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Fiorentino J, Armaos A, Colantoni A, Tartaglia G. Prediction of protein-RNA interactions from single-cell transcriptomic data. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:e31. [PMID: 38364867 PMCID: PMC11014251 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteins are crucial in regulating every aspect of RNA life, yet understanding their interactions with coding and noncoding RNAs remains limited. Experimental studies are typically restricted to a small number of cell lines and a limited set of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Although computational methods based on physico-chemical principles can predict protein-RNA interactions accurately, they often lack the ability to consider cell-type-specific gene expression and the broader context of gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Here, we assess the performance of several GRN inference algorithms in predicting protein-RNA interactions from single-cell transcriptomic data, and propose a pipeline, called scRAPID (single-cell transcriptomic-based RnA Protein Interaction Detection), that integrates these methods with the catRAPID algorithm, which can identify direct physical interactions between RBPs and RNA molecules. Our approach demonstrates that RBP-RNA interactions can be predicted from single-cell transcriptomic data, with performances comparable or superior to those achieved for the well-established task of inferring transcription factor-target interactions. The incorporation of catRAPID significantly enhances the accuracy of identifying interactions, particularly with long noncoding RNAs, and enables the identification of hub RBPs and RNAs. Additionally, we show that interactions between RBPs can be detected based on their inferred RNA targets. The software is freely available at https://github.com/tartaglialabIIT/scRAPID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Fiorentino
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, RNA Systems Biology Lab, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alexandros Armaos
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), RNA Systems Biology Lab, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, RNA Systems Biology Lab, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Center for Life Nano- and Neuro-Science, RNA Systems Biology Lab, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
- Centre for Human Technologies (CHT), RNA Systems Biology Lab, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16152 Genova, Italy
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2
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Benedetti MC, D'andrea T, Colantoni A, Silachev D, de Turris V, Boussadia Z, Babenko VA, Volovikov EA, Belikova L, Bogomazova AN, Pepponi R, Whye D, Buttermore ED, Tartaglia GG, Lagarkova MA, Katanaev VL, Musayev I, Martinelli S, Fucile S, Rosa A. Cortical neurons obtained from patient-derived iPSCs with GNAO1 p.G203R variant show altered differentiation and functional properties. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26656. [PMID: 38434323 PMCID: PMC10907651 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic variants in the GNAO1 gene, encoding the alpha subunit of an inhibitory heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Go) highly expressed in the mammalian brain, have been linked to encephalopathy characterized by different combinations of neurological symptoms, including developmental delay, hypotonia, epilepsy and hyperkinetic movement disorder with life-threatening paroxysmal exacerbations. Currently, there are only symptomatic treatments, and little is known about the pathophysiology of GNAO1-related disorders. Here, we report the characterization of a new in vitro model system based on patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) carrying the recurrent p.G203R amino acid substitution in Gαo, and a CRISPR-Cas9-genetically corrected isogenic control line. RNA-Seq analysis highlighted aberrant cell fate commitment in neuronal progenitor cells carrying the p.G203R pathogenic variant. Upon differentiation into cortical neurons, patients' cells showed reduced expression of early neural genes and increased expression of astrocyte markers, as well as premature and defective differentiation processes leading to aberrant formation of neuronal rosettes. Of note, comparable defects in gene expression and in the morphology of neural rosettes were observed in hiPSCs from an unrelated individual harboring the same GNAO1 variant. Functional characterization showed lower basal intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), reduced frequency of spontaneous activity, and a smaller response to several neurotransmitters in 40- and 50-days differentiated p.G203R neurons compared to control cells. These findings suggest that the GNAO1 pathogenic variant causes a neurodevelopmental phenotype characterized by aberrant differentiation of both neuronal and glial populations leading to a significant alteration of neuronal communication and signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Benedetti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziano D'andrea
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Denis Silachev
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, 690090, Vladivostok, Russia
- A.N. Belozersky Research Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Center in Oncohaematology, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Valeria de Turris
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Zaira Boussadia
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina A. Babenko
- A.N. Belozersky Research Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119992, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Center in Oncohaematology, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Egor A. Volovikov
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Russia
| | - Lilia Belikova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra N. Bogomazova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Russia
| | - Rita Pepponi
- National Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Dosh Whye
- Human Neuron Core, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center and F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth D. Buttermore
- Human Neuron Core, Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center and F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Department, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Center for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Maria A. Lagarkova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, 119435, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir L. Katanaev
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University, 690090, Vladivostok, Russia
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Translational Research Center in Oncohaematology, University of Geneva, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Simone Martinelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Fucile
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies “Charles Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
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3
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Silvestri B, Mochi M, Mawrie D, de Turris V, Colantoni A, Borhy B, Medici M, Anderson EN, Garone MG, Zammerilla CP, Pandey UB, Rosa A. HuD (ELAVL4) gain-of-function impairs neuromuscular junctions and induces apoptosis in in vitro and in vivo models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. bioRxiv 2024:2023.08.22.554258. [PMID: 38464028 PMCID: PMC10925158 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.22.554258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Early defects at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) are among the first hallmarks of the progressive neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). According to the "dying back" hypothesis, disruption of the NMJ not only precedes, but is also a trigger for the subsequent degeneration of the motoneuron in both sporadic and familial ALS, including ALS caused by the severe FUS pathogenic variant P525L. However, the mechanisms linking genetic and environmental factors to NMJ defects remain elusive. By taking advantage of co-cultures of motoneurons and skeletal muscle derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we show that the neural RNA binding protein HuD (ELAVL4) may underlie NMJ defects and apoptosis in FUS-ALS. HuD overexpression in motoneurons phenocopies the severe FUSP525L mutation, while HuD knockdown in FUSP525L co-cultures produces phenotypic rescue. We validated these findings in vivo in a Drosophila FUS-ALS model. Neuronal-restricted overexpression of the HuD-related gene, elav, produces per se a motor phenotype, while neuronal-restricted elav knockdown significantly rescues motor dysfunction caused by FUS. Finally, we show that HuD levels increase upon oxidative stress in human motoneurons and in sporadic ALS patients with an oxidative stress signature. On these bases, we propose HuD as an important player downstream of FUS mutation in familial ALS, with potential implications for sporadic ALS related to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Silvestri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Mochi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Darilang Mawrie
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA
| | - Valeria de Turris
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Borhy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita Medici
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eric Nathaniel Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA
| | - Maria Giovanna Garone
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Udai Bhan Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA, USA
- Children's Neuroscience Institute, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano-& Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
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4
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Centrón-Broco A, Rossi F, Grelloni C, Garraffo R, Dattilo D, Giuliani A, Di Timoteo G, Colantoni A, Bozzoni I, Beltran Nebot M. CircAFF1 Is a Circular RNA with a Role in Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Migration. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1893. [PMID: 37509532 PMCID: PMC10376778 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), covalently closed RNAs that originate from back-splicing events, participate in the control of several processes, including those that occur in the development of pathological conditions such as cancer. Hereby, we describe circAFF1, a circular RNA overexpressed in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Using RH4 and RH30 cell lines, a classical cell line models for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, we demonstrated that circAFF1 is a cytoplasmatic circRNA and its depletion impacts cell homeostasis favouring cell migration through the downregulation of genes involved in cell adhesion pathways. The presented data underline the importance of this circular RNA as a new partial suppressor of the alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma tumour progression and as a putative future therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Centrón-Broco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Rossi
- The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Chiara Grelloni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele Garraffo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Dattilo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Giuliani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Di Timoteo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuel Beltran Nebot
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
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5
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Vandelli A, Arnal Segura M, Monti M, Fiorentino J, Broglia L, Colantoni A, Sanchez de Groot N, Torrent Burgas M, Armaos A, Tartaglia GG. The PRALINE database: protein and Rna humAn singLe nucleotIde variaNts in condEnsates. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:6967034. [PMID: 36592044 PMCID: PMC9825767 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btac847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Biological condensates are membraneless organelles with different material properties. Proteins and RNAs are the main components, but most of their interactions are still unknown. Here, we introduce PRALINE, a database for the interrogation of proteins and RNAs contained in stress granules, processing bodies and other assemblies including droplets and amyloids. PRALINE provides information about the predicted and experimentally validated protein-protein, protein-RNA and RNA-RNA interactions. For proteins, it reports the liquid-liquid phase separation and liquid-solid phase separation propensities. For RNAs, it provides information on predicted secondary structure content. PRALINE shows detailed information on human single-nucleotide variants, their clinical significance and presence in protein and RNA binding sites, and how they can affect condensates' physical properties. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION PRALINE is freely accessible on the web at http://praline.tartaglialab.com.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Vandelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona 08003, Spain
| | - Magdalena Arnal Segura
- Center for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova 16152, Italy,Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, University Sapienza Rome, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Michele Monti
- Center for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova 16152, Italy
| | - Jonathan Fiorentino
- Center for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova 16152, Italy
| | - Laura Broglia
- Center for Human Technologies (CHT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova 16152, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, University Sapienza Rome, Roma 00185, Italy
| | - Natalia Sanchez de Groot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
| | - Marc Torrent Burgas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain
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6
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Chen L, Roake CM, Maccallini P, Bavasso F, Dehghannasiri R, Santonicola P, Mendoza-Ferreira N, Scatolini L, Rizzuti L, Esposito A, Gallotta I, Francia S, Cacchione S, Galati A, Palumbo V, Kobin MA, Tartaglia G, Colantoni A, Proietti G, Wu Y, Hammerschmidt M, De Pittà C, Sales G, Salzman J, Pellizzoni L, Wirth B, Di Schiavi E, Gatti M, Artandi S, Raffa GD. TGS1 impacts snRNA 3'-end processing, ameliorates survival motor neuron-dependent neurological phenotypes in vivo and prevents neurodegeneration. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:12400-12424. [PMID: 35947650 PMCID: PMC9757054 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trimethylguanosine synthase 1 (TGS1) is a highly conserved enzyme that converts the 5'-monomethylguanosine cap of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) to a trimethylguanosine cap. Here, we show that loss of TGS1 in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and Danio rerio results in neurological phenotypes similar to those caused by survival motor neuron (SMN) deficiency. Importantly, expression of human TGS1 ameliorates the SMN-dependent neurological phenotypes in both flies and worms, revealing that TGS1 can partly counteract the effects of SMN deficiency. TGS1 loss in HeLa cells leads to the accumulation of immature U2 and U4atac snRNAs with long 3' tails that are often uridylated. snRNAs with defective 3' terminations also accumulate in Drosophila Tgs1 mutants. Consistent with defective snRNA maturation, TGS1 and SMN mutant cells also exhibit partially overlapping transcriptome alterations that include aberrantly spliced and readthrough transcripts. Together, these results identify a neuroprotective function for TGS1 and reinforce the view that defective snRNA maturation affects neuronal viability and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Correspondence may also be addressed to Lu Chen.
