Multiple Alu Exonization in 3'UTR of a Primate-Specific Isoform of CYP20A1 Creates a Potential miRNA Sponge.

ABSTRACT: Alu repeats contribute to phylogenetic novelties in conserved regulatory networks in primates. Our study highlights how exonized Alus could nucleate large-scale mRNA-miRNA interactions. Using a functional genomics approach, we characterize a transcript isoform of an orphan gene, CYP20A1 (CYP20A1_Alu-LT) that has exonization of 23 Alus in its 3'UTR. CYP20A1_Alu-LT, confirmed by 3'RACE, is an outlier in length (9 kb 3'UTR) and widely expressed. Using publically available data sets, we demonstrate its expression in higher primates and presence in single nucleus RNA-seq of 15,928 human cortical neurons. miRanda predicts ∼4,700 miRNA recognition elements (MREs) for ∼1,000 miRNAs, primarily originated within these 3'UTR-Alus. CYP20A1_Alu-LT could be a potential multi-miRNA sponge as it harbors ≥

SUBMITTER: Bhattacharya A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7802813 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature