The RNA-binding protein HNRNPA2B1 regulates neurite RNA abundance and motor-dependent cargo transport

RNA molecules are localized to subcellular regions through interactions between localization-regulatory cis-elements and trans-acting RNA binding proteins (RBPs). However, the identities of RNAs whose localization is regulated by a specific RBP, as well as the impacts of that RNA localization on cell function, have generally remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the RBP HNRNPA2B1 acts to keep specific RNAs out of neuronal projections. Using subcellular fractionation, high-throughput sequencing, and single-molecule RNA FISH, we find that hundreds of RNAs demonstrate markedly increased abundance in neurites in HNRNPA2B1 knockout cells. These RNAs often encode motor proteins and are enriched for known HNRNPA2B1 binding sites and motifs in their 3′ UTRs. The speed and processivity of microtubule-based transport are impaired in these cells. HNRNPA2B1 point mutations that increase its cytoplasmic abundance relative to wildtype lead to stronger suppression of RNA mislocalization defects than seen with wildtype HNRNPA2B1. We further find that the subcellular localizations of HNRNPA2B1 target RNAs are sensitive to perturbations of RNA decay machinery, suggesting that HNRNPA2B1’s known role in regulating cytoplasmic RNA stability may explain these observations. These findings establish HNRNPA2B1 as a negative regulator of neurite RNA abundance and a necessary factor for efficient motor-dependent cargo transport.