| | | | - Paolo Maccallini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bavasso
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roozbeh Dehghannasiri
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Natalia Mendoza-Ferreira
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Livia Scatolini
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ludovico Rizzuti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Ivan Gallotta
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, IGB-ABT, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Sofia Francia
- IFOM-The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy,Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, CNR-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Cacchione
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Galati
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Palumbo
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marie A Kobin
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program and Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy,Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy,Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
| | - Gabriele Proietti
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy,Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
| | - Yunming Wu
- Cancer Signaling and Epigenetics Program and Cancer Epigenetics Institute, Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA,Department of Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Matthias Hammerschmidt
- Institute for Zoology, Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Gabriele Sales
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Julia Salzman
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA,Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Livio Pellizzoni
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, NY 10032, USA,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, NY 10032, USA,Department of Neurology, Columbia University, NY 10032, USA
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany,Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Elia Di Schiavi
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, IBBR, CNR, Naples, Italy,Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, IGB-ABT, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gatti
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari (IBPM) del CNR, Rome, Italy
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7
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Di Costanzo A, Baratta F, D'Erasmo L, Umbro I, Colantoni A, Cocomello N, Pastori D, Arca M, Angelico F, Del Ben M. Role of NAFLD-associated genetic variants on renal function in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Atherosclerosis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.06.800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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8
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Carvelli A, Setti A, Desideri F, Galfrè SG, Biscarini S, Santini T, Colantoni A, Peruzzi G, Marzi MJ, Capauto D, Di Angelantonio S, Ballarino M, Nicassio F, Laneve P, Bozzoni I. A multifunctional locus controls motor neuron differentiation through short and long noncoding RNAs. EMBO J 2022; 41:e108918. [PMID: 35698802 PMCID: PMC9251839 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021108918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The transition from dividing progenitors to postmitotic motor neurons (MNs) is orchestrated by a series of events, which are mainly studied at the transcriptional level by analyzing the activity of specific programming transcription factors. Here, we identify a post‐transcriptional role of a MN‐specific transcriptional unit (MN2) harboring a lncRNA (lncMN2‐203) and two miRNAs (miR‐325‐3p and miR‐384‐5p) in this transition. Through the use of in vitro mESC differentiation and single‐cell sequencing of CRISPR/Cas9 mutants, we demonstrate that lncMN2‐203 affects MN differentiation by sponging miR‐466i‐5p and upregulating its targets, including several factors involved in neuronal differentiation and function. In parallel, miR‐325‐3p and miR‐384‐5p, co‐transcribed with lncMN2‐203, act by repressing proliferation‐related factors. These findings indicate the functional relevance of the MN2 locus and exemplify additional layers of specificity regulation in MN differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Carvelli
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Adriano Setti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Desideri
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Giulia Galfrè
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Biscarini
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Jacopo Marzi
- Center for Genomic Science of Istituto of Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Capauto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Monica Ballarino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Nicassio
- Center for Genomic Science of Istituto of Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Laneve
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology and Biotechnologies "Charles Darwin", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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9
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Fiorillo C, Yen PS, Colantoni A, Mariconti M, Azevedo N, Lombardo F, Failloux AB, Arcà B. MicroRNAs and other small RNAs in Aedes aegypti saliva and salivary glands following chikungunya virus infection. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9536. [PMID: 35681077 PMCID: PMC9184468 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13780-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mosquito saliva facilitates blood feeding through the anti-haemostatic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of its proteins. However, the potential contribution of non-coding RNAs to host manipulation is still poorly understood. We analysed small RNAs from Aedes aegypti saliva and salivary glands and show here that chikungunya virus-infection triggers both the siRNA and piRNA antiviral pathways with limited effects on miRNA expression profiles. Saliva appears enriched in specific miRNA subsets and its miRNA content is well conserved among mosquitoes and ticks, clearly pointing to a non-random sorting and occurrence. Finally, we provide evidence that miRNAs from Ae. aegypti saliva may target human immune and inflammatory pathways, as indicated by prediction analysis and searching for experimentally validated targets of identical human miRNAs. Overall, we believe these observations convincingly support a scenario where both proteins and miRNAs from mosquito saliva are injected into vertebrates during blood feeding and contribute to the complex vector-host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmine Fiorillo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases - Division of Parasitology, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Pei-Shi Yen
- Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Institute Pasteur, 25 rue Dr. Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Mariconti
- Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Institute Pasteur, 25 rue Dr. Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Nayara Azevedo
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Lombardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases - Division of Parasitology, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna-Bella Failloux
- Arboviruses and Insect Vectors Unit, Institute Pasteur, 25 rue Dr. Roux, 75724, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | - Bruno Arcà
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases - Division of Parasitology, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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10
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Rossi F, Beltran M, Damizia M, Grelloni C, Colantoni A, Setti A, Di Timoteo G, Dattilo D, Centrón-Broco A, Nicoletti C, Fanciulli M, Lavia P, Bozzoni I. Circular RNA ZNF609/CKAP5 mRNA interaction regulates microtubule dynamics and tumorigenicity. Mol Cell 2022; 82:75-89.e9. [PMID: 34942120 PMCID: PMC8751636 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are widely expressed in eukaryotes and are regulated in many biological processes. Although several studies indicate their activity as microRNA (miRNA) and protein sponges, little is known about their ability to directly control mRNA homeostasis. We show that the widely expressed circZNF609 directly interacts with several mRNAs and increases their stability and/or translation by favoring the recruitment of the RNA-binding protein ELAVL1. Particularly, the interaction with CKAP5 mRNA, which interestingly overlaps the back-splicing junction, enhances CKAP5 translation, regulating microtubule function in cancer cells and sustaining cell-cycle progression. Finally, we show that circZNF609 downregulation increases the sensitivity of several cancer cell lines to different microtubule-targeting chemotherapeutic drugs and that locked nucleic acid (LNA) protectors against the pairing region on circZNF609 phenocopy such effects. These data set an example of how the small effects tuned by circZNF609/CKAP5 mRNA interaction might have a potent output in tumor growth and drug response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Rossi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Manuel Beltran
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Michela Damizia
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy; Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology CNR, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Chiara Grelloni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Adriano Setti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Gaia Di Timoteo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Dario Dattilo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Alvaro Centrón-Broco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Carmine Nicoletti
- DAHFMO - Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fanciulli
- UOSD SAFU, Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome 00144, Italy
| | - Patrizia Lavia
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology CNR, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy; Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy.
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11
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Scalzitti S, Mariani D, Setti A, Colantoni A, Lisi M, Bozzoni I, Martone J. Lnc-SMaRT Translational Regulation of Spire1, A New Player in Muscle Differentiation. J Mol Biol 2021; 434:167384. [PMID: 34863993 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The destiny of a messenger RNA is determined from a combination of in cis elements, like peculiar secondary structures, and in trans modulators, such as RNA binding proteins and non-coding, regulatory RNAs. RNA guanine quadruplexes belong to the first group: these strong secondary structures have been characterized in many mRNAs, and their stabilization or unwinding provides an additional step for the fine tuning of mRNA stability and translation. On the other hand, many cytoplasmic long non-coding RNAs intervene in post-transcriptional regulation, frequently by direct base-pairing with their mRNA targets. We have previously identified the lncRNA SMaRT as a key modulator of the correct timing of murine skeletal muscle differentiation; when expressed, lnc-SMaRT interacts with a G-quadruplex-containing region of Mlx-γ mRNA, therefore inhibiting its translation by counteracting the DHX36 helicase activity. The "smart" mode of action of lnc-SMaRT led us to speculate whether this molecular mechanism could be extended to other targets and conserved in other species. Here, we show that the molecular complex composed by lnc-SMaRT and DHX36 also includes other mRNAs. We prove that lnc-SMaRT is able to repress Spire1 translation through base-pairing with its G-quadruplex-forming sequence, and that Spire1 modulation participates to the regulation of proper skeletal muscle differentiation. Moreover, we demonstrate that the interaction between DHX36 and lnc-SMaRT is indirect and mediated by the mRNAs present in the complex. Finally, we suggest an extendibility of the molecular mechanism of lnc-SMaRT from the mouse model to humans, identifying potential functional analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Scalzitti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin" - Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Mariani
- Center for Human Technologies@Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy. https://twitter.com/@Dav_MarPhD
| | - Adriano Setti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin" - Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Lisi
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin" - Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Center for Human Technologies@Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy; Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome, Italy
| | - Julie Martone
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Armaos A, Colantoni A, Proietti G, Rupert J, Tartaglia G. catRAPID omics v2.0: going deeper and wider in the prediction of protein-RNA interactions. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:W72-W79. [PMID: 34086933 PMCID: PMC8262727 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prediction of protein-RNA interactions is important to understand post-transcriptional events taking place in the cell. Here we introduce catRAPID omics v2.0, an update of our web server dedicated to the computation of protein-RNA interaction propensities at the transcriptome- and RNA-binding proteome-level in 8 model organisms. The server accepts multiple input protein or RNA sequences and computes their catRAPID interaction scores on updated precompiled libraries. Additionally, it is now possible to predict the interactions between a custom protein set and a custom RNA set. Considerable effort has been put into the generation of a new database of RNA-binding motifs that are searched within the predicted RNA targets of proteins. In this update, the sequence fragmentation scheme of the catRAPID fragment module has been included, which allows the server to handle long linear RNAs and to analyse circular RNAs. For the top-scoring protein-RNA pairs, the web server shows the predicted binding sites in both protein and RNA sequences and reports whether the predicted interactions are conserved in orthologous protein-RNA pairs. The catRAPID omics v2.0 web server is a powerful tool for the characterization and classification of RNA-protein interactions and is freely available at http://service.tartaglialab.com/page/catrapid_omics2_group along with documentation and tutorial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Armaos
- Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Gabriele Proietti
- Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, University of Genova, Genoa 16126, Italy
| | - Jakob Rupert
- Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Center for Human Technology, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genoa 16152, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00185, Italy
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Rome 00161, Italy
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13
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Rossi F, Centrón-Broco A, Dattilo D, Di Timoteo G, Guarnacci M, Colantoni A, Beltran Nebot M, Bozzoni I. CircVAMP3: A circRNA with a Role in Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Cycle Progression. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12070985. [PMID: 34203273 PMCID: PMC8303801 DOI: 10.3390/genes12070985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of covalently closed RNAs formed by a back-splicing reaction, have been involved in the regulation of diverse oncogenic processes. In this article we describe circVAMP3, a novel circular RNA overexpressed in RH4, a representative cell line of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. We demonstrated that circVAMP3 has a differential m6A pattern opposed to its linear counterpart, suggesting that the two isoforms can be differently regulated by such RNA modification. Moreover, we show how circVAMP3 depletion in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells can impair cell cycle progression, through the alteration of the AKT-related pathways, pointing to this non-coding RNA as a novel regulator of the alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma progression and as a putative future therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Rossi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (A.C.-B.); (D.D.); (G.D.T.); (M.G.); (M.B.N.)
