Project description:Using Next-generation sequencing of total RNA isolated from human cytomegalovirus virions we have analyzed host (human) snoRNA molecules.
Project description:Using Next-generation sequencing of total RNA isolated from human cytomegalovirus virions we have identified host (human) tRNA molecules.
Project description:Background: Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are mid-size non-coding RNAs required for ribosomal RNA modification, implying a ubiquitous tissue distribution linked to ribosome synthesis. However, increasing numbers of studies identify extra-ribosomal roles of snoRNAs in modulating gene expression, suggesting more complex snoRNA abundance patterns. Therefore, there is a great need for mapping the snoRNome in different human tissues as the blueprint for snoRNA functions. Results: We used a low structure bias RNA-Seq approach to accurately quantify snoRNAs and compare them to the entire transcriptome in seven healthy human tissues (breast, ovary, prostate, testis, skeletal muscle, liver and brain). We identify 475 expressed snoRNAs categorized in two abundance classes that differ significantly in their function, conservation level and correlation with their host gene: 390 snoRNAs are uniformly expressed and 85 are enriched in the brain or reproductive tissues. Most tissue-enriched snoRNAs are embedded in lncRNAs and display strong correlation of abundance with them, whereas uniformly expressed snoRNAs are mostly embedded in protein-coding host genes and are mainly non- or anticorrelated with them. 59% of the non-correlated or anticorrelated protein-coding host gene/snoRNA pairs feature dual-initiation promoters, compared to only 16% of the correlated non-coding host gene/snoRNA pairs. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that snoRNAs are not a single homogeneous group of housekeeping genes but include highly regulated tissue-enriched RNAs. Indeed, our work indicates that the architecture of snoRNA host genes varies to uncouple the host and snoRNA expressions in order to meet the different snoRNA abundance levels and functional needs of human tissues.
Project description:The paired-end next-generation sequencing of all small RNAs of less than 200 nucleotides in length from four different human cell lines (SKOV3ip1, MCF-7, BJ-Tielf, INOF) allowed us to determine the exact sequence(s) and variations of human box C/D snoRNAs (small nucleolar RNAs), revealing processing patterns of this class of molecules. Two distinct groups of box C/D snoRNAs were identified based on the position of their ends with respect to their characteristic boxes and the terminal base pairing potential. Short box C/D snoRNAs start sharply 4 or 5 nucleotides upstream of their box C and end 2 or 3 nucleotides downstream of their box D. In contrast, long box C/D snoRNAs start 5 or 6 nucleotides upstream of their box C and end 4 or 5 nucleotides downstream of their box D, increasing the likelihood of formation of a k-turn between their boxes C and D. Sequencing of SKOV3ip1 cells following the depletions of NOP58, a core box C/D snoRNA-binding protein and of RBFOX2, a splicing factor, shows that the short box C/D snoRNA forms are significantly more affected by the depletion of RBFOX2 while the long snoRNA forms, which display more canonical box C/D snoRNA features, are significantly more affected by the depletion of NOP58. Together the data suggest that box C/D snoRNAs are divided into at least two groups of RNA with distinct maturation and functional preferences. Small RNAs (<200 nucleotides) were isolated from different human cell lines that were either untreated or depleted of NOP58 or RBFOX2 using specific siRNAs. The resulting libraries were multiplexed and paired-end sequenced using Illumina HiSeq.
Project description:Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA) are non-coding RNAs known for guiding RNA modifications including 2ʹ-O-methylation (Nm) and pseudouridine (Ψ). While snoRNAs may also interact with other RNAs such as mRNA, the full repertoire of RNAs targeted by snoRNA remains elusive due to the lack of effective technologies that identify snoRNA targets transcriptome-wide. Here we develop a chemical crosslinking-based approach that comprehensively detects cellular RNA targets of snoRNAs, yielding thousands of previously unrecognized snoRNA-mRNA interactions in human cells and mouse brain tissues. Many interactions occur outside of snoRNA-guided rRNA modification sites, hinting at non-canonical functions beyond RNA modification. We find that one of these snoRNAs, SNORA73, targets mRNAs that encode secretory proteins and membrane proteins. SNORA73 also interacts with 7SL RNA, part of the signal recognition particle (SRP) required for protein secretion. The mRNA-SNORA73-7SL RNA interactions enhance the association of the SNORA73-target mRNAs with SRP, thereby facilitating secretion of the encoded proteins.
Project description:Comparison of gene expression profiles of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) infected with 3 clinical isolates of cytomegalovirus strains representing three glycoprotein B genotypes. Keywords: other
Project description:The complete genome of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) was elucidated almost 25 years ago using a traditional cloning and Sanger sequencing approach. Analysis of the genetic content of additional laboratory and clinical isolates has lead to a better, albeit still incomplete, definition of the coding potential and diversity of wild-type HCMV strains. The introduction of a new generation of massively parallel sequencing technologies, collectively called next-generation sequencing, has profoundly increased the throughput and resolution of the genomics field. These increased possibilities are already leading to a better understanding of the circulating diversity of HCMV clinical isolates. The higher resolution of next-generation sequencing provides new opportunities in the study of intrahost viral population structures. Furthermore, deep sequencing enables novel diagnostic applications for sensitive drug resistance mutation detection. RNA-seq applications have changed the picture of the HCMV transcriptome, which resulted in proof of a vast amount of splicing events and alternative transcripts. This review discusses the application of next-generation sequencing technologies, which has provided a clearer picture of the intricate nature of the HCMV genome. The continuing development and application of novel sequencing technologies will further augment our understanding of this ubiquitous, but elusive, herpesvirus.