hLodestar/HuF2 interacts with CDC5L and is involved in pre-mRNA splicing

hLodestar/HuF2 belongs to the SNF2 family of proteins. This family of proteins has been shown to play a critical role in altering protein-DNA interactions in a variety of cellular contexts. We have identified an unexpected interaction between hLodestar/HuF2 and CDC5L in both the yeast two-hybrid system and HeLa nuclear extract. CDC5L is a well-characterized pre-mRNA splicing factor in yeast and humans. Our findings demonstrate that hLodestar/HuF2 associates with human splicing complexes. We also found that a truncated hLodestar/HuF2 polypeptide that overlaps with the CDC5L-binding region can inhibit pre-mRNA splicing by disrupting spliceosome assembly. These findings indicate that hLodestar/HuF2 may have a role in pre-mRNA splicing. These data are consistent with a close co-ordination of the transcription and splicing pathways in eukaryotes. Although many members of the DExH/D helicase superfamily have been linked to pre-mRNA splicing, this is the first SNF2 family member to be implicated in this pathway.