Circular RNA CircSLC22A23 Promotes Gastric Cancer Progression by Activating HNRNPU Expression

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (CircRNAs) play essential roles in cancer occurrence as regulatory RNAs. However, circRNA-mediated regulation of gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of circSLC22A23 (hsa_circ_0075504) underlying GC occurrence.

METHODS

CircSLC22A23 levels were first quantified by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in GC cell lines, 80 paired GC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, and 27 pairs of plasma samples from preoperative and postoperative patients with GC. Then circSLC22A23 was knocked-down with short hairpin RNA to analyze its oncogenic effects on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells. Finally, circRNA-binding proteins and their downstream target genes were identified by RNA pulldown, mass spectrometry, RNA immunoprecipitation, quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot assays.

RESULTS

CircSLC22A23 was found to be highly expressed in GC cells, GC tissues, and plasma from GC patients. Knockdown of circSLC22A23 inhibited GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. RNA pulldown and RNA immunoprecipitation assays verified the interaction between circSLC22A23 and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU). Knockdown of circSLC22A23 decreased HNRNPU protein levels. Moreover, rescue assays showed that the tumor suppressive effect of circSLC22A23 knockdown was reversed by HNRNPU overexpression. Finally, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was found to be one of the downstream target genes of HNRNPU that was up regulated by circSLC22A23.

CONCLUSION

CircSLC22A23 regulated the transcription of EGFR through activation of HNRNPU in GC cells, suggesting that circSLC22A23 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of GC.

CircIRAK3 exerts negative feedback regulation on inflammation by binding to HNRNP U and destabilizing proinflammatory cytokine mRNA in osteoarthritis and chondrogenesis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent age-related and degenerative joint disease with limited treatment options. Previous studies have identified the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy. Nevertheless, chronic inflammation impedes MSCs therapeutic effect. There have been reports suggesting that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in OA and chondrogenesis. The combination of MSCs and circRNAs in therapies appears to be a promising option. In this study, we identified circIRAK3 as a significant regulator in cartilage degeneration and chondrogenesis through high-throughput sequencing analyses. We observed increased circIRAK3 in OA cartilage and during MSCs chondrogenesis. Knockdown of circIRAK3 resulted in excessive apoptosis, inhibited proliferation, and degradation of chondrocytes, along with the inhibition of MSCs chondrogenesis. Mechanistically, circIRAK3 bound to HNRNP U and competitively prevented its binding to IL-1β, TNFα, and IL6 mRNA, thereby promoting mRNA degradation. Notably, circIRAK3 expression in plasma increased with higher OARSI scores. Intra-articular injection of adeno-associated virus-circIRAK3 delayed cartilage degeneration and reduced inflammation in DMM mouse model. Our study highlights a compensatory regulation network of circIRAK3 in chondrocytes in response to inflammation. CircIRAK3 has the potential to serve as a new therapeutic target for OA. Furthermore, therapies targeting circIRAK3 combined with MSCs hold promise.

Deficiency of the Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein U locus leads to delayed hindbrain neurogenesis

Genetic variants affecting Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU) have been identified in several neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). HNRNPU is widely expressed in the human brain and shows the highest postnatal expression in the cerebellum. Recent studies have investigated the role of HNRNPU in cerebral cortical development, but the effects of HNRNPU deficiency on cerebellar development remain unknown. Here, we describe the molecular and cellular outcomes of HNRNPU locus deficiency during in vitro neural differentiation of patient-derived and isogenic neuroepithelial stem cells with a hindbrain profile. We demonstrate that HNRNPU deficiency leads to chromatin remodeling of A/B compartments, and transcriptional rewiring, partly by impacting exon inclusion during mRNA processing. Genomic regions affected by the chromatin restructuring and host genes of exon usage differences show a strong enrichment for genes implicated in epilepsies, intellectual disability, and autism. Lastly, we show that at the cellular level HNRNPU downregulation leads to an increased fraction of neural progenitors in the maturing neuronal population. We conclude that the HNRNPU locus is involved in delayed commitment of neural progenitors to differentiate in cell types with hindbrain profile.

HNRNPU's multi-tasking is essential for proper cortical development

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU) is a nuclear protein that plays a crucial role in various biological functions, such as RNA splicing and chromatin organization. HNRNPU/scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A) activities are essential for regulating gene expression, DNA replication, genome integrity, and mitotic fidelity. These functions are critical to ensure the robustness of developmental processes, particularly those involved in shaping the human brain. As a result, HNRNPU is associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders (HNRNPU-related neurodevelopmental disorder, HNRNPU-NDD) characterized by developmental delay and intellectual disability. Our research demonstrates that the loss of HNRNPU function results in the death of both neural progenitor cells and post-mitotic neurons, with a higher sensitivity observed in the former. We reported that HNRNPU truncation leads to the dysregulation of gene expression and alternative splicing of genes that converge on several signaling pathways, some of which are likely to be involved in the pathology of HNRNPU-related NDD.

Long Noncoding RNA lncRHL Regulates Hepatic VLDL Secretion by Modulating hnRNPU/BMAL1/MTTP Axis

Dysregulation of hepatic VLDL secretion contributes to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hyperlipidemia. Accumulating evidence has suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) had malfunctioning roles in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. However, the function of lncRNAs in controlling hepatic VLDL secretion remains largely unillustrated. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA, lncRNA regulator of hyperlipidemia (lncRHL), which was liver-enriched, downregulated on high-fat diet feeding, and inhibited by oleic acid treatment in primary hepatocytes. With genetic manipulation in mice and primary hepatocytes, depletion of lncRHL induces hepatic VLDL secretion accompanied by decreased hepatic lipid contents. Conversely, lncRHL restoration reduces VLDL secretion with increased lipid deposition in hepatocytes. Mechanistic analyses indicate that lncRHL binds directly to heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein U (hnRNPU), and thereby enhances its stability, and that hnRNPU can transcriptional activate Bmal1, leading to inhibition of VLDL secretion in hepatocytes. lncRHL deficiency accelerates the protein degradation of hnRNPU and suppresses the transcription of Bmal1, which in turn activates VLDL secretion in hepatocytes. With results taken together, we conclude that lncRHL is a novel suppressor of hepatic VLDL secretion. Activating the lncRHL/hnRNPU/BMAL1/MTTP axis represents a potential strategy for the maintenance of intrahepatic and plasma lipid homeostasis.

Modulation of pre-mRNA structure by hnRNP proteins regulates alternative splicing of MALT1

Alternative splicing plays key roles for cell type-specific regulation of protein function. It is controlled by cis-regulatory RNA elements that are recognized by RNA binding proteins (RBPs). The MALT1 paracaspase is a key factor of signaling pathways that mediate innate and adaptive immune responses. Alternative splicing of MALT1 is critical for controlling optimal T cell activation. We demonstrate that MALT1 splicing depends on RNA structural elements that sequester the splice sites of the alternatively spliced exon7. The RBPs hnRNP U and hnRNP L bind competitively to stem-loop RNA structures that involve the 5' and 3' splice sites flanking exon7. While hnRNP U stabilizes RNA stem-loop conformations that maintain exon7 skipping, hnRNP L disrupts these RNA elements to facilitate recruitment of the essential splicing factor U2AF2, thereby promoting exon7 inclusion. Our data represent a paradigm for the control of splice site selection by differential RBP binding and modulation of pre-mRNA structure.

HNF4A-AS1/hnRNPU/CTCF axis as a therapeutic target for aerobic glycolysis and neuroblastoma progression

BACKGROUND

Aerobic glycolysis is a hallmark of metabolic reprogramming that contributes to tumor progression. However, the mechanisms regulating expression of glycolytic genes in neuroblastoma (NB), the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood, still remain elusive.

METHODS

Crucial transcriptional regulators and their downstream glycolytic genes were identified by integrative analysis of a publicly available expression profiling dataset. In vitro and in vivo assays were undertaken to explore the biological effects and underlying mechanisms of transcriptional regulators in NB cells. Survival analysis was performed by using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test.

RESULTS

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) and its derived long noncoding RNA (HNF4A-AS1) promoted aerobic glycolysis and NB progression. Gain- and loss-of-function studies indicated that HNF4A and HNF4A-AS1 facilitated the glycolysis process, glucose uptake, lactate production, and ATP levels of NB cells. Mechanistically, transcription factor HNF4A increased the expression of hexokinase 2 (HK2) and solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1), while HNF4A-AS1 bound to heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNPU) to facilitate its interaction with CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), resulting in transactivation of CTCF and transcriptional alteration of HNF4A and other genes associated with tumor progression. Administration of a small peptide blocking HNF4A-AS1-hnRNPU interaction or lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA targeting HNF4A-AS1 significantly suppressed aerobic glycolysis, tumorigenesis, and aggressiveness of NB cells. In clinical NB cases, high expression of HNF4A-AS1, hnRNPU, CTCF, or HNF4A was associated with poor survival of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that therapeutic targeting of HNF4A-AS1/hnRNPU/CTCF axis inhibits aerobic glycolysis and NB progression.

XIST RNA: a window into the broader role of RNA in nuclear chromosome architecture

XIST RNA triggers the transformation of an active X chromosome into a condensed, inactive Barr body and therefore provides a unique window into transitions of higher-order chromosome architecture. Despite recent progress, how XIST RNA localizes and interacts with the X chromosome remains poorly understood. Genetic engineering of XIST into a trisomic autosome demonstrates remarkable capacity of XIST RNA to localize and comprehensively silence that autosome. Thus, XIST does not require X chromosome-specific sequences but operates on mechanisms available genome-wide. Prior results suggested XIST localization is controlled by attachment to the insoluble nuclear scaffold. Our recent work affirms that scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A) is involved in anchoring XIST, but argues against the view that SAF-A provides a unimolecular bridge between RNA and the chromosome. Rather, we suggest that a complex meshwork of architectural proteins interact with XIST RNA. Parallel work studying the territory of actively transcribed chromosomes suggests that repeat-rich RNA 'coats' euchromatin and may impact chromosome architecture in a manner opposite of XIST A model is discussed whereby RNA may not just recruit histone modifications, but more directly impact higher-order chromatin condensation via interaction with architectural proteins of the nucleus.This article is part of the themed issue 'X-chromosome inactivation: a tribute to Mary Lyon'.

Phosphorylation of SAF-A/hnRNP-U Serine 59 by Polo-Like Kinase 1 Is Required for Mitosis

Scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A), also called heterogenous nuclear ribonuclear protein U (hnRNP-U), is phosphorylated on serine 59 by the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) in response to DNA damage. Since SAF-A, DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), and protein phosphatase 6 (PP6), which interacts with DNA-PKcs, have all been shown to have roles in mitosis, we asked whether DNA-PKcs phosphorylates SAF-A in mitosis. We show that SAF-A is phosphorylated on serine 59 in mitosis, that phosphorylation requires polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) rather than DNA-PKcs, that SAF-A interacts with PLK1 in nocodazole-treated cells, and that serine 59 is dephosphorylated by protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in mitosis. Moreover, cells expressing SAF-A in which serine 59 is mutated to alanine have multiple characteristics of aberrant mitoses, including misaligned chromosomes, lagging chromosomes, polylobed nuclei, and delayed passage through mitosis. Our findings identify serine 59 of SAF-A as a new target of both PLK1 and PP2A in mitosis and reveal that both phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of SAF-A serine 59 by PLK1 and PP2A, respectively, are required for accurate and timely exit from mitosis.

The Xist lncRNA interacts directly with SHARP to silence transcription through HDAC3

Many long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) affect gene expression, but the mechanisms by which they act are still largely unknown. One of the best-studied lncRNAs is Xist, which is required for transcriptional silencing of one X chromosome during development in female mammals. Despite extensive efforts to define the mechanism of Xist-mediated transcriptional silencing, we still do not know any proteins required for this role. The main challenge is that there are currently no methods to comprehensively define the proteins that directly interact with a lncRNA in the cell. Here we develop a method to purify a lncRNA from cells and identify proteins interacting with it directly using quantitative mass spectrometry. We identify ten proteins that specifically associate with Xist, three of these proteins--SHARP, SAF-A and LBR--are required for Xist-mediated transcriptional silencing. We show that SHARP, which interacts with the SMRT co-repressor that activates HDAC3, is not only essential for silencing, but is also required for the exclusion of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) from the inactive X. Both SMRT and HDAC3 are also required for silencing and Pol II exclusion. In addition to silencing transcription, SHARP and HDAC3 are required for Xist-mediated recruitment of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) across the X chromosome. Our results suggest that Xist silences transcription by directly interacting with SHARP, recruiting SMRT, activating HDAC3, and deacetylating histones to exclude Pol II across the X chromosome.

DNA damage triggers SAF-A and RNA biogenesis factors exclusion from chromatin coupled to R-loops removal

We previously identified the heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein SAF-A/hnRNP U as a substrate for DNA-PK, a protein kinase involved in DNA damage response (DDR). Using laser micro-irradiation in human cells, we report here that SAF-A exhibits a two-phase dynamics at sites of DNA damage, with a rapid and transient recruitment followed by a prolonged exclusion. SAF-A recruitment corresponds to its binding to Poly(ADP-ribose) while its exclusion is dependent on the activity of ATM, ATR and DNA-PK and reflects the dissociation from chromatin of SAF-A associated with ongoing transcription. Having established that SAF-A RNA-binding domain recapitulates SAF-A dynamics, we show that this domain is part of a complex comprising several mRNA biogenesis proteins of which at least two, FUS/TLS and TAFII68/TAF15, exhibit similar biphasic dynamics at sites of damage. Using an original reporter for live imaging of DNA:RNA hybrids (R-loops), we show a transient transcription-dependent accumulation of R-loops at sites of DNA damage that is prolonged upon inhibition of RNA biogenesis factors exclusion. We propose that a new component of the DDR is an active anti-R-loop mechanism operating at damaged transcribed sites which includes the exclusion of mRNA biogenesis factors such as SAF-A, FUS and TAF15.

The role of nuclear matrix proteins binding to matrix attachment regions (Mars) in prostate cancer cell differentiation

In tumor progression definite alterations in nuclear matrix (NM) protein composition as well as in chromatin structure occur. The NM interacts with chromatin via specialized DNA sequences called matrix attachment regions (MARs). In the present study, using a proteomic approach along with a two-dimensional Southwestern assay and confocal laser microscopy, we show that the differentiation of stabilized human prostate carcinoma cells is marked out by modifications both NM protein composition and bond between NM proteins and MARs. Well-differentiated androgen-responsive and slowly growing LNCaP cells are characterized by a less complex pattern and by a major number of proteins binding MAR sequences in comparison to 22Rv1 cells expressing androgen receptor but androgen-independent. Finally, in the poorly differentiated and strongly aggressive androgen-independent PC3 cells the complexity of NM pattern further increases and a minor number of proteins bind the MARs. Furthermore, in this cell line with respect to LNCaP cells, these changes are synchronous with modifications in both the nuclear distribution of the MAR sequences and in the average loop dimensions that significantly increase. Although the expression of many NM proteins changes during dedifferentiation, only a very limited group of MAR-binding proteins seem to play a key role in this process. Variations in the expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and special AT-rich sequence-binding protein-1 (SATB1) along with an increase in the phosphorylation of lamin B represent changes that might trigger passage towards a more aggressive phenotype. These results suggest that elucidating the MAR-binding proteins that are involved in the differentiation of prostate cancer cells could be an important tool to improve our understanding of this carcinogenesis process, and they could also be novel targets for prostate cancer therapy.

Nuclear matrix factor hnRNP U/SAF-A exerts a global control of alternative splicing by regulating U2 snRNP maturation

The nuclear matrix-associated hnRNP U/SAF-A protein has been implicated in diverse pathways from transcriptional regulation to telomere length control to X inactivation, but the precise mechanism underlying each of these processes has remained elusive. Here, we report hnRNP U as a regulator of SMN2 splicing from a custom RNAi screen. Genome-wide analysis by CLIP-seq reveals that hnRNP U binds virtually to all classes of regulatory noncoding RNAs, including all snRNAs required for splicing of both major and minor classes of introns, leading to the discovery that hnRNP U regulates U2 snRNP maturation and Cajal body morphology in the nucleus. Global analysis of hnRNP U-dependent splicing by RNA-seq coupled with bioinformatic analysis of associated splicing signals suggests a general rule for splice site selection through modulating the core splicing machinery. These findings exemplify hnRNP U/SAF-A as a potent regulator of nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles in diverse gene expression pathways.

