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A Reporter Assay to Analyze Intronic microRNA Maturation in Mammalian Cells
Published on: June 16, 2022
RNase L downmodulation of the RNA-binding protein, HuR, and cellular growth
W Al-Ahmadi1, L Al-Haj, F A Al-Mohanna
1Program in BioMolecular Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Ribonuclease L (RNase L) is an intracellular enzyme that is vital in innate immunity, but also is a tumor suppressor candidate. Here, we show that overexpression of RNase L decreases cellular growth and downmodulates the RNA-binding protein, HuR, a regulator of cell-cycle progression and tumorigenesis. The effect is temporal, occurring in specific cell-cycle phases and correlated with the cytoplasmic localization of RNase L. Both cellular growth and HuR were increased in RNASEL-null mouse fibroblast lines when compared to wild-type cells. Moreover, the stability of HuR mRNA was enhanced in RNASEL-null cells. The HuR 3' untranslated region (UTR), which harbors U-rich and adenylate-uridylate-rich elements, was potently responsive to RNase L when compared to control 3' UTR. Our results may offer a new explanation to the tumor suppressor function of RNase L.
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