  The nucleolus: When 2 became 3.Thiry, Marc  ; Lamaye, Françoise ; in Nucleus (2011), 2(4), Though the nucleolus is considered today as a multifunctional domain, its primary function is ribosome biogenesis. We have shown at the ultrastructural level that there are primarily two types of ... [more ▼] Though the nucleolus is considered today as a multifunctional domain, its primary function is ribosome biogenesis. We have shown at the ultrastructural level that there are primarily two types of nucleolar organization: nucleoli containing three components in amniotes and two components in all other eukaryotes. In a recent report we made the additional, and surprising, finding that both types of nucleolar arrangement are found among living reptiles, viz. a bicompartmentalized nucleolus in turtles and a tricompartmentalized nucleolus in lizards, crocodiles and snakes. This latter organization occurs regardless of the species, the tissue or the developmental stages analyzed. These results are compatible with the view that the transition between bipartite and tripartite nucleoli coincided with the emergence of the amniotes within the Reptilia. They also support the previous hypothesis that turtles are primitive reptiles. The emergence in amniote vertebrates of a third nucleolar compartment might have imparted novel regulatory functions to the nucleolus, as well as perhaps, expanding the adaptability of ribosome synthesis to an ever changing environment, thus, enhancing the overall fitness of amniotic vertebrates. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 15 (5 ULg)Nucleolar structure across evolution: the transition between bi- and tri-compartmentalized nucleoli lies within the class Reptilia.; ; et al in Journal of Structural Biology (2011), 174(2), 352-9 Two types of nucleolus can be distinguished among eukaryotic cells: a tri-compartmentalized nucleolus in amniotes and a bi-compartmentalized nucleolus in all the others. However, though the nucleolus ... [more ▼] Two types of nucleolus can be distinguished among eukaryotic cells: a tri-compartmentalized nucleolus in amniotes and a bi-compartmentalized nucleolus in all the others. However, though the nucleolus' ultrastructure is well characterized in mammals and birds, it has been so far much less studied in reptiles. In this work, we examined the ultrastructural organization of the nucleolus in various tissues from different reptilian species (three turtles, three lizards, two crocodiles, and three snakes). Using cytochemical and immunocytological methods, we showed that in reptiles both types of nucleolus are present: a bi-compartmentalized nucleolus in turtles and a tri-compartmentalized nucleolus in the other species examined in this study. Furthermore, in a given species, the same type of nucleolus is present in all the tissues, however, the importance and the repartition of those nucleolar components could vary from one tissue to another. We also reveal that, contrary to the mammalian nucleolus, the reptilian fibrillar centers contain small clumps of condensed chromatin and that their surrounding dense fibrillar component is thicker. Finally, we also report that Cajal bodies are detected in reptiles. Altogether, we believe that these results have profound evolutionarily implications since they indicate that the point of transition between bipartite and tripartite nucleoli lies at the emergence of the amniotes within the class Reptilia. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 11 (3 ULg)The nucleolus: structure/function relationship in RNA metabolism.; ; Thiry, Marc et alin Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA (2010), 1(3), 415-31 The nucleolus is the ribosome factory of the cells. This is the nuclear domain where ribosomal RNAs are synthesized, processed, and assembled with ribosomal proteins. Here we describe the classical ... [more ▼] The nucleolus is the ribosome factory of the cells. This is the nuclear domain where ribosomal RNAs are synthesized, processed, and assembled with ribosomal proteins. Here we describe the classical tripartite organization of the nucleolus in mammals, reflecting ribosomal gene transcription and pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) processing efficiency: fibrillar center, dense fibrillar component, and granular component. We review the nucleolar organization across evolution from the bipartite organization in yeast to the tripartite organization in humans. We discuss the basic principles of nucleolar assembly and nucleolar structure/function relationship in RNA metabolism. The control of nucleolar assembly is presented as well as the role of pre-existing machineries and pre-rRNAs inherited from the previous cell cycle. In addition, nucleoli carry many essential extra ribosomal functions and are closely linked to cellular homeostasis and human health. The last part of this review presents recent advances in nucleolar dysfunctions in human pathology such as cancer and virus infections that modify the nucleolar organization. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 7 (1 ULg)Identification of genes that function in the biogenesis and localization of small nucleolar RNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.; ; et al in Molecular & Cellular Biology (2008), 28(11), 3686-99 Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) orchestrate the modification and cleavage of pre-rRNA and are essential for ribosome biogenesis. Recent data suggest that after nucleoplasmic synthesis, snoRNAs transiently ... [more ▼] Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) orchestrate the modification and cleavage of pre-rRNA and are essential for ribosome biogenesis. Recent data suggest that after nucleoplasmic synthesis, snoRNAs transiently localize to the Cajal body (in plant and animal cells) or the homologous nucleolar body (in budding yeast) for maturation and assembly into snoRNPs prior to accumulation in their primary functional site, the nucleolus. However, little is known about the trans-acting factors important for the intranuclear trafficking and nucleolar localization of snoRNAs. Here, we describe a large-scale genetic screen to identify proteins important for snoRNA transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We performed fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis to visualize U3 snoRNA localization in a collection of temperature-sensitive yeast mutants. We have identified Nop4, Prp21, Tao3, Sec14, and Htl1 as proteins important for the proper localization of U3 snoRNA. Mutations in genes encoding these proteins lead to specific defects in the targeting or retention of the snoRNA to either the nucleolar body or the nucleolus. Additional characterization of the mutants revealed impairment in specific steps of U3 snoRNA processing, demonstrating that snoRNA maturation and trafficking are linked processes. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 15 (0 ULg)Birth of a nucleolus: the evolution of nucleolar compartments.Thiry, Marc ; in Trends in Cell Biology (2005), 15(4), 194-9 In eukaryotes, ribosome synthesis largely takes place in a specialized nuclear domain - the nucleolus. It has recently become apparent that this organelle is involved in the biogenesis of most cellular ... [more ▼] In eukaryotes, ribosome synthesis largely takes place in a specialized nuclear domain - the nucleolus. It has recently become apparent that this organelle is involved in the biogenesis of most cellular ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs), as well as in cell-cycle regulation, making it central to gene expression. The field has traditionally acknowledged that each nucleolus is organized in three morphologically distinct compartments. Here, however, we discuss our view that in fact many eukaryotes have bipartite nucleoli. We propose that, during evolution, a third nucleolar compartment emerged at the transition between the anamniotes and the amniotes, following a substantial increase in size of the rDNA intergenic region. We believe that these conclusions have important implications for understanding the structure-function relationships within this key cellular organelle. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 14 (2 ULg)The small nucle(ol)ar RNA cap trimethyltransferase is required for ribosome synthesis and intact nucleolar morphology.; Thiry, Marc ; et alin Molecular & Cellular Biology (2004), 24(18), 7976-86 Nucleolar morphogenesis is a poorly defined process. Here we report that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae nucleolar trimethyl guanosine synthase I (Tgs1p), which specifically selects the m(7)G cap structure ... [more ▼] Nucleolar morphogenesis is a poorly defined process. Here we report that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae nucleolar trimethyl guanosine synthase I (Tgs1p), which specifically selects the m(7)G cap structure of snRNAs and snoRNAs for m(2,2,7)G conversion, is required not only for efficient pre-mRNA splicing but also for pre-rRNA processing and small ribosomal subunit synthesis. Mutational analysis indicates that the requirement for Tgs1p in pre-mRNA splicing, but not its involvement in ribosome synthesis, is dependent upon its function in cap trimethylation. In addition, we report that cells lacking Tgs1p showed a striking and unexpected loss of nucleolar structural organization. Tgs1p is not a core component of the snoRNP proteins; however, in vitro, the protein interacts with the KKD/E domain present at the carboxyl-terminal ends of several snoRNP proteins. Strains expressing versions of the snoRNPs lacking the KKD/E domain were also defective for nucleolar morphology and showed a loss of nucleolar compaction. We propose that the transient and functional interactions of Tgs1p with the abundant snoRNPs, through presumed interactions with the KKD/E domain of the snoRNP proteins, contribute substantially to the coalescence of nucleolar components. This conclusion is compatible with a model of self-organization for nucleolar assembly. [less ▲] Detailed reference viewed: 5 (0 ULg) |
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