Quaking RNA-Binding Proteins Control Early Myofibril Formation by Modulating Tropomyosin

Publication date: Available online 31 August 2017
Source:Developmental Cell
Author(s): Aline Bonnet, Guillaume Lambert, Sylvain Ernest, François Xavier Dutrieux, Fanny Coulpier, Sophie Lemoine, Riadh Lobbardi, Frédéric Marc Rosa
Skeletal muscle contraction is mediated by myofibrils, complex multi-molecular scaffolds structured into repeated units, the sarcomeres. Myofibril structure and function have been extensively studied, but the molecular processes regulating its formation within the differentiating muscle cell remain largely unknown. Here we show in zebrafish that genetic interference with the Quaking RNA-binding proteins disrupts the initial steps of myofibril assembly without affecting early muscle differentiation. Using RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that Quaking is required for accumulation of the muscle-specific tropomyosin-3 transcript, tpm3.12. Further functional analyses reveal that Tpm3.12 mediates Quaking control of myofibril formation. Moreover, we identified a Quaking-binding site in the 3′ UTR of tpm3.12 transcript, which is required in vivo for tpm3.12 accumulation and myofibril formation. Our work uncovers a Quaking/Tpm3 pathway controlling de novo myofibril assembly. This unexpected developmental role for Tpm3 could be at the origin of muscle defects observed in human congenital myopathies associated with tpm3 mutation.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Bonnet et al. explore how de novo myofibril formation is regulated within the differentiating muscle cell. In zebrafish, they identify Quaking RNA-binding proteins and tropomyosin-3 as essential regulators. Quaking controls early steps of myofibril assembly by promoting tropomyosin-3 transcript accumulation, through physical interaction with its 3′ UTR.


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