Project description:The CCR4-NOT dedadenylase complex is essential for mRNA decay and various biological events.To understand roles of the complex in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we compared mRNA half-lives between control and Cnot complex-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts
Project description:The CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex has a critical function to trigger mRNA decay and various biological events. To understand roles of the complex in adipocyte function, we compare mRNA half-lives between control and Cnot complex-deficient mature adipocytes from iWAT and BAT.
Project description:Gene expression levels are determined by the balance between rates of mRNA transcription and decay, and genetic variation in either of these processes can result in heritable differences in transcript abundance. Although the genetics of gene expression has been the subject of intense interest, the contribution of heritable variation in mRNA decay rates to gene expression variation has received far less attention. To this end, we developed a novel statistical framework and measured allele-specific differences in mRNA decay rates in a diploid yeast hybrid created by mating two genetically diverse parental strains. In total, we estimate that 31% of genes exhibit allelic differences in mRNA decay rate, of which 350 can be identified at a false discovery rate of 10%. Genes with significant allele-specific differences in mRNA decay rate have higher levels of polymorphism compared to other genes, with all gene regions contributing to allelic differences in mRNA decay rate. Strikingly, we find widespread evidence for compensatory evolution, such that variants influencing transcriptional initiation and decay having opposite effects, suggesting steady-state gene expression levels are subject to pervasive stabilizing selection. Our results demonstrate that heritable differences in mRNA decay rates are widespread, and are an important target for natural selection to maintain or fine-tune steady-state gene expression levels.
Project description:Gene expression levels are determined by the balance between rates of mRNA transcription and decay, and genetic variation in either of these processes can result in heritable differences in transcript abundance. Although the genetics of gene expression has been the subject of intense interest, the contribution of heritable variation in mRNA decay rates to gene expression variation has received far less attention. To this end, we developed a novel statistical framework and measured allele-specific differences in mRNA decay rates in a diploid yeast hybrid created by mating two genetically diverse parental strains. In total, we estimate that 31% of genes exhibit allelic differences in mRNA decay rate, of which 350 can be identified at a false discovery rate of 10%. Genes with significant allele-specific differences in mRNA decay rate have higher levels of polymorphism compared to other genes, with all gene regions contributing to allelic differences in mRNA decay rate. Strikingly, we find widespread evidence for compensatory evolution, such that variants influencing transcriptional initiation and decay having opposite effects, suggesting steady-state gene expression levels are subject to pervasive stabilizing selection. Our results demonstrate that heritable differences in mRNA decay rates are widespread, and are an important target for natural selection to maintain or fine-tune steady-state gene expression levels. We measured rates of allele-specific mRNA decay (ASD) in a diploid yeast produced by mating two genetically diverse haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains: the laboratory strain BY4716 (BY), which is isogenic to the reference sequence strain S288C, and the wild Californian vineyard strain RM11-1a (RM). Briefly, we introduced rpb1-1, a temperature sensitive mutation in an RNA polymerase II subunit, to each of the haploid yeast strains, mated the strains, and grew the resulting hybrid diploid to mid-log phase at 24 M-BM-0C, before rapidly shifting the culture to 37 M-BM-0C to inhibit transcription. RNA-seq was performed on culture samples taken at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 42 minutes subsequent to the temperature shift. To identify ASD, we used transcribed polymorphisms to distinguish between parental transcripts, and compared the relative levels of transcript abundance over the time course. Note, this experimental design internally controls for trans-acting regulatory variation as well as environmental factors. Under the null hypothesis of no ASD, the proportion of reads from the BY transcript (p_BY = N_BY / (N_BY + N_RM)) observed over the time course remains unchanged. However, genes with ASD will exhibit an increasing or decreasing proportion of BY reads as a function of time. In total, we measured ASD from three independent biological replicates.
Project description:mRNA level is controlled by factors that mediate both mRNA synthesis and decay, including the 5’ to 3’ exonuclease Xrn1 - a major mRNA synthesis and decay factor. Here we show that nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of several mRNA decay factors plays a key role in determining both mRNA synthesis and decay. Shuttling is regulated by RNA-controlled binding of the karyopherin Kap120 to two nuclear localization sequences (NLSs) in Xrn1, location of one of which is conserved from yeast to human. The decaying RNA binds and masks NLS1, establishing a link between mRNA decay and Xrn1 shuttling. Preventing Xrn1 import, either by deleting KAP120 or mutating the two Xrn1 NLSs, compromise transcription and, unexpectedly, also the cytoplasmic decay, uncovering a cytoplasmic decay pathway that initiates in the nucleus. Most mRNAs are degraded by both the “classical” and the novel pathways, the ratio between them represents a full spectrum. Importantly, Xrn1 shuttling is required for proper adaptation to environmental changes, in particular to ever changing environmental fluctuations.
Project description:Examination of the difference in mRNA expression profile between mid-old fibroblasts co-cultured with mid-old fibroblasts and mid-old fibroblasts co-cultured with young fibroblasts
Project description:The rate of mRNA decay is an essential element of post-transcriptional regulation in all organisms. Previously, studies in several organisms found that the specific half-life of each mRNA is precisely related to its physiological role, and plays an important role in determining levels of gene expression. We have used a genome wide approach to characterize mRNA decay in Plasmodium falciparum. We found that globally, rates of mRNA decay increase dramatically during the asexual intraerythrocytic developmental cycle. During the ring stage of the cycle, the average mRNA half-life was 9.5 minutes, yet this was extended to an average of 65 minutes during the late schizont stage of development. Thus a major determinant of mRNA decay rate appears to be linked to the stage of intraerythrocytic development. Furthermore, we have found specific variations in decay patterns superimposed upon the dominant trend of progressive half-life lengthening. These variations in decay pattern were frequently enriched for genes with specific cellular functions or processes. Elucidation of Plasmodium mRNA decay rates provides a key element for deciphering mechanisms of genetic control in this parasite, by complementing and extending previous mRNA abundance studies. Our results indicate that progressive stage-dependent decreases in mRNA decay rate function are a major determinant of mRNA accumulation during the schizont stage of intraerythrocytic development. This type of genome wide change in mRNA decay rate has not been observed in any other organism to date, and indicates that post-transcriptional regulation may be the dominant mechanism of gene regulation in P. falciparum. Keywords: Plasmodium falciparum treated with actinomycin D
Project description:Expression data from human induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs) and Human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) with treatment actinomycin D In order to estimate mRNA decay rates, HFF and iPS cells were treated with actinomycin D to inhibit transcription and total RNA was isolated from three replicates at 0, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes.