Mature microRNAs are bound by a member of the Argonaute (Ago1-4) protein family, forming the core of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). Association of RISC with target mRNAs results in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) assembly involved in translational silencing or RNA degradation. Yet, the dynamics of RNP assembly and its underlying functional implications are unknown. Here, we have characterized the role of the RNA-binding protein Staufen2, a candidate Ago interactor, in RNP assembly. Staufen2 depletion resulted in the upregulation of Ago1/2 and the RISC effector proteins Ddx6 and Dcp1a. This upregulation was accompanied by the displacement of Ago1/2 from processing bodies, large RNPs implicated in RNA storage, and subsequent association of Ago2 with polysomes. In parallel, Staufen2 deficiency decreased global translation and increased dendritic branching. As the observed phenotypes can be rescued by Ago1/2 knockdown, we propose a working model in which both Staufen2 and Ago proteins depend on each other and contribute to neuronal homeostasis.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkac487 | DOI Listing |
Nat Commun
January 2025
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
Biogenesis of human telomerase requires its RNA subunit (hTR) to fold into a multi-domain architecture that includes the template-pseudoknot (t/PK) and the three-way junction (CR4/5). These hTR domains bind the telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein and are essential for telomerase activity. Here, we probe hTR structure in living cells using dimethyl sulfate mutational profiling with sequencing (DMS-MaPseq) and ensemble deconvolution analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Genet
January 2025
Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Germ cells are essential for fertility, embryogenesis, and reproduction. Germline development requires distinct types of germ granules, which contains RNA-protein (RNP) complexes, including germ plasm in embryos, piRNA granules in gonadal germ cells, and the Balbiani body (Bb) in oocytes. However, the regulation of RNP assemblies in zebrafish germline development are still poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
Laboratory of Fish Molecular Immunology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
The accurate assembly of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex is fundamental for the replication and transcription of rhabdoviruses, which are known for their broad pathogenic impact. A novel 119-amino-acid protein, NLRP12-119aa is identified, encoded by the circular RNA circNLRP12, that effectively disrupts the formation of rhabdovirus RNP complexes through two distinct mechanisms and significantly reduces their replication. NLRP12-119aa exhibits a strong affinity for the conserved 18-nucleotide sequence at the start of the leader RNA of rhabdoviruses VSV, SCRV, and RABV, outcompeting their native N protein interactions, thereby disrupting the assembly of RNP complexes and inhibiting viral replication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Cell
December 2024
Biotechnology Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, Dresden 01307 Saxony, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU Dresden, Dresden 01307 Saxony, Germany. Electronic address:
Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules have been linked to translation regulation and disease, but their assembly and regulatory mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we show that the RNA-binding protein G3BP1 preferentially interacts with unfolded RNA, driving the assembly of RNP granule-like condensates that establish RNA-RNA interactions. These RNA-RNA interactions limit the mobility and translatability of sequestered mRNAs and stabilize the condensates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAs adaptors, catalysts, guides, messengers, scaffolds and structural components, RNAs perform an impressive array of cellular regulatory functions often by recruiting RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to form ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). While this RNA-RBP interaction network allows precise RNP assembly and the subsequent structural dynamics required for normal functions, RNA motif mutations may trigger the formation of aberrant RNP structures that lead to cell dysfunction and disease. Here, we provide our perspective on one type of RNA motif mutation, RNA gain-of-function mutations associated with the abnormal expansion of short tandem repeats (STRs) that underlie multiple developmental and degenerative diseases.
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