scholarly journals PRIMA: a gene-centered, RNA-to-protein method for mapping RNA-protein interactions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex M. Tamburino ◽  
Ebru Kaymak ◽  
Shaleen Shrestha ◽  
Amy D. Holdorf ◽  
Sean P. Ryder ◽  
...  

SUMMARYInteractions between RNA binding protein (RBP) and mRNAs are critical to post-transcriptional gene regulation. Eukaryotic genomes encode thousands of mRNAs and hundreds of RBPs. However, in contrast to interactions between transcription factors (TFs) and DNA, the interactome between RBPs and RNA has been explored for only a small number of proteins and RNAs. This is largely because the focus has been on using ‘protein-centered’ (RBP-to-RNA) interaction mapping methods that identify the RNAs with which an individual RBP interacts. While powerful, these methods cannot as of yet be applied to the entire RBPome. Moreover, it may be desirable for a researcher to identify the repertoire of RBPs that can interact with an mRNA of interest – in a ‘gene-centered’ manner, yet few such techniques are available. Here, we present Protein-RNA Interaction Mapping Assay (PRIMA) with which an RNA ‘bait’ can be tested versus multiple RBP ‘preys’ in a single experiment. PRIMA is a translation-based assay that examines interactions in the yeast cytoplasm, the cellular location of mRNA translation. We show that PRIMA can be used with small RNA elements, as well as with full-length Caenorhabditis elegans 3′UTRs. PRIMA faithfully recapitulates numerous well-characterized RNA-RBP interactions and also identified novel interactions, some of which were confirmed in vivo. We envision that PRIMA will provide a complementary tool to expand the depth and scale with which the RNA-RBP interactome can be explored.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Lang ◽  
Jae-Seong Yang ◽  
Mireia Garriga-Canut ◽  
Silvia Speroni ◽  
Maria Gili ◽  
...  

AbstractRNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are crucial factors of post-transcriptional gene regulation and their modes of action are intensely investigated. At the center of attention are RNA motifs that guide where RBPs bind. However, sequence motifs are often poor predictors of RBP-RNA interactions in vivo. It is hence believed that many RBPs recognize RNAs as complexes, to increase specificity and regulatory possibilities. To probe the potential for complex formation among RBPs, we assembled a library of 978 mammalian RBPs and used rec-Y2H screening to detect direct interactions between RBPs, sampling > 600 K interactions. We discovered 1994 new interactions and demonstrate that interacting RBPs bind RNAs adjacently in vivo. We further find that the mRNA binding region and motif preferences of RBPs can deviate, depending on their adjacently binding interaction partners. Finally, we reveal novel RBP interaction networks among major RNA processing steps and show that splicing impairing RBP mutations observed in cancer rewire spliceosomal interaction networks.Graphical abstract


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Mrinmoyee Majumder ◽  
Viswanathan Palanisamy

Control of gene expression is critical in shaping the pro-and eukaryotic organisms’ genotype and phenotype. The gene expression regulatory pathways solely rely on protein–protein and protein–nucleic acid interactions, which determine the fate of the nucleic acids. RNA–protein interactions play a significant role in co- and post-transcriptional regulation to control gene expression. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are a diverse group of macromolecules that bind to RNA and play an essential role in RNA biology by regulating pre-mRNA processing, maturation, nuclear transport, stability, and translation. Hence, the studies aimed at investigating RNA–protein interactions are essential to advance our knowledge in gene expression patterns associated with health and disease. Here we discuss the long-established and current technologies that are widely used to study RNA–protein interactions in vivo. We also present the advantages and disadvantages of each method discussed in the review.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
André P. Gerber

RNA–protein interactions frame post-transcriptional regulatory networks and modulate transcription and epigenetics. While the technological advances in RNA sequencing have significantly expanded the repertoire of RNAs, recently developed biochemical approaches combined with sensitive mass-spectrometry have revealed hundreds of previously unrecognized and potentially novel RNA-binding proteins. Nevertheless, a major challenge remains to understand how the thousands of RNA molecules and their interacting proteins assemble and control the fate of each individual RNA in a cell. Here, I review recent methodological advances to approach this problem through systematic identification of proteins that interact with particular RNAs in living cells. Thereby, a specific focus is given to in vivo approaches that involve crosslinking of RNA–protein interactions through ultraviolet irradiation or treatment of cells with chemicals, followed by capture of the RNA under study with antisense-oligonucleotides and identification of bound proteins with mass-spectrometry. Several recent studies defining interactomes of long non-coding RNAs, viral RNAs, as well as mRNAs are highlighted, and short reference is given to recent in-cell protein labeling techniques. These recent experimental improvements could open the door for broader applications and to study the remodeling of RNA–protein complexes upon different environmental cues and in disease.


