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Völkers M, Preiss T, Hentze MW. RNA-binding proteins in cardiovascular biology and disease: the beat goes on. Nat Rev Cardiol 2024; 21:361-378. [PMID: 38163813 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-023-00958-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac development and function are becoming increasingly well understood from different angles, including signalling, transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms. By contrast, the importance of the post-transcriptional landscape of cardiac biology largely remains to be uncovered, building on the foundation of a few existing paradigms. The discovery during the past decade of hundreds of additional RNA-binding proteins in mammalian cells and organs, including the heart, is expected to accelerate progress and has raised intriguing possibilities for better understanding the intricacies of cardiac development, metabolism and adaptive alterations. In this Review, we discuss the progress and new concepts on RNA-binding proteins and RNA biology and appraise them in the context of common cardiovascular clinical conditions, from cell and organ-wide perspectives. We also discuss how a better understanding of cardiac RNA-binding proteins can fill crucial knowledge gaps in cardiology and might pave the way to developing better treatments to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Völkers
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg and Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thomas Preiss
- Shine-Dalgarno Centre for RNA Innovation, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Matthias W Hentze
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit (MMPU), Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Verma SK, Kuyumcu-Martinez MN. RNA binding proteins in cardiovascular development and disease. Curr Top Dev Biol 2024; 156:51-119. [PMID: 38556427 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect affecting>1.35 million newborn babies worldwide. CHD can lead to prenatal, neonatal, postnatal lethality or life-long cardiac complications. RNA binding protein (RBP) mutations or variants are emerging as contributors to CHDs. RBPs are wizards of gene regulation and are major contributors to mRNA and protein landscape. However, not much is known about RBPs in the developing heart and their contributions to CHD. In this chapter, we will discuss our current knowledge about specific RBPs implicated in CHDs. We are in an exciting era to study RBPs using the currently available and highly successful RNA-based therapies and methodologies. Understanding how RBPs shape the developing heart will unveil their contributions to CHD. Identifying their target RNAs in the embryonic heart will ultimately lead to RNA-based treatments for congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil K Verma
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville, VA, United States.
| | - Muge N Kuyumcu-Martinez
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine Charlottesville, VA, United States; Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
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3
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Agosto LM, Mallory MJ, Ferretti MB, Blake D, Krick KS, Gazzara MR, Garcia BA, Lynch KW. Alternative splicing of HDAC7 regulates its interaction with 14-3-3 proteins to alter histone marks and target gene expression. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112273. [PMID: 36933216 PMCID: PMC10113009 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin regulation and alternative splicing are both critical mechanisms guiding gene expression. Studies have demonstrated that histone modifications can influence alternative splicing decisions, but less is known about how alternative splicing may impact chromatin. Here, we demonstrate that several genes encoding histone-modifying enzymes are alternatively spliced downstream of T cell signaling pathways, including HDAC7, a gene previously implicated in controlling gene expression and differentiation in T cells. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and cDNA expression, we show that differential inclusion of HDAC7 exon 9 controls the interaction of HDAC7 with protein chaperones, resulting in changes to histone modifications and gene expression. Notably, the long isoform, which is induced by the RNA-binding protein CELF2, promotes expression of several critical T cell surface proteins including CD3, CD28, and CD69. Thus, we demonstrate that alternative splicing of HDAC7 has a global impact on histone modification and gene expression that contributes to T cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Agosto
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael J Mallory
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Max B Ferretti
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Davia Blake
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Immunology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Keegan S Krick
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Matthew R Gazzara
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Genomic and Computational Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kristen W Lynch
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Immunology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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4
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Mehta Z, Touma M. Post-Transcriptional Modification by Alternative Splicing and Pathogenic Splicing Variants in Cardiovascular Development and Congenital Heart Defects. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021555. [PMID: 36675070 PMCID: PMC9862068 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancements in genomics, bioinformatics, and genome editing have uncovered new dimensions in gene regulation. Post-transcriptional modifications by the alternative splicing of mRNA transcripts are critical regulatory mechanisms of mammalian gene expression. In the heart, there is an expanding interest in elucidating the role of alternative splicing in transcriptome regulation. Substantial efforts were directed toward investigating this process in heart development and failure. However, few studies shed light on alternative splicing products and their dysregulation in congenital heart defects (CHDs). While elegant reports showed the crucial roles of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) in orchestrating splicing transitions during heart development and failure, the impact of RBPs dysregulation or genetic variation on CHDs has not been fully addressed. Herein, we review the current understanding of alternative splicing and RBPs' roles in heart development and CHDs. Wediscuss the impact of perinatal splicing transition and its dysregulation in CHDs. We further summarize the discoveries made of causal splicing variants in key transcription factors that are implicated in CHDs. An improved understanding of the roles of alternative splicing in heart development and CHDs may potentially inform novel preventive and therapeutic advancements for newborn infants with CHDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubin Mehta
- Neonatal/Congenital Heart Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Marlin Touma
- Neonatal/Congenital Heart Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Eli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Correspondence:
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5
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Blatnik MC, Gallagher TL, Amacher SL. Keeping development on time: Insights into post-transcriptional mechanisms driving oscillatory gene expression during vertebrate segmentation. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1751. [PMID: 35851751 PMCID: PMC9840655 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Biological time keeping, or the duration and tempo at which biological processes occur, is a phenomenon that drives dynamic molecular and morphological changes that manifest throughout many facets of life. In some cases, the molecular mechanisms regulating the timing of biological transitions are driven by genetic oscillations, or periodic increases and decreases in expression of genes described collectively as a "molecular clock." In vertebrate animals, molecular clocks play a crucial role in fundamental patterning and cell differentiation processes throughout development. For example, during early vertebrate embryogenesis, the segmentation clock regulates the patterning of the embryonic mesoderm into segmented blocks of tissue called somites, which later give rise to axial skeletal muscle and vertebrae. Segmentation clock oscillations are characterized by rapid cycles of mRNA and protein expression. For segmentation clock oscillations to persist, the transcript and protein molecules of clock genes must be short-lived. Faithful, rhythmic, genetic oscillations are sustained by precise regulation at many levels, including post-transcriptional regulation, and such mechanisms are essential for proper vertebrate development. This article is categorized under: RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability Translation > Regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica C. Blatnik
- The Ohio State University, Department of Molecular Genetics, Columbus, Ohio, 43210-1132, United States
| | - Thomas L. Gallagher
- The Ohio State University, Department of Molecular Genetics, Columbus, Ohio, 43210-1132, United States
| | - Sharon L. Amacher
- The Ohio State University, Department of Molecular Genetics, Columbus, Ohio, 43210-1132, United States
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6
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Sanders AL, Hermanson JN, Samuels DC, Plate L, Sanders CR. Compendium of proteins containing segments that exhibit
zero‐tolerance
to amino acid variation in humans. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4408. [PMID: 36040257 PMCID: PMC9387208 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam L. Sanders
- Department of Biochemistry Vanderbilt University School of Medicine—Basic Sciences Nashville Tennessee USA
| | - Jake N. Hermanson
- Quantitative Chemical and Physical Biology Graduate Program Vanderbilt University School of Medicine—Basic Sciences Nashville Tennessee USA
| | - David C. Samuels
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Nashville Tennessee USA
| | - Lars Plate
- Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences Vanderbilt University Nashville Tennessee USA
| | - Charles R. Sanders
- Department of Biochemistry Vanderbilt University School of Medicine—Basic Sciences Nashville Tennessee USA
- Center for Structural Biology Vanderbilt University School of Medicine—Basic Sciences Nashville Tennessee USA
- Department of Medicine Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Nashville Tennessee USA
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7
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Hinkle ER, Wiedner HJ, Torres EV, Jackson M, Black AJ, Blue RE, Harris SE, Guzman BB, Gentile GM, Lee EY, Tsai YH, Parker J, Dominguez D, Giudice J. Alternative splicing regulation of membrane trafficking genes during myogenesis. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:523-540. [PMID: 35082143 PMCID: PMC8925968 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078993.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing transitions occur during organ development, and, in numerous diseases, splicing programs revert to fetal isoform expression. We previously found that extensive splicing changes occur during postnatal mouse heart development in genes encoding proteins involved in vesicle-mediated trafficking. However, the regulatory mechanisms of this splicing-trafficking network are unknown. Here, we found that membrane trafficking genes are alternatively spliced in a tissue-specific manner, with striated muscles exhibiting the highest levels of alternative exon inclusion. Treatment of differentiated muscle cells with chromatin-modifying drugs altered exon inclusion in muscle cells. Examination of several RNA-binding proteins revealed that the poly-pyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) and quaking regulate splicing of trafficking genes during myogenesis, and that removal of PTBP1 motifs prevented PTBP1 from binding its RNA target. These findings enhance our understanding of developmental splicing regulation of membrane trafficking proteins which might have implications for muscle disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Hinkle
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB), The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Hannah J Wiedner
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB), The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Eduardo V Torres
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Micaela Jackson
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Adam J Black
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - R Eric Blue
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Sarah E Harris
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Bryan B Guzman
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Gabrielle M Gentile
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB), The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Eunice Y Lee
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Yi-Hsuan Tsai
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Joel Parker
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB), The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Daniel Dominguez
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Jimena Giudice
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB), The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- McAllister Heart Institute, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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8
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Li Y, Shi Y, He Y, Li X, Yang J. RNA binding Motif protein-38 regulates myocardial hypertrophy in LXR-α-dependent lipogenesis pathway. Bioengineered 2021; 12:9655-9667. [PMID: 34854353 PMCID: PMC8809983 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1977552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial hypertrophy is a pathological thickening of the myocardium, leading to various ailments, such as myocardial infarction and heart failure. RBM38 is critical in modulating mRNA translation for multiple protective activities such as p53 tumor repressor and p21 kinase cell cycle inhibitors. Liver X receptors (LXR-α) agonists reduce cellular hypertrophy initiated by various hypertrophic stimuli as lipopolysaccharides and Ang II. This research investigates the possible cooperation between RBM38 and LXR-α and mechanisms in modulating myocardial hypertrophy. H9C2 cells were treated with PE, TNF-α, and AngII to induce myocardial hypertrophy. RBM38 and LXR- α were overexpressed or silenced in H9C2 cells, and hypertrophy markers (ANF and Myh7) were determined with Western blot and RT-qPCR. Binding assays were done through RNA immunoprecipitation. H&E and Rhodamine-labeled phalloidin staining assays were used to assess the relative cell surface change. The results demonstrated RBM38 downregulation in in vitro models of myocardial hypertrophy. Modulation of RBM38 expression also exerted inverse effects on myocardial hypertrophy markers. Further observations also showed that LXR-α expression regulates the myocardial hypertrophy markers in H9C2 cells and RBM38 binds with LXR-α mRNA, consequently inhibiting LXR-α expression. Finally, overexpression of RBM38 rescues Angiotensin II-induced myocardial hypertrophy by regulating LXR-α dependent lipogenesis pathway. In conclusion, RBM38 Overexpression rescues Angiotensin II-induced myocardial hypertrophy by regulating LXR-α dependent lipogenesis pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Baoji People's Hospital, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yanhu Shi
- Department of Cardiology, Baoji Chinese Medicine Hospital, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Yaoli He
- Department of Geriatric Cardio-cerebrovascular Diseases, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, China
| | - Junlu Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Baoji Chinese Medicine Hospital, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, China
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9
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Blake D, Lynch KW. The three as: Alternative splicing, alternative polyadenylation and their impact on apoptosis in immune function. Immunol Rev 2021; 304:30-50. [PMID: 34368964 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The latest advances in next-generation sequencing studies and transcriptomic profiling over the past decade have highlighted a surprising frequency of genes regulated by RNA processing mechanisms in the immune system. In particular, two control steps in mRNA maturation, namely alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation, are now recognized to occur in the vast majority of human genes. Both have the potential to alter the identity of the encoded protein, as well as control protein abundance or even protein localization or association with other factors. In this review, we will provide a summary of the general mechanisms by which alternative splicing (AS) and alternative polyadenylation (APA) occur, their regulation within cells of the immune system, and their impact on immunobiology. In particular, we will focus on how control of apoptosis by AS and APA is used to tune cell fate during an immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davia Blake
- Immunology Graduate Group and the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kristen W Lynch
- Immunology Graduate Group and the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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10
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Gao C, Wang Y. mRNA Metabolism in Cardiac Development and Disease: Life After Transcription. Physiol Rev 2020; 100:673-694. [PMID: 31751167 PMCID: PMC7327233 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00007.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The central dogma of molecular biology illustrates the importance of mRNAs as critical mediators between genetic information encoded at the DNA level and proteomes/metabolomes that determine the diverse functional outcome at the cellular and organ levels. Although the total number of protein-producing (coding) genes in the mammalian genome is ~20,000, it is evident that the intricate processes of cardiac development and the highly regulated physiological regulation in the normal heart, as well as the complex manifestation of pathological remodeling in a diseased heart, would require a much higher degree of complexity at the transcriptome level and beyond. Indeed, in addition to an extensive regulatory scheme implemented at the level of transcription, the complexity of transcript processing following transcription is dramatically increased. RNA processing includes post-transcriptional modification, alternative splicing, editing and transportation, ribosomal loading, and degradation. While transcriptional control of cardiac genes has been a major focus of investigation in recent decades, a great deal of progress has recently been made in our understanding of how post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA contributes to transcriptome complexity. In this review, we highlight some of the key molecular processes and major players in RNA maturation and post-transcriptional regulation. In addition, we provide an update to the recent progress made in the discovery of RNA processing regulators implicated in cardiac development and disease. While post-transcriptional modulation is a complex and challenging problem to study, recent technological advancements are paving the way for a new era of exciting discoveries and potential clinical translation in the context of cardiac biology and heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Gao
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yibin Wang
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine, and Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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11
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Akerberg AA, Burns CE, Burns CG. Exploring the Activities of RBPMS Proteins in Myocardial Biology. Pediatr Cardiol 2019; 40:1410-1418. [PMID: 31399780 PMCID: PMC6786954 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-019-02180-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Numerous RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are expressed in the heart, and mutations in several RBPs have been implicated in cardiovascular disease through genetic associations, animal modeling, and mechanistic studies. However, the functions of many more cardiac RBPs, and their relevance to disease states, remain to be elucidated. Recently, we have initiated studies to characterize the functions of the RBPs RBPMS and RBPMS2 in regulating myocardial biology in zebrafish and higher vertebrate species. These studies began when we learned, using an unbiased gene discovery approach, that rbpms2a and rbpms2b in zebrafish are robust markers of embryonic myocardium. This observation, which is consistent with published data, suggests that the encoded proteins are likely to be performing critical functions in regulating one or more aspects of cardiomyocyte differentiation, proliferation, survival, and/or contractility. This notion is supported by recent reports demonstrating that zebrafish embryos with disrupted Rbpms2 function exhibit gross signs of cardiac distress. Interestingly, a 20-year-old study determined that myocardial tissue from the frog, chick, and mouse also express high levels of Rbpms and/or Rbpms2, which is suggestive of evolutionary conservation of function. In this review, we will provide a historical account of how RBPMS and RBPMS2 genes were discovered, attempt to clarify some potentially confusing nomenclature, and summarize published observations that inform our ongoing studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Akerberg
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Caroline E. Burns
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138,Authors for Correspondence: ()
| | - C. Geoffrey Burns
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115,Authors for Correspondence: ()
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12
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Alternative splicing as a regulator of development and tissue identity. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2017; 18:437-451. [PMID: 28488700 DOI: 10.1038/nrm.2017.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 748] [Impact Index Per Article: 106.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing of eukaryotic transcripts is a mechanism that enables cells to generate vast protein diversity from a limited number of genes. The mechanisms and outcomes of alternative splicing of individual transcripts are relatively well understood, and recent efforts have been directed towards studying splicing networks. It has become apparent that coordinated splicing networks regulate tissue and organ development, and that alternative splicing has important physiological functions in different developmental processes in humans.
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13
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LOX-1 and Its Splice Variants: A New Challenge for Atherosclerosis and Cancer-Targeted Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020290. [PMID: 28146073 PMCID: PMC5343826 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a process in which precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing sites are differentially selected to diversify the protein isoform population. Changes in AS patterns have an essential role in normal development, differentiation and response to physiological stimuli. It is documented that AS can generate both “risk” and “protective” splice variants that can contribute to the pathogenesis of several diseases including atherosclerosis. The main endothelial receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDLs) is LOX-1 receptor protein encoded by the OLR1 gene. When OLR1 undergoes AS events, it generates three variants: OLR1, OLR1D4 and LOXIN. The latter lacks exon 5 and two-thirds of the functional domain. Literature data demonstrate a protective role of LOXIN in pathologies correlated with LOX-1 overexpression such as atherosclerosis and tumors. In this review, we summarize recent developments in understanding of OLR1 AS while also highlighting data warranting further investigation of this process as a novel therapeutic target.
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14
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Post-Translational Modifications and RNA-Binding Proteins. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 907:297-317. [PMID: 27256391 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-29073-7_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins affect cellular metabolic programs through development and in response to cellular stimuli. Though much work has been done to elucidate the roles of a handful of RNA-binding proteins and their effect on RNA metabolism, the progress of studies to understand the effects of post-translational modifications of this class of proteins is far from complete. This chapter summarizes the work that has been done to identify the consequence of post-translational modifications to some RNA-binding proteins. The effects of these modifications have been shown to increase the panoply of functions that a given RNA-binding protein can assume. We will survey the experimental methods that are used to identify the presence of several protein modifications and methods that attempt to discern the consequence of these modifications.
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GTPase Activating Protein (Sh3 Domain) Binding Protein 1 Regulates the Processing of MicroRNA-1 during Cardiac Hypertrophy. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145112. [PMID: 26675618 PMCID: PMC4684496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miR) are small, posttranscriptional regulators, expressed as part of a longer primary transcript, following which they undergo nuclear and cytoplasmic processing by Drosha and Dicer, respectively, to form the functional mature ~20mer that gets incorporated into the silencing complex. Others and we have shown that mature miR-1 levels decrease with pressure-induced cardiac hypertrophy, however, there is little or no change in the primary transcript encompassing miR-1 stem-loop, suggesting critical regulatory step in microRNA processing. The objective of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms regulating miR-1 expression in cardiomyocytes. Results Here we report that GTPase–activating protein (SH3 domain) binding protein 1 (G3bp1), an endoribonuclease regulates miR-1 processing in cardiomyocytes. G3bp1 is upregulated during cardiac hypertrophy and restricts miR-1 processing by binding to its consensus sequence in the pre-miR-1-2 stem-loop. In accordance, exogenous G3bp1 is sufficient to reduce miR-1 levels, along with derepression of miR-1 targets; General transcription factor IIB (Gtf2b), cyclin dependent factor 9 (Cdk9) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (Eif4e). While Cdk9 and Gtf2b are essential for transcription, Eif4e is required for translation. Thus, downregulation of miR-1 is necessary for increase in these molecules. Similar to miR-1 knockdown, G3bp1 overexpression is not sufficient for development of cardiac hypertrophy. Conversely, knockdown of G3bp1 in hypertrophying cardiomyocytes inhibited downregulation of miR-1 and upregulation of its targets along with restricted hypertrophy, suggesting that G3bp1 is necessary for development of cardiac hypertrophy. These results indicate that G3bp1-mediated inhibition of miR-1 processing with growth stimulation results in decrease in mature miR-1 and, thereby, an increase of its targets, which play fundamental roles in the development of hypertrophy. Conclusion G3bp1 posttranscriptionally regulates miRNA-1 processing in the heart, and G3bp1 mediated downregulation of mature miRNA-1 levels is required for the derepression of its targets and increase in gene expression during cardiac hypertrophy.
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Xie M, Fussenegger M. Mammalian designer cells: Engineering principles and biomedical applications. Biotechnol J 2015; 10:1005-18. [PMID: 26010998 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201400642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Biotechnology is a widely interdisciplinary field focusing on the use of living cells or organisms to solve established problems in medicine, food production and agriculture. Synthetic biology, the science of engineering complex biological systems that do not exist in nature, continues to provide the biotechnology industry with tools, technologies and intellectual property leading to improved cellular performance. One key aspect of synthetic biology is the engineering of deliberately reprogrammed designer cells whose behavior can be controlled over time and space. This review discusses the most commonly used techniques to engineer mammalian designer cells; while control elements acting on the transcriptional and translational levels of target gene expression determine the kinetic and dynamic profiles, coupling them to a variety of extracellular stimuli permits their remote control with user-defined trigger signals. Designer mammalian cells with novel or improved biological functions not only directly improve the production efficiency during biopharmaceutical manufacturing but also open the door for cell-based treatment strategies in molecular and translational medicine. In the future, the rational combination of multiple sets of designer cells could permit the construction and regulation of higher-order systems with increased complexity, thereby enabling the molecular reprogramming of tissues, organisms or even populations with highest precision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqi Xie
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland. .,Faculty of Life Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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hnRNP U protein is required for normal pre-mRNA splicing and postnatal heart development and function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E3020-9. [PMID: 26039991 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1508461112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We report that mice lacking the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNP U) in the heart develop lethal dilated cardiomyopathy and display numerous defects in cardiac pre-mRNA splicing. Mutant hearts have disorganized cardiomyocytes, impaired contractility, and abnormal excitation-contraction coupling activities. RNA-seq analyses of Hnrnpu mutant hearts revealed extensive defects in alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs encoding proteins known to be critical for normal heart development and function, including Titin and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta (Camk2d). Loss of hnRNP U expression in cardiomyocytes also leads to aberrant splicing of the pre-mRNA encoding the excitation-contraction coupling component Junctin. We found that the protein product of an alternatively spliced Junctin isoform is N-glycosylated at a specific asparagine site that is required for interactions with specific protein partners. Our findings provide conclusive evidence for the essential role of hnRNP U in heart development and function and in the regulation of alternative splicing.
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