Alternative splicing and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay regulate gene expression of serum response factor

Serum Response Factor Reduces Gene Expression Noise and Confers Cell State Stability

The role of serum response factor (Srf), a central mediator of actin dynamics and mechanical signaling, in cell identity regulation is debated to be either a stabilizer or a destabilizer. We investigated the role of Srf in cell fate stability using mouse pluripotent stem cells. Despite the fact that serum-containing cultures yield heterogeneous gene expression, deletion of Srf in mouse pluripotent stem cells leads to further exacerbated cell state heterogeneity. The exaggerated heterogeneity is detectible not only as increased lineage priming but also as the developmentally earlier 2C-like cell state. Thus, pluripotent cells explore more variety of cellular states in both directions of development surrounding naïve pluripotency, a behavior that is constrained by Srf. These results support that Srf functions as a cell state stabilizer, providing rationale for its functional modulation in cell fate intervention and engineering.

SRF: a seriously responsible factor in cardiac development and disease

The molecular mechanisms that regulate embryogenesis and cardiac development are calibrated by multiple signal transduction pathways within or between different cell lineages via autocrine or paracrine mechanisms of action. The heart is the first functional organ to form during development, which highlights the importance of this organ in later stages of growth. Knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms underlying cardiac development and adult cardiac homeostasis paves the way for discovering therapeutic possibilities for cardiac disease treatment. Serum response factor (SRF) is a major transcription factor that controls both embryonic and adult cardiac development. SRF expression is needed through the duration of development, from the first mesodermal cell in a developing embryo to the last cell damaged by infarction in the myocardium. Precise regulation of SRF expression is critical for mesoderm formation and cardiac crescent formation in the embryo, and altered SRF levels lead to cardiomyopathies in the adult heart, suggesting the vital role played by SRF in cardiac development and disease. This review provides a detailed overview of SRF and its partners in their various functions and discusses the future scope and possible therapeutic potential of SRF in the cardiovascular system.

Genome-wide Analysis of Alternative Gene Splicing Associated with Virulence in the Brown Planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)

Alternative splicing of protein coding genes plays a profound role in phenotypic variation for many eukaryotic organisms. The development of high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics algorithms provides the possibility of genome-wide identification of alternative splicing events in eukaryotes. However, for the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens, a destructive pest of rice crops, whole-genome distribution of alternative splicing events and the role of alternative splicing in the phenotypic plasticity of virulence have not previously been estimated. Here, we developed an analysis pipeline to identify alternative splicing events in the genome of N. lugens. Differential expression analysis and functional annotation were performed on datasets related to different virulence phenotypes. In total, 27,880 alternative splicing events corresponding to 9,787 multi-exon genes were detected in N. lugens. Among them, specifically expressed alternative splicing transcripts in the virulent Mudgo population were enriched in metabolic process categories, while transcripts in the avirulent TN1 population were enriched in regulator activity categories. In addition, genes encoding odorant receptor, secreted saliva protein and xenobiotic metabolic P450 monooxygenase showed different splicing patterns between Mudgo population and TN1 population. Host change experiment also revealed that an isoform of a P450 gene could be specially induced by the stimulation of resistant rice variety Mudgo. This research pioneered a genome-wide study of alternative gene splicing in the rice brown planthopper. Differences in alternative splicing between virulent and avirulent populations indicated that alternative splicing might play an important role in the formation of virulence phenotypes in N. lugens.

Alternative Splicing Increases Sirtuin Gene Family Diversity and Modulates Their Subcellular Localization and Function

Alternative splicing generates multiple distinct isoforms that increase transcriptome and proteome diversity. There are seven sirtuin genes in humans, each consists of multiple exons that are likely to undergo alternative splicing. Our aim was to characterize the effect of alternative splicing on the sirtuin genes. Here, we report the identification of 23 human sirtuin isoforms, most of which were not previously reported. Five of the sirtuin genes had more than one isoform, whereas sirtuin-6 had nine isoforms. Exon skipping was the main event. Most of the sirtuin isoforms were deficient in parts of the protein domains, including the catalytic domain, the N- or C-terminus, nuclear localization signal or mitochondrial targeting signal. The domain loss caused potential structural changes. Three SIRT1 isoforms had a differential effect on the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate. Age-related changes in the expression of SIRT1 isoforms were observed in the human heart in fetus, adults, and very old individuals. We also identified 15 sirtuin isoforms in mice. Our data indicate that alternative splicing increases sirtuin gene diversity and may modulate subcellular localization and function, thereby adding complexity to the gene regulation of mitochondrial respiration, metabolism, and cardiac function during maturation and aging.

SIRT2 gene has a classic SRE element, is a downstream target of serum response factor and is likely activated during serum stimulation

The sirtuin proteins are an evolutionarily conserved family of NAD+-dependent deacetylases that regulate various cellular functions. Among the seven sirtuins, SIRT2 is predominantly found in the cytoplasm, and is present in a wide range of tissues. Recent studies indicate that SIRT2 plays an important role in metabolic homeostasis. Several studies indicate that SIRT2 is upregulated under serum deprivation conditions. Since the serum response factor gene usually responds rapidly to serum deprivation and/or serum restoration following deprivation, we hypothesized that a common mechanism may serve to regulate both SIRT2 and SRF during serum stimulation. Using a bioinformatics approach, we searched the SRF binding motif in the SIRT2 gene, and found one classic CArG element (CCATAATAGG) in the SIRT2 gene promoter, which was bound to SRF in the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Serum deprivation induced SIRT2 expression, while SRF and the SRF binding protein, p49/STRAP, repressed SIRT2 gene expression. SIRT2 gene expression was also repressed by the Rho/SRF inhibitor, CCG-1423. These data demonstrate that the classic SRE element in the SIRT2 gene promoter region is functional and therefore, SIRT2 gene is a downstream target of the Rho/SRF signaling pathway. The increased expression of SRF that was observed in the aged heart may affect SIRT2 gene expression and contribute to altered metabolic status in senescence.

A computational integrative approach based on alternative splicing analysis to compare immortalized and primary cancer cells

Immortalized cell lines are widely used to study the effectiveness and toxicity of anti cancer drugs as well as to assess the phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells, such as proliferation and migration ability. Unfortunately, cell lines often show extremely different properties than tumor tissues. Also the primary cells, that are deprived of the in vivo environment, might adapt to artificial conditions, and differ from the tissue they should represent. Despite these considerations, cell lines are still one of the most used cancer models due to their availability and capability to expand without limitation, but the clinical relevance of their use is still a big issue in cancer research. Many studies tried to overcome this task, comparing cell lines and tumor samples through the definition of the genomic and transcriptomic differences. To this aim, most of them used nucleotide variation or gene expression data. Here we introduce a different strategy based on alternative splicing detection and integration of DNA and RNA sequencing data, to explore the differences between immortalized and tissue-derived cells at isoforms level. Furthermore, in order to better investigate the heterogeneity of both cell populations, we took advantage of a public available dataset obtained with a new simultaneous omics single cell sequencing methodology. The proposed pipeline allowed us to identify, through a computational and prediction approach, putative mutated and alternative spliced transcripts responsible for the dissimilarity between immortalized and primary hepato carcinoma cells.

Alternative splicing can lead to chaos

Alternative splicing is a widespread phenomenon in higher eukaryotes, where it serves as a mechanism to increase the functional diversity of proteins. This phenomenon has been described for different classes of proteins, including transcription regulatory proteins. We demonstrated that in the simplest genetic system model the formation of the alternatively spliced isoforms with opposite functions (activators and repressors) could be a cause of transition to chaotic dynamics. Under the simplest genetic system we understand a system consisting of a single gene encoding the structure of a transcription regulatory protein whose expression is regulated by a feedback mechanism. As demonstrated by numerical analysis of the models, if the synthesized isoforms regulate the expression of their own gene acting through different sites and independently of each other, for the generation of chaotic dynamics it is sufficient that the regulatory proteins have a dimeric structure. If regulatory proteins act through one site, the chaotic dynamics is generated in the system only when the repressor protein is either a tetrameric or a higher-dimensional multimer. In this case the activator can be a dimer. It was also demonstrated that if the transcription factor isoforms exhibit either activating or inhibiting activity and are lower-dimensional multimers (< 4), independently of the regulation type the model demonstrates either cyclic or stationary trajectories.

Function of alternative splicing

Almost all polymerase II transcripts undergo alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we review the functions of alternative splicing events that have been experimentally determined. The overall function of alternative splicing is to increase the diversity of mRNAs expressed from the genome. Alternative splicing changes proteins encoded by mRNAs, which has profound functional effects. Experimental analysis of these protein isoforms showed that alternative splicing regulates binding between proteins, between proteins and nucleic acids as well as between proteins and membranes. Alternative splicing regulates the localization of proteins, their enzymatic properties and their interaction with ligands. In most cases, changes caused by individual splicing isoforms are small. However, cells typically coordinate numerous changes in 'splicing programs', which can have strong effects on cell proliferation, cell survival and properties of the nervous system. Due to its widespread usage and molecular versatility, alternative splicing emerges as a central element in gene regulation that interferes with almost every biological function analyzed.

Functional modulation of vascular adhesion protein-1 by a novel splice variant

Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 (VAP-1) is an endothelial adhesion molecule belonging to the primary amine oxidases. Upon inflammation it takes part in the leukocyte extravasation cascade facilitating transmigration of leukocytes into the inflamed tissue. Screening of a human lung cDNA library revealed the presence of an alternatively spliced shorter transcript of VAP-1, VAP-1Δ3. Here, we have studied the functional and structural characteristics of VAP-1Δ3, and show that the mRNA for this splice variant is expressed in most human tissues studied. In comparison to the parent molecule this carboxy-terminally truncated isoform lacks several of the amino acids important in the formation of the enzymatic groove of VAP-1. In addition, the conserved His684, which takes part in coordinating the active site copper, is missing from VAP-1Δ3. Assays using the prototypic amine substrates methylamine and benzylamine demonstrated that VAP-1Δ3 is indeed devoid of the semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activity characteristic to VAP-1. When VAP-1Δ3-cDNA is transfected into cells stably expressing VAP-1, the surface expression of the full-length molecule is reduced. Furthermore, the SSAO activity of the co-transfectants is diminished in comparison to transfectants expressing only VAP-1. The observed down-regulation of both the expression and enzymatic activity of VAP-1 may result from a dominant-negative effect caused by heterodimerization between VAP-1 and VAP-1Δ3, which was detected in co-immunoprecipitation studies. This alternatively spliced transcript adds thus to the repertoire of potential regulatory mechanisms through which the cell-surface expression and enzymatic activity of VAP-1 can be modulated.

Identification of New SRF Binding Sites in Genes Modulated by SRF Over-Expression in Mouse Hearts

Background:

To identify in vivo new cardiac binding sites of serum response factor (SRF) in genes and to study the response of these genes to mild over-expression of SRF, we employed a cardiac-specific, transgenic mouse model, with mild over-expression of SRF (Mild-O SRF Tg).

Methodology:

Microarray experiments were performed on hearts of Mild-O-SRF Tg at 6 months of age. We identified 207 genes that are important for cardiac function that were differentially expressed in vivo. Among them the promoter region of 192 genes had SRF binding motifs, the classic CArG or CArG-like (CArG-L) elements. Fifty-one of the 56 genes with classic SRF binding sites had not been previously reported. These SRF-modulated genes were grouped into 12 categories based on their function. It was observed that genes associated with cardiac energy metabolism shifted toward that of carbohydrate metabolism and away from that of fatty acid metabolism. The expression of genes that are involved in transcription and ion regulation were decreased, but expression of cytoskeletal genes was significantly increased. Using public databases of mouse models of hemodynamic stress (GEO database), we also found that similar altered expression of the SRF-modulated genes occurred in these hearts with cardiac ischemia or aortic constriction as well.

Conclusion and significance:

SRF-modulated genes are actively regulated under various physiological and pathological conditions. We have discovered that a large number of cardiac genes have classic SRF binding sites and were significantly modulated in the Mild-O-SRF Tg mouse hearts. Hence, the mild elevation of SRF protein in the heart that is observed during typical adult aging may have a major impact on many SRF-modulated genes, thereby affecting cardiac structure and performance. The results from our study could help to enhance our understanding of SRF regulation of cellular processes in the aged heart.

Alternative splicing and nonsense-mediated RNA decay contribute to the regulation of SHOX expression

The human SHOX gene is composed of seven exons and encodes a paired-related homeodomain transcription factor. SHOX mutations or deletions have been associated with different short stature syndromes implying a role in growth and bone formation. During development, SHOX is expressed in a highly specific spatiotemporal expression pattern, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of which remain largely unknown. We have analysed SHOX expression in diverse embryonic, fetal and adult human tissues and detected expression in many tissues that were not known to express SHOX before, e.g. distinct brain regions. By using RT-PCR and comparing the results with RNA-Seq data, we have identified four novel exons (exon 2a, 7-1, 7-2 and 7-3) contributing to different SHOX isoforms, and also established an expression profile for the emerging new SHOX isoforms. Interestingly, we found the exon 7 variants to be exclusively expressed in fetal neural tissues, which could argue for a specific role of these variants during brain development. A bioinformatical analysis of the three novel 3′UTR exons yielded insights into the putative role of the different 3′UTRs as targets for miRNA binding. Functional analysis revealed that inclusion of exon 2a leads to nonsense-mediated RNA decay altering SHOX expression in a tissue and time specific manner. In conclusion, SHOX expression is regulated by different mechanisms and alternative splicing coupled with nonsense-mediated RNA decay constitutes a further component that can be used to fine tune the SHOX expression level.

Regulation of cardiac microRNAs by serum response factor

Serum response factor (SRF) regulates certain microRNAs that play a role in cardiac and skeletal muscle development. However, the role of SRF in the regulation of microRNA expression and microRNA biogenesis in cardiac hypertrophy has not been well established. In this report, we employed two distinct transgenic mouse models to study the impact of SRF on cardiac microRNA expression and microRNA biogenesis. Cardiac-specific overexpression of SRF (SRF-Tg) led to altered expression of a number of microRNAs. Interestingly, downregulation of miR-1, miR-133a and upregulation of miR-21 occurred by 7 days of age in these mice, long before the onset of cardiac hypertrophy, suggesting that SRF overexpression impacted the expression of microRNAs which contribute to cardiac hypertrophy. Reducing cardiac SRF level using the antisense-SRF transgenic approach (Anti-SRF-Tg) resulted in the expression of miR-1, miR-133a and miR-21 in the opposite direction. Furthermore, we observed that SRF regulates microRNA biogenesis, specifically the transcription of pri-microRNA, thereby affecting the mature microRNA level. The mir-21 promoter sequence is conserved among mouse, rat and human; one SRF binding site was found to be in the mir-21 proximal promoter region of all three species. The mir-21 gene is regulated by SRF and its cofactors, including myocardin and p49/Strap. Our study demonstrates that the downregulation of miR-1, miR-133a, and upregulation of miR-21 can be reversed by one single upstream regulator, SRF. These results may help to develop novel therapeutic interventions targeting microRNA biogenesis.

Alternative splicing and nonsense-mediated decay regulate telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression during virus-induced lymphomagenesis in vivo

BACKGROUND

Telomerase activation, a critical step in cell immortalization and oncogenesis, is partly regulated by alternative splicing. In this study, we aimed to use the Marek's disease virus (MDV) T-cell lymphoma model to evaluate TERT regulation by splicing during lymphomagenesis in vivo, from the start point to tumor establishment.

RESULTS

We first screened cDNA libraries from the chicken MDV lymphoma-derived MSB-1 T- cell line, which we compared with B (DT40) and hepatocyte (LMH) cell lines. The chTERT splicing pattern was cell line-specific, despite similar high levels of telomerase activity. We identified 27 alternative transcripts of chicken TERT (chTERT). Five were in-frame alternative transcripts without in vitro telomerase activity in the presence of viral or chicken telomerase RNA (vTR or chTR), unlike the full-length transcript. Nineteen of the 22 transcripts with a premature termination codon (PTC) harbored a PTC more than 50 nucleotides upstream from the 3' splice junction, and were therefore predicted targets for nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). The major PTC-containing alternatively spliced form identified in MSB1 (ie10) was targeted to the NMD pathway, as demonstrated by UPF1 silencing. We then studied three splicing events separately, and the balance between in-frame alternative splice variants (d5f and d10f) plus the NMD target i10ec and constitutively spliced chTERT transcripts during lymphomagenesis induced by MDV indicated that basal telomerase activity in normal T cells was associated with a high proportion of in-frame non functional isoforms and a low proportion of constitutively spliced chTERT. Telomerase upregulation depended on an increase in active constitutively spliced chTERT levels and coincided with a switch in alternative splicing from an in-frame variant to NMD-targeted variants.

CONCLUSIONS

TERT regulation by splicing plays a key role in telomerase upregulation during lymphomagenesis, through the sophisticated control of constitutive and alternative splicing. Using the MDV T-cell lymphoma model, we identified a chTERT splice variant as a new NMD target.