Post-transcriptional Activity Research Articles

Mitochondrial Physiology and Gene Expression Analyses Reveal Metabolic and Translational Dysregulation in Oocyte-Induced Somatic Nuclear Reprogramming

While reprogramming a foreign nucleus after somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), the enucleated oocyte (ooplasm) must signal that biomass and cellular requirements changed compared to the nucleus donor cell. Using cells expressing nuclear-encoded but mitochondria-targeted EGFP, a strategy was developed to directly distinguish maternal and embryonic products, testing ooplasm demands on transcriptional and post-transcriptional activity during reprogramming. Specifically, we compared transcript and protein levels for EGFP and other products in pre-implantation SCNT embryos, side-by-side to fertilized controls (embryos produced from the same oocyte pool, by intracytoplasmic injection of sperm containing the EGFP transgene). We observed that while EGFP transcript abundance is not different, protein levels are significantly lower in SCNT compared to fertilized blastocysts. This was not observed for Gapdh and Actb, whose protein reflected mRNA. This transcript-protein relationship indicates that the somatic nucleus can keep up with ooplasm transcript demands, whilst transcription and translation mismatch occurs after SCNT for certain mRNAs. We further detected metabolic disturbances after SCNT, suggesting a place among forces regulating post-transcriptional changes during reprogramming. Our observations ascribe oocyte-induced reprogramming with previously unsuspected regulatory dimensions, in that presence of functional proteins may no longer be inferred from mRNA, but rather depend on post-transcriptional regulation possibly modulated through metabolism.

MicroRNAs in the Pathogenesis of Cancer

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small (19-25 nucleotides) non-protein-coding RNAs involved in development, differentiation, and aging; they act by inducing messenger RNA (mRNA) silencing through degradation, and post-transcriptional or decoy activity. miR profiles of human solid and hematologic malignancies have highlighted their potential value as tumor markers in cancer patient management. Different experimental lines of evidence have confirmed that deregulation of miRs not only results as consequence of cancer progression but also directly promotes tumor initiation and progression in a cause-effect manner. These findings reveal a potential and appealing role for miRs as cancer therapeutic targets. This review focuses on the causes and consequences of miR deregulation in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. The work aims at providing the molecular bases for the understanding of the potential role of miRs in the translational and clinical setting.

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of Sprouty1, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor in prostate cancer

Sprouty1 (Spry1) is a negative regulator of fibroblast growth factor signaling with a potential tumor suppressor function in prostate cancer (PCa). Spry1 is downregulated in human PCa, and Spry1 expression can markedly inhibit PCa proliferation in vitro. We have reported DNA methylation as a mechanism for controlling Spry1 expression. However, promoter methylation does not seem to explain gene silencing in all PCa cases studied to suggest other mechanisms of gene inactivation, such as alterations in trans-acting factors and/or post-transcriptional activity may be responsible for the decreased expression in those cases. Binding sites for Wilm's tumor (WT1) transcription factors EGR1, EGR3 and WTE are highly conserved between the mouse and human Spry1 promoter regions, suggesting an evolutionary conserved mechanism(s) involving WT1 and EGR in Spry1 regulation. Spry1 mRNA contains multiple microRNA (miRNA) binding sites in its 3'UTR region suggesting post-transcriptional control. We demonstrate that Spry1 is a target for miR-21-mediated gene silencing. miRNA-based therapeutic approaches to treat cancer are emerging. Spry1 is highly regulated by miRNAs and could potentially be an excellent candidate for such approaches.

Aurora-A phosphorylates hnRNPK and disrupts its interaction with p53

Amplification of Aurora-A, encoding a cell cycle-regulating kinase, has been reported in human cancers. Although Aurora-A is known to directly phosphorylate and down-regulate p53, the detailed mechanism remains unclear. Here we show that Aurora-A phosphorylates hnRNPK, a transcriptional coactivator of p53, on serine 379. This phosphorylation does not affect the post-transcriptional activity or cellular localization of hnRNPK, but disrupts its interaction with p53. Inverse correlation between Aurora-A activity and hnRNPK-p53 interaction was further demonstrated in DNA-damaged cells. Our results provide an alternative mechanism, whereby via phosphorylating hnRNPK Aurora-A participates in regulating p53 activity during DNA damage. Structured summary of protein interactions Aurora-A physically interacts with hnRNPK by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction) p53 physically interacts with hnRNPK by pull down (View interaction) p53 physically interacts with hnRNPK by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction) hnRNPK physically interacts with p53 by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction) Aurora-A phosphorylates hnRNPK by protein kinase assay (View interaction) hnRNPK physically interacts with Aurora-A by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)

Abstract 153: Reduction of microRNAs miR-15a and miR-16-1 in odontogenic keratocyst

Abstract Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a benign destructive recurrent odontogenic cystic neoplasm. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) miR-15a and miR-16-1 are small non-protein coding RNAs that function as negative regulators of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2 at the post-transcriptional level. Increased immunoexpression of BCL-2 protein is reported in OKC. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether miR-15a and miR-16-1 transcription is altered in OKC and if it is associated with BCL-2 expression in such lesions. Compared to dental follicles, we found higher BCL-2 mRNA expression and immunoreactivity in OKC. Our findings also showed that miR-15a and/or miR-16-1 are downregulated in the majority of OKC samples (24/28). Furthermore, in all five OKC paired samples (primary and marsupialized lesions) investigated there was an increase in the expression of miR-15a after marsupialization. Our results suggest that OKC neoplastic cells present an anti-apoptotic profile to which lower miR-16-15a expression might contribute. Additionally, our findings strongly suggest that marsupialization reduces BCL-2 expression in the OKC and this downregulation may result from microRNA post-transcriptional activity, even though this cause-effect relationship remains to be proved. This study was supported by FAPEMIG and CAPES, Brazil. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 153. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-153

The Trypanosoma cruzi Sylvio X10 strain maxicircle sequence: the third musketeer

BackgroundChagas disease has a diverse pathology caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, and is indigenous to Central and South America. A pronounced feature of the trypanosomes is the kinetoplast, which is comprised of catenated maxicircles and minicircles that provide the transcripts involved in uridine insertion/deletion RNA editing. T. cruzi exchange genetic material through a hybridization event. Extant strains are grouped into six discrete typing units by nuclear markers, and three clades, A, B, and C, based on maxicircle gene analysis. Clades A and B are the more closely related. Representative clade B and C maxicircles are known in their entirety, and portions of A, B, and C clades from multiple strains show intra-strain heterogeneity with the potential for maxicircle taxonomic markers that may correlate with clinical presentation.ResultsTo perform a genome-wide analysis of the three maxicircle clades, the coding region of clade A representative strain Sylvio X10 (a.k.a. Silvio X10) was sequenced by PCR amplification of specific fragments followed by assembly and comparison with the known CL Brener and Esmeraldo maxicircle sequences. The clade A rRNA and protein coding region maintained synteny with clades B and C. Amino acid analysis of non-edited and 5'-edited genes for Sylvio X10 showed the anticipated gene sequences, with notable frameshifts in the non-edited regions of Cyb and ND4. Comparisons of genes that undergo extensive uridine insertion and deletion display a high number of insertion/deletion mutations that are likely permissible due to the post-transcriptional activity of RNA editing.ConclusionPhylogenetic analysis of the entire maxicircle coding region supports the closer evolutionary relationship of clade B to A, consistent with uniparental mitochondrial inheritance from a discrete typing unit TcI parental strain and studies on smaller fragments of the mitochondrial genome. Gene variance that can be corrected by RNA editing hints at an unusual depth for maxicircle taxonomic markers, which will aid in the ability to distinguish strains, their corresponding symptoms, and further our understanding of the T. cruzi population structure. The prevalence of apparently compromised coding regions outside of normally edited regions hints at undescribed but active mechanisms of genetic exchange.

Post-transcriptional gene silencing suppressor activity of two non-pathogenic alphasatellites associated with a begomovirus

Alphasatellites and betasatellites are begomovirus-associated single-stranded circular DNA molecules. Two distinct alphasatellites, Gossypium darwinii symptomless alphasatellite and Gossypium mustelinium symptomless alphasatellite, were previously isolated from Gossypium davidsonii and G.mustelinium. Here we show that the replication-associated proteins (Rep: a rolling-circle replication initiator protein) encoded by these alphasatellites interact with the Rep and C4 proteins encoded by their helper begomovirus, Cotton leaf curl Rajasthan virus (CLCuRaV), in a yeast two-hybrid assay. Both the alphasatellite-encoded Reps were found to have strong gene silencing suppressor activity, in contrast to the betasatellite-encoded βC1 and CLCuRaV-encoded C2, C4 and V2 proteins. The presence of alphasatellites maintained suppression of gene silencing in the youngest, actively growing tissue of CLCuRaV-betasatellite-infected plants. This is the first demonstration of a rolling-circle replication initiator protein with suppressor of gene silencing activity and provides a possible explanation for the selective advantage provided by the association of alphasatellites with begomovirus–betasatellite complexes.

The RNA-binding Motif Protein 15B (RBM15B/OTT3) Acts as Cofactor of the Nuclear Export Receptor NXF1

The human SPEN family proteins SHARP, RBM15/OTT1, and RBM15B/OTT3 share the structural domain architecture but show distinct functional properties. Here, we examined the function of OTT3 and compared it with its paralogues RBM15 and SHARP. We found that OTT3, like RBM15, has post-transcriptional regulatory activity, whereas SHARP does not, supporting a divergent role of RBM15 and OTT3. OTT3 shares with RBM15 the association with the splicing factor compartment and the nuclear envelope as well as the binding to mRNA export factors NXF1 and Aly/REF. Mutational analysis revealed direct interaction of OTT3 and RBM15 with NXF1 via their C-terminal regions. Biochemical and subcellular localization studies showed that OTT3 and RBM15 also interact with each other in vivo, further supporting a shared function. Genetic knockdown of RBM15 in mouse is embryonically lethal, indicating that OTT3 cannot compensate for the RBM15 loss, which supports the notion that these proteins, in addition to sharing similar activities, likely have distinct biological roles.

Two small ncRNAs jointly govern virulence and transmission in Legionella pneumophila

To transit from intra- to extracellular environments, Legionella pneumophila differentiates from a replicative/non-virulent to a transmissive/virulent form using the two-component system LetA/LetS and the global repressor protein CsrA. While investigating how both regulators act co-ordinately we characterized two ncRNAs, RsmY and RsmZ, that link the LetA/LetS and CsrA regulatory networks. We demonstrate that LetA directly regulates their expression and show that RsmY and RsmZ are functional in Escherichia coli and are able to bind CsrA in vitro. Single mutants have no (ΔrsmY) or a little (ΔrsmZ) impact on virulence, but the ΔrsmYZ strain shows a drastic defect in intracellular growth in Acanthamoeba castellanii and THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages. Analysis of the transcriptional programmes of the ΔletA, ΔletS and ΔrsmYZ strains revealed that the switch to the transmissive phase is partially blocked. One major difference between the ΔletA, ΔletS and ΔrsmYZ strains was that the latter synthesizes flagella. Taken together, LetA activates transcription of RsmY and RsmZ, which sequester CsrA and abolish its post-transcriptional repressive activity. However, the RsmYZ-CsrA pathway appears not to be the main or only regulatory circuit governing flagella synthesis. We suggest that rather RpoS and LetA, by influencing LetE and probably cyclic-di-GMP levels, regulate motility in L. pneumophila.

ICP0 Inhibits the Decrease of HSV Amplicon-mediated Transgene Expression

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon vector produces an initial host response that limits transgene expression. In this study, we hypothesized that restoration of the HSV gene infected cell protein (ICP0) into the amplicon could circumvent this host response and thus overcome silencing of encoded transgenes. To test this, we constructed an amplicon vector that encodes the ICP0 under control of its native promoter (ICP0+ amplicon). Expression of ICP0 was transient and, at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1, did not significantly alter interferon (IFN)-based responses against the vector or cell kinetics/apoptosis of infected cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) PCR analysis revealed that conventional amplicon DNA became associated with histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) immediately after infection, whereas ICP0+ amplicon DNA remained relatively unbound by HDAC1 for at least 72 hours after infection. Mice administered systemic ICP0+ amplicon exhibited significantly greater and more sustained transgene expression in their livers than did those receiving conventional amplicon, likely due to increased transcriptional or post-transcriptional activity rather than increased copy numbers of vector DNA. These findings indicate that restoration of ICP0 expression may be employed within HSV amplicon constructs to decrease transgene silencing in vitro and in vivo.

Modeling post-transcriptional regulation activity of small non-coding RNAs in Escherichia coli

BackgroundTranscriptional regulation is a fundamental process in biological systems, where transcription factors (TFs) have been revealed to play crucial roles. In recent years, in addition to TFs, an increasing number of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been shown to mediate post-transcriptional processes and regulate many critical pathways in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. On the other hand, with more and more high-throughput biological data becoming available, it is possible and imperative to quantitatively study gene regulation in a systematic and detailed manner.ResultsMost existing studies for inferring transcriptional regulatory interactions and the activity of TFs ignore the possible post-transcriptional effects of ncRNAs. In this work, we propose a novel framework to infer the activity of regulators including both TFs and ncRNAs by exploring the expression profiles of target genes and (post)transcriptional regulatory relationships. We model the integrated regulatory system by a set of biochemical reactions which lead to a log-bilinear problem. The inference process is achieved by an iterative algorithm, in which two linear programming models are efficiently solved. In contrast to available related studies, the effects of ncRNAs on transcription process are considered in this work, and thus more reasonable and accurate reconstruction can be expected. In addition, the approach is suitable for large-scale problems from the viewpoint of computation. Experiments on two synthesized data sets and a model system of Escherichia coli (E. coli) carbon source transition from glucose to acetate illustrate the effectiveness of our model and algorithm.ConclusionOur results show that incorporating the post-transcriptional regulation of ncRNAs into system model can mine the hidden effects from the regulation activity of TFs in transcription processes and thus can uncover the biological mechanisms in gene regulation in a more accurate manner. The software for the algorithm in this paper is available upon request.

A Phase I Study of Vorinostat in Combination with Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy after non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and despite recent advances in therapy, including the introduction of thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide, remains incurable. Vorinostat is an inhibitor of Class I and II histone deacetylases, which play key roles in the regulation of both transcriptional and post-transcriptional activity in a variety of tumor types, including MM. This histone deacetylase inhibitor has demonstrated anti-proliferative activity as monotherapy and synergistically with other agents in a variety of tumor types, including MM, where it was well tolerated in Phase I trials. Lenalidomide is a potent structural analog of thalidomide and demonstrates clinical efficacy in the treatment of MM as a single agent and to a larger degree, in combination with dexamethasone. Preclinical data suggest that the addition of vorinostat to lenalidomide and dexamethasone has at least additive, and possibly synergistic, therapeutic potential, with the anti-tumor mechanisms of vorinostat and dexamethasone being distinct from the immunomodulatory effects of lenalidomide. This Phase I, multicenter, open-label, non-randomized study assessed the safety and tolerability of vorinostat in combination with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory MM.Methods: The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary and exploratory objectives included: assessment of safety and tolerability; determination of clinical activity of the combination, and evaluation of in vivo molecular and biologic effects of the combination in patients with MM through analysis of gene expression. Patients aged ≥18 years with an established diagnosis of relapsed or refractory MM were enrolled sequentially into 1 of 5 dosing levels (table). Patients received vorinostat daily, administered orally for 14 days with 7 days on (Days 1–7 and 15–21), combined with oral lenalidomide daily for 21 days, and oral dexamethasone 40 mg/day (Days 1, 8, 15, and 22; cycles were repeated every 28 days); use of concomitant prophylactic acetylsalicylic acid was recommended. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were assessed in the first treatment cycle. Barring DLT, dose escalation continued until the MTD was established. Response, safety, and tolerability were evaluated. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded throughout the study.Dosing RegimenDose LevelVorinostat Dose (mg q.d.) 7 days on 7 days off (Days 1–7 and Days 15–21) in each 28-day cycleLenalidomide Dose (mg q.d.) × 21 days (Day 1 through Day 21) in each 28-day cycleDexamethasone Dose (mg q.d.) On Days 1, 8, 15, and 22 in each 28-day cycle1300104024001040340015404400204054002540Results: Enrolment is ongoing and tolerability of treatment has been good so far. Of 7 patients assessed to date, 6 patients (86%) have reported ≥1 AE, and 3 patients' (43%) AEs were considered drug-related. The most frequently reported AE was anemia (n=4, 57%). Serious AEs were reported by 2 patients (29%), none of which were considered drugrelated. No patients have discontinued due to AEs or SAEs, and no DLT has been observed to date. Of 6 evaluable patients, the best responses were: partial response in 1 patient, minimal response in 1 patient and stable disease in 2 patients and progressive disease in 2 patients. Currently, 4 patients remain on treatment and 3 patients have discontinued treatment due to progressive disease.Conclusion: Vorinostat with lenalidomide and dexamethasone represents a novel combination therapy for the treatment of relapsed or relapsed, refractory MM. Preliminary results suggest that the combination is well tolerated to date, is active and has the convenience of oral administration.

Cryopreservation induces temporal DNA methylation epigenetic changes and differential transcriptional activity in Ribes germplasm

The physiological and molecular mechanisms associated with acclimation and survival have been examined in four Ribes genotypes displaying differential cryotolerance. Changes in DNA methylation, nucleic acid and nucleoside composition were determined during acclimation and recovery of in vitro shoot-meristems from cryopreservation. DNA methylation was induced in the tolerant genotype, while demethylation was evident in sensitive genotypes. This response initially occurred during sucrose simulated acclimation, with progressive changes as shoots recovered from successive stages of the encapsulation-dehydration protocol. These methylation patterns existed in the initial vegetative cycle but regressed to control values following subculture, indicating the changes in DNA methylation to be a reversible epigenetic mechanism. RNA levels indicating transcriptional activity during the acclimation of nodal tissue are inversely linked to methylation changes, where activity appears to be up-regulated in the cryosensitive genotypes. Conversely, cryopreserved shoots show increased levels of both RNA and DNA methylation in the cryotolerant genotypes. Other nucleosides show post-transcriptional activity corresponds with tolerance during acclimation and cryopreservation. These observations connect physiological attributes to differential molecular changes in Ribes, the implications of which are discussed in relation to cryopreservation-induced apoptosis and genetic stability.

Mouse let-7 miRNA populations exhibit RNA editing that is constrained in the 5'-seed/ cleavage/anchor regions and stabilize predicted mmu-let-7a:mRNA duplexes.

Massively parallel sequencing of millions of < 30-nt RNAs expressed in mouse ovary, embryonic pancreas (E14.5), and insulin-secreting beta-cells (betaTC-3) reveals that approximately 50% of the mature miRNAs representing mostly the mmu-let-7 family display internal insertion/deletions and substitutions when compared to precursor miRNA and the mouse genome reference sequences. Approximately, 12%-20% of species associated with mmu-let-7 populations exhibit sequence discrepancies that are dramatically reduced in nucleotides 3-7 (5'-seed) and 10-15 (cleavage and anchor sites). This observation is inconsistent with sequencing error and leads us to propose that the changes arise predominantly from post-transcriptional RNA-editing activity operating on miRNA:target mRNA complexes. Internal nucleotide modifications are most enriched at the ninth nucleotide position. A common ninth base edit of U-to-G results in a significant increase in stability of down-regulated let-7a targets in inhibin-deficient mice (Inha-/-). An excess of U-insertions (14.8%) over U-deletions (1.5%) and the presence of cleaved intermediates suggest that a mammalian TUTase (terminal uridylyl transferase) mediated dUTP-dependent U-insertion/U-deletion cycle may be a possible mechanism. We speculate that mRNA target site-directed editing of mmu-let-7a duplex-bulges stabilizes "loose" miRNA:mRNA target associations and functions to expand the target repertoire and/or enhance mRNA decay over translational repression. Our results also demonstrate that the systematic study of sequence variation within specific RNA classes in a given cell type from millions of sequences generated by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies ("intranomics") can be used broadly to infer functional constraints on specific parts of completely uncharacterized RNAs.

MicroRNA switches in Trypanosoma brucei

Trypanosoma brucei develops chronic infection in mammalian hosts due to a sophisticated strategy of antigenic variation of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat to escape antibody-mediated lysis. MicroRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs with presumed post-transcriptional regulatory activity. Homology based informatic approach is used to identify the microRNA (miRNA) genes of T. brucei and their target mRNAs. Our observation reveals a set of microRNAs targeting mRNAs corresponding to VSGs. Further, a number of miRNA hairpins have been found in clusters of multiple identical copies. The target proteins, 20S proteosome, GM6 and GRESAG 4.2 corresponding to these clustered miRNAs play essential role in trypanosomiasis. These snippets can act as genetic switches modulating host–parasite interaction and provide useful clue toward treatment of trypanosomiasis.

MicroRNAs and their target messenger RNAs associated with endometrial carcinogenesis

Objective Recent advances in gene expression technology have provided insights into global messenger RNA (mRNA) expression changes associated with endometrial cancer development. However, the post-transcriptional events that may also have phenotypic consequences remain to be completely delineated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA transcripts, that influence cell function via modulation of post-transcriptional activity of multiple target mRNA genes. Although recent reports suggest that miRNAs may influence human cancer development, their role in endometrial carcinogenesis remains to be described. Methods We measured expression of 335 unique human miRNAs in 61 fresh-frozen endometrial specimens, including 37 endometrial cancers, 20 normal endometrium, and 4 complex atypical hyperplasia samples. In parallel, expression of 22,000 mRNA genes was analyzed using the Affymetrix Human U133A GeneChips in 29 of the endometrial samples, including 20 endometrial carcinomas and 9 normal endometrial samples. Differentially expressed mRNAs, miRNAs, and predicted miRNA–mRNA targets were integrated and evaluated for representation of relevant functional biologic pathways. Results Thirteen miRNAs ( p < 0.02) and 90 mRNAs (FDR; 0%) were identified to be associated with endometrial cancer development. Twenty-six of the 90 (29%) differentially expressed mRNAs are Sangar-database predicted mRNA targets of the 13 miRNAs. Pathway analysis demonstrates significant involvement of these 26 mRNA genes in processes including cell death, growth, proliferation, and carcinogenesis. Conclusion We have identified miRNAs and mRNAs associated with endometrial cancer development. Further, our strategy of integrating miRNA/mRNA data may also aid in the identification of important biologic pathways and additional unique genes that have importance in endometrial pathogenesis.

Nascent Peptide-Mediated Translation Elongation Arrest of Arabidopsis thaliana CGS1 mRNA Occurs Autonomously

The Arabidopsis thaliana CGS1 gene encodes cystathionine gamma-synthase, the first committed enzyme of methionine biosynthesis in higher plants. Expression of CGS1 is feedback-regulated at the step of mRNA degradation in response to S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet). A short stretch of amino acid sequence, termed the MTO1 region, encoded within the first exon of CGS1 itself acts in cis in the regulation. In vitro analyses using wheat germ extract (WGE) revealed that AdoMet induces temporal translation arrest of CGS1 mRNA prior to mRNA degradation. This translational pausing occurs immediately downstream of the MTO1 region and is mediated by the nascent MTO1 peptide. In order to elucidate further the nature of this unique regulatory mechanism, we have examined whether a non-plant system also contains the post-transcriptional regulation activity. Despite the fact that mammals do not carry cystathionine gamma-synthase, AdoMet was able to induce the MTO1 sequence-dependent translation elongation arrest in rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL) in a similar manner to that observed in WGE. This result suggests that MTO1 peptide-mediated translation arrest does not require a plant-specific factor and rather most probably occurs via a direct interaction between the nascent MTO1 peptide and the ribosome that has translated it. In contrast, decay intermediates of CGS1 mRNA normally observed upon induction of CGS1 mRNA decay in plant systems were not detected in RRL, raising the possibility that CGS1 mRNA degradation involves a plant-specific mechanism.

Heat Shock Protein 72 Response to Exercise in Humans

Heat shock protein (Hsp) 72 is a unique, ubiquitous molecule. In vitro and in vivo animal models have shown that increased Hsp 72 is associated with improved cellular survivability and tolerance to stressors. The primary focus of this article is to review the Hsp 72 protein response to exercise in humans. Various mechanisms regulate post-transcriptional activity and therefore measurement of messenger RNA (mRNA) does not necessarily represent the level of functional Hsp 72. For this reason, this article incorporates only a few studies that assessed Hsp 72 mRNA response to exercise. Although this article focuses on human studies, it also includes some key animal studies to provide insight into the mechanisms of the response of Hsp 72 to stress.Intra- (IC) and extracellular (EC) Hsp 72 have different functions. IC Hsp 72 confers cellular protection from subsequent stressors, while EC Hsp 72 has a whole-body systemic role in antigen presentation and immunity. An acute exercise bout stimulates an increase in both IC and EC Hsp 72. Long-term training and improved fitness increases the rate of availability of IC Hsp 72 in response to stress. Other factors that affect Hsp 72 production include environmental factors, exercise mode, duration and intensity, age, estrogen, and anti-oxidant and glycogen availability. The functions and roles of Hsp 72 also depend on the tissue of origin. This article describes the Hsp 72 response to exercise in relation to the tissue assayed (i.e. skeletal muscle vs lymphocyte) and the origin of the sample (i.e. venous vs arterial serum). Collectively, the reviewed studies reveal exciting and novel research that encourages future investigation in this area.

Human microRNA-155 on Chromosome 21 Differentially Interacts with Its Polymorphic Target in the AGTR1 3′ Untranslated Region: A Mechanism for Functional Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms Related to Phenotypes

Animal microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression through base pairing to their targets within the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of protein-coding genes. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within such target sites can affect miRNA regulation. We mapped annotated SNPs onto a collection of experimentally supported human miRNA targets. Of the 143 experimentally supported human target sites, 9 contain 12 SNPs. We further experimentally investigated one of these target sites for hsa-miR-155, within the 3' UTR of the human AGTR1 gene that contains SNP rs5186. Using reporter silencing assays, we show that hsa-miR-155 down-regulates the expression of only the 1166A, and not the 1166C, allele of rs5186. Remarkably, the 1166C allele has been associated with hypertension in many studies. Thus, the 1166C allele may be functionally associated with hypertension by abrogating regulation by hsa-miR-155, thereby elevating AGTR1 levels. Since hsa-miR-155 is on chromosome 21, we hypothesize that the observed lower blood pressure in trisomy 21 is partially caused by the overexpression of hsa-miR-155 leading to allele-specific underexpression of AGTR1. Indeed, we have shown in fibroblasts from monozygotic twins discordant for trisomy 21 that levels of AGTR1 protein are lower in trisomy 21.

Infection and coaccumulation of tobacco mosaic virus proteins alter microRNA levels, correlating with symptom and plant development

Infections by plant virus generally cause disease symptoms by interfering with cellular processes. Here we demonstrated that infection of Nicotiana tabacum (N.t) by plant viruses representative of the Tobamoviridae, Potyviridae, and Potexviridae families altered accumulation of certain microRNAs (miRNAs). A correlation was observed between symptom severity and alteration in levels of miRNAs 156, 160, 164,166, 169, and 171 that is independent of viral posttranscriptional gene silencing suppressor activity. Hybrid transgenic plants that produced tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) movement protein (MP) plus coat protein (CP)(T42W) (a variant of CP) exhibited disease-like phenotypes, including abnormal plant development. Grafting studies with a plant line in which both transgenes are silenced confirmed that the disease-like phenotypes are due to the coexpression of CP and MP. In hybrid MPxCP(T42W) plants and TMV-infected plants, miRNAs 156, 164, 165, and 167 accumulated to higher levels compared with nontransgenic and noninfected tissues. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays revealed that MP interacts with CP(T42W) in vivo and leads to the hypothesis that complexes formed between MP and CP caused increases in miRNAs that result in disease symptoms. This work presents evidence that virus infection and viral proteins influence miRNA balance without affecting posttranscriptional gene silencing and contributes to the hypothesis that viruses exploit miRNA pathways during pathogenesis.