SAF-A forms a complex with BRG1 and both components are required for RNA polymerase II mediated transcription

Background

Scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A) participates in the regulation of gene expression by organizing chromatin into transcriptionally active domains and by interacting directly with RNA polymerase II.

Methodology

Here we use co-localization, co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) to identify Brahma Related Gene 1 (BRG1), the ATP-driven motor of the human SWI-SNF chromatin remodeling complex, as another SAF-A interaction partner in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. We also employ RNA interference to investigate functional aspects of the SAF-A/BRG1 interaction.

Principal Findings

We find that endogenous SAF-A protein interacts with endogenous BRG1 protein in mES cells, and that the interaction does not solely depend on the presence of mRNA. Moreover the interaction remains intact when cells are induced to differentiate. Functional analyses reveal that dual depletion of SAF-A and BRG1 abolishes global transcription by RNA polymerase II, while the nucleolar RNA polymerase I transcription machinery remains unaffected.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that SAF-A interacts with BRG1 and that both components are required for RNA Polymerase II Mediated Transcription.

The nuclear scaffold protein SAF-A is required for kinetochore-microtubule attachment and contributes to the targeting of Aurora-A to mitotic spindles

Segregation of chromosomes during cell division requires correct formation of mitotic spindles. Here, we show that a scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A), also known as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-U, contributes to the attachment of spindle microtubules (MTs) to kinetochores and spindle organization. During mitosis, SAF-A was localized at the spindles, spindle midzone and cytoplasmic bridge. Depletion of SAF-A by RNA interference induced mitotic delay and defects in chromosome alignment and spindle assembly. We found that SAF-A specifically co-immunoprecipitated with the chromosome peripheral protein nucleolin and the spindle regulators Aurora-A and TPX2, indicating that SAF-A is associated with nucleolin and the Aurora-A-TPX2 complex. SAF-A was colocalized with TPX2 and Aurora-A in spindle poles and MTs. Elimination of TPX2 or Aurora-A from cells abolished the association of SAF-A with the mitotic spindle. Interestingly, SAF-A can bind to MTs and contributes to the targeting of Aurora-A to mitotic spindle MTs. Our finding indicates that SAF-A is a novel spindle regulator that plays an essential role in kinetochore-MT attachment and mitotic spindle organization.

hnRNP-U enhances the expression of specific genes by stabilizing mRNA

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are thought to be involved in pre-mRNA processing. hnRNP-U, also termed scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A), binds to pre-mRNA and nuclear matrix/scaffold attachment region DNA elements. However, its role in the regulation of gene expression is as yet poorly understood. In the present study, we show that hnRNP-U specifically enhances the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA by increasing its stability, possibly through binding to the 3' untranslated region. We also show that hnRNP-U enhances the expression of several other genes as well, including GADD45A, HEXIM1, HOXA2, IER3, NHLH2, and ZFY, by binding to and stabilizing these mRNAs. These results suggest that hnRNP-U enhances the expression of specific genes by regulating mRNA stability.

Myeloid Leukemia Factor 1 Associates with a Novel Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein U-like Molecule

Myeloid leukemia factor 1 (MLF1) is an oncoprotein associated with hemopoietic lineage commitment and acute myeloid leukemia. Here we show that Mlf1 associated with a novel binding partner, Mlf1-associated nuclear protein (Manp), a new heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family member, related to hnRNP-U. Manp localized exclusively in the nucleus and could redirect Mlf1 from the cytoplasm into the nucleus. The nuclear content of Mlf1 was also regulated by 14-3-3 binding to a canonical 14-3-3 binding motif within the N terminus of Mlf1. Significantly Mlf1 contains a functional nuclear export signal and localized primarily to the nuclei of hemopoietic cells. Mlf1 was capable of binding DNA, and microarray analysis revealed that it affected the expression of several genes, including transcription factors. In summary, this study reveals that Mlf1 translocates between nucleus and cytoplasm, associates with a novel hnRNP, and influences gene expression.

hnRNP-U directly interacts with WT1 and modulates WT1 transcriptional activation

The Wilms' tumour suppressor gene, WT1, encodes a zinc-finger protein that is mutated in Wilms' tumours and highly expressed in a wide variety of other malignancies. WT1 is a transcription factor that is likely to have additional, post-transcriptional, regulatory roles, although the molecular mechanisms by which WT1 acts remain poorly understood. We have combined genetic and biochemical approaches to show, that endogenous WT1 binds to heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein U (hnRNP-U), that this interaction does not require any other proteins or nucleic acids, involves the zinc-fingers of WT1 and the middle domain of hnRNP-U, and that hnRNP-U can modulate WT1 transcriptional activation of a bona fide WT1 target gene. These findings increase our knowledge of how WT1 exerts its transcriptional regulatory role and suggests that hnRNP-U may be a candidate Wilms' tumour gene at 1q44.

Inhibition of HIV-1 Gene Expression by a Fragment of hnRNP U

Cellular proteins are now appreciated as critically involved in all steps of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) life cycle, and disrupting host functions essential for virus replication may provide novel antiviral approaches. Selection from a human complementary DNA (cDNA) library for clones able to induce resistance to infection by recombinant HIV-1 genomes resulted in the identification of a gene fragment that potently restricts HIV-1 activity. The active cDNA encodes an N-terminal fragment of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein U (hnRNP U). The gene fragment specifically targets the 3' long terminal repeat (3'LTR) in the viral mRNA and blocks the cytoplasmic accumulation of HIV-1 mRNAs. The results suggest that HIV-1 requires machinery for the nuclear export of viral mRNAs that can be specifically blocked by an interfering gene.

Cloning and characterization of cDNAs expressed during chick development and encoding different isoforms of a putative zinc finger transcriptional regulator

Development proceeds through successive activation of different sets of genes by specific transcription factors as a consequence of cell interactions and signaling. It is thus of primary interest to identify new putative transcriptional regulators. We report here the isolation of chicken clones bearing sequences coding for a chicken zinc finger protein (chZFp) which contains four pairs of zinc fingers of mixed type C2-H-C/C2-H2. At least five chZFp isoforms are produced through differential splicing of four small exons. The amino acid domains encoded by these four exons are highly conserved across species. Northern blot analysis and RNase-protection assays showed that chZFp transcripts are present in brain, heart, skin and liver during chick development. Reverse transcription mediated polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) experiments suggested that the relative amount of some chZFp isoforms increases at critical stages of development and skin morphogenesis. Finally, the main chZFp isoforms are able to directly interact in vitro with the scaffold attachment factor-A (SAF-A, also known as heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U) through both their aminoterminal and carboxyterminal domains.

Transcriptional Regulatory Functions of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein-U and -A/B in Endotoxin-Mediated Macrophage Expression of Osteopontin

Osteopontin (OPN) is a highly hydrophilic and negatively charged sialoprotein of approximately 298 amino acids with diverse regulatory functions, including cell adhesion and migration, tumor growth and metastasis, atherosclerosis, aortic valve calcification, and repair of myocardial injury. OPN is unique as an endogenous negative feedback inhibitor of NO expression. However, the specific cis- and trans-regulatory elements that determine the extent of endotoxin (LPS)- and NO-mediated induction of OPN synthesis are unknown. We have previously shown that LPS-induced S-nitrosylation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)-A/B inhibits its activity as a constitutive trans-repressor of the OPN transcription by significantly decreasing its DNA binding activity. hnRNPs were originally described as chromatin-associated RNA-binding proteins that form complexes with RNA polymerase II transcripts. The hnRNP family is comprised of >20 proteins that contribute to the complex around nascent pre-mRNA and are thus able to modulate RNA processing. In this subsequent study, again using RAW 264.7 murine macrophages and COS-1 cells, we demonstrate that hnRNP-A/B and hnRNP-U proteins serve antagonistic transcriptional regulatory functions for OPN expression in the setting of LPS-stimulated NO synthesis. In the presence of NO, hnRNP-A/B dissociates from its OPN promoter site with subsequent derepression of OPN promoter activity. Subsequently, hnRNP-U binds to the same site to further augment OPN promoter activation. This has not been previously described for the hnRNP proteins. Our results represent a unique transcriptional regulatory mechanism which involves interplay between members of the hnRNP protein family.

