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Updated: Jul 7, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Mechanisms of MicroRNA Loading into Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Progression
Published on: October 6, 2023
TRIM25 dictates selective miRNA loading into extracellular vesicles during inflammation
Kayla E King1,2, Priyanka Ghosh1,2, Ann L Wozniak3,4
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Mailstop 1018, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
Abstract:
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as exosomes are loaded with specific biomolecules in order to perform cell-to-cell communication. Understanding the mechanism of selective cargo loading is important to better understand the physiological and pathological function of EVs. Here we describe a novel target of the E3 ligase TRIM25 and show that inflammation-mediated EV loading of the RNA binding protein FMR1 and its associated microRNA, miR-155, is promoted by TRIM25-mediated K63-ubiquitination of FMR1. This ubiquitination promotes an interaction between FMR1 and the EV loading machinery via the cleavage of the trafficking adaptor protein RILP. These interactions are lost when TRIM25 is knocked down. Loss of TRIM25 also prevents the loading of both FMR1 and miR-155. These findings suggest that inflammation-mediated loading of FMR1 and its associated microRNAs into the EV are dependent on K63-ubiquitination by TRIM25 and provide novel insights and tools to manipulate EV biogenesis for therapeutic benefit.
Insights
Inflammation promotes the loading of RNA-binding protein FMR1 and microRNA miR-155 into extracellular vesicles (EVs). This process is controlled by the E3 ligase TRIM25, which ubiquitinates FMR1, impacting EV biogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate cell-to-cell communication via specific biomolecules.
- Understanding selective EV cargo loading is crucial for deciphering physiological and pathological roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel mechanisms regulating inflammation-mediated cargo loading into EVs.
- To investigate the role of E3 ligase TRIM25 in the EV loading of FMR1 and miR-155.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the interaction between TRIM25, FMR1, and RILP.
- Utilized knockdown of TRIM25 to assess its effect on FMR1 and miR-155 EV loading.
- Analyzed K63-ubiquitination of FMR1.
Main Results:
- TRIM25 targets FMR1 for K63-ubiquitination, promoting its interaction with the EV loading machinery via RILP.
- TRIM25 knockdown disrupts FMR1-RILP interaction and prevents FMR1 and miR-155 loading into EVs.
- Demonstrated TRIM25's critical role in inflammation-mediated EV cargo selection.
Conclusions:
- TRIM25-mediated ubiquitination of FMR1 is essential for inflammation-induced EV loading of FMR1 and miR-155.
- Findings provide insights into EV biogenesis regulation and potential therapeutic targets.
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