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G-quadruplex RNA structure as a signal for neurite mRNA targeting

Subramanian, M.; Rage, F.; Tabet, R.; Flatter, E.; Mandel, J. L.; Moine, H.

EMBO Rep

2011-07 / vol 12 / pages 697-704

Abstract

Targeting of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in neuron processes relies on cis-acting regulatory elements, the nature of which is poorly understood. Here, we report that approximately 30% of the best-known dendritic mRNAs contain a guanine (G)-quadruplex consensus in their 3′-untranslated region. Among these mRNAs, we show by using RNA structure probing that a G-quadruplex is present in the mRNAs of two key postsynaptic proteins: PSD-95 and CaMKIIa. The G-quadruplex structure is necessary and sufficient for the potent and fast localization of mRNAs in cortical neurites and this occurs in a metabotropic glutamate receptor-responsive manner. Thus, G-quadruplex seems to be a common neurite localization signal.

Read on PubMed

10.1038/embor.2011.76 embor201176 [pii]

1469-3178 (Electronic) 1469-221X (Linking)

Tags

Humans; Animals; Mice; Molecular Sequence Data; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Base Sequence; RNA Transport; *G-Quadruplexes; *Nucleic Acid Conformation; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/genetics; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics; Membrane Proteins/genetics; Neurites/*metabolism; RNA, Messenger/*chemistry/*metabolism

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