SnR31, snR32, and snR33: three novel, non-essential snRNAs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Structural and evolutionary insights into ribosomal RNA methylation

Methylation of nucleotides in ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) is a ubiquitous feature that occurs in all living organisms. Identification of all enzymes responsible for rRNA methylation, as well as mapping of all modified rRNA residues, is now complete for a number of model species, such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recent high-resolution structures of bacterial ribosomes provided the first direct visualization of methylated nucleotides. The structures of ribosomes from various organisms and organelles have also lately become available, enabling comparative structure-based analysis of rRNA methylation sites in various taxonomic groups. In addition to the conserved core of modified residues in ribosomes from the majority of studied organisms, structural analysis points to the functional roles of some of the rRNA methylations, which are discussed in this Review in an evolutionary context.

The telomere-binding protein Tbf1 demarcates snoRNA gene promoters in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) play a key role in ribosomal RNA biogenesis, yet factors controlling their expression are unknown. We found that the majority of Saccharomyces snoRNA promoters display an aRCCCTaa sequence motif at the upstream border of a TATA-containing nucleosome-free region. Genome-wide ChIP-seq analysis showed that these motifs are bound by Tbf1, a telomere-binding protein known to recognize mammalian-like T(2)AG(3) repeats at subtelomeric regions. Tbf1 has over 100 additional promoter targets, including several other genes involved in ribosome biogenesis and the TBF1 gene itself. Tbf1 is required for full snoRNA expression, yet it does not influence nucleosome positioning at snoRNA promoters. In contrast, Tbf1 contributes to nucleosome exclusion at non-snoRNA promoters, where it selectively colocalizes with the Tbf1-interacting zinc-finger proteins Vid22 and Ygr071c. Our data show that, besides the ribosomal protein gene regulator Rap1, a second telomere-binding protein also functions as a transcriptional regulator linked to yeast ribosome biogenesis.

Ribosome performance is enhanced by a rich cluster of pseudouridines in the A-site finger region of the large subunit

The large subunit rRNA in eukaryotes contains an unusually dense cluster of 8-10 pseudouridine (Psi) modifications located in a three-helix structure (H37-H39) implicated in several functions. This region is dominated by a long flexible helix (H38) known as the "A-site finger" (ASF). The ASF protrudes from the large subunit just above the A-site of tRNA binding, interacts with 5 S rRNA and tRNA, and through the terminal loop, forms a bridge (B1a) with the small subunit. In yeast, the three-helix domain contains 10 Psis and 6 are concentrated in the ASF helix (3 of the ASF Psis are conserved among eukaryotes). Here, we show by genetic depletion analysis that the Psis in the ASF helix and adjoining helices are not crucial for cell viability; however, their presence notably enhances ribosome fitness. Depleting different combinations of Psis suggest that the modification pattern is important and revealed that loss of multiple Psis negatively influences ribosome performance. The effects observed include slower cell growth (reduced rates up to 23% at 30 degrees C and 40-50% at 37 degrees C and 11 degrees C), reduced level of the large subunit (up to 17%), impaired polysome formation (appearance of half-mers), reduced translation activity (up to 20% at 30 degrees C and 25% at 11 degrees C), and increased sensitivity to ribosome-based drugs. The results indicate that the Psis in the three-helix region improve fitness of a eukaryotic ribosome.

Identifying effects of snoRNA-guided modifications on the synthesis and function of the yeast ribosome