2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachery R. Belak ◽  
Andrew Ficzycz ◽  
Nick Ovsenek

YY1 (Yin Yang 1) is present in the Xenopus oocyte cytoplasm as a constituent of messenger ribonucleoprotein complexes (mRNPs). Association of YY1 with mRNPs requires direct RNA-binding activity. Previously, we have shown YY1 has a high affinity for U-rich RNA; however, potential interactions with plausible in vivo targets have not been investigated. Here we report a biochemical characterization of the YY1–RNA interaction including an investigation of the stability, potential 5′-methylguanosine affinity, and specificity for target RNAs. The formation of YY1–RNA complexes in vitro was highly resistant to thermal, ionic, and detergent disruption. The endogenous oocyte YY1–mRNA interactions were also found to be highly stable. Specific YY1–RNA interactions were observed with selected mRNA and 5S RNA probes. The affinity of YY1 for these substrates was within an order of magnitude of that for its cognate DNA element. Experiments aimed at determining the potential role of the 7-methylguanosine cap on RNA-binding reveal no significant difference in the affinity of YY1 for capped or uncapped mRNA. Taken together, the results show that the YY1–RNA interaction is highly stable, and that YY1 possesses the ability to interact with structurally divergent RNA substrates. These data are the first to specifically document the interaction between YY1 and potential in vivo targets.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M Blazie ◽  
Seika Takayanagi-Kiya ◽  
Katherine A McCulloch ◽  
Yishi Jin

AbstractThe translation initiation complex eIF3 imparts specialized functions to regulate protein expression. However, understanding of eIF3 activities in neurons remains limited despite widespread dysregulation of eIF3 subunits in neurological disorders. Here, we report a selective role of theC. elegansRNA-binding subunit EIF-3.G in shaping the neuronal protein landscape. We identify a missense mutation in the conserved Zinc-Finger (ZF) of EIF-3.G that acts in a gain-of-function manner to dampen neuronal hyperexcitation. Using neuron type-specific seCLIP, we systematically mapped EIF-3.G-mRNA interactions and identified EIF-3.G occupancy on GC-rich 5′UTRs of a select set of mRNAs enriched in activity-dependent functions. We demonstrate that the ZF mutation in EIF-3.G alters translation in a 5′UTR dependent manner. Our study reveals anin vivomechanism for eIF3 in governing neuronal protein levels to control activity states and offers insights into how eIF3 dysregulation contributes to neuronal disorders.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 4975-4990
Author(s):  
M E Samuels ◽  
D Bopp ◽  
R A Colvin ◽  
R F Roscigno ◽  
M A Garcia-Blanco ◽  
...  

Sxl has been proposed to regulate splicing of specific target genes by directly interacting with their pre-mRNAs. We have therefore examined the RNA-binding properties of Sxl protein in vitro and in vivo. Gel shift and UV cross-linking assays with a purified recombinant MBP-Sxl fusion protein demonstrated preferential binding to RNAs containing poly(U) tracts, and the protein footprinted over the poly(U) region. The protein did not appear to recognize either branch point or AG dinucleotide sequences, but an adenosine residue at the 5' end of the poly(U) tract enhanced binding severalfold. MBP-Sxl formed two shifted complexes on a tra regulated acceptor site RNA; the doubly shifted form may have been stabilized by protein-protein interactions. Consistent with its proposed role in pre-mRNA processing, in nuclear extracts Sxl was found in large ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes which sedimented significantly faster than bulk heterogeneous nuclear RNP and small nuclear RNPs. Anti-Sxl staining of polytene chromosomes showed Sxl protein at a number of chromosomal locations, among which was the Sxl locus itself. Sxl protein could also be targeted to a new chromosomal site carrying a transgene containing splicing regulatory sequences from the Sxl gene, following transcriptional induction. After prolonged heat shock, all Sxl protein was restricted to the heat-induced puff at the hs93D locus. In contrast, a presumptive small nuclear RNP protein was observed at several heat puffs following shock.


2000 ◽  
Vol 74 (18) ◽  
pp. 8252-8261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Roger J. Pomerantz ◽  
Geethanjali Dornadula ◽  
Yong Sun

