1
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Ritter AJ, Wallace A, Ronaghi N, Sanford J. junctionCounts: comprehensive alternative splicing analysis and prediction of isoform-level impacts to the coding sequence. NAR Genom Bioinform 2024; 6:lqae093. [PMID: 39131822 PMCID: PMC11310779 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqae093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is emerging as an important regulatory process for complex biological processes. Transcriptomic studies therefore commonly involve the identification and quantification of alternative processing events, but the need for predicting the functional consequences of changes to the relative inclusion of alternative events remains largely unaddressed. Many tools exist for the former task, albeit each constrained to its own event type definitions. Few tools exist for the latter task; each with significant limitations. To address these issues we developed junctionCounts, which captures both simple and complex pairwise AS events and quantifies them with straightforward exon-exon and exon-intron junction reads in RNA-seq data, performing competitively among similar tools in terms of sensitivity, false discovery rate and quantification accuracy. Its partner utility, cdsInsertion, identifies transcript coding sequence (CDS) information via in silico translation from annotated start codons, including the presence of premature termination codons. Finally, findSwitchEvents connects AS events with CDS information to predict the impact of individual events to the isoform-level CDS. We used junctionCounts to characterize splicing dynamics and NMD regulation during neuronal differentiation across four primates, demonstrating junctionCounts' capacity to robustly characterize AS in a variety of organisms and to predict its effect on mRNA isoform fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Ritter
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Andrew Wallace
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Neda Ronaghi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Jeremy R Sanford
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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2
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Belleville AE, Thomas JD, Tonnies J, Gabel AM, Borrero Rossi A, Singh P, Queitsch C, Bradley RK. An autoregulatory poison exon in Smndc1 is conserved across kingdoms and influences organism growth. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011363. [PMID: 39150991 PMCID: PMC11357089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Many of the most highly conserved elements in the human genome are "poison exons," alternatively spliced exons that contain premature termination codons and permit post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA abundance through induction of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Poison exons are widely assumed to be highly conserved due to their presumed importance for organismal fitness, but this functional importance has never been tested in the context of a whole organism. Here, we report that a poison exon in Smndc1 is conserved across mammals and plants and plays a molecular autoregulatory function in both kingdoms. We generated mouse and A. thaliana models lacking this poison exon to find its loss leads to deregulation of SMNDC1 protein levels, pervasive alterations in mRNA processing, and organismal size restriction. Together, these models demonstrate the importance of poison exons for both molecular and organismal phenotypes that likely explain their extraordinary conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea E. Belleville
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - James D. Thomas
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Jackson Tonnies
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Graduate Program in Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Austin M. Gabel
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Andrea Borrero Rossi
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Priti Singh
- Preclinical Modeling Core, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Christine Queitsch
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Robert K. Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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3
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Gentile JE, Corridon TL, Mortberg MA, D'Souza EN, Whiffin N, Minikel EV, Vallabh SM. Modulation of prion protein expression through cryptic splice site manipulation. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107560. [PMID: 39002681 PMCID: PMC11342779 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107560] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Lowering expression of prion protein (PrP) is a well-validated therapeutic strategy in prion disease, but additional modalities are urgently needed. In other diseases, small molecules have proven capable of modulating pre-mRNA splicing, sometimes by forcing inclusion of cryptic exons that reduce gene expression. Here, we characterize a cryptic exon located in human PRNP's sole intron and evaluate its potential to reduce PrP expression through incorporation into the 5' untranslated region. This exon is homologous to exon 2 in nonprimate species but contains a start codon that would yield an upstream open reading frame with a stop codon prior to a splice site if included in PRNP mRNA, potentially downregulating PrP expression through translational repression or nonsense-mediated decay. We establish a minigene transfection system and test a panel of splice site alterations, identifying mutants that reduce PrP expression by as much as 78%. Our findings nominate a new therapeutic target for lowering PrP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana E Gentile
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Taylor L Corridon
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meredith A Mortberg
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elston Neil D'Souza
- Big Data Institute and Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicola Whiffin
- Big Data Institute and Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eric Vallabh Minikel
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sonia M Vallabh
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
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4
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Gardin A, Gaigne L, Magérus A, Rieux-Laucat F, Jacquemin E. PLCG2 Mutation in a Patient Presenting with Type 2 Autoimmune Hepatitis. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2024; 12:685-687. [PMID: 38993509 PMCID: PMC11233976 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2024.00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Gardin
- Pediatric Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, National Reference Centre for Inflammatory Diseases of the Bile Ducts and Autoimmune Hepatitis, FILFOIE, ERN RARE LIVER, Bicêtre Hospital, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, University Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- INSERM UMR 1193, Hepatinov, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
| | - Léa Gaigne
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics of Pediatric Autoimmune Diseases, INSERM UMR 1163, Imagine Institute, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Aude Magérus
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics of Pediatric Autoimmune Diseases, INSERM UMR 1163, Imagine Institute, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Rieux-Laucat
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics of Pediatric Autoimmune Diseases, INSERM UMR 1163, Imagine Institute, Paris Cité University, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Jacquemin
- Pediatric Hepatology and Liver Transplantation Unit, National Reference Centre for Inflammatory Diseases of the Bile Ducts and Autoimmune Hepatitis, FILFOIE, ERN RARE LIVER, Bicêtre Hospital, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, University Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- INSERM UMR 1193, Hepatinov, Paris-Saclay University, Orsay, France
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5
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Perge K, Capel E, Senée V, Julier C, Vigouroux C, Nicolino M. Ciliopathies are responsible for short stature and insulin resistance: A systematic review of this clinical association regarding SOFT syndrome. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2024:10.1007/s11154-024-09894-w. [PMID: 39017987 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-024-09894-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
SOFT syndrome (Short stature-Onychodysplasia-Facial dysmorphism-hypoTrichosis) is a rare primordial dwarfism syndrome caused by biallelic variants in POC1A encoding a centriolar protein. To refine the phenotypic spectrum of SOFT syndrome, recently shown to include metabolic features, we conducted a systematic review of all published cases (19 studies, including 42 patients). The SOFT tetrad affected only 24 patients (57%), while all cases presented with short stature from birth (median height: -5.5SDS([-8.5]-[-2.8])/adult height: 132.5 cm(103.5-148)), which was most often disproportionate (90.5%), with relative macrocephaly. Bone involvement resulted in short hands and feet (100%), brachydactyly (92.5%), metaphyseal (92%) or epiphyseal (84%) anomalies, and/or sacrum/pelvis hypoplasia (58%). Serum IGF-I was increased (median IGF-I level: + 2 SDS ([-0.5]-[+ 3])). Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy was stopped for absence/poor growth response (7/9 patients, 78%) and/or hyperglycemia (4/9 patients, 45%). Among 11 patients evaluated, 10 (91%) presented with central distribution of fat (73%), clinical (64%) and/or biological insulin resistance (IR) (100%, median HOMA-IR: 18), dyslipidemia (80%), and hepatic steatosis (100%). Glucose tolerance abnormalities affected 58% of patients aged over 10 years. Patients harbored biallelic missense (52.4%) or truncating (45.2%) POC1A variants. Biallelic null variants, affecting 36% of patients, were less frequently associated with the SOFT tetrad (33% vs 70% respectively, p = 0.027) as compared to other variants, without difference in the prevalence of metabolic abnormalities. POC1A should be sequenced in children with short stature, altered glucose/insulin homeostasis and/or centripetal fat distribution. In patients with SOFT syndrome, rhGH treatment is not indicated, and IR-related complications should be regularly screened and monitored.PROSPERO registration: CRD42023460876.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Perge
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism Department, Femme Mère Enfant Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France.
- Claude Bernard University, Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
- Paris University, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR-8104, Paris, France.
| | - Emilie Capel
- Sorbonne University, Inserm U938, Saint-Antoine Research Centre, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Senée
- Paris University, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR-8104, Paris, France
| | - Cécile Julier
- Paris University, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR-8104, Paris, France
| | - Corinne Vigouroux
- Sorbonne University, Inserm U938, Saint-Antoine Research Centre, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Saint-Antoine University Hospital, National Reference Center for Rare Diseases of Insulin Secretion and Insulin Sensitivity (PRISIS), Paris, France
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Saint-Antoine University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Marc Nicolino
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism Department, Femme Mère Enfant Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
- Claude Bernard University, Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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6
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Ostridge HJ, Fontsere C, Lizano E, Soto DC, Schmidt JM, Saxena V, Alvarez-Estape M, Barratt CD, Gratton P, Bocksberger G, Lester JD, Dieguez P, Agbor A, Angedakin S, Assumang AK, Bailey E, Barubiyo D, Bessone M, Brazzola G, Chancellor R, Cohen H, Coupland C, Danquah E, Deschner T, Dotras L, Dupain J, Egbe VE, Granjon AC, Head J, Hedwig D, Hermans V, Hernandez-Aguilar RA, Jeffery KJ, Jones S, Junker J, Kadam P, Kaiser M, Kalan AK, Kambere M, Kienast I, Kujirakwinja D, Langergraber KE, Lapuente J, Larson B, Laudisoit A, Lee KC, Llana M, Maretti G, Martín R, Meier A, Morgan D, Neil E, Nicholl S, Nixon S, Normand E, Orbell C, Ormsby LJ, Orume R, Pacheco L, Preece J, Regnaut S, Robbins MM, Rundus A, Sanz C, Sciaky L, Sommer V, Stewart FA, Tagg N, Tédonzong LR, van Schijndel J, Vendras E, Wessling EG, Willie J, Wittig RM, Yuh YG, Yurkiw K, Vigilant L, Piel A, Boesch C, Kühl HS, Dennis MY, Marques-Bonet T, Arandjelovic M, Andrés AM. Local genetic adaptation to habitat in wild chimpanzees. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.09.601734. [PMID: 39026872 PMCID: PMC11257515 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.09.601734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
How populations adapt to their environment is a fundamental question in biology. Yet we know surprisingly little about this process, especially for endangered species such as non-human great apes. Chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, are particularly interesting because they inhabit diverse habitats, from rainforest to woodland-savannah. Whether genetic adaptation facilitates such habitat diversity remains unknown, despite having wide implications for evolutionary biology and conservation. Using 828 newly generated exomes from wild chimpanzees, we find evidence of fine-scale genetic adaptation to habitat. Notably, adaptation to malaria in forest chimpanzees is mediated by the same genes underlying adaptation to malaria in humans. This work demonstrates the power of non-invasive samples to reveal genetic adaptations in endangered populations and highlights the importance of adaptive genetic diversity for chimpanzees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison J Ostridge
- UCL Genetics Institute, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Fontsere
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, The Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Esther Lizano
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), PRBB, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniela C Soto
- University of California, Davis, Genome Center, MIND Institute, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, One Shields Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Joshua M Schmidt
- Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University Sturt Rd, Bedford Park South Australia 5042 Australia
| | - Vrishti Saxena
- UCL Genetics Institute, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marina Alvarez-Estape
- University of California, Davis, Genome Center, MIND Institute, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, One Shields Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Christopher D Barratt
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, the Netherlands
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Leipzig-Jena, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Paolo Gratton
- University of Rome "Tor Vergata" Department of Biology Via Cracovia, 1, Roma, Italia
| | - Gaëlle Bocksberger
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), Senckenberganlage, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jack D Lester
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Paula Dieguez
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Leipzig-Jena, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anthony Agbor
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Samuel Angedakin
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Alfred Kwabena Assumang
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Emma Bailey
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Donatienne Barubiyo
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Mattia Bessone
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
- University of Konstanz, Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Gregory Brazzola
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Rebecca Chancellor
- West Chester University, Depts of Anthropology & Sociology and Psychology, West Chester, PA, 19382 USA
| | - Heather Cohen
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Leipzig-Jena, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Charlotte Coupland
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Emmanuel Danquah
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Tobias Deschner
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Artilleriestrasse 34, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Laia Dotras
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, Serra Hunter Programme, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jef Dupain
- Antwerp Zoo Foundation, RZSA, Kon.Astridplein 26, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Villard Ebot Egbe
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Anne-Céline Granjon
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Josephine Head
- The Biodiversity Consultancy, 3E Kings Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SJ, UK
| | - Daniela Hedwig
- Elephant Listening Project, K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Veerle Hermans
- KMDA, Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Koningin Astridplein 20-26, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - R Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
- Department of Social Psychology and Quantitative Psychology, Serra Hunter Programme, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kathryn J Jeffery
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK
- Agence National des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN) Batterie 4, BP20379, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Sorrel Jones
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Jessica Junker
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Leipzig-Jena, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Parag Kadam
- Greater Mahale Ecosystem Research and Conservation Project
| | - Michael Kaiser
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Ammie K Kalan
- Department of Anthropology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Mbangi Kambere
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Ivonne Kienast
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Deo Kujirakwinja
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), 2300 Southern Boulevard. Bronx, New York 10460, USA
| | - Kevin E Langergraber
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University, 777 East University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85287 Arizona State University, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ 85287-2402 USA
- Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University, 900 Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287 Arizona State University, PO Box 872402, Tempe, AZ 85287-2402 USA
| | - Juan Lapuente
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | | | | | - Kevin C Lee
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Manuel Llana
- Jane Goodall Institute Spain and Senegal, Dindefelo Biological Station, Dindefelo, Kedougou, Senegal
| | - Giovanna Maretti
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Rumen Martín
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Amelia Meier
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
- Hawai'i Insititute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Place, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | - David Morgan
- Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614 USA
| | - Emily Neil
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Sonia Nicholl
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Stuart Nixon
- North of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo, Upton by Chester, CH2 1LH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Christopher Orbell
- Panthera, 8 W 40TH ST, New York, NY 10018, USA
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, UK
| | - Lucy Jayne Ormsby
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Robinson Orume
- Korup Rainforest Conservation Society, c/o Korup National Park, P.O. Box 36 Mundemba, South West Region, Cameroon
| | - Liliana Pacheco
- Save the Dogs and Other Animals, DJ 223 Km 3, 905200 Cernavoda CT, Romania
| | - Jodie Preece
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | | | - Martha M Robbins
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Aaron Rundus
- West Chester University, Depts of Anthropology & Sociology and Psychology, West Chester, PA, 19382 USA
| | - Crickette Sanz
- Washington University in Saint Louis, Department of Anthropology, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Congo Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, 151 Avenue Charles de Gaulle, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Lilah Sciaky
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Volker Sommer
- University College London, Department of Anthropology, 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW, UK
| | - Fiona A Stewart
- University College London, Department of Anthropology, 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW, UK
- Department of Human Origins, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Nikki Tagg
- KMDA, Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Koningin Astridplein 20-26, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
- Born Free Foundation, Floor 2 Frazer House, 14 Carfax, Horsham, RH12 1ER, UK
| | - Luc Roscelin Tédonzong
- KMDA, Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Koningin Astridplein 20-26, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Joost van Schijndel
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Elleni Vendras
- Frankfurt Zoological Society, Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Erin G Wessling
- Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, Georg-August-University Göttingen,Göttingen, Germany
- German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jacob Willie
- KMDA, Centre for Research and Conservation, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, Koningin Astridplein 20-26, B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit (TEREC), Department of Biology, Ghent University (UGent), K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roman M Wittig
- Ape Social Mind Lab, Institute for Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod, CNRS UMR 5229 CNRS, 67 bd Pinel, 69675 Bron CEDEX, France
- Taï Chimpanzee Project, Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques, BP 1301, Abidjan 01, CI
| | - Yisa Ginath Yuh
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Kyle Yurkiw
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Linda Vigilant
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVAN), Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
| | - Alex Piel
- University College London, Department of Anthropology, 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW, UK
| | | | - Hjalmar S Kühl
- Senckenberg Museum for Natural History Görlitz, Senckenberg - Member of the Leibniz Association Am Museum 1, 02826 Görlitz, Germany
- International Institute Zittau, Technische Universität Dresden, Markt 23, 02763 Zittau, Germany
| | - Megan Y Dennis
- University of California, Davis, Genome Center, MIND Institute, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, One Shields Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Tomas Marques-Bonet
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), PRBB, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution of Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Passeig de Lluís Companys, 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri i Reixac 4, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, c/ Columnes s/n, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mimi Arandjelovic
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Primate Behavior and Evolution, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103
| | - Aida M Andrés
- UCL Genetics Institute, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Xiang JS, Schafer DM, Rothamel KL, Yeo GW. Decoding protein-RNA interactions using CLIP-based methodologies. Nat Rev Genet 2024:10.1038/s41576-024-00749-3. [PMID: 38982239 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-024-00749-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Protein-RNA interactions are central to all RNA processing events, with pivotal roles in the regulation of gene expression and cellular functions. Dysregulation of these interactions has been increasingly linked to the pathogenesis of human diseases. High-throughput approaches to identify RNA-binding proteins and their binding sites on RNA - in particular, ultraviolet crosslinking followed by immunoprecipitation (CLIP) - have helped to map the RNA interactome, yielding transcriptome-wide protein-RNA atlases that have contributed to key mechanistic insights into gene expression and gene-regulatory networks. Here, we review these recent advances, explore the effects of cellular context on RNA binding, and discuss how these insights are shaping our understanding of cellular biology. We also review the potential therapeutic applications arising from new knowledge of protein-RNA interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy S Xiang
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, UC Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Danielle M Schafer
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sanford Stem Cell Institute and Stem Cell Program, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Katherine L Rothamel
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sanford Stem Cell Institute and Stem Cell Program, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Sanford Stem Cell Institute and Stem Cell Program, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Sanford Laboratories for Innovative Medicines, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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8
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Chiablaem K, Jinawath A, Nuanpirom J, Arora JK, Nasaree S, Thanomchard T, Singhto N, Chittavanich P, Suktitipat B, Charoensawan V, Chairoungdua A, Jinn-Chyuan Sheu J, Kiyotani K, Svasti J, Nakamura Y, Jinawath N. Identification of RNF213 as a Potential Suppressor of Local Invasion in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma. J Transl Med 2024; 104:102074. [PMID: 38723854 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2024.102074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a lethal cancer with poor survival especially when it spreads. The histopathology of its rare intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct type (IPNB) characteristically shows cancer cells originating within the confined bile duct space. These cells eventually invade and infiltrate the nearby liver tissues, making it a good model to study the mechanism of local invasion, which is the earliest step of metastasis. To discover potential suppressor genes of local invasion in ICC, we analyzed the somatic mutation profiles and performed clonal evolution analyses of the 11 pairs of macrodissected locally invasive IPNB tissues (LI-IPNB) and IPNB tissues without local invasion from the same patients. We identified a protein-truncating variant in an E3 ubiquitin ligase, RNF213 (c.6967C>T; p.Gln2323X; chr17: 78,319,102 [hg19], exon 29), as the most common protein-truncating variant event in LI-IPNB samples (4/11 patients). Knockdown of RNF213 in HuCCT1 and YSCCC cells showed increased migration and invasion, and reduced vasculogenic mimicry but maintained normal proliferation. Transcriptomic analysis of the RNF213-knockdown vs control cells was then performed in the HuCCT1, YSCCC, and KKU-100 cells. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of the common differentially expressed genes revealed significantly altered cytokine and oxidoreductase-oxidizing metal ion activities, as confirmed by Western blotting. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified the most enriched pathways being oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, reactive oxygen species, adipogenesis, and angiogenesis. In sum, loss-of-function mutation of RNF213 is a common genetic alteration in LI-IPNB tissues. RNF213 knockdown leads to increased migration and invasion of ICC cells, potentially through malfunctions of the pathways related to inflammation and energy metabolisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khajeelak Chiablaem
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Artit Jinawath
- Molecular Histopathology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jiratchaya Nuanpirom
- Integrative Computational Bioscience (ICBS) Center, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Jantarika Kumar Arora
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirawit Nasaree
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanastha Thanomchard
- Ramathibodi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nilubon Singhto
- Ramathibodi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pamorn Chittavanich
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Bhoom Suktitipat
- Integrative Computational Bioscience (ICBS) Center, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Varodom Charoensawan
- Integrative Computational Bioscience (ICBS) Center, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Siriraj Genomics, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Arthit Chairoungdua
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jim Jinn-Chyuan Sheu
- Institute of Biomedical Science, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kazuma Kiyotani
- Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jisnuson Svasti
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yusuke Nakamura
- Cancer Precision Medicine Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan; National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Natini Jinawath
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Integrative Computational Bioscience (ICBS) Center, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, Thailand.
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9
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Moffa JC, Bland IN, Tooley JR, Kalyanaraman V, Heitmeier M, Creed MC, Copits BA. Cell-Specific Single Viral Vector CRISPR/Cas9 Editing and Genetically Encoded Tool Delivery in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0438-23.2024. [PMID: 38871457 PMCID: PMC11228695 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0438-23.2024] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing represents an exciting avenue to study genes of unknown function and can be combined with genetically encoded tools such as fluorescent proteins, channelrhodopsins, DREADDs, and various biosensors to more deeply probe the function of these genes in different cell types. However, current strategies to also manipulate or visualize edited cells are challenging due to the large size of Cas9 proteins and the limited packaging capacity of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). To overcome these constraints, we developed an alternative gene editing strategy using a single AAV vector and mouse lines that express Cre-dependent Cas9 to achieve efficient cell-type specific editing across the nervous system. Expressing Cre-dependent Cas9 from a genomic locus affords space to package guide RNAs for gene editing together with Cre-dependent, genetically encoded tools to manipulate, map, or monitor neurons using a single virus. We validated this strategy with three common tools in neuroscience: ChRonos, a channelrhodopsin, for studying synaptic transmission using optogenetics, GCaMP8f for recording Ca2+ transients using photometry, and mCherry for tracing axonal projections. We tested these tools in multiple brain regions and cell types, including GABAergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens, glutamatergic neurons projecting from the ventral pallidum to the lateral habenula, dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area, and proprioceptive neurons in the periphery. This flexible approach could help identify and test the function of novel genes affecting synaptic transmission, circuit activity, or morphology with a single viral injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie C Moffa
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
- Washington University Medical Scientist Training Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - India N Bland
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - Jessica R Tooley
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
- Washington University Division of Biological and Behavioral Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - Vani Kalyanaraman
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - Monique Heitmeier
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - Meaghan C Creed
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | - Bryan A Copits
- Washington University Pain Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
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10
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Morais P, Zhang R, Yu YT. Therapeutic Nonsense Suppression Modalities: From Small Molecules to Nucleic Acid-Based Approaches. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1284. [PMID: 38927491 PMCID: PMC11201248 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061284] [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: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonsense mutations are genetic mutations that create premature termination codons (PTCs), leading to truncated, defective proteins in diseases such as cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis type 1, Dravet syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Beta thalassemia, inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and even cancer. These mutations can also trigger a cellular surveillance mechanism known as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) that degrades the PTC-containing mRNA. The activation of NMD can attenuate the consequences of truncated, defective, and potentially toxic proteins in the cell. Since approximately 20% of all single-point mutations are disease-causing nonsense mutations, it is not surprising that this field has received significant attention, resulting in a remarkable advancement in recent years. In fact, since our last review on this topic, new examples of nonsense suppression approaches have been reported, namely new ways of promoting the translational readthrough of PTCs or inhibiting the NMD pathway. With this review, we update the state-of-the-art technologies in nonsense suppression, focusing on novel modalities with therapeutic potential, such as small molecules (readthrough agents, NMD inhibitors, and molecular glue degraders); antisense oligonucleotides; tRNA suppressors; ADAR-mediated RNA editing; targeted pseudouridylation; and gene/base editing. While these various modalities have significantly advanced in their development stage since our last review, each has advantages (e.g., ease of delivery and specificity) and disadvantages (manufacturing complexity and off-target effect potential), which we discuss here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Morais
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Research and Development, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Rui Zhang
- Center for RNA Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Yi-Tao Yu
- Center for RNA Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
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11
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Nmer S, Ameli A, Trhanint S, Chaouki S, Bouguenouch L, Ouldim K. Exploring Splice-Site Mutations in LAMA2-Related Muscular Dystrophies: A Comprehensive Analysis of Genotypic and Phenotypic Patterns. Cureus 2024; 16:e61599. [PMID: 38962616 PMCID: PMC11221619 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
LAMA2-related muscular dystrophies (LAMA2-RDs) constitute the most prevalent subtype of congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs). The clinical spectrum of LAMA2-RDs exhibits considerable diversity, particularly in motor development and disease progression. Phenotypic variability ranges from severe, early-onset presentation, known as merosin-deficient CMD type 1A, to milder, late-onset presentations, including limb-girdle muscular dystrophy-like phenotype. In this study, whole exome sequencing (WES) was applied to a family with a single proband affected by severe muscular dystrophy. The identified causative mutation was a biallelic splice-site mutation in intron 58 of the LAMA2 gene, leading to a premature termination codon in the critical G domain of laminin-α2 and resulting in a severe phenotype. Additionally, we summarized previously reported splice-site mutations to investigate the clinical and transcription consequences of these mutations. Our findings conclude that splice-site mutations predominantly lead to severe MDC1A, whether in a homozygous or heterozygous state, often associated with another loss-of-function mutation. Besides, splice-site mutations with available analysis of their transcriptional consequences were found to be responsible for exon skipping in most cases and the loss of the reading frame. These findings revealed the importance of WES in identifying disease-causing mutations, particularly in highly diversified pathologies like LAMA2-RDs. The results also underscore the importance of transcriptional analysis in determining the impact of splice-site mutations and the phenotype of LAMA2-RDs on patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Nmer
- Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, MAR
- Medical Genetics and Oncogenetics Unit, Central Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, MAR
| | - Amina Ameli
- Medical Genetics and Oncogenetics Unit, Central Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, MAR
| | - Said Trhanint
- Medical Genetics and Oncogenetics Unit, Central Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, MAR
| | - Sana Chaouki
- Pediatric Emergency, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, MAR
- Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, MAR
| | - Laila Bouguenouch
- Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, MAR
- Medical Genetics and Oncogenetics Unit, Central Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, MAR
| | - Karim Ouldim
- Biomedical and Translational Research Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, MAR
- Medical Genetics and Oncogenetics Unit, Central Laboratory of Medical Analyses, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, MAR
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12
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Lai S, Shiraishi H, Sebastian WA, Shimizu N, Umeda R, Ikeuchi M, Kiyota K, Takeno T, Miyazaki S, Yano S, Shimada T, Yoshimura A, Hanada R, Hanada T. Effect of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay factor SMG9 deficiency on premature aging in zebrafish. Commun Biol 2024; 7:654. [PMID: 38806677 PMCID: PMC11133409 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06356-6] [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: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
SMG9 is an essential component of the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) machinery, a quality control mechanism that selectively degrades aberrant transcripts. Mutations in SMG9 are associated with heart and brain malformation syndrome (HBMS). However, the molecular mechanism underlying HBMS remains unclear. We generated smg9 mutant zebrafish (smg9oi7/oi7) that have a lifespan of approximately 6 months or longer, allowing for analysis of the in vivo function of Smg9 in adults in more detail. smg9oi7/oi7 zebrafish display congenital brain abnormalities and reduced cardiac contraction. Additionally, smg9oi7/oi7 zebrafish exhibit a premature aging phenotype. Analysis of NMD target mRNAs shows a trend toward increased mRNA levels in smg9oi7/oi7 zebrafish. Spermidine oxidase (Smox) is increased in smg9oi7/oi7 zebrafish, resulting in the accumulation of byproducts, reactive oxygen species, and acrolein. The accumulation of smox mRNA due to NMD dysregulation caused by Smg9 deficiency leads to increased oxidative stress, resulting in premature aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohong Lai
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shiraishi
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | | | - Nobuyuki Shimizu
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Ryohei Umeda
- Department of Neurophysiology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Mayo Ikeuchi
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Kyoko Kiyota
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Takashi Takeno
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Shuya Miyazaki
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Shinji Yano
- Institute for Research Management, Oita University, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Shimada
- Oita Medical Technology School, Japan College of Judo-Therapy, Acupuncture & Moxibustion Therapy, Oita, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yoshimura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Reiko Hanada
- Department of Neurophysiology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan
| | - Toshikatsu Hanada
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Yufu, Oita, Japan.