| | - Alvaro Centrón-Broco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (A.C.-B.); (D.D.); (G.D.T.); (M.G.); (M.B.N.)
| | - Dario Dattilo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (A.C.-B.); (D.D.); (G.D.T.); (M.G.); (M.B.N.)
| | - Gaia Di Timoteo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (A.C.-B.); (D.D.); (G.D.T.); (M.G.); (M.B.N.)
| | - Marco Guarnacci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (A.C.-B.); (D.D.); (G.D.T.); (M.G.); (M.B.N.)
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Manuel Beltran Nebot
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (A.C.-B.); (D.D.); (G.D.T.); (M.G.); (M.B.N.)
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (F.R.); (A.C.-B.); (D.D.); (G.D.T.); (M.G.); (M.B.N.)
- Center for Life Nano- & Neuro-Science, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 00161 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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14
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Di Timoteo G, Dattilo D, Centrón-Broco A, Colantoni A, Guarnacci M, Rossi F, Incarnato D, Oliviero S, Fatica A, Morlando M, Bozzoni I. Modulation of circRNA Metabolism by m 6A Modification. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107641. [PMID: 32402287 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 64.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an RNA modification well-known for its contribution to different processes controlling RNA metabolism, including splicing, stability, and translation of mRNA. Conversely, the role of m6A on the biogenesis and function of circular RNAs (circRNAs) has yet to be addressed. circRNAs belong to a class of covalently closed transcripts produced via a back-splicing reaction whereby a downstream 5' splice donor site fuses to an upstream 3' splice acceptor site. Starting from circ-ZNF609 as a study case, we discover that specific m6As control its accumulation and that METTL3 and YTHDC1 are required to direct the back-splicing reaction. This feature is shared with other circRNAs because we find a significant direct correlation among METTL3 requirement, YTHDC1 binding, and the ability of m6A exons to undergo back-splicing. Finally, because circ-ZNF609 displays the ability to be translated, we show that m6A modifications, through recognition by YTHDF3 and eIF4G2, modulate its translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaia Di Timoteo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Dattilo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alvaro Centrón-Broco
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Guarnacci
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Rossi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Danny Incarnato
- Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Salvatore Oliviero
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fatica
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Morlando
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Colantoni A, Paris E, Bianchini L, Ferri S, Marcantonio V, Carnevale M, Palma A, Civitarese V, Gallucci F. Spent coffee ground characterization, pelletization test and emissions assessment in the combustion process. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5119. [PMID: 33664428 PMCID: PMC7933292 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84772-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Industrial development and increased energy requirements have led to high consumption of fossil fuels. Thus, environmental pollution has become a profound problem. Every year, a large amount of agro-industrial, municipal and forest residues are treated as waste, but they can be recovered and used to produce thermal and electrical energy through biological or thermochemical conversion processes. Among the main types of agro-industrial waste, soluble coffee residues represent a significant quantity all over the world. Silver skin and spent coffee grounds (SCG) are the main residues of the coffee industry. The many organic compounds contained in coffee residues suggest that their recovery and use could be very beneficial. Indeed, thanks to their composition, they can be used in the production of biodiesel, as a source of sugar, as a precursor for the creation of active carbon or as a sorbent for the removal of metals. After a careful evaluation of the possible uses of coffee grounds, the aim of this research was to show a broad characterization of coffee waste for energy purposes through physical and chemical analyses that highlight the most significant quality indexes, the interactions between them and the quantification of their importance. Results identify important tools for the qualification and quantification of the effects of coffee waste properties on energy production processes. They show that (SCG) are an excellent raw material as biomass, with excellent values in terms of calorific value and low ash content, allowing the production of 98% coffee pellets that are highly suitable for use in thermal conversion systems. Combustion tests were also carried out in an 80kWth boiler and the resulting emissions without any type of abatement filter were characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Colantoni
- grid.12597.380000 0001 2298 9743Department of Agriculture and Forestry Science (UNITUS-DAFNE), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - E. Paris
- grid.423616.40000 0001 2293 6756Centro Di Ricerca Ingegneria E Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (CREA-IT), Consiglio Per La Ricerca in Agricoltura E L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Rome, Italy
| | - L. Bianchini
- grid.12597.380000 0001 2298 9743Department of Agriculture and Forestry Science (UNITUS-DAFNE), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - S. Ferri
- grid.12597.380000 0001 2298 9743Department of Agriculture and Forestry Science (UNITUS-DAFNE), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - V. Marcantonio
- grid.12597.380000 0001 2298 9743Department of Agriculture and Forestry Science (UNITUS-DAFNE), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - M. Carnevale
- grid.423616.40000 0001 2293 6756Centro Di Ricerca Ingegneria E Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (CREA-IT), Consiglio Per La Ricerca in Agricoltura E L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Rome, Italy
| | - A. Palma
- grid.423616.40000 0001 2293 6756Centro Di Ricerca Ingegneria E Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (CREA-IT), Consiglio Per La Ricerca in Agricoltura E L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Rome, Italy
| | - V. Civitarese
- grid.423616.40000 0001 2293 6756Centro Di Ricerca Ingegneria E Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (CREA-IT), Consiglio Per La Ricerca in Agricoltura E L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Rome, Italy
| | - F. Gallucci
- grid.423616.40000 0001 2293 6756Centro Di Ricerca Ingegneria E Trasformazioni Agroalimentari (CREA-IT), Consiglio Per La Ricerca in Agricoltura E L’analisi Dell’economia Agraria (CREA), Rome, Italy
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16
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Cipriano A, Macino M, Buonaiuto G, Santini T, Biferali B, Peruzzi G, Colantoni A, Mozzetta C, Ballarino M. Epigenetic regulation of Wnt7b expression by the cis-acting long noncoding RNA Lnc-Rewind in muscle stem cells. eLife 2021; 10:54782. [PMID: 33432928 PMCID: PMC7837680 DOI: 10.7554/elife.54782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle possesses an outstanding capacity to regenerate upon injury due to the adult muscle stem cell (MuSC) activity. This ability requires the proper balance between MuSC expansion and differentiation, which is critical for muscle homeostasis and contributes, if deregulated, to muscle diseases. Here, we functionally characterize a novel chromatin-associated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), Lnc-Rewind, which is expressed in murine MuSCs and conserved in human. We find that, in mouse, Lnc-Rewind acts as an epigenetic regulator of MuSC proliferation and expansion by influencing the expression of skeletal muscle genes and several components of the WNT (Wingless-INT) signalling pathway. Among them, we identified the nearby Wnt7b gene as a direct Lnc-Rewind target. We show that Lnc-Rewind interacts with the G9a histone lysine methyltransferase and mediates the in cis repression of Wnt7b by H3K9me2 deposition. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the epigenetic regulation of adult muscle stem cells fate by lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cipriano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Macino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR) at Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Buonaiuto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Biferali
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR) at Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano Science at Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Mozzetta
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR) at Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Ballarino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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17
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Desideri F, Cipriano A, Petrezselyova S, Buonaiuto G, Santini T, Kasparek P, Prochazka J, Janson G, Paiardini A, Calicchio A, Colantoni A, Sedlacek R, Bozzoni I, Ballarino M. Intronic Determinants Coordinate Charme lncRNA Nuclear Activity through the Interaction with MATR3 and PTBP1. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108548. [PMID: 33357424 PMCID: PMC7773549 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin architect of muscle expression (Charme) is a muscle-restricted long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) that plays an important role in myogenesis. Earlier evidence indicates that the nuclear Charme isoform, named pCharme, acts on the chromatin by assisting the formation of chromatin domains where myogenic transcription occurs. By combining RNA antisense purification (RAP) with mass spectrometry and loss-of-function analyses, we have now identified the proteins that assist these chromatin activities. These proteins—which include a sub-set of splicing regulators, principally PTBP1 and the multifunctional RNA/DNA binding protein MATR3—bind to sequences located within the alternatively spliced intron-1 to form nuclear aggregates. Consistent with the functional importance of pCharme interactome in vivo, a targeted deletion of the intron-1 by a CRISPR-Cas9 approach in mouse causes the release of pCharme from the chromatin and results in cardiac defects similar to what was observed upon knockout of the full-length transcript. pCharme is the chromatin-retained isoform of the muscle-specific Charme lncRNA Intronic signals coordinate the association of pCharme with MATR3 and PTBP1 The particle assembly prompts pCharme intron-1 chromatin retention Deletion of the intron-1 by CRISPR-Cas9 leads to heart defects in mouse
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Desideri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Cipriano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Petrezselyova
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Giulia Buonaiuto
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Petr Kasparek
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Prochazka
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Giacomo Janson
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli," Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Paiardini
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli," Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Calicchio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics and Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Prumyslova 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Monica Ballarino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Charles Darwin," Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Baratta F, Del Ben M, Pastori D, Bartimoccia S, Cammisotto V, Cocomello N, Colantoni A, Pani A, Nocella C, Carnevale R, Angelico F, Violi F. The platelets behaviour in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A potential role for antiplatelets drugs? Eur Heart J 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.3158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background and purpose
Previous studies showed a favorable effect of aspirin, which irreversibly acetylates cyclooxygenase-1 (COX1) so preventing Thromboxane (Tx) A2 biosynthesis, in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its sequelae. However, the behavior of COX1 in NASH patients is still unknown.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study on 44 outpatients with NASH, 50 subjects with simple steatosis (NAFL) and 50 subjects without hepatic steatosis balanced for age, gender and BMI. Serum TxB2, a stable metabolite of TxA2, and urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2, as markers of COX1 activation, plasma soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), a maker of in vivo platelet activation, serum bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and serum zonulin, a marker of gut permeability, were measured.
Results
Urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 (p<0.001) and serum TxB2 (p<0.001) levels as well as sP-selectin (p<0.001) were significantly higher in patients with NASH/NAFL compared to the controls (figure 1); the markers of COX1 activation significantly correlated with sP-selectin (p<0.001). Serum LPS was higher in patients with NASH compared with NAFL and controls (p<0.001) and serum zonulin was significantly higher in patients with NASH as compared to controls (p=0.031). A positive correlation (rS=0.37; p<0.001) was observed between serum LPS and serum zonulin. Moreover, serum LPS correlated with serum and urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 (rS=0.30; p<0.001 and rS=0.61; p<0.001, respectively) and with sP-Selectin (rS=0.32; p<0.001) (figure). At multivariate analysis, LPS above median (OR=3.15, p=0.015) and liver diagnosis (NAFL vs. Controls: OR=6.54; p<0.001 and NASH vs Controls: OR=4.54; p=0.007) were independently associated with sP-selectin above median (table).
Conclusions
Patients with NAFLD display enhanced platelet activation, which is associated to COX1 up-regulation. LPS increased by impaired gut permeability may favor platelet activation.
Figure 1
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
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Affiliation(s)
- F Baratta
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M Del Ben
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - D Pastori
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - A Pani
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - C Nocella
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - F Angelico
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F Violi
- Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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19
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Martone J, Lisi M, Castagnetti F, Rosa A, Di Carlo V, Blanco E, Setti A, Mariani D, Colantoni A, Santini T, Perone L, Di Croce L, Bozzoni I. Trans-generational epigenetic regulation associated with the amelioration of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e12063. [PMID: 32596946 PMCID: PMC7411655 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Exon skipping is an effective strategy for the treatment of many Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) mutations. Natural exon skipping observed in several DMD cases can help in identifying novel therapeutic tools. Here, we show a DMD study case where the lack of a splicing factor (Celf2a), which results in exon skipping and dystrophin rescue, is due to a maternally inherited trans‐generational epigenetic silencing. We found that the study case and his mother express a repressive long non‐coding RNA, DUXAP8, whose presence correlates with silencing of the Celf2a coding region. We also demonstrate that DUXAP8 expression is lost upon cell reprogramming and that, upon induction of iPSCs into myoblasts, Celf2a expression is recovered leading to the loss of exon skipping and loss of dystrophin synthesis. Finally, CRISPR/Cas9 inactivation of the splicing factor Celf2a was proven to ameliorate the pathological state in other DMD backgrounds establishing Celf2a ablation or inactivation as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Martone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,CNR Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Lisi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Castagnetti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Adriano Setti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Mariani
- Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Perone
- Cell Culture and Cytogenetics Core, Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Luciano Di Croce
- Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,CNR Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), Rome, Italy.,Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
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20
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Martone J, Mariani D, Santini T, Setti A, Shamloo S, Colantoni A, Capparelli F, Paiardini A, Dimartino D, Morlando M, Bozzoni I. SMaRT lncRNA controls translation of a G-quadruplex-containing mRNA antagonizing the DHX36 helicase. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49942. [PMID: 32337838 PMCID: PMC7271651 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Guanine‐quadruplexes (G4) included in RNA molecules exert several functions in controlling gene expression at post‐transcriptional level; however, the molecular mechanisms of G4‐mediated regulation are still poorly understood. Here, we describe a regulatory circuitry operating in the early phases of murine muscle differentiation in which a long non‐coding RNA (SMaRT) base pairs with a G4‐containing mRNA (Mlx‐γ) and represses its translation by counteracting the activity of the DHX36 RNA helicase. The time‐restricted, specific effect of lnc‐SMaRT on the translation of Mlx‐γ isoform modulates the general subcellular localization of total MLX proteins, impacting on their transcriptional output and promoting proper myogenesis and mature myotube formation. Therefore, the circuitry made of lnc‐SMaRT, Mlx‐γ, and DHX36 not only plays an important role in the control of myogenesis but also unravels a molecular mechanism where G4 structures and G4 unwinding activities are regulated in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Martone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Mariani
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriano Setti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sama Shamloo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Capparelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Dacia Dimartino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Morlando
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
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21
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Dimartino D, Colantoni A, Ballarino M, Martone J, Mariani D, Danner J, Bruckmann A, Meister G, Morlando M, Bozzoni I. The Long Non-coding RNA lnc-31 Interacts with Rock1 mRNA and Mediates Its YB-1-Dependent Translation. Cell Rep 2019; 23:733-740. [PMID: 29669280 PMCID: PMC5917449 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.03.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoplasmic long non-coding RNAs have been shown to act at many different levels to control post-transcriptional gene expression, although their role in translational control is poorly understood. Here, we show that lnc-31, a non-coding RNA required for myoblast proliferation, promotes ROCK1 protein synthesis by stabilizing its translational activator, YB-1. We find that lnc-31 binds to the Rock1 mRNA as well as to the YB-1 protein and that translational activation requires physical interaction between the two RNA species. These results suggest a localized effect of YB-1 stabilization on the Rock1 mRNA. ROCK1 upregulation by lnc-31, in proliferative conditions, correlates well with the differentiation-repressing activity of ROCK1. We also show that, upon induction of differentiation, the downregulation of lnc-31, in conjunction with miR-152 targeting of Rock1, establishes a regulatory loop that reinforces ROCK1 repression and promotes myogenesis. lnc-31 sustains myoblast proliferation, counteracting differentiation lnc-31 binds to Rock1 mRNA and YB-1 protein Rock-1 translation is favored through its interaction with lnc-31 and YB-1 protein lnc-31 counteracts YB-1 protein degradation, thus promoting Rock1 translation
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Affiliation(s)
- Dacia Dimartino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Ballarino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Julie Martone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Mariani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Johannes Danner
- Biochemistry Center Regensburg, Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Bruckmann
- Biochemistry Center Regensburg, Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Gunter Meister
- Biochemistry Center Regensburg, Laboratory for RNA Biology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Mariangela Morlando
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; Institute Pasteur Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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22
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De Santis R, Alfano V, de Turris V, Colantoni A, Santini L, Garone MG, Antonacci G, Peruzzi G, Sudria-Lopez E, Wyler E, Anink JJ, Aronica E, Landthaler M, Pasterkamp RJ, Bozzoni I, Rosa A. Mutant FUS and ELAVL4 (HuD) Aberrant Crosstalk in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cell Rep 2019; 27:3818-3831.e5. [PMID: 31242416 PMCID: PMC6613039 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been genetically linked to mutations in RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), including FUS. Here, we report the RNA interactome of wild-type and mutant FUS in human motor neurons (MNs). This analysis identified a number of RNA targets. Whereas the wild-type protein preferentially binds introns, the ALS mutation causes a shift toward 3' UTRs. Neural ELAV-like RBPs are among mutant FUS targets. As a result, ELAVL4 protein levels are increased in mutant MNs. ELAVL4 and mutant FUS interact and co-localize in cytoplasmic speckles with altered biomechanical properties. Upon oxidative stress, ELAVL4 and mutant FUS are engaged in stress granules. In the spinal cord of FUS ALS patients, ELAVL4 represents a neural-specific component of FUS-positive cytoplasmic aggregates, whereas in sporadic patients it co-localizes with phosphorylated TDP-43-positive inclusions. We propose that pathological mutations in FUS trigger an aberrant crosstalk with ELAVL4 with implications for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Santis
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Alfano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria de Turris
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Santini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Garone
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Antonacci
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Emma Sudria-Lopez
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Emanuel Wyler
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jasper J Anink
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Markus Landthaler
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany; IRI Life Sciences, Institute für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Philippstraße 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - R Jeroen Pasterkamp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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23
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Napoletano C, Mattiucci S, Colantoni A, Battisti F, Zizzari IG, Rahimi H, Nuti M, Rughetti A. Anisakis pegreffii impacts differentiation and function of human dendritic cells. Parasite Immunol 2019; 40:e12527. [PMID: 29569735 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human dendritic cells (DCs) show remarkable phenotypic changes when matured in the presence of helminth-derived products. These modifications frequently elicited a polarization towards Th2 cells and regulatory T cells thus contributing to immunological tolerance against these pathogens. In this study, the interaction between DCs and larvae of the zoonotic anisakid nematode Anisakis pegreffii was investigated. A. pegreffii larvae were collected from fish hosts, and monocyte-derived DCs were cocultured in the presence of the live larvae (L) or its crude extracts (CE). In both experimental conditions, A. pegreffii impacted DC viability, hampered DC maturation by reducing the expression of molecules involved in antigen presentation and migration (ie HLA-DR, CD86, CD83 and CCR7), increased the phagosomal radical oxygen species (ROS) levels and modulated the phosphorylation of ERK1,2 pathway. These biological changes were accompanied by the impairment of DCs to activate a T-cell-mediated IFNγ. Interestingly, live larvae appeared to differently modulate DC secretion of cytokines and chemokines as compared to CE. These results demonstrate, for the first time, the immunomodulatory role of A. pegreffii on DCs biology and functions. In addition, they suggest a dynamic contribution of DCs to the induction and maintenance of the inflammatory response against A. pegreffii.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Napoletano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S Mattiucci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I", "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Colantoni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University Hospital "Policlinico Umberto I", "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F Battisti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - I G Zizzari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - H Rahimi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M Nuti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Rughetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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24
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Arcà B, Colantoni A, Fiorillo C, Severini F, Benes V, Di Luca M, Calogero RA, Lombardo F. MicroRNAs from saliva of anopheline mosquitoes mimic human endogenous miRNAs and may contribute to vector-host-pathogen interactions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2955. [PMID: 30814633 PMCID: PMC6393464 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39880-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
