scholarly journals Splicing-independent recruitment of spliceosomal small nuclear RNPs to nascent RNA polymerase II transcripts

2007 ◽  
Vol 178 (6) ◽  
pp. 937-949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snehal Bhikhu Patel ◽  
Natalya Novikova ◽  
Michel Bellini
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Messenger Rnas ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Small Nuclear Rnas ◽  
Transcriptional Units ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Nascent Transcripts

In amphibian oocytes, most lateral loops of the lampbrush chromosomes correspond to active transcriptional sites for RNA polymerase II. We show that newly assembled small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP [snRNP]) particles, which are formed upon cytoplasmic injection of fluorescently labeled spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), target the nascent transcripts of the chromosomal loops. With this new targeting assay, we demonstrate that nonfunctional forms of U1 and U2 snRNAs still associate with the active transcriptional units. In particular, we find that their association with nascent RNP fibrils is independent of their base pairing with pre–messenger RNAs. Additionally, stem loop I of the U1 snRNA is identified as a discrete domain that is both necessary and sufficient for association with nascent transcripts. Finally, in oocytes deficient in splicing, the recruitment of U1, U4, and U5 snRNPs to transcriptional units is not affected. Collectively, these data indicate that the recruitment of snRNPs to nascent transcripts and the assembly of the spliceosome are uncoupled events.

Autoantibodies as probes for the molecular architecture of the nucleus

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 18-19
Author(s):  
David L. Spector ◽  
Gayle Lark ◽  
Mika Sovak ◽  
Sui Huang
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Mammalian Cell ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein

Autoantibodies to a variety of nuclear components including DNA, histones, DNA polymerases, DNA topoisomerases, lamins, coiled bodies, RNA polymerase I, and several classes of ribonucleoproteins have been identified in the sera of individuals with autoimmune disorders. We have taken advantage of autoantibodies to several major classes (U1, U2, U4/U6, U5) of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) which play a crucial role in the processing of pre-mRNA molecules. We have used these antibodies to evaluate the organization of factors which participate in pre-mRNA splicing in the mammalian cell nucleus.We have previously shown snRNPs to be localized to discrete immunostained regions, “speckles”, which form a latticework within the interphase nuclei of several mammalian cell types. Since RNA polymerase II, which is involved in the synthesis of pre-mRNA, is highly sensitive to a-amanitin we were interested in the effect of an inhibition of pre-mRNA synthesis on the snRNP distribution pattern. Cells incubated in drug for 5 hours (Fig. 1d) showed no detectable effect on the organization of snRNPs nor any effect on the level of transcription.

scholarly journals snRNA 3′ end formation: the dawn of the Integrator complex

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 1082-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiandong Chen ◽  
Eric J. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Small Nuclear Rnas ◽  
Sequence Elements ◽  
Initial Discovery ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Processing Factors

The ubiquitously expressed uridine-rich snRNAs (small nuclear RNAs) are essential for the removal of introns, proper expression of histone mRNA and biosynthesis of ribosomal RNA. Much is known about their assembly into snRNP (small nuclear ribonucleoprotein) particles and their ultimate function in the expression of other genes; however, in comparison, less is known about the biosynthesis of these critical non-coding RNAs. The sequence elements necessary for 3′ end formation of snRNAs have been identified and, intriguingly, the processing of snRNAs is uniquely dependent on the snRNA promoter, indicating that co-transcriptional processing is important. However, the trans-acting RNA-processing factors that mediate snRNA processing remained elusive, hindering overall progress. Recently, the factors involved in this process were biochemically purified, and designated the Integrator complex. Since their initial discovery, Integrator proteins have been implicated not only in the production of snRNA, but also in other cellular processes that may be independent of snRNA biogenesis. In the present study, we discuss snRNA biosynthesis and the roles of Integrator proteins. We compare models of 3′ end formation for different classes of RNA polymerase II transcripts and formulate/propose a model of Integrator function in snRNA biogenesis.

scholarly journals A SUMO-dependent pathway controls elongating RNA Polymerase II upon UV-induced damage

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Heckmann ◽  
Maximilian J. Kern ◽  
Boris Pfander ◽  
Stefan Jentsch
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Iii ◽  
Messenger Rnas ◽  
Eukaryotic Transcription ◽  
Small Nuclear Rnas ◽  
Defective Rna ◽  
Dependent Pathway

AbstractRNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is the workhorse of eukaryotic transcription and produces messenger RNAs and small nuclear RNAs. Stalling of RNAPII caused by transcription obstacles such as DNA damage threatens functional gene expression and is linked to transcription-coupled DNA repair. To restore transcription, persistently stalled RNAPII can be disassembled and removed from chromatin. This process involves several ubiquitin ligases that have been implicated in RNAPII ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation. Transcription by RNAPII is heavily controlled by phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain of its largest subunit Rpb1. Here, we show that the elongating form of Rpb1, marked by S2 phosphorylation, is specifically controlled upon UV-induced DNA damage. Regulation of S2-phosphorylated Rpb1 is mediated by SUMOylation, the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase Slx5-Slx8, the Cdc48 segregase as well as the proteasome. Our data suggest an RNAPII control pathway with striking parallels to known disassembly mechanisms acting on defective RNA polymerase III.

scholarly journals Structure of a transcribing RNA polymerase II–U1 snRNP complex

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suyang Zhang ◽  
Shintaro Aibara ◽  
Seychelle M. Vos ◽  
Dmitry E. Agafonov ◽  
Reinhard Lührmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Splice Site ◽  
Loop Formation ◽  
Mrna Isoforms ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
U1 Snrnp ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein

AbstractTo initiate co-transcriptional splicing, RNA polymerase II (Pol II) recruits U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (U1 snRNP) to nascent pre-mRNA. Here we report the cryo-EM structure of a mammalian transcribing Pol II-U1 snRNP complex. The structure reveals that Pol II and U1 snRNP interact directly. This interaction positions the 5’ splice site in pre-mRNA near the RNA exit site of Pol II. Extension of pre-mRNA retains the 5’ splice site, leading to formation of an intron loop. Loop formation may facilitate scanning of the nascent pre-mRNA for the 3’ splice site and enable prespliceosome assembly and functional pairing of distant intron ends. Our results provide a starting point for a mechanistic analysis of co-transcriptional splicing and the biogenesis of mRNA isoforms during alternative splicing.

scholarly journals What’s all the phos about? Insights into the phosphorylation state of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain via mass spectrometry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blase Matthew LeBlanc ◽  
Rosamaria Yvette Moreno ◽  
Edwin Escobar ◽  
Mukesh Kumar Venkat Ramani ◽  
Jennifer S Brodbelt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Phosphorylation State ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Carboxy Terminal Domain ◽  
Protein Encoding ◽  
Small Nuclear Rnas ◽  
Rnap Ii ◽  
Carboxy Terminal ◽  
Encoding Genes

RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) is one of the primary enzymes responsible for expressing protein-encoding genes and some small nuclear RNAs. The enigmatic carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RNAP II and...

scholarly journals Interactions between highly conserved U2 small nuclear RNA structures and Prp5p, Prp9p, Prp11p, and Prp21p proteins are required to ensure integrity of the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 6337-6349 ◽  
Author(s):  
S E Wells ◽  
M Ares
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Lethality ◽  
Small Nuclear Rna ◽  
Rna Structures ◽  
Stem Loop ◽  
U2 Snrna ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
U2 Snrnp ◽  
Nuclear Rna ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein

Binding of U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) to the pre-mRNA is an early and important step in spliceosome assembly. We searched for evidence of cooperative function between yeast U2 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) and several genetically identified splicing (Prp) proteins required for the first chemical step of splicing, using the phenotype of synthetic lethality. We constructed yeast strains with pairwise combinations of 28 different U2 alleles with 10 prp mutations and found lethal double-mutant combinations with prp5, -9, -11, and -21 but not with prp3, -4, -8, or -19. Many U2 mutations in highly conserved or invariant RNA structures show no phenotype in a wild-type PRP background but render mutant prp strains inviable, suggesting that the conserved but dispensable U2 elements are essential for efficient cooperative function with specific Prp proteins. Mutant U2 snRNA fails to accumulate in synthetic lethal strains, demonstrating that interaction between U2 RNA and these four Prp proteins contributes to U2 snRNP assembly or stability. Three of the proteins (Prp9p, Prp11p, and Prp21p) are associated with each other and pre-mRNA in U2-dependent splicing complexes in vitro and bind specifically to synthetic U2 snRNA added to crude splicing extracts depleted of endogenous U2 snRNPs. Taken together, the results suggest that Prp9p, -11p, and -21p are U2 snRNP proteins that interact with a structured region including U2 stem loop IIa and mediate the association of the U2 snRNP with pre-mRNA.

