Son is essential for nuclear speckle organization and cell cycle progression

Mol Biol Cell. 2010 Feb 15;21(4):650-63. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e09-02-0126. Epub 2010 Jan 6.

Abstract

Subnuclear organization and spatiotemporal regulation of pre-mRNA processing factors is essential for the production of mature protein-coding mRNAs. We have discovered that a large protein called Son has a novel role in maintaining proper nuclear organization of pre-mRNA processing factors in nuclear speckles. The primary sequence of Son contains a concentrated region of multiple unique tandem repeat motifs that may support a role for Son as a scaffolding protein for RNA processing factors in nuclear speckles. We used RNA interference (RNAi) approaches and high-resolution microscopy techniques to study the functions of Son in the context of intact cells. Although Son precisely colocalizes with pre-mRNA splicing factors in nuclear speckles, its depletion by RNAi leads to cell cycle arrest in metaphase and causes dramatic disorganization of small nuclear ribonuclear protein and serine-arginine rich protein splicing factors during interphase. Here, we propose that Son is essential for appropriate subnuclear organization of pre-mRNA splicing factors and for promoting normal cell cycle progression.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Cell Cycle / physiology*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Cell Survival
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA Precursors / genetics
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors

Substances

  • CASC3 protein, human
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • SON protein, human
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors