Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of cellular function. We have exploited the recently developed barcoded ncRNA gene deletion strain collections in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to investigate the numerous ncRNAs in yeast with no known function. The ncRNA deletion collection contains deletions of tRNAs, snoRNAs, snRNAs, stable unannotated transcripts (SUTs), cryptic unstable transcripts (CUTs) and other annotated ncRNAs encompassing 532 different individual ncRNA deletions. We have profiled the fitness of the diploid heterozygous ncRNA deletion strain collection in six conditions using batch and continuous liquid culture, as well as the haploid ncRNA deletion strain collections arrayed individually onto solid rich media. These analyses revealed many novel environmental-specific haplo-insufficient and haplo-proficient phenotypes providing key information on the importance of each specific ncRNA in every condition. Co-fitness analysis using fitness data from the heterozygous ncRNA deletion strain collection identified two ncRNA groups required for growth during heat stress and nutrient deprivation. The extensive fitness data for each ncRNA deletion strain has been compiled into an easy to navigate database called Yeast ncRNA Analysis (YNCA). By expanding the original ncRNA deletion strain collection we identified four novel essential ncRNAs; SUT527, SUT075, SUT367 and SUT259/691. We defined the effects of each new essential ncRNA on adjacent gene expression in the heterozygote background identifying both repression and induction of nearby genes. Additionally, we discovered a function for SUT527 in the expression, 3’ end formation and localization of SEC4, an essential protein coding mRNA. Finally, using plasmid complementation we rescued the SUT075 lethal phenotype revealing that this ncRNA acts in trans. Overall, our findings provide important new insights into the function of ncRNAs.

Many human diseases have been attributed to mutation in the protein coding regions of the human genome. The protein coding portion of the human genome, however, is very small compared to the non-coding portion of the genome. As such, there are a disproportionate number of diseases attributed to the coding compared to the non-coding portion of the genome. It is now clear that the non-coding portion of the genome produces many functional non-coding RNAs and these RNAs are slowly being linked to human diseases. Here we discuss examples where mutation in classical non-coding RNAs have been attributed to human disease and identify the future potential for the non-coding portion of the genome in disease biology.

Removal of intron regions from pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) requires spliceosome assembly with pre-mRNA, then subsequent spliceosome remodeling to allow activation for the two steps of intron removal. Spliceosome remodeling is carried out through the action of DExD/H-box ATPases that modulate RNA–RNA and protein–RNA interactions. The ATPase Prp16 remodels the spliceosome between the first and second steps of splicing by catalyzing release of first step factors Yju2 and Cwc25 as well as destabilizing U2-U6 snRNA helix I. How Prp16 destabilizes U2-U6 helix I is not clear. We show that the NineTeen Complex (NTC) protein Cwc2 displays genetic interactions with the U6 ACAGAGA, the U6 internal stem loop (ISL) and the U2-U6 helix I, all RNA elements that form the spliceosome active site. We find that one function of Cwc2 is to stabilize U2-U6 snRNA helix I during splicing. Cwc2 also functionally cooperates with the NTC protein Isy1/NTC30. Mutation in Cwc2 can suppress the cold sensitive phenotype of the prp16-302 mutation indicating a functional link between Cwc2 and Prp16. Specifically the prp16-302 mutation in Prp16 stabilizes Cwc2 interactions with U6 snRNA and destabilizes Cwc2 interactions with pre-mRNA, indicating antagonistic functions of Cwc2 and Prp16. We propose that Cwc2 is a target for Prp16-mediated spliceosome remodeling during pre-mRNA splicing.

Eukaryotic genomes are extensively transcribed, generating many different RNAs with no known function. We have constructed 1502 molecular barcoded ncRNA gene deletion strains encompassing 443 ncRNAs in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as tools for ncRNA functional analysis. This resource includes deletions of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), transfer RNAs (tRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), and other annotated ncRNAs as well as the more recently identified stable unannotated transcripts (SUTs) and cryptic unstable transcripts (CUTs) whose functions are largely unknown. Specifically, deletions have been constructed for ncRNAs found in the intergenic regions, not overlapping genes or their promoters (i.e., at least 200 bp minimum distance from the closest gene start codon). The deletion strains carry molecular barcodes designed to be complementary with the protein gene deletion collection enabling parallel analysis experiments. These strains will be useful for the numerous genomic and molecular techniques that utilize deletion strains, including genome-wide phenotypic screens under different growth conditions, pooled chemogenomic screens with drugs or chemicals, synthetic genetic array analysis to uncover novel genetic interactions, and synthetic dosage lethality screens to analyze gene dosage. Overall, we created a valuable resource for the RNA community and for future ncRNA research.

Reporter-gene assays that employ the Escherichia coli lacZ gene are ubiquitously employed in biological research. However, we were not able to readily identify a quantitative method that worked reliably with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells and that was compatible with high-throughput screening and robotic liquid handling tools. We have therefore adapted a commercially available assay employing a 6-O-β-galactopyranosyl-luciferin substrate to provide the required sensitivity with minimal sample handling times. Our assay uses only one-tenth of the reagents suggested by the reagent manufacturer (Promega) for equivalent assays with mammalian cell cultures and produces rapid, sensitive and reproducible analysis with as little as 1 µl yeast cell culture and with <100 cells. We demonstrate that the assay is compatible with yeast strains generated by the systematic yeast deletion project and functions equally well with genomically integrated or plasmid-encoded lacZ reporters and with cells grown in complex or defined media. The high-sensitivity, miniaturized format reduced sample handling required will make this assay useful for a wide range of applications.