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Balcerowicz M, Wigge PA, Di Antonio M, Chung B. Monitoring Real-Time Temperature Dynamics of a Short RNA Hairpin Using Förster Resonance Energy Transfer and Circular Dichroism. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2795:149-158. [PMID: 38594536 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3814-9_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
RNA molecules play crucial roles in gene expression regulation and cellular signaling, and these functions are governed by the formation of RNA secondary and tertiary structures. These structures are highly dynamic and subject to rapid changes in response to environmental cues, temperature in particular. Thermosensitive RNA secondary structures have been harnessed by multiple organisms to survey their temperature environment and to adjust gene expression accordingly. It is thus highly desirable to observe RNA structural changes in real time over a range of temperatures. Multiple approaches have been developed to study structural dynamics, but many of these require extensive processing of the RNA, large amounts of RNA input, and/or cannot be applied under physiological conditions. Here, we describe the use of a dually fluorescently labeled RNA oligonucleotide (containing a predicted hairpin structure) to monitor subtle RNA structural dynamics in vitro by Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. These approaches can be employed under physiologically relevant conditions over a range of temperatures and with RNA concentrations as low as 200 nM; they enable us to observe RNA structural dynamics in real time and to correlate these dynamics with changes in biological processes such as translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Balcerowicz
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Dundee at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee, UK.
| | - Philip A Wigge
- Leibniz Institute for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), Grossbeeren, Germany
| | - Marco Di Antonio
- Imperial College London, Chemistry Department, Molecular Science Research Hub, London, UK.
- The Institute of Chemical Biology (ICB), Molecular Science Research Hub, London, UK.
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| | - Betty Chung
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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2
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Kubíková J, Ubartaitė G, Metz J, Jeske M. Structural basis for binding of Drosophila Smaug to the GPCR Smoothened and to the germline inducer Oskar. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304385120. [PMID: 37523566 PMCID: PMC10410706 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304385120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila Smaug and its orthologs comprise a family of mRNA repressor proteins that exhibit various functions during animal development. Smaug proteins contain a characteristic RNA-binding sterile-α motif (SAM) domain and a conserved but uncharacterized N-terminal domain (NTD). Here, we resolved the crystal structure of the NTD of the human SAM domain-containing protein 4A (SAMD4A, a.k.a. Smaug1) to 1.6 Å resolution, which revealed its composition of a homodimerization D subdomain and a subdomain with similarity to a pseudo-HEAT-repeat analogous topology (PHAT) domain. Furthermore, we show that Drosophila Smaug directly interacts with the Drosophila germline inducer Oskar and with the Hedgehog signaling transducer Smoothened through its NTD. We determined the crystal structure of the NTD of Smaug in complex with a Smoothened α-helical peptide to 2.0 Å resolution. The peptide binds within a groove that is formed by both the D and PHAT subdomains. Structural modeling supported by experimental data suggested that an α-helix within the disordered region of Oskar binds to the NTD of Smaug in a mode similar to Smoothened. Together, our data uncover the NTD of Smaug as a peptide-binding domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Kubíková
- Biochemistry Center, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | | | - Jutta Metz
- Biochemistry Center, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Mandy Jeske
- Biochemistry Center, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg69120, Germany
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3
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Artz O, Ackermann A, Taylor L, Koo PK, Pedmale UV. Light and temperature regulate m 6A-RNA modification to regulate growth in plants. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.17.524395. [PMID: 36711495 PMCID: PMC9882139 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.17.524395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine is a highly dynamic, abundant mRNA modification which is an excellent potential mechanism for fine tuning gene expression. Plants adapt to their surrounding light and temperature environment using complex gene regulatory networks. The role of m6A in controlling gene expression in response to variable environmental conditions has so far been unexplored. Here, we map the transcriptome-wide m6A landscape under various light and temperature environments. Identified m6A-modifications show a highly specific spatial distribution along transcripts with enrichment occurring in 5'UTR regions and around transcriptional end sites. We show that the position of m6A modifications on transcripts might influence cellular transcript localization and the presence of m6A-modifications is associated with alternative polyadenylation, a process which results in multiple RNA isoforms with varying 3'UTR lengths. RNA with m6A-modifications exhibit a higher preference for shorter 3'UTRs. These shorter 3'UTR regions might directly influence transcript abundance and localization by including or excluding cis-regulatory elements. We propose that environmental stimuli might change the m6A landscape of plants as one possible way of fine tuning gene regulation through alternative polyadenylation and transcript localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Artz
