Proteomic identification of PSF and p54(nrb) as TopBP1-interacting proteins

TopBP1 is a BRCT domain-rich protein that is structurally and functionally conserved throughout eukaryotic organisms. It is required for the initiation of DNA replication and for DNA repair and damage signalling. To further dissect its biological functions, we explored TopBP1-interacting proteins by co-immunoprecipitation assays and LC-ESI-MS-analyses. As TopBP1 binding partners we identified p54(nrb) and PSF, and confirmed the physical interactions by GST pull-down assays, co-immunoprecipitations and by yeast two-hybrid experiments. Recent evidence shows an involvement of p54(nrb) and PSF in DNA double-strand break repair (DSB) and radioresistance. To get a first picture of the physiological significance of the interaction of TopBP1 with p54(nrb) and PSF we investigated in real time the spatiotemporal behaviour of the three proteins after laser microirradiation of living cells. Localisation of TopBP1 at damage sites was noticed as early as 5 s following damage induction, whereas p54(nrb) and PSF localised there after 20 s. Both p54(nrb) and PSF disappeared after 20 s while TopBP1 was retained at damage sites significantly longer suggesting different functions of the proteins during DSB recognition and repair.     

Involvement of p54(nrb), a PSF partner protein,in DNA double-strand break repair and radioresistance

Mammalian cells repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) via efficient pathways of direct, nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). Prior work has identified a complex of two polypeptides, PSF and p54(nrb), as a stimulatory factor in a reconstituted in vitro NHEJ system. PSF also stimulates early steps of HR in vitro. PSF and p54(nrb) are RNA recognition motif-containing proteins with well-established functions in RNA processing and transport, and their apparent involvement in DSB repair was unexpected. Here we investigate the requirement for p54(nrb) in DSB repair in vivo. Cells treated with siRNA to attenuate p54(nrb) expression exhibited a delay in DSB repair in a γ-H2AX focus assay. Stable knockdown cell lines derived by p54(nrb) miRNA transfection showed a significant increase in ionizing radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations. They also showed increased radiosensitivity in a clonogenic survival assay. Together, results indicate that p54(nrb) contributes to rapid and accurate repair of DSBs in vivo in human cells and that the PSF·p54(nrb) complex may thus be a potential target for radiosensitizer development.     

PSF/p54(nrb) stimulates "jumping" of DNA topoisomerase I between separate DNA helices

We have previously shown [Straub et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 26261] that the pyrimidine tract binding protein associated splicing factor PSF/p54(nrb) binds and stimulates DNA topoisomerase I. Here we show that cleavage and religation half-reactions of topoisomerase I are unaffected by PSF/p54(nrb), whereas the propensity of the enzyme to jump between separate DNA helices is stimulated. To demonstrate such an effect, topoisomerase I was first captured in suicidal cleavage of an oligonucleotide substrate. Subsequently, a cleavage/ligation equilibrium was established by adding a ligation donor under conditions allowing recleavage of the ligated substrate. Finally, a second oligonucleotide was added to the mixture, which also allowed suicidal cleavage by topoisomerase I, but did not accommodate the ligation donor of the first oligonucleotide. Thus, topoisomerase I was given the choice to engage in repeated cleavage/ligation cycles of the first oligonucleotide or to jump to the second suicide substrate and get trapped. PSF/p54(nrb) enhanced the cleavage rate of the second oligonucleotide (11-fold), suggesting that it stimulates the dissociation of topoisomerase I after ligation. Thus, stimulation of topoisomerase I catalysis by PSF/p54(nrb) seems to be affected by mobilization of the enzyme.     

The PSF.p54nrb complex is a novel Mnk substrate that binds the mRNA for tumor necrosis factor alpha

To identify new potential substrates for the MAP kinase signal-integrating kinases (Mnks), we employed a proteomic approach. The Mnks are targeted to the translational machinery through their interaction with the cap-binding initiation factor complex. We tested whether proteins retained on cap resin were substrates for the Mnks in vitro, and identified one such protein as PSF (the PTB (polypyrimidine tract-binding protein)-associated splicing factor). Mnks phosphorylate PSF at two sites in vitro, and our data show that PSF is an Mnk substrate in vivo. We also demonstrate that PSF, together with its partner, p54(nrb), binds RNAs that contain AU-rich elements (AREs), such as those for proinflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)). Indeed, PSF associates specifically with the TNFalpha mRNA in living cells. PSF is phosphorylated at two sites by the Mnks. Our data show that Mnk-mediated phosphorylation increases the binding of PSF to the TNFalpha mRNA in living cells. These findings identify a novel Mnk substrate. They also suggest that the Mnk-catalyzed phosphorylation of PSF may regulate the fate of specific mRNAs by modulating their binding to PSF.p54(nrb).     

