Structure of the mRNA splicing complex component Cwc2: insights into RNA recognition

2011 ◽  
Vol 441 (2) ◽  
pp. 591-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peilong Lu ◽  
Guifeng Lu ◽  
Chuangye Yan ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Wenqi Li ◽  
...  

The Prp19-associated complex [NTC (nineteen complex)] plays a crucial role in intron removal during premature mRNA splicing in eukaryotes. Only one component of the NTC, Cwc2, is capable of binding RNA. In the present study we report the 1.9 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) X-ray structure of the Cwc2 core domain, which is both necessary and sufficient for RNA binding. The Cwc2 core domain contains two sub-domains, a CCCH-type ZnF (zinc finger) and a RRM (RNA recognition motif). Unexpectedly, the ZnF domain and the RRM form a single folding unit, glued together by extensive hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds. Structure-guided mutational analysis revealed that the intervening loop [known as the RB loop (RNA-binding loop)] between ZnF and RRM plays an essential role in RNA binding. In addition, a number of highly conserved positively charged residues on the β-strands of RRM make an important contribution to RNA binding. Intriguingly, these residues and a portion of the RB loop constitute an extended basic surface strip that encircles Cwc2 halfway. The present study serves as a framework for understanding the regulatory function of the NTC in RNA splicing.

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 4229-4240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Webb ◽  
Jo Ann Wise

ABSTRACT The small subunit of U2AF, which functions in 3′ splice site recognition, is more highly conserved than its heterodimeric partner yet is less thoroughly investigated. Remarkably, we find that the small subunit of Schizosaccharomyces pombe U2AF (U2AFSM) can be replaced in vivo by its human counterpart, demonstrating that the conservation extends to function. Precursor mRNAs accumulate in S. pombe following U2AFSM depletion in a time frame consistent with a role in splicing. A comprehensive mutational analysis reveals that all three conserved domains are required for viability. Notably, however, a tryptophan in the pseudo-RNA recognition motif implicated in a key contact with the large subunit by crystallographic data is dispensable whereas amino acids implicated in RNA recognition are critical. Mutagenesis of the two zinc-binding domains demonstrates that they are neither equivalent nor redundant. Finally, two- and three-hybrid analyses indicate that mutations with effects on large-subunit interactions are rare whereas virtually all alleles tested diminished RNA binding by the heterodimer. In addition to demonstrating extraordinary conservation of U2AF small-subunit function, these results provide new insights into the roles of individual domains and residues.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8799
Author(s):  
Shintaro Muraoka ◽  
Kazuhiro Fukumura ◽  
Megumi Hayashi ◽  
Naoyuki Kataoka ◽  
Akila Mayeda ◽  
...  

Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential mechanism for ensuring integrity of the transcriptome in eukaryotes. Therefore, splicing deficiency might cause a decrease in functional proteins and the production of nonfunctional, aberrant proteins. To prevent the production of such aberrant proteins, eukaryotic cells have several mRNA quality control mechanisms. In addition to the known mechanisms, we previously found that transcription elongation is attenuated to prevent the accumulation of pre-mRNA under splicing-deficient conditions. However, the detailed molecular mechanism behind the defect in transcription elongation remains unknown. Here, we showed that the RNA binding protein Rbm38 reduced the transcription elongation defect of the SMEK2 gene caused by splicing deficiency. This reduction was shown to require the N- and C-terminal regions of Rbm38, along with an important role being played by the RNA-recognition motif of Rbm38. These findings advance our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the transcription elongation defect caused by splicing deficiency.


2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (15) ◽  
pp. 9925-9936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tino Köster ◽  
Katja Meyer ◽  
Claus Weinholdt ◽  
Lisa M. Smith ◽  
Martina Lummer ◽  
...  

Abstract The hnRNP-like glycine-rich RNA-binding protein AtGRP7 regulates pre-mRNA splicing in Arabidopsis. Here we used small RNA-seq to show that AtGRP7 also affects the miRNA inventory. AtGRP7 overexpression caused a significant reduction in the level of 30 miRNAs and an increase for 14 miRNAs with a minimum log2 fold change of ±0.5. Overaccumulation of several pri-miRNAs including pri-miR398b, pri-miR398c, pri-miR172b, pri-miR159a and pri-miR390 at the expense of the mature miRNAs suggested that AtGRP7 affects pri-miRNA processing. Indeed, RNA immunoprecipitation revealed that AtGRP7 interacts with these pri-miRNAs in vivo. Mutation of an arginine in the RNA recognition motif abrogated in vivo binding and the effect on miRNA and pri-miRNA levels, indicating that AtGRP7 inhibits processing of these pri-miRNAs by direct binding. In contrast, pri-miRNAs of selected miRNAs that were elevated or not changed in response to high AtGRP7 levels were not bound in vivo. Reduced accumulation of miR390, an initiator of trans-acting small interfering RNA (ta-siRNA) formation, also led to lower TAS3 ta-siRNA levels and increased mRNA expression of the target AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR4. Furthermore, AtGRP7 affected splicing of pri-miR172b and pri-miR162a. Thus, AtGRP7 is an hnRNP-like protein with a role in processing of pri-miRNAs in addition to its role in pre-mRNA splicing.


Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Yinjiao Zhao ◽  
Ya Du ◽  
Qinglan Ge ◽  
Fang Yan ◽  
Shu Wei

Summary The Dazl (deleted in azoospermia-like) gene encodes an RNA-binding protein containing an RNA recognition motif (RRM) and a DAZ motif. Dazl is essential for gametogenesis in vertebrates. In this study, we report the cloning of Dazl cDNA from Cynops cyanurus. Ccdazl mRNA showed a germline-specific expression pattern as expected. Ccdazl expression gradually decreased during oogenesis, suggesting that it may be involved in oocyte development. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Ccdazl protein shares conserved motifs/domains with Dazl proteins from other species. Cloning of Ccdazl provides a new tool to carry out comparative studies of germ cell development in amphibians.


2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (15) ◽  
pp. 10185-10195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constanze Schelhorn ◽  
James M.B. Gordon ◽  
Lidia Ruiz ◽  
Javier Alguacil ◽  
Enrique Pedroso ◽  
...  

Abstract Cytoplasmic polyadenylation is regulated by the interaction of the cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding proteins (CPEB) with cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE) containing mRNAs. The CPEB family comprises four paralogs, CPEB1–4, each composed of a variable N-terminal region, two RNA recognition motif (RRM) and a C-terminal ZZ-domain. We have characterized the RRM domains of CPEB4 and their binding properties using a combination of biochemical, biophysical and NMR techniques. Isothermal titration calorimetry, NMR and electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments demonstrate that both the RRM domains are required for an optimal CPE interaction and the presence of either one or two adenosines in the two most commonly used consensus CPE motifs has little effect on the affinity of the interaction. Both the single RRM1 and the tandem RRM1–RRM2 have the ability to dimerize, although representing a minor population. Self-association does not affect the proteins’ ability to interact with RNA as demonstrated by ion mobility–mass spectrometry. Chemical shift effects measured by NMR of the apo forms of the RRM1–RRM2 samples indicate that the two domains are orientated toward each other. NMR titration experiments show that residues on the β-sheet surface on RRM1 and at the C-terminus of RRM2 are affected upon RNA binding. We propose a model of the CPEB4 RRM1–RRM2–CPE complex that illustrates the experimental data.


1997 ◽  
Vol 110 (15) ◽  
pp. 1741-1750 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Zinszner ◽  
J. Sok ◽  
D. Immanuel ◽  
Y. Yin ◽  
D. Ron

TLS, the product of a gene commonly translocated in liposarcomas (TLS), is prototypical of a newly identified class of nuclear proteins that contain a C-terminal domain with a distinct RNA recognition motif (RRM) surrounded by Arg-Gly-Gly (RGG) repeats. Its unique N terminus serves as an essential transforming domain for a number of fusion oncoproteins in human sarcomas and leukemias. In this study we use an in vivo UV crosslinking procedure to probe the interactions of TLS with RNA. TLS is found to bind RNA in vivo and the association of TLS with RNA is rapidly diminished by treating cells with transcriptional inhibitors. This suggests that the species bound by TLS turns over rapidly. Surprisingly, the RRM was found to be dispensable for RNA binding by TLS in vivo, suggesting that at any one time most of the interactions between TLS and RNA in the cell are not sequence specific. Analysis of inter specific heterokaryons formed between human and mouse or Xenopus cells revealed that TLS engages in rapid nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, a finding confirmed by the ability of anti-TLS antibodies to trap TLS when injected into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells. Cellular fractionation experiments suggest that TLS binds to RNA in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and support the hypothesis that TLS functions as a heterogeneous ribonuclear protein (hnRNP)-like chaperone of RNA. These findings are discussed in the context of the role altered forms of TLS play in cellular transformation.


Author(s):  
Marianna Teplova ◽  
Thalia A. Farazi ◽  
Thomas Tuschl ◽  
Dinshaw J. Patel

AbstractRNA-binding protein with multiple splicing (designated RBPMS) is a higher vertebrate mRNA-binding protein containing a single RNA recognition motif (RRM). RBPMS has been shown to be involved in mRNA transport, localization and stability, with key roles in axon guidance, smooth muscle plasticity, as well as regulation of cancer cell proliferation and migration. We report on structure-function studies of the RRM domain of RBPMS bound to a CAC-containing single-stranded RNA. These results provide insights into potential topologies of complexes formed by the RBPMS RRM domain and the tandem CAC repeat binding sites as detected by photoactivatable-ribonucleoside-enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation. These studies establish that the RRM domain of RBPMS forms a symmetrical dimer in the free state, with each monomer binding sequence-specifically to all three nucleotides of a CAC segment in the RNA bound state. Structure-guided mutations within the dimerization and RNA-binding interfaces of RBPMS RRM on RNA complex formation resulted in both disruption of dimerization and a decrease in RNA-binding affinity as observed by size exclusion chromatography and isothermal titration calorimetry. As anticipated from biochemical binding studies, over-expression of dimerization or RNA-binding mutants of Flag-HA-tagged RBPMS were no longer able to track with stress granules in HEK293 cells, thereby documenting the deleterious effects of such mutations in vivo.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
D. Jamsai ◽  
S. J. Smith ◽  
A. E. O'Connor ◽  
D. J. Merriner ◽  
C. Borg ◽  
...  

To comprehensively uncover novel male fertility regulators, we utilised an unbiased forward genetic screen, ENU mutagenesis. Using this approach, we have identified several novel infertile mouse lines including a male-specific infertile line that we designated ‘Joey’. The mutant Joey mice produced no sperm due to an arrest of male germ cells at the round spermatid stage. The mutation was identified in the RNA binding motif 5 (Rbm5) gene that resulted in an arginine to proline substitution within a highly conserved RNA recognition motif of the protein. The substitution of proline is likely to interfere with RNA binding and/or recognition. In humans, the RBM5 gene maps to a region that is frequently deleted in lung cancers. Ex vivo studies have suggested that RBM5 is a tumour suppressor, apoptosis modulator and RNA splicing regulator. To date, the role of Rbm5 has never been liked to male fertility and the Joey line is the only mouse model of Rbm5 dysfunction. Using our RBM5-specific antibody, we showed that RBM5 is expressed in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Based on the protein localisation, the proposed role of RBM5 in mRNA processing, the onset of the Joey phenotype, and the site of the identified mutation, we hypothesise that the Rbm5 mutant allele results in a hypomorphic protein, and that RBM5 has an essential role in regulating male germ cell mRNA storage, transport and/or translational regulation of mRNAs that are critical for spermatid maturation. Further, we generated mice compound heterozygous of the Joey Rbm5 mutation and Rbm5 null alleles. We showed that the compound heterozygous males are infertile due to spermatid maturation arrest resembling the Joey mutant males. This result further confirmed the identification of the Rbm5 mutation as a cause of infertility in the Joey mice and a crucial role of Rbm5 in male fertility.


1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3494-3504 ◽  
Author(s):  
T D Levine ◽  
F Gao ◽  
P H King ◽  
L G Andrews ◽  
J D Keene

We have investigated the RNA binding specificity of Hel-N1, a human neuron-specific RNA-binding protein, which contains three RNA recognition motifs. Hel-N1 is a human homolog of Drosophila melanogaster elav, which plays a vital role in the development of neurons. A random RNA selection procedure revealed that Hel-N1 prefers to bind RNAs containing short stretches of uridylates similar to those found in the 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) of oncoprotein and cytokine mRNAs such as c-myc, c-fos, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Direct binding studies demonstrated that Hel-N1 bound and formed multimers with c-myc 3' UTR mRNA and required, as a minimum, a specific 29-nucleotide stretch containing AUUUG, AUUUA, and GUUUUU. Deletion analysis demonstrated that a fragment of Hel-N1 containing 87 amino acids, encompassing the third RNA recognition motif, forms an RNA binding domain for the c-myc 3' UTR. In addition, Hel-N1 was shown to be reactive with autoantibodies from patients with paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis both before and after binding to c-myc mRNA.


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