Miao Yifei, Ajami Nassim E, Huang Tse-Shun, Lin Feng-Mao, Lou Chih-Hong, Wang Yun-Ting, Li Shuai, Kang Jian, Munkacsi Hannah, Maurya Mano R, Gupta Shakti, Chien Shu, Subramaniam Shankar, Chen Zhen
Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, 1500 Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California at San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
Nat Commun. 2018 Jan 18;9(1):292. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02113-y.
The optimal expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), the hallmark of endothelial homeostasis, is vital to vascular function. Dynamically regulated by various stimuli, eNOS expression is modulated at transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. However, epigenetic modulations of eNOS, particularly through long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and chromatin remodeling, remain to be explored. Here we identify an enhancer-associated lncRNA that enhances eNOS expression (LEENE). Combining RNA-sequencing and chromatin conformation capture methods, we demonstrate that LEENE is co-regulated with eNOS and that its enhancer resides in proximity to eNOS promoter in endothelial cells (ECs). Gain- and Loss-of-function of LEENE differentially regulate eNOS expression and EC function. Mechanistically, LEENE facilitates the recruitment of RNA Pol II to the eNOS promoter to enhance eNOS nascent RNA transcription. Our findings unravel a new layer in eNOS regulation and provide novel insights into cardiovascular regulation involving endothelial function.
内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)的最佳表达是内皮稳态的标志,对血管功能至关重要。eNOS的表达受多种刺激动态调节,在转录、转录后和翻译后水平上受到调控。然而,eNOS的表观遗传调控,特别是通过长链非编码RNA(lncRNAs)和染色质重塑的调控,仍有待探索。在这里,我们鉴定了一种增强eNOS表达的增强子相关lncRNA(LEENE)。结合RNA测序和染色质构象捕获方法,我们证明LEENE与eNOS共同调控,并且其增强子在内皮细胞(ECs)中位于eNOS启动子附近。LEENE的功能获得和功能丧失差异调节eNOS表达和EC功能。从机制上讲,LEENE促进RNA聚合酶II募集到eNOS启动子,以增强eNOS新生RNA转录。我们的研究结果揭示了eNOS调控的新层面,并为涉及内皮功能的心血管调节提供了新的见解。