pre-miRNA profiles obtained through application of locked nucleic acids and deep sequencing reveals complex 5′/3′ arm variation including concomitant cleavage and polyuridylation patterns

Recent research hints at an underappreciated complexity in pre-miRNA processing and regulation. Global profiling of pre-miRNA and its potential to increase understanding of the pre-miRNA landscape is impeded by overlap with highly expressed classes of other non coding (nc) RNA. Here, we present a data set excluding these RNA before sequencing through locked nucleic acids (LNA), greatly increasing pre-miRNA sequence counts with no discernable effect on pre-miRNA or mature miRNA sequencing. Analysis of profiles generated in total, nuclear and cytoplasmic cell fractions reveals that pre-miRNAs are subject to a wide range of regulatory processes involving loci-specific 3′- and 5′-end variation entailing complex cleavage patterns with co-occurring polyuridylation. Additionally, examination of nuclear-enriched flanking sequences of pre-miRNA, particularly those derived from polycistronic miRNA transcripts, provides insight into miRNA and miRNA-offset (moRNA) production, specifically identifying novel classes of RNA potentially functioning as moRNA precursors. Our findings point to particularly intricate regulation of the let-7 family in many ways reminiscent of DICER1-independent, pre-mir-451-like processing, introduce novel and unify known forms of pre-miRNA regulation and processing, and shed new light on overlooked products of miRNA processing pathways

Nuclear Pore Complex Protein Mediated Nuclear Localization of Dicer Protein in Human Cells

Human DICER1 protein cleaves double-stranded RNA into small sizes, a crucial step in production of single-stranded RNAs which are mediating factors of cytoplasmic RNA interference. Here, we clearly demonstrate that human DICER1 protein localizes not only to the cytoplasm but also to the nucleoplasm. We also find that human DICER1 protein associates with the NUP153 protein, one component of the nuclear pore complex. This association is detected predominantly in the cytoplasm but is also clearly distinguishable at the nuclear periphery. Additional characterization of the NUP153-DICER1 association suggests NUP153 plays a crucial role in the nuclear localization of the DICER1 protein

FOLLICULAR GROWTH BY HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPIN STIMULATION IN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY : A CASE REPORT

A 29-year-old woman from our in-vitro fertilization (IVF) program was diagnosed with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. From the crown-rump length of the fetus being 10 mm, we assessed her as being pregnant from her former spontaneous menstrual cycle. An emergency operation was performed and her postoperative condition was good

An era of single-cell genomics consortia

Genomics: Collaborative efforts to map the human body—single cell at a time Profiling the human body at the single cell resolution will reveal a map to enable researchers to compare cell types that are found in healthy and disease tissues at a much finer resolution. Large international projects such as FANTOM (Functional ANnoTation Of the Mammalian genome) and GTEx (Genotype-Tissue Expression) have profiled gene expression in hundreds of human cell types. However, the data were obtained from ‘bulk’ samples. The possibility of sequencing large numbers of single cells at a reasonable cost offers the opportunity to create a much more detailed human cell reference map. Jay Shin, at the RIKEN Institute, Yokohama, Japan, and colleagues review rapidly growing single cell genomics consortia and highlight the advantages of initiating national collaborations to harmonize procedures and to obtain a more accurate representation of regional ethnic diversity

HEREDITARY SPHEROCYTOSIS IN MOTHER AND NEONATE DIAGNOSED BY ANEMIA AND HYPERBILIRUBINEMIA IN THE NEONATE

We experienced a case of hereditary spherocytosis in both mother and neonate diagnosed by anemia and hyperbilirubinemia in the neonate. Phototherapy was effective against the neonatal jaundice ; however, anemia became severe and necessitated a blood transfusion. The mother had been diagnosed with hemolytic anemia, cholelithiasis, and splenomegaly at the age of 20 and had a cholecystectomy and splenectomy with no follow-up thereafter. There was no advance of the anemia nor hemolytic crisis during the pregnancy; however, LDH and total bilirubin increased in the last stage of pregnancy. With hereditary spherocytosis in mother, perinatal health care management is required for her, as well as for the neonate who may well have anemia and hyperbilirubinemia