The Antagonistic Gene Paralogs Upf3a and Upf3b Govern Nonsense-Mediated RNA Decay

Cell. 2016 Apr 7;165(2):382-95. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.02.046. Epub 2016 Mar 31.

Abstract

Gene duplication is a major evolutionary force driving adaptation and speciation, as it allows for the acquisition of new functions and can augment or diversify existing functions. Here, we report a gene duplication event that yielded another outcome--the generation of antagonistic functions. One product of this duplication event--UPF3B--is critical for the nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) pathway, while its autosomal counterpart--UPF3A--encodes an enigmatic protein previously shown to have trace NMD activity. Using loss-of-function approaches in vitro and in vivo, we discovered that UPF3A acts primarily as a potent NMD inhibitor that stabilizes hundreds of transcripts. Evidence suggests that UPF3A acquired repressor activity through simple impairment of a critical domain, a rapid mechanism that may have been widely used in evolution. Mice conditionally lacking UPF3A exhibit "hyper" NMD and display defects in embryogenesis and gametogenesis. Our results support a model in which UPF3A serves as a molecular rheostat that directs developmental events.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Embryonic Development*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gametogenesis
  • Genes, Duplicate*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nonsense Mediated mRNA Decay*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • UPF 3A protein, mouse
  • UPF3B protein, mouse