THO2, a core member of the THO/TREX complex,is required for microRNA production in Arabidopsis

The THO/TREX complex mediates transport of nascent mRNAs from the nucleus towards the cytoplasm in animals, and has a role in small interfering RNA‐dependent processes in plants. Here we describe five mutant alleles of Arabidopsis thaliana THO2, which encodes a core subunit of the plant THO/TREX complex. tho2 mutants present strong developmental defects resembling those in plants compromised in microRNA (miRNA) activity. In agreement, not only were the levels of siRNAs reduced in tho2 mutants, but also those of mature miRNAs. As a consequence, a feedback mechanism is triggered, increasing the amount of miRNA precursors, and finally causing accumulation of miRNA‐targeted mRNAs. Yeast two‐hybrid experiments and confocal microscopy showed that THO2 does not appear to interact with any of the known miRNA biogenesis components, but rather with the splicing machinery, implying an indirect role of THO2 in small RNA biogenesis. Using an RNA immunoprecipitation approach, we found that THO2 interacts with miRNA precursors, and that tho2 mutants fail to recruit such precursors into the miRNA‐processing complex, explaining the reduction in miRNA production in this mutant background. We also detected alterations in the splicing pattern of genes encoding serine/arginine‐rich proteins in tho2 mutants, supporting a previously unappreciated role of the THO/TREX complex in alternative splicing.     

杀虫环对昆虫血淋巴糖和游离氨基酸的影响

 用毛细管色谱和离子交换色谱法分析了黑胸大蠊雄性成虫血淋巴糖和游离氨基酸的组分、合量及杀虫环对它们的影响,并与电生理记录的EPSP电位比较,表明:1.黑胸大蠊血淋巴有五种糖,海藻糖、葡萄糖含量最多。2×10~(-5)mol/L杀虫环作用于虫体5分钟后,五种糖含量迅速增加;30分钟后下降23～47％。2.血淋巴中含有16种游离氨基酸及大量的NH_3。杀虫环可降低14种氨基酸的含量,尤其对生糖氨基酸(丙、异亮、酪、脯)的影响显著。3.2×10~(-5)mol/L杀虫环作用5分钟可增加中枢第Ⅵ腹神经节自发电位的释放频率和振幅,6～7分钟后迅速减少并消失,此时诱发EPSP电位振幅下降。18～20分钟突触传递被阻断。此过程恰巧与血淋巴糖代谢的加快而减缓的过程一致。     

Characterization of EMU,the Arabidopsis homolog of the yeast THO complex member HPR1

Diverse and precise control is essential for eukaryotic gene expression. This is accomplished through the recruitment of a myriad of proteins to a nascent messenger RNA (mRNA) to mediate modifications, such as capping, splicing, 3′-end processing, and export. Despite being important for every cell, however, the mechanism by which the formation of diverse messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) particles contributes to maintaining intricate systems in the multicellular organism remains incompletely defined. We identified and characterized a mutant gene named erecta mRNA under-expressed (emu) that leads to the defective mRNA accumulation of ERECTA, a developmental regulator in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. EMU encodes a protein homologous to a component of the THO complex that is required for the generation of functional mRNPs. Further analysis suggested that EMU is genetically associated with SERRATE, HYPONASTIC LEAVES1, and ARGONAUTE1, which are required for proper RNA maturation or action. Furthermore, mutations in another THO-related gene led to embryonic lethality. These findings support the presence and importance of the THO-related complex in plants as well as yeast and vertebrates.