New class of gene-termini-associated human RNAs suggests a novel RNA copying mechanism.

TitleNew class of gene-termini-associated human RNAs suggests a novel RNA copying mechanism.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsKapranov, P, Ozsolak, F, Kim, SWoo, Foissac, S, Lipson, D, Hart, C, Roels, S, Borel, C, Antonarakis, SE, A Monaghan, P, John, B, Milos, PM
JournalNature
Volume466
Issue7306
Pagination642-6
Date Published2010 Jul 29
ISSN1476-4687
KeywordsBase Sequence, Genes, HeLa Cells, Humans, Models, Genetic, Nucleotides, Poly A, Poly U, RNA, RNA, Antisense, Templates, Genetic
Abstract

Small (<200 nucleotide) RNA (sRNA) profiling of human cells using various technologies demonstrates unexpected complexity of sRNAs with hundreds of thousands of sRNA species present. Genetic and in vitro studies show that these RNAs are not merely degradation products of longer transcripts but could indeed have a function. Furthermore, profiling of RNAs, including the sRNAs, can reveal not only novel transcripts, but also make clear predictions about the existence and properties of novel biochemical pathways operating in a cell. For example, sRNA profiling in human cells indicated the existence of an unknown capping mechanism operating on cleaved RNA, a biochemical component of which was later identified. Here we show that human cells contain a novel type of sRNA that has non-genomically encoded 5' poly(U) tails. The presence of these RNAs at the termini of genes, specifically at the very 3' ends of known mRNAs, strongly argues for the presence of a yet uncharacterized endogenous biochemical pathway in cells that can copy RNA. We show that this pathway can operate on multiple genes, with specific enrichment towards transcript-encoding components of the translational machinery. Finally, we show that genes are also flanked by sense, 3' polyadenylated sRNAs that are likely to be capped.

DOI10.1038/nature09190
Alternate JournalNature
PubMed ID20671709
PubMed Central IDPMC3058539
Grant ListR01 GM079756-03 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
GM079756 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 MH060774 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM079756 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
MH60774 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM079756-01A1 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 GM079756-02 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 HG005230 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
dynagen