1
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Wang X, Leung FS, Bush JO, Conti M. Alternative cleavage and polyadenylation of the Ccnb1 mRNA defines accumulation of cyclin protein during the meiotic cell cycle. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1258-1271. [PMID: 38048302 PMCID: PMC10853788 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Progression through the mitotic and meiotic cell cycle is driven by fluctuations in the levels of cyclins, the regulatory subunits controlling the localization and activity of CDK1 kinases. Cyclin levels are regulated through a precise balance of synthesis and degradation. Here we demonstrate that the synthesis of Cyclin B1 during the oocyte meiotic cell cycle is defined by the selective translation of mRNA variants generated through alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA). Using gene editing in mice, we introduced mutations into the proximal and distal polyadenylation elements of the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the Ccnb1 mRNA. Through in vivo loss-of-function experiments, we demonstrate that the translation of mRNA with a short 3' UTR specifies Cyclin B1 protein levels that set the timing of meiotic re-entry. In contrast, translation directed by a long 3' UTR is necessary to direct Cyclin B1 protein accumulation during the MI/MII transition. These findings establish that the progression through the cell cycle is dependent on the selective translation of multiple mRNA variants generated by APA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotian Wang
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- USA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Fang-Shiuan Leung
- USA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jeffrey O Bush
- USA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Marco Conti
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- USA Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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2
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Jiang Y, Adhikari D, Li C, Zhou X. Spatiotemporal regulation of maternal mRNAs during vertebrate oocyte meiotic maturation. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:900-930. [PMID: 36718948 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate oocytes face a particular challenge concerning the regulation of gene expression during meiotic maturation. Global transcription becomes quiescent in fully grown oocytes, remains halted throughout maturation and fertilization, and only resumes upon embryonic genome activation. Hence, the oocyte meiotic maturation process is largely regulated by protein synthesis from pre-existing maternal messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that are transcribed and stored during oocyte growth. Rapidly developing genome-wide techniques have greatly expanded our insights into the global translation changes and possible regulatory mechanisms during oocyte maturation. The storage, translation, and processing of maternal mRNAs are thought to be regulated by factors interacting with elements in the mRNA molecules. Additionally, posttranscriptional modifications of mRNAs, such as methylation and uridylation, have recently been demonstrated to play crucial roles in maternal mRNA destabilization. However, a comprehensive understanding of the machineries that regulate maternal mRNA fate during oocyte maturation is still lacking. In particular, how the transcripts of important cell cycle components are stabilized, recruited at the appropriate time for translation, and eliminated to modulate oocyte meiotic progression remains unclear. A better understanding of these mechanisms will provide invaluable insights for the preconditions of developmental competence acquisition, with important implications for the treatment of infertility. This review discusses how the storage, localization, translation, and processing of oocyte mRNAs are regulated, and how these contribute to oocyte maturation progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Jiang
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, 5333 Xian Road, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Deepak Adhikari
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 19 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Chunjin Li
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, 5333 Xian Road, Changchun, 130062, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, 5333 Xian Road, Changchun, 130062, China
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3
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de Morree A, Rando TA. Regulation of adult stem cell quiescence and its functions in the maintenance of tissue integrity. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:334-354. [PMID: 36922629 PMCID: PMC10725182 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00568-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Adult stem cells are important for mammalian tissues, where they act as a cell reserve that supports normal tissue turnover and can mount a regenerative response following acute injuries. Quiescent stem cells are well established in certain tissues, such as skeletal muscle, brain, and bone marrow. The quiescent state is actively controlled and is essential for long-term maintenance of stem cell pools. In this Review, we discuss the importance of maintaining a functional pool of quiescent adult stem cells, including haematopoietic stem cells, skeletal muscle stem cells, neural stem cells, hair follicle stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells such as fibro-adipogenic progenitors, to ensure tissue maintenance and repair. We discuss the molecular mechanisms that regulate the entry into, maintenance of, and exit from the quiescent state in mice. Recent studies revealed that quiescent stem cells have a discordance between RNA and protein levels, indicating the importance of post-transcriptional mechanisms, such as alternative polyadenylation, alternative splicing, and translation repression, in the control of stem cell quiescence. Understanding how these mechanisms guide stem cell function during homeostasis and regeneration has important implications for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine de Morree
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Thomas A Rando
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Center for Tissue Regeneration, Repair, and Restoration, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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4
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Kataruka S, Kinterova V, Horvat F, Kulmann MIR, Kanka J, Svoboda P. Physiologically relevant miRNAs in mammalian oocytes are rare and highly abundant. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e53514. [PMID: 34866300 PMCID: PMC8811628 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202153514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
miRNAs, ~22nt small RNAs associated with Argonaute (AGO) proteins, are important negative regulators of gene expression in mammalian cells. However, mammalian maternal miRNAs show negligible repressive activity and the miRNA pathway is dispensable for oocytes and maternal-to-zygotic transition. The stoichiometric hypothesis proposed that this is caused by dilution of maternal miRNAs during oocyte growth. As the dilution affects miRNAs but not mRNAs, it creates unfavorable miRNA:mRNA stoichiometry for efficient repression of cognate mRNAs. Here, we report that porcine ssc-miR-205 and bovine bta-miR-10b are exceptional miRNAs, which resist the diluting effect of oocyte growth and can efficiently suppress gene expression. Additional analysis of ssc-miR-205 shows that it has higher stability, reduces expression of endogenous targets, and contributes to the porcine oocyte-to-embryo transition. Consistent with the stoichiometric hypothesis, our results show that the endogenous miRNA pathway in mammalian oocytes is intact and that maternal miRNAs can efficiently suppress gene expression when a favorable miRNA:mRNA stoichiometry is established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhangini Kataruka
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kinterova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesLiběchovCzech Republic
| | - Filip Horvat
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
- Bioinformatics GroupFaculty of ScienceUniversity of ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | | | - Jiri Kanka
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesLiběchovCzech Republic
| | - Petr Svoboda
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of SciencesPrague 4Czech Republic
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5
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Bogliotti YS, Chung N, Paulson EE, Chitwood J, Halstead M, Kern C, Schultz RM, Ross PJ. Transcript profiling of bovine embryos implicates specific transcription factors in the maternal-to-embryo transition. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:671-679. [PMID: 31711115 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Full-grown oocytes are transcriptionally quiescent. Following maturation and fertilization, the early stages of embryonic development occur in the absence (or low levels) of transcription that results in a period of development relying on maternally derived products (e.g., mRNAs and proteins). Two critical steps occur during the transition from maternal to embryo control of development: maternal mRNA clearance and embryonic genome activation with an associated dramatic reprogramming of gene expression required for further development. By combining an RNA polymerase II inhibitor with RNA sequencing, we were able not only to distinguish maternally derived from embryonic transcripts in bovine preimplantation embryos but also to establish that embryonic gene activation is required for clearance of maternal mRNAs as well as to identify putative transcription factors that are likely critical for early bovine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nhi Chung
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Erika E Paulson
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - James Chitwood
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Halstead
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Colin Kern
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Richard M Schultz
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA, and.,Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Pablo J Ross
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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6
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Kataruka S, Modrak M, Kinterova V, Malik R, Zeitler DM, Horvat F, Kanka J, Meister G, Svoboda P. MicroRNA dilution during oocyte growth disables the microRNA pathway in mammalian oocytes. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:8050-8062. [PMID: 32609824 PMCID: PMC7430632 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ubiquitous small RNAs guiding post-transcriptional gene repression in countless biological processes. However, the miRNA pathway in mouse oocytes appears inactive and dispensable for development. We propose that marginalization of the miRNA pathway activity stems from the constraints and adaptations of RNA metabolism elicited by the diluting effects of oocyte growth. We report that miRNAs do not accumulate like mRNAs during the oocyte growth because miRNA turnover has not adapted to it. The most abundant miRNAs total tens of thousands of molecules in growing (∅ 40 μm) and fully grown (∅ 80 μm) oocytes, a number similar to that observed in much smaller fibroblasts. The lack of miRNA accumulation results in a 100-fold lower miRNA concentration in fully grown oocytes than in somatic cells. This brings a knock-down-like effect, where diluted miRNAs engage targets but are not abundant enough for significant repression. Low-miRNA concentrations were observed in rat, hamster, porcine and bovine oocytes, arguing that miRNA inactivity is not mouse-specific but a common mammalian oocyte feature. Injection of 250,000 miRNA molecules was sufficient to restore reporter repression in mouse and porcine oocytes, suggesting that miRNA inactivity comes from low-miRNA abundance and not from some suppressor of the pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhangini Kataruka
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Modrak
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Kinterova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21 Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Malik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela M Zeitler
- RNA Biology, Biochemistry Center Regensburg, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Filip Horvat
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Bioinformatics Group, Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jiri Kanka
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská 89, 277 21 Liběchov, Czech Republic
| | - Gunter Meister
- RNA Biology, Biochemistry Center Regensburg, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Petr Svoboda
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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7
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Galagali H, Kim JK. The multifaceted roles of microRNAs in differentiation. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2020; 67:118-140. [PMID: 33152557 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are major drivers of cell fate specification and differentiation. The post-transcriptional regulation of key molecular factors by microRNAs contributes to the progression of embryonic and postembryonic development in several organisms. Following the discovery of lin-4 and let-7 in Caenorhabditis elegans and bantam microRNAs in Drosophila melanogaster, microRNAs have emerged as orchestrators of cellular differentiation and developmental timing. Spatiotemporal control of microRNAs and associated protein machinery can modulate microRNA activity. Additionally, adaptive modulation of microRNA expression and function in response to changing environmental conditions ensures that robust cell fate specification during development is maintained. Herein, we review the role of microRNAs in the regulation of differentiation during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himani Galagali
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - John K Kim
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
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8
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Ganesh S, Horvat F, Drutovic D, Efenberkova M, Pinkas D, Jindrova A, Pasulka J, Iyyappan R, Malik R, Susor A, Vlahovicek K, Solc P, Svoboda P. The most abundant maternal lncRNA Sirena1 acts post-transcriptionally and impacts mitochondrial distribution. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:3211-3227. [PMID: 31956907 PMCID: PMC7102984 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tens of thousands of rapidly evolving long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes have been identified, but functions were assigned to relatively few of them. The lncRNA contribution to the mouse oocyte physiology remains unknown. We report the evolutionary history and functional analysis of Sirena1, the most expressed lncRNA and the 10th most abundant poly(A) transcript in mouse oocytes. Sirena1 appeared in the common ancestor of mouse and rat and became engaged in two different post-transcriptional regulations. First, antisense oriented Elob pseudogene insertion into Sirena1 exon 1 is a source of small RNAs targeting Elob mRNA via RNA interference. Second, Sirena1 evolved functional cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements, an unexpected feature borrowed from translation control of specific maternal mRNAs. Sirena1 knock-out does not affect fertility, but causes minor dysregulation of the maternal transcriptome. This includes increased levels of Elob and mitochondrial mRNAs. Mitochondria in Sirena1−/− oocytes disperse from the perinuclear compartment, but do not change in number or ultrastructure. Taken together, Sirena1 contributes to RNA interference and mitochondrial aggregation in mouse oocytes. Sirena1 exemplifies how lncRNAs stochastically engage or even repurpose molecular mechanisms during evolution. Simultaneously, Sirena1 expression levels and unique functional features contrast with the lack of functional importance assessed under laboratory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sravya Ganesh
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Horvat
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,Bioinformatics Group, Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
| | - David Drutovic
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Efenberkova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dominik Pinkas
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anna Jindrova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Pasulka
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Rajan Iyyappan
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Malik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrej Susor
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Kristian Vlahovicek
- Bioinformatics Group, Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Petr Solc
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Libechov, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Svoboda
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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9
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Oocyte competence is maintained by m 6A methyltransferase KIAA1429-mediated RNA metabolism during mouse follicular development. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:2468-2483. [PMID: 32094512 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-0516-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
KIAA1429 (also known as vir-like m6A methyltransferase-associated protein (VIRMA)), a newly identified component of the RNA m6A methyltransferase complex, plays critical roles in guiding region-selective m6A deposition. However, in mammals, whether KIAA1429 mediates RNA m6A regulatory pathway functions in vivo remains unknown. Here, we show that the Kiaa1429-specific deficiency in oocytes resulted in female infertility with defective follicular development and fully grown germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes failing to undergo germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and consequently losing the ability to resume meiosis. The oocyte growth is accompanied by the accumulation of abundant RNAs and posttranscriptional regulation. We found that the loss of Kiaa1429 could also lead to abnormal RNA metabolism in GV oocytes. RNA-seq profiling revealed that Kiaa1429 deletion altered the expression pattern of the oocyte-derived factors essential for follicular development. In addition, our data show that the conditional depletion of Kiaa1429 decreased the m6A levels in oocytes and mainly affected the alternative splicing of genes associated with oogenesis. In summary, the m6A methyltransferase KIAA1429-mediated RNA metabolism plays critical roles in folliculogenesis and the maintenance of oocyte competence.
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10
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Müller M, Fazi F, Ciaudo C. Argonaute Proteins: From Structure to Function in Development and Pathological Cell Fate Determination. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 7:360. [PMID: 32039195 PMCID: PMC6987405 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly conserved Argonaute protein family members play a central role in the regulation of gene expression networks, orchestrating the establishment and the maintenance of cell identity throughout the entire life cycle, as well as in several human disorders, including cancers. Four functional Argonaute proteins (AGO1-4), with high structure similarity, have been described in humans and mice. Interestingly, only AGO2 is robustly expressed during human and mouse early development, in contrast to the other AGOs. Consequently, AGO2 is indispensable for early development in vivo and in vitro. Here, we review the roles of Argonaute proteins during early development by focusing on the interplay between specific domains of the protein and their function. Moreover, we report recent works highlighting the importance of AGO posttranslational modifications in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madlen Müller
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Department of Biology, IMHS, Zurich, Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School, Molecular Life Sciences Program, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Fazi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic & Orthopedic Sciences, Section of Histology & Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Instituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Constance Ciaudo
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Department of Biology, IMHS, Zurich, Switzerland
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11
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Abstract
3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are best known to regulate mRNA-based processes, such as mRNA localization, mRNA stability, and translation. In addition, 3' UTRs can establish 3' UTR-mediated protein-protein interactions (PPIs), and thus can transmit genetic information encoded in 3' UTRs to proteins. This function has been shown to regulate diverse protein features, including protein complex formation or posttranslational modifications, but is also expected to alter protein conformations. Therefore, 3' UTR-mediated information transfer can regulate protein features that are not encoded in the amino acid sequence. This review summarizes both 3' UTR functions-the regulation of mRNA and protein-based processes-and highlights how each 3' UTR function was discovered with a focus on experimental approaches used and the concepts that were learned. This review also discusses novel approaches to study 3' UTR functions in the future by taking advantage of recent advances in technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Mayr
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065
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12
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Ruebel ML, Vincent KA, Schall PZ, Wang K, Latham KE. SMCHD1 terminates the first embryonic genome activation event in mouse two-cell embryos and contributes to a transcriptionally repressive state. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019; 317:C655-C664. [PMID: 31365290 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00116.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic genome activation (EGA) in mammals begins with transient expression of a large group of genes (EGA1). Importantly, entry into and exit from the 2C/EGA state is essential for viability. Dux family member genes play an integral role in EGA1 by activating other EGA marker genes such as Zscan4 family members. We previously reported that structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain-containing protein 1 (Smchd1) is expressed at the mRNA and protein levels in mouse oocytes and early embryos and that elimination of Smchd1 expression inhibits inner cell mass formation, blastocyst formation and hatching, and term development. We extend these observations here by showing that siRNA knockdown of Smchd1 in zygotes results in overexpression of Dux and Zscan4 in two-cell embryos, with continued overexpression of Dux at least through the eight-cell stage as well as prolonged expression of Zscan4. These results are consistent with a role for SMCHD1 in promoting exit from the EGA1 state and establishing SMCHD1 as a maternal effect gene and the first chromatin regulatory factor identified with this role. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis reveals that SMCHD1 also contributes to the creation of a transcriptionally repressive state to allow correct gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan L Ruebel
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Kailey A Vincent
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Peter Z Schall
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Keith E Latham
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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13
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Roles of MicroRNAs in Establishing and Modulating Stem Cell Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153643. [PMID: 31349654 PMCID: PMC6696000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Early embryonic development in mammals, from fertilization to implantation, can be viewed as a process in which stem cells alternate between self-renewal and differentiation. During this process, the fates of stem cells in embryos are gradually specified, from the totipotent state, through the segregation of embryonic and extraembryonic lineages, to the molecular and cellular defined progenitors. Most of those stem cells with different potencies in vivo can be propagated in vitro and recapitulate their differentiation abilities. Complex and coordinated regulations, such as epigenetic reprogramming, maternal RNA clearance, transcriptional and translational landscape changes, as well as the signal transduction, are required for the proper development of early embryos. Accumulated studies suggest that Dicer-dependent noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous small-interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs), are involved in those regulations and therefore modulate biological properties of stem cells in vitro and in vivo. Elucidating roles of these noncoding RNAs will give us a more comprehensive picture of mammalian embryonic development and enable us to modulate stem cell potencies. In this review, we will discuss roles of miRNAs in regulating the maintenance and cell fate potential of stem cells in/from mouse and human early embryos.
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14
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Benmoussa A, Provost P. Milk MicroRNAs in Health and Disease. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2019; 18:703-722. [PMID: 33336926 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.12424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs responsible for regulating 40% to 60% of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. The discovery of circulating microRNAs in several biological fluids opened the path for their study as biomarkers and long-range cell-to-cell communication mediators. Their transfer between individuals in the case of blood transfusion, for example, and their high enrichment in milk have sparked the interest for microRNA transfer through diet, especially from mothers to infants during breastfeeding. The extension of such paradigm led to the study of milk microRNAs in the case of cow or goat milk consumption in adults. Here we provide a comprehensive critical review of the key findings surrounding milk microRNAs in human, cow, and goat milk among other species. We discuss the data on their biological properties, their use as disease biomarkers, their transfer between individuals or species, and their putative or verified functions in health and disease of infants and adult consumers. This work is based on all the literature available and integrates all the results, theories, debates, and validation studies available so far on milk microRNAs and related areas of investigations. We critically discuss the limitations and outline future aspects and avenues to explore in this rapidly growing field of research that could impact public health through infant milk formulations or new therapies. We hope that this comprehensive review of the literature will provide insight for all teams investigating milk RNAs' biological activities and help ensure the quality of future reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abderrahim Benmoussa
- CHUQ Research Center/CHUL, 2705 Blvd Laurier, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.,Dept. of Microbiology-Infectious Disease and Immunity and Faculty of Medicine, Univ. Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Patrick Provost
- CHUQ Research Center/CHUL, 2705 Blvd Laurier, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.,Dept. of Microbiology-Infectious Disease and Immunity and Faculty of Medicine, Univ. Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
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15
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Developmental fluoxetine exposure in zebrafish reduces offspring basal cortisol concentration via life stage-dependent maternal transmission. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0212577. [PMID: 30789953 PMCID: PMC6383989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212577] [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: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluoxetine (FLX) is a pharmaceutical used to treat affective disorders in humans, but as environmental contaminant also affects inadvertently exposed fish in urban watersheds. In humans and fish, acute FLX treatment and exposure are linked to endocrine disruption, including effects on the reproductive and stress axes. Using the zebrafish model, we build on the recent finding that developmental FLX exposure reduced cortisol production across generations, to determine possible parental and/or life-stage-dependent (age and/or breeding experience) contributions to this phenotype. Specifically, we combined control and developmentally FLX-exposed animals of both sexes (F0) into four distinct breeding groups mated at 5 and 9 months, and measured offspring (F1) basal cortisol at 12 dpf. Basal cortisol was lower in F1 descended from developmentally FLX-exposed F0 females bred at 5, but not 9 months, revealing a maternal, life-stage dependent effect. To investigate potential molecular contributions to this phenotype, we profiled maternally deposited transcripts involved in endocrine stress axis development and regulation, epigenetic (de novo DNA methyltransferases) and post-transcriptional (miRNA pathway components and specific miRNAs) regulation of gene expression in unfertilized eggs. Maternal FLX exposure resulted in decreased transcript abundance of glucocorticoid receptor, dnmt3 paralogues and miRNA pathway components in eggs collected at 5 months, and increased transcript abundance of miRNA pathway components at 9 months. Specific miRNAs predicted to target stress axis transcripts decreased (miR-740) or increased (miR-26, miR-30d, miR-92a, miR-103) in eggs collected from FLX females at 5 months. Increased abundance of miRNA-30d and miRNA-92a persisted in eggs collected from FLX females at 9 months. Clustering and principal component analyses of egg transcript profiles separated eggs collected from FLX-females at 5 months from other groups, suggesting that oocyte molecular signatures, and miRNAs in particular, may serve as predictive tools for the offspring phenotype of reduced basal cortisol in response to maternal FLX exposure.
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16
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Functional genomic analysis identifies miRNA repertoire regulating C. elegans oocyte development. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5318. [PMID: 30552320 PMCID: PMC6294007 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07791-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oocyte-specific miRNA function remains unclear in mice and worms because loss of Dgcr8 and Dicer from mouse and worm oocytes, respectively, does not yield oogenic defects. These data lead to several models: (a) miRNAs are not generated in oocytes; (b) miRNAs are generated but do not perform an oogenic function; (c) functional oocyte miRNAs are generated in a manner independent of these enzymes. Here, we test these models using a combination of genomic, expression and functional analyses on the C. elegans germline. We identify a repertoire of at least twenty-three miRNAs that accumulate in four spatial domains in oocytes. Genetic tests demonstrate that oocyte-expressed miRNAs regulate key oogenic processes within their respective expression domains. Unexpectedly, we find that over half of the oocyte-expressed miRNAs are generated through an unknown Drosha independent mechanism. Thus, a functional miRNA repertoire generated via Drosha dependent and independent pathways regulates C. elegans oocyte development.
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