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Biomedical subjects

T Maniatis

Publications and source records attributed to T Maniatis.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Assembly of specific SR protein complexes on distinct regulatory elements of the Drosophila doublesex splicing enhancer.

The Drosophila doublesex female-specific splicing enhancer consists of two classes of regulatory elements, six 13-nucleotide repeat sequences, and a single purine-rich element (PRE). Here, we show that the Drosophila regulatory proteins Transformer (Tra) and Transformer 2 (Tra2) recruit different members of the SR family of splicing factors to the repeats and the PRE. The complexes formed on the repeats in HeLa cell extract consist of Tra, Tra2, and the SR protein 9G8. in Drosophila Kc cell extract, Tra and Tra2 recruit the SR protein RBP1 to the repeats. These proteins are arranged in a specific order on the repeats, with the SR protein at the 5' end of each repeat, and Tra2 at each 3' end. Although Tra did not cross-link strongly to the repeats, its presence was essential for the binding of Tra2 to the 3' end of the repeat. Individual SR proteins were also recruited to the PRE by Tra and Tra2, but in this case they were SF2/ASF and dSRp30 in HeLa and Drosophila cell extracts, respectively. The binding of Tra2, Tra, and the specific SR proteins to the repeats or the PRE was highly cooperative within each complex. Thus, Tra2, which contains a single RNA binding domain, can recognize distinct sequences in the repeats and the PRE in conjunction with specific SR proteins. These observations show that the protein composition of each complex is determined by the RNA recognition sequence and specific interactions between SR proteins and Tra and Tra2.

Alternative Splicing↗

The splicing factor U2AF35 mediates critical protein-protein interactions in constitutive and enhancer-dependent splicing.

The splicing factor U2AF (U2 snRNP auxiliary factor) is a heterodimer with subunits of 65 and 35 kD (U2AF65 and U2AF35). U2AF65 binds specifically to 3' splice sites, but previous studies failed to demonstrate a function for U2AF35. Here, we report that U2AF35 is required for constitutive splicing and also functions as a mediator of enhancer-dependent splicing. Nuclear extracts deficient in U2AF35 were inactive; however, both constitutive and enhancer-dependent splicing could be restored by the addition of purified recombinant U2AF35. In vitro protein-RNA interaction studies with pre-mRNAs containing either a constitutive or regulated splicing enhancer revealed that U2AF35 directly mediates interactions between U2AF65 and proteins bound to the enhancers. Thus, U2AF35 functions as a bridge between U2AF65 and the enhancer complex to recruit U2AF65 to the adjacent intron.

Enhancer Elements, Genetic↗

Site-specific phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha by a novel ubiquitination-dependent protein kinase activity.

Signal-induced activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB requires specific phosphorylation of the inhibitor IkappaBalpha and its subsequent proteolytic degradation. Phosphorylation of serine residues 32 and 36 targets IkappaBalpha to the ubiquitin (Ub)-proteasome pathway. Here we report the identification of a large, multisubunit kinase (molecular mass approximately 700 kDa) that phosphorylates IkappaBalpha at S32 and S36. Remarkably, the activity of this kinase requires the Ub-activating enzyme (E1), a specific Ub carrier protein (E2) of the Ubc4/Ubc5 family, and Ub. We also show that a ubiquitination event in the kinase complex is a prerequisite for specific phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha. Thus, ubiquitination serves a novel regulatory function that does not involve proteolysis.

Binding Sites↗

Structural and functional conservation of the Drosophila doublesex splicing enhancer repeat elements.

We have compared the RNA sequences and secondary structures of the Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila virilis doublesex (dsx) splicing enhancers. The sequences of the two splicing enhancers are highly divergent except for the presence of nearly identical 13-nt repeat elements (six in D. melanogaster and four in D. virilis) and a stretch of nucleotides at the 5' and 3' ends of the enhancers. In vitro RNA structure probing of the two enhancers revealed that the 13-nt repeats are predominantly single-stranded. Thus, both the primary sequences and single-stranded nature of the repeats are conserved between the two species. The significance of the primary sequence conservation was demonstrated by showing that the two enhancers are functionally interchangeable in Tra-/Tra2-dependent in vitro splicing. In addition, inhibition of splicing enhancer activity by antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the repeats demonstrated the importance of the conserved single-stranded structure of the repeats. In vitro binding studies revealed that Tra2 interacts with each of the D. melanogaster repeat elements, except for repeat 2, with affinities that are indistinguishable, whereas Tra binds nonspecifically to the enhancer. Taken together, these observations indicate that the organization of sequences within the dsx splicing enhancers of D. melanogaster and D. virilis results in a structure in which each of the repeat elements is single-stranded and therefore accessible for specific recognition by the RNA-binding domain of Tra2.

Alternative Splicing↗

Virus induction of human IFN beta gene expression requires the assembly of an enhanceosome.

We present evidence that transcriptional activation of the human interferon-beta (IFN beta) gene requires the assembly of a higher order transcription enhancer complex (enhanceosome). This multicomponent complex includes at least three distinct transcription factors and the high mobility group protein HMG I(Y). Both the in vitro assembly and in vivo transcriptional activity of this complex require a precise helical relationship between individual transcription factor-binding sites. In addition, HMG I(Y), which binds specifically to three sites within the enhancer, promotes cooperative binding of transcriptional factors in vitro and is required for transcriptional synergy between these factors in vivo. Thus, HMG I(Y) plays an essential role in the assembly and function of the IFN beta gene enhanceosome.

Animals↗

Reversal of intrinsic DNA bends in the IFN beta gene enhancer by transcription factors and the architectural protein HMG I(Y).

In this paper, we investigate DNA bending induced by proteins required for virus induction of the human interferon-beta (IFN beta) gene. We show that NF-kappa B-DNA complexes that are functionally distinct in the context of the IFN beta enhancer are also conformationally distinct and that two sites in the enhancer contain in-phase bends that are counteracted or reversed by the binding of NF-kappa B, ATF-2/c-Jun, and HMG I(Y). Strikingly, this modulation of intrinsic enhancer architecture results in an orientation that favors predicted protein-protein interactions in a functional nucleoprotein complex, the enhanceosome. Furthermore, the subtle modulation of DNA structure by HMG I(Y) in this process distinguishes it from other architectural factors.

Activating Transcription Factor 2↗

An amino acid sequence motif sufficient for subnuclear localization of an arginine/serine-rich splicing factor.

We have identified an amino acid sequence in the Drosophila Transformer (Tra) protein that is capable of directing a heterologous protein to nuclear speckles, regions of the nucleus previously shown to contain high concentrations of spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs and splicing factors. This sequence contains a nucleoplasmin-like bipartite nuclear localization signal (NLS) and a repeating arginine/serine (RS) dipeptide sequence adjacent to a short stretch of basic amino acids. Sequence comparisons from a number of other splicing factors that colocalize to nuclear speckles reveal the presence of one or more copies of this motif. We propose a two-step subnuclear localization mechanism for splicing factors. The first step is transport across the nuclear envelope via the nucleoplasmin-like NLS, while the second step is association with components in the speckled domain via the RS dipeptide sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Signal-induced degradation of I kappa B alpha requires site-specific ubiquitination.

The inhibitor protein I kappa B alpha controls the nuclear import of the transcription factor NF-kappa B. The inhibitory activity of I kappa B alpha is regulated from the cytoplasmic compartment by signal-induced proteolysis. Previous studies have shown that signal-dependent phosphorylation of serine residues 32 and 36 targets I kappa B alpha to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Here we provide evidence that lysine residues 21 and 22 serve as the primary sites for signal-induced ubiquitination of I kappa B alpha. Conservative Lys-->Arg substitutions at both Lys-21 and Lys-22 produce dominant-negative mutants of I kappa B alpha in vivo. These constitutive inhibitors are appropriately phosphorylated but fail to release NF-kappa B in response to multiple inducers, including viral proteins, cytokines, and agents that mimic antigenic stimulation through the T-cell receptor. Moreover, these Lys-->Arg mutations prevent signal-dependent degradation of I kappa B alpha in vivo and ubiquitin conjugation in vitro. We conclude that site-specific ubiquitination of phosphorylated I kappa B alpha at Lys-21 and/or Lys-22 is an obligatory step in the activation of NF-kappa B.

Arginine↗

Identification of a plant serine-arginine-rich protein similar to the mammalian splicing factor SF2/ASF.

We show that the higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana has a serine-arginine-rich (SR) protein family whose members contain a phosphoepitope shared by the animal SR family of splicing factors. In addition, we report the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding a higher-plant SR protein from Arabidopsis, SR1, which has striking sequence and structural homology to the human splicing factor SF2/ASF. Similar to SF2/ASF, the plant SR1 protein promotes splice site switching in mammalian nuclear extracts. A novel feature of the Arabidopsis SR protein is a C-terminal domain containing a high concentration of proline, serine, and lysine residues (PSK domain), a composition reminiscent of histones. This domain includes a putative phosphorylation site for the mitotic kinase cyclin/p34cdc2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Functional roles of the transcription factor Oct-2A and the high mobility group protein I/Y in HLA-DRA gene expression.

The class II major histocompatibility complex gene HLA-DRA is expressed in B cells, activated T lymphocytes, and in antigen-presenting cells. In addition, HLA-DRA gene expression is inducible in a variety of cell types by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Here we show that the lymphoid-specific transcription factor Oct-2A plays a critical role in HLA-DRA gene expression in class II-positive B cell lines, and that the high mobility group protein (HMG) I/Y binds to multiple sites within the DRA promoter, including the Oct-2A binding site. Coexpression of HMG I/Y and Oct-2 in cell lines lacking Oct-2 results in high levels of HLA-DRA gene expression, and in vitro DNA-binding studies reveal that HMG I/Y stimulates Oct-2A binding to the HLA-DRA promoter. Thus, Oct-2A and HMG I/Y may synergize to activate HLA-DRA expression in B cells. By contrast, Oct-2A is not involved in the IFN-gamma induction of the HLA-DRA gene in HeLa cells, but antisense HMG I/Y dramatically decreases the level of induction. We conclude that distinct sets of transcription factors are involved in the two modes of HLA-DRA expression, and that HMG I/Y may be important for B cell-specific expression, and is essential for IFN-gamma induction.

Base Sequence↗

Enhancer-dependent interaction between 5' and 3' splice sites in trans.

Splice-site selection and alternative splicing of nuclear pre-mRNAs can be controlled by splicing enhancers that act by promoting the activity of upstream splice sites. Here we show that RNA molecules containing a 3' splice site and enhancer sequence are efficiently spliced in trans to RNA molecules containing normally cis-spliced 5' splice sites or to normally trans-spliced spliced leader RNAs from lower eukaryotes. In addition, we show that this reaction is stimulated by (Ser + Arg)-rich splicing factors that are known to promote protein-protein interactions in the cis-splicing reaction. Thus, splicing enhancers facilitate the assembly of protein complexes on RNAs containing a 3' splice site, and this complex is sufficiently stable to functionally interact with 5' splice sites located on separate RNAs. This trans-splicing is mediated by interactions between (Ser + Arg)-rich splicing factors bound to the enhancer and general splicing factors bound to the 5' and 3' splice sites. These same interactions are likely to play a crucial role in alternative splicing and splice-site selection in cis.

Animals↗

Signal-induced site-specific phosphorylation targets I kappa B alpha to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

The transcription factor NF-kappa B is sequestered in the cytoplasm by the inhibitor protein I kappa B alpha. Extracellular inducers of NF-kappa B activate signal transduction pathways that result in the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of I kappa B alpha. At present, the link between phosphorylation of I kappa B alpha and its degradation is not understood. In this report we provide evidence that phosphorylation of serine residues 32 and 36 of I kappa B alpha targets the protein to the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. I kappa B alpha is ubiquitinated in vivo and in vitro following phosphorylation, and mutations that abolish phosphorylation and degradation of I kappa B alpha in vivo prevent ubiquitination in vitro. Ubiquitinated I kappa B alpha remains associated with NF-kappa B, and the bound I kappa B alpha is degraded by the 26S proteasome. Thus, ubiquitination provides a mechanistic link between phosphorylation and degradation of I kappa B alpha.

