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Bao N, Wang Z, Fu J, Dong H, Jin Y. RNA structure in alternative splicing regulation: from mechanism to therapy. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024. [PMID: 39034824 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024119] [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: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is a highly intricate process that plays a crucial role in post-transcriptional regulation and significantly expands the functional proteome of a limited number of coding genes in eukaryotes. Its regulation is multifactorial, with RNA structure exerting a significant impact. Aberrant RNA conformations lead to dysregulation of splicing patterns, which directly affects the manifestation of disease symptoms. In this review, the molecular mechanisms of RNA secondary structure-mediated splicing regulation are summarized, with a focus on the complex interplay between aberrant RNA conformations and disease phenotypes resulted from splicing defects. This study also explores additional factors that reshape structural conformations, enriching our understanding of the mechanistic network underlying structure-mediated splicing regulation. In addition, an emphasis has been placed on the clinical role of targeting aberrant splicing corrections in human diseases. The principal mechanisms of action behind this phenomenon are described, followed by a discussion of prospective development strategies and pertinent challenges.
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Billi M, De Marinis E, Gentile M, Nervi C, Grignani F. Nuclear miRNAs: Gene Regulation Activities. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6066. [PMID: 38892257 PMCID: PMC11172810 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116066] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which contribute to the regulation of many physiological and pathological processes. Conventionally, miRNAs perform their activity in the cytoplasm where they regulate gene expression by interacting in a sequence-specific manner with mature messenger RNAs. Recent studies point to the presence of mature miRNAs in the nucleus. This review summarizes current findings regarding the molecular activities of nuclear miRNAs. These molecules can regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level by directly binding DNA on the promoter or the enhancer of regulated genes. miRNAs recruit different protein complexes to these regions, resulting in activation or repression of transcription, through a number of molecular mechanisms. Hematopoiesis is presented as a paradigmatic biological process whereby nuclear miRNAs possess a relevant regulatory role. Nuclear miRNAs can influence gene expression by affecting nuclear mRNA processing and by regulating pri-miRNA maturation, thus impacting the biogenesis of miRNAs themselves. Overall, nuclear miRNAs are biologically active molecules that can be critical for the fine tuning of gene expression and deserve further studies in a number of physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monia Billi
- General Pathology and Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta De Marinis
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 04100 Latina, Italy; (E.D.M.); (M.G.); (C.N.)
| | - Martina Gentile
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 04100 Latina, Italy; (E.D.M.); (M.G.); (C.N.)
| | - Clara Nervi
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 04100 Latina, Italy; (E.D.M.); (M.G.); (C.N.)
| | - Francesco Grignani
- General Pathology and Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
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Moradimotlagh A, Brar HK, Chen S, Moon KM, Foster LJ, Reiner N, Nandan D. Characterization of Argonaute-containing protein complexes in Leishmania-infected human macrophages. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303686. [PMID: 38781128 PMCID: PMC11115314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303686] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania causes leishmaniasis in humans, leading to serious illness and death in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Unfortunately, due to the unavailability of approved vaccines for humans and the limited efficacy of available drugs, leishmaniasis is on the rise. A comprehensive understanding of host-pathogen interactions at the molecular level could pave the way to counter leishmaniasis. There is growing evidence that several intracellular pathogens target RNA interference (RNAi) pathways in host cells to facilitate their persistence. The core elements of the RNAi system are complexes of Argonaute (Ago) proteins with small non-coding RNAs, also known as RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs). Recently, we have shown that Leishmania modulates Ago1 protein of host macrophages for its survival. In this study, we biochemically characterize the Ago proteins' interactome in Leishmania-infected macrophages compared to non-infected cells. For this, a quantitative proteomic approach using stable isotope labelling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) was employed, followed by purification of host Ago-complexes using a short TNRC6 protein-derived peptide fused to glutathione S-transferase beads as an affinity matrix. Proteomic-based detailed biochemical analysis revealed Leishmania modulated host macrophage RISC composition during infection. This analysis identified 51 Ago-interacting proteins with a broad range of biological activities. Strikingly, Leishmania proteins were detected as part of host Ago-containing complexes in infected cells. Our results present the first report of comprehensive quantitative proteomics of Ago-containing complexes isolated from Leishmania-infected macrophages and suggest targeting the effector complex of host RNAi machinery. Additionally, these results expand knowledge of RISC in the context of host-pathogen interactions in parasitology in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atieh Moradimotlagh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C, Canada
| | - Harsimran Kaur Brar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C, Canada
| | - Stella Chen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C, Canada
| | - Kyung-Mee Moon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C, Canada
| | - Leonard J. Foster
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C, Canada
| | - Neil Reiner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C, Canada
| | - Devki Nandan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C, Canada
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Wei PJ, Zhu AD, Cao R, Zheng C. Personalized Driver Gene Prediction Using Graph Convolutional Networks with Conditional Random Fields. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:184. [PMID: 38534453 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a complex and evolutionary disease mainly driven by the accumulation of genetic variations in genes. Identifying cancer driver genes is important. However, most related studies have focused on the population level. Cancer is a disease with high heterogeneity. Thus, the discovery of driver genes at the individual level is becoming more valuable but is a great challenge. Although there have been some computational methods proposed to tackle this challenge, few can cover all patient samples well, and there is still room for performance improvement. In this study, to identify individual-level driver genes more efficiently, we propose the PDGCN method. PDGCN integrates multiple types of data features, including mutation, expression, methylation, copy number data, and system-level gene features, along with network structural features extracted using Node2vec in order to construct a sample-gene interaction network. Prediction is performed using a graphical convolutional neural network model with a conditional random field layer, which is able to better combine the network structural features with biological attribute features. Experiments on the ACC (Adrenocortical Cancer) and KICH (Kidney Chromophobe) datasets from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) demonstrated that the method performs better compared to other similar methods. It can identify not only frequently mutated driver genes, but also rare candidate driver genes and novel biomarker genes. The results of the survival and enrichment analyses of these detected genes demonstrate that the method can identify important driver genes at the individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pi-Jing Wei
- Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei 230601, China
| | - An-Dong Zhu
- Information Materials and Intelligent Sensing Laboratory of Anhui Province, Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Ruifen Cao
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Chunhou Zheng
- School of Artificial Intelligence, Anhui University, 111 Jiulong Road, Hefei 230601, China
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Singh K, Sharma D, Bhagat PK, Tayyeba S, Noryang S, Sinha AK. Phosphorylation of AGO1a by MAP kinases is required for miRNA mediated resistance against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae infection in rice. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 340:111967. [PMID: 38154578 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2023.111967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial leaf blight is a devastating disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) which causes severe crop loss in rice. The molecular mechanism that initiates defense against such pathogens remains unexplored. Reports have suggested crucial role of several miRNAs in regulating immune responses in plants. Argonaute (AGO) proteins have been implicated in imparting immunity against pathogens by using small RNAs as guide molecules. Here, we show that phosphorylation of rice AGO1a by MAP kinases is required for miRNA expression regulation during Xoo infection. AGO1a is induced in response to pathogen infection and is under the control of SA signaling pathway. The pathogen responsive MAP kinases MPK3, MPK4 and MPK6, interact with AGO1a in planta and can phosphorylate the protein in vitro. Overexpression of AGO1a extends disease resistance against Xoo in rice and leads to a higher accumulation of miRNAs. Conversely, overexpression of a non phosphorylatable mutant protein aggravates disease susceptibility and remarkably suppresses the miRNA expression levels. At a molecular level, phosphorylation of AGO1a by MAP kinase is required for increased accumulation of miRNAs during pathogen challenge. Taken together, the data suggests that OsAGO1a is a direct phosphorylation target of MAP kinases and this phosphorylation is crucial for its role in imparting disease resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirti Singh
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Deepika Sharma
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Prakash Kumar Bhagat
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India; School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Sumaira Tayyeba
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India; Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Stanzin Noryang
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India; Biochemistry Department, Elizer Joldan Memorial College, UT Ladakh 194101, India
| | - Alok Krishna Sinha
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India.
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Diener C, Keller A, Meese E. The miRNA-target interactions: An underestimated intricacy. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1544-1557. [PMID: 38033323 PMCID: PMC10899768 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play indispensable roles in posttranscriptional gene regulation. Their cellular regulatory impact is determined not solely by their sheer number, which likely amounts to >2000 individual miRNAs in human, than by the regulatory effectiveness of single miRNAs. Although, one begins to develop an understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying miRNA-target interactions (MTIs), the overall knowledge of MTI functionality is still rather patchy. In this critical review, we summarize key features of mammalian MTIs. We especially highlight latest insights on (i) the dynamic make-up of miRNA binding sites including non-canonical binding sites, (ii) the cooperativity between miRNA binding sites, (iii) the adaptivity of MTIs through sequence modifications, (iv) the bearing of intra-cellular miRNA localization changes and (v) the role of cell type and cell status specific miRNA interaction partners. The MTI biology is discussed against the background of state-of-the-art approaches with particular emphasis on experimental strategies for evaluating miRNA functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Diener
- Saarland University (USAAR), Institute of Human Genetics, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Keller
- Saarland University (USAAR), Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)–Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarland University Campus, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Eckart Meese
- Saarland University (USAAR), Institute of Human Genetics, 66421 Homburg, Germany
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7
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Altuna-Coy A, Ruiz-Plazas X, Arreaza-Gil V, Segarra-Tomás J, Chacón MR. In silico analysis of prognostic and diagnostic significance of target genes from prostate cancer cell lines derived exomicroRNAs. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:275. [PMID: 37978493 PMCID: PMC10655318 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03123-1] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-secreted exovesicles are important for cell-to-cell communication by altering cancer-related signalling pathways. Exovesicles-derived miRNAs (exomiRNAs)-target genes can be useful for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. METHODS ExomiRNA from prostate cancer (PCa) cells (PC-3 and LNCaP) were quantified by qRT-PCR and compared to the healthy cell line RWPE-1 by using miRNome PCR 752 miRNAs Panel. MiRNet database was used to predict exomiRNA-target genes. ExomiRNA-target genes pathway functional enrichment was performed by using Reactome database and Enrichr platform. Protein-protein interaction analysis was carried out by using the STRING database. RNA target-gene sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Prostate Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) database was screened out in 465 PCa patients for candidate gene expression in prostate tumour (PT) tissue and non-pathologic prostate (N-PP) tissue. Signature gene candidates were statistically analysed for diagnosis and prognosis usefulness. RESULTS A total of 36 exomiRNAs were found downregulated when comparing PCa cells vs a healthy cell line; and when comparing PC-3 vs LNCaP, 14 miRNAs were found downregulated and 52 upregulated. Reactome pathway database revealed altered pathways and genes related to miRNA biosynthesis, miRNA-mediated gene silencing (TNRC6B and AGO1), and cell proliferation (CDK6), among others. Results showed that TNRC6B gene expression was up-regulated in PT tissue compared to N-PP (n = 52 paired samples) and could be useful for diagnostic purposes. Likewise, gene expression levels of CDK6, TNRC6B, and AGO1 were down-regulated in high-risk PT (n = 293) compared to low-risk PCa tissue counterparts (n = 172). When gene expression levels of CDK6, TNRC6B, and AGO1 were tested as a prognostic panel, the results showed that these improve the prognostic power of classical biomarkers. CONCLUSION ExomiRNAs-targets genes, TNRC6B, CDK6, and AGO1, showed a deregulated expression profile in PCa tissue and could be useful for PCa diagnosis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Altuna-Coy
- Disease Biomarkers and Molecular Mechanisms Group, IISPV, Joan XXIII University Hospital, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, C/Dr. Mallafré Guasch, 4,, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Xavier Ruiz-Plazas
- Disease Biomarkers and Molecular Mechanisms Group, IISPV, Joan XXIII University Hospital, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, C/Dr. Mallafré Guasch, 4,, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
- Urology Unit, Joan XXIII University Hospital, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Verónica Arreaza-Gil
- Disease Biomarkers and Molecular Mechanisms Group, IISPV, Joan XXIII University Hospital, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, C/Dr. Mallafré Guasch, 4,, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
| | - José Segarra-Tomás
- Disease Biomarkers and Molecular Mechanisms Group, IISPV, Joan XXIII University Hospital, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, C/Dr. Mallafré Guasch, 4,, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
- Urology Unit, Joan XXIII University Hospital, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Matilde R Chacón
- Disease Biomarkers and Molecular Mechanisms Group, IISPV, Joan XXIII University Hospital, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, C/Dr. Mallafré Guasch, 4,, 43007, Tarragona, Spain.
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8
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Singh S, Sinha T, Panda AC. Regulation of microRNA by circular RNA. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023:e1820. [PMID: 37783567 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Circular (circ)RNAs have emerged as novel regulators of gene expression through various mechanisms. However, most publications focus on functional circRNAs regulating target gene expression by interacting with micro (mi)RNAs and acting as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). Although the theory of miRNA sponging by ceRNAs suggests the inhibition of miRNA activity, many studies are biased toward the selection of miRNAs showing a reverse expression pattern compared with circRNA expression. Although several computational tools and molecular assays have been used to predict and validate the interaction of miRNAs with circRNAs, the actual validation of functional in vivo interactions needs careful consideration of molecular experiments with specific controls. As extensive research is being performed on circRNA, many questions arise on the functional significance of circRNA-miRNA interactions. We hope the critical discussion on the criteria for selecting circRNA-miRNA pairs for functional analysis and providing standard methods for validating circRNA-miRNA interactions will advance our understanding of circRNAs as novel gene regulators. This article is categorized under: Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs Translation > Regulation RNA Methods > RNA Analyses in Cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Singh
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Tanvi Sinha
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Amaresh C Panda
- Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
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Fang X, Ren LH, Shrestha SM, Ji Q, Xu Z, Wang D, Ding Q, Liang X, Shi RH. LINC01116 modulates EMT process via binding with AGO1 mRNA in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA (BBA) - MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2023; 1870:119447. [PMID: 36990227 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2023.119447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent researches have uncovered that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are closely correlated with the development of different diseases, while biological functions and hidden molecular mechanisms of antisense lncRNAs in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unclear. Here, we identified upregulation of LINC01116 in RNA sequencing data, online database, and in OSCC and intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN) specimens. Functionally, LINC01116 facilitates OSCC advancement and metastasis in vitro and vivo. Mechanistically, elevated expression of LINC01116 in OSCC cells other than tumor stroma and cytoplasmic enables it to activate AGO1 expression via complementary binding with AGO1 mRNA to facilitate EMT process of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Fang
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li-Hua Ren
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | | | - Qinghua Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zeyan Xu
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Qitao Ding
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Rui-Hua Shi
- Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongda Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu Province, China.
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10
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da Silva MNS, da Veiga Borges Leal DF, Sena C, Pinto P, Gobbo AR, da Silva MB, Salgado CG, dos Santos NPC, dos Santos SEB. Association between SNPs in microRNAs and microRNAs-Machinery Genes with Susceptibility of Leprosy in the Amazon Population. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810628. [PMID: 36142557 PMCID: PMC9503809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leprosy is a chronic neurodermatological disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. Recent studies show that SNPs in genes related to miRNAs have been associated with several diseases in different populations. This study aimed to evaluate the association of twenty-five SNPs in genes encoding miRNAs related to biological processes and immune response with susceptibility to leprosy and its polar forms paucibacillary and multibacillary in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 114 leprosy patients and 71 household contacts were included in this study. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan Open Array Genotyping. Ancestry-informative markers were used to estimate individual proportions of case and control groups. The SNP rs2505901 (pre-miR938) was associated with protection against the development of paucibacillary leprosy, while the SNPs rs639174 (DROSHA), rs636832 (AGO1), and rs4143815 (miR570) were associated with protection against the development of multibacillary leprosy. In contrast, the SNPs rs10739971 (pri-let-7a1), rs12904 (miR200C), and rs2168518 (miR4513) are associated with the development of the paucibacillary leprosy. The rs10739971 (pri-let-7a1) polymorphism was associated with the development of leprosy, while rs2910164 (miR146A) and rs10035440 (DROSHA) was significantly associated with an increased risk of developing multibacillary leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayara Natália Santana da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia e Eletrofisiologia Celular, Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua 67030-000, PA, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Diana Feio da Veiga Borges Leal
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Oncologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-000, PA, Brazil
| | - Camille Sena
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Pablo Pinto
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Laboratório de Dermato-Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Angélica Rita Gobbo
- Laboratório de Dermato-Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Moises Batista da Silva
- Laboratório de Dermato-Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Claudio Guedes Salgado
- Laboratório de Dermato-Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
| | - Ney Pereira Carneiro dos Santos
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Oncologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-000, PA, Brazil
| | - Sidney Emanuel Batista dos Santos
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, PA, Brazil
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Oncologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66073-000, PA, Brazil
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Park KH, Yang JW, Kwon JH, Lee H, Yoon YD, Choi BJ, Lee MY, Lee CW, Han SB, Kang JS. Targeted Induction of Endogenous VDUP1 by Small Activating RNA Inhibits the Growth of Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147743. [PMID: 35887091 PMCID: PMC9323751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have reported that small double-strand RNAs (dsRNAs) can activate endogenous genes via an RNA-based promoter targeting mechanism termed RNA activation (RNAa). In the present study, we showed that dsVDUP1-834, a novel small activating RNA (saRNA) targeting promoter of vitamin D3 up-regulated protein 1 (VDUP1) gene, up-regulated expression of VDUP1 at both mRNA and protein levels in A549 lung cancer cells. We also demonstrated that dsVDUP1-834 inhibited cell proliferation in A549 lung cancer cells. Further studies showed that dsVDUP1-834 induced cell-cycle arrest by increasing p27 and p53 and decreasing cyclin A and cyclin B1. In addition, knockdown of VDUP1 abrogated dsVDUP1-834-induced up-regulation of VDUP1 gene expression and related effects. The activation of VDUP1 by dsVDUP1-834 was accompanied by an increase in dimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me2) and acetylation of histone 3 (H3ac) and a decrease in dimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) at the target site of VDUP1 promoter. Moreover, the enrichment of Ago2 was detected at the dsVDUP1-834 target site, and Ago2 knockdown significantly suppressed dsVDUP1-834-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and modulation of cell-cycle regulators. Taken together, the results presented in this report demonstrate that dsVDUP1-834 induces VDUP1 gene expression by epigenetic changes, resulting in cell growth inhibition and cell-cycle arrest. Our results suggest that targeted induction of VDUP1 by dsVDUP1-834 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki Hwan Park
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea; (K.H.P.); (J.-W.Y.); (J.-H.K.); (H.L.); (Y.D.Y.); (B.J.C.); (M.Y.L.); (C.W.L.)
