Project description:The stem cell marker Musashi1 (MSI1) is highly expressed during neurogenesis and in Glioblastoma (GBM). In cancer and non-malignant progenitor cells, MSI1 promotes self-renewal and impairs differentiation, involving the regulation of mRNA translation. However, a comprehensive understanding of MSI1’s role in promoting GBM-driving networks remains to be deciphered.
Project description:The conserved RNA-binding protein Musashi1 (MSI1) has emerged as a key oncogenic factor in numerous solid tumors, including glioblastoma. However, its mechanism of action has not yet been established comprehensively. We set out to map its impact on the transcriptome in U251 cells using RNA-seq and iCLIP. Examination of gene expression and splicing changes upon KD of Musashi1 in U251 cells and link to iCLIP-identified Musashi1 RNA binding sites
Project description:The stem cell marker Musashi1 (MSI1) is highly expressed during neurogenesis and in Glioblastoma (GBM). In cancer and non-malignant progenitor cells, MSI1 promotes self-renewal and impairs differentiation, involving the regulation of mRNA translation. However, a comprehensive understanding of MSI1’s role in promoting GBM-driving networks remains to be deciphered.
Project description:The stem cell marker Musashi1 (MSI1) is highly expressed during neurogenesis and in Glioblastoma (GBM). In cancer and non-malignant progenitor cells, MSI1 promotes self-renewal and impairs differentiation, involving the regulation of mRNA translation. However, a comprehensive understanding of MSI1’s role in promoting GBM-driving networks remains to be deciphered.
Project description:Musashi1 (Msi1) is a highly conserved RNA binding protein that is required during the development of the nervous system. Msi1 has a role in neural stem cells, controlling the balance between self-renewal and differentiation. Msi1 has also been implicated in cancer, being highly expressed in multiple tumor types. In this study, we analyzed Msi1 expression in a large cohort of medulloblastoma samples and showed that Msi1 is highly expressed in tumor tissue compared to normal cerebellum and that high Msi1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis. Using a nude mouse xenograft model, we demonstrate that Msi1 is important for tumor growth. We then used RIP-chip (ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation followed by microarray analysis) to identify mRNA targets of Msi1 in medulloblastoma. In conclusion, our results suggest that Msi1 functions as a regulator of multiple processes in medulloblastoma formation and could become an important therapeutic target.
Project description:Musashi1 (Msi1) is a highly conserved RNA binding protein that is required during the development of the nervous system. Msi1 has a role in neural stem cells, controlling the balance between self-renewal and differentiation. Msi1 has also been implicated in cancer, being highly expressed in multiple tumor types. In this study, we analyzed Msi1 expression in a large cohort of medulloblastoma samples and showed that Msi1 is highly expressed in tumor tissue compared to normal cerebellum and that high Msi1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis. Using a nude mouse xenograft model, we demonstrate that Msi1 is important for tumor growth. We then used RIP-chip (ribonucleoprotein immunoprecipitation followed by microarray analysis) to identify mRNA targets of Msi1 in medulloblastoma. In conclusion, our results suggest that Msi1 functions as a regulator of multiple processes in medulloblastoma formation and could become an important therapeutic target. RIP-Chip analysis to identify mRNA preferentially associated with Msi1 protein. RIP-Chip experiments were performed on two biologically replicated samples. A total of 8 microarrays were carried on using technical replicates of Msi1 antibody vs. prebleed serum for each dye orientation. We prepared two biological replicates for two different arrays. Each array consisted of 4 microarrays with 2 replicates for each dye orientation.
Project description:The conserved RNA-binding protein Musashi1 (MSI1) has emerged as a key oncogenic factor in numerous solid tumors, including glioblastoma. However, its mechanism of action has not yet been established comprehensively. We set out to map its impact on the transcriptome in U251 cells using RNA-seq and iCLIP.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Kynureninase is a member of a large family of catalytically diverse but structurally homologous pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) dependent enzymes known as the aspartate aminotransferase superfamily or alpha-family. The Homo sapiens and other eukaryotic constitutive kynureninases preferentially catalyze the hydrolytic cleavage of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine to produce 3-hydroxyanthranilate and l-alanine, while l-kynurenine is the substrate of many prokaryotic inducible kynureninases. The human enzyme was cloned with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag, expressed, and purified from a bacterial expression system using Ni metal ion affinity chromatography. Kinetic characterization of the recombinant enzyme reveals classic Michaelis-Menten behavior, with a Km of 28.3 +/- 1.9 microM and a specific activity of 1.75 micromol min-1 mg-1 for 3-hydroxy-dl-kynurenine. Crystals of recombinant kynureninase that diffracted to 2.0 A were obtained, and the atomic structure of the PLP-bound holoenzyme was determined by molecular replacement using the Pseudomonas fluorescens kynureninase structure (PDB entry 1qz9) as the phasing model. A structural superposition with the P. fluorescens kynureninase revealed that these two structures resemble the "open" and "closed" conformations of aspartate aminotransferase. The comparison illustrates the dynamic nature of these proteins' small domains and reveals a role for Arg-434 similar to its role in other AAT alpha-family members. Docking of 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine into the human kynureninase active site suggests that Asn-333 and His-102 are involved in substrate binding and molecular discrimination between inducible and constitutive kynureninase substrates.