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Bettin N, Querido E, Gialdini I, Grupelli GP, Goretti E, Cantarelli M, Andolfato M, Soror E, Sontacchi A, Jurikova K, Chartrand P, Cusanelli E. TERRA transcripts localize at long telomeres to regulate telomerase access to chromosome ends. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk4387. [PMID: 38865460 PMCID: PMC11168465 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk4387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The function of TERRA in the regulation of telomerase in human cells is still debated. While TERRA interacts with telomerase, how it regulates telomerase function remains unknown. Here, we show that TERRA colocalizes with the telomerase RNA subunit hTR in the nucleoplasm and at telomeres during different phases of the cell cycle. We report that TERRA transcripts relocate away from chromosome ends during telomere lengthening, leading to a reduced number of telomeric TERRA-hTR molecules and consequent increase in "TERRA-free" telomerase molecules at telomeres. Using live-cell imaging and super-resolution microscopy, we show that upon transcription, TERRA relocates from its telomere of origin to long chromosome ends. Furthermore, TERRA depletion by antisense oligonucleotides promoted hTR localization to telomeres, leading to increased residence time and extended half-life of hTR molecules at telomeres. Overall, our findings indicate that telomeric TERRA transcripts inhibit telomere elongation by telomerase acting in trans, impairing telomerase access to telomeres that are different from their chromosome end of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Bettin
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Emmanuelle Querido
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, 2900 boul. Edouard Montpetit, H3T1J4 Montreal, Canada
| | - Irene Gialdini
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Glenda Paola Grupelli
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Elena Goretti
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Marta Cantarelli
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Marta Andolfato
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Eslam Soror
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandra Sontacchi
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Katarina Jurikova
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pascal Chartrand
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Montreal, 2900 boul. Edouard Montpetit, H3T1J4 Montreal, Canada
| | - Emilio Cusanelli
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
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Rivosecchi J, Jurikova K, Cusanelli E. Telomere-specific regulation of TERRA and its impact on telomere stability. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 157:3-23. [PMID: 38088000 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
TERRA is a class of telomeric repeat-containing RNAs that are expressed from telomeres in multiple organisms. TERRA transcripts play key roles in telomere maintenance and their physiological levels are essential to maintain the integrity of telomeric DNA. Indeed, deregulated TERRA expression or its altered localization can impact telomere stability by multiple mechanisms including fueling transcription-replication conflicts, promoting resection of chromosome ends, altering the telomeric chromatin, and supporting homologous recombination. Therefore, a fine-tuned control of TERRA is important to maintain the integrity of the genome. Several studies have reported that different cell lines express substantially different levels of TERRA. Most importantly, TERRA levels markedly vary among telomeres of a given cell type, indicating the existence of telomere-specific regulatory mechanisms which may help coordinate TERRA functions. TERRA molecules contain distinct subtelomeric sequences, depending on their telomere of origin, which may instruct specific post-transcriptional modifications or mediate distinct functions. In addition, all TERRA transcripts share a repetitive G-rich sequence at their 3' end which can form DNA:RNA hybrids and fold into G-quadruplex structures. Both structures are involved in TERRA functions and can critically affect telomere stability. In this review, we examine the mechanisms controlling TERRA levels and the impact of their telomere-specific regulation on telomere stability. We compare evidence obtained in different model organisms, discussing recent advances as well as controversies in the field. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of DNA:RNA hybrids and G-quadruplex structures in the context of TERRA biology and telomere maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Rivosecchi
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Katarina Jurikova
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Emilio Cusanelli
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy.
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3
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Azzalin CM. TERRA and the alternative lengthening of telomeres: a dangerous affair. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 38445359 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14844] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic telomeres are transcribed into the long noncoding RNA TERRA. A fraction of TERRA remains associated with telomeres by forming RNA:DNA hybrids dubbed telR-loops. TERRA and telR-loops are essential to promote telomere elongation in human cancer cells that maintain telomeres through a homology-directed repair pathway known as alternative lengthening of telomeres or ALT. However, TERRA and telR-loops compromise telomere integrity and cell viability if their levels are not finely tuned. The study of telomere transcription in ALT cells will enormously expand our understanding of the ALT mechanism and of how genome integrity is maintained. Moreover, telomere transcription, TERRA and telR-loops are likely to become exceptionally suited targets for the development of novel anti-cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus M Azzalin
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
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4
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Hourvitz N, Awad A, Tzfati Y. The many faces of the helicase RTEL1 at telomeres and beyond. Trends Cell Biol 2024; 34:109-121. [PMID: 37532653 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Regulator of telomere elongation 1 (RTEL1) is known as a DNA helicase that is important for telomeres and genome integrity. However, the diverse phenotypes of RTEL1 dysfunction, the wide spectrum of symptoms caused by germline RTEL1 mutations, and the association of RTEL1 mutations with cancers suggest that RTEL1 is a complex machine that interacts with DNA, RNA, and proteins, and functions in diverse cellular pathways. We summarize the proposed functions of RTEL1 and discuss their implications for telomere maintenance. Studying RTEL1 is crucial for understanding the complex interplay between telomere maintenance and other nuclear pathways, and how compromising these pathways causes telomere biology diseases, various aging-associated pathologies, and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Hourvitz
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Safra Campus, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Aya Awad
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Safra Campus, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Yehuda Tzfati
- Department of Genetics, The Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Safra Campus, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
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Nassour J, Przetocka S, Karlseder J. Telomeres as hotspots for innate immunity and inflammation. DNA Repair (Amst) 2024; 133:103591. [PMID: 37951043 PMCID: PMC10842095 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2023.103591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Aging is marked by the gradual accumulation of deleterious changes that disrupt organ function, creating an altered physiological state that is permissive for the onset of prevalent human diseases. While the exact mechanisms governing aging remain a subject of ongoing research, there are several cellular and molecular hallmarks that contribute to this biological process. This review focuses on two factors, namely telomere dysfunction and inflammation, which have emerged as crucial contributors to the aging process. We aim to discuss the mechanistic connections between these two distinct hallmarks and provide compelling evidence highlighting the loss of telomere protection as a driver of pro-inflammatory states associated with aging. By reevaluating the interplay between telomeres, innate immunity, and inflammation, we present novel perspectives on the etiology of aging and its associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe Nassour
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12801 E. 17th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sara Przetocka
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jan Karlseder
- The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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Catto LFB, Zanelatto LC, Donaires FS, de Carvalho VS, Santana BA, Pinto AL, Fantacini D, de Souza LEB, Fonseca NP, Telho BS, Ayrosa Madeira MI, Barbosa Pagnano KB, Firmato AB, Fagundes EM, Higashi M, Nunes EC, Traina F, Lobo de F. Pontes L, Rego EM, Calado RT. Telomeric repeat-containing RNA is dysregulated in acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Adv 2023; 7:7067-7078. [PMID: 37773887 PMCID: PMC10694524 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
TERRA (telomeric repeat-containing RNA) is a class of long noncoding RNAs transcribed from subtelomeric and telomeric regions. TERRA binds to the subtelomeric and telomeric DNA-forming R-loops (DNA-RNA hybrids), which are involved in telomere maintenance and telomerase function, but the role of TERRA in human cells is not well characterized. Here, we comprehensively investigated for the first time TERRA expression in primary human hematopoietic cells from an exploratory cohort of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), patients with telomere biology disorder (TBD), and healthy subjects. TERRA expression was repressed in primary human hematopoietic cells, including healthy donors, patients with ALL, and patients with TBD, irrespective of their telomere length, except for AML. A second cohort comprising 88 patients with AML showed that TERRA was overexpressed in an AML subgroup also characterized by higher R-loop formation, low TERT and RNAseH2 expression, and a paucity of somatic splicing factor mutations. Telomere length did not correlate with TERRA expression levels. To assess the role of TERRA R-loops in AML, we induced R-loop depletion by increasing RNAseH1 expression in 2 AML cell lines. Decreased TERRA R-loops in AML cell lines resulted in increased chemosensitivity to cytarabine. Our findings indicate that TERRA is uniformly repressed in primary human hematopoietic cells but abnormally expressed in an AML subset with low telomerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Fernando B. Catto
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Leonardo C. Zanelatto
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Flavia S. Donaires
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Vinicius S. de Carvalho
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Bárbara A. Santana
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - André L. Pinto
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Daianne Fantacini
- Regional Blood Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lucas Eduardo B. de Souza
- Regional Blood Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Natasha P. Fonseca
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Bruno S. Telho
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel Ayrosa Madeira
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Fabiola Traina
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lorena Lobo de F. Pontes
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Eduardo M. Rego
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo T. Calado
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology, and Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- Regional Blood Center, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Manzato C, Larini L, Oss Pegorar C, Dello Stritto MR, Jurikova K, Jantsch V, Cusanelli E. TERRA expression is regulated by the telomere-binding proteins POT-1 and POT-2 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10681-10699. [PMID: 37713629 PMCID: PMC10602879 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Several aspects of telomere biology are regulated by the telomeric repeat-containing RNA TERRA. While TERRA expression is conserved through evolution, species-specific mechanisms regulate its biogenesis and function. Here we report on the expression of TERRA in Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that C. elegans TERRA is regulated by the telomere-binding proteins POT-1 and POT-2 which repress TERRA in a telomere-specific manner. C. elegans TERRA transcripts are heterogeneous in length and form discrete nuclear foci, as detected by RNA FISH, in both postmitotic and germline cells; a fraction of TERRA foci localizes to telomeres. Interestingly, in germ cells, TERRA is expressed in all stages of meiotic prophase I, and it increases during pachytene, a stage in meiosis when homologous recombination is ongoing. We used the MS2-GFP system to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of single-telomere TERRA molecules. Single particle tracking revealed different types of motilities, suggesting complex dynamics of TERRA transcripts. Finally, we unveiled distinctive features of C. elegans TERRA, which is regulated by telomere shortening in a telomere-specific manner, and it is upregulated in the telomerase-deficient trt-1; pot-2 double mutant prior to activation of the alternative lengthening mechanism ALT. Interestingly, in these worms TERRA displays distinct dynamics with a higher fraction of fast-moving particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Manzato
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Luca Larini
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Claudio Oss Pegorar
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Dello Stritto
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katarina Jurikova
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Verena Jantsch
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emilio Cusanelli
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
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Stylianakis E, Chan JPK, Law PP, Jiang Y, Khadayate S, Karimi MM, Festenstein R, Vannier JB. Mouse HP1γ regulates TRF1 expression and telomere stability. Life Sci 2023; 331:122030. [PMID: 37598977 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122030] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Telomeric repeat-containing RNAs are long non-coding RNAs generated from the telomeres. TERRAs are essential for the establishment of heterochromatin marks at telomeres, which serve for the binding of members of the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) protein family of epigenetic modifiers involved with chromatin compaction and gene silencing. While HP1γ is enriched on gene bodies of actively transcribed human and mouse genes, it is unclear if its transcriptional role is important for HP1γ function in telomere cohesion and telomere maintenance. We aimed to study the effect of mouse HP1γ on the transcription of telomere factors and molecules that can affect telomere maintenance. MAIN METHODS We investigated the telomere function of HP1γ by using HP1γ deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We used gene expression analysis of HP1γ deficient MEFs and validated the molecular and mechanistic consequences of HP1γ loss by telomere FISH, immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR and DNA-RNA immunoprecipitation (DRIP). KEY FINDINGS Loss of HP1γ in primary MEFs led to a downregulation of various telomere and telomere-accessory transcripts, including the shelterin protein TRF1. Its downregulation is associated with increased telomere replication stress and DNA damage (γH2AX), effects more profound in females. We suggest that the source for the impaired telomere maintenance is a consequence of increased telomeric DNA-RNA hybrids and TERRAs arising at and from mouse chromosomes 18 and X. SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest an important transcriptional control by mouse HP1γ of various telomere factors including TRF1 protein and TERRAs that has profound consequences on telomere stability, with a potential sexually dimorphic nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Stylianakis
- Telomere Replication & Stability group, Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jackson Ping Kei Chan
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pui Pik Law
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yi Jiang
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjay Khadayate
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Karimi
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Festenstein
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Baptiste Vannier
- Telomere Replication & Stability group, Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Rivosecchi J, Cusanelli E. TERRA beyond cancer: the biology of telomeric repeat-containing RNAs in somatic and germ cells. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2023; 4:1224225. [PMID: 37636218 PMCID: PMC10448526 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1224225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The telomeric noncoding RNA TERRA is a key component of telomeres and it is widely expressed in normal as well as cancer cells. In the last 15 years, several publications have shed light on the role of TERRA in telomere homeostasis and cell survival in cancer cells. However, only few studies have investigated the regulation or the functions of TERRA in normal tissues. A better understanding of the biology of TERRA in non-cancer cells may provide unexpected insights into how these lncRNAs are transcribed and operate in cells, and their potential role in physiological processes, such as aging, age-related pathologies, inflammatory processes and human genetic diseases. In this review we aim to discuss the findings that have advanced our understanding of the biology of TERRA using non-cancer mammalian cells as a model system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Rivosecchi
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology—CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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10
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Deregowska A, Lewinska A, Warzybok A, Stoklosa T, Wnuk M. Telomere loss is accompanied by decreased pool of shelterin proteins TRF2 and RAP1, elevated levels of TERRA and enhanced glycolysis in imatinib-resistant CML cells. Toxicol In Vitro 2023; 90:105608. [PMID: 37149272 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2023.105608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Telomere length may be maintained by telomerase nucleoprotein complex and shelterin complex, namely TRF1, TRF2, TIN2, TPP1, POT1 and RAP1 proteins and modulated by TERRA expression. Telomere loss is observed during progression of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) from the chronic phase (CML-CP) to the blastic phase (CML-BP). The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as imatinib (IM), has changed outcome for majority of patients, however, a number of patients treated with TKIs may develop drug resistance. The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not fully understood and require further investigation. In the present study, we demonstrate that IM-resistant BCR::ABL1 gene-positive CML K-562 and MEG-A2 cells are characterized by decreased telomere length, lowered protein levels of TRF2 and RAP1 and increased expression of TERRA in comparison to corresponding IM-sensitive CML cells and BCR::ABL1 gene-negative HL-60 cells. Furthermore, enhanced activity of glycolytic pathway was observed in IM-resistant CML cells. A negative correlation between a telomere length and advanced glycation end products (AGE) was also revealed in CD34+ cells isolated from CML patients. In conclusion, we suggest that affected expression of shelterin complex proteins, namely TRF2 and RAP1, TERRA levels, and glucose consumption rate may promote telomere dysfunction in IM-resistant CML cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Deregowska
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, Rzeszow 35-310, Poland; Department of Tumor Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawinskiego 7, Warsaw 02-106, Poland.
| | - Anna Lewinska
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, Rzeszow 35-310, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Warzybok
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, Rzeszow 35-310, Poland
| | - Tomasz Stoklosa
- Department of Tumor Biology and Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Pawinskiego 7, Warsaw 02-106, Poland.
| | - Maciej Wnuk
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, Pigonia 1, Rzeszow 35-310, Poland.
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11
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Savoca V, Rivosecchi J, Gaiatto A, Rossi A, Mosca R, Gialdini I, Zubovic L, Tebaldi T, Macchi P, Cusanelli E. TERRA stability is regulated by RALY and polyadenylation in a telomere-specific manner. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112406. [PMID: 37060569 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) is a long non-coding RNA transcribed from telomeres that plays key roles in telomere maintenance. A fraction of TERRA is polyadenylated, and the presence of the poly(A) tail influences TERRA localization and stability. However, the mechanisms of TERRA biogenesis remain mostly elusive. Here, we show that the stability of TERRA transcripts is regulated by the RNA-binding protein associated with lethal yellow mutation (RALY). RALY depletion results in lower TERRA levels, impaired localization of TERRA at telomeres, and ultimately telomere damage. Importantly, we show that TERRA polyadenylation is telomere specific and that RALY preferentially stabilizes non-polyadenylated TERRA transcripts. Finally, we report that TERRA interacts with the poly(A)-binding protein nuclear 1 (PABPN1). Altogether, our results indicate that TERRA stability is regulated by the interplay between RALY and PABPN1, defined by the TERRA polyadenylation state. Our findings also suggest that different telomeres may trigger distinct TERRA-mediated responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Savoca
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Julieta Rivosecchi
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Alice Gaiatto
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Rossi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Riccardo Mosca
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Irene Gialdini
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Lorena Zubovic
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Toma Tebaldi
- Laboratory of RNA and Disease Data Science, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy; Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paolo Macchi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy.
| | - Emilio Cusanelli
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology - CIBIO, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Povo, Italy.
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12
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Zeinoun B, Teixeira MT, Barascu A. TERRA and Telomere Maintenance in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030618. [PMID: 36980890 PMCID: PMC10048448 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are structures made of DNA, proteins and RNA found at the ends of eukaryotic linear chromosomes. These dynamic nucleoprotein structures protect chromosomal tips from end-to-end fusions, degradation, activation of damage checkpoints and erroneous DNA repair events. Telomeres were thought to be transcriptionally silent regions because of their constitutive heterochromatin signature until telomeric long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) were discovered. One of them, TERRA (TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA), starts in the subtelomeric regions towards the chromosome ends from different telomeres and has been extensively studied in many evolutionarily distant eukaryotes. Changes in TERRA’s expression can lead to telomeric dysfunction, interfere with the replicative machinery and impact telomere length. TERRA also co-localizes in vivo with telomerase, and can form RNA:DNA hybrid structures called R-loops, which have been implicated in the onset of senescence and the alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) pathway. Yet, the molecular mechanisms involving TERRA, as well as its function, remain elusive. Here, we review the current knowledge of TERRA transcription, structure, expression, regulation and its multiple telomeric and extra-telomeric functions in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
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13
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Barnes RP, Thosar SA, Opresko PL. Telomere Fragility and MiDAS: Managing the Gaps at the End of the Road. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14020348. [PMID: 36833275 PMCID: PMC9956152 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres present inherent difficulties to the DNA replication machinery due to their repetitive sequence content, formation of non-B DNA secondary structures, and the presence of the nucleo-protein t-loop. Especially in cancer cells, telomeres are hot spots for replication stress, which can result in a visible phenotype in metaphase cells termed "telomere fragility". A mechanism cells employ to mitigate replication stress, including at telomeres, is DNA synthesis in mitosis (MiDAS). While these phenomena are both observed in mitotic cells, the relationship between them is poorly understood; however, a common link is DNA replication stress. In this review, we will summarize what is known to regulate telomere fragility and telomere MiDAS, paying special attention to the proteins which play a role in these telomere phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P. Barnes
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Correspondence: (R.P.B.); (P.L.O.)
| | - Sanjana A. Thosar
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Patricia L. Opresko
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh, 5117 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Correspondence: (R.P.B.); (P.L.O.)