During blood feeding haematophagous arthropods inject into their hosts a cocktail of salivary proteins whose main role is to counteract host haemostasis, inflammation and immunity. However, animal body fluids are known to also carry miRNAs. To get insights into saliva and salivary gland miRNA repertoires of the African malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii we used small RNA-Seq and identified 214 miRNAs, including tissue-enriched, sex-biased and putative novel anopheline miRNAs. Noteworthy, miRNAs were asymmetrically distributed between saliva and salivary glands, suggesting that selected miRNAs may be preferentially directed toward mosquito saliva. The evolutionary conservation of a subset of saliva miRNAs in Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes, and in the tick Ixodes ricinus, supports the idea of a non-random occurrence pointing to their possible physiological role in blood feeding by arthropods. Strikingly, eleven of the most abundant An. coluzzi saliva miRNAs mimicked human miRNAs. Prediction analysis and search for experimentally validated targets indicated that miRNAs from An. coluzzii saliva may act on host mRNAs involved in immune and inflammatory responses. Overall, this study raises the intriguing hypothesis that miRNAs injected into vertebrates with vector saliva may contribute to host manipulation with possible implication for vector-host interaction and pathogen transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Arcà
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, "Sapienza University", Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmine Fiorillo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Severini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Vladimir Benes
- Genomics Core Facility, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marco Di Luca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaele A Calogero
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Lombardo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza" University, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
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25
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Rossi F, Legnini I, Megiorni F, Colantoni A, Santini T, Morlando M, Di Timoteo G, Dattilo D, Dominici C, Bozzoni I. Circ-ZNF609 regulates G1-S progression in rhabdomyosarcoma. Oncogene 2019; 38:3843-3854. [PMID: 30670781 PMCID: PMC6544520 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0699-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a class of covalently closed RNAs, derived from non-canonical splicing events, which are expressed in all eukaryotes and often conserved among different species. We previously showed that the circRNA originating from the ZNF609 locus (circ-ZNF609) acts as a crucial regulator of human primary myoblast growth: indeed, the downregulation of the circRNA, and not of its linear counterpart, strongly reduced the proliferation rate of in vitro cultured myoblasts. To deepen our knowledge about circ-ZNF609 role in cell cycle regulation, we studied its expression and function in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a pediatric skeletal muscle malignancy. We found that circ-ZNF609 is upregulated in biopsies from the two major RMS subtypes, embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar (ARMS). Moreover, we discovered that in an ERMS-derived cell line circ-ZNF609 knock-down induced a specific block at the G1-S transition, a strong decrease of p-Akt protein level and an alteration of the pRb/Rb ratio. Regarding p-Akt, we were able to show that circ-ZNF609 acts by counteracting p-Akt proteasome-dependent degradation, thus working as a new regulator of cell proliferation-related pathways. As opposed to ERMS-derived cells, the circRNA depletion had no cell cycle effects in ARMS-derived cells. Since in these cells the p53 gene resulted downregulated, with a concomitant upregulation of its cell cycle-related target genes, we suggest that this could account for the lack of circ-ZNF609 effect in ARMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Rossi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ivano Legnini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Morlando
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gaia Di Timoteo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dario Dattilo
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Dominici
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.
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26
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Ballarino M, Cipriano A, Tita R, Santini T, Desideri F, Morlando M, Colantoni A, Carrieri C, Nicoletti C, Musarò A, Carroll DO, Bozzoni I. Deficiency in the nuclear long noncoding RNA Charme causes myogenic defects and heart remodeling in mice. EMBO J 2018; 37:embj.201899697. [PMID: 30177572 PMCID: PMC6138438 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201899697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Myogenesis is a highly regulated process that involves the conversion of progenitor cells into multinucleated myofibers. Besides proteins and miRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to participate in myogenic regulatory circuitries. Here, we characterize a murine chromatin‐associated muscle‐specific lncRNA, Charme, which contributes to the robustness of the myogenic program in vitro and in vivo. In myocytes, Charme depletion triggers the disassembly of a specific chromosomal domain and the downregulation of myogenic genes contained therein. Notably, several Charme‐sensitive genes are associated with human cardiomyopathies and Charme depletion in mice results in a peculiar cardiac remodeling phenotype with changes in size, structure, and shape of the heart. Moreover, the existence of an orthologous transcript in human, regulating the same subset of target genes, suggests an important and evolutionarily conserved function for Charme. Altogether, these data describe a new example of a chromatin‐associated lncRNA regulating the robustness of skeletal and cardiac myogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Ballarino
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Cipriano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Tita
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Desideri
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Morlando
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Carrieri
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Carmine Nicoletti
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Musarò
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.,DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Dònal O' Carroll
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy .,Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.,Institute Pasteur Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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27
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Biscarini S, Capauto D, Peruzzi G, Lu L, Colantoni A, Santini T, Shneider NA, Caffarelli E, Laneve P, Bozzoni I. Characterization of the lncRNA transcriptome in mESC-derived motor neurons: Implications for FUS-ALS. Stem Cell Res 2018; 27:172-179. [PMID: 29449089 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2018.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are currently recognized as crucial players in nervous system development, function and pathology. In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), identification of causative mutations in FUS and TDP-43 or hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72 point to the essential role of aberrant RNA metabolism in neurodegeneration. In this study, by taking advantage of an in vitro differentiation system generating mouse motor neurons (MNs) from embryonic stem cells, we identified and characterized the long non-coding transcriptome of MNs. Moreover, by using mutant mouse MNs carrying the equivalent of one of the most severe ALS-associated FUS alleles (P517L), we identified lncRNAs affected by this mutation. Comparative analysis with human MNs derived in vitro from induced pluripotent stem cells indicated that candidate lncRNAs are conserved between mouse and human. Our work provides a global view of the long non-coding transcriptome of MN, as a prerequisite toward the comprehension of the still poorly characterized non-coding side of MN physiopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Biscarini
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Davide Capauto
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lei Lu
- Department of Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Santini
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Neil A Shneider
- Department of Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Elisa Caffarelli
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology of CNR, Rome, Italy.
| | - Pietro Laneve
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology of CNR, Rome, Italy; Institute Pasteur Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
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28
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Mattiucci S, Colantoni A, Crisafi B, Mori-Ubaldini F, Caponi L, Fazii P, Nascetti G, Bruschi F. IgE sensitization to Anisakis pegreffii in Italy: Comparison of two methods for the diagnosis of allergic anisakiasis. Parasite Immunol 2017; 39. [PMID: 28475216 DOI: 10.1111/pim.12440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
IgE sensitization to Anisakis pegreffii in Italian subjects suffering from gastro-allergic anisakiasis (GAA) (N=5), or showing chronic urticaria (CU+) after fish consumption (N=100), was investigated. A control group (N=5) was also included. IgE response was analysed by immunoblotting (WB) assay, using both excretory/secretory products (ESPs) and crude extract (CE) of A. pegreffii larvae. The results were compared with those achieved by the conventional immunological method for Anisakis allergy (ie, immunoCAP). Among the 110 subjects, 28 showed IgE positivity with both WB and iCAP methods; 13 proved IgE reactivity, in WB assay, to ESP antigens of A. pegreffii, here provisionally indicated as Ani s 1-like, Ani s 7-like, Ani s 13-like; only 15 sera have shown IgE-WB reaction to Ani s 7-like and Ani s 13-like. iCAP and WB exhibited a high concordance value (κ=1.00) when iCAP value was <0.35 (negative result) and >50.0 (positive result). In the sera samples recorded as positive to Anisakis allergy, Ani s 1-like was responsible for 46.4% of the sensitivity, while Ani s 7-like and Ani s 13-like for 100%. They could be considered as major antigens in the diagnosis of allergic anisakiasis caused by A. pegreffii.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mattiucci
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza - University of Rome" and "Umberto I" University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - A Colantoni
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza - University of Rome" and "Umberto I" University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - B Crisafi
- Section of Parasitology, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, "Sapienza - University of Rome" and "Umberto I" University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - F Mori-Ubaldini
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., Pisa University, Pisa, Italy
| | - L Caponi
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., Pisa University, Pisa, Italy
| | - P Fazii
- "Santo Spirito" Hospital, Pescara, Italy
| | - G Nascetti
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - F Bruschi
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., Pisa University, Pisa, Italy
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29
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Di Fusco D, Laudisi F, Dinallo V, Monteleone I, Di Grazia A, Marafini I, Troncone E, Colantoni A, Ortenzi A, Stolfi C, Picardo M, Monteleone G. Smad7 positively regulates keratinocyte proliferation in psoriasis. Br J Dermatol 2017; 177:1633-1643. [DOI: 10.1111/bjd.15703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Di Fusco
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - F. Laudisi
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - V. Dinallo
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - I. Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - A. Di Grazia
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - I. Marafini
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - E. Troncone
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - A. Colantoni
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - A. Ortenzi
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - C. Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - M. Picardo
- Cutaneous Physiopathology Laboratory and Metabolomic Center; San Gallicano Dermatological Institute; Rome Italy
| | - G. Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine; University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’; Via Montpellier 1 00133 Rome Italy
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30
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De Santis R, Santini L, Colantoni A, Peruzzi G, de Turris V, Alfano V, Bozzoni I, Rosa A. FUS Mutant Human Motoneurons Display Altered Transcriptome and microRNA Pathways with Implications for ALS Pathogenesis. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:1450-1462. [PMID: 28988989 PMCID: PMC5830977 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The FUS gene has been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). FUS is a ubiquitous RNA-binding protein, and the mechanisms leading to selective motoneuron loss downstream of ALS-linked mutations are largely unknown. We report the transcriptome analysis of human purified motoneurons, obtained from FUS wild-type or mutant isogenic induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Gene ontology analysis of differentially expressed genes identified significant enrichment of pathways previously associated to sporadic ALS and other neurological diseases. Several microRNAs (miRNAs) were also deregulated in FUS mutant motoneurons, including miR-375, involved in motoneuron survival. We report that relevant targets of miR-375, including the neural RNA-binding protein ELAVL4 and apoptotic factors, are aberrantly increased in FUS mutant motoneurons. Characterization of transcriptome changes in the cell type primarily affected by the disease contributes to the definition of the pathogenic mechanisms of FUS-linked ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo De Santis
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Santini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria de Turris
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Alfano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; Institute Pasteur Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy; Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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31
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Mattei G, Bursi S, Bursi R, Colantoni A. Bridging the gap between clinical practice and research: The association for research in psychiatry. Eur Psychiatry 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical practice and research are frequently seen as two worlds apart, in psychiatry as in the vast majority of medical specialties. In order to bridge the gap between them, economic founds and grants are required, not always easy to obtain. In this contribution we report the birth of the Association for Research in Psychiatry (ARPSY) and its main activities. ARPSY was born in May 2016 thanks to a research prize assigned to dr. Giorgio Mattei by the eight Rotary Clubs of the Province of Modena, Italy (Rotary Club Modena, Mirandola, Carpi, Sassuolo, Vignola Castelfranco Bazzano, Frignano, Modena L.A. Muratori, Castelvetro di Modena Terra dei Rangoni, that altogether make up the so-called “Ghirlandina Group”). Aim of the association is to promote mental health among students and trainees, mental health professionals, patients and their families, and among the general population by means of fund raising, in order to finance research projects, clinical interventions and educational activities.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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32
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Errichelli L, Dini Modigliani S, Laneve P, Colantoni A, Legnini I, Capauto D, Rosa A, De Santis R, Scarfò R, Peruzzi G, Lu L, Caffarelli E, Shneider NA, Morlando M, Bozzoni I. FUS affects circular RNA expression in murine embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons. Nat Commun 2017; 8:14741. [PMID: 28358055 PMCID: PMC5379105 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 345] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein FUS participates in several RNA biosynthetic processes and has been linked to the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia. Here we report that FUS controls back-splicing reactions leading to circular RNA (circRNA) production. We identified circRNAs expressed in in vitro-derived mouse motor neurons (MNs) and determined that the production of a considerable number of these circRNAs is regulated by FUS. Using RNAi and overexpression of wild-type and ALS-associated FUS mutants, we directly correlate the modulation of circRNA biogenesis with alteration of FUS nuclear levels and with putative toxic gain of function activities. We also demonstrate that FUS regulates circRNA biogenesis by binding the introns flanking the back-splicing junctions and that this control can be reproduced with artificial constructs. Most circRNAs are conserved in humans and specific ones are deregulated in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MNs carrying the FUSP525L mutation associated with ALS. The RNA binding protein FUS functions in several RNA biosynthetic processes and has been linked to the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here the authors show that FUS controls back-splicing reactions leading to circular RNA (circRNA) production in stem cell-derived motor neurons and that ALS-associated FUS mutations affect the biogenesis of circRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Errichelli
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.,Deparment of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Stefano Dini Modigliani
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Pietro Laneve
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Alessio Colantoni
- Deparment of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Ivano Legnini
- Deparment of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Davide Capauto
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.,Deparment of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.,Deparment of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Riccardo De Santis
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.,Deparment of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Rebecca Scarfò
- Deparment of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Lei Lu
- Department of Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, 630 W 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Elisa Caffarelli
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Neil A Shneider
- Department of Neurology, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, 630 W 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA
| | - Mariangela Morlando
- Deparment of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Irene Bozzoni
- Center for Life Nano Science@Sapienza, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy.,Deparment of Biology and Biotechnology 'Charles Darwin', Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy.,Institute Pasteur Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, Rome 00185, Italy
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33
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Salvati L, Kosmas C, Kairis O, Karavitis C, Acikalin S, Belgacem A, Solé-Benet A, Chaker M, Fassouli V, Gokceoglu C, Gungor H, Hessel R, Khatteli H, Kounalaki A, Laouina A, Ocakoglu F, Ouessar M, Ritsema C, Sghaier M, Sonmez H, Taamallah H, Tezcan L, de Vente J, Kelly C, Colantoni A, Carlucci M. Assessing the effectiveness of sustainable land management policies for combating desertification: A data mining approach. J Environ Manage 2016; 183:754-762. [PMID: 27649608 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between fine resolution, local-scale biophysical and socioeconomic contexts within which land degradation occurs, and the human responses to it. The research draws on experimental data collected under different territorial and socioeconomic conditions at 586 field sites in five Mediterranean countries (Spain, Greece, Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco). We assess the level of desertification risk under various land management practices (terracing, grazing control, prevention of wildland fires, soil erosion control measures, soil water conservation measures, sustainable farming practices, land protection measures and financial subsidies) taken as possible responses to land degradation. A data mining approach, incorporating principal component analysis, non-parametric correlations, multiple regression and canonical analysis, was developed to identify the spatial relationship between land management conditions, the socioeconomic and environmental context (described using 40 biophysical and socioeconomic indicators) and desertification risk. Our analysis identified a number of distinct relationships between the level of desertification experienced and the underlying socioeconomic context, suggesting that the effectiveness of responses to land degradation is strictly dependent on the local biophysical and socioeconomic context. Assessing the latent relationship between land management practices and the biophysical/socioeconomic attributes characterizing areas exposed to different levels of desertification risk proved to be an indirect measure of the effectiveness of field actions contrasting land degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Salvati
- Italian Council of Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Rome, Italy
| | - C Kosmas
- Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.
| | - O Kairis
- Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | | | | | | | - A Solé-Benet
- Estacion Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Spain
| | - M Chaker
- University of Mohamed V, Chair UNESCO-GN, Morocco
| | - V Fassouli
- Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | | | - H Gungor
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey
| | - R Hessel
- Alterra, Wageningen UR, Netherlands
| | | | | | - A Laouina
- University of Mohamed V, Chair UNESCO-GN, Morocco
| | | | - M Ouessar
- Institut des Regions Arides, Tunisia
| | | | - M Sghaier
- Institut des Regions Arides, Tunisia
| | - H Sonmez
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey
| | | | - L Tezcan
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey
| | - J de Vente
- Estacion Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA-CSIC), Spain
| | - C Kelly
- Department of Geography, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - A Colantoni
- Department of Agricultural and Forestry scieNcEs (D.A.F.N.E.), Viterbo, Italy
| | - M Carlucci
- University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Department of Social and Economic Science, Rome, Italy
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De Simone V, Franzè E, Ronchetti G, Colantoni A, Fantini MC, Di Fusco D, Sica GS, Sileri P, MacDonald TT, Pallone F, Monteleone G, Stolfi C. Th17-type cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α synergistically activate STAT3 and NF-kB to promote colorectal cancer cell growth. Oncogene 2015; 34:3493-503. [PMID: 25174402 PMCID: PMC4493653 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 383] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancers (CRCs) often show a dense infiltrate of cytokine-producing immune/inflammatory cells. The exact contribution of each immune cell subset and cytokine in the activation of the intracellular pathways sustaining CRC cell growth is not understood. Herein, we isolate tumor-infiltrating leukocytes (TILs) and lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) from the tumor area and the macroscopically unaffected, adjacent, colonic mucosa of patients who underwent resection for sporadic CRC and show that the culture supernatants of TILs, but not of LPMCs, potently enhance the growth of human CRC cell lines through the activation of the oncogenic transcription factors signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB). Characterization of immune cell complexity of TILs and LPMCs reveals no differences in the percentages of T cells, natural killer T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages and B cells. However, T cells from TILs show a functional switch compared with those from LPMCs to produce large amounts of T helper type 17 (Th17)-related cytokines (that is, interleukin-17A (IL-17A), IL-17F, IL-21 and IL-22), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6. Individual neutralization of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, TNF-α or IL-6 does not change TIL-derived supernatant-driven STAT3 and NF-kB activation, as well as their proproliferative effect in CRC cells. In contrast, simultaneous neutralization of both IL-17A and TNF-α, which abrogates NF-kB signaling, and IL-22 and IL-6, which abrogates STAT3 signaling, reduces the mitogenic effect of supernatants in CRC cells. IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22, TNF-α and IL-6 are also produced in excess in the early colonic lesions in a mouse model of sporadic CRC, associated with enhanced STAT3/NF-kB activation. Mice therapeutically given BP-1-102, an orally bioavailable compound targeting STAT3/NF-kB activation and cross-talk, exhibit reduced colon tumorigenesis and diminished expression of STAT3/NF-kB-activating cytokines in the neoplastic areas. These data suggest that strategies aimed at the cotargeting of STAT3/NF-kB activation and interaction between them might represent an attractive and novel approach to combat CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- V De Simone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - E Franzè
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - G Ronchetti
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - A Colantoni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - M C Fantini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - D Di Fusco
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - G S Sica
- Department of Surgery, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - P Sileri
- Department of Surgery, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - T T MacDonald
- Centre for Immunology and Infectious Disease, Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
| | - F Pallone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - G Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - C Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are associated to a plethora of cellular functions, most of which require the interaction with one or more RNA-binding proteins (RBPs); similarly, RBPs are often able to bind a large number of different RNAs. The currently available knowledge is already drawing an intricate network of interactions, whose deregulation is frequently associated to pathological states. Several different techniques were developed in the past years to obtain protein–RNA binding data in a high-throughput fashion. In parallel, in silico inference methods were developed for the accurate computational prediction of the interaction of RBP–lncRNA pairs. The field is growing rapidly, and it is foreseeable that in the near future, the protein–lncRNA interaction network will rise, offering essential clues for a better understanding of lncRNA cellular mechanisms and their disease-associated perturbations.
