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Liu XW, Zhao NN, Yuan HM, Li DL, Liu M, Zhang CY. Demethylation-activated light-up dual-color RNA aptamersensor for label-free detection of multiple demethylases in lung tissues. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 247:115966. [PMID: 38147719 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115966] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Methylation is one of the most prevalent epigenetic modifications in natural organisms, and the processes of methylation and demethylation are closely associated with cell growth, differentiation, gene transcription and expression. Abnormal methylation may lead to various human diseases including cancers. Simultaneous analysis of multiple DNA demethylases remains a huge challenge due to the requirement of diverse substrate probes and scarcity of proper signal transduction strategies. Herein, we propose a sensitive and label-free method for simultaneous monitoring of multiple DNA demethylases on the basis of demethylation-activated light-up dual-color RNA aptamers. The presence of targets AlkB homologue-3 (ALKBH3) and fat mass and obesity-associated enzyme (FTO) erases the methyl group in DNA substrate probes, activating the ligation-mediate bidirectional transcription amplification reaction to produce enormous Spinach and Mango aptamers. The resulting RNA aptamers (i.e., Spinach and Mango aptamers) can bind with their cognate nonfluorescent fluorogens (DFHBI and TO1-biotin) to significantly improve the fluorescence signals. This aptamersensor shows high specificity and sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 8.50 × 10-14 M for ALKBH3 and 6.80 × 10-14 M for FTO, and it can apply to screen DNA demethylase inhibitors, evaluate DNA demethylase kinetic parameters, and simultaneously measure multiple endogenous DNA demethylases in a single cell. Importantly, this aptamersensor can accurately discriminate the expressions of ALKBH3 and FTO between healthy tissues and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient tissues, offering a powerful platform for clinical diagnosis and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Wen Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Ning-Ning Zhao
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Hui-Min Yuan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Dong-Ling Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Meng Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China.
| | - Chun-Yang Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China.
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Zheng J, Lu Y, Lin Y, Si S, Guo B, Zhao X, Cui L. Epitranscriptomic modifications in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation: advances, mechanistic insights, and beyond. Cell Death Differ 2024; 31:9-27. [PMID: 37985811 PMCID: PMC10782030 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01238-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA modifications, known as the "epitranscriptome", represent a key layer of regulation that influences a wide array of biological processes in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These modifications, catalyzed by specific enzymes, often termed "writers", "readers", and "erasers", can dynamically alter the MSCs' transcriptomic landscape, thereby modulating cell differentiation, proliferation, and responses to environmental cues. These enzymes include members of the classes METTL, IGF2BP, WTAP, YTHD, FTO, NAT, and others. Many of these RNA-modifying agents are active during MSC lineage differentiation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of different RNA modifications in MSCs, their roles in regulating stem cell behavior, and their implications in MSC-based therapies. It delves into how RNA modifications impact MSC biology, the functional significance of individual modifications, and the complex interplay among these modifications. We further discuss how these intricate regulatory mechanisms contribute to the functional diversity of MSCs, and how they might be harnessed for therapeutic applications. The review also highlights current challenges and potential future directions in the study of RNA modifications in MSCs, emphasizing the need for innovative tools to precisely map these modifications and decipher their context-specific effects. Collectively, this work paves the way for a deeper understanding of the role of the epitranscriptome in MSC biology, potentially advancing therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicine and MSC-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarong Zheng
- Department of Dentistry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Ye Lu
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunfan Lin
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Shanshan Si
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China
| | - Bing Guo
- Department of Dentistry, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li Cui
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, Guangdong, China.
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA.
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