USP15 Deubiquitinates TUT1 Associated with RNA Metabolism and Maintains Cerebellar Homeostasis

Mol Cell Biol. 2020 Oct 13;40(21):e00098-20. doi: 10.1128/MCB.00098-20. Print 2020 Oct 13.

Abstract

Precise regulation of RNA metabolism is crucial for dynamic gene expression and controlling cellular functions. In the nervous system, defects in RNA metabolism are implicated in the disturbance of brain homeostasis and development. Here, we report that deubiquitinating enzyme, ubiquitin specific peptidase 15 (USP15), deubiquitinates terminal uridylyl transferase 1 (TUT1) and changes global RNA metabolism. We found that the expression of USP15 redistributes TUT1 from the nucleolus to nucleoplasm, resulting in the stabilization of U6 snRNA. We also found that lack of the Usp15 gene induces an impairment in motor ability with an unconventional cerebellar formation. Moreover, inhibition of the USP15-TUT1 cascade triggered mild and chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Therefore, our results suggest that USP15 is crucial for mRNA metabolism and maintains a healthy brain. These findings provide a possibility that disturbance of the USP15-TUT1 cascade induces chronic and mild ER stress, leading to an acceleration of the neurodegenerative phenotype.

Keywords: ER stress; RNA metabolism; TUT1; USP15; cerebellum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebellum / physiology*
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Mice, Knockout
  • RNA / metabolism*
  • RNA Splicing
  • RNA, Small Nuclear / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases / genetics
  • Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitination

Substances

  • RNA, Small Nuclear
  • U6 small nuclear RNA
  • RNA
  • Ubiquitin-Specific Proteases
  • Usp15 protein, mouse