Epitranscriptomic technologies and analyses

RNA can interact with RNA-binding proteins(RBPs), mRNA, or other non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs) to form complex regulatory networks. High-throughput CLIP-seq, degradome-seq, and RNA-RNA interactome sequencing methods represent powerful approaches to identify biologically relevant ncRNA-target and protein-ncRNA interactions. However, assigning ncRNAs to their regulatory target genes or interacting RNA-binding proteins(RBPs) remains technically challenging. Chemical modifications to mRNA also play important roles in regulating gene expression. Investigation of the functional roles of these modifications relies highly on the detection methods used. RNA structure is also critical at nearly every step of the RNA life cycle. In this review, we summarize recent advances and limitations in CLIP technologies and discuss the computational challenges of and bioinformatics tools used for decoding the functions and regulatory networks of ncRNAs. We also summarize methods used to detect RNA modifications and to probe RNA structure.     

蛋白质合成中的核糖核酸蛋白质复合物

细胞中的RNA和RNA结合蛋白质(RNA-binding proteins,RBPs)相互作用形成核糖核酸蛋白质(ribonucleoprotein,RNP)复合物。RNP复合物分布广泛,功能众多。蛋白质生物合成包括转录及其调控、mRNA加工转运、tRNA传递、翻译及其调控等,是核酸编码的遗传信息流向活性蛋白质的过程。多种RNA分子参与这一过程,有的与对应的RNA结合蛋白质形成RNP复合物。RNP复合物的多样性和重要功能在此得到了最好的体现。该文以其中起核心作用的RNA分子为主线,对蛋白质合成中的RNP复合物进行了综述。     

Insights into RNA biology from an atlas of mammalian mRNA-binding proteins

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) determine RNA fate from synthesis to decay. Employing two complementary protocols for covalent UV crosslinking of RBPs to RNA, we describe a systematic, unbiased, and comprehensive approach, termed "interactome capture," to define the mRNA interactome of proliferating human HeLa cells. We identify 860 proteins that qualify as RBPs by biochemical and statistical criteria, adding more than 300 RBPs to those previously known and shedding light on RBPs in disease, RNA-binding enzymes of intermediary metabolism, RNA-binding kinases, and RNA-binding architectures. Unexpectedly, we find that many proteins of the HeLa mRNA interactome are highly intrinsically disordered and enriched in short repetitive amino acid motifs. Interactome capture is broadly applicable to study mRNA interactome composition and dynamics in varied biological settings.     

AGO-RBP crosstalk on target mRNAs: Implications in miRNA-guided gene silencing and cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are important regulators of mRNA translation and stability in eukaryotes. While miRNAs can only bind their target mRNAs in association with Argonaute proteins (AGOs), RBPs directly bind their targets either as single entities or in complex with other RBPs to control mRNA metabolism. miRNA binding in 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of mRNAs facilitates an intricate network of interactions between miRNA-AGO and RBPs, thus determining the fate of overlapping targets. Here, we review the current knowledge on the interplay between miRNA-AGO and multiple RBPs in different cellular contexts, the rules underlying their synergism and antagonism on target mRNAs, as well as highlight the implications of these regulatory modules in cancer initiation and progression.