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13
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Nemudraia A, Nemudryi A, Wiedenheft B. Repair of CRISPR-guided RNA breaks enables site-specific RNA excision in human cells. Science 2024; 384:808-814. [PMID: 38662916 PMCID: PMC11175973 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk5518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Genome editing with CRISPR RNA-guided endonucleases generates DNA breaks that are resolved by cellular DNA repair machinery. However, analogous methods to manipulate RNA remain unavailable. We show that site-specific RNA breaks generated with type-III CRISPR complexes are repaired in human cells and that this repair can be used for programmable deletions in human transcripts to restore gene function. Collectively, this work establishes a technology for precise RNA manipulation with potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nemudraia
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University; Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Artem Nemudryi
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University; Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University; Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
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14
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Singh AK. Rules and impacts of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in the degradation of long noncoding RNAs. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1853. [PMID: 38741356 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a quality-control process that selectively degrades mRNAs having premature termination codon, upstream open reading frame, or unusually long 3'UTR. NMD detects such mRNAs and rapidly degrades them during initial rounds of translation in the eukaryotic cells. Since NMD is a translation-dependent cytoplasmic mRNA surveillance process, the noncoding RNAs were initially believed to be NMD-resistant. The sequence feature-based analysis has revealed that many putative long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have short open reading frames, most of which have translation potential. Subsequent transcriptome-based molecular studies showed an association of a large set of such putative lncRNAs with translating ribosomes, and some of them produce stable and functionally active micropeptides. The translationally active lncRNAs typically have relatively longer and unprotected 3'UTR, which can induce their NMD-dependent degradation. This review defines the mechanism and regulation of NMD-dependent degradation of lncRNAs and its impact on biological processes related to the functions of lncRNAs or their encoded micropeptides. This article is categorized under: RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand Kumar Singh
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
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15
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Premchandar A, Ming R, Baiad A, Da Fonte DF, Xu H, Faubert D, Veit G, Lukacs GL. Readthrough-induced misincorporated amino acid ratios guide mutant-specific therapeutic approaches for two CFTR nonsense mutations. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1389586. [PMID: 38725656 PMCID: PMC11079177 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1389586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a monogenic disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Premature termination codons (PTCs) represent ∼9% of CF mutations that typically cause severe expression defects of the CFTR anion channel. Despite the prevalence of PTCs as the underlying cause of genetic diseases, understanding the therapeutic susceptibilities of their molecular defects, both at the transcript and protein levels remains partially elucidated. Given that the molecular pathologies depend on the PTC positions in CF, multiple pharmacological interventions are required to suppress the accelerated nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), to correct the CFTR conformational defect caused by misincorporated amino acids, and to enhance the inefficient stop codon readthrough. The G418-induced readthrough outcome was previously investigated only in reporter models that mimic the impact of the local sequence context on PTC mutations in CFTR. To identify the misincorporated amino acids and their ratios for PTCs in the context of full-length CFTR readthrough, we developed an affinity purification (AP)-tandem mass spectrometry (AP-MS/MS) pipeline. We confirmed the incorporation of Cys, Arg, and Trp residues at the UGA stop codons of G542X, R1162X, and S1196X in CFTR. Notably, we observed that the Cys and Arg incorporation was favored over that of Trp into these CFTR PTCs, suggesting that the transcript sequence beyond the proximity of PTCs and/or other factors can impact the amino acid incorporation and full-length CFTR functional expression. Additionally, establishing the misincorporated amino acid ratios in the readthrough CFTR PTCs aided in maximizing the functional rescue efficiency of PTCs by optimizing CFTR modulator combinations. Collectively, our findings contribute to the understanding of molecular defects underlying various CFTR nonsense mutations and provide a foundation to refine mutation-dependent therapeutic strategies for various CF-causing nonsense mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruiji Ming
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Abed Baiad
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Haijin Xu
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Denis Faubert
- IRCM Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Platform, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Guido Veit
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Gergely L. Lukacs
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
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16
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Kolakada D, Fu R, Biziaev N, Shuvalov A, Lore M, Campbell AE, Cortázar MA, Sajek MP, Hesselberth JR, Mukherjee N, Alkalaeva E, Jagannathan S. Systematic analysis of nonsense variants uncovers peptide release rate as a novel modifier of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay efficiency. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.10.575080. [PMID: 38260612 PMCID: PMC10802582 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.10.575080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Nonsense variants underlie many genetic diseases. The phenotypic impact of nonsense variants is determined by Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), which degrades transcripts with premature termination codons (PTCs). NMD activity varies across transcripts and cellular contexts via poorly understood mechanisms. Here, by leveraging human genetic datasets, we uncover that the amino acid preceding the PTC dramatically affects NMD activity in human cells. We find that glycine codons in particular support high levels of NMD and are enriched before PTCs but depleted before normal termination codons (NTCs). Gly-PTC enrichment is most pronounced in human genes that tolerate loss-of-function variants. This suggests a strong biological impact for Gly-PTC in ensuring robust elimination of potentially toxic truncated proteins from non-essential genes. Biochemical assays revealed that the peptide release rate during translation termination is highly dependent on the identity of the amino acid preceding the stop codon. This release rate is the most critical feature determining NMD activity across our massively parallel reporter assays. Together, we conclude that NMD activity is significantly modulated by the "window of opportunity" offered by translation termination kinetics. Integrating the window of opportunity model with the existing framework of NMD would enable more accurate nonsense variant interpretation in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Kolakada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Rui Fu
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Nikita Biziaev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, The Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Shuvalov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, The Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mlana Lore
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Amy E. Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Michael A. Cortázar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Marcin P. Sajek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Jay R. Hesselberth
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Neelanjan Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Elena Alkalaeva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, The Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sujatha Jagannathan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Lead contact
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Musaev D, Abdelmessih M, Vejnar CE, Yartseva V, Weiss LA, Strayer EC, Takacs CM, Giraldez AJ. UPF1 regulates mRNA stability by sensing poorly translated coding sequences. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114074. [PMID: 38625794 PMCID: PMC11259039 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114074] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-transcriptional mRNA regulation shapes gene expression, yet how cis-elements and mRNA translation interface to regulate mRNA stability is poorly understood. We find that the strength of translation initiation, upstream open reading frame (uORF) content, codon optimality, AU-rich elements, microRNA binding sites, and open reading frame (ORF) length function combinatorially to regulate mRNA stability. Machine-learning analysis identifies ORF length as the most important conserved feature regulating mRNA decay. We find that Upf1 binds poorly translated and untranslated ORFs, which are associated with a higher decay rate, including mRNAs with uORFs and those with exposed ORFs after stop codons. Our study emphasizes Upf1's converging role in surveilling mRNAs with exposed ORFs that are poorly translated, such as mRNAs with long ORFs, ORF-like 3' UTRs, and mRNAs containing uORFs. We propose that Upf1 regulation of poorly/untranslated ORFs provides a unifying mechanism of surveillance in regulating mRNA stability and homeostasis in an exon-junction complex (EJC)-independent nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) pathway that we term ORF-mediated decay (OMD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Damir Musaev
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mario Abdelmessih
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; AstraZeneca, Waltham, MA 02451, USA
| | - Charles E Vejnar
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Valeria Yartseva
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Kenai Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Linnea A Weiss
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ethan C Strayer
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Carter M Takacs
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Antonio J Giraldez
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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18
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Karimi E, Gohlke J, van der Borgh M, Lindqvist J, Hourani Z, Kolb J, Cossette S, Lawlor MW, Ottenheijm C, Granzier H. Characterization of NEB pathogenic variants in patients reveals novel nemaline myopathy disease mechanisms and omecamtiv mecarbil force effects. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:72. [PMID: 38634969 PMCID: PMC11026289 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02726-w] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Nebulin, a critical protein of the skeletal muscle thin filament, plays important roles in physiological processes such as regulating thin filament length (TFL), cross-bridge cycling, and myofibril alignment. Pathogenic variants in the nebulin gene (NEB) cause NEB-based nemaline myopathy (NEM2), a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by hypotonia and muscle weakness, currently lacking curative therapies. In this study, we examined a cohort of ten NEM2 patients, each with unique pathogenic variants, aiming to understand their impact on mRNA, protein, and functional levels. Results show that pathogenic truncation variants affect NEB mRNA stability and lead to nonsense-mediated decay of the mutated transcript. Moreover, a high incidence of cryptic splice site activation was found in patients with pathogenic splicing variants that are expected to disrupt the actin-binding sites of nebulin. Determination of protein levels revealed patients with either relatively normal or markedly reduced nebulin. We observed a positive relation between the reduction in nebulin and a reduction in TFL, or reduction in tension (both maximal and submaximal tension). Interestingly, our study revealed a pathogenic duplication variant in nebulin that resulted in a four-copy gain in the triplicate region of NEB and a much larger nebulin protein and longer TFL. Additionally, we investigated the effect of Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM), a small-molecule activator of cardiac myosin, on force production of type 1 muscle fibers of NEM2 patients. OM treatment substantially increased submaximal tension across all NEM2 patients ranging from 87 to 318%, with the largest effects in patients with the lowest level of nebulin. In summary, this study indicates that post-transcriptional or post-translational mechanisms regulate nebulin expression. Moreover, we propose that the pathomechanism of NEM2 involves not only shortened but also elongated thin filaments, along with the disruption of actin-binding sites resulting from pathogenic splicing variants. Significantly, our findings highlight the potential of OM treatment to improve skeletal muscle function in NEM2 patients, especially those with large reductions in nebulin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmat Karimi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jochen Gohlke
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mila van der Borgh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Johan Lindqvist
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Zaynab Hourani
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Justin Kolb
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Stacy Cossette
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Michael W Lawlor
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Diverge Translational Science Laboratory, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Coen Ottenheijm
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Physiology, Amsterdam UMC (Location VUMC), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Henk Granzier
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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19
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Kolakada D, Campbell AE, Galvis LB, Li Z, Lore M, Jagannathan S. A system of reporters for comparative investigation of EJC-independent and EJC-enhanced nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:e34. [PMID: 38375914 PMCID: PMC11014337 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a network of pathways that degrades transcripts that undergo premature translation termination. In mammals, NMD can be divided into the exon junction complex (EJC)-enhanced and EJC-independent branches. Fluorescence- and luminescence-based reporters have long been effective tools to investigate NMD, yet existing reporters largely focus on the EJC-enhanced pathway. Here, we present a system of reporters for comparative studies of EJC-independent and EJC-enhanced NMD. This system also enables the study of NMD-associated outcomes such as premature termination codon (PTC) readthrough and truncated protein degradation. These reporters are compatible with fluorescence or luminescence-based readouts via transient transfection or stable integration. Using this reporter system, we show that EJC-enhanced NMD RNA levels are reduced by 2- or 9-fold and protein levels are reduced by 7- or 12-fold compared to EJC-independent NMD, depending on the reporter gene used. Additionally, the extent of readthrough induced by G418 and an NMD inhibitor (SMG1i), alone and in combination, varies across NMD substrates. When combined, G418 and SMG1i increase readthrough product levels in an additive manner for EJC-independent reporters, while EJC-enhanced reporters show a synergistic effect. We present these reporters as a valuable toolkit to deepen our understanding of NMD and its associated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Kolakada
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Amy E Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Laura Baquero Galvis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Zhongyou Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mlana Lore
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sujatha Jagannathan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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20
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Vishy CE, Thomas C, Vincent T, Crawford DK, Goddeeris MM, Freedman BS. Genetics of cystogenesis in base-edited human organoids reveal therapeutic strategies for polycystic kidney disease. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:537-553.e5. [PMID: 38579684 PMCID: PMC11325856 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.03.005] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
In polycystic kidney disease (PKD), microscopic tubules expand into macroscopic cysts. Among the world's most common genetic disorders, PKD is inherited via heterozygous loss-of-function mutations but is theorized to require additional loss of function. To test this, we establish human pluripotent stem cells in allelic series representing four common nonsense mutations, using CRISPR base editing. When differentiated into kidney organoids, homozygous mutants spontaneously form cysts, whereas heterozygous mutants (original or base corrected) express no phenotype. Using these, we identify eukaryotic ribosomal selective glycosides (ERSGs) as PKD therapeutics enabling ribosomal readthrough of these same nonsense mutations. Two different ERSGs not only prevent cyst initiation but also limit growth of pre-formed cysts by partially restoring polycystin expression. Furthermore, glycosides accumulate in cyst epithelia in organoids and mice. Our findings define the human polycystin threshold as a surmountable drug target for pharmacological or gene therapy interventions, with relevance for understanding disease mechanisms and future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney E Vishy
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Chardai Thomas
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Thomas Vincent
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Daniel K Crawford
- Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 950 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, USA
| | | | - Benjamin S Freedman
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Plurexa, 1209 6th Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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21
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Zhao Y, Chukanova M, Kentistou KA, Fairhurst-Hunter Z, Siegert AM, Jia RY, Dowsett GKC, Gardner EJ, Lawler K, Day FR, Kaisinger LR, Tung YCL, Lam BYH, Chen HJC, Wang Q, Berumen-Campos J, Kuri-Morales P, Tapia-Conyer R, Alegre-Diaz J, Barroso I, Emberson J, Torres JM, Collins R, Saleheen D, Smith KR, Paul DS, Merkle F, Farooqi IS, Wareham NJ, Petrovski S, O'Rahilly S, Ong KK, Yeo GSH, Perry JRB. Protein-truncating variants in BSN are associated with severe adult-onset obesity, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. Nat Genet 2024; 56:579-584. [PMID: 38575728 PMCID: PMC11018524 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01694-x] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for many common diseases and has a substantial heritable component. To identify new genetic determinants, we performed exome-sequence analyses for adult body mass index (BMI) in up to 587,027 individuals. We identified rare loss-of-function variants in two genes (BSN and APBA1) with effects substantially larger than those of well-established obesity genes such as MC4R. In contrast to most other obesity-related genes, rare variants in BSN and APBA1 were not associated with normal variation in childhood adiposity. Furthermore, BSN protein-truncating variants (PTVs) magnified the influence of common genetic variants associated with BMI, with a common variant polygenic score exhibiting an effect twice as large in BSN PTV carriers than in noncarriers. Finally, we explored the plasma proteomic signatures of BSN PTV carriers as well as the functional consequences of BSN deletion in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hypothalamic neurons. Collectively, our findings implicate degenerative processes in synaptic function in the etiology of adult-onset obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Zhao
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Maria Chukanova
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katherine A Kentistou
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Zammy Fairhurst-Hunter
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anna Maria Siegert
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Raina Y Jia
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Georgina K C Dowsett
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eugene J Gardner
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katherine Lawler
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Felix R Day
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lena R Kaisinger
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yi-Chun Loraine Tung
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Brian Yee Hong Lam
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hsiao-Jou Cortina Chen
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Quanli Wang
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jaime Berumen-Campos
- Experimental Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Copilco Universidad, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pablo Kuri-Morales
- Experimental Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Copilco Universidad, Mexico City, Mexico
- Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Tecnológico, Monterrey, Mexico
| | - Roberto Tapia-Conyer
- Experimental Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Copilco Universidad, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jesus Alegre-Diaz
- Experimental Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Copilco Universidad, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Inês Barroso
- Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research (EXCEED), University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Jonathan Emberson
- MRC Population Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jason M Torres
- MRC Population Health Research Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rory Collins
- Clinical Trial Service Unit & Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Danish Saleheen
- Center for Non-Communicable Diseases, Karachi, Pakistan
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine R Smith
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dirk S Paul
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Florian Merkle
- Institute of Metabolic Science and Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - I Sadaf Farooqi
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nick J Wareham
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Slavé Petrovski
- Centre for Genomics Research, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen O'Rahilly
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ken K Ong
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Giles S H Yeo
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - John R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK.
- Metabolic Research Laboratories, MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK.
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22
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López-Rodríguez VR, Arce-González R, Martínez-Aguilar A, Rodríguez-López CE, Groman-Lupa S, Neria-González MI, Rodríguez-Uribe G, Zenteno JC. Mutational Profile and Retinal Phenotypes of PCARE-Related Cone-Rod Dystrophies in a Mexican Cohort. J Ophthalmol 2024; 2024:4003914. [PMID: 38468717 PMCID: PMC10927338 DOI: 10.1155/2024/4003914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of the study is to describe the genotype and phenotype of a Mexican cohort with PCARE-related retinal disease. Methods The study included 14 patients from 11 unrelated pedigrees with retinal dystrophies who were demonstrated to carry biallelic pathogenic variants in PCARE. Visual assessment methods included best corrected visual acuity, color fundus photography, Goldmann visual field test, kinetic perimetry, dark/light adapted chromatic perimetry, full-field electroretinography, autofluorescence imaging, and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography imaging. Genetic screening was performed either by gene panel sequencing or by exome sequencing. Results According to the results of multimodal imaging and functional tests, all 14 patients were diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy. Six different PCARE pathogenic alleles were identified in our cohort, including three novel mutations: c.3048_3049del (p.Tyr1016∗), c.3314_3315del (p.Ser1105∗), and c.551A > G (p.His184Arg). Notably, alleles p.His184Arg, p.Arg613∗, and p.Arg984∗ were present in 18 of the 22 (82%) PCARE alleles from probands in our cohort. Conclusion Our work expands the PCARE mutational profile by identifying three novel pathogenic variants causing retinal dystrophy. While phenotypic variations occurred among patients, a cone-rod dystrophy pattern was observed in all affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rocío Arce-González
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology “Conde de Valenciana”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alan Martínez-Aguilar
- Retinal Dystrophies Clinic, Institute of Ophthalmology “Conde de Valenciana”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - M. Isabel Neria-González
- Laboratory of Integrative Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Division of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, TecNm: Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Ecatepec, Ecatepec de Morelos, Estado de México, Mexico
| | - Genaro Rodríguez-Uribe
- CODET Vision Institute, Tijuana, Mexico
- Facultad de Medicina y Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico
| | - Juan C. Zenteno
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Ophthalmology “Conde de Valenciana”, Mexico City, Mexico
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
- Rare Disease Diagnostic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico
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23
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Luha R, Rana V, Vainstein A, Kumar V. Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway in plants under stress: general gene regulatory mechanism and advances. PLANTA 2024; 259:51. [PMID: 38289504 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04317-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in eukaryotes is vital to cellular homeostasis. Further knowledge of its putative role in plant RNA metabolism under stress is pivotal to developing fitness-optimizing strategies. Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), part of the mRNA surveillance pathway, is an evolutionarily conserved form of gene regulation in all living organisms. Degradation of mRNA-bearing premature termination codons and regulation of physiological RNA levels highlight NMD's role in shaping the cellular transcriptome. Initially regarded as purely a tool for cellular RNA quality control, NMD is now considered to mediate various aspects of plant developmental processes and responses to environmental changes. Here we offer a basic understanding of NMD in eukaryotes by explaining the concept of premature termination codon recognition and NMD complex formation. We also provide a detailed overview of the NMD mechanism and its role in gene regulation. The potential role of effectors, including ABCE1, in ribosome recycling during the translation process is also explained. Recent reports of alternatively spliced variants of corresponding genes targeted by NMD in Arabidopsis thaliana are provided in tabular format. Detailed figures are also provided to clarify the NMD concept in plants. In particular, accumulating evidence shows that NMD can serve as a novel alternative strategy for genetic manipulation and can help design RNA-based therapies to combat stress in plants. A key point of emphasis is its function as a gene regulatory mechanism as well as its dynamic regulation by environmental and developmental factors. Overall, a detailed molecular understanding of the NMD mechanism can lead to further diverse applications, such as improving cellular homeostasis in living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmita Luha
- Department of Botany, School for Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Bangaluru, India
| | - Varnika Rana
- Department of Botany, School for Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India
| | - Alexander Vainstein
- Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Department of Botany, School for Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India.
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Venema WJ, Hiddingh S, van Loosdregt J, Bowes J, Balliu B, de Boer JH, Ossewaarde-van Norel J, Thompson SD, Langefeld CD, de Ligt A, van der Veken LT, Krijger PHL, de Laat W, Kuiper JJW. A cis-regulatory element regulates ERAP2 expression through autoimmune disease risk SNPs. CELL GENOMICS 2024; 4:100460. [PMID: 38190099 PMCID: PMC10794781 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2023.100460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the ERAP2 gene are associated with various autoimmune conditions, as well as protection against lethal infections. Due to high linkage disequilibrium, numerous trait-associated SNPs are correlated with ERAP2 expression; however, their functional mechanisms remain unidentified. We show by reciprocal allelic replacement that ERAP2 expression is directly controlled by the splice region variant rs2248374. However, disease-associated variants in the downstream LNPEP gene promoter are independently associated with ERAP2 expression. Allele-specific conformation capture assays revealed long-range chromatin contacts between the gene promoters of LNPEP and ERAP2 and showed that interactions were stronger in patients carrying the alleles that increase susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Replacing the SNPs in the LNPEP promoter by reference sequences lowered ERAP2 expression. These findings show that multiple SNPs act in concert to regulate ERAP2 expression and that disease-associated variants can convert a gene promoter region into a potent enhancer of a distal gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter J Venema
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne Hiddingh
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jorg van Loosdregt
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - John Bowes
- Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Brunilda Balliu
- Department of Computational Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joke H de Boer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Susan D Thompson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Carl D Langefeld
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, and Center for Precision Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Aafke de Ligt
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lars T van der Veken
- Department of Genetics, Division Laboratories, Pharmacy and Biomedical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Peter H L Krijger
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter de Laat
- Oncode Institute, Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jonas J W Kuiper
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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25
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Torene RI, Guillen Sacoto MJ, Millan F, Zhang Z, McGee S, Oetjens M, Heise E, Chong K, Sidlow R, O'Grady L, Sahai I, Martin CL, Ledbetter DH, Myers SM, Mitchell KJ, Retterer K. Systematic analysis of variants escaping nonsense-mediated decay uncovers candidate Mendelian diseases. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:70-81. [PMID: 38091987 PMCID: PMC10806863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein-truncating variants (PTVs) near the 3' end of genes may escape nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). PTVs in the NMD-escape region (PTVescs) can cause Mendelian disease but are difficult to interpret given their varying impact on protein function. Previously, PTVesc burden was assessed in an epilepsy cohort, but no large-scale analysis has systematically evaluated these variants in rare disease. We performed a retrospective analysis of 29,031 neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) parent-offspring trios referred for clinical exome sequencing to identify PTVesc de novo mutations (DNMs). We identified 1,376 PTVesc DNMs and 133 genes that were significantly enriched (binomial p < 0.001). The PTVesc-enriched genes included those with PTVescs previously described to cause dominant Mendelian disease (e.g., SEMA6B, PPM1D, and DAGLA). We annotated ClinVar variants for PTVescs and identified 948 genes with at least one high-confidence pathogenic variant. Twenty-two known Mendelian PTVesc-enriched genes had no prior evidence of PTVesc-associated disease. We found 22 additional PTVesc-enriched genes that are not well established to be associated with Mendelian disease, several of which showed phenotypic similarity between individuals harboring PTVesc variants in the same gene. Four individuals with PTVesc mutations in RAB1A had similar phenotypes including NDD and spasticity. PTVesc mutations in IRF2BP1 were found in two individuals who each had severe immunodeficiency manifesting in NDD. Three individuals with PTVesc mutations in LDB1 all had NDD and multiple congenital anomalies. Using a large-scale, systematic analysis of DNMs, we extend the mutation spectrum for known Mendelian disease-associated genes and identify potentially novel disease-associated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Matthew Oetjens
- Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA; Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Lewisburg, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christa L Martin
- Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA; Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Lewisburg, PA, USA
| | - David H Ledbetter
- University of Florida, College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Scott M Myers
- Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA; Geisinger Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, Lewisburg, PA, USA
| | - Kevin J Mitchell
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kyle Retterer
- GeneDx, Gaithersburg, MD, USA; Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
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26
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Becker HJ, Yamazaki S. Understanding genetic heterogeneity in gene-edited hematopoietic stem cell products. Exp Hematol 2024; 129:104133. [PMID: 38036097 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas gene editing has transformed genetic research and is poised to drive the next generation of gene therapies targeting hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). However, the installation of the "desired" edit is most often only achieved in a minor subset of alleles. The array of cellular pathways triggered by gene editing tools produces a broad spectrum of "undesired" editing outcomes, including short insertions and deletions (indels) and chromosome rearrangements, leading to considerable genetic heterogeneity in gene-edited HSC populations. This heterogeneity may undermine the effect of the genetic intervention since only a subset of cells will carry the intended modification. Also, undesired mutations represent a potential safety concern as gene editing advances toward broader clinical use. Here, we will review the different sources of "undesired" edits and will discuss strategies for their mitigation and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Jiro Becker
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Japan; Division of Cell Regulation, Center of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Yamazaki
- Laboratory for Stem Cell Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Tsukuba University, Tsukuba, Japan; Division of Cell Regulation, Center of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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27
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Dobrewa W, Bielska M, Bąbol-Pokora K, Janczar S, Młynarski W. Congenital neutropenia: From lab bench to clinic bedside and back. MUTATION RESEARCH. REVIEWS IN MUTATION RESEARCH 2024; 793:108476. [PMID: 37989463 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2023.108476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Neutropenia is a hematological condition characterized by a decrease in absolute neutrophil count (ANC) in peripheral blood, typically classified in adults as mild (1-1.5 × 109/L), moderate (0.5-1 × 109/L), or severe (< 0.5 × 109/L). It can be categorized into two types: congenital and acquired. Congenital severe chronic neutropenia (SCN) arises from mutations in various genes, with different inheritance patterns, including autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, and X-linked forms, often linked to mitochondrial diseases. The most common genetic cause is alterations in the ELANE gene. Some cases exist as non-syndromic neutropenia within the SCN spectrum, where genetic origins remain unidentified. The clinical consequences of congenital neutropenia depend on granulocyte levels and dysfunction. Infants with this condition often experience recurrent bacterial infections, with approximately half facing severe infections within their first six months of life. These infections commonly affect the respiratory system, digestive tract, and skin, resulting in symptoms like fever, abscesses, and even sepsis. The severity of these symptoms varies, and the specific organs and systems affected depend on the genetic defect. Congenital neutropenia elevates the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), particularly with certain genetic variants. SCN patients may acquire CSF3R and RUNX1 mutations, which can predict the development of leukemia. It is important to note that high-dose granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment may have the potential to promote leukemogenesis. Treatment for neutropenia involves antibiotics, drugs that boost neutrophil production, or bone marrow transplants. Immediate treatment is essential due to the heightened risk of severe infections. In severe congenital or cyclic neutropenia (CyN), the primary therapy is G-CSF, often combined with antibiotics. The G-CSF dosage is gradually increased to normalize neutrophil counts. Hematopoietic stem cell transplants are considered for non-responders or those at risk of AML/MDS. In cases of WHIM syndrome, CXCR4 inhibitors can be effective. Future treatments may involve gene editing and the use of the diabetes drug empagliflozin to alleviate neutropenia symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weronika Dobrewa
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 36\50 Sporna Str, 91-738 Lodz, Poland.
| | - Marta Bielska
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 36\50 Sporna Str, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Bąbol-Pokora
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 36\50 Sporna Str, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Szymon Janczar
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 36\50 Sporna Str, 91-738 Lodz, Poland
| | - Wojciech Młynarski
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 36\50 Sporna Str, 91-738 Lodz, Poland.
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28
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Miyake N. Identifying novel disease genes and revealing the pathomechanism of monogenic diseases. Pediatr Int 2024; 66:e15760. [PMID: 38641939 DOI: 10.1111/ped.15760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Diseases are caused by genetic and/or environmental factors. It is important to understand the pathomechanism of monogenic diseases that are caused only by genetic factors, especially prenatal- or childhood-onset diseases for pediatricians. Identifying "novel" disease genes and elucidating how genomic changes lead to human phenotypes would develop new therapeutic approaches for rare diseases for which no fundamental cure has yet been established. Genomic analysis has evolved along with the development of analytical techniques, from Sanger sequencing (first-generation sequencing) to techniques such as comparative genomic hybridization, massive parallel short-read sequencing (using a next-generation sequencer or second-generation sequencer) and long-read sequencing (using a next-next generation sequencer or third-generation sequencer). I have been researching human genetics using conventional and new technologies, together with my mentors and numerous collaborators, and have identified genes responsible for more than 60 diseases. Here, an overview of genomic analyses of monogenic diseases that aims to identify novel disease genes, and several examples using different approaches depending on the disease characteristics are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Miyake
- Department of Human Genetics, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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29
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Karimi E, van der Borgh M, Lindqvist J, Gohlke J, Hourani Z, Kolb J, Cossette S, Lawlor MW, Ottenheijm C, Granzier H. Characterization of NEB mutations in patients reveals novel nemaline myopathy disease mechanisms and omecamtiv mecarbil force effects. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.20.572678. [PMID: 38187705 PMCID: PMC10769406 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.20.572678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Nebulin, a critical protein of the skeletal muscle thin filament, plays important roles in physiological processes such as regulating thin filament length (TFL), cross-bridge cycling, and myofibril alignment. Mutations in the nebulin gene ( NEB ) cause NEB-based nemaline myopathy (NEM2), a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by hypotonia and muscle weakness, currently lacking therapies targeting the underlying pathological mechanisms. In this study, we examined a cohort of ten NEM2 patients, each with unique mutations, aiming to understand their impact on mRNA, protein, and functional levels. Results show that truncation mutations affect NEB mRNA stability and lead to nonsense-mediated decay of the mutated transcript. Moreover, a high incidence of cryptic splice site activation was found in patients with splicing mutations which is expected to disrupt the actin-binding sites of nebulin. Determination of protein levels revealed patients with relatively normal nebulin levels and others with markedly reduced nebulin. We observed a positive relation between the reduction in nebulin and a reduction in TFL, and a positive relation between the reduction in nebulin level and the reduction in tension (both maximal and submaximal tension). Interestingly, our study revealed a duplication mutation in nebulin that resulted in a larger nebulin protein and longer TFL. Additionally, we investigated the effect of Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM), a small-molecule activator of cardiac myosin, on force production of type I muscle fibers of NEM2 patients. OM treatment substantially increased submaximal tension across all NEM2 patients ranging from 87-318%, with the largest effects in patients with the lowest level of nebulin. In summary, this study indicates that post-transcriptional or post-translational mechanisms regulate nebulin expression. Moreover, we propose that the pathomechanism of NEM2 involves not only shortened but also elongated thin filaments, along with the disruption of actin-binding sites resulting from splicing mutations. Significantly, our findings highlight the potential of OM treatment to improve skeletal muscle function in NEM2 patients, especially those with large reductions in nebulin levels.
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30
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Gentile JE, Corridon TL, Mortberg MA, D'Souza EN, Whiffin N, Minikel EV, Vallabh SM. Modulation of prion protein expression through cryptic splice site manipulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.19.572439. [PMID: 38187635 PMCID: PMC10769280 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.19.572439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Lowering expression of prion protein (PrP) is a well-validated therapeutic strategy in prion disease, but additional modalities are urgently needed. In other diseases, small molecules have proven capable of modulating pre-mRNA splicing, sometimes by forcing inclusion of cryptic exons that reduce gene expression. Here, we characterize a cryptic exon located in human PRNP's sole intron and evaluate its potential to reduce PrP expression through incorporation into the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR). This exon is homologous to exon 2 in non-primate species, but contains a start codon that would yield an upstream open reading frame (uORF) with a stop codon prior to a splice site if included in PRNP mRNA, potentially downregulating PrP expression through translational repression or nonsense-mediated decay. We establish a minigene transfection system and test a panel of splice site alterations, identifying mutants that reduce PrP expression by as much as 78%. Our findings nominate a new therapeutic target for lowering PrP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana E Gentile
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Taylor L Corridon
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Meredith A Mortberg
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Elston Neil D'Souza
- Big Data Institute and Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Nicola Whiffin
- Big Data Institute and Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Eric Vallabh Minikel
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
| | - Sonia M Vallabh
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142
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31
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Di Francesco D, Swenerton A, Li WL, Dunham C, Hendson G, Boerkoel CF. Are CUL3 variants an underreported cause of congenital heart disease? Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:2903-2907. [PMID: 37665043 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Complex heart defects (CHD) are a common malformation associated with disruption of developmental pathways. The Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) are multi-subunit E3 ubiquitin ligases in which Cullin 3 (CUL3) serves as a scaffolding subunit. Heterozygous CUL3 variants have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and pseudohypoaldosteronism type IIE. We report a fetus with CHD and a de novo CUL3 variant (NM_003590.4:c.[1549_1552del];[=], p.(Ser517Profs*23)) and review CUL3 variants reported with CHD. We postulate that CUL3 variants predispose to CHD and hypothesize mechanisms of pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Di Francesco
- MD Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anne Swenerton
- Provincial Medical Genetics Program, B.C. Women's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Christopher Dunham
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Glenda Hendson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Cornelius F Boerkoel
- Provincial Medical Genetics Program, B.C. Women's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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32
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Kolakada D, Campbell AE, Baquero Galvis L, Li Z, Lore M, Jagannathan S. A system of reporters for comparative investigation of EJC-independent and EJC-enhanced nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.14.567061. [PMID: 38014198 PMCID: PMC10680754 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.14.567061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a network of pathways that degrades transcripts that undergo premature translation termination. In mammals, NMD can be divided into the exon junction complex (EJC)-enhanced and EJC-independent branches. Fluorescence- and luminescence-based reporters have long been effective tools to investigate NMD, yet existing reporters largely focus on the EJC-enhanced pathway. Here, we present a system of reporters for comparative studies of EJC-independent and EJC-enhanced NMD. This system also enables the study of NMD-associated outcomes such as premature termination codon (PTC) readthrough and truncated protein degradation. These reporters are compatible with fluorescence or luminescence-based readouts via transient transfection or stable integration. Using this reporter system, we show that EJC-enhanced NMD RNA levels are reduced by 2- or 9-fold and protein levels are reduced by 7- or 12-fold compared to EJC-independent NMD, depending on the reporter gene used. Additionally, the extent of readthrough induced by G418 and SMG1i, alone and in combination, varies across NMD substrates. When combined, G418 and SMG1i increase readthrough product levels in an additive manner for EJC-independent reporters, while EJC-enhanced reporters show a synergistic effect. We present these reporters as a valuable toolkit to deepen our understanding of NMD and its associated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Kolakada
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Amy E. Campbell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Laura Baquero Galvis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Zhongyou Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mlana Lore
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sujatha Jagannathan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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33
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Patro I, Sahoo A, Nayak BR, Das R, Majumder S, Panigrahi GK. Nonsense-Mediated mRNA Decay: Mechanistic Insights and Physiological Significance. Mol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s12033-023-00927-4. [PMID: 37930508 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00927-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an evolutionarily conserved surveillance mechanism across eukaryotes and also regulates the expression of physiological transcripts, thus involved in gene regulation. It essentially ensures recognition and removal of aberrant transcripts. Therefore, the NMD protects the cellular system by restricting the synthesis of truncated proteins, potentially by eliminating the faulty mRNAs. NMD is an evolutionarily conserved surveillance mechanism across eukaryotes and also regulates the expression of physiological transcripts, thus involved in gene regulation as well. Primarily, the NMD machinery scans and differentiates the aberrant and non-aberrant transcripts. A myriad of cellular dysfunctions arise due to production of truncated proteins, so the NMD core proteins, the up-frameshift factors (UPFs) recognizes the faulty mRNAs and further recruits factors resulting in the mRNA degradation. NMD exhibits astounding variability in its ability in regulating cellular mechanisms including both pathological and physiological events. But, the detailed underlying molecular mechanisms in NMD remains blurred and require extensive investigation to gain insights on cellular homeostasis. The complexity in understanding of NMD pathway arises due to the involvement of numerous proteins, molecular interactions and their functioning in different steps of this process. Moreover methods such as alternative splicing generates numerous isoforms of mRNA, so it makes difficulties in understanding the impact of alternative splicing on the efficiency of NMD functioning. Role of NMD in cancer development is very complex. Studies have shown that in some cases cancer cells use NMD pathway as a tool to exploit the NMD mechanism to maintain tumor microenvironment. A greater level of understanding about the intricate mechanism of how tumor used NMD pathway for their benefits, a strategy can be developed for targeting and inhibiting NMD factors involved in pro-tumor activity. There are very little amount of information available about the NMD pathway, how it discriminate mRNAs that are targeted by NMD from those that are not. This review highlights our current understanding of NMD, specifically the regulatory mechanisms and attempts to outline less explored questions that warrant further investigations. Taken as a whole, a detailed molecular understanding of the NMD mechanism could lead to wide-ranging applications for improving cellular homeostasis and paving out strategies in combating pathological disorders leaping forward toward achieving United Nations sustainable development goals (SDG 3: Good health and well-being).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ipsita Patro
- School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Annapurna Sahoo
- School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
| | - Bilash Ranjan Nayak
- School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Rutupurna Das
- School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Sanjoy Majumder
- School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Gagan Kumar Panigrahi
- School of Applied Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
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34
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Crooks DR, Cawthon GM, Fitzsimmons CM, Perez M, Ricketts CJ, Vocke CD, Yang Y, Middelton L, Nielsen D, Schmidt LS, Tandon M, Merino MJ, Ball MW, Meier JL, Batista PJ, Linehan WM. Cryptic splice mutation in the fumarate hydratase gene in patients with clinical manifestations of Hereditary Leiomyomatosis and Renal Cell Cancer. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:3135-3145. [PMID: 37561409 PMCID: PMC10630246 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad131] [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: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by the development of cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas and risk for development of an aggressive form of papillary renal cell cancer. HLRCC is caused by germline inactivating pathogenic variants in the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene, which encodes the enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of fumarate and L-malate. We utilized enzyme and protein mobility assays to evaluate the FH enzyme in a cohort of patients who showed clinical manifestations of HLRCC but were negative for known pathogenic FH gene variants. FH enzyme activity and protein levels were decreased by 50% or greater in three family members, despite normal FH mRNA expression levels as measured by quantitative PCR. Direct Nanopore RNA sequencing demonstrated 57 base pairs of retained intron sequence between exons 9 and 10 of polyadenylated FH mRNA in these patients, resulting in a truncated FH protein. Genomic sequencing revealed a heterozygous intronic alteration of the FH gene (chr1: 241498239 T/C) resulting in formation of a splice acceptor site near a polypyrimidine tract, and a uterine fibroid obtained from a patient showed loss of heterozygosity at this site. The same intronic FH variant was identified in an unrelated patient who also showed a clinical phenotype of HLRCC. These data demonstrate that careful clinical assessment as well as biochemical characterization of FH enzyme activity, protein expression, direct RNA sequencing, and genomic DNA sequencing of patient-derived cells can identify pathogenic variants outside of the protein coding regions of the FH gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Crooks
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Geetha Mariah Cawthon
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Christina M Fitzsimmons
- RNA Metabolism and Epitranscriptomics Unit, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Minervo Perez
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, 1050 Boyles St., Frederick, MD 21072, United States
| | - Christopher J Ricketts
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Cathy D Vocke
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Ye Yang
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Lindsay Middelton
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Debbie Nielsen
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Laura S Schmidt
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, 1050 Boyles St. Frederick, MD 21701, United States
| | - Mayank Tandon
- CCR Collaborative Bioinformatics Resource (CCBR), Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., 1050 Boyles St., Frederick, MD 21072, United States
| | - Maria J Merino
- Translational Surgical Pathology, Laboratory of Pathology Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Mark W Ball
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - Jordan L Meier
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, 1050 Boyles St., Frederick, MD 21072, United States
| | - Pedro J Batista
- RNA Metabolism and Epitranscriptomics Unit, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
| | - William Marston Linehan
- Urologic Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States
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Li Z, Cheng W, Zi F, Wang J, Huang X, Sheng X, Rong W. Four different gene-related cone-rod dystrophy: clinical and genetic findings in six Chinese families with diverse modes of inheritance. Front Genet 2023; 14:1157156. [PMID: 38028590 PMCID: PMC10652761 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1157156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate pathogenic variants in six families with cone-rod dystrophy (CORD) presenting various inheritance patterns by using whole-exome sequencing (WES) and analyzing phenotypic features. Methods: A total of six families with CORD were enrolled in Ningxia Eye Hospital for this study. The probands and their family members received comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, and DNA was abstracted from patients and family members. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on probands to screen the causative variants, and all suspected pathogenic variants were determined via Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, co-segregation analysis was performed on available family members. The pathogenicity of novel variants was predicted using in silico analysis and evaluated according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Results: Of the six families, two families were assigned as X-linked recessive (XL), two families were assigned as autosomal recessive (AR), and two families were assigned as autosomal dominant (AD). Pathogenic variants were detected in CACNA1F in two X-linked recessive probands, among which family 1 had a hemizygous frameshift variant c.2201del (p.Val734Glyfs*17) and family 2 had a hemizygous missense variant c.245G>A (p.Arg82Gln). Both probands had high myopia, with fundus tessellation accompanied by abnormalities in the outer structure of the macular area. The homozygous splice variant c.2373 + 5G>T in PROM1 and the homozygous nonsense variant c.604C>T (p.Arg202Ter) in ADAM9 were detected in two autosomal recessive families of the probands. Both probands showed different degrees of atrophy in the macular area, and the lesions showed hypofluorescence changes in autofluorescence. The heterozygous variation in CRX c.682C>T (p.Gln228Ter) was detected in two autosomal dominant families. The onset age of the two probands was late, with better vision and severe macular atrophy. According to ACMG guidelines and the analysis of online in silico tools, all variations were labeled as potentially harmful or pathogenic. Conclusion: Pathogenic variants in CACNA1F, PROM1, ADAM9, and CRX genes were identified in six families affected by the diverse inheritance patterns of CORD. Furthermore, the potential impact of the nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) mechanism on the manifestation of CORD phenotypes was examined and addressed. Simultaneously, the spectrum of pathogenic variants and clinical phenotypes associated with the CORD gene was extended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Li
- Ningxia Eye Hospital, People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Third Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Wanyu Cheng
- Ningxia Eye Hospital, People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Third Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Feiyin Zi
- Ningxia Eye Hospital, People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Third Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qingdao West Coast New District Central Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaoyu Huang
- Ningxia Eye Hospital, People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Third Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | | | - Weining Rong
- Ningxia Eye Hospital, People’s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Third Clinical Medical College of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
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Alagar Boopathy LR, Beadle E, Garcia-Bueno Rico A, Vera M. Proteostasis regulation through ribosome quality control and no-go-decay. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1809. [PMID: 37488089 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Cell functionality relies on the existing pool of proteins and their folding into functional conformations. This is achieved through the regulation of protein synthesis, which requires error-free mRNAs and ribosomes. Ribosomes are quality control hubs for mRNAs and proteins. Problems during translation elongation slow down the decoding rate, leading to ribosome halting and the eventual collision with the next ribosome. Collided ribosomes form a specific disome structure recognized and solved by ribosome quality control (RQC) mechanisms. RQC pathways orchestrate the degradation of the problematic mRNA by no-go decay and the truncated nascent peptide, the repression of translation initiation, and the recycling of the stalled ribosomes. All these events maintain protein homeostasis and return valuable ribosomes to translation. As such, cell homeostasis and function are maintained at the mRNA level by preventing the production of aberrant or unnecessary proteins. It is becoming evident that the crosstalk between RQC and the protein homeostasis network is vital for cell function, as the absence of RQC components leads to the activation of stress response and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review the molecular events of RQC discovered through well-designed stalling reporters. Given the impact of RQC in proteostasis, we discuss the relevance of identifying endogenous mRNA regulated by RQC and their preservation in stress conditions. This article is categorized under: RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms Translation > Regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Beadle
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Maria Vera
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Clark JSC, Podsiadło K, Sobalska-Kwapis M, Marciniak B, Rydzewska K, Ciechanowicz A, van de Wetering T, Strapagiel D. rs67047829 genotypes of ERV3-1/ZNF117 are associated with lower body mass index in the Polish population. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17118. [PMID: 37816715 PMCID: PMC10564729 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43323-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
There is now substantial evidence that zinc-finger proteins are implicated in adiposity. Aims were to datamine for high-frequency (near-neutral selection) pretermination-codon (PTC) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; n = 141) from a database with > 550,000 variants and analyze possible association with body mass index in a large Polish sample (n = 5757). BMI was regressed (males/females together or separately) against genetic models. Regression for rs67047829 uncovered an interaction-independent association with BMI with both sexes together: mean ± standard deviation, kg/m2: [G];[G], 25.4 ± 4.59 (n = 3650); [G](;)[A], 25.0 ± 4.28 (n = 731); [A];[A], 23.4 ± 3.60 (n = 44); additive model adjusted for age and sex: p = 4.08 × 10-5; beta: - 0.0458, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 0.0732 : - 0.0183; surviving Bonferroni correction; for males: [G];[G], 24.8 ± 4.94 (n = 1878); [G](;)[A], 24.2 ± 4.31 (n = 386); [A];[A], 22.4 ± 3.69 (n = 23); p = 4.20 × 10-4; beta: - 0.0573, CI - 0.0947 : - 0.0199. For average-height males the difference between [G];[G] and [A];[A] genotypes would correspond to ~ 6 kg, suggesting considerable protection against increased BMI. rs67047829 gives a pretermination codon in ERV3-1 which shares an exonic region and possibly promoter with ZNF117, previously associated with adiposity and type-2 diabetes. As this result occurs in a near-neutral Mendelian setting, a drug targetting ERV3-1/ZNF117 might potentially provide considerable benefits with minimal side-effects. This result needs to be replicated, followed by analyses of splice-variant mRNAs and protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S C Clark
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Zachodniopomorskie, Poland.
| | - Konrad Podsiadło
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Zachodniopomorskie, Poland
| | - Marta Sobalska-Kwapis
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łodż, 90-237, Łódż, Poland
| | - Błażej Marciniak
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łodż, 90-237, Łódż, Poland
| | - Kamila Rydzewska
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Zachodniopomorskie, Poland
| | - Andrzej Ciechanowicz
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Zachodniopomorskie, Poland
| | - Thierry van de Wetering
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Zachodniopomorskie, Poland
| | - Dominik Strapagiel
- Biobank Lab, Department of Oncobiology and Epigenetics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łodż, 90-237, Łódż, Poland
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Monaghan L, Longman D, Cáceres JF. Translation-coupled mRNA quality control mechanisms. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114378. [PMID: 37605642 PMCID: PMC10548175 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA surveillance pathways are essential for accurate gene expression and to maintain translation homeostasis, ensuring the production of fully functional proteins. Future insights into mRNA quality control pathways will enable us to understand how cellular mRNA levels are controlled, how defective or unwanted mRNAs can be eliminated, and how dysregulation of these can contribute to human disease. Here we review translation-coupled mRNA quality control mechanisms, including the non-stop and no-go mRNA decay pathways, describing their mechanisms, shared trans-acting factors, and differences. We also describe advances in our understanding of the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway, highlighting recent mechanistic findings, the discovery of novel factors, as well as the role of NMD in cellular physiology and its impact on human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Monaghan
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Dasa Longman
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Javier F Cáceres
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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Pacelli C, Rossi A, Milella M, Colombo T, Le Pera L. RNA-Based Strategies for Cancer Therapy: In Silico Design and Evaluation of ASOs for Targeted Exon Skipping. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14862. [PMID: 37834310 PMCID: PMC10573945 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Precision medicine in oncology has made significant progress in recent years by approving drugs that target specific genetic mutations. However, many cancer driver genes remain challenging to pharmacologically target ("undruggable"). To tackle this issue, RNA-based methods like antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that induce targeted exon skipping (ES) could provide a promising alternative. In this work, a comprehensive computational procedure is presented, focused on the development of ES-based cancer treatments. The procedure aims to produce specific protein variants, including inactive oncogenes and partially restored tumor suppressors. This novel computational procedure encompasses target-exon selection, in silico prediction of ES products, and identification of the best candidate ASOs for further experimental validation. The method was effectively employed on extensively mutated cancer genes, prioritized according to their suitability for ES-based interventions. Notable genes, such as NRAS and VHL, exhibited potential for this therapeutic approach, as specific target exons were identified and optimal ASO sequences were devised to induce their skipping. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first computational procedure that encompasses all necessary steps for designing ASO sequences tailored for targeted ES, contributing with a versatile and innovative approach to addressing the challenges posed by undruggable cancer driver genes and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pacelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Rossi
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona-School of Medicine and Verona University Hospital Trust, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Section of Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona-School of Medicine and Verona University Hospital Trust, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Teresa Colombo
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM), National Research Council (CNR), 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Le Pera
- Core Facilities, Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), 00161 Rome, Italy
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Arlabosse T, Materna M, Riccio O, Schnider C, Angelini F, Perreau M, Rochat I, Superti-Furga A, Campos-Xavier B, Héritier S, Pereira A, Deswarte C, Lévy R, Distefano M, Bustamante J, Roelens M, Borie R, Le Brun M, Crestani B, Casanova JL, Puel A, Hofer M, Fieschi C, Theodoropoulou K, Béziat V, Candotti F. New Dominant-Negative IL6ST Variants Expand the Immunological and Clinical Spectrum of GP130-Dependent Hyper-IgE Syndrome. J Clin Immunol 2023; 43:1566-1580. [PMID: 37273120 PMCID: PMC10499999 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-023-01517-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Patients with autosomal dominant (AD) hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) suffer from a constellation of manifestations including recurrent bacterial and fungal infections, severe atopy, and skeletal abnormalities. This condition is typically caused by monoallelic dominant-negative (DN) STAT3 variants. In 2020, we described 12 patients from eight kindreds with DN IL6ST variants resulting in a new form of AD HIES. These variants encoded truncated GP130 receptors, with intact extracellular and transmembrane domains, but lacking the intracellular recycling motif and the four STAT3-binding residues, resulting in an inability to recycle and activate STAT3. We report here two new DN variants of IL6ST in three unrelated families with HIES-AD. The biochemical and clinical impacts of these variants are different from those of the previously reported variants. The p.(Ser731Valfs*8) variant, identified in seven patients from two families, lacks the recycling motif and all the STAT3-binding residues, but its levels on the cell surface are only slightly increased and it underlies mild biological phenotypes with variable clinical expressivity. The p.(Arg768*) variant, identified in a single patient, lacks the recycling motif and the three most distal STAT3-binding residues. This variant accumulates at the cell surface and underlies severe biological and clinical phenotypes. The p.(Ser731Valfs*8) variant shows that a DN GP130 expressed at near normal levels on the cell surface can underlie heterogeneous clinical presentations, ranging from mild to severe. The p.(Arg768*) variant demonstrates that a truncated GP130 protein retaining one STAT3-binding residue can underlie severe HIES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiphaine Arlabosse
- Pediatric Immuno-Rheumatology of Western Switzerland, Pediatrics Service, Women-Mother-Child Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marie Materna
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1163, Paris, France
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Orbicia Riccio
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Schnider
- Pediatric Immuno-Rheumatology of Western Switzerland, Pediatrics Service, Women-Mother-Child Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Federica Angelini
- Pediatric Immuno-Rheumatology of Western Switzerland, Pediatrics Service, Women-Mother-Child Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Matthieu Perreau
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Rochat
- Pediatric Pulmonology and Cystic Fibrosis Unit, Pediatrics Service, Women-Mother-Child Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Superti-Furga
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Belinda Campos-Xavier
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sébastien Héritier
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Armand Trousseau Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Anaïs Pereira
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1163, Paris, France
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Deswarte
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1163, Paris, France
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Romain Lévy
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1163, Paris, France
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Marco Distefano
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1163, Paris, France
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Jacinta Bustamante
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1163, Paris, France
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Study Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, AP-HP, Necker Children Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Marie Roelens
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- Study Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, AP-HP, Necker Children Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Raphaël Borie
- Department of Medicine, Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Le Brun
- Department of Pulmonology A, Reference Center for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Crestani
- Department of Pulmonology A, Reference Center for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Laurent Casanova
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1163, Paris, France
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, AP-HP, 75015, Paris, France
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Anne Puel
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1163, Paris, France
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michaël Hofer
- Pediatric Immuno-Rheumatology of Western Switzerland, Pediatrics Service, Women-Mother-Child Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claire Fieschi
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Paris Cité University, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Saint-Louis Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Katerina Theodoropoulou
- Pediatric Immuno-Rheumatology of Western Switzerland, Pediatrics Service, Women-Mother-Child Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vivien Béziat
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Institut National de La Santé Et de La Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1163, Paris, France.
- Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France.
- St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Fabio Candotti
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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de Sainte Agathe JM, Pode-Shakked B, Naudion S, Michaud V, Arveiler B, Fergelot P, Delmas J, Keren B, Poirsier C, Alkuraya FS, Tabarki B, Bend E, Davis K, Bebin M, Thompson ML, Bryant EM, Wagner M, Hannibal I, Lenberg J, Krenn M, Wigby KM, Friedman JR, Iascone M, Cereda A, Miao T, LeGuern E, Argilli E, Sherr E, Caluseriu O, Tidwell T, Bayrak-Toydemir P, Hagedorn C, Brugger M, Vill K, Morneau-Jacob FD, Chung W, Weaver KN, Owens JW, Husami A, Chaudhari BP, Stone BS, Burns K, Li R, de Lange IM, Biehler M, Ginglinger E, Gérard B, Stottmann RW, Trimouille A. ARF1-related disorder: phenotypic and molecular spectrum. J Med Genet 2023; 60:999-1005. [PMID: 37185208 PMCID: PMC10579487 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2022-108803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE ARF1 was previously implicated in periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH) in only five individuals and systematic clinical characterisation was not available. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of ARF1-related neurodevelopmental disorder. METHODS We collected detailed phenotypes of an international cohort of individuals (n=17) with ARF1 variants assembled through the GeneMatcher platform. Missense variants were structurally modelled, and the impact of several were functionally validated. RESULTS De novo variants (10 missense, 1 frameshift, 1 splice altering resulting in 9 residues insertion) in ARF1 were identified among 17 unrelated individuals. Detailed phenotypes included intellectual disability (ID), microcephaly, seizures and PVNH. No specific facial characteristics were consistent across all cases, however microretrognathia was common. Various hearing and visual defects were recurrent, and interestingly, some inflammatory features were reported. MRI of the brain frequently showed abnormalities consistent with a neuronal migration disorder. CONCLUSION We confirm the role of ARF1 in an autosomal dominant syndrome with a phenotypic spectrum including severe ID, microcephaly, seizures and PVNH due to impaired neuronal migration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ben Pode-Shakked
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sophie Naudion
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent Michaud
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Maladies Rares : Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), U1211, INSERM, Bordeaux, France
| | - Benoit Arveiler
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Maladies Rares : Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), U1211, INSERM, Bordeaux, France
| | - Patricia Fergelot
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Maladies Rares : Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), U1211, INSERM, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean Delmas
- Pediatric and Prenatal Imaging Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux Groupe hospitalier Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France
| | - Boris Keren
- Department of Medical Genetics, Groupe Hospitalo-Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - Fowzan S Alkuraya
- Department of Translational Genomic, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Brahim Tabarki
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military and Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eric Bend
- PreventionGenetics LLC, Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kellie Davis
- Division of Medical Genetics, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Martina Bebin
- UAB Epilepsy Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Michelle L Thompson
- Greg Cooper's Laboratory, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama, USA
| | - Emily M Bryant
- Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Matias Wagner
- Institute of Human Genetics, Technische Universitat Munchen, Munchen, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen Deutsches Forschungszentrum fur Umwelt und Gesundheit, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Iris Hannibal
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Munich, Munchen, Germany
| | - Jerica Lenberg
- Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Martin Krenn
- Department of Neurology, Medizinische Universitat Wien, Wien, Austria
| | - Kristen M Wigby
- Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jennifer R Friedman
- Department of Neuroscience, Rady Children's Institute for Genomic Medicine, San Diego, California, USA
- Division of Neurology, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Maria Iascone
- Laboratorio di Genetica Medica, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Anna Cereda
- Pediatric Department, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Térence Miao
- Department of Medical Genetics, Groupe Hospitalo-Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- École d'ingénieurs biotechnologies Paris - SupBiotech, Sup'Biotech, Paris, France
| | - Eric LeGuern
- Department of Medical Genetics, Groupe Hospitalo-Universitaire Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP.Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- ICM, INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Emanuela Argilli
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco Division of Hospital Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elliott Sherr
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco Division of Hospital Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Oana Caluseriu
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | - Caroline Hagedorn
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Melanie Brugger
- Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munchen, Germany
| | - Katharina Vill
- Fachbereich Neuromuskuläre Erkrankungen und klinische Neurophysiologie, Dr. v. Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Wendy Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn N Weaver
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Joshua W Owens
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ammar Husami
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bimal P Chaudhari
- Divisions of Neonatology, Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Brandon S Stone
- Divisions of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Katie Burns
- Sanford Children's Specialty Clinic, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | - Rachel Li
- Department of Pediatrics, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | - Iris M de Lange
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Margaux Biehler
- Laboratories of Genetic Diagnosis, Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace (IGMA), Strasbourg University Hospitals, Strasbourg, France
| | | | - Bénédicte Gérard
- Laboratories of Genetic Diagnosis, Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace (IGMA), Strasbourg University Hospitals, Strasbourg, France
| | - Rolf W Stottmann
- Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Aurélien Trimouille
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Maladies Rares : Génétique et Métabolisme (MRGM), U1211, INSERM, Bordeaux, France
- Service de Pathologie, University Hospital Centre Bordeaux Pellegrin Hospital Group, Bordeaux, France
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Singer-Berk M, Gudmundsson S, Baxter S, Seaby EG, England E, Wood JC, Son RG, Watts NA, Karczewski KJ, Harrison SM, MacArthur DG, Rehm HL, O'Donnell-Luria A. Advanced variant classification framework reduces the false positive rate of predicted loss-of-function variants in population sequencing data. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:1496-1508. [PMID: 37633279 PMCID: PMC10502856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicted loss of function (pLoF) variants are often highly deleterious and play an important role in disease biology, but many pLoF variants may not result in loss of function (LoF). Here we present a framework that advances interpretation of pLoF variants in research and clinical settings by considering three categories of LoF evasion: (1) predicted rescue by secondary sequence properties, (2) uncertain biological relevance, and (3) potential technical artifacts. We also provide recommendations on adjustments to ACMG/AMP guidelines' PVS1 criterion. Applying this framework to all high-confidence pLoF variants in 22 genes associated with autosomal-recessive disease from the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD v.2.1.1) revealed predicted LoF evasion or potential artifacts in 27.3% (304/1,113) of variants. The major reasons were location in the last exon, in a homopolymer repeat, in a low proportion expressed across transcripts (pext) scored region, or the presence of cryptic in-frame splice rescues. Variants predicted to evade LoF or to be potential artifacts were enriched for ClinVar benign variants. PVS1 was downgraded in 99.4% (162/163) of pLoF variants predicted as likely not LoF/not LoF, with 17.2% (28/163) downgraded as a result of our framework, adding to previous guidelines. Variant pathogenicity was affected (mostly from likely pathogenic to VUS) in 20 (71.4%) of these 28 variants. This framework guides assessment of pLoF variants beyond standard annotation pipelines and substantially reduces false positive rates, which is key to ensure accurate LoF variant prediction in both a research and clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriel Singer-Berk
