Alu insertion variants alter gene transcript levels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay M. Payer ◽  
Jared P. Steranka ◽  
Maria S. Kryatova ◽  
Giacomo Grillo ◽  
Mathieu Lupien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Risk ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Regulatory Sequence ◽  
Gene Transcript ◽  
Genomic Context ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Alu Insertion ◽  
Regulatory Effects ◽  
Interspersed Repeats

Alu are high copy number interspersed repeats that have accumulated near genes during primate and human evolution. They are a pervasive source of structural variation in modern humans. Impacts that Alu insertions may have on gene expression are not well understood, although some have been associated with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Here, we directly test regulatory effects of polymorphic Alu insertions in isolation of other variants on the same haplotype. To screen insertion variants for those with such effects, we used ectopic luciferase reporter assays and evaluated 110 Alu insertion variants, including more than 40 with a potential role in disease risk. We observed a continuum of effects with significant outliers that up- or down-regulate luciferase activity. Using a series of reporter constructs, which included genomic context surrounding the Alu, we can distinguish between instances in which the Alu disrupts another regulator and those in which the Alu introduces new regulatory sequence. We next focused on three polymorphic Alu loci associated with breast cancer that display significant effects in the reporter assay. We used CRISPR to modify the endogenous sequences, establishing cell lines varying in the Alu genotype. Our findings indicate that Alu genotype can alter expression of genes implicated in cancer risk, including PTHLH, RANBP9, and MYC. These data show that commonly occurring polymorphic Alu elements can alter transcript levels and potentially contribute to disease risk.

scholarly journals The PROGINS polymorphism of the human progesterone receptor diminishes the response to progesterone

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Romano ◽  
Bert Delvoux ◽  
Dagmar-Christiane Fischer ◽  
Patrick Groothuis
Keyword(s):  
Progesterone Receptor ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Gene Transcript ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
Protein Activity ◽  
Alu Insertion ◽  
Alu Element ◽  
Exon 4 ◽  
Human Progesterone Receptor

The human progesterone receptor (PR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor and two isoforms, (PRA and PRB), can be distinguished. PROGINS, a PR polymorphic variant, affects PRA and PRB and acts as a risk-modulating factor in several gynaecological disorders. Little is known about the functional consequences of this variant. Here, we characterise the properties of PROGINS with respect to transcription, mRNA maturation, protein activity and proliferation. PROGINS is characterised by a 320 bp PV/HS-1 Alu insertion in intron G and two point mutations, V660L in exon 4 and H770H (silent substitution) in exon 5. The Alu element contains a half oestrogen-response element/Sp1-binding site (Alu-ERE/Sp1), which acts as an in-cis intronic enhancer leading to increased transcription of the PROGINS allele in response to 17β-oestradiol. Moreover, Alu insertions in the human genome are frequently methylated. Our data indicate that the PROGINS-Alu does not affect gene transcription due to DNA methylation. However, the Alu element reduced the stability of the PROGINS transcript compared with the CP allele and does not generate splice variants. The amino acid substitution (V600L) in exon 4 leads to differences in PR phosphorylation and degradation in the two PR variants upon ligand binding, most likely as a result of differences in the three-dimensional structures of the two PR variants. As a consequence, the PR-L660 (PROGINS) variant (1) displays decreased transactivation activity in a luciferase reporter system and (2) is less efficient in opposing cell proliferation in hamster ovarian cells expressing human PRA, when compared with the PR-V660 (most common variant). Taken together, our results indicate that the PROGINS variant of PR is less responsive to progestin compared with the most common PR because of (i) reduced amounts of gene transcript and (ii) decreased protein activity.

Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Cardiac Sarcomere Protein Titin Through 3’ Untranslated Regions

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara A Shrout
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcriptional Control ◽  
Striated Muscle ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Regulatory Control ◽  
Untranslated Regions ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Regulatory Effects

Titin is the largest known protein in the human body, and forms the backbone of all striated muscle sarcomeres. The elastic nature of titin is an important component of muscle compliance and functionality. A significant amount of energy is expended to synthesize titin, thus we postulate that titin gene expression is under strict regulatory control in order to conserve cellular resources. In general, gene expression is mediated in part by post-transcriptional control elements located within the 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions (UTRs) of mature mRNA. The 3’UTR in particular contains structural features that affect binding capacity to other RNA components, such as MicroRNA, which control mRNA localization, translation, and degradation. The degree and significance of the regulatory effects mediated by two determined variants of titin’s 3’ UTR were evaluated in Neonatal Rat Ventricular Myocyte and Human Embryonic Kidney cell lines. Recombinant plasmids to transfect these cells lines were engineered by insertion of the variant titin 3’UTR 431- and 1047-base pairs sequences into luciferase reporter vectors. Expression due to an unaltered reporter vector served as the control. Quantitative changes in luciferase activity due to the recombinants proportionally represented the effect titin’s respective 3’UTR conferred on downstream post-transcriptional expression relative to the control. The effect due to titin’s shorter 3’UTR sequence was inconclusive; however, results illustrated that titin’s longer 3’UTR sequence caused a 35 percent decrease in protein expression. Secondary structural analysis of the two sequences revealed differential folding patterns that affect the stability and degree of MicroRNA-binding within titin’s variant 3’UTR sequences.

