Identification of proteins that bind extracellular microRNAs secreted by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis

Small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved across eukaryotes and play key roles in regulating gene expression. In many organisms, miRNAs are also secreted from cells, often encased within vesicles such as exosomes, and sometimes extravesicular. The mechanisms of miRNA secretion,...

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Main Authors: Brown, A, Selkirk, ME, Sarkies, P
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: The Company of Biologists 2023
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author Brown, A
Selkirk, ME
Sarkies, P
author_facet Brown, A
Selkirk, ME
Sarkies, P
author_sort Brown, A
collection OXFORD
description Small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved across eukaryotes and play key roles in regulating gene expression. In many organisms, miRNAs are also secreted from cells, often encased within vesicles such as exosomes, and sometimes extravesicular. The mechanisms of miRNA secretion, how they are stabilised outside of cells and their functional importance are poorly understood. Recently, we characterised the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis as a model to study miRNA secretion. T. spiralis muscle-stage larvae (MSL) secrete abundant miRNAs which are largely extravesicular. Here, we investigated how T. spiralis miRNAs might remain stable outside of cells. Using proteomics, we identified two RNA binding proteins secreted by T. spiralis larvae and characterised their RNA binding properties. One, a homologue of the known RNA binding protein KSRP, binds miRNA in a selective and sequence-specific fashion. Another protein, which is likely a novel RNA binding protein, binds to miRNA without exhibiting sequence specificity. Our results suggest a possible mechanism for miRNA secretion by T. spiralis and may have relevance for understanding the biology of extracellular miRNA more widely.
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spelling oxford-uuid:4bdd7632-3036-45cc-b2a5-d5b058c349372024-04-25T17:15:18ZIdentification of proteins that bind extracellular microRNAs secreted by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:4bdd7632-3036-45cc-b2a5-d5b058c34937EnglishSymplectic ElementsThe Company of Biologists2023Brown, ASelkirk, MESarkies, PSmall non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved across eukaryotes and play key roles in regulating gene expression. In many organisms, miRNAs are also secreted from cells, often encased within vesicles such as exosomes, and sometimes extravesicular. The mechanisms of miRNA secretion, how they are stabilised outside of cells and their functional importance are poorly understood. Recently, we characterised the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis as a model to study miRNA secretion. T. spiralis muscle-stage larvae (MSL) secrete abundant miRNAs which are largely extravesicular. Here, we investigated how T. spiralis miRNAs might remain stable outside of cells. Using proteomics, we identified two RNA binding proteins secreted by T. spiralis larvae and characterised their RNA binding properties. One, a homologue of the known RNA binding protein KSRP, binds miRNA in a selective and sequence-specific fashion. Another protein, which is likely a novel RNA binding protein, binds to miRNA without exhibiting sequence specificity. Our results suggest a possible mechanism for miRNA secretion by T. spiralis and may have relevance for understanding the biology of extracellular miRNA more widely.
spellingShingle Brown, A
Selkirk, ME
Sarkies, P
Identification of proteins that bind extracellular microRNAs secreted by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis
title Identification of proteins that bind extracellular microRNAs secreted by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis
title_full Identification of proteins that bind extracellular microRNAs secreted by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis
title_fullStr Identification of proteins that bind extracellular microRNAs secreted by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis
title_full_unstemmed Identification of proteins that bind extracellular microRNAs secreted by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis
title_short Identification of proteins that bind extracellular microRNAs secreted by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis
title_sort identification of proteins that bind extracellular micrornas secreted by the parasitic nematode trichinella spiralis
work_keys_str_mv AT browna identificationofproteinsthatbindextracellularmicrornassecretedbytheparasiticnematodetrichinellaspiralis
AT selkirkme identificationofproteinsthatbindextracellularmicrornassecretedbytheparasiticnematodetrichinellaspiralis
AT sarkiesp identificationofproteinsthatbindextracellularmicrornassecretedbytheparasiticnematodetrichinellaspiralis