MiRNA-27a decreases ultraviolet B irradiation-induced cell damage.

MiRNAs were involved in the various biological process through mediating the posttranscriptional gene silencing. The abnormal expression of miRNAs is also involved in various disorders. Our previous study showed that miRNA-27a (miR-27a) was upregulated after ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. However, the function of miR-27a in UVB-induced cell damage is still unclear. In this study, we used the miR-27a overexpression and knockdown lentivirus to transfect UVB irradiated HaCaT cell line and observed the influence of miR-27a on UVB irradiated damages in cells. We found that miR-27a removed cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and decreased the cell apoptosis after UVB radiation. Further studies showed that miR-27a directly decreased the expression and luciferase activity of target genes transactive response DNA-binding protein (TARDBP) and apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (APAF-1). In conclusion, miR-27a can inhibit CPDs, reduce the cell apoptosis and down-regulate its target genes TARDBP and APAF-1 induced by UVB irradiation in HaCaT cells. It is indicated that miR-27a may serve as a target for UVB irradiation protection.

PARTICLE - The RNA podium for genomic silencers.

Radiation exposure can evoke cellular stress responses. Emerging recognition that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as regulators of gene expression has broadened the spectra of molecules controlling the genomic landscape upon alterations in environmental conditions. Knowledge of the mechanisms responding to low dose irradiation (LDR) exposure is very limited yet most likely involve subtle ancillary molecular pathways other than those protecting the cell from direct cellular damage. The discovery that transcription of the lncRNA PARTICLE (promoter of MAT2A- antisense radiation-induced circulating lncRNA; PARTICL) becomes dramatically instigated within a day after LDR exposure introduced a new gene regulator onto the biological landscape. PARTICLE affords an RNA binding platform for genomic silencers such as DNA methyltransferase 1 and histone tri-methyltransferases to reign in the expression of tumor suppressors such as its neighboring MAT2A in cis as well as WWOX in trans. In silico evidence offers scope to speculate that PARTICLE exploits the abundance of Hoogsten bonds that exist throughout mammalian genomes for triplex formation, presumably a vital feature within this RNA silencer. PARTICLE may provide a buffering riboswitch platform for S-adenosylmethionine. The correlation of PARTICLE triplex formation sites within tumor suppressor genes and their abundance throughout the genome at cancer-related hotspots offers an insight into potential avenues worth exploring in future therapeutic endeavors.

ROS-Sensitive Cross-Linked Polyethylenimine for Red-Light-Activated siRNA Therapy.

The extremely inefficient endosomal escape and intracellular release are the central barriers for effective nanocarrier-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics. Accelerating endosomal escape and triggering intracellular release with red or near-infrared light are of particular interest due to its spatiotemporal controllability, great tissue penetration, and minimal phototoxicity. As a proof-of-concept, we explored an innovative siRNA delivery system, TKPEI-Ce6, that is prepared by the linking reaction of branched polyethylenimine, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-labile crosslinker, poly(ethylene glycol), and chlorin e6 (Ce6). TKPEI-Ce6 efficiently condensed siRNA to form the nanoscale complex TKPEI-Ce6/siRNA. Under red-light irradiation (660 nm), the conjugated Ce6 produced ROS, which could accelerate endosomal escape by the destruction of the endosomal membranes and then trigger the cytosolic release of siRNA by cleaving the thioketal linker and further disrupting the nanostructure of the TKPEI-Ce6/siRNA. Therefore, the superior silencing efficiency of siRNA was collectively realized toward an anticancer therapy. This concept also provides new avenues for light-controlled site-specific downregulation of targeted gene expression in vivo, facilitating precise treatment of numerous diseases.

Caged siRNAs with single folic acid modification of antisense RNA for photomodulation of exogenous and endogenous gene expression in cells.

Manually controlling siRNA activity is an essentially important way to spatiotemporally investigate gene expression and function. Owing to ease of operation and precise manipulation, light can be used for controlled regulation of siRNA-induced gene silencing. Here, we developed a series of caged siRNAs with folic acid modification at the 5' terminus of the antisense strand of the siRNA through a photolabile linker. The attachment of the folic acid moiety temporarily masked the corresponding siRNA activity. Upon illumination, these caged siRNAs were activated, and their gene silencing activities were restored. Based on this strategy, we successfully photomodulated gene expression of both an exogenous gene (for green fluorescent protein, GFP) and an endogenous gene (for mototic kinesin-5, Eg5) in cells.

LncRNA HULC mediates radioresistance via autophagy in prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Irradiation is one of the available options for treatment of PCa, however, approximately 10-45% of PCa are resistant to irradiation. We aimed to explore the role of long non-coding RNA highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) in the sensitivity of PCa cells to irradiation. Survival rate, cell apoptosis, cycle, expressions of related proteins, and caspase-3 activity were assessed to explore the effects of HULC on sensitivity of PCa cells to irradiation. Expression of HULC in DU-145, PC3, LNCaP, and RWPE-1 cells was determined and the influence of HULC on DU-145 cells was explored. Then, PC3 cells aberrantly expressing HULC were implanted into NOD-SCID mice for tumor xenograft study. Changes of autophagy after aberrant expression of HULC in vivo and in vitro were tested. Furthermore, the interacted protein of HULC and involved signaling pathway were investigated. In PC3 and LNCaP cells under irradiation, survival rate and cell cycle were decreased and apoptosis was increased by HULC knockdown. HULC knockdown arrested PC3 cells at G0/G1 phase. DU-145 was sensitive to irradiation, and resistance to irradiation of DU-145 cells was enhanced by HULC overexpression. Moreover, HULC knockdown enhanced the sensitivity of PC3 xenografts to irradiation. HULC knockdown promoted autophagy through interaction with Beclin-1 and inhibition of mTOR, resulting in increased apoptosis. HULC knockdown improved sensitivity of PCa cells to irradiation both in vivo and in vitro. HULC suppressed Beclin-1 phosphorylation, thereby reduced autophagy, involving the mTOR pathway.

Photomodulating Gene Expression by Using Caged siRNAs with Single-Aptamer Modification.

Caged siRNAs incorporating terminal modification were rationally designed for photochemical regulation of gene silencing induced by RNA interference (RNAi). Through the conjugation of a single oligonucleotide aptamer at the 5' terminus of the antisense RNA strand, enhancement of the blocking effect for RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) formation/processing was expected, due both/either to the aptamers themselves and/or to their interaction with large binding proteins. Two oligonucleotide aptamers (AS1411 and MUC-1) were chosen for aptamer-siRNA conjugation through a photolabile linker. This caging strategy was successfully used to photoregulate gene expression both of firefly luciferase and of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells. Further patterning experiments revealed that spatial regulation of GFP expression was successfully achieved by using the aptamer-modified caged siRNA and light activation. We expect that further optimized caged siRNAs featuring aptamer conjugation will be promising for practical applications to spatiotemporal photoregulation of gene expression in the future.

NIR-induced spatiotemporally controlled gene silencing by upconversion nanoparticle-based siRNA nanocarrier.

Spatiotemporal control over the release or activation of biomacromolecules such as siRNA remains a significant challenge. Light-controlled release has gained popularity in recent years; however, a major limitation is that most photoactivable compounds/systems respond only to UV irradiation, but not near-infrared (NIR) light that offers a deeper tissue penetration depth and better biocompatibility. This paper reports a simple NIR-to-UV upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based siRNA nanocarrier for NIR-controlled gene silencing. siRNA is complexed onto a NaYF4:Yb/Tm/Er UCNP through an azobenzene (Azo)-cyclodextrin (CD) host-guest interaction. The UV emission generated by the NIR-activated UCNP effectively triggers the trans-to-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene, thus leading to the release of siRNA due to unmatched host-guest pairs. The UCNP-siRNA complexes are also functionalized with PEG (i.e., UCNP-(CD/Azo)-siRNA/PEG NPs), targeting ligands (i.e., EGFR-specific GE11 peptide), acid-activatable cell-penetrating peptides (i.e., TH peptide), and imaging probes (i.e., Cy5 fluorophore). The UCNP-(CD/Azo)-siRNA/PEG NPs with both GE11 and TH peptides display a high level of cellular uptake and an excellent endosomal/lysosomal escape capability. More importantly, NIR-controlled spatiotemporal knockdown of GFP expression is successfully achieved in both a 2D monolayer cell model and a 3D multicellular tumor spheroid model. Thus, this simple and versatile nanoplatform has great potential for the selective activation or release of various biomacromolecules.

Adipochemokines induced by ultraviolet irradiation contribute to impaired fat metabolism in subcutaneous fat cells.

BACKGROUND: Adipose tissue is now appreciated as the pivotal regulator of metabolic and endocrine functions. Subcutaneous (SC) fat, in contrast to visceral fat, may protect against metabolic syndrome and systemic inflammation. We demonstrated that chronic as well as acute ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to the skin induces loss of underlying SC fat. UV-irradiated SC fat may produce chemokines or cytokines that modulate lipid homeostasis and secretion of adipokines. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate UV-induced specific adipochemokines implicated in UV-induced modulation of SC fat. METHODS: Primary cultured adipocytes were treated with conditioned medium from UV- or sham-irradiated skin cells. Young and older healthy participants provided SC fat from sun-exposed and sun-protected skin. Sun-protected skin from other participants was irradiated with UV. Differentially expressed adipochemokines were screened by cytokine array, and confirmed in vitro and in vivo. The functions of select adipochemokines involved in lipid metabolism were examined via short interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of cognate receptors. RESULTS: Specific adipochemokines, including C-X-C motif chemokine (CXCL) family members such as CXCL5/ENA-78, and C-C motif chemokine (CCL) family members such as CCL20/MIP-3α and CCL5/RANTES, were greatly induced in SC fat by UV exposure. They could impair triglyceride synthesis via downregulation of lipogenic enzymes and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 through their respective cognate receptors, CXC chemokine receptor type (CXC-R)2, C-C chemokine receptor type (CCR)-6, and CCR-5. In addition, UV irradiation induced infiltration of adipose tissue macrophages responsible for the secretion of several chemokines into SC fat. CONCLUSIONS: These UV-induced adipochemokines may be implicated in the reduction of lipogenesis in SC fat, leading to impairment of fat homeostasis and associated comorbidities such as obesity.

LncRNA HULC mediates radioresistance via autophagy in prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Irradiation is one of the available options for treatment of PCa, however, approximately 10-45% of PCa are resistant to irradiation. We aimed to explore the role of long non-coding RNA highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) in the sensitivity of PCa cells to irradiation. Survival rate, cell apoptosis, cycle, expressions of related proteins, and caspase-3 activity were assessed to explore the effects of HULC on sensitivity of PCa cells to irradiation. Expression of HULC in DU-145, PC3, LNCaP, and RWPE-1 cells was determined and the influence of HULC on DU-145 cells was explored. Then, PC3 cells aberrantly expressing HULC were implanted into NOD-SCID mice for tumor xenograft study. Changes of autophagy after aberrant expression of HULC in vivo and in vitro were tested. Furthermore, the interacted protein of HULC and involved signaling pathway were investigated. In PC3 and LNCaP cells under irradiation, survival rate and cell cycle were decreased and apoptosis was increased by HULC knockdown. HULC knockdown arrested PC3 cells at G0/G1 phase. DU-145 was sensitive to irradiation, and resistance to irradiation of DU-145 cells was enhanced by HULC overexpression. Moreover, HULC knockdown enhanced the sensitivity of PC3 xenografts to irradiation. HULC knockdown promoted autophagy through interaction with Beclin-1 and inhibition of mTOR, resulting in increased apoptosis. HULC knockdown improved sensitivity of PCa cells to irradiation both in vivo and in vitro. HULC suppressed Beclin-1 phosphorylation, thereby reduced autophagy, involving the mTOR pathway.

Light-Patterned RNA Interference of 3D-Cultured Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

A new method of spatially controlled gene regulation in 3D-cultured human embryonic stem cells is developed using hollow gold nanoshells (HGNs) and near-infrared (NIR) light. Targeted cell(s) are discriminated from neighboring cell(s) by focusing NIR light emitted from a two-photon microscope. Irradiation of cells that have internalized HGNs releases surface attached siRNAs and leads to concomitant gene downregulation.

Cationic Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) Materials as a Multifunctional Platform for Light-Enhanced siRNA Delivery.

In this work, a multifunctional platform based on the versatile function of cationic poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivative has been developed for white light-enhanced siRNA delivery in a remote control manner. Conjugated polyelectrolyte PPV, which possesses cationic and amphipathic features, can effectively self-assemble with siRNA and deliver siRNA into living cells. More importantly, PPV can sensitize surrounding oxygen into reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon exposure to white light and disrupt the endosomal membrane, and the resulting enhanced endosomal escape increases the gene silencing ability of siRNA. Besides, due to high fluorescent emission, PPV can also be used to image the siRNA delivery and intracelluar location. Therefore, by taking full advantage of PPV, this strategy provides a new enhanced siRNA delivery in a non-invasive and spatiotemporal photochemical manner.

Overexpression of forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) plays a critical role in colorectal cancer

Background: The forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), an important regulator of cell differentiation and proliferation, is overexpressed in a number of aggressive human carcinomas. However, the clinical significance of FOXM1 signaling in human colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of FOXM1 in CRC tumorigenesis. Methods: We investigated FOXM1 expression in 103 cases of primary CRC and matched normal tissue specimens and explored the underlying mechanisms of altered FOXM1 expression and the impact of this altered expression on CRC proliferation and metastasis using in vitro models of CRC. Results: The results showed that high expression of FOXM1 staining was 85.44 % (88/103) in 103 cases of CRC and 20.39 % (21/103) in 103 cases of adjacent noncancerous tissue samples; the difference of FOXM1 expression between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Silencing of FOXM1 inhibited the proliferation of CRC cells, and the invasion and migration of CRC cells were distinctly suppressed. Furthermore, FOXM1 knockdown led to substantial reductions in VEGF-A levels in CRC cell lines. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the pathogenesis of CRC maybe mediated by FOXM1, and FOXM1 could represent selective targets for the molecularly targeted treatments of CRC

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Regional signals in the planarian body guide stem cell fate in the presence of genomic instability.

Cellular fate decisions are influenced by their topographical location in the adult body. For instance, tissue repair and neoplastic growth are greater in anterior than in posterior regions of adult animals. However, the molecular underpinnings of these regional differences are unknown. We identified a regional switch in the adult planarian body upon systemic disruption of homologous recombination with RNA-interference of Rad51 Rad51 knockdown increases DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) throughout the body, but stem cells react differently depending on their location along the anteroposterior axis. In the presence of extensive DSBs, cells in the anterior part of the body resist death, whereas cells in the posterior region undergo apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that proliferation of cells with DNA damage is induced in the presence of brain tissue and that the retinoblastoma pathway enables overproliferation of cells with DSBs while attending to the demands of tissue growth and repair. Our results implicate both autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms as key mediators of regional cell behavior and cellular transformation in the adult body.

NB-LRR signaling induces translational repression of viral transcripts and the formation of RNA processing bodies through mechanisms differing from those activated by UV stress and RNAi.

Plant NB-LRR proteins confer resistance to multiple pathogens, including viruses. Although the recognition of viruses by NB-LRR proteins is highly specific, previous studies have suggested that NB-LRR activation results in a response that targets all viruses in the infected cell. Using an inducible system to activate NB-LRR defenses, we find that NB-LRR signaling does not result in the degradation of viral transcripts, but rather prevents them from associating with ribosomes and translating their genetic material. This indicates that defense against viruses involves the repression of viral RNA translation. This repression is specific to viral transcripts and does not involve a global shutdown of host cell translation. As a consequence of the repression of viral RNA translation, NB-LRR responses induce a dramatic increase in the biogenesis of RNA processing bodies (PBs). We demonstrate that other pathways that induce translational repression, such as UV irradiation and RNAi, also induce PBs. However, by investigating the phosphorylation status of eIF2α and by using suppressors of RNAi we show that the mechanisms leading to PB induction by NB-LRR signaling are different from these stimuli, thus defining a distinct type of translational control and anti-viral mechanism in plants.

Terminus-free siRNA prepared by photo-crosslinking activated via slicing by Ago2.

We report the development of photo-crosslinked siRNA strands modified at each terminus with p-cyanostilbene. The siRNA was nuclease resistant and retained RNAi activity. We further studied the activation mechanism of the covalently-crosslinked siRNA. Interestingly Dicer, which is known to generate siRNA with overhanging 3' ends from the precursor siRNA, did not cleave the crosslinked siRNA at all. Our results suggest that the activation of the crosslinked siRNAs required cleavage by Argonaute2.

Targeting Homologous Recombination in Notch-Driven C. elegans Stem Cell and Human Tumors.

Mammalian NOTCH1-4 receptors are all associated with human malignancy, although exact roles remain enigmatic. Here we employ glp-1(ar202), a temperature-sensitive gain-of-function C. elegans NOTCH mutant, to delineate NOTCH-driven tumor responses to radiotherapy. At ≤20°C, glp-1(ar202) is wild-type, whereas at 25°C it forms a germline stem cell/progenitor cell tumor reminiscent of human cancer. We identify a NOTCH tumor phenotype in which all tumor cells traffic rapidly to G2/M post-irradiation, attempt to repair DNA strand breaks exclusively via homology-driven repair, and when this fails die by mitotic death. Homology-driven repair inactivation is dramatically radiosensitizing. We show that these concepts translate directly to human cancer models.

Down-regulation of Kelch domain-containing F-box protein in Arabidopsis enhances the production of (poly)phenols and tolerance to ultraviolet radiation.

Phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in plants engenders myriad phenolics with diverse biological functions. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) is the first committed enzyme in the pathway, directing primary metabolic flux into a phenylpropanoid branch. Previously, we demonstrated that the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Kelch domain-containing F-box proteins, AtKFB01, AtKFB20, and AtKFB50, function as the negative regulators controlling phenylpropanoid biosynthesis via mediating PAL's ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. Here, we reveal that Arabidopsis KFB39, a close homolog of AtKFB50, also interacts physically with PAL isozymes and modulates PAL stability and activity. Disturbing the expression of KFB39 reciprocally affects the accumulation/deposition of a set of phenylpropanoid end products, suggesting that KFB39 is an additional posttranslational regulator responsible for the turnover of PAL and negatively controlling phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, we discover that exposure of Arabidopsis to ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation suppresses the expression of all four KFB genes while inducing the transcription of PAL isogenes; these data suggest that Arabidopsis consolidates both transcriptional and posttranslational regulation mechanisms to maximize its responses to UV light stress. Simultaneous down-regulation of all four identified KFBs significantly enhances the production of (poly)phenols and the plant's tolerance to UV irradiation. This study offers a biotechnological approach for engineering the production of useful phenolic chemicals and for increasing a plant's resistance to environmental stress.

The synthesis of tetra-modified RNA for the multidimensional control of gene expression via light-activated RNA interference.

Light-activated RNA interference (LARI) is an effective way to control gene expression with light. This, in turn, allows for the spacing, timing and degree of gene expression to be controlled by the spacing, timing and amount of light irradiation. The key mediators of this process are siRNA or dsRNA that have been modified with four photocleavable groups of dimethoxy nitro phenyl ethyl (DMNPE), located on the four terminal phosphate groups of the duplex RNA. These mediators can be easily synthesized and purified using two readily available products: synthetic RNA oligonucleotides and DMNPE-hydrazone. The synthesis of the tetra-DMNPE-modified duplex RNA is made possible by a remarkable regiospecificity of DMNPE for terminal phosphates (over internal phosphates or nucleobases) that we have previously identified. The four installed DMNPE groups effectively limit RNAi until irradiation cleaves them, releasing native, active siRNA. By using the described protocol, any process that is mediated by RNAi can be controlled with light. Although other methods exist to control gene expression with light by using specialized reagents, this method requires only two commercially available products. The protocol takes ∼3 d in total for the preparation of modified RNA.

The GATA transcription factor/MTA-1 homolog egr-1 promotes longevity and stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Aging is associated with a large number of both phenotypic and molecular changes, but for most of these, it is not known whether these changes are detrimental, neutral, or protective. We have identified a conserved Caenorhabditis elegans GATA transcription factor/MTA-1 homolog egr-1 (lin-40) that extends lifespan and promotes resistance to heat and UV stress when overexpressed. Expression of egr-1 increases with age, suggesting that it may promote survival during normal aging. This increase in expression is dependent on the presence of the germline, raising the possibility that egr-1 expression is regulated by signals from the germline. In addition, loss of egr-1 suppresses the long lifespan of insulin receptor daf-2 mutants. The DAF-16 FOXO transcription factor is required for the increased stress resistance of egr-1 overexpression mutants, and egr-1 is necessary for the proper regulation of sod-3 (a reporter for DAF-16 activity). These results indicate that egr-1 acts within the insulin signaling pathway. egr-1 can also activate the expression of its paralog egl-27, another factor known to extend lifespan and increase stress resistance, suggesting that the two genes act in a common program to promote survival. These results identify egr-1 as part of a longevity-promoting circuit that changes with age in a manner that is beneficial for the lifespan of the organism.

Both PHYTOCHROME RAPIDLY REGULATED1 (PAR1) and PAR2 promote seedling photomorphogenesis in multiple light signaling pathways.

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings undergo photomorphogenesis in the light and etiolation in the dark. Light-activated photoreceptors transduce the light signals through a series of photomorphogenesis promoting or repressing factors to modulate many developmental processes in plants, such as photomorphogenesis and shade avoidance. CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1) is a conserved RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligase, which mediates degradation of several photomorphogenesis promoting factors, including ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) and LONG HYPOCOTYL IN FAR-RED1 (HFR1), through a 26S proteasome-dependent pathway. PHYTOCHROME RAPIDLY REGULATED1 (PAR1) was first detected as an early repressed gene in both phytochrome A (phyA)-mediated far-red and phyB-mediated red signaling pathways, and subsequent studies showed that both PAR1 and PAR2 are negative factors of shade avoidance in Arabidopsis. However, the role of PAR1 and PAR2 in seedling deetiolation, and their relationships with other photomorphogenesis promoting and repressing factors are largely unknown. Here, we confirmed that both PAR1 and PAR2 redundantly enhance seedling deetiolation in multiple photoreceptor signaling pathways. Their transcript abundances are repressed by phyA, phyB, and cryptochrome1 under far-red, red, and blue light conditions, respectively. Both PAR1 and PAR2 act downstream of COP1, and COP1 mediates the degradation of PAR1 and PAR2 through the 26S proteasome pathway. Both PAR1 and PAR2 act in a separate pathway from HY5 and HFR1 under different light conditions, except for sharing in the same pathway with HFR1 under far-red light. Together, our results substantiate that PAR1 and PAR2 are positive factors functioning in multiple photoreceptor signaling pathways during seedling deetiolation.