1
|
Billi M, De Marinis E, Gentile M, Nervi C, Grignani F. Nuclear miRNAs: Gene Regulation Activities. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6066. [PMID: 38892257 PMCID: PMC11172810 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116066] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which contribute to the regulation of many physiological and pathological processes. Conventionally, miRNAs perform their activity in the cytoplasm where they regulate gene expression by interacting in a sequence-specific manner with mature messenger RNAs. Recent studies point to the presence of mature miRNAs in the nucleus. This review summarizes current findings regarding the molecular activities of nuclear miRNAs. These molecules can regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level by directly binding DNA on the promoter or the enhancer of regulated genes. miRNAs recruit different protein complexes to these regions, resulting in activation or repression of transcription, through a number of molecular mechanisms. Hematopoiesis is presented as a paradigmatic biological process whereby nuclear miRNAs possess a relevant regulatory role. Nuclear miRNAs can influence gene expression by affecting nuclear mRNA processing and by regulating pri-miRNA maturation, thus impacting the biogenesis of miRNAs themselves. Overall, nuclear miRNAs are biologically active molecules that can be critical for the fine tuning of gene expression and deserve further studies in a number of physiological and pathological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monia Billi
- General Pathology and Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta De Marinis
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 04100 Latina, Italy; (E.D.M.); (M.G.); (C.N.)
| | - Martina Gentile
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 04100 Latina, Italy; (E.D.M.); (M.G.); (C.N.)
| | - Clara Nervi
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 04100 Latina, Italy; (E.D.M.); (M.G.); (C.N.)
| | - Francesco Grignani
- General Pathology and Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Athanasopoulou K, Chondrou V, Xiropotamos P, Psarias G, Vasilopoulos Y, Georgakilas GK, Sgourou A. Transcriptional repression of lncRNA and miRNA subsets mediated by LRF during erythropoiesis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:1097-1112. [PMID: 37486375 PMCID: PMC10482784 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02352-1] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) species, mainly long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been currently imputed for lesser or greater involvement in human erythropoiesis. These RNA subsets operate within a complex circuit with other epigenetic components and transcription factors (TF) affecting chromatin remodeling during cell differentiation. Lymphoma/leukemia-related (LRF) TF exerts higher occupancy on DNA CpG rich sites and is implicated in several differentiation cell pathways and erythropoiesis among them and also directs the epigenetic regulation of hemoglobin transversion from fetal (HbF) to adult (HbA) form by intervening in the γ-globin gene repression. We intended to investigate LRF activity in the evolving landscape of cells' commitment to the erythroid lineage and specifically during HbF to HbA transversion, to qualify this TF as potential repressor of lncRNAs and miRNAs. Transgenic human erythroleukemia cells, overexpressing LRF and further induced to erythropoiesis, were subjected to expression analysis in high LRF occupancy genetic loci-producing lncRNAs. LRF abundance in genetic loci transcribing for studied lncRNAs was determined by ChIP-Seq data analysis. qPCRs were performed to examine lncRNA expression status. Differentially expressed miRNA pre- and post-erythropoiesis induction were assessed by next-generation sequencing (NGS), and their promoter regions were charted. Expression levels of lncRNAs were correlated with DNA methylation status of flanked CpG islands, and contingent co-regulation of hosted miRNAs was considered. LRF-binding sites were overrepresented in LRF overexpressing cell clones during erythropoiesis induction and exerted a significant suppressive effect towards lncRNAs and miRNA collections. Based on present data interpretation, LRF's multiplied binding capacity across genome is suggested to be transient and associated with higher levels of DNA methylation. KEY MESSAGES: During erythropoiesis, LRF displays extensive occupancy across genetic loci. LRF significantly represses subsets of lncRNAs and miRNAs during erythropoiesis. Promoter region CpG islands' methylation levels affect lncRNA expression. MiRNAs embedded within lncRNA loci show differential regulation of expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Athanasopoulou
- Biology Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Chondrou
- Biology Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Xiropotamos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Section of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Psarias
- Biology Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| | - Yiannis Vasilopoulos
- Laboratory of Genetics, Section of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios K. Georgakilas
