101
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A Case of Identity: HOX Genes in Normal and Cancer Stem Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040512. [PMID: 30974862 PMCID: PMC6521190 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the unique ability to self-renew and differentiate into many different cell types. Their function is controlled by core gene networks whose misregulation can result in aberrant stem cell function and defects of regeneration or neoplasia. HOX genes are master regulators of cell identity and cell fate during embryonic development. They play a crucial role in embryonic stem cell differentiation into specific lineages and their expression is maintained in adult stem cells along differentiation hierarchies. Aberrant HOX gene expression is found in several cancers where they can function as either oncogenes by sustaining cell proliferation or tumor-suppressor genes by controlling cell differentiation. Emerging evidence shows that abnormal expression of HOX genes is involved in the transformation of adult stem cells into cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells have been identified in most malignancies and proved to be responsible for cancer initiation, recurrence, and metastasis. In this review, we consider the role of HOX genes in normal and cancer stem cells and discuss how the modulation of HOX gene function could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies that target cancer stem cells to halt tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to treatment.
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102
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Selleri L, Zappavigna V, Ferretti E. 'Building a perfect body': control of vertebrate organogenesis by PBX-dependent regulatory networks. Genes Dev 2019; 33:258-275. [PMID: 30824532 PMCID: PMC6411007 DOI: 10.1101/gad.318774.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pbx genes encode transcription factors that belong to the TALE (three-amino-acid loop extension) superclass of homeodomain proteins. We have witnessed a surge in information about the roles of this gene family as leading actors in the transcriptional control of development. PBX proteins represent a clear example of how transcription factors can regulate developmental processes by combinatorial properties, acting within multimeric complexes to implement activation or repression of transcription depending on their interaction partners. Here, we revisit long-emphasized functions of PBX transcription factors as cofactors for HOX proteins, major architects of the body plan. We further discuss new knowledge on roles of PBX proteins in different developmental contexts as upstream regulators of Hox genes-as factors that interact with non-HOX proteins and can work independently of HOX-as well as potential pioneer factors. Committed to building a perfect body, PBX proteins govern regulatory networks that direct essential morphogenetic processes and organogenesis in vertebrate development. Perturbations of PBX-dependent networks can cause human congenital disease and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licia Selleri
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.,Institute of Human Genetics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.,Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.,Department of Anatomy, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | - Vincenzo Zappavigna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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103
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Abstract
Hox temporal collinearity (TC) is a mysterious feature of embryogenesis. This article is opportune because of a recent challenge to TC’s existence This challenge is examined and the evidence that TC does exist is presented. Its function is discussed. Temporal collinearity is thought to be important because it lays the basis for Hox spatial collinearity and the vertebrate A-P axial pattern. The time-space translation mechanism whereby this occurs is examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Durston
- a Institute of Biology , University of Leiden, Sylvius Laboratory , Leiden , Netherlands
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104
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Aires R, de Lemos L, Nóvoa A, Jurberg AD, Mascrez B, Duboule D, Mallo M. Tail Bud Progenitor Activity Relies on a Network Comprising Gdf11, Lin28, and Hox13 Genes. Dev Cell 2019; 48:383-395.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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105
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Pijuan-Sala B, Griffiths JA, Guibentif C, Hiscock TW, Jawaid W, Calero-Nieto FJ, Mulas C, Ibarra-Soria X, Tyser RCV, Ho DLL, Reik W, Srinivas S, Simons BD, Nichols J, Marioni JC, Göttgens B. A single-cell molecular map of mouse gastrulation and early organogenesis. Nature 2019; 566:490-495. [PMID: 30787436 PMCID: PMC6522369 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-0933-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 489] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Across the animal kingdom, gastrulation represents a key developmental event during which embryonic pluripotent cells diversify into lineage-specific precursors that will generate the adult organism. Here we report the transcriptional profiles of 116,312 single cells from mouse embryos collected at nine sequential time points ranging from 6.5 to 8.5 days post-fertilization. We construct a molecular map of cellular differentiation from pluripotency towards all major embryonic lineages, and explore the complex events involved in the convergence of visceral and primitive streak-derived endoderm. Furthermore, we use single-cell profiling to show that Tal1-/- chimeric embryos display defects in early mesoderm diversification, and we thus demonstrate how combining temporal and transcriptional information can illuminate gene function. Together, this comprehensive delineation of mammalian cell differentiation trajectories in vivo represents a baseline for understanding the effects of gene mutations during development, as well as a roadmap for the optimization of in vitro differentiation protocols for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Pijuan-Sala
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Carolina Guibentif
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tom W Hiscock
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- The Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wajid Jawaid
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fernando J Calero-Nieto
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carla Mulas
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ximena Ibarra-Soria
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard C V Tyser
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Debbie Lee Lian Ho
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wolf Reik
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Shankar Srinivas
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Benjamin D Simons
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- The Wellcome/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jennifer Nichols
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John C Marioni
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK.
- EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Berthold Göttgens
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Wellcome-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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106
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Bénazéraf B. Dynamics and mechanisms of posterior axis elongation in the vertebrate embryo. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:89-98. [PMID: 30283977 PMCID: PMC11105343 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2927-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
During development, the vertebrate embryo undergoes significant morphological changes which lead to its future body form and functioning organs. One of these noticeable changes is the extension of the body shape along the antero-posterior (A-P) axis. This A-P extension, while taking place in multiple embryonic tissues of the vertebrate body, involves the same basic cellular behaviors: cell proliferation, cell migration (of new progenitors from a posterior stem zone), and cell rearrangements. However, the nature and the relative contribution of these different cellular behaviors to A-P extension appear to vary depending upon the tissue in which they take place and on the stage of embryonic development. By focusing on what is known in the neural and mesodermal tissues of the bird embryo, I review the influences of cellular behaviors in posterior tissue extension. In this context, I discuss how changes in distinct cell behaviors can be coordinated at the tissue level (and between tissues) to synergize, build, and elongate the posterior part of the embryonic body. This multi-tissue framework does not only concern axis elongation, as it could also be generalized to morphogenesis of any developing organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bertrand Bénazéraf
- Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.
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107
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Boos A, Distler J, Rudolf H, Klingler M, El-Sherif E. A re-inducible gap gene cascade patterns the anterior-posterior axis of insects in a threshold-free fashion. eLife 2018; 7:41208. [PMID: 30570485 PMCID: PMC6329609 DOI: 10.7554/elife.41208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap genes mediate the division of the anterior-posterior axis of insects into different fates through regulating downstream hox genes. Decades of tinkering the segmentation gene network of Drosophila melanogaster led to the conclusion that gap genes are regulated (at least initially) through a threshold-based mechanism, guided by both anteriorly- and posteriorly-localized morphogen gradients. In this paper, we show that the response of the gap gene network in the beetle Tribolium castaneum upon perturbation is consistent with a threshold-free ‘Speed Regulation’ mechanism, in which the speed of a genetic cascade of gap genes is regulated by a posterior morphogen gradient. We show this by re-inducing the leading gap gene (namely, hunchback) resulting in the re-induction of the gap gene cascade at arbitrary points in time. This demonstrates that the gap gene network is self-regulatory and is primarily under the control of a posterior regulator in Tribolium and possibly other short/intermediate-germ insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Boos
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jutta Distler
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heike Rudolf
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Klingler
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ezzat El-Sherif
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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108
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Feltes BC, Grisci BI, Poloni JDF, Dorn M. Perspectives and applications of machine learning for evolutionary developmental biology. Mol Omics 2018; 14:289-306. [PMID: 30168572 DOI: 10.1039/c8mo00111a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo) is an ever-expanding field that aims to understand how development was modulated by the evolutionary process. In this sense, "omic" studies emerged as a powerful ally to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying development. In this scenario, bioinformatics tools become necessary to analyze the growing amount of information. Among computational approaches, machine learning stands out as a promising field to generate knowledge and trace new research perspectives for bioinformatics. In this review, we aim to expose the current advances of machine learning applied to evolution and development. We draw clear perspectives and argue how evolution impacted machine learning techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno César Feltes
- Institute of Informatics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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109
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Galis F, Metz JA, van Alphen JJ. Development and Evolutionary Constraints in Animals. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110617-062339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We review the evolutionary importance of developmental mechanisms in constraining evolutionary changes in animals—in other words, developmental constraints. We focus on hard constraints that can act on macroevolutionary timescales. In particular, we discuss the causes and evolutionary consequences of the ancient metazoan constraint that differentiated cells cannot divide and constraints against changes of phylotypic stages in vertebrates and other higher taxa. We conclude that in all cases these constraints are caused by complex and highly controlled global interactivity of development, the disturbance of which has grave consequences. Mutations that affect such global interactivity almost unavoidably have many deleterious pleiotropic effects, which will be strongly selected against and will lead to long-term evolutionary stasis. The discussed developmental constraints have pervasive consequences for evolution and critically restrict regeneration capacity and body plan evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frietson Galis
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johan A.J. Metz
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
- Mathematical Institute, University of Leiden; 2333 CA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jacques J.M. van Alphen
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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110
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Feltes BC. Architects meets Repairers: The interplay between homeobox genes and DNA repair. DNA Repair (Amst) 2018; 73:34-48. [PMID: 30448208 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Homeobox genes are widely considered the major protagonists of embryonic development and tissue formation. For the past decades, it was established that the deregulation of these genes is intimately related to developmental abnormalities and a broad range of diseases in adults. Since the proper regulation and expression of homeobox genes are necessary for a successful developmental program and tissue function, their relation to DNA repair mechanisms become a necessary discussion. However, important as it is, studies focused on the interplay between homeobox genes and DNA repair are scarce, and there is no critical discussion on the subject. Hence, in this work, I aim to provide the first review of the current knowledge of the interplay between homeobox genes and DNA repair mechanisms, and offer future perspectives on this, yet, young ground for new researches. Critical discussion is conducted, together with a careful assessment of each reviewed topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno César Feltes
- Institute of Informatics, Department of Theoretical Informatics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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111
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Multi-axial self-organization properties of mouse embryonic stem cells into gastruloids. Nature 2018; 562:272-276. [PMID: 30283134 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0578-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of multiple axes is an essential element in the establishment of the mammalian body plan. This process takes place shortly after implantation of the embryo within the uterus and relies on the activity of gene regulatory networks that coordinate transcription in space and time. Whereas genetic approaches have revealed important aspects of these processes1, a mechanistic understanding is hampered by the poor experimental accessibility of early post-implantation stages. Here we show that small aggregates of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), when stimulated to undergo gastrulation-like events and elongation in vitro, can organize a post-occipital pattern of neural, mesodermal and endodermal derivatives that mimic embryonic spatial and temporal gene expression. The establishment of the three major body axes in these 'gastruloids'2,3 suggests that the mechanisms involved are interdependent. Specifically, gastruloids display the hallmarks of axial gene regulatory systems as exemplified by the implementation of collinear Hox transcriptional patterns along an extending antero-posterior axis. These results reveal an unanticipated self-organizing capacity of aggregated ESCs and suggest that gastruloids could be used as a complementary system to study early developmental events in the mammalian embryo.
