More Like this

1. Transfer RNA and Origins of RNA Interference

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2021.708984  

   Grigoriev, Andrey (July 2021, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences)
2. RNA modifications and cancer

   https://doi.org/10.1080/15476286.2020.1722449  

   Haruehanroengra, Phensinee; Zheng, Ya Ying; Zhou, Yubin; Huang, Yun; Sheng, Jia (February 2020, RNA Biology)

   RNA plays essential roles in not only translating nucleic acids into proteins, but also in gene regulation, environmental interactions and many human diseases. Nature uses over 150 chemical modifications to decorate RNA and diversify its functions. With the fast-growing RNA research in the burgeoning field of 'epitranscriptome', a term describes post-transcriptional RNA modifications that can dynamically change the transcriptome, it becomes clear that these modifications participate in modulating gene expression and controlling the cell fate, thereby igniting the new interests in RNA-based drug discovery. The dynamics of these RNA chemical modifications is orchestrated by coordinated actions of an array of writer, reader and eraser proteins. Deregulated expression of these RNA modifying proteins can lead to many human diseases including cancer. In this review, we highlight several critical modifications, namely m6A, m1A, m5C, inosine and pseudouridine, in both coding and non-coding RNAs. In parallel, we present a few other cancer-related tRNA and rRNA modifications. We further discuss their roles in cancer promotion or tumour suppression. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the biogenesis and turnover of these RNA modifications will be of great significance in the design and development of novel anticancer drugs. 

   more » « less
3. Downstream sequence-dependent RNA cleavage and pausing by RNA polymerase I

   https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.RA119.011354  

   Scull, Catherine E.; Clarke, Andrew M.; Lucius, Aaron L.; Schneider, David Alan (January 2020, Journal of Biological Chemistry)

   null (Ed.)

   The sequence of the DNA template has long been thought to influence the rate of transcription by DNA-dependent RNA polymerases, but the influence of DNA sequence on transcription elongation properties of eukaryotic RNA polymerase I (Pol I) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae has not been defined. In this study, we observe changes in dinucleotide production, transcription elongation complex stability, and Pol I pausing in vitro in response to downstream DNA. In vitro studies demonstrate that AT-rich downstream DNA enhances pausing by Pol I and inhibits Pol I nucleolytic cleavage activity. Analysis of Pol I native elongating transcript sequencing data in Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggests that these downstream sequence elements influence Pol I in vivo . Native elongating transcript sequencing studies reveal that Pol I occupancy increases as downstream AT content increases and decreases as downstream GC content increases. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the downstream DNA sequence directly impacts the kinetics of transcription elongation prior to the sequence entering the active site of Pol I both in vivo and in vitro . 

   more » « less
4. Angle-controllable RNA tiles for programable array assembly and RNA sensing

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58938-5  

   Yang, Qi; Chang, Xu; Lee, Jung_Yeon; Wisniewski, Henry; Zhou, You; Bernstein, Ashley_D; Bonder, Edward_M; Kaelber, Jason_T; Wu, Teresa; Pedrielli, Giulia; et al (April 2025, Nature Communications)
5. Y RNA and Y RNA-derived ysRNA associations with viral pathogens

   https://doi.org/10.3389/frnar.2025.1679653  

   Olliff, Nathaniel S; Mabien, Alexandria A; Cole, Grayson M; Borchert, Glen M (September 2025, Frontiers in RNA Research)

   Y RNAs are a poorly-studied class of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) which have previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of different human diseases, including cardiac and autoimmune conditions, as well as certain cancers. In recent years, however, multiple studies have reported correlations between Y RNA expressions and disease outcomes in viral infections (e.g., IAV, HIV, HPV, and SARS-CoV-2) as well as potential mechanistic roles that Y RNAs may play in host anti-viral defense. These studies suggest that Y RNAs may be associated with upregulation of viral defense proteins as well as altered cell-cell communication during viral infections. In this review, current literature detailing Y RNA effects on human viral infection will be summarized and future directions in the study of these relationships discussed. 

   more » « less