Post-transcriptional regulation of ribosomal protein genes during serum starvation in Entamoeba histolytica

•In E. histolytica, unprocessed pre-rRNA and RP mRNAs accumulate during serum starvation.•Translation of RPS19 and RPL30 genes is downregulated during serum starvation suggesting post-transcriptional regulation.•Mutations in the sequence −2 to −9 upstream of AUG in the RPL30 gene relieved translation repression during stress.•E. histolytica stores untranslated RP mRNAs during stress.

Ribosome synthesis involves all three RNA polymerases which are co-ordinately regulated to produce equimolar amounts of rRNAs and ribosomal proteins (RPs). Unlike model organisms where transcription of rRNA and RP genes slows down during stress, in E. histolytica rDNA transcription continues but pre-rRNA processing slows down and unprocessed pre-rRNA accumulates during serum starvation. To investigate the regulation of RP genes under stress we measured transcription of six selected RP genes from the small- and large-ribosomal subunits (RPS6, RPS3, RPS19, RPL5, RPL26, RPL30) representing the early-, mid-, and late-stages of ribosomal assembly. Transcripts of these genes persisted in growth-stressed cells. Expression of luciferase reporter under the control of two RP genes (RPS19 and RPL30) was studied during serum starvation and upon serum replenishment. Although luciferase transcript levels remained unchanged during starvation, luciferase activity steadily declined to 7.8% and 15% of control cells, respectively. After serum replenishment the activity increased to normal levels, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation of these genes. Mutations in the sequence −2 to −9 upstream of AUG in the RPL30 gene resulted in the phenotype expected of post-transcriptional regulation. Transcription of luciferase reporter was unaffected in this mutant, and luciferase activity did not decline during serum starvation, showing that this sequence is required to repress translation of RPL30 mRNA, and mutations in this region relieve repression. Our data show that during serum starvation E. histolytica blocks ribosome biogenesis post-transcriptionally by inhibiting pre-rRNA processing on the one hand, and the translation of RP mRNAs on the other.

Graphical abstractIn E. histolytica, the mRNAs of ribosomal protein genes accumulate but translation is downregulated during serum starvation. Mutations upstream of AUG in the RPL30 gene relieve repression, suggesting post-transcriptional regulation.Download high-res image (97KB)Download full-size image