scholarly journals TAMI-49. THE ALTERNATIVE SPLICING FACTOR MBNL1 INHIBITS GLIOBLASTOMA TUMOR INITIATION AND PROGRESSION BY REDUCING HYPOXIA-INDUCED STEMNESS

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii223-ii224
Author(s):  
Dillon Voss ◽  
Anthony Sloan ◽  
Eli Bar ◽  
Eli Bar

Abstract Muscleblind-like-proteins (MBNL) belong to a family of tissue-specific RNA metabolism-regulators that control pre-messenger RNA-splicing (AS). Inactivation of MBNL causes an adult-to-fetal AS transition, resulting in the development of myotonic dystrophy. We have previously shown that the aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma (GBM), maintains stem-like features (GSC) through hypoxia-induced responses. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the hypoxia-induced responses in GBM might also include MBNL-based AS to promote tumor progression. When cultured in hypoxia, GSCs rapidly export MBNL1 out of the nucleus resulting in significant inhibition of MBNL1 activity. Notably, the hypoxia-regulated inhibition of MBNL1 also resulted in evidence of adult-to-fetal alternative splicing transitions. Forced expression of a constitutively active isoform of MBNL1 inhibited GSC self-renewal and tumor initiation in orthotopic transplantation models. Using a tetracycline-inducible system, induced expression of MBNL1 in established orthotopic tumors dramatically inhibited tumor progression resulting in a significant prolongation of survival. This study reveals that MBNL1 plays an essential role in GBM stemness and tumor progression, whereby hypoxic responses within the tumor inhibit MBNL1 activity, promoting stem-like phenotypes and tumor growth. Reversing these effects on MBNL1 may, therefore, yield potent tumor-suppressor activities, uncovering new therapeutic opportunities to counter this devastating disease.

2016 ◽  
Vol 212 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Chabot ◽  
Lulzim Shkreta

Examples of associations between human disease and defects in pre–messenger RNA splicing/alternative splicing are accumulating. Although many alterations are caused by mutations in splicing signals or regulatory sequence elements, recent studies have noted the disruptive impact of mutated generic spliceosome components and splicing regulatory proteins. This review highlights recent progress in our understanding of how the altered splicing function of RNA-binding proteins contributes to myelodysplastic syndromes, cancer, and neuropathologies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 80 (21) ◽  
pp. 4681-4692
Author(s):  
Dillon M. Voss ◽  
Anthony Sloan ◽  
Raffaella Spina ◽  
Heather M. Ames ◽  
Eli E. Bar

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1720
Author(s):  
Kuo-Chieh Liao ◽  
Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco

The importance of transcriptional regulation of host genes in innate immunity against viral infection has been widely recognized. More recently, post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms have gained appreciation as an additional and important layer of regulation to fine-tune host immune responses. Here, we review the functional significance of alternative splicing in innate immune responses to viral infection. We describe how several central components of the Type I and III interferon pathways encode spliced isoforms to regulate IFN activation and function. Additionally, the functional roles of splicing factors and modulators in antiviral immunity are discussed. Lastly, we discuss how cell death pathways are regulated by alternative splicing as well as the potential role of this regulation on host immunity and viral infection. Altogether, these studies highlight the importance of RNA splicing in regulating host–virus interactions and suggest a role in downregulating antiviral innate immunity; this may be critical to prevent pathological inflammation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-juan Li ◽  
Yao-hui He ◽  
Jing-jing Yang ◽  
Guo-sheng Hu ◽  
Yi-an Lin ◽  
...  

AbstractNumerous substrates have been identified for Type I and II arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). However, the full substrate spectrum of the only type III PRMT, PRMT7, and its connection to type I and II PRMT substrates remains unknown. Here, we use mass spectrometry to reveal features of PRMT7-regulated methylation. We find that PRMT7 predominantly methylates a glycine and arginine motif; multiple PRMT7-regulated arginine methylation sites are close to phosphorylations sites; methylation sites and proximal sequences are vulnerable to cancer mutations; and methylation is enriched in proteins associated with spliceosome and RNA-related pathways. We show that PRMT4/5/7-mediated arginine methylation regulates hnRNPA1 binding to RNA and several alternative splicing events. In breast, colorectal and prostate cancer cells, PRMT4/5/7 are upregulated and associated with high levels of hnRNPA1 arginine methylation and aberrant alternative splicing. Pharmacological inhibition of PRMT4/5/7 suppresses cancer cell growth and their co-inhibition shows synergistic effects, suggesting them as targets for cancer therapy.


2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 362-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chonghui Cheng ◽  
Phillip A. Sharp

ABSTRACT The multiple isoforms of the transmembrane glycoprotein CD44 are produced by alternative RNA splicing. Expression of CD44 isoforms containing variable 5 exon (v5) correlates with enhanced malignancy and invasiveness of some tumors. Here we demonstrate that SRm160, a splicing coactivator, regulates CD44 alternative splicing in a Ras-dependent manner. Overexpression of SRm160 stimulates inclusion of CD44 v5 when Ras is activated. Conversely, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of SRm160 significantly reduces v5 inclusion. Immunoprecipitation shows association of SRm160 with Sam68, a protein that also stimulates v5 inclusion in a Ras-dependent manner, suggesting that these two proteins interact to regulate CD44 splicing. Importantly, siRNA-mediated depletion of CD44 v5 decreases tumor cell invasion. Reduction of SRm160 by siRNA transfection downregulates the endogenous levels of CD44 isoforms, including v5, and correlates with a decrease in tumor cell invasiveness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dunhui Li ◽  
Craig Stewart McIntosh ◽  
Frank Louis Mastaglia ◽  
Steve Donald Wilton ◽  
May Thandar Aung-Htut

AbstractPrecursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is a fundamental step in eukaryotic gene expression that systematically removes non-coding regions (introns) and ligates coding regions (exons) into a continuous message (mature mRNA). This process is highly regulated and can be highly flexible through a process known as alternative splicing, which allows for several transcripts to arise from a single gene, thereby greatly increasing genetic plasticity and the diversity of proteome. Alternative splicing is particularly prevalent in neuronal cells, where the splicing patterns are continuously changing to maintain cellular homeostasis and promote neurogenesis, migration and synaptic function. The continuous changes in splicing patterns and a high demand on many cis- and trans-splicing factors contribute to the susceptibility of neuronal tissues to splicing defects. The resultant neurodegenerative diseases are a large group of disorders defined by a gradual loss of neurons and a progressive impairment in neuronal function. Several of the most common neurodegenerative diseases involve some form of splicing defect(s), such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and spinal muscular atrophy. Our growing understanding of RNA splicing has led to the explosion of research in the field of splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics. Here we review our current understanding of the effects alternative splicing has on neuronal differentiation, neuronal migration, synaptic maturation and regulation, as well as the impact on neurodegenerative diseases. We will also review the current landscape of splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides as a therapeutic strategy for a number of common neurodegenerative disorders.


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