scholarly journals Decision letter: Crystal structure of human U1 snRNP, a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle, reveals the mechanism of 5′ splice site recognition

2014 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Splice Site ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Particle ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
U1 Snrnp ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Site Recognition ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Particle

scholarly journals Combinatorial splicing of exon pairs by two-site binding of U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5919-5928 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Grabowski ◽  
F U Nasim ◽  
H C Kuo ◽  
R Burch
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Failure To Rescue ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Particle ◽  
Upstream Site ◽  
Site Model ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
U1 Snrnp ◽  
Alternatively Spliced ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Particle

A two-site model for the binding of U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (U1 snRNP) was tested in order to understand how exon partners are selected in complex pre-mRNAs containing alternative exons. In this model, it is proposed that two U1 snRNPs define a functional unit of splicing by base pairing to the 3' boundary of the downstream exon as well as the 5' boundary of the intron to be spliced. Three-exon substrates contained the alternatively spliced exon 4 (E4) region of the preprotachykinin gene. Combined 5' splice site mutations at neighboring exons demonstrate that weakened binding of U1 snRNP at the downstream site and improved U1 snRNP binding at the upstream site result in the failure to rescue splicing of the intron between the mutations. These results indicate the stringency of the requirement for binding a second U1 snRNP to the downstream 5' splice site for these substrates as opposed to an alternative model in which a certain threshold level of U1 snRNP can be provided at either site. Further support for the two-site model is provided by single-site mutations in the 5' splice site of the third exon, E5, that weaken base complementarity to U1 RNA. These mutations block E5 branchpoint formation and, surprisingly, generate novel branchpoints that are specified chiefly by their proximity to a cryptic 5' splice site located at the 3' terminus of the pre-mRNA. The experiments shown here demonstrate a true stimulation of 3' splice site activity by the downstream binding of U1 snRNP and suggest a possible mechanism by which combinatorial patterns of exon selection are achieved for alternatively spliced pre-mRNAs.

Combinatorial splicing of exon pairs by two-site binding of U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5919-5928
Author(s):  
P J Grabowski ◽  
F U Nasim ◽  
H C Kuo ◽  
R Burch
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Failure To Rescue ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Particle ◽  
Upstream Site ◽  
Site Model ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
U1 Snrnp ◽  
Alternatively Spliced ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Particle

A two-site model for the binding of U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (U1 snRNP) was tested in order to understand how exon partners are selected in complex pre-mRNAs containing alternative exons. In this model, it is proposed that two U1 snRNPs define a functional unit of splicing by base pairing to the 3' boundary of the downstream exon as well as the 5' boundary of the intron to be spliced. Three-exon substrates contained the alternatively spliced exon 4 (E4) region of the preprotachykinin gene. Combined 5' splice site mutations at neighboring exons demonstrate that weakened binding of U1 snRNP at the downstream site and improved U1 snRNP binding at the upstream site result in the failure to rescue splicing of the intron between the mutations. These results indicate the stringency of the requirement for binding a second U1 snRNP to the downstream 5' splice site for these substrates as opposed to an alternative model in which a certain threshold level of U1 snRNP can be provided at either site. Further support for the two-site model is provided by single-site mutations in the 5' splice site of the third exon, E5, that weaken base complementarity to U1 RNA. These mutations block E5 branchpoint formation and, surprisingly, generate novel branchpoints that are specified chiefly by their proximity to a cryptic 5' splice site located at the 3' terminus of the pre-mRNA. The experiments shown here demonstrate a true stimulation of 3' splice site activity by the downstream binding of U1 snRNP and suggest a possible mechanism by which combinatorial patterns of exon selection are achieved for alternatively spliced pre-mRNAs.

scholarly journals U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle-specific proteins interact with the first and second stem-loops of U1 RNA, with the A protein binding directly to the RNA independently of the 70K and Sm proteins.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 3360-3368 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Patton ◽  
W Habets ◽  
W J van Venrooij ◽  
T Pederson
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Particle ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Core Proteins ◽  
U1 Snrnp ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
C Proteins ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Particle

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.

Uncoupling two functions of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle during in vitro splicing

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3135-3145
Author(s):  
S D Seiwert ◽  
J A Steitz
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Rnase H ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Particle ◽  
Additional Function ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
U1 Snrna ◽  
In Vitro Splicing ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Particle

To probe functions of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) during in vitro splicing, we have used unusual splicing substrates which replace the 5' splice site region of an adenovirus substrate with spliced leader (SL) RNA sequences from Leptomonas collosoma or Caenorhabditis elegans. In agreement with previous results (J.P. Bruzik and J.A. Steitz, Cell 62:889-899, 1990), we find that oligonucleotide-targeted RNase H destruction of the 5' end of U1 snRNA inhibits the splicing of a standard adenovirus splicing substrate but not of the SL RNA-containing substrates. However, use of an antisense 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide that disrupts the first stem of U1 snRNA as well as stably sequestering positions of U1 snRNA involved in 5' and 3' splice site recognition inhibits the splicing of both the SL constructs and the standard adenovirus substrate. The 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide is no more effective than RNase H pretreatment in preventing pairing of U1 with the 5' splice site, as assessed by inhibition of psoralen cross-link formation between the SL RNA-containing substrate and U1. The 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide does not alter the protein composition of the U1 monoparticle or deplete the system of essential splicing factors. Native gel analysis indicates that the 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide inhibits splicing by diminishing the formation of splicing complexes. One interpretation of these results is that removal of the 5' end of U1 inhibits base pairing in a different way than sequestering the same sequence with a complementary oligoribonucleotide. Alternatively, our data may indicate that two elements near the 5' end of U1 RNA normally act during spliceosome assembly; the extreme 5' end base pairs with the 5' splice site, while the sequence or structural integrity of stem I is essential for some additional function. It follows that different introns may differ in their use of the repertoire of U1 snRNP functions.

scholarly journals Uncoupling two functions of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle during in vitro splicing.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3135-3145 ◽  
Author(s):  
S D Seiwert ◽  
J A Steitz
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Rnase H ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Particle ◽  
Additional Function ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
U1 Snrna ◽  
In Vitro Splicing ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Particle

To probe functions of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) during in vitro splicing, we have used unusual splicing substrates which replace the 5' splice site region of an adenovirus substrate with spliced leader (SL) RNA sequences from Leptomonas collosoma or Caenorhabditis elegans. In agreement with previous results (J.P. Bruzik and J.A. Steitz, Cell 62:889-899, 1990), we find that oligonucleotide-targeted RNase H destruction of the 5' end of U1 snRNA inhibits the splicing of a standard adenovirus splicing substrate but not of the SL RNA-containing substrates. However, use of an antisense 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide that disrupts the first stem of U1 snRNA as well as stably sequestering positions of U1 snRNA involved in 5' and 3' splice site recognition inhibits the splicing of both the SL constructs and the standard adenovirus substrate. The 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide is no more effective than RNase H pretreatment in preventing pairing of U1 with the 5' splice site, as assessed by inhibition of psoralen cross-link formation between the SL RNA-containing substrate and U1. The 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide does not alter the protein composition of the U1 monoparticle or deplete the system of essential splicing factors. Native gel analysis indicates that the 2'-O-methyl oligoribonucleotide inhibits splicing by diminishing the formation of splicing complexes. One interpretation of these results is that removal of the 5' end of U1 inhibits base pairing in a different way than sequestering the same sequence with a complementary oligoribonucleotide. Alternatively, our data may indicate that two elements near the 5' end of U1 RNA normally act during spliceosome assembly; the extreme 5' end base pairs with the 5' splice site, while the sequence or structural integrity of stem I is essential for some additional function. It follows that different introns may differ in their use of the repertoire of U1 snRNP functions.

scholarly journals Reconstitution of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle.

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 4030-4037 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Patton ◽  
R J Patterson ◽  
T Pederson
Keyword(s):  
Buoyant Density ◽  
Sedimentation Coefficient ◽  
Ribonucleoprotein Particle ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
In Vitro Reconstitution ◽  
U1 Snrnp ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Particle ◽  
Nuclease Sensitivity

Although the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (snRNP) was the first mRNA-splicing cofactor to be identified, the manner in which it functions in splicing is not precisely understood. Among the information required to understand how U1 snRNP participates in splicing, it will be necessary to know its structure. Here we describe the in vitro reconstitution of a particle that possesses the properties of native U1 snRNP. 32P-labeled U1 RNA was transcribed from an SP6 promoter-human U1 gene clone and incubated in a HeLa S100 fraction. A U1 particle formed which displayed the same sedimentation coefficient (approximately 10S) and buoyant density (1.40 g/cm3) as native U1 snRNP. The latter value reflects the ability to withstand isopycnic banding in Cs2SO4 without prior fixation, a property shared by native U1 snRNP. The reconstituted U1 particle reacted with both the Sm and RNP monoclonal antibodies, showing that these two classes of snRNP proteins were present. Moreover, the reconstituted U1 snRNP particle was found to display the characteristic Mg2+ switch of nuclease sensitivity previously described for native U1 snRNP: an open, nuclease-sensitive conformation at a low Mg2+ concentration (3 mM) and a more compact, nuclease-resistant organization at a higher concentration (15 mM). The majority of the U1 RNA in the reconstituted particle did not contain hypermethylated caps, pseudouridine, or ribose 2-O-methylation, showing that these enigmatic posttranscriptional modifications are not essential for reconstitution of the U1 snRNP particle. The extreme 3' end (18 nucleotides) of U1 RNA was required for reconstitution, but loop II (nucleotides 64 to 77) was not. Interestingly, the 5' end (15 nucleotides) of U1 RNA that recognizes pre-mRNA 5' splice sites was not required for U1 snRNP reconstruction.

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