scholarly journals Role of ACE2/TMPRSS2 genes regulation by intestinal microRNA isoforms in the COVID-19 pathogenesis

Author(s):  
SA Nersisyan ◽  
MYu Shkurnikov ◽  
AI Osipyants ◽  
VI Vechorko

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, enters the cell by binding the cell surface proteins: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). The expression of these proteins varies significantly in individual organs and tissues of the human body. One of the proteins’ expression regulation mechanisms is based on the activity of the microRNA (miRNA) molecules, small non-coding RNAs, the most important function of which is the post-transcriptional negative regulation of gene expression. The study was aimed to investigate the mechanisms of the interactions between miRNA isoforms and ACE2/TMPRSS2 genes in the colon tissues known for the high level of expression of the described enzymes. The search for interactions was performed using the correlation analysis applied to the publicly available paired mRNA/miRNA sequencing data of colon tissues. Among the others, such miRNAs as miR-30c and miR-200c were identified known for their involvement in the coronavirus infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome pathogenesis. Thus, new potential mechanisms for the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 enzymes regulation were ascertained, as well as their possible functional activity in a cell infected with coronavirus.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 3296
Author(s):  
Aeman Zahra ◽  
Cristina Sisu ◽  
Elisabete Silva ◽  
Sophie-Christine De Aguiar Greca ◽  
Harpal S. Randeva ◽  
...  

Infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of a new disease (COVID-19). The risk of severe COVID-19 is increased by certain underlying comorbidities, including asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Notably, exposure to hormonally active chemicals called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can promote such cardio-metabolic diseases, endocrine-related cancers, and immune system dysregulation and thus, may also be linked to higher risk of severe COVID-19. Bisphenol A (BPA) is among the most common EDCs and exerts its effects via receptors which are widely distributed in human tissues, including nuclear oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), membrane-bound oestrogen receptor (G protein-coupled receptor 30; GPR30), and human nuclear receptor oestrogen-related receptor gamma. As such, this paper focuses on the potential role of BPA in promoting comorbidities associated with severe COVID-19, as well as on potential BPA-induced effects on key SARS-CoV-2 infection mediators, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). Interestingly, GPR30 appears to exhibit greater co-localisation with TMPRSS2 in key tissues like lung and prostate, suggesting that BPA exposure may impact on the local expression of these SARS-CoV-2 infection mediators. Overall, the potential role of BPA on the risk and severity of COVID-19 merits further investigation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 773-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Thunders ◽  
Brett Delahunt

Transmembrane serine protease 2 is encoded by the TMPRSS2 gene. The gene is widely conserved and has two isoforms, both being autocatalytically activated from the inactive zymogen form. A fusion gene between the TMPRSS2 gene and ERG (erythroblast-specific-related gene), an oncogenic transcription factor, is the most common chromosomal aberration detected in prostate cancer, responsible for driving carcinogenesis. The other key role of TMPRSS2 is in priming the viral spike protein which facilitates viral entry essential for viral infectivity. The protease activates a diverse range of viruses. Both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and TMPRSS2 to facilitate entry to cells, but with SARS-CoV-2 human-to-human transmission is much higher than SARS-CoV. As TMPRSS2 is expressed outside of the lung, and can therefore contribute to extrapulmonary spread of viruses, it warrants further exploration as a potential target for limiting viral spread and infectivity.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2480
Author(s):  
Sergey V. Razin ◽  
Sergey V. Ulianov

The functioning of a cell at various organizational levels is determined by the interactions between macromolecules that promote cellular organelle formation and orchestrate metabolic pathways via the control of enzymatic activities. Although highly specific and relatively stable protein-protein, protein-DNA, and protein-RNA interactions are traditionally suggested as the drivers for cellular function realization, recent advances in the discovery of weak multivalent interactions have uncovered the role of so-called macromolecule condensates. These structures, which are highly divergent in size, composition, function, and cellular localization are predominantly formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS): a physical-chemical process where an initially homogenous solution turns into two distinct phases, one of which contains the major portion of the dissolved macromolecules and the other one containing the solvent. In a living cell, LLPS drives the formation of membrane-less organelles such as the nucleolus, nuclear bodies, and viral replication factories and facilitates the assembly of complex macromolecule aggregates possessing regulatory, structural, and enzymatic functions. Here, we discuss the role of LLPS in the spatial organization of eukaryotic chromatin and regulation of gene expression in normal and pathological conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Huahua Zhang ◽  
Haiyan Shi ◽  
Fenghui Wang ◽  
Juan Du ◽  
...  

We aim to investigate the role of THAP11 (thanatos-associated protein11) in gastric cancer and its regulation mechanisms. THAP11 expression was analyzed in 51 pairs of GC tissues and the corresponding paracancerous tissues by qRT-PCR and Western blot. After THAP11 was overexpressed or knocked-down, cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis were detected in MKN-45 cells. We found that THAP11 was significantly downregulated in GC tissues and GC cell lines. Functionally, THAP11 overexpression markedly inhibited cell growth, induced G1/G0 cell-cycle arrest, and promoted cell apoptosis of MKN-45 cells, while silencing of THAP11 led to increased cell growth, increased DNA synthesis, and inhibited apoptosis. In addition, THAP11 negatively regulated the expression of c-Myc, decreased cyclinD1 protein, and increased p27 and p21 protein levels. We also found cell growth suppression induced by THAP11 was rescued by c-Myc overexpression, further confirming that THAP11 suppresses gastric cancer cell growth via the c-Myc pathway. THAP11 acts as a cell growth suppressor and exerts its role possibly through negatively regulating c-Myc pathway in gastric cancer.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 384
Author(s):  
Mai Kishimoto ◽  
Kentaro Uemura ◽  
Takao Sanaki ◽  
Akihiko Sato ◽  
William W. Hall ◽  
...  

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) utilizes host proteases, including a plasma membrane-associated transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) to cleave and activate the virus spike protein to facilitate cellular entry. Although TMPRSS2 is a well-characterized type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSP), the role of other TTSPs on the replication of SARS-CoV-2 remains to be elucidated. Here, we have screened 12 TTSPs using human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-expressing HEK293T (293T-ACE2) cells and Vero E6 cells and demonstrated that exogenous expression of TMPRSS11D and TMPRSS13 enhanced cellular uptake and subsequent replication of SARS-CoV-2. In addition, SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 share the same TTSPs in the viral entry process. Our study demonstrates the impact of host TTSPs on infection of SARS-CoV-2, which may have implications for cell and tissue tropism, for pathogenicity, and potentially for vaccine development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-143
Author(s):  
O. A. Beylerli ◽  
I. F. Gareev ◽  
A. T. Beylerli

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) of ~22 nucleotides in length involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. They were discovered over 15 years ago and their functions are becoming clearer. They play an important role in all biological processes. MiRNAs are important modulators of the expression of eukaryotic genes. Focusing on transcripts encoding proteins they impact on the cellular transcriptome thus helping to determine the destiny of a cell. More and more data emerge to indicate an important functional role of miRNAs in the brain development. Since their discovery many miRNAs have been described as key factors in the development and function of the central nervous system. Some play a significant role in the genesis and differentiation of nerve cells (neurons and glial cells). Notably, it has recently been established that miRNAs play a vital role in the mechanisms underpinning the infantile increase of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) production by neurons in the hypothalamus. This phenomenon is necessary for the onset of puberty in mammals. In this review offers our attempt to describe miRNAs as new players in the control of hypothalamic functions, namely the onset of puberty.


Author(s):  
Stefan Bittmann

According to the latest research, the novel coronavirus uses the protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) as a receptor for docking to the host cell. Essential for entry is the priming of the spike (S) protein of the virus by host cell proteases. A broadly based team led by infection biologists from the German Primate Centre and with the participation of the Charité Hospital in Berlin, the Hanover Veterinary University Foundation, the BG-UnfallklinikMurnau, the LMU Munich, the Robert Koch Institute and the German Centre for Infection Research wanted to find out how SARS-CoV-2 enters host cells and how this process can be blocked [1]. They have published their findings in the journal "Cell" [1]. The team of scientists was initially able to confirm that SARS-CoV-2 docks to the host cell via the ACE-2 receptor. They also identified Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) as the cellular protein responsible for entry into the cell [1-3].


Life ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 317
Author(s):  
Darya A. Golovkina ◽  
Elena V. Zhurishkina ◽  
Lyubov A. Ivanova ◽  
Alexander E. Baranchikov ◽  
Alexey Y. Sokolov ◽  
...  

Microbially induced CaCO3 precipitation (MICP) is considered as an alternative green technology for cement self-healing and a basis for the development of new biomaterials. However, some issues about the role of bacteria in the induction of biogenic CaCO3 crystal nucleation, growth and aggregation are still debatable. Our aims were to screen for ureolytic calcifying microorganisms and analyze their MICP abilities during their growth in urea-supplemented and urea-deficient media. Nine candidates showed a high level of urease specific activity, and a sharp increase in the urea-containing medium pH resulted in efficient CaCO3 biomineralization. In the urea-deficient medium, all ureolytic bacteria also induced CaCO3 precipitation although at lower pH values. Five strains (B. licheniformis DSMZ 8782, B. cereus 4b, S. epidermidis 4a, M. luteus BS52, M. luteus 6) were found to completely repair micro-cracks in the cement samples. Detailed studies of the most promising strain B. licheniformis DSMZ 8782 revealed a slower rate of the polymorph transformation in the urea-deficient medium than in urea-containing one. We suppose that a ureolytic microorganism retains its ability to induce CaCO3 biomineralization regardless the origin of carbonate ions in a cell environment by switching between mechanisms of urea-degradation and metabolism of calcium organic salts.


Angiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 000331972095228
Author(s):  
Amir Abbas Momtazi-Borojeni ◽  
Maciej Banach ◽  
Željko Reiner ◽  
Matteo Pirro ◽  
Vanessa Bianconi ◽  
...  

With the global expansion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the declaration of its outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization, there is an urgent need for vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19. The responsible pathogen for the disease is the newly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) 2 belonging to the same family of viruses SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus that originally are zoonotic and have been associated with severe illness during the outbreaks in 2003 and 2012, respectively. The virulence of coronavirus strains is mainly associated with variations in surface proteins mediating cellular entry of the virus, which can help in finding effective therapeutic targets. In this review, we seek evidence showing the role of coronavirus spike protein (S-protein) and its potential cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), during infection of coronaviruses, including the newly SARS-CoV-2 and its similar strain SARS-CoV. This review also discusses the therapeutic effect of inhibiting the renin–angiotensin system cascade, a target of ACE2, in patients having coronavirus with cardiovascular disease.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stepan Nersisyan ◽  
Narek Engibaryan ◽  
Aleksandra Gorbonos ◽  
Ksenia Kirdey ◽  
Alexey Makhonin ◽  
...  

Host miRNAs are known as important regulators of virus replication and pathogenesis. They can interact with various viruses through several possible mechanisms including direct binding of viral RNA. Identification of human miRNAs involved in coronavirus-host interplay becomes important due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this article we performed computational prediction of high-confidence direct interactions between miRNAs and seven human coronavirus RNAs. As a result, we identified six miRNAs (miR-21-3p, miR-195-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-3065-5p, miR-424-5p and miR-421) with high binding probability across all analyzed viruses. Further bioinformatic analysis of binding sites revealed high conservativity of miRNA binding regions within RNAs of human coronaviruses and their strains. In order to discover the entire miRNA-virus interplay we further analyzed lungs miRNome of SARS-CoV infected mice using publicly available miRNA sequencing data. We found that miRNA miR-21-3p has the largest probability of binding the human coronavirus RNAs and being dramatically up-regulated in mouse lungs during infection induced by SARS-CoV.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document