Regulated poly(A) tail shortening in somatic cells mediated by cap-proximal translational repressor proteins and ribosome association.

The poly(A) tail plays an important role in translation initiation. We report the identification of a mechanism that operates in mammalian somatic cells, and couples mRNA poly(A) tail length with its translation state. The regulation of human ferritin L-chain mRNA by iron-responsive elements (IREs) and iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) is subject to this mechanism: translational repression imposed by IRP binding to the IRE of ferritin L-chain mRNA induces poly(A) tail shortening. For the accumulation of mRNAs with short poly(A) tails, IRP binding to an IRE per se is not sufficient, but must cause translational repression. Interestingly, puromycin and verrucarin (general translation inhibitors that dissociate mRNAs from ribosomes) mimick the negative effect of the specific translational repressor proteins on poly(A) tail length, whereas cycloheximide and anisomycin (general translation inhibitors that maintain the association between mRNAs and ribosomes) preserve long poly(A) tails. Thus, the ribosome association of the mRNA appears to represent the critical determinant. These findings identify a novel mechanism of regulated polyadenylation as a consequence of translational control. They reveal differences in poly(A) tail metabolism between polysomal and mRNP-associated mRNAs. A possible role of this mechanism in the maintenance of translational repression is discussed.     

The vasopressin mRNA poly(A) tract is unusually long and increases during stimulation of vasopressin gene expression in vivo.

We developed a method, termed an H-blot, by which the poly(A) tract of any specific mRNA may be detected by RNA filter hybridization after its removal from the body of the mRNA by a RNase H-catalyzed endonucleolytic cleavage in the 3' untranslated region. Using this method, we studied the modulation of the length of the poly(A) tract of rat vasopressin mRNA in vivo during changes in the levels of this mRNA resulting from a physiologic stimulus, osmotic stress. The poly(A) tract of hypothalamic vasopressin mRNA in hydrated rats was, quite remarkably, approximately 250 nucleotides in length, in contrast to that of somatostatin mRNA, which was approximately 30 nucleotides long. Vasopressin mRNA poly(A) tail length increased progressively from approximately 250 to approximately 400 nucleotides with the application of the hyperosmotic stimulus and declined to base line after its removal; somatostatin mRNA poly(A) tail length did not change during osmotic stress. The poly(A) tract length of total hypothalamic mRNA was between 35 and 140 nucleotides and also did not change with osmotic stress. Modulation of poly(A) tract length of specific mRNAs during stimulation of gene expression may provide an additional level of genetic regulation.     

Multifunctional deadenylase complexes diversify mRNA control

Dynamic changes of the lengths of mRNA poly(A) tails are catalysed by diverse deadenylase enzymes. Modulating the length of the poly(A) tail of an mRNA is a widespread means of controlling protein production and mRNA stability. Recent insights illuminate the specialized activities, biological functions and regulation of deadenylases. We propose that the recruitment of multifunctional deadenylase complexes provides unique opportunities to control mRNAs and that the heterogeneity of the deadenylase complexes is exploited to control translation and mRNA stability.     

Poly(A) tail length-dependent stabilization of GAP-43 mRNA by the RNA-binding protein HuD

The neuronal ELAV-like RNA-binding protein HuD binds to a regulatory element in the 3'-untranslated region of the growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) mRNA. Here we report that overexpression of HuD protein in PC12 cells stabilizes the GAP-43 mRNA by delaying the onset of mRNA degradation and that this process depends on the size of the poly(A) tail. Using a polysome-based in vitro mRNA decay assay, we found that addition of recombinant HuD protein to the system increased the half-life of full-length, capped, and polyadenylated GAP-43 mRNA and that this effect was caused in part by a decrease in the rate of deadenylation of the mRNA. This stabilization was specific for GAP-43 mRNA containing the HuD binding element in the 3'-untranslated region and a poly(A) tail of at least 150 A nucleotides. In correlation with the effect of HuD on GAP-43 mRNA stability, we found that HuD binds GAP-43 mRNAs with long tails (A150) with 10-fold higher affinity than to those with short tails (A30). We conclude that HuD stabilizes the GAP-43 mRNA through a mechanism that is dependent on the length of the poly(A) tail and involves changes in its affinity for the mRNA.     

Poly(A)-tail-promoted translation in yeast: implications for translational control.

The cap structure and the poly(A) tail synergistically activate mRNA translation in vivo. Recent work using Saccharomyces cerevisiae spheroplasts and a yeast cell-free translation system revealed that the poly(A) tail can function as an independent promotor for ribosome recruitment, to internal initiation sites within an mRNA. This raises the question of how regulatory upstream open reading frames and translational repressor proteins binding to the 5'UTR can function, as well as how regulated polyadenylation can support faithful activation of protein synthesis. We investigated the function of the regulatory upstream open reading frame 4 from the yeast GCN 4 gene and the effect of IRP-1 binding to an iron-responsive element introduced into the 5' UTR of reporter mRNAs. Both manipulations effectively block cap-dependent translation, whereas ribosome recruitment promoted by the poly(A) tail under non-competitive conditions can efficiently bypass both blocks. We show that the synergistic use of both, the cap structure and the poly-A tail enforced by mRNA competition reinstates the full extent of translational control by both types of 5' UTR regulatory elements. With a view towards regulated polyadenylation, we studied the function of poly(A) tails of defined length on the translation of capped mRNAs. We find that poly(A) tail elongation increases translational efficiency, particularly under competitive conditions. Our results integrate recent findings on the function of the poly(A) tail into an understanding of translational control.     

An essential cytoplasmic function for the nuclear poly(A) binding protein, PABP2, in poly(A) tail length control and early development in Drosophila

Translational control of maternal mRNA through regulation of poly(A) tail length is crucial during early development. The nuclear poly(A) binding protein, PABP2, was identified biochemically from its role in nuclear polyadenylation. Here, we analyze the in vivo function of PABP2 in Drosophila. PABP2 is required in vivo for polyadenylation, and Pabp2 function, including poly(A) polymerase stimulation, is essential for viability. We also demonstrate an unanticipated cytoplasmic function for PABP2 during early development. In contrast to its role in nuclear polyadenylation, cytoplasmic PABP2 acts to shorten the poly(A) tails of specific mRNAs. PABP2, together with the deadenylase CCR4, regulates the poly(A) tails of oskar and cyclin B mRNAs, both of which are also controlled by cytoplasmic polyadenylation. Both Cyclin B protein levels and embryonic development depend upon this regulation. These results identify a regulator of maternal mRNA poly(A) tail length and highlight the importance of this mode of translational control.     

Messenger RNA stability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: the influence of translation and poly(A) tail length.

A comparison between the half-lives of 10 specific yeast mRNAs and their distribution within polysomes (fractionated on sucrose density gradients) was used to test the relationship between mRNA translation and degradation in the eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although the mRNAs vary in their distribution across the same polysome gradients, there is no obvious correlation between the stability of an mRNA and the number of ribosomes it carries in vivo. This suggests that ribosomal protection against nucleolytic attack is not a major factor in determining the stability of an mRNA in yeast. The relative lengths of the poly(A) tails of 9 yeast mRNAs were analysed using thermal elution from poly(U)-Sepharose. No dramatic differences in poly(A) tail length were observed amongst the mRNAs which could account for their wide ranging half-lives. Minor differences were consistent with shortening of the poly(A) tail as an mRNA ages.     

Sequence-specific adenylations and deadenylations accompany changes in the translation of maternal messenger RNA after fertilization of Spisula oocytes

A dramatic change in the pattern of protein synthesis occurs within ten minutes after fertilization of Spisula oocytes. This change is regulated entirely at the translational level. We have used DNA clones complementary to five translationally regulated messenger RNAs to follow shifts in mRNA utilization at fertilization and to characterize alterations in mRNA structure that accompany switches in translational activity in vivo. Four of the mRNAs studied are translationally inactive in the oocyte. After fertilization two of these mRNAs are completely recruited onto polysomes, and two are partially recruited. All four of these mRNAs have very short poly(A) tracts in the oocyte; after fertilization the poly(A) tails lengthen considerably. In contrast, a fifth mRNA, that encoding alpha-tubulin mRNA, is translated very efficiently in the oocyte and is rapidly lost from polysomes after fertilization. Essentially all alpha-tubulin mRNA in the oocyte is poly(A)+ and a large portion of this mRNA undergoes complete deadenylation after fertilization. These results reveal a striking relationship between changes in adenylation and translational activity in vivo. This correlation is not perfect, however. Evidence for and against a direct role for polyadenylation in regulating these translational changes is discussed. Changes in poly(A) tails are the only alterations in mRNA sizes that we have been able to detect. This indicates that, at least for the mRNAs studied here, translational activation is not due to extensive processing of larger translationally incompetent precursors. We have also isolated several complementary DNA clones to RNAs encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Surprisingly, the poly(A) tracts of at least two of the mitochondrial RNAs also lengthen in response to fertilization.     

Meiotic maturation in Xenopus requires polyadenylation of multiple mRNAs.

