@article {3339, title = {NMDAR mediated dynamic changes in mA inversely correlates with neuronal translation.}, journal = {Sci Rep}, volume = {12}, year = {2022}, month = {2022 07 05}, pages = {11317}, abstract = {

Epitranscriptome modifications are crucial in translation regulation and essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. N6 methyladenosine (mA) is one of the most abundant and well-conserved epitranscriptome modifications, which is known to play a pivotal role in diverse aspects of neuronal functions. However, the role of mA modifications with respect to activity-mediated translation regulation and synaptic plasticity has not been studied. Here, we investigated the role of mA modification in response to NMDAR stimulation. We have consistently observed that 5\ min NMDAR stimulation causes an increase in eEF2 phosphorylation. Correspondingly, NMDAR stimulation caused a significant increase in the mA signal at 5\ min time point, correlating with the global translation inhibition. The NMDAR induced increase in the mA signal is accompanied by the redistribution of the mA marked RNAs from translating to the non-translating pool of ribosomes. The increased mA levels are well correlated with the reduced FTO levels observed on NMDAR stimulation. Additionally, we show that inhibition of FTO prevents NMDAR mediated changes in mA levels. Overall, our results establish RNA-based molecular readout which corelates with the NMDAR-dependent translation regulation which helps in understanding changes in protein synthesis.

}, keywords = {Adenosine, Neurons, Phosphorylation, Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, RNA}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-022-14798-3}, author = {Gowda, Naveen Kumar Chandappa and Nawalpuri, Bharti and Ramakrishna, Sarayu and Jhaveri, Vishwaja and Muddashetty, Ravi S} } @article {2327, title = {Engineered RNA biosensors enable ultrasensitive SARS-CoV-2 detection in a simple color and luminescence assay.}, journal = {Life Sci Alliance}, volume = {4}, year = {2021}, month = {2021 12}, abstract = {

The continued resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic with multiple variants underlines the need for diagnostics that are adaptable to the virus. We have developed toehold RNA-based sensors across the SARS-CoV-2 genome for direct and ultrasensitive detection of the virus and its prominent variants. Here, isothermal amplification of a fragment of SARS-CoV-2 RNA coupled with activation of our biosensors leads to a conformational switch in the sensor. This leads to translation of a reporter protein, for example, LacZ or nano-lantern that is easily detected using color/luminescence. By optimizing RNA amplification and biosensor design, we have generated a highly sensitive diagnostic assay that is capable of detecting as low as 100 copies of viral RNA with development of bright color. This is easily visualized by the human eye and quantifiable using spectrophotometry. Finally, this PHAsed NASBA-Translation Optical Method (PHANTOM) using our engineered RNA biosensors efficiently detects viral RNA in patient samples. This work presents a powerful and universally accessible strategy for detecting COVID-19 and variants. This strategy is adaptable to further viral evolution and brings RNA bioengineering center-stage.

}, keywords = {Biosensing Techniques, COVID-19, Humans, Luminescence, Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques, RNA, RNA, Viral, SARS-CoV-2}, issn = {2575-1077}, doi = {10.26508/lsa.202101213}, author = {Chakravarthy, Anirudh and Nandakumar, Anirudh and George, Geen and Ranganathan, Shyamsundar and Umashankar, Suchitta and Shettigar, Nishan and Palakodeti, Dasaradhi and Gulyani, Akash and Ramesh, Arati} } @article {1214, title = {Exosomes: mobile platforms for targeted and synergistic signaling across cell boundaries.}, journal = {Cell Mol Life Sci}, volume = {74}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 05}, pages = {1567-1576}, abstract = {

Intercellular communications play a vital role during tissue patterning, tissue repair, and immune reactions, in homeostasis as well as in disease. Exosomes are cell-derived secreted vesicles, extensively studied for their role in intercellular communication. Exosomes have the intrinsic ability to package multiple classes of proteins and nucleic acids within their lumens and on their membranes. Here, we explore the hypothesis that exosomal targeting may represent a cellular strategy that has evolved to deliver specific combinations of signals to specific target cells and influence normal or pathological processes. This review aims to evaluate the available evidence for this hypothesis and to identify open questions whose answers will illuminate our understanding and applications of exosome biology.

}, keywords = {Animals, Cell Communication, Cell Membrane, Exosomes, Humans, Models, Biological, RNA, Signal Transduction}, issn = {1420-9071}, doi = {10.1007/s00018-016-2413-9}, author = {Vyas, Neha and Dhawan, Jyotsna} }