Dataset Information

The mitochondrial genome encodes abundant small noncoding RNAs.

ABSTRACT: Small noncoding RNAs identified thus far are all encoded by the nuclear genome. Here, we report that the murine and human mitochondrial genomes encode thousands of small noncoding RNAs, which are predominantly derived from the sense transcripts of the mitochondrial genes (host genes), and we termed these small RNAs mitochondrial genome-encoded small RNAs (mitosRNAs). DICER inactivation affected, but did not completely abolish mitosRNA production. MitosRNAs appear to be products of currently unidentified mitochondrial ribonucleases. Overexpression of mitosRNAs enhanced expression levels of their host genes in vitro, and dysregulated mitosRNA expression was generally associated with aberrant mitochondrial gene expression in vivo. Our data demonstrate that in addition to 37 known mitochondrial genes, the mammalian mitochondrial genome also encodes abundant mitosRNAs, which may play an important regulatory role in the control of mitochondrial gene expression in the cell.

SUBMITTER: Ro S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3674384 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

The mitochondrial genome encodes abundant small noncoding RNAs.

Ro Seungil S Ma Hsiu-Yen HY Park Chanjae C Ortogero Nicole N Song Rui R Hennig Grant W GW Zheng Huili H Lin Yung-Ming YM Moro Loredana L Hsieh Jer-Tsong JT Yan Wei W

Cell research 20130312 6

Small noncoding RNAs identified thus far are all encoded by the nuclear genome. Here, we report that the murine and human mitochondrial genomes encode thousands of small noncoding RNAs, which are predominantly derived from the sense transcripts of the mitochondrial genes (host genes), and we termed these small RNAs mitochondrial genome-encoded small RNAs (mitosRNAs). DICER inactivation affected, but did not completely abolish mitosRNA production. MitosRNAs appear to be products of currently unid ...[more]

PMID: 23478297

Similar Datasets

Project description:Many herpesviruses express small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), that may play roles in regulating lytic and latent infections. None have yet been reported in varicella-zoster virus (VZV; also known as human herpesvirus 3 [HHV-3]). Here we analyzed next-generation sequencing (NGS) data for small RNAs in VZV-infected fibroblasts and human embryonic stem cell-derived (hESC) neurons. Two independent bioinformatics analyses identified more than 20 VZV-encoded 20- to 24-nucleotide RNAs, some of which are predicted to have stem-loop precursors potentially representing miRNAs. These sequences are perfectly conserved between viruses from three clades of VZV. One NGS-identified sequence common to both bioinformatics analyses mapped to the repeat regions of the VZV genome, upstream of the predicted promoter of the immediate early gene open reading frame 63 (ORF63). This miRNA candidate was detected in each of 3 independent biological repetitions of NGS of RNA from fibroblasts and neurons productively infected with VZV using TaqMan quantitative PCR (qPCR). Importantly, transfected synthetic RNA oligonucleotides antagonistic to the miRNA candidate significantly enhanced VZV plaque growth rates. The presence of 6 additional small noncoding RNAs was also verified by TaqMan qPCR in productively infected fibroblasts and ARPE19 cells. Our results show VZV, like other human herpesviruses, encodes several sncRNAs and miRNAs, and some may regulate infection of host cells.IMPORTANCE Varicella-zoster virus is an important human pathogen, with herpes zoster being a major health issue in the aging and immunocompromised populations. Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) are recognized as important actors in modulating gene expression, and this study demonstrates the first reported VZV-encoded sncRNAs. Many are clustered to a small genomic region, as seen in other human herpesviruses. At least one VZV sncRNA was expressed in productive infection of neurons and fibroblasts that is likely to reduce viral replication. Since sncRNAs have been suggested to be potential targets for antiviral therapies, identification of these molecules in VZV may provide a new direction for development of treatments for painful herpes zoster.

Dataset Information

The mitochondrial genome encodes abundant small noncoding RNAs.

Publications

The mitochondrial genome encodes abundant small noncoding RNAs.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets