Objective: To exploring the clinical features of SF3B1-mutated myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts (MDS-EB) and analyzing the association between SF3B1 mutation, and efficacy and prognostic significance for patients with MDS-EB. Methods: This was a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 266 patients with MDS-EB diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between April 2016 and November 2021 were analyzed. The observed indicators included blood routine counts, mutated genes, overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and leukemia-free survival (LFS). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to depict the survival curves. The Log-rank test method was equally used to compare survival across groups and performed the Cox proportional hazard regression model for prognostic analysis. Results: In 266 patients with MDS-EB, 166 (62.4%) were men, and the median age was 57 (17-81) years. Moreover, there were included 26 and 240 patients in the SF3B1-mutated and SF3B1 wild-type groups. Patients in the SF3B1-mutated group were older [median age 65 (51, 69) years vs. 56 (46, 66) years, P=0.033], had higher white blood cell (WBC) counts [3.08 (2.35, 4.78) × 10⁹/L vs. 2.13 (1.40, 3.77) × 10⁹/L], platelet (PLT) counts [122.5 (50.5, 215.0) ×10⁹/L vs. 49.0 (24.3, 100.8) × 10⁹/L], absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) [1.83 (1.01, 2.88) × 10⁹/L vs. 0.80 (0.41, 1.99) × 10⁹/L]and occurrence of DNMT3A mutation [23.1% (6/26) vs. 6.7% (16/240)] (all P<0.05). The ORR were similar in both groups after 2 and 4 cycles of therapy (P=0.348, P=1.000). Moreover, the LFS (P=0.218), PFS (P=0.179) and OS (P=0.188) were similar across the groups. Univariate Cox analysis revealed that SF3B1 mutation did not affect the prognosis of patients with MDS-EB (OS: P=0.193; PFS: P=0.184). Conclusions: Patients with SF3B1 mutation were older, with greater WBC, PLT, and ANC, and SF3B1 mutation easily co-occurred with DNMT3A mutation. From this model, there were no significant differences in efficacy and survival of MDS-EB with or without SF3B1 mutation.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Leukocytes ; Mutation ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/diagnosis* ; Phosphoproteins/genetics* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; RNA Splicing Factors/genetics* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Aged, 80 and over

OBJECTIVES: Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is a multifactorial disease, and the mechanism of non coding RNA interactions and inflammatory cell infiltration patterns are not fully understood. This study aims to construct a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network for this disease and clarify the infiltration patterns of inflammatory cells in orbital tissue to further explore the pathogenesis of GO. METHODS: The differentially expressed genes were identified using the GEO2R analysis tool. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) and gene ontology analysis were used to analyze differential genes. RNA interaction relationships were extracted from the RNA interactome database. Protein-protein interactions were identified using the STRING database and were visualized using Cytoscape. StarBase, miRcode, and DIANA-LncBase Experimental v.2 were used to construct ceRNA networks together with their interacted non-coding RNA. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to detect the patterns of infiltrating immune cells in GO using R software. RESULTS: A total of 114 differentially expressed genes for GO and 121 pathways were detected using both the KEGG and gene ontology enrichment analysis. Four hub genes (SRSF6, DDX5, HNRNPC,and HNRNPM) were extracted from protein-protein interaction using cytoHubba in Cytoscape, 104 nodes and 142 edges were extracted, and a ceRNA network was identified (MALAT1-MIR21-DDX5). The results of immune cell analysis showed that in GO, the proportions of CD8⁺ T cells and CD4⁺ memory resting T cells were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. The proportion of CD4 memory resting T cells was positively correlated with the expression of MALAT1, MIR21, and DDX5. CONCLUSIONS This study has constructed a ceRNA regulatory network (MALAT1-MIR21-DDX5) in GO orbital tissue, clarifying the downregulation of the proportion of CD4⁺ stationary memory T cells and their positive regulatory relationship with ceRNA components, further revealing the pathogenesis of GO.
Humans ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Algorithms ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Down-Regulation ; Graves Ophthalmopathy/genetics* ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors ; Phosphoproteins

A complete proteomics study characterizing active androgen receptor (AR) complexes in prostate cancer (PCa) cells identified a diversity of protein interactors with tumorigenic annotations, including known RNA splicing factors. Thus, we chose to further investigate the functional role of AR-mediated alternative RNA splicing in PCa disease progression. We selected two AR-interacting RNA splicing factors, Src associated in mitosis of 68 kDa (SAM68) and DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) box helicase 5 (DDX5) to examine their associative roles in AR-dependent alternative RNA splicing. To assess the true physiological role of AR in alternative RNA splicing, we assessed splicing profiles of LNCaP PCa cells using exon microarrays and correlated the results to PCa clinical datasets. As a result, we were able to highlight alternative splicing events of clinical significance. Initial use of exon-mini gene cassettes illustrated hormone-dependent AR-mediated exon-inclusion splicing events with SAM68 or exon-exclusion splicing events with DDX5 overexpression. The physiological significance in PCa was investigated through the application of clinical exon array analysis, where we identified exon-gene sets that were able to delineate aggressive disease progression profiles and predict patient disease-free outcomes independently of pathological clinical criteria. Using a clinical dataset with patients categorized as prostate cancer-specific death (PCSD), these exon gene sets further identified a select group of patients with extremely poor disease-free outcomes. Overall, these results strongly suggest a nonclassical role of AR in mediating robust alternative RNA splicing in PCa. Moreover, AR-mediated alternative spicing contributes to aggressive PCa progression, where we identified a new subtype of lethal PCa defined by AR-dependent alternative splicing.
Humans ; Male ; Alternative Splicing ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases/metabolism* ; Disease Progression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Receptors, Androgen/metabolism* ; RNA Splicing Factors/metabolism*

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in the regulation of atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated the role of the lncRNA growth arrest-specific 5 (lncR-GAS5) in atherogenesis. We found that the enforced expression of lncR-GAS5 contributed to the development of atherosclerosis, which presented as increased plaque size and reduced collagen content. Moreover, impaired autophagy was observed, as shown by a decreased LC3II/LC3I protein ratio and an elevated P62 level in lncR-GAS5-overexpressing human aortic endothelial cells. By contrast, lncR-GAS5 knockdown promoted autophagy. Moreover, serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 10 (SRSF10) knockdown increased the LC3II/LC3I ratio and decreased the P62 level, thus enhancing the formation of autophagic vacuoles, autolysosomes, and autophagosomes. Mechanistically, lncR-GAS5 regulated the downstream splicing factor SRSF10 to impair autophagy in the endothelium, which was reversed by the knockdown of SRSF10. Further results revealed that overexpression of the lncR-GAS5-targeted gene miR-193-5p promoted autophagy and autophagic vacuole accumulation by repressing its direct target gene, SRSF10. Notably, miR-193-5p overexpression decreased plaque size and increased collagen content. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that lncR-GAS5 partially contributes to atherogenesis and plaque instability by impairing endothelial autophagy. In conclusion, lncR-GAS5 overexpression arrested endothelial autophagy through the miR-193-5p/SRSF10 signaling pathway. Thus, miR-193-5p/SRSF10 may serve as a novel treatment target for atherosclerosis.
Humans ; Atherosclerosis/genetics* ; Autophagy/genetics* ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Endothelium/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Repressor Proteins/metabolism* ; RNA Splicing Factors ; Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism*

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 7 (SRSF7), a known splicing factor, has been revealed to play oncogenic roles in multiple cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying its oncogenic roles have not been well addressed. Here, based on N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) co-methylation network analysis across diverse cell lines, we find that the gene expression of SRSF7 is positively correlated with glioblastoma (GBM) cell-specific m⁶A methylation. We then indicate that SRSF7 is a novel m⁶A regulator, which specifically facilitates the m⁶A methylation near its binding sites on the mRNAs involved in cell proliferation and migration, through recruiting the methyltransferase complex. Moreover, SRSF7 promotes the proliferation and migration of GBM cells largely dependent on the presence of the m⁶A methyltransferase. The two m⁶A sites on the mRNA for PDZ-binding kinase (PBK) are regulated by SRSF7 and partially mediate the effects of SRSF7 in GBM cells through recognition by insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2). Together, our discovery reveals a novel role of SRSF7 in regulating m⁶A and validates the presence and functional importance of temporal- and spatial-specific regulation of m⁶A mediated by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs).
Humans ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glioblastoma/genetics* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; RNA Splicing Factors/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors/metabolism* ; RNA Methylation/genetics*

Precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is catalyzed by an intricate ribonucleoprotein complex called the spliceosome. Although the spliceosome is considered to be general cell "housekeeping" machinery, mutations in core components of the spliceosome frequently correlate with cell- or tissue-specific phenotypes and diseases. In this review, we expound the links between spliceosome mutations, aberrant splicing, and human cancers. Remarkably, spliceosome-targeted therapies (STTs) have become efficient anti-cancer strategies for cancer patients with splicing defects. We also highlight the links between spliceosome and immune signaling. Recent studies have shown that some spliceosome gene mutations can result in immune dysregulation and notable phenotypes due to mis-splicing of immune-related genes. Furthermore, several core spliceosome components harbor splicing-independent immune functions within the cell, expanding the functional repertoire of these diverse proteins.
Humans ; Neoplasms/metabolism* ; RNA Precursors/metabolism* ; RNA Splicing ; RNA Splicing Factors/metabolism* ; Spliceosomes/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To construct an adenovirus vector expressing artificial splicing factor capable of regulating alternative splicing of Yap1 in cardiomyocytes. METHODS: The splicing factors with different sequences were constructed against Exon6 of YAP1 based on the sequence specificity of Pumilio1. The PCR fragment of the artificially synthesized PUF-SR or wild-type PUFSR was cloned into pAd-Track plasmid, and the recombinant plasmids were transformed into E. coli DH5α for plasmid amplification. The amplified plasmids were digested with Pac I and transfected into 293A cells for packaging to obtain the adenovirus vectors. Cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were transfected with the adenoviral vectors, and alternative splicing of YAP1 was detected using quantitative and semi-quantitative PCR; Western blotting was performed to detect the signal of the fusion protein Flag. RESULTS: The transfection efficiency of the adenovirus vectors was close to 100% in rat cardiomyocytes, and no fluorescent protein was detected in the cells with plasmid transfection. The results of Western blotting showed that both the negative control and Flag-SR-NLS-PUF targeting the YAPExon6XULIE sequence were capable of detecting the expression of the protein fused to Flag. The results of reverse transcription-PCR and PCR demonstrated that the artificial splicing factor constructed based on the 4th target sequence of YAP1 effectively regulated the splicing of YAP1 Exon6 in the cardiomyocytes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION We successfully constructed adenovirus vectors capable of regulating YAP1 alternative splicing rat cardiomyocytes.
Adenoviridae/metabolism* ; Alternative Splicing ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Genetic Vectors ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Plasmids ; RNA Splicing Factors/metabolism* ; Rats ; Transfection

Animals ; Autophagy/genetics* ; Cholesterol/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Integrases/metabolism* ; Leydig Cells/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Knockout ; Multienzyme Complexes/metabolism* ; Phosphoproteins/metabolism* ; Primary Cell Culture ; Progesterone Reductase/metabolism* ; RNA Splicing Factors/metabolism* ; Scavenger Receptors, Class B/metabolism* ; Sequestosome-1 Protein/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Sirtuin 1/genetics* ; Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers/metabolism* ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase/metabolism* ; Steroid Isomerases/metabolism* ; Testosterone/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of WTAP gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its clinical significance. METHODS: 74 acute myeloid leukemia patients with non-M3 type and 19 normal donors were selected, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression level of WTAP gene in their bone marrow cells. The relationship between the mRNA expression level of WTAP gene and the clinical characteristics was analyzed. RESULTS: The relative mRNA expression of WTAP gene in the non-M3 AML group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group, and the difference showed statistically significant (P<0.01). There showed no statistically significant difference in WTAP gene expression among each subtypes (all P>0.05) according to the classification of FAB. The mRNA expression level of WTAP gene in FLT3-ITD mutated AML patients was higher than that in FLT3-ITD unmutated group (P=0.016), and the mRNA expression level of WTAP gene in AML patients with CEBPα mutation was lower than that in CEBPα unmutated group (P=0.016). The expression level of WTAP mRNA was positively correlated with WT1 expression (r=0.6866, P<0.01). There was no relationship between WTAP mRNA expression level and other clinical parameters, such as age, gender, white blood cell count, hemoglobin level, platelet count, bone marrow original proportion of immature cells, chromosome karyotype, and NPM1, DNMT3A, ASXL1, NRAS, TET2 genes mutation status (P>0.05). The expression level of WTAP mRNA showed no obvious effect on the complete remission of patients after first treatment. The different expression level of WTAP gene at initial diagnosis showed also no effect on the overall survival time of patients. CONCLUSION The expression level of WTAP gene is increasing in new diagnosed non-M3 acute myeloid leukemia. There is a positive correlation between the expression level of WTAP gene and the expression level of WT1 fusion gene. WTAP mRNA always shows higher expression in patients with FLT3-ITD mutation than that in patients without FLT3-ITD mutation, and shows lower expression in patients with CEBPα mutation than that in unmutated group.
Cell Cycle Proteins ; Humans ; Karyotype ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Mutation ; Prognosis ; RNA Splicing Factors ; Remission Induction ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1α) and Wilms' tumor 1associating protein (WTAP) expression level in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia cells. METHODS: The t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia cell lines, including SKNO-1 and Kasumi-1 were treated by Echinomycin for 24 h, RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of WTAP mRNA and the protein. The CoCl RESULTS: The expression level of WTAP mRNA and the protein in the echinomycin treated group was significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The expression level of WTAP protein in the CoCl CONCLUSION The inhibition of HIF1-α could down-regulates the expression of WTAP, while the up-regulation of HIF1α could up-regulates the expression of WTAP, which shows that there is a positive correlation of HIF1α and WTAP expression. This result suggesting that HIF1α may be involves in the expression regulation of WTAP gene.
Cell Cycle Proteins ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Nuclear Proteins ; RNA Splicing Factors ; RNA, Messenger