Valerie Blanc

C-to-U RNA Editing: Mechanisms Leading to Genetic Diversity

Substitutional RNA Editing: Biochemical Mechanisms and Targets for C-to-U RNA Editing in Mammals RNA editing is an important mechanism for regulating genetic plasticity through the generation of alternative protein products from a single structural gene. Substitutional RNA editing employs a variety of genetic mechanisms, the biochemical basis of which has been elucidated following the development of in vitro assays that recapitulate important elements of this process. Two types of substitutional RNA exist in mammals, namely A-to-I and C-to-U RNA editing (1, 2). Important biochemical distinctions between these two processes provide an informative basis for understanding the mechanisms of C-to-U RNA editing and the adaptations that control target specificity. A-to-I RNA editing is mediated by a family of adenosine deaminases acting on double-stranded RNA (ADARs) with partially overlapping target specificity (1, 2). The absolute requirement for a double-stranded RNA template distinguishes A-to-I and C-to-U RNA editing because the former requires a pre-mRNA template containing intronic regions and is thus biochemically confined to unspliced transcripts. A further distinction biochemically is that ADAR enzymes do not require additional cofactors. ADARs contain both double-stranded RNA binding domains and a deaminase domain and function as modular editing enzymes (2, 3). The best characterized example of C-to-U RNA editing involves the nuclear transcript encoding intestinal apolipoprotein B (apoB) (4). ApoB RNA editing changes a CAA to a UAA stop codon, generating a truncated protein, apoB48 (4). ApoB RNA editing has important effects on lipoprotein metabolism, and its emergence defines distinct pathways for intestinal and hepatic lipid transport in mammals (4). C-to-U editing of apoB RNA requires a single-strand template (Fig. 1) with well defined characteristics in the immediate vicinity of the edited base, as well as protein cofactors that assemble into a functional complex referred to as a holoenzyme or editosome. This functional complex includes a minimal core composed of apobec-1, the catalytic deaminase, and a competence factor, apobec-1 complementation factor (ACF), that functions as an adaptor protein by binding both the deaminase and the RNA substrate (Fig. 1). The interaction of these protein components and their higher order interactions with the nuclear transcript illustrates the complexity of site-selectivity in C-to-U RNA editing. A second example of C-to-U RNA editing in mammals involves site-specific deamination of a CGA to UGA codon in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) mRNA (5). NF1 RNA editing generates a translational termination codon at position 3916 that is predicted to truncate the protein product neurofibromin at the 5 end of a critical domain (6) involved in GTPase activation (Fig. 2). Unlike apoB RNA editing, there is no formal proof that a truncated protein is generated. This example of C-to-U RNA editing has been demonstrated in peripheral nerve sheath tumors from patients with NF1 and may share elements of the same machinery as apoB RNA editing, as discussed below. A third target for C-to-U editing, NAT1, was revealed following forced transgenic overexpression of apobec-1 in murine and rabbit hepatocytes (7). NAT1 is homologous to the translational repressor eIF4G and undergoes C-to-U editing at multiple sites, with the creation of stop codons that in turn reduce protein abundance (7).

APOBEC‐1‐mediated RNA editing

RNA editing defines a molecular process by which a nucleotide sequence is modified in the RNA transcript and results in an amino acid change in the recoded message from that specified in the gene. We will restrict our attention to the type of RNA editing peculiar to mammals, i.e., nuclear C to U RNA editing. This category of RNA editing contrasts with RNA modifications described in plants, i.e., organellar RNA editing (reviewed in Ref 1 ). Mammalian RNA editing is genetically and biochemically classified into two groups, namely insertion‐deletional and substitutional. 2 Substitutional RNA editing is exclusive to mammals, again with two types reported, namely adenosine to inosine and cytosine to uracil (C to U). 3 , 4 This review will examine mammalian C to U RNA editing of apolipoproteinB (apoB) RNA and the role of the catalytic deaminase Apobec‐1. 5 , 6 We will speculate on the functions of Apobec‐1 beyond C to U RNA editing as implied from its ability to bind AU‐rich RNAs and discuss evidence that dysregulation of Apobec‐1 expression might be associated with carcinogenesis through aberrant RNA editing or altered RNA stability. Copyright

