Transcriptome-wide splicing analysis reveals HuR-regulated post-transcriptional programs in osteocytes
TL;DR
Findings support HuR’s role as a key post-transcriptional regulator of osteocyte metabolic adaptation under high-glucose stress, with potential implications for hyperglycemic bone fragility.
Abstract
Summary Post-transcriptional gene regulation is central to maintaining cellular homeostasis. Among its mechanisms, alternative splicing (AS) fine-tunes cellular adaptation to stress. This study employed an approach combining RNA splicing analysis with RNA-binding protein (RBP) motif enrichment in primary osteocytes cultured in high-glucose conditions. Our analysis identified the RBP human antigen R (HuR) as a top candidate associated with AS regulation. Loss of HuR reshaped the transcriptome through gene expression and splicing changes, converging on two major pathways: stress response and translational control. Functional validation revealed that HuR depletion heightened oxidative stress, impaired mitochondrial function, and rewired key translational signals, while preserving global protein output. Mechanistically, we identified TXNIP mRNA-protein uncoupling following HuR knockdown (KD), characterized by elevated mRNA but reduced protein expression. Collectively, these findings support HuR’s role as a key post-transcriptional regulator of osteocyte metabolic adaptation under high-glucose stress, with potential implications for hyperglycemic bone fragility.