Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals diversity within mammalian spinal motor neurons.

Spinal motor neurons (MNs) integrate sensory stimuli and brain commands to generate movements. In vertebrates, the molecular identities of the cardinal MN types such as those innervating limb versus trunk muscles are well elucidated. Yet the identities of finer subtypes within these cell populations that innervate individual muscle groups remain enigmatic.

Identification and characterization of a novel Epstein-Barr Virus-encoded circular RNA from LMP-2 Gene.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been recently found to generate novel circular RNAs (circRNAs) through backsplicing. However, comprehensive catalogs of EBV circRNAs in other cell lines and their functional characterization are still lacking. In this study, we have identified a list of putative EBV circRNAs in GM12878, an EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line, with a significant majority encoded from the EBV latent genes.

MicroRNA governs bistable cell differentiation and lineage segregation via a noncanonical feedback.

Positive feedback driven by transcriptional regulation has long been considered a key mechanism underlying cell lineage segregation during embryogenesis. Using the developing spinal cord as a paradigm, we found that canonical, transcription-driven feedback cannot explain robust lineage segregation of motor neuron subtypes marked by two cardinal factors, Hoxa5 and Hoxc8. We propose a feedback mechanism involving elementary microRNA-mRNA reaction circuits that differ from known feedback loop-like structures.

locus-derived lncRNAs perpetuate postmitotic motor neuron cell fate and subtype identity.

The mammalian imprinted locus produces multiple long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) from the maternally inherited allele, including (i.e., ) in the mammalian genome.

Visualization of Motor Axon Navigation and Quantification of Axon Arborization In Mouse Embryos Using Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy.

Spinal motor neurons (MNs) extend their axons to communicate with their innervating targets, thereby controlling movement and complex tasks in vertebrates. Thus, it is critical to uncover the molecular mechanisms of how motor axons navigate to, arborize, and innervate their peripheral muscle targets during development and degeneration. Although transgenic Hb9::GFP mouse lines have long served to visualize motor axon trajectories during embryonic development, detailed descriptions of the full spectrum of axon terminal arborization remain incomplete due to the pattern complexity and limitations of current optical microscopy.

Inducible RasGEF1B circular RNA is a positive regulator of ICAM-1 in the TLR4/LPS pathway.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) constitute a large class of RNA species formed by the back-splicing of co-linear exons, often within protein-coding transcripts. Despite much progress in the field, it remains elusive whether the majority of circRNAs are merely aberrant splicing by-products with unknown functions, or their production is spatially and temporally regulated to carry out specific biological functions. To date, the majority of circRNAs have been cataloged in resting cells.