The small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are associated with proteins in ribonucleoprotein complexes called snoRNPs ("snorps"). These complexes create modified nucleotides in preribosomal RNA and other RNAs and participate in nucleolytic cleavages of pre-rRNA. The various reactions occur in site-specific fashion, and the mature rRNAs are ultimately incorporated into cytoplasmic ribosomes. Most snoRNAs exist in two structural classes, and most members in each class are involved in nucleotide modification reactions. Guide snoRNAs in the "box C/D" class target methylation of the 2'-hydroxyl moiety, to form 2'-O-methylated nucleotides (Nm), whereas guide snoRNAs in the "box H/ACA" class target specific uridines for conversion to pseudouridine (Psi). The rRNA nucleotides modified in this manner are numerous, totaling approximately 100 in yeast and twice that number in humans. Although the chemistry of the modifications and the factors involved in their formation are largely explained, very little is known about the influence of the copious snoRNA-guided nucleotide modifications on rRNA activity and ribosome function. Among eukaryotic organisms the sites of rRNA modification and the corresponding guide snoRNAs have been best characterized in S. cerevisiae, making this a model organism for analyzing the consequences of modification. This chapter presents approaches to characterizing rRNA modification effects in yeast and includes strategies for evaluating a variety of specific rRNA functions. To aid in planning, a package of bioinformatics tools is described that enables investigators to correlate guide function with targeted ribosomal sites in several contexts. Genetic procedures are presented for depleting modifications at one or more rRNA sites, including ablation of all Nm or Psi modifications made by snoRNPs, and for introducing modifications at novel sites. Methods are also included for characterizing modification effects on cell growth, antibiotic sensitivity, rRNA processing, formation of various rRNP complexes, translation activity, and rRNA structure within the ribosome.

The U1 snRNA hairpin II as a RNA affinity tag for selecting snoRNP complexes

When isolating ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes by an affinity selection approach, tagging the RNA component can prove to be strategically important. This is especially true for purifying single types of snoRNPs, because in most cases the snoRNA is thought to be the only unique component. Here, we present a general strategy for selecting specific snoRNPs that features a high-affinity tag in the snoRNA and another in a snoRNP core protein. The RNA tag (called U1hpII) is a small (26 nt) stem-loop domain from human U1 snRNA. This structure binds with high affinity (K(D)=10(-11)M) to the RRM domain of the snRNP protein U1A. In our approach, the U1A protein contains a unique affinity tag and is coexpressed in vivo with the tagged snoRNA to yield snoRNP-U1A complexes with two unique protein tags-one in the bound U1A protein and the other in the snoRNP core protein. This scheme has been used effectively to select C/D and H/ACA snoRNPs, including both processing and modifying snoRNPs, and the snoRNA and core proteins are highly enriched. Depending on selection stringency other proteins are isolated as well, including an RNA helicase involved in snoRNP release from pre-rRNA and additional proteins that function in ribosome biogenesis. Tagging the snoRNA component alone is also effective when U1A is expressed with a myc-Tev-protein A fusion sequence. Combined with reduced stringency, enrichment of the U14 snoRNP with this latter system revealed potential interactions with two other snoRNPs, including one processing snoRNP involved in the same cleavages of pre-rRNA.

Interference probing of rRNA with snoRNPs: a novel approach for functional mapping of RNA in vivo

Synthesis of eukaryotic ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) includes methylation of scores of nucleotides at the 2'-O-ribose position (Nm) by small nucleolar RNP complexes (snoRNPs). Sequence specificity is provided by the snoRNA component through base-pairing of a guide sequence with rRNA. Here, we report that methylation snoRNPs can be targeted to many new sites in yeast rRNA, by providing the snoRNA with a novel guide sequence, and that in some cases growth and translation activity are strongly impaired. Novel snoRNAs can be expressed individually or by a unique library strategy that yields guide sequences specific for a large target region. Interference effects were observed for sites in both the small and large subunits, including the reaction center region. Targeting guide RNAs to nucleotides flanking the sensitive sites caused little or no defect, indicating that methylation is responsible for the interference rather than a simple antisense effect or misguided chaperone function. To our knowledge, this is the only approach that has been used to mutagenize the backbone of rRNA in vivo.

Probing RNA in vivo with methylation guide small nucleolar RNAs

Most box C/D small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) direct the formation of 2'-O-methylated nucleotides in ribosomal RNA and, apparently, other RNAs present in the nucleolar complex. Sites to be modified are selected by a long (>10-nt) antisense guide sequence in the snoRNA and a distance measurement from a box D or D' element that follows the snoRNA guide sequence. Modification of the substrate occurs in the region of complementarity, at a position five nucleotides upstream from box D/D'. Methylation can be targeted to novel sites by expressing a snoRNA with a new guide sequence. In some cases methylation impairs the growth rate of the cell, indicating that a functionally important nucleotide has been altered. With a view to harnessing snoRNA-directed methylation for functional mapping, we have developed a method for constructing libraries of snoRNA genes that, in principle, can introduce methylation point mutations into any rRNA segment of interest. The strategy and procedures are described here, and preliminary results are presented that show the feasibility of using this technology to probe a region of the yeast large subunit rRNA that includes the core of the peptidyltransferase center.

