The nucleolar protein Nop19p interacts preferentially with Utp25p and Dhr2p and is essential for the production of the 40S ribosomal subunit in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract

In eukaryotes, ribosome biogenesis is a process of major interest that requires more than 200 factors acting coordinately in time and space. Using genetic and proteomic studies, most of the components have now been identified. Based on its nucleolar localization, we characterized the protein encoded by the open reading frame YGR251W, we renamed Nop19p as playing an essential role in ribosome biogenesis. Depletion of the Nop19p in yeast impairs pre-rRNA processing at sites A₀, A₁ and A₂, leading to a strong decrease in 18S rRNA and 40S subunit levels. Nop19p is a component of 90S preribosomes which assembly is believed to result from stepwise incorporation of UTP modules. We show that Nop19p depletion does not impair the incorporation of UTP subcomplexes on preribosomes and conversely that depletion of UTP subcomplexes does not affect Nop19p recruitment on 90S preribosomes. TAP experiments under stringent conditions revealed that Nop19p interacts preferentially with the DEAH-box RNA helicase Dhr2p and Utp25p, both required for A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages. Nop19p appeared essential for the incorporation of Utp25p in preribosomes. In addition, our results suggest that in absence of Nop19p, Dhr2p remains trapped within aberrant preribosomes.

Introduction

The eukaryotic ribosome is a large ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particle that assembles from small (40S) and large (60S) subunits during translation initiation. Ribosome biogenesis is a highly complex process that starts in a specialized nuclear subcompartment, the nucleolus. Late maturation steps take place in the nucleoplasm and in the cytoplasm, following nucleocytoplasmic export (reviewed in ref. 1–6). The 40S subunit is assembled around the 18S rRNA, whereas the 60S particle contains the 25S, 5.8S and 5S rRNAs. Three rRNAs (18S, 25S and 5.8S) are processed from a large precursor transcribed by RNA polymerase I, the 35S pre-rRNA (Fig. 1A). Pre-rRNA processing involves a series of exonuclease and endonuclease steps (depicted in Fig. 1B) that eliminate external transcribed spacers (5′ETS and 3′ETS) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2). The 5S rRNA is synthesized independently by RNA Pol III and is incorporated within 90S preribosomes as part of a small ribonucleoprotein particle.7 Moreover, ∼100 nucleotide modifications are introduced in ribosomal RNAs, most of which are catalyzed by the small nucleolar RNPs (snoRNPs) (reviewed in ref. 6 and 8–10). Concomitantly with these processing events, the ribosomal proteins are progressively incorporated into the maturing particles. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, more than 180 nonribosomal RNAs and proteins have been shown to participate directly in post-transcriptional steps of ribosome biogenesis. The use of genetic and proteomic analyses allowed the prediction of several distinct RNP intermediates in the pathway of 40S and 60S ribosome subunit synthesis (reviewed in ref. 3–6). Among these, the small-subunit (SSU) processome, a 2.2 MDa RNP complex containing the U3 snoRNA and more than 30 proteins (which associate transiently with the preribosomal particles and are not present in the mature ribosomes) is required for the three early pre-rRNA cleavages at sites A₀, A₁ and A₂ (reviewed in ref. 6, 11–14). The loss of any component of the U3 processome therefore results in a direct cleavage at site A₃. The consequence is a loss of the 20S and 18S rRNA concomitantly with an accumulation of the unprocessed 35S and 23S pre-rRNAs (running from the 5′ end of the 35S up to site A₃). In parallel, maturation of the 27SA into 5.8S and 25S rRNA remains unaffected. Although many components of the 90S preribosomes have been identified and characterized, it remains unclear how they cotranscriptionally assemble with the nascent transcript to yield a processing-competent particle. Recent evidences suggest that assembly of the 90S preribosomes results from the sequential cotranscriptional association of stable subcomplexes with the nascent 35S pre-rRNA.15 The t-Utps/Utp-A subcomplex15–17 as well as Mrd1p18 are believed to be the earliest factors to associate with the nascent transcript. Indeed, these factors associate co-transcriptionally and their incorporation appears to be a prerequisite for the subsequent recruitment of other subcomplexes. The Pwp2/Utp-B and the Utp-C modules19–21 are the next two subcomplexes to associate with the nascent transcript. Their order of incorporation still remains unclear as they can assemble independently from one other.15 The association of Utp-C module with the nascent 35S pre-rRNA requires prior loading of Rrp5p15,22 and recruitment of Pwp2/Utp-B is essential for the integration of U3 snoRNP19 as well as Bms1p and Utp20p.22 Bms1p and Utp20p loading is next required for the recruitment of the Imp3p-Imp4p-Mpp10p module and a subset of proteins to the nascent pre-ribosomes.22

Interestingly, it has recently been proposed that proper assembly of SSU processome is monitored by a nucleolar surveillance mechanism involving TRAMP5 and exosome complexes to eliminate the RNA component of aberrant preribosomes.17

It is predicted that the SSU processome interacts with other proteins in order for the cleavages of the pre-rRNA to occur.14 To identify novel components in early step of ribosome biogenesis that might have been overlooked in genetic and mass-spectrometry analysis, we characterized YGR251W, a gene coding a protein localized in the nucleolus.23 Using a microarray monitoring abundance of noncoding RNAs, Peng et al. revealed that expression of YGR251W is required for normal accumulation of mature 18S rRNA.24 Here we present evidence that the yeast open reading frame YGR251W, we renamed Nop19, encodes for a ribosome biogenesis factor essential for cell viability. We demonstrate its association with 35S pre-rRNA and U3 snoRNA. Furthermore, we show that genetic depletion of Nop19p leads to accumulation of the 35S pre-rRNA as well as the aberrant 23S, and subsequent decrease in the levels of 20S pre-rRNA and mature 18S rRNA. These data indicate that Nop19p is a component of 90S preribosomal particle required for proper cleavages at sites A₀, A₁ and A₂ in the pre-rRNA. Searches for tight protein-protein interactions with Nop19p within the 90S preribosome identified the DEAH-box RNA helicase Dhr2p and the U3 processome component Utp25p, both required for A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages. Gradient analysis suggested that Nop19p is essential for the incorporation of Utp25p in preribosomes and the release of Dhr2p from preribosomes.

Results

Nop19p is a nucleolar protein associated with preribosomes.

A large number of ribosomal assembly factors have been identified by combining genetic studies and pre-ribosomal analysis using mass-spectrometry. To unveil protein that might have been overlooked in previous study, we focus our analysis on nucleolar proteins of unknown function. Previous global analyses of yeast proteins localization have shown that the protein Nop19p, encoded by the open reading frame YGR251W, localizes to the nucleolus. In order to confirm the subcellular localization of Nop19p23, a construct expressing a C-terminal YFP fusion was integrated at the endogenous locus using a one step PCR strategy. Clones were verified by PCR and transformed with plasmid pUN100-mCherry-NOP125 expressing a mCherry-fused version of Nop1p (mCherry-Nop1p), a core component of box C/D snoRNPs involved in early, nucleolar stages of the pre-rRNA maturation pathway, to visualize the nucleolus. The strain was grown exponentially and living cells were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy (Fig. 2A). The YFP signal observed in these conditions is highly enriched within a crescent-shaped region also containing mCherry-Nop1p, consistent with a nucleolar localization. Nop19p-YFP is also present at low levels in a region immediately adjacent to the nucleolus corresponding to the nucleoplasm. We concluded that Nop19p accumulates predominantly in yeast cell nucleoli suggesting that Nop19p might be a component of preribosomes. To get insights into the nature of macromolecular complexes containing Nop19p, we analyzed the sedimentation profile of Nop19p with that of (pre)ribosomal particles on density gradients. We used a strain expressing a C-terminal fusion between NOP19 and the TAP tag from the genomic locus (Open Biosystems). Expression of this fusion protein remained under the control of the endogenous promoter. Growth of the tagged strain was indistinguishable from wild-type strain (data not shown), indicating that the fusion protein is functional. Sedimentation profile of Nop19-TAP was tested by fractionation of a cell lysate on a 4.5%–45% sucrose gradient (Fig. 2B). Western blot analysis of gradient fractions showed that Nop19p concentrates in two broad peaks. The dense fraction containing Nop19p-TAP (fractions 11–13) likely corresponds to the SSU processome/90S pre-ribosome whereas the light sedimenting fractions (fractions 1–3) probably represent the soluble protein plus UTP subcomplex(es). Signal was also observed in fractions 7–10 suggesting that few amounts of Nop19p are also present in pre-40S and/or pre-60S particles. Thus, a large part of Nop19p-TAP is engaged within large complexes, the density of which is consistent with that of various preribosomal particles. We next carried out immunoprecipitation experiments to assess whether Nop19p interacts physically with preribosomal particles. The NOP19::TAP strain was grown in the presence of glucose, and Nop19p-TAP was precipitated in non-denaturing conditions from a total cellular extract by the use of IgG-conjugated Sepharose. Following immunoprecipitations, bound RNAs were analyzed by northern hybridization (Fig. 2C) and compared with RNAs recovered in parallel from the non-tagged control strain (no TAG lanes). We found that the RNA component of 90S preribosomal particles, the 35S pre-rRNA is efficiently precipitated (∼20%) as well as the 23S pre-rRNA (∼15%), compared to the isogenic non tagged strain (Fig. 2C and lanes 1–4). The tight association of Nop19p with 23S pre-rRNA might suggests that A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages are required for the release of the protein from pre-ribosomal particles. Late 20S and 27S pre-rRNAs were also co-precipitated with Nop19p-TAP clearly above background levels but appeared weaker than for 35S or 23S pre-rRNAs (respectively ∼4% and ∼2%), suggesting Nop19p is quickly released from these particles after A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages. Our results show that, Nop19p is tightly associated with early pre-rRNA, component of the 90S preribosomal particles, a conclusion further supported by the presence, above the background, in the Nop19p-TAP immunoprecipitate, of various C/D and H/ACA snoRNAs (Fig. 2C and lanes 5–8).

Nop19p is required for cleavages of the pre-rRNA at sites A₀, A₁ and A₂.

The YGR251W/NOP19 ORF was initially reported to be essential for cell viability.26 In order to investigate the function of Nop19p in ribosome biogenesis, we constructed a yeast strain that conditionally expresses the Nop19p protein fused to the 3HA tag at the N-terminus (3HA-Nop19p protein), allowing its easy detection. The NOP19 open reading frame was tagged by the HA-encoding sequence and placed under the control of the regulated GAL1-10 promoter by homologous recombination,27 creating strain GAL1::3HA::NOP19. This strain was propagated in a medium containing galactose as carbon source and was then shifted to a glucose-containing medium to allow depletion of Nop19p.

On galactose containing medium, the growth rate of GAL1::3HA::NOP19 strain and otherwise isogenic wild type were almost identical. Two hours after transfer to the non-permissive glucose medium, the growth rate of GAL1::3HA::NOP19 strain was already substantially reduced compared to wild-type, with a doubling time of ∼5 h. Growth essentially ceased by 25 h after transfer (Fig. 3A).

Aliquots of GAL1::3HA::NOP19 cells grown in galactose-containing medium or grown for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours in glucose-containing medium were harvested. From these aliquots, total proteins and RNAs were extracted and the kinetics of Nop19p depletion was assessed by western-blotting (Fig. 3B) analyses. In these conditions, the abundance of 3HA-Nop19p was strongly reduced after transfer to glucose medium and became undetectable after 1 h.

As a first step in assessing whether Nop19p is involved in the production of ribosomal subunits, we compared the ribosome profiles in the presence and absence of Nop19p on sucrose gradient (Fig. 3C). GAL1::3HA::NOP19 and otherwise isogenic wild type cells were grown for 6 h in glucose-containing medium and sedimentation profiles were compared by 4.5% to 45% sucrose gradient analysis. Depletion of 3HA-Nop19p resulted in a clear reduction of the sedimentation peak corresponding to the free 40S subunits (fractions 7 and 8), a correlated strong increase of the 60S subunit sedimentation peak (fraction 10) and a concomitant polysome decrease (fractions 13–18). This phenotype clearly suggests a putative role of Nop19p in the production of the small ribosomal subunit.

To investigate the origin of this phenotype, we compared pre-rRNA processing in WT and Nop19p-depleted cells by northern-blot analysis (Fig. 4A). Strains depleted of Nop19p showed defects in the pathway of 40S subunit synthesis. As early as 1 h after the nutritional shift, levels of the 35S pre-rRNA increased, while the 27SA₂ and 20S pre-rRNAs were reduced (Fig. 4A and lanes 7–12). This suggests that early cleavages of 35S pre-rRNA at sites A₀, A₁ and A₂, necessary for the production of 20S pre-rRNA (the immediate precursor to 18S rRNA) are somewhat impaired (for a cartoon of the pre-ribosomal RNA processing pathway, see Fig. 1B). This conclusion was supported by a strong accumulation of the aberrant 23S RNA, which is produced by direct cleavage of the 35S pre-rRNA at site A₃ in the absence of cleavage at sites A₀, A₁ and A₂. At later time points, the mature 18S rRNA was depleted in the strains lacking Nop19p, whereas levels of the 25S and 5.8S rRNAs were stable. According to phosphorimager quantifications, the level of 18S rRNA, relative to that of 25S rRNA, is diminished by 90% after 24 hours of growth in glucose-containing medium. The levels of the 27SB and 7S pre-rRNA were also lower in Nop19p-depleted cells after 12 h of depletion, but this may largely reflect reduced synthesis as a consequence of growth inhibition. The ratio between the long and short forms of 5.8S rRNA was unaltered, indicating that the alternative pre-rRNA processing pathways that generate these rRNAs both remain active. Together these observations indicate that depletion of Nop19p leads to the inhibition of cleavage at sites A₀, A₁ and A₂.

The effects of reduced 3HA-Nop19p level on pre-rRNA processing were also assessed by pulse-chase labeling, performed 3 h after transfer of the GAL1::3HA::NOP19 strain to glucose medium. Consistent with the northern data, processing of the 35S pre-rRNA was delayed, whereas synthesis of 27SA and 20S pre-rRNA was greatly reduced in the strains depleted of Nop19p (Fig. 4B and lanes 8–14) compared to the wild type (Fig. 4B and lanes 1–7). Maturation of the 27SB pre-rRNA appeared to be slowed, but accumulation of mature 25S rRNA was not clearly reduced. Similar result was previously observed during Has1p depletion.28 In contrast, 18S rRNA synthesis was strongly inhibited, most probably as a direct result of reduced 20S pre-rRNA production detected by this approach. These results confirmed that cleavages at A₀, A₁ and A₂ are strongly impaired in cells lacking Nop19p.

Nop19p is not required for proper assembly of U3 processome.

As previously shown, Nop19p is a novel component of the 90S preribosome and is required for early cleavages of the 35S pre-rRNA. In order to get insight into the function of Nop19p in the hierarchical assembly of the 90S preribosome, we first determined whether Nop19p is required for proper accumulation of components of this particle. For this purpose, we individually expressed TAP-tagged versions of UTP proteins Utp17p (UTP-A), Pwp2p (UTP-B), Utp22p (UTP-C) as well as Rrp5p in the GAL1::3HA::NOP19 strain. Depletion of 3HA-Nop19p clearly did not result in reduced levels of any of these factors (data not shown), suggesting Nop19p is not required for their accumulation.

We next determined whether Nop19p is required for the incorporation of the UTP-A, UTP-B, UTP-C modules as well as Rrp5p within the SSU processome. To study the importance of Nop19p in the assembly of the 90S preribosome, we compared the sedimentation profiles of components of the UTP-A, UTP-B or UTP-C subcomplexes in WT and Nop19p-depleted cells (Fig. 5A). For this experiment, we choose to deplete GAL1::3HA::NOP19 strains for 3 h. At this time point indeed, 3HA-Nop19p levels are already undetectable but ribosome biogenesis is only slightly affected, arguing against indirect effect. The A₂₅₄ absorbance profiles and notably the large versus small ribosomal subunit ratio presented in the parts in Figure 5A confirmed that depletion of Nop19p induced a berely detectable defect in the production of the mature 40S ribosomal subunit. The Utp17p-TAP, Pwp2p-TAP, Utp22p-TAP or Rrp5-TAP proteins were still detected in fractions of the gradient containing high-molecular-weight complexes and none of them was mainly detected in the top fractions containing small particles and free proteins. We concluded that the preribosomal particles lacking Nop19p contain the tested components of the different UTP modules and that Nop19p is therefore probably not required for their incorporation.

We next studied whether Utp17p (UTP-A complex), Pwp2p (UTP-B complex), or Rrp5p are required for Nop19p recruitment to the nascent preribosomal particles. We replaced the endogenous promoters of the UTP17, PWP2 or RRP5 genes with the conditional GAL1 promoter in the previously described NOP19::TAP strain. These strains were shifted from a galactose- to a glucose-containing medium and grown to deplete Utp17p, Pwp2p or Rrp5p. Depletion of these factors did not result in a reduction of 3HA-Nop19p (data not shown), suggesting they are not required for Nop19p-TAP accumulation.

Extracts prepared from the depleted cells were analyzed by sedimentation on sucrose gradients. The absorbance profiles observed in Utp17p-, Pwp2p- and Rrp5p-depleted cells (Fig. 5B) are consistent with those reported previously by others in reference 15, 19 and 29 and very similar to those observed in the absence of Nop19p. In absence of Utp17p, Pwp2p and Rrp5p, Nop19p was still detected in the fractions of the gradient containing preribosomal particles. However, the sedimentation profiles of Nop19-TAP in Utp17p-, Pwp2p- and Rrp5p-depleted cells appeared significantly different from that observed with WT cells. The protein is indeed more concentrated in fractions 11 and 12 in WT cells whereas it appeared shifted to fractions 8 to 10 in depleted cells and appeared less concentrated in the top fractions containing free proteins and other low-molecular-weight complexes. These data indicate that the incorporation of Nop19p into preribosomes is not prevented in the absence of UTP-A or UTP-B components or Rrp5p. The observed shift in sedimentation may reflect that Nop19p remains associated with stalled preribosomes containing the aberrant 23S pre-rRNA. Therefore, Nop19p is essential for rRNA processing, but has no detectable function in hierarchical assembly of the 90S preribosome.

Dhr2p and Utp25p are in tight association with Nop19p.

In order to get insights into the function of this novel factor, we next attempted to identify “preferential” Nop19p-associated factors. The aim was to identify tight interactions between Nop19p and 90S preribosomal proteins using stringent conditions. Hence, Nop19p fused to the TAP tag (Nop19p-TAP) was purified over an IgG-sepharose column in native conditions. Nop19p-TAP-containing complexes bound to the column were then submitted to a “disruption treatment” consisting in extensive washes with buffers containing 200 mM, 1 M or 2 M salt (KCl) concentration (see Materials and Methods). The protein A-IgG interaction is resistant to 1 M and 2 M salt treatment,30 but most of the proteins component of the 90S preribosome are expected to be released following these stringent washes. Following TEV elution, a second calmodulin affinity column was employed as described in reference 31. The polypeptides copurified with Nop19p following this modified TAP tag protocol were resolved by SDS-PAGE and stained with coomassie blue (Fig. S1). Coomassie-stained bands were excised and polypeptides contained in these bands were subjected to in-gel trypsin digestion. The resulting peptides were analyzed by on-line capillary liquid chromatography/nanospray ion trap tandem mass spectrometry, allowing identification of the proteins from which they were derived.

Among the identified factors, we noticed the presence of two 90S components, Dhr2p and Utp25p. Dhr2p is a DEAH-box RNA helicase essential for cell viability. Dhr2p is required for A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages and so on for 18S rRNA production.32 Dhr2p presents a strong conservation in its core domain with Dhr1p, one other DEAH-box RNA helicase also required for early 35S pre-rRNA cleavages. Moreover, Dhr2p has been shown to be associated in vivo with U3 processome components including U3 snoRNA, Mpp10p,33 Utp22p34 and Nop9p.35 Utp25p is an essential factor, also required for A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages (reviewed in ref. 36 and 37 and Fig. S2). As Dhr2p, Utp25p coimmunoprecipitated SSU processome factors such as U3 snoRNA, Mpp10p, Utp3p/Sas10p, Utp8p, Utp18p and Utp21p.34,36,37 All together, these results suggested that Nop19p is a component of the SSU processome interacting “preferentially” with Dhr2p and Utp25p.

