Isolation and characterization of Staufen-containing ribonucleoprotein particles from rat brain.

Localized mRNAs are thought to be transported in defined particles to their final destination. These particles represent large protein complexes that may be involved in recognizing, transporting, and anchoring localized messages. Few components of these ribonucleoparticles, however, have been identified yet. We chose the strategy to biochemically enrich native RNA-protein complexes involved in RNA transport to identify the associated RNAs and proteins. Because Staufen proteins were implicated in intracellular RNA transport, we chose mammalian Staufen proteins as markers for the purification of RNA transport particles. Here, we present evidence that Staufen proteins exist in two different complexes: (i) distinct large, ribosome- and endoplasmic reticulum-containing granules preferentially found in the membrane pellets during differential centrifugation and (ii) smaller particles in the S100 from rat brain homogenates. On gel filtration of the S100, we identified soluble 670-kDa Staufen1-containing and 440-kDa Staufen2-containing particles. They do not cofractionate with ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulum but rather coenrich with kinesin heavy chain. Furthermore, the fractions containing the Staufen1 particles show a 15-fold enrichment of mRNAs compared with control fractions. Most importantly, these fractions are highly enriched in BC1, and, to a lesser extent, in the alpha-subunit of the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent kinase II, two dendritically localized RNAs. Finally, both RNAs colocalize with Staufen1-hemagglutinin in particles in dendrites of transfected hippocampal neurons. We therefore propose that these Staufen1-containing particles may represent RNA transport intermediates that are in transit to their final destination within neurons.

Staufen2 isoforms localize to the somatodendritic domain of neurons and interact with different organelles.

Mammalian Staufen2 (Stau2) is involved in mRNA transport in neurons. Here, we report that Stau2 is a double-stranded RNA-binding protein that is mainly expressed in the brain. We show that Stau2 is found in the somatodendritic compartment of neurons. In dendrites, Stau2 is aligned on individual tracts and colocalizes with microtubules. Stau2 is expressed as at least three splice isoforms, which can be observed in several subcellular complexes. Although a 62 kDa isoform (Stau2(62)) fractionates in ribosome-free fractions of light density, Stau2(59) and Stau2(52) are found in high-density complexes. These complexes are resistant to EDTA and to non-ionic detergent. For the first time, we also provide evidence for an interaction of some Stau2 isoforms with ribosomes, thus pointing to an interesting new role for Stau2 in translation. EDTA treatment, which dissociates ribosome subunits, does not release Stau2 from the subunits, suggesting that Stau2-ribosome associations are not mediated mainly by mRNA intermediates. Although Stau2 has many features in common with its paralogue Stau1, it does not colocalize with Stau1-containing particles, indicating that these proteins are components of different complexes in dendrites. Our findings suggest that members of the Staufen family share evolutionarily conserved properties and highlight the complexity of Staufen-mediated RNA transport in neurons.