The Protein Kinase Clk/Sty Directly Modulates SR Protein Activity: Both Hyper- and Hypophosphorylation Inhibit Splicing

The splicing of mammalian mRNA precursors requires both protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, likely involving modification of members of the SR protein family of splicing factors. Several kinases have been identified that can phosphorylate SR proteins in vitro, and transfection assays have provided evidence that at least one of these, Clk/Sty, can modulate splicing in vivo. But evidence that a specific kinase can directly affect the splicing activity of SR proteins has been lacking. Here, by using purified recombinant Clk/Sty, a catalytically inactive mutant, and individual SR proteins, we show that Clk/Sty directly affects the activity of SR proteins, but not other essential splicing factors, in reconstituted splicing assays. We also provide evidence that both hyper- and hypophosphorylation inhibit SR protein splicing activity, repressing constitutive splicing and switching alternative splice site selection. These findings indicate that Clk/Sty directly and specifically influences the activity of SR protein splicing factors and, importantly, show that both under- and overphosphorylation of SR proteins can modulate splicing.     

The Clk2 and Clk3 Dual-Specificity Protein Kinases Regulate the Intranuclear Distribution of SR Proteins and Influence Pre-mRNA Splicing

The three members of the Clk family of kinases (Clk1, 2, and 3) have been shown to undergo conserved alternative splicing to generate catalytically active (Clk) and inactive (Clk^T) isoforms. The prototype, murine Clk1 (mClk1), is a nuclear dual-specificity kinase that can interact with, and cause the nuclear redistribution of, SR proteins. In this study, we demonstrate that the human Clk2 and Clk3 (hClk2 and 3) are also found within the nucleus and display dual-specificity kinase activity. The truncated isoforms, hClk2^Tand hClk3^T, colocalize with SR proteins in nuclear speckles. We also show catalytically active hClk2 and hClk3 cause the redistribution of SR proteins and can regulate the alternative splicing of a model precursor mRNA substratein vivo.     

The Clk/Sty protein kinase phosphorylates SR splicing factors and regulates their intranuclear distribution.

Mammalian Clk/Sty is the prototype for a family of dual specificity kinases (termed LAMMER kinases) that have been conserved in evolution, but whose physiological substrates are unknown. In a yeast two-hybrid screen, the Clk/Sty kinase specifically interacted with RNA binding proteins, particularly members of the serine/arginine-rich (SR) family of splicing factors. Clk/Sty itself has an serine/arginine-rich non-catalytic N-terminal region which is important for its association with SR splicing factors. In vitro, Clk/Sty efficiently phosphorylated the SR family member ASF/SF2 on serine residues located within its serine/arginine-rich region (the RS domain). Tryptic phosphopeptide mapping demonstrated that the sites on ASF/SF2 phosphorylated in vitro overlap with those phosphorylated in vivo. Immunofluorescence studies showed that a catalytically inactive form of Clk/Sty co-localized with SR proteins in nuclear speckles. Overexpression of the active Clk/Sty kinase caused a redistribution of SR proteins within the nucleus. These results suggest that Clk/Sty kinase directly regulates the activity and compartmentalization of SR splicing factors.     

Novel SR-rich-related protein clasp specifically interacts with inactivated Clk4 and induces the exon EB inclusion of Clk

We identified a novel serine/arginine (SR)-rich-related protein as a binding partner of Clk4 mutant lacking kinase activity (Clk4 K189R) in the two-hybrid screen and designated it Clasp (Clk4-associating SR-related protein). Northern blot analysis revealed that Clasp mRNA was highly expressed in brain, and in situ hybridization of a mouse brain sagittal section hybridized with antisense probes revealed that both Clasp and Clk4 mRNAs were expressed in the hippocampus, the cerebellum, and the olfactory bulb. Two forms of Clasp were produced by a frameshift following alternative splicing. The staining of an HA-tagged short form of Clasp (ClaspS) showed a nucleoplasmic pattern, while the long form of Clasp (ClaspL) was localized as nuclear dots. In vitro protein interaction assay demonstrated that Clk4 K189R was bound to Clasp while wild Clk4 was not. Overexpression of ClaspL promoted accumulation of Clk4 K189R in the nuclear dots and the exon EB inclusion from CR-1 and CR-2 pre-mRNA of Clk1. These data suggest that Clasp is a binding partner of Clk4 and may be involved in the regulation of the activity of Clk kinase family.     

Concerted regulation of nuclear and cytoplasmic activities of SR proteins by AKT

Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins are important regulators of mRNA splicing. Several postsplicing activities have been described for a subset of shuttling SR proteins, including regulation of mRNA export and translation. Using the fibronectin gene to study the links between signal-transduction pathways and SR protein activity, we show that growth factors not only modify the alternative splicing pattern of the fibronectin gene but also alter translation of reporter messenger RNAs in an SR protein-dependent fashion, providing two coregulated levels of isoform-specific amplification. These effects are inhibited by specific small interfering RNAs against SR proteins and are mediated by the AKT kinase, which elicits opposite effects to those evoked by overexpressing SR protein kinases Clk and SRPK. These results show how SR protein activity is modified in response to extracellular stimulation, leading to a concerted regulation of splicing and translation.     

The serine/arginine-rich protein family in rice plays important roles in constitutive and alternative splicing of pre-mRNA

Ser/Arg-rich (SR) proteins play important roles in the constitutive and alternative splicing of pre-mRNA. We isolated 20 rice (Oryza sativa) genes encoding SR proteins, of which six contain plant-specific characteristics. To determine whether SR proteins modulate splicing efficiency and alternative splicing of pre-mRNA in rice, we used transient assays in rice protoplasts by cotransformation of SR protein genes with the rice Waxy(b) (Wx(b))-beta-glucuronidase fusion gene. The results showed that plant-specific RSp29 and RSZp23, an SR protein homologous to human 9G8, enhanced splicing and altered the alternative 5' splice sites of Wx(b) intron 1. The resulting splicing pattern was unique to each SR protein; RSp29 stimulated splicing at the distal site, and RSZp23 enhanced splicing at the proximal site. Results of domain-swapping experiments between plant-specific RSp29 and SCL26, which is a homolog of human SC35, showed the importance of RNA recognition motif 1 and the Arg/Ser-rich (RS) domain for the enhancement of splicing efficiencies. Overexpression of plant-specific RSZ36 and SRp33b, a homolog of human ASF/SF2, in transgenic rice changed the alternative splicing patterns of their own pre-mRNAs and those of other SR proteins. These results show that SR proteins play important roles in constitutive and alternative splicing of rice pre-mRNA.     

Identification and characterization of three members of the human SR family of pre-mRNA splicing factors.

SR proteins have a characteristic C-terminal Ser/Arg-rich repeat (RS domain) of variable length and constitute a family of highly conserved nuclear phosphoproteins that can function as both essential and alternative pre-mRNA splicing factors. We have cloned a cDNA encoding a novel human SR protein designated SRp30c, which has an unusually short RS domain. We also cloned cDNAs encoding the human homologues of Drosophila SRp55/B52 and rat SRp40/HRS. Recombinant proteins expressed from these cDNAs are active in constitutive splicing, as shown by their ability to complement a HeLa cell S100 extract deficient in SR proteins. Additional cDNA clones reflect extensive alternative splicing of SRp40 and SRp55 pre-mRNAs. The predicted protein isoforms lack the C-terminal RS domain and might be involved in feedback regulatory loops. The ability of human SRp30c, SRp40 and SRp55 to modulate alternative splicing in vivo was compared with that of other SR proteins using a transient contransfection assay. The overexpression of individual SR proteins in HeLa cells affected the choice of alternative 5' splice sites of adenovirus E1A and/or human beta-thalassemia reporters. The resulting splicing patterns were characteristic for each SR protein. Consistent with the postulated importance of SR proteins in alternative splicing in vivo, we demonstrate complex changes in the levels of mRNAs encoding the above SR proteins upon T cell activation, concomitant with changes in the expression of alternatively spliced isoforms of CD44 and CD45.     

Regulation and substrate specificity of the SR protein kinase Clk/Sty

SR proteins constitute a family of splicing factors that play key roles in both constitutive and regulated splicing in metazoan organisms. The proteins are extensively phosphorylated, and kinases capable of phosphorylating them have been identified. However, little is known about how these kinases function, for example, whether they target specific SR proteins or whether the kinases themselves are regulated. Here we describe properties of one such kinase, Clk/Sty, the founding member of the Clk/Sty family of dual-specificity kinases. Clk/Sty is autophosphorylated on both Ser/Thr and Thr residues, and using both direct kinase assays and SR protein-dependent splicing assays, we have analyzed the effects of each type of modification. We find not only that the pattern of phosphorylation on a specific SR protein substrate, ASF/SF2, is modulated by autophosphorylation but also that the ability of Clk/Sty to recognize different SR proteins is influenced by the extent and nature of autophosphorylation. Strikingly, phosphorylation of ASF/SF2 is sensitive to changes in Tyr, but not Ser/Thr, autophosphorylation while that of SC35 displays the opposite pattern. In contrast, phosphorylation of a third SR protein, SRp40, is unaffected by autophosphorylation. We also present biochemical data indicating that as expected for a factor directly involved in splicing control (but in contrast to recent reports), Clk/Sty is found in the nucleus of several different cell types.     

DX16 is a novel SR protein phosphorylated by DOA

The serine-arginine-rich (SR) proteins belong to a conserved splicing factor family that not only is essential for constitutive pre-mRNA splicing, but also plays important roles in regulation of alternative splicing. Dx16 is a member of SR protein family in Drosophila. In order to get more insight of dx16 function, we identified the proteins interacting with DX16 through yeast two-hybrid and GST-pull down assays. DX16 interacts with the U1 snRNP subunit CG7564, the SR protein RBP1 and the SR protein kinase DOA. The first and second serine-and arginine-rich regions of DOA are required for the interaction between DOA and DX16. DX16 could be phosphorylated by DOA in vitro and DX16 is highly phosphorylated in vivo. Immunofluorescence microscopy results reveal that doa and dx16 are both highly expressed in embryonic central nervous system. These results suggest that DX16 could be a novel SR protein phosphorylated by DOA and it may participate in the formation of splicing complex through its interactions with other splicing related proteins.     

A subset of SR proteins activates splicing of the cardiac troponin T alternative exon by direct interactions with an exonic enhancer.

The cardiac troponin T pre-mRNA contains an exonic splicing enhancer that is required for inclusion of the alternative exon 5. Here we show that enhancer activity is exquisitely sensitive to changes in the sequence of a 9-nucleotide motif (GAGGAAGAA) even when its purine content is preserved. A series of mutations that increased or decreased the level of exon inclusion in vivo were used to correlate enhancer strength with RNA-protein interactions in vitro. Analyses involving UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation indicated that only four (SRp30a, SRp40, SRp55, and SRp75) of six essential splicing factors known as SR proteins bind to the active enhancer RNA. Moreover, purified SRp40 and SRp55 activate splicing of exon 5 when added to a splicing-deficient S100 extract. Purified SRp30b did not stimulate splicing in S100 extracts, which is consistent with its failure to bind the enhancer RNA. In vitro competition of SR protein splicing activity and UV cross-linking demonstrated that the sequence determinants for SR protein binding were precisely coincident with the sequence determinants of enhancer strength. Thus, a subset of SR proteins interacts directly with the exonic enhancer to promote inclusion of a poorly defined alternative exon. Independent regulation of the levels of SR proteins may, therefore, contribute to the developmental regulation of exon inclusion.     

SRPK2: A Differentially Expressed SR Protein-specific Kinase Involved in Mediating the Interaction and Localization of Pre-mRNA Splicing Factors in Mammalian Cells

Abstract. Reversible phosphorylation plays an important role in pre-mRNA splicing in mammalian cells. Two kinases, SR protein-specific kinase (SRPK1) and Clk/Sty, have been shown to phosphorylate the SR family of splicing factors. We report here the cloning and characterization of SRPK2, which is highly related to SRPK1 in sequence, kinase activity, and substrate specificity. Random peptide selection for preferred phosphorylation sites revealed a stringent preference of SRPK2 for SR dipeptides, and the consensus derived may be used to predict potential phosphorylation sites in candidate arginine and serine-rich (RS) domain–containing proteins. Phosphorylation of an SR protein (ASF/SF2) by either SRPK1 or 2 enhanced its interaction with another RS domain–containing protein (U1 70K), and overexpression of either kinase induced specific redistribution of splicing factors in the nucleus. These observations likely reflect the function of the SRPK family of kinases in spliceosome assembly and in mediating the trafficking of splicing factors in mammalian cells. The biochemical and functional similarities between SRPK1 and 2, however, are in contrast to their differences in expression. SRPK1 is highly expressed in pancreas, whereas SRPK2 is highly expressed in brain, although both are coexpressed in other human tissues and in many experimental cell lines. Interestingly, SRPK2 also contains a proline-rich sequence at its NH₂ terminus, and a recent study showed that this NH₂-terminal sequence has the capacity to interact with a WW domain protein in vitro. Together, our studies suggest that different SRPK family members may be uniquely regulated and targeted, thereby contributing to splicing regulation in different tissues, during development, or in response to signaling.     

