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Luo SQ, Cao SJ, Zhao Q. CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of the HuR Gene in U251 Cell Inhibits Japanese Encephalitis Virus Replication. Microorganisms 2024; 12:314. [PMID: 38399718 PMCID: PMC10892152 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Human antigen R (HuR) is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the post-transcriptional reaction of its target mRNAs. HuR is a critical factor in cancer development and has been identified as a potential target in many cancer models. It participates in the viral life cycle by binding to viral RNAs. In prior work, we used CRISPR/Cas9 screening to identify HuR as a prospective host factor facilitating Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection. The HuR gene was successfully knocked out in U251 cell lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing system, with no significant difference in cell growth between U251-WT and U251-HuR-KO2 cells. Here, we experimentally demonstrate for the first time that the knockout of the HuR gene inhibits the replication ability of JEV in U251 cell lines. These results play an essential role in regulating the replication level of JEV and providing new insights into virus-host interactions and potential antiviral strategies. It also offers a platform for investigating the function of HuR in the life cycle of flaviviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai-Qi Luo
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China;
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - San-Jie Cao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China;
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu 611130, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Animal Education, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China;
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu 611130, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Animal Education, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
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2
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Jaiswal AK, Thaxton ML, Scherer GM, Sorrentino JP, Garg NK, Rao DS. Small molecule inhibition of RNA binding proteins in haematologic cancer. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-14. [PMID: 38329136 PMCID: PMC10857685 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2024.2303558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, advances in biomedicine have revealed an important role for post-transcriptional mechanisms of gene expression regulation in pathologic conditions. In cancer in general and leukaemia specifically, RNA binding proteins have emerged as important regulator of RNA homoeostasis that are often dysregulated in the disease state. Having established the importance of these pathogenetic mechanisms, there have been a number of efforts to target RNA binding proteins using oligonucleotide-based strategies, as well as with small organic molecules. The field is at an exciting inflection point with the convergence of biomedical knowledge, small molecule screening strategies and improved chemical methods for synthesis and construction of sophisticated small molecules. Here, we review the mechanisms of post-transcriptional gene regulation, specifically in leukaemia, current small-molecule based efforts to target RNA binding proteins, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit K. Jaiswal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle L. Thaxton
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Georgia M. Scherer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jacob P. Sorrentino
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Neil K. Garg
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dinesh S. Rao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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3
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Li W, Li X, Gao Y, Xiong C, Tang Z. Emerging roles of RNA binding proteins in intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritis. Orthop Surg 2023; 15:3015-3025. [PMID: 37803912 PMCID: PMC10694020 DOI: 10.1111/os.13851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiology of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and osteoarthritis (OA) is complex and multifactorial. Both predisposing genes and environmental factors are involved in the pathogenesis of IDD and OA. Moreover, epigenetic modifications affect the development of IDD and OA. Dysregulated phenotypes of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and OA chondrocytes, including apoptosis, extracellular matrix disruption, inflammation, and angiogenesis, are involved at all developmental stages of IDD and OA. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) have recently been recognized as essential post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. RBPs are implicated in many cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Recently, several RBPs have been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of IDD and OA. This review briefly summarizes the current knowledge on the RNA-regulatory networks controlled by RBPs and their potential roles in the pathogenesis of IDD and OA. These initial findings support the idea that specific modulation of RBPs represents a promising approach for managing IDD and OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- Department of EmergencyGeneral Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLAWuhanChina
| | - Xing‐Hua Li
- Department of EmergencyGeneral Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLAWuhanChina
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of OrthopaedicGeneral Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLAWuhanChina
| | - Cheng‐Jie Xiong
- Department of OrthopaedicGeneral Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLAWuhanChina
| | - Zhong‐Zhi Tang
- Department of EmergencyGeneral Hospital of Central Theater Command of PLAWuhanChina
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Fletcher A, Clift D, de Vries E, Martinez Cuesta S, Malcolm T, Meghini F, Chaerkady R, Wang J, Chiang A, Weng SHS, Tart J, Wong E, Donohoe G, Rawlins P, Gordon E, Taylor JD, James L, Hunt J. A TRIM21-based bioPROTAC highlights the therapeutic benefit of HuR degradation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7093. [PMID: 37925433 PMCID: PMC10625600 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42546-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human antigen R (HuR) is a ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein, which functions as an RNA regulator. Overexpression of HuR correlates with high grade tumours and poor patient prognosis, implicating it as an attractive therapeutic target. However, an effective small molecule antagonist to HuR for clinical use remains elusive. Here, a single domain antibody (VHH) that binds HuR with low nanomolar affinity was identified and shown to inhibit HuR binding to RNA. This VHH was used to engineer a TRIM21-based biological PROTAC (bioPROTAC) that could degrade endogenous HuR. Significantly, HuR degradation reverses the tumour-promoting properties of cancer cells in vivo by altering the HuR-regulated proteome, highlighting the benefit of HuR degradation and paving the way for the development of HuR-degrading therapeutics. These observations have broader implications for degrading intractable therapeutic targets, with bioPROTACs presenting a unique opportunity to explore targeted-protein degradation through a modular approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dean Clift
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emma de Vries
- Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sergio Martinez Cuesta
- Data Sciences and Quantitative Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Raghothama Chaerkady
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Junmin Wang
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Abby Chiang
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Shao Huan Samuel Weng
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan Tart
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Edmond Wong
- Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Philip Rawlins
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Euan Gordon
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Leo James
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Hunt
- Biologics Engineering, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.
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5
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Guha A, Husain MA, Si Y, Nabors LB, Filippova N, Promer G, Smith R, King PH. RNA regulation of inflammatory responses in glia and its potential as a therapeutic target in central nervous system disorders. Glia 2023; 71:485-508. [PMID: 36380708 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A major hallmark of neuroinflammation is the activation of microglia and astrocytes with the induction of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-6. Neuroinflammation contributes to disease progression in a plethora of neurological disorders ranging from acute CNS trauma to chronic neurodegenerative disease. Posttranscriptional pathways of mRNA stability and translational efficiency are major drivers for the expression of these inflammatory mediators. A common element in this level of regulation centers around the adenine- and uridine-rich element (ARE) which is present in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the mRNAs encoding these inflammatory mediators. (ARE)-binding proteins (AUBPs) such as Human antigen R (HuR), Tristetraprolin (TTP) and KH- type splicing regulatory protein (KSRP) are key nodes for directing these posttranscriptional pathways and either promote (HuR) or suppress (TTP and KSRP) glial production of inflammatory mediators. This review will discuss basic concepts of ARE-mediated RNA regulation and its impact on glial-driven neuroinflammatory diseases. We will discuss strategies to target this novel level of gene regulation for therapeutic effect and review exciting preliminary studies that underscore its potential for treating neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Guha
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Mohammed Amir Husain
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ying Si
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - L Burt Nabors
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Natalia Filippova
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Grace Promer
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Reed Smith
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Peter H King
- Department Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Birmingham Department of Veterans Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
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6
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Filippova N, Grimes JM, Leavenworth JW, Namkoong D, Yang X, King PH, Crowley M, Crossman DK, Nabors LB. Targeting the TREM1-positive myeloid microenvironment in glioblastoma. Neurooncol Adv 2022; 4:vdac149. [PMID: 36249290 PMCID: PMC9555298 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdac149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tumor cellular and molecular heterogeneity is a hallmark of glioblastoma and underlies treatment resistance and recurrence. This manuscript investigated the myeloid-derived microenvironment as a driver of glioblastoma heterogeneity and provided a pharmacological pathway for its suppression. Methods Transcriptomic signatures of glioblastoma infiltrated myeloid-derived cells were assessed using R2: genomic platform, Ivy Glioblastoma Spatial Atlas, and single-cell RNA-seq data of primary and recurrent glioblastomas. Myeloid-derived cell prints were evaluated in five PDX cell lines using RNA-seq data. Two immunocompetent mouse glioblastoma models were utilized to isolate and characterize tumor-infiltrated myeloid-derived cells and glioblastoma/host cell hybrids. The ability of an inhibitor of HuR dimerization SRI42127 to suppress TREM1+-microenvironment and glioblastoma/myeloid-derived cell interaction was assessed in vivo and in vitro. Results TREM1+-microenvironment is enriched in glioblastoma peri-necrotic zones. TREM1 appearance is enhanced with tumor grade and associated with poor patient outcomes. We confirmed an expression of a variety of myeloid-derived cell markers, including TREM1, in PDX cell lines. In mouse glioblastoma models, we demonstrated a reduction in the TREM1+-microenvironment and glioblastoma/host cell fusion after treatment with SRI42127. In vitro assays confirmed inhibition of cell fusion events and reduction of myeloid-derived cell migration towards glioblastoma cells by SRI42127 and TREM1 decoy peptide (LP17) versus control treatments. Conclusions TREM1+-myeloid-derived microenvironment promulgates glioblastoma heterogeneity and is a therapeutic target. Pharmacological inhibition of HuR dimerization leads to suppression of the TREM1+-myeloid-derived microenvironment and the neoplastic/non-neoplastic fusogenic cell network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Filippova
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-oncology, UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Grimes
- Department of Neurosurgery, Program of Immunology, UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | | | - David Namkoong
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-oncology, UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Xiuhua Yang
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuro-oncology, UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Peter H King
- Department of Neurology, Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Michael Crowley
- Department of Genetics, Heflin Center Genomics Core, UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, USA (M.C., D.K.C.)
