1
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Yadav C, Yadav R, Nanda S, Ranga S, Ahuja P. The hidden architects of the genome: a comprehensive review of R-loops. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:1095. [PMID: 39460836 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-10025-6] [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: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 10/14/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024]
Abstract
Three-stranded DNA: RNA hybrids known as R-loops form when the non-template DNA strand is displaced and the mRNA transcript anneals to its template strand. Although R-loop formation controls DNA damage response, mitochondrial and genomic transcription, and physiological R-loop formation, imbalanced formation of R-loop can jeopardize a cell's genomic integrity. Transcription regulation and immunoglobulin class switch recombination are two further specialized functions of genomic R-loops. R-loop formation has a dual role in the development of cancer and disturbed R-loop homeostasis as observed in several malignancies. R-loops transcribe at the telomeric and pericentromeric regions, develop in the space between long non-coding RNAs and telomeric repeats, and shield telomeres. In bacteria and archaea, R-loop development is a natural defence mechanism against viruses which also causes DNA degradation. Their emergence in the mammalian genome is controlled, suggesting that they were formed as an inevitable byproduct of RNA transcription but also co-opted for regulatory functions. R-loops may be engaged in cell physiology by regulating gene expression. R-loop biology is probably going to remain a fascinating field of study for a very long time as it offers many avenues for R-loop research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chetna Yadav
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India
| | - Ritu Yadav
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India.
| | - Smiti Nanda
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Pt. B.D. Sharma, University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India
| | - Shalu Ranga
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India
| | - Parul Ahuja
- Department of Genetics, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, 124001, India
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2
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Qiu Y, Man C, Zhu L, Zhang S, Wang X, Gong D, Fan Y. R-loops' m6A modification and its roles in cancers. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:232. [PMID: 39425197 PMCID: PMC11487993 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-02148-y] [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: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 10/21/2024] Open
Abstract
R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures composed of an RNA-DNA hybrid and a displaced DNA strand. They are widespread and play crucial roles in regulating gene expression, DNA replication, and DNA and histone modifications. However, their regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. As R-loop detection technology advances, changes in R-loop levels have been observed in cancer models, often associated with transcription-replication conflicts and genomic instability. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an RNA epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression by affecting RNA localization, splicing, translation, and degradation. Upon reviewing the literature, we found that R-loops with m6A modifications are implicated in tumor development and progression. This article summarizes the molecular mechanisms and detection methods of R-loops and m6A modifications in gene regulation, and reviews recent research on m6A-modified R-loops in oncology. Our goal is to provide new insights into the origins of genomic instability in cancer and potential strategies for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- Cancer Institute, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, No 8, Dianli Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, 212002, People's Republic of China
| | - Changfeng Man
- Cancer Institute, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, No 8, Dianli Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, 212002, People's Republic of China
| | - Luyu Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Suqian Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, No 120, Suzhi Road, Suqian, Jiangsu Province, 223812, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiqi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Suqian Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, No 120, Suzhi Road, Suqian, Jiangsu Province, 223812, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Suqian Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, No 120, Suzhi Road, Suqian, Jiangsu Province, 223812, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dandan Gong
- Cancer Institute, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, No 8, Dianli Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, 212002, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yu Fan
- Cancer Institute, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, No 8, Dianli Road, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, 212002, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Geraud M, Cristini A, Salimbeni S, Bery N, Jouffret V, Russo M, Ajello AC, Fernandez Martinez L, Marinello J, Cordelier P, Trouche D, Favre G, Nicolas E, Capranico G, Sordet O. TDP1 mutation causing SCAN1 neurodegenerative syndrome hampers the repair of transcriptional DNA double-strand breaks. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114214. [PMID: 38761375 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114214] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
TDP1 removes transcription-blocking topoisomerase I cleavage complexes (TOP1ccs), and its inactivating H493R mutation causes the neurodegenerative syndrome SCAN1. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the SCAN1 phenotype is unclear. Here, we generate human SCAN1 cell models using CRISPR-Cas9 and show that they accumulate TOP1ccs along with changes in gene expression and genomic distribution of R-loops. SCAN1 cells also accumulate transcriptional DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) specifically in the G1 cell population due to increased DSB formation and lack of repair, both resulting from abortive removal of transcription-blocking TOP1ccs. Deficient TDP1 activity causes increased DSB production, and the presence of mutated TDP1 protein hampers DSB repair by a TDP2-dependent backup pathway. This study provides powerful models to study TDP1 functions under physiological and pathological conditions and unravels that a gain of function of the mutated TDP1 protein, which prevents DSB repair, rather than a loss of TDP1 activity itself, could contribute to SCAN1 pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathéa Geraud
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Agnese Cristini
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Simona Salimbeni
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicolas Bery
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Virginie Jouffret
- MCD, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France; BigA Core Facility, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Marco Russo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Carla Ajello
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Lara Fernandez Martinez
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Jessica Marinello
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Pierre Cordelier
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Didier Trouche
- MCD, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Gilles Favre
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Estelle Nicolas
- MCD, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Giovanni Capranico
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Olivier Sordet
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse (CRCT), INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France.
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4
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Mérida-Cerro JA, Maraver-Cárdenas P, Rondón AG, Aguilera A. Rat1 promotes premature transcription termination at R-loops. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3623-3635. [PMID: 38281203 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae033] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Certain DNA sequences can adopt a non-B form in the genome that interfere with DNA-templated processes, including transcription. Among the sequences that are intrinsically difficult to transcribe are those that tend to form R-loops, three-stranded nucleic acid structures formed by a DNA-RNA hybrid and the displaced ssDNA. Here we compared the transcription of an endogenous gene with and without an R-loop-forming sequence inserted. We show that, in agreement with previous in vivo and in vitro analyses, transcription elongation is delayed by R-loops in yeast. Importantly, we demonstrate that the Rat1 transcription terminator factor facilitates transcription throughout such structures by inducing premature termination of arrested RNAPIIs. We propose that RNase H degrades the RNA moiety of the hybrid, providing an entry site for Rat1. Thus, we have uncovered an unanticipated function of Rat1 as a transcription restoring factor opening up the possibility that it may also promote transcription through other genomic DNA structures intrinsically difficult to transcribe. If R-loop-mediated transcriptional stress is not relieved by Rat1, it will cause genomic instability, probably through the increase of transcription-replication conflicts, a deleterious situation that could lead to cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Mérida-Cerro
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Pablo Maraver-Cárdenas
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Ana G Rondón
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa-CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, 41092 Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
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5
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Westover KR, Jin P, Yao B. Bridging the gap: R-loop mediated genomic instability and its implications in neurological diseases. Epigenomics 2024; 16:589-608. [PMID: 38530068 PMCID: PMC11160457 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
R-loops, intricate three-stranded structures formed by RNA-DNA hybrids and an exposed non-template DNA strand, are fundamental to various biological phenomena. They carry out essential and contrasting functions within cellular mechanisms, underlining their critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The specific cellular context that dictates R-loop formation determines their function, particularly emphasizing the necessity for their meticulous genomic regulation. Notably, the aberrant formation or misregulation of R-loops is implicated in numerous neurological disorders. This review focuses on the complex interactions between R-loops and double-strand DNA breaks, exploring how R-loop dysregulation potentially contributes to the pathogenesis of various brain disorders, which could provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning neurological disease progression and identify potential therapeutic targets by highlighting these aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R Westover
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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6
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Roy B, Amemasor E, Hussain S, Castro K. UBE3A: The Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and a Potential Candidate for Biomarker Studies and Designing Therapeutic Strategies. Diseases 2023; 12:7. [PMID: 38248358 PMCID: PMC10814747 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12010007] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Published reports from the CDC's Autism and Development Disabilities Monitoring Networks have shown that an average of 1 in every 44 (2.3%) 8-year-old children were estimated to have ASD in 2018. Many of the ASDs exhibiting varying degrees of autism-like phenotypes have chromosomal anomalies in the Chr15q11-q13 region. Numerous potential candidate genes linked with ASD reside in this chromosomal segment. However, several clinical, in vivo, and in vitro studies selected one gene more frequently than others randomly and unbiasedly. This gene codes for UBE3A or Ubiquitin protein ligase E3A [also known as E6AP ubiquitin-protein ligase (E6AP)], an enzyme involved in the cellular degradation of proteins. This gene has been listed as one of the several genes with a high potential of causing ASD in the Autism Database. The gain of function mutations, triplication, or duplication in the UBE3A gene is also associated with ASDs like Angelman Syndrome (AS) and Dup15q Syndrome. The genetic imprinting of UBE3A in the brain and a preference for neuronal maternal-specific expression are the key features of various ASDs. Since the UBE3A gene is involved in two main important diseases associated with autism-like symptoms, there has been widespread research going on in understanding the link between this gene and autism. Additionally, since no universal methodology or mechanism exists for identifying UBE3A-mediated ASD, it continues to be challenging for neurobiologists, neuroscientists, and clinicians to design therapies or diagnostic tools. In this review, we focus on the structure and functional aspects of the UBE3A protein, discuss the primary relevance of the 15q11-q13 region in the cause of ASDs, and highlight the link between UBE3A and ASD. We try to broaden the knowledge of our readers by elaborating on the possible mechanisms underlying UBE3A-mediated ASDs, emphasizing the usage of UBE3A as a prospective biomarker in the preclinical diagnosis of ASDs and discuss the positive outcomes, advanced developments, and the hurdles in the field of therapeutic strategies against UBE3A-mediated ASDs. This review is novel as it lays a very detailed and comprehensive platform for one of the most important genes associated with diseases showing autistic-like symptoms. Additionally, this review also attempts to lay optimistic feedback on the possible steps for the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of these UBE3A-mediated ASDs in the upcoming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidisha Roy
- Life Science Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (E.A.); (S.H.); (K.C.)
