scholarly journals Genetic and structural analysis of the in vivo functional redundancy between murine NANOS2 and NANOS3

Development ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. dev.191916
Author(s):  
Danelle Wright ◽  
Makoto Kiso ◽  
Yumiko Saga
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Germ Cell Differentiation ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Male Specific

NANOS2 and NANOS3 are evolutionarily conserved RNA-binding proteins involved in murine germ cell development. NANOS3 is required for protection from apoptosis during migration and gonadal colonization in both sexes, whereas NANOS2 is male-specific and required for the male-type differentiation of germ cells. Ectopic NANOS2 rescues the functions of NANOS3, but NANOS3 cannot rescue NANOS2 function even though its expression is up-regulated in Nanos2-null conditions. It is unknown why NANOS3 cannot rescue NANOS2 function and it is unclear whether NANOS3 plays any role in male germ cell differentiation. To address these questions, we made conditional Nanos3/Nanos2 knockout mice and chimeric mice expressing chimeric NANOS proteins. Conditional double knockout of Nanos2 and 3 led to the rapid loss of germ cells, and in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that DND1 and NANOS2 binding is dependent on the specific NANOS2 zinc finger structure. Moreover, murine NANOS3 failed to bind CNOT1, an interactor of NANOS2 at its N-terminal. Collectively, our study suggests that the inability of NANOS3 to rescue NANOS2 function is due to poor DND1 recruitment and CNOT1 binding.

167. MUSASHI FAMILY OF RNA BINDING PROTEINS: CELL CYCLE REGULATORS IN SPERMATOGENESIS

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
E. A. McLaughlin ◽  
B. A. Fraser ◽  
V. Pye ◽  
M. Bigland ◽  
N. A. Siddall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Translational Repression ◽  
Germ Cell Differentiation ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes

Mammalian meiosis is a tightly regulated process involving specialized cell cycle progression and morphogenetic changes. We have demonstrated that the Musashi family of RNA binding proteins is implicated in the regulation of spermatogonial stem self renewal and germ cell differentiation. Here we describe the novel mechanism by which the Musashi family proteins, Msi1 and Msi2, act to control exit from spermatogonial mitotic amplification and normal entry into meiosis. Gene and protein analysis indicated overlapping Msi1 and Msi2 profiles in enriched populations of isolated germ cells and reciprocal subcellular expression patterns in spermatogonia and pachytene spermatocytes/ round spermatids in testes sections. Recombinant Msi1 protein-RNA pulldown and microarray analysis coupled with in vitro shRNA knockdown studies in spermatogonial culture and subsequent immunoprecipitation and qPCR established that Msi1 targeted Msi2 mRNA for post transcriptional translational repression. Immunoprecipitation of Msi2 target mRNA and subsequent qPCR together with in vitro shRNA knockdown studies inround spermatidculture identified a cell cycle inhibitor protein CDKN1C (p57kip2) as the principal target of Msi2 translational inhibition. Immunolocalisation of CDKN1C protein indicated that expression of this cell cycle regulator coincided with the nuclear import of Msi1 and the appearance of cytoplasmic Msi2 expression in early pachytene spermatocytes. Using a transgenic Msi1 overexpression mouse model in conjunction with quantitative gene and protein expression, we confirmed Msi1 targeting of Msi2 and subsequent Msi2 targeting of CDKN1C for translational repression in vivo. Ectopic overexpression of Msi1 in germ cellsinduces substantial Msi2 downregulation and aberrant CDKN1C expression, resulting in abnormal spermatogenic differentiation, germ cell apoptosis/arrest and sterility. In conclusion, our results indicate a sophisticated molecular switch encompassing cell cycle protein regulation by Musashi family proteins, is required for normal exit from mitotic division, entry into meiosis and post meiotic germ cell differentiation.

scholarly journals In vivo and in vitro differentiation of male germ cells in the mouse

Reproduction ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orly Lacham-Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Cellular Interactions ◽  
Germ Cell Differentiation

