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Splicing factor Sub2p is required for nuclear mRNA export through its interaction with Yra1p

Nature volume 413, pages 648–652 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

The yeast nuclear protein Yra1p is an essential export factor for mRNA. Yra1p interacts directly with the mRNA transport factor Mex67p/Mtr2p, which is associated with the nuclear pore1,2. Here, we report a genetic interaction between YRA1 and SUB2, the gene for a DEAD box helicase involved in splicing3,4,5. Mutation of SUB2 as well as its overexpression leads to a defect in mRNA export. Moreover, Yra1p and Sub2p bind directly to each other both in vivo and in vitro. Significantly, Sub2p and Mex67p/Mtr2p bind to the same domains of Yra1p, and the proteins compete for binding to Yra1p. Together, these data indicate that the spliceosomal component Sub2p is also important in mRNA export and may function to recruit Yra1p to the mRNA. Sub2p may then be displaced from Yra1p by the binding of Mex67p/Mtr2p, which participates in the export of mRNA through the nuclear pores.

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Figure 1: YRA1 interacts genetically with MEX67 and SUB2.
Figure 2: Sub2p is involved in nuclear mRNA export.
Figure 3: Sub2p is involved in nuclear mRNA export of both intron-containing and intron-lacking mRNAs.
Figure 4: Yra1p interacts with Sub2p in vivo and in vitro.
Figure 5: Mex67p/Mtr2p competes with Sub2p for binding to Yra1p.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to R. Grosschedl for GST–Aly, J. Braspenning for L20GST-NPL3, J. Beggs for prp4-1 and prp16-2 mutants, and D. Tollervey for the strain GAL10::ProtA-RRP41 (P118). We thank R. Reed and the members of the Reed lab for critical reading of the manuscript. E.H. was a recipient of grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and Fonds der Chemischen Industrie.

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  1. BZH—Biochemie-Zentrum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, Heidelberg, D-69120, Germany

    Katja Sträßer & Ed Hurt

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  1. Katja Sträßer
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Correspondence to Ed Hurt.

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Sträßer, K., Hurt, E. Splicing factor Sub2p is required for nuclear mRNA export through its interaction with Yra1p. Nature 413, 648–652 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35098113

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