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, 194-21, Osongsaengmyung-1, Heungdeok, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea;
| | - Jeong-Wook Yang
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea; (K.H.P.); (J.-W.Y.); (J.-H.K.); (H.L.); (Y.D.Y.); (B.J.C.); (M.Y.L.); (C.W.L.)
| | - Joo-Hee Kwon
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea; (K.H.P.); (J.-W.Y.); (J.-H.K.); (H.L.); (Y.D.Y.); (B.J.C.); (M.Y.L.); (C.W.L.)
| | - Hyunju Lee
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea; (K.H.P.); (J.-W.Y.); (J.-H.K.); (H.L.); (Y.D.Y.); (B.J.C.); (M.Y.L.); (C.W.L.)
| | - Yeo Dae Yoon
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea; (K.H.P.); (J.-W.Y.); (J.-H.K.); (H.L.); (Y.D.Y.); (B.J.C.); (M.Y.L.); (C.W.L.)
| | - Byeong Jo Choi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea; (K.H.P.); (J.-W.Y.); (J.-H.K.); (H.L.); (Y.D.Y.); (B.J.C.); (M.Y.L.); (C.W.L.)
| | - Myeong Youl Lee
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea; (K.H.P.); (J.-W.Y.); (J.-H.K.); (H.L.); (Y.D.Y.); (B.J.C.); (M.Y.L.); (C.W.L.)
| | - Chang Woo Lee
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea; (K.H.P.); (J.-W.Y.); (J.-H.K.); (H.L.); (Y.D.Y.); (B.J.C.); (M.Y.L.); (C.W.L.)
| | - Sang-Bae Han
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, 194-21, Osongsaengmyung-1, Heungdeok, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea;
| | - Jong Soon Kang
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji, Cheongwon, Cheongju 28116, Chungbuk, Korea; (K.H.P.); (J.-W.Y.); (J.-H.K.); (H.L.); (Y.D.Y.); (B.J.C.); (M.Y.L.); (C.W.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-43-240-6524
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12
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Nakanishi K. Anatomy of four human Argonaute proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:6618-6638. [PMID: 35736234 PMCID: PMC9262622 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) bind to complementary target RNAs and regulate their gene expression post-transcriptionally. These non-coding regulatory RNAs become functional after loading into Argonaute (AGO) proteins to form the effector complexes. Humans have four AGO proteins, AGO1, AGO2, AGO3 and AGO4, which share a high sequence identity. Since most miRNAs are found across the four AGOs, it has been thought that they work redundantly, and AGO2 has been heavily studied as the exemplified human paralog. Nevertheless, an increasing number of studies have found that the other paralogs play unique roles in various biological processes and diseases. In the last decade, the structural study of the four AGOs has provided the field with solid structural bases. This review exploits the completed structural catalog to describe common features and differences in target specificity across the four AGOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Nakanishi
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 614 688 2188;
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13
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Müller M, Fäh T, Schaefer M, Hermes V, Luitz J, Stalder P, Arora R, Ngondo RP, Ciaudo C. AGO1 regulates pericentromeric regions in mouse embryonic stem cells. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:e202101277. [PMID: 35236760 PMCID: PMC8897595 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Argonaute proteins (AGOs), which play an essential role in cytosolic post-transcriptional gene silencing, have been also reported to function in nuclear processes like transcriptional activation or repression, alternative splicing and, chromatin organization. As most of these studies have been conducted in human cancer cell lines, the relevance of AGOs nuclear functions in the context of mouse early embryonic development remains uninvestigated. Here, we examined a possible role of the AGO1 protein on the distribution of constitutive heterochromatin in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). We observed a specific redistribution of the repressive histone mark H3K9me3 and the heterochromatin protein HP1α, away from pericentromeric regions upon Ago1 depletion. Furthermore, we demonstrated that major satellite transcripts are strongly up-regulated in Ago1_KO mESCs and that their levels are partially restored upon AGO1 rescue. We also observed a similar redistribution of H3K9me3 and HP1α in Drosha_KO mESCs, suggesting a role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of heterochromatin distribution in mESCs. Finally, we showed that specific miRNAs with complementarity to major satellites can partially regulate the expression of these transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madlen Müller
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences (IMHS), Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tara Fäh
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences (IMHS), Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Schaefer
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences (IMHS), Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Victoria Hermes
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences (IMHS), Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Janina Luitz
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences (IMHS), Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Stalder
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences (IMHS), Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
- Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rajika Arora
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences (IMHS), Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Richard Patryk Ngondo
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences (IMHS), Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Constance Ciaudo
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences (IMHS), Chair of RNAi and Genome Integrity, Zurich, Switzerland
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14
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Monticelli S. Emerging roles for RNA-binding proteins in T lymphocytes. Immunol Lett 2022; 246:52-56. [PMID: 35594947 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are essential effectors in defining and regulating gene expression, and as such their function underlies all cellular processes. Within the immune system in general, and in T lymphocytes in particular, RBPs have been shown to crucially modulate almost every aspect of T cell biology, including differentiation, inflammatory responses and effector functions. However, questions remain regarding the function of many RBPs that have been recently discovered, their regulation, and in general their role within gene regulatory networks that control immune responses. Here, I will focus on unconventional RBPs with an emerging role in T lymphocytes, including proteins with unusual or unknown mode of binding, and proteins displaying enzymatic or regulatory roles in addition to their RNA-binding feature. I will also discuss how in the future distinguishing RBP:mRNA interactions that are functional and biologically relevant from those that have only limited impact will be crucial to fully dissect the intricacies of RBP-mediated regulation in the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Monticelli
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana, Via Francesco Chiesa 5, CH-6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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15
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Gonzalo L, Tossolini I, Gulanicz T, Cambiagno DA, Kasprowicz-Maluski A, Smolinski DJ, Mammarella MF, Ariel FD, Marquardt S, Szweykowska-Kulinska Z, Jarmolowski A, Manavella PA. R-loops at microRNA encoding loci promote co-transcriptional processing of pri-miRNAs in plants. NATURE PLANTS 2022; 8:402-418. [PMID: 35449404 PMCID: PMC9023350 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-022-01125-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In most organisms, the maturation of nascent RNAs is coupled to transcription. Unlike in animals, the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcribes microRNA genes (MIRNAs) as long and structurally variable pri-miRNAs in plants. Current evidence suggests that the miRNA biogenesis complex assembly initiates early during the transcription of pri-miRNAs in plants. However, it is unknown whether miRNA processing occurs co-transcriptionally. Here, we used native elongating transcript sequencing data and imaging techniques to demonstrate that plant miRNA biogenesis occurs coupled to transcription. We found that the entire biogenesis occurs co-transcriptionally for pri-miRNAs processed from the loop of the hairpin but requires a second nucleoplasmic step for those processed from the base. Furthermore, we found that co- and post-transcriptional miRNA processing mechanisms co-exist for most miRNAs in a dynamic balance. Notably, we discovered that R-loops, formed near the transcription start site region of MIRNAs, promote co-transcriptional pri-miRNA processing. Furthermore, our results suggest the neofunctionalization of co-transcriptionally processed miRNAs, boosting countless regulatory scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Gonzalo
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Ileana Tossolini
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Tomasz Gulanicz
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Damian A Cambiagno
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Unidad de Estudios Agropecuarios (UDEA), INTA-CONICET, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Anna Kasprowicz-Maluski
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Dariusz Jan Smolinski
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
- Centre For Modern Interdisciplinary Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - María Florencia Mammarella
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Federico D Ariel
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Marquardt
- Copenhagen Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Zofia Szweykowska-Kulinska
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| | - Artur Jarmolowski
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Pablo A Manavella
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología del Litoral (CONICET-UNL), Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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16
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Santovito D, Weber C. Non-canonical features of microRNAs: paradigms emerging from cardiovascular disease. Nat Rev Cardiol 2022; 19:620-638. [PMID: 35304600 DOI: 10.1038/s41569-022-00680-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Research showing that microRNAs (miRNAs) are versatile regulators of gene expression has instigated tremendous interest in cardiovascular research. The overwhelming majority of studies are predicated on the dogmatic notion that miRNAs regulate the expression of specific target mRNAs by inhibiting mRNA translation or promoting mRNA decay in the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). These efforts mostly identified and dissected contributions of multiple regulatory networks of miRNA-target mRNAs to cardiovascular pathogenesis. However, evidence from studies in the past decade indicates that miRNAs also operate beyond this canonical paradigm, featuring non-conventional regulatory functions and cellular localizations that have a pathophysiological role in cardiovascular disease. In this Review, we highlight the functional relevance of atypical miRNA biogenesis and localization as well as RISC heterogeneity. Moreover, we delineate remarkable non-canonical examples of miRNA functionality, including direct interactions with proteins beyond the Argonaute family and their role in transcriptional regulation in the nucleus and in mitochondria. We scrutinize the relevance of non-conventional biogenesis and non-canonical functions of miRNAs in cardiovascular homeostasis and pathology, and contextualize how uncovering these non-conventional properties can expand the scope of translational research in the cardiovascular field and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Santovito
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Munich, Germany. .,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany. .,Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), Unit of Milan, National Research Council, Milan, Italy.
| | - Christian Weber
- Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), Munich, Germany. .,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany. .,Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands. .,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
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17
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Dori M, Caroli J, Forcato M. Circr, a Computational Tool to Identify miRNA:circRNA Associations. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 2:852834. [PMID: 36304313 PMCID: PMC9580875 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2022.852834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to act as important regulators of the microRNA (miRNA) activity. Yet, computational resources to identify miRNA:circRNA interactions are mostly limited to already annotated circRNAs or affected by high rates of false positive predictions. To overcome these limitations, we developed Circr, a computational tool for the prediction of associations between circRNAs and miRNAs. Circr combines three publicly available algorithms for de novo prediction of miRNA binding sites on target sequences (miRanda, RNAhybrid, and TargetScan) and annotates each identified miRNA:target pairs with experimentally validated miRNA:RNA interactions and binding sites for Argonaute proteins derived from either ChIPseq or CLIPseq data. The combination of multiple tools for the identification of a single miRNA recognition site with experimental data allows to efficiently prioritize candidate miRNA:circRNA interactions for functional studies in different organisms. Circr can use its internal annotation database or custom annotation tables to enhance the identification of novel and not previously annotated miRNA:circRNA sites in virtually any species. Circr is written in Python 3.6 and is released under the GNU GPL3.0 License at https://github.com/bicciatolab/Circr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Dori
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena,Italy
| | - Jimmy Caroli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena,Italy
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mattia Forcato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena,Italy
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18
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Zhou J, Zhang R, Jia X, Tang X, Guo Y, Yang H, Zheng X, Qian Q, Qi Y, Zhang Y. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated OsMIR168a knockout reveals its pleiotropy in rice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2022; 20:310-322. [PMID: 34555252 PMCID: PMC8753357 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA168 (MIR168) is a key miRNA that targets the main RNA-induced silencing complex component Argonaute 1 (AGO1) to regulate plant growth and environmental stress responses. However, the regulatory functions of MIR168 need to be further elucidated in rice. In this paper, we generated clean OsMIR168a deletion mutants by CRISPR-Cas9 strategy. We then phenotypically and molecularly characterized these mutants. The rice OsMIR168a mutants grew rapidly at the seedling stage, produced more tillers and matured early. Compared to the wild-type plants, the mutants were shorter at maturity and produced smaller spikelets and seeds. Analysis of gene expression showed that the transcription levels of OsMIR168a's target genes such as OsAGO1a, OsAGO1b and OsAGO1d were elevated significantly in the OsMIR168a mutants. Intriguingly, OsAGO18, a member of a new AGO clade that is conserved in monocots, was confirmed to be a target of OsMIR168a not only by informatic prediction but also by expression analysis and a cell-based cleavage assay in the OsMIR168a mutants. Many protein-coding genes and miRNAs showed differential expression in the OsMIR168a mutants, suggesting OsMIR168a exerts a major transcriptional regulatory role, likely through its potential target genes such as OsAGO1s and OsAGO18. KEGG enrichment analysis of these differentially expressed genes pointed to OsMIR168a's involvement in important processes such as plant hormone signalling transduction and plant-pathogen interaction. These data collectively support that the complex regulation module of OsMIR168a-OsAGO1/OsAGO18-miRNAs-target genes contributes to agronomically important traits, which sheds light on miRNA-mediated crop breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Zhou
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Xinyu Jia
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Xu Tang
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
- State Key Laboratory of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Yachong Guo
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Han Yang
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Xuelian Zheng
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
| | - Qian Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Rice BiologyChina National Rice Research InstituteHangzhouChina
| | - Yiping Qi
- Department of Plant Science and Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of MarylandCollege ParkMDUSA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology ResearchUniversity of MarylandRockvilleMDUSA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of BiotechnologySchool of Life Sciences and TechnologyCenter for Informational BiologyUniversity of Electronic Science and Technology of ChinaChengduChina
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19
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Importin/exportin-mediated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of cucumber mosaic virus 2b protein is required for 2b's efficient suppression of RNA silencing. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010267. [PMID: 35081172 PMCID: PMC8820599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2b protein (2b) of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), an RNA-silencing suppressor (RSS), is a major pathogenicity determinant of CMV. 2b is localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and its nuclear import is determined by two nuclear localization signals (NLSs); a carrier protein (importin [IMPα]) is predicted to be involved in 2b's nuclear transport. Cytoplasmic 2bs play a role in suppression of RNA silencing by binding to small RNAs and AGO proteins. A putative nuclear export signal (NES) motif was also found in 2b, but has not been proved to function. Here, we identified a leucine-rich motif in 2b's C-terminal half as an NES. We then showed that NES-deficient 2b accumulated abundantly in the nucleus and lost its RSS activity, suggesting that 2b exported from the nucleus can play a role as an RSS. Although two serine residues (S40 and S42) were previously found to be phosphorylated, we also found that an additional phosphorylation site (S28) alone can affect 2b's nuclear localization and RSS activity. Alanine substitution at S28 impaired the IMPα-mediated nuclear/nucleolar localization of 2b, and RSS activity was even stronger compared to wild-type 2b. In a subcellular fractionation assay, phosphorylated 2bs were detected in the nucleus, and comparison of the accumulation levels of nuclear phospho-2b between wild-type 2b and the NES mutant showed a greatly reduced level of the phosphorylated NES mutant in the nucleus, suggesting that 2bs are dephosphorylated in the nucleus and may be translocated to the cytoplasm in a nonphosphorylated form. These results suggest that 2b manipulates its nucleocytoplasmic transport as if it tracks down its targets, small RNAs and AGOs, in the RNA silencing pathway. We infer that 2b's efficient RSS activity is maintained by a balance of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, which are coupled to importin/exportin-mediated shuttling between the nucleus and cytoplasm.
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20
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Fallatah B, Shuaib M, Adroub S, Paytuví-Gallart A, Della Valle F, Nadeef S, Lanzuolo C, Orlando V. Ago1 controls myogenic differentiation by regulating eRNA-mediated CBP-guided epigenome reprogramming. Cell Rep 2021; 37:110066. [PMID: 34852230 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of chromatin-associated RNAi components in the nucleus of mammalian cells and in particular in the context of developmental programs remains to be elucidated. Here, we investigate the function of nuclear Argonaute 1 (Ago1) in gene expression regulation during skeletal muscle differentiation. We show that Ago1 is required for activation of the myogenic program by supporting chromatin modification mediated by developmental enhancer activation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Ago1 directly controls global H3K27 acetylation (H3K27ac) by regulating enhancer RNA (eRNA)-CREB-binding protein (CBP) acetyltransferase interaction, a key step in enhancer-driven gene activation. In particular, we show that Ago1 is specifically required for myogenic differentiation 1 (MyoD) and downstream myogenic gene activation, whereas its depletion leads to failure of CBP acetyltransferase activation and blocking of the myogenic program. Our work establishes a role of the mammalian enhancer-associated RNAi component Ago1 in epigenome regulation and activation of developmental programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bodor Fallatah
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Research Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Shuaib
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Research Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sabir Adroub
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Research Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Francesco Della Valle
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Research Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seba Nadeef
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Research Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Chiara Lanzuolo
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, 20090 Milan, Italy; National Institute of Molecular Genetics (INGM) "Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi," Chromatin and Nuclear Architecture Laboratory, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Valerio Orlando
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Research Program, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia.
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21
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Nazer E, Gómez Acuña L, Kornblihtt AR. Seeking the truth behind the myth: Argonaute tales from "nuclearland". Mol Cell 2021; 82:503-513. [PMID: 34856122 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Argonaute proteins have been traditionally characterized as a highly evolutionary conserved family engaged in post-transcriptional gene silencing pathways. The Argonaute family is mainly grouped into the AGO and PIWI clades. The canonical role of Argonaute proteins relies on their ability to bind small-RNAs that recognize complementary sequences on target mRNAs to induce either mRNA degradation or translational repression. However, there is an increasing amount of evidence supporting that Argonaute proteins also exert multiple nuclear functions that subsequently regulate gene expression. In this line, genome-wide studies showed that members from the AGO clade regulate transcription, 3D chromatin organization, and splicing of active loci located within euchromatin. Here, we discuss recent work based on high-throughput technologies that have significantly contributed to shed light on the multivariate nuclear functions of AGO proteins in different model organisms. We also analyze data supporting that AGO proteins are able to execute these nuclear functions independently from small RNA pathways. Finally, we integrate these mechanistic insights with recent reports highlighting the clinical importance of AGO in breast and prostate cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezequiel Nazer
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Luciana Gómez Acuña
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Alberto R Kornblihtt
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and CONICET-UBA, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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22
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Alharbi AB, Schmitz U, Bailey CG, Rasko JEJ. CTCF as a regulator of alternative splicing: new tricks for an old player. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:7825-7838. [PMID: 34181707 PMCID: PMC8373115 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Three decades of research have established the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) as a ubiquitously expressed chromatin organizing factor and master regulator of gene expression. A new role for CTCF as a regulator of alternative splicing (AS) has now emerged. CTCF has been directly and indirectly linked to the modulation of AS at the individual transcript and at the transcriptome-wide level. The emerging role of CTCF-mediated regulation of AS involves diverse mechanisms; including transcriptional elongation, DNA methylation, chromatin architecture, histone modifications, and regulation of splicing factor expression and assembly. CTCF thereby appears to not only co-ordinate gene expression regulation but contributes to the modulation of transcriptomic complexity. In this review, we highlight previous discoveries regarding the role of CTCF in AS. In addition, we summarize detailed mechanisms by which CTCF mediates AS regulation. We propose opportunities for further research designed to examine the possible fate of CTCF-mediated alternatively spliced genes and associated biological consequences. CTCF has been widely acknowledged as the 'master weaver of the genome'. Given its multiple connections, further characterization of CTCF's emerging role in splicing regulation might extend its functional repertoire towards a 'conductor of the splicing orchestra'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel B Alharbi
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Cancer & Gene Regulation Laboratory Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Ulf Schmitz
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Charles G Bailey
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Cancer & Gene Regulation Laboratory Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - John E J Rasko
- Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Cell & Molecular Therapies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
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23
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Mármol-Sánchez E, Luigi-Sierra MG, Castelló A, Guan D, Quintanilla R, Tonda R, Amills M. Variability in porcine microRNA genes and its association with mRNA expression and lipid phenotypes. Genet Sel Evol 2021; 53:43. [PMID: 33947333 PMCID: PMC8097994 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-021-00632-3] [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: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mature microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in repressing the expression of a wide range of mRNAs. The presence of polymorphic sites in miRNA genes and their corresponding 3'UTR binding sites can disrupt canonical conserved miRNA-mRNA pairings, and thus modify gene expression patterns. However, to date such polymorphic sites in miRNA genes and their association with gene expression phenotypes and complex traits are poorly characterized in pigs. RESULTS By analyzing whole-genome sequences from 120 pigs and wild boars from Europe and Asia, we identified 285 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that map to miRNA loci, and 109,724 SNPs that are located in predicted 7mer-m8 miRNA binding sites within porcine 3'UTR. In porcine miRNA genes, SNP density is reduced compared with their flanking non-miRNA regions. By sequencing the genomes of five Duroc boars, we identified 12 miRNA SNPs that were subsequently genotyped in their offspring (N = 345, Lipgen population). Association analyses of miRNA SNPs with 38 lipid-related traits and hepatic and muscle microarray expression phenotypes recorded in the Lipgen population were performed. The most relevant detected association was between the genotype of the rs319154814 (G/A) SNP located in the apical loop of the ssc-miR-326 hairpin precursor and PPP1CC mRNA levels in the liver (q-value = 0.058). This result was subsequently confirmed by qPCR (P-value = 0.027). The rs319154814 (G/A) genotype was also associated with several fatty acid composition traits. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show a reduced variability of porcine miRNA genes, which is consistent with strong purifying selection, particularly in the seed region that plays a critical role in miRNA binding. Although it is generally assumed that SNPs mapping to the seed region are those with the most pronounced consequences on mRNA expression, we show that a SNP mapping to the apical region of ssc-miR-326 is significantly associated with hepatic mRNA levels of the PPP1CC gene, one of its predicted targets. Although experimental confirmation of such an interaction is reported in humans but not in pigs, this result highlights the need to further investigate the functional effects of miRNA polymorphisms that are located outside the seed region on gene expression in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Mármol-Sánchez
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - María Gracia Luigi-Sierra
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Anna Castelló
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dailu Guan
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Raquel Quintanilla
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, Institute for Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture (IRTA), Torre Marimon, 08140, Caldes de Montbui, Spain
| | - Raul Tonda
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcel Amills
- Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Spain. .,Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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24
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Nowak I, Sarshad AA. Argonaute Proteins Take Center Stage in Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040788. [PMID: 33668654 PMCID: PMC7918559 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The dysregulation of RNA interference (RNAi) has often been observed in cancers, where the main focus of research has been on the small RNA molecules directing RNAi. In this review, we focus on the activity of Argonaute proteins, central components of RNAi, in tumorigenesis, and also highlight their potential applications in grading tumors and anti-cancer therapies. Abstract Argonaute proteins (AGOs) play crucial roles in RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) formation and activity. AGOs loaded with small RNA molecules (miRNA or siRNA) either catalyze endoribonucleolytic cleavage of target RNAs or recruit factors responsible for translational silencing and target destabilization. miRNAs are well characterized and broadly studied in tumorigenesis; nevertheless, the functions of the AGOs in cancers have lagged behind. Here, we discuss the current state of knowledge on the role of AGOs in tumorigenesis, highlighting canonical and non-canonical functions of AGOs in cancer cells, as well as the biomarker potential of AGO expression in different of tumor types. Furthermore, we point to the possible application of the AGOs in development of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Nowak
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Aishe A. Sarshad
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden;
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Correspondence:
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25
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Ho T, Panyim S, Udomkit A. Assessment of the function of gonad-specific PmAgo4 in viral replication and spermatogenesis in Penaeus monodon. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 114:103824. [PMID: 32791174 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Argonaute family is phylogenetically subdivided into Ago and Piwi subfamilies that operate either transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation in association with particular types of small RNAs. Among the four members of Ago subfamily (PmAgo1-4) found in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon, PmAgo4 exhibits gonad-restricted expression and takes part in transposon repression as the Piwi subfamily. While PmAgo1-3 participate in RNA interference (RNAi)-based mechanism, the role of PmAgo4 in RNAi is still mysterious, and was therefore investigated in this study. The results showed that knockdown of PmAgo4 in shrimp testis did not have a significant effect on the potency of PmRab7 silencing by dsPmRab7. In addition, replication of YHV as well as YHV-induced cumulative mortality in PmAgo4-knockdown shrimp are comparable to the control shrimp, suggesting the irrelevant association of PmAgo4 with RNAi-mediated gene silencing and antiviral immunity. Since PmAgo4 did not function in common with the Ago subfamily, its potential function in gametogenesis of male shrimp was further investigated. The reduction of PmAgo4 transcript levels in male shrimp revealed significant defect in testicular maturity as measured by Testicular Index (TI). Moreover, the numbers of mature sperm in spermatophore of PmAgo4-knockdown shrimp were significantly decreased comparing with the control shrimp. Our studies thus suggest a distinctive role of PmAgo4 that is not consistent with a dsRNA-mediate gene regulation and virus replication, but has a key function in controlling spermatogenesis in P. monodon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teerapong Ho
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Sakol Panyim
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Apinunt Udomkit
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon 4 Road, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.
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26
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Luo Y, Ma J, Liu F, Guo J, Gui R. Diagnostic value of exosomal circMYC in radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Head Neck 2020; 42:3702-3711. [PMID: 32945062 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between circulating exosomal circular RNA (circRNA) and prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain unknown. This study focused on the expression of exosomal circMYC and its relationship with the recurrence and prognosis of patients with NPC. METHODS The circulating exosomes were obtained from 210 patients with NPC. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, colony formation, and bioinformatic analysis were performed. RESULTS Circulating exosomal circMYC was significantly increased in patients with NPC and was associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, survival rate, and disease recurrence. Gain-functional and loss-functional experiments revealed that overexpression of circMYC promoted cell proliferation and reduce radiosensitivity, while knockdown of circMYC inhibited cell proliferation and enhanced radiotherapy. CONCLUSION circMYC is an oncogene in NPC cells and can enhance the radiotherapy resistance of NPC cells. Circulating exosomal circMYC can be used as a potential therapeutic target for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwei Luo
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinqi Ma
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Fengxia Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jie Guo
- National Institution of Drug Clinical Trial, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rong Gui
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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27
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Gómez Acuña LI, Nazer E, Rodríguez-Seguí SA, Pozzi B, Buggiano V, Marasco LE, Agirre E, He C, Alló M, Kornblihtt AR. Nuclear role for human Argonaute-1 as an estrogen-dependent transcription coactivator. J Cell Biol 2020; 219:e201908097. [PMID: 32673398 PMCID: PMC7480116 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201908097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammals, argonaute (AGO) proteins have been characterized for their roles in small RNA-mediated posttranscriptional and also in transcriptional gene silencing. Here, we report a different role for AGO1 in estradiol-triggered transcriptional activation in human cells. We show that in MCF-7 mammary gland cells, AGO1 associates with transcriptional enhancers of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and that this association is up-regulated by treating the cells with estrogen (E2), displaying a positive correlation with the activation of these enhancers. Moreover, we show that AGO1 interacts with ERα and that this interaction is also increased by E2 treatment, but occurs in the absence of RNA. We show that AGO1 acts positively as a coactivator in estradiol-triggered transcription regulation by promoting ERα binding to its enhancers. Consistently, AGO1 depletion decreases long-range contacts between ERα enhancers and their target promoters. Our results point to a role of AGO1 in transcriptional regulation in human cells that is independent from small RNA binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana I Gómez Acuña
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of Argentina, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ezequiel Nazer
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of Argentina, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Santiago A Rodríguez-Seguí
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of Argentina, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Berta Pozzi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of Argentina, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Valeria Buggiano
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of Argentina, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano E Marasco
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of Argentina, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Cody He
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Mariano Alló
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of Argentina, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto R Kornblihtt
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of Argentina, Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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28
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Ghosh S, Guimaraes JC, Lanzafame M, Schmidt A, Syed AP, Dimitriades B, Börsch A, Ghosh S, Mittal N, Montavon T, Correia AL, Danner J, Meister G, Terracciano LM, Pfeffer S, Piscuoglio S, Zavolan M. Prevention of dsRNA-induced interferon signaling by AGO1x is linked to breast cancer cell proliferation. EMBO J 2020; 39:e103922. [PMID: 32812257 PMCID: PMC7507497 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019103922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Translational readthrough, i.e., elongation of polypeptide chains beyond the stop codon, was initially reported for viral RNA, but later found also on eukaryotic transcripts, resulting in proteome diversification and protein‐level modulation. Here, we report that AGO1x, an evolutionarily conserved translational readthrough isoform of Argonaute 1, is generated in highly proliferative breast cancer cells, where it curbs accumulation of double‐stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) and consequent induction of interferon responses and apoptosis. In contrast to other mammalian Argonaute protein family members with primarily cytoplasmic functions, AGO1x exhibits nuclear localization in the vicinity of nucleoli. We identify AGO1x interaction with the polyribonucleotide nucleotidyltransferase 1 (PNPT1) and show that the depletion of this protein further augments dsRNA accumulation. Our study thus uncovers a novel function of an Argonaute protein in buffering the endogenous dsRNA‐induced interferon responses, different than the canonical function of AGO proteins in the miRNA effector pathway. As AGO1x expression is tightly linked to breast cancer cell proliferation, our study thus suggests a new direction for limiting tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Ghosh
- Computational and Systems Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Joao C Guimaraes
- Computational and Systems Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Lanzafame
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Schmidt
- Proteomics Core Facility, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Afzal Pasha Syed
- Computational and Systems Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Dimitriades
- Computational and Systems Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anastasiya Börsch
- Computational and Systems Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shreemoyee Ghosh
- Computational and Systems Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nitish Mittal
- Computational and Systems Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Montavon
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de biologie moléculaire et cellulaire du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ana Luisa Correia
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel/University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Danner
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Sébastien Pfeffer
- Architecture et Réactivité de l'ARN, Institut de biologie moléculaire et cellulaire du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Salvatore Piscuoglio
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel/University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mihaela Zavolan
- Computational and Systems Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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29
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Fawzy MS, Toraih EA, Alelwani W, Kattan SW, Alnajeebi AM, Hassan R. The prognostic value of microRNA-biogenesis genes Argonaute 1 and 2 variants in breast cancer patients. Am J Transl Res 2020; 12:1994-2006. [PMID: 32509194 PMCID: PMC7270005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA machinery genes Argonaute 1 (AGO1) and 2 (AGO2) are associated with several hallmarks of cancer. They play a key role in transcriptomic silencing, regulation of the immune system, cell differentiation, and angiogenesis processes. The present pilot study aims to explore the impact of genetic variants rs636832 and rs2977490 of AGO1 and AGO2, respectively, on breast cancer (BC) risk in a sample of Mediterranean population. TaqMan genotyping assay of 93 consecutive breast cancer female patients and age- as well as ethnicity-matched controls, was done by Real-Time allele discrimination polymerase chain reaction. Association with the available clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemistry assessments was applied. In silico data analysis was also executed. Although allele and genotype frequencies distribution of both study variants were comparable in BC and healthy control cohorts, AGO1*G variant conferred a significant BC risk under recessive model [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval); 4.90 (1.03-23.39), P = 0.024], and was significantly associated with lymph node infiltration (P = 0.037), distant metastasis (P = 0.019), advanced clinical stage (P < 0.001), recurrence (P = 0.032), and shorter overall survival (P = 0.001). Furthermore, AGO2*G/G genotype showed an association with poor pathological grade (P = 0.029). Our results suggested for the first time that rs636832 and rs2977490 variants of the miRNA-machinery genes AGO1 and 2, respectively, may impact susceptibility and/or clinical outcomes of BC patients in the study population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manal S Fawzy
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal UniversityIsmailia, Egypt
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border UniversityArar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman A Toraih
- Department of Surgery, Tulane University, School of MedicineNew Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Genetics Unit, Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal UniversityIsmailia, Egypt
| | - Walla Alelwani
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of JeddahJeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahad W Kattan
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah UniversityYanbu, Saudi Arabia
| | - Afnan M Alnajeebi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, University of JeddahJeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ranya Hassan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal UniversityIsmailia, Egypt
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30
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Chetta M, Di Pietro L, Bukvic N, Lattanzi W. Rising Roles of Small Noncoding RNAs in Cotranscriptional Regulation: In Silico Study of miRNA and piRNA Regulatory Network in Humans. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11050482. [PMID: 32365489 PMCID: PMC7290514 DOI: 10.3390/genes11050482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression regulation is achieved through an intricate network of molecular interactions, in which trans-acting transcription factors (TFs) and small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs) and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), play a key role. Recent observations allowed postulating an interplay between TFs and sncRNAs, in that they may possibly share DNA-binding sites. The aim of this study was to analyze the complete subset of miRNA and piRNA sequences stored in the main databases in order to identify the occurrence of conserved motifs and subsequently predict a possible innovative interplay with TFs at a transcriptional level. To this aim, we adopted an original in silico workflow to search motifs and predict interactions within genome-scale regulatory networks. Our results allowed categorizing miRNA and piRNA motifs, with corresponding TFs sharing complementary DNA-binding motifs. The biological interpretation of the gene ontologies of the TFs permitted observing a selective enrichment in developmental pathways, allowing the distribution of miRNA motifs along a topological and chronological frame. In addition, piRNA motifs were categorized for the first time and revealed specific functional implications in somatic tissues. These data might pose experimental hypotheses to be tested in biological models, towards clarifying novel in gene regulatory routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Chetta
- U.O.C. Genetica Medica e di Laboratorio, Ospedale Antonio Cardarelli, 80131 Napoli, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (L.D.P.); Tel.: +39-333187551 (M.C.); +39-0630154464 (L.D.P.)
| | - Lorena Di Pietro
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Biologia Applicata, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (L.D.P.); Tel.: +39-333187551 (M.C.); +39-0630154464 (L.D.P.)
| | - Nenad Bukvic
- UOC Lab. di Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Wanda Lattanzi
- Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Biologia Applicata, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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31
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Sala L, Chandrasekhar S, Vidigal JA. AGO unchained: Canonical and non-canonical roles of Argonaute proteins in mammals. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2020; 25:1-42. [PMID: 31585876 DOI: 10.2741/4793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Argonaute (AGO) proteins play key roles in animal physiology by binding to small RNAs and regulating the expression of their targets. In mammals, they do so through two distinct pathways: the miRNA pathway represses genes through a multiprotein complex that promotes both decay and translational repression; the siRNA pathway represses transcripts through direct Ago2-mediated cleavage. Here, we review our current knowledge of mechanistic details and physiological requirements of both these pathways and briefly discuss their implications to human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sala
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Srividya Chandrasekhar
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joana A Vidigal
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA,
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Lv S, Xu X, Wu Z. Identification of key candidate genes and pathways in endometrial cancer: Evidence from bioinformatics analysis. Oncol Lett 2019; 18:6679-6689. [PMID: 31807178 PMCID: PMC6876294 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2019.11040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Although researchers are exploring the biological processes of tumorigenesis and development of EC, the gene interactions and biological pathways of EC are not accurately verified. In the present study, bioinformatics methods were used to screen for key candidate genes and pathways that were associated with EC and to reveal the possible mechanisms at molecular level. Microarray datasets (GSE63678, GSE17025 and GSE3013) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were downloaded and 118 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected using a Venn diagram. Functional enrichment analyses were performed on the DEGs. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, including the module analysis. A total of 11 hub genes were identified from the DEGs, and functional enrichment analyses were performed to clarify their possible biological processes. A total of 118 DEGs were selected from three mRNA datasets. Functional enrichment demonstrated 27 downregulated genes that were primarily involved in the positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, protein binding and the nucleus. A total of 91 upregulated DEGs were mainly associated with cell division, protein binding and the nucleus. Pathway analysis indicated that the downregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways associated with cancer, and the upregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in the cell cycle. The 11 hub genes were primarily enriched in the cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, the p53 signaling pathway and viral carcinogenesis. The integrated analysis showed that cyclin B1, ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 C and cell division cycle 20 may participate in the tumorigenesis, development and invasion of EC. In conclusion, the hub genes and pathways identified in the present study contributed to the understanding of carcinogenesis and progression of EC at the mechanistic and molecular-biological level. As candidate targets for the diagnosis and treatment of EC, these genes deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Lv
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, P.R. China
| | - Zhangying Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550001, P.R. China
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Kim YR, Ryu CS, Kim JO, An HJ, Cho SH, Ahn EH, Kim JH, Lee WS, Kim NK. Association study of AGO1 and AGO2 genes polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15591. [PMID: 31666609 PMCID: PMC6821863 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52073-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
An Argonaute (AGO) protein within the RNA-induced silencing complex binds a microRNA, permitting the target mRNA to be silenced. We hypothesized that variations in AGO genes had the possibility including affected the miRNA function and associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) susceptibility. Especially, we were chosen the AGO1 (rs595961, rs636832) and AGO2 (rs2292779, rs4961280) polymorphisms because of those polymorphisms have already reported in other diseases excluding the RPL. Here, we conducted a case-control study (385 RPL patients and 246 controls) to evaluate the association of four polymorphisms with RPL. We found that the AGO1 rs595961 AA genotype, recessive model (P = 0.039; P = 0.043, respectively), the AGO1 rs636832 GG genotype, and recessive model (P = 0.037; P = 0.016, respectively) were associated with RPL in women who had had four or more consecutive pregnancy losses. The patients with the AGO1 rs636832 GG genotypes had greater platelet counts (P = 0.023), while the patients with the AGO2 rs4961280 CA genotypes had less homocysteine (P = 0.027). Based on these results, we propose that genetic variations with respect to the AGO1 and AGO2 genotypes are associated with risk for RPL, and might serve as useful biomarkers for the prognosis of RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Ran Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 65th Street, Yatap Road, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13497, South Korea
| | - Chang Soo Ryu
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13488, South Korea
| | - Jung Oh Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13488, South Korea
| | - Hui Jeong An
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13488, South Korea
| | - Sung Hwan Cho
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13488, South Korea
| | - Eun Hee Ahn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 65th Street, Yatap Road, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13497, South Korea
| | - Ji Hyang Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, 65th Street, Yatap Road, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13497, South Korea
| | - Woo Sik Lee
- Fertility Center of CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, 566 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06135, South Korea
| | - Nam Keun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 13488, South Korea.
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Shuaib M, Parsi KM, Thimma M, Adroub SA, Kawaji H, Seridi L, Ghosheh Y, Fort A, Fallatah B, Ravasi T, Carninci P, Orlando V. Nuclear AGO1 Regulates Gene Expression by Affecting Chromatin Architecture in Human Cells. Cell Syst 2019; 9:446-458.e6. [PMID: 31629687 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The impact of mammalian RNA interference components, particularly, Argonaute proteins, on chromatin organization is unexplored. Recent reports indicate that AGO1 association with chromatin appears to influence gene expression. To uncover the role of AGO1 in the nucleus, we used a combination of genome-wide approaches in control and AGO1-depleted HepG2 cells. We found that AGO1 strongly associates with active enhancers and RNA being produced at those sites. Hi-C analysis revealed AGO1 enrichment at the boundaries of topologically associated domains (TADs). By Hi-C in AGO1 knockdown cells, we observed changes in chromatin organization, including TADs and A/B compartment mixing, specifically in AGO1-bound regions. Distinct groups of genes and especially eRNA transcripts located within differentially interacting loci showed altered expression upon AGO1 depletion. Moreover, AGO1 association with enhancers is dependent on eRNA transcription. Collectively, our data suggest that enhancer-associated AGO1 contributes to the fine-tuning of chromatin architecture and gene expression in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shuaib
- King Abdullah University Science and Technology (KAUST), BESE Division, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Krishna Mohan Parsi
- IRCSS Fondazione, Santa Lucia, Epigenetics and Genome Reprogramming, Rome, Italy
| | - Manjula Thimma
- King Abdullah University Science and Technology (KAUST), BESE Division, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sabir Abdu Adroub
- King Abdullah University Science and Technology (KAUST), BESE Division, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hideya Kawaji
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Division of Genomic Technologies, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Loqmane Seridi
- King Abdullah University Science and Technology (KAUST), BESE Division, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yanal Ghosheh
- King Abdullah University Science and Technology (KAUST), BESE Division, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alexandre Fort
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Division of Genomic Technologies, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Bodor Fallatah
- King Abdullah University Science and Technology (KAUST), BESE Division, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Timothy Ravasi
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Piero Carninci
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Division of Genomic Technologies, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan; RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Valerio Orlando
- King Abdullah University Science and Technology (KAUST), BESE Division, KAUST Environmental Epigenetics Program, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; IRCSS Fondazione, Santa Lucia, Epigenetics and Genome Reprogramming, Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
Mammalian genomes are extensively transcribed, which produces a large number of both coding and non-coding transcripts. Various RNAs are physically associated with chromatin, through being either retained in cis at their site of transcription or recruited in trans to other genomic regions. Driven by recent technological innovations for detecting chromatin-associated RNAs, diverse roles are being revealed for these RNAs and associated RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in gene regulation and genome function. Such functions include locus-specific roles in gene activation and silencing, as well as emerging roles in higher-order genome organization, such as involvement in long-range enhancer-promoter interactions, transcription hubs, heterochromatin, nuclear bodies and phase transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Li
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xiang-Dong Fu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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36
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Park J, Zhu Y, Tao X, Brazill JM, Li C, Wuchty S, Zhai RG. MicroRNA miR-1002 Enhances NMNAT-Mediated Stress Response by Modulating Alternative Splicing. iScience 2019; 19:1048-1064. [PMID: 31522116 PMCID: PMC6745518 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.08.052] [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: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding endogenous regulation of stress resistance and homeostasis maintenance is critical to developing neuroprotective therapies. Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) is a conserved essential enzyme that confers extraordinary protection and stress resistance in many neurodegenerative disease models. Drosophila Nmnat is alternatively spliced to two mRNA variants, RA and RB. RB translates to protein isoform PD with robust protective activity and is upregulated upon stress to confer enhanced neuroprotection. The mechanisms regulating the alternative splicing and stress response of NMNAT remain unclear. We have discovered a Drosophila microRNA, dme-miR-1002, which promotes the splicing of NMNAT pre-mRNA to RB by disrupting a pre-mRNA stem-loop structure. NMNAT pre-mRNA is preferentially spliced to RA in basal conditions, whereas miR-1002 enhances NMNAT PD-mediated stress protection by binding via RISC component Argonaute1 to the pre-mRNA, facilitating the splicing switch to RB. These results outline a new process for microRNAs in regulating alternative splicing and modulating stress resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joun Park
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Program in Neuroscience, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Yi Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Xianzun Tao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jennifer M Brazill
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Chong Li
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Program in Human Genetics and Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Stefan Wuchty
- Department of Computer Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
| | - R Grace Zhai
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Program in Neuroscience, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; Program in Human Genetics and Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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37
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Park MS, Araya-Secchi R, Brackbill JA, Phan HD, Kehling AC, Abd El-Wahab EW, Dayeh DM, Sotomayor M, Nakanishi K. Multidomain Convergence of Argonaute during RISC Assembly Correlates with the Formation of Internal Water Clusters. Mol Cell 2019; 75:725-740.e6. [PMID: 31324450 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite the relevance of Argonaute proteins in RNA silencing, little is known about the structural steps of small RNA loading to form RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs). We report the 1.9 Å crystal structure of human Argonaute4 with guide RNA. Comparison with the previously determined apo structure of Neurospora crassa QDE2 revealed that the PIWI domain has two subdomains. Binding of guide RNA fastens the subdomains, thereby rearranging the active-site residues and increasing the affinity for TNRC6 proteins. We also identified two water pockets beneath the nucleic acid-binding channel that appeared to stabilize the mature RISC. Indeed, mutating the water-pocket residues of Argonaute2 and Argonaute4 compromised RISC assembly. Simulations predict that internal water molecules are exchangeable with the bulk solvent but always occupy specific positions at the domain interfaces. These results suggest that after guide RNA-driven conformational changes, water-mediated hydrogen-bonding networks tie together the converged domains to complete the functional RISC structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Seul Park
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Raul Araya-Secchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - James A Brackbill
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hong-Duc Phan
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Audrey C Kehling
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ekram W Abd El-Wahab
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Daniel M Dayeh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Marcos Sotomayor
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Biophysics Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kotaro Nakanishi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Ohio State Biochemistry Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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38
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Xiao R, Chen JY, Liang Z, Luo D, Chen G, Lu ZJ, Chen Y, Zhou B, Li H, Du X, Yang Y, San M, Wei X, Liu W, Lécuyer E, Graveley BR, Yeo GW, Burge CB, Zhang MQ, Zhou Y, Fu XD. Pervasive Chromatin-RNA Binding Protein Interactions Enable RNA-Based Regulation of Transcription. Cell 2019; 178:107-121.e18. [PMID: 31251911 PMCID: PMC6760001 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that transcriptional control and chromatin activities at large involve regulatory RNAs, which likely enlist specific RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Although multiple RBPs have been implicated in transcription control, it has remained unclear how extensively RBPs directly act on chromatin. We embarked on a large-scale RBP ChIP-seq analysis, revealing widespread RBP presence in active chromatin regions in the human genome. Like transcription factors (TFs), RBPs also show strong preference for hotspots in the genome, particularly gene promoters, where their association is frequently linked to transcriptional output. Unsupervised clustering reveals extensive co-association between TFs and RBPs, as exemplified by YY1, a known RNA-dependent TF, and RBM25, an RBP involved in splicing regulation. Remarkably, RBM25 depletion attenuates all YY1-dependent activities, including chromatin binding, DNA looping, and transcription. We propose that various RBPs may enhance network interaction through harnessing regulatory RNAs to control transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xiao
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China.
| | - Jia-Yu Chen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Zhengyu Liang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Daji Luo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Geng Chen
- College of Life Sciences and Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Zhi John Lu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yang Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bing Zhou
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hairi Li
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Xian Du
- College of Life Sciences and Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Yang Yang
- College of Life Sciences and Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Mingkui San
- Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
| | - Xintao Wei
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, UConn Health Science Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Wen Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
| | - Eric Lécuyer
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Département de Biochimie and Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Brenton R Graveley
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Institute for Systems Genomics, UConn Health Science Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Christopher B Burge
- Program in Computational and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Michael Q Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas, Dallas, TX 75080, USA
| | - Yu Zhou
- College of Life Sciences and Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China
| | - Xiang-Dong Fu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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39
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Di Mauro V, Crasto S, Colombo FS, Di Pasquale E, Catalucci D. Wnt signalling mediates miR-133a nuclear re-localization for the transcriptional control of Dnmt3b in cardiac cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9320. [PMID: 31249372 PMCID: PMC6597717 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45818-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MiR-133a is a muscle-enriched miRNA, which plays a key role for proper skeletal and cardiac muscle function via regulation of transduction cascades, including the Wnt signalling. MiR-133a modulates its targets via canonical mRNA repression, a process that has been largely demonstrated to occur within the cytoplasm. However, recent evidence has shown that miRNAs play additional roles in other sub-cellular compartments, such as nuclei. Here, we show that miR-133a translocates to the nucleus of cardiac cells following inactivation of the canonical Wnt pathway. The nuclear miR-133a/AGO2 complex binds to a complementary miR-133a target site within the promoter of the de novo DNA methyltransferase 3B (Dnmt3b) gene, leading to its transcriptional repression, which is mediated by DNMT3B itself. Altogether, these data show an unconventional role of miR-133a that upon its relocalization to the nucleus is responsible for epigenetic repression of its target gene Dnmt3b via a DNMT3B self-regulatory negative feedback loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Di Mauro
- University of Milan Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
- CNR-IRGB UOS Milan, Via Fantoli 15/16, 20138, Milan, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, via Alessandro Manzoni 113, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Crasto
- CNR-IRGB UOS Milan, Via Fantoli 15/16, 20138, Milan, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, via Alessandro Manzoni 113, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Simone Colombo
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, via Alessandro Manzoni 113, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Di Pasquale
- CNR-IRGB UOS Milan, Via Fantoli 15/16, 20138, Milan, Italy
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, via Alessandro Manzoni 113, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Catalucci
- CNR-IRGB UOS Milan, Via Fantoli 15/16, 20138, Milan, Italy.
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, via Alessandro Manzoni 113, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
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40
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Laudadio I, Carissimi C, Fulci V. How RNAi machinery enters the world of telomerase. Cell Cycle 2019; 18:1056-1067. [PMID: 31014212 PMCID: PMC6592256 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2019.1609834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase holoenzyme consists of the catalytic component TERT and the template RNA TERC. However, a network of accessory proteins plays key roles in its assembly, localization and stability. Defects in genes involved in telomerase biology affect the renewal of critical stem cell populations and cause disorders such as telomeropathies. Moreover, activation of telomerase in somatic cells allows neoplastic cells to proliferate indefinitely, thus contributing to tumorigenesis. For these reasons, identification of new players involved in telomerase regulation is crucial for the determination of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers. In the very last years, increasing evidence describes components of the RNAi machinery as a new layer of complexity in human telomerase activity. In this review, we will discuss how AGO2 and other proteins which collaborate with AGO2 in RNAi pathway play a pivotal role in TERC stability and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Laudadio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Carissimi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Fulci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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41
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Abstract
The phenomenon of RNA activation (RNAa) was initially discovered by Li and colleagues about a decade ago. Subsequently, gene activation by exogenously expressed small activating RNA has been demonstrated in different cellular contexts by a number of laboratories. Conceivably, endogenously expressed microRNAs may also utilize RNA activation as a cellular mechanism for gene regulation, which may be dysregulated in disease states such as cancer. RNA activation can be applied to gain-of-function studies and holds great promise for disease intervention. This chapter will discuss examples of promoter-targeting microRNAs discovered in recent years and their pathophysiological relevance. I will also briefly touch upon other novel classes of microRNAs with positive gene regulatory roles, including TATA-box-activating microRNAs and enhancer-associated microRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Huang
- Molecular Stethoscope, Inc., 10835 Road to the Cure, Suite 100, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.