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation of specific mRNAs commonly is correlated with their translational activation during development. Here, we focus on links between cytoplasmic polyadenylation, translational activation and the control of meiotic maturation in Xenopus oocytes. We manipulate endogenous c-mos mRNA, which encodes a protein kinase that regulates meiotic maturation. We determined that translational activation of endogenous c-mos mRNA requires a long poly(A) tail per se, rather than the process of polyadenylation. For this, we injected 'prosthetic' poly(A)_synthetic poly(A) tails designed to attach by base pairing to endogenous c-mos mRNA that has had its own polyadenylation signals removed. This prosthetic poly(A) tail activates c-mos translation and restores meiotic maturation in response to progesterone. Thus the role of polyadenylation in activating c-mos mRNA differs from its role in activating certain other mRNAs, for which the act of polyadenylation is required. In the absence of progesterone, prosthetic poly(A) does not stimulate c-mos expression, implying that progesterone acts at additional steps to elevate c-Mos protein. By using a general inhibitor of polyadenylation together with prosthetic poly(A), we demonstrate that these additional steps include polyadenylation of at least one other mRNA, in addition to that of c-mos mRNA. These other mRNAs, encoding regulators of meiotic maturation, act upstream of c-Mos in the meiotic maturation pathway.     

mRNA with a <20-nt poly(A) tail imparted by the poly(A)-limiting element is translated as efficiently in vivo as long poly(A) mRNA

The poly(A)-limiting element (PLE) is a conserved sequence that restricts the length of the poly(A) tail to <20 nt. This study compared the translation of PLE-containing short poly(A) mRNA expressed in cells with translation in vitro of mRNAs with varying length poly(A) tails. In transfected cells, PLE-containing mRNA had a <20-nt poly(A) and accumulated to a level 20% higher than a matching control without a PLE. It was translated as well as the matching control mRNA with long poly(A) and showed equivalent binding to polysomes. Translation in a HeLa cell cytoplasmic extract was used to examine the impact of the PLE in the context of varying length poly(A) tails. Here the overall translation of +PLE mRNA was less than control mRNA with the same length poly(A), and the PLE did not overcome the effect of a short poly(A) tail. Because poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) is a dominant effector of poly(A)-dependent translation we reasoned excess PABP in our extract might overwhelm PLE regulation of translation. This was confirmed by experiments where PABP was inactivated with poly(rA) or Paip2, and the effect of both treatments was reversed by addition of recombinant PABP. These data indicate that the PLE functionally substitutes for bound PABP to stimulate translation of short poly(A) mRNA.     

Free poly(A) stimulates capped mRNA translation in vitro through the eIF4G-poly(A)-binding protein interaction

The 5' cap and 3' poly(A) tail of classical eukaryotic mRNAs functionally communicate to synergistically enhance translation initiation. Synergy has been proposed to result in part from facilitated ribosome recapture on circularized mRNAs. Here, we demonstrate that this is not the case. In poly(A)-dependent, ribosome-depleted rabbit reticulocyte lysates, the addition of exogenous poly(A) chains of physiological length dramatically stimulated translation of a capped, nonpolyadenylated mRNA. When the poly(A):RNA ratio approached 1, exogenous poly(A) stimulated translation to the same extent as the presence of a poly(A) tail at the mRNA 3' end. In addition, exogenous poly(A) significantly improved translation of capped mRNAs carrying short poly(A(50)) tails. Trans stimulation of translation by poly(A) required the eIF4G-poly(A)-binding protein interaction and resulted in increased affinity of eIF4E for the mRNA cap, exactly as we recently described for cap-poly(A) synergy. These results formally demonstrate that mRNA circularization per se is not the cause of cap-poly(A) synergy at least in vitro.     

Accelerated poly(A) loss on alpha-tubulin mRNAs during protein synthesis inhibition in Chlamydomonas

Detachment of flagella in Chlamydomonas reinhardii stimulates a rapid accumulation of tubulin mRNAs. The induced tubulin mRNAs are normally rapidly degraded following flagellar regeneration, but inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide prevents their degradation. alpha-Tubulin poly(A) tail lengths were measured during normal accumulation and degradation, and in cycloheximide-treated cells. To measure alpha-tubulin mRNA poly(A) chain lengths with high resolution, specific 3' fragments of alpha 1- and alpha 2-tubulin mRNAs, generated by RNase H digestion of mRNA-oligonucleotide hybrids, were sized by Northern analysis. Both alpha-tubulin mRNAs have a newly synthesized poly(A) chain of about 110 adenylate residues. The poly(A) tails shorten with time, and show an average length of 40 to 60 adenylate residues by 90 minutes after deflagellation, at which time induced alpha-tubulin mRNA is being rapidly degraded. Poly(A) loss is significantly accelerated in cycloheximide-treated cells, and this loss is not attributible simply to the longer time the stabilized molecules spend in the cytoplasm. A large fraction of alpha-tubulin mRNA accumulates as mRNA with very short poly(A) tails (less than 10 residues) in the presence of cycloheximide, indicating that deadenylated alpha-tubulin mRNAs can be stable in vivo, at least in the absence of protein synthesis. The rate and extent of poly(A) loss in cycloheximide are greater for alpha 2-tubulin mRNA than for alpha 1-tubulin mRNA. This difference cannot be attributed to differential ribosome loading. This finding is interesting in that the two mRNAs are very similar in sequence with the exception of their 3' untranslated regions.