Inhibition of pre-mRNA splicing by a synthetic Blom7α-interacting small RNA

PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e47497. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047497. Epub 2012 Oct 29.

Abstract

Originally the novel protein Blom7α was identified as novel pre-mRNA splicing factor that interacts with SNEV(Prp19/Pso4), an essential protein involved in extension of human endothelial cell life span, DNA damage repair, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and pre-mRNA splicing. Blom7α belongs to the heteronuclear ribonucleoprotein K homology (KH) protein family, displaying 2 KH domains, a well conserved and widespread RNA-binding motif. In order to identify specific sequence binding motifs, we here used Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX) with a synthetic RNA library. Besides sequence motifs like (U/A)(1-4) C(2-6) (U/A)(1-5), we identified an AC-rich RNA-aptamer that we termed AK48 (Aptamer KH-binding 48), binding to Blom7α with high affinity. Addition of AK48 to pre-mRNA splicing reactions in vitro inhibited the formation of mature spliced mRNA and led to a slight accumulation of the H complex of the spliceosome. These results suggest that the RNA binding activity of Blom7α might be required for pre-mRNA splicing catalysis. The inhibition of in-vitro splicing by the small RNA AK48 indicates the potential use of small RNA molecules in targeting the spliceosome complex as a novel target for drug development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AT Rich Sequence / genetics
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / genetics
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / metabolism*
  • Aptamers, Nucleotide / pharmacology
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • HeLa Cells
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K / genetics
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K / metabolism*
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins / genetics
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA Precursors / genetics
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism*
  • RNA Splicing*
  • SELEX Aptamer Technique / methods
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Spliceosomes / drug effects
  • Spliceosomes / genetics
  • Spliceosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Aptamers, Nucleotide
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins
  • KHDC4 protein, human
  • RNA Precursors