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Ma J, Liu L, Yang H, Wan Y, Zhang Y, Wang F. Melatonin regulates the antioxidant capacity of sheep granulosa cells through a novel uORF-Nrf2aa mediated Nrf2/KEAP1 pathway. Life Sci 2024; 349:122693. [PMID: 38710277 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122693] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Ovarian dysfunction stands as a prevalent contributor to female infertility, with its etiology intertwined with genetic, autoimmune, and environmental factors. Within the ovarian follicles, granulosa cells (GCs) represent the predominant cell population. Alterations in GCs, notably oxidative stress (OS) and the consequential surge in reactive oxygen species (ROS), play pivotal roles in the orchestration of ovarian function. Nrf2aa, a newly identified upstream open reading frame (uORF), is situated within the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) of sheep Nrf2 mRNA and is regulated by melatonin, a crucial intrafollicular antioxidant. In this study, we have noted that Nrf2aa has the capacity to encode a peptide and exerts a negative regulatory effect on the translation efficiency (TE) of the Nrf2 CDs region. Further in vitro experiments, we observed that interfering with Nrf2aa can enhance the cellular functionality of GCs under 3-np-induced oxidative stress, while overexpressing Nrf2aa has the opposite effect. Furthermore, overexpression of Nrf2aa counteracts the rescuing effect of melatonin on the cellular functions of GCs under oxidative stress conditions, including estrogen secretion, proliferation, apoptosis, and many more. Finally, we confirmed that Nrf2aa, by regulating the expression of key proteins in the Nrf2/KEAP1 signaling pathway, further modulates the antioxidant levels in GCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyu Ma
- Institute of Sheep and Goat Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Institute of Sheep and Goat Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Institute of Sheep and Goat Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongjie Wan
- Institute of Sheep and Goat Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Institute of Sheep and Goat Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Institute of Sheep and Goat Science, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
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2
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Akirtava C, May G, McManus CJ. Deciphering the cis-regulatory landscape of natural yeast Transcript Leaders. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.03.601937. [PMID: 39005336 PMCID: PMC11245039 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.03.601937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Protein synthesis is a vital process that is highly regulated at the initiation step of translation. Eukaryotic 5' transcript leaders (TLs) contain a variety of cis-regulatory features that influence translation and mRNA stability. However, the relative influences of these features in natural TLs are poorly characterized. To address this, we used massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) to quantify RNA levels, ribosome loading, and protein levels from 11,027 natural yeast TLs in vivo and systematically compared the relative impacts of their sequence features on gene expression. We found that yeast TLs influence gene expression over two orders of magnitude. While a leaky scanning model using Kozak contexts and uAUGs explained half of the variance in expression across transcript leaders, the addition of other features explained ~70% of gene expression variation. Our analyses detected key cis-acting sequence features, quantified their effects in vivo, and compared their roles to motifs reported from an in vitro study of ribosome recruitment. In addition, our work quantitated the effects of alternative transcription start site usage on gene expression in yeast. Thus, our study provides new quantitative insights into the roles of TL cis-acting sequences in regulating gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Akirtava
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado - Anshutz, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Gemma May
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - C Joel McManus
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Computational Biology Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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3
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Fernandez SG, Ferguson L, Ingolia NT. Ribosome rescue factor PELOTA modulates translation start site choice for C/EBPα protein isoforms. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302501. [PMID: 38803235 PMCID: PMC11109482 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Translation initiation at alternative start sites can dynamically control the synthesis of two or more functionally distinct protein isoforms from a single mRNA. Alternate isoforms of the developmental transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα) produced from different start sites exert opposing effects during myeloid cell development. This choice between alternative start sites depends on sequence features of the CEBPA transcript, including a regulatory uORF, but the molecular basis is not fully understood. Here, we identify the factors that affect C/EBPα isoform choice using a sensitive and quantitative two-color fluorescent reporter coupled with CRISPRi screening. Our screen uncovered a role of the ribosome rescue factor PELOTA (PELO) in promoting the expression of the longer C/EBPα isoform by directly removing inhibitory unrecycled ribosomes and through indirect effects mediated by the mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase. Our work uncovers further links between ribosome recycling and translation reinitiation that regulate a key transcription factor, with implications for normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha G Fernandez
- https://ror.org/01an7q238 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Lucas Ferguson
- https://ror.org/01an7q238 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- https://ror.org/01an7q238 Center for Computational Biology and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas T Ingolia
- https://ror.org/01an7q238 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- https://ror.org/01an7q238 Center for Computational Biology and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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4
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Beaumont RN, Hawkes G, Gunning AC, Wright CF. Clustering of predicted loss-of-function variants in genes linked with monogenic disease can explain incomplete penetrance. Genome Med 2024; 16:64. [PMID: 38671509 PMCID: PMC11046769 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01333-4] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic variants that severely alter protein products (e.g. nonsense, frameshift) are often associated with disease. For some genes, these predicted loss-of-function variants (pLoFs) are observed throughout the gene, whilst in others, they occur only at specific locations. We hypothesised that, for genes linked with monogenic diseases that display incomplete penetrance, pLoF variants present in apparently unaffected individuals may be limited to regions where pLoFs are tolerated. To test this, we investigated whether pLoF location could explain instances of incomplete penetrance of variants expected to be pathogenic for Mendelian conditions. METHODS We used exome sequence data in 454,773 individuals in the UK Biobank (UKB) to investigate the locations of pLoFs in a population cohort. We counted numbers of unique pLoF, missense, and synonymous variants in UKB in each quintile of the coding sequence (CDS) of all protein-coding genes and clustered the variants using Gaussian mixture models. We limited the analyses to genes with ≥ 5 variants of each type (16,473 genes). We compared the locations of pLoFs in UKB with all theoretically possible pLoFs in a transcript, and pathogenic pLoFs from ClinVar, and performed simulations to estimate the false-positive rate of non-uniformly distributed variants. RESULTS For most genes, all variant classes fell into clusters representing broadly uniform variant distributions, but genes in which haploinsufficiency causes developmental disorders were less likely to have uniform pLoF distribution than other genes (P < 2.2 × 10-6). We identified a number of genes, including ARID1B and GATA6, where pLoF variants in the first quarter of the CDS were rescued by the presence of an alternative translation start site and should not be reported as pathogenic. For other genes, such as ODC1, pLoFs were located approximately uniformly across the gene, but pathogenic pLoFs were clustered only at the end, consistent with a gain-of-function disease mechanism. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest the potential benefits of localised constraint metrics and that the location of pLoF variants should be considered when interpreting variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin N Beaumont
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
| | - Gareth Hawkes
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Adam C Gunning
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
- Exeter Genomics Laboratory, Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Caroline F Wright
- Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
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5
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Shepelev NM, Kurochkina AO, Dontsova OA, Rubtsova MP. PRPF19 mRNA Encodes a Small Open Reading Frame That Is Important for Viability of Human Cells. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2024; 515:41-47. [PMID: 38472668 PMCID: PMC11021245 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672923700722] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
High-throughput ribosome profiling demonstrates the translation of thousands of small open reading frames located in the 5' untranslated regions of messenger RNAs (upstream ORFs). Upstream ORF can both perform a regulatory function by influencing the translation of the downstream main ORF and encode a small functional protein or microprotein. In this work, we showed that the 5' untranslated region of the PRPF19 mRNA encodes an upstream ORF that is translated in human cells. Inactivation of this upstream ORF reduces the viability of human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Shepelev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A O Kurochkina
- Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - O A Dontsova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow, Russia
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Center for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Moscow, Russia
| | - M P Rubtsova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
- Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
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6
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Valdivia-Francia F, Sendoel A. No country for old methods: New tools for studying microproteins. iScience 2024; 27:108972. [PMID: 38333695 PMCID: PMC10850755 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Microproteins encoded by small open reading frames (sORFs) have emerged as a fascinating frontier in genomics. Traditionally overlooked due to their small size, recent technological advancements such as ribosome profiling, mass spectrometry-based strategies and advanced computational approaches have led to the annotation of more than 7000 sORFs in the human genome. Despite the vast progress, only a tiny portion of these microproteins have been characterized and an important challenge in the field lies in identifying functionally relevant microproteins and understanding their role in different cellular contexts. In this review, we explore the recent advancements in sORF research, focusing on the new methodologies and computational approaches that have facilitated their identification and functional characterization. Leveraging these new tools hold great promise for dissecting the diverse cellular roles of microproteins and will ultimately pave the way for understanding their role in the pathogenesis of diseases and identifying new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Valdivia-Francia
- University of Zurich, Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren-Zurich, Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School, Molecular Life Science Program, University of Zurich/ ETH Zurich, Schlieren-Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ataman Sendoel
- University of Zurich, Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren-Zurich, Switzerland
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Xie J, Zhuang Z, Gou S, Zhang Q, Wang X, Lan T, Lian M, Li N, Liang Y, Ouyang Z, Ye Y, Wu H, Lai L, Wang K. Precise genome editing of the Kozak sequence enables bidirectional and quantitative modulation of protein translation to anticipated levels without affecting transcription. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10075-10093. [PMID: 37650635 PMCID: PMC10570039 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
None of the existing approaches for regulating gene expression can bidirectionally and quantitatively fine-tune gene expression to desired levels. Here, on the basis of precise manipulations of the Kozak sequence, which has a remarkable influence on translation initiation, we proposed and validated a novel strategy to directly modify the upstream nucleotides of the translation initiation codon of a given gene to flexibly alter the gene translation level by using base editors and prime editors. When the three nucleotides upstream of the translation initiation codon (named KZ3, part of the Kozak sequence), which exhibits the most significant base preference of the Kozak sequence, were selected as the editing region to alter the translation levels of proteins, we confirmed that each of the 64 KZ3 variants had a different translation efficiency, but all had similar transcription levels. Using the ranked KZ3 variants with different translation efficiencies as predictors, base editor- and prime editor-mediated mutations of KZ3 in the local genome could bidirectionally and quantitatively fine-tune gene translation to the anticipated levels without affecting transcription in vitro and in vivo. Notably, this strategy can be extended to the whole Kozak sequence and applied to all protein-coding genes in all eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingke Xie
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
| | - Zhenpeng Zhuang
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shixue Gou
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Quanjun Zhang
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Ting Lan
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng Lian
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Nan Li
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
| | - Yanhui Liang
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Zhen Ouyang
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Yinghua Ye
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Han Wu
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Kepin Wang
- China–New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- Sanya Institute of Swine Resource, Hainan Provincial Research Centre of Laboratory Animals, Sanya 572000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Large Animal models for Biomedicine, Wuyi University, Jiangmen 529020, China
- Research Unit of Generation of Large Animal Disease Models, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU015), Guangzhou 510530, China
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8
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Wang YS, Kumari M, Chen GH, Hong MH, Yuan JPY, Tsai JL, Wu HC. mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics: an in-depth survey of current and upcoming clinical applications. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:84. [PMID: 37805495 PMCID: PMC10559634 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00977-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA-based drugs have tremendous potential as clinical treatments, however, a major challenge in realizing this drug class will promise to develop methods for safely delivering the bioactive agents with high efficiency and without activating the immune system. With regard to mRNA vaccines, researchers have modified the mRNA structure to enhance its stability and promote systemic tolerance of antigenic presentation in non-inflammatory contexts. Still, delivery of naked modified mRNAs is inefficient and results in low levels of antigen protein production. As such, lipid nanoparticles have been utilized to improve delivery and protect the mRNA cargo from extracellular degradation. This advance was a major milestone in the development of mRNA vaccines and dispelled skepticism about the potential of this technology to yield clinically approved medicines. Following the resounding success of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, many other mRNA-based drugs have been proposed for the treatment of a variety of diseases. This review begins with a discussion of mRNA modifications and delivery vehicles, as well as the factors that influence administration routes. Then, we summarize the potential applications of mRNA-based drugs and discuss further key points pertaining to preclinical and clinical development of mRNA drugs targeting a wide range of diseases. Finally, we discuss the latest market trends and future applications of mRNA-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Shiuan Wang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Monika Kumari
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Hong Chen
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsiang Hong
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Joyce Pei-Yi Yuan
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Ling Tsai
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chung Wu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Academia Road, Section 2, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- Biomedical Translation Research Center (BioTReC), Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11571, Taiwan.
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9
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Ozadam H, Tonn T, Han CM, Segura A, Hoskins I, Rao S, Ghatpande V, Tran D, Catoe D, Salit M, Cenik C. Single-cell quantification of ribosome occupancy in early mouse development. Nature 2023:10.1038/s41586-023-06228-9. [PMID: 37344592 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06228-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Translation regulation is critical for early mammalian embryonic development1. However, previous studies had been restricted to bulk measurements2, precluding precise determination of translation regulation including allele-specific analyses. Here, to address this challenge, we developed a novel microfluidic isotachophoresis (ITP) approach, named RIBOsome profiling via ITP (Ribo-ITP), and characterized translation in single oocytes and embryos during early mouse development. We identified differential translation efficiency as a key mechanism regulating genes involved in centrosome organization and N6-methyladenosine modification of RNAs. Our high-coverage measurements enabled, to our knowledge, the first analysis of allele-specific ribosome engagement in early development. These led to the discovery of stage-specific differential engagement of zygotic RNAs with ribosomes and reduced translation efficiency of transcripts exhibiting allele-biased expression. By integrating our measurements with proteomics data, we discovered that ribosome occupancy in germinal vesicle-stage oocytes is the predominant determinant of protein abundance in the zygote. The Ribo-ITP approach will enable numerous applications by providing high-coverage and high-resolution ribosome occupancy measurements from ultra-low input samples including single cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakan Ozadam
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Tori Tonn
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Crystal M Han
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - Alia Segura
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Ian Hoskins
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Shilpa Rao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Vighnesh Ghatpande
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Duc Tran
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, USA
| | - David Catoe
- Joint Initiative for Metrology in Biology, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marc Salit
- Joint Initiative for Metrology in Biology, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Can Cenik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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10
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May GE, Akirtava C, Agar-Johnson M, Micic J, Woolford J, McManus J. Unraveling the influences of sequence and position on yeast uORF activity using massively parallel reporter systems and machine learning. eLife 2023; 12:e69611. [PMID: 37227054 PMCID: PMC10259493 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Upstream open-reading frames (uORFs) are potent cis-acting regulators of mRNA translation and nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). While both AUG- and non-AUG initiated uORFs are ubiquitous in ribosome profiling studies, few uORFs have been experimentally tested. Consequently, the relative influences of sequence, structural, and positional features on uORF activity have not been determined. We quantified thousands of yeast uORFs using massively parallel reporter assays in wildtype and ∆upf1 yeast. While nearly all AUG uORFs were robust repressors, most non-AUG uORFs had relatively weak impacts on expression. Machine learning regression modeling revealed that both uORF sequences and locations within transcript leaders predict their effect on gene expression. Indeed, alternative transcription start sites highly influenced uORF activity. These results define the scope of natural uORF activity, identify features associated with translational repression and NMD, and suggest that the locations of uORFs in transcript leaders are nearly as predictive as uORF sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma E May
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
| | - Christina Akirtava
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
| | - Matthew Agar-Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
| | - Jelena Micic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
| | - John Woolford
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
| | - Joel McManus
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
- Computational Biology Department, Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburghUnited States
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11
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Wacholder A, Parikh SB, Coelho NC, Acar O, Houghton C, Chou L, Carvunis AR. A vast evolutionarily transient translatome contributes to phenotype and fitness. Cell Syst 2023; 14:363-381.e8. [PMID: 37164009 PMCID: PMC10348077 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Translation is the process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins. Ribosome profiling recently revealed that many short sequences previously thought to be noncoding are pervasively translated. To identify protein-coding genes in this noncanonical translatome, we combine an integrative framework for extremely sensitive ribosome profiling analysis, iRibo, with high-powered selection inferences tailored for short sequences. We construct a reference translatome for Saccharomyces cerevisiae comprising 5,400 canonical and almost 19,000 noncanonical translated elements. Only 14 noncanonical elements were evolving under detectable purifying selection. A representative subset of translated elements lacking signatures of selection demonstrated involvement in processes including DNA repair, stress response, and post-transcriptional regulation. Our results suggest that most translated elements are not conserved protein-coding genes and contribute to genotype-phenotype relationships through fast-evolving molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Wacholder
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Saurin Bipin Parikh
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Integrative Systems Biology Program, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Nelson Castilho Coelho
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Omer Acar
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Joint CMU-Pitt PhD Program in Computational Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Carly Houghton
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Joint CMU-Pitt PhD Program in Computational Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Lin Chou
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Integrative Systems Biology Program, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Anne-Ruxandra Carvunis
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Pittsburgh Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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12
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Liu Y, Cui J, Hoffman AR, Hu JF. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4G2 opens novel paths for protein synthesis in development, apoptosis and cell differentiation. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13367. [PMID: 36547008 PMCID: PMC9977666 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein translation is a critical regulatory event involved in nearly all physiological and pathological processes. Eukaryotic translation initiation factors are dedicated to translation initiation, the most highly regulated stage of protein synthesis. Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G2 (eIF4G2, also called p97, NAT1 and DAP5), an eIF4G family member that lacks the binding sites for 5' cap binding protein eIF4E, is widely considered to be a key factor for internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs)-mediated cap-independent translation. However, recent findings demonstrate that eIF4G2 also supports many other translation initiation pathways. In this review, we summarize the role of eIF4G2 in a variety of cap-independent and -dependent translation initiation events. Additionally, we also update recent findings regarding the role of eIF4G2 in apoptosis, cell survival, cell differentiation and embryonic development. These studies reveal an emerging new picture of how eIF4G2 utilizes diverse translational mechanisms to regulate gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudi Liu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, Cancer Center, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, Cancer Center, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Andrew R Hoffman
- Stanford University Medical School, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Ji-Fan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, Cancer Center, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, P.R. China.,Stanford University Medical School, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
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13
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Decoupling of mRNA and Protein Expression in Aging Brains Reveals the Age-Dependent Adaptation of Specific Gene Subsets. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040615. [PMID: 36831282 PMCID: PMC9954025 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
During aging, changes in gene expression are associated with a decline in physical and cognitive abilities. Here, we investigate the connection between changes in mRNA and protein expression in the brain by comparing the transcriptome and proteome of the mouse cortex during aging. Our transcriptomic analysis revealed that aging mainly triggers gene activation in the cortex. We showed that an increase in mRNA expression correlates with protein expression, specifically in the anterior cingulate cortex, where we also observed an increase in cortical thickness during aging. Genes exhibiting an aging-dependent increase of mRNA and protein levels are involved in sensory perception and immune functions. Our proteomic analysis also identified changes in protein abundance in the aging cortex and highlighted a subset of proteins that were differentially enriched but exhibited stable mRNA levels during aging, implying the contribution of aging-related post- transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. These specific genes were associated with general biological processes such as translation, ribosome assembly and protein degradation, and also important brain functions related to neuroplasticity. By decoupling mRNA and protein expression, we have thus characterized distinct subsets of genes that differentially adjust to cellular aging in the cerebral cortex.
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14
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Fernandez SG, Ferguson L, Ingolia NT. Ribosome rescue factor PELOTA modulates translation start site choice and protein isoform levels of transcription factor C/EBP α. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.16.524343. [PMID: 36711859 PMCID: PMC9882168 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.16.524343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Translation initiation at alternative start sites can dynamically control the synthesis of two or more functionally distinct protein isoforms from a single mRNA. Alternate isoforms of the hematopoietic transcription factor CCAAT-enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) produced from different start sites exert opposing effects during myeloid cell development. This alternative initiation depends on sequence features of the CEBPA transcript, including a regulatory upstream open reading frame (uORF), but the molecular basis is not fully understood. Here we identify trans-acting factors that affect C/EBPα isoform choice using a sensitive and quantitative two-color fluorescence reporter coupled with CRISPRi screening. Our screen uncovered a role for the ribosome rescue factor PELOTA (PELO) in promoting expression of the longer C/EBPα isoform, by directly removing inhibitory unrecycled ribosomes and through indirect effects mediated by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase. Our work provides further mechanistic insights into coupling between ribosome recycling and translation reinitiation in regulation of a key transcription factor, with implications for normal hematopoiesis and leukemiagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Ferguson
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Nicholas T. Ingolia
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley
- Center for Computational Biology and California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley
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15
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Powers EN, Chan C, Doron-Mandel E, Llacsahuanga Allcca L, Kim Kim J, Jovanovic M, Brar GA. Bidirectional promoter activity from expression cassettes can drive off-target repression of neighboring gene translation. eLife 2022; 11:e81086. [PMID: 36503721 PMCID: PMC9754628 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted selection-based genome-editing approaches have enabled many fundamental discoveries and are used routinely with high precision. We found, however, that replacement of DBP1 with a common selection cassette in budding yeast led to reduced expression and function for the adjacent gene, MRP51, despite all MRP51 coding and regulatory sequences remaining intact. Cassette-induced repression of MRP51 drove all mutant phenotypes detected in cells deleted for DBP1. This behavior resembled the 'neighboring gene effect' (NGE), a phenomenon of unknown mechanism whereby cassette insertion at one locus reduces the expression of a neighboring gene. Here, we leveraged strong off-target mutant phenotypes resulting from cassette replacement of DBP1 to provide mechanistic insight into the NGE. We found that the inherent bidirectionality of promoters, including those in expression cassettes, drives a divergent transcript that represses MRP51 through combined transcriptional interference and translational repression mediated by production of a long undecoded transcript isoform (LUTI). Divergent transcript production driving this off-target effect is general to yeast expression cassettes and occurs ubiquitously with insertion. Despite this, off-target effects are often naturally prevented by local sequence features, such as those that terminate divergent transcripts between the site of cassette insertion and the neighboring gene. Thus, cassette-induced off-target effects can be eliminated by the insertion of transcription terminator sequences into the cassette, flanking the promoter. Because the driving features of this off-target effect are broadly conserved, our study suggests it should be considered in the design and interpretation of experiments using integrated expression cassettes in other eukaryotic systems, including human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Nicole Powers
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Charlene Chan
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
| | - Ella Doron-Mandel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | | | - Jenny Kim Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Marko Jovanovic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Gloria Ann Brar
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California, BerkleyBerkleyUnited States
- Center for Computational Biology, University of California, BerkeleyBerkeleyUnited States
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16
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Jürgens L, Wethmar K. The Emerging Role of uORF-Encoded uPeptides and HLA uLigands in Cellular and Tumor Biology. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14246031. [PMID: 36551517 PMCID: PMC9776223 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14246031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent technological advances have facilitated the detection of numerous non-canonical human peptides derived from regulatory regions of mRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and other cryptic transcripts. In this review, we first give an overview of the classification of these novel peptides and summarize recent improvements in their annotation and detection by ribosome profiling, mass spectrometry, and individual experimental analysis. A large fraction of the novel peptides originates from translation at upstream open reading frames (uORFs) that are located within the transcript leader sequence of regular mRNA. In humans, uORF-encoded peptides (uPeptides) have been detected in both healthy and malignantly transformed cells and emerge as important regulators in cellular and immunological pathways. In the second part of the review, we focus on various functional implications of uPeptides. As uPeptides frequently act at the transition of translational regulation and individual peptide function, we describe the mechanistic modes of translational regulation through ribosome stalling, the involvement in cellular programs through protein interaction and complex formation, and their role within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-associated immunopeptidome as HLA uLigands. We delineate how malignant transformation may lead to the formation of novel uORFs, uPeptides, or HLA uLigands and explain their potential implication in tumor biology. Ultimately, we speculate on a potential use of uPeptides as peptide drugs and discuss how uPeptides and HLA uLigands may facilitate translational inhibition of oncogenic protein messages and immunotherapeutic approaches in cancer therapy.
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17
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Manske F, Ogoniak L, Jürgens L, Grundmann N, Makałowski W, Wethmar K. The new uORFdb: integrating literature, sequence, and variation data in a central hub for uORF research. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:D328-D336. [PMID: 36305828 PMCID: PMC9825577 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are initiated by AUG or near-cognate start codons and have been identified in the transcript leader sequences of the majority of eukaryotic transcripts. Functionally, uORFs are implicated in downstream translational regulation of the main protein coding sequence and may serve as a source of non-canonical peptides. Genetic defects in uORF sequences have been linked to the development of various diseases, including cancer. To simplify uORF-related research, the initial release of uORFdb in 2014 provided a comprehensive and manually curated collection of uORF-related literature. Here, we present an updated sequence-based version of uORFdb, accessible at https://www.bioinformatics.uni-muenster.de/tools/uorfdb. The new uORFdb enables users to directly access sequence information, graphical displays, and genetic variation data for over 2.4 million human uORFs. It also includes sequence data of >4.2 million uORFs in 12 additional species. Multiple uORFs can be displayed in transcript- and reading-frame-specific models to visualize the translational context. A variety of filters, sequence-related information, and links to external resources (UCSC Genome Browser, dbSNP, ClinVar) facilitate immediate in-depth analysis of individual uORFs. The database also contains uORF-related somatic variation data obtained from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses of 677 cancer samples collected by the TCGA consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Manske
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Lynn Ogoniak
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Lara Jürgens
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Norbert Grundmann
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Wojciech Makałowski
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Wojciech Makałowski. Tel: +49 2518353006;
| | - Klaus Wethmar
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +49 2518347587; Fax: +49 2518347588;
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18
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Bottorff TA, Park H, Geballe AP, Subramaniam AR. Translational buffering by ribosome stalling in upstream open reading frames. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010460. [PMID: 36315596 PMCID: PMC9648851 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are present in over half of all human mRNAs. uORFs can potently regulate the translation of downstream open reading frames through several mechanisms: siphoning away scanning ribosomes, regulating re-initiation, and allowing interactions between scanning and elongating ribosomes. However, the consequences of these different mechanisms for the regulation of protein expression remain incompletely understood. Here, we performed systematic measurements on the uORF-containing 5' UTR of the cytomegaloviral UL4 mRNA to test alternative models of uORF-mediated regulation in human cells. We find that a terminal diproline-dependent elongating ribosome stall in the UL4 uORF prevents decreases in main ORF protein expression when ribosome loading onto the mRNA is reduced. This uORF-mediated buffering is insensitive to the location of the ribosome stall along the uORF. Computational kinetic modeling based on our measurements suggests that scanning ribosomes dissociate rather than queue when they collide with stalled elongating ribosomes within the UL4 uORF. We identify several human uORFs that repress main ORF protein expression via a similar terminal diproline motif. We propose that ribosome stalls in uORFs provide a general mechanism for buffering against reductions in main ORF translation during stress and developmental transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ty A. Bottorff
- Basic Sciences Division and Computational Biology Program of the Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Biological Physics, Structure and Design Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Heungwon Park
- Basic Sciences Division and Computational Biology Program of the Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Adam P. Geballe
- Human Biology and Clinical Research Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Arvind Rasi Subramaniam
- Basic Sciences Division and Computational Biology Program of the Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Biological Physics, Structure and Design Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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19
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Huang Y, Li Y, Lin W, Fan S, Chen H, Xia J, Pi J, Xu JF. Promising Roles of Circular RNAs as Biomarkers and Targets for Potential Diagnosis and Therapy of Tuberculosis. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091235. [PMID: 36139074 PMCID: PMC9496049 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, remains one of the most threatening infectious diseases worldwide. A series of challenges still exist for TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment, which therefore require more attempts to clarify the pathological and immunological mechanisms in the development and progression of TB. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of non-coding RNA, mostly expressed in eukaryotic cells, which are generated by the spliceosome through the back-splicing of linear RNAs. Accumulating studies have identified that circRNAs are widely involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, acting as the sponges or decoys for microRNAs and proteins, scaffold platforms for proteins, modulators for transcription and special templates for translation. Due to the stable and widely spread characteristics of circRNAs, they are expected to serve as promising prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diseases. In this review, we briefly describe the biogenesis, classification, detection technology and functions of circRNAs, and, in particular, outline the dynamic, and sometimes aberrant changes of circRNAs in TB. Moreover, we further summarize the recent progress of research linking circRNAs to TB-related pathogenetic processes, as well as the potential roles of circRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and miRNAs sponges in the case of Mtb infection, which is expected to enhance our understanding of TB and provide some novel ideas about how to overcome the challenges associated TB in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Ying Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Wensen Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Shuhao Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Haorong Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jiaojiao Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jiang Pi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Correspondence: (J.P.); (J.-F.X.)
| | - Jun-Fa Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Correspondence: (J.P.); (J.-F.X.)
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20
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Condé L, Allatif O, Ohlmann T, de Breyne S. Translation of SARS-CoV-2 gRNA Is Extremely Efficient and Competitive despite a High Degree of Secondary Structures and the Presence of an uORF. Viruses 2022; 14:1505. [PMID: 35891485 PMCID: PMC9322171 DOI: 10.3390/v14071505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 infection generates up to nine different sub-genomic mRNAs (sgRNAs), in addition to the genomic RNA (gRNA). The 5'UTR of each viral mRNA shares the first 75 nucleotides (nt.) at their 5'end, called the leader, but differentiates by a variable sequence (0 to 190 nt. long) that follows the leader. As a result, each viral mRNA has its own specific 5'UTR in term of length, RNA structure, uORF and Kozak context; each one of these characteristics could affect mRNA expression. In this study, we have measured and compared translational efficiency of each of the ten viral transcripts. Our data show that most of them are very efficiently translated in all translational systems tested. Surprisingly, the gRNA 5'UTR, which is the longest and the most structured, was also the most efficient to initiate translation. This property is conserved in the 5'UTR of SARS-CoV-1 but not in MERS-CoV strain, mainly due to the regulation imposed by the uORF. Interestingly, the translation initiation mechanism on the SARS-CoV-2 gRNA 5'UTR requires the cap structure and the components of the eIF4F complex but showed no dependence in the presence of the poly(A) tail in vitro. Our data strongly suggest that translation initiation on SARS-CoV-2 mRNAs occurs via an unusual cap-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Théophile Ohlmann
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, (Team Ohlmann), Univ Lyon, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France; (L.C.); (O.A.)
| | - Sylvain de Breyne
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, (Team Ohlmann), Univ Lyon, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France; (L.C.); (O.A.)
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21
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Lee BR, Lee TJ, Oh S, Li C, Song JHA, Marshall B, Zhi W, Kwon SH. Ascorbate peroxidase-mediated in situ labelling of proteins in secreted exosomes. J Extracell Vesicles 2022; 11:e12239. [PMID: 35716063 PMCID: PMC9206227 DOI: 10.1002/jev2.12239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular vesicle exosome mediates intercellular communication by transporting macromolecules such as proteins and ribonucleic acids (RNAs). Determining cargo contents with high accuracy will help decipher the biological processes that exosomes mediate in various contexts. Existing methods for probing exosome cargo molecules rely on a prior exosome isolation procedure. Here we report an in situ labelling approach for exosome cargo identification, which bypasses the exosome isolation steps. In this methodology, a variant of the engineered ascorbate peroxidase APEX, fused to an exosome cargo protein such as CD63, is expressed specifically in exosome‐generating vesicles in live cells or in secreted exosomes in the conditioned medium, to induce biotinylation of the proteins in the vicinity of the APEX variant for a short period of time. Mass spectrometry analysis of the proteins biotinylated by this approach in exosomes secreted by kidney proximal tubule‐derived cells reveals that oxidative stress can cause ribosomal proteins to accumulate in an exosome subpopulation that contains the CD63‐fused APEX variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Rho Lee
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Tae Jin Lee
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sekyung Oh
- Department of Medical Science, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Chenglong Li
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jin-Hyuk A Song
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Brendan Marshall
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Wenbo Zhi
- Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sang-Ho Kwon
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
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22
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Soukarieh O, Meguerditchian C, Proust C, Aïssi D, Eyries M, Goyenvalle A, Trégouët DA. Common and Rare 5′UTR Variants Altering Upstream Open Reading Frames in Cardiovascular Genomics. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:841032. [PMID: 35387445 PMCID: PMC8977850 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.841032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies are revolutionizing the research and molecular diagnosis landscape by allowing the exploration of millions of nucleotide sequences at an unprecedented scale. These technologies are of particular interest in the identification of genetic variations contributing to the risk of rare (Mendelian) and common (multifactorial) human diseases. So far, they have led to numerous successes in identifying rare disease-causing mutations in coding regions, but few in non-coding regions that include introns, untranslated (UTR), and intergenic regions. One class of neglected non-coding variations is that of 5′UTR variants that alter upstream open reading frames (upORFs) of the coding sequence (CDS) of a natural protein coding transcript. Following a brief summary of the molecular bases of the origin and functions of upORFs, we will first review known 5′UTR variations altering upORFs and causing rare cardiovascular disorders (CVDs). We will then investigate whether upORF-affecting single nucleotide polymorphisms could be good candidates for explaining association signals detected in the context of genome-wide association studies for common complex CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Soukarieh
- INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health, U1219, Molecular Epidemiology of Vascular and Brain Disorders, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- *Correspondence: Omar Soukarieh,
| | - Caroline Meguerditchian
- INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health, U1219, Molecular Epidemiology of Vascular and Brain Disorders, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Carole Proust
- INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health, U1219, Molecular Epidemiology of Vascular and Brain Disorders, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Dylan Aïssi
- INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health, U1219, Molecular Epidemiology of Vascular and Brain Disorders, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mélanie Eyries
- Department of Genetics, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - David-Alexandre Trégouët
- INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health, U1219, Molecular Epidemiology of Vascular and Brain Disorders, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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23
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Nelde A, Flötotto L, Jürgens L, Szymik L, Hubert E, Bauer J, Schliemann C, Kessler T, Lenz G, Rammensee HG, Walz JS, Wethmar K. Upstream open reading frames regulate translation of cancer-associated transcripts and encode HLA-presented immunogenic tumor antigens. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:171. [PMID: 35239002 PMCID: PMC8894207 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04145-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) represent translational control elements within eukaryotic transcript leader sequences. Recent data showed that uORFs can encode for biologically active proteins and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-presented peptides in malignant and benign cells suggesting their potential role in cancer cell development and survival. However, the role of uORFs in translational regulation of cancer-associated transcripts as well as in cancer immune surveillance is still incompletely understood. METHODS We examined the translational regulatory effect of 29 uORFs in 13 cancer-associated genes by dual-luciferase assays. Cellular expression and localization of uORF-encoded peptides (uPeptides) were investigated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence-based microscopy. Furthermore, we utilized mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidome analyses in an extensive dataset of primary malignant and benign tissue samples for the identification of naturally presented uORF-derived HLA-presented peptides screening for more than 2000 uORFs. RESULTS We provide experimental evidence for similarly effective translational regulation of cancer-associated transcripts through uORFs initiated by either canonical AUG codons or by alternative translation initiation sites (aTISs). We further demonstrate frequent cellular expression and reveal occasional specific cellular localization of uORF-derived peptides, suggesting uPeptide-specific biological implications. Immunopeptidome analyses delineated a set of 125 naturally presented uORF-derived HLA-presented peptides. Comparative immunopeptidome profiling of malignant and benign tissue-derived immunopeptidomes identified several tumor-associated uORF-derived HLA ligands capable to induce multifunctional T cell responses. CONCLUSION Our data provide direct evidence for the frequent expression of uPeptides in benign and malignant human tissues, suggesting a potentially widespread function of uPeptides in cancer biology. These findings may inspire novel approaches in direct molecular as well as immunotherapeutic targeting of cancer-associated uORFs and uPeptides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Nelde
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lea Flötotto
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1A, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Lara Jürgens
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1A, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Laura Szymik
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1A, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Elvira Hubert
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1A, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Jens Bauer
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christoph Schliemann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1A, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Torsten Kessler
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1A, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Georg Lenz
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1A, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Partner Site Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Juliane S Walz
- Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), University Hospital Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Str. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- Department of Immunology, Institute for Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases (RBCT), 70376, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Klaus Wethmar
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1A, 48149, Münster, Germany.
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Della Bella E, Koch J, Baerenfaller K. Translation and emerging functions of non-coding RNAs in inflammation and immunity. Allergy 2022; 77:2025-2037. [PMID: 35094406 PMCID: PMC9302665 DOI: 10.1111/all.15234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) including small non‐coding RNAs (sRNAs), long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have gained considerable attention in the last few years. This is mainly due to their condition‐ and tissue‐specific expression and their various modes of action, which suggests them as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets. One important mechanism of ncRNAs to regulate gene expression is through translation of short open reading frames (sORFs). These sORFs can be located in lncRNAs, in non‐translated regions of mRNAs where upstream ORFs (uORFs) represent the majority, or in circRNAs. Regulation of their translation can function as a quick way to adapt protein production to changing cellular or environmental cues, and can either depend solely on the initiation and elongation of translation, or on the roles of the produced functional peptides. Due to the experimental challenges to pinpoint translation events and to detect the produced peptides, translational regulation through regulatory RNAs is not well studied yet. In the case of circRNAs, they have only recently started to be recognized as regulatory molecules instead of mere artifacts of RNA biosynthesis. Of the many roles described for regulatory ncRNAs, we will focus here on their regulation during inflammation and in immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jana Koch
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) University of Zurich Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) Davos Switzerland
| | - Katja Baerenfaller
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) University of Zurich Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) Davos Switzerland
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25
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Kute PM, Soukarieh O, Tjeldnes H, Trégouët DA, Valen E. Small Open Reading Frames, How to Find Them and Determine Their Function. Front Genet 2022; 12:796060. [PMID: 35154250 PMCID: PMC8831751 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.796060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in genomics and molecular biology have revealed an abundance of small open reading frames (sORFs) across all types of transcripts. While these sORFs are often assumed to be non-functional, many have been implicated in physiological functions and a significant number of sORFs have been described in human diseases. Thus, sORFs may represent a hidden repository of functional elements that could serve as therapeutic targets. Unlike protein-coding genes, it is not necessarily the encoded peptide of an sORF that enacts its function, sometimes simply the act of translating an sORF might have a regulatory role. Indeed, the most studied sORFs are located in the 5′UTRs of coding transcripts and can have a regulatory impact on the translation of the downstream protein-coding sequence. However, sORFs have also been abundantly identified in non-coding RNAs including lncRNAs, circular RNAs and ribosomal RNAs suggesting that sORFs may be diverse in function. Of the many different experimental methods used to discover sORFs, the most commonly used are ribosome profiling and mass spectrometry. These can confirm interactions between transcripts and ribosomes and the production of a peptide, respectively. Extensions to ribosome profiling, which also capture scanning ribosomes, have further made it possible to see how sORFs impact the translation initiation of mRNAs. While high-throughput techniques have made the identification of sORFs less difficult, defining their function, if any, is typically more challenging. Together, the abundance and potential function of many of these sORFs argues for the necessity of including sORFs in gene annotations and systematically characterizing these to understand their potential functional roles. In this review, we will focus on the high-throughput methods used in the detection and characterization of sORFs and discuss techniques for validation and functional characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Madhav Kute
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Omar Soukarieh
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology Of Vascular and Brain Disorders, INSERM, BPH, U1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Håkon Tjeldnes
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - David-Alexandre Trégouët
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology Of Vascular and Brain Disorders, INSERM, BPH, U1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Eivind Valen
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- *Correspondence: Eivind Valen,
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26
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A Conserved uORF Regulates APOBEC3G Translation and Is Targeted by HIV-1 Vif Protein to Repress the Antiviral Factor. Biomedicines 2021; 10:biomedicines10010013. [PMID: 35052693 PMCID: PMC8773096 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 Vif protein is essential for viral fitness and pathogenicity. Vif decreases expression of cellular restriction factors APOBEC3G (A3G), A3F, A3D and A3H, which inhibit HIV-1 replication by inducing hypermutation during reverse transcription. Vif counteracts A3G at several levels (transcription, translation, and protein degradation) that altogether reduce the levels of A3G in cells and prevent its incorporation into viral particles. How Vif affects A3G translation remains unclear. Here, we uncovered the importance of a short conserved uORF (upstream ORF) located within two critical stem-loop structures of the 5′ untranslated region (5′-UTR) of A3G mRNA for this process. A3G translation occurs through a combination of leaky scanning and translation re-initiation and the presence of an intact uORF decreases the extent of global A3G translation under normal conditions. Interestingly, the uORF is also absolutely required for Vif-mediated translation inhibition and redirection of A3G mRNA into stress granules. Overall, we discovered that A3G translation is regulated by a small uORF conserved in the human population and that Vif uses this specific feature to repress its translation.
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27
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Andreev DE, Baranov PV, Milogorodskii A, Rachinskii D. A deterministic model for non-monotone relationship between translation of upstream and downstream open reading frames. MATHEMATICAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE IMA 2021; 38:490-515. [PMID: 34718568 DOI: 10.1093/imammb/dqab015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) modelling was shown to offer a parsimonious explanation for the experimentally confirmed ability of a single upstream open reading frames (uORFs) to upregulate downstream translation during the integrated stress response. As revealed by numerical simulations, the model predicts that reducing the density of scanning ribosomes upstream of certain uORFs increases the flow of ribosomes downstream. To gain a better insight into the mechanism which ensures the non-monotone relation between the upstream and downstream flows, in this work, we propose a phenomenological deterministic model approximating the TASEP model of the translation process. We establish the existence of a stationary solution featuring the decreasing density along the uORF for the deterministic model. Further, we find an explicit non-monotone relation between the upstream ribosome density and the downstream flow for the stationary solution in the limit of increasing uORF length and increasingly leaky initiation. The stationary distribution of the TASEP model, the stationary solution of the deterministic model and the explicit limit are compared numerically.
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Affiliation(s)
- D E Andreev
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, GSP-1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation, and Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - P V Baranov
- University College Cork, College Road, Cork, T12 K8AF, Ireland, and Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry (RAS), 16/10 Miklukho-Maklay str., Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation
| | - A Milogorodskii
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, GSP-1, Leninskie Gory, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation, and Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - D Rachinskii
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
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28
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Probabilistic models of uORF-mediated ATF4 translation control. Math Biosci 2021; 343:108762. [PMID: 34883107 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2021.108762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
ATF4 is a key transcription factor that activates transcription of genes needed to respond to cellular stress. Although the mRNA encoding ATF4 is present at constant levels in the cell during the initial response, translation of ATF4 increases under conditions of cellular stress while the global translation rate decreases. We study two models for the control system that regulates the translation of ATF4, both based on the Vattem-Wek hypothesis. This hypothesis is based on a race to reload, following the translation of a small upstream open reading frame (uORF), the ternary complex that brings the initiator tRNA to the ribosome as the 40S subunit scans along the mRNA, encountering first a start codon for an inhibitory uORF whose reading frame overlaps the start of the ATF4 coding sequence. We develop a pair of simple, analytic, probabilistic models, one of which assumes all nucleotide triplets have identical kinetic properties, while the other recognizes the existence of triplets at which the ternary complex loads more efficiently. We also consider two different functions representing the dependence of the rate of initiation at uORF1 on the ternary complex concentration. In keeping with the theme of this Special Issue, we studied the properties of these models in a Maple document, which can easily be modified to consider different parameters, translation rate initiation functions, and so on.
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29
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Silva J, Nina P, Romão L. Translation of ABCE1 Is Tightly Regulated by Upstream Open Reading Frames in Human Colorectal Cells. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9080911. [PMID: 34440115 PMCID: PMC8389594 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9080911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette subfamily E member 1 (ABCE1) belongs to the ABC protein family of transporters; however, it does not behave as a drug transporter. Instead, ABCE1 actively participates in different stages of translation and is also associated with oncogenic functions. Ribosome profiling analysis in colorectal cancer cells has revealed a high ribosome occupancy in the human ABCE1 mRNA 5′-leader sequence, indicating the presence of translatable upstream open reading frames (uORFs). These cis-acting translational regulatory elements usually act as repressors of translation of the main coding sequence. In the present study, we dissect the regulatory function of the five AUG and five non-AUG uORFs identified in the human ABCE1 mRNA 5′-leader sequence. We show that the expression of the main coding sequence is tightly regulated by the ABCE1 AUG uORFs in colorectal cells. Our results are consistent with a model wherein uORF1 is efficiently translated, behaving as a barrier to downstream uORF translation. The few ribosomes that can bypass uORF1 (and/or uORF2) must probably initiate at the inhibitory uORF3 or uORF5 that efficiently repress translation of the main ORF. This inhibitory property is slightly overcome in conditions of endoplasmic reticulum stress. In addition, we observed that these potent translation-inhibitory AUG uORFs function equally in cancer and in non-tumorigenic colorectal cells, which is consistent with a lack of oncogenic function. In conclusion, we establish human ABCE1 as an additional example of uORF-mediated translational regulation and that this tight regulation contributes to control ABCE1 protein levels in different cell environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Silva
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.S.); (P.N.)
- Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas (BioISI), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Nina
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.S.); (P.N.)
| | - Luísa Romão
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (J.S.); (P.N.)
- Instituto de Biossistemas e Ciências Integrativas (BioISI), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-21-750-8155
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30
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Kakuk B, Tombácz D, Balázs Z, Moldován N, Csabai Z, Torma G, Megyeri K, Snyder M, Boldogkői Z. Combined nanopore and single-molecule real-time sequencing survey of human betaherpesvirus 5 transcriptome. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14487. [PMID: 34262076 PMCID: PMC8280142 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93593-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-read sequencing (LRS), a powerful novel approach, is able to read full-length transcripts and confers a major advantage over the earlier gold standard short-read sequencing in the efficiency of identifying for example polycistronic transcripts and transcript isoforms, including transcript length- and splice variants. In this work, we profile the human cytomegalovirus transcriptome using two third-generation LRS platforms: the Sequel from Pacific BioSciences, and MinION from Oxford Nanopore Technologies. We carried out both cDNA and direct RNA sequencing, and applied the LoRTIA software, developed in our laboratory, for the transcript annotations. This study identified a large number of novel transcript variants, including splice isoforms and transcript start and end site isoforms, as well as putative mRNAs with truncated in-frame ORFs (located within the larger ORFs of the canonical mRNAs), which potentially encode N-terminally truncated polypeptides. Our work also disclosed a highly complex meshwork of transcriptional read-throughs and overlaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balázs Kakuk
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Somogyi B. u. 4, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dóra Tombácz
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Somogyi B. u. 4, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
- MTA-SZTE Momentum GeMiNI Research Group, University of Szeged, Somogyi B. u. 4, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zsolt Balázs
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Somogyi B. u. 4, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Norbert Moldován
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Somogyi B. u. 4, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Csabai
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Somogyi B. u. 4, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Torma
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Somogyi B. u. 4, 6720, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Klára Megyeri
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, 6720, Hungary
| | - Michael Snyder
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zsolt Boldogkői
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Somogyi B. u. 4, 6720, Szeged, Hungary.
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Jürgens L, Manske F, Hubert E, Kischka T, Flötotto L, Klaas O, Shabardina V, Schliemann C, Makalowski W, Wethmar K. Somatic Functional Deletions of Upstream Open Reading Frame-Associated Initiation and Termination Codons in Human Cancer. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060618. [PMID: 34072580 PMCID: PMC8227997 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Upstream open reading frame (uORF)-mediated translational control has emerged as an important regulatory mechanism in human health and disease. However, a systematic search for cancer-associated somatic uORF mutations has not been performed. Here, we analyzed the genetic variability at canonical (uAUG) and alternative translational initiation sites (aTISs), as well as the associated upstream termination codons (uStops) in 3394 whole-exome-sequencing datasets from patient samples of breast, colon, lung, prostate, and skin cancer and of acute myeloid leukemia, provided by The Cancer Genome Atlas research network. We found that 66.5% of patient samples were affected by at least one of 5277 recurrent uORF-associated somatic single nucleotide variants altering 446 uAUG, 347 uStop, and 4733 aTIS codons. While twelve uORF variants were detected in all entities, 17 variants occurred in all five types of solid cancer analyzed here. Highest frequencies of individual somatic variants in the TLSs of NBPF20 and CHCHD2 reached 10.1% among LAML and 8.1% among skin cancer patients, respectively. Functional evaluation by dual luciferase reporter assays identified 19 uORF variants causing significant translational deregulation of the associated main coding sequence, ranging from 1.73-fold induction for an AUG.1 > UUG variant in SETD4 to 0.006-fold repression for a CUG.6 > GUG variant in HLA-DRB1. These data suggest that somatic uORF mutations are highly prevalent in human malignancies and that defective translational regulation of protein expression may contribute to the onset or progression of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Jürgens
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (L.J.); (E.H.); (L.F.); (O.K.); (C.S.)
| | - Felix Manske
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (F.M.); (T.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Elvira Hubert
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (L.J.); (E.H.); (L.F.); (O.K.); (C.S.)
| | - Tabea Kischka
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (F.M.); (T.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Lea Flötotto
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (L.J.); (E.H.); (L.F.); (O.K.); (C.S.)
| | - Oliver Klaas
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (L.J.); (E.H.); (L.F.); (O.K.); (C.S.)
| | - Victoria Shabardina
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, CSIC-Unversitat Pompeu Frabra, 08002 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Christoph Schliemann
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (L.J.); (E.H.); (L.F.); (O.K.); (C.S.)
| | - Wojciech Makalowski
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (F.M.); (T.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Klaus Wethmar
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany; (L.J.); (E.H.); (L.F.); (O.K.); (C.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-251-8347587; Fax: +49-251-8347588
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32
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uORF-seqr: A Machine Learning-Based Approach to the Identification of Upstream Open Reading Frames in Yeast. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 33765283 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1150-0_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The identification of upstream open reading frames (uORFs) using ribosome profiling data is complicated by several factors such as the noise inherent to the procedure, the substantial increase in potential translation initiation sites (and false positives) when one includes non-canonical start codons, and the paucity of molecularly validated uORFs. Here we present uORF-seqr, a novel machine learning algorithm that uses ribosome profiling data, in conjunction with RNA-seq data, as well as transcript aware genome annotation files to identify statistically significant AUG and near-cognate codon uORFs.
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Zhang H, Wang Y, Wu X, Tang X, Wu C, Lu J. Determinants of genome-wide distribution and evolution of uORFs in eukaryotes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1076. [PMID: 33597535 PMCID: PMC7889888 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21394-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) play widespread regulatory functions in modulating mRNA translation in eukaryotes, but the principles underlying the genomic distribution and evolution of uORFs remain poorly understood. Here, we analyze ~17 million putative canonical uORFs in 478 eukaryotic species that span most of the extant taxa of eukaryotes. We demonstrate how positive and purifying selection, coupled with differences in effective population size (Ne), has shaped the contents of uORFs in eukaryotes. Besides, gene expression level is important in influencing uORF occurrences across genes in a species. Our analyses suggest that most uORFs might play regulatory roles rather than encode functional peptides. We also show that the Kozak sequence context of uORFs has evolved across eukaryotic clades, and that noncanonical uORFs tend to have weaker suppressive effects than canonical uORFs in translation regulation. This study provides insights into the driving forces underlying uORF evolution in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yirong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinkai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolu Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Changcheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Center for Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
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Zhang S, Chen Y, Wang Y, Zhang P, Chen G, Zhou Y. Insights Into Translatomics in the Nervous System. Front Genet 2021; 11:599548. [PMID: 33408739 PMCID: PMC7779767 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.599548] [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: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Most neurological disorders are caused by abnormal gene translation. Generally, dysregulation of elements involved in the translational process disrupts homeostasis in neurons and neuroglia. Better understanding of how the gene translation process occurs requires detailed analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic profile data. However, a lack of strictly direct correlations between mRNA and protein levels limits translational investigation by combining transcriptomic and proteomic profiling. The much better correlation between proteins and translated mRNAs than total mRNAs in abundance and insufficiently sensitive proteomics approach promote the requirement of advances in translatomics technology. Translatomics which capture and sequence the mRNAs associated with ribosomes has been effective in identifying translational changes by genetics or projections, ribosome stalling, local translation, and transcript isoforms in the nervous system. Here, we place emphasis on the main three translatomics methods currently used to profile mRNAs attached to ribosome-nascent chain complex (RNC-mRNA). Their prominent applications in neurological diseases including glioma, neuropathic pain, depression, fragile X syndrome (FXS), neurodegenerative disorders are outlined. The content reviewed here expands our understanding on the contributions of aberrant translation to neurological disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxia Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yeru Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongjie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Elemene Anti-Cancer Medicine of Zhejiang Province and Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Development and Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Zhejiang Province, Holistic Integrative Pharmacy Institutes, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Piao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Youfa Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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35
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Akirtava C, McManus CJ. Control of translation by eukaryotic mRNA transcript leaders-Insights from high-throughput assays and computational modeling. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2020; 12:e1623. [PMID: 32869519 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic gene expression is tightly regulated during translation of mRNA to protein. Mis-regulation of translation can lead to aberrant proteins which accumulate in cancers and cause neurodegenerative diseases. Foundational studies on model genes established fundamental roles for mRNA 5' transcript leader (TL) sequences in controlling ribosome recruitment, scanning, and initiation. TL cis-regulatory elements and their corresponding trans-acting factors control cap-dependent initiation under unstressed conditions. Under stress, cap-dependent initiation is suppressed, and specific mRNA structures and sequences promote translation of stress-responsive transcripts to remodel the proteome. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of TL functions in translation initiation. We focus on insights from high-throughput analyses of ribosome occupancy, mRNA structure, RNA Binding Protein occupancy, and massively parallel reporter assays. These data-driven approaches, coupled with computational analyses and modeling, have paved the way for a comprehensive understanding of TL functions. Finally, we will discuss areas of future research on the roles of mRNA sequences and structures in translation. This article is categorized under: Translation > Translation Mechanisms RNA Evolution and Genomics > Computational Analyses of RNA RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Akirtava
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Charles Joel McManus
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Computational Biology Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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36
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Zuccotti P, Peroni D, Potrich V, Quattrone A, Dassi E. Hyperconserved Elements in Human 5'UTRs Shape Essential Post-transcriptional Regulatory Networks. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:220. [PMID: 33005630 PMCID: PMC7484617 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional regulation (PTR) of gene expression is a powerful determinant of cellular phenotypes. The 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of the mRNA (UTRs) mediate this role through sequence and secondary structure elements bound by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and non-coding RNAs. While functional regions in the 3′UTRs have been extensively studied, the 5′UTRs are still relatively uncharacterized. To fill this gap, we used a computational approach exploiting phylogenetic conservation to identify hyperconserved elements in human 5′UTRs (5′HCEs). Our assumption was that 5′HCEs would represent evolutionarily stable and hence important PTR sites. We identified over 5000 5′HCEs occurring in 10% of human protein-coding genes. These sequence elements are rather short and mostly found in narrowly-spaced clusters. 5′HCEs-containing genes are enriched in essential cellular functions and include 20% of all homeotic genes. Homeotic genes are essential transcriptional regulators, driving body plan and neuromuscular development. However, the role of PTR in their expression is mostly unknown. By integrating computational and experimental approaches we identified RBMX as the initiator RBP of a post-transcriptional cascade regulating many homeotic genes. This work thus establishes 5′HCEs as mediators of essential post-transcriptional regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Zuccotti
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Daniele Peroni
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Valentina Potrich
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Quattrone
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Erik Dassi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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37
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Wang SE, Brooks AES, Poole AM, Simoes-Barbosa A. Determinants of translation efficiency in the evolutionarily-divergent protist Trichomonas vaginalis. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:54. [PMID: 32689943 PMCID: PMC7370421 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-020-00297-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trichomonas vaginalis, the causative agent of a prevalent urogenital infection in humans, is an evolutionarily divergent protozoan. Protein-coding genes in T. vaginalis are largely controlled by two core promoter elements, producing mRNAs with short 5' UTRs. The specific mechanisms adopted by T. vaginalis to fine-tune the translation efficiency (TE) of mRNAs remain largely unknown. RESULTS Using both computational and experimental approaches, this study investigated two key factors influencing TE in T. vaginalis: codon usage and mRNA secondary structure. Statistical dependence between TE and codon adaptation index (CAI) highlighted the impact of codon usage on mRNA translation in T. vaginalis. A genome-wide interrogation revealed that low structural complexity at the 5' end of mRNA followed closely by a highly structured downstream region correlates with TE variation in this organism. To validate these findings, a synthetic library of 15 synonymous iLOV genes was created, representing five mRNA folding profiles and three codon usage profiles. Fluorescence signals produced by the expression of these synonymous iLOV genes in T. vaginalis were consistent with and validated our in silico predictions. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the role of codon usage bias and mRNA secondary structure in TE of T. vaginalis mRNAs, contributing to a better understanding of the factors that influence, and possibly regulate, gene expression in this human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuqi E Wang
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Anna E S Brooks
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anthony M Poole
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Bioinformatics Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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38
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Translation initiation downstream from annotated start codons in human mRNAs coevolves with the Kozak context. Genome Res 2020; 30:974-984. [PMID: 32669370 PMCID: PMC7397870 DOI: 10.1101/gr.257352.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic translation initiation involves preinitiation ribosomal complex 5′-to-3′ directional probing of mRNA for codons suitable for starting protein synthesis. The recognition of codons as starts depends on the codon identity and on its immediate nucleotide context known as Kozak context. When the context is weak (i.e., nonoptimal), leaky scanning takes place during which a fraction of ribosomes continues the mRNA probing. We explored the relationship between the context of AUG codons annotated as starts of protein-coding sequences and the next AUG codon occurrence. We found that AUG codons downstream from weak starts occur in the same frame more frequently than downstream from strong starts. We suggest that evolutionary selection on in-frame AUGs downstream from weak start codons is driven by the advantage of the reduction of wasteful out-of-frame product synthesis and also by the advantage of producing multiple proteoforms from certain mRNAs. We confirmed translation initiation downstream from weak start codons using ribosome profiling data. We also tested translation of alternative start codons in 10 specific human genes using reporter constructs. In all tested cases, initiation at downstream start codons was more productive than at the annotated ones. In most cases, optimization of Kozak context did not completely abolish downstream initiation, and in the specific example of CMPK1 mRNA, the optimized start remained unproductive. Collectively, our work reveals previously uncharacterized forces shaping the evolution of protein-coding genes and points to the plurality of translation initiation and the existence of sequence features influencing start codon selection, other than Kozak context.
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Bocai NI, Marcora MS, Belfiori-Carrasco LF, Morelli L, Castaño EM. Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Tauopathies: Contrasting Human Brain Pathology with Cellular and Animal Models. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 68:439-458. [PMID: 30775999 DOI: 10.3233/jad-181021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation and spreading of protein tau in the human brain are major features of neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies. In addition to several subcellular abnormalities, tau aggregation within neurons seems capable of triggering endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the consequent unfolded protein response (UPR). In metazoans, full activation of a complex ER-UPR network may restore proteostasis and ER function or, if stress cannot be solved, commit cells to apoptosis. Due to these alternative outcomes (survival or death), the pharmacological manipulation of ER-UPR has become the focus of potential therapies in many human diseases, including tauopathies. Here we update and analyze the experimental data from human brain, cellular, and animal models linking tau accumulation and ER-UPR. We further discuss mechanistic aspects and put the ER-UPR into perspective as a possible therapeutic target in this group of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia I Bocai
- Laboratory of Amyloidosis and Neurodegeneration, Fundación Instituto Leloir, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María S Marcora
- Laboratory of Amyloidosis and Neurodegeneration, Fundación Instituto Leloir, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lautaro F Belfiori-Carrasco
- Laboratory of Amyloidosis and Neurodegeneration, Fundación Instituto Leloir, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Morelli
- Laboratory of Amyloidosis and Neurodegeneration, Fundación Instituto Leloir, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Eduardo M Castaño
- Laboratory of Amyloidosis and Neurodegeneration, Fundación Instituto Leloir, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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40
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Abstract
A snapshot of noteworthy recent developments in the patent literature of relevance to pharmaceutical and medical research and development.
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41
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Castelo-Szekely V, Gatfield D. Emerging Roles of Translational Control in Circadian Timekeeping. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:3483-3497. [PMID: 32246961 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A large part of mammalian physiology and behaviour shows regular daily variations. This temporal organisation is driven by the activity of an endogenous circadian clock, whose molecular basis consists of diurnal waves in gene expression. Circadian transcription is the major driver of these rhythms, yet post-transcriptional mechanisms, some of which occur in response to systemic cues and in a tissue-specific fashion, have central roles in ultimately establishing the oscillatory gene expression programme as well. Regulatory control that occurs at the level of translation is emerging as an important player in the generation and modulation of protein accumulation rhythms. As a mechanism, translation lies at a privileged position to integrate genetically encoded rhythmic signals with other, external and internal stimuli, including nutrient-derived cues. In this review, we summarise our current knowledge of how diurnal control of translation affects both bulk protein levels and gene-specific protein biosynthesis. We discuss mechanisms of regulation, in particular with regard to the complex interplay between circadian cycles and feeding/fasting cycles, as well as emerging roles for upstream open reading frames in clock control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Castelo-Szekely
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Genopode, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Gatfield
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Genopode, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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42
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Whiffin N, Karczewski KJ, Zhang X, Chothani S, Smith MJ, Evans DG, Roberts AM, Quaife NM, Schafer S, Rackham O, Alföldi J, O'Donnell-Luria AH, Francioli LC, Cook SA, Barton PJR, MacArthur DG, Ware JS. Characterising the loss-of-function impact of 5' untranslated region variants in 15,708 individuals. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2523. [PMID: 32461616 PMCID: PMC7253449 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10717-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are tissue-specific cis-regulators of protein translation. Isolated reports have shown that variants that create or disrupt uORFs can cause disease. Here, in a systematic genome-wide study using 15,708 whole genome sequences, we show that variants that create new upstream start codons, and variants disrupting stop sites of existing uORFs, are under strong negative selection. This selection signal is significantly stronger for variants arising upstream of genes intolerant to loss-of-function variants. Furthermore, variants creating uORFs that overlap the coding sequence show signals of selection equivalent to coding missense variants. Finally, we identify specific genes where modification of uORFs likely represents an important disease mechanism, and report a novel uORF frameshift variant upstream of NF2 in neurofibromatosis. Our results highlight uORF-perturbing variants as an under-recognised functional class that contribute to penetrant human disease, and demonstrate the power of large-scale population sequencing data in studying non-coding variant classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Whiffin
- National Heart and Lung Institute and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- NIHR Royal Brompton Cardiovascular Research Centre, Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK.
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | - Konrad J Karczewski
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Analytical and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Xiaolei Zhang
- National Heart and Lung Institute and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- NIHR Royal Brompton Cardiovascular Research Centre, Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK
| | - Sonia Chothani
- Program in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Miriam J Smith
- NW Genomic Laboratory Hub, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Division of Evolution and Genomic Science, St Mary's Hospital, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - D Gareth Evans
- NW Genomic Laboratory Hub, Centre for Genomic Medicine, Division of Evolution and Genomic Science, St Mary's Hospital, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Angharad M Roberts
- National Heart and Lung Institute and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- NIHR Royal Brompton Cardiovascular Research Centre, Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK
| | - Nicholas M Quaife
- National Heart and Lung Institute and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- NIHR Royal Brompton Cardiovascular Research Centre, Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK
| | - Sebastian Schafer
- Program in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- National Heart Centre Singapore, 5 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169609, Singapore
| | - Owen Rackham
- Program in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Jessica Alföldi
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Analytical and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Anne H O'Donnell-Luria
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Laurent C Francioli
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Analytical and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Stuart A Cook
- National Heart and Lung Institute and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Program in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- National Heart Centre Singapore, 5 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169609, Singapore
| | - Paul J R Barton
- National Heart and Lung Institute and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- NIHR Royal Brompton Cardiovascular Research Centre, Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK
| | - Daniel G MacArthur
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- Analytical and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - James S Ware
- National Heart and Lung Institute and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- NIHR Royal Brompton Cardiovascular Research Centre, Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service Foundation Trust, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK
- Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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Wang M, Yang C, Liu X, Zheng J, Xue Y, Ruan X, Shen S, Wang D, Li Z, Cai H, Liu Y. An upstream open reading frame regulates vasculogenic mimicry of glioma via ZNRD1-AS1/miR-499a-5p/ELF1/EMI1 pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:6120-6136. [PMID: 32368853 PMCID: PMC7294115 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has suggested that gliomas can supply blood through vasculogenic mimicry. In this study, the expression and function of ZNRD1‐AS1‐144aa‐uORF (144aa‐uORF) and some non‐coding RNAs in gliomas were assessed. Real‐time quantitative PCR or Western blot was used to discover the expression of 144aa‐uORF, ZNRD1‐AS1, miR‐499a‐5p, ELF1 and EMI1 in gliomas. In addition, RIP and RNA pull‐down assays were applied to explore the interrelationship between 144aa‐uORF and ZNRD1‐AS1. The role of the 144aa‐uORF\ZNRD1‐AS1\miR‐499a‐5p\ELF1\EMI1 axis in vasculogenic mimicry formation of gliomas was analysed. This study illustrates the reduced expression of the 144aa‐uORF in glioma tissues and cells. Up‐regulation of 144aa‐uORF inhibits proliferation, migration, invasion and vasculogenic mimicry formation within glioma cells. The up‐regulated 144aa‐uORF can increase the degradation of ZNRD1‐AS1 through the nonsense‐mediated RNA decay (NMD) pathway. Knockdown of ZNRD1‐AS1 inhibits vasculogenic mimicry in glioma cells by modulating miR‐499a‐5p. At the same time, miR‐499a‐5p is down‐regulated and has a tumour‐suppressive effect in gliomas. In addition, ZNRD1‐AS1 serves as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and regulates the expression of ELF1 by binding to miR‐499a‐5p. Notably, ELF1 binds to the promoter region of EMI1 and up‐regulates EMI1 expression, while simultaneously promoting vasculogenic mimicry in glioma cells. This study suggests that the 144aa‐uORF\ZNRD1‐AS1\miR‐499a‐5p\ELF1\EMI1 axis takes key part in regulating the formation of vasculogenic mimicry in gliomas and may provide a potential target for glioma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Chunqing Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaobai Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Jian Zheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Yixue Xue
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health of China, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuelei Ruan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health of China, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuyuan Shen
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Life Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health of China, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Heng Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
| | - Yunhui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.,Liaoning Clinical Medical Research Center in Nervous System Disease, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Neuro-oncology in Liaoning Province, Shenyang, China
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44
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Scholz A, Rappl P, Böffinger N, Mota AC, Brüne B, Schmid T. Translation of TNFAIP2 is tightly controlled by upstream open reading frames. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:2017-2027. [PMID: 31392347 PMCID: PMC11104949 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03265-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Translation is a highly regulated process, both at the global as well as on a transcript-specific level. Regulatory upstream open reading frames (uORFs) represent a mode to alter cap-dependent translation efficiency in a transcript-specific manner and are found in numerous mRNAs. In the majority of cases, uORFs inhibit the translation of their associated main ORFs. Consequently, their inactivation results in enhanced translation of the main ORF, a phenomenon best characterized in the context of the integrated stress response. In the present study, we identified potent translation-inhibitory uORFs in the transcript leader sequence (TLS) of tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 2 (TNFAIP2). The initial description of the uORFs was based on the observation that despite a massive induction of TNFAIP2 mRNA expression in response to interleukin 1β (IL1β), TNFAIP2 protein levels remained low in MCF7 cells. While we were able to characterize the uORFs with respect to their exact size and sequential requirements in this cellular context, only TPA stimulation partially overcame the translation-inhibitory activity of the TNFAIP2 uORFs. Characterization of TNFAIP2 translation in the context of monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation suggested that, while the uORFs efficiently block TNFAIP2 protein synthesis in monocytes, they are inactivated in mature macrophages, thus allowing for a massive increase in TNFAIP2 protein expression. In summary, we establish TNFAIP2 as a novel target of uORF-mediated translational regulation. Furthermore, our findings suggest that during macrophage differentiation a major uORF-dependent translational switch occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anica Scholz
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter Rappl
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nicola Böffinger
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ana Carolina Mota
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Bernhard Brüne
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tobias Schmid
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
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45
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Orr MW, Mao Y, Storz G, Qian SB. Alternative ORFs and small ORFs: shedding light on the dark proteome. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:1029-1042. [PMID: 31504789 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional annotation of protein-encoding genes relied on assumptions, such as one open reading frame (ORF) encodes one protein and minimal lengths for translated proteins. With the serendipitous discoveries of translated ORFs encoded upstream and downstream of annotated ORFs, from alternative start sites nested within annotated ORFs and from RNAs previously considered noncoding, it is becoming clear that these initial assumptions are incorrect. The findings have led to the realization that genetic information is more densely coded and that the proteome is more complex than previously anticipated. As such, interest in the identification and characterization of the previously ignored 'dark proteome' is increasing, though we note that research in eukaryotes and bacteria has largely progressed in isolation. To bridge this gap and illustrate exciting findings emerging from studies of the dark proteome, we highlight recent advances in both eukaryotic and bacterial cells. We discuss progress in the detection of alternative ORFs as well as in the understanding of functions and the regulation of their expression and posit questions for future work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Wu Orr
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yuanhui Mao
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Gisela Storz
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shu-Bing Qian
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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46
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Lomakin IB, De S, Wang J, Borkar AN, Steitz TA. Crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of DENR. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:696-704. [PMID: 32257053 PMCID: PMC7114459 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The density regulated protein (DENR) forms a stable heterodimer with malignant T-cell-amplified sequence 1 (MCT-1). DENR-MCT-1 heterodimer then participates in regulation of non-canonical translation initiation and ribosomal recycling. The N-terminal domain of DENR interacts with MCT-1 and carries a classical tetrahedral zinc ion-binding site, which is crucial for the dimerization. DENR-MCT-1 binds the small (40S) ribosomal subunit through interactions between MCT-1 and helix h24 of the 18S rRNA, and through interactions between the C-terminal domain of DENR and helix h44 of the 18S rRNA. This later interaction occurs in the vicinity of the P site that is also the binding site for canonical translation initiation factor eIF1, which plays the key role in initiation codon selection and scanning. Sequence homology modeling and a low-resolution crystal structure of the DENR-MCT-1 complex with the human 40S subunit suggests that the C-terminal domain of DENR and eIF1 adopt a similar fold. Here we present the crystal structure of the C-terminal domain of DENR determined at 1.74 Å resolution, which confirms its resemblance to eIF1 and advances our understanding of the mechanism by which DENR-MCT-1 regulates non-canonical translation initiation and ribosomal recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan B. Lomakin
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
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47
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Radío S, Garat B, Sotelo-Silveira J, Smircich P. Upstream ORFs Influence Translation Efficiency in the Parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Front Genet 2020; 11:166. [PMID: 32180802 PMCID: PMC7059621 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally accepted that the presence of ORFs in the 5' untranslated region of eukaryotic transcripts modulates the production of proteins by controlling the translation initiation rate of the main CDS. In trypanosomatid parasites, which almost exclusively depend on post-transcriptional mechanisms to regulate gene expression, translation has been identified as a key step. However, the mechanisms of control of translation are not fully understood. In the present work, we have annotated the 5'UTRs of the Trypanosoma cruzi genome both in epimastigotes and metacyclic trypomastigotes and, using a stringent classification approach, we identified putative regulatory uORFs in about 9% of the analyzed 5'UTRs. The translation efficiency (TE) and translational levels of transcripts containing putative repressive uORFs were found to be significantly reduced. These findings are supported by the fact that proteomic methods only identify a low number of proteins coded by transcripts containing repressive uORF. We additionally show that AUG is the main translation initiator codon of repressive uORFs in T. cruzi. Interestingly, the decrease in TE is more pronounced when the uORFs overlaps the main CDS. In conclusion, we show that the presence of the uORF and features such as initiation codon and/or location of the uORFs may be acting to fine tune translation levels in these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Radío
- Department of Genomics, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Laboratory of Molecular Interactions, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Beatriz Garat
- Laboratory of Molecular Interactions, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - José Sotelo-Silveira
- Department of Genomics, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Smircich
- Department of Genomics, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Laboratory of Molecular Interactions, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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48
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Wallace EWJ, Maufrais C, Sales-Lee J, Tuck LR, de Oliveira L, Feuerbach F, Moyrand F, Natarajan P, Madhani HD, Janbon G. Quantitative global studies reveal differential translational control by start codon context across the fungal kingdom. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:2312-2331. [PMID: 32020195 PMCID: PMC7049704 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic protein synthesis generally initiates at a start codon defined by an AUG and its surrounding Kozak sequence context, but the quantitative importance of this context in different species is unclear. We tested this concept in two pathogenic Cryptococcus yeast species by genome-wide mapping of translation and of mRNA 5' and 3' ends. We observed thousands of AUG-initiated upstream open reading frames (uORFs) that are a major contributor to translation repression. uORF use depends on the Kozak sequence context of its start codon, and uORFs with strong contexts promote nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Transcript leaders in Cryptococcus and other fungi are substantially longer and more AUG-dense than in Saccharomyces. Numerous Cryptococcus mRNAs encode predicted dual-localized proteins, including many aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, in which a leaky AUG start codon is followed by a strong Kozak context in-frame AUG, separated by mitochondrial-targeting sequence. Analysis of other fungal species shows that such dual-localization is also predicted to be common in the ascomycete mould, Neurospora crassa. Kozak-controlled regulation is correlated with insertions in translational initiation factors in fidelity-determining regions that contact the initiator tRNA. Thus, start codon context is a signal that quantitatively programs both the expression and the structures of proteins in diverse fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward W J Wallace
- Institute for Cell Biology and SynthSys, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Corinne Maufrais
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, F-75015 Paris, France
- Institut Pasteur, HUB Bioinformatique et Biostatistique, C3BI, USR 3756 IP CNRS, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Jade Sales-Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Laura R Tuck
- Institute for Cell Biology and SynthSys, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Luciana de Oliveira
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Frank Feuerbach
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Génétique des Interactions Macromoléculaire, Département Génome et Génétique, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Frédérique Moyrand
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Prashanthi Natarajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Hiten D Madhani
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Guilhem Janbon
- Institut Pasteur, Unité Biologie des ARN des Pathogènes Fongiques, Département de Mycologie, F-75015 Paris, France
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49
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Manipulating gene translation in plants by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing of upstream open reading frames. Nat Protoc 2020; 15:338-363. [PMID: 31915386 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-019-0238-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Gene expression is regulated by multiple processes, and the translation of mRNAs into proteins is an especially critical step. Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are widespread cis-elements in eukaryotic genes that usually suppress the translation of downstream primary ORFs (pORFs). Here, we describe a protocol for fine-tuning gene translation in plants by editing endogenous uORFs with the CRISPR-Cas9 system. The method we present readily yields transgene-free uorf mutant offspring. We provide detailed protocols for predicting uORFs and testing their effects on downstream pORFs using a dual-luciferase reporter system, designing and constructing single guide RNA (sgRNA)-Cas9 vectors, identifying transgene-free uorf mutants, and finally comparing the mRNA, protein and phenotypic levels of target genes in uorf mutants and controls. Predicting uORFs and confirming their effects in protoplasts takes only 2-3 weeks, and transgene-free mutants with edited target uORFs controlling different levels of pORF translation can be obtained within 4 months. Unlike previous methods, our strategy achieves fine-tuning of gene translation in transgene-free derivatives, which accelerates the analysis of gene function and the improvement of crop traits.
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50
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Neupane R, Pisareva VP, Rodriguez CF, Pisarev AV, Fernández IS. A complex IRES at the 5'-UTR of a viral mRNA assembles a functional 48S complex via an uAUG intermediate. eLife 2020; 9:54575. [PMID: 32286223 PMCID: PMC7190351 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Taking control of the cellular apparatus for protein production is a requirement for virus progression. To ensure this control, diverse strategies of cellular mimicry and/or ribosome hijacking have evolved. The initiation stage of translation is especially targeted as it involves multiple steps and the engagement of numerous initiation factors. The use of structured RNA sequences, called Internal Ribosomal Entry Sites (IRES), in viral RNAs is a widespread strategy for the exploitation of eukaryotic initiation. Using a combination of electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) and reconstituted translation initiation assays with native components, we characterized how a novel IRES at the 5'-UTR of a viral RNA assembles a functional initiation complex via an uAUG intermediate. The IRES features a novel extended, multi-domain architecture, that circles the 40S head. The structures and accompanying functional data illustrate the importance of 5'-UTR regions in translation regulation and underline the relevance of the untapped diversity of viral IRESs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritam Neupane
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Vera P Pisareva
- Department of Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynUnited States
| | - Carlos F Rodriguez
- Structural Biology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Andrey V Pisarev
- Department of Cell Biology, SUNY Downstate Medical CenterBrooklynUnited States
| | - Israel S Fernández
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia UniversityNew YorkUnited States
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