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Meissner J, Eysmont K, Matylla-Kulińska K, Konarska MM. Characterization of Cwc2, U6 snRNA, and Prp8 interactions destabilized by Prp16 ATPase at the transition between the first and second steps of splicing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:1199-1212. [PMID: 38876504 PMCID: PMC11331412 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079886.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The spliceosome performs two consecutive transesterification reactions using one catalytic center, thus requiring its rearrangement between the two catalytic steps of splicing. The Prp16 ATPase facilitates exit from the first-step conformation of the catalytic center by destabilizing some interactions important for catalysis. To better understand rearrangements within the Saccharomyces cerevisiae catalytic center, we characterize factors that modulate the function of Prp16: Cwc2, N-terminal domain of Prp8, and U6-41AACAAU46 region. Alleles of these factors were identified through genetic screens for mutants that correct cs defects of prp16-302 alleles. Several of the identified U6, cwc2, and prp8 alleles are located in close proximity of each other in cryo-EM structures of the spliceosomal catalytic conformations. Cwc2 and U6 interact with the intron sequences in the first step, but they do not seem to contribute to the stability of the second-step catalytic center. On the other hand, the N-terminal segment of Prp8 not only affects intron positioning for the first step, but it also makes important contacts in the proximity of the active site for both the first and second steps of splicing. By identifying interactions important for the stability of catalytic conformations, our genetic analyses indirectly inform us about features of the transition-state conformation of the spliceosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadwiga Meissner
- IMol, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-247 Warsaw, Poland
- ReMedy-International Research Agenda Unit, 02-247 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | | | - Maria M Konarska
- IMol, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-247 Warsaw, Poland
- ReMedy-International Research Agenda Unit, 02-247 Warsaw, Poland
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2
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Carrocci TJ, DeMario S, He K, Zeps NJ, Harkner CT, Chanfreau GF, Hoskins AA. Functional analysis of the zinc finger modules of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae splicing factor Luc7. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:1058-1069. [PMID: 38719745 PMCID: PMC11251517 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079956.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Identification of splice sites is a critical step in pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing because the definition of the exon/intron boundaries controls what nucleotides are incorporated into mature mRNAs. The intron boundary with the upstream exon is initially identified through interactions with the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP). This involves both base-pairing between the U1 snRNA and the pre-mRNA as well as snRNP proteins interacting with the 5' splice site (5'ss)/snRNA duplex. In yeast, this duplex is buttressed by two conserved protein factors, Yhc1 and Luc7. Luc7 has three human paralogs (LUC7L, LUC7L2, and LUC7L3), which play roles in alternative splicing. What domains of these paralogs promote splicing at particular sites is not yet clear. Here, we humanized the zinc finger (ZnF) domains of the yeast Luc7 protein in order to understand their roles in splice site selection using reporter assays, transcriptome analysis, and genetic interactions. Although we were unable to determine a function for the first ZnF domain, humanization of the second ZnF domain to mirror that found in LUC7L or LUC7L2 resulted in altered usage of nonconsensus 5'ss. In contrast, the corresponding ZnF domain of LUC7L3 could not support yeast viability. Further, humanization of Luc7 can suppress mutation of the ATPase Prp28, which is involved in U1 release and exchange for U6 at the 5'ss. Our work reveals a role for the second ZnF of Luc7 in splice site selection and suggests that different ZnF domains may have different ATPase requirements for release by Prp28.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tucker J Carrocci
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Samuel DeMario
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Kevin He
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Natalie J Zeps
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Cade T Harkner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Guillaume F Chanfreau
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
| | - Aaron A Hoskins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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3
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Su Y, Wu J, Chen W, Shan J, Chen D, Zhu G, Ge S, Liu Y. Spliceosomal snRNAs, the Essential Players in pre-mRNA Processing in Eukaryotic Nucleus: From Biogenesis to Functions and Spatiotemporal Characteristics. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2400006. [PMID: 38797893 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400006] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) are a fundamental class of non-coding small RNAs abundant in the nucleoplasm of eukaryotic cells, playing a crucial role in splicing precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). They are transcribed by DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II (Pol II) or III (Pol III), and undergo subsequent processing and 3' end cleavage to become mature snRNAs. Numerous protein factors are involved in the transcription initiation, elongation, termination, splicing, cellular localization, and terminal modification processes of snRNAs. The transcription and processing of snRNAs are regulated spatiotemporally by various mechanisms, and the homeostatic balance of snRNAs within cells is of great significance for the growth and development of organisms. snRNAs assemble with specific accessory proteins to form small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) that are the basal components of spliceosomes responsible for pre-mRNA maturation. This article provides an overview of the biological functions, biosynthesis, terminal structure, and tissue-specific regulation of snRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Su
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Jiaming Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Junling Shan
- Department of basic medicine, Guangxi Medical University of Nursing College, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, 530011, China
| | - Guangyu Zhu
- Guangxi Medical University Hospital of Stomatology, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Shengchao Ge
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
| | - Yunfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530004, China
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4
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Kramárek M, Souček P, Réblová K, Grodecká L, Freiberger T. Splicing analysis of STAT3 tandem donor suggests non-canonical binding registers for U1 and U6 snRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:5959-5974. [PMID: 38426935 PMCID: PMC11162779 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Tandem donor splice sites (5'ss) are unique regions with at least two GU dinucleotides serving as splicing cleavage sites. The Δ3 tandem 5'ss are a specific subclass of 5'ss separated by 3 nucleotides which can affect protein function by inserting/deleting a single amino acid. One 5'ss is typically preferred, yet factors governing particular 5'ss choice are not fully understood. A highly conserved exon 21 of the STAT3 gene was chosen as a model to study Δ3 tandem 5'ss splicing mechanisms. Based on multiple lines of experimental evidence, endogenous U1 snRNA most likely binds only to the upstream 5'ss. However, the downstream 5'ss is used preferentially, and the splice site choice is not dependent on the exact U1 snRNA binding position. Downstream 5'ss usage was sensitive to exact nucleotide composition and dependent on the presence of downstream regulatory region. The downstream 5'ss usage could be best explained by two novel interactions with endogenous U6 snRNA. U6 snRNA enables the downstream 5'ss usage in STAT3 exon 21 by two mechanisms: (i) binding in a novel non-canonical register and (ii) establishing extended Watson-Crick base pairing with the downstream regulatory region. This study suggests that U6:5'ss interaction is more flexible than previously thought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kramárek
- Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Přemysl Souček
- Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kamila Réblová
- Centre of Molecular Biology and Genetics, University Hospital and Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Kajan Grodecká
- Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Freiberger
- Centre for Cardiovascular Surgery and Transplantation, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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5
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Carrocci TJ, DeMario S, He K, Zeps NJ, Harkner CT, Chanfreau G, Hoskins AA. Functional Analysis of the Zinc Finger Modules of the S. cerevisiae Splicing Factor Luc7. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.04.578419. [PMID: 38352541 PMCID: PMC10862913 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.04.578419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Identification of splice sites is a critical step in pre-mRNA splicing since definition of the exon/intron boundaries controls what nucleotides are incorporated into mature mRNAs. The intron boundary with the upstream exon is initially identified through interactions with the U1 snRNP. This involves both base pairing between the U1 snRNA and the pre-mRNA as well as snRNP proteins interacting with the 5' splice site/snRNA duplex. In yeast, this duplex is buttressed by two conserved protein factors, Yhc1 and Luc7. Luc7 has three human paralogs (LUC7L, LUC7L2, and LUC7L3) which play roles in alternative splicing. What domains of these paralogs promote splicing at particular sites is not yet clear. Here, we humanized the zinc finger domains of the yeast Luc7 protein in order to understand their roles in splice site selection using reporter assays, transcriptome analysis, and genetic interactions. While we were unable to determine a function for the first zinc finger domain, humanization of the second zinc finger domain to mirror that found in LUC7L or LUC7L2 resulted in altered usage of nonconsensus 5' splice sites. In contrast, the corresponding zinc finger domain of LUC7L3 could not support yeast viability. Further, humanization of Luc7 can suppress mutation of the ATPase Prp28, which is involved in U1 release and exchange for U6 at the 5' splice site. Our work reveals a role for the second zinc finger of Luc7 in splice site selection and suggests that different zinc finger domains may have different ATPase requirements for release by Prp28.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tucker J. Carrocci
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Samuel DeMario
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kevin He
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Natalie J. Zeps
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Cade T. Harkner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Guillaume Chanfreau
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Aaron A. Hoskins
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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6
