Insight into mammalian selenocysteine insertion: domain structure and ribosome binding properties of Sec insertion sequence binding protein 2

The cotranslational incorporation of the unusual amino acid selenocysteine (Sec) into both prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins requires the recoding of a UGA stop codon as one specific for Sec. The recognition of UGA as Sec in mammalian selenoproteins requires a Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element in the 3' untranslated region as well as the SECIS binding protein SBP2. Here we report a detailed analysis of SBP2 structure and function using truncation and site-directed mutagenesis. We have localized the RNA binding domain to a conserved region shared with several ribosomal proteins and eukaryotic translation termination release factor 1. We also identified a separate and novel functional domain N-terminal to the RNA binding domain which was required for Sec insertion but not for SECIS binding. Conversely, we showed that the RNA binding domain was necessary but not sufficient for Sec insertion and that the conserved glycine residue within this domain was required for SECIS binding. Using glycerol gradient sedimentation, we found that SBP2 was stably associated with the ribosomal fraction of cell lysates and that this interaction was not dependent on its SECIS binding activity. This interaction also occurred with purified components in vitro, and we present data which suggest that the SBP2-ribosome interaction occurs via 28S rRNA. SBP2 may, therefore, have a distinct function in selecting the ribosomes to be used for Sec insertion.     

A novel protein domain induces high affinity selenocysteine insertion sequence binding and elongation factor recruitment

Selenocysteine (Sec) is incorporated at UGA codons in mRNAs possessing a Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element in their 3'-untranslated region. At least three additional factors are necessary for Sec incorporation: SECIS-binding protein 2 (SBP2), Sec-tRNA(Sec), and a Sec-specific translation elongation factor (eEFSec). The C-terminal half of SBP2 is sufficient to promote Sec incorporation in vitro, which is carried out by the concerted action of a novel Sec incorporation domain and an L7Ae RNA-binding domain. Using alanine scanning mutagenesis, we show that two distinct regions of the Sec incorporation domain are required for Sec incorporation. Physical separation of the Sec incorporation and RNA-binding domains revealed that they are able to function in trans and established a novel role of the Sec incorporation domain in promoting SECIS and eEFSec binding to the SBP2 RNA-binding domain. We propose a model in which SECIS binding induces a conformational change in SBP2 that recruits eEFSec, which in concert with the Sec incorporation domain gains access to the ribosomal A site.     

Selenocysteine insertion sequence binding protein 2L is implicated as a novel post-transcriptional regulator of selenoprotein expression

The amino acid selenocysteine (Sec) is encoded by UGA codons. Recoding of UGA from stop to Sec requires a Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element in the 3' UTR of selenoprotein mRNAs. SECIS binding protein 2 (SBP2) binds the SECIS element and is essential for Sec incorporation into the nascent peptide. SBP2-like (SBP2L) is a paralogue of SBP2 in vertebrates and is the only SECIS binding protein in some invertebrates where it likely directs Sec incorporation. However, vertebrate SBP2L does not promote Sec incorporation in in vitro assays. Here we present a comparative analysis of SBP2 and SBP2L SECIS binding properties and demonstrate that its inability to promote Sec incorporation is not due to lower SECIS affinity but likely due to lack of a SECIS dependent domain association that is found in SBP2. Interestingly, however, we find that an invertebrate version of SBP2L is fully competent for Sec incorporation in vitro. Additionally, we present the first evidence that SBP2L interacts with selenoprotein mRNAs in mammalian cells, thereby implying a role in selenoprotein expression.     

Selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS)-binding protein 2 alters conformational dynamics of residues involved in tRNA accommodation in 80 S ribosomes

Sec-tRNA(Sec) is site-specifically delivered at defined UGA codons in selenoprotein mRNAs. This recoding event is specified by the selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element and requires the selenocysteine (Sec)-specific elongation factor, eEFSec, and the SECIS binding protein, SBP2. Sec-tRNA(Sec) is delivered to the ribosome by eEFSec-GTP, but this ternary complex is not sufficient for Sec incorporation, indicating that its access to the ribosomal A-site is regulated. SBP2 stably associates with ribosomes, and mutagenic analysis indicates that this interaction is essential for Sec incorporation. However, the ribosomal function of SBP2 has not been elucidated. To shed light on the functional relevance of the SBP2-ribosome interaction, we screened the functional centers of the 28 S rRNA in translationally competent 80 S ribosomes using selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE). We demonstrate that SBP2 specifically alters the reactivity of specific residues in Helix 89 (H89) and expansion segment 31 (ES31). These results are indicative of a conformational change in response to SBP2 binding. Based on the known functions of H89 during translation, we propose that SBP2 allows Sec incorporation by either promoting Sec-tRNA(Sec) accommodation into the peptidyltransferase center and/or by stimulating the ribosome-dependent GTPase activity of eEFSec.     

The Selenocysteine-specific Elongation Factor Contains a Novel and Multi-functional Domain

The selenocysteine (Sec)-specific eukaryotic elongation factor (eEFSec) delivers the aminoacylated selenocysteine-tRNA (Sec-tRNA^Sec) to the ribosome and suppresses UGA codons that are upstream of Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) elements bound by SECIS-binding protein 2 (SBP2). Multiple studies have highlighted the importance of SBP2 forming a complex with the SECIS element, but it is not clear how this regulates eEFSec during Sec incorporation. Compared with the canonical elongation factor eEF1A, eEFSec has a unique C-terminal extension called Domain IV. To understand the role of Domain IV in Sec incorporation, we examined a series of mutant proteins for all of the known molecular functions for eEFSec: GTP hydrolysis, Sec-tRNA^Sec binding, and SBP2/SECIS binding. In addition, wild-type and mutant versions of eEFSec were analyzed for Sec incorporation activity in a novel eEFSec-dependent translation extract. We have found that Domain IV is essential for both tRNA and SBP2 binding as well as regulating GTPase activity. We propose a model where the SBP2/SECIS complex activates eEFSec by directing functional interactions between Domain IV and the ribosome to promote Sec-tRNA^Sec binding and accommodation into the ribosomal A-site.     

A novel RNA binding protein, SBP2, is required for the translation of mammalian selenoprotein mRNAs

In eukaryotes, the decoding of the UGA codon as selenocysteine (Sec) requires a Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element in the 3' untranslated region of the mRNA. We purified a SECIS binding protein, SBP2, and obtained a cDNA clone that encodes this activity. SBP2 is a novel protein containing a putative RNA binding domain found in ribosomal proteins and a yeast suppressor of translation termination. By UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation, we show that SBP2 specifically binds selenoprotein mRNAs both in vitro and in vivo. Using (75)Se-labeled Sec-tRNA(Sec), we developed an in vitro system for analyzing Sec incorporation in which the translation of a selenoprotein mRNA was both SBP2 and SECIS element dependent. Immunodepletion of SBP2 from the lysates abolished Sec insertion, which was restored when recombinant SBP2 was added to the reaction. These results establish that SBP2 is essential for the co-translational insertion of Sec into selenoproteins. We hypothesize that the binding activity of SBP2 may be involved in preventing termination at the UGA/Sec codon.     

A model for Sec incorporation with the regions upstream of the UGA Sec codon to play a key role

For eukaryotic selenoprotein mRNAs, it has been proposed that the SECIS element in the 3'-UTR is required for recognition of UGA as a Sec codon. Some proteins which bind to SECIS (SBP) have been reported. However, it is not clear how the SECIS element in the 3'-UTR can mediate Sec insertion far at the in-frame UGA Sec codons. The idea that there must be a signal near the UGA Sec codon is still being considered. Therefore, we searched for a protein which binds to an RNA sequence surrounding the UGA Sec codon on human GPx mRNA. We found a protein, prepared from bovine brain microsomes, which strongly bound to the RNA fragment upstream of the UGA Sec codon but not to the RNA sequence downstream of the UGA codon. This protein also bound to the SECIS sequence in the 3'-UTR of human GPx, and this binding to SECIS was competed with the RNA fragment upstream of the UGA Sec codon. We also obtained the similar results with the RNA fragments of type I iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase (5'DI) mRNAs. Comparison of such RNA fragments with SECIS fragments revealed similarities in the region upstream of the in-frame UGA Sec codon of several Se-protein mRNAs. The study thus favors a novel model of Sec incorporation at the UGA Sec codon that involves the regions upstream of the UGA codon of mRNAs of mammalian selenoproteins. This model explains that the stem-loop structure covering the UGA codon is recognized by SBP and how the UGA Sec codon escapes from attack by eRF.     

Ribosomal protein L30 is a component of the UGA-selenocysteine recoding machinery in eukaryotes

The translational recoding of UGA as selenocysteine (Sec) is directed by a SECIS element in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of eukaryotic selenoprotein mRNAs. The selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) contains two essential tandem sheared G.A pairs that bind SECIS-binding protein 2 (SBP2), which recruits a selenocysteine-specific elongation factor and Sec-tRNA(Sec) to the ribosome. Here we show that ribosomal protein L30 is a component of the eukaryotic selenocysteine recoding machinery. L30 binds SECIS elements in vitro and in vivo, stimulates UGA recoding in transfected cells and competes with SBP2 for SECIS binding. Magnesium, known to induce a kink-turn in RNAs that contain two tandem G.A pairs, decreases the SBP2-SECIS complex in favor of the L30-SECIS interaction. We propose a model in which SBP2 and L30 carry out different functions in the UGA recoding mechanism, with the SECIS acting as a molecular switch upon protein binding.     

A short motif in Drosophila SECIS Binding Protein 2 provides differential binding affinity to SECIS RNA hairpins

Selenoproteins contain the amino acid selenocysteine which is encoded by a UGA Sec codon. Recoding UGA Sec requires a complex mechanism, comprising the cis-acting SECIS RNA hairpin in the 3′UTR of selenoprotein mRNAs, and trans-acting factors. Among these, the SECIS Binding Protein 2 (SBP2) is central to the mechanism. SBP2 has been so far functionally characterized only in rats and humans. In this work, we report the characterization of the Drosophila melanogaster SBP2 (dSBP2). Despite its shorter length, it retained the same selenoprotein synthesis-promoting capabilities as the mammalian counterpart. However, a major difference resides in the SECIS recognition pattern: while human SBP2 (hSBP2) binds the distinct form 1 and 2 SECIS RNAs with similar affinities, dSBP2 exhibits high affinity toward form 2 only. In addition, we report the identification of a K (lysine)-rich domain in all SBP2s, essential for SECIS and 60S ribosomal subunit binding, differing from the well-characterized L7Ae RNA-binding domain. Swapping only five amino acids between dSBP2 and hSBP2 in the K-rich domain conferred reversed SECIS-binding properties to the proteins, thus unveiling an important sequence for form 1 binding.     

Characterization of the SECIS binding protein 2 complex required for the co-translational insertion of selenocysteine in mammals

Selenocysteine is incorporated into at least 25 human proteins by a complex mechanism that is a unique modification of canonical translation elongation. Selenocysteine incorporation requires the concerted action of a kink-turn structural RNA (SECIS) element in the 3′ untranslated region of each selenoprotein mRNA, a selenocysteine-specific translation elongation factor (eEFSec) and a SECIS binding protein (SBP2). Here, we analyze the molecular context in which SBP2 functions. Contrary to previous findings, a combination of gel filtration chromatography and co-purification studies demonstrates that SBP2 does not self-associate. However, SBP2 is found to be quantitatively associated with ribosomes. Interestingly, a wild-type but not mutant SECIS element is able to effectively compete with the SBP2 ribosome interaction, indicating that SBP2 cannot simultaneously interact with the ribosome and the SECIS element. This data also supports the hypothesis that SBP2 interacts with one or more kink turns on 28S rRNA. Based on these results, we propose a revised model for selenocysteine incorporation where SBP2 remains ribosome bound except during selenocysteine delivery to the ribosomal A-site.     

SBP,SECIS binding protein,binds to the RNA fragment upstream of the Sec UGA codon in glutathione peroxidase mRNA

In mammals, most of the selenium contained in the body is present as an unusual amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec), whose codon is UGA. Because the UGA codon is typically recognized as a translation stop signal, it is intriguing how a cell recognizes and distinguishes a UGA Sec codon from a UGA stop codon. For eukaryotic selenoprotein mRNAs, it has been proposed that a conserved stem-loop structure designated the Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) in the 3'-untranslated (3'-UTR) region is required for recognition of UGA as a Sec codon. Some proteins which bind to SECIS (SBP) have been reported. However, it is not clear how the SECIS element in the 3'-UTR can mediate Sec insertion far at the in-frame UGA Sec codons. The idea that there must be a signal near the UGA Sec codon is still considered. Therefore, we searched for a protein which binds to an RNA sequence surrounding the UGA Sec codon on human glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mRNA. We found a protein which strongly bound to the RNA fragment upstream of the UGA Sec codon. However, this protein did not bind to the RNA sequence downstream of the UGA codon. This protein also bound to the SECIS sequence in the 3'-UTR of human GPx, and this binding to SECIS was competed with the RNA fragment upstream of the UGA Sec codon. Comparison of the RNA fragment with the SECIS fragment identified the conserved regions, which appeared in the region upstream of the in-frame UGA Sec codon of Se-protein mRNAs. Thus, this study proposes a novel model to understand the mechanisms of Sec incorporation at the UGA Sec codon, especially the regions upstream of the UGA codon of mRNAs of mammalian selenoproteins. This model explains that the stem-loop structure covering the UGA codon is recognized by SBP and how the UGA Sec codon escapes from attack by eRF of the peptide releasing factor.     

The redox state of SECIS binding protein 2 controls its localization and selenocysteine incorporation function

Selenoproteins are central controllers of cellular redox homeostasis. Incorporation of selenocysteine (Sec) into selenoproteins employs a unique mechanism to decode the UGA stop codon. The process requires the Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element, tRNASec, and protein factors including the SECIS binding protein 2 (SBP2). Here, we report the characterization of motifs within SBP2 that regulate its subcellular localization and function. We show that SBP2 shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm via intrinsic, functional nuclear localization signal and nuclear export signal motifs and that its nuclear export is dependent on the CRM1 pathway. Oxidative stress induces nuclear accumulation of SBP2 via oxidation of cysteine residues within a redox-sensitive cysteine-rich domain. These modifications are efficiently reversed in vitro by human thioredoxin and glutaredoxin, suggesting that these antioxidant systems might regulate redox status of SBP2 in vivo. Depletion of SBP2 in cell lines using small interfering RNA results in a decrease in Sec incorporation, providing direct evidence for its requirement for selenoprotein synthesis. Furthermore, Sec incorporation is reduced substantially after treatment of cells with agents that cause oxidative stress, suggesting that nuclear sequestration of SBP2 under such conditions may represent a mechanism to regulate the expression of selenoproteins.     

Polysome distribution of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase mRNA: evidence for a block in elongation at the UGA/selenocysteine codon

The translation of mammalian selenoprotein mRNAs requires the 3' untranslated region that contains a selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element necessary for decoding an in-frame UGA codon as selenocysteine (Sec). Selenoprotein biosynthesis is inefficient, which may be due to competition between Sec insertion and termination at the UGA/Sec codon. We analyzed the polysome distribution of phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) mRNA, a member of the glutathione peroxidase family of selenoproteins, in rat hepatoma cell and mouse liver extracts. In linear sucrose gradients, the sedimentation velocity of PHGPx mRNA was impeded compared to CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD) mRNA, which has a coding region of similar size. Selenium supplementation increased the loading of ribosomes onto PHGPx mRNA, but not CuZn SOD mRNA. To determine whether the slow sedimentation velocity of PHGPx mRNA is due to a block in elongation, we analyzed the polysome distribution of wild-type and mutant mRNAs translated in vitro. Mutation of the UGA/Sec codon to UGU/cysteine increased ribosome loading and protein synthesis. When UGA/Sec was replaced with UAA or when the SECIS element core was deleted, the distribution of the mutant mRNAs was similar to the wild-type mRNA. Addition of SECIS-binding protein SBP2, which is essential for Sec insertion, increased ribosome loading and translation of wild-type PHGPx mRNA, but had no effect on the mutant mRNAs. These results suggest that elongation is impeded at UGA/Sec, and that selenium and SBP2 alleviate this block by promoting Sec incorporation instead of termination.     

A SECIS binding protein (SBP) is distinct from selenocysteyl-tRNA protecting factor (SePF).

