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Best AJ, Braunschweig U, Wu M, Farhangmehr S, Pasculescu A, Lim JJ, Comsa LC, Jen M, Wang J, Datti A, Wrana JL, Cordes SP, Al-Awar R, Han H, Blencowe BJ. High-throughput sensitive screening of small molecule modulators of microexon alternative splicing using dual Nano and Firefly luciferase reporters. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6328. [PMID: 39068192 PMCID: PMC11283458 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50399-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Disruption of alternative splicing frequently causes or contributes to human diseases and disorders. Consequently, there is a need for efficient and sensitive reporter assays capable of screening chemical libraries for compounds with efficacy in modulating important splicing events. Here, we describe a screening workflow employing dual Nano and Firefly luciferase alternative splicing reporters that affords efficient, sensitive, and linear detection of small molecule responses. Applying this system to a screen of ~95,000 small molecules identified compounds that stimulate or repress the splicing of neuronal microexons, a class of alternative exons often disrupted in autism and activated in neuroendocrine cancers. One of these compounds rescues the splicing of several analyzed microexons in the cerebral cortex of an autism mouse model haploinsufficient for Srrm4, a major activator of brain microexons. We thus describe a broadly applicable high-throughput screening system for identifying candidate splicing therapeutics, and a resource of small molecule modulators of microexons with potential for further development in correcting aberrant splicing patterns linked to human disorders and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Best
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | | | - Mingkun Wu
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shaghayegh Farhangmehr
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adrian Pasculescu
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Justin J Lim
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lim Caden Comsa
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Jen
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jenny Wang
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alessandro Datti
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Jeffrey L Wrana
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sabine P Cordes
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rima Al-Awar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hong Han
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin J Blencowe
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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2
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Shirakawa Y, Li H, Inoue Y, Izumi H, Kaga Y, Goto YI, Inoue K, Inagaki M. Abnormality in GABAergic postsynaptic transmission associated with anxiety in Bronx waltzer mice with an Srrm4 mutation. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:67-77. [PMID: 38229888 PMCID: PMC10790029 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The homozygous Bronx waltzer (bv) mouse, which shows hearing impairment, also exhibits anxiety accompanied by a reduction in cortical parvalbumin (PV)-positive GABAergic interneurons. Recently, a mutation in splicing factor Ser/Arg repetitive matrix 4 (Srrm4) was found in bv mice. However, the cellular consequences of the Srrm4 mutation for anxiety remain unknown. Here, we tested our hypothesis that bv mutant primarily affects interneurons through a cell-intrinsic pathology that leads to a reduction of interneurons and consequently causes anxiety. We found that the anxiety becomes apparent at 6 weeks of age in bv/bv mice. However, in situ hybridization revealed that Srrm4 is not expressed in interneurons, but rather dominates in pyramidal neurons. In addition, the PV-positive GABAergic interneurons were not reduced in number in the bv/bv cortex when anxiety became evident. However, electrophysiological abnormality of GABAergic transmission from interneurons was concomitantly present. Pharmacological blockage of GABAA receptors revealed increased excitability in bv/bv mice, although no gross change occurred in the expression of an Srrm4-downstream gene, Kcc2, which regulates chloride flux upon GABAergic transmission. These findings suggest that the bv-associated Srrm4 mutation mainly involves post-synaptic GABAergic transmission in the central nervous system, which may be associated with the anxiety phenotype in bv/bv mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Shirakawa
- Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4–1-1 Ogawa Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187–8553, Japan
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Mental Retardation and Birth Defect Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4–1-1 Ogawa Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187–8553, Japan
| | - Yuki Inoue
- Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4–1-1 Ogawa Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187–8553, Japan
| | - Hitomi Izumi
- Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4–1-1 Ogawa Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187–8553, Japan
- Department of Mental Retardation and Birth Defect Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4–1-1 Ogawa Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187–8553, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Kaga
- Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4–1-1 Ogawa Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187–8553, Japan
| | - Yu-ichi Goto
- Department of Mental Retardation and Birth Defect Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4–1-1 Ogawa Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187–8553, Japan
| | - Ken Inoue
- Department of Mental Retardation and Birth Defect Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4–1-1 Ogawa Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187–8553, Japan
| | - Masumi Inagaki
- Department of Developmental Disorders, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4–1-1 Ogawa Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187–8553, Japan
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Wolfe Z, Liska D, Norris A. Deep Transcriptomics Reveals Cell-Specific Isoforms of Pan-Neuronal Genes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.16.594572. [PMID: 38826410 PMCID: PMC11142100 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.16.594572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Profiling gene expression in single neurons using single-cell RNA-Seq is a powerful method for understanding the molecular diversity of the nervous system. Profiling alternative splicing in single neurons using these methods is more challenging, however, due to low capture efficiency and sensitivity. As a result, we know much less about splicing patterns and regulation across neurons than we do about gene expression. Here we leverage unique attributes of the C. elegans nervous system to investigate deep cell-specific transcriptomes complete with biological replicates generated by the CeNGEN consortium, enabling high-confidence assessment of splicing across neuron types even for lowly-expressed genes. Global splicing maps reveal several striking observations, including pan-neuronal genes that harbor cell-specific splice variants, abundant differential intron retention across neuron types, and a single neuron highly enriched for upstream alternative 3' splice sites. We develop an algorithm to identify unique cell-specific expression patterns and use it to discover both cell-specific isoforms and potential regulatory RNA binding proteins that establish these isoforms. Genetic interrogation of these RNA binding proteins in vivo identifies three distinct regulatory factors employed to establish unique splicing patterns in a single neuron. Finally, we develop a user-friendly platform for spatial transcriptomic visualization of these splicing patterns with single-neuron resolution.
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Lambourne L, Mattioli K, Santoso C, Sheynkman G, Inukai S, Kaundal B, Berenson A, Spirohn-Fitzgerald K, Bhattacharjee A, Rothman E, Shrestha S, Laval F, Yang Z, Bisht D, Sewell JA, Li G, Prasad A, Phanor S, Lane R, Campbell DM, Hunt T, Balcha D, Gebbia M, Twizere JC, Hao T, Frankish A, Riback JA, Salomonis N, Calderwood MA, Hill DE, Sahni N, Vidal M, Bulyk ML, Fuxman Bass JI. Widespread variation in molecular interactions and regulatory properties among transcription factor isoforms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.12.584681. [PMID: 38617209 PMCID: PMC11014633 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.12.584681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Most human Transcription factors (TFs) genes encode multiple protein isoforms differing in DNA binding domains, effector domains, or other protein regions. The global extent to which this results in functional differences between isoforms remains unknown. Here, we systematically compared 693 isoforms of 246 TF genes, assessing DNA binding, protein binding, transcriptional activation, subcellular localization, and condensate formation. Relative to reference isoforms, two-thirds of alternative TF isoforms exhibit differences in one or more molecular activities, which often could not be predicted from sequence. We observed two primary categories of alternative TF isoforms: "rewirers" and "negative regulators", both of which were associated with differentiation and cancer. Our results support a model wherein the relative expression levels of, and interactions involving, TF isoforms add an understudied layer of complexity to gene regulatory networks, demonstrating the importance of isoform-aware characterization of TF functions and providing a rich resource for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Lambourne
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kaia Mattioli
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Clarissa Santoso
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gloria Sheynkman
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sachi Inukai
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Babita Kaundal
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anna Berenson
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerstin Spirohn-Fitzgerald
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anukana Bhattacharjee
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Elisabeth Rothman
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Florent Laval
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
- Laboratory of Viral Interactomes, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Zhipeng Yang
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deepa Bisht
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jared A Sewell
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Guangyuan Li
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Anisa Prasad
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard College, Cambridge MA, USA
| | - Sabrina Phanor
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ryan Lane
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Toby Hunt
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dawit Balcha
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marinella Gebbia
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jean-Claude Twizere
- TERRA Teaching and Research Centre, University of Liège, Gembloux, Belgium
- Laboratory of Viral Interactomes, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Tong Hao
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adam Frankish
- Laboratory of Viral Interactomes, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Josh A Riback
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nathan Salomonis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Michael A Calderwood
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David E Hill
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nidhi Sahni
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marc Vidal
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martha L Bulyk
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juan I Fuxman Bass
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry Program, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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5
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Deshpande K, Martirosian V, Nakamura BN, Das D, Iyer M, Reed M, Shao L, Bamshad D, Buckley NJ, Neman J. SRRM4-mediated REST to REST4 dysregulation promotes tumor growth and neural adaptation in breast cancer leading to brain metastasis. Neuro Oncol 2024; 26:309-322. [PMID: 37716001 PMCID: PMC10836770 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective control of brain metastasis remains an urgent clinical need due a limited understanding of the mechanisms driving it. Although the gain of neuro-adaptive attributes in breast-to-brain metastases (BBMs) has been described, the mechanisms that govern this neural acclimation and the resulting brain metastasis competency are poorly understood. Herein, we define the role of neural-specific splicing factor Serine/Arginine Repetitive Matrix Protein 4 (SRRM4) in regulating microenvironmental adaptation and brain metastasis colonization in breast cancer cells. METHODS Utilizing pure neuronal cultures and brain-naive and patient-derived BM tumor cells, along with in vivo tumor modeling, we surveyed the early induction of mediators of neural acclimation in tumor cells. RESULTS When SRRM4 is overexpressed in systemic breast cancer cells, there is enhanced BBM leading to poorer overall survival in vivo. Concomitantly, SRRM4 knockdown expression does not provide any advantage in central nervous system metastasis. In addition, reducing SRRM4 expression in breast cancer cells slows down proliferation and increases resistance to chemotherapy. Conversely, when SRRM4/REST4 levels are elevated, tumor cell growth is maintained even in nutrient-deprived conditions. In neuronal coculture, decreasing SRRM4 expression in breast cancer cells impairs their ability to adapt to the brain microenvironment, while increasing SRRM4/RE-1 Silencing Transcription Factor (REST4) levels leads to greater expression of neurotransmitter and synaptic signaling mediators and a significant colonization advantage. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings identify SRRM4 as a regulator of brain metastasis colonization, and a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krutika Deshpande
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA)
| | - Vahan Martirosian
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Brooke N Nakamura
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Diganta Das
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Mukund Iyer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Max Reed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ling Shao
- Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daniella Bamshad
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Noel J Buckley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Josh Neman
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- USC Brain Tumor Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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6
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Taylor M, Marx O, Norris A. TDP-1 and FUST-1 co-inhibit exon inclusion and control fertility together with transcriptional regulation. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:9610-9628. [PMID: 37587694 PMCID: PMC10570059 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression is a multistep process and crosstalk among regulatory layers plays an important role in coordinating gene expression. To identify functionally relevant gene expression coordination, we performed a systematic reverse-genetic interaction screen in C. elegans, combining RNA binding protein (RBP) and transcription factor (TF) mutants to generate over 100 RBP;TF double mutants. We identified many unexpected double mutant phenotypes, including two strong genetic interactions between the ALS-related RBPs, fust-1 and tdp-1, and the homeodomain TF ceh-14. Losing any one of these genes alone has no effect on the health of the organism. However, fust-1;ceh-14 and tdp-1;ceh-14 double mutants both exhibit strong temperature-sensitive fertility defects. Both double mutants exhibit defects in gonad morphology, sperm function, and oocyte function. RNA-Seq analysis of double mutants identifies ceh-14 as the main controller of transcript levels, while fust-1 and tdp-1 control splicing through a shared role in exon inhibition. A skipped exon in the polyglutamine-repeat protein pqn-41 is aberrantly included in tdp-1 mutants, and genetically forcing this exon to be skipped in tdp-1;ceh-14 double mutants rescues their fertility. Together our findings identify a novel shared physiological role for fust-1 and tdp-1 in promoting C. elegans fertility and a shared molecular role in exon inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Taylor
- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
| | - Olivia Marx
- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
| | - Adam Norris
- Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75205, USA
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7
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Taylor M, Marx O, Norris A. TDP-1 and FUST-1 co-inhibit exon inclusion and control fertility together with transcriptional regulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.18.537345. [PMID: 37131843 PMCID: PMC10153140 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.18.537345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression is a multistep, carefully controlled process, and crosstalk between regulatory layers plays an important role in coordinating gene expression. To identify functionally relevant coordination between transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation, we performed a systematic reverse-genetic interaction screen in C. elegans . We combined RNA binding protein (RBP) and transcription factor (TF) mutants, creating over 100 RBP; TF double mutants. This screen identified a variety of unexpected double mutant phenotypes, including two strong genetic interactions between the ALS-related RBPs, fust-1 and tdp-1 , and the homeodomain TF ceh-14 . Losing any one of these genes alone has no significant effect on the health of the organism. However, fust-1; ceh-14 and tdp-1; ceh-14 double mutants both exhibit strong temperature-sensitive fertility defects. Both double mutants exhibit defects in gonad morphology, sperm function, and oocyte function. RNA-seq analysis of double mutants identifies ceh-14 as the main controller of transcript levels, while fust-1 and tdp-1 control splicing through a shared role in exon inhibition. We identify a cassette exon in the polyglutamine-repeat protein pqn-41 which tdp-1 inhibits. Loss of tdp-1 causes the pqn-41 exon to be aberrantly included, and forced skipping of this exon in tdp-1; ceh-14 double mutants rescues fertility. Together our findings identify a novel shared physiological role for fust-1 and tdp-1 in promoting C. elegans fertility in a ceh-14 mutant background and reveal a shared molecular function of fust-1 and tdp-1 in exon inhibition.
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8
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Yamato E. Aberrant Expression of Rest4 Gene in Low-Functioning Pancreatic Beta Cell Line. Horm Metab Res 2023. [PMID: 36758614 DOI: 10.1055/a-2031-9803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (Rest) is not expressed in pancreatic beta cells and neuronal cells. However, Rest4, a truncated form of Rest, is expressed in high passaged MIN6 (HP-MIN6) cells, a pancreatic beta cell line that lost glucose-responsive insulin secretion. Rest4 is also expressed in injured MIN6 cells and isolated islets. Herein, the forced expression of dominant negative form of Rest in HP-MIN6 cells was subjected to microarray analysis of gene expression to investigate the role of Rest4 gene in MIN6 cells. Furthermore, the forced expression of Rest4 gene in MIN6 cells was subjected to microarray analysis of gene expression to investigate the function of Rest4 in normal insulin-producing cells. The results showed that Rest4 inhibits cell proliferation and DNA and RNA metabolism and stimulates secretory mechanisms and nervous system gene expression. These findings suggest that Rest4 may act defensively against cellular injury in pancreatic beta cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Yamato
- Nutrition and Food Science, Mukogawa Woman's University, Nishinomiya, Japan
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9
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Horn T, Gosliga A, Li C, Enculescu M, Legewie S. Position-dependent effects of RNA-binding proteins in the context of co-transcriptional splicing. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2023; 9:1. [PMID: 36653378 PMCID: PMC9849329 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-022-00264-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is an important step in eukaryotic mRNA pre-processing which increases the complexity of gene expression programs, but is frequently altered in disease. Previous work on the regulation of alternative splicing has demonstrated that splicing is controlled by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and by epigenetic DNA/histone modifications which affect splicing by changing the speed of polymerase-mediated pre-mRNA transcription. The interplay of these different layers of splicing regulation is poorly understood. In this paper, we derived mathematical models describing how splicing decisions in a three-exon gene are made by combinatorial spliceosome binding to splice sites during ongoing transcription. We additionally take into account the effect of a regulatory RBP and find that the RBP binding position within the sequence is a key determinant of how RNA polymerase velocity affects splicing. Based on these results, we explain paradoxical observations in the experimental literature and further derive rules explaining why the same RBP can act as inhibitor or activator of cassette exon inclusion depending on its binding position. Finally, we derive a stochastic description of co-transcriptional splicing regulation at the single-cell level and show that splicing outcomes show little noise and follow a binomial distribution despite complex regulation by a multitude of factors. Taken together, our simulations demonstrate the robustness of splicing outcomes and reveal that quantitative insights into kinetic competition of co-transcriptional events are required to fully understand this important mechanism of gene expression diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timur Horn
- grid.424631.60000 0004 1794 1771Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Alison Gosliga
- grid.424631.60000 0004 1794 1771Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany ,grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713University of Stuttgart, Department of Systems Biology and Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology (SRCSB), Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Congxin Li
- grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713University of Stuttgart, Department of Systems Biology and Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology (SRCSB), Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Mihaela Enculescu
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Stefan Legewie
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Ackermannweg 4, 55128, Mainz, Germany. .,University of Stuttgart, Department of Systems Biology and Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology (SRCSB), Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
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10
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Yoshida M, Oda C, Mishima K, Tsuji I, Obika S, Shimojo M. An antisense amido-bridged nucleic acid gapmer oligonucleotide targeting SRRM4 alters REST splicing and exhibits anti-tumor effects in small cell lung cancer and prostate cancer cells. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:8. [PMID: 36650528 PMCID: PMC9847160 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02842-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) medicine for clinical applications has been becoming a reality. We previously developed a gapmer ASO targeting Ser/Arg repetitive matrix 4 (SRRM4) that is abnormally expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However the detailed mechanism of ASO through repressing SRRM4 has not been completely elucidated. Further, effectiveness of SRRM4 ASO to prostate cancer (PCa) cells expressing SRRM4 similar to SCLC remains to be elucidated. RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) is a tumor suppressor, and its splicing isoform (sREST) is abnormally expressed by SRRM4 and causes carcinogenesis with neuroendocrine phenotype in SCLC. The present study aimed to understand the contribution of REST splicing by SRRM4 ASO administration. METHODS SRRM4 expression and REST splicing were analyzed by RT-qPCR and conventional RT-PCR after treating SRRM4 ASO, and cell viability was analyzed in vitro. Exogenous reconstitution of Flag-tagged REST plasmid in SCLC cells and the splice-switching oligonucleotide (SSO) specific for REST was analyzed for cell viability. Furthermore, we expanded the application of SRRM4 ASO in PCa cells abnormally expressing SRRM4 mRNA in vitro. RESULTS SRRM4 ASO successfully downregulated SRRM4 expression, followed by repressed cell viability of SCLC and PCa cells in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of SRRM4 ASO then modified the alternative splicing of REST, resulting reduced cell viability. REST SSO specifically modified REST splicing increased REST expression, resulting in reduced cell viability. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that a gapmer ASO targeting SRRM4 (SRRM4 ASO) reduces cell viability through splicing changes of REST, followed by affecting REST-controlled genes in recalcitrant tumors SCLC and PCa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misa Yoshida
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Chihiro Oda
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Keishiro Mishima
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Itsuki Tsuji
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan ,grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan ,grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871 Japan ,grid.482562.fNational Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Ibaraki, Osaka 567-0085 Japan
| | - Masahito Shimojo
- grid.136593.b0000 0004 0373 3971Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 Japan
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11
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Kim KS, Koo HY, Bok J. Alternative splicing in shaping the molecular landscape of the cochlea. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1143428. [PMID: 36936679 PMCID: PMC10018040 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1143428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cochlea is a complex organ comprising diverse cell types with highly specialized morphology and function. Until now, the molecular underpinnings of its specializations have mostly been studied from a transcriptional perspective, but accumulating evidence points to post-transcriptional regulation as a major source of molecular diversity. Alternative splicing is one of the most prevalent and well-characterized post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Many molecules important for hearing, such as cadherin 23 or harmonin, undergo alternative splicing to produce functionally distinct isoforms. Some isoforms are expressed specifically in the cochlea, while some show differential expression across the various cochlear cell types and anatomical regions. Clinical phenotypes that arise from mutations affecting specific splice variants testify to the functional relevance of these isoforms. All these clues point to an essential role for alternative splicing in shaping the unique molecular landscape of the cochlea. Although the regulatory mechanisms controlling alternative splicing in the cochlea are poorly characterized, there are animal models with defective splicing regulators that demonstrate the importance of RNA-binding proteins in maintaining cochlear function and cell survival. Recent technological breakthroughs offer exciting prospects for overcoming some of the long-standing hurdles that have complicated the analysis of alternative splicing in the cochlea. Efforts toward this end will help clarify how the remarkable diversity of the cochlear transcriptome is both established and maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwan Soo Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hei Yeun Koo
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinwoong Bok
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- *Correspondence: Jinwoong Bok,
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12
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Beopoulos A, Géa M, Fasano A, Iris F. RNA epitranscriptomics dysregulation: A major determinant for significantly increased risk of ASD pathogenesis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1101422. [PMID: 36875672 PMCID: PMC9978375 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1101422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are perhaps the most severe, intractable and challenging child psychiatric disorders. They are complex, pervasive and highly heterogeneous and depend on multifactorial neurodevelopmental conditions. Although the pathogenesis of autism remains unclear, it revolves around altered neurodevelopmental patterns and their implications for brain function, although these cannot be specifically linked to symptoms. While these affect neuronal migration and connectivity, little is known about the processes that lead to the disruption of specific laminar excitatory and inhibitory cortical circuits, a key feature of ASD. It is evident that ASD has multiple underlying causes and this multigenic condition has been considered to also dependent on epigenetic effects, although the exact nature of the factors that could be involved remains unclear. However, besides the possibility for differential epigenetic markings directly affecting the relative expression levels of individual genes or groups of genes, there are at least three mRNA epitranscriptomic mechanisms, which function cooperatively and could, in association with both genotypes and environmental conditions, alter spatiotemporal proteins expression patterns during brain development, at both quantitative and qualitative levels, in a tissue-specific, and context-dependent manner. As we have already postulated, sudden changes in environmental conditions, such as those conferred by maternal inflammation/immune activation, influence RNA epitranscriptomic mechanisms, with the combination of these processes altering fetal brain development. Herein, we explore the postulate whereby, in ASD pathogenesis, RNA epitranscriptomics might take precedence over epigenetic modifications. RNA epitranscriptomics affects real-time differential expression of receptor and channel proteins isoforms, playing a prominent role in central nervous system (CNS) development and functions, but also RNAi which, in turn, impact the spatiotemporal expression of receptors, channels and regulatory proteins irrespective of isoforms. Slight dysregulations in few early components of brain development, could, depending upon their extent, snowball into a huge variety of pathological cerebral alterations a few years after birth. This may very well explain the enormous genetic, neuropathological and symptomatic heterogeneities that are systematically associated with ASD and psychiatric disorders at large.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manuel Géa
- Bio-Modeling Systems, Tour CIT, Paris, France
| | - Alessio Fasano
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Center for Celiac Research and Treatment, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, United States
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13
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Veverka P, Brom T, Janovič T, Stojaspal M, Pinkas M, Nováček J, Hofr C. Electron microscopy reveals toroidal shape of master neuronal cell differentiator REST - RE1-silencing transcription factor. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 21:731-741. [PMID: 36698979 PMCID: PMC9860152 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The RE1-Silencing Transcription factor (REST) is essential for neuronal differentiation. Here, we report the first 18.5-angstrom electron microscopy structure of human REST. The refined electron map suggests that REST forms a torus that can accommodate DNA double-helix in the central hole. Additionally, we quantitatively described REST binding to the canonical DNA sequence of the neuron-restrictive silencer element. We developed protocols for the expression and purification of full-length REST and the shortened variant REST-N62 produced by alternative splicing. We tested the mutual interaction of full-length REST and the splicing variant REST-N62. Revealed structure-function relationships of master neuronal repressor REST will allow finding new biological ways of prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and diseases.
