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Requirement for intron-encoded U22 small nucleolar RNA in 18S ribosomal RNA maturation.

The nucleoli of vertebrate cells contain a number of small RNAs that are generated by the processing of intron fragments of protein-coding gene transcripts. The host gene (UHG) for intro-encoded human U22 is unusual in that it specifies a polyadenylated but apparently noncoding RNA. Depletion of U22 from Xenopus oocytes by oligonucleotide-directed ribonuclease H targeting prevented the processing of 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) at both ends. The appearance of 18S rRNA was restored by injection of in vitro-synthesized U22 RNA. These results identify a cellular function for an intron-encoded small RNA.

Animals↗

Ribosomal RNA: small nucleolar RNAs make their mark.

Small nucleolar RNAs direct the location of certain methylations in ribosomal RNA by direct base pairing; although evolutionarily conserved, the physiological significance of these modifications remains unclear.

Animals↗

Genes for human U3 small nucleolar RNA contain highly conserved flanking sequences.

Six human genomic clones containing sequences homologous to the U3 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) were isolated and characterized. Four of these clones were real U3 snRNA genes because they were transcribed in frog oocytes and the DNA sequences corresponding to the U3 snRNA were identical to the U3 snRNA of HeLa cells. The nucleotide sequences of four true U3 snRNA genes, 537 nucleotides on the 5'-flanking region and 340 nucleotides on the 3'-flanking region, were found to be identical. In addition, the restriction patterns, upto 2 kb on the 5' side and 2.2 kb on the 3' side, appeared to be same. All the isolated U3 clones, containing 15-20 kb of genomic DNA, contained only one U3 snRNA gene, indicating that the human U3 snRNA genes are several kilobases apart. One of the U3 clones contained a full-length U3 pseudogene. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA with cloned U3 DNA as probe indicated that human DNA contains two families of U3 genes which differ in their flanking sequences. In the 5' flanking region of human U3 snRNA genes, homology to U-gene promoter element, an octamer motif, the 'U3 box', SP1 binding sites and a consensus 3' box in the 3' flanking region, were observed. These data show that the genomic organization and the sequence motifs that control transcription of human nucleolar U3 snRNA genes are similar to those of human U1 and U2 snRNA genes and suggest common mechanism(s) in the evolution of snRNA genes.

Animals↗

U17XS8, a small nucleolar RNA with a 12 nt complementarity to 18S rRNA and coded by a sequence repeated in the six introns of Xenopus laevis ribosomal protein S8 gene.

U17XS8 RNA is a 220 nt small RNA coded by a sequence repeated in each of the six introns of the gene for ribosomal protein S8 of Xenopus laevis. It is mainly localized in the nucleolus, as shown by in situ hybridization, and it is assembled in a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) sedimenting at about 12S, slightly faster than U3 RNP, and with a density of 1.45 g/ml. DNA and RNA microinjections in Xenopus oocytes have shown that U17XS8 RNA is not the product of an independent transcription unit, but is produced by processing of intron sequences of r-protein S8 transcript, as has been recently shown for other small nucleolar RNAs encoded in the introns of other genes. Its accumulation during Xenopus development, oogenesis and embryogenesis, increases in parallel to that of r-protein S8 mRNA. Another interesting feature is the presence in the U17XS8 RNA of a 12 nt sequence complementary to 18S rRNA. The results presented suggest a possible role of this RNA in some step(s) of ribosome assembling in the nucleolus. Some relevant differences between Xenopus U17XS8 RNA and the corresponding human U17 RNA, recently described, have been observed.

Animals↗

Processing of mammalian rRNA precursors at the 3' end of 18S rRNA. Identification of cis-acting signals suggests the involvement of U13 small nucleolar RNA.

Molecular mechanisms involved in the nucleolytic cleavage at the 18S rRNA/internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS 1) junction, a late step of small-subunit pre-rRNA processing in vertebrates, remain largely unknown, mostly due to the lack of faithful in vitro assays. To identify the minimal cis-acting signals required for this reaction, we studied the processing of truncated human rRNA gene transcripts transiently expressed upon transfection of rRNA minigenes into cultured mouse cells. We observed that processing at this site was faithfully reproduced with transcripts containing only 60 nucleotides of 18S rRNA and the adjacent 103 nucleotides of ITS 1, but was abolished or severely altered by further shortening of either sequence. Remarkably, this minimal transcript contains, within its 18S rRNA part, long sequences complementary to both U20 and U13 small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). The cis-acting elements essential for the reaction were studied further by site-directed mutagenesis. The U20 snoRNA complementary region in 18S rRNA was not required for faithful processing at the 18S rRNA/ITS 1 junction. Also, processing at this site was not appreciably altered by random substitution of proximal ITS 1 sequences (including the 5' terminal nucleotide) or of the terminal nucleotide of mature 18S rRNA. Substitutions in the four-nucleotide loop of the 18S rRNA 3'-terminal stem-loop, including the two adenosine residues substrates of dimethylation, did not alter appreciably the formation of the 18S rRNA 3' end, showing that the (methyl)2A1850.(methyl)2A1851 doublet was not required for processing at this site. Two highly conserved 18S rRNA elements acted as major cis-acting signals for processing at the 3' end, the CAUU sequence immediately preceding the 3'-terminal nucleotide and the 3' strand of the 3'-terminal 18S rRNA helix, complementary to U13 snoRNA. Compensatory mutations, restoring the potential for helix formation, but not U13 snoRNA complementarity, did not restitute the cleavage at the 3' end of 18S rRNA. This suggests that U13 snoRNA may be a trans-acting factor in the nucleolytic cleavage at the 3' end of 18S rRNA.

Animals↗

U21, a novel small nucleolar RNA with a 13 nt. complementarity to 28S rRNA, is encoded in an intron of ribosomal protein L5 gene in chicken and mammals.

Following a search of sequence data bases for intronic sequences exhibiting structural features typical of snoRNAs, we have positively identified by Northern assays and sequence analysis another intron-encoded snoRNA, termed U21. U21 RNA is a 93 nt. long, metabolically stable RNA, present at about 10(4) molecules per HeLa cell. It is encoded in intron 5 of the ribosomal protein L5 gene, both in chicken and in the two mammals studied so far, human and mouse. U21 RNA is devoid of a 5'-trimethyl-cap and is likely to result from processing of intronic RNA. The nucleolar localization of U21 has been established by fluorescence microscopy after in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotide probes. Like most other snoRNAs U21 contains the box C and box D motifs and is precipitated by anti-fibrillarin antibodies. By the presence of a typical 5'-3' terminal stem, U21 appears more particularly related to U14, U15, U16 and U20 intron-encoded snoRNAs. Remarkably, U21 contains a long stretch (13 nt.) of complementarity to a highly conserved sequence in 28S rRNA. Sequence comparisons between chicken and mammals, together with Northern hybridizations with antisense oligonucleotides on cellular RNAs from more distant vertebrates, point to the preferential preservation of this segment of U21 sequence during evolution. Accordingly, this complementarity, which overlaps the complementarity of 28S rRNA to another snoRNA, U18, could reflect an important role of U21 snoRNA in the biogenesis of large ribosomal subunit.

Animals↗

U24, a novel intron-encoded small nucleolar RNA with two 12 nt long, phylogenetically conserved complementarities to 28S rRNA.

Following computer searches of sequence banks, we have positively identified a novel intronic snoRNA, U24, encoded in the ribosomal protein L7a gene in humans and chicken. Like previously reported intronic snoRNAs, U24 is devoid of a 5'-trimethyl-cap. U24 is immunoprecipitated by an antifibrillarin antibody and displays an exclusively nucleolar localization by fluorescence microscopy after in situ hybridization with antisense oligonucleotides. In vertebrates, U24 is a 76 nt long conserved RNA which is metabolically stable, present at approximately 14,000 molecules per human HeLa cell. U24 exhibits a 5'-3' terminal stem-box C-box D structure, typical for several snoRNAs, and contains two 12 nt long conserved sequences complementary to 28S rRNA. It is, therefore, strikingly related to U14, U20 and U21 snoRNAs which also possess long sequences complementary to conserved sequences of mature 18S or 28S rRNAs. In 28S rRNA the two tracts complementary to U24 are adjacent to each other, they involve several methylated nucleotides and are surprisingly close, within the rRNA secondary structure, to complementarities to snoRNAs U18 and U21. Identification of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae U24 gene directly confirms the outstanding conservation of the complementarity to 28S rRNA during evolution, suggesting a key role of U24 pairing to pre-rRNA during ribosome biogenesis, possible in the control of pre-rRNA folding. Yeast S.cerevisiae U24 is also intron-encoded but not in the same host-gene as in humans or chicken.

Animals↗

Characterization of a novel trypanosomatid small nucleolar RNA.

Trypanosomes possess unique RNA processing mechanisms including trans- splicing of pre-mRNA and RNA editing of mitochondrial transcripts. The previous finding of a trimethylguanosine (TMG) capped U3 homologue in trypanosomes suggests that rRNA processing may be related to the processing in other eukaryotes. In this study, we describe the first trypanosomatid snoRNA that belongs to the snoRNAs that were shown to guide ribose methylation of rRNA. The RNA, identified in the monogenetic trypanosomatid Leptomonas collosoma, was termed snoRNA-2 and is encoded by a multi-copy gene. SnoRNA-2 is 85 nt long, it lacks a 5' cap and possesses the C and D boxes characteristic to all snoRNAs that bind fibrillarin. Computer analysis indicates a potential for base-pairing between snoRNA-2 and 5.8S rRNA, and 18S rRNA. The putative interaction domains obey the rules suggested for the interaction of guide snoRNA with its rRNA target for directing ribose methylation on the rRNA. However, mapping the methylated sites on the 5.8S rRNA and 18S rRNA indicates that the expected site on the 5.8S is methylated, whereas the site on the 18S is not. The proposed interaction with 5.8S rRNA is further supported by the presence of psoralen cross-link sites on snoRNA-2. GenBank search suggests that snoRNA-2 is not related to any published snoRNAs. Because of the early divergence of the Trypanosomatidae from the eukaryotic lineage, the presence of a methylating snoRNA that is encoded by a multi-copy gene suggests that methylating snoRNAs may have evolved in evolution from self-transcribed genes.

Animals↗

Composition and chromosomal localization of the small multigene family encoding mouse U3B nucleolar RNA.

U3 small nucleolar RNA, which is believed to play a role in eukaryotic rRNA processing, is encoded by a small family of genes (5-10 copies/haploid genome) in mammals. In mouse, functional genes encoding the major U3B RNA form have been isolated, with all copies identified so far having evolved in a tightly concerted fashion. However, knowledge of the precise number and relative localization of all gene-family members has been hampered by the presence of multiple copies of U3B-processed pseudogenes in the mouse genome. In this study, we took advantage of a probe that is specific for functional U3B genes to address this question, using both Southern hybridization of genomic DNA and in situ hybridization of metaphase chromosomes. We show that the mouse haploid genome contains four functional U3B genes, all of which are clustered in a single chromosomal locus. They map to the C-D bands of mouse chromosome 11, within one of the most extended segments of gene-linkage conservation known between the mouse and human genomes, corresponding to a major portion of human chromosome 17. By contrast, the multiple (nonfunctional) U3 retrogenes are dispersed over several mouse chromosomes.

Animals↗

Identification of transcribed sequences in Arabidopsis thaliana by using high-resolution genome tiling arrays.

Using a maskless photolithography method, we produced DNA oligonucleotide microarrays with probe sequences tiled throughout the genome of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. RNA expression was determined for the complete nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast genomes by tiling 5 million 36-mer probes. These probes were hybridized to labeled mRNA isolated from liquid grown T87 cells, an undifferentiated Arabidopsis cell culture line. Transcripts were detected from at least 60% of the nearly 26,330 annotated genes, which included 151 predicted genes that were not identified previously by a similar genome-wide hybridization study on four different cell lines. In comparison with previously published results with 25-mer tiling arrays produced by chromium masking-based photolithography technique, 36-mer oligonucleotide probes were found to be more useful in identifying intron-exon boundaries. Using two-dimensional HPLC tandem mass spectrometry, a small-scale proteomic analysis was performed with the same cells. A large amount of strongly hybridizing RNA was found in regions "antisense" to known genes. Similarity of antisense activities between the 25-mer and 36-mer data sets suggests that it is a reproducible and inherent property of the experiments. Transcription activities were also detected for many of the intergenic regions and the small RNAs, including tRNA, small nuclear RNA, small nucleolar RNA, and microRNA. Expression of tRNAs correlates with genome-wide amino acid usage.

Arabidopsis↗

A physical interaction between Gar1p and Rnt1pi is required for the nuclear import of H/ACA small nucleolar RNA-associated proteins.

During rRNA biogenesis, multiple RNA and protein substrates are modified and assembled through the coordinated activity of many factors. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the double-stranded RNA nuclease Rnt1p and the H/ACA snoRNA pseudouridylase complex participate in the transformation of the nascent pre-rRNA transcript into 35S pre-rRNA. Here we demonstrate the binding of a component of the H/ACA complex (Gar1p) to Rnt1p in vivo and in vitro in the absence of other factors. In vitro, Rnt1p binding to Gar1p is mutually exclusive of its RNA binding and cleavage activities. Mutations in Rnt1p that disrupt Gar1p binding do not inhibit RNA cleavage in vitro but slow RNA processing, prevent nucleolar localization of H/ACA snoRNA-associated proteins, and reduce pre-rRNA pseudouridylation in vivo. These results demonstrate colocalization of various components of the rRNA maturation complex and suggest a mechanism that links rRNA pseudouridylation and cleavage factors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A small nucleolar guide RNA functions both in 2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation of the U5 spliceosomal RNA.

In eukaryotes, two distinct classes of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), namely the fibrillarin-associated box C/D snoRNAs and the Gar1p-associated box H/ACA snoRNAs, direct the site-specific 2'-O-ribose methylation and pseudouridylation of ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), respectively. We have identified a novel evolutionarily conserved snoRNA, called U85, which possesses the box elements of both classes of snoRNAs and associates with both fibrillarin and Gar1p. In vitro and in vivo pseudouridylation and 2'-O-methylation experiments provide evidence that the U85 snoRNA directs 2'-O-methylation of the C45 and pseudouridylation of the U46 residues in the invariant loop 1 of the human U5 spliceosomal RNA. The U85 is the first example of a snoRNA that directs modification of an RNA polymerase II-transcribed spliceosomal RNA and that functions both in RNA pseudouridylation and 2'-O-methylation.

Animals↗

A muskrat tissue atlas of small non-coding RNAs and their regulatory roles in muskrat musk secretion.

Muskrat musk, secreted by the male muskrat scent gland during the secretion period, is a valuable natural product with promising pharmacological activities. Its synthesis is regulated not only by coding genes but also by small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs). However, a comprehensive tissue atlas of sncRNAs in muskrats has been lacking. To address this issue, we systematically profiled the expression levels of 6 sncRNA categories (piRNA [PIWI-interacting RNA], miRNA [microRNA], snoRNA [small nucleolar RNA], snRNA [small nuclear RNA], tRNA [transfer RNA], and other RNAs) across 13 tissues of the muskrat via deep sequencing. We identified 23,957 sncRNAs (∼ 65%) exhibiting tissue-specific expression patterns throughout the body. The results show that miRNA is the main contributor to tissue specificity. Eleven tissues showed a significantly higher number of miRNA-5p arm expressions compared to the 3p arm, although the brain was an exception. Quantitative results imply that miR-477-3p/5p and miR-794-3p are potentially involved in the regulation of muskrat musk synthesis and secretion in the muskrat scent glands. Their target genes were enriched in pathways related to energy supply, lipid metabolism, and cyclic morphological changes of the scent gland. Furthermore, we constructed a set of co-expressed miRNAs based on the hormone-dominated "brain-testis-scent gland" axis and the energy metabolism-dominated "brain-liver-scent gland" axis. These results provide the most comprehensive description to date of tissue-specific and ubiquitous sncRNAs in individual muskrat tissues. We anticipate that these data will enhance the understanding of the molecular regulation underlying muskrat musk synthesis and secretion.

Animals↗

RNA-binding protein Nrd1 directs poly(A)-independent 3'-end formation of RNA polymerase II transcripts.

A eukaryotic chromosome contains many genes, each transcribed separately by RNA polymerase (pol) I, II or III. Transcription termination between genes prevents the formation of polycistronic RNAs and anti-sense RNAs, which are generally detrimental to the correct expression of genes. Terminating the transcription of protein-coding genes by pol II requires a group of proteins that also direct cleavage and polyadenylation of the messenger RNA in response to a specific sequence element, and are associated with the carboxyl-terminal domain of the largest subunit of pol II (refs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). By contrast, the cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors that direct termination of non-polyadenylated transcripts made by pol II, including small nucleolar and small nuclear RNAs, are not known. Here we show that read-through transcription from yeast small nucleolar RNA and small nuclear RNA genes into adjacent genes is prevented by a cis-acting element that is recognized, in part, by the essential RNA-binding protein Nrd1. The RNA-binding protein Nab3, the putative RNA helicase Sen1, and the intact C-terminal domain of pol II are also required for efficient response to the element. The same proteins are required for maintaining normal levels of Nrd1 mRNA, indicating that these proteins may control elongation of a subset of mRNA transcripts.

Fungal Proteins↗