Examinando por Autor "Schapire, Arnaldo L."

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  • Miniatura
    ÍtemAcceso Abierto
    Identification of key sequence features required for microRNA biogenesis in plants
    (Nature Research, 2020-10-21) Rojas, Arantxa María Larisa; Drusin, Salvador Iván; Chorostecki, Uciel Pablo; Mateos, Julieta L.; Moro, Belén; Bologna, Nicolás G.; Bresso, Edgardo Gabriel; Schapire, Arnaldo L.; Rasia, Rodolfo M.; Moreno, Diego M.; Palatnik, Javier F.; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4316-4518; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5350-514X; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2229-6853; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1156-6662; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2810-3533; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2161-7910; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9798-459X; http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3940-067X; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5493-8537; http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7996-5224
    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small RNAs of ∼21 nt that regulate multiple biological pathways in multicellular organisms. They derive from longer transcripts that harbor an imperfect stem-loop structure. In plants, the ribonuclease type III DICER-LIKE1 assisted by accessory proteins cleaves the precursor to release the mature miRNA. Numerous studies highlight the role of the precursor secondary structure during plant miRNA biogenesis; however, little is known about the relevance of the precursor sequence. Here, we analyzed the sequence composition of plant miRNA primary transcripts and found specifically located sequence biases. We show that changes in the identity of specific nucleotides can increase or abolish miRNA biogenesis. Most conspicuously, our analysis revealed that the identity of the nucleotides at unpaired positions of the precursor plays a crucial role during miRNA biogenesis in Arabidopsis.
  • Miniatura
    ÍtemAcceso Abierto
    Structural determinants of Arabidopsis thaliana Hyponastic Leaves 1 function in vivo
    (Public Library of Science, 2014-11-19) Burdisso, Paula; Milia, Fernando; Schapire, Arnaldo L.; Bologna, Nicolás G.; Palatnik, Javier F.; Rasia, Rodolfo M.
    MicroRNAs have turned out to be important regulators of gene expression. These molecules originate from longer transcripts that are processed by ribonuclease III (RNAse III) enzymes. Dicer proteins are essential RNAse III enzymes that are involved in the generation of microRNAs (miRNAs) and other small RNAs. The correct function of Dicer relies on the participation of accessory dsRNA binding proteins, the exact function of which is not well-understood so far. In plants, the double stranded RNA binding protein Hyponastic Leaves 1 (HYL1) helps Dicer Like protein (DCL1) to achieve an efficient and precise excision of the miRNAs from their primary precursors. Here we dissected the regions of HYL1 that are essential for its function in Arabidopsis thaliana plant model. We generated mutant forms of the protein that retain their structure but affect its RNA-binding properties. The mutant versions of HYL1 were studied both in vitro and in vivo, and we were able to identify essential aminoacids/residues for its activity. Remarkably, mutation and even ablation of one of the purportedly main RNA binding determinants does not give rise to any major disturbances in the function of the protein. We studied the function of the mutant forms in vivo, establishing a direct correlation between affinity for the pri-miRNA precursors and protein activity.