| | - David K Crossman
- Department of Genetics, Heflin Center Genomics Core, UAB, Birmingham, Alabama, USA (M.C., D.K.C.)
| | - L Burt Nabors
- Corresponding Author: L. Burt Nabors, MD, Division Neuro-oncology, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, FOT 1020, 510 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA ()
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7
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Sorge RE, Si Y, Norian LA, Guha A, Moore GE, Nabors LB, Filippova N, Yang X, Smith R, Chellappan R, King PH. Inhibition of the RNA Regulator HuR by SRI-42127 Attenuates Neuropathic Pain After Nerve Injury Through Suppression of Neuroinflammatory Responses. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1649-1661. [PMID: 35864415 PMCID: PMC9606176 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01278-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglial activation with the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, is a major driver of neuropathic pain (NP) following peripheral nerve injury. We have previously shown that the RNA binding protein, HuR, is a positive node of regulation for many of these inflammatory mediators in glia and that its chemical inhibition or genetic deletion attenuates their production. In this report, we show that systemic administration of SRI-42127, a novel small molecule HuR inhibitor, attenuates mechanical allodynia, a hallmark of NP, in the early and chronic phases after spared nerve injury in male and female mice. Flow cytometry of lumbar spinal cords in SRI-42127-treated mice shows a reduction in infiltrating macrophages and a concomitant decrease in microglial populations expressing IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and CCL2. Immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and qPCR of lumbar spinal cord tissue indicate suppression of these cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. ELISA of plasma samples in the acute phase also shows attenuation of inflammatory responses. In summary, inhibition of HuR by SRI-42127 leads to the suppression of neuroinflammatory responses and allodynia after nerve injury and represents a promising new direction in the treatment of NP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Sorge
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Ying Si
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1719 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Lyse A Norian
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Abhishek Guha
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1719 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Grace E Moore
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - L Burt Nabors
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1719 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Natalia Filippova
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1719 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Xiuhua Yang
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1719 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Reed Smith
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1719 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Rajeshwari Chellappan
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1719 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Peter H King
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1719 6th Ave. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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Guha A, Waris S, Nabors LB, Filippova N, Gorospe M, Kwan T, King PH. The versatile role of HuR in Glioblastoma and its potential as a therapeutic target for a multi-pronged attack. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 181:114082. [PMID: 34923029 PMCID: PMC8916685 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.114082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant and aggressive brain tumor with a median survival of ∼15 months. Resistance to treatment arises from the extensive cellular and molecular heterogeneity in the three major components: glioma tumor cells, glioma stem cells, and tumor-associated microglia and macrophages. Within this triad, there is a complex network of intrinsic and secreted factors that promote classic hallmarks of cancer, including angiogenesis, resistance to cell death, proliferation, and immune evasion. A regulatory node connecting these diverse pathways is at the posttranscriptional level as mRNAs encoding many of the key drivers contain adenine- and uridine rich elements (ARE) in the 3' untranslated region. Human antigen R (HuR) binds to ARE-bearing mRNAs and is a major positive regulator at this level. This review focuses on basic concepts of ARE-mediated RNA regulation and how targeting HuR with small molecule inhibitors represents a plausible strategy for a multi-pronged therapeutic attack on GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Guha
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Saboora Waris
- Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, PIMS, G-8, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Louis B Nabors
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Natalia Filippova
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Myriam Gorospe
- Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States
| | - Thaddaeus Kwan
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
| | - Peter H King
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States; Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States; Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States.
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