Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate target mRNAs through a combination of translational repression and mRNA destabilization, with mRNA destabilization dominating at steady state in the few contexts examined globally. Here, we extend the global steady-state measurements to many additional mammalian contexts and find that regardless of the miRNA, cell type, growth condition or translational state, mRNA destabilization explains most (70% to >90%) miRNA-mediated repression. We also determine the relative dynamics of translational repression and mRNA destabilization for endogenous mRNAs as a miRNA is induced. Although translational repression occurs rapidly, its effect on gene expression is relatively weak, such that by the time consequential repression ensues, the effect of mRNA destabilization dominates. These results add to the fundamental understanding of miRNAs, imply that consequential miRNA-mediated repression is largely irreversible and simplify future studies, dramatically extending the known contexts and time points for which monitoring mRNA changes captures most of the direct miRNA effects. 6 samples from a variety of primary cell types
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate target mRNAs through a combination of translational repression and mRNA destabilization, with mRNA destabilization dominating at steady state in the few contexts examined globally. Here, we extend the global steady-state measurements to additional mammalian contexts and find that regardless of the miRNA, cell type, growth condition, or translational state, mRNA destabilization explains most (66%–>90%) miRNA-mediated repression. We also determine the relative dynamics of translational repression and mRNA destabilization for endogenous mRNAs as a miRNA is induced. Although translational repression occurs rapidly, its effect is relatively weak, such that by the time consequential repression ensues, the effect of mRNA destabilization dominates. These results imply that consequential miRNA-mediated repression is largely irreversible and provide other insights into the nature of miRNA-mediated regulation. They also simplify future studies, dramatically extending the known contexts and time points for which monitoring mRNA changes captures most of the direct miRNA effects.
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate target mRNAs through a combination of translational repression and mRNA destabilization, with mRNA destabilization dominating at steady state in the few contexts examined globally. Here, we extend the global steady-state measurements to many additional mammalian contexts and find that regardless of the miRNA, cell type, growth condition or translational state, mRNA destabilization explains most (70% to >90%) miRNA-mediated repression. We also determine the relative dynamics of translational repression and mRNA destabilization for endogenous mRNAs as a miRNA is induced. Although translational repression occurs rapidly, its effect on gene expression is relatively weak, such that by the time consequential repression ensues, the effect of mRNA destabilization dominates. These results add to the fundamental understanding of miRNAs, imply that consequential miRNA-mediated repression is largely irreversible and simplify future studies, dramatically extending the known contexts and time points for which monitoring mRNA changes captures most of the direct miRNA effects.
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that function as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. miRNAs affect a variety of signaling pathways and impaired miRNA regulation may contribute to the development of cancer and other diseases. We show that miRNA miR-10a interacts with the 5' untranslated region of mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins and enhances their translation. miR-10a alleviates translational repression of the ribosomal protein mRNAs during amino acid starvation and is required for their stress-mediated activation following anisomycin treatment. miR-10a binds immediately downstream of the regulatory 5' TOP motif and the 5´TOP is necessary for miR-10a translational enhancement. The results indicate that miR-10a may positively control global protein synthesis via stimulation of ribosomal protein mRNA translation and that the 5' TOP regulatory complex and miR-10a are functionally interconnected.
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) negatively regulate their targets by 1) repressing translation, 2) endonucleolytic RNA cleavage, or 3) DNA methylation resulting in transcriptional silencing. P-body/decapping components are likely required for translational repression, but are not known to function in other posttranscriptional regulatory pathways or to affect smRNA levels. Here, we show that the P-body/decapping protein DCP5 is required for miRNA-mediated translational repression but not cleavage, and to regulate the transcription of specific miRNAs. We find that this protein also affects the abundance of tRNA-derived smRNAs. Significantly, DCP5 is required for the transcriptional silencing and DNA methylation of numerous transposable/repetitive elements and imprinted genes, indicating that it is a novel component of the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway. Our results demonstrate that DCP5 and likely the P-body itself are required for multiple smRNA-mediated silencing pathways and provide the first evidence for the spatial separation of translational inhibition and cleavage by miRNAs.
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) negatively regulate their targets by 1) repressing translation, 2) endonucleolytic RNA cleavage, or 3) DNA methylation resulting in transcriptional silencing. P-body/decapping components are likely required for translational repression, but are not known to function in other posttranscriptional regulatory pathways or to affect smRNA levels. Here, we show that the P-body/decapping protein DCP5 is required for miRNA-mediated translational repression but not cleavage, and to regulate the transcription of specific miRNAs. We find that this protein also affects the abundance of tRNA-derived smRNAs. Significantly, DCP5 is required for the transcriptional silencing and DNA methylation of numerous transposable/repetitive elements and imprinted genes, indicating that it is a novel component of the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway. Our results demonstrate that DCP5 and likely the P-body itself are required for multiple smRNA-mediated silencing pathways and provide the first evidence for the spatial separation of translational inhibition and cleavage by miRNAs. small RNA (smRNA) expression comparison between wildtype (Col-0) and dcp5 mutant plants in Arabidopsis
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs) negatively regulate their targets by 1) repressing translation, 2) endonucleolytic RNA cleavage, or 3) DNA methylation resulting in transcriptional silencing. P-body/decapping components are likely required for translational repression, but are not known to function in other posttranscriptional regulatory pathways or to affect smRNA levels. Here, we show that the P-body/decapping protein DCP5 is required for miRNA-mediated translational repression but not cleavage, and to regulate the transcription of specific miRNAs. We find that this protein also affects the abundance of tRNA-derived smRNAs. Significantly, DCP5 is required for the transcriptional silencing and DNA methylation of numerous transposable/repetitive elements and imprinted genes, indicating that it is a novel component of the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway. Our results demonstrate that DCP5 and likely the P-body itself are required for multiple smRNA-mediated silencing pathways and provide the first evidence for the spatial separation of translational inhibition and cleavage by miRNAs. total RNA expression comparison with between wildtype (Col-0) and dcp5 mutant plants in Arabidopsis
Project description:We uncovered an unexpected function of mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) protein, which is a critical epigenetic factor and whose disruption leads to leukemogenesis, in the functional regulation of miRNAs. We reveal that the MLLC180 subunit alone can colocalize with miRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) components in cytoplasm processing bodies (P-bodies), where miRNA-mediated gene silencing takes place. In addition, we show that MLL was specifically required for miRNA-mediated translational repression, but not for miRNA or siRNA-mediated mRNA cleavage. Mechanistically, MLL was necessarily required for recruiting miRNA to the miRISC and P-body core, partly through its binding partner RAN. Furthermore, dysregulation of the miRNA repression function in MLL leukemic cells was essential for high-level expression of MYC, which ensured the survival of MLL leukemic cells. Thus, our investigation discovered that the MLL subunit alone can exert other functions in miRNA-mediated gene silencing apart from the epigenetic function of the whole MLL heterodimer. We also demonstrated as proof-of-principle that functional deregulation of miRNA may play an important role in cancer.
Project description:microRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene silencing is commonly deregulated in a wide variety of diseases. Therefore, a better understanding of how miRNAs govern the translation and stability of mRNAs is of paramount importance. We recently demonstrated that the cap-binding protein 4EHP is recruited by the miRNA machinery to effect translational repression. However, the impact of 4EHP on regulation of endogenous mRNAs and its role in cell biology is debated. Herein, using the ribosome profiling assay, we identify a subset of endogenous mRNAs that are sensitive to translational repression by 4EHP. We show that expression of DUSP6, a phosphatase that reverses ERK1/2 phosphorylation, is regulated by 4EHP. This regulation, which occurs exclusively at the level of mRNA translation, without affecting the stability of Dusp6 mRNA, is engendered through 4EHP- and miRNA-dependent elements in Dusp6 3´UTR. Consequently, 4EHP protein controls ERK1/2 phosphorylation, promotes cell growth and inhibits apoptosis. Our data reveal a crucial role for translational control mechanisms in the regulation of the ERK pathway.