Transcriptome analysis of U1 snRNA overexpression in human neurons

U1 snRNA is the small nuclear RNA that services as the backbone of U1 snRNP. Removing intron from pre-mRNA to produce mature mRNA is the core function of the U1 snRNA. As one of the most abundant small noncoding RNA in human cells – estimated to be in the region of 1x10^6 copies per human neuron cell– U1 snRNA level is much more abundant than the other snRNAs. However, the potential role of the different amounts of the snRNAs is still unknown. To study the function of U1 snRNA in human neurons, we used lentivirus vector to overexpression U1 snRNA. We analyzed the gene expression change and identified target genes of U1 snRNA overexpression. We uncovered a novel role of U1 snRNA in regulating gene expression in human neurons. Overall design: The transcriptome of U1 snRNA overexpression neurons and empty vector control neurons were analyzed by RNA-seq. The expression change of genes and transposable elements were analyzed to study the role of U1 snRNA in human neurons.