Project description:We have sequenced miRNA libraries from human embryonic, neural and foetal mesenchymal stem cells. We report that the majority of miRNA genes encode mature isomers that vary in size by one or more bases at the 3’ and/or 5’ end of the miRNA. Northern blotting for individual miRNAs showed that the proportions of isomiRs expressed by a single miRNA gene often differ between cell and tissue types. IsomiRs were readily co-immunoprecipitated with Argonaute proteins in vivo and were active in luciferase assays, indicating that they are functional. Bioinformatics analysis predicts substantial differences in targeting between miRNAs with minor 5’ differences and in support of this we report that a 5’ isomiR-9-1 gained the ability to inhibit the expression of DNMT3B and NCAM2 but lost the ability to inhibit CDH1 in vitro. This result was confirmed by the use of isomiR-specific sponges. Our analysis of the miRGator database indicates that a small percentage of human miRNA genes express isomiRs as the dominant transcript in certain cell types and analysis of miRBase shows that 5’ isomiRs have replaced canonical miRNAs many times during evolution. This strongly indicates that isomiRs are of functional importance and have contributed to the evolution of miRNA genes
Project description:Purpose: Gastric cancer remains one of the deadliest neoplasms worldwide, with a high need for new therapeutic options. Efficacies of targeted therapies are often limited owing to the inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity of gastric cancer. Thus, drugs with broader mechanisms of action rather than relying on the inhibition of a single specific oncogene are needed. Preclinical studies have identified histone deacetylases (HDAC) and their respective isoforms as potential therapeutic targets in gastric cancer. However, clinical efficacies are moderate and the mechanism(s) of action of HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) are only partially understood. Methods: In a panel of gastric cancer cell lines with different molecular characteristics, tumor cell inhibitory effects of different HDACi were studied. Lipid peroxidation levels were measured using flow cytometry. Proteome analysis was performed for the in-depth characterization of molecular alterations upon HDAC inhibition. HDACi effects on important ferroptosis genes were validated on the mRNA (RT-qPCR) and protein level (Western Blot). Results: Upon HDACi treatment, lipid peroxidation levels were found increased in all tested cell lines. Class-I HDACi (VK1, entinostat) showed the same toxicity profile as the pan-HDACi vorinostat. Proteome analysis revealed significant and concordant alterations in the expression of proteins related to ferroptosis induction. Key enzymes like ACSL4, POR or SLC7A11 showed distinct alterations in their expression patterns, providing an explanation for the increased lipid peroxidation. Alterations of POR and SLC7A11 levels upon treatment were also confirmed in primary human gastric cancer tissue cultures as relevant ex vivo model. Conclusion: We identify the induction of ferroptosis as a new mechanism of action of class-I HDACi in gastric cancer. Notably, these findings were independent of the genetic background of the cell lines, thus introducing HDAC inhibition as a more general therapeutic principle besides other, less broadly usable targeted drugs.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.