Kings and queens of termites are endowed with an extraordinary longevity coupled with lifelong fecundity. We recently reported that termite kings and queens display a dramatically increased enzymatic activity and abundance of telomerase in their somatic organs when compared to short-lived workers and soldiers. We hypothesized that this telomerase activation may represent a noncanonical pro-longevity function, independent of its canonical role in telomere maintenance. Here, we explore this avenue and investigate whether the presumed noncanonical role of telomerase may be due to alternative splicing of the catalytic telomerase subunit TERT and whether the subcellular localization of TERT isoforms differs among organs and castes in the termite Prorhinotermes simplex. We empirically confirm the expression of four in silico predicted splice variants (psTERT1-A, psTERT1-B, psTERT2-A, psTERT2-B), defined by N-terminal splicing implicating differential localizations, and C-terminal splicing giving rise to full-length and truncated isoforms. We show that the transcript proportions of the psTERT are caste- and tissue-specific and that the extranuclear full-length isoform TERT1-A is relatively enriched in the soma of neotenic kings and queens compared to their gonads and to the soma of workers. We also show that extranuclear TERT protein quantities are significantly higher in the soma of kings and queens compared to workers, namely due to the cytosolic TERT. Independently, we confirm by microscopy the extranuclear TERT localization in somatic organs. We conclude that the presumed pleiotropic action of telomerase combining the canonical nuclear role in telomere maintenance with extranuclear functions is driven by complex TERT splicing.

• Klíčová slova
• Isoptera, TERT, alternative splicing, longevity, telomerase, termites,
• MeSH
• alternativní sestřih MeSH
• dlouhověkost * MeSH
• hmyzí proteiny * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• Isoptera * fyziologie   enzymologie   genetika   MeSH
• protein - isoformy metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• telomerasa * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• hmyzí proteiny * MeSH
• protein - isoformy MeSH
• telomerasa * MeSH

The exon junction complex (EJC) is a key player in metazoan mRNA quality control and is placed upstream of the exon-exon junction after splicing. Its inner core is composed of Magoh, Y14, eIF4AIII and BTZ and the outer core of proteins involved in mRNA splicing (CWC22), export (Yra1), translation (PYM) and nonsense mediated decay (NMD, UPF1/2/3). Trypanosoma brucei encodes only two genes with introns, but all mRNAs are processed by trans-splicing. The presence of three core EJC proteins and a potential BTZ homologue (Rbp25) in trypanosomes has been suggested to adapt of the EJC function to mark trans-spliced mRNAs. We analysed trypanosome EJC components and noticed major differences between eIF4AIII and Magoh/Y14: (i) whilst eIF4AIII is essential, knocking out both Magoh and Y14 elicits only a mild growth phenotype (ii) eIF4AIII localization is mostly nucleolar, while Magoh and Y14 are nucleolar and nucleoplasmic but excluded from the cytoplasm (iii) eIF4AIII associates with nucleolar proteins and the splicing factor CWC22, but not with Y14 or Magoh, while Magoh and Y14 associate with each other, but not with eIF4AIII, CWC22 or nucleolar proteins. Our data argue against the presence of a functional EJC in trypanosomes, but indicate that eIF4AIII adopted non-EJC related, essential functions, while Magoh and Y14 became redundant. Trypanosomes also possess homologues to the NMD proteins UPF1 and UPF2. Depletion of UPF1 causes only a minor reduction in growth and phylogenetic analyses show several independent losses of UPF1 and UPF2, as well as complete loss of UPF3 in the Kinetoplastida group, indicating that UPF1-dependent NMD is not essential. Regardless, we demonstrate that UPF1 depletion restores the mRNA levels of a PTC reporter. Altogether, we show that the almost intron-less trypanosomes are in the process of losing the canonical EJC/NMD pathways: Y14 and Magoh have become redundant and the still-functional UPF1-dependent NMD pathway is not essential.

• MeSH
• eukaryotický iniciační faktor 4A metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• exony genetika   MeSH
• messenger RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• nonsense mediated mRNA decay * MeSH
• protozoální proteiny * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• sestřih RNA MeSH
• Trypanosoma brucei brucei * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• eukaryotický iniciační faktor 4A MeSH
• messenger RNA MeSH
• protozoální proteiny * MeSH

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a hereditary disorder caused by mutations in more than 70 different genes including those that encode proteins important for pre-mRNA splicing. Most RP-associated mutations in splicing factors reduce either their expression, stability or incorporation into functional splicing complexes. However, we have previously shown that two RP mutations in PRPF8 (F2314L and Y2334N) and two in SNRNP200 (S1087L and R1090L) behaved differently, and it was still unclear how these mutations affect the functions of both proteins. To investigate this in the context of functional spliceosomes, we used iCLIP in HeLa and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. We found that both mutations in the RNA helicase SNRNP200 change its interaction with U4 and U6 snRNAs. The significantly broader binding profile of mutated SNRNP200 within the U4 region upstream of the U4/U6 stem I strongly suggests that its activity to unwind snRNAs is impaired. This was confirmed by FRAP measurements and helicase activity assays comparing mutant and WT protein. The RP variants of PRPF8 did not affect snRNAs, but showed a reduced binding to pre-mRNAs, which resulted in the slower splicing of introns and altered expression of hundreds of genes in RPE cells. This suggests that changes in the expression and splicing of specific genes are the main driver of retinal degeneration in PRPF8-linked RP.

