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
2014-08-06 | GSE58734 | GEO
Project description:mRNA and miRNA analysis during hepatitis C virus infection
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 Sequence library of miRNAs from a single sample of human foetal mesenchymal stem cells. Results tested and confirmed by northern blotting. Please note that only raw data files are available for the embryonic and neual samples and thus, directly submitted to SRA (SRX547311, SRX548700, respectively under SRP042115/PRJNA247767)
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.
Project description:Small, non-coding RNAs control gene expression post-transcriptionally and play important roles in virus-host interactions. Within the liver, the microRNA (miRNA) miR-122 is essential for replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV), while repression of miR-148a by hepatitis B virus (HBV) may enhance tumorigenesis. Despite their importance to the outcome of these infections, few previous studies have described unbiased profiling of small RNAs in the liver during chronic viral hepatitis. Here, we sequenced small (14-40 nts) RNAs in liver from subjects with chronic hepatitis B and C. We found that small RNAs derived from tRNAs, specifically 5’ tRNA-halves (“5’ tRHs”, ~31-34 nts), are abundant in liver and significantly increased during chronic viral infection in humans and also chimpanzees. In most infected livers, 5’ tRH abundance exceeded that of miRNAs. In contrast, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue from these subjects, tRH abundance was reduced concomitant with decreased expression of the tRNA-cleaving ribonuclease, angiogenin. Although tRHs have been identified in mice, our results show they are abundantly expressed in human tissue, increased in chronic viral infection, and decreased in liver cancer. Our findings highlight the potential biological and clinical relevance of these small non-coding RNAs.