1
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Ferrer J, Dimitrova N. Transcription regulation by long non-coding RNAs: mechanisms and disease relevance. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:396-415. [PMID: 38242953 PMCID: PMC11045326 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00694-9] [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] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) outnumber protein-coding transcripts, but their functions remain largely unknown. In this Review, we discuss the emerging roles of lncRNAs in the control of gene transcription. Some of the best characterized lncRNAs have essential transcription cis-regulatory functions that cannot be easily accomplished by DNA-interacting transcription factors, such as XIST, which controls X-chromosome inactivation, or imprinted lncRNAs that direct allele-specific repression. A growing number of lncRNA transcription units, including CHASERR, PVT1 and HASTER (also known as HNF1A-AS1) act as transcription-stabilizing elements that fine-tune the activity of dosage-sensitive genes that encode transcription factors. Genetic experiments have shown that defects in such transcription stabilizers often cause severe phenotypes. Other lncRNAs, such as lincRNA-p21 (also known as Trp53cor1) and Maenli (Gm29348) contribute to local activation of gene transcription, whereas distinct lncRNAs influence gene transcription in trans. We discuss findings of lncRNAs that elicit a function through either activation of their transcription, transcript elongation and processing or the lncRNA molecule itself. We also discuss emerging evidence of lncRNA involvement in human diseases, and their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ferrer
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Nadya Dimitrova
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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2
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Shatskikh AS, Fefelova EA, Klenov MS. Functions of RNAi Pathways in Ribosomal RNA Regulation. Noncoding RNA 2024; 10:19. [PMID: 38668377 PMCID: PMC11054153 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10020019] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Argonaute proteins, guided by small RNAs, play crucial roles in gene regulation and genome protection through RNA interference (RNAi)-related mechanisms. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), encoded by repeated rDNA units, constitute the core of the ribosome being the most abundant cellular transcripts. rDNA clusters also serve as sources of small RNAs, which are loaded into Argonaute proteins and are able to regulate rDNA itself or affect other gene targets. In this review, we consider the impact of small RNA pathways, specifically siRNAs and piRNAs, on rRNA gene regulation. Data from diverse eukaryotic organisms suggest the potential involvement of small RNAs in various molecular processes related to the rDNA transcription and rRNA fate. Endogenous siRNAs are integral to the chromatin-based silencing of rDNA loci in plants and have been shown to repress rDNA transcription in animals. Small RNAs also play a role in maintaining the integrity of rDNA clusters and may function in the cellular response to rDNA damage. Studies on the impact of RNAi and small RNAs on rRNA provide vast opportunities for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei S. Shatskikh
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 26 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Elena A. Fefelova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail S. Klenov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182 Moscow, Russia
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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3
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Johnson KC, Kilikevicius A, Hofman C, Hu J, Liu Y, Aguilar S, Graswich J, Han Y, Wang T, Westcott JM, Brekken RA, Peng L, Karagkounis G, Corey DR. Nuclear localization of Argonaute 2 is affected by cell density and may relieve repression by microRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1930-1952. [PMID: 38109320 PMCID: PMC10899759 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1155] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Argonaute protein is associated with post-transcriptional control of cytoplasmic gene expression through miRNA-induced silencing complexes (miRISC). Specific cellular and environmental conditions can trigger AGO protein to accumulate in the nucleus. Localization of AGO is central to understanding miRNA action, yet the consequences of AGO being in the nucleus are undefined. We show nuclear enrichment of AGO2 in HCT116 cells grown in two-dimensional culture to high density, HCT116 cells grown in three-dimensional tumor spheroid culture, and human colon tumors. The shift in localization of AGO2 from cytoplasm to nucleus de-represses cytoplasmic AGO2-eCLIP targets that were candidates for canonical regulation by miRISC. Constitutive nuclear localization of AGO2 using an engineered nuclear localization signal increases cell migration. Critical RNAi factors also affect the localization of AGO2. Knocking out an enzyme essential for miRNA biogenesis, DROSHA, depletes mature miRNAs and restricts AGO2 localization to the cytoplasm, while knocking out the miRISC scaffolding protein, TNRC6, results in nuclear localization of AGO2. These data suggest that AGO2 localization and miRNA activity can be regulated depending on environmental conditions, expression of mature miRNAs, and expression of miRISC cofactors. Localization and expression of core miRISC protein machinery should be considered when investigating the roles of miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal C Johnson
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Audrius Kilikevicius
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Cristina Hofman
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Jiaxin Hu
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Selina Aguilar
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Jon Graswich
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Yi Han
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Tao Wang
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Jill M Westcott
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Rolf A Brekken
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Lan Peng
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
| | - Georgios Karagkounis
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10022, USA
| | - David R Corey
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235, USA
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4
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Herbert A. Flipons and small RNAs accentuate the asymmetries of pervasive transcription by the reset and sequence-specific microcoding of promoter conformation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105140. [PMID: 37544644 PMCID: PMC10474125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105140] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of alternate DNA conformations such as Z-DNA in the regulation of transcription is currently underappreciated. These structures are encoded by sequences called flipons, many of which are enriched in promoter and enhancer regions. Through a change in their conformation, flipons provide a tunable mechanism to mechanically reset promoters for the next round of transcription. They act as actuators that capture and release energy to ensure that the turnover of the proteins at promoters is optimized to cell state. Likewise, the single-stranded DNA formed as flipons cycle facilitates the docking of RNAs that are able to microcode promoter conformations and canalize the pervasive transcription commonly observed in metazoan genomes. The strand-specific nature of the interaction between RNA and DNA likely accounts for the known asymmetry of epigenetic marks present on the histone tetramers that pair to form nucleosomes. The role of these supercoil-dependent processes in promoter choice and transcriptional interference is reviewed. The evolutionary implications are examined: the resilience and canalization of flipon-dependent gene regulation is contrasted with the rapid adaptation enabled by the spread of flipon repeats throughout the genome. Overall, the current findings underscore the important role of flipons in modulating the readout of genetic information and how little we know about their biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Herbert
- Discovery Division, InsideOutBio, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
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5
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Sallis S, Bérubé-Simard FA, Grondin B, Leduc E, Azouz F, Bélanger C, Pilon N. The CHARGE syndrome-associated protein FAM172A controls AGO2 nuclear import. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202302133. [PMID: 37221016 PMCID: PMC10205598 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
CHARGE syndrome is a neural crest-related disorder mainly caused by mutation of the chromatin remodeler-coding gene CHD7 Alternative causes include mutation of other chromatin and/or splicing factors. One of these additional players is the poorly characterized FAM172A, which we previously found in a complex with CHD7 and the small RNA-binding protein AGO2 at the chromatin-spliceosome interface. Focusing on the FAM172A-AGO2 interplay, we now report that FAM172A is a direct binding partner of AGO2 and, as such, one of the long sought-after regulators of AGO2 nuclear import. We show that this FAM172A function mainly relies on its classical bipartite nuclear localization signal and associated canonical importin-α/β pathway, being enhanced by CK2-induced phosphorylation and abrogated by a CHARGE syndrome-associated missense mutation. Overall, this study thus strengthens the notion that noncanonical nuclear functions of AGO2 and associated regulatory mechanisms might be clinically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sephora Sallis
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Félix-Antoine Bérubé-Simard
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Benoit Grondin
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Leduc
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Fatiha Azouz
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Catherine Bélanger
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pilon
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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6
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Johnson KC, Kilikevicius A, Hofman C, Hu J, Liu Y, Aguilar S, Graswich J, Han Y, Wang T, Westcott JM, Brekken RA, Peng L, Karagkounis G, Corey DR. Nuclear Localization of Argonaute is affected by Cell Density and May Relieve Repression by microRNAs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.07.548119. [PMID: 37461596 PMCID: PMC10350042 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.07.548119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Argonaute protein is associated with post-transcriptional control of cytoplasmic gene expression through miRNA-induced silencing complexes (miRISC). Specific cellular and environmental conditions can trigger AGO protein to accumulate in the nucleus. Localization of AGO is central to understanding miRNA action, yet the consequences of AGO being in the nucleus are undefined. We show nuclear enrichment of AGO2 in HCT116 cells grown in two-dimensional culture to high density, HCT116 cells grown in three-dimensional tumor spheroid culture, and human colon tumors. The shift in localization of AGO2 from cytoplasm to nucleus de-represses cytoplasmic AGO2-eCLIP targets that were candidates for canonical regulation by miRISC. Constitutive nuclear localization of AGO2 using an engineered nuclear localization signal increases cell migration. Critical RNAi factors also affect the localization of AGO2. Knocking out an enzyme essential for miRNA biogenesis, DROSHA, depletes mature miRNAs and restricts AGO2 localization to the cytoplasm, while knocking out the miRISC scaffolding protein, TNRC6, results in nuclear localization of AGO2. These data suggest that AGO2 localization and miRNA activity can be regulated depending on environmental conditions, expression of mature miRNAs, and expression of miRISC cofactors. Localization and expression of core miRISC protein machinery should be considered when investigating the roles of miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal C Johnson
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Audrius Kilikevicius
- current address, Eli Lilly, Lilly Cambridge Innovation Center, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Cristina Hofman
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Jiaxin Hu
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Yang Liu
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Selina Aguilar
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Jon Graswich
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Yi Han
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Tao Wang
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Jill M Westcott
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Rolf A Brekken
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Lan Peng
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - Georgios Karagkounis
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Dallas, TX 75235
| | - David R Corey
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, TX 75235
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7
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Johnson KC, Corey DR. RNAi in cell nuclei: potential for a new layer of biological regulation and a new strategy for therapeutic discovery. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:415-422. [PMID: 36657971 PMCID: PMC10019369 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079500.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference is almost always associated with post-transcriptional silencing in the cytoplasm. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and critical RNAi protein factors like argonaute (AGO) and trinucleotide repeat binding containing 6 protein (TNRC6), however, are also found in cell nuclei, suggesting that nuclear miRNAs may be targets for gene regulation. Designed small duplex RNAs (dsRNAs) can modulate nuclear processes such as transcription and splicing, suggesting that they can also provide leads for therapeutic discovery. The goal of this Perspective is to provide the background on nuclear RNAi necessary to guide discussions on whether nuclear RNAi can play a role in therapeutic development programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal C Johnson
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
| | - David R Corey
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
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8
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Fu M, Gu J, Wang M, Zhang J, Chen Y, Jiang P, Zhu T, Zhang X. Emerging roles of tRNA-derived fragments in cancer. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:30. [PMID: 36782290 PMCID: PMC9926655 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01739-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are an emerging category of small non-coding RNAs that are generated from cleavage of mature tRNAs or tRNA precursors. The advance in high-throughput sequencing has contributed to the identification of increasing number of tRFs with critical functions in distinct physiological and pathophysiological processes. tRFs can regulate cell viability, differentiation, and homeostasis through multiple mechanisms and are thus considered as critical regulators of human diseases including cancer. In addition, increasing evidence suggest the extracellular tRFs may be utilized as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cancer liquid biopsy. In this review, we focus on the biogenesis, classification and modification of tRFs, and summarize the multifaceted functions of tRFs with an emphasis on the current research status and perspectives of tRFs in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Fu
- grid.452247.2Institute of Digestive Diseases, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212002 Jiangsu China ,grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XJiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 Jiangsu China
| | - Jianmei Gu
- grid.260483.b0000 0000 9530 8833Departmemt of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nantong Tumor Hospital/Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226361 Jiangsu China
| | - Maoye Wang
- grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XJiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 Jiangsu China
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XJiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 Jiangsu China
| | - Yanke Chen
- grid.440785.a0000 0001 0743 511XJiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013 Jiangsu China
| | - Pengcheng Jiang
- grid.452247.2Institute of Digestive Diseases, The Affiliated People’s Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212002 Jiangsu China
| | - Taofeng Zhu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yixing Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Yixing, 214200, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xu Zhang
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212002, Jiangsu, China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China.
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9
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Feng Y, Zhong Z, Wan H, Zhang Z, Zou P, Lin P, Jiang Y, Wang Y. dmrtb1 is involved in the testicular development in Larimichthys crocea. Reproduction 2023; 165:159-170. [PMID: 36342669 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In brief dmrtb1 performs critical functions in sex determination/differentiation and gonadal development in many organisms, but its role in teleost is rarely studied. Through gene cloning, in situ hybridization, and RNA interference technology, the function of dmrtb1 in testicular development of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) was studied; our study will be helpful in understanding further the molecular regulation mechanism of Lcdmrtb1/Lcdmrt6 in testicular development in L. crocea, and our results enrich the theory of fish dmrts involved in reproductive regulation and provide a new idea for sex control breeding of L. crocea by manipulating reproductive pathway. Abstract Doublesex- and mab-3-related transcription factor B1 (dmrtb1/dmrt6) belongs to one of the members of DMRT family, which performs critical functions in sex determination and differentiation, gonadal development, and functional maintenance. However, knowledge of its exact mechanism remains unclear in teleost. Very little is known about the role of dmrtb1 in the gonad development of Larimichthys crocea. In this study, a dmrtb1 homolog in L. crocea named as Lcdmrtb1 with the full-length cDNA was isolated and characterized. Except for the conserved DM domain, the other regions had low homology. Of the tissues sampled, Lcdmrtb1 was only found to be highly expressed in the testis. In situ hybridization of testis revealed Lcdmrtb1 in both spermatogonia and spermatocytes. After Lcdmrtb1 interference in the testis cells (LYCT) of L. crocea, the expression levels of Lcdmrtb1 and Lcdmrt1 were significantly decreased; subsequently, testicular cell morphology changed from fibrous to round and their growth rate slowed. Similarly, the expression levels of Lcdmrtb1, Lcdmrt1, sox9a/b, and amh were significantly decreased after RNAi in the testis. Furthermore, it was discovered that the spermatogonia had disappeared, and the Sertoli cells had been reduced. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of Sox9 protein in the testis was not detected after dmrtb1 was knocked down. These results indicated that the absence of Lcdmrtb1 not only greatly inhibited cell growth and destroyed the morphology of testis cells but also down-regulated Lcdmrt1 expression in the testis. This study will be helpful in understanding further the molecular regulation mechanism of Lcdmrtb1/Lcdmrt6 in testicular development in L. crocea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhaowei Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Haifu Wan
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Ziping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China.,College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Institute of Oceanology, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Pengfei Zou
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Peng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Yonghua Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China
| | - Yilei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Mariculture for the East China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.,Fujian Engineering Research center of Aquatic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Xiamen, China.,State Key Laboratory of Large Yellow Croaker Breeding, Ningde Fufa Fisheries Company Limited, Ningde, China
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10
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Liontis T, Verma K, Grishok A. DOT-1.1 (DOT1L) deficiency in C. elegans leads to small RNA-dependent gene activation. BBA ADVANCES 2023; 3:100080. [PMID: 37082252 PMCID: PMC10074844 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2023.100080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation of histone H3 at lysine 79 (H3K79) is conserved from yeast to humans and is accomplished by Dot1 (disruptor of telomeric silencing-1) methyltransferases. The C. elegans enzyme DOT-1.1 and its interacting partners are similar to the mammalian DOT1L (Dot1-like) complex. The C. elegans DOT-1.1 complex has been functionally connected to RNA interference. Specifically, we have previously shown that embryonic and larval lethality of dot-1.1 mutant worms deficient in H3K79 methylation was suppressed by mutations in the RNAi pathway genes responsible for generation (rde-4) and function (rde-1) of primary small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). This suggests that dot-1.1 mutant lethality is dependent on the enhanced production of some siRNAs. We have also found that this lethality is suppressed by a loss-of-function of CED-3, a conserved apoptotic protease. Here, we describe a comparison of gene expression and primary siRNA production changes between control and dot-1.1 deletion mutant embryos. We found that elevated antisense siRNA production occurred more often at upregulated than downregulated genes. Importantly, gene expression changes were dependent on RDE-4 in both instances. Moreover, the upregulated group, which is potentially activated by ectopic siRNAs, was enriched in protease-coding genes. Our findings are consistent with a model where in the absence of H3K79 methylation there is a small RNA-dependent activation of protease genes, which leads to embryonic and larval lethality. DOT1 enzymes' conservation suggests that the interplay between H3K79 methylation and small RNA pathways may exist in higher organisms.
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11
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Tavares GA, Torres A, Le Drean G, Queignec M, Castellano B, Tesson L, Remy S, Anegon I, Pitard B, Kaeffer B. Oral Delivery of miR-320-3p with Lipidic Aminoglycoside Derivatives at Mid-Lactation Alters miR-320-3p Endogenous Levels in the Gut and Brain of Adult Rats According to Early or Regular Weaning. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010191. [PMID: 36613633 PMCID: PMC9820440 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate if the artificial delivery of microRNAs naturally present in the breastmilk can impact the gut and brain of young rats according to weaning. Animals from a new transgenic rat line expressing the green-fluorescent protein in the endocrine lineage (cholecystokinin expressing cells) received a single oral bolus of miR-320-3p or miR-375-3p embedded in DiOleyl-Succinyl-Paromomycin (DOSP) on D-12. The pups were weaned early (D-15), or regularly (D-30). The expression of relevant miRNA, mRNAs, chromatin complexes, and duodenal cell density were assessed at 8 h post-inoculation and on D-45. The miR-320-3p/DOSP induced immediate effects on H3K4me3 chromatin complexes with polr3d promoter (p < 0.05). On regular weaning, on D-45, miR-320-3p and 375-3p were found to be downregulated in the stomach and upregulated in the hypothalamus (p < 0.001), whereas miR-320-3p was upregulated in the duodenum. After early weaning, miR-320-3p and miR-375-3p were downregulated in the stomach and the duodenum, but upregulated in the hypothalamus and the hippocampus. Combination of miR-320-3p/DOSP with early weaning enhanced miR-320-3p and chromogranin A expression in the duodenum. In the female brain stem, miR-320-3p, miR-504, and miR-16-5p levels were all upregulated. Investigating the oral miRNA-320-3p loads in the duodenal cell lineage paved the way for designing new therapeutics to avoid unexpected long-term impacts on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Araujo Tavares
- Nantes Université, INRAE, UMR 1280, PhAN, F-44000 Nantes, France
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Behavior, Graduate Program of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 56070-901, Brazil
| | - Amada Torres
- Nantes Université, INRAE, UMR 1280, PhAN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Gwenola Le Drean
- Nantes Université, INRAE, UMR 1280, PhAN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Maïwenn Queignec
- Nantes Université, INRAE, UMR 1280, PhAN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | | | - Laurent Tesson
- Platform Rat Transgenesis ImmunoPhenomic, INSERM UMR 1064-CRTI, SFR François Bonamy, CNRS UMS3556, F-44093 Nantes, France
| | - Séverine Remy
- Platform Rat Transgenesis ImmunoPhenomic, INSERM UMR 1064-CRTI, SFR François Bonamy, CNRS UMS3556, F-44093 Nantes, France
| | - Ignacio Anegon
- Platform Rat Transgenesis ImmunoPhenomic, INSERM UMR 1064-CRTI, SFR François Bonamy, CNRS UMS3556, F-44093 Nantes, France
| | - Bruno Pitard
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, INSERM, CNRS, Immunology and New Concepts in Immunotherapy, INCIT UMR1302/EMR6001, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Bertrand Kaeffer
- Nantes Université, INRAE, UMR 1280, PhAN, F-44000 Nantes, France
- Correspondence:
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12
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Błaszczyk M, Gajewska M, Dymowska M, Majewska A, Domoradzki T, Prostek A, Pingwara R, Hulanicka M, Grzelkowska-Kowalczyk K. Interleukin-6 mimics insulin-dependent cellular distribution of some cytoskeletal proteins and Glut4 transporter without effect on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 157:525-546. [PMID: 35230485 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02091-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-6, a known proinflammatory cytokine, is released in both visceral adipose tissue and contracting skeletal muscle. In this study, we used microRNA profiling as a screening method to identify miRNA species modified by IL-6 treatment in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes. miRNA microarray analysis and qRT-PCR revealed increased expression of miR-146b-3p in adipocytes exposed to IL-6 (1 ng/ml) during 8-day differentiation. On the basis of ontological analysis of potential targets, selected proteins associated with cytoskeleton and transport were examined in the context of adipocyte response to insulin, using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. We concluded that IL-6: (i) does not affect insulin action on actin cellular distribution; (ii) modulates the effect of insulin on myosin light chain kinase (Mylk) distribution by preventing its shift toward cytoplasm; (iii) mimics the effect of insulin on dynein distribution by increasing its near-nuclear accumulation; (iv) mimics the effect of insulin on glucose transporter Glut4 distribution, especially by increasing its near-nuclear accumulation; (v) supports insulin action on early endosome marker Rab4A near-nuclear accumulation. Moreover, as IL-6 did not disturb insulin-dependent glucose uptake, our results do not confirm the IL-6-induced impairment of insulin action observed in some in vitro studies, suggesting that the effect of IL-6 is dose dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Błaszczyk
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Gajewska
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Dymowska
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alicja Majewska
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Domoradzki
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adam Prostek
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Pingwara
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Hulanicka
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Grzelkowska-Kowalczyk
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
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13
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Bélanger C, Cardinal T, Leduc E, Viger RS, Pilon N. CHARGE syndrome-associated proteins FAM172A and CHD7 influence male sex determination and differentiation through transcriptional and alternative splicing mechanisms. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22176. [PMID: 35129866 PMCID: PMC9304217 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100837rr] [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: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
To gain further insight into chromatin‐mediated regulation of mammalian sex determination, we analyzed the role of the CHARGE syndrome‐associated proteins FAM172A and CHD7. This study is based on our prior discoveries that a subset of corresponding mutant mice display complete male‐to‐female sex reversal, and that both of these proteins regulate co‐transcriptional alternative splicing in neural crest cells. Here, we report that FAM172A and CHD7 are present in the developing gonads when sex determination normally occurs in mice. The interactome of FAM172A in pre‐Sertoli cells again suggests a role at the chromatin‐spliceosome interface, like in neural crest cells. Accordingly, analysis of Fam172a‐mutant pre‐Sertoli cells revealed transcriptional and splicing dysregulation of hundreds of genes. Many of these genes are similarly affected in Chd7‐mutant pre‐Sertoli cells, including several known key regulators of sex determination and subsequent formation of testis cords. Among them, we notably identified Sry as a direct transcriptional target and WNT pathway‐associated Lef1 and Tcf7l2 as direct splicing targets. The identified molecular defects are also associated with the abnormal morphology of seminiferous tubules in mutant postnatal testes. Altogether, our results thus identify FAM172A and CHD7 as new players in the regulation of male sex determination and differentiation in mice, and further highlight the importance of chromatin‐mediated regulatory mechanisms in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Bélanger
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Tatiana Cardinal
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Leduc
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Robert S Viger
- Reproduction, Mother and Child Health, Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pilon
- Molecular Genetics of Development Laboratory, Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC), Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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14
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Seroussi U, Li C, Sundby AE, Lee TL, Claycomb JM, Saltzman AL. Mechanisms of epigenetic regulation by C. elegans nuclear RNA interference pathways. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 127:142-154. [PMID: 34876343 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a highly conserved gene regulatory phenomenon whereby Argonaute/small RNA (AGO/sRNA) complexes target transcripts by antisense complementarity to modulate gene expression. While initially appreciated as a cytoplasmic process, RNAi can also occur in the nucleus where AGO/sRNA complexes are recruited to nascent transcripts. Nuclear AGO/sRNA complexes recruit co-factors that regulate transcription by inhibiting RNA Polymerase II, modifying histones, compacting chromatin and, in some organisms, methylating DNA. C. elegans has a longstanding history in unveiling the mechanisms of RNAi and has become an outstanding model to delineate the mechanisms underlying nuclear RNAi. In this review we highlight recent discoveries in the field of nuclear RNAi in C. elegans and the roles of nuclear RNAi in the regulation of gene expression, chromatin organization, genome stability, and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Seroussi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chengyin Li
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Adam E Sundby
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tammy L Lee
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julie M Claycomb
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Arneet L Saltzman
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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15
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Xu SJ, Lombroso SI, Fischer DK, Carpenter MD, Marchione DM, Hamilton PJ, Lim CJ, Neve RL, Garcia BA, Wimmer ME, Pierce RC, Heller EA. Chromatin-mediated alternative splicing regulates cocaine-reward behavior. Neuron 2021; 109:2943-2966.e8. [PMID: 34480866 PMCID: PMC8454057 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal alternative splicing is a key gene regulatory mechanism in the brain. However, the spliceosome machinery is insufficient to fully specify splicing complexity. In considering the role of the epigenome in activity-dependent alternative splicing, we and others find the histone modification H3K36me3 to be a putative splicing regulator. In this study, we found that mouse cocaine self-administration caused widespread differential alternative splicing, concomitant with the enrichment of H3K36me3 at differentially spliced junctions. Importantly, only targeted epigenetic editing can distinguish between a direct role of H3K36me3 in splicing and an indirect role via regulation of splice factor expression elsewhere on the genome. We targeted Srsf11, which was both alternatively spliced and H3K36me3 enriched in the brain following cocaine self-administration. Epigenetic editing of H3K36me3 at Srsf11 was sufficient to drive its alternative splicing and enhanced cocaine self-administration, establishing the direct causal relevance of H3K36me3 to alternative splicing of Srsf11 and to reward behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Jun Xu
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sonia I Lombroso
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Delaney K Fischer
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marco D Carpenter
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dylan M Marchione
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Peter J Hamilton
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Carissa J Lim
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rachel L Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mathieu E Wimmer
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19121, USA
| | - R Christopher Pierce
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Heller
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA,19104, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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16
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Chu Y, Yokota S, Liu J, Kilikevicius A, Johnson KC, Corey DR. Argonaute binding within human nuclear RNA and its impact on alternative splicing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 27:991-1003. [PMID: 34108230 PMCID: PMC8370746 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078707.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian RNA interference (RNAi) is often linked to the regulation of gene expression in the cytoplasm. Synthetic RNAs, however, can also act through the RNAi pathway to regulate transcription and splicing. While nuclear regulation by synthetic RNAs can be robust, a critical unanswered question is whether endogenous functions for nuclear RNAi exist in mammalian cells. Using enhanced crosslinking immunoprecipitation (eCLIP) in combination with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and multiple AGO knockout cell lines, we mapped AGO2 protein binding sites within nuclear RNA. The strongest AGO2 binding sites were mapped to micro RNAs (miRNAs). The most abundant miRNAs were distributed similarly between the cytoplasm and nucleus, providing no evidence for mechanisms that facilitate localization of miRNAs in one compartment versus the other. Beyond miRNAs, most statistically significant AGO2 binding was within introns. Splicing changes were confirmed by RT-PCR and recapitulated by synthetic miRNA mimics complementary to the sites of AGO2 binding. These data support the hypothesis that miRNAs can control gene splicing. While nuclear RNAi proteins have the potential to be natural regulatory mechanisms, careful study will be necessary to identify critical RNA drivers of normal physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjun Chu
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
| | - Shinnichi Yokota
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
| | - Jing Liu
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
| | - Audrius Kilikevicius
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
| | - Krystal C Johnson
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
| | - David R Corey
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
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17
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Johnson ST, Chu Y, Liu J, Corey DR. Impact of scaffolding protein TNRC6 paralogs on gene expression and splicing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 27:1004-1016. [PMID: 34108231 PMCID: PMC8370741 DOI: 10.1261/rna.078709.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
TNRC6 is a scaffolding protein that bridges interactions between small RNAs, argonaute (AGO) protein, and effector proteins to control gene expression. There are three paralogs in mammalian cells, TNRC6A, TNRC6B, and TNRC6C These paralogs have ∼40% amino acid sequence identity and the extent of their unique or redundant functions is unclear. Here, we use knockout cell lines, enhanced crosslinking immunoprecipitation (eCLIP), and high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to explore the roles of TNRC6 paralogs in RNA-mediated control of gene expression. We find that the paralogs are largely functionally redundant and changes in levels of gene expression are well-correlated with those observed in AGO knockout cell lines. Splicing changes observed in AGO knockout cell lines are also observed in TNRC6 knockout cells. These data further define the roles of the TNRC6 isoforms as part of the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha T Johnson
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
| | - Yongjun Chu
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
| | - Jing Liu
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
| | - David R Corey
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Dallas, Texas 75205, USA
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18
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Yang D, Wan X, Dennis AT, Bektik E, Wang Z, Costa MG, Fagnen C, Vénien-Bryan C, Xu X, Gratz DH, Hund TJ, Mohler PJ, Laurita KR, Deschênes I, Fu JD. MicroRNA Biophysically Modulates Cardiac Action Potential by Direct Binding to Ion Channel. Circulation 2021; 143:1597-1613. [PMID: 33590773 PMCID: PMC8132313 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.120.050098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRs) play critical roles in regulation of numerous biological events, including cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia, through a canonical RNA interference mechanism. It remains unknown whether endogenous miRs modulate physiologic homeostasis of the heart through noncanonical mechanisms. METHODS We focused on the predominant miR of the heart (miR1) and investigated whether miR1 could physically bind with ion channels in cardiomyocytes by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, in situ proximity ligation assay, RNA pull down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. The functional modulations of cellular electrophysiology were evaluated by inside-out and whole-cell patch clamp. Mutagenesis of miR1 and the ion channel was used to understand the underlying mechanism. The effect on the heart ex vivo was demonstrated through investigating arrhythmia-associated human single nucleotide polymorphisms with miR1-deficient mice. RESULTS We found that endogenous miR1 could physically bind with cardiac membrane proteins, including an inward-rectifier potassium channel Kir2.1. The miR1-Kir2.1 physical interaction was observed in mouse, guinea pig, canine, and human cardiomyocytes. miR1 quickly and significantly suppressed IK1 at sub-pmol/L concentration, which is close to endogenous miR expression level. Acute presence of miR1 depolarized resting membrane potential and prolonged final repolarization of the action potential in cardiomyocytes. We identified 3 miR1-binding residues on the C-terminus of Kir2.1. Mechanistically, miR1 binds to the pore-facing G-loop of Kir2.1 through the core sequence AAGAAG, which is outside its RNA interference seed region. This biophysical modulation is involved in the dysregulation of gain-of-function Kir2.1-M301K mutation in short QT or atrial fibrillation. We found that an arrhythmia-associated human single nucleotide polymorphism of miR1 (hSNP14A/G) specifically disrupts the biophysical modulation while retaining the RNA interference function. It is remarkable that miR1 but not hSNP14A/G relieved the hyperpolarized resting membrane potential in miR1-deficient cardiomyocytes, improved the conduction velocity, and eliminated the high inducibility of arrhythmia in miR1-deficient hearts ex vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals a novel evolutionarily conserved biophysical action of endogenous miRs in modulating cardiac electrophysiology. Our discovery of miRs' biophysical modulation provides a more comprehensive understanding of ion channel dysregulation and may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Yang
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoping Wan
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Adrienne T. Dennis
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Research Center, The MetroHealth System, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| | - Emre Bektik
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Research Center, The MetroHealth System, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mauricio G.S. Costa
- Institute of Mineralogy, Materials Physics and Cosmochemistry, UMR 7590, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, MNHN, Paris F-75005, France
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Scientific Computing Program, Vice Presidency of Education, Information and Communication, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Charline Fagnen
- Institute of Mineralogy, Materials Physics and Cosmochemistry, UMR 7590, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, MNHN, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Catherine Vénien-Bryan
- Institute of Mineralogy, Materials Physics and Cosmochemistry, UMR 7590, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, MNHN, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Xianyao Xu
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Daniel H. Gratz
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Thomas J. Hund
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Peter J. Mohler
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kenneth R. Laurita
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Research Center, The MetroHealth System, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
| | - Isabelle Deschênes
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ji-Dong Fu
- The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Frick Center for Heart Failure and Arrhythmia, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Research Center, The MetroHealth System, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA
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19
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Gong M, Zhang X, Wang Y, Mao G, Ou Y, Wei C, Hu X, Xiang S. DDX21 interacts with nuclear AGO2 and regulates the alternative splicing of SMN2. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2021; 85:272-279. [PMID: 33604619 DOI: 10.1093/bbb/zbaa029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AGO2 is the only member of mammalian Ago protein family that possesses the catalytic activity and plays a central role in gene silencing. Recently researches reported that multiple gene silencing factors, including AGO2, function in the nuclei. The molecular mechanisms of the gene silencing factors functioning in nuclei are conducive to comprehend the roles of gene silencing in pretranslational regulation of gene expression. Here, we report that AGO2 interacts with DDX21 indirectly in an RNA-dependent manner by Co-IP and GST-Pulldown assays and the 2 proteins present nuclei foci in the immunofluorescence experiments. We found that DDX21 up-regulated the protein level of AGO2 and participated in target gene, SNM2, alternative splicing involved in AGO2 by the indirect interaction with AGO2, which produced different transcripts of SMN2 in discrepant expression level. This study laid important experiment foundation for the further analysis of the nuclear functions of gene silencing components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.,College of Physical Education, Hunan University of Finance and Economics, Changsha, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yaru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Guiyan Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yangqi Ou
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Chenxi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuanglin Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
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20
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Wu SK, Roberts JT, Balas MM, Johnson AM. RNA matchmaking in chromatin regulation. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:2467-2481. [PMID: 33245317 PMCID: PMC7888525 DOI: 10.1042/bst20191225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Beyond being the product of gene expression, RNA can also influence the regulation of chromatin. The majority of the human genome has the capacity to be transcribed and the majority of the non-protein-coding transcripts made by RNA Polymerase II are enriched in the nucleus. Many chromatin regulators can bind to these ncRNAs in the nucleus; in some cases, there are clear examples of direct RNA-mediated chromatin regulation mechanisms stemming from these interactions, while others have yet to be determined. Recent studies have highlighted examples of chromatin regulation via RNA matchmaking, a term we use broadly here to describe intermolecular base-pairing interactions between one RNA molecule and an RNA or DNA match. This review provides examples of RNA matchmaking that regulates chromatin processes and summarizes the technical approaches used to capture these events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen K. Wu
- Molecular Biology Program, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus 12801 East 17 Ave., Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus 12801 East 17 Ave., Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Justin T. Roberts
- Molecular Biology Program, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus 12801 East 17 Ave., Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus 12801 East 17 Ave., Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Maggie M. Balas
- Molecular Biology Program, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus 12801 East 17 Ave., Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus 12801 East 17 Ave., Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Aaron M. Johnson
- Molecular Biology Program, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus 12801 East 17 Ave., Aurora, CO, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus 12801 East 17 Ave., Aurora, CO, United States
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21
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Wang H, Tian Z, Xu Y, Wang Q, Ding SW, Li Y. Altering Intracellular Localization of the RNA Interference Factors by Influenza A Virus Non-structural Protein 1. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:590904. [PMID: 33281788 PMCID: PMC7688628 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.590904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) causes seasonal infections and periodic pandemics in humans. The non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of IAV is the main viral antagonist of the innate immune responses that play a key role in influenza pathogenesis. However, the mechanism to disrupt the host cell homeostasis by IAV NS1 remains poorly understood. Here, we show that expression of NS1 from the WSN strain, but not PR8 strain, of IAV, markedly induced nuclear import of the host RNA interference (RNAi) factors such as Argonaute-2 and microRNA 16. We found that the single residue substitution of aspartic acid with histidine at position 101 (D101H) of IAV-PR8 NS1 was sufficient to induce the nuclear import process and to enhance the virulence of IAV-PR8 in mice. However, we observed no significant differences between the wild-type and mutant IAV-PR8 in virus titers or induction of the interferon response in lung tissues, indicating a novel role of NS1 in the virulence determination of IAV in a mammalian host. Moreover, our bioinformatic analysis of 69,057 NS1 sequences from all IAV subtypes deposited in the NCBI database revealed that the NS1-H101 gene of IAV-WSN was widespread among H1N1 viruses isolated in 1933 but disappeared completely after 1940. Thus, IAV NS1 (H101) is a mutation selected against during evolution of IAV, suggesting that mutation H101 confers an important biological phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhonghui Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shou-Wei Ding
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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22
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Hagiwara K, Honma M, Harumoto T, Harada K, Sawada T, Yamamoto J, Shinohara F. Development of Prodrug Type Circular siRNA for In Vivo Knockdown by Systemic Administration. Nucleic Acid Ther 2020; 30:346-364. [PMID: 33016851 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2020.0894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
siRNAs are being developed as a novel therapeutic modality; however, problems impeding their application in extrahepatic tissues persist, including inadequate stability in biological environments and inefficient drug delivery system to target tissues. Thus, technological improvements that enable robust silencing of target messenger RNA (mRNA) in extrahepatic tissues are necessary. We developed prodrug type covalently closed siRNA (circular siRNA) as a novel nucleic acid agent to knockdown target genes in extrahepatic tissues by systemic administration without drug delivery components. Circular siRNA, which is chemically synthesizable, can assume optimal structures for efficient knockdown using its cleavable linker; namely, circular and linear structure in extracellular and intracellular environment, respectively. In this study, we investigated circular siRNA physicochemical properties, knockdown mechanism, and characteristics in vitro, as well as pharmacokinetics, accumulation, knockdown activity, and safety in vivo. Our circular siRNA exhibited higher stability against serum and exonucleases, increased cellular uptake, and stronger knockdown activity without transfection reagent in vitro than linear siRNA. Furthermore, after systemic administration to mice, circular siRNA showed prolonged circulation and improved knockdown activity in the liver, kidney, and muscle, without causing adverse effects. Circular siRNA may represent an additional platform for RNAi therapeutics, providing alternate solutions for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hagiwara
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Research Laboratories and Research Functions Unit, R&D Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masakazu Honma
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Research Laboratories and Research Functions Unit, R&D Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshimasa Harumoto
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Research Laboratories and Research Functions Unit, R&D Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Harada
- Management Office, Research Functions Unit, R&D Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Sawada
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Research Laboratories and Research Functions Unit, R&D Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichiro Yamamoto
- Nucleic Acid Medicine Research Laboratories and Research Functions Unit, R&D Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumikazu Shinohara
- Management Office, Research Functions Unit, R&D Division, Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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23
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Ferguson CM, Echeverria D, Hassler M, Ly S, Khvorova A. Cell Type Impacts Accessibility of mRNA to Silencing by RNA Interference. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:384-393. [PMID: 32650236 PMCID: PMC7340969 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) is a potent mechanism that silences mRNA and protein expression in all cells and tissue types. RNAi is known to exert many of its functional effects in the cytoplasm, and thus, the cellular localization of target mRNA may impact observed potency. Here, we demonstrate that cell identity has a profound impact on accessibility of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) mRNA to RNAi. We show that, whereas both neuronal and glial cell lines express detectable ApoE mRNA, in neuronal cells, ApoE mRNA is not targetable by RNAi. Screening of a panel of thirty-five chemically modified small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) did not produce a single hit in a neuronal cell line, whereas up to fifteen compounds showed strong efficacy in glial cells. Further investigation of the cellular localization of ApoE mRNA demonstrates that ApoE mRNA is partially spliced and preferentially localized to the nucleus (∼80%) in neuronal cells, whereas more than 90% of ApoE mRNA is cytoplasmic in glial cells. Such an inconsistency in intracellular localization and splicing might provide an explanation for functional differences in RNAi compounds. Thus, cellular origin might have an impact on accessibility of mRNA to RNAi and should be taken into account during the screening process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal M Ferguson
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Dimas Echeverria
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Matthew Hassler
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Socheata Ly
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Anastasia Khvorova
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
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24
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Developing small activating RNA as a therapeutic: current challenges and promises. Ther Deliv 2020; 10:151-164. [PMID: 30909853 DOI: 10.4155/tde-2018-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA activation (RNAa) allows specific gene upregulation mediated by a small activating RNA (saRNA). Harnessing this process would help in developing novel therapeutics for undruggable diseases. Since its discovery in mid 2000s, improvements of saRNA design, synthetic chemistry and understanding of the biology have matured the way to apply RNAa. Indeed, MiNA therapeutics Ltd has conducted the first RNAa clinical trial for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients with promising outcomes. However, to fully realize the RNAa potential better saRNA delivery strategies are needed to target other diseases. Currently, saRNA can be delivered in vivo by lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers, lipid and polymer hybrids and aptamers. Further developing these delivery technologies and novel application of RNAa will prove to be invaluable for new treatment development.
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25
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Mapelli SN, Napoli S, Pisignano G, Garcia-Escudero R, Carbone GM, Catapano CV. Deciphering the complexity of human non-coding promoter-proximal transcriptome. Bioinformatics 2020; 35:2529-2534. [PMID: 30535182 PMCID: PMC6662291 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bty981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gained increasing relevance in epigenetic regulation and nuclear functional organization. High-throughput sequencing approaches have revealed frequent non-coding transcription in promoter-proximal regions. However, a comprehensive catalogue of promoter-associated RNAs (paRNAs) and an analysis of the possible interactions with neighboring genes and genomic regulatory elements are missing. RESULTS Integrating data from multiple cell types and experimental platforms we identified thousands of paRNAs in the human genome. paRNAs are transcribed in both sense and antisense orientation, are mostly non-polyadenylated and retained in the cell nucleus. Transcriptional regulators, epigenetic effectors and activating chromatin marks are enriched in paRNA-positive promoters. Furthermore, paRNA-positive promoters exhibit chromatin signatures of both active promoters and enhancers. Promoters with paRNAs reside preferentially at chromatin loop boundaries, suggesting an involvement in anchor site recognition and chromatin looping. Importantly, these features are independent of the transcriptional state of neighboring genes. Thus, paRNAs may act as cis-regulatory modules with an impact on local recruitment of transcription factors, epigenetic state and chromatin loop organization. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the promoter-proximal transcriptome and offers novel insights into the roles of paRNAs in epigenetic processes and human diseases. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Genomic coordinates of predicted paRNAs are available at https://figshare.com: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7392791.v1 and https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.4856630.v2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Mapelli
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Institute of Computational Science, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Napoli
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppina Pisignano
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Ramon Garcia-Escudero
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Molecular Oncology Unit-CIEMAT and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Cancer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Giuseppina M Carbone
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Carlo V Catapano
- Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Bellinzona, Switzerland.,Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Oncology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne1066, Switzerland
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26
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Zaytseva O, Mitchell NC, Guo L, Marshall OJ, Parsons LM, Hannan RD, Levens DL, Quinn LM. Transcriptional repression of Myc underlies the tumour suppressor function of AGO1 in Drosophila. Development 2020; 147:147/11/dev190231. [PMID: 32527935 PMCID: PMC7295588 DOI: 10.1242/dev.190231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Here, we report novel tumour suppressor activity for the Drosophila Argonaute family RNA-binding protein AGO1, a component of the miRNA-dependent RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). The mechanism for growth inhibition does not, however, involve canonical roles as part of the RISC; rather, AGO1 controls cell and tissue growth by functioning as a direct transcriptional repressor of the master regulator of growth, Myc. AGO1 depletion in wing imaginal discs drives a significant increase in ribosome biogenesis, nucleolar expansion and cell growth in a manner dependent on Myc abundance. Moreover, increased Myc promoter activity and elevated Myc mRNA in AGO1-depleted animals requires RNA polymerase II transcription. Further support for transcriptional AGO1 functions is provided by physical interaction with the RNA polymerase II transcriptional machinery (chromatin remodelling factors and Mediator Complex), punctate nuclear localisation in euchromatic regions and overlap with Polycomb Group transcriptional silencing loci. Moreover, significant AGO1 enrichment is observed on the Myc promoter and AGO1 interacts with the Myc transcriptional activator Psi. Together, our data show that Drosophila AGO1 functions outside of the RISC to repress Myc transcription and inhibit developmental cell and tissue growth. This article has an associated ‘The people behind the papers’ interview. Highlighted Article: In the Drosophila wing, the Argonaute family protein AGO1 acts independently of the miRNA-silencing pathway to restrict tissue growth by directly repressing transcription of the master growth regulator Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Zaytseva
- Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Naomi C Mitchell
- Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - Linna Guo
- Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | | | | | - Ross D Hannan
- Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
| | - David L Levens
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Leonie M Quinn
- Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
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27
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Pammer J, Rossiter H, Bilban M, Eckhart L, Buchberger M, Monschein L, Mildner M. PIWIL-2 and piRNAs are regularly expressed in epithelia of the skin and their expression is related to differentiation. Arch Dermatol Res 2020; 312:705-714. [PMID: 32166374 PMCID: PMC7548280 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-020-02052-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PIWI proteins play multiple roles in germline stem cell maintenance and self-renewal. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) associate with PIWI proteins, form effector complexes and maintain genome integrity and function in the regulation of gene expression by epigenetic modifications. Both are involved in cancer development. In this study, we investigated the expression of PIWIL-2 and piRNAs in normal human skin and epithelial tumors and its regulation during keratinocyte (KC) differentiation. Immunohistochemistry showed that PIWIL-2 was regularly expressed in the epidermis and adnexal tissue with strongest expression in sebaceous glands. Cell culture studies revealed an association of PIWIL-2 expression with the state of differentiated KC. In contrast, the PIWIL-2 expression pattern did not correlate with stem cell compartments or malignancy. piRNAs were consistently detected in KC in vitro by next-generation sequencing and the expression levels of numerous piRNAs were regulated during KC differentiation. Epidermal piRNAs were predominantly derived from processed snoRNAs (C/D-box snoRNAs), tRNAs and protein coding genes. Our data indicate that components of the PIWIL-2-piRNA pathway are present in epithelial cells of the skin and are regulated in the context of KC differentiation, suggesting a role of somatic gene regulation. However, putative roles in the maintenance of stem cell compartments or the development of malignancy in the skin were not supported by this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Pammer
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Heidi Rossiter
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Bilban
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Core Facility Genomics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leopold Eckhart
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Buchberger
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Monschein
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Mildner
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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28
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Mutual Regulation of RNA Silencing and the IFN Response as an Antiviral Defense System in Mammalian Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041348. [PMID: 32079277 PMCID: PMC7072894 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA silencing is a posttranscriptional gene silencing mechanism directed by endogenous small non-coding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs). By contrast, the type-I interferon (IFN) response is an innate immune response induced by exogenous RNAs, such as viral RNAs. Endogenous and exogenous RNAs have typical structural features and are recognized accurately by specific RNA-binding proteins in each pathway. In mammalian cells, both RNA silencing and the IFN response are induced by double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) in the cytoplasm, but have long been considered two independent pathways. However, recent reports have shed light on crosstalk between the two pathways, which are mutually regulated by protein–protein interactions triggered by viral infection. This review provides brief overviews of RNA silencing and the IFN response and an outline of the molecular mechanism of their crosstalk and its biological implications. Crosstalk between RNA silencing and the IFN response may reveal a novel antiviral defense system that is regulated by miRNAs in mammalian cells.
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29
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Nawalpuri B, Ravindran S, Muddashetty RS. The Role of Dynamic miRISC During Neuronal Development. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:8. [PMID: 32118035 PMCID: PMC7025485 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-dependent protein synthesis plays an important role during neuronal development by fine-tuning the formation and function of neuronal circuits. Recent studies have shown that miRNAs are integral to this regulation because of their ability to control protein synthesis in a rapid, specific and potentially reversible manner. miRNA mediated regulation is a multistep process that involves inhibition of translation before degradation of targeted mRNA, which provides the possibility to store and reverse the inhibition at multiple stages. This flexibility is primarily thought to be derived from the composition of miRNA induced silencing complex (miRISC). AGO2 is likely the only obligatory component of miRISC, while multiple RBPs are shown to be associated with this core miRISC to form diverse miRISC complexes. The formation of these heterogeneous miRISC complexes is intricately regulated by various extracellular signals and cell-specific contexts. In this review, we discuss the composition of miRISC and its functions during neuronal development. Neurodevelopment is guided by both internal programs and external cues. Neuronal activity and external signals play an important role in the formation and refining of the neuronal network. miRISC composition and diversity have a critical role at distinct stages of neurodevelopment. Even though there is a good amount of literature available on the role of miRNAs mediated regulation of neuronal development, surprisingly the role of miRISC composition and its functional dynamics in neuronal development is not much discussed. In this article, we review the available literature on the heterogeneity of the neuronal miRISC composition and how this may influence translation regulation in the context of neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharti Nawalpuri
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (Instem), Bangalore, India.,School of Chemical and Biotechnology, Shanmugha Arts, Science, and Technology and Research Academy (SASTRA) University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Sreenath Ravindran
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (Instem), Bangalore, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Ravi S Muddashetty
- Centre for Brain Development and Repair, Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (Instem), Bangalore, India
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30
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Lee JS, Mendell JT. Antisense-Mediated Transcript Knockdown Triggers Premature Transcription Termination. Mol Cell 2020; 77:1044-1054.e3. [PMID: 31924448 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that trigger RNase-H-mediated cleavage are commonly used to knock down transcripts for experimental or therapeutic purposes. In particular, ASOs are frequently used to functionally interrogate long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and discriminate lncRNA loci that produce functional RNAs from those whose activity is attributable to the act of transcription. Transcription termination is triggered by cleavage of nascent transcripts, generally during polyadenylation, resulting in degradation of the residual RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-associated RNA by XRN2 and dissociation of elongating Pol II. Here, we show that ASOs act upon nascent transcripts and, consequently, induce premature transcription termination downstream of the cleavage site in an XRN2-dependent manner. Targeting the transcript 3' end with ASOs, however, allows transcript knockdown while preserving Pol II association with the gene body. These results demonstrate that the effects of ASOs on transcription must be considered for appropriate experimental and therapeutic use of these reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Sun Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA
| | - Joshua T Mendell
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9148, USA; Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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31
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Milewska M, Domoradzki T, Majewska A, Błaszczyk M, Gajewska M, Hulanicka M, Grzelkowska-Kowalczyk K. Interleukin-6 affects pacsin3, ephrinA4 expression and cytoskeletal proteins in differentiating primary skeletal myoblasts through transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 380:155-172. [PMID: 31820147 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03133-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-6 is a proinflammatory cytokine released in injured and contracting skeletal muscles. In this study, we examined cellular expression of proteins associated with cytoskeleton organization and cell migration, chosen on the basis of microRNA profiling, in rat primary skeletal muscle cells (RSkMC) treated with IL-6 (1 ng/ml) for 11 days. MiRNA microarray analysis and qRT-PCR revealed increased expression of miR-154-3p and miR-338-3p in muscle cells treated with IL-6. Pacsin3 was downregulated post-transcriptionally by IL-6, but not by IGF-I. Ephrin4A protein was increased both in IL-6- and IGF-I-treated myocytes. IL-6, but not IGF-I, stimulated migratory ability of RSkMC, examined in wound healing assay. Alpha-actinin protein was slightly augmented in RSKMC treated with IL-6, similarly to IGF-I. IL-6, but not IGF-I, upregulated desmin in differentiating RSkMC. IL-6 supplementation caused accumulation of alpha-actinin and desmin in near-nuclear area of muscle cells, which was manifested by increased ratio: mean near-nuclear fluorescence/mean peripheral cytoplasm fluorescence of these proteins. We concluded that IL-6, a known proinflammatory cytokine and a physical activity-associated myokine, acting during differentiation of primary skeletal muscle cells, alters expression of nonmuscle-specific miRNAs. This cytokine causes differential effects on pacsin-3 and ephrinA4, through post-transcriptional inhibition and stimulation, respectively. IL-6-exerted modifications of cytoskeletal proteins in muscle cells include both transcriptional (desmin and dynein heavy chain 5) and post-transcriptional activation (alpha-actinin). Moreover, IL-6 augments near-nuclear distribution of cytoskeletal proteins, alpha-actinin and desmin and promotes migration of myocytes. Such effects suggest that IL-6 plays a role during skeletal muscle regeneration, acting through mechanisms independent of regulation of myogenic program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Milewska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Domoradzki
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alicja Majewska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Błaszczyk
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Gajewska
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Hulanicka
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Grzelkowska-Kowalczyk
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.
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Liu Z, Johnson ST, Zhang Z, Corey DR. Expression of TNRC6 (GW182) Proteins Is Not Necessary for Gene Silencing by Fully Complementary RNA Duplexes. Nucleic Acid Ther 2019; 29:323-334. [PMID: 31670606 PMCID: PMC6885777 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2019.0815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The trinucleotide repeat containing 6 (TNRC6) family of proteins are core components of RNA interference (RNAi) and consist of three paralogs (TNRC6A, TNRC6B, and TNRC6C). The TNRC6 paralogs associate with argonaute (AGO) protein, the core RNAi factor, and bridge its interactions with other proteins. We obtained TNRC6A and TNRC6B single and double knockout cell lines to investigate how the TNRC6 paralogs contribute to RNAi. We found that TNRC6 proteins are not required for gene silencing when duplex RNAs are fully complementary. TNRC6 expression was necessary for regulation by a microRNA. TNRC6A, but not TNRC6B, expression was necessary for transcriptional activation by a duplex RNA targeting a gene promoter. By contrast, AGO2 is required for all three gene expression pathways. TNRC6A can affect the Dicer localization in cytoplasm versus the nucleus, but none of the three TNRC6 paralogs was necessary for nuclear localization of AGO2. Our data suggest that the roles of the TNRC6 paralogs differ in some details and that TNRC6 is not required for clinical therapeutic silencing mechanisms that involve fully complementary duplex RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongtian Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi, China.,Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Samantha T Johnson
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Zhiying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi, China
| | - David R Corey
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
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Qadir MI, Bukhat S, Rasul S, Manzoor H, Manzoor M. RNA therapeutics: Identification of novel targets leading to drug discovery. J Cell Biochem 2019; 121:898-929. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Imran Qadir
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan
| | - Sherien Bukhat
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan
| | - Sumaira Rasul
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan
| | - Hamid Manzoor
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan
| | - Majid Manzoor
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences Zhejiang University Hangzhou China
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Beuzelin D, Pitard B, Kaeffer B. Oral Delivery of miRNA With Lipidic Aminoglycoside Derivatives in the Breastfed Rat. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1037. [PMID: 31456698 PMCID: PMC6700720 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Specific targeting of endogenous miRNAs which are involved in epigenetics, may help understanding homeostasis with therapeutic benefits. We use new biologically inspired vehicles consisting of lipoaminoglycosides to deliver in vivo mir-320-3p, a known human breast milk exosomal miRNA, or its antagomiR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four lipoaminoglycosides were screened for cytotoxicity and their biophysical properties. 1-h breast-restricted rats received single-oral treatment of either the lipoaminoglycoside Dioleyl-Succinyl Paromomycin (DOSP) complexed with miRNA or antagomiR, or of control medium at the light on (ZeitGeber Time: ZT-0H) or off (ZT-12H). Glycemia, triglycerides, cholesterol, free-fatty acid were assayed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 h post-treatment. In the stomach, small intestine, liver, plasma, adipose tissue, plexus choroid, and cortex, relevant miRNA with precursors and mRNA (polr3d, hspb6, c-myc, stat1, clock, bmal1, per1, npas2, sirt1-6, and cyclinD1) were quantified by q-PCR. Expression of POLR3D and HSPB6 proteins were analyzed in stomach and liver by Western blot. Immunoprecipitations with anti-AGO1 and 2 were performed on nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of gastric cells along with detection of miRNA-320-3p in nucleoli. Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation with anti-Trimethyl-histone-3-Lys-4 and Lys-27 detecting the polr3d promoter and miR-320-3p, were performed for all groups. RESULTS Selected DOSP (diameter: 80-200 nm) did not alter gastric extracellular vesicle secretion a few hours after intake. The miR-320-3p was mainly found in gastric or small intestinal cells, reaching the blood and liver in low amount. We have found significant up-regulation of polr3d mRNA (ANOVA, p < 0.0001) at ZT-20H for the miR-320-3p-supplemented group and a higher expression of POLR3D for antagomiR group (ANOVA, p < 0.05). We had a low accumulation of miR-320-3p at ZT-20H in nucleoli, without stat1 evolution. Delivering a high amount of miRNA or antagomiR disrupts RNA-Induced Silencing Complexes in cytoplasm triggering some transfer of extracellular molecules into nuclei with alteration of immune complexes on the polr3d promoter (with a higher amount found in the K4 histone-3-me3 immune complexes at ZT-20H). CONCLUSION Extracellular miRNAs embedded in DOSP have a rapid impact on RNAi and on nuclear chromatin complexes depending on the daily rhythm. An integrative view of the impact of extracellular miRNA on physiology will improve assaying epigenetic manipulations following nutritional stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Beuzelin
- UMR 1280, NUN, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Nantes, France
| | - Bruno Pitard
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie Nantes Angers (CRCINA), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Université d’Angers, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Bertrand Kaeffer
- UMR 1280, NUN, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Nantes, France
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Chen J, Kuhn LA. Deciphering the three-domain architecture in schlafens and the structures and roles of human schlafen12 and serpinB12 in transcriptional regulation. J Mol Graph Model 2019; 90:59-76. [PMID: 31026779 PMCID: PMC6657700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Schlafen proteins are important in cell differentiation and defense against viruses, and yet this family of vertebrate proteins is just beginning to be understood at the molecular level. Here, the three-dimensional architecture and molecular interfaces of human schlafen12 (hSLFN12), which promotes intestinal stem cell differentiation, are analyzed by sequence conservation and structural modeling in light of the functions of its homologs and binding partners. Our analysis shows that the schlafen or divergent AAA ATPase domain described in the N-terminal region of schlafens in databases and the literature is a misannotation. This N-terminal region is conclusively an AlbA_2 DNA/RNA binding domain, forming the conserved core of schlafens and their sequence homologs from bacteria through mammals. Group III schlafens additionally contain a AAA NTPase domain in their C-terminal helicase region. In hSLFN12, we have uncovered a domain matching rho GTPases, which directly follows the AlbA_2 domain in all group II-III schlafens. Potential roles for the GTPase-like domain include antiviral activity and cytoskeletal interactions that contribute to nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and cell polarization during differentiation. Based on features conserved with rSlfn13, the AlbA_2 region in hSLFN12 is likely to bind RNA, possibly as a ribonuclease. We hypothesize that RNA binding by hSLFN12 contributes to an RNA-induced transcriptional silencing/E3 ligase complex, given the functions of hSLFN12's partners, SUV39H1, JMJD6, and PDLIM7. hSLFN12's partner hSerpinB12 may contribute to heterochromatin formation, based on its homology to MENT, or directly regulate transcription via its binding to RNA polymerase II. The analysis presented here provides clear architectural and transcriptional regulation hypotheses to guide experimental design for hSLFN12 and the thousands of schlafens that share its motifs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Chen
- Protein Structural Analysis and Design Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, 603 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1319, USA
| | - Leslie A Kuhn
- Protein Structural Analysis and Design Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, 603 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1319, USA.
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Moon IY, Choi JH, Chung JW, Jang ES, Jeong SH, Kim JW. MicroRNA‑20 induces methylation of hepatitis B virus covalently closed circular DNA in human hepatoma cells. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:2285-2293. [PMID: 31257511 PMCID: PMC6691198 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylation was suggested to suppress the transcriptional activity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in hepatocytes. This may be associated with its low replicative activity during the inactive stage of chronic HBV infection; however, the exact mechanisms of methylation in HBV infection remain unknown. We have previously shown that short hairpin RNAs induced the methylation of the HBV genome in hepatoma cell lines. We also reported that the microRNA (miR) 17–92 cluster negatively regulates HBV replication in human hepatoma cells. In addition, miR-20a, a member of the miR 17–92 cluster, has sequence homology with the short hairpin RNA that induces HBV methylation. In the present study, we investigated whether miR-20a can function as an endogenous effector of HBV DNA methylation. The results indicated that overexpression of miR-20a could suppress the replicative activity of HBV and increased the degree of methylation of HBV cccDNA in the HepAD38 hepatoma cell line. Argonaute (AGO)1 and AGO2, effectors of the RNA-induced silencing complex, were detected in the nucleus of HepAD38 cells; however, only AGO2 was bound to HBV cccDNA. In addition, intranuclear AGO2 was determined to be bound with miR-20a. In conclusion, miR-20a may be loaded onto AGO2, prior to its translocation into the nucleus, inducing the methylation of HBV DNA in human hepatoma cells, leading to the suppression of HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Young Moon
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hee Choi
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Wha Chung
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Sun Jang
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Sook-Hyang Jeong
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Wook Kim
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 13620, Republic of Korea
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37
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Ma X, Zuo Z, Shao W, Jin Y, Meng Y. The expanding roles of Argonautes: RNA interference, splicing and beyond. Brief Funct Genomics 2019; 17:191-197. [PMID: 29240875 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elx045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Argonaute (AGO) protein family is highly conserved in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, reflecting its evolutionarily indispensible role in maintaining normal life cycle of the organisms. Small RNA-guided, AGO-dependent RNA interference (RNAi) is a well-studied pathway for gene expression regulation, which can be performed at transcriptional, posttranscriptional or translational level. In addition to RNAi, growing pieces of evidence point to a novel role of AGOs in pre-mRNA (messenger RNA precursor) splicing in animals. Many noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) share common structural features with protein-coding genes, indicating that these ncRNAs might be subject to AGO-mediated splicing. Finally, we provide a comprehensive view that RNAi, transcription and RNA splicing are highly interactive processes, all of which involve several key factors such as AGOs. In this regard, the AGO proteins contribute to orchestrate an exquisite gene regulatory network in vivo. However, more research efforts are needed to reach a thorough understanding of the AGO activities.
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38
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Abstract
The phenomenon of RNA activation (RNAa) was initially discovered by Li and colleagues about a decade ago. Subsequently, gene activation by exogenously expressed small activating RNA has been demonstrated in different cellular contexts by a number of laboratories. Conceivably, endogenously expressed microRNAs may also utilize RNA activation as a cellular mechanism for gene regulation, which may be dysregulated in disease states such as cancer. RNA activation can be applied to gain-of-function studies and holds great promise for disease intervention. This chapter will discuss examples of promoter-targeting microRNAs discovered in recent years and their pathophysiological relevance. I will also briefly touch upon other novel classes of microRNAs with positive gene regulatory roles, including TATA-box-activating microRNAs and enhancer-associated microRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Huang
- Molecular Stethoscope, Inc., 10835 Road to the Cure, Suite 100, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
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39
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Giraud G, Terrone S, Bourgeois CF. Functions of DEAD box RNA helicases DDX5 and DDX17 in chromatin organization and transcriptional regulation. BMB Rep 2019. [PMID: 30293550 PMCID: PMC6330936 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2018.51.12.234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA helicases DDX5 and DDX17 are multitasking proteins that regulate gene expression in different biological contexts through diverse activities. Special attention has long been paid to their function as coregulators of transcription factors, providing insight about their functional association with a number of chromatin modifiers and remodelers. However, to date, the variety of described mechanisms has made it difficult to understand precisely how these proteins work at the molecular level, and the contribution of their ATPase domain to these mechanisms remains unclear as well. In light of their association with long noncoding RNAs that are key epigenetic regulators, an emerging view is that DDX5 and DDX17 may act through modulating the activity of various ribonucleoprotein complexes that could ensure their targeting to specific chromatin loci. This review will comprehensively describe the current knowledge on these different mechanisms. We will also discuss the potential roles of DDX5 and DDX17 on the 3D chromatin organization and how these could impact gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Giraud
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modelisation de la Cellule, Universite de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5239, INSERM U1210, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Sophie Terrone
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modelisation de la Cellule, Universite de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5239, INSERM U1210, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, F-69007 Lyon, France
| | - Cyril F Bourgeois
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modelisation de la Cellule, Universite de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5239, INSERM U1210, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, F-69007 Lyon, France
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40
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Ben-Yishay R, Shav-Tal Y. The dynamic lifecycle of mRNA in the nucleus. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2019; 58:69-75. [PMID: 30889416 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2019.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The mRNA molecule roams through the nucleus on its way out to the cytoplasm. mRNA encounters and is bound by many protein factors, from the moment it begins to emerge from RNA polymerase II and during its travel in the nucleoplasm, where it will come upon chromatin and nuclear bodies. Some of the protein factors that engage with the mRNA can process it, until finally reaching a mature state fit for export through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Examining the lifecycle of mRNAs in living cells using mRNA tagging techniques opens a window into our understanding of the rules that drive the dynamics of gene expression from transcription to mRNA export.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakefet Ben-Yishay
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yaron Shav-Tal
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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41
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Bajczyk M, Bhat SS, Szewc L, Szweykowska-Kulinska Z, Jarmolowski A, Dolata J. Novel Nuclear Functions of Arabidopsis ARGONAUTE1: Beyond RNA Interference. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 179:1030-1039. [PMID: 30606888 PMCID: PMC6393810 DOI: 10.1104/pp.18.01351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Argonaute1 activity is not limited to the cytoplasm and has been found to be associated with the regulation of gene expression in the nucleus and to be tightly associated with chromatin and transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Bajczyk
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Susheel Sagar Bhat
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Lukasz Szewc
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Zofia Szweykowska-Kulinska
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Artur Jarmolowski
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Jakub Dolata
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
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Li C, Fu Z, Yang Y, Yan J, Liu F, Zhao W, Zhang L, Wei L, Feng Z, Li D, Jiang LH. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of GABRR2 gene in RGC-5 cells induces random exon deletion, exon splicing and new exon recruitment. Biochem Eng J 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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43
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Bérubé-Simard FA, Pilon N. Molecular dissection of CHARGE syndrome highlights the vulnerability of neural crest cells to problems with alternative splicing and other transcription-related processes. Transcription 2018; 10:21-28. [PMID: 30205741 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2018.1521213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CHARGE syndrome is characterized by co-occurrence of multiple malformations due to abnormal development of neural crest cells. Here, we review the phenotypic and molecular overlap between CHARGE syndrome and similar pathologies, and further discuss the observation that neural crest cells appear especially sensitive to malfunction of the chromatin-transcription-splicing molecular hub.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix-Antoine Bérubé-Simard
- a Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire du développement, Département des sciences biologiques , Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) , Montréal , QC , Canada.,b Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC) , Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) , Montréal , QC , Canada
| | - Nicolas Pilon
- a Laboratoire de génétique moléculaire du développement, Département des sciences biologiques , Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) , Montréal , QC , Canada.,b Centre d'Excellence en Recherche sur les Maladies Orphelines - Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC) , Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) , Montréal , QC , Canada.,c Département de pédiatrie , Université de Montréal , Montréal , QC , Canada
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Laham-Karam N, Laitinen P, Turunen TA, Ylä-Herttuala S. Activating the Chromatin by Noncoding RNAs. Antioxid Redox Signal 2018; 29:813-831. [PMID: 28699365 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2017.7248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE The extent and breadth of transcription have recently been uncovered and this has revealed an extensive array of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). The biological role and significance of these ncRNAs have been realized and to date it appears that ncRNAs may have many important regulatory functions. ncRNAs are multifaceted and they induce a complexity of different types of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation, including gene activation. Recent Advances: Association of ncRNAs with gene activation is an important finding. Not only enhancer RNA (eRNA) but other types of ncRNAs, including small RNA (sRNA), long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and PIWI-associated RNA (piRNA), have also been implicated in gene activation. Interestingly, they often coincide with histone modifications that favor an open chromatin. In addition, these ncRNAs can recruit key factors important for transcription, including RNA polymerase II. They may directly bind the genomic DNA or act as scaffolds; alternatively, they may loop the chromatin to enhance transcription. CRITICAL ISSUES Although the role of small activating (sa)RNAs has been considerably studied, the roles of miRNAs and piRNAs in gene activation still need to be substantiated and issues of specificity require further studies. FUTURE DIRECTIONS The ncRNA field is coming out of its infancy and we are gaining a global picture of the importance of ncRNAs. However, detailed mechanisms of action of the different ncRNAs are still to be determined. This may reveal novel ways of transcriptional regulation, which will facilitate our ability to utilize these regulatory pathways for research and therapeutic purposes. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 29, 813-831.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihay Laham-Karam
- 1 A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland , Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pia Laitinen
- 1 A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland , Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tiia A Turunen
- 1 A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland , Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- 1 A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland , Kuopio, Finland .,2 Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital , Kuopio, Finland .,3 Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital , Kuopio, Finland
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45
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Kaikkonen MU, Adelman K. Emerging Roles of Non-Coding RNA Transcription. Trends Biochem Sci 2018; 43:654-667. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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46
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Cao H, Wahlestedt C, Kapranov P. Strategies to Annotate and Characterize Long Noncoding RNAs: Advantages and Pitfalls. Trends Genet 2018; 34:704-721. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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47
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Liu J, Liu Z, Corey DR. The Requirement for GW182 Scaffolding Protein Depends on Whether Argonaute Is Mediating Translation, Transcription, or Splicing. Biochemistry 2018; 57:5247-5256. [PMID: 30086238 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
GW182 and argonaute 2 (AGO2) are core proteins of the RNA interference complex. GW182 is a scaffolding protein that physically associates with AGO2 and bridges its interactions with other proteins. A fundamental problem in biology is how scaffolding proteins adapt or contribute to differing functional demands within cells. Here we test the necessity for human GW182 proteins (paralogs TNRC6A, TNRC6B, and TNRC6C) for several mechanisms of small duplex RNA-mediated control of gene expression, including translational silencing by miRNAs, translational silencing by siRNAs, transcriptional silencing, transcriptional activation, and splicing. We find that GW182 is required for transcriptional activation and for the activity of miRNAs but is dispensable for the regulation of splicing, transcriptional silencing, and the action of siRNAs. AGO2, by contrast, is necessary for each of these processes. Our data suggest that GW182 does not alter AGO2 to make it active. Instead, GW182 organizes protein complexes around AGO2. Sometimes this higher level of organization is necessary, and sometimes it is not. AGO2 and GW182 offer an example for how a partnership between a scaffolding protein and a functional protein can be powerful but not obligatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry , The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas , Texas 75390 , United States
| | - Zhongtian Liu
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry , The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas , Texas 75390 , United States.,College of Animal Science and Technology , Northwest A&F University , Shaanxi , China 712100
| | - David R Corey
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry , The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , Dallas , Texas 75390 , United States
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48
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Hicks JA, Li L, Matsui M, Chu Y, Volkov O, Johnson KC, Corey DR. Human GW182 Paralogs Are the Central Organizers for RNA-Mediated Control of Transcription. Cell Rep 2018; 20:1543-1552. [PMID: 28813667 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.07.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In the cytoplasm, small RNAs can control mammalian translation by regulating the stability of mRNA. In the nucleus, small RNAs can also control transcription and splicing. The mechanisms for RNA-mediated nuclear regulation are not understood and remain controversial, hindering the effective application of nuclear RNAi and investigation of its natural regulatory roles. Here, we reveal that the human GW182 paralogs TNRC6A/B/C are central organizing factors critical to RNA-mediated transcriptional activation. Mass spectrometry of purified nuclear lysates followed by experimental validation demonstrates that TNRC6A interacts with proteins involved in protein degradation, RNAi, the CCR4-NOT complex, the mediator complex, and histone-modifying complexes. Functional analysis implicates TNRC6A, NAT10, MED14, and WDR5 in RNA-mediated transcriptional activation. These findings describe protein complexes capable of bridging RNA-mediated sequence-specific recognition of noncoding RNA transcripts with the regulation of gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Hicks
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA
| | - Liande Li
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA
| | - Masayuki Matsui
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA
| | - Yongjun Chu
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA
| | - Oleg Volkov
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA
| | - Krystal C Johnson
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA
| | - David R Corey
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA.
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Liu H, Lei C, He Q, Pan Z, Xiao D, Tao Y. Nuclear functions of mammalian MicroRNAs in gene regulation, immunity and cancer. Mol Cancer 2018; 17:64. [PMID: 29471827 PMCID: PMC5822656 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0765-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs that contain approximately 22 nucleotides. They serve as key regulators in various biological processes and their dysregulation is implicated in many diseases including cancer and autoimmune disorders. It has been well established that the maturation of miRNAs occurs in the cytoplasm and miRNAs exert post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) via RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) pathway in the cytoplasm. However, numerous studies reaffirm the existence of mature miRNA in the nucleus, and nucleus-cytoplasm transport mechanism has also been illustrated. Moreover, active regulatory functions of nuclear miRNAs were found including PTGS, transcriptional gene silencing (TGS), and transcriptional gene activation (TGA), in which miRNAs bind nascent RNA transcripts, gene promoter regions or enhancer regions and exert further effects via epigenetic pathways. Based on existing interaction rules, some miRNA binding sites prediction software tools are developed, which are evaluated in this article. In addition, we attempt to explore and review the nuclear functions of miRNA in immunity, tumorigenesis and invasiveness of tumor. As a non-canonical aspect of miRNA action, nuclear miRNAs supplement miRNA regulatory networks and could be applied in miRNA based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Cheng Lei
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Qin He
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Zou Pan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Desheng Xiao
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China
| | - Yongguang Tao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, 110 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410078, China.
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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50
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Dysregulation of cotranscriptional alternative splicing underlies CHARGE syndrome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E620-E629. [PMID: 29311329 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1715378115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
CHARGE syndrome-which stands for coloboma of the eye, heart defects, atresia of choanae, retardation of growth/development, genital abnormalities, and ear anomalies-is a severe developmental disorder with wide phenotypic variability, caused mainly by mutations in CHD7 (chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7), known to encode a chromatin remodeler. The genetic lesions responsible for CHD7 mutation-negative cases are unknown, at least in part because the pathogenic mechanisms underlying CHARGE syndrome remain poorly defined. Here, we report the characterization of a mouse model for CHD7 mutation-negative cases of CHARGE syndrome generated by insertional mutagenesis of Fam172a (family with sequence similarity 172, member A). We show that Fam172a plays a key role in the regulation of cotranscriptional alternative splicing, notably by interacting with Ago2 (Argonaute-2) and Chd7. Validation studies in a human cohort allow us to propose that dysregulation of cotranscriptional alternative splicing is a unifying pathogenic mechanism for both CHD7 mutation-positive and CHD7 mutation-negative cases. We also present evidence that such splicing defects can be corrected in vitro by acute rapamycin treatment.
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