Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 514-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jikai Wen ◽  
Saverio Brogna
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Translation Termination ◽  
Mrna Splicing ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Coupled Processes ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay ◽  
Premature Translation Termination

Translation and mRNA decay are coupled processes; the link is most obvious in the case of NMD (nonsense-mediated mRNA decay). NMD is a mechanism that drastically reduces the level of mRNA harbouring PTCs (premature translation termination codons). The defining event in NMD is premature translation termination and the key question is: what distinguishes premature from normal translation termination? Surprisingly, in mammalian cells, PTC recognition is linked to pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we review the current understanding in view of recent developments.

scholarly journals Caenorhabditis elegans SMG-2 Selectively Marks mRNAs Containing Premature Translation Termination Codons

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (16) ◽  
pp. 5630-5638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Johns ◽  
Andrew Grimson ◽  
Sherry L. Kuchma ◽  
Carrie Loushin Newman ◽  
Philip Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Translation Termination ◽  
Yeast Two Hybrid ◽  
Eukaryotic Mrnas ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay ◽  
Endogenous Genes ◽  
Alternatively Spliced ◽  
Two Hybrid ◽  
Premature Translation Termination

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic mRNAs containing premature translation termination codons (PTCs) are rapidly degraded by a process termed “nonsense-mediated mRNA decay” (NMD). We examined protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions among Caenorhabditis elegans proteins required for NMD. SMG-2, SMG-3, and SMG-4 are orthologs of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and mammalian Upf1, Upf2, and Upf3, respectively. A combination of immunoprecipitation and yeast two-hybrid experiments indicated that SMG-2 interacts with SMG-3, SMG-3 interacts with SMG-4, and SMG-2 interacts indirectly with SMG-4 via shared interactions with SMG-3. Such interactions are similar to those observed in yeast and mammalian cells. SMG-2-SMG-3-SMG-4 interactions require neither SMG-2 phosphorylation, which is abolished in smg-1 mutants, nor SMG-2 dephosphorylation, which is reduced or eliminated in smg-5 mutants. SMG-2 preferentially associates with PTC-containing mRNAs. We monitored the association of SMG-2, SMG-3, and SMG-4 with mRNAs of five endogenous genes whose mRNAs are alternatively spliced to either contain or not contain PTCs. SMG-2 associates with both PTC-free and PTC-containing mRNPs, but it strongly and preferentially associates with (“marks”) those containing PTCs. SMG-2 marking of PTC-mRNPs is enhanced by SMG-3 and SMG-4, but SMG-3 and SMG-4 are not detectably associated with the same mRNPs. Neither SMG-2 phosphorylation nor dephosphorylation is required for selective association of SMG-2 with PTC-containing mRNPs, indicating that SMG-2 is phosphorylated only after premature terminations have been discriminated from normal terminations. We discuss these observations with regard to the functions of SMG-2 and its phosphorylation during NMD.

scholarly journals Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay Effectors Are Essential for Zebrafish Embryonic Development and Survival

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (13) ◽  
pp. 3517-3528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadine Wittkopp ◽  
Eric Huntzinger ◽  
Catrin Weiler ◽  
Jérôme Saulière ◽  
Steffen Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Translation Termination ◽  
Zebrafish Genome ◽  
Zebrafish Embryos ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay ◽  
Nonsense Codons ◽  
Zebrafish Embryogenesis ◽  
Premature Translation Termination

ABSTRACT The nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway promotes rapid degradation of mRNAs containing premature translation termination codons (PTCs or nonsense codons), preventing accumulation of potentially detrimental truncated proteins. In metazoa, seven genes (upf1, upf2, upf3, smg1, smg5, smg6, and smg7) have been identified as essential for NMD; here we show that the zebrafish genome encodes orthologs of upf1, upf2, smg1, and smg5 to smg7 and two upf3 paralogs. We also show that Upf1 is required for degradation of PTC-containing mRNAs in zebrafish embryos. Moreover, its depletion has a severe impact on embryonic development, early patterning, and viability. Similar phenotypes are observed in Upf2-, Smg5-, or Smg6-depleted embryos, suggesting that zebrafish embryogenesis requires an active NMD pathway. Using cultured cells, we demonstrate that the ability of a PTC to trigger NMD is strongly stimulated by downstream exon-exon boundaries. Thus, as in mammals and plants but in contrast to invertebrates and fungi, NMD is coupled to splicing in zebrafish. Our results together with previous studies show that NMD effectors are essential for vertebrate embryogenesis and suggest that the coupling of splicing and NMD has been maintained in vertebrates but lost in fungi and invertebrates.