- Laboratory of Genetics, Section of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, Department of Biology, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41222 Larisa, Greece
| | - Argyro Sgourou
- Biology Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Systematic analysis of different degrees of haemolysis on miRNA levels in serum and serum-derived extracellular vesicles from dogs. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:355. [PMID: 36138476 PMCID: PMC9494854 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03445-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are described as promising non-invasive biomarkers for diagnostics and therapeutics. Human studies have shown that haemolysis occurring during blood collection or due to improper sample processing/storage significantly alters the miRNA content in plasma and serum. Nevertheless, no similar research has been performed in dogs so far. We therefore investigated the effects of different degrees of haemolysis on the levels of selected miRNAs in serum and serum-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from dogs, by inducing a controlled in vitro haemolysis experiment. Results The abundance of miR-16, miR-92a, miR-191, miR-451 and miR-486 was significantly sensitive to haemolysis in serum and serum-derived EVs, while other selected miRNAs were not influenced by haemolysis. Furthermore, we found that the abundance of some canine miRNAs differs from data reported in the human system. Conclusions Our results describe for the first time the impact of haemolysis on circulating miRNAs not only in whole serum, but also in serum-derived EVs from dogs. Hence, we provide novel data for further analyses in the discovery of canine circulating biomarkers. Our findings suggest that haemolysis should be carefully assessed to assure accuracy when investigating circulating miRNA in serum or plasma-based tests. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03445-8.
Collapse
|
5
|
Robert AW, Marcon BH, Angulski ABB, Martins SDT, Leitolis A, Stimamiglio MA, Senegaglia AC, Correa A, Alves LR. Selective Loading and Variations in the miRNA Profile of Extracellular Vesicles from Endothelial-like Cells Cultivated under Normoxia and Hypoxia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710066. [PMID: 36077462 PMCID: PMC9456085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-like cells may be obtained from CD133+ mononuclear cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) and expanded using endothelial-inducing medium (E-CD133 cells). Their use in regenerative medicine has been explored by the potential not only to form vessels but also by the secretion of bioactive elements. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are prominent messengers of this paracrine activity, transporting bioactive molecules that may guide cellular response under different conditions. Using RNA-Seq, we characterized the miRNA content of EVs derived from E-CD133 cells cultivated under normoxia (N-EVs) and hypoxia (H-EVs) and observed that changing the O2 status led to variations in the selective loading of miRNAs in the EVs. In silico analysis showed that among the targets of differentially loaded miRNAs, there are transcripts involved in pathways related to cell growth and survival, such as FoxO and HIF-1 pathways. The data obtained reinforce the pro-regenerative potential of EVs obtained from E-CD133 cells and shows that fine tuning of their properties may be regulated by culture conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anny Waloski Robert
- Stem Cells Basic Biology Laboratory, Instituto Carlos Chagas—ICC-FIOCRUZ/PR, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
| | - Bruna Hilzendeger Marcon
- Stem Cells Basic Biology Laboratory, Instituto Carlos Chagas—ICC-FIOCRUZ/PR, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
| | - Addeli Bez Batti Angulski
- Stem Cells Basic Biology Laboratory, Instituto Carlos Chagas—ICC-FIOCRUZ/PR, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
| | - Sharon de Toledo Martins
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Instituto Carlos Chagas—ICC-FIOCRUZ/PR, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
| | - Amanda Leitolis
- Stem Cells Basic Biology Laboratory, Instituto Carlos Chagas—ICC-FIOCRUZ/PR, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
| | - Marco Augusto Stimamiglio
- Stem Cells Basic Biology Laboratory, Instituto Carlos Chagas—ICC-FIOCRUZ/PR, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Cristina Senegaglia
- Core for Cell Technology-School of Medicine, Universidade Católica Paraná-PUCPR, Curitiba 80215-901, PR, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine (INCT-REGENERA), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alejandro Correa
- Stem Cells Basic Biology Laboratory, Instituto Carlos Chagas—ICC-FIOCRUZ/PR, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine (INCT-REGENERA), Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, RJ, Brazil
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.R.A.)
| | - Lysangela Ronalte Alves
- Gene Expression Regulation Laboratory, Instituto Carlos Chagas—ICC-FIOCRUZ/PR, Rua Professor Algacyr Munhoz Mader, 3775, Curitiba 81350-010, PR, Brazil
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (L.R.A.)
| |
Collapse
|