Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
06:48
A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells
Published on: June 16, 2022
MRN1 implicates chromatin remodeling complexes and architectural factors in mRNA maturation
Louis Düring1, Michael Thorsen, Darima Sophia Njama Petersen
1Department of Biology, Copenhagen BioCenter, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Plos One
|October 3, 2012
Summary
Chromatin remodeling factors RSC and Nhp6A/Nhp6B are crucial for proper mRNA processing and splicing. Mutations lead to pre-mRNA accumulation and reduced snRNA levels, highlighting chromatin
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- RNA Processing
Background:
- A link between chromatin structure and mRNA processing is proposed but not well-defined.
- Key chromatin factors involved in this process remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of chromatin remodeling factor RSC and architectural proteins Nhp6A/Nhp6B in mRNA processing.
- To identify factors that suppress defects associated with mutations in RSC and Nhp6A/Nhp6B.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of pre-mRNA accumulation in RSC and Nhp6A/Nhp6B deficient mutants (rsc nhp6ΔΔ).
- Quantification of U6 snRNA and U4/U6 di-snRNA levels in mutant cells.
- Identification and characterization of MRN1 as a multi-copy suppressor.
Main Results:
- rsc nhp6ΔΔ mutants accumulate intron-containing pre-mRNA at restrictive temperatures.
- Mutant cells exhibit reduced levels of U6 snRNA and U4/U6 di-snRNA, indicating splicing defects.
- MRN1, an RNA-binding protein, suppresses the growth defects of rsc nhp6ΔΔ mutants.
Conclusions:
- Chromatin structure, involving RSC and Nhp6A/Nhp6B, plays a significant role in mRNA processing and splicing.
- MRN1 is a novel suppressor of splicing defects and interacts genetically with other splicing factors.
- These findings establish a functional link between chromatin organization and the mRNA splicing machinery.
Related Concept Videos
02:41Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing
In eukaryotic cells, nascent mRNA transcripts need to undergo many post-transcriptional modifications to reach the cell cytoplasm and translate into functional proteins. For a long time, transcription and pre-mRNA processing were considered two independent events that occur sequentially in the cell. However, it has now been well established that transcription and pre-mRNA processing are two simultaneous processes that are precisely regulated inside the cell.
The chromatin structure, especially...
The chromatin structure, especially...
02:54Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosomes are the basic units of chromatin compaction. Each nucleosome consists of the DNA bound tightly around a histone core, which makes the DNA inaccessible to DNA binding proteins such as DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase. Hence, the fundamental problem is to ensure access to DNA when appropriate, despite the compact and protective chromatin structure.
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
02:25Spreading of Chromatin Modifications
The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
Writers
The writer is an enzyme that can...
01:53RNA Stability
Intact DNA strands can be found in fossils, while scientists sometimes struggle to keep RNA intact under laboratory conditions. The structural variations between RNA and DNA underlie the differences in their stability and longevity. Because DNA is double-stranded, it is inherently more stable. The single-stranded structure of RNA is less stable but also more flexible and can form weak internal bonds. Additionally, most RNAs in the cell are relatively short, while DNA can be up to 250 million...
02:53Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...