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Chen Y, Sheng G, Wang G. CapsNet-TIS: Predicting translation initiation site based on multi-feature fusion and improved capsule network. Gene 2024; 924:148598. [PMID: 38782224 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148598] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Genes are the basic units of protein synthesis in organisms, and accurately identifying the translation initiation site (TIS) of genes is crucial for understanding the regulation, transcription, and translation processes of genes. However, the existing models cannot adequately extract the feature information in TIS sequences, and they also inadequately capture the complex hierarchical relationships among features. Therefore, a novel predictor named CapsNet-TIS is proposed in this paper. CapsNet-TIS first fully extracts the TIS sequence information using four encoding methods, including One-hot encoding, physical structure property (PSP) encoding, nucleotide chemical property (NCP) encoding, and nucleotide density (ND) encoding. Next, multi-scale convolutional neural networks are used to perform feature fusion of the encoded features to enhance the comprehensiveness of the feature representation. Finally, the fused features are classified using capsule network as the main network of the classification model to capture the complex hierarchical relationships among the features. Moreover, we improve the capsule network by introducing residual block, channel attention, and BiLSTM to enhance the model's feature extraction and sequence data modeling capabilities. In this paper, the performance of CapsNet-TIS is evaluated using TIS datasets from four species: human, mouse, bovine, and fruit fly, and the effectiveness of each part is demonstrated by performing ablation experiments. By comparing the experimental results with models proposed by other researchers, the results demonstrate the superior performance of CapsNet-TIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- College of Computer and Control Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
| | - Guojun Sheng
- College of Computer and Control Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Gang Wang
- College of Computer and Control Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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2
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Rodriguez JM, Abascal F, Cerdán-Vélez D, Gómez LM, Vázquez J, Tress ML. Evidence for widespread translation of 5' untranslated regions. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae571. [PMID: 38953162 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Ribosome profiling experiments support the translation of a range of novel human open reading frames. By contrast, most peptides from large-scale proteomics experiments derive from just one source, 5' untranslated regions. Across the human genome we find evidence for 192 translated upstream regions, most of which would produce protein isoforms with extended N-terminal ends. Almost all of these N-terminal extensions are from highly abundant genes, which suggests that the novel regions we detect are just the tip of the iceberg. These upstream regions have characteristics that are not typical of coding exons. Their GC-content is remarkably high, even higher than 5' regions in other genes, and a large majority have non-canonical start codons. Although some novel upstream regions have cross-species conservation - five have orthologues in invertebrates for example - the reading frames of two thirds are not conserved beyond simians. These non-conserved regions also have no evidence of purifying selection, which suggests that much of this translation is not functional. In addition, non-conserved upstream regions have significantly more peptides in cancer cell lines than would be expected, a strong indication that an aberrant or noisy translation initiation process may play an important role in translation from upstream regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Manuel Rodriguez
- Cardiovascular Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Federico Abascal
- Somatic Evolution Group, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA. UK
| | - Daniel Cerdán-Vélez
- Bioinformatics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Martínez Gómez
- Bioinformatics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Vázquez
- Cardiovascular Proteomics Laboratory, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael L Tress
- Bioinformatics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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3
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Aviner R, Lee TT, Masto VB, Li KH, Andino R, Frydman J. Polyglutamine-mediated ribotoxicity disrupts proteostasis and stress responses in Huntington's disease. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:892-902. [PMID: 38741019 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01414-x] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene, encoding a homopolymeric polyglutamine (polyQ) tract. Although mutant HTT (mHTT) protein is known to aggregate, the links between aggregation and neurotoxicity remain unclear. Here we show that both translation and aggregation of wild-type HTT and mHTT are regulated by a stress-responsive upstream open reading frame and that polyQ expansions cause abortive translation termination and release of truncated, aggregation-prone mHTT fragments. Notably, we find that mHTT depletes translation elongation factor eIF5A in brains of symptomatic HD mice and cultured HD cells, leading to pervasive ribosome pausing and collisions. Loss of eIF5A disrupts homeostatic controls and impairs recovery from acute stress. Importantly, drugs that inhibit translation initiation reduce premature termination and mitigate this escalating cascade of ribotoxic stress and dysfunction in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranen Aviner
- Department of Biology and Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ting-Ting Lee
- Department of Biology and Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vincent B Masto
- Department of Biology and Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kathy H Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Raul Andino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Judith Frydman
- Department of Biology and Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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4
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Kolaitis A, Makris E, Karagiannis AA, Tsanakas P, Pavlatos C. Knotify_V2.0: Deciphering RNA Secondary Structures with H-Type Pseudoknots and Hairpin Loops. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:670. [PMID: 38927606 PMCID: PMC11203014 DOI: 10.3390/genes15060670] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Accurately predicting the pairing order of bases in RNA molecules is essential for anticipating RNA secondary structures. Consequently, this task holds significant importance in unveiling previously unknown biological processes. The urgent need to comprehend RNA structures has been accentuated by the unprecedented impact of the widespread COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents a framework, Knotify_V2.0, which makes use of syntactic pattern recognition techniques in order to predict RNA structures, with a specific emphasis on tackling the demanding task of predicting H-type pseudoknots that encompass bulges and hairpins. By leveraging the expressive capabilities of a Context-Free Grammar (CFG), the suggested framework integrates the inherent benefits of CFG and makes use of minimum free energy and maximum base pairing criteria. This integration enables the effective management of this inherently ambiguous task. The main contribution of Knotify_V2.0 compared to earlier versions lies in its capacity to identify additional motifs like bulges and hairpins within the internal loops of the pseudoknot. Notably, the proposed methodology, Knotify_V2.0, demonstrates superior accuracy in predicting core stems compared to state-of-the-art frameworks. Knotify_V2.0 exhibited exceptional performance by accurately identifying both core base pairing that form the ground truth pseudoknot in 70% of the examined sequences. Furthermore, Knotify_V2.0 narrowed the performance gap with Knotty, which had demonstrated better performance than Knotify and even surpassed it in Recall and F1-score metrics. Knotify_V2.0 achieved a higher count of true positives (tp) and a significantly lower count of false negatives (fn) compared to Knotify, highlighting improvements in Prediction and Recall metrics, respectively. Consequently, Knotify_V2.0 achieved a higher F1-score than any other platform. The source code and comprehensive implementation details of Knotify_V2.0 are publicly available on GitHub.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelos Kolaitis
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., 15780 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (E.M.); (A.A.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Evangelos Makris
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., 15780 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (E.M.); (A.A.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Alexandros Anastasios Karagiannis
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., 15780 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (E.M.); (A.A.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Panayiotis Tsanakas
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou St., 15780 Athens, Greece; (A.K.); (E.M.); (A.A.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Christos Pavlatos
- Hellenic Air Force Academy, Dekelia Air Base, Acharnes, 13671 Athens, Greece
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5
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Chance R, Kang AS. Eukaryotic ribosome display for antibody discovery: A review. Hum Antibodies 2024:HAB240001. [PMID: 38788063 DOI: 10.3233/hab-240001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody biologics have significantly transformed the therapeutic landscape within the biopharmaceutical industry, partly due to the utilisation of discovery technologies such as the hybridoma method and phage display. While these established platforms have streamlined the development process to date, their reliance on cell transformation for antibody identification faces limitations related to library diversification and the constraints of host cell physiology. Cell-free systems like ribosome display offer a complementary approach, enabling antibody selection in a completely in vitro setting while harnessing enriched cellular molecular machinery. This review aims to provide an overview of the fundamental principles underlying the ribosome display method and its potential for advancing antibody discovery and development.
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Cormier N, Worsham AE, Rich KA, Hardy DM. SMA20/PMIS2 Is a Rapidly Evolving Sperm Membrane Alloantigen with Possible Species-Divergent Function in Fertilization. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3652. [PMID: 38612464 PMCID: PMC11011635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunodominant alloantigens in pig sperm membranes include 15 known gene products and a previously undiscovered Mr 20,000 sperm membrane-specific protein (SMA20). Here we characterize SMA20 and identify it as the unannotated pig ortholog of PMIS2. A composite SMA20 cDNA encoded a 126 amino acid polypeptide comprising two predicted transmembrane segments and an N-terminal alanine- and proline (AP)-rich region with no apparent signal peptide. The Northern blots showed that the composite SMA20 cDNA was derived from a 1.1 kb testis-specific transcript. A BLASTp search retrieved no SMA20 match from the pig genome, but it did retrieve a 99% match to the Pmis2 gene product in warthog. Sequence identity to predicted PMIS2 orthologs from other placental mammals ranged from no more than 80% overall in Cetartiodactyla to less than 60% in Primates, with the AP-rich region showing the highest divergence, including, in the extreme, its absence in most rodents, including the mouse. SMA20 immunoreactivity localized to the acrosome/apical head of methanol-fixed boar spermatozoa but not live, motile cells. Ultrastructurally, the SMA20 AP-rich domain immunolocalized to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane, the outer acrosomal membrane, and the acrosomal contents of ejaculated spermatozoa. Gene name search failed to retrieve annotated Pmis2 from most mammalian genomes. Nevertheless, individual pairwise interrogation of loci spanning Atp4a-Haus5 identified Pmis2 in all placental mammals, but not in marsupials or monotremes. We conclude that the gene encoding sperm-specific SMA20/PMIS2 arose de novo in Eutheria after divergence from Metatheria, whereupon rapid molecular evolution likely drove the acquisition of a species-divergent function unique to fertilization in placental mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaly Cormier
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Whitewater, WI 53190, USA
| | - Asha E. Worsham
- Department of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (A.E.W.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Kinsey A. Rich
- Department of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (A.E.W.); (K.A.R.)
| | - Daniel M. Hardy
- Department of Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; (A.E.W.); (K.A.R.)
