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Warminski M, Trepkowska E, Smietanski M, Sikorski PJ, Baranowski MR, Bednarczyk M, Kedzierska H, Majewski B, Mamot A, Papiernik D, Popielec A, Serwa RA, Shimanski BA, Sklepkiewicz P, Sklucka M, Sokolowska O, Spiewla T, Toczydlowska-Socha D, Warminska Z, Wolosewicz K, Zuberek J, Mugridge JS, Nowis D, Golab J, Jemielity J, Kowalska J. Trinucleotide mRNA Cap Analogue N6-Benzylated at the Site of Posttranscriptional m6A m Mark Facilitates mRNA Purification and Confers Superior Translational Properties In Vitro and In Vivo. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:8149-8163. [PMID: 38442005 PMCID: PMC10979456 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic mRNAs undergo cotranscriptional 5'-end modification with a 7-methylguanosine cap. In higher eukaryotes, the cap carries additional methylations, such as m6Am─a common epitranscriptomic mark unique to the mRNA 5'-end. This modification is regulated by the Pcif1 methyltransferase and the FTO demethylase, but its biological function is still unknown. Here, we designed and synthesized a trinucleotide FTO-resistant N6-benzyl analogue of the m6Am-cap-m7GpppBn6AmpG (termed AvantCap) and incorporated it into mRNA using T7 polymerase. mRNAs carrying Bn6Am showed several advantages over typical capped transcripts. The Bn6Am moiety was shown to act as a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) purification handle, allowing the separation of capped and uncapped RNA species, and to produce transcripts with lower dsRNA content than reference caps. In some cultured cells, Bn6Am mRNAs provided higher protein yields than mRNAs carrying Am or m6Am, although the effect was cell-line-dependent. m7GpppBn6AmpG-capped mRNAs encoding reporter proteins administered intravenously to mice provided up to 6-fold higher protein outputs than reference mRNAs, while mRNAs encoding tumor antigens showed superior activity in therapeutic settings as anticancer vaccines. The biochemical characterization suggests several phenomena potentially underlying the biological properties of AvantCap: (i) reduced propensity for unspecific interactions, (ii) involvement in alternative translation initiation, and (iii) subtle differences in mRNA impurity profiles or a combination of these effects. AvantCapped-mRNAs bearing the Bn6Am may pave the way for more potent mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics and serve as molecular tools to unravel the role of m6Am in mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Warminski
- Division
of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Edyta Trepkowska
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Pawel J. Sikorski
- Centre
of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory
of Epitranscriptomics, Department of Environmental Microbiology and
Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Biological
and Chemical Research Centre, University
of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Marcelina Bednarczyk
- Centre
of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hanna Kedzierska
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Majewski
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Mamot
- Centre
of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Diana Papiernik
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Popielec
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Remigiusz A. Serwa
- Proteomics
Core Facility, IMol Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-247 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Brittany A. Shimanski
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Piotr Sklepkiewicz
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Sklucka
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Olga Sokolowska
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Spiewla
- Division
of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Zofia Warminska
- Centre
of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karol Wolosewicz
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Zuberek
- Division
of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jeffrey S. Mugridge
- Department
of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University
of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - Dominika Nowis
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory
of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jakub Golab
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory
of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Jemielity
- Centre
of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Kowalska
- Division
of Biophysics, Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
- Explorna
Therapeutics sp. z o.o. Zwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
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Avila-Bonilla RG, Macias S. The molecular language of RNA 5' ends: guardians of RNA identity and immunity. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:327-336. [PMID: 38325897 PMCID: PMC10946433 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079942.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
RNA caps are deposited at the 5' end of RNA polymerase II transcripts. This modification regulates several steps of gene expression, in addition to marking transcripts as self to enable the innate immune system to distinguish them from uncapped foreign RNAs, including those derived from viruses. Specialized immune sensors, such as RIG-I and IFITs, trigger antiviral responses upon recognition of uncapped cytoplasmic transcripts. Interestingly, uncapped transcripts can also be produced by mammalian hosts. For instance, 5'-triphosphate RNAs are generated by RNA polymerase III transcription, including tRNAs, Alu RNAs, or vault RNAs. These RNAs have emerged as key players of innate immunity, as they can be recognized by the antiviral sensors. Mechanisms that regulate the presence of 5'-triphosphates, such as 5'-end dephosphorylation or RNA editing, prevent immune recognition of endogenous RNAs and excessive inflammation. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the complexity of RNA cap structures and 5'-triphosphate RNAs, highlighting their roles in transcript identity, immune surveillance, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Gamaliel Avila-Bonilla
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Macias
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FL Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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3
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Ustaoglu P, McQuarrie DWJ, Rochet A, Dix TC, Haussmann IU, Arnold R, Devaud JM, Soller M. Memory consolidation in honey bees is enhanced by down-regulation of Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule and changes its alternative splicing. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 16:1322808. [PMID: 38264345 PMCID: PMC10803435 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1322808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam) gene encodes a cell adhesion molecule required for neuronal wiring. A remarkable feature of arthropod Dscam is massive alternative splicing generating thousands of different isoforms from three variable clusters of alternative exons. Dscam expression and diversity arising from alternative splicing have been studied during development, but whether they exert functions in adult brains has not been determined. Here, using honey bees, we find that Dscam expression is critically linked to memory retention as reducing expression by RNAi enhances memory after reward learning in adult worker honey bees. Moreover, alternative splicing of Dscam is altered in all three variable clusters after learning. Since identical Dscam isoforms engage in homophilic interactions, these results suggest a mechanism to alter inclusion of variable exons during memory consolidation to modify neuronal connections for memory retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Ustaoglu
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - David W. J. McQuarrie
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Rochet
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS, UPS, Toulouse University, Toulouse, France
| | - Thomas C. Dix
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Irmgard U. Haussmann
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Roland Arnold
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Marc Devaud
- Research Center on Animal Cognition (CRCA), Center for Integrative Biology (CBI), CNRS, UPS, Toulouse University, Toulouse, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Matthias Soller
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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McQuarrie DWJ, Read AM, Stephens FHS, Civetta A, Soller M. Indel driven rapid evolution of core nuclear pore protein gene promoters. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8035. [PMID: 37198214 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34985-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear pore proteins (Nups) prominently are among the few genes linked to speciation from hybrid incompatibility in Drosophila. These studies have focused on coding sequence evolution of Nup96 and Nup160 and shown evidence of positive selection driving nucleoporin evolution. Intriguingly, channel Nup54 functionality is required for neuronal wiring underlying the female post-mating response induced by male-derived sex-peptide. A region of rapid evolution in the core promoter of Nup54 suggests a critical role for general transcriptional regulatory elements at the onset of speciation, but whether this is a general feature of Nup genes has not been determined. Consistent with findings for Nup54, additional channel Nup58 and Nup62 promoters also rapidly accumulate insertions/deletions (indels). Comprehensive examination of Nup upstream regions reveals that core Nup complex gene promoters accumulate indels rapidly. Since changes in promoters can drive changes in expression, these results indicate an evolutionary mechanism driven by indel accumulation in core Nup promoters. Compensation of such gene expression changes could lead to altered neuronal wiring, rapid fixation of traits caused by promoter changes and subsequently the rise of new species. Hence, the nuclear pore complex may act as a nexus for species-specific changes via nucleo-cytoplasmic transport regulated gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W J McQuarrie
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Adam M Read
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Frannie H S Stephens
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Alberto Civetta
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada.
| | - Matthias Soller
- School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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Liang S, Almohammed R, Cowling VH. The RNA cap methyltransferases RNMT and CMTR1 co-ordinate gene expression during neural differentiation. Biochem Soc Trans 2023:233029. [PMID: 37145036 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221154] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of RNA cap formation has potent impacts on gene regulation, controlling which transcripts are expressed, processed and translated into protein. Recently, the RNA cap methyltransferases RNA guanine-7 methyltransferase (RNMT) and cap-specific mRNA (nucleoside-2'-O-)-methyltransferase 1 (CMTR1) have been found to be independently regulated during embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation controlling the expression of overlapping and distinct protein families. During neural differentiation, RNMT is repressed and CMTR1 is up-regulated. RNMT promotes expression of the pluripotency-associated gene products; repression of the RNMT complex (RNMT-RAM) is required for repression of these RNAs and proteins during differentiation. The predominant RNA targets of CMTR1 encode the histones and ribosomal proteins (RPs). CMTR1 up-regulation is required to maintain the expression of histones and RPs during differentiation and to maintain DNA replication, RNA translation and cell proliferation. Thus the co-ordinate regulation of RNMT and CMTR1 is required for different aspects of ES cell differentiation. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which RNMT and CMTR1 are independently regulated during ES cell differentiation and explore how this influences the co-ordinated gene regulation required of emerging cell lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Liang
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, U.K
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, U.K
| | - Rajaei Almohammed
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, U.K
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, U.K
| | - Victoria H Cowling
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, U.K
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, U.K
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