Kaoru Masuyama | PubMed Health

PubMed2004

RNA length defines RNA export pathway.

Different RNA species are exported from the nucleus by distinct mechanisms. Among the different RNAs, mRNAs and major spliceosomal U snRNAs share several structural similarities, yet they are exported by distinct factors. We previously showed that U1 snRNAs behaved like an mRNA in nuclear export if various approximately 300-nucleotide fragments were inserted in a central position. Here we show that this export switch is dependent on the length of the insertion but independent of its position, indicating unequivocally that this switch is indeed the result of RNA length. We also show that intronless mRNAs can be progressively converted to use the U snRNA export pathway if the mRNAs are progressively shortened by deletion. In addition, immunoprecipitation experiments show that the protein composition of export RNPs is influenced by RNA length. These findings indicate that RNA length is one of the key determinants of the choice of RNA export pathway. Based on these results and previous observations, a unified model of how an RNA is committed to a specific export pathway is proposed.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2004

SR proteins preferentially associate with mRNAs in the nucleus and facilitate their export to the cytoplasm.

Different classes of RNA are exported to the cytoplasm by distinct mechanisms. Each class of RNA forms distinct complexes with nuclear proteins prior to its export to the cytoplasm. In our attempt to obtain comprehensive information of protein factors that specifically associate with mRNAs in the nucleus, we performed in vivo UV-crosslinking analysis after microinjection of various RNAs into Xenopus oocyte nucleus. We found a group of proteins preferentially crosslinked to mRNAs. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that some of the crosslinked signals corresponded to SR (serine/arginine-rich) proteins, a family of essential RNA-binding proteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing. It was previously suggested that some members of SR protein family are involved in export of a specific intronless mRNA, histone H2A mRNA and some spliced mRNAs. However, it is still to be clarified if SR proteins are involved in export of general mRNAs, especially general intronless mRNAs that do not contain specific RNA export elements. When we microinjected an antibody against SR proteins into the nucleus, export of mRNAs was severely inhibited, regardless of whether the mRNAs were produced via pre-mRNA splicing or not, whereas export of other RNAs was not affected. These results unequivocally showed that SR proteins are involved in export of both general intronless and spliced mRNAs.

Animals↗