Loss of 5-methylcytosine alters the biogenesis of vault-derived small RNAs to coordinate epidermal differentiation

Abdulrahim A. Sajini, Nila Roy Choudhury, Rebecca E. Wagner, Susanne Bornelöv, Tommaso Selmi, Christos Spanos, Sabine Dietmann, Juri Rappsilber, Gracjan Michlewski, Michaela Frye

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

The presence and absence of RNA modifications regulates RNA metabolism by modulating the binding of writer, reader, and eraser proteins. For 5-methylcytosine (m5C) however, it is largely unknown how it recruits or repels RNA-binding proteins. Here, we decipher the consequences of m5C deposition into the abundant non-coding vault RNA VTRNA1.1. Methylation of cytosine 69 in VTRNA1.1 occurs frequently in human cells, is exclusively mediated by NSUN2, and determines the processing of VTRNA1.1 into small-vault RNAs (svRNAs). We identify the serine/arginine rich splicing factor 2 (SRSF2) as a novel VTRNA1.1-binding protein that counteracts VTRNA1.1 processing by binding the non-methylated form with higher affinity. Both NSUN2 and SRSF2 orchestrate the production of distinct svRNAs. Finally, we discover a functional role of svRNAs in regulating the epidermal differentiation programme. Thus, our data reveal a direct role for m5C in the processing of VTRNA1.1 that involves SRSF2 and is crucial for efficient cellular differentiation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2550
JournalNature communications
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2019

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