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Perchlik M, Sasse A, Mostafavi S, Fields S, Cuperus JT. Impact on splicing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae of random 50-base sequences inserted into an intron. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 30:52-67. [PMID: 37879864 PMCID: PMC10726166 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079752.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Intron splicing is a key regulatory step in gene expression in eukaryotes. Three sequence elements required for splicing-5' and 3' splice sites and a branchpoint-are especially well-characterized in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but our understanding of additional intron features that impact splicing in this organism is incomplete, due largely to its small number of introns. To overcome this limitation, we constructed a library in S. cerevisiae of random 50-nt (N50) elements individually inserted into the intron of a reporter gene and quantified canonical splicing and the use of cryptic splice sites by sequencing analysis. More than 70% of approximately 140,000 N50 elements reduced splicing by at least 20%. N50 features, including higher GC content, presence of GU repeats, and stronger predicted secondary structure of its pre-mRNA, correlated with reduced splicing efficiency. A likely basis for the reduced splicing of such a large proportion of variants is the formation of RNA structures that pair N50 bases-such as the GU repeats-with other bases specifically within the reporter pre-mRNA analyzed. However, multiple models were unable to explain more than a small fraction of the variance in splicing efficiency across the library, suggesting that complex nonlinear interactions in RNA structures are not accurately captured by RNA structure prediction methods. Our results imply that the specific context of a pre-mRNA may determine the bases allowable in an intron to prevent secondary structures that reduce splicing. This large data set can serve as a resource for further exploration of splicing mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Perchlik
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Alexander Sasse
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Stanley Fields
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Josh T Cuperus
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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7
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Black CS, Whelan TA, Garside EL, MacMillan AM, Fast NM, Rader SD. Spliceosome assembly and regulation: insights from analysis of highly reduced spliceosomes. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:531-550. [PMID: 36737103 PMCID: PMC10158995 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079273.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Premessenger RNA splicing is catalyzed by the spliceosome, a multimegadalton RNA-protein complex that assembles in a highly regulated process on each intronic substrate. Most studies of splicing and spliceosomes have been carried out in human or S. cerevisiae model systems. There exists, however, a large diversity of spliceosomes, particularly in organisms with reduced genomes, that suggests a means of analyzing the essential elements of spliceosome assembly and regulation. In this review, we characterize changes in spliceosome composition across phyla, describing those that are most frequently observed and highlighting an analysis of the reduced spliceosome of the red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae We used homology modeling to predict what effect splicing protein loss would have on the spliceosome, based on currently available cryo-EM structures. We observe strongly correlated loss of proteins that function in the same process, for example, in interacting with the U1 snRNP (which is absent in C. merolae), regulation of Brr2, or coupling transcription and splicing. Based on our observations, we predict splicing in C. merolae to be inefficient, inaccurate, and post-transcriptional, consistent with the apparent trend toward its elimination in this lineage. This work highlights the striking flexibility of the splicing pathway and the spliceosome when viewed in the context of eukaryotic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corbin S Black
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2N 4Z9
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada H3A 0C7
| | - Thomas A Whelan
- Biodiversity Research Center and Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Erin L Garside
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H7
| | - Andrew M MacMillan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H7
| | - Naomi M Fast
- Biodiversity Research Center and Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Stephen D Rader
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2N 4Z9
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8
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Swirski S, May O, Ahlers M, Wissinger B, Greschner M, Jüschke C, Neidhardt J. In Vivo Efficacy and Safety Evaluations of Therapeutic Splicing Correction Using U1 snRNA in the Mouse Retina. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060955. [PMID: 36980294 PMCID: PMC10047704 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Efficacy and safety considerations constitute essential steps during development of in vivo gene therapies. Herein, we evaluated efficacy and safety of splice factor-based treatments to correct mutation-induced splice defects in an Opa1 mutant mouse line. We applied adeno-associated viruses to the retina. The viruses transduced retinal cells with an engineered U1 snRNA splice factor designed to correct the Opa1 splice defect. We found the treatment to be efficient in increasing wild-type Opa1 transcripts. Correspondingly, Opa1 protein levels increased significantly in treated eyes. Measurements of retinal morphology and function did not reveal therapy-related side-effects supporting the short-term safety of the treatment. Alterations of potential off-target genes were not detected. Our data suggest that treatments of splice defects applying engineered U1 snRNAs represent a promising in vivo therapeutic approach. The therapy increased wild-type Opa1 transcripts and protein levels without detectable morphological, functional or genetic side-effects in the mouse eye. The U1 snRNA-based therapy can be tailored to specific disease gene mutations, hence, raising the possibility of a wider applicability of this promising technology towards treatment of different inherited retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Swirski
- Human Genetics, Department of Human Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Oliver May
- Human Genetics, Department of Human Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Malte Ahlers
- Visual Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Wissinger
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martin Greschner
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Centre for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Jüschke
- Human Genetics, Department of Human Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - John Neidhardt
- Human Genetics, Department of Human Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße 9-11, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
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9
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Parker MT, Soanes BK, Kusakina J, Larrieu A, Knop K, Joy N, Breidenbach F, Sherwood AV, Barton GJ, Fica SM, Davies BH, Simpson GG. m 6A modification of U6 snRNA modulates usage of two major classes of pre-mRNA 5' splice site. eLife 2022; 11:e78808. [PMID: 36409063 PMCID: PMC9803359 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing of messenger RNAs is associated with the evolution of developmentally complex eukaryotes. Splicing is mediated by the spliceosome, and docking of the pre-mRNA 5' splice site into the spliceosome active site depends upon pairing with the conserved ACAGA sequence of U6 snRNA. In some species, including humans, the central adenosine of the ACAGA box is modified by N6 methylation, but the role of this m6A modification is poorly understood. Here, we show that m6A modified U6 snRNA determines the accuracy and efficiency of splicing. We reveal that the conserved methyltransferase, FIONA1, is required for Arabidopsis U6 snRNA m6A modification. Arabidopsis fio1 mutants show disrupted patterns of splicing that can be explained by the sequence composition of 5' splice sites and cooperative roles for U5 and U6 snRNA in splice site selection. U6 snRNA m6A influences 3' splice site usage. We generalise these findings to reveal two major classes of 5' splice site in diverse eukaryotes, which display anti-correlated interaction potential with U5 snRNA loop 1 and the U6 snRNA ACAGA box. We conclude that U6 snRNA m6A modification contributes to the selection of degenerate 5' splice sites crucial to alternative splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Parker
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Beth K Soanes
- Centre for Plant Sciences, School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsLeedsUnited Kingdom
| | - Jelena Kusakina
- Centre for Plant Sciences, School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsLeedsUnited Kingdom
| | - Antoine Larrieu
- Centre for Plant Sciences, School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsLeedsUnited Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna Knop
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Nisha Joy
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | - Friedrich Breidenbach
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
- RNA Biology and Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld UniversityBielefeldGermany
| | - Anna V Sherwood
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Sebastian M Fica
- Department of Biochemistry, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Brendan H Davies
- Centre for Plant Sciences, School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of LeedsLeedsUnited Kingdom
| | - Gordon G Simpson
- School of Life Sciences, University of DundeeDundeeUnited Kingdom
- Cell & Molecular Sciences, James Hutton InstituteInvergowrieUnited Kingdom
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10
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Splicing Modulation as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Lysosomal Storage Disorders: The Mucopolysaccharidoses Example. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050608. [PMID: 35629276 PMCID: PMC9146820 DOI: 10.3390/life12050608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, the many functions of RNA have become more evident. This molecule has been recognized not only as a carrier of genetic information, but also as a specific and essential regulator of gene expression. Different RNA species have been identified and novel and exciting roles have been unveiled. Quite remarkably, this explosion of novel RNA classes has increased the possibility for new therapeutic strategies that tap into RNA biology. Most of these drugs use nucleic acid analogues and take advantage of complementary base pairing to either mimic or antagonize the function of RNAs. Among the most successful RNA-based drugs are those that act at the pre-mRNA level to modulate or correct aberrant splicing patterns, which are caused by specific pathogenic variants. This approach is particularly tempting for monogenic disorders with associated splicing defects, especially when they are highly frequent among affected patients worldwide or within a specific population. With more than 600 mutations that cause disease affecting the pre-mRNA splicing process, we consider lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) to be perfect candidates for this type of approach. Here, we introduce the overall rationale and general mechanisms of splicing modulation approaches and highlight the currently marketed formulations, which have been developed for non-lysosomal genetic disorders. We also extensively reviewed the existing preclinical studies on the potential of this sort of therapeutic strategy to recover aberrant splicing and increase enzyme activity in our diseases of interest: the LSDs. Special attention was paid to a particular subgroup of LSDs: the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs). By doing this, we hoped to unveil the unique therapeutic potential of the use of this sort of approach for LSDs as a whole.
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11
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Jacquier V, Prévot M, Gostan T, Bordonné R, Benkhelifa-Ziyyat S, Barkats M, Soret J. Splicing efficiency of minor introns in a mouse model of SMA predominantly depends on their branchpoint sequence and can involve the contribution of major spliceosome components. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:303-319. [PMID: 34893560 PMCID: PMC8848931 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078329.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused by reduced amounts of the ubiquitously expressed Survival of Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. In agreement with its crucial role in the biogenesis of spliceosomal snRNPs, SMN-deficiency is correlated to numerous splicing alterations in patient cells and various tissues of SMA mouse models. Among the snRNPs whose assembly is impacted by SMN-deficiency, those involved in the minor spliceosome are particularly affected. Importantly, splicing of several, but not all U12-dependent introns has been shown to be affected in different SMA models. Here, we have investigated the molecular determinants of this differential splicing in spinal cords from SMA mice. We show that the branchpoint sequence (BPS) is a key element controlling splicing efficiency of minor introns. Unexpectedly, splicing of several minor introns with suboptimal BPS is not affected in SMA mice. Using in vitro splicing experiments and oligonucleotides targeting minor or major snRNAs, we show for the first time that splicing of these introns involves both the minor and major machineries. Our results strongly suggest that splicing of a subset of minor introns is not affected in SMA mice because components of the major spliceosome compensate for the loss of minor splicing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Jacquier
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier 34293, France
| | - Manon Prévot
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier 34293, France
| | - Thierry Gostan
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier 34293, France
| | - Rémy Bordonné
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier 34293, France
| | - Sofia Benkhelifa-Ziyyat
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie (CRM), Institut de Myologie, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm UMRS974, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris 75013, France
| | - Martine Barkats
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie (CRM), Institut de Myologie, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm UMRS974, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, Paris 75013, France
| | - Johann Soret
- Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier 34293, France
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12
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Mirtron-mediated RNA knockdown/replacement therapy for the treatment of dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4934. [PMID: 34400638 PMCID: PMC8368061 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25204-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhodopsin (RHO) gene mutations are a common cause of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP). The need to suppress toxic protein expression together with mutational heterogeneity pose challenges for treatment development. Mirtrons are atypical RNA interference effectors that are spliced from transcripts as short introns. Here, we develop a novel mirtron-based knockdown/replacement gene therapy for the mutation-independent treatment of RHO-related ADRP, and demonstrate efficacy in a relevant mammalian model. Splicing and potency of rhodopsin-targeting candidate mirtrons are initially determined, and a mirtron-resistant codon-modified version of the rhodopsin coding sequence is validated in vitro. These elements are then combined within a single adeno-associated virus (AAV) and delivered subretinally in a RhoP23H knock-in mouse model of ADRP. This results in significant mouse-to-human rhodopsin RNA replacement and is associated with a slowing of retinal degeneration. This provides proof of principle that synthetic mirtrons delivered by AAV are capable of reducing disease severity in vivo.
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13
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A single m 6A modification in U6 snRNA diversifies exon sequence at the 5' splice site. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3244. [PMID: 34050143 PMCID: PMC8163875 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23457-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a modification that plays pivotal roles in RNA metabolism and function, although its functions in spliceosomal U6 snRNA remain unknown. To elucidate its role, we conduct a large-scale transcriptome analysis of a Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain lacking this modification and found a global change of pre-mRNA splicing. The most significantly impacted introns are enriched for adenosine at the fourth position pairing the m6A in U6 snRNA, and exon sequences weakly recognized by U5 snRNA. This suggests cooperative recognition of 5' splice site by U6 and U5 snRNPs, and also a role of m6A facilitating efficient recognition of the splice sites weakly interacting with U5 snRNA, indicating that U6 snRNA m6A relaxes the 5' exon constraint and allows protein sequence diversity along with explosively increasing number of introns over the course of eukaryotic evolution.
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14
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van der Feltz C, Nikolai B, Schneider C, Paulson JC, Fu X, Hoskins AA. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ecm2 Modulates the Catalytic Steps of pre-mRNA Splicing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 27:rna.077727.120. [PMID: 33547186 PMCID: PMC8051269 DOI: 10.1261/rna.077727.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Genetic, biochemical, and structural studies have elucidated the molecular basis for spliceosome catalysis. Splicing is RNA catalyzed and the essential snRNA and protein factors are well-conserved. However, little is known about how non-essential components of the spliceosome contribute to the reaction and modulate the activities of the fundamental core machinery. Ecm2 is a non-essential yeast splicing factor that is a member of the Prp19-related complex of proteins. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures have revealed that Ecm2 binds the U6 snRNA and is entangled with Cwc2, a factor previously found to promote a catalytically active conformation of the spliceosome. These structures also indicate that Ecm2 and the U2 snRNA likely form a transient interaction during 5' splice site (SS) cleavage. We have characterized genetic interactions between ECM2 and alleles of splicing factors that alter the catalytic steps in splicing. In addition, we have studied how loss of ECM2 impacts splicing of pre-mRNAs containing non-consensus or competing SS. Our results show that ECM2 functions during the catalytic stages of splicing. Our data are consistent with Ecm2 facilitating the formation and stabilization of the 1st-step catalytic site, promoting 2nd-step catalysis, and permiting alternate 5' SS usage. We propose that Cwc2 and Ecm2 can each fine-tune the spliceosome active site in unique ways. Their interaction network may act as a conduit through which splicing of certain pre-mRNAs, such as those containing weak or alternate splice sites, can be regulated.
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15
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Khan N, Akhtar N, Khan FF, Hussain S, Naeem M. Molecular Diagnosis and Identification of Genetic Variants Underlying Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis in Pakistani Patients Using Whole Exome Sequencing. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2020; 24:85-91. [PMID: 31999492 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2019.0195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Primary distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by an impaired urinary acidification process in distal nephrons that results in the production of alkaline urine. Loss of function variants in any of the three genes, ATP6V0A4, ATP6V1B1, or SLC4A1, which all play a role in normal acidification of urine by kidneys, may lead to dRTA. Objective: This study was designed to identify genetic variants underlying dRTA in Pakistani patients using whole exome sequencing, followed by confirmatory Sanger sequencing. Materials and Methods: Patients were identified following presentation with characteristic clinical features of dRTA including vomiting, dehydration, and highly alkaline urine with metabolic acidosis during the first few days of life. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were employed for genetic analyses of the patients. In silico analyses of the identified variants were performed using web-based bioinfomatics programs. Results: Through whole exome sequencing, we identified two splice site variants (c.2257 + 1G>A and c.722 + 5G>A) in the ATP6V0A4 gene that likely underly the disease phenotype in the two families. Multiple in silico tools predicted these variants to affect the respective splice sites supporting their likely role in pathogenesis. Conclusion: The study extends the spectrum of ATP6V0A4 variants associated with dRTA and should benefit the genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of the affected families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naima Khan
- Medical Genetics Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Naureen Akhtar
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, The Children's Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Fehmida Farid Khan
- Medical Genetics Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sofia Hussain
- Medical Genetics Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.,Department of Zoology, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Naeem
- Medical Genetics Research Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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16
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Abstract
The spliceosome removes introns from messenger RNA precursors (pre-mRNA). Decades of biochemistry and genetics combined with recent structural studies of the spliceosome have produced a detailed view of the mechanism of splicing. In this review, we aim to make this mechanism understandable and provide several videos of the spliceosome in action to illustrate the intricate choreography of splicing. The U1 and U2 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) mark an intron and recruit the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP. Transfer of the 5' splice site (5'SS) from U1 to U6 snRNA triggers unwinding of U6 snRNA from U4 snRNA. U6 folds with U2 snRNA into an RNA-based active site that positions the 5'SS at two catalytic metal ions. The branch point (BP) adenosine attacks the 5'SS, producing a free 5' exon. Removal of the BP adenosine from the active site allows the 3'SS to bind, so that the 5' exon attacks the 3'SS to produce mature mRNA and an excised lariat intron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max E Wilkinson
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom; ,
| | - Clément Charenton
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom; ,
| | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom; ,
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17
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Roy SW, Bowser BA. Molecular Evolution: RNA Splicing Machinery Moonlights in Junk Removal. Curr Biol 2019; 29:R920-R922. [PMID: 31593665 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A close relative of vertebrates solves the problem of gene-disrupting transposable element insertions by splicing them out at the RNA level. Why is such an elegant solution so rare across eukaryotes?
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott W Roy
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA; Molecular Cell Biology, University of California-Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
| | - Bradley A Bowser
- Molecular Cell Biology, University of California-Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
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18
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Talkish J, Igel H, Perriman RJ, Shiue L, Katzman S, Munding EM, Shelansky R, Donohue JP, Ares M. Rapidly evolving protointrons in Saccharomyces genomes revealed by a hungry spliceosome. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008249. [PMID: 31437148 PMCID: PMC6726248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Introns are a prevalent feature of eukaryotic genomes, yet their origins and contributions to genome function and evolution remain mysterious. In budding yeast, repression of the highly transcribed intron-containing ribosomal protein genes (RPGs) globally increases splicing of non-RPG transcripts through reduced competition for the spliceosome. We show that under these “hungry spliceosome” conditions, splicing occurs at more than 150 previously unannotated locations we call protointrons that do not overlap known introns. Protointrons use a less constrained set of splice sites and branchpoints than standard introns, including in one case AT-AC in place of GT-AG. Protointrons are not conserved in all closely related species, suggesting that most are not under positive selection and are fated to disappear. Some are found in non-coding RNAs (e. g. CUTs and SUTs), where they may contribute to the creation of new genes. Others are found across boundaries between noncoding and coding sequences, or within coding sequences, where they offer pathways to the creation of new protein variants, or new regulatory controls for existing genes. We define protointrons as (1) nonconserved intron-like sequences that are (2) infrequently spliced, and importantly (3) are not currently understood to contribute to gene expression or regulation in the way that standard introns function. A very few protointrons in S. cerevisiae challenge this classification by their increased splicing frequency and potential function, consistent with the proposed evolutionary process of “intronization”, whereby new standard introns are created. This snapshot of intron evolution highlights the important role of the spliceosome in the expansion of transcribed genomic sequence space, providing a pathway for the rare events that may lead to the birth of new eukaryotic genes and the refinement of existing gene function. The protein coding information in eukaryotic genes is broken by intervening sequences called introns that are removed from RNA during transcription by a large protein-RNA complex called the spliceosome. Where introns come from and how the spliceosome contributes to genome evolution are open questions. In this study, we find more than 150 new places in the yeast genome that are recognized by the spliceosome and spliced out as introns. Since they appear to have arisen very recently in evolution by sequence drift and do not appear to contribute to gene expression or its regulation, we call these protointrons. Protointrons are found in both protein-coding and non-coding RNAs and are not efficiently removed by the splicing machinery. Although most protointrons are not conserved and will likely disappear as evolution proceeds, a few are spliced more efficiently, and are located where they might begin to play functional roles in gene expression, as predicted by the proposed process of intronization. The challenge now is to understand how spontaneously appearing splicing events like protointrons might contribute to the creation of new genes, new genetic controls, and new protein isoforms as genomes evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Talkish
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Haller Igel
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Rhonda J. Perriman
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Lily Shiue
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Sol Katzman
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth M. Munding
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Robert Shelansky
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - John Paul Donohue
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Manuel Ares
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Talkish J, Igel H, Perriman RJ, Shiue L, Katzman S, Munding EM, Shelansky R, Donohue JP, Ares M. Rapidly evolving protointrons in Saccharomyces genomes revealed by a hungry spliceosome. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008249. [PMID: 31437148 DOI: 10.1101/515197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introns are a prevalent feature of eukaryotic genomes, yet their origins and contributions to genome function and evolution remain mysterious. In budding yeast, repression of the highly transcribed intron-containing ribosomal protein genes (RPGs) globally increases splicing of non-RPG transcripts through reduced competition for the spliceosome. We show that under these "hungry spliceosome" conditions, splicing occurs at more than 150 previously unannotated locations we call protointrons that do not overlap known introns. Protointrons use a less constrained set of splice sites and branchpoints than standard introns, including in one case AT-AC in place of GT-AG. Protointrons are not conserved in all closely related species, suggesting that most are not under positive selection and are fated to disappear. Some are found in non-coding RNAs (e. g. CUTs and SUTs), where they may contribute to the creation of new genes. Others are found across boundaries between noncoding and coding sequences, or within coding sequences, where they offer pathways to the creation of new protein variants, or new regulatory controls for existing genes. We define protointrons as (1) nonconserved intron-like sequences that are (2) infrequently spliced, and importantly (3) are not currently understood to contribute to gene expression or regulation in the way that standard introns function. A very few protointrons in S. cerevisiae challenge this classification by their increased splicing frequency and potential function, consistent with the proposed evolutionary process of "intronization", whereby new standard introns are created. This snapshot of intron evolution highlights the important role of the spliceosome in the expansion of transcribed genomic sequence space, providing a pathway for the rare events that may lead to the birth of new eukaryotic genes and the refinement of existing gene function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Talkish
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Haller Igel
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Rhonda J Perriman
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Lily Shiue
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Sol Katzman
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth M Munding
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Robert Shelansky
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - John Paul Donohue
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
| | - Manuel Ares
- Center for Molecular Biology of RNA, Department of Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States of America
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20
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Smathers CM, Robart AR. The mechanism of splicing as told by group II introns: Ancestors of the spliceosome. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2019; 1862:194390. [PMID: 31202783 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Spliceosomal introns and self-splicing group II introns share a common mechanism of intron splicing where two sequential transesterification reactions remove intron lariats and ligate exons. The recent revolution in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has allowed visualization of the spliceosome's ribozyme core. Comparison of these cryo-EM structures to recent group II intron crystal structures presents an opportunity to draw parallels between the RNA active site, substrate positioning, and product formation in these two model systems of intron splicing. In addition to shared RNA architectural features, structural similarity between group II intron encoded proteins (IEPs) and the integral spliceosomal protein Prp8 further support a shared catalytic core. These mechanistic and structural similarities support the long-held assertion that group II introns and the eukaryotic spliceosome have a common evolutionary origin. In this review, we discuss how recent structural insights into group II introns and the spliceosome facilitate the chemistry of splicing, highlight similarities between the two systems, and discuss their likely evolutionary connections. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA structure and splicing regulation edited by Francisco Baralle, Ravindra Singh and Stefan Stamm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Smathers
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States of America
| | - Aaron R Robart
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States of America.
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21
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Bohnsack MT, Sloan KE. Modifications in small nuclear RNAs and their roles in spliceosome assembly and function. Biol Chem 2019; 399:1265-1276. [PMID: 29908124 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2018-0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Modifications in cellular RNAs have emerged as key regulators of all aspects of gene expression, including pre-mRNA splicing. During spliceosome assembly and function, the small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) form numerous dynamic RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions, which are required for spliceosome assembly, correct positioning of the spliceosome on substrate pre-mRNAs and catalysis. The human snRNAs contain several base methylations as well as a myriad of pseudouridines and 2'-O-methylated nucleotides, which are largely introduced by small Cajal body-specific ribonucleoproteins (scaRNPs). Modified nucleotides typically cluster in functionally important regions of the snRNAs, suggesting that their presence could optimise the interactions of snRNAs with each other or with pre-mRNAs, or may affect the binding of spliceosomal proteins. snRNA modifications appear to play important roles in snRNP biogenesis and spliceosome assembly, and have also been proposed to influence the efficiency and fidelity of pre-mRNA splicing. Interestingly, alterations in the modification status of snRNAs have recently been observed in different cellular conditions, implying that some snRNA modifications are dynamic and raising the possibility that these modifications may fine-tune the spliceosome for particular functions. Here, we review the current knowledge on the snRNA modification machinery and discuss the timing, functions and dynamics of modifications in snRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus T Bohnsack
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany.,Göttingen Centre for Molecular Biosciences, Georg August University, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katherine E Sloan
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany
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22
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Plaschka C, Newman AJ, Nagai K. Structural Basis of Nuclear pre-mRNA Splicing: Lessons from Yeast. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2019; 11:cshperspect.a032391. [PMID: 30765413 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a032391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Noncoding introns are removed from nuclear precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) in a two-step phosphoryl transfer reaction by the spliceosome, a dynamic multimegadalton enzyme. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spliceosome were recently determined in eight key states. Combined with the wealth of available genetic and biochemical data, these structures have revealed new insights into the mechanisms of spliceosome assembly, activation, catalysis, and disassembly. The structures show how a single RNA catalytic center forms during activation and accomplishes both steps of the splicing reaction. The structures reveal how spliceosomal helicases remodel the spliceosome for active site formation, substrate docking, reaction product undocking, and spliceosome disassembly and how they facilitate splice site proofreading. Although human spliceosomes contain additional proteins, their cryo-EM structures suggest that the underlying mechanism is conserved across all eukaryotes. In this review, we summarize the current structural understanding of pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Plaschka
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Newman
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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23
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Xia X. RNA-Seq approach for accurate characterization of splicing efficiency of yeast introns. Methods 2019; 176:25-33. [PMID: 30926533 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Introns in different genes, or even different introns within the same gene, often have different splice sites and differ in splicing efficiency (SE). One expects mass-transcribed genes to have introns with higher SE than weakly transcribed genes. However, such a simple expectation cannot be tested directly because variable SE for these genes is often not measured. Mechanistically, SE should depend on signal strength at key splice sites (SS) such as 5'SS, 3'SS and branchpoint site (BPS), i.e., SE = F(5'SS, 3'SS, BPS). However, without SE, we again cannot model how these splice sites contribute to SE. Here I present an RNA-Seq approach to quantify SE for each of the 304 introns in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) genes, including 24 in the 5'UTR, by measuring 1) number of reads mapped to exon-exon junctions (NEE) as a proxy for the abundance of spliced form, and 2) number of reads mapped to exon-intron junction (NEI5 and NEI3 at 5' and 3' ends of intron) as a proxy for the abundance of unspliced form. The total mRNA is NTotal = NEE + p * NEI5 + (1-p) * NEI3, with the simplest p = 0.5 but statistical methods were presented to estimate p from data. An estimated p is needed because NEI5 is expected to be smaller than NEI3 due to 1) step 1 splicing occurs before step 2 so EI5 is broken before EI3, 2) enrichment of poly(A) mRNA by oligo-dT, and 3) 5' degradation. SE is defined as the proportion (NEE/NTotal). Application of the method shows that ribosomal protein messages are efficiently and mostly cotranscriptionally spliced. Yeast genes with long introns are also spliced efficiently. HAC1/YFL031W is poorly spliced partly because its splicing involves a nonspliceosome mechanism and partly because Ire1p, which participate in splicing HAC1, is hardly expressed. Many putative yeast genes have low SE, and some splice sites are incorrectly annotated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhua Xia
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa K1N 6N5, Canada; Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada.
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24
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Amiñoso C, Gordillo-Marañón M, Hernández J, Solera J. Reevaluating the pathogenicity of the mutation c.1194 +5 G>A in GAA gene by functional analysis of RNA in a 61-year-old woman diagnosed with Pompe disease by muscle biopsy. Neuromuscul Disord 2019; 29:187-191. [PMID: 30770309 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Glycogen storage disease type II, or Pompe disease, is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). We performed genetic analysis to confirm the diagnosis of Pompe disease in a 61-year-old patient with progressive weakness in extremities, severe Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome, a significant reduction of alpha-glucosidase in liquid sample of peripheral blood and muscular biopsy diagnosis. GAA gene sequencing showed the patient is homozygous for the splice-site mutation c.1194+5G>A, considered as nonpathogenic in Pompe Center mutation database. Further molecular RNA characterization of GAA transcripts allowed us to identify abnormal processing of pre-mRNA, leading to aberrant transcripts and a significant reduction of GAA mRNA levels. Our results indicate that c.1194+5G>A is a pathogenic splice-site mutation and should be considered as such for diagnostic purposes. This study emphasizes the potential role of functional studies to determine the consequences of mutations with no evident pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinthia Amiñoso
- Unidad de Oncogenética Molecular, Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM), Edificio Quirúrgico Planta-2, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Gordillo-Marañón
- Unidad de Oncogenética Molecular, Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM), Edificio Quirúrgico Planta-2, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain; Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Faculty of Population Health, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jaime Hernández
- Neurology Department, University General Hospital of Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Jesús Solera
- Unidad de Oncogenética Molecular, Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular (INGEMM), Edificio Quirúrgico Planta-2, Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Autonoma University of Madrid, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
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25
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Structural studies of the spliceosome: past, present and future perspectives. Biochem Soc Trans 2018; 46:1407-1422. [PMID: 30420411 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The spliceosome is a multi-subunit RNA-protein complex involved in the removal of non-coding segments (introns) from between the coding regions (exons) in precursors of messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Intron removal proceeds via two transesterification reactions, occurring between conserved sequences at intron-exon junctions. A tightly regulated, hierarchical assembly with a multitude of structural and compositional rearrangements posed a great challenge for structural studies of the spliceosome. Over the years, X-ray crystallography dominated the field, providing valuable high-resolution structural information that was mostly limited to individual proteins and smaller sub-complexes. Recent developments in the field of cryo-electron microscopy allowed the visualisation of fully assembled yeast and human spliceosomes, providing unprecedented insights into substrate recognition, catalysis, and active site formation. This has advanced our mechanistic understanding of pre-mRNA splicing enormously.
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26
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Didychuk AL, Butcher SE, Brow DA. The life of U6 small nuclear RNA, from cradle to grave. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 24:437-460. [PMID: 29367453 PMCID: PMC5855946 DOI: 10.1261/rna.065136.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Removal of introns from precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) and some noncoding transcripts is an essential step in eukaryotic gene expression. In the nucleus, this process of RNA splicing is carried out by the spliceosome, a multi-megaDalton macromolecular machine whose core components are conserved from yeast to humans. In addition to many proteins, the spliceosome contains five uridine-rich small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) that undergo an elaborate series of conformational changes to correctly recognize the splice sites and catalyze intron removal. Decades of biochemical and genetic data, along with recent cryo-EM structures, unequivocally demonstrate that U6 snRNA forms much of the catalytic core of the spliceosome and is highly dynamic, interacting with three snRNAs, the pre-mRNA substrate, and >25 protein partners throughout the splicing cycle. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on how U6 snRNA is synthesized, modified, incorporated into snRNPs and spliceosomes, recycled, and degraded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L Didychuk
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Samuel E Butcher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - David A Brow
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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27
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Nguyen H, Das U, Wang B, Xie J. The matrices and constraints of GT/AG splice sites of more than 1000 species/lineages. Gene 2018; 660:92-101. [PMID: 29588184 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
To provide a resource for the splice sites (SS) of different species, we calculated the matrices of nucleotide compositions of about 38 million splice sites from >1000 species/lineages. The matrices are enriched of aGGTAAGT (5'SS) or (Y)6N(C/t)AG(g/a)t (3'SS) overall; however, they are quite diverse among hundreds of species. The diverse matrices remain prominent even under sequence selection pressures, suggesting the existence of diverse constraints as well as U snRNAs and other spliceosomal factors and/or their interactions with the splice sites. Using an algorithm to measure and compare the splice site constraints across all species, we demonstrate their distinct differences quantitatively. As an example of the resource's application to answering specific questions, we confirm that high constraints of particular positions are significantly associated with transcriptome-wide, increased occurrences of alternative splicing when uncommon nucleotides are present. More interestingly, the abundance of alternative splicing in 16 species correlates with the average constraint index of splice sites in a bell curve. This resource will allow users to assess specific sequences/splice sites against the consensus of every Ensembl-annotated species, and to explore the evolutionary changes or relationship to alternative splicing and transcriptome diversity. Web-search or update features are also included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Nguyen
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada; University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Urmi Das
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Benjamin Wang
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Jiuyong Xie
- Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada.
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28
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Zhao Y, Dunker W, Yu YT, Karijolich J. The Role of Noncoding RNA Pseudouridylation in Nuclear Gene Expression Events. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2018; 6:8. [PMID: 29473035 PMCID: PMC5809436 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudouridine is the most abundant internal RNA modification in stable noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). It can be catalyzed by both RNA-dependent and RNA-independent mechanisms. Pseudouridylation impacts both the biochemical and biophysical properties of RNAs and thus influences RNA-mediated cellular processes. The investigation of nuclear-ncRNA pseudouridylation has demonstrated that it is critical for the proper control of multiple stages of gene expression regulation. Here, we review how nuclear-ncRNA pseudouridylation contributes to transcriptional regulation and pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - William Dunker
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Yi-Tao Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - John Karijolich
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States.,Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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29
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Galej WP, Toor N, Newman AJ, Nagai K. Molecular Mechanism and Evolution of Nuclear Pre-mRNA and Group II Intron Splicing: Insights from Cryo-Electron Microscopy Structures. Chem Rev 2018; 118:4156-4176. [PMID: 29377672 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech P Galej
- EMBL Grenoble , 71 Avenue des Martyrs , 38042 Grenoble Cedex 09 , France
| | - Navtej Toor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry , University of California, San Diego , La Jolla , California 92093 , United States
| | - Andrew J Newman
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Francis Crick Avenue , Cambridge CB2 0QH , U.K
| | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology , Francis Crick Avenue , Cambridge CB2 0QH , U.K
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30
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Wilkinson ME, Fica SM, Galej WP, Norman CM, Newman AJ, Nagai K. Postcatalytic spliceosome structure reveals mechanism of 3'-splice site selection. Science 2017; 358:1283-1288. [PMID: 29146871 DOI: 10.1126/science.aar3729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Introns are removed from eukaryotic messenger RNA precursors by the spliceosome in two transesterification reactions-branching and exon ligation. The mechanism of 3'-splice site recognition during exon ligation has remained unclear. Here we present the 3.7-angstrom cryo-electron microscopy structure of the yeast P-complex spliceosome immediately after exon ligation. The 3'-splice site AG dinucleotide is recognized through non-Watson-Crick pairing with the 5' splice site and the branch-point adenosine. After the branching reaction, protein factors work together to remodel the spliceosome and stabilize a conformation competent for 3'-splice site docking, thereby promoting exon ligation. The structure accounts for the strict conservation of the GU and AG dinucleotides at the 5' and 3' ends of introns and provides insight into the catalytic mechanism of exon ligation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max E Wilkinson
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
| | - Sebastian M Fica
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | | | | | | | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
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31
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snRNP proteins in health and disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 79:92-102. [PMID: 29037818 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Split gene architecture of most human genes requires removal of intervening sequences by mRNA splicing that occurs on large multiprotein complexes called spliceosomes. Mutations compromising several spliceosomal components have been recorded in degenerative syndromes and haematological neoplasia, thereby highlighting the importance of accurate splicing execution in homeostasis of assorted adult tissues. Moreover, insufficient splicing underlies defective development of craniofacial skeleton and upper extremities. This review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of splicing factor function deduced from cryo-EM structures. We combine these data with the characterization of splicing factors implicated in hereditary or somatic disorders, with a focus on potential functional consequences the mutations may elicit in spliceosome assembly and/or performance. Given aberrant splicing or perturbations in splicing efficiency substantially underpin disease pathogenesis, profound understanding of the mis-splicing principles may open new therapeutic vistas. In three major sections dedicated to retinal dystrophies, hereditary acrofacial syndromes, and haematological malignancies, we delineate the noticeable variety of conditions associated with dysfunctional splicing and accentuate recurrent patterns in splicing defects.
