Pax3 and Pax7 have distinct and overlapping functions in adult muscle progenitor cells

Role of pericytes in skeletal muscle regeneration and fat accumulation

Stem cells ensure tissue regeneration, while overgrowth of adipogenic cells may compromise organ recovery and impair function. In myopathies and muscle atrophy associated with aging, fat accumulation increases dysfunction, and after chronic injury, the process of fatty degeneration, in which muscle is replaced by white adipocytes, further compromises tissue function and environment. Some studies suggest that pericytes may contribute to muscle regeneration as well as fat formation. This work reports the presence of two pericyte subpopulations in the skeletal muscle and characterizes their specific roles. Skeletal muscle from Nestin-GFP/NG2-DsRed mice show two types of pericytes, Nestin-GFP-/NG2-DsRed+ (type-1) and Nestin-GFP+/NG2-DsRed+ (type-2), in close proximity to endothelial cells. We also found that both Nestin-GFP-/NG2-DsRed+ and Nestin-GFP+/NG2-DsRed+ cells colocalize with staining of two pericyte markers, PDGFRβ and CD146, but only type-1 pericyte express the adipogenic progenitor marker PDGFRα. Type-2 pericytes participate in muscle regeneration, while type-1 contribute to fat accumulation. Transplantation studies indicate that type-1 pericytes do not form muscle in vivo, but contribute to fat deposition in the skeletal muscle, while type-2 pericytes contribute only to the new muscle formation after injury, but not to the fat accumulation. Our results suggest that type-1 and type-2 pericytes contribute to successful muscle regeneration which results from a balance of myogenic and nonmyogenic cells activation.

Myf5-positive satellite cells contribute to Pax7-dependent long-term maintenance of adult muscle stem cells

Skeletal muscle contains Pax7-expressing muscle stem or satellite cells, enabling muscle regeneration throughout most of adult life. Here, we demonstrate that induced inactivation of Pax7 in Pax7-expressing cells of adult mice leads to loss of muscle stem cells and reduced heterochromatin condensation in rare surviving satellite cells. Inactivation of Pax7 in Myf5-expressing cells revealed that the majority of adult muscle stem cells originate from myogenic lineages, which express the myogenic regulators Myf5 or MyoD. Likewise, the majority of muscle stem cells are replenished from Myf5-expressing myogenic cells during adult life, and inactivation of Pax7 in Myf5-expressing cells after muscle damage leads to a complete arrest of muscle regeneration. Finally, we demonstrate that a relatively small number of muscle stem cells are sufficient for efficient repair of skeletal muscles. We conclude that Pax7 acts at different levels in a nonhierarchical regulatory network controlling muscle-satellite-cell-mediated muscle regeneration.

Initiation of primary myogenesis in amniote limb muscles

BACKGROUND

Vertebrate muscles are defined and patterned at the stage of primary myotube formation, but there is no clear description of how these cells form in vivo. Of particular interest is whether primary myotubes are "seeded" by a unique myoblast population that differentiates as mononucleated myocytes, similar to the founder myoblasts of insects.

RESULTS

We analyzed the cell populations and processes leading to initiation of primary myogenesis in limb buds of rats and mice. Pax3(+ve) myogenic precursors migrate into the limb bud and initially consolidate into dorsal and ventral muscle masses in the absence of Pax7 expression. Approximately a day later, Pax7(+ve) cells appear in the central aspect of the limb base and subsequently throughout the limb muscle masses. Primary myogenesis is initiated within each muscle mass at a time when only Pax3, and not Pax7, protein can be detected. Primary myotubes form initially as elongate mononucleated myocytes, well before cleavage of the muscle masses has occurred. Multinucleate myotubes appear approximately a day later. A similar process is seen during initiation of chick limb primary myogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary myotubes of vertebrate limb muscles are initiated by mononucleated myocytes, that appear structurally analogous to the founder myoblasts of insects.

Extensive morphological and immunohistochemical characterization in myotubular myopathy

The X-linked myotubular myopathy (XLMTM) also called X-linked centronuclear myopathy is a rare congenital myopathy due to mutations in the MTM 1 gene encoding myotubularin. The disease gives rise to a severe muscle weakness in males at birth. The main muscle morphological characteristics (significant number of small muscle fibers with centralized nuclei and type 1 fiber predominance) are usually documented, but the sequence of formation and maintenance of this particular morphological pattern has not been extensively characterized in humans. In this study, we perform a reevaluation of morphological changes in skeletal muscle biopsies in severe XLMTM. We correlate the pathologic features observed in the muscle biopsies of 15 newborns with MTM 1-mutations according to the "adjusted-age" at the time of muscle biopsy, focusing on sequential analysis in the early period of the life (from 34 weeks of gestation to 3 months of age). We found a similar morphological pattern throughout the period analyzed; the proportion of myofibers with central nuclei was high in all muscle biopsies, independently of the muscle type, the age of the newborns at time of biopsy and the specific MTM 1 mutation. We did not observe a period free of morphological abnormalities in human skeletal muscle as observed in myotubularin-deficient mouse models. In addition, this study demonstrated some features of delayed maturation of the muscle fibers without any increase in the number of satellite cells, associated with a marked disorganization of the muscle T-tubules and cytoskeletal network in the skeletal muscle fibers.

PABPN1: molecular function and muscle disease

The polyadenosine RNA binding protein polyadenylate-binding nuclear protein 1 (PABPN1) plays key roles in post-transcriptional processing of RNA. Although PABPN1 is ubiquitously expressed and presumably contributes to control of gene expression in all tissues, mutation of the PABPN1 gene causes the disease oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), in which a limited set of skeletal muscles are affected. A major goal in the field of OPMD research is to understand why mutation of a ubiquitously expressed gene leads to a muscle-specific disease. PABPN1 plays a well-documented role in controlling the poly(A) tail length of RNA transcripts but new functions are emerging through studies that exploit a variety of unbiased screens as well as model organisms. This review addresses (a) the molecular function of PABPN1 incorporating recent findings that reveal novel cellular functions for PABPN1 and (b) the approaches that are being used to understand the molecular defects that stem from expression of mutant PABPN1. The long-term goal in this field of research is to understand the key molecular functions of PABPN1 in muscle as well as the mechanisms that underlie the pathological consequences of mutant PABPN1. Armed with this information, researchers can seek to develop therapeutic approaches to enhance the quality of life for patients afflicted with OPMD.

Fetal skeletal muscle progenitors have regenerative capacity after intramuscular engraftment in dystrophin deficient mice

Muscle satellite cells (SCs) are stem cells that reside in skeletal muscles and contribute to regeneration upon muscle injury. SCs arise from skeletal muscle progenitors expressing transcription factors Pax3 and/or Pax7 during embryogenesis in mice. However, it is unclear whether these fetal progenitors possess regenerative ability when transplanted in adult muscle. Here we address this question by investigating whether fetal skeletal muscle progenitors (FMPs) isolated from Pax3^GFP/+ embryos have the capacity to regenerate muscle after engraftment into Dystrophin-deficient mice, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The capacity of FMPs to engraft and enter the myogenic program in regenerating muscle was compared with that of SCs derived from adult Pax3^GFP/+ mice. Transplanted FMPs contributed to the reconstitution of damaged myofibers in Dystrophin-deficient mice. However, despite FMPs and SCs having similar myogenic ability in culture, the regenerative ability of FMPs was less than that of SCs in vivo. FMPs that had activated MyoD engrafted more efficiently to regenerate myofibers than MyoD-negative FMPs. Transcriptome and surface marker analyses of these cells suggest the importance of myogenic priming for the efficient myogenic engraftment. Our findings suggest the regenerative capability of FMPs in the context of muscle repair and cell therapy for degenerative muscle disease.

Highly efficient derivation of skeletal myotubes from human embryonic stem cells

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a promising model for the research of embryonic development and regenerative medicine. Since the first hESC line was established, many researchers have shown that pluripotent hESCs can be directed into many types of functional adult cells in culture. However, most of the reported methods have induced differentiation through the alteration of growth factors in the culture medium. These methods are time consuming; moreover, it is difficult to obtain a pure population of the desired cells because of the low efficiency of induction. In this study, we used a lentiviral-based inducible gene-expression system in hESCs to control the ectopic expression of MyoD, which is an essential transcription factor in skeletal muscle development. The induction of MyoD can efficiently direct the pluripotent hESCs into mesoderm in 24 h. The cells then become proliferated myoblasts and finally form multinucleated myotubes in vitro. The whole procedure took about 10 days, with an induction efficiency of over 90%. To our knowledge, this is the first time that hESCs have been induced into terminally differentiated cells with only one factor. In the future, these results could be a potential resource for cell therapy for diseases of muscle dysfunction.

Itm2a is a Pax3 target gene, expressed at sites of skeletal muscle formation in vivo

The paired-box homeodomain transcription factor Pax3 is a key regulator of the nervous system, neural crest and skeletal muscle development. Despite the important role of this transcription factor, very few direct target genes have been characterized. We show that Itm2a, which encodes a type 2 transmembrane protein, is a direct Pax3 target in vivo, by combining genetic approaches and in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. We have generated a conditional mutant allele for Itm2a, which is an imprinted gene, by flanking exons 2–4 with loxP sites and inserting an IRESnLacZ reporter in the 3′ UTR of the gene. The LacZ reporter reproduces the expression profile of Itm2a, and allowed us to further characterize its expression at sites of myogenesis, in the dermomyotome and myotome of somites, and in limb buds, in the mouse embryo. We further show that Itm2a is not only expressed in adult muscle fibres but also in the satellite cells responsible for regeneration. Itm2a mutant mice are viable and fertile with no overt phenotype during skeletal muscle formation or regeneration. Potential compensatory mechanisms are discussed.

Myf5 expression during fetal myogenesis defines the developmental progenitors of adult satellite cells

Myf5 is a member of the muscle-specific determination genes and plays a critical role in skeletal muscle development. Whereas the expression of Myf5 during embryonic and fetal myogenesis has been extensively studied, its expression in progenitors that will ultimately give rise to adult satellite cells, the stem cells responsible for muscle repair, is still largely unexplored. To investigate this aspect, we have generated a mouse strain carrying a CreER coding sequence in the Myf5 locus. In this strain, Tamoxifen-inducible Cre activity parallels endogenous Myf5 expression. Combining Myf5(CreER) and Cre reporter alleles, we were able to evaluate the contribution of cells expressing Myf5 at distinct developmental stages to the pool of satellite cells in adult hindlimb muscles. Although it was possible to trace back the origin of some rare satellite cells to a subpopulation of Myf5(+ve) progenitors in the limb buds at the late embryonic stage (∼E12), a significant number of satellite cells arise from cells which expressed Myf5 for the first time at the fetal stage (∼E15). These studies provide direct evidence that adult satellite cells derive from progenitors that first express the myogenic determination gene Myf5 during fetal stages of myogenesis.

In vitro indeterminate teleost myogenesis appears to be dependent on Pax3

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been used extensively as a model system for developmental studies but, unlike most teleost fish, it grows in a determinate-like manner. A close relative, the giant danio (Devario cf. aequipinnatus), grows indeterminately, displaying both hyperplasia and hypertrophy of skeletal myofibers as an adult. To better understand adult muscle hyperplasia, a postlarval/postnatal process that closely resembles secondary myogenesis during development, we characterized the expression of Pax3/7, c-Met, syndecan-4, Myf5, MyoD1, myogenin, and myostatin during in vitro myogenesis, a technique that allows for the complete progression of myogenic precursor cells to myotubes. Pax7 appears to be expressed only in newly activated MPCs while Pax3 is expressed through most of the myogenic program, as are c-Met and syndecan-4. MyoD1 appears important in all stages of myogenesis, while Myf5 is likely expressed at low to background levels, and myogenin expression is enriched in myotubes. Myostatin, like MyoD1, appears to be ubiquitous at all stages. This is the first comprehensive report of key myogenic factor expression patterns in an indeterminate teleost, one that strongly suggests that Pax3 and/or Myf5 may be involved in the regulation of this paradigm. Further, it validates this species as a model organism for studying adult myogenesis in vitro, especially mechanisms underlying nascent myofiber recruitment.

The characterisation of Pax3 expressant cells in adult peripheral nerve

Pax3 has numerous integral functions in embryonic tissue morphogenesis and knowledge of its complex function in cells of adult tissue continues to unfold. Across a variety of adult tissue lineages, the role of Pax3 is principally linked to maintenance of the tissue’s resident stem/progenitor cell population. In adult peripheral nerves, Pax3 is reported to be expressed in nonmyelinating Schwann cells, however, little is known about the purpose of this expression. Based on the evidence of the role of Pax3 in other adult tissue stem and progenitor cells, it was hypothesised that the cells in adult peripheral nerve that express Pax3 may be peripheral glioblasts. Here, methods have been developed for identification and visualisation of Pax3 expressant cells in normal 60 day old mouse peripheral nerve that allowed morphological and phenotypic distinctions to be made between Pax3 expressing cells and other nonmyelinating Schwann cells. The distinctions described provide compelling support for a resident glioblast population in adult mouse peripheral nerve.

Satellite cells and the muscle stem cell niche

Adult skeletal muscle in mammals is a stable tissue under normal circumstances but has remarkable ability to repair after injury. Skeletal muscle regeneration is a highly orchestrated process involving the activation of various cellular and molecular responses. As skeletal muscle stem cells, satellite cells play an indispensible role in this process. The self-renewing proliferation of satellite cells not only maintains the stem cell population but also provides numerous myogenic cells, which proliferate, differentiate, fuse, and lead to new myofiber formation and reconstitution of a functional contractile apparatus. The complex behavior of satellite cells during skeletal muscle regeneration is tightly regulated through the dynamic interplay between intrinsic factors within satellite cells and extrinsic factors constituting the muscle stem cell niche/microenvironment. For the last half century, the advance of molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics has greatly improved our understanding of skeletal muscle biology. Here, we review some recent advances, with focuses on functions of satellite cells and their niche during the process of skeletal muscle regeneration.

Pax3/7BP is a Pax7- and Pax3-binding protein that regulates the proliferation of muscle precursor cells by an epigenetic mechanism

In mouse skeletal muscles, Pax7 uniquely marks muscle satellite cells and plays some important yet unknown functions at the perinatal stage. To elucidate its in vivo functions, we initiated a yeast two-hybrid screening to look for Pax7-interacting proteins and identified a previously uncharacterized Pax7- and Pax3-binding protein (Pax3/7BP). Pax3/7BP is a ubiquitously expressed nuclear protein, enriched in Pax7+ muscle precursor cells (MPCs), and serves as an indispensable adaptor for Pax7 to recruit the histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferase (HMT) complex by bridging Pax7 and Wdr5. Knockdown of Pax3/7BP abolished the Pax3/7-associated H3K4 HMT activity and inhibited the proliferation of Pax7+ MPCs from young mice both in culture and in vivo. Id3 and Cdc20 were direct target genes of Pax7 and Pax3/7BP involved in the proliferation of Pax7+ MPCs. Collectively, our work establishes Pax3/7BP as an essential adaptor linking Pax3/7 with the H3K4 HMT to regulate the proliferation of MPCs.

Six1 regulates proliferation of Pax7-positive muscle progenitors in zebrafish

In the embryonic zebrafish, skeletal muscle fibres are formed from muscle progenitors in the paraxial mesoderm. The embryonic myotome is mostly constituted of fast-twitch-specific fibres, which are formed from a fast-specific progenitor cell pool. The most lateral fraction of the fast domain in the myotome of zebrafish embryos derives from the Pax7-positive dermomyotome-like cells. In this study, we show that two genes, belonging to the sine oculus class 1 (six1) genes (six1a and six1b), are both essential for the regulation of Pax7(+) cell proliferation and, consequently, in their differentiation during the establishment of the zebrafish dermomyotome. In both six1a and six1b morphant embryos, Pax7(+) cells are initially formed but fail to proliferate, as detected by reduced levels of the proliferation marker phosphohistone3 and reduced brdU incorporation. In congruence, overexpression of six1a or six1b leads to increased Pax7(+) cell number and reduced or alternatively delayed fibre cell differentiation. Bone morphogenetic protein signalling has previously been suggested to inhibit differentiation of Pax7(+) cells in the dermomyotome. Here we show that the remaining Pax7(+) cells in six1a and six1b morphant embryos also have significantly reduced pSmad1/5/8 levels and propose that this leads to a reduced proliferative activity, which may result in a premature differentiation of Pax7(+) cells in the zebrafish dermomyotome. In summary, we show a mechanism for Six1a and Six1b in establishing the Pax7(+) cell derived part of the fast muscle and suggest new important roles for Six1 in the regulation of the Pax7(+) muscle cell population through pSmad1/5/8 signalling.

A call to ARMS: targeting the PAX3-FOXO1 gene in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma

INTRODUCTION

Expression of fusion oncoproteins generated by recurrent chromosomal translocations represents a major tumorigenic mechanism characteristic of multiple cancers, including one-third of all sarcomas. Oncogenic fusion genes provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention. The PAX3-FOXO1 oncoprotein in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is presented as a paradigm to examine therapeutic strategies for targeting sarcoma-associated fusion genes.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the role of PAX3-FOXO1 in ARMS tumors. Besides evaluating various approaches to molecularly target PAX3-FOXO1 itself, this review highlights therapeutically attractive downstream genes activated by PAX3-FOXO1.

EXPERT OPINION

Oncogenic fusion proteins represent desirable therapeutic targets because their expression is specific to tumor cells, but these fusions generally characterize rare malignancies. Full development and testing of potential drugs targeted to these fusions are complicated by the small numbers of patients in these disease categories. Although efforts to develop targeted therapies against fusion proteins should continue, molecular targets that are applicable to a broader tumor landscape should be pursued. A shift of the traditional paradigm to view therapeutic intervention as target-specific rather than tumor-specific will help to circumvent the challenges posed by rare tumors and maximize the possibility of developing successful new treatments for patients with these rare translocation-associated sarcomas.

MicroRNAs involved in skeletal muscle differentiation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) negatively regulate gene expression by promoting degradation of target mRNAs or inhibiting their translation. Previous studies have expanded our understanding that miRNAs play an important role in myogenesis and have a big impact on muscle mass, muscle fiber type and muscle-related diseases. The muscle-specific miRNAs, miR-206, miR-1 and miR-133, are among the most studied and best characterized miRNAs in skeletal muscle differentiation. They have a profound influence on multiple muscle differentiation processes, such as alternative splicing, DNA synthesis, and cell apoptosis. Many non-muscle-specific miRNAs are also required for the differentiation of muscle through interaction with myogenic factors. Studying the regulatory mechanisms of these miRNAs in muscle differentiation will extend our knowledge of miRNAs in muscle biology and will improve our understanding of the myogenesis regulation.

A necrotic stimulus is required to maximize matrix-mediated myogenesis in mice

Biomaterials that are similar to skeletal muscle extracellular matrix have been shown to augment regeneration in ischemic muscle. In this study, treatment with a collagen-based matrix stimulated molecular myogenesis in an mdx murine model of necrosis. Matrix-treated animals ran ≥ 40% further, demonstrating functional regeneration, and expressed increased levels of myogenic transcripts. By contrast, matrix treatment was unable to induce transcriptional or functional changes in an MLC/SOD1(G93A) atrophic mouse model. In vitro, satellite cells were cultured under standard conditions, on matrix, in the presence of myocyte debris (to simulate a necrotic-like environment) or with both matrix and necrotic stimuli. Exposure to both matrix and necrotic stimuli induced the greatest increases in mef2c, myf5, myoD and myogenin transcripts. Furthermore, conditioned medium collected from satellite cells cultured with both stimuli contained elevated levels of factors that modulate satellite cell activation and proliferation, such as FGF-2, HGF and SDF-1. Application of the conditioned medium to C2C12 myoblasts accelerated maturation, as demonstrated by increased mef2c, myf5 and myogenin transcripts and fusion indexes. In summary, the collagen matrix required a necrotic stimulus to enhance the maturation of satellite cells and their secretion of a myogenic cocktail. Considering that matrix treatment supports myogenesis only in in vivo models that exhibit necrosis, this study demonstrates that a necrotic environment is required to maximize matrix-mediated myogenesis.

Six1 regulates stem cell repair potential and self-renewal during skeletal muscle regeneration

Six1 in satellite cells is important for muscle regeneration and homeostasis of the stem cell niche by regulating MyoD, Myogenin, and Dusp6-ERK signaling.

Satellite cells (SCs) are stem cells that mediate skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. Here, we observe that adult quiescent SCs and their activated descendants expressed the homeodomain transcription factor Six1. Genetic disruption of Six1 specifically in adult SCs impaired myogenic cell differentiation, impaired myofiber repair during regeneration, and perturbed homeostasis of the stem cell niche, as indicated by an increase in SC self-renewal. Six1 regulated the expression of the myogenic regulatory factors MyoD and Myogenin, but not Myf5, which suggests that Six1 acts on divergent genetic networks in the embryo and in the adult. Moreover, we demonstrate that Six1 regulates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway during regeneration via direct control of Dusp6 transcription. Muscles lacking Dusp6 were able to regenerate properly but showed a marked increase in SC number after regeneration. We conclude that Six1 homeoproteins act as a rheostat system to ensure proper regeneration of the tissue and replenishment of the stem cell pool during the events that follow skeletal muscle trauma.

Integrating haplotypes and single genetic variability effects of the Pax7 gene on growth traits in two cattle breeds

The paired box 7 (Pax7) gene encoding for the transcription factor can regulate the conversion of stem cells into myogenic cells and participate in the development and regeneration of skeletal muscle. The aims of this study were to detect variations of the Pax7 gene by DNA pool sequencing and aCRS-RFLP methods in 1441 cattle from five breeds and to investigate their associations with growth traits in Nanyang and Chinese red steppe cattle. Altogether, three novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the last intron of the Pax7 gene: NC_007300: ss1 (g. G103688A), ss2 (g. T103735C), and ss3 (g. A103764T). Genotypes and the referring haplotype frequencies showed a high similarity trend among five breeds, and the G, T, and A allele frequencies of the three loci were always superior when separate or in combination. Association analysis of the single SNPs and haplotype combinations revealed that the T allele of ss2 and ss3 loci and the haplotype H(2)H(2) (GG-TT-TT) showed significant effects on growth traits such as body height, body mass, and chest girth in cattle at early stages (6 and 12 months old) (P < 0.05). The results showed that Pax7 gene variations and their corresponding genotypes may be considered as molecular markers for economic traits in cattle breeding.

Epigenetic regulation of skeletal muscle development and differentiation

Skeletal muscle cells have served as a paradigm for understanding mechanisms leading to cellular differentiation. Formation of skeletal muscle involves a series of steps in which cells are committed towards the myogenic lineage, undergo expansion to give rise to myoblasts that differentiate into multinucleated myotubes, and mature to form adult muscle fibers. The commitment, proliferation, and differentiation of progenitor cells involve both genetic and epigenetic changes that culminate in alterations in gene expression. Members of the Myogenic regulatory factor (MRF), as well as the Myocyte Enhancer Factor (MEF2) families control distinct steps of skeletal muscle proliferation and differentiation. In addition, -growing evidence indicates that chromatin modifying enzymes and remodeling complexes epigenetically reprogram muscle promoters at various stages that preclude or promote MRF and MEF2 activites. Among these, histone deacetylases (HDACs), histone acetyltransferases (HATs), histone methyltransferases (HMTs) and SWI/SNF complexes alter chromatin structure through post-translational modifications to impact MRF and MEF2 activities. With such new and emerging knowledge, we are beginning to develop a true molecular understanding of the mechanisms by which skeletal muscle development and differentiation is regulated. Elucidation of the mechanisms by which epigenetic regulators control myogenesis will likely provide a new foundation for the development of novel therapeutic drugs for muscle dystrophies, ageing-related regeneration defects that occur due to altered proliferation and differentiation, and other malignancies.

SUMOylation of Pax7 is essential for neural crest and muscle development

Regulatory transcription factors of the Pax family play fundamental roles in the function of multipotent cells during vertebrate development, post-natal regeneration, and cancer. Pax7 and its homologue Pax3 are important players in neural crest and muscle development. Both genes are coexpressed in various tissues and are thought to provide similar, but not identical, functions. The mechanisms that allow specific regulation of Pax7 remain largely unknown. Here, we report for the first time that Pax7 is regulated by SUMOylation. We identify the interaction of Pax7 with Ubc9, the SUMO conjugating enzyme, and reveal that SUMOylation machinery is enriched in neural crest precursors and plays a critical role in NC development. We demonstrate that Pax7 becomes SUMOylated and identify an essential role for lysine 85 (K85) in Pax7-SUMOylation. Despite high conservation surrounding K85 amongst Pax genes, we were unable to identify SUMOylation of other Pax proteins tested, including Pax3. Using a non-SUMOylatable Pax7 variant (K85 X R), we demonstrate that SUMOylation is essential for the function of Pax7 in neural crest development, C2C12 myogenic differentiation, and transcriptional transactivation. Our study provides new mechanistic insight into the molecular regulation of Pax7's function by SUMOylation in neural crest and muscle development.

Applications of skeletal muscle progenitor cells for neuromuscular diseases

Neuromuscular diseases affect skeletal muscle and/or nervous control resulting in direct disruption of skeletal muscle and muscle pathology, or nervous system disruption which indirectly disrupts muscle function. Stem cell-based therapy is well-recognized as a promising approach for several types of diseases including those affecting the neuromuscular system. To design a successful therapeutic strategy, it is important to choose the most appropriate stem cell type. Skeletal muscle progenitor cells (SMPCs), also called myogenic progenitors, can contribute to muscle regeneration, differentiate into skeletal muscles, and are valuable cells for therapeutic application. Different types of stem/progenitor cells, including satellite cells, side population cells, muscle derived stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, myogenic pericytes, and mesoangioblasts, have been identified as possible cell resources of SMPCs. Furthermore, recent advances in stem cell biology allow us to use embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells for SMPC derivation. When skeletal muscle is chosen as a target of cell transplantation, the possible criteria for choosing the "best" progenitor/stem cell include preparation strategies, efficiency of intramuscular integration, method of cellular delivery, and functional improvement of the muscle after cell transplantation. Here, we discuss recent findings on various types of SMPCs and their promise for future clinical translation in neuromuscular diseases.

Isolation and biological characteristics of beijing Fatty chicken skeletal muscle satellite cells

Skeletal muscle satellite cells, a postulated multipotential stem cell population, play an essential role in the postnatal replenishment of skeletal muscles. In the present research, the skeletal muscle satellite cells were isolated from the pectorals of 15-day-old Beijing Fatty Chicken embryos using combined enzymatic digestion of 0.1% collagenase 1 and 0.25% trypsin. Myogenic markers such as MyoD, Pax7 and demin were detected, indicating their skeletal muscle satellite cell identity. Karyotype analysis showed that these in vitro cultured cells were genetically stable. Being exposed to bone morphogen and adipogenic factors, it was proved that they differentiated into osteocytes and adipocytes correspondingly.

Muscle development, regeneration and laminopathies: how lamins or lamina-associated proteins can contribute to muscle development, regeneration and disease

The aim of this review article is to evaluate the current knowledge on associations between muscle formation and regeneration and components of the nuclear lamina. Lamins and their partners have become particularly intriguing objects of scientific interest since it has been observed that mutations in genes coding for these proteins lead to a wide range of diseases called laminopathies. For over the last 10 years, various laboratories worldwide have tried to explain the pathogenesis of these rare disorders. Analyses of the distinct aspects of laminopathies resulted in formulation of different hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of the development of these diseases. In the light of recent discoveries, A-type lamins—the main building blocks of the nuclear lamina—together with other key elements, such as emerin, LAP2α and nesprins, seem to be of great importance in the modulation of various signaling pathways responsible for cellular differentiation and proliferation.

Cell-autonomous Notch activity maintains the temporal specification potential of skeletal muscle stem cells

During organogenesis, a continuum of founder stem cells produces temporally distinct progeny until development is complete. Similarly, in skeletal myogenesis, phenotypically and functionally distinct myoblasts and differentiated cells are generated during development. How this occurs in muscle and other tissues in vertebrates remains largely unclear. We showed previously that committed cells are required for maintaining muscle stem cells. Here we show that active Notch signalling specifies a subpopulation of myogenic cells with high Pax7 expression. By genetically modulating Notch activity, we demonstrate that activated Notch (NICD) blocks terminal differentiation in an Rbpj-dependent manner that is sufficient to sustain stem/progenitor cells throughout embryogenesis, despite the absence of committed progeny. Although arrested in lineage progression, NICD-expressing cells of embryonic origin progressively mature and adopt characteristics of foetal myogenic cells, including expression of the foetal myogenesis regulator Nfix. siRNA-mediated silencing of NICD promotes the temporally appropriate foetal myogenic fate in spite of expression of markers for multiple cell types. We uncover a differential effect of Notch, whereby high Notch activity is associated with stem/progenitor cell expansion in the mouse embryo, yet it promotes reversible cell cycle exit in the foetus and the appearance of an adult muscle stem cell state. We propose that active Notch signalling is sufficient to sustain an upstream population of muscle founder stem cells while suppressing differentiation. Significantly, Notch does not override other signals that promote temporal myogenic cell fates during ontology where spatiotemporal developmental cues produce distinct phenotypic classes of myoblasts.

Muscle satellite cells are primed for myogenesis but maintain quiescence with sequestration of Myf5 mRNA targeted by microRNA-31 in mRNP granules

Regeneration of adult tissues depends on stem cells that are primed to enter a differentiation program, while remaining quiescent. How these two characteristics can be reconciled is exemplified by skeletal muscle in which the majority of quiescent satellite cells transcribe the myogenic determination gene Myf5, without activating the myogenic program. We show that Myf5 mRNA, together with microRNA-31, which regulates its translation, is sequestered in mRNP granules present in the quiescent satellite cell. In activated satellite cells, mRNP granules are dissociated, relative levels of miR-31 are reduced, and Myf5 protein accumulates, which initially requires translation, but not transcription. Conditions that promote the continued presence of mRNP granules delay the onset of myogenesis. Manipulation of miR-31 levels affects satellite cell differentiation ex vivo and muscle regeneration in vivo. We therefore propose a model in which posttranscriptional mechanisms hold quiescent stem cells poised to enter a tissue-specific differentiation program.

Satellite cells are essential for skeletal muscle regeneration: the cell on the edge returns centre stage

Following their discovery in 1961, it was speculated that satellite cells were dormant myoblasts, held in reserve until required for skeletal muscle repair. Evidence for this accumulated over the years, until the link between satellite cells and the myoblasts that appear during muscle regeneration was finally established. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that, when grafted, satellite cells could also self-renew, conferring on them the coveted status of 'stem cell'. The emergence of other cell types with myogenic potential, however, questioned the precise role of satellite cells. Here, we review recent recombination-based studies that have furthered our understanding of satellite cell biology. The clear consensus is that skeletal muscle does not regenerate without satellite cells, confirming their pivotal and non-redundant role.

Ubiquitous Gasp1 overexpression in mice leads mainly to a hypermuscular phenotype

Background

Myostatin, a member of the TGFβ superfamily, is well known as a potent and specific negative regulator of muscle growth. Targeting the myostatin signalling pathway may offer promising therapeutic strategies for the treatment of muscle-wasting disorders. In the last decade, various myostatin-binding proteins have been identified to be able to inhibit myostatin activity. One of these is GASP1 (Growth and Differentiation Factor-Associated Serum Protein-1), a protein containing a follistatin domain as well as multiple domains associated with protease inhibitors. Despite in vitro data, remarkably little is known about in vivo functions of Gasp1. To further address the role of GASP1 during mouse development and in adulthood, we generated a gain-of-function transgenic mouse model that overexpresses Gasp1 under transcriptional control of the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter/enhancer.

Results

Overexpression of Gasp1 led to an increase in muscle mass observed not before day 15 of postnatal life. The surGasp1 transgenic mice did not display any other gross abnormality. Histological and morphometric analysis of surGasp1 rectus femoris muscles revealed an increase in myofiber size without a corresponding increase in myofiber number. Fiber-type distribution was unaltered. Interestingly, we do not detect a change in total fat mass and lean mass. These results differ from those for myostatin knockout mice, transgenic mice overexpressing the myostatin propeptide or follistatin which exhibit both muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and show minimal fat deposition.

Conclusions

Altogether, our data give new insight into the in vivo functions of Gasp1. As an extracellular regulatory factor in the myostatin signalling pathway, additional studies on GASP1 and its homolog GASP2 are required to elucidate the crosstalk between the different intrinsic inhibitors of the myostatin.

The origin and fate of muscle satellite cells

Satellite cells represent the primary population of stem cells resident in skeletal muscle. These adult muscle stem cells facilitate the postnatal growth, remodeling, and regeneration of skeletal muscle. Given the remarkable regenerative potential of satellite cells, there is great promise for treatment of muscle pathologies such as the muscular dystrophies with this cell population. Various protocols have been developed which allow for isolation, enrichment, and expansion of satellite cell derived muscle stem cells. However, isolated satellite cells have yet to translate into effective modalities for therapeutic intervention. Broadening our understanding of satellite cells and their niche requirements should improve our in vivo and ex vivo manipulation of these cells to expedite their use for regeneration of diseased muscle. This review explores the fates of satellite cells as determined by their molecular signatures, ontogeny, and niche dependent programming.

Retinoic acid enhances skeletal myogenesis in human embryonic stem cells by expanding the premyogenic progenitor population

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a potential source of material for cell therapy of muscle diseases. To date, it has proven difficult to generate skeletal muscle from hESCs in high yields and within a reasonable timeframe. Further, a hESC-derived Pax3/7-positive skeletal muscle progenitor population has not yet been described. Previous studies have shown that Pax3/7-positive progenitor cells can repopulate the satellite cell niche, indicating the importance of this population for therapy. We sought to optimize the differentiation of hESCs into skeletal muscle in order to characterize myogenesis at a molecular level and shorten the time course. We treated hESCs with retinoic acid (RA) and found an enhancement of skeletal myogenesis, and the expression of the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) MyoD and myogenin by day 25. Furthermore, we found that RA treatment expanded the muscle progenitor pool, which occurred as a distinct Pax3(+ve) population prior to MRF expression. Non-skeletal muscle tissue types were not significantly affected. Therefore, we have identified a differentiation pathway in hESCs that provides a skeletal muscle progenitor population which can undergo myogenesis more efficiently. We propose that RA could fit into a directed culture method for deriving skeletal muscle from hESCs.

Marking the tempo for myogenesis: Pax7 and the regulation of muscle stem cell fate decisions

Post-natal growth and regeneration of skeletal muscle is highly dependent on a population of resident myogenic precursors known as satellite cells. Transcription factors from the Pax gene family, Pax3 and Pax7, are critical for satellite cell biogenesis, survival and potentially self-renewal; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unsolved. This is particularly true in the case of Pax7, which appears to regulate myogenesis at multiple levels. Accordingly, recent data have highlighted the importance of a functional relationship between Pax7 and the MyoD family of muscle regulatory transcription factors during normal muscle formation and disease. Here we will critically review key findings suggesting that Pax7 may play a dual role by promoting resident muscle progenitors to commit to the skeletal muscle lineage while preventing terminal differentiation, thus keeping muscle progenitors poised to differentiate upon environmental cues. In addition, potential regulatory mechanisms for the control of Pax7 activity will be proposed.

Necdin enhances myoblasts survival by facilitating the degradation of the mediator of apoptosis CCAR1/CARP1

Regeneration of muscle fibers, lost during pathological muscle degeneration or after injuries, is sustained by the production of new myofibers by means of the satellite cells. Survival of the satellite cells is a critical requirement for efficient muscle reconstitution. Necdin, a member of the MAGE proteins family, is expressed in satellite cell-derived myogenic precursors during perinatal growth and in the adult upon activation during muscle regeneration, where it plays an important role both in myoblast differentiation and survival. We show here that necdin exerts its pro-survival activity by counteracting the action of the pro-apoptotic protein Cell Cycle Apoptosis Regulatory Protein (CCAR1/CARP1) that we have identified as a new molecular interactor of necdin by two-hybrid screening. Necdin is responsible for the maintenance of CCAR1 protein levels, by implementing its ubiquitination and degradation through the proteasome. Taken together, these data shed new light on the molecular mechanism of necdin anti-apoptotic activity in myogenesis.

Alternative polyadenylation mediates microRNA regulation of muscle stem cell function

Pax3, a key myogenic regulator, is transiently expressed during activation of adult muscle stem cells, or satellite cells (SCs), and is also expressed in a subset of quiescent SCs (QSCs), but only in specific muscles. The mechanisms regulating these variations in expression are not well understood. Here we show that Pax3 levels are regulated by miR-206, a miRNA with a previously demonstrated role in myogenic differentiation. In most QSCs and activated SCs, miR-206 expression suppresses Pax3 expression. Paradoxically, QSCs that express high levels of Pax3 also express high levels of miR-206. In these QSCs, Pax3 transcripts are subject to alternative polyadenylation, resulting in transcripts with shorter 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) that render them resistant to regulation by miR-206. Similar alternate polyadenylation of the Pax3 transcript also occurs in myogenic progenitors during development. Our findings may reflect a general role of alternative polyadenylation in circumventing miRNA-mediated regulation of stem cell function.

Carm1 regulates Pax7 transcriptional activity through MLL1/2 recruitment during asymmetric satellite stem cell divisions

In skeletal muscle, asymmetrically dividing satellite stem cells give rise to committed satellite cells that transcribe the myogenic determination factor Myf5, a Pax7-target gene. We identified the arginine methyltransferase Carm1 as a Pax7 interacting protein and found that Carm1 specifically methylates multiple arginines in the N terminus of Pax7. Methylated Pax7 directly binds the C-terminal cleavage forms of the trithorax proteins MLL1/2 resulting in the recruitment of the ASH2L:MLL1/2:WDR5:RBBP5 histone H3K4 methyltransferase complex to regulatory enhancers and the proximal promoter of Myf5. Finally, Carm1 is required for the induction of de novo Myf5 transcription following asymmetric satellite stem cell divisions. We defined the C-terminal MLL region as a reader domain for the recognition of arginine methylated proteins such as Pax7. Thus, arginine methylation of Pax7 by Carm1 functions as a molecular switch controlling the epigenetic induction of Myf5 during satellite stem cell asymmetric division and entry into the myogenic program.

Interplay of Nkx3.2, Sox9 and Pax3 regulates chondrogenic differentiation of muscle progenitor cells

Muscle satellite cells make up a stem cell population that is capable of differentiating into myocytes and contributing to muscle regeneration upon injury. In this work we investigate the mechanism by which these muscle progenitor cells adopt an alternative cell fate, the cartilage fate. We show that chick muscle satellite cells that normally would undergo myogenesis can be converted to express cartilage matrix proteins in vitro when cultured in chondrogenic medium containing TGFß3 or BMP2. In the meantime, the myogenic program is repressed, suggesting that muscle satellite cells have undergone chondrogenic differentiation. Furthermore, ectopic expression of the myogenic factor Pax3 prevents chondrogenesis in these cells, while chondrogenic factors Nkx3.2 and Sox9 act downstream of TGFß or BMP2 to promote this cell fate transition. We found that Nkx3.2 and Sox9 repress the activity of the Pax3 promoter and that Nkx3.2 acts as a transcriptional repressor in this process. Importantly, a reverse function mutant of Nkx3.2 blocks the ability of Sox9 to both inhibit myogenesis and induce chondrogenesis, suggesting that Nkx3.2 is required for Sox9 to promote chondrogenic differentiation in satellite cells. Finally, we found that in an in vivo mouse model of fracture healing where muscle progenitor cells were lineage-traced, Nkx3.2 and Sox9 are significantly upregulated while Pax3 is significantly downregulated in the muscle progenitor cells that give rise to chondrocytes during fracture repair. Thus our in vitro and in vivo analyses suggest that the balance of Pax3, Nkx3.2 and Sox9 may act as a molecular switch during the chondrogenic differentiation of muscle progenitor cells, which may be important for fracture healing.

A contemporary atlas of the mouse diaphragm: myogenicity, vascularity, and the Pax3 connection

The thoracic diaphragm is a unique skeletal muscle composed of costal, crural, and central tendon domains. Although commonly described in medical textbooks, newer insights into the diaphragm cell composition are scarce. Here, using reporter mice, combined with gene expression analyses of whole tissues and primary cultures, we compared the diaphragm domains and their myogenic progenitors (i.e., Pax3/7 satellite cells). The outcomes of these analyses underscore the similarities between the myogenic aspects of the costal and crural domains. Expression levels of all myogenic genes examined (except Pax3) were strongly affected in mdx (dystrophin-null) mice and accompanied by an increase in fibrosis- and adiposity-related gene expression. Cell culture studies further indicated the presence of a non-myogenic Pax3-expressing population, potentially related to vascular mural cells. We additionally investigated the diaphragm vasculature. XLacZ4 and Sca1-GFP transgenes allowed a fine definition of the arterial and microvasculature network based on reporter expression in mural cells and capillary endothelium, respectively. We also provide insights into the organization of the diaphragm venous system, especially apparent in the central tendon and exhibiting arcades lined with fat-containing cells. The novel information in this "contemporary atlas" can be further explored in the context of diaphragm pathology and genetic disorders.

P-cadherin is a direct PAX3-FOXO1A target involved in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma aggressiveness

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is an aggressive childhood cancer of striated muscle characterized by the presence of the PAX3-FOXO1A or PAX7-FOXO1A chimeric oncogenic transcription factor. Identification of their targets is essential for understanding ARMS pathogenesis. To this aim, we analyzed transcriptomic data from rhabdomyosarcoma samples and found that P-cadherin expression is correlated with PAX3/7-FOXO1A presence. We then show that expression of a PAX3 dominant negative variant inhibits P-cadherin expression in ARMS cells. Using mouse models carrying modified Pax3 alleles, we demonstrate that P-cadherin is expressed in the dermomyotome and lies genetically downstream from the myogenic factor Pax3. Moreover, in vitro gel shift analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation indicate that the P-cadherin gene is a direct transcriptional target for PAX3/7-FOXO1A. Finally, P-cadherin expression in normal myoblasts inhibits myogenesis and induces myoblast transformation, migration and invasion. Conversely, P-cadherin downregulation by small hairpin RNA decreases the transformation, migration and invasive potential of ARMS cells. P-cadherin also favors cadherin switching, which is a hallmark of metastatic progression, by controlling N- and M-cadherin expression and/or localization. Our findings demonstrate that P-cadherin is a direct PAX3-FOXO1A transcriptional target involved in ARMS aggressiveness. Therefore, P-cadherin emerges as a new and attractive target for therapeutic intervention in ARMS.

Pax3 gene expression is not altered during diaphragmatic development in nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Malformations of the pleuroperitoneal folds (PPFs) have been identified as the origin of the diaphragmatic defect in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Pax3, expressed in muscle precursor cells (MPCs), plays a key role in regulating myogenesis and muscularization in the fetal diaphragm. Pax3 mutant mice display absence of muscular diaphragm. However, the distribution of muscle precursor cells is reported to be normal in the PPF of the nitrofen-CDH model. We designed this study to investigate the hypothesis that Pax3 gene expression is unaltered in the PPF and developing diaphragm in the nitrofen-induced CDH model.

METHODS

Pregnant rats were treated with nitrofen or vehicle on gestational day (D) 9 and sacrificed on D13, D18, and D21. Pleuroperitoneal folds (D13) and developing diaphragms (D18 and D21) were dissected, total RNA was extracted, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine Pax3 messenger RNA levels. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy was performed to evaluate protein expression/distribution of Pax3.

RESULTS

Relative messenger RNA expression levels of Pax3 in PPFs and developing diaphragms were not significantly different in the nitrofen group compared with controls. Intensity of Pax3 immunofluorescence was also not altered in PPFs and developing diaphragms of the nitrofen group compared with controls.

