Project description:In mammals, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) plays roles in sequence-specific RNA interference, sequence-independent interferon response, and RNA editing by adenosine deaminases. We have previously shown that long hairpin dsRNA expression in cultured cells does not activate the interferon response, it is poorly processed into siRNAs, and it is partially edited. Here, we demonstrate that dsRNA expressed from transiently transfected plasmids strongly inhibits expression of co-transfected reporter plasmids but not expression of endogenous genes or reporters stably integrated in the genome. The inhibition is concentration-dependent and independent of a cell type, transfection method, or dsRNA sequence. The inhibition occurs at the level of translation and is mediated by protein kinase R (PKR). PKR binds the expressed dsRNA, becomes phosphorylated and changes its distribution along polysome fractions. In conclusion, we demonstrate that expression from plasmids is selectively repressed if one of co transfected plasmids produces dsRNA. Our results highlight the importance of proper controls and careful interpretation of co-transfection experiments.
Project description:In mammals, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) plays roles in sequence-specific RNA interference, sequence-independent interferon response, and RNA editing by adenosine deaminases. We have previously shown that long hairpin dsRNA expression in cultured cells does not activate the interferon response, it is poorly processed into siRNAs, and it is partially edited. Here, we demonstrate that dsRNA expressed from transiently transfected plasmids strongly inhibits expression of co-transfected reporter plasmids but not expression of endogenous genes or reporters stably integrated in the genome. The inhibition is concentration-dependent and independent of a cell type, transfection method, or dsRNA sequence. The inhibition occurs at the level of translation and is mediated by protein kinase R (PKR). PKR binds the expressed dsRNA, becomes phosphorylated and changes its distribution along polysome fractions. In conclusion, we demonstrate that expression from plasmids is selectively repressed if one of co transfected plasmids produces dsRNA. Our results highlight the importance of proper controls and careful interpretation of co-transfection experiments. HEK293 cells (human origin) were transiently transfected with hairpin dsRNA-expressing (MosIR) and control (pCag) plasmids.
Project description:Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 2 (EIF2AK2), better known as PKR plays a key role in the response to viral infections and cellular homeostasis by regulating mRNA translation. Upon binding dsRNA, PKR is activated through homodimerization and subsequent autophosphorylation on Thr446 and Thr451 residues. In this study, we identified a novel PKR phosphorylation site, Ser6, located 3 aminoacids upstream the first double-stranded RNA binding domain (DRBM1). Another Ser residue occurs in PKR at position 97, the very same position relative to the DRBM2. Ser or Thr residues also occur 3 amino acids upstream DRBMs of other proteins such as ADAR1 or DICER. Phosphoinhibiting mutations (Ser-to-Ala) introduced at Ser6 and Ser97 spontaneously activated PKR. In contrast, phosphomimetic mutations (Ser-to-Asp) inhibited PKR activation following either poly (I:C) transfection or virus infection. These mutations moderately affected dsRNA binding, suggesting a model where negative charges occuring at position 6 and 97 tighten the interaction of DRBMs with the kinase domain, thus keeping PKR in an inactive, closed conformation even in the presence of dsRNA. This study provides new insights on PKR regulation mechanisms and identifies Ser6 and Ser97 as potential targets to modulate PKR activity for therapeutic purposes
Project description:The antiviral defense in vertebrates requires the innate immune system to sense foreign “non-self” nucleic acids while avoiding “self” nucleic acids, which is accomplished by an intricate system. Cellular double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) are edited by the RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 to prevent their dsRNA structure pattern from being recognized as viral dsRNA. Lack of RNA editing by ADAR1 enables activation of MDA5, a cytosolic dsRNA sensor, by cellular dsRNA. Additional RNA editing- independent functions of ADAR1 have been proposed, but the specific mechanism remains elusive. Here we demonstrate that RNA binding by ADAR1, independent of its editing activity, restricts the activation of PKR, another cytosolic dsRNA sensor, by cellular dsRNA. Mechanistically, the loss of ADAR1 editing caused MDA5 activation to induce interferon signaling, while a lack of ADAR1 protein or its dsRNA binding ability led to PKR activation, with subsequent stress granule formation and proliferation arrest. Based on these findings we rescued the Adar1−/− mice from embryonic lethality to adulthood by deleting both MDA5 and PKR, in contrast to the limited rescue of Adar1−/− mice by removing MDA5 or PKR alone. Our findings reveal a multifaceted contribution of ADAR1 in regulating the immunogenicity of “self” dsRNAs. Furthermore, ADAR1 is an immuno-oncology target for drug development, and the separation of ADAR1’s RNA editing and binding functions provides mechanistic insights for such developments.
