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Zhang X, Yuan L, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Wu Q, Li C, Wu M, Huang Y. Liquid-liquid phase separation in diseases. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e640. [PMID: 39006762 PMCID: PMC11245632 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), an emerging biophysical phenomenon, can sequester molecules to implement physiological and pathological functions. LLPS implements the assembly of numerous membraneless chambers, including stress granules and P-bodies, containing RNA and protein. RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions play a critical role in LLPS. Scaffolding proteins, through multivalent interactions and external factors, support protein-RNA interaction networks to form condensates involved in a variety of diseases, particularly neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Modulating LLPS phenomenon in multiple pathogenic proteins for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer could present a promising direction, though recent advances in this area are limited. Here, we summarize in detail the complexity of LLPS in constructing signaling pathways and highlight the role of LLPS in neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. We also explore RNA modifications on LLPS to alter diseases progression because these modifications can influence LLPS of certain proteins or the formation of stress granules, and discuss the possibility of proper manipulation of LLPS process to restore cellular homeostasis or develop therapeutic drugs for the eradication of diseases. This review attempts to discuss potential therapeutic opportunities by elaborating on the connection between LLPS, RNA modification, and their roles in diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Lin Yuan
- Laboratory of Research in Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders Health Sciences Institute China Medical University Shenyang China
| | - Wanlu Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Yi Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Qun Wu
- Department of Pediatrics Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Chunting Li
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
| | - Min Wu
- Wenzhou Institute University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Wenzhou Zhejiang China
- The Joint Research Center Affiliated Xiangshan Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Ningbo China
| | - Yongye Huang
- College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
- Key Laboratory of Bioresource Research and Development of Liaoning Province College of Life and Health Sciences Northeastern University Shenyang China
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Zhao P, Xia L, Chen D, Xu W, Guo H, Xu Y, Yan B, Wu X, Li Y, Zhang Y, Zhang X. METTL1 mediated tRNA m 7G modification promotes leukaemogenesis of AML via tRNA regulated translational control. Exp Hematol Oncol 2024; 13:8. [PMID: 38268051 PMCID: PMC10807064 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-024-00477-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA modifications have been proven to play fundamental roles in regulating cellular biology process. Recently, maladjusted N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification and its modifiers METTL1/WDR4 have been confirmed an oncogene role in multiple cancers. However, the functions and molecular mechanisms of METTL1/WDR4 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain to be determined. METHODS METTL1/WDR4 expression levels were quantified using qRT-PCR, western blot analysis on AML clinical samples, and bioinformatics analysis on publicly available AML datasets. CCK-8 assays and cell count assays were performed to determine cell proliferation. Flow cytometry assays were conducted to assess cell cycle and apoptosis rates. Multiple techniques were used for mechanism studies in vitro assays, such as northern blotting, liquid chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), tRNA stability analysis, transcriptome sequencing, small non-coding RNA sequencing, quantitative proteomics, and protein synthesis measurements. RESULTS METTL1/WDR4 are significantly elevated in AML patients and associated with poor prognosis. METTL1 knockdown resulted in reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in AML cells. Mechanically, METTL1 knockdown leads to significant decrease of m7G modification abundance on tRNA, which further destabilizes tRNAs and facilitates the biogenesis of tsRNAs in AML cells. In addition, profiling of nascent proteins revealed that METTL1 knockdown and transfection of total tRNAs that were isolated from METTL1 knockdown AML cells decreased global translation efficiency in AML cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our study demonstrates the important role of METTL1/WDR4 in AML leukaemogenesis, which provides a promising target candidate for AML therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Zhao
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, 637000, China
| | - Lin Xia
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Huanping Guo
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yinying Xu
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Bingbing Yan
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yuxia Li
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yunfang Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Xi Zhang
- Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital of Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Hematology and Microenvironment, Chongqing, 400037, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Chongqing, 400037, China.
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Rabany O, Nachmani D. Small Nucleolar (Sno)RNA: Therapy Lays in Translation. Noncoding RNA 2023; 9:35. [PMID: 37368335 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna9030035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The ribosome is one of the largest complexes in the cell. Adding to its complexity are more than 200 RNA modification sites present on ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) in a single human ribosome. These modifications occur in functionally important regions of the rRNA molecule, and they are vital for ribosome function and proper gene expression. Until recent technological advancements, the study of rRNA modifications and their profiles has been extremely laborious, leaving many questions unanswered. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that facilitate and dictate the specificity of rRNA modification deposition, making them an attractive target for ribosome modulation. Here, we propose that through the mapping of rRNA modification profiles, we can identify cell-specific modifications with high therapeutic potential. We also describe the challenges of achieving the targeting specificity needed to implement snoRNAs as therapeutic targets in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofri Rabany
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Daphna Nachmani
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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