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Characterization of a novel human putative mitochondrial transporter homologous to the yeast mitochondrial RNA splicing proteins 3 and 4.

We report here a novel human gene, hMRS3/4, encoding a putative mitochondrial transporter structurally and functionally homologous to the yeast mitochondrial RNA splicing proteins 3 and 4. These proteins belong to the family of mitochondrial carrier proteins (MCF) and are likely to function as solute carriers. hMRS3/4 spans approximately 10 kb of genomic DNA on chromosome 10q24 and consists of four exons that encode a 364-aa protein with six transmembrane domains. A putative splice variant, encoding a 177-aa protein with three transmembrane domains, was also identified. hMRS3/4 has a well-conserved signature sequence of MCF and is targeted into the mitochondria. When expressed in yeast, hMRS3/4 efficiently restores the mitochondrial functions in mrs3(o)mrs4(o) knock-out mutants. Ubiquitous expression in human tissues and a well-conserved structure and function suggest an important role for hMRS3/4 in human cells.

Alternative Splicing↗

Genetic depletion reveals an essential role for an SR protein splicing factor in vertebrate cells.

SR proteins are essential for the splicing of messenger RNA precursors in vitro, where they also alter splice site selection in a concentration-dependent manner. Although experiments involving overexpression or dominant mutations have confirmed that these proteins can influence RNA processing decisions in vivo, similar results with loss-of-function mutations have been lacking. Now, a system for genetic depletion of the chicken B cell line DT40 has revealed that the SR protein ASF/SF2 (alternative splicing factor/splicing factor 2) is essential for viability in these cells(1). This study opens the way for a complete functional dissection of this protein, and other SR proteins, in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mutational analysis of protein splicing, cleavage, and self-association reactions mediated by the naturally split Ssp DnaE intein.

The ability to separately purify the naturally split Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (Ssp) DnaE intein domains has allowed detailed examination of both universal and Ssp DnaE intein-specific steps in the protein splicing pathway. By engineering substitutions at both the +1 and penultimate intein positions, we have further characterized intein reaction kinetics in this system. Replacement of the crucial +1Cys with serine decreased N-terminal cleavage and trans-splicing rates; however, this substitution did not prevent splicing or the ability of ZnCl2 to inhibit it. Substitution of the penultimate intein residue (alanine) with a typically conserved histidine did not increase the rate or extent of trans-splicing or cleavage under typical assay conditions. Despite the observation that this histidine aids in asparagine cyclization for other inteins, it did not encourage C-terminal cleavage for the Ssp DnaE intein or uncouple it from N-terminal cleavage. Both the +1Ser and Ala to His mutants were insensitive to ZnCl2 during trans-cleavage experiments, uncoupling a previously linked inhibition in asparagine cyclization from an inhibition in trans-thioesterification detected for the wild-type intein.

Alanine↗

Expression of Arabidopsis SR-like splicing proteins confers salt tolerance to yeast and transgenic plants.

Searching for novel targets of salt toxicity in eukaryotic cells, we have screened an Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library to isolate genes conferring increased tolerance to salt stress when expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we show that expression of the 'alternating arginine-rich' (or RS) domains of two different SR-like, putative splicing proteins from Arabidopsis allows yeast cells to tolerate higher lithium and sodium concentrations. Protection against salt stress appears to require the in vivo phosphorylation of these plant polypeptides, since the yeast SR protein kinase Sky1p, which was able to phosphorylate in vitro at least one of them, also proved to be essential for the observed salt tolerance phenotype. In addition, a clone encoding the U1A protein, a previously characterised Arabidopsis splicing factor, was also isolated in the screening. No significant decrease in the intracellular concentration of lithium was observed in yeast cells incubated in the presence of LiCl upon expression of any of the Arabidopsis proteins, suggesting that their effects are not mediated by the stimulation of ion transport. In support of the general significance of these data, we also show that the expression of the RS domain of one of the SR-like proteins in transgenic Arabidopsis plants increases their tolerance to LiCl and NaCl. These results point to an important role of pre-mRNA splicing and SR-like proteins in the salt tolerance of eukaryotic cells, offering a novel route to improve this important trait in crop plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mimicking reverse protein splicing by three-segment tandem peptide ligation.

Here we report a bi-directional and interchangeable three-segment peptide ligation of N, M, and C-segments, mimicking the reverse process of protein splicing to form, in tandem, a tripartite NMC-peptide using a synthetic intein, a role served by the M-segment with an N-terminal Ser or Thr and a C-terminal thioester.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

CHD1 associates with NCoR and histone deacetylase as well as with RNA splicing proteins.

CHD1 is one of a family of nuclear proteins containing two chromodomains, a SWI/SNF-like helicase/ATPase domain and a DNA binding domain. We found that CHD1 co-immunoprecipitates with histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and that CHD1 also associates with NCoR, a transcriptional corepressor, in yeast two-hybrid and in vitro pull-down assays. NCoR is known to associate with HDACs to effect its repressive activity, suggesting that the predicted chromatin remodeling activity of CHD1 plays a role in this repression. Yeast two-hybrid assays also showed that CHD1 interacts with splicing proteins mKIAA0164, Srp20, and SAF-B. Splicing assays show that CHD1 overexpression can affect alternative splicing. These results suggest that CHD1 may function in both chromatin mediated transcriptional repression and RNA splicing.

Base Sequence↗

Cloning and characterization of Cbl-associated protein splicing isoforms.

Cbl-associated protein (CAP) is an adaptor protein that plays important roles in both signal transduction and cytoskeleton rearrangement. Alternative splicing of the gene SORBS1 results in multiple isoforms of CAP protein. We report here the cloning of 3 new CAP isoforms, CAP2, CAP3, and CAP4, from mouse adipose tissue. RT-PCR analyses reveal that the isoform mRNAs are differentially expressed. CAP2, CAP3, and CAP4 contain a coiled-coil domain. In addition, CAP4 contains a proline-rich region, part of which exists in CAP3. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments show that CAP4 forms a homodimeric complex. While these new isoforms similarly interact with Cbl, they exhibit varied binding specificity toward vinculin. In contrast to CAP1 and CAP2, CAP4 does not interact with vinculin, and CAP3 binds with low affinity. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrates differential subcellular localization of Myc-tagged CAP isoforms in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results suggest that these new isoforms of CAP might play different signaling roles.

3T3 Cells↗

Expression of the SmB' splicing protein in rodent cells capable of following an alternative RNA splicing pathway.

The expression of the SmB and SmB' spliceosome proteins in a variety of cell types and tissues has been investigated. Although SmB is found in all cells studied, the SmB' protein is found only in a small number of rodent cell types. The presence of this protein is correlated with the ability to utilize an alternative pathway of RNA splicing which is not available in most cell types. This is the first demonstration of tissue specific expression of a protein component of the spliceo-some and suggests a role for SmB' in the regulation of some cases of alternative RNA splicing.

Animals↗

The intronless mouse gene for the tissue specific splicing protein SmN is a processed pseudogene containing a stop codon after thirty-one amino acids.

The SmN protein is a component of small ribonucleoprotein particles which is closely related to the ubiquitously expressed splicing proteins SmB and B' but is expressed in only a small number of cells and tissues. We have isolated a mouse SmN-related sequence which lacks introns and contains multiple changes from the SmN cDNA sequence including a stop codon after thirty-one amino acids which would prevent it encoding functional SmN protein. This indicates that this intronless gene is a processed pseudogene and that the functional gene has yet to be isolated. In agreement with this southern blotting of mouse DNA with SmN probes reveals bands, additional to those derived from the pseudogene, which are characteristic of an intron-containing SmN gene. The relationship of the pseudogene to the functional SmN gene and to an intronless SmN-related sequence in the rat genome is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization of a SR protein from Trypanosoma brucei with homology to RNA-binding cis-splicing proteins.

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei relies on trans-splicing to process its mRNAs. A novel nuclear serine/arginine (SR)-rich trypanosomal protein (TSR1) was characterized which contains two RNA recognition motifs. The TSR1 protein appears to be homologous to RNA-binding SR proteins of the cis-splicing machinery from higher eukaryotes. Moreover, in the yeast two-hybrid system, TSR1 is able to interact with the human splicing factors involved in the recognition of the 3' splicing site (U2AF35/U2AF65). In both procyclic and bloodstream forms of T. brucei, TSR1 was found to localize in the nucleus. In the bloodstream stage TSR1 showed the speckles pattern characteristic of SR proteins involved in cis-splicing. Moreover, TSR1 was able to specifically bind the spliced leader (SL) RNA involved in trans-splicing in trypanosomes by the yeast three-hybrid system. These and other observations suggest that TSR1 may be involved in trans-splicing in T. brucei.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Selective modification of alternative splicing by indole derivatives that target serine-arginine-rich protein splicing factors.

The prevalence of alternative splicing as a target for alterations leading to human genetic disorders makes it highly relevant for therapy. Here we have used in vitro splicing reactions with different splicing reporter constructs to screen 4,000 chemical compounds for their ability to selectively inhibit spliceosome assembly and splicing. We discovered indole derivatives as potent inhibitors of the splicing reaction. Importantly, compounds of this family specifically inhibit exonic splicing enhancer (ESE)-dependent splicing, because they interact directly and selectively with members of the serine-arginine-rich protein family. Treatment of cells expressing reporter constructs with ESE sequences demonstrated that selected indole derivatives mediate inhibition of ESE usage in vivo and prevent early splicing events required for HIV replication. This discovery opens the exciting possibility of a causal pharmacological treatment of aberrant splicing in human genetic disorders and development of new antiviral therapeutic approaches.

Alternative Splicing↗

Cloning a cDNA encoding an alternatively spliced protein of BRCA2-associated factor 35.

Inheritance of mutations in the breast cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA2, predisposes humans to breast and ovarian cancers. Inherited mutations in the BRCA2 gene are also known to cause susceptibility to prostate cancer. BRCA2 protein exists in a large multi-protein complex from which a novel structural DNA binding protein BRCA2-associated factor 35 (BRAF35) has been isolated. We have cloned a novel cDNA encoding an alternatively spliced protein of BRAF35, designated as BRAF25. BRAF25 transcript is present in various human cells. We have precisely mapped the BRAF25 cDNA sequence to the genomic chromosome 19 sequence. Analysis of the predicted sequence of BRAF25 identified a protein of 215 amino acids. BRAF25 contains a truncated high mobility group domain, a kinesin-like coiled-coil domain and multiple Src homology 2 (SH2) motifs. Western blot analysis using antibodies specific for BRAF25 revealed the presence of BRAF25 in human prostate cancer cells.

Alternative Splicing↗

Structural insights into the protein splicing mechanism of PI-SceI.

PI-SceI is a member of a class of proteins (inteins) that excise themselves from a precursor protein and in the process ligate the flanking protein sequences (exteins). We report here the 2.1-A resolution crystal structure of a PI-SceI miniprecursor (VMA29) containing 10 N-terminal extein residues and 4 C-terminal extein residues. Mutations at the N- and C-terminal splicing junctions, blocking in vivo protein splicing, allowed the miniprecursor to be purified and crystallized. The structure reveals both the N- and C-terminal scissile peptide bonds to be in distorted trans conformations (tau approximately 100 degrees ). Modeling of the wild-type PI-SceI based on the VMA29 structure indicates a large conformational change (movement of >9 A) must occur to allow transesterification to be completed. A zinc atom was discovered at the C-terminal splicing junction. Residues Cys(455), His(453), and Glu(80) along with a water molecule (Wat(53)) chelate the zinc atom. The crystal structure of VMA29 has captured the intein in its pre-spliced state.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

SR protein splicing factors interact with the Rous sarcoma virus negative regulator of splicing element.

Retroviral replication requires that a portion of the primary transcripts generated from proviral DNA be spliced to serve as mRNA for the envelope protein and in Rous sarcoma virus as src mRNA. However, a substantial amount of full-length RNA must be maintained in an unspliced form, as the unspliced RNA serves both as mRNA for structural proteins and virion-associated enzymatic proteins and as genomic RNA for progeny virions. The extent of viral RNA splicing must be finely controlled, since only a narrow range in the ratio of unspliced RNA to spliced RNA is tolerated for optimal replication. A number of cis-acting sequences within the RNA of Rous sarcoma virus play a role in preserving a large pool of unspliced RNA. One such sequence, the negative regulator of splicing (NRS), is of interest because it blocks splicing but is not located near any of the splice junctions. To better understand how this novel element blocks splicing at a distance, we set out to identify host cell factors that interact specifically with this inhibitory sequence. In this study, proteins from nuclear extracts with molecular masses of 26, 36, 44, and 55 kDa were shown by UV cross-linking assays to bind the NRS preferentially. One of them, p55, was also detected in a specific complex with SR protein electrophoretic mobility shift assay. All but p55 have biochemical properties consistent with SR protein splicing factors, and some, but not all, of the total SR proteins purified from HeLa cells cross-link specifically to the NRS. The strongest cross-linking SR protein is SRp30a/b, which is composed of the splicing factors SF2/ASF and SC35. The NRS specifically binds bacterially expressed SF2/ASF, whereas nonfunctional mutants do not. Data indicating that the 36-kDa protein which cross-links in nuclear extracts is SF2/ASF are presented. The data indicate that factors normally required for RNA splicing may be exploited by retroviruses to block splicing.

Avian Sarcoma Viruses↗