Elisabeth Petfalski

FUNCTIONS OF THE EXOSOME IN RRNA, SNORNA AND SNRNA SYNTHESIS

The yeast nuclear exosome contains multiple 3′→5′ exoribonucleases, raising the question of why so many activities are present in the complex. All components are required during the 3′ processing of the 5.8S rRNA, together with the putative RNA helicase Dob1p/Mtr4p. During this processing three distinct steps can be resolved, and hand‐over between different exonucleases appears to occur at least twice. 3′ processing of snoRNAs (small nucleolar RNAs) that are excised from polycistronic precursors or from mRNA introns is also a multi‐step process that involves the exosome, with final trimming specifically dependent on the Rrp6p component. The spliceosomal U4 snRNA (small nuclear RNA) is synthesized from a 3′ extended precursor that is cleaved by Rnt1p at sites 135 and 169 nt downstream of the mature 3′ end. This cleavage is followed by 3′→5′ processing of the pre‐snRNA involving the exosome complex and Dob1p. The exosome, together with Rnt1p, also participates in the 3′ processing of the U1 and U5 snRNAs. We conclude that the exosome is involved in the processing of many RNA substrates and that different components can have distinct functions.

90S Pre-Ribosomes Include the 35S Pre-rRNA, the U3 snoRNP, and 40S Subunit Processing Factors but Predominantly Lack 60S Synthesis Factors

We report the characterization of early pre-ribosomal particles. Twelve TAP-tagged components each showed nucleolar localization, sedimented at approximately 90S on sucrose gradients, and coprecipitated both the 35S pre-rRNA and the U3 snoRNA. Thirty-five non-ribosomal proteins were coprecipitated, including proteins associated with U3 (Nop56p, Nop58p, Sof1p, Rrp9, Dhr1p, Imp3p, Imp4p, and Mpp10p) and other factors required for 18S rRNA synthesis (Nop14p, Bms1p, and Krr1p). Mutations in components of the 90S pre-ribosomes impaired 40S subunit assembly and export. Strikingly, few components of recently characterized pre-60S ribosomes were identified in the 90S pre-ribosomes. We conclude that the 40S synthesis machinery predominately associates with the 35S pre-rRNA factors, whereas factors required for 60S subunit synthesis largely bind later, showing an unexpected dichotomy in binding.

60S pre-ribosome formation viewed from assembly in the nucleolus until export to the cytoplasm

60S ribosomes undergo initial assembly in the nucleolus before export to the cytoplasm and recent analyses have identified several nucleolar pre‐60S particles. To unravel the steps in the pathway of ribosome formation, we have purified the pre‐60S ribosomes associated with proteins predicted to act at different stages as the pre‐ribosomes transit from the nucleolus through the nucleoplasm and are then exported to the cytoplasm for final maturation. About 50 non‐ribosomal proteins are associated with the early nucleolar pre‐60S ribosomes. During subsequent maturation and transport to the nucleoplasm, many of these factors are removed, while others remain attached and additional factors transiently associate. When the 60S precursor particles are close to exit from the nucleus they associate with at least two export factors, Nmd3 and Mtr2. As the 60S pre‐ribosome reaches the cytoplasm, almost all of the factors are dissociated. These data provide an initial biochemical map of 60S ribosomal subunit formation on its path from the nucleolus to the cytoplasm.

Identification of a 60S Preribosomal Particle that Is Closely Linked to Nuclear Export

A nuclear GTPase, Nug1p, was identified in a genetic screen for components linked to 60S ribosomal subunit export. Nug1p cosedimented with nuclear 60S preribosomes and was required for subunit export to the cytoplasm. Tagged Nug1p coprecipitated with proteins of the 60S subunit, late precursors to the 25S and 5.8S rRNAs, and at least 21 nonribosomal proteins. These included a homologous nuclear GTPase, Nug2p, the Noc2p/Noc3p heterodimer, Rix1p, and Rlp7p, each of which was implicated in 60S subunit export. Other known ribosome synthesis factors and proteins of previously unknown function, including the 559 kDa protein Ylr106p, also copurified. Eight of these proteins were copurified with nuclear pore complexes, suggesting that this complex represents the transport intermediate for 60S subunit export.