In order to independently verify the interactions seen using the modified TAP protocol, we individually expressed in the NOP19::TAP strain, HA-tagged versions of Dhr2p, Dhr1p and Utp25p as well as various UTP proteins including Utp17p (UTP-A), Pwp2p (UTP-B), Utp22p (UTP-C) and Rrp5p. Strains were exponentially grown in YPD medium at 30°C and cell pellets were broken in liquid nitrogen. Nop19p-TAPcontaining complexes bound to the IgG sepharose column were extensively washed with buffers containing 0.2 M, 1 M or 2 M KCl. Protein complexes were next eluted using a denaturing buffer. The released peptides were analyzed by western-blot using anti-HA antibodies (Fig. 6). As expected, all tested factors were found associated with Nop19p-TAP at low salt concentration (0.2 M). In accordance with our previous observations, Dhr2p-HA and Utp25p-HA interactions with Nop19p-TAP were resistant to high salt concentrations (1 M and 2 M) (Fig. 6). In contrast, Dhr1p-HA is totally released from the column after 1 M KCl washes. These results confirm that Nop19p stably interacts with Dhr2p-HA and Utp25p-HA when compared with other 90S preribosomal proteins. Moreover, little amounts of Utp17p-HA (UTP-A) and Pwp2p-HA (UTP-B) remain associated with Nop19p after high salt disruption, suggesting stable association of these two factors with Nop19p-TAP, althought to a lesser extend as compared with Dhr2p and Utp25p. UTP-C factor (Utp22p-HA), as well as Rrp5p-HA are still associated to Nop19p-TAP at 1 M salt concentration but are released from the column during 2 M KCl washes. All together, these results suggest that Nop19p is specifically and stably associated to Dhr2p and Utp25p. Moreover, stable association between Nop19p and UTP-A and UTP-B components were identified. Nop19p also appeared associated with UTP-C subcomplex and Rrp5p, to a lower extent however.

We next determined whether Nop19p is required for the incorporation of Dhr2p and Utp25p within the SSU processome. For this purpose, we compared the sedimentation profiles of Dhr2p-TAP and Utp25p-TAP in WT and Nop19p-depleted cells (Fig. 7). Western blot analysis of gradient fractions showed that Dhr2p concentrates in two broad peaks in WT cells. The lower peak of Dhr2p-TAP (fractions 11–14) may correspond to the SSU processome/90S preribosome whereas the slower sedimenting fractions (fractions 1–3) probably represents the free protein plus small protein complex(es). Signal is also observed in fractions 8–10 suggesting few amounts of Dhr2p are present in pre-40S and/or pre-60S particles. In Nop19p-depleted cells, Dhr2p was still present in heavy fractions, suggesting Nop19p is not required for its incorporation into the preribosomes. Interestingly, Dhr2p was no more detected in top fractions while it concomitantly accumulated in fractions 7–9. These results probably reflect that in absence of Nop19p, Dhr2p is trapped within stalled preribosomes containing the aberrant 23S pre-rRNA avoiding its recycling.

In accordance with observations by other,37 Utp25p is present in high molecular mass fractions probably corresponding to SSU processome/90S and pre-40S preribosomes (Fig. 7B). These results were also assessed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments which confirmed that Utp25p is associated with both the 35S and 20S pre-rRNAs (Fig. S2) data not shown. In absence of Nop19p, very weak signal was observed in high molecular complexes whereas signal strongly increased in top fractions. This data suggest that the incorporation of Utp25p into preribosomes is affected in absence of Nop19p. In these conditions, Utp25p accumulates in the pool of free proteins and/or small protein complexes.

Discussion

The assembly and maturation of preribosomes mobilize numerous trans-acting factors and snoRNPs associating transiently with the preribosomal particles in the nucleolus, the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm to promote the formation of translation-competent ribosomal subunits. Many components of early preribosomes have been identified. However, most of them are only partially characterized. The current challenges in the field are to exhaustively establish the list of these components and to understand their precise function in the assembly and maturation processes of preribosomal particles. We report here the characterization of the YGR251W gene we called NOP19, encoding a novel nucleolar protein required for early cleavages of the pre-rRNAs leading to the production of the 40S ribosomal subunit.

We have shown by coimmunoprecipitation experiments that Nop19p interacts physically with the RNA components of the 90S preribosomal particles including U3 snoRNA and to a lesser extent with pre-40S particles. Upon Nop19p depletion, we observed a rapid depletion of the mature 18S rRNA. This decrease is the consequence of a defect in A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages as Nop19p depletion results in the accumulation of the 35S and the 23S pre-rRNA concomitantly with a loss of the 20S pre-rRNA, the direct precursor of the mature 18S rRNA. A striking feature of the coprecipitation data was the strong recovery of the aberrant 23S RNAs with Nop19p. This RNA is detectable in wild-type cells, but at very low levels, and is strongly enriched in the Nop19p-TAP immunoprecipitate. These data suggest that the association of Nop19p with the presumably defective preribosomes that contain the 23S, is more stable than the association with preribosomes that are maturing normally. We propose that A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages are required for the release of Nop19p from pre-ribosomal particles.

Our results show that Nop19p is not required for the association of components of the tUTP/UTP-A (Utp17p), UTP-B (Pwp2p) and UTP-C (Utp22p) complexes as well as Rrp5p with the 90S preribosomes. These results indicate that these modules assemble independently from Nop19p. These data also suggest that Nop19p is likely not a component of the tUTP/UTP-A subcomplex, as the incorporation of which is a prerequisite for the recruitment of most subsequent modules. Moreover, tUTP/UTP-A components are believed to be required for the transcription of the pre-rRNA or stability of the nascent transcript.16,17 Pulse chase experiments clearly revealed robust ongoing rDNA transcription in Nop19p-depleted cells. All together, these results strongly suggest Nop19p is not a bona fide component of the tUTP/UTP-A subcomplex. Conversely, components of tUTP/UTP-A, UTP-B and UTP-C complexes as well as Rrp5p are not required for the association of Nop19p with the 90S preribosome. It therefore appeared unlikely that Nop19p is a component of UTP-C subcomplex as it is still incorporated in the particle in absence of Rrp5p. One possibility is that Nop19p could be a component of UTP-B subcomplex. This hypothesis is supported by our co-immunoprecipitation data. Pwp2-HA is indeed efficiently co-immunoprecipitated with Nop19-TAP, even after high salt concentration treatment. Alternatively, Nop19p may be recruited to the 90S preribosomes, independently of the assembly of UTP modules. Actually, less than 50% of the 90S preribosome proteins are assigned to UTP subcomplexes.14

TAP experiments under stringent conditions identified stable interactions between Nop19p and both Dhr2p and Utp25p. These two factors are known to be part of the U3 processome.14,33,36,37 The fact that these interactions resist to 2 M salt washes after immunoprecipitation suggests that Nop19p interacts preferentially with Dhr2p and Utp25p.

Dhr2p is a DEAH-box RNA helicase required for A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages and so on for 18S rRNA production.32 It was often proposed that SSU processome RNA helicases such as Dhr2p probably interact transiently with preribosomes and thus are not always detectable in tandem affinity purified particles. This made up difficult to get insight into the precise function of this group of factors. However, Dhr2p has been shown to be associated in vivo with U3 processome components including U3 snoRNA, Mpp10p,33 Utp22p34 and Nop9p.35 Here we have shown that Dhr2p is stably associated with Nop19p. Dhr2p is recruited on the 90S preribosomes and is probably released shortly after A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages in WT cells. In absence of Nop19p, Dhr2p remains associated with some preribosomes, probably stalled pre-ribosomes containing the aberrant 23S pre-rRNA. This avoids its recycling since no more free Dhr2p can be detected in gradient analysis. One hypothesis is that Nop19p directly participates in the release of Dhr2p from preribosomes in WT cells. However, we cannot exclude that the absence of A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages due to the absence of Nop19p may be the direct cause of Dhr2p retention on preribosomes.

