The network of protein-protein interactions within the human U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP

RNA. 2006 Jul;12(7):1418-30. doi: 10.1261/rna.55406. Epub 2006 May 24.

Abstract

The human 25S U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP is a major building block of the U2-type spliceosome and contains, in addition to the U4, U6, and U5 snRNAs, at least 30 distinct proteins. To learn more about the molecular architecture of the tri-snRNP, we have investigated interactions between tri-snRNP proteins using the yeast two-hybrid assay and in vitro binding assays, and, in addition, have identified distinct protein domains that are critical for the connectivity of this protein network in the human tri-snRNP. These studies revealed multiple interactions between distinct domains of the U5 proteins hPrp8, hBrr2 (a DExH/D-box helicase), and hSnu114 (a putative GTPase), which are key players in the catalytic activation of the spliceosome, during which the U4/U6 base-pairing interaction is disrupted and U4 is released from the spliceosome. Both the U5-specific, TPR/HAT-repeat-containing hPrp6 protein and the tri-snRNP-specific hSnu66 protein interact with several U5- and U4/U6-associated proteins, including hBrr2 and hPrp3, which contacts the U6 snRNA. Thus, both proteins are located at the interface between U5 and U4/U6 in the tri-snRNP complex, and likely play an important role in transmitting the activity of hBrr2 and hSnu114 in the U5 snRNP to the U4/U6 duplex during spliceosome activation. A more detailed analysis of these protein interactions revealed that different HAT repeats mediate interactions with specific hPrp6 partners. Taken together, data presented here provide a detailed picture of the network of protein interactions within the human tri-snRNP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Primers
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protein Conformation
  • RNA Splicing
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear / chemistry
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear / genetics*
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear
  • Glutathione Transferase