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Tram J, Marty L, Mourouvin C, Abrantes M, Jaafari I, Césaire R, Hélias P, Barbeau B, Mesnard JM, Baccini V, Chaloin L, Peloponese JMJ. The Oncoprotein Fra-2 Drives the Activation of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Env Expression in Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) Patients. Cells 2024; 13:1517. [PMID: 39329701 PMCID: PMC11430398 DOI: 10.3390/cells13181517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are retroviral sequences integrated into 8% of the human genome resulting from ancient exogenous retroviral infections. Unlike endogenous retroviruses of other mammalian species, HERVs are mostly replication and retro-transposition defective, and their transcription is strictly regulated by epigenetic mechanisms in normal cells. A significant addition to the growing body of research reveals that HERVs' aberrant activation is often associated with offsetting diseases like autoimmunity, neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and chemoresistance. Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a very aggressive and chemoresistant leukemia caused by the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The prognosis of ATLL remains poor despite several new agents being approved in the last few years. In the present study, we compare the expression of HERV genes in CD8+-depleted PBMCs from HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers and patients with acute ATLL. Herein, we show that HERVs are highly upregulated in acute ATLL. Our results further demonstrate that the oncoprotein Fra-2 binds the LTR region and activates the transcription of several HERV families, including HERV-H and HERV-K families. This raises the exciting possibility that upregulated HERV expression could be a key factor in ATLL development and the observed chemoresistance, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies and significantly impacting the field of oncology and virology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Tram
- Université Montpellier (UM), 34000 Montpellier, France; (J.T.); (L.M.); (C.M.); (M.A.); (L.C.)
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Laetitia Marty
- Université Montpellier (UM), 34000 Montpellier, France; (J.T.); (L.M.); (C.M.); (M.A.); (L.C.)
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Célima Mourouvin
- Université Montpellier (UM), 34000 Montpellier, France; (J.T.); (L.M.); (C.M.); (M.A.); (L.C.)
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Magali Abrantes
- Université Montpellier (UM), 34000 Montpellier, France; (J.T.); (L.M.); (C.M.); (M.A.); (L.C.)
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Ilham Jaafari
- Université Montpellier (UM), 34000 Montpellier, France; (J.T.); (L.M.); (C.M.); (M.A.); (L.C.)
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Raymond Césaire
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique, 97261 Fort de France, France
| | - Philippe Hélias
- Département de Radiothérapie-Oncologie-Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la Guadeloupe, 97110 Pointe à Pitre, France;
| | - Benoit Barbeau
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, SB-R860, Montréal, QC H2X 1Y4, Canada;
| | - Jean-Michel Mesnard
- Université Montpellier (UM), 34000 Montpellier, France; (J.T.); (L.M.); (C.M.); (M.A.); (L.C.)
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Véronique Baccini
- Laboratoire d’Hématologie CHU de la Guadeloupe, 97110 Pointe à Pitre Guadeloupe, France;
| | - Laurent Chaloin
- Université Montpellier (UM), 34000 Montpellier, France; (J.T.); (L.M.); (C.M.); (M.A.); (L.C.)
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Marie Jr. Peloponese
- Université Montpellier (UM), 34000 Montpellier, France; (J.T.); (L.M.); (C.M.); (M.A.); (L.C.)
- Institut de Recherche en Infectiologie de Montpellier (IRIM), CNRS, 34293 Montpellier, France
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2
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Jarosz AS, Halo JV. Transcription of Endogenous Retroviruses: Broad and Precise Mechanisms of Control. Viruses 2024; 16:1312. [PMID: 39205286 PMCID: PMC11359688 DOI: 10.3390/v16081312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are the remnants of retroviral germline infections and are highly abundant in the genomes of vertebrates. At one time considered to be nothing more than inert 'junk' within genomes, ERVs have been tolerated within host genomes over vast timescales, and their study continues to reveal complex co-evolutionary histories within their respective host species. For example, multiple instances have been characterized of ERVs having been 'borrowed' for normal physiology, from single copies to ones involved in various regulatory networks such as innate immunity and during early development. Within the cell, the accessibility of ERVs is normally tightly controlled by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation or histone modifications. However, these silencing mechanisms of ERVs are reversible, and epigenetic alterations to the chromatin landscape can thus lead to their aberrant expression, as is observed in abnormal cellular environments such as in tumors. In this review, we focus on ERV transcriptional control and draw parallels and distinctions concerning the loss of regulation in disease, as well as their precise regulation in early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail S. Jarosz
- Science and Mathematics Division, Lorrain County Community College, Lorrain, OH 44035, USA;
| | - Julia V. Halo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
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3
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Solovyeva AI, Afanasev RV, Popova MA, Enukashvily NI. Dysregulation of Transposon Transcription Profiles in Cancer Cells Resembles That of Embryonic Stem Cells. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:8576-8599. [PMID: 39194722 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46080505] [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: 07/16/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) comprise a substantial portion of the mammalian genome, with potential implications for both embryonic development and cancer. This study aimed to characterize the expression profiles of TEs in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), cancer cell lines, tumor tissues, and the tumor microenvironment (TME). We observed similarities in TE expression profiles between cancer cells and ESCs, suggesting potential parallels in regulatory mechanisms. Notably, four TE RNAs (HERVH, LTR7, HERV-Fc1, HERV-Fc2) exhibited significant downregulation across cancer cell lines and tumor tissues compared to ESCs, highlighting potential roles in pluripotency regulation. The strong up-regulation of the latter two TEs (HERV-Fc1, HERV-Fc2) in ESCs has not been previously demonstrated and may be a first indication of their role in the regulation of pluripotency. Conversely, tandemly repeated sequences (MSR1, CER, ALR) showed up-regulation in cancer contexts. Moreover, a difference in TE expression was observed between the TME and the tumor bulk transcriptome, with distinct dysregulated TE profiles. Some TME-specific TEs were absent in normal tissues, predominantly belonging to LTR and L1 retrotransposon families. These findings not only shed light on the regulatory roles of TEs in both embryonic development and cancer but also suggest novel targets for anti-cancer therapy. Understanding the interplay between cancer cells and the TME at the TE level may pave the way for further research into therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna I Solovyeva
- Lab of the Non-Coding DNA Studies, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Roman V Afanasev
- Lab of the Non-Coding DNA Studies, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Marina A Popova
- Lab of the Non-Coding DNA Studies, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Applied Genomics Laboratory, SCAMT Institute, ITMO University, 191002 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Natella I Enukashvily
- Lab of the Non-Coding DNA Studies, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Cytology and Histology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
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4
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Saw PE, Liu Q, Wong PP, Song E. Cancer stem cell mimicry for immune evasion and therapeutic resistance. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:1101-1112. [PMID: 38925125 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.06.003] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are heterogeneous, possess self-renewal attributes, and orchestrate important crosstalk in tumors. We propose that the CSC state represents "mimicry" by cancer cells that leads to phenotypic plasticity. CSC mimicry is suggested as CSCs can impersonate immune cells, vasculo-endothelia, or lymphangiogenic cells to support cancer growth. CSCs facilitate both paracrine and juxtracrine signaling to prime tumor-associated immune and stromal cells to adopt pro-tumoral phenotypes, driving therapeutic resistance. Here, we outline the ingenuity of CSCs' mimicry in their quest to evade immune detection, which leads to immunotherapeutic resistance, and highlight CSC-mimicry-targeted therapeutic strategies for robust immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phei Er Saw
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Nanhai Clinical Translational Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping-Pui Wong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Nanhai Clinical Translational Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Erwei Song
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Nanhai Clinical Translational Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, China; Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Zenith Institute of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510120, China.
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5
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Jin SW, Seong Y, Yoon D, Kwon YS, Song H. Dissolution of ribonucleoprotein condensates by the embryonic stem cell protein L1TD1. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3310-3326. [PMID: 38165001 PMCID: PMC11014241 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1244] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
L1TD1 is a cytoplasmic RNA-binding protein specifically expressed in pluripotent stem cells and, unlike its mouse ortholog, is essential for the maintenance of stemness in human cells. Although L1TD1 is the only known protein-coding gene domesticated from a LINE-1 (L1) retroelement, the functional legacy of its ancestral protein, ORF1p of L1, and how it is manifested in L1TD1 are still unknown. Here, we determined RNAs associated with L1TD1 and found that, like ORF1p, L1TD1 binds L1 RNAs and localizes to high-density ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates. Unexpectedly, L1TD1 enhanced the translation of a subset of mRNAs enriched in the condensates. L1TD1 depletion promoted the formation of stress granules in embryonic stem cells. In HeLa cells, ectopically expressed L1TD1 facilitated the dissolution of stress granules and granules formed by pathological mutations of TDP-43 and FUS. The glutamate-rich domain and the ORF1-homology domain of L1TD1 facilitated dispersal of the RNPs and induced autophagy, respectively. These results provide insights into how L1TD1 regulates gene expression in pluripotent stem cells. We propose that the ability of L1TD1 to dissolve stress granules may provide novel opportunities for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases caused by disturbed stress granule dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Woo Jin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngmo Seong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Dayoung Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Soo Kwon
- Department of Integrative Bioscience & Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoseok Song
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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6
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da Silva AL, Guedes BLM, Santos SN, Correa GF, Nardy A, Nali LHDS, Bachi ALL, Romano CM. Beyond pathogens: the intriguing genetic legacy of endogenous retroviruses in host physiology. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1379962. [PMID: 38655281 PMCID: PMC11035796 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1379962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The notion that viruses played a crucial role in the evolution of life is not a new concept. However, more recent insights suggest that this perception might be even more expansive, highlighting the ongoing impact of viruses on host evolution. Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are considered genomic remnants of ancient viral infections acquired throughout vertebrate evolution. Their exogenous counterparts once infected the host's germline cells, eventually leading to the permanent endogenization of their respective proviruses. The success of ERV colonization is evident so that it constitutes 8% of the human genome. Emerging genomic studies indicate that endogenous retroviruses are not merely remnants of past infections but rather play a corollary role, despite not fully understood, in host genetic regulation. This review presents some evidence supporting the crucial role of endogenous retroviruses in regulating host genetics. We explore the involvement of human ERVs (HERVs) in key physiological processes, from their precise and orchestrated activities during cellular differentiation and pluripotency to their contributions to aging and cellular senescence. Additionally, we discuss the costs associated with hosting a substantial amount of preserved viral genetic material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Lopes da Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Luiz Miranda Guedes
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Samuel Nascimento Santos
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Francisco Correa
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ariane Nardy
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Andre Luis Lacerda Bachi
- UNISA Research Center, Universidade Santo Amaro, Post-Graduation in Health Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Malta Romano
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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7
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Kong X, Li R, Chen M, Zheng R, Wang J, Sun C, Qu Y. Endogenous retrovirus HERVH-derived lncRNA UCA1 controls human trophoblast development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2318176121. [PMID: 38483994 PMCID: PMC10962953 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2318176121] [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: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are frequently reactivated in mammalian placenta. It has been proposed that ERVs contribute to shaping the gene regulatory network of mammalian trophoblasts, dominantly acting as species- and placental-specific enhancers. However, whether and how ERVs control human trophoblast development through alternative pathways remains poorly understood. Besides the well-recognized function of human endogenous retrovirus-H (HERVH) in maintaining pluripotency of early human epiblast, here we present a unique role of HERVH on trophoblast lineage development. We found that the LTR7C/HERVH subfamily exhibits an accessible chromatin state in the human trophoblast lineage. Particularly, the LTR7C/HERVH-derived Urothelial Cancer Associated 1 (UCA1), a primate-specific long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), is transcribed in human trophoblasts and promotes the proliferation of human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs), whereas its ectopic expression compromises human trophoblast syncytialization coinciding with increased interferon signaling pathway. Importantly, UCA1 upregulation is detectable in placental samples from early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE) patients and the transcriptome of EO-PE placenta exhibits considerable similarities to that of the syncytiotrophoblasts differentiated from UCA1-overexpressing hTSCs, supporting up-regulated UCA1 as a potential biomarker of this disease. Altogether, our data shed light on the versatile regulatory role of HERVH in early human development and provide a unique mechanism whereby ERVs exert a function in human placentation and placental syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhui Kong
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
| | - Ruiqi Li
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of Kapok, Hainan571400, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510120, China
- The First People’s Hospital of Kashgar, Kashgar844000, China
| | - Manqi Chen
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
| | - Rongyan Zheng
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
| | - Jichang Wang
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
| | - Chuanbo Sun
- Laboratory of Medical Systems Biology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou510623, China
| | - Yuliang Qu
- Advanced Medical Technology Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou510080, China
- Key Laboratory for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou510080, China
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8
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Liang Y, Qu X, Shah NM, Wang T. Towards targeting transposable elements for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:123-140. [PMID: 38228901 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00653-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) represent almost half of the human genome. Historically deemed 'junk DNA', recent technological advancements have stimulated a wave of research into the functional impact of TEs on gene-regulatory networks in evolution and development, as well as in diseases including cancer. The genetic and epigenetic evolution of cancer involves the exploitation of TEs, whereby TEs contribute directly to cancer-specific gene activities. This Review provides a perspective on the role of TEs in cancer as being a 'double-edged sword', both promoting cancer evolution and representing a vulnerability that could be exploited in cancer therapy. We discuss how TEs affect transcriptome regulation and other cellular processes in cancer. We highlight the potential of TEs as therapeutic targets for cancer. We also summarize technical hurdles in the characterization of TEs with genomic assays. Last, we outline open questions and exciting future research avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonghao Liang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xuan Qu
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nakul M Shah
- Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
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9
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Costa B, Vale N. Exploring HERV-K (HML-2) Influence in Cancer and Prospects for Therapeutic Interventions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14631. [PMID: 37834078 PMCID: PMC10572383 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This review investigates the intricate role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in cancer development and progression, explicitly focusing on HERV-K (HML-2). This paper sheds light on the latest research advancements and potential treatment strategies by examining the historical context of HERVs and their involvement in critical biological processes such as embryonic development, immune response, and disease progression. This review covers computational modeling for drug-target binding assessment, systems biology modeling for simulating HERV-K viral cargo dynamics, and using antiviral drugs to combat HERV-induced diseases. The findings presented in this review contribute to our understanding of HERV-mediated disease mechanisms and provide insights into future therapeutic approaches. They emphasize why HERV-K holds significant promise as a biomarker and a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Costa
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Vale
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal;
- CINTESIS@RISE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences (MEDCIDS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Rua Doutor Plácido da Costa, s/n, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
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10
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Park EG, Lee DH, Kim WR, Lee YJ, Bae WH, Kim JM, Shin HJ, Ha H, Yi JM, Cho SG, Choi YH, Leem SH, Cha HJ, Kim SW, Kim HS. Human Endogenous Retrovirus-H-Derived miR-4454 Inhibits the Expression of DNAJB4 and SASH1 in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1410. [PMID: 37510314 PMCID: PMC10379226 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071410] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Although most human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been silenced and lost their ability to translocate because of accumulated mutations during evolution, they still play important roles in human biology. Several studies have demonstrated that HERVs play pathological roles in numerous human diseases, especially cancer. A few studies have revealed that long non-coding RNAs that are transcribed from HERV sequences affect cancer progression. However, there is no study on microRNAs derived from HERVs related to cancer. In this study, we identified 29 microRNAs (miRNAs) derived from HERV sequences in the human genome. In particular, we discovered that miR-4454, which is HERV-H-derived miRNA, was upregulated in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) cells. To figure out the effects of upregulated miR-4454 in NMIBC, genes whose expression was downregulated in NMIBC, as well as tumor suppressor genes, were selected as putative target genes of miR-4454. The dual-luciferase assay was used to determine the negative relationship between miR-4454 and its target genes, DNAJB4 and SASH1, and they were confirmed to be promising target genes of miR-4454. Taken together, this study suggests that the upregulation of miR-4454 derived from HERV-H in NMIBC reduces the expression of the tumor suppressor genes, DNAJB4 and SASH1, to promote NMIBC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Gyung Park
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (D.H.L.); (W.R.K.); (Y.J.L.); (W.H.B.); (J.-m.K.); (H.J.S.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Du Hyeong Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (D.H.L.); (W.R.K.); (Y.J.L.); (W.H.B.); (J.-m.K.); (H.J.S.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Ryung Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (D.H.L.); (W.R.K.); (Y.J.L.); (W.H.B.); (J.-m.K.); (H.J.S.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Ju Lee
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (D.H.L.); (W.R.K.); (Y.J.L.); (W.H.B.); (J.-m.K.); (H.J.S.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Hyeon Bae
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (D.H.L.); (W.R.K.); (Y.J.L.); (W.H.B.); (J.-m.K.); (H.J.S.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-min Kim
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (D.H.L.); (W.R.K.); (Y.J.L.); (W.H.B.); (J.-m.K.); (H.J.S.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Jin Shin
- Department of Integrated Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; (E.G.P.); (D.H.L.); (W.R.K.); (Y.J.L.); (W.H.B.); (J.-m.K.); (H.J.S.)
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongseok Ha
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea;
| | - Joo Mi Yi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan 47392, Republic of Korea;
| | - Ssang Goo Cho
- Department of Stem Cell & Regenerative Biotechnology, Institute of Advanced Regenerative Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yung Hyun Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-Eui University, Busan 47227, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sun Hee Leem
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hee Jae Cha
- Department of Parasitology and Genetics, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan 49104, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sang Woo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea;
| | - Heui Soo Kim
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea;
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11
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Devaraj A, Singh M, Narayanavari SA, Yong G, Chen J, Wang J, Becker M, Walisko O, Schorn A, Cseresznyés Z, Raskó T, Radscheit K, Selbach M, Ivics Z, Izsvák Z. HMGXB4 Targets Sleeping Beauty Transposition to Germinal Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087283. [PMID: 37108449 PMCID: PMC10138897 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087283] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposons are parasitic genetic elements that frequently hijack vital cellular processes of their host. HMGXB4 is a known Wnt signaling-regulating HMG-box protein, previously identified as a host-encoded factor of Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposition. Here, we show that HMGXB4 is predominantly maternally expressed, and marks both germinal progenitor and somatic stem cells. SB piggybacks HMGXB4 to activate transposase expression and target transposition to germinal stem cells, thereby potentiating heritable transposon insertions. The HMGXB4 promoter is located within an active chromatin domain, offering multiple looping possibilities with neighboring genomic regions. HMGXB4 is activated by ERK2/MAPK1, ELK1 transcription factors, coordinating pluripotency and self-renewal pathways, but suppressed by the KRAB-ZNF/TRIM28 epigenetic repression machinery, also known to regulate transposable elements. At the post-translational level, SUMOylation regulates HMGXB4, which modulates binding affinity to its protein interaction partners and controls its transcriptional activator function via nucleolar compartmentalization. When expressed, HMGXB4 can participate in nuclear-remodeling protein complexes and transactivate target gene expression in vertebrates. Our study highlights HMGXB4 as an evolutionarily conserved host-encoded factor that assists Tc1/Mariner transposons to target the germline, which was necessary for their fixation and may explain their abundance in vertebrate genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anantharam Devaraj
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Manvendra Singh
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Suneel A Narayanavari
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Guo Yong
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jiaxuan Chen
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jichang Wang
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mareike Becker
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Walisko
- Division of Hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Andrea Schorn
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Zoltán Cseresznyés
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tamás Raskó
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathrin Radscheit
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Selbach
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society (MDC), Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
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12
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Stricker E, Peckham-Gregory EC, Scheurer ME. HERVs and Cancer-A Comprehensive Review of the Relationship of Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Human Cancers. Biomedicines 2023; 11:936. [PMID: 36979914 PMCID: PMC10046157 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability and genetic mutations can lead to exhibition of several cancer hallmarks in affected cells such as sustained proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppression, activated invasion, deregulation of cellular energetics, and avoidance of immune destruction. Similar biological changes have been observed to be a result of pathogenic viruses and, in some cases, have been linked to virus-induced cancers. Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), once external pathogens, now occupy more than 8% of the human genome, representing the merge of genomic and external factors. In this review, we outline all reported effects of HERVs on cancer development and discuss the HERV targets most suitable for cancer treatments as well as ongoing clinical trials for HERV-targeting drugs. We reviewed all currently available reports of the effects of HERVs on human cancers including solid tumors, lymphomas, and leukemias. Our review highlights the central roles of HERV genes, such as gag, env, pol, np9, and rec in immune regulation, checkpoint blockade, cell differentiation, cell fusion, proliferation, metastasis, and cell transformation. In addition, we summarize the involvement of HERV long terminal repeat (LTR) regions in transcriptional regulation, creation of fusion proteins, expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and promotion of genome instability through recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Stricker
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
| | | | - Michael E. Scheurer
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77047, USA
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13
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Han D, Liu G, Oh Y, Oh S, Yang S, Mandjikian L, Rani N, Almeida MC, Kosik KS, Jang J. ZBTB12 is a molecular barrier to dedifferentiation in human pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:632. [PMID: 36759523 PMCID: PMC9911396 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36178-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Development is generally viewed as one-way traffic of cell state transition from primitive to developmentally advanced states. However, molecular mechanisms that ensure the unidirectional transition of cell fates remain largely unknown. Through exact transcription start site mapping, we report an evolutionarily conserved BTB domain-containing zinc finger protein, ZBTB12, as a molecular barrier for dedifferentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that ZBTB12 is essential for three germ layer differentiation by blocking hPSC dedifferentiation. Mechanistically, ZBTB12 fine-tunes the expression of human endogenous retrovirus H (HERVH), a primate-specific retrotransposon, and targets specific transcripts that utilize HERVH as a regulatory element. In particular, the downregulation of HERVH-overlapping long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) by ZBTB12 is necessary for a successful exit from a pluripotent state and lineage derivation. Overall, we identify ZBTB12 as a molecular barrier that safeguards the unidirectional transition of metastable stem cell fates toward developmentally advanced states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasol Han
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Guojing Liu
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Novogene Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Yujeong Oh
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea
| | - Seyoun Oh
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea
| | - Seungbok Yang
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea
| | - Lori Mandjikian
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
| | - Neha Rani
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
| | - Maria C Almeida
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- Federal University of ABC, Center for Natural and Human Sciences São Bernardo do Campo, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Kenneth S Kosik
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
| | - Jiwon Jang
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, Korea.
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14
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Bowles H, Kabiljo R, Al Khleifat A, Jones A, Quinn JP, Dobson RJB, Swanson CM, Al-Chalabi A, Iacoangeli A. An assessment of bioinformatics tools for the detection of human endogenous retroviral insertions in short-read genome sequencing data. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 2:1062328. [PMID: 36845320 PMCID: PMC9945273 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2022.1062328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in the study of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) given the substantial body of evidence that implicates them in many human diseases. Although their genomic characterization presents numerous technical challenges, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has shown potential to detect HERV insertions and their polymorphisms in humans. Currently, a number of computational tools to detect them in short-read NGS data exist. In order to design optimal analysis pipelines, an independent evaluation of the available tools is required. We evaluated the performance of a set of such tools using a variety of experimental designs and datasets. These included 50 human short-read whole-genome sequencing samples, matching long and short-read sequencing data, and simulated short-read NGS data. Our results highlight a great performance variability of the tools across the datasets and suggest that different tools might be suitable for different study designs. However, specialized tools designed to detect exclusively human endogenous retroviruses consistently outperformed generalist tools that detect a wider range of transposable elements. We suggest that, if sufficient computing resources are available, using multiple HERV detection tools to obtain a consensus set of insertion loci may be ideal. Furthermore, given that the false positive discovery rate of the tools varied between 8% and 55% across tools and datasets, we recommend the wet lab validation of predicted insertions if DNA samples are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Bowles
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Renata Kabiljo
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmad Al Khleifat
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley Jones
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - John P. Quinn
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J. B. Dobson
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chad M. Swanson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alfredo Iacoangeli
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Clinical significance of human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) in multiple myeloma progression. Int J Hematol 2022; 117:563-577. [PMID: 36522589 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-022-03513-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are retrotransposons that infect human germline cells and occupy 5-8% of the human genome. Their expression, though inhibited by mutation, deletion, and epigenetic mechanisms under normal conditions, is associated with diseases including cancer. This study aimed to clarify the association between HERVs and multiple myeloma (MM) progression. We found that HERV-K envelope (env) and long-term repeat (LTR) expression was statistically significantly higher within plasma cells in MM than in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or controls. HERV-K env knockdown increased proliferation in the MM.1S cell line and decreased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes TP53 and CDKN1A. TP53 and CDKN1A were highly expressed in MM, and their expression was correlated with HERV-K expression. HERV-K knockdown reduced apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3F, 3G, and 3H expression by 10-20% in MM.1S cells. The anti-retroviral agents nevirapine and nelfinavir suppressed proliferation and increased HERV-K expression in MM cell lines. Our results suggest that HERV-K is involved in MM progression, but its role is likely to go beyond promoting cell proliferation. Clarifying the role of HERV-K in MM will lead to the discovery of novel treatment strategies and supply new insights into MM pathogenesis.
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16
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Pontis J, Pulver C, Playfoot CJ, Planet E, Grun D, Offner S, Duc J, Manfrin A, Lutolf MP, Trono D. Primate-specific transposable elements shape transcriptional networks during human development. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7178. [PMID: 36418324 PMCID: PMC9684439 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34800-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The human genome contains more than 4.5 million inserts derived from transposable elements (TEs), the result of recurrent waves of invasion and internal propagation throughout evolution. For new TE copies to be inherited, they must become integrated in the genome of the germline or pre-implantation embryo, which requires that their source TE be expressed at these stages. Accordingly, many TEs harbor DNA binding sites for the pluripotency factors OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, and KLFs and are transiently expressed during embryonic genome activation. Here, we describe how many primate-restricted TEs have additional binding sites for lineage-specific transcription factors driving their expression during human gastrulation and later steps of fetal development. These TE integrants serve as lineage-specific enhancers fostering the transcription, amongst other targets, of KRAB-zinc finger proteins (KZFPs) of comparable evolutionary age, which in turn corral the activity of TE-embedded regulatory sequences in a similarly lineage-restricted fashion. Thus, TEs and their KZFP controllers play broad roles in shaping transcriptional networks during early human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Pontis
- Laboratory of Virology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Cyril Pulver
- Laboratory of Virology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Christopher J Playfoot
- Laboratory of Virology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Evarist Planet
- Laboratory of Virology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Delphine Grun
- Laboratory of Virology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Offner
- Laboratory of Virology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julien Duc
- Laboratory of Virology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Manfrin
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthias P Lutolf
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Didier Trono
- Laboratory of Virology and Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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17
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Drekolia MK, Talyan S, Cordellini Emídio R, Boon RA, Guenther S, Looso M, Dumbović G, Bibli SI. Unravelling the impact of aging on the human endothelial lncRNA transcriptome. Front Genet 2022; 13:1035380. [PMID: 36338971 PMCID: PMC9634578 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1035380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease is highest among the elderly. There is a need to further understand the mechanisms behind endothelial cell aging in order to achieve vascular rejuvenation and minimize the onset of age-related vascular diseases. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proposed to regulate numerous processes in the human genome, yet their function in vascular aging and their therapeutic potential remain largely unknown. This is primarily because the majority of studies investigating the impact of aging on lncRNA expression heavily rely on in vitro studies based on replicative senescence. Here, using a unique collection of young and aged endothelial cells isolated from native human arteries, we sought to characterize the age-related alterations in lncRNA expression profiles. We were able to detect a total of 4463 lncRNAs expressed in the human endothelium from which ∼17% (798) were altered in advanced age. One of the most affected lncRNAs in aging was the primate-specific, Prostate Cancer Associated Transcript (PCAT) 14. In our follow up analysis, using single molecule RNA FISH, we showed that PCAT14 is relatively abundant, localized almost exclusively in the nucleus of young endothelial cells, and silenced in the aged endothelium. Functionally, our studies proposed that downregulation of PCAT14 alters endothelial cell transcription profile and cell functions including endothelial cell migration, sprouting and inflammatory responses in vitro. Taken together, our data highlight that endothelial cell aging correlates with altered expression of lncRNAs, which could impair the endothelial regenerative capacity and enhance inflammatory phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Kyriaki Drekolia
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sweta Talyan
- Bioinformatics Core Unit, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | | | - Reinier Abraham Boon
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Rhein/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Guenther
- Bioinformatics Core Unit, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Rhein/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mario Looso
- Bioinformatics Core Unit, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Rhein/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gabrijela Dumbović
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sofia-Iris Bibli
- Institute for Vascular Signalling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Rhein/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
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18
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Sahu S, Singh B, Kumar Rai A. Human endogenous retrovirus regulates the initiation and progression of cancers (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 2022; 17:143. [PMID: 36157315 PMCID: PMC9468830 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2022.2576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of genes is altered in various diseases and is responsible for the disease's initiation, progression and pathology. Several other genes, predominantly inactivated, may become activated in a given condition and contribute to the initiation and progression of the disease. Similarly, human endogenous viruses (HERVs) are an incomplete, non-productive and inactive viral sequence present in the heterochromatin of the human genome, and are often referred to as junk DNA. HERVs were inserted into the host genome millions of years ago. However, they were silenced due to multiple mutations and recombination that occurred over time. However, their expression is increased in cancers due to either epigenetic or transcriptional dysregulation. Some of the HERVs having intact open reading frames have been reported to express virus-like particles, functional peptides and proteins involved in tumorigenesis. To summarize, there is involvement of different HERVs in the initiation and progression of several cancers. The present review aims to provide concise information on HERV and its involvement in the initiation and progression of multiple types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srishti Sahu
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh 211004, India
| | - Bharat Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh 211004, India
| | - Ambak Kumar Rai
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh 211004, India
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19
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Molecular diversity and phenotypic pleiotropy of ancient genomic regulatory loci derived from human endogenous retrovirus type H (HERVH) promoter LTR7 and HERVK promoter LTR5_Hs and their contemporary impacts on pathophysiology of Modern Humans. Mol Genet Genomics 2022; 297:1711-1740. [PMID: 36121513 PMCID: PMC9483895 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-022-01954-7] [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: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Timelines of population-level effects of viruses on humans varied from the evolutionary scale of million years to contemporary spread of viral infections. Correspondingly, these events are exemplified by: (i) emergence of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) from ancient germline infections leading to stable integration of viral genomes into human chromosomes; and (ii) wide-spread viral infections reaching a global pandemic state such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite significant efforts, understanding of HERV’s roles in governance of genomic regulatory networks, their impacts on primate evolution and development of human-specific physiological and pathological phenotypic traits remains limited. Remarkably, present analyses revealed that expression of a dominant majority of genes (1696 of 1944 genes; 87%) constituting high-confidence down-steam regulatory targets of defined HERV loci was significantly altered in cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, a pathogen causing the global COVID-19 pandemic. This study focused on defined sub-sets of DNA sequences derived from HERVs that are expressed at specific stages of human preimplantation embryogenesis and exert regulatory actions essential for self-renewal and pluripotency. Evolutionary histories of LTR7/HERVH and LTR5_Hs/HERVK were charted based on evidence of the earliest presence and expansion of highly conserved (HC) LTR sequences. Sequence conservation analyses of most recent releases 17 primate species’ genomes revealed that LTR7/HERVH have entered germlines of primates in Africa after the separation of the New World Monkey lineage, while LTR5_Hs/HERVK successfully colonized primates’ germlines after the segregation of Gibbons’ species. Subsequently, both LTR7 and LTR5_Hs undergo a marked ~ fourfold–fivefold expansion in genomes of Great Apes. Timelines of quantitative expansion of both LTR7 and LTR5_Hs loci during evolution of Great Apes appear to replicate the consensus evolutionary sequence of increasing cognitive and behavioral complexities of non-human primates, which seems particularly striking for LTR7 loci and 11 distinct LTR7 subfamilies. Consistent with previous reports, identified in this study, 351 human-specific (HS) insertions of LTR7 (175 loci) and LTR5_Hs (176 loci) regulatory sequences have been linked to genes implicated in establishment and maintenance of naïve and primed pluripotent states and preimplantation embryogenesis phenotypes. Unexpectedly, HS-LTRs manifest regulatory connectivity to genes encoding markers of 12 distinct cells’ populations of fetal gonads, as well as genes implicated in physiology and pathology of human spermatogenesis, including Y-linked spermatogenic failure, oligo- and azoospermia. Granular interrogations of genes linked with 11 distinct LTR7 subfamilies revealed that mammalian offspring survival (MOS) genes seem to remain one of consistent regulatory targets throughout ~ 30 MYA of the divergent evolution of LTR7 loci. Differential GSEA of MOS versus non-MOS genes identified clearly discernable dominant enrichment patterns of phenotypic traits affected by MOS genes linked with LTR7 (562 MOS genes) and LTR5_Hs (126 MOS genes) regulatory loci across the large panel of genomics and proteomics databases reflecting a broad spectrum of human physiological and pathological traits. GSEA of LTR7-linked MOS genes identified more than 2200 significantly enriched records of human common and rare diseases and gene signatures of 466 significantly enriched records of Human Phenotype Ontology traits, including Autosomal Dominant (92 genes) and Autosomal Recessive (93 genes) Inheritance. LTR7 regulatory elements appear linked with genes implicated in functional and morphological features of central nervous system, including synaptic transmission and protein–protein interactions at synapses, as well as gene signatures differentially regulated in cells of distinct neurodevelopmental stages and morphologically diverse cell types residing and functioning in human brain. These include Neural Stem/Precursor cells, Radial Glia cells, Bergman Glia cells, Pyramidal cells, Tanycytes, Immature neurons, Interneurons, Trigeminal neurons, GABAergic neurons, and Glutamatergic neurons. GSEA of LTR7-linked genes identified significantly enriched gene sets encoding markers of more than 80 specialized types of neurons and markers of 521 human brain regions, most prominently, subiculum and dentate gyrus. Identification and characterization of 1944 genes comprising high-confidence down-steam regulatory targets of LTR7 and/or LTR5_Hs loci validated and extended these observations by documenting marked enrichments for genes implicated in neoplasm metastasis, intellectual disability, autism, multiple cancer types, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and other brain disorders. Overall, genes representing down-stream regulatory targets of ancient retroviral LTRs exert the apparently cooperative and exceedingly broad phenotypic impacts on human physiology and pathology. This is exemplified by altered expression of 93% high-confidence LTR targets in cells infected by contemporary viruses, revealing a convergence of virus-inflicted aberrations on genomic regulatory circuitry governed by ancient retroviral LTR elements and interference with human cells’ differentiation programs.
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Beyond fusion: A novel role for ERVW-1 in trophoblast proliferation and type I interferon receptor expression. Placenta 2022; 126:150-159. [PMID: 35816776 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Throughout human pregnancy there is a delicate balance between the maintenance of a proliferative, trophoblast stem cell pool (TSC) and the differentiation from TSC to placental cell sub-lineages like the syncytiotrophoblast (STB). The STB is comprised of multinucleated cells that come into direct contact with maternal blood and provides the first line of defense to protect the fetus from maternal infections. The differentiation of TSC towards STB is primarily driven by human endogenous retroviruses (HERV), specifically Syncytin-1 (ERVW-1) and Syncytin-2 (ERVFRD-1). Beyond cell fusion, there is also evidence to suggest they can regulate cell proliferation and an antiviral response in other cell types. Therefore, we hypothesized that HERV can regulate cell proliferation as well as an antiviral response in TSCs. METHOD shRNA was used to knockdown ERVW-1 in TSCs and revealed reduction in cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell fusion. RT-qPCR and flow cytometry was used to measure other HERV and the presence of Type I and Type II interferon receptors. RESULTS ERVW-1 knockdown (KD) TSCs had a significantly longer cell doubling time and reduced expression of the proliferation marker Ki67. ERVW-1 KD cells also demonstrated a marked deficiency in the ability to differentiate. Interestingly, ERVFRD-1 was upregulated in both ERVW-1 KD TSC and STB cells compared to controls. Finally, we found that the Type I interferon receptors, IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 were significantly increased in ERVW-1 KD STB cells. DISCUSSION These findings uncover critical HERV functions in the trophoblasts and a novel role for ERVW-1 during early human placental development.
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Haws SA, Simandi Z, Barnett RJ, Phillips-Cremins JE. 3D genome, on repeat: Higher-order folding principles of the heterochromatinized repetitive genome. Cell 2022; 185:2690-2707. [PMID: 35868274 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.06.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Nearly half of the human genome is comprised of diverse repetitive sequences ranging from satellite repeats to retrotransposable elements. Such sequences are susceptible to stepwise expansions, duplications, inversions, and recombination events which can compromise genome function. In this review, we discuss the higher-order folding mechanisms of compartmentalization and loop extrusion and how they shape, and are shaped by, heterochromatin. Using primarily mammalian model systems, we contrast mechanisms governing H3K9me3-mediated heterochromatinization of the repetitive genome and highlight emerging links between repetitive elements and chromatin folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer A Haws
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zoltan Simandi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - R Jordan Barnett
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Phillips-Cremins
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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22
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Yu C, Lei X, Chen F, Mao S, Lv L, Liu H, Hu X, Wang R, Shen L, Zhang N, Meng Y, Shen Y, Chen J, Li P, Huang S, Lin C, Zhang Z, Yuan K. ARID1A loss derepresses a group of human endogenous retrovirus-H loci to modulate BRD4-dependent transcription. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3501. [PMID: 35715442 PMCID: PMC9205910 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31197-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) through evolutionary exaptation have become an integral part of the human genome, offering ample regulatory sequences and shaping chromatin 3D architecture. While the functional impacts of TE-derived sequences on early embryogenesis have been recognized, their roles in malignancy are only starting to emerge. Here we show that many TEs, especially the pluripotency-related human endogenous retrovirus H (HERVH), are abnormally activated in colorectal cancer (CRC) samples. Transcriptional upregulation of HERVH is associated with mutations of several tumor suppressors, particularly ARID1A. Knockout of ARID1A in CRC cells leads to increased transcription at several HERVH loci, which involves compensatory contribution by ARID1B. Suppression of HERVH in CRC cells and patient-derived organoids impairs tumor growth. Mechanistically, HERVH transcripts colocalize with nuclear BRD4 foci, modulating their dynamics and co-regulating many target genes. Altogether, we uncover a critical role for ARID1A in restraining HERVH, whose abnormal activation can promote tumorigenesis by stimulating BRD4-dependent transcription. Here the authors show mutation of the BAF chromatin remodeler subunit ARID1A results in an ARID1B-dependent upregulation of HERVH, an ERV required for the pluripotency regulatory network. These HERVH RNAs can partition into BRD4 foci, affecting BRD4-dependent transcription. Suppression of HERVH in colorectal cancer cells and patient-derived organoids impairs tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunhong Yu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoyun Lei
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Song Mao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lu Lv
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Honglu Liu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xueying Hu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Runhan Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Licong Shen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Gynecology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Na Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yang Meng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yunfan Shen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiale Chen
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Pishun Li
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shi Huang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Changwei Lin
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhuohua Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kai Yuan
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. .,The Biobank of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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23
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Louro AF, Virgolini N, Paiva MA, Isidro IA, Alves PM, Gomes-Alves P, Serra M. Expression of Extracellular Vesicle PIWI-Interacting RNAs Throughout hiPSC-Cardiomyocyte Differentiation. Front Physiol 2022; 13:926528. [PMID: 35784878 PMCID: PMC9243413 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.926528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular Vesicles (EV) play a critical role in the regulation of regenerative processes in wounded tissues by mediating cell-to-cell communication. Multiple RNA species have been identified in EV, although their function still lacks understanding. We previously characterized the miRNA content of EV secreted over hiPSC-cardiomyocyte differentiation and found a distinct miRNA expression in hiPSC-EV driving its in vitro bioactivity. In this work, we investigated the piRNA profiles of EV derived from key stages of the hiPSC-CM differentiation and maturation, i.e., from hiPSC (hiPSC-EV), cardiac progenitors (CPC-EV), immature (CMi-EV), and mature (CMm-EV) cardiomyocytes, demonstrating that EV-piRNA expression differs greatly from the miRNA profiles we previously identified. Only four piRNA were significantly deregulated in EV, one in hiPSC-EV, and three in CPC-EV, as determined by differential expression analysis on small RNA-seq data. Our results provide a valuable source of information for further studies aiming at defining the role of piRNA in the bioactivity and therapeutic potential of EV.
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24
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Endogenous Retroviruses Augment Amphibian (Xenopus laevis) Tadpole Antiviral Protection. J Virol 2022; 96:e0063422. [PMID: 35575553 PMCID: PMC9175618 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00634-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The global amphibian declines are compounded by infections with members of the Ranavirus genus such as Frog Virus 3 (FV3). Premetamorphic anuran amphibians are believed to be significantly more susceptible to FV3 while this pathogen targets the kidneys of both pre- and postmetamorphic animals. Paradoxically, FV3-challenged Xenopus laevis tadpoles exhibit lower kidney viral loads than adult frogs. Presently, we demonstrate that X. laevis tadpoles are intrinsically more resistant to FV3 kidney infections than cohort-matched metamorphic and postmetamorphic froglets and that this resistance appears to be epigenetically conferred by endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). Using a X. laevis kidney-derived cell line, we show that enhancing ERV gene expression activates cellular double-stranded RNA-sensing pathways, resulting in elevated mRNA levels of antiviral interferon (IFN) cytokines and thus greater anti-FV3 protection. Finally, our results indicate that large esterase-positive myeloid-lineage cells, rather than renal cells, are responsible for the elevated ERV/IFN axis seen in the tadpole kidneys. This conclusion is supported by our observation that CRISPR-Cas9 ablation of colony-stimulating factor-3 results in abolished homing of these myeloid cells to tadpole kidneys, concurrent with significantly abolished tadpole kidney expression of both ERVs and IFNs. We believe that the manuscript marks an important step forward in understanding the mechanisms controlling amphibian antiviral defenses and thus susceptibility and resistance to pathogens like FV3. IMPORTANCE Global amphibian biodiversity is being challenged by pathogens like the Frog Virus 3 (FV3) ranavirus, underlining the need to gain a greater understanding of amphibian antiviral defenses. While it was previously believed that anuran (frog/toad) amphibian tadpoles are more susceptible to FV3, we demonstrated that tadpoles are in fact more resistant to this virus than metamorphic and postmetamorphic froglets. We showed that this resistance is conferred by large myeloid cells within the tadpole kidneys (central FV3 target), which possess an elevated expression of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). In turn, these ERVs activate cellular double-stranded RNA-sensing pathways, resulting in a greater expression of antiviral interferon cytokines, thereby offering the observed anti-FV3 protection.
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25
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A retrotransposon storm marks clinical phenoconversion to late-onset Alzheimer's disease. GeroScience 2022; 44:1525-1550. [PMID: 35585302 PMCID: PMC9213607 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-022-00580-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent reports have suggested that the reactivation of otherwise transcriptionally silent transposable elements (TEs) might induce brain degeneration, either by dysregulating the expression of genes and pathways implicated in cognitive decline and dementia or through the induction of immune-mediated neuroinflammation resulting in the elimination of neural and glial cells. In the work we present here, we test the hypothesis that differentially expressed TEs in blood could be used as biomarkers of cognitive decline and development of AD. To this aim, we used a sample of aging subjects (age > 70) that developed late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) over a relatively short period of time (12–48 months), for which blood was available before and after their phenoconversion, and a group of cognitive stable subjects as controls. We applied our developed and validated customized pipeline that allows the identification, characterization, and quantification of the differentially expressed (DE) TEs before and after the onset of manifest LOAD, through analyses of RNA-Seq data. We compared the level of DE TEs within more than 600,000 TE-mapping RNA transcripts from 25 individuals, whose specimens we obtained before and after their phenotypic conversion (phenoconversion) to LOAD, and discovered that 1790 TE transcripts showed significant expression differences between these two timepoints (logFC ± 1.5, logCMP > 5.3, nominal p value < 0.01). These DE transcripts mapped both over- and under-expressed TE elements. Occurring before the clinical phenoconversion, this TE storm features significant increases in DE transcripts of LINEs, LTRs, and SVAs, while those for SINEs are significantly depleted. These dysregulations end with signs of manifest LOAD. This set of highly DE transcripts generates a TE transcriptional profile that accurately discriminates the before and after phenoconversion states of these subjects. Our findings suggest that a storm of DE TEs occurs before phenoconversion from normal cognition to manifest LOAD in risk individuals compared to controls, and may provide useful blood-based biomarkers for heralding such a clinical transition, also suggesting that TEs can indeed participate in the complex process of neurodegeneration.
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26
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A hypothesis: Retrotransposons as a relay of epigenetic marks in intergenerational epigenetic inheritance. Gene 2022; 817:146229. [PMID: 35063571 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic marks in gametes, which both respond to the parental environmental factors and shape offspring phenotypes, are usually positioned to mediate intergenerational or transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Nonetheless, the mechanisms through which gametic epigenetic signatures encode parental acquired phenotypes, and further initiate a cascade of molecular events to affect offspring phenotypes during early embryonic development, remain unclear. Retrotransposons are mobile DNA elements that could resist to genomic epigenetic reprogramming at specific loci and rewire the core regulatory networks of embryogenesis. Increasing evidences show that retrotransposons in the embryonic genome could interact with gametic epigenetic marks, which provides a tentative possibility that retrotransposons may serve as a relay of gametic epigenetic marks to transmit parental acquired traits. Here, we summarize the recent progress in exploring the crosstalk between gametic epigenetic marks and retrotransposons, and the regulation of gene expression and early embryonic development by retrotransposons. Accordingly, deciphering the mystery of interactions between gametic epigenetic marks and retrotransposons during early embryonic development will provide valuable insights into the intergenerational or transgenerational transmission of acquired traits.
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27
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LncRNA Biomarkers of Inflammation and Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1363:121-145. [PMID: 35220568 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-92034-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are promising candidates as biomarkers of inflammation and cancer. LncRNAs have several properties that make them well-suited as molecular markers of disease: (1) many lncRNAs are expressed in a tissue-specific manner, (2) distinct lncRNAs are upregulated based on different inflammatory or oncogenic stimuli, (3) lncRNAs released from cells are packaged and protected in extracellular vesicles, and (4) circulating lncRNAs in the blood are detectable using various RNA sequencing approaches. Here we focus on the potential for lncRNA biomarkers to detect inflammation and cancer, highlighting key biological, technological, and analytical considerations that will help advance the development of lncRNA-based liquid biopsies.
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28
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Shapiro JA. What we have learned about evolutionary genome change in the past 7 decades. Biosystems 2022; 215-216:104669. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2022.104669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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29
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Carter T, Singh M, Dumbovic G, Chobirko JD, Rinn JL, Feschotte C. Mosaic cis-regulatory evolution drives transcriptional partitioning of HERVH endogenous retrovirus in the human embryo. eLife 2022; 11:76257. [PMID: 35179489 PMCID: PMC8912925 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The human endogenous retrovirus type-H (HERVH) family is expressed in the preimplantation embryo. A subset of these elements are specifically transcribed in pluripotent stem cells where they appear to exert regulatory activities promoting self-renewal and pluripotency. How HERVH elements achieve such transcriptional specificity remains poorly understood. To uncover the sequence features underlying HERVH transcriptional activity, we performed a phyloregulatory analysis of the long terminal repeats (LTR7) of the HERVH family, which harbor its promoter, using a wealth of regulatory genomics data. We found that the family includes at least eight previously unrecognized subfamilies that have been active at different timepoints in primate evolution and display distinct expression patterns during human embryonic development. Notably, nearly all HERVH elements transcribed in ESCs belong to one of the youngest subfamilies we dubbed LTR7up. LTR7 sequence evolution was driven by a mixture of mutational processes, including point mutations, duplications, and multiple recombination events between subfamilies, that led to transcription factor binding motif modules characteristic of each subfamily. Using a reporter assay, we show that one such motif, a predicted SOX2/3 binding site unique to LTR7up, is essential for robust promoter activity in induced pluripotent stem cells. Together these findings illuminate the mechanisms by which HERVH diversified its expression pattern during evolution to colonize distinct cellular niches within the human embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Carter
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States [US]
| | - Manvendra Singh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | - Gabrijela Dumbovic
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
| | - Jason D Chobirko
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
| | - John L Rinn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States
| | - Cédric Feschotte
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, United States
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30
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Mao J, Zhang Q, Cong YS. Human endogenous retroviruses in development and disease. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:5978-5986. [PMID: 34849202 PMCID: PMC8604659 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent ∼8% of human genome, deriving from exogenous retroviral infections of germ line cells occurred millions of years ago and being inherited by the offspring in a Mendelian fashion. Most of HERVs are nonprotein-coding because of the accumulation of mutations, insertions, deletions, and/or truncations. It has been long thought that HERVs were "junk DNA". However, it is now known that HERVs are involved in various biological processes through encoding proteins, acting as promoters/enhancers, or lncRNAs to affect human health and disease. In this review, we summarized recent findings about HERVs, with implications in embryonic development, pluripotency, cancer, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Mao
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Sheng Cong
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, China
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31
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Denner J. Porcine Endogenous Retroviruses and Xenotransplantation, 2021. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112156. [PMID: 34834962 PMCID: PMC8625113 DOI: 10.3390/v13112156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are integrated in the genome of all pigs, and some of them are able to infect human cells. Therefore, PERVs pose a risk for xenotransplantation, the transplantation of pig cells, tissues, or organ to humans in order to alleviate the shortage of human donor organs. Up to 2021, a huge body of knowledge about PERVs has been accumulated regarding their biology, including replication, recombination, origin, host range, and immunosuppressive properties. Until now, no PERV transmission has been observed in clinical trials transplanting pig islet cells into diabetic humans, in preclinical trials transplanting pig cells and organs into nonhuman primates with remarkable long survival times of the transplant, and in infection experiments with several animal species. Nevertheless, in order to prevent virus transmission to the recipient, numerous strategies have been developed, including selection of PERV-C-free animals, RNA interference, antiviral drugs, vaccination, and genome editing. Furthermore, at present there are no more experimental approaches to evaluate the full risk until we move to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Denner
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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32
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Hsieh FK, Ji F, Damle M, Sadreyev RI, Kingston RE. HERVH-derived lncRNAs negatively regulate chromatin targeting and remodeling mediated by CHD7. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 5:5/1/e202101127. [PMID: 34663690 PMCID: PMC8548210 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101127] [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: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in CHD7 are diagnostic for human CHARGE syndrome. RNAs expressed from the HERVH repeats modulate CHD7 function providing one mechanism for regulation of differentiation of pluripotent cells. Chd7 encodes an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler which has been shown to target specific genomic loci and alter local transcription potentially by remodeling chromatin structure. De novo mutations in CHD7 are the major cause of CHARGE syndrome which features multiple developmental defects. We examined whether nuclear RNAs might contribute to its targeting and function and identified a preferential interaction between CHD7 and lncRNAs derived from HERVH loci in pluripotent stem cells. Knockdown of HERVH family lncRNAs using LNAs or knockout of an individual copy of HERVH by CRISPR-Cas9 both resulted in increased binding of CHD7 and increased levels of H3K27ac at a subset of enhancers. Depletion of HERVH family RNAs led to the activation of multiple genes. CHD7 bound HERVH RNA with high affinity but low specificity and this interaction decreased the ability of CHD7 to bind and remodel nucleosomes. We present a model in which HERVH lncRNAs act as a decoy to modulate the dynamics of CHD7 binding to enhancers in pluripotent cells and the activation of numerous genes that might impact the differentiation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Kai Hsieh
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fei Ji
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Manashree Damle
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ruslan I Sadreyev
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert E Kingston
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA .,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Duan K, Si CY, Zhao SM, Ai ZY, Niu BH, Yin Y, Xiang LF, Ding H, Zheng Y. The Long Terminal Repeats of ERV6 Are Activated in Pre-Implantation Embryos of Cynomolgus Monkey. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102710. [PMID: 34685690 PMCID: PMC8534818 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise gene regulation is critical during embryo development. Long terminal repeat elements (LTRs) of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are dynamically expressed in blastocysts of mammalian embryos. However, the expression pattern of LTRs in monkey blastocyst is still unknown. By single-cell RNA-sequencing (seq) data of cynomolgus monkeys, we found that LTRs of several ERV families, including MacERV6, MacERV3, MacERV2, MacERVK1, and MacERVK2, were highly expressed in pre-implantation embryo cells including epiblast (EPI), trophectoderm (TrB), and primitive endoderm (PrE), but were depleted in post-implantation. We knocked down MacERV6-LTR1a in cynomolgus monkeys with a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) strategy to examine the potential function of MacERV6-LTR1a in the early development of monkey embryos. The silence of MacERV6-LTR1a mainly postpones the differentiation of TrB, EPI, and PrE cells in embryos at day 7 compared to control. Moreover, we confirmed MacERV6-LTR1a could recruit Estrogen Related Receptor Beta (ESRRB), which plays an important role in the maintenance of self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic and trophoblast stem cells through different signaling pathways including FGF and Wnt signaling pathways. In summary, these results suggest that MacERV6-LTR1a is involved in gene regulation of the pre-implantation embryo of the cynomolgus monkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Duan
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (K.D.); (C.-Y.S.); (S.-M.Z.); (Z.-Y.A.); (B.-H.N.); (Y.Y.); (L.-F.X.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Chen-Yang Si
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (K.D.); (C.-Y.S.); (S.-M.Z.); (Z.-Y.A.); (B.-H.N.); (Y.Y.); (L.-F.X.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Shu-Mei Zhao
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (K.D.); (C.-Y.S.); (S.-M.Z.); (Z.-Y.A.); (B.-H.N.); (Y.Y.); (L.-F.X.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Zong-Yong Ai
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (K.D.); (C.-Y.S.); (S.-M.Z.); (Z.-Y.A.); (B.-H.N.); (Y.Y.); (L.-F.X.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Bao-Hua Niu
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (K.D.); (C.-Y.S.); (S.-M.Z.); (Z.-Y.A.); (B.-H.N.); (Y.Y.); (L.-F.X.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yu Yin
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (K.D.); (C.-Y.S.); (S.-M.Z.); (Z.-Y.A.); (B.-H.N.); (Y.Y.); (L.-F.X.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Li-Feng Xiang
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (K.D.); (C.-Y.S.); (S.-M.Z.); (Z.-Y.A.); (B.-H.N.); (Y.Y.); (L.-F.X.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Hao Ding
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (K.D.); (C.-Y.S.); (S.-M.Z.); (Z.-Y.A.); (B.-H.N.); (Y.Y.); (L.-F.X.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Yun Zheng
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China; (K.D.); (C.-Y.S.); (S.-M.Z.); (Z.-Y.A.); (B.-H.N.); (Y.Y.); (L.-F.X.); (H.D.)
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Yunnan Provincial Academy of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
- Correspondence:
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Babarinde IA, Ma G, Li Y, Deng B, Luo Z, Liu H, Abdul MM, Ward C, Chen M, Fu X, Shi L, Duttlinger M, He J, Sun L, Li W, Zhuang Q, Tong G, Frampton J, Cazier JB, Chen J, Jauch R, Esteban MA, Hutchins AP. Transposable element sequence fragments incorporated into coding and noncoding transcripts modulate the transcriptome of human pluripotent stem cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9132-9153. [PMID: 34390351 PMCID: PMC8450112 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) occupy nearly 40% of mammalian genomes and, whilst most are fragmentary and no longer capable of transposition, they can nevertheless contribute to cell function. TEs within genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II can be copied as parts of primary transcripts; however, their full contribution to mature transcript sequences remains unresolved. Here, using long and short read (LR and SR) RNA sequencing data, we show that 26% of coding and 65% of noncoding transcripts in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) contain TE-derived sequences. Different TE families are incorporated into RNAs in unique patterns, with consequences to transcript structure and function. The presence of TE sequences within a transcript is correlated with TE-type specific changes in its subcellular distribution, alterations in steady-state levels and half-life, and differential association with RNA Binding Proteins (RBPs). We identify hPSC-specific incorporation of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and LINE:L1 into protein-coding mRNAs, which generate TE sequence-derived peptides. Finally, single cell RNA-seq reveals that hPSCs express ERV-containing transcripts, whilst differentiating subpopulations lack ERVs and express SINE and LINE-containing transcripts. Overall, our comprehensive analysis demonstrates that the incorporation of TE sequences into the RNAs of hPSCs is more widespread and has a greater impact than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac A Babarinde
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Gang Ma
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yuhao Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Boping Deng
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Zhiwei Luo
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.,Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.,Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Mazid Md Abdul
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.,Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Carl Ward
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.,Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Minchun Chen
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiuling Fu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Liyang Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Martha Duttlinger
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiangping He
- Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Li Sun
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wenjuan Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.,Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Qiang Zhuang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Guoqing Tong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Jon Frampton
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Jean-Baptiste Cazier
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.,Centre for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jiekai Chen
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.,Center for Cell Lineage and Atlas (CCLA), Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou 510005, China.,Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University and Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Miguel A Esteban
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.,Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.,Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Andrew P Hutchins
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.,Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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35
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Sexton CE, Tillett RL, Han MV. The essential but enigmatic regulatory role of HERVH in pluripotency. Trends Genet 2021; 38:12-21. [PMID: 34340871 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Human specific endogenous retrovirus H (HERVH) is highly expressed in both naive and primed stem cells and is essential for pluripotency. Despite the proven relationship between HERVH expression and pluripotency, there is no single definitive model for the function of HERVH. Instead, several hypotheses of a regulatory function have been put forward including HERVH acting as enhancers, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and most recently as markers of topologically associating domain (TAD) boundaries. Recently several enhancer-associated lncRNAs have been characterized, which bind to Mediator and are necessary for promoter-enhancer folding interactions. We propose a synergistic model of HERVH function combining relevant findings and discuss the current limitations for its role in regulation, including the lack of evidence for a pluripotency-associated target gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne E Sexton
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | | | - Mira V Han
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA; Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA.
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36
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Liu D, Liu L, Duan K, Guo J, Li S, Zhao Z, Zhang X, Zhou N, Zheng Y. Transcriptional dynamics of transposable elements when converting fibroblast cells of Macaca mulatta to neuroepithelial stem cells. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:405. [PMID: 34082708 PMCID: PMC8176597 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07717-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transposable elements (TE) account for more than 50% of human genome. It has been reported that some types of TEs are dynamically regulated in the reprogramming of human cell lines. However, it is largely unknown whether some TEs in Macaca mulatta are also regulated during the reprogramming of cell lines of monkey. RESULTS Here, we systematically examined the transcriptional activities of TEs during the conversion of Macaca mulatta fibroblast cells to neuroepithelial stem cells (NESCs). Hundreds of TEs were dynamically regulated during the reprogramming of Macaca mulatta fibroblast cells. Furthermore, 48 Long Terminal Repeats (LTRs), as well as some integrase elements, of Macaca endogenous retrovirus 3 (MacERV3) were transiently activated during the early stages of the conversion process, some of which were further confirmed with PCR experiments. These LTRs were potentially bound by critical transcription factors for reprogramming, such as KLF4 and ETV5. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the transcription of TEs are delicately regulated during the reprogramming of Macaca mulatta fibroblast cells. Although the family of ERVs activated during the reprogramming of fibroblast cells in Macaca mulatta is different from those in the reprogramming of human fibroblast cells, our results suggest that the activation of some ERVs is a conserved mechanism in primates for converting fibroblast cells to stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahai Liu
- Foshan Stomatology Hospital and School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, Guangdong, 528000, China
| | - Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Kui Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Junqiang Guo
- Faculty of Information Engineering and Automation, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Shipeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Zhigang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Xiaotuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development Institute of Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Nan Zhou
- Faculty of Information Engineering and Automation, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Yun Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China. .,Faculty of Information Engineering and Automation, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.
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The pluripotent stem cell-specific transcript ESRG is dispensable for human pluripotency. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009587. [PMID: 34033652 PMCID: PMC8184003 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) express human endogenous retrovirus type-H (HERV-H), which exists as more than a thousand copies on the human genome and frequently produces chimeric transcripts as long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) fused with downstream neighbor genes. Previous studies showed that HERV-H expression is required for the maintenance of PSC identity, and aberrant HERV-H expression attenuates neural differentiation potentials, however, little is known about the actual of function of HERV-H. In this study, we focused on ESRG, which is known as a PSC-related HERV-H-driven lncRNA. The global transcriptome data of various tissues and cell lines and quantitative expression analysis of PSCs showed that ESRG expression is much higher than other HERV-Hs and tightly silenced after differentiation. However, the loss of function by the complete excision of the entire ESRG gene body using a CRISPR/Cas9 platform revealed that ESRG is dispensable for the maintenance of the primed and naïve pluripotent states. The loss of ESRG hardly affected the global gene expression of PSCs or the differentiation potential toward trilineage. Differentiated cells derived from ESRG-deficient PSCs retained the potential to be reprogrammed into induced PSCs (iPSCs) by the forced expression of OCT3/4, SOX2, and KLF4. In conclusion, ESRG is dispensable for the maintenance and recapturing of human pluripotency. We have been interested in the role of human endogenous retrovirus (HERVs) in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Although we and others have demonstrated that HERV expression is crucial for somatic cell reprogramming to a pluripotent state and the characteristics of PSCs. Little is known which one of more than 1,000 copies of HERVs is important. Thus, in this study, we focused on a HERV-related gene, ESRG which is expressed strongly and specifically in human PSCs but not in differentiated cells. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 platform, we generated complete knockout cell lines by deleting the entire gene body of ESRG. Our results demonstrate that ESRG is dispensable for the PSC characters such as gene expression, self-renewing capacity, and differentiation potential. In addition, ESRG does not contribute to the reprogramming of differentiated cells to a pluripotent state. Altogether, we concluded that ESRG is an excellent marker of pluripotency but dispensable for the PSC identity.
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38
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Pisano MP, Grandi N, Tramontano E. Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) and Mammalian Apparent LTRs Retrotransposons (MaLRs) Are Dynamically Modulated in Different Stages of Immunity. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10050405. [PMID: 34062989 PMCID: PMC8147956 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Human Endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) and Mammalian Apparent LTRs Retrotransposons (MaLRs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections that represent a large fraction of our genome. The HERV and MaLR transcriptional activity is regulated in developmental stages, adult tissues, and pathological conditions. In this work, we used a bioinformatics approach based on RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to study the expression and modulation of HERVs and MaLR in a scenario of activation of the immune response. We analyzed transcriptome data from subjects before and after the administration of an inactivated vaccine against the Hantaan orthohantavirus, the causative agent of Korean hemorrhagic fever, to investigate the HERV and MaLR expression and differential expression in response to the administration of the vaccine. Specifically, we described the HERV transcriptome in PBMCs and identified HERV and MaLR loci differentially expressed after the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th inactivated vaccine administrations. We found that the expression of 545 HERV and MaLR elements increased in response to the vaccine and that the activation of several individual HERV and MaLR loci is specific for each vaccine administration and correlated to different genes and immune-related pathways.
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39
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Engel K, Wieland L, Krüger A, Volkmer I, Cynis H, Emmer A, Staege MS. Identification of Differentially Expressed Human Endogenous Retrovirus Families in Human Leukemia and Lymphoma Cell Lines and Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:637981. [PMID: 33996550 PMCID: PMC8117144 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.637981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are becoming more and more relevant in cancer research and might be potential targets. The oncogenic potential of human ERVs (HERVs) has been recognized and includes immunosuppression, cell fusion, antigenicity of viral proteins, and regulation of neighboring genes. To decipher the role of HERVs in human cancers, we used a bioinformatics approach and analyzed RNA sequencing data from the LL-100 panel, covering 22 entities of hematopoietic neoplasias including T cell, B cell and myeloid malignancies. We compared HERV expression in this panel with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and normal blood cells. RNA sequencing data were mapped against a comprehensive synthetic viral metagenome with 116 HERV sequences from 14 different HERV families. Of these, 13 HERV families and elements were differently expressed in malignant hematopoietic cells and stem cells. We found transcriptional upregulation of HERVE family in acute megakaryocytic and erythroid leukemia and of HERVFc family in multiple myeloma/plasma cell leukemia (PCL). The HERVFc member HERVFc-1 was found transcriptionally active in the multiple myeloma cell line OPM-2 and also in the Hodgkin lymphoma cell line L-428. The expression of HERVFc-1 in L-428 cells was validated by qRT-PCR. We also confirm transcriptional downregulation of ERV3 in acute megakaryocytic and erythroid leukemia, and HERVK in acute monocytic and myelocytic leukemia and a depression of HERVF in all malignant entities. Most of the higher expressed HERV families could be detected in stem cells including HERVK (HML-2), HERV-like, HERVV, HERVT, ERV9, HERVW, HERVF, HERVMER, ERV3, HERVH and HERVPABLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Engel
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Lisa Wieland
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Anna Krüger
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Martin S Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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40
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Kristensen MK, Christensen T. Regulation of the expression of human endogenous retroviruses: elements in fetal development and a possible role in the development of cancer and neurological diseases. APMIS 2021; 129:241-253. [PMID: 33683784 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral germline infections. Most HERV sequences are silenced in somatic cells, but interest is emerging on the involvement of HERV derived transcripts and proteins in human physiology and disease. A HERV-W encoded protein, syncytin-1, has been co-opted into fetal physiology, where it plays a role in trophoblast formation. Altered HERV transcription and expression of HERV derived proteins are associated with various cancer types and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The implication of HERVs as potential mediators of both health and disease suggests important roles of regulatory mechanisms and alterations of these in physiological and pathological processes. The regulation of HERV sequences is mediated by a wide variety of mechanisms, and the focus of this review is on selected aspects of these, including epigenetic mechanisms such as CpG methylation and histone modifications of the HP1-H3K9me axis, viral transactivation events, and regulatory perspectives of transient stimuli in the microenvironment. Increasing knowledge of the regulation of HERV sequences will not only contribute to the understanding of complex pathogeneses, but also may pinpoint potential targets for better diagnosis and treatment in complex diseases as MS.
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41
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Glinsky GV. Genomics-Guided Drawing of Molecular and Pathophysiological Components of Malignant Regulatory Signatures Reveals a Pivotal Role in Human Diseases of Stem Cell-Associated Retroviral Sequences and Functionally-Active hESC Enhancers. Front Oncol 2021; 11:638363. [PMID: 33869024 PMCID: PMC8044830 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.638363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Repetitive DNA sequences (repeats) colonized two-third of human genome and a majority of repeats comprised of transposable genetic elements (TE). Evolutionary distinct categories of TE represent nucleic acid sequences that are repeatedly copied from and pasted into chromosomes at multiple genomic locations and acquired a multitude of regulatory functions. Here, genomics-guided maps of stemness regulatory signatures were drawn to dissect the contribution of TE to clinical manifestations of malignant phenotypes of human cancers. From patients’ and physicians’ perspectives, the clinical definition of a tumor’s malignant phenotype could be restricted to the early diagnosis of sub-types of malignancies with the increased risk of existing therapy failure and high likelihood of death from cancer. It is the viewpoint from which the understanding of stemness and malignant regulatory signatures is considered in this contribution. Genomics-guided analyses of experimental and clinical observations revealed the pivotal role of human stem cell-associated retroviral sequences (SCARS) in the origin and pathophysiology of clinically-lethal malignancies. SCARS were defined as the evolutionary- and biologically-related family of genomic regulatory sequences, the principal physiological function of which is to create and maintain the stemness phenotype during human preimplantation embryogenesis. For cell differentiation to occur, SCARS expression must be silenced and SCARS activity remains repressed in most terminally-differentiated human cells which are destined to perform specialized functions in the human body. Epigenetic reprogramming, de-repression, and sustained activity of SCARS results in various differentiation-defective phenotypes. One of the most prominent tissue- and organ-specific clinical manifestations of sustained SCARS activities is diagnosed as a pathological condition defined by a consensus of morphological, molecular, and genetic examinations as the malignant growth. Here, contemporary evidence are acquired, analyzed, and reported defining both novel diagnostic tools and druggable molecular targets readily amenable for diagnosis and efficient therapeutic management of clinically-lethal malignancies. These diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are based on monitoring of high-fidelity molecular signals of continuing SCARS activities in conjunction with genomic regulatory networks of thousands’ functionally-active embryonic enhancers affecting down-stream phenotype-altering genetic loci. Collectively, reported herein observations support a model of SCARS-activation triggered singular source code facilitating the intracellular propagation and intercellular (systemic) dissemination of disease states in the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennadi V Glinsky
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States.,Department of Functional & Translational Genomics, OncoSCAR, Inc., Portland, OR, United States
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Krüger L, Nowak-Imialek M, Kristiansen Y, Herrmann D, Petersen B, Denner J. Unexpected low expression of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) in porcine expanded potential stem cells (EPSCs). Virus Res 2021; 294:198295. [PMID: 33422555 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Expanded potential stem cells (EPSCs) have been recently derived from porcine preimplantation embryos (Gao et al., 2019). These cells were shown to express key pluripotency genes, to be genetically stable and differentiate to derivatives of the three germ layers and additionally to trophoblast. Their molecular features and expanded potency to contribute to all embryonic and extra-embryonic cell lineages are generally not seen in the embryo-derived or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Therefore porcine EPSCs represent a unique state of cellular potency. In the past it had been shown that human and murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) show an increased expression of murine and human endogenous retroviruses, respectively, and retroviral expression patterns were used as markers of ESC pluripotency. An increased expression of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) was also detected in porcine iPSCs. Here we investigated 24 passages of five different clones of porcine EPSCs derived from German landrace pigs and show that they harbour PERV-A, PERV-B and PERV-C, but their expression was very low and did not change during cultivation. No recombinant PERV-A/Cs were found in these cells. The low expression despite the presence of spliced mRNA, and negative infection assay and electron microscopy results indicate that no PERV particles were released. Therefore, the absence of PERV expression seems to be a unique feature of porcine EPSCs. Most importantly, the copy number of PERV proviruses was much lower in EPSCs than in young and older pigs (29.1 copies compared with 35.8), indicating an increase in copy number during life time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luise Krüger
- Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Monika Nowak-Imialek
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Mariensee, 31535, Neustadt, Germany; Klinik und Poliklinik Innere Medizin I, Klinikum rechts der Isar - Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Doris Herrmann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Mariensee, 31535, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Björn Petersen
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI), Mariensee, 31535, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Joachim Denner
- Robert Koch Fellow, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Virology, Free University Berlin, Robert von Ostertag-Straße 7-13, 14163, Berlin, Germany.
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43
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Shao W, Wang T. Transcript assembly improves expression quantification of transposable elements in single-cell RNA-seq data. Genome Res 2021; 31:88-100. [PMID: 33355230 PMCID: PMC7849386 DOI: 10.1101/gr.265173.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are an integral part of the host transcriptome. TE-containing noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) show considerable tissue specificity and play important roles during development, including stem cell maintenance and cell differentiation. Recent advances in single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) revolutionized cell type-specific gene expression analysis. However, effective scRNA-seq quantification tools tailored for TEs are lacking, limiting our ability to dissect TE expression dynamics at single-cell resolution. To address this issue, we established a TE expression quantification pipeline that is compatible with scRNA-seq data generated across multiple technology platforms. We constructed TE-containing ncRNA references using bulk RNA-seq data and showed that quantifying TE expression at the transcript level effectively reduces noise. As proof of principle, we applied this strategy to mouse embryonic stem cells and successfully captured the expression profile of endogenous retroviruses in single cells. We further expanded our analysis to scRNA-seq data from early stages of mouse embryogenesis. Our results illustrated the dynamic TE expression at preimplantation stages and revealed 146 TE-containing ncRNA transcripts with substantial tissue specificity during gastrulation and early organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqing Shao
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA
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Wang T, Doucet-O’Hare TT, Henderson L, Abrams RPM, Nath A. Retroviral Elements in Human Evolution and Neural Development. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 2:1-9. [PMID: 33693440 PMCID: PMC7943042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tongguang Wang
- Translational Neuroscience Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Tara T. Doucet-O’Hare
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Lisa Henderson
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Rachel P. M. Abrams
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA
| | - Avindra Nath
- Translational Neuroscience Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA,Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, USA,Correspondence should be addressed to Avindra Nath;
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The Relationship of the Mechanisms of the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis and the Expression of Endogenous Retroviruses. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9120464. [PMID: 33322628 PMCID: PMC7764762 DOI: 10.3390/biology9120464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Multiple sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, develops at an early age and often leads to a disability. The etiological cause of the disease has not been fully elucidated, and as a result, no effective treatment is available. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the relationship between the expression of human endogenous retroviruses and the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. The epigenetic mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, the role of transcription factors, cytokines, and exogenous viruses are also addressed in this review. The elucidation of the mechanisms of an increase in endogenous retrovirus expression in multiple sclerosis could help to develop therapeutic strategies and novel methods for early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Abstract Two human endogenous retroviruses of the HERV-W family can act as cofactors triggering multiple sclerosis (MS): MS-associated retrovirus (MSRV) and ERVWE1. Endogenous retroviral elements are believed to have integrated in our ancestors’ DNA millions of years ago. Their involvement in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including neurodegenerative pathologies, has been demonstrated. Numerous studies have shown a correlation between the deterioration of patients’ health and increased expression of endogenous retroviruses. The exact causes and mechanisms of endogenous retroviruses activation remains unknown, which hampers development of therapeutics. In this review, we will summarize the main characteristics of human endogenous W retroviruses and describe the putative mechanisms of activation, including epigenetic mechanisms, humoral factors as well as the role of the exogenous viral infections.
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46
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Posttranscriptional regulation of human endogenous retroviruses by RNA-binding motif protein 4, RBM4. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:26520-26530. [PMID: 33020268 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2005237117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human genome encodes for over 1,500 RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which coordinate regulatory events on RNA transcripts. Most studies of RBPs have concentrated on their action on host protein-encoding mRNAs, which constitute a minority of the transcriptome. A widely neglected subset of our transcriptome derives from integrated retroviral elements, termed endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), that comprise ∼8% of the human genome. Some ERVs have been shown to be transcribed under physiological and pathological conditions, suggesting that sophisticated regulatory mechanisms to coordinate and prevent their ectopic expression exist. However, it is unknown how broadly RBPs and ERV transcripts directly interact to provide a posttranscriptional layer of regulation. Here, we implemented a computational pipeline to determine the correlation of expression between individual RBPs and ERVs from single-cell or bulk RNA-sequencing data. One of our top candidates for an RBP negatively regulating ERV expression was RNA-binding motif protein 4 (RBM4). We used photoactivatable ribonucleoside-enhanced cross-linking and immunoprecipitation to demonstrate that RBM4 indeed bound ERV transcripts at CGG consensus elements. Loss of RBM4 resulted in an elevated transcript level of bound ERVs of the HERV-K and -H families, as well as increased expression of HERV-K envelope protein. We pinpointed RBM4 regulation of HERV-K to a CGG-containing element that is conserved in the LTRs of HERV-K-10, -K-11, and -K-20, and validated the functionality of this site using reporter assays. In summary, we systematically identified RBPs that may regulate ERV function and demonstrate a role for RBM4 in controlling ERV expression.
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47
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Geis FK, Goff SP. Silencing and Transcriptional Regulation of Endogenous Retroviruses: An Overview. Viruses 2020; 12:v12080884. [PMID: 32823517 PMCID: PMC7472088 DOI: 10.3390/v12080884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost half of the human genome is made up of transposable elements (TEs), and about 8% consists of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs). ERVs are remnants of ancient exogenous retrovirus infections of the germ line. Most TEs are inactive and not detrimental to the host. They are tightly regulated to ensure genomic stability of the host and avoid deregulation of nearby gene loci. Histone-based posttranslational modifications such as H3K9 trimethylation are one of the main silencing mechanisms. Trim28 is one of the identified master regulators of silencing, which recruits most prominently the H3K9 methyltransferase Setdb1, among other factors. Sumoylation and ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors seem to contribute to proper localization of Trim28 to ERV sequences and promote Trim28 interaction with Setdb1. Additionally, DNA methylation as well as RNA-mediated targeting of TEs such as piRNA-based silencing play important roles in ERV regulation. Despite the involvement of ERV overexpression in several cancer types, autoimmune diseases, and viral pathologies, ERVs are now also appreciated for their potential positive role in evolution. ERVs can provide new regulatory gene elements or novel binding sites for transcription factors, and ERV gene products can even be repurposed for the benefit of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska K. Geis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Stephen P. Goff
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA;
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-212-305-3794
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48
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Tovo PA, Rabbone I, Tinti D, Galliano I, Trada M, Daprà V, Cerutti F, Bergallo M. Enhanced expression of human endogenous retroviruses in new-onset type 1 diabetes: Potential pathogenetic and therapeutic implications. Autoimmunity 2020; 53:283-288. [PMID: 32586158 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2020.1777281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been studied and proposed as relevant cofactors in several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D), though with controversial results and no study at disease onset. In order to gather further information on the potential role of HERVs in the development of T1D we assessed the transcription levels of pol genes of HERV-H, HERV-K, and HERV-W in peripheral leucocytes from 37 children and adolescents with new-onset T1D and 50 age-matched control subjects. A PCR real time Taqman amplification assay was used to evaluate HERV transcripts with normalisation of the results to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. The expression levels of HERV-H-pol gene and HERV-W-pol gene were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in control subjects. Conversely, no significant difference emerged in the expression levels of HERV-K-pol gene between diabetic patients and controls. The activation of HERV-H and HERV-W in new-onset T1D suggests their importance in the pathogenesis of the disease and supports targeted therapeutic attempts to hinder their activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pier-Angelo Tovo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ivana Rabbone
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Davide Tinti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Ilaria Galliano
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Michela Trada
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Daprà
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Franco Cerutti
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Center of Pediatric Diabetology, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Bergallo
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Pediatric Laboratory, Department of Pediatric Sciences and Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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49
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Pisano MP, Grandi N, Tramontano E. High-Throughput Sequencing is a Crucial Tool to Investigate the Contribution of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) to Human Biology and Development. Viruses 2020; 12:E633. [PMID: 32545287 PMCID: PMC7354619 DOI: 10.3390/v12060633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human Endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of ancient retroviral infections that represent a large fraction of our genome. Their transcriptional activity is finely regulated in early developmental stages and their expression is modulated in different cell types and tissues. Such activity has an impact on human physiology and pathology that is only partially understood up to date. Novel high-throughput sequencing tools have recently allowed for a great advancement in elucidating the various HERV expression patterns in different tissues as well as the mechanisms controlling their transcription, and overall, have helped in gaining better insights in an all-inclusive understanding of the impact of HERVs in biology of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paola Pisano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.P.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Nicole Grandi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.P.P.); (N.G.)
| | - Enzo Tramontano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy; (M.P.P.); (N.G.)
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
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50
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Takahashi K, Jeong D, Wang S, Narita M, Jin X, Iwasaki M, Perli SD, Conklin BR, Yamanaka S. Critical Roles of Translation Initiation and RNA Uridylation in Endogenous Retroviral Expression and Neural Differentiation in Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107715. [PMID: 32492424 PMCID: PMC8195978 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have suggested that the loss of the translation initiation factor eIF4G1 homolog NAT1 induces excessive self-renewability of naive pluripotent stem cells (PSCs); yet the role of NAT1 in the self-renewal and differentiation of primed PSCs is still unclear. Here, we generate a conditional knockout of NAT1 in primed PSCs and use the cells for the functional analyses of NAT1. Our results show that NAT1 is required for the self-renewal and neural differentiation of primed PSCs. In contrast, NAT1 deficiency in naive pluripotency attenuates the differentiation to all cell types. We also find that NAT1 is involved in efficient protein expression of an RNA uridyltransferase, TUT7. TUT7 is involved in the neural differentiation of primed PSCs via the regulation of human endogenous retrovirus accumulation. These data demonstrate the essential roles of NAT1 and TUT7 in the precise transition of stem cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoshi Takahashi
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Daeun Jeong
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Songnan Wang
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Megumi Narita
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Xuemei Jin
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Mio Iwasaki
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Samuel D Perli
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Bruce R Conklin
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Departments of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Shinya Yamanaka
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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