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Ghanbarian H, Aghamiri S, Eftekhary M, Wagner N, Wagner KD. Small Activating RNAs: Towards the Development of New Therapeutic Agents and Clinical Treatments. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030591. [PMID: 33800164 PMCID: PMC8001863 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Small double-strand RNA (dsRNA) molecules can activate endogenous genes via an RNA-based promoter targeting mechanism. RNA activation (RNAa) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism present in diverse eukaryotic organisms ranging from nematodes to humans. Small activating RNAs (saRNAs) involved in RNAa have been successfully used to activate gene expression in cultured cells, and thereby this emergent technique might allow us to develop various biotechnological applications, without the need to synthesize hazardous construct systems harboring exogenous DNA sequences. Accordingly, this thematic issue aims to provide insights into how RNAa cellular machinery can be harnessed to activate gene expression leading to a more effective clinical treatment of various diseases.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Brain/cytology
- Brain/growth & development
- Brain/metabolism
- Genetic Therapy/methods
- Humans
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Muscle Development/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/metabolism
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/pathology
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/therapy
- Myocardium/cytology
- Myocardium/metabolism
- Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Neurogenesis/genetics
- Neurons/cytology
- Neurons/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- RNA, Double-Stranded/genetics
- RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism
- RNA, Double-Stranded/therapeutic use
- RNA, Small Untranslated/genetics
- RNA, Small Untranslated/metabolism
- RNA, Small Untranslated/therapeutic use
- Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/genetics
- Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Ghanbarian
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19857-17443, Iran;
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran;
| | - Shahin Aghamiri
- Student Research Committee, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran;
| | - Mohamad Eftekhary
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 19839-63113, Iran;
| | - Nicole Wagner
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBV, 06107 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (N.W.); (K.-D.W.); Tel.: +33-493-3776-65 (K.-D.W.)
| | - Kay-Dietrich Wagner
- Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, INSERM, iBV, 06107 Nice, France
- Correspondence: (N.W.); (K.-D.W.); Tel.: +33-493-3776-65 (K.-D.W.)
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2
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Eyvazi S, Hejazi MS, Kahroba H, Abasi M, Zamiri RE, Tarhriz V. CDK9 as an Appealing Target for Therapeutic Interventions. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:453-464. [PMID: 30362418 DOI: 10.2174/1389450119666181026152221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 9 (CDK9) as a serine/threonine kinase belongs to a great number of CDKs. CDK9 is the main core of PTEF-b complex and phosphorylates RNA polymerase (RNAP) II besides other transcription factors which regulate gene transcription elongation in numerous physiological processes. Multi-functional nature of CDK9 in diverse cellular pathways proposes that it is as an appealing target. In this review, we summarized the recent findings on the molecular interaction of CDK9 with critical participant molecules to modulate their activity in various diseases. Furthermore, the presented review provides a rationale supporting the use of CDK9 as a therapeutic target in clinical developments for crucial diseases; particularly cancers will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Eyvazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeid Hejazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Homan Kahroba
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mozghan Abasi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Eghdam Zamiri
- Faculty of medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Vahideh Tarhriz
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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3
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Eftekhary M, Mohammadi-Yeganeh S, Bolandi Z, Hashemi SM, Mokhberian N, Sharifi K, Ghanbarian H. A novel natural antisense transcript at human SOX9 locus is down-regulated in cancer and stem cells. Biotechnol Lett 2019; 42:329-339. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-019-02774-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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4
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Musavi M, Kohram F, Abasi M, Bolandi Z, Ajoudanian M, Mohammadi-Yeganeh S, Hashemi SM, Sharifi K, Fathi HR, Ghanbarian H. Rn7SK small nuclear RNA is involved in cellular senescence. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:14234-14245. [PMID: 30637716 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Rn7SK is a conserved small nuclear noncoding RNA which its function in aging has not been studied. Recently, we have demonstrated that Rn7SK overexpression reduces cell viability and is significantly downregulated in stem cells, human tumor tissues, and cell lines. In this study, we analyzed the role of Rn7SK on senescence in adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs). For this purpose, Rn7SK expression was downregulated and upregulated via transfection and transduction, respectively, in AD-MSCs and subsequently, various distinct characteristics of senescence including cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, senescence-associated β galactosidase activity, and differentiation potency was analyzed. Our results demonstrated the transient knockdown of Rn7SK in MSCs leads to delayed senescence, while its overexpressions shows opposite effects. When osteogenic differentiation was started, however, they exhibited a greater differentiation potential than the original MSCs, suggesting a potential tool for stem cell-based regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Musavi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kohram
- Departments of Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
