The long noncoding RNA ROCKI regulates inflammatory gene expression
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate target gene expression by acting in cis (locally) or in trans (non-locally). Here, we performed genome-wide expression analysis of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-stimulated human macrophages to identify pairs of cis-acting lncRNAs and protein-coding genes involved in innate immunity. A total of 229 gene pairs were identified, many of which were commonly regulated by signaling through multiple TLRs and were involved in the cytokine responses to infection by group B Streptococcus. We focused on elucidating the function of one lncRNA, named lnc-MARCKS or ROCKI (Regulator of Cytokines and Inflammation), which was induced by multiple TLR stimuli and acted as a master regulator of inflammatory responses. ROCKI interacted with APEX1 (apurinic/apyrimidinic endodeoxyribonuclease 1) to form a ribonucleoprotein complex at the MARCKS promoter. In turn, ROCKI–APEX1 recruited the histone deacetylase HDAC1, which removed the H3K27ac modification from the promoter, thus reducing MARCKS transcription and subsequent Ca2+ signaling and inflammatory gene expression. Finally, genetic variants affecting ROCKI expression were linked to a reduced risk of certain inflammatory and infectious disease in humans, including inflammatory bowel disease and tuberculosis. Collectively, these data highlight the importance of cis-acting lncRNAs in TLR signaling, innate immunity, and pathophysiological inflammation.
Source: EMBO Journal - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Zhang, Q., Chao, T.-C., Patil, V. S., Qin, Y., Tiwari, S. K., Chiou, J., Dobin, A., Tsai, C.-M., Li, Z., Dang, J., Gupta, S., Urdahl, K., Nizet, V., Gingeras, T. R., Gaulton, K. J., Rana, T. M. Tags: Immunology, Microbiology, Virology & Host Pathogen Interaction, RNA Biology Articles Source Type: research
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