hnRNP R and its main interactor, the noncoding RNA 7SK, coregulate the axonal transcriptome of motoneurons

Disturbed RNA processing and subcellular transport contribute to the pathomechanisms of motoneuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. RNA-binding proteins are involved in these processes, but the mechanisms how they regulate the subcellular diversity of transcriptomes, in particular in axons, are not understood. hnRNP R interacts with several proteins involved in motoneuron diseases. It is located in axons of developing motoneurons and its depletion causes defects in axon growth. Here, we used iCLIP to determine the RNA interactome of hnRNP R in motoneurons. We identified ~3,500 RNA targets, predominantly with functions in synaptic transmission and axon guidance. Among the RNA targets identified by iCLIP, the non-coding RNA 7SK was the top interactor of hnRNP R. We detected 7SK in the nucleus but also in the cytosol of motoneurons. In axons, 7SK localized in close proximity to hnRNP R and depletion of hnRNP R reduced axonal 7SK. Furthermore, suppression of 7SK led to defective axon growth that was accompanied by axonal transcriptome alterations similar to those caused by hnRNP R depletion. Using a series of 7SK deletion mutants we show that the function of 7SK in axon elongation depends on its interaction with hnRNP R but not with the pTEF-B complex involved in transcriptional regulation. These results propose a role of 7SK as essential interactor of hnRNP R to regulate its function in axon maintenance. Total number of samples is 33