The C-Terminal SynMuv/DdDUF926 Domain Regulates the Function of the N-Terminal Domain of DdNKAP

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 20;11(12):e0168617. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168617. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

NKAP (NF-κB activating protein) is a highly conserved SR (serine/arginine-rich) protein involved in transcriptional control and splicing in mammals. We identified DdNKAP, the Dictyostelium discoideum ortholog of mammalian NKAP, as interacting partner of the nuclear envelope protein SUN-1. DdNKAP harbors a number of basic RDR/RDRS repeats in its N-terminal domain and the SynMuv/DUF926 domain at its C-terminus. We describe a novel and direct interaction between DdNKAP and Prp19 (Pre mRNA processing factor 19) which might be relevant for the observed DdNKAP ubiquitination. Genome wide analysis using cross-linking immunoprecipitation-high-throughput sequencing (CLIP-seq) revealed DdNKAP association with intergenic regions, exons, introns and non-coding RNAs. Ectopic expression of DdNKAP and its domains affects several developmental aspects like stream formation, aggregation, and chemotaxis. We conclude that DdNKAP is a multifunctional protein, which might influence Dictyostelium development through its interaction with RNA and RNA binding proteins. Mutants overexpressing full length DdNKAP and the N-terminal domain alone (DdN-NKAP) showed opposite phenotypes in development and opposite expression profiles of several genes and rRNAs. The observed interaction between DdN-NKAP and the DdDUF926 domain indicates that the DdDUF926 domain acts as negative regulator of the N-terminus.

MeSH terms

  • Dictyostelium / genetics
  • Dictyostelium / metabolism*
  • Protein Domains
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • RNA, Protozoan / metabolism*
  • RNA, Untranslated / genetics
  • RNA, Untranslated / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Protozoan Proteins
  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • RNA-Binding Proteins

Grants and funding

B.D.B was supported by the International Graduate School in Development, Health and Disease (IGSDHD). This work was supported by the Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging- Associated Diseases (CECAD), grant C05. The funding through the Maria Pesch Foundation to B.D.B. is acknowledged.