非编码RNA与心肌重构

非编码RNA(non-coding RNAs, ncRNAs) 是一类不编码蛋白质的RNA 分子. 相关研究表明, ncRNAs 不仅参与细胞的增殖、凋亡、分化、代谢等生理过程, 还参与疾病的病理过程. 心肌重构(myocardial remodeling)是多种心血管疾病最主要的病理基础. 已有多项研究表明, 心肌重构的发生发展与ncRNAs 的调控息息相关, 近年来针对ncRNAs 在心脏疾病方面的研究也得到了迅猛发展. 对ncRNAs 包括微小RNA(microRNAs, miRNAs)、长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNAs, lncRNAs)和环形RNA(circular RNAs, circRNAs) 与心肌重构的最新研究进展以及作用机制进行介绍, 旨在寻找新的心脏疾病治疗靶点.     

Noncoding RNAs: Different roles in tumorigenesis

A major portion of the mammalian genome is transcribed to produce large numbers of noncoding RNAs(ncRNAs).During the past decade,the discovery of small RNAs,including the microRNAs(miRNA) and small interfering RNAs(siRNA),has led to important advances in biology.The breadth of the ncRNA field of study has substantially expanded and many recent results have revealed a range of functions that can be attributed to the miRNAs and other ncRNAs.For example,H19 RNA,HOTAIR RNA,transcribed ultraconserved regions(T-UCRs),natural antisense RNA,transfer RNA and mitochondrial noncoding RNA have been suggested to play important roles in cancers and other diseases as well as in diverse cellular processes.In this review,we focus on the current status of several classes of ncRNAs associated with cancer with the emphasis on those that are not microRNAs.     

非编码RNA调控心脏重构与再生

近年来, 越来越多的证据表明, 大量的非编码RNA(non-coding RNAs, ncRNAs)在基因的表达调控、细胞和机体的生理功能维持与病理环境调节方面都有重要作用, 其中主要包括微小RNA(microRNAs, miRNAs) 和长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNAs, lncRNAs).心脏重构与再生是心血管疾病领域的关键问题, 其调控过程非常复杂, 包括表观遗传、转录、转录后及翻译水平的调控. 大量研究发现在转录后水平, miRNAs 通过负性调节靶标的表达调控心脏发育、疾病及再生进程. 近期研究揭示, lncRNAs 在心脏发育和疾病中具有潜在的作用, 可通过表观遗传、转录及转录后水平发挥作用. lncRNAs 已成为继miRNAs 之后的又一重要的调节性非编码RNA. 就非编码RNA 在心脏重构及再生进程中的调控作用进行综述.     

Numerous potentially functional but non-genic conserved sequences on human chromosome 21

The use of comparative genomics to infer genome function relies on the understanding of how different components of the genome change over evolutionary time. The aim of such comparative analysis is to identify conserved, functionally transcribed sequences such as protein-coding genes and non-coding RNA genes, and other functional sequences such as regulatory regions, as well as other genomic features. Here, we have compared the entire human chromosome 21 with syntenic regions of the mouse genome, and have identified a large number of conserved blocks of unknown function. Although previous studies have made similar observations, it is unknown whether these conserved sequences are genes or not. Here we present an extensive experimental and computational analysis of human chromosome 21 in an effort to assign function to sequences conserved between human chromosome 21 (ref. 8) and the syntenic mouse regions. Our data support the presence of a large number of potentially functional non-genic sequences, probably regulatory and structural. The integration of the properties of the conserved components of human chromosome 21 to the rapidly accumulating functional data for this chromosome will improve considerably our understanding of the role of sequence conservation in mammalian genomes.     

Rsx is a metatherian RNA with Xist-like properties in X-chromosome inactivation

In female (XX) mammals, one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated to ensure an equal dose of X-linked genes with males (XY). X-chromosome inactivation in eutherian mammals is mediated by the non-coding RNA Xist. Xist is not found in metatherians (marsupials), and how X-chromosome inactivation is initiated in these mammals has been the subject of speculation for decades. Using the marsupial Monodelphis domestica, here we identify Rsx (RNA-on-the-silent X), an RNA that has properties consistent with a role in X-chromosome inactivation. Rsx is a large, repeat-rich RNA that is expressed only in females and is transcribed from, and coats, the inactive X chromosome. In female germ cells, in which both X chromosomes are active, Rsx is silenced, linking Rsx expression to X-chromosome inactivation and reactivation. Integration of an Rsx transgene on an autosome in mouse embryonic stem cells leads to gene silencing in cis. Our findings permit comparative studies of X-chromosome inactivation in mammals and pose questions about the mechanisms by which X-chromosome inactivation is achieved in eutherians.     

Site-specific DICER and DROSHA RNA products control the DNA-damage response

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are involved in an increasingly recognized number of cellular events. Some ncRNAs are processed by DICER and DROSHA RNases to give rise to small double-stranded RNAs involved in RNA interference (RNAi). The DNA-damage response (DDR) is a signalling pathway that originates from a DNA lesion and arrests cell proliferation3. So far, DICER and DROSHA RNA products have not been reported to control DDR activation. Here we show, in human, mouse and zebrafish, that DICER and DROSHA, but not downstream elements of the RNAi pathway, are necessary to activate the DDR upon exogenous DNA damage and oncogene-induced genotoxic stress, as studied by DDR foci formation and by checkpoint assays. DDR foci are sensitive to RNase A treatment, and DICER- and DROSHA-dependent RNA products are required to restore DDR foci in RNase-A-treated cells. Through RNA deep sequencing and the study of DDR activation at a single inducible DNA double-strand break, we demonstrate that DDR foci formation requires site-specific DICER- and DROSHA-dependent small RNAs, named DDRNAs, which act in a MRE11–RAD50–NBS1-complex-dependent manner (MRE11 also known as MRE11A; NBS1 also known as NBN). DDRNAs, either chemically synthesized or in vitro generated by DICER cleavage, are sufficient to restore the DDR in RNase-A-treated cells, also in the absence of other cellular RNAs. Our results describe an unanticipated direct role of a novel class of ncRNAs in the control of DDR activation at sites of DNA damage.     

长非编码RNA以及与疾病发生的研究进展

调节性非编码RNA是指不被翻译为蛋白且具调节作用的功能性RNA分子,常见的具调控作用的非编码RNA(ncRNA)包括si RNA、miRNA、piRNA以及长链非编码RNA(lncRNA).lncRNA是目前调节性非编码RNA研究的热点.lncRNA与物种进化、胚胎发育、物质代谢以及肿瘤发生等有密切的联系,对其功能深入了解可促进细胞内基因表达调控网络的研究,也为临床疾病尤其是肿瘤的诊断和治疗以及新药的研发提供科学依据.本文主要对lncRNA的功能研究以及与疾病的发生研究现状进行探讨.