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Motamedi H, Ari MM, Alvandi A, Abiri R. Principle, application and challenges of development siRNA-based therapeutics against bacterial and viral infections: a comprehensive review. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1393646. [PMID: 38939184 PMCID: PMC11208694 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1393646] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
While significant progress has been made in understanding and applying gene silencing mechanisms and the treatment of human diseases, there have been still several obstacles in therapeutic use. For the first time, ONPATTRO, as the first small interfering RNA (siRNA) based drug was invented in 2018 for treatment of hTTR with polyneuropathy. Additionally, four other siRNA based drugs naming Givosiran, Inclisiran, Lumasiran, and Vutrisiran have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for clinical use by hitherto. In this review, we have discussed the key and promising advances in the development of siRNA-based drugs in preclinical and clinical stages, the impact of these molecules in bacterial and viral infection diseases, delivery system issues, the impact of administration methods, limitations of siRNA application and how to overcome them and a glimpse into future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Motamedi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Marzie Mahdizade Ari
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Microbial Biotechnology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhoushang Alvandi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Medical Technology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Ramin Abiri
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
- Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
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2
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Bauer AN, Majumdar N, Williams F, Rajput S, Pokhrel LR, Cook PP, Akula SM. MicroRNAs: Small but Key Players in Viral Infections and Immune Responses to Viral Pathogens. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1334. [PMID: 37887044 PMCID: PMC10604607 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Since the discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) in C. elegans in 1993, the field of miRNA research has grown steeply. These single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules canonically work at the post-transcriptional phase to regulate protein expression. miRNAs are known to regulate viral infection and the ensuing host immune response. Evolving research suggests miRNAs are assets in the discovery and investigation of therapeutics and diagnostics. In this review, we succinctly summarize the latest findings in (i) mechanisms underpinning miRNA regulation of viral infection, (ii) miRNA regulation of host immune response to viral pathogens, (iii) miRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics targeting viral pathogens and challenges, and (iv) miRNA patents and the market landscape. Our findings show the differential expression of miRNA may serve as a prognostic biomarker for viral infections in regard to predicting the severity or adverse health effects associated with viral diseases. While there is huge market potential for miRNA technology, the novel approach of using miRNA mimics to enhance antiviral activity or antagonists to inhibit pro-viral miRNAs has been an ongoing research endeavor. Significant hurdles remain in terms of miRNA delivery, stability, efficacy, safety/tolerability, and specificity. Addressing these challenges may pave a path for harnessing the full potential of miRNAs in modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anais N. Bauer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (A.N.B.); (N.M.); (F.W.)
| | - Niska Majumdar
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (A.N.B.); (N.M.); (F.W.)
| | - Frank Williams
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (A.N.B.); (N.M.); (F.W.)
| | - Smit Rajput
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
| | - Lok R. Pokhrel
- Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
| | - Paul P. Cook
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
| | - Shaw M. Akula
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; (A.N.B.); (N.M.); (F.W.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
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3
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The epigenetic regulatory mechanism of PIWI/piRNAs in human cancers. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:45. [PMID: 36882835 PMCID: PMC9990219 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01749-3] [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: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PIWI proteins have a strong correlation with PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), which are significant in development and reproduction of organisms. Recently, emerging evidences have indicated that apart from the reproductive function, PIWI/piRNAs with abnormal expression, also involve greatly in varieties of human cancers. Moreover, human PIWI proteins are usually expressed only in germ cells and hardly in somatic cells, so the abnormal expression of PIWI proteins in different types of cancer offer a promising opportunity for precision medicine. In this review, we discussed current researches about the biogenesis of piRNA, its epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in human cancers, such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation, histone modifications, DNA methylation and RNA interference, providing novel insights into the markers for clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis in human cancers.
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4
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Wang X, Li R, Feng L, Wang J, Qi Q, Wei W, Yu Z. Hsa_circ_0001666 promotes non-small cell lung cancer migration and invasion through miR-1184/miR-548I/AGO1 axis. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 24:597-611. [PMID: 35284630 PMCID: PMC8892028 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has revealed that the dysregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) plays crucial roles in the occurrence and progression of cancers. However, the aberrant expression profile and dysfunction of circRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been fully explored. Herein, we discovered that a circRNA, hsa_circ_0001666 (circ0001666), was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines, and it was positively correlated with NSCLC tumor pathological grade and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis implied that NSCLC patients with high circ0001666 expression were negatively correlated with favorable survival. Functionally, circ0001666 could promote migration and invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circ0001666 could act as a sponge to miR-1184/miR-548I and upregulate the expression of AGO1, thereby promoting the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in NSCLC cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that circ0001666 could serve as an oncogene to promote the migration and invasion of NSCLC via a novel miR-1184/miR-548I/AGO1 axis, which might be a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Rui Li
- Health Management Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Lingxin Feng
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Qi Qi
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Wenjie Wei
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Zhuang Yu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
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5
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Leitão AL, Enguita FJ. A Structural View of miRNA Biogenesis and Function. Noncoding RNA 2022; 8:ncrna8010010. [PMID: 35202084 PMCID: PMC8874510 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna8010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Since their discovery in 1993, they have been the subject of deep study due to their involvement in many important biological processes. Compared with other ncRNAs, miRNAs are generated from devoted transcriptional units which are processed by a specific set of endonucleases. The contribution of structural biology methods for understanding miRNA biogenesis and function has been essential for the dissection of their roles in cell biology and human disease. In this review, we summarize the application of structural biology for the characterization of the molecular players involved in miRNA biogenesis (processors and effectors), starting from the X-ray crystallography methods to the more recent cryo-electron microscopy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lúcia Leitão
- MEtRICs, Department of Sciences and Technology of Biomass, NOVA School of Science and Technology, FCT NOVA, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal;
| | - Francisco J. Enguita
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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6
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Wu Y, Gu W, Han X, Jin Z. LncRNA PVT1 promotes the progression of ovarian cancer by activating TGF-β pathway via miR-148a-3p/AGO1 axis. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:8229-8243. [PMID: 34288373 PMCID: PMC8419181 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a lethal gynaecologic malignancy with poor diagnosis and prognosis. The long non-coding RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation1 (PVT1) and argonaute 1 (AGO1) are associated with carcinogenesis and chemoresistance; however, the relationship between PVT1 and AGO1 and the downstream mechanisms in ovarian cancer remains poorly known. PVT1 and AGO1 expression was assessed through RT-qPCR and Western blotting in both human tissues and cell lines. The viability and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells were determined by CCK-8 assay and TUNEL assay in vitro and immunohistochemistry in vivo. Cell invasion and migration were investigated through transwell and wound-healing assays. The roles and mechanisms of AGO1 on cell functions were further probed via gain- and loss-of-function analysis. We reveal that PVT1 expression was significantly increased in ovarian cancer tissues which is associated with advanced FIGO stage, lymph-node metastasis, poor survival rate, and high expression of AGO1. PVT1 or AGO1 knockdown significantly reduced the cell viability and increased the cell apoptosis and inhibited ovarian tumour growth and proliferation. Furthermore, we discovered that PVT1 up-regulated the expression of AGO1 and thus regulated the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway to promote ovarian cancer progression through sponging miR-148a-3p. Additionally, the activation of ERK1/2, smad2 and smad4 is observed to be related to the PVT1/miR-148a-3p/AGO1/TGF-β pathway-induced cascades. Taken together, the present study reveals that PVT1/miR-148a/AGO1 axis plays an important role in the progression of ovarian cancer and emphasize the potential as a target of value for ovarian cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxian Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyChangzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wenqian Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyChangzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xiao Han
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyChangzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhijun Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyChangzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
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Jin S, Zhan J, Zhou Y. Argonaute proteins: structures and their endonuclease activity. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:4837-4849. [PMID: 34117606 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06476-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Argonaute proteins are highly conserved and widely expressed in almost all organisms. They not only play a critical role in the biogenesis of small RNAs but also defend against invading nucleic acids via small RNA or DNA-mediated gene silencing pathways. One functional mechanism of Argonaute proteins is acting as a nucleic-acid-guided endonuclease, which can cleave targets complementary to DNA or RNA guides. The cleavage then leads to translational silencing directly or indirectly by recruiting additional silencing proteins. Here, we summarized the latest research progress in structural and biological studies of Argonaute proteins and pointed out their potential applications in the field of gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujuan Jin
- Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jian Zhan
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Yaoqi Zhou
- Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Institute for Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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8
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Zhao N, Zhang B, Jia L, He X, Bao B. Extracellular vesicles piwi-interacting RNAs from skin mucus for identification of infected Cynoglossus semilaevis with Vibrio harveyi. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 111:170-178. [PMID: 33561561 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles play a regulatory role in intracellular and intercellular transmission through a variety of biological information molecules, including mRNA, small RNAs and proteins. piRNAs are one kind of regulatory small RNAs in the vesicles at the post transcriptional level. Hereby, we isolated the extracellular vesicles from skin mucus and screened the piRNA profiles of these vesicles, aiming at developing biomarkers related to bacterial infections in Cynoglossus semilaevis. The different profilings of piRNAs in mucous extracellular vesicles of C. semilaevis were compared through small RNA sequencing, between fish infected with Vibrio harveyi and healthy ones. The number of clean reads on the alignment of exosome sick (ES) group was 105, 345 and that of exosome control (EC) group was 455, 144. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that most of the target genes were involved in cellular process, response to stimulus, biological regulation, immune system process and signal transduction, signal molecular and interaction, transport and catabolism. The 45 final candidate piRNAs related to immunity or infectious diseases included 20 piRNAs with high expression in the ES group and 25 piRNAs with a low expression in the ES group. After verification by qRT-PCR, there was significant difference of five piRNAs expression level between infected fish and healthy fish, in line with the sequencing. The expression level of piR-mmu-16401212, piR-mmu-26829319 and piR-gga-244092 in infected fish were significantly lower than that of control group, while piR-gga-71717 and piR-gga-99034 were higher, which implying that these piRNAs in mucous extracellular vesicles can be used to identify diseased fish from normal ones. This work supplied a novel class of biomarker for infection diagnosis in fish, and it will be benefit for screening disease resistant breeding of C. semilaevis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, China; Tianjin Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin, China.
| | - Lei Jia
- Tianjin Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoxu He
- Tianjin Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Baolong Bao
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
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9
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Measurements Methods for the Development of MicroRNA-Based Tests for Cancer Diagnosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031176. [PMID: 33503982 PMCID: PMC7865473 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies investigating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for cancer, immune-related diseases, or cardiac pathogenic diseases, among others, have exponentially increased in the last years. In particular, altered expression of specific miRNAs correlates with the occurrence of several diseases, making these molecules potential molecular tools for non-invasive diagnosis, prognosis, and response to therapy. Nonetheless, microRNAs are not in clinical use yet, due to inconsistencies in the literature regarding the specific miRNAs identified as biomarkers for a specific disease, which in turn can be attributed to several reasons, including lack of assay standardization and reproducibility. Technological limitations in circulating microRNAs measurement have been, to date, the biggest challenge for using these molecules in clinical settings. In this review we will discuss pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical challenges to address the potential technical biases and patient-related parameters that can have an influence and should be improved to translate miRNA biomarkers to the clinical stage. Moreover, we will describe the currently available methods for circulating miRNA expression profiling and measurement, underlining their advantages and potential pitfalls.
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Li Z, Zhao S, Zhu S, Fan Y. MicroRNA-153-5p promotes the proliferation and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma via direct targeting of AGO1. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:33. [PMID: 33414440 PMCID: PMC7791042 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03306-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to affect the biological processes of cancers and showed great potential for prognostic biomarkers. In this study, we screened differentially expressed miRNAs in ccRCC based on three dimensions of metastasis, prognosis, and differential expression compared to normal tissue using bioinformatics algorithms. MiR-153-5p was identified as a candidate miRNA to promote ccRCC occurrence and progression. Clinically, we found that miR-153-5p was significantly upregulated and related to unfavorable clinical features in ccRCC. Besides, miR-153-5p served as an independent prognostic biomarker. Functionally, miR-153-5p depletion remarkably inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of ccRCC via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling. Furthermore, AGO1 was proved to be a direct target of miR-153-5p. AGO1 is associated with favorable clinical features and exhibited independent prognostic value in ccRCC. Besides, we observed that AGO1 knockdown significantly promoted tumor proliferation and metastasis. Downregulation of AGO1 partly abolished the oncogenic effects of miR-153-5p knockdown. Furthermore, miR-153-5p combined with AGO1 showed more robust prognostic significance in ccRCC. In conclusion, we found that the newly identified miR-153-5p/AGO1 axis was responsible for tumor occurrence and progression via PI3K/Akt signaling, which may therefore provide promising therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers for patients with ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyan Li
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.,Laboratory of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Shuo Zhao
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.,Laboratory of Basic Medical Sciences, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Shiqin Zhu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
| | - Yidong Fan
- Department of Urology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
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Nganso BT, Sela N, Soroker V. A genome-wide screening for RNAi pathway proteins in Acari. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:791. [PMID: 33183236 PMCID: PMC7659050 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07162-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA interference (RNAi) is a highly conserved, sequence-specific gene silencing mechanism present in Eukaryotes. Three RNAi pathways are known, namely micro-RNA (miRNA), piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) and short interfering RNA (siRNA). However, little knowledge exists about the proteins involved in these pathways in Acari. Moreover, variable successes has been obtained in gene knockdown via siRNA pathway in their functional genomics and management. We hypothesized that the clue may be in the variability of the composition and the efficacy of siRNA machinery among Acari. RESULTS Both comparative genomic analyses and domain annotation suggest that all the analyzed species have homologs of putative core proteins that mediate cleaving of targeted genes via the three RNAi pathways. We identified putative homologs of Caenorhabditis elegans RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) protein in all species though no secondary Argonaute homologs that operate with this protein in siRNA amplification mechanism were found, suggesting that the siRNA amplification mechanism present in Acari may be distinct from that described in C. elegans. Moreover, the genomes of these species do not encode homologs of C. elegans systemic RNAi defective-1 (Sid-1) protein that mediate silencing of the mRNA target throughout the treated organisms suggesting that the phenomena of systemic RNAi that has been reported in some Acari species probably occur through a different mechanism. However, homologs of putative RNAi spreading defective-3 (Rsd-3) protein and scavenger receptors namely Eater and SR-CI that mediate endocytosis cellular update of dsRNA in C. elegans and Drosophila melanogaster were found in Acari genomes. This result suggests that cellular dsRNA uptake in Acari is endocytosis-dependent. Detailed phylogenetic analyses of core RNAi pathway proteins in the studied species revealed that their evolution is compatible with the proposed monophyletic evolution of this group. CONCLUSIONS Our analyses have revealed the potential activity of all three pathways in Acari. Still, much experimental work remains to be done to confirm the mechanisms behind these pathways in particular those that govern systemic/parental RNAi and siRNA amplification in Acari. Disclosure of these mechanisms will facilitate the development of new and specific management tools for the harmful species and enrichment of the beneficial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice T Nganso
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, 7505101, Rishon leZion, Israel
| | - Noa Sela
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, 7505101, Rishon leZion, Israel
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, P.O.B 15159, 7505101, Rishon leZion, Israel.
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Wu G, Fan F, Hu P, Wang C. AGO1 enhances the proliferation and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma via the EMT-associated TGF-β signaling pathway. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:2890-2902. [PMID: 32655817 PMCID: PMC7344082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To detect the expression of AGO1 in cholangiocarcinoma and explore its role and significance in the progression of cholangiocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and qPCR, we examined the expression of AGO1 in cholangiocarcinoma tissues. Through the analysis of clinical case data, the relationship between AGO1 and clinical prognosis was explored. The effect of AGO1 on cholangiocarcinoma was verified by cell functional experiments. Finally, we examined the effects of AGO1 on EMT-related proteins and signaling pathways. RESULTS AGO1 is significantly upregulated in cholangiocarcinoma and is associated with the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma. AGO1 can significantly increase the proliferation, migration and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. AGO1 affects the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma by affecting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related TGF-β-PI3K-AKT signaling pathways. CONCLUSION AGO1 is an independent predictor of cholangiocarcinoma prognosis and a potential target for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaohua Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fangfang Fan
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Pibo Hu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of ChinaHefei, Anhui, China
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13
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Wu J, Yang J, Cho WC, Zheng Y. Argonaute proteins: Structural features, functions and emerging roles. J Adv Res 2020; 24:317-324. [PMID: 32455006 PMCID: PMC7235612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2020.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Argonaute proteins are highly conserved in almost all organisms. They not only involve in the biogenesis of small regulatory RNAs, but also regulate gene expression and defend against foreign pathogen invasion via small RNA-mediated gene silencing pathways. As a key player in these pathways, the abnormal expression and/or mis-modifications of Argonaute proteins lead to the disorder of small RNA biogenesis and functions, thus influencing multiply biological processes and disease development, especially cancer. In this review, we focus on the post-translational modifications and novel functions of Argonaute proteins in alternative splicing, host defense and genome editing.
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Key Words
- AKT3, AKT serine/threonine kinase 3
- Argonaute protein
- CCR4-NOT, carbon catabolite repressor 4-negative on TATA
- CRISPR-Cas9, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (cas9)
- DGCR8, DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8
- EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor
- GW182 protein, glycine/tryptophan repeats-containing protein with molecular weight of 182 kDa
- H3K9, histone H3 lysine 9
- Hsp70/90, heat shock proteins 70/90
- JEV, Japanese encephalitis virus
- KRAS, Kirsten rat sarcoma oncogene
- P4H, prolyl 4-hydroxylase
- PAM, protospacer adjacent motif
- PAZ, PIWI-argonaute-zwille
- PIWI, P-element-induced wimpy testis
- Post-translational modification
- RISCs, small RNA-induced silencing complexes
- Small RNA
- TRBP, the transactivating response (TAR) RNA-binding protein
- TRIM71/LIN41, tripartite motif-containing 71, known as Lin41
- WSSV, white spot syndrome virus
- miRNAs
- piRNAs
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin'en Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - Jing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Lanzhou 730046, China
| | - William C Cho
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yadong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS, Lanzhou 730046, China.,Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou 225009, China
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14
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Zhang B, Zhao N, Jia L, Che J, He X, Liu K, Bao B. Identification and application of piwi-interacting RNAs from seminal plasma exosomes in Cynoglossus semilaevis. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:302. [PMID: 32293248 PMCID: PMC7158113 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6660-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have been linked to epigenetic and post-transcriptional gene silencing of retrotransposons in germ line cells, particularly in spermatogenesis. Exosomes are important mediators of vesicle transport, and the piRNAs in exosomes might play an important role in cell communication and signal pathway regulation. Moreover, exosomic piRNAs are promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis and physiological status indication. We used Cynoglossus semilaevis because of its commercial value and its sexual dimorphism, particularly the sex reversed "pseudomales" who have a female karyotype, produce sperm, and copulate with normal females to produce viable offspring. RESULTS To determine whether piRNAs from fish germ line cells have similar features, seminal plasma exosomes from half-smooth tongue sole, C. semilaevis, were identified, and their small RNAs were sequenced and analysed. We identified six signature piRNAs as biomarkers in exosomes of seminal plasma from males and pseudomale C. semilaevis. Bioinformatic analysis showed that all six signatures were sex-related, and four were DNA methylation-related and transposition-related piRNAs. Their expression profiles were verified using real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of the signature piRNAs was markedly higher in males than in pseudomales. The signature piRNAs could be exploited as male-specific biomarkers in this fish. CONCLUSIONS These signatures provide an effective tool to explore the regulatory mechanism of sex development in C. semilaevis and may provide guidance for future research on the function of piRNAs in the generative mechanism of sex reversed "pseudomales" in C. semilaevis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.,Tianjin Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Na Zhao
- Tianjin Medicine Biotechnology Co, Ltd, Tianjin, China
| | - Lei Jia
- Tianjin Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Jinyuan Che
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Xiaoxu He
- Tianjin Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Kefeng Liu
- Tianjin Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin, China
| | - Baolong Bao
- Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources (Shanghai Ocean University), Ministry of Education; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences at Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
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15
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Wong C, Roy R. AMPK Regulates Developmental Plasticity through an Endogenous Small RNA Pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062238. [PMID: 32213851 PMCID: PMC7139869 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans larvae can undergo developmental arrest upon entry into the dauer stage in response to suboptimal growth conditions. Dauer larvae can exit this stage in replete conditions with no reproductive consequence. During this diapause stage, the metabolic regulator AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) ensures that the germ line becomes quiescent to maintain germ cell integrity. Animals that lack all AMPK signalling undergo germline hyperplasia upon entering dauer, while those that recover from this stage become sterile. Neuronal AMPK expression in otherwise AMPK-deficient animals is sufficient for germline quiescence and germ cell integrity and its effects are likely mediated through an endogenous small RNA pathway. Upon impairing small RNA biosynthesis, the post-dauer fertility is restored in AMPK mutants. These data suggest that AMPK may function in neurons to relay a message through small RNAs to the germ cells to alter their quiescence in the dauer stage, thus challenging the permeability of the Weismann barrier.
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16
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SATO K, SIOMI MC. The piRNA pathway in Drosophila ovarian germ and somatic cells. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2020; 96:32-42. [PMID: 31932527 PMCID: PMC6974405 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.96.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
RNA silencing refers to gene silencing pathways mediated by small non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) constitute the largest class of small non-coding RNAs in animal gonads, which repress transposons to protect the germline genome from the selfish invasion of transposons. Deterioration of the system causes DNA damage, leading to severe defects in gametogenesis and infertility. Studies using Drosophila ovaries show that piRNAs originate from specific genomic loci, termed piRNA clusters, and that in piRNA biogenesis, cluster transcripts are processed into mature piRNAs via three distinct pathways: initiator or responder for ping-pong piRNAs and trailing for phased piRNAs. piRNAs then assemble with PIWI members of the Argonaute family of proteins to form piRNA-induced RNA silencing complexes (piRISCs), the core engine of the piRNA-mediated silencing pathway. Upon piRISC assembly, the PIWI member, Piwi, is translocated to the nucleus and represses transposons co-transcriptionally by inducing local heterochromatin formation at target transposon loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaoru SATO
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mikiko C. SIOMI
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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17
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Fromm B, Tosar JP, Aguilera F, Friedländer MR, Bachmann L, Hejnol A. Evolutionary Implications of the microRNA- and piRNA Complement of Lepidodermella squamata (Gastrotricha). Noncoding RNA 2019; 5:E19. [PMID: 30813358 PMCID: PMC6468455 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna5010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrotrichs-'hairy bellies'-are microscopic free-living animals inhabiting marine and freshwater habitats. Based on morphological and early molecular analyses, gastrotrichs were placed close to nematodes, but recent phylogenomic analyses have suggested their close relationship to flatworms (Platyhelminthes) within Spiralia. Small non-coding RNA data on e.g., microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNA) may help to resolve this long-standing question. MiRNAs are short post-transcriptional gene regulators that together with piRNAs play key roles in development. In a 'multi-omics' approach we here used small-RNA sequencing, available transcriptome and genomic data to unravel the miRNA- and piRNA complements along with the RNAi (RNA interference) protein machinery of Lepidodermella squamata (Gastrotricha, Chaetonotida). We identified 52 miRNA genes representing 35 highly conserved miRNA families specific to Eumetazoa, Bilateria, Protostomia, and Spiralia, respectively, with overall high similarities to platyhelminth miRNA complements. In addition, we found four large piRNA clusters that also resemble flatworm piRNAs but not those earlier described for nematodes. Congruently, transcriptomic annotation revealed that the Lepidodermella protein machinery is highly similar to flatworms, too. Taken together, miRNA, piRNA, and protein data support a close relationship of gastrotrichs and flatworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Fromm
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Juan Pablo Tosar
- Functional Genomics Unit, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
- Nuclear Research Center, Faculty of Science, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
| | - Felipe Aguilera
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160_C, Concepción 3349001, Chile.
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, 5006 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Marc R Friedländer
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lutz Bachmann
- Research group Frontiers in Evolutionary Zoology, Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Andreas Hejnol
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, 5006 Bergen, Norway.
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18
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Huang S, Ichikawa Y, Igarashi Y, Yoshitake K, Kinoshita S, Omori F, Maeyama K, Nagai K, Watabe S, Asakawa S. Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) expression patterns in pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata) somatic tissues. Sci Rep 2019; 9:247. [PMID: 30670741 PMCID: PMC6342924 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36726-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) belong to a recently discovered class of small non-coding RNAs whose best-understood function is repressing transposable element activity. Most piRNA studies have been conducted on model organisms and little is known about piRNA expression and function in mollusks. We performed high-throughput sequencing of small RNAs extracted from the mantle, adductor muscle, gill, and ovary tissues of the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata. RNA species with sequences of approximately 30 nt were widely expressed in all tissues. Uridine at the 5' terminal and protection from β-elimination at the 3' terminal suggested that these were putative piRNAs. A total of 18.0 million putative piRNAs were assigned to 2.8 million unique piRNAs, and 35,848 piRNA clusters were identified. Mapping to the reference genome showed that 25% of the unique piRNAs mapped to multiple tandem loci on the scaffold. Expression patterns of the piRNA clusters were similar within the somatic tissues, but differed significantly between the somatic and gonadal tissues. These findings suggest that in pearl oysters piRNAs have important and novel functions beyond those in the germ line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songqian Huang
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yuki Ichikawa
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Yoji Igarashi
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Yoshitake
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Shigeharu Kinoshita
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Fumito Omori
- Mikimoto Pharmaceutical CO., LTD., Kurose 1425, Ise, Mie, 516-8581, Japan
| | - Kaoru Maeyama
- Mikimoto Pharmaceutical CO., LTD., Kurose 1425, Ise, Mie, 516-8581, Japan
| | - Kiyohito Nagai
- Pearl Research Laboratory, K. MIKIMOTO & CO., LTD., Osaki Hazako 923, Hamajima, Shima, Mie, 517-0403, Japan
| | - Shugo Watabe
- School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0313, Japan
| | - Shuichi Asakawa
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan.
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19
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Das B, Roy J, Jain N, Mallick B. Tumor suppressive activity of PIWI-interacting RNA in human fibrosarcoma mediated through repression of RRM2. Mol Carcinog 2018; 58:344-357. [DOI: 10.1002/mc.22932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Basudeb Das
- RNAi and Functional Genomics Lab; Department of Life Science; National Institute of Technology; Rourkela Odisha India
| | - Jyoti Roy
- RNAi and Functional Genomics Lab; Department of Life Science; National Institute of Technology; Rourkela Odisha India
| | - Neha Jain
- RNAi and Functional Genomics Lab; Department of Life Science; National Institute of Technology; Rourkela Odisha India
| | - Bibekanand Mallick
- RNAi and Functional Genomics Lab; Department of Life Science; National Institute of Technology; Rourkela Odisha India
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20
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Marr EJ, Wright HW, Sargison ND, Nisbet AJ, Burgess STG. Gene silencing by RNA interference in the ectoparasitic mite, Psoroptes ovis. Vet Res 2018; 49:112. [PMID: 30382906 PMCID: PMC6211577 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-018-0608-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of components of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway in Psoroptes ovis, an ectoparasitic mite responsible for psoroptic mange, was investigated through interrogation of the P. ovis genome. Homologues of transcripts representing critical elements for achieving effective RNAi in the mite, Tetranychus urticae and the model organisms Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster were identified and, following the development of a non-invasive immersion method of double stranded RNA delivery, gene silencing by RNAi was successfully demonstrated in P. ovis. Significant reductions in transcript levels were achieved for three target genes which encode the Group 2 allergen (Pso o 2), mu-class glutathione S-transferase (PoGST-mu1) and beta-tubulin (Poβtub). This is the first demonstration of RNAi in P. ovis and provides a mechanism for mining transcriptomic and genomic datasets for novel control targets against this economically important ectoparasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Marr
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK.,Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, The King's Buildings, Ashworth Laboratories, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FL, Scotland, UK
| | - Harry W Wright
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Neil D Sargison
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK
| | - Alasdair J Nisbet
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Stewart T G Burgess
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK.
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21
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Wang M, Zhang L, Liu Z, Zhou J, Pan Q, Fan J, Zang R, Wang L. AGO1 may influence the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma through TGF-β pathway. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:324. [PMID: 29487329 PMCID: PMC5832432 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0338-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AGO1 is a major component of RNA-induced silencing complexes and plays a crucial role in solid tumors. The aim of our study was to investigate AGO1 functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Using small interfering RNA, AGO1 functions were investigated in HCCLM3 cell lines. Cell proliferation, immigration, and invasion significantly decreased after AGO1 depletion using MTT, wound-healing, and transwell assay. The associated proteins in the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the activation of its signal pathways were measured using western blot. After AGO1 depleted, increased E-cadherin and decreased N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, and Zeb1 were founded. In its upstream pathway, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2(Thr202/Tyr204), Smad2(S425/250/255), and Smad4 were significantly inhibited. Meanwhile, inhibitor of ERK1/2(LY3214996) significantly inhibited the growth and migration of the AGO1 cells. The nuclear importing of Smad4 was blocked and furthermore, the transcription of Snail was also influenced for the decrease of combination between Smad4 and the promotor region of Snail. After Snail was overexpressed, the invasion of HCCLM3 cells was significantly rescued. Immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays consisting of 200 HCC patients was used to analyze the associations between AGO1 expression and prognosis. Intratumoral AGO1 expression was an independent risk factor for overall survival (P = 0.008) and recurrence-free survival (P < 0.001). In conclusion, AGO1 may promote HCC metastasis through TGF-β pathway, and AGO1 may be a reliable prognostic factor in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 270 Dongan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Lyu Zhang
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeyang Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 270 Dongan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiamin Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 270 Dongan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Pan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 270 Dongan Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Fan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongyu Zang
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, China.
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 270 Dongan Road, Shanghai, China.
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22
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Rewired RNAi-mediated genome surveillance in house dust mites. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007183. [PMID: 29377900 PMCID: PMC5805368 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
House dust mites are common pests with an unusual evolutionary history, being descendants of a parasitic ancestor. Transition to parasitism is frequently accompanied by genome rearrangements, possibly to accommodate the genetic change needed to access new ecology. Transposable element (TE) activity is a source of genomic instability that can trigger large-scale genomic alterations. Eukaryotes have multiple transposon control mechanisms, one of which is RNA interference (RNAi). Investigation of the dust mite genome failed to identify a major RNAi pathway: the Piwi-associated RNA (piRNA) pathway, which has been replaced by a novel small-interfering RNA (siRNA)-like pathway. Co-opting of piRNA function by dust mite siRNAs is extensive, including establishment of TE control master loci that produce siRNAs. Interestingly, other members of the Acari have piRNAs indicating loss of this mechanism in dust mites is a recent event. Flux of RNAi-mediated control of TEs highlights the unusual arc of dust mite evolution. Investigation of small RNA populations in dust mites revealed absence of the piwi-associated RNA (piRNA) pathway. Apart from several nematode and platyhelminths lineages, piRNAs are an essential component of animal genome surveillance, actively targeting and silencing transposable elements. In dust mites, expansion of Dicer produced small-interfering RNA (siRNA) biology compensates for loss of piRNAs. The dramatic difference we find in dust mites is likely a consequence of their evolutionary history, which is marked by descent from a parasite to the current free-living form. Our study highlights a correlation between perturbation of transposon surveillance and shifts in ecology.
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23
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Paces J, Nic M, Novotny T, Svoboda P. Literature review of baseline information to support the risk assessment of RNAi‐based GM plants. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [PMCID: PMC7163844 DOI: 10.2903/sp.efsa.2017.en-1246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Paces
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IMG)
| | | | | | - Petr Svoboda
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IMG)
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24
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Phay M, Kim HH, Yoo S. Analysis of piRNA-Like Small Non-coding RNAs Present in Axons of Adult Sensory Neurons. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 55:483-494. [PMID: 27966078 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0340-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) have been shown to play pivotal roles in spatiotemporal-specific gene regulation that is linked to many different biological functions. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), typically 25-34-nucleotide long, are originally identified and thought to be restricted in germline cells. However, recent studies suggest that piRNAs associate with neuronal PIWI proteins, contributing to neuronal development and function. Here, we identify a cohort of piRNA-like sncRNAs (piLRNAs) in rat sciatic nerve axoplasm and directly contrast temporal changes of piLRNA levels in the nerve following injury, as compared with those in an uninjured nerve using deep sequencing. We find that 32 of a total of 53 annotated piLRNAs show significant changes in their levels in the regenerating nerve, suggesting that individual axonal piLRNAs may play important regulatory roles in local messenger RNA (mRNA) translation during regeneration. Bioinformatics and biochemical analyses show that these piLRNAs carry characteristic features of mammalian piRNAs, including sizes, a sequence bias for uracil at the 5'-end and a 2'-O-methylation at the 3'-end. Their axonal expression is directly visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons as well as immunoprecipitation with MIWI. Further, depletion of MIWI protein using RNAi from cultured sensory neurons increases axon growth rates, decreases axon retraction after injury, and increases axon regrowth after injury. All these data suggest more general roles for MIWI/piLRNA pathway that could confer a unique advantage for coordinately altering the population of proteins generated in growth cones and axons of neurons by targeting mRNA cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monichan Phay
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Hak Hee Kim
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
| | - Soonmoon Yoo
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA. .,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA.
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25
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Xu R, Liu C, Li N, Zhang S. Global identification and expression analysis of stress-responsive genes of the Argonaute family in apple. Mol Genet Genomics 2016; 291:2015-2030. [PMID: 27475441 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-016-1236-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Argonaute (AGO) proteins, which are found in yeast, animals, and plants, are the core molecules of the RNA-induced silencing complex. These proteins play important roles in plant growth, development, and responses to biotic stresses. The complete analysis and classification of the AGO gene family have been recently reported in different plants. Nevertheless, systematic analysis and expression profiling of these genes have not been performed in apple (Malus domestica). Approximately 15 AGO genes were identified in the apple genome. The phylogenetic tree, chromosome location, conserved protein motifs, gene structure, and expression of the AGO gene family in apple were analyzed for gene prediction. All AGO genes were phylogenetically clustered into four groups (i.e., AGO1, AGO4, MEL1/AGO5, and ZIPPY/AGO7) with the AGO genes of Arabidopsis. These groups of the AGO gene family were statistically analyzed and compared among 31 plant species. The predicted apple AGO genes are distributed across nine chromosomes at different densities and include three segment duplications. Expression studies indicated that 15 AGO genes exhibit different expression patterns in at least one of the tissues tested. Additionally, analysis of gene expression levels indicated that the genes are mostly involved in responses to NaCl, PEG, heat, and low-temperature stresses. Hence, several candidate AGO genes are involved in different aspects of physiological and developmental processes and may play an important role in abiotic stress responses in apple. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report a comprehensive analysis of the apple AGO gene family. Our results provide useful information to understand the classification and putative functions of these proteins, especially for gene members that may play important roles in abiotic stress responses in M. hupehensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Biology in University of Shandong, Weifang University, Weifang, Shandong, 261061, China.
| | - Caiyun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Biology in University of Shandong, Weifang University, Weifang, Shandong, 261061, China
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, National Research Center for Apple Engineering and Technology, College of Horticulture Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61# Daizong Street, Tai'an, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Shizhong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, National Research Center for Apple Engineering and Technology, College of Horticulture Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61# Daizong Street, Tai'an, Shandong, 271018, China.
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26
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Non-coding RNA in Spermatogenesis and Epididymal Maturation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 886:95-120. [PMID: 26659489 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-7417-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Testicular germ and somatic cells express many classes of small ncRNAs, including Dicer-independent PIWI-interacting RNAs, Dicer-dependent miRNAs, and endogenous small interfering RNA. Several studies have identified ncRNAs that are highly, exclusively, or preferentially expressed in the testis and epididymis in specific germ and somatic cell types. Temporal and spatial expression of proteins is a key requirement of successful spermatogenesis and large-scale gene transcription occurs in two key stages, just prior to transcriptional quiescence in meiosis and then during spermiogenesis just prior to nuclear silencing in elongating spermatids. More than 60 % of these transcripts are then stockpiled for subsequent translation. In this capacity ncRNAs may act to interpret and transduce cellular signals to either maintain the undifferentiated stem cell population and/or drive cell differentiation during spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation. The assignation of specific roles to the majority of ncRNA species implicated as having a role in spermatogenesis and epididymal function will underpin fundamental understanding of normal and disease states in humans such as infertility and the development of germ cell tumours.
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A piRNA-like small RNA interacts with and modulates p-ERM proteins in human somatic cells. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7316. [PMID: 26095918 PMCID: PMC4557300 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are thought to silence transposon and gene expression during development. However, the roles of piRNAs in somatic tissues are largely unknown. Here we report the identification of 555 piRNAs in human lung bronchial epithelial (HBE) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, including 295 that do not exist in databases termed as piRNA-like sncRNAs or piRNA-Ls. Distinctive piRNA/piRNA-L expression patterns are observed between HBE and NSCLC cells. piRNA-like-163 (piR-L-163), the top downregulated piRNA-L in NSCLC cells, binds directly to phosphorylated ERM proteins (p-ERM), which is dependent on the central part of UUNNUUUNNUU motif in piR-L-163 and the RRRKPDT element in ERM. The piR-L-163/p-ERM interaction is critical for p-ERM's binding capability to filamentous actin (F-actin) and ERM-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50). Thus, piRNA/piRNA-L may play a regulatory role through direct interaction with proteins in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) suppress transposon and gene expression during development. Here, the authors identify many piRNAs and piRNA-like small RNAs in 11 human cell lines, and show that one piRNA-like small RNA binds to phosphorylated ERM proteins to regulate cancer cell migration and invasion.
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Zhang X, Liu D, Zhang S, Wei X, Song J, Zhang Y, Jin M, Shen Z, Wang X, Feng Z, Li J. Host-virus interaction: the antiviral defense function of small interfering RNAs can be enhanced by host microRNA-7 in vitro. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9722. [PMID: 26067353 PMCID: PMC4464290 DOI: 10.1038/srep09722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) directed against poliovirus (PV) and other viruses effectively inhibit viral replication and have been developed as antiviral agents. Here, we demonstrate that a specific siRNA targeting the region between nucleotides 100–125 (siRNA-100) from the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of PV plays a critical role in inhibiting PV replication. Our data demonstrate that siRNA-100 treatment can greatly reduce PV titers, resulting in up-regulation of host microRNA-7 (miR-7), which in turn, leads to enhance inhibition of PV infection further. Moreover, our results suggest that siRNA-100 can also impair the spread of PV to uninfected cells by increasing host resistance to PV, resulting in decreasing necrosis and cytopathic effects (CPE) levels, as well as prolonging the survival of infected cells. Indeed, the active antiviral effect of siRNA-100 was potentially supplemented by the activity of miR-7, and both of them can serve as stabilizing factors for maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Results of this study identify a molecular mechanism of RNAi for antiviral defense, and extend our knowledge of the complex interplay between host and PV, which will provide a basis for the development of effective RNAi-based therapies designed to inhibit PV replication and protect host cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Zhang
- Stem Cell Center, BaYi Children's Hospital of The General Military Hospital of Beijing PLA, 5 Nanmencang Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100700, P.R. China
| | - Dongyun Liu
- Departments of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Stem Cell Center, BaYi Children's Hospital of The General Military Hospital of Beijing PLA, 5 Nanmencang Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100700, P.R. China
| | - Xiujuan Wei
- Stem Cell Center, BaYi Children's Hospital of The General Military Hospital of Beijing PLA, 5 Nanmencang Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100700, P.R. China
| | - Jie Song
- Stem Cell Center, BaYi Children's Hospital of The General Military Hospital of Beijing PLA, 5 Nanmencang Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100700, P.R. China
| | - Yupei Zhang
- Stem Cell Center, BaYi Children's Hospital of The General Military Hospital of Beijing PLA, 5 Nanmencang Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100700, P.R. China
| | - Min Jin
- Department of Environment and Health, Institute of Health and Environmental medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment &Food Safety, 1 Dali Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300050, P.R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Shen
- Department of Environment and Health, Institute of Health and Environmental medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment &Food Safety, 1 Dali Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300050, P.R. China
| | - Xinwei Wang
- Department of Environment and Health, Institute of Health and Environmental medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment &Food Safety, 1 Dali Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300050, P.R. China
| | - Zhichun Feng
- Stem Cell Center, BaYi Children's Hospital of The General Military Hospital of Beijing PLA, 5 Nanmencang Road, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100700, P.R. China
| | - Junwen Li
- Department of Environment and Health, Institute of Health and Environmental medicine, Key Laboratory of Risk Assessment and Control for Environment &Food Safety, 1 Dali Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300050, P.R. China
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Zhang L, Liu W, Shao C, Zhang N, Li H, Liu K, Dong Z, Qi Q, Zhao W, Chen S. Cloning, expression and methylation analysis of piwil2 in half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Mar Genomics 2014; 18 Pt A:45-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2014] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Ignarski M, Singh A, Swart EC, Arambasic M, Sandoval PY, Nowacki M. Paramecium tetraurelia chromatin assembly factor-1-like protein PtCAF-1 is involved in RNA-mediated control of DNA elimination. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:11952-64. [PMID: 25270876 PMCID: PMC4231744 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide DNA remodelling in the ciliate Paramecium is ensured by RNA-mediated trans-nuclear crosstalk between the germline and the somatic genomes during sexual development. The rearrangements include elimination of transposable elements, minisatellites and tens of thousands non-coding elements called internally eliminated sequences (IESs). The trans-nuclear genome comparison process employs a distinct class of germline small RNAs (scnRNAs) that are compared against the parental somatic genome to select the germline-specific subset of scnRNAs that subsequently target DNA elimination in the progeny genome. Only a handful of proteins involved in this process have been identified so far and the mechanism of DNA targeting is unknown. Here we describe chromatin assembly factor-1-like protein (PtCAF-1), which we show is required for the survival of sexual progeny and localizes first in the parental and later in the newly developing macronucleus. Gene silencing shows that PtCAF-1 is required for the elimination of transposable elements and a subset of IESs. PTCAF-1 depletion also impairs the selection of germline-specific scnRNAs during development. We identify specific histone modifications appearing during Paramecium development which are strongly reduced in PTCAF-1 depleted cells. Our results demonstrate the importance of PtCAF-1 for the epigenetic trans-nuclear cross-talk mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Ignarski
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 1, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aditi Singh
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 1, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Estienne C Swart
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Miroslav Arambasic
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Freiestrasse 1, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pamela Y Sandoval
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mariusz Nowacki
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Wang GH, Jiang L, Zhu L, Cheng TC, Niu WH, Yan YF, Xia QY. Characterization of Argonaute family members in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. INSECT SCIENCE 2013; 20:78-91. [PMID: 23955828 DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7917.2012.01555.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The Argonaute protein family is a highly conserved group of proteins, which have been implicated in RNA silencing in both plants and animals. Here, four members of the Argonaute family were systemically identified based on the genome sequence of Bombyx mori. Based on their sequence similarity, BmAgo1 and BmAgo2 belong to the Ago subfamily, while BmAgo3 and BmPiwi are in the Piwi subfamily. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that silkworm Argonaute family members are conserved in insects. Conserved amino acid residues involved in recognition of the 5' end of the small RNA guide strand and of the conserved (aspartate, aspartate and histidine [DDH]) motif present in their PIWI domains suggest that these four Argonaute family members may have conserved slicer activities. The results of microarray expression analysis show that there is a low expression level for B. mori Argonaute family members in different tissues and different developmental stages, except for BmPiwi. All four B. mori Argonaute family members are upregulated upon infection with B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus. The complete coding sequence of BmPiwi, the homolog of Drosophila piwi, was cloned and its expression occurred mainly in the area where spermatogonia and spermatocytes appear. Our results provide an overview of the B. mori Argonaute family members and suggest that they may have multiple roles. In addition, this is also the first report, to our knowledge, of the response of RNA silencing machinery to DNA virus infection in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen-Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, School of Biotechnology, Southwest, Chongqing, China
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Dhanasekaran K, Kumari S, Kanduri C. Noncoding RNAs in chromatin organization and transcription regulation: an epigenetic view. Subcell Biochem 2013; 61:343-72. [PMID: 23150258 DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-4525-4_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Genome of a eukaryotic cell harbors genetic material in the form of DNA which carries the hereditary information encoded in their bases. Nucleotide bases of DNA are transcribed into complimentary RNA bases which are further translated into protein, performing defined set of functions. The central dogma of life ensures sequential flow of genetic information among these biopolymers. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) serve as exceptions for this principle as they do not code for any protein. Nevertheless, a major portion of the human transcriptome comprises noncoding RNAs. These RNAs vary in size, as well as they vary in the spatio-temporal distribution. These ncRnAs are functional and are shown to be involved in diverse cellular activities. Precise location and expression of ncRNA is essential for the cellular homeostasis. Failures of these events ultimately results in numerous disease conditions including cancer. The present review lists out the various classes of ncRNAs with a special emphasis on their role in chromatin organization and transcription regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthigeyan Dhanasekaran
- Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur P.O., Bangalore, 560064, India
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Luo D, Kohlway A, Pyle AM. Duplex RNA activated ATPases (DRAs): platforms for RNA sensing, signaling and processing. RNA Biol 2012; 10:111-20. [PMID: 23228901 PMCID: PMC3590228 DOI: 10.4161/rna.22706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Double-stranded RNAs are an important class of functional macromolecules in living systems. They are usually found as part of highly specialized intracellular machines that control diverse cellular events, ranging from virus replication, antiviral defense, RNA interference, to regulation of gene activities and genomic integrity. Within different intracellular machines, the RNA duplex is often found in association with specific RNA-dependent ATPases, including Dicer, RIG-I and DRH-3 proteins. These duplex RNA-activated ATPases represent an emerging group of motor proteins within the large and diverse super family 2 nucleic acid-dependent ATPases (which are historically defined as SF2 helicases). The duplex RNA-activated ATPases share characteristic molecular features for duplex RNA recognition, including motifs (e.g., motifs IIa and Vc) and an insertion domain (HEL2i), and they require double-strand RNA binding for their enzymatic activities. Proteins in this family undergo large conformational changes concomitant with RNA binding, ATP binding and ATP hydrolysis in order to achieve their functions, which include the release of signaling domains and the recruitment of partner proteins. The duplex RNA-activated ATPases represent a distinct and fascinating group of nanomechanical molecular motors that are essential for duplex RNA sensing and processing in diverse cellular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahai Luo
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Sand M, Skrygan M, Georgas D, Sand D, Gambichler T, Altmeyer P, Bechara FG. The miRNA machinery in primary cutaneous malignant melanoma, cutaneous malignant melanoma metastases and benign melanocytic nevi. Cell Tissue Res 2012; 350:119-26. [PMID: 22706980 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-012-1446-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Although several studies have shown a dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in cutaneous melanoma, there has been little research on the miRNA machinery itself. In this study, we investigated the mRNA expression profiles of different miRNA machinery components in primary cutaneous malignant melanoma (PCMM), cutaneous malignant melanoma metastases (CMMM) and benign melanocytic nevi (BMN). Patients with PCMM (n = 7), CMMM (n = 6) and BMN (n = 7) were included in the study. Punch biopsies were harvested from the centers of tumors (lesional) and from BMN (control). In contrast to previous reports exploring specific clusters of miRNAs in PCMM, the present study investigates mRNA expression levels of Dicer, Drosha, Exp5, DGCR8 and the RISC components PACT, argonaute-1, argonaute-2, TARBP1, TARBP2, MTDH and SND1, which were detected by TaqMan real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Argonaute-1, TARBP2 and SND1 expression levels were significantly higher in BMN compared to PCMM (p < 0.05). TARBP2 expression levels were significantly higher in CMMM compared to PCMM (p < 0.05). SND1 expression levels were significantly higher in CMMM compared to PCMM and BMN (p < 0.05). Dicer, Drosha, DGCR8, Exp5, argonaute-2, PACT, TARBP1 and MTDH expression levels showed no significant differences within groups (p > 0.05). The results of this study show that the miRNA machinery components argonaute-1, TARBP2 and SND1 are dysregulated in PCMM and CMMM compared to BMN and may play a role in the process of malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Sand
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, St. Josef Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany.
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Zhu W, Kuo D, Nathanson J, Satoh A, Pao GM, Yeo GW, Bryant SV, Voss SR, Gardiner DM, Hunter T. Retrotransposon long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) is activated during salamander limb regeneration. Dev Growth Differ 2012; 54:673-85. [PMID: 22913491 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-169x.2012.01368.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Revised: 06/20/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Salamanders possess an extraordinary capacity for tissue and organ regeneration when compared to mammals. In our effort to characterize the unique transcriptional fingerprint emerging during the early phase of salamander limb regeneration, we identified transcriptional activation of some germline-specific genes within the Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) that is indicative of cellular reprogramming of differentiated cells into a germline-like state. In this work, we focus on one of these genes, the long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposon, which is usually active in germ cells and silent in most of the somatic tissues in other organisms. LINE-1 was found to be dramatically upregulated during regeneration. In addition, higher genomic LINE-1 content was also detected in the limb regenerate when compared to that before amputation indicating that LINE-1 retrotransposition is indeed active during regeneration. Active LINE-1 retrotransposition has been suggested to have a potentially deleterious impact on genomic integrity. Silencing of activated LINE-1 by small RNAs has been reported to be part of the machinery aiming to maintain genomic integrity. Indeed, we were able to identify putative LINE-1-related piRNAs in the limb blastema. Transposable element-related piRNAs have been identified frequently in the germline in other organisms. Thus, we present here a scenario in which a unique germline-like state is established during axolotl limb regeneration, and the re-activation of LINE-1 may serve as a marker for cellular dedifferentiation in the early-stage of limb regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhu
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory and Laboratory of Genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Biogenesis and mechanism of action of small non-coding RNAs: insights from the point of view of structural biology. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:10268-10295. [PMID: 22949860 PMCID: PMC3431858 DOI: 10.3390/ijms130810268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs are dominant in the genomic output of the higher organisms being not simply occasional transcripts with idiosyncratic functions, but constituting an extensive regulatory network. Among all the species of non-coding RNAs, small non-coding RNAs (miRNAs, siRNAs and piRNAs) have been shown to be in the core of the regulatory machinery of all the genomic output in eukaryotic cells. Small non-coding RNAs are produced by several pathways containing specialized enzymes that process RNA transcripts. The mechanism of action of these molecules is also ensured by a group of effector proteins that are commonly engaged within high molecular weight protein-RNA complexes. In the last decade, the contribution of structural biology has been essential to the dissection of the molecular mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis and function of small non-coding RNAs.
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Frank F, Hauver J, Sonenberg N, Nagar B. Arabidopsis Argonaute MID domains use their nucleotide specificity loop to sort small RNAs. EMBO J 2012; 31:3588-95. [PMID: 22850669 PMCID: PMC3433783 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2012.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The 5'-nucleotide of small RNAs associates directly with the MID domain of Argonaute (AGO) proteins. In humans, the identity of the 5'-base is sensed by the MID domain nucleotide specificity loop and regulates the integrity of miRNAs. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the 5'-nucleotide also controls sorting of small RNAs into the appropriate member of the AGO family; however, the structural basis for this mechanism is unknown. Here, we present crystal structures of the MID domain from three Arabidopsis AGOs, AtAGO1, AtAGO2 and AtAGO5, and characterize their interactions with nucleoside monophosphates (NMPs). In AtAGOs, the nucleotide specificity loop also senses the identity of the 5'-nucleotide but uses more diverse modes of recognition owing to the greater complexity of small RNAs found in plants. Binding analyses of these interactions reveal a strong correlation between their affinities and evolutionary conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipp Frank
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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von Brandenstein M, Richter C, Fries JWU. MicroRNAs: Small but amazing, and their association with endothelin. Life Sci 2012; 91:475-89. [PMID: 22771694 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2012.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2011] [Revised: 06/20/2012] [Accepted: 06/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules involved in the expressional regulation of genes by inhibiting gene translation. MicroRNAs are recruited and incorporated into the miRISC, ribonucleoprotein complex, targeting specific mRNAs through mechanisms specific for a miRNA sequence. Here we review the biogenesis, regulation, and monitoring of miRNAs, as well as the current evidence for potential roles of miRNAs in human diseases associated with activation of the endothelin system. These diseases include cancer, kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, infectious diseases, and blood diseases, that may all be aggravated by aberrant miRNA expression. In this review we will also discuss regulatory mechanisms determining production of miRNA as well as measuring or targeting miRNAs as potential novel approaches for diagnosis and treatment. Targeting miRNAs possibly will allow one to detect diseases or to interfere with the progression of diseases associated with activation of the endothelin system.
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Shen X, Zhang X, Chen X, Yang C, Gao H. The PIWI protein acts as a predictive marker for human gastric cancer. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2012; 5:315-325. [PMID: 22670175 PMCID: PMC3365820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the expression of the human PIWI subfamily proteins in gastric cancer and their potential roles in the occurrence, development and prognosis of gastric cancer. METHODS AND PATIENTS Expression of the PIWI proteins were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue microarrays (TMA), containing paired tumor tissue and adjacent non-cancer tissue from 182 patients who had undergone surgery in hospital for histologically proven gastric cancer (GC). Prognostic value and correlation with other clinicopathologic factors were evaluated in two classifications. RESULTS The expression of PIWIL1-4 was significantly higher in tumor tissue than that in adjacent tissue; A significant correlation was observed between the higher expression of PIWI protein with the T stage, lymph node metastasis and clinical TNM (cTNM); Survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test demonstrated that elevated PIWIL1 and PIWIL2 expression in cancer tissue predicted poorer overall survival (OS) compared with group in lower expression (36.5% VS 67.6%; 37.4% VS 54.2%; respectively). Notably, multivariate analyses by Cox's proportional hazard model revealed that expression of PIWIL1 was an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS The PIWI subfamily protein is an absolutely key molecular factor along with the tumor occurrence and development. And the PIWI protein could act as a potential biomarker for prognosis evaluation of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Digestive Diseases, Tongji Hospital Affliated to Tongji University, Shanghai 200065, China
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Maccani MA, Knopik VS. Cigarette smoke exposure-associated alterations to non-coding RNA. Front Genet 2012; 3:53. [PMID: 22509180 PMCID: PMC3321413 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2012.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental exposures vary by timing, severity, and frequency and may have a number of deleterious effects throughout the life course. The period of in utero development, for example, is one of the most crucial stages of development during which adverse environmental exposures can both alter the growth and development of the fetus as well as lead to aberrant fetal programming, increasing disease risk. During fetal development and beyond, the plethora of exposures, including nutrients, drugs, stress, and trauma, influence health, development, and survival. Recent research in environmental epigenetics has investigated the roles of environmental exposures in influencing epigenetic modes of gene regulation during pregnancy and at various stages of life. Many relatively common environmental exposures, such as cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use, may have consequences for the expression and function of non-coding RNA (ncRNA), important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. A number of ncRNA have been discovered, including microRNA (miRNA), Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), and long non-coding RNA (long ncRNA). The best-characterized species of ncRNA are miRNA, the mature forms of which are ∼22 nucleotides in length and capable of post-transcriptionally regulating target mRNA utilizing mechanisms based largely on the degree of complementarity between miRNA and target mRNA. Because miRNA can still negatively regulate gene expression when imperfectly base-paired with a target mRNA, a single miRNA can have a large number of potential mRNA targets and can regulate many different biological processes critical for health and development. The following review analyzes the current literature detailing links between cigarette smoke exposure and aberrant expression and function of ncRNA, assesses how such alterations may have consequences throughout the life course, and proposes future directions for this intriguing field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Maccani
- Division of Behavioral Genetics, Rhode Island Hospital Providence, RI, USA
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Specific expression of Olpiwi1 and Olpiwi2 in medaka (Oryzias latipes) germ cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 418:592-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.12.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abstract
Parasitic diseases cause important losses in public and veterinary health worldwide. Novel drugs, more reliable diagnostic techniques and vaccine candidates are urgently needed. Due to the complexity of parasites and the intricate relationship with their hosts, development of successful tools to fight parasites has been very limited to date. The growing information on individual parasite genomes is now allowing the use of a broader range of potential strategies to gain deeper insights into the host-parasite relationship and has increased the possibilities to develop molecular-based tools in the field of parasitology. Nevertheless, functional studies of respective genes are still scarce. The RNA interference phenomenon resulting in the regulation of protein expression through the specific degradation of defined mRNAs, and more specifically the possibility of artificially induce it, has shown to be a powerful tool for the investigation of proteins function in many organisms. Recent advances in the design and delivery of targeting molecules allow efficient and highly specific gene silencing in different types of parasites, pointing out this technology as a powerful tool for the identification of novel vaccine candidates or drug targets at the high-throughput level in the near future, and could enable researchers to functionally annotate parasite genomes. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview on the current advances and pitfalls in gene silencing mechanisms, techniques, applications and prospects in animal parasites.
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Dzianott A, Sztuba-Solińska J, Bujarski JJ. Mutations in the antiviral RNAi defense pathway modify Brome mosaic virus RNA recombinant profiles. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2012; 25:97-106. [PMID: 21936664 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-05-11-0137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism targets viral RNA for degradation. To test whether RNAi gene products contributed to viral RNA recombination, a series of Arabidopsis thaliana RNAi-defective mutants were infected with Brome mosaic virus (BMV) RNAs that have been engineered to support crossovers within the RNA3 segment. Single-cross RNA3-RNA1, RNA3-RNA2, and RNA3-RNA3 recombinants accumulated in both the wild-type (wt) and all knock-out lines at comparable frequencies. However, a reduced accumulation of novel 3' mosaic RNA3 recombinants was observed in ago1, dcl2, dcl4, and rdr6 lines but not in wt Col-0 or the dcl3 line. A BMV replicase mutant accumulated a low level of RNA3-RNA1 single-cross recombinants in Col-0 plants while, in a dcl2 dcl4 double mutant, the formation of both RNA3-RNA1 and mosaic recombinants was at a low level. A control infection in the cpr5-2 mutant, a more susceptible BMV Arabidopsis host, generated similar-to-Col-0 profiles of both single-cross and mosaic recombinants, indicating that recombinant profiles were, to some extent, independent of a viral replication rate. Also, the relative growth experiments revealed similar selection pressure for recombinants among the host lines. Thus, the altered recombinant RNA profiles have originated at the level of recombinant formation rather than because of altered selection. In conclusion, the viral replicase and the host RNAi gene products contribute in distinct ways to BMV RNA recombination. Our studies reveal that the antiviral RNAi mechanisms are utilized by plant RNA viruses to increase their variability, reminiscent of phenomena previously demonstrated in fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Dzianott
- Department of Biological sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
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Sand M, Skrygan M, Georgas D, Arenz C, Gambichler T, Sand D, Altmeyer P, Bechara FG. Expression levels of the microRNA maturing microprocessor complex component DGCR8 and the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) components argonaute-1, argonaute-2, PACT, TARBP1, and TARBP2 in epithelial skin cancer. Mol Carcinog 2011; 51:916-22. [PMID: 22025453 DOI: 10.1002/mc.20861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Revised: 08/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The microprocessor complex mediates intranuclear biogenesis of precursor microRNAs from the primary microRNA transcript. Extranuclear, mature microRNAs are incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) before interaction with complementary target mRNA leads to transcriptional repression or cleavage. In this study, we investigated the expression profiles of the microprocessor complex subunit DiGeorge syndrome critical region gene 8 (DGCR8) and the RISC components argonaute-1 (AGO1), argonaute-2 (AGO2), as well as double-stranded RNA-binding proteins PACT, TARBP1, and TARBP2 in epithelial skin cancer and its premalignant stage. Patients with premalignant actinic keratoses (AK, n = 6), basal cell carcinomas (BCC, n = 15), and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC, n = 7) were included in the study. Punch biopsies were harvested from the center of the tumors (lesional), from healthy skin sites (intraindividual controls), and from healthy skin sites in a healthy control group (n = 16; interindividual control). The DGCR8, AGO1, AGO2, PACT, TARBP1, and TARBP2 mRNA expression levels were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The DGCR8, AGO1, AGO2, PACT, and TARBP1 expression levels were significantly higher in the AK, BCC, and SCC groups than the healthy controls (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the TARBP2 expression levels between groups (P > 0.05). This study indicates that major components of the miRNA pathway, such as the microprocessor complex and RISC, are dysregulated in epithelial skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Sand
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Zhao YM, Zhou JM, Wang LR, He HW, Wang XL, Tao ZH, Sun HC, Wu WZ, Fan J, Tang ZY, Wang L. HIWI is associated with prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection. Cancer 2011; 118:2708-17. [PMID: 21989785 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.26524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2011] [Revised: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND PIWI protein family was found to play an important role in stem cell self-renewal. Overexpression of HIWI, the human homolog of PIWI family proteins, was found in several solid tumors, although the role of HIWI in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its prognostic value remain unclear. METHODS HIWI expression was measured in stepwise metastatic HCC cell lines (HCCLM3, MHCC97H, MHCC97L, SMMC7721, and HepG2), the normal liver cell line (L02), and HCC tissue samples (n = 20). Proliferation and invasion were investigated in HCC cell lines undergoing HIWI target small interfering RNA transfection. Also explored was HIWI expression in HCC tissue microarrays (n = 168) for survival analysis. RESULTS Levels of HIWI protein and mRNA were up-regulated in highly metastatic HCC cell lines (HCCLM3, MHCC97H, and MHCC97L), whereas their proliferation and invasion significantly decreased after depletion of HIWI. Intratumoral HIWI expression was higher than that of peritumoral tissue (P < .001) and positively associated with proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression (P < .001). Positive expression of intratumoral HIWI was associated with larger tumor size (P = .047) and intrahepatic metastasis (P = .027) and was an independent risk factor for overall survival (P = .007) and recurrence-free survival (P = .036), particularly in patients with low serum α-fetoprotein and low Edmondson-Steiner grade. CONCLUSIONS HIWI may play a key role in HCC proliferation and metastasis and can be a potential prognostic factor for HCC after curative resection, particularly with well-differentiated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ming Zhao
- Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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Li W, Saraiya AA, Wang CC. Gene regulation in Giardia lambia involves a putative microRNA derived from a small nucleolar RNA. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2011; 5:e1338. [PMID: 22028939 PMCID: PMC3196473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Two core microRNA (miRNA) pathway proteins, Dicer and Argonaute, are found in Giardia lamblia, a deeply branching parasitic protozoan. There are, however, no apparent homologues of Drosha or Exportin5 in the genome. Here, we report a 26 nucleotide (nt) RNA derived from a 106 nt Box C/D snoRNA, GlsR2. This small RNA, designated miR5, localizes to the 3' end of GlsR2 and has a 75 nt hairpin precursor. GlsR2 is processed by the Dicer from Giardia (GlDcr) and generated miR5. Immunoprecipitation of the Argonaute from Giardia (GlAgo) brought down miR5. When a Renilla Luciferase transcript with a 26 nt miR5 antisense sequence at the 3'-untranslated region (3' UTR) was introduced into Giardia trophozoites, Luciferase expression was reduced ∼25% when synthetic miR5 was also introduced. The Luciferase mRNA level remained, however, unchanged, suggesting translation repression by miR5. This inhibition was fully reversed by introducing also a 2'-O-methylated antisense inhibitor of miR5, suggesting that miR5 acts by interacting specifically with the antisense sequence in the mRNA. A partial antisense knock down of GlDcr or GlAgo in Giardia indicated that the former is needed for miR5 biogenesis whereas the latter is required for miR5-mediated translational repression. Potential targets for miR5 with canonical seed sequences were predicted bioinformatically near the stop codon of Giardia mRNAs. Four out of the 21 most likely targets were tested in the Luciferase reporter assay. miR5 was found to inhibit Luciferase expression (∼20%) of transcripts carrying these potential target sites, indicating that snoRNA-derived miRNA can regulate the expression of multiple genes in Giardia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ashesh A. Saraiya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ching C. Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Joshua-Tor L, Hannon GJ. Ancestral roles of small RNAs: an Ago-centric perspective. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2011; 3:a003772. [PMID: 20810548 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a003772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
RNAi has existed at least since the divergence of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This collection of pathways responds to a diversity of "abberant" RNAs and generally silences or eliminates genes sharing sequence content with the silencing trigger. In the canonical pathway, double-stranded RNAs are processed into small RNAs, which guide effector complexes to their targets by complementary base pairing. Many alternative routes from silencing trigger to small RNA are continuously being uncovered. Though the triggers of the pathway and the mechanisms of small RNA production are many, all RNAi-related mechanisms share Argonaute proteins as the heart of their effector complexes. These can act as self-contained silencing machines, binding directly to small RNAs, carrying out homology-based target recognition, and in some cases cleaving targets using an endogenous nuclease domain. Here, we discuss the diversity of Argonaute proteins from a structural and functional perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leemor Joshua-Tor
- Watson School of Biological Sciences, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA.
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Meikar O, Da Ros M, Korhonen H, Kotaja N. Chromatoid body and small RNAs in male germ cells. Reproduction 2011; 142:195-209. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-11-0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The chromatoid body (CB) is a germ granule in the cytoplasm of postmeiotic haploid round spermatids that is loaded with RNA and RNA-binding proteins. Following the discovery of small non-coding RNA-mediated gene regulation and the identification of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that have crucial roles in germ line development, the function of the CB has slowly begun to be revealed. Male germ cells utilise small RNAs to control the complex and specialised process of sperm production. Several microRNAs have been identified during spermatogenesis. In addition, a high number of piRNAs are present both in embryonic and postnatal male germ cells, with their expression being impressively induced in late meiotic cells and haploid round spermatids. At postmeiotic stage of germ cell differentiation, the CB accumulates piRNAs and proteins of piRNA machinery, as well as several other proteins involved in distinct RNA regulation pathways. All existing evidence suggests a role for the CB in mRNA regulation and small RNA-mediated gene control, but the mechanisms remain uncharacterised. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge of the CB and its association with small RNA pathways.
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Azimzadeh Jamalkandi S, Masoudi-Nejad A. RNAi pathway integration in Caenorhabditis elegans development. Funct Integr Genomics 2011; 11:389-405. [DOI: 10.1007/s10142-011-0236-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2011] [Revised: 06/12/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Lehnert S, Kapitonov V, Thilakarathne PJ, Schuit FC. Modeling the asymmetric evolution of a mouse and rat-specific microRNA gene cluster intron 10 of the Sfmbt2 gene. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:257. [PMID: 21605348 PMCID: PMC3212979 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 05/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The total number of miRNA genes in a genome, expression of which is responsible for the miRNA repertoire of an organism, is not precisely known. Moreover, the question of how new miRNA genes arise during evolution is incompletely understood. Recent data in humans and opossum indicate that retrotranspons of the class of short interspersed nuclear elements have contributed to the growth of microRNA gene clusters. Method We studied a large miRNA gene cluster in intron 10 of the mouse Sfmbt2 gene using bioinformatic tools. Results Mice and rats are unique to harbor a 55-65 Kb DNA sequence in intron 10 of the Sfmbt2 gene. This intronic region is rich in regularly repeated B1 retrotransposons together with inverted self-complementary CA/TG microsatellites. The smallest repeats unit, called MSHORT1 in the mouse, was duplicated 9 times in a tandem head-to-tail array to form 2.5 Kb MLONG1 units. The center of the mouse miRNA gene cluster consists of 13 copies of MLONG1. BLAST analysis of MSHORT1 in the mouse shows that the repeat unit is unique for intron 10 of the Sfmbt2 gene and suggest a dual phase model for growth of the miRNA gene cluster: arrangment of 10 MSHORT1 units into MLONG1 and further duplication of 13 head-to-tail MLONG1 units in the center of the miRNA gene cluster. Rats have a similar arrangment of repeat units in intron 10 of the Sfmbt2 gene. The discrepancy between 65 miRNA genes in the mouse cluster as compared to only 1 miRNA gene in the corresponding rat repeat cluster is ascribed to sequence differences between MSHORT1 and RSHORT1 that result in lateral-shifted, less-stable miRNA precursor hairpins for RSHORT1. Conclusion Our data provides new evidence for the emerging concept that lineage-specific retroposons have played an important role in the birth of new miRNA genes during evolution. The large difference in the number of miRNA genes in two closely related species (65 versus 1, mice versus rats) indicates that this species-specific evolution can be a rapid process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Lehnert
- Gene Expression Unit, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
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