The putative nucleic acid helicase Sen1p is required for formation and stability of termini and for maximal rates of synthesis and levels of accumulation of small nucleolar RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Sen1p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a nucleic acid helicase related to DEAD box RNA helicases and type I DNA helicases. The temperature-sensitive sen1-1 mutation located in the helicase motif alters the accumulation of pre-tRNAs, pre-rRNAs, and some small nuclear RNAs. In this report, we show that cells carrying sen1-1 exhibit altered accumulation of several small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) immediately upon temperature shift. Using Northern blotting, RNase H cleavage, primer extension, and base compositional analysis, we detected three forms of the snoRNA snR13 in wild-type cells: an abundant TMG-capped 124-nucleotide (nt) mature form (snR13F) and two less abundant RNAs, including a heterogeneous population of approximately 1,400-nt 3'-extended forms (snR13R) and a 108-nt 5'-truncated form (snR13T) that is missing 16 nt at the 5' end. A subpopulation of snR13R contains the same 5' truncation. Newly synthesized snR13R RNA accumulates with time at the expense of snR13F following temperature shift of sen1-1 cells, suggesting a possible precursor-product relationship. snR13R and snR13T both increase in abundance at the restrictive temperature, indicating that Sen1p stabilizes the 5' end and promotes maturation of the 3' end. snR13F contains canonical C and D boxes common to many snoRNAs. The 5' end of snR13T and the 3' end of snR13F reside within C2U4 sequences that immediately flank the C and D boxes. A mutation in the 5' C2U4 repeat causes underaccumulation of snR13F, whereas mutations in the 3' C2U4 repeat cause the accumulation of two novel RNAs that migrate in the 500-nt range. At the restrictive temperature, double mutants carrying sen1-1 and mutations in the 3' C2U4 repeat show reduced accumulation of the novel RNAs and increased accumulation of snR13R RNA, indicating that Sen1p and the 3' C2U4 sequence act in a common pathway to facilitate 3' end formation. Based on these findings, we propose that Sen1p and the C2U4 repeats that flank the C and D boxes promote maturation of the 3' terminus and stability of the 5' terminus and are required for maximal rates of synthesis and levels of accumulation of mature snR13F.

The snoRNA box C/D motif directs nucleolar targeting and also couples snoRNA synthesis and localization

Most small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) fall into two families, known as the box C/D and box H/ACA snoRNAs. The various box elements are essential for snoRNA production and for snoRNA-directed modification of rRNA nucleotides. In the case of the box C/D snoRNAs, boxes C and D and an adjoining stem form a vital structure, known as the box C/D motif. Here, we examined expression of natural and artificial box C/D snoRNAs in yeast and mammalian cells, to assess the role of the box C/D motif in snoRNA localization. The results demonstrate that the motif is necessary and sufficient for nucleolar targeting, both in yeast and mammals. Moreover, in mammalian cells, RNA is targeted to coiled bodies as well. Thus, the box C/D motif is the first intranuclear RNA trafficking signal identified for an RNA family. Remarkably, it also couples snoRNA localization with synthesis and, most likely, function. The distribution of snoRNA precursors in mammalian cells suggests that this coupling is provided by a specific protein(s) which binds the box C/D motif during or rapidly after snoRNA transcription. The conserved nature of the box C/D motif indicates that its role in coupling production and localization of snoRNAs is of ancient evolutionary origin.

Functional mapping of the U3 small nucleolar RNA from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The U3 small nucleolar RNA participates in early events of eukaryotic pre-rRNA cleavage and is essential for formation of 18S rRNA. Using an in vivo system, we have developed a functional map of the U3 small nucleolar RNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The test strain features a galactose-dependent U3 gene in the chromosome and a plasmid-encoded allele with a unique hybridization tag. Effects of mutations on U3 production were analyzed by evaluating RNA levels in cells grown on galactose medium, and effects on U3 function were assessed by growing cells on glucose medium. The major findings are as follows: (i) boxes C' and D and flanking helices are critical for U3 accumulation; (ii) boxes B and C are not essential for U3 production but are important for function, most likely due to binding of a trans-acting factor(s); (iii) the 5' portion of U3 is required for function but not stability; and, (iv) strikingly, the nonconserved hairpins 2, 3, and 4, which account for 50% of the molecule, are not required for accumulation or function.

The yeast SEN1 gene is required for the processing of diverse RNA classes

A single base change in the helicase superfamily 1 domain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae SEN1 gene results in a heat-sensitive mutation that alters the cellular abundance of many RNA species. We compared the relative amounts of RNAs between cells that are wild-type and mutant after temperature-shift. In the mutant several RNAs were found to either decrease or increase in abundance. The affected RNAs include tRNAs, rRNAs and small nuclear and nucleolar RNAs. Many of the affected RNAs have been positively identified and include end-matured precursor tRNAs and the small nuclear and nucleolar RNAs U5 and snR40 and snR45. Several small nucleolar RNAs co-immunoprecipitate with Sen1 but differentially associate with the wild-type and mutant protein. Its inactivation also impairs precursor rRNA maturation, resulting in increased accumulation of 35S and 6S precursor rRNAs and reduced levels of 20S, 23S and 27S rRNA processing intermediates. Thus, Sen1 is required for the biosynthesis of various functionally distinct classes of nuclear RNAs. We propose that Sen1 is an RNA helicase acting on a wide range of RNA classes. Its effects on the targeted RNAs in turn enable ribonuclease activity.

Eukaryotic ribosomal RNA: the recent excitement in the nucleotide modification problem

Eukaryotic ribosomal RNA (rRNA) contains numerous modified nucleotides: about 115 methyl groups and some 95 pseudouridines in vertebrates; about 65 methyl groups and some 45 pseudouridines in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. All but about ten of the methyl groups are ribose methylations. The remaining ten are on heterocyclic bases. The ribose methylations occur very rapidly upon the primary rRNA transcript in the nucleolus, probably on nascent chains, and they appear to play an important role in ribosome maturation, at least in vertebrates. All of the methyl groups occur in the conserved core of rRNA. However, there is no consensus feature of sequence or secondary structure for the methylation sites; thus the nature of the signal(s) for site-specific methylations had until recently remained a mystery. The situation changed dramatically with the discovery that many of the ribose methylation sites are in regions that are precisely complementary to small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) species. Experimental evidence indicates that structural motifs within the snoRNA species do indeed pinpoint the precise nucleotides to be methylated by the putative 2'-O-methyl transferase(s). Regarding base methylations, the gene DIM1, responsible for modification of the conserved dimethyladenosines near the 3' end of 18S rRNA, has been shown to be essential for viability in S. cerevisiae and is suggested to play a role in the nucleocytoplasmic transport of the small ribosomal subunit. Recently nearly all of the pseudouridines have also been mapped in the rRNA of several eukaryotic species. As is the case for ribose methylations, most pseudouridine modifications occur rapidly upon precursor rRNA, within core sequences, and in a variety of local primary and secondary structure environments. In contrast to ribose methylation, no potentially unifying process has yet been identified for the enzymic recognition of the many pseudouridine modification sites. However, the new data afford the basis for a search for any potential involvement of snoRNAs in the recognition process.

Site-specific pseudouridine formation in preribosomal RNA is guided by small nucleolar RNAs

During the nucleolar maturation of eukaryotic ribosomal RNAs, many selected uridines are converted into pseudouridine by a thus far undefined mechanism. The nucleolus contains a large number of small RNAs (snoRNAs) that share two conserved sequence elements, box H and ACA. In this study, we demonstrate that site-specific pseudouridylation of rRNAs relies on short ribosomal signal sequences that are complementary to sequences in box H/ACA snoRNAs. Genetic depletion and reconstitution studies on yeast snR5 and snR36 snoRNAs demonstrate that box H/ACA snoRNAs function as guide RNAs in rRNA pseudouridylation. These results define a novel function for snoRNAs and further reinforce the idea that base pairing is the most common way to obtain specific substrate-"enzyme" interactions during rRNA maturation.

