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Hernandez-Huertas L, Moreno-Sanchez I, Crespo-Cuadrado J, Vargas-Baco A, da Silva Pescador G, Santos-Pereira JM, Bazzini AA, Moreno-Mateos MA. CRISPR-RfxCas13d screening uncovers Bckdk as a post-translational regulator of the maternal-to-zygotic transition in teleosts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.22.595167. [PMID: 38826327 PMCID: PMC11142190 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.22.595167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The Maternal-to-Zygotic transition (MZT) is a reprograming process encompassing zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and the clearance of maternally-provided mRNAs. While some factors regulating MZT have been identified, there are thousands of maternal RNAs whose function has not been ascribed yet. Here, we have performed a proof-of-principle CRISPR-RfxCas13d maternal screening targeting mRNAs encoding protein kinases and phosphatases in zebrafish and identified Bckdk as a novel post-translational regulator of MZT. Bckdk mRNA knockdown caused epiboly defects, ZGA deregulation, H3K27ac reduction and a partial impairment of miR-430 processing. Phospho-proteomic analysis revealed that Phf10/Baf45a, a chromatin remodeling factor, is less phosphorylated upon Bckdk depletion. Further, phf10 mRNA knockdown also altered ZGA and Phf10 constitutively phosphorylated rescued the developmental defects observed after bckdk mRNA depletion. Altogether, our results demonstrate the competence of CRISPR-RfxCas13d screenings to uncover new regulators of early vertebrate development and shed light on the post-translational control of MZT mediated by protein phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Hernandez-Huertas
- Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology (CABD), Pablo de Olavide University/CSIC/Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Ismael Moreno-Sanchez
- Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology (CABD), Pablo de Olavide University/CSIC/Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Jesús Crespo-Cuadrado
- Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology (CABD), Pablo de Olavide University/CSIC/Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Vargas-Baco
- Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology (CABD), Pablo de Olavide University/CSIC/Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | | | - José M. Santos-Pereira
- Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology (CABD), Pablo de Olavide University/CSIC/Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Ariel A. Bazzini
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 E 50th St, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Miguel A. Moreno-Mateos
- Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology (CABD), Pablo de Olavide University/CSIC/Junta de Andalucía, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemical Engineering, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. Utrera Km.1, 41013, Seville, Spain
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2
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Buhagiar AF, Kleaveland B. To kill a microRNA: emerging concepts in target-directed microRNA degradation. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1558-1574. [PMID: 38224449 PMCID: PMC10899785 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) guide Argonaute (AGO) proteins to bind mRNA targets. Although most targets are destabilized by miRNA-AGO binding, some targets induce degradation of the miRNA instead. These special targets are also referred to as trigger RNAs. All triggers identified thus far have binding sites with greater complementarity to the miRNA than typical target sites. Target-directed miRNA degradation (TDMD) occurs when trigger RNAs bind the miRNA-AGO complex and recruit the ZSWIM8 E3 ubiquitin ligase, leading to AGO ubiquitination and proteolysis and subsequent miRNA destruction. More than 100 different miRNAs are regulated by ZSWIM8 in bilaterian animals, and hundreds of trigger RNAs have been predicted computationally. Disruption of individual trigger RNAs or ZSWIM8 has uncovered important developmental and physiologic roles for TDMD across a variety of model organisms and cell types. In this review, we highlight recent progress in understanding the mechanistic basis and functions of TDMD, describe common features of trigger RNAs, outline best practices for validating trigger RNAs, and discuss outstanding questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber F Buhagiar
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10065, USA
| | - Benjamin Kleaveland
- Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY10065, USA
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3
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Perooli FM, Wilkinson KA, Pring K, Hanley JG. An essential role for the RNA helicase DDX6 in NMDA receptor-dependent gene silencing and dendritic spine shrinkage. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3066. [PMID: 38321143 PMCID: PMC10847504 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53484-4] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) repress translation of target mRNAs by associating with Argonaute (Ago) proteins in the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to modulate protein expression. Specific miRNAs are required for NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent synaptic plasticity by repressing the translation of proteins involved in dendritic spine morphogenesis. Rapid NMDAR-dependent silencing of Limk1 is essential for spine shrinkage and requires Ago2 phosphorylation at S387. Not all gene silencing events are modulated by S387 phosphorylation, and the mechanisms that govern the selection of specific mRNAs for silencing downstream of S387 phosphorylation are unknown. Here, we show that NMDAR-dependent S387 phosphorylation causes a rapid and transient increase in the association of Ago2 with Limk1, but not Apt1 mRNA. The specific increase in Limk1 mRNA binding to Ago2 requires recruitment of the helicase DDX6 to RISC. Furthermore, we show that DDX6 is required for NMDAR-dependent silencing of Limk1 via miR-134, but not Apt1 via miR-138, and is essential for NMDAR-dependent spine shrinkage. This work defines a novel mechanism for the rapid transduction of NMDAR stimulation into miRNA-mediated translational repression of specific genes to control dendritic spine morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fathima M Perooli
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Kevin A Wilkinson
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Kate Pring
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Jonathan G Hanley
- School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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4
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Bofill-De Ros X, Vang Ørom UA. Recent progress in miRNA biogenesis and decay. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-8. [PMID: 38031325 PMCID: PMC10761092 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2288741] [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] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are a class of small regulatory RNAs that mediate regulation of protein synthesis by recognizing sequence elements in mRNAs. MicroRNAs are processed through a series of steps starting from transcription and primary processing in the nucleus to precursor processing and mature function in the cytoplasm. It is also in the cytoplasm where levels of mature microRNAs can be modulated through decay mechanisms. Here, we review the recent progress in the lifetime of a microRNA at all steps required for maintaining their homoeostasis. The increasing knowledge about microRNA regulation upholds great promise as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Bofill-De Ros
- RNA Biology and Innovation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ulf Andersson Vang Ørom
- RNA Biology and Innovation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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5
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Shah VN, Neumeier J, Huberdeau MQ, Zeitler DM, Bruckmann A, Meister G, Simard MJ. Casein kinase 1 and 2 phosphorylate Argonaute proteins to regulate miRNA-mediated gene silencing. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57250. [PMID: 37712432 PMCID: PMC10626430 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357250] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) together with Argonaute (AGO) proteins form the core of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to regulate gene expression of their target RNAs post-transcriptionally. Argonaute proteins are subjected to intensive regulation via various post-translational modifications that can affect their stability, silencing efficacy and specificity for targeted gene regulation. We report here that in Caenorhabditis elegans, two conserved serine/threonine kinases - casein kinase 1 alpha 1 (CK1A1) and casein kinase 2 (CK2) - regulate a highly conserved phosphorylation cluster of 4 Serine residues (S988:S998) on the miRNA-specific AGO protein ALG-1. We show that CK1A1 phosphorylates ALG-1 at sites S992 and S995, while CK2 phosphorylates ALG-1 at sites S988 and S998. Furthermore, we demonstrate that phospho-mimicking mutants of the entire S988:S998 cluster rescue the various developmental defects observed upon depleting CK1A1 and CK2. In humans, we show that CK1A1 also acts as a priming kinase of this cluster on AGO2. Altogether, our data suggest that phosphorylation of AGO within the cluster by CK1A1 and CK2 is required for efficient miRISC-target RNA binding and silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Nilesh Shah
- CHU de Québec‐Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division)Quebec CityQuebecCanada
- Université Laval Cancer Research CentreQuebec CityQuebecCanada
| | - Julia Neumeier
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA BiologyUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Miguel Quévillon Huberdeau
- CHU de Québec‐Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division)Quebec CityQuebecCanada
- Université Laval Cancer Research CentreQuebec CityQuebecCanada
| | - Daniela M Zeitler
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA BiologyUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Astrid Bruckmann
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA BiologyUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA BiologyUniversity of RegensburgRegensburgGermany
| | - Martin J Simard
- CHU de Québec‐Université Laval Research Center (Oncology Division)Quebec CityQuebecCanada
- Université Laval Cancer Research CentreQuebec CityQuebecCanada
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6
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Larivera S, Neumeier J, Meister G. Post-transcriptional gene silencing in a dynamic RNP world. Biol Chem 2023; 404:1051-1067. [PMID: 37739934 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA)-guided gene silencing is a key regulatory process in various organisms and linked to many human diseases. MiRNAs are processed from precursor molecules and associate with Argonaute proteins to repress the expression of complementary target mRNAs. Excellent work by numerous labs has contributed to a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of miRNA function. However, miRNA effects have mostly been analyzed and viewed as isolated events and their natural environment as part of complex RNA-protein particles (RNPs) is often neglected. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) regulate key enzymes of the miRNA processing machinery and furthermore RBPs or readers of RNA modifications may modulate miRNA activity on mRNAs. Such proteins may function similarly to miRNAs and add their own contributions to the overall expression level of a particular gene. Therefore, post-transcriptional gene regulation might be more the sum of individual regulatory events and should be viewed as part of a dynamic and complex RNP world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Larivera
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Julia Neumeier
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Regensburg Center for Biochemistry (RCB), Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
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7
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Tregub PP, Ibrahimli I, Averchuk AS, Salmina AB, Litvitskiy PF, Manasova ZS, Popova IA. The Role of microRNAs in Epigenetic Regulation of Signaling Pathways in Neurological Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12899. [PMID: 37629078 PMCID: PMC10454825 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612899] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent times, there has been a significant increase in researchers' interest in the functions of microRNAs and the role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of many multifactorial diseases. This is related to the diagnostic and prognostic potential of microRNA expression levels as well as the prospects of using it in personalized targeted therapy. This review of the literature analyzes existing scientific data on the involvement of microRNAs in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development of pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury, and dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel P. Tregub
- Department of Pathophysiology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Scientific and Educational Resource Center “Innovative Technologies of Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis”, RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia
- Research Center of Neurology, 125367 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irada Ibrahimli
- Department of Pathophysiology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Alla B. Salmina
- Research Center of Neurology, 125367 Moscow, Russia
- Research Institute of Molecular Medicine and Pathobiochemistry, Prof. V. F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Peter F. Litvitskiy
- Department of Pathophysiology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Zaripat Sh. Manasova
- Department of Pathophysiology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Inga A. Popova
- Department of Pathophysiology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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8
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Shui B, Beyett TS, Chen Z, Li X, La Rocca G, Gazlay WM, Eck MJ, Lau KS, Ventura A, Haigis KM. Oncogenic K-Ras suppresses global miRNA function. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2509-2523.e13. [PMID: 37402366 PMCID: PMC10527862 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
K-Ras frequently acquires gain-of-function mutations (K-RasG12D being the most common) that trigger significant transcriptomic and proteomic changes to drive tumorigenesis. Nevertheless, oncogenic K-Ras-induced dysregulation of post-transcriptional regulators such as microRNAs (miRNAs) during oncogenesis is poorly understood. Here, we report that K-RasG12D promotes global suppression of miRNA activity, resulting in the upregulation of hundreds of targets. We constructed a comprehensive profile of physiological miRNA targets in mouse colonic epithelium and tumors expressing K-RasG12D using Halo-enhanced Argonaute pull-down. Combining this with parallel datasets of chromatin accessibility, transcriptome, and proteome, we uncovered that K-RasG12D suppressed the expression of Csnk1a1 and Csnk2a1, subsequently decreasing Ago2 phosphorylation at Ser825/829/832/835. Hypo-phosphorylated Ago2 increased binding to mRNAs while reducing its activity to repress miRNA targets. Our findings connect a potent regulatory mechanism of global miRNA activity to K-Ras in a pathophysiological context and provide a mechanistic link between oncogenic K-Ras and the post-transcriptional upregulation of miRNA targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Shui
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tyler S Beyett
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhengyi Chen
- Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chemical and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Gaspare La Rocca
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - William M Gazlay
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA
| | - Michael J Eck
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ken S Lau
- Epithelial Biology Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Chemical and Physical Biology Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrea Ventura
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kevin M Haigis
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Digestive Disease Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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9
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Xiao Y, Liu TM, MacRae IJ. A tiny loop in the Argonaute PIWI domain tunes small RNA seed strength. EMBO Rep 2023:e55806. [PMID: 37082939 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Argonaute (AGO) proteins use microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) as guides to regulate gene expression in plants and animals. AGOs that use miRNAs in bilaterian animals recognize short (6-8 nt.) elements complementary to the miRNA seed region, enabling each miRNA to interact with hundreds of otherwise unrelated targets. By contrast, AGOs that use miRNAs in plants employ longer (> 13 nt.) recognition elements such that each miRNA silences a small number of physiologically related targets. Here, we show that this major functional distinction depends on a minor structural difference between plant and animal AGO proteins: a 9-amino acid loop in the PIWI domain. Swapping the PIWI loop from human Argonaute2 (HsAGO2) into Arabidopsis Argonaute10 (AtAGO10) increases seed strength, resulting in animal-like miRNA targeting. Conversely, swapping the plant PIWI loop into HsAGO2 reduces seed strength and accelerates the turnover of cleaved targets. The loop-swapped HsAGO2 silences targets more potently, with reduced miRNA-like targeting, than wild-type HsAGO2 in mammalian cells. Thus, tiny structural differences can tune the targeting properties of AGO proteins for distinct biological roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xiao
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - TingYu M Liu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ian J MacRae
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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10
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Transcriptome-Wide Analysis of microRNA-mRNA Correlations in Tissue Identifies microRNA Targeting Determinants. Noncoding RNA 2023; 9:ncrna9010015. [PMID: 36827548 PMCID: PMC9958706 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna9010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs are small RNAs that regulate gene expression through complementary base pairing with their target mRNAs. A substantial understanding of microRNA target recognition and repression mechanisms has been reached using diverse empirical and bioinformatic approaches, primarily in vitro biochemical or cell culture perturbation settings. We sought to determine if rules of microRNA target efficacy could be inferred from extensive gene expression data of human tissues. A transcriptome-wide assessment of all the microRNA-mRNA canonical interactions' efficacy was performed using a normalized Spearman correlation (Z-score) between the abundance of the transcripts in the PRAD-TCGA dataset tissues (RNA-seq mRNAs and small RNA-seq for microRNAs, 546 samples). Using the Z-score of correlation as a surrogate marker of microRNA target efficacy, we confirmed hallmarks of microRNAs, such as repression of their targets, the hierarchy of preference for gene regions (3'UTR > CDS > 5'UTR), and seed length (6 mer < 7 mer < 8 mer), as well as the contribution of the 3'-supplementary pairing at nucleotides 13-16 of the microRNA. Interactions mediated by 6 mer + supplementary showed similar inferred repression as 7 mer sites, suggesting that the 6 mer + supplementary sites may be relevant in vivo. However, aggregated 7 mer-A1 seeds appear more repressive than 7 mer-m8 seeds, while similar when pairing possibilities at the 3'-supplementary sites. We then examined the 3'-supplementary pairing using 39 microRNAs with Z-score-inferred repressive 3'-supplementary interactions. The approach was sensitive to the offset of the bridge between seed and 3'-supplementary pairing sites, and the pattern of offset-associated repression found supports previous findings. The 39 microRNAs with effective repressive 3'supplementary sites show low GC content at positions 13-16. Our study suggests that the transcriptome-wide analysis of microRNA-mRNA correlations may uncover hints of microRNA targeting determinants. Finally, we provide a bioinformatic tool to identify microRNA-mRNA candidate interactions based on the sequence complementarity of the seed and 3'-supplementary regions.
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