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Nonsense-mediated messenger RNA decay is initiated by endonucleolytic cleavage in Drosophila.

In eukaryotic cells, messenger RNAs harbouring premature termination codons (PTCs) are rapidly degraded by a conserved post-transcriptional mechanism referred to as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which prevents the synthesis of truncated proteins that could be deleterious for the cell. Studies in yeast and mammals indicate that degradation by means of this pathway can occur from both the 5' end of the message (involving decapping and 5'-to-3' exonucleolytic digestion by XRN1) or the 3' end (through accelerated deadenylation and exosome-mediated 3'-to-5' decay). Here we show that, contrary to expectation, degradation of PTC-containing messages in Drosophila is initiated by endonucleolytic cleavage(s) in the vicinity of the nonsense codon. The resulting 5' fragment is rapidly degraded by exonucleolytic digestion by the exosome, whereas the 3' fragment is degraded by XRN1. This decay route is shown for several PTC-containing reporters, as well as an endogenous mRNA that is naturally regulated by NMD. We conclude that, despite conservation in the NMD machinery, PTC-containing transcripts are degraded in Drosophila by a mechanism that differs considerably from those described in yeast and mammals.

Animals↗

Human 5' --> 3' exonuclease Xrn2 promotes transcription termination at co-transcriptional cleavage sites.

Eukaryotic protein-encoding genes possess poly(A) signals that define the end of the messenger RNA and mediate downstream transcriptional termination by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Termination could occur through an 'anti-termination' mechanism whereby elongation factors dissociate when the poly(A) signal is encountered, producing termination-competent Pol II. An alternative 'torpedo' model postulated that poly(A) site cleavage provides an unprotected RNA 5' end that is degraded by 5' --> 3' exonuclease activities (torpedoes) and so induces dissociation of Pol II from the DNA template. This model has been questioned because unprocessed transcripts read all the way to the site of transcriptional termination before upstream polyadenylation. However, nascent transcripts located 1 kilobase downstream of the human beta-globin gene poly(A) signal are associated with a co-transcriptional cleavage (CoTC) activity that acts with the poly(A) signal to elicit efficient transcriptional termination. The CoTC sequence is an autocatalytic RNA structure that undergoes rapid self-cleavage. Here we show that CoTC acts as a precursor to termination by presenting a free RNA 5' end that is recognized by the human 5' --> 3' exonuclease Xrn2. Degradation of the downstream cleavage product by Xrn2 results in transcriptional termination, as envisaged in the torpedo model.

Exoribonucleases↗

The yeast Rat1 exonuclease promotes transcription termination by RNA polymerase II.

The carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of the RNA polymerase II (RNApII) largest subunit consists of multiple heptapeptide repeats with the consensus sequence YSPTSPS. Different CTD phosphorylation patterns act as recognition sites for the binding of various messenger RNA processing factors, thereby coupling transcription and mRNA processing. Polyadenylation factors are co-transcriptionally recruited by phosphorylation of CTD serine 2 (ref. 2) and these factors are also required for transcription termination. RNApII transcribes past the poly(A) site, the RNA is cleaved by the polyadenylation machinery, and the RNA downstream of the cleavage site is degraded. Here we show that Rtt103 and the Rat1/Rai1 5' --> 3' exonuclease are localized at 3' ends of protein coding genes. In rat1-1 or rai1Delta cells, RNA 3' to polyadenylation sites is greatly stabilized and termination defects are seen at many genes. These findings support a model in which poly(A) site cleavage and subsequent degradation of the 3'-downstream RNA by Rat1 trigger transcription termination.

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation↗

Somatic misexpression of germline P granules and enhanced RNA interference in retinoblastoma pathway mutants.

Caenorhabditis elegans homologues of the retinoblastoma (Rb) tumour suppressor complex specify cell lineage during development. Here we show that mutations in Rb pathway components enhance RNA interference (RNAi) and cause somatic cells to express genes and elaborate perinuclear structures normally limited to germline-specific P granules. Furthermore, particular gene inactivations that disrupt RNAi reverse the cell lineage transformations of Rb pathway mutants. These findings suggest that mutations in Rb pathway components cause cells to revert to patterns of gene expression normally restricted to germ cells. Rb may act by a similar mechanism to transform mammalian cells.

Alleles↗

A mutation in stratifin is responsible for the repeated epilation (Er) phenotype in mice.

Stratifin (Sfn, also called 14-3-3sigma) is highly expressed in differentiating epidermis and mediates cell cycle arrest. Sfn is repressed in cancer, but its function during development is uncharacterized. We identified an insertion mutation in the gene Sfn in repeated epilation (Er) mutant mice by positional cloning. Er/+ mice expressed a truncated Sfn protein, which probably contributes to the defects in Er/Er and Er/+ epidermis and to cancer development in Er/+ mice.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

RNA-quality control by the exosome.

The exosome complex of 3'-->5' exonucleases is an important component of the RNA-processing machinery in eukaryotes. This complex functions in the accurate processing of nuclear RNA precursors and in the degradation of RNAs in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. However, it has been unclear how different classes of substrate are distinguished from one another. Recent studies now provide insights into the regulation and structure of the exosome, and they reveal striking similarities between the process of RNA degradation in bacteria and eukaryotes.

Animals↗

Concerted action of poly(A) nucleases and decapping enzyme in mammalian mRNA turnover.

In mammalian cells, the enzymatic pathways involved in cytoplasmic mRNA decay are incompletely defined. In this study, we have used two approaches to disrupt activities of deadenylating and/or decapping enzymes to monitor effects on mRNA decay kinetics and trap decay intermediates. Our results show that deadenylation is the key first step that triggers decay of both wild-type stable and nonsense codon-containing unstable beta-globin mRNAs in mouse NIH3T3 fibroblasts. PAN2 and CCR4 are the major poly(A) nucleases active in cytoplasmic deadenylation that have biphasic kinetics, with PAN2 initiating deadenylation followed by CCR4-mediated poly(A) shortening. DCP2-mediated decapping takes place after deadenylation and may serve as a backup mechanism for triggering mRNA decay when initial deadenylation by PAN2 is compromised. Our findings reveal a functional link between deadenylation and decapping and help to define in vivo pathways for mammalian cytoplasmic mRNA decay.

Animals↗

A single subunit, Dis3, is essentially responsible for yeast exosome core activity.

The conserved core of the exosome, the major eukaryotic 3' --> 5' exonuclease, contains nine subunits that form a ring similar to the phosphorolytic bacterial PNPase and archaeal exosome, as well as Dis3. Dis3 is homologous to bacterial RNase II, a hydrolytic enzyme. Previous studies have suggested that all subunits are active 3' --> 5' exoRNases. We show here that Dis3 is responsible for exosome core activity. The purified exosome core has a hydrolytic, processive and Mg(2+)-dependent activity with characteristics similar to those of recombinant Dis3. Moreover, a catalytically inactive Dis3 mutant has no exosome core activity in vitro and shows in vivo RNA degradation phenotypes similar to those resulting from exosome depletion. In contrast, mutations in Rrp41, the only subunit carrying a conserved phosphorolytic site, appear phenotypically not different from wild-type yeast. We observed that the yeast exosome ring mediates interactions with protein partners, providing an explanation for its essential function.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Exploring functional relationships between components of the gene expression machinery.

Eukaryotic gene expression requires the coordinated activity of many macromolecular machines including transcription factors and RNA polymerase, the spliceosome, mRNA export factors, the nuclear pore, the ribosome and decay machineries. Yeast carrying mutations in genes encoding components of these machineries were examined using microarrays to measure changes in both pre-mRNA and mRNA levels. We used these measurements as a quantitative phenotype to ask how steps in the gene expression pathway are functionally connected. A multiclass support vector machine was trained to recognize the gene expression phenotypes caused by these mutations. In several cases, unexpected phenotype assignments by the computer revealed functional roles for specific factors at multiple steps in the gene expression pathway. The ability to resolve gene expression pathway phenotypes provides insight into how the major machineries of gene expression communicate with each other.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Frequent downregulation of 14-3-3 sigma protein and hypermethylation of 14-3-3 sigma gene in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma.

14-3-3 sigma:, a target gene of the p53 tumour suppressor protein, has been shown to regulate the cell cycle at the G2/M checkpoint. Recent studies have demonstrated that 14-3-3 sigma is downregulated by hypermethylation of the CpG island in several types of cancer. In this study, we investigated the expression and methylation status of 14-3-3 sigma in human salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the positive expression rate of 14-3-3 sigma in ACC (one out of 14) was markedly lower than that in MEC (ten out of 10). Since most of the ACCs carried the wild-type p53 protein, downregulation of 14-3-3 sigma in ACC may not be due to the dysfunction of p53 pathway. Microdissection-methylation-specific PCR revealed that frequent hypermethylation of the 14-3-3 sigma gene was observed in ACC when compared to that in MEC. In cultured-ACC cells, we confirmed the downregulation of 14-3-3 sigma via hemimethylation of the gene by sequencing analysis after sodium bisulphite treatment. Furthermore, re-expression of 14-3-3 sigma in the ACC cells was induced by the treatment with DNA demethylating agent, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. Irradiation apparently induced the enhanced expression of 14-3-3 sigma and G2/M arrest in normal salivary gland cells; however, in the ACC cells, neither induction of 14-3-3 sigma nor G2/M arrest was induced by irradiation. These results suggest that downregulation of 14-3-3 sigma might play critical roles in the neoplastic development and radiosensitivity of ACC.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

The crystal structure of the non-liganded 14-3-3sigma protein: insights into determinants of isoform specific ligand binding and dimerization.

Seven different, but highly conserved 14-3-3 proteins are involved in diverse signaling pathways in human cells. It is unclear how the 14-3-3sigma isoform, a transcriptional target of p53, exerts its inhibitory effect on the cell cycle in the presence of other 14-3-3 isoforms, which are constitutively expressed at high levels. In order to identify structural differences between the 14-3-3 isoforms, we solved the crystal structure of the human 14-3-3sigma protein at a resolution of 2.8 Angstroms and compared it to the known structures of 14-3-3zeta and 14-3-3tau. The global architecture of the 14-3-3sigma fold is similar to the previously determined structures of 14-3-3zeta and 14-3-3t: two 14-3-3sigma molecules form a cup-shaped dimer. Significant differences between these 14-3-3 isoforms were detected adjacent to the amphipathic groove, which mediates the binding to phosphorylated consensus motifs in 14-3-3-ligands. Another specificity determining region is localized between amino-acids 203 to 215. These differences presumably select for the interaction with specific ligands, which may explain the different biological functions of the respective 14-3-3 isoforms. Furthermore, the two 14-3-3sigma molecules forming a dimer differ by the spatial position of the ninth helix, which is shifted to the inside of the ligand interaction surface, thus indicating adaptability of this part of the molecule. In addition, 5 non-conserved residues are located at the interface between two 14-3-3sigma proteins forming a dimer and represent candidate determinants of homo- and hetero-dimerization specificity. The structural differences among the 14-3-3 isoforms described here presumably contribute to isoform-specific interactions and functions.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

14-3-3 proteins--an update.

14-3-3 is a highly conserved acidic protein family, composed of seven isoforms in mammals. 14-3-3 protein can interact with over 200 target proteins by phosphoserine-dependent and phosphoserine-independent manners. Little is known about the consequences of these interactions, and thus are the subjects of ongoing studies. 14-3-3 controls cell cycle, cell growth, differentiation, survival, apoptosis, migration and spreading. Recent studies have revealed new mechanisms and new functions of 14-3-3, giving us more insights on this fascinating and complex family of proteins. Of all the seven isoforms, 14-3-3sigma seems to be directly involved in human cancer. 14-3-3sigma itself is subject to regulation by p53 upon DNA damage and by epigenetic deregulation. Gene silencing of 14-3-3sigma by CpG methylation has been found in many human cancer types. This suggests that therapy-targeting 14-3-3sigma may be beneficial for future cancer treatment.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

The role of epigenetic inactivation of 14-3-3sigma in human cancer.

Cancer cells show characteristic alterations in DNA methylation patterns. Aberrant CpG methylation of specific promoters results in inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and therefore plays an important role in carcinogenesis. The p53-regulated gene 14-3-3sigma undergoes frequent epigenetic silencing in several types of cancer, including carcinoma of the breast, prostate, and skin, suggesting that the loss of 14-3-3sigma expression may be causally involved in tumor progression. Functional studies demonstrated that 14-3-3sigma is involved in cell-cycle control and prevents the accumulation of chromosomal damage. The recent identification of novel 14-3-3sigma-associated proteins by a targeted proteomics approach implies that 14-3-3sigma regulates diverse cellular processes, which may become deregulated after silencing of 14-3-3sigma expression in cancer cells.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Homolog of BRCA2-interacting Dss1p and Uap56p link Mlo3p and Rae1p for mRNA export in fission yeast.

The breast cancer tumor suppressor BRCA2-interacting protein, DSS1, and its homologs are critical for DNA recombination in eukaryotic cells. We found that Dss1p, along with Mlo3p and Uap56p, Schizosaccharomyces pombe homologs of two messenger RNA (mRNA) export factors of the NXF-NXT pathway, is required for mRNA export in S. pombe. Previously, we showed that the nuclear pore-associated Rae1p is an essential mRNA export factor in S. pombe. Here, we show that Dss1p and Uap56p function by linking mRNA adapter Mlo3p to Rae1p for targeting mRNA-protein complex (mRNP) to the proteins of the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Dss1p preferentially recruits to genes in vivo and interacts with -FG (phenylalanine glycine) nucleoporins in vivo and in vitro. Thus, Dss1p may function at multiple steps of mRNA export, from mRNP biogenesis to their targeting and translocation through the NPC.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

A novel regulatory mechanism couples deoxyribonucleotide synthesis and DNA replication in Escherichia coli.

We present evidence for a complex regulatory interplay between the initiation of DNA replication and deoxyribonucleotide synthesis. In Escherichia coli, the ATP-bound DnaA protein initiates chromosomal replication. Upon loading of the beta-clamp subunit (DnaN) of the replicase, DnaA is inactivated as its intrinsic ATPase activity is stimulated by the protein Hda. The beta-subunit acts as a matchmaker between Hda and DnaA. Chain elongation of DNA requires a sufficient supply of deoxyribonucleotides (dNTPs), which are produced by ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). We present evidence suggesting that the molecular switch from ATP-DnaA to ADP-DnaA is a critical step coordinating DNA replication with increased deoxyribonucleotide synthesis. Characterization of dnaA and dnaN mutations that result in a constitutively high expression of RNR reveal this mechanism. We propose that the nucleotide bound state of DnaA regulates the transcription of the genes encoding ribonucleotide reductase (nrdAB). Accordingly, the conversion of ATP-DnaA to ADP-DnaA after initiation and loading of the beta-subunit DnaN would allow increased nrdAB expression, and consequently, coordinated RNR synthesis and DNA replication during the cell cycle.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