Recognition of U1 and U2 small nuclear RNAs can be altered by a 5-amino-acid segment in the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) B" protein and through interactions with U2 snRNP-A' protein

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1829-1839
Author(s):  
R C Bentley ◽  
J D Keene

We have investigated the sequence elements influencing RNA recognition in two closely related small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) proteins, U1 snRNP-A and U2 snRNP-B". A 5-amino-acid segment in the RNA-binding domain of the U2 snRNP-B" protein was found to confer U2 RNA recognition when substituted into the corresponding position in the U1 snRNP-A protein. In addition, B", but not A, was found to require the U2 snRNP-A' protein as an accessory factor for high-affinity binding to U2 RNA. The pentamer segment in B" that conferred U2 RNA recognition was not sufficient to allow the A' enhancement of U2 RNA binding by B", thus implicating other sequences in this protein-protein interaction. Sequence elements involved in these interactions have been localized to variable loops of the RNA-binding domain as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (D. Hoffman, C.C. Query, B. Golden, S.W. White, and J.D. Keene, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, in press). These findings suggest a role for accessory proteins in the formation of RNP complexes and pinpoint amino acid sequences that affect the specificity of RNA recognition in two members of a large family of proteins involved in RNA processing.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1829-1839 ◽  
Author(s):  
R C Bentley ◽  
J D Keene

We have investigated the sequence elements influencing RNA recognition in two closely related small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) proteins, U1 snRNP-A and U2 snRNP-B". A 5-amino-acid segment in the RNA-binding domain of the U2 snRNP-B" protein was found to confer U2 RNA recognition when substituted into the corresponding position in the U1 snRNP-A protein. In addition, B", but not A, was found to require the U2 snRNP-A' protein as an accessory factor for high-affinity binding to U2 RNA. The pentamer segment in B" that conferred U2 RNA recognition was not sufficient to allow the A' enhancement of U2 RNA binding by B", thus implicating other sequences in this protein-protein interaction. Sequence elements involved in these interactions have been localized to variable loops of the RNA-binding domain as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (D. Hoffman, C.C. Query, B. Golden, S.W. White, and J.D. Keene, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, in press). These findings suggest a role for accessory proteins in the formation of RNP complexes and pinpoint amino acid sequences that affect the specificity of RNA recognition in two members of a large family of proteins involved in RNA processing.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1258-1269
Author(s):  
M Himmelspach ◽  
R Gattoni ◽  
C Gerst ◽  
K Chebli ◽  
J Stévenin

We have studied the consequences of decreasing the donor site-branch site distance on splicing factor-splice site interactions by analyzing alternative splicing of adenovirus E1A pre-mRNAs in vitro. We show that the proximal 13S donor site has a cis-inhibiting effect on the 9S and 12S mRNA reactions when it is brought too close to the common branch site, suggesting that the factor interactions in the common 3' part of the intron are impaired by the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) binding to the displaced 13S donor site. Further analysis of the interactions was carried out by studying complex assembly and the accessibility to micrococcal nuclease digestion of 5'-truncated E1A substrates containing only splice sites for the 13S mRNA reaction. A deletion which brings the donor site- branch site distance to 49 nucleotides, which is just below the minimal functional distance, results in a complete block of the U4-U5-U6 snRNP binding, whereas a deletion 15 nucleotides larger results in a severe inhibition of the formation of the U2 snRNP-containing complexes. Sequence accessibility analyses performed by using the last mini-intron-containing transcript demonstrate that the interactions of U2 snRNP with the branch site are strongly impaired whereas the initial bindings of U1 snRNP to the donor site and of specific factors to the 3' splice site are not significantly modified. Our results strongly suggest that the interaction of U1 snRNP with the donor site of a mini-intron is stable enough in vitro to affect the succession of events leading to U2 snRNP binding with the branch site.


1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 5750-5756 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Champion-Arnaud ◽  
O Gozani ◽  
L Palandjian ◽  
R Reed

Pre-mRNA assembles into spliceosomal complexes in the stepwise pathway E-->A-->B-->C. We show that mutations in the metazoan branchpoint sequence (BPS) have no apparent effect on E complex formation but block the assembly of the A complex and the UV cross-linking of U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) proteins. Unexpectedly, a novel complex, designated E*, assembles on pre-mRNAs containing BPS mutations. Unlike the E complex, the E* complex accumulates in the presence of ATP. U1 snRNP and U2AF, which are tightly bound to pre-mRNA in the E complex, are not tightly bound in the E* complex. Significantly, previous work showed that U1 snRNP and U2AF become destabilized from pre-mRNA after E complex assembly on normal pre-mRNAs. Thus, our data are consistent with a model in which there are two steps in the transition from the E complex to the A complex (E-->E*-->A). In the first step, U1 snRNP and U2AF are destabilized in an ATP-dependent, BPS-independent reaction. In the second step, the stable binding of U2 snRNP occurs in a BPS-dependent reaction.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1258-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Himmelspach ◽  
R Gattoni ◽  
C Gerst ◽  
K Chebli ◽  
J Stévenin