• Klíčová slova
• PRPF8, Pre-mRNA splicing, Retinitis pigmentosa, SNRNP200, iCLIP,
• MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• malý jaderný ribonukleoprotein U4-U6 metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• mutace * MeSH
• oční proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• prekurzory RNA * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• proteiny vázající RNA metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• retinální pigmentový epitel metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• retinopathia pigmentosa * genetika   metabolismus   patologie   MeSH
• ribonukleoproteiny malé jaderné metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• RNA malá jaderná genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sestřih RNA * genetika   MeSH
• spliceozomy metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• malý jaderný ribonukleoprotein U4-U6 MeSH
• oční proteiny MeSH
• prekurzory RNA * MeSH
• proteiny vázající RNA MeSH
• PRPF8 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• ribonukleoproteiny malé jaderné MeSH
• RNA malá jaderná MeSH
• SNRNP200 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč

Pikeperch (Sander Lucioperca) belongs to main predatory fish species in freshwater bodies throughout Europe playing the key role by reducing planktivorous fish abundance. Two size classes of the young-of-the-year (YOY) pikeperch are known in Europe and North America. Our long-term fish survey elucidates late-summer size distribution of YOY pikeperch in the Lipno Reservoir (Czechia) and recognizes two distinct subcohorts: smaller pelagic planktivores heavily outnumber larger demersal piscivores. To explore molecular mechanisms accompanying the switch from planktivory to piscivory, we compared brain transcriptomes of both subcohorts and identified 148 differentially transcribed genes. The pathway enrichment analyses identified the piscivorous phase to be associated with genes involved in collagen and extracellular matrix generation with numerous Gene Ontology (GO), while the planktivorous phase was associated with genes for non-muscle-myosins (NMM) with less GO terms. Transcripts further upregulated in planktivores from the periphery of the NMM network were Pmchl, Pomcl, and Pyyb, all involved also in appetite control and producing (an)orexigenic neuropeptides. Noncoding RNAs were upregulated in transcriptomes of planktivores including three transcripts of snoRNA U85. Thirty genes mostly functionally unrelated to those differentially transcribed were alternatively spliced between the subcohorts. Our results indicate planktivores as potentially driven by voracity to initiate the switch to piscivory, while piscivores undergo a dynamic brain development. We propose a spatiotemporal spreading of juvenile development over a longer period and larger spatial scales through developmental plasticity as an adaptation to exploiting all types of resources and decreasing the intraspecific competition.

• Klíčová slova
• (Sander (Stizostedion) lucioperca), brain transcriptome, cannibalism, developmental plasticity, heterochrony, snoRNA,
• MeSH
• alternativní sestřih * MeSH
• genetická transkripce MeSH
• mozek * metabolismus   MeSH
• nekódující RNA * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• okounovití * genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese fyziologie   MeSH
• transkriptom * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• nekódující RNA * MeSH

The molecular basis of increased hemoglobin in Andean Aymara highlanders is unknown. We conducted an integrative analysis of whole-genome-sequencing and granulocytes transcriptomics from Aymara and Europeans in Bolivia to explore genetic basis of the Aymara high hemoglobin. Differentially expressed and spliced genes in Aymaras were associated with inflammatory and hypoxia-related pathways. We identified transcripts with 4th or 5th exon skipping of NFKB1 (AS-NFKB1), key part of NF-kB complex, and their splicing quantitative trait loci; these were increased in Aymaras. AS-NFKB1 transcripts correlated with both transcripts and protein levels of inflammatory and HIF-regulated genes, including hemoglobin. While overexpression of the AS-NFKB1 variant led to increased expression of inflammatory and HIF-targeted genes; under inflammatory stress, NF-kB protein translocation to the nucleus was attenuated, resulting in reduced expression of these genes. Our study reveals AS-NFKB1 splicing events correlating with increased hemoglobin in Aymara and their possible protective mechanisms against excessive inflammation.

