Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “small RNA”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus: sequence analysis of the small RNA segments from a collection of viruses world wide.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFv) is a member of the genus Nairovirus in the family Bunyaviridae. It possesses a tripartite, single stranded RNA genome of negative polarity consisting of large (L), medium (M) and small (S) segments. CCHF virus is enzootic in life stock and wild animals in many parts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa and is also recognised in Southeast Europe. Severe disease, manifest as haemorrhagic fever and high mortality rates (up to 50%), is only recognised in humans. We have determined the complete sequence of the small genomic RNA segment from several strains of CCHF virus from outbreaks in Pakistan 2000, Baghdad 1976 and Uzbekistan 1967. Phylogenetic analysis of three datasets of sequences from the small genomic RNA segment available from a range of strains indicates that they can be divided into seven subtypes. Superimposed on this pattern are links between distant geographic locations, pointing to the existence of a global reservoir of CCHFv. In some cases these links may originate from trade in livestock, and long-distance carriage of virus or infected ticks during bird migration.

Disease Outbreaks↗

Expression of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA (by the EBER-1 gene) in liver specimens from transplant recipients with post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) develops in 1 to 10 percent of transplant recipients, in whom it can be treated by a reduction in the level of immunosuppression. We postulated that the tissue expression of the small RNA transcribed by the EBER-1 gene during latent EBV infection would identify patients at risk for PTLD. METHODS: We studied EBER-1 gene expression in liver specimens obtained from 24 patients 2 days to 22 months before the development of PTLD, using in situ hybridization with an oligonucleotide probe. Control specimens were obtained from 20 recipients of allografts with signs of injury due to organ retrieval, acute graft rejection, or viral hepatitis in whom PTLD had not developed 9 to 71 months after the biopsy. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients with PTLD, 17 (71 percent) had specimens in which 1 to 40 percent of mononuclear cells were positive for the EBER-1 gene. In addition, 10 of these 17 patients (59 percent) had specimens with histopathological changes suggestive of EBV hepatitis. In every case, EBER-1-positive cells were found within the lymphoproliferative lesions identified at autopsy. Only 2 of the 20 controls (10 percent) had specimens with EBER-1-positive cells (P < 0.001), and such cells were rare. CONCLUSIONS: EBER-1 gene expression in liver tissue precedes the occurrence of clinical and histologic PTLD. The possibility of identifying patients at risk by the method we describe here and preventing the occurrence of PTLD by a timely reduction of immunosuppression needs to be addressed by future prospective studies.

Adolescent↗

Cloning of the rhesus lymphocryptovirus viral capsid antigen and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA homologues and use in diagnosis of acute and persistent infections.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with the development of several human malignancies. A closely related herpesvirus in the same lymphocryptovirus (LCV) genera as EBV naturally infects rhesus monkeys and provides an important animal model for studying EBV pathogenesis. We cloned the small viral capsid antigen (sVCA) homologue from the rhesus LCV and developed a peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine whether epitopes in the rhesus LCV sVCA are a reliable indicator of rhesus LCV infection. In order to define a "gold standard" for rhesus LCV infection, we also cloned the EBV-encoded small RNA 1 (EBER1) and EBER2 homologues from rhesus LCV and developed a reverse transcription (RT)-PCR assay to detect persistent LCV infection in rhesus monkey peripheral blood lymphocytes. Animals from a conventional and a hand-reared colony were studied to compare the prevalence of rhesus LCV infection in the two groups. There was a 100% correlation between the peptide ELISA and EBER RT-PCR results for rhesus LCV infection. In addition, specificity for LCV infection and exclusion of potential cross-reactivity to the rhesus rhadinovirus sVCA homologue could be demonstrated using sera from experimentally infected animals. These studies establish two novel assays for reliable diagnosis of acute and persistent rhesus LCV infections. The rhesus LCV sVCA peptide ELISA provides a sensitive and reliable assay for routine screening, and these studies of the hand-reared colony confirm the feasibility of raising rhesus LCV-naive animals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phasis: a software tool for register-resolved discovery of plant phased small RNA loci.

Plant PHAS locus discovery remains challenging because phasiRNA-producing loci must be distinguished from other sRNA-producing regions with high abundance or apparent periodicity. This problem is especially acute for reproductive 24-PHAS loci, which occur within genomes that also produce abundant 24-nt siRNAs from nonPHAS regions. We present Phasis, an open-source Python software tool for plant PHAS-locus discovery from small RNA sequencing data. Phasis combines statistical evidence for phased accumulation with locus-level features and a Register-Resolved Locus Interpretation Layer that evaluates whether candidate loci show coherent phased architecture. Across diverse plant datasets, Phasis recovered validated or annotated 21- and 24-PHAS loci with a strong balance between call-level precision and reference-locus recall, and generally outperformed PhaseTank and ShortStack in matched benchmark analyses. The register-resolved interpretation layer reduced unsupported calls by separating coherent phased loci from ambiguous sRNA-producing regions. In maize dcl5 mutant libraries, Phasis showed strong depletion of 24-PHAS recovery, supporting DCL5-dependent recovery of reproductive 24-PHAS signal. Together, these results support Phasis as a biologically interpretable tool for large-scale discovery of plant DCL-dependent phasiRNA loci.

bioinformatics↗

Localization of Epstein-Barr Virus-Encoded Small RNA-1 by in situ Reverse Transcription: Demonstration of cDNA Generation in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Sections.

Reverse transcription (RT) followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been commonly used to detect viral and cellular transcripts in whole cell extracts. Application of this technique to tissue sections requires the in situ generation of cDNA. In this study, we selected an abundant transcript, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded small RNA (EBER-1), as a model template to demonstrate cDNA generation in tissue sections. Using both digoxigenin-dUTP and primers which are complementary to EBER-1, we demonstrated specific EBER-1 cDNA generation both in vitro, and in tissue sections taken from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded cell blocks of an EBV-infected cell line, B95-8. Furthermore, we utilized in situ RT in sections of EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinomas, and identified EBER-1 cDNA specifically in neoplastic cells, but not in the surrounding nonneoplastic stroma. EBER-1 cDNA was localized to the nucleus of these cells, with relative sparing of the nucleolus and the cytoplasm. No specific signal was evident if the reverse transcriptase was omitted, if 'sense' primers were used, or if RT was preceded by RNase digestion. The specificity of EBER-1 cDNA was further confirmed by in situ hybridization using the sense riboprobe, which has the same polarity as the EBER-1 transcript. Our results provide a successful example of using nonradioactive nucleotide analogue for cDNA generation in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. This approach would provide a visible assay to monitor RT in tissue sections, and allow further optimization of conditions for cDNA generation in tissue sections. Therefore, it potentially can be helpful for the future development of RT-PCR in tissue sections. Copyright 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel

Journal Article↗

Identification of Freezing-Responsive microRNAs and Their Targets in Chinese Jujube by Small RNA and Degradome Sequencing.

The jujube tree fruit remains a primary fruit in northern China, yet its geographical distribution and yield are significantly constrained by freezing stress during winter. Numerous studies have highlighted the pivotal regulatory function of microRNAs (miRNAs) in plant responses to low-temperature stress. Nevertheless, the specific miRNAs involved in the response to low temperatures and their associated gene networks in Ziziphus jujuba Mill are not well understood. In this investigation, we utilized high-throughput sequencing to analyze small RNA libraries from branches subjected to temperatures of 4 &#xb0;C and -30 &#xb0;C. Our analysis identified a total of 342 miRNAs, comprising 123 known miRNAs and 219 novel miRNAs. The differential expression analysis revealed that under low-temperature conditions, 177 miRNAs underwent significant changes. Among them, specific upregulation of miR319 in the less cold-resistant variety and miR6483 in sensitive variety was observed. By employing degradome sequencing, we identified a total of 1551 target genes corresponding to 3059 unique miRNA target interaction pairs involving 299 miRNAs. Functional analysis using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways indicated that these target genes are primarily associated with transcriptional regulation, metabolic pathways, and genetic information processing. Through a comprehensive analysis, we pinpointed 11 genes corresponding to 9 miRNAs that are implicated in jujube tree cold stress, and 7 target genes of 7 miRNAs were confirmed by 5'-RACE analysis. These miRNAs are likely to exert crucial regulatory functions in the context of jujube tree cold stress. This study is the first to systematically identify miRNAs and their target genes in the response of Ziziphus jujuba Mill to low-temperature stress, which provides important resources for in-depth analysis of the molecular mechanism of jujube tree cold resistance and for cold-resistant breeding.

Ziziphus↗

Diagnostic cues for natural killer cell lymphoma: primary nodal presentation and the role of in situ hybridisation for Epstein-Barr virus encoded early small RNA in detecting occult bone marrow involvement.

Natural killer (NK) cell lymphomas are rare, and atypical features might lead to diagnostic pitfalls. This report describes an unusual patient in whom lymphoma occurred initially as isolated lymph node involvement, an exceptional presentation of an almost exclusively extranodal disease. Furthermore, during the terminal haemophagocytosis in the bone marrow, lymphoma cells lost the expression of the NK cell marker, CD56, making the histopathological diagnosis of bone marrow involvement difficult. This was resolved by in situ hybridisation for Epstein-Barr virus encoded small RNA, which detected occult bone marrow infiltration.

Bone Marrow Neoplasms↗

A new small RNA virus persistently infecting an established cell line of Galleria mellonella, induced by a heterologous infection.

A persistent infection in a Galleria mellonella cell line was revealed when infected with a maize stem borer picorna-like virus isolated on Sesamia cretica (MSBV). The new virus, completely different from the MSBV, is designated as G. mellonella cell line virus (GmclV), induces spectacular cytopathic effects, and is also considered efficient in vivo. The GmclV is a 29-nm-diameter isometric virus, with single-strand RNA of 2.9 x 10(6) Da molecular weight with a poly(A) tract. Its capsid is constituted of only two major polypeptides, of 34,500 and 32,500 Da, and no minor bands could be detected. The characteristics of the GmclV do not permit us to classify it with assurance. Even though it has not yet been identified as a picornavirus, it can be classified in the small RNA virus group of the Picornaviridae. G. mellonella represents a very interesting model, owing to the fact that two different persistent viruses belonging to the same family were isolated in vivo and in vitro, to further the understanding of the general phenomenon of persistency and induction.

Animals↗

Autocrine growth of Epstein-Barr virus-positive gastric carcinoma cells mediated by an Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA.

Although 5-10% of gastric carcinoma (GC) cases worldwide are associated with EBV, a human herpesvirus, it is still not clear what the precise contribution of the virus is to the pathogenesis of EBV-positive GC. Here we report that EBV infection induces expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) in the GC-derived EBV-negative cell line NU-GC-3 and that the secreted IGF-I acts as an autocrine growth factor. Transfection of individual EBV latent genes into NU-GC-3 cells revealed that the EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) was responsible for IGF-I expression. Addition of recombinant IGF-I accelerated growth of NU-GC-3 cells, whereas growth of the EBV-converted NU-GC-3 cells was blocked by treatment with an anti-IGF-I antibody. These results suggest that IGF-I induced by EBER acts as an autocrine growth factor for EBV-positive GC. These findings seem to be operative in vivo, as EBV-positive GC biopsies consistently express IGF-I, whereas EBV-negative GC biopsies do not. EBER is invariably expressed in EBV-associated malignancies including GC. The present findings strongly suggest that EBV directly affects the pathogenesis of EBV-positive GC and underline the importance of RNA molecules on cell growth regulation.

Cell Division↗

Binding of Epstein-Barr virus small RNA EBER-1 to the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase DAI.

Epstein-Barr virus encodes two small RNAs, EBER-1 and -2, that are abundantly expressed in latently infected cells. Recent evidence suggests a role for EBER-1 in regulation of translation since this RNA is able to prevent the inhibition of protein synthesis by double-stranded RNA in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. We show here that EBER-1 that has been synthesized in vitro forms a complex with the dsRNA-activated inhibitor of protein synthesis DAI, a protein kinase that specifically phosphorylates polypeptide chain initiation factor eIF-2. Gel retardation assays and UV crosslinking experiments indicate that complex formation is specific for EBER-1 and requires the presence of some secondary structure in the molecule. RNA competition studies show that EBER-1-DAI complex formation is not inhibited in the presence of other small RNA species, heparin or the synthetic double-stranded RNA, poly(I).poly(C). SDS gel analysis reveals the existence of two forms of the crosslinked complex, of 64-68kDa and 46-53kDa, both of which are recognized by anti-DAI antibodies in immunoprecipitation experiments. These data suggest that EBER-1 regulates protein synthesis through its ability to interact with DAI.

Blotting, Western↗

Shape similarity measures for the design of small RNA switches.

Conformational switching in the secondary structure of RNAs has recently attracted considerable attention, fostered by the discovery of 'riboswitches' in living organisms. These are genetic control elements that were found in bacteria and offer a unique regulation mechanism based on switching between two highly stable states, separated by an energy barrier between them. In riboswitches, the energy barrier is crossed by direct metabolite binding, which facilitates regulation by allosteric means. However, other event triggers can cause switching to occur, such as single-point mutations and slight variations in temperature. Examples of switches with these event triggers have already been reported experimentally in the past. Here, the goal is to computationally design small RNA switches that rely on these triggers. Towards this end, our computer simulations utilize a variety of different similarity measures to assess the distances between an initial state and triggered states, based on the topology of the secondary structure itself. We describe these combined similarity measures that rely on both coarse-grained and fine-grained graph representations of the RNA secondary structure. As a result of our simulations, we provide some candidate sequences of approximately 30-50 nt, along with the exact triggers that drive the switching. The event triggers under consideration can be modelled by Zuker's mfold or the Vienna package. The proposed methodology that rely on shape measures can further be used to computationally generate more candidates by simulating various event triggers and calculating their effect on the shape.

Nucleic Acid Conformation↗

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA 1 and latent membrane protein 1 in synovial lining cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Several investigators have demonstrated an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there is no direct evidence that this virus exists in the synovial cells of patients with RA. We attempted to detect EBV in synovial cells from RA patients. Specimens of synovial tissues from 34 patients with RA and from 20 patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and from one patient with psoriatic arthritis as controls, were examined for evidence of the EBV by in situ hybridization. The specimens were also tested by immunoperoxidase staining for expression of the CD21 molecule (EBV receptor), EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)-2 and latent membrane protein (LMP)-1. EBV-encoded small RNA-1 (EBER) was demonstrated in synovial lining cells from eight (23.5%) out of 34 RA patients but in none of 20 OA patients (P < 0.05) nor in the one psoriatic arthritis patient. Interestingly, EBER localized in synovial lining cells that were located at the apex of villus proliferating lesions. Furthermore, LMP-1 was also detected in synovial lining cells at the top of villus lesions. Nevertheless, CD19 and CD21 molecules, and EBNA-2 were not demonstrated in such lesions. The incidence of EBV-positive in synovial lining cells with severely infiltrated lymphocytes tended to be higher than that in moderately infiltrated ones. This is the first evidence that EBV exists in chronically inflamed synovial lining cells of human joints in RA.

Antigens, Viral↗

Marek's disease virus EcoRI-Q gene (meq) and a small RNA antisense to ICP4 are abundantly expressed in CD4+ cells and cells carrying a novel lymphoid marker, AV37, in Marek's disease lymphomas.

Mature lymphomas produced in Rhode Island Red (RIR) chickens infected with the RB1B strain of Marek's disease virus (MDV) were examined for the presence of viral DNA and RNA and expression of viral antigens. In situ hybridization showed that all tumours examined contained viral DNA in areas of lymphoid infiltration. In 3/5 tumours, there was a correlation between the number and distribution of cells expressing the Marek's disease EcoRI-Q gene (meq) and those that carried the lymphoid cell marker AV37. Expression of the MDV-specific phosphoprotein pp38 was infrequent in lymphomas but abundant in a splenic tumour which also expressed the viral glycoprotein gB. Northern blot analysis of lymphocyte fractions purified by immunoaffinity showed that CD4+ and AV37+ fractions from lymphomas expressed meq and the small RNA antisense to ICP4 (SAR). The results are consistent with the notion that transformed cells are CD4+ cells, carrying the AV37 marker and expressing meq and SAR.

Animals↗

The 3;21 translocation in myelodysplasia results in a fusion transcript between the AML1 gene and the gene for EAP, a highly conserved protein associated with the Epstein-Barr virus small RNA EBER 1.

In the 8;21 translocation, the AML1 gene, located at chromosome band 21q22, is translocated to chromosome 8 (q22), where it is fused to the ETO gene and transcribed as a chimeric gene. AML1 is the human homolog of the recently cloned mouse gene pebp2 alpha B, homologous to the DNA binding alpha subunit of the polyoma enhancer factor pebp2. AML1 is also involved in a translocation with chromosome 3 that is seen in patients with therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome and in chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis. We have isolated a fusion cDNA clone from a t(3;21) library derived from a patient with therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome; this clone contains sequences from AML1 and from EAP, which we have now localized to band 3q26. EAP has previously been characterized as a highly expressed small nuclear protein of 128 residues (EBER 1) associated with Epstein-Barr virus small RNA. The fusion clone contains the DNA binding 5' part of AML1 that is fused to ETO in the t(8;21) and, in addition, at least one other exon. The translocation replaces the last nine codons of AML1 with the last 96 codons of EAP. The fusion does not maintain the correct reading frame of EAP and may not lead to a functional chimeric protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification and characterization of an Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pAD1-encoded stability determinant which produces two small RNA molecules necessary for its function.

A determinant, designated par, essential for stable maintenance for an autonomously replicating fragment of the Enterococcus faecalis plasmid pAD1, was identified by transposon mutagenesis, and its DNA sequence was determined. The position of flanking transposon inserts with no effect on stability indicates that par is encoded on no more than approximately 720 bp of DNA. This region contains no large open reading frames (> 62 amino acids) but does contain a number of direct and inverted repeats and GC- and AT-rich boxes. Disruption of these elements by transposon insertion, or deletion of the entire cluster of elements, resulted in a loss of plasmid stability but did not affect replication or copy number in E. faecalis. Characterization of selected mutants suggested that some manipulations of par may interfere with essential plasmid replication functions and/or be lethal to the host cell. Northern blot analysis revealed that two small RNA molecules of approximately 250 and 145 nucleotides homologous to par are produced by cells containing the complete pAD1 replicon. Mutations affecting par that resulted in a decrease in plasmid stability also resulted in changes in the pattern of production of the par RNAs, suggesting that these RNAs are important for par function.

Base Sequence↗

Y3 is the most conserved small RNA component of Ro ribonucleoprotein complexes in vertebrate species.

YRNAs are small cytoplasmic RNAs that are components of the Ro ribonucleoprotein complex. This complex, which also includes the 60-kDa Ro protein, is a human autoantigen which is conserved among vertebrates, and is of unknown function. Multiple sequences with YRNA homology, known as YRNA-like sequences, have been detected in rabbit, mouse, duck, iguana and frog genomes with human Y cDNA probes. As judged by Northern blots of total RNA, however, not all of these genomic YRNA-like sequences are expressed. Complementary DNA and putative gene sequences for iguana Y3 (iY3) and iguana Y4 (iY4) Ro RNAs have been determined and used, along with previously sequenced human and frog Ro YRNA sequences, to construct the most likely Y3 and Y4 RNA secondary structures. The data presented indicate that Y3 is the most conserved Ro RNA, not only by its more consistent presence in other species, but also at the levels of sequence divergence and secondary structure similarity. The differences observed between the secondary structure solutions for the Y3 and Y4 Ro RNAs are consistent with the possibility that these RNAs perform different cellular functions.

Animals↗

Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNA induces insulin-like growth factor 1 and supports growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma-derived cell lines.

To assess the role of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), three NPC-derived cell lines, C666-1, CNE1 and HONE1, were examined. C666-1 cells maintained NPC phenotype of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) expression and were positive for IGF-1 secretion, and their growth was strikingly inhibited by treatment with an anti-IGF-1 antibody under low serum condition. On the other hand, CNE1 and HONE1 cells were EBV-negative and did not secrete IGF-1. Although they could not grow under low serum condition, addition of recombinant IGF-1 made them grow. EBV conversion of CNE1 and HONE1 cells reproduced NPC phenotype of EBV expression and accompanied IGF-1 expression. Although they could grow under low serum condition, their growth was strikingly inhibited by treatment with the anti-IGF-1 antibody. These results suggest that EBV infection induces IGF-1 in NPC cell lines, and that the secreted IGF-1 acts as an autocrine growth factor. These findings seem to be operative in vivo, as NPC biopsies consistently express IGF-1. Further studies demonstrated that increased IGF-1 expression reflected transcriptional activation, and EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) was responsible for IGF-1 induction. EBER is invariably expressed in EBV-associated malignancies, including NPC. The present findings strongly suggest that EBER directly affects the pathogenesis of NPC.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

Virus-delivered small RNA silencing sustains strength in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Mutations in superoxide dismutase cause a subset of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and provoke progressive paralysis when expressed in mice. After retrograde transport to the spinal cord following injection into muscles, an adeno-associated virus carrying a gene that encodes a small interfering RNA was shown to target superoxide dismutase messenger RNA for degradation. The corresponding decrease in mutant superoxide dismutase in spinal motor neurons preserved grip strength. This finding provides proof of principle for the selective reduction of any neuronal protein and supports intramuscular injections of a small interfering RNA-encoding virus as a viable therapy for this type of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