1
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Li ZM, Lin Y, Luo CH, Sun QL, Mi CL, Wang XY, Wang TY. Optimization of extended Kozak elements enhances recombinant proteins expression in CHO cells. J Biotechnol 2024; 392:96-102. [PMID: 38960098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2024.06.020] [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: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, the localization of small ribosomal subunits to mRNA transcripts requires the translation of Kozak elements at the starting site. The sequence of Kozak elements affects the translation efficiency of protein synthesis. However, whether the upstream nucleotide of Kozak sequence affects the expression of recombinant proteins in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells remains unclear. In order to find the optimal sequence to enhance recombinant proteins expression in CHO cells, -10 to +4 sequences around ATG in 100 CHO genes were compared, and the extended Kozak elements with different translation intensities were constructed. Using the classic Kozak element as control, the effects of optimized extended Kozak elements on the secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and human serum albumin (HSA) gene were studied. The results showed that the optimized extended Kozak sequence can enhance the stable expression level of recombinant proteins in CHO cells. Furthermore, it was found that the increased expression level of the recombinant protein was not related with higher transcription level. In summary, optimizing extended Kozak elements can enhance the expression of recombinant proteins in CHO cells, which contributes to the construction of an efficient expression system for CHO cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Mei Li
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; College of Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Jiujiang 332020, China
| | - Yan Lin
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; School of Nursing, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Cong-Hui Luo
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; School of Life Science and Technology,Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Qiu-Li Sun
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; School of Life Science and Technology,Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Chun-Liu Mi
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Xiao-Yin Wang
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China.
| | - Tian-Yun Wang
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Recombinant Pharmaceutical Protein Expression System of Henan, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China.
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2
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Iyengar BR, Grandchamp A, Bornberg-Bauer E. How antisense transcripts can evolve to encode novel proteins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6187. [PMID: 39043684 PMCID: PMC11266595 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50550-3] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein coding features can emerge de novo in non coding transcripts, resulting in emergence of new protein coding genes. Studies across many species show that a large fraction of evolutionarily novel non-coding RNAs have an antisense overlap with protein coding genes. The open reading frames (ORFs) in these antisense RNAs could also overlap with existing ORFs. In this study, we investigate how the evolution an ORF could be constrained by its overlap with an existing ORF in three different reading frames. Using a combination of mathematical modeling and genome/transcriptome data analysis in two different model organisms, we show that antisense overlap can increase the likelihood of ORF emergence and reduce the likelihood of ORF loss, especially in one of the three reading frames. In addition to rationalising the repeatedly reported prevalence of de novo emerged genes in antisense transcripts, our work also provides a generic modeling and an analytical framework that can be used to understand evolution of antisense genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Ravi Iyengar
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, Münster, Germany.
| | - Anna Grandchamp
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, Münster, Germany
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM, TAGC, Marseille, France
| | - Erich Bornberg-Bauer
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Hüfferstrasse 1, Münster, Germany
- Department of Protein Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, Max-Planck-Ring 5, Tübingen, Germany
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3
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Matoy EJ, Plowman JN, Watson CJ, Belshan MA, Blue EE, Huff CD, Stessman HAF. In vitro data suggest a role for PMS2 Kozak sequence mutations in Lynch syndrome risk. HGG ADVANCES 2024; 5:100298. [PMID: 38654521 PMCID: PMC11087717 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2024.100298] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary cancer syndrome. Heterozygous loss-of-function variants in PMS2 are linked to LS. While these variants are not directly cancer causing, reduced PMS2 function results in the accumulation of somatic variants and increased cancer risk over time due to DNA mismatch repair dysfunction. It is reasonable that other types of genetic variation that impact the expression of PMS2 may also contribute to cancer risk. The Kozak sequence is a highly conserved translation initiation motif among higher eukaryotes and is defined as the nine base pairs upstream of the translation start codon through the first four bases of the translated sequence (5'-[GTT]GCATCCATGG-3'; human PMS2: NM_000535.7). While Kozak sequence variants in PMS2 have been reported in ClinVar in patients with suspected hereditary cancer, all variants upstream of the translation start site are currently classified as variants of undetermined significance (VUSs). We hypothesized that variants significantly disrupting the Kozak sequence of PMS2 would decrease PMS2 protein expression, contributing to increased cancer risk over time. Using a dual-luciferase reporter plasmid and site-directed mutagenesis, we generated the wild-type human PMS2 and the ClinVar VUSs within the PMS2 Kozak sequence. Besides the c.1A>C variant, which is already known to be pathogenic, we implicate six additional variants as American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)/Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) pathogenic supporting (PP) variants and classify ten as benign supporting (BP). In summary, we present a method developed for the classification of human PMS2 Kozak sequence variants that can contribute to the re-classification of VUSs identified in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evanjalina J Matoy
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Jocelyn N Plowman
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Cynthia J Watson
- Creighton University Core Facilities, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Michael A Belshan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Blue
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Public Health Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Brotman Baty Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Chad D Huff
- Department of Epidemiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Holly A F Stessman
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; Creighton University Core Facilities, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
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4
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Duan M, Dev I, Lu A, Ayrapetyan G, You MY, Shapiro MG. SEMPER: Stoichiometric expression of mRNA polycistrons by eukaryotic ribosomes for compact, ratio-tunable multi-gene expression. Cell Syst 2024; 15:597-609.e4. [PMID: 38971149 PMCID: PMC11298409 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.06.001] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Here, we present a method for expressing multiple open reading frames (ORFs) from single transcripts using the leaky scanning model of translation initiation. In this approach termed "stoichiometric expression of mRNA polycistrons by eukaryotic ribosomes" (SEMPER), adjacent ORFs are translated from a single mRNA at tunable ratios determined by their order in the sequence and the strength of their translation initiation sites. We validate this approach by expressing up to three fluorescent proteins from one plasmid in two different cell lines. We then use it to encode a stoichiometrically tuned polycistronic construct encoding gas vesicle acoustic reporter genes that enables efficient formation of the multi-protein complex while minimizing cellular toxicity. We also demonstrate that SEMPER enables polycistronic expression of recombinant monoclonal antibodies from plasmid DNA and of two fluorescent proteins from single mRNAs made through in vitro transcription. Finally, we provide a probabilistic model to elucidate the mechanisms underlying SEMPER. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengtong Duan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Ishaan Dev
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Andrew Lu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Goar Ayrapetyan
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mei Yi You
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mikhail G Shapiro
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
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5
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Grosely R, Alvarado C, Ivanov IP, Nicholson OB, Puglisi JD, Dever TE, Lapointe CP. eIF1 and eIF5 dynamically control translation start site fidelity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.10.602410. [PMID: 39026837 PMCID: PMC11257575 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.10.602410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Translation initiation defines the identity of a synthesized protein through selection of a translation start site on a messenger RNA. This process is essential to well-controlled protein synthesis, modulated by stress responses, and dysregulated in many human diseases. The eukaryotic initiation factors eIF1 and eIF5 interact with the initiator methionyl-tRNAi Met on the 40S ribosomal subunit to coordinate start site selection. Here, using single-molecule analysis of in vitro reconstituted human initiation combined with translation assays in cells, we examine eIF1 and eIF5 function. During translation initiation on a panel of RNAs, we monitored both proteins directly and in real time using single-molecule fluorescence. As expected, eIF1 loaded onto mRNAs as a component of the 43S initiation complex. Rapid (~ 2 s) eIF1 departure required a translation start site and was delayed by alternative start sites and a longer 5' untranslated region (5'UTR). After its initial departure, eIF1 rapidly and transiently sampled initiation complexes, with more prolonged sampling events on alternative start sites. By contrast, eIF5 only transiently bound initiation complexes late in initiation immediately prior to association of eIF5B, which allowed joining of the 60S ribosomal subunit. eIF5 association required the presence of a translation start site and was inhibited and destabilized by alternative start sites. Using both knockdown and overexpression experiments in human cells, we validated that eIF1 and eIF5 have opposing roles during initiation. Collectively, our findings demonstrate how multiple eIF1 and eIF5 binding events control start-site selection fidelity throughout initiation, which is tuned in response to changes in the levels of both proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosslyn Grosely
- Dept. of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Alvarado
- Dept. of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ivaylo P. Ivanov
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Joseph D. Puglisi
- Dept. of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Thomas E. Dever
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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6
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Lama-Diaz T, Blanco MG. Alternative translation initiation by ribosomal leaky scanning produces multiple isoforms of the Pif1 helicase. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6928-6944. [PMID: 38783074 PMCID: PMC11229318 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae400] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In budding yeast, the integrity of both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes relies on dual-targeted isoforms of the conserved Pif1 helicase, generated by alternative translation initiation (ATI) of PIF1 mRNA from two consecutive AUG codons flanking a mitochondrial targeting signal. Here, we demonstrate that ribosomal leaky scanning is the specific ATI mechanism that produces not only these, but also novel, previously uncharacterized Pif1 isoforms. Both in-frame, downstream AUGs as well as near-cognate start codons contribute to the generation of these alternative isoforms. This has crucial implications for the rational design of genuine separation-of-function alleles and provides an explanation for the suboptimal behaviour of the widely employed mitochondrial- (pif1-m1) and nuclear-deficient (pif1-m2) alleles, with mutations in the first or second AUG codon, respectively. We have taken advantage of this refined model to develop improved versions of these alleles, which will serve as valuable tools to elucidate novel functions of this helicase and to disambiguate previously described genetic interactions of PIF1 in the context of nuclear and mitochondrial genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Lama-Diaz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña 15782, Spain
| | - Miguel G Blanco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña 15782, Spain
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7
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Villagra UMM, da Cunha BR, Polachini GM, Henrique T, Stefanini ACB, de Castro TB, da Silva CHTP, Feitosa OA, Fukuyama EE, López RVM, Dias-Neto E, Nunes FD, Severino P, Tajara EH. Expression of Truncated Products at the 5'-Terminal Region of RIPK2 and Evolutive Aspects that Support Their Biological Importance. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae106. [PMID: 38752399 PMCID: PMC11221433 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae106] [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] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is the process of generating different mRNAs from the same primary transcript, which contributes to increase the transcriptome and proteome diversity. Abnormal splicing has been associated with the development of several diseases including cancer. Given that mutations and abnormal levels of the RIPK2 transcript and RIP-2 protein are frequent in tumors, and that RIP-2 modulates immune and inflammatory responses, we investigated alternative splicing events that result in partial deletions of the kinase domain at the N-terminus of RIP-2. We also investigated the structure and expression of the RIPK2 truncated variants and isoforms in different environments. In addition, we searched data throughout Supraprimates evolution that could support the biological importance of RIPK2 alternatively spliced products. We observed that human variants and isoforms were differentially regulated following temperature stress, and that the truncated transcript was more expressed than the long transcript in tumor samples. The inverse was found for the longer protein isoform. The truncated variant was also detected in chimpanzee, gorilla, hare, pika, mouse, rat, and tree shrew. The fact that the same variant has been preserved in mammals with divergence times up to 70 million years raises the hypothesis that it may have a functional significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulises M M Villagra
- Faculty of Exact Sciences, Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Institute (IBBM), National University of La Plata-CCT, CONICET, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Bianca R da Cunha
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto/FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo/USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Giovana M Polachini
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto/FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tiago Henrique
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto/FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Buzzo Stefanini
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo/USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tialfi Bergamin de Castro
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto/FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- Microbial Pathogenesis Department, University of Maryland Baltimore, School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carlos H T P da Silva
- Computational Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo/USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Olavo A Feitosa
- Computational Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo/USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Erica E Fukuyama
- Head and Neck Surgery Department, Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho Cancer Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rossana V M López
- Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology, Center for Translational Research in Oncology, State of São Paulo Cancer Institute—ICESP, Clinics Hospital, Sao Paulo University Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Emmanuel Dias-Neto
- Laboratory of Medical Genomics, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabio D Nunes
- Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo/USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Patricia Severino
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo/USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Albert Einstein Research and Education Institute, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Eloiza H Tajara
- Department of Molecular Biology, School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto/FAMERP, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo/USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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8
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Fan X, Chang T, Chen C, Hafner M, Wang Z. Analysis of RNA translation with a deep learning architecture provides new insight into translation control. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.08.548206. [PMID: 39005319 PMCID: PMC11244891 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.08.548206] [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
Accurate annotation of coding regions in RNAs is essential for understanding gene translation. We developed a deep neural network to directly predict and analyze translation initiation and termination sites from RNA sequences. Trained with human transcripts, our model learned hidden rules of translation control and achieved a near perfect prediction of canonical translation sites across entire human transcriptome. Surprisingly, this model revealed a new role of codon usage in regulating translation termination, which was experimentally validated. We also identified thousands of new open reading frames in mRNAs or lncRNAs, some of which were confirmed experimentally. The model trained with human mRNAs achieved high prediction accuracy of canonical translation sites in all eukaryotes and good prediction in polycistronic transcripts from prokaryotes or RNA viruses, suggesting a high degree of conservation in translation control. Collectively, we present a general and efficient deep learning model for RNA translation, generating new insights into the complexity of translation regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Fan
- Bio-med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health
- RNA Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tiangen Chang
- Laboratory of Cancer Data Science, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Chuyun Chen
- Bio-med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Markus Hafner
- RNA Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zefeng Wang
- Bio-med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
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9
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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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10
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Castillo-Hair S, Fedak S, Wang B, Linder J, Havens K, Certo M, Seelig G. Optimizing 5'UTRs for mRNA-delivered gene editing using deep learning. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5284. [PMID: 38902240 PMCID: PMC11189900 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49508-2] [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: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
mRNA therapeutics are revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry, but methods to optimize the primary sequence for increased expression are still lacking. Here, we design 5'UTRs for efficient mRNA translation using deep learning. We perform polysome profiling of fully or partially randomized 5'UTR libraries in three cell types and find that UTR performance is highly correlated across cell types. We train models on our datasets and use them to guide the design of high-performing 5'UTRs using gradient descent and generative neural networks. We experimentally test designed 5'UTRs with mRNA encoding megaTALTM gene editing enzymes for two different gene targets and in two different cell lines. We find that the designed 5'UTRs support strong gene editing activity. Editing efficiency is correlated between cell types and gene targets, although the best performing UTR was specific to one cargo and cell type. Our results highlight the potential of model-based sequence design for mRNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Castillo-Hair
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- eScience Institute, University of Washington, WA, Seattle, USA
| | | | - Ban Wang
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Johannes Linder
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Georg Seelig
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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11
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Kim KQ, Nanjaraj Urs AN, Lasehinde V, Greenlaw AC, Hudson BH, Zaher HS. eIF4F complex dynamics are important for the activation of the integrated stress response. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2135-2151.e7. [PMID: 38848692 PMCID: PMC11189614 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
In response to stress, eukaryotes activate the integrated stress response (ISR) via phosphorylation of eIF2α to promote the translation of pro-survival effector genes, such as GCN4 in yeast. Complementing the ISR is the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway, which regulates eIF4E function. Here, we probe translational control in the absence of eIF4E in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Intriguingly, we find that loss of eIF4E leads to de-repression of GCN4 translation. In addition, we find that de-repression of GCN4 translation is accompanied by neither eIF2α phosphorylation nor reduction in initiator ternary complex (TC). Our data suggest that when eIF4E levels are depleted, GCN4 translation is de-repressed via a unique mechanism that may involve faster scanning by the small ribosome subunit due to increased local concentration of eIF4A. Overall, our findings suggest that relative levels of eIF4F components are key to ribosome dynamics and may play important roles in translational control of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyusik Q Kim
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | | | - Victor Lasehinde
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Alison C Greenlaw
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Benjamin H Hudson
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Hani S Zaher
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
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12
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Tidu A, Alghoul F, Despons L, Eriani G, Martin F. Critical cis-parameters influence STructure assisted RNA translation (START) initiation on non-AUG codons in eukaryotes. NAR Genom Bioinform 2024; 6:lqae065. [PMID: 38863530 PMCID: PMC11165317 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqae065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, translation initiation is a highly regulated process, which combines cis-regulatory sequences located on the messenger RNA along with trans-acting factors like eukaryotic initiation factors (eIF). One critical step of translation initiation is the start codon recognition by the scanning 43S particle, which leads to ribosome assembly and protein synthesis. In this study, we investigated the involvement of secondary structures downstream the initiation codon in the so-called START (STructure-Assisted RNA translation) mechanism on AUG and non-AUG translation initiation. The results demonstrate that downstream secondary structures can efficiently promote non-AUG translation initiation if they are sufficiently stable to stall a scanning 43S particle and if they are located at an optimal distance from non-AUG codons to stabilize the codon-anticodon base pairing in the P site. The required stability of the downstream structure for efficient translation initiation varies in distinct cell types. We extended this study to genome-wide analysis of functionally characterized alternative translation initiation sites in Homo sapiens. This analysis revealed that about 25% of these sites have an optimally located downstream secondary structure of adequate stability which could elicit START, regardless of the start codon. We validated the impact of these structures on translation initiation for several selected uORFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonin Tidu
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, CNRS UPR9002, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Fatima Alghoul
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, CNRS UPR9002, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Laurence Despons
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, CNRS UPR9002, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Gilbert Eriani
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, CNRS UPR9002, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Franck Martin
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité de l’ARN, CNRS UPR9002, 2 allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67084 Strasbourg, France
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13
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Weiss B, Dikstein R. Unraveling the landscapes and regulation of scanning, leaky scanning, and 48S initiation complex conformations. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114126. [PMID: 38630588 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114126] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Scanning and initiation are critical steps in translation. Here, we utilized translation complex profiling (TCP-seq) to investigate 48S organization and eIF4G1-eIF1 inhibition impact. We provide global views of scanning and leaky scanning, uncovering a central role of eIF4G1-eIF1 in their regulation. We confirm AUG context importance, with non-leaky genes featuring a Kozak context and cytosine at positions -1 and +5. Capturing 48S complexes associated with eIF1, eIF4G1, eIF3, and eIF2 through selective TCP-seq revealed that the eIF3-scanning ribosome is highly vulnerable to eIF4G1-eIF1 inhibition, and eIF1 tends to dissociate upon AUG recognition. Initiation-site footprint analysis revealed a class spanning -12 to +18/19 from the AUG, representing the entire 48S and enriched with eIF2, eIF1, and eIF4G1, indicative of early initiation. Another eIF3-dependent class extends up to +26 and exhibits reduced eIF2 and eIF4G1 association, suggesting a late/alternative initiation complex. Our analysis provides an overview of scanning, initiation, and evidence for conformational rearrangements in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Weiss
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
| | - Rivka Dikstein
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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14
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Ly J, Xiang K, Su KC, Sissoko GB, Bartel DP, Cheeseman IM. Nuclear release of eIF1 globally increases stringency of start-codon selection to preserve mitotic arrest physiology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.06.588385. [PMID: 38617206 PMCID: PMC11014515 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.06.588385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Regulated start-codon selection has the potential to reshape the proteome through the differential production of uORFs, canonical proteins, and alternative translational isoforms. However, conditions under which start-codon selection is altered remain poorly defined. Here, using transcriptome-wide translation initiation site profiling, we reveal a global increase in the stringency of start-codon selection during mammalian mitosis. Low-efficiency initiation sites are preferentially repressed in mitosis, resulting in pervasive changes in the translation of thousands of start sites and their corresponding protein products. This increased stringency of start-codon selection during mitosis results from increased interactions between the key regulator of start-codon selection, eIF1, and the 40S ribosome. We find that increased eIF1-40S ribosome interactions during mitosis are mediated by the release of a nuclear pool of eIF1 upon nuclear envelope breakdown. Selectively depleting the nuclear pool of eIF1 eliminates the changes to translational stringency during mitosis, resulting in altered mitotic proteome composition. In addition, preventing mitotic translational rewiring results in substantially increased cell death and decreased mitotic slippage following treatment with anti-mitotic chemotherapeutics. Thus, cells globally control translation initiation stringency with critical roles during the mammalian cell cycle to preserve mitotic cell physiology.
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15
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Bothe A, Ban N. A highly optimized human in vitro translation system. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2024; 4:100755. [PMID: 38608690 PMCID: PMC11046033 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2024.100755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
In vitro translation is an important method for studying fundamental aspects of co- and post-translational gene regulation, as well as for protein expression in the laboratory and on an industrial scale. Here, by re-examining and improving a human in vitro translation system (HITS), we were able to develop a minimal system where only four components are needed to supplement human cell lysates. Functional characterization of our improved HITS revealed the synergistic effect of mRNA capping and polyadenylation. Furthermore, we found that mRNAs are translated with an efficiency equal to or higher than existing state-of-the-art mammalian in vitro translation systems. Lastly, we present an easy preparation procedure for cytoplasmic extracts from cultured HeLa cells, which can be performed in any cell culture laboratory. These methodological advances will allow HITSs to become a widespread tool in basic molecular biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Bothe
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nenad Ban
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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16
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Yin Q, Liu W, Jiang Y, Feng Q, Wang X, Dou H, Liu Z, He F, Fan Y, Jiao B, Jiao B. Comprehensive genomic analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant BA.2.76 in Jining City, China, 2022. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:378. [PMID: 38632523 PMCID: PMC11022347 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10246-w] [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: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to analyze the molecular characteristics of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant BA.2.76 in Jining City, China. METHODS Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 87 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Evolutionary trees were constructed using bioinformatics software to analyze sequence homology, variant sites, N-glycosylation sites, and phosphorylation sites. RESULTS All 87 SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequences were classified under the evolutionary branch of the Omicron variant BA.2.76. Their similarity to the reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1 ranged from 99.72 to 99.74%. In comparison to the reference strain Wuhan-Hu-1, the 87 sequences exhibited 77-84 nucleotide differences and 27 nucleotide deletions. A total of 69 amino acid variant sites, 9 amino acid deletions, and 1 stop codon mutation were identified across 18 proteins. Among them, the spike (S) protein exhibited the highest number of variant sites, and the ORF8 protein showed a Q27 stop mutation. Multiple proteins displayed variations in glycosylation and phosphorylation sites. CONCLUSION SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, giving rise to new strains with enhanced transmission, stronger immune evasion capabilities, and reduced pathogenicity. The application of high-throughput sequencing technologies in the epidemic prevention and control of COVID-19 provides crucial insights into the evolutionary and variant characteristics of the virus at the genomic level, thereby holding significant implications for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Yin
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Yajuan Jiang
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Qiang Feng
- Department of Laboratory, Rencheng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Huixin Dou
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Zanzan Liu
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China
| | - Feifei He
- Computer Information Technology, Northern Arizona University, Arizona, USA
| | - Yingying Fan
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China.
| | - Baihai Jiao
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Boyan Jiao
- Department of Laboratory, Jining Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jining, China.
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17
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Zheng C, Zhou J, Yuan X, Zheng E, Liu X, Cui W, Yan C, Wu Y, Ruan W, Yi K, Chen J, Wang X. Elevating plant immunity by translational regulation of a rice WRKY transcription factor. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:1033-1048. [PMID: 37997501 PMCID: PMC10955491 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Plants have intricate mechanisms that tailor their defence responses to pathogens. WRKY transcription factors play a pivotal role in plant immunity by regulating various defence signalling pathways. Many WRKY genes are transcriptionally activated upon pathogen attack, but how their functions are regulated after transcription remains elusive. Here, we show that OsWRKY7 functions as a crucial positive regulator of rice basal immunity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). The activity of OsWRKY7 was regulated at both translational and post-translational levels. Two translational products of OsWRKY7 were generated by alternative initiation. The full-length OsWRKY7 protein is normally degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system but was accumulated following elicitor or pathogen treatment, whereas the alternate product initiated from the downstream in-frame start codon was stable. Both the full and alternate OsWRKY7 proteins have transcriptional activities in yeast and rice cells, and overexpression of each form enhanced resistance to Xoo infection. Furthermore, disruption of the main AUG in rice increased the endogenous translation of the alternate stabilized form of OsWRKY7 and enhanced bacterial blight resistance. This study provides insights into the coordination of alternative translation and protein stability in the regulation of plant growth and basal defence mediated by the OsWRKY7 transcription factor, and also suggests a promising strategy to breed disease-resistant rice by translation initiation control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agroproducts, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory for Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Virology and BiotechnologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouP. R. China
- College of Plant ProtectionNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingP.R. China
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agroproducts, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory for Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Virology and BiotechnologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouP. R. China
| | - Xiaoya Yuan
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agroproducts, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory for Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Virology and BiotechnologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouP. R. China
- College of Plant ProtectionNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingP.R. China
| | - Ersong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agroproducts, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory for Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Virology and BiotechnologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouP. R. China
- College of Plant ProtectionNorthwest A&F UniversityYanglingP.R. China
| | - Xiuli Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agroproducts, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory for Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Virology and BiotechnologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouP. R. China
| | - Weijun Cui
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agroproducts, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory for Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Virology and BiotechnologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouP. R. China
| | - Chengqi Yan
- Institute of BiotechnologyNingbo Academy of Agricultural SciencesNingboP.R. China
| | - Yueyan Wu
- Zhejiang Wan Li UniversityNingboP.R. China
| | - Wenyuan Ruan
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional PlanningChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Keke Yi
- Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional PlanningChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jianping Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agroproducts, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory for Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Virology and BiotechnologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouP. R. China
- Institute of Plant VirologyNingbo UniversityNingboP. R. China
| | - Xuming Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agroproducts, Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory for Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Virology, Institute of Virology and BiotechnologyZhejiang Academy of Agricultural SciencesHangzhouP. R. China
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18
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Ghafoor D, Zeb A, Ali SS, Ali M, Akbar F, Ud Din Z, Ur Rehman S, Suleman M, Khan W. Immunoinformatic based designing of potential immunogenic novel mRNA and peptide-based prophylactic vaccines against H5N1 and H7N9 avian influenza viruses. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:3641-3658. [PMID: 37222664 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2214228] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are the most common cause of serious respiratory illnesses worldwide and are responsible for a significant number of annual fatalities. Therefore, it is crucial to look for new immunogenic sites that might trigger an effective immune response. In the present study, bioinformatics tools were used to design mRNA and multiepitope-based vaccines against H5N1 and H7N9 subtypes of avian influenza viruses. Several Immunoinformatic tools were employed to extrapolate T and B lymphocyte epitopes of HA and NA proteins of both subtypes. The molecular docking approach was used to dock the selected HTL and CTL epitopes with the corresponding MHC molecules. Eight (8) CTL, four (4) HTL, and Six (6) linear B cell epitopes were chosen for the structural arrangement of mRNA and of peptide-based prophylactic vaccine designs. Different physicochemical characteristics of the selected epitopes fitted with suitable linkers were analyzed. High antigenic, non-toxic, and non-allergenic features of the designed vaccines were noted at a neutral physiological pH. Codon optimization tool was used to check the GC content and CAI value of constructed MEVC-Flu vaccine, which were recorded to be 50.42% and 0.97 respectively. the GC content and CAI value verify the stable expression of vaccine in pET28a + vector. In-silico immunological simulation the MEVC-Flu vaccine construct revealed a high level of immune responses. The molecular dynamics simulation and docking results confirmed the stable interaction of TLR-8 and MEVC-Flu vaccine. Based on these parameters, vaccine constructs can be regarded as an optimistic choice against H5N1 and H7N9 strains of the influenza virus. Further experimental testing of these prophylactic vaccine designs against pathogenic avian influenza strains may clarify their safety and efficacy.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawood Ghafoor
- Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Adnan Zeb
- Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Syed Shujait Ali
- Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Fazal Akbar
- Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Zia Ud Din
- Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, University of Balochistan Quetta, Quetta, Pakistan
| | - Shoaib Ur Rehman
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Bannu, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Suleman
- Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Wajid Khan
- Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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19
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González-Sánchez AM, Castellanos-Silva EA, Díaz-Figueroa G, Cate JHD. JUN mRNA translation regulation is mediated by multiple 5' UTR and start codon features. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299779. [PMID: 38483896 PMCID: PMC10939236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Regulation of mRNA translation by eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) is crucial for cell survival. In humans, eIF3 stimulates translation of the JUN mRNA which encodes the transcription factor JUN, an oncogenic transcription factor involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. Previous studies revealed that eIF3 activates translation of the JUN mRNA by interacting with a stem loop in the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) and with the 5' -7-methylguanosine cap structure. In addition to its interaction site with eIF3, the JUN 5' UTR is nearly one kilobase in length, and has a high degree of secondary structure, high GC content, and an upstream start codon (uAUG). This motivated us to explore the complexity of JUN mRNA translation regulation in human cells. Here we find that JUN translation is regulated in a sequence and structure-dependent manner in regions adjacent to the eIF3-interacting site in the JUN 5' UTR. Furthermore, we identify contributions of an additional initiation factor, eIF4A, in JUN regulation. We show that enhancing the interaction of eIF4A with JUN by using the compound Rocaglamide A (RocA) represses JUN translation. We also find that both the upstream AUG (uAUG) and the main AUG (mAUG) contribute to JUN translation and that they are conserved throughout vertebrates. Our results reveal additional layers of regulation for JUN translation and show the potential of JUN as a model transcript for understanding multiple interacting modes of translation regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélica M. González-Sánchez
- Comparative Biochemistry Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
| | - Eimy A. Castellanos-Silva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America
| | - Gabriela Díaz-Figueroa
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
| | - Jamie H. D. Cate
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
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20
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Ji W, Xu L, Sun X, Xu X, Zhang H, Luo H, Yao B, Zhang W, Su X, Huang H. Exploiting Systematic Engineering of the Expression Cassette as a Powerful Tool to Enhance Heterologous Gene Expression in Trichoderma reesei. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2024; 72:5307-5317. [PMID: 38426871 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c07988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Many endeavors in expressing a heterologous gene in microbial hosts rely on simply placing the gene of interest between a selected pair of promoters and terminator. However, although the expression efficiency could be improved by engineering the host cell, how modifying the expression cassette itself systematically would affect heterologous gene expression remains largely unknown. As the promoter and terminator bear plentiful cis-elements, herein using the Aspergillus niger mannanase with high application value in animal feeds and the eukaryotic filamentous fungus workhorse Trichoderma reesei as a model gene/host, systematic engineering of an expression cassette was investigated to decipher the effect of its mutagenesis on heterologous gene expression. Modifying the promoter, signal peptide, the eukaryotic-specific Kozak sequence, and the 3'-UTR could stepwise improve extracellular mannanase production from 17 U/mL to an ultimate 471 U/mL, representing a 27.7-fold increase in expression. The strategies can be generally applied in improving the production of heterologous proteins in eukaryotic microbial hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangli Ji
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 12 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Li Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xianhua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xinxin Xu
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 12 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Honglian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huiying Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bin Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 12 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoyun Su
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huoqing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 2 West Yuanmingyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
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21
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Marcos-Villar L, Perdiguero B, Anthiya S, Borrajo ML, Lou G, Franceschini L, Esteban I, Sánchez-Cordón PJ, Zamora C, Sorzano CÓS, Jordá L, Codó L, Gelpí JL, Sisteré-Oró M, Meyerhans A, Thielemans K, Martínez-Jiménez F, López-Bigas N, García F, Alonso MJ, Plana M, Esteban M, Gómez CE. Modulating the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 by different nanocarriers delivering an mRNA expressing trimeric RBD of the spike protein: COVARNA Consortium. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:53. [PMID: 38448450 PMCID: PMC10918104 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00838-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccines based on mRNA technology have revolutionized the field. In fact, lipid nanoparticles (LNP) formulated with mRNA are the preferential vaccine platform used in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection, with wider application against other diseases. The high demand and property right protection of the most potent cationic/ionizable lipids used for LNP formulation of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have promoted the design of alternative nanocarriers for nucleic acid delivery. In this study we have evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of different rationally designed lipid and polymeric-based nanoparticle prototypes against SARS-CoV-2 infection. An mRNA coding for a trimeric soluble form of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein from SARS-CoV-2 was encapsulated using different components to form nanoemulsions (NE), nanocapsules (NC) and lipid nanoparticles (LNP). The toxicity and biological activity of these prototypes were evaluated in cultured cells after transfection and in mice following homologous prime/boost immunization. Our findings reveal good levels of RBD protein expression with most of the formulations. In C57BL/6 mice immunized intramuscularly with two doses of formulated RBD-mRNA, the modified lipid nanoparticle (mLNP) and the classical lipid nanoparticle (LNP-1) were the most effective delivery nanocarriers at inducing binding and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Both prototypes fully protected susceptible K18-hACE2 transgenic mice from morbidity and mortality following a SARS-CoV-2 challenge. These results highlight that modulation of mRNAs immunogenicity can be achieved by using alternative nanocarriers and support further assessment of mLNP and LNP-1 prototypes as delivery vehicles for mRNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Marcos-Villar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Perdiguero
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Shubaash Anthiya
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mireya L Borrajo
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Gustavo Lou
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Franceschini
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ignasi Esteban
- AIDS Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro J Sánchez-Cordón
- Veterinary Pathology Department, Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Zamora
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Óscar S Sorzano
- Biocomputing Unit and Computational Genomics, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Jordá
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Codó
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep L Gelpí
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Sisteré-Oró
- Infection Biology Laboratory, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreas Meyerhans
- Infection Biology Laboratory, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Francisco Martínez-Jiménez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria López-Bigas
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Cáncer (CIBERONC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe García
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María J Alonso
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Montserrat Plana
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- AIDS Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariano Esteban
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carmen Elena Gómez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
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22
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Lewis CJT, Xie L, Bhandarkar S, Jin D, Abdallah KS, Draycott AS, Chen Y, Thoreen CC, Gilbert WV. Quantitative profiling of human translation initiation reveals regulatory elements that potently affect endogenous and therapeutically modified mRNAs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.28.582532. [PMID: 38463950 PMCID: PMC10925289 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.28.582532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
mRNA therapeutics offer a potentially universal strategy for the efficient development and delivery of therapeutic proteins. Current mRNA vaccines include chemically modified nucleotides to reduce cellular immunogenicity. Here, we develop an efficient, high-throughput method to measure human translation initiation on therapeutically modified as well as endogenous RNAs. Using systems-level biochemistry, we quantify ribosome recruitment to tens of thousands of human 5' untranslated regions and identify sequences that mediate 250-fold effects. We observe widespread effects of coding sequences on translation initiation and identify small regulatory elements of 3-6 nucleotides that are sufficient to potently affect translational output. Incorporation of N1-methylpseudouridine (m1Ψ) selectively enhances translation by specific 5' UTRs that we demonstrate surpass those of current mRNA vaccines. Our approach is broadly applicable to dissect mechanisms of human translation initiation and engineer more potent therapeutic mRNAs. Highlights Measurement of >30,000 human 5' UTRs reveals a 250-fold range of translation outputSystematic mutagenesis demonstrates the causality of short (3-6nt) regulatory elementsN1-methylpseudouridine alters translation initiation in a sequence-specific mannerOptimal modified 5' UTRs outperform those in the current class of mRNA vaccines.
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23
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Gotoh S, Mori K, Fujino Y, Kawabe Y, Yamashita T, Omi T, Nagata K, Tagami S, Nagai Y, Ikeda M. eIF5 stimulates the CUG initiation of RAN translation of poly-GA dipeptide repeat protein (DPR) in C9orf72 FTLD/ALS. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105703. [PMID: 38301895 PMCID: PMC10904283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105703] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tandem GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 is a genetic cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Transcribed repeats are translated into dipeptide repeat proteins via repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation. However, the regulatory mechanism of RAN translation remains unclear. Here, we reveal a GTPase-activating protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 5 (eIF5), which allosterically facilitates the conversion of eIF2-bound GTP into GDP upon start codon recognition, as a novel modifier of C9orf72 RAN translation. Compared to global translation, eIF5, but not its inactive mutants, preferentially stimulates poly-GA RAN translation. RAN translation is increased during integrated stress response, but the stimulatory effect of eIF5 on poly-GA RAN translation was additive to the increase of RAN translation during integrated stress response, with no further increase in phosphorylated eIF2α. Moreover, an alteration of the CUG near cognate codon to CCG or AUG in the poly-GA reading frame abolished the stimulatory effects, indicating that eIF5 primarily acts through the CUG-dependent initiation. Lastly, in a Drosophila model of C9orf72 FTLD/ALS that expresses GGGGCC repeats in the eye, knockdown of endogenous eIF5 by two independent RNAi strains significantly reduced poly-GA expressions, confirming in vivo effect of eIF5 on poly-GA RAN translation. Together, eIF5 stimulates the CUG initiation of poly-GA RAN translation in cellular and Drosophila disease models of C9orf72 FTLD/ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiho Gotoh
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kohji Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.
| | - Yuzo Fujino
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan; Department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuya Kawabe
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tomoko Yamashita
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Tsubasa Omi
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kenichi Nagata
- Department of Precision Medicine for Dementia, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Shinji Tagami
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Nagai
- Department of Neurology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Manabu Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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24
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Chowdhury IR, Viktorova E, Samal SK, Belov GA. The effect of 5' and 3' non-translated regions on the expression of a transgene from a Newcastle disease virus vector. Virus Res 2024; 341:199309. [PMID: 38181903 PMCID: PMC10818242 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199309] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian virus and a promising vector for the development of vaccines for veterinary and human use. The optimal vaccine vector performance requires a stable high-level expression of a transgene. The foreign genes are usually incorporated in the genome of NDV as individual transcription units, whose transcription and subsequent translation of the mRNA are regulated by the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) flanking the open reading frame of the transgene. Here, we investigated if the UTRs derived from the cognate NDV genes would increase the expression of a model protective antigene from an NDV vector. Our results show that in chicken DF1 cells, none of the UTRs tested significantly outperformed generic short sequences flanking the transgene, while in human HeLa cells, UTRs derived from the M gene of NDV statistically significantly increased the expression of the transgene. The UTRs derived from the HN gene significantly downregulated the transgene expression in both cell cultures. Further experiments demonstrated that NDV UTRs differently affect the mRNA abundance and translation efficacy. While both M and HN UTRs decreased the level of the transgene mRNA in infected cells compared to the mRNA flanked by generic UTRs, M, and particularly, HN UTRs strongly increased the mRNA translation efficacy. The major determinants of translation enhancement are localized in the 5'UTR of HN. Thus, our data reveal a direct role of NDV UTRs in translational regulation, and inform future optimization of NDV vectors for vaccine and therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishita Roy Chowdhury
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Ekaterina Viktorova
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Siba K Samal
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - George A Belov
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA.
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25
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Hernández G, García A, Weingarten-Gabbay S, Mishra R, Hussain T, Amiri M, Moreno-Hagelsieb G, Montiel-Dávalos A, Lasko P, Sonenberg N. Functional analysis of the AUG initiator codon context reveals novel conserved sequences that disfavor mRNA translation in eukaryotes. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1064-1079. [PMID: 38038264 PMCID: PMC10853783 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1152] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA translation is a fundamental process for life. Selection of the translation initiation site (TIS) is crucial, as it establishes the correct open reading frame for mRNA decoding. Studies in vertebrate mRNAs discovered that a purine at -3 and a G at +4 (where A of the AUG initiator codon is numbered + 1), promote TIS recognition. However, the TIS context in other eukaryotes has been poorly experimentally analyzed. We analyzed in vitro the influence of the -3, -2, -1 and + 4 positions of the TIS context in rabbit, Drosophila, wheat, and yeast. We observed that -3A conferred the best translational efficiency across these species. However, we found variability at the + 4 position for optimal translation. In addition, the Kozak motif that was defined from mammalian cells was only weakly predictive for wheat and essentially non-predictive for yeast. We discovered eight conserved sequences that significantly disfavored translation. Due to the big differences in translational efficiency observed among weak TIS context sequences, we define a novel category that we termed 'barren AUG context sequences (BACS)', which represent sequences disfavoring translation. Analysis of mRNA-ribosomal complexes structures provided insights into the function of BACS. The gene ontology of the BACS-containing mRNAs is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greco Hernández
- mRNA and Cancer Laboratory, Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, National Institute of Cancer (INCan), Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Alejandra García
- mRNA and Cancer Laboratory, Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, National Institute of Cancer (INCan), Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Shira Weingarten-Gabbay
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rishi Kumar Mishra
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru-560012, India
| | - Tanweer Hussain
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru-560012, India
| | - Mehdi Amiri
- Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Institute. McGill University., Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Gabriel Moreno-Hagelsieb
- Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University. 75 University Ave. W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada
| | - Angélica Montiel-Dávalos
- mRNA and Cancer Laboratory, Unit of Biomedical Research on Cancer, National Institute of Cancer (INCan), Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Paul Lasko
- Department of Biology, McGill University. Montreal, QC H3G 0B1, Canada
| | - Nahum Sonenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Goodman Cancer Institute. McGill University., Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada
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26
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Cautereels C, Smets J, Bircham P, De Ruysscher D, Zimmermann A, De Rijk P, Steensels J, Gorkovskiy A, Masschelein J, Verstrepen KJ. Combinatorial optimization of gene expression through recombinase-mediated promoter and terminator shuffling in yeast. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1112. [PMID: 38326309 PMCID: PMC10850122 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44997-7] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbes are increasingly employed as cell factories to produce biomolecules. This often involves the expression of complex heterologous biosynthesis pathways in host strains. Achieving maximal product yields and avoiding build-up of (toxic) intermediates requires balanced expression of every pathway gene. However, despite progress in metabolic modeling, the optimization of gene expression still heavily relies on trial-and-error. Here, we report an approach for in vivo, multiplexed Gene Expression Modification by LoxPsym-Cre Recombination (GEMbLeR). GEMbLeR exploits orthogonal LoxPsym sites to independently shuffle promoter and terminator modules at distinct genomic loci. This approach facilitates creation of large strain libraries, in which expression of every pathway gene ranges over 120-fold and each strain harbors a unique expression profile. When applied to the biosynthetic pathway of astaxanthin, an industrially relevant antioxidant, a single round of GEMbLeR improved pathway flux and doubled production titers. Together, this shows that GEMbLeR allows rapid and efficient gene expression optimization in heterologous biosynthetic pathways, offering possibilities for enhancing the performance of microbial cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Cautereels
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Jolien Smets
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Peter Bircham
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Dries De Ruysscher
- Molecular Biotechnology of Plants and Micro-organisms, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, box 2438, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Discovery & Engineering, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Anna Zimmermann
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Peter De Rijk
- Neuromics Support Facility, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
- Neuromics Support Facility, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
| | - Jan Steensels
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Anton Gorkovskiy
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Joleen Masschelein
- Molecular Biotechnology of Plants and Micro-organisms, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, box 2438, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Discovery & Engineering, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium
| | - Kevin J Verstrepen
- VIB Laboratory for Systems Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Microbiology, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, Center of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Department M2S, KU Leuven, Gaston Geenslaan 1, Leuven, 3001, Belgium.
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27
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Suiwal S, Wartenberg P, Boehm U, Schmitz F, Schwarz K. A Novel Cre Recombinase Mouse Strain for Cell-Specific Deletion of Floxed Genes in Ribbon Synapse-Forming Retinal Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1916. [PMID: 38339191 PMCID: PMC10856425 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031916] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
We generated a novel Cre mouse strain for cell-specific deletion of floxed genes in ribbon synapse-forming retinal neurons. Previous studies have shown that the RIBEYE promotor targets the expression of recombinant proteins such as fluorescently tagged RIBEYE to photoreceptors and retinal bipolar cells and generates fluorescent synaptic ribbons in situ in these neurons. Here, we used the same promotor to generate a novel transgenic mouse strain in which the RIBEYE promotor controls the expression of a Cre-ER(T2) recombinase (RIBEYE-Cre). To visualize Cre expression, the RIBEYE-Cre animals were crossed with ROSA26 tau-GFP (R26-τGFP) reporter mice. In the resulting RIBEYE-Cre/R26 τGFP animals, Cre-mediated removal of a transcriptional STOP cassette results in the expression of green fluorescent tau protein (tau-GFP) that binds to cellular microtubules. We detected robust tau-GFP expression in retinal bipolar cells. Surprisingly, we did not find fluorescent tau-GFP expression in mouse photoreceptors. The lack of tau-GFP reporter protein in these cells could be based on the previously reported absence of tau protein in mouse photoreceptors which could lead to the degradation of the recombinant tau protein. Consistent with this, we detected Cre and tau-GFP mRNA in mouse photoreceptor slices by RT-PCR. The transgenic RIBEYE-Cre mouse strain provides a new tool to study the deletion of floxed genes in ribbon synapse-forming neurons of the retina and will also allow for analyzing gene deletions that are lethal if globally deleted in neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Suiwal
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Philipp Wartenberg
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS) and Center for Gender-Specific Biology and Medicine (CGBM), Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (P.W.); (U.B.)
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS) and Center for Gender-Specific Biology and Medicine (CGBM), Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (P.W.); (U.B.)
| | - Frank Schmitz
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Karin Schwarz
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
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28
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Tidu A, Martin F. The interplay between cis- and trans-acting factors drives selective mRNA translation initiation in eukaryotes. Biochimie 2024; 217:20-30. [PMID: 37741547 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.09.017] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
Translation initiation consists in the assembly of the small and large ribosomal subunits on the start codon. This important step directly modulates the general proteome in living cells. Recently, genome wide studies revealed unexpected translation initiation events from unsuspected novel open reading frames resulting in the synthesis of a so-called 'dark proteome'. Indeed, the identification of the start codon by the translation machinery is a critical step that defines the translational landscape of the cell. Therefore, translation initiation is a highly regulated process in all organisms. In this review, we focus on the various cis- and trans-acting factors that rule the regulation of translation initiation in eukaryotes. Recent discoveries have shown that the guidance of the translation machinery for the choice of the start codon require sophisticated molecular mechanisms. In particular, the 5'UTR and the coding sequences contain cis-acting elements that trigger the use of AUG codons but also non-AUG codons to initiate protein synthesis. The use of these alternative start codons is also largely influenced by numerous trans-acting elements that drive selective mRNA translation in response to environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonin Tidu
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS UPR9002, 2, allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67084 Strasbourg, France
| | - Franck Martin
- Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, CNRS UPR9002, 2, allée Konrad Roentgen, F-67084 Strasbourg, France.
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29
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Porto E, Loula P, Strand S, Hankeln T. Molecular analysis of the human cytoglobin mRNA isoforms. J Inorg Biochem 2024; 251:112422. [PMID: 38016326 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112422] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Multiple functions have been proposed for the ubiquitously expressed vertebrate globin cytoglobin (Cygb), including nitric oxide (NO) metabolism, lipid peroxidation/signalling, superoxide dismutase activity, reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) scavenging, regulation of blood pressure, antifibrosis, and both tumour suppressor and oncogenic effects. Since alternative splicing can expand the biological roles of a gene, we investigated whether this mechanism contributes to the functional diversity of Cygb. By mining of cDNA data and molecular analysis, we identified five alternative mRNA isoforms for the human CYGB gene (V-1 to V-5). Comprehensive RNA-seq analyses of public datasets from human tissues and cells confirmed that the canonical CYGB V-1 isoform is the primary CYGB transcript in the majority of analysed datasets. Interestingly, we revealed that isoform V-3 represented the predominant CYGB variant in hepatoblastoma (HB) cell lines and in the majority of analysed normal and HB liver tissues. CYGB V-3 mRNA is transcribed from an alternate upstream promoter and hypothetically encodes a N-terminally truncated CYGB protein, which is not recognized by some antibodies used in published studies. Little to no transcriptional evidence was found for the other CYGB isoforms. Comparative transcriptomics and flow cytometry on CYGB+/+ and gene-edited CYGB-/- HepG2 HB cells did not unveil a knockout phenotype and, thus, a potential function for CYGB V-3. Our study reveals that the CYGB gene is transcriptionally more complex than previously described as it expresses alternative mRNA isoforms of unknown function. Additional experimental data are needed to clarify the biological meaning of those alternative CYGB transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Porto
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Molecular Genetics & Genome Analysis Group, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, J. J. Becher-Weg 30A, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Paraskevi Loula
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Molecular Genetics & Genome Analysis Group, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, J. J. Becher-Weg 30A, D-55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Strand
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Molecular Hepatology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Strasse 63, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Hankeln
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Molecular Genetics & Genome Analysis Group, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, J. J. Becher-Weg 30A, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
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30
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Powers EN, Kuwayama N, Sousa C, Reynaud K, Jovanovic M, Ingolia NT, Brar GA. Dbp1 is a low performance paralog of RNA helicase Ded1 that drives impaired translation and heat stress response. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.12.575095. [PMID: 38260653 PMCID: PMC10802583 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.12.575095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Ded1 and Dbp1 are paralogous conserved RNA helicases that enable translation initiation in yeast. Ded1 has been heavily studied but the role of Dbp1 is poorly understood. We find that the expression of these two helicases is controlled in an inverse and condition-specific manner. In meiosis and other long-term starvation states, Dbp1 expression is upregulated and Ded1 is downregulated, whereas in mitotic cells, Dbp1 expression is extremely low. Inserting the DBP1 ORF in place of the DED1 ORF cannot replace the function of Ded1 in supporting translation, partly due to inefficient mitotic translation of the DBP1 mRNA, dependent on features of its ORF sequence but independent of codon optimality. Global measurements of translation rates and 5' leader translation, activity of mRNA-tethered helicases, ribosome association, and low temperature growth assays show that-even at matched protein levels-Ded1 is more effective than Dbp1 at activating translation, especially for mRNAs with structured 5' leaders. Ded1 supports halting of translation and cell growth in response to heat stress, but Dbp1 lacks this function, as well. These functional differences in the ability to efficiently mediate translation activation and braking can be ascribed to the divergent, disordered N- and C-terminal regions of these two helicases. Altogether, our data show that Dbp1 is a "low performance" version of Ded1 that cells employ in place of Ded1 under long-term conditions of nutrient deficiency.
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31
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Takizawa F, Hashimoto K, Miyazawa R, Ohta Y, Veríssimo A, Flajnik MF, Parra D, Tokunaga K, Suetake H, Sunyer JO, Dijkstra JM. CD4 and LAG-3 from sharks to humans: related molecules with motifs for opposing functions. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1267743. [PMID: 38187381 PMCID: PMC10768021 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1267743] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
CD4 and LAG-3 are related molecules that are receptors for MHC class II molecules. Their major functional differences are situated in their cytoplasmic tails, in which CD4 has an activation motif and LAG-3 an inhibitory motif. Here, we identify shark LAG-3 and show that a previously identified shark CD4-like gene has a genomic location, expression pattern, and motifs similar to CD4 in other vertebrates. In nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) and cloudy catshark (Scyliorhinus torazame), the highest CD4 expression was consistently found in the thymus whereas such was not the case for LAG-3. Throughout jawed vertebrates, the CD4 cytoplasmic tail possesses a Cx(C/H) motif for binding kinase LCK, and the LAG-3 cytoplasmic tail possesses (F/Y)xxL(D/E) including the previously determined FxxL inhibitory motif resembling an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM). On the other hand, the acidic end of the mammalian LAG-3 cytoplasmic tail, which is believed to have an inhibitory function as well, was acquired later in evolution. The present study also identified CD4-1, CD4-2, and LAG-3 in the primitive ray-finned fishes bichirs, sturgeons, and gars, and experimentally determined these sequences for sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus). Therefore, with CD4-1 and CD4-2 already known in teleosts (modern ray-finned fish), these two CD4 lineages have now been found within all major clades of ray-finned fish. Although different from each other, the cytoplasmic tails of ray-finned fish CD4-1 and chondrichthyan CD4 not only contain the Cx(C/H) motif but also an additional highly conserved motif which we expect to confer a function. Thus, although restricted to some species and gene copies, in evolution both CD4 and LAG-3 molecules appear to have acquired functional motifs besides their canonical Cx(C/H) and ITIM-like motifs, respectively. The presence of CD4 and LAG-3 molecules with seemingly opposing functions from the level of sharks, the oldest living vertebrates with a human-like adaptive immune system, underlines their importance for the jawed vertebrate immune system. It also emphasizes the general need of the immune system to always find a balance, leading to trade-offs, between activating and inhibiting processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumio Takizawa
- Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Fukui Prefectural University, Obama, Fukui, Japan
| | - Keiichiro Hashimoto
- Emeritus Professor, Center for Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Miyazawa
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yuko Ohta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ana Veríssimo
- CIBIO‐InBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Martin F. Flajnik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Hiroaki Suetake
- Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Fukui Prefectural University, Obama, Fukui, Japan
| | - J. Oriol Sunyer
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Bryant OJ, Lastovka F, Powell J, Chung BYW. The distinct translational landscapes of gram-negative Salmonella and gram-positive Listeria. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8167. [PMID: 38071303 PMCID: PMC10710512 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43759-1] [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: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Translational control in pathogenic bacteria is fundamental to gene expression and affects virulence and other infection phenotypes. We used an enhanced ribosome profiling protocol coupled with parallel transcriptomics to capture accurately the global translatome of two evolutionarily distant pathogenic bacteria-the Gram-negative bacterium Salmonella and the Gram-positive bacterium Listeria. We find that the two bacteria use different mechanisms to translationally regulate protein synthesis. In Salmonella, in addition to the expected correlation between translational efficiency and cis-regulatory features such as Shine-Dalgarno (SD) strength and RNA secondary structure around the initiation codon, our data reveal an effect of the 2nd and 3rd codons, where the presence of tandem lysine codons (AAA-AAA) enhances translation in both Salmonella and E. coli. Strikingly, none of these features are seen in efficiently translated Listeria transcripts. Instead, approximately 20% of efficiently translated Listeria genes exhibit 70 S footprints seven nt upstream of the authentic start codon, suggesting that these genes may be subject to a novel translational initiation mechanism. Our results show that SD strength is not a direct hallmark of translational efficiency in all bacteria. Instead, Listeria has evolved additional mechanisms to control gene expression level that are distinct from those utilised by Salmonella and E. coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owain J Bryant
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
- Centre for Structural Biology, National Cancer Institute, 21702, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Filip Lastovka
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Jessica Powell
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Betty Y-W Chung
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK.
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Reimão-Pinto MM, Castillo-Hair SM, Seelig G, Schier AF. The regulatory landscape of 5' UTRs in translational control during zebrafish embryogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.23.568470. [PMID: 38045294 PMCID: PMC10690280 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.23.568470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The 5' UTRs of mRNAs are critical for translation regulation, but their in vivo regulatory features are poorly characterized. Here, we report the regulatory landscape of 5' UTRs during early zebrafish embryogenesis using a massively parallel reporter assay of 18,154 sequences coupled to polysome profiling. We found that the 5' UTR is sufficient to confer temporal dynamics to translation initiation, and identified 86 motifs enriched in 5' UTRs with distinct ribosome recruitment capabilities. A quantitative deep learning model, DaniO5P, revealed a combined role for 5' UTR length, translation initiation site context, upstream AUGs and sequence motifs on in vivo ribosome recruitment. DaniO5P predicts the activities of 5' UTR isoforms and indicates that modulating 5' UTR length and motif grammar contributes to translation initiation dynamics. This study provides a first quantitative model of 5' UTR-based translation regulation in early vertebrate development and lays the foundation for identifying the underlying molecular effectors. Highlights In vivo MPRA systematically interrogates the regulatory potential of endogenous 5' UTRs The 5' UTR alone is sufficient to regulate the dynamics of ribosome recruitment during early embryogenesis The MPRA identifies 5' UTR cis -regulatory motifs for translation initiation control 5' UTR length, upstream AUGs and motif grammar contribute to the differential regulatory capability of 5' UTR switching isoforms.
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Stewart H, Lu Y, O’Keefe S, Valpadashi A, Cruz-Zaragoza LD, Michel HA, Nguyen SK, Carnell GW, Lukhovitskaya N, Milligan R, Adewusi Y, Jungreis I, Lulla V, Matthews DA, High S, Rehling P, Emmott E, Heeney JL, Davidson AD, Edgar JR, Smith GL, Firth AE. The SARS-CoV-2 protein ORF3c is a mitochondrial modulator of innate immunity. iScience 2023; 26:108080. [PMID: 37860693 PMCID: PMC10583119 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes a multitude of accessory proteins. Using comparative genomic approaches, an additional accessory protein, ORF3c, has been predicted to be encoded within the ORF3a sgmRNA. Expression of ORF3c during infection has been confirmed independently by ribosome profiling. Despite ORF3c also being present in the 2002-2003 SARS-CoV, its function has remained unexplored. Here we show that ORF3c localizes to mitochondria, where it inhibits innate immunity by restricting IFN-β production, but not NF-κB activation or JAK-STAT signaling downstream of type I IFN stimulation. We find that ORF3c is inhibitory after stimulation with cytoplasmic RNA helicases RIG-I or MDA5 or adaptor protein MAVS, but not after TRIF, TBK1 or phospho-IRF3 stimulation. ORF3c co-immunoprecipitates with the antiviral proteins MAVS and PGAM5 and induces MAVS cleavage by caspase-3. Together, these data provide insight into an uncharacterized mechanism of innate immune evasion by this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel Stewart
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yongxu Lu
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarah O’Keefe
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Anusha Valpadashi
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - George W. Carnell
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Rachel Milligan
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Yasmin Adewusi
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Irwin Jungreis
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Valeria Lulla
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - David A. Matthews
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Stephen High
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Peter Rehling
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Edward Emmott
- Centre for Proteome Research, Department of Biochemistry & Systems Biology, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jonathan L. Heeney
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew D. Davidson
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - James R. Edgar
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Andrew E. Firth
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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González-Sánchez AM, Castellanos-Silva EA, Díaz-Figueroa G, Cate JHD. JUN mRNA Translation Regulation is Mediated by Multiple 5' UTR and Start Codon Features. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.17.567602. [PMID: 38014201 PMCID: PMC10680820 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.17.567602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of mRNA translation by eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) is crucial for cell survival. In humans, eIF3 stimulates translation of the JUN mRNA which encodes the transcription factor JUN, an oncogenic transcription factor involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. Previous studies revealed that eIF3 activates translation of the JUN mRNA by interacting with a stem loop in the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) and with the 5'-7-methylguanosine cap structure. In addition to its interaction site with eIF3, the JUN 5' UTR is nearly one kilobase in length, and has a high degree of secondary structure, high GC content, and an upstream start codon (uAUG). This motivated us to explore the complexity of JUN mRNA translation regulation in human cells. Here we find that JUN translation is regulated in a sequence and structure-dependent manner in regions adjacent to the eIF3-interacting site in the JUN 5' UTR. Furthermore, we identify contributions of an additional initiation factor, eIF4A, in JUN regulation. We show that enhancing the interaction of eIF4A with JUN by using the compound Rocaglamide A (RocA) represses JUN translation. We also find that both the upstream AUG (uAUG) and the main AUG (mAUG) contribute to JUN translation and that they are conserved throughout vertebrates. Our results reveal additional layers of regulation for JUN translation and show the potential of JUN as a model transcript for understanding multiple interacting modes of translation regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eimy A Castellanos-Silva
- University of California, Davis, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Gabriela Díaz-Figueroa
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jamie H D Cate
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Wagner AH, Klersy A, Sultan CS, Hecker M. Potential role of soluble CD40 receptor in chronic inflammatory diseases. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 217:115858. [PMID: 37863325 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115858] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The CD40 receptor and its ligand CD154 are widely expressed in various immune-competent cells. Interaction of CD154 with CD40 is essential for B-cell growth, differentiation, and immunoglobulin class switching. Many other immune-competent cells involved in innate and adaptive immunity communicate through this co-stimulatory ligand-receptor dyad. CD40-CD154 interaction is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. While CD40 and CD154 are membrane-bound proteins, their soluble counterparts are generated by proteolytic cleavage or alternative splicing. This review summarises current knowledge about the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human CD40 gene and compensatory changes in the plasma level of the soluble CD40 receptor (sCD40) isoform in related pro-inflammatory diseases. It discusses regulation patterns of the disintegrin metalloprotease ADAM17 function leading to ectodomain shedding of transmembrane proteins, such as pro-inflammatory adhesion molecules or CD40. The role of sCD40 as a potential biomarker for chronic inflammatory diseases will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Wagner
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - A Klersy
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C S Sultan
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Hecker
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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da Silva MK, Campos DMDO, Akash S, Akter S, Yee LC, Fulco UL, Oliveira JIN. Advances of Reverse Vaccinology for mRNA Vaccine Design against SARS-CoV-2: A Review of Methods and Tools. Viruses 2023; 15:2130. [PMID: 37896907 PMCID: PMC10611333 DOI: 10.3390/v15102130] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA vaccines are a new class of vaccine that can induce potent and specific immune responses against various pathogens. However, the design of mRNA vaccines requires the identification and optimization of suitable antigens, which can be challenging and time consuming. Reverse vaccinology is a computational approach that can accelerate the discovery and development of mRNA vaccines by using genomic and proteomic data of the target pathogen. In this article, we review the advances of reverse vaccinology for mRNA vaccine design against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. We describe the steps of reverse vaccinology and compare the in silico tools used by different studies to design mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. We also discuss the challenges and limitations of reverse vaccinology and suggest future directions for its improvement. We conclude that reverse vaccinology is a promising and powerful approach to designing mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Karolaynne da Silva
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59064-741, RN, Brazil (D.M.d.O.C.)
| | - Daniel Melo de Oliveira Campos
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59064-741, RN, Brazil (D.M.d.O.C.)
| | - Shopnil Akash
- Department of Pharmacy, Daffodil International University, Sukrabad, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh;
| | - Shahina Akter
- Bangladesh Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh;
| | - Leow Chiuan Yee
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu 11800, Kelantan, Malaysia;
| | - Umberto Laino Fulco
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59064-741, RN, Brazil (D.M.d.O.C.)
| | - Jonas Ivan Nobre Oliveira
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59064-741, RN, Brazil (D.M.d.O.C.)
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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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Zhang M, Zhao J, Wu J, Wang Y, Zhuang M, Zou L, Mao R, Jiang B, Liu J, Song X. In-depth characterization and identification of translatable lncRNAs. Comput Biol Med 2023; 164:107243. [PMID: 37453378 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107243] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are non-protein coding transcripts more than 200 nucleotides in length. Deep sequencing technologies have unveiled lncRNAs can harbor translatable short open reading frames (sORFs). Yet the regulatory mechanisms governing lncRNA translation events remain poorly understood. Here, we exhaustively detected the sequence, functional element, and structure features relevant to lncRNA translation in human. Extensive identification and analysis reveal that translatable lncRNAs contain richer protein-coding related sequence features, cap-dependent and cap-independent translation initiation mechanisms, and more stable secondary structures, as compared to untranslatable lncRNAs. These findings strongly support lncRNAs serve as a repository for the production of new small peptides. Based on the feature fusion affecting translation and the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm, we developed the first computational tool that dedicated for predicting translatable lncRNAs, named TransLncPred. Benchmark experimental results show that our method outperforms several state-of-the-art RNA coding potential prediction tools on the same training and testing datasets. The 100-time 10-fold cross-validation tests also demonstrate that regulatory element-derived features, especially N7-methylguanosine (m7G) and internal ribosome entry site (IRES), contribute to the improvement in predictive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China.
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yulan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Minhui Zhuang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Lingxiao Zou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Renlong Mao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Bin Jiang
- College of Automation Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China
| | - Xiaofeng Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, 211106, China.
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Khalid K, Poh CL. The development of DNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Adv Med Sci 2023; 68:213-226. [PMID: 37364379 PMCID: PMC10290423 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2023.05.003] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic exerted significant impacts on public health and global economy. Research efforts to develop vaccines at warp speed against SARS-CoV-2 led to novel mRNA, viral vectored, and inactivated vaccines being administered. The current COVID-19 vaccines incorporate the full S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain but rapidly emerging variants of concern (VOCs) have led to significant reductions in protective efficacies. There is an urgent need to develop next-generation vaccines which could effectively prevent COVID-19. METHODS PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically reviewed for peer-reviewed papers up to January 2023. RESULTS A promising solution to the problem of emerging variants is a DNA vaccine platform since it can be easily modified. Besides expressing whole protein antigens, DNA vaccines can also be constructed to include specific nucleotide genes encoding highly conserved and immunogenic epitopes from the S protein as well as from other structural/non-structural proteins to develop effective vaccines against VOCs. DNA vaccines are associated with low transfection efficiencies which could be enhanced by chemical, genetic, and molecular adjuvants as well as delivery systems. CONCLUSIONS The DNA vaccine platform offers a promising solution to the design of effective vaccines. The challenge of limited immunogenicity in humans might be solved through the use of genetic modifications such as the addition of nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide gene, strong promoters, MARs, introns, TLR agonists, CD40L, and the development of appropriate delivery systems utilizing nanoparticles to increase uptake by APCs in enhancing the induction of potent immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Khalid
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
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Xiang Y, Huang W, Tan L, Chen T, He Y, Irving PS, Weeks KM, Zhang QC, Dong X. Pervasive downstream RNA hairpins dynamically dictate start-codon selection. Nature 2023; 621:423-430. [PMID: 37674078 PMCID: PMC10499604 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06500-y] [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: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Translational reprogramming allows organisms to adapt to changing conditions. Upstream start codons (uAUGs), which are prevalently present in mRNAs, have crucial roles in regulating translation by providing alternative translation start sites1-4. However, what determines this selective initiation of translation between conditions remains unclear. Here, by integrating transcriptome-wide translational and structural analyses during pattern-triggered immunity in Arabidopsis, we found that transcripts with immune-induced translation are enriched with upstream open reading frames (uORFs). Without infection, these uORFs are selectively translated owing to hairpins immediately downstream of uAUGs, presumably by slowing and engaging the scanning preinitiation complex. Modelling using deep learning provides unbiased support for these recognizable double-stranded RNA structures downstream of uAUGs (which we term uAUG-ds) being responsible for the selective translation of uAUGs, and allows the prediction and rational design of translating uAUG-ds. We found that uAUG-ds-mediated regulation can be generalized to human cells. Moreover, uAUG-ds-mediated start-codon selection is dynamically regulated. After immune challenge in plants, induced RNA helicases that are homologous to Ded1p in yeast and DDX3X in humans resolve these structures, allowing ribosomes to bypass uAUGs to translate downstream defence proteins. This study shows that mRNA structures dynamically regulate start-codon selection. The prevalence of this RNA structural feature and the conservation of RNA helicases across kingdoms suggest that mRNA structural remodelling is a general feature of translational reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yezi Xiang
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Wenze Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lianmei Tan
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke Medical Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tianyuan Chen
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yang He
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Patrick S Irving
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kevin M Weeks
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Qiangfeng Cliff Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structures, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinnian Dong
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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Buscà R, Onesto C, Egensperger M, Pouysségur J, Pagès G, Lenormand P. N-terminal alanine-rich (NTAR) sequences drive precise start codon selection resulting in elevated translation of multiple proteins including ERK1/2. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:7714-7735. [PMID: 37414542 PMCID: PMC10450180 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad528] [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: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the discovery of N-terminal alanine-rich sequences, which we term NTARs, that act in concert with their native 5'-untranslated regions to promote selection of the proper start codon. NTARs also facilitate efficient translation initiation while limiting the production of non-functional polypeptides through leaky scanning. We first identified NTARs in the ERK1/2 kinases, which are among the most important signaling molecules in mammals. Analysis of the human proteome reveals that hundreds of proteins possess NTARs, with housekeeping proteins showing a particularly high prevalence. Our data indicate that several of these NTARs act in a manner similar to those found in the ERKs and suggest a mechanism involving some or all of the following features: alanine richness, codon rarity, a repeated amino acid stretch and a nearby second AUG. These features may help slow down the leading ribosome, causing trailing pre-initiation complexes (PICs) to pause near the native AUG, thereby facilitating accurate translation initiation. Amplification of erk genes is frequently observed in cancer, and we show that NTAR-dependent ERK protein levels are a rate-limiting step for signal output. Thus, NTAR-mediated control of translation may reflect a cellular need to precisely control translation of key transcripts such as potential oncogenes. By preventing translation in alternative reading frames, NTAR sequences may be useful in synthetic biology applications, e.g. translation from RNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roser Buscà
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS UMR 7284 and INSERM U 1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging Nice (IRCAN), 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
| | - Cercina Onesto
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS UMR 7284 and INSERM U 1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging Nice (IRCAN), 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
- Polytech’Nice Sophia, Bioengineering Department, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Mylène Egensperger
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS UMR 7284 and INSERM U 1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging Nice (IRCAN), 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
| | - Jacques Pouysségur
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS UMR 7284 and INSERM U 1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging Nice (IRCAN), 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Biomedical Department, Principality of Monaco
| | - Gilles Pagès
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS UMR 7284 and INSERM U 1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging Nice (IRCAN), 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Biomedical Department, Principality of Monaco
| | - Philippe Lenormand
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS UMR 7284 and INSERM U 1081, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging Nice (IRCAN), 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107 Nice, France
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France
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Huynh TQ, Tran VN, Thai VC, Nguyen HA, Nguyen NTG, Tran MK, Nguyen TPT, Le CA, Ho LTN, Surian NU, Chen S, Nguyen TTH. Genomic alterations involved in fluoroquinolone resistance development in Staphylococcus aureus. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287973. [PMID: 37494330 PMCID: PMC10370734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Fluoroquinolone (FQ) is a potent antibiotic class. However, resistance to this class emerges quickly which hinders its application. In this study, mechanisms leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains under FQ exposure were investigated. METHODOLOGY S. aureus ATCC 29213 was serially exposed to ciprofloxacin (CIP), ofloxacin (OFL), or levofloxacin (LEV) at sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) for 12 days to obtain S. aureus -1 strains and antibiotic-free cultured for another 10 days to obtain S. aureus-2 strains. The whole genome (WGS) and target sequencing were applied to analyze genomic alterations; and RT-qPCR was used to access the expressions of efflux-related genes, alternative sigma factors, and genes involved in FQ resistance. RESULTS A strong and irreversible increase of MICs was observed in all applied FQs (32 to 128 times) in all S. aureus-1 and remained 16 to 32 times in all S. aureus-2. WGS indicated 10 noticeable mutations occurring in all FQ-exposed S. aureus including 2 insdel mutations in SACOL0573 and rimI; a synonymous mutation in hslO; and 7 missense mutations located in an untranslated region. GrlA, was found mutated (R570H) in all S. aureus-1 and -2. Genes encoding for efflux pumps and their regulator (norA, norB, norC, and mgrA); alternative sigma factors (sigB and sigS); acetyltransferase (rimI); methicillin resistance (fmtB); and hypothetical protein BJI72_0645 were overexpressed in FQ-exposed strains. CONCLUSION The emergence of MDR S. aureus was associated with the mutations in the FQ-target sequences and the overexpression of efflux pump systems and their regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuc Quyen Huynh
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Van Nhi Tran
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Van Chi Thai
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hoang An Nguyen
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Thuy Giang Nguyen
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Minh Khang Tran
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Thi Phuong Truc Nguyen
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Cat Anh Le
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Le Thanh Ngan Ho
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Swaine Chen
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thi Thu Hoai Nguyen
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Research Center for Infectious Diseases, International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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She R, Luo J, Weissman JS. Translational fidelity screens in mammalian cells reveal eIF3 and eIF4G2 as regulators of start codon selectivity. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6355-6369. [PMID: 37144468 PMCID: PMC10325891 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The translation initiation machinery and the ribosome orchestrate a highly dynamic scanning process to distinguish proper start codons from surrounding nucleotide sequences. Here, we performed genome-wide CRISPRi screens in human K562 cells to systematically identify modulators of the frequency of translation initiation at near-cognate start codons. We observed that depletion of any eIF3 core subunit promoted near-cognate start codon usage, though sensitivity thresholds of each subunit to sgRNA-mediated depletion varied considerably. Double sgRNA depletion experiments suggested that enhanced near-cognate usage in eIF3D depleted cells required canonical eIF4E cap-binding and was not driven by eIF2A or eIF2D-dependent leucine tRNA initiation. We further characterized the effects of eIF3D depletion and found that the N-terminus of eIF3D was strictly required for accurate start codon selection, whereas disruption of the cap-binding properties of eIF3D had no effect. Lastly, depletion of eIF3D activated TNFα signaling via NF-κB and the interferon gamma response. Similar transcriptional profiles were observed upon knockdown of eIF1A and eIF4G2, which also promoted near-cognate start codon usage, suggesting that enhanced near-cognate usage could potentially contribute to NF-κB activation. Our study thus provides new avenues to study the mechanisms and consequences of alternative start codon usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard She
