Ubiquitin binding by a variant Jab1/MPN domain in the essential pre-mRNA splicing factor Prp8p

RNA. 2006 Feb;12(2):292-302. doi: 10.1261/rna.2152306.

Abstract

The U1, U2, U4/U6, and U5 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) are components of the spliceosome, which catalyzes pre-mRNA splicing. One of the largest and the most highly conserved proteins in the spliceosome is Prp8p, a component of the U5 snRNP. Despite its size and conservation, very few motifs have been identified that suggest specific biochemical functions. A variant of the Jab1/MPN domain found in a class of deubiquitinating enzymes is present near the C terminus of Prp8p. Ubiquitination regulates a broad range of cellular pathways, and its functions generally require ubiquitin recognition by one or more ubiquitin-binding domains (UBDs). No precise role for ubiquitin has been defined in the pre-mRNA splicing pathway, and no known UBDs have been found within splicing proteins. Here we show that a Prp8p fragment containing the Jab1/MPN domain binds directly to ubiquitin with an affinity comparable to other known UBDs. Several mutations within this domain that compromise splicing also reduce interaction of the fragment with ubiquitin-Sepharose. Our results define a new UBD and suggest functional links between ubiquitin and the pre-mRNA splicing machinery.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • COP9 Signalosome Complex
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Metalloendopeptidases / genetics
  • Metalloendopeptidases / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA Precursors / genetics
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing*
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear / genetics
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism*

Substances

  • PRP8 protein, S cerevisiae
  • RNA Precursors
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • Ubiquitin
  • COP9 Signalosome Complex
  • Metalloendopeptidases
  • Rri1 protein, S cerevisiae