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Key Words
- CD, circular dichroism
- CoIP, coimmunoprecipitation
- DLS, dynamic light scattering
- Differentiation
- EM
- EM, electron microscopy
- Electron microscopy
- IDRs, intrinsically disordered regions
- NRSE, neuron-restrictive silencer element
- NRSF
- NRSF, neuron-restrictive silencer factor
- Neuron-restrictive silencer factor
- Neuronal
- PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigen
- RD1/2, repressor domain 1/2
- RE1, repressor element-1
- RE1-silencing transcription factor
- REST
- REST, RE1-silencing transcription factor
- REST-FL, full-length REST
- REST-N62
- REST-N62, splicing isoform of REST, also known as REST4 or REST4-S3
- REST4
- ZF, zinc finger
- aa, amino acid(s)
- bp, base pair(s)
- kDa, kilodaltons
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Veverka
- LifeB, FGP – NCBR, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Scientific Incubator, Královopolská 135, Brno 612 65, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Brom
- LifeB, FGP – NCBR, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Janovič
- LifeB, FGP – NCBR, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Stojaspal
- LifeB, FGP – NCBR, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Scientific Incubator, Královopolská 135, Brno 612 65, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jiří Nováček
- CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ctirad Hofr
- LifeB, FGP – NCBR, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno 625 00, Czech Republic
- Corresponding author.
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14
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Liu S, Alabi BR, Yin Q, Stoyanova T. Molecular mechanisms underlying the development of neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:57-68. [PMID: 35597438 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-associated deaths among men in the United States. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard of care for advanced prostate cancer. While patients with advanced prostate cancer initially respond to ADT, the disease frequently progresses to a lethal metastatic form, defined as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). After multiple rounds of anti-androgen therapies, 20-25% of metastatic CRPCs develop a neuroendocrine (NE) phenotype. These tumors are classified as neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). De novo NEPC is rare and accounts for less than 2% of all prostate cancers at diagnosis. NEPC is commonly characterized by the expression of NE markers and the absence of androgen receptor (AR) expression. NEPC is usually associated with tumor aggressiveness, hormone therapy resistance, and poor clinical outcome. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms underlying the emergence of NEPC and provide insights into the future perspectives on potential therapeutic strategies for NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiqin Liu
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Busola Ruth Alabi
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Qingqing Yin
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Tanya Stoyanova
- Department of Radiology, Canary Center at Stanford for Cancer Early Detection, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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15
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Yu EY, Cheung NKV, Lue NF. Connecting telomere maintenance and regulation to the developmental origin and differentiation states of neuroblastoma tumor cells. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:117. [PMID: 36030273 PMCID: PMC9420296 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01337-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A cardinal feature that distinguishes clinically high-risk neuroblastoma from low-risk tumors is telomere maintenance. Specifically, neuroblastoma tumors with either active telomerase or alternative lengthening of telomeres exhibit aggressive growth characteristics that lead to poor outcomes, whereas tumors without telomere maintenance can be managed with observation or minimal treatment. Even though the need for cancer cells to maintain telomere DNA-in order to sustain cell proliferation-is well established, recent studies suggest that the neural crest origin of neuroblastoma may enforce unique relationships between telomeres and tumor malignancy. Specifically in neuroblastoma, telomere structure and telomerase activity are correlated with the adrenergic/mesenchymal differentiation states, and manipulating telomerase activity can trigger tumor cell differentiation. Both findings may reflect features of normal neural crest development. This review summarizes recent advances in the characterization of telomere structure and telomere maintenance mechanisms in neuroblastoma and discusses the findings in the context of relevant literature on telomeres during embryonic and neural development. Understanding the canonical and non-canonical roles of telomere maintenance in neuroblastoma could reveal vulnerabilities for telomere-directed therapies with potential applications to other pediatric malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Young Yu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, W. R. Hearst Microbiology Research Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Nai-Kong V Cheung
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Neal F Lue
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, W. R. Hearst Microbiology Research Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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16
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Su XJ, Shen BD, Wang K, Song QX, Yang X, Wu DS, Shen HX, Zhu C. Roles of the Neuron-Restrictive Silencer Factor in the Pathophysiological Process of the Central Nervous System. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:834620. [PMID: 35300407 PMCID: PMC8921553 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.834620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF), also known as repressor element 1 (RE-1) silencing transcription factor (REST) or X2 box repressor (XBR), is a zinc finger transcription factor that is widely expressed in neuronal and non-neuronal cells. It is a master regulator of the nervous system, and the function of NRSF is the basis of neuronal differentiation, diversity, plasticity, and survival. NRSF can bind to the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE), recruit some co-repressors, and then inhibit transcription of NRSE downstream genes through epigenetic mechanisms. In neurogenesis, NRSF functions not only as a transcriptional silencer that can mediate the transcriptional inhibition of neuron-specific genes in non-neuronal cells and thus give neuron cells specificity, but also as a transcriptional activator to induce neuronal differentiation. Many studies have confirmed the association between NRSF and brain disorders, such as brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Overexpression, underexpression, or mutation may lead to neurological disorders. In tumorigenesis, NRSF functions as an oncogene in neuronal tumors, such as neuroblastomas, medulloblastomas, and pheochromocytomas, stimulating their proliferation, which results in poor prognosis. Additionally, NRSF-mediated selective targets gene repression plays an important role in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain caused by nerve injury, cancer, and diabetes. At present, several compounds that target NRSF or its co-repressors, such as REST-VP16 and X5050, have been shown to be clinically effective against many brain diseases, such as seizures, implying that NRSF and its co-repressors may be potential and promising therapeutic targets for neural disorders. In the present review, we introduced the biological characteristics of NRSF; reviewed the progress to date in understanding the roles of NRSF in the pathophysiological processes of the nervous system, such as neurogenesis, brain disorders, neural tumorigenesis, and neuropathic pain; and suggested new therapeutic approaches to such brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Jin Su
- Department of Spine Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bei-Duo Shen
- Department of Spine Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing-Xin Song
- Department of Spine Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Spine Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - De-Sheng Wu
- Department of Spine Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Xing Shen
- Department of Spine Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Zhu
- Department of Spine Surgery, School of Medicine, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Gohr A, Mantica F, Hermoso-Pulido A, Tapial J, Márquez Y, Irimia M. Computational Analysis of Alternative Splicing Using VAST-TOOLS and the VastDB Framework. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2537:97-128. [PMID: 35895261 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2521-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) can vastly expand animal transcriptomes and proteomes. Two main open questions in the field are how AS is regulated across cell/tissue types and disease, and what roles different AS events play. To facilitate AS research, we have created the computational VastDB framework, which comprises a series of complementary software and resources that we describe in this chapter. The VastDB framework is especially designed to aid biomedical researchers without a strong computational background. It offers tools and resources to: (a) quantify AS and identify differentially spliced AS events using RNA-seq data (vast-tools), (b) perform multiple genomic and sequence analyses for investigating AS events (Matt), (c) identify AS events with genomic and regulatory conservation among species (ExOrthist), and (d) help with the biological interpretation of the results, and, ultimately, with the identification of interesting AS events to design wet-lab experiments (VastDB and PastDB).
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Affiliation(s)
- André Gohr
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Federica Mantica
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Hermoso-Pulido
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Tapial
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yamile Márquez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain.