In mammals, most of the selenium contained in their body is present as an unusual amino acid, selenocysteine (Sec), whose codon is UGA. Because the UGA codon is normally recognized as a translational stop signal, it is intriguing how cells recognize and distinguish the UGA Sec codon from the UGA stop codon. In eukaryotic selenoprotein mRNAs, it has been proposed that a conserved stem-loop structure designated Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) located in the 3'-untranslated regions is required for recognition of UGA as a Sec codon. Although some proteins (SBPs) have been reported to bind to SECIS, it is not clear how the SECIS element can mediate Sec insertion at UGA. Eukaryotic Sec-tRNA(Sec) is not recognized by elongation factor EF-1alpha, but is recognized specifically by a Sec-tRNA(Sec) protecting factor, SePF, in bovine liver extracts. In this study, we provide evidence that SePF is distinct from SBP by chromatography. Upon UV irradiation, the SECIS RNA was cross-linked to a 47.5 kDa protein, a likely candidate of SBP, that is contained in the complex with a molecular mass of 150 kDa. These results suggest that SBP and SePF play different roles for the Sec incorporation. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that SBP is discriminated from the factor which directly recognizes Sec-tRNA(Sec), providing a novel clue to the mechanism of selenocysteine decoding in eukaryotes.     

A novel insight into the mechanism of mammalian selenoprotein synthesis

The amino acid selenocysteine is encoded by UGA, usually a stop codon, thus requiring a specialized machinery to enable its incorporation into selenoproteins. The machinery comprises the tRNA^Sec, a 3′-UTR mRNA stem–loop termed SElenoCysteine Insertion Sequence (SECIS), which is mandatory for recoding UGA as a Sec codon, the SECIS Binding Protein 2 (SBP2), and other proteins. Little is known about the molecular mechanism and, in particular, when, where, and how the SECIS and SBP2 contact the ribosome. Previous work by others used the isolated SECIS RNA to address this question. Here, we developed a novel approach using instead engineered minimal selenoprotein mRNAs containing SECIS elements derivatized with photoreactive groups. By cross-linking experiments in rabbit reticulocyte lysate, new information could be gained about the SBP2 and SECIS contacts with components of the translation machinery at various translation steps. In particular, we found that SBP2 was bound only to the SECIS in 48S pre-initiation and 80S pretranslocation complexes. In the complex where the Sec-tRNA^Sec was accommodated to the A site but transpeptidation was blocked, SBP2 bound the ribosome and possibly the SECIS element as well, and the SECIS had flexible contacts with the 60S ribosomal subunit involving several ribosomal proteins. Altogether, our findings led to broadening our understanding about the unique mechanism of selenocysteine incorporation in mammals.     

Functional analysis of the interplay between translation termination, selenocysteine codon context, and selenocysteine insertion sequence-binding protein 2

A selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element in the 3'-untranslated region and an in-frame UGA codon are the requisite cis-acting elements for the incorporation of selenocysteine into selenoproteins. Equally important are the trans-acting factors SBP2, Sec-tRNA[Ser]Sec, and eEFSec. Multiple in-frame UGAs and two SECIS elements make the mRNA encoding selenoprotein P (Sel P) unique. To study the role of codon context in determining the efficiency of UGA readthrough at each of the 10 rat Sel P Sec codons, we individually cloned 27-nucleotide-long fragments representing each UGA codon context into a luciferase reporter construct harboring both Sel P SECIS elements. Significant differences, spanning an 8-fold range of UGA readthrough efficiency, were observed, but these differences were dramatically reduced in the presence of excess SBP2. Mutational analysis of the "fourth base" of contexts 1 and 5 revealed that only the latter followed the established rules for hierarchy of translation termination. In addition, mutations in either or both of the Sel P SECIS elements resulted in differential effects on UGA readthrough. Interestingly, even when both SECIS elements harbored a mutation of the core region required for Sec incorporation, context 5 retained a significantly higher level of readthrough than context 1. We also show that SBP2-dependent Sec incorporation is able to repress G418-induced UGA readthrough as well as eRF1-induced stimulation of termination. We conclude that a large codon context forms a cis-element that works together with Sec incorporation factors to determine readthrough efficiency.     

Mammalian selenoprotein in which selenocysteine (Sec) incorporation is supported by a new form of Sec insertion sequence element

Selenocysteine (Sec), the 21st amino acid in protein, is encoded by UGA. The Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) element, which is the stem-loop structure present in 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of eukaryotic selenoprotein-encoding genes, is essential for recognition of UGA as a codon for Sec rather than as a stop signal. We now report the identification of a new eukaryotic selenoprotein, designated selenoprotein M (SelM). The 3-kb human SelM-encoding gene has five exons and is located on chromosome 22 but has not been correctly identified by either Celera or the public Human Genome Project. We characterized human and mouse SelM cDNA sequences and expressed the selenoprotein in various mammalian cell lines. The 3" UTR of the human, mouse, and rat SelM-encoding genes lacks a canonical SECIS element. Instead, Sec is incorporated in response to a conserved mRNA structure, in which cytidines are present in place of the adenosines previously considered invariant. Substitution of adenosines for cytidines did not alter Sec incorporation; however, other mutant structures did not support selenoprotein synthesis, demonstrating that this new form of SECIS element is functional. SelM is expressed in a variety of tissues, with increased levels in the brain. It is localized to the perinuclear structures, and its N-terminal signal peptide is necessary for protein translocation.     

Identification and characterization of selenoprotein K: an antioxidant in cardiomyocytes

Selenoprotein K (SelK) is a newly identified selenoprotein. We showed that selenium incorporation into SelK was dependent on the 3'UTR of SelK mRNA. Sec insertion sequence (SECIS) RNA binding assays demonstrated that human SBP2 bound to the SelK SECIS element through the conserved non-Watson-Crick base pair quartet but not the AAT motif. Examination of the expression pattern revealed that human SelK mRNA was highly expressed in heart. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that SelK localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. Using SelK recombinant adenovirus, we found that overexpression of SelK attenuated the intracellular reactive oxygen species level and protected cells from oxidative stress-induced toxicity in cardiomyocytes. Our findings indicated that SelK is a novel antioxidant in cardiomyocytes and is related to the regulation of cellular redox balance.     

The selenocysteine incorporation machinery: interactions between the SECIS RNA and the SECIS-binding protein SBP2.

The decoding of UGA as a selenocysteine (Sec) codon in mammalian selenoprotein mRNAs requires a selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) element in the 3' untranslated region. The SECIS is a hairpin structure that contains a non-Watson-Crick base-pair quartet with a conserved G.A/A.G tandem in the core of the upper helix. Another essential component of the Sec insertion machinery is SECIS-binding protein 2 (SBP2). In this study, we define the binding site of SBP2 on six different SECIS RNAs using enzymatic and hydroxyl radical footprinting, gel mobility shift analysis, and phosphate-ethylation binding interference. We show that SBP2 binds to a variety of mammalian SECIS elements with similar affinity and that the SBP2 binding site is conserved across species. Based on footprinting studies, SBP2 protects the proximal part of the hairpin and both strands of the lower half of the upper helix that contains the non-Watson-Crick base pair quartet. Gel mobility shift assays showed that the G.A/A.G tandem and internal loop are critical for the binding of SBP2. Modification of phosphates by ethylnitrosourea along both strands of the non-Watson-Crick base pair quartet, on the 5' strand of the lower helix and part of the 5' strand of the internal loop, prevented binding of SBP2. We propose a model in which SBP2 covers the central part of the SECIS RNA, binding to the non-Watson-Crick base pair quartet and to the 5' strands of the lower helix and internal loop. Our results suggest that the affinity of SBP2 for different SECIS elements is not responsible for the hierarchy of selenoprotein expression that is observed in vivo.     

The SBP2 and 15.5 kD/Snu13p proteins share the same RNA binding domain: identification of SBP2 amino acids important to SECIS RNA binding

Selenoprotein synthesis in eukaryotes requires the selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) RNA, a hairpin in the 3' untranslated region of selenoprotein mRNAs. The SECIS RNA is recognized by the SECIS-binding protein 2 (SBP2), which is a key player in this specialized translation machinery. The objective of this work was to obtain structural insight into the SBP2-SECIS RNA complex. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that SBP2 and the U4 snRNA-binding protein 15.5 kD/Snu13p share the same RNA binding domain of the L7A/L30 family, also found in the box H/ACA snoRNP protein Nhp2p and several ribosomal proteins. In corollary, we have detected a similar secondary structure motif in the SECIS and U4 RNAs. Combining the data of the crystal structure of the 15.5 kD-U4 snRNA complex, and the SBP2/15.5 kD sequence similarities, we designed a structure-guided strategy predicting 12 SBP2 amino acids that should be critical for SECIS RNA binding. Alanine substitution of these amino acids followed by gel shift assays of the SBP2 mutant proteins identified four residues whose mutation severely diminished or abolished SECIS RNA binding, the other eight provoking intermediate down effects. In addition to identifying key amino acids for SECIS recognition by SBP2, our findings led to the proposal that some of the recognition principles governing the 15.5 kD-U4 snRNA interaction must be similar in the SBP2-SECIS RNA complex.