Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tomasz W. Turowski, Magdalena Boguta
Summary: RNAPI and RNAPIII are multi-heterogenic protein complexes specialized in transcribing highly abundant non-coding RNAs, more complex than RNAPII synthesizing mRNAs. They share associated subcomplexes formed by specific subunits in yeast and establish an assembly platform co-translationally during the synthesis of the Rpb10 subunit.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Kristin E. N. Watt, Julia Macintosh, Genevieve Bernard, Paul A. Trainor
Summary: Ribosomes are essential macromolecular machines involved in protein translation in all cells. Ribosome biogenesis begins with the transcription of various RNAs by RNA Polymerases I and III. Disruptions in the function of these polymerases result in tissue-specific developmental disorders and distinct syndromes. This review discusses the global roles of Pol I and III transcription, the consequences of disruptions in their function, and the mechanisms underlying tissue-specific phenotypes.
SEMINARS IN CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xubing Long, Jing Yang, Xiaolin Zhang, Ziwei Yang, Yang Li, Fan Wang, Xiaojuan Li, Ersheng Kuang
Summary: The study reveals that Epstein-Barr virus lytic replication inhibits inflammasome activation through the immediate-early protein BRLF1, leading to altered immune responses in T cells and NK cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florian B. Heiss, Julia L. Daiss, Philipp Becker, Christoph Engel
Summary: RNA polymerase (Pol) I transcribes the ribosomal RNA precursor in eukaryotes. Here, the authors present three cryo-EM structures of S. pombe Pol I in different functional states, including a dimer structure, and discuss conserved and organism-specific features of Pol I.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emilio Merheb, Min-Hui Cui, Juwen C. DuBois, Craig A. Branch, Maria Gulinello, Bridget Shafit-Zagardo, Robyn D. Moir, Ian M. Willis
Summary: Mice expressing pathogenic mutations in the largest Pol III subunit, Polr3a, show impaired growth, developmental delay, cognitive deficits, and hypomyelination in certain brain regions, resembling some clinical features of patients with Pol III-related leukodystrophy. The disease pathogenesis in the mice involves defects in oligodendrogenesis and myelination processes sensitive to perturbations of Pol III transcription.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Ruth Q. Jacobs, Kaila B. Fuller, Stephanie L. Cooper, Zachariah Carter, Marikki Laiho, Aaron L. Lucius, David A. Schneider
Summary: This study evaluates the specificity of the compound BMH-21 on transcription by Pols I, II, and III. The results show that Pol I is more sensitive to inhibition by BMH-21 compared to Pols II and III. These findings support the ongoing development of BMH-21 and its derivatives as potential therapeutic agents.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Debao Xie, Xiangdong Zhao, Lujie Ma, Le Wang, Pan Li, Hongqian Cheng, Zhaoying Li, Pei Zeng, Jing Zhang, Fanli Zeng
Summary: The proteins Rba50 and Gpn2 play important roles in the assembly of RNA polymerase. Their interaction is crucial for recruiting Rpb2, and the Rba50-Gpn2 complex has a similar role in the assembly of RNAPIII.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Izabela Rudzinska, Malgorzata Ciesla, Tomasz W. Turowski, Alicja Armatowska, Ewa Lesniewska, Magdalena Boguta
Summary: The study showed that the rpc128-1007 mutant disrupts Pol III assembly, affecting mRNA expression levels, particularly through modulation of the general transcription factor Gcn4. Additionally, regardless of suppressor genes, the rpc128-1007 mutation leads to a slight increase in the expression of ribosome biogenesis genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Yavuz Kulaberoglu, Yasir Malik, Gillian Borland, Colin Selman, Nazif Alic, Jennifer M. A. Tullet
Summary: Transcription in eukaryotic cells is performed by three RNA polymerases, with Pol III playing a crucial role in transcribing various short non-coding RNAs and regulating cellular processes in response to changes in growth and stress. Dys-regulation of Pol III is associated with diseases, while its activation or inhibition can extend lifespan in model organisms, making it a potential therapeutic target for improving age-related health in humans.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Sina Manger, Utz H. Ermel, Achilleas S. Frangakis
Summary: Manger, Ermel, and Frangakis demonstrate the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology to stably insert multiple copies of a gene-of-interest near the 35S rRNA gene, enabling direct visualization of gene clusters with electron microscopy. They achieve a more than 7-fold enrichment of associated Pol III complexes within the field of view, showcasing the effectiveness of this approach.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sagar Sridhara, Hemant N. Goswami, Charlisa Whyms, Jonathan H. Dennis, Hong Li
Summary: CRISPR-Cas-based virus detection assays, particularly those utilizing Type III-A CRISPR-Cas system, offer rapid and sensitive detection of viruses like SARS-CoV-2, making them potentially valuable tools for disease diagnosis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Ellen Phillips, Naseer Ahmad, Li Sun, James Iben, Christopher J. Walkey, Aleksandra Rusin, Tony Yuen, Clifford J. Rosen, Ian M. Willis, Mone Zaidi, Deborah L. Johnson
Summary: MAF1 is a key regulator of RNA polymerase III-mediated transcription and plays a critical role in osteoblast differentiation and bone mass regulation. Deletion of MAF1 resulted in high bone mass phenotype in mice, while overexpression of MAF1 increased bone mass. MAF1 enhanced osteoblast differentiation, but other perturbations of RNA pol III transcription inhibited differentiation.