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7
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Cusan M, Shen H, Zhang B, Liao A, Yang L, Jin M, Fernandez M, Iyer P, Wu Y, Hart K, Gutierrez C, Nik S, Pruett-Miller SM, Stark J, Obeng EA, Bowman TV, Wu CJ, Lin RJ, Wang L. SF3B1 mutation and ATM deletion codrive leukemogenesis via centromeric R-loop dysregulation. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e163325. [PMID: 37463047 PMCID: PMC10471171 DOI: 10.1172/jci163325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA splicing factor SF3B1 is recurrently mutated in various cancers, particularly in hematologic malignancies. We previously reported that coexpression of Sf3b1 mutation and Atm deletion in B cells, but not either lesion alone, leads to the onset of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with CLL cells harboring chromosome amplification. However, the exact role of Sf3b1 mutation and Atm deletion in chromosomal instability (CIN) remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that SF3B1 mutation promotes centromeric R-loop (cen-R-loop) accumulation, leading to increased chromosome oscillation, impaired chromosome segregation, altered spindle architecture, and aneuploidy, which could be alleviated by removal of cen-R-loop and exaggerated by deletion of ATM. Aberrant splicing of key genes involved in R-loop processing underlay augmentation of cen-R-loop, as overexpression of the normal isoform, but not the altered form, mitigated mitotic stress in SF3B1-mutant cells. Our study identifies a critical role of splice variants in linking RNA splicing dysregulation and CIN and highlights cen-R-loop augmentation as a key mechanism for leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Cusan
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
| | - Haifeng Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
- Department of Hematology, Union Hospital Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Aijun Liao
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
| | - Meiling Jin
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
| | - Mike Fernandez
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Prajish Iyer
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
| | - Yiming Wu
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
| | - Kevyn Hart
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
| | - Catherine Gutierrez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara Nik
- Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shondra M. Pruett-Miller
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jeremy Stark
- Department of Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Esther A. Obeng
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Teresa V. Bowman
- Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ren-Jang Lin
- Center for RNA Biology and Therapeutics, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, California, USA
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Monrovia, California, USA
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8
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Conn VM, Gabryelska M, Toubia J, Kirk K, Gantley L, Powell JA, Cildir G, Marri S, Liu R, Stringer BW, Townley S, Webb ST, Lin H, Samaraweera SE, Bailey S, Moore AS, Maybury M, Liu D, Colella AD, Chataway T, Wallington-Gates CT, Walters L, Sibbons J, Selth LA, Tergaonkar V, D'Andrea RJ, Pitson SM, Goodall GJ, Conn SJ. Circular RNAs drive oncogenic chromosomal translocations within the MLL recombinome in leukemia. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:1309-1326.e10. [PMID: 37295428 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The first step of oncogenesis is the acquisition of a repertoire of genetic mutations to initiate and sustain the malignancy. An important example of this initiation phase in acute leukemias is the formation of a potent oncogene by chromosomal translocations between the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene and one of 100 translocation partners, known as the MLL recombinome. Here, we show that circular RNAs (circRNAs)-a family of covalently closed, alternatively spliced RNA molecules-are enriched within the MLL recombinome and can bind DNA, forming circRNA:DNA hybrids (circR loops) at their cognate loci. These circR loops promote transcriptional pausing, proteasome inhibition, chromatin re-organization, and DNA breakage. Importantly, overexpressing circRNAs in mouse leukemia xenograft models results in co-localization of genomic loci, de novo generation of clinically relevant chromosomal translocations mimicking the MLL recombinome, and hastening of disease onset. Our findings provide fundamental insight into the acquisition of chromosomal translocations by endogenous RNA carcinogens in leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa M Conn
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Marta Gabryelska
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - John Toubia
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; ACRF Cancer Genomics Facility, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Kirsty Kirk
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Laura Gantley
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Jason A Powell
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Gökhan Cildir
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Shashikanth Marri
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Ryan Liu
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Brett W Stringer
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Scott Townley
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Stuart T Webb
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - He Lin
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Saumya E Samaraweera
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Sheree Bailey
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Andrew S Moore
- Child Health Research Centre, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia; Oncology Service, Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Mellissa Maybury
- Child Health Research Centre, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Dawei Liu
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Alex D Colella
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; Flinders Omics Facility, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Timothy Chataway
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; Flinders Omics Facility, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Craig T Wallington-Gates
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Lucie Walters
- Adelaide Rural Clinical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Jane Sibbons
- Adelaide Microscopy, Division of Research and Innovation, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Luke A Selth
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; Freemasons Centre for Male Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Laboratory of NFκB Signalling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Republic of Singapore
| | - Richard J D'Andrea
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Stuart M Pitson
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Gregory J Goodall
- Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Simon J Conn
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; Centre for Cancer Biology, SA Pathology & University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
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9
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Porter H, Li Y, Neguembor MV, Beltran M, Varsally W, Martin L, Cornejo MT, Pezić D, Bhamra A, Surinova S, Jenner RG, Cosma MP, Hadjur S. Cohesin-independent STAG proteins interact with RNA and R-loops and promote complex loading. eLife 2023; 12:e79386. [PMID: 37010886 PMCID: PMC10238091 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Most studies of cohesin function consider the Stromalin Antigen (STAG/SA) proteins as core complex members given their ubiquitous interaction with the cohesin ring. Here, we provide functional data to support the notion that the SA subunit is not a mere passenger in this structure, but instead plays a key role in the localization of cohesin to diverse biological processes and promotes loading of the complex at these sites. We show that in cells acutely depleted for RAD21, SA proteins remain bound to chromatin, cluster in 3D and interact with CTCF, as well as with a wide range of RNA binding proteins involved in multiple RNA processing mechanisms. Accordingly, SA proteins interact with RNA, and R-loops, even in the absence of cohesin. Our results place SA1 on chromatin upstream of the cohesin ring and reveal a role for SA1 in cohesin loading which is independent of NIPBL, the canonical cohesin loader. We propose that SA1 takes advantage of structural R-loop platforms to link cohesin loading and chromatin structure with diverse functions. Since SA proteins are pan-cancer targets, and R-loops play an increasingly prevalent role in cancer biology, our results have important implications for the mechanistic understanding of SA proteins in cancer and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley Porter
- Research Department of Cancer Biology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yang Li
- Research Department of Cancer Biology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Victoria Neguembor
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Beltran
- Regulatory Genomics Group, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Wazeer Varsally
- Research Department of Cancer Biology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Martin
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuel Tavares Cornejo
- Regulatory Genomics Group, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dubravka Pezić
- Research Department of Cancer Biology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amandeep Bhamra
- Proteomics Research Translational Technology Platform, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Surinova
- Proteomics Research Translational Technology Platform, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard G Jenner
- Regulatory Genomics Group, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Pia Cosma
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Suzana Hadjur
- Research Department of Cancer Biology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Saha S, Pommier Y. R-loops, type I topoisomerases and cancer. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad013. [PMID: 37600974 PMCID: PMC9984992 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are abundant and dynamic structures ubiquitously present in human cells both in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. They form in cis in the wake of transcription complexes and in trans apart from transcription complexes. In this review, we focus on the relationship between R-loops and topoisomerases, and cancer genomics and therapies. We summarize the topological parameters associated with the formation and resolution of R-loops, which absorb and release high levels of genomic negative supercoiling (Sc-). We review the deleterious consequences of excessive R-loops and rationalize how human type IA (TOP3B) and type IB (TOP1) topoisomerases regulate and resolve R-loops in coordination with helicase and RNase H enzymes. We also review the drugs (topoisomerase inhibitors, splicing inhibitors, G4 stabilizing ligands) and cancer predisposing genes (BRCA1/2, transcription, and splicing genes) known to induce R-loops, and whether stabilizing R-loops and thereby inducing genomic damage can be viewed as a strategy for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Saha
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch & Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yves Pommier
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch & Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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11
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Scheuren M, Möhner J, Zischler H. R-loop landscape in mature human sperm: Regulatory and evolutionary implications. Front Genet 2023; 14:1069871. [PMID: 37139234 PMCID: PMC10149866 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1069871] [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: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures consisting of an RNA:DNA hybrid and a displaced DNA strand. While R-loops pose a potential threat to genome integrity, they constitute 5% of the human genome. The role of R-loops in transcriptional regulation, DNA replication, and chromatin signature is becoming increasingly clear. R-loops are associated with various histone modifications, suggesting that they may modulate chromatin accessibility. To potentially harness transcription-coupled repair mechanisms in the germline, nearly the entire genome is expressed during the early stages of male gametogenesis in mammals, providing ample opportunity for the formation of a transcriptome-dependent R-loop landscape in male germ cells. In this study, our data demonstrated the presence of R-loops in fully mature human and bonobo sperm heads and their partial correspondence to transcribed regions and chromatin structure, which is massively reorganized from mainly histone to mainly protamine-packed chromatin in mature sperm. The sperm R-loop landscape resembles characteristic patterns of somatic cells. Surprisingly, we detected R-loops in both residual histone and protamine-packed chromatin and localize them to still-active retroposons, ALUs and SINE-VNTR-ALUs (SVAs), the latter has recently arisen in hominoid primates. We detected both evolutionarily conserved and species-specific localizations. Comparing our DNA-RNA immunoprecipitation (DRIP) data with published DNA methylation and histone chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) data, we hypothesize that R-loops epigenetically reduce methylation of SVAs. Strikingly, we observe a strong influence of R-loops on the transcriptomes of zygotes from early developmental stages before zygotic genome activation. Overall, these findings suggest that chromatin accessibility influenced by R-loops may represent a system of inherited gene regulation.
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12
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Hodson C, van Twest S, Dylewska M, O'Rourke JJ, Tan W, Murphy VJ, Walia M, Abbouche L, Nieminuszczy J, Dunn E, Bythell-Douglas R, Heierhorst J, Niedzwiedz W, Deans AJ. Branchpoint translocation by fork remodelers as a general mechanism of R-loop removal. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111749. [PMID: 36476850 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-transcriptional R loops arise from stalling of RNA polymerase, leading to the formation of stable DNA:RNA hybrids. Unresolved R loops promote genome instability but are counteracted by helicases and nucleases. Here, we show that branchpoint translocases are a third class of R-loop-displacing enzyme in vitro. In cells, deficiency in the Fanconi-anemia-associated branchpoint translocase FANCM causes R-loop accumulation, particularly after treatment with DNA:RNA-hybrid-stabilizing agents. This correlates with FANCM localization at R-loop-prone regions of the genome. Moreover, other branchpoint translocases associated with human disease, such as SMARCAL1 and ZRANB3, and those from lower organisms can also remove R loops in vitro. Branchpoint translocases are more potent than helicases in resolving R loops, indicating their evolutionary important role in R-loop suppression. In human cells, FANCM, SMARCAL1, and ZRANB3 depletion causes additive effects on R-loop accumulation and DNA damage. Our work reveals a mechanistic basis for R-loop displacement that is linked to genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Hodson
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Sylvie van Twest
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | | | - Julienne J O'Rourke
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Winnie Tan
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Vincent J Murphy
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Mannu Walia
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Lara Abbouche
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | | | - Elyse Dunn
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Rohan Bythell-Douglas
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | - Jörg Heierhorst
- Department of Medicine (St Vincent's Health), University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia; Molecular Genetics Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia
| | | | - Andrew J Deans
- Genome Stability Unit, St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia; Department of Medicine (St Vincent's Health), University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
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13
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Khan ES, Danckwardt S. Pathophysiological Role and Diagnostic Potential of R-Loops in Cancer and Beyond. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122181. [PMID: 36553448 PMCID: PMC9777984 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops are DNA-RNA hybrids that play multifunctional roles in gene regulation, including replication, transcription, transcription-replication collision, epigenetics, and preserving the integrity of the genome. The aberrant formation and accumulation of unscheduled R-loops can disrupt gene expression and damage DNA, thereby causing genome instability. Recent links between unscheduled R-loop accumulation and the abundance of proteins that modulate R-loop biogenesis have been associated with numerous human diseases, including various cancers. Although R-loops are not necessarily causative for all disease entities described to date, they can perpetuate and even exacerbate the initially disease-eliciting pathophysiology, making them structures of interest for molecular diagnostics. In this review, we discuss the (patho) physiological role of R-loops in health and disease, their surprising diagnostic potential, and state-of-the-art techniques for their detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essak S. Khan
- Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation, Cancer Research and Experimental Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), DKFZ Frankfurt-Mainz, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sven Danckwardt
- Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation, Cancer Research and Experimental Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Rhine-Main, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Correspondence:
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14
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Yousuf A, Ahmed N, Qurashi A. Non-canonical DNA/RNA structures associated with the pathogenesis of Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. Front Genet 2022; 13:866021. [PMID: 36110216 PMCID: PMC9468596 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.866021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and fragile X syndrome (FXS) are primary examples of fragile X-related disorders (FXDs) caused by abnormal expansion of CGG repeats above a certain threshold in the 5'-untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation (FMR1) gene. Both diseases have distinct clinical manifestations and molecular pathogenesis. FXTAS is a late-adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by a premutation (PM) allele (CGG expansion of 55-200 repeats), resulting in FMR1 gene hyperexpression. On the other hand, FXS is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results from a full mutation (FM) allele (CGG expansions of ≥200 repeats) leading to heterochromatization and transcriptional silencing of the FMR1 gene. The main challenge is to determine how CGG repeat expansion affects the fundamentally distinct nature of FMR1 expression in FM and PM ranges. Abnormal CGG repeat expansions form a variety of non-canonical DNA and RNA structures that can disrupt various cellular processes and cause distinct effects in PM and FM alleles. Here, we review these structures and how they are related to underlying mutations and disease pathology in FXS and FXTAS. Finally, as new CGG expansions within the genome have been identified, it will be interesting to determine their implications in disease pathology and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Abrar Qurashi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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15
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Chen L, Liu Z, Tang H, Zhou Z, Chen J, Ma Z, Deng M, Li X, Wu Y, Zheng L, Zhou L, Zheng X, Liu Z. Knockdown of ZBTB11 impedes R‐loop elimination and increases the sensitivity to cisplatin by inhibiting DDX1 transcription in bladder cancer. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13325. [DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Zefu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Huancheng Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Zhaohui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Jiawei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Zikun Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Minhua Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Xiangdong Li
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Yuanzhong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Lisi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Liwen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Xianchong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
| | - Zhuowei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
- Department of Urology Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center Guangzhou China
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16
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High-throughput techniques enable advances in the roles of DNA and RNA secondary structures in transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation. Genome Biol 2022; 23:159. [PMID: 35851062 PMCID: PMC9290270 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02727-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The most stable structure of DNA is the canonical right-handed double helix termed B DNA. However, certain environments and sequence motifs favor alternative conformations, termed non-canonical secondary structures. The roles of DNA and RNA secondary structures in transcriptional regulation remain incompletely understood. However, advances in high-throughput assays have enabled genome wide characterization of some secondary structures. Here, we describe their regulatory functions in promoters and 3’UTRs, providing insights into key mechanisms through which they regulate gene expression. We discuss their implication in human disease, and how advances in molecular technologies and emerging high-throughput experimental methods could provide additional insights.
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17
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Li C, Chen B, Yu H. Splicing-mediated activation of SHAGGY-like kinases underpinning carbon partitioning in Arabidopsis seeds. THE PLANT CELL 2022; 34:2730-2746. [PMID: 35435232 PMCID: PMC9252489 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koac110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) family members serve as signaling hubs for plant development and stress responses, yet the underlying mechanism of their transcriptional regulation remains a long-standing mystery. Here we show that the transcription of SHAGGY-like kinase 11/12 (SK11/12), two members of the GSK3 gene family, is promoted by the splicing factor SmD1b, which is essential for distributing carbon sources into storage and protective components in Arabidopsis seeds. The chromatin recruitment of SmD1b at the SK11/12 loci promotes their transcription associated with co-transcriptional splicing of the first introns in the 5'-untranslated region of SK11/12. The loss of SmD1b function generates transcripts with unspliced introns that create disruptive R-loops to hamper the transcriptional elongation of SK11/12, in addition to compromising the recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the SK11/12 genomic regions. These effects imposed by SmD1b determine the transcription of SK11/12 to confer a key switch of carbon flow among metabolic pathways in zygotic and maternal tissues in seeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxiang Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Bin Chen
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Hao Yu
- Author for correspondence:
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18
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Pan X, Huang LF. Multi-omics to characterize the functional relationships of R-loops with epigenetic modifications, RNAPII transcription and gene expression. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6618633. [DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Abnormal accumulation of R-loops results in replication stress, genome instability, chromatin alterations and gene silencing. Little research has been done to characterize functional relationships among R-loops, histone marks, RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription and gene regulation. We built extremely randomized trees (ETs) models to predict the genome-wide R-loops using RNAPII and multiple histone modifications chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq, DNase-seq, Global Run-On sequencing (GRO-seq) and R-loop profiling data. We compared the performance of ET models to multiple machine learning approaches, and the proposed ET models achieved the best and extremely robust performances. Epigenetic profiles are highly predictive of R-loops genome-widely and they are strongly associated with R-loop formation. In addition, the presence of R-loops is significantly correlated with RNAPII transcription activity, H3K4me3 and open chromatin around the transcription start site, and H3K9me1 and H3K9me3 around the transcription termination site. RNAPII pausing defects were correlated with 5′R-loops accumulation, and transcriptional termination defects and read-throughs were correlated with 3′R-loops accumulation. Furthermore, we found driver genes with 5′R-loops and RNAPII pausing defects express significantly higher and genes with 3′R-loops and read-through transcription express significantly lower than genes without R-loops. These driver genes are enriched with chromosomal instability, Hippo–Merlin signaling Dysregulation, DNA damage response and TGF-β pathways, indicating R-loops accumulating at the 5′ end of genes play oncogenic roles, whereas at the 3′ end of genes play tumor-suppressive roles in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxin Pan
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology , Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 , USA
| | - L Frank Huang
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology , Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229 , USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Cincinnati, OH 45229 , USA
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19
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Mishra A, Prabha PK, Singla R, Kaur G, Sharma AR, Joshi R, Suroy B, Medhi B. Epigenetic Interface of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs): Implications of Chromosome 15q11-q13 Segment. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1684-1696. [PMID: 35635007 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are multifactorial in nature and include both genetic and environmental factors. The increasing evidence advocates an important role of epigenetics in ASD etiology. One of the most common forms of epigenetic changes observed in the case of neurodevelopmental disorders is imprinting which is tightly regulated by developmental and tissue-specific mechanisms. Interestingly, many of these disorders that demonstrate autism-like phenotypes at varying degrees have found involvement of chromosome 15q11-q13 segment. Numerous studies demonstrate occurrence of ASD in the presence of chromosomal abnormalities located mainly in Chr15q11-q13 region. Several plausible candidate genes associated with ASD are in this chromosomal segment, including gamma aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor genes GABRB3, GABRA5 and GABRG3, UBE3A, ATP 10A, MKRN3, ZNF, MAGEL2, Necdin (NDN), and SNRPN. The main objective of this review is to highlight the contribution of epigenetic modulations in chromosome 15q11-q13 segment toward the genetic etiology and pathophysiology of ASD. The present review reports the abnormalities in epigenetic regulation on genes and genomic regions located on chromosome 15 in relation to either syndromic (15q11-q13 maternal duplication) or nonsyndromic forms of ASD. Furthermore, studies reviewed in this article demonstrate conditions in which epigenetic dysregulation has been found to be a pathological factor for ASD development, thereby supporting a role for epigenetics in the multifactorial etiologies of ASD. Also, on the basis of the evidence found so far, we strongly emphasize the need to develop future therapeutic strategies as well as screening procedures for ASD that target mechanisms involving genes located on the chromosomal 15q11-q13 segment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Mishra
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Praisy K Prabha
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Rubal Singla
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Gurjeet Kaur
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Amit Raj Sharma
- Dept. of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Rupa Joshi
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Benjamin Suroy
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
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20
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He D, Guo Y, Cheng J, Wang Y. Chl1 coordinates with H3K9 methyltransferase Clr4 to reduce the accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids and maintain genome stability. iScience 2022; 25:104313. [PMID: 35602970 PMCID: PMC9118164 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A genome-wide analysis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe indicated that double-deletion mutants of Chl1 and histone H3K9 methyltransferase complex factors are synthetically sick. Here, we show that loss of Chl1 increases the accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids at pericentromeric dg and dh repeats in the absence of the H3K9 methyltransferase Clr4, which leads to genome instability, including more severe defects in chromosome segregation and increased chromatin accessibility. Localization of Chl1 at pericentromeric regions depends on a subunit of replication protein A (RPA), Ssb1. In wild-type (WT) cells, transcriptionally repressed heterochromatin prevents the formation of RNA-DNA hybrids. When Clr4 is deleted, dg and dh repeats are highly transcribed. Then Ssb1 associates with the displaced single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and recruits Chl1 to resolve the RNA-DNA hybrids. Together, our data suggest that Chl1 coordinates with Clr4 to eliminate RNA-DNA hybrids, which contributes to the maintenance of genome integrity. Double mutant of Chl1 and Chl1 leads to the accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids RNA-DNA hybrids at pericentromeric regions affect genome stability and cell viability Ssb1 recruits Chl1 to unwind RNA-DNA hybrids in the absence of Clr4
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyun He
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- College of Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Shandong Microbial Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250353, China
| | - Yazhen Guo
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jinkui Cheng
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yu Wang
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Corresponding author
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21
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Brickner JR, Garzon JL, Cimprich KA. Walking a tightrope: The complex balancing act of R-loops in genome stability. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2267-2297. [PMID: 35508167 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although transcription is an essential cellular process, it is paradoxically also a well-recognized cause of genomic instability. R-loops, non-B DNA structures formed when nascent RNA hybridizes to DNA to displace the non-template strand as single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), are partially responsible for this instability. Yet, recent work has begun to elucidate regulatory roles for R-loops in maintaining the genome. In this review, we discuss the cellular contexts in which R-loops contribute to genomic instability, particularly during DNA replication and double-strand break (DSB) repair. We also summarize the evidence that R-loops participate as an intermediate during repair and may influence pathway choice to preserve genomic integrity. Finally, we discuss the immunogenic potential of R-loops and highlight their links to disease should they become pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R Brickner
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jada L Garzon
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karlene A Cimprich
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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22
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Lim J, Laffleur B, Basu U, Yu K. Identification of RNA-DNA Hybrids Associated with R-Loops at the IgH Switch Sequence in Activated B Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2528:55-66. [PMID: 35704185 PMCID: PMC9261291 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2477-7_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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
During transcription and replication, R-loops that contain RNA-DNA hybrids are generated across numerous genomic loci and contribute to many biological events. Using S9.6, a monoclonal antibody against RNA-DNA hybrids, accelerated the study of R-loop biology. An outpouring of recent studies has implicated various contributions of R-loop in physiological cellular functions. Earlier studies using nondenaturing sodium bisulfite probing also supported existence of DNA-RNA hybrids formation in mammalian cells. In activated B cells, RNA-DNA hybrids formation at IgH gene locus of B cells is crucial for class switch recombination that ensure the proper effector function of the antibody. Here, we describe the identification of R-loops associated with the IgH locus using RNA-DNA hybrid immunoprecipitation sequencing and nondenaturing sodium bisulfite probing. This will be helpful for future studies of R-loops status on whole genome as well as on IgH locus in B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghyun Lim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Brice Laffleur
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- INSERM U1236, University of Rennes, Etablissement Français du Sang, Rennes, France
| | - Uttiya Basu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Kefei Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
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23
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Arab K, Niehrs C. In Vitro Binding of GADD45A to RNA:DNA Hybrids. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2528:277-287. [PMID: 35704198 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2477-7_18] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
R-loops are three-stranded RNA:DNA hybrid structures that frequently form during transcription. While R-loop misregulation is associated with genome instability, cells also harness RNA-DNA hybrids in scheduled, "regulatory," R-loops to control gene expression. One regulatory role involves epigenetic gene regulation by the R-loop reader Growth Arrest and DNA Damage 45A (GADD45A). This small stress related protein promotes DNA demethylation by recruiting TET dioxygenase and Thymine DNA glycosylase to specific genomic loci. GADD45A requires adapters for its genomic localization. One such class of adapters are R-loops formed at certain CpG island promoters to which GADD45A binds directly, targets the demethylation machinery, and confers an open chromatin state. Here, we describe protocols for carrying out in vitro binding assays with GADD45A to RNA:DNA hybrids to biochemically study its direct binding to R-loops, specifically GADD45A pulldown and EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift) assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khelifa Arab
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany.
| | - Christof Niehrs
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany.
