Biology subjects

Rajamanickam, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Rajamanickam, K..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Genome-wide Screening Identifies Unique Host-Directed Drugs and Pro-viral Signalling Pathways for SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense RNA virus and was responsible for the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. Although the current disease burden is less severe, there are limited treatment options, significant gaps in knowledge, and a looming threat of the emergence of variants and future pandemics. To address these challenges, we performed genome-wide CRISPR knockout screens in a novel human lung cell line NCI-H23ACE2, as well as in HEK293TACE2 cells, with SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan virus, with the aim of identifying host-dependency factors that could predict effective antivirals. We identified four host-directed drugs, donepezil, dH-ergocristine, trametinib and sorafenib, that could potentially be repurposed to treat coronavirus infections. Three of the drugs inhibited SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-229E, and HCoV-OC43, suggesting they could be used as pan-coronavirus antivirals. We also confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 relies on the NRAS/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway for its replication. Our study highlights the robustness and efficiency of a bilateral approach of gene silencing and antiviral screening to identify host-dependency factors and effective antivirals.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Epigenetic Control of TERRA by FTSJ3 is Critical for Telomerase-Driven Cancers

Telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) overexpression, a hallmark of most cancers, drives tumorigenesis by enabling limitless replicative potential. Direct targeting of hTERT is challenging, necessitating alternative strategies. Through genome-wide synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) screening in cancer models, including patient-derived organoids, we identify FTSJ3, an RNA 2-O-methyltransferase, as a critical vulnerability in hTERT-overexpressing cells. FTSJ3 methylates telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA), a modification essential for recruiting SUV39H1 to telomeric ends to mediate H3K9 trimethylation and establish stable heterochromatin. Loss of FTSJ3 disrupts this cascade, impairing H3K9 trimethylation, HP1-alpha recruitment, and telomeric heterochromatin maintenance. Notably, this reveals an unexpected dependency on TERRA methylation for telomeric heterochromatin stability in hTERT-driven cancers. Non-malignant cells, lacking telomerase activity and de novo telomere repeat synthesis, are unaffected by FTSJ3 suppression. Our findings establish the FTSJ3/TERRA/SUV39H1 axis as a critical mechanism supporting telomeric heterochromatin stability in hTERT-driven cancers. This telomere-directed epigenetic strategy provides a robust framework for translational therapeutic innovation.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Identification of targetable vulnerabilities of PLK1-overexpressing cancers by synthetic dosage lethality

Tumor heterogeneity poses a significant challenge in combating treatment resistance. Despite Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) being universally overexpressed in cancers and contributing to chromosomal instability (CIN), direct PLK1 inhibition hasnt yielded clinical progress. To address this, we utilized the synthetic dosage lethality (SDL) approach, targeting PLK1s genetic interactions for selective killing of overexpressed tumor cells while mitigating heterogeneity-associated challenges. Employing computational methods, we conducted a genome-wide shRNA screen, identifying 105 SDL candidates. Further in vivo CRISPR screening in a breast cancer xenograft model and in vitro CRISPR analysis validated these candidates. Employing Perturb-seq revealed IGF2BP2/IMP2 as a key SDL hit eliminating PLK1-overexpressing cells. Suppression of IGF2BP2, genetically or pharmacologically, downregulated PLK1 and limited tumor growth. Our findings strongly propose targeting PLK1s genetic interactions as a promising therapeutic approach, holding broad implications across multiple cancers where PLK1 is overexpressed.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Generation of a SARS-CoV-2 reverse genetics system and novel human lung cell lines that exhibit high virus-induced cytopathology

The global COVID-19 pandemic continues with an increasing number of cases worldwide and the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. In our study, we have developed novel tools with applications for screening antivirals, identifying virus-host dependencies, and characterizing viral variants. Using reverse genetics, we rescued SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan1 (D614G variant) wild type (WTFL) and reporter virus (NLucFL) using molecular BAC clones. The replication kinetics, plaque morphology and titers were comparable between rescued molecular clones and a clinical isolate (VIDO-01 strain), thus providing confidence that the rescued viruses can be used as effective replication tools. Furthermore, the reporter SARS-CoV-2 NLucFL virus exhibited robust luciferase values over the time course of infection and was used to develop a rapid antiviral assay using remdesivir as proof-of-principle. In addition, as a tool to study lung-relevant virus-host interactions, we established novel human lung cell lines that support SARS-CoV-2 infection with high virus-induced cytopathology. Six lung cell lines (NCI-H23, A549, NCI-H1703, NCI-H520, NCI-H226, and HCC827) and HEK293T cells, were transduced to stably express ACE2 and tested for their ability to support virus infection. A549ACE2 B1 and HEK293TACE2 A2 cell lines exhibited more than 70% virus-induced cell death and a novel lung cell line NCI-H23ACE2 A3 showed about [~]99% cell death post-infection. These cell lines are ideal for assays relying on live-dead selection and are currently being used in CRISPR knockout and activation screens in our lab. ImportanceWe used a reverse genetics system to generate a wild type as well as a nanoluciferase-expressing reporter clone of SARS-CoV-2. The reporter virus allows for rapid transient replication assays and high throughput screens by detection of virus replication using luciferase assays. In addition, the reverse genetic system can be used to generate mutant viruses to study phenotypes of variant mutations. Additionally, unique human lung cell lines supporting SARS-CoV-2 replication will aid in studying the virus in a lung-relevant environment and based on high cytopathology induced in some cell lines, will be useful for screens that rely on virus-induced cell death for selection. Our study aims to enhance and contribute to the current replication tools available to study SARS-CoV-2 by providing rapid methods, virus clones and novel lung cell lines.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

PSK signaling controls ABA homeostasis and promotes shoot growth under mannitol stress

Water deficit impairs growth and survival of plants. Many water stress responses are under control of abscisic acid (ABA) but little is known about growth control under osmotic stress. Based on the previously described growth-promoting activity of the peptide hormone phytosulfokine (PSK), we hypothesized that it may contribute to growth regulation under water stress conditions. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the Arabidopsis thaliana PSK receptor (PSKR) null mutant pskr1-3 pskr2-1 under mannitol and drought stress. In particular under mild water stress, fresht weight and photosynthetic efficiency were more reduced in pskr1-3 pskr2-1 than in wild type. Hydroponic and grafting experiments showed that PSKR signaling was not required for long-distance signaling from mannitol-stressed roots to shoot but rather for cell growth promotion in the shoot. Unlike wild type, pskr1-3 pskr2-1 shoots did not accumulate ABA in response to mannitol, showed misregulation of ABA synthesis genes and elevated expression of ABI1 and ABI2, repressors of ABA signaling whereas application of ABA partially reversed shoot growth inhibition by mannitol in pskr1-3 pskr2-1. In turn, mannitol and ABA induced expression of PSK3 and PSKR1, and ABA promoted expression of PSK2 and PSK4 revealing feedback regulatory loops between PSKR and osmotic stress signaling. HighlightPhytosulfokine receptor signaling regulates ABA synthesis and signaling genes and promotes ABA accumulation in the shoot of water-stressed plants and maintains leaf growth and photosynthetic efficiency which ensures plant health.

plant biology↗