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Carmona-Mora P, Canales CP, Cao L, Perez IC, Srivastava AK, Young JI, Walz K. RAI1 transcription factor activity is impaired in mutants associated with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45155. [PMID: 23028815 PMCID: PMC3445574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS) is a complex genomic disorder mostly caused by the haploinsufficiency of the Retinoic Acid Induced 1 gene (RAI1), located in the chromosomal region 17p11.2. In a subset of SMS patients, heterozygous mutations in RAI1 are found. Here we investigate the molecular properties of these mutated forms and their relationship with the resulting phenotype. We compared the clinical phenotype of SMS patients carrying a mutation in RAI1 coding region either in the N-terminal or the C-terminal half of the protein and no significant differences were found. In order to study the molecular mechanism related to these two groups of RAI1 mutations first we analyzed those mutations that result in the truncated protein corresponding to the N-terminal half of RAI1 finding that they have cytoplasmic localization (in contrast to full length RAI1) and no ability to activate the transcription through an endogenous target: the BDNF enhancer. Similar results were found in lymphoblastoid cells derived from a SMS patient carrying RAI1 c.3103insC, where both mutant and wild type products of RAI1 were detected. The wild type form of RAI1 was found in the chromatin bound and nuclear matrix subcellular fractions while the mutant product was mainly cytoplasmic. In addition, missense mutations at the C-terminal half of RAI1 presented a correct nuclear localization but no activation of the endogenous target. Our results showed for the first time a correlation between RAI1 mutations and abnormal protein function plus they suggest that a reduction of total RAI1 transcription factor activity is at the heart of the SMS clinical presentation.
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Kerr B, Soto C J, Saez M, Abrams A, Walz K, Young JI. Transgenic complementation of MeCP2 deficiency: phenotypic rescue of Mecp2-null mice by isoform-specific transgenes. Eur J Hum Genet 2011; 20:69-76. [PMID: 21829232 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2011.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a disorder that affects patients' ability to communicate, move and behave. RTT patients are characterized by impaired language, stereotypic behaviors, frequent seizures, ataxia and sleep disturbances, with the onset of symptoms occurring after a period of seemingly normal development. RTT is caused by mutations in methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2), an X-chromosome gene encoding for MeCP2, a protein that regulates gene expression. MECP2 generates two alternative splice variants encoding two protein isoforms that differ only in the N-terminus. Although no functional differences have been identified for these splice variants, it has been suggested that the RTT phenotype may occur in the presence of a functional MeCP2-e2 protein. This suggests that the two isoforms might be functionally distinct. Supporting this notion, the two variants show regional and age-related differences in transcript abundance. Here, we show that transgenic expression of either the MeCP2-e1 or MeCP2-e2 splice variant results in prevention of development of RTT-like phenotypic manifestations in a mouse model lacking Mecp2. Our results indicate that the two MeCP2 splice variants can substitute for each other and fulfill the basic functions of MeCP2 in the mouse brain.
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Ricard G, Molina J, Chrast J, Gu W, Gheldof N, Pradervand S, Schütz F, Young JI, Lupski JR, Reymond A, Walz K. Phenotypic consequences of copy number variation: insights from Smith-Magenis and Potocki-Lupski syndrome mouse models. PLoS Biol 2010; 8:e1000543. [PMID: 21124890 PMCID: PMC2990707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2010] [Accepted: 10/04/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The characterization of mice with different number of copies of the same genomic segment shows that structural changes influence the phenotypic outcome independently of gene dosage. A large fraction of genome variation between individuals is comprised of submicroscopic copy number variation of genomic DNA segments. We assessed the relative contribution of structural changes and gene dosage alterations on phenotypic outcomes with mouse models of Smith-Magenis and Potocki-Lupski syndromes. We phenotyped mice with 1n (Deletion/+), 2n (+/+), 3n (Duplication/+), and balanced 2n compound heterozygous (Deletion/Duplication) copies of the same region. Parallel to the observations made in humans, such variation in gene copy number was sufficient to generate phenotypic consequences: in a number of cases diametrically opposing phenotypes were associated with gain versus loss of gene content. Surprisingly, some neurobehavioral traits were not rescued by restoration of the normal gene copy number. Transcriptome profiling showed that a highly significant propensity of transcriptional changes map to the engineered interval in the five assessed tissues. A statistically significant overrepresentation of the genes mapping to the entire length of the engineered chromosome was also found in the top-ranked differentially expressed genes in the mice containing rearranged chromosomes, regardless of the nature of the rearrangement, an observation robust across different cell lineages of the central nervous system. Our data indicate that a structural change at a given position of the human genome may affect not only locus and adjacent gene expression but also “genome regulation.” Furthermore, structural change can cause the same perturbation in particular pathways regardless of gene dosage. Thus, the presence of a genomic structural change, as well as gene dosage imbalance, contributes to the ultimate phenotype. Mammalian genomes contain many forms of genetic variation. For example, some genome segments were shown to vary in their number of copies between individuals of the same species, i.e. there is a range of number of copies in the normal population instead of the usual two copies (one per chromosome). These genetic differences play an important role in determining the phenotype (the observable characteristics) of each individual. We do not know, however, if such influences are brought about solely through changes in the number of copies of the genomic segments (and of the genes that map within) or if the structural modification of the genome per se also plays a role in the outcome. We use mouse models with different number of copies of the same genomic region to show that rearrangements of the genetic materials can affect the phenotype independently of the dosage of the rearranged region.
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Krall P, Canales CP, Kairath P, Carmona-Mora P, Molina J, Carpio JD, Ruiz P, Mezzano SA, Li J, Wei C, Reiser J, Young JI, Walz K. Podocyte-specific overexpression of wild type or mutant trpc6 in mice is sufficient to cause glomerular disease. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12859. [PMID: 20877463 PMCID: PMC2942896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 08/24/2010] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the TRPC6 calcium channel (Transient receptor potential channel 6) gene have been associated with familiar forms of Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) affecting children and adults. In addition, acquired glomerular diseases are associated with increased expression levels of TRPC6. However, the exact role of TRPC6 in the pathogenesis of FSGS remains to be elucidated. In this work we describe the generation and phenotypic characterization of three different transgenic mouse lines with podocyte-specific overexpression of the wild type or any of two mutant forms of Trpc6 (P111Q and E896K) previously related to FSGS. Consistent with the human phenotype a non-nephrotic range of albuminuria was detectable in almost all transgenic lines. The histological analysis demonstrated that the transgenic mice developed a kidney disease similar to human FSGS. Differences of 2-3 folds in the presence of glomerular lesions were found between the non transgenic and transgenic mice expressing Trpc6 in its wild type or mutant forms specifically in podocytes. Electron microscopy of glomerulus from transgenic mice showed extensive podocyte foot process effacement. We conclude that overexpression of Trpc6 (wild type or mutated) in podocytes is sufficient to cause a kidney disease consistent with FSGS. Our results contribute to reinforce the central role of podocytes in the etiology of FSGS. These mice constitute an important new model in which to study future therapies and outcomes of this complex disease.
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Carmona-Mora P, Encina CA, Canales CP, Cao L, Molina J, Kairath P, Young JI, Walz K. Functional and cellular characterization of human Retinoic Acid Induced 1 (RAI1) mutations associated with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. BMC Mol Biol 2010; 11:63. [PMID: 20738874 PMCID: PMC2939504 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2199-11-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Smith-Magenis Syndrome is a contiguous gene syndrome in which the dosage sensitive gene has been identified: the Retinoic Acid Induced 1 (RAI1). Little is known about the function of human RAI1. Results We generated the full-length cDNA of the wild type protein and five mutated forms: RAI1-HA 2687delC, RAI1-HA 3103delC, RAI1 R960X, RAI1-HA Q1562R, and RAI1-HA S1808N. Four of them have been previously associated with SMS clinical phenotype. Molecular weight, subcellular localization and transcription factor activity of the wild type and mutant forms were studied by western blot, immunofluorescence and luciferase assays respectively. The wild type protein and the two missense mutations presented a higher molecular weight than expected, localized to the nucleus and activated transcription of a reporter gene. The frameshift mutations generated a truncated polypeptide with transcription factor activity but abnormal subcellular localization, and the same was true for the 1-960aa N-terminal half of RAI1. Two different C-terminal halves of the RAI1 protein (1038aa-end and 1229aa-end) were able to localize into the nucleus but had no transactivation activity. Conclusion Our results indicate that transcription factor activity and subcellular localization signals reside in two separate domains of the protein and both are essential for the correct functionality of RAI1. The pathogenic outcome of some of the mutated forms can be explained by the dissociation of these two domains.
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Kerr B, Silva PA, Walz K, Young JI. Unconventional transcriptional response to environmental enrichment in a mouse model of Rett syndrome. PLoS One 2010; 5:e11534. [PMID: 20634955 PMCID: PMC2902516 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2010] [Accepted: 06/10/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rett syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked postnatal neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and one of the leading causes of mental retardation in females. RTT is characterized by psychomotor retardation, purposeless hand movements, autistic-like behavior and abnormal gait. We studied the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on the phenotypic manifestations of a RTT mouse model that lacks MeCP2 (Mecp2−/y). Principal Findings We found that EE delayed and attenuated some neurological alterations presented by Mecp2−/y mice and prevented the development of motor discoordination and anxiety-related abnormalities. To define the molecular correlate of this beneficial effect of EE, we analyzed the expression of several synaptic marker genes whose expression is increased by EE in several mouse models. Conclusions/Significance We found that EE induced downregulation of several synaptic markers, suggesting that the partial prevention of RTT-associated phenotypes is achieved through a non-conventional transcriptional program.
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Alvarez-Saavedra M, Carrasco L, Sura-Trueba S, Demarchi Aiello V, Walz K, Neto JX, Young JI. Elevated expression of MeCP2 in cardiac and skeletal tissues is detrimental for normal development. Hum Mol Genet 2010; 19:2177-90. [PMID: 20203171 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddq096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
MeCP2 plays a critical role in interpreting epigenetic signatures that command chromatin conformation and regulation of gene transcription. In spite of MeCP2's ubiquitous expression, its functions have always been considered in the context of brain physiology. In this study, we demonstrate that alterations of the normal pattern of expression of MeCP2 in cardiac and skeletal tissues are detrimental for normal development. Overexpression of MeCP2 in the mouse heart leads to embryonic lethality with cardiac septum hypertrophy and dysregulated expression of MeCP2 in skeletal tissue produces severe malformations. We further show that MeCP2's expression in the heart is developmentally regulated; further suggesting that it plays a key role in regulating transcriptional programs in non-neural tissues.
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Kerr B, Alvarez-Saavedra M, Sáez MA, Saona A, Young JI. Defective body-weight regulation, motor control and abnormal social interactions in Mecp2 hypomorphic mice. Hum Mol Genet 2008; 17:1707-17. [PMID: 18321865 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddn061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MeCP2 is an abundant protein that binds to methylated cytosine residues in DNA and regulates transcription. Mutations in MECP2 cause Rett syndrome, a severe neurological disorder that affects approximately 1:10 000 females. Mice lacking MeCP2 have been generated and constitute important models of Rett syndrome. However, it is yet unclear whether certain physiological events are sensitive to a decrease, rather than a complete lack of MeCP2. Here we report that a Mecp2 floxed allele (Mecp2(lox)) that was generated to allow conditional mutagenesis behaves as a hypomorph and the corresponding mutant mice exhibit phenotypical alterations including body weight gain, motor abnormalities and altered social behavior. Our data reinforce the view that the central nervous system is extremely sensitive to MeCP2 expression levels and suggest that the 3'-UTR of Mecp2 might contain important elements that contribute to the regulation of its stability or processing.
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Alvarez-Saavedra M, Sáez MA, Kang D, Zoghbi HY, Young JI. Cell-specific expression of wild-type MeCP2 in mouse models of Rett syndrome yields insight about pathogenesis. Hum Mol Genet 2007; 16:2315-25. [PMID: 17635839 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddm185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT), a leading cause of mental retardation with autistic features in females, is caused by mutations in the gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). RTT is characterized by a diverse set of neurological features that includes cognitive, motor, behavioral and autonomic disturbances. The diverse features suggest that specific neurons contribute to particular phenotypes and raise the question whether restoring MeCP2 function in a cell-specific manner will rescue some of the phenotypes seen in RTT. To address this, we generated transgenic mice expressing inducible MeCP2 under the control of the brain-specific promoters calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CamKII) or neuron-specific enolase (Eno2) and bred them onto mouse models lacking functional MeCP2. Expression of normal MeCP2 in either CamKII or Eno2 distribution was unable to prevent the appearance of most of the phenotypes of the RTT mouse models. These results suggest that most RTT phenotypes are caused either by disruption of complex neural networks involving neurons throughout the brain or by disruption of the function of specific neurons outside of the broad CamKII or Eno2 distribution.
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Young JI, Hong EP, Castle JC, Crespo-Barreto J, Bowman AB, Rose MF, Kang D, Richman R, Johnson JM, Berget S, Zoghbi HY. Regulation of RNA splicing by the methylation-dependent transcriptional repressor methyl-CpG binding protein 2. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005; 102:17551-8. [PMID: 16251272 PMCID: PMC1266160 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0507856102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 336] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a postnatal neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the loss of acquired motor and language skills, autistic features, and unusual stereotyped movements. RTT is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Mutations in MECP2 cause a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders including X-linked mental retardation, psychiatric disorders, and some cases of autism. Although MeCP2 was identified as a methylation-dependent transcriptional repressor, transcriptional profiling of RNAs from mice lacking MeCP2 did not reveal significant gene expression changes, suggesting that MeCP2 does not simply function as a global repressor. Changes in expression of a few genes have been observed, but these alterations do not explain the full spectrum of Rett-like phenotypes, raising the possibility that additional MeCP2 functions play a role in pathogenesis. In this study, we show that MeCP2 interacts with the RNA-binding protein Y box-binding protein 1 and regulates splicing of reporter minigenes. Importantly, we found aberrant alternative splicing patterns in a mouse model of RTT. Thus, we uncovered a previously uncharacterized function of MeCP2 that involves regulation of splicing, in addition to its role as a transcriptional repressor.
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Young JI, Zoghbi HY. X-chromosome inactivation patterns are unbalanced and affect the phenotypic outcome in a mouse model of rett syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2004; 74:511-20. [PMID: 14973779 PMCID: PMC1182264 DOI: 10.1086/382228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2003] [Accepted: 12/11/2003] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting mostly females, is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Although the majority of girls with classic RTT have a random pattern of X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), nonbalanced patterns have been observed in patients carrying mutant MECP2 and, in some cases, account for variability of phenotypic manifestations. We have generated an RTT mouse model that recapitulates all major aspects of the human disease, but we found that females exhibit a high degree of phenotypic variability beyond what is observed in human patients with similar mutations. To evaluate whether XCI influences the phenotypic outcome of Mecp2 mutation in the mouse, we studied the pattern of XCI at the single-cell level in brains of heterozygous females. We found that XCI patterns were unbalanced, favoring expression of the wild-type allele, in most mutant females. It is notable that none of the animals had nonrandom XCI favoring the mutant allele. To explore why the XCI patterns favored expression of the wild-type allele, we studied primary neuronal cultures from Mecp2-mutant mice and found selective survival of neurons in which the wild-type X chromosome was active. Quantitative analysis indicated that fewer phenotypes are observed when a large percentage of neurons have the mutant X chromosome inactivated. The study of neuronal XCI patterns in a large number of female mice carrying a mutant Mecp2 allele highlights the importance of MeCP2 for neuronal viability. These findings also raise the possibility that there are human females who carry mutant MECP2 alleles but are not recognized because their phenotypes are subdued owing to favorable XCI patterns.
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Young JI, Sedivy JM, Smith JR. Telomerase expression in normal human fibroblasts stabilizes DNA 5-methylcytosine transferase I. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:19904-8. [PMID: 12665523 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m301685200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The finite proliferative potential of normal human fibroblasts can be overcome, a process commonly called immortalization, by the introduction of the catalytic subunit of human telomerase. In contrast to malignant transformation, the pattern of gene expression remains largely unmodified in telomerase-induced immortalization. Here we show evidence that suggests that the maintenance of a "young" pattern of gene expression by telomerization is mediated, at least in part, by a novel function of human telomerase that involves regulation of DNA methyltransferase I gene expression.
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Appleyard SM, Hayward M, Young JI, Butler AA, Cone RD, Rubinstein M, Low MJ. A role for the endogenous opioid beta-endorphin in energy homeostasis. Endocrinology 2003; 144:1753-60. [PMID: 12697680 DOI: 10.1210/en.2002-221096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the hypothalamus are direct targets of the adipostatic hormone leptin and contribute to energy homeostasis by integrating peripheral and central information. The melanocortin and beta-endorphin neuropeptides are processed from POMC and putatively coreleased at axon terminals. Melanocortins have been shown by a combination of pharmacological and genetic methods to have inhibitory effects on appetite and body weight. In contrast, pharmacological studies have generally indicated that opioids stimulate food intake. Here we report that male mice engineered to selectively lack beta-endorphin, but that retained normal melanocortin signaling, were hyperphagic and obese. Furthermore, beta-endorphin mutant and wild-type mice had identical orexigenic responses to exogenous opioids and identical anorectic responses to the nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone, implicating an alternative endogenous opioid tone to beta-endorphin that physiologically stimulates feeding. These genetic data indicate that beta-endorphin is required for normal regulation of feeding, but, in contrast to earlier reports suggesting opposing actions of beta-endorphin and melanocortins on appetite, our results suggest a more complementary interaction between the endogenously released POMC-derived peptides in the regulation of energy homeostasis.
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Refojo D, Kovalovsky D, Young JI, Rubinstein M, Holsboer F, Reul JMHM, Low MJ, Arzt E. Increased splenocyte proliferative response and cytokine production in beta-endorphin-deficient mice. J Neuroimmunol 2002; 131:126-34. [PMID: 12458044 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-5728(02)00268-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We used beta-endorphin-deficient mice as a novel approach to confirm the physiological role that opioid peptides play in the development or regulation of the immune system. We found that mice lacking beta-endorphin possessed an enhanced immune response, measured in terms of splenocyte proliferation and interleukin (IL)-2 mRNA levels, in vitro production of the splenic macrophage inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha and plasma IL-6 following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. beta-Endorphin-deficient mice had attenuated increases of plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels in response to LPS. These results are consistent with a postulated inhibitory role of endogenous beta-endorphin on the immune system at multiple levels.
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Falzone TL, Gelman DM, Young JI, Grandy DK, Low MJ, Rubinstein M. Absence of dopamine D4 receptors results in enhanced reactivity to unconditioned, but not conditioned, fear. Eur J Neurosci 2002; 15:158-64. [PMID: 11860516 DOI: 10.1046/j.0953-816x.2001.01842.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex receives a major dopaminergic input from the ventral tegmental area, which plays an important role in the integration of neuronal signals influencing behavioural responses to stressful environmental stimuli. The dopamine D4 receptor (D4R) is expressed at highest levels in the prefrontal cortex and is the predominant D2-like receptor localized in this brain area. To investigate the functional significance of D4Rs in dopamine-mediated responses we have analysed a strain of mice lacking this receptor subtype (Drd4-/-). Wild-type and Drd4-/- mice were challenged in two different approach/avoidance conflict paradigms: the elevated plus maze and the light/dark preference exploration test. By these behavioural measures Drd4-/- mice showed heightened avoidance to the more fear-provoking areas of each maze as demonstrated by reduced exploration of the open arms of the plus maze and longer latencies to explore the illuminated compartment of the light/dark shuttle box. These exaggerated avoidance behaviours were further enhanced by an additional handling stress but completely prevented by anxiolytic agents such as the benzodiazepine midazolam and ethanol. Although Drd4-/- mice displayed heightened anxiety, they exhibited normal ethanol preference and consumption in a two-bottle choice test. Learned fear responses evaluated by contextual, cued and instrumental fear-conditioning tests showed no difference between wild-type and Drd4-/- mice. Taken together these results indicate that the absence of D4Rs increases avoidance behaviour to unconditioned stimuli and does not impair behavioural reactions to Pavlovian fear-conditioning, suggesting that the D4R could play a key role in the dopaminergic modulation of cortical signals triggered by environmental stimuli.
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Young JI, Smith JR. DNA Methyltransferase I (DNMT1) Inhibition Induces a p21 Dependent Cell Cycle Arrest. ScientificWorldJournal 2001; 1:131. [PMID: 30147610 PMCID: PMC6084218 DOI: 10.1100/tsw.2001.232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Young JI, Smith JR. DNA methyltransferase inhibition in normal human fibroblasts induces a p21-dependent cell cycle withdrawal. J Biol Chem 2001; 276:19610-6. [PMID: 11259405 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m009470200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of methylation patterns in the mammalian genome by DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferases (DNAMeTase) is required for normal cell and tissue function. Inhibition of DNAMeTase in cultured cells induces the expression of p21, a cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor critical for cells to enter replicative senescence. We investigated the effects of DNAMeTase inhibition in normal human fibroblasts and found that it induces an irreversible growth arrest. Cells arrested by DNAMeTase inhibition became enlarged and had a flat morphology, exhibited an increased expression of collagenase and p21, and the DNA synthesis block could be overcome by the introduction of the SV40 large T antigen, all characteristics of senescent cells. In contrast, normal human fibroblasts lacking a functional p21 gene fail to undergo cell cycle arrest following DNAMeTase inhibition, indicating that p21 is an essential component of this arrest. Furthermore, DNAMeTase activity was reduced as cells approached the end of their proliferative potential. These data suggest that DNAMeTase could be an integral part of the mechanisms by which cells count the number of cell divisions completed and initiate a signaling cascade that ultimately results in the senescent phenotype.
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Young JI, Smith JR. DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE I (DNMT1) INHIBITION INDUCES A p21 DEPENDENT CELL CYCLE ARREST. ScientificWorldJournal 2001. [DOI: 10.1100/tsw.2001.23.232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Young JI, Otero V, Cerdán MG, Falzone TL, Chan EC, Low MJ, Rubinstein M. Authentic cell-specific and developmentally regulated expression of pro-opiomelanocortin genomic fragments in hypothalamic and hindbrain neurons of transgenic mice. J Neurosci 1998; 18:6631-40. [PMID: 9712635 PMCID: PMC6792967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is expressed in a subset of hypothalamic and hindbrain neurons and in pituitary melanotrophs and corticotrophs. POMC neurons release the potent opioid beta-endorphin and several active melanocortins that control homeostasis and feeding behavior. POMC gene expression in the CNS is believed to be controlled by distinct cis-acting regulatory sequences. To analyze the transcriptional regulation of POMC in neuronal and endocrine cells, we produced transgenic mice carrying POMC27*, a transgene containing the entire 6 kb of the POMC transcriptional unit together with 13 kb of 5' flanking regions and 8 kb of 3' flanking regions. POMC27* was tagged with a heterologous 30 bp oligonucleotide in the third exon. In situ hybridization studies showed an accurate cell-specific pattern of expression of POMC27* in the arcuate nucleus and the pituitary. Hypothalamic mRNA-positive neurons colocalized entirely with beta-endorphin immunoreactivity. No ectopic transgenic expression was detected in the brain. Deletional analyses demonstrated that neuron-specific expression of POMC transgenes required distal 5' sequences localized upstream of the pituitary-responsive proximal cis-acting elements that were identified previously. POMC27* exhibited a spatial and temporal pattern of expression throughout development that exactly paralleled endogenous POMC. RNase protection assays revealed that POMC27* expression mimicked that of POMC in different areas of the CNS and most peripheral organs with no detectable ectopic expression. Hormonal regulation of POMC27* and POMC was identical in the hypothalamus and pituitary. These results show that distal 5' sequences of the POMC gene located between -13 and -2 kb target expression into the CNS of transgenic mice in a precise neuron-specific, developmentally and hormonally regulated manner.
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Cerdán MG, Young JI, Zino E, Falzone TL, Otero V, Torres HN, Rubinstein M. Accurate spatial and temporal transgene expression driven by a 3.8-kilobase promoter of the bovine beta-casein gene in the lactating mouse mammary gland. Mol Reprod Dev 1998; 49:236-45. [PMID: 9491375 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1098-2795(199803)49:3<236::aid-mrd3>3.0.co;2-p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The spatial, temporal, and hormonal pattern of expression of the beta-casein gene is highly regulated and confined to the epithelial cells of the lactating mammary gland. Previous studies have shown that 1.7 kb of the bovine beta-casein promoter were able to drive cell-specific and hormone-dependent expression to a mouse mammary cell line but failed to induce accurate expression to the mammary gland of transgenic mice. We investigated here the ability of 3.8 kb of the bovine beta-casein gene promoter to drive the expression of the human growth hormone (hGH) gene in transgenic mice. A Northern blot analysis using total RNA obtained from different tissues of lactating and nonlactating females revealed the presence of hGH mRNA only in the mammary gland of lactating females. hGH mRNA was not detectable in the mammary gland of virgin females or males. A developmental analysis showed that hGH mRNA only peaked on parturition, resembling more closely the bovine beta-casein temporal expression pattern rather than the murine. In situ hibridization studies performed on mammary gland sections showed that the cellular pattern of hGH expression was homogeneous in all lobules from heterozygous and homozygous transgenic mice. Silver grain counts on the tissue sections highly correlated with the hGH contents in the milk determined by radioimmunoassay (r = 0.996). Thus 3.8 kb of the bovine beta-casein promoter direct a high-level expression of a reporter gene to the lactating mammary gland of transgenic mice in a tissue-specific and developmentally regulated manner.
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Elson EL, Pasternak C, Liu ZY, Young JI, Schwab B, Worthen GS, Downey G, Michaels R, McConnaughey WB, McDaniel M. Activation of mechanical responses in leukocytes. Biorheology 1990; 27:849-58. [PMID: 2093393 DOI: 10.3233/bir-1990-27605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Different kinds of leukocytes undergo cytoskeleton-dependent mechanical responses associated with their specific physiological functions. We have investigated cellular stiffening of several types of leukocytes using a method which measures the force resisting cellular indentation. We have found that lymphocytes stiffen in response to crosslinking cell surface antigens in a process associated with the much studied capping and patching processes. Further studies of myosin-deficient mutants of the ameba Dictyostelium discoideum suggest that this stiffening process results from a myosin dependent contractile process. Rat basophilic leukemia cells and pancreatic islet cells stiffen when triggered to secrete. The function of these cytoskeleton dependent processes is now unknown, but, at least in the islet cells, may be related to a regulation of the rate of secretion. Primary neutrophils stiffen in response to the chemotactic agent, fMet-Leu-Phe. This stiffening may be responsible for retention of these cells in the pulmonary microcirculation during response to inflammation. These observations pose the challenge of determining the structural basis, mechanism, and physiological function of each of these cellular responses.
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Abstract
RBL cells provide a useful model of the IgE and antigen-dependent stimulus-secretion coupling of mast cells and basophils. We have measured cellular deformability to investigate the participation of cytoskeletal mechanical changes. Cross-linking cell-surface IgE-receptor complexes with multivalent ligands not only triggered secretion but also caused the cells to stiffen, i.e., to become more resistant to deformation. This mechanical response required receptor cross-linking, had a time course similar to that of secretion, and was reversed by DNP-L-lysine, a competitive inhibitor of antigen binding. Hence the same stimulus seems to elicit both stiffening and secretion. Cytochalasin D, which inhibits actin filament assembly, prevented or reversed stiffening, thereby implicating the cytoskeleton in the mechanical response. Increasing intracellular calcium ion concentration with the ionophore A23187 stiffened cells and stimulated secretion. Activation of protein kinase C with a phorbol ester also stiffened cells and enhanced both the stiffening and secretion caused by the ionophore. Yet cytochalasin D enhances secretion whereas activation of protein kinase c alone is insufficient for secretion. Therefore stiffening is neither necessary nor sufficient for secretion. These results characterize a cytoskeletal mechanical response triggered by the same receptor-dependent stimulus that elicits secretion and by second messengers that are thought to mediate between the receptor signal and secretion. The function of the mechanical response, however, remains to be determined.
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Elson EL, Pasternak C, Daily B, Young JI, McConnaughey WB. Cross-linking surface immunoglobulin increases the stiffness of lymphocytes. Mol Immunol 1984; 21:1253-7. [PMID: 6335223 DOI: 10.1016/0161-5890(84)90018-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cross-linking surface immunoglobulin (sIg) on B-lymphocytes causes a substantial increase in the mechanical stiffness of the cells. This has been demonstrated using a new method for measuring cellular deformability. The method is based on a device, the "Cell Poker", which we use to determine the force required slightly to indent or compress a cell adherent to a rigid substrate in culture. Cross-linking of sIg by bivalent anti-sIg antibodies is necessary to elicit the increase in stiffness; binding of monovalent Fab fragments is insufficient. The increase in stiffness is partially reversed by cytochalasin D and by completion of the capping of the cross-linked sIg. The modulation of cellular deformability and the induction of cellular dynamic processes such as capping are similar in their requirements for cross-linking sIg and in their sensitivity to cytochalasins. This suggests that both kinds of responses stem from similar cellular processes and structures. These results emphasize the mechanical capability of lymphocytes and suggest that the physiological functions of these cells are likely to employ this capability.
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Elson EL, Pasternak C, Young JI, Daily B, Petersen NO, Henis YI, McConnaughey WB. Modulation of lymphocyte deformability by concanavalin A. PROGRESS IN CLINICAL AND BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH 1984; 164:365-76. [PMID: 6543000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
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