PSF and p54nrb bind a conserved stem in U5 snRNA

PTB-associated splicing factor (PSF) has been implicated in both early and late steps of pre-mRNA splicing, but its exact role in this process remains unclear. Here we show that PSF interacts with p54nrb, a highly related protein first identified based on cross-reactivity to antibodies against the yeast second-step splicing factor Prpl8. We performed RNA-binding experiments to determine the preferred RNA-binding sequences for PSF and p54nrb, both individually and in combination. In all cases, iterative selection assays identified a purine-rich sequence located on the 3' side of U5 snRNA stem 1b. Filter-binding assays and RNA affinity selection experiments demonstrated that PSF and p54nrb bind U5 snRNA with both the sequence and structure of stem 1b contributing to binding specificity. Sedimentation analyses show that both proteins associate with spliceosomes and with U4/U6.U5 tri-snPNP.     

Purification and cDNA cloning of HeLa cell p54nrb, a nuclear protein with two RNA recognition motifs and extensive homology to human splicing factor PSF and Drosophila NONA/BJ6.

While searching for a human homolog of the S.cerevisiae splicing factor PRP18, we found a polypeptide that reacted strongly with antibodies against PRP18. We purified this polypeptide from HeLa cells using a Western blot assay, and named it p54nrb (for nuclear RNA-binding protein, 54 kDa). cDNAs encoding p54nrb were cloned with probes derived from partial sequence of the purified protein. These cDNAs have identical coding sequences but differ as a result of alternative splicing in the 5' untranslated region. The cDNAs encode a 471 aa polypeptide that contains two RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). Human p54nrb has no homology to yeast PRP18, except for a common epitope, but is instead 71% identical to human splicing factor PSF within a 320 aa region that includes both RRMs. In addition, both p54nrb and PSF are rich in Pro and Gln residues outside the main homology region. The Drosophila puff-specific protein BJ6, one of three products encoded by the alternatively spliced no-on-transient A gene (nonA), which is required for normal vision and courtship song, is 42% identical to p54nrb in the same 320 aa region. The striking homology between p54nrb, PSF, and NONA/BJ6 defines a novel phylogenetically conserved protein segment, termed DBHS domain (for Drosophila behavior, human splicing), which may be involved in regulating diverse pathways at the level of pre-mRNA splicing.     

Binding of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides with RNase H1 can cause conformational changes in the protein and alter the interactions of RNase H1 with other proteins

We recently found that toxic PS-ASOs can cause P54nrb and PSF nucleolar mislocalization in an RNase H1-dependent manner. To better understand the underlying mechanisms of these observations, here we utilize different biochemical approaches to demonstrate that PS-ASO binding can alter the conformations of the bound proteins, as illustrated using recombinant RNase H1, P54nrb, PSF proteins and various isolated domains. While, in general, binding of PS-ASOs or ASO/RNA duplexes stabilizes the conformations of these proteins, PS-ASO binding may also cause the unfolding of RNase H1, including both the hybrid binding domain and the catalytic domain. The extent of conformational change correlates with the binding affinity of PS-ASOs to the proteins. Consequently, PS-ASO binding to RNase H1 induces the interaction of RNase H1 with P54nrb or PSF in a 2′-modification and sequence dependent manner, and toxic PS-ASOs tend to induce more interactions than non-toxic PS-ASOs. PS-ASO binding also enhances the interaction between P54nrb and PSF. However, the interaction between RNase H1 and P32 protein can be disrupted upon binding of PS-ASOs. Together, these results suggest that stronger binding of PS-ASOs can cause greater conformational changes of the bound proteins, subsequently affecting protein–protein interactions. These observations thus provide deeper understanding of the molecular basis of PS-ASO-induced protein mislocalization or degradation observed in cells and advance our understanding of why some PS-ASOs are cytotoxic.     

