Poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) mediates 3′-end maturation of the telomerase RNA component

Diane H. Moon, Matthew Segal, Baris Boyraz, Eva Guinan, Inga Hofmann, Patrick Cahan, Albert K. Tai, Suneet Agarwal

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

96 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mutations in the PARN gene (encoding poly(A)-specific ribonuclease) cause telomere diseases including familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and dyskeratosis congenita, but how PARN deficiency impairs telomere maintenance is unclear. Here, using somatic cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with dyskeratosis congenita with PARN mutations, we show that PARN is required for the 3′-end maturation of the telomerase RNA component (TERC). Patient-derived cells as well as immortalized cells in which PARN is disrupted show decreased levels of TERC. Deep sequencing of TERC RNA 3′ termini shows that PARN is required for removal of post-transcriptionally acquired oligo(A) tails that target nuclear RNAs for degradation. Diminished TERC levels and the increased proportion of oligo(A) forms of TERC are normalized by restoring PARN, which is limiting for TERC maturation in cells. Our results demonstrate a new role for PARN in the biogenesis of TERC and provide a mechanism linking PARN mutations to telomere diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1482-1488
Number of pages7
JournalNature genetics
Volume47
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics

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