The effect of LARP7 on gene expression during osteogenesis.

Background: La-related protein 7 (LARP7) is a key regulator of RNA metabolism and is thought to play a role in various cellular processes. LARP7 gene autosomal recessive mutations are the cause of Alazami syndrome, which presents with skeletal abnormalities, intellectual disabilities, and facial dysmorphisms. This study aimed to determine the role of LARP7 in modulating gene expression dynamics during osteogenesis.

Methods And Results: First, the temporal expression profile of the LARP7 gene during various stages of osteogenesis was examined. Then, RNA interference-mediated knockdown of LARP7 was implemented and high-throughput RNA-seq analysis was performed in order to identify global gene expression changes associated with knockdown of LARP7. The findings show there were significant alterations in the overall gene expression profile. The observed down-regulation in extracellular matrix (ECM) component genes suggests that it might lead to impairments in the structure and function of the bone matrix. Additionally, modulation of alternative splicing events were observed, especially in the RUNX2 and SPP1, indicating the potential contribution of LARP7 to the phenotypic features observed in Alazami syndrome.

Conclusion: Overall, the findings clarify the regulatory mechanisms of LARP7 in osteogenic differentiation and illuminate potential avenues for therapeutic interventions in patients with skeletal disorders.