Processing of rRNA in mammalian cells includes a series of cleavages of the primary 47S transcript and results in producing three rRNAs: 18S, 28S and 5.8S. The sequence of the main processing events in human cells has been established, but little is yet known about the dynamics of this process, especially the dynamics of its early stages. In the present study, we used real-time PCR to measure levels of pre-rRNA after inhibition of transcription with actinomycin D. Thus we could estimate the half-life time of rRNA transcripts in two human-derived cell lines, HeLa and LEP (human embryonic fibroblasts), as well as in mouse NIH 3T3 cells. The primary transcripts seemed to be more stable in the human than in the murine cells. Remarkably, the graphs in all cases showed more or less pronounced lag phase, which may reflect preparatory events preceding the first cleavage of the pre-rRNA. Additionally, we followed the dynamics of the decay of the 5'ETS fragment which is degraded only after the formation of 41S rRNA. According to our estimates, the corresponding three (or four) steps of the processing in human cells take five to eight minutes.

• MeSH
• NIH 3T3 Cells MeSH
• Dactinomycin pharmacology   MeSH
• Transcription, Genetic drug effects   MeSH
• HeLa Cells MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional genetics   MeSH
• RNA Precursors * genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Ribosome biosynthesis, best studied in opisthokonts, is a highly complex process involving numerous protein and RNA factors. Yet, very little is known about the early stages of pre-18S rRNA processing even in these model organisms, let alone the conservation of this mechanism in other eukaryotes. Here we extend our knowledge of this process by identifying and characterizing the essential protein TbUTP10, a homolog of yeast U3 small nucleolar RNA-associated protein 10 - UTP10 (HEATR1 in human), in the excavate parasitic protist Trypanosoma brucei. We show that TbUTP10 localizes to the nucleolus and that its ablation by RNAi knock-down in two different T. brucei life cycle stages results in similar phenotypes: a disruption of pre-18S rRNA processing, exemplified by the accumulation of rRNA precursors, a reduction of mature 18S rRNA, and also a decrease in the level of U3 snoRNA. Moreover, polysome profiles of the RNAi-induced knock-down cells show a complete disappearance of the 40S ribosomal subunit, and a prominent accumulation of the 60S large ribosomal subunit, reflecting impaired ribosome assembly. Thus, TbUTP10 is an important protein in the processing of 18S rRNA.

• MeSH
• Genes, Essential * MeSH
• RNA, Small Nucleolar metabolism   MeSH
• RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional * MeSH
• RNA-Binding Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Protozoan Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S metabolism   MeSH
• Trypanosoma brucei brucei enzymology   metabolism   MeSH
• Gene Silencing MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Phosphoinositides are present in the plasma membrane, cytoplasm and inside the cell nucleus. Here we identify phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) as a regulator of rRNA genes transcription at the epigenetic level. We show that PIP2 directly interacts with histone lysine demethylase PHF8 (PHD finger protein 8) and represses demethylation of H3K9me2 through this interaction. We identify the C-terminal K/R-rich motif as PIP2-binding site within PHF8, and address the function of this PIP2-PHF8 complex. PIP2-binding mutant of PHF8 has increased the activity of rDNA promoter (20%) and expression of pre-rRNA genes (47S-100%; 45S-66%). Furthermore, trypsin digestion reveals a potential conformational change of PHF8 upon PIP2 binding. These observations identify the function of nuclear PIP2, and suggest that PIP2 contributes to the fine-tuning of rDNA transcription.

• MeSH
• Epigenesis, Genetic * MeSH
• Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Transcription, Genetic * MeSH
• Genes, rRNA * MeSH
• HEK293 Cells MeSH
• HeLa Cells MeSH
• Histone Demethylases genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mutation MeSH
• Promoter Regions, Genetic * MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal biosynthesis   genetics   MeSH
• Transcription Factors genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Using two primer pairs constructed in silico for the amplification of the intervening sequences (IVSs) of the 23S rRNA gene sequences of the genus Taylorella, none of the three representative T. equigenitalis strains NCTC11184(T), Kentucky 188 and EQ59 was shown to contain any IVSs in the first quarter region. In the central region, all three strains possessed one approximately 70 bp IVS (TeIVS2) different from any IVSs found in T. asinigenitalis. The predicted secondary structure model of the IVSs contained stem and loop structures. The central region of the IVS-stem structure contains an identical double-stranded consensus 15-bp sequence. The purified RNA fraction from the three strains contained 16S and 4-5S RNA species but no 23S rRNA species. Thus, the primary 23S rRNA transcripts from the three strains would be cleaved into approximately 1.2- and 1.6-kb rRNA fragments and approximately 70-bp IVS. In addition, 16 other T. equigenitalis isolates were found to carry a similar 70-bp IVS in the central region and to produce fragmented 23S rRNA.

