U3 snoRNA Research Articles

Transcriptional repressor NIR functions in the ribosome RNA processing of both 40S and 60S subunits.

BackgroundNIR was identified as an inhibitor of histone acetyltransferase and it represses transcriptional activation of p53. NIR is predominantly localized in the nucleolus and known as Noc2p, which is involved in the maturation of the 60S ribosomal subunit. However, how NIR functions in the nucleolus remains undetermined. In the nucleolus, a 47S ribosomal RNA precursor (pre-rRNA) is transcribed and processed to produce 18S, 5.8S and 28S rRNAs. The 18S rRNA is incorporated into the 40S ribosomal subunit, whereas the 28S and 5.8S rRNAs are incorporated into the 60S subunit. U3 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) directs 18S rRNA processing and U8 snoRNA mediates processing of 28S and 5.8 S rRNAs. Functional disruption of nucleolus often causes p53 activation to inhibit cell proliferation.Methodology/Principal FindingsWestern blotting showed that NIR is ubiquitously expressed in different human cell lines. Knock-down of NIR by siRNA led to inhibition of the 18S, 28S and 5.8S rRNAs evaluated by pulse-chase experiment. Pre-rRNA particles (pre-rRNPs) were fractionated from the nucleus by sucrose gradient centrifugation and analysis of the pre-RNPs components showed that NIR existed in the pre-RNPs of both the 60S and 40S subunits and co-fractionated with 32S and 12S pre-rRNAs in the 60S pre-rRNP. Protein-RNA binding experiments demonstrated that NIR is associated with the 32S pre-rRNA and U8 snoRNA. In addition, NIR bound U3 snoRNA. It is a novel finding that depletion of NIR did not affect p53 protein level but de-repressed acetylation of p53 and activated p21.ConclusionsWe provide the first evidence for a transcriptional repressor to function in the rRNA biogenesis of both the 40S and 60S subunits. Our findings also suggested that a nucleolar protein may alternatively signal to p53 by affecting the p53 modification rather than affecting p53 protein level.

Clustered organization, polycistronic transcription, and evolution of modification-guide snoRNA genes in Euglena gracilis

Previous studies have shown that the eukaryotic microbe Euglena gracilis contains an unusually large assortment of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) modification sites. However, little is known about the evolutionary mechanisms contributing to this situation. In this study, we have examined the organization and evolution of snoRNA genes in Euglena with the additional objective of determining how these properties relate to the rRNA modification pattern in this protist. We have identified and extensively characterized a clustered pattern of genes encoding previously biochemically isolated snoRNA sequences in E. gracilis. We show that polycistronic transcription is a prevalent snoRNA gene expression strategy in this organism. Further, we have identified 121 new snoRNA coding regions through sequence analysis of these clusters. We have identified an E. gracilis U14 snoRNA homolog clustered with modification-guide snoRNA genes. The U14 snoRNAs in other eukaryotic organisms examined to date typically contain both a modification and a processing domain. E. gracilis U14 lacks the modification domain but retains the processing domain. Our analysis of U14 structure and evolution in Euglena and other eukaryotes allows us to propose a model for its evolution and suggest its processing role may be its more important function, explaining its conservation in many eukaryotes. The preponderance of apparent small and larger-scale duplication events in the genomic regions we have characterized in Euglena provides a mechanism for the generation of the unusually diverse collection and abundance of snoRNAs and modified rRNA sites. Our findings provide the framework for more extensive whole genome analysis to elucidate whether these snoRNA gene clusters are spread across multiple chromosomes and/or form dense "arrays" at a limited number of chromosomal loci.

A second base pair interaction between U3 small nucleolar RNA and the 5′-ETS region is required for early cleavage of the yeast pre-ribosomal RNA

In eukaryotes, U3 snoRNA is essential for pre-rRNA maturation. Its 5′-domain was found to form base pair interactions with the 18S and 5′-ETS parts of the pre-rRNA. In Xenopus laevis, two segments of U3 snoRNA form base-pair interactions with the 5′-ETS region and only one of them is essential to the maturation process. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two similar U3 snoRNA–5′ ETS interactions are possible; but, the functional importance of only one of them had been tested. Surprisingly, this interaction, which corresponds to the non-essential one in X. laevis, is essential for cell growth and pre-rRNA maturation in yeast. In parallel with [Dutca et al. (2011) The initial U3 snoRNA:pre-rRNA base pairing interaction required for pre-18S rRNA folding revealed by in vivo chemical probing. Nucleic Acids Research, 39, 5164–5180], here we show, that the second possible 11-bp long interaction between the 5′ domain of S. cerevisiae U3 snoRNA and the pre-rRNA 5′-ETS region (helix VI) is also essential for pre-rRNA processing and cell growth. Compensatory mutations in one-half of helix VI fully restored cell growth. Only a partial restoration of growth was obtained upon extension of compensatory mutations to the entire helix VI, suggesting sequence requirement for binding of specific proteins. Accordingly, we got strong evidences for a role of segment VI in the association of proteins Mpp10, Imp4 and Imp3.

A Weak C′ Box Renders U3 snoRNA Levels Dependent on hU3-55K Binding

The rate of ribosome biogenesis, which is downregulated in terminally differentiated cells and upregulated in most cancers, regulates the growth rate and is linked to the cell's proliferative potential. The U3 box C/D small nucleolar RNP (snoRNP) is an integral component of the small subunit (SSU) processome and is essential for 18S rRNA processing. We show that U3 snoRNP assembly, and therefore U3 snoRNA accumulation, is regulated through the U3-specific protein hU3-55K. Furthermore, we report that the levels of several SSU processome components, including the U3 snoRNA but not other box C/D snoRNAs, are specifically downregulated during human lung (CaCo-2) and colon (CaLu-3) epithelial cell differentiation. c-Myc is reported to play an integral role in regulating ribosome production by controlling the expression of many ribosome biogenesis factors. Our data, however, indicate that this regulation is not dependent on c-Myc since the level of this protein does not change during epithelial cell differentiation. In addition, depletion of c-Myc had only a mild affect on the levels of SSU processome proteins. CaCo-2 cells are colon adenocarcinoma epithelial cells that are believed to revert to their precancerous state during differentiation. This suggests a significant increase in the levels of specific SSU processome components during tumorogenesis.

Cross-linking, ligation, and sequencing of hybrids reveals RNA-RNA interactions in yeast.

Many protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions have been experimentally characterized, whereas RNA-RNA interactions have generally only been predicted computationally. Here, we describe a high-throughput method to identify intramolecular and intermolecular RNA-RNA interactions experimentally by cross-linking, ligation, and sequencing of hybrids (CLASH). As validation, we identified 39 known target sites for box C/D modification-guide small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) on the yeast pre-rRNA. Novel snoRNA-rRNA hybrids were recovered between snR4-5S and U14-25S. These are supported by native electrophoresis and consistent with previously unexplained data. The U3 snoRNA was found to be associated with sequences close to the 3' side of the central pseudoknot in 18S rRNA, supporting a role in formation of this structure. Applying CLASH to the yeast U2 spliceosomal snRNA led to a revised predicted secondary structure, featuring alternative folding of the 3' domain and long-range contacts between the 3' and 5' domains. CLASH should allow transcriptome-wide analyses of RNA-RNA interactions in many organisms.

Identification and characterization of wheat long non-protein coding RNAs responsive to powdery mildew infection and heat stress by using microarray analysis and SBS sequencing

BackgroundBiotic and abiotic stresses, such as powdery mildew infection and high temperature, are important limiting factors for yield and grain quality in wheat production. Emerging evidences suggest that long non-protein coding RNAs (npcRNAs) are developmentally regulated and play roles in development and stress responses of plants. However, identification of long npcRNAs is limited to a few plant species, such as Arabidopsis, rice and maize, no systematic identification of long npcRNAs and their responses to abiotic and biotic stresses is reported in wheat.ResultsIn this study, by using computational analysis and experimental approach we identified 125 putative wheat stress responsive long npcRNAs, which are not conserved among plant species. Among them, some were precursors of small RNAs such as microRNAs and siRNAs, two long npcRNAs were identified as signal recognition particle (SRP) 7S RNA variants, and three were characterized as U3 snoRNAs. We found that wheat long npcRNAs showed tissue dependent expression patterns and were responsive to powdery mildew infection and heat stress.ConclusionOur results indicated that diverse sets of wheat long npcRNAs were responsive to powdery mildew infection and heat stress, and could function in wheat responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses, which provided a starting point to understand their functions and regulatory mechanisms in the future.

Assembling a Protein-Protein Interaction Map of the SSU Processome from Existing Datasets

BackgroundThe small subunit (SSU) processome is a large ribonucleoprotein complex involved in small ribosomal subunit assembly. It consists of the U3 snoRNA and ∼72 proteins. While most of its components have been identified, the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) among them remain largely unknown, and thus the assembly, architecture and function of the SSU processome remains unclear.MethodologyWe queried PPI databases for SSU processome proteins to quantify the degree to which the three genome-wide high-throughput yeast two-hybrid (HT-Y2H) studies, the genome-wide protein fragment complementation assay (PCA) and the literature-curated (LC) datasets cover the SSU processome interactome.ConclusionsWe find that coverage of the SSU processome PPI network is remarkably sparse. Two of the three HT-Y2H studies each account for four and six PPIs between only six of the 72 proteins, while the third study accounts for as little as one PPI and two proteins. The PCA dataset has the highest coverage among the genome-wide studies with 27 PPIs between 25 proteins. The LC dataset was the most extensive, accounting for 34 proteins and 38 PPIs, many of which were validated by independent methods, thereby further increasing their reliability. When the collected data were merged, we found that at least 70% of the predicted PPIs have yet to be determined and 26 proteins (36%) have no known partners. Since the SSU processome is conserved in all Eukaryotes, we also queried HT-Y2H datasets from six additional model organisms, but only four orthologues and three previously known interologous interactions were found. This provides a starting point for further work on SSU processome assembly, and spotlights the need for a more complete genome-wide Y2H analysis.

HALP, A Novel Transcriptional U Three Protein (t-UTP), Activates RNA Polymerase I Transcription by Binding and Acetylating the Upstream Binding Factor (UBF)

Transcription of ribosome RNA precursor (pre-rRNA) and pre-rRNA processing are coordinated by a subset of U three proteins (UTPs) known as transcriptional UTPs (t-UTPs), which participate in pre-rRNA transcription in addition to participation in 18 S rRNA processing. However, the mechanism by which t-UTPs function in pre-rRNA transcription remains undetermined. In the present study, we identified hALP, a histone acetyl-transferase as a novel t-UTP. We first showed that hALP is nucleolar, and is associated with U3 snoRNA and required for 18 S rRNA processing. Moreover, depletion of hALP resulted in a decreased level of 47 S pre-rRNA. Ectopic expression of hALP activated the rDNA promoter luciferase reporter and knockdown of hALP inhibited the reporter. In addition, hALP bound rDNA. Taken together these data identify hALP as a novel t-UTP. Immunoprecipitation and GST pulldown experiments showed that hALP binds the upstream binding factor (UBF) in vivo and in vitro. It is of importance that hALP acetylated UBF depending on HAT in vivo, and hALP but not hALP (ΔHAT) facilitated the nuclear translocation of the RNA polymerase I (Pol I)-associated factor 53 (PAF53) from the cytoplasm and promoted the association of UBF with PAF53. Thus, we provide a mechanism in which a novel t-UTP activates Pol I transcription by binding and acetylating UBF.

The initial U3 snoRNA:pre-rRNA base pairing interaction required for pre-18S rRNA folding revealed by in vivo chemical probing

The synthesis of ribosomal subunits in the nucleolus is a conserved, essential process that results in cytoplasmic ribosomes with precisely processed and folded rRNAs assembled with ribosomal proteins. It has been proposed, but never directly demonstrated, that the U3 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA), a nucleolar component required for ribosome biogenesis, is a chaperone for pre-18S rRNA folding. To test this, we used in vivo chemical probing with dimethyl sulfate to detect changes in pre-rRNA structure upon genetic manipulation of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Based on changes in nucleotide reactivity, we found that the U3 snoRNA is indeed required for folding of the pre-18S rRNA. Furthermore, we detected a new essential base pairing interaction that is likely the initial anchor that recruits the U3 snoRNA to the pre-rRNA, is a prerequisite for the subsequent interactions, and is required for the small subunit processome formation. Substitution of the 5′-ETS nucleotides of the pre-rRNA involved in this initial base pairing interaction is lethal, but growth is restored when a complementary U3 snoRNA is expressed. The U3 snoRNP, via base pairing, and its associated proteins, are part of the required machinery that orchestrates the folding of pre-rRNA that results in the assembly of the small ribosomal subunit.

HNUDT16: a universal decapping enzyme for small nucleolar RNA and cytoplasmic mRNA

Human NUDT16 (hNUDT16) is a decapping enzyme initially identified as the human homolog to the Xenopus laevis X29. As a metalloenzyme, hNUDT16 relies on divalent cations for its cap-hydrolysis activity to remove m⁷GDP and m²²⁷GDP from RNAs. Metal also determines substrate specificity of the enzyme. So far, only U8 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) has been identified as the substrate of hNUDT16 in the presence of Mg²(+). Here we demonstrate that besides U8, hNUDT16 can also actively cleave the m⁷GDP cap from mRNAs in the presence of Mg²(+) or Mn²(+). We further show that hNUDT16 does not preferentially recognize U8 or mRNA substrates by our cross-inhibition and quantitative decapping assays. In addition, our mutagenesis analysis identifies several key residues involved in hydrolysis and confirms the key role of the REXXEE motif in catalysis. Finally an investigation into the subcellular localization of hNUDT16 revealed its abundance in both cytoplasm and nucleus. These findings extend the substrate spectrum of hNUDT16 beyond snoRNAs to also include mRNA, demonstrating the pleiotropic decapping activity of hNUDT16.

A Small Ribosomal Subunit (SSU) Processome Component, the Human U3 Protein 14A (hUTP14A) Binds p53 and Promotes p53 Degradation

Ribosome biogenesis is required for normal cell function, and aberrant ribosome biogenesis can lead to p53 activation. However, how p53 is activated by defects of ribosome biogenesis remains to be determined. Here, we identified human UTP14a as an SSU processome component by showing that hUTP14a is nucleolar, associated with U3 snoRNA and involved in 18 S rRNA processing. Interestingly, ectopic expression of hUTP14a resulted in a decrease and knockdown of hUTP14a led to an increase of p53 protein levels. We showed that hUTP14a physically interacts with p53 and functionally promotes p53 turn-over, and that hUTP14a promotion of p53 destabilization is sensitive to a proteasome inhibitor but independent of ubiquitination. Significantly, knockdown of hUTP14a led to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Our data identified a novel pathway for p53 activation through a defect in rRNA processing and suggest that a ribosome biogenesis factor itself could act as a sensor for nucleolar stress to regulate p53.

Full Repression of RNA Polymerase III Transcription Requires Interaction between Two Domains of Its Negative Regulator Maf1

Maf1, first identified in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a general negative regulator of RNA polymerase III (Pol III). Transcription regulation by Maf1 is important under stress conditions and during the switch between fermentation and respiration. Maf1 is composed of two domains conserved during evolution. We report here that these two domains of human Maf1 are resistant to mild proteolysis and interact together as shown by pull-down and size-exclusion chromatography and that the comparable domains of yeast Maf1 interact in a two-hybrid assay. Additionally, in yeast, a mutation in the N-terminal domain is compensated by mutations in the C-terminal domain. Integrity of both domains and their direct interaction are necessary for Maf1 dephosphorylation and subsequent inhibition of Pol III transcription on a nonfermentable carbon source. These data relate Pol III transcription inhibition to Maf1 structural changes.

The DEAD-box RNA helicase-like Utp25 is an SSU processome component

The SSU processome is a large ribonucleoprotein complex consisting of the U3 snoRNA and at least 43 proteins. A database search, initiated in an effort to discover additional SSU processome components, identified the uncharacterized, conserved and essential yeast nucleolar protein YIL091C/UTP25 as one such candidate. The C-terminal DUF1253 motif, a domain of unknown function, displays limited sequence similarity to DEAD-box RNA helicases. In the absence of the conserved DEAD-box sequence, motif Ia is the only clearly identifiable helicase element. Since the yeast homolog is nucleolar and interacts with components of the SSU processome, we examined its role in pre-rRNA processing. Genetic depletion of Utp25 resulted in slowed growth. Northern analysis of pre-rRNA revealed an 18S rRNA maturation defect at sites A₀, A₁, and A₂. Coimmunoprecipitation confirmed association with U3 snoRNA and with Mpp10, and with components of the t-Utp/UtpA, UtpB, and U3 snoRNP subcomplexes. Mutation of the conserved motif Ia residues resulted in no discernable temperature-sensitive or cold-sensitive growth defects, implying that this motif is dispensable for Utp25 function. A yeast two-hybrid screen of Utp25 against other SSU processome components revealed several interacting proteins, including Mpp10, Utp3, and Utp21, thereby identifying the first interactions among the different subcomplexes of the SSU processome. Furthermore, the DUF1253 domain is required and sufficient for the interaction of Utp25 with Utp3. Thus, Utp25 is a novel SSU processome component that, along with Utp3, forms the first identified interactions among the different SSU processome subcomplexes.

Deletion of Swm2p selectively impairs trimethylation of snRNAs by trimethylguanosine synthase (Tgs1p)

The 5′ cap trimethylation of small nuclear (snRNAs) and several nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) by trimethylguanosine synthase 1 (Tgs1p) is required for efficient pre-mRNA splicing. The previously uncharacterised protein Swm2p interacted with Tgs1p in yeast two-hybrid screens. In the present study we show that Swm2p interacts with the N-terminus of Tgs1p and its deletion impairs pre-mRNA splicing and pre-rRNA processing. The trimethylation of spliceosomal snRNAs and the U3 snoRNA, but not other snoRNAs, was abolished in the absence of Swm2p, indicating that Swm2p is required for a substrate-specific activity of Tgs1p. Structured summary MINT- 7949608: p53 (uniprotkb: P02340) physically interacts (MI: 0915) with large T-antigen (uniprotkb: P03070) by two-hybrid (MI: 0018) MINT- 7949574: swm2 (uniprotkb: P40342) physically interacts (MI: 0915) with swm2 (uniprotkb: P40342) by pull down (MI: 0096) MINT- 7949556: swm2 (uniprotkb: P40342) physically interacts (MI: 0915) with TGS1 (uniprotkb: Q12052) by pull down (MI: 0096) MINT- 7949587: swm2 (uniprotkb: P40342) physically interacts (MI: 0915) with tgs1 (uniprotkb: Q12052) by two-hybrid (MI: 0018) MINT- 7949641: nop1 (uniprotkb: P15646) colocalizes (MI: 0403) with TGS1 (uniprotkb: Q12052) by fluorescence microscopy (MI: 0416) MINT- 7949627: swm2 (uniprotkb: P40342) and nop1 (uniprotkb: P15646) colocalize (MI: 0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI: 0416) MINT- 7949540: swm2 (uniprotkb: P40342) physically interacts (MI: 0915) with TGS1 (uniprotkb: Q12052) by tandem affinity purification (MI: 0676)

Pac1 endonuclease and Dhp1p 5′ → 3′ exonuclease are required for U3 snoRNA termination in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Maturation of some snoRNAs is dependent on RNase III-like endonuclease-mediated transcript cleavage, which serves as an entry for the nuclear exosome complex that trims the transcript at the 3′-end. Sequence deletions suggest this cleavage in the U3 snoRNA transcripts of Schizosaccharomyces pombe can induce transcript termination. Using mutational analyses, we demonstrate that the degree of cleavage correlates closely with both RNA maturation and transcript termination. We also show that the RNase III-like endonuclease, Pac1, and the nuclear 5′-exonuclease, Dhp1p, are essential for RNA production and transcript termination, supporting a “reversed torpedoes” model in which the endonuclease cut allows 5′- and 3′-exonuclease activities access to the transcript, leading simultaneously to transcript termination in one direction and RNA maturation in the other.

1A6/DRIM, the human UTP20 functions in 28S and 5.8S rRNA processing

1A6/DRIM has been identified as UTP20, a small subunit processome component, functioning in 18S rRNA processing. In the present study, the maturation of 28S rRNA and 5.8S rRNA was inhibited when 1A6/DRIM was silenced in HeLa cells; and coincidently, an accumulation of 32S rRNA precursor was observed. Immunoprecipitation was performed with the anti-1A6/DRIM antibody, followed by Northern blot with the ITS2 probe. The results showed that 1A6/DRIM was associated with both 32S and 12S rRNA precursors in vivo. The expression profile of 1A6/DRIM during rRNA processing was investigated by sucrose density gradient fractionation in combination with Western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that 1A6/DRIM was involved in the pre-60S particles in addition to the pre-40S particles and co-sediment with the 32S and 12S rRNA precursors in the nucleolus. Furthermore, the interaction of U8 snoRNA with 1A6/DRIM was revealed by immunoprecipitation. These results demonstrated that 1A6/DRIM interacted with both 32S rRNA and U8 snoRNA, being involved in 28S rRNA and 5.8S rRNA processing.

Mammalian DEAD Box Protein Ddx51 Acts in 3′ End Maturation of 28S rRNA by Promoting the Release of U8 snoRNA

Biogenesis of eukaryotic ribosomes requires a number of RNA helicases that drive molecular rearrangements at various points of the assembly pathway. While many ribosome synthesis factors are conserved among all eukaryotes, certain features of ribosome maturation, such as U8 snoRNA-assisted processing of the 5.8S and 28S rRNA precursors, are observed only in metazoan cells. Here, we identify the mammalian DEAD box helicase family member Ddx51 as a novel ribosome synthesis factor and an interacting partner of the nucleolar GTP-binding protein Nog1. Unlike any previously studied yeast helicases, Ddx51 is required for the formation of the 3' end of 28S rRNA. Ddx51 binds to pre-60S subunit complexes and promotes displacement of U8 snoRNA from pre-rRNA, which is necessary for the removal of the 3' external transcribed spacer from 28S rRNA and productive downstream processing. These data demonstrate the emergence of a novel factor that facilitates a pre-rRNA processing event specific for higher eukaryotes.

Direct interaction between Utp8p and Utp9p contributes to rRNA processing in budding yeast

The small subunit (SSU) processome is an evolutionarily conserved ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex that consists of U3 snoRNA and at least 40 protein components. The SSU processome is required for the generation of 18S rRNA in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study we demonstrate that two essential components of the SSU processome, Utp8p and Utp9p, must interact directly for the SSU processome to function properly. Disruption of the Utp8p–Utp9p interaction by mutation of the respective interacting domain led to a compromised ability of yeast cells to process 35S pre-rRNA into 18S pre-rRNA. Loss of the Utp8p–Utp9p interaction also led to a decrease in the amount of Utp8p that interacted with U3 small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) but did not affect the amount of Utp9p bound to U3 snoRNA, suggesting that Utp8p associates with the SSU processome by virtue of its interaction with Utp9p. Together, our data support a model where Utp8p and Utp9p must interact directly and functionally in the U3-containing SSU processome for optimal rRNA biosynthesis to occur in budding yeast.

Identification of protein factors and U3 snoRNAs from a Brassica oleracea RNP complex involved in the processing of pre‐rRNA

We report on the structural characterization of a functional U3 snoRNA ribonucleoprotein complex isolated from Brassica oleracea. The BoU3 snoRNP complex (formerly NF D) binds ribosomal DNA (rDNA), specifically cleaves pre-rRNA at the primary cleavage site in vitro and probably links transcription to early pre-rRNA processing in vivo. Using a proteomic approach we have identified 62 proteins in the purified BoU3 snoRNP fraction, including small RNA associated proteins (Fibrillarin, NOP5/Nop58p, Diskerin/Cbf5p, SUS2/PRP8 and CLO/GFA1/sn114p) and 40S ribosomal associated proteins (22 RPS and four ARCA-like proteins). Another major protein group is composed of chaperones/chaperonins (HSP81/TCP-1) and at least one proteasome subunit (RPN1a). Remarkably, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) and Tudor staphylococcal nuclease (TSN) proteins, which have RNA- and/or DNA-associated activities, were also revealed in the complex. Furthermore, three U3 snoRNA variants were identified in the BoU3 snoRNP fraction, notably an evolutionarily conserved and variable stem loop structure located just downstream from the C-box domain of the U3 sequence structures. We conclude that the BoU3 snoRNP complex is mainly required for 40S pre-ribosome synthesis. It is also expected that U3 snoRNA variants and interacting proteins might play a major role in BoU3 snoRNP complex assembly and/or function. This study provides a basis for further investigation of these novel ribonucleoprotein factors and their role in plant ribosome biogenesis.

Comparative analysis of eukaryotic U3 snoRNA

The U3 snoRNA is an exceptional box C/D snoRNA, which is involved in pre-rRNA processing without directing chemical modifications. We report here on a comprehensive computational survey resulting in U3 sequences for morethan 90 additional eukaryotes. This extended data basis is used to improve the secondary structure models. The detailed investigation of the structural variation of U3 snoRNAs turns out to be much more extensive than previously thought. Many fungal U3 genes, in addition, contain introns. U3 promoters are snRNA-like but show substantial variations even between related species.