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Caruso R, Marafini I, Franzè E, Stolfi C, Zorzi F, Monteleone I, Caprioli F, Colantoni A, Sarra M, Sedda S, Biancone L, Sileri P, Sica GS, MacDonald TT, Pallone F, Monteleone G. Defective expression of SIRT1 contributes to sustain inflammatory pathways in the gut. Mucosal Immunol 2014; 7:1467-79. [PMID: 24850427 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2014.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), tissue damage is driven by an excessive immune response, poorly controlled by counter-regulatory mechanisms. SIRT1, a class III NAD+-dependent deacetylase, regulates negatively the expression of various proteins involved in the control of immune-inflammatory pathways, such as Stat3, Smad7, and NF-κB. Here we examined the expression, regulation, and function of SIRT1 in IBD. SIRT1 RNA and protein expression was less pronounced in whole biopsies and lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) of IBD patients in comparison with normal controls. SIRT1 expression was downregulated in control LPMC by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-21, and upregulated in IBD LPMC by neutralizing TNF-α and IL-21antibodies. Consistently, SIRT1 expression was increased in mucosal samples taken from IBD patients successfully treated with Infliximab. Treatment of IBD LPMC with Cay10591, a specific SIRT1 activator, reduced NF-κB activation and inhibited inflammatory cytokine synthesis, whereas Ex527, an inhibitor of SIRT1, increased interferon (IFN)-γ in control LPMC. SIRT1 was also reduced in mice with colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid or oxazolone. Cay10591 prevented and cured experimental colitis whereas Ex527 exacerbated disease by modulating T cell-derived cytokine response. Data indicate that SIRT1 is downregulated in IBD patients and colitic mice and suggest that SIRT1 activation can help attenuate inflammatory signals in the gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Caruso
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - I Marafini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - E Franzè
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - C Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - F Zorzi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - I Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - F Caprioli
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - A Colantoni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - M Sarra
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - S Sedda
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - L Biancone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - P Sileri
- Department of Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - G S Sica
- Department of Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - T T MacDonald
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
| | - F Pallone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - G Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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Stolfi C, De Simone V, Colantoni A, Franzè E, Ribichini E, Fantini MC, Caruso R, Monteleone I, Sica GS, Sileri P, MacDonald TT, Pallone F, Monteleone G. A functional role for Smad7 in sustaining colon cancer cell growth and survival. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1073. [PMID: 24556688 PMCID: PMC3944263 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Initially identified as an inhibitor of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β mainly owing to its ability to bind TGF-β receptor type I and abrogate TGF-β-driven signaling, Smad7 can interact with additional intracellular proteins and regulate TGF-β-independent pathways, thus having a key role in the control of neoplastic processes in various organs. Genome-wide association studies have shown that common alleles of Smad7 influence the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), even though the contribution of Smad7 in colon carcinogenesis is not fully understood. In this study, we assessed the expression and role of Smad7 in human and mouse models of sporadic CRC. We document a significant increase of Smad7 in human CRC relative to the surrounding nontumor tissues and show that silencing of Smad7 inhibits the growth of CRC cell lines both in vitro and in vivo after transplantation into immunodeficient mice. Knockdown of Smad7 results in enhanced phosphorylation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, accumulation of CRC cells in S phase and enhanced cell death. Smad7-deficient CRC cells have lower levels of CDC25A, a phosphatase that dephosphorylates CDK2, and hyperphosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2)α, a negative regulator of CDC25 protein translation. Consistently, knockdown of Smad7 associates with inactivation of eIF2α, lower CDC25A expression and diminished fraction of proliferating cells in human CRC explants, and reduces the number of intestinal tumors in Apcmin/+ mice. Altogether, these data support a role for Smad7 in sustaining colon tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Stolfi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - V De Simone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - A Colantoni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - E Franzè
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - E Ribichini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - M C Fantini
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - R Caruso
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - I Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - G S Sica
- Department of Surgery, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - P Sileri
- Department of Surgery, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - T T MacDonald
- Centre for Immunology and Infectious Disease, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
| | - F Pallone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - G Monteleone
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
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Mattei G, Colantoni A, Ferrari S. EPA-1224 – Multidisciplinary team approach to the geriatric patient in the emergency room and in the hospital: the modena project. Eur Psychiatry 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(14)78468-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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Bianchi V, Colantoni A, Calderone A, Ausiello G, Ferrè F, Helmer-Citterich M. DBATE: database of alternative transcripts expression. Database (Oxford) 2013; 2013:bat050. [PMID: 23842462 PMCID: PMC5654372 DOI: 10.1093/database/bat050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The use of high-throughput RNA sequencing technology (RNA-seq) allows whole transcriptome analysis, providing an unbiased and unabridged view of alternative transcript expression. Coupling splicing variant-specific expression with its functional inference is still an open and difficult issue for which we created the DataBase of Alternative Transcripts Expression (DBATE), a web-based repository storing expression values and functional annotation of alternative splicing variants. We processed 13 large RNA-seq panels from human healthy tissues and in disease conditions, reporting expression levels and functional annotations gathered and integrated from different sources for each splicing variant, using a variant-specific annotation transfer pipeline. The possibility to perform complex queries by cross-referencing different functional annotations permits the retrieval of desired subsets of splicing variant expression values that can be visualized in several ways, from simple to more informative. DBATE is intended as a novel tool to help appreciate how, and possibly why, the transcriptome expression is shaped. Database URL:http://bioinformatica.uniroma2.it/DBATE/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Bianchi
- Centre for Molecular Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica s.n.c., Rome 00133, Italy
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Colantoni A, Bianchi V, Gherardini PF, Scalia Tomba G, Ausiello G, Helmer-Citterich M, Ferrè F. Alternative splicing tends to avoid partial removals of protein-protein interaction sites. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:379. [PMID: 23758645 PMCID: PMC3700808 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anecdotal evidence of the involvement of alternative splicing (AS) in the regulation of protein-protein interactions has been reported by several studies. AS events have been shown to significantly occur in regions where a protein interaction domain or a short linear motif is present. Several AS variants show partial or complete loss of interface residues, suggesting that AS can play a major role in the interaction regulation by selectively targeting the protein binding sites. In the present study we performed a statistical analysis of the alternative splicing of a non-redundant dataset of human protein-protein interfaces known at molecular level to determine the importance of this way of modulation of protein-protein interactions through AS. RESULTS Using a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test we demonstrated that the alternative splicing-mediated partial removal of both heterodimeric and homodimeric binding sites occurs at lower frequencies than expected, and this holds true even if we consider only those isoforms whose sequence is less different from that of the canonical protein and which therefore allow to selectively regulate functional regions of the protein. On the other hand, large removals of the binding site are not significantly prevented, possibly because they are associated to drastic structural changes of the protein. The observed protection of the binding sites from AS is not preferentially directed towards putative hot spot interface residues, and is widespread to all protein functional classes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that protein-protein binding sites are generally protected from alternative splicing-mediated partial removals. However, some cases in which the binding site is selectively removed exist, and here we discuss one of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Colantoni
- Centre for Molecular Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Bianchi
- Centre for Molecular Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Current address: Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Pier Federico Gherardini
- Centre for Molecular Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Current address: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Gianpaolo Scalia Tomba
- Department of Mathematics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ausiello
- Centre for Molecular Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Helmer-Citterich
- Centre for Molecular Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ferrè
- Centre for Molecular Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Cecchini M, Colantoni A, Massantini R, Monarca D. Estimation of the risks of thermal stress due to the microclimate for manual fruit and vegetable harvesters in central Italy. J Agric Saf Health 2010; 16:141-59. [PMID: 20836436 DOI: 10.13031/2013.32040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Agricultural workers are exposed to various risks, including chemical agents, noise, and many other factors. One of the most characteristic and least known risk factors is constituted by the microclimatic conditions in the different phases of work (in field, in greenhouse, etc). A typical condition is thermal stress due to high temperatures during harvesting operations in open fields or in greenhouses. In Italy, harvesting is carried out for many hours during the day, mainly in the summer, with temperatures often higher than 30 degrees C. According to ISO 7243, these conditions can be considered dangerous for workers' health. The aim of this study is to assess the risks of exposure to microclimatic conditions (heat) for fruit and vegetable harvesters in central Italy by applying methods established by international standards. In order to estimate the risk for workers, the air temperature, radiative temperature, and air speed were measured using instruments in conformity with ISO 7726. Thermodynamic parameters and two more subjective parameters, clothing and the metabolic heat production rate related to the worker's physical activity, were used to calculate the predicted heat strain (PHS) for the exposed workers in conformity with ISO 7933. Environmental and subjective parameters were also measured for greenhouse workers, according to ISO 7243, in order to calculate the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT). The results show a slight risk for workers during manual harvesting in the field. On the other hand, the data collected in the greenhouses show that the risk for workers must not be underestimated. The results of the study show that, for manual harvesting work in climates similar to central Italy, it is essential to provide plenty of drinking water and acclimatization for the workers in order to reduce health risks. Moreover, the study emphasizes that the possible health risks for greenhouse workers increase from the month of April through July.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cecchini
- Department of Geology and Mechanical, Naturalistic, and Hydraulic Engineering for the Territory, University of Tuscia, via S. Camillo De Lellis s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
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Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with the development of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). The aim of this investigation was to determine the prevalence and characterization of monoclonal gammopathy and benign and malignant LPDs in individuals with chronic hepatitis C. A total of 233 subjects diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C (male/female ratio: 131/102, median age; 49 years) were studied. Serum and urine were examined for the presence of a monoclonal gammopathy. A bone marrow aspirate and biopsy was obtained in individuals with a monoclonal gammopathy. Thirty-two patients (13.7%, 32 of 233) had a monoclonal gammopathy; 75% of them were benign and were not associated with malignant disorders (24 of 32) while 25% were associated with malignant LPDs or a plasma cell disorder (eight of 32). Two additional subjects without monoclonal gammopathy were diagnosed as having a malignant LPDs. The prevalence of malignant LPDs/plasma cell disorder in individuals with HCV-induced chronic liver disease was 4.3%. No difference was found in terms of disease duration, HCV genotype, viral load, alanine aminotransferase level or histopathologic score between the subjects with or without a monoclonal gammopathy. The presence of mixed cryoglobulinaemia was strongly associated with the presence of an underlying malignant disorder. Hence a monoclonal gammopathy is found in 14% of patients with chronic hepatitis C and is associated with malignant B-cell LPD in more than a quarter of such patients. The prevalence of LPDs in individuals with HCV-induced chronic liver disease is greater than that of the normal healthy population.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Idilman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.
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Ambrosino G, Varotto S, Basso S, Galavotti D, Cecchetto A, Carraro P, Naso A, De Silvestro G, Plebani M, Giron G, Abatangelo G, Donato D, Braga GP, Cestrone A, Marrelli L, Trombetta M, Lorenzelli V, Picardi A, Valente ML, Palu G, Colantoni A, Van Thiel D, Ricordi C, D'Amico DF. ALEX (artificial liver for extracorporeal xenoassistance): a new bioreactor containing a porcine autologous biomatrix as hepatocyte support. Preliminary results in an ex vivo experimental model. Int J Artif Organs 2002; 25:960-5. [PMID: 12456037 DOI: 10.1177/039139880202501010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Long-term maintenance of viability and expression of differentiated hepatocyte function is crucial for bioartificial liver support. We developed a new bioreactor design (ALEX), associated with a new extracellular autologous hepatocyte biomatrix (Porcine Autologous Biomatrix - PBM) support. To test this new bioreactor, we compared it to a standard BAL (BioArtificial Liver) cartridge in a ex vivo model using human plasma added to bilirubin, ammonium and lidocaine. A pathology study was performed on both bioreactors. The results suggest that ALEX allows a maximal contact between the perfusing plasma and the liver cells and a proper hepatocyte support by a cell-to-matrix attachment. ALEX is a suitable cell support bioreactor, guaranteeing long-term maintenance of the metabolic activity of hepatocytes when compared to a standard BAL cartridge.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ambrosino
- Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, Section of General and Liver Transplant Surgery, University of Padova School of Medicine, Padova, Italy.
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Biancone L, Palmieri G, Lombardi A, Vavassori P, Monteleone I, Del Vecchio Blanco G, Colantoni A, Spagnoli L, Tonelli F, Pallone F. Cytoskeletal proteins and resident flora. Dig Liver Dis 2002; 34 Suppl 2:S34-6. [PMID: 12408437 DOI: 10.1016/s1590-8658(02)80161-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent observations demonstrate that enteropathogenetic and enterohaemorrhagic bacteria, as well as other non enteropathogenetic bacteria (Listeria, Coxiella Burnetii), may subvert the host cell cytoskeleton. Models from enteropathogenic bacteria demonstrate that cytoskeletal proteins are required for bacteria binding to the enterocytes and that they play a role in the immune response of the host to intestinal bacteria. The cytoskeletal protein family Tropomyosins is present in all eukaryotic cells, with multiple isoforms regulated by multiple genes. Of the different Tropomyosin isoforms, TM5 has been shown to be expressed in colonic and jejunal epithelial cells, while TM1 in colonic and jejunal smooth muscle. In vitro studies have shown the presence of serum and mucosal IgG against TM5 in almost two thirds of patients with ulcerative colitis, suggesting: a. a possible autoimmune response to Tropomyosin in these patients; b. the hypothesis that the development of pouchitis may be related to the expression of TM5 in the ileal pouch; c. the use of probiotics in the treatment of pouchitis. Overall, the new expression of cytoskeletal proteins on the cell surface appears to be possibly induced by several mechanisms, including intestinal bacteria and apoptosis. The expression of cytoskeletal proteins on the cell surface may induce tolerance or autoimmune response on target cells. Further investigations are, however needed on the possible role of cytoskeletal proteins in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Biancone
- Chair of Gastroenterology, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy.
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45
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Abstract
There is considerable evidence that reactive oxygen species (ROS) have a causative role in chronic hepatic injury and cancer development via direct and indirect mechanisms. Estrogens produce free oxygen radicals through redox cycling and affect cell proliferation, also in the liver. We are presently involved in evaluating the possible relationship between estrogens receptor expression, type of receptor, oxidative DNA damage and c-myc in chronic liver disease. The data on DNA adducts, c-myc mRNA and variant estrogen receptor in patients with HCV- or HBV-related chronic liver disease are suggesting that those positive for variant liver estrogen receptor present higher genomic oxidative damage, as reflected in 8-OHdG levels. We are also observing that patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, when positive for variant estrogen receptor, present higher c-myc m-RNA expression, a factor reportedly associated with increased genomic instability, augmented cytoproliferation and carcinogenesis. Our own and other author's data are shedding new light on estrogen pathophysiology, liver damage and hepatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Farinati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Gastroenterologiche, Sezione di Gastroenterologia, Universita di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy.
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Villa E, Grottola A, Buttafoco P, Colantoni A, Bagni A, Ferretti I, Cremonini C, Bertani H, Manenti F. High doses of alpha-interferon are required in chronic hepatitis due to coinfection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus: long term results of a prospective randomized trial. Am J Gastroenterol 2001; 96:2973-7. [PMID: 11693335 DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.04670.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Coinfection with hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses is associated with a more severe liver disease, increased frequency in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, and resistance to interferon (IFN) therapy when performed with the standard dosages used in single infections. In the attempt to verify whether the outcome of IFN therapy in patients with hepatitis B and hepatitis C coinfection can be improved, we have planned a prospective, randomized trial with medium to high dosages of interferon three times a week for 6 months. METHODS Thirty patients with HBV-HCV coinfection, and chronic hepatitis were randomized to receive either 6 or 9 MU alpha-interferon three times a week for 6 months. Patients were HBsAg positive, anti-HBe positive, HBV DNA negative by dot blot (6/30 positive by polymerase chain reaction), and anti-HCV-positive, HCV RNA positive. Pretreatment and posttreatment liver biopsies were performed. RESULTS Five patients treated with 9 MU IFN consistently cleared HCV RNA and HBV DNA, whereas none of those treated with 6 MU reacted in a similar fashion (p = 0.045). Responders showed significant improvement of histological activity index in comparison with nonresponders (mean Ishak score pretreatment versus posttreatment p = 0.002). Long term follow-up showed that none of the patients treated with high doses developed cirrhosis whereas 4/14 treated with low doses did develop cirrhosis. CONCLUSION Even though the percentage was not very high, the sustained response, the striking histological improvement, and the lack of development of cirrhosis achieved in these patients, indicate that with HBV-HCV coinfection, a trial with high doses of interferon is strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Villa
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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De Maria N, Idilman R, Colantoni A, Van Thiel DH. Increased effective immunogenicity to high-dose and short-interval hepatitis B virus vaccination in individuals with chronic hepatitis without cirrhosis. J Viral Hepat 2001; 8:372-6. [PMID: 11555195 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2893.2001.00301.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is recommended for individuals with chronic liver disease. However, the response to standard doses of hepatitis B vaccines in such individuals has been poor. The aim of the present study was to assess the response to high-dose short-interval HBV vaccination in individuals with chronic liver disease of different aetiologies. A total two hundred and 24 subjects with chronic liver disease (138 chronic active hepatitis and 86 cirrhosis) and 26 healthy controls were vaccinated using a high-dose (40 microg) short-interval (monthly for 3 consecutive months) HBV vaccination schedule. One hundred and thirty-eight of the 224 subjects with chronic liver disease (62%) seroconverted to anti-HBs antibody positivity (>10 mIU/mL) after the third dose of vaccine as compared with 24 of the 26 controls (92%) (P < 0.01). The response rate was reduced in individuals with cirrhosis (36/86, 42%), particularly in alcohol-induced cirrhosis (2/17, 12%), as compared with individuals with chronic hepatitis (102/138, 74%) (P < 0.001). No significant HBV vaccination-related adverse effects were seen in individuals with or without cirrhosis as well as in the controls. High-dose short-interval HBV vaccination is safe and efficacious in individuals with chronic liver disease. The response to HBV vaccination is reduced in cirrhotics, particularly those with alcoholic cirrhosis. These data suggest that HBV vaccination should be accomplished early in an individual cause of chronic liver disease prior to the development of cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- N De Maria
- Loyola University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Transplantation, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
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Abstract
Fetal alcohol syndrome usually implies effects on the offspring of maternal EtOH consumption during gestation, with fewer reports addressing the impact of paternal exposure on the progeny. One previous report has dealt with the impact of EtOH exposure on peripubertal male rats as a model of teenage drinking and the deleterious effects on the offspring. We report here findings examining the effect of 2 mo of EtOH feeding on male animals as they progressed through puberty on their ability to impregnate EtOH-naive female rats and characteristics of the subsequent litters. The EtOH-imbibing fathers weighed significantly less than pairfed controls and animals ingesting a non-EtOH liquid diet ad libitum. Nevertheless, they were able to mate successfully, although fecundity was significantly reduced. The number of successful pregnancies, defined as carried to term, was diminished from 92% in controls to 75% in EtOH-fed animals (p < 0.05). There was increased paternal testicular oxidative injury demonstrated by enhanced lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and decreased ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione. The litter size of the EtOH-exposed males was reduced by 46%. The average litter size was 12.4+/-1.5 pups/litter in ad libitum animals, virtually identical to the 12.5+/-0.6 pups/litter in the pair fed controls. This is in sharp contrast to the 6.7+/-0.1 pups/litter from the paternal EtOH matings (p < 0.001). There was an increase in the average individual weight of pup offspring of paternally EtOH-exposed animals (p < 0.01 vs pair-fed controls and p < 0.05 vs ad libitum). Curiously, the male-to-female pup ratio was altered with a higher preponderance of male offspring from EtOH-fed fathers. There were no gross malformations noted among the pups. Insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in the pups at 10 d of age were unaltered between the groups. However, leptin was significantly elevated in the EtOH offspring. It appears that chronic EtOH exposure in the peripubertal fathers subsequently decreases fecundity and that this may be mediated by testicular oxidative injury, perhaps leading to accelerated germ cell apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- N V Emanuele
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
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Idilman R, Colantoni A, De Maria N, Harig JM, van Thiel DH. Effect of human immunodeficiency virus on the outcome of hepatitis C virus infection. Scand J Gastroenterol 2001; 36:225-34. [PMID: 11305507 DOI: 10.1080/003655201750074410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R Idilman
- Loyola University Medical Center, Gastroenterology/Liver Transplantation, Maywood, Ill. 60153, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Van Thiel
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood 60153, USA
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