Genome-wide identification and functional analysis of Apobec-1-mediated C-to-U RNA editing in mouse small intestine and liver

BackgroundRNA editing encompasses a post-transcriptional process in which the genomically templated sequence is enzymatically altered and introduces a modified base into the edited transcript. Mammalian C-to-U RNA editing represents a distinct subtype of base modification, whose prototype is intestinal apolipoprotein B mRNA, mediated by the catalytic deaminase Apobec-1. However, the genome-wide identification, tissue-specificity and functional implications of Apobec-1-mediated C-to-U RNA editing remain incompletely explored.ResultsDeep sequencing, data filtering and Sanger-sequence validation of intestinal and hepatic RNA from wild-type and Apobec-1-deficient mice revealed 56 novel editing sites in 54 intestinal mRNAs and 22 novel sites in 17 liver mRNAs, all within 3′ untranslated regions. Eleven of 17 liver RNAs shared editing sites with intestinal RNAs, while 6 sites are unique to liver. Changes in RNA editing lead to corresponding changes in intestinal mRNA and protein levels for 11 genes. Analysis of RNA editing in vivo following tissue-specific Apobec-1 adenoviral or transgenic Apobec-1 overexpression reveals that a subset of targets identified in wild-type mice are restored in Apobec-1-deficient mouse intestine and liver following Apobec-1 rescue. We find distinctive polysome profiles for several RNA editing targets and demonstrate novel exonic editing sites in nuclear preparations from intestine but not hepatic apolipoprotein B RNA. RNA editing is validated using cell-free extracts from wild-type but not Apobec-1-deficient mice, demonstrating that Apobec-1 is required.ConclusionsThese studies define selective, tissue-specific targets of Apobec-1-dependent RNA editing and show the functional consequences of editing are both transcript- and tissue-specific.

Isolation, characterization and developmental regulation of the human apobec-1 complementation factor (ACF) gene

Mammalian apolipoprotein B (apo B) mRNA undergoes site-specific C to U deamination which is mediated by a multicomponent enzyme complex containing a minimal core composed of apobec-1 and a complementation factor, ACF. We have isolated and characterized the human ACF gene and examined its tissue-specific and developmental expression. The ACF gene spans approximately 80 kb and contains 15 exons, three of which are non-coding. Multiple alternative splice acceptor sites were found, generating at least nine different transcripts. Of these, the majority (approximately 75-89%) encode functional protein. In order to examine the role of ACF mRNA expression in the regulation of apo B mRNA editing, we examined a panel of fetal intestinal and hepatic mRNAs as well as RNA from an intestinal cell line. A developmental increase in C to U RNA editing has been previously noted in the human intestine. In both instances, the pattern of alternative splicing and overall abundance of ACF mRNA was relatively constant during development in both liver and small intestine. Taken together, the data demonstrate a complex pattern of differential, tissue-specific splicing of ACF mRNA, but suggest that other mechanisms are responsible for the developmental increase noted in intestinal apo B mRNA editing in humans.

Targeted Deletion of the Murine apobec-1 Complementation Factor (acf) Gene Results in Embryonic Lethality

ABSTRACT apobec-1 complementation factor (ACF) is an hnRNP family member which functions as the obligate RNA binding subunit of the core enzyme mediating C-to-U editing of the nuclear apolipoprotein B (apoB) transcript. ACF binds to both apoB RNA and apobec-1, the catalytic cytidine deaminase, which then results in site-specific posttranscriptional editing of apoB mRNA. Targeted deletion of apobec1 eliminates C-to-U editing of apoB mRNA but is otherwise well tolerated. However, the functions and potential targets of ACF beyond apoB mRNA editing are unknown. Here we report the results of generating acf knockout mice using homologous recombination. While heterozygous acf+/ − mice were apparently healthy and fertile, no viable acf − / − mice were identified. Mutant acf − / − embryos were detectable only until the blastocyst (embryonic day 3.5 [E3.5]) stage. No acf − / − blastocysts were detectable following implantation at E4.5, and isolated acf − / − blastocysts failed to proliferate in vitro. Small interfering RNA knockdown of ACF in either rat (apobec-1-expressing) or human (apobec-1-deficient) hepatoma cells decreased ACF protein expression and induced a commensurate increase in apoptosis. Taken together, these data suggest that ACF plays a crucial role, which is independent of apobec-1 expression, in cell survival, particularly during early embryonic development.

Molecular Regulation, Evolutionary, and Functional Adaptations Associated with C to U Editing of Mammalian ApolipoproteinB mRNA

RNA editing encompasses an important class of co- or posttranscriptional nucleic acid modification that has expanded our understanding of the range of mechanisms that facilitate genetic plasticity. Since the initial description of RNA editing in trypanosome mitochondria, a model of gene regulation has emerged that now encompasses a diverse range of biochemical and genetic mechanisms by which nuclear, mitochondrial, and t-RNA sequences are modified from templated versions encoded in the genome. RNA editing is genetically and biochemically distinct from other RNA modifications such as splicing, capping, and polyadenylation although, as discussed in Section I, these modifications may have relevance to the regulation of certain types of mammalian RNA editing. This review will focus on C to U RNA editing, in particular, the biochemical and genetic mechanisms that regulate this process in mammals. These mechanisms will be examined in the context of the prototype model of C to U RNA editing, namely the posttranscriptional cytidine deamination targeting a single nucleotide in mammalian apolipoproteinB (apoB). Other examples of C to U RNA editing will be discussed and the molecular mechanisms--where known--contrasted with those regulating apoB RNA editing.

Decreased Expression of Cholesterol 7α-Hydroxylase and Altered Bile Acid Metabolism in Apobec-1−/− Mice Lead to Increased Gallstone Susceptibility

Quantitative trait mapping in mice identified a susceptibility locus for gallstones (Lith6) spanning the Apobec-1 locus, the structural gene encoding the RNA-specific cytidine deaminase responsible for production of apolipoprotein B48 in mammalian small intestine and rodent liver. This observation prompted us to compare dietary gallstone susceptibility in Apobec-1−/− mice and congenic C57BL/6 wild type controls. When fed a lithogenic diet (LD) for 2 weeks, 90% Apobec-1−/− mice developed solid gallstones in comparison with 16% wild type controls. LD-fed Apobec-1−/− mice demonstrated increased biliary cholesterol secretion as well as increased cholesterol saturation and bile acid hydrophobicity indices. These changes occurred despite a relative decrease in cholesterol absorption in LD-fed Apobec-1−/− mice. Among the possible mechanisms to account for this phenotype, expression of Cyp7a1 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in chow-fed Apobec-1−/− mice, decreasing further in LD-fed animals. Cyp7a1 transcription in hepatocyte nuclei, however, was unchanged in Apobec-1−/− mice, excluding transcriptional repression as a potential mechanism for decreased Cyp7a1 expression. We demonstrated that APOBEC-1 binds to AU-rich regions of the 3′-untranslated region of the Cyp7a1 transcript, containing the UUUN(A/U)U consensus motif, using both UV cross-linking to recombinant APOBEC-1 and in vivo RNA co-immunoprecipitation. In vivo Apobec-1-dependent modulation of Cyp7a1 expression was further confirmed following adenovirus-Apobec-1 administration to chow-fed Apobec-1−/− mice, which rescued Cyp7a1 gene expression. Taken together, the findings suggest that the AU-rich RNA binding-protein Apobec-1 mediates post-transcriptional regulation of murine Cyp7a1 expression and influences susceptibility to diet-induced gallstone formation.

