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A Hox gene mutation that triggers nonsense-mediated RNA decay and affects alternative splicing during Drosophila development.

ABSTRACT: Nonsense mutations are usually assumed to affect protein function by generating truncated protein products. Nonetheless, it is now clear that these mutations affect not just protein synthesis but also messenger RNA stability. The surveillance mechanism responsible for the detection and degradation of 'nonsense' RNA messages is termed nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD). Essential biochemical components of the NMD machinery have been defined in several species. Here we identify the Drosophila orthologue of one of these factors, Upf1, and document its expression during embryogenesis. To test whether NMD acts during Drosophila development, we make use of a mutation that introduces a stop codon into a variably spliced exon of the Hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx). Using real-time quantitative RT-PCR we demonstrate that Ubx transcripts containing the premature stop codon are expressed at lower levels than their wild type counterpart. Unexpectedly, we also find that the same mutation significantly increases the levels of a Ubx splicing isoform that lacks the exon containing the premature termination codon. These findings indicate that NMD is operational during Drosophila development and suggest that nonsense mutations may affect development by altering the spectrum of splicing products formed, as well as by reducing or eliminating protein synthesis.

SUBMITTER: Alonso CR

PROVIDER: S-EPMC167643 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A Hox gene mutation that triggers nonsense-mediated RNA decay and affects alternative splicing during Drosophila development.

Alonso Claudio R CR Akam Michael M

Nucleic acids research 20030701 14

Nonsense mutations are usually assumed to affect protein function by generating truncated protein products. Nonetheless, it is now clear that these mutations affect not just protein synthesis but also messenger RNA stability. The surveillance mechanism responsible for the detection and degradation of 'nonsense' RNA messages is termed nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD). Essential biochemical components of the NMD machinery have been defined in several species. Here we identify the Drosophila ortho ...[more]

PMID: 12853602

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Project description:Mutations in TARDBP, encoding Tar DNA binding protein-43 (TDP43), cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Attempts to model TDP43 dysfunction in mice have used knockouts or transgenic overexpressors, which have revealed the difficulties of manipulating TDP43, whose level is tightly controlled by auto-regulation. In a complementary approach, to create useful mouse models for the dissection of TDP43 function and pathology, we have identified a nonsense mutation in the endogenous mouse Tardbp gene through screening an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutant mouse archive. The mutation is predicted to cause a Q101X truncation in TDP43. We have characterised Tardbp(Q101X) mice to investigate this mutation in perturbing TDP43 biology at endogenous expression levels. We found the Tardbp(Q101X) mutation is homozygous embryonic lethal, highlighting the importance of TDP43 in early development. Heterozygotes (Tardbp(+/Q101X) ) have abnormal levels of mutant transcript, but we find no evidence of the truncated protein and mice have similar full-length TDP43 protein levels as wildtype littermates. Nevertheless, Tardbp(+/Q101X) mice have abnormal alternative splicing of downstream gene targets, and limb-clasp and body tone phenotypes. Thus the nonsense mutation in Tardbp causes a mild loss-of-function phenotype and behavioural assessment suggests underlying neurological abnormalities. Due to the role of TDP43 in ALS, we investigated potential interactions with another known causative gene, mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). Tardbp(+/Q101X) mice were crossed with the SOD1(G93Adl) transgenic mouse model of ALS. Behavioural and physiological assessment did not reveal modifying effects on the progression of ALS-like symptoms in the double mutant progeny from this cross. In summary, the Tardbp(Q101X) mutant mice are a useful tool for the dissection of TDP43 protein regulation, effects on splicing, embryonic development and neuromuscular phenotypes. These mice are freely available to the community.

Dataset Information

A Hox gene mutation that triggers nonsense-mediated RNA decay and affects alternative splicing during Drosophila development.

Publications

A Hox gene mutation that triggers nonsense-mediated RNA decay and affects alternative splicing during Drosophila development.

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