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jingchuan Luo
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan S Weissman
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Sherlock ME, Baquero Galvis L, Vicens Q, Kieft JS, Jagannathan S. Principles, mechanisms, and biological implications of translation termination-reinitiation. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:865-884. [PMID: 37024263 PMCID: PMC10275272 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079375.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The gene expression pathway from DNA sequence to functional protein is not as straightforward as simple depictions of the central dogma might suggest. Each step is highly regulated, with complex and only partially understood molecular mechanisms at play. Translation is one step where the "one gene-one protein" paradigm breaks down, as often a single mature eukaryotic mRNA leads to more than one protein product. One way this occurs is through translation reinitiation, in which a ribosome starts making protein from one initiation site, translates until it terminates at a stop codon, but then escapes normal recycling steps and subsequently reinitiates at a different downstream site. This process is now recognized as both important and widespread, but we are only beginning to understand the interplay of factors involved in termination, recycling, and initiation that cause reinitiation events. There appear to be several ways to subvert recycling to achieve productive reinitiation, different types of stresses or signals that trigger this process, and the mechanism may depend in part on where the event occurs in the body of an mRNA. This perspective reviews the unique characteristics and mechanisms of reinitiation events, highlights the similarities and differences between three major scenarios of reinitiation, and raises outstanding questions that are promising avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline E Sherlock
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Laura Baquero Galvis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Quentin Vicens
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Kieft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Sujatha Jagannathan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
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Dybus A, Kulig H, Grzesiak W, Domke J, Yu YH, Cheng YH. Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Serine Protein Kinase ( CASK) Gene Polymorphisms in Pigeons. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2070. [PMID: 37443867 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) is an multidomain protein involved in tissue development and cell signalling. In skeletal muscle, it is involved in the development of neuromuscular junctions. The participation of a pigeon in racing is a great physical effort that causes many changes in the skeletal muscles. Thus, the purpose of the study was to detect the nucleotide sequence variability in the calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine kinase (CASK) gene in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and assess the potential impact of DNA polymorphisms on the flight performance of pigeons. The research included a total of 517 individuals. DNA was extracted from the blood. A DNA fragment from nucleotides 8689 to 9049 of the CASK (NW_004973256.1 sequence) of six unrelated pigeons were sequenced. One of the detected polymorphic sites (g.8893G > A), located a very close to the start codon, was selected for genotyping in all individuals. The association studies included a total of 311 young homing pigeons that participated in racing competitions. The homing pigeons showed higher frequencies of the AA genotype than non-homing ones (p < 0.05). In rock pigeons only the GG genotype was found. Further research could confirm the functionality of the CASK g.8893G > A SNP in shaping the racing phenotype of pigeons, and the AA genotype could be useful as a selection criterion in pigeon breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Dybus
- Department of Genetics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Aleja Piastów 45, 70-311 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Hanna Kulig
- Department of Genetics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Aleja Piastów 45, 70-311 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Wilhelm Grzesiak
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Department of Ruminant Science, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Klemensa Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Justyna Domke
- Department of Genetics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Aleja Piastów 45, 70-311 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Yu-Hsiang Yu
- Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, National Ilan University, No.1, Sec. 1, Shennong Rd., Yilan City 26047, Taiwan
| | - Yeong-Hsiang Cheng
- Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, National Ilan University, No.1, Sec. 1, Shennong Rd., Yilan City 26047, Taiwan
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Yeckes AR, Victor AR, Zhu Z, Narayanan M, Srinivasan B, Bruce B, Kaye J. The Tox Gene Encodes Two Proteins with Distinct and Shared Roles in Gene Regulation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:1889-1898. [PMID: 37115203 PMCID: PMC10247481 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Here we report that the murine Tox gene encodes two proteins from a single mRNA, and we investigate the mechanism of production and function of these proteoforms. The annotated thymocyte selection-associated HMG-box protein (TOX) coding sequence is predicted to produce a 526-aa protein (TOXFL). However, Western blots reveal two bands. We found that the lower band consists of an N-terminally truncated variant of TOX (TOXΔN), whereas the slower-migrating band is TOXFL. The TOXΔN proteoform is alternatively translated via leaky ribosomal scanning from an evolutionarily conserved translation initiation site downstream of the annotated translation initiation site. When expressed exogenously from a cDNA in murine CD8 T cells or HEK cells, or endogenously from the murine Tox locus, both forms are translated, although the ratio of TOXFL/TOXΔN significantly varies with cellular context. This includes regulation of proteoform production during development of murine CD4 T cells in the thymus, where the positive selection of CD4+CD8+ cells and subsequent differentiation to CD4+CD8lo transitional and CD4SP cell subsets is associated with both an increase in total TOX protein and increased TOXΔN production relative to TOXFL. Finally, we found that sole expression of TOXFL had a greater effect on gene regulation during chronic stimulation of murine CD8 T cells in culture mimicking exhaustion than did TOXΔN, including uniquely regulated cell cycle and other genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyson R. Yeckes
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Aaron R. Victor
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Zheng Zhu
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Meena Narayanan
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Bharani Srinivasan
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Bethany Bruce
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Jonathan Kaye
- Research Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Los Angeles, CA 90048
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048
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Villanueva RA, Loyola A. Pre- and Post-Transcriptional Control of HBV Gene Expression: The Road Traveled towards the New Paradigm of HBx, Its Isoforms, and Their Diverse Functions. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1674. [PMID: 37371770 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA human virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family. Perhaps its main distinguishable characteristic is the replication of its genome through a reverse transcription process. The HBV circular genome encodes only four overlapping reading frames, encoding for the main canonical proteins named core, P, surface, and X (or HBx protein). However, pre- and post-transcriptional gene regulation diversifies the full HBV proteome into diverse isoform proteins. In line with this, hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a viral multifunctional and regulatory protein of 16.5 kDa, whose canonical reading frame presents two phylogenetically conserved internal in-frame translational initiation codons, and which results as well in the expression of two divergent N-terminal smaller isoforms of 8.6 and 5.8 kDa, during translation. The canonical HBx, as well as the smaller isoform proteins, displays different roles during viral replication and subcellular localizations. In this article, we reviewed the different mechanisms of pre- and post-transcriptional regulation of protein expression that take place during viral replication. We also investigated all the past and recent evidence about HBV HBx gene regulation and its divergent N-terminal isoform proteins. Evidence has been collected for over 30 years. The accumulated evidence simply strengthens the concept of a new paradigm of the canonical HBx, and its smaller divergent N-terminal isoform proteins, not only during viral replication, but also throughout cell pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alejandra Loyola
- Centro Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 8580702, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 7510602, Chile
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Jian H, Wen S, Liu R, Zhang W, Li Z, Chen W, Zhou Y, Khassanov V, Mahmoud AMA, Wang J, Lyu D. Dynamic Translational Landscape Revealed by Genome-Wide Ribosome Profiling under Drought and Heat Stress in Potato. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:2232. [PMID: 37375858 DOI: 10.3390/plants12122232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The yield and quality of potatoes, an important staple crop, are seriously threatened by high temperature and drought stress. In order to deal with this adverse environment, plants have evolved a series of response mechanisms. However, the molecular mechanism of potato's response to environmental changes at the translational level is still unclear. In this study, we performed transcriptome- and ribosome-profiling assays with potato seedlings growing under normal, drought, and high-temperature conditions to reveal the dynamic translational landscapes for the first time. The translational efficiency was significantly affected by drought and heat stress in potato. A relatively high correlation (0.88 and 0.82 for drought and heat stress, respectively) of the fold changes of gene expression was observed between the transcriptional level and translational level globally based on the ribosome-profiling and RNA-seq data. However, only 41.58% and 27.69% of the different expressed genes were shared by transcription and translation in drought and heat stress, respectively, suggesting that the transcription or translation process can be changed independently. In total, the translational efficiency of 151 (83 and 68 for drought and heat, respectively) genes was significantly changed. In addition, sequence features, including GC content, sequence length, and normalized minimal free energy, significantly affected the translational efficiencies of genes. In addition, 28,490 upstream open reading frames (uORFs) were detected on 6463 genes, with an average of 4.4 uORFs per gene and a median length of 100 bp. These uORFs significantly affected the translational efficiency of downstream major open reading frames (mORFs). These results provide new information and directions for analyzing the molecular regulatory network of potato seedlings in response to drought and heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongju Jian
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Shiqi Wen
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Rongrong Liu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Wenzhe Zhang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ziyan Li
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Weixi Chen
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Yonghong Zhou
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Vadim Khassanov
- Department of Plant Protection and Quarantine, Faculty of Agronomy, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Zhenis Avenue, 010011 Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Ahmed M A Mahmoud
- Department of Vegetable Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Jichun Wang
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Dianqiu Lyu
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- State Cultivation Base of Crop Stress Biology for Southern Mountainous Land of Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, Chongqing 400715, China
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Russell PJ, Slivka JA, Boyle EP, Burghes AHM, Kearse MG. Translation reinitiation after uORFs does not fully protect mRNAs from nonsense-mediated decay. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:735-744. [PMID: 36878710 PMCID: PMC10187673 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079525.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
It is estimated that nearly 50% of mammalian transcripts contain at least one upstream open reading frame (uORF), which are typically one to two orders of magnitude smaller than the downstream main ORF. Most uORFs are thought to be inhibitory as they sequester the scanning ribosome, but in some cases allow for translation reinitiation. However, termination in the 5' UTR at the end of uORFs resembles premature termination that is normally sensed by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway. Translation reinitiation has been proposed as a method for mRNAs to prevent NMD. Here, we test how uORF length influences translation reinitiation and mRNA stability in HeLa cells. Using custom 5' UTRs and uORF sequences, we show that reinitiation can occur on heterologous mRNA sequences, favors small uORFs, and is supported when initiation occurs with more initiation factors. After determining reporter mRNA half-lives in HeLa cells and mining available mRNA half-life data sets for cumulative predicted uORF length, we conclude that translation reinitiation after uORFs is not a robust method for mRNAs to prevent NMD. Together, these data suggest that the decision of whether NMD ensues after translating uORFs occurs before reinitiation in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Russell
- Cellular, Molecular, and Biochemical Sciences Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Jacob A Slivka
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Elaina P Boyle
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Arthur H M Burghes
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Michael G Kearse
- Cellular, Molecular, and Biochemical Sciences Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- The Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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