ABCE1 is a highly conserved RNA silencing suppressor

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• ATP-binding cassette sub-family E member 1 (ABCE1) is a conserved protein with known roles in ribosome recycling and translation termination.
• Previous research identified the plant homolog, AtRLI2, as an endogenous suppressor of RNA silencing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the conserved function of ABCE1 as an endogenous suppressor of RNA silencing across different organisms.
• To identify ABCE1-interacting proteins involved in RNA silencing regulation.

Main Methods:

• Functional assays in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, HEK293 cells, and Caenorhabditis elegans.
• Co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry to identify protein interactors.
• Analysis of interactor functions related to gene regulation and RNA processing.

Main Results:

• Human ABCE1 demonstrated conserved RNA silencing suppression activity in plants, mammalian cells, and C. elegans.
• Identified potential ABCE1 interactors associated with epigenetic regulation, transcription, RNA processing, and mRNA surveillance.
• Discovered translin and TRAX as ABCE1-interacting proteins that support RNA interference.

Conclusions:

• ABCE1 possesses a conserved function as an endogenous suppressor of RNA silencing.
• ABCE1's role in RNA silencing is mediated by interactions with diverse protein complexes involved in gene regulation and RNA metabolism.
• This study expands the known functions of ABCE1 beyond ribosome recycling.