A human U2 RNA mutant stalled in 3' end processing is impaired in nuclear import.

The biosynthesis of U1, U2, U4 and U5 spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) involves the nuclear export of precursor molecules extended at their 3' ends, followed by a cytoplasmic phase during which the pre-snRNAs assemble into ribonucleoprotein particles and undergo hypermethylation of their 5' caps and 3' end processing prior to nuclear import. Previous studies have demonstrated that the assembly of pre-snRNAs into ribonucleoprotein particles containing the Sm core proteins is essential for nuclear import in mammalian cells but that 5' cap hypermethylation is not. In the present investigation we have asked whether or not 3' end processing is required for nuclear import of U2 RNA. We designed human pre-U2 RNAs that carried modified 3' tails, and identified one that was stalled (or greatly slowed) in 3' end processing, leading to its accumulation in the cytoplasm of human cells. Nonetheless, this 3' processing arrested pre-U2 RNA molecule was found to undergo cytoplasmic assembly into Sm protein-containing complexes to the same extent as normal pre-U2 RNA. The Sm protein-associated, unprocessed mutant pre-U2 RNA was not observed in the nuclear fraction. Using an assay based on suppression of a genetically blocked SV40 pre-mRNA splicing pathway, we found that the 3' processing deficient U2 RNA was significantly reduced in its ability to rescue splicing, consistent with its impaired nuclear import.     

Precursors of U4 small nuclear RNA

The processing and ribonucleoprotein assembly of U4 small nuclear RNA has been investigated in HeLa cells. After a 45-min pulse label with [3H]uridine, a set of apparently cytoplasmic RNAs was observed migrating just behind the gel electrophoretic position of mature U4 RNA. These molecules were estimated to be one to at least seven nucleotides longer than mature U4 RNA. They reacted with Sm autoimmune patient sera and a monoclonal Sm antibody, indicating their association with proteins characteristic of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes. The same set of RNAs was identified by hybrid selection of pulse-labeled RNA with cloned U4 DNA, confirming that these are U4 RNA sequences. No larger nuclear precursors of these RNAs were detected. Pulse-chase experiments revealed a progressive decrease in the radioactivity of the U4 precursor RNAs coincident with an accumulation of labeled mature U4 RNA, confirming a precursor-product relationship.     

Spliceosomal U snRNP core assembly: Sm proteins assemble onto an Sm site RNA nonanucleotide in a specific and thermodynamically stable manner.

The association of Sm proteins with U small nuclear RNA (snRNA) requires the single-stranded Sm site (PuAU(4-6)GPu) but also is influenced by nonconserved flanking RNA structural elements. Here we demonstrate that a nonameric Sm site RNA oligonucleotide sufficed for sequence-specific assembly of a minimal core ribonucleoprotein (RNP), which contained all seven Sm proteins. The minimal core RNP displayed several conserved biochemical features of native U snRNP core particles, including a similar morphology in electron micrographs. This minimal system allowed us to study in detail the RNA requirements for Sm protein-Sm site interactions as well as the kinetics of core RNP assembly. In addition to the uridine bases, the 2' hydroxyl moieties were important for stable RNP formation, indicating that both the sugar backbone and the bases are intimately involved in RNA-protein interactions. Moreover, our data imply that an initial phase of core RNP assembly is mediated by a high affinity of the Sm proteins for the single-stranded uridine tract but that the presence of the conserved adenosine (PuAU.) is essential to commit the RNP particle to thermodynamic stability. Comparison of intact U4 and U5 snRNAs with the Sm site oligonucleotide in core RNP assembly revealed that the regions flanking the Sm site within the U snRNAs facilitate the kinetics of core RNP assembly by increasing the rate of Sm protein association and by decreasing the activation energy.     

Functional organization of the Sm core in the crystal structure of human U1 snRNP

U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) recognizes the 5′‐splice site early during spliceosome assembly. It represents a prototype spliceosomal subunit containing a paradigmatic Sm core RNP. The crystal structure of human U1 snRNP obtained from natively purified material by in situ limited proteolysis at 4.4 Å resolution reveals how the seven Sm proteins, each recognize one nucleotide of the Sm site RNA using their Sm1 and Sm2 motifs. Proteins D1 and D2 guide the snRNA into and out of the Sm ring, and proteins F and E mediate a direct interaction between the Sm site termini. Terminal extensions of proteins D1, D2 and B/B′, and extended internal loops in D2 and B/B′ support a four‐way RNA junction and a 3′‐terminal stem‐loop on opposite sides of the Sm core RNP, respectively. On a higher organizational level, the core RNP presents multiple attachment sites for the U1‐specific 70K protein. The intricate, multi‐layered interplay of proteins and RNA rationalizes the hierarchical assembly of U snRNPs in vitro and in vivo.     

Ribonucleoprotein organization of eukaryotic RNA. XXXII. U2 small nuclear RNA precursors and their accurate 3' processing in vitro as ribonucleoprotein particles

Biosynthetic precursors of U2 small nuclear RNA have been identified in cultured human cells by hybrid-selection of pulse-labeled RNA with cloned U2 DNA. These precursor molecules are one to approximately 16 nucleotides longer than mature U2 RNA and contain 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine "caps". The U2 RNA precursors are associated with proteins that react with a monoclonal antibody for antigens characteristic of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles. Like previously described precursors of U1 and U4 small nuclear RNAs, the pre-U2 RNAs are recovered in cytoplasmic fractions, although it is not known if this is their location in vivo. The precursors are processed to mature-size U2 RNA when cytoplasmic extracts are incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C. Mg2+ is required but ATP is not. The ribonucleoprotein structure of the pre-U2 RNA is maintained during the processing reaction in vitro, as are the 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine caps. The ribonucleoprotein organization is of major importance, as exogenous, protein-free U2 RNA precursors are degraded rapidly in the in vitro system. Two lines of evidence indicate that the conversion of U2 precursors to mature-size U2 RNA involves a 3' processing reaction. First, the reaction is unaffected by a large excess of mature U2 small nuclear RNP, whose 5' trimethylguanosine caps would be expected to compete for a 5' processing activity. Second, when pre-U2 RNA precursors are first stoichiometrically decorated with an antibody specific for 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine, the extent of subsequent processing in vitro is unaffected. These results provide the first demonstration of a eukaryotic RNA processing reaction in vitro occurring within a ribonucleoprotein particle.     

A synthetic histone pre-mRNA-U7 small nuclear RNA chimera undergoing cis cleavage in the cytoplasm of Xenopus oocytes.

The 3' processing of histone pre-mRNAs is a nuclear event in which the U7 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) participates as an essential trans-acting factor. We have constructed a chimeric histone-U7 RNA that when injected into the cytoplasm of Xenopus laevis oocytes assembles into a snRNP-like particle and becomes cleaved at the correct site(s). RNP assembly is a prerequisite for cleavage, but, since neither the RNA nor the RNP appreciably enter the nucleus, cleavage occurs mostly, if not exclusively, in the cytoplasm. Consistent with this, cleavage also occurs in enucleated oocytes or in oocytes which have been depleted of U7 snRNPs. Thus all necessary components for cleavage must be present in the oocyte cytoplasm. The novel cleavage occurs in cis, involving only a single molecule of chimeric RNA with its associated proteins. This reaction is equally dependent upon base pairing interactions between histone spacer sequences and the 5'-end of the U7 moiety as the natural in trans reaction. These results imply that U7 is the only snRNP required for histone RNA processing. Moreover, the chimeric RNA is expected to be useful for further studies of the cleavage and assembly mechanisms of U7 snRNP.     

In vivo assembly of functional U7 snRNP requires RNA backbone flexibility within the Sm-binding site

Most histone precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs) in metazoans are matured by 3'-end cleavage directed by the U7 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP). RNA functional groups necessary for in vivo assembly and activity of the U7 snRNP were examined by nucleotide-analog interference mapping and mutagenesis using a chimeric mouse histone H4 pre-mRNA-U7 snRNA construct that is cleaved in cis in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Assembly of the unique U7 Sm protein core is rate limiting for processing in vivo and requires four conserved nucleotides within the U7 Sm-binding site, as well as the correct positioning and size of the U7 terminal stem-loop structure. To our surprise, pseudouridine substitution revealed a requirement for backbone flexibility at a particular position within the U7 Sm site, providing in vivo biochemical evidence that an unusual C2'-endo sugar conformation is necessary for assembly of the Sm ring.     

Pseudouridine modification of U5 RNA in ribonucleoprotein particles assembled in vitro.

The formation of pseudouridine (psi) in U5 RNA during ribonucleoprotein (RNP) assembly was investigated by using HeLa cell extracts. In vitro transcribed, unmodified U5 RNA assembled into an RNP particle with the same buoyant density and sedimentation velocity as did U5 small nuclear RNP from extracts. The greatest amount of psi modification was detected when a combination of S100 and nuclear extracts was used for assembly. psi formation was inhibited when ATP and creatine phosphate or MgCl2 were not included in the assembly reaction, paralleling the inhibition of RNP particle formation. A time course of assembly and psi formation showed that psi modification lags behind RNP assembly and that at very early time points, Sm-reactive U5 small nuclear RNPs are not modified. Two of three psi modifications normally found in U5 RNA were present in RNA incubated in the extracts. Mutations in the form of deletions and truncations were made in the U5 sequence, and the effect of these mutations on psi formation was investigated. A mutation in the area of stem-loop I which contains the psi moieties or in the Sm binding sequence affected psi formation.     

Multiple requirements for nematode spliced leader RNP function in trans-splicing.

The 5' exon donor in nematode trans-splicing, the SL RNA, is a small (approximately 100 nt) RNA that resembles cis-spliceosomal U snRNAs. Extensive analyses of the RNA sequence requirements for SL RNA function have revealed four essential elements, the core Sm binding site, three nucleotides immediately downstream of this site, a region of Stem-loop II, and a 5' splice site. Although these elements are necessary and sufficient for SL RNA function in vitro, their respective roles in promoting SL RNA activity have not been elucidated. Furthermore, although it has been shown that assembly of the SL RNA into an Sm RNP is a prerequisite for function, the protein composition of the SL RNP has not been determined. Here, we have used oligoribonucleotide affinity to purify the SL RNP and find that it contains core Sm proteins as well as four specific proteins (175, 40, 30, and 28 kDa). Using in vitro assembly assays; we show that association of the 175- and 30-kDa SL-specific proteins correlates with SL RNP function in trans-splicing. Binding of these proteins depends upon the sequence of the core Sm binding site; SL RNAs containing the U1 snRNA Sm binding site assemble into Sm RNPs that contain core, but not SL-specific proteins. Furthermore, mutational and thiophosphate interference approaches reveal that both the primary nucleotide sequence and a specific phosphate oxygen within a segment of Stemloop II of the SL RNA are required for function. Finally, mutational activation of an unusual cryptic 5' splice site within the SL sequence itself suggests that U5 snRNA may play a primary role in selecting and specifying the 5' splice site in SL addition trans-splicing.     

Subcellular location of polypeptides that react with anti-Sm and anti-RNP antibodies

Whole nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions from HeLa cells were analyzed in protein gel blots probed with either monoclonal anti-Sm or polyclonal anti-(U1)RNP antibodies. The cells were fractionated by a nonaqueous procedure, to minimize proteolysis and artifactual leakage of nuclear components to the cytoplasmic fraction. Unexpectedly, more reactive proteins were detected in the nucleus than shown earlier in partially purified small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs). In addition, reactive polypeptides were now found in the cytoplasm. These results are discussed in reference to the possibility that the nucleus and cytoplasm of adult somatic human cells may have a more complex than anticipated set of populations of polypeptides bearing Sm or RNP antigenic determinants, including some proteins that might not be in snRNP form.     

Silencing of Sm proteins in Trypanosoma brucei by RNA interference captured a novel cytoplasmic intermediate in spliced leader RNA biogenesis

In Trypanosoma brucei the small nuclear (sn) RNAs U1, U2, U4, and U5, as well as the spliced leader (SL) RNA, bind the seven Sm canonical proteins carrying the consensus Sm motif. To determine the function of these proteins in snRNA and SL RNA biogenesis, two of the Sm core proteins, SmE and SmD1, were silenced by RNAi. Surprisingly, whereas the level of all snRNAs, including U1, U2, U4, and U5 was reduced during silencing, the level of SL RNA was dramatically elevated, but the levels of U6 and spliced leader-associated RNA (SLA1) remained unchanged. The SL RNA that had accumulated in silenced cells lacked modification at the cap4 nucleotide but harbored modifications at the cap1 and cap2 nucleotides and carried the characteristic psi. This SL RNA possessed a longer tail and had accumulated in the cytoplasm in 10 and 50 S particles that were found by in situ hybridization to be present in "speckles." We propose a model for SL RNA biogenesis involving a cytoplasmic phase and suggest that the trypanosome-specific "cap4" nucleotides function as a signal for export and import of SL RNA out and into the nucleus. The SL RNA biogenesis pathway differs from that of U sn ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) in that it is the only RNA that binds Sm proteins that were stabilized under Sm depletion in a novel RNP, which we termed SL RNP-C.     

Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein antigens are absent from 10S translation inhibitory ribonucleoprotein but present in cytoplasmic messenger ribonucleoprotein and polysomes

A cytoplasmic 10S ribonucleoprotein particle (iRNP), which is isolated from chick embryonic muscle, is a potent inhibitor of mRNA translation in vitro and contains a 4S translation inhibitory RNA species (iRNA). The iRNP particle shows similarity in size to the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) particles. Certain autoimmune disease patients contain antibodies directed against snRNP antigenic determinants. The possibility that iRNP may be related to the small nuclear particles was tested by immunoreactivity with monospecific autoimmune antibodies to six antigenic determinants (Sm, RNP, PM-1, SS-A (Ro), SS-B (La), and Scl-70). By Ouchterlony immunodiffusion assays, the cytoplasmic 10S iRNP did not show any immunoreactivity. Also, a more sensitive hemagglutination inhibition assay for detecting Sm and RNP antigens failed to show reactivity with the 10S iRNP. Thus, the 10S iRNP particles are distinct from the similarly sized snRNP. However, free and polysomal messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particles and polysomes also isolated from chick embryonic muscle and analyzed by Ouchterlony immunodiffusion and hemagglutination inhibition for the presence of the antigenic determinants showed reactivity to Sm and RNP autoantibodies, but were not antigenic for the other four antibodies. Some of the Sm antigenic peptides of mRNP particles and polysomes were identical to those purified from calf thymus nuclear extract, as judged by Western blot analysis. The association of Sm with free and polysomal mRNP and polysomes suggests that Sm may be involved in some cytoplasmic aspects of mRNA metabolism, in addition to a nuclear function in mRNA processing.     

Solid-phase processing of U2 snRNA precursors

HeLa cell cytoplasmic extracts contain both precursors to small nuclear RNA (snRNA) U2 and an activity that is capable of trimming these snRNA precursors to the size of mature U2. The substrate for this RNA processing reaction is the ribonucleoprotein complex containing pre-U2 RNA. To circumvent the difficulty of biochemically isolating pre-U2 ribonucleoprotein (pre-U2 RNP) complexes for use as substrate for the analysis of the processing activity, we have developed a procedure for the processing of pre-U2 RNP complexes that have been immobilized on anti-Sm antibody/protein A-Sepharose columns. When the immobilized [3H]uridine-labeled substrate RNP complexes are incubated at 37 degrees C with unlabeled cytoplasmic extracts from HeLa cells, labeled molecules the size of mature U2 are produced in a linear fashion for up to 3 h. Similar results are obtained when substrate pre-U2 RNPs are immobilized with an anti-2,2,7-trimethylguanosine antibody. Thus, accurate processing of the 3' termini of U2 precursors occurs on the antibody columns. Incubation with buffer alone does not result in the production of mature-sized U2, indicating that the processing activity is not intrinsic to the pre-U2 RNP. Using this assay procedure, we have demonstrated that the processing activity is destroyed by trypsin or by preincubation at 65 degrees C but is resistant to treatment with micrococcal nuclease. These results are compatible with the conclusion that the processing activity is a classical enzyme that does not contain a nuclease-sensitive essential RNA component.     

Use of RNA Tertiary Interaction Modules for the Crystallisation of the Spliceosomal snRNP Core Domain

RNA is known to perform diverse roles in the cell, often as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles. While the crystal structure of these RNP particles could provide crucial insights into their functions, crystallographic work on RNP complexes is often hampered by difficulties in obtaining well-diffracting crystals. The small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) core domain, acting as an assembly nucleus for the maturation of snRNPs, plays a crucial role in the biogenesis of four of the spliceosomal snRNPs. We have succeeded in crystallising the human U4 snRNP core domain containing seven Sm proteins and a truncated U4 snRNA variant. The most critical factor in our success in the crystallisation was the introduction of various tertiary interaction modules into the RNA that could promote crystal packing without altering the core structure. Here, we describe various strategies employed in our crystallisation effort that could be applied to crystallisation of other RNP particles.     

Cytoplasmic assembly of snRNP particles from stored proteins and newly transcribed snRNA's in L929 mouse fibroblasts

Newly synthesized snRNAs appear transiently in the cytoplasm where they assemble into ribonucleoprotein particles, the snRNP particles, before returning permanently to the interphase nucleus. In this report, bona fide cytoplasmic fractions, prepared by cell enucleation, are used for a quantitative analysis of snRNP assembly in growing mouse fibroblasts. The half-lives and abundances of the snRNP precursors in the cytoplasm and the rates of snRNP assembly are calculated in L929 cells. With the exception of U6, the major snRNAs are stable RNA species; U1 is almost totally stable while U2 has a half-life of about two cell cycles. In contrast, the majority of newly synthesized U6 decays with a half-life of about 15 h. The relative abundances of the newly synthesized snRNA species U1, U2, U3, U4 and U6 in the cytoplasm are determined by Northern hybridization using cloned probes and are approximately 2% of their nuclear abundance. The half-lives of the two major snRNA precursors in the cytoplasm (U1 and U2) are approximately 20 min as determined by labeling to steady state. The relative abundance of the snRNP B protein in the cytoplasm is determined by Western blotting with the Sm class of autoantibodies and is approximately 25% of the nuclear abundance. Kinetic studies, using the Sm antiserum to immunoprecipitate the methionine-labeled snRNP proteins, suggest that the B protein has a half-life of 90 to 120 min in the cytoplasm. These data are discussed and suggest that there is a large pool of more stable snRNP proteins in the cytoplasm available for assembly with the less abundant but more rapidly turning-over snRNAs.     

Assembly, nuclear import and function of U7 snRNPs studied by microinjection of synthetic U7 RNA into Xenopus oocytes.

In Xenopus oocytes in vitro transcribed mouse U7 RNA is assembled into small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) that are functional in histone RNA 3' processing. If the special Sm binding site of U7 (AAUUUGUCUAG, U7 Sm WT) is converted into the canonical Sm sequence derived from the major snRNAs (AAUUUUUGGAG, U7 Sm OPT) the RNA assembles into a particle which accumulates more efficiently in the nucleus, but which is non-functional. U7 RNA with a heavily mutated Sm binding site (AACGCGUCAUG, U7 Sm MUT) is deficient in nuclear accumulation and function. By UV cross-linking U7 Sm WT RNA can be linked to three proteins, i.e. the common snRNP proteins G and B/B' and an apparently U7-specific protein of 40 kDa. As a result of altering the Sm binding site, U7 Sm OPT RNA cannot be cross-linked to the 40 kDa protein and no cross-links are obtained with U7 Sm MUT RNA. The fact that the Sm site also interacts with at least one U7-specific protein is so far unique to U7 RNA and may provide an explanation for the atypical sequence of this site. All described RNA-protein interactions, including that with the 40 kDa protein, already occur in the cytoplasm. An additional cytoplasmic photoadduct obtained with U7 Sm WT and U7 Sm OPT, but not U7 Sm MUT, RNAs is indicative of a protein of 60-80 kDa. The m7G cap structure of U7 Sm WT and U7 Sm OPT RNA becomes hypermethylated. However, the 3mG cap enhances, but is not required for, nuclear accumulation. Finally, U7 Sm WT RNA is functional in histone RNA processing even when bearing an ApppG cap.     

Ribonucleoprotein organization of eukaryotic RNA. XXX. Evidence that U1 small nuclear RNA is a ribonucleoprotein when base-paired with pre-messenger RNA in vivo

U1 small nuclear RNA is thought to be involved in messenger RNA splicing by binding to complementary sequences in pre-mRNA. We have investigated intermolecular base-pairing between pre-mRNA (hnRNA) and U1 small nuclear RNA by psoralen crosslinking in situ, with emphasis on ribonucleoprotein structure. HeLa cells were pulse-labeled with [3H]uridine under conditions in which hnRNA is preferentially labeled. Isolated nuclei were treated with aminomethyltrioxsalen , which produces interstrand crosslinks at sites of base-pairing between hnRNA and U1 RNA. hnRNA-ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) particles were isolated in sucrose gradients containing 50% formamide, to dissociate non-crosslinked U1 RNA, and then analyzed by immunoaffinity chromatography using a human autoantibody that is specific for the ribonucleoprotein form of U1 RNA (anti-U1 RNP). After psoralen crosslinking, pulse-labeled hnRNA in hnRNP particles reproducibly bound to anti-U1 RNP. The amount of hnRNA bound to anti-U1 RNP was reduced 80 to 85% when psoralen crosslinking of nuclei was omitted, or if the crosslinks between U1 RNA and hnRNA were photo-reversed prior to immunoaffinity chromatography. Analysis of the proteins bound to anti-U1 RNP after crosslink reversal revealed polypeptides having molecular weights similar to those previously described for U1 RNP. These proteins did not bind to control, non-immune human immunoglobulin G. These results indicate that the subset of nuclear U1 RNA that is base-paired with hnRNA at a given time in the cell is a ribonucleoprotein. This raises the possibility that these proteins, as well as U1 RNA itself, may participate in pre-mRNA splice site recognition by U1 RNP.     

Eukaryotic small ribonucleoproteins. Anti-La human autoantibodies react with U1 RNA-protein complexes

Anti-La sera from patients with autoimmune disorders precipitate a set of nuclear and cytoplasmic small RNA-protein complexes. Up to now, it has been thought that the La antigen is associated only with RNAs transcribed by RNA polymerase III, including precursors of tRNA and 5 S ribosomal RNA. Here we report that anti-La sera also react with ribonucleoprotein particles containing small nuclear RNA U1, which is transcribed by RNA polymerase II. Anti-La sera from 12 out of 12 patients tested were found to precipitate U1 RNA-protein complexes from HeLa cell nuclear extracts, under conditions where nonimmune sera do not. Ribonucleoprotein particles containing a second small nuclear RNA, U2, do not react appreciably with anti-La sera although they are present in HeLa cell nuclei at the same concentration as U1 RNA. Anti-La sera also react with U1 RNA-protein complexes in mouse and frog cells, but not in Drosophila or Chironomus, two organisms which lack the La antigen. Hybridization of cloned U1 DNA with anti-La-reactive RNA from HeLa cell nuclear extracts reveals mature U1 RNA, whereas anti-La-reactive cytoplasmic RNA contains a series of hybridizing bands that represent molecules 1-7 nucleotides longer than U1 and which may include precursors of nuclear U1 RNA (Madore, S. J., Wieben, E. D., and Pederson, T. (1984) J. Cell Biol., 188-192). Pulse-chase experiments suggest that the association of La antigenicity with these cytoplasmic U1 RNA molecules is transient. These results are discussed in relation to the presence of uridylate-rich sequences in the 3' termini of U1 RNA precursors and mature U1 RNA, which are similar to La antigen binding sites in several RNAs transcribed by RNA polymerase III.