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine & Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sanna Gudmundsson
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine & Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Samantha Baxter
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine & Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eleanor G Seaby
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine & Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Genomic Informatics Group, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Eleina England
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine & Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jordan C Wood
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine & Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel G Son
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas A Watts
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Konrad J Karczewski
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine & Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven M Harrison
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Ambry Genetics, Aliso Viejo, CA, USA
| | - Daniel G MacArthur
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Centre for Population Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Heidi L Rehm
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine & Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anne O'Donnell-Luria
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Center for Genomic Medicine & Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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43
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Klonowski J, Liang Q, Coban-Akdemir Z, Lo C, Kostka D. aenmd: annotating escape from nonsense-mediated decay for transcripts with protein-truncating variants. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:btad556. [PMID: 37688563 PMCID: PMC10534055 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY DNA changes that cause premature termination codons (PTCs) represent a large fraction of clinically relevant pathogenic genomic variation. Typically, PTCs induce transcript degradation by nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) and render such changes loss-of-function alleles. However, certain PTC-containing transcripts escape NMD and can exert dominant-negative or gain-of-function (DN/GOF) effects. Therefore, systematic identification of human PTC-causing variants and their susceptibility to NMD contributes to the investigation of the role of DN/GOF alleles in human disease. Here we present aenmd, a software for annotating PTC-containing transcript-variant pairs for predicted escape from NMD. aenmd is user-friendly and self-contained. It offers functionality not currently available in other methods and is based on established and experimentally validated rules for NMD escape; the software is designed to work at scale, and to integrate seamlessly with existing analysis workflows. We applied aenmd to variants in the gnomAD, Clinvar, and GWAS catalog databases and report the prevalence of human PTC-causing variants in these databases, and the subset of these variants that could exert DN/GOF effects via NMD escape. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION aenmd is implemented in the R programming language. Code is available on GitHub as an R-package (github.com/kostkalab/aenmd.git), and as a containerized command-line interface (github.com/kostkalab/aenmd_cli.git).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Klonowski
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, United States
| | - Qianqian Liang
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, United States
| | - Zeynep Coban-Akdemir
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Cecilia Lo
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, United States
| | - Dennis Kostka
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, United States
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology and Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15260,United States
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Brandes N, Goldman G, Wang CH, Ye CJ, Ntranos V. Genome-wide prediction of disease variant effects with a deep protein language model. Nat Genet 2023; 55:1512-1522. [PMID: 37563329 PMCID: PMC10484790 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01465-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 63.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the effects of coding variants is a major challenge. While recent deep-learning models have improved variant effect prediction accuracy, they cannot analyze all coding variants due to dependency on close homologs or software limitations. Here we developed a workflow using ESM1b, a 650-million-parameter protein language model, to predict all ~450 million possible missense variant effects in the human genome, and made all predictions available on a web portal. ESM1b outperformed existing methods in classifying ~150,000 ClinVar/HGMD missense variants as pathogenic or benign and predicting measurements across 28 deep mutational scan datasets. We further annotated ~2 million variants as damaging only in specific protein isoforms, demonstrating the importance of considering all isoforms when predicting variant effects. Our approach also generalizes to more complex coding variants such as in-frame indels and stop-gains. Together, these results establish protein language models as an effective, accurate and general approach to predicting variant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Brandes
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Grant Goldman
- Biological and Medical Informatics Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Charlotte H Wang
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Chun Jimmie Ye
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Vasilis Ntranos
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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45
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Riesenberg S, Kanis P, Macak D, Wollny D, Düsterhöft D, Kowalewski J, Helmbrecht N, Maricic T, Pääbo S. Efficient high-precision homology-directed repair-dependent genome editing by HDRobust. Nat Methods 2023; 20:1388-1399. [PMID: 37474806 PMCID: PMC10482697 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-01949-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Homology-directed repair (HDR), a method for repair of DNA double-stranded breaks can be leveraged for the precise introduction of mutations supplied by synthetic DNA donors, but remains limited by low efficiency and off-target effects. In this study, we report HDRobust, a high-precision method that, via the combined transient inhibition of nonhomologous end joining and microhomology-mediated end joining, resulted in the induction of point mutations by HDR in up to 93% (median 60%, s.e.m. 3) of chromosomes in populations of cells. We found that, using this method, insertions, deletions and rearrangements at the target site, as well as unintended changes at other genomic sites, were largely abolished. We validated this approach for 58 different target sites and showed that it allows efficient correction of pathogenic mutations in cells derived from patients suffering from anemia, sickle cell disease and thrombophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Riesenberg
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Philipp Kanis
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dominik Macak
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Damian Wollny
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dorothee Düsterhöft
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Kowalewski
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nelly Helmbrecht
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tomislav Maricic
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Svante Pääbo
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Human Evolutionary Genomics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna-son, Japan
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46
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Foreman J, Perrett D, Mazaika E, Hunt SE, Ware JS, Firth HV. DECIPHER: Improving Genetic Diagnosis Through Dynamic Integration of Genomic and Clinical Data. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2023; 24:151-176. [PMID: 37285546 PMCID: PMC7615097 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-102822-100509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
DECIPHER (Database of Genomic Variation and Phenotype in Humans Using Ensembl Resources) shares candidate diagnostic variants and phenotypic data from patients with genetic disorders to facilitate research and improve the diagnosis, management, and therapy of rare diseases. The platform sits at the boundary between genomic research and the clinical community. DECIPHER aims to ensure that the most up-to-date data are made rapidly available within its interpretation interfaces to improve clinical care. Newly integrated cardiac case-control data that provide evidence of gene-disease associations and inform variant interpretation exemplify this mission. New research resources are presented in a format optimized for use by a broad range of professionals supporting the delivery of genomic medicine. The interfaces within DECIPHER integrate and contextualize variant and phenotypic data, helping to determine a robust clinico-molecular diagnosis for rare-disease patients, which combines both variant classification and clinical fit. DECIPHER supports discovery research, connecting individuals within the rare-disease community to pursue hypothesis-driven research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Foreman
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom; ,
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Perrett
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom; ,
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Erica Mazaika
- National Heart and Lung Institute and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; ,
| | - Sarah E Hunt
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom; ,
| | - James S Ware
- National Heart and Lung Institute and MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; ,
- Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helen V Firth
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
- East Anglian Medical Genetics Service, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom;
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47
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Maroofian R, Efthymiou S, Suri M, Rahman F, Zaki MS, Maqbool S, Anwa N, Ruiz-Pérez VL, Yanovsky-Dagan S, Elpeleg O, Sudhakar S, Mankad K, Harel T, Houlden H. Consolidating the association of biallelic MAPKAPK5 pathogenic variants with a distinct syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder. J Med Genet 2023; 60:791-796. [PMID: 36581449 PMCID: PMC10423509 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2022-108566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MAPK-activated protein kinase 5 (MAPKAPK5) is an essential enzyme for diverse cellular processes. Dysregulation of the pathways regulated by MAPKAPK enzymes can lead to the development of variable diseases. Recently, homozygous loss-of-function variants in MAPKAPK5 were reported in four patients from three families presenting with a recognisable neurodevelopmental disorder, so-called 'neurocardiofaciodigital' syndrome. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS In order to improve characterisation of the clinical features associated with biallelic MAPKAPK5 variants, we employed a genotype-first approach combined with reverse deep-phenotyping of three affected individuals. RESULTS In the present study, we identified biallelic loss-of-function and missense MAPKAPK5 variants in three unrelated individuals from consanguineous families. All affected individuals exhibited a syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by severe global developmental delay, intellectual disability, characteristic facial morphology, brachycephaly, digital anomalies, hair and nail defects and neuroradiological findings, including cerebellar hypoplasia and hypomyelination, as well as variable vision and hearing impairment. Additional features include failure to thrive, hypotonia, microcephaly and genitourinary anomalies without any reported congenital heart disease. CONCLUSION In this study, we consolidate the causality of loss of MAPKAPK5 function and further delineate the molecular and phenotypic spectrum associated with this new ultra-rare neurodevelopmental syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Maroofian
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Mohnish Suri
- Clinical Genetics Service, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Fatima Rahman
- Department of Developmental - Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Child Health Sciences & The Children's Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Maha S Zaki
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Shazia Maqbool
- Department of Developmental - Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Child Health Sciences & The Children's Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Najwa Anwa
- Department of Developmental - Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Child Health Sciences & The Children's Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Victor L Ruiz-Pérez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), and CIBER de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Orly Elpeleg
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Genetics, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sniya Sudhakar
- Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Kshitij Mankad
- Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Tamar Harel
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Department of Genetics, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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48
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Muñoz O, Lore M, Jagannathan S. The long and short of EJC-independent nonsense-mediated RNA decay. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1121-1129. [PMID: 37145092 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) plays a dual role as an RNA surveillance mechanism against aberrant transcripts containing premature termination codons and as a gene regulatory mechanism for normal physiological transcripts. This dual function is possible because NMD recognizes its substrates based on the functional definition of a premature translation termination event. An efficient mode of NMD target recognition involves the presence of exon-junction complexes (EJCs) downstream of the terminating ribosome. A less efficient, but highly conserved, mode of NMD is triggered by long 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) that lack EJCs (termed EJC-independent NMD). While EJC-independent NMD plays an important regulatory role across organisms, our understanding of its mechanism, especially in mammalian cells, is incomplete. This review focuses on EJC-independent NMD and discusses the current state of knowledge and factors that contribute to the variability in the efficiency of this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Muñoz
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, U.S.A
| | - Mlana Lore
- Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, U.S.A
| | - Sujatha Jagannathan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, U.S.A
- RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, U.S.A
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49
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Nagarajan VK, Stuart CJ, DiBattista AT, Accerbi M, Caplan JL, Green PJ. RNA degradome analysis reveals DNE1 endoribonuclease is required for the turnover of diverse mRNA substrates in Arabidopsis. THE PLANT CELL 2023; 35:1936-1955. [PMID: 37070465 PMCID: PMC10226599 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koad085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In plants, cytoplasmic mRNA decay is critical for posttranscriptionally controlling gene expression and for maintaining cellular RNA homeostasis. Arabidopsis DCP1-ASSOCIATED NYN ENDORIBONUCLEASE 1 (DNE1) is a cytoplasmic mRNA decay factor that interacts with proteins involved in mRNA decapping and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). There is limited information on the functional role of DNE1 in RNA turnover, and the identities of its endogenous targets are unknown. In this study, we utilized RNA degradome approaches to globally investigate DNE1 substrates. Monophosphorylated 5' ends, produced by DNE1, should accumulate in mutants lacking the cytoplasmic exoribonuclease XRN4, but be absent from DNE1 and XRN4 double mutants. In seedlings, we identified over 200 such transcripts, most of which reflect cleavage within coding regions. While most DNE1 targets were NMD-insensitive, some were upstream ORF (uORF)-containing and NMD-sensitive transcripts, indicating that this endoribonuclease is required for turnover of a diverse set of mRNAs. Transgenic plants expressing DNE1 cDNA with an active-site mutation in the endoribonuclease domain abolished the in planta cleavage of transcripts, demonstrating that DNE1 endoribonuclease activity is required for cleavage. Our work provides key insights into the identity of DNE1 substrates and enhances our understanding of DNE1-mediated mRNA decay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay K Nagarajan
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware,
Newark, DE 19713-1316, USA
| | - Catherine J Stuart
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware,
Newark, DE 19713-1316, USA
| | - Anna T DiBattista
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware,
Newark, DE 19713-1316, USA
| | - Monica Accerbi
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware,
Newark, DE 19713-1316, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Caplan
- Bio-Imaging Center, Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of
Delaware, Newark, DE 19713-1316, USA
| | - Pamela J Green
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, University of Delaware,
Newark, DE 19713-1316, USA
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Zhang H, Xie Y. Novel start codons introduce novel coding sequences in the human genomes. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8141. [PMID: 37208378 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34770-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Start-gain mutations can introduce novel start codons and generate novel coding sequences that may affect the function of genes. In this study, we systematically investigated the novel start codons that were either polymorphic or fixed in the human genomes. 829 polymorphic start-gain SNVs were identified in the human populations, and the novel start codons introduced by these SNVs have significantly higher activity in translation initiation. Some of these start-gain SNVs were reported to be associated with phenotypes and diseases in previous studies. By comparative genomic analysis, we found 26 human-specific start codons that were fixed after the divergence between the human and chimpanzee, and high-level translation initiation activity was observed on them. The negative selection signal was detected in the novel coding sequences introduced by these human-specific start codons, indicating the important function of these novel coding sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Zhang
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Yang Xie
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
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