scholarly journals Trans-splicing of the C. elegans let-7 primary transcript developmentally regulates let-7 microRNA biogenesis and let-7 family microRNA activity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Nelson ◽  
Victor Ambros

SUMMARYlet-7 is a microRNA whose sequence and roles as a regulator of developmental progression are conserved throughout bilaterians. In most systems, transcription of the let-7 locus occurs relatively early in development, whilst processing of let-7 primary transcript into mature microRNA arises later and is associated with cellular differentiation. In C. elegans and other animals, the RNA binding protein LIN-28 post-transcriptionally inhibits let-7 biogenesis at early developmental stages. The mechanisms by which LIN-28 and other factors developmentally regulate let-7 biogenesis are not fully understood. Nor is it understood how the developmental regulation of let-7 might influence the expression or activities of other microRNAs of the same seed family. Here we show that in C. elegans, the primary let-7 transcript (pri-let-7) is trans-spliced to SL1 splice leader at a position downstream of the let-7 precursor stem-loop, producing a short, polyadenylated downstream mRNA. The trans-splicing event negatively impacts the biogenesis of mature let-7 microRNA in cis, likely by destabilizing the upstream pri-let-7 fragment. Moreover, the trans-spliced downstream mRNA contains complimentary sequences to multiple members of the let-7 seed family (let-7fam), and thereby serves as a sponge to negatively regulate let-7fam function in trans. Thus, this study provides evidence for a mechanism by which splicing of a microRNA primary transcript can negatively regulate said microRNA in cis as well as other microRNAs in trans.HIGHLIGHTSThe let-7 primary transcript is trans-spliced to produce an RNA that functions as a sponge that negatively regulates the let-7-family microRNAs.Trans-splicing of this RNA negatively impacts let-7 microRNA biogenesis.LIN-28 regulates this trans-splicing event

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (38) ◽  
pp. 23982-23990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengjun Li ◽  
Mu Li ◽  
Kan Liu ◽  
Huimin Zhang ◽  
Shuxin Zhang ◽  
...  

MAC5 is a component of the conserved MOS4-associated complex. It plays critical roles in development and immunity. Here we report that MAC5 is required for microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. MAC5 interacts with Serrate (SE), which is a core component of the microprocessor that processes primary miRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) into miRNAs and binds the stem-loop region of pri-miRNAs. MAC5 is essential for both the efficient processing and the stability of pri-miRNAs. Interestingly, the reduction of pri-miRNA levels inmac5is partially caused by XRN2/XRN3, the nuclear-localized 5′-to-3′ exoribonucleases, and depends on SE. These results reveal that MAC5 plays a dual role in promoting pri-miRNA processing and stability through its interaction with SE and/or pri-miRNAs. This study also uncovers that pri-miRNAs need to be protected from nuclear RNA decay machinery, which is connected to the microprocessor.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Agarwal ◽  
Sereno Lopez-Darwin ◽  
David R. Kelley ◽  
Jay Shendure

Abstract3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA stability, localization, and translation rate. While 3′-UTR isoforms have been globally quantified in limited cell types using bulk measurements, their differential usage among cell types during mammalian development remains poorly characterized. In this study, we examine a dataset comprising ~2 million nuclei spanning E9.5–E13.5 of mouse embryonic development to quantify transcriptome-wide changes in alternative polyadenylation (APA). We observe a global lengthening of 3′ UTRs across embryonic stages in all cell types, although we detect shorter 3′ UTRs in hematopoietic lineages and longer 3′ UTRs in neuronal cell types within each stage. An analysis of RNA-binding protein (RBP) dynamics identifies ELAV-like family members, which are concomitantly induced in neuronal lineages and developmental stages experiencing 3′-UTR lengthening, as putative regulators of APA. By measuring 3′-UTR isoforms in an expansive single cell dataset, our work provides a transcriptome-wide and organism-wide map of the dynamic landscape of alternative polyadenylation during mammalian organogenesis.


2004 ◽  
Vol 379 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Chloé BOULANGER ◽  
Tina Branscombe MIRANDA ◽  
Steven CLARKE ◽  
Marco di FRUSCIO ◽  
Beat SUTER ◽  
...  

The role of arginine methylation in Drosophila melanogaster is unknown. We identified a family of nine PRMTs (protein arginine methyltransferases) by sequence homology with mammalian arginine methyltransferases, which we have named DART1 to DART9 (Drosophilaarginine methyltransferases 1–9). In keeping with the mammalian PRMT nomenclature, DART1, DART4, DART5 and DART7 are the putative homologues of PRMT1, PRMT4, PRMT5 and PRMT7. Other DART family members have a closer resemblance to PRMT1, but do not have identifiable homologues. All nine genes are expressed in Drosophila at various developmental stages. DART1 and DART4 have arginine methyltransferase activity towards substrates, including histones and RNA-binding proteins. Amino acid analysis of the methylated arginine residues confirmed that both DART1 and DART4 catalyse the formation of asymmetrical dimethylated arginine residues and they are type I arginine methyltransferases. The presence of PRMTs in D. melanogaster suggest that flies are a suitable genetic system to study arginine methylation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 144 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhigang Ouyang ◽  
Huihui Duan ◽  
Lanfang Mi ◽  
Wei Hu ◽  
Jianmei Chen ◽  
...  

In eukaryotic systems, messenger RNA regulations, including splicing, 3′-end formation, editing, localization, and translation, are achieved by different RNA-binding proteins and noncoding RNAs. The YTH domain is a newly identified RNA-binding domain that was identified by comparing its sequence with that of splicing factor YT521-B. Previous study showed that the YTH gene plays an important role in plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stress. In this study, 211 YTH genes were identified in 26 species that represent four major plant lineages. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these genes could be divided into eight subgroups. All of the YTH genes contain a YT521 domain and have different structures. Ten YTH genes were identified in navel orange (Citrus sinensis). The expression profiles of these CitYTH genes were analyzed in different tissues and at different fruit developmental stages, and CitYTH genes displayed distinct expression patterns under heat, cold, salt, and drought stress. Furthermore, expression of the CitYTH genes in response to exogenous hormones was measured. Nuclear localization was also confirmed for five of the proteins encoded by these genes after transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana cells. This study provides valuable information on the role of CitYTHs in the signaling pathways involved in environmental stress responses in Citrus.


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