Abstract 17273: Long Non-Coding RNA Ppp1r1b Regulates Myogenic Differentiation Through Modulating Histone 3 Methylation

Abstract

Introduction: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), emerged as critical epigenetic regulators of transcriptome, play important roles in cardiac development and might be targeted to treat human cardiomyocyte dysfunction. In our work, we identified a novel lncRNA that regulates myogenesis. Hypothesis: LncRNA Ppp1r1b regulates myogenesis by modulating Histone 3 methylation Methods: After treated with antisense oligonucleotides (GapmeR) or siRNA against Ppp1r1b-LncRNA, real time PCR and Western blot analyses were performed to examine the expression of myogenic and sarcomere genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) was used to comparatively analyze gene specific histone modification level. RNA pull-down was employed to identify the protein molecules that interact with Ppp1r1b-LncRNA. Results: By silencing Ppp1r1b-LncRNA with GapmeR, C2C12, a skeletal myoblast cell line, did not develop fully differentiated myotubes, but tend to remain in a quiescent mono-nucleated status. In vivo analysis of GapmeR injected neonatal mouse heart and in vitro siRNA silenced human skeletal myoblasts further confirmed the important role of Ppp1r1b-LncRNA on myogenesis. Members of the MyoD family of muscle-specific transcription factors (MyoD and myogenin) failed to be up-regulated during myogenic differentiation when treated with Ppp1r1b-LncRNA specific GapmeR or siRNA. Key proteins essential for establishing and maintaining normal skeletal muscle architecture, including Tcap and Dystropnin, are also suppressed in Ppp1r1b LncRNA- deficient heart. Analysis of histone modification levels at Myogenin, MyoD1 and Tcap in C2C12 cells revealed more histone tri-methylation at these myogenic and sarcomere structural genes compared to untreated cells. Additional lncRNA- protein complex isolation has further revealed insight into the biological roles of Ppp1r1b-LncRNA. Conclusions: Our results support the role of Ppp1r1b-LncRNA in promoting myogenic differentiation. Ppp1r1b-lncRNA function is mediated by inhibiting histone methylation on promoters of multiple myogenic and sarcomere genes. In particular, the identification of EZH2 in pulled Pp1r1b LncRNA: protein complex implies that Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is involved in Ppp1r1b-LncRNA modulated myoblast differentiation.