Identification and characterization of srp1, a gene of fission yeast encoding a RNA binding domain and a RS domain typical of SR splicing factors.

The SR protein family is involved in constitutive and regulated pre-mRNA splicing and has been found to be evolutionarily conserved in metazoan organisms. In contrast, the genome of the unicellular yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae does not contain genes encoding typical SR proteins. The mammalian SR proteins consist of one or two characteristic RNA binding domains (RBD), containing the signature sequences RDAEDA and SWQDLKD respectively, and a RS (arginine/serine-rich) domain which gave the family its name. We have now cloned from the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe the gene srp1. This gene is the first yeast gene encoding a protein with typical features of mammalian SR protein family members. The gene is not essential for growth. We show that overexpression of the RNA binding domain inhibits pre-mRNA splicing and that the highly conserved sequence RDAEDA in the RBD is involved. Overexpression of Srp1 containing mutations in the RS domain also inhibits pre-mRNA splicing activity. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of Srp1 and overexpression of the mammalian SR splicing factor ASF/SF2 suppress the pre-mRNA splicing defect of the temperature-sensitive prp4-73 allele. prp4 encodes a protein kinase involved in pre-mRNA splicing. These findings are consistent with the notion that Srp1 plays a role in the splicing process.     

The Drosophila SR protein RBP1 contributes to the regulation of doublesex alternative splicing by recognizing RBP1 RNA target sequences.

The SR proteins represent a family of splicing factors several of which have been implicated in the regulation of sex-specific alternative splicing of doublesex (dsx) pre-mRNA in Drosophila. The dsx gene is involved in Drosophila sex determination. We have identified two RNA target sequence motifs recognized by the SR protein RBP1 from Drosophila using an in vitro selection approach. Several copies of these RBP1 target sequences were found within two regions of the dsx pre-mRNA which are important for the regulation of dsx alternative splicing, the repeat region and the purine-rich polypyrimidine tract of the regulated female-specific 3' splice site. We show that RBP1 target sequences within the dsx repeat region are required for the efficient splicing of dsx pre-mRNA. Moreover, our studies reveal that RBP1 contributes to the activation of female-specific dsx splicing in vivo by recognizing the RBP1 target sequences within the purine-rich polypyrimidine tract of the female-specific 3' splice site.     

The MKK(3/6)-p38-signaling cascade alters the subcellular distribution of hnRNP A1 and modulates alternative splicing regulation

Individual members of the serine-arginine (SR) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A/B families of proteins have antagonistic effects in regulating alternative splicing. Although hnRNP A1 accumulates predominantly in the nucleus, it shuttles continuously between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Some but not all SR proteins also undergo nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling, which is affected by phosphorylation of their serine/arginine (RS)-rich domain. The signaling mechanisms that control the subcellular localization of these proteins are unknown. We show that exposure of NIH-3T3 and SV-40 transformed green monkey kidney (COS) cells to stress stimuli such as osmotic shock or UVC irradiation, but not to mitogenic activators such as PDGF or EGF, results in a marked cytoplasmic accumulation of hnRNP A1, concomitant with an increase in its phosphorylation. These effects are mediated by the MKK(3/6)-p38 pathway, and moreover, p38 activation is necessary and sufficient for the induction of hnRNP A1 cytoplasmic accumulation. The stress-induced increase in the cytoplasmic levels of hnRNP A/B proteins and the concomitant decrease in their nuclear abundance are paralleled by changes in the alternative splicing pattern of an adenovirus E1A pre-mRNA splicing reporter. These results suggest the intriguing possibility that signaling mechanisms regulate pre-mRNA splicing in vivo by influencing the subcellular distribution of splicing factors.