• MeSH
• Genes, Bacterial MeSH
• RNA, Bacterial genetics   MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections microbiology   veterinary   MeSH
• Introns genetics   MeSH
• Horses MeSH
• Nucleic Acid Conformation MeSH
• Consensus Sequence MeSH
• Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
• Horse Diseases microbiology   MeSH
• RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 23S genetics   MeSH
• Base Sequence MeSH
• Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid MeSH
• Sequence Alignment MeSH
• Taylorella equigenitalis genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH

The online resource http://www.plantrdnadatabase.com/ stores information on the number, chromosomal locations and structure of the 5S and 18S-5.8S-26S (35S) ribosomal DNAs (rDNA) in plants. This resource was exploited to study relationships between rDNA locus number, distribution, the occurrence of linked (L-type) and separated (S-type) 5S and 35S rDNA units, chromosome number, genome size and ploidy level. The analyses presented summarise current knowledge on rDNA locus numbers and distribution in plants. We analysed 2949 karyotypes, from 1791 species and 86 plant families, and performed ancestral character state reconstructions. The ancestral karyotype (2n = 16) has two terminal 35S sites and two interstitial 5S sites, while the median (2n = 24) presents four terminal 35S sites and three interstitial 5S sites. Whilst 86.57% of karyotypes show S-type organisation (ancestral condition), the L-type arrangement has arisen independently several times during plant evolution. A non-terminal position of 35S rDNA was found in about 25% of single-locus karyotypes, suggesting that terminal locations are not essential for functionality and expression. Single-locus karyotypes are very common, even in polyploids. In this regard, polyploidy is followed by subsequent locus loss. This results in a decrease in locus number per monoploid genome, forming part of the diploidisation process returning polyploids to a diploid-like state over time.

• MeSH
• Chromosomes, Plant genetics   MeSH
• Databases, Genetic MeSH
• DNA, Plant genetics   MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Genes, rRNA genetics   MeSH
• Karyotype MeSH
• DNA, Ribosomal genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 5S genetics   MeSH
• Plants genetics   MeSH
• Embryophyta genetics   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

RNA processing plays a pivotal role in the diversification of high eukaryotes transcriptome and proteome. The expression of gene products controlling a variety of cellular and physiological processes depends largely on a complex maturation process undergone by pre-mRNAs to become translation-competent mRNAs. Here we review the different mechanisms involved in the pre-mRNA processing and disclose their impact in the gene regulation process in eukaryotic cells. We describe some viral strategies targeting pre-mRNA processing to control gene expression and host immune response and discuss their relevance as tools for a better understanding of cell biology. Finally, we highlight accumulating evidences toward the occurrence of a translation event coupled to mRNA biogenesis in the nuclear compartment and argue how this is relevant for the production of antigenic peptide substrates for the major histocompatibility complex class I pathway.

• MeSH
• Cell Nucleus metabolism   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional * MeSH
• RNA Precursors biosynthesis   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Antigen Presentation genetics   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation MeSH
• Virus Diseases genetics   immunology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

Eukaryotic RNA can carry more than 100 different types of chemical modifications. Early studies have been focused on modifications of highly abundant RNA, such as ribosomal RNA and transfer RNA, but recent technical advances have made it possible to also study messenger RNA (mRNA). Subsequently, mRNA modifications, namely methylation, have emerged as key players in eukaryotic gene expression regulation. The most abundant and widely studied internal mRNA modification is N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A), but the list of mRNA chemical modifications continues to grow as fast as interest in this field. Over the past decade, transcriptome-wide studies combined with advanced biochemistry and the discovery of methylation writers, readers, and erasers revealed roles for mRNA methylation in the regulation of nearly every aspect of the mRNA life cycle and in diverse cellular, developmental, and disease processes. Although large parts of mRNA function are linked to its cytoplasmic stability and regulation of its translation, a number of studies have begun to provide evidence for methylation-regulated nuclear processes. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in RNA methylation research and highlight how these new findings have contributed to our understanding of methylation-dependent RNA processing in the nucleus. This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.

• MeSH
• Cell Nucleus metabolism   MeSH
• Epigenesis, Genetic MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• RNA, Messenger metabolism   MeSH
• Methylation MeSH
• RNA Precursors metabolism   MeSH
• Transcriptome MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a member of the genus Flavivirus (Flaviviridae), is a causative agent of a severe neuroinfection. Recently, several flaviviruses have been shown to interact with host protein synthesis. In order to determine whether TBEV interacts with this host process in its natural target cells, we analysed de novo protein synthesis in a human cell line derived from cerebellar medulloblastoma (DAOY HTB-186). We observed a significant decrease in the rate of host protein synthesis, including the housekeeping genes HPRT1 and GAPDH and the known interferon-stimulated gene viperin. In addition, TBEV infection resulted in a specific decrease of RNA polymerase I (POLR1) transcripts, 18S and 28S rRNAs and their precursor, 45-47S pre-rRNA, but had no effect on the POLR3 transcribed 5S rRNA levels. To our knowledge, this is the first report of flavivirus-induced decrease of specifically POLR1 rRNA transcripts accompanied by host translational shut-off.