scholarly journals Role of Transposable Elements in Gene Regulation in the Human Genome

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Arsala Ali ◽  
Kyudong Han ◽  
Ping Liang
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Transposable Elements ◽  
Regulatory Sequences ◽  
Rna Sequences ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Lineage Specificity ◽  
Regulatory Rnas ◽  
Potential Factors ◽  
Interspersed Repeats

Transposable elements (TEs), also known as mobile elements (MEs), are interspersed repeats that constitute a major fraction of the genomes of higher organisms. As one of their important functional impacts on gene function and genome evolution, TEs participate in regulating the expression of genes nearby and even far away at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. There are two known principal ways by which TEs regulate the expression of genes. First, TEs provide cis-regulatory sequences in the genome with their intrinsic regulatory properties for their own expression, making them potential factors for regulating the expression of the host genes. TE-derived cis-regulatory sites are found in promoter and enhancer elements, providing binding sites for a wide range of trans-acting factors. Second, TEs encode for regulatory RNAs with their sequences showed to be present in a substantial fraction of miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), indicating the TE origin of these RNAs. Furthermore, TEs sequences were found to be critical for regulatory functions of these RNAs, including binding to the target mRNA. TEs thus provide crucial regulatory roles by being part of cis-regulatory and regulatory RNA sequences. Moreover, both TE-derived cis-regulatory sequences and TE-derived regulatory RNAs have been implicated in providing evolutionary novelty to gene regulation. These TE-derived regulatory mechanisms also tend to function in a tissue-specific fashion. In this review, we aim to comprehensively cover the studies regarding these two aspects of TE-mediated gene regulation, mainly focusing on the mechanisms, contribution of different types of TEs, differential roles among tissue types, and lineage-specificity, based on data mostly in humans.

scholarly journals Regulation of Polysaccharide Utilization Contributes to the Persistence of Group A Streptococcus in the Oropharynx

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2981-2990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel A. Shelburne ◽  
Nnaja Okorafor ◽  
Izabela Sitkiewicz ◽  
Paul Sumby ◽  
David Keith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parental Strain ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Human Saliva ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Rich Media ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Group A ◽  
Mutant Derivative

ABSTRACT Group A Streptococcus (GAS) genes that encode proteins putatively involved in polysaccharide utilization show growth phase-dependent expression in human saliva. We sought to determine whether the putative polysaccharide transcriptional regulator MalR influences the expression of such genes and whether MalR helps GAS infect the oropharynx. Analysis of 32 strains of 17 distinct M protein serotypes revealed that MalR is highly conserved across GAS strains. malR transcripts were detectable in patients with GAS pharyngitis, and the levels increased significantly during growth in human saliva compared to the levels during growth in glucose-containing or nutrient-rich media. To determine if MalR influenced the expression of polysaccharide utilization genes, we compared the transcript levels of eight genes encoding putative polysaccharide utilization proteins in the parental serotype M1 strain MGAS5005 and its ΔmalR isogenic mutant derivative. The transcript levels of all eight genes were significantly increased in the ΔmalR strain compared to the parental strain, especially during growth in human saliva. Following experimental infection, the ΔmalR strain persistently colonized the oropharynx in significantly fewer mice than the parental strain colonized, and the numbers of ΔmalR strain CFU recovered were significantly lower than the numbers of the parental strain CFU recovered. These data led us to conclude that MalR influences the expression of genes putatively involved in polysaccharide utilization and that MalR contributes to the persistence of GAS in the oropharynx.

scholarly journals Cross-generational feeding of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)-maize to zebrafish (Danio rerio) showed no adverse effects on the parental or offspring generations

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (12) ◽  
pp. 2222-2233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Sanden ◽  
Robin Ornsrud ◽  
Nini H. Sissener ◽  
Susanne Jorgensen ◽  
Jinni Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Thuringiensis ◽  
Danio Rerio ◽  
Fumonisin B1 ◽  
Gene Transcript ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Two Generations ◽  
Feed Utilisation ◽  
Liver Gene ◽  
Caspase 6 ◽  
Mass Increase

