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A Rapid High-throughput Method for Mapping Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) on Human pre-mRNA
13:00

A Rapid High-throughput Method for Mapping Ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) on Human pre-mRNA

Published on: December 2, 2009

A transcriptome-wide atlas of RNP composition reveals diverse classes of mRNAs and lncRNAs

Alex Charles Tuck1, David Tollervey1

  • 1The University of Edinburgh, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, Michael Swann Building, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK.

Cell
|September 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) share processing steps but diverge in fate. Transcript fate is determined by 3' end formation, with most lncRNAs undergoing nuclear surveillance.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • RNA Biology

Background:

  • Eukaryotic genomes produce diverse messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs).
  • Both RNA types are transcribed by RNA Polymerase II and undergo 5' capping and 3' polyadenylation.
  • A key distinction lies in mRNA translation into proteins, while lncRNAs do not encode proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms distinguishing mRNA and lncRNA fates.
  • To identify transcriptome-wide targets of key RNA processing, export, and turnover factors in yeast.
  • To understand how transcript maturation pathways diverge between mRNAs and lncRNAs.

Main Methods:

  • Transcriptome-wide analysis of RNA processing factors in budding yeast.
  • Comparative analysis of mRNA and lncRNA maturation pathways.
  • Identification of factors influencing 3' end formation and nuclear export.

Main Results:

  • Transcript fate is primarily determined during 3' end processing.
  • Most lncRNAs are directed to nuclear RNA surveillance pathways.
  • A subset of lncRNAs with mRNA-like 3' ends are exported to the cytoplasm.
  • Hrp1 and Nab2 proteins play dual roles in mRNA processing and lncRNA surveillance.
  • A subset of mRNAs exhibit "lncRNA-like" features and are regulated by nuclear surveillance.

Conclusions:

  • 3' end formation is a critical checkpoint for mRNA vs. lncRNA fate determination.
  • RNA processing factors like Hrp1 and Nab2 orchestrate transcript fate decisions.
  • The nuclear surveillance machinery also impacts the maturation and export of certain mRNAs.

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