Human ribonuclease P.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Anion Exchange Resins↗
Biomedical subjects
N Jarrous
Publications and source records attributed to N Jarrous.
Function and subnuclear distribution of Rpp21, a protein subunit of the human ribonucleoprotein ribonuclease P.
Rpp21, a protein subunit of human nuclear ribonuclease P (RNase P) was cloned by virtue of its homology with Rpr2p, an essential subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae nuclear RNase P. Rpp21 is encoded by a gene that resides in the class I gene cluster of the major histocompatibility complex, is associated with highly purified RNase P, and binds precursor tRNA. Rpp21 is predominantly localized in the nucleoplasm but is also observed in nucleoli and Cajal bodies when expressed at high levels. Intron retention and splice-site selection in Rpp21 precursor mRNA regulate the intranuclear distribution of the protein products and their association with the RNase P holoenzyme. Our study reveals that dynamic nuclear structures that include nucleoli, the perinucleolar compartment and Cajal bodies are all involved in the production and assembly of human RNase P.
3T3 Cells↗
Architecture and function of the human endonucleases RNase P and RNase MRP.
In the past decade, important advances have been made in our knowledge of the composition of human RNase MRP and RNase P complexes. Both ribonucleoprotein particles function as endonucleases and contain RNA components that are structurally related. RNase MRP has been suggested to be involved in the processing of precursor rRNA; RNase P, in the maturation of tRNA. Here we give an overview of current data on the structure and function of human RNase MRP and RNase P particles, with emphasis on their molecular composition. At present, seven protein subunits, probably all associated with both ribonucleoprotein particles, have been isolated and their corresponding cDNAs cloned. Although no known structural motifs can be identified in the amino acid sequences of these proteins, the majority is clearly rich in basic residues. For two protein subunits, a cluster of basic amino acids have been shown to be involved in nucleolar accumulation, whereas another protein, which lacks such a region, probably enters the nucleolus by way of a piggyback mechanism. The binding regions for several of the protein subunits on the RNA have been identified, and the data have been used to create a putative structural model for the RNase MRP particle. The rather obscure situation concerning the association of the autoantigenic Th-40 protein and its possible relationship with one of the subunits, Rpp38, is discussed.
Autoantigens↗
A cis-acting element in the 3'-untranslated region of human TNF-alpha mRNA renders splicing dependent on the activation of protein kinase PKR.
We report a role for the 3'-untranslated region in control of mRNA splicing and show that human TNF-alpha 3' UTR harbors a cis-acting element that renders splicing of precursor transcripts dependent on activation of PKR, the RNA-activated protein kinase that phosphorylates eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2). When this element, designated 2-APRE, is present, splicing becomes sensitive to inhibition by the PKR inhibitor, 2-aminopurine, or by coexpression of transdominant-negative mutant PKR. Our results reveal that activation of PKR is required for splicing of mRNA when precursor transcripts contain the 2-APRE and that increased expression of wild-type PKR enhances their splicing efficiency. Thus, PKR responds as trans-acting factor to the 2-APRE. 2-APRE RNA forms a stable, 17-bp stem-loop structure and strongly activates PKR in vitro, inducing eIF2alpha phosphorylation. Despite its ability to activate PKR during splicing, the 2-APRE within the 3' UTR does not affect translation efficiency of the resulting TNF-alpha mRNA in transfected cells. PKR and the 3' UTR thus interact during mRNA splicing to confer a novel type of regulation on expression of the TNF-alpha gene.
2-Aminopurine↗
Localization in the nucleolus and coiled bodies of protein subunits of the ribonucleoprotein ribonuclease P.
The precise location of the tRNA processing ribonucleoprotein ribonuclease P (RNase P) and the mechanism of its intranuclear distribution have not been completely delineated. We show that three protein subunits of human RNase P (Rpp), Rpp14, Rpp29 and Rpp38, are found in the nucleolus and that each can localize a reporter protein to nucleoli of cells in tissue culture. In contrast to Rpp38, which is uniformly distributed in nucleoli, Rpp14 and Rpp29 are confined to the dense fibrillar component. Rpp29 and Rpp38 possess functional, yet distinct domains required for subnucleolar localization. The subunit Rpp14 lacks such a domain and appears to be dependent on a piggyback process to reach the nucleolus. Biochemical analysis suggests that catalytically active RNase P exists in the nucleolus. We also provide evidence that Rpp29 and Rpp38 reside in coiled bodies, organelles that are implicated in the biogenesis of several other small nuclear ribonucleoproteins required for processing of precursor mRNA. Because some protein subunits of RNase P are shared by the ribosomal RNA processing ribonucleoprotein RNase MRP, these two evolutionary related holoenzymes may share common intranuclear localization and assembly pathways to coordinate the processing of tRNA and rRNA precursors.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Rpp14 and Rpp29, two protein subunits of human ribonuclease P.
In HeLa cells, the tRNA processing enzyme ribonuclease P (RNase P) consists of an RNA molecule associated with at least eight protein subunits, hPop1, Rpp14, Rpp20, Rpp25, Rpp29, Rpp30, Rpp38, and Rpp40. Five of these proteins (hPop1p, Rpp20, Rpp30, Rpp38, and Rpp40) have been partially characterized. Here we report on the cDNA cloning and immunobiochemical analysis of Rpp14 and Rpp29. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies raised against recombinant Rpp14 and Rpp29 recognize their corresponding antigens in HeLa cells and precipitate catalytically active RNase P. Rpp29 shows 23% identity with Pop4p, a subunit of yeast nuclear RNase P and the ribosomal RNA processing enzyme RNase MRP. Rpp14, by contrast, exhibits no significant homology to any known yeast gene. Thus, human RNase P differs in the details of its protein composition, and perhaps in the functions of some of these proteins, from the yeast enzyme.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Autoantigenic properties of some protein subunits of catalytically active complexes of human ribonuclease P.
At least six proteins co-purify with human ribonuclease P (RNase P), a tRNA processing ribonucleoprotein. Two of these proteins, Rpp30 and Rpp38, are Th autoantigens. Recombinant Rpp30 and Rpp38 are also recognized by Th sera from systemic sclerosis patients. Two of the other proteins associated with RNase P, Rpp20 and Rpp40, do not cross-react with Th sera. Polyclonal antibodies raised against all four recombinant proteins recognize the corresponding proteins associated with RNase P and precipitate active holoenzyme. Catalytically active RNase P holoenzyme can be separated from the nucleolar and mitochondrial RNA processing endoribonuclease, RNase MRP, even though these two enzymes may share some subunits.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
2-Aminopurine selectively inhibits splicing of tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA.
2-Aminopurine (2-AP) inhibits specific kinases that phosphorylate the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2. One of these, PKR, is also involved in signal transduction. We show here that 2-AP selectively inhibits expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA in primary human lymphoid cells. 2-AP does not inhibit transcription of the human TNF-alpha gene, nor does it affect mRNA stability. Instead, the flow of short-lived precursor transcripts into mature TNF-alpha mRNA is blocked. When 2-AP is present during induction, unspliced TNF-alpha precursor transcripts accumulate at the expense of mRNA. Using RNase protection analysis with genomic probes for different exon-intron junctions, we show that 2-AP blocks splicing of TNF-alpha mRNA. Neither the TNF-beta nor the interleukin-1 beta gene shows such regulation. 2-AP also inhibits splicing of precursor RNA transcribed from an exogenous human TNF-alpha gene. Sequences within this gene thus confer sensitivity to 2-AP. Yet, control is not exerted at a specific splice site. Our results reveal the involvement of a 2-AP-sensitive component, expressed in functional form before induction, in the splicing of TNF-alpha mRNA.
2-Aminopurine↗
Induction of human interleukin-1 gene expression by retinoic acid and its regulation at processing of precursor transcripts.
Retinoic acid (RA), we show, induces in peripheral blood mononuclear cells a transient wave of newly transcribed, unstable interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and IL-1 beta mRNA. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA, by contrast, is expressed in multiple waves. IL-1 genes are primary targets for RA. Most IL-1 beta gene transcription induced by RA fails to yield mature mRNA. Instead, precursor transcripts accumulate, detected by ribonuclease protection analysis. The flow of precursors into IL-1 beta mRNA becomes inhibited during induction. When translation is blocked, e.g. by cycloheximide, expression of IL-1 beta mRNA is superinduced by 2 orders of magnitude. Superinduction is dependent on transcription, yet is unaccompanied by increased primary transcription or mRNA stability. Instead, processing of unstable IL-1 beta precursor transcripts into mature mRNA is greatly facilitated. Control is not narrowly localized within precursors: splicing of distinct exons and intron excision are enhanced by cycloheximide. Pre-mRNA processing thus is a limiting step in RA-induced IL-1 beta gene expression. This regulation is specific for RA: when induced by phorbol ester, IL-1 beta gene expression is also superinduced by cycloheximide but that response is accompanied by enhanced mRNA stability. Thus, IL-1 beta gene transcription is induced by RA, yet, unlike for other primary target genes, mRNA expression is regulated at pre-mRNA processing.
Cells, Cultured↗