ALBERT

Description: Publication date: 20 November 2014 Source: Cell Reports, Volume 9, Issue 4 Author(s): Nila Roy Choudhury , Jakub S. Nowak , Juan Zuo , Juri Rappsilber , Steven H. Spoel , Gracjan Michlewski RNA binding proteins have thousands of cellular RNA targets and often exhibit opposite or passive molecular functions. Lin28a is a conserved RNA binding protein involved in pluripotency and tumorigenesis that was previously shown to trigger TuT4-mediated pre-let-7 uridylation, inhibiting its processing and targeting it for degradation. Surprisingly, despite binding to other pre-microRNAs (pre-miRNAs), only pre-let-7 is efficiently uridylated by TuT4. Thus, we hypothesized the existence of substrate-specific cofactors that stimulate Lin28a-mediated pre-let-7 uridylation or restrict its functionality on non-let-7 pre-miRNAs. Through RNA pull-downs coupled with quantitative mass spectrometry, we identified the E3 ligase Trim25 as an RNA-specific cofactor for Lin28a/TuT4-mediated uridylation. We show that Trim25 binds to the conserved terminal loop (CTL) of pre-let-7 and activates TuT4, allowing for more efficient Lin28a-mediated uridylation. These findings reveal that protein-modifying enzymes, only recently shown to bind RNA, can guide the function of canonical ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes in cis , thereby providing an additional level of specificity. Graphical abstract Teaser Lin28a triggers TuT4-mediated pre-let-7 uridylation. Despite binding to other pre-microRNAs, only pre-let-7 is efficiently uridylated by TuT4. Choudhury et al. show that Trim25 is an RNA-specific cofactor for Lin28a/TuT4-mediated uridylation. These findings reveal that Trim25 can guide the function of canonical RNP complexes in cis , thereby providing an additional level of specificity.