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Rivosecchi J, Jurikova K, Cusanelli E. Telomere-specific regulation of TERRA and its impact on telomere stability. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 157:3-23. [PMID: 38088000 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
TERRA is a class of telomeric repeat-containing RNAs that are expressed from telomeres in multiple organisms. TERRA transcripts play key roles in telomere maintenance and their physiological levels are essential to maintain the integrity of telomeric DNA. Indeed, deregulated TERRA expression or its altered localization can impact telomere stability by multiple mechanisms including fueling transcription-replication conflicts, promoting resection of chromosome ends, altering the telomeric chromatin, and supporting homologous recombination. Therefore, a fine-tuned control of TERRA is important to maintain the integrity of the genome. Several studies have reported that different cell lines express substantially different levels of TERRA. Most importantly, TERRA levels markedly vary among telomeres of a given cell type, indicating the existence of telomere-specific regulatory mechanisms which may help coordinate TERRA functions. TERRA molecules contain distinct subtelomeric sequences, depending on their telomere of origin, which may instruct specific post-transcriptional modifications or mediate distinct functions. In addition, all TERRA transcripts share a repetitive G-rich sequence at their 3' end which can form DNA:RNA hybrids and fold into G-quadruplex structures. Both structures are involved in TERRA functions and can critically affect telomere stability. In this review, we examine the mechanisms controlling TERRA levels and the impact of their telomere-specific regulation on telomere stability. We compare evidence obtained in different model organisms, discussing recent advances as well as controversies in the field. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of DNA:RNA hybrids and G-quadruplex structures in the context of TERRA biology and telomere maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Rivosecchi
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Katarina Jurikova
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Emilio Cusanelli
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy.
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Zhang W, Tang M, Wang L, Zheng P, Zhao B. Purification of Long Non-coding RNAs on Replication Forks Using iROND (Isolate RNAs on Nascent DNA). Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4869. [PMID: 37969755 PMCID: PMC10632162 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4869] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fork stability is key to genome DNA duplication and genetic integrity. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) may play vital roles in fork stabilization and chromatin remodeling. Existing techniques such as NCC-RNA sequencing are useful to identify LncRNAs on nascent chromatin DNA. However, there is still a lack of methods for LncRNAs purification directly from replicative forks, hindering a deep understanding of the functions of LncRNAs in fork regulation. Here, we provide a step-by-step protocol named iROND (isolate RNAs on nascent DNA). iROND was developed and modified from iPOND, a well-known method for purifying fork-associated proteins. iROND relies on click chemistry reaction of 5'-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU)-labeled forks and biotin. After streptavidin pull down, fork-associated LncRNAs and proteins are purified simultaneously. iROND is compatible with downstream RNA sequencing, qPCR confirmation, and immunoblotting. Integrated with functional methods such as RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (RNA FISH) and DNA fiber assay, it is feasible to screen fork-binding LncRNAs in defined cell lines and explore their functions. In summary, we provide a purification pipeline of fork-associated LncRNAs. iROND is also useful for studying other types of fork-associated non-coding RNAs. Key features • Purify long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) directly from replication forks. • Connects to RNA sequencing for screening easily. • Allows testing various genotoxic stress responses. • Provides LncRNA candidate list for downstream functional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Min Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Primate Facility, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals, and National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Primate Facility, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals, and National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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López-Jiménez E, González-Aguilera C. Role of Chromatin Replication in Transcriptional Plasticity, Cell Differentiation and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13061002. [PMID: 35741764 PMCID: PMC9222293 DOI: 10.3390/genes13061002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin organization is essential to maintain a correct regulation of gene expression and establish cell identity. However, during cell division, the replication of the genetic material produces a global disorganization of chromatin structure. In this paper, we describe the new scientific breakthroughs that have revealed the nature of the post-replicative chromatin and the mechanisms that facilitate its restoration. Moreover, we highlight the implications of these chromatin alterations in gene expression control and their impact on key biological processes, such as cell differentiation, cell reprogramming or human diseases linked to cell proliferation, such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena López-Jiménez
- Faculty of Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Margaret Turner Warwick Centre for Fibrosing Lung Disease, Royal Brompton Campus, Imperial College London, London SW3 6LY, UK;
| | - Cristina González-Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41092 Seville, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Audoynaud C, Vagner S, Lambert S. Non-homologous end-joining at challenged replication forks: an RNA connection? Trends Genet 2021; 37:973-985. [PMID: 34238592 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Defective DNA replication, known as 'replication stress', is a source of DNA damage, a hallmark of numerous human diseases, including cancer, developmental defect, neurological disorders, and premature aging. Recent work indicates that non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is unexpectedly active during DNA replication to repair replication-born DNA lesions and to safeguard replication fork integrity. However, erroneous NHEJ events are deleterious to genome stability. RNAs are novel regulators of NHEJ activity through their ability to modulate the assembly of repair complexes in trans. At DNA damage sites, RNAs and DNA-embedded ribonucleotides modulate repair efficiency and fidelity. We discuss here how RNAs and associated proteins, including RNA binding proteins, may regulate NHEJ to sustain genome stability during DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Audoynaud
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, 91400 Orsay, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, 91400 Orsay, France; Equipes Labélisées Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Stéphan Vagner
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, 91400 Orsay, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, 91400 Orsay, France; Equipes Labélisées Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Sarah Lambert
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, 91400 Orsay, France; Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3348, INSERM U1278, 91400 Orsay, France; Equipes Labélisées Ligue Nationale Contre Le Cancer, 91400 Orsay, France.
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