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 11724. USA
| | - Amanda Ackermann
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 11724. USA
| | - Laura Taylor
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 11724. USA
| | - Peter K. Koo
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 11724. USA
| | - Ullas V. Pedmale
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, 11724. USA
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4
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Thomas SE, Balcerowicz M, Chung BYW. RNA structure mediated thermoregulation: What can we learn from plants? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:938570. [PMID: 36092413 PMCID: PMC9450479 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.938570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
RNA molecules have the capacity to form a multitude of distinct secondary and tertiary structures, but only the most energetically favorable conformations are adopted at any given time. Formation of such structures strongly depends on the environment and consequently, these structures are highly dynamic and may refold as their surroundings change. Temperature is one of the most direct physical parameters that influence RNA structure dynamics, and in turn, thermosensitive RNA structures can be harnessed by a cell to perceive and respond to its temperature environment. Indeed, many thermosensitive RNA structures with biological function have been identified in prokaryotic organisms, but for a long time such structures remained elusive in eukaryotes. Recent discoveries, however, reveal that thermosensitive RNA structures are also found in plants, where they affect RNA stability, pre-mRNA splicing and translation efficiency in a temperature-dependent manner. In this minireview, we provide a short overview of thermosensitive RNA structures in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, highlight recent advances made in identifying such structures in plants and discuss their similarities and differences to established prokaryotic RNA thermosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherine E. Thomas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Balcerowicz
- Division of Plant Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Betty Y.-W. Chung
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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5
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Wu J, Wu Y, Guo Q, Wang S, Wu X. RNA-binding proteins in ovarian cancer: a novel avenue of their roles in diagnosis and treatment. J Transl Med 2022; 20:37. [PMID: 35062979 PMCID: PMC8783520 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03245-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC), an important cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide, is one of the most malignant cancers and is characterized by a poor prognosis. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), a class of endogenous proteins that can bind to mRNAs and modify (or even determine) the amount of protein they can generate, have attracted great attention in the context of various diseases, especially cancers. Compelling studies have suggested that RBPs are aberrantly expressed in different cancer tissues and cell types, including OC tissues and cells. More specifically, RBPs can regulate proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, tumorigenesis and chemosensitivity and serve as potential therapeutic targets in OC. Herein, we summarize what is currently known about the biogenesis, molecular functions and potential roles of human RBPs in OC and their prospects for application in the clinical treatment of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangchun Wu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Qinhao Guo
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Simin Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohua Wu
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Dynamic Variations of 3'UTR Length Reprogram the mRNA Regulatory Landscape. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111560. [PMID: 34829789 PMCID: PMC8615635 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper concerns 3′-untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of mRNAs, which are non-coding regulatory platforms that control stability, fate and the correct spatiotemporal translation of mRNAs. Many mRNAs have polymorphic 3′UTR regions. Controlling 3′UTR length and sequence facilitates the regulation of the accessibility of functional effectors (RNA binding proteins, miRNAs or other ncRNAs) to 3′UTR functional boxes and motifs and the establishment of different regulatory landscapes for mRNA function. In this context, shortening of 3′UTRs would loosen miRNA or protein-based mechanisms of mRNA degradation, while 3′UTR lengthening would strengthen accessibility to these effectors. Alterations in the mechanisms regulating 3′UTR length would result in widespread deregulation of gene expression that could eventually lead to diseases likely linked to the loss (or acquisition) of specific miRNA binding sites. Here, we will review the mechanisms that control 3′UTR length dynamics and their alterations in human disorders. We will discuss, from a mechanistic point of view centered on the molecular machineries involved, the generation of 3′UTR variability by the use of alternative polyadenylation and cleavage sites, of mutually exclusive terminal alternative exons (exon skipping) as well as by the process of exonization of Alu cassettes to generate new 3′UTRs with differential functional features.
