1
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Liu T, Li T, Ke S. Role of the CASZ1 transcription factor in tissue development and disease. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:562. [PMID: 38053207 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01548-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The zinc finger transcription factor gene, CASZ1/Castor (Castor zinc finger 1), initially identified in Drosophila, plays a critical role in neural, cardiac, and cardiovascular development, exerting a complex, multifaceted influence on cell fate and tissue morphogenesis. During neurogenesis, CASZ1 exhibits dynamic expression from early embryonic development to the perinatal period, constituting a key regulator in this process. Additionally, CASZ1 controls the transition between neurogenesis and gliomagenesis. During human cardiovascular system development, CASZ1 is essential for cardiomyocyte differentiation, cardiac morphogenesis, and vascular morphology homeostasis and formation. The deletion or inactivation of CASZ1 mutations can lead to human developmental diseases or tumors, including congenital heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and neuroblastoma. CASZ1 can be used as a biomarker for disease prevention and diagnosis as well as a prognostic indicator for cancer. This review explores the unique functions of CASZ1 in tissue morphogenesis and associated diseases, offering new insights for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases and identifying potential therapeutic targets for disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Liu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 156 Jinshui East Road, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China.
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China.
| | - Tao Li
- College of Life Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Shaorui Ke
- Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, 156 Jinshui East Road, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China
- Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan, China
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2
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Jian H, Poetsch A. CASZ1: Current Implications in Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancers. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2079. [PMID: 37509718 PMCID: PMC10377389 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11072079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Castor zinc finger 1 (CASZ1) is a C2H2 zinc finger family protein that has two splicing variants, CASZ1a and CASZ1b. It is involved in multiple physiological processes, such as tissue differentiation and aldosterone antagonism. Genetic and epigenetic alternations of CASZ1 have been characterized in multiple cardiovascular disorders, such as congenital heart diseases, chronic venous diseases, and hypertension. However, little is known about how CASZ1 mechanically participates in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Over the past decades, at first glance, paradoxical influences on cell behaviors and progressions of different cancer types have been discovered for CASZ1, which may be explained by a "double-agent" role for CASZ1. In this review, we discuss the physiological function of CASZ1, and focus on the association of CASZ1 aberrations with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Jian
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Ansgar Poetsch
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
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3
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Identification of a Novel de Novo Variant in the CASZ1 Causing a Rare Type of Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012506. [PMID: 36293425 PMCID: PMC9603937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A new de novo frameshift variant has been identified in the CASZ1 gene leading to severe dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods: The proband was analyzed with WES NGS, post-mortem, using dried blood spots on filters. The variant was verified with Sanger sequencing for the proband and her parents. Results: We reported a proband with a new de novo frameshift mutation, c.3781del (p.(Trp1261GlyfsTer29)), in the CASZ1 gene. The clinical presentation was similar to the severe phenotype described in previous studies. Conclusions: In this study, we described a new case with a frameshift mutation in CASZ1 causing a severe phenotype of dilated cardiomyopathy.
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4
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Li S, Ma W, Cai B. Targeting cardiomyocyte proliferation as a key approach of promoting heart repair after injury. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2021; 2:34. [PMID: 35006441 PMCID: PMC8607366 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-021-00047-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction (MI) is a major contributor to human mortality and morbidity. The mammalian adult heart almost loses its plasticity to appreciably regenerate new cardiomyocytes after injuries, such as MI and heart failure. The neonatal heart exhibits robust proliferative capacity when exposed to varying forms of myocardial damage. The ability of the neonatal heart to repair the injury and prevent pathological left ventricular remodeling leads to preserved or improved cardiac function. Therefore, promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation after injuries to reinitiate the process of cardiomyocyte regeneration, and suppress heart failure and other serious cardiovascular problems have become the primary goal of many researchers. Here, we review recent studies in this field and summarize the factors that act upon the proliferation of cardiomyocytes and cardiac repair after injury and discuss the new possibilities for potential clinical treatment strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuainan Li
- Department of Pharmacy at The Second Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Pharmacology at College of Pharmacy (The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research, Ministry of Education), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Wenya Ma
- Department of Pharmacy at The Second Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Pharmacology at College of Pharmacy (The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research, Ministry of Education), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Benzhi Cai
- Department of Pharmacy at The Second Affiliated Hospital, and Department of Pharmacology at College of Pharmacy (The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research, Ministry of Education), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China. .,Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, the Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China. .,Research Unit of Noninfectious Chronic Diseases in Frigid Zone, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China.
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5
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Yokota K, Shibata H, Kurihara I, Kobayashi S, Murai-Takeda A, Itoh H. CASZ1b is a novel transcriptional corepressor of mineralocorticoid receptor. Hypertens Res 2020; 44:407-416. [DOI: 10.1038/s41440-020-00562-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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6
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Liu Z, Zhang X, Lei H, Lam N, Carter S, Yockey O, Xu M, Mendoza A, Hernandez ER, Wei JS, Khan J, Yohe ME, Shern JF, Thiele CJ. CASZ1 induces skeletal muscle and rhabdomyosarcoma differentiation through a feed-forward loop with MYOD and MYOG. Nat Commun 2020; 11:911. [PMID: 32060262 PMCID: PMC7021771 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14684-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) is a childhood cancer that expresses myogenic master regulatory factor MYOD but fails to differentiate. Here, we show that the zinc finger transcription factor CASZ1 up-regulates MYOD signature genes and induces skeletal muscle differentiation in normal myoblasts and ERMS. The oncogenic activation of the RAS-MEK pathway suppresses CASZ1 expression in ERMS. ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq and RNA-seq experiments reveal that CASZ1 directly up-regulates skeletal muscle genes and represses non-muscle genes through affecting regional epigenetic modifications, chromatin accessibility and super-enhancer establishment. Next generation sequencing of primary RMS tumors identified a single nucleotide variant in the CASZ1 coding region that potentially contributes to ERMS tumorigenesis. Taken together, loss of CASZ1 activity, due to RAS-MEK signaling or genetic alteration, impairs ERMS differentiation, contributing to RMS tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Liu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Xiyuan Zhang
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Haiyan Lei
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Norris Lam
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sakereh Carter
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Oliver Yockey
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Max Xu
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Arnulfo Mendoza
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Edjay R Hernandez
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jun S Wei
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Javed Khan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marielle E Yohe
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jack F Shern
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carol J Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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7
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Abstract
Eukaryotic cells depend on precise genome organization within the nucleus to maintain an appropriate gene-expression profile. Critical to this process is the packaging of functional domains of open and closed chromatin to specific regions of the nucleus, but how this is regulated remains unclear. In this study, we show that the zinc finger protein Casz1 regulates higher-order nuclear organization of rod photoreceptors in the mouse retina by repressing nuclear lamina function, which leads to central localization of heterochromatin. Loss of Casz1 in rods leads to an abnormal transcriptional profile followed by degeneration. These results identify Casz1 as a regulator of higher-order genome organization. Genome organization plays a fundamental role in the gene-expression programs of numerous cell types, but determinants of higher-order genome organization are poorly understood. In the developing mouse retina, rod photoreceptors represent a good model to study this question. They undergo a process called “chromatin inversion” during differentiation, in which, as opposed to classic nuclear organization, heterochromatin becomes localized to the center of the nucleus and euchromatin is restricted to the periphery. While previous studies showed that the lamin B receptor participates in this process, the molecular mechanisms regulating lamina function during differentiation remain elusive. Here, using conditional genetics, we show that the zinc finger transcription factor Casz1 is required to establish and maintain the inverted chromatin organization of rod photoreceptors and to safeguard their gene-expression profile and long-term survival. At the mechanistic level, we show that Casz1 interacts with the polycomb repressor complex in a splice variant-specific manner and that both are required to suppress the expression of the nuclear envelope intermediate filament lamin A/C in rods. Lamin A is in turn sufficient to regulate heterochromatin organization and nuclear position. Furthermore, we show that Casz1 is sufficient to expand and centralize the heterochromatin of fibroblasts, suggesting a general role for Casz1 in nuclear organization. Together, these data support a model in which Casz1 cooperates with polycomb to control rod genome organization, in part by silencing lamin A/C.
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8
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Wang JL, Yang MY, Xiao S, Sun B, Li YM, Yang LY. Downregulation of castor zinc finger 1 predicts poor prognosis and facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma progression via MAPK/ERK signaling. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:45. [PMID: 29506567 PMCID: PMC5836448 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0720-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Castor zinc finger 1 (CASZ1) plays critical roles in various biological processes and pathologic conditions, including cancer. However, the prognostic importance and biologic functions of CASZ1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear. Methods qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses were used to determine CASZ1 expression in HCC samples and cell lines. The clinical significance of CASZ1 was assessed in two independent study cohorts containing 232 patients with HCC. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to explore the role and molecular mechanism of CASZ1 in HCC progression. Results Here we report that CASZ1 expression was downregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Low CASZ1 expression was closely correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features, poor clinical outcomes and early recurrence of HCC patients. Moreover, overexpression of CASZ1 in HCCLM3 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, whereas silencing CASZ1 significantly enhanced the above abilities of PLC/PRF/5 cells. Further mechanism study indicated that these phenotypic changes were mediated by MAPK/ERK signaling pathway and involved altered expression of MMP2, MMP9 and cyclinD1. Finally, we proved that CASZ1 exerted its tumor-suppressive effect by directly interacting with RAF1 and reducing the protein stability of RAF1. Conclusions Our study for the first time demonstrated that CASZ1 is a tumor suppressor in HCC, which may serve as a novel prognostic predictor and therapeutic target for HCC patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-018-0720-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Long Wang
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shuai