Assembly of the U5 snRNP component PRPF8 is controlled by the HSP90/R2TP chaperones

Splicing is catalyzed by the spliceosome, a complex of five major small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs). The pre-mRNA splicing factor PRPF8 is a crucial component of the U5 snRNP, and together with EFTUD2 and SNRNP200, it forms a central module of the spliceosome. Using quantitative proteomics, we identified assembly intermediates containing PRPF8, EFTUD2, and SNRNP200 in association with the HSP90/R2TP complex, its ZNHIT2 cofactor, and additional proteins. HSP90 and R2TP bind unassembled U5 proteins in the cytoplasm, stabilize them, and promote the formation of the U5 snRNP. We further found that PRPF8 mutants causing Retinitis pigmentosa assemble less efficiently with the U5 snRNP and bind more strongly to R2TP, with one mutant retained in the cytoplasm in an R2TP-dependent manner. We propose that the HSP90/R2TP chaperone system promotes the assembly of a key module of U5 snRNP while assuring the quality control of PRPF8. The proteomics data further reveal new interactions between R2TP and the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), pointing to a potential link between growth signals and the assembly of key cellular machines.