Publications by authors named "Laiho M"

Article Synopsis
  • Ribosome biosynthesis is targeted as a vulnerability in cancer by inhibiting RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription, leading to the identification of specific Pol I inhibitors.
  • Research showed that frameshift mutations in microsatellite unstable cancers increase sensitivity to these Pol I inhibitors, as RPL22 interacts with 28S rRNA and regulates RNA splicing.
  • RPL22 deficiency triggers a complex response, promoting splicing changes and activating a tumor suppressive pathway through the inhibition of rRNA synthesis, revealing a key connection between ribosomal activity and mRNA splicing processes.
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Provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) family serine/threonine kinases perform protumorigenic functions in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors by phosphorylating substrates involved in tumor metabolism, cell survival, metastasis, inflammation, and immune cell invasion. However, a comprehensive understanding of PIM kinase functions is currently lacking. Multiple small-molecule PIM kinase inhibitors are currently being evaluated as cotherapeutics in patients with cancer.

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RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) has recently been recognized as a cancer therapeutic target. The activity of this enzyme is essential for ribosome biogenesis and is universally activated in cancers. The enzymatic activity of this multi-subunit complex resides in its catalytic core composed of RPA194, RPA135, and RPA12, a subunit with functions in RNA cleavage, transcription initiation and elongation.

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RNA polymerase I is a highly processive enzyme with fast initiation and elongation rates. The structure of Pol I, with its in-built RNA cleavage ability and incorporation of subunits homologous to transcription factors, enables it to quickly and efficiently synthesize the enormous amount of rRNA required for ribosome biogenesis. Each step of Pol I transcription is carefully controlled.

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Cancer cells require robust ribosome biogenesis to maintain rapid cell growth during tumorigenesis. Because RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcription of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is the first and rate-limiting step of ribosome biogenesis, it has emerged as a promising anti-cancer target. Over the last decade, novel cancer therapeutics targeting Pol I have progressed to clinical trials.

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RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) synthesizes rRNA, which is the first and rate-limiting step in ribosome biogenesis. Factors governing the stability of the polymerase complex are not known. Previous studies characterizing Pol I inhibitor BMH-21 revealed a transcriptional stress-dependent pathway for degradation of the largest subunit of Pol I, RPA194.

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Memory CD8 T cells are characterized by their ability to persist long after the initial antigen encounter and their capacity to generate a rapid recall response. Recent studies have identified a role for metabolic reprogramming and mitochondrial function in promoting the longevity of memory T cells. However, detailed mechanisms involved in promoting their rapid recall response are incompletely understood.

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RNA polymerase I (Pol I) transcribes ribosomal DNA (rDNA) into the 47S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) precursor. Further processing produces the 28S, 5.8S, and 18S rRNAs that are assembled into mature ribosomes.

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Background: Ambulance patients are usually transported to the hospital in the emergency medical service (EMS) system. The aim of this study was to describe the non-conveyance practice in the Helsinki EMS system and to report mortality following non-conveyance decisions.

Methods: All prehospital patients ≥16 years attended by the EMS but not transported to a hospital during 2013-2017 were included in the study.

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The discovery of small, "cave-like" invaginations at the plasma membrane, called caveola, has opened up a new and exciting research area in health and diseases revolving around this cellular ultrastructure. Caveolae are rich in cholesterol and orchestrate cellular signaling events. Within caveola, the caveola-associated proteins, caveolins and cavins, are critical components for the formation of these lipid rafts, their dynamics, and cellular pathophysiology.

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Article Synopsis
  • Polymorphism in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes enhances adaptability and survival under stress, with genetic diversity arising from variations in the multicopy gene.
  • Researchers identified four rDNA copies on chromosome 21 that were 99% similar to a new reference sequence and analyzed variants in a sample of 2504 individuals from diverse populations.
  • A total of 3791 variant positions were found, particularly in flexible areas of the 28S rRNA, suggesting ongoing evolutionary changes and highlighting the need for further functional studies on how these variants influence ribosome function.
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Cancer cells are dependent upon an abundance of ribosomes to maintain rapid cell growth and proliferation. The rate-limiting step of ribosome biogenesis is ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis by RNA polymerase I (Pol I). Therefore, a goal of the cancer therapeutic field is to develop and characterize Pol I inhibitors.

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Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutagenesis and nuclear DNA repair defects are considered cellular mechanisms of ageing. mtDNA mutator mice with increased mtDNA mutagenesis show signs of premature ageing. However, why patients with mitochondrial diseases, or mice with other forms of mitochondrial dysfunction, do not age prematurely remains unknown.

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Lipid uptake occurs through caveolae, plasma membrane invaginations formed by caveolins (CAV) and caveolae-associated protein 1 (CAVIN1). Genetic alterations of and modify lipid metabolism and underpin lipodystrophy syndromes. Lipids contribute to tumorigenesis by providing fuel to cancer metabolism and supporting growth and signaling.

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Background: Advanced prostate cancers depend on protein synthesis for continued survival and accelerated rates of metabolism for growth. RNA polymerase I (Pol I) is the enzyme responsible for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription and a rate-limiting step for ribosome biogenesis. We have shown using a specific and sensitive RNA probe for the 45S rRNA precursor that rRNA synthesis is increased in prostate adenocarcinoma compared to nonmalignant epithelium.

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Objective: While compelling data suggest a cancer-induced autoimmunity model in scleroderma patients with anti-RNA polymerase III large subunit (anti-RPC155) antibodies, ~85% of these patients do not manifest cancer. This study was undertaken to determine whether additional autoantigens are targeted in anti-RPC155-positive scleroderma patients without detectable cancer.

Methods: The study included 168 scleroderma patients with anti-RPC155 antibodies (80 with a history of cancer and 88 with no cancer diagnosis after >5 years of follow-up).

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Inhibition of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) is a promising strategy for modern cancer therapy. BMH-21 is a first-in-class small molecule that inhibits Pol I transcription and induces degradation of the enzyme, but how this exceptional response is enforced is not known. Here, we define key elements requisite for the response.

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After unresolved endoplasmic reticulum stress, recovery of protein synthesis including increased expression of ribosomal components and translation factors may induce cell death. Using a mouse model of moderate contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) at the T9 level, upregulation of ribosomal biogenesis was observed in the injury epicenter at 24h after trauma. Such upregulation coincided with endoplasmic reticulum stress response as previously reported in this model.

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This report develops an analytically validated chromogenic hybridization (CISH) assay using branched DNA signal amplification (RNAscope) for detecting the expression of the 5' external transcribed spacer (ETS) of the 45S ribosomal (r) RNA precursor in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tissues. 5'ETS/45S CISH was performed on standard clinical specimens and tissue microarrays (TMA) from untreated prostate carcinomas, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and matched benign prostatic tissues. Signals were quantified using image analysis software.

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In two brothers born to consanguineous parents, we identified an unusual neurological disease that manifested with ataxia, psychomotor retardation, cerebellar and cerebral atrophy, and leukodystrophy. Via linkage analysis and exome sequencing, we identified homozygous c.2801C>T (p.

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Small RNAs (size 20-30 nt) of various types have been actively investigated in recent years, and their subcellular compartmentalization and relative concentrations are likely to be of importance to their cellular and physiological functions. Comprehensive data on this subset of the transcriptome can only be obtained by application of high-throughput sequencing, which yields data that are inherently complex and multidimensional, as sequence composition, length, and abundance will all inform to the small RNA function. Subsequent data analysis, hypothesis testing, and presentation/visualization of the results are correspondingly challenging.

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