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18
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Slabáková E, Kahounová Z, Procházková J, Souček K. Regulation of Neuroendocrine-like Differentiation in Prostate Cancer by Non-Coding RNAs. Noncoding RNA 2021; 7:ncrna7040075. [PMID: 34940756 PMCID: PMC8704250 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna7040075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) represents a variant of prostate cancer that occurs in response to treatment resistance or, to a much lesser extent, de novo. Unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind transdifferentiation of cancer cells to neuroendocrine-like cancer cells is essential for development of new treatment opportunities. This review focuses on summarizing the role of small molecules, predominantly microRNAs, in this phenomenon. A published literature search was performed to identify microRNAs, which are reported and experimentally validated to modulate neuroendocrine markers and/or regulators and to affect the complex neuroendocrine phenotype. Next, available patients’ expression datasets were surveyed to identify deregulated microRNAs, and their effect on NEPC and prostate cancer progression is summarized. Finally, possibilities of miRNA detection and quantification in body fluids of prostate cancer patients and their possible use as liquid biopsy in prostate cancer monitoring are discussed. All the addressed clinical and experimental contexts point to an association of NEPC with upregulation of miR-375 and downregulation of miR-34a and miR-19b-3p. Together, this review provides an overview of different roles of non-coding RNAs in the emergence of neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
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19
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Yamasaki Y, Lim YM, Minami R, Tsuda L. A splicing variant of Charlatan, a Drosophila REST-like molecule, preferentially localizes to axons. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 578:35-41. [PMID: 34536827 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuron-restrictive silencing factor (NRSF), also known as RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), has pivotal functions in many neuron-specific genes. Previous studies revealed that neuron-specific alternative splicing (AS) of REST produces divergent forms of REST variants and provides regulatory complexity in the nervous system. However, the biological significance of these variants in the regulation of neuronal activities remains to be clarified. Here, we revealed that Charlatan (Chn), a Drosophila REST-like molecule, is also regulated by neuron-specific AS. Neuron-specific AS produced six divergent variants of Chn proteins, one of which preferentially localized to axons. A small sequence of this variant was especially important for the axonal localization. Our data suggest that some variants have roles beyond the transcriptional regulation of neuronal activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutoyo Yamasaki
- National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, 474-8511, Japan
| | - Young-Mi Lim
- National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, 474-8511, Japan
| | - Ryunosuke Minami
- Department of Advanced Medical Science, Asahikawa Medical University, Japan
| | - Leo Tsuda
- National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, 474-8511, Japan.
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20
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Labrecque MP, Brown LG, Coleman IM, Lakely B, Brady NJ, Lee JK, Nguyen HM, Li D, Hanratty B, Haffner MC, Rickman DS, True LD, Lin DW, Lam HM, Alumkal JJ, Corey E, Nelson PS, Morrissey C. RNA splicing factors SRRM3 and SRRM4 distinguish molecular phenotypes of castration-resistant neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Cancer Res 2021; 81:4736-4750. [PMID: 34312180 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-0307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an increasingly common clinical feature arising from cellular plasticity. We recently characterized two mCRPC phenotypes with NE features: androgen receptor (AR)-positive NE-positive amphicrine prostate cancer (AMPC) and AR-negative small cell or neuroendocrine prostate cancer (SCNPC). Here, we interrogated the regulation of RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST), a transcriptional repressor of neuronal genes, and elucidated molecular programs driving AMPC and SCNPC biology. Analysis of prostate cancer (PC) cell lines, mCRPC specimens, and LuCaP patient-derived xenograft models detected alternative splicing of REST to REST4 and attenuated REST repressor activity in AMPC and SCNPC. The REST locus was also hypermethylated and REST expression was reduced in SCNPC. While serine/arginine repetitive matrix protein 4 (SRRM4) was previously implicated in alternative splicing of REST in mCRPC, we detected SRRM3 expression in REST4-positive, SRRM4-negative AMPC and SCNPC. In CRPC cell lines, SRRM3 induced alternative splicing of REST to REST4 and exacerbated the expression of REST-repressed genes. Furthermore, SRRM3 and SRRM4 expression defined molecular subsets of AMPC and SCNPC across species and tumor types. Two AMPC phenotypes and three SCNPC phenotypes were characterized, denoted either by REST attenuation and ASCL1 activity or by progressive activation of neuronal transcription factor programs, respectively. These results nominate SRRM3 as the principal REST splicing factor expressed in early NE differentiation and provide a framework to molecularly classify diverse NE phenotypes in mCRPC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ilsa M Coleman
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
| | | | | | - John K Lee
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
| | | | | | | | | | - David S Rickman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine
| | | | | | - Hung-Ming Lam
- Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine
| | - Joshi J Alumkal
- Rogel Cancer Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington
| | - Peter S Nelson
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
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21
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Labrecque MP, Alumkal JJ, Coleman IM, Nelson PS, Morrissey C. The heterogeneity of prostate cancers lacking AR activity will require diverse treatment approaches. Endocr Relat Cancer 2021; 28:T51-T66. [PMID: 33792558 PMCID: PMC8292199 DOI: 10.1530/erc-21-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The use of androgen deprivation therapy and second-line anti-androgens in prostate cancer has led to the emergence of tumors employing multiple androgen receptor (AR)-dependent and AR-independent mechanisms to resist AR-targeted therapies in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). While the AR signaling axis remains the cornerstone for therapeutic development in CRPC, a clearer understanding of the heterogeneous biology of CRPC tumors is needed for innovative treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of CRPC tumors that lack AR activity and the temporal and spatial considerations for the conversion of an AR-dependent to an AR-independent tumor type. We describe the more prevalent treatment-emergent phenotypes arising in the CRPC disease continuum, including amphicrine, AR-low, double-negative, neuroendocrine and small cell phenotypes. We discuss the association between the loss of AR activity and tumor plasticity with a focus on the roles of transcription factors like SOX2, DNA methylation, alternative splicing, and the activity of epigenetic modifiers like EZH2, BRD4, LSD1, and the nBAF complex in conversion to a neuroendocrine or small cell phenotype in CRPC. We hypothesize that only a subset of CRPC tumors have the propensity for tumor plasticity and conversion to the neuroendocrine phenotype and outline how we might target these plastic and emergent phenotypes in CRPC. In conclusion, we assess the current and future avenues for treatment and determine that the heterogeneity of CRPCs lacking AR activity will require diverse treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P. Labrecque
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of
Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Joshi J. Alumkal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rogel Cancer Center,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Ilsa M. Coleman
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Peter S. Nelson
- Division of Human Biology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of
Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington School of
Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Corresponding author Telephone: 206-543-1461, Fax:
206-543-1146,
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22
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Gehring NH, Roignant JY. Anything but Ordinary – Emerging Splicing Mechanisms in Eukaryotic Gene Regulation. Trends Genet 2021; 37:355-372. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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23
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Head SA, Hernandez-Alias X, Yang JS, Ciampi L, Beltran-Sastre V, Torres-Méndez A, Irimia M, Schaefer MH, Serrano L. Silencing of SRRM4 suppresses microexon inclusion and promotes tumor growth across cancers. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001138. [PMID: 33621242 PMCID: PMC7935315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA splicing is widely dysregulated in cancer, frequently due to altered expression or activity of splicing factors (SFs). Microexons are extremely small exons (3–27 nucleotides long) that are highly evolutionarily conserved and play critical roles in promoting neuronal differentiation and development. Inclusion of microexons in mRNA transcripts is mediated by the SF Serine/Arginine Repetitive Matrix 4 (SRRM4), whose expression is largely restricted to neural tissues. However, microexons have been largely overlooked in prior analyses of splicing in cancer, as their small size necessitates specialized computational approaches for their detection. Here, we demonstrate that despite having low expression in normal nonneural tissues, SRRM4 is further silenced in tumors, resulting in the suppression of normal microexon inclusion. Remarkably, SRRM4 is the most consistently silenced SF across all tumor types analyzed, implying a general advantage of microexon down-regulation in cancer independent of its tissue of origin. We show that this silencing is favorable for tumor growth, as decreased SRRM4 expression in tumors is correlated with an increase in mitotic gene expression, and up-regulation of SRRM4 in cancer cell lines dose-dependently inhibits proliferation in vitro and in a mouse xenograft model. Further, this proliferation inhibition is accompanied by induction of neural-like expression and splicing patterns in cancer cells, suggesting that SRRM4 expression shifts the cell state away from proliferation and toward differentiation. We therefore conclude that SRRM4 acts as a proliferation brake, and tumors gain a selective advantage by cutting off this brake. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, this study shows that the splicing factor SRRM4 and its program of differentiation-promoting microexons are downregulated across tumor types with remarkable consistency, providing tumors with a proliferative advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Head
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (SAH); (MHS); (LS)
| | - Xavier Hernandez-Alias
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jae-Seong Yang
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre de Recerca en Agrigenòmica, Consortium CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ludovica Ciampi
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Violeta Beltran-Sastre
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Torres-Méndez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martin H. Schaefer
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Department of Experimental Oncology, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail: (SAH); (MHS); (LS)
| | - Luis Serrano
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail: (SAH); (MHS); (LS)
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24
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Buffolo F, Petrosino V, Albini M, Moschetta M, Carlini F, Floss T, Kerlero de Rosbo N, Cesca F, Rocchi A, Uccelli A, Benfenati F. Neuroinflammation induces synaptic scaling through IL-1β-mediated activation of the transcriptional repressor REST/NRSF. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:180. [PMID: 33589593 PMCID: PMC7884694 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03465-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is associated with synapse dysfunction and cognitive decline in patients and animal models. One candidate for translating the inflammatory stress into structural and functional changes in neural networks is the transcriptional repressor RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) that regulates the expression of a wide cluster of neuron-specific genes during neurogenesis and in mature neurons. To study the cellular and molecular pathways activated under inflammatory conditions mimicking the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) environment, we analyzed REST activity in neuroblastoma cells and mouse cortical neurons treated with activated T cell or microglia supernatant and distinct pro-inflammatory cytokines. We found that REST is activated by a variety of neuroinflammatory stimuli in both neuroblastoma cells and primary neurons, indicating that a vast transcriptional change is triggered during neuroinflammation. While a dual activation of REST and its dominant-negative splicing isoform REST4 was observed in N2a neuroblastoma cells, primary neurons responded with a pure full-length REST upregulation in the absence of changes in REST4 expression. In both cases, REST upregulation was associated with activation of Wnt signaling and increased nuclear translocation of β-catenin, a well-known intracellular transduction pathway in neuroinflammation. Among single cytokines, IL-1β caused a potent and prompt increase in REST transcription and translation in neurons, which promoted a delayed and strong synaptic downscaling specific for excitatory synapses, with decreased frequency and amplitude of spontaneous synaptic currents, decreased density of excitatory synaptic connections, and decreased frequency of action potential-evoked Ca2+ transients. Most important, the IL-1β effects on excitatory transmission were strictly REST dependent, as conditional deletion of REST completely occluded the effects of IL-1β activation on synaptic transmission and network excitability. Our results demonstrate that REST upregulation represents a new pathogenic mechanism for the synaptic dysfunctions observed under neuroinflammatory conditions and identify the REST pathway as therapeutic target for EAE and, potentially, for multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Buffolo
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Valentina Petrosino
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Largo P. Daneo, 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Albini
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Matteo Moschetta
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Federico Carlini
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Largo P. Daneo, 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Thomas Floss
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nicole Kerlero de Rosbo
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Largo P. Daneo, 3, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Cesca
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, 34127, Italy
| | - Anna Rocchi
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy.
| | - Antonio Uccelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Largo P. Daneo, 3, 16132, Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy.
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genova, Italy.
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25
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Merlevede A, Legault EM, Drugge V, Barker RA, Drouin-Ouellet J, Olariu V. A quantitative model of cellular decision making in direct neuronal reprogramming. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1514. [PMID: 33452356 PMCID: PMC7810861 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81089-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The direct reprogramming of adult skin fibroblasts to neurons is thought to be controlled by a small set of interacting gene regulators. Here, we investigate how the interaction dynamics between these regulating factors coordinate cellular decision making in direct neuronal reprogramming. We put forward a quantitative model of the governing gene regulatory system, supported by measurements of mRNA expression. We found that nPTB needs to feed back into the direct neural conversion network most likely via PTB in order to accurately capture quantitative gene interaction dynamics and correctly predict the outcome of various overexpression and knockdown experiments. This was experimentally validated by nPTB knockdown leading to successful neural conversion. We also proposed a novel analytical technique to dissect system behaviour and reveal the influence of individual factors on resulting gene expression. Overall, we demonstrate that computational analysis is a powerful tool for understanding the mechanisms of direct (neuronal) reprogramming, paving the way for future models that can help improve cell conversion strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriaan Merlevede
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Emilie M Legault
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Viktor Drugge
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Roger A Barker
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 2PY, UK
| | | | - Victor Olariu
- Computational Biology and Biological Physics, Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
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26
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Qu W, Jin H, Chen BP, Liu J, Li R, Guo W, Tian H. CPEB3 regulates neuron-specific alternative splicing and involves neurogenesis gene expression. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 13:2330-2347. [PMID: 33318303 PMCID: PMC7880327 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the mammalian brain, alternative pre-mRNA splicing is a fundamental mechanism that modifies neuronal function dynamically where secretion of different splice variants regulates neurogenesis, development, pathfinding, maintenance, migration, and synaptogenesis. Sequence-specific RNA-Binding Protein CPEB3 has distinctive isoform-distinct biochemical interactions and neuronal development assembly roles. Nonetheless, the mechanisms moderating splice isoform options remain unclear. To establish the modulatory trend of CPEB3, we cloned and excessively expressed CPEB3 in HT22 cells. We used RNA-seq to analyze CPEB3-regulated alternative splicing on control and CPEB3-overexpressing cells. Consequently, we used iRIP-seq to identify CPEB-binding targets. We additionally validated CPEB3-modulated genes using RT-qPCR. CPEB3 overexpression had insignificant effects on gene expression in HT22 cells. Notably, CPEB3 partially modulated differential gene splicing enhanced in the modulation of neural development, neuron cycle, neurotrophin, synapse, and specific development pathway, implying an alternative splicing regulatory mechanism associated with neurogenesis. Moreover, qRT-PCR verified the CPEB3-modulated transcription of neurogenesis genes LCN2 and NAV2, synaptogenesis gene CYLD, as well as neural development gene JADE1. Herein, we established that CPEB3 is a critical modulator of alternative splicing in neurogenesis, which remarkably enhances the current understanding of the CPEB3 mediated alternative pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenrui Qu
- Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Hongjuan Jin
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bing-Peng Chen
- Orthopedic Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Wenlai Guo
- Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Heng Tian
- Department of Hand Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
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27
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SRRM4 Expands the Repertoire of Circular RNAs by Regulating Microexon Inclusion. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112488. [PMID: 33207694 PMCID: PMC7697094 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and dedicated bioinformatics pipelines have synergized to identify an expansive repertoire of unique circular RNAs (circRNAs), exceeding 100,000 variants. While the vast majority of these circRNAs comprise canonical exonic and intronic sequences, microexons (MEs)-which occur in 30% of functional mRNA transcripts-have been entirely overlooked. CircRNAs which contain these known MEs (ME-circRNAs) could be identified with commonly utilized circRNA prediction pipelines, CIRCexplorer2 and CIRI2, but were not previously recognized as ME-circRNAs. In addition, when employing a bespoke bioinformatics pipeline for identifying RNA chimeras, called Hyb, we could also identify over 2000 ME-circRNAs which contain novel MEs at their backsplice junctions, that are uncalled by either CIRCexplorer2 or CIRI2. Analysis of circRNA-seq datasets from gliomas of varying clinical grades compared with matched control tissue has shown circRNAs have potential as prognostic markers for stratifying tumor from healthy tissue. Furthermore, the abundance of microexon-containing circRNAs (ME-circRNAs) between tumor and normal tissues is correlated with the expression of a splicing associated factor, Serine/arginine repetitive matrix 4 (SRRM4). Overexpressing SRRM4, known for regulating ME inclusion in mRNAs critical for neural differentiation, in human HEK293 cells resulted in the biogenesis of over 2000 novel ME-circRNAs, including ME-circEIF4G3, and changes in the abundance of many canonical circRNAs, including circSETDB2 and circLBRA. This shows SRRM4, in which its expression is correlated with poor prognosis in gliomas, acts as a bona fide circRNA biogenesis factor. Given the known roles of MEs and circRNAs in oncogenesis, the identification of these previously unrecognized ME-circRNAs further increases the complexity and functional purview of this non-coding RNA family.
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28
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Microexons: at the nexus of nervous system development, behaviour and autism spectrum disorder. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 65:22-33. [PMID: 32535349 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The discovery and characterization of a network of highly conserved neuronal microexons has provided fundamental new insight into mechanisms underlying nervous system development and function, as well as an important basis for pathway convergence in autism spectrum disorder. In the past few years, considerable progress has been made in comprehensively determining the repertoires of factors that control neuronal microexons. These results have illuminated molecular mechanisms that activate the splicing of microexons, including those that control gene expression programs critical for neurogenesis, as well as synaptic protein translation and neuronal activity. Remarkably, individual disruption of specific microexons in these pathways results in autism-like phenotypes and cognitive impairment in mice. This review discusses these findings and their implications for delivering new therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.
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29
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Meldolesi J. Alternative Splicing by NOVA Factors: From Gene Expression to Cell Physiology and Pathology. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113941. [PMID: 32486302 PMCID: PMC7312376 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
NOVA1 and NOVA2, the two members of the NOVA family of alternative splicing factors, bind YCAY clusters of pre-mRNAs and assemble spliceosomes to induce the maintenance/removal of introns and exons, thus governing the development of mRNAs. Members of other splicing families operate analogously. Activity of NOVAs accounts for up to 700 alternative splicing events per cell, taking place both in the nucleus (co-transcription of mRNAs) and in the cytoplasm. Brain neurons express high levels of NOVAs, with NOVA1 predominant in cerebellum and spinal cord, NOVA2 in the cortex. Among brain physiological processes NOVAs play critical roles in axon pathfinding and spreading, structure and function of synapses, as well as the regulation of surface receptors and voltage-gated channels. In pathology, NOVAs contribute to neurodegenerative diseases and epilepsy. In vessel endothelial cells, NOVA2 is essential for angiogenesis, while in adipocytes, NOVA1 contributes to regulation of thermogenesis and obesity. In many cancers NOVA1 and also NOVA2, by interacting with specific miRNAs and by additional mechanisms, activate oncogenic roles promoting cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, NOVAs regulate cell functions of physiological and pathological nature. Single cell identification and distinction, and new therapies addressed to NOVA targets might be developed in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Meldolesi
- Department of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Institute and San Raffaele University, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy
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30
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Thalhammer A, Jaudon F, Cingolani LA. Emerging Roles of Activity-Dependent Alternative Splicing in Homeostatic Plasticity. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:104. [PMID: 32477067 PMCID: PMC7235277 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeostatic plasticity refers to the ability of neuronal networks to stabilize their activity in the face of external perturbations. Most forms of homeostatic plasticity ultimately depend on changes in the expression or activity of ion channels and synaptic proteins, which may occur at the gene, transcript, or protein level. The most extensively investigated homeostatic mechanisms entail adaptations in protein function or localization following activity-dependent posttranslational modifications. Numerous studies have also highlighted how homeostatic plasticity can be achieved by adjusting local protein translation at synapses or transcription of specific genes in the nucleus. In comparison, little attention has been devoted to whether and how alternative splicing (AS) of pre-mRNAs underlies some forms of homeostatic plasticity. AS not only expands proteome diversity but also contributes to the spatiotemporal dynamics of mRNA transcripts. Prominent in the brain where it can be regulated by neuronal activity, it is a flexible process, tightly controlled by a multitude of factors. Given its extensive use and versatility in optimizing the function of ion channels and synaptic proteins, we argue that AS is ideally suited to achieve homeostatic control of neuronal output. We support this thesis by reviewing emerging evidence linking AS to various forms of homeostatic plasticity: homeostatic intrinsic plasticity, synaptic scaling, and presynaptic homeostatic plasticity. Further, we highlight the relevance of this connection for brain pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Thalhammer
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fanny Jaudon
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo A Cingolani
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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31
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Coleman DJ, Sampson DA, Sehrawat A, Kumaraswamy A, Sun D, Wang Y, Schwartzman J, Urrutia J, Lee AR, Coleman IM, Nelson PS, Dong X, Morrissey C, Corey E, Xia Z, Yates JA, Alumkal JJ. Alternative splicing of LSD1+8a in neuroendocrine prostate cancer is mediated by SRRM4. Neoplasia 2020; 22:253-262. [PMID: 32403054 PMCID: PMC7218227 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is the most virulent form of prostate cancer. Importantly, our recent work examining metastatic biopsy samples demonstrates NEPC is increasing in frequency. In contrast to prostate adenocarcinomas that express a luminal gene expression program, NEPC tumors express a neuronal gene expression program. Despite this distinction, the diagnosis of NEPC is often challenging, demonstrating an urgent need to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Our prior work demonstrated that the histone demethylase LSD1 (KDM1A) is important for survival of prostate adenocarcinomas, but little was known about LSD1's role in NEPC. Recently, a neural-specific transcript variant of LSD1-LSD1+8a-was discovered and demonstrated to activate neuronal gene expression in neural cells. The splicing factor SRRM4 was previously shown to promote LSD1+8a splicing in neuronal cells, and SRRM4 promotes NEPC differentiation and cell survival. Therefore, we sought to determine if LSD1+8a might play a role in NEPC and whether LSD1+8a splicing was linked to SRRM4. To investigate a potential role for LSD1+8a in NEPC, we examined a panel of prostate adenocarcinoma and NEPC patient-derived xenografts and metastatic biopsies. LSD1+8a was expressed exclusively in NEPC samples and correlated significantly with elevated expression of SRRM4. Using SRRM4-overexpressing cell lines, we determined that SRRM4 mediates alternative splicing of LSD1+8a. Finally, using gain of function studies, we confirmed that LSD1+8a and SRRM4 co-regulate target genes distinct from canonical LSD1. Our findings suggest further study of the interplay between SRRM4 and LSD1+8a and mechanisms by which LSD1+8a regulates gene expression in NEPC is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Coleman
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - David A Sampson
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Archana Sehrawat
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Anbarasu Kumaraswamy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Duanchen Sun
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jacob Schwartzman
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Joshua Urrutia
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ahn R Lee
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ilsa M Coleman
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Peter S Nelson
- Divisions of Human Biology and Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Xuesen Dong
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Zheng Xia
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Joel A Yates
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Joshi J Alumkal
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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32
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Remesal L, Roger-Baynat I, Chirivella L, Maicas M, Brocal-Ruiz R, Pérez-Villalba A, Cucarella C, Casado M, Flames N. PBX1 acts as terminal selector for olfactory bulb dopaminergic neurons. Development 2020; 147:dev.186841. [PMID: 32156753 DOI: 10.1242/dev.186841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal specification is a protracted process that begins with the commitment of progenitor cells and culminates with the generation of mature neurons. Many transcription factors are continuously expressed during this process but it is presently unclear how these factors modify their targets as cells transition through different stages of specification. In olfactory bulb adult neurogenesis, the transcription factor PBX1 controls neurogenesis in progenitor cells and the survival of migrating neuroblasts. Here, we show that, at later differentiation stages, PBX1 also acts as a terminal selector for the dopaminergic neuron fate. PBX1 is also required for the morphological maturation of dopaminergic neurons and to repress alternative interneuron fates, findings that expand the known repertoire of terminal-selector actions. Finally, we reveal that the temporal diversification of PBX1 functions in neuronal specification is achieved, at least in part, through the dynamic regulation of alternative splicing. In Caenorhabditis elegans, PBX/CEH-20 also acts as a dopaminergic neuron terminal selector, which suggests an ancient role for PBX factors in the regulation of terminal differentiation of dopaminergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Remesal
- Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, IBV-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Isabel Roger-Baynat
- Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, IBV-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Chirivella
- Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, IBV-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Miren Maicas
- Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, IBV-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rebeca Brocal-Ruiz
- Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, IBV-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Pérez-Villalba
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), and Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | - Carme Cucarella
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Metabolic Experimental Pathology Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, IBV-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Casado
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Metabolic Experimental Pathology Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, IBV-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Flames
- Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, IBV-CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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33
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Accogli A, Addour-Boudrahem N, Srour M. Neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and axon guidance. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020; 173:25-42. [PMID: 32958178 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64150-2.00004-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Development of the central nervous system (CNS) is a complex, dynamic process that involves a precisely orchestrated sequence of genetic, environmental, biochemical, and physical factors from early embryonic stages to postnatal life. Duringthe past decade, great strides have been made to unravel mechanisms underlying human CNS development through the employment of modern genetic techniques and experimental approaches. In this chapter, we review the current knowledge regarding the main developmental processes and signaling mechanisms of (i) neurogenesis, (ii) neuronal migration, and (iii) axon guidance. We discuss mechanisms related to neural stem cells proliferation, migration, terminal translocation of neuronal progenitors, and axon guidance and pathfinding. For each section, we also provide a comprehensive overview of the underlying regulatory processes, including transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and epigenetic factors, and a myriad of signaling pathways that are pivotal to determine the fate of neuronal progenitors and newly formed migrating neurons. We further highlight how impairment of this complex regulating system, such as mutations in its core components, may cause cortical malformation, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autism in humans. A thorough understanding of normal human CNS development is thus crucial to decipher mechanisms responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders and in turn guide the development of effective and targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Accogli
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Istituto Giannina Gaslini Pediatric Hospital, Genova, Italy; Departments of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal-Child Science, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Myriam Srour
- Research Institute, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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34
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Dong X, Chen R. Understanding aberrant RNA splicing to facilitate cancer diagnosis and therapy. Oncogene 2019; 39:2231-2242. [PMID: 31819165 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-1138-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Almost all genes in normal cells undergo alternative RNA splicing to generate a greater extent of diversification of gene products for normal cellular functions. RNA splicing is tightly regulated and closely interplays with genetic and epigenetic machinery. While DNA polymorphism and somatic mutations modulate alternative splicing patterns, RNA splicing also controls genomic stability, chromatin organization, and transcriptome. Tumor cells, in turn, often take advantage of aberrant RNA splicing to develop, grow and progress into therapy-resistant tumors. Understanding alternative RNA splicing in tumor cells would, therefore, provide us opportunities to gain further insights into tumor biology, identify diagnostic or prognosis biomarkers, as well as to design effective therapeutic means to control tumor progression. Here, we provide an overview of RNA splicing mechanisms and use prostate cancer as an example to review recent advancements in our understanding of RNA splicing in cancer progression and therapy resistance. We also discuss emerging diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of RNA splicing events or RNA splicing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuesen Dong
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada. .,The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, 2660 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada.
| | - Ruiqi Chen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 27 King's College Circle 8, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada
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35
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Magomedova L, Tiefenbach J, Zilberman E, Le Billan F, Voisin V, Saikali M, Boivin V, Robitaille M, Gueroussov S, Irimia M, Ray D, Patel R, Xu C, Jeyasuria P, Bader GD, Hughes TR, Morris QD, Scott MS, Krause H, Angers S, Blencowe BJ, Cummins CL. ARGLU1 is a transcriptional coactivator and splicing regulator important for stress hormone signaling and development. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2856-2870. [PMID: 30698747 PMCID: PMC6451108 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress hormones bind and activate the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in many tissues including the brain. We identified arginine and glutamate rich 1 (ARGLU1) in a screen for new modulators of glucocorticoid signaling in the CNS. Biochemical studies show that the glutamate rich C-terminus of ARGLU1 coactivates multiple nuclear receptors including the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the arginine rich N-terminus interacts with splicing factors and binds to RNA. RNA-seq of neural cells depleted of ARGLU1 revealed significant changes in the expression and alternative splicing of distinct genes involved in neurogenesis. Loss of ARGLU1 is embryonic lethal in mice, and knockdown in zebrafish causes neurodevelopmental and heart defects. Treatment with dexamethasone, a GR activator, also induces changes in the pattern of alternatively spliced genes, many of which were lost when ARGLU1 was absent. Importantly, the genes found to be alternatively spliced in response to glucocorticoid treatment were distinct from those under transcriptional control by GR, suggesting an additional mechanism of glucocorticoid action is present in neural cells. Our results thus show that ARGLU1 is a novel factor for embryonic development that modulates basal transcription and alternative splicing in neural cells with consequences for glucocorticoid signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilia Magomedova
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Jens Tiefenbach
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Emma Zilberman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Florian Le Billan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Veronique Voisin
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Michael Saikali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Vincent Boivin
- Département de biochimie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Melanie Robitaille
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Serge Gueroussov
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Debashish Ray
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Rucha Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - ChangJiang Xu
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Pancharatnam Jeyasuria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University Perinatal Initiative, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Gary D Bader
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Timothy R Hughes
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Quaid D Morris
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Michelle S Scott
- Département de biochimie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1E 4K8, Canada
| | - Henry Krause
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Stephane Angers
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Benjamin J Blencowe
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.,Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Carolyn L Cummins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
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36
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Lopez Soto EJ, Gandal MJ, Gonatopoulos-Pournatzis T, Heller EA, Luo D, Zheng S. Mechanisms of Neuronal Alternative Splicing and Strategies for Therapeutic Interventions. J Neurosci 2019; 39:8193-8199. [PMID: 31619487 PMCID: PMC6794923 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1149-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Many cellular and physiological processes are coordinated by regulatory networks that produce a remarkable complexity of transcript isoforms. In the mammalian nervous system, alternative pre-mRNA splicing generates functionally distinct isoforms that play key roles in normal physiology, supporting development, plasticity, complex behaviors, and cognition. Neuronal splicing programs controlled by RNA-binding proteins, are influenced by chromatin modifications and can exhibit neuronal subtype specificity. As highlighted in recent publications, aberrant alternative splicing is a major contributor to disease phenotypes. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms of alternative splicing regulation and identifying functional splicing isoforms with critical phenotypic roles are expected to provide a comprehensive resource for therapeutic development, as illuminated by recent successful interventions of spinal muscular atrophy. Here, we discuss the latest progress in the study of the emerging complexity of alternative splicing mechanisms in neurons, and how these findings inform new therapies to correct and control splicing defects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael J Gandal
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | | | - Elizabeth A Heller
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-5158
| | - Diou Luo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, and
| | - Sika Zheng
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California at Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
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37
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Non-Methylation-Linked Mechanism of REST-Induced Neuroglobin Expression Impacts Mitochondrial Phenotypes in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neuroscience 2019; 412:233-247. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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38
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Labrecque MP, Coleman IM, Brown LG, True LD, Kollath L, Lakely B, Nguyen HM, Yang YC, da Costa RMG, Kaipainen A, Coleman R, Higano CS, Yu EY, Cheng HH, Mostaghel EA, Montgomery B, Schweizer MT, Hsieh AC, Lin DW, Corey E, Nelson PS, Morrissey C. Molecular profiling stratifies diverse phenotypes of treatment-refractory metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:4492-4505. [PMID: 31361600 DOI: 10.1172/jci128212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a heterogeneous disease with diverse drivers of disease progression and mechanisms of therapeutic resistance. We conducted deep phenotypic characterization of CRPC metastases and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) lines using whole genome RNA sequencing, gene set enrichment analysis and immunohistochemistry. Our analyses revealed five mCRPC phenotypes based on the expression of well-characterized androgen receptor (AR) or neuroendocrine (NE) genes: (i) AR-high tumors (ARPC), (ii) AR-low tumors (ARLPC), (iii) amphicrine tumors composed of cells co-expressing AR and NE genes (AMPC), (iv) double-negative tumors (i.e. AR-/NE-; DNPC) and (v) tumors with small cell or NE gene expression without AR activity (SCNPC). RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) activity, which suppresses NE gene expression, was lost in AMPC and SCNPC PDX models. However, knockdown of REST in cell lines revealed that attenuated REST activity drives the AMPC phenotype but is not sufficient for SCNPC conversion. We also identified a subtype of DNPC tumors with squamous differentiation and generated an encompassing 26-gene transcriptional signature that distinguished the five mCRPC phenotypes. Together, our data highlight the central role of AR and REST in classifying treatment-resistant mCRPC phenotypes. These molecular classifications could potentially guide future therapeutic studies and clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Labrecque
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ilsa M Coleman
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lisha G Brown
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Lori Kollath
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Bryce Lakely
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Holly M Nguyen
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Yu C Yang
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rui M Gil da Costa
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Arja Kaipainen
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Roger Coleman
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Celestia S Higano
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Evan Y Yu
- Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Heather H Cheng
- Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elahe A Mostaghel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Bruce Montgomery
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael T Schweizer
- Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Andrew C Hsieh
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Daniel W Lin
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eva Corey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Peter S Nelson
- Divison of Human Biology and.,Divison of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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39
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Thompson M, Bixby R, Dalton R, Vandenburg A, Calarco JA, Norris AD. Splicing in a single neuron is coordinately controlled by RNA binding proteins and transcription factors. eLife 2019; 8:46726. [PMID: 31322498 PMCID: PMC6641836 DOI: 10.7554/elife.46726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell transcriptomes are established by transcription factors (TFs), which determine a cell's gene-expression complement. Post-transcriptional regulation of single-cell transcriptomes, and the RNA binding proteins (RBPs) responsible, are more technically challenging to determine, and combinatorial TF-RBP coordination of single-cell transcriptomes remains unexplored. We used fluorescent reporters to visualize alternative splicing in single Caenorhabditis elegans neurons, identifying complex splicing patterns in the neuronal kinase sad-1. Most neurons express both isoforms, but the ALM mechanosensory neuron expresses only the exon-included isoform, while its developmental sister cell the BDU neuron expresses only the exon-skipped isoform. A cascade of three cell-specific TFs and two RBPs are combinatorially required for sad-1 exon inclusion. Mechanistically, TFs combinatorially ensure expression of RBPs, which interact with sad-1 pre-mRNA. Thus a combinatorial TF-RBP code controls single-neuron sad-1 splicing. Additionally, we find ‘phenotypic convergence,’ previously observed for TFs, also applies to RBPs: different RBP combinations generate similar splicing outcomes in different neurons. All the cells in the human nervous system contain the same genetic information, and yet there are many kinds of neurons, each with different features and roles in the body. Proteins known as transcription factors help to establish this diversity by switching on different genes in different types of cells. A mechanism known as RNA splicing, which is regulated by RNA binding proteins, can also provide another layer of regulation. When a gene is switched on, a faithful copy of its sequence is produced in the form of an RNA molecule, which will then be ‘read’ to create a protein. However, the RNA molecules may first be processed to create templates that can differ between cell types: this means that a single gene can code for slightly different proteins, some of them specific to a given cell type. Yet, very little is known about how RNA splicing can generate more diversity in the nervous system. To investigate, Thompson et al. developed a fluorescent reporter system that helped them track how the RNA of a gene called sad-1 is spliced in individual neurons of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans. This showed that sad-1 was turned on in all neurons, but the particular spliced versions varied widely between different types of nerve cells. Additional experiments combined old school and cutting-edge genetics technics such as CRISPR/Cas9 to identify the proteins that control the splicing of sad-1 in different kinds of neurons. Despite not directly participating in RNA splicing, a number of transcription factors were shown to be involved. These molecular switches were turning on genes that code for RNA binding proteins differently between types of neurons, which in turn led sad-1 to be spliced according to neuron-specific patterns. The findings by Thompson et al. could provide some insight into how mammals can establish many types of neurons; however, a technical hurdle stands in the way of this line of research, as it is still difficult to detect splicing in single neurons in these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Thompson
- Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States
| | - Ryan Bixby
- Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States
| | - Robert Dalton
- Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States
| | - Alexa Vandenburg
- Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States
| | - John A Calarco
- Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Adam D Norris
- Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, United States
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40
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Shimojo M, Kasahara Y, Inoue M, Tsunoda SI, Shudo Y, Kurata T, Obika S. A gapmer antisense oligonucleotide targeting SRRM4 is a novel therapeutic medicine for lung cancer. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7618. [PMID: 31110284 PMCID: PMC6527545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43100-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive neuroendocrine phenotype of the deadliest human lung cancers. However the therapeutic landscape for SCLC has not changed in over 30 years. Effective treatment and prognosis are needed to combat this aggressive cancer. Herein we report that Ser/Arg repetitive matrix 4 (SRRM4), a splicing activator, is abnormally expressed at high levels in SCLC and thus is a potential therapeutic target. We screened an effective gapmer antisense oligonucleotide (gASO) targeting SRRM4 in vitro which led to cell death of SCLC. Our gASO, which is stabilized by containing artificial nucleotides, effectively represses SRRM4 mRNA. We found that our gASO repressed SRRM4 synthesis leading to a dramatic tumor reduction in a lung cancer mouse model. We also analyzed miRNA microarray and found that the miR-4516 is abnormally increased in exosomes in the blood of SCLC patients. Treating with gASO suppressed tumors in the SCLC model mouse concurrently reduced plasma miR-4516. In conclusion this study reports that administration of an SRRM4-targeted gASO coupled with a novel miRNA diagnostic methodology represents a potential breakthrough in the therapeutic treatment of high mortality SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Shimojo
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Yuuya Kasahara
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan
| | - Masaki Inoue
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan.,The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University, 1-1-3 Minatojima, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-8586, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Tsunoda
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan.,The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kobe Gakuin University, 1-1-3 Minatojima, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-8586, Japan
| | - Yoshie Shudo
- Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-1010, Japan
| | - Takayasu Kurata
- Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1 Shin-machi, Hirakata, Osaka, 573-1010, Japan
| | - Satoshi Obika
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, 1-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan
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41
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Nakano Y, Wiechert S, Bánfi B. Overlapping Activities of Two Neuronal Splicing Factors Switch the GABA Effect from Excitatory to Inhibitory by Regulating REST. Cell Rep 2019; 27:860-871.e8. [PMID: 30995482 PMCID: PMC6556397 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A truncating mutation in the mouse Srrm4 gene, which encodes a neuronal splicing factor, causes alternative splicing defects selectively in the ear. The mechanism by which splicing is preserved in the brain of these mice is not known. Here, we show that SRRM3 limits the Srrm4 mutation-associated defects to the ear and that, in cortical neurons, overlapping SRRM3-SRRM4 activity regulates the development of interneuronal inhibition. In vitro, SRRM3 and SRRM4 regulate the same splicing events, but a mutation in mouse Srrm3 causes tremors and mild defects in neuronal alternative splicing, demonstrating unique SRRM3 roles in vivo. Mice harboring mutations in both Srrm3 and Srrm4 die neonatally and exhibit severe splicing defects. In these mice, splicing alterations prevent inactivation of the gene repressor REST, which maintains immature excitatory GABAergic neurotransmission by repressing K-Cl cotransporter 2. Thus, our data reveal that SRRM3 and SRRM4 act redundantly to regulate GABAergic neurotransmission by inactivating REST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nakano
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Inflammation Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Susan Wiechert
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Inflammation Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Botond Bánfi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Inflammation Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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Kawamura M, Sato S, Matsumoto G, Fukuda T, Shiba-Fukushima K, Noda S, Takanashi M, Mori N, Hattori N. Loss of nuclear REST/NRSF in aged-dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease patients. Neurosci Lett 2019; 699:59-63. [PMID: 30684677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2019.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Lewy bodies and pale bodies in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra are pathological hallmarks of PD. A number of neurodegenerative diseases demonstrate aggregate formation, but how these aggregates are associated with their pathogenesis remains unknown. It has been reported that repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor/neuron-restrictive silencer factor (REST/NRSF) is induced in the nuclei of aged neurons, preserves neuronal function, and protects against neurodegeneration during aging through the repression of cell death-inducing genes. The loss of REST is associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology. However, its function in dopaminergic neurons remains unknown. Here we demonstrated that REST enters the nucleus of aged dopaminergic neurons. On the other hand, REST is partially sequestrated in Lewy bodies and is mostly absent from the nucleus of neurons in brains with PD and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Dopaminergic neuron-specific autophagy-deficient mice exhibit REST accumulation in aggregates. Defects in the protein quality control system induce REST mRNA expression; its gene product mainly appears in aggregates. Our results suggest that Lewy pathology disturbs normal aging processes in dopaminergic neurons by sequestering REST and the loss of REST may associate with the PD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwako Kawamura
- Department of Neurology, Graduate school of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Shigeto Sato
- Department of Neurology, Graduate school of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
| | - Gen Matsumoto
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate school of Biomedical science, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Takahiro Fukuda
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Neuroscience, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Kahori Shiba-Fukushima
- Research Institute for Disease of Old Age, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Sachiko Noda
- Department of Neurology, Graduate school of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Masashi Takanashi
- Department of Neurology, Graduate school of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Nozomu Mori
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Graduate school of Biomedical science, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Hattori
- Department of Neurology, Graduate school of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
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Li Y, Zhang Q, Lovnicki J, Chen R, Fazli L, Wang Y, Gleave M, Huang J, Dong X. SRRM4 gene expression correlates with neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Prostate 2019; 79:96-104. [PMID: 30155992 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an aggressive subtype of castrate-resistant prostate cancer characterized by poor patient outcome. Whole transcriptome sequencing analyses identified a NEPC-specific RNA splicing program that is predominantly controlled by the SRRM4 gene, suggesting that SRRM4 drives NEPC development. However, whether SRRM4 expression in patients may aid pathologists in diagnosing NEPC and predicting patient survival remains to be determined. In this study, we have applied RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry assays to measure the expressions of SRRM4, NEPC markers (SYP, CD56, and CHGA), and adenocarcinoma (AdPC) markers (AR, PSA) in a series of tissue microarrays constructed from castrate-resistant prostate tumors, treatment-naïve tumors collected from radical prostatectomy, and tumors treated with neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) for 0-12 months. Three pathologists also independently evaluated tumor histology and NEPC marker status. Here, we report that SRRM4 in castrate-resistant tumors is highly expressed in NEPC, strongly correlated with SYP, CD56, and CHGA expressions (Pearson correlation r = 0.883, 0.675, and 0.881; P < 0.0001) and negatively correlated with AR and PSA expressions (Pearson correlation r = -0.544 and -0.310; P < 0.05). Overall survival is 12.3 months for patients with SRRM4 positive tumors, comparing to 23 months for patients with SRRM4 negative tumors. In treatment-naïve AdPC, low SRRM4 expression is detected in ∼16% tumor cores. It correlates with SYP and CHGA expressions, but not Gleason scores. AdPC treated with >7 month NHT has significantly higher SRRM4 expression. Based on these findings, we conclude that SRRM4 expression in castrate-resistant tumors is highly correlated with NEPC and poor patient survival. It may serve as a diagnosis and prognosis biomarker of NEPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Li
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Qingfu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
- China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jessica Lovnicki
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ruiqi Chen
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ladan Fazli
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Martin Gleave
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Xuesen Dong
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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NRSF and Its Epigenetic Effectors: New Treatments for Neurological Disease. Brain Sci 2018; 8:brainsci8120226. [PMID: 30572571 PMCID: PMC6316267 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8120226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neuron Restrictive Silencer Factor (NRSF) is the well-known master transcriptional repressor of the neuronal phenotype. Research to date has shown that it is an important player in the growth and development of the nervous system. Its role in the maturation of neural precursor cells to adult neurons has been well characterized in stem cell models. While much has been characterized from a developmental perspective, research is revealing that NRSF plays a role in various neurological diseases, ranging from neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, to cancer. Dysregulation of NRSF activity disrupts downstream gene expression that is responsible for neuronal cell homeostasis in several models that contribute to pathologic states. Interestingly, it is now becoming apparent that the dysregulation of NRSF contributes to neurological disease through epigenetic mechanisms. Although NRSF itself is a transcription factor, its major effectors are chromatin modifiers. At the level of epigenetics, changes in NRSF activity have been well characterized in models of neuropathic pain and epilepsy. Better understanding of the epigenetic basis of brain diseases has led to design and use of small molecules that can prevent NRSF from repressing gene expression by neutralizing its interactions with its chromatin remodelers. This review will address the basic function of NRSF and its cofactors, investigate their mechanisms, then explore how their dysfunction can cause disease states. This review will also address research on NRSF as a therapeutic target and delve into new therapeutic strategies that focus on disrupting NRSF’s ability to recruit chromatin remodelers.
