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Perales S, Sigamani V, Rajasingh S, Gurusamy N, Bittel D, Czirok A, Radic M, Rajasingh J. scaRNA20 promotes pseudouridylatory modification of small nuclear snRNA U12 and improves cardiomyogenesis. Exp Cell Res 2024; 436:113961. [PMID: 38341080 PMCID: PMC10964393 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.113961] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs, particularly small Cajal-body associated RNAs (scaRNAs), play a significant role in spliceosomal RNA modifications. While their involvement in ischemic myocardium regeneration is known, their role in cardiac development is unexplored. We investigated scaRNA20's role in iPSC differentiation into cardiomyocytes (iCMCs) via overexpression and knockdown assays. We measured scaRNA20-OE-iCMCs and scaRNA20-KD-iCMCs contractility using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), comparing them to control iCMCs. We explored scaRNA20's impact on alternative splicing via pseudouridylation (Ψ) of snRNA U12, analyzing its functional consequences in cardiac differentiation. scaRNA20-OE-iPSC differentiation increased beating colonies, upregulated cardiac-specific genes, activated TP53 and STAT3, and preserved contractility under hypoxia. Conversely, scaRNA20-KD-iCMCs exhibited poor differentiation and contractility. STAT3 inhibition in scaRNA20-OE-iPSCs hindered cardiac differentiation. RNA immunoprecipitation revealed increased Ψ at the 28th uridine of U12 RNA in scaRNA20-OE iCMCs. U12-KD iCMCs had reduced cardiac differentiation, which improved upon U12 RNA introduction. In summary, scaRNA20-OE in iPSCs enhances cardiomyogenesis, preserves iCMC function under hypoxia, and may have implications for ischemic myocardium regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Perales
- Department of Bioscience Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Vinoth Sigamani
- Department of Bioscience Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Sheeja Rajasingh
- Department of Bioscience Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Narasimman Gurusamy
- Department of Bioscience Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Douglas Bittel
- Department of Biosciences, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Andras Czirok
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Marko Radic
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Johnson Rajasingh
- Department of Bioscience Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA; Department of Medicine-Cardiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
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2
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Downes N, Niskanen H, Tomas Bosch V, Taipale M, Godiwala M, Väänänen MA, Turunen TA, Aavik E, Laham-Karam N, Ylä-Herttuala S, Kaikkonen MU. Hypoxic regulation of hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha via antisense transcription. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105291. [PMID: 37748649 PMCID: PMC10630634 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired oxygen homeostasis is a frequently encountered pathophysiological factor in multiple complex diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. While the canonical hypoxia response pathway is well characterized, less is known about the role of noncoding RNAs in this process. Here, we investigated the nascent and steady-state noncoding transcriptional responses in endothelial cells and their potential roles in regulating the hypoxic response. Notably, we identify a novel antisense long noncoding RNA that convergently overlaps the majority of the hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1A) locus, which is expressed across several cell types and elevated in atherosclerotic lesions. The antisense (HIF1A-AS) is produced as a stable, unspliced, and polyadenylated nuclear retained transcript. HIF1A-AS is highly induced in hypoxia by both HIF1A and HIF2A and exhibits anticorrelation with the coding HIF1A transcript and protein expression. We further characterized this functional relationship by CRISPR-mediated bimodal perturbation of the HIF1A-AS promoter. We provide evidence that HIF1A-AS represses the expression of HIF1a in cis by repressing transcriptional elongation and deposition of H3K4me3, and that this mechanism is dependent on the act of antisense transcription itself. Overall, our results indicate a critical regulatory role of antisense mediated transcription in regulation of HIF1A expression and cellular response to hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Downes
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland
| | - Henri Niskanen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland
| | - Vanesa Tomas Bosch
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland
| | - Mari Taipale
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland
| | - Mehvash Godiwala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland
| | - Mari-Anna Väänänen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland
| | - Tiia A Turunen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland
| | - Einari Aavik
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland
| | - Nihay Laham-Karam
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland; School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland; Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, North-Savo, Finland.
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3
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Bink DI, Pauli J, Maegdefessel L, Boon RA. Endothelial microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in cardiovascular ageing. Atherosclerosis 2023; 374:99-106. [PMID: 37059656 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis and numerous other cardiovascular diseases develop in an age-dependent manner. The endothelial cells that line the vessel walls play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Non-coding RNA like microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs are known to play an important role in endothelial function and are implicated in the disease progression. Here, we summarize several microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs that are known to have an altered expression with endothelial aging and discuss their role in endothelial cell function and senescence. These processes contribute to aging-induced atherosclerosis development and by targeting the non-coding RNAs controlling endothelial cell function and senescence, atherosclerosis can potentially be attenuated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diewertje I Bink
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Microcirculation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jessica Pauli
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Lars Maegdefessel
- Department for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Reinier A Boon
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Microcirculation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; German Centre for Cardiovascular Research DZHK, Partner site Frankfurt Rhein/Main, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
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4
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Di Giorgio E, Benetti R, Kerschbamer E, Xodo L, Brancolini C. Super-enhancer landscape rewiring in cancer: The epigenetic control at distal sites. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 380:97-148. [PMID: 37657861 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Super-enhancers evolve as elements at the top of the hierarchical control of gene expression. They are important end-gatherers of signaling pathways that control stemness, differentiation or adaptive responses. Many epigenetic regulations focus on these regions, and not surprisingly, during the process of tumorigenesis, various alterations can account for their dysfunction. Super-enhancers are emerging as key drivers of the aberrant gene expression landscape that sustain the aggressiveness of cancer cells. In this review, we will describe and discuss about the structure of super-enhancers, their epigenetic regulation, and the major changes affecting their functionality in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros Di Giorgio
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Roberta Benetti
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Emanuela Kerschbamer
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Luigi Xodo
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Claudio Brancolini
- Laboratory of Epigenomics, Department of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy.
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5
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Ray SK, Mukherjee S. Interaction Among Noncoding RNAs, DNA Damage Reactions, and Genomic Instability in the Hypoxic Tumor: Is it Therapeutically Exploitable Practice? Curr Mol Med 2023; 23:200-215. [PMID: 35048804 DOI: 10.2174/1566524022666220120123557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia is a classical function of the tumor's microenvironment with a substantial effect on the development and therapeutic response of cancer. When put in hypoxic environments, cells undergo several biological reactions, including activation of signaling pathways that control proliferation, angiogenesis, and death. These pathways have been adapted by cancer cells to allow tumors to survive and even develop in hypoxic conditions, and poor prognosis is associated with tumor hypoxia. The most relevant transcriptional regulator in response to hypoxia, Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), has been shown to modulate hypoxic gene expression and signaling transduction networks significantly. The significance of non-coding RNAs in hypoxic tumor regions has been revealed in an increasing number of studies over the past few decades. In regulating hypoxic gene expression, these hypoxia-responsive ncRNAs play pivotal roles. Hypoxia, a general characteristic of the tumor's microenvironment, significantly affects the expression of genes and is closely associated with the development of cancer. Indeed, the number of known hypoxia-associated lncRNAs has increased dramatically, demonstrating the growing role of lncRNAs in cascades and responses to hypoxia signaling. Decades of research have helped us create an image of the shift in hypoxic cancer cells' DNA repair capabilities. Emerging evidence suggests that hypoxia can trigger genetic instability in cancer cells because of microenvironmental tumor stress. Researchers have found that critical genes' expression is coordinately repressed by hypoxia within the DNA damage and repair pathways. In this study, we include an update of current knowledge on the presentation, participation, and potential clinical effect of ncRNAs in tumor hypoxia, DNA damage reactions, and genomic instability, with a specific emphasis on their unusual cascade of molecular regulation and malignant progression induced by hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sukhes Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh-462020. India
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6
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Zietzer A, Breitrück N, Düsing P, Böhle S, Klussmann JP, Al-Kassou B, Goody PR, Hosen MR, Nickenig G, Nachtsheim L, Shabli S, Jansen F, Jansen S. The lncRNA MRPL20-AS1 is associated with severe OSAS and downregulated upon hypoxic injury of endothelial cells. Int J Cardiol 2022; 369:65-68. [PMID: 35988669 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2022.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is the most common sleep disorder in humans. Although OSAS is clearly related to arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure, it remains unknown through which pathomechanisms OSAS influences cardiovascular health. Recent research has pinpointed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) as important molecular mediators of various cardiovascular pathologies. In this study, we have identified the lncRNA MRPL20-AS1 to be affected by OSAS in patients as well as by hypoxia in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS A transcriptomic analysis was performed on peripheral blood from four patients with severe OSAS taken after one night of polygraphic assessment. We found that three lncRNAs were significantly dysregulated, of which MRPL20-AS1 was the most significant. In a larger cohort of 22 OSAS patients, MRPL20-AS1 was inversely correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). This indicates that OSAS patients with higher AHI levels and therefore more severe OSAS had lower levels of MRPL20-AS1 in the blood. The results were recapitulated in vitro by subjecting endothelial cells to hypoxia. In these experiments, hypoxia led to a significant downregulation of MRPL20-AS1 in endothelial cells. CONCLUSION MRPL20-AS1 may serve as a useful tool to identify patients suffering from severe OSAS and further research should be done to evaluate the therapeutic potential of MRPL20-AS1 as a target to counteract the cardiovascular effects of OSAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Zietzer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Nils Breitrück
- Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Philip Düsing
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sabrina Böhle
- Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Jens Peter Klussmann
- Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Baravan Al-Kassou
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Philip Roger Goody
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mohammed Rabiul Hosen
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Georg Nickenig
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lisa Nachtsheim
- Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Sami Shabli
- Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Felix Jansen
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefanie Jansen
- Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Germany
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Batie M, Kenneth NS, Rocha S. Systems approaches to understand oxygen sensing: how multi-omics has driven advances in understanding oxygen-based signalling. Biochem J 2022; 479:245-257. [PMID: 35119457 PMCID: PMC8883490 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20210554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hypoxia is a common denominator in the pathophysiology of a variety of human disease states. Insight into how cells detect, and respond to low oxygen is crucial to understanding the role of hypoxia in disease. Central to the hypoxic response is rapid changes in the expression of genes essential to carry out a wide range of functions to adapt the cell/tissue to decreased oxygen availability. These changes in gene expression are co-ordinated by specialised transcription factors, changes to chromatin architecture and intricate balances between protein synthesis and destruction that together establish changes to the cellular proteome. In this article, we will discuss the advances of our understanding of the cellular oxygen sensing machinery achieved through the application of 'omics-based experimental approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Batie
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L697ZB, U.K
| | - Niall S. Kenneth
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L697ZB, U.K
| | - Sonia Rocha
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L697ZB, U.K
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8
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Identification of Six Autophagy-Related-lncRNA Prognostic Biomarkers in Uveal Melanoma. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2021:2401617. [PMID: 34426753 PMCID: PMC8379639 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2401617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Currently, no autophagy-related long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has been reported to predict the prognosis of uveal melanoma patients. Our study screened for autophagy-related lncRNAs in 80 samples downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database through lncRNA-mRNA coexpression. We used univariate Cox to further filter the lncRNAs. Multivariate Cox regression and LASSO regression were applied to construct an autophagy-associated lncRNA predictive model and calculate the risk score. Clinical risk factors were validated using Cox regression to determine whether they were independent prognostic indicators. Functional enrichment was performed using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. The model was built with six predictive autophagy-associated lncRNAs and clustered uveal melanoma patients into high- and low-risk groups. The risk score of our model was a significant independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio = 1.0; p < 0.001). Moreover, these six lncRNAs were significantly concentrated in the biological pathways of cytoplasmic component recycling, energy metabolism, and apoptosis. Thus, the six autophagy-associated lncRNAs are potential molecular biomarkers and treatment targets for uveal melanoma patients.
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9
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Mushimiyimana I, Niskanen H, Beter M, Laakkonen JP, Kaikkonen MU, Ylä-Herttuala S, Laham-Karam N. Characterization of a functional endothelial super-enhancer that regulates ADAMTS18 and angiogenesis. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:8078-8096. [PMID: 34320216 PMCID: PMC8373076 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Super-enhancers are clusters of enhancers associated with cell lineage. They can be powerful gene-regulators and may be useful in cell-type specific viral-vector development. Here, we have screened for endothelial super-enhancers and identified an enhancer from within a cluster that conferred 5–70-fold increase in transgene expression. Importantly, CRISPR/Cas9 deletion of enhancers demonstrated regulation of ADAMTS18, corresponding to evidence of chromatin contacts between these genomic regions. Cell division-related pathways were primarily affected by the enhancer deletions, which correlated with significant reduction in cell proliferation. Furthermore, we observed changes in angiogenesis-related genes consistent with the endothelial specificity of this SE. Indeed, deletion of the enhancers affected tube formation, resulting in reduced or shortened sprouts. The super-enhancer angiogenic role is at least partly due to its regulation of ADAMTS18, as siRNA knockdown of ADAMTS18 resulted in significantly shortened endothelial sprouts. Hence, functional characterization of a novel endothelial super-enhancer has revealed substantial downstream effects from single enhancer deletions and led to the discovery of the cis-target gene ADAMTS18 and its role in endothelial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidore Mushimiyimana
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Henri Niskanen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Mustafa Beter
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Johanna P Laakkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland.,Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit; Kuopio University Hospital; Kuopio 70029, Finland
| | - Nihay Laham-Karam
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences; University of Eastern Finland; Kuopio 70211, Finland
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10
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Mushimiyimana I, Tomas Bosch V, Niskanen H, Downes NL, Moreau PR, Hartigan K, Ylä-Herttuala S, Laham-Karam N, Kaikkonen MU. Genomic Landscapes of Noncoding RNAs Regulating VEGFA and VEGFC Expression in Endothelial Cells. Mol Cell Biol 2021; 41:e0059420. [PMID: 33875575 PMCID: PMC8224232 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00594-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are best known as key regulators of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Although VEGFs have been promising therapeutic targets for various cardiovascular diseases, their regulatory landscape in endothelial cells remains elusive. Several studies have highlighted the involvement of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the modulation of VEGF expression. In this study, we investigated the role of two classes of ncRNAs, long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), in the transcriptional regulation of VEGFA and VEGFC. By integrating genome-wide global run-on sequencing (GRO-Seq) and chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data, we identified putative lncRNAs and eRNAs associated with VEGFA and VEGFC genes in endothelial cells. A subset of the identified putative enhancers demonstrated regulatory activity in a reporter assay. Importantly, we demonstrate that deletion of enhancers and lncRNAs by CRISPR/Cas9 promoted significant changes in VEGFA and VEGFC expression. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) data from lncRNA deletions showed downstream factors implicated in VEGFA- and VEGFC-linked pathways, such as angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, suggesting functional roles for these lncRNAs. Our study uncovers novel lncRNAs and eRNAs regulating VEGFA and VEGFC that can be targeted to modulate the expression of these important molecules in endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidore Mushimiyimana
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Vanesa Tomas Bosch
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Henri Niskanen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nicholas L. Downes
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pierre R. Moreau
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nihay Laham-Karam
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Minna U. Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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11
