Identification of a classic nuclear localization signal at the N terminus that regulates the subcellular localization of Rbfox2 isoforms during differentiation of NMuMG and P19 cells
FEBS LETTERS
Authors: Wenzel, Manuel; Schuele, Martin; Casanovas, Sonia; Strand, Dennis; Strand, Susanne; Winter, Jennifer
Abstract
Nuclear localization of the alternative splicing factor Rbfox2 is achieved by a C-terminal nuclear localization signal (NLS) which can be excluded from some Rbfox2 isoforms by alternative splicing. While this predicts nuclear and cytoplasmic localization, Rbfox2 is exclusively nuclear in some cell types. Here, we identify a second NLS in the N terminus of Rbfox2 isoform 1A that is not included in Rbfox2 isoform 1F. Rbfox2 1A isoforms lacking the C-terminal NLS are nuclear, whereas equivalent 1F isoforms are cytoplasmic. A shift in Rbfox2 expression toward cytoplasmic 1F isoforms occurs during epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and could be important in regulating the activity and function of Rbfox2.
Rbfox-Splicing Factors Maintain Skeletal Muscle Mass by Regulating Calpain3 and Proteostasis
CELL REPORTS
Authors: Singh, Ravi K.; Kolonin, Arseniy M.; Fiorotto, Marta L.; Cooper, Thomas A.
Abstract
Maintenance of skeletal muscle mass requires a dynamic balance between protein synthesis and tightly controlled protein degradation by the calpain, autophagy-lysosome, and ubiquitin-proteasome systems (proteostasis). Several sensing and gene-regulatory mechanisms act together to maintain this balance in response to changing conditions. Here, we show that deletion of the highly conserved Rbfox1 and Rbfox2 alternative splicing regulators in adult mouse skeletal muscle causes rapid, severe loss of muscle mass. Rbfox deletion did not cause a reduction in global protein synthesis, but it led to altered splicing of hundreds of gene transcripts, including capn3, which produced an active form of calpain3 protease. Rbfox knockout also led to a reduction in autophagy flux, likely producing a compensatory increase in general protein degradation by the proteasome. Our results indicate that the Rbfox-splicing factors are essential for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass and proteostasis.