A novel U2 and U11/U12 snRNP protein that associates with the pre-mRNA branch site

EMBO J. 2001 Aug 15;20(16):4536-46. doi: 10.1093/emboj/20.16.4536.

Abstract

Previous UV cross-linking studies demonstrated that, upon integration of the U2 snRNP into the spliceosome, a 14 kDa protein (p14) interacts directly with the branch adenosine, the nucleophile for the first transesterification step of splicing. We have identified the cDNA encoding this protein by microsequencing a 14 kDa protein isolated from U2-type spliceosomes. This protein contains an RNA recognition motif and is highly conserved across species. Antibodies raised against this cDNA-encoded protein precipitated the 14 kDa protein cross-linked to the branch adenosine, confirming the identity of the p14 cDNA. A combination of immunoblotting, protein microsequencing and immunoprecipitation revealed that p14 is a component of both 17S U2 and 18S U11/U12 snRNPs, suggesting that it contributes to the interaction of these snRNPs with the branch sites of U2- and U12-type pre-mRNAs, respectively. p14 was also shown to be a subunit of the heteromeric splicing factor SF3b and to interact directly with SF3b155. Immuno precipitations indicated that p14 is present in U12-type spliceosomes, consistent with the idea that branch point selection is similar in the major and minor spliceosomes.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptides / classification
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism*
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA Splicing*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / classification
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear / classification
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear / genetics
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / classification
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / genetics
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Spliceosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Peptides
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U2 Small Nuclear
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear
  • SF3B1 protein, human
  • U11 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein, human
  • U11-U12 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein
  • U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein p14

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF401310