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A single spacer nucleotide determines the specificities of two mRNA regulatory proteins.

Regulation of messenger RNA is crucial in many contexts, including development, memory and cell growth. The 3' untranslated region is a rich repository of regulatory elements that bind proteins and microRNAs. Here we focus on PUF proteins, an important family of mRNA regulatory proteins crucial in stem-cell proliferation, pattern formation and synaptic plasticity. We show that two Caenorhabditis elegans PUF proteins, FBF and PUF-8, differ in RNA-binding specificity. FBF requires the presence of a single 'extra' nucleotide in the middle of an eight-nucleotide site, whereas PUF-8 requires its absence. A discrete protein segment is responsible for the difference. We propose that a structural distortion in the central region of FBF imposes the requirement for the additional nucleotide and that this mode of PUF specificity may be common. We suggest that new specificities can be designed and selected using the PUF scaffold.

Animals↗

mRNA vaccine immunity is enhanced by hepatocyte detargeting and not dependent on dendritic cell expression.

Proteins encoded by mRNA vaccines can be expressed by a diversity of transfected cell types but how cell-type-specific expression influences immunity is poorly understood. To investigate this, we incorporated synthetic microRNA target sites (miRT) into lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-delivered mRNA vaccines to silence mRNA expression specifically in professional antigen-presenting cells (pAPCs), hepatocytes or myocytes. We found that mRNA expression in pAPCs was dispensable for priming antigen-specific T cells, whereas mRNA expression in myocytes induced similar or stronger immune responses, including for SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that antigen cross-presentation or cross-dressing may be more impactful than direct mRNA expression in pAPCs. In contrast, mRNA expression in hepatocytes suppressed the antigen-specific T cell response, partly through PD1/PDL1. In mice bearing tumor-associated antigen (TAA)-expressing lymphoma cells, miRT-mediated hepatocyte-silenced TAA mRNA vaccine enhanced immune response and reduced tumor burden. Thus, non-pAPC expression shapes immunity to mRNA-encoded protein and inclusion of miRTs can boost or blunt mRNA-LNP immunogenicity.

Journal Article↗

Liquid biopsy for early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

There is no clinically relevant blood-based assay for the detection of early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a solid malignancy characterized by poor outcomes. Here we developed, validated and tested a blood-based microRNA (miRNA) assay (which included hsa-miR-142-3p, hsa-miR-30c-5p, hsa-miR-335-5p, hsa-miR-340-5p, hsa-miR-200b-3p, hsa-miR-1260b, hsa-miR-145-3p, hsa-miR-145-5p, hsa-miR-429 and hsa-miR-200a-3p) and a composite score, PANXEON (PANcreatic cancer eXosome Early detectiON), that integrates the miRNA signature with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 for the detection of early-stage PDAC. We conducted an international, multicenter, observational, prospective biomarker study that involved 1,785 individuals with and without PDAC from four countries. The miRNA signature achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 88.6% in the testing cohort, with a sensitivity of 83.8% for early-stage PDAC, while showing minimal cross-reactivity with other gastrointestinal cancers. In a cohort of 19 individuals, the miRNA signature levels decreased during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and after surgery and increased before disease recurrence. When combined with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, this blood assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 86.8% for stage I-II PDAC, false-positive rates of 3.2% in low-risk controls and 15.6% in high-risk controls in the testing cohort. PANXEON demonstrates potential for detecting high-grade dysplasia in individuals with high-risk pancreatic cysts (64.3%). Collectively, we present a composite biomarker that may complement existing strategies for the detection of early-stage PDAC and warrants further large-scale prospective studies. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT06388967 .

Journal Article↗

Disease-driven post-transcriptional alterations and alternative splicing in podocytes in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a major cause of nephrotic syndrome and progression to end-stage renal disease, yet its molecular pathogenesis remains still incompletely defined. While transcriptional alterations in podocytes have been extensively characterized, the contribution of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms is poorly understood. Here, we combined a zebrafish podocyte-specific injury model with glomerulus-resolved transcriptomic profiling to dissect RNA regulatory alterations during FSGS progression. Integrated analyses of bulk RNA sequencing, small RNA profiling, and alternative splicing revealed pronounced, time-dependent remodeling of the glomerular transcriptome. We demonstrate that podocyte injury is associated with loss of key podocyte-specific proteins, activation of inflammatory pathways, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, and altered microRNA expression, such as miR-21 and miR-193. Moreover, we found that alternative splicing influences key podocyte gene expression, affecting genes critical for slit diaphragm integrity, actin cytoskeleton organization, and glomerular basement membrane stability. Isoform analyses identified FSGS-associated isoform switches in SRSF3 and EPB41L5. Importantly, these changes were also evident in glomeruli from FSGS patients, demonstrating that the zebrafish model recapitulates key molecular features of human disease and highlighting alternative splicing as a central regulatory mechanism in FSGS.

Animals↗

RNA interference-inducing hairpin RNAs in plants act through the viral defence pathway.

RNA interference (RNAi) is widely used to silence genes in plants and animals. It operates through the degradation of target mRNA by endonuclease complexes guided by approximately 21 nucleotide (nt) short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). A similar process regulates the expression of some developmental genes through approximately 21 nt microRNAs. Plants have four types of Dicer-like (DCL) enzyme, each producing small RNAs with different functions. Here, we show that DCL2, DCL3 and DCL4 in Arabidopsis process both replicating viral RNAs and RNAi-inducing hairpin RNAs (hpRNAs) into 22-, 24- and 21 nt siRNAs, respectively, and that loss of both DCL2 and DCL4 activities is required to negate RNAi and to release the plant's repression of viral replication. We also show that hpRNAs, similar to viral infection, can engender long-distance silencing signals and that hpRNA-induced silencing is suppressed by the expression of a virus-derived suppressor protein. These findings indicate that hpRNA-mediated RNAi in plants operates through the viral defence pathway.

Arabidopsis↗

Exploring the functions of RNA interference pathway proteins: some functions are more RISCy than others?

PPD (PAZ Piwi domain) proteins and the Dicer family have been the subjects of intense study over the last 6 years. These proteins have well-established roles in RNAi (RNA interference), a process that relies on siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) or miRNAs (microRNAs) to mediate specificity. The development of techniques for applying RNAi as a laboratory tool and a molecular therapeutic technique has rapidly outpaced our understanding of the biology of this process. However, over the last 2 years, great strides have been made towards elucidating how PPD proteins and Dicer regulate gene-silencing at the pre- and post-transcriptional levels. In addition, evidence is beginning to emerge that suggests that these proteins have additional siRNA-independent roles as cell-cycle regulators. In the present review, we summarize the well-known roles of these two classes of proteins in gene-silencing pathways, as well as explore the evidence for novel roles of PPD and Dicer proteins.

Cell Cycle↗

[The adenine riboswitch: a new gene regulation mechanism].

It has long been known that gene regulation is mostly achieved via protein-nucleic acid interactions. However, the role of RNA factors in gene control has been recently growing given the implication of new RNA-based gene regulation mechanisms such as microRNAs and related short-interfering RNAs gene expression inactivation mechanisms. Recent studies have demonstrated that the involvement of RNA in fundamental gene-control processes is even more extensive. Prokaryotic messenger RNAs carry highly structured domains known as riboswitches within their 5'-untranslated regions. Each riboswitch is able to bind with high specificity their cellular target metabolite, without the involvement of a protein cofactor. Upon metabolite binding, the messenger RNA undergoes structural change that will ultimately lead to the modulation of its genetic expression. Riboswitches can alter gene expression at the level of transcription attenuation or translation initiation, and can up- or down-regulate gene expression by harnessing appropriate changes in the mRNA structure. Here, we provide an overview of the adenine riboswitch, one of the smallest riboswitch and one of the few that activates gene expression upon ligand binding. Several crystal structures have been obtained for the ligand-binding domain of this riboswitch providing us with an unprecedented glimpse about how riboswitches use their ligand to regulate gene expression. Moreover, mechanistic studies have recently shed light on the transcriptional regulation mechanisms of the adenine riboswitch suggesting that riboswitches may rely on the kinetics of ligand binding and the speed of RNA transcription, rather than simple ligand affinity. Riboswitches are particularly interesting because RNA-ligand interactions are potentially very important in the elaboration of antimicrobial agents.

Adenine↗

Identification of transcribed sequences in Arabidopsis thaliana by using high-resolution genome tiling arrays.

Using a maskless photolithography method, we produced DNA oligonucleotide microarrays with probe sequences tiled throughout the genome of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana. RNA expression was determined for the complete nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast genomes by tiling 5 million 36-mer probes. These probes were hybridized to labeled mRNA isolated from liquid grown T87 cells, an undifferentiated Arabidopsis cell culture line. Transcripts were detected from at least 60% of the nearly 26,330 annotated genes, which included 151 predicted genes that were not identified previously by a similar genome-wide hybridization study on four different cell lines. In comparison with previously published results with 25-mer tiling arrays produced by chromium masking-based photolithography technique, 36-mer oligonucleotide probes were found to be more useful in identifying intron-exon boundaries. Using two-dimensional HPLC tandem mass spectrometry, a small-scale proteomic analysis was performed with the same cells. A large amount of strongly hybridizing RNA was found in regions "antisense" to known genes. Similarity of antisense activities between the 25-mer and 36-mer data sets suggests that it is a reproducible and inherent property of the experiments. Transcription activities were also detected for many of the intergenic regions and the small RNAs, including tRNA, small nuclear RNA, small nucleolar RNA, and microRNA. Expression of tRNAs correlates with genome-wide amino acid usage.

Arabidopsis↗

Regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by small RNA.

Repeats (27-nt) in intron 4 have been shown to play a cis-acting role in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) promoter activity. We hypothesize that the 27-nt repeats could be the source of small nuclear RNA specifically regulating eNOS expression. In this study, we used synthesized 27-nt RNA duplex and found that the eNOS gene transcriptional efficiency was reduced 63% (0.047 +/- 0.009 vs. 0.126 +/- 0.015, P < 0.01) by nuclear run-on assay. In endothelial cells transfected with the 27-nt small RNA duplex, we found that the eNOS mRNA and protein levels were decreased by >64% (P < 0.01). Conversely, a randomly selected 27-nt from luciferase gene had no effect on the eNOS expression. Furthermore, this eNOS silencing effect appeared to be reversible under the stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (10 ng/ml), which is known to up-regulate eNOS expression. Using in situ hybridization and Northern blotting, we observed the presence of endogenous eNOS intron 4-derived 27-nt small RNA, which was confined to the nucleus. In summary, we demonstrated that intron-based microRNAs in eNOS can induce significant gene specific transcriptional suppression, which could be an effective negative feedback regulator for gene expression.

Cells, Cultured↗

EVOPRINTER, a multigenomic comparative tool for rapid identification of functionally important DNA.

Here, we describe a multigenomic DNA sequence-analysis tool, evoprinter, that facilitates the rapid identification of evolutionary conserved sequences within the context of a single species. The evoprinter output identifies multispecies-conserved DNA sequences as they exist in a reference DNA. This identification is accomplished by superimposing multiple reference DNA vs. test-genome pairwise blat (blast-like alignment tool) readouts of the reference DNA to identify conserved nucleotides that are shared by all orthologous DNAs. evoprinter analysis of well characterized genes reveals that most, if not all, of the conserved sequences are essential for gene function. For example, analysis of orthologous genes that are shared by many vertebrates identifies conserved DNA in both protein-encoding sequences and noncoding cis-regulatory regions, including enhancers and mRNA microRNA binding sites. In Drosophila, the combined mutational histories of five or more species affords near-base pair resolution of conserved transcription factor DNA-binding sites, and essential amino acids are revealed by the nucleotide flexibility of their codon-wobble position(s). Conserved small peptide-encoding genes, which had been undetected by conventional gene-prediction algorithms, are identified by the codon-wobble signatures of invariant amino acids. Also, evoprinter allows one to assess the degree of evolutionary divergence between orthologous DNAs by highlighting differences between a selected species and the other test species.

