Ribosomal RNA processing and the role of SmMAK16 in ribosome biogenesis in Schistosoma mansoni.
Ribosome biogenesis is an essential and complex biological process with links to cell cycle control, DNA replication and aberrant cell growth. As the process becomes better understood at a mechanistic level, new opportunities arise to exploit its effects on maturation and fertility, two important targets in parasite therapeutics. While the physical structure and sequence of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) in the trematode Schistosoma mansoni have been described, the process of cleavage, modification and assembly of the mature ribonucleoprotein particles is not well characterized. We have investigated the cleavage pathway of rRNA in different life cycle stages of the parasite and present evidence supporting a proposed model. In addition, we have investigated the role of the S. mansoni nucleolar protein SmMAK16 in ribosome biogenesis. Co-immunoprecipitation data and polysome analysis support the hypothesis that SmMAK16 associates with pre-ribosomal precursor complexes. This work represents the first analysis of this important and complex process in schistosomes.
Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1102, USA.
Elizabeth E
EE
Capowski
James W
JW
Tracy
D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000469:parasitology; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000235:genetics*; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000235:genetics*
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D015801:Helminth Proteins; C097699:MAK16 protein, S cerevisiae; D018510:RNA, Helminth; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins