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Luan J, Song C, Liu Y, He R, Guo R, Cui Q, Jiang C, Li X, Hao K, Stewart AF, Fu J, Zhang Y, Wang H. Seamless site-directed mutagenesis in complex cloned DNA sequences using the RedEx method. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-01016-9. [PMID: 39009664 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-01016-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Seamless site-directed mutagenesis is an important technique for studying protein functions, tuning enzyme catalytic activities and modifying genetic elements in multiple rounds because it can insert, delete or substitute nucleotides, DNA segments or even entire genes at the target site without introducing any unwanted change. To facilitate seamless site-directed mutagenesis in large plasmids and bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) with repetitive sequences, we recently developed the RedEx strategy. Compared with previous methods, our approach achieves the recovery of correct recombinants with high accuracy by circumventing unwanted recombination between repetitive sequences. RedEx readily yields more than 80% accuracy in seamless DNA insertion and deletion in large multimodular polyketide synthase gene clusters, which are among the most difficult targets due to the large number of repetitive DNA sequences in modules encoding almost identical enzymes. Here we present the RedEx method by describing in detail the seamless site-directed mutagenesis in a BAC vector. Overall, the process includes three parts: (1) insertion of the RedEx cassette containing the desired mutation together with selection-counterselection markers flanked by unique restriction sites and 20-bp overlapping sequences into the target site by recombineering, (2) removal of the selection-counterselection markers in the BAC by restriction digestion and (3) circularization of the linear BAC by exonuclease-mediated in vitro DNA annealing. This protocol can be performed within 3 weeks and will enable researchers with DNA cloning experience to master seamless site-directed mutagenesis to accelerate their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Luan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Chaoyi Song
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Ruoting He
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Ruofei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Qingwen Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Chanjuan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaochen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Kexin Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - A Francis Stewart
- Genomics, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Biotechnology Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jun Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Youming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Hailong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Institute of Microbial Technology, Helmholtz International Lab for Anti-infectives, Shandong University-Helmholtz Institute of Biotechnology, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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Bhattacharya P, Raman K, Tangirala AK. Design Principles for Perfect Adaptation in Biological Networks with Nonlinear Dynamics. Bull Math Biol 2024; 86:100. [PMID: 38958824 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-024-01318-9] [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: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Establishing a mapping between the emergent biological properties and the repository of network structures has been of great relevance in systems and synthetic biology. Adaptation is one such biological property of paramount importance that promotes regulation in the presence of environmental disturbances. This paper presents a nonlinear systems theory-driven framework to identify the design principles for perfect adaptation with respect to external disturbances of arbitrary magnitude. Based on the prior information about the network, we frame precise mathematical conditions for adaptation using nonlinear systems theory. We first deduce the mathematical conditions for perfect adaptation for constant input disturbances. Subsequently, we translate these conditions to specific necessary structural requirements for adaptation in networks of small size and then extend to argue that there exist only two classes of architectures for a network of any size that can provide local adaptation in the entire state space, namely, incoherent feed-forward (IFF) structure and negative feedback loop with buffer node (NFB). The additional positiveness constraints further narrow the admissible set of network structures. This also aids in establishing the global asymptotic stability for the steady state given a constant input disturbance. The proposed method does not assume any explicit knowledge of the underlying rate kinetics, barring some minimal assumptions. Finally, we also discuss the infeasibility of certain IFF networks in providing adaptation in the presence of downstream connections. Moreover, we propose a generic and novel algorithm based on non-linear systems theory to unravel the design principles for global adaptation. Detailed and extensive simulation studies corroborate the theoretical findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyan Bhattacharya
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600036, India
| | - Karthik Raman
- Department of Data Science and AI, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600036, India.
| | - Arun K Tangirala
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600036, India.
- Department of Data Science and AI, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600036, India.
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3
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Dong X, Tian H, Ren P, Liu Y, Wang L. Downregulation of hsa_circTLK1 represses non-small cell lung cancer progression by regulating miR-876-3p/SRSF7 axis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31972. [PMID: 38868058 PMCID: PMC11167351 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study clarified the expression of cicrTLK1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explored its role in cancer growth, metastasis and immune escape, providing a potential molecular target and theoretical basis for NSCLC treatment. Methods The expression levels of circTLK1, miR-876-3p and SRSF7 were determined by RT-qPCR assay. The localization of circTLK1 in NSCLC cells was determined by FISH assay. EdU and cell plate clone formation assay were applied to explore cell proliferation. Wound healing test and Transwell assay were applied to measure the migration and invasion ability. Cell apoptosis rate was detected by FCM assay. Western blotting assay was adopted to measure the protein expression of SRSF7. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to assess the interaction between miR-876-3p and circTLK1, and between miR-876-3p and SRSF7. The ability of cirTLK1 to regulate tumor formation in vivo was examined by tumor transplantation experiments in nude mice. Results The relative expression of circTLK1 was increased in NSCLC cell lines. Knockdown of circTLK1 prohibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis rate, but miR-876-3p inhibitor reversed the effects of circTLK1 knockdown. In addition, silencing of circTLK1 overtly restrained the growth of transplanted tumors in vivo, and inhibited immune escape. In addition, circTLK1 interacted with miR-876-3p, and SRSF7 was concluded to be the target gene of miR-876-3p. Conclusion In this study, we researched the inhibitory effect of circTLK1knockdown on NSCLC progression and immune escape, and further elucidated the potential regulatory mechanism of circTLK1/miR876-3p/SRSF7 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhe Dong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, China
| | - Hui Tian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, China
| | - Peng Ren
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, China
| | - Yanxia Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shengli Oil Central Hospital, Dongying, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, China
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Bei M, Xu J. SR proteins in cancer: function, regulation, and small inhibitor. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2024; 29:78. [PMID: 38778254 PMCID: PMC11110342 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-024-00594-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs is a fundamental step in RNA processing required for gene expression in most metazoans. Serine and arginine-rich proteins (SR proteins) comprise a family of multifunctional proteins that contain an RNA recognition motif (RRM) and the ultra-conserved arginine/serine-rich (RS) domain, and play an important role in precise alternative splicing. Increasing research supports SR proteins as also functioning in other RNA-processing-related mechanisms, such as polyadenylation, degradation, and translation. In addition, SR proteins interact with N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators to modulate the methylation of ncRNA and mRNA. Dysregulation of SR proteins causes the disruption of cell differentiation and contributes to cancer progression. Here, we review the distinct biological characteristics of SR proteins and their known functional mechanisms during carcinogenesis. We also summarize the current inhibitors that directly target SR proteins and could ultimately turn SR proteins into actionable therapeutic targets in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingrong Bei
- Systems Biology Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, China
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Jianzhen Xu
- Systems Biology Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College (SUMC), 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, China.
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Scott HM, Smith MH, Coleman AK, Armijo KS, Chapman MJ, Apostalo SL, Wagner AR, Watson RO, Patrick KL. Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 7 promotes the type I interferon response by activating Irf7 transcription. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113816. [PMID: 38393946 PMCID: PMC11056844 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113816] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tight regulation of macrophage immune gene expression is required to fight infection without risking harmful inflammation. The contribution of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to shaping the macrophage response to pathogens remains poorly understood. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that a member of the serine/arginine-rich (SR) family of mRNA processing factors, SRSF7, is required for optimal expression of a cohort of interferon-stimulated genes in macrophages. Using genetic and biochemical assays, we discover that in addition to its canonical role in regulating alternative splicing, SRSF7 drives transcription of interferon regulatory transcription factor 7 (IRF7) to promote antiviral immunity. At the Irf7 promoter, SRSF7 maximizes STAT1 transcription factor binding and RNA polymerase II elongation via cooperation with the H4K20me1 histone methyltransferase KMT5a (SET8). These studies define a role for an SR protein in activating transcription and reveal an RBP-chromatin network that orchestrates macrophage antiviral gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley M Scott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Mackenzie H Smith
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Aja K Coleman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Kaitlyn S Armijo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Morgan J Chapman
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Summer L Apostalo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Allison R Wagner
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Robert O Watson
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Kristin L Patrick
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
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Arnold B, Riegger RJ, Okuda EK, Slišković I, Keller M, Bakisoglu C, McNicoll F, Zarnack K, Müller-McNicoll M. hGRAD: A versatile "one-fits-all" system to acutely deplete RNA binding proteins from condensates. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202304030. [PMID: 38108808 PMCID: PMC10726014 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202304030] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are difficult to study because they often belong to large protein families and form extensive networks of auto- and crossregulation. They are highly abundant and many localize to condensates with a slow turnover, requiring long depletion times or knockouts that cannot distinguish between direct and indirect or compensatory effects. Here, we developed a system that is optimized for the rapid degradation of nuclear RBPs, called hGRAD. It comes as a "one-fits-all" plasmid, and integration into any cell line with endogenously GFP-tagged proteins allows for an inducible, rapid, and complete knockdown. We show that the nuclear RBPs SRSF3, SRSF5, SRRM2, and NONO are completely cleared from nuclear speckles and paraspeckles within 2 h. hGRAD works in various cell types, is more efficient than previous methods, and does not require the expression of exogenous ubiquitin ligases. Combining SRSF5 hGRAD degradation with Nascent-seq uncovered transient transcript changes, compensatory mechanisms, and an effect of SRSF5 on transcript stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Arnold
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ricarda J. Riegger
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ellen Kazumi Okuda
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Cellular Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Irena Slišković
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mario Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Cem Bakisoglu
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - François McNicoll
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kathi Zarnack
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Beck M, Covino R, Hänelt I, Müller-McNicoll M. Understanding the cell: Future views of structural biology. Cell 2024; 187:545-562. [PMID: 38306981 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.12.017] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Determining the structure and mechanisms of all individual functional modules of cells at high molecular detail has often been seen as equal to understanding how cells work. Recent technical advances have led to a flush of high-resolution structures of various macromolecular machines, but despite this wealth of detailed information, our understanding of cellular function remains incomplete. Here, we discuss present-day limitations of structural biology and highlight novel technologies that may enable us to analyze molecular functions directly inside cells. We predict that the progression toward structural cell biology will involve a shift toward conceptualizing a 4D virtual reality of cells using digital twins. These will capture cellular segments in a highly enriched molecular detail, include dynamic changes, and facilitate simulations of molecular processes, leading to novel and experimentally testable predictions. Transferring biological questions into algorithms that learn from the existing wealth of data and explore novel solutions may ultimately unveil how cells work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Beck
- Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Roberto Covino
- Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Ruth-Moufang-Straße 1, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Inga Hänelt
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Bhattacharya P, Raman K, Tangirala AK. Design Principles for Biological Adaptation: A Systems and Control-Theoretic Treatment. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2760:35-56. [PMID: 38468081 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3658-9_3] [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] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Establishing a mapping between (from and to) the functionality of interest and the underlying network structure (design principles) remains a crucial step toward understanding and design of bio-systems. Perfect adaptation is one such crucial functionality that enables every living organism to regulate its essential activities in the presence of external disturbances. Previous approaches to deducing the design principles for adaptation have either relied on computationally burdensome brute-force methods or rule-based design strategies detecting only a subset of all possible adaptive network structures. This chapter outlines a scalable and generalizable method inspired by systems theory that unravels an exhaustive set of adaptation-capable structures. We first use the well-known performance parameters to characterize perfect adaptation. These performance parameters are then mapped back to a few parameters (poles, zeros, gain) characteristic of the underlying dynamical system constituted by the rate equations. Therefore, the performance parameters evaluated for the scenario of perfect adaptation can be expressed as a set of precise mathematical conditions involving the system parameters. Finally, we use algebraic graph theory to translate these abstract mathematical conditions to certain structural requirements for adaptation. The proposed algorithm does not assume any particular dynamics and is applicable to networks of any size. Moreover, the results offer a significant advancement in the realm of understanding and designing complex biochemical networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyan Bhattacharya
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras), Chennai, India
- Robert Bosch Centre of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
- Initiative for Biological Science and Systems mEdicine (IBSE), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Karthik Raman
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, Chennai, India.
- Robert Bosch Centre of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), IIT Madras, Chennai, India.
- Initiative for Biological Science and Systems mEdicine (IBSE), IIT Madras, Chennai, India.
| | - Arun K Tangirala
- Robert Bosch Centre of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), IIT Madras, Chennai, India.
- Initiative for Biological Science and Systems mEdicine (IBSE), IIT Madras, Chennai, India.
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Shen W, Yuan L, Cheng F, Wu Z, Li X. SRSF7 is a promising prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma and is associated with immune infiltration. Genes Genomics 2024; 46:49-64. [PMID: 37985547 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-023-01463-w] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies indicate that the splicing process, regulated by the cellular machinery of tumors (spliceosome), undergoes alterations, leading to oncogenic splicing events associated with the progression of tumors towards aggressiveness. However, the role of serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 7 (SRSF7) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. METHODS This study was aimed to explore the role and clinical significance of SRSF7 in HCC. By conducting functional analysis and gene set enrichment analysis, it was discovered that SRSF7 contributes to multiple pathways associated with immune response and tumor advancement. Further experiments verified that silencing of SRSF7 obviously inhibits progression of HCC. RESULTS Aberrant expression of SRSF7, which were referred as an independent prognostic risk factor, effectively predicts the prognosis of patients with HCC. Functional and gene enrichment analyses revealed that SRSF7 is linked with multiple immune and tumor progression-related pathways, including the B cell receptor signaling pathway, positive regulation of leukocyte and immunoglobulin receptor binding cell activation, nuclear division, membrane invagination, cell cycle, as well as mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, increased SRSF7 expression was associated with tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells (CD4+, monocytes/macrophages, CD8 + and endothelial). Additionally, multiple immune checkpoint genes were markedly positively related to SRSF7. The efficiency of SRSF7 in predicting immunomodulator and chemokine responses were also assessed in microenvironment. Moreover, in vitro analyses demonstrated that knockdown of SRSF7 suppressed the malignant evolution of HCC possibly by deactivating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. CONCLUSION The role of SRSF7 in the tumor microenvironment has been successfully assessed. It may be a valid bio-index for predicting the HCC prognosis, thereby guiding individualized immunotherapy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shen
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lebin Yuan
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Cheng
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Wu
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
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Zhang Y, Huo J, Yu S, Feng W, Tuersun A, Chen F, Lv Z, Liu W, Zhao J, Xu Z, Lu A, Zong Y. Colorectal cancer tissue-originated spheroids reveal tumor intrinsic signaling pathways and mimic patient clinical chemotherapeutic response as a rapid and valid model. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115585. [PMID: 37774672 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115585] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Locally advanced colorectal cancer requires preoperative chemotherapy to reduce local recurrence and metastasis rates, but it remains difficult to predict the tumor will be sensitive to which treatments. The patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are considered an effective platform for predicting tumor drug responses in precision oncology. However, it has the limitation of being time-consuming in practical applications, especially in neoadjuvant treatment. Here we used cancer tissue-originated spheroids (CTOS) method to establish organoids from a heterogeneous population of colorectal cancer specimens, and evaluated the capacity of CTOS to predict clinical drug responses. By analyzing the relationship of the activities of drug-treated CTOS, drug targets and target-related pathways, tumor intrinsic effective-target-related pathways can be identified. These pathways were highly matched to the abnormal pathways indicated by whole-exome sequencing. Based on this, we used half effective concentration gradients to classify CTOS as sensitive or resistant to chemotherapy regimens within a week, for predicting neoadjuvant treatment outcomes for colorectal cancer patients. The drug sensitivity test results are highly matched to the clinical responses to treatment in individual patients. Thus, our data suggested that CTOS models can be effectively screened ex vivo to identify pathways sensitive to chemotherapies. These data also supported organoid research for personalized clinical medication guidance immediately after diagnosis in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianting Huo
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Suyue Yu
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqing Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Abudumaimaitijiang Tuersun
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangqian Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeping Lv
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wangyi Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingkun Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuoqing Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Aiguo Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yaping Zong
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Newman JRB, Long SA, Speake C, Greenbaum CJ, Cerosaletti K, Rich SS, Onengut-Gumuscu S, McIntyre LM, Buckner JH, Concannon P. Shifts in isoform usage underlie transcriptional differences in regulatory T cells in type 1 diabetes. Commun Biol 2023; 6:988. [PMID: 37758901 PMCID: PMC10533491 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05327-7] [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: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous loci with allelic associations to Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) risk. Most disease-associated variants are enriched in regulatory sequences active in lymphoid cell types, suggesting that lymphocyte gene expression is altered in T1D. Here we assay gene expression between T1D cases and healthy controls in two autoimmunity-relevant lymphocyte cell types, memory CD4+/CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) and memory CD4+/CD25- T cells, using a splicing event-based approach to characterize tissue-specific transcriptomes. Limited differences in isoform usage between T1D cases and controls are observed in memory CD4+/CD25- T-cells. In Tregs, 402 genes demonstrate differences in isoform usage between cases and controls, particularly RNA recognition and splicing factor genes. Many of these genes are regulated by the variable inclusion of exons that can trigger nonsense mediated decay. Our results suggest that dysregulation of gene expression, through shifts in alternative splicing in Tregs, contributes to T1D pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy R B Newman
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA
| | - S Alice Long
- Center for Translational Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Cate Speake
- Center for Interventional Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Carla J Greenbaum
- Center for Interventional Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Karen Cerosaletti
- Center for Translational Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Stephen S Rich
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Suna Onengut-Gumuscu
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Lauren M McIntyre
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA
| | - Jane H Buckner
- Center for Translational Immunology, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Patrick Concannon
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA.
- University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32601, USA.
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12
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Campagne S, Jutzi D, Malard F, Matoga M, Romane K, Feldmuller M, Colombo M, Ruepp MD, Allain FHT. Molecular basis of RNA-binding and autoregulation by the cancer-associated splicing factor RBM39. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5366. [PMID: 37666821 PMCID: PMC10477243 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40254-5] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pharmacologic depletion of RNA-binding motif 39 (RBM39) using aryl sulfonamides represents a promising anti-cancer therapy but requires high levels of the adaptor protein DCAF15. Consequently, novel approaches to deplete RBM39 in an DCAF15-independent manner are required. Here, we uncover that RBM39 autoregulates via the inclusion of a poison exon into its own pre-mRNA and identify the cis-acting elements that govern this regulation. We also determine the NMR solution structures of RBM39's tandem RNA recognition motifs (RRM1 and RRM2) bound to their respective RNA targets, revealing how RRM1 recognises RNA stem loops whereas RRM2 binds specifically to single-stranded N(G/U)NUUUG. Our results support a model where RRM2 selects the 3'-splice site of a poison exon and the RRM3 and RS domain stabilise the U2 snRNP at the branchpoint. Our work provides molecular insights into RBM39-dependent 3'-splice site selection and constitutes a solid basis to design alternative anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Campagne
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR5320, ARNA Laboratory, 33077, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Daniel Jutzi
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Florian Malard
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Bordeaux, Inserm U1212, CNRS UMR5320, ARNA Laboratory, 33077, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maja Matoga
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ksenija Romane
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Miki Feldmuller
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martino Colombo
- University of Bern, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
- Celgene Institute of Translational Research in Europe (CITRE), Bristol Myers Squibb, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Marc-David Ruepp
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, SE5 9NU, UK.
| | - Frédéric H-T Allain
- ETH Zurich, Department of Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
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13
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Cun Y, An S, Zheng H, Lan J, Chen W, Luo W, Yao C, Li X, Huang X, Sun X, Wu Z, Hu Y, Li Z, Zhang S, Wu G, Yang M, Tang M, Yu R, Liao X, Gao G, Zhao W, Wang J, Li J. Specific Regulation of m 6A by SRSF7 Promotes the Progression of Glioblastoma. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 21:707-728. [PMID: 34954129 PMCID: PMC10787126 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 7 (SRSF7), a known splicing factor, has been revealed to play oncogenic roles in multiple cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying its oncogenic roles have not been well addressed. Here, based on N6-methyladenosine (m6A) co-methylation network analysis across diverse cell lines, we find that the gene expression of SRSF7 is positively correlated with glioblastoma (GBM) cell-specific m6A methylation. We then indicate that SRSF7 is a novel m6A regulator, which specifically facilitates the m6A methylation near its binding sites on the mRNAs involved in cell proliferation and migration, through recruiting the methyltransferase complex. Moreover, SRSF7 promotes the proliferation and migration of GBM cells largely dependent on the presence of the m6A methyltransferase. The two m6A sites on the mRNA for PDZ-binding kinase (PBK) are regulated by SRSF7 and partially mediate the effects of SRSF7 in GBM cells through recognition by insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2). Together, our discovery reveals a novel role of SRSF7 in regulating m6A and validates the presence and functional importance of temporal- and spatial-specific regulation of m6A mediated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixian Cun
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Sanqi An
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory, Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530020, China
| | - Haiqing Zheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jing Lan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wenfang Chen
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wanjun Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Chengguo Yao
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xincheng Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiang Huang
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiang Sun
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Zehong Wu
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yameng Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ziwen Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Shuxia Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Geyan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Meisongzhu Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Miaoling Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ruyuan Yu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xinyi Liao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Guicheng Gao
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Jinkai Wang
- Department of Medical Informatics, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Center for Stem Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering, Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; RNA Biomedical Institute, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Key Laboratory of Liver Disease of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Department of Biochemistry, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
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14
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Scott HM, Smith MH, Coleman AK, Apostalo SL, Wagner AR, Watson RO, Patrick KL. Serine arginine-rich splicing factor (SRSF7) cooperates with the histone methyltransferase KMT5a to promote the type I interferon response via transcriptional activation of IRF7. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.09.540055. [PMID: 37503164 PMCID: PMC10369877 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.09.540055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Tight regulation of macrophage immune gene expression is required to fight infection without risking harmful inflammation. The contribution of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) to shaping the macrophage response to pathogens remains poorly understood. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that a member of the serine/arginine-rich (SR) family of mRNA processing factors, SRSF7, is required for optimal expression of a cohort of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) in macrophages. Using genetic and biochemical assays, we discovered that in addition to its canonical role in regulating alternative splicing, SRSF7 drives transcription of interferon regulatory transcription factor 7 (IRF7) to promote antiviral immunity. At the Irf7 promoter, SRSF7 maximizes STAT1 transcription factor binding and RNA polymerase II elongation via cooperation with the H4K20me1 histone methyltransferase KMT5a (SET8). These studies define an unorthodox role for an SR protein in activating transcription and reveal an unappreciated RNA binding protein-chromatin network that orchestrates macrophage antiviral gene expression.
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15
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Farina FM, Weber C, Santovito D. The emerging landscape of non-conventional RNA functions in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2023; 374:74-86. [PMID: 36725418 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Most of the human genome is transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which encompass a heterogeneous family of transcripts including microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and others. Although the detailed modes of action of some classes are not fully elucidated, the common notion is that ncRNAs contribute to sculpting gene expression of eukaryotic cells at multiple levels. These range from the regulation of chromatin remodeling and transcriptional activity to post-transcriptional regulation of messenger RNA splicing, stability, and decay. Many of these functions ultimately govern the expression of coding and non-coding genes to affect diverse physiological and pathological mechanisms in vascular biology and beyond. As such, different classes of ncRNAs emerged as crucial regulators of vascular integrity as well as active players in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis from the early stages of endothelial dysfunction to the clinically relevant complications. However, research in recent years revealed unexpected findings such as small ncRNAs being able to biophysically regulate protein function, the glycosylation of ncRNAs to be exposed on the cell surface, the release of ncRNAs in the extracellular space to act as ligands of receptors, and even the ability of non-coding portion of messenger RNAs to mediate structural functions. This evidence expanded the functional repertoire of ncRNAs far beyond gene regulation and highlighted an additional layer of biological control of cell function. In this Review, we will discuss these emerging aspects of ncRNA biology, highlight the implications for the mechanisms of vascular biology and atherosclerosis, and discuss possible translational implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floriana Maria Farina
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität (LMU), Munich, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität (LMU), Munich, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
| | - Donato Santovito
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität (LMU), Munich, Germany; German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany; Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), Unit of Milan, National Research Council, Milan, Italy.
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16
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Steffens Reinhardt L, Groen K, Newton C, Avery-Kiejda KA. The role of truncated p53 isoforms in the DNA damage response. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188882. [PMID: 36977456 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.188882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
The tumour suppressor p53 is activated following genotoxic stress and regulates the expression of target genes involved in the DNA damage response (DDR). The discovery that p53 isoforms alter the transcription of p53 target genes or p53 protein interactions unveiled an alternative DDR. This review will focus on the role p53 isoforms play in response to DNA damage. The expression of the C-terminally truncated p53 isoforms may be modulated via DNA damage-induced alternative splicing, whereas alternative translation plays an important role in modulating the expression of N-terminally truncated isoforms. The DDR induced by p53 isoforms may enhance the canonical p53 DDR or block cell death mechanisms in a DNA damage- and cell-specific manner, which could contribute to chemoresistance in a cancer context. Thus, a better understanding of the involvement of p53 isoforms in the cell fate decisions could uncover potential therapeutic targets in cancer and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Steffens Reinhardt
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Kira Groen
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Cheryl Newton
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Kelly A Avery-Kiejda
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
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17
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Bhattacharya P, Raman K, Tangirala AK. On biological networks capable of robust adaptation in the presence of uncertainties: A linear systems-theoretic approach. Math Biosci 2023; 358:108984. [PMID: 36804384 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2023.108984] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Biological adaptation, the tendency of every living organism to regulate its essential activities in environmental fluctuations, is a well-studied functionality in systems and synthetic biology. In this work, we present a generic methodology inspired by systems theory to discover the design principles for robust adaptation, perfect and imperfect, in two different contexts: (1) in the presence of deterministic external and parametric disturbances and (2) in a stochastic setting. In all the cases, firstly, we translate the necessary qualitative conditions for adaptation to mathematical constraints using the language of systems theory, which we then map back as design requirements for the underlying networks. Thus, contrary to the existing approaches, the proposed methodologies provide an exhaustive set of admissible network structures without resorting to computationally burdensome brute-force techniques. Further, the proposed frameworks do not assume prior knowledge about the particular rate kinetics, thereby validating the conclusions for a large class of biological networks. In the deterministic setting, we show that unlike the incoherent feed-forward network structures (IFFLP or opposer modules), the modules containing negative feedback with buffer action (NFBLB or balancer modules) are robust to parametric fluctuations when a specific part of the network is assumed to remain unaffected. To this end, we propose a sufficient condition for imperfect adaptation and show that adding negative feedback in an IFFLP topology improves the robustness concerning parametric fluctuations. Further, we propose a stricter set of necessary conditions for imperfect adaptation. Turning to the stochastic scenario, we adopt a Wiener-Kolmogorov filter strategy to tune the parameters of a given network structure towards minimum output variance. We show that both NFBLB and IFFLP can be used as a reduced-order W-K filter. Further, we define the notion of nearest neighboring motifs to compare the output variances across different network structures. We argue that the NFBLB achieves adaptation at the cost of a variance higher than its nearest neighboring motifs whereas the IFFLP topology produces locally minimum variance while compared with its nearest neighboring motifs. We present numerical simulations to support the theoretical results. Overall, our results present a generic, systematic, and robust framework for advancing the understanding of complex biological networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyan Bhattacharya
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai, 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Karthik Raman
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, Chennai, 600036, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Arun K Tangirala
- Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai, 600036, Tamil Nadu, India.
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18
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Chan SN, Pek JW. Distinct biogenesis pathways may have led to functional divergence of the human and Drosophila Arglu1 sisRNA. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e54350. [PMID: 36533631 PMCID: PMC9900350 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202154350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable intronic sequence RNAs (sisRNAs) are stable, long noncoding RNAs containing intronic sequences. While sisRNAs have been found across diverse species, their level of conservation remains poorly understood. Here we report that the biogenesis and functions of a sisRNA transcribed from the highly conserved Arglu1 locus are distinct in human and Drosophila melanogaster. The Arglu1 genes in both species show similar exon-intron structures where the intron 2 is orthologous and positionally conserved. In humans, Arglu1 sisRNA retains the entire intron 2 and promotes host gene splicing. Mechanistically, Arglu1 sisRNA represses the splicing-inhibitory activity of ARGLU1 protein by binding to ARGLU1 protein and promoting its localization to nuclear speckles, away from the Arglu1 gene locus. In contrast, Drosophila dArglu1 sisRNA forms via premature cleavage of intron 2 and represses host gene splicing. This repression occurs through a local accumulation of dARGLU1 protein and inhibition of telescripting by U1 snRNPs at the dArglu1 locus. We propose that distinct biogenesis of positionally conserved Arglu1 sisRNAs in both species may have led to functional divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seow Neng Chan
- Temasek Life Sciences LaboratoryNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Jun Wei Pek
- Temasek Life Sciences LaboratoryNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of Biological SciencesNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
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19
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Ivanova OM, Anufrieva KS, Kazakova AN, Malyants IK, Shnaider PV, Lukina MM, Shender VO. Non-canonical functions of spliceosome components in cancer progression. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:77. [PMID: 36732501 PMCID: PMC9895063 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05470-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of pre-mRNA splicing is a common hallmark of cancer cells and it is associated with altered expression, localization, and mutations of the components of the splicing machinery. In the last few years, it has been elucidated that spliceosome components can also influence cellular processes in a splicing-independent manner. Here, we analyze open source data to understand the effect of the knockdown of splicing factors in human cells on the expression and splicing of genes relevant to cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, and cell death. We supplement this information with a comprehensive literature review of non-canonical functions of splicing factors linked to cancer progression. We also specifically discuss the involvement of splicing factors in intercellular communication and known autoregulatory mechanisms in restoring their levels in cells. Finally, we discuss strategies to target components of the spliceosome machinery that are promising for anticancer therapy. Altogether, this review greatly expands understanding of the role of spliceosome proteins in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga M Ivanova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation.
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation.
| | - Ksenia S Anufrieva
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation
| | - Anastasia N Kazakova
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, 141701, Russian Federation
| | - Irina K Malyants
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Chemical-Pharmaceutical Technologies and Biomedical Drugs, Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, Moscow, 125047, Russian Federation
| | - Polina V Shnaider
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Maria M Lukina
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation
| | - Victoria O Shender
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation.
- Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency, Moscow, 119435, Russian Federation.
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russian Federation.
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20
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Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay as a Mediator of Tumorigenesis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020357. [PMID: 36833284 PMCID: PMC9956241 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an evolutionarily conserved and well-characterized biological mechanism that ensures the fidelity and regulation of gene expression. Initially, NMD was described as a cellular surveillance or quality control process to promote selective recognition and rapid degradation of erroneous transcripts harboring a premature translation-termination codon (PTC). As estimated, one-third of mutated and disease-causing mRNAs were reported to be targeted and degraded by NMD, suggesting the significance of this intricate mechanism in maintaining cellular integrity. It was later revealed that NMD also elicits down-regulation of many endogenous mRNAs without mutations (~10% of the human transcriptome). Therefore, NMD modulates gene expression to evade the generation of aberrant truncated proteins with detrimental functions, compromised activities, or dominant-negative effects, as well as by controlling the abundance of endogenous mRNAs. By regulating gene expression, NMD promotes diverse biological functions during development and differentiation, and facilitates cellular responses to adaptation, physiological changes, stresses, environmental insults, etc. Mutations or alterations (such as abnormal expression, degradation, post-translational modification, etc.) that impair the function or expression of proteins associated with the NMD pathway can be deleterious to cells and may cause pathological consequences, as implicated in developmental and intellectual disabilities, genetic defects, and cancer. Growing evidence in past decades has highlighted NMD as a critical driver of tumorigenesis. Advances in sequencing technologies provided the opportunity to identify many NMD substrate mRNAs in tumor samples compared to matched normal tissues. Interestingly, many of these changes are tumor-specific and are often fine-tuned in a tumor-specific manner, suggesting the complex regulation of NMD in cancer. Tumor cells differentially exploit NMD for survival benefits. Some tumors promote NMD to degrade a subset of mRNAs, such as those encoding tumor suppressors, stress response proteins, signaling proteins, RNA binding proteins, splicing factors, and immunogenic neoantigens. In contrast, some tumors suppress NMD to facilitate the expression of oncoproteins or other proteins beneficial for tumor growth and progression. In this review, we discuss how NMD is regulated as a critical mediator of oncogenesis to promote the development and progression of tumor cells. Understanding how NMD affects tumorigenesis differentially will pave the way for the development of more effective and less toxic, targeted therapeutic opportunities in the era of personalized medicine.
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21
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de Oliveira Freitas Machado C, Schafranek M, Brüggemann M, Hernández Cañás M, Keller M, Di Liddo A, Brezski A, Blümel N, Arnold B, Bremm A, Wittig I, Jaé N, McNicoll F, Dimmeler S, Zarnack K, Müller-McNicoll M. Poison cassette exon splicing of SRSF6 regulates nuclear speckle dispersal and the response to hypoxia. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:870-890. [PMID: 36620874 PMCID: PMC9881134 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia induces massive changes in alternative splicing (AS) to adapt cells to the lack of oxygen. Here, we identify the splicing factor SRSF6 as a key factor in the AS response to hypoxia. The SRSF6 level is strongly reduced in acute hypoxia, which serves a dual purpose: it allows for exon skipping and triggers the dispersal of nuclear speckles. Our data suggest that cells use dispersal of nuclear speckles to reprogram their gene expression during hypoxic adaptation and that SRSF6 plays an important role in cohesion of nuclear speckles. Down-regulation of SRSF6 is achieved through inclusion of a poison cassette exon (PCE) promoted by SRSF4. Removing the PCE 3' splice site using CRISPR/Cas9 abolishes SRSF6 reduction in hypoxia. Aberrantly high SRSF6 levels in hypoxia attenuate hypoxia-mediated AS and impair dispersal of nuclear speckles. As a consequence, proliferation and genomic instability are increased, while the stress response is suppressed. The SRSF4-PCE-SRSF6 hypoxia axis is active in different cancer types, and high SRSF6 expression in hypoxic tumors correlates with a poor prognosis. We propose that the ultra-conserved PCE of SRSF6 acts as a tumor suppressor and that its inclusion in hypoxia is crucial to reduce SRSF6 levels. This may prevent tumor cells from entering the metastatic route of hypoxia adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila de Oliveira Freitas Machado
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michal Schafranek
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mirko Brüggemann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Mario Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Antonella Di Liddo
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andre Brezski
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany,Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nicole Blümel
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Benjamin Arnold
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anja Bremm
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ilka Wittig
- Functional Proteomics, Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nicolas Jaé
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - François McNicoll
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kathi Zarnack
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Kathi Zarnack.
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22
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David JK, Maden SK, Wood MA, Thompson RF, Nellore A. Retained introns in long RNA-seq reads are not reliably detected in sample-matched short reads. Genome Biol 2022; 23:240. [PMID: 36369064 PMCID: PMC9652823 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02789-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing interest in retained introns in a variety of disease contexts including cancer and aging. Many software tools have been developed to detect retained introns from short RNA-seq reads, but reliable detection is complicated by overlapping genes and transcripts as well as the presence of unprocessed or partially processed RNAs. RESULTS We compared introns detected by 8 tools using short RNA-seq reads with introns observed in long RNA-seq reads from the same biological specimens. We found significant disagreement among tools (Fleiss' [Formula: see text]) such that 47.7% of all detected intron retentions were not called by more than one tool. We also observed poor performance of all tools, with none achieving an F1-score greater than 0.26, and qualitatively different behaviors between general-purpose alternative splicing detection tools and tools confined to retained intron detection. CONCLUSIONS Short-read tools detect intron retention with poor recall and precision, calling into question the completeness and validity of a large percentage of putatively retained introns called by commonly used methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne K. David
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,Present Address: Base5 Genomics, Inc., Mountain View, CA USA
| | - Sean K. Maden
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Present Address: Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Mary A. Wood
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,grid.429936.30000 0004 5914 210XPortland VA Research Foundation, Portland, OR USA ,Present Address: Phase Genomics, Inc., Seattle, WA USA
| | - Reid F. Thompson
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,grid.484322.bDivision of Hospital and Specialty Medicine, VA Portland Healthcare System, Portland, OR USA ,grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Department of Medical Informatics & Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA
| | - Abhinav Nellore
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Computational Biology Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA ,grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Department of Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR USA
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23
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Embree CM, Abu-Alhasan R, Singh G. Features and factors that dictate if terminating ribosomes cause or counteract nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102592. [PMID: 36244451 PMCID: PMC9661723 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a quality control pathway in eukaryotes that continuously monitors mRNA transcripts to ensure truncated polypeptides are not produced. The expression of many normal mRNAs that encode full-length polypeptides is also regulated by this pathway. Such transcript surveillance by NMD is intimately linked to translation termination. When a ribosome terminates translation at a normal termination codon, NMD is not activated, and mRNA can undergo repeated rounds of translation. On the other hand, when translation termination is deemed abnormal, such as that on a premature termination codon, it leads to a series of poorly understood events involving the NMD pathway, which destabilizes the transcript. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of how the NMD machinery interfaces with the translation termination factors to initiate NMD. We also discuss a variety of cis-acting sequence contexts and trans-acting factors that can cause readthrough, ribosome reinitiation, or ribosome frameshifting at stop codons predicted to induce NMD. These alternative outcomes can lead to the ribosome translating downstream of such stop codons and hence the transcript escaping NMD. NMD escape via these mechanisms can have wide-ranging implications on human health, from being exploited by viruses to hijack host cell systems to being harnessed as potential therapeutic possibilities to treat genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb M Embree
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio USA
| | - Rabab Abu-Alhasan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio USA
| | - Guramrit Singh
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio USA.