• MeSH
• Transcription, Genetic MeSH
• Encephalitis, Tick-Borne genetics   metabolism   virology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Cell Line, Tumor MeSH
• RNA Precursors MeSH
• Protein Biosynthesis genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• RNA Polymerase I genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne physiology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Nowadays, dental diseases are one of the most common illnesses in the world. Some of them can lead to translocation of oral bacteria to the bloodstream causing intermittent bacteraemia. Therefore, a potential association between oral infection and cardiovascular diseases has been discussed in recent years as a result of adhesion of oral microbes to the heart valves. The aim of this study was to detect oral bacteria on pathologically changed heart valves not caused by infective endocarditis. In the study, patients with pathologically changed heart valves were involved. Samples of heart valves removed during heart valve replacement surgery were cut into two parts. One aliquot was cultivated aerobically and anaerobically. Bacterial DNA was extracted using Ultra-Deep Microbiome Prep (Molzym GmbH, Bremen, Germany) followed by a 16S rRNA gene PCR amplification using Mastermix 16S Complete kit (Molzym GmbH, Bremen, Germany). Positive PCR products were sequenced and the sequences were analyzed using BLAST database ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih/BLAST ). During the study period, 41 samples were processed. Bacterial DNA of the following bacteria was detected in 21 samples: Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) (n = 11; 52.38% of patients with positive bacterial DNA detection), Staphylococcus sp. (n = 9; 42.86%), Streptococcus sp. (n = 1; 4.76%), Streptococcus sanguinis (n = 4; 19.05%), Streptococcus oralis (n = 1; 4.76%), Carnobacterium sp. (n = 1; 4.76%), Bacillus sp. (n = 2; 9.52%), and Bergeyella sp. (n = 1; 4.76%). In nine samples, multiple bacteria were found. Our results showed significant appearance of bacteria on pathologically changed heart valves in patients with no symptoms of infective endocarditis.

• MeSH
• Gene Amplification * MeSH
• Bacteria classification   genetics   MeSH
• Endocarditis, Bacterial microbiology   mortality   pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation methods   MeSH
• DNA, Bacterial * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 16S * MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Heart Valves microbiology   pathology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Biofilms are comprised of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced matrix that normally adhere to a surface. In the food processing environment they are suggested to be a source of contamination leading to food spoilage or the transmission of food-borne pathogens. To date, research has mainly focused on the presence of (biofilm-forming) bacteria within food processing environments, without measuring the associated biofilm matrix components. Here, we assessed the presence of biofilms within a meat processing environment, processing pork, poultry and beef, by the detection of microorganisms and at least two biofilm matrix components. Sampling included 47 food contact surfaces and 61 non-food contact surfaces from eleven rooms within an Austrian meat processing plant, either during operation or after cleaning and disinfection. The 108 samples were analysed for the presence of microorganisms by cultivation and targeted quantitative real-time PCR based on 16S rRNA. Furthermore, the presence of the major matrix components carbohydrates, extracellular DNA and proteins was evaluated. Overall, we identified ten biofilm hotspots, among them seven of which were sampled during operation and three after cleaning and disinfection. Five biofilms were detected on food contact surfaces (cutters and associated equipment and a screw conveyor) and five on non-food contact surfaces (drains and water hoses) resulting in 9.3 % of the sites being classified as biofilm positive. From these biofilm positive samples, we cultivated bacteria of 29 different genera. The most prevalent bacteria belonged to the genera Brochothrix (present in 80 % of biofilms), Pseudomonas and Psychrobacter (isolated from 70 % biofilms). From each biofilm we isolated bacteria from four to twelve different genera, indicating the presence of multi-species biofilms. This work ultimately determined the presence of multi-species biofilms within the meat processing environment, thereby identifying various sources of potential contamination. Especially the identification of biofilms in water hoses and associated parts highlights the need of a frequent monitoring at these sites. The knowledge gained about the presence and composition of biofilms (i.e. chemical and microbiological) will help to prevent and reduce biofilm formation within food processing environments.

• MeSH
• Biofilms classification   growth & development   MeSH
• Brochothrix isolation & purification   MeSH
• Disinfection methods   MeSH
• Poultry microbiology   MeSH
• Food Handling * MeSH
• Meat microbiology   MeSH
• Foodborne Diseases microbiology   MeSH
• Food Microbiology MeSH
• Pseudomonas isolation & purification   MeSH
• Psychrobacter isolation & purification   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 16S analysis   MeSH
• Cattle MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Cattle MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Austria MeSH