| | - Mozhgan Abasi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Bolandi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ajoudanian
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Mohammadi-Yeganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kazem Sharifi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Fathi
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Hossein Ghanbarian
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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5
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Tarhriz V, Eyvazi S, Musavi M, Abasi M, Sharifi K, Ghanbarian H, Hejazi MS. Transient induction of Cdk9 in the early stage of differentiation is critical for myogenesis. J Cell Biochem 2019; 120:18854-18861. [PMID: 31257635 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cdk9 is a serine-threonine protein kinase that has been recognized as a regulator of cardiac differentiation. Recently, we have reported that transient induction of Cdk9 using noncoding RNA targeting Cdk9 sequences results in efficient cardiac differentiation. Concerning Cdk9 regulatory roles, here, we proposed whether constant overexpression of Cdk9 might influence the differentiation of myoblast C2C12 cells into myotubes. We overexpressed Cdk9 in mouse myoblast C2C12 cells to investigate its regulatory roles on myogenic differentiation. Upon Cdk9 overexpression, the expression level of myogenic regulatory factors was determined. Moreover, the expression profile of three important myomiRs consist of miR 1, 133 and 206 was examined during the differentiation process. Although Cdk9 expression is necessary for inducing differentiation in the early stage of myogenesis, continuous Cdk9 expression inhibits differentiation by modulating myomiRs and myogenic gene expression. Our results indicate that the transient induction of Cdk9 in the early stage of differentiation is critical for myogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahideh Tarhriz
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shirin Eyvazi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Musavi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Abasi
- Immunogenetics Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Kazem Sharifi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Ghanbarian
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeid Hejazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical biotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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6
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Sirt1 antisense transcript is down-regulated in human tumors. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:2299-2305. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04687-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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7
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Cell type‐dependent functions of microRNA‐92a. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:5798-5804. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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8
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Bazi Z, Bertacchi M, Abasi M, Mohammadi‐Yeganeh S, Soleimani M, Wagner N, Ghanbarian H. Rn7SK
small nuclear RNA is involved in neuronal differentiation. J Cell Biochem 2017; 119:3174-3182. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Bazi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | | | - Mozhgan Abasi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic EngineeringStem Cell Technology Research CenterTehranIran
| | - Samira Mohammadi‐Yeganeh
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Masoud Soleimani
- Faculty of Medical ScienceDepartment of HematologyTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | | | - Hossein Ghanbarian
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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9
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Tarhriz V, Wagner KD, Masoumi Z, Molavi O, Hejazi MS, Ghanbarian H. CDK9 Regulates Apoptosis of Myoblast Cells by Modulation of microRNA-1 Expression. J Cell Biochem 2017; 119:547-554. [PMID: 28608935 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Cdk9 is the catalytic core of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb) and regulates transcriptional elongation factors by phosphorylation of RNA pol II. Apart from its role on myogenic gene expression, Cdk9 regulation of muscle-specific microRNAs in the early stage of cardiomyogenesis is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that Cdk9 not only regulates myogenic transcription factors, but also controls muscle-specific microRNAs. During cardiac differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells, high Cdk9 expression preceded up-regulation of miR-1. To investigate potential regulatory roles of Cdk9 on cardiac microRNAs and myogenesis genes, we overexpressed Cdk9 in myoblast C2C12 cells, which resulted in significant induction of miR-1 and miR-206, while miR-133 was downregulated. Moreover, expression levels of MyoD and Srf, key regulators of myogenesis, also increased in cells with overexpression of Cdk9. We further observed Cdk9-mediated apoptosis in C2C12 cells corresponding to induction of miR-1 expression levels. Thus, Cdk9 plays a complex role in myocyte progenitor differentiation and apoptosis by regulating myogenic protein and muscle-specific microRNA expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 547-554, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahideh Tarhriz
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Masoumi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Tehran, Iran.,Faculty of Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ommoleila Molavi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeid Hejazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Ghanbarian
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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10
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D'Onofrio DJ, Abel DL. Redundancy of the genetic code enables translational pausing. Front Genet 2014; 5:140. [PMID: 24904640 PMCID: PMC4033003 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The codon redundancy (“degeneracy”) found in protein-coding regions of mRNA also prescribes Translational Pausing (TP). When coupled with the appropriate interpreters, multiple meanings and functions are programmed into the same sequence of configurable switch-settings. This additional layer of Ontological Prescriptive Information (PIo) purposely slows or speeds up the translation-decoding process within the ribosome. Variable translation rates help prescribe functional folding of the nascent protein. Redundancy of the codon to amino acid mapping, therefore, is anything but superfluous or degenerate. Redundancy programming allows for simultaneous dual prescriptions of TP and amino acid assignments without cross-talk. This allows both functions to be coincident and realizable. We will demonstrate that the TP schema is a bona fide rule-based code, conforming to logical code-like properties. Second, we will demonstrate that this TP code is programmed into the supposedly degenerate redundancy of the codon table. We will show that algorithmic processes play a dominant role in the realization of this multi-dimensional code.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J D'Onofrio
- Control Systems Modeling and Simulation, General Dynamics Sterling Heights, MI, USA ; Department of Humanities and Science, Math Department, College of Humanities and Science, University of Phoenix Detroit, MI, USA
| | - David L Abel
- Department of ProtoBioCybernetics/ProtoBioSemiotics, The Gene Emergence Project of The Origin of Life Science Foundation, Inc. Greenbelt, MD, USA
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11
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Role of noncoding RNAs in the regulation of P-TEFb availability and enzymatic activity. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:643805. [PMID: 24701579 PMCID: PMC3950470 DOI: 10.1155/2014/643805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
P-TEFb is a transcriptional factor that specifically regulates the elongation step of RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription and its activity strictly required for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and during cardiac differentiation. P-TEFb role has emerged as a crucial regulator of transcription elongation and its activity found finely tuned in vivo at transcriptional level as well as posttranscriptionally by dynamic association with different multisubunit molecular particles. Both physiological and pathological cellular signals rapidly converge on P-TEFb regulation by modifying expression and activity of the complex to allow cells to properly respond to different stimuli. In this review we will give a panoramic view on P-TEFb regulation by noncoding RNAs in both physiological and pathological conditions.
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12
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Pathways by which the interplay of organismic and environmental factors lead to phenotypic variation within and across generations. ADVANCES IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOR 2013; 44:325-54. [PMID: 23834011 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-397947-6.00012-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The range of responses made to environmental exigencies by animals, including humans, may be impacted by the experiences of their progenitors. In mammals, pathways have been documented ranging from transactions between a mother and her developing fetus in the womb through continuity of parenting practices and cultural inheritance. In addition, phenotypic plasticity may be constrained by factors transmitted by the gametes that are involved in the regulation of gene expression rather than modifications to the genome itself. Possible mediators for this kind of inheritance are examined, and the conditions that might have led to the evolution of such transmission are considered. Anticipatory adjustments to possible environmental exigencies are likely to occur when such conditions recur regularly, but intermittently across generations and endure for substantial periods of time, and when adjusting to them after the fact is likely to be biologically costly, even life-threatening. It appears that physical growth and responses to nutrient availability are domains in which anticipatory, epigenetically inherited adjustments occur. In addition, given the fact that humans have oppressed one another repeatedly and for relatively long periods of time, such behavioral tendencies as boldness or innovativeness may be behavioral traits subject to such effects. The implications of these factors for research and policy are discussed.
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Lakhotia SC. Long non-coding RNAs coordinate cellular responses to stress. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2012; 3:779-96. [PMID: 22976942 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Following the initial discovery of the heat shock RNA omega (hsrω) gene of Drosophila melanogaster to be non-coding (nc) and also inducible by cell stress, other stress-inducible long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have been described in diverse organisms. In view of the rapid sequence divergence of lncRNAs, present knowledge of stress trasncriptome is limited and fragmented. Several known stress-related lncRNAs, associated with specific nuclear speckled domains or nucleolus, provide structural base for sequestering diverse RNA-processing/regulatory proteins. Others have roles in transcriptional or translational inhibition during stress or in signaling pathways; functions of several other lncRNAs are not yet known. Most stress-related lncRNAs act primarily by modulating activity of the proteins to which they bind or by sequestering specific sets of proteins away from the active pool. A common emerging theme is that a given lncRNA targets one or more protein/s with key role/s in the cascade of events triggered by the stress and therefore has a widespread integrative effect. Since proteins associate with RNA through short sequence motifs, the overall base sequence of functionally similar ncRNAs is often not conserved except for specific motifs. The rapid evolvability of ncRNA sequences provides elegant modules for adaptability to changing environment as binding of one or the other protein to ncRNA can alter its structure and functions in distinct ways. Thus the stress-related lncRNAs act as hubs in the cellular networks to coordinate activities of the members within and between different networks to maintain cellular homeostasis for survival or to trigger cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhash C Lakhotia
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
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