Small nucleolar RNAs direct site-specific synthesis of pseudouridine in ribosomal RNA

Ten ACA yeast small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) were shown to be required for site-specific synthesis of pseudouridine psi in ribosomal RNA. A common secondary folding motif for the snoRNAs and rRNA target segments predicts that site selection involves: (1) base pairing of the snoRNA with complementary rRNA elements flanking the site of modification, and (2) identification of a uridine located at a near-constant distance from the snoRNA ACA box. The model is supported by mutations showing that: (1) reducing the complementarity between the snoRNA and rRNA disrupts psi formation, and (2) altering the distance between the ACA box and target uridine causes an adjacent uridine to be modified. This discovery implies that most snoRNAs function in targeting nucleotide modification in rRNA: ribose methylation for the box C/D snoRNAs and psi formation for the ACA snoRNAs.

The family of box ACA small nucleolar RNAs is defined by an evolutionarily conserved secondary structure and ubiquitous sequence elements essential for RNA accumulation

Eukaryotic cells contain a large number of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). A major family of snoRNAs features a consensus ACA motif positioned 3 nucleotides from the 3' end of the RNA. In this study we have characterized nine novel human ACA snoRNAs (U64-U72). Structural probing of U64 RNA followed by systematic computer modeling of all known box ACA snoRNAs revealed that this class of snoRNAs is defined by a phylogenetically conserved secondary structure. The ACA snoRNAs fold into two hairpin structures connected by a single-stranded hinge region and followed by a short 3' tail. The hinge region carries an evolutionarily conserved sequence motif, called box H (consensus, AnAnnA). The H box, probably in concert with the flanking helix structures and the ACA box characterized previously, plays an essential role in the accumulation of human U64 intronic snoRNA. The correct processing of a yeast ACA snoRNA, snR36, in mammalian cells demonstrated that the cis- and trans-acting elements required for processing and accumulation of ACA snoRNAs are evolutionarily conserved. The notion that ACA snoRNAs share a common secondary structure and conserved box elements that likely function as binding sites for common proteins (e.g., GAR1) suggests that these RNAs possess closely related nucleolar functions.

Analysis of yeast trimethylguanosine-capped RNAs by midwestern blotting

Immuno-detection by 'Midwestern' blotting provides a simple way to identify trimethylguanosine (TMG) capped RNAs. With this technique, over 20 bands are observed when total cellular RNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is transferred to a nylon membrane and probed with anti-TMG antibodies. Most, if not all, species known to contain a TMG cap are detected by this method. Only TMG-capped RNAs are detected on Midwestern blots unlike anti-TMG immunoprecipitates. Midwestern blotting is a useful alternative to immunoprecipitation and Northern analysis and may prove to be a better method for determining the relative abundance of capped RNAs. The blots can be reprobed multiple times with labeled antisense oligonucleotides to determine the identity of any TMG-capped species for which the primary sequence or a clone is available. This dual detection capability provides a powerful tool for the analysis of TMG-capped snRNAs and snoRNAs.

The RNA world of the nucleolus: two major families of small RNAs defined by different box elements with related functions

We have discovered that all known yeast and vertebrate small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), except for the MRP/7-2 RNA, fall into two major classes. One class is defined by conserved boxes C and D and the other by a novel element: a consensus ACA triplet positioned 3 nt before the 3' end of the RNA. A role for the ACA box is snoRNA stability has been established by mutational analysis of a yeast ACA snoRNA (snR 11). Full function of the box depends on the integrity of an adjacent upstream stem. All members of the yeast ACA family are associated with the GAR1 protein. Binding of this or another common small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particle protein is predicted to be a critical entry point to snoRNA posttranscriptional life, including precise formation of the snoRNA 3' end.

An essential domain in Saccharomyces cerevisiae U14 snoRNA is absent in vertebrates, but conserved in other yeasts

U14 is a small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) required for early cleavages of eukaryotic precursor rRNA. The U14 RNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is distinguished from its vertebrate homologues by the presence of a stem-loop domain that is essential for function. This element, known as the Y-domain, is located in the U14 sequence between two universal sequences that base pair with 18S rRNA. Sequence data obtained for the U14 homologues from four additional phylogenetically distinct yeasts showed the Y-domain is not unique to S.cerevisiae. Comparison of the five Y-domain sequences revealed a common stem-loop structure with a conserved loop sequence that includes eight invariant nucleotides. Conservation of these features suggests that the Y-domain is a recognition signal for an essential interaction. Several plant U14 RNAs were found to contain similar structures, though with an unrelated consensus sequence in the loop portion. The U14 gene from the most distantly related yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, was found to be active in S.cerevisiae, showing that Y-domain function is conserved and that U14 function can be provided by variants in which the essential elements are embedded in dissimilar flanking sequences. This last result suggests that U14 function may be determined solely by the essential elements.

Processing of pre-ribosomal RNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Post-transcriptional processing of precursor-ribosomal RNA comprises a complex pathway of endonucleolytic cleavages, exonucleolytic digestion and covalent modifications. The general order of the various processing steps is well conserved in eukaryotic cells, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Recent analysis of pre-rRNA processing, mainly in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has significantly improved our understanding of this important cellular activity. Here we will review the data that have led to our current picture of yeast pre-rRNA processing.

Small nucleolar RNA

A growing list of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) has been characterized in eukaryotes. They are transcribed by RNA polymerase II or III; some snoRNAs are encoded in the introns of other genes. The nonintronic polymerase II transcribed snoRNAs receive a trimethylguanosine cap, probably in the nucleus, and move to the nucleolus. snoRNAs are complexed with proteins, sometimes including fibrillarin. Localization and maintenance in the nucleolus of some snoRNAs requires the presence of initial precursor rRNA (pre-rRNA). Many snoRNAs have conserved sequence boxes C and D and a 3' terminal stem; the role of these features are discussed. Functional assays done for a few snoRNAs indicate their roles in rRNA processing for cleavage of the external and internal transcribed spacers (ETS and ITS). U3 is the most abundant snoRNA and is needed for cleavage of ETS1 and ITS1; experimental results on U3 binding sites in pre-rRNA are reviewed. 18S rRNA production also needs U14, U22, and snR30 snoRNAs, whereas U8 snoRNA is needed for 5.8S and 28S rRNA production. Other snoRNAs that are complementary to 18S or 28S rRNA might act as chaperones to mediate RNA folding. Whether snoRNAs join together in a large rRNA processing complex (the "processome") is not yet clear. It has been hypothesized that such complexes could anchor the ends of loops in pre-rRNA containing 18S or 28S rRNA, thereby replacing base-paired stems found in pre-rRNA of prokaryotes.

Characterization of three new snRNAs from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: snR34, snR35 and snR36

Genes for three novel snRNAs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been isolated, sequenced and tested for essentiality. The RNAs encoded by these genes are designated snR34, snR35 and snR36 respectively and contain 203, 204 and 182 nucleotides. Each RNA is derived from a single copy gene and all three RNAs are believed to be nucleolar, i.e. snoRNAs, based on extraction properties and association with fibrillarin. SnR34 and snR35 contain a trimethylguanosine cap, but this feature is absent from snR36. The novel RNAs lack elements conserved among several other snoRNAs, including box C, box D and long sequence complementarities with rRNA. Genetic disruption analyses showed each of the RNAs to be dispensable and a haploid strain lacking all three RNAs and a previously characterized fourth snoRNA (snR33) is also viable. No differences in the levels of precursors or mature rRNAs were apparent in the four gene knock-out strain. Possible roles for the new RNAs in ribosome biogenesis are discussed.

Isolation of the gene HEM4 encoding uroporphyrinogen III synthase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We have isolated a genomic DNA fragment that complements the yeast temperature-sensitive cyt mutation, causing respiratory deficiency and accumulation of porphyrins (Sugimura et al., 1966). Partial DNA sequencing of the complementing region and search for similarity in the DNA and protein databases revealed that (1) the gene had been previously isolated by complementation of the mutation ts2326 (Langgut et al., 1986; accession number X04694), and (2) it encodes a protein with 18-23% identity to uroporphyrinogen III synthases from different sources. This enzyme catalyses the fourth step in the heme biosynthetic pathway and we named its gene HEM4. A hem4 delta disruption mutation was constructed which had phenotypes identical to the cyt mutation. Biochemical analysis confirmed the absence of uroporphyrinogen III synthase activity in both hem4 delta and cyt mutant strains.

U21, a novel small nucleolar RNA with a 13 nt. complementarity to 28S rRNA, is encoded in an intron of ribosomal protein L5 gene in chicken and mammals

Following a search of sequence data bases for intronic sequences exhibiting structural features typical of snoRNAs, we have positively identified by Northern assays and sequence analysis another intron-encoded snoRNA, termed U21. U21 RNA is a 93 nt. long, metabolically stable RNA, present at about 10(4) molecules per HeLa cell. It is encoded in intron 5 of the ribosomal protein L5 gene, both in chicken and in the two mammals studied so far, human and mouse. U21 RNA is devoid of a 5'-trimethyl-cap and is likely to result from processing of intronic RNA. The nucleolar localization of U21 has been established by fluorescence microscopy after in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probes. Like most other snoRNAs U21 contains the box C and box D motifs and is precipitated by anti-fibrillarin antibodies. By the presence of a typical 5'-3' terminal stem, U21 appears more particularly related to U14, U15, U16 and U20 intron-encoded snoRNAs. Remarkably, U21 contains a long stretch (13 nt.) of complementarity to a highly conserved sequence in 28S rRNA. Sequence comparisons between chicken and mammals, together with Northern hybridizations with antisense oligonucleotides on cellular RNAs from more distant vertebrates, point to the preferential preservation of this segment of U21 sequence during evolution. Accordingly, this complementarity, which overlaps the complementarity of 28S rRNA to another snoRNA, U18, could reflect an important role of U21 snoRNA in the biogenesis of large ribosomal subunit.

U20, a novel small nucleolar RNA, is encoded in an intron of the nucleolin gene in mammals

We have found that intron 11 of the nucleolin gene in humans and rodents encodes a previously unidentified small nucleolar RNA, termed U20. The single-copy U20 sequence is located on the same DNA strand as the nucleolin mRNA. U20 RNA, which does not possess a trimethyl cap, appears to result from intronic RNA processing and not from transcription of an independent gene. In mammals, U20 RNA is an 80-nucleotide-long, metabolically stable species, present at about 7 x 10(3) molecules per exponentially growing HeLa cell. It has a nucleolar localization, as indicated by fluorescence microscopy following in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotides. U20 RNA contains the box C and box D sequence motifs, hallmarks of most small nucleolar RNAs reported to date, and is immunoprecipitated by antifibrillarin antibodies. It also exhibits a 5'-3' terminal stem bracketing the box C-box D motifs like U14, U15, U16, or Y RNA. A U20 homolog of similar size has been detected in all vertebrate classes by Northern (RNA) hybridization with mammalian oligonucleotide probes. U20 RNA contains an extended region (21 nucleotides) of perfect complementarity with a phylogenetically conserved sequence in 18S rRNA. This complementarity is strongly preserved among distant vertebrates, suggesting that U20 RNA may be involved in the formation of the small ribosomal subunit like nucleolin, the product of its host gene.

Compilation of small RNA sequences

This is an update containing small RNA sequences deposited in GenBank recently. Over four hundred small RNA sequences are available in this and earlier complications.

U20, a novel small nucleolar RNA, is encoded in an intron of the nucleolin gene in mammals

We have found that intron 11 of the nucleolin gene in humans and rodents encodes a previously unidentified small nucleolar RNA, termed U20. The single-copy U20 sequence is located on the same DNA strand as the nucleolin mRNA. U20 RNA, which does not possess a trimethyl cap, appears to result from intronic RNA processing and not from transcription of an independent gene. In mammals, U20 RNA is an 80-nucleotide-long, metabolically stable species, present at about 7 x 10(3) molecules per exponentially growing HeLa cell. It has a nucleolar localization, as indicated by fluorescence microscopy following in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotides. U20 RNA contains the box C and box D sequence motifs, hallmarks of most small nucleolar RNAs reported to date, and is immunoprecipitated by antifibrillarin antibodies. It also exhibits a 5'-3' terminal stem bracketing the box C-box D motifs like U14, U15, U16, or Y RNA. A U20 homolog of similar size has been detected in all vertebrate classes by Northern (RNA) hybridization with mammalian oligonucleotide probes. U20 RNA contains an extended region (21 nucleotides) of perfect complementarity with a phylogenetically conserved sequence in 18S rRNA. This complementarity is strongly preserved among distant vertebrates, suggesting that U20 RNA may be involved in the formation of the small ribosomal subunit like nucleolin, the product of its host gene.