PNPT1 Release from Mitochondria during Apoptosis Triggers Decay of Poly(A) RNAs

Xing Liu, Rui Fu, Youdong Pan, Karla F. Meza-Sosa, Zhibin Zhang, Judy Lieberman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Widespread mRNA decay, an unappreciated feature of apoptosis, enhances cell death and depends on mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), TUTases, and DIS3L2. Which RNAs are decayed and the decay-initiating event are unknown. Here, we show extensive decay of mRNAs and poly(A) noncoding (nc)RNAs at the 3′ end, triggered by the mitochondrial intermembrane space 3′-to-5′ exoribonuclease PNPT1, released during MOMP. PNPT1 knockdown inhibits apoptotic RNA decay and reduces apoptosis, while ectopic expression of PNPT1, but not an RNase-deficient mutant, increases RNA decay and cell death. The 3′ end of PNPT1 substrates thread through a narrow channel. Many non-poly(A) ncRNAs contain 3′-secondary structures or bind proteins that may block PNPT1 activity. Indeed, mutations that disrupt the 3′-stem-loop of a decay-resistant ncRNA render the transcript susceptible, while adding a 3′-stem-loop to an mRNA prevents its decay. Thus, PNPT1 release from mitochondria during MOMP initiates apoptotic decay of RNAs lacking 3′-structures.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)187-201.e12
JournalCell
Volume174
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 28 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • apoptosis
  • caspase
  • DIS3L2
  • mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization
  • PABPC1
  • PNPT1
  • RNA decay
  • RNase
  • TUTase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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