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24
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Chen SX, Simpson E, Reiter JL, Liu Y. Bioinformatics detection of modulators controlling splicing factor-dependent intron retention in the human brain. Hum Mutat 2022; 43:1629-1641. [PMID: 35391504 PMCID: PMC9537345 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24379] [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: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Alternative RNA splicing is an important means of genetic control and transcriptome diversity. However, when alternative splicing events are studied independently, coordinated splicing modulated by common factors is often not recognized. As a result, the molecular mechanisms of how splicing regulators promote or repress splice site recognition in a context-dependent manner are not well understood. The functional coupling between multiple gene regulatory layers suggests that splicing is modulated by additional genetic or epigenetic components. Here, we developed a bioinformatics approach to identify causal modulators of splicing activity based on the variation of gene expression in large RNA sequencing datasets. We applied this approach in a neurological context with hundreds of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex samples. Our model is strengthened with the incorporation of genetic variants to impute gene expression in a Mendelian randomization-based approach. We identified novel modulators of the splicing factor SRSF1, including UIMC1 and the long noncoding RNA CBR3-AS1, that function over dozens of SRSF1 intron retention splicing targets. This strategy can be widely used to identify modulators of RNA-binding proteins involved in tissue-specific alternative splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven X. Chen
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Ed Simpson
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Jill L. Reiter
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
- Center for Computational Biology and BioinformaticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
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25
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Urbanski L, Brugiolo M, Park S, Angarola BL, Leclair NK, Yurieva M, Palmer P, Sahu SK, Anczuków O. MYC regulates a pan-cancer network of co-expressed oncogenic splicing factors. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111704. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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26
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Meyer E, Chaung K, Dehghannasiri R, Salzman J. ReadZS detects cell type-specific and developmentally regulated RNA processing programs in single-cell RNA-seq. Genome Biol 2022; 23:226. [PMID: 36284317 PMCID: PMC9594907 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02795-8] [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: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA processing, including splicing and alternative polyadenylation, is crucial to gene function and regulation, but methods to detect RNA processing from single-cell RNA sequencing data are limited by reliance on pre-existing annotations, peak calling heuristics, and collapsing measurements by cell type. We introduce ReadZS, an annotation-free statistical approach to identify regulated RNA processing in single cells. ReadZS discovers cell type-specific RNA processing in human lung and conserved, developmentally regulated RNA processing in mammalian spermatogenesis-including global 3' UTR shortening in human spermatogenesis. ReadZS also discovers global 3' UTR lengthening in Arabidopsis development, highlighting the usefulness of this method in under-annotated transcriptomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Meyer
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kaitlin Chaung
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Roozbeh Dehghannasiri
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Julia Salzman
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Statistics (by courtesy), Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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27
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Discovering design principles for biological functionalities: Perspectives from systems biology. J Biosci 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12038-022-00293-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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28
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Long non-coding RNA LINC01123 promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion via interacting with SRSF7 in colorectal cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 232:153843. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.153843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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29
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Bhattacharya P, Raman K, Tangirala AK. Discovering adaptation-capable biological network structures using control-theoretic approaches. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1009769. [PMID: 35061660 PMCID: PMC8809615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Constructing biological networks capable of performing specific biological functionalities has been of sustained interest in synthetic biology. Adaptation is one such ubiquitous functional property, which enables every living organism to sense a change in its surroundings and return to its operating condition prior to the disturbance. In this paper, we present a generic systems theory-driven method for designing adaptive protein networks. First, we translate the necessary qualitative conditions for adaptation to mathematical constraints using the language of systems theory, which we then map back as ‘design requirements’ for the underlying networks. We go on to prove that a protein network with different input–output nodes (proteins) needs to be at least of third-order in order to provide adaptation. Next, we show that the necessary design principles obtained for a three-node network in adaptation consist of negative feedback or a feed-forward realization. We argue that presence of a particular class of negative feedback or feed-forward realization is necessary for a network of any size to provide adaptation. Further, we claim that the necessary structural conditions derived in this work are the strictest among the ones hitherto existed in the literature. Finally, we prove that the capability of producing adaptation is retained for the admissible motifs even when the output node is connected with a downstream system in a feedback fashion. This result explains how complex biological networks achieve robustness while keeping the core motifs unchanged in the context of a particular functionality. We corroborate our theoretical results with detailed and thorough numerical simulations. Overall, our results present a generic, systematic and robust framework for designing various kinds of biological networks. Biological systems display a remarkable diversity of functionalities, many of which can be conceived as the response of a large network composed of small interconnecting modules. Unravelling the connection pattern, i.e. design principles, behind important biological functionalities is one of the most challenging problems in systems biology. One such phenomenon is perfect adaptation, which merits special attention owing to its universal presence ranging from chemotaxis in bacterial cells to calcium homeostasis in mammalian cells. The present work focuses on finding the design principles for perfect adaptation in the presence of a stair-case type disturbance. To this end, the current work proposes a systems-theoretic approach to deduce precise mathematical (hence structural) conditions that comply with the key performance parameters for adaptation. The approach is agnostic to the particularities of the reaction kinetics, underlining the dominant role of the topological structure on the response of the network. Notably, the design principles obtained in this work serve as the most strict necessary structural conditions for a network of any size to provide perfect adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyan Bhattacharya
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai, India
- Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
- Initiative for Biological Systems Engineering (IBSE), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Karthik Raman
- Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
- Initiative for Biological Systems Engineering (IBSE), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, IIT Madras, Chennai, India
- * E-mail: (KR); (AKT)
| | - Arun K. Tangirala
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai, India
- Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RBCDSAI), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
- Initiative for Biological Systems Engineering (IBSE), IIT Madras, Chennai, India
- * E-mail: (KR); (AKT)
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30
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Exploring the multifunctionality of SR proteins. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 50:187-198. [PMID: 34940860 PMCID: PMC9022966 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Members of the arginine–serine-rich protein family (SR proteins) are multifunctional RNA-binding proteins that have emerged as key determinants for mRNP formation, identity and fate. They bind to pre-mRNAs early during transcription in the nucleus and accompany bound transcripts until they are translated or degraded in the cytoplasm. SR proteins are mostly known for their essential roles in constitutive splicing and as regulators of alternative splicing. However, many additional activities of individual SR proteins, beyond splicing, have been reported in recent years. We will summarize the different functions of SR proteins and discuss how multifunctionality can be achieved. We will also highlight the difficulties of studying highly versatile SR proteins and propose approaches to disentangle their activities, which is transferrable to other multifunctional RBPs.