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7
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Fernández-García L, Ahumada-Marchant C, Lobos-Ávila P, Brauer B, Bustos FJ, Arriagada G. The Mytilus chilensis Steamer-like Element-1 Retrotransposon Antisense mRNA Harbors an Internal Ribosome Entry Site That Is Modulated by hnRNPK. Viruses 2024; 16:403. [PMID: 38543768 PMCID: PMC10974842 DOI: 10.3390/v16030403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
LTR-retrotransposons are transposable elements characterized by the presence of long terminal repeats (LTRs) directly flanking an internal coding region. They share genome organization and replication strategies with retroviruses. Steamer-like Element-1 (MchSLE-1) is an LTR-retrotransposon identified in the genome of the Chilean blue mussel Mytilus chilensis. MchSLE-1 is transcribed; however, whether its RNA is also translated and the mechanism underlying such translation remain to be elucidated. Here, we characterize the MchSLE-1 translation mechanism. We found that the MchSLE-1 5' and 3'LTRs command transcription of sense and antisense RNAs, respectively. Using luciferase reporters commanded by the untranslated regions (UTRs) of MchSLE-1, we found that in vitro 5'UTR sense is unable to initiate translation, whereas the antisense 5'UTR initiates translation even when the eIF4E-eIF4G interaction was disrupted, suggesting the presence of an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). The antisense 5'UTR IRES activity was tested using bicistronic reporters. The antisense 5'UTR has IRES activity only when the mRNA is transcribed in the nucleus, suggesting that nuclear RNA-binding proteins are required to modulate its activity. Indeed, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNPK) was identified as an IRES trans-acting factor (ITAF) of the MchSLE-1 IRES. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing an IRES in an antisense mRNA derived from a mussel LTR-retrotransposon.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Gloria Arriagada
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina y Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago 83700071, Chile; (L.F.-G.); (C.A.-M.); (P.L.-Á.); (B.B.); (F.J.B.)
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8
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Elbohy OA, Iqbal M, Daly JM, Dunham SP. Development of Virus-like Particle Plant-Based Vaccines against Avian H5 and H9 Influenza A Viruses. Vet Sci 2024; 11:93. [PMID: 38393111 PMCID: PMC10891754 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11020093] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza A virus (AIV) is a significant cause of mortality in poultry, causing substantial economic loss, particularly in developing countries, and has zoonotic potential. For example, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the H5 subtype have been circulating in Egypt for around two decades. In the last decade, H5N1 viruses of clade 2.2.1 have been succeeded by the antigenically distinct H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. Furthermore, H9N2 viruses co-circulate with the H5N8 viruses in Egyptian poultry. It is widely recognised that effective vaccination against IAV requires a close antigenic match between the vaccine and viruses circulating in the field. Therefore, approaches to develop cost-effective vaccines that can be rapidly adapted to local virus strains are required for developing countries such as Egypt. In this project, the haemagglutinin (HA) proteins of Egyptian H5 and H9 viruses were expressed by transient transfection of plants (Nicotiana benthamiana). The formation of virus-like particles (VLPs) was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Mice were immunised with four doses of either H5 or H9 VLPs with adjuvant. Antibody and cellular immune responses were measured against the corresponding recombinant protein using ELISA and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISpot), respectively. Chickens were immunised with one dose of H5 VLPs, eliciting HA-specific antibodies measured by ELISA and a pseudotyped virus neutralisation test using a heterologous H5 HA. In conclusion, plant-based VLP vaccines have potential for producing an effective vaccine candidate within a short time at a relatively low cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola A Elbohy
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Munir Iqbal
- Avian Influenza Group and Newcastle Disease, The Pirbright Institute, Woking GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Janet M Daly
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Stephen P Dunham
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK
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9
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Khalifeh-Kandy AS, Nayeri FD, Ahmadabadi M. Production of functional recombinant roseltide rT1 antimicrobial peptide in tobacco plants. J Biotechnol 2024; 381:49-56. [PMID: 38181983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Plant-derived peptides represent a promising group of natural compounds with broad industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Low-efficiency production level is the major obstacle to the commercial production of such bioactive peptides. Today, recombinant techniques have been developed for fast and cost-effective production of high-quality peptides for various applications in the chemical and food industries. The roseltide rT1 is a plant peptide with different antimicrobial properties and therapeutic applications in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory lung diseases by inhibiting human neutrophil elastases. Here, we report the expression of functional recombinant roseltide rT1 peptide in tobacco plants. Transgenic plants were generated by the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method followed by molecular analysis of transgenic plants to demonstrate successful integration and expression of recombinant rT1 peptide. Protein extracts of transgenic plants expressing a single-copy rT1 gene showed efficient antimicrobial properties as verified by growth inhibition of different bacterial strains. Our results illustrate that plant-derived recombinant rT1 peptide is a promising alternative for rapid and cost-effective production of this important antimicrobial peptide for application in therapeutic and food industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Sahandi Khalifeh-Kandy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, 35 km Tabriz-Maraqeh Road, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Dehghan Nayeri
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, 35 km Tabriz-Maraqeh Road, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ahmadabadi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU), Qazvin, Iran.
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10
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Nguyen L. RNA therapeutics for neurological disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 203:165-180. [PMID: 38359997 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are the group of diseases that primarily affect the center nervous system, which could lead to a significant negative impact on the ability of learning new skills, speaking, breathing, walking, judging, making decision, and other essential living skills. In the last decade, neurological disorders have significantly increased their impact to our community and become the one of leading causes of disability and death. The World Health Organization has identified neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease and other dementia as the health crisis for the modern life. Tremendous ongoing research efforts focus on understanding of disease genetics, molecular mechanisms and developing therapeutic interventions. Because of the urgent need of the effective therapeutics and the recent advances in the toolkits and understanding for developing more drug-like RNA molecules, there is a growing interest for developing RNA therapeutics for neurological disorders. This article will discuss genetics and mechanisms of neurological disorders and how RNA-based molecules have been used to develop therapeutics for this group of diseases, challenges of RNA therapeutics and future perspectives on this rising therapeutic intervention tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Cancer Genetics Research Complex (CGRC), Gainesville, FL, United States.
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11
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Dueñas Rey A, Del Pozo Valero M, Bouckaert M, Wood KA, Van den Broeck F, Daich Varela M, Thomas HB, Van Heetvelde M, De Bruyne M, Van de Sompele S, Bauwens M, Lenaerts H, Mahieu Q, Josifova D, Rivolta C, O'Keefe RT, Ellingford J, Webster AR, Arno G, Ayuso C, De Zaeytijd J, Leroy BP, De Baere E, Coppieters F. Combining a prioritization strategy and functional studies nominates 5'UTR variants underlying inherited retinal disease. Genome Med 2024; 16:7. [PMID: 38184646 PMCID: PMC10771650 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-023-01277-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 5' untranslated regions (5'UTRs) are essential modulators of protein translation. Predicting the impact of 5'UTR variants is challenging and rarely performed in routine diagnostics. Here, we present a combined approach of a comprehensive prioritization strategy and functional assays to evaluate 5'UTR variation in two large cohorts of patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). METHODS We performed an isoform-level re-analysis of retinal RNA-seq data to identify the protein-coding transcripts of 378 IRD genes with highest expression in retina. We evaluated the coverage of their 5'UTRs by different whole exome sequencing (WES) kits. The selected 5'UTRs were analyzed in whole genome sequencing (WGS) and WES data from IRD sub-cohorts from the 100,000 Genomes Project (n = 2397 WGS) and an in-house database (n = 1682 WES), respectively. Identified variants were annotated for 5'UTR-relevant features and classified into seven categories based on their predicted functional consequence. We developed a variant prioritization strategy by integrating population frequency, specific criteria for each category, and family and phenotypic data. A selection of candidate variants underwent functional validation using diverse approaches. RESULTS Isoform-level re-quantification of retinal gene expression revealed 76 IRD genes with a non-canonical retina-enriched isoform, of which 20 display a fully distinct 5'UTR compared to that of their canonical isoform. Depending on the probe design, 3-20% of IRD genes have 5'UTRs fully captured by WES. After analyzing these regions in both cohorts, we prioritized 11 (likely) pathogenic variants in 10 genes (ARL3, MERTK, NDP, NMNAT1, NPHP4, PAX6, PRPF31, PRPF4, RDH12, RD3), of which 7 were novel. Functional analyses further supported the pathogenicity of three variants. Mis-splicing was demonstrated for the PRPF31:c.-9+1G>T variant. The MERTK:c.-125G>A variant, overlapping a transcriptional start site, was shown to significantly reduce both luciferase mRNA levels and activity. The RDH12:c.-123C>T variant was found in cis with the hypomorphic RDH12:c.701G>A (p.Arg234His) variant in 11 patients. This 5'UTR variant, predicted to introduce an upstream open reading frame, was shown to result in reduced RDH12 protein but unaltered mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the importance of 5'UTR variants implicated in IRDs and provides a systematic approach for 5'UTR annotation and validation that is applicable to other inherited diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Dueñas Rey
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Marta Del Pozo Valero
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
- Department of Genetics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manon Bouckaert
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Katherine A Wood
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicines and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Filip Van den Broeck
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Head & Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Malena Daich Varela
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Huw B Thomas
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicines and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Mattias Van Heetvelde
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Marieke De Bruyne
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Stijn Van de Sompele
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Miriam Bauwens
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Hanne Lenaerts
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Quinten Mahieu
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | | | - Carlo Rivolta
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Raymond T O'Keefe
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicines and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jamie Ellingford
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicines and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Genomics England, London, UK
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew R Webster
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Gavin Arno
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
| | - Carmen Ayuso
- Department of Genetics, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julie De Zaeytijd
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Head & Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart P Leroy
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Head & Skin, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Division of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elfride De Baere
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Frauke Coppieters
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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12
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Suhorukova AV, Sobolev DS, Milovskaya IG, Fadeev VS, Goldenkova-Pavlova IV, Tyurin AA. A Molecular Orchestration of Plant Translation under Abiotic Stress. Cells 2023; 12:2445. [PMID: 37887289 PMCID: PMC10605726 DOI: 10.3390/cells12202445] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexities of translational strategies make this stage of implementing genetic information one of the most challenging to comprehend and, simultaneously, perhaps the most engaging. It is evident that this diverse range of strategies results not only from a long evolutionary history, but is also of paramount importance for refining gene expression and metabolic modulation. This notion is particularly accurate for organisms that predominantly exhibit biochemical and physiological reactions with a lack of behavioural ones. Plants are a group of organisms that exhibit such features. Addressing unfavourable environmental conditions plays a pivotal role in plant physiology. This is particularly evident with the changing conditions of global warming and the irrevocable loss or depletion of natural ecosystems. In conceptual terms, the plant response to abiotic stress comprises a set of elaborate and intricate strategies. This is influenced by a range of abiotic factors that cause stressful conditions, and molecular genetic mechanisms that fine-tune metabolic pathways allowing the plant organism to overcome non-standard and non-optimal conditions. This review aims to focus on the current state of the art in the field of translational regulation in plants under abiotic stress conditions. Different regulatory elements and patterns are being assessed chronologically. We deem it important to focus on significant high-performance techniques for studying the genetic information dynamics during the translation phase.
