Rbfox3 controls the biogenesis of a subset of microRNAs

Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2014 Oct;21(10):901-10. doi: 10.1038/nsmb.2892. Epub 2014 Sep 21.

Abstract

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate numerous aspects of gene expression; thus, identification of their endogenous targets is important for understanding their cellular functions. Here we identified transcriptome-wide targets of Rbfox3 in neuronally differentiated P19 cells and mouse brain by using photoactivatable ribonucleoside-enhanced cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (PAR-CLIP). Although Rbfox3 is known to regulate pre-mRNA splicing through binding the UGCAUG motif, PAR-CLIP analysis revealed diverse Rbfox3 targets including primary microRNAs (pri-miRNAs) that lack the UGCAUG motif. Induced expression and depletion of Rbfox3 led to changes in the expression levels of a subset of PAR-CLIP-detected miRNAs. In vitro analyses revealed that Rbfox3 functions as a positive and a negative regulator at the stage of pri-miRNA processing to precursor miRNA (pre-miRNA). Rbfox3 binds directly to pri-miRNAs and regulates the recruitment of the microprocessor complex to pri-miRNAs. Our study proposes a new function for Rbfox3 in miRNA biogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nucleotide Motifs / genetics
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA Precursors / genetics
  • RNA Precursors / metabolism*
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / genetics*
  • RNA Splicing / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • NeuN protein, mouse
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA-Binding Proteins

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE52377
  • SRA/SRP032810