Mouse models to elucidate the functional roles of adenosine-to-inosine editing

Asymmetric dimerization of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA facilitates substrate recognition

Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) are enzymes that convert adenosine to inosine in duplex RNA, a modification that exhibits a multitude of effects on RNA structure and function. Recent studies have identified ADAR1 as a potential cancer therapeutic target. ADARs are also important in the development of directed RNA editing therapeutics. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism of the ADAR reaction will advance efforts to develop ADAR inhibitors and new tools for directed RNA editing. Here we report the X-ray crystal structure of a fragment of human ADAR2 comprising its deaminase domain and double stranded RNA binding domain 2 (dsRBD2) bound to an RNA duplex as an asymmetric homodimer. We identified a highly conserved ADAR dimerization interface and validated the importance of these sequence elements on dimer formation via gel mobility shift assays and size exclusion chromatography. We also show that mutation in the dimerization interface inhibits editing in an RNA substrate-dependent manner for both ADAR1 and ADAR2.

Using mouse models to unlock the secrets of non-synonymous RNA editing

The deamination of adenosine to inosine by RNA editing is a widespread post-transcriptional process that expands genetic diversity. Selective substitution of inosine for adenosine in pre-mRNA transcripts can alter splicing, mRNA stability, and the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein. The functional consequences of RNA editing-dependent amino acid substitution are known for only a handful of RNA editing substrates. Many of these studies began in heterologous mammalian expression systems; however, the gold-standard for determining the functional significance of transcript-specific re-coding A-to-I editing events is the generation of a mouse model that expresses only one RNA editing-dependent isoform. The frequency of site-specific RNA editing varies spatially, temporally, and in some diseases, therefore, determining the profile of RNA editing frequency is also an important element of research. Here we review the strengths and weaknesses of existing mouse models for the study of RNA editing, as well as methods for quantifying RNA editing frequencies in vivo. Importantly, we highlight opportunities for future RNA editing studies in mice, projecting that improvements in genome editing and high-throughput sequencing technologies will allow the field to excel in coming years.

Reovirus-mediated induction of ADAR1 (p150) minimally alters RNA editing patterns in discrete brain regions

Transcripts encoding ADAR1, a double-stranded, RNA-specific adenosine deaminase involved in the adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing of mammalian RNAs, can be alternatively spliced to produce an interferon-inducible protein isoform (p150) that is up-regulated in both cell culture and in vivo model systems in response to pathogen or interferon stimulation. In contrast to other tissues, p150 is expressed at extremely low levels in the brain and it is unclear what role, if any, this isoform may play in the innate immune response of the central nervous system (CNS) or whether the extent of editing for RNA substrates critical for CNS function is affected by its induction. To investigate the expression of ADAR1 isoforms in response to viral infection and subsequent alterations in A-to-I editing profiles for endogenous ADAR targets, we used a neurotropic strain of reovirus to infect neonatal mice and quantify A-to-I editing in discrete brain regions using a multiplexed, high-throughput sequencing strategy. While intracranial injection of reovirus resulted in a widespread increase in the expression of ADAR1 (p150) in multiple brain regions and peripheral organs, significant changes in site-specific A-to-I conversion were quite limited, suggesting that steady-state levels of p150 expression are not a primary determinant for modulating the extent of editing for numerous ADAR targets in vivo.

Reciprocal regulation of A-to-I RNA editing and the vertebrate nervous system

The fine control of molecules mediating communication in the nervous system is key to adjusting neuronal signaling during development and in maintaining the stability of established networks in the face of altered sensory input. To prevent the culmination of pathological recurrent network excitation or debilitating periods of quiescence, adaptive alterations occur in the signaling molecules and ion channels that control membrane excitability and synaptic transmission. However, rather than encoding (and thus "hardwiring") modified gene copies, the nervous systems of metazoa have opted for expanding on post-transcriptional pre-mRNA splicing by altering key encoded amino acids using a conserved mechanism of A-to-I RNA editing: the enzymatic deamination of adenosine to inosine. Inosine exhibits similar base-pairing properties to guanosine with respect to tRNA codon recognition, replication by polymerases, and RNA secondary structure (i.e.,: forming-capacity). In addition to recoding within the open reading frame, adenosine deamination also occurs with high frequency throughout the non-coding transcriptome, where it affects multiple aspects of RNA metabolism and gene expression. Here, we describe the recoding function of key RNA editing targets in the mammalian central nervous system and their potential to be regulated. We will then discuss how interactions of A-to-I editing with gene expression and alternative splicing could play a wider role in regulating the neuronal transcriptome. Finally, we will highlight the increasing complexity of this multifaceted control hub by summarizing new findings from high-throughput studies.

Serotonin and the regulation of mammalian energy balance

Maintenance of energy balance requires regulation of the amount and timing of food intake. Decades of experiments utilizing pharmacological and later genetic manipulations have demonstrated the importance of serotonin signaling in this regulation. Much progress has been made in recent years in understanding how central nervous system (CNS) serotonin systems acting through a diverse array of serotonin receptors impact feeding behavior and metabolism. Particular attention has been paid to mechanisms through which serotonin impacts energy balance pathways within the hypothalamus. How upstream factors relevant to energy balance regulate the release of hypothalamic serotonin is less clear, but work addressing this issue is underway. Generally, investigation into the central serotonergic regulation of energy balance has had a predominantly “hypothalamocentric” focus, yet non-hypothalamic structures that have been implicated in energy balance regulation also receive serotonergic innervation and express multiple subtypes of serotonin receptors. Moreover, there is a growing appreciation of the diverse mechanisms through which peripheral serotonin impacts energy balance regulation. Clearly, the serotonergic regulation of energy balance is a field characterized by both rapid advances and by an extensive and diverse set of central and peripheral mechanisms yet to be delineated.

RNA editing catalyzed by ADAR1 and its function in mammalian cells

In mammalian cells two active enzymes, ADAR1 and ADAR2, carry out A-to-I RNA editing. These two editases share many common features in their protein structures, catalytic activities, and substrate requirements. However, the phenotypes of the knockout animals are remarkably different, which indicate the distinct functions they play. The most striking effect of ADAR1 knockout is cell death and interruption of embryonic development that are not observed in ADAR2 knockout. Evidences have shown that ADAR1 plays critical roles in the differentiating cells in embryo and adult tissues to support the cell's survival and permit their further differentiation and maturation. However, our knowledge in understanding of the mechanism by which ADAR1 exerts its unique effects is very limited. Many efforts had been made trying to understand why ADAR1 is so important that it is indispensible for animal survival, including studies that identify the RNA editing substrates and studies on non-editing mechanisms. The interest of this review is focused on the question why ADAR1 and not ADAR2 is required for cell survival. Therefore, only the data, published and unpublished, potentially connecting ADAR1 to its cell death effect is selectively cited and discussed here. The features of cell death caused by ADAR1 deletion are summarized. Potential involvement of interferon and protein kinase RNA-activated (PKR) pathways is proposed, but obviously more experimental evaluations are needed.

Competition between ADAR and RNAi pathways for an extensive class of RNA targets

Adenosine deaminases that act on RNAs (ADARs) interact with double-stranded RNAs, deaminating adenosines to inosines. Previous studies of Caenorhabditis elegans suggested an antagonistic interaction between ADAR and RNAi machineries, with ADAR defects suppressed upon additional knockout of RNAi. These results suggest a pool of common RNA substrates capable of engaging both pathways. To define and characterize such substrates, we examined small RNA and mRNA populations of ADAR mutants and identified a distinct set of loci from which RNAi-dependent short RNAs are dramatically upregulated. At these same loci, we observe populations of multiply edited transcripts, supporting a specific role for ADARs in preventing access to the RNAi pathway for an extensive population of dsRNAs. Characterization of these loci reveal an extensive overlap with non-coding and intergenic regions, suggesting that the landscape of ADAR targets may extend beyond previously annotated classes of transcripts.

Quantitative analysis of 5HT(2C) receptor RNA editing patterns in psychiatric disorders

Initially identified as an RNA modification in the anticodon loop of tRNAs from animal, plant and eubacterial origin, the deamination of adenosine-to-inosine by RNA editing has become increasingly recognized as an important RNA processing event to generate diversity in both the transcriptome and proteome and is essential for modulating the activity of numerous proteins critical for nervous system function. Here, we focus on the editing of transcripts encoding the 2C-subtype of serotonin receptor (5HT(2C)) to generate multiple receptor isoforms that differ in G-protein coupling efficacy and constitutive activity. 5HT(2C) receptors have been implicated in the regulation of anxiety, components of the stress response, and are thought to play a role in compulsive behavioral disorders, depression and drug addiction. A number of studies have been conducted to assess whether 5HT(2C) editing is altered in individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders, yet the results from these studies have been inconsistent, and thus inconclusive. This review provides a discussion of the challenges involved with characterizing 5HT(2C) editing patterns in human postmortem tissue samples and how differences in quantitative methodology have contributed to the observed inconsistencies between multiple laboratories. Additionally, we discuss new high-throughput sequencing tools, which provide an opportunity to overcome previous methodological challenges, and permit reliable systematic analyses of RNA editing in control and pathologic disease states.

ADARs: allies or enemies? The importance of A-to-I RNA editing in human disease: from cancer to HIV-1

Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) are enzymes that convert adenosine (A) to inosine (I) in nuclear-encoded RNAs and viral RNAs. The activity of ADARs has been demonstrated to be essential in mammals and serves to fine-tune different proteins and modulate many molecular pathways. Recent findings have shown that ADAR activity is altered in many pathological tissues. Moreover, it has been shown that modulation of RNA editing is important for cell proliferation and migration, and has a protective effect on ischaemic insults. This review summarises available recent knowledge on A-to-I RNA editing and ADAR enzymes, with particular attention given to the emerging role played by these enzymes in cancer, some infectious diseases and immune-mediated disorders.