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Helm M, Bohnsack MT, Carell T, Dalpke A, Entian KD, Ehrenhofer-Murray A, Ficner R, Hammann C, Höbartner C, Jäschke A, Jeltsch A, Kaiser S, Klassen R, Leidel SA, Marx A, Mörl M, Meier JC, Meister G, Rentmeister A, Rodnina M, Roignant JY, Schaffrath R, Stadler P, Stafforst T. Experience with German Research Consortia in the Field of Chemical Biology of Native Nucleic Acid Modifications. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:2441-2449. [PMID: 37962075 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The chemical biology of native nucleic acid modifications has seen an intense upswing, first concerning DNA modifications in the field of epigenetics and then concerning RNA modifications in a field that was correspondingly rebaptized epitranscriptomics by analogy. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has funded several consortia with a scientific focus in these fields, strengthening the traditionally well-developed nucleic acid chemistry community and inciting it to team up with colleagues from the life sciences and data science to tackle interdisciplinary challenges. This Perspective focuses on the genesis, scientific outcome, and downstream impact of the DFG priority program SPP1784 and offers insight into how it fecundated further consortia in the field. Pertinent research was funded from mid-2015 to 2022, including an extension related to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite being a detriment to research activity in general, the pandemic has resulted in tremendously boosted interest in the field of RNA and RNA modifications as a consequence of their widespread and successful use in vaccination campaigns against SARS-CoV-2. Funded principal investigators published over 250 pertinent papers with a very substantial impact on the field. The program also helped to redirect numerous laboratories toward this dynamic field. Finally, SPP1784 spawned initiatives for several funded consortia that continue to drive the fields of nucleic acid modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Helm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Markus T Bohnsack
- Department of Molecular Biology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Carell
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Dalpke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karl-Dieter Entian
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Ficner
- Institute for Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Hammann
- Department of Medicine, HMU Health and Medical University, 14471 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Claudia Höbartner
- Institute for Organic Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andres Jäschke
- Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Stefanie Kaiser
- Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Roland Klassen
- Institute for Biology - Microbiology, University of Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Sebastian A Leidel
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Marx
- Department of Chemistry - Organic/Cellular Chemistry, University of Constance, 78457 Constance, Germany
| | - Mario Mörl
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jochen C Meier
- Department of Cell Physiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, 38106 Brunswick, Germany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Institute of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology - Biochemistry I, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Rentmeister
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westphalian Wilhelms University Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Marina Rodnina
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jean-Yves Roignant
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Raffael Schaffrath
- Institute for Biology - Microbiology, University of Kassel, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Peter Stadler
- Institute for Computer Science - Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stafforst
- Interfaculty Institute for Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
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A novel ELP1 mutation impairs the function of the Elongator complex and causes a severe neurodevelopmental phenotype. J Hum Genet 2023. [PMID: 36864284 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-023-01135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are heterogeneous, debilitating conditions that include motor and cognitive disability and social deficits. The genetic factors underlying the complex phenotype of NDDs remain to be elucidated. Accumulating evidence suggest that the Elongator complex plays a role in NDDs, given that patient-derived mutations in its ELP2, ELP3, ELP4 and ELP6 subunits have been associated with these disorders. Pathogenic variants in its largest subunit ELP1 have been previously found in familial dysautonomia and medulloblastoma, with no link to NDDs affecting primarily the central nervous system. METHODS Clinical investigation included patient history and physical, neurological and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. A novel homozygous likely pathogenic ELP1 variant was identified by whole-genome sequencing. Functional studies included in silico analysis of the mutated ELP1 in the context of the holo-complex, production and purification of the ELP1 harbouring the identified mutation and in vitro analyses using microscale thermophoresis for tRNA binding assay and acetyl-CoA hydrolysis assay. Patient fibroblasts were harvested for tRNA modification analysis using HPLC coupled to mass spectrometry. RESULTS We report a novel missense mutation in the ELP1 identified in two siblings with intellectual disability and global developmental delay. We show that the mutation perturbs the ability of ELP123 to bind tRNAs and compromises the function of the Elongator in vitro and in human cells. CONCLUSION Our study expands the mutational spectrum of ELP1 and its association with different neurodevelopmental conditions and provides a specific target for genetic counselling.
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Funakoshi Y, Sugihara Y, Uneda A, Nakashima T, Suzuki H. Recent advances in the molecular understanding of medulloblastoma. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:741-749. [PMID: 36520034 PMCID: PMC9986075 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15691] [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: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common pediatric malignant brain tumor composed of four molecular subgroups. Recent intensive genomics has greatly contributed to our understanding of medulloblastoma pathogenesis. Sequencing studies identified novel mutations involved in the cyclic AMP-dependent pathway or RNA processing in the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) subgroup, and core-binding factor subunit alpha (CBFA) complex in the group 4 subgroup. Likewise, single-cell sequencing provided detailed insights into the cell of origin associated with brain development. In this review, we will summarize recent findings by sequencing analyses for medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Funakoshi
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Yuriko Sugihara
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Atsuhito Uneda
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Takuma Nakashima
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Suzuki
- Division of Brain Tumor Translational Research, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Japan
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Gaik M, Kojic M, Stegeman MR, Öncü‐Öner T, Kościelniak A, Jones A, Mohamed A, Chau PYS, Sharmin S, Chramiec‐Głąbik A, Indyka P, Rawski M, Biela A, Dobosz D, Millar A, Chau V, Ünalp A, Piper M, Bellingham MC, Eichler EE, Nickerson DA, Güleryüz H, Abbassi NEH, Jazgar K, Davis MJ, Mercimek‐Andrews S, Cingöz S, Wainwright BJ, Glatt S. Functional divergence of the two Elongator subcomplexes during neurodevelopment. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e15608. [PMID: 35698786 PMCID: PMC9260213 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202115608] [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: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly conserved Elongator complex is a translational regulator that plays a critical role in neurodevelopment, neurological diseases, and brain tumors. Numerous clinically relevant variants have been reported in the catalytic Elp123 subcomplex, while no missense mutations in the accessory subcomplex Elp456 have been described. Here, we identify ELP4 and ELP6 variants in patients with developmental delay, epilepsy, intellectual disability, and motor dysfunction. We determine the structures of human and murine Elp456 subcomplexes and locate the mutated residues. We show that patient-derived mutations in Elp456 affect the tRNA modification activity of Elongator in vitro as well as in human and murine cells. Modeling the pathogenic variants in mice recapitulates the clinical features of the patients and reveals neuropathology that differs from the one caused by previously characterized Elp123 mutations. Our study demonstrates a direct correlation between Elp4 and Elp6 mutations, reduced Elongator activity, and neurological defects. Foremost, our data indicate previously unrecognized differences of the Elp123 and Elp456 subcomplexes for individual tRNA species, in different cell types and in different key steps during the neurodevelopment of higher organisms.
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Hoffmann A, Erber L, Betat H, Stadler PF, Mörl M, Fallmann J. Changes of the tRNA Modification Pattern during the Development of Dictyostelium discoideum. Noncoding RNA 2021; 7:32. [PMID: 34071416 PMCID: PMC8163159 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna7020032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dictyostelium discoideum is a social amoeba, which on starvation develops from a single-cell state to a multicellular fruiting body. This developmental process is accompanied by massive changes in gene expression, which also affect non-coding RNAs. Here, we investigate how tRNAs as key regulators of the translation process are affected by this transition. To this end, we used LOTTE-seq to sequence the tRNA pool of D. discoideum at different developmental time points and analyzed both tRNA composition and tRNA modification patterns. We developed a workflow for the specific detection of modifications from reverse transcriptase signatures in chemically untreated RNA-seq data at single-nucleotide resolution. It avoids the comparison of treated and untreated RNA-seq data using reverse transcription arrest patterns at nucleotides in the neighborhood of a putative modification site as internal control. We find that nucleotide modification sites in D. discoideum tRNAs largely conform to the modification patterns observed throughout the eukaroytes. However, there are also previously undescribed modification sites. We observe substantial dynamic changes of both expression levels and modification patterns of certain tRNA types during fruiting body development. Beyond the specific application to D. discoideum our results demonstrate that the developmental variability of tRNA expression and modification can be traced efficiently with LOTTE-seq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Hoffmann
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany; (A.H.); (P.F.S.)
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at Leipzig University and University Hospital Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 27, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lieselotte Erber
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (L.E.); (H.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Heike Betat
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (L.E.); (H.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Peter F. Stadler
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany; (A.H.); (P.F.S.)
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Competence Center for Scalable Data Services and Solutions, and Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, Inselstraße 22, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Währingerstraße 17, A-1090 Wien, Austria
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 111321 Bogotá, D.C., Colombia
- Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
| | - Mario Mörl
- Institute for Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Brüderstraße 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany; (L.E.); (H.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Jörg Fallmann
- Bioinformatics Group, Department of Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, Leipzig University, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany; (A.H.); (P.F.S.)
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