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RRM domain of Arabidopsis splicing factor SF1 is important for pre-mRNA splicing of a specific set of genes

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The RNA recognition motif of Arabidopsis splicing factor SF1 affects the alternative splicing of FLOWERING LOCUS M pre-mRNA and a heat shock transcription factor HsfA2 pre-mRNA.

Abstract

Splicing factor 1 (SF1) plays a crucial role in 3′ splice site recognition by binding directly to the intron branch point. Although plant SF1 proteins possess an RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain that is absent in its fungal and metazoan counterparts, the role of the RRM domain in SF1 function has not been characterized. Here, we show that the RRM domain differentially affects the full function of the Arabidopsis thaliana AtSF1 protein under different experimental conditions. For example, the deletion of RRM domain influences AtSF1-mediated control of flowering time, but not the abscisic acid sensitivity response during seed germination. The alternative splicing of FLOWERING LOCUS M (FLM) pre-mRNA is involved in flowering time control. We found that the RRM domain of AtSF1 protein alters the production of alternatively spliced FLM-β transcripts. We also found that the RRM domain affects the alternative splicing of a heat shock transcription factor HsfA2 pre-mRNA, thereby mediating the heat stress response. Taken together, our results suggest the importance of RRM domain for AtSF1-mediated alternative splicing of a subset of genes involved in the regulation of flowering and adaptation to heat stress.

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Abbreviations

AP1:

APETALA1

BBP:

Branchpoint binding protein

CCA1:

CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1

LHY:

LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL

LFY:

LEAFY

FLM:

FLOWERING LOCUS M

FT:

FLOWERING LOCUS T

Pre-mRNAs:

PRECURSOR MESSENGER RNAS

RRM:

RNA recognition motif

SF1:

Splicing factor 1

SOC1:

SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1

SS:

Splice site

SVP:

SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE

TOC1:

TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Education (2014R1A1A2055796 to J.-K. Kim) and a Korea University Grant (to J.-K. Kim).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea

    Keh Chien Lee, Yun Hee Jang, Hyo-Young Park, May Phyo Thu & Jeong-Kook Kim

  2. Center for Desert Agriculture, Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia

    Soon-Kap Kim

  3. Department of Life Sciences, Chonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, 54896, Republic of Korea

    Jeong Hwan Lee

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  1. Keh Chien Lee
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Communicated by Jeong Sheop Shin.

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Lee, K.C., Jang, Y.H., Kim, SK. et al. RRM domain of Arabidopsis splicing factor SF1 is important for pre-mRNA splicing of a specific set of genes. Plant Cell Rep 36, 1083–1095 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00299-017-2140-1

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