PHAX and CRM1 are required sequentially to transport U3 snoRNA to nucleoli

Mol Cell. 2004 Dec 3;16(5):777-87. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2004.11.013.

Abstract

To better understand intranuclear-targeting mechanisms, we have studied the transport of U3 snoRNA in human cells. Surprisingly, we found that PHAX, the snRNA export adaptor, is highly enriched in complexes containing m7G-capped U3 precursors. In contrast, the export receptor CRM1 is predominantly bound to TMG-capped U3 species. In agreement, PHAX does not export m7G-capped U3 precursors because their caps become hypermethylated in the nucleus. Inactivation of PHAX and CRM1 shows that U3 first requires PHAX to reach Cajal bodies, and then CRM1 to be routed from there to nucleoli. Furthermore, PHAX also binds the precursors of U8 and U13 box C/D snoRNAs and telomerase RNA. PHAX was previously shown to discriminate between small versus large RNAs during export. Our data indicate that the role of PHAX in determining the identity of small RNAs extends to nonexported species, and this appears critical to promote their transport within the nucleus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Biological Transport
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleolus / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism
  • Coiled Bodies / metabolism
  • DNA Methylation
  • Exportin 1 Protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Karyopherins / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins / physiology*
  • Phosphoproteins / physiology*
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • RNA / chemistry
  • RNA / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / chemistry*
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / physiology*
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nucleolar / metabolism
  • Telomerase / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Karyopherins
  • Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins
  • PHAX protein, human
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA, Small Nucleolar
  • RNA, U3 small nucleolar
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nucleolar
  • ribonucleoprotein, U3 small nucleolar
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • RNA
  • Telomerase