Utp25p was shown to provide a connection between UTP-B component (Utp21p) and Mpp10p subcomplexes.36 Our data identified strong interactions between Nop19p and both Utp25p and the UTP-B subcomplex (Pwp2p). All together these data suggest that Utp25p and Nop19p can act together to bridge UTP-B and Mpp10p subcomplexes. It was largely proposed that this type of inter-subunit interactions promotes spatial and temporal association of the various subcomplexes during ribosome biogenesis. Actually, such a role for Utp25p and Nop19p remains unclear as none of them are required for proper loading of UTP subcomplexes within the 90S preribosomes (reviewed in ref. 36 and Figs. 5 and 7). Alternatively, Utp25p and Nop19p may contribute to fine-tune positioning of UTP-B and Mpp10p subcomplexes one relative to the other. Gradient analysis revealed that Nop19p is required for proper association of Utp25p with preribosomes. It's still unclear whether prior association of both protein is required for their integration within the 90S preribosome or if Nop19p association to preribosomes is a prerequisite to Utp25p loading onto the particle.

Materials and Methods

Strains, media, plasmids and cloning.

Standard procedures were used for the propagation of yeast using YPD medium (1% yeast extract, 2% peptone and 2% glucose), YPG medium (1% yeast extract, 2% peptone and 2% galactose) or YNB medium (0.67% yeast nitrogen base, 0.5% (NH₄)₂SO₄ and 2% glucose or galactose) supplemented with the required amino acids. Yeast strains used in this study were derivatives of S. cerevisiae S288C or BY4741, originating from the S288C background (MATa, his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0). NOP19::TAP, DHR2::TAP, DHR1::TAP, RRP5::TAP, UTP17::TAP, UTP22::TAP, PWP2::TAP, UTP25::TAP strains were purchased from Open Biosystems where insertion of the tandem affinity purification (TAP) cassette was selected using HIS3MX6 marker. The GAL1::3HA::NOP19 strain, expressing 3HA-Nop19p under the control of a GAL1 promoter was constructed as follows: a PCR cassette containing kanamycin resistance (kan^R) selectable marker, GAL1 promoter and the 3HA-tag sequence was amplified by PCR from the plasmid pFA6a-KanMX6-PGAL13HA27 using primers 903 and 905 (Table 1). The PCR fragment was inserted by homologous recombination upstream of the chromosomal NOP19 open reading frame in BY4741 strain. Transformants were selected for resistance to kanamycin and screened by immunoblotting.

The DHR1::TAP, DHR2::TAP, UTP25::TAP, RRP5::TAP, UTP17::TAP, PWP2::TAP and UTP22::TAP strains expressing 3HA-Nop19p under the GAL1 promoter control were constructed as follows: a PCR cassette containing the kan^R selectable marker, GAL1 promoter and the 3HA-tag sequence was amplified by PCR from plasmid pFA6a-KanMX6-PGAL1-3HA27 using primers 903 and 905 (Table 1). The PCR fragment was inserted by homologous recombination upstream of the chromosomal NOP19 open reading frame in DHR1::TAP, DHR2::TAP, UTP25::TAP, RRP5::TAP, UTP17::TAP, PWP2::TAP and UTP22::TAP strains respectively. The GAL1::3HA::RRP5 strain expressing Nop19p-TAP was constructed as follows: a PCR cassette containing the kan^R selectable marker, GAL1 promoter and the 3HA-tag sequence was amplified by PCR from plasmid pFA6a-KanMX6-PGAL1-3HA27 using 912/913 primers (Table 1). The PCR fragment was inserted by homologous recombination upstream of the chromosomal RRP5 open reading frame in NOP19::TAP strain. Transformants were selected using G418 and screened by immunoblotting.

The Gal::UTP17 and Gal::PWP2 strains expressing Nop19p-TAP were constructed by one-step PCR using pFA6a-KanMX6-PGAL1 27 amplified with OMG054/OMG055, OMG050/OMG051, respectively.29 The PCR fragment was inserted by homologous recombination upstream of the chromosomal UTP17 or PWP2 open reading frame in NOP19::TAP strain. Transformants were selected for kanamycin resistance and histidine prototrophy and screened by immunoblotting.

The PWP2::3HA, UTP17::3HA, UTP22::3HA, DHR2::3HA, DHR1::3HA, RRP5::3HA, UTP25::3HA strains expressing Nop19p-TAP were constructed by a one-step PCR using pFA6a-3HA-KanMX6 27 amplified by primer couples 914/915, 916/917, 918/919, 920/921, 922/923, 793/792, 924/926 respectively. The PCR fragments were inserted by homologous recombination downstream of the chromosomal PWP2, UTP17, UTP22, DHR2, DHR1, RRP5, UTP25 open reading frames respectively in NOP19::TAP strain. Transformants were selected for kanamycin resistance and histidine prototrophy and screened by immunoblotting.

The NOP19::YFP strain containing a plasmid pUN100 NOP1::mCherry was constructed as followed: a PCR cassette containing URA3 gene from K. lactis as selectable marker and YFP-tag sequence was amplified by PCR from the plasmid pFA6aYFP-URA using primers 700 and 701 (Table 1). The PCR fragment was inserted by homologous recombination downstream in NOP19::TAP strain using the Swap-tag method.38 Transformants were selected for uracile prototrophy and screened by immunoblotting. In a second step, plasmid pUN100 NOP1::mCherry39 was transformed in the resulting strain. For the complete yeast strains used in this study, see Table 2.

Fluorescence microscopy.

For fluorescence microscopy, cells were grown in YPD medium at 30°C to an OD₆₀₀ of 0.6. Aliquots were collected, washed and resuspended in dextrose-containing YNB supplemented with the needed amino acids. After washing, the cells were mounted on a slide and observed in the fluorescence microscope IX-81 (Olympus) equipped with a polychrome V monochromator and a CoolSNAP HQ camera (Roper Industries). Digital pictures were processed using Photoshop software (CS3 version; Adobe).

Western analyses.

Proteins from total extracts, obtained from gradient fractions after TCA precipitation or from immunoprecipitated pellets were separated on 4–12% polyacrylamide/SDS gels (Invitrogen) and transferred to hybond-ECL membranes (GE Healthcare). Nop1p was detected as described in reference 40. TAP-tagged proteins were detected using rabbit PAP (Sigma) diluted 10,000 fold. HA-tagged proteins were detected using anti-HA peroxydase antibodies (Roche) diluted 1,000-fold.

Sucrose gradient sedimentation experiments.