- Division of Molecular Embryology, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Heidelberg, Germany.
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24
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Bhattacharjee S, Rehman I, Nandy S, Das BB. Post-translational regulation of Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase (TDP1 and TDP2) for the repair of the trapped topoisomerase-DNA covalent complex. DNA Repair (Amst) 2022; 111:103277. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2022.103277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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25
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Kwak YD, Shaw TI, Downing SM, Tewari A, Jin H, Li Y, Dumitrache LC, Katyal S, Khodakhah K, Russell HR, McKinnon PJ. Chromatin architecture at susceptible gene loci in cerebellar Purkinje cells characterizes DNA damage-induced neurodegeneration. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabg6363. [PMID: 34910524 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg6363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of inherited genome instability neurodegenerative syndromes remains largely unknown. Here, we report new disease-relevant murine models of genome instability–driven neurodegeneration involving disabled ATM and APTX that develop debilitating ataxia. We show that neurodegeneration and ataxia result from transcriptional interference in the cerebellum via aberrant messenger RNA splicing. Unexpectedly, these splicing defects were restricted to only Purkinje cells, disrupting the expression of critical homeostatic regulators including ITPR1, GRID2, and CA8. Abundant genotoxic R loops were also found at these Purkinje cell gene loci, further exacerbating DNA damage and transcriptional disruption. Using ATAC-seq to profile global chromatin accessibility in the cerebellum, we found a notably unique chromatin conformation specifically in Purkinje chromatin at the affected gene loci, thereby promoting susceptibility to DNA damage. These data reveal the pathogenic basis of DNA damage in the nervous system and suggest chromatin conformation as a feature in directing genome instability–associated neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Don Kwak
- Departments of Genetics and Cell Molecular Biology, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, St. Jude Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | | | - Susanna M Downing
- Departments of Genetics and Cell Molecular Biology, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, St. Jude Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ambika Tewari
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Hongjian Jin
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Departments of Genetics and Cell Molecular Biology, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, St. Jude Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Lavinia C Dumitrache
- Departments of Genetics and Cell Molecular Biology, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, St. Jude Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Sachin Katyal
- CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, CancerCare Manitoba and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E OV9, Canada
| | - Kamran Khodakhah
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Helen R Russell
- Departments of Genetics and Cell Molecular Biology, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, St. Jude Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Peter J McKinnon
- Departments of Genetics and Cell Molecular Biology, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, St. Jude Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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26
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Wang T, Li J, Yang L, Wu M, Ma Q. The Role of Long Non-coding RNAs in Human Imprinting Disorders: Prospective Therapeutic Targets. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:730014. [PMID: 34760887 PMCID: PMC8573313 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.730014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is a term used for an intergenerational epigenetic inheritance and involves a subset of genes expressed in a parent-of-origin-dependent way. Imprinted genes are expressed preferentially from either the paternally or maternally inherited allele. Long non-coding RNAs play essential roles in regulating this allele-specific expression. In several well-studied imprinting clusters, long non-coding RNAs have been found to be essential in regulating temporal- and spatial-specific establishment and maintenance of imprinting patterns. Furthermore, recent insights into the epigenetic pathological mechanisms underlying human genomic imprinting disorders suggest that allele-specific expressed imprinted long non-coding RNAs serve as an upstream regulator of the expression of other protein-coding or non-coding imprinted genes in the same cluster. Aberrantly expressed long non-coding RNAs result in bi-allelic expression or silencing of neighboring imprinted genes. Here, we review the emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs in regulating the expression of imprinted genes, especially in human imprinting disorders, and discuss three strategies targeting the central long non-coding RNA UBE3A-ATS for the purpose of developing therapies for the imprinting disorders Prader-Willi syndrome and Angelman syndrome. In summary, a better understanding of long non-coding RNA-related mechanisms is key to the development of potential therapeutic targets for human imprinting disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingxuan Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianjian Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liuyi Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Manyin Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qing Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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27
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Zhao X, Usdin K. (Dys)function Follows Form: Nucleic Acid Structure, Repeat Expansion, and Disease Pathology in FMR1 Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179167. [PMID: 34502075 PMCID: PMC8431139 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X-related disorders (FXDs), also known as FMR1 disorders, are examples of repeat expansion diseases (REDs), clinical conditions that arise from an increase in the number of repeats in a disease-specific microsatellite. In the case of FXDs, the repeat unit is CGG/CCG and the repeat tract is located in the 5' UTR of the X-linked FMR1 gene. Expansion can result in neurodegeneration, ovarian dysfunction, or intellectual disability depending on the number of repeats in the expanded allele. A growing body of evidence suggests that the mutational mechanisms responsible for many REDs share several common features. It is also increasingly apparent that in some of these diseases the pathologic consequences of expansion may arise in similar ways. It has long been known that many of the disease-associated repeats form unusual DNA and RNA structures. This review will focus on what is known about these structures, the proteins with which they interact, and how they may be related to the causative mutation and disease pathology in the FMR1 disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Zhao
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (K.U.); Tel.: +1-301-451-6322 (X.Z.); +1-301-496-2189 (K.U.)
| | - Karen Usdin
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (K.U.); Tel.: +1-301-451-6322 (X.Z.); +1-301-496-2189 (K.U.)
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28
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Uruci S, Lo CSY, Wheeler D, Taneja N. R-Loops and Its Chro-Mates: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168850. [PMID: 34445553 PMCID: PMC8396322 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their discovery, R-loops have been associated with both physiological and pathological functions that are conserved across species. R-loops are a source of replication stress and genome instability, as seen in neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. In response, cells have evolved pathways to prevent R-loop accumulation as well as to resolve them. A growing body of evidence correlates R-loop accumulation with changes in the epigenetic landscape. However, the role of chromatin modification and remodeling in R-loops homeostasis remains unclear. This review covers various mechanisms precluding R-loop accumulation and highlights the role of chromatin modifiers and remodelers in facilitating timely R-loop resolution. We also discuss the enigmatic role of RNA:DNA hybrids in facilitating DNA repair, epigenetic landscape and the potential role of replication fork preservation pathways, active fork stability and stalled fork protection pathways, in avoiding replication-transcription conflicts. Finally, we discuss the potential role of several Chro-Mates (chromatin modifiers and remodelers) in the likely differentiation between persistent/detrimental R-loops and transient/benign R-loops that assist in various physiological processes relevant for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidrit Uruci
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (S.U.); (C.S.Y.L.)
| | - Calvin Shun Yu Lo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (S.U.); (C.S.Y.L.)
| | - David Wheeler
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Nitika Taneja
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (S.U.); (C.S.Y.L.)
- Correspondence:
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29
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Exploring chromatin structural roles of non-coding RNAs at imprinted domains. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1867-1879. [PMID: 34338292 PMCID: PMC8421051 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Different classes of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) influence the organization of chromatin. Imprinted gene domains constitute a paradigm for exploring functional long ncRNAs (lncRNAs). Almost all express an lncRNA in a parent-of-origin dependent manner. The mono-allelic expression of these lncRNAs represses close by and distant protein-coding genes, through diverse mechanisms. Some control genes on other chromosomes as well. Interestingly, several imprinted chromosomal domains show a developmentally regulated, chromatin-based mechanism of imprinting with apparent similarities to X-chromosome inactivation. At these domains, the mono-allelic lncRNAs show a relatively stable, focal accumulation in cis. This facilitates the recruitment of Polycomb repressive complexes, lysine methyltranferases and other nuclear proteins — in part through direct RNA–protein interactions. Recent chromosome conformation capture and microscopy studies indicate that the focal aggregation of lncRNA and interacting proteins could play an architectural role as well, and correlates with close positioning of target genes. Higher-order chromatin structure is strongly influenced by CTCF/cohesin complexes, whose allelic association patterns and actions may be influenced by lncRNAs as well. Here, we review the gene-repressive roles of imprinted non-coding RNAs, particularly of lncRNAs, and discuss emerging links with chromatin architecture.
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30
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Cristini A, Géraud M, Sordet O. Transcription-associated DNA breaks and cancer: A matter of DNA topology. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 364:195-240. [PMID: 34507784 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2021.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Transcription is an essential cellular process but also a major threat to genome integrity. Transcription-associated DNA breaks are particularly detrimental as their defective repair can induce gene mutations and oncogenic chromosomal translocations, which are hallmarks of cancer. The past few years have revealed that transcriptional breaks mainly originate from DNA topological problems generated by the transcribing RNA polymerases. Defective removal of transcription-induced DNA torsional stress impacts on transcription itself and promotes secondary DNA structures, such as R-loops, which can induce DNA breaks and genome instability. Paradoxically, as they relax DNA during transcription, topoisomerase enzymes introduce DNA breaks that can also endanger genome integrity. Stabilization of topoisomerases on chromatin by various anticancer drugs or by DNA alterations, can interfere with transcription machinery and cause permanent DNA breaks and R-loops. Here, we review the role of transcription in mediating DNA breaks, and discuss how deregulation of topoisomerase activity can impact on transcription and DNA break formation, and its connection with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Cristini
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
| | - Mathéa Géraud
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Olivier Sordet
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, Toulouse, France.
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31
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Li C, Gong X, Zhang B, Liang Z, Wong CE, See BYH, Yu H. TOP1α, UPF1, and TTG2 regulate seed size in a parental dosage-dependent manner. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000930. [PMID: 33156841 PMCID: PMC7673560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cues of maternal and paternal origins interact to control seed development, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are still far from clear. Here, we show that TOPOISOMERASE Iα (TOP1α), UP-FRAMESHIFT SUPPRESSOR 1 (UPF1), and TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA2 (TTG2) gametophytically, biparentally regulate seed size in Arabidopsis. TOP1α and UPF1 are mainly expressed in antipodal cells, and loss of their function leads to ectopic TTG2 expression in these female gametophytic cells. We further demonstrate that TOP1α and UPF1 directly repress TTG2 expression through affecting its chromatin status and determine its relative expression in antipodal cells versus sperm cells, which controls seed size in a dosage-dependent and parent-of-origin-dependent manner. The molecular interplay among these three genes explains their biparental gametophytic effect during diploidy and interploidy reciprocal crosses. Taken together, our findings reveal a molecular framework of parental interaction for seed size control. Cues of maternal and paternal origin interact to control seed development, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are still far from clear. This study shows that in Arabidopsis, the relative dosage of the transcription factor TTG2 between antipodal cells and sperm cells at the beginning of seed development determines seed size under the control of TOP1α and UPF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxiang Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ximing Gong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bin Zhang
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhe Liang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chui Eng Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Benjamin Yen How See
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
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32
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Abstract
Physiological and pathological roles for R-loop structures continue to be discovered, and studies suggest that R-loops could contribute to human disease. R-loops are nucleic acid structures characterized by a DNA:RNA hybrid and displaced single-stranded DNA that occur in connection with transcription. R-loops form naturally and have been shown to be important for a number of physiological processes such as mitochondrial replication initiation, class switch recombination, DNA repair, modulating DNA topology, and regulation of gene expression. However, subsets of R-loops or persistent R-loops lead to DNA breaks, chromosome rearrangement, and genome instability. In addition, R-loops have been linked to human diseases, specifically neurological disorders and cancer. Of the large amount of research produced recently on R-loops, this review covers evidence for R-loop involvement in normal cellular physiology and pathophysiology, as well as describing factors that contribute to R-loop regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Patrick Mackay
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Qinqin Xu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
| | - Paul M Weinberger
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
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33
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Dutta R, Crawley JN. Behavioral Evaluation of Angelman Syndrome Mice at Older Ages. Neuroscience 2020; 445:163-171. [PMID: 31730795 PMCID: PMC7214203 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder presenting with severe deficits in motor, speech, and cognitive abilities. The primary genetic cause of Angelman syndrome is a maternally transmitted mutation in the Ube3a gene, which has been successfully modeled in Ube3a mutant mice. Phenotypes have been extensively reported in young adult Ube3a mice. Because symptoms continue throughout life in Angelman syndrome, we tested multiple behavioral phenotypes of male Ube3a mice and WT littermate controls at older adult ages. Social behaviors on both the 3-chambered social approach and male-female social interaction tests showed impairments in Ube3a at 12 months of age. Anxiety-related scores on both the elevated plus-maze and the light ↔ dark transitions assays indicated anxiety-like phenotypes in 12 month old Ube3a mice. Open field locomotion parameters were consistently lower at 12 months. Reduced general exploratory locomotion at this age prevented the interpretation of an anxiety-like phenotype, and likely impacted social tasks. Robust phenotypes in middle-aged Ube3a mice appear to result from continued motor decline. Motor deficits may provide the best outcome measures for preclinical testing of pharmacological targets, towards reductions of symptoms in adults with Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Dutta
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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34
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Cristini A, Ricci G, Britton S, Salimbeni S, Huang SYN, Marinello J, Calsou P, Pommier Y, Favre G, Capranico G, Gromak N, Sordet O. Dual Processing of R-Loops and Topoisomerase I Induces Transcription-Dependent DNA Double-Strand Breaks. Cell Rep 2020; 28:3167-3181.e6. [PMID: 31533039 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Although accumulation of DNA damage and genomic instability in resting cells can cause neurodegenerative disorders, our understanding of how transcription produces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is limited. Transcription-blocking topoisomerase I cleavage complexes (TOP1ccs) are frequent events that prime DSB production in non-replicating cells. Here, we report a mechanism of their formation by showing that they arise from two nearby single-strand breaks (SSBs) on opposing DNA strands: one SSB from the removal of transcription-blocking TOP1ccs by the TDP1 pathway and the other from the cleavage of R-loops by endonucleases, including XPF, XPG, and FEN1. Genetic defects in TOP1cc removal (TDP1, PNKP, and XRCC1) or in the resolution of R-loops (SETX) enhance DSB formation and prevent their repair. Such deficiencies cause neurological disorders. Owing to the high frequency of TOP1cc trapping and the widespread distribution of R-loops, these persistent transcriptional DSBs could accumulate over time in neuronal cells, contributing to the neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Cristini
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France; Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Giulia Ricci
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sébastien Britton
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer 2018, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Simona Salimbeni
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France; Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Shar-Yin Naomi Huang
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jessica Marinello
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrick Calsou
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale, IPBS, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer 2018, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Yves Pommier
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gilles Favre
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France
| | - Giovanni Capranico
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Natalia Gromak
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
| | - Olivier Sordet
- Cancer Research Center of Toulouse, INSERM, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, CNRS, 31037 Toulouse, France.
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35
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Varrault A, Dubois E, Le Digarcher A, Bouschet T. Quantifying Genomic Imprinting at Tissue and Cell Resolution in the Brain. EPIGENOMES 2020; 4:21. [PMID: 34968292 PMCID: PMC8594728 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes4030021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Imprinted genes are a group of ~150 genes that are preferentially expressed from one parental allele owing to epigenetic marks asymmetrically distributed on inherited maternal and paternal chromosomes. Altered imprinted gene expression causes human brain disorders such as Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes and additional rare brain diseases. Research data principally obtained from the mouse model revealed how imprinted genes act in the normal and pathological brain. However, a better understanding of imprinted gene functions calls for building detailed maps of their parent-of-origin-dependent expression and of associated epigenetic signatures. Here we review current methods for quantifying genomic imprinting at tissue and cell resolutions, with a special emphasis on methods to detect parent-of-origin dependent expression and their applications to the brain. We first focus on bulk RNA-sequencing, the main method to detect parent-of-origin-dependent expression transcriptome-wide. We discuss the benefits and caveats of bulk RNA-sequencing and provide a guideline to use it on F1 hybrid mice. We then review methods for detecting parent-of-origin-dependent expression at cell resolution, including single-cell RNA-seq, genetic reporters, and molecular probes. Finally, we provide an overview of single-cell epigenomics technologies that profile additional features of genomic imprinting, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and chromatin conformation and their combination into sc-multimodal omics approaches, which are expected to yield important insights into genomic imprinting in individual brain cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Varrault
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (A.V.); (A.L.D.)
| | - Emeric Dubois
- Montpellier GenomiX (MGX), Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France;
| | - Anne Le Digarcher
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (A.V.); (A.L.D.)
| | - Tristan Bouschet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (A.V.); (A.L.D.)
