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Hernan-Godoy M, Rouaux C. From Environment to Gene Expression: Epigenetic Methylations and One-Carbon Metabolism in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:967. [PMID: 38891099 PMCID: PMC11171807 DOI: 10.3390/cells13110967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The etiology of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is complex and considered multifactorial. The majority of ALS cases are sporadic, but familial cases also exist. Estimates of heritability range from 8% to 61%, indicating that additional factors beyond genetics likely contribute to ALS. Numerous environmental factors are considered, which may add up and synergize throughout an individual's lifetime building its unique exposome. One level of integration between genetic and environmental factors is epigenetics, which results in alterations in gene expression without modification of the genome sequence. Methylation reactions, targeting DNA or histones, represent a large proportion of epigenetic regulations and strongly depend on the availability of methyl donors provided by the ubiquitous one-carbon (1C) metabolism. Thus, understanding the interplay between exposome, 1C metabolism, and epigenetic modifications will likely contribute to elucidating the mechanisms underlying altered gene expression related to ALS and to developing targeted therapeutic interventions. Here, we review evidence for 1C metabolism alterations and epigenetic methylation dysregulations in ALS, with a focus on the impairments reported in neural tissues, and discuss these environmentally driven mechanisms as the consequences of cumulative exposome or late environmental hits, but also as the possible result of early developmental defects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Rouaux
- Inserm UMR_S 1329, Strasbourg Translational Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Université de Strasbourg, Centre de Recherche en Biomédecine de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Eugène Boeckel, 67 000 Strasbourg, France;
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2
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Ijee S, Chambayil K, Chaudhury AD, Bagchi A, Modak K, Das S, Benjamin ESB, Rani S, Paul DZ, Nath A, Roy D, Palani D, Priyanka S, Ravichandran R, Kumary BK, Sivamani Y, S. V, Babu D, Nakamura Y, Thamodaran V, Balasubramanian P, Velayudhan SR. Efficient deletion of microRNAs using CRISPR/Cas9 with dual guide RNAs. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 10:1295507. [PMID: 38628442 PMCID: PMC11020096 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1295507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that play crucial roles in gene regulation, exerting post-transcriptional silencing, thereby influencing cellular function, development, and disease. Traditional loss-of-function methods for studying miRNA functions, such as miRNA inhibitors and sponges, present limitations in terms of specificity, transient effects, and off-target effects. Similarly, CRISPR/Cas9-based editing of miRNAs using single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) also has limitations in terms of design space for generating effective gRNAs. In this study, we introduce a novel approach that utilizes CRISPR/Cas9 with dual guide RNAs (dgRNAs) for the rapid and efficient generation of short deletions within miRNA genomic regions. Through the expression of dgRNAs through single-copy lentiviral integration, this approach achieves over a 90% downregulation of targeted miRNAs within a week. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of various parameters influencing efficient deletion formation. In addition, we employed doxycycline (Dox)-inducible expression of Cas9 from the AAVS1 locus, enabling homogeneous, temporal, and stage-specific editing during cellular differentiation. Compared to miRNA inhibitory methods, the dgRNA-based approach offers higher specificity, allowing for the deletion of individual miRNAs with similar seed sequences, without affecting other miRNAs. Due to the increased design space, the dgRNA-based approach provides greater flexibility in gRNA design compared to the sgRNA-based approach. We successfully applied this approach in two human cell lines, demonstrating its applicability for studying the mechanisms of human erythropoiesis and pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) biology and differentiation. Efficient deletion of miR-451 and miR-144 resulted in blockage of erythroid differentiation, and the deletion of miR-23a and miR-27a significantly affected iPSC survival. We have validated the highly efficient deletion of genomic regions by editing protein-coding genes, resulting in a significant impact on protein expression. This protocol has the potential to be extended to delete multiple miRNAs within miRNA clusters, allowing for future investigations into the cooperative effects of the cluster members on cellular functions. The protocol utilizing dgRNAs for miRNA deletion can be employed to generate efficient pooled libraries for high-throughput comprehensive analysis of miRNAs involved in different biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha Ijee
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (A Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, India
| | - Karthik Chambayil
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (A Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Science and Medical Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Anurag Dutta Chaudhury
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhirup Bagchi
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (A Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
| | - Kirti Modak
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Saswati Das
- Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, India
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
| | - Esther Sathya Bama Benjamin
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Science and Medical Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
| | - Sonam Rani
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (A Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, India
| | - Daniel Zechariah Paul
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Aneesha Nath
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (A Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
| | - Debanjan Roy
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Dhavapriya Palani
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (A Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
| | - Sweety Priyanka
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
| | | | - Betty K. Kumary
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
| | - Yazhini Sivamani
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
| | - Vijayanand S.
- Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, India
| | - Dinesh Babu
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (A Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
| | - Yukio Nakamura
- Cell Engineering Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Vasanth Thamodaran
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (A Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
- Tata Institute of Genetics and Society, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Shaji R. Velayudhan
- Centre for Stem Cell Research (A Unit of inStem, Bengaluru), Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
- Department of Haematology, Christian Medical College Campus, Vellore, India
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3
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Oh YM, Lee SW. Patient-derived neuron model: Capturing age-dependent adult-onset degenerative pathology in Huntington's disease. Mol Cells 2024; 47:100046. [PMID: 38492889 PMCID: PMC11021366 DOI: 10.1016/j.mocell.2024.100046] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs play a crucial role in directly reprogramming (converting) human fibroblasts into neurons. Specifically, miR-9/9* and miR-124 (miR-9/9*-124) display neurogenic and cell fate-switching activities when ectopically expressed in human fibroblasts by erasing fibroblast identity and inducing a pan-neuronal state. These converted neurons maintain the biological age of the starting fibroblasts and thus provide a human neuron-based platform to study cellular properties in aged neurons and model adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders using patient-derived cells. Furthermore, the expression of striatal-enriched transcription factors in conjunction with miR-9/9*-124 guides the identity of medium spiny neurons (MSNs), the primary targets in Huntington's disease (HD). Converted MSNs from HD patient-derived fibroblasts (HD-MSNs) can replicate HD-related phenotypes including neurodegeneration associated with age-related declines in critical cellular functions such as autophagy. Here, we review the role of microRNAs in the direct conversion of patient-derived fibroblasts into MSNs and the practical application of converted HD-MSNs as a model for studying adult-onset neuropathology in HD. We provide valuable insights into age-related, cell-intrinsic changes contributing to neurodegeneration in HD-MSNs. Ultimately, we address a comprehensive understanding of the complex molecular landscape underlying HD pathology, offering potential avenues for therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Mi Oh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA 31901, USA
| | - Seong Won Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Columbus, GA 31901, USA
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4
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Fang YM, Chen WC, Zheng WJ, Yang YS, Zhang Y, Chen XL, Pei MQ, Lin S, He HF. A cutting-edge strategy for spinal cord injury treatment: resident cellular transdifferentiation. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1237641. [PMID: 37711511 PMCID: PMC10498389 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1237641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury causes varying degrees of motor and sensory function loss. However, there are no effective treatments for spinal cord repair following an injury. Moreover, significant preclinical advances in bioengineering and regenerative medicine have not yet been translated into effective clinical therapies. The spinal cord's poor regenerative capacity makes repairing damaged and lost neurons a critical treatment step. Reprogramming-based neuronal transdifferentiation has recently shown great potential in repair and plasticity, as it can convert mature somatic cells into functional neurons for spinal cord injury repair in vitro and in vivo, effectively halting the progression of spinal cord injury and promoting functional improvement. However, the mechanisms of the neuronal transdifferentiation and the induced neuronal subtypes are not yet well understood. This review analyzes the mechanisms of resident cellular transdifferentiation based on a review of the relevant recent literature, describes different molecular approaches to obtain different neuronal subtypes, discusses the current challenges and improvement methods, and provides new ideas for exploring therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ming Fang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Wei-Can Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Wan-Jing Zheng
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yu-Shen Yang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Xin-Li Chen
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Meng-Qin Pei
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Shu Lin
- Centre of Neurological and Metabolic Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
- Neuroendocrinology Group, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - He-Fan He
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, China
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5
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Papadimitriou MA, Panoutsopoulou K, Pilala KM, Scorilas A, Avgeris M. Epi-miRNAs: Modern mediators of methylation status in human cancers. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1735. [PMID: 35580998 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Methylation of the fundamental macromolecules, DNA/RNA, and proteins, is remarkably abundant, evolutionarily conserved, and functionally significant in cellular homeostasis and normal tissue/organism development. Disrupted methylation imprinting is strongly linked to loss of the physiological equilibrium and numerous human pathologies, and most importantly to carcinogenesis, tumor heterogeneity, and cancer progression. Mounting recent evidence has documented the active implication of miRNAs in the orchestration of the multicomponent cellular methylation machineries and the deregulation of methylation profile in the epigenetic, epitranscriptomic, and epiproteomic levels during cancer onset and progression. The elucidation of such regulatory networks between the miRNome and the cellular methylation machineries has led to the emergence of a novel subclass of miRNAs, namely "epi-miRNAs" or "epi-miRs." Herein, we have summarized the existing knowledge on the functional role of epi-miRs in the methylation dynamic landscape of human cancers and their clinical utility in modern cancer diagnostics and tailored therapeutics. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Alexandra Papadimitriou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Panoutsopoulou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina-Marina Pilala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Margaritis Avgeris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry - Molecular Diagnostics, Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "P. & A. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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6
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Zhang F, Yang J, Zhang N, Wu J, Si H. Roles of microRNAs in abiotic stress response and characteristics regulation of plant. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:919243. [PMID: 36092392 PMCID: PMC9459240 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.919243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding endogenous small RNAs (long 20-24 nucleotides) that negatively regulate eukaryotes gene expression at post-transcriptional level via cleavage or/and translational inhibition of targeting mRNA. Based on the diverse roles of miRNA in regulating eukaryotes gene expression, research on the identification of miRNA target genes has been carried out, and a growing body of research has demonstrated that miRNAs act on target genes and are involved in various biological functions of plants. It has an important influence on plant growth and development, morphogenesis, and stress response. Recent case studies indicate that miRNA-mediated regulation pattern may improve agronomic properties and confer abiotic stress resistance of plants, so as to ensure sustainable agricultural production. In this regard, we focus on the recent updates on miRNAs and their targets involved in responding to abiotic stress including low temperature, high temperature, drought, soil salinity, and heavy metals, as well as plant-growing development. In particular, this review highlights the diverse functions of miRNAs on achieving the desirable agronomic traits in important crops. Herein, the main research strategies of miRNAs involved in abiotic stress resistance and crop traits improvement were summarized. Furthermore, the miRNA-related challenges and future perspectives of plants have been discussed. miRNA-based research lays the foundation for exploring miRNA regulatory mechanism, which aims to provide insights into a potential form of crop improvement and stress resistance breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics/Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangwei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiahe Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics/Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huaijun Si
- State Key Laboratory of Aridland Crop Science, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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7
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Chandra K, Banerjee A, Das M. Epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of GnRH gene under altered metabolism and ageing. THE NUCLEUS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13237-021-00374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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8
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Gregorova J, Vychytilova-Faltejskova P, Sevcikova S. Epigenetic Regulation of MicroRNA Clusters and Families during Tumor Development. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1333. [PMID: 33809566 PMCID: PMC8002357 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are small non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules regulating gene expression on a post-transcriptional level based on the seed sequence similarity. They are frequently clustered; thus, they are either simultaneously transcribed into a single polycistronic transcript or they may be transcribed independently. Importantly, microRNA families that contain the same seed region and thus target related signaling proteins, may be localized in one or more clusters, which are in a close relationship. MicroRNAs are involved in basic physiological processes, and their deregulation is associated with the origin of various pathologies, including solid tumors or hematologic malignancies. Recently, the interplay between the expression of microRNA clusters and families and epigenetic machinery was described, indicating aberrant DNA methylation or histone modifications as major mechanisms responsible for microRNA deregulation during cancerogenesis. In this review, the most studied microRNA clusters and families affected by hyper- or hypomethylation as well as by histone modifications are presented with the focus on particular mechanisms. Finally, the diagnostic and prognostic potential of microRNA clusters and families is discussed together with technologies currently used for epigenetic-based cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Gregorova
- Babak Myeloma Group, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Petra Vychytilova-Faltejskova
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Sabina Sevcikova
- Babak Myeloma Group, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
- Department of Clinical Hematology, University Hospital Brno, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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9
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Karakaidos P, Karagiannis D, Rampias T. Resolving DNA Damage: Epigenetic Regulation of DNA Repair. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25112496. [PMID: 32471288 PMCID: PMC7321228 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25112496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic research has rapidly evolved into a dynamic field of genome biology. Chromatin regulation has been proved to be an essential aspect for all genomic processes, including DNA repair. Chromatin structure is modified by enzymes and factors that deposit, erase, and interact with epigenetic marks such as DNA and histone modifications, as well as by complexes that remodel nucleosomes. In this review we discuss recent advances on how the chromatin state is modulated during this multi-step process of damage recognition, signaling, and repair. Moreover, we examine how chromatin is regulated when different pathways of DNA repair are utilized. Furthermore, we review additional modes of regulation of DNA repair, such as through the role of global and localized chromatin states in maintaining expression of DNA repair genes, as well as through the activity of epigenetic enzymes on non-nucleosome substrates. Finally, we discuss current and future applications of the mechanistic interplays between chromatin regulation and DNA repair in the context cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitris Karagiannis
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Theodoros Rampias
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-659-7469
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10
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Sirt1 is regulated by miR-135a and involved in DNA damage repair during mouse cellular reprogramming. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:7431-7447. [PMID: 32335545 PMCID: PMC7202538 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sirt1 facilitates the reprogramming of mouse somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). It is regulated by micro-RNA and reported to be a target of miR-135a. However, their relationship and roles on cellular reprogramming remain unknown. In this study, we found negative correlations between miR-135a and Sirt1 during mouse embryonic stem cells differentiation and mouse embryonic fibroblasts reprogramming. We further found that the reprogramming efficiency was reduced by the overexpression of miR-135a precursor but induced by the miR-135a inhibitor. Co-immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry identified 21 SIRT1 interacting proteins including KU70 and WRN, which were highly enriched for DNA damage repair. In accordance, Sirt1 activator resveratrol reduced DNA damage during the reprogramming process. Wrn was regulated by miR-135a and resveratrol partly rescued the impaired reprogramming efficiency induced by Wrn knockdown. This study showed Sirt1, being partly regulated by miR-135a, bound proteins involved in DNA damage repair and enhanced the iPSCs production.
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11
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Bertogliat MJ, Morris-Blanco KC, Vemuganti R. Epigenetic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and acute brain injury. Neurochem Int 2020; 133:104642. [PMID: 31838024 PMCID: PMC8074401 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are emerging as major players in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and susceptibility to acute brain injury. DNA and histone modifications act together with non-coding RNAs to form a complex gene expression machinery that adapts the brain to environmental stressors and injury response. These modifications influence cell-level operations like neurogenesis and DNA repair to large, intricate processes such as brain patterning, memory formation, motor function and cognition. Thus, epigenetic imbalance has been shown to influence the progression of many neurological disorders independent of aberrations in the genetic code. This review aims to highlight ways in which epigenetics applies to several commonly researched neurodegenerative diseases and forms of acute brain injury as well as shed light on the benefits of epigenetics-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario J Bertogliat
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kahlilia C Morris-Blanco
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; William S. Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Raghu Vemuganti
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; William S. Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, WI, USA.
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12
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Reale E, Taverna D, Cantini L, Martignetti L, Osella M, De Pittà C, Virga F, Orso F, Caselle M. Investigating the epi-miRNome: identification of epi-miRNAs using transfection experiments. Epigenomics 2019; 11:1581-1599. [PMID: 31693439 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Growing evidence shows a strong interplay between post-transcriptional regulation, mediated by miRNAs (miRs) and epigenetic regulation. Nevertheless, the number of experimentally validated miRs (called epi-miRs) involved in these regulatory circuitries is still very small. Material & methods: We propose a pipeline to prioritize candidate epi-miRs and to identify potential epigenetic interactors of any given miR starting from miR transfection experiment datasets. Results & conclusion: We identified 34 candidate epi-miRs: 19 of them are known epi-miRs, while 15 are new. Moreover, using an in-house generated gene expression dataset, we experimentally proved that a component of the polycomb-repressive complex 2, the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), interacts with miR-214, a well-known prometastatic miR in melanoma and breast cancer, highlighting a miR-214-EZH2 regulatory axis potentially relevant in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Reale
- Department of Physics & INFN, University of Torino, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | - Daniela Taverna
- Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), 10126, Torino, Italy.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology & Health Sciences, 10126, Torino, Italy.,Center for Complex Systems in Molecular Biology & Medicine, University of Torino, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Cantini
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U900, Paris, France.,Computational Systems Biology Team, Institut de Biologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS UMR8197, INSERM U1024, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | | | - Matteo Osella
- Department of Physics & INFN, University of Torino, 10125, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Federico Virga
- Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), 10126, Torino, Italy.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology & Health Sciences, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Francesca Orso
- Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC), 10126, Torino, Italy.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology & Health Sciences, 10126, Torino, Italy.,Center for Complex Systems in Molecular Biology & Medicine, University of Torino, 10123, Torino, Italy
| | - Michele Caselle
- Department of Physics & INFN, University of Torino, 10125, Torino, Italy
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13
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Integrated Computational Analysis Highlights unique miRNA Signatures in the Subventricular Zone and Striatum of GM2 Gangliosidosis Animal Models. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20133179. [PMID: 31261761 PMCID: PMC6651736 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This work explores for the first time the potential contribution of microRNAs (miRNAs) to the pathophysiology of the GM2 gangliosidosis, a group of Lysosomal Storage Diseases. In spite of the genetic origin of GM2 gangliosidosis, the cascade of events leading from the gene/protein defects to the cell dysfunction and death is not fully elucidated. At present, there is no cure for patients. Taking advantage of the animal models of two forms of GM2 gangliosidosis, Tay-Sachs (TSD) and Sandhoff (SD) diseases, we performed a microRNA screening in the brain subventricular zone (SVZ) and striatum (STR), which feature the neurogenesis and neurodegeneration states, respectively, in adult mutant mice. We found abnormal expression of a panel of miRNAs involved in lipid metabolism, CNS development and homeostasis, and neuropathological processes, highlighting region- and disease-specific profiles of miRNA expression. Moreover, by using a computational analysis approach, we identified a unique disease- (SD or TSD) and brain region-specific (SVZ vs. STR) miRNAs signatures of predicted networks potentially related to the pathogenesis of the diseases. These results may contribute to the understanding of GM2 gangliosidosis pathophysiology, with the aim of developing effective treatments.
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Kanitz A, Syed AP, Kaji K, Zavolan M. Conserved regulation of RNA processing in somatic cell reprogramming. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:100. [PMID: 30704403 PMCID: PMC6357513 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5438-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Along with the reorganization of epigenetic and transcriptional networks, somatic cell reprogramming brings about numerous changes at the level of RNA processing. These include the expression of specific transcript isoforms and 3' untranslated regions. A number of studies have uncovered RNA processing factors that modulate the efficiency of the reprogramming process. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the involvement of RNA processing factors in the reprogramming of somatic mammalian cells is lacking. RESULTS Here, we used data from a large number of studies carried out in three mammalian species, mouse, chimpanzee and human, to uncover consistent changes in gene expression upon reprogramming of somatic cells. We found that a core set of nine splicing factors have consistent changes across the majority of data sets in all three species. Most striking among these are ESRP1 and ESRP2, which accelerate and enhance the efficiency of somatic cell reprogramming by promoting isoform expression changes associated with mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition. We further identify genes and processes in which splicing changes are observed in both human and mouse. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide a general resource for gene expression and splicing changes that take place during somatic cell reprogramming. Furthermore, they support the concept that splicing factors with evolutionarily conserved, cell type-specific expression can modulate the efficiency of the process by reinforcing intermediate states resembling the cell types in which these factors are normally expressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kanitz
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- RNA Regulatory Networks, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Afzal Pasha Syed
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- RNA Regulatory Networks, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Keisuke Kaji
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Mihaela Zavolan
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- RNA Regulatory Networks, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
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15
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Liang Y, Xu P, Zou Q, Luo H, Yu W. An epigenetic perspective on tumorigenesis: Loss of cell identity, enhancer switching, and NamiRNA network. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 57:1-9. [PMID: 30213688 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Revised: 08/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Various tumorigenic theories have been proposed in the past century, which contribute to the prevention and treatment of cancer clinically. However, the underlying mechanisms of the initiation of cancer, drug resistance, neoplasm relapse, and metastasis are still challenging to be panoramically addressed. Based on the abundant evidence provided by others and us, we postulate that Tumor Initiated by Loss of Cell Identity (LOCI), which is an inevitable initiating event of tumorigenesis. As a result, normal cells are transformed into the cancerous cell. In this process, epigenetic regulatory program, especially NamiRNA (Nuclear activating miRNA)-enhancer-gene activation network, is vital for the cell identity. The disorganization of NamiRNA-enhancer-gene activation network is a causal predisposition to the cell identity loss, and the altered cell identity is stabilized by genetic variations of the NamiRNA-enhancer-gene activation network. Furthermore, the additional genetic or epigenetic abnormities confer those cells to carcinogenic characteristics, such as growth advantage over normal cells, and finally yield cancer. In this review, we literally explain our tumor initiation hypothesis based on the corresponding evidence, which will not only help to refresh our understanding of tumorigenesis but also bring benefits to developing "cell identity reversing" based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qingping Zou
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Huaibing Luo
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wenqiang Yu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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16
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Liang Y, Xu P, Zou Q, Luo H, Yu W. An epigenetic perspective on tumorigenesis: Loss of cell identity, enhancer switching, and NamiRNA network. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 83:596-604. [PMID: 30208341 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Various tumorigenic theories have been proposed in the past century, which contribute to the prevention and treatment of cancer clinically. However, the underlying mechanisms of the initiation of cancer, drug resistance, neoplasm relapse, and metastasis are still challenging to be panoramically addressed. Based on the abundant evidence provided by others and us, we postulate that Tumor Initiated by Loss of Cell Identity (LOCI), which is an inevitable initiating event of tumorigenesis. As a result, normal cells are transformed into the cancerous cell. In this process, epigenetic regulatory program, especially NamiRNA (Nuclear activating miRNA)-enhancer-gene activation network, is vital for the cell identity. The disorganization of NamiRNA-enhancer-gene activation network is a causal predisposition to the cell identity loss, and the altered cell identity is stabilized by genetic variations of the NamiRNA-enhancer-gene activation network. Furthermore, the additional genetic or epigenetic abnormities confer those cells to carcinogenic characteristics, such as growth advantage over normal cells, and finally yield cancer. In this review, we literally explain our tumor imitation hypothesis based on the corresponding evidence, which will not only help to refresh our understanding of tumorigenesis but also bring benefits to developing "cell identity reversing" based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qingping Zou
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Huaibing Luo
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wenqiang Yu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center & Laboratory of RNA Epigenetics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508, China; Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Cancer Metastasis Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, MOE Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Rzepiela AJ, Ghosh S, Breda J, Vina-Vilaseca A, Syed AP, Gruber AJ, Eschbach K, Beisel C, van Nimwegen E, Zavolan M. Single-cell mRNA profiling reveals the hierarchical response of miRNA targets to miRNA induction. Mol Syst Biol 2018; 14:e8266. [PMID: 30150282 PMCID: PMC6110312 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20188266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
miRNAs are small RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. By repressing the translation and promoting the degradation of target mRNAs, miRNAs may reduce the cell-to-cell variability in protein expression, induce correlations between target expression levels, and provide a layer through which targets can influence each other's expression as "competing RNAs" (ceRNAs). However, experimental evidence for these behaviors is limited. Combining mathematical modeling with RNA sequencing of individual human embryonic kidney cells in which the expression of two distinct miRNAs was induced over a wide range, we have inferred parameters describing the response of hundreds of miRNA targets to miRNA induction. Individual targets have widely different response dynamics, and only a small proportion of predicted targets exhibit high sensitivity to miRNA induction. Our data reveal for the first time the response parameters of the entire network of endogenous miRNA targets to miRNA induction, demonstrating that miRNAs correlate target expression and at the same time increase the variability in expression of individual targets across cells. The approach is generalizable to other miRNAs and post-transcriptional regulators to improve the understanding of gene expression dynamics in individual cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej J Rzepiela
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Souvik Ghosh
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeremie Breda
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Arnau Vina-Vilaseca
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Afzal P Syed
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas J Gruber
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katja Eschbach
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Beisel
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erik van Nimwegen
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mihaela Zavolan
- Biozentrum, University of Basel and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
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18
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Lu YL, Yoo AS. Mechanistic Insights Into MicroRNA-Induced Neuronal Reprogramming of Human Adult Fibroblasts. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:522. [PMID: 30116172 PMCID: PMC6083049 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of transcriptional factors as cell fate regulators are often the primary focus in the direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neurons. However, in human adult fibroblasts, deriving functionally mature neurons with high efficiency requires additional neurogenic factors such as microRNAs (miRNAs) to evoke a neuronal state permissive to transcription factors to exert their reprogramming activities. As such, increasing evidence suggests brain-enriched miRNAs, miR-9/9∗ and miR-124, as potent neurogenic molecules through simultaneously targeting of anti-neurogenic effectors while allowing additional transcription factors to generate specific subtypes of human neurons. In this review, we will focus on methods that utilize neuronal miRNAs and provide mechanistic insights by which neuronal miRNAs, in synergism with brain-region specific transcription factors, drive the conversion of human fibroblasts into clinically relevant subtypes of neurons. Furthermore, we will provide insights into the age signature of directly converted neurons and how the converted human neurons can be utilized to model late-onset neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Lin Lu
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Program in Developmental, Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Andrew S Yoo
- Department of Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
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19
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Abstract
Puberty involves a series of morphological, physiological and behavioural changes during the last part of the juvenile period that culminates in the attainment of fertility. The activation of the pituitary-gonadal axis by increased hypothalamic secretion of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is an essential step in the process. The current hypothesis postulates that a loss of transsynaptic inhibition and a rise in excitatory inputs are responsible for the activation of GnRH release. Similarly, a shift in the balance in the expression of puberty activating and puberty inhibitory genes exists during the pubertal transition. In addition, recent evidence suggests that the epigenetic machinery controls this genetic balance, giving rise to the tantalising possibility that epigenetics serves as a relay of environmental signals known for many years to modulate pubertal development. Here, we review the contribution of epigenetics as a regulatory mechanism in the hypothalamic control of female puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Toro
- Primate Genetics Section/Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - C F Aylwin
- Primate Genetics Section/Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - A Lomniczi
- Primate Genetics Section/Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center/Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA
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20
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Komseli ES, Pateras IS, Krejsgaard T, Stawiski K, Rizou SV, Polyzos A, Roumelioti FM, Chiourea M, Mourkioti I, Paparouna E, Zampetidis CP, Gumeni S, Trougakos IP, Pefani DE, O’Neill E, Gagos S, Eliopoulos AG, Fendler W, Chowdhury D, Bartek J, Gorgoulis VG. A prototypical non-malignant epithelial model to study genome dynamics and concurrently monitor micro-RNAs and proteins in situ during oncogene-induced senescence. BMC Genomics 2018; 19:37. [PMID: 29321003 PMCID: PMC5763532 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4375-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Senescence is a fundamental biological process implicated in various pathologies, including cancer. Regarding carcinogenesis, senescence signifies, at least in its initial phases, an anti-tumor response that needs to be circumvented for cancer to progress. Micro-RNAs, a subclass of regulatory, non-coding RNAs, participate in senescence regulation. At the subcellular level micro-RNAs, similar to proteins, have been shown to traffic between organelles influencing cellular behavior. The differential function of micro-RNAs relative to their subcellular localization and their role in senescence biology raises concurrent in situ analysis of coding and non-coding gene products in senescent cells as a necessity. However, technical challenges have rendered in situ co-detection unfeasible until now. METHODS In the present report we describe a methodology that bypasses these technical limitations achieving for the first time simultaneous detection of both a micro-RNA and a protein in the biological context of cellular senescence, utilizing the new commercially available SenTraGorTM compound. The method was applied in a prototypical human non-malignant epithelial model of oncogene-induced senescence that we generated for the purposes of the study. For the characterization of this novel system, we applied a wide range of cellular and molecular techniques, as well as high-throughput analysis of the transcriptome and micro-RNAs. RESULTS This experimental setting has three advantages that are presented and discussed: i) it covers a "gap" in the molecular carcinogenesis field, as almost all corresponding in vitro models are fibroblast-based, even though the majority of neoplasms have epithelial origin, ii) it recapitulates the precancerous and cancerous phases of epithelial tumorigenesis within a short time frame under the light of natural selection and iii) it uses as an oncogenic signal, the replication licensing factor CDC6, implicated in both DNA replication and transcription when over-expressed, a characteristic that can be exploited to monitor RNA dynamics. CONCLUSIONS Consequently, we demonstrate that our model is optimal for studying the molecular basis of epithelial carcinogenesis shedding light on the tumor-initiating events. The latter may reveal novel molecular targets with clinical benefit. Besides, since this method can be incorporated in a wide range of low, medium or high-throughput image-based approaches, we expect it to be broadly applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini-Stavroula Komseli
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis S. Pateras
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Thorbjørn Krejsgaard
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3c, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Konrad Stawiski
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 15 Mazowiecka St. 92-215, Lodz, Poland
| | - Sophia V. Rizou
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexander Polyzos
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Fani-Marlen Roumelioti
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Chiourea
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Mourkioti
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Paparouna
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos P. Zampetidis
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Sentiljana Gumeni
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis P. Trougakos
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Dafni-Eleftheria Pefani
- CRUK/MRC Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Eric O’Neill
- CRUK/MRC Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Sarantis Gagos
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Aristides G. Eliopoulos
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete Greece
| | - Wojciech Fendler
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 15 Mazowiecka St. 92-215, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215 USA
| | - Dipanjan Chowdhury
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215 USA
- Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Jiri Bartek
- Genome Integrity Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Centre, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University, Hněvotínská, 1333/5, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Translational Medicine and Chemical Biology, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vassilis G. Gorgoulis
- Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St, GR-11527 Athens, Greece
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4QL UK
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Zavolan M, Kanitz A. RNA splicing and its connection with other regulatory layers in somatic cell reprogramming. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2017; 52:8-13. [PMID: 29275148 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how cell identity is established and maintained is one of the most exciting challenges of molecular biology today. Recent work has added a conserved layer of RNA splicing and other post-transcriptional regulatory processes to the transcriptional and epigenetic networks already known to cooperate in the establishment and maintenance of cell identity. Here we summarize these findings, highlighting specifically the multitude of splicing factors that can modulate the efficiency of somatic cell reprogramming. Distinct patterns of gene expression dynamics of these factors during reprogramming suggest that further improvements in efficiency could be obtained through optimal timing of overexpression or knockdown of individual regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihaela Zavolan
- RNA Regulatory Networks, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Alexander Kanitz
- RNA Regulatory Networks, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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22
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Yakovlev IA, Fossdal CG. In Silico Analysis of Small RNAs Suggest Roles for Novel and Conserved miRNAs in the Formation of Epigenetic Memory in Somatic Embryos of Norway Spruce. Front Physiol 2017; 8:674. [PMID: 28943851 PMCID: PMC5596105 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic memory in Norway spruce affects the timing of bud burst and bud set, vitally important adaptive traits for this long-lived forest species. Epigenetic memory is established in response to the temperature conditions during embryogenesis. Somatic embryogenesis at different epitype inducing (EpI) temperatures closely mimics the natural processes of epigenetic memory formation in seeds, giving rise to epigenetically different clonal plants in a reproducible and predictable manner, with respect to altered bud phenology. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and other small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) play an essential role in the regulation of plant gene expression and may affect this epigenetic mechanism. We used NGS sequencing and computational in silico methods to identify and profile conserved and novel miRNAs among small RNAs in embryogenic tissues of Norway spruce at three EpI temperatures (18, 23 and 28°C). We detected three predominant classes of sRNAs related to a length of 24 nt, followed by a 21–22 nt class and a third 31 nt class of sRNAs. More than 2100 different miRNAs within the prevailing length 21–22 nt were identified. Profiling these putative miRNAs allowed identification of 1053 highly expressed miRNAs, including 523 conserved and 530 novels. 654 of these miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed (DEM) depending on EpI temperature. For most DEMs, we defined their putative mRNA targets. The targets represented mostly by transcripts of multiple-repeats proteins, like TIR, NBS-LRR, PPR and TPR repeat, Clathrin/VPS proteins, Myb-like, AP2, etc. Notably, 124 DE miRNAs targeted 203 differentially expressed epigenetic regulators. Developing Norway spruce embryos possess a more complex sRNA structure than that reported for somatic tissues. A variety of the predicted miRNAs showed distinct EpI temperature dependent expression patterns. These putative EpI miRNAs target spruce genes with a wide range of functions, including genes known to be involved in epigenetic regulation, which in turn could provide a feedback process leading to the formation of epigenetic marks. We suggest that TIR, NBS and LRR domain containing proteins could fulfill more general functions for signal transduction from external environmental stimuli and conversion them into molecular response. Fine-tuning of the miRNA production likely participates in both developmental regulation and epigenetic memory formation in Norway spruce.
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MicroRNA-Directed Neuronal Reprogramming as a Therapeutic Strategy for Neurological Diseases. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:4428-4436. [PMID: 28664454 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0671-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The loss of neurons due to injury and disease results in a wide spectrum of highly disabling neurological and neurodegenerative conditions, given the apparent limited capacity of endogenous repair of the adult central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, it is important to develop technologies that can promote de novo neural stem cell and neuron generation. Current insights in CNS development and cellular reprogramming have provided the knowledge to finely modulate lineage-restricted transcription factors and microRNAs (miRNA) to elicit correct neurogenesis. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on the direct reprogramming of somatic non-neuronal cells into neural stem cells or subtype specific neurons in vitro and in vivo focusing on miRNA driven reprogramming. miRNA can allow rapid and efficient direct phenotype conversion by modulating gene networks active during development, which promote global shifts in the epigenetic landscape pivoting cell fate decisions. Furthermore, we critically present state-of-the-art and recent advances on miRNA therapeutics that can be applied to the diseased CNS. Together, the advances in our understanding of miRNA role in CNS development and disease, recent progress in miRNA-based therapeutic strategies, and innovative drug delivery methods create novel perspectives for meaningful therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Cora' D, Re A, Caselle M, Bussolino F. MicroRNA-mediated regulatory circuits: outlook and perspectives. Phys Biol 2017; 14:045001. [PMID: 28586314 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/aa6f21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs have been found to be necessary for regulating genes implicated in almost all signaling pathways, and consequently their dysfunction influences many diseases, including cancer. Understanding of the complexity of the microRNA-mediated regulatory network has grown in terms of size, connectivity and dynamics with the development of computational and, more recently, experimental high-throughput approaches for microRNA target identification. Newly developed studies on recurrent microRNA-mediated circuits in regulatory networks, also known as network motifs, have substantially contributed to addressing this complexity, and therefore to helping understand the ways by which microRNAs achieve their regulatory role. This review provides a summarizing view of the state-of-the-art, and perspectives of research efforts on microRNA-mediated regulatory motifs. In this review, we discuss the topological properties characterizing different types of circuits, and the regulatory features theoretically enabled by such properties, with a special emphasis on examples of circuits typifying their biological significance in experimentally validated contexts. Finally, we will consider possible future developments, in particular regarding microRNA-mediated circuits involving long non-coding RNAs and epigenetic regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Cora'
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Str. Prov. 142 Km 3.95, I-10060 Candiolo, Italy. Candiolo Cancer Institute-FPO, IRCCS, Str. Prov. 142 Km 3.95, I-10060 Candiolo, Italy. Center for Molecular Systems Biology, University of Torino, Regione Gonzole 10, I-10043 Orbassano, Italy. Current address: Department of Translational Medicine, Piemonte Orientale University 'Amedeo Avogadro', Via Solaroli 17, I-28100 Novara, Italy
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25
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Yang G, Chu PL, Rump LC, Le TH, Stegbauer J. ACE2 and the Homolog Collectrin in the Modulation of Nitric Oxide and Oxidative Stress in Blood Pressure Homeostasis and Vascular Injury. Antioxid Redox Signal 2017; 26:645-659. [PMID: 27889958 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2016.6950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Hypertension is the leading risk factor causing mortality and morbidity worldwide. Angiotensin (Ang) II, the most active metabolite of the renin-angiotensin system, plays an outstanding role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and vascular injury. Activation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has shown to attenuate devastating effects of Ang II in the cardiovascular system by reducing Ang II degradation and increasing Ang-(1-7) generation leading to Mas receptor activation. Recent Advances: Activation of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis reduces hypertension and improves vascular injury mainly through an increased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and decreased reactive oxygen species production. Recent studies reported that shedding of the enzymatically active ectodomain of ACE2 from the cell surface seems to regulate its activity and serves as an interorgan communicator in cardiovascular disease. In addition, collectrin, an ACE2 homolog with no catalytic activity, regulates blood pressure through an NO-dependent mechanism. CRITICAL ISSUES Large body of experimental data confirmed sustained beneficial effects of ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis activation on hypertension and vascular injury. Experimental studies also suggest that activation of collectrin might be beneficial in hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. Their role in clinical hypertension is unclear as selective and reliable activators of both axes are not yet available. FUTURE DIRECTIONS This review will highlight the results of recent research progress that illustrate the role of both ACE and collectrin in the modulation of NO and oxidative stress in blood pressure homeostasis and vascular injury, providing evidence for the potential therapeutic application of ACE2 and collectrin in hypertension and vascular disease. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 645-659.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- 1 Department of Nephrology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Pei-Lun Chu
- 2 Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia.,3 Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Lars C Rump
- 1 Department of Nephrology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thu H Le
- 2 Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Johannes Stegbauer
- 1 Department of Nephrology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf, Germany
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Bracken CP, Scott HS, Goodall GJ. A network-biology perspective of microRNA function and dysfunction in cancer. Nat Rev Genet 2016; 17:719-732. [DOI: 10.1038/nrg.2016.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 468] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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27
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Yang H, Zhang L, An J, Zhang Q, Liu C, He B, Hao DJ. MicroRNA-Mediated Reprogramming of Somatic Cells into Neural Stem Cells or Neurons. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:1587-1600. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0115-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Zakikhan K, Pournasr B, Nassiri-Asl M, Baharvand H. Enhanced direct conversion of fibroblasts into hepatocyte-like cells by Kdm2b. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 474:97-103. [PMID: 27103435 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.04.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Cell fate conversion of terminally differentiated cells by defined transcription factors between different lineages is a new approach to produce new cells that have the capability to repair or replace diseased and damaged tissues. Previous studies have demonstrated that this inefficient process can be facilitated by the inclusion of additional factors. Here we report that Kdm2b, a histone demethylase, has the capability to promote conversion of fibroblasts to functional induced hepatocyte-like (iHep) cells in combination with previously reported hepatic lineage transcription factors, Hnf4α and Foxa3. This approach led to increased numbers of epithelial-like colonies, hepatic markers and functionality which included periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive colonies, CYP450 activity, low-density lipoprotein and indocyanine green (ICG) uptake, as well as Albumin secretion. Additionally, the transplanted iHep cells were engraftable, expressed Albumin, and contributed to the recovery of a carbon tetrachloride-injured mouse model. These results have not only identified an important epigenetic factor for iHep generation, but also brought new insight into the molecular nature of hepatogenesis and future biomedical applications for liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kobra Zakikhan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Behshad Pournasr
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marjan Nassiri-Asl
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran; Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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Epigenetics in Kidney Transplantation: Current Evidence, Predictions, and Future Research Directions. Transplantation 2016; 100:23-38. [PMID: 26356174 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000000878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are changes to the genome that occur without any alteration in DNA sequence. These changes include cytosine methylation of DNA at cytosine-phosphate diester-guanine dinucleotides, histone modifications, microRNA interactions, and chromatin remodeling complexes. Epigenetic modifications may exert their effect independently or complementary to genetic variants and have the potential to modify gene expression. These modifications are dynamic, potentially heritable, and can be induced by environmental stimuli or drugs. There is emerging evidence that epigenetics play an important role in health and disease. However, the impact of epigenetic modifications on the outcomes of kidney transplantation is currently poorly understood and deserves further exploration. Kidney transplantation is the best treatment option for end-stage renal disease, but allograft loss remains a significant challenge that leads to increased morbidity and return to dialysis. Epigenetic modifications may influence the activation, proliferation, and differentiation of the immune cells, and therefore may have a critical role in the host immune response to the allograft and its outcome. The epigenome of the donor may also impact kidney graft survival, especially those epigenetic modifications associated with early transplant stressors (e.g., cold ischemia time) and donor aging. In the present review, we discuss evidence supporting the role of epigenetic modifications in ischemia-reperfusion injury, host immune response to the graft, and graft response to injury as potential new tools for the diagnosis and prediction of graft function, and new therapeutic targets for improving outcomes of kidney transplantation.
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Di Giorgio E, Brancolini C. Regulation of class IIa HDAC activities: it is not only matter of subcellular localization. Epigenomics 2016; 8:251-69. [DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to environmental cues, enzymes that influence the functions of proteins, through reversible post-translational modifications supervise the coordination of cell behavior like orchestral conductors. Class IIa histone deacetylases (HDACs) belong to this category. Even though in vertebrates these deacetylases have discarded the core enzymatic activity, class IIa HDACs can assemble into multiprotein complexes devoted to transcriptional reprogramming, including but not limited to epigenetic changes. Class IIa HDACs are subjected to variegated and interconnected layers of regulation, which reflect the wide range of biological responses under the scrutiny of this gene family. Here, we discuss about the key mechanisms that fine tune class IIa HDACs activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Department of Medical & Biological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Udine., P.le Kolbe 4 - 33100 Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Department of Medical & Biological Sciences, Università degli Studi di Udine., P.le Kolbe 4 - 33100 Udine, Italy
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31
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Cacabelos R, Torrellas C. Epigenetics of Aging and Alzheimer's Disease: Implications for Pharmacogenomics and Drug Response. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:30483-543. [PMID: 26703582 PMCID: PMC4691177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms161226236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic variability (DNA methylation/demethylation, histone modifications, microRNA regulation) is common in physiological and pathological conditions. Epigenetic alterations are present in different tissues along the aging process and in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Epigenetics affect life span and longevity. AD-related genes exhibit epigenetic changes, indicating that epigenetics might exert a pathogenic role in dementia. Epigenetic modifications are reversible and can potentially be targeted by pharmacological intervention. Epigenetic drugs may be useful for the treatment of major problems of health (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular disorders, brain disorders). The efficacy and safety of these and other medications depend upon the efficiency of the pharmacogenetic process in which different clusters of genes (pathogenic, mechanistic, metabolic, transporter, pleiotropic) are involved. Most of these genes are also under the influence of the epigenetic machinery. The information available on the pharmacoepigenomics of most drugs is very limited; however, growing evidence indicates that epigenetic changes are determinant in the pathogenesis of many medical conditions and in drug response and drug resistance. Consequently, pharmacoepigenetic studies should be incorporated in drug development and personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón Cacabelos
- EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science and Genomic Medicine, 15165-Bergondo, Corunna, Spain.
- Chair of Genomic Medicine, Camilo José Cela University, 28692-Madrid, Spain.
| | - Clara Torrellas
- EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science and Genomic Medicine, 15165-Bergondo, Corunna, Spain.
- Chair of Genomic Medicine, Camilo José Cela University, 28692-Madrid, Spain.
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Integrated analyses to reconstruct microRNA-mediated regulatory networks in mouse liver using high-throughput profiling. BMC Genomics 2015; 16 Suppl 2:S12. [PMID: 25707768 PMCID: PMC4331712 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-16-s2-s12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) simultaneously target many transcripts through partial complementarity binding, and have emerged as a key type of post-transcriptional regulator for gene expression. How miRNA accomplishes its pleiotropic effects largely depends on its expression and its target repertoire. Previous studies discovered thousands of miRNAs and numerous miRNA target genes mainly through computation and prediction methods which produced high rates of false positive prediction. The development of Argonaute cross-linked immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing (CLIP-Seq) provides a system to effectively determine miRNA target genes. Likewise, the accuracy of dissecting the transcriptional regulation of miRNA genes has been greatly improved by chromatin immunoprecipitation of the transcription factors coupled with sequencing (ChIP-Seq). Elucidation of the miRNA target repertoire will provide an in-depth understanding of the functional roles of microRNA pathways. To reliably reconstruct a miRNA-mediated regulatory network, we established a computational framework using publicly available, sequence-based transcription factor-miRNA databases, including ChIPBase and TransmiR for the TF-miRNA interactions, along with miRNA-target databases, including miRTarBase, TarBase and starBase, for the miRNA-target interactions. We applied the computational framework to elucidate the miRNA-mediated regulatory network in the Mir122a⁻/⁻ mouse model, which has an altered transcriptome and progressive liver disease. RESULTS We applied our computational framework to the expression profiles of miRNA/mRNA of Mir122a⁻/⁻ mutant mice and wild-type mice. The miRNA-mediated network involves 40 curated TFs contributing to the aberrant expression of 65 miRNAs and 723 curated miRNA target genes, of which 56% was found in the differentially-expressed genes of Mir122a--mice. Hence, the regulatory network disclosed previously-known and also many previously-unidentified miRNA-mediated regulations in mutant mice. Moreover, we demonstrate that loss of imprinting at the chromosome 12qF1 region is associated with miRNA overexpression in human hepatocellular carcinoma and stem cells, suggesting initiation of precancerous changes in young mice deficient in miR-122. A group of 9 miRNAs was found to share miR-122 target genes, indicating synergy between miRNAs and target genes by way of multiplicity and cooperativity. CONCLUSIONS The study provides significant insight into miRNA-mediated regulatory networks. Based on experimentally verified data, this network is highly reliable and effective in revealing previously-undetermined disease-associated molecular mechanisms. This computational framework can be applied to explore the significant TF-miRNA-miRNA target interactions in any complex biological systems with high degrees of confidence.
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Lomniczi A, Wright H, Ojeda SR. Epigenetic regulation of female puberty. Front Neuroendocrinol 2015; 36:90-107. [PMID: 25171849 PMCID: PMC6824271 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Revised: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Substantial progress has been made in recent years toward deciphering the molecular and genetic underpinnings of the pubertal process. The availability of powerful new methods to interrogate the human genome has led to the identification of genes that are essential for puberty to occur. Evidence has also emerged suggesting that the initiation of puberty requires the coordinated activity of gene sets organized into functional networks. At a cellular level, it is currently thought that loss of transsynaptic inhibition, accompanied by an increase in excitatory inputs, results in the pubertal activation of GnRH release. This concept notwithstanding, a mechanism of epigenetic repression targeting genes required for the pubertal activation of GnRH neurons was recently identified as a core component of the molecular machinery underlying the central restraint of puberty. In this chapter we will discuss the potential contribution of various mechanisms of epigenetic regulation to the hypothalamic control of female puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Lomniczi
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
| | - Hollis Wright
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Sergio R Ojeda
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
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Osella M, Riba A, Testori A, Corà D, Caselle M. Interplay of microRNA and epigenetic regulation in the human regulatory network. Front Genet 2014; 5:345. [PMID: 25339974 PMCID: PMC4186481 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of protein-coding genes is controlled by a complex network of regulatory interactions. It is becoming increasingly appreciated that post-transcriptional repression by microRNAs, a class of small non-coding RNAs, is a key layer of regulation in several biological processes. In this contribution, we discuss the interplay between microRNAs and epigenetic regulators. Among the mixed genetic circuits composed by these two different kinds of regulation, it seems that a central role is played by double-negative feedback loops in which a microRNA inhibits an epigenetic regulator and in turn is controlled at the epigenetic level by the same regulator. We discuss a few relevant properties of this class of network motifs and their potential role in cell differentiation. In particular, using mathematical modeling we show how this particular circuit can exhibit a switch-like behavior between two alternative steady states, while being robust to stochastic transitions between these two states, a feature presumably required for circuits involved in cell fate decision. Finally, we present a list of putative double-negative feedback loops from a literature survey combined with bioinformatic analysis, and discuss in detail a few examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Osella
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Università di Torino Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Riba
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Università di Torino Torino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Testori
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Università di Torino Torino, Italy
| | - Davide Corà
- Dipartimento di Oncologia, Istituto per la Ricerca sul Cancro di Candiolo-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Università di Torino Torino, Italy
| | - Michele Caselle
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Università di Torino Torino, Italy
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Gruber AJ, Grandy WA, Balwierz PJ, Dimitrova YA, Pachkov M, Ciaudo C, Nimwegen EV, Zavolan M. Embryonic stem cell-specific microRNAs contribute to pluripotency by inhibiting regulators of multiple differentiation pathways. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:9313-26. [PMID: 25030899 PMCID: PMC4132708 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The findings that microRNAs (miRNAs) are essential for early development in many species and that embryonic miRNAs can reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells suggest that these miRNAs act directly on transcriptional and chromatin regulators of pluripotency. To elucidate the transcription regulatory networks immediately downstream of embryonic miRNAs, we extended the motif activity response analysis approach that infers the regulatory impact of both transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs from genome-wide expression states. Applying this approach to multiple experimental data sets generated from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that did or did not express miRNAs of the ESC-specific miR-290-295 cluster, we identified multiple TFs that are direct miRNA targets, some of which are known to be active during cell differentiation. Our results provide new insights into the transcription regulatory network downstream of ESC-specific miRNAs, indicating that these miRNAs act on cell cycle and chromatin regulators at several levels and downregulate TFs that are involved in the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas J Gruber
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelberstrasse 50-70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - William A Grandy
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelberstrasse 50-70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Piotr J Balwierz
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelberstrasse 50-70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yoana A Dimitrova
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelberstrasse 50-70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mikhail Pachkov
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelberstrasse 50-70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Erik van Nimwegen
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelberstrasse 50-70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mihaela Zavolan
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelberstrasse 50-70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
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Gajos-Michniewicz A, Duechler M, Czyz M. MiRNA in melanoma-derived exosomes. Cancer Lett 2014; 347:29-37. [PMID: 24513178 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Revised: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Proteins, RNAs and viruses can be spread through exosomes, therefore transport utilizing these nanovesicles is of the great interest. MiRNAs are common exosomal constituents capable of influencing expression of a variety of target genes. MiRNA signatures of exosomes are unique in cancer patients and differ from those in normal controls. The knowledge about miRNA profiles of tumor-derived exosomes may contribute to better diagnosis, determination of tumor progression and response to treatment, as well as to the development of targeted therapies. We summarize the current knowledge with regard to miRNAs that are found in exosomes derived from tumors, particularly from melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus Duechler
- Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Centre for Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodz, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Czyz
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
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