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32
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Fica SM, Nagai K. Cryo-electron microscopy snapshots of the spliceosome: structural insights into a dynamic ribonucleoprotein machine. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2017; 24:791-799. [PMID: 28981077 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.3463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The spliceosome excises introns from pre-messenger RNAs using an RNA-based active site that is cradled by a dynamic protein scaffold. A recent revolution in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has led to near-atomic-resolution structures of key spliceosome complexes that provide insight into the mechanism of activation, splice site positioning, catalysis, protein rearrangements and ATPase-mediated dynamics of the active site. The cryo-EM structures rationalize decades of observations from genetic and biochemical studies and provide a molecular framework for future functional studies.
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33
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Mechanistic insights into precursor messenger RNA splicing by the spliceosome. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2017; 18:655-670. [DOI: 10.1038/nrm.2017.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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34
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Scheres SH, Nagai K. CryoEM structures of spliceosomal complexes reveal the molecular mechanism of pre-mRNA splicing. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2017; 46:130-139. [PMID: 28888105 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The spliceosome is an intricate molecular machine which catalyses the removal of introns from eukaryotic mRNA precursors by two trans-esterification reactions (branching and exon ligation) to produce mature mRNA with uninterrupted protein coding sequences. The structures of the spliceosome in several key states determined by electron cryo-microscopy have greatly advanced our understanding of its molecular mechanism. The catalytic RNA core is formed during the activation of the fully assembled B to Bact complex and remains largely unchanged throughout the splicing cycle. RNA helicases and step specific factors regulate docking and undocking of the substrates (branch site and 3' splice site) to the single RNA-based active site to catalyse the two trans-esterification reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sjors Hw Scheres
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom.
| | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom.
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35
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Shi Y. The Spliceosome: A Protein-Directed Metalloribozyme. J Mol Biol 2017; 429:2640-2653. [PMID: 28733144 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is executed by the ribonucleoprotein machinery spliceosome. Nearly 40 years after the discovery of pre-mRNA splicing, the atomic structure of the spliceosome has finally come to light. Four distinct conformational states of the yeast spliceosome have been captured at atomic or near-atomic resolutions. Two catalytic metal ions at the active site are specifically coordinated by the U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) and catalyze both the branching reaction and the exon ligation. Of the three snRNAs in the fully assembled spliceosome, U5 and U6, along with 30 contiguous nucleotides of U2 at its 5'-end, remain structurally rigid throughout the splicing reaction. The rigidity of these RNA elements is safeguarded by Prp8 and 16 core protein components, which maintain the same overall conformation in all structurally characterized spliceosomes during the splicing reaction. Only the sequences downstream of nucleotide 30 of U2 snRNA are mobile; their movement, directed by the protein components, delivers the intron branch site into the close proximity of the 5'-splice site for the branching reaction. A set of additional structural rearrangement is required for exon ligation, and the lariat junction is moved out of the active site for recruitment of the 3'-splice site and 3'-exon. The spliceosome is proven to be a protein-directed metalloribozyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yigong Shi
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Institute of Biology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310064, Zhejiang Province, Province, China.
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36
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Plaschka C, Lin PC, Nagai K. Structure of a pre-catalytic spliceosome. Nature 2017; 546:617-621. [PMID: 28530653 PMCID: PMC5503131 DOI: 10.1038/nature22799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intron removal requires assembly of the spliceosome on precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) and extensive remodelling to form the spliceosome's catalytic centre. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae pre-catalytic B complex spliceosome at near-atomic resolution. The mobile U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) associates with U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP through the U2/U6 helix II and an interface between U4/U6 di-snRNP and the U2 snRNP SF3b-containing domain, which also transiently contacts the helicase Brr2. The 3' region of the U2 snRNP is flexibly attached to the SF3b-containing domain and protrudes over the concave surface of tri-snRNP, where the U1 snRNP may reside before its release from the pre-mRNA 5' splice site. The U6 ACAGAGA sequence forms a hairpin that weakly tethers the 5' splice site. The B complex proteins Prp38, Snu23 and Spp381 bind the Prp8 N-terminal domain and stabilize U6 ACAGAGA stem-pre-mRNA and Brr2-U4 small nuclear RNA interactions. These results provide important insights into the events leading to active site formation.
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MESH Headings
- Base Sequence
- Biocatalysis
- Catalytic Domain
- Cryoelectron Microscopy
- Introns/genetics
- Models, Biological
- Models, Molecular
- Nuclear Proteins/chemistry
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Protein Binding
- Protein Domains
- Protein Stability
- RNA Helicases/chemistry
- RNA Helicases/metabolism
- RNA Helicases/ultrastructure
- RNA Precursors/genetics
- RNA Precursors/metabolism
- RNA Precursors/ultrastructure
- RNA Splice Sites/genetics
- RNA Splicing
- RNA Splicing Factors/chemistry
- RNA Splicing Factors/metabolism
- RNA, Small Nuclear/chemistry
- RNA, Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/chemistry
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/chemistry
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/ultrastructure
- Spliceosomes/chemistry
- Spliceosomes/metabolism
- Spliceosomes/ultrastructure
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Plaschka
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Pei-Chun Lin
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
| | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, United Kingdom
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37
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Mayerle M, Guthrie C. Genetics and biochemistry remain essential in the structural era of the spliceosome. Methods 2017; 125:3-9. [PMID: 28132896 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The spliceosome is not a single macromolecular machine. Rather it is a collection of dynamic heterogeneous subcomplexes that rapidly interconvert throughout the course of a typical splicing cycle. Because of this, for many years the only high resolution structures of the spliceosome available were of smaller, isolated protein or RNA components. Consequently much of our current understanding of the spliceosome derives from biochemical and genetic techniques. Now with the publication of multiple, high resolution structures of the spliceosome, some question the relevance of traditional biochemical and genetic techniques to the splicing field. We argue such techniques are not only relevant, but vital for an in depth mechanistic understanding of pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Mayerle
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Christine Guthrie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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38
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Tan J, Roca X. Informational Suppression to Probe RNA:RNA Interactions in the Context of Ribonucleoproteins: U1 and 5' Splice-Site Base-Pairing. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1421:243-68. [PMID: 26965270 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3591-8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Informational suppression is a method to map specific RNA:RNA interactions by taking advantage of the rules of base complementarity. First, a predicted Watson-Crick base pair is broken by single-nucleotide substitution which disrupts the RNA's structure and/or function. Second, the base pair is restored by mutating the opposing nucleotide, thereby rescuing structure and/or function. This method applies to RNP:RNA interactions such as 5' splice-site (5'ss) base-pairing to the 5' end of U1 small nuclear RNA as part of a small nuclear RNP. Our protocol aims to determine the 5'ss:U1 base-pairing register for natural 5'ss, because for distinct 5'ss sequences the nucleotides on each strand can be aligned differently. This methodology includes cloning of a wild-type splicing minigene and introduction of 5'ss variants by PCR mutagenesis. A U1-expression plasmid is mutated to construct "suppressor U1" snRNAs with restored base-pairing to mutant 5'ss in different registers. Cells are transfected with combinations of minigenes and suppressor U1s, and the splicing patterns are analyzed by reverse transcription and semiquantitative PCR, followed by gel electrophoresis. The identity of suppressor U1s that rescue splicing for specific mutations indicates the register used in that 5'ss. We also provide tips to adapt this protocol to other minigenes or registers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazi Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Xavier Roca
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore.
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39
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Sun C, Rigo N, Fabrizio P, Kastner B, Lührmann R. A protein map of the yeast activated spliceosome as obtained by electron microscopy. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:1427-40. [PMID: 27368340 PMCID: PMC4986897 DOI: 10.1261/rna.057778.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
We have elucidated the spatial arrangement of proteins and snRNP subunits within the purified spliceosomal B(act) complex from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using negative-stain immunoelectron microscopy. The B(act) spliceosome exhibits a mushroom-like shape with a main body connected to a foot and a steep and a shallow slope. The U5 core components, including proteins Snu114 and Prp8, are located in the main body and foot, while Brr2 is on the shallow slope. U2 snRNP components and the RNA helicase Prp2 were predominantly located in the upper regions of both slopes. While several proteins of the "nineteen complex" are located on the steep slope, Prp19, Cef1, and the U6 snRNA-binding protein Cwc2 are on the main body. Our results also indicate that the catalytic core RNP of the spliceosome resides in its main body. We thus assign distinct domains of the B(act) complex to its snRNP and protein components, and we provide first structural insights into the remodeling events at the spliceosome during its transformation from the B to the B(act) complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengfu Sun
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Norbert Rigo
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patrizia Fabrizio
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Berthold Kastner
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Lührmann
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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40
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Cryo-EM structure of the spliceosome immediately after branching. Nature 2016; 537:197-201. [PMID: 27459055 PMCID: PMC5156311 DOI: 10.1038/nature19316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing proceeds by two consecutive transesterification reactions via a lariat-intron intermediate. Here we present the 3.8 Å cryo-electron microscopy structure of the spliceosome immediately after lariat formation. The 5'-splice site is cleaved but remains close to the catalytic Mg2+ site in the U2/U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) triplex, and the 5'-phosphate of the intron nucleotide G(+1) is linked to the branch adenosine 2'OH. The 5'-exon is held between the Prp8 amino-terminal and linker domains, and base-pairs with U5 snRNA loop 1. Non-Watson-Crick interactions between the branch helix and 5'-splice site dock the branch adenosine into the active site, while intron nucleotides +3 to +6 base-pair with the U6 snRNA ACAGAGA sequence. Isy1 and the step-one factors Yju2 and Cwc25 stabilize docking of the branch helix. The intron downstream of the branch site emerges between the Prp8 reverse transcriptase and linker domains and extends towards the Prp16 helicase, suggesting a plausible mechanism of remodelling before exon ligation.
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41
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Tan J, Ho JXJ, Zhong Z, Luo S, Chen G, Roca X. Noncanonical registers and base pairs in human 5' splice-site selection. Nucleic Acids Res 2016; 44:3908-21. [PMID: 26969736 PMCID: PMC4856993 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkw163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate recognition of splice sites is essential for pre-messenger RNA splicing. Mammalian 5' splice sites are mainly recognized by canonical base-pairing to the 5' end of U1 small nuclear RNA, yet we described multiple noncanonical base-pairing registers by shifting base-pair positions or allowing one-nucleotide bulges. By systematic mutational and suppressor U1 analyses, we prove three registers involving asymmetric loops and show that two-nucleotide bulges but not longer can form in this context. Importantly, we established that a noncanonical uridine-pseudouridine interaction in the 5' splice site/U1 helix contributes to the recognition of certain 5' splice sites. Thermal melting experiments support the formation of noncanonical registers and uridine-pseudouridine interactions. Overall, we experimentally validated or discarded the majority of predicted noncanonical registers, to derive a list of 5' splice sites using such alternative mechanisms that is much different from the original. This study allows not only the mechanistic understanding of the recognition of a wide diversity of mammalian 5' splice sites, but also the future development of better splice-site scoring methods that reliably predict the effects of disease-causing mutations at these sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazi Tan
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | - Jia Xin Jessie Ho
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | - Zhensheng Zhong
- Division of Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371, Singapore
| | - Shufang Luo
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
| | - Gang Chen
- Division of Chemistry & Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637371, Singapore
| | - Xavier Roca
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore
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42
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Mayerle M, Guthrie C. Prp8 retinitis pigmentosa mutants cause defects in the transition between the catalytic steps of splicing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2016; 22:793-809. [PMID: 26968627 PMCID: PMC4836653 DOI: 10.1261/rna.055459.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Mayerle
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | - Christine Guthrie
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
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43
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Perea W, Schroeder KT, Bryant AN, Greenbaum NL. Interaction between the Spliceosomal Pre-mRNA Branch Site and U2 snRNP Protein p14. Biochemistry 2016; 55:629-32. [PMID: 26784522 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5b01036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We have probed the molecular basis of recognition between human spliceosomal U2 snRNP protein p14 and RNA targets representing the intron branch site region. Interaction of an RNA duplex representing the branch site helix perturbed at least 10 nuclear magnetic resonance cross-peaks of (15)N-labeled p14. However, similar chemical shift changes were observed upon interaction with a duplex without the bulged branch site residue, suggesting that binding of p14 to RNA is nonspecific and does not recognize the branch site. We propose that the p14-RNA interaction screens charges on the backbone of the branch site during spliceosome assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Perea
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York , New York, New York 10065, United States.,The Graduate Group in Chemistry, The Graduate Center, City University of New York , New York, New York 10016, United States
| | - Kersten T Schroeder
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University , Tallahassee, Florida 32306, United States
| | - Amy N Bryant
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University , Tallahassee, Florida 32306, United States
| | - Nancy L Greenbaum
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York , New York, New York 10065, United States.,The Graduate Group in Chemistry, The Graduate Center, City University of New York , New York, New York 10016, United States
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44
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Rigo N, Sun C, Fabrizio P, Kastner B, Lührmann R. Protein localisation by electron microscopy reveals the architecture of the yeast spliceosomal B complex. EMBO J 2015; 34:3059-73. [PMID: 26582754 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201592022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The spliceosome assembles on a pre-mRNA intron by binding of five snRNPs and numerous proteins, leading to the formation of the pre-catalytic B complex. While the general morphology of the B complex is known, the spatial arrangement of proteins and snRNP subunits within it remain to be elucidated. To shed light on the architecture of the yeast B complex, we immuno-labelled selected proteins and located them by negative-stain electron microscopy. The B complex exhibited a triangular shape with main body, head and neck domains. We located the U5 snRNP components Brr2 at the top and Prp8 and Snu114 in the centre of the main body. We found several U2 SF3a (Prp9 and Prp11) and SF3b (Hsh155 and Cus1) proteins in the head domain and two U4/U6 snRNP proteins (Prp3 and Lsm4) in the neck domain that connects the main body with the head. Thus, we could assign distinct domains of the B complex to the respective snRNPs and provide the first detailed picture of the subunit architecture and protein arrangements of the B complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Rigo
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Chengfu Sun
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Patrizia Fabrizio
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Berthold Kastner
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Lührmann
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
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45
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Burke JE, Butcher SE, Brow DA. Spliceosome assembly in the absence of stable U4/U6 RNA pairing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2015; 21:923-34. [PMID: 25762536 PMCID: PMC4408799 DOI: 10.1261/rna.048421.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2015] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The cycle of spliceosome assembly, intron excision, and spliceosome disassembly involves large-scale structural rearrangements of U6 snRNA that are functionally important. U6 enters the splicing pathway bound to the Prp24 protein, which chaperones annealing of U6 to U4 RNA to form a U4/U6 di-snRNP. During catalytic activation of the assembled spliceosome, U4 snRNP is released and U6 is paired to U2 snRNA. Here we show that point mutations in U4 and U6 that decrease U4/U6 base-pairing in vivo are lethal in combination. However, this synthetic phenotype is rescued by a mutation in U6 that alters a U6-Prp24 contact and stabilizes U2/U6. Remarkably, the resulting viable triple mutant strain lacks detectable U4/U6 base-pairing and U4/U6 di-snRNP. Instead, this strain accumulates free U4 snRNP, protein-free U6 RNA, and a novel complex containing U2/U6 di-snRNP. Further mutational analysis indicates that disruption of the U6-Prp24 interaction rather than stabilization of U2/U6 renders stable U4/U6 di-snRNP assembly nonessential. We propose that an essential function of U4/U6 pairing is to displace Prp24 from U6 RNA, and thus a destabilized U6-Prp24 complex renders stable U4/U6 pairing nonessential.
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MESH Headings
- Base Pairing
- Base Sequence
- Epistasis, Genetic
- Multiprotein Complexes/genetics
- Multiprotein Complexes/metabolism
- Mutation
- Nucleic Acid Conformation
- Protein Multimerization
- RNA Splicing/genetics
- RNA, Fungal/chemistry
- RNA, Fungal/genetics
- RNA, Fungal/metabolism
- RNA, Small Nuclear/chemistry
- RNA, Small Nuclear/genetics
- RNA, Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear/chemistry
- Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear/genetics
- Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear/metabolism
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism
- Spliceosomes/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan E Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Samuel E Butcher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - David A Brow
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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Abstract
Present in the genomes of bacteria and eukaryotic organelles, group II introns are an ancient class of ribozymes and retroelements that are believed to have been the ancestors of nuclear pre-mRNA introns. Despite long-standing speculation, there is limited understanding about the actual pathway by which group II introns evolved into eukaryotic introns. In this review, we focus on the evolution of group II introns themselves. We describe the different forms of group II introns known to exist in nature and then address how these forms may have evolved to give rise to spliceosomal introns and other genetic elements. Finally, we summarize the structural and biochemical parallels between group II introns and the spliceosome, including recent data that strongly support their hypothesized evolutionary relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Zimmerly
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Cameron Semper
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 Canada
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47
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Kondo Y, Oubridge C, van Roon AMM, Nagai K. Crystal structure of human U1 snRNP, a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle, reveals the mechanism of 5' splice site recognition. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 25555158 PMCID: PMC4383343 DOI: 10.7554/elife.04986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
U1 snRNP binds to the 5′ exon-intron junction of pre-mRNA and thus plays a
crucial role at an early stage of pre-mRNA splicing. We present two crystal
structures of engineered U1 sub-structures, which together reveal at atomic
resolution an almost complete network of protein–protein and RNA-protein
interactions within U1 snRNP, and show how the 5′ splice site of pre-mRNA is
recognised by U1 snRNP. The zinc-finger of U1-C interacts with the duplex between
pre-mRNA and the 5′-end of U1 snRNA. The binding of the RNA duplex is
stabilized by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions between U1-C and the RNA
backbone around the splice junction but U1-C makes no base-specific contacts with
pre-mRNA. The structure, together with RNA binding assays, shows that the selection
of 5′-splice site nucleotides by U1 snRNP is achieved predominantly through
basepairing with U1 snRNA whilst U1-C fine-tunes relative affinities of mismatched
5′-splice sites. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04986.001 Genes are made up of long stretches of DNA. The regions of a gene that code for
proteins (known as exons) are interrupted by stretches of non-coding DNA called
introns. To produce proteins from a gene, the DNA is ‘transcribed’ to
form pre-mRNA molecules, from which the introns must be removed in a process called
splicing. The remaining exons are then joined together to form a mature mRNA molecule
that contains the instructions to build a protein. Errors in the splicing process can
lead to numerous diseases, such as cancer. A molecular machine known as a spliceosome is responsible for splicing the pre-mRNA
molecules. This consists of five different complexes called small nuclear
ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs), which are in turn made up from numerous
proteins and RNA molecules. The spliceosome assembles anew every time it splices, and
an early step in this assembly process involves the interaction of an snRNP called U1
with the start of an intron in the pre-mRNA. This interaction then stimulates the
assembly of the rest of the spliceosome. In 2009, researchers reported the structure
of the U1 snRNP, but the structure did not contain enough detail to reveal how the
snRNP recognizes the start of an intron. Kondo, Oubridge et al., including some of the researchers involved in the 2009 work,
now present the crystal structure of the human version of the U1 snRNP in more
detail. High-quality crystal structures of the complete U1 snRNP molecule could not
be obtained because the arrangement of the RNA molecules in the snRNP prevented a
regular crystal from forming. Kondo, Oubridge et al. instead engineered two
subcomponents of U1 snRNP that each crystallized well, and determined their
structures. This revealed that the interactions between the various parts of the U1
snRNP form a complex network. A protein present in the U1 snRNP, known as U1-C, had previously been reported to be
able to recognize introns on its own—without requiring the complete U1 snRNP.
Kondo, Oubridge et al. reveal that this is not the case and that U1-C does not read
the intron RNA sequence directly. Instead, U1 snRNP is able to find the start of the
intron because the U1 RNA can stably bind to this site. The U1-C protein can however
adjust the strength of this binding to ensure that the spliceosome can operate with a
variety of intron start sequences (or signals). DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04986.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Kondo
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Oubridge
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Marie M van Roon
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kiyoshi Nagai
- Structural Studies Division, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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48
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Robart AR, Chan RT, Peters JK, Rajashankar KR, Toor N. Crystal structure of a eukaryotic group II intron lariat. Nature 2014; 514:193-7. [PMID: 25252982 PMCID: PMC4197185 DOI: 10.1038/nature13790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The formation of branched lariat RNA is an evolutionarily conserved feature of splicing reactions for both group II and spliceosomal introns. The lariat is important for the fidelity of 5' splice-site selection and consists of a 2'-5' phosphodiester bond between a bulged adenosine and the 5' end of the intron. To gain insight into this ubiquitous intramolecular linkage, we determined the crystal structure of a eukaryotic group IIB intron in the lariat form at 3.7 Å. This revealed that two tandem tetraloop-receptor interactions, η-η' and π-π', place domain VI in the core to position the lariat bond in the post-catalytic state. On the basis of structural and biochemical data, we propose that π-π' is a dynamic interaction that mediates the transition between the two steps of splicing, with η-η' serving an ancillary role. The structure also reveals a four-magnesium-ion cluster involved in both catalysis and positioning of the 5' end. Given the evolutionary relationship between group II and nuclear introns, it is likely that this active site configuration exists in the spliceosome as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R. Robart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Russell T. Chan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Jessica K. Peters
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
| | - Kanagalaghatta R. Rajashankar
- NE-CAT and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Navtej Toor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
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49
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Collier SE, Voehler M, Peng D, Ohi R, Gould KL, Reiter NJ, Ohi MD. Structural and functional insights into the N-terminus of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc5. Biochemistry 2014; 53:6439-51. [PMID: 25263959 PMCID: PMC4204884 DOI: 10.1021/bi5008639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The
spliceosome is a dynamic macromolecular machine composed of
five small nuclear ribonucleoparticles (snRNPs), the NineTeen Complex
(NTC), and other proteins that catalyze the removal of introns mature
to form the mature message. The NTC, named after its founding member Saccharomyces cerevisiae Prp19, is a conserved spliceosome
subcomplex composed of at least nine proteins. During spliceosome
assembly, the transition to an active spliceosome correlates with
stable binding of the NTC, although the mechanism of NTC function
is not understood. Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc5, a core subunit of the NTC, is an essential protein required
for pre-mRNA splicing. The highly conserved Cdc5 N-terminus contains
two canonical Myb (myeloblastosis) repeats (R1 and R2) and a third
domain (D3) that was previously classified as a Myb-like repeat. Although
the N-terminus of Cdc5 is required for its function, how R1, R2, and
D3 each contribute to functionality is unclear. Using a combination
of yeast genetics, structural approaches, and RNA binding assays,
we show that R1, R2, and D3 are all required for the function of Cdc5
in cells. We also show that the N-terminus of Cdc5 binds RNA in vitro. Structural and functional analyses of Cdc5-D3
show that, while this domain does not adopt a Myb fold, Cdc5-D3 preferentially
binds double-stranded RNA. Our data suggest that the Cdc5 N-terminus
interacts with RNA structures proposed to be near the catalytic core
of the spliceosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott E Collier
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
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50
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Genome-wide analysis of alternative splicing of pre-mRNA under salt stress in Arabidopsis. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:431. [PMID: 24897929 PMCID: PMC4079960 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alternative splicing (AS) of precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) is an important gene regulation process that potentially regulates many physiological processes in plants, including the response to abiotic stresses such as salt stress. Results To analyze global changes in AS under salt stress, we obtained high-coverage (~200 times) RNA sequencing data from Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings that were treated with different concentrations of NaCl. We detected that ~49% of all intron-containing genes were alternatively spliced under salt stress, 10% of which experienced significant differential alternative splicing (DAS). Furthermore, AS increased significantly under salt stress compared with under unstressed conditions. We demonstrated that most DAS genes were not differentially regulated by salt stress, suggesting that AS may represent an independent layer of gene regulation in response to stress. Our analysis of functional categories suggested that DAS genes were associated with specific functional pathways, such as the pathways for the responses to stresses and RNA splicing. We revealed that serine/arginine-rich (SR) splicing factors were frequently and specifically regulated in AS under salt stresses, suggesting a complex loop in AS regulation for stress adaptation. We also showed that alternative splicing site selection (SS) occurred most frequently at 4 nucleotides upstream or downstream of the dominant sites and that exon skipping tended to link with alternative SS. Conclusions Our study provided a comprehensive view of AS under salt stress and revealed novel insights into the potential roles of AS in plant response to salt stress. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-431) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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