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Abe K, Maunze B, Lopez PA, Xu J, Muhammad N, Yang GY, Katz D, Liu Y, Lauberth SM. Downstream-of-gene (DoG) transcripts contribute to an imbalance in the cancer cell transcriptome. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadh9613. [PMID: 38959318 PMCID: PMC11221514 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh9613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Downstream-of-gene (DoG) transcripts are an emerging class of noncoding RNAs. However, it remains largely unknown how DoG RNA production is regulated and whether alterations in DoG RNA signatures exist in major cancers. Here, through transcriptomic analyses of matched tumors and nonneoplastic tissues and cancer cell lines, we reveal a comprehensive catalog of DoG RNA signatures. Through separate lines of evidence, we support the biological importance of DoG RNAs in carcinogenesis. First, we show tissue-specific and stage-specific differential expression of DoG RNAs in tumors versus paired normal tissues with their respective host genes involved in tumor-promoting versus tumor-suppressor pathways. Second, we identify that differential DoG RNA expression is associated with poor patient survival. Third, we identify that DoG RNA induction is a consequence of treating colon cancer cells with the topoisomerase I (TOP1) poison camptothecin and following TOP1 depletion. Our results underlie the significance of DoG RNAs and TOP1-dependent regulation of DoG RNAs in diversifying and modulating the cancer transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouki Abe
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Brian Maunze
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Pedro-Avila Lopez
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jessica Xu
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nefertiti Muhammad
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Guang-Yu Yang
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - David Katz
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yaping Liu
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shannon M. Lauberth
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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2
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Torres-Ulloa L, Calvo-Roitberg E, Pai AA. Genome-wide kinetic profiling of pre-mRNA 3' end cleavage. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 30:256-270. [PMID: 38164598 PMCID: PMC10870368 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079783.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Cleavage and polyadenylation is necessary for the formation of mature mRNA molecules. The rate at which this process occurs can determine the temporal availability of mRNA for subsequent function throughout the cell and is likely tightly regulated. Despite advances in high-throughput approaches for global kinetic profiling of RNA maturation, genome-wide 3' end cleavage rates have never been measured. Here, we describe a novel approach to estimate the rates of cleavage, using metabolic labeling of nascent RNA, high-throughput sequencing, and mathematical modeling. Using in silico simulations of nascent RNA-seq data, we show that our approach can accurately and precisely estimate cleavage half-lives for both constitutive and alternative sites. We find that 3' end cleavage is fast on average, with half-lives under a minute, but highly variable across individual sites. Rapid cleavage is promoted by the presence of canonical sequence elements and an increased density of polyadenylation signals near a cleavage site. Finally, we find that cleavage rates are associated with the localization of RNA polymerase II at the end of a gene, and faster cleavage leads to quicker degradation of downstream readthrough RNA. Our findings shed light on the features important for efficient 3' end cleavage and the regulation of transcription termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Torres-Ulloa
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Ezequiel Calvo-Roitberg
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
| | - Athma A Pai
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
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3
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Caldas P, Luz M, Baseggio S, Andrade R, Sobral D, Grosso AR. Transcription readthrough is prevalent in healthy human tissues and associated with inherent genomic features. Commun Biol 2024; 7:100. [PMID: 38225287 PMCID: PMC10789751 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05779-5] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription termination is a crucial step in the production of conforming mRNAs and functional proteins. Under cellular stress conditions, the transcription machinery fails to identify the termination site and continues transcribing beyond gene boundaries, a phenomenon designated as transcription readthrough. However, the prevalence and impact of this phenomenon in healthy human tissues remain unexplored. Here, we assessed transcription readthrough in almost 3000 transcriptome profiles representing 23 human tissues and found that 34% of the expressed protein-coding genes produced readthrough transcripts. The production of readthrough transcripts was restricted in genomic regions with high transcriptional activity and was associated with inefficient splicing and increased chromatin accessibility in terminal regions. In addition, we showed that these transcripts contained several binding sites for the same miRNA, unravelling a potential role as miRNA sponges. Overall, this work provides evidence that transcription readthrough is pervasive and non-stochastic, not only in abnormal conditions but also in healthy tissues. This suggests a potential role for such transcripts in modulating normal cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Caldas
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal.
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Luz
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Simone Baseggio
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Rita Andrade
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Daniel Sobral
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Rita Grosso
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal.
- UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Life Sciences, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal.
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4
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Rios F, Uriostegui-Arcos M, Zurita M. Transcriptional Stress Induces the Generation of DoGs in Cancer Cells. Noncoding RNA 2024; 10:5. [PMID: 38250805 PMCID: PMC10801504 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10010005] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A characteristic of the cellular response to stress is the production of RNAs generated from a readthrough transcription of genes, called downstream-of-gene-(DoG)-containing transcripts. Additionally, transcription inhibitor drugs are candidates for fighting cancer. In this work, we report the results of a bioinformatic analysis showing that one of the responses to transcription inhibition is the generation of DoGs in cancer cells. Although some genes that form DoGs were shared between the two cancer lines, there did not appear to be a functional correlation between them. However, our findings show that DoGs are generated as part of the cellular response to transcription inhibition like other types of cellular stress, suggesting that they may be part of the defense against transcriptional stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mario Zurita
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Universidad 2001, Cuernavaca Morelos 62250, Mexico (M.U.-A.)
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Huang J, Bao L, Zhu J, Ji X. Protocol for quantitative analysis of RNA 3'-end processing induced by disassociated subunits using chromatin-associated RNA-seq data. STAR Protoc 2023; 4:102356. [PMID: 37329510 PMCID: PMC10300391 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sequencing chromatin-associated RNA using libraries from the chromatin fraction makes it possible to characterize RNA processing driven by disassociated subunits. Here, we present an experimental strategy and computational pipeline for processing chromatin-associated RNA-seq data to detect and quantify readthrough transcripts. We describe steps for constructing degron mouse embryonic stem cells, detecting readthrough genes, data processing, and data analysis. This protocol can be adapted to various biological scenarios and other types of nascent RNA-seq, such as TT-seq. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Li et al. (2023).1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Lijun Bao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Junyi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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Ranjitkar S, Shiri M, Sun J, Tian X. Intergenic transcription in in vivo developed bovine oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2934322. [PMID: 37293046 PMCID: PMC10246250 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2934322/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Intergenic transcription, either failure to terminate at the transcription end site (TES), or transcription initiation at other intergenic regions, is present in cultured cells and enhanced in the presence of stressors such as viral infection. Transcription termination failure has not been characterized in natural biological samples such as pre-implantation embryos which express more than 10,000 genes and undergo drastic changes in DNA methylation. Results Using Automatic Readthrough Transcription Detection (ARTDeco) and data of in vivo developed bovine oocytes and embryos, we found abundant intergenic transcripts that we termed as read-outs (transcribed from 5 to 15 kb after TES) and read-ins (transcribed 1 kb up-stream of reference genes, extending up to 15 kb up-stream). Read-throughs (continued transcription from TES of expressed reference genes, 4-15 kb in length), however, were much fewer. For example, the numbers of read-outs and read-ins ranged from 3,084 to 6,565 or 33.36-66.67% of expressed reference genes at different stages of embryo development. The less copious read-throughs were at an average of 10% and significantly correlated with reference gene expression (P < 0.05). Interestingly, intergenic transcription did not seem to be random because many intergenic transcripts (1,504 read-outs, 1,045 read-ins, and 1,021 read-throughs) were associated with common reference genes across all stages of pre-implantation development. Their expression also seemed to be regulated by developmental stages because many were differentially expressed (log2 fold change ≥ 2, P < 0.05). Additionally, while gradual but un-patterned decreases in DNA methylation densities 10 kb both up- and down-stream of the intergenic transcribed regions were observed, the correlation between intergenic transcription and DNA methylation was insignificant. Finally, transcription factor binding motifs and polyadenylation signals were found in 27.2% and 12.15% of intergenic transcripts, respectively, suggesting considerable novel transcription initiation and RNA processing. Conclusion In summary, in vivo developed oocytes and pre-implantation embryos express large numbers of intergenic transcripts, which are not related to the overall DNA methylation profiles either up- or down-stream.
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Li Y, Huang J, Bao L, Zhu J, Duan W, Zheng H, Wang H, Jiang Y, Liu W, Zhang M, Yu Y, Yi C, Ji X. RNA Pol II preferentially regulates ribosomal protein expression by trapping disassociated subunits. Mol Cell 2023; 83:1280-1297.e11. [PMID: 36924766 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) has been recognized as a passively regulated multi-subunit holoenzyme. However, the extent to which RNA Pol II subunits might be important beyond the RNA Pol II complex remains unclear. Here, fractions containing disassociated RPB3 (dRPB3) were identified by size exclusion chromatography in various cells. Through a unique strategy, i.e., "specific degradation of disassociated subunits (SDDS)," we demonstrated that dRPB3 functions as a regulatory component of RNA Pol II to enable the preferential control of 3' end processing of ribosomal protein genes directly through its N-terminal domain. Machine learning analysis of large-scale genomic features revealed that the little elongation complex (LEC) helps to specialize the functions of dRPB3. Mechanistically, dRPB3 facilitates CBC-PCF11 axis activity to increase the efficiency of 3' end processing. Furthermore, RPB3 is dynamically regulated during development and diseases. These findings suggest that RNA Pol II gains specific regulatory functions by trapping disassociated subunits in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjun Li
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lijun Bao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Junyi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wenjia Duan
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haonan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yongpeng Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Weiwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Meiling Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Department of Chemical Biology and Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chengqi Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Department of Chemical Biology and Synthetic and Functional Biomolecules Center, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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UBE3D Regulates mRNA 3'-End Processing and Maintains Adipogenic Potential in 3T3-L1 Cells. Mol Cell Biol 2022; 42:e0017422. [PMID: 36519931 PMCID: PMC9753722 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00174-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously described the role of an essential Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene, important for cleavage and polyadenylation 1 (IPA1), in the regulation of gene expression through its interaction with Ysh1, the endonuclease subunit of the mRNA 3'-end processing complex. Through a similar mechanism, the mammalian homolog ubiquitin protein ligase E3D (UBE3D) promotes the migratory and invasive potential of breast cancer cells, but its role in the regulation of gene expression during normal cellular differentiation has not previously been described. In this study, we show that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Ube3d in 3T3-L1 cells blocks their ability to differentiate into mature adipocytes. Consistent with previous studies in other cell types, Ube3d knockout leads to decreased levels of CPSF73 and global changes in cellular mRNAs indicative of a loss of 3'-end processing capacity. Ube3d knockout cells also display decreased expression of known preadipogenic markers. Overexpression of either UBE3D or CPSF73 rescues the differentiation defect and partially restores protein levels of these markers. These results support a model in which UBE3D is necessary for the maintenance of the adipocyte-committed state via its regulation of the mRNA 3'-end processing machinery.
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9
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Hadar S, Meller A, Saida N, Shalgi R. Stress-induced transcriptional readthrough into neighboring genes is linked to intron retention. iScience 2022; 25:105543. [PMID: 36505935 PMCID: PMC9732411 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to certain stresses leads to readthrough transcription. Using polyA-selected RNA-seq in mouse fibroblasts subjected to heat shock, oxidative, or osmotic stress, we found that readthrough transcription can proceed into proximal downstream genes, in a phenomenon previously termed "read-in." We found that read-in genes share distinctive genomic characteristics; they are GC-rich and extremely short , with genomic features conserved in human. Using ribosome profiling, we found that read-in genes show significantly reduced translation. Strikingly, read-in genes demonstrate marked intron retention, mostly in their first introns, which could not be explained solely by their short introns and GC-richness, features often associated with intron retention. Finally, we revealed H3K36me3 enrichment upstream to read-in genes. Moreover, demarcation of exon-intron junctions by H3K36me3 was absent in read-in first introns. Our data portray a relationship between read-in and intron retention, suggesting they may have co-evolved to facilitate reduced translation of read-in genes during stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Hadar
- Department of Biochemistry, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Anatoly Meller
- Department of Biochemistry, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Naseeb Saida
- Department of Biochemistry, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel
| | - Reut Shalgi
- Department of Biochemistry, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 31096, Israel,Corresponding author
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10
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Li Y, Huang J, Zhu J, Bao L, Wang H, Jiang Y, Tian K, Wang R, Zheng H, Duan W, Lai W, Yi X, Zhu Y, Guo T, Ji X. Targeted protein degradation reveals RNA Pol II heterogeneity and functional diversity. Mol Cell 2022; 82:3943-3959.e11. [PMID: 36113479 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) subunits are thought to be involved in various transcription-associated processes, but it is unclear whether they play different regulatory roles in modulating gene expression. Here, we performed nascent and mature transcript sequencing after the acute degradation of 12 mammalian RNA Pol II subunits and profiled their genomic binding sites and protein interactomes to dissect their molecular functions. We found that RNA Pol II subunits contribute differently to RNA Pol II cellular localization and transcription processes and preferentially regulate RNA processing (such as RNA splicing and 3' end maturation). Genes sensitive to the depletion of different RNA Pol II subunits tend to be involved in diverse biological functions and show different RNA half-lives. Sequences, associated protein factors, and RNA structures are correlated with RNA Pol II subunit-mediated differential gene expression. These findings collectively suggest that the heterogeneity of RNA Pol II and different genes appear to depend on some of the subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjun Li
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jie Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Junyi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lijun Bao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yongpeng Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Kai Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Haonan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - WenJia Duan
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Weifeng Lai
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiao Yi
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tiannan Guo
- Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Structural Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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11
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Liu H, Heller-Trulli D, Moore CL. Targeting the mRNA endonuclease CPSF73 inhibits breast cancer cell migration, invasion, and self-renewal. iScience 2022; 25:104804. [PMID: 35992060 PMCID: PMC9385686 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cleavage by the endonuclease CPSF73 and polyadenylation of nascent RNA is an essential step in co-transcriptional mRNA maturation. Recent work has surprisingly identified CPSF73 as a promising drug target for inhibiting the growth of specific cancers, triggering further studies on understanding CPSF73 regulation and functions in cells. Here, we report that a HECT-like E3 ligase, UBE3D, participates in stabilizing CPFS73 protein by preventing its ubiquitin-mediated degradation by the proteasome. Depletion of UBE3D leads to CPSF73 downregulation, a pre-mRNA cleavage defect, and dysregulated gene expression in cells. UBE3D dysfunction or chemical inactivation of CPSF73 inhibited migration and invasion as well as stem cell renewal phenotypes in vitro in triple-negative breast cancer cells. In addition, genetic overexpression of CPSF73 promoted breast cancer stemness and knocking down CPSF73 inhibited stem cell renewal properties. Together, our findings indicate that targeting the pre-mRNA processing nuclease CPSF73 has potential for breast cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyun Liu
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Daniel Heller-Trulli
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Claire L. Moore
- Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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Morgan M, Shiekhattar R, Shilatifard A, Lauberth SM. It's a DoG-eat-DoG world-altered transcriptional mechanisms drive downstream-of-gene (DoG) transcript production. Mol Cell 2022; 82:1981-1991. [PMID: 35487209 PMCID: PMC9208299 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The past decade has revolutionized our understanding of regulatory noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). Among the most recently identified ncRNAs are downstream-of-gene (DoG)-containing transcripts that are produced by widespread transcriptional readthrough. The discovery of DoGs has set the stage for future studies to address many unanswered questions regarding the mechanisms that promote readthrough transcription, RNA processing, and the cellular functions of the unique transcripts. In this review, we summarize current findings regarding the biogenesis, function, and mechanisms regulating this exciting new class of RNA molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Morgan
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ramin Shiekhattar
- Department of Human Genetics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Ali Shilatifard
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shannon M Lauberth
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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13
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Rosa-Mercado NA, Steitz JA. Who let the DoGs out? - biogenesis of stress-induced readthrough transcripts. Trends Biochem Sci 2022; 47:206-217. [PMID: 34489151 PMCID: PMC8840951 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Readthrough transcription caused by inefficient 3'-end cleavage of nascent mRNAs has emerged as a hallmark of the mammalian cellular stress response and results in the production of long noncoding RNAs known as downstream-of-gene (DoG)-containing transcripts. DoGs arise from around 10% of human protein-coding genes and are retained in the nucleus. They are produced minutes after cell exposure to stress and can be detected hours after stress removal. However, their biogenesis and the role(s) that DoGs or their production play in the cellular stress response are incompletely understood. We discuss findings that implicate host and viral proteins in the mechanisms underlying DoG production, as well as the transcriptional landscapes that accompany DoG induction under different stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolle A Rosa-Mercado
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joan A Steitz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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14
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Abstract
Transcription termination is a critical stage for the production of legitimate mRNAs, and consequently functional proteins. However, the transcription machinery can ignore the stop signs and continue elongating beyond gene boundaries, invading downstream neighboring genes. Such phenomenon, designated transcription readthrough, can trigger the expression of pseudogenes usually silenced or lacking the proper regulatory signals. Due to the sequence similarity to parental genes, readthrough transcribed pseudogenes can regulate relevant protein-coding genes and impact biological functions. Here, we describe a computational pipeline that employs already existent bioinformatic tools to detect readthrough transcribed pseudogenes from expression profiles. We also unveil that combining strand-specific transcriptome data and epigenetic profiles can enhance and corroborate the results. By applying such approach to renal cancer biopsies, we show that pseudogenes can be readthrough transcribed as part of unspliced transcripts or processed RNA chimeras. Overall, our pipeline allows us to scrutinize transcriptome profiles to detect a diversity of readthrough events leading to expression of pseudogenes.
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15
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Hyperosmotic stress alters the RNA polymerase II interactome and induces readthrough transcription despite widespread transcriptional repression. Mol Cell 2021; 81:502-513.e4. [PMID: 33400923 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Stress-induced readthrough transcription results in the synthesis of downstream-of-gene (DoG)-containing transcripts. The mechanisms underlying DoG formation during cellular stress remain unknown. Nascent transcription profiles during DoG induction in human cell lines using TT-TimeLapse sequencing revealed widespread transcriptional repression upon hyperosmotic stress. Yet, DoGs are produced regardless of the transcriptional level of their upstream genes. ChIP sequencing confirmed that stress-induced redistribution of RNA polymerase (Pol) II correlates with the transcriptional output of genes. Stress-induced alterations in the Pol II interactome are observed by mass spectrometry. While certain cleavage and polyadenylation factors remain Pol II associated, Integrator complex subunits dissociate from Pol II under stress leading to a genome-wide loss of Integrator on DNA. Depleting the catalytic subunit of Integrator using siRNAs induces hundreds of readthrough transcripts, whose parental genes partially overlap those of stress-induced DoGs. Our results provide insights into the mechanisms underlying DoG production and how Integrator activity influences DoG transcription.
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Roth SJ, Heinz S, Benner C. ARTDeco: automatic readthrough transcription detection. BMC Bioinformatics 2020; 21:214. [PMID: 32456667 PMCID: PMC7249449 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-020-03551-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting evidence suggests several diseases and biological processes target transcription termination to misregulate gene expression. Disruption of transcription termination leads to readthrough transcription past the 3' end of genes, which can result in novel transcripts, changes in epigenetic states and altered 3D genome structure. RESULTS We developed Automatic Readthrough Transcription Detection (ARTDeco), a tool to detect and analyze multiple features of readthrough transcription from RNA-seq and other next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays that profile transcriptional activity. ARTDeco robustly quantifies the global severity of readthrough phenotypes, and reliably identifies individual genes that fail to terminate (readthrough genes), are aberrantly transcribed due to upstream termination failure (read-in genes), and novel transcripts created as a result of readthrough (downstream of gene or DoG transcripts). We used ARTDeco to characterize readthrough transcription observed during influenza A virus (IAV) infection, validating its specificity and sensitivity by comparing its performance in samples infected with a mutant virus that fails to block transcription termination. We verify ARTDeco's ability to detect readthrough as well as identify read-in genes from different experimental assays across multiple experimental systems with known defects in transcriptional termination, and show how these results can be leveraged to improve the interpretation of gene expression and downstream analysis. Applying ARTDeco to a gene expression data set from IAV-infected monocytes from different donors, we find strong evidence that read-in gene-associated expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) likely regulate genes upstream of read-in genes. This indicates that taking readthrough transcription into account is important for the interpretation of eQTLs in systems where transcription termination is blocked. CONCLUSIONS ARTDeco aids researchers investigating readthrough transcription in a variety of systems and contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Roth
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0640, USA
| | - Sven Heinz
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0640, USA
| | - Christopher Benner
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0640, USA.
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Sessa A, Fagnocchi L, Mastrototaro G, Massimino L, Zaghi M, Indrigo M, Cattaneo S, Martini D, Gabellini C, Pucci C, Fasciani A, Belli R, Taverna S, Andreazzoli M, Zippo A, Broccoli V. SETD5 Regulates Chromatin Methylation State and Preserves Global Transcriptional Fidelity during Brain Development and Neuronal Wiring. Neuron 2019; 104:271-289.e13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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