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Lu Y, Ma Y, Li B, Sun H. The biogenesis, identification, and functionality of circWWP2 in lipopolysaccharide stimulated macrophages. Gene 2024; 905:148240. [PMID: 38316263 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148240] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
CircRNA, a non-coding RNA, is an ideal biomarker and a suitable potential therapeutic target for various disease due to its high stability, species conservation and cell/tissue specificity. Our previous study has found a circular RNA WWP2 (circWWP2) was significantly decreased in chicken macrophages during bacterial infection. However, the function of circWWP2 in chicken macrophages remains unclear. In this study, it was demonstrated that circWWP2 was a stable circular RNA created by back-splicing of exons 2 to 4 of WWP2 via PCR amplification, Sanger sequencing, RNase R exonuclease digestion, and RT-qPCR. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis showed circWWP2 could interact with 13 miRNAs and target 3,264 genes, which were significantly enriched in lysosomes, IgA-producing intestinal immune networks for IgA production, and Notch signaling pathway. Furthermore, CCK8 and RT-qPCR indicated that overexpression of circWWP2 could promote lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cellular injury by decreasing cell viability and increasing the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-apoptosis genes, and NO production. CircWWP2 may exert a potential target for the treatment of bacterial infection. Further experiments are necessary to validate the specific mechanism that circWWP2 regulates LPS induced cellular immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yuyi Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Bichun Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hongyan Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
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2
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Liang W, Liu W, Xiong XP, Li JW, Li JL, Perera RJ, Zhou R. The circular RNA circATP8B(2) regulates ROS production and antiviral immunity in Drosophila. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113973. [PMID: 38507406 PMCID: PMC11081091 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113973] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
We identified and validated a collection of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in Drosophila melanogaster. We show that depletion of the pro-viral circRNA circATP8B(2), but not its linear siblings, compromises viral infection both in cultured Drosophila cells and in vivo. In addition, circATP8B(2) is enriched in the fly gut, and gut-specific depletion of circATP8B(2) attenuates viral replication in an oral infection model. Furthermore, circATP8B(2) depletion results in increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhanced expression of dual oxidase (Duox), which produces ROS. Genetic and pharmacological manipulations of circATP8B(2)-depleted flies that reduce ROS levels rescue the viral replication defects elicited by circATP8B(2) depletion. Mechanistically, circATP8B(2) associates with Duox, and circATP8B(2)-Duox interaction is crucial for circATP8B(2)-mediated modulation of Duox activity. In addition, Gαq, a G protein subunit required for optimal Duox activity, acts downstream of circATP8B(2). We conclude that circATP8B(2) regulates antiviral defense by modulating Duox expression and Duox-dependent ROS production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihong Liang
- Departments of Medicine, Biological Chemistry, & Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Departments of Medicine, Biological Chemistry, & Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Xiao-Peng Xiong
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jennifer W Li
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Jian-Liang Li
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Ranjan J Perera
- Departments of Medicine, Biological Chemistry, & Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA; Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Rui Zhou
- Departments of Medicine, Biological Chemistry, & Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA; Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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3
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Zhou M, Li S, Huang C. Physiological and pathological functions of circular RNAs in the nervous system. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:342-349. [PMID: 37488888 PMCID: PMC10503630 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.379017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of covalently closed single-stranded RNAs that are expressed during the development of specific cells and tissues. CircRNAs play crucial roles in physiological and pathological processes by sponging microRNAs, modulating gene transcription, controlling the activity of certain RNA-binding proteins, and producing functional peptides. A key focus of research at present is the functionality of circRNAs in the nervous system and several advances have emerged over the last 2 years. However, the precise role of circRNAs in the nervous system has yet to be comprehensively reviewed. In this review, we first summarize the recently described roles of circRNAs in brain development, maturity, and aging. Then, we focus on the involvement of circRNAs in various diseases of the central nervous system, such as brain cancer, chronic neurodegenerative diseases, acute injuries of the nervous system, and neuropathic pain. A better understanding of the functionality of circRNAs will help us to develop potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies to treat diseases of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shi Li
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chuan Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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4
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Yuan H, Liu F, Long J, Duan G, Yang H. A review on circular RNAs and bacterial infections. Int J Biol Macromol 2023:125391. [PMID: 37321437 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial infections and related diseases have been a major burden on social public health and economic stability around the world. However, the effective diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches to treat bacterial infections are still limited. As a group of non-coding RNA, circular RNAs (circRNAs) that were expressed specifically in host cells and played a key regulatory role have the potential to be of diagnostic and therapeutic value. In this review, we systematically summarize the role of circRNAs in common bacterial infections and their potential roles as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitao Yuan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Jinzhao Long
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Guangcai Duan
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
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Fan YJ, Ding Z, Zhang Y, Su R, Yue JL, Liang AM, Huang QW, Meng YR, Li M, Xue Y, Xu YZ. Sex-lethal regulates back-splicing and generation of the sex-differentially expressed circular RNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:5228-5241. [PMID: 37070178 PMCID: PMC10250224 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad280] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Conversely to canonical splicing, back-splicing connects the upstream 3' splice site (SS) with a downstream 5'SS and generates exonic circular RNAs (circRNAs) that are widely identified and have regulatory functions in eukaryotic gene expression. However, sex-specific back-splicing in Drosophila has not been investigated and its regulation remains unclear. Here, we performed multiple RNA analyses of a variety sex-specific Drosophila samples and identified over ten thousand circular RNAs, in which hundreds are sex-differentially and -specifically back-spliced. Intriguingly, we found that expression of SXL, an RNA-binding protein encoded by Sex-lethal (Sxl), the master Drosophila sex-determination gene that is only spliced into functional proteins in females, promoted back-splicing of many female-differential circRNAs in the male S2 cells, whereas expression of a SXL mutant (SXLRRM) did not promote those events. Using a monoclonal antibody, we further obtained the transcriptome-wide RNA-binding sites of SXL through PAR-CLIP. After splicing assay of mini-genes with mutations in the SXL-binding sites, we revealed that SXL-binding on flanking exons and introns of pre-mRNAs facilitates back-splicing, whereas SXL-binding on the circRNA exons inhibits back-splicing. This study provides strong evidence that SXL has a regulatory role in back-splicing to generate sex-specific and -differential circRNAs, as well as in the initiation of sex-determination cascade through canonical forward-splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jie Fan
- The RNA Institute, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei430072, China
| | - Zhan Ding
- The RNA Institute, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei430072, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- The RNA Institute, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei430072, China
| | - Ruibao Su
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jia-Le Yue
- The RNA Institute, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei430072, China
| | - An-Min Liang
- The RNA Institute, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei430072, China
| | - Qi-Wei Huang
- The RNA Institute, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei430072, China
| | - Yan-Ran Meng
- The RNA Institute, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei430072, China
| | - Muwang Li
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Jiangsu 212018, China
| | - Yuanchao Xue
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yong-Zhen Xu
- The RNA Institute, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Hubei430072, China
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Abbas MN, Kausar S, Gul I, Li J, Yu H, Dong M, Cui H. The Potential Biological Roles of Circular RNAs in the Immune Systems of Insects to Pathogen Invasion. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14040895. [PMID: 37107653 PMCID: PMC10137924 DOI: 10.3390/genes14040895] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a newly discovered class of endogenously expressed non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). They are highly stable, covalently closed molecules that frequently exhibit tissue-specific expression in eukaryotes. A small number of circRNAs are abundant and have been remarkably conserved throughout evolution. Numerous circRNAs are known to play important biological roles by acting as microRNAs (miRNAs) or protein inhibitors ('sponges'), by regulating the function of proteins, or by being translated themselves. CircRNAs have distinct cellular functions due to structural and production differences from mRNAs. Recent advances highlight the importance of characterizing circRNAs and their targets in a variety of insect species in order to fully understand how they contribute to the immune responses of these insects. Here, we focus on the recent advances in our understanding of the biogenesis of circRNAs, regulation of their abundance, and biological roles, such as serving as templates for translation and in the regulation of signaling pathways. We also discuss the emerging roles of circRNAs in regulating immune responses to various microbial pathogens. Furthermore, we describe the functions of circRNAs encoded by microbial pathogens that play in their hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Saima Kausar
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Isma Gul
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Jisheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Mengyao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing 401329, China
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7
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Noncoding RNA Regulation of Hormonal and Metabolic Systems in the Fruit Fly Drosophila. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020152. [PMID: 36837772 PMCID: PMC9967906 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020152] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of RNAs is commonly recognised thanks to protein-coding RNAs, whereas non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) were conventionally regarded as 'junk'. In the last decade, ncRNAs' significance and roles are becoming noticeable in various biological activities, including those in hormonal and metabolic regulation. Among the ncRNAs: microRNA (miRNA) is a small RNA transcript with ~20 nucleotides in length; long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is an RNA transcript with >200 nucleotides; and circular RNA (circRNA) is derived from back-splicing of pre-mRNA. These ncRNAs can regulate gene expression levels at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels through various mechanisms in insects. A better understanding of these crucial regulators is essential to both basic and applied entomology. In this review, we intend to summarise and discuss the current understanding and knowledge of miRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA in the best-studied insect model, the fruit fly Drosophila.
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Lin S. The making of the Drosophila mushroom body. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1091248. [PMID: 36711013 PMCID: PMC9880076 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1091248] [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: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The mushroom body (MB) is a computational center in the Drosophila brain. The intricate neural circuits of the mushroom body enable it to store associative memories and process sensory and internal state information. The mushroom body is composed of diverse types of neurons that are precisely assembled during development. Tremendous efforts have been made to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms that build the mushroom body. However, we are still at the beginning of this challenging quest, with many key aspects of mushroom body assembly remaining unexplored. In this review, I provide an in-depth overview of our current understanding of mushroom body development and pertinent knowledge gaps.
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Liu W, Liang W, Xiong XP, Li JL, Zhou R. A circular RNA Edis-Relish-castor axis regulates neuronal development in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010433. [PMID: 36301831 PMCID: PMC9612563 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new group of noncoding/regulatory RNAs that are particularly abundant in the nervous system, however, their physiological functions are underexplored. Here we report that the brain-enriched circular RNA Edis (Ect4-derived immune suppressor) plays an essential role in neuronal development in Drosophila. We show that depletion of Edis in vivo causes defects in axonal projection patterns of mushroom body (MB) neurons in the brain, as well as impaired locomotor activity and shortened lifespan of adult flies. In addition, we find that the castor gene, which encodes a transcription factor involved in neurodevelopment, is upregulated in Edis knockdown neurons. Notably, castor overexpression phenocopies Edis knockdown, and reducing castor levels suppresses the neurodevelopmental phenotypes in Edis-depleted neurons. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis reveals that the transcription factor Relish, which plays a key role in regulating innate immunity signaling, occupies a pair of sites at the castor promoter, and that both sites are required for optimal castor gene activation by either immune challenge or Edis depletion. Lastly, Relish mutation and/or depletion can rescue both the castor gene hyperactivation phenotype and neuronal defects in Edis knockdown animals. We conclude that the circular RNA Edis acts through Relish and castor to regulate neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Weihong Liang
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Xiao-Peng Xiong
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jian-Liang Li
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rui Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Development, Aging and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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