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Identifying a novel biological mechanism for alcohol addiction associated with circRNA networks acting as potential miRNA sponges.

ABSTRACT: Our lab and others have shown that chronic alcohol use leads to gene and miRNA expression changes across the mesocorticolimbic (MCL) system. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that form closed-loop structures and are reported to alter gene expression through miRNA sequestration, thus providing a potentially novel neurobiological mechanism for the development of alcohol dependence (AD). Genome-wide expression of circRNA was assessed in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) from 32 AD-matched cases/controls. Significant circRNAs (unadj. p ≤ 0.05) were identified via regression and clustered in circRNA networks via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). CircRNA interactions with previously generated mRNA and miRNA were detected via correlation and bioinformatic analyses. Significant circRNAs (N = 542) clustered in nine significant AD modules (FWER p ≤ 0.05), within which we identified 137 circRNA hubs. We detected 23 significant circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interactions (FDR ≤ 0.10). Among these, circRNA-406742 and miR-1200 significantly interact with the highest number of mRNA, including genes associated with neuronal functioning and alcohol addiction (HRAS, PRKCB, HOMER1, and PCLO). Finally, we integrate genotypic information that revealed 96 significant circRNA expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) (unadj. p ≤ 0.002) that showed significant enrichment within recent alcohol use disorder (AUD) and smoking genome-wide association study (GWAS). To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the role of circRNA in the neuropathology of AD. We show that circRNAs impact mRNA expression by interacting with miRNA in the NAc of AD subjects. More importantly, we provide indirect evidence for the clinical importance of circRNA in the development of AUD by detecting a significant enrichment of our circRNA eQTLs among GWAS of substance abuse.

SUBMITTER: Vornholt E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8590811 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Our lab and others have shown that chronic alcohol use leads to gene and miRNA expression changes across the mesocorticolimbic (MCL) system. Circular-RNA (circRNA) are noncoding RNA that form closed-looped structures and are reported to alter gene expression through miRNA sequestration, thus providing a potentially novel neurobiological mechanism for the development of alcohol dependence (AD). Genome-wide expression of circRNA was assessed in nucleus accumbens (NAc) from 32 AD matched cases/controls. Significant circRNA (unadj. p≤0.05) were identified via regression and clustered in circRNA networks via WGCNA. CircRNA interactions with previously generated mRNA and miRNA were detected via correlation and bioinformatic analyses. MatrixeQTL was used to identify eQTLs affecting circRNA expression. Genomic enrichment was used to detect overlap between eQTLs and recent GWAS of substance abuse. Significant circRNAs (N=542) clustered in 9 significant AD modules (FWER p≤0.05), within which we identified 137 circRNA hubs. We detected 23 significant circRNA:miRNA:mRNA interactions (FDR≤0.10). Among these, circRNA-406742 and miR-1200 significantly interact with the highest number of mRNA, including genes associated with neuronal functioning and alcohol addiction (HRAS, PRKCB, HOMER1, and PCLO). Finally, we identified 96 significant circRNA eQTLs (unadj. p≤0.002), showing significant enrichment within recent alcohol use disorder (AUD) and smoking GWAS. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the role of circRNA in the neuropathology of AD. We show that circRNA impact mRNA expression by interacting with miRNA in the NAc of AD subjects. We further identify genetic variants affecting circRNA expression impacting potential miRNA and mRNA interactions. More importantly, we provide indirect evidence for the clinical importance of circRNA in the development of AUD by detecting a significant enrichment of our circRNA eQTLs among GWAS of substance abuse.

Project description:BackgroundJuvenile spondyloarthropathies (JSpA) are defined as a heterogeneous group of diseases that start before the age of 16. The study aimed to identify key genes and pathways that are influenced by circRNAs and to screen potential therapeutic agents for JSpA. The study involved the analysis of circRNA expression profiles, identification of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks, and functional annotation of differentially expressed genes. The results of the study may have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying JSpA and potential therapeutic targets for this disease.MethodsIn this study, sequencing data of circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA were obtained from the GEO datasets. The data were then analyzed to identify candidates for constructing a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network based on circRNA-miRNA interactions and miRNA-mRNA interactions. Functional enrichments of genes were performed using the DAVID database. A PPI network was constructed using the STRING database and visualized using Cytoscape software. The MCODE plugin app was used to explore hub genes in the PPI network. The expression changes in immune cells were assessed using the online CIBERSORT algorithm to obtain the proportion of various types of immune cells. Finally, the Connectivity Map L1000 platform was used to identify potential agents for JSpA treatment. Overall, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying JSpA and to identify potential therapeutic agents for this disease.ResultsA total of 225 differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs), 23 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) and 1324 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were identified. We integrated 5 overlapped circRNAs, 7 miRNAs and 299 target mRNAs into a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. We next identified 10 hub genes based on the PPI network. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly associated with JAK-STAT signal pathway. We found that neutrophils accounted for the majority of all enriched cells. In addition, we discovered several chemicals as potential treatment options for JSpA.ConclusionsThrough this bioinformatics analysis, we suggest a regulatory role for circRNAs in the pathogenesis and treatment of JSpA from the view of a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network.

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Identifying a novel biological mechanism for alcohol addiction associated with circRNA networks acting as potential miRNA sponges.

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