The path from nucleolar 90S to cytoplasmic 40S pre‐ribosomes

Recent reports have increased our knowledge of the consecutive steps during 60S ribosome biogenesis substantially, but 40S subunit formation is less well understood. Here, we investigate the maturation of nucleolar 90S pre‐ribosomes into cytoplasmic 40S pre‐ribosomes. During the transition from 90S to 40S particles, the majority of non‐ribosomal proteins (∼30 species) dissociate, and significantly fewer factors associate with 40S pre‐ribosomes. Notably, some of these components are part of both early 90S and intermediate 40S pre‐particles in the nucleolus (e.g. Enp1p, Dim1p and Rrp12p), whereas others (e.g. Rio2p and Nob1p) are found mainly on late cytoplasmic pre‐40S subunits. Finally, temperature‐sensitive mutants mapping either in earlier (enp1‐1) or later (rio2‐1) components exhibit defects in the formation and nuclear export of pre‐40S subunits. Our data provide an initial biochemical map of the pre‐40S ribosomal subunit on its path from the nucleolus to the cytoplasm. This pathway involves fewer changes in composition than seen during 60S biogenesis.

Identification of protein binding sites on U3 snoRNA and pre-rRNA by UV cross-linking and high-throughput analysis of cDNAs

The U3 small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) plays an essential role in ribosome biogenesis but, like many RNA–protein complexes, its architecture is poorly understood. To address this problem, binding sites for the snoRNP proteins Nop1, Nop56, Nop58, and Rrp9 were mapped by UV cross-linking and analysis of cDNAs. Cross-linked protein–RNA complexes were purified under highly-denaturing conditions, ensuring that only direct interactions were detected. Recovered RNA fragments were amplified after linker ligation and cDNA synthesis. Cross-linking was successfully performed either in vitro on purified complexes or in vivo in living cells. Cross-linking sites were precisely mapped either by Sanger sequencing of multiple cloned fragments or direct, high-throughput Solexa sequencing. Analysis of RNAs associated with the snoRNP proteins revealed remarkably high signal-to-noise ratios and identified specific binding sites for each of these proteins on the U3 RNA. The results were consistent with previous data, demonstrating the reliability of the method, but also provided insights into the architecture of the U3 snoRNP. The snoRNP proteins were also cross-linked to pre-rRNA fragments, with preferential association at known sites of box C/D snoRNA function. This finding demonstrates that the snoRNP proteins directly contact the pre-rRNA substrate, suggesting roles in snoRNA recruitment. The techniques reported here should be widely applicable to analyses of RNA–protein interactions.

Processing of the Precursors to Small Nucleolar RNAs and rRNAs Requires Common Components

ABSTRACT The genes encoding the small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) species snR190 and U14 are located close together in the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here we report that these two snoRNAs are synthesized by processing of a larger common transcript. In strains mutant for two 5′→3′ exonucleases, Xrn1p and Rat1p, families of 5′-extended forms of snR190 and U14 accumulate; these have 5′ extensions of up to 42 and 55 nucleotides, respectively. We conclude that the 5′ ends of both snR190 and U14 are generated by exonuclease digestion from upstream processing sites. In contrast to snR190 and U14, the snoRNAs U18 and U24 are excised from the introns of pre-mRNAs which encode proteins in their exonic sequences. Analysis of RNA extracted from a dbr1-Δ strain, which lacks intron lariat-debranching activity, shows that U24 can be synthesized only from the debranched lariat. In contrast, a substantial level of U18 can be synthesized in the absence of debranching activity. The 5′ ends of these snoRNAs are also generated by Xrn1p and Rat1p. The same exonucleases are responsible for the degradation of several excised fragments of the pre-rRNA spacer regions, in addition to generating the 5′ end of the 5.8S rRNA. Processing of the pre-rRNA and both intronic and polycistronic snoRNAs therefore involves common components.

Maturation and Intranuclear Transport of Pre-Ribosomes Requires Noc Proteins

How pre-ribosomes temporally and spatially mature during intranuclear biogenesis is not known. Here, we report three nucleolar proteins, Noc1p to Noc3p, that are required for ribosome maturation and transport. They can be isolated in two distinct complexes: Noc1p/Noc2p associates with 90S and 66S pre-ribosomes and is enriched in the nucleolus, and Noc2p/Noc3p associates with 66S pre-ribosomes and is mainly nucleoplasmic. Mutation of each Noc protein impairs intranuclear transport of 60S subunits at different stages and inhibits pre-rRNA processing. Overexpression of a conserved domain common to Noc1p and Noc3p is dominant-negative for cell growth, with a defect in nuclear 60S subunit transport, but no inhibition of pre-rRNA processing. We propose that the dynamic interaction of Noc proteins is crucial for intranuclear movement of ribosomal precursor particles, and, thereby represent a prerequisite for proper maturation.

Hrr25-dependent phosphorylation state regulates organization of the pre-40S subunit

The formation of eukaryotic ribosomes is a multistep process that takes place successively in the nucleolar, nucleoplasmic and cytoplasmic compartments. Along this pathway, multiple pre-ribosomal particles are generated, which transiently associate with numerous non-ribosomal factors before mature 60S and 40S subunits are formed. However, most mechanistic details of ribosome biogenesis are still unknown. Here we identify a maturation step of the yeast pre-40S subunit that is regulated by the protein kinase Hrr25 and involves ribosomal protein Rps3. A high salt concentration releases Rps3 from isolated pre-40S particles but not from mature 40S subunits. Electron microscopy indicates that pre-40S particles lack a structural landmark present in mature 40S subunits, the ‘beak’. The beak is formed by the protrusion of 18S ribosomal RNA helix 33, which is in close vicinity to Rps3. Two protein kinases Hrr25 and Rio2 are associated with pre-40S particles. Hrr25 phosphorylates Rps3 and the 40S synthesis factor Enp1. Phosphorylated Rsp3 and Enp1 readily dissociate from the pre-ribosome, whereas subsequent dephosphorylation induces formation of the beak structure and salt-resistant integration of Rps3 into the 40S subunit. In vivo depletion of Hrr25 inhibits growth and leads to the accumulation of immature 40S subunits that contain unstably bound Rps3. We conclude that the kinase activity of Hrr25 regulates the maturation of 40S ribosomal subunits.

Rrp47p Is an Exosome-Associated Protein Required for the 3′ Processing of Stable RNAs

ABSTRACT Related exosome complexes of 3′→5′ exonucleases are present in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Purification of exosome complexes from whole-cell lysates identified a Mg2+-labile factor present in substoichiometric amounts. This protein was identified as the nuclear protein Yhr081p, the homologue of human C1D, which we have designated Rrp47p (for rRNA processing). Immunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged Rrp47p confirmed its interaction with the exosome and revealed its association with Rrp6p, a 3′→5′ exonuclease specific to the nuclear exosome fraction. Northern analyses demonstrated that Rrp47p is required for the exosome-dependent processing of rRNA and small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) precursors. Rrp47p also participates in the 3′ processing of U4 and U5 small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs). The defects in the processing of stable RNAs seen in rrp47-Δ strains closely resemble those of strains lacking Rrp6p. In contrast, Rrp47p is not required for the Rrp6p-dependent degradation of 3′-extended nuclear pre-mRNAs or the cytoplasmic 3′→5′ mRNA decay pathway. We propose that Rrp47p functions as a substrate-specific nuclear cofactor for exosome activity in the processing of stable RNAs.