Article
Virology
Nan Zhou, Yue Huang, Lu Zhou, Mingma Li, Hui Jin
Summary: Norovirus is the major viral cause of gastroenteritis in humans. The GI RdRp gene of norovirus can be categorized into three groups, with a common ancestor dating back to 1484. The overall evolutionary rate of GI RdRp is 1.821 x 10(-3) substitutions/site/year. Most amino acids in the GI RdRp gene are under negative selection, with only a few sites showing positive selection. Accumulation of amino acid substitutions in the GI RdRp gene is a slow process. Different P-genotypes exhibit diverse molecular evolutionary characteristics. Sequencing of RdRp and VP1 should be encouraged in the surveillance system to understand the role of RdRp in norovirus activity.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qianmin Wang, Ming Lei, Jian Wu
Summary: RNA polymerase III (Pol III) is a complex protein complex that plays an important role in producing various short non-coding RNAs in all eukaryotes. Recent advances in cryogenic electron microscopy have allowed us to gain insights into the structure of human Pol III.
Article
Biology
Cheng Zhang, Shasha Zhao, Huan Deng, Shihua Zhang, Juan Wang, Xiaoye Song, Deen Yu, Yue Zhang, Wensheng Deng, Michael R. Green
Summary: Deregulation of Pol III products leads to various diseases, including neural diseases and cancers. STAT3 positively regulates Pol III-mediated transcription and cancer cell growth. TP73 plays a crucial role in both STAT3-modulated Pol III transcription and independent suppression of Pol III product synthesis. MiR-106a-5p activates Pol III transcription by targeting TP73 mRNA, and STAT3 activates miR-106a-5p expression, connecting STAT3 with TP73 to regulate Pol III transcription.
Letter
Rheumatology
Laura C. Cappelli, Clifton O. Bingham, Tawnie Braaten, Ami A. Shah
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Caoitfhionn M. Connolly, Teresa Po-Yu Chiang, Mayan Teles, Sarah Frey, Jennifer L. Alejo, Allan Massie, Ami A. Shah, Jemima Albayda, Lisa Christopher-Stine, William A. Werbel, Dorry L. Segev, Julie J. Paik
LANCET RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Christopher A. Mecoli, Tak Igusa, Mengkun Chen, XingYao Wang, Jemima Albayda, Julie J. Paik, Eleni Tiniakou, Brittany Adler, Carrie Richardson, Will Kelly, Sonye Danoff, Andrew L. Mammen, Elizabeth A. Platz, Antony Rosen, Lisa Christopher-Stine, Livia Casciola-Rosen, Ami A. Shah
Summary: This study investigated the cancer risk in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) compared to the general population. The results showed that IIM patients had a 1.43-fold increased risk of developing cancer. Specific autoantibodies, such as anti-transcription intermediary factor 1 gamma (anti-TIF1 gamma), were associated with an increased risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Lan Yu, Robyn T. Domsic, Lesley-Ann Saketkoo, Jane Withey, Tracy M. Frech, Ariane L. Herrick, Laura K. Hummers, Ami A. Shah, Christopher P. Denton, Dinesh Khanna, John D. Pauling
Summary: A novel patient-reported outcome instrument, the ASRAP questionnaire, has been developed and scored to assess the severity and impact of RP in SSc. The questionnaire was developed with extensive patient input and went through qualitative assessment and linguistic testing. A long-form and short-form version of the ASRAP questionnaire have been calibrated and scored for formal validation.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Laura C. Cappelli, Clifton O. Bingham, Patrick M. Forde, Valsamo Anagnostou, Julie Brahmer, Evan J. Lipson, Jennifer Mammen, Megan Schollenberger, Ami A. Shah, Erika Darrah
Summary: Anti-RA33 antibodies are present in a subset of patients with ICI-induced IA, but absent in other patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Anti-RA33 antibodies may be a biomarker for developing inflammatory arthritis.
Article
Rheumatology
Ana E. E. Tucker, Jamie Perin, Elizabeth R. R. Volkmann, Tsion Abdi, Ami A. A. Shah, John Pandolfino, Richard M. M. Silver, Zsuzsanna H. H. McMahan
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether patterns of esophageal dysfunction in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are associated with specific clinical phenotypes. The results showed that absent contractility (AC) is closely associated with the clinical manifestations of SSc, while ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) may be associated with a milder phenotype.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Anne R. Bass, Noha Abdel-Wahab, Pankti D. Reid, Jeffrey A. Sparks, Cassandra Calabrese, Deanna P. Jannat-Khah, Nilasha Ghosh, Divya Rajesh, Carlos Andres Aude, Lydia Gedmintas, Lindsey MacFarlane, Senada Arabelovic, Adewunmi Falohun, Komal Mushtaq, Farah Al Haj, Adi Diab, Ami A. Shah, Clifton O. Bingham, Karmela Kim Chan, Laura C. Cappelli
Summary: This study compares the safety and effectiveness of biologic and conventional DMARDs for ICI-IA. The results show that biologic DMARDs can achieve faster arthritis control than MTX, but may be associated with a shorter time to cancer progression.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Leonardo Martin Calderon, Robyn T. Domsic, Ami A. Shah, Janet E. Pope
Summary: A preventative care approach is crucial to reduce the impact of SSc-related complications, such as OP and malignancies. Clinicians should ensure vitamin D levels are normal in SSc patients, as some may still be deficient despite supplementation. Nutritional screening should be conducted, with appropriate interventions for at-risk patients. OP guidelines should be followed for bone density testing and treatment for moderate to high-risk patients. Regular screening for malignancies based on individual risk factors is also recommended.
RHEUMATIC DISEASE CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Leonardo Martin Calderon, Janet E. Pope, Ami A. Shah, Robyn T. Domsic
Summary: There are complications associated with SSc that can be prevented or reduced through proper screening and treatment, such as preventing infections with routine vaccinations. Patients with SSc may experience decreased seroconversion due to immunosuppressants, and temporary DMARD suspension may be necessary for vaccinations. Additionally, a prime-boost approach to influenza vaccination may benefit patients.
RHEUMATIC DISEASE CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Christopher A. Mecoli, Brant Chee, Mengkun Chen, XingYao Wang, Jemima Albayda, Julie J. Paik, Eleni Tiniakou, Brittany Adler, Will Kelly, Andrew L. Mammen, Elizabeth A. Platz, Livia Casciola-Rosen, Lisa Christopher-Stine, Ami A. Shah
Summary: This study evaluated the diagnostic yield of computed tomography (CT) imaging for cancer screening/surveillance in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). The results showed that dermatomyositis patients had the highest diagnostic yields on CT scans of the chest and abdomen/pelvis, while patients under 40 years old had lower diagnostic yields.
ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
David Fiorentino, Christopher A. Mecoli, Tak Igusa, Jemima Albayda, Julie J. Paik, Eleni Tiniakou, Brittany Adler, Andrew L. Mammen, Ami A. Shah, Antony Rosen, Lisa Christopher-Stine, Livia Casciola-Rosen
Summary: This study demonstrates the disease specificity and clinical significance of anti-CCAR1 autoantibodies in dermatomyositis (DM) patients. It also reveals a lower risk of cancer in DM patients with anti-TIF1 gamma positive and anti-CCAR1 positive status.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Robyn T. Domsic, Robin Pokrzywinski, Larissa Stassek, Wade W. Benton, Christa-Lynn Vampola, Daniel E. Furst, Lorinda Chung, Virginia Steen, Maureen D. Mayes, Ami A. Shah, Jerry A. Molitor, Kelly Oliver, Vivek Nagaraja, Dinesh Khanna
Summary: The study aimed to understand the symptoms and impacts of Raynaud phenomenon (RP) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and evaluate the content validity and usability of the Raynaud Diary, a new electronic patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure for RP. Participants reported frequent RP symptoms such as color change, numbness, tingling, pain, and discomfort. Common triggers for RP attacks included temperature-related factors and stress. The participants demonstrated understanding of the Raynaud Diary instructions and indicated that they could use it to record the worst severity of individual RP symptoms.
ACR OPEN RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
J. J. Paik, D. Y. Choi, M. Mukherjee, S. Hsu, F. Wigley, A. A. Shah, L. K. Hummers
Summary: This study investigates the association between elevated troponin levels and severe disease characteristics and poor outcomes in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. The findings suggest that elevated troponin levels are closely related to diffuse SSc subtype, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, decreased forced vital capacity, increased right ventricular systolic pressure, higher severity scores, and increased mortality.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Monica Mukherjee, Valentina Mercurio, Aparna Balasubramanian, Ami A. Shah, Steven Hsu, Catherine E. Simpson, Rachel Damico, Todd M. Kolb, Paul M. Hassoun, Stephen C. Mathai
Summary: The study demonstrates minimal measurement error in clinically important 2DE-based measures in SSc patients, with implications for PAH screening, therapeutic response assessment, and sample size calculations for future clinical trials.
ARTHRITIS RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Elana J. Bernstein, Shervin Assassi, Flavia Castelino, Lorinda Chung, Chase Correia, Luke B. Evnin, Tracy M. Frech, Jessica K. Gordon, Brian A. Skaug, Faye N. Hant, Laura K. Hummers, Nora Sandorfi, Ami A. Shah, Victoria K. Shanmugam, Virginia D. Steen, Dinesh Khanna
Summary: This study investigated the HRCT ordering practices at SSc centers in the United States and identified patient characteristics associated with HRCT performance. The majority of patients with SSc underwent HRCT, and a positive anti-centromere antibody was inversely associated with HRCT performance.
ACR OPEN RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)