Actin and hnRNP U cooperate for productive transcription by RNA polymerase II

To determine the role of actin-ribonucleoprotein complexes in transcription, we set out to identify novel actin-binding proteins associated with RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Using affinity chromatography on fractionated HeLa cells, we found that hnRNP U binds actin through a short amino acid sequence in its C-terminal domain. Post-transcriptional gene silencing of hnRNP U and nuclear microinjections of a short peptide encompassing the hnRNP U actin-binding sequence inhibited BrUTP incorporation in vivo. In living cells, we found that both actin and hnRNP U are associated with the phosphorylated C-terminal domain of Pol II, and antibodies to actin and hnRNP U blocked Pol II-mediated transcription. Taken together, our results indicate that a general actin-based mechanism is implicated in the transcription of most Pol II genes. Actin in complex with hnRNP U may carry out its regulatory role during the initial phases of transcription activation.

Arginine methylation of scaffold attachment factor A by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle-associated PRMT1

Components of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) complex and other nucleic acid-binding proteins are subject to methylation on specific arginine residues by the catalytic activity of arginine methyltransferases. The methylation has been implicated in transcriptional regulation and RNA and protein trafficking and signal transduction, but the mechanism by which these functions are achieved has remained undetermined. We show here that the predominant arginine methyltransferase in human cells, protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), is associated with hnRNP complexes, dependent on the methylation status of the cell, and that it methylates its preferred substrates in situ. Binding of PRMT1 occurs through physical interaction with scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A), also known as hnRNP-U, which is quantitatively methylated by PRMT1 in all investigated cell lines as determined by a novel, highly specific, methylation-sensitive antibody.

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein U associates with YAP and regulates its co-activation of Bax transcription

Although initially described as a cytosolic scaffolding protein, YAP (Yes-associated protein of 65 kDa) is known to associate with multiple transcription factors in the nucleus. Using affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry, we show that YAP interacts with heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein U (hnRNP U), an RNA- and DNA-binding protein enriched in the nuclear matrix that also plays a role in the regulation of gene expression. hnRNP U interacts specifically with the proline-rich amino terminus of YAP, a region of YAP that is not found in the related protein TAZ. Although hnRNP U and YAP localize to both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, YAP does not translocate to the nucleus in an hnRNP U-dependent manner. Furthermore, hnRNP U and YAP only interact in the nucleus, suggesting that the association between the two proteins is regulated. Co-expression of hnRNP U attenuates the ability of YAP to increase the activity of a p73-driven Bax-luciferase reporter plasmid. In contrast, hnRNP U has no effect when co-expressed with a truncated YAP protein lacking the hnRNP U-binding site. Because YAP is distinguished from the homologue TAZ by its proline-rich amino terminus, the YAP-hnRNP U interaction may uniquely regulate the nuclear function(s) of YAP. The YAP-hnRNP U interaction provides another mechanism of YAP transcriptional regulation.

Scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A) is concentrated in inactive X chromosome territories through its RGG domain

Female mammalian cells inactivate transcription from one of their X chromosomes to equalize gene expression of X-linked genes between males and females. Inactivation is a multistep process that involves a large non-coding RNA termed XIST, a variety of epigenetic modifications of chromatin, and alterations in protein composition such as enrichment of the histone variant macroH2A. We show here that inactive X chromosomes are also enriched in a well-characterized protein component of the nuclear scaffold, SAF-A. This protein has been implicated in chromatin organization, owing to its high specificity for scaffold-associated region (SAR)-DNA, in transcriptional regulation, e.g. of hormone-regulated genes, owing to its functional interaction with steroid receptors, and in RNA processing, owing to its interaction with RNA and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) particles. After near complete removal of DNA and associated chromatin proteins such as macroH2A, SAF-A remains with the "nuclear matrix", still highlighting the former position of inactive X chromosomes. Interestingly, the enrichment of SAF-A in the inactive X chromosome depends on the RNA binding domain of the protein, the RGG box, raising the possibility that interaction of SAF-A with XIST RNA may contribute to the silencing of X-linked genes by local changes in nuclear architecture.

The proximal region of the 3'-untranslated region of cyclooxygenase-2 is recognized by a multimeric protein complex containing HuR, TIA-1, TIAR, and the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an early response gene induced in renal mesangial cells by interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). The 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of COX-2 mRNA plays an important role in IL-1beta induction by regulating message stability and translational efficiency. The first 60 nucleotides of the 3'-UTR of COX-2 are highly conserved and contain multiple copies of the regulatory sequence AUUUA. Introduction of the 60-nucleotide sequence into the 3'-UTR of a heterologous reporter gene resulted in a 70% decrease in reporter gene expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) demonstrated that mesangial cell nuclear fractions contain a multimeric protein complex that bound this region of COX-2 mRNA in a sequence-specific manner. We identified four members of the protein-RNA complex as HuR, TIA-1, TIAR, and the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNP U). Treatment of mesangial cells with IL-1beta caused an increase in cytosolic HuR, which was accompanied by an increase in COX-2 mRNA that co-immunoprecipitated with cytosolic HuR. Therefore, we propose that HuR binds to the proximal region of the 3'-UTR of COX-2 following stimulation by IL-1beta and increases the expression of COX-2 mRNA by facilitating its transport out of the nucleus.

Circadian expression of hnRNP U, a nuclear multi-potent regulatory protein, in the murine suprachiasmatic nucleus

Heterogeneous ribonuclear protein U (hnRNP U/SAF-A) is a nuclear multi-potent regulatory protein. We investigated whether hnRNP U protein and transcript levels undergo circadian changes by immunoblot and quantitative RT-PCR analyses. In the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), hnRNP U immunoreactivity (ir) changed in a robust circadian pattern as it showed a peak at late nighttime in both light/dark and constant dark conditions. hnRNP U transcript levels in the SCN changed in a similar circadian pattern. In the hippocampus, hnRNP transcript levels also showed a peak at late nighttime but hnRNP U-ir showed an opposite pattern as it peaked at late daytime. These findings suggest that hnRNP U participates in nuclear regulatory events that are involved in mammalian central and peripheral circadian clocks.

Evidence for tissue- and cell-type selective activation of the vitamin D receptor by Ro-26-9228, a noncalcemic analog of vitamin D3

Our recent studies have shown that the vitamin D analog Ro-26-9228 restores bone mineral density without inducing hypercalcemia in osteopenic rats. Our ex vivo experiments demonstrated that the analog upregulated gene expression in trabecular bone but not in the duodenum of female rats. We examined the mechanism for the tissue selectivity of Ro-26-9228 in Caco-2, a human cell line of intestinal origin, and hFOB, and a human fetal osteoblast cell line. We found that the abilities of Ro-26-9228 and the natural hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25D(3)) to induce VDRE-reporter gene expression in transiently transfected human osteoblasts are similar. In contrast, in Caco-2 cells, Ro-26-9228 induces 40-fold less reporter gene expression than 1,25D(3) does. We also examined the abilities of the vitamin D receptor (VDR)-ligand complexes from these two cell lines to interact with partners of transcription (glucocorticoid receptor-interacting protein, VDR-interacting protein, and retinoid X receptor), in pull-down assays. These assays revealed that 1,25D(3) induces similar levels of interaction of these co-factors with VDR from both osteoblasts and intestinal cells. In contrast, Ro-26-9228 induces significant interaction of VDR from osteoblast cells with these co-factors, but less of VDR from Caco-2 cells. These results suggest that the cellular environment of intestinal cells, unlike that of osteoblasts, represses the ability of VDR-Ro-26-9228 complexes to interact with transcription partners.