ABSTRACT Virion infectivity factor (Vif) is a protein encoded by human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and -2) and simian immunodeficiency virus, plus other lentiviruses, and is essential for viral replication either in vivo or in culture for nonpermissive cells such as peripheral blood lymphoid cells, macrophages, and H9 T cells. Defects in the vif gene affect virion morphology and reverse transcription but not the expression of viral components. It has been shown that Vif colocalizes with Gag in cells and Vif binds to the NCp7 domain of Gag in vitro. However, it seems that Vif is not specifically packaged into virions. The molecular mechanism(s) for Vif remains unknown. In this report, we demonstrate that HIV-1 Vif is an RNA-binding protein and specifically binds to HIV-1 genomic RNA in vitro. Further, Vif binds to HIV-1 RNA in the cytoplasm of virus-producing cells to form a 40S mRNP complex. Coimmunoprecipitation and in vivo UV cross-linking assays indicated that Vif directly interact with HIV-1 RNA in the virus-producing cells. Vif-RNA binding could be displaced by Gag-RNA binding, suggesting that Vif protein in the mRNP complex may mediate viral RNA interaction with HIV-1 Gag precursors. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that these Vif mutants that lose the RNA binding activity in vitro do not supportvif-deficient HIV-1 replication in H9 T cells, suggesting that the RNA binding capacity of Vif is important for its function. Further studies regarding Vif-RNA interaction in virus-producing cells will be important for studying the function of Vif in the HIV-1 life cycle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 4418-4434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kawanda Foster ◽  
Sabine Grüschow ◽  
Scott Bailey ◽  
Malcolm F White ◽  
Michael P Terns

Abstract Type III CRISPR–Cas prokaryotic immune systems provide anti-viral and anti-plasmid immunity via a dual mechanism of RNA and DNA destruction. Upon target RNA interaction, Type III crRNP effector complexes become activated to cleave both target RNA (via Cas7) and target DNA (via Cas10). Moreover, trans-acting endoribonucleases, Csx1 or Csm6, can promote the Type III immune response by destroying both invader and host RNAs. Here, we characterize how the RNase and DNase activities associated with Type III-B immunity in Pyrococcus furiosus (Pfu) are regulated by target RNA features and second messenger signaling events. In vivo mutational analyses reveal that either the DNase activity of Cas10 or the RNase activity of Csx1 can effectively direct successful anti-plasmid immunity. Biochemical analyses confirmed that the Cas10 Palm domains convert ATP into cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA) compounds that activate the ribonuclease activity of Pfu Csx1. Furthermore, we show that the HEPN domain of the adenosine-specific endoribonuclease, Pfu Csx1, degrades cOA signaling molecules to provide an auto-inhibitory off-switch of Csx1 activation. Activation of both the DNase and cOA generation activities require target RNA binding and recognition of distinct target RNA 3′ protospacer flanking sequences. Our results highlight the complex regulatory mechanisms controlling Type III CRISPR immunity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 403-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Imig ◽  
Alexander Kanitz ◽  
André P. Gerber

AbstractThe development of genome-wide analysis tools has prompted global investigation of the gene expression program, revealing highly coordinated control mechanisms that ensure proper spatiotemporal activity of a cell’s macromolecular components. With respect to the regulation of RNA transcripts, the concept of RNA regulons, which – by analogy with DNA regulons in bacteria – refers to the coordinated control of functionally related RNA molecules, has emerged as a unifying theory that describes the logic of regulatory RNA-protein interactions in eukaryotes. Hundreds of RNA-binding proteins and small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs, bind to distinct elements in target RNAs, thereby exerting specific and concerted control over posttranscriptional events. In this review, we discuss recent reports committed to systematically explore the RNA-protein interaction network and outline some of the principles and recurring features of RNA regulons: the coordination of functionally related mRNAs through RNA-binding proteins or non-coding RNAs, the modular structure of its components, and the dynamic rewiring of RNA-protein interactions upon exposure to internal or external stimuli. We also summarize evidence for robust combinatorial control of mRNAs, which could determine the ultimate fate of each mRNA molecule in a cell. Finally, the compilation and integration of global protein-RNA interaction data has yielded first insights into network structures and provided the hypothesis that RNA regulons may, in part, constitute noise ‘buffers’ to handle stochasticity in cellular transcription.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 664-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhaskar Anand Jha ◽  
Abeer Fadda ◽  
Clementine Merce ◽  
Elisha Mugo ◽  
Dorothea Droll ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Pumilio domain RNA-binding proteins are known mainly as posttranscriptional repressors of gene expression that reduce mRNA translation and stability. Trypanosoma brucei has 11 PUF proteins. We show here that PUF2 is in the cytosol, with roughly the same number of molecules per cell as there are mRNAs. Although PUF2 exhibits a low level of in vivo RNA binding, it is not associated with polysomes. PUF2 also decreased reporter mRNA levels in a tethering assay, consistent with a repressive role. Depletion of PUF2 inhibited growth of bloodstream-form trypanosomes, causing selective loss of mRNAs with long open reading frames and increases in mRNAs with shorter open reading frames. Reexamination of published RNASeq data revealed the same trend in cells depleted of some other proteins. We speculate that these length effects could be caused by inhibition of the elongation phase of transcription or by an influence of translation status or polysomal conformation on mRNA decay.


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