Targeting multiple genes containing long mononucleotide A-T repeats in lung cancer stem cells

Tumour protein p53-activated lncRNA PGM5-AS1 suppresses lung cancer growth and stemness by targeting R-spondin1 via microRNA-1247-5p

OBJECTIVE

This study was to investigated the inhibitory role of the tumour protein p53 (TP53)-activated PGM5-AS1 in lung cancer (LC) cell proliferation, invasion, and CSC-like properties and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The effect of PGM5-AS1 on LC cell development was determined. Stem cell markers, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in cells were tested, as well as the ability of stem cells to form spheroids. The interaction of PGM5-AS1 and TP53 was determined. The binding link of PGM5-AS1, miR-1247-5p, and R-spondin1 (RSPO1) was verified.

RESULTS

PGM5-AS1 was elevated by a combination of TP53 and PGM5-AS1 promoters. PGM5-AS1 was a molecular sponge of miR-1247-5p in LC cells, and miR-1247-5p targeted RSPO1. Elevating PGM5-AS1 or repressing miR-1247-5p restrained LC cell growth and stemness, which were reversed by depression of RSPO1.

CONCLUSION

This study conveys that TP53-elevated PGM5-AS1 mediates miR-1247-5p to target RSPO1, thereby inhibiting LC growth and stemness, representing a novel avenue for LC therapy.

Genome-wide characterization of microsatellites in cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus, 1766): Survey and analysis of their abundance and diversity

The cobia Rachycentron canadum, mainly distributed in the warm waters of tropical and subtropical regions around the world, remains a fish of considerable economic importance. Detailed diversity and the number of microsatellite sequences in the cobia genome are still unintelligible. The primary aim of this work was to identify and quantify the miscellaneous SSR sequences in the cobia genome. More than 280,000 sequences were sequenced and screened using next-generation sequencing technology and microsatellite identification. Perfect mononucleotide repeats, dinucleotide microsatellites, and trinucleotide microsatellites contain (A)10 /(T)10 , (AC)6 /(TG)6 , and (AAT)5-32 as the largest number of motifs in each type of microsatellite, respectively. The tetranucleotide and pentanucleotide microsatellites (TTM and PTM) consist of the largest number of motifs of both (ATCT)5-32 and (TCAT)5-31 in TTMs, and (CTCTC)5-9 in PTMs, whereas the hexanucleotide microsatellites are rarely observed in the cobia genome. All c. 38000 sequences of composite microsatellites are extremely diverse, including compound (11.71%), interrupted compound (71.77%), complex (0.45%), and interrupted complex (16.07%). In this study, we developed a convenient and useful recording system for writing down and categorizing diverse composite microsatellite types. This system will provide great support for exploring repeat origins, evolutionary mechanisms, and the application of polymorphic microsatellites.

Mononucleotide A-repeats may Play a Regulatory Role in Endothermic Housekeeping Genes

Background:

Coding and non-coding short tandem repeats (STRs) facilitate a great diversity of phenotypic traits. The imbalance of mononucleotide A-repeats around transcription start sites (TSSs) was found in 3 mammals: H. sapiens, M. musculus, and R. norvegicus.

Principal Findings:

We found that the imbalance pattern originated in some vertebrates. A similar pattern was observed in mammals and birds, but not in amphibians and reptiles. We proposed that the enriched A-repeats upstream of TSSs is a novel hallmark of endotherms or warm-blooded animals. Gene ontology analysis indicates that the primary function of upstream A-repeats involves metabolism, cellular transportation, and sensory perception (smell and chemical stimulus) through housekeeping genes.

Conclusions:

Upstream A-repeats may play a regulatory role in the metabolic process of endothermic animals.