scholarly journals An intron proximal to a PTC enhances NMD in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jikai Wen ◽  
Muyang He ◽  
Marija Petric ◽  
Laetitia Marzi ◽  
Jianming Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Translation Termination ◽  
Exon Junction Complex ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Independent Mechanism ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay ◽  
Translation Termination Codon ◽  
Premature Translation Termination Codon

AbstractNonsense mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is regarded as the function of a specialized cytoplasmic translation-coupled mRNA decay pathway in eukaryotes, however, whether a premature translation termination codon (PTC) will lead to NMD often depends on splicing a downstream intron in the nucleus. Deposition of the exon junction complex (EJC) on mRNA is understood to mediate such splicing-dependent NMD in mammalian cells. The budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which has introns in only 5% of its genes, characteristically at the start of the coding region, and lacks proteins essential for EJC assembly, is not expected to undergo splicing-dependent NMD. However, we found that the presence of an intron near a PTC can also enhance NMD in this organism, regardless of whether it is downstream or upstream. These data provide evidence for a hitherto unsuspected EJC-independent mechanism linking translation and pre-mRNA in S. cerevisiae.

Recognition of nonsense mRNA: towards a unified model

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Mühlemann
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Protein Complex ◽  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Translation Termination ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Unified Model ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay ◽  
Correct Translation ◽  
Premature Translation Termination

Among the different cellular surveillance mechanisms that ensure accurate gene expression, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay rapidly degrades mRNAs harbouring PTCs (premature translation-termination codons) and thereby prevents the accumulation of potentially deleterious proteins with C-terminal truncations. In the present article, I review recent data from yeast, fluitflies, nematode worms and human cells and endeavour to merge these results into a unified model for recognition of nonsense mRNA. According to this model, the distinction between translation termination at PTCs and at ‘normal’ termination codons relies on the physical distance between the terminating ribosome and PABP [poly(A)-binding protein]. Correct translation termination is promoted by a PABP-mediated signal to the terminating ribosome, whereas the absence of this signal leads to the assembly of an mRNA decay-promoting protein complex including the conserved NMD factors UPF (up-frameshift) 1–3.

UPF1 P-body localization

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 698-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saverio Brogna ◽  
Preethi Ramanathan ◽  
Jikai Wen
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Translation Termination ◽  
Processing Bodies ◽  
Cytoplasmic Granules ◽  
P Bodies ◽  
The Core ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay ◽  
Premature Translation Termination

NMD (nonsense-mediated mRNA decay) is a mechanism that degrades transcripts containing PTCs (premature translation termination codons). NMD is a translation-associated process that is expected to take place throughout the cytoplasm. However, recent studies have indicated that the core NMD factors UPF1 (up-frameshift-1), UPF2 and UPF3 can associate with P-bodies (processing bodies), which are large cytoplasmic granules replete with proteins involved in general mRNA decay and related processes. It has been proposed that UPF1 directs PTC-containing mRNAs to P-bodies and triggers decay. Here, we discuss the link between P-bodies and NMD in view of recent studies that suggest that P-bodies are not required for NMD in Drosophila.

scholarly journals A UPF1 variant drives conditional remodeling of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Fritz ◽  
Soumya Ranganathan ◽  
J. Robert Hogg
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Gene Expression Regulation ◽  
Translation Termination ◽  
Translational Repression ◽  
The Core ◽  
Human Genes ◽  
Rna Quality Control ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay

AbstractThe nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway monitors translation termination to degrade transcripts with premature stop codons and regulate thousands of human genes. Due to the major role of NMD in RNA quality control and gene expression regulation, it is important to understand how the pathway responds to changing cellular conditions. Here we show that an alternative mammalian-specific isoform of the core NMD factor UPF1, termed UPF1LL, enables condition-dependent remodeling of NMD specificity. UPF1LL associates more stably with potential NMD target mRNAs than the major UPF1SL isoform, expanding the scope of NMD to include many transcripts normally immune to the pathway. Unexpectedly, the enhanced persistence of UPF1LL on mRNAs supports induction of NMD in response to rare translation termination events. Thus, while canonical NMD is abolished by translational repression, UPF1LL activity is enhanced, providing a mechanism to rapidly rewire NMD specificity in response to cellular stress.

scholarly journals Screening Readthrough Compounds to Suppress Nonsense Mutations: Possible Application to β-Thalassemia

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Borgatti ◽  
Emiliano Altamura ◽  
Francesca Salvatori ◽  
Elisabetta D’Aversa ◽  
Nicola Altamura
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Disease ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Translation Termination ◽  
Premature Termination Codon ◽  
Nonsense Suppression ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Nonsense Mutations ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay ◽  
Mrna Destabilization ◽  
Premature Translation Termination

Several types of thalassemia (including β039-thalassemia) are caused by nonsense mutations in genes controlling globin production, leading to premature translation termination and mRNA destabilization mediated by the nonsense mediated mRNA decay. Drugs (for instance, aminoglycosides) can be designed to suppress premature translation termination by inducing readthrough (or nonsense suppression) at the premature termination codon. These findings have introduced new hopes for the development of a pharmacologic approach to cure this genetic disease. In the present review, we first summarize the principle and current status of the chemical relief for the expression of functional proteins from genes otherwise unfruitful for the presence of nonsense mutations. Second, we compare data available on readthrough molecules for β0-thalassemia. The examples reported in the review strongly suggest that ribosomal readthrough should be considered as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of β0-thalassemia caused by nonsense mutations. Concluding, the discovery of molecules, exhibiting the property of inducing β-globin, such as readthrough compounds, is of great interest and represents a hope for several patients, whose survival will depend on the possible use of drugs rendering blood transfusion and chelation therapy unnecessary.

scholarly journals SMG-1 Is a Phosphatidylinositol Kinase-Related Protein Kinase Required for Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay in Caenorhabditis elegans

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (17) ◽  
pp. 7483-7490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Grimson ◽  
Sean O'Connor ◽  
Carrie Loushin Newman ◽  
Philip Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Null Alleles ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Messenger Rnas ◽  
Phosphatidylinositol Kinase ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic messenger RNAs containing premature stop codons are selectively and rapidly degraded, a phenomenon termed nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Previous studies with both Caenohabditis elegans and mammalian cells indicate that SMG-2/human UPF1, a central regulator of NMD, is phosphorylated in an SMG-1-dependent manner. We report here that smg-1, which is required for NMD in C. elegans, encodes a protein kinase of the phosphatidylinositol kinase superfamily of protein kinases. We identify null alleles of smg-1 and demonstrate that SMG-1 kinase activity is required in vivo for NMD and in vitro for SMG-2 phosphorylation. SMG-1 and SMG-2 coimmunoprecipitate from crude extracts, and this interaction is maintained in smg-3 and smg-4 mutants, both of which are required for SMG-2 phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro. SMG-2 is located diffusely through the cytoplasm, and its location is unaltered in mutants that disrupt the cycle of SMG-2 phosphorylation. We discuss the role of SMG-2 phosphorylation in NMD.

scholarly journals Tpa1p Is Part of an mRNP Complex That Influences Translation Termination, mRNA Deadenylation, and mRNA Turnover in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 5237-5248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim M. Keeling ◽  
Joe Salas-Marco ◽  
Lev Z. Osherovich ◽  
David M. Bedwell
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Mrna Decay ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Translation Termination ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
Yeast Strains ◽  
Messenger Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Nonsense Mediated Mrna Decay

ABSTRACT In this report, we show that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein Tpa1p (for termination and polyadenylation) influences translation termination efficiency, mRNA poly(A) tail length, and mRNA stability. Tpa1p is encoded by the previously uncharacterized open reading frame YER049W. Yeast strains carrying a deletion of the TPA1 gene (tpa1Δ) exhibited increased readthrough of stop codons, and coimmunoprecipitation assays revealed that Tpa1p interacts with the translation termination factors eRF1 and eRF3. In addition, the tpa1Δ mutation led to a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in the half-lives of mRNAs degraded by the general 5′→3′ pathway or the 3′→5′ nonstop decay pathway. In contrast, this mutation did not have any affect on the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway. Examination of mRNA poly(A) tail length revealed that poly(A) tails are longer than normal in a tpa1Δ strain. Consistent with a potential role in regulating poly(A) tail length, Tpa1p was also found to coimmunoprecipitate with the yeast poly(A) binding protein Pab1p. These results suggest that Tpa1p is a component of a messenger ribonucleoprotein complex bound to the 3′ untranslated region of mRNAs that affects translation termination, deadenylation, and mRNA decay.

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