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13
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Stellner NI, Rerop ZS, Mehlmer N, Masri M, Ringel M, Brück TB. Expanding the genetic toolbox for Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosus employing newly identified promoters and a novel antibiotic resistance marker. BMC Biotechnol 2023; 23:40. [PMID: 37723521 PMCID: PMC10506223 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-023-00812-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosus is an oleaginous yeast that can produce up to 80% lipid per dry weight. Its high capacity for the biosynthesis of single cell oil makes it highly interesting for the production of engineered lipids or oleochemicals for industrial applications. However, the genetic toolbox for metabolic engineering of this non-conventional yeast has not yet been systematically expanded. Only three long endogenous promoter sequences have been used for heterologous gene expression, further three dominant and one auxotrophic marker have been established. RESULTS In this study, the structure of putative endogenous promoter sequences was analyzed based on more than 280 highly expressed genes. The identified motifs of regulatory elements and translational initiation sites were used to annotate the four endogenous putative promoter sequences D9FADp, UBIp, PPIp, and 60Sp. The promoter sequences were tested in a construct regulating the known dominant marker hygromycin B phosphotransferase. The four newly described promoters and the previously established GAPDHp successfully initiated expression of the resistance gene and PPIp was selected for further marker development. The geneticin G418 resistance (aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase, APH) and the nourseothricin resistance gene N-acetyl transferase (NAT) were tested for applicability in C. oleaginosus. Both markers showed high transformation efficiency, positive rate, and were compatible for combined use in a successive and simultaneous manner. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of four endogenous promoters and one novel dominant resistance markers for C. oleaginosus opens up new opportunities for genetic engineering and strain development. In combination with recently developed methods for targeted genomic integration, the established toolbox allows a wide spectrum of new strategies for genetic and metabolic engineering of the industrially highly relevant yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus I Stellner
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Werner Siemens-Chair for Synthetic Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
- TUM CREATE Ltd, 1 Create Way, #10-02 CREATE Tower, Singapore, 138602, Singapore
| | - Zora S Rerop
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Werner Siemens-Chair for Synthetic Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Norbert Mehlmer
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Werner Siemens-Chair for Synthetic Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Mahmoud Masri
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Werner Siemens-Chair for Synthetic Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Marion Ringel
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Werner Siemens-Chair for Synthetic Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Thomas B Brück
- TUM School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Werner Siemens-Chair for Synthetic Biotechnology, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85748, Garching, Germany.
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14
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Peixoto J, Príncipe C, Pestana A, Osório H, Pinto MT, Prazeres H, Soares P, Lima RT. Using a Dual CRISPR/Cas9 Approach to Gain Insight into the Role of LRP1B in Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11285. [PMID: 37511044 PMCID: PMC10379115 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
LRP1B remains one of the most altered genes in cancer, although its relevance in cancer biology is still unclear. Recent advances in gene editing techniques, particularly CRISPR/Cas9 systems, offer new opportunities to evaluate the function of large genes, such as LRP1B. Using a dual sgRNA CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing approach, this study aimed to assess the impact of disrupting LRP1B in glioblastoma cell biology. Four sgRNAs were designed for the dual targeting of two LRP1B exons (1 and 85). The U87 glioblastoma (GB) cell line was transfected with CRISPR/Cas9 PX459 vectors. To assess LRP1B-gene-induced alterations and expression, PCR, Sanger DNA sequencing, and qRT-PCR were carried out. Three clones (clones B9, E6, and H7) were further evaluated. All clones presented altered cellular morphology, increased cellular and nuclear size, and changes in ploidy. Two clones (E6 and H7) showed a significant decrease in cell growth, both in vitro and in the in vivo CAM assay. Proteomic analysis of the clones' secretome identified differentially expressed proteins that had not been previously associated with LRP1B alterations. This study demonstrates that the dual sgRNA CRISPR/Cas9 strategy can effectively edit LRP1B in GB cells, providing new insights into the impact of LRP1B deletions in GBM biology.
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Grants
- PTDC/MEC-ONC/31520/2017 FEEI, FEDER through COMPETE 2020 -POCI, Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior
- POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028779 (PTDC/BIA-MIC/28779/2017) FEEI, FEDER through COMPETE 2020 -POCI, Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior
- project "Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences" (UID/BIM/04293/2019) FEEI, FEDER through COMPETE 2020 -POCI, Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior
- "Cancer Research on Therapy Resistance: From Basic Mechanisms to Novel Targets"-NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000051 Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF
- The Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center" with the reference NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-072678 - Consórcio PORTO.CCC - Porto.Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca European Regional Development Fund
- ROTEIRO/0028/2013; LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-022125 Portuguese Mass Spectrometry Network, integrated in the National Roadmap of Research Infra-structures of Strategic Relevance
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Peixoto
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Príncipe
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Pestana
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Hugo Osório
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- FMUP-Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Teixeira Pinto
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Hugo Prazeres
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Soares
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- FMUP-Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel T Lima
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Cancer Signaling and Metabolism Group, IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- FMUP-Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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15
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Abstract
Cacao swollen shoot virus causes cacao swollen shoot disease of Theobroma cacao (cacao) plants. At least six cacao-infecting Badnavirus species-Cacao swollen shoot Togo A virus, Cacao swollen shoot Togo B virus (previously known as Cacao swollen shoot virus), Cacao swollen shoot CE virus, Cacao swollen shoot Ghana M virus, Cacao swollen shoot Ghana N virus, and Cacao swollen shoot Ghana Q virus-are responsible for the swollen shoot disease of cacao in Ghana. Each of these species consists of a multiplicity of strains. The New Juaben strain, the most virulent cacao swollen shoot virus strain in Ghana, belongs to the Cacao swollen shoot Togo B virus species, and is a commonly used strain in laboratory transmission assays. Infection of cacao trees with multiple strains of the virus is common and new evidence suggests that these coinfections may have resulted in the emergence of recombinant strains of the virus. The impact of these emerging recombinant strains on disease severity is uncertain. This review focuses largely on the discovery of cacao swollen shoot virus in Ghana, diversity of the virus strains, molecular characterization, propagation of virus infection in cacao plants, emergence of recombinant virus strains, vector-mediated transmission of the virus, and the management of the cacao swollen shoot disease in Ghana. It also contains sections on the botany and origin of the cacao tree, its introduction to Ghana, the role of cacao swollen shoot disease in facilitating Ghana's independence from Britain, and a brief history of chocolate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Owusu Domfeh
- Plant Pathology Division, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, New Tafo, Akim, Ghana
| | - George Akumfi Ameyaw
- Plant Pathology Division, Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, New Tafo, Akim, Ghana
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16
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Zhang D, Zhu L, Wang F, Li P, Wang Y, Gao Y. Molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic translation fidelity and their associations with diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 242:124680. [PMID: 37141965 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Converting genetic information into functional proteins is a complex, multi-step process, with each step being tightly regulated to ensure the accuracy of translation, which is critical to cellular health. In recent years, advances in modern biotechnology, especially the development of cryo-electron microscopy and single-molecule techniques, have enabled a clearer understanding of the mechanisms of protein translation fidelity. Although there are many studies on the regulation of protein translation in prokaryotes, and the basic elements of translation are highly conserved in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, there are still great differences in the specific regulatory mechanisms. This review describes how eukaryotic ribosomes and translation factors regulate protein translation and ensure translation accuracy. However, a certain frequency of translation errors does occur in translation, so we describe diseases that arise when the rate of translation errors reaches or exceeds a threshold of cellular tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejiu Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- College of Basic Medical, Qingdao Binhai University, Qingdao, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Peifeng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Yanyan Gao
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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17
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Liang Y, Yu X, Anaokar S, Shi H, Dahl WB, Cai Y, Luo G, Chai J, Cai Y, Mollá‐Morales A, Altpeter F, Ernst E, Schwender J, Martienssen RA, Shanklin J. Engineering triacylglycerol accumulation in duckweed (Lemna japonica). PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:317-330. [PMID: 36209479 PMCID: PMC9884027 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Duckweeds are amongst the fastest growing of higher plants, making them attractive high-biomass targets for biofuel feedstock production. Their fronds have high rates of fatty acid synthesis to meet the demand for new membranes, but triacylglycerols (TAG) only accumulate to very low levels. Here we report on the engineering of Lemna japonica for the synthesis and accumulation of TAG in its fronds. This was achieved by expression of an estradiol-inducible cyan fluorescent protein-Arabidopsis WRINKLED1 fusion protein (CFP-AtWRI1), strong constitutive expression of a mouse diacylglycerol:acyl-CoA acyltransferase2 (MmDGAT), and a sesame oleosin variant (SiOLE(*)). Individual expression of each gene increased TAG accumulation by 1- to 7-fold relative to controls, while expression of pairs of these genes increased TAG by 7- to 45-fold. In uninduced transgenics containing all three genes, TAG accumulation increased by 45-fold to 3.6% of dry weight (DW) without severely impacting growth, and by 108-fold to 8.7% of DW after incubation on medium containing 100 μm estradiol for 4 days. TAG accumulation was accompanied by an increase in total fatty acids of up to three-fold to approximately 15% of DW. Lipid droplets from fronds of all transgenic lines were visible by confocal microscopy of BODIPY-stained fronds. At a conservative 12 tonnes (dry matter) per acre and 10% (DW) TAG, duckweed could produce 350 gallons of oil/acre/year, approximately seven-fold the yield of soybean, and similar to that of oil palm. These findings provide the foundation for optimizing TAG accumulation in duckweed and present a new opportunity for producing biofuels and lipidic bioproducts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxue Liang
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNYUSA
| | - Xiao‐Hong Yu
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNYUSA
| | - Sanket Anaokar
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNYUSA
| | - Hai Shi
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNYUSA
| | | | - Yingqi Cai
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNYUSA
| | - Guangbin Luo
- Agronomy Department, Genetics InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Jin Chai
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNYUSA
| | - Yuanheng Cai
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNYUSA
| | | | - Fredy Altpeter
- Agronomy Department, Genetics InstituteUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Evan Ernst
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNYUSA
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteCold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNYUSA
| | - Jorg Schwender
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNYUSA
| | - Robert A. Martienssen
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNYUSA
- Howard Hughes Medical InstituteCold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborNYUSA
| | - John Shanklin
- Biology DepartmentBrookhaven National LaboratoryUptonNYUSA
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18
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Behera J, Rahman MM, Shockey J, Kilaru A. Acyl-CoA-dependent and acyl-CoA-independent avocado acyltransferases positively influence oleic acid content in nonseed triacylglycerols. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1056582. [PMID: 36714784 PMCID: PMC9874167 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1056582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In higher plants, acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) and phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) catalyze the terminal step of triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis in acyl-CoA-dependent and -independent pathways, respectively. Avocado (Persea americana) mesocarp, a nonseed tissue, accumulates significant amounts of TAG (~70% by dry weight) that is rich in heart-healthy oleic acid (18:1). The oil accumulation stages of avocado mesocarp development coincide with high expression levels for type-1 DGAT (DGAT1) and PDAT1, although type-2 DGAT (DGAT2) expression remains low. The strong preference for oleic acid demonstrated by the avocado mesocarp TAG biosynthetic machinery represents lucrative biotechnological opportunities, yet functional characterization of these three acyltransferases has not been explored to date. We expressed avocado PaDGAT1, PaDGAT2, and PaPDAT1 in bakers' yeast and leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana. PaDGAT1 complemented the TAG biosynthesis deficiency in the quadruple mutant yeast strain H1246, and substantially elevated total cellular lipid content. In vitro enzyme assays showed that PaDGAT1 prefers oleic acid compared to palmitic acid (16:0). Both PaDGAT1 and PaPDAT1 increased the lipid content and elevated oleic acid levels when expressed independently or together, transiently in N. benthamiana leaves. These results indicate that PaDGAT1 and PaPDAT1 prefer oleate-containing substrates, and their coordinated expression likely contributes to sustained TAG synthesis that is enriched in oleic acid. This study establishes a knowledge base for future metabolic engineering studies focused on exploitation of the biochemical properties of PaDGAT1 and PaPDAT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Behera
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
| | - Md Mahbubur Rahman
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
- dNTP Laboratory, Teaneck, NJ, United States
| | - Jay Shockey
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southern Regional Research Center, Commodity Utilization Research Unit, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Aruna Kilaru
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, United States
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19
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Jaramillo-Mesa H, Rakotondrafara AM. All eggs in one basket: How potyvirus infection is controlled at a single cap-independent translation event. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 148-149:51-61. [PMID: 36608998 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.12.011] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of protein synthesis is a strong determinant of potyviral pathogenicity. The Potyviridae family is the largest family of plant-infecting positive sense RNA viruses. Similar to the animal-infecting Picornaviridae family, the potyviral RNA genome lacks a 5' cap, and instead has a viral protein (VPg) linked to its 5' end. Potyviral genomes are mainly translated into one large polyprotein relying on a single translation event to express all their protein repertoire. In the absence of the 5' cap, the Potyviridae family depends on cis-acting elements in their 5' untranslated regions (UTR) to recruit the translation machinery. In this review, we summarize the diverse 5'UTR-driven, cap-independent translation mechanisms employed by the Potyviridae family including scanning-dependent mechanism, internal initiation, and the stimulatory role of the VPg. These mechanisms have direct implications on potyviral pathogenicity, including host range specificity and resistance. Finally, we discuss how these viral strategies could not only inform new avenues for engineering and/or breeding for crop resistance but would also provide opportunities for the development of biotechnological tools for large-scale protein production in plant systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Jaramillo-Mesa
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53704, USA
| | - Aurélie M Rakotondrafara
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53704, USA.
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20
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King BC, Blom AM. Intracellular complement: Evidence, definitions, controversies, and solutions. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:104-119. [PMID: 36100972 PMCID: PMC10086947 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The term "intracellular complement" has been introduced recently as an umbrella term to distinguish functions of complement proteins that take place intracellularly, rather than in the extracellular environment. However, this rather undefined term leaves some confusion as to the classification of what intracellular complement really is, and as to which intracellular compartment(s) it should refer to. In this review, we will describe the evidence for both canonical and non-canonical functions of intracellular complement proteins, as well as the current controversies and unanswered questions as to the nature of the intracellular complement. We also suggest new terms to facilitate the accurate description and discussion of specific forms of intracellular complement and call for future experiments that will be required to provide more definitive evidence and a better understanding of the mechanisms of intracellular complement activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben C King
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Anna M Blom
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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21
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Wang Y, Liu Y, Zhao Z, Wu X, Lin J, Li Y, Yan W, Wu Y, Shi Y, Wu X, Xue Y, He J, Liu S, Zhang X, Xu H, Tang Y, Yin S. The involvement of ADAR1 in chronic unpredictable stress-induced cognitive impairment by targeting DARPP-32 with miR-874-3p in BALB/c mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:919297. [PMID: 37123418 PMCID: PMC10132208 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.919297] [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: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic stress exposure is the main environmental factor leading to cognitive impairment, but the detailed molecular mechanism is still unclear. Adenosine Deaminase acting on double-stranded RNA1(ADAR1) is involved in the occurrence of chronic stress-induced cognitive impairment. In addition, dopamine and Adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate-regulated phospho-protein (DARPP-32) gene variation affects cognitive function. Therefore, we hypothesized that ADAR1 plays a key role in chronic stress-induced cognitive impairment by acting on DARPP-32. Methods: In this study, postnatal 21-day-old male BALB/c mice were exposed to chronic unpredictable stressors. After that, the mice were treated with ADAR1 inducer/inhibitor. The cognitive ability and cerebral DARPP-32 protein expression of BALB/c mice were evaluated. In order to explore the link between ADAR1 and DARPP-32, the effects of ADAR1 high/low expression on DARPP-32 protein expression in vitro were detected. Results: ADAR1 inducer alleviates cognitive impairment and recovers decreased DARPP-32 protein expression of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in BALB/c mice with chronic unpredictable stress exposure. In vivo and in vitro studies confirm the results predicted by bio-informatics; that is, ADAR1 affects DARPP-32 expression via miR-874-3p. Discussion: The results in this study demonstrate that ADAR1 affects the expression of DARPP-32 via miR-874-3p, which is involved in the molecular mechanism of pathogenesis in chronic unpredictable stress-induced cognitive impairment. The new findings of this study provide a new therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of stress cognitive impairment from epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Wang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yingxin Liu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ziwei Zhao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xinyu Wu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jiabin Lin
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yufei Li
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Drug Research and Development of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dalian, China
| | - Wei Yan
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yi Wu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yanfei Shi
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xindi Wu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ying Xue
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Jiaqian He
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Shuqi Liu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Xiaonan Zhang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hong Xu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yiyuan Tang
- College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Shengming Yin
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: Shengming Yin,
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22
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Li K, Kong J, Zhang S, Zhao T, Qian W. Distance-dependent inhibition of translation initiation by downstream out-of-frame AUGs is consistent with a Brownian ratchet process of ribosome scanning. Genome Biol 2022; 23:254. [PMID: 36510274 PMCID: PMC9743702 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02829-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eukaryotic ribosomes are widely presumed to scan mRNA for the AUG codon to initiate translation in a strictly 5'-3' movement (i.e., strictly unidirectional scanning model), so that ribosomes initiate translation exclusively at the 5' proximal AUG codon (i.e., the first-AUG rule). RESULTS We generate 13,437 yeast variants, each with an ATG triplet placed downstream (dATGs) of the annotated ATG (aATG) codon of a green fluorescent protein. We find that out-of-frame dATGs can inhibit translation at the aATG, but with diminishing strength over increasing distance between aATG and dATG, undetectable beyond ~17 nt. This phenomenon is best explained by a Brownian ratchet mechanism of ribosome scanning, in which the ribosome uses small-amplitude 5'-3' and 3'-5' oscillations with a net 5'-3' movement to scan the AUG codon, thereby leading to competition for translation initiation between aAUG and a proximal dAUG. This scanning model further predicts that the inhibitory effect induced by an out-of-frame upstream AUG triplet (uAUG) will diminish as uAUG approaches aAUG, which is indeed observed among the 15,586 uATG variants generated in this study. Computational simulations suggest that each triplet is scanned back and forth approximately ten times until the ribosome eventually migrates to downstream regions. Moreover, this scanning process could constrain the evolution of sequences downstream of the aATG to minimize proximal out-of-frame dATG triplets in yeast and humans. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our findings uncover the basic process by which eukaryotic ribosomes scan for initiation codons, and how this process could shape eukaryotic genome evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Li
- grid.418558.50000 0004 0596 2989State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Jinhui Kong
- grid.418558.50000 0004 0596 2989State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- grid.418558.50000 0004 0596 2989State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Tong Zhao
- grid.458488.d0000 0004 0627 1442Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Wenfeng Qian
- grid.418558.50000 0004 0596 2989State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Innovation Academy for Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101 China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
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23
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Bioinformatics Designing and Molecular Modelling of a Universal mRNA Vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122107. [PMID: 36560516 PMCID: PMC9785986 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122107] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
At this present stage of COVID-19 re-emergence, designing an effective candidate vaccine for different variants of SARS-CoV-2 is a study worthy of consideration. This research used bioinformatics tools to design an mRNA vaccine that captures all the circulating variants and lineages of the virus in its construct. Sequences of these viruses were retrieved across the six continents and analyzed using different tools to screen for the preferable CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTL), CD4+ T lymphocytes (HTL), and B-cell epitopes. These epitopes were used to design the vaccine. In addition, several other co-translational residues were added to the construct of an mRNA vaccine whose molecular weight is 285.29686 kDa with an estimated pI of 9.2 and has no cross affinity with the human genome with an estimated over 68% to cover the world population. It is relatively stable, with minimal deformability in its interaction with the human innate immune receptor, which includes TLR 3 and TLR 9. The overall result has proven that the designed candidate vaccine is capable of modulating cell-mediated immune responses by activating the actions of CD4+ T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages, and displayed an increased memory T cell and B cell activities, which may further be validated via in vivo and in vitro techniques.
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24
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Kamble VS, Pachpor TA, Khandagale SB, Wagh VV, Khare SP. Translation initiation and dysregulation of initiation factors in rare diseases. GENE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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25
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Xu T, Li LX, Jia Y, Wu Q, Zhu W, Xu Z, Zheng B, Lu X. One microRNA has the potential to target whole viral mRNAs in a given human coronavirus. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1035044. [PMID: 36439806 PMCID: PMC9686371 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1035044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can repress viral replication by targeting viral messenger RNA (mRNA), which makes them potential antiviral agents. The antiviral effects of miRNAs on infectious viruses have been explored extensively; however, recent studies mainly considered the action modes of miRNAs, neglecting another key factor, the molecular biology of viruses, which may be particularly important in the study of miRNA actions against a given virus. In this paper, the action modes of miRNAs and the molecular biology of viruses are jointly considered for the first time and based on the reported roles of miRNAs on viruses and human coronaviruses (HCoVs) molecular biology, the general and specific interaction modes of miRNAs-HCoVs are systematically reviewed. It was found that HCoVs transcriptome is a nested set of subgenomic mRNAs, sharing the same 5' leader, 3' untranslated region (UTR) and open reading frame (ORF). For a given HCoV, one certain miRNA with a target site in the 5' leader or 3' UTR has the potential to target all viral mRNAs, indicating tremendous antiviral effects against HCoVs. However, for the shared ORFs, some parts are untranslatable attributed to the translation pattern of HCoVs mRNA, and it is unknown whether the base pairing between the untranslated ORFs and miRNAs plays a regulatory effect on the local mRNAs where the untranslated ORFs are located; therefore, the regulatory effects of miRNAs with targets within the shared ORFs are complicated and need to be confirmed. Collectively, miRNAs may bepromising antiviral agents against HCoVs due to their intrinsically nested set of mRNAs, and some gaps are waiting to be filled. In this review, insight is provided into the exploration of miRNAs that can interrupt HCoVs infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tielong Xu
- Evidence-Based Medicine Research Center Department, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Long-xue Li
- Laboratory Animal Science and Technology Center, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Yao Jia
- Evidence-Based Medicine Research Center Department, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Qingni Wu
- Evidence-Based Medicine Research Center Department, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Weifeng Zhu
- Evidence-Based Medicine Research Center Department, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhou Xu
- Evidence-Based Medicine Research Center Department, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Bin Zheng
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuexin Lu
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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26
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Yoon J, Gu WB, Konuma M, Kobayashi M, Yokoi H, Osada M, Nagasawa K. Gene delivery available in molluscan cells by strong promoter discovered from bivalve-infectious virus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2209910119. [PMID: 36322729 PMCID: PMC9661190 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2209910119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding gene functions in marine invertebrates has been limited, largely due to the lack of suitable assay systems. Such a system requires investigative methods that are reproducible and can be quantitatively evaluated, such as a cell line, and a strong promoter that can drive high expression of a transgene. In this study, we established primary cell culture from a marine bivalve mollusc, Mizuhopecten yessoensis. Using scallop primary cells, we optimized electroporation conditions for transfection and carried out a luciferase-based promoter activity assay to identify strong promoter sequences that can drive expression of a gene of interest. We evaluated potential promoter sequences from genes of endogenous and exogenous origin and discovered a strong viral promoter derived from a bivalve-infectious virus, ostreid herpesvirus-1 (OsHV-1). This promoter, we termed OsHV-1 promoter, showed 24.7-fold and 16.1-fold higher activity than the cytomegalovirus immediate early (CMV IE) promoter and the endogenous EF1α promoter, the two most commonly used promoters in bivalves so far. Our GFP assays showed that the OsHV-1 promoter is active not only in scallop cells but also in HEK293 cells and zebrafish embryos. The OsHV-1 promoter practically enables functional analysis of marine molluscan genes, which can contribute to unveiling gene-regulatory networks underlying astonishing regeneration, adaptation, reproduction, and aging in marine invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeongwoong Yoon
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8572, Japan
| | - Wen-Bin Gu
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8572, Japan
| | - Mizuki Konuma
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8572, Japan
| | - Mutsuko Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8572, Japan
| | - Hayato Yokoi
- Laboratory of Fish Genetics, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8572, Japan
| | - Makoto Osada
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8572, Japan
| | - Kazue Nagasawa
- Laboratory of Aquaculture Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8572, Japan
- To whom correspondence may be addressed.
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27
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Manske F, Ogoniak L, Jürgens L, Grundmann N, Makałowski W, Wethmar K. The new uORFdb: integrating literature, sequence, and variation data in a central hub for uORF research. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:D328-D336. [PMID: 36305828 PMCID: PMC9825577 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are initiated by AUG or near-cognate start codons and have been identified in the transcript leader sequences of the majority of eukaryotic transcripts. Functionally, uORFs are implicated in downstream translational regulation of the main protein coding sequence and may serve as a source of non-canonical peptides. Genetic defects in uORF sequences have been linked to the development of various diseases, including cancer. To simplify uORF-related research, the initial release of uORFdb in 2014 provided a comprehensive and manually curated collection of uORF-related literature. Here, we present an updated sequence-based version of uORFdb, accessible at https://www.bioinformatics.uni-muenster.de/tools/uorfdb. The new uORFdb enables users to directly access sequence information, graphical displays, and genetic variation data for over 2.4 million human uORFs. It also includes sequence data of >4.2 million uORFs in 12 additional species. Multiple uORFs can be displayed in transcript- and reading-frame-specific models to visualize the translational context. A variety of filters, sequence-related information, and links to external resources (UCSC Genome Browser, dbSNP, ClinVar) facilitate immediate in-depth analysis of individual uORFs. The database also contains uORF-related somatic variation data obtained from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analyses of 677 cancer samples collected by the TCGA consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Manske
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Lynn Ogoniak
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Lara Jürgens
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Pneumology, University Hospital Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Norbert Grundmann
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Münster, Münster 48149, Germany
| | - Wojciech Makałowski
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Wojciech Makałowski. Tel: +49 2518353006;
| | - Klaus Wethmar
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +49 2518347587; Fax: +49 2518347588;
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28
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Exploration of Tools for the Interpretation of Human Non-Coding Variants. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232112977. [PMID: 36361767 PMCID: PMC9654743 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112977] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) broadened the genetic variation detection range, revealing the presence of variants even in non-coding regions of the genome, which would have been missed using targeted approaches. One of the most challenging issues in WGS analysis regards the interpretation of annotated variants. This review focuses on tools suitable for the functional annotation of variants falling into non-coding regions. It couples the description of non-coding genomic areas with the results and performance of existing tools for a functional interpretation of the effect of variants in these regions. Tools were tested in a controlled genomic scenario, representing the ground-truth and allowing us to determine software performance.
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29
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Yuan Q, Zhao B, Cao YH, Yan JC, Sun LJ, Liu X, Xu Y, Wang XY, Wang B. BCR-Associated Protein 31 Regulates Macrophages Polarization and Wound Healing Function via Early Growth Response 2/C/EBPβ and IL-4Rα/C/EBPβ Pathways. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 209:1059-1070. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The BCR-associated protein 31 (BAP31), a transmembrane protein in the endoplasmic reticulum, participates in the regulation of immune cells, such as microglia and T cells, and has potential functions in macrophages that remain to be unexplored. In this study, we designed and bred macrophage-specific BAP31 knockdown mice to detect the polarization and functions of macrophages. The results revealed that M2 macrophage-associated genes were suppressed in mouse bone marrow–derived macrophages of Lyz2 Cre-BAP31flox/flox mice. Multiple macrophage-associated transcription factors were demonstrated to be able to be regulated by BAP31. Among these factors, C/EBPβ was the most significantly decreased and was regulated by early growth response 2. BAP31 could also affect C/EBPβ via modulating IL-4Rα ubiquitination and proteasome degradation in IL-4–stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, we found that BAP31 affects macrophages functions, including angiogenesis and skin fibrosis, during the wound healing process through IL-4Rα, as confirmed by infection with adeno-associated virus–short hairpin (sh)-IL-4Rα in Lyz2 Cre-BAP31flox/flox mice. Our findings indicate a novel mechanism of BAP31 in regulating macrophages and provide potential solutions for the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Yuan
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu-hua Cao
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jia-cheng Yan
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Li-jun Sun
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xia Liu
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yang Xu
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiao-yu Wang
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Bing Wang
- College of Life Science and Health, Northeastern University, Hunnan Xinqu, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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30
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Thomas SE, Balcerowicz M, Chung BYW. RNA structure mediated thermoregulation: What can we learn from plants? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:938570. [PMID: 36092413 PMCID: PMC9450479 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.938570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
RNA molecules have the capacity to form a multitude of distinct secondary and tertiary structures, but only the most energetically favorable conformations are adopted at any given time. Formation of such structures strongly depends on the environment and consequently, these structures are highly dynamic and may refold as their surroundings change. Temperature is one of the most direct physical parameters that influence RNA structure dynamics, and in turn, thermosensitive RNA structures can be harnessed by a cell to perceive and respond to its temperature environment. Indeed, many thermosensitive RNA structures with biological function have been identified in prokaryotic organisms, but for a long time such structures remained elusive in eukaryotes. Recent discoveries, however, reveal that thermosensitive RNA structures are also found in plants, where they affect RNA stability, pre-mRNA splicing and translation efficiency in a temperature-dependent manner. In this minireview, we provide a short overview of thermosensitive RNA structures in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, highlight recent advances made in identifying such structures in plants and discuss their similarities and differences to established prokaryotic RNA thermosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherine E. Thomas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Balcerowicz
- Division of Plant Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Betty Y.-W. Chung
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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31
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A previously unknown Argonaute 2 variant positively modulates the viability of melanoma cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:475. [PMID: 35943635 PMCID: PMC9363364 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04496-8] [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: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In malignant melanoma, a highly aggressive form of skin cancer, many microRNAs are aberrantly expressed contributing to tumorigenesis and progression. Further, deregulation of microRNA processing enzymes, like the miRNA-binding protein Argonaute 2, significantly impacts microRNA function. This study characterizes a novel splice variant of Argonaut 2, AGO2-ex1/3. AGO2-ex1/3 is substantially expressed in different melanoma cell lines and patient-derived tissue samples. It is a mature mRNA, which is translated into an N-terminally truncated Argonaute 2 protein form. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the PAZ, MID, and PIWI domain largely retain their structure in AGO2-ex1/3 and that the truncation of the N-terminus leads to an increased interdomain flexibility. Expression of AGO2-ex1/3 provides a survival advantage for melanoma cells while the knockdown causes significantly reduced proliferation and increases apoptosis. RNA-sequencing revealed that in cells lacking AGO2-ex1/3 expression many miRNA target genes are deregulated, implicating a considerable role of AGO2-ex1/3 for miRNA function. This study inaugurates insights into an important role of a so far unknown splice variant of Argonaute 2 for the miRNA pathway as well as the mechanisms which drive growth and survival of melanoma cells. This knowledge provides the basis for potential new promising therapeutic targets focusing on small RNA-mediated gene regulation in melanoma.