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Schultz MN, Crawley JN. Evaluation of a TrkB agonist on spatial and motor learning in the Ube3a mouse model of Angelman syndrome. Learn Mem 2020; 27:346-354. [PMID: 32817301 PMCID: PMC7433657 DOI: 10.1101/lm.051201.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation in the maternal allele of the gene Ube3a The primary symptoms of Angelman syndrome are severe cognitive deficits, impaired motor functions, and speech disabilities. Analogous phenotypes have been detected in young adult Ube3a mice. Here, we investigate cognitive phenotypes of Ube3a mice as compared to wild-type littermate controls at an older adult age. Water maze spatial learning, swim speed, and rotarod motor coordination and balance were impaired at 6 mo of age, as predicted. Based on previous findings of reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor in Ube3a mice, a novel therapeutic target, the TrkB agonist 7,8-DHF, was interrogated. Semichronic daily treatment with 7,8-DHF, 5 mg/kg i.p., did not significantly improve the impairments in performance during the acquisition of the water maze hidden platform location in Ube3a mice, after training with either massed or spaced trials, and had no effect on the swim speed and rotarod deficits. Robust behavioral phenotypes in middle-aged Ube3a mice appear to result from continued motor decline. Our results suggest that motor deficits could offer useful outcome measures for preclinical testing of many pharmacological targets, with the goal of reducing symptoms in adults with Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria N Schultz
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95821, USA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95821, USA
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Xu X, Zhang J, Tian Y, Gao Y, Dong X, Chen W, Yuan X, Yin W, Xu J, Chen K, He C, Wei L. CircRNA inhibits DNA damage repair by interacting with host gene. Mol Cancer 2020; 19:128. [PMID: 32838810 PMCID: PMC7446195 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-020-01246-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Deregulated circular RNAs (circRNAs) are associated with the development of cancer and therapy resistance. However, functional research of circRNAs mostly focus on potential miRNA or protein binding and more potential regulation of circRNA on host gene DNA in cancers are yet to be inspected. Method We performed total RNA sequencing on clinical breast cancer samples and identified the expression patterns of circRNAs and corresponding host genes in patient blood, tumor and adjacent normal tissues. qPCR, northern blot and in situ hybridization were used to validate the dysregulation of circRNA circSMARCA5. A series of procedures including R-loop dot-blotting, DNA-RNA immunoprecipitation and mass spectrum, etc. were conducted to explore the regulation of circSMARCA5 on the transcription of exon 15 of SMARCA5. Moreover, immunofluorescence and in vivo experiments were executed to investigate the overexpression of circSMARCA5 with drug sensitivities. Results We found that circRNAs has average higher expression over its host linear genes in peripheral blood. Compared to adjacent normal tissues, circSMARCA5 is decreased in breast cancer tissues, contrary to host gene SMARCA5. The enforced expression of circSMARCA5 induced drug sensitivity of breast cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrated that circSMARCA5 can bind to its parent gene locus, forming an R-loop, which results in transcriptional pausing at exon 15 of SMARCA5. CircSMARCA5 expression resulted in the downregulation of SMARCA5 and the production of a truncated nonfunctional protein, and the overexpression of circSMARCA5 was sufficient to improve sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs. Conclusion Our results revealed a new regulatory mechanism for circRNA on its host gene and provided evidence that circSMARCA5 may serve as a therapeutic target for drug-resistant breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Jingwei Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Yihao Tian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Gao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Dong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Wenbo Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoning Yuan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Weinan Yin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Jinjing Xu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Chunjiang He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China. .,College of Biomedicine and Health, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Lei Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China. .,Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China.
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Abstract
Genomic imprinting is a parent-of-origin dependent phenomenon that restricts transcription to predominantly one parental allele. Since the discovery of the first long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), which notably was an imprinted lncRNA, a body of knowledge has demonstrated pivotal roles for imprinted lncRNAs in regulating parental-specific expression of neighboring imprinted genes. In this Review, we will discuss the multiple functionalities attributed to lncRNAs and how they regulate imprinted gene expression. We also raise unresolved questions about imprinted lncRNA function, which may lead to new avenues of investigation. This Review is dedicated to the memory of Denise Barlow, a giant in the field of genomic imprinting and functional lncRNAs. With her passion for understanding the inner workings of science, her indominable spirit and her consummate curiosity, Denise blazed a path of scientific investigation that made many seminal contributions to genomic imprinting and the wider field of epigenetic regulation, in addition to inspiring future generations of scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A. MacDonald
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mellissa R. W. Mann
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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39
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R-loop-forming Sequences Analysis in Thousands of Viral Genomes Identify A New Common Element in Herpesviruses. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6389. [PMID: 32286400 PMCID: PMC7156643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63101-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
R-loops are RNA-DNA hybrid sequences that are emerging players in various biological processes, occurring in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In viruses, R-loop investigation is limited and functional importance is poorly understood. Here, we performed a computational approach to investigate prevalence, distribution, and location of R-loop forming sequences (RLFS) across more than 6000 viral genomes. A total of 14637 RLFS loci were identified in 1586 viral genomes. Over 70% of RLFS-positive genomes are dsDNA viruses. In the order Herpesvirales, RLFS were presented in all members whereas no RLFS was predicted in the order Ligamenvirales. Analysis of RLFS density in all RLFS-positive genomes revealed unusually high RLFS densities in herpesvirus genomes, with RLFS densities particularly enriched within repeat regions such as the terminal repeats (TRs). RLFS in TRs are positionally conserved between herpesviruses. Validating the computationally-identified RLFS, R-loop formation was experimentally confirmed in the TR and viral Bcl-2 promoter of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). These predictions and validations support future analysis of RLFS in regulating the replication, transcription, and genome maintenance of herpesviruses.
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40
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Bratkovič T, Božič J, Rogelj B. Functional diversity of small nucleolar RNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:1627-1651. [PMID: 31828325 PMCID: PMC7038934 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are short non-protein-coding RNAs with a long-recognized role in tuning ribosomal and spliceosomal function by guiding ribose methylation and pseudouridylation at targeted nucleotide residues of ribosomal and small nuclear RNAs, respectively. SnoRNAs are increasingly being implicated in regulation of new types of post-transcriptional processes, for example rRNA acetylation, modulation of splicing patterns, control of mRNA abundance and translational efficiency, or they themselves are processed to shorter stable RNA species that seem to be the principal or alternative bioactive isoform. Intriguingly, some display unusual cellular localization under exogenous stimuli, or tissue-specific distribution. Here, we discuss the new and unforeseen roles attributed to snoRNAs, focusing on the presumed mechanisms of action. Furthermore, we review the experimental approaches to study snoRNA function, including high resolution RNA:protein and RNA:RNA interaction mapping, techniques for analyzing modifications on targeted RNAs, and cellular and animal models used in snoRNA biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomaž Bratkovič
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Janja Božič
- Jozef Stefan Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Jamova cesta 39, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Biomedical Research Institute BRIS, Puhova ulica 10, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Boris Rogelj
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva cesta 7, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Jozef Stefan Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Jamova cesta 39, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Biomedical Research Institute BRIS, Puhova ulica 10, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Večna pot 113, SI1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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41
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Salminen I, Read S, Hurd P, Crespi B. Does SNORD116 mediate aspects of psychosis in Prader-Willi syndrome? Evidence from a non-clinical population. Psychiatry Res 2020; 286:112858. [PMID: 32065983 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The paternally expressed gene SNORD116 encodes a set of short nucleolar RNAs that affect the expression of hundreds of other genes via epigenetic interactions. Lack of expression for SNORD116 has been implicated in major phenotypes of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Rates of psychosis and autism spectrum disorders are greatly increased in PWS, but the genetic and epigenetic causes of these increases remain unknown. We genotyped a large population of typical individuals for five SNPs within SNORD116 and phenotyped them for variation in schizotypal and autism spectrum traits. SNORD116 SNP and haplotype variation mediated variation exclusively in the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire - Ideas of Reference subscale, which reflects variation in aspects of paranoia. The effect was restricted to females. SNORD116 represents, in addition to UBE3A and NDN-MAGEL2, a third, independent locus in the 15q11-q13 imprinted region that preferentially or exclusively affects levels of paranoia. This convergent pattern may reflect a common neural pathway affected by multiple genes, or an effect of interactions between the imprinted loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iiro Salminen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Silven Read
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pete Hurd
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Bernard Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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42
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Regulatory R-loops as facilitators of gene expression and genome stability. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:167-178. [PMID: 32005969 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-019-0206-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
R-loops are three-stranded structures that harbour an RNA-DNA hybrid and frequently form during transcription. R-loop misregulation is associated with DNA damage, transcription elongation defects, hyper-recombination and genome instability. In contrast to such 'unscheduled' R-loops, evidence is mounting that cells harness the presence of RNA-DNA hybrids in scheduled, 'regulatory' R-loops to promote DNA transactions, including transcription termination and other steps of gene regulation, telomere stability and DNA repair. R-loops formed by cellular RNAs can regulate histone post-translational modification and may be recognized by dedicated reader proteins. The two-faced nature of R-loops implies that their formation, location and timely removal must be tightly regulated. In this Perspective, we discuss the cellular processes that regulatory R-loops modulate, the regulation of R-loops and the potential differences that may exist between regulatory R-loops and unscheduled R-loops.
