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      RNA G-quadruplexes: emerging mechanisms in disease

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      Nucleic Acids Research
      Oxford University Press

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          Abstract

          RNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) are formed by G-rich RNA sequences in protein-coding (mRNA) and non-coding (ncRNA) transcripts that fold into a four-stranded conformation. Experimental studies and bioinformatic predictions support the view that these structures are involved in different cellular functions associated to both DNA processes (telomere elongation, recombination and transcription) and RNA post-transcriptional mechanisms (including pre-mRNA processing, mRNA turnover, targeting and translation). An increasing number of different diseases have been associated with the inappropriate regulation of RNA G4s exemplifying the potential importance of these structures on human health. Here, we review the different molecular mechanisms underlying the link between RNA G4s and human diseases by proposing several overlapping models of deregulation emerging from recent research, including (i) sequestration of RNA-binding proteins, (ii) aberrant expression or localization of RNA G4-binding proteins, (iii) repeat associated non-AUG (RAN) translation, (iv) mRNA translational blockade and (v) disabling of protein–RNA G4 complexes. This review also provides a comprehensive survey of the functional RNA G4 and their mechanisms of action. Finally, we highlight future directions for research aimed at improving our understanding on RNA G4-mediated regulatory mechanisms linked to diseases.

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          Most cited references98

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          R loops: new modulators of genome dynamics and function.

          R loops are nucleic acid structures composed of an RNA-DNA hybrid and a displaced single-stranded DNA. Recently, evidence has emerged that R loops occur more often in the genome and have greater physiological relevance, including roles in transcription and chromatin structure, than was previously predicted. Importantly, however, R loops are also a major threat to genome stability. For this reason, several DNA and RNA metabolism factors prevent R-loop formation in cells. Dysfunction of these factors causes R-loop accumulation, which leads to replication stress, genome instability, chromatin alterations or gene silencing, phenomena that are frequently associated with cancer and a number of genetic diseases. We review the current knowledge of the mechanisms controlling R loops and their putative relationship with disease.
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            RNA G-quadruplexes cause eIF4A-dependent oncogene translation in cancer

            The translational control of oncoprotein expression is implicated in many cancers. Here we report an eIF4A/DDX2 RNA helicase-dependent mechanism of translational control that contributes to oncogenesis and underlies the anticancer effects of Silvestrol and related compounds. For example, eIF4A promotes T-ALL development in vivo and is required for leukaemia maintenance. Accordingly, inhibition of eIF4A with Silvestrol has powerful therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo. We use transcriptome-scale ribosome footprinting to identify the hallmarks of eIF4A-dependent transcripts. These include 5′UTR sequences such as the 12-mer guanine quartet (CGG)4 motif that can form RNA G-quadruplex structures. Notably, among the most eIF4A-dependent and Silvestrol-sensitive transcripts are a number of oncogenes, super-enhancer associated transcription factors, and epigenetic regulators. Hence, the 5′UTRs of selected cancer genes harbour a targetable requirement for the eIF4A RNA helicase.
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              Fragile X mental retardation protein targets G quartet mRNAs important for neuronal function.

              Loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) function causes the fragile X mental retardation syndrome. FMRP harbors three RNA binding domains, associates with polysomes, and is thought to regulate mRNA translation and/or localization, but the RNAs to which it binds are unknown. We have used RNA selection to demonstrate that the FMRP RGG box binds intramolecular G quartets. This data allowed us to identify mRNAs encoding proteins involved in synaptic or developmental neurobiology that harbor FMRP binding elements. The majority of these mRNAs have an altered polysome association in fragile X patient cells. These data demonstrate that G quartets serve as physiologically relevant targets for FMRP and identify mRNAs whose dysregulation may underlie human mental retardation.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                Nucleic Acids Res
                Nucleic Acids Res
                nar
                Nucleic Acids Research
                Oxford University Press
                0305-1048
                1362-4962
                28 February 2017
                24 December 2016
                24 December 2016
                : 45
                : 4
                : 1584-1595
                Affiliations
                Université Fédérale Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, Inserm, CRCT, Toulouse, France
                Author notes
                [* ]To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +33 5 82741613; Fax: +33 5 82741685; Email: stefania.millevoi@ 123456inserm.fr
                Article
                gkw1280
                10.1093/nar/gkw1280
                5389700
                28013268
                3550bb40-769a-4363-921c-69a6941cb0ab
                © The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

                This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. For commercial re-use, please contact journals.permissions@ 123456oup.com

                History
                : 16 December 2016
                : 06 December 2016
                : 25 May 2016
                Page count
                Pages: 12
                Categories
                Survey and Summary

                Genetics
                Genetics

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