Control of myogenesis by rodent SINE-containing lncRNAs

Abstract

Staufen1-mediated mRNA decay (SMD) degrades mRNAs that harbor a Staufen1-binding site (SBS) in their 39 untranslated regions (UTRs). Human SBSs can form by intermolecular base-pairing between a 39 UTR Alu element and an Alu element within a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) called a 1/2-sbsRNA. Since Alu elements are confined to primates, it was unclear how SMD occurs in rodents. Here we identify mouse mRNA 39 UTRs and lncRNAs that contain a B1, B2, B4, or identifier (ID) element. We show that SMD occurs in mouse cells via mRNA-lncRNA base-pairing of partially complementary elements and that mouse 1/2-sbsRNA (m1/2-sbsRNA)- triggered SMD regulates C2C12 cell myogenesis. Our findings define new roles for lncRNAs as well as B and ID short interspersed elements (SINEs) in mice that undoubtedly influence many developmental and homeostatic pathways. © 2013 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.