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14
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Casari E, Gnugnoli M, Rinaldi C, Pizzul P, Colombo CV, Bonetti D, Longhese MP. To Fix or Not to Fix: Maintenance of Chromosome Ends Versus Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203224. [PMID: 36291091 PMCID: PMC9601279 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Early work by Muller and McClintock discovered that the physical ends of linear chromosomes, named telomeres, possess an inherent ability to escape unwarranted fusions. Since then, extensive research has shown that this special feature relies on specialized proteins and structural properties that confer identity to the chromosome ends, thus allowing cells to distinguish them from intrachromosomal DNA double-strand breaks. Due to the inability of conventional DNA replication to fully replicate the chromosome ends and the downregulation of telomerase in most somatic human tissues, telomeres shorten as cells divide and lose this protective capacity. Telomere attrition causes the activation of the DNA damage checkpoint that leads to a cell-cycle arrest and the entering of cells into a nondividing state, called replicative senescence, that acts as a barrier against tumorigenesis. However, downregulation of the checkpoint overcomes this barrier and leads to further genomic instability that, if coupled with re-stabilization of telomeres, can drive tumorigenesis. This review focuses on the key experiments that have been performed in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae to uncover the mechanisms that protect the chromosome ends from eliciting a DNA damage response, the conservation of these pathways in mammals, as well as the consequences of their loss in human cancer.
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15
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Abreu PL, Lee YW, Azzalin CM. In Vitro Characterization of the Physical Interactions between the Long Noncoding RNA TERRA and the Telomeric Proteins TRF1 and TRF2. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810463. [PMID: 36142374 PMCID: PMC9500956 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-protein interactions drive key cellular pathways such as protein translation, nuclear organization and genome stability maintenance. The human telomeric protein TRF2 binds to the long noncoding RNA TERRA through independent domains, including its N-terminal B domain. We previously demonstrated that TRF2 B domain binding to TERRA supports invasion of TERRA into telomeric double stranded DNA, leading to the formation of telomeric RNA:DNA hybrids. The other telomeric protein TRF1, which also binds to TERRA, suppresses this TRF2-associated activity by preventing TERRA-B domain interactions. Herein, we show that the binding of both TRF1 and TRF2 to TERRA depends on the ability of the latter to form G-quadruplex structures. Moreover, a cluster of arginines within the B domain is largely responsible for its binding to TERRA. On the other side, a patch of glutamates within the N-terminal A domain of TRF1 mainly accounts for the inhibition of TERRA-B domain complex formation. Finally, mouse TRF2 B domain binds to TERRA, similarly to its human counterpart, while mouse TRF1 A domain lacks the inhibitory activity. Our data shed further light on the complex crosstalk between telomeric proteins and RNAs and suggest a lack of functional conservation in mouse.
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16
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Kroupa M, Tomasova K, Kavec M, Skrobanek P, Buchler T, Kumar R, Vodickova L, Vodicka P. TElomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA): Physiological functions and relevance in cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:913314. [PMID: 35982970 PMCID: PMC9380590 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.913314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are complex protective structures located at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. Their purpose is to prevent genomic instability. Research progress in telomere biology during the past decades has identified a network of telomeric transcripts of which the best-studied is TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA (TERRA). TERRA was shown to be important not only for the preservation of telomere homeostasis and genomic stability but also for the expression of hundreds of genes across the human genome. These findings added a new level of complexity to telomere biology. Herein we provide insights on the telomere transcriptome, its relevance for proper telomere function, and its implications in human pathology. We also discuss possible clinical opportunities of exosomal telomere transcripts detection as a biomarker in cancer precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Kroupa
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Michal Kroupa, ; Pavel Vodicka,
| | - Kristyna Tomasova
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Miriam Kavec
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Skrobanek
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tomas Buchler
- Department of Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Thomayer University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ludmila Vodickova
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Pavel Vodicka
- Department of the Molecular Biology of Cancer, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czechia
- Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Michal Kroupa, ; Pavel Vodicka,
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17
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Karlsen TR, Olsen MB, Kong XY, Yang K, Quiles-Jiménez A, Kroustallaki P, Holm S, Lines GT, Aukrust P, Skarpengland T, Bjørås M, Dahl TB, Nilsen H, Gregersen I, Halvorsen B. NEIL3-deficient bone marrow displays decreased hematopoietic capacity and reduced telomere length. Biochem Biophys Rep 2022; 29:101211. [PMID: 35079641 PMCID: PMC8777121 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101211] [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: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of NEIL3, a DNA repair enzyme, has significant impact on mouse physiology, including vascular biology and gut health, processes related to aging. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is suggested as a marker of biological aging, and shortened LTL is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. NEIL3 has been shown to repair DNA damage in telomere regions in vitro. Herein, we explored the role of NEIL3 in telomere maintenance in vivo by studying bone marrow cells from atherosclerosis-prone NEIL3-deficient mice. We found shortened telomeres and decreased activity of the telomerase enzyme in bone marrow cells derived from Apoe -/- Neil3 -/- as compared to Apoe -/- mice. Furthermore, Apoe -/- Neil3 -/- mice had decreased leukocyte levels as compared to Apoe -/- mice, both in bone marrow and in peripheral blood. Finally, RNA sequencing of bone marrow cells from Apoe -/- Neil3 -/- and Apoe -/- mice revealed different expression levels of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, cellular senescence and telomere protection. This study points to NEIL3 as a telomere-protecting protein in murine bone marrow in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Rune Karlsen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria B. Olsen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Xiang Y. Kong
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kuan Yang
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ana Quiles-Jiménez
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Penelope Kroustallaki
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Sverre Holm
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Pål Aukrust
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tonje Skarpengland
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Magnar Bjørås
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tuva B. Dahl
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital HF, Rikshospitalet, Norway
| | - Hilde Nilsen
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Ida Gregersen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bente Halvorsen
- Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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18
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Marín-Gual L, González-Rodelas L, Pujol G, Vara C, Martín-Ruiz M, Berríos S, Fernández-Donoso R, Pask A, Renfree MB, Page J, Waters PD, Ruiz-Herrera A. Strategies for meiotic sex chromosome dynamics and telomeric elongation in Marsupials. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010040. [PMID: 35130272 PMCID: PMC8853506 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
During meiotic prophase I, homologous chromosomes pair, synapse and recombine in a tightly regulated process that ensures the generation of genetically variable haploid gametes. Although the mechanisms underlying meiotic cell division have been well studied in model species, our understanding of the dynamics of meiotic prophase I in non-traditional model mammals remains in its infancy. Here, we reveal key meiotic features in previously uncharacterised marsupial species (the tammar wallaby and the fat-tailed dunnart), plus the fat-tailed mouse opossum, with a focus on sex chromosome pairing strategies, recombination and meiotic telomere homeostasis. We uncovered differences between phylogroups with important functional and evolutionary implications. First, sex chromosomes, which lack a pseudo-autosomal region in marsupials, had species specific pairing and silencing strategies, with implications for sex chromosome evolution. Second, we detected two waves of γH2AX accumulation during prophase I. The first wave was accompanied by low γH2AX levels on autosomes, which correlated with the low recombination rates that distinguish marsupials from eutherian mammals. In the second wave, γH2AX was restricted to sex chromosomes in all three species, which correlated with transcription from the X in tammar wallaby. This suggests non-canonical functions of γH2AX on meiotic sex chromosomes. Finally, we uncover evidence for telomere elongation in primary spermatocytes of the fat-tailed dunnart, a unique strategy within mammals. Our results provide new insights into meiotic progression and telomere homeostasis in marsupials, highlighting the importance of capturing the diversity of meiotic strategies within mammals. The generation of haploid gametes is a hallmark of sexual reproduction. And this is accomplished by a complex, albeit tightly regulated, reductional cell division called meiosis. Although meiosis has been extensively studied in eutherian mammal model species, our understanding of the mechanisms regulating chromosome synapsis, recombination and segregation during meiosis progression is still incomplete especially in non-eutherian mammals. To fill this gap and capture the diversity of meiotic strategies among mammals, we study previously uncharacterised representative marsupial species, an evolutionary assemblage that last shared a common ancestry more than 80 million years ago. We uncover novel, hence non-canonical, strategies for sex chromosome pairing, DNA repair, recombination and transcription. Most importantly, we reveal the uniqueness of marsupial meiosis, which includes the unprecedented detection of alternative mechanism (ALT) for the paternal control of telomere length during prophase I. Our findings suggest that ALT (previously only associated to cancer cells) could play a role in telomere homeostasis in mammalian germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Marín-Gual
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Laura González-Rodelas
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Gala Pujol
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Covadonga Vara
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Marta Martín-Ruiz
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Soledad Berríos
- Programa de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Raúl Fernández-Donoso
- Programa de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Andrew Pask
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Marilyn B. Renfree
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jesús Page
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paul D. Waters
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Aurora Ruiz-Herrera
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- * E-mail:
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19
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Abstract
Telomeres protect chromosome ends from nucleolytic degradation, uncontrolled recombination by DNA repair enzymes and checkpoint signaling, and they provide mechanisms for their maintenance by semiconservative DNA replication, telomerase and homologous recombination. The telomeric long noncoding RNA TERRA is transcribed from a large number of chromosome ends. TERRA has been implicated in modulating telomeric chromatin structure and checkpoint signaling, and in telomere maintenance by homology directed repair, and telomerase – when telomeres are damaged or very short. Recent work indicates that TERRA association with telomeres involves the formation of DNA:RNA hybrid structures that can be formed post transcription by the RAD51 DNA recombinase, which in turn may trigger homologous recombination between telomeric repeats and telomere elongation. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of TERRA recruitment to telomeres, R-loop formation and its regulation by shelterin proteins. We discuss the consequences of R-loop formation, with regard to telomere maintenance by DNA recombination and how this may impinge on telomere replication while counteracting telomere shortening in normal cells and in ALT cancer cells, which maintain telomeres in the absence of telomerase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Valador Fernandes
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marianna Feretzaki
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Lingner
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), Lausanne, Switzerland
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20
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Saha A, Gaurav AK, Pandya UM, Afrin M, Sandhu R, Nanavaty V, Schnur B, Li B. TbTRF suppresses the TERRA level and regulates the cell cycle-dependent TERRA foci number with a TERRA binding activity in its C-terminal Myb domain. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:5637-5653. [PMID: 34048580 PMCID: PMC8191777 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) has been identified in multiple organisms including Trypanosoma brucei, a protozoan parasite that causes human African trypanosomiasis. T. brucei regularly switches its major surface antigen, VSG, to evade the host immune response. VSG is expressed exclusively from subtelomeric expression sites, and we have shown that telomere proteins play important roles in the regulation of VSG silencing and switching. In this study, we identify several unique features of TERRA and telomere biology in T. brucei. First, the number of TERRA foci is cell cycle-regulated and influenced by TbTRF, the duplex telomere DNA binding factor in T. brucei. Second, TERRA is transcribed by RNA polymerase I mainly from a single telomere downstream of the active VSG. Third, TbTRF binds TERRA through its C-terminal Myb domain, which also has the duplex DNA binding activity, in a sequence-specific manner and suppresses the TERRA level without affecting its half-life. Finally, levels of the telomeric R-loop and telomere DNA damage were increased upon TbTRF depletion. Overexpression of an ectopic allele of RNase H1 that resolves the R-loop structure in TbTRF RNAi cells can partially suppress these phenotypes, revealing an underlying mechanism of how TbTRF helps maintain telomere integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpita Saha
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Amit Kumar Gaurav
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Unnati M Pandya
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Marjia Afrin
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Ranjodh Sandhu
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Vishal Nanavaty
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Brittny Schnur
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Bibo Li
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.,Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.,Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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21
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TERRA transcription destabilizes telomere integrity to initiate break-induced replication in human ALT cells. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3760. [PMID: 34145295 PMCID: PMC8213692 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24097-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) is a Break-Induced Replication (BIR)-based mechanism elongating telomeres in a subset of human cancer cells. While the notion that spontaneous DNA damage at telomeres is required to initiate ALT, the molecular triggers of this physiological telomere instability are largely unknown. We previously proposed that the telomeric long noncoding RNA TERRA may represent one such trigger; however, given the lack of tools to suppress TERRA transcription in cells, our hypothesis remained speculative. We have developed Transcription Activator-Like Effectors able to rapidly inhibit TERRA transcription from multiple chromosome ends in an ALT cell line. TERRA transcription inhibition decreases marks of DNA replication stress and DNA damage at telomeres and impairs ALT activity and telomere length maintenance. We conclude that TERRA transcription actively destabilizes telomere integrity in ALT cells, thereby triggering BIR and promoting telomere elongation. Our data point to TERRA transcription manipulation as a potentially useful target for therapy. TERRA RNA has previously been linked to Alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Here the authors developed a tool to rapidly inhibit TERRA transcription from different chromosome ends in an ALT cell line to show that TERRA transcription actively promotes break induced replication (BIR) and destabilizes telomere integrity in ALT cells.
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22
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RTEL1 influences the abundance and localization of TERRA RNA. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3016. [PMID: 34021146 PMCID: PMC8140157 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23299-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere repeat containing RNAs (TERRAs) are a family of long non-coding RNAs transcribed from the subtelomeric regions of eukaryotic chromosomes. TERRA transcripts can form R-loops at chromosome ends; however the importance of these structures or the regulation of TERRA expression and retention in telomeric R-loops remain unclear. Here, we show that the RTEL1 (Regulator of Telomere Length 1) helicase influences the abundance and localization of TERRA in human cells. Depletion of RTEL1 leads to increased levels of TERRA RNA while reducing TERRA-containing R loops at telomeres. In vitro, RTEL1 shows a strong preference for binding G-quadruplex structures which form in TERRA. This binding is mediated by the C-terminal region of RTEL1, and is independent of the RTEL1 helicase domain. RTEL1 binding to TERRA appears to be essential for cell viability, underscoring the importance of this function. Degradation of TERRA-containing R-loops by overexpression of RNAse H1 partially recapitulates the increased TERRA levels and telomeric instability associated with RTEL1 deficiency. Collectively, these data suggest that regulation of TERRA is a key function of the RTEL1 helicase, and that loss of that function may contribute to the disease phenotypes of patients with RTEL1 mutations. Long non coding RNA TERRA transcripts can form R-loops at chromosome ends. Here, the authors reveal a role for the helicase RTEL in affecting TERRA levels and localization.
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Matmati S, Lambert S, Géli V, Coulon S. Telomerase Repairs Collapsed Replication Forks at Telomeres. Cell Rep 2021; 30:3312-3322.e3. [PMID: 32160539 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.02.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres are difficult-to-replicate sites whereby replication itself may threaten telomere integrity. We investigate, in fission yeast, telomere replication dynamics in telomerase-negative cells to unmask problems associated with telomere replication. Two-dimensional gel analysis reveals that replication of telomeres is severely impaired and correlates with an accumulation of replication intermediates that arises from stalled and collapsed forks. In the absence of telomerase, Rad51, Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex, and its co-factor CtIPCtp1 become critical to maintain telomeres, indicating that homologous recombination processes these intermediates to facilitate fork restart. We further show that a catalytically dead mutant of telomerase prevents Ku recruitment to telomeres, suggesting that telomerase and Ku both compete for the binding of telomeric-free DNA ends that are likely to originate from a reversed fork. We infer that Ku removal at collapsed telomeric forks allows telomerase to repair broken telomeres, thereby shielding telomeres from homologous recombination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samah Matmati
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (équipe labellisée) Marseille, F-13009, France
| | - Sarah Lambert
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France; University Paris Sud, Paris-Saclay University, CNRS, UMR3348, F-91405 Orsay, France
| | - Vincent Géli
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (équipe labellisée) Marseille, F-13009, France.
| | - Stéphane Coulon
- Marseille Cancer Research Centre (CRCM), U1068 INSERM, UMR7258 CNRS, UM105 Aix-Marseille University, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer (équipe labellisée) Marseille, F-13009, France.
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24
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Viceconte N, Loriot A, Lona Abreu P, Scheibe M, Fradera Sola A, Butter F, De Smet C, Azzalin CM, Arnoult N, Decottignies A. PAR-TERRA is the main contributor to telomeric repeat-containing RNA transcripts in normal and cancer mouse cells. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 27:106-121. [PMID: 33127860 PMCID: PMC7749631 DOI: 10.1261/rna.076281.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) molecules play important roles at telomeres, from heterochromatin regulation to telomerase activity control. In human cells, TERRA is transcribed from subtelomeric promoters located on most chromosome ends and associates with telomeres. The origin of mouse TERRA molecules is, however, unclear, as transcription from the pseudoautosomal PAR locus was recently suggested to account for the vast majority of TERRA in embryonic stem cells (ESC). Here, we confirm the production of TERRA from both the chromosome 18q telomere and the PAR locus in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, ESC, and various mouse cancer and immortalized cell lines, and we identify two novel sources of TERRA on mouse chromosome 2 and X. Using various approaches, we show that PAR-TERRA molecules account for the majority of TERRA transcripts, displaying an increase of two to four orders of magnitude compared to the telomeric 18q transcript. Finally, we present a SILAC-based pull-down screen revealing a large overlap between TERRA-interacting proteins in human and mouse cells, including PRC2 complex subunits, chromatin remodeling factors, DNA replication proteins, Aurora kinases, shelterin complex subunits, Bloom helicase, Coilin, and paraspeckle proteins. Hence, despite originating from distinct genomic regions, mouse and human TERRA are likely to play similar functions in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikenza Viceconte
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Axelle Loriot
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrícia Lona Abreu
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Marion Scheibe
- Quantitative Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Albert Fradera Sola
- Quantitative Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Falk Butter
- Quantitative Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Charles De Smet
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Claus M Azzalin
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nausica Arnoult
- MCBD-University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0347, USA
| | - Anabelle Decottignies
- Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations of Genomes, de Duve Institute, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), 1200 Brussels, Belgium
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25
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Feretzaki M, Pospisilova M, Valador Fernandes R, Lunardi T, Krejci L, Lingner J. RAD51-dependent recruitment of TERRA lncRNA to telomeres through R-loops. Nature 2020; 587:303-308. [PMID: 33057192 PMCID: PMC7116795 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2815-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres which are present at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes mediate genome stability and determine cellular lifespan1. Telomeric repeat containing RNAs (TERRA) are long noncoding RNAs transcribed from chromosome ends2,3, which regulate telomeric chromatin structure and telomere maintenance via telomerase and homology directed repair (HDR)4,5. The mechanisms by which TERRA is recruited to chromosome ends remain poorly defined. Here we develop a reporter system to dissect the underlying mechanisms and demonstrate that the UUAGGG-repeats of TERRA are both necessary and sufficient to target TERRA to chromosome ends. TERRA preferentially associates with short telomeres through the formation of telomeric DNA:RNA hybrid (R-loop) structures that can form in trans. Telomere association and R-loop formation triggers telomere fragility and is promoted by the RAD51 recombinase and its interacting partner BRCA2 but counteracted by RNA surveillance factors, RNaseH1 and TRF1. RAD51 physically interacts with TERRA and catalyzes R-loop formation with TERRA in vitro supporting a direct involvement of this DNA recombinase in TERRA recruitment by strand invasion. Together, our findings reveal a RAD51-dependent pathway that governs TERRA mediated R-loop formation post transcription providing a mechanism of how lncRNAs can be recruited to new loci in trans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Feretzaki
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michaela Pospisilova
- Department of Biology and National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rita Valador Fernandes
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Lunardi
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lumir Krejci
- Department of Biology and National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. .,International Clinical Research Center, St Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Joachim Lingner
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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26
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Kordowitzki P, López de Silanes I, Guío-Carrión A, Blasco MA. Dynamics of telomeric repeat-containing RNA expression in early embryonic cleavage stages with regards to maternal age. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:15906-15917. [PMID: 32860669 PMCID: PMC7485725 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are transcribed into long non-coding RNAs known as Telomeric Repeat-Containing RNA (TERRA). They have been shown to be essential regulators of telomeres and to act as epigenomic modulators at extra-telomeric sites. However the role of TERRA during early embryonic development has never been investigated. Here, we show that TERRA is expressed in murine and bovine early development following a wave pattern. It starts at 4-cell stage, reaching a maximum at the 16-cell followed by a decline at the morula and blastocyst stages. Moreover, TERRA expression is not affected by increasing oocyte donor age whereas telomere length does. This indicates that TERRA expression is independent of the telomere length in early development. Our findings anticipate an essential role of TERRA in early stages of development and this might be useful in the future for a better understanding of age related female infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Kordowitzki
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland.,Institute for Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
| | - Isabel López de Silanes
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Guío-Carrión
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria A Blasco
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
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27
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Coulon S, Vaurs M. Telomeric Transcription and Telomere Rearrangements in Quiescent Cells. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:4220-4231. [PMID: 32061930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the condensed nature of terminal sequences, the telomeres are transcribed into a group of noncoding RNAs, including the TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA (TERRA). Since the discovery of TERRA, its evolutionary conserved function has been confirmed, and its involvement in telomere length regulation, heterochromatin establishment, and telomere recombination has been demonstrated. We previously reported that TERRA is upregulated in quiescent fission yeast cells, although the global transcription is highly reduced. Elevated telomeric transcription was also detected when telomeres detach from the nuclear periphery. These intriguing observations unveil unexpected facets of telomeric transcription in arrested cells. In this review, we present the different aspects of TERRA transcription during quiescence and discuss their implications for telomere maintenance and cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Coulon
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Marseille, F-13009, France.
| | - Mélina Vaurs
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, Marseille, F-13009, France
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28
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Barral A, Déjardin J. Telomeric Chromatin and TERRA. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:4244-4256. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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29
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AP-TSS: A New Method for the Analysis of RNA Expression from Particular and Challenging Transcription Start Sites. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060827. [PMID: 32481529 PMCID: PMC7355800 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060827] [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: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative promoter usage involved in the regulation of transcription, splicing, and translation contributes to proteome diversity and is involved in a large number of diseases, in particular, cancer. Epigenetic mechanisms and cis regulatory elements are involved in alternative promoter activity. Multiple transcript isoforms can be produced from a gene, due to the initiation of transcription at different transcription start sites (TSS). These transcripts may not have regions that allow discrimination during RT-qPCR, making quantification technically challenging. This study presents a general method for the relative quantification of a transcript synthesized from a particular TSS that we called AP-TSS (analysis of particular TSS). AP-TSS is based on the specific elongation of the cDNA of interest, followed by its quantification by qPCR. As proof of principle, AP-TSS was applied to two non-coding RNA: telomeric repeat-containing RNAs (TERRA) from a particular subtelomeric TSS, and Alu transcripts. The treatment of cells with a DNA methylation inhibitor was associated with a global increase of the total TERRA level, but the TERRA expression from the TSS of interest did not change in HT1080 cells, and only modestly increased in HeLa cells. This result suggests that TERRA upregulation induced by global demethylation of the genome is mainly due to activation from sites other than this particular TSS. For Alu RNA, the signal obtained by AP-TSS is specific for the RNA Polymerase III-dependent Alu transcript. In summary, our method provides a tool to study regulation of gene expression from a given transcription start site, in different conditions that could be applied to many genes. In particular, AP-TSS can be used to investigate the epigenetic regulation of alternative TSS usage that is of importance for the development of epigenetic-targeted therapies.
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30
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Maestroni L, Reyes C, Vaurs M, Gachet Y, Tournier S, Géli V, Coulon S. Nuclear envelope attachment of telomeres limits TERRA and telomeric rearrangements in quiescent fission yeast cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:3029-3041. [PMID: 31980821 PMCID: PMC7102995 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere anchoring to nuclear envelope (NE) is a key feature of nuclear genome architecture. Peripheral localization of telomeres is important for chromatin silencing, telomere replication and for the control of inappropriate recombination. Here, we report that fission yeast quiescent cells harbor predominantly a single telomeric cluster anchored to the NE. Telomere cluster association to the NE relies on Rap1-Bqt4 interaction, which is impacted by the length of telomeric sequences. In quiescent cells, reducing telomere length or deleting bqt4, both result in an increase in transcription of the telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA). In the absence of Bqt4, telomere shortening leads to deep increase in TERRA level and the concomitant formation of subtelomeric rearrangements (STEEx) that accumulate massively in quiescent cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Rap1-Bqt4-dependent telomere association to NE preserves telomere integrity in post-mitotic cells, preventing telomeric transcription and recombination. This defines the nuclear periphery as an area where recombination is restricted, creating a safe zone for telomeres of post-mitotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Maestroni
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France. Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, France
| | - Céline Reyes
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Mélina Vaurs
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France. Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, France
| | - Yannick Gachet
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Sylvie Tournier
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, 31062 Toulouse Cedex, France
| | - Vincent Géli
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France. Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, France
| | - Stéphane Coulon
- CNRS, INSERM, Aix Marseille Univ, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, CRCM, Marseille, France. Equipe labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, France
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31