Project description:This micro-array helps establishing the function of Akirin, a nuclear protein with unknown domains, a putative interacting partner, in the transcriptional regulation of the targets of Relish, a NF-kB factor required to fight Gram(-) bacteria infection in Drosophila melanogaster. S2 cells were knocked down for Relish, Akirin and immune-challenged by Calcium-phosphate transient transfection of dsRNA and over-expressing PGRP-LC vector. Positively transfected cells were sorted by co-expressed Tomato and RNA was purified and analysed by a micro-array
Project description:Sensing of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is an important component of innate immunity. Proteins like PKR and MDA5 recognize dsRNA and activate various pathways to fight viral infection. In addition to viral dsRNA, many endogenous RNAs containing double-stranded regions can be misrecognized as immunogenic. The RNA editing enzyme ADAR1, specifically its p150 isoform, has been shown to suppress activation of PKR and MDA5 through its A-to-I editing activity. While the cytoplasmic ADAR1-p150 isoform has been well established within this role, the functions of the nuclear ADAR1-p110 isoform are less understood. To address this knowledge gap, we utilized proximity labeling by APEX2 to identify putative ADAR1-p110 interacting proteins. We identified 110 proteins across three breast cancer cell lines that either interact with p110 or are within close proximity. Many of these proteins have known roles in RNA metabolism. Nine of the identified proteins belong to the DEAD or DEAH box families of RNA helicases, including DHX9. DHX9 is overexpressed in breast cancer, with expression closely correlated with that of p110. By co-immunoprecipitation we confirmed that p110 interacts with DHX9. Knockdown of DHX9 in several triple-negative breast cancer cell lines caused cell death and activation of the dsRNA sensor PKR. In two cell lines that are refractory to knockdown of ADAR1, the combined knockdown of DHX9 and ADAR1 caused a substantial increase in PKR activity, where knockdown of either alone had no effect. Knockdown of DHX9 and ADAR1 caused activation of the type I IFN pathway, RNase L and NF-KB signaling. Activation of these proteins and pathways was not seen with individual knockdown of ADAR1 or DHX9. Activation of PKR following combined knockdown of ADAR1 and DHX9 could be rescued by expression of p110, p150, DHX9, and catalytically inactive DHX9. Additionally PKR activation could be rescued by the dsRBM of DHX9, revealing an important role for dsRBMs in suppressing PKR activation. Together these results reveal an important role for DHX9 in suppressing dsRNA sensing by multiple pathways.
Project description:Emerging data suggest that induction of viral mimicry responses through activation of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) sensors in cancer cells is a promising therapeutic strategy. One approach to induce viral mimicry is to target molecular regulators of dsRNA sensing pathways. Here, we show that the exoribonuclease XRN1 is a negative regulator of the dsRNA sensor protein kinase R (PKR) in cancer cells with high interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression. XRN1 deletion causes PKR pathway activation and consequent cancer cell lethality. Disruption of interferon signaling with the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib can decrease cellular PKR levels and rescue sensitivity to XRN1 deletion. Conversely, interferon-b stimulation can increase PKR levels and induce sensitivity to XRN1 inactivation. Lastly, XRN1 deletion causes accumulation of endogenous complementary sense/anti-sense RNAs, which may represent candidate PKR ligands. Our data demonstrate how XRN1 regulates PKR, and how this interaction creates a vulnerability in cancer cells with an activated interferon cell state.
Project description:Patient-derived glioma stem-like cell (GSC-11), a kind gift of Dr. Lang at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, was subjected to a transient transfection to down-regulate SOX2 expression. Specific human SOX2 siRNA and a non-targeting control siRNA (si-Scramble) were used in four independent experiments. The cells were then cultured for 72 h after transfection and subjected to the miRNA array analysis.
Project description:Exon(s) back-splicing-generated circular RNAs as a group can suppress the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase R (PKR) in cells. We have sought to synthesize immunogenicity-free, short dsRNA-containing circular RNAs as potent PKR inhibitors. Here, we report that circular RNAs synthesized by permuted td introns from T4 bacteriophage and by Anabeana pre-tRNA group I intron induce an immune response. Mechanistically, autocatalytic splicing introduces extra ~74 nt and ~186 nt fragments (E1+E2+spacer) that form additional stable loop structures that likely provoke innate immune responses in circular RNA products. In contrast, circular RNAs produced by T4 RNA ligase without unwanted fragment exhibit little immunogenicity. Importantly, directly-ligated circular RNAs form short dsRNA-regions exhibit 103~106 fold higher efficiency than the reported chemical compounds C16 and 2-AP in suppressing PKR activation, highlighting the use of circular RNAs as novel inhibitors for PKR over-reaction diseases.
Project description:Efforts to advance RNA aptamers as a novel therapeutic modality have been limited by their susceptibilty to degradation and immunogenicity. In a previous study, we demonstrated synthesized double-stranded circular RNAs (ds-cRNAs) with minimal immunogenicity targeted to dsRNA-activated Protein Kinase R (PKR). Here, we test the therapeutic potential of ds-cRNAs in a mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis. We find that genetic supplementation of ds-cRNAs leads to inhibition of PKR, resulting in alleviation of downstream interferon alpha (IFNα)/dsRNA signals and attenuation of psoriasis phenotypes. Delivery of ds-cRNAs by lipid nanoparticles to the spleen attenuates PKR activity in examined splenocytes, resulting in reduced epidermal thickness. These findings suggest that ds-cRNAs represent a promising approach to mitigate excessive PKR activation for therapeutic purposes.