Identification of the polypyrimidine tract binding protein-associated splicing factor.p54(nrb) complex as a candidate DNA double-strand break rejoining factor

The biological effects of ionizing radiation are attributable, in large part, to induction of DNA double-strand breaks. We report here the identification of a new protein factor that reconstitutes efficient double-strand break rejoining when it is added to a reaction containing the five other polypeptides known to participate in the human nonhomologous end-joining pathway. The factor is a stable heteromeric complex of polypyrimidine tract-binding protein-associated splicing factor (PSF) and a 54-kDa nuclear RNA-binding protein (p54(nrb)). These polypeptides, to which a variety of functions have previously been attributed, share extensive homology, including tandem RNA recognition motif domains. The PSF.p54(nrb) complex cooperates with Ku protein to form a functional preligation complex with substrate DNA. Based on structural comparison with related proteins, we propose a model where the four RNA recognition motif domains in the heteromeric PSF.p54(nrb) complex cooperate to align separate DNA molecules.     

Proteomic identification of a PSF/p54nrb heterodimer as RNF43 oncoprotein-interacting proteins

RNF43 is an oncogenic RING finger protein overexpressed in colorectal cancer. To dissect its biological functions, we explored RNF43-interacting proteins by pull-down assay and MS. We identified a heterodimer, p54nrb and PSF, as RNF43's binding partners and confirmed their physical interaction in vivo by the co-immunoprecipitation experiment. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that co-expression of PSF relocates RNF43 from the nuclear periphery to the nucleoplasm. Thus, proteomic identification of RNF43-associated proteins sheds light on its dynamic interaction network in nuclear events.     

Snm1B Interacts with PSF2

The protein Snm1B plays a key role in interstrand crosslink (ICL) repair. In a yeast two-hybrid screen we identified the protein PSF2 to bind Snm1B. PSF2 is a member of the GINS complex involved in replication initiation and elongation, and is known to play a role in ICL repair. Snm1B was shown to bind PSF2 in human cells through two regions, strongly to a 144 amino acid N-terminal region and weakly to a second smaller 37 amino acid C-terminal region. Ectopic expression of PSF2 increased the amount of Mus81, a protein component of the endonucleolytic complex involved in ICL repair, co-immunoprecipitating with Snm1B. Moreover, deleting the N-terminal, but not C-terminal region of Snm1B reduced the amount of co-immunoprecipitated Mus81. Conversely, the telomere-binding protein TRF2 competed with PSF2 for binding to the C-terminus of Snm1B, and deletion of this region, but not the N-terminal region, reduced Snm1B chromatin association. We speculate that the N-terminal region of Snm1B forms a complex containing PSF2 and Mus81, while the C-terminal region is important for PSF2-mediated chromatin association.     

BRK phosphorylates PSF promoting its cytoplasmic localization and cell cycle arrest

BReast tumor Kinase (BRK) also known as protein kinase 6 (PTK6) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase overexpressed in the majority of human breast carcinoma. The expression of BRK is a known prognostic marker of breast carcinoma. BRK has been shown to lie downstream of epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling and mediate effects on cell proliferation and migration. To identify BRK substrates and interacting proteins, we undertook a proteomic approach. BRK immune complexes were purified from the BT-20 breast cancer cell line and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Herein, we report the identification of PSF, the polypyrimidine tract-binding (PTB) protein-associated splicing factor, as a BRK-interacting protein and substrate. BRK and PSF co-eluted in a large protein complex that was regulated by EGF stimulation. Furthermore, BRK and PSF co-immunoprecipitated in BT-20 cells and we defined the interaction as being an SH3 domain–polyproline interaction. The C-terminal tyrosines of PSF were the site of phosphorylation by BRK. Moreover, tyrosine phosphorylation of PSF was also observed upon EGF stimulation, consistent with a role of PSF and BRK downstream of the EGF receptor. Interestingly, the tyrosine phosphorylation promoted the cytoplasmic relocalization of PSF, impaired its binding to polypyrimidine RNA, and led to cell cycle arrest. Our findings show that BRK targets the PSF RNA-binding protein during EGF stimulation.