In the present study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were fed casein/gelatin-based diets containing either 19 % Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)-maize or its parental non-Bt (nBt)-maize control for two generations (F0: sixty fish; F1: forty-two to seventy fish per treatment). The study focused on growth and reproductive performance, liver CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity, gene transcript levels targeting important cellular pathways in the liver and mid-intestine, histomorphological evaluation of the intestine, differential leucocyte counts, offspring larva swimming activity and global DNA methylation in offspring embryos. No significant effects were observed in the parental generation. The offspring were either fed the same diets as those fed to their parents (Bt–Bt or nBt–nBt) or switched from the Bt diet to the nBt diet (Bt–nBt). The Bt–Bt offspring exhibited a significantly higher body mass increase, specific growth rate and feed utilisation than fish fed the nBt–nBt diet and/or fish fed the Bt–nBt diet. Liver and mid-intestinal gene transcript levels of CuZn SOD were significantly higher in fish fed the nBt–nBt diet than in those fed the Bt–Bt diet. Liver gene transcript levels of caspase 6 were significantly lower for the nBt–nBt group than for the Bt–Bt group. Overall, enhanced growth performance was observed in fish fed the Bt diet for two generations than in those fed the nBt diet for one and two generations. Effects observed on gene biomarkers for oxidative stress and the cell cycle (apoptosis) may be related to the contamination of nBt-maize with fumonisin B1 and aflatoxin B1. In conclusion, it is suggested that Bt-maize is as safe and nutritious as its nBt control when fed to zebrafish for two generations.

Abstract 15: Glucose-Mediated Remodeling of Cardiac DNA Methylation

2017 ◽  
Vol 121 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E Pepin ◽  
David K Crossman ◽  
Joseph P Barchue ◽  
Salpy V Pamboukian ◽  
Steven M Pogwizd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Epigenetic Mark ◽  
Gene Transcript ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Glycemic Memory

To identify the role of glucose in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy, we had directly assessed glucose delivery to the intact heart on alterations of DNA methylation and gene expression using both an inducible heart-specific transgene (glucose transporter 4; mG4H) and streptozotocin-induced diabetes (STZ) mouse models. We aimed to determine whether long-lasting diabetic complications arise from prior transient exposure to hyperglycemia via a process termed “glycemic memory.” We had identified DNA methylation changes associated with significant gene expression regulation. Comparing our results from STZ, mG4H, and the modifications which persist following transgene silencing, we now provide evidence for cardiac DNA methylation as a persistent epigenetic mark contributing to glycemic memory. To begin to determine which changes contribute to human heart failure, we measured both RNA transcript levels and whole-genome DNA methylation in heart failure biopsy samples (n = 12) from male patients collected at left ventricular assist device placement using RNA-sequencing and Methylation450 assay, respectively. We hypothesized that epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation distinguish between heart failure etiologies. Our findings demonstrated that type 2 diabetic heart failure patients (n = 6) had an overall signature of hypomethylation, whereas patients listed as ischemic (n = 5) had a distinct hypermethylation signature for regulated transcripts. The focus of this initial analysis was on promoter-associated CpG islands with inverse changes in gene transcript levels, from which diabetes (14 genes; e.g. IGFBP4) and ischemic (12 genes; e.g. PFKFB3) specific targets emerged with significant regulation of both measures. By combining our mouse and human molecular analyses, we provide evidence that diabetes mellitus governs direct regulation of cellular function by DNA methylation and the corresponding gene expression in diabetic mouse and human hearts. Importantly, many of the changes seen in either mouse type 1 diabetes or human type 2 diabetes were similar supporting a consistent mechanism of regulation. These studies are some of the first steps at defining mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Screening candidate microR-15a- IRAK2 regulatory pairs for predicting the response to Staphylococcus aureus-induced mastitis in dairy cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Chen ◽  
Jingpeng Zhou ◽  
Xiaolong Wang ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
Xubin Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Differential Expression ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Chinese Holstein Cows ◽  
Reporter Assays

AbstractWe established a mastitis model using exogenous infection of the mammary gland of Chinese Holstein cows with Staphylococcus aureus and extracted total RNA from S. aureus-infected and healthy mammary quarters. Differential expression of genes due to mastitis was evaluated using Affymetrix technology and results revealed a total of 1230 differentially expressed mRNAs. A subset of affected genes was verified via Q-PCR and pathway analysis. In addition, Solexa high-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze profiles of miRNA in infected and healthy quarters. These analyses revealed a total of 52 differentially expressed miRNAs. A subset of those results was verified via Q-PCR. Bioinformatics techniques were used to predict and analyze the correlations among differentially expressed miRNA and mRNA. Results revealed a total of 329 pairs of negatively associated miRNA/mRNA, with 31 upregulated pairs of mRNA and 298 downregulated pairs of mRNA. Differential expression of miR-15a and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-like 2 (IRAK2), were evaluated by western blot and luciferase reporter assays. We conclude that miR-15a and miR-15a target genes (IRAK2) constitute potential miRNA–mRNA regulatory pairs for use as biomarkers to predict a mastitis response.

scholarly journals Iron Requirement for Mn(II) Oxidation by Leptothrix discophora SS-1

2008 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 1229-1235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman A. El Gheriany ◽  
Daniela Bocioaga ◽  
Anthony G. Hay ◽  
William C. Ghiorse ◽  
Michael L. Shuler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Formation ◽  
Temporal Variations ◽  
Iron Limitation ◽  
Gene Transcript ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Transcript Levels ◽  
Leptothrix Discophora ◽  
Geochemical Cycling ◽  
Iron Requirement

ABSTRACT A common form of biocatalysis of Mn(II) oxidation results in the formation of biogenic Mn(III, IV) oxides and is a key reaction in the geochemical cycling of Mn. In this study, we grew the model Mn(II)-oxidizing bacterium Leptothrix discophora SS-1 in media with limited iron (0.1 μM iron/5.8 mM pyruvate) and sufficient iron (0.2 μM iron/5.8 mM pyruvate). The influence of iron on the rate of extracellular Mn(II) oxidation was evaluated. Cultures in which cell growth was limited by iron exhibited reduced abilities to oxidize Mn(II) compared to cultures in medium with sufficient iron. While the extracellular Mn(II)-oxidizing factor (MOF) is thought to be a putative multicopper oxidase, Mn(II) oxidation in the presence of zero added Cu(II) was detected and the decrease in the observed Mn(II) oxidation rate in iron-limited cultures was not relieved when the medium was supplemented with Cu(II). The decline of Mn(II) oxidation under iron-limited conditions was not accompanied by siderophore production and is unlikely to be an artifact of siderophore complex formation with Mn(III). The temporal variations in mofA gene transcript levels under conditions of limited and abundant iron were similar, indicating that iron limitation did not interfere with the transcription of the mofA gene. Our quantitative PCR results provide a step forward in understanding the regulation of Mn(II) oxidation. The mechanistic role of iron in Mn(II) oxidation is uncertain; the data are consistent with a direct requirement for iron as a component of the MOF or an indirect effect of iron resulting from the limitation of one of many cellular functions requiring iron.

scholarly journals Sp1-Induced Upregulation of LBX2-AS1 Aggravates The Progression of Glioblastoma By Targeting The miR-491-5p/LIF Axis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wentao Li ◽  
Ismatullah Soufiany ◽  
Xiao Lyu ◽  
Lin Zhao ◽  
Chenfei Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Stat3 Signaling ◽  
Regulatory Effects

Abstract Background: Mounting evidences have shown the importance of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. LBX2-AS1 is an oncogenic lncRNA that has been found abnormally expressed in gastric cancer and lung cancer samples. Nevertheless, the biological function of LBX2-AS1 in glioblastoma (GBM) and potential molecular mechanism are largely unclear. Methods: Relative levels of LBX2-AS1 in GBM samples and cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR and FISH. In vivo and in vitro regulatory effects of LBX2-AS1 on cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and angiogenesis in GBM were examined through xenograft models and functional experiments, respectively. The interaction between Sp1 and LBX2-AS1 was assessed by ChIP. Through bioinformatic analyses, dual-luciferase reporter assay, RIP and Western blot, the regulation of LBX2-AS1 and miR-491-5p on the target gene leukemia Inhibitory factor (LIF) was identified. Results: LBX2-AS1 was upregulated in GBM samples and cell lines, and its transcription was promoted by binding to the transcription factor Sp1. As a lncRNA mainly distributed in the cytoplasm, LBX2-AS1 upregulated LIF, and activated the LIF/STAT3 signaling by exerting the miRNA sponge effect on miR-491-5p, thus promoting cell proliferation, EMT and angiogenesis in GBM. Besides, LBX2-AS1 was unfavorable to the progression of glioma and the survival. Conclusion: Upregulated by Sp1, LBX2-AS1 promotes the progression of GBM by targeting the miR-491-5p/LIF axis. It is suggested that LBX2-AS1 may be a novel diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target of GBM.

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