Conserved boxes C and D are essential nucleolar localization elements of U14 and U8 snoRNAs.
Sequences necessary for nucleolar targeting were identified in Box C/D small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) by fluorescence microscopy. Nucleolar preparations were examined after injecting fluorescein-labelled wild-type and mutated U14 or U8 snoRNA into Xenopus oocyte nuclei. Regions in U14 snoRNA that are complementary to 18S rRNA and necessary for rRNA processing and methylation are not required for nucleolar localization. Truncated U14 molecules containing Boxes C and D with or without the terminal stem localized efficiently. Nucleolar localization was abolished upon mutating just one or two nucleotides within Boxes C and D. Moreover, the spatial position of Boxes C or D in the molecule is essential. Mutations in Box C/D of U8 snoRNA also impaired nucleolar localization, suggesting the general importance of Boxes C and D as nucleolar localization sequences for Box C/D snoRNAs. U14 snoRNA is shown to be required for 18S rRNA production in vertebrates.
Lange
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Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
Borovjagin
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Maxwell
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Gerbi
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D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001667:Binding, Competitive / Q000235:genetics; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D017124:Conserved Sequence / Q000235:genetics*; D019793:Fluorescein / Q000378:metabolism; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D007438:Introns; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016297:Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals / Q000235:genetics*; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000378:metabolism; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000378:metabolism; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D019913:Nuclear Localization Signals; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; D019793:Fluorescein