Intestinal Epithelial HuR Modulates Distinct Pathways of Proliferation and Apoptosis and Attenuates Small Intestinal and Colonic Tumor Development

HuR is a ubiquitous nucleocytoplasmic RNA-binding protein that exerts pleiotropic effects on cell growth and tumorigenesis. In this study, we explored the impact of conditional, tissue-specific genetic deletion of HuR on intestinal growth and tumorigenesis in mice. Mice lacking intestinal expression of HuR (Hur (IKO) mice) displayed reduced levels of cell proliferation in the small intestine and increased sensitivity to doxorubicin-induced acute intestinal injury, as evidenced by decreased villus height and a compensatory shift in proliferating cells. In the context of Apc(min/+) mice, a transgenic model of intestinal tumorigenesis, intestinal deletion of the HuR gene caused a three-fold decrease in tumor burden characterized by reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and decreased expression of transcripts encoding antiapoptotic HuR target RNAs. Similarly, Hur(IKO) mice subjected to an inflammatory colon carcinogenesis protocol [azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate (AOM-DSS) administration] exhibited a two-fold decrease in tumor burden. Hur(IKO) mice showed no change in ileal Asbt expression, fecal bile acid excretion, or enterohepatic pool size that might explain the phenotype. Moreover, none of the HuR targets identified in Apc(min/+)Hur(IKO) were altered in AOM-DSS-treated Hur(IKO) mice, the latter of which exhibited increased apoptosis of colonic epithelial cells, where elevation of a unique set of HuR-targeted proapoptotic factors was documented. Taken together, our results promote the concept of epithelial HuR as a contextual modifier of proapoptotic gene expression in intestinal cancers, acting independently of bile acid metabolism to promote cancer. In the small intestine, epithelial HuR promotes expression of prosurvival transcripts that support Wnt-dependent tumorigenesis, whereas in the large intestine epithelial HuR indirectly downregulates certain proapoptotic RNAs to attenuate colitis-associated cancer. Cancer Res; 74(18); 5322-35. ©2014 AACR.

Intestine-specific expression of Apobec-1 rescues apolipoprotein B RNA editing and alters chylomicron production in Apobec1-/- mice

Intestinal apolipoprotein B (apoB) mRNA undergoes C-to-U editing, mediated by the catalytic deaminase apobec-1, which results in translation of apoB48. Apobec1−/− mice produce only apoB100 and secrete larger chylomicron particles than those observed in wild-type (WT) mice. Here we show that transgenic rescue of intestinal apobec-1 expression (Apobec1Int/O) restores C-to-U RNA editing of apoB mRNA in vivo, including the canonical site at position 6666 and also at approximately 20 other newly identified downstream sites present in WT mice. The small intestine of Apobec1Int/O mice produces only apoB48, and the liver produces only apoB100. Serum chylomicron particles were smaller in Apobec1Int/O mice compared with those from Apobec1−/− mice, and the predominant fraction of serum apoB48 in Apobec1Int/O mice migrated in lipoproteins smaller than chylomicrons, even when these mice were fed a high-fat diet. Because apoB48 arises exclusively from the intestine in Apobec1Int/O mice and intestinal apoB48 synthesis and secretion rates were comparable to WT mice, we were able to infer the major sites of origin of serum apoB48 in WT mice. Our findings imply that less than 25% of serum apoB48 in WT mice arises from the intestine, with the majority originating from the liver.

Regenerative proliferation of differentiated cells by mTORC1‐dependent paligenosis

In 1900, Adami speculated that a sequence of context‐independent energetic and structural changes governed the reversion of differentiated cells to a proliferative, regenerative state. Accordingly, we show here that differentiated cells in diverse organs become proliferative via a shared program. Metaplasia‐inducing injury caused both gastric chief and pancreatic acinar cells to decrease mTORC1 activity and massively upregulate lysosomes/autophagosomes; then increase damage associated metaplastic genes such as Sox9; and finally reactivate mTORC1 and re‐enter the cell cycle. Blocking mTORC1 permitted autophagy and metaplastic gene induction but blocked cell cycle re‐entry at S‐phase. In kidney and liver regeneration and in human gastric metaplasia, mTORC1 also correlated with proliferation. In lysosome‐defective Gnptab−/− mice, both metaplasia‐associated gene expression changes and mTORC1‐mediated proliferation were deficient in pancreas and stomach. Our findings indicate differentiated cells become proliferative using a sequential program with intervening checkpoints: (i) differentiated cell structure degradation; (ii) metaplasia‐ or progenitor‐associated gene induction; (iii) cell cycle re‐entry. We propose this program, which we term “paligenosis”, is a fundamental process, like apoptosis, available to differentiated cells to fuel regeneration following injury.