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31
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Titus MB, Chang AW, Olesnicky EC. Exploring the Diverse Functional and Regulatory Consequences of Alternative Splicing in Development and Disease. Front Genet 2021; 12:775395. [PMID: 34899861 PMCID: PMC8652244 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.775395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is a fundamental mechanism of eukaryotic RNA regulation that increases the transcriptomic and proteomic complexity within an organism. Moreover, alternative splicing provides a framework for generating unique yet complex tissue- and cell type-specific gene expression profiles, despite using a limited number of genes. Recent efforts to understand the negative consequences of aberrant splicing have increased our understanding of developmental and neurodegenerative diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy, frontotemporal dementia and Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17, myotonic dystrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Moreover, these studies have led to the development of innovative therapeutic treatments for diseases caused by aberrant splicing, also known as spliceopathies. Despite this, a paucity of information exists on the physiological roles and specific functions of distinct transcript spliceforms for a given gene. Here, we will highlight work that has specifically explored the distinct functions of protein-coding spliceforms during development. Moreover, we will discuss the use of alternative splicing of noncoding exons to regulate the stability and localization of RNA transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brandon Titus
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
| | - Adeline W Chang
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
| | - Eugenia C Olesnicky
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
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32
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Jacobs A, Elmer KR. Alternative splicing and gene expression play contrasting roles in the parallel phenotypic evolution of a salmonid fish. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:4955-4969. [PMID: 33502030 PMCID: PMC8653899 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the contribution of different molecular processes to evolution and development is crucial for identifying the mechanisms of adaptation. Here, we used RNA-sequencing data to test the importance of alternative splicing and differential gene expression in a case of parallel adaptive evolution, the replicated postglacial divergence of the salmonid fish Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) into sympatric benthic and pelagic ecotypes across multiple independent lakes. We found that genes differentially spliced between ecotypes were mostly not differentially expressed (<6% overlap) and were involved in different biological processes. Differentially spliced genes were primarily enriched for muscle development and functioning, while differentially expressed genes were involved in metabolism, immunity and growth. Furthermore, alternative splicing and gene expression were mostly controlled by independent cis-regulatory quantitative trait loci (<3.4% overlap). Cis-regulatory regions were associated with the parallel divergence in splicing (16.5% of intron clusters) and expression (6.7%-10.1% of differentially expressed genes), indicating shared regulatory variation across ecotype pairs. Contrary to theoretical expectation, we found that differentially spliced genes tended to be highly central in regulatory networks ("hub genes") and were annotated to significantly more gene ontology terms compared to nondifferentially spliced genes, consistent with a higher level of pleiotropy. Together, our results suggest that the concerted regulation of alternative splicing and differential gene expression through different regulatory regions leads to the divergence of complementary processes important for local adaptation. This provides novel insights into the importance of contrasting but putatively complementary molecular processes in rapid parallel adaptive evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Jacobs
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Department of Natural ResourcesCornell UniversityIthacaNYUSA
| | - Kathryn R. Elmer
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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33
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Rouchka EC, Chariker JH, Alejandro B, Adcock RS, Singhal R, Ramirez J, Palmer KE, Lasnik AB, Carrico R, Arnold FW, Furmanek S, Zhang M, Wolf LA, Waigel S, Zacharias W, Bordon J, Chung D. Induction of interferon response by high viral loads at early stage infection may protect against severe outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15715. [PMID: 34344959 PMCID: PMC8333042 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95197-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Key elements for viral pathogenesis include viral strains, viral load, co-infection, and host responses. Several studies analyzing these factors in the function of disease severity of have been published; however, no studies have shown how all of these factors interplay within a defined cohort. To address this important question, we sought to understand how these four key components interplay in a cohort of COVID-19 patients. We determined the viral loads and gene expression using high throughput sequencing and various virological methods. We found that viral loads in the upper respiratory tract in COVID-19 patients at an early phase of infection vary widely. While the majority of nasopharyngeal (NP) samples have a viral load lower than the limit of detection of infectious viruses, there are samples with an extraordinary amount of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and a high viral titer. No specific viral factors were identified that are associated with high viral loads. Host gene expression analysis showed that viral loads were strongly correlated with cellular antiviral responses. Interestingly, however, COVID-19 patients who experience mild symptoms have a higher viral load than those with severe complications, indicating that naso-pharyngeal viral load may not be a key factor of the clinical outcomes of COVID-19. The metagenomics analysis revealed that the microflora in the upper respiratory tract of COVID-19 patients with high viral loads were dominated by SARS-CoV-2, with a high degree of dysbiosis. Finally, we found a strong inverse correlation between upregulation of interferon responses and disease severity. Overall our study suggests that a high viral load in the upper respiratory tract may not be a critical factor for severe symptoms; rather, dampened antiviral responses may be a critical factor for a severe outcome from the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Rouchka
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Kentucky IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (KY-INBRE) Bioinformatics Core, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Julia H Chariker
- Kentucky IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (KY-INBRE) Bioinformatics Core, Louisville, KY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience Training, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Brian Alejandro
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Robert S Adcock
- Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Richa Singhal
- Kentucky IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (KY-INBRE) Bioinformatics Core, Louisville, KY, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Julio Ramirez
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Kenneth E Palmer
- Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Amanda B Lasnik
- Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Ruth Carrico
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Forest W Arnold
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Stephen Furmanek
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Mei Zhang
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Genomics Core Facility, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Leslie A Wolf
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Sabine Waigel
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Genomics Core Facility, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Wolfgang Zacharias
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Genomics Core Facility, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jose Bordon
- Washington Health Institute, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C, USA
- Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C, USA
| | - Donghoon Chung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
- Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA.
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34
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Aziz MC, Schneider PN, Carvill GL. Targeting Poison Exons to Treat Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy. Dev Neurosci 2021; 43:241-246. [PMID: 33971653 DOI: 10.1159/000516143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) describe a subset of neurodevelopmental disorders categorized by refractory epilepsy that is often associated with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. The majority of DEEs are now known to have a genetic basis with de novo coding variants accounting for the majority of cases. More recently, a small number of individuals have been identified with intronic SCN1A variants that result in alternative splicing events that lead to ectopic inclusion of poison exons (PEs). PEs are short highly conserved exons that contain a premature truncation codon, and when spliced into the transcript, lead to premature truncation and subsequent degradation by nonsense-mediated decay. The reason for the inclusion/exclusion of these PEs is not entirely clear, but research suggests an autoregulatory role in gene expression and protein abundance. This is seen in proteins such as RNA-binding proteins and serine/arginine-rich proteins. Recent studies have focused on targeting these PEs as a method for therapeutic intervention. Targeting PEs using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) has shown to be effective in modulating alternative splicing events by decreasing the amount of transcripts harboring PEs, thus increasing the abundance of full-length transcripts and thereby the amount of protein in haploinsufficient genes implicated in DEE. In the age of personalized medicine, cellular and animal models of the genetic epilepsies have become essential in developing and testing novel precision therapeutics, including PE-targeting ASOs in a subset of DEEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam C Aziz
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Patricia N Schneider
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal do Para, Belem, Brazil
| | - Gemma L Carvill
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Pediatrics, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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35
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Wang Y, Yu Y, Pang Y, Yu H, Zhang W, Zhao X, Yu J. The distinct roles of zinc finger CCHC-type (ZCCHC) superfamily proteins in the regulation of RNA metabolism. RNA Biol 2021; 18:2107-2126. [PMID: 33787465 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.1909320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The zinc finger CCHC-type (ZCCHC) superfamily proteins, characterized with the consensus sequence C-X2-C-X4-H-X4-C, are accepted to have high-affinity binding to single-stranded nucleic acids, especially single-stranded RNAs. In human beings 25 ZCCHC proteins have been annotated in the HGNC database. Of interest is that among the family, most members are involved in the multiple steps of RNA metabolism. In this review, we focus on the diverged roles of human ZCCHC proteins on RNA transcription, biogenesis, splicing, as well as translation and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yidan Pang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haojun Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianxiu Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Inflammation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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36
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Schwich OD, Blümel N, Keller M, Wegener M, Setty ST, Brunstein ME, Poser I, Mozos IRDL, Suess B, Münch C, McNicoll F, Zarnack K, Müller-McNicoll M. SRSF3 and SRSF7 modulate 3'UTR length through suppression or activation of proximal polyadenylation sites and regulation of CFIm levels. Genome Biol 2021; 22:82. [PMID: 33706811 PMCID: PMC7948361 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-021-02298-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alternative polyadenylation (APA) refers to the regulated selection of polyadenylation sites (PASs) in transcripts, which determines the length of their 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTRs). We have recently shown that SRSF3 and SRSF7, two closely related SR proteins, connect APA with mRNA export. The mechanism underlying APA regulation by SRSF3 and SRSF7 remained unknown. Results Here we combine iCLIP and 3′-end sequencing and find that SRSF3 and SRSF7 bind upstream of proximal PASs (pPASs), but they exert opposite effects on 3′UTR length. SRSF7 enhances pPAS usage in a concentration-dependent but splicing-independent manner by recruiting the cleavage factor FIP1, generating short 3′UTRs. Protein domains unique to SRSF7, which are absent from SRSF3, contribute to FIP1 recruitment. In contrast, SRSF3 promotes distal PAS (dPAS) usage and hence long 3′UTRs directly by counteracting SRSF7, but also indirectly by maintaining high levels of cleavage factor Im (CFIm) via alternative splicing. Upon SRSF3 depletion, CFIm levels decrease and 3′UTRs are shortened. The indirect SRSF3 targets are particularly sensitive to low CFIm levels, because here CFIm serves a dual function; it enhances dPAS and inhibits pPAS usage by binding immediately downstream and assembling unproductive cleavage complexes, which together promotes long 3′UTRs. Conclusions We demonstrate that SRSF3 and SRSF7 are direct modulators of pPAS usage and show how small differences in the domain architecture of SR proteins can confer opposite effects on pPAS regulation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13059-021-02298-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Daniel Schwich
- Institute for Molecular Bio Science, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.,Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nicole Blümel
- Institute for Molecular Bio Science, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mario Keller
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marius Wegener
- Institute for Molecular Bio Science, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.,Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Samarth Thonta Setty
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Melinda Elaine Brunstein
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Medical School, Goethe University Frankfurt, Sandhofstr. 2-4, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ina Poser
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Beatrix Suess
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Christian Münch
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Medical School, Goethe University Frankfurt, Sandhofstr. 2-4, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - François McNicoll
- Institute for Molecular Bio Science, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kathi Zarnack
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany. .,Faculty of Biological Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Michaela Müller-McNicoll
- Institute for Molecular Bio Science, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
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37
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Wagner RE, Frye M. Noncanonical functions of the serine-arginine-rich splicing factor (SR) family of proteins in development and disease. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000242. [PMID: 33554347 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Members of the serine/arginine (SR)-rich protein family of splicing factors play versatile roles in RNA processing steps and are often essential for normal development. Dynamic changes in RNA processing and turnover allow fast cellular adaptions to a changing microenvironment and thereby closely cooperate with transcription factor networks that establish cell identity within tissues. SR proteins play fundamental roles in the processing of pre-mRNAs by regulating constitutive and alternative splicing. More recently, SR proteins have also been implicated in other aspects of RNA metabolism such as mRNA stability, transport and translation. The- emerging noncanonical functions highlight the multifaceted functions of these SR proteins and identify them as important coordinators of gene expression programmes. Accordingly, most SR proteins are essential for normal cell function and their misregulation contributes to human diseases such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Wagner
- German Cancer Research Center - Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michaela Frye
- German Cancer Research Center - Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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38
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García-Moreno JF, Romão L. Perspective in Alternative Splicing Coupled to Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249424. [PMID: 33321981 PMCID: PMC7764535 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) of precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) is a cellular post-transcriptional process that generates protein isoform diversity. Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) is an mRNA surveillance pathway that recognizes and selectively degrades transcripts containing premature translation-termination codons (PTCs), thereby preventing the production of truncated proteins. Nevertheless, NMD also fine-tunes the gene expression of physiological mRNAs encoding full-length proteins. Interestingly, around one third of all AS events results in PTC-containing transcripts that undergo NMD. Numerous studies have reported a coordinated action between AS and NMD, in order to regulate the expression of several genes, especially those coding for RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). This coupling of AS to NMD (AS-NMD) is considered a gene expression tool that controls the ratio of productive to unproductive mRNA isoforms, ultimately degrading PTC-containing non-functional mRNAs. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms underlying AS-NMD, and how this regulatory process is able to control the homeostatic expression of numerous RBPs, including splicing factors, through auto- and cross-regulatory feedback loops. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of AS-NMD in the regulation of biological processes, such as cell differentiation. Finally, we analyze interesting recent data on the relevance of AS-NMD to human health, covering its potential roles in cancer and other disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan F. García-Moreno
- Department of Human Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Faculty of Science, BioISI—Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luísa Romão
- Department of Human Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Faculty of Science, BioISI—Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, University of Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-217-508-155
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39
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Leclair NK, Brugiolo M, Urbanski L, Lawson SC, Thakar K, Yurieva M, George J, Hinson JT, Cheng A, Graveley BR, Anczuków O. Poison Exon Splicing Regulates a Coordinated Network of SR Protein Expression during Differentiation and Tumorigenesis. Mol Cell 2020; 80:648-665.e9. [PMID: 33176162 PMCID: PMC7680420 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The RNA isoform repertoire is regulated by splicing factor (SF) expression, and alterations in SF levels are associated with disease. SFs contain ultraconserved poison exon (PE) sequences that exhibit greater identity across species than nearby coding exons, but their physiological role and molecular regulation is incompletely understood. We show that PEs in serine-arginine-rich (SR) proteins, a family of 14 essential SFs, are differentially spliced during induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) differentiation and in tumors versus normal tissues. We uncover an extensive cross-regulatory network of SR proteins controlling their expression via alternative splicing coupled to nonsense-mediated decay. We define sequences that regulate PE inclusion and protein expression of the oncogenic SF TRA2β using an RNA-targeting CRISPR screen. We demonstrate location dependency of RS domain activity on regulation of TRA2β-PE using CRISPR artificial SFs. Finally, we develop splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides to reverse the increased skipping of TRA2β-PE detected in breast tumors, altering breast cancer cell viability, proliferation, and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan K Leclair
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA; Graduate Program in Genetics and Development, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Mattia Brugiolo
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Laura Urbanski
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA; Graduate Program in Genetics and Development, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Shane C Lawson
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Development, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Ketan Thakar
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Marina Yurieva
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Joshy George
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA; Institute for Systems Genomics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - John Travis Hinson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Albert Cheng
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA; Institute for Systems Genomics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Brenton R Graveley
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA; Institute for Systems Genomics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Olga Anczuków
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA; Institute for Systems Genomics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
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