Cells were grown exponentially and treated for 30 min with 50 µg/ml cycloheximide (Sigma) added directly to the culture medium. Cells were collected by centrifugation, frozen in liquid nitrogen and broken with in a mortar. Dry extracts were resuspended with approximately 1 volume of ice-cold A150 buffer (20 mM Tris-Cl [pH 8], 5 mM MgCl₂, 0.2% Triton X100, 150 mM KCl) supplemented with 1 mM dithiothreitol, 1x Complete EDTA-free protease inhibitor cocktail (Roche), 0.5 mM PMSF and 50 µg/ml cycloheximide. Extracts were clarified by centrifugation at 13,000 rpm and 4°C for 10 min and quantified by measuring absorbance at 260 nm. About 10 A₂₆₀ units were loaded on 4.5% to 45% (w/v) sucrose gradients in specicific buffer (50 mM Tris-Acetate [pH 7.5], 50 mM NH₄Cl, 12 mM MgCl₂). Gradients were centrifuged for 150 min at 39,000 rpm and 4°C in an Optima L-100XP Ultracentrifuge (Beckman-Coulter) using the SW41Ti rotor without brake. Following centrifugation, 17 fractions of approximately 600 µl (33 s) each were collected from the top of the gradients by use of a Foxy Jr. fraction collector (Teledyne ISCO). The absorbance at 254 nm was measured during collection with a UA-6 device (Teledyne ISCO).

RNA extractions and northern hybridizations.

RNA extractions and northern hybridizations were performed as previously described in reference 41. For high molecular weight RNA analysis, 2 µg of total of RNA were glyoxal denatured and resolved on a 1.2% agarose gel. Low molecular weight RNA products were resolved on 8% Polyacrylamide/8.3 M urea gels. Oligonucleotides used for northern hybridizations are listed in Table 1.

Immunoprecipitations.

Total cell extracts were prepared from strains expressing TAP-tagged proteins or untagged strains as control. Growing cells were frozen in liquid nitrogen and broken in a mortar. Immunoprecipitations and analysis of coprecipitated RNAs were performed as previously described in reference 42. Tot/IP ratios loaded were 1/10 for agarose and acrylamide gels.

Tandem affinity purifications.

Cell pellets (corresponding to about 5 × 10¹⁰ cells) frozen in liquid nitrogen were broken in a mortar and resuspended in A200 KCl buffer [20 mM Tris-Cl (pH 8.0), 5 mM MgAc, 200 mM KCl, 0.2% Triton X-100] supplemented with 1 mM dithiothreitol, 1x Complete EDTA-free protease inhibitor cocktail (Roche) and 0.5 U/µl RNasin (Promega).

For TAP purifications under native conditions. Cell extracts were clarified by centrifugation at 14,000 rpm (21,000x g) for 10 min at 4°C. Clarified extracts were incubated with 200 µl (bed volume) of IgG-Sepharose beads (GE Healthcare) for 4 h on a rocking table. Beads were split in 3 different columns and were extensively washed with A200, A1000 or A2000 buffers (A1000 corresponds to A200 buffer except 1 M KCl, A2000 corresponds to A200 buffer except 2 M KCl). Columns were next equilibrated with ice-cold TEV cleavage buffer (10 mM Tris-Cl [pH 8.0], 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% NP-40, 0.5 mM EDTA, 1 mM dithiothreitol). Beads were resuspended with 1 ml of TEV cleavage buffer and incubated for 2 h at 16°C on a rocking Table in the presence of 100 units of ActTEV protease (Invitrogen). Eluted samples (about 1 ml) were mixed with 3 ml of calmodulin binding buffer [10 mM Tris-Cl (pH 8.0), 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM MgAc, 1 mM imidazole, 2 mM CaCl₂, 0.1% NP-40, 10 mM β-mercaptoethanol] and 3 µl of 1 M CaCl₂ and incubated with 200 µl of calmodulin beads (Stratagene) at 4°C for 1 h on a rocking table. Beads were washed with 40 ml of calmodulin binding buffer and proteins were eluted by the addition of 6 × 200 µl of calmodulin elution buffer [10 mM Tris-Cl (pH 8.0), 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM MgAc, 1 mM imidazole, 2 mM EGTA, 0.1% NP-40, 10 mM β-mercaptoethanol]. Eluted proteins were precipitated with 20% trichloroacetic acid (TCA), rinsed with acetone and resuspended with 20 µl of 1x SDS gel-loading buffer [40 mM Tris-Cl (pH 6.8), 2% SDS, 10% glycerol, 25 mM dithiothreitol, 0.1% bromophenol blue]. Samples were loaded on 4–12% Bis-Tris gels. Gels were briefly (15 min) stained with silver staining solution (Fermentas), and pieces of gels containing the samples were excised. The proteins contained in these samples were analyzed by mass spectrometry as described in reference 43.

Pulse chase analysis.

Metabolic labeling of pre-rRNAs was performed as previously described in reference 44, with the following modifications. Strains were pre-grown in synthetic galactose medium lacking adenine and transferred to glucose medium lacking adenine for 3 h (GAL1::3HA::NOP19). Cultures at OD₆₀₀ 0.8 were labeled with [8-³H] adenine (TRK343, Amersham) for 2 min followed by a chase with excess cold adenine. 1 ml samples were collected 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 min following the addition of cold adenine and cell pellets were frozen in liquid nitrogen. RNAs were then extracted and precipitated with ethanol.

NanoLC-MS/MS and data analyses.

Gel bands were excised and proteins were subjected to in-gel reduction and alkylation followed by in-gel tryptic digestion using modified porcine trypsin (Promega, Lyon, France). Concentrated peptide extracts were dissolved in 15 µL of 0.05% TFA in 10% ACN and analyzed by online nanocapillary HPLC (Ultimate3000, Dionex) coupled to an LTQ-Orbitrap XL mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bremen, Germany). Peptides were separated on a 75 µm ID × 15 cm C18 column (packed in-house with Reprosil C18-AQ Pur 3 µm resin, Dr. Maisch; Proxeon Biosystems, Odense, Denmark) after loading onto a 300 µm ID × 5 mm PepMap C18 precolumn (Dionex). Peptides were eluted using a 5 to 50% linear gradient of solvent B in 55 min (solvent A was 0.2% formic acid in 5% ACN and solvent B was 0.2% formic acid in 80% ACN). Data were acquired in data-dependent scan using a 60 s dynamic exclusion window. MS scans over the 300–2,000 m/z range were followed by MS/MS scans of the five most intense ions. The Mascot Daemon software (version 2.2.0.3, Matrix Science) was used to perform database searches in batch mode with all the raw files acquired against Saccharomyces cerevisiae Swiss-Prot TrEMBL database (UniProt 15.5). Mascot results were parsed with the in-house developed software Mascot File Parsing and Quantification (MFPaQ) version 4.0.0,45,46 and an identified protein was considered a hit if it was identified with at least two peptides with a score greater than the significance threshold score for a probability p < 0.05 or at least one pep-tide with a score greater than the significance threshold score for p < 0.001, as determined by the Mascot Search program.

Specific protein partners of Nop19p (YGR251w) were identified by a differential semi-quantitative analysis with the control (Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741) identified proteins using the MS/MS spectral counting method adapted from Liu et al.

