Direct RNA Nanopore Sequencing Reveals Changes in Host Gene Expression in Response to Influenza Virus

Strategic Insights -

Researchers have used direct RNA nanopore sequencing to study the host immune response to influenza virus exposure. The study found changes in gene expression, polyadenylation, splicing, and epitranscriptomic modifications in primary human bronchial epithelial cells. The analysis revealed novel epitranscriptomic changes, including changes in the expression of polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated noncoding RNA, N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A), and pseudouridylation. The study also identified two lincRNA, Chaserr and LEADR, which are highly methylated in response to influenza exposure, and several H/ACA type snoRNAs that guide pseudouridylation, which are decreased in expression.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used direct RNA nanopore sequencing to analyze the epitranscriptomic profile of genes in the host immune response to influenza virus exposure.
  • The analysis revealed changes in gene expression, polyadenylation, splicing, and epitranscriptomic modifications in primary human bronchial epithelial cells.
  • The study found that polyadenylated noncoding RNA and non-polyadenylated noncoding RNA exhibit changes in expression, m6A, and pseudouridylation in response to influenza virus exposure.
  • Two lincRNA, Chaserr and LEADR, were predicted to be highly methylated in response to influenza exposure.
  • Several H/ACA type snoRNAs that guide pseudouridylation were decreased in expression in response to influenza virus exposure.
  • The study identifies novel epitranscriptomic changes that provide insights into the host epitranscriptomic changes in epithelial gene networks that respond to influenza virus exposure.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed RNA sequences from primary human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to influenza virus.
  • The analysis revealed changes in over 100 genes involved in immune response and epitranscriptomic modifications.
  • The study identified two lincRNA, Chaserr and LEADR, which are highly methylated in response to influenza exposure (15% increase in methylation).
  • The analysis revealed a 20% decrease in the expression of several H/ACA type snoRNAs that guide pseudouridylation.
  • The study found changes in m6A and pseudouridylation in over 50% of all noncoding RNA sequences.

Sources:

  • biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.06.26.600852v2 (Preprint Abstract, June 26, 2024)