Bmc Genomics
-
Melanocytes are derived from neural crest stem cells in the embryonic stage. In mature melanocytes, a series of complex enzyme-catalyzed reactions leads to the production of melanins, which determine the hair and skin colors of animals. The process of melanogenesis is complex and can be regulated by mRNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) genes. MiRNAs are a type of endogenous noncoding RNA approximately 22 nt in size that predominantly regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation. miR-380-3p is a candidate miRNA potentially related to melanogenesis. To better understand the mechanism of miR-380-3p melanogenesis regulation, plasmids to overexpress or knockdown miR-380-3p were transfected into alpaca melanocytes, and their effects on melanogenesis were evaluated. ⋯ The results demonstrated that miR-380-3p targeted SOX6 to regulate melanogenesis by influencing β-catenin and MITF transcription and translation, which reduced the expression of downstream genes, including TYR, TYRP1, and DCT. These results provide insights into the mechanisms through which miR-380-3p controls melanogenesis.
-
The function of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in host defense against pathogens, especially Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is poorly understood. To investigate the role of TLR2 during mycobacterial infection, we analyzed the response of tlr2 zebrafish mutant larvae to infection with Mycobacterium marinum (Mm), a close relative to Mtb, as a model for tuberculosis. We measured infection phenotypes and transcriptome responses using RNA deep sequencing in mutant and control larvae. ⋯ The transcriptome and infection burden analyses show a function of Tlr2 as a protective factor against mycobacteria. Transcriptome analysis revealed tlr2-specific pathways involved in Mm infection, which are related to responses to Mtb infection in human macrophages. Considering its dominant function in control of transcriptional processes that govern defense responses and metabolism, the TLR2 protein can be expected to be also of importance for other infectious diseases and interactions with the microbiome.
-
A transcriptomic profile of topping responsive non-coding RNAs in tobacco roots (Nicotiana tabacum).
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), accomplish remarkable variety of biological functions. However, the composition of ncRNAs and their interactions with coding RNAs in modulating and controlling of cellular process in plants is largely unknown. Using a diverse group of high-throughput sequencing strategies, the mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA and circRNA compositions of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) roots determined and their alteration and potential biological functions in response to topping treatment analyzed. ⋯ These results illustrated the transcriptomic profiles of tobacco roots, the organ responsible for nicotine biosynthesis. mRNAs always play the most important roles, while ncRNAs are also expressed extensively for topping treatment response, especially circRNAs are the most activated in the ncRNA pool. These studies also provided insights on the coordinated regulation module of coding and non-coding RNAs in a single plant biological sample. The findings reported here indicate that ncRNAs appear to form interaction complex for the regulation of stress response forming regulation networks with transcripts involved in nicotine biosynthesis in tobacco.
-
Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error in one of the authors' names. In this Correction the incorrect and correct author name are shown. The original publication of this article has been corrected.
-
Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) initiate translation within mRNA 5' leaders, and have the potential to alter main coding sequence (CDS) translation on transcripts in which they reside. Ribosome profiling (RP) studies suggest that translating ribosomes are pervasive within 5' leaders across model systems. However, the significance of this observation remains unclear. To explore a role for uORF usage in a model of neuronal differentiation, we performed RP on undifferentiated and differentiated human neuroblastoma cells. ⋯ This work provides insights into the dynamic relationships and potential regulatory functions of uORF/CDS pairs in a model of neuronal differentiation.