Abstract
Precise modification and processing of rRNAs are required for the production of ribosomes and accurate translation of proteins. Small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs) guide the folding, modification, and processing of rRNAs and are thus critical for all eukaryotic cells. Bcd1, an essential zinc finger HIT protein functionally conserved in eukaryotes, has been implicated as an early regulator for biogenesis of box C/D snoRNPs and controls steady-state levels of box C/D snoRNAs through an unknown mechanism. Using a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches, here we found a conserved N-terminal motif in Bcd1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is required for interactions with box C/D snoRNAs and the core snoRNP protein, Snu13. We show that both the Bcd1-snoRNA and Bcd1-Snu13 interactions are critical for snoRNP assembly and ribosome biogenesis. Our results provide mechanistic insight into Bcd1 interactions that likely control the early steps of snoRNP maturation and contribute to the essential role of this protein in maintaining the steady-state levels of snoRNAs in the cell.
Highlights
Precise modification and processing of rRNAs are required for the production of ribosomes and accurate translation of proteins
A critically important class of assembly factors for ribosome biogenesis is small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins3 that ensure the proper folding, modification, and processing of ribosomal RNAs for the coordinated binding of ribosomal proteins [3, 4]. snoRNPs fall into two major groups based on their conserved RNA elements: box H/ACA snoRNPs direct the isomerization of uridines into pseudouridines, whereas box C/D snoRNPs guide the 2Ј-Omethylation of target RNAs
Bcd1 proteins fall into two groups (Fig. 1A): the first group, exemplified by human Bcd1 (ZNHIT6), contains an intrinsically disordered region (IDR) at its N terminus, a zinc finger HIT domain (Zf-HIT) domain in the middle, and a wheel domain
Summary
Precise modification and processing of rRNAs are required for the production of ribosomes and accurate translation of proteins. A critically important class of assembly factors for ribosome biogenesis is small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs) that ensure the proper folding, modification, and processing of ribosomal RNAs for the coordinated binding of ribosomal proteins [3, 4]. SnoRNPs fall into two major groups based on their conserved RNA elements: box H/ACA snoRNPs direct the isomerization of uridines into pseudouridines, whereas box C/D snoRNPs guide the 2Ј-Omethylation of target RNAs. A critically important class of assembly factors for ribosome biogenesis is small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs) that ensure the proper folding, modification, and processing of ribosomal RNAs for the coordinated binding of ribosomal proteins [3, 4]. How these assembly factors drive the biogenesis of snoRNPs is not understood
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
