Biology subjects

Kressler, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Kressler, D..

10 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

A nucleolar assembly module integrates an ancestral isoaspartylase to safeguard ribosome biogenesis

Eukaryotes inherited the core ribosome biogenesis apparatus from archaea. However, nucleocytoplasmic compartmentalisation and expansion to >200 assembly factors created the challenge of integrating this ancestral machinery into a complex maturation programme. One solution is the formation of transient modules in which newly acquired assembly factors support deeply conserved components. Here, we identify such a module, centred on the ancestral isoaspartylase Fap7, which couples the modification of the ribosomal protein uS11 to its incorporation into pre-ribosomes. Fap7 partners with Krr1 to capture uS11, forming an early checkpoint in which uS11 loading licenses Kri1 engagement and assembly progression. Loss of uS11 modification triggers a late checkpoint, preventing aberrant pre-ribosomes from acquiring translational competence. Integrative structure-function studies reveal how the ancestral isoaspartylase is embedded within a conserved eukaryotic assembly-factor network to safeguard the timing, order, and fidelity of ribosome production.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2026

A bifunctional H/ACA snoRNP mediates both pseudouridylation and rRNA scaffolding during ribosome assembly

The early steps of eukaryotic large ribosomal subunit assembly remain poorly understood due to the structural flexibility of pre-60S intermediates, whose rRNA is extensively modified by small nucleolar RNPs (snoRNPs). Some snoRNPs, however, lack any modification function and instead scaffold ribosome assembly through largely unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that the H/ACA snoRNP snR37 integrates both modifying and scaffolding roles. Biochemical and structural analyses reveal a canonical H/ACA core that pseudouridylates a conserved uridine in the A site of the peptidyl transferase center, the catalytic heart of the 60S subunit. Additional RNA helices recruit non-core proteins, the Upa1-Upa2 heterodimer and Rbp95, which mediate stable snR37 association with pre-60S complexes. These proteins cooperate with the Npa1 rRNA chaperone complex to link four rRNA domains, thereby structurally organizing early pre-60S intermediates and promoting proper formation of the PTC. This dual organization establishes a paradigm for snoRNPs combining rRNA modification and scaffolding functions.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

Exploration of the proxiOME of large subunit ribosomal proteins reveals Acl1 and Bcl1 as cooperating dedicated chaperones of Rpl1

In eukaryotes, most newly synthesized ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) need to rapidly and safely get into the nucleus to reach their assembly site on pre-ribosomal particles. However, only for few r-proteins tailored support mechanisms involving so-called dedicated chaperones could so far be revealed. Here, with the primary aim of identifying novel dedicated chaperones, we performed TurboID-based proximity labelling with all 46 large subunit r-proteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which unveiled the fungi-specific Acl1 and the conserved Bcl1 as candidate dedicated chaperones of Rpl1. We show that the functionally cooperating Acl1 and Bcl1 both directly interact with Rpl1, form a trimeric Acl1-Rpl1-Bcl1 complex, and enable the nuclear import of Rpl1. Moreover, our crystal structure of the minimal Acl1-Rpl1 complex reveals how Acl1s ankyrin repeat domain shields a positively charged rRNA-binding surface of Rpl1. Our proximity labelling approach also permitted to establish novel interactions between four r-proteins and distinct importins and to illuminate r-protein neighbourhoods on successive pre-60S particles. Additionally, reciprocal proximity labelling with the known dedicated chaperones indicates that almost all appear to be transiently associated with pre-ribosomal particles. Our study provides for the first time comprehensive insight into the physical proximities of large subunit r-proteins along their entire life cycle. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=80 SRC="FIGDIR/small/677003v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (22K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1167c6corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1429c23org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18f7ecorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@13ccdfb_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT C_FIG

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

Sni445 recruits box C/D snoRNPs snR4 and snR45 to guide ribosomal RNA acetylation by Kre33

Eukaryotic ribosome synthesis is a highly complex, multistep process that is best characterized in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is orchestrated by over 200 ribosome assembly factors and 75 small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs), which guide site-specific chemical modifications of precursor ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA). While canonical box C/D snoRNPs direct 2-O-methylation, the atypical box C/D snoRNPs snR4 and snR45 mediate acetylation of 18S rRNA residues C1280 and C1773, respectively, catalyzed by the acetyltransferase Kre33. Here, we identify and characterize Ynl050c/Sni445 as a novel ribosome assembly factor and previously unrecognized auxiliary component of the snR4 and snR45 box C/D snoRNPs. Sni445 associates with snR4 and snR45 in their free form and is required for their stable incorporation into 90S pre-ribosomes. Genetic interactions link Sni445 and the snR4 and snR45 snoRNAs to ribosomal proteins Rps20 (uS10) and Rps14 (uS11), which are positioned near the respective acetylation sites in the 40S subunit. Moreover, Sni445 physically interacts with Kre33 within the 90S pre-ribosome, and its absence abolishes acetylation of C1280 and C1773. Our findings suggest that Sni445 facilitates the recruitment of snR4 and snR45 snoRNPs to 90S particles and might promote their interaction with Kre33, thereby enabling the site-specific acetylation of 18S rRNA by Kre33.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2024

The snoRNP chaperone snR190 and the Npa1 complex form a macromomecular assembly required for 60S ribosomal subunit maturation

The early steps of large-ribosomal-subunit assembly feature among the least understood steps of ribosome synthesis in eukaryotes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the snR190 box C/D snoRNP chaperone and the Npa1 complex, composed of the -solenoid scaffold proteins Npa1 and Npa2, the DEAD-box helicase Dbp6, the RNA-binding protein Nop8 and Rsa3, are likely involved in early 25S rRNA folding events. Here, we report for the first time the existence outside pre-ribosomal particles of an independent macromolecular assembly constituted by the Npa1 complex and the snR190 snoRNP chaperone. Nop8 mediates the formation of this assembly and can associate on its own with free snR190. Moreover, Nop8 RRM domain helps tether the snR190 snoRNP to pre-ribosomal particles. snR190 features a specific central stem-loop structure, which is required for high-affinity binding between free snR190 and the Npa1 complex. Deleting this extension does not prevent snR190 association with pre-ribosomal particles but impairs snR190 activity in early pre-rRNA processing events. This work establishes the importance of association with auxiliary protein complexes for optimum snoRNP chaperone activity during rRNA folding events.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Antagonist actions of CMK-1/CaMKI and TAX-6/Calcineurin along the C. elegans thermal avoidance circuit orchestrate nociceptive habituation

Response decrease following repeated exposure to innocuous or noxious stimuli is a conserved adaptation phenomenon often referred to as habituation. Impaired nociceptive habituation is associated with several pain conditions in human, but the underpinning molecular mechanisms are only partially understood. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, thermo-nociceptive adaptation to repeated stimuli was previously shown to be regulated by the Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 1 (named CMK-1), but its downstream effectors were unknown. Here, using in vitro kinase assays coupled with mass-spectrometry-based phosphoproteomics, we empirically identified hundreds of CMK-1 phospho-substrates. Among them, we found that CMK-1 can phosphorylate the calcineurin A (CnA) protein TAX-6 in vitro in a highly conserved regulatory domain, which led us to hypothesize that TAX-6/CnA might be a downstream mediator of CMK-1 signaling in the control of thermo-nociceptive adaptation. Combined genetic and pharmacological manipulations revealed a network of antagonistic actions between CMK-1 and calcineurin pathways in the regulation of the responsiveness of naive worms and the response adaptation to repeated noxious heat stimuli. However, the results of cell-specific rescue and gain-of-function experiments suggested that CMK-1 acts in AFD and ASER thermosensory neurons and that TAX-6/CnA acts in FLP thermosensory neuron and a set of downstream interneurons to regulate noxious heat avoidance behaviors. Because CMK-1 and TAX-6/CnA act in non-overlapping cell types, the phosphorylation event identified in vitro might not be relevant for this phenotype and the complex interaction between the two pathways might rather originate from their action in separate parts of the nervous system. As a whole, our study has identified (i) CMK-1 substrate candidates, which will fuel further research on the intracellular actuation of CMK-1-dependent signaling on various processes, and (ii) a complex set of antagonistic interactions between CMK-1 and calcineurin signaling operating at distributed loci within a sensory-behavior circuit, acting to adjust baseline thermo-nociception and regulate thermo-nociceptive adaptation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Polar confinement of a macromolecular machine by an SRP-type GTPase

The SRP-type GTPase FlhF, along with its regulator FlhG, orchestrates the localization and quantity of flagella in bacteria. Our study reveals that FlhF anchors developing flagellar structures to the polar landmark protein HubP/FimV, thereby restricting their formation to the cell pole. Specifically, the GTPase domain of FlhF interacts with HubP, while an as-yet-uncharacterized structured domain at the N-terminus of FlhF binds to FliG. This FlhF-bound FliG subsequently engages with the MS-ring protein FliF, but not with the C-ring proteins FliM/FliN. Consequently, FlhFs interaction with HubP/FliG recruits a functional FliF/FliG complex to the pole, while FlhGs modulation of FlhF controls FliGs interaction with FliM/FliN, thereby regulating the progression of flagellar assembly at the pole. Significance statementFlagella serve as bacterial locomotion organelles, with their number and location, known as the flagellation pattern, being species-specific and among the earliest taxonomic criteria in microbiology. Bacteria replicate their flagellation pattern with each cell division. Flagella localization and abundance depends on the SRP-type GTPase FlhF, together with its regulator FlhG. Our study clarifies the mechanism through which FlhF coordinates the polar positioning of the flagellum, working in tandem with the polar landmark protein HubP and aiding in the assembly of flagellar MS-ring/C-ring components at the cellular pole.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

The ULK1 effector BAG2 regulates autophagy initiation by modulating AMBRA1 localization

Canonical autophagy is regulated by ULK1, the most proximal protein kinase specifically regulating autophagy initiation. To gain new insights into functions of the ULK1 holo-complex in autophagy regulation, we generated a deep ULK1 complex interactome by combining affinity purification- and proximity labelling-mass spectrometry of all four ULK1 complex members: ULK1, ATG13, ATG101 and RB1CC1/FIP200. Under starvation conditions, the ULK1 complex interacts with several protein and lipid kinases and phosphatases implying the formation of a signalosome. Interestingly, also several selective autophagy receptors interact with ULK1 indicating the activation of selective autophagy pathways by nutrient starvation. One effector of the ULK1 complex is the HSC/HSP70 co-chaperone BAG2, which regulates the subcellular localization of the VPS34 lipid kinase complex member AMBRA1. Depending on the nutritional status, BAG2 has opposing roles. In growth promoting conditions, the unphosphorylated form of BAG2 sequesters AMBRA1, attenuating autophagy induction. In starvation conditions, ULK1 phosphorylates BAG2 on Ser31, supporting its recruitment to the ER membrane and positively affecting autophagy flux.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Dedicated chaperones coordinate co-translational regulation of ribosomal protein production with ribosome assembly to preserve proteostasis

The biogenesis of eukaryotic ribosomes involves the ordered assembly of around 80 ribosomal proteins. Supplying equimolar amounts of assembly-competent ribosomal proteins is complicated by their aggregation propensity and the spatial separation of their location of synthesis and pre-ribosome incorporation. Recent evidence has highlighted that dedicated chaperones protect individual, unassembled ribosomal proteins on their path to the pre-ribosomal assembly site. Here, we show that the co-translational recognition of Rpl3 and Rpl4 by their respective dedicated chaperone, Rrb1 or Acl4, prevents the degradation of the encoding RPL3 and RPL4 mRNAs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In both cases, negative regulation of mRNA levels occurs when the availability of the dedicated chaperone is limited and the nascent ribosomal protein is instead accessible to a regulatory machinery consisting of the nascent-polypeptide associated complex and the Caf130-associated Ccr4-Not complex. Notably, deregulated expression of Rpl3 and Rpl4 leads to their massive aggregation and a perturbation of overall proteostasis in cells lacking the E3 ubiquitin ligase Tom1. Taken together, we have uncovered an unprecedented regulatory mechanism that adjusts the de novo synthesis of Rpl3 and Rpl4 to their actual consumption during ribosome assembly and, thereby, protects cells from the potentially detrimental effects of their surplus production.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Androglobin, a chimeric mammalian globin, is required for male fertility

Spermatogenesis is a highly specialised process, involving multiple dedicated pathways and regulatory check-points. Defects ultimately lead to male sub-fertility or sterility, and numerous aspects of mammalian sperm formation remain unknown. The predominant expression of the latest globin family member, androglobin (Adgb) in mammalian testis tissue prompted us to assess its physiological function in spermatogenesis. Adgb knockout mice display male infertility, reduced testis weight, impaired maturation of elongating spermatids, abnormal sperm shape and ultrastructural defects in microtubule and mitochondrial organisation. Epididymal sperm from Adgb knockout animals display multiple flagellar malformations including coiled, bifide or shortened flagella, and erratic acrosomal development. Following immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we could identify septin 10 (Sept10) as interactor of Adgb. The Sept10-Adgb interaction was confirmed both in vivo using testis lysates, and in vitro by reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Furthermore, absence of Adgb leads to mislocalisation of Sept10 in sperm, indicating defective manchette and sperm annulus formation. Finally, in vitro data suggest that Adgb contributes to Sept10 proteolysis in a calmodulin (CaM)-dependent manner. Collectively, our results provide evidence that Adgb is essential for murine spermatogenesis and further suggest that interdependence between Adgb and Sept10 is required for sperm head shaping via the manchette and proper flagellum formation.

developmental biology↗