1
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Lo R, Gonçalves-Carneiro D. Sensing nucleotide composition in virus RNA. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20230372. [PMID: 37606964 PMCID: PMC10500230 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20230372] [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] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleotide composition plays a crucial role in the structure, function and recognition of RNA molecules. During infection, virus RNA is exposed to multiple endogenous proteins that detect local or global compositional biases and interfere with virus replication. Recent advancements in RNA:protein mapping technologies have enabled the identification of general RNA-binding preferences in the human proteome at basal level and in the context of virus infection. In this review, we explore how cellular proteins recognise nucleotide composition in virus RNA and the impact these interactions have on virus replication. Protein-binding G-rich and C-rich sequences are common examples of how host factors detect and limit infection, and, in contrast, viruses may have evolved to purge their genomes from such motifs. We also give examples of how human RNA-binding proteins inhibit virus replication, not only by destabilising virus RNA, but also by interfering with viral protein translation and genome encapsidation. Understanding the interplay between cellular proteins and virus RNA composition can provide insights into host-virus interactions and uncover potential targets for antiviral strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymon Lo
- Imperial College London, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, U.K
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2
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Marzullo M, Coni S, De Simone A, Canettieri G, Ciapponi L. Modeling Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 Using Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14182. [PMID: 37762484 PMCID: PMC10532015 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814182] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy 2 (DM2) is a genetic multi-systemic disease primarily affecting skeletal muscle. It is caused by CCTGn expansion in intron 1 of the CNBP gene, which encodes a zinc finger protein. DM2 disease has been successfully modeled in Drosophila melanogaster, allowing the identification and validation of new pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the principal tools used in Drosophila to study and dissect molecular pathways related to muscular dystrophies and summarize the main findings in DM2 pathogenesis based on DM2 Drosophila models. We also illustrate how Drosophila may be successfully used to generate a tractable animal model to identify novel genes able to affect and/or modify the pathogenic pathway and to discover new potential drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Marzullo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.M.)
| | - Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Assia De Simone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.M.)
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Istituto Pasteur Italia, Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ciapponi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.M.)
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3
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Liu M, Li Z, Chen J, Lin J, Lu Q, Ye Y, Zhang H, Zhang B, Ouyang S. Structural transitions upon guide RNA binding and their importance in Cas12g-mediated RNA cleavage. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010930. [PMID: 37729124 PMCID: PMC10511118 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cas12g is an endonuclease belonging to the type V RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas family. It is known for its ability to cleave RNA substrates using a conserved endonuclease active site located in the RuvC domain. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of apo-Cas12g, the cryo-EM structure of the Cas12g-sgRNA binary complex and investigated conformational changes that occur during the transition from the apo state to the Cas12g-sgRNA binary complex. The conserved zinc finger motifs in Cas12g undergo an ordered-to-disordered transition from the apo to the sgRNA-bound state and their mutations negatively impact on target RNA cleavage. Moreover, we identified a lid motif in the RuvC domain that undergoes transformation from a helix to loop to regulate the access to the RuvC active site and subsequent cleavage of the RNA substrate. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms by which Cas12g recognizes sgRNA and the conformational changes it undergoes from sgRNA binding to the activation of the RNase active site, thereby laying a foundation for the potential repurposing of Cas12g as a tool for RNA-editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions-Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zekai Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions-Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions-Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jinying Lin
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions-Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiuhua Lu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions-Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yangmiao Ye
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions-Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongmin Zhang
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions-Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Songying Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Pathogenesis and Interventions-Fujian Province University, the Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Key Laboratory of OptoElectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
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4
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Zhao R, Fang X, Mai Z, Chen X, Mo J, Lin Y, Xiao R, Bao X, Weng X, Zhou X. Transcriptome-wide identification of single-stranded RNA binding proteins. Chem Sci 2023; 14:4038-4047. [PMID: 37063799 PMCID: PMC10094363 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc00957b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-protein interactions are precisely regulated by RNA secondary structures in various biological processes. Large-scale identification of proteins that interact with particular RNA structure is important to the RBPome. Herein, a kethoxal assisted single-stranded RNA interactome capture (KASRIC) strategy was developed to globally identify single-stranded RNA binding proteins (ssRBPs). This approach combines RNA secondary structure probing technology with the conventional method of RNA-binding proteins profiling, realizing the transcriptome-wide identification of ssRBPs. Applying KASRIC, we identified 3180 candidate RBPs and 244 candidate ssRBPs in HeLa cells. Importantly, the 244 candidate ssRBPs contained 55 previously reported ssRBPs and 189 novel ssRBPs. Function analysis of the candidate ssRBPs exhibited enrichment in cellular processes related to RNA splicing and RNA degradation. The KASRIC strategy will facilitate the investigation of RNA-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Zhao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430072 P. R. China
| | - Xin Fang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430072 P. R. China
| | - Zhibiao Mai
- Laboratory of RNA Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Guangdong Province 510530 China
| | - Xi Chen
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430072 P. R. China
| | - Jing Mo
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430072 P. R. China
| | - Yingying Lin
- Laboratory of RNA Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Guangdong Province 510530 China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430071 China
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430071 China
| | - Xichen Bao
- Laboratory of RNA Molecular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, GIBH-CUHK Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Guangdong Province 510530 China
| | - Xiaocheng Weng
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430072 P. R. China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430072 P. R. China
- TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University Wuhan Hubei 430071 China
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5
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Cheng Y, Zhang Y, You H. Characterization of G-Quadruplexes Folding/Unfolding Dynamics and Interactions with Proteins from Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1579. [PMID: 34827577 PMCID: PMC8615981 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplexes (G4s) are stable secondary nucleic acid structures that play crucial roles in many fundamental biological processes. The folding/unfolding dynamics of G4 structures are associated with the replication and transcription regulation functions of G4s. However, many DNA G4 sequences can adopt a variety of topologies and have complex folding/unfolding dynamics. Determining the dynamics of G4s and their regulation by proteins remains challenging due to the coexistence of multiple structures in a heterogeneous sample. Here, in this mini-review, we introduce the application of single-molecule force-spectroscopy methods, such as magnetic tweezers, optical tweezers, and atomic force microscopy, to characterize the polymorphism and folding/unfolding dynamics of G4s. We also briefly introduce recent studies using single-molecule force spectroscopy to study the molecular mechanisms of G4-interacting proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Huijuan You
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry and Resource Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (Y.C.); (Y.Z.)
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6
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Coni S, Falconio FA, Marzullo M, Munafò M, Zuliani B, Mosti F, Fatica A, Ianniello Z, Bordone R, Macone A, Agostinelli E, Perna A, Matkovic T, Sigrist S, Silvestri G, Canettieri G, Ciapponi L. Translational control of polyamine metabolism by CNBP is required for Drosophila locomotor function. eLife 2021; 10:69269. [PMID: 34517941 PMCID: PMC8439652 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsatellite expansions of CCTG repeats in the cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP) gene leads to accumulation of toxic RNA and have been associated with myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2). However, it is still unclear whether the dystrophic phenotype is also linked to CNBP decrease, a conserved CCHC-type zinc finger RNA-binding protein that regulates translation and is required for mammalian development. Here, we show that depletion of Drosophila CNBP in muscles causes ageing-dependent locomotor defects that are correlated with impaired polyamine metabolism. We demonstrate that the levels of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and polyamines are significantly reduced upon dCNBP depletion. Of note, we show a reduction of the CNBP-polyamine axis in muscles from DM2 patients. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that dCNBP controls polyamine metabolism through binding dOdc mRNA and regulating its translation. Remarkably, the locomotor defect of dCNBP-deficient flies is rescued by either polyamine supplementation or dOdc1 overexpression. We suggest that this dCNBP function is evolutionarily conserved in vertebrates with relevant implications for CNBP-related pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Coni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica A Falconio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences Imperial College London South Kensington campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Marzullo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,IBPM CNR c/o Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Munafò
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Epigenetics & Neurobiology Unit, Campus Adriano Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotond, Italy
| | - Benedetta Zuliani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Mosti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, United States
| | - Alessandro Fatica
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Ianniello
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Bordone
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Macone
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Agostinelli
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.,International Polyamines Foundation 'ETS-ONLUS', Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Perna
- Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, University Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma, Italy
| | - Tanja Matkovic
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Biology and Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Sigrist
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Biology and Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriella Silvestri
- Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, University Cattolica del S. Cuore, Roma, Italy.,Department of Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della testa-Collo; UOC Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli' IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Canettieri
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,International Polyamines Foundation 'ETS-ONLUS', Rome, Italy.,Pasteur Institute, Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ciapponi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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7
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Caterino M, Paeschke K. Action and function of helicases on RNA G-quadruplexes. Methods 2021; 204:110-125. [PMID: 34509630 PMCID: PMC9236196 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Methodological progresses and piling evidence prove the rG4 biology in vivo. rG4s step in virtually every aspect of RNA biology. Helicases unwinding of rG4s is a fine regulatory layer to the downstream processes and general cell homeostasis. The current knowledge is however limited to a few cell lines. The regulation of helicases themselves is delineating as a important question. Non-helicase rG4-processing proteins likely play a role.
The nucleic acid structure called G-quadruplex (G4) is currently discussed to function in nucleic acid-based mechanisms that influence several cellular processes. They can modulate the cellular machinery either positively or negatively, both at the DNA and RNA level. The majority of what we know about G4 biology comes from DNA G4 (dG4) research. RNA G4s (rG4), on the other hand, are gaining interest as researchers become more aware of their role in several aspects of cellular homeostasis. In either case, the correct regulation of G4 structures within cells is essential and demands specialized proteins able to resolve them. Small changes in the formation and unfolding of G4 structures can have severe consequences for the cells that could even stimulate genome instability, apoptosis or proliferation. Helicases are the most relevant negative G4 regulators, which prevent and unfold G4 formation within cells during different pathways. Yet, and despite their importance only a handful of rG4 unwinding helicases have been identified and characterized thus far. This review addresses the current knowledge on rG4s-processing helicases with a focus on methodological approaches. An example of a non-helicase rG4s-unwinding protein is also briefly described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Caterino
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
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8
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Armas P, Coux G, Weiner AMJ, Calcaterra NB. What's new about CNBP? Divergent functions and activities for a conserved nucleic acid binding protein. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1865:129996. [PMID: 34474118 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.129996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) is a conserved single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein present in most eukaryotes, but not in plants. Expansions in the CNBP gene cause myotonic dystrophy type 2. Initially reported as a transcriptional regulator, CNBP was then also identified acting as a translational regulator. SCOPE OF REVIEW The focus of this review was to link the CNBP structural features and newly reported biochemical activities with the recently described biological functions, in the context of its pathological significance. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Several post-translational modifications affect CNBP subcellular localization and activity. CNBP participates in the transcriptional and translational regulation of a wide range of genes by remodeling single-stranded nucleic acid secondary structures and/or by modulating the activity of trans-acting factors. CNBP is required for proper neural crest and heart development, and plays a role in cell proliferation control. Besides, CNBP has been linked with neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and congenital diseases, as well as with tumor processes. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This review provides an insight into the growing functions of CNBP in cell biology. A unique and robust mechanistic or biochemical connection among these roles has yet not been elucidated. However, the ability of CNBP to dynamically integrate signaling pathways and to act as nucleic acid chaperone may explain most of the roles and functions identified so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Armas
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONIeCET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Esmeralda y Ocampo 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Coux
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONIeCET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Esmeralda y Ocampo 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andrea M J Weiner
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONIeCET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Esmeralda y Ocampo 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
| | - Nora B Calcaterra
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONIeCET), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Esmeralda y Ocampo 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina.
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9
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Wang Y, Yu Y, Pang Y, Yu H, Zhang W, Zhao X, Yu J. The distinct roles of zinc finger CCHC-type (ZCCHC) superfamily proteins in the regulation of RNA metabolism. RNA Biol 2021; 18:2107-2126. [PMID: 33787465 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1909320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The zinc finger CCHC-type (ZCCHC) superfamily proteins, characterized with the consensus sequence C-X2-C-X4-H-X4-C, are accepted to have high-affinity binding to single-stranded nucleic acids, especially single-stranded RNAs. In human beings 25 ZCCHC proteins have been annotated in the HGNC database. Of interest is that among the family, most members are involved in the multiple steps of RNA metabolism. In this review, we focus on the diverged roles of human ZCCHC proteins on RNA transcription, biogenesis, splicing, as well as translation and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yidan Pang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haojun Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianxiu Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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10
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CNBP Binds and Unfolds In Vitro G-Quadruplexes Formed in the SARS-CoV-2 Positive and Negative Genome Strands. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052614. [PMID: 33807682 PMCID: PMC7961906 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a global health emergency with no effective medical treatment and with incipient vaccines. It is caused by a new positive-sense RNA virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). G-quadruplexes (G4s) are nucleic acid secondary structures involved in the control of a variety of biological processes including viral replication. Using several G4 prediction tools, we identified highly putative G4 sequences (PQSs) within the positive-sense (+gRNA) and negative-sense (−gRNA) RNA strands of SARS-CoV-2 conserved in related betacoronaviruses. By using multiple biophysical techniques, we confirmed the formation of two G4s in the +gRNA and provide the first evidence of G4 formation by two PQSs in the −gRNA of SARS-CoV-2. Finally, biophysical and molecular approaches were used to demonstrate for the first time that CNBP, the main human cellular protein bound to SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome, binds and promotes the unfolding of G4s formed by both strands of SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome. Our results suggest that G4s found in SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome and its negative-sense replicative intermediates, as well as the cellular proteins that interact with them, are relevant factors for viral genes expression and replication cycle, and may constitute interesting targets for antiviral drugs development.
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11
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Ray S, Tillo D, Boer RE, Assad N, Barshai M, Wu G, Orenstein Y, Yang D, Schneekloth JS, Vinson C. Custom DNA Microarrays Reveal Diverse Binding Preferences of Proteins and Small Molecules to Thousands of G-Quadruplexes. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:925-935. [PMID: 32216326 PMCID: PMC7263473 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) containing four guanine repeats can form G-quadruplex (G4) structures. While cellular proteins and small molecules can bind G4s, it has been difficult to broadly assess their DNA-binding specificity. Here, we use custom DNA microarrays to examine the binding specificities of proteins, small molecules, and antibodies across ∼15,000 potential G4 structures. Molecules used include fluorescently labeled pyridostatin (Cy5-PDS, a small molecule), BG4 (Cy5-BG4, a G4-specific antibody), and eight proteins (GST-tagged nucleolin, IGF2, CNBP, FANCJ, PIF1, BLM, DHX36, and WRN). Cy5-PDS and Cy5-BG4 selectively bind sequences known to form G4s, confirming their formation on the microarrays. Cy5-PDS binding decreased when G4 formation was inhibited using lithium or when ssDNA features on the microarray were made double-stranded. Similar conditions inhibited the binding of all other molecules except for CNBP and PIF1. We report that proteins have different G4-binding preferences suggesting unique cellular functions. Finally, competition experiments are used to assess the binding specificity of an unlabeled small molecule, revealing the structural features in the G4 required to achieve selectivity. These data demonstrate that the microarray platform can be used to assess the binding preferences of molecules to G4s on a broad scale, helping to understand the properties that govern molecular recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert E. Boer
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Nima Assad
- Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
| | - Mira Barshai
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Guanhui Wu
- Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Yaron Orenstein
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Danzhou Yang
- Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - John S. Schneekloth
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Charles Vinson
- Laboratory of Metabolism, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
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12
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C1orf35 contributes to tumorigenesis by activating c-MYC transcription in multiple myeloma. Oncogene 2020; 39:3354-3366. [PMID: 32103167 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-1222-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clinically and biologically heterogenous event that accounts for approximately 10% of all hematological malignancies. Chromosome 1 open reading frame 35 (C1orf35) is a gene cloned and identified in our laboratory from a MM cell line (GenBank: AY137773), but little is known about its function. In the current study, we have confirmed that C1orf35 is a candidate oncogene, and it can promote cell cycle progression from G1 to S. Later, we found that C1orf35 is able to affect the cell proliferation by modulating the expression of c-MYC (v-myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog), and the oncogenic property of C1orf35 can be rescued by c-MYC inhibition. Herein, we found positive association between C1orf35 and c-MYC in MM patients and in MM cell lines. The correlation analysis of the genes coamplified in MM patients from GEO datasets showed a correlation between C1orf35 and c-MYC, and the expression data of different stages of plasma cell neoplasm acquired from GEO datasets showed that the expression of C1orf35 increase with the progression of the disease. This indicates that C1orf35 may play a role in the disease progression. Moreover, C1orf35 can modulate c-MYC expression and rescue c-MYC transcription inhibited by Act D. Finally, we have shown that C1orf35 activates c-MYC transcription by binding to the i-motif of Nuclease hypersensitivity element III1 (NHE III1) in the c-MYC promoter. Not only does our current study advance our knowledge of the pathogenesis and therapeutic landscape of MM, but also of other cancer types and diseases that are initiated with deregulated c-MYC transcription.
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13
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Guo Y, Wang Y, Ma Y, Chen G, Yue P, Li Y. Upregulation of lncRNA SUMO1P3 promotes proliferation, invasion and drug resistance in gastric cancer through interacting with the CNBP protein. RSC Adv 2020; 10:6006-6016. [PMID: 35497433 PMCID: PMC9049591 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra09497k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one type of the most common malignancies in the world. In the process of exploring the pathological mechanism of GC and searching for treatment methods, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) display significant participation. Small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 pseudogene 3 (SUMO1P3) is a newly identified lncRNA, of which the biological role and underlying mechanism in GC progression have not been elucidated. Here, through the comparisons between GC patients' tumor and normal tissue samples, as well as normal gastric mucosal and GC cell lines, we confirmed a significant upregulation of SUMO1P3 in GC tissues and cell lines. Meanwhile, significant upregulation of SUMO1P3 was observed in advanced GC patients, and patients with high level of SUMO1P3 displayed a poor survival rate. Next, gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed in GC cells, and the results exhibited that SUMO1P3 positively regulated proliferation and invasion of GC cells. Then, we constructed drug-resistant GC cell strains and explore the role of SUMO1P3 in the resistance of GC cells to cisplatin (DDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu). Finally, bioinformatics analysis and RNA pull-down assay demonstrated that SUMO1P3 could directly interact with cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP), thus positively regulating CNBP downstream oncogenes c-myc and cyclin D1 (CCND1). Our findings indicate that SUMO1P3 promotes proliferation, invasion and drug resistance of GC cells by interacting with CNBP, which reveals a potential prognostic biomarker and a novel therapeutic target for GC. Gastric cancer (GC) is one type of the most common malignancies in the world.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinmou Guo
- The First Ward
- Department of Oncology
- The First People's Hospital of Shangqiu City
- Shangqiu 476100
- China
| | - Yumei Wang
- Department of Pediatrics
- The First People's Hospital of Shangqiu City
- Shangqiu 476100
- China
| | - Yali Ma
- The First Ward
- Department of Oncology
- The First People's Hospital of Shangqiu City
- Shangqiu 476100
- China
| | - Gongbin Chen
- The First Ward
- Department of Oncology
- The First People's Hospital of Shangqiu City
- Shangqiu 476100
- China
| | - Peiru Yue
- The First Ward
- Department of Oncology
- The First People's Hospital of Shangqiu City
- Shangqiu 476100
- China
| | - Yang Li
- The First Ward
- Department of Oncology
- The First People's Hospital of Shangqiu City
- Shangqiu 476100
- China
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14
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David AP, Pipier A, Pascutti F, Binolfi A, Weiner AMJ, Challier E, Heckel S, Calsou P, Gomez D, Calcaterra NB, Armas P. CNBP controls transcription by unfolding DNA G-quadruplex structures. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:7901-7913. [PMID: 31219592 PMCID: PMC6735679 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Guanine-rich DNA strands can fold into non-canonical four-stranded secondary structures named G-quadruplexes (G4). Experimental evidences suggest that G4-DNA surrounding transcription start sites act as cis-regulatory elements by either stimulating or inhibiting gene transcription. Therefore, proteins able to target and regulate specific G4 formation/unfolding are crucial for G4-mediated transcriptional control. Here we present data revealing that CNBP acts in vitro as a G4-unfolding protein over a tetramolecular G4 formed by the TG4T oligonucleotide, as well as over the G4 folded in the promoters of several oncogenes. CNBP depletion in cellulo led to a reduction in the transcription of endogenous KRAS, suggesting a regulatory role of CNBP in relieving the transcriptional abrogation due to G4 formation. CNBP activity was also assayed over the evolutionary conserved G4 enhancing the transcription of NOGGIN (NOG) developmental gene. CNBP unfolded in vitro NOG G4 and experiments performed in cellulo and in vivo in developing zebrafish showed a repressive role of CNBP on the transcription of this gene by G4 unwinding. Our results shed light on the mechanisms underlying CNBP way of action, as well as reinforce the notion about the existence and function of G4s in whole living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldana P David
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, S2000EZP, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Angélique Pipier
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, UMR5089 CNRS-Université de Toulouse, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer 2018, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | - Federico Pascutti
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, S2000EZP, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andrés Binolfi
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, S2000EZP, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Andrea M J Weiner
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, S2000EZP, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Emilse Challier
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, S2000EZP, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Sofía Heckel
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, S2000EZP, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Patrick Calsou
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, UMR5089 CNRS-Université de Toulouse, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer 2018, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | - Dennis Gomez
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, UMR5089 CNRS-Université de Toulouse, Equipe Labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer 2018, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | - Nora B Calcaterra
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, S2000EZP, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Pablo Armas
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, S2000EZP, Rosario, Argentina
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15
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Developing Novel G-Quadruplex Ligands: from Interaction with Nucleic Acids to Interfering with Nucleic Acid⁻Protein Interaction. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24030396. [PMID: 30678288 PMCID: PMC6384609 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
G-quadruplex is a special secondary structure of nucleic acids in guanine-rich sequences of genome. G-quadruplexes have been proved to be involved in the regulation of replication, DNA damage repair, and transcription and translation of oncogenes or other cancer-related genes. Therefore, targeting G-quadruplexes has become a novel promising anti-tumor strategy. Different kinds of small molecules targeting the G-quadruplexes have been designed, synthesized, and identified as potential anti-tumor agents, including molecules directly bind to the G-quadruplex and molecules interfering with the binding between the G-quadruplex structures and related binding proteins. This review will explore the feasibility of G-quadruplex ligands acting as anti-tumor drugs, from basis to application. Meanwhile, since helicase is the most well-defined G-quadruplex-related protein, the most extensive research on the relationship between helicase and G-quadruplexes, and its meaning in drug design, is emphasized.
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16
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Armas P, Calcaterra NB. G-quadruplex in animal development: Contribution to gene expression and genomic heterogeneity. Mech Dev 2018; 154:64-72. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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17
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CNBP Homologues Gis2 and Znf9 Interact with a Putative G-Quadruplex-Forming 3' Untranslated Region, Altering Polysome Association and Stress Tolerance in Cryptococcus neoformans. mSphere 2018; 3:3/4/e00201-18. [PMID: 30089646 PMCID: PMC6083090 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00201-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress adaptation is fundamental to the success of Cryptococcus neoformans as a human pathogen and requires a reprogramming of the translating pool of mRNA. This reprogramming begins with the regulated degradation of mRNAs encoding the translational machinery. The mechanism by which these mRNAs are specified has not been determined. This study has identified a cis element within a G-quadruplex structure that binds two C. neoformans homologues of cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP). These proteins regulate the polysome association of the target mRNA but perform functions related to sterol homeostasis which appear independent of ribosomal protein mRNAs. The presence of two CNBP homologues in C. neoformans suggests a diversification of function of these proteins, one of which appears to regulate sterol biosynthesis and fluconazole sensitivity. In Cryptococcus neoformans, mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins (RP) are rapidly and specifically repressed during cellular stress, and the bulk of this repression is mediated by deadenylation-dependent mRNA decay. A motif-finding approach was applied to the 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of RP transcripts regulated by mRNA decay, and a single, significant motif, GGAUG, was identified. Znf9, a small zinc knuckle RNA binding protein identified by mass spectrometry, was found to interact specifically with the RPL2 3′-UTR probe. A second, homologous protein, Gis2, was identified in the genome of C. neoformans and also bound the 3′-UTR probe, and deletion of both genes resulted in loss of binding in cell extracts. The RPL2 3′ UTR contains four G-triplets (GGG) that have the potential to form a G-quadruplex, and temperature gradient gel electrophoresis revealed a potassium-dependent structure consistent with a G-quadruplex that was abrogated by mutation of G-triplets. However, deletion of G-triplets did not abrogate the binding of either Znf9 or Gis2, suggesting that these proteins either bind irrespective of structure or act to prevent structure formation. Deletion of both GIS2 and ZNF9 resulted in a modest increase in basal stability of the RPL2 mRNA which resulted in an association with higher-molecular-weight polysomes under unstressed conditions. The gis2Δ mutant and gis2Δ znf9Δ double mutant exhibited sensitivity to cobalt chloride, fluconazole, and oxidative stress, and although transcriptional induction of ERG25 was similar to that of the wild type, analysis of sterol content revealed repressed levels of sterols in the gis2Δ and gis2Δ znf9Δ double mutant, suggesting a role in translational regulation of sterol biosynthesis. IMPORTANCE Stress adaptation is fundamental to the success of Cryptococcus neoformans as a human pathogen and requires a reprogramming of the translating pool of mRNA. This reprogramming begins with the regulated degradation of mRNAs encoding the translational machinery. The mechanism by which these mRNAs are specified has not been determined. This study has identified a cis element within a G-quadruplex structure that binds two C. neoformans homologues of cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP). These proteins regulate the polysome association of the target mRNA but perform functions related to sterol homeostasis which appear independent of ribosomal protein mRNAs. The presence of two CNBP homologues in C. neoformans suggests a diversification of function of these proteins, one of which appears to regulate sterol biosynthesis and fluconazole sensitivity.
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18
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Albihlal WS, Gerber AP. Unconventional
RNA
‐binding proteins: an uncharted zone in
RNA
biology. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:2917-2931. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Waleed S. Albihlal
- Department of Microbial Sciences School of Biosciences and Medicine Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford UK
| | - André P. Gerber
- Department of Microbial Sciences School of Biosciences and Medicine Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Surrey Guildford UK
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19
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Zheng B, Yu J, Guo Y, Gao T, Shen C, Zhang X, Li H, Huang X. Cellular nucleic acid-binding protein is vital to testis development and spermatogenesis in mice. Reproduction 2018; 156:59-69. [PMID: 29743260 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP), also known as zinc finger protein 9, is a highly conserved zinc finger protein that is strikingly conserved among vertebrates. Data collected from lower vertebrates showed that CNBP is expressed at high levels and distributed in the testes during spermatogenesis. However, the location and function of CNBP in mammalian testes are not well known. Here, by neonatal mouse testis culture and spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) culture methods, we studied the effect of CNBP knockdown on neonatal testicular development. Our results revealed that CNBP was mainly located in the early germ cells and Sertoli cells. Knockdown of CNBP using morpholino in neonatal testis culture caused disruption of seminiferous tubules, mislocation of Sertoli cells and loss of germ cells, which were associated with the aberrant Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation. However, knockdown of CNBP in SSC culture did not affect the survival of germ cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that CNBP could maintain testicular development by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, particularly by influencing Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zheng
- Center for Reproduction and GeneticsSuzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China .,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyAffiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,The Affiliated Wuxi Matemity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityWuxi, China
| | - Tingting Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Center of Clinical Reproductive MedicineThe Affiliated Changzhou Matemity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Cong Shen
- Center for Reproduction and GeneticsSuzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Li
- Center for Reproduction and GeneticsSuzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineDepartment of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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20
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Cao L, Zhang P, Li J, Wu M. LAST, a c-Myc-inducible long noncoding RNA, cooperates with CNBP to promote CCND1 mRNA stability in human cells. eLife 2017; 6:30433. [PMID: 29199958 PMCID: PMC5739540 DOI: 10.7554/elife.30433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin D1 is a critical regulator of cell cycle progression and works at the G1 to S-phase transition. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of the novel c-Myc-regulated lncRNA LAST (LncRNA-Assisted Stabilization of Transcripts), which acts as a CCND1 mRNA stabilizer. Mechanistically, LAST was shown to cooperate with CNBP to bind to the 5′UTR of CCND1 mRNA to protect against possible nuclease targeting. In addition, data from CNBP RIP-seq and LAST RNA-seq showed that CCND1 mRNA might not be the only target of LAST and CNBP; three additional mRNAs were shown to be post-transcriptional targets of LAST and CNBP. In a xenograft model, depletion of LAST diminished and ectopic expression of LAST induced tumor formation, which are suggestive of its oncogenic function. We thus report a previously unknown lncRNA involved in the fine-tuned regulation of CCND1 mRNA stability, without which CCND1 exhibits, at most, partial expression. Cell division involves a series of steps in which the cell grows, duplicates its contents, and then divides into two. Together these steps are called the cell cycle, and the transition between each step must be controlled to make sure that events take place in the right order. Any loss of control can cause cells to divide in an unrestrained manner, which may lead to cancer. Proteins called cyclins control progression through the cell cycle. As such, these proteins need to be produced in the correct amounts and at the correct times. Transcription factors are proteins that switch genes on or off to help regulate how much protein is made from those genes. A transcription factor known as c-Myc regulates the expression of the genes that encode the cyclins. Among these genes, one called CCND1 is particularly important because it encodes a protein that controls a crucial transition in the cell cycle: it marks a ‘point of no return’, beyond which cells are committed to dividing. When a transcription factor switches on a gene, the gene gets copied into a molecule of messenger RNA, which is then translated into protein. But, cells also contain genes that do not code for proteins. Transcription factors can bind to such non-coding genes, leading to the production of so-called long non-coding RNAs (often abbreviated to lncRNAs). Many lncRNAs can affect the expression of other genes. Cao, Zhang et al. have now asked whether any lncRNAs regulate CCND1 in human cells. The analysis revealed that the transcription factor c-Myc promotes the expression of a previously unidentified lncRNA. Cao, Zhang et al. name this lncRNA LAST, which is officially short for LncRNA-assisted stabilization of transcripts, and show thatit makes the CCND1 messenger RNA more stable. In other words, it makes the messenger RNAs ‘last’ longer in the cell. This in turn, ensures that the cell cycle progresses in the correct manner, allowing cells to complete their division. In the absence of LAST, the CCND1 messenger RNA becomes unstable and as a result the cell cycle does not progress. Cao, Zhang et al. then explored the role of LAST in cancer cells. When human colon cancer cells that expressed LAST were implanted into mice, they formed tumors. Yet, reducing the expression of LAST in the colon cancer cells made the tumors grow slower. Future challenges will be to understand how LAST makes messenger RNAs stable and further explore its role in cancer. A better understanding of this molecule could reveal whether it can be used to help doctors diagnose or treat cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limian Cao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jinming Li
- Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mian Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, School of Life Sciences, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Translational Research Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
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21
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Benhalevy D, Gupta SK, Danan CH, Ghosal S, Sun HW, Kazemier HG, Paeschke K, Hafner M, Juranek SA. The Human CCHC-type Zinc Finger Nucleic Acid-Binding Protein Binds G-Rich Elements in Target mRNA Coding Sequences and Promotes Translation. Cell Rep 2017; 18:2979-2990. [PMID: 28329689 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.02.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The CCHC-type zinc finger nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP/ZNF9) is conserved in eukaryotes and is essential for embryonic development in mammals. It has been implicated in transcriptional, as well as post-transcriptional, gene regulation; however, its nucleic acid ligands and molecular function remain elusive. Here, we use multiple systems-wide approaches to identify CNBP targets and function. We used photoactivatable ribonucleoside-enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (PAR-CLIP) to identify 8,420 CNBP binding sites on 4,178 mRNAs. CNBP preferentially bound G-rich elements in the target mRNA coding sequences, most of which were previously found to form G-quadruplex and other stable structures in vitro. Functional analyses, including RNA sequencing, ribosome profiling, and quantitative mass spectrometry, revealed that CNBP binding did not influence target mRNA abundance but rather increased their translational efficiency. Considering that CNBP binding prevented G-quadruplex structure formation in vitro, we hypothesize that CNBP is supporting translation by resolving stable structures on mRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Benhalevy
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sanjay K Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Charles H Danan
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Suman Ghosal
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hong-Wei Sun
- Biostatistics and Datamining Section, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hinke G Kazemier
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Markus Hafner
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Stefan A Juranek
- Department of Biochemistry, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, the Netherlands.
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22
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Lee E, Lee TA, Kim JH, Park A, Ra EA, Kang S, Choi HJ, Choi JL, Huh HD, Lee JE, Lee S, Park B. CNBP acts as a key transcriptional regulator of sustained expression of interleukin-6. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:3280-3296. [PMID: 28168305 PMCID: PMC5389554 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription of inflammatory genes is an essential step in host defense activation. Here, we show that cellular nucleic acid-binding protein (CNBP) acts as a transcription regulator that is required for activating the innate immune response. We identified specific CNBP-binding motifs present in the promoter region of sustained inflammatory cytokines, thus, directly inducing the expression of target genes. In particular, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced cnbp expression through an NF-κB-dependent manner and a positive autoregulatory mechanism, which enables prolonged il-6 gene expression. This event depends strictly on LPS-induced CNBP nuclear translocation through phosphorylation-mediated dimerization. Consequently, cnbp-depleted zebrafish are highly susceptible to Shigella flexneri infection in vivo. Collectively, these observations identify CNBP as a key transcriptional regulator required for activating and maintaining the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunhye Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
- These authors contributed equally to the paper as first authors
| | - Taeyun A. Lee
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
- These authors contributed equally to the paper as first authors
| | - Ji Hyun Kim
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, South Korea
- These authors contributed equally to the paper as first authors
| | - Areum Park
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Eun A. Ra
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Sujin Kang
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Hyun jin Choi
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Junhee L. Choi
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Hyunbin D. Huh
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Ji Eun Lee
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 06351, South Korea
- Samsung Genome Institute (SGI), Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 06351, South Korea
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +82 2 2123 5655; Fax: +82 2 312 5657; . Correspondence may also be addressed to Ji Eun Lee. Tel: +82 2 3410 6129; Fax: +82 2 3410 0534; . Correspondence may also be addressed to Sungwook Lee. Tel: +82 31 920 2537; Fax: +82 31 920 2542;
| | - Sungwook Lee
- Cancer Immunology Branch, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 10408, South Korea
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +82 2 2123 5655; Fax: +82 2 312 5657; . Correspondence may also be addressed to Ji Eun Lee. Tel: +82 2 3410 6129; Fax: +82 2 3410 0534; . Correspondence may also be addressed to Sungwook Lee. Tel: +82 31 920 2537; Fax: +82 31 920 2542;
| | - Boyoun Park
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +82 2 2123 5655; Fax: +82 2 312 5657; . Correspondence may also be addressed to Ji Eun Lee. Tel: +82 2 3410 6129; Fax: +82 2 3410 0534; . Correspondence may also be addressed to Sungwook Lee. Tel: +82 31 920 2537; Fax: +82 31 920 2542;
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Gill RA, Ali B, Yang S, Tong C, Islam F, Gill MB, Mwamba TM, Ali S, Mao B, Liu S, Zhou W. Reduced Glutathione Mediates Pheno-Ultrastructure, Kinome and Transportome in Chromium-Induced Brassica napus L. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:2037. [PMID: 29312362 PMCID: PMC5732361 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.02037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Chromium (Cr) as a toxic metal is widely used for commercial purposes and its residues have become a potential environmental threat to both human and plant health. Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is one of the candidate plants that can absorb the considerable quantity of toxic metals from the soil. Here, we used two cultivars of B. napus cvs. ZS 758 (metal-tolerant) and Zheda 622 (metal-susceptible) to investigate the phenological attributes, cell ultrastructure, protein kinases (PKs) and molecular transporters (MTs) under the combined treatments of Cr stress and reduced glutathione (GSH). Seeds of these cultivars were grown in vitro at different treatments i.e., 0, 400 μM Cr, and 400 μM Cr + 1 mM GSH in control growth chamber for 6 days. Results had confirmed that Cr significantly reduced the plant length, stem and root, and fresh biomass such as leaf, stem and root. Cr noticeably caused the damages in leaf mesophyll cells. Exogenous application of GSH significantly recovered both phenological and cell structural damages in two cultivars under Cr stress. For the PKs, transcriptomic data advocated that Cr stress alone significantly increased the gene expressions of BnaA08g16610D, BnaCnng19320D, and BnaA08g00390D over that seen in controls (Ck). These genes encoded both nucleic acid and transition metal ion binding proteins, and protein kinase activity (PKA) and phosphotransferase activities in both cultivars. Similarly, the presence of Cr revealed elite MT genes [BnaA04g26560D, BnaA02g28130D, and BnaA02g01980D (novel)] that were responsible for water transmembrane transporter activity. However, GSH in combination with Cr stress significantly up-regulated the genes for PKs [such as BnaCnng69940D (novel) and BnaC08g49360D] that were related to PKA, signal transduction, and oxidoreductase activities. For MTs, BnaC01g29930D and BnaA07g14320D were responsible for secondary active transmembrane transporter and protein transporter activities that were expressed more in GSH treatment than either Ck or Cr-treated cells. In general, it can be concluded that cultivar ZS 758 is more tolerant toward Cr-induced stress than Zheda 622.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafaqat A. Gill
- Institute of Crop Science and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Basharat Ali
- Institute of Crop Science and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Su Yang
- Institute of Crop Science and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chaobo Tong
- Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Faisal Islam
- Institute of Crop Science and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Bilal Gill
- Institute of Crop Science and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Theodore M. Mwamba
- Institute of Crop Science and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Skhawat Ali
- Institute of Crop Science and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bizeng Mao
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengyi Liu
- Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Weijun Zhou
- Institute of Crop Science and Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Weijun Zhou
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A G-Rich Motif in the lncRNA Braveheart Interacts with a Zinc-Finger Transcription Factor to Specify the Cardiovascular Lineage. Mol Cell 2016; 64:37-50. [PMID: 27618485 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are an emerging class of transcripts that can modulate gene expression; however, their mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. Here, we experimentally determine the secondary structure of Braveheart (Bvht) using chemical probing methods and show that this ∼590 nt transcript has a modular fold. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of mouse embryonic stem cells, we find that deletion of 11 nt in a 5' asymmetric G-rich internal loop (AGIL) of Bvht (bvhtdAGIL) dramatically impairs cardiomyocyte differentiation. We demonstrate a specific interaction between AGIL and cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP/ZNF9), a zinc-finger protein known to bind single-stranded G-rich sequences. We further show that CNBP deletion partially rescues the bvhtdAGIL mutant phenotype by restoring differentiation capacity. Together, our work shows that Bvht functions with CNBP through a well-defined RNA motif to regulate cardiovascular lineage commitment, opening the door for exploring broader roles of RNA structure in development and disease.
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Nicosia A, Costa S, Tagliavia M, Maggio T, Salamone M, Adamo G, Ragusa MA, Bennici C, Masullo T, Mazzola S, Gianguzza F, Cuttitta A. The nucleic acid-binding protein PcCNBP is transcriptionally regulated during the immune response in red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Cell Stress Chaperones 2016; 21:535-46. [PMID: 26939892 PMCID: PMC4837176 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-016-0681-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene family encoding cellular nucleic acid binding proteins (CNBP) is well conserved among vertebrates; however, there is limited knowledge in lower organisms. In this study, a CNBP homolog from the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii was characterised. The full-length cDNA of PcCNBP was of 1257 bp with a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 63 bp and a 3'-UTR of 331 bp with a poly (A) tail, and an open-reading frame (ORF) of 864 bp encoding a polypeptide of 287 amino acids with the predicted molecular weight of about 33 kDa. The predicted protein possesses 7 tandem repeats of 14 amino acids containing the CCHC zinc finger consensus sequence, two RGG-rich single-stranded RNA-binding domain and a nuclear localization signal, strongly suggesting that PcCNBP was a homolog of vertebrate CNBP. The PcCNBP transcript was constitutively expressed in all tested tissues of unchallenged crayfish, including hepatopancreas, gill, eyestalk, haemocytes, intestine, stomach and cuticle with highest expression in haemocytes, intestine, gills and hepatopancreas. The mRNA expression of PcCNBP in haemocytes was modulated at transcriptional level by different immune challenges, suggesting its involvement in the immune response of P. clarkii during both bacteria and viruses infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Nicosia
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, National Research Council-Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment (IAMC-CNR) Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Torretta Granitola, Trapani, Sicily, Italy
| | - Salvatore Costa
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Marcello Tagliavia
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, National Research Council-Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment (IAMC-CNR) Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Torretta Granitola, Trapani, Sicily, Italy
| | - Teresa Maggio
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research-ISPRA, Palermo, 90143, Italy
| | - Monica Salamone
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, National Research Council-Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment (IAMC-CNR) Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Torretta Granitola, Trapani, Sicily, Italy
| | - Giorgia Adamo
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Ragusa
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Carmelo Bennici
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, National Research Council-Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment (IAMC-CNR) Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Torretta Granitola, Trapani, Sicily, Italy
| | - Tiziana Masullo
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, National Research Council-Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment (IAMC-CNR) Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Torretta Granitola, Trapani, Sicily, Italy
| | - Salvatore Mazzola
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, National Research Council-Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment (IAMC-CNR) Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Torretta Granitola, Trapani, Sicily, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gianguzza
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Angela Cuttitta
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Biotechnology, National Research Council-Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment (IAMC-CNR) Detached Unit of Capo Granitola, Torretta Granitola, Trapani, Sicily, Italy.
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26
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A targeted oligonucleotide enhancer of SMN2 exon 7 splicing forms competing quadruplex and protein complexes in functional conditions. Cell Rep 2014; 9:193-205. [PMID: 25263560 PMCID: PMC4536295 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.08.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of oligonucleotides to activate the splicing of selected exons is limited by a poor understanding of the mechanisms affected. A targeted bifunctional oligonucleotide enhancer of splicing (TOES) anneals to SMN2 exon 7 and carries an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) sequence. We show that it stimulates splicing specifically of intron 6 in the presence of repressing sequences in intron 7. Complementarity to the 5' end of exon 7 increases U2AF65 binding, but the ESE sequence is required for efficient recruitment of U2 snRNP. The ESE forms at least three coexisting discrete states: a quadruplex, a complex containing only hnRNP F/H, and a complex enriched in the activator SRSF1. Neither hnRNP H nor quadruplex formation contributes to ESE activity. The results suggest that splicing limited by weak signals can be rescued by rapid exchange of TOES oligonucleotides in various complexes and raise the possibility that SR proteins associate transiently with ESEs.
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Qiu J, Chen S, Su L, Liu J, Xiao N, Ou TM, Tan JH, Gu LQ, Huang ZS, Li D. Cellular nucleic acid binding protein suppresses tumor cell metastasis and induces tumor cell death by downregulating heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K in fibrosarcoma cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2014; 1840:2244-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2014.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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28
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Wei HM, Hu HH, Chang GY, Lee YJ, Li YC, Chang HH, Li C. Arginine methylation of the cellular nucleic acid binding protein does not affect its subcellular localization but impedes RNA binding. FEBS Lett 2014; 588:1542-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2014.03.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Antonucci L, D'Amico D, Di Magno L, Coni S, Di Marcotullio L, Cardinali B, Gulino A, Ciapponi L, Canettieri G. CNBP regulates wing development in Drosophila melanogaster by promoting IRES-dependent translation of dMyc. Cell Cycle 2013; 13:434-9. [PMID: 24275942 DOI: 10.4161/cc.27268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CCHC-type zinc finger nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) is a small conserved protein, which plays a key role in development and disease. Studies in animal models have shown that the absence of CNBP results in severe developmental defects that have been mostly attributed to its ability to regulate c-myc mRNA expression. Functionally, CNBP binds single-stranded nucleic acids and acts as a molecular chaperone, thus regulating both transcription and translation. In this work we report that in Drosophila melanogaster, CNBP is an essential gene, whose absence causes early embryonic lethality. In contrast to what observed in other species, ablation of CNBP does not affect dMyc mRNA expression, whereas the protein levels are markedly reduced. We demonstrate for the first time that dCNBP regulates dMyc translation through an IRES-dependent mechanism, and that knockdown of dCNBP in the wing territory causes a general reduction of wing size, in keeping with the reported role of dMyc in this region. Consistently, reintroduction of dMyc in CNBP-deficient wing imaginal discs rescues the wing size, further supporting a key role of the CNBP-Myc axis in this context. Collectively, these data show a previously uncharacterized mechanism, whereby, by regulating dMyc IRES-dependent translation, CNBP controls Drosophila wing development. These results may have relevant implications in other species and in pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Antonucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy; Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti; Rome, Italy
| | - Davide D'Amico
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Di Magno
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy; Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti; Rome, Italy
| | - Sonia Coni
- Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti; Rome, Italy; CNRS UMR 7277; INSERM 1091; Institut de Biologie de Valrose (iBV); Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis; Nice, France
| | | | - Beatrice Cardinali
- Cellular Biology and Neurobiology Institute; IBCN; National Research Council; Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Gulino
- Department of Molecular Medicine; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy; Istituto Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti; Rome, Italy; Neuromed Institute; Pozzilli, Italy; Center for Life NanoScience at LaSapienza; Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia; Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ciapponi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies; Sapienza University; Rome, Italy
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Challier E, Lisa MN, Nerli BB, Calcaterra NB, Armas P. Novel high-performance purification protocol of recombinant CNBP suitable for biochemical and biophysical characterization. Protein Expr Purif 2013; 93:23-31. [PMID: 24161561 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) is a highly conserved multi-zinc knuckle protein that enhances c-MYC expression, is related to certain human muscular diseases and is required for proper rostral head development. CNBP binds to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and RNA and acts as nucleic acid chaperone. Despite the advances made concerning CNBP biological roles, a full knowledge about the structure-function relationship has not yet been achieved, likely due to difficulty in obtaining pure and tag-free CNBP. Here, we report a fast, simple, reproducible, and high-performance expression and purification protocol that provides recombinant tag-free CNBP from Escherichia coli cultures. We determined that tag-free CNBP binds its molecular targets with higher affinity than tagged-CNBP. Furthermore, fluorescence spectroscopy revealed the presence of a unique and conserved tryptophan, which is exposed to the solvent and involved, directly or indirectly, in nucleic acid binding. Size-exclusion HPLC revealed that CNBP forms homodimers independently of nucleic acid binding and coexist with monomers as non-interconvertible forms or in slow equilibrium. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that CNBP has a secondary structure dominated by random-coil and β-sheet coincident with the sequence-predicted repetitive zinc knuckles motifs, which folding is required for CNBP structural stability and biochemical activity. CNBP structural stability increased in the presence of single-stranded nucleic acid targets similar to other unstructured nucleic acid chaperones. Altogether, data suggest that CNBP is a flexible protein with interspersed structured zinc knuckles, and acquires a more rigid structure upon nucleic acid binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilse Challier
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, CCT-Rosario, Ocampo y Esmeralda, S2000FHQ Rosario, Argentina
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Mechanistic studies for the role of cellular nucleic-acid-binding protein (CNBP) in regulation of c-myc transcription. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2013; 1830:4769-77. [PMID: 23774591 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2013] [Revised: 06/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guanine-rich sequence of c-myc nuclease hypersensitive element (NHE) III1 is known to fold in G-quadruplex and subsequently serves as a transcriptional silencer. Cellular nucleic-acid-binding protein (CNBP), a highly conserved zinc-finger protein with multiple biological functions, could bind to c-myc NHE III1 region, specifically to the single strand G-rich sequence. METHODS In the present study, a variety of methods, including cloning, expression and purification of protein, EMSA, CD, FRET, Ch-IP, RNA interference, luciferase reporter assay, SPR, co-immunoprecipitation, and co-transfection, were applied to investigate the mechanism for the role of CNBP in regulating c-myc transcription. RESULTS We found that human CNBP specifically bound to the G-rich sequence of c-myc NHE III1 region both in vitro and in cellulo, and subsequently promoted the formation of G-quadruplex. CNBP could induce a transient decrease followed by an increase in c-myc transcription in vivo. The interaction of CNBP with NM23-H2 was responsible for the increase of c-myc transcription. CONCLUSIONS Based on above experimental results, a new mechanism, involving G-quadruplex related CNBP/NM23-H2 interaction, for the regulation of c-myc transcription was proposed. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE These findings indicated that the regulation of c-myc transcription through NHE III1 region might be governed by mechanisms involving complex protein-protein interactions, and suggested a new possibility of CNBP as a potential anti-cancer target based on CNBP's biological function in c-myc transcription.
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Armas P, Margarit E, Mouguelar VS, Allende ML, Calcaterra NB. Beyond the binding site: in vivo identification of tbx2, smarca5 and wnt5b as molecular targets of CNBP during embryonic development. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63234. [PMID: 23667590 PMCID: PMC3646763 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2012] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CNBP is a nucleic acid chaperone implicated in vertebrate craniofacial development, as well as in myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) and sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) human muscle diseases. CNBP is highly conserved among vertebrates and has been implicated in transcriptional regulation; however, its DNA binding sites and molecular targets remain elusive. The main goal of this work was to identify CNBP DNA binding sites that might reveal target genes involved in vertebrate embryonic development. To accomplish this, we used a recently described yeast one-hybrid assay to identify DNA sequences bound in vivo by CNBP. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that these sequences are G-enriched and show high frequency of putative G-quadruplex DNA secondary structure. Moreover, an in silico approach enabled us to establish the CNBP DNA-binding site and to predict CNBP putative targets based on gene ontology terms and synexpression with CNBP. The direct interaction between CNBP and candidate genes was proved by EMSA and ChIP assays. Besides, the role of CNBP upon the identified genes was validated in loss-of-function experiments in developing zebrafish. We successfully confirmed that CNBP up-regulates tbx2b and smarca5, and down-regulates wnt5b gene expression. The highly stringent strategy used in this work allowed us to identify new CNBP target genes functionally important in different contexts of vertebrate embryonic development. Furthermore, it represents a novel approach toward understanding the biological function and regulatory networks involving CNBP in the biology of vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Armas
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, (S2000FHQ) Rosario, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Margarit
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, (S2000FHQ) Rosario, Argentina
| | - Valeria S. Mouguelar
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, (S2000FHQ) Rosario, Argentina
| | - Miguel L. Allende
- FONDAP Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nora B. Calcaterra
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Ocampo y Esmeralda, (S2000FHQ) Rosario, Argentina
- * E-mail:
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Vummidi BR, Alzeer J, Luedtke NW. Fluorescent Probes for G-Quadruplex Structures. Chembiochem 2013; 14:540-58. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201200612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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34
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Fekete A, Kenesi E, Hunyadi-Gulyas E, Durgo H, Berko B, Dunai ZA, Bauer PI. The guanine-quadruplex structure in the human c-myc gene's promoter is converted into B-DNA form by the human poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42690. [PMID: 22880082 PMCID: PMC3412819 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The important regulatory role of the guanine-quadruplex (GQ) structure, present in the nuclease hypersensitive element (NHE) III1 region of the human c-myc (h c-myc) gene's promoter, in the regulation of the transcription of that gene has been documented. Here we present evidences, that the human nuclear poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (h PARP-1) protein participates in the regulation of the h c-myc gene expression through its interaction with this GQ structure, characterized by binding assays, fluorescence energy transfer (FRET) experiments and by affinity pull-down experiments in vitro, and by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR analysis and h c-myc-promoter-luciferase reporter determinations in vivo. We surmise that h PARP-1 binds to the GQ structure and participates in the conversion of that structure into the transcriptionally more active B-DNA form. The first Zn-finger structure present in h PARP-1 participates in this interaction. PARP-1 might be a new member of the group of proteins participating in the regulation of transcription through their interactions with GQ structures present in the promoters of different genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fekete
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Erzsebet Kenesi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eva Hunyadi-Gulyas
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Science, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Hajnalka Durgo
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Science, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Barbara Berko
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna A. Dunai
- Department of Pathogenetics, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pal I. Bauer
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of craniofacial development, and mutations in the TCOF1 gene are responsible for over 90% of TCS cases. The knowledge about the molecular mechanisms responsible for this syndrome is relatively scant, probably due to the difficulty of reproducing the pathology in experimental animals. Zebrafish is an emerging model for human disease studies, and we therefore assessed it as a model for studying TCS. We identified in silico the putative zebrafish TCOF1 ortholog and cloned the corresponding cDNA. The derived polypeptide shares the main structural domains found in mammals and amphibians. Tcof1 expression is restricted to the anterior-most regions of zebrafish developing embryos, similar to what happens in mouse embryos. Tcof1 loss-of-function resulted in fish showing phenotypes similar to those observed in TCS patients, and enabled a further characterization of the mechanisms underlying craniofacial malformation. Besides, we initiated the identification of potential molecular targets of treacle in zebrafish. We found that Tcof1 loss-of-function led to a decrease in the expression of cellular proliferation and craniofacial development. Together, results presented here strongly suggest that it is possible to achieve fish with TCS-like phenotype by knocking down the expression of the TCOF1 ortholog in zebrafish. This experimental condition may facilitate the study of the disease etiology during embryonic development.
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Calcaterra NB, Armas P, Weiner AMJ, Borgognone M. CNBP: a multifunctional nucleic acid chaperone involved in cell death and proliferation control. IUBMB Life 2011; 62:707-14. [PMID: 20960530 DOI: 10.1002/iub.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) has been implicated in vertebrate craniofacial development and in myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) and sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) human diseases. In these seemingly unrelated biological processes, CNBP appears to be involved in controlling cell death and proliferation rates. Low levels of CNBP may reduce rate of global protein synthesis, thereby reducing proliferation and increasing apoptosis. Conversely, CNBP might affect transcription of genes required for cell proliferation. Experimental evidences gathered so far make it difficult to ascertain or rule out any of these possibilities. Moreover, both possibilities may not be mutually exclusive. CNBP is a small and strikingly conserved single-stranded nucleic acid binding protein that is able to bind DNA as well as RNA. CNBP has a broad spectrum of targets, ranging from regulatory sites in gene promoters to translational regulatory elements in mRNA untranslated regions. Biochemical experiments have recently shed light on the possible mechanism of action for CNBP, which may act as a nucleic acid chaperone catalyzing the rearrangement of G-rich nucleic acid secondary structures likely relevant for transcriptional and/or translational gene regulation. This review focuses on the involvement of CNBP in vertebrate craniofacial development and human DM2 and sIBM diseases, as well as on the biochemical and structural features of CNBP and its cellular and molecular mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora B Calcaterra
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas- Área Biología General, Dpto. de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK-Rosario, Argentina.
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Sissi C, Gatto B, Palumbo M. The evolving world of protein-G-quadruplex recognition: a medicinal chemist's perspective. Biochimie 2011; 93:1219-30. [PMID: 21549174 PMCID: PMC7126356 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2011.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The physiological and pharmacological role of nucleic acids structures folded into the non canonical G-quadruplex conformation have recently emerged. Their activities are targeted at vital cellular processes including telomere maintenance, regulation of transcription and processing of the pre-messenger or telomeric RNA. In addition, severe conditions like cancer, fragile X syndrome, Bloom syndrome, Werner syndrome and Fanconi anemia J are related to genomic defects that involve G-quadruplex forming sequences. In this connection G-quadruplex recognition and processing by nucleic acid directed proteins and enzymes represents a key event to activate or deactivate physiological or pathological pathways. In this review we examine protein-G-quadruplex recognition in physiologically significant conditions and discuss how to possibly exploit the interactions' selectivity for targeted therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sissi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, Padua, Italy
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Scherrer T, Femmer C, Schiess R, Aebersold R, Gerber AP. Defining potentially conserved RNA regulons of homologous zinc-finger RNA-binding proteins. Genome Biol 2011; 12:R3. [PMID: 21232131 PMCID: PMC3091301 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2011-12-1-r3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2010] [Revised: 11/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/13/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Glucose inhibition of gluconeogenic growth suppressor 2 protein (Gis2p) and zinc-finger protein 9 (ZNF9) are conserved yeast and human zinc-finger proteins. The function of yeast Gis2p is unknown, but human ZNF9 has been reported to bind nucleic acids, and mutations in the ZNF9 gene cause the neuromuscular disease myotonic dystrophy type 2. To explore the impact of these proteins on RNA regulation, we undertook a systematic analysis of the RNA targets and of the global implications for gene expression. Results Hundreds of mRNAs were associated with Gis2p, mainly coding for RNA processing factors, chromatin modifiers and GTPases. Target mRNAs contained stretches of G(A/U)(A/U) trinucleotide repeats located in coding sequences, which are sufficient for binding to both Gis2p and ZNF9, thus implying strong structural conservation. Predicted ZNF9 targets belong to the same functional categories as seen in yeast, indicating functional conservation, which is further supported by complementation of the large cell-size phenotype of gis2 mutants with ZNF9. We further applied a matched-sample proteome-transcriptome analysis suggesting that Gis2p differentially coordinates expression of RNA regulons, primarily by reducing mRNA and protein levels of genes required for ribosome assembly and by selectively up-regulating protein levels of myosins. Conclusions This integrated systematic exploration of RNA targets for homologous RNA-binding proteins indicates an unexpectedly high conservation of the RNA-binding properties and of potential targets, thus predicting conserved RNA regulons. We also predict regulation of muscle-specific genes by ZNF9, adding a potential link to the myotonic dystrophy related phenotypes seen in ZNF9 mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Scherrer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
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Niedowicz DM, Beckett TL, Holler CJ, Weidner AM, Murphy MP. APP(DeltaNL695) expression in murine tissue downregulates CNBP expression. Neurosci Lett 2010; 482:57-61. [PMID: 20621159 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2010.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2010] [Revised: 06/18/2010] [Accepted: 07/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The cellular nucleic acid binding protein (CNBP) is a ubiquitously expressed protein involved in regulation of transcription and translation. CNBP, and its encoding gene ZNF9, have been shown to be involved in type 2 myotonic dystrophy. Both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) are age-related degenerative diseases associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid. Overexpression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in mice has been used to generate models of both diseases. We show here that overexpression of APP in skeletal muscle from a mouse model of sIBM reduces the expression of CNBP significantly. We examined CNBP expression in a brain-specific APP-overexpressing strain, and a whole body APP knock-in strain, and found that there was a reduction in CNBP expression in tissue expressing APP(Swe). We conclude that expression of APP(Swe) in murine tissue induces a decrease in CNBP expression. This effect does not appear to be due to alterations in CNBP transcription. APP(Swe) expression may provide a tool for the study of CNBP regulation and clues to the roles of both proteins in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana M Niedowicz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Cellular nucleic-acid-binding protein, a transcriptional enhancer of c-Myc, promotes the formation of parallel G-quadruplexes. Biochem J 2010; 428:491-8. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
G-rich sequences that contain stretches of tandem guanines can form four-stranded, intramolecular stable DNA structures called G-quadruplexes (termed G4s). Regulation of the equilibrium between single-stranded and G4 DNA in promoter regions is essential for control of gene expression in the cell. G4s are highly stable structures; however, their folding kinetics are slow under physiological conditions. CNBP (cellular nucleic-acid-binding protein) is a nucleic acid chaperone that binds the G4-forming G-rich sequence located within the NHE (nuclease hypersensitivity element) III of the c-Myc proto-oncogene promoter. Several reports have demonstrated that CNBP enhances the transcription of c-Myc in vitro and in vivo; however, none of these reports have assessed the molecular mechanisms responsible for this control. In the present study, by means of Taq polymerase stop assays, electrophoretic mobility-shift assays and CD spectroscopy, we show that CNBP promotes the formation of parallel G4s to the detriment of anti-parallel G4s, and its nucleic acid chaperone activity is required for this effect. These findings are the first to implicate CNBP as a G4-folding modulator and, furthermore, assign CNBP a novel mode-of-action during c-Myc transcriptional regulation.
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Abstract
c-MYC is an important regulator of a wide array of cellular processes necessary for normal cell growth and differentiation, and its dysregulation is one of the hallmarks of many cancers. Consequently, understanding c-MYC transcriptional activation is critical for understanding developmental and cancer biology, as well as for the development of new anticancer drugs. The nuclease hypersensitive element (NHE) III(1) region of the c-MYC promoter has been shown to be particularly important in regulating c-MYC expression. Specifically, the formation of a G-quadruplex structure appears to promote repression of c-MYC transcription. This review focuses on what is known about the formation of a G-quadruplex in the NHE III(1) region of the c-MYC promoter, as well as on those factors that are known to modulate its formation. Last, we discuss the development of small molecules that stabilize or induce the formation of G-quadruplex structures and could potentially be used as anticancer agents.
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Weiner AM, Allende ML, Calcaterra NB. Zebrafishcnbpintron1 plays a fundamental role in controlling spatiotemporal gene expression during embryonic development. J Cell Biochem 2009; 108:1364-75. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Tuomela S, Rautajoki KJ, Moulder R, Nyman TA, Lahesmaa R. Identification of novel Stat6 regulated proteins in IL-4-treated mouse lymphocytes. Proteomics 2009; 9:1087-98. [PMID: 19180534 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200800161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin 4 (IL-4) has an indispensable role in the differentiation of naive T helper (Th) cells toward the Th2 phenotype and induction of B cells to produce the IgE class of Igs. By regulating these two cell types, IL-4 has a pre-eminent role in regulation of allergic inflammation. IL-4-mediated regulation of T and B cell functions is largely transmitted through signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6). In this study, we have used metabolic labeling and 2-D electrophoresis to detect differences in the proteomes of IL-4 stimulated spleen mononuclear cells of Stat6-/- and wild type mice and MS/MS for protein identification. With this methodology, we identified 49 unique proteins from 21 protein spots to be differentially expressed. Interestingly, in Stat6-/- CD4(+) cells the expression of isoform 2 of core binding factor b (CBFb2) was enhanced. CBFb is a non-DNA binding cofactor for the Runx family of transcription factors, which have been implicated in regulation of Th cell differentiation. We also found cellular nucleic acid protein (CNBP) to be downregulated in Stat6-/- cells. None of the proteins identified in this study have previously been reported to be regulated via Stat6. The results highlight the importance of exploiting proteomics tools to complement the studies on Stat6 target genes identified through transcriptional profiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soile Tuomela
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
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Armas P, Agüero TH, Borgognone M, Aybar MJ, Calcaterra NB. Dissecting CNBP, a zinc-finger protein required for neural crest development, in its structural and functional domains. J Mol Biol 2008; 382:1043-56. [PMID: 18703071 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.07.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2008] [Revised: 07/25/2008] [Accepted: 07/28/2008] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cellular nucleic-acid-binding protein (CNBP) plays an essential role in forebrain and craniofacial development by controlling cell proliferation and survival to mediate neural crest expansion. CNBP binds to single-stranded nucleic acids and displays nucleic acid chaperone activity in vitro. The CNBP family shows a conserved modular organization of seven Zn knuckles and an arginine-glycine-glycine (RGG) box between the first and second Zn knuckles. The participation of these structural motifs in CNBP biochemical activities has still not been addressed. Here, we describe the generation of CNBP mutants that dissect the protein into regions with structurally and functionally distinct properties. Mutagenesis approaches were followed to generate: (i) an amino acid replacement that disrupted the fifth Zn knuckle; (ii) N-terminal deletions that removed the first Zn knuckle and the RGG box, or the RGG box alone; and (iii) a C-terminal deletion that eliminated the three last Zn knuckles. Mutant proteins were overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and used to analyze their biochemical features in vitro, or overexpressed in Xenopus laevis embryos to study their function in vivo during neural crest cell development. We found that the Zn knuckles are required, but not individually essential, for CNBP biochemical activities, whereas the RGG box is essential for RNA-protein binding and nucleic acid chaperone activity. Removal of the RGG box allowed CNBP to preserve a weak single-stranded-DNA-binding capability. A mutant mimicking the natural N-terminal proteolytic CNBP form behaved as the RGG-deleted mutant. By gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments in Xenopus embryos, we confirmed the participation of CNBP in neural crest development, and we demonstrated that the CNBP mutants lacking the N-terminal region or the RGG box alone may act as dominant negatives in vivo. Based on these data, we speculate about the existence of a specific proteolytic mechanism for the regulation of CNBP biochemical activities during neural crest development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Armas
- División Biología del Desarrollo, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2002LRK Rosario, Argentina
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