Dynamics of miRNA accumulation during C. elegans larval development.

Temporally and spatially controlled accumulation underlies the functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) in various developmental processes. In Caenorhabditis elegans, this is exemplified by the temporal patterning miRNAs lin-4 and let-7, but for most miRNAs, developmental expression patterns remain poorly resolved. Indeed, experimentally observed long half-lives may constrain possible dynamics.

C. elegans molting requires rhythmic accumulation of the Grainyhead/LSF transcription factor GRH-1.

C. elegans develops through four larval stages that are rhythmically terminated by molts, that is, the synthesis and shedding of a cuticular exoskeleton. Each larval cycle involves rhythmic accumulation of thousands of transcripts, which we show here relies on rhythmic transcription.

A specific type of Argonaute phosphorylation regulates binding to microRNAs during C. elegans development.

Argonaute proteins are at the core of the microRNA-mediated gene silencing pathway essential for animals. In C. elegans, the microRNA-specific Argonautes ALG-1 and ALG-2 regulate multiple processes required for proper animal developmental timing and viability.

Targeting miRNA by tunable small molecule binders: peptidic aminosugar mediated interference in miR-21 biogenesis reverts epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process in which epithelial cells lose cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion and gain migratory and invasive properties to become mesenchymal cells that are very vital for development, wound healing and stem cell behavior and contribute pathologically to fibrosis and cancer progression. miR21, a potent regulator of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN, can be silenced to reverse EMT, thereby providing an attractive target for abrogating the malignant behavior of breast cancer. Here, we report the design, synthesis and binding of a peptidic-aminoglycoside (PA) based chemical library against pre-miR21 that led to the identification of a group of small molecules that bind to pre-miR21 with high affinities and antagonize miR-21 maturation and function, thereby reversing EMT.

A G-quadruplex motif at the 3' end of sgRNAs improves CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing efficiency.

Originating as a component of prokaryotic adaptive immunity, the type II CRISPR/Cas9 system has been repurposed for targeted genome editing in various organisms. Although Cas9 can bind and cleave DNA efficiently under in vitro conditions, its activity inside a cell can vary dramatically between targets owing to the differences between genomic loci and the availability of enough Cas9/sgRNA (single guide RNA) complex molecules for cleavage. Most methods have so far relied on Cas9 protein engineering or base modifications in the sgRNA sequence to improve CRISPR/Cas9 activity.

Systematic Evaluation of Biophysical and Functional Characteristics of Selenomethylene-Locked Nucleic Acid-Mediated Inhibition of miR-21.

miRNAs constitute an important layer of gene regulation mediated by sequence-specific targeting of mRNAs. Aberrant expression of miRNAs contributes to a host of pathological states. Promoting cancer, miR-21 is upregulated in variety of cancers and promotes tumor progresion by suppressing a network of tumor suppressor genes.

Inhibition of miR-21 by 3'/5'-Serinyl-Capped 2'-O-Methyl RNA Interspersed with 2'-O-(2-Amino-3-Methoxypropyl) Uridine Units.

miRNAs are highly conserved class of small ncRNAs whose involvement in human pathophysiologies is extensively investigated. MiR-21 is a well established oncogenic miRNA whose deregulation plays a significant role in onset and progression of cancer. The need of novel approaches to downregulate miR-21 is rapidly expanding.

Molecular determinant modulates thermal recovery kinetics and structural integrity of the bacterial BLUF photoreceptor.

BLUF domains are flavin-based photoreceptors which receive the blue light signal and are involved in the sensory transduction. We report a short BLUF photoreceptor (SnfB) in Stenotrophomonas sp. We have investigated photodynamic properties of C terminus truncated and several mutated SnfB proteins.

A pH Sensitive High-Throughput Assay for miRNA Binding of a Peptide-Aminoglycoside (PA) Library.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small RNAs that have a regulatory role in gene expression. Because of this regulatory role, miRNAs have become a new target for therapeutic compounds. Here, we outline an approach to target specific miRNAs using a high throughput capable assay and a 215 compound peptidic-aminosugar (PA) library.

Cyclic Cationic Peptides Containing Sugar Amino Acids Selectively Distinguishes and Inhibits Maturation of Pre-miRNAs of the Same Family.

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs) has added a new dimension to the gene regulatory networks, making aberrantly expressed miRNAs as therapeutically important targets. Small molecules that can selectively target and modulate miRNA levels can thus serve as lead structures. Cationic cyclic peptides containing sugar amino acids represent a new class of small molecules that can target miRNA selectively.

Potent inhibition of miR-27a by neomycin-bisbenzimidazole conjugates.

miRNAs are important components of regulatory networks that control gene expression and have implications in various diseases including cancer. Targeting oncogenic miRNAs with small molecules is currently being explored to develop cancer therapeutics. Here, we report the development of dual binding neomycin-bisbenzimidazole conjugates that target oncogenic miR-27a with high affinity ( = 1.

β,γ-Bis-substituted PNA with configurational and conformational switch: preferred binding to cDNA/RNA and cell-uptake studies.

(S,S)- and (R,R)-β,γ-Bis-substituted PNAs were synthesized from the C-2 symmetric vicinal diamine system embedded in 1,4 dihydroxybutane and 1,4-dimethoxybutane scaffolds. (R,R)-β,γ-Bis-methoxymethyl-PNA derived from d-tartaric acid was found to be in the right configuration and conformation to be an excellent mimic of PNA, endowed with superior ability to enter into cells.

Selective inhibition of miR-21 by phage display screened peptide.

miRNAs are nodal regulators of gene expression and deregulation of miRNAs is causally associated with different diseases, including cancer. Modulation of miRNA expression is thus of therapeutic importance. Small molecules are currently being explored for their potential to downregulate miRNAs.

Nonconventional chemical inhibitors of microRNA: therapeutic scope.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of genomically encoded small RNA molecules (∼22nts in length), which regulate gene expression post transcriptionally. The term microRNA or miRNA was coined in 2001, and research in the past decade has shed light on their widespread occurrence, evolutionary conservation and tissue specific functions. It is estimated that they modulate the gene expression of approximately 60% of the mammalian genes by regulating the levels of target mRNAs to which they can bind on the basis of sequence complementarities.

Anti-cancer therapeutic potential of quinazoline based small molecules via global upregulation of miRNAs.

Three quinazoline based small molecules showed global upregulation of miRNA expression with a selective enrichment of tumor suppressor miRNAs. The target genes of the upregulated miRNAs were predicted to be enriched for apoptotic pathways. Apoptotic induction following treatment with quinazoline compounds was confirmed by in cellulo studies.