CONCLUSION

Pax3 gene expression is not altered in the PPFs and developing diaphragm of nitrofen-CDH model, suggesting that the diaphragmatic defect is not caused by disturbance of myogenesis and muscularization.

Barx2 is expressed in satellite cells and is required for normal muscle growth and regeneration

Muscle growth and regeneration are regulated through a series of spatiotemporally dependent signaling and transcriptional cascades. Although the transcriptional program controlling myogenesis has been extensively investigated, the full repertoire of transcriptional regulators involved in this process is far from defined. Various homeodomain transcription factors have been shown to play important roles in both muscle development and muscle satellite cell-dependent repair. Here, we show that the homeodomain factor Barx2 is a new marker for embryonic and adult myoblasts and is required for normal postnatal muscle growth and repair. Barx2 is coexpressed with Pax7, which is the canonical marker of satellite cells, and is upregulated in satellite cells after muscle injury. Mice lacking the Barx2 gene show reduced postnatal muscle growth, muscle atrophy, and defective muscle repair. Moreover, loss of Barx2 delays the expression of genes that control proliferation and differentiation in regenerating muscle. Consistent with the in vivo observations, satellite cell-derived myoblasts cultured from Barx2(-/-) mice show decreased proliferation and ability to differentiate relative to those from wild-type or Barx2(+/-) mice. Barx2(-/-) myoblasts show reduced expression of the differentiation-associated factor myogenin as well as cell adhesion and matrix molecules. Finally, we find that mice lacking both Barx2 and dystrophin gene expression have severe early onset myopathy. Together, these data indicate that Barx2 is an important regulator of muscle growth and repair that acts via the control of satellite cell proliferation and differentiation.

Transcriptional dominance of Pax7 in adult myogenesis is due to high-affinity recognition of homeodomain motifs

Pax3 and Pax7 regulate stem cell function in skeletal myogenesis. However, molecular insight into their distinct roles has remained elusive. Using gene expression data combined with genome-wide binding-site analysis, we show that both Pax3 and Pax7 bind identical DNA motifs and jointly activate a large panel of genes involved in muscle stem cell function. Surprisingly, in adult myoblasts Pax3 binds a subset (6.4%) of Pax7 targets. Despite a significant overlap in their transcriptional network, Pax7 regulates distinct panels of genes involved in the promotion of proliferation and inhibition of myogenic differentiation. We show that Pax7 has a higher binding affinity to the homeodomain-binding motif relative to Pax3, suggesting that intrinsic differences in DNA binding contribute to the observed functional difference between Pax3 and Pax7 binding in myogenesis. Together, our data demonstrate distinct attributes of Pax7 function and provide mechanistic insight into the nonredundancy of Pax3 and Pax7 in muscle development.

Constitutive Notch activation upregulates Pax7 and promotes the self-renewal of skeletal muscle satellite cells

Notch signaling is a conserved cell fate regulator during development and postnatal tissue regeneration. Using skeletal muscle satellite cells as a model and through myogenic cell lineage-specific NICD(OE) (overexpression of constitutively activated Notch 1 intracellular domain), here we investigate how Notch signaling regulates the cell fate choice of muscle stem cells. We show that in addition to inhibiting MyoD and myogenic differentiation, NICD(OE) upregulates Pax7 and promotes the self-renewal of satellite cell-derived primary myoblasts in culture. Using MyoD(-/-) myoblasts, we further show that NICD(OE) upregulates Pax7 independently of MyoD inhibition. In striking contrast to previous observations, NICD(OE) also inhibits S-phase entry and Ki67 expression and thus reduces the proliferation of primary myoblasts. Overexpression of canonical Notch target genes mimics the inhibitory effects of NICD(OE) on MyoD and Ki67 but not the stimulatory effect on Pax7. Instead, NICD regulates Pax7 through interaction with RBP-Jκ, which binds to two consensus sites upstream of the Pax7 gene. Importantly, satellite cell-specific NICD(OE) results in impaired regeneration of skeletal muscles along with increased Pax7(+) mononuclear cells. Our results establish a role of Notch signaling in actively promoting the self-renewal of muscle stem cells through direct regulation of Pax7.

A subpopulation of adult skeletal muscle stem cells retains all template DNA strands after cell division

Satellite cells are adult skeletal muscle stem cells that are quiescent and constitute a poorly defined heterogeneous population. Using transgenic Tg:Pax7-nGFP mice, we show that Pax7-nGFP(Hi) cells are less primed for commitment and have a lower metabolic status and delayed first mitosis compared to Pax7-nGFP(Lo) cells. Pax7-nGFP(Hi) can give rise to Pax7-nGFP(Lo) cells after serial transplantations. Proliferating Pax7-nGFP(Hi) cells exhibit lower metabolic activity, and the majority performs asymmetric DNA segregation during cell division, wherein daughter cells retaining template DNA strands express stem cell markers. Using chromosome orientation-fluorescence in situ hybridization, we demonstrate that all chromatids segregate asymmetrically, whereas Pax7-nGFP(Lo) cells perform random DNA segregation. Therefore, quiescent Pax7-nGFP(Hi) cells represent a reversible dormant stem cell state, and during muscle regeneration, Pax7-nGFP(Hi) cells generate distinct daughter cell fates by asymmetrically segregating template DNA strands to the stem cell. These findings provide major insights into the biology of stem cells that segregate DNA asymmetrically.

MicroRNAs regulate and provide robustness to the myogenic transcriptional network

The genetics of skeletal muscle lineage commitment are deceptively complicated. MyoD overexpression is sufficient to convert fibroblasts into skeletal muscle myotubes. In vivo, there are a number of different steps of differentiation that require a large network of transcription factors that control differentiation and homeostasis of skeletal muscle progenitors. Each transcription factor has been shown to have the ability to promote the next factor in the cascade, but the mechanisms regulating the transitions remain incomplete. Recently, microRNAs have been shown to be important for a large number of developmental and oncogenic processes. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in the understanding of how microRNA is critical for skeletal muscle development by interacting with protein-coding genes that had previously been shown to be important for myogenesis.

The long, the short, and the micro: a polyA tale of Pax3 in satellite cells

The use of alternative polyadenylation sites is emerging as an important regulator of gene expression. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Boutet et al. (2012) report that alternative 3'UTRs of the Pax3 transcript restrict its expression to axial satellite cells through miR-mediated targeting of one of the isoforms.