Analysis of the RNA recognition motifs of human neuronal ELAV-like proteins in binding to a cytokine mRNA

Human neuronal Elav-like proteins contain three RNP-type RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). Previous reports demonstrated that a single RRM of the proteins is not sufficient to bind to the uridine-rich stretch in the 3' untranslated region of mRNAs and that the bi-RRM peptide consisting of the first two RRMs is necessary for the binding. The present study was designed to examine the potential contributions of the first two RRMs when binding to a cytokine mRNA. Deletions of the internal or terminal amino acid residues of the first RRM (RRM1) of the HuC/ple21 ELAV-like protein completely abolished RNA binding. However, removal of any region of the second RRM (RRM2) except for the eight amino acid residues, which correspond to the potent fourth beta-sheet structure of RRM2, did not affect RNA binding. Conjugation of the eight amino acid residues to RRM1 enhanced the RNA binding as well as the entire RRM2, indicating that the octapeptide of RRM2 can be compensated for by the binding function of RRM2. The present study also showed that the substitutions of glutamic acid at 42 for aspartic acid and leucine at 44 for phenylalanine in the first potent alpha-helix structure of RRM1, as were seen in another ELAV-like protein Hel-N1, markedly affected the RNA binding.     

Structural basis for recognition of AU-rich element RNA by the HuD protein

Hu proteins bind to adenosine-uridine (AU)-rich elements (AREs) in the 3' untranslated regions of many short-lived mRNAs, thereby stabilizing them. Here we report the crystal structures of the first two RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains of the HuD protein in complex with an 11-nucleotide fragment of a class I ARE (the c-fos ARE; to 1.8 A), and with an 11-nucleotide fragment of a class II ARE (the tumor necrosis factor alpha ARE; to 2.3 A). These structures reveal a consensus RNA recognition sequence that suggests a preference for pyrimidine-rich sequences and a requirement for a central uracil residue in the clustered AUUUA repeats found in class II AREs. Comparison to structures of other RRM domain-nucleic acid complexes reveals two base recognition pockets in all the structures that interact with bases using residues in conserved ribonucleoprotein motifs and at the C-terminal ends of RRM domains. Different conformations of nucleic acid can be bound by RRM domains by using different combinations of base recognition pockets and multiple RRM domains.     

Highly selective actions of HuR in antagonizing AU-rich element-mediated mRNA destabilization

Human RNA-binding protein HuR, a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein, is a ubiquitously expressed member of the family of Hu proteins, which consist of two N-terminal RNA recognition motifs (RRM1 and RRM2), a hinge region, and a C-terminal RRM (RRM3). Although in vitro experiments showed indiscriminate binding of Hu proteins synthesized in bacterial systems to many different AU-rich elements (AREs), in vivo studies have pointed to a cytoplasmic role for HuR protein in antagonizing the rapid decay of some specific ARE-containing mRNAs, depending on physiological situations. By ectopically overexpressing HuR and its mutant derivatives in NIH 3T3 cells to mimic HuR upregulation of specific ARE-containing mRNAs in other systems, we have examined the in vivo ARE-binding specificity of HuR and dissected its functionally critical domains. We show that in NIH 3T3 cells, HuR stabilizes reporter messages containing only the c-fos ARE and not other AREs. Two distinct binding sites were identified within the c-fos ARE, the 5' AUUUA-containing domain and the 3' U-stretch-containing domain. These actions of HuR are markedly different from those of another ARE-binding protein, hnRNP D (also termed AUF1), which in vivo recognizes AUUUA repeats found in cytokine AREs and can exert both stabilizing and destabilizing effects. Further experiments showed that any combination of two of the three RRM domains of HuR is sufficient for strong binding to the c-fos ARE in vitro and to exert an RNA stabilization effect in vivo comparable to that of intact HuR and that the hinge region containing nucleocytoplasmic shuttling signals is dispensable for the stabilization effect of HuR. Our data suggest that the ARE-binding specificity of HuR in vivo is modulated to interact only with and thus regulate specific AREs in a cell type- and physiological state-dependent manner.     

Specific protein domains mediate cooperative assembly of HuR oligomers on AU-rich mRNA-destabilizing sequences

The RNA-binding factor HuR is a ubiquitously expressed member of the Hu protein family that binds and stabilizes mRNAs containing AU-rich elements (AREs). Hu proteins share a common domain organization of two tandemly arrayed RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) near the N terminus, followed by a basic hinge domain and a third RRM near the C terminus. In this study, we engineered recombinant wild-type and mutant HuR proteins lacking affinity tags to characterize their ARE-binding properties. Using combinations of electrophoretic mobility shift and fluorescence anisotropy-based binding assays, we show that HuR can bind ARE substrates as small as 13 nucleotides with low nanomolar affinity, but forms cooperative oligomeric protein complexes on ARE substrates of at least 18 nucleotides in length. Analyses of deletion mutant proteins indicated that RRM3 does not contribute to high affinity recognition of ARE substrates, but is required for cooperative assembly of HuR oligomers on RNA. Finally, the hinge domain between RRM2 and RRM3 contributes significant binding energy to HuR.ARE complex formation in an ARE length-dependent manner. The hinge does not enhance RNA-binding activity by increased ion pair formation despite extensive positive charge within this region, and it does not thermodynamically stabilize protein folding. Together, the results define distinct roles for the HuR hinge and RRM3 domains in formation of cooperative HuR.ARE complexes in solution.     

A Conserved Three-nucleotide Core Motif Defines Musashi RNA Binding Specificity

Musashi (MSI) family proteins control cell proliferation and differentiation in many biological systems. They are overexpressed in tumors of several origins, and their expression level correlates with poor prognosis. MSI proteins control gene expression by binding RNA and regulating its translation. They contain two RNA recognition motif (RRM) domains, which recognize a defined sequence element. The relative contribution of each nucleotide to the binding affinity and specificity is unknown. We analyzed the binding specificity of three MSI family RRM domains using a quantitative fluorescence anisotropy assay. We found that the core element driving recognition is the sequence UAG. Nucleotides outside of this motif have a limited contribution to binding free energy. For mouse MSI1, recognition is determined by the first of the two RRM domains. The second RRM adds affinity but does not contribute to binding specificity. In contrast, the recognition element for Drosophila MSI is more extensive than the mouse homolog, suggesting functional divergence. The short nature of the binding determinant suggests that protein-RNA affinity alone is insufficient to drive target selection by MSI family proteins.     

HuD Regulates the cpg15 Expression Via the 3′-UTR and AU-Rich Element

The candidate plasticity related gene 15 (cpg15) plays important roles in neural development and plasticity. In the present study, we studied the role of the cpg15 3′-untranslated region (UTR) in regulating the expression of the gene. The results showed that the presence of the 3′-UTR significantly decreases, while loss of a putative AU-rich element (ARE) in the 3′-UTR increases the cpg15 expression, indicating that the 3′-UTR and ARE may be essential for regulation of cpg15 expression. In addition, HuD, a neural-specific RNA binding protein, increased the cpg15 expression, which depends on the presence of the 3′-UTR and ARE. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay demonstrated that HuD forms a complex with cpg15 mRNA in the cells of rat hippocampus. Deletion of HuD domains RRM1 plus RRM2 or Hinge region plus RRM3 attenuates the function of HuD in enhancing the cpg15 expression. The results suggest that HuD regulates the cpg15 expression via the 3′-UTR-mediated mechanism, which requires the presence of the ARE.     

cDNA cloning and characterization of Drb1, a new member of RRM-type neural RNA-binding protein

Neural RNA recognition motif (RRM)-type RNA-binding proteins play essential roles in neural development. To search for a new member of neural RRM-type RNA-binding protein, we screened rat cerebral expression library with polyclonal antibody against consensus RRM sequences. We have cloned and characterized a rat cDNA that belongs to RRM-type RNA-binding protein family, which we designate as drb1. Orthologs of drb1 exist in human and mouse. The predicted amino acid sequence reveals an open reading frame of 476 residues with a corresponding molecular mass of 53kDa and consists of four RNA-binding domains. drb1 gene is specifically expressed in fetal (E12, E16) rat brain and gradually reduced during development. In situ hybridization demonstrated neuron-specific signals in fetal rat brain. RNA-binding assay indicated that human Drb1 protein possesses binding preference on poly(C)RNA. These results indicate that Drb1 is a new member of neural RNA-binding proteins, which expresses under spatiotemporal control.     

Structure of tandem RNA recognition motifs from polypyrimidine tract binding protein reveals novel features of the RRM fold

Polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB), an RNA binding protein containing four RNA recognition motifs (RRMs), is involved in both pre-mRNA splicing and translation initiation directed by picornaviral internal ribosome entry sites. Sequence comparisons previously indicated that PTB is a non-canonical RRM protein. The solution structure of a PTB fragment containing RRMs 3 and 4 shows that the protein consists of two domains connected by a long, flexible linker. The two domains tumble independently in solution, having no fixed relative orientation. In addition to the betaalphabetabetaalphabeta topology, which is characteristic of RRM domains, the C-terminal extension of PTB RRM-3 incorporates an unanticipated fifth beta-strand, which extends the RNA binding surface. The long, disordered polypeptide connecting beta4 and beta5 in RRM-3 is poised above the RNA binding surface and is likely to contribute to RNA recognition. Mutational analyses show that both RRM-3 and RRM-4 contribute to RNA binding specificity and that, despite its unusual sequence, PTB binds RNA in a manner akin to that of other RRM proteins.     

人GRY-RBP基因的表达及其RNA结合活性的初步鉴定

ＲＲＭ ＲＮＡ 结合蛋白在基因的转录后调控中起着重要作用．人ＧＲＹ－ＲＢＰ 是我们实验室最近克隆的一个新的全长ｃＤＮＡ,编码一个ＲＲＭ ＲＮＡ 结合蛋白．ＧＲＹ－ＲＢＰ 的全编码区用ＰＣＲ扩增后,克隆到ｐＥＴ３０ａ＋ 表达载体中,在Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ中获得了高效表达,表达的ＧＲＹ－ＲＢＰ重组蛋白占细菌总蛋白的２１％ ．利用融合在ＧＲＹ－ＲＢＰＮ 端的Ｈｉｓ．Ｔａｇ,采取亲和层析的方法纯化了表达的重组蛋白．为了检测ＧＲＹ－ＲＢＰ的ＲＮＡ 结合活性及其所结合的ＲＮＡ 性质,将表达的蛋白与ｐｏｌｙ（Ａ）－Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ ４Ｂ结合,发现ＧＲＹ－ＲＢＰ能与ｐｏｌｙＡ （Ａ）结合,结合活性能被可溶性的ｐｏｌｙ（Ａ）、ｐｏｌｙ（Ｃ）减弱．改变ＮａＣｌ浓度和加入不同浓度的酵母ｔＲＮＡ竞争物后,ｐｏｌｙ（Ａ）结合活性不变．     

The N-terminal RNA Recognition Motif of PfSR1 Confers Semi-specificity for Pyrimidines during RNA Recognition

Alternative splicing confers a complexity to the mRNA landscape of apicomplexans, resulting in a high proteomic diversity. The Plasmodium falciparum Ser/Arg-rich protein 1 (PfSR1) is the first protein to be confirmed as an alternative splicing factor in this class of parasitic protists [1]. A recent study [2] showed a purine bias in RNA binding among cognate RNA substrates of PfSR1. Here, we have investigated the role played by the amino-terminal RNA recognition motif (RRM1) of PfSR1 from the solution structure of its complex with ACAUCA RNA hexamer to understand how its mechanism of RNA recognition compares to human orthologs and to the C-terminal RRM. RNA binding by RRM1 is mediated through specific recognition of a cytosine base situated 5′ of one or more pyrimidine bases by a conserved tyrosine residue on β₁ and a glutamate residue on the β₄ strand. Affinity is conferred through insertion of a 3′ pyrimidine into a positively charged pocket. Retention of fast dynamics and ITC binding constants indicate the complex to be of moderate affinity. Using calorimetry and mapping of NMR chemical shift perturbations, we have also ascertained the purine preference of PfSR1 to be a property of the carboxy terminal pseudo-RRM (RRM2), which binds RNA non-canonically and with greater affinity compared to RRM1. Our findings show conclusive evidence of complementary RNA sequence recognition by the two RRMs, which may potentially aid PfSR1 in binding RNA with a high sequence specificity.     

NMR studies on functional structures of the AU-rich element-binding domains of Hu antigen C

Hu antigen C (HuC) has three RNA-binding domains (RBDs). The N-terminal two, RBD1 and RBD2, are linked in tandem and bind to the AU-rich elements (AREs) in the 3′-untranslated region of particular mRNAs. The solution structures of HuC RBD1 and RBD2 were determined by NMR methods. The HuC RBD1 and RBD2 structures are quite similar to those of Sxl RBD1 and RBD2, respectively. The individual RBDs of HuC, RBD1 and RBD2 in isolation can interact rather weakly with the minimal ARE motif, AUUUA, while the didomain fragment, RBD1–RBD2, of HuC binds more tightly to a longer ARE RNA, UAUUUAUUUU. Chemical shift perturbations by the longer RNA on HuC RBD1–RBD2 were mapped on and around the two β-sheets and on the C-terminal region of RBD1. The HuC RBD1–RBD2 residues that exhibited significant chemical shift perturbations coincide with those conserved in Sxl RBD1–RBD2. These data indicate that the RNA-binding characteristics of the HuC and Sxl didomain fragments are similar, even though the target RNAs and the biological functions of the proteins are different.     

A new Arabidopsis nucleic-acid-binding protein gene is highly expressed in dividing cells during development

An Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA encoding a new RNA-binding protein (RBP37) was cloned from a silique cDNA library. The predicted amino acid sequence corresponds to a RBP containing two RNA recognition motifs (RRM) and a basic domain. An affinity for nucleic acids was confirmed in binding assays using in vitro synthesised AtRBP37 protein. In situ hybridisation experiments on sections of flowers and siliques showed expression only in growing organs: gynoecium, petals, filaments and during early-embryogenesis expression is located in the embryo proper and the suspensor up to late heart stage. Expression is not detected in the embryo during maturation.This results suggests an expression pattern correlated with dividing cells.     

Electrostatic Interactions between CSTF2 and pre-mRNA Drive Cleavage and Polyadenylation

Nascent pre-mRNA 3′-end cleavage and polyadenylation (C/P) involves numerous proteins that recognize multiple RNA elements. Human CSTF2 binds to a downstream U- or G/U-rich sequence through its RNA recognition motif (RRM) regulating C/P. We previously reported the only known disease-related CSTF2 RRM mutant (CSTF2^D50A) and showed that it changed the on-rate of RNA binding, leading to alternative polyadenylation in brains of mice carrying the same mutation. In this study, we further investigated the role of electrostatic interactions in the thermodynamics and kinetics of RNA binding for the CSTF2 RRM and the downstream consequences for regulation of C/P. By combining mutagenesis with NMR spectroscopy and biophysical assays, we confirmed that electrostatic attraction is the dominant factor in RRM binding to a naturally occurring U-rich RNA sequence. Moreover, we demonstrate that RNA binding is accompanied by an enthalpy-entropy compensation mechanism that is supported by changes in pico-to-nanosecond timescale RRM protein dynamics. We suggest that the dynamic binding of the RRM to U-rich RNA supports the diversity of sequences it encounters in the nucleus. Lastly, in vivo C/P assays demonstrate a competition between fast, high affinity RNA binding and efficient, correct C/P. These results highlight the importance of the surface charge of the RRM in RNA binding and the balance between nascent mRNA binding and C/P in vivo.     

Distribution and molecular characterization of mRNA-binding proteins specific to the (U)15 region of 3' UTR of the mouse catalase (Cas-1).

The 3' UTR of the mouse Cas-1 mRNA, encoding the antioxidant enzyme catalase, has a U-rich motif that is conserved across species. This motif is an active site for complex and dynamic interactions involving RNA-binding proteins. The spatial, temporal, and phylogenetic distribution of the Cas-1 3'-UTR U-rich motif-specific RNA-binding proteins was evaluated by gel mobility shift and UV cross-linking assays. The specific RNA-protein complexes were observed in mouse tissue homogenates representing developmental stages as early as day 10 pc and ranged in molecular weight from approximately 38 kDa to approximately 52 kDa. These mRNA-protein complexes appeared in all vertebrate species examined (human, mouse, rat, dog, rabbit, chicken, fish, and frog) but not in insects. The approximately 38-kDa protein was the most prominent protein in vertebrates. The cDNA sequence of the mouse approximately 38-kDa protein was obtained by purification of the protein, microsequencing, and RT-PCR. The resulting 456-nt sequence, representing the partial internal cDNA sequence, and its deduced amino acid sequence were similar to the RNA recognition motif (RRM) of a protein superfamily, implicated in splicing, stability, localization, and translation of RNAs. Although the results suggest that cis element-binding activity could be a cytoplasmic regulator of Cas-1 mRNA metabolism, the significance of this binding remains to be determined.     

Autoregulation of Fox protein expression to produce dominant negative splicing factors

The Fox proteins are a family of regulators that control the alternative splicing of many exons in neurons, muscle, and other tissues. Each of the three mammalian paralogs, Fox-1 (A2BP1), Fox-2 (RBM9), and Fox-3 (HRNBP3), produces proteins with a single RNA-binding domain (RRM) flanked by N- and C-terminal domains that are highly diversified through the use of alternative promoters and alternative splicing patterns. These genes also express protein isoforms lacking the second half of the RRM (FoxΔRRM), due to the skipping of a highly conserved 93-nt exon. Fox binding elements overlap the splice sites of these exons in Fox-1 and Fox-2, and the Fox proteins themselves inhibit exon inclusion. Unlike other cases of splicing autoregulation by RNA-binding proteins, skipping the RRM exon creates an in-frame deletion in the mRNA to produce a stable protein. These FoxΔRRM isoforms expressed from cDNA exhibit highly reduced binding to RNA in vivo. However, we show that they can act as repressors of Fox-dependent splicing, presumably by competing with full-length Fox isoforms for interaction with other splicing factors. Interestingly, the Drosophila Fox homolog contains a nearly identical exon in its RRM domain that also has flanking Fox-binding sites. Thus, rather than autoregulation of splicing controlling the abundance of the regulator, the Fox proteins use a highly conserved mechanism of splicing autoregulation to control production of a dominant negative isoform.     

In vitro RNA selection identifies RNA ligands that specifically bind to eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4B: the role of the RNA remotif.

Translation initiation factor elF-4B is an RNA-binding protein that promotes the association of the mRNA to the 40S ribosomal subunit. One of its better characterized features is the ability to stimulate the activity of the DEAD box RNA hilicase elF-4A. In addition to an RNA recognition motif (RRM) located near its amino-terimus, elF-4B contains an RNA-binding region in its carboxy-terminal half. The elF-4A helicase stimulatory activity resides in the carboxy-terminal half of elF-4B, and the RRM has little impact on this function.To better understand the role of the elF-4B RRM, it was of interest to identify its specific RNA target sequence. To this end, it vitro RNA selection/amplifications were performed using various portions of elF-4B. These experiments were designed to test the RNA recognition specificity of the two elF-4B regions implicated in RNA binding and to assess the influence of elF-4A on the RNA-binding specificity. The RRM was shown to bind with high affinity to an RNA stem-loop structure with conserved primary sequence elements. Discrete point mutations in an in vitro-selected RNA identified residues critical for RNA binding. Neither the carboxy-terminal RNA-interaction region, nor elF-4A, influenced the structure of the high-affinity RNA ligands selected by elF-4B, and elF-4A by itself did not select any specific RNA target. Previous studies have demonstrated an interaction of elF-4B with ribosomes, and it was suggested that this association is mediated through binding to ribosomal RNA. We show that the RRM of elF-4B interacts directly with 18S rRNA and this interaction is inhibited by an excess of the elF-4B in vitro-selected RNA. ElF-4B could bind simultaneously to two different RNA molecules, supporting a model whereby elF-4B promotes ribosome binding to the 5 untranslated region of a mRNA by bridging it to 18S rRNA.     

Structure, tissue distribution and genomic organization of the murine RRM-type RNA binding proteins TIA-1 and TIAR.

TIA-1 and TIAR are RNA binding proteins of the RNA recognition motif (RRM)/ribonucleoprotein (RNP) family that have been implicated as effectors of apoptotic cell death. We report the structures of murine TIA-1 and TIAR (mTIA-1 and mTIAR) deduced from cDNA cloning, the mRNA and protein tissue distribution of mTIA-1 and mTIAR, and the exon-intron structures of the mTIA-1 and mTIAR genes. Both mTIA-1 and mTIAR are comprised of three approximately 100 amino acid N-terminal RRM domains and a approximately 90 amino acid C-terminal auxiliary domain. This subfamily of RRM proteins is evolutionarily well conserved; mTIA-1 and mTIAR are 80% similar to each other, and 96 and 99% similar to hTIA-1 and hTIAR, respectively. The overall exon-intron structures of the mTIA-1 and mTIAR genes are also similar to each other, as well as to the human TIA-1 gene structure. While Northern blot analysis reveals that mTIA-1 and mTIAR mRNAs have a broad tissue distribution, mTIA-1 and mTIAR proteins are predominantly expressed in brain, testis and spleen. At least two isoforms of both mTIA-1 and mTIAR are generated by alternative splicing. Murine TIA-1 isoforms including or lacking the exon 5 encoded sequences are expressed at a ratio of approximately 1:1, whereas mTIAR isoforms including or lacking the 5'-end of exon 3 sequences are expressed in a approximately 1:6 ratio. Molecular characterization of murine TIA-1 and TIAR RNA binding proteins provides the basis for a genetic analysis of the functional roles of these proteins during mammalian development.     

Characterization of RNA-binding properties of three types of RNA-binding proteins in Anabaena sp. PPC 7120.

The Rbp proteins in cyanobacteria are RNA-binding proteins with a single RNA recognition motif or RRM. A comprehensive assembly of genomic data suggests that there are two major classes of Rbp proteins (classes I and II) that diverged before the diversification of cyanobacteria. Class I proteins are further classified into two types with or without a C-terminal glycine-rich domain. The results of selection from a random RNA pool suggest that RbpA1 (class I) has affinity to C-rich and G-rich sequences. In vitro RNA binding assay with homopolymers indicated that class II protein has low affinity to poly(G) in contrast with class I proteins. Site-specific mutagenesis analysis of the RRM in RbpA1 showed that the aromatic residues Tyr4 or Phe46 are important in RNA binding as well as maintenance of secondary structure. We also tested various truncated proteins lacking the C-terminal domain as well as point mutants. Most of these proteins exhibited decreased affinity to RNA. Circular dichroism analysis as well as chromatographic analysis showed that Tyr4 and Phe46 are also important in maintaining the structure of RbpA1 protein. The C-terminal glycine-rich domain itself does not contribute much to the RNA-binding, but Arg83 which is located close to the C-terminal end of RRM is important in the RNA-binding.