Project description:Anorectal malformation (ARM), a common congenital anomaly of the digestive tract, is a result of insufficient elongation of the urorectal septum. The cytoplasmic protein Receptor of Activated C-Kinase 1 (Rack1) is involved in embryonic neural development; however, its role in embryonic digestive tract development and ARM formation is unexplored. Our study explored the hindgut development and cell death mechanisms in ARM-affected rats using spatial transcriptome analysis. We induced ARM in rats by administering ethylenethiourea via gavage on gestational day (GD) 10. On GDs 14-16, embryos from both normal and ARM groups underwent spatial transcriptome sequencing, which identified key genes and signalling pathways. Rack1 exhibited significant interactions among differentially expressed genes on GDs 15 and 16. Reduced Rack1 expression in the ARM-affected hindgut, verified by Rack1 silencing in intestinal epithelial cells, led to increased P38 phosphorylation and activation of the MAPK signalling pathway. The suppression of this pathway downregulated Nqo1 and Gpx4 expression, resulting in elevated intracellular levels of ferrous ions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxides. Downregulation of Gpx4 expression in the ARM hindgut, coupled with Rack1 co-localisation and consistent mitochondrial morphology, indicated ferroptosis. In summary, Rack1, acting as a hub gene, modulates ferrous ions, lipid peroxides, and ROS via the P38-MAPK/Nqo1/Gpx4 axis. This modulation induces ferroptosis in intestinal epithelial cells, potentially influencing hindgut development during ARM onset.
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate plant development by post-transcriptional regulation of target genes. In Arabidopsis thaliana, DCL1 processes precursors (pri-miRNAs) to miRNA duplexes, which associate with AGO1. Additional proteins act in concert with DCL1 (e.g. HYL1 and SERRATE) or AGO1, respectively, to facilitate efficient and precise pri-miRNA processing and miRNA loading. In this study, we show that the accumulation of plant microRNAs depends on RECEPTOR FOR ACTIVATED C KINASE 1 (RACK1), a scaffold protein found in all higher eukaryotes. miRNA levels are reduced in rack1 mutants and our data suggest that RACK1 affects the microRNA pathway via several distinct mechanisms involving direct interactions with known microRNA factors: RACK1 ensures the accumulation and processing of some pri-miRNAs, directly interacts with SERRATE and is part of an AGO1 complex. As a result, mutations in RACK1 lead to misregulation of miRNA target genes, which is important for ABA responses and phyllotaxy. In conclusion, our study discovered complex functioning of RACK1 proteins in the Arabidopsis miRNA pathway, which are important for miRNA production and therefore plant development.
Project description:We found that Rack1 increased in microglia in AD mouse model. Conditional knockout of Rack1 in microglia reduced Aβ aggregation, alleviated neuroinflammation, and rescued cognitive impairments in AD mouse model. Mechanism investigation revealed that knockout of Rack1 in microglia decreased microglial numbers but increased astrocytic numbers and phagocytic activities via IGF1-IGF1R signaling.
Project description:Stable knockdown of NET1, a RhoGEF, was achieved in AGS Gastric Cancer cells. This gene is known to be overexpressed in the disease. Knockdown was achieved using lentiviral shRNA particles. Gene expression was compared between knockdown and scrambled shRNA treated control cells. Cells were treated with and without LPA, a known activator of RhoA. Three distinct cell lines were used in this study (all AGS cells); (i) Non Target cell (NT) stably expressing non targetting shRNA (ii) 63 and (iii) 65; the latter two are stable NET1 knockdown cells and are seperatly transduced with separate NET1 targetting shRNA particles. Cells were treated with and without 10microM LPA for 4 hr. Experimental replicates were performed for each treatment (A & B), RNA was prepared from each and seperatly hybridised to U133A arrays.
Project description:Transcription factor Pax5 activates genes essential for B-cell development and function. However, the regulation of Pax5 expression remains elusive. Adaptor Rack1 can interact with multiple transcription factors and modulate their activation and/or stability. Despite that, its role in the transcriptional control of B-cell fates is largely unknown. Here we show that CD19-driven Rack1 deficiency leads to pro-B accumulation and simultaneous reduction of B cells at later developmental stages. The generation of bone marrow chimeras indicates a cell-intrinsic role of Rack1 in B-cell homeostasis. Moreover, Rack1 augments BCR and TLR signaling in mature B cells. Based on diminished CD19 expression upon Rack1 deficiency, further exploration reveals that Rack1 maintains Pax5 protein levels through direct interaction and consequent prevention of Pax5 ubiquitination. Accordingly, Mb1-driven Rack1 deficiency almost completely blocks B-cell development at the pro-B cell stage. Thus, Rack1 regulates B-cell development and function through, at least partially, binding to and stabilizing Pax5.
Project description:MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate different aspects of plant development by post-transcriptional regulation of target genes. In Arabidopsis, DICER-LIKE 1 (DCL1) processes miRNA precursors (pri-miRNAs) to miRNA duplexes, which associate with ARGONAUTE 1 (AGO1). AGO1 together with the miRNA guide strand binds complementary RNA sequences within target mRNAs. Additional proteins act in concert with DCL1 (e.g. HYL1 and SERRATE) and AGO1, respectively, to facilitate efficient and precise pri-miRNA processing and loading into the effector protein. Here, we show that RECEPTOR OF ACTIVATED C KINASE 1 (RACK1) is a novel component of the Arabidopsis miRNA pathway. RACK1 is a seven-bladed WD-repeat protein that has previously been shown to act as a scaffold protein mediating multiple simultaneous protein-protein interactions. Our molecular analyses demonstrate that RACK1 function is required for controlling miRNA-mediated gene expression. rack1 mutants contain only low levels of mature miRNAs without affecting the first step of pri-miRNA processing. Physical and genetic interaction studies revealed that RACK1 acts in concert with AGO1 and also interacts with a SERRATE, a component of the miRNA processing machinery. These results suggest that RACK1 also functions as a scaffold protein in the miRNA pathway to orchestrates miRNA maturation steps after the initial events of pri-miRNA processing. sequencing of small RNAs from WT and rack1abc mutants (two biological replicates each)
Project description:Fighting viral infections is hampered by the scarcity of viral targets and their variability resulting in development of resistance. Viruses depend on cellular molecules for their life cycle, which are attractive alternative targets, provided that they are dispensable for normal cell functions. Using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, we identify the ribosomal protein RACK1 as a cellular factor required for infection by internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-containing viruses. We further show that RACK1 is an essential determinant for hepatitis C virus translation and infection indicating that its function is conserved among distantly related human and fly viruses. Inhibition of RACK1 does not affect Drosophila or human cell viability and proliferation, and RACK1-silenced adult flies are viable, indicating that this protein is not essential for general translation. Our findings demonstrate a specific function for RACK1 in selective mRNA translation and uncover a new target for the development of broad antiviral intervention. 4 Controls 4 RACK1 silenced cells
Project description:Fighting viral infections is hampered by the scarcity of viral targets and their variability resulting in development of resistance. Viruses depend on cellular molecules for their life cycle, which are attractive alternative targets, provided that they are dispensable for normal cell functions. Using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster, we identify the ribosomal protein RACK1 as a cellular factor required for infection by internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-containing viruses. We further show that RACK1 is an essential determinant for hepatitis C virus translation and infection indicating that its function is conserved among distantly related human and fly viruses. Inhibition of RACK1 does not affect Drosophila or human cell viability and proliferation, and RACK1-silenced adult flies are viable, indicating that this protein is not essential for general translation. Our findings demonstrate a specific function for RACK1 in selective mRNA translation and uncover a new target for the development of broad antiviral intervention.
Project description:To investigate the effects of RACK1 myeloid deletion on the growth and development of alveolar macrophages in mice, we sorted alveolar macrophages from RACK1 myeloid deletion mice and control mice for transcriptome sequencing