Animals↗

Transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of transcription factor expression in Arabidopsis roots.

Understanding how the expression of transcription factor (TF) genes is modulated is essential for reconstructing gene regulatory networks. There is increasing evidence that sequences other than upstream noncoding can contribute to modulating gene expression, but how frequently they do so remains unclear. Here, we investigated the regulation of TFs expressed in a tissue-enriched manner in Arabidopsis roots. For 61 TFs, we created GFP reporter constructs driven by each TF's upstream noncoding sequence (including the 5'UTR) fused to the GFP reporter gene alone or together with the TF's coding sequence. We compared the visually detectable GFP patterns with endogenous mRNA expression patterns, as defined by a genome-wide microarray root expression map. An automated image analysis method for quantifying GFP signals in different tissues was developed and used to validate our visual comparison method. From these combined analyses, we found that (i) the upstream noncoding sequence was sufficient to recapitulate the mRNA expression pattern for 80% (35/44) of the TFs, and (ii) 25% of the TFs undergo posttranscriptional regulation via microRNA-mediated mRNA degradation (2/24) or via intercellular protein movement (6/24). The results suggest that, for Arabidopsis TFs, upstream noncoding sequences are major contributors to mRNA expression pattern establishment, but modulation of transcription factor protein expression pattern after transcription is relatively frequent. This study provides a systematic overview of regulation of TF expression at a cellular level.

Arabidopsis↗

Dicer function is essential for lung epithelium morphogenesis.

DICER is a key enzyme that processes microRNA and small interfering RNA precursors into their short mature forms, enabling them to regulate gene expression. Only a single Dicer gene exists in the mouse genome, and it is broadly expressed in developing tissues. Dicer-null mutants die before gastrulation. Therefore, to study Dicer function in the later event of lung formation, we inactivated it in the mouse lung epithelium using a Dicer conditional allele and the Sonic Hedgehogcre (Shhcre) allele. Branching arrests in these mutant lungs, although epithelial growth continues in distal domains that are expanded compared with normal samples. These defects result in a few large epithelial pouches in the mutant lung instead of numerous fine branches present in a normal lung. Significantly, the initial phenotypes are apparent before an increase in epithelial cell death is observed, leading us to propose that Dicer plays a specific role in regulating lung epithelial morphogenesis independent of its requirement in cell survival. In addition, we found that the expression of Fgf10, a key gene involved in lung development, is up-regulated and expanded in the mesenchyme of Dicer mutant lungs. Previous studies support the hypothesis that precise localization of FGF10 in discrete sites of the lung mesenchyme serves as a chemoattractant for the outgrowth of epithelial branches. The aberrant Fgf10 expression may contribute to the Dicer morphological defects. However, the mechanism by which DICER functions in the epithelium to influence Fgf10 expression in the mesenchyme remains unknown.

Animals↗

Short blocks from the noncoding parts of the human genome have instances within nearly all known genes and relate to biological processes.

Using an unsupervised pattern-discovery method, we processed the human intergenic and intronic regions and catalogued all variable-length patterns with identically conserved copies and multiplicities above what is expected by chance. Among the millions of discovered patterns, we found a subset of 127,998 patterns, termed pyknons, which have additional nonoverlapping instances in the untranslated and protein-coding regions of 30,675 transcripts from 20,059 human genes. The pyknons arrange combinatorially in the untranslated and coding regions of numerous human genes where they form mosaics. Consecutive instances of pyknons in these regions show a strong bias in their relative placement, favoring distances of approximately 22 nucleotides. We also found pyknons to be enriched in a statistically significant manner in genes involved in specific processes, e.g., cell communication, transcription, regulation of transcription, signaling, transport, etc. For approximately 1/3 of the pyknons, the intergenic/intronic instances of their reverse complement lie within 380,084 nonoverlapping regions, typically 60-80 nucleotides long, which are predicted to form double-stranded, energetically stable, hairpin-shaped RNA secondary structures; additionally, the pyknons subsume approximately 40% of the known microRNA sequences, thus suggesting a possible link with posttranscriptional gene silencing and RNA interference. Cross-genome comparisons reveal that many of the pyknons have instances in the 3' UTRs of genes from other vertebrates and invertebrates where they are overrepresented in similar biological processes, as in the human genome. These unexpected findings suggest potential unique functional connections between the coding and noncoding parts of the human genome.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

RNA silencing of host transcripts by cauliflower mosaic virus requires coordinated action of the four Arabidopsis Dicer-like proteins.

RNA silencing is an ancient mechanism of gene regulation with important antiviral roles in plants and insects. Although induction of RNA silencing by RNA viruses has been well documented in plants, the interactions between DNA viruses and the host silencing machinery remain poorly understood. We investigate this question with cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), a dsDNA virus that expresses its genome through the polycistronic 35S RNA, which carries an unusually extensive secondary structure known as translational leader. We show that CaMV-derived siRNAs accumulate in turnip- and Arabidopsis-infected plants and that the leader is a major, albeit not exclusive, source for those molecules. Biogenesis of leader-derived siRNA requires the coordinated and hierarchical action of the four Arabidopsis Dicer-like (DCL) proteins. Our study also uncovers a "facilitating" role exerted by the microRNA biosynthetic enzyme DCL1 on accumulation of DCL2-, DCL3-, and DCL4-dependent siRNAs derived from the 35S leader. This feature of DCL1 defines a small RNA biosynthetic pathway that might have relevance for endogenous gene regulation. Several leader-derived siRNAs were found to bear near-perfect sequence complementarity to Arabidopsis transcripts, and, using a sensor transgene, we provide direct evidence that at least one of those molecules acts as a bona fide siRNA in infected turnip. Extensive bioinformatics searches identified >100 transcripts potentially targeted by CaMV-derived siRNAs, several of which are effectively down-regulated during infection. The implications of virus-directed silencing of host gene expression are discussed.

Arabidopsis↗

Small dsRNAs induce transcriptional activation in human cells.

Recent studies have shown that small noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs and siRNAs, regulate gene expression at multiple levels including chromatin architecture, transcription, RNA editing, RNA stability, and translation. Each form of RNA-dependent regulation has been generally found to silence homologous sequences and collectively called RNAi. To further study the regulatory role of small RNAs at the transcriptional level, we designed and synthesized 21-nt dsRNAs targeting selected promoter regions of human genes E-cadherin, p21(WAF1/CIP1) (p21), and VEGF. Surprisingly, transfection of these dsRNAs into human cell lines caused long-lasting and sequence-specific induction of targeted genes. dsRNA mutation studies reveal that the 5' end of the antisense strand, or "seed" sequence, is critical for activity. Mechanistically, the dsRNA-induced gene activation requires the Argonaute 2 (Ago2) protein and is associated with a loss of lysine-9 methylation on histone 3 at dsRNA-target sites. In conclusion, we have identified several dsRNAs that activate gene expression by targeting noncoding regulatory regions in gene promoters. These findings reveal a more diverse role for small RNA molecules in the regulation of gene expression than previously recognized and identify a potential therapeutic use for dsRNA in targeted gene activation.

Argonaute Proteins↗

Premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are present in the Zea genus and unique in biogenesis mechanism and molecular function.

