Pervasive formation of double-stranded RNAs by overlapping sense/antisense transcripts in budding yeast mitosis and meiosis
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Previous RNA profiling studies revealed co-expression of overlapping sense/antisense (s/a) transcripts in pro- and eukaryotic organisms. Functional analyses in yeast have shown that certain s/a mRNA/mRNA and mRNA/lncRNA pairs form stable double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) that affect transcript stability. Little is known, however, about the genome-wide prevalence of dsRNA formation and its potential functional implications during growth and development in diploid budding yeast. To address this question, we monitored dsRNAs in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain expressing the ribonuclease DCR1 and the RNA binding protein AGO1 from Naumovozyma castellii. We identify dsRNAs at 347 s/a loci that express partially or completely overlapping transcripts during mitosis, meiosis or both stages of the diploid life cycle. We associate dsRNAs with s/a loci previously thought to be exclusively regulated by antisense interference, and others that encode antisense RNAs, which downregulate sense mRNA-encoded protein levels. To facilitate hypothesis building we developed the Sense/Antisense double-stranded RNA (SensR) expression viewer. Users are able to retrieve different graphical displays of dsRNA and RNA expression data using genome coordinates and systematic or standard names for mRNAs and different types of stable or cryptic long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Our data are a useful resource for improving yeast genome annotation and for work on RNA-based regulatory mechanisms controlling transcript and protein levels. The data are also interesting from an evolutionary perspective, since natural antisense transcripts that form stable dsRNAs have been detected in many species from bacteria to humans. The SensR viewer is freely accessible at https://sensr.genouest.org.
Project description:mRNAs are transcribed and processed in the nucleus before they are exported into the cytoplasm for translation. Export is mediated by the export receptor heterodimer Mex67-Mtr2 in yeast (TAP-p10 in humans). Interestingly, also long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) leave the nucleus and so-called XUTs (Xrn1 sensitive unstable transcripts) accumulate in the cytoplasm of the degradation defective xrn1∆ mutant. Curiously, it is currently unclear why so many lncRNAs travel into the cytoplasm. Here we show that such ncRNAs accelerate mRNA export by annealing with their sense counterparts through the helicase Dbp2. These double stranded (ds) RNAs dominate export, because Mex67 has a higher affinity to dsRNAs and more molecules bind. Cells benefit from this mechanism as it quickly regulates gene expression, which is particularly important upon expression program changes. Consequently, prevention of the dsRNA formation or destroying dsRNAs is lethal to cells. This mechanism could explain the general cellular occurrence of antisense RNAs.
Project description:We observed that heat shock of Caenorhabditis elegans leads to the formation of nuclear double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) foci, detectable with a dsRNA-specific monoclonal antibody. These foci significantly overlap with nuclear HSF-1 granules. To investigate the molecular mechanism(s) underlying dsRNA foci formation, we used RNA-seq to globally characterize total RNA and immunoprecipitated dsRNA from control and heat-shocked worms. We find antisense transcripts are generally increased after heat shock, and a subset of both sense and antisense transcripts enriched in the dsRNA pool by heat shock overlap with dsRNA transcripts enriched by deletion of tdp-1, which encodes the C. elegans ortholog of TDP-43. Interestingly, transcripts involved in translation are over-represented in the dsRNAs induced by either heat shock or deletion of tdp-1. Also enriched in the dsRNA transcripts are sequences downstream of annotated genes (DoGs), which we globally quantified with a new algorithm. To validate these observations, we used fluorescence in situ hypridization (FISH) to confirm both antisense and downstream of gene transcription for eif-3.B, one of the affected loci we identified.
Project description:LlorénsRico2016 - Effects of cis-Encoded antisense RNAs (asRNAs) - Case1
Three
putative effects of the asRNAs were considered in this study: in
case 1
(this
model)
,
the binding of the asRNA to the corresponding mRNA induces
degradation of the duplex. In case 2, the binding of the asRNA to
the mRNA induces degradation of the mRNA, but not of the asRNA.
In case 3, the mRNA and the asRNA bind reversibly to form a
stable duplex, preventing translation of the mRNA. In all the
three cases, binding to the ribosome protects the mRNA from the
effect of the asRNA.
This model is described in the article:
Bacterial antisense RNAs are
mainly the product of transcriptional noise.
Lloréns-Rico V, Cano J,
Kamminga T, Gil R, Latorre A, Chen WH, Bork P, Glass JI, Serrano
L, Lluch-Senar M.
Sci Adv 2016 Mar; 2(3): e1501363
Abstract:
cis-Encoded antisense RNAs (asRNAs) are widespread along
bacterial transcriptomes. However, the role of most of these
RNAs remains unknown, and there is an ongoing discussion as to
what extent these transcripts are the result of transcriptional
noise. We show, by comparative transcriptomics of 20 bacterial
species and one chloroplast, that the number of asRNAs is
exponentially dependent on the genomic AT content and that
expression of asRNA at low levels exerts little impact in terms
of energy consumption. A transcription model simulating mRNA
and asRNA production indicates that the asRNA regulatory effect
is only observed above certain expression thresholds,
substantially higher than physiological transcript levels.
These predictions were verified experimentally by
overexpressing nine different asRNAs in Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Our results suggest that most of the antisense transcripts
found in bacteria are the consequence of transcriptional noise,
arising at spurious promoters throughout the genome.
This model is hosted on
BioModels Database
and identified by:
MODEL1511170000.
To cite BioModels Database, please use:
BioModels Database:
An enhanced, curated and annotated resource for published
quantitative kinetic models.
To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or
neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to
the public domain worldwide. Please refer to
CC0
Public Domain Dedication for more information.
Project description:LlorénsRico2016 - Effects of cis-Encoded
antisense RNAs (asRNAs) - Case1
Three
putative effects of the asRNAs were considered in this study: in
case 1
,
the binding of the asRNA to the corresponding mRNA induces
degradation of the duplex. In case 2
(this
model)
the binding of the asRNA to the mRNA induces degradation of the
mRNA, but not of the asRNA. In case 3, the mRNA and the asRNA
bind reversibly to form a stable duplex, preventing translation
of the mRNA. In all the three cases, binding to the ribosome
protects the mRNA from the effect of the asRNA.
This model is described in the article:
Bacterial antisense RNAs are
mainly the product of transcriptional noise.
Lloréns-Rico V, Cano J,
Kamminga T, Gil R, Latorre A, Chen WH, Bork P, Glass JI, Serrano
L, Lluch-Senar M.
Sci Adv 2016 Mar; 2(3): e1501363
Abstract:
cis-Encoded antisense RNAs (asRNAs) are widespread along
bacterial transcriptomes. However, the role of most of these
RNAs remains unknown, and there is an ongoing discussion as to
what extent these transcripts are the result of transcriptional
noise. We show, by comparative transcriptomics of 20 bacterial
species and one chloroplast, that the number of asRNAs is
exponentially dependent on the genomic AT content and that
expression of asRNA at low levels exerts little impact in terms
of energy consumption. A transcription model simulating mRNA
and asRNA production indicates that the asRNA regulatory effect
is only observed above certain expression thresholds,
substantially higher than physiological transcript levels.
These predictions were verified experimentally by
overexpressing nine different asRNAs in Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Our results suggest that most of the antisense transcripts
found in bacteria are the consequence of transcriptional noise,
arising at spurious promoters throughout the genome.
This model is hosted on
BioModels Database
and identified by:
MODEL1511170001.
To cite BioModels Database, please use:
BioModels Database:
An enhanced, curated and annotated resource for published
quantitative kinetic models.
To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or
neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to
the public domain worldwide. Please refer to
CC0
Public Domain Dedication for more information.
Project description:LlorénsRico2016 - Effects of cis-Encoded
antisense RNAs (asRNAs) - Case3
Three putative
effects of the asRNAs were considered in this study: in case 1,
the binding of the asRNA to the corresponding mRNA induces
degradation of the duplex. In case 2, the binding of the asRNA
to the mRNA induces degradation of the mRNA, but not of the
asRNA. In case 3 (this model), the mRNA and the asRNA bind
reversibly to form a stable duplex, preventing translation of
the mRNA. In all the three cases, binding to the ribosome
protects the mRNA from the effect of the asRNA.
This model is described in the article:
Bacterial antisense RNAs are
mainly the product of transcriptional noise.
Lloréns-Rico V, Cano J,
Kamminga T, Gil R, Latorre A, Chen WH, Bork P, Glass JI, Serrano
L, Lluch-Senar M.
Sci Adv 2016 Mar; 2(3): e1501363
Abstract:
cis-Encoded antisense RNAs (asRNAs) are widespread along
bacterial transcriptomes. However, the role of most of these
RNAs remains unknown, and there is an ongoing discussion as to
what extent these transcripts are the result of transcriptional
noise. We show, by comparative transcriptomics of 20 bacterial
species and one chloroplast, that the number of asRNAs is
exponentially dependent on the genomic AT content and that
expression of asRNA at low levels exerts little impact in terms
of energy consumption. A transcription model simulating mRNA
and asRNA production indicates that the asRNA regulatory effect
is only observed above certain expression thresholds,
substantially higher than physiological transcript levels.
These predictions were verified experimentally by
overexpressing nine different asRNAs in Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Our results suggest that most of the antisense transcripts
found in bacteria are the consequence of transcriptional noise,
arising at spurious promoters throughout the genome.
This model is hosted on
BioModels Database
and identified by:
MODEL1511170002.
To cite BioModels Database, please use:
BioModels Database:
An enhanced, curated and annotated resource for published
quantitative kinetic models.
To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or
neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to
the public domain worldwide. Please refer to
CC0
Public Domain Dedication for more information.
Project description:RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene-silencing mechanism triggered by the cytosolic entry of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). Many animal cells internalize extracellular dsRNAs via endocytosis for RNAi induction. However, it is not clear how the endocytosed dsRNAs are translocated into the cytosol across the endo/lysosomal membrane. Herein, we show that in Drosophila S2 cells, endocytosed dsRNAs induce lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) that allows cytosolic dsRNA translocation. LMP mediated by dsRNAs requires the lysosomal Cl−/H+ antiporter ClC-b/DmOstm1. In clc-b or dmostm1 knockout S2 cells, extracellular dsRNAs are endocytosed and reach the lysosomes normally but fail to enter the cytosol. Pharmacological induction of LMP restores extracellular dsRNA-directed RNAi in clc-b or dmostm1-knockout cells. Furthermore, clc-b or dmostm1 mutant flies are defective in extracellular dsRNA-directed RNAi and its associated antiviral immunity. Therefore, endocytosed dsRNAs have an intrinsic ability to induce ClC-b/DmOstm1-dependent LMP that allows cytosolic dsRNA translocation for RNAi responses in Drosophila cells.
Project description:We developed an anti-dsRNA antibody co-immunoprecipitation coupled with quantitative mass spectrometry to comprehensively identify RBPs bound to cellular dsRNAs. To minimize false positives, we conducted a quantitative mass spectrometry analysis under two additional conditions: first, by treating the samples with RNase T1 to degrade single-stranded RNAs, and second, by performing a pull-down using synthetic double-stranded RNA, poly(I:C). The interactomes through these three methods provide an unbiased and thorough characterization of potential dsRBPs bound to cellular dsRNAs.
Project description:The antiviral defense in vertebrates requires the innate immune system to sense foreign “non-self” nucleic acids while avoiding “self” nucleic acids, which is accomplished by an intricate system. Cellular double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) are edited by the RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 to prevent their dsRNA structure pattern from being recognized as viral dsRNA. Lack of RNA editing by ADAR1 enables activation of MDA5, a cytosolic dsRNA sensor, by cellular dsRNA. Additional RNA editing- independent functions of ADAR1 have been proposed, but the specific mechanism remains elusive. Here we demonstrate that RNA binding by ADAR1, independent of its editing activity, restricts the activation of PKR, another cytosolic dsRNA sensor, by cellular dsRNA. Mechanistically, the loss of ADAR1 editing caused MDA5 activation to induce interferon signaling, while a lack of ADAR1 protein or its dsRNA binding ability led to PKR activation, with subsequent stress granule formation and proliferation arrest. Based on these findings we rescued the Adar1−/− mice from embryonic lethality to adulthood by deleting both MDA5 and PKR, in contrast to the limited rescue of Adar1−/− mice by removing MDA5 or PKR alone. Our findings reveal a multifaceted contribution of ADAR1 in regulating the immunogenicity of “self” dsRNAs. Furthermore, ADAR1 is an immuno-oncology target for drug development, and the separation of ADAR1’s RNA editing and binding functions provides mechanistic insights for such developments.
Project description:mRNAs are transcribed and processed in the nucleus before they are exported into the cytoplasm for translation. Export is mediated by the export receptor heterodimer Mex67-Mtr2 in yeast (TAP-p15 in humans). Interestingly, also many lncRNAs leave the nucleus but it is currently unclear why they travel into the cytoplasm. Here we show that antisense (as)RNAs accelerate mRNA export by annealing with their sense counterparts through the helicase Dbp2. These double-stranded (ds)RNAs dominate export compared to single-stranded (ss)RNA, as they have a higher capacity and affinity for the export receptor Mex67. In this way, asRNAs boost gene expression, which is beneficial for cells. This is particularly important upon expression program changes. Consequently, the degradation or prevention of the formation of dsRNA is toxic for cells. This mechanism illuminates the general cellular occurrence of asRNAs and explains their nuclear export.
Project description:Antisense transcription can regulate sense gene expression. However, previous annotations of antisense transcription units have been based on detection of mature antisense long non-coding (aslnc)RNAs by RNA-Seq and/or micro-arrays, only giving a partial view of the antisense transcription landscape and incomplete molecular bases for antisense-mediated regulation. Here, we used Native Elongating Transcript sequencing to map genome-wide nascent antisense transcription in fission yeast. Strikingly, antisense transcription was detected for most protein-coding genes, correlating with low sense transcription, especially when overlapping the mRNA start site. RNA profiling revealed that the resulting aslncRNAs mainly correspond to cryptic Xrn1/Exo2-sensitive transcripts (XUTs). ChIP-Seq analyses showed that antisense (as)XUTs expression is associated with specific histone modifications patterns. Finally, we showed that asXUTs are controlled by the histone chaperone Spt6 and respond to meiosis induction, in both cases anti-correlating with levels of the paired-sense mRNAs, supporting physiological significance to antisense-mediated gene attenuation. Our work highlights that antisense transcription is much more extended than anticipated and might constitute an additional non-promoter determinant of gene regulation complexity.