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43
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Drugging the R-loop interactome: RNA-DNA hybrid binding proteins as targets for cancer therapy. DNA Repair (Amst) 2019; 84:102642. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2019.102642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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44
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R Loops: From Physiological to Pathological Roles. Cell 2019; 179:604-618. [PMID: 31607512 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.08.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 364] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
DNA-RNA hybrids play a physiological role in cellular processes, but often, they represent non-scheduled co-transcriptional structures with a negative impact on transcription, replication and DNA repair. Accumulating evidence suggests that they constitute a source of replication stress, DNA breaks and genome instability. Reciprocally, DNA breaks facilitate DNA-RNA hybrid formation by releasing the double helix torsional conformation. Cells avoid DNA-RNA accumulation by either preventing or removing hybrids directly or by DNA repair-coupled mechanisms. Given the R-loop impact on chromatin and genome organization and its potential relation with genetic diseases, we review R-loop homeostasis as well as their physiological and pathological roles.
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45
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Kianmehr L, Khazali H, Rajabi-Maham H, Sharifi-Zarchi A, Cuzin F, Rassoulzadegan M. Genome-Wide Distribution of Nascent Transcripts in Sperm DNA, Products of a Late Wave of General Transcription. Cells 2019; 8:cells8101196. [PMID: 31623338 PMCID: PMC6830337 DOI: 10.3390/cells8101196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mature spermatozoa contain a whole repertoire of the various classes of cellular RNAs, both coding and non-coding. It was hypothesized that after fertilization they might impact development, a claim supported by experimental evidence in various systems. Despite the current increasing interest in the transgenerational maintenance of epigenetic traits and their possible determination by RNAs, little remains known about conservation in sperm and across generations and the specificities and mechanisms involved in transgenerational maintenance. We identified two distinct fractions of RNAs in mature mouse sperm, one readily extracted in the aqueous phase of the classical TRIzol procedure and a distinct fraction hybridized with homologous DNA in DNA-RNA complexes recovered from the interface, purified after DNase hydrolysis and analyzed by RNA-seq methodology. This DNA-associated RNA (D RNA) was found to represent as much as half of the cell contents in differentiated sperm, in which a major part of the cytoplasmic material has been discarded. Stable complexes were purified free of proteins and identified as hybrids (R-loops) on the basis of their sensitivity to RNase H hydrolysis. Further analysis by RNA-seq identified transcripts from all the coding and non-coding regions of the genome, thus revealing an extensive wave of transcription, prior to or concomitant with the terminal compaction of the chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Kianmehr
- Animal Sciences and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C, Tehran 1983963113, Iran.
- Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Faculté des Sciences, Parc Valrose, INSERM-CNRS, 06108 Nice CEDEX 2, France.
| | - Homayoun Khazali
- Animal Sciences and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C, Tehran 1983963113, Iran.
| | - Hassan Rajabi-Maham
- Animal Sciences and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C, Tehran 1983963113, Iran.
| | - Ali Sharifi-Zarchi
- Computer Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran 1458889694, Iran.
| | - François Cuzin
- Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Faculté des Sciences, Parc Valrose, INSERM-CNRS, 06108 Nice CEDEX 2, France.
| | - Minoo Rassoulzadegan
- Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Faculté des Sciences, Parc Valrose, INSERM-CNRS, 06108 Nice CEDEX 2, France.
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46
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Wells JP, White J, Stirling PC. R Loops and Their Composite Cancer Connections. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:619-631. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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47
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Chen JY, Zhang X, Fu XD, Chen L. R-ChIP for genome-wide mapping of R-loops by using catalytically inactive RNASEH1. Nat Protoc 2019; 14:1661-1685. [PMID: 30996261 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-019-0154-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Nascent RNA may form a three-stranded structure with DNA, called an R-loop, which has been linked to fundamental biological processes such as transcription, replication and genome instability. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for a newly developed strategy, named R-ChIP, for robust capture of R-loops genome-wide. Distinct from R-loop-mapping methods based on the monoclonal antibody S9.6, which recognizes RNA-DNA hybrid structures, R-ChIP involves expression of an exogenous catalytically inactive RNASEH1 in cells to bind RNA-DNA hybrids but not resolve them. This is followed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of the tagged RNASEH1 and construction of a strand-specific library for deep sequencing. It takes ~3 weeks to establish a stable cell line expressing the mutant enzyme and 5 more days to proceed with the R-ChIP protocol. In principle, R-ChIP is applicable to both cell lines and animals, as long as the catalytically inactive RNASEH1 can be expressed to study the dynamics of R-loop formation and resolution, as well as its impact on the functionality of the genome. In our recent studies with R-ChIP, we showed an intimate spatiotemporal relationship between R-loops and RNA polymerase II pausing/pause release, as well as linking augmented R-loop formation to DNA damage response induced by driver mutations of key splicing factors associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yu Chen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xiang-Dong Fu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. .,Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
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48
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Carias KV, Wevrick R. Preclinical Testing in Translational Animal Models of Prader-Willi Syndrome: Overview and Gap Analysis. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 13:344-358. [PMID: 30989085 PMCID: PMC6447752 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder causing endocrine, musculoskeletal, and neurological dysfunction. PWS is caused by the inactivation of contiguous genes, complicating the development of targeted therapeutics. Clinical trials are now underway in PWS, with more trials to be implemented in the next few years. PWS-like endophenotypes are recapitulated in gene-targeted mice in which the function of one or more PWS genes is disrupted. These animal models can guide priorities for clinical trials or provide information about efficacy of a compound within the context of the specific disease. We now review the current status of preclinical studies that measure the effect of therapeutics on PWS-like endophenotypes. Seven categories of therapeutics (oxytocin and related compounds, K+-ATP channel agonists, melanocortin 4 receptor agonists, incretin mimetics and/or GLP-1 receptor agonists, cannabinoids, ghrelin agents, and Caralluma fimbriata [cactus] extract) have been tested for their effect on endophenotypes in both PWS animal models and clinical trials. Many other therapeutics have been tested in clinical trials, but not preclinical models of PWS or vice versa. Fostering dialogs among investigators performing preclinical validation of animal models and those implementing clinical studies will accelerate the discovery and translation of therapies into clinical practice in PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Vanessa Carias
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rachel Wevrick
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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49
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Crossley MP, Bocek M, Cimprich KA. R-Loops as Cellular Regulators and Genomic Threats. Mol Cell 2019; 73:398-411. [PMID: 30735654 PMCID: PMC6402819 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 441] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
During transcription, the nascent RNA strand can base pair with its template DNA, displacing the non-template strand as ssDNA and forming a structure called an R-loop. R-loops are common across many domains of life and cause DNA damage in certain contexts. In this review, we summarize recent results implicating R-loops as important regulators of cellular processes such as transcription termination, gene regulation, and DNA repair. We also highlight recent work suggesting that R-loops can be problematic to cells as blocks to efficient transcription and replication that trigger the DNA damage response. Finally, we discuss how R-loops may contribute to cancer, neurodegeneration, and inflammatory diseases and compare the available next-generation sequencing-based approaches to map R-loops genome wide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madzia P Crossley
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5441, USA
| | - Michael Bocek
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5441, USA
| | - Karlene A Cimprich
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5441, USA.
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Skourti-Stathaki K, Torlai Triglia E, Warburton M, Voigt P, Bird A, Pombo A. R-Loops Enhance Polycomb Repression at a Subset of Developmental Regulator Genes. Mol Cell 2019; 73:930-945.e4. [PMID: 30709709 PMCID: PMC6414425 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures that form during transcription, especially over unmethylated CpG-rich promoters of active genes. In mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), CpG-rich developmental regulator genes are repressed by the Polycomb complexes PRC1 and PRC2. Here, we show that R-loops form at a subset of Polycomb target genes, and we investigate their contribution to Polycomb repression. At R-loop-positive genes, R-loop removal leads to decreased PRC1 and PRC2 recruitment and Pol II activation into a productive elongation state, accompanied by gene derepression at nascent and processed transcript levels. Stable removal of PRC2 derepresses R-loop-negative genes, as expected, but does not affect R-loops, PRC1 recruitment, or transcriptional repression of R-loop-positive genes. Our results highlight that Polycomb repression does not occur via one mechanism but consists of different layers of repression, some of which are gene specific. We uncover that one such mechanism is mediated by an interplay between R-loops and RING1B recruitment. R-loops form at a subset of PcG target genes R-loops contribute to PcG recruitment genome-wide Loss of R-loops leads to transcriptional activation of R-loop-positive PcG targets R-loops and PRC1 contribute to transcriptional repression of PcG targets
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Skourti-Stathaki
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3BF Edinburgh, UK; Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrueck Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch 13092, Germany.
| | - Elena Torlai Triglia
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrueck Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch 13092, Germany
| | - Marie Warburton
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3BF Edinburgh, UK
| | - Philipp Voigt
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3BF Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adrian Bird
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3BF Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ana Pombo
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrueck Centre for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch 13092, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany; Institute for Biology, Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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