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Stone JK, Vukadin L, Ahn EYE. eNEMAL, an enhancer RNA transcribed from a distal MALAT1 enhancer, promotes NEAT1 long isoform expression. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251515. [PMID: 34019552 PMCID: PMC8139514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has shown that active enhancers are abundantly transcribed, generating long non-coding RNAs, called enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). While putative eRNAs are often observed from RNA sequencing, the roles of most eRNAs remain largely unknown. Previously, we identified putative enhancer regions at the MALAT1 locus that form chromatin-chromatin interactions under hypoxia, and one of these enhancers is located about 30 kb downstream of the NEAT1 gene and -20 kb upstream of the MALAT1 gene (MALAT1–20 kb enhancer). Here, we report that a novel eRNA, named eRNA of the NEAT1-MALAT1-Locus (eNEMAL), is transcribed from the MALAT1–20 kb enhancer and conserved in primates. We found that eNEMAL is upregulated in response to hypoxia in multiple breast cancer cell lines, but not in non-tumorigenic MCF10A cells. Overexpression and knockdown of eNEMAL revealed that alteration of eNEMAL level does not affect MALAT1 expression. Instead, we found that eNEMAL upregulates the long isoform of NEAT1 (NEAT1_2) without increasing the total NEAT1 transcript level in MCF7 breast cancer cells, suggesting that eNEMAL has a repressive effect on the 3’-end polyadenylation process required for generating the short isoform of NEAT1 (NEAT1_1). Altogether, we demonstrated that an eRNA transcribed from a MALAT1 enhancer regulates NEAT1 isoform expression, implicating the MALAT1–20 kb enhancer and its transcript eNEMAL in co-regulation of MALAT1 and NEAT1 in response to hypoxia in breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua K. Stone
- Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Lana Vukadin
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Eun-Young Erin Ahn
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Li GH, Qu Q, Qi TT, Teng XQ, Zhu HH, Wang JJ, Lu Q, Qu J. Super-enhancers: a new frontier for epigenetic modifiers in cancer chemoresistance. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:174. [PMID: 34011395 PMCID: PMC8132395 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01974-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although new developments of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy treatments for cancer have improved patient survival, the emergence of chemoresistance in cancer has significant impacts on treatment effects. The development of chemoresistance involves several polygenic, progressive mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels, as well as both genetic and epigenetic heterogeneities. Chemotherapeutics induce epigenetic reprogramming in cancer cells, converting a transient transcriptional state into a stably resistant one. Super-enhancers (SEs) are central to the maintenance of identity of cancer cells and promote SE-driven-oncogenic transcriptions to which cancer cells become highly addicted. This dependence on SE-driven transcription to maintain chemoresistance offers an Achilles' heel for chemoresistance. Indeed, the inhibition of SE components dampens oncogenic transcription and inhibits tumor growth to ultimately achieve combined sensitization and reverse the effects of drug resistance. No reviews have been published on SE-related mechanisms in the cancer chemoresistance. In this review, we investigated the structure, function, and regulation of chemoresistance-related SEs and their contributions to the chemotherapy via regulation of the formation of cancer stem cells, cellular plasticity, the microenvironment, genes associated with chemoresistance, noncoding RNAs, and tumor immunity. The discovery of these mechanisms may aid in the development of new drugs to improve the sensitivity and specificity of cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hua Li
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Qu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Ting Qi
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Qi Teng
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Hong Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiao-Jiao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiong Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jian Qu
- Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Wang Y, Nie H, He X, Liao Z, Zhou Y, Zhou J, Ou C. The emerging role of super enhancer-derived noncoding RNAs in human cancer. Theranostics 2020; 10:11049-11062. [PMID: 33042269 PMCID: PMC7532672 DOI: 10.7150/thno.49168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Super enhancers (SEs) are large clusters of adjacent enhancers that drive the expression of genes which regulate cellular identity; SE regions can be enriched with a high density of transcription factors, co-factors, and enhancer-associated epigenetic modifications. Through enhanced activation of their target genes, SEs play an important role in various diseases and conditions, including cancer. Recent studies have shown that SEs not only activate the transcriptional expression of coding genes to directly regulate biological functions, but also drive the transcriptional expression of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to indirectly regulate biological functions. SE-derived ncRNAs play critical roles in tumorigenesis, including malignant proliferation, metastasis, drug resistance, and inflammatory response. Moreover, the abnormal expression of SE-derived ncRNAs is closely related to the clinical and pathological characterization of tumors. In this review, we summarize the functions and roles of SE-derived ncRNAs in tumorigenesis and discuss their prospective applications in tumor therapy. A deeper understanding of the potential mechanism underlying the action of SE-derived ncRNAs in tumorigenesis may provide new strategies for the early diagnosis of tumors and targeted therapy.
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Liu OHF, Kiema M, Beter M, Ylä-Herttuala S, Laakkonen JP, Kaikkonen MU. Hypoxia-Mediated Regulation of Histone Demethylases Affects Angiogenesis-Associated Functions in Endothelial Cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020; 40:2665-2677. [PMID: 32938217 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.315214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated that the expression of several lysine (K)-specific demethylases (KDMs) is induced by hypoxia. Here, we sought to investigate the exact mechanisms underlying this regulation and its functional implications for endothelial cell function, such as angiogenesis. Approach and Results: We analyzed the expression changes of KDMs under hypoxia and modulation of HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) expression using GRO-Seq and RNA-Seq in endothelial cells. We provide evidence that the majority of the KDMs are induced at the level of nascent transcription mediated by the action of HIF-1α and HIF-2α. Importantly, we show that transcriptional changes at the level of initiation represent the major mechanism of gene activation. To delineate the epigenetic effects of hypoxia and HIF activation in normoxia, we analyzed the genome-wide changes of H3K27me3 using chromosome immunoprecipitation-Seq. We discovered a redistribution of H3K27me3 at ≈2000 to 3000 transcriptionally active loci nearby genes implicated in angiogenesis. Among these, we demonstrate that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression is partly induced by KDM4B- and KDM6B-mediated demethylation of nearby regions. Knockdown of KDM4B and KDM6B decreased cell proliferation, tube formation, and endothelial sprouting while affecting hundreds of genes associated with angiogenesis. These findings provide novel insights into the regulation of KDMs by hypoxia and the epigenetic regulation of VEGFA-mediated angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our study describes an additional level of epigenetic regulation where hypoxia induces redistribution of H3K27me3 around genes implicated in proliferation and angiogenesis. More specifically, we demonstrate that KDM4B and KDM6B play a key role in modulating the expression of the major angiogenic driver VEGFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Hsin-Fu Liu
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (O.H.-F.L., M.K., M.B., S.Y.-H., J.P.L., M.U.K.)
| | - Miika Kiema
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (O.H.-F.L., M.K., M.B., S.Y.-H., J.P.L., M.U.K.)
| | - Mustafa Beter
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (O.H.-F.L., M.K., M.B., S.Y.-H., J.P.L., M.U.K.)
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- Science Service Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland (S.Y.-H.)
| | - Johanna P Laakkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (O.H.-F.L., M.K., M.B., S.Y.-H., J.P.L., M.U.K.)
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio (O.H.-F.L., M.K., M.B., S.Y.-H., J.P.L., M.U.K.)
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15
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Tiana M, Acosta-Iborra B, Hernández R, Galiana C, Fernández-Moreno MÁ, Jimenez B, Del Peso L. Metabolic labeling of RNA uncovers the contribution of transcription and decay rates on hypoxia-induced changes in RNA levels. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 26:1006-1022. [PMID: 32295863 PMCID: PMC7373995 DOI: 10.1261/rna.072611.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Cells adapt to environmental changes, including fluctuations in oxygen levels, through the induction of specific gene expression programs. However, most transcriptomic studies do not distinguish the relative contribution of transcription, RNA processing, and RNA degradation processes to cellular homeostasis. Here we used metabolic labeling followed by massive parallel sequencing of newly transcribed and preexisting RNA fractions to simultaneously analyze RNA synthesis and decay in primary endothelial cells exposed to low oxygen tension. We found that changes in transcription rates induced by hypoxia are the major determinant of changes in RNA levels. However, degradation rates also had a significant contribution, accounting for 24% of the observed variability in total mRNA. In addition, our results indicated that hypoxia led to a reduction of the overall mRNA stability from a median half-life in normoxia of 8.7 h, to 5.7 h in hypoxia. Analysis of RNA content per cell confirmed a decrease of both mRNA and total RNA in hypoxic samples and that this effect is dependent on the EGLN/HIF/TSC2 axis. This effect could potentially contribute to fundamental global responses such as inhibition of translation in hypoxia. In summary, our study provides a quantitative analysis of the contribution of RNA synthesis and stability to the transcriptional response to hypoxia and uncovers an unexpected effect on the latter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tiana
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IdiPaz, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Bárbara Acosta-Iborra
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosana Hernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Galiana
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Fernández-Moreno
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER). Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28029, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid 28041, Spain
| | - Benilde Jimenez
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IdiPaz, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Del Peso
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IdiPaz, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Unidad Asociada de Biomedicina CSIC-UCLM, 02006, Albacete, Spain
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16
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Abstract
Currently, cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death worldwide; therefore, atherosclerosis remains one of the most crucial public health problems. This chronic and complex disease is considered to be a result of aberrant lipid homeostasis and inflammation of the inner wall of arteries that leads to plaque development. In recent years, a specific class of non-coding RNAs that are characterised by transcript lengths longer than 200 nucleotides, called long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), has emerged. Moreover, a growing body of evidence indicates that deregulation of lncRNA expression may contribute to the development of many diseases. Despite continuous efforts in deciphering the molecular basis of atherosclerotic plaque (AP) formation, many aspects of this process remain elusive. Therefore, continuing efforts in this area should remain the highest priority in the coming years. Establishment of a standardised experimental pipeline and validation of lncRNAs as possible relevant biomarkers for cardiovascular disease would enable the translation of gathered findings into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Kraczkowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznań University of Medical Science, 6 Święcickiego Street, 60-781, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Paweł Piotr Jagodziński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznań University of Medical Science, 6 Święcickiego Street, 60-781, Poznan, Poland
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MALAT1/miR-15b-5p/ MAPK1 mediates endothelial progenitor cells autophagy and affects coronary atherosclerotic heart disease via mTOR signaling pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 11:1089-1109. [PMID: 30787203 PMCID: PMC6402525 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Present study focused on the influence of lncRNA MALAT1 on coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD) by regulating miR-15b-5p/MAPK1 and mTOR signaling pathway. Method: Differentially expressed genes and activated pathway were investigated through bioinformatics analysis. QRT-PCR was conducted to verify expression of MALAT1, miR-15b-5p and MAPK1 in CAD blood samples and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). In addition, the interactions among MALAT1, miR-15b-5p and MAPK1 were revealed by Luciferase reporter assay. Cell autophagy of EPCs was examined by Cyto-ID Autophagy Detection Kit and transmission electron microscope. MTT assay and flow cytometry were carried out to assess cell viability and apoptosis in different interference conditions. Western blot was performed to testify the expression of pERK1/2 (MAPK1), phosphorylated mTOR, ATG1 and LC3-II. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were detected by qRT-PCR. Finally, the effect of lncRNA MALAT1 on cell autophagy and atherogenesis was tested in vivo. Results: MALAT1 was overexpressed in CAD blood samples and EPCs. Knockdown of MALAT1 and MAPK1 promoted cell viability, autophagy and further suppressed the development of CAD. AntagoMALAT1 protects mice against atherosclerosis. Conclusion: LncRNA MALAT1 inhibited EPCs autophagy and increased cell viability while repressed apoptosis of CAD via activating mTOR signaling pathway.
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18
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Atherosclerosis is characterized by accumulation of lipids and chronic inflammation in medium size to large arteries. Recently, RNA-based antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are being developed, along with small molecule-based drugs and monoclonal antibodies, for the treatment of risk factors associated with atherosclerosis.. The purpose of this review is to describe nucleic acid-based therapeutics and introduce novel RNAs that might become future tools for treatment of atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS RNA-based inhibitors for PCSK9, Lp(a), ApoCIII, and ANGPTL3 have been successfully tested in phase II-III clinical trials. Moreover, multiple microRNA and long non-coding RNAs have been found to reduce atherogenesis in preclinical animal models. Clinical trials especially with ASOs and siRNAs directed to liver, targeting cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism, have shown promising results. Additional research in larger patient cohorts is needed to fully evaluate the therapeutic potential of these new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petri Mäkinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Anna-Kaisa Ruotsalainen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
- Heart Center and Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
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19
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Lee JH, Xiong F, Li W. Enhancer RNAs in cancer: regulation, mechanisms and therapeutic potential. RNA Biol 2020; 17:1550-1559. [PMID: 31916476 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1712895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancers are distal genomic elements critical for gene regulation and cell identify control during development and diseases. Many human cancers were found to associate with enhancer malfunction, due to genetic and epigenetic alterations, which in some cases directly drive tumour growth. Conventionally, enhancers are known to provide DNA binding motifs to recruit transcription factors (TFs) and to control target genes. However, recent progress found that most, if not all, active enhancers pervasively transcribe noncoding RNAs that are referred to as enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). Increasing evidence points to functional roles of at least a subset of eRNAs in gene regulation in both normal and cancer cells, adding new insights into the action mechanisms of enhancers. eRNA expression was observed to be widespread but also specific to tumour types and individual patients, serving as opportunities to exploit them as potential diagnosis markers or therapeutic targets. In this review, we discuss the brief history of eRNA research, their functional mechanisms and importance in cancer gene regulation, as well as their therapeutic and diagnostic values in cancer. We propose that further studies of eRNAs in cancer will offer a promising 'eRNA targeted therapy' for human cancer intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Hyung Lee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston, TX, USA
| | - Feng Xiong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wenbo Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center , Houston, TX, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth , Houston, TX, USA
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20
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Hernández-Romero IA, Guerra-Calderas L, Salgado-Albarrán M, Maldonado-Huerta T, Soto-Reyes E. The Regulatory Roles of Non-coding RNAs in Angiogenesis and Neovascularization From an Epigenetic Perspective. Front Oncol 2019; 9:1091. [PMID: 31709179 PMCID: PMC6821677 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial process for organ morphogenesis and growth during development, and it is especially relevant during the repair of wounded tissue in adults. It is coordinated by an equilibrium of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors; nevertheless, when affected, it promotes several diseases. Lately, a growing body of evidence is indicating that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as miRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs, play critical roles in angiogenesis. These ncRNAs can act in cis or trans and alter gene transcription by several mechanisms including epigenetic processes. In the following pages, we will discuss the functions of ncRNAs in the regulation of angiogenesis and neovascularization, both in normal and disease contexts, from an epigenetic perspective. Additionally, we will describe the contribution of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques to the discovery and understanding of the role of ncRNAs in angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ernesto Soto-Reyes
- Natural Sciences Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Mexico City, Mexico
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21
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Islam R, Lai C. A Brief Overview of lncRNAs in Endothelial Dysfunction-Associated Diseases: From Discovery to Characterization. EPIGENOMES 2019; 3:epigenomes3030020. [PMID: 34968230 PMCID: PMC8594677 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes3030020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a novel class of regulatory RNA molecules and they are involved in many biological processes and disease developments. Several unique features of lncRNAs have been identified, such as tissue-and/or cell-specific expression pattern, which suggest that they could be potential candidates for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. More recently, the scope of lncRNA studies has been extended to endothelial biology research. Many of lncRNAs were found to be critically involved in the regulation of endothelial function and its associated disease progression. An improved understanding of endothelial biology can thus facilitate the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for endothelial dysfunction-associated diseases, such as abnormal angiogenesis, hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism of lncRNA remains undefined in previous published studies. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to discuss the current methodologies for discovering and investigating the functions of lncRNAs and, in particular, to address the functions of selected lncRNAs in endothelial dysfunction-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashidul Islam
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Christopher Lai
- Health and Social Sciences Cluster, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore 138683, Singapore
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +65-6592-1045
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