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Genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 Interrogation of Splicing Networks Reveals a Mechanism for Recognition of Autism-Misregulated Neuronal Microexons. Mol Cell 2018; 72:510-524.e12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Alternative REST Splicing Underappreciated. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-COM-0034-18. [PMID: 30280122 PMCID: PMC6166571 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0034-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Simão D, Silva MM, Terrasso AP, Arez F, Sousa MFQ, Mehrjardi NZ, Šarić T, Gomes-Alves P, Raimundo N, Alves PM, Brito C. Recapitulation of Human Neural Microenvironment Signatures in iPSC-Derived NPC 3D Differentiation. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:552-564. [PMID: 30057262 PMCID: PMC6094163 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain microenvironment plays an important role in neurodevelopment and pathology, where the extracellular matrix (ECM) and soluble factors modulate multiple cellular processes. Neural cell culture typically relies on heterologous matrices poorly resembling brain ECM. Here, we employed neurospheroids to address microenvironment remodeling during neural differentiation of human stem cells, without the confounding effects of exogenous matrices. Proteome and transcriptome dynamics revealed significant changes at cell membrane and ECM during 3D differentiation, diverging significantly from the 2D differentiation. Structural proteoglycans typical of brain ECM were enriched during 3D differentiation, in contrast to basement membrane constituents in 2D. Moreover, higher expression of synaptic and ion transport machinery was observed in 3D cultures, suggesting higher neuronal maturation in neurospheroids. This work demonstrates that 3D neural differentiation as neurospheroids promotes the expression of cellular and extracellular features found in neural tissue, highlighting its value to address molecular defects in cell-ECM interactions associated with neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Simão
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Marta M Silva
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ana P Terrasso
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Francisca Arez
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Marcos F Q Sousa
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Narges Z Mehrjardi
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Tomo Šarić
- Center for Physiology and Pathophysiology, Institute for Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne 50931, Germany
| | - Patrícia Gomes-Alves
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Nuno Raimundo
- Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Institut für Zellbiochemie, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Paula M Alves
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Catarina Brito
- iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Biológica, Oeiras, Portugal; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal.
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Nakano Y, Kelly MC, Rehman AU, Boger ET, Morell RJ, Kelley MW, Friedman TB, Bánfi B. Defects in the Alternative Splicing-Dependent Regulation of REST Cause Deafness. Cell 2018; 174:536-548.e21. [PMID: 29961578 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The DNA-binding protein REST forms complexes with histone deacetylases (HDACs) to repress neuronal genes in non-neuronal cells. In differentiating neurons, REST is downregulated predominantly by transcriptional silencing. Here we report that post-transcriptional inactivation of REST by alternative splicing is required for hearing in humans and mice. We show that, in the mechanosensory hair cells of the mouse ear, regulated alternative splicing of a frameshift-causing exon into the Rest mRNA is essential for the derepression of many neuronal genes. Heterozygous deletion of this alternative exon of mouse Rest causes hair cell degeneration and deafness, and the HDAC inhibitor SAHA (Vorinostat) rescues the hearing of these mice. In humans, inhibition of the frameshifting splicing event by a novel REST variant is associated with dominantly inherited deafness. Our data reveal the necessity for alternative splicing-dependent regulation of REST in hair cells, and they identify a potential treatment for a group of hereditary deafness cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nakano
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Inflammation Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Michael C Kelly
- Laboratory of Cochlear Development, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Atteeq U Rehman
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Erich T Boger
- Genomics and Computational Biology Core, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert J Morell
- Genomics and Computational Biology Core, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew W Kelley
- Laboratory of Cochlear Development, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Thomas B Friedman
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Botond Bánfi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Inflammation Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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49
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Hwang I, Cao D, Na Y, Kim DY, Zhang T, Yao J, Oh H, Hu J, Zheng H, Yao Y, Paik J. Far Upstream Element-Binding Protein 1 Regulates LSD1 Alternative Splicing to Promote Terminal Differentiation of Neural Progenitors. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 10:1208-1221. [PMID: 29606613 PMCID: PMC5998560 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss of a cell's ability to terminally differentiate because of mutations is a selected genetic event in tumorigenesis. Genomic analyses of low-grade glioma have reported recurrent mutations of far upstream element-binding protein 1 (FUBP1). Here, we show that FUBP1 expression is dynamically regulated during neurogenesis and that its downregulation in neural progenitors impairs terminal differentiation and promotes tumorigenesis collaboratively with expression of IDH1R132H. Mechanistically, collaborative action between SRRM4 and FUBP1 is necessary for mini-exon splicing of the neurospecific LSD1+8a isoform. LSD1+8a was downregulated upon loss of FUBP1 in neural progenitors, thereby impairing terminal neuronal differentiation and maturation. Reinforcing LSD1+8a expression in FUBP1-downregulated neural progenitors restored terminal differentiation and suppressed tumorigenesis; hence, LSD1+8a is an obligatory effector of FUBP1-dependent neuronal differentiation. These findings establish a direct role for FUBP1 in neuronal differentiation and also explain its tumor-suppressor function in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inah Hwang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dongqing Cao
- Neurosurgical Immunology Laboratory, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yoonmi Na
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Do-Yeon Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Tuo Zhang
- Genomics Resources Core Facility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jun Yao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Hwanhee Oh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jian Hu
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77054, USA
| | - Hongwu Zheng
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Yu Yao
- Neurosurgical Immunology Laboratory, Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jihye Paik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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50
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Lee AR, Che N, Lovnicki JM, Dong X. Development of Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancers by the Ser/Arg Repetitive Matrix 4-Mediated RNA Splicing Network. Front Oncol 2018; 8:93. [PMID: 29666783 PMCID: PMC5891588 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
While the use of next-generation androgen receptor pathway inhibition (ARPI) therapy has significantly increased the survival of patients with metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma (AdPC), several groups have reported a treatment-resistant mechanism, whereby cancer cells can become androgen receptor (AR) indifferent and gain a neuroendocrine (NE)-like phenotype. This subtype of castration-resistant prostate cancer has been termed "treatment-induced castration-resistant neuroendocrine prostate cancer" (CRPC-NE). Recent reports indicate that the overall genomic landscapes of castration-resistant tumors with AdPC phenotypes and CRPC-NE are not significantly altered. However, CRPC-NE tumors have been found to contain a NE-specific pattern throughout their epigenome and splicing transcriptome, which are significantly modified. The molecular mechanisms by which CRPC-NE develops remain unclear, but several factors have been implicated in the progression of the disease. Recently, Ser/Arg repetitive matrix 4 (SRRM4), a neuronal-specific RNA splicing factor that is upregulated in CRPC-NE tumors, has been shown to establish a CRPC-NE-unique splicing transcriptome, to induce a NE-like morphology in AdPC cells, and, most importantly, to transform AdPC cells into CRPC-NE xenografts under ARPI. Moreover, the SRRM4-targeted splicing genes are highly enriched in various neuronal processes, suggesting their roles in facilitating a CRPC-NE program. This article will address the importance of SRRM4-mediated alternative RNA splicing in reprogramming translated proteins to facilitate NE differentiation, survival, and proliferation of cells to establish CRPC-NE tumors. In addition, we will discuss the potential roles of SRRM4 in conjunction with other known pathways and factors important for CRPC-NE development, such as the AR pathway, TP53 and RB1 genes, the FOXA family of proteins, and environmental factors. This study aims to explore the multifaceted functions of SRRM4 and SRRM4-mediated splicing in driving a CRPC-NE program as a coping mechanism for therapy resistance, as well as define future SRRM4-targeted therapeutic approaches for treating CRPC-NE or mitigating its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahn R Lee
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nicole Che
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jessica M Lovnicki
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xuesen Dong
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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