Cryo-EM Structure of a Mammalian-specific Alternative Amyloid Exon

Abstract

hnRNPDL is a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) involved in transcription and RNA-processing, with missense mutations causing limb-girdle muscular dystrophy-3 (LGMDD3). Mammalian-specific alternative splicing (AS) renders three natural isoforms, hnRNPDL-2 being predominant in humans. We present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of full-length hnRNPDL-2 amyloid fibrils, which are stable, non-toxic, and bind nucleic acids, with the RNA binding domains building a solenoidal coat around them. The amyloid core consists of a single Gly/Tyr-rich and highly hydrophilic filament containing internal water channels. The architecture and activity of hnRNPDL-2 fibrils are reminiscent of functional amyloids, our results suggesting that LGMDD3 might be a loss-of-function disease associated with impaired fibrillation. Strikingly, the fibril core matches exon 6, absent in the soluble hnRNPDL-3 isoform. This provides structural evidence for AS controlling hnRNPDL assembly by precisely including/skipping an amyloid exon, a mechanism that holds the potential to generate functional diversity in RNPs.