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42
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Ramchandran R, Chaluvally-Raghavan P. miRNA-Mediated RNA Activation in Mammalian Cells. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019. [PMID: 28639193 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-4310-9_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA or miR) is a small noncoding RNA molecule ~22 nucleotides in size, which is found in plants, animals, and some viruses. miRNAs are thought to primarily down regulate gene expression by binding to 3' untranslated regions of target transcripts, thereby triggering mRNA cleavage or repression of translation. Recently, evidence has emerged that miRNAs can interact with the promoter and activate gene expression. This mechanism, called RNA activation (RNAa), is a process of transcriptional activation where the direct interaction of miRNA on the promoter triggers the recruitment of transcription factors and RNA-Polymerase-II on the promoter to activate gene transcription. To date, very little is known about the mechanism by which miRNA regulates RNA activation (RNAa) and their role in tumor progression. This is an emerging field in RNA biology. In this chapter, we describe the mechanisms utilized by miRNAs to activate transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramani Ramchandran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Pradeep Chaluvally-Raghavan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA. .,Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
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Bajczyk M, Bhat SS, Szewc L, Szweykowska-Kulinska Z, Jarmolowski A, Dolata J. Novel Nuclear Functions of Arabidopsis ARGONAUTE1: Beyond RNA Interference. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 179:1030-1039. [PMID: 30606888 PMCID: PMC6393810 DOI: 10.1104/pp.18.01351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Argonaute1 activity is not limited to the cytoplasm and has been found to be associated with the regulation of gene expression in the nucleus and to be tightly associated with chromatin and transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Bajczyk
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Susheel Sagar Bhat
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Lukasz Szewc
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Zofia Szweykowska-Kulinska
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Artur Jarmolowski
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Jakub Dolata
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznan, Poland
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Yoon S, Rossi JJ. Therapeutic Potential of Small Activating RNAs (saRNAs) in Human Cancers. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2018; 19:604-610. [PMID: 29804529 PMCID: PMC6204660 DOI: 10.2174/1389201019666180528084059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background: RNA is increasingly recognized as a powerful molecule that can be used to control gene expression. Sophisticated, well-engineered RNA-based regulators are being developed as oligotherapeutics. Methods: In particular, small activating RNAs (saRNAs) are promising therapeutic options for targeting human diseases. Numerous saRNAs targeting multiple cancers have been developed in preclinical models. One saRNA targeting C/EBPα is currently undergoing clinical trials in liver cancer. Results and Conclusion: In this review, we describe the current working model of the intracellular mechanism of saRNA, discuss the recent progress of saRNA therapeutics in preclinical and clinical trials, and current advances in targeted delivery using aptamers in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorah Yoon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
| | - John J Rossi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States.,Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California, United States
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Argonaute2 attenuates active transcription by limiting RNA Polymerase II elongation in Drosophila melanogaster. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15685. [PMID: 30356106 PMCID: PMC6200757 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34115-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing lines of evidence support that Argonaute2 (AGO2) harbors several nuclear functions in metazoa. In particular, Drosophila AGO2 modulates transcription of developmentally regulated genes; however, the molecular mechanisms behind AGO2 recruitment into chromatin and its function in transcription have not been deeply explored. In this study, we show that Drosophila AGO2 chromatin association depends on active transcription. In order to gain insight into how AGO2 controls transcription, we performed differential ChIP-seq analysis for RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) upon depletion of AGO2. Remarkably, we find specific accumulation of the elongating but not initiating form of Pol II after AGO2 knockdown, suggesting that AGO2 impairs transcription elongation. Finally, AGO2 also affects Negative Elongation Factor (NELF) chromatin association but not the Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9). Altogether, these results provide key insights into the molecular role of AGO2 in attenuating elongation of certain actively transcribed genes.
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Méndez C, Ledger S, Petoumenos K, Ahlenstiel C, Kelleher AD. RNA-induced epigenetic silencing inhibits HIV-1 reactivation from latency. Retrovirology 2018; 15:67. [PMID: 30286764 PMCID: PMC6172763 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-018-0451-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current antiretroviral therapy is effective in controlling HIV-1 infection. However, cessation of therapy is associated with rapid return of viremia from the viral reservoir. Eradicating the HIV-1 reservoir has proven difficult with the limited success of latency reactivation strategies and reflects the complexity of HIV-1 latency. Consequently, there is a growing need for alternate strategies. Here we explore a "block and lock" approach for enforcing latency to render the provirus unable to restart transcription despite exposure to reactivation stimuli. Reactivation of transcription from latent HIV-1 proviruses can be epigenetically blocked using promoter-targeted shRNAs to prevent productive infection. We aimed to determine if independent and combined expression of shRNAs, PromA and 143, induce a repressive epigenetic profile that is sufficiently stable to protect latently infected cells from HIV-1 reactivation when treated with a range of latency reversing agents (LRAs). RESULTS J-Lat 9.2 cells, a model of HIV-1 latency, expressing shRNAs PromA, 143, PromA/143 or controls were treated with LRAs to evaluate protection from HIV-1 reactivation as determined by levels of GFP expression. Cells expressing shRNA PromA, 143, or both, showed robust resistance to viral reactivation by: TNF, SAHA, SAHA/TNF, Bryostatin/TNF, DZNep, and Chaetocin. Given the physiological importance of TNF, HIV-1 reactivation was induced by TNF (5 ng/mL) and ChIP assays were performed to detect changes in expression of epigenetic markers within chromatin in both sorted GFP- and GFP+ cell populations, harboring latent or reactivated proviruses, respectively. Ordinary two-way ANOVA analysis used to identify interactions between shRNAs and chromatin marks associated with repressive or active chromatin in the integrated provirus revealed significant changes in the levels of H3K27me3, AGO1 and HDAC1 in the LTR, which correlated with the extent of reduced proviral reactivation. The cell line co-expressing shPromA and sh143 consistently showed the least reactivation and greatest enrichment of chromatin compaction indicators. CONCLUSION The active maintenance of epigenetic silencing by shRNAs acting on the HIV-1 LTR impedes HIV-1 reactivation from latency. Our "block and lock" approach constitutes a novel way of enforcing HIV-1 "super latency" through a closed chromatin architecture that renders the virus resistant to a range of latency reversing agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Méndez
- Department of Immunovirology and Pathogenesis, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Scott Ledger
- Department of Immunovirology and Pathogenesis, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Kathy Petoumenos
- Department of Immunovirology and Pathogenesis, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Chantelle Ahlenstiel
- Department of Immunovirology and Pathogenesis, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Anthony D Kelleher
- Department of Immunovirology and Pathogenesis, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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Ma Z, Zhang X. Actions of plant Argonautes: predictable or unpredictable? CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2018; 45:59-67. [PMID: 29857309 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Argonaute (AGO) proteins are the key effector of RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). Land plants typically encode numerous AGO proteins, and they can be typically divided into two major functional groups based on the species of their housed small RNAs (sRNAs). One group of AGOs, guided by 24-nucleotide (nt) sRNAs, canonically function in nuclei to implement transcriptional gene silencing (TGS), whereas the other group of AGOs, guided by 21-nt sRNAs, act in the cytoplasm to fulfill posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS). Many new discoveries have been recently made on functions and mechanisms of AGO proteins in plants, and some of the findings change our views on the conventional classification and roles of AGO proteins. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of AGO proteins in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyang Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Xiuren Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Sarshad AA, Juan AH, Muler AIC, Anastasakis DG, Wang X, Genzor P, Feng X, Tsai PF, Sun HW, Haase AD, Sartorelli V, Hafner M. Argonaute-miRNA Complexes Silence Target mRNAs in the Nucleus of Mammalian Stem Cells. Mol Cell 2018; 71:1040-1050.e8. [PMID: 30146314 PMCID: PMC6690358 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2018.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, gene silencing by the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) is a well-understood cytoplasmic posttranscriptional gene regulatory mechanism. Here, we show that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) contain high levels of nuclear AGO proteins and that in ESCs nuclear AGO protein activity allows for the onset of differentiation. In the nucleus, AGO proteins interact with core RISC components, including the TNRC6 proteins and the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex. In contrast to cytoplasmic miRNA-mediated gene silencing that mainly operates on cis-acting elements in mRNA 3' untranslated (UTR) sequences, in the nucleus AGO binding in the coding sequence and potentially introns also contributed to post-transcriptional gene silencing. Thus, nuclear localization of AGO proteins in specific cell types leads to a previously unappreciated expansion of the miRNA-regulated transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishe A Sarshad
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Aster H Juan
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ana Iris Correa Muler
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dimitrios G Anastasakis
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xiantao Wang
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Pavol Genzor
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 8 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xuesong Feng
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Pei-Fang Tsai
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hong-Wei Sun
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Astrid D Haase
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 8 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vittorio Sartorelli
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Markus Hafner
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Pong SK, Gullerova M. Noncanonical functions of microRNA pathway enzymes - Drosha, DGCR8, Dicer and Ago proteins. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:2973-2986. [PMID: 30025156 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory noncoding RNAs that are generated in the canonical RNA interference (RNAi) pathway. Drosha, DiGeorge syndrome critical region 8 (DGCR8) and Dicer are key players in miRNA biogenesis. Argonaute (Ago) proteins bind to miRNAs and are guided by them to find messenger RNA targets and carry out post-transcriptional silencing of protein-coding genes. Recently, emerging evidence suggests that RNAi factors have a range of noncanonical functions that are beyond miRNA biogenesis. These functions pertain to various biological processes, such as development, transcriptional regulation, RNA processing and maintenance of genome integrity. Here, we review recent literature reporting miRNA-independent, noncanonical functions of Drosha, DGCR8, Dicer and Ago proteins and discuss the importance of these functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng K Pong
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, UK
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An J, Xu J, Li J, Jia S, Li X, Lu Y, Yang Y, Lin Z, Xin X, Wu M, Zheng Q, Pu H, Gui X, Li T, Lu D. HistoneH3 demethylase JMJD2A promotes growth of liver cancer cells through up-regulating miR372. Oncotarget 2018; 8:49093-49109. [PMID: 28467776 PMCID: PMC5564752 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.17095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in histone lysine methylation status have been observed during cancer formation. JMJD2A protein is a demethylase that is overexpressed in several tumors. Herein, our results demonstrate that JMJD2A accelerates malignant progression of liver cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, JMJD2A promoted the expression and mature of pre-miR372 epigenetically. Notably, miR372 blocks the editing of 13th exon-introns-14th exon and forms a novel transcript(JMJD2AΔ) of JMJD2A. In particular, JMJD2A inhibited P21(WAF1/Cip1) expression by decreasing H3K9me3 dependent on JMJD2AΔ. Thereby, JMJD2A could enhance Pim1 transcription by suppressing P21(WAF1/Cip1). Furthermore, through increasing the expression of Pim1, JMJD2A could facilitate the interaction among pRB, CDK2 and CyclinE which prompts the transcription and translation of oncogenic C-myc. Strikingly, JMJD2A may trigger the demethylation of Pim1. On the other hand, Pim1 knockdown and P21(WAF1/Cip1) overexpression fully abrogated the oncogenic function of JMJD2A. Our observations suggest that JMJD2A promotes liver cancer cell cycle progress through JMJD2A-miR372-JMJD2AΔ-P21WAF1/Cip1-Pim1-pRB-CDK2-CyclinE-C-myc axis. This study elucidates a novel mechanism for JMJD2A in liver cancer cells and suggests that JMJD2A can be used as a novel therapeutic targets of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui An
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Jie Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Jiao Li
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Song Jia
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaonan Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Yanan Lu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Yuxin Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Zhuojia Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Xiaoru Xin
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Mengying Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Qidi Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Hu Pu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Xin Gui
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Tianming Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
| | - Dongdong Lu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 20092, China
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