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112
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113
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Durston AJ. Two Tier Hox Collinearity Mediates Vertebrate Axial Patterning. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:102. [PMID: 30234110 PMCID: PMC6131192 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A two tier mechanism mediates Hox collinearity. Besides the familiar collinear chromatin modification within each Hox cluster (nanocollinearity), there is also a macrocollinearity tier. Individual Hox clusters and individual cells are coordinated and synchronized to generate multiscale (macro and nano) collinearity in the early vertebrate embryo. Macro-collinearity is mediated by three non-cell autonomous Hox–Hox interactions. These mediate temporal collinearity in early NOM (non-organizer mesoderm), time space translation where temporal collinearity is translated to spatial collinearity along the early embryo’s main body axis and neural transformation, where Hox expression is copied monospecifically from NOM mesoderm to overlying neurectoderm in the late gastrula. Unlike nanocollinearity, which is Hox cluster restricted, axial macrocollinearity extends into the head and EAD domains, thus covering the whole embryonic anterior-posterior (A-P) axis. EAD: extreme anterior domain, the only A-P axial domain anterior to the head. The whole time space translation mechanism interacts with A-P signaling pathways via “decision points,” separating different domains on the axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony J Durston
- Faculty of Science, Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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114
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Davidson AJ, Lewis P, Przepiorski A, Sander V. Turning mesoderm into kidney. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 91:86-93. [PMID: 30172050 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The intermediate mesoderm is located between the somites and the lateral plate mesoderm and gives rise to renal progenitors that contribute to the three mammalian kidney types (pronephros, mesonephros and metanephros). In this review, focusing largely on murine kidney development, we examine how the intermediate mesoderm forms during gastrulation/axis elongation and how it progressively gives rise to distinct renal progenitors along the rostro-caudal axis. We highlight some of the potential signalling cues and core transcription factor circuits that direct these processes, up to the point of early metanephric kidney formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J Davidson
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 921019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
| | - Paula Lewis
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 921019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Aneta Przepiorski
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 921019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Veronika Sander
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 921019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
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115
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Mastromina I, Verrier L, Silva JC, Storey KG, Dale JK. Myc activity is required for maintenance of the neuromesodermal progenitor signalling network and for segmentation clock gene oscillations in mouse. Development 2018; 145:dev161091. [PMID: 30061166 PMCID: PMC6078331 DOI: 10.1242/dev.161091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Myc transcriptional regulators are implicated in a range of cellular functions, including proliferation, cell cycle progression, metabolism and pluripotency maintenance. Here, we investigated the expression, regulation and function of the Myc family during mouse embryonic axis elongation and segmentation. Expression of both cMyc (Myc - Mouse Genome Informatics) and MycN in the domains in which neuromesodermal progenitors (NMPs) and underlying caudal pre-somitic mesoderm (cPSM) cells reside is coincident with WNT and FGF signals, factors known to maintain progenitors in an undifferentiated state. Pharmacological inhibition of Myc activity downregulates expression of WNT/FGF components. In turn, we find that cMyc expression is WNT, FGF and Notch protein regulated, placing it centrally in the signalling circuit that operates in the tail end that both sustains progenitors and drives maturation of the PSM into somites. Interfering with Myc function in the PSM, where it displays oscillatory expression, delays the timing of segmentation clock oscillations and thus of somite formation. In summary, we identify Myc as a component that links NMP maintenance and PSM maturation during the body axis elongation stages of mouse embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Mastromina
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Laure Verrier
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Joana Clara Silva
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Kate G Storey
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - J Kim Dale
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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116
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Elias MH, Azlan H, Sulong S, Baba AA, Ankathil R. Aberrant DNA methylation at HOXA4 and HOXA5 genes are associated with resistance to imatinib mesylate among chronic myeloid leukemia patients. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2018; 1:e1111. [PMID: 32721103 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imatinib mesylate is a molecularly targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug. It is effectively used in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. However, development of resistance to imatinib mesylate as a result of BCR-ABL dependent and BCR-ABL independent mechanisms has emerged as a daunting problem in the management of CML patients. Between these mechanisms, BCR-ABL independent mechanisms are still not robustly understood. AIM To investigate the correlation of HOXA4 and HOXA5 promoter DNA hypermethylation with imatinib resistance among CML patients. METHODS AND RESULTS Samples from 175 Philadelphia positive CML patients (83 good response and 92 BCR-ABL non-mutated imatinib resistant patients) were subjected to Methylation Specific High Resolution Melt Analysis for methylation levels quantification of the HOXA4 and HOXA5 promoter regions. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was done to elucidate the optimal methylation cut-off point followed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Log-Rank analysis was done to measure the overall survival difference between CML groups. The optimal methylation cut-off point was found to be at 62.5% for both HOXA4 and HOXA5. Chronic myeloid leukemia patients with ≥63% HOXA4 and HOXA5 methylation level were shown to have 3.78 and 3.95 times the odds, respectively, to acquire resistance to imatinib. However, overall survival of CML patients that have ≤62% and ≥ 63% methylation levels of HOXA4 and HOXA5 genes were found to be not significant (P-value = 0.126 for HOXA4; P-value = 0.217 for HOXA5). CONCLUSION Hypermethylation of the HOXA4 and HOXA5 promoter is correlated with imatinib resistance and with further investigation, it could be a potential epigenetic biomarker in supplement to the BCR-ABL gene mutation in predicting imatinib treatment response among CML patients but could not be considered as a prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjanu Hikmah Elias
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai, Malaysia
| | - Husin Azlan
- Haemato-Oncology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
| | - Sarina Sulong
- Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | | | - Ravindran Ankathil
- Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
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117
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Abstract
Biology is dynamic. Timescales range from frenetic sub-second ion fluxes and enzymatic reactions to the glacial millions of years of evolutionary change. Falling somewhere in the middle of this range are the processes we usually study in development: cell division and differentiation, gene expression, cell-cell signalling, and morphogenesis. But what sets the tempo and manages the order of developmental events? Are the order and tempo different between species? How is the sequence of multiple events coordinated? Here, we discuss the importance of time for developing embryos, highlighting the necessity for global as well as cell-autonomous control. New reagents and tools in imaging and genomic engineering, combined with in vitro culture, are beginning to offer fresh perspectives and molecular insight into the origin and mechanisms of developmental time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miki Ebisuya
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (RIKEN BDR), 2-2-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, 650-0047, Japan
| | - James Briscoe
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
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118
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Pascual-Anaya J, Sato I, Sugahara F, Higuchi S, Paps J, Ren Y, Takagi W, Ruiz-Villalba A, Ota KG, Wang W, Kuratani S. Hagfish and lamprey Hox genes reveal conservation of temporal colinearity in vertebrates. Nat Ecol Evol 2018; 2:859-866. [PMID: 29610468 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0526-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Hox genes exert fundamental roles for proper regional specification along the main rostro-caudal axis of animal embryos. They are generally expressed in restricted spatial domains according to their position in the cluster (spatial colinearity)-a feature that is conserved across bilaterians. In jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes), the position in the cluster also determines the onset of expression of Hox genes (a feature known as whole-cluster temporal colinearity (WTC)), while in invertebrates this phenomenon is displayed as a subcluster-level temporal colinearity. However, little is known about the expression profile of Hox genes in jawless vertebrates (cyclostomes); therefore, the evolutionary origin of WTC, as seen in gnathostomes, remains a mystery. Here, we show that Hox genes in cyclostomes are expressed according to WTC during development. We investigated the Hox repertoire and Hox gene expression profiles in three different species-a hagfish, a lamprey and a shark-encompassing the two major groups of vertebrates, and found that these are expressed following a whole-cluster, temporally staggered pattern, indicating that WTC has been conserved during the past 500 million years despite drastically different genome evolution and morphological outputs between jawless and jawed vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iori Sato
- Evolutionary Morphology Laboratory, RIKEN, Kobe, Japan.,Evolutionary Morphology Research Team, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Sugahara
- Evolutionary Morphology Laboratory, RIKEN, Kobe, Japan.,Division of Biology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Shinnosuke Higuchi
- Evolutionary Morphology Laboratory, RIKEN, Kobe, Japan.,Evolutionary Morphology Research Team, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan
| | - Jordi Paps
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Yandong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wataru Takagi
- Evolutionary Morphology Laboratory, RIKEN, Kobe, Japan.,Physiology Laboratory, Atmosphere Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Adrián Ruiz-Villalba
- Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA), Área de Terapia Celular, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Pública de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Kinya G Ota
- Laboratory of Aquatic Zoology, Marine Research Station, Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Yilan, Taiwan
| | - Wen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Shigeru Kuratani
- Evolutionary Morphology Laboratory, RIKEN, Kobe, Japan.,Evolutionary Morphology Research Team, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan
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