Cysteine Endopeptidases↗

Editing of glutamate receptor subunit B pre-mRNA in vitro by site-specific deamination of adenosine.

Editing of the glutamate receptor subunit B (GluR-B) pre-mRNA at a single adenosine residue results in an amino-acid change that profoundly alters the electrophysiological properties of the receptor. Here we show that the GluR-B pre-mRNA is efficiently and accurately edited in vitro, and that base-pair interactions between the editing site and a sequence in the downstream intron are required for substrate recognition. In addition, we directly demonstrate that editing results from the conversion of adenosine to inosine by enzymatic deamination. The biochemical properties of this GluR-B editing activity are similar to those of a double-stranded-RNA-dependent adenosine deaminase, but RNA competition and column fractionation experiments indicate that the GluR-B editing and deaminase activities are distinct. Thus, the GluR-B editing enzyme may contain the adenosine deaminase, or a similar activity, and an RNA recognition subunit that specifically targets the enzyme to the editing site.

Adenosine↗

Synergistic interactions between two distinct elements of a regulated splicing enhancer.

Regulated alternative splicing of doublesex (dsx) pre-mRNA requires a splicing enhancer designated the dsx repeat element (dsxRE) that contains six copies of a 13-nucleotide repeat sequence. Previous studies have shown that the activity of the dsxRE requires the splicing regulators Transformer (Tra) and Transformer 2 (Tra2), and one or more members of the SR family of general splicing factors. In this paper we identify a purine-rich enhancer (PRE) sequence within the dsxRE, and show that this element functionally synergizes with the repeat sequences. In vitro binding studies show that the PRE is required for specific binding of Tra2 to the dsxRE, and that Tra and SR proteins bind cooperatively to the dsxRE in the presence or absence of the PRE. Thus positive control of dsx pre-mRNA splicing requires the Tra- and Tra2-dependent assembly of a multiprotein complex on at least two distinct enhancer elements.

Alternative Splicing↗

The proteasome pathway is required for cytokine-induced endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule expression.

Multiple cell adhesion proteins are up-regulated in vascular endothelial cells in response to TNF alpha and other inflammatory cytokines. This increase in cell adhesion gene expression is thought to require the transcription factor NF-kappa B. Here, we show that peptide aldehyde inhibitors of the proteasome, a multicatalytic protease recently shown to be required for the activation of NF-kappa B, block TNF alpha induction of the leukocyte adhesion molecules E-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1. Striking functional consequences of this inhibition were observed in analyses of leukocyte-endothelial interactions under defined flow conditions. Lymphocyte attachment to TNF alpha-treated endothelial monolayers was totally blocked, while neutrophil attachment was partially reduced but transmigration was essentially prevented.

Base Sequence↗

Identification of the rel family members required for virus induction of the human beta interferon gene.

We have carried out experiments to determine which members of the rel family of transcription factors are involved in virus induction of the beta interferon (IFN-beta) gene. First, we examined the inducibility of artificial DNA binding sites that preferentially interact with different homo- or heterodimeric combinations of rel proteins in vitro. We found that only those sites capable of binding the p50/p65 heterodimer are virus inducible. Second, we analyzed a series of mutant rel DNA-binding sites in the context of the intact IFN-beta promoter. We found a correlation between (i) sites capable of binding both the p50/p65 heterodimer and the high-mobility-group protein HMG I(Y) and (ii) virus inducibility. Third, cotransfection of the IFN-beta gene enhancer/promoter with plasmids capable of expressing several different rel proteins revealed that only the combination of p50 and p65 efficiently activated transcription. Finally, we have used antibodies directed against different rel proteins to show that virus-inducible protein-DNA complexes assembled on the IFN-beta enhancer in vitro contain both p50 and p65. We conclude that the p50/p65 heterodimer is responsible for the NF-kappa B-dependent activation of the IFN-beta gene promoter in response to virus infection.

Base Sequence↗