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7
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mRNA Trafficking in the Nervous System: A Key Mechanism of the Involvement of Activity-Regulated Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein (Arc) in Synaptic Plasticity. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:3468795. [PMID: 34603440 PMCID: PMC8486535 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3468795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic activity mediates information storage and memory consolidation in the brain and requires a fast de novo synthesis of mRNAs in the nucleus and proteins in synapses. Intracellular localization of a protein can be achieved by mRNA trafficking and localized translation. Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) is a master regulator of synaptic plasticity and plays an important role in controlling large signaling networks implicated in learning, memory consolidation, and behavior. Transcription of the Arc gene may be induced by a short behavioral event, resulting in synaptic activation. Arc mRNA is exported into the cytoplasm and can be trafficked into the dendrite of an activated synapse where it is docked and translated. The structure of Arc is similar to the viral GAG (group-specific antigen) protein, and phylogenic analysis suggests that Arc may originate from the family of Ty3/Gypsy retrotransposons. Therefore, Arc might evolve through “domestication” of retroviruses. Arc can form a capsid-like structure that encapsulates a retrovirus-like sentence in the 3′-UTR (untranslated region) of Arc mRNA. Such complex can be loaded into extracellular vesicles and transported to other neurons or muscle cells carrying not only genetic information but also regulatory signals within neuronal networks. Therefore, Arc mRNA inter- and intramolecular trafficking is essential for the modulation of synaptic activity required for memory consolidation and cognitive functions. Recent studies with single-molecule imaging in live neurons confirmed and extended the role of Arc mRNA trafficking in synaptic plasticity.
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8
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Meher PK, Rai A, Rao AR. mLoc-mRNA: predicting multiple sub-cellular localization of mRNAs using random forest algorithm coupled with feature selection via elastic net. BMC Bioinformatics 2021; 22:342. [PMID: 34167457 PMCID: PMC8223360 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-021-04264-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Localization of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) plays a crucial role in the growth and development of cells. Particularly, it plays a major role in regulating spatio-temporal gene expression. The in situ hybridization is a promising experimental technique used to determine the localization of mRNAs but it is costly and laborious. It is also a known fact that a single mRNA can be present in more than one location, whereas the existing computational tools are capable of predicting only a single location for such mRNAs. Thus, the development of high-end computational tool is required for reliable and timely prediction of multiple subcellular locations of mRNAs. Hence, we develop the present computational model to predict the multiple localizations of mRNAs. RESULTS The mRNA sequences from 9 different localizations were considered. Each sequence was first transformed to a numeric feature vector of size 5460, based on the k-mer features of sizes 1-6. Out of 5460 k-mer features, 1812 important features were selected by the Elastic Net statistical model. The Random Forest supervised learning algorithm was then employed for predicting the localizations with the selected features. Five-fold cross-validation accuracies of 70.87, 68.32, 68.36, 68.79, 96.46, 73.44, 70.94, 97.42 and 71.77% were obtained for the cytoplasm, cytosol, endoplasmic reticulum, exosome, mitochondrion, nucleus, pseudopodium, posterior and ribosome respectively. With an independent test set, accuracies of 65.33, 73.37, 75.86, 72.99, 94.26, 70.91, 65.53, 93.60 and 73.45% were obtained for the respective localizations. The developed approach also achieved higher accuracies than the existing localization prediction tools. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a novel computational tool for predicting the multiple localization of mRNAs. Based on the proposed approach, an online prediction server "mLoc-mRNA" is accessible at http://cabgrid.res.in:8080/mlocmrna/ . The developed approach is believed to supplement the existing tools and techniques for the localization prediction of mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabina Kumar Meher
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
| | - Anil Rai
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, 110012, India.
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9
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Lashkevich KA, Dmitriev SE. mRNA Targeting, Transport and Local Translation in Eukaryotic Cells: From the Classical View to a Diversity of New Concepts. Mol Biol 2021; 55:507-537. [PMID: 34092811 PMCID: PMC8164833 DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321030080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spatial organization of protein biosynthesis in the eukaryotic cell has been studied for more than fifty years, thus many facts have already been included in textbooks. According to the classical view, mRNA transcripts encoding secreted and transmembrane proteins are translated by ribosomes associated with endoplasmic reticulum membranes, while soluble cytoplasmic proteins are synthesized on free polysomes. However, in the last few years, new data has emerged, revealing selective translation of mRNA on mitochondria and plastids, in proximity to peroxisomes and endosomes, in various granules and at the cytoskeleton (actin network, vimentin intermediate filaments, microtubules and centrosomes). There are also long-standing debates about the possibility of protein synthesis in the nucleus. Localized translation can be determined by targeting signals in the synthesized protein, nucleotide sequences in the mRNA itself, or both. With RNA-binding proteins, many transcripts can be assembled into specific RNA condensates and form RNP particles, which may be transported by molecular motors to the sites of active translation, form granules and provoke liquid-liquid phase separation in the cytoplasm, both under normal conditions and during cell stress. The translation of some mRNAs occurs in specialized "translation factories," assemblysomes, transperons and other structures necessary for the correct folding of proteins, interaction with functional partners and formation of oligomeric complexes. Intracellular localization of mRNA has a significant impact on the efficiency of its translation and presumably determines its response to cellular stress. Compartmentalization of mRNAs and the translation machinery also plays an important role in viral infections. Many viruses provoke the formation of specific intracellular structures, virus factories, for the production of their proteins. Here we review the current concepts of the molecular mechanisms of transport, selective localization and local translation of cellular and viral mRNAs, their effects on protein targeting and topogenesis, and on the regulation of protein biosynthesis in different compartments of the eukaryotic cell. Special attention is paid to new systems biology approaches, providing new cues to the study of localized translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kseniya A Lashkevich
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey E Dmitriev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia.,Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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10
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Balcerowicz M, Di Antonio M, Chung BYW. Monitoring Real-time Temperature Dynamics of a Short RNA Hairpin Using Förster Resonance Energy Transfer and Circular Dichroism. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e3950. [PMID: 33855112 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA secondary structures are highly dynamic and subject to prompt changes in response to the environment. Temperature in particular has a strong impact on RNA structural conformation, and temperature-sensitive RNA hairpin structures have been exploited by multiple organisms to modify the rate of translation in response to temperature changes. Observing RNA structural changes in real-time over a range of temperatures is therefore highly desirable. A variety of approaches exists that probe RNA secondary structures, but many of these either require large amount and/or extensive processing of the RNA or cannot be applied under physiological conditions, rendering the observation of structural dynamics over a range of temperatures difficult. Here, we describe the use of a dually fluorescently labelled RNA oligonucleotide (containing the predicted hairpin structure) that can be used to monitor subtle RNA-structural dynamics by Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) at different temperatures with RNA concentration as low as 200 nM. FRET efficiency varies as a function of the fluorophores' distance; high efficiency can thus be correlated to a stable hairpin structure, whilst a reduction in FRET efficiency reflects a partial opening of the hairpin or a destabilisation of this structure. The same RNA sequence can also be used for Circular Dichroism spectroscopy to observe global changes of RNA secondary structure at a given temperature. The combination of these approaches allowed us to monitor RNA structural dynamics over a range of temperatures in real-time and correlate structural changes to plant biology phenotypes. Graphic abstract: Monitoring temperature-dependent RNA structural dynamics using Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Di Antonio
- Imperial College London, Chemistry Department, Molecular Science Research Hub, London, UK.,The Institute of Chemical Biology (ICB), Molecular Science Research Hub, London, UK
| | - Betty Y W Chung
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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11
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Dalla Costa I, Buchanan CN, Zdradzinski MD, Sahoo PK, Smith TP, Thames E, Kar AN, Twiss JL. The functional organization of axonal mRNA transport and translation. Nat Rev Neurosci 2021; 22:77-91. [PMID: 33288912 PMCID: PMC8161363 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-020-00407-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Axons extend for tremendously long distances from the neuronal soma and make use of localized mRNA translation to rapidly respond to different extracellular stimuli and physiological states. The locally synthesized proteins support many different functions in both developing and mature axons, raising questions about the mechanisms by which local translation is organized to ensure the appropriate responses to specific stimuli. Publications over the past few years have uncovered new mechanisms for regulating the axonal transport and localized translation of mRNAs, with several of these pathways converging on the regulation of cohorts of functionally related mRNAs - known as RNA regulons - that drive axon growth, axon guidance, injury responses, axon survival and even axonal mitochondrial function. Recent advances point to these different regulatory pathways as organizing platforms that allow the axon's proteome to be modulated to meet its physiological needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Dalla Costa
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Courtney N Buchanan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | | | - Pabitra K Sahoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Terika P Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Thames
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Amar N Kar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Jeffery L Twiss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
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12
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Bhagavatula S, Knust E. A putative stem-loop structure in Drosophila crumbs is required for mRNA localisation in epithelia and germline cells. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:224086. [PMID: 33310910 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.236497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Crumbs (Crb) is an evolutionarily conserved transmembrane protein localised to the apical membrane of epithelial cells. Loss or mislocalisation of Crb is often associated with disruption of apicobasal cell polarity. crb mRNA is also apically enriched in epithelial cells, and, as shown here, accumulates in the oocyte of developing egg chambers. We narrowed down the localisation element (LE) of crb mRNA to 47 nucleotides, which form a putative stem-loop structure that may be recognised by Egalitarian (Egl). Mutations in conserved nucleotides abrogate apical transport. crb mRNA enrichment in the oocyte is affected in egl mutant egg chambers. A CRISPR-based genomic deletion of the crb locus that includes the LE disrupts asymmetric crb mRNA localisation in epithelia and prevents its accumulation in the oocyte during early stages of oogenesis, but does not affect Crb protein localisation in embryonic and follicular epithelia. However, flies lacking the LE show ectopic Crb protein expression in the nurse cells. These data suggest an additional role for the Drosophila 3'-UTR in regulating translation in a tissue-specific manner.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srija Bhagavatula
- Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Knust
- Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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13
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Bhaskar V, Jia M, Chao JA. A Single-Molecule RNA Mobility Assay to Identify Proteins that Link RNAs to Molecular Motors. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2166:269-282. [PMID: 32710415 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0712-1_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
mRNA transport and localization is a key aspect of posttranscriptional gene regulation. While the transport of many mRNAs is thought to occur through the recruitment of molecular motors, it has been a challenge to identify RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that directly interact with motors by conventional assays. In order to identify RBPs and their specific domains that are responsible for recruiting a motor to transport granules, we have developed a single-molecule RNA mobility assay that enables quantifying the effect of a tethered RBP on the movement of an RNA. We demonstrate that tethering of RNAs to myosin or kinesin through their well-characterized interacting proteins results in quantitative differences in RNA mobility. This methodology provides a framework for identifying RBPs that mediate associations with motors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Bhaskar
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Min Jia
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeffrey A Chao
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland.
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14
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Tian L, Chou HL, Fukuda M, Kumamaru T, Okita TW. mRNA Localization in Plant Cells. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 182:97-109. [PMID: 31611420 PMCID: PMC6945871 DOI: 10.1104/pp.19.00972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Localization of mRNAs at the subcellular level is an essential mechanism for specific protein targeting and local control of protein synthesis in both eukaryotes and bacteria. While mRNA localization is well documented in metazoans, somatic cells, and microorganisms, only a handful of well-defined mRNA localization examples have been reported in vascular plants and algae. This review summarizes the function and mechanism of mRNA localization and highlights recent studies of mRNA localization in vascular plants. While the emphasis focuses on storage protein mRNA localization in rice endosperm cells, information on targeting of RNAs to organelles (chloroplasts and mitochondria) and plasmodesmata is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Tian
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-6340
| | - Hong-Li Chou
- Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
| | - Masako Fukuda
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-6340
- Plant Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Genetic Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Kumamaru
- Plant Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Genetic Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Thomas W Okita
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-6340
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15
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Gallagher C, Ramos A. Joining the dots - protein-RNA interactions mediating local mRNA translation in neurons. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:2932-2947. [PMID: 29856909 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Establishing and maintaining the complex network of connections required for neuronal communication requires the transport and in situ translation of large groups of mRNAs to create local proteomes. In this Review, we discuss the regulation of local mRNA translation in neurons and the RNA-binding proteins that recognise RNA zipcode elements and connect the mRNAs to the cellular transport networks, as well as regulate their translation control. However, mRNA recognition by the regulatory proteins is mediated by the combinatorial action of multiple RNA-binding domains. This increases the specificity and affinity of the interaction, while allowing the protein to recognise a diverse set of targets and mediate a range of mechanisms for translational regulation. The structural and molecular understanding of the interactions can be used together with novel microscopy and transcriptome-wide data to build a mechanistic framework for the regulation of local mRNA translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Gallagher
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, UK.,The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Andres Ramos
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, UK
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