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Morais M, Dias F, Teixeira AL, Medeiros R. Telomere Length in Renal Cell Carcinoma: The Jekyll and Hyde Biomarker of Ageing of the Kidney. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:1669-1679. [PMID: 32184670 PMCID: PMC7064280 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s211225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers where the clear cell (ccRCC) is the most common and the most lethal. The absence of accurate diagnostic and follow-up biomarkers along with the time-limited response to therapies may explain the lethality and shows the necessity of new sensitive and specific biomarkers. One of the most studied molecules are the telomeres: specialized ribonucleoprotein structures that keep the structural integrity of the genome. Among other features, telomere length (TL) has been widely studied in several tumor models regarding its biomarker potential, due to the easy detection and quantification. The scope of this review was to analyze all the information about this parameter in RCC. There was some disparity in the results of the studies, since some pointed to an association between short TL and risk or poor outcome of RCC; others between long TL and RCC outcome and some did not find any association. We propose some epidemiological and biological explanations to these differences. The telomeres may play a dual role during RCC carcinogenesis in the early stages, short telomeres may increase RCC risk and in late carcinogenesis, long telomeres seem to be associated with tumor prognosis. However, the controversy of the results along with the lack of specificity are some problems that need to be clarified for the usage of TL as a prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Morais
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, IPO-Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), Porto4200-072, Portugal
- Research Department, LPCC- Portuguese League Against Cancer (NRNorte), Porto4200-172, Portugal
| | - Francisca Dias
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, IPO-Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), Porto4200-072, Portugal
- ICBAS, Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Luísa Teixeira
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, IPO-Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), Porto4200-072, Portugal
| | - Rui Medeiros
- Molecular Oncology and Viral Pathology Group, IPO-Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO-Porto), Porto4200-072, Portugal
- Research Department, LPCC- Portuguese League Against Cancer (NRNorte), Porto4200-172, Portugal
- ICBAS, Abel Salazar Institute for the Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- FMUP, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto4200-319, Portugal
- CEBIMED, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Porto4249-004, Portugal
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32
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Lalonde M, Chartrand P. TERRA, a Multifaceted Regulator of Telomerase Activity at Telomeres. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:4232-4243. [PMID: 32084415 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, telomeres are repetitive sequences at the end of chromosomes, which are maintained in a constitutive heterochromatin state. It is now known that telomeres can be actively transcribed, leading to the production of a telomeric repeat-containing noncoding RNA called TERRA. Due to its sequence complementarity to the telomerase template, it was suggested early on that TERRA could be an inhibitor of telomerase. Since then, TERRA has been shown to be involved in heterochromatin formation at telomeres, to invade telomeric dsDNA and form R-loops, and even to promote telomerase recruitment at short telomeres. All these functions depend on the diverse capacities of this lncRNA to bind various cofactors, act as a scaffold, and promote higher-order complexes in cells. In this review, it will be highlighted as to how these properties of TERRA work together to regulate telomerase activity at telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Lalonde
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pascal Chartrand
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
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33
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Pérez-Martínez L, Öztürk M, Butter F, Luke B. Npl3 stabilizes R-loops at telomeres to prevent accelerated replicative senescence. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49087. [PMID: 32026548 PMCID: PMC7054685 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere shortening rates must be regulated to prevent premature replicative senescence. TERRA R‐loops become stabilized at critically short telomeres to promote their elongation through homology‐directed repair (HDR), thereby counteracting senescence onset. Using a non‐bias proteomic approach to detect telomere binding factors, we identified Npl3, an RNA‐binding protein previously implicated in multiple RNA biogenesis processes. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA immunoprecipitation, we demonstrate that Npl3 interacts with TERRA and telomeres. Furthermore, we show that Npl3 associates with telomeres in an R‐loop‐dependent manner, as changes in R‐loop levels, for example, at short telomeres, modulate the recruitment of Npl3 to chromosome ends. Through a series of genetic and biochemical approaches, we reveal that Npl3 binds to TERRA and stabilizes R‐loops at short telomeres, which in turn promotes HDR and prevents premature replicative senescence onset. This may have implications for diseases associated with excessive telomere shortening.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Merve Öztürk
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - Falk Butter
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - Brian Luke
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology (IDN), Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Mainz, Germany
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34
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Kwapisz M, Morillon A. Subtelomeric Transcription and its Regulation. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:4199-4219. [PMID: 32035903 PMCID: PMC7374410 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The subtelomeres, highly heterogeneous repeated sequences neighboring telomeres, are transcribed into coding and noncoding RNAs in a variety of organisms. Telomereproximal subtelomeric regions produce non-coding transcripts i.e., ARRET, αARRET, subTERRA, and TERRA, which function in telomere maintenance. The role and molecular mechanisms of the majority of subtelomeric transcripts remain unknown. This review depicts the current knowledge and puts into perspective the results obtained in different models from yeasts to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kwapisz
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire Eucaryote, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, France
| | - Antonin Morillon
- ncRNA, Epigenetic and Genome Fluidity, CNRS UMR 3244, Sorbonne Université, PSL University, Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75248, Paris, France.
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35
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Saha A, Nanavaty VP, Li B. Telomere and Subtelomere R-loops and Antigenic Variation in Trypanosomes. J Mol Biol 2019; 432:4167-4185. [PMID: 31682833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Trypanosoma brucei is a kinetoplastid parasite that causes African trypanosomiasis, which is fatal if left untreated. T. brucei regularly switches its major surface antigen, VSG, to evade the host immune responses. VSGs are exclusively expressed from subtelomeric expression sites (ESs) where VSG genes are flanked by upstream 70 bp repeats and downstream telomeric repeats. The telomere downstream of the active VSG is transcribed into a long-noncoding RNA (TERRA), which forms RNA:DNA hybrids (R-loops) with the telomeric DNA. At an elevated level, telomere R-loops cause more telomeric and subtelomeric double-strand breaks (DSBs) and increase VSG switching rate. In addition, stabilized R-loops are observed at the 70 bp repeats and immediately downstream of ES-linked VSGs in RNase H defective cells, which also have an increased amount of subtelomeric DSBs and more frequent VSG switching. Although subtelomere plasticity is expected to be beneficial to antigenic variation, severe defects in subtelomere integrity and stability increase cell lethality. Therefore, regulation of the telomere and 70 bp repeat R-loop levels is important for the balance between antigenic variation and cell fitness in T. brucei. In addition, the high level of the active ES transcription favors accumulation of R-loops at the telomere and 70 bp repeats, providing an intrinsic mechanism for local DSB formation, which is a strong inducer of VSG switching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpita Saha
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Science and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Vishal P Nanavaty
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Science and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
| | - Bibo Li
- Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, College of Science and Health Professions, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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36
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Feretzaki M, Renck Nunes P, Lingner J. Expression and differential regulation of human TERRA at several chromosome ends. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 25:1470-1480. [PMID: 31350341 PMCID: PMC6795134 DOI: 10.1261/rna.072322.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The telomeric long noncoding RNA TERRA has been implicated in regulating telomere maintenance by telomerase and homologous recombination, and in influencing telomeric protein composition during the cell cycle and the telomeric DNA damage response. TERRA transcription starts at subtelomeric regions resembling the CpG islands of eukaryotic genes extending toward chromosome ends. TERRA contains chromosome-specific subtelomeric sequences at its 5' end and long tracts of UUAGGG-repeats toward the 3' end. Conflicting studies have been published as to whether TERRA is expressed from one or several chromosome ends. Here, we quantify TERRA species by RT-qPCR in normal and several cancerous human cell lines. By using chromosome-specific subtelomeric DNA primers, we demonstrate that TERRA is expressed from a large number of telomeres. Deficiency in DNA methyltransferases leads to TERRA up-regulation only at the subset of chromosome ends that contain CpG-island sequences, revealing differential regulation of TERRA promoters by DNA methylation. However, independently of the differences in TERRA expression, short telomeres were uniformly present in a DNA methyltransferase deficient cell line, indicating that telomere length was not dictated by TERRA expression in cis Bioinformatic analyses indicated the presence of a large number of putative transcription factors binding sites at TERRA promoters, and we identified a subset of them that repress TERRA expression. Altogether, our study confirms that TERRA corresponds to a large gene family transcribed from multiple chromosome ends where we identified two types of TERRA promoters, only one of which is regulated by DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Feretzaki
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Renck Nunes
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Lingner
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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37
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Kučírek M, Bagherpoor AJ, Jaroš J, Hampl A, Štros M. HMGB2 is a negative regulator of telomerase activity in human embryonic stem and progenitor cells. FASEB J 2019; 33:14307-14324. [PMID: 31661640 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901465rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
High-mobility group box (HMGB)1 and HMGB2 proteins are the subject of intensive research because of their involvement in DNA replication, repair, transcription, differentiation, proliferation, cell signaling, inflammation, and tumor migration. Using inducible, stably transfected human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) capable of the short hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown (KD) of HMGB1 and HMGB2, we provide evidence that deregulation of HMGB1 or HMGB2 expression in hESCs and their differentiated derivatives (neuroectodermal cells) results in distinct modulation of telomere homeostasis. Whereas HMGB1 enhances telomerase activity, HMGB2 acts as a negative regulator of telomerase activity in the cell. Stimulation of telomerase activity in the HMGB2-deficient cells may be related to activation of the PI3K/protein kinase B/ glycogen synthase kinase-3β/β-catenin signaling pathways by HMGB1, augmented TERT/telomerase RNA subunit transcription, and possibly also because of changes in telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) and TERRA-polyA+ transcription. The impact of HMGB1/2 KD on telomerase transcriptional regulation observed in neuroectodermal cells is partially masked in hESCs by their pluripotent state. Our findings on differential roles of HMGB1 and HMGB2 proteins in regulation of telomerase activity may suggest another possible outcome of HMGB1 targeting in cells, which is currently a promising approach aiming at increasing the anticancer activity of cytotoxic agents.-Kučírek, M., Bagherpoor, A. J., Jaroš, J., Hampl, A., Štros, M. HMGB2 is a negative regulator of telomerase activity in human embryonic stem and progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kučírek
- Laboratory of Analysis of Chromosomal Proteins, Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Alireza J Bagherpoor
- Laboratory of Analysis of Chromosomal Proteins, Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Jaroš
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Cell and Tissue Regeneration, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Hampl
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Cell and Tissue Regeneration, International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Štros
- Laboratory of Analysis of Chromosomal Proteins, Department of Cell Biology and Radiobiology, Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
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38