• MeSH
• alternativní sestřih * genetika   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• exony genetika   MeSH
• faktor 1 indukovatelný hypoxií - podjednotka alfa genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• granulocyty metabolismus   MeSH
• hemoglobiny * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lokus kvantitativního znaku MeSH
• NF-kappa B - podjednotka p50 * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese MeSH
• transkriptom MeSH
• zánět * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Bolívie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• faktor 1 indukovatelný hypoxií - podjednotka alfa MeSH
• hemoglobiny * MeSH
• NF-kappa B - podjednotka p50 * MeSH
• NFKB1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč

Familial dysautonomia is a debilitating congenital neurodegenerative disorder with no causative therapy. It is caused by a homozygous mutation in ELP1 gene, resulting in the production of the transcript lacking exon 20. The compounds studied as potential treatments include the clinical candidate kinetin, a plant hormone from the cytokinin family. We explored the relationship between the structure of a set of kinetin derivatives (N = 72) and their ability to correct aberrant splicing of the ELP1 gene. Active compounds can be obtained by the substitution of the purine ring with chlorine and fluorine at the C2 atom, with a small alkyl group at the N7 atom, or with diverse groups at the C8 atom. On the other hand, a substitution at the N3 or N9 atoms resulted in a loss of activity. We successfully tested a hypothesis inspired by the remarkable tolerance of the position C8 to substitution, postulating that the imidazole of the purine moiety is not required for the activity. We also evaluated the activity of phytohormones from other families, but none of them corrected ELP1 mRNA aberrant splicing. A panel of in vitro ADME assays, including evaluation of transport across model barriers, stability in plasma and in the presence of liver microsomal fraction as well as plasma protein binding, was used for an initial estimation of the potential bioavailability of the active compounds. Finally, a RNA-seq data suggest that 8-aminokinetin modulates expression spliceosome components.

• Klíčová slova
• ADME in vitro, Alternative splicing, Cytokinin, ELP1, Kinetin, mRNA metabolism,
• MeSH
• kinetin * farmakologie   chemie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární struktura MeSH
• prekurzory RNA * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• sestřih RNA * účinky léků   MeSH
• transkripční elongační faktory metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• vztahy mezi strukturou a aktivitou MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• Elp1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• kinetin * MeSH
• prekurzory RNA * MeSH
• transkripční elongační faktory MeSH

In advanced prostate cancer (PC), in particular after acquisition of resistance to androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitors (ARSI), upregulation of AR splice variants compromises endocrine therapy efficiency. Androgen receptor splice variant-7 (ARV7) is clinically the most relevant and has a distinct 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) compared to the AR full-length variant, suggesting a unique post-transcriptional regulation. Here, we set out to evaluate the applicability of the ARV7 3'UTR as a therapy target. A common single nucleotide polymorphism, rs5918762, was found to affect the splicing rate and thus the expression of ARV7 in cellular models and patient specimens. Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 9 (SRSF9) was found to bind to and increase the inclusion of the cryptic exon 3 of ARV7 during the splicing process in the alternative C allele of rs5918762. The dual specificity protein kinase CLK2 interferes with the activity of SRSF9 by regulating its expression. Inhibition of the Cdc2-like kinase (CLK) family by the small molecules cirtuvivint or lorecivivint results in the decreased expression of ARV7. Both inhibitors show potent anti-proliferative effects in enzalutamide-treated or -naive PC models. Thus, targeting aberrant alternative splicing at the 3'UTR of ARV7 by disturbing the CLK2/SRSF9 axis might be a valuable therapeutic approach in late stage, ARSI-resistant PC.

• Klíčová slova
• 3′ untranslated region, allele‐specific regulation, androgen receptor splice variant 7, dual specificity protein kinase CLK2, serine/arginine‐family of splicing factors, splicing inhibitors,
• MeSH
• 3' nepřekládaná oblast genetika   MeSH
• alternativní sestřih MeSH
• androgenní receptory * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory prostaty * genetika   patologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• protein-serin-threoninkinasy * metabolismus   genetika   antagonisté a inhibitory   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u nádorů * účinky léků   MeSH
• serin-arginin sestřihové faktory * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• sestřih RNA * MeSH
• tyrosinkinasy * metabolismus   genetika   antagonisté a inhibitory   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 3' nepřekládaná oblast MeSH
• androgenní receptory * MeSH
• Clk dual-specificity kinases MeSH Prohlížeč
• protein-serin-threoninkinasy * MeSH
• serin-arginin sestřihové faktory * MeSH
• tyrosinkinasy * MeSH

Kinetoplastids are a clade of eukaryotic protozoans that include human parasitic pathogens like trypanosomes and Leishmania species. In these organisms, protein-coding genes are transcribed as polycistronic pre-mRNAs, which need to be processed by the coupled action of trans-splicing and polyadenylation to yield monogenic mature mRNAs. During trans-splicing, a universal RNA sequence, the spliced leader RNA (SL RNA) mini-exon, is added to the 5'-end of each mRNA. The 5'-end of this mini-exon carries a hypermethylated cap structure and is bound by a trypanosomatid-specific cap-binding complex (CBC). The function of three of the kinetoplastid CBC subunits is unknown, but an essential role in cap-binding and trans-splicing has been suggested. Here, we report cryo-EM structures that reveal the molecular architecture of the Trypanosoma brucei CBC (TbCBC) complex. We find that TbCBC interacts with two distinct features of the SL RNA. The TbCBP20 subunit interacts with the m7G cap while TbCBP66 recognizes double-stranded portions of the SL RNA. Our findings pave the way for future research on mRNA maturation in kinetoplastids. Moreover, the observed structural similarities and differences between TbCBC and the mammalian cap-binding complex will be crucial for considering the potential of TbCBC as a target for anti-trypanosomatid drug development.

• MeSH
• elektronová kryomikroskopie * MeSH
• messenger RNA metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• molekulární modely MeSH
• protozoální proteiny * metabolismus   genetika   chemie   MeSH
• RNA čepičky metabolismus   MeSH
• RNA protozoální metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• RNA se sestřihovou vedoucí sekvencí * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• trans-splicing MeSH
• Trypanosoma brucei brucei * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• vazba proteinů MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• messenger RNA MeSH
• protozoální proteiny * MeSH
• RNA čepičky MeSH
• RNA protozoální MeSH
• RNA se sestřihovou vedoucí sekvencí * MeSH

BACKGROUND: In trypanosomatids, a group of unicellular eukaryotes that includes numerous important human parasites, cis-splicing has been previously reported for only two genes: a poly(A) polymerase and an RNA helicase. Conversely, trans-splicing, which involves the attachment of a spliced leader sequence, is observed for nearly every protein-coding transcript. So far, our understanding of splicing in this protistan group has stemmed from the analysis of only a few medically relevant species. In this study, we used an extensive dataset encompassing all described trypanosomatid genera to investigate the distribution of intron-containing genes and the evolution of splice sites. RESULTS: We identified a new conserved intron-containing gene encoding an RNA-binding protein that is universally present in Kinetoplastea. We show that Perkinsela sp., a kinetoplastid endosymbiont of Amoebozoa, represents the first eukaryote completely devoid of cis-splicing, yet still preserving trans-splicing. We also provided evidence for reverse transcriptase-mediated intron loss in Kinetoplastea, extensive conservation of 5' splice sites, and the presence of non-coding RNAs within a subset of retained trypanosomatid introns. CONCLUSIONS: All three intron-containing genes identified in Kinetoplastea encode RNA-interacting proteins, with a potential to fine-tune the expression of multiple genes, thus challenging the perception of cis-splicing in these protists as a mere evolutionary relic. We suggest that there is a selective pressure to retain cis-splicing in trypanosomatids and that this is likely associated with overall control of mRNA processing. Our study provides new insights into the evolution of introns and, consequently, the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes.

• Klíčová slova
• Introns, Kinetoplastea, Poly(A) polymerase, RNA helicase, RNA-binding protein, Splicing, Trypanosomatidae,
• MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• introny * genetika   MeSH
• Kinetoplastida genetika   MeSH
• molekulární evoluce MeSH
• protozoální geny genetika   MeSH
• protozoální proteiny genetika   MeSH
• trans-splicing * genetika   MeSH
• Trypanosomatina genetika   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protozoální proteiny MeSH

Hormone perception and signaling pathways have a fundamental regulatory function in the physiological processes of plants. Cytokinins, a class of plant hormones, regulate cell division and meristem maintenance. The cytokinin signaling pathway is well established in the model plant Arabidopsisthaliana. Several negative feedback mechanisms, tightly controlling cytokinin signaling output, have been described previously. In this study, we identified a new feedback mechanism executed through alternative splicing of the cytokinin receptor AHK4/CRE1. A novel splicing variant named CRE1int7 results from seventh intron retention, introducing a premature termination codon in the transcript. We showed that CRE1int7 is translated in planta into a truncated receptor lacking the C-terminal receiver domain essential for signal transduction. CRE1int7 can bind cytokinin but cannot activate the downstream cascade. We present a novel negative feedback mechanism of the cytokinin signaling pathway, facilitated by a decoy receptor that can inactivate canonical cytokinin receptors via dimerization and compete with them for ligand binding. Ensuring proper plant growth and development requires precise control of the cytokinin signaling pathway at several levels. CRE1int7 represents a so-far unknown mechanism for fine-tuning the cytokinin signaling pathway in Arabidopsis.

• MeSH
• alternativní sestřih * MeSH
• Arabidopsis * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• cytokininy * metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny huseníčku * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• receptory buněčného povrchu metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u rostlin MeSH
• signální transdukce * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cytokininy * MeSH
• proteiny huseníčku * MeSH
• receptory buněčného povrchu MeSH