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32
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Condé L, Allatif O, Ohlmann T, de Breyne S. Translation of SARS-CoV-2 gRNA Is Extremely Efficient and Competitive despite a High Degree of Secondary Structures and the Presence of an uORF. Viruses 2022; 14:1505. [PMID: 35891485 PMCID: PMC9322171 DOI: 10.3390/v14071505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 infection generates up to nine different sub-genomic mRNAs (sgRNAs), in addition to the genomic RNA (gRNA). The 5'UTR of each viral mRNA shares the first 75 nucleotides (nt.) at their 5'end, called the leader, but differentiates by a variable sequence (0 to 190 nt. long) that follows the leader. As a result, each viral mRNA has its own specific 5'UTR in term of length, RNA structure, uORF and Kozak context; each one of these characteristics could affect mRNA expression. In this study, we have measured and compared translational efficiency of each of the ten viral transcripts. Our data show that most of them are very efficiently translated in all translational systems tested. Surprisingly, the gRNA 5'UTR, which is the longest and the most structured, was also the most efficient to initiate translation. This property is conserved in the 5'UTR of SARS-CoV-1 but not in MERS-CoV strain, mainly due to the regulation imposed by the uORF. Interestingly, the translation initiation mechanism on the SARS-CoV-2 gRNA 5'UTR requires the cap structure and the components of the eIF4F complex but showed no dependence in the presence of the poly(A) tail in vitro. Our data strongly suggest that translation initiation on SARS-CoV-2 mRNAs occurs via an unusual cap-dependent mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Théophile Ohlmann
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, (Team Ohlmann), Univ Lyon, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France; (L.C.); (O.A.)
| | - Sylvain de Breyne
- CIRI, Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, (Team Ohlmann), Univ Lyon, Inserm U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France; (L.C.); (O.A.)
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33
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Asmani F, Khavari-Nejad RA, Salmanian AH, Amani J. Immunological evaluation of recombinant chimeric construct from Enterotoxigenic E. coli expressed in hairy roots. Mol Immunol 2022; 147:81-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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34
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Abstract
The tremendous amount of biological sequence data available, combined with the recent methodological breakthrough in deep learning in domains such as computer vision or natural language processing, is leading today to the transformation of bioinformatics through the emergence of deep genomics, the application of deep learning to genomic sequences. We review here the new applications that the use of deep learning enables in the field, focusing on three aspects: the functional annotation of genomes, the sequence determinants of the genome functions and the possibility to write synthetic genomic sequences.
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35
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Gage JL, Mali S, McLoughlin F, Khaipho-Burch M, Monier B, Bailey-Serres J, Vierstra RD, Buckler ES. Variation in upstream open reading frames contributes to allelic diversity in maize protein abundance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112516119. [PMID: 35349347 PMCID: PMC9169109 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112516119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceProteins are the machinery which execute essential cellular functions. However, measuring their abundance within an organism can be difficult and resource-intensive. Cells use a variety of mechanisms to control protein synthesis from mRNA, including short open reading frames (uORFs) that lie upstream of the main coding sequence. Ribosomes can preferentially translate uORFs instead of the main coding sequence, leading to reduced translation of the main protein. In this study, we show that uORF sequence variation between individuals can lead to different rates of protein translation and thus variable protein abundances. We also demonstrate that natural variation in uORFs occurs frequently and can be linked to whole-plant phenotypes, indicating that uORF sequence variation likely contributes to plant adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L. Gage
- Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
| | - Sujina Mali
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Fionn McLoughlin
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Merritt Khaipho-Burch
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Brandon Monier
- Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - Julia Bailey-Serres
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, Center for Plant Cell Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521
| | - Richard D. Vierstra
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Edward S. Buckler
- Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
- Plant Breeding and Genetics Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
- Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Ithaca, NY 14853
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36
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Zhang D, Zhu L, Wang Y, Li P, Gao Y. Translational Control of COVID-19 and Its Therapeutic Implication. Front Immunol 2022; 13:857490. [PMID: 35422818 PMCID: PMC9002053 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.857490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of COVID-19, which has broken out worldwide for more than two years. However, due to limited treatment, new cases of infection are still rising. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the basic molecular biology of SARS-CoV-2 to control this virus. SARS-CoV-2 replication and spread depend on the recruitment of host ribosomes to translate viral messenger RNA (mRNA). To ensure the translation of their own mRNAs, the SARS-CoV-2 has developed multiple strategies to globally inhibit the translation of host mRNAs and block the cellular innate immune response. This review provides a comprehensive picture of recent advancements in our understanding of the molecular basis and complexity of SARS-CoV-2 protein translation. Specifically, we summarize how this viral infection inhibits host mRNA translation to better utilize translation elements for translation of its own mRNA. Finally, we discuss the potential of translational components as targets for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dejiu Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- College of Basic Medical, Qingdao Binhai University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Peifeng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yanyan Gao
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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37
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Development of Plant-Based Vaccines for Prevention of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease in Poultry. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10030478. [PMID: 35335110 PMCID: PMC8952014 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10030478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral diseases, including avian influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease (ND), are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in poultry, resulting in significant economic losses. Despite the availability of commercial vaccines for the major viral diseases of poultry, these diseases continue to pose a significant risk to global food security. There are multiple factors for this: vaccine costs may be prohibitive, cold chain storage for attenuated live-virus vaccines may not be achievable, and commercial vaccines may protect poorly against local emerging strains. The development of transient gene expression systems in plants provides a versatile and robust tool to generate a high yield of recombinant proteins with superior speed while managing to achieve cost-efficient production. Plant-derived vaccines offer good stability and safety these include both subunit and virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines. VLPs offer potential benefits compared to currently available traditional vaccines, including significant reductions in virus shedding and the ability to differentiate between infected and vaccinated birds (DIVA). This review discusses the current state of plant-based vaccines for prevention of the AI and ND in poultry, challenges in their development, and potential for expanding their use in low- and middle-income countries.
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38
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Short 5' Untranslated Region Enables Optimal Translation of Plant Virus Tricistronic RNA via Leaky Scanning. J Virol 2022; 96:e0214421. [PMID: 35262378 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02144-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Regardless of the general model of translation in eukaryotic cells, a number of studies suggested that many mRNAs encode multiple proteins. Leaky scanning, which supplies ribosomes to downstream open reading frames (ORFs) by readthrough of upstream ORFs, has great potential to translate polycistronic mRNAs. However, the mRNA elements controlling leaky scanning and their biological relevance have rarely been elucidated, with exceptions such as the Kozak sequence. Here, we have analyzed the strategy of a plant RNA virus to translate three movement proteins from a single RNA molecule through leaky scanning. The in planta and in vitro results indicate thatthe significantly shorter 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the most upstream ORF promotes leaky scanning, potentially fine-tuning the translation efficiency of the three proteins in a single RNA molecule to optimize viral propagation. Our results suggest that the remarkably short length of the leader sequence, like the Kozak sequence, is a translational regulatory element with a biologically important role, as previous studies have shown biochemically. IMPORTANCE Potexvirus, a group of plant viruses, infect a variety of crops, including cultivated crops. It has been thought that the three transition proteins that are essential for the cell-to-cell transfer of potexviruses are translated from two subgenomic RNAs, sgRNA1 and sgRNA2. However, sgRNA2 has not been clearly detected. In this study, we have shown that sgRNA1, but not sgRNA2, is the major translation template for the three movement proteins. In addition, we determined the transcription start site of sgRNA1 in flexiviruses and found that the efficiency of leaky scanning caused by the short 5' UTR of sgRNA1, a widely conserved feature, regulates the translation of the three movement proteins. When we tested the infection of viruses with mutations introduced into the length of the 5' UTR, we found that the movement efficiency of the virus was affected. Our results provide important additional information on the protein translation strategy of flexiviruses, including Potexvirus, and provide a basis for research on their control as well as the need to reevaluate the short 5' UTR as a translational regulatory element with an important role in vivo.
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Kasprowicz A, Sophie GD, Lagadec C, Delannoy P. Role of GD3 Synthase ST8Sia I in Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14051299. [PMID: 35267607 PMCID: PMC8909605 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14051299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The carbohydrate moiety of cell surface glycolipids is modified in cancers of neuro–ectoderm origin, leading to the expression of more complex structures with two or more sialic acid residues. These alterations result from the upregulation of the ST8SIA1 gene that encodes GD3 synthase, the enzyme controlling the biosynthesis of complex gangliosides, and are usually associated with a more aggressive phenotype and a poor outcome for patients, making GD3 synthase an interesting target for cancer therapy. This review reports our general knowledge of GD3 synthase gene expression and regulation, its role in both epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer progression, and the different approaches targeting GD3S expression in cancers. Abstract GD3 synthase controls the biosynthesis of complex gangliosides, bearing two or more sialic acid residues. Disialylated gangliosides GD3 and GD2 are tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACA) in neuro–ectoderm-derived cancers, and are directly involved in cell malignant properties, i.e., migration, invasion, stemness, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Since GD3 and GD2 levels are directly linked to GD3 synthase expression and activity, targeting GD3 synthase appears to be a promising strategy through which to interfere with ganglioside-associated malignant properties. We review here the current knowledge on GD3 synthase expression and regulation in cancers, and the consequences of complex ganglioside expression on cancer cell signaling and properties, highlighting the relationships between GD3 synthase expression and epithelial–mesenchymal transition and stemness. Different strategies were used to modulate GD3 synthase expression in cancer cells in vitro and in animal models, such as inhibitors or siRNA/lncRNA, which efficiently reduced cancer cell malignant properties and the proportion of GD2 positive cancer stem cells, which are associated with high metastatic properties, resistance to therapy, and cancer relapse. These data show the relevance of targeting GD3 synthase in association with conventional therapies, to decrease the number of cancer stem cells in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Kasprowicz
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycosylation Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France;
| | - Groux-Degroote Sophie
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycosylation Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France;
- Correspondence: (G.-D.S.); (P.D.)
| | - Chann Lagadec
- University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille UMR9020-U1277-CANTHER Cancer Heterogeneity, Plasticity and Resistance to Therapies, F-59000 Lille, France;
| | - Philippe Delannoy
- University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycosylation Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000 Lille, France;
- Correspondence: (G.-D.S.); (P.D.)
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40
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Hu W, Jiang C, Kim M, Xiao Y, Richter HJ, Guan D, Zhu K, Krusen BM, Roberts AN, Miller J, Steger DJ, Lazar MA. Isoform-specific functions of PPARγ in gene regulation and metabolism. Genes Dev 2022; 36:300-312. [PMID: 35273075 PMCID: PMC8973844 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349232.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Hu et al. investigated the specific functions of the two main PPARγ isoforms by generating mouse lines in which endogenous PPARγ1 and PPARγ2 were epitope-tagged to interrogate isoform-specific genomic binding, and mice deficient in either PPARγ1 or PPARγ2 to assess isoform-specific gene regulation. They show that PPARγ isoforms have specific and separable metabolic functions that may be targeted to improve therapy for insulin resistance and diabetes. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a nuclear receptor that is a vital regulator of adipogenesis, insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism. Activation of PPARγ by antidiabetic thiazolidinediones (TZD) reverses insulin resistance but also leads to weight gain that limits the use of these drugs. There are two main PPARγ isoforms, but the specific functions of each are not established. Here we generated mouse lines in which endogenous PPARγ1 and PPARγ2 were epitope-tagged to interrogate isoform-specific genomic binding, and mice deficient in either PPARγ1 or PPARγ2 to assess isoform-specific gene regulation. Strikingly, although PPARγ1 and PPARγ2 contain identical DNA binding domains, we uncovered isoform-specific genomic binding sites in addition to shared sites. Moreover, PPARγ1 and PPARγ2 regulated a different set of genes in adipose tissue depots, suggesting distinct roles in adipocyte biology. Indeed, mice with selective deficiency of PPARγ1 maintained body temperature better than wild-type or PPARγ2-deficient mice. Most remarkably, although TZD treatment improved glucose tolerance in mice lacking either PPARγ1 or PPARγ2, the PPARγ1-deficient mice were protected from TZD-induced body weight gain compared with PPARγ2-deficient mice. Thus, PPARγ isoforms have specific and separable metabolic functions that may be targeted to improve therapy for insulin resistance and diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiang Hu
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Chunjie Jiang
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Mindy Kim
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Yang Xiao
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Hannah J Richter
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Dongyin Guan
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Kun Zhu
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Brianna M Krusen
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Arielle N Roberts
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19131, USA
| | - Jessica Miller
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - David J Steger
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Mitchell A Lazar
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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41
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Guo Y, Zhou D, Cao J, Nie R, Ruan X, Liu Y. Gated residual neural networks with self-normalization for translation initiation site recognition. Knowl Based Syst 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.knosys.2021.107783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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42
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Kute PM, Soukarieh O, Tjeldnes H, Trégouët DA, Valen E. Small Open Reading Frames, How to Find Them and Determine Their Function. Front Genet 2022; 12:796060. [PMID: 35154250 PMCID: PMC8831751 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.796060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in genomics and molecular biology have revealed an abundance of small open reading frames (sORFs) across all types of transcripts. While these sORFs are often assumed to be non-functional, many have been implicated in physiological functions and a significant number of sORFs have been described in human diseases. Thus, sORFs may represent a hidden repository of functional elements that could serve as therapeutic targets. Unlike protein-coding genes, it is not necessarily the encoded peptide of an sORF that enacts its function, sometimes simply the act of translating an sORF might have a regulatory role. Indeed, the most studied sORFs are located in the 5′UTRs of coding transcripts and can have a regulatory impact on the translation of the downstream protein-coding sequence. However, sORFs have also been abundantly identified in non-coding RNAs including lncRNAs, circular RNAs and ribosomal RNAs suggesting that sORFs may be diverse in function. Of the many different experimental methods used to discover sORFs, the most commonly used are ribosome profiling and mass spectrometry. These can confirm interactions between transcripts and ribosomes and the production of a peptide, respectively. Extensions to ribosome profiling, which also capture scanning ribosomes, have further made it possible to see how sORFs impact the translation initiation of mRNAs. While high-throughput techniques have made the identification of sORFs less difficult, defining their function, if any, is typically more challenging. Together, the abundance and potential function of many of these sORFs argues for the necessity of including sORFs in gene annotations and systematically characterizing these to understand their potential functional roles. In this review, we will focus on the high-throughput methods used in the detection and characterization of sORFs and discuss techniques for validation and functional characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Madhav Kute
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Omar Soukarieh
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology Of Vascular and Brain Disorders, INSERM, BPH, U1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Håkon Tjeldnes
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - David-Alexandre Trégouët
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology Of Vascular and Brain Disorders, INSERM, BPH, U1219, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Eivind Valen
- Computational Biology Unit, Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- *Correspondence: Eivind Valen,
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43
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Schmalzing G, Markwardt F. Established Protocols for cRNA Expression and Voltage-Clamp Characterization of the P2X7 Receptor in Xenopus laevis Oocytes. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2510:157-192. [PMID: 35776325 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2384-8_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) are fast ATP4--gated ion channels that, like other members of the P2X receptor family, function as homotrimers. A high-resolution cryo-EM structure of the full-length rat P2X7R is available. Using voltage-clamp experiments in Xenopus laevis oocytes, even the earliest steps of P2X7R activation can be quantitatively recorded in the millisecond range. Site-directed mutagenesis combined with voltage-clamp recordings can reveal residues and domains of the P2X7R involved in ATP4- binding, gating (i.e., opening and closing of the channel pore) and ion selectivity. We present here proven voltage-clamp protocols that take into account requirements that are important at the levels of cDNA and vector sequences, cRNA synthesis, and Xenopus laevis oocyte isolation for reliable results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günther Schmalzing
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Fritz Markwardt
- Julius-Bernstein-Institute for Physiology, Martin-Luther-University, Halle, Germany.
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44
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Treitli SC, Peña-Diaz P, Hałakuc P, Karnkowska A, Hampl V. High quality genome assembly of the amitochondriate eukaryote Monocercomonoides exilis. Microb Genom 2021; 7. [PMID: 34951395 PMCID: PMC8767320 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocercomonoides exilis is considered the first known eukaryote to completely lack mitochondria. This conclusion is based primarily on a genomic and transcriptomic study which failed to identify any mitochondrial hallmark proteins. However, the available genome assembly has limited contiguity and around 1.5 % of the genome sequence is represented by unknown bases. To improve the contiguity, we re-sequenced the genome and transcriptome of M. exilis using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). The resulting draft genome is assembled in 101 contigs with an N50 value of 1.38 Mbp, almost 20 times higher than the previously published assembly. Using a newly generated ONT transcriptome, we further improve the gene prediction and add high quality untranslated region (UTR) annotations, in which we identify two putative polyadenylation signals present in the 3′UTR regions and characterise the Kozak sequence in the 5′UTR regions. All these improvements are reflected by higher BUSCO genome completeness values. Regardless of an overall more complete genome assembly without missing bases and a better gene prediction, we still failed to identify any mitochondrial hallmark genes, thus further supporting the hypothesis on the absence of mitochondrion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Cristian Treitli
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Priscila Peña-Diaz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Paweł Hałakuc
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Karnkowska
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Vladimír Hampl
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 42 Vestec, Czech Republic
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45
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Brümmer A, Dreos R, Marques AC, Bergmann S. Analysis of eukaryotic lincRNA sequences indicates signatures of hindered translation linked to selection pressure. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 39:6460347. [PMID: 34897509 PMCID: PMC8826458 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab356] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) represent a large fraction of transcribed loci in eukaryotic genomes. Although classified as noncoding, most lincRNAs contain open reading frames (ORFs), and it remains unclear why cytoplasmic lincRNAs are not or very inefficiently translated. Here, we analyzed signatures of hindered translation in lincRNA sequences from five eukaryotes, covering a range of natural selection pressures. In fission yeast and Caenorhabditis elegans, that is, species under strong selection, we detected significantly shorter ORFs, a suboptimal sequence context around start codons for translation initiation, and trinucleotides (“codons”) corresponding to less abundant tRNAs than for neutrally evolving control sequences, likely impeding translation elongation. For human, we detected signatures for cell-type-specific hindrance of lincRNA translation, in particular codons in abundant cytoplasmic lincRNAs corresponding to lower expressed tRNAs than control codons, in three out of five human cell lines. We verified that varying tRNA expression levels between cell lines are reflected in the amount of ribosomes bound to cytoplasmic lincRNAs in each cell line. We further propose that codons at ORF starts are particularly important for reducing ribosome-binding to cytoplasmic lincRNA ORFs. Altogether, our analyses indicate that in species under stronger selection lincRNAs evolved sequence features generally hindering translation and support cell-type-specific hindrance of translation efficiency in human lincRNAs. The sequence signatures we have identified may improve predicting peptide-coding and genuine noncoding lincRNAs in a cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneke Brümmer
- Department of Computational Biology (DBC), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rene Dreos
- Center for Integrative Genomics (CIG), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ana Claudia Marques
- Department of Computational Biology (DBC), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sven Bergmann
- Department of Computational Biology (DBC), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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46
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To JPC, Davis IW, Marengo MS, Shariff A, Baublite C, Decker K, Galvão RM, Gao Z, Haragutchi O, Jung JW, Li H, O'Brien B, Sant A, Elich TD. Expression Elements Derived From Plant Sequences Provide Effective Gene Expression Regulation and New Opportunities for Plant Biotechnology Traits. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:712179. [PMID: 34745155 PMCID: PMC8569612 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.712179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plant biotechnology traits provide a means to increase crop yields, manage weeds and pests, and sustainably contribute to addressing the needs of a growing population. One of the key challenges in developing new traits for plant biotechnology is the availability of expression elements for efficacious and predictable transgene regulation. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, and computational tools have enabled the generation of new expression elements in a variety of model organisms. In this study, new expression element sequences were computationally generated for use in crops, starting from native Arabidopsis and maize sequences. These elements include promoters, 5' untranslated regions (5' UTRs), introns, and 3' UTRs. The expression elements were demonstrated to drive effective transgene expression in stably transformed soybean plants across multiple tissues types and developmental stages. The expressed transcripts were characterized to demonstrate the molecular function of these expression elements. The data show that the promoters precisely initiate transcripts, the introns are effectively spliced, and the 3' UTRs enable predictable processing of transcript 3' ends. Overall, our results indicate that these new expression elements can recapitulate key functional properties of natural sequences and provide opportunities for optimizing the expression of genes in future plant biotechnology traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer P. C. To
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ian W. Davis
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Matthew S. Marengo
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Aabid Shariff
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
- Pairwise Plants, Durham, NC, United States
| | | | - Keith Decker
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Rafaelo M. Galvão
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Zhihuan Gao
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Olivia Haragutchi
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jee W. Jung
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke University, Office for Translation and Commercialization, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Hong Li
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Brent O'Brien
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Anagha Sant
- Bayer Crop Science, Chesterfield, MO, United States
| | - Tedd D. Elich
- GrassRoots Biotechnology, Durham, NC, United States
- Monsanto Company, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, United States
- LifeEDIT Therapeutics, Durham, NC, United States
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Żydowicz-Machtel P, Dutkiewicz M, Swiatkowska A, Gurda-Woźna D, Ciesiołka J. Translation of human Δ133p53 mRNA and its targeting by antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the 5'-terminal region of this mRNA. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256938. [PMID: 34492050 PMCID: PMC8423303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The p53 protein is expressed as at least twelve protein isoforms. Within intron 4 of the human TP53 gene, a P2 transcription initiation site is located and this transcript encodes two p53 isoforms: Δ133p53 and Δ160p53. Here, the secondary structure of the 5'-terminal region of P2-initiated mRNA was characterized by means of the SHAPE and Pb2+-induced cleavage methods and for the first time, a secondary structure model of this region was proposed. Surprisingly, only Δ133p53 isoform was synthetized in vitro from the P2-initiated p53 mRNA while translation from both initiation codons occurred after the transfection of vector-encoded model mRNA to HCT116 cells. Interestingly, translation performed in the presence of the cap analogue suggested that the cap-independent process contributes to the translation of P2-initiated p53 mRNA. Subsequently, several antisense oligonucleotides targeting the 5'-terminal region of P2-initiated p53 mRNA were designed. The selected oligomers were applied in in vitro translation assays as well as in cell lines and their impact on the Δ133p53 synthesis and on cell viability was investigated. The results show that these oligomers are attractive tools in the modulation of the translation of P2-initiated p53 mRNA through attacking the 5' terminus of the transcript. Since cell proliferation is also reduced by antisense oligomers that lower the level of Δ133p53, this demonstrates an involvement of this isoform in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariola Dutkiewicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Agata Swiatkowska
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Dorota Gurda-Woźna
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jerzy Ciesiołka
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
- * E-mail:
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Kanagarajan S, Carlsson MLR, Chakane S, Kettisen K, Smeds E, Kumar R, Ortenlöf N, Gram M, Åkerström B, Bülow L, Zhu LH. Production of functional human fetal hemoglobin in Nicotiana benthamiana for development of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 184:955-966. [PMID: 34153360 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.06.102] [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: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers have long been pursued to meet clinical needs by using native hemoglobin (Hb) from human or animal blood, or recombinantly produced Hb, but the development has been impeded by safety and toxicity issues. Herewith we report the successful production of human fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in Nicotiana benthamiana through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transient expression. HbF is a heterotetrameric protein composed of two identical α- and two identical γ-subunits, held together by hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and salt bridges. In our study, the α- and γ-subunits of HbF were fused in order to stabilize the α-subunits and facilitate balanced expression of α- and γ-subunits in N. benthamiana. Efficient extraction and purification methods enabled production of the recombinantly fused endotoxin-free HbF (rfHbF) in high quantity and quality. The transiently expressed rfHbF protein was identified by SDS-PAGE, Western blot and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses. The purified rfHbF possessed structural and functional properties similar to native HbF, which were confirmed by biophysical, biochemical, and in vivo animal studies. The results demonstrate a high potential of plant expression systems in producing Hb products for use as blood substitutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvaraju Kanagarajan
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Magnus L R Carlsson
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden
| | - Sandeep Chakane
- Division of Pure and Applied Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Kettisen
- Division of Pure and Applied Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Emanuel Smeds
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ranjeet Kumar
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Niklas Ortenlöf
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Magnus Gram
- Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bo Åkerström
- Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences in Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Leif Bülow
- Division of Pure and Applied Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Li-Hua Zhu
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lomma, Sweden.
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Brant AC, Tian W, Majerciak V, Yang W, Zheng ZM. SARS-CoV-2: from its discovery to genome structure, transcription, and replication. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:136. [PMID: 34281608 PMCID: PMC8287290 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00643-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is an extremely contagious respiratory virus causing adult atypical pneumonia COVID-19 with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). SARS-CoV-2 has a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA (+RNA) genome of ~ 29.9 kb and exhibits significant genetic shift from different isolates. After entering the susceptible cells expressing both ACE2 and TMPRSS2, the SARS-CoV-2 genome directly functions as an mRNA to translate two polyproteins from the ORF1a and ORF1b region, which are cleaved by two viral proteases into sixteen non-structural proteins (nsp1-16) to initiate viral genome replication and transcription. The SARS-CoV-2 genome also encodes four structural (S, E, M and N) and up to six accessory (3a, 6, 7a, 7b, 8, and 9b) proteins, but their translation requires newly synthesized individual subgenomic RNAs (sgRNA) in the infected cells. Synthesis of the full-length viral genomic RNA (gRNA) and sgRNAs are conducted inside double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) by the viral replication and transcription complex (RTC), which comprises nsp7, nsp8, nsp9, nsp12, nsp13 and a short RNA primer. To produce sgRNAs, RTC starts RNA synthesis from the highly structured gRNA 3' end and switches template at various transcription regulatory sequence (TRSB) sites along the gRNA body probably mediated by a long-distance RNA-RNA interaction. The TRS motif in the gRNA 5' leader (TRSL) is responsible for the RNA-RNA interaction with the TRSB upstream of each ORF and skipping of the viral genome in between them to produce individual sgRNAs. Abundance of individual sgRNAs and viral gRNA synthesized in the infected cells depend on the location and read-through efficiency of each TRSB. Although more studies are needed, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has taught the world a painful lesson that is to invest and proactively prepare future emergence of other types of coronaviruses and any other possible biological horrors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayslan Castro Brant
- Tumor Virus RNA Biology Section, HIV DRP, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Wei Tian
- Mechanism of DNA Repair, Replication, and Recombination Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Vladimir Majerciak
- Tumor Virus RNA Biology Section, HIV DRP, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Wei Yang
- Mechanism of DNA Repair, Replication, and Recombination Section, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Zhi-Ming Zheng
- Tumor Virus RNA Biology Section, HIV DRP, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, MD, USA.
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50
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Rahimifard Hamedani P, Solouki M, Ehsani P, Emamjomeh A, Ofoghi H. Expression of BMP2-Hydrophobin fusion protein in the tobacco plant and molecular dynamic evaluation of its simulated model. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS 2021; 15:309-316. [PMID: 34131449 PMCID: PMC8193172 DOI: 10.1007/s11816-021-00684-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plants are one of the ideal models for therapeutic protein production, however the recombinant protein purification problems in them must be overcome. Bone Morphogenetic Protein2 (BMP2) is employed for the restoration and construction of bone tissues. Hydrophobin is a fungal based protein with high hydrophobic characteristics. Due to this specificity, it is suitable for the purification of chimer protein from complex solutions when is fused to a protein utilizing an aqueous two-phase (A2P) technique. The plant optimized mature human BMP2 gene was designed and evaluated by in silico method. This process involves simulating molecular dynamics using the RMSD, RMSF and Gyration radius indexes. The synthesized Hyd-BMP2 gene was cloned into a pTRAkc-ERH plasmid and Transferred into Agrobacterium (Gv3101). The Nicotiana benthamiana plant leaves were co-agroinfiltrated with HA-Hyd-BMP2 and P19-pCambia1304 containing silencing suppressor. After purification of plant extract utilizing the A2P method, the sample was subjected to SDS-PAGE and Western-blot. By in silico study, the simulated fusion protein profitably shows reasonable protein compactness and the effect of amino acid substitution on protein-protein interaction is not remarkable. Western-blotting using anti HA tag has shown that the A2P technique partially purified the two 22 kDa and 44 kDa forms of Hydrophobin-BMP2. These results confirmed the presence of monomer and dimer forms of Hydrophobin-BMP2 proteins. Moreover, the expression level of the protein using P19 silencing suppressor increased six times and to 0.018% as shown by ELISA. This study presents a fast and easy technique for the purification of transient expressed pharmaceutical proteins from plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahmood Solouki
- Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology (PBB), University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
| | - Parastoo Ehsani
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Emamjomeh
- Department of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology (PBB), University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
| | - Hamideh Ofoghi
- Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
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