Project description:Spermatogenesis is a highly complex developmental process that typically consists of mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. DNA/RNA helicase DHX36, a unique guanine-quadruplex (G4) resolvase, play crucial roles in a variety of biological processes. We previously showed that DHX36 is highly expressed in male germ cells with the highest level in zygotene spermatocytes. Here, we delete Dhx36 in advanced germ cells with Stra8-GFPCre, and found that a Dhx36 deficiency in the differentiated spermatogonia leads to meiotic defects and abnormal spermiogenesis. These defects in late stages of spermatogenesis arise from dysregulated transcription of G4-harboring genes, which are required for meiosis. Thus, this study reveals that Dhx36 play crucial roles in the late stages of spermatogenesis.
Project description:DHX36 is a ATP-dependent, 3´-5´ RNA helicase of the DEAH family. Previous publications reported this helicase to associate with AU-rich elements and to specifically unwind G-quadruplex structures. Here, we performed PAR-CLIP in duplicates to specifically crosslink DHX36 and helicase-dead DHX36 E335A to its RNA binding targets in HEK293 cells. After sequencing and mapping to the human genome at nucleotide-resolution level we combined sequencing reads to a total of over 60000 binding clusters on more than 9000 transcripts. Distribution analyses revealed that DHX36 binds mainly to CDSs and 3´UTRS of mRNAs. Also, a G-rich binding motif for DHX36 was identified.
Project description:DHX36 is a ATP-dependent, 3´-5´ RNA helicase of the DEAH family. Previous publications reported this helicase to associate with AU-rich elements and to specifically unwind G-quadruplex structures. Here, we performed Ribosome footprintin in triplicats of HEK293 wildtype cells and DHX36-KO-HEK293 cells to identify changes in ribosome occupancy on mRNAs upon presence or absence of this helicase. After sequencing and mapping to the human genome at nucleotide-resolution level we analysed the coverage of ribosomes on target mRNAs, identified in this study (see PAR-CLIP). Our analyses show that only minor changes upon DHX36 knockout can be observed.
Project description:DHX36 is a ATP-dependent, 3´-5´ RNA helicase of the DEAH family. Previous publications reported this helicase to associate with AU-rich elements and to specifically unwind G-quadruplex structures. Here, we performed RNA-seq in triplicats of HEK293 wildtype cells and DHX36-KO-HEK293 cells to identify changes in RNA abundance upon presence or absence of this helicase. After sequencing and mapping to the human genome at nucleotide-resolution level we analysed the mRNA abundance of target mRNAs, identified in this study (see PAR-CLIP). Our analyses show that binding of DHX36 to 3´UTRS of target mRNAs significantly reduce their abundance.
Project description:DHX36 is a ATP-dependent, 3´-5´ RNA helicase of the DEAH family. Previous publications reported this helicase to associate with AU-rich elements and to specifically unwind G-quadruplex structures. Here, we performed RNA-seq in triplicats of HEK293 wildtype cells and DHX36-KO-HEK293 cells to identify changes in RNA abundance upon presence or absence of this helicase. After sequencing and mapping to the human genome at nucleotide-resolution level we analysed the mRNA abundance of target mRNAs, identified in this study (see PAR-CLIP). Our analyses show that binding of DHX36 to 3´UTRS of target mRNAs significantly reduce their abundance.
Project description:Guanine-quadruplexes (G4) present in RNA and DNA exert a number of different functions in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. However, the molecular mechanisms of G4-mediated regulation are still poorly understood. We describe a regulatory circuitry operating in the early phases of muscle differentiation in which a long non coding RNA (SMaRT) base pairs with a G4-containing mRNA (Mlx-g) and represses its translation in an antagonistic way with the RNA helicase DHX36. MLX-g is required to allow the nuclear translocation of the MLX-a and b dimerization partners and to control proper myogenesis. We show that by controlling MLX-g, lnc-SMaRT is able to regulate the overall quantity of nuclear MLX proteins and their transcriptional output. Therefore, the circuitry composed by lnc-SMaRT, Mlx-g and Dhx36 not only plays an important role in the control of myogenesis but unravels a molecular mechanism where G4 structures and G4 unwinding activities are controlled in vivo.
Project description:DHX36 is a ATP-dependent, 3´-5´ RNA helicase of the DEAH family. Previous publications reported this helicase to associate with AU-rich elements and to specifically unwind G-quadruplex structures. Here, we performed RNA-seq in triplicats of HEK293 wildtype cells and DHX36-KO-HEK293 cells to identify changes in RNA abundance upon presence or absence of this helicase. After sequencing and mapping to the human genome at nucleotide-resolution level we analysed the mRNA abundance of target mRNAs, identified in this study (see PAR-CLIP). Our analyses show that binding of DHX36 to 3´UTRS of target mRNAs significantly reduce their abundance.
Project description:The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish of high economic value and a target species for aquaculture. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate changes in genes expressed in the Senegalese sole testis throughout spermatogenesis in wild-caught fish adapted to captivity. We identified approximately 400 genes that are differentially expressed during the progression of spermatogenesis and that participate in processes such as activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, sperm maturation and motility, cell adhesion or cytoskeletal remodeling. The results from this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular changes ocurring during spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole. This study represents spermatogenesis in Solea senegalensis: mid versus late spermatogenesis. Total RNA from testes at different stages in spermatogenesis (early, mid, late and functional maturation) from F0 wild Senegalese sole (3-4 animals at each stage) was extracted using the RNeasy extraction kit (Qiagen) and treated with DNAse following the manufacturer’s instructions. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of total RNA was performed using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. RNA samples from each stage were pooled and amplified, labelled and hybridized to a custom-made oligonucleotide microarray containing 5,087 Senegalese sole Unigene sequences. In brief, pooled testicular RNAs from each stage were amplified and the resulting cRNAs labelled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, mixed in equal amounts and hybridized to the microarray for 17 h at 60 ºC.
Project description:The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish of high economic value and a target species for aquaculture. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate changes in genes expressed in the Senegalese sole testis throughout spermatogenesis in wild-caught fish adapted to captivity. We identified approximately 400 genes that are differentially expressed during the progression of spermatogenesis and that participate in processes such as activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, sperm maturation and motility, cell adhesion or cytoskeletal remodeling. The results from this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular changes ocurring during spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole. This study represents spermatogenesis in Solea senegalensis: early versus late spermatogenesis. Total RNA from testes at different stages in spermatogenesis (early, mid, late and functional maturation) from F0 wild Senegalese sole (3-4 animals at each stage) was extracted using the RNeasy extraction kit (Qiagen) and treated with DNAse following the manufacturer’s instructions. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of total RNA was performed using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. RNA samples from each stage were pooled and amplified, labelled and hybridized to a custom-made oligonucleotide microarray containing 5,087 Senegalese sole Unigene sequences. In brief, pooled testicular RNAs from each stage were amplified and the resulting cRNAs labelled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, mixed in equal amounts and hybridized to the microarray for 17 h at 60 ºC. Each hybridization was performed at least in duplicate.
Project description:The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish of high economic value and a target species for aquaculture. Here, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate changes in genes expressed in the Senegalese sole testis throughout spermatogenesis in wild-caught fish adapted to captivity. We identified approximately 400 genes that are differentially expressed during the progression of spermatogenesis and that participate in processes such as activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, sperm maturation and motility, cell adhesion or cytoskeletal remodeling. The results from this study contribute to our understanding of the molecular changes ocurring during spermatogenesis in the Senegalese sole. This study represents spermatogenesis in Solea senegalensis: functional mature versus late spermatogenesis. Total RNA from testes at different stages in spermatogenesis (early, mid, late and functional maturation) from F0 wild Senegalese sole (3-4 animals at each stage) was extracted using the RNeasy extraction kit (Qiagen) and treated with DNAse following the manufacturer’s instructions. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of total RNA was performed using the Agilent 2100 bioanalyzer. RNA samples from each stage were pooled and amplified, labelled and hybridized to a custom-made oligonucleotide microarray containing 5,087 Senegalese sole Unigene sequences. In brief, pooled testicular RNAs from each stage were amplified and the resulting cRNAs labelled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, mixed in equal amounts and hybridized to the microarray for 17 h at 60 ºC.