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Arginine methylation and binding of Hrp1p to the efficiency element for mRNA 3′-end formation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 1999

SANDRO R. VALENTINI
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA Present address: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, 14801-902, Brasil; e-mail: [email protected].
VALERIE H. WEISS
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
PAMELA A. SILVER
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Abstract

Hrp1p is a heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that is involved in the cleavage and polyadenylation of the 3′-end of mRNAs and mRNA export. In addition, Hrp1p is one of several RNA-binding proteins that are posttranslationally modified by methylation at arginine residues. By using functional recombinant Hrp1p, we have identified RNA sequences with specific high affinity binding sites. These sites correspond to the efficiency element for mRNA 3′-end formation, UAUAUA. To examine the effect of methylation on specific RNA binding, purified recombinant arginine methyltransferase (Hmt1p) was used to methylate Hrp1p. Methylated Hrp1p binds with the same affinity to UAUAUA-containing RNAs as unmethylated Hrp1p indicating that methylation does not affect specific RNA binding. However, RNA itself inhibits the methylation of Hrp1p and this inhibition is enhanced by RNAs that specifically bind Hrp1p. Taken together, these data support a model in which protein methylation occurs prior to protein–RNA binding in the nucleus.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1999 RNA Society

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