Project description:Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a diverse class of ncRNAs highly enriched in developing neurons, play roles in local protein synthesis and synaptic plasticity. However, distinguishing functional from non-functional circRNAs is challenged by their abundance, tissue specificity and splicing variability. To address this, we conducted a RNAi knockdown screen targeting 32 highly expressed, conserved circRNAs enriched in dendritic processes. circRERE isoforms emerged as regulators of dendritic synapse density and electrophysiological characteristics. mRNA-seq supports the dysregulation of synaptic genes, particularly miR-128-3p-sensitive transcripts. MiR-128-3p activity and expression are reduced, with circRERE possessing multiple miR-128-3p binding sites, suggesting a protective interaction supported by a rescue of the synaptic phenotype upon miR-128-3p overexpression. Conversely, circRERE overexpression with intact miR-128-3p sites rescued the synaptic phenotype and independently increased miR-128-3p levels. These findings demonstrate the necessity for the broad characterization of circRNAs in the nervous system to comprehensively understand their influence on essential non-coding RNA regulatory networks.
Project description:Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a diverse class of ncRNAs highly enriched in developing neurons, play roles in local protein synthesis and synaptic plasticity. However, distinguishing functional from non-functional circRNAs is challenged by their abundance, tissue specificity and splicing variability. To address this, we conducted a RNAi knockdown screen targeting 32 highly expressed, conserved circRNAs enriched in dendritic processes. circRERE isoforms emerged as regulators of dendritic synapse density and electrophysiological characteristics. mRNA-seq supports the dysregulation of synaptic genes, particularly miR-128-3p-sensitive transcripts. MiR-128-3p activity and expression are reduced, with circRERE possessing multiple miR-128-3p binding sites, suggesting a protective interaction supported by a rescue of the synaptic phenotype upon miR-128-3p overexpression. Conversely, circRERE overexpression with intact miR-128-3p sites rescued the synaptic phenotype and independently increased miR-128-3p levels. These findings demonstrate the necessity for the broad characterization of circRNAs in the nervous system to comprehensively understand their influence on essential non-coding RNA regulatory networks.
Project description:We aim to profile the transcriptomic changes in neurons when responding to cooling, in order to understand the neuroprotective effects of hypothermia. polyA selected RNA-seq were performed from human iPSC-derived cortical neurons under control (37 ºC), cooled (72 h at 32 ºC, day 15-18) and rewarmed (72 h at 32 ºC, day 15-18, followed by 72 h at 37 ºC, day 18-21) conditions.
Project description:E18 embryonic rat cortical neurons cultured in vitro are infected with lentivirus expressing control or PHF6shRNA-2, and harvested 5 days after infection pLL3.7 lentivirus expressing control or PHF6shRNA-2 was generated in 293T cells and concentrated using ultracentrifuge. In vitro cultured cortical neurons were infected and RNA was harvested 5 days after infection. PHF6 knockdown was validated by QPCR before sample was processed for microarray analysis.
Project description:We report mRNAs differentially expressed in the orbitofrontal cortex of adult male rats 7 days following knockdown of circular Neurexin 3 in the orbitofrontal cortex.
Project description:Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are broadly expressed in eukaryotic cells, but their role in human health and disease remains obscure. Here, we show that circular antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (circANRIL), which is transcribed at a locus of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease on chromosome 9p21, confers athero-protection by controlling ribosomal RNA (rRNA) maturation and modulating pathways of atherogenesis. At the molecular level, circANRIL competes with precursor rRNA (pre-rRNA) for binding to pescadillo homolog 1 (PES1), an essential 60S-preribosomal assembly factor, thereby impairing exonuclease-mediated pre-rRNA processing and ribosome biogenesis. As a consequence, circANRIL induces nucleolar stress and p53 activation, resulting in the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation, which are key athero-protective cell functions within the arterial wall. Collectively, these findings identify circANRIL as a prototype of a circRNA regulating ribosome biogenesis and conferring athero-protection, thereby unveiling a therapeutic potential of certain circRNAs in human disease.