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Román ÁC, Benítez DA, Díaz-Pizarro A, Del Valle-Del Pino N, Olivera-Gómez M, Cumplido-Laso G, Carvajal-González JM, Mulero-Navarro S. Next generation sequencing technologies to address aberrant mRNA translation in cancer. NAR Cancer 2024; 6:zcae024. [PMID: 38751936 PMCID: PMC11094761 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcae024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In this review, we explore the transformative impact of next generation sequencing technologies in the realm of translatomics (the study of how translational machinery acts on a genome-wide scale). Despite the expectation of a direct correlation between mRNA and protein content, the complex regulatory mechanisms that affect this relationship remark the limitations of standard RNA-seq approaches. Then, the review characterizes crucial techniques such as polysome profiling, ribo-seq, trap-seq, proximity-specific ribosome profiling, rnc-seq, tcp-seq, qti-seq and scRibo-seq. All these methods are summarized within the context of cancer research, shedding light on their applications in deciphering aberrant translation in cancer cells. In addition, we encompass databases and bioinformatic tools essential for researchers that want to address translatome analysis in the context of cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel-Carlos Román
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Universidad de Extremadura. Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Dixan A Benítez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Universidad de Extremadura. Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Alba Díaz-Pizarro
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Universidad de Extremadura. Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Nuria Del Valle-Del Pino
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Universidad de Extremadura. Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Marcos Olivera-Gómez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Universidad de Extremadura. Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Cumplido-Laso
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Universidad de Extremadura. Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Jose M Carvajal-González
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Universidad de Extremadura. Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Sonia Mulero-Navarro
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Genética, Universidad de Extremadura. Avda. de Elvas s/n, 06071 Badajoz, Spain
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Mao Y, Qian SB. Making sense of mRNA translational "noise". Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 154:114-122. [PMID: 36925447 PMCID: PMC10500040 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.03.004] [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: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
The importance of translation fidelity has been apparent since the discovery of genetic code. It is commonly believed that translation deviating from the main coding region is to be avoided at all times inside cells. However, ribosome profiling and mass spectrometry have revealed pervasive noncanonical translation. Both the scope and origin of translational "noise" are just beginning to be appreciated. Although largely overlooked, those translational "noises" are associated with a wide range of cellular functions, such as producing unannotated protein products. Furthermore, the dynamic nature of translational "noise" is responsive to stress conditions, highlighting the beneficial effect of translational "noise" in stress adaptation. Mechanistic investigation of translational "noise" will provide better insight into the mechanisms of translational regulation. Ultimately, they are not "noise" at all but represent a signature of cellular activities under pathophysiological conditions. Deciphering translational "noise" holds the therapeutic and diagnostic potential in a wide spectrum of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhui Mao
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Shu-Bing Qian
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Huang Y, Xia W, Dong Z, Yang CG. Chemical Inhibitors Targeting the Oncogenic m 6A Modifying Proteins. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:3010-3022. [PMID: 37889223 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics is brought to RNA, introducing a new dimension to gene expression regulation. Among numerous RNA modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an abundant internal modification on eukaryote mRNA first identified in the 1970s. However, the significance of m6A modification in mRNA had been long neglected until the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) enzyme was identified as the first m6A demethylase almost 40 years later. The m6A modification influences nearly every step of RNA metabolism and thus broadly affects gene expression at multiple levels, playing a critical role in many biological processes, including cancer progression, metastasis, and immune evasion. The m6A level is dynamically regulated by RNA epigenetic machinery comprising methyltransferases such as methyltransferase-like protein 3 (METTL3), demethylases FTO and AlkB human homologue 5 (ALKBH5), and multiple reader proteins. The understanding of the biology of RNA epigenetics and its translational drug discovery is still in its infancy. It is essential to further develop chemical probes and lead compounds for an in-depth investigation into m6A biology and the translational discovery of anticancer drugs targeting m6A modifying oncogenic proteins.In this Account, we present our work on the development of chemical inhibitors to regulate m6A in mRNA by targeting the FTO demethylase, and the elucidation of their mode of action. We reported rhein to be the first substrate competitive FTO inhibitor. Due to rhein's poor selectivity, we identified meclofenamic acid (MA) that selectively inhibits FTO compared with ALKBH5. Based on the structural complex of MA bound with FTO, we designed MA analogs FB23-2 and Dac51, which exhibit significantly improved activities compared with MA. For example, FB23-2 is specific to FTO inhibition in vitro among over 400 other oncogenic proteins, including kinases, proteases, and DNA and histone epigenetic proteins. Mimicking FTO depletion, FB23-2 promotes the differentiation/apoptosis of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and inhibits the progression of primary cells in xenotransplanted mice. Dac51 treatment impairs the glycolytic activity of tumor cells and restores the function of CD8+ T cells, thereby inhibiting the growth of solid tumors in vivo. These FTO inhibitors were and will continue to be used as probes to promote biological studies of m6A modification and as lead compounds to target FTO in anticancer drug discovery.Toward the end, we also include a brief review of ALKBH5 demethylase inhibitors and METTL3 methyltransferase modulators. Collectively, these small-molecule modulators that selectively target RNA epigenetic proteins will promote in-depth studies on the regulation of gene expression and potentially accelerate anticancer target discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenyang Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ze Dong
