Prp24 (precursor RNA processing, gene 24) is a protein part of the pre-messenger RNA splicing process and aids the binding of U6 snRNA to U4 snRNA during the formation of spliceosomes. Found in eukaryotes from yeast to E. coli, fungi, and humans, Prp24 was initially discovered to be an important element of RNA splicing in 1989.[1][2] Mutations in Prp24 were later discovered in 1991 to suppress mutations in U4 that resulted in cold-sensitive strains of yeast, indicating its involvement in the reformation of the U4/U6 duplex after the catalytic steps of splicing.[3]

Prp24 RRMs 1 and 2

Biological Role

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The process of spliceosome formation involves the U4 and U6 snRNPs associating and forming a di-snRNP in the cell nucleus. This di-snRNP then recruits another member (U5) to become a tri-snRNP. U6 must then dissociate from U4 to bond with U2 and become catalytically active. Once splicing has been done, U6 must dissociate from the spliceosome and bond back with U4 to restart the cycle.

Prp24 has been shown to promote the binding of U4 and U6 snRNPs. Removing Prp24 results in the accumulation of free U4 and U6, and the subsequent addition of Prp24 regenerates U4/U6 and reduces the amount of free U4 and U6.[4] Naked U6 snRNA is very compact and has little room to form base pairs with other RNA. However, when U6 snRNP associates with proteins such as Prp24, the structure is much more open, thus facilitating the binding to U4.[5] Prp24 is not present in the U6/U4 duplex itself, and it has been suggested that Prp24 must leave the complex in order for proper base pairs to be formed.[6][7] It has also been suggested that Prp24 may play a role in destabilizing U4/U6 in order for U6 to pair bases with U2.[8]

Structure

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Prp 24 RRM 3

Prp24 has a molecular weight of 50 kDa and has been shown to contain four RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) and a conserved 12-amino acid sequence at the C-terminus.[9][10] RRMs 1 and 2 have been shown to be important for high-affinity binding of U6, while RRMs 3 and 4 bind at lower affinity sites on U6.[11] The first three RRMs interact extensively with each other and contain canonical folds that contain a four-stranded beta-sheet and two alpha-helices. The electropositive surface of RRMs 1 and 2 is a RNA annealing domain while the cleft between RRMs 1 and 2 including the beta-sheet face of RRM2 is a sequence-specific RNA binding site.[1] The C-terminal motif is required for association with LSm proteins and contributes to substrate (U6) binding and not the catalytic rate of splicing.[10]

 
U6 snRNP with the associated Prp24 and LSm proteins

Interactions

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Prp24 interacts with the U6 snRNA via its RRMs. It has been shown through chemical modification testing that nucleotides 39–57 of U6 (40–43 in particular)[5] are involved in binding Prp24.[12]

The LSm proteins are in a consistent configuration on the U6 RNA.[9][clarification needed] It has been proposed that the LSm proteins and Prp24 interact both physically and functionally[6] and the C-terminal motif of Prp24 is important for this interaction.[10] The binding of Prp24 to U6 is enhanced by the binding of Lsm proteins to U6, as is binding of U4 and U6.[13] It was revealed by electron microscopy that Prp24 may interact with the LSm protein ring at LSm2.[9]

Homologs

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Prp24 has a human homolog, SART3. SART3 is a tumor rejection antigen (SART3 stands for "squamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T cells, gene 3). The RRMs 1 and 2 in yeast are similar to RRMs in human SART3.[1][11] The C-terminal domain is also highly conserved from yeast to humans.[14] This protein, like Prp24, interacts with the LSm proteins[9][15] for the recycling of U6 into the U4/U6 snRNP. It has been proposed that SART3 target U6 to a Cajal body or a nuclear inclusion as the site of assembly of the U4/U6 snRNP.[15] SART3 is located on chromosome 12, and a mutation is likely the cause of disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis.[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Bae, E.; et al. (2007). "Structure and interactions of the first three RNA recognition motifs of splicing factor Prp24". Journal of Molecular Biology. 367 (5): 1447–1458. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2007.01.078. PMC 1939982. PMID 17320109.
  2. ^ Vijayraghavan, U.; Company, M.; Abelson, J. (1989). "Isolation and characterization of pre-mRNA splicing mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae". Genes & Development. 3 (8): 1206–1216. doi:10.1101/gad.3.8.1206. PMID 2676722.
  3. ^ Shannon, K. W.; Guthrie, C. (1991). "Suppressors of U4 snRNA mutation define a novel U6 snRNP protein with RNA-binding motifs". Genes & Development. 5 (5): 773–785. doi:10.1101/gad.5.5.773. PMID 1827420.
  4. ^ Raghunathan, P. L.; Guthrie, C. A. (1998). "Spliceosomal Recycling Factor That Reanneals U4 and U6 Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Particles". Science. 279 (5352): 857–860. Bibcode:1998Sci...279..857R. doi:10.1126/science.279.5352.857. PMID 9452384.
  5. ^ a b Karaduman, R.; et al. (2006). "RNA Structure and RNA–Protein Interactions in Purified Yeast U6 snRNPs". Journal of Molecular Biology. 356 (5): 1248–1262. doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2005.12.013. hdl:11858/00-001M-0000-0012-E5F7-6. PMID 16410014.
  6. ^ a b Vidal, V. P.; et al. (1995). "Characterization of U6 snRNA-protein interactions". RNA. 5 (11): 1470–1481. doi:10.1017/S1355838299991355. PMC 1369868. PMID 10580475.
  7. ^ Jandrositz, A.; Guthrie, A. (1995). "Evidence for a Prp24 binding site in U6 snRNA and in a putative intermediate in the annealing of U6 and U4 snRNAs". The EMBO Journal. 14 (4): 820–832. doi:10.1002/j.1460-2075.1995.tb07060.x. PMC 398149. PMID 7882985.
  8. ^ Vidaver, R. M.; Fortner, DM; Loos-Austin, LS; Brow, DA (1999). "Multiple functions of Saccharomyces cerevisiae splicing protein Prp24 in U6 RNA structural rearrangements". Genetics. 153 (3): 1205–1218. doi:10.1093/genetics/153.3.1205. PMC 1460831. PMID 10545453.
  9. ^ a b c d Karaduman, R.; et al. (2008). "Structure of yeast U6 snRNPs: Arrangement of Prp24p and the LSm complex as revealed by electron microscopy". RNA. 14 (12): 1–10. doi:10.1261/rna.1369808. PMC 2590955. PMID 18971323.
  10. ^ a b c Rader, S. D.; Guthrie, C. (2002). "A conserved Lsm-interaction motif in Prp24 required for efficient U4/U6 di-snRNP formation". RNA. 8 (11): 1378–1392. doi:10.1017/S1355838202020010. PMC 1370345. PMID 12458792.
  11. ^ a b Kwan, S. S.; Brow, D. A. (2005). "The N- and C-terminal RNA recognition motifs of splicing factor Prp24 have distinct functions in U6 RNA binding". RNA. 11 (5): 808–820. doi:10.1261/rna.2010905. PMC 1370765. PMID 15811912.
  12. ^ Ghetti, A.; Company, M.; Abelson, J. (1995). "Specificity of Prp24 binding to RNA: a role for Prp24 in the dynamic interaction of U4 and U6 snRNAs". RNA. 1 (2): 132–145. PMC 1369067. PMID 7585243.
  13. ^ Ryan, D. E.; Stevens, S. W.; Abelson, J. (2002). "The 5' and 3' domains of yeast U6 snRNA: Lsm proteins facilitate binding of Prp24 protein to the U6 telestem region". RNA. 8 (8): 1011–1033. doi:10.1017/S1355838202026092. PMC 1370313. PMID 12212846.
  14. ^ Bell, M.; et al. (2002). "p110, a novel human U6 snRNP protein and U4/U6 snRNP recycling factor". The EMBO Journal. 21 (11): 2724–2735. doi:10.1093/emboj/21.11.2724. PMC 126028. PMID 12032085.
  15. ^ a b Stanek, D.; et al. (2003). "Targeting of U4/U6 small nuclear RNP assembly factor SART3/p110 to Cajal bodies". Journal of Cell Biology. 160 (4): 505–516. doi:10.1083/jcb.200210087. PMC 2173746. PMID 12578909.
  16. ^ "OMIM - POROKERATOSIS, DISSEMINATED SUPERFICIAL ACTINIC, 1; DSAP1". Retrieved 2009-04-05.
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