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1 Scheme of the pre-rRNA processing pathway in S. cerevisiae. (A) Initial 35S pre-rRNA precursor with detailed cleavages sites. (B) Endonucleolytic and exonucleolytic cleavages leading to the production of mature 18S, 5.8S and 25S (reviewed in ref. 22).

Figure 2 Nop19p is a nucleolar protein associated with preribosomes. (A) Subcellular localization of Nop19p. Yeast strain expressing Nop19p-YFP and mCherry-Nop1p were grown exponentially and cell samples were used for fluorescence microscopy analysis. (B) Sedimentation profile of Nop19p on a sucrose gradient. A total extract prepared from NOP19::TAP cells growing exponentially was sedimented through a sucrose gradient and 17 fractions were collected. The corresponding A₂₅₄ profile is displayed with the characteristic annotated peaks. Each fraction was TCA precipitated and Nop19-TAP was detected by western blotting using PAP antibodies. (C) Nop19p co-immunoprecipitates with 35S and 23S pre-rRNAs. Northern-blot analysis of (pre-)rRNAs coprecipitated with TAP-tagged version of Nop19p (lanes 3–4 and 7–8) or from control experiments using extracts of cells lacking a tagged protein (lanes 1, 2, 5 and 6). Immunoprecipitation was performed on cell extracts using IgG-Sepharose. RNAs were extracted from the pellet after precipitation (lanes IP) or from total cell extract (lanes Tot) corresponding to 10% of the input used for the immunoprecipitation reactions. Following separation, RNAs were transferred to a nylon membrane and hybridized with anti-sense oligonucleotides corresponding to various (pre-) rRNAS and snoRNAs.

Figure 3 Nop19p depletion affects 40S ribosomal subunit accumulation in yeast cells. (A) Growth rate of wild-type and Gal::3HA::NOP19 strains following a transfer from permissive galactose medium to glucose medium for the times indicated. Cells were maintained in exponential growth throughout the time course by dilution into pre-warmed medium. (B) Western-blot analysis of 3HA-Nop19p depletion. Total proteins were extracted at the times indicated and analyzed by western blot. Accumulation of 3HA-Nop19p and Nop1p was respectively detected using anti-HA and Nop1p-specific antibodies. (C) Ribosome profiles in Nop19p-depleted cells. Gal::3HA::NOP19 and WT BY4741 strains were grown up to 0.6 (OD₆₀₀) on galactose medium and shifted to glucose for 6 h. Total cell extracts were prepared and centrifuges through 4.5% to 45% sucrose gradients and 17 fractions were collected. The A₂₅₄ absorbance profile is presented.

Figure 4 Nop19p depletion leads to a defect in A₀, A₁ and A₂ cleavages. (A) WT BY4741 and Gal::3HA::NOP19 strains were shifted from a galactose to a glucose medium. Samples were collected before and at different times after the nutritional shift. Total RNAs were extracted from these cell samples, and the accumulation of the different pre-rRNAs, rRNAs and sn(o)RNAs was analyzed by northern-blot. (B) Pulse-chase labeling of RNAs. WT BY4741 and Gal::3HA::NOP19 cells were grown in galactose containing medium and were next shifted in glucose for 3 h. Cells were then pulse labeled with [8-³H] adenine for 2 min. Samples were collected 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 min after addition of an excess of cold adenine. Total RNAs were extracted from these samples, separated by gel electrophoresis and transferred to a nylon membrane.

Figure 5 Nop19p and U3 processome assembly. (A) Depletion of Nop19p in yeast does not affect the incorporation of components of the UTP-A, UTP-B or UTP-C modules within preribosomes. Strains expressing TAP-tagged versions of Utp17p, Pwp2p, Utp22p or Rrp5p that were otherwise WT or expressing 3HA-Nop19p under the control of the GAL1 promoter were transferred from galactose- to glucose-based medium and grown for 3 h. Total extracts prepared from these cells were sedimented through sucrose gradients. Western blot experiments were carried out using rabbit PAP to detect TAP-tagged proteins in the different fractions. (B) Sedimentation profile of Nop19-TAP in WT cells (upper left part) or in cells lacking Utp17p (upper right part), Pwp2p (lower left part) or Rrp5p (lower right part). The GAL1::UTP17, GAL1::PWP2 and GAL1::RRP5 strains expressing Nop19-TAP were shifted from galactose- to glucose-containing medium and grown for 14 h, to deplete the corresponding proteins. As a control, the Nop19::TAP strain grown in the presence of glucose was used. Total extracts prepared from these cell samples were sedimented through sucrose gradients. The proteins contained in each fraction were analyzed by western blotting using PAP antibodies to detect Nop19-TAP.

Figure 6 TAP purification of Nop19p-TAP under stringent conditions. (A) Nop19p-TAP was affinity purified under native conditions (see Materials and Methods). Nop19p-TAP-containing complexes bound to IgG were extensively washed with buffers containing 200 mM, 1 M or 2 M salt (KCl) concentration before Tev elution. Final purified samples were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and observed after silver staining coloration. Samples were next subjected to mass spectrometry analysis. (B) Proteins specifically associated with Nop19p. Interactions identified by mass spectrometry analysis were individually verified. 3HA-tag versions of proteins of interest (Dhr2p, Utp25p, Dhr1p, Utp17p, Pwp2p, Utp22p, Rrp5p) were expressed in a NOP19::TAP background strain. Total extracts were immobilized on IgG and submitted to extensive washes with buffers containing 200 mM, 1 M or 2 M salt (KCl) before elution. Eluted proteins were analyzed by western blotting using PAP and HA antibodies.

Figure 7 Depletion of Nop19p affects the sedimentation profile of Dhr2p and Utp25p. Strains expressing TAP-tagged versions of Dhr2p (A) and Utp25p (B) that were otherwise WT or expressing 3HA-Nop19p under the control of the GAL1 promoter were transferred from galactose- to glucose-based medium and grown for 3 h. Total extracts prepared from these cells were sedimented through sucrose gradients. Western blot experiments were carried out using rabbit PAP to detect TAP-tagged proteins in the different fractions.

Table 1 List of oligonucleotides used in this study

Primers	Sequence
700	TCG ATG AAT TCG AGC TCG TT
701	GGT CGA CGG ATC CCC GGG TT
792	GCT AAA GCT ACT GAG TAT GTC GCT AGC CAT GAA TCT CAA AAA GCA GAC GAA CGG ATC CCC GGG TTA ATT AA
793	CTA TGT ACT TTA CAA ATA TAC TTT ACA AAC TTA GCC ATT TAT ATT ACT TTA CGA ATT CGA GCT CGT TTA AAC
903	GAC GGC CTG TAA TTG ACC TGC GAC GCG GGC AAT TTC TAG CGG AAT TCG AGC TCG TTT AAA C
905	GCT TGC AAG TTG AGC TTC TCT TGT AAT TCT TTG GCC CTA CTC ATG CAC TGA GCA GCG TAA TCT G
908	TGC TAT AAA AAT GCA ATT ACA ACC CAA TAC TAA TAA TAG AGT GTC TTA AGA AAT ATA AGT GAA TTC GAG CTC GTT TAA AC
909	GTT CTT TTA ATT TGG CCA TAT GGC CGG ATC TGG CTT TTT CAT TAA ACC TTT TTC TGT AAG TAC CGC ACT GAG CAG CGT AAT CT
910	CAT CTA CAG TTG ATA CAG TAT ACC GTA TTA TCT TTC CTC GGT AGT GTT CAG AGA ATT CGA GCT CGT TTA AAC
911	CTG AAA GTA GAC TGG AGT TTC GCT TGC AAG TTG AGC TTC TCT TGT AAT TCT TTG GCC CTA CTG CAC TGA GCA GCG TAA TCT G
912	GCT ATT AGT ATC TAC TAC TAC AGT CTG AAT CAA GGA CCG GAA TTC GAG CTC GTT TAA AC
913	CCT CGA AAG TGG AAA ATC TTC ATC TCT CTT TCT TTT GGT GGA AGC TAC GCA CTG AGC AGC GTA ATC TG
914	GTT CTA TAC TTG GGG AAT ACA TGA TGT GAA TGT GCA TAA ATA GAG GAC AGG AAT TCG AGC TCG TTT AAA C
915	GTC TAA TGA AAA TGA TTC CAG TGA TGA AGA AGA AAA TGA GAA AGA GCT TCC TCG GAT CCC CGG GTT AAT TAA
916	GGC TGC TTT AAT TAT TTA ATA TTA TAC AGA TAC TTC TAA AAG TTA TGA TTT TGG AAT TCG AGC TCG TTT AAA C
917	CAA AAC GTG CAA ATG GAT ACA TTT TTT GAT CGT GTG ATG AAA GTA TTA ACA CGG ATC CCC GGG TTA ATT AA
918	CAT ATA TAT ATA TAT ATA TAT ATA TAT ACC TTT ATA TCT ATT TTG GAT ATC CAA TGG AAG GAA TTC GAG CTC GTT TAA AC
919	CAT GAG ATT GCT GCA TTC GGG AAT GAC ATG GTT ATA AAT TTT GAG ACA GAT CGG ATC CCC GGG TTA ATT AA
920	GCT CTA TAA ATT ACA TTA AAT GCC TTT ATA TAC AAT AAA AAT GCG CTA AGG AAT TCG AGC TCG TTT AAA C
921	GAA GTT GTC ACT AAT GCA GCC GCT GTA GCA AAG CAA AAA GTT TCT GAT TCA AAA CGG ATC CCC GGG TTA ATT AA
922	TAG ATA GGA ATA ATG TAT TCT TCC TAT ATG TTC TTA TAT AAT GAA ACT CTA TTT CGA ATTCGA GCT CGT TTA AAC
923	ATC ACC AGA AAG GGG CTT CCA GAC CAT CAC AGG TGA AGA GAA AGA AAA AAA ACG GAT CCC CGG GTT AAT TAA
924	GCG ATT AAA AGT ATT TGT GAA TGA TAA TAT TCT TCA TTG TGT ACT CTA TAC ATT GTG GCG AAT TCG AGC TCG TTT AAA C
926	CGA AAA GAG CAG CTG TAT TAT CGC ATG CAC AAA AGG AAA TTT ATG AAT TTA AAC GGA TCC CCG GGT TAA TTA A
004	5′-CGG TTT TAA TTG TCC TA
005	5′-ATG AAA ACT CCA CAG TG
007	5′-CTC CGC TTA TTG ATA TGC
008	5′-CAT GGC TTA ATC TTT GAG AC
017	5′-GCG TTG TTC ATC GAT GC
020	5′-TGA GAA GGA AAT GAC GCT
041	5′-CTA CTC GGT CAG GCT C
200	5′-UUA UGG GAC UUG UU
209	5′-GGA AGG TCT CTA AAG AAG
218	5′-CAT GGG TCA AGA ACG CCC CGG AGG GG
228	5′-CAT CCA GCT CAA GAT CG
231	5′-ATG TCT GCA GTA TGG TTT TAC
271	5′-GAT TGT CCA CAC ACT TCT
1000	5′-CAA AAG AGG CTG ACG TT
1016	5′-ATA CCG GTC CTT GGA AT

Table 2 List of yeast strains used in this study

Strains	Name	Description
481	NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
482	UTP25::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 YIL091C-TAP-HIS3
694	GAL1::3HA::NOP19	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-YGR251W-KanMX6
702	NOP19::YFP NOP1::mCherry	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 YGR251w-YFP-URA3 UN100-mCherry-NOP1
948	DHR1::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 DHR1-TAP-HIS3
949	DHR2::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 DHR2-TAP-HIS3
950	RRP5::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 RRP5-TAP-HIS3
952	PWP2::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 PWP2-TAP-HIS3
953	UTP17::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 UTP17-TAP-HIS3
954	UTP22::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 UTP22-TAP-HIS3
956	GAL1::3HA::NOP19 DHR1::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-YGR251W-KanMX6 DHR1-TAP-HIS3
957	GAL1::3HA::NOP19 DHR2::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-YGR251W-KanMX6 DHR2-TAP-HIS3
958	GAL1::3HA::NOP19 RRP5::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-YGR251W-KanMX6 RRP5-TAP-HIS3
960	GAL1::3HA::DHR1 NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-DHR1-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
961	GAL1::3HA::DHR2 NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-DHR2-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
962	GAL1::3HA::RRP5 NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-RRP5-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
965	RRP5::3HA NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 RRP5-3HA-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
966	DHR1::3HA NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 DHR1-3HA-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
967	DHR2::3HA NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 DHR2-3HA-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
968	UTP17::3HA NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 UTP17-3HA-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
969	PWP2::3HA NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 PWP2-3HA-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
970	UTP25::3HA NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 UTP25-3HA-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
971	UTP22::3HA NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 UTP22-3HA-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
995	GAL1::3HA::NOP19 UTP17::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-YGR251W-KanMX6 UTP17-TAP-HIS3
996	GAL1::3HA::NOP19 PWP2::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-YGR251W-KanMX6 PWP2-TAP-HIS3
997	GAL1::3HA::NOP19 UTP22::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-YGR251W-KanMX6 UTP22-TAP-HIS3
998	GAL::UTP17 NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-UTP17-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3
999	GAL::UTP22 NOP19::TAP	MATa his3Δ1 leu2Δ0 met15Δ0 ura3Δ0 pGAL-PWP2-KanMX6 YGR251W-TAP-HIS3

Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Anthony Henras for critical reading of the manuscript. We acknowledge members of the GADAL lab for help, advice and discussion. We are also grateful to Jorge Pérez-Fernandez for helpful discussions and protocols concerning gradient experiments. We thank Laura Castillo and Justine Constans for their involvement in this project and David Villa for help with figures. This work also benefited of the assistance of the electron microscopy facility of the Institut Fédératif de Recherche 109 and of the imaging platform of Toulouse TRI. This work was supported by an Action Thématique et Incitative sur Programme (ATIP) Jeunes Chercheurs grant from Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (Nucleopol, ODynRib and Ribeuc programme), and Jeune équipe from Fondation pour la recherche médicale (FRM). E.C. is supported by a Ph.D. fellowship from the Ministère de l'Education Nationale, de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche.