Bifunctional small molecule-oligonucleotide hybrid as microRNA inhibitor

miRNAs are key regulators of various biological processes. Dysregulation of miRNA is linked to many diseases. Development of miRNA inhibitor has implication in disease therapy and study of miRNA function. The biogenesis pathway of miRNA involves the processing of pre-miRNA into mature miRNA by Dicer enzyme. We previously reported a proximity enabled approach that employs bifunctional small molecules to regulate miRNA maturation through inhibiting the enzymatic activity of Dicer. By conjugating to an RNA targeting unit, an RNase inhibitor could be delivered to the cleavage site of specific pre-miRNA to deactivate the complexed Dicer enzyme. Herein, we expanded this bifunctional strategy by showing that antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), including morpholinos and γPNAs, could be readily used as the RNA recognition unit to generate bifunctional small molecule-oligonucleotide hybrids as miRNA inhibitors. A systematic comparison revealed that the potency of these hybrids is mainly determined by the RNA binding of the targeting ASO molecules. Since the lengths of the ASO molecules used in this approach were much shorter than commonly used anti-miRNA ASOs, this may provide benefits to the specificity and cellular delivery of these hybrids. We expect that this approach could be complementary to traditional ASO and small molecule based miRNA inhibition and contribute to the study of miRNA.     

A New Short Oligonucleotide-Based Strategy for the Precursor-Specific Regulation of microRNA Processing by Dicer

The precise regulation of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis seems to be critically important for the proper functioning of all eukaryotic organisms. Even small changes in the levels of specific miRNAs can initiate pathological processes, including carcinogenesis. Accordingly, there is a great need to develop effective methods for the regulation of miRNA biogenesis and activity. In this study, we focused on the final step of miRNA biogenesis; i.e., miRNA processing by Dicer. To test our hypothesis that RNA molecules can function not only as Dicer substrates but also as Dicer regulators, we previously identified by SELEX a pool of RNA oligomers that bind to human Dicer. We found that certain of these RNA oligomers could selectively inhibit the formation of specific miRNAs. Here, we show that these specific inhibitors can simultaneously bind both Dicer and pre-miRNAs. These bifunctional riboregulators interfere with miRNA maturation by affecting pre-miRNA structure and sequestering Dicer. Based on these observations, we designed a set of short oligomers (12 nucleotides long) that were capable of influencing pre-miRNA processing in vitro, both in reactions involving recombinant human Dicer and in cytosolic extracts. We propose that the same strategy may be used to develop effective and selective regulators to control the production of any miRNA. Overall, our findings indicate that the interactions between pre-miRNAs and other RNAs may form very complex regulatory networks that modulate miRNA biogenesis and consequently gene expression.     

The role of Dicer protein partners in the processing of microRNA precursors

One of the cellular functions of the ribonuclease Dicer is to process microRNA precursors (pre-miRNAs) into mature microRNAs (miRNAs). Human Dicer performs this function in cooperation with its protein partners, AGO2, PACT and TRBP. The exact role of these accessory proteins in Dicer activity is still poorly understood. In this study, we used the northern blotting technique to investigate pre-miRNA cleavage efficiency and specificity after depletion of AGO2, PACT and TRBP by RNAi. The results showed that the inhibition of either Dicer protein partner substantially affected not only miRNA levels but also pre-miRNA levels, and it had a rather minor effect on the specificity of Dicer cleavage. The analysis of the Dicer cleavage products generated in vitro revealed the presence of a cleavage intermediate when pre-miRNA was processed by recombinant Dicer alone. This intermediate was not observed during pre-miRNA cleavage by endogenous Dicer. We demonstrate that AGO2, PACT and TRBP were required for the efficient functioning of Dicer in cells, and we suggest that one of the roles of these proteins is to assure better synchronization of cleavages triggered by two RNase III domains of Dicer.     

Tracking miRNA precursor metabolic products and processing sites through completely analyzing high-throughput sequencing data

The small non-coding important regulatory molecules, microRNAs (miRNAs), have been widely and deeply studied especially combining high-throughput sequencing technologies. Here, we attempted to track detailed miRNA precursor metabolic products and gain further insight into pre-miRNA processing by completely analyzing high-throughput sequencing data. Highly expressed miRNA precursors could be entirely covered by various short RNAs and small RNA fragments with a hierarchical distribution. miRNAs and some miRNA* regions were detected quite abundant short RNAs as expected, while other regions of precursors were found shorter RNAs or small fragments with fewer sequence counts. Furthermore, we developed a method to analyze relative expression levels of special RNA classes according to divergence of 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. Generally, there were several quite abundant RNA classes from a given miRNA locus, which suggested dominant cleavage sites of Drosha and Dicer during pre-miRNA processing. Compared with 3′ end, dominant cleavage site in 5′ end always focused on a specific position, which ensured conservation of the identity of miRNA (5′-seed sequence, nucleotides 2–8). Overall, a comprehensive analysis of sequencing data can be used to track pre-miRNA metabolic products and mechanism of pre-miRNA processing and metabolism.     

Cellular Delivery of Quantum Dot-Bound Hybridization Probe for Detection of Intracellular Pre-MicroRNA Using Chitosan/Poly(γ-Glutamic Acid) Complex as a Carrier

A quantum dot (QD)-bound hybridization probe was designed for detection of intracellular pre-miRNA using chitosan (CS)/poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) complex as a gene vector. The probe was prepared by assembling thiolated RNA to gold nanoparticle (Au NP) via Au-S bond and then binding 3′-end amine of the RNA to the carboxy group capped on quantum dot surface. The QD-RNA-Au NP probe was assembled on the vector by mixing with aqueous γ-PGA solution and then CS solution to construct a gene delivery system for highly effective cellular uptake and delivery. After the probe was released from CS/γ-PGA complex to the cytoplasm by electrostatic repulsion at intracellular pH, it hybridized with pre-miRNA precursor as target. The formed product was then cleaved by RNase III Dicer, leading to the separation of QDs from Au NPs and fluorescence emission of QDs, which could be detected by confocal microscopic imaging to monitor the amount of the intracellular pre-miRNA precursor. The in vitro assays revealed that the QD-RNA-Au NP was a robust, sensitive and selective probe for quantitative detection of target pre-miRNA. Using MDA-MB231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells as models, the relative amount of pre-miRNA let-7a could be successfully compared. Since the amount of miRNA is related to the progress and prognosis of cancer, this strategy could be expected to hold promising application potential in medical research and clinical diagnostics.     

A versatile photocleavable bifunctional linker for facile synthesis of substrate-DNA conjugates for the selection of nucleic acid catalysts

Covalent photocleavable attachment of small molecules or peptides to oligonucleotides is an integral strategic element in the selection of novel nucleic acid enzymes. Here, we report the synthesis of a multipurpose, photocleavable bifunctional linker (PCBL) suitable for nucleic acid selections and other biotechnology applications. PCBL contains a photocleavable O-nitrobenzyl group flanked on one side by an N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester (reactive toward primary amines) and on the other side by a sulfhydryl. To demonstrate the utility of PCBL, the linker was used to couple an analog of the antibiotic chloramphenicol (Cam) to the 5' end of an amino-modified 8-mer DNA oligo. Coupling was confirmed by MALDI-TOF spectrophotometry. Decoupling was performed by irradiating the coupled species with near-UV light (approximately 360 nm), regenerating the original amino-modified oligo. Ligation of the Cam-PCBL-DNA conjugate to random-sequence RNA generated a diversity library appropriate for the selection of new ribozymes that catalyze reactions involving the tethered substrate. Coupling and decoupling of the Cam analog from the library was monitored on a trilayered organomercurial polyacrylamide gel. The coupling/decoupling strategy described here is readily generalized to many combinations of macromolecules and small molecules. For example, analogs of this small molecule-DNA conjugate can be generated as synthons for ligation to nucleic acid diversity libraries during each round of novel ribozyme selections, or they can be immobilized onto chips for addresssably reversible microarray analysis.     

Targeted inhibition of miRNA maturation with morpholinos reveals a role for miR-375 in pancreatic islet development

Several vertebrate microRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in cellular processes such as muscle differentiation, synapse function, and insulin secretion. In addition, analysis of Dicer null mutants has shown that miRNAs play a role in tissue morphogenesis. Nonetheless, only a few loss-of-function phenotypes for individual miRNAs have been described to date. Here, we introduce a quick and versatile method to interfere with miRNA function during zebrafish embryonic development. Morpholino oligonucleotides targeting the mature miRNA or the miRNA precursor specifically and temporally knock down miRNAs. Morpholinos can block processing of the primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) or the pre-miRNA, and they can inhibit the activity of the mature miRNA. We used this strategy to knock down 13 miRNAs conserved between zebrafish and mammals. For most miRNAs, this does not result in visible defects, but knockdown of miR-375 causes defects in the morphology of the pancreatic islet. Although the islet is still intact at 24 hours postfertilization, in later stages the islet cells become scattered. This phenotype can be recapitulated by independent control morpholinos targeting other sequences in the miR-375 precursor, excluding off-target effects as cause of the phenotype. The aberrant formation of the endocrine pancreas, caused by miR-375 knockdown, is one of the first loss-of-function phenotypes for an individual miRNA in vertebrate development. The miRNA knockdown strategy presented here will be widely used to unravel miRNA function in zebrafish.     

Derivation and characterization of Dicer- and microRNA-deficient human cells

We have used genome editing to generate inactivating deletion mutations in all three copies of the dicer (hdcr) gene present in the human cell line 293T. As previously shown in murine ES cells lacking Dicer function, hDcr-deficient 293T cells are severely impaired for the production of mature microRNAs (miRNAs). Nevertheless, RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs) present in these hDcr-deficient cells are readily programmed by transfected, synthetic miRNA duplexes to repress mRNAs bearing either fully or partially complementary targets, including targets bearing incomplete seed homology to the introduced miRNA. Using these hDcr-deficient 293T cells, we demonstrate that human pre-miRNA processing can be effectively rescued by ectopic expression of the Drosophila Dicer 1 protein, but only in the presence of the PB isoform of Loquacious (Loqs-PB), the fly homolog of the hDcr cofactor TRBP. In contrast, Drosophila Dicer 2, even in the presence of its cofactors Loqs-PD and R2D2, was unable to support human pre-miRNA processing. Interestingly, although ectopic Drosophila Dicer 1/Loqs-PB or hDcr both rescued pre-miRNA processing effectively in these hDcr-deficient cells, there were significant differences in the ratio of the miRNA isoforms that were produced, especially in the case of miR-30 family members, and we also noted differences in the relative expression level of miRNAs vs. passenger strands for a subset of human miRNAs. These data demonstrate that the mechanisms underlying the accurate processing of pre-miRNAs are largely, but not entirely, conserved between mammalian and insect cells.     

Photocaged amplified FRET nanoflares: spatiotemporal controllable of mRNA-powered nanomachines for precise and sensitive microRNA imaging in live cells

There is considerable interest in creating a precise and sensitive strategy for in situ visualizing and profiling intracellular miRNA. Present here is a novel photocaged amplified FRET nanoflare (PAFN), which spatiotemporal controls of mRNA-powered nanomachine for precise and sensitive miRNA imaging in live cells. The PAFN could be activated remotely by light, be triggered by specific low-abundance miRNA and fueled by high-abundance mRNA. It offers high spatiotemporal control over the initial activity of nanomachine at desirable time and site, and a ‘one-to-more’ ratiometric signal amplification model. The PAFN, an unprecedented design, is quiescent during the delivery process. However, upon reaching the interest tumor site, it can be selectively activated by light, and then be triggered by specific miRNA, avoiding undesirable early activation and reducing nonspecific signals, allowing precise and sensitive detection of specific miRNA in live cells. This strategy may open new avenues for creating spatiotemporally controllable and endogenous molecule-powered nanomachine, facilitating application at biological and medical imaging.     

Human RISC couples microRNA biogenesis and posttranscriptional gene silencing

RNA interference is implemented through the action of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). Although Argonaute2 has been identified as the catalytic center of RISC, the RISC polypeptide composition and assembly using short interfering RNA (siRNA) duplexes has remained elusive. Here we show that RISC is composed of Dicer, the double-stranded RNA binding protein TRBP, and Argonaute2. We demonstrate that this complex can cleave target RNA using precursor microRNA (pre-miRNA) hairpin as the source of siRNA. Although RISC can also utilize duplex siRNA, it displays a nearly 10-fold greater activity using the pre-miRNA Dicer substrate. RISC distinguishes the guide strand of the siRNA from the passenger strand and specifically incorporates the guide strand. Importantly, ATP is not required for miRNA processing, RISC assembly, or multiple rounds of target-RNA cleavage. These results define the composition of RISC and demonstrate that miRNA processing and target-RNA cleavage are coupled.     