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Hu Y, Bennett HW, Liu N, Moravec M, Williams JF, Azzalin CM, King MC. RNA-DNA Hybrids Support Recombination-Based Telomere Maintenance in Fission Yeast. Genetics 2019; 213:431-447. [PMID: 31405990 PMCID: PMC6781888 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A subset of cancers rely on telomerase-independent mechanisms to maintain their chromosome ends. The predominant "alternative lengthening of telomeres" pathway appears dependent on homology-directed repair (HDR) to maintain telomeric DNA. However, the molecular changes needed for cells to productively engage in telomeric HDR are poorly understood. To gain new insights into this transition, we monitored the state of telomeres during serial culture of fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) lacking the telomerase recruitment factor Ccq1. Rad52 is loaded onto critically short telomeres shortly after germination despite continued telomere erosion, suggesting that recruitment of recombination factors is not sufficient to maintain telomeres in the absence of telomerase function. Instead, survivor formation coincides with the derepression of telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA). In this context, degradation of TERRA associated with the telomere in the form of R-loops drives a severe growth crisis, ultimately leading to a novel type of survivor with linear chromosomes and altered cytological telomere characteristics, including the loss of the shelterin component Rap1 (but not the TRF1/TRF2 ortholog, Taz1) from the telomere. We demonstrate that deletion of Rap1 is protective in this context, preventing the growth crisis that is otherwise triggered by degradation of telomeric R-loops in survivors with linear chromosomes. These findings suggest that upregulation of telomere-engaged TERRA, or altered recruitment of shelterin components, can support telomerase-independent telomere maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hu
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8002
| | - Henrietta W Bennett
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8002
| | - Na Liu
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8002
| | - Martin Moravec
- Institute of Biochemistry (IBC), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ), 8093, Switzerland
| | - Jessica F Williams
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8002
| | - Claus M Azzalin
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM), Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Portugal
| | - Megan C King
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8002
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Armstrong CA, Moiseeva V, Collopy LC, Pearson SR, Ullah TR, Xi ST, Martin J, Subramaniam S, Marelli S, Amelina H, Tomita K. Fission yeast Ccq1 is a modulator of telomerase activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:704-716. [PMID: 29216371 PMCID: PMC5778466 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx1223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Shelterin, the telomeric protein complex, plays a crucial role in telomere homeostasis. In fission yeast, telomerase is recruited to chromosome ends by the shelterin component Tpz1 and its binding partner Ccq1, where telomerase binds to the 3' overhang to add telomeric repeats. Recruitment is initiated by the interaction of Ccq1 with the telomerase subunit Est1. However, how telomerase is released following elongation remains to be established. Here, we show that Ccq1 also has a role in the suppression of telomere elongation, when coupled with the Clr4 histone H3 methyl-transferase complex and the Clr3 histone deacetylase and nucleosome remodelling complex, SHREC. We have dissected the functions of Ccq1 by establishing a Ccq1-Est1 fusion system, which bypasses the telomerase recruitment step. We demonstrate that Ccq1 forms two distinct complexes for positive and negative telomerase regulation, with Est1 and Clr3 respectively. The negative form of Ccq1 promotes dissociation of Ccq1-telomerase from Tpz1, thereby restricting local telomerase activity. The Clr4 complex also has a negative regulation activity with Ccq1, independently of SHREC. Thus, we propose a model in which Ccq1-Est1 recruits telomerase to mediate telomere extension, whilst elongated telomeric DNA recruits Ccq1 with the chromatin-remodelling complexes, which in turn releases telomerase from the telomere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Armstrong
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Vera Moiseeva
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Laura C Collopy
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Siân R Pearson
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Tomalika R Ullah
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK.,MSc Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Shidong T Xi
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK.,Faculty of Life Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Jennifer Martin
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK.,MSc Human Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Shaan Subramaniam
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK.,Faculty of Life Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sara Marelli
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Hanna Amelina
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Kazunori Tomita
- Chromosome Maintenance Group, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
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40
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TASks for subtelomeres: when nucleosome loss and genome instability are favored. Curr Genet 2019; 65:1153-1160. [DOI: 10.1007/s00294-019-00986-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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41
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Kordyukova MY, Kalmykova AI. Nature and Functions of Telomeric Transcripts. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2019; 84:137-146. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006297919020044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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42
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The Emerging Roles of TERRA in Telomere Maintenance and Genome Stability. Cells 2019; 8:cells8030246. [PMID: 30875900 PMCID: PMC6468625 DOI: 10.3390/cells8030246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The finding that transcription occurs at chromosome ends has opened new fields of study on the roles of telomeric transcripts in chromosome end maintenance and genome stability. Indeed, the ends of chromosomes are required to be protected from activation of DNA damage response and DNA repair pathways. Chromosome end protection is achieved by the activity of specific proteins that associate with chromosome ends, forming telomeres. Telomeres need to be constantly maintained as they are in a heterochromatic state and fold into specific structures (T-loops), which may hamper DNA replication. In addition, in the absence of maintenance mechanisms, chromosome ends shorten at every cell division due to limitations in the DNA replication machinery, which is unable to fully replicate the extremities of chromosomes. Altered telomere structure or critically short chromosome ends generate dysfunctional telomeres, ultimately leading to replicative senescence or chromosome instability. Telomere biology is thus implicated in multiple human diseases, including cancer. Emerging evidence indicates that a class of long noncoding RNAs transcribed at telomeres, known as TERRA for “TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA,” actively participates in the mechanisms regulating telomere maintenance and chromosome end protection. However, the molecular details of TERRA activities remain to be elucidated. In this review, we discuss recent findings on the emerging roles of TERRA in telomere maintenance and genome stability and their implications in human diseases.
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43
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Aksenova AY, Mirkin SM. At the Beginning of the End and in the Middle of the Beginning: Structure and Maintenance of Telomeric DNA Repeats and Interstitial Telomeric Sequences. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10020118. [PMID: 30764567 PMCID: PMC6410037 DOI: 10.3390/genes10020118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tandem DNA repeats derived from the ancestral (TTAGGG)n run were first detected at chromosome ends of the majority of living organisms, hence the name telomeric DNA repeats. Subsequently, it has become clear that telomeric motifs are also present within chromosomes, and they were suitably called interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs). It is well known that telomeric DNA repeats play a key role in chromosome stability, preventing end-to-end fusions and precluding the recurrent DNA loss during replication. Recent data suggest that ITSs are also important genomic elements as they confer its karyotype plasticity. In fact, ITSs appeared to be among the most unstable microsatellite sequences as they are highly length polymorphic and can trigger chromosomal fragility and gross chromosomal rearrangements. Importantly, mechanisms responsible for their instability appear to be similar to the mechanisms that maintain the length of genuine telomeres. This review compares the mechanisms of maintenance and dynamic properties of telomeric repeats and ITSs and discusses the implications of these dynamics on genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Y Aksenova
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Sergei M Mirkin
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02421, USA.
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44
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van Emden TS, Forn M, Forné I, Sarkadi Z, Capella M, Martín Caballero L, Fischer-Burkart S, Brönner C, Simonetta M, Toczyski D, Halic M, Imhof A, Braun S. Shelterin and subtelomeric DNA sequences control nucleosome maintenance and genome stability. EMBO Rep 2018; 20:embr.201847181. [PMID: 30420521 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201847181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres and the shelterin complex cap and protect the ends of chromosomes. Telomeres are flanked by the subtelomeric sequences that have also been implicated in telomere regulation, although their role is not well defined. Here, we show that, in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the telomere-associated sequences (TAS) present on most subtelomeres are hyper-recombinogenic, have metastable nucleosomes, and unusual low levels of H3K9 methylation. Ccq1, a subunit of shelterin, protects TAS from nucleosome loss by recruiting the heterochromatic repressor complexes CLRC and SHREC, thereby linking nucleosome stability to gene silencing. Nucleosome instability at TAS is independent of telomeric repeats and can be transmitted to an intrachromosomal locus containing an ectopic TAS fragment, indicating that this is an intrinsic property of the underlying DNA sequence. When telomerase recruitment is compromised in cells lacking Ccq1, DNA sequences present in the TAS promote recombination between chromosomal ends, independent of nucleosome abundance, implying an active function of these sequences in telomere maintenance. We propose that Ccq1 and fragile subtelomeres co-evolved to regulate telomere plasticity by controlling nucleosome occupancy and genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas S van Emden
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Marta Forn
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ignasi Forné
- Protein Analysis Unit (ZfP), BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Zsuzsa Sarkadi
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Matías Capella
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Lucía Martín Caballero
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany.,International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sabine Fischer-Burkart
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Cornelia Brönner
- Department of Biochemistry, Gene Center, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marco Simonetta
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Toczyski
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mario Halic
- Department of Biochemistry, Gene Center, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Axel Imhof
- Protein Analysis Unit (ZfP), BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Sigurd Braun
- Department of Physiological Chemistry, BioMedical Center (BMC), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Martinsried, Germany .,International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences, Martinsried, Germany
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45
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Zhu Y, Liu X, Ding X, Wang F, Geng X. Telomere and its role in the aging pathways: telomere shortening, cell senescence and mitochondria dysfunction. Biogerontology 2018; 20:1-16. [PMID: 30229407 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-018-9769-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a biological process characterized by a progressive functional decline in tissues and organs, which eventually leads to mortality. Telomeres, the repetitive DNA repeat sequences at the end of linear eukaryotic chromosomes protecting chromosome ends from degradation and illegitimate recombination, play a crucial role in cell fate and aging. Due to the mechanism of replication, telomeres shorten as cells proliferate, which consequently contributes to cellular senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction. Cells are the basic unit of organismal structure and function, and mitochondria are the powerhouse and metabolic center of cells. Therefore, cellular senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction would result in tissue or organ degeneration and dysfunction followed by somatic aging through multiple pathways. In this review, we summarized the main mechanisms of cellular senescence, mitochondrial malfunction and aging triggered by telomere attrition. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the aging process may elicit new strategies for improving health and extending lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xuewen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xuelu Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xin Geng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China. .,Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300070, China.
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46
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Avogaro L, Querido E, Dalachi M, Jantsch MF, Chartrand P, Cusanelli E. Live-cell imaging reveals the dynamics and function of single-telomere TERRA molecules in cancer cells. RNA Biol 2018; 15:787-796. [PMID: 29658398 PMCID: PMC6152429 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2018.1456300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomeres cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, protecting them from degradation and erroneous recombination events which may lead to genome instability. Telomeres are transcribed giving rise to telomeric repeat-containing RNAs, called TERRA. The TERRA long noncoding RNAs have been proposed to play important roles in telomere biology, including heterochromatin formation and telomere length homeostasis. While TERRA RNAs are predominantly nuclear and localize at telomeres, little is known about the dynamics and function of TERRA molecules expressed from individual telomeres. Herein, we developed an assay to image endogenous TERRA molecules expressed from a single telomere in living human cancer cells. We show that single-telomere TERRA can be detected as TERRA RNA single particles which freely diffuse within the nucleus. Furthermore, TERRA molecules aggregate forming TERRA clusters. Three-dimensional size distribution and single particle tracking analyses revealed distinct sizes and dynamics for TERRA RNA single particles and clusters. Simultaneous time lapse confocal imaging of TERRA particles and telomeres showed that TERRA clusters transiently co-localize with telomeres. Finally, we used chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides to deplete TERRA molecules expressed from a single telomere. Single-telomere TERRA depletion resulted in increased DNA damage at telomeres and elsewhere in the genome. These results suggest that single-telomere TERRA transcripts participate in the maintenance of genomic integrity in human cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Avogaro
- a Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , Trento , Italy
| | - Emmanuelle Querido
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine , Université de Montréal , QC , Canada
| | - Myriam Dalachi
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine , Université de Montréal , QC , Canada
| | - Michael F Jantsch
- c Centre of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria
| | - Pascal Chartrand
- b Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine , Université de Montréal , QC , Canada
| | - Emilio Cusanelli
- a Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento , Trento , Italy
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47
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Song S, Johnson FB. Epigenetic Mechanisms Impacting Aging: A Focus on Histone Levels and Telomeres. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9040201. [PMID: 29642537 PMCID: PMC5924543 DOI: 10.3390/genes9040201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging and age-related diseases pose some of the most significant and difficult challenges to modern society as well as to the scientific and medical communities. Biological aging is a complex, and, under normal circumstances, seemingly irreversible collection of processes that involves numerous underlying mechanisms. Among these, chromatin-based processes have emerged as major regulators of cellular and organismal aging. These include DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning, and telomere regulation, including how these are influenced by environmental factors such as diet. Here we focus on two interconnected categories of chromatin-based mechanisms impacting aging: those involving changes in the levels of histones or in the functions of telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufei Song
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Biomedical Graduate Studies, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Institute on Aging, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - F Brad Johnson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Institute on Aging, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Michelini F, Jalihal AP, Francia S, Meers C, Neeb ZT, Rossiello F, Gioia U, Aguado J, Jones-Weinert C, Luke B, Biamonti G, Nowacki M, Storici F, Carninci P, Walter NG, d'Adda di Fagagna F. From "Cellular" RNA to "Smart" RNA: Multiple Roles of RNA in Genome Stability and Beyond. Chem Rev 2018; 118:4365-4403. [PMID: 29600857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Coding for proteins has been considered the main function of RNA since the "central dogma" of biology was proposed. The discovery of noncoding transcripts shed light on additional roles of RNA, ranging from the support of polypeptide synthesis, to the assembly of subnuclear structures, to gene expression modulation. Cellular RNA has therefore been recognized as a central player in often unanticipated biological processes, including genomic stability. This ever-expanding list of functions inspired us to think of RNA as a "smart" phone, which has replaced the older obsolete "cellular" phone. In this review, we summarize the last two decades of advances in research on the interface between RNA biology and genome stability. We start with an account of the emergence of noncoding RNA, and then we discuss the involvement of RNA in DNA damage signaling and repair, telomere maintenance, and genomic rearrangements. We continue with the depiction of single-molecule RNA detection techniques, and we conclude by illustrating the possibilities of RNA modulation in hopes of creating or improving new therapies. The widespread biological functions of RNA have made this molecule a reoccurring theme in basic and translational research, warranting it the transcendence from classically studied "cellular" RNA to "smart" RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Michelini
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy
| | - Ameya P Jalihal
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109-1055 , United States
| | - Sofia Francia
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy.,Istituto di Genetica Molecolare , CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Pavia , 27100 , Italy
| | - Chance Meers
- School of Biological Sciences , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Zachary T Neeb
- Institute of Cell Biology , University of Bern , Baltzerstrasse 4 , 3012 Bern , Switzerland
| | | | - Ubaldo Gioia
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy
| | - Julio Aguado
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy
| | | | - Brian Luke
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology , Johannes Gutenberg University , 55099 Mainz , Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) , 55128 Mainz , Germany
| | - Giuseppe Biamonti
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare , CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Pavia , 27100 , Italy
| | - Mariusz Nowacki
- Institute of Cell Biology , University of Bern , Baltzerstrasse 4 , 3012 Bern , Switzerland
| | - Francesca Storici
- School of Biological Sciences , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Piero Carninci
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies , 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku , Yokohama City , Kanagawa 230-0045 , Japan
| | - Nils G Walter
- Single Molecule Analysis Group and Center for RNA Biomedicine, Department of Chemistry , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109-1055 , United States
| | - Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna
- IFOM - The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology , Milan , 20139 , Italy.,Istituto di Genetica Molecolare , CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche , Pavia , 27100 , Italy
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Induction and relocalization of telomeric repeat-containing RNAs during diauxic shift in budding yeast. Curr Genet 2018; 64:1117-1127. [PMID: 29569051 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-018-0829-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are maintained in a heterochromatic state that represses transcription of subtelomeric genes, a phenomenon known as telomere position effect. Nevertheless, telomeric DNA is actively transcribed, leading to the synthesis of telomeric repeat-containing noncoding RNA or TERRA. This nuclear noncoding RNA has been proposed to play important roles at telomeres, regulating their silencing, capping, repair and elongation by telomerase. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, TERRA accumulation is repressed by telomeric silencing and the Rat1 exonuclease. On the other hand, telomere shortening promotes expression of TERRA. So far, little is known about the biological processes that induce TERRA expression in yeast. Understanding the dynamics of TERRA expression and localization is essential to define its function in telomere biology. Here, we aim to study the dynamics of TERRA expression during yeast cell growth. Using live-cell imaging, RNA-FISH and quantitative RT-PCR, we show that TERRA expression is induced as yeast cells undergo diauxic shift, a lag phase during which yeast cells switch their metabolism from anaerobic fermentation to oxidative respiration. This induction is transient as TERRA levels decrease during post-diauxic shift. The increased expression of TERRA is not due to the shortening of telomeres or increased stability of this transcript. Surprisingly, this induction is coincident with a cytoplasmic accumulation of TERRA molecules. Our results suggest that TERRA transcripts may play extranuclear functions with important implications in telomere biology and add a novel layer of complexity in the interplay between telomere biology, metabolism and stress response.
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LARP7-like protein Pof8 regulates telomerase assembly and poly(A)+TERRA expression in fission yeast. Nat Commun 2018; 9:586. [PMID: 29422503 PMCID: PMC5805695 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-02874-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase complex that ensures stable maintenance of linear eukaryotic chromosome ends by overcoming the end replication problem, posed by the inability of replicative DNA polymerases to fully replicate linear DNA. The catalytic subunit TERT must be assembled properly with its telomerase RNA for telomerase to function, and studies in Tetrahymena have established that p65, a La-related protein 7 (LARP7) family protein, utilizes its C-terminal xRRM domain to promote assembly of the telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. However, LARP7-dependent telomerase complex assembly has been considered as unique to ciliates that utilize RNA polymerase III to transcribe telomerase RNA. Here we show evidence that fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe utilizes the p65-related protein Pof8 and its xRRM domain to promote assembly of RNA polymerase II-encoded telomerase RNA with TERT. Furthermore, we show that Pof8 contributes to repression of the transcription of noncoding RNAs at telomeres. A functional telomerase complex requires that the catalytic TERT subunit be assembled with the template RNA TER1. Here the authors show that Pof8, a possible LARP7 family protein, is required for assembly of the telomerase complex, and repression of lncRNA transcripts at telomeres in S. pombe.
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