The RNA helicase Dbp7 promotes domain V/VI compaction and stabilization of inter-domain interactions during early 60S assembly.

Early pre-60S ribosomal particles are poorly characterized, highly dynamic complexes that undergo extensive rRNA folding and compaction concomitant with assembly of ribosomal proteins and exchange of assembly factors. Pre-60S particles contain numerous RNA helicases, which are likely regulators of accurate and efficient formation of appropriate rRNA structures. Here we reveal binding of the RNA helicase Dbp7 to domain V/VI of early pre-60S particles in yeast and show that in the absence of this protein, dissociation of the Npa1 scaffolding complex, release of the snR190 folding chaperone, recruitment of the A3 cluster factors and binding of the ribosomal protein uL3 are impaired. uL3 is critical for formation of the peptidyltransferase center (PTC) and is responsible for stabilizing interactions between the 5' and 3' ends of the 25S, an essential pre-requisite for subsequent pre-60S maturation events. Highlighting the importance of pre-ribosome remodeling by Dbp7, our data suggest that in the absence of Dbp7 or its catalytic activity, early pre-ribosomal particles are targeted for degradation.

RNA helicase-mediated regulation of snoRNP dynamics on pre-ribosomes and rRNA 2'-O-methylation.

RNA helicases play important roles in diverse aspects of RNA metabolism through their functions in remodelling ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs), such as pre-ribosomes. Here, we show that the DEAD box helicase Dbp3 is required for efficient processing of the U18 and U24 intron-encoded snoRNAs and 2'-O-methylation of various sites within the 25S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequence. Furthermore, numerous box C/D snoRNPs accumulate on pre-ribosomes in the absence of Dbp3. Many snoRNAs guiding Dbp3-dependent rRNA modifications have overlapping pre-rRNA basepairing sites and therefore form mutually exclusive interactions with pre-ribosomes. Analysis of the distribution of these snoRNAs between pre-ribosome-associated and 'free' pools demonstrated that many are almost exclusively associated with pre-ribosomal complexes. Our data suggest that retention of such snoRNPs on pre-ribosomes when Dbp3 is lacking may impede rRNA 2'-O-methylation by reducing the recycling efficiency of snoRNPs and by inhibiting snoRNP access to proximal target sites. The observation of substoichiometric rRNA modification at adjacent sites suggests that the snoRNPs guiding such modifications likely interact stochastically rather than hierarchically with their pre-rRNA target sites. Together, our data provide new insights into the dynamics of snoRNPs on pre-ribosomal complexes and the remodelling events occurring during the early stages of ribosome assembly.

RNA helicases mediate structural transitions and compositional changes in pre-ribosomal complexes.

Production of eukaryotic ribosomal subunits is a highly dynamic process; pre-ribosomes undergo numerous structural rearrangements that establish the architecture present in mature complexes and serve as key checkpoints, ensuring the fidelity of ribosome assembly. Using in vivo crosslinking, we here identify the pre-ribosomal binding sites of three RNA helicases. Our data support roles for Has1 in triggering release of the U14 snoRNP, a critical event during early 40S maturation, and in driving assembly of domain I of pre-60S complexes. Binding of Mak5 to domain II of pre-60S complexes promotes recruitment of the ribosomal protein Rpl10, which is necessary for subunit joining and ribosome function. Spb4 binds to a molecular hinge at the base of ES27 facilitating binding of the export factor Arx1, thereby promoting pre-60S export competence. Our data provide important insights into the driving forces behind key structural remodelling events during ribosomal subunit assembly.