A scaffold lncRNA shapes the mitosis to meiosis switch

V Andric, A Nevers, D Hazra, S Auxilien… - Nature …, 2021 - nature.com
V Andric, A Nevers, D Hazra, S Auxilien, A Menant, M Graille, B Palancade, M Rougemaille
Nature Communications, 2021nature.com
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to the regulation of gene expression in
response to intra-or extracellular signals but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain
largely unexplored. Here, we identify an uncharacterized lncRNA as a central player in
shaping the meiotic gene expression program in fission yeast. We report that this regulatory
RNA, termed mamRNA, scaffolds the antagonistic RNA-binding proteins Mmi1 and Mei2 to
ensure their reciprocal inhibition and fine tune meiotic mRNA degradation during mitotic …
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to the regulation of gene expression in response to intra- or extracellular signals but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Here, we identify an uncharacterized lncRNA as a central player in shaping the meiotic gene expression program in fission yeast. We report that this regulatory RNA, termed mamRNA, scaffolds the antagonistic RNA-binding proteins Mmi1 and Mei2 to ensure their reciprocal inhibition and fine tune meiotic mRNA degradation during mitotic growth. Mechanistically, mamRNA allows Mmi1 to target Mei2 for ubiquitin-mediated downregulation, and conversely enables accumulating Mei2 to impede Mmi1 activity, thereby reinforcing the mitosis to meiosis switch. These regulations also occur within a unique Mmi1-containing nuclear body, positioning mamRNA as a spatially-confined sensor of Mei2 levels. Our results thus provide a mechanistic basis for the mutual control of gametogenesis effectors and further expand our vision of the regulatory potential of lncRNAs.
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