Analyse des PeBoW-Komplexes in der Ribosomenbiogenese

Während der Zellproliferation müssen Zellwachstum und Zellteilung koordiniert werden. Die Kopplung erfolgt in der Hefe durch einen Komplex aus Nop7p, Erb1p und Ytm1p, der sowohl an der Ribosomenbiogenese als auch an der Kontrolle der DNA-Replikation beteiligt ist. Die homologen Proteine Pes1, Bop1 und WDR12 werden in Säugern von Zielgenen des Transkriptionsfaktors c-Myc, einem zellulären Onkoprotein, kodiert. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Existenz eines evolutionär konservierten Komplexes aus Pes1, Bop1 und WDR12 (PeBoW-Komplex) in Säugern belegt. Dabei wurde gezeigt, dass Bop1 als zentrales Protein des Komplexes agiert und die Interaktion von Pes1 und WDR12 vermittelt. Die Integrität des Komplexes ist wesentlich für seine Funktion. Die Depletion einzelner Komponenten sowie die Überexpression des integrierenden Proteins Bop1 hemmen die Reifung der Vorläufer-rRNA der großen ribosomalen Untereinheit sowie die Proliferation der Zellen. Bop1-Überexpression führt zur Ausbildung von zwei Subkomplexen aus Bop1 und Pes1 bzw. Bop1 und WDR12. Während der Bop1/Pes1-Subkomplex als Teil der pre-Ribosomen im Nukleolus lokalisiert, wird WDR12 durch Bop1-Überexpression im Zytoplasma gehalten und fehlt im Nukleolus zur Ausbildung eines funktionellen PeBoW-Komplexes. Pes1 und WDR12 können unabhängig in den Nukleolus translozieren, während Bop1 dafür die Interaktion mit Pes1 benötigt. Untersuchungen zur Stabilität der einzelnen PeBoW-Komponenten zeigten, dass monomeres Bop1 extrem instabil ist, durch Inkorporation in den PeBoW-Komplex aber vor Abbau geschützt wird. Möglicherweise werden hierdurch interne PEST-Sequenzen in Bop1 maskiert. Die Menge an Bop1 ist somit abhängig von der Anwesenheit von Pes1 und WDR12. Die gegenseitige Abhängigkeit der Stabilität aller drei PeBoW-Komponenten konnte in weitergehenden Experimenten gezeigt werden. Schließlich wurde untersucht, ob der PeBoW-Komplex die Ribosomenbiogenese mit der DNA-Replikation über Interaktion mit dem ORC-Komplex, wie in der Hefe beschrieben, koordiniert. Mit Hilfe der BiFC-Methode konnte eine Interaktion von Pes1 mit Orc6, eines Faktors des ORC-Komplexes, gezeigt werden. Die koordinierende Funktion des PeBoW-Komplexes für Zellwachstum und Zellproliferation scheint von der Hefe bis zum Menschen stark konserviert zu sein

Dominant-negative Pes1 mutants inhibit ribosomal RNA processing and cell proliferation via incorporation into the PeBoW-complex

The nucleolar PeBoW-complex, consisting of Pes1, Bop1 and WDR12, is essential for cell proliferation and processing of ribosomal RNA in mammalian cells. Here we have analysed the physical and functional interactions of Pes1 deletion mutants with the PeBoW-complex. Pes1 mutants M1 and M5, with N- and C-terminal truncations, respectively, displayed a dominant-negative phenotype. Both mutants showed nucleolar localization, blocked processing of the 36S/32S precursors to mature 28S rRNA, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced high p53 levels in proliferating, but not in resting cells. Mutant M1 and M5 proteins associated with large pre-ribosomal complexes and co-immunoprecipitated Bop1 and WDR12 proteins indicating their proper incorporation into the PeBoW-complex. We conclude that the dominant-negative effect of the M1 and M5 mutants is mediated by the impaired function of the PeBoW-complex

The BRCT domain of mammalian Pes1 is crucial for nucleolar localization and rRNA processing

The nucleolar protein Pes1 interacts with Bop1 and WDR12 in a stable complex (PeBoW-complex) and its expression is tightly associated with cell proliferation. The yeast homologue Nop7p (Yph1p) functions in both, rRNA processing and cell cycle progression. The presence of a BRCT-domain (BRCA1 C-terminal) within Pes1 is quite unique for an rRNA processing factor, as this domain is normally found in factors involved in DNA-damage or repair pathways. Thus, the function of the BRCT-domain in Pes1 remains elusive. We established a conditional siRNA-based knock-down-knock-in system and analysed a panel of Pes1 truncation mutants for their functionality in ribosome synthesis in the absence of endogenous Pes1. Deletion of the BRCT-domain or single point mutations of highly conserved residues caused diffuse nucleoplasmic distribution and failure to replace endogenous Pes1 in rRNA processing. Further, the BRCT-mutants of Pes1 were less stable and not incorporated into the PeBoW-complex. Hence, the integrity of the BRCT-domain of Pes1 is crucial for nucleolar localization and its function in rRNA processing

Mammalian WDR12 is a novel member of the Pes1–Bop1 complex and is required for ribosome biogenesis and cell proliferation

Target genes of the protooncogene c-myc are implicated in cell cycle and growth control, yet the linkage of both is still unexplored. Here, we show that the products of the nucleolar target genes Pes1 and Bop1 form a stable complex with a novel member, WDR12 (PeBoW complex). Endogenous WDR12, a WD40 repeat protein, is crucial for processing of the 32S precursor ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and cell proliferation. Further, a conditionally expressed dominant-negative mutant of WDR12 also blocks rRNA processing and induces a reversible cell cycle arrest. Mutant WDR12 triggers accumulation of p53 in a p19ARF-independent manner in proliferating cells but not in quiescent cells. Interestingly, a potential homologous complex of Pes1–Bop1–WDR12 in yeast (Nop7p–Erb1p–Ytm1p) is involved in the control of ribosome biogenesis and S phase entry. In conclusion, the integrity of the PeBoW complex is required for ribosome biogenesis and cell proliferation in mammalian cells

Myb-binding Protein 1a (Mybbp1a) Regulates Levels and Processing of Pre-ribosomal RNA

Ribosomal RNA gene transcription, co-transcriptional processing, and ribosome biogenesis are highly coordinated processes that are tightly regulated during cell growth. In this study we discovered that Mybbp1a is associated with both the RNA polymerase I complex and the ribosome biogenesis machinery. Using a reporter assay that uncouples transcription and RNA processing, we show that Mybbp1a represses rRNA gene transcription. In addition, overexpression of the protein reduces RNA polymerase I loading on endogenous rRNA genes as revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments. Accordingly, depletion of Mybbp1a results in an accumulation of the rRNA precursor in vivo but surprisingly also causes growth arrest of the cells. This effect can be explained by the observation that the modulation of Mybbp1a protein levels results in defects in pre-rRNA processing within the cell. Therefore, the protein may play a dual role in the rRNA metabolism, potentially linking and coordinating ribosomal DNA transcription and pre-rRNA processing to allow for the efficient synthesis of ribosomes

Rapid conditional knock-down–knock-in system for mammalian cells

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to analyze gene function in mammalian cells. However, the interpretation of RNAi knock-down phenotypes can be hampered by off-target effects or compound phenotypes, as many proteins combine multiple functions within one molecule and coordinate the assembly of multimolecular complexes. Replacing the endogenous protein with ectopic wild-type or mutant forms can exclude off-target effects, preserve complexes and unravel specific roles of domains or modifications. Therefore, we developed a rapid-knock-down–knock-in system for mammalian cells. Stable polyclonal cell lines were generated within 2 weeks by simultaneous selection of two episomal vectors. Together these vectors mediated reconstitution and knock-down in a doxycycline-dependent manner to allow the analysis of essential genes. Depletion was achieved by an artificial miRNA-embedded siRNA targeting the untranslated region of the endogenous, but not the ectopic mRNA. To prove effectiveness, we tested 17 mutants of WDR12, a factor essential for ribosome biogenesis and cell proliferation. Loss-off function phenotypes were rescued by the wild-type and six mutant forms, but not by the remaining mutants. Thus, our system is suitable to exclude off-target effects and to functionally analyze mutants in cells depleted for the endogenous protein

Universitätsbibliotheken in Österreich als "Teaching Libraries"

Austrian libraries have begun to take part in the international development that has turned libraries into „teaching libraries“, i.e. libraries that support the development of information and media literacies rather than merely provide traditional library instruction. In the course of the Bologna process, teaching information competency as a key qualification has gained in significance and has been and is still being integrated into the curricula of new courses. In this article the principles and the conditions of the development of libraries into „teaching libraries“ are presented. The „teaching library“ practices of Austrian university libraries are portrayed, their activities and deficiencies are described and examples of good practice and innovation are given. Finally, the challenges libraries face are discussed and areas where future actions are needed are pointed out

HybF, a Zinc-Containing Protein Involved in NiFe Hydrogenase Maturation

HypA and HypB are maturation proteins required for incorporation of nickel into the hydrogenase large subunit. To examine the functions of these proteins in nickel insertion, the hybF gene, which is a homolog of hypA essential for maturation of hydrogenases 1 and 2 from Escherichia coli, was overexpressed, and the product was purified. This protein behaves like a monomer in gel filtration and contains stoichiometric amounts of zinc but insignificant or undetectable amounts of nickel and iron. In filter binding assays radioactively labeled nickel binds to HybF with a K(D) of 1.87 μM and in a stoichiometric ratio. To identify amino acid residues of HybF involved in nickel and/or zinc binding, variants in which conserved residues were replaced were studied. An H2Q replacement eliminated both in vivo activity and in vitro binding of nickel. The purified protein, however, contained zinc at the level characteristic of the wild-type protein. When E3 was replaced by Q, activity was retained, but an E3L exchange was detrimental. Replacement of each of the four conserved cysteine residues of a zinc finger motif reduced the cellular amount of HybF protein without a loss of in vivo activity, indicating that these residues play a purely structural role. A triple mutant deficient in the synthesis or activity of HypA, HybF, and HypB was constructed, and it exhibited the same responsiveness for phenotypic complementation by high nickel as mutants with a single lesion in one of the genes exhibited. The results are interpreted in terms of a concerted action of HypB and HybF in nickel insertion in which HybF (as well as its homolog, HypA) functions as a metallochaperone and HypB functions as a regulator that controls the interaction of HybF with the target protein

Kooperativer Bericht vom 5. Kongress Bibliothek & Information Deutschland: "Wissenswelten neu gestalten" (Leipzig, 11.–14.3.2013)

Cooperative Report of the 5th Congress for Information and Libraries Germany in Leipzig from 11 to 13 March 2013: "Rebuilding worlds of knowledge