U bodies are cytoplasmic structures that contain uridine-rich small nuclear ribonucleoproteins and associate with P bodies

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Jul 10;104(28):11655-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0704977104. Epub 2007 Jun 26.

Abstract

Uridine-rich small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (U snRNPs) are involved in key steps of pre-mRNA processing in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. U snRNPs are enriched in the nucleus in discrete organelles that include speckles, Cajal bodies, and histone locus bodies. However, most U snRNPs are assembled in the cytoplasm, not in the nucleus. Despite extensive biochemical information, little is known about the spatial organization of U snRNPs in the cytoplasm. Here we show that U snRNPs in Drosophila are concentrated in discrete cytoplasmic structures, which we call U bodies, because they contain the major U snRNPs. In addition to snRNPs, U bodies contain essential snRNP assembly factors, suggesting that U bodies are sites for assembly or storage of snRNPs before their import into the nucleus. U bodies invariably associate with P bodies, which are involved in RNA surveillance and decay. Genetic disruption of P body components affects the organization of U bodies, suggesting that the two cytoplasmic bodies may cooperate in regulating aspects of snRNP metabolism. The identification of U bodies provides an opportunity to correlate specific biochemical steps of snRNP biogenesis with structural features of the cytoplasm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Female
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Microbodies / chemistry*
  • Microbodies / metabolism*
  • Ovary / cytology
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U7 Small Nuclear / chemistry
  • Ribonucleoprotein, U7 Small Nuclear / metabolism
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / chemistry
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / metabolism*
  • Uridine / chemistry
  • Uridine / metabolism*
  • Xenopus

Substances

  • Ribonucleoprotein, U7 Small Nuclear
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear
  • Uridine