Precursor microRNA-programmed silencing complex assembly pathways in mammals

Assembly of microRNA ribonucleoproteins (miRNPs) or RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs) is essential for the function of miRNAs and initiates from processing of precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) by Dicer or by Ago2. Here, we report an in?vitro miRNP/RISC assembly assay programmed by pre-miRNAs from mammalian cell lysates. Combining in?vivo studies in Dicer Knockout cells reconstituted with wild-type or catalytically inactive Dicer, we find that the miRNA loading complex (miRLC) is the primary machinery linking pre-miRNA processing to?miRNA loading. We show that a miRNA precursor deposit complex (miPDC) plays a crucial role in Dicer-independent miRNA biogenesis and promotes?miRNP assembly of certain Dicer-dependent miRNAs. Furthermore, we find that 5'-uridine, 3'-mid base pairing, and 5'-mid mismatches within pre-miRNAs promote their assembly into miPDC. Our studies provide a comprehensive view of miRNP/RISC assembly pathways in mammals, and our assay provides a versatile platform for further mechanistic dissection of such pathways in mammals.     

Terminal loop-mediated control of microRNA biogenesis

Regulation of miRNA (microRNA) biogenesis shapes the profiles of miRNAs in the living cell, contributing to cell identity and function. Importantly, aberrant miRNA levels have been linked to a variety of human pathological states. In recent years, a number of proteins have been shown to regulate the miRNA biogenesis at the level of Drosha and Dicer cleavage. A large proportion of these factors regulate miRNA production through binding to the TL (terminal loop) regions of miRNA progenitors. In the present paper, we review the current knowledge about pri-miRNA (primary miRNA) and pre-miRNA (precursor miRNA) TL involvement in the regulation of miRNA biogenesis.     

SNPs in human miRNA genes affect biogenesis and function

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 21–25-nucleotide-long, noncoding RNAs that are involved in translational regulation. Most miRNAs derive from a two-step sequential processing: the generation of pre-miRNA from pri-miRNA by the Drosha/DGCR8 complex in the nucleus, and the generation of mature miRNAs from pre-miRNAs by the Dicer/TRBP complex in the cytoplasm. Sequence variation around the processing sites, and sequence variations in the mature miRNA, especially the seed sequence, may have profound affects on miRNA biogenesis and function. In the context of analyzing the roles of miRNAs in Schizophrenia and Autism, we defined at least 24 human X-linked miRNA variants. Functional assays were developed and performed on these variants. In this study we investigate the affects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the generation of mature miRNAs and their function, and report that naturally occurring SNPs can impair or enhance miRNA processing as well as alter the sites of processing. Since miRNAs are small functional units, single base changes in both the precursor elements as well as the mature miRNA sequence may drive the evolution of new microRNAs by altering their biological function. Finally, the miRNAs examined in this study are X-linked, suggesting that the mutant alleles could be determinants in the etiology of diseases.     

Pre-microRNA binding aminoglycosides and antitumor drugs as inhibitors of Dicer catalyzed microRNA processing

Over-expressions of miRNAs are being increasingly linked with many diseases including different types of cancer. In this study, the role of some known small molecular therapeutics has been investigated for their ability to bind with the pre-miRNA target (hsa-mir-155) and thereby to interfere with the Dicer catalyzed miRNA processing. Potential binding and inhibition effects have been demonstrated by some of these analogs. They can be used as leads for further development of potent small molecular miRNA-antagonists.     

A comprehensive analysis of precursor microRNA cleavage by human Dicer

Dicer cleaves double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) or precursor microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) to yield ∼22-nt RNA duplexes. The pre-miRNA structure requirement for human Dicer activity is incompletely understood. By large-scale in vitro dicing assays and mutagenesis studies, we showed that human Dicer cleaves most, although not all, of the 161 tested human pre-miRNAs efficiently. The stable association of RNAs with Dicer, as examined by gel shift assays, appears important but is not sufficient for cleavage. Human Dicer tolerates remarkable structural variation in its pre-miRNA substrates, although the dsRNA feature in the stem region and the 2-nt 3′-overhang structure in a pre-miRNA contribute to its binding and cleavage by Dicer, and a large terminal loop further enhances pre-miRNA cleavage. Dicer binding protects the terminal loop from digestion by S1 nuclease, suggesting that Dicer interacts directly with the terminal loop region.