The spliceosome is a complex small nuclear RNA (snRNA)-protein machine that removes introns from pre-mRNAs via two successive phosphoryl transfer reactions. The chemical steps are isoenergetic, yet splicing requires at least eight RNA-dependent ATPases responsible for substantial conformational rearrangements. To comprehensively monitor pre-mRNA conformational dynamics, we developed a strategy for single-molecule FRET (smFRET) that uses a small, efficiently spliced yeast pre-mRNA, Ubc4, in which donor and acceptor fluorophores are placed in the exons adjacent to the 5′ and 3′ splice sites. During splicing in vitro, we observed a multitude of generally reversible time-and ATP-dependent conformational transitions of individual pre-mRNAs. The conformational dynamics of branchpoint and 3′-splice site mutants differ from one another and from wild type. Because all transitions are reversible, spliceosome assembly appears to be occurring close to thermal equilibrium.
Article
Conformational Dynamics of Single pre-mRNA Molecules During In Vitro Splicing
Nature Structural and Molecular Biology
Document Type
Post-Print
Publication Date
4-1-2010
Disciplines
Abstract
DOI
10.1038/nsmb.1767
Publisher
Springer Nature
Citation Information
Abelson, J., Blanco, M., Ditzler, M. A., Fuller, F., Aravamudhan, P., Wood, M., . . . Walter, N. G. (2010). Conformational dynamics of single pre-mRNA molecules during in vitro splicing. Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, 17(4), 504-512. https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb.1767