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Cai-Guang Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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4
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Liu R, Zhao E, Yu H, Yuan C, Abbas MN, Cui H. Methylation across the central dogma in health and diseases: new therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:310. [PMID: 37620312 PMCID: PMC10449936 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01528-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is essential for cell-fate control, development, and health. Methylation of DNA, RNAs, histones, and non-histone proteins is a reversible post-synthesis modification that finetunes gene expression and function in diverse physiological processes. Aberrant methylation caused by genetic mutations or environmental stimuli promotes various diseases and accelerates aging, necessitating the development of therapies to correct the disease-driver methylation imbalance. In this Review, we summarize the operating system of methylation across the central dogma, which includes writers, erasers, readers, and reader-independent outputs. We then discuss how dysregulation of the system contributes to neurological disorders, cancer, and aging. Current small-molecule compounds that target the modifiers show modest success in certain cancers. The methylome-wide action and lack of specificity lead to undesirable biological effects and cytotoxicity, limiting their therapeutic application, especially for diseases with a monogenic cause or different directions of methylation changes. Emerging tools capable of site-specific methylation manipulation hold great promise to solve this dilemma. With the refinement of delivery vehicles, these new tools are well positioned to advance the basic research and clinical translation of the methylation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chaoyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Deng X, Qing Y, Horne D, Huang H, Chen J. The roles and implications of RNA m 6A modification in cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023; 20:507-526. [PMID: 37221357 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00774-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A), the most prevalent internal modification in eukaryotic mRNA, has been extensively and increasingly studied over the past decade. Dysregulation of RNA m6A modification and its associated machinery, including writers, erasers and readers, is frequently observed in various cancer types, and the dysregulation profiles might serve as diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive biomarkers. Dysregulated m6A modifiers have been shown to function as oncoproteins or tumour suppressors with essential roles in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, metabolism, therapy resistance and immune evasion as well as in cancer stem cell self-renewal and the tumour microenvironment, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting the dysregulated m6A machinery for cancer treatment. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms by which m6A modifiers determine the fate of target RNAs and thereby influence protein expression, molecular pathways and cell phenotypes. We also describe the state-of-the-art methodologies for mapping global m6A epitranscriptomes in cancer. We further summarize discoveries regarding the dysregulation of m6A modifiers and modifications in cancer, their pathological roles, and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Finally, we discuss m6A-related prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers in cancer as well as the development of small-molecule inhibitors targeting oncogenic m6A modifiers and their activity in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan Deng
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, USA.
| | - Ying Qing
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, USA
| | - David Horne
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Huilin Huang
- Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, USA.
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
- Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research & City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
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Wang S, Chen S, Sun J, Han P, Xu B, Li X, Zhong Y, Xu Z, Zhang P, Mi P, Zhang C, Li L, Zhang H, Xia Y, Li S, Heikenwalder M, Yuan D. m 6A modification-tuned sphingolipid metabolism regulates postnatal liver development in male mice. Nat Metab 2023; 5:842-860. [PMID: 37188818 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00808-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Different organs undergo distinct transcriptional, epigenetic and physiological alterations that guarantee their functional maturation after birth. However, the roles of epitranscriptomic machineries in these processes have remained elusive. Here we demonstrate that expression of RNA methyltransferase enzymes Mettl3 and Mettl14 gradually declines during postnatal liver development in male mice. Liver-specific Mettl3 deficiency causes hepatocyte hypertrophy, liver injury and growth retardation. Transcriptomic and N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) profiling identify the neutral sphingomyelinase, Smpd3, as a target of Mettl3. Decreased decay of Smpd3 transcripts due to Mettl3 deficiency results in sphingolipid metabolism rewiring, characterized by toxic ceramide accumulation and leading to mitochondrial damage and elevated endoplasmic reticulum stress. Pharmacological Smpd3 inhibition, Smpd3 knockdown or Sgms1 overexpression that counteracts Smpd3 can ameliorate the abnormality of Mettl3-deficent liver. Our findings demonstrate that Mettl3-N6-methyl-adenosine fine-tunes sphingolipid metabolism, highlighting the pivotal role of an epitranscriptomic machinery in coordination of organ growth and the timing of functional maturation during postnatal liver development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiguan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shanze Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianfeng Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Pan Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bowen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xinying Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Youquan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ping Mi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Cuijuan Zhang
- Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lixiang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Jinan, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shiyang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Detian Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Jinan, China.
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Fu C, Fu X, Li F, Li Z, Wang A, Jiang S, Liu C, Wang H. Integrated microRNA-mRNA analysis reveals a possible molecular mechanism of enteritis susceptibility in Litopenaeus vannamei. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 136:108699. [PMID: 36935044 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Enteritis is one of the main diseases affecting Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in recent years, and it has resulted in huge losses to the aquaculture industry. Prior to this study, the molecular mechanism underlying enteritis in L. vannamei was unclear, and comprehensive multi-omics analysis had not been conducted. In this study, 1209 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the hepatopancreas of L. vannamei with and without enteritis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that genes were significantly enriched in immune, metabolic, and endocrine regulatory pathways. Forty-eight significantly different microRNAs (miRNAs) were identified in the miRNA-Seq analysis. Further functional annotation analysis showed that the regulatory pathway of target gene enrichment of differentially expressed miRNAs was consistent with DEGs. Through miRNA-mRNA integration analysis, 47 meaningful miRNA-mRNA pairs were obtained, of which melanogenesis and pancreatic secretion were considered key pathways. Subsequent miRNA-mRNA interaction network analysis revealed that mja-miR-6493-3p, Mja-miR-6494, novel-198, novel-272, novel-261, novel-200, novel-183, novel-184, novel-237, and novel-192 may be key miRNAs involved in the regulation of these two signaling pathways. Finally, the RAS signaling pathway was found to inhibit the translation level of proteins in the hepatopancreas. These results suggest that target gene integration analysis of mRNA-miRNA can reveal the molecular mechanism underlying enteritis in L. vannamei and also provide valuable new insights for resisting enteritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunpeng Fu
- Shandong Peninsula Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Brine Utilization, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Shouguang, 262700, China.
| | - Xiaopeng Fu
- Marine and Fishery Supervision Detachment of Rizhao City, Rizhao, 276800, China
| | - Fajun Li
- Shandong Peninsula Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Brine Utilization, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Shouguang, 262700, China
| | - Zongzhen Li
- Shandong Peninsula Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Brine Utilization, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Shouguang, 262700, China
| | - Aili Wang
- Shandong Peninsula Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Brine Utilization, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Shouguang, 262700, China
| | - ShanShan Jiang
- Shandong Peninsula Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Brine Utilization, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Shouguang, 262700, China
| | - Chunqiao Liu
- Shandong Peninsula Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Brine Utilization, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Shouguang, 262700, China
| | - Hui Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, 271018, China
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Nomura Y, Dohmae N. Discovery of a small protein-encoding cis-regulatory overlapping gene of the tumor suppressor gene Scribble in humans. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1098. [PMID: 34535749 PMCID: PMC8448870 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02619-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Intensive gene annotation has revealed many functional and regulatory elements in the human genome. Although eukaryotic protein-coding genes are generally transcribed into monocistronic mRNAs, recent studies have discovered additional short open reading frames (sORFs) in mRNAs. Here, we performed proteogenomic data mining for hidden proteins categorized into sORF-encoded polypeptides (SEPs) in human cancers. We identified a new SEP-encoding overlapping sORF (oORF) on the cell polarity determinant Scribble (SCRIB) that is considered a proto-oncogene with tumor suppressor function in Hippo-YAP/TAZ, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Reanalysis of clinical human proteomic data revealed translational dysregulation of both SCRIB and its oORF, oSCRIB, during carcinogenesis. Biochemical analyses suggested that the translatable oSCRIB constitutively limits the capacity of eukaryotic ribosomes to translate the downstream SCRIB. These findings provide a new example of cis-regulatory oORFs that function as a ribosomal roadblock and potentially serve as a fail-safe mechanism to normal cells for non-excessive downstream gene expression, which is hijacked in cancer. Yuhta Nomura and Naoshi Dohmae report the discovery of a small protein-coding gene that overlaps the tumor suppressor gene Scribble. Their data suggest that the overlapping gene, oSCRIB, limits the translation of downstream Scribble and may have important implications in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhta Nomura
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Naoshi Dohmae
- Biomolecular Characterization Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
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