Qki5 safeguards spinal motor neuron function by defining the motor neuron-specific transcriptome via pre-mRNA processing.

ABSTRACT: Many RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are linked to the dysregulation of RNA metabolism in motor neuron diseases (MNDs). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying MN vulnerability have yet to be elucidated. Here, we found that such an RBP, Quaking5 (Qki5), contributes to formation of the MN-specific transcriptome profile, termed "MN-ness," through the posttranscriptional network and maintenance of the mature MNs. Immunohistochemical analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) revealed that Qki5 is predominantly expressed in MNs, but not in other neuronal populations of the spinal cord. Furthermore, comprehensive RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses revealed that Qki5-dependent RNA regulation plays a pivotal role in generating the MN-specific transcriptome through pre-messenger ribonucle

SUBMITTER: Hayakawa-Yano Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11406248 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature