The structure of NoRC-associated RNA is crucial for targeting the chromatin remodelling complex NoRC to the nucleolus

EMBO Rep. 2008 Aug;9(8):774-80. doi: 10.1038/embor.2008.109. Epub 2008 Jul 4.

Abstract

Silencing of ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) requires binding of the chromatin remodelling complex NoRC to RNA that is complementary to the rDNA promoter. NoRC-associated RNA (pRNA) folds into a conserved stem-loop structure that is required for nucleolar localization and rDNA silencing. Mutations that disrupt the stem-loop structure impair binding of TIP5, the large subunit of NoRC, to pRNA and abolish targeting of NoRC to nucleoli. Binding to pRNA results in a conformational change of TIP5, as shown by enhanced sensitivity of TIP5 towards trypsin digestion. Our results indicate an RNA-dependent mechanism that targets NoRC to chromatin and facilitates the interaction with co-repressors that promote heterochromatin formation and rDNA silencing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Nucleolus / metabolism*
  • Chromatin / metabolism*
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / chemistry
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • RNA / chemistry
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Baz2a protein, mouse
  • Chromatin
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • RNA