Son is essential for nuclear speckle organization and cell cycle progression

A Sharma, H Takata, K Shibahara… - Molecular biology of …, 2010 - Am Soc Cell Biol
A Sharma, H Takata, K Shibahara, A Bubulya, PA Bubulya
Molecular biology of the cell, 2010Am Soc Cell Biol
Subnuclear organization and spatiotemporal regulation of pre-mRNA processing factors is
essential for the production of mature protein-coding mRNAs. We have discovered that a
large protein called Son has a novel role in maintaining proper nuclear organization of pre-
mRNA processing factors in nuclear speckles. The primary sequence of Son contains a
concentrated region of multiple unique tandem repeat motifs that may support a role for Son
as a scaffolding protein for RNA processing factors in nuclear speckles. We used RNA …
Subnuclear organization and spatiotemporal regulation of pre-mRNA processing factors is essential for the production of mature protein-coding mRNAs. We have discovered that a large protein called Son has a novel role in maintaining proper nuclear organization of pre-mRNA processing factors in nuclear speckles. The primary sequence of Son contains a concentrated region of multiple unique tandem repeat motifs that may support a role for Son as a scaffolding protein for RNA processing factors in nuclear speckles. We used RNA interference (RNAi) approaches and high-resolution microscopy techniques to study the functions of Son in the context of intact cells. Although Son precisely colocalizes with pre-mRNA splicing factors in nuclear speckles, its depletion by RNAi leads to cell cycle arrest in metaphase and causes dramatic disorganization of small nuclear ribonuclear protein and serine-arginine rich protein splicing factors during interphase. Here, we propose that Son is essential for appropriate subnuclear organization of pre-mRNA splicing factors and for promoting normal cell cycle progression.
Am Soc Cell Biol