Efficient and specific knockdown of small non-coding RNAs in mammalian cells and in mice

Hundreds of small nuclear non-coding RNAs, including small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), have been identified in different organisms, with important implications in regulating gene expression and in human diseases. However, functionalizing these nuclear RNAs in mammalian cells remains challenging, due to methodological difficulties in depleting these RNAs, especially snoRNAs. Here we report a convenient and efficient approach to deplete snoRNA, small Cajal body RNA (scaRNA) and small nuclear RNA in human and mouse cells by conventional transfection of chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that promote RNaseH-mediated cleavage of target RNAs. The levels of all seven tested snoRNA/scaRNAs and four snRNAs were reduced by 80–95%, accompanied by impaired endogenous functions of the target RNAs. ASO-targeting is highly specific, without affecting expression of the host genes where snoRNAs are embedded in the introns, nor affecting the levels of snoRNA isoforms with high sequence similarities. At least five snoRNAs could be depleted simultaneously. Importantly, snoRNAs could be dramatically depleted in mice by systematic administration of the ASOs. Together, our findings provide a convenient and efficient approach to characterize nuclear non-coding RNAs in mammalian cells, and to develop antisense drugs against disease-causing non-coding RNAs

U1 adaptors result in reduction of multiple pre-mRNA species principally by sequestering U1snRNP

U1 Adaptors are a recently reported novel approach for targeted reduction of mRNA transcripts. A U1 adaptor oligonucleotide comprising of a target-complimentary hybridization domain and a U1 recruitment domain, directs the U1 snRNP complex to the terminal exon of a targeted gene, subsequently inhibiting poly(A) tail addition and leading to degradation of that RNA species within the nucleus. Here, we present data demonstrating U1 adapter-mediated gene silencing can result in significant ‘off-target’ silencing effects as demonstrated by the reduction of multiple mRNA species that were not intended to be targeted. Our data suggest that a substantial portion of this U1 adaptor-mediated off-target mRNA reduction is the result of sequestration U1 snRNP at levels sufficient to affect splicing and processing of non-target transcripts

Reduced levels of Ago2 expression result in increased siRNA competition in mammalian cells

Administration of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) leads to degradation of specific mRNAs utilizing the cellular RNA interference (RNAi) machinery. It has been demonstrated that co-administration of siRNAs may lead to attenuation of activity of one of the siRNAs. Utilizing antisense and siRNA-mediated RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) gene reduction we show that siRNA competition is correlated with differences in the cellular expression levels of Ago2, while levels of other RISC proteins have no effect on competition. We also show that under certain conditions siRNA competition rather than reduction of cellular RISC levels may be responsible for apparent reduction in siRNA activity. Furthermore, exploiting siRNA competition, we show that the RISC pathway loads and results in detectable cleavage of the target RNA in ∼2 h after transfection. The RISC pathway is also capable of being reloaded even in the absence of new protein synthesis. RISC reloading and subsequent induction of detectable cleavage of a new target RNA, requires about 9–12 h following the initial transfection

Depletion of key protein components of the RISC pathway impairs pre-ribosomal RNA processing

Little is known about whether components of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) mediate the biogenesis of RNAs other than miRNA. Here, we show that depletion of key proteins of the RISC pathway by antisense oligonucleotides significantly impairs pre-rRNA processing in human cells. In cells depleted of Drosha or Dicer, different precursors to 5.8S rRNA strongly accumulated, without affecting normal endonucleolytic cleavages. Moderate yet distinct processing defects were also observed in Ago2-depleted cells. Physical links between pre-rRNA and these proteins were identified by co-immunoprecipitation analyses. Interestingly, simultaneous depletion of Dicer and Drosha led to a different processing defect, causing slower production of 28S rRNA and its precursor. Both Dicer and Ago2 were detected in the nuclear fraction, and reduction of Dicer altered the structure of the nucleolus, where pre-rRNA processing occurs. Together, these results suggest that Drosha and Dicer are implicated in rRNA biogenesis

Rapid Identification of Emerging Pathogens: Coronavirus

New surveillance approach can analyze >900 polymerase chain reactions per day

Off-target and a portion of target-specific siRNA mediated mRNA degradation is Ago2 ‘Slicer’ independent and can be mediated by Ago1

It is known that siRNAs are capable of reducing expression of non-target genes due to the interaction of the siRNA guide strand with a partially complementary site on the ‘off-target’ mRNA. In the current study, we show that reduction of cellular Ago2 levels has no effect on off-target reduction of endogenous genes and that off-target degradation of mRNA can occur even in an Ago2 knockout cell line. Using antisense mediated reduction of Ago proteins and chemically modified cleavage- and binding-deficient siRNAs, we demonstrate that siRNA mediated off-target reduction is Ago2 cleavage independent, but does require siRNA interaction with either Ago1 or Ago2 and the RISC-loading complex. We also show that depletion of P-body associated proteins results in a reduction of off-target siRNA-mediated degradation of mRNA. Finally, we present data suggesting that a significant portion of on-target siRNA activity is also Ago2 cleavage independent, however, this activity does not appear to be P-body associated

Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity.

Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients. Significant differences in growth and size of 614G phylogenetic clusters indicate a need for continued study of this variant

Evaluating the Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Mutation D614G on Transmissibility and Pathogenicity

Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive of a selective advantage but may also be due to a random founder effect. We investigate the hypothesis for positive selection of spike D614G in the United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences. Despite the availability of a large dataset, well represented by both spike 614 variants, not all approaches showed a conclusive signal of positive selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases in frequency relative to 614D in a manner consistent with a selective advantage. We do not find any indication that patients infected with the spike 614G variant have higher COVID-19 mortality or clinical severity, but 614G is associated with higher viral load and younger age of patients. Significant differences in growth and size of 614G phylogenetic clusters indicate a need for continued study of this variant