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Jones A, Zhang D, Massey SE, Deigin Y, Nemzer LR, Quay SC. Discovery of a novel merbecovirus DNA clone contaminating agricultural rice sequencing datasets from Wuhan, China. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.12.528210. [PMID: 36865340 PMCID: PMC9979991 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.12.528210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
HKU4-related coronaviruses are a group of betacoronaviruses belonging to the same merbecovirus subgenus as Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes severe respiratory illness in humans with a mortality rate of over 30%. The high genetic similarity between HKU4-related coronaviruses and MERS-CoV makes them an attractive subject of research for modeling potential zoonotic spillover scenarios. In this study, we identify a novel coronavirus contaminating agricultural rice RNA sequencing datasets from Wuhan, China. The datasets were generated by the Huazhong Agricultural University in early 2020. We were able to assemble the complete viral genome sequence, which revealed that it is a novel HKU4-related merbecovirus. The assembled genome is 98.38% identical to the closest known full genome sequence, Tylonycteris pachypus bat isolate BtTp-GX2012. Using in silico modeling, we identified that the novel HKU4-related coronavirus spike protein likely binds to human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), the receptor used by MERS-CoV. We further identified that the novel HKU4-related coronavirus genome has been inserted into a bacterial artificial chromosome in a format consistent with previously published coronavirus infectious clones. Additionally, we have found a near complete read coverage of the spike gene of the MERS-CoV reference strain HCoV-EMC/2012, and identify the likely presence of a HKU4-related-MERS chimera in the datasets. Our findings contribute to the knowledge of HKU4-related coronaviruses and document the use of a previously unpublished HKU4 reverse genetics system in apparent MERS-CoV related gain-of-function research. Our study also emphasizes the importance of improved biosafety protocols in sequencing centers and coronavirus research facilities.
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Huo J, Hu X, Bai J, Lv A. Multiomics analysis revealed miRNAs as potential regulators of the immune response in Carassius auratus gills to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1098455. [PMID: 36820086 PMCID: PMC9938762 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1098455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The gill of fish is an important immune organ for pathogen defense, but its microRNA (miRNA) expression and regulatory mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we report on the histopathological and immunohistochemical features of the gills of the crucian carp Carassius auratus challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Small RNA libraries of the gills were constructed and sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. A total of 1,165 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in gills, of which 539 known and 7 unknown DEMs were significantly screened (p < 0.05). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that the potential target genes/proteins were primarily involved in 33 immune-related pathways, in which the inflammatory responses were focused on the Toll-like receptor (TLR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Moreover, the expression levels of 14 key miRNAs (e.g., miR-10, miR-17, miR-26a, miR-144, miR-145, and miR-146a) and their target genes (e.g., TNFα, TLR4, NF-κB, TAB1, PI3K, and IRAK1) were verified. In addition, the protein levels based on isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) were significantly associated with the results of the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis (p < 0.01). miR-17/pre-miR-17 were identified in the regulation expression of the NF-κB target gene, and the phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the pre-miR-17 of C. auratus with the closest similarity to the zebrafish Danio rerio is highly conserved in teleosts. This is the first report of the multi-omics analysis of the miRNAs and proteins in the gills of C. auratus infected with A. hydrophila, thus enriching knowledge on the regulation mechanism of the local immune response in Cyprinidae fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Huo
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiucai Hu
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China
| | - Aijun Lv
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, China
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Clausse V, Zheng H, Amarasekara H, Kruhlak M, Appella DH. Thyclotides, tetrahydrofuran-modified peptide nucleic acids that efficiently penetrate cells and inhibit microRNA-21. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:10839-10856. [PMID: 36215040 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are promising therapeutic molecules for gene modulation; however, they suffer from poor cell uptake. Delivery of PNAs into cells requires conjugation of the PNA to another large molecule, typically a cell-penetrating peptide or nanoparticle. In this study, we describe a new PNA-based molecule with cyclic tetrahydrofuran (THF) backbone modifications that in some cases considerably improve cell uptake. We refer to these THF-PNA oligomers as thyclotides. With THF groups at every position of the oligomer, the cell uptake of thyclotides targeted to miR-21 is enhanced compared with the corresponding unmodified PNA based on an aminoethylglycine backbone. An optimized thyclotide can efficiently enter cells without the use of cell-penetrating peptides, bind miR-21, its designated microRNA target, decrease expression of miR-21 and increase expression of three downstream targets (PTEN, Cdc25a and KRIT1). Using a plasmid with the PTEN-3'UTR coupled with luciferase, we further confirmed that a miR-21-targeted thyclotide prevents miR-21 from binding to its target RNA. Additionally, the thyclotide shows no cytotoxicity when administered at 200 times its active concentration. We propose that thyclotides be further explored as therapeutic candidates to modulate miRNA levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Clausse
- Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hongchao Zheng
- Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Harsha Amarasekara
- Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael Kruhlak
- Microscopy Core Facility, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Daniel H Appella
- Synthetic Bioactive Molecules Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Luo W, Wang J, Zhou Y, Pang M, Yu X, Tong J. Dynamic mRNA and miRNA expression of the head during early development in bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis). BMC Genomics 2022; 23:168. [PMID: 35232381 PMCID: PMC8887032 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08387-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Head of fish species, an exquisitely complex anatomical system, is important not only for studying fish evolution and development, but also for economic values. Currently, although some studies have been made on fish growth and body shapes, very limited information is available on the molecular mechanism of head development. Results In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA–Seq) and small RNA sequencing (sRNA–Seq) technologies were used to conduct integrated analysis for the head of bighead carp at different development stages, including 1, 3, 5, 15 and 30 Dph (days post hatch). By RNA-Seq data, 26 pathways related to growth and bone formation were identified as the main physiological processes during early development. Coupling this to sRNA–Seq data, we picked out six key pathways that may be responsible for head development, namely ECM receptor interaction, TNF signaling pathway, osteoclast differentiation, PI3K–Akt signaling pathway, Neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction and Jak–STAT signaling pathway. Totally, 114 important candidate genes from the six pathways were obtained. Then we found the top 20 key genes according to the degree value by cytohubba, which regulated cell growth, skeletal formation and blood homeostasis, such as pik3ca, pik3r1, egfr, vegfa, igf1 and itga2b. Finally, we also acquired 19 key miRNAs playing multiple roles in the perfection of various tissues in the head (such as brain, eye and mouth) and mineralization of head bone system, such as let–7e, miR–142a–5p, miR–144–3p, miR–23a–3p and miR–223. Conclusions Results of this study will be informative for genetic mechanisms of head development and also provide potential candidate targets for the interaction regulation during early growth in bighead carp. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08387-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Junru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Meixia Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.,Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiaomu Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Jingou Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Institute of Hydrobiology, Innovation Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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Disner GR, Falcão MAP, Lima C, Lopes-Ferreira M. In Silico Target Prediction of Overexpressed microRNAs from LPS-Challenged Zebrafish ( Danio rerio) Treated with the Novel Anti-Inflammatory Peptide TnP. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7117. [PMID: 34281170 PMCID: PMC8268205 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
miRNAs regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally in various processes, e.g., immunity, development, and diseases. Since their experimental analysis is complex, in silico target prediction is important for directing investigations. TnP is a candidate peptide for anti-inflammatory therapy, first discovered in the venom of Thalassophryne nattereri, which led to miRNAs overexpression in LPS-inflamed zebrafish post-treatment. This work aimed to predict miR-21, miR-122, miR-731, and miR-26 targets using overlapped results of DIANA microT-CDS and TargetScanFish software. This study described 513 miRNAs targets using highly specific thresholds. Using Gene Ontology over-representation analysis, we identified their main roles in regulating gene expression, neurogenesis, DNA-binding, transcription regulation, immune system process, and inflammatory response. miRNAs act in post-transcriptional regulation, but we revealed that their targets are strongly related to expression regulation at the transcriptional level, e.g., transcription factors proteins. A few predicted genes participated concomitantly in many biological processes and molecular functions, such as foxo3a, rbpjb, rxrbb, tyrobp, hes6, zic5, smad1, e2f7, and npas4a. Others were particularly involved in innate immunity regulation: il17a/f2, pik3r3b, and nlrc6. Together, these findings not only provide new insights into the miRNAs mode of action but also raise hope for TnP therapy and may direct future experimental investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Monica Lopes-Ferreira
- Immunoregulation Unit of the Laboratory of Applied Toxinology (CeTICS/FAPESP), Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil; (G.R.D.); (M.A.P.F.); (C.L.)
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Shi Y, Yi Z, Zhao P, Xu Y, Pan P. MicroRNA-532-5p protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by directly targeting CXCL1. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:11528-11541. [PMID: 33867350 PMCID: PMC8109118 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the function of microRNA (miR)-532-5p in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CI/RI) and the underlying mechanisms using oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R)-treated SH-SY5Y cells and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats. MiR-532-5p levels were significantly downregulated in OGD/R-treated SH-SY5Y cells and the brain tissues of MCAO model rats. MiR-532-5p overexpression significantly reduced apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammation in the OGD/R-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Bioinformatics analysis using the targetscan and miRDB databases as well as dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed that miR-532-5p directly binds to the 3’UTR of C-X-C Motif Ligand 1 (CXCL1). Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) analysis showed that miR-532-5p expression was reduced in OGD/R-treated SH-SY5Y cells because of miR-532-5p promoter hypermethylation. Moreover, 5-azacytidine, a methylation inhibitor, restored miR-532-5p expression in OGD/R-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Brain tissues of MCAO model rats showed significantly increased cerebral infarction areas, cerebral water, neuronal apoptosis, and activated CXCL1/CXCR2/NF-κB signaling, but these effects were alleviated by intraventricular injection of miR-532-5p agomir. These findings demonstrate that miR-532-5p overexpression significantly reduces in vitro and in vivo CI/RI by targeting CXCL1. Thus, miR-532-5p is a potential therapeutic target for patients with CI/RI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Shi
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, The Yancheng School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University, Yancheng 224001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhongquan Yi
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, The Yancheng School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University, Yancheng 224001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Panwen Zhao
- Department of Neurology and Central Laboratory, The Yancheng School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University, Yancheng 224001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yun Xu
- Department of Neurology, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pinglei Pan
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Yancheng School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University, Yancheng 224001, Jiangsu, China
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