Autosomal-recessive loss of the NSUN2 gene has been recently identified as a causative link to intellectual disability disorders in humans. NSun2 is an RNA methyltransferase modifying cytosine-5 in transfer RNAs (tRNA). Whether NSun2 methylates additional RNA species is currently debated. Here, we adapted the individual-nucleotide resolution UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation method (iCLIP) to identify NSun2-mediated methylation in RNA transcriptome. We confirm site-specific methylation in tRNA and identify messenger and non-coding RNAs as potential methylation targets for NSun2. Using RNA bisulfite sequencing we establish Vault non-coding RNAs as novel substrates for NSun2 and identified six cytosine-5 methylated sites. Furthermore, we show that loss of cytosine-5 methylation in Vault RNAs causes aberrant processing into argonaute-associating small RNA fragments (svRNA). Thus, impaired Vault non-coding RNA processing may be an important contributor to the etiology of NSUN2-deficieny human disorders. Overall design: mRNA-seq in Embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells transfected with siRNA against Nsun2 vs control
NSun2-mediated cytosine-5 methylation of vault noncoding RNA determines its processing into regulatory small RNAs.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesObjective: Analyze expression patterns of genes located at linkage region of SPOAN syndrome (11q12-13), in order to identify genes differentially expressed in samples of SPOAN individuals compared to healthy controls.
Overexpression of KLC2 due to a homozygous deletion in the non-coding region causes SPOAN syndrome.
Specimen part
View SamplesAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of genetic disorders often overlapping with other neurological conditions. We previously described abnormalities in the branched chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolic pathway as a cause of ASD. Here we show that the solute carrier transporter 7a5 (SLC7A5), a large neutral amino acid transporter localized at the blood brain barrier (BBB), has an essential role in maintaining normal levels of brain BCAAs. In mice, deletion of Slc7a5 from the endothelial cells of the BBB leads to decreased levels of brain BCAAs, abnormal mRNA translation and severe neurological abnormalities. Furthermore, we identified several patients with autistic traits and motor delay carrying deleterious homozygous mutations in the SLC7A5 gene. Finally, we demonstrate that BCAA intracerebroventricular administration ameliorates abnormal behaviors in adult mutant mice. Our data elucidate a neurological syndrome defined by SLC7A5 mutations and support an essential role for the BCAA in human brain function. Overall design: RNA-sequencing of cerebellum from 3 wildtype mice and 3 Slc7a5 KO mice
Impaired Amino Acid Transport at the Blood Brain Barrier Is a Cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesNeuronal migration defects (NMDs) are among the most common and severe brain abnormalities in humans. Lack of disease models in mice or in human cells has hampered the identification of underlying mechanisms. From patients with severe NMDs we generated iPSCs then differentiated neural progenitor cells (NPCs). On artificial extracellular matrix, patient-derived neuronal cells showed defective migration and impaired neurite outgrowth. From a cohort of 107 families with NMDs, sequencing identified two homozygous C-terminal truncating mutations in CTNNA2, encoding aN-catenin, one of three paralogues of the a-catenin family, involved in epithelial integrity and cell polarity. Patient-derived or CRISPR-targeted CTNNA2- mutant neuronal cells showed defective migration and neurite stability. Recombinant aN-catenin was sufficient to bundle purified actin and to suppress the actin-branching activity of ARP2/3. Small molecule inhibitors of ARP2/3 rescued the CTNNA2 neurite defect. Thus, disease modeling in human cells could be used to understand NMD pathogenesis and develop treatments for associated disorders. Overall design: 2 biological replicates per individual (2 iPSC clone differentiations), excluding 1263A, which has one sample
Biallelic loss of human CTNNA2, encoding αN-catenin, leads to ARP2/3 complex overactivity and disordered cortical neuronal migration.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe response of cells to hypoxia is characterised by co-ordinated regulation of many genes. Studies of the regulation of the expression of many of these genes by oxygen has implicated a role for the heterodimeric transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). The mechanism of oxygen sensing which controls this heterodimeric factor is via oxygen dependent prolyl and asparaginyl hydroxylation by specific 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenases (PHD1, PHD2, PHD3 and FIH-1). Whilst HIF appears to have a major role in hypoxic regulation of gene expression, it is unclear to what extent other transcriptional mechanisms are also involved in the response to hypoxia. The extent to which 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenases are responsible for the oxygen sensing mechanism in HIF-independent hypoxic gene regulation is also unclear. Both the prolyl and asparaginyl hydroxylases can be inhibited by dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG). Such inhibition can produce activation of the HIF system with enhanced transcription of target genes and might have a role in the therapy of ischaemic disease. We have examined the extent to which the HIF system contributes to the regulation of gene expression by hypoxia, to what extent 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenase inhibitor can mimic the hypoxic response and the nature of the global transcriptional response to hypoxia. We have utilised microarray assays of mRNA abundance to examine the gene expression changes in response to hypoxia and to DMOG. We demonstrate a large number of hypoxically regulated genes, both known and novel, and find a surprisingly high level of mimicry of the hypoxic response by use of the 2-oxoglutarate dependent dioxygenase inhibitor, dimethyloxalylglycine. We have also used microarray analysis of cells treated with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha to demonstrate the differing contributions of each transcription factor to the transcriptional response to hypoxia. Candidate transcripts were confirmed using an independent microarray platform and real-time PCR. The results emphasise the critical role of the HIF system in the hypoxic response, whilst indicating the dominance of HIF-1alpha and defining genes that only respond to HIF-2alpha.
Concordant regulation of gene expression by hypoxia and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase inhibition: the role of HIF-1alpha, HIF-2alpha, and other pathways.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe aim of the study is to evaluate oxygen regulated gene expression in human peripheral blood lymphocytes using microarray analysis.
Variations within oxygen-regulated gene expression in humans.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPRC, a member of the PGC-1 coactivator family, is responsive to serum growth factors and up regulated in proliferating cells. Here, we investigated its in vivo role by stably silencing PRC expression with two different short hairpin RNAs (shRNA#1 and shRNA#4) that were lentivirally introduced into U2OS cells. ShRNA#1 transductants exhibited nearly complete knockdown of PRC protein whereas shRNA#4 transductants expressed PRC protein at approximately 15 percent of the control level. Complete PRC silencing by shRNA#1 resulted in a severe inhibition of respiratory growth, reduced expression of respiratory protein subunits from complexes I, II, III and IV, markedly lower complex I and IV respiratory enzyme levels and diminished mitochondrial ATP production. Surprisingly, shRNA#1 transductants exhibited a striking proliferation of abnormal mitochondria that were devoid of organized cristae and displayed severe membrane abnormalities. Although shRNA#4 transductants had normal respiratory subunit expression and a moderately diminished respiratory growth rate, both transductants showed markedly reduced growth on glucose accompanied by inhibition of G1/S cell cycle progression. Microarray analysis revealed striking overlaps in the genes affected by PRC silencing in the two transductants and the functional identities of these overlapping genes were consistent with the observed mitochondrial and cell growth phenotypes. The consistency between phenotype and PRC expression levels in the two independent transductant lines argues that the defects result from PRC silencing and not from off target effects. These results support a role for PRC in the integration of pathways directing mitochondrial respiratory function and cell growth.
Short hairpin RNA-mediated silencing of PRC (PGC-1-related coactivator) results in a severe respiratory chain deficiency associated with the proliferation of aberrant mitochondria.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesDicamba is an auxin-like herbicide that can stimulate the production of ethylene and ABA biosynthesis. The subsequent stomatal closure and build-up of reactive oxygen species is hypothesized to contribute to plant death.
Mutant analysis in Arabidopsis provides insight into the molecular mode of action of the auxinic herbicide dicamba.
Specimen part
View SamplesHuman blood monocytes were differentiated over six days with either 100 ng/ml M-CSF or 1 umol/l CXCL4
CXC chemokine ligand 4 induces a unique transcriptome in monocyte-derived macrophages.
Specimen part
View SamplesNatural killer (NKT) T cells exhibit tissue distribution, surface phenotype, and functional responses that are strikingly different from those of conventional T cells. The transcription factor PLZF is responsible for most of these properties, as its ectopic expression in conventional T cells is sufficient to confer to them an NKT-like phenotype. The molecular program downstream of PLZF, however, is largely unexplored.
PLZF Controls the Expression of a Limited Number of Genes Essential for NKT Cell Function.
Sex, Specimen part
View Samples