Inhibition of RNA helicase Brr2 by the C-terminal tail of the spliceosomal protein Prp8

Science. 2013 Jul 5;341(6141):80-4. doi: 10.1126/science.1237515. Epub 2013 May 23.

Abstract

The Ski2-like RNA helicase Brr2 is a core component of the spliceosome that must be tightly regulated to ensure correct timing of spliceosome activation. Little is known about mechanisms of regulation of Ski2-like helicases by protein cofactors. Here we show by crystal structure and biochemical analyses that the Prp8 protein, a major regulator of the spliceosome, can insert its C-terminal tail into Brr2's RNA-binding tunnel, thereby intermittently blocking Brr2's RNA-binding, adenosine triphosphatase, and U4/U6 unwinding activities. Inefficient Brr2 repression is the only recognizable phenotype associated with certain retinitis pigmentosa-linked Prp8 mutations that map to its C-terminal tail. Our data show how a Ski2-like RNA helicase can be reversibly inhibited by a protein cofactor that directly competes with RNA substrate binding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding, Competitive*
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA Helicases / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / chemistry
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / metabolism
  • Spliceosomes / metabolism*
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • PRP8 protein, S cerevisiae
  • PRPF8 protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U4-U6 Small Nuclear
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U5 Small Nuclear
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear
  • SNRNP200 protein, human
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • RNA
  • BRR2 protein, S cerevisiae
  • RNA Helicases

Associated data

  • PDB/4KIT