1
|
Zhang Q, Liu L. Novel insights into small open reading frame-encoded micropeptides in hepatocellular carcinoma: A potential breakthrough. Cancer Lett 2024; 587:216691. [PMID: 38360139 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Traditionally, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are regarded as a class of RNA transcripts that lack encoding capability; however, advancements in technology have revealed that some ncRNAs contain small open reading frames (sORFs) that are capable of encoding micropeptides of approximately 150 amino acids in length. sORF-encoded micropeptides (SEPs) have emerged as intriguing entities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) research, shedding light on this previously unexplored realm. Recent studies have highlighted the regulatory functions of SEPs in the occurrence and progression of HCC. Some SEPs exhibit inhibitory effects on HCC, but others facilitate its development. This discovery has revolutionized the landscape of HCC research and clinical management. Here, we introduce the concept and characteristics of SEPs, summarize their associations with HCC, and elucidate their carcinogenic mechanisms in HCC metabolism, signaling pathways, cell proliferation, and metastasis. In addition, we propose a step-by-step workflow for the investigation of HCC-associated SEPs. Lastly, we discuss the challenges and prospects of applying SEPs in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. This review aims to facilitate the discovery, optimization, and clinical application of HCC-related SEPs, inspiring the development of early diagnostic, individualized, and precision therapeutic strategies for HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiangnu Zhang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liping Liu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), 518020, Shenzhen, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen Z, Hu J, Dai J, Zhou C, Hua Y, Hua X, Zhao Y. Precise CRISPR/Cpf1 genome editing system in the Deinococcus radiodurans with superior DNA repair mechanisms. Microbiol Res 2024; 284:127713. [PMID: 38608339 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127713] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Deinococcus radiodurans, with its high homologous recombination (HR) efficiency of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs), is a model organism for studying genome stability maintenance and an attractive microbe for industrial applications. Here, we developed an efficient CRISPR/Cpf1 genome editing system in D. radiodurans by evaluating and optimizing double-plasmid strategies and four Cas effector proteins from various organisms, which can precisely introduce different types of template-dependent mutagenesis without off-target toxicity. Furthermore, the role of DNA repair genes in determining editing efficiency in D. radiodurans was evaluated by introducing the CRISPR/Cpf1 system into 13 mutant strains lacking various DNA damage response and repair factors. In addition to the crucial role of RecA-dependent HR required for CRISPR/Cpf1 editing, D. radiodurans showed higher editing efficiency when lacking DdrB, the single-stranded DNA annealing (SSA) protein involved in the RecA-independent DSB repair pathway. This suggests a possible competition between HR and SSA pathways in the CRISPR editing of D. radiodurans. Moreover, off-target effects were observed during the genome editing of the pprI knockout strain, a master DNA damage response gene in Deinococcus species, which suggested that precise regulation of DNA damage response is critical for a high-fidelity genome editing system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zijing Chen
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingli Dai
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Congli Zhou
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuejin Hua
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoting Hua
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ye Zhao
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lu H, Chen Z, Xie T, Zhong S, Suo S, Song S, Wang L, Xu H, Tian B, Zhao Y, Zhou R, Hua Y. The Deinococcus protease PprI senses DNA damage by directly interacting with single-stranded DNA. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1892. [PMID: 38424107 PMCID: PMC10904395 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46208-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved various response systems to adapt to environmental stress. A protease-based derepression mechanism in response to DNA damage was characterized in Deinococcus, which is controlled by the specific cleavage of repressor DdrO by metallopeptidase PprI (also called IrrE). Despite the efforts to document the biochemical, physiological, and downstream regulation of PprI-DdrO, the upstream regulatory signal activating this system remains unclear. Here, we show that single-stranded DNA physically interacts with PprI protease, which enhances the PprI-DdrO interactions as well as the DdrO cleavage in a length-dependent manner both in vivo and in vitro. Structures of PprI, in its apo and complexed forms with single-stranded DNA, reveal two DNA-binding interfaces shaping the cleavage site. Moreover, we show that the dynamic monomer-dimer equilibrium of PprI is also important for its cleavage activity. Our data provide evidence that single-stranded DNA could serve as the signal for DNA damage sensing in the metalloprotease/repressor system in bacteria. These results also shed light on the survival and acquired drug resistance of certain bacteria under antimicrobial stress through a SOS-independent pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huizhi Lu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zijing Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Teng Xie
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study, Zhejiang University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shitong Zhong
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shasha Suo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Song
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liangyan Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bing Tian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ye Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Ruhong Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study, Zhejiang University, Shanghai, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Yuejin Hua
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Simoens L, Fijalkowski I, Van Damme P. Exposing the small protein load of bacterial life. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad063. [PMID: 38012116 PMCID: PMC10723866 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The ever-growing repertoire of genomic techniques continues to expand our understanding of the true diversity and richness of prokaryotic genomes. Riboproteogenomics laid the foundation for dynamic studies of previously overlooked genomic elements. Most strikingly, bacterial genomes were revealed to harbor robust repertoires of small open reading frames (sORFs) encoding a diverse and broadly expressed range of small proteins, or sORF-encoded polypeptides (SEPs). In recent years, continuous efforts led to great improvements in the annotation and characterization of such proteins, yet many challenges remain to fully comprehend the pervasive nature of small proteins and their impact on bacterial biology. In this work, we review the recent developments in the dynamic field of bacterial genome reannotation, catalog the important biological roles carried out by small proteins and identify challenges obstructing the way to full understanding of these elusive proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laure Simoens
- iRIP Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Igor Fijalkowski
- iRIP Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Petra Van Damme
- iRIP Unit, Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dong X, Zhang K, Xun C, Chu T, Liang S, Zeng Y, Liu Z. Small Open Reading Frame-Encoded Micro-Peptides: An Emerging Protein World. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10562. [PMID: 37445739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Small open reading frames (sORFs) are often overlooked features in genomes. In the past, they were labeled as noncoding or "transcriptional noise". However, accumulating evidence from recent years suggests that sORFs may be transcribed and translated to produce sORF-encoded polypeptides (SEPs) with less than 100 amino acids. The vigorous development of computational algorithms, ribosome profiling, and peptidome has facilitated the prediction and identification of many new SEPs. These SEPs were revealed to be involved in a wide range of basic biological processes, such as gene expression regulation, embryonic development, cellular metabolism, inflammation, and even carcinogenesis. To effectively understand the potential biological functions of SEPs, we discuss the history and development of the newly emerging research on sORFs and SEPs. In particular, we review a range of recently discovered bioinformatics tools for identifying, predicting, and validating SEPs as well as a variety of biochemical experiments for characterizing SEP functions. Lastly, this review underlines the challenges and future directions in identifying and validating sORFs and their encoded micropeptides, providing a significant reference for upcoming research on sORF-encoded peptides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Dong
- National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Chengfeng Xun
- National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Tianqi Chu
- National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Songping Liang
- National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
- The State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| | - Zhonghua Liu
- National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Peptide Drug Development, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
- Peptide and Small Molecule Drug R&D Platform, Furong Laboratory, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
| |
Collapse
|