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A conserved Bcd1 interaction essential for box C/D snoRNP biogenesis.
Sohail Khoshnevis1, R Elizabeth Dreggors2, Tobias F R Hoffmann3
1Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322; Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|September 21, 2019
Summary
Bcd1 protein interactions with box C/D snoRNAs and Snu13 are crucial for small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) assembly and ribosome biogenesis. This study reveals how Bcd1 regulates snoRNP maturation and maintains cellular snoRNA levels.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Ribosome biogenesis and protein translation rely on precise rRNA modification and processing.
- Small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs) are essential for guiding rRNA folding, modification, and processing in eukaryotic cells.
- Bcd1, a conserved zinc finger HIT protein, is an early regulator of box C/D snoRNP biogenesis and controls snoRNA levels via an unknown mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which Bcd1 regulates box C/D snoRNP biogenesis and steady-state snoRNA levels.
- To identify the specific interactions of Bcd1 critical for its function in ribosome biogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Genetic approaches in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Biochemical assays to study protein-nucleic acid and protein-protein interactions.
Main Results:
- A conserved N-terminal motif in Bcd1 is essential for its interaction with box C/D snoRNAs and the core snoRNP protein Snu13.
- Both Bcd1-snoRNA and Bcd1-Snu13 interactions are critical for proper snoRNP assembly.
- These interactions are vital for efficient ribosome biogenesis and maintaining cellular snoRNA homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Bcd1 utilizes its N-terminal motif to interact with snoRNAs and Snu13, facilitating early snoRNP maturation.
- These interactions are essential for ribosome production and cellular viability.
- The study provides mechanistic insights into Bcd1's role in snoRNP biogenesis and snoRNA level regulation.
Keywords:
Bcd1RNARNA binding proteinRNA methylationRNA modificationSnu13assembly factorbox C/D snoRNAposttranscriptional regulationrRNA processingribonuclear protein (RNP)ribosome assemblyribosome biogenesissmall nucleolar RNA (snoRNA)small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) assemblysnoRNP assemblyzinc finger HIT-type containing 6 (ZNHIT6)
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