Reproductive phasiRNAs (phased, small interfering RNAs) are broadly present in angiosperms and play crucial roles in sustaining male fertility. While the premeiotic 21-nt (nucleotides) phasiRNAs and meiotic 24-nt phasiRNA pathways have been extensively studied in maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa), a third putative category of reproductive phasiRNAs-named premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs-have recently been reported in barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). To determine whether premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are also present in maize and related species and begin to characterize their biogenesis and function, we performed a comparative transcriptome and degradome analysis of premeiotic and meiotic anthers from five maize inbred lines and three teosinte species/subspecies. Our data indicate that a substantial subset of the 24-nt phasiRNA loci in maize and teosinte are already highly expressed at the premeiotic phase. The premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are similar to meiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs in genomic origin and dependence on DCL5 (Dicer-like 5) for biogenesis, however, premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are unique in that they are likely i) not triggered by microRNAs, ii) not loaded by AGO18 proteins, and iii) not capable of mediating PHAS precursor cleavage. In addition, we also observed a group of premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs in rice using previously published data. Together, our results indicate that the premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs constitute a unique class of reproductive phasiRNAs and are present more broadly in the grass family (Poaceae) than previously known.

Zea mays↗

Lactational traits of importance in dairy cows and applications for emerging biotechnologies.

New molecular and quantitative genetic technologies are the latest in a long list of technologies that have been introduced to dairy industries over many decades to improve the performance of cows. The catalysts for future advances will be sequencing of the bovine genome and development of high-throughput technologies to identify and exploit relevant variation in DNA sequences. The new technologies will allow the selection of animals based on specific genotypes that suit specific applications such as once-daily (OAD) milking or extended lactation. These technologies will also allow exploitation of between-cow variation in milk composition, which is currently hidden by bulking of milk on and between farms. Thus, there are opportunities to produce milk from herds of cows selected for specific milk composition that might be, for example, more suitable for cheese-making or have milkfat with specific properties to enhance human health. Identification of genes and gene polymorphisms associated with improved resistance to specific diseases in cows and other farm species also represents a real opportunity to improve animal health over the coming decade. New levels of genetic regulation have been identified, e.g. microRNA and epigenetics, the impacts of which on the performance of cows and humans are only just beginning to be understood. There is a potential role for veterinarians to provide or be the interface for provision of genetic advice to farmers in much the same way that nutritional advice is currently given.

Animals↗

Mechanotransduction in musculoskeletal mesenchymal tissues: implications for bone, tendon, and cartilage regenerative engineering-a narrative review.

PURPOSE/AIM OF THE STUDY: To integrate evidence on how mechanical signals regulate musculoskeletal connective-tissue biology and how cellular context and loading history shape mechanotransduction and mechanical memory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This narrative review synthesized PubMed-indexed evidence on extracellular matrix mechanics, adhesion complexes, the cytoskeleton, nucleus, primary cilia, mechanosensitive ion channels, cell state, and loading history in bone, tendon, ligament, and cartilage. RESULTS: Mechanotransduction is best understood as a coupled extracellular matrix-integrin-cytoskeleton-nucleus continuum rather than as independent cytoskeletal or nuclear drivers. Responses are conditioned by lineage stage, anatomic niche, inflammation, cellular subpopulation, and prior mechanical exposure. Mechanical memory may be encoded through persistent YAP/TAZ activity, microRNA programs, DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin architecture, and metabolic remodeling. Evidence is strongest for bone, including Piezo-dependent osteogenesis, TRPV4-mediated shear sensing, viscoelastic compression, osteocyte-stromal extracellular-vesicle signaling, and osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling. Tendon and ligament require anisotropic architecture and strain-window control, whereas cartilage shows a narrow distinction between physiologic TRPV4-associated anabolism and high-strain or inflammation-sensitized Piezo/YAP-mediated maladaptation. CONCLUSIONS: Translational implications include mechanically defined cell expansion, biomaterial preconditioning, stage-specific rehabilitation, and potency assays incorporating loading history. Direct clinical validation of stable perioperative cellular mechanical memory remains limited. Future studies should combine controlled mechanical perturbation with bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, chromatin-accessibility profiling, spatial methods, and perturbational genomics.

Mechanotransduction↗