Native Circular RNA Pulldown Method to Simultaneously Profile RNA and Protein Interactions.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a widespread, cell-, tissue-, and disease-specific class of largely non-coding RNA transcripts. These single-stranded, covalently-closed transcripts arise through non-canonical splicing of pre-mRNA, a process called back-splicing. Back-splicing results in circRNAs which are distinguishable from their cognate mRNA as they possess a unique sequence of nucleic acids called the backsplice junction (BSJ).

Circular RNAs drive oncogenic chromosomal translocations within the MLL recombinome in leukemia.

The first step of oncogenesis is the acquisition of a repertoire of genetic mutations to initiate and sustain the malignancy. An important example of this initiation phase in acute leukemias is the formation of a potent oncogene by chromosomal translocations between the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene and one of 100 translocation partners, known as the MLL recombinome. Here, we show that circular RNAs (circRNAs)-a family of covalently closed, alternatively spliced RNA molecules-are enriched within the MLL recombinome and can bind DNA, forming circRNA:DNA hybrids (circR loops) at their cognate loci.

Functional Characterisation of the Circular RNA, , in Huntington's Disease.

Trinucleotide repeat disorders comprise ~20 severe, inherited, human neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders, which result from an abnormal expansion of repetitive sequences in the DNA. The most common of these, Huntington's disease (HD), results from expansion of the CAG repeat region in exon 1 of the gene via an unknown mechanism. Since non-coding RNAs have been implicated in the initiation and progression of many diseases, herein we focused on a circular RNA (circRNA) molecule arising from non-canonical splicing (backsplicing) of pre-mRNA.

Age and composition of young basalts on the Moon, measured from samples returned by Chang'e-5.

Orbital data indicate that the youngest volcanic units on the Moon are basalt lavas in Oceanus Procellarum, a region with high levels of the heat-producing elements potassium, thorium, and uranium. The Chang’e-5 mission collected samples of these young lunar basalts and returned them to Earth for laboratory analysis. We measure an age of 1963 ± 57 million years for these lavas and determine their chemical and mineralogical compositions.

CircRNAs in Plants.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed, single-stranded transcripts that are ubiquitously expressed in all eukaryotes and even prokaryotic archaea. Although once regarded as splicing artifacts, circRNAs are a novel class of regulatory molecules with diverse biological functions, including regulation of transcription, modulation of alternative splicing, and binding of miRNAs and proteins. The majority of studies of circRNAs have been performed in animals with a focus on the biogenesis, function, and mechanistic characterization of these molecules.

Retinoic acid receptor signaling preserves tendon stem cell characteristics and prevents spontaneous differentiation in vitrox.

Background: Previous studies have reported that adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) tend to gradually lose their stem cell characteristics in vitro when placed outside their niche environment. They subsequently undergo spontaneous differentiation towards mesenchymal lineages after only a few passages. We observed a similar phenomenon with adult tendon stem cells (TSCs) where expression of key tendon genes such as Scleraxis (Scx), are being repressed with time in culture.

Primary collared uncemented total hip arthroplasties in the elderly: a safe and reliable treatment option.

The age of patients undergoing primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) remains fairly constant despite an increasingly elderly population, possibly owing to concern over postoperative complications. This study evaluated 90-day outcomes in patients over 80, undergoing uncemented collared primary THA for osteoarthritis in a high volume unit. Data were recorded from 153 consecutive patients.

Regulation of PCDH15 function in mechanosensory hair cells by alternative splicing of the cytoplasmic domain.

Protocadherin 15 (PCDH15) is expressed in hair cells of the inner ear and in photoreceptors of the retina. Mutations in PCDH15 cause Usher Syndrome (deaf-blindness) and recessive deafness. In developing hair cells, PCDH15 localizes to extracellular linkages that connect the stereocilia and kinocilium into a bundle and regulate its morphogenesis.

Integrin alpha4beta1 (VLA-4) expression and activity in retinal and peripheral neurons.

The integrin alpha4beta1 fulfills important roles in inflammation and hematopoesis, but its functions in neurons are not well understood. Here we show that the alpha4 subunit is expressed on mouse retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and undifferentiated retinal neuroblasts during the period of axon extension and migration. To determine if alpha4 integrins expressed by retinal neurons were active, neurons were cultured on known alpha4 ligands in vitro.