aar2p therefore prevents premature spliceosome activation and its functions are regulated by reversible phosphorylation. To date, little is known about the hypothetical human Aar2 (hsAar2) orthologue C20ORF4. This study identifies C20ORF4 (i) as part of the HeLa proteome by Western blotting and (ii) as a true Aar2 orthologue which binds to the RH domain (hsRH) of Prp8 and corroborates an evolutionary link between yeast and human Aar2 function. An elaborate strategy was devised to crystallize hsAar2 in complex with hsRH. The analysis of initial weakly diffracting crystals obtained by in situ proteolysis and homology modelling guided the design of an hsAar2 construct in which an internal loop was replaced by three serines (hsAar2(Δloop)). A complex of hsAar2(Δloop) and hsRH crystallized in space group C2; the crystals diffracted to 2.35 Å resolution and were suitable for structure determination by molecular-replacement approaches. The study presented here suggests a connection between Aar2 and the spliceosome in human cells and paves the way for structural studies of human Aar2.

The network organization of protein interactions in the spliceosome is reproduced by the simple rules of food-web models

The network structure of biological systems provides information on the underlying processes shaping their organization and dynamics. Here we examined the structure of the network depicting protein interactions within the spliceosome, the macromolecular complex responsible for splicing in eukaryotic cells. We show the interactions of less connected spliceosome proteins are nested subsets of the connections of the highly connected proteins. At the same time, the network has a modular structure with groups of proteins sharing similar interaction patterns. We then investigated the role of affinity and specificity in shaping the spliceosome network by adapting a probabilistic model originally designed to reproduce food webs. This food-web model was as successful in reproducing the structure of protein interactions as it is in reproducing interactions among species. The good performance of the model suggests affinity and specificity, partially determined by protein size and the timing of association to the complex, may be determining network structure. Moreover, because network models allow building ensembles of realistic networks while encompassing uncertainty they can be useful to examine the dynamics and vulnerability of intracelullar processes. Unraveling the mechanisms organizing the spliceosome interactions is important to characterize the role of individual proteins on splicing catalysis and regulation.

Nucleocytoplasmic Transport of RNAs and RNA-Protein Complexes

RNAs and ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) play key roles in mediating and regulating gene expression. In eukaryotes, most RNAs are transcribed, processed and assembled with proteins in the nucleus and then either function in the cytoplasm or also undergo a cytoplasmic phase in their biogenesis. This compartmentalization ensures that sequential steps in gene expression and RNP production are performed in the correct order and it allows important quality control mechanisms that prevent the involvement of aberrant RNAs/RNPs in these cellular pathways. The selective exchange of RNAs/RNPs between the nucleus and cytoplasm is enabled by nuclear pore complexes, which function as gateways between these compartments. RNA/RNP transport is facilitated by a range of nuclear transport receptors and adaptors, which are specifically recruited to their cargos and mediate interactions with nucleoporins to allow directional translocation through nuclear pore complexes. While some transport factors are only responsible for the export/import of a certain class of RNA/RNP, others are multifunctional and, in the case of large RNPs, several export factors appear to work together to bring about export. Recent structural studies have revealed aspects of the mechanisms employed by transport receptors to enable specific cargo recognition, and genome-wide approaches have provided the first insights into the diverse composition of pre-mRNPs during export. Furthermore, the regulation of RNA/RNP export is emerging as an important means to modulate gene expression under stress conditions and in disease.

Splicing Factor Prp8 Interacts With NES(AR) and Regulates Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer Cells

Androgen receptor (AR) plays a pivotal role in the development of primary as well as advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer. Previous work in our lab identified a novel nuclear export signal (NES) (NES(AR)) in AR ligand-binding domain essential for AR nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. By characterizing the localization of green fluorescence protein (GFP)-tagged NES(AR), we designed and executed a yeast mutagenesis screen and isolated 7 yeast mutants that failed to display the NES(AR) export function. One of those mutants was identified as the splicing factor pre-mRNA processing factor 8 (Prp8). We further showed that Prp8 could regulate NES(AR) function using short hairpin RNA knockdown of Prp8 coupled with a rapamycin export assay in mammalian cells and knockdown of Prp8 could induce nuclear accumulation of GFP-tagged AR in PC3 cells. Prp8 expression was decreased in castration-resistant LuCaP35 xenograft tumors as compared with androgen-sensitive xenografts. Laser capture microdissection and quantitative PCR showed Prp8 mRNA levels were decreased in human prostate cancer specimens with high Gleason scores. In prostate cancer cells, coimmunoprecipitation and deletion mutagenesis revealed a physical interaction between Prp8 and AR mainly mediated by NES(AR). Luciferase assay with prostate specific antigen promoter-driven reporter demonstrated that Prp8 regulated AR transcription activity in prostate cancer cells. Interestingly, Prp8 knockdown also increased polyubiquitination of endogenous AR. This may be 1 possible mechanism by which it modulates AR activity. These results show that Prp8 is a novel AR cofactor that interacts with NES(AR) and regulates AR function in prostate cancer cells.

The architecture of the spliceosomal U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP

U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP is a 1.5-megadalton pre-assembled spliceosomal complex comprising U5 small nuclear RNA (snRNA), extensively base-paired U4/U6 snRNAs and more than 30 proteins, including the key components Prp8, Brr2 and Snu114. The tri-snRNP combines with a precursor messenger RNA substrate bound to U1 and U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs), and transforms into a catalytically active spliceosome after extensive compositional and conformational changes triggered by unwinding of the U4 and U6 (U4/U6) snRNAs. Here we use cryo-electron microscopy single-particle reconstruction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae tri-snRNP at 5.9 Å resolution to reveal the essentially complete organization of its RNA and protein components. The single-stranded region of U4 snRNA between its 3' stem-loop and the U4/U6 snRNA stem I is loaded into the Brr2 helicase active site ready for unwinding. Snu114 and the amino-terminal domain of Prp8 position U5 snRNA to insert its loop I, which aligns the exons for splicing, into the Prp8 active site cavity. The structure provides crucial insights into the activation process and the active site of the spliceosome.

Retinal dystrophies, genomic applications in diagnosis and prospects for therapy

Retinal dystrophies (RDs) are degenerative diseases of the retina which have marked clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Common presentations among these disorders include night or colour blindness, tunnel vision and subsequent progression to complete blindness. The known causative disease genes have a variety of developmental and functional roles with mutations in more than 120 genes shown to be responsible for the phenotypes. In addition, mutations within the same gene have been shown to cause different disease phenotypes, even amongst affected individuals within the same family highlighting further levels of complexity. The known disease genes encode proteins involved in retinal cellular structures, phototransduction, the visual cycle, and photoreceptor structure or gene regulation. This review aims to demonstrate the high degree of genetic complexity in both the causative disease genes and their associated phenotypes, highlighting the more common clinical manifestation of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The review also provides insight to recent advances in genomic molecular diagnosis and gene and cell-based therapies for the RDs.

SART3-Dependent Accumulation of Incomplete Spliceosomal snRNPs in Cajal Bodies

Cajal bodies (CBs) are evolutionarily conserved nuclear structures involved in the metabolism of spliceosomal small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs). CBs are not present in all cell types, and the trigger for their formation is not yet known. Here, we depleted cells of factors required for the final steps of snRNP assembly and assayed for the presence of stalled intermediates in CBs. We show that depletion induces formation of CBs in cells that normally lack these nuclear compartments, suggesting that CB nucleation is triggered by an imbalance in snRNP assembly. Accumulation of stalled intermediates in CBs depends on the di-snRNP assembly factor SART3. SART3 is required for both the induction of CB formation as well as the tethering of incomplete snRNPs to coilin, the CB scaffolding protein. We propose a model wherein SART3 monitors tri-snRNP assembly and sequesters incomplete particles in CBs, thereby allowing cells to maintain a homeostatic balance of mature snRNPs in the nucleoplasm.

Context-dependent control of alternative splicing by RNA-binding proteins

Sequence-specific RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) bind to pre-mRNA to control alternative splicing, but it is not yet possible to read the 'splicing code' that dictates splicing regulation on the basis of genome sequence. Each alternative splicing event is controlled by multiple RBPs, the combined action of which creates a distribution of alternatively spliced products in a given cell type. As each cell type expresses a distinct array of RBPs, the interpretation of regulatory information on a given RNA target is exceedingly dependent on the cell type. RBPs also control each other's functions at many levels, including by mutual modulation of their binding activities on specific regulatory RNA elements. In this Review, we describe some of the emerging rules that govern the highly context-dependent and combinatorial nature of alternative splicing regulation.

A mutation in a splicing factor that causes retinitis pigmentosa has a transcriptome-wide effect on mRNA splicing

BACKGROUND

Substantial progress has been made in the identification of sequence elements that control mRNA splicing and the genetic variants in these elements that alter mRNA splicing (referred to as splicing quantitative trait loci - sQTLs). Genetic variants that affect mRNA splicing in trans are harder to identify because their effects can be more subtle and diffuse, and the variants are not co-located with their targets. We carried out a transcriptome-wide analysis of the effects of a mutation in a ubiquitous splicing factor that causes retinitis pigmentosa (RP) on mRNA splicing, using exon microarrays.

RESULTS

Exon microarray data was generated from whole blood samples obtained from four individuals with a mutation in the splicing factor PRPF8 and four sibling controls. Although the mutation has no known phenotype in blood, there was evidence of widespread differences in splicing between cases and controls (affecting approximately 20% of exons). Most probesets with significantly different inclusion (defined as the expression intensity of the exon divided by the expression of the corresponding transcript) between cases and controls had higher inclusion in cases and corresponded to exons that were shorter than average, AT rich, located towards the 5' end of the gene and flanked by long introns. Introns flanking affected probesets were particularly depleted for the shortest category of introns, associated with splicing via intron definition.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that a mutation in a splicing factor, with a phenotype that is restricted to retinal tissue, acts as a trans-sQTL cluster in whole blood samples. Characteristics of the affected exons suggest that they are spliced co-transcriptionally and via exon definition. However, due to the small sample size available for this study, further studies are required to confirm the widespread impact of this PRPF8 mutation on mRNA splicing outside the retina.

Unexpected role of the steroid-deficiency protein ecdysoneless in pre-mRNA splicing

The steroid hormone ecdysone coordinates insect growth and development, directing the major postembryonic transition of forms, metamorphosis. The steroid-deficient ecdysoneless1 (ecd1) strain of Drosophila melanogaster has long served to assess the impact of ecdysone on gene regulation, morphogenesis, or reproduction. However, ecd also exerts cell-autonomous effects independently of the hormone, and mammalian Ecd homologs have been implicated in cell cycle regulation and cancer. Why the Drosophila ecd1 mutants lack ecdysone has not been resolved. Here, we show that in Drosophila cells, Ecd directly interacts with core components of the U5 snRNP spliceosomal complex, including the conserved Prp8 protein. In accord with a function in pre-mRNA splicing, Ecd and Prp8 are cell-autonomously required for survival of proliferating cells within the larval imaginal discs. In the steroidogenic prothoracic gland, loss of Ecd or Prp8 prevents splicing of a large intron from CYP307A2/spookier (spok) pre-mRNA, thus eliminating this essential ecdysone-biosynthetic enzyme and blocking the entry to metamorphosis. Human Ecd (hEcd) can substitute for its missing fly ortholog. When expressed in the Ecd-deficient prothoracic gland, hEcd re-establishes spok pre-mRNA splicing and protein expression, restoring ecdysone synthesis and normal development. Our work identifies Ecd as a novel pre-mRNA splicing factor whose function has been conserved in its human counterpart. Whether the role of mammalian Ecd in cancer involves pre-mRNA splicing remains to be discovered.

A day in the life of the spliceosome

One of the most amazing findings in molecular biology was the discovery that eukaryotic genes are discontinuous, with coding DNA being interrupted by stretches of non-coding sequence. The subsequent realization that the intervening regions are removed from pre-mRNA transcripts via the activity of a common set of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), which assemble together with associated proteins into a complex known as the spliceosome, was equally surprising. How do cells coordinate the assembly of this molecular machine? And how does the spliceosome accurately recognize exons and introns to carry out the splicing reaction? Insights into these questions have been gained by studying the life cycle of spliceosomal snRNAs from their transcription, nuclear export and re-import to their dynamic assembly into the spliceosome. This assembly process can also affect the regulation of alternative splicing and has implications for human disease.

Sudemycin E influences alternative splicing and changes chromatin modifications

Sudemycin E is an analog of the pre-messenger RNA splicing modulator FR901464 and its derivative spliceostatin A. Sudemycin E causes the death of cancer cells through an unknown mechanism. We found that similar to spliceostatin A, sudemycin E binds to the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) component SF3B1. Native chromatin immunoprecipitations showed that U2 snRNPs physically interact with nucleosomes. Sudemycin E induces a dissociation of the U2 snRNPs and decreases their interaction with nucleosomes. To determine the effect on gene expression, we performed genome-wide array analysis. Sudemycin E first causes a rapid change in alternative pre-messenger RNA splicing, which is later followed by changes in overall gene expression and arrest in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. The changes in alternative exon usage correlate with a loss of the H3K36me3 modification in chromatin encoding these exons. We propose that sudemycin E interferes with the ability of U2 snRNP to maintain an H3K36me3 modification in actively transcribed genes. Thus, in addition to the reversible changes in alternative splicing, sudemycin E causes changes in chromatin modifications that result in chromatin condensation, which is a likely contributing factor to cancer cell death.

Novel regulatory principles of the spliceosomal Brr2 RNA helicase and links to retinal disease in humans

For each round of pre-mRNA splicing, a spliceosome is assembled anew on its substrate. RNA-protein remodeling events required for spliceosome assembly, splicing catalysis, and spliceosome disassembly are driven and controlled by a conserved group of ATPases/RNA helicases. The activities of most of these enzymes are timed by their recruitment to the spliceosome. The Brr2 enzyme, however, which mediates spliceosome catalytic activation, is a stable subunit of the spliceosome, and thus, requires special regulation. Recent structural and functional studies have revealed diverse mechanisms whereby an RNaseH-like and a Jab1/MPN-like domain of the Prp8 protein regulate Brr2 activity during splicing both positively and negatively. Reversible Brr2 inhibition might in part be achieved via an intrinsically unstructured element of the Prp8 Jab1/MPN domain, a concept widespread in biological systems. Mutations leading to changes in the Prp8 Jab1/MPN domain, which are linked to a severe form of retinitis pigmentosa, disrupt Jab1/MPN-mediated regulation of Brr2.

Structural studies of the spliceosome: zooming into the heart of the machine

Spliceosomes are large, dynamic ribonucleoprotein complexes that catalyse the removal of introns from messenger RNA precursors via a two-step splicing reaction. The recent crystal structure of Prp8 has revealed Reverse Transcriptase-like, Linker and Endonuclease-like domains. The intron branch-point cross-link with the Linker domain of Prp8 in active spliceosomes and together with suppressors of 5' and 3' splice site mutations this unambiguously locates the active site cavity. Structural and mechanistic similarities with group II self-splicing introns have encouraged the notion that the spliceosome is at heart a ribozyme, and recently the ligands for two catalytic magnesium ions were identified within U6 snRNA. They position catalytic divalent metal ions in the same way as Domain V of group II intron RNA, suggesting that the spliceosome and group II intron use the same catalytic mechanisms.

Structural basis of Brr2-Prp8 interactions and implications for U5 snRNP biogenesis and the spliceosome active site

The U5 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) helicase Brr2 disrupts the U4/U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) duplex and allows U6 snRNA to engage in an intricate RNA network at the active center of the spliceosome. Here, we present the structure of yeast Brr2 in complex with the Jab1/MPN domain of Prp8, which stimulates Brr2 activity. Contrary to previous reports, our crystal structure and mutagenesis data show that the Jab1/MPN domain binds exclusively to the N-terminal helicase cassette. The residues in the Jab1/MPN domain, whose mutations in human Prp8 cause the degenerative eye disease retinitis pigmentosa, are found at or near the interface with Brr2, clarifying its molecular pathology. In the cytoplasm, Prp8 forms a precursor complex with U5 snRNA, seven Sm proteins, Snu114, and Aar2, but after nuclear import, Brr2 replaces Aar2 to form mature U5 snRNP. Our structure explains why Aar2 and Brr2 are mutually exclusive and provides important insights into the assembly of U5 snRNP.

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We report the structure of Brr2 helicase in complex with the Jab1/MPN domain of Prp8

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Retinitis pigmentosa mutations in the Jab1/MPN domain of Prp8 disrupt this complex

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Mechanism is proposed for the U4/U6 snRNA duplex unwinding and spliceosome activation

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The Brr2-Jab1/MPN and Aar2-Prp8 complexes provide insight into U5 snRNP biogenesis