Primordial germ cells appear in the embryo at about day 7 after coitum. They proliferate and migrate towards the genital ridge. Once there, they undergo differentiation into germ stem cells, known as ‘A spermatogonia’. These cells are the foundation of spermatogenesis. A spermatogonia commit to spermatogenesis, stay undifferentiated or degenerate. The differentiation of primordial germ cells to migratory, postmigratory and germ stem cells is dependent on gene expression and cellular interactions. Some of the genes that play a crucial role in germ cell differentiation are Steel, c-Kit, VASA, DAZL, fragilis, miwi, mili, mil1 and mil2. Their expression is stage specific, therefore allowing solid identification of germ cells at different developmental phases. In addition to the expression of these genes, other markers associated with germ cell development are nonspecific alkaline phosphatase activity, the stage specific embryonic antigen, the transcription factor Oct3/4 and β1- and α6-integrins. Commitment of cells to primordial germ cells and to A spermatogonia is also dependent on induction by the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4. With this knowledge, researchers were able to isolate germ stem cells from embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies, and drive these into gametes either in vivo or in vitro. Although no viable embryos were obtained from these gametes, the prospects are that this goal is not too far from being accomplished.

scholarly journals Identification of mRNAs Associated with αCP2-Containing RNP Complexes

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (19) ◽  
pp. 7055-7067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelly A. Waggoner ◽  
Stephen A. Liebhaber
Keyword(s):  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Translation Control ◽  
Viral Mrnas ◽  
Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation ◽  
Direct Binding

ABSTRACT Posttranscriptional controls in higher eukaryotes are central to cell differentiation and developmental programs. These controls reflect sequence-specific interactions of mRNAs with one or more RNA binding proteins. The α-globin poly(C) binding proteins (αCPs) comprise a highly abundant subset of K homology (KH) domain RNA binding proteins and have a characteristic preference for binding single-stranded C-rich motifs. αCPs have been implicated in translation control and stabilization of multiple cellular and viral mRNAs. To explore the full contribution of αCPs to cell function, we have identified a set of mRNAs that associate in vivo with the major αCP2 isoforms. One hundred sixty mRNA species were consistently identified in three independent analyses of αCP2-RNP complexes immunopurified from a human hematopoietic cell line (K562). These mRNAs could be grouped into subsets encoding cytoskeletal components, transcription factors, proto-oncogenes, and cell signaling factors. Two mRNAs were linked to ceroid lipofuscinosis, indicating a potential role for αCP2 in this infantile neurodegenerative disease. Surprisingly, αCP2 mRNA itself was represented in αCP2-RNP complexes, suggesting autoregulatory control of αCP2 expression. In vitro analyses of representative target mRNAs confirmed direct binding of αCP2 within their 3′ untranslated regions. These data expand the list of mRNAs that associate with αCP2 in vivo and establish a foundation for modeling its role in coordinating pathways of posttranscriptional gene regulation.

scholarly journals SSMART: Sequence-structure motif identification for RNA-binding proteins

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Munteanu ◽  
Neelanjan Mukherjee ◽  
Uwe Ohler
Keyword(s):  
Binding Sites ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Sequence Motif ◽  
Primary Sequence ◽  
Sequence Structure ◽  
Rna Targets

AbstractMotivationRNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate every aspect of RNA metabolism and function. There are hundreds of RBPs encoded in the eukaryotic genomes, and each recognize its RNA targets through a specific mixture of RNA sequence and structure properties. For most RBPs, however, only a primary sequence motif has been determined, while the structure of the binding sites is uncharacterized.ResultsWe developed SSMART, an RNA motif finder that simultaneously models the primary sequence and the structural properties of the RNA targets sites. The sequence-structure motifs are represented as consensus strings over a degenerate alphabet, extending the IUPAC codes for nucleotides to account for secondary structure preferences. Evaluation on synthetic data showed that SSMART is able to recover both sequence and structure motifs implanted into 3‘UTR-like sequences, for various degrees of structured/unstructured binding sites. In addition, we successfully used SSMART on high-throughput in vivo and in vitro data, showing that we not only recover the known sequence motif, but also gain insight into the structural preferences of the RBP.AvailabilitySSMART is freely available at https://ohlerlab.mdc-berlin.de/software/SSMART_137/[email protected]

scholarly journals Interactome analyses reveal profound proteasome structural and functional rearrangements throughout mammalian spermatogenesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dusan Zivkovic ◽  
Angelique Sanchez Dafun ◽  
Thomas Menneteau ◽  
Adrien Schahl ◽  
Sandrine Lise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Protein Assembly ◽  
Homologous Chromosomes ◽  
High Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
Germ Cell Differentiation ◽  
Mechanism Function

During spermatogenesis, spermatogonia undergo a series of mitotic and meiotic divisions on their path to spermatozoa. To achieve this, a succession of complex processes requiring high proteolytic activity are in part orchestrated by the proteasome. The spermatoproteasome (s20S) is a proteasome subtype specific to the developing gametes, in which the gamete-specific α4s subunit replaces the α4 isoform found in the constitutive proteasome (c20S). Although the s20S is conserved across species and was shown to be crucial for germ cell development, its mechanism, function and structure remain incompletely characterized. Here, we used advanced mass spectrometry (MS) methods to map the composition of proteasome complexes and their interactomes throughout spermatogenesis. We observed that the s20S becomes highly activated as germ cells enter meiosis, mainly through association with proteasome activators PA200 and 19S. Additionally, the proteasome population shifts from predominantly c20S (98%) to predominantly s20S (>82-92%) during differentiation, presumably due to the shift from α4 to α4s expression. We confirmed that s20S, but not c20S, interacts with components of the synaptonemal complex, the multi-protein assembly that connects homologous chromosomes during meiosis. In vitro, s20S preferentially bind to 19S, and displayed higher trypsin- and chymotrypsin-like activities, both with and without PA200 activation. Moreover, using MS methods to monitor protein dynamics, we identified significant differences in domain flexibility between α4 and α4s. We propose that these differences induced by α4s incorporation result in significant changes in the way the s20S interacts with its partners, and dictate its role in germ cell differentiation.

scholarly journals A single domain of yeast poly(A)-binding protein is necessary and sufficient for RNA binding and cell viability.

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 3268-3276 ◽  
Author(s):  
A B Sachs ◽  
R W Davis ◽  
R D Kornberg
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Association Constant ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient

The poly(A)-binding protein (PAB) gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is essential for cell growth. A 66-amino acid polypeptide containing half of a repeated N-terminal domain can replace the entire protein in vivo. Neither an octapeptide sequence conserved among eucaryotic RNA-binding proteins nor the C-terminal domain of PAB is required for function in vivo. A single N-terminal domain is nearly identical to the entire protein in the number of high-affinity sites for poly(A) binding in vitro (one site with an association constant of approximately 2 X 10(7) M-1) and in the size of the binding site (12 A residues). Multiple N-terminal domains afford a mechanism of PAB transfer between poly(A) strands.

scholarly journals A novel methyltransferase (Hmt1p) modifies poly(A)+-RNA-binding proteins.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 3668-3678 ◽  
Author(s):  
M F Henry ◽  
P A Silver
Keyword(s):  
Normal Cell ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Arginine Residues ◽  
Cognate Gene ◽  
Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins

RNA-binding proteins play many essential roles in the metabolism of nuclear pre-mRNA. As such, they demonstrate a myriad of dynamic behaviors and modifications. In particular, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) contain the bulk of methylated arginine residues in eukaryotic cells. We have identified the first eukaryotic hnRNP-specific methyltransferase via a genetic screen for proteins that interact with an abundant poly(A)+-RNA-binding protein termed Npl3p. We have previously shown that npl3-1 mutants are temperature sensitive for growth and defective for export of mRNA from the nucleus. New mutants in interacting genes were isolated by their failure to survive in the presence of the npl3-1 allele. Four alleles of the same gene were identified in this manner. Cloning of the cognate gene revealed an encoded protein with similarity to methyltransferases that was termed HMT1 for hnRNP methyltransferase. HMT1 is not required for normal cell viability except when NPL3 is also defective. The Hmt1 protein is located in the nucleus. We demonstrate that Npl3p is methylated by Hmt1p both in vivo and in vitro. These findings now allow further exploration of the function of this previously uncharacterized class of enzymes.

scholarly journals The Emerging Role and Promise of Circular RNAs in Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1473
Author(s):  
Mohamed Zaiou
Keyword(s):  
Rna Binding ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Exciting Field ◽  
Rna Molecules

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are genome transcripts that are produced from back-splicing of specific regions of pre-mRNA. These single-stranded RNA molecules are widely expressed across diverse phyla and many of them are stable and evolutionary conserved between species. Growing evidence suggests that many circRNAs function as master regulators of gene expression by influencing both transcription and translation processes. Mechanistically, circRNAs are predicted to act as endogenous microRNA (miRNA) sponges, interact with functional RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and associate with elements of the transcriptional machinery in the nucleus. Evidence is mounting that dysregulation of circRNAs is closely related to the occurrence of a range of diseases including cancer and metabolic diseases. Indeed, there are several reports implicating circRNAs in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. However, there is very little research addressing the potential role of these RNA transcripts in the occurrence and development of obesity. Emerging data from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that circRNAs are novel players in adipogenesis, white adipose browning, obesity, obesity-induced inflammation, and insulin resistance. This study explores the current state of knowledge on circRNAs regulating molecular processes associated with adipogenesis and obesity, highlights some of the challenges encountered while studying circRNAs and suggests some perspectives for future research directions in this exciting field of study.

scholarly journals Crystal Structure of a Variant PAM2 Motif of LARP4B Bound to the MLLE Domain of PABPC1

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemens Grimm ◽  
Jann-Patrick Pelz ◽  
Cornelius Schneider ◽  
Katrin Schäffler ◽  
Utz Fischer
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Binding Proteins ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Mrna Transcription ◽  
Terminal Part ◽  
Protein Output

Eukaryotic cells determine the protein output of their genetic program by regulating mRNA transcription, localization, translation and turnover rates. This regulation is accomplished by an ensemble of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that bind to any given mRNA, thus forming mRNPs. Poly(A) binding proteins (PABPs) are prominent members of virtually all mRNPs that possess poly(A) tails. They serve as multifunctional scaffolds, allowing the recruitment of diverse factors containing a poly(A)-interacting motif (PAM) into mRNPs. We present the crystal structure of the variant PAM motif (termed PAM2w) in the N-terminal part of the positive translation factor LARP4B, which binds to the MLLE domain of the poly(A) binding protein C1 cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1). The structural analysis, along with mutational studies in vitro and in vivo, uncovered a new mode of interaction between PAM2 motifs and MLLE domains.

scholarly journals PRMT7 regulates RNA-binding capacity and protein stability in Leishmania parasites

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 5511-5526
Author(s):  
Tiago R Ferreira ◽  
Adam A Dowle ◽  
Ewan Parry ◽  
Eliza V C Alves-Ferreira ◽  
Karen Hogg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Modification ◽  
Transcriptional Control ◽  
Leishmania Major ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Rna Binding Proteins ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Arginine Methylation ◽  
Mrna Metabolism

Abstract RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are the primary gene regulators in kinetoplastids as transcriptional control is nearly absent, making Leishmania an exceptional model for investigating methylation of non-histone substrates. Arginine methylation is an evolutionarily conserved protein modification catalyzed by Protein aRginine Methyl Transferases (PRMTs). The chromatin modifier PRMT7 is the only Type III PRMT found in higher eukaryotes and a restricted number of unicellular eukaryotes. In Leishmania major, PRMT7 is a cytoplasmic protein implicit in pathogenesis with unknown substrates. Using comparative methyl-SILAC proteomics for the first time in protozoa, we identified 40 putative targets, including 17 RBPs hypomethylated upon PRMT7 knockout. PRMT7 can modify Alba3 and RBP16 trans-regulators (mammalian RPP25 and YBX2 homologs, respectively) as direct substrates in vitro. The absence of PRMT7 levels in vivo selectively reduces Alba3 mRNA-binding capacity to specific target transcripts and can impact the relative stability of RBP16 in the cytoplasm. RNA immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrate PRMT7-dependent methylation promotes Alba3 association with select target transcripts and thus indirectly stabilizes mRNA of a known virulence factor, δ-amastin surface antigen. These results highlight a novel role for PRMT7-mediated arginine methylation of RBP substrates, suggesting a regulatory pathway controlling gene expression and virulence in Leishmania. This work introduces Leishmania PRMTs as epigenetic regulators of mRNA metabolism with mechanistic insight into the functional manipulation of RBPs by methylation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document