CSDE1 promotes miR-451 biogenesis

MicroRNAs are sequentially processed by RNase III enzymes Drosha and Dicer. miR-451 is a highly conserved miRNA in vertebrates which bypasses Dicer processing and instead relies on AGO2 for its maturation. miR-451 is highly expressed in erythrocytes and regulates the differentiation of erythroblasts into mature red blood cells. However, the mechanistic details underlying miR-451 biogenesis in erythrocytes remains obscure. Here, we report that the RNA binding protein CSDE1 which is required for the development of erythroblasts into erythrocytes, controls the expression of miR-451 in erythroleukemia cells. CSDE1 binds miR-451 and regulates AGO2 processing of pre-miR-451 through its N-terminal domains. CSDE1 further interacts with PARN and promotes the trimming of intermediate miR-451 to the mature length. Together, our results demonstrate that CSDE1 promotes biogenesis of miR-451 in erythroid progenitors.

Automated summary

This study found that the RNA binding protein CSDE1 controls the expression of miR-451 in erythroleukemia cells by binding to it. CSDE1 regulates the processing of pre-miR-451 by AGO2 through its N-terminal domains. CSDE1 also interacts with PARN to promote the trimming of intermediate miR-451 to its mature length. These results demonstrate that CSDE1 promotes the biogenesis of miR-451 in erythroid progenitors.