RNA polymerase II cofactor PC2 facilitates activation of transcription by GAL4-AH in vitro

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 3927-3937
Author(s):  
M Kretzschmar ◽  
G Stelzer ◽  
R G Roeder ◽  
M Meisterernst
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Activation Domains ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Activation Of Transcription ◽  
Transcriptional Activation Domains ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient ◽  
Specific Pathway

We have isolated from a crude Hela cell cofactor fraction (USA) a novel positive cofactor that cooperates with the general transcription machinery to effect efficient stimulation of transcription by GAL4-AH, a derivative of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae regulatory factor GAL4. PC2 was shown to be a 500-kDa protein complex and to be functionally and biochemically distinct from native TFIID and previously identified cofactors. In the presence of native TFIID and other general factors, PC2 was necessary and sufficient for activation by GAL4-AH. Cofactor function was specific for transcriptional activation domains of GAL4-AH. The repressor histone H1 further potentiated but was not required for activation of transcription by GAL4-AH. On the basis of the observation that PC2 exerts entirely positive effects on transcription, we propose a model in which PC2 increases the activity of the preinitiation complex in the presence of an activator, thereby establishing a specific pathway during activation of RNA polymerase II.

scholarly journals Intergenic RNA mainly derives from nascent transcripts of known genes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agostini Federico ◽  
Zagalak Julian ◽  
Attig Jan ◽  
Ule Jernej ◽  
Nicholas M. Luscombe
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Human Genome ◽  
Genomic Context ◽  
Alternative Processing ◽  
Intergenic Regions ◽  
Transcriptional Units ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cellular Compartments ◽  
Nascent Transcripts ◽  
Transcriptional Start Sites

AbstractBackgroundEukaryotic genomes undergo pervasive transcription, leading to the production of many types of stable and unstable RNAs. Transcription is not restricted to regions with annotated gene features but includes almost any genomic context. Currently, the source and function of most RNAs originating from intergenic regions in the human genome remains unclear.ResultsWe hypothesised that many intergenic RNA can be ascribed to the presence of as-yet unannotated genes or the ‘fuzzy’ transcription of known genes that extends beyond the annotated boundaries. To elucidate the contributions of these two sources, we assembled a dataset of >2.5 billion publicly available RNA-seq reads across 5 human cell lines and multiple cellular compartments to annotate transcriptional units in the human genome. About 80% of transcripts from unannotated intergenic regions can be attributed to the fuzzy transcription of existing genes; the remaining transcripts originate mainly from putative long non-coding RNA loci that are rarely spliced. We validated the transcriptional activity of these intergenic RNA using independent measurements, including transcriptional start sites, chromatin signatures, and genomic occupancies of RNA polymerase II in various phosphorylation states. We also analysed the nuclear localisation and sensitivities of intergenic transcripts to nucleases to illustrate that they tend to be rapidly degraded either ‘on-chromatin’ by XRN2 or ‘off-chromatin’ by the exosome.ConclusionsWe provide a curated atlas of intergenic RNAs that distinguishes between alternative processing of well annotated genes from independent transcriptional units based on the combined analysis of chromatin signatures, nuclear RNA localisation and degradation pathways.

scholarly journals U1 small nuclear RNA-promoted exon selection requires a minimal distance between the position of U1 binding and the 3' splice site across the exon.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 7099-7107 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Y Hwang ◽  
J B Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Minimum Size ◽  
Minimal Distance ◽  
Small Nuclear Rna ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Optimal Distance ◽  
Small Nuclear Rnas ◽  
Constitutive Splicing ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Lower Size

Both experimental work and surveys of the lengths of internal exons in nature have suggested that vertebrate internal exons require a minimum size of approximately 50 nucleotides for efficient inclusion in mature mRNA. This phenomenon has been ascribed to steric interference between complexes involved in recognition of the splicing signals at the two ends of short internal exons. To determine whether U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein, a multicomponent splicing factor that is involved in the first recognition of splice sites, contributes to the lower size limit of vertebrate internal exons, we have taken advantage of our previous observation that U1 small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) which bind upstream or downstream of the 5' splice site (5'SS) stimulate splicing of the upstream intron. By varying the position of U1 binding relative to the 3'SS, we show that U1-dependent splicing of the upstream intron becomes inefficient when U1 is positioned 48 nucleotides or less downstream of the 3'SS, suggesting a minimal distance between U1 and the 3'SS of approximately 50 nucleotides. This distance corresponds well to the suggested minimum size of internal exons. The results of experiments in which the 3'SS region of the reporter was duplicated suggest an optimal distance of greater than 72 nucleotides. We have also found that inclusion of a 24-nucleotide miniexon is promoted by the binding of U1 to the downstream intron but not by binding to the 5'SS. Our results are discussed in the context of models to explain constitutive splicing of small exons in nature.

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