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Updated: Apr 8, 2026

siRNA Electroporation to Modulate Autophagy in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1-Infected Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: October 28, 2019
Modulation of autophagy by miRNAs
Yunha Kim1, Junghee Lee2, Hoon Ryu2
1Center for Neuromedicine, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Korea.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate the expression of genes that are involved in multiple cellular pathways. However, their targets and mechanism of action associated with the autophagy pathway are not fully investigated yet. EWSR1 (EWS RNA-Binding Protein 1/Ewing Sarcoma Break Point Region 1) gene encodes a RNA/DNA binding protein that is ubiquitously expressed and plays roles in numerous cellular processes. Recently, our group has shown that EWSR1 deficiency leads to developmental failure and accelerated senescence via processing of miRNAs, but its role in the regulation of autophagy remains elusive. In this context, we further investigated and found that EWSR1 deficiency triggers the activation of the DROSHA-mediated microprocessor complex and increases the levels of miR125a and miR351, which directly target Uvrag. Interestingly, the miR125a- and miR351-targeted reduction of Uvrag led to the inhibition of autophagy in both ewsr1 knockout (KO) MEFs and ewsr1 KO mice. In summary, our study demonstrates that EWSR1 is associated with the posttranscriptional regulation of Uvrag via miRNA processing. The regulation of autophagy pathway in miRNAs-Uvrag-dependent manner provides a novel mechanism of EWSR1 deficiency-related cellular dysfunction.
Insights
EWSR1 deficiency activates miRNA processing, increasing miR125a and miR351. These microRNAs target Uvrag, inhibiting autophagy and causing cellular dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression across cellular pathways.
- The role of EWSR1 (EWS RNA-Binding Protein 1) in autophagy regulation is not fully understood.
- EWSR1 deficiency has been linked to developmental failure and senescence via miRNA processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of EWSR1 in the regulation of the autophagy pathway.
- To identify specific miRNAs and their targets involved in EWSR1-mediated autophagy.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which EWSR1 deficiency affects autophagy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of miRNA processing and levels in EWSR1-deficient cells and mice.
- Identification of miRNA targets using bioinformatics and experimental validation.
- Assessment of autophagy flux in EWSR1 knockout models.
Main Results:
- EWSR1 deficiency activates the DROSHA-mediated microprocessor complex, increasing miR125a and miR351 levels.
- miR125a and miR351 directly target Uvrag, a key autophagy regulator.
- Reduced Uvrag levels due to miRNA targeting inhibit autophagy in EWSR1-deficient cells and mice.
Conclusions:
- EWSR1 regulates Uvrag expression post-transcriptionally through miRNA processing.
- A novel miRNA-Uvrag-dependent mechanism links EWSR1 deficiency to autophagy inhibition and cellular dysfunction.
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