We have studied the consequences of decreasing the donor site-branch site distance on splicing factor-splice site interactions by analyzing alternative splicing of adenovirus E1A pre-mRNAs in vitro. We show that the proximal 13S donor site has a cis-inhibiting effect on the 9S and 12S mRNA reactions when it is brought too close to the common branch site, suggesting that the factor interactions in the common 3' part of the intron are impaired by the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) binding to the displaced 13S donor site. Further analysis of the interactions was carried out by studying complex assembly and the accessibility to micrococcal nuclease digestion of 5'-truncated E1A substrates containing only splice sites for the 13S mRNA reaction. A deletion which brings the donor site- branch site distance to 49 nucleotides, which is just below the minimal functional distance, results in a complete block of the U4-U5-U6 snRNP binding, whereas a deletion 15 nucleotides larger results in a severe inhibition of the formation of the U2 snRNP-containing complexes. Sequence accessibility analyses performed by using the last mini-intron-containing transcript demonstrate that the interactions of U2 snRNP with the branch site are strongly impaired whereas the initial bindings of U1 snRNP to the donor site and of specific factors to the 3' splice site are not significantly modified. Our results strongly suggest that the interaction of U1 snRNP with the donor site of a mini-intron is stable enough in vitro to affect the succession of events leading to U2 snRNP binding with the branch site.


2003 ◽  
Vol 372 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrik FÖRCH ◽  
Livia MERENDINO ◽  
Concepción MARTÍNEZ ◽  
Juan VALCÁRCEL

The splicing factor U2AF65, U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) auxillary factor of 65 kDa, binds to pyrimidine-rich sequences at 3′ splice sites to recruit U2 snRNP to pre-mRNAs. We report that U2AF65 can also promote the recruitment of U1 snRNP to weak 5′ splice sites that are followed by uridine-rich sequences. The arginine- and serine-rich domain of U2AF65 is critical for U1 recruitment, and we discuss the role of its RNA–RNA annealing activity in this novel function of U2AF65.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4279-4287 ◽  
Author(s):  
S F Jamison ◽  
A Crow ◽  
M A Garcia-Blanco

A mammalian splicing commitment complex was functionally defined by using a template commitment assay. This complex was partially purified and shown to be a required intermediate for complex A formation. The productive formation of this commitment complex required both splice sites and the polypyrimidine tract. U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) was the only spliceosomal U snRNP required for this formation. A protein factor, very likely U2AF, is probably involved in the formation of the splicing commitment complex. From the kinetics of appearance of complex A and complex B, it was previously postulated that complex A represents a functional intermediate in spliceosome assembly. Complex A was partially purified and shown to be a required intermediate for complex B (spliceosome) formation. Thus, a spliceosome pathway is for the first time supported by direct biochemical evidence: RNA+U1 snRNP+?U2 auxiliary factor+?Y----CC+U2 snRNP+Z----A+U4/6,5 snRNPs+ beta----B.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 4279-4287 ◽  
Author(s):  
S F Jamison ◽  
A Crow ◽  
M A Garcia-Blanco

A mammalian splicing commitment complex was functionally defined by using a template commitment assay. This complex was partially purified and shown to be a required intermediate for complex A formation. The productive formation of this commitment complex required both splice sites and the polypyrimidine tract. U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) was the only spliceosomal U snRNP required for this formation. A protein factor, very likely U2AF, is probably involved in the formation of the splicing commitment complex. From the kinetics of appearance of complex A and complex B, it was previously postulated that complex A represents a functional intermediate in spliceosome assembly. Complex A was partially purified and shown to be a required intermediate for complex B (spliceosome) formation. Thus, a spliceosome pathway is for the first time supported by direct biochemical evidence: RNA+U1 snRNP+?U2 auxiliary factor+?Y----CC+U2 snRNP+Z----A+U4/6,5 snRNPs+ beta----B.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 4662-4670 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Romac ◽  
D H Graff ◽  
J D Keene

Expression of the recombinant human U1-70K protein in COS cells resulted in its rapid transport to the nucleus, even when binding to U1 RNA was debilitated. Deletion analysis of the U1-70K protein revealed the existence of two segments of the protein which were independently capable of nuclear localization. One nuclear localization signal (NLS) was mapped within the U1 RNA-binding domain and consists of two typically separated but interdependent elements. The major element of this NLS resides in structural loop 5 between the beta 4 strand and the alpha 2 helix of the folded RNA recognition motif. The C-terminal half of the U1-70K protein which was capable of nuclear entry contains two arginine-rich regions, which suggests the existence of a second NLS. Site-directed mutagenesis of the RNA recognition motif NLS demonstrated that the U1-70K protein can be transported independently of U1 RNA and that its association with the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle can occur in the nucleus.


1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 3360-3368 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Patton ◽  
W Habets ◽  
W J van Venrooij ◽  
T Pederson

The U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (U1 snRNP), a cofactor in pre-mRNA splicing, contains three proteins, termed 70K, A, and C, that are not present in the other spliceosome-associated snRNPs. We studied the binding of the A and C proteins to U1 RNA, using a U1 snRNP reconstitution system and an antibody-induced nuclease protection technique. Antibodies that reacted with the A and C proteins induced nuclease protection of the first two stem-loops of U1 RNA in reconstituted U1 snRNP. Detailed analysis of the antibody-induced nuclease protection patterns indicated the existence of relatively long-range protein-protein interactions in the U1 snRNP, with the 5' end of U1 RNA and its associated specific proteins interacting with proteins bound to the Sm domain near the 3' end. UV cross-linking experiments in conjunction with an A-protein-specific antibody demonstrated that the A protein bound directly to the U1 RNA rather than assembling in the U1 snRNP exclusively via protein-protein interactions. This conclusion was supported by additional experiments revealing that the A protein could bind to U1 RNA in the absence of bound 70K and Sm core proteins.


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