DHX36 prevents the accumulation of translationally inactive mRNAs with G4-structures in untranslated regions

Markus Sauer, Stefan A. Juranek, James Marks, Alessio De Magis, Hinke G. Kazemier, Daniel Hilbig, Daniel Benhalevy, Xiantao Wang, Markus Hafner, Katrin Paeschke*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

111 Scopus citations

Abstract

Translation efficiency can be affected by mRNA stability and secondary structures, including G-quadruplex structures (G4s). The highly conserved DEAH-box helicase DHX36/RHAU resolves G4s on DNA and RNA in vitro, however a systems-wide analysis of DHX36 targets and function is lacking. We map globally DHX36 binding to RNA in human cell lines and find it preferentially interacting with G-rich and G4-forming sequences on more than 4500 mRNAs. While DHX36 knockout (KO) results in a significant increase in target mRNA abundance, ribosome occupancy and protein output from these targets decrease, suggesting that they were rendered translationally incompetent. Considering that DHX36 targets, harboring G4s, preferentially localize in stress granules, and that DHX36 KO results in increased SG formation and protein kinase R (PKR/EIF2AK2) phosphorylation, we speculate that DHX36 is involved in resolution of rG4 induced cellular stress.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2421
JournalNature Communications
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2019
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
ERIBA
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin DiseasesZIAAR041205
H2020 Euratom638988-G4DSB
Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftEXC2151 – 390873048
Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen

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