Hi-C data from murine bone marrow derived macrophages to study chimeric RNAs
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ABSTRACT: Individual mammalian mRNA and proteins are typically believed to originate from single genomic loci, with isoform diversity arising through cis-splicing of pre-mRNA. However, whether mRNA from distant genes can undergo trans-splicing to generate functionally relevant chimeric transcripts has remained unclear. Here, we developed a pipeline combining long-read direct RNA sequencing with unbiased and targeted validation to systematically identify chimeric transcripts in macrophages. Chromatin conformation capture studies revealed that inflammation induces interchromosomal DNA interactions, positioning parent genes proximally to facilitate chimeric RNA formation. Notably, we identified a protein-coding chimeric mRNA representing a fusion between the pore forming protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) and a C-terminal domain translated out-of-frame from Tmem106a (GSDMD:TMEM106A). We show that inflammasome priming signals upregulate GSDMD:TMEM106A, with the protein localizing to the plasma membrane, where it remains inactive. Upon inflammasome activation and cleavage of canonical GSDMD, GSDMD:TMEM106A synergizes with the liberated GSDMD N-terminal effector domain to accelerate and enhance pore formation, IL-1β release, and pyroptosis. Finally, we demonstrate that GSDMD:TMEM106A is necessary and sufficient to coordinate bacterial defense in vivo. This discovery reveals a new class of protein-coding mRNA formed by regulated transcript fusion events during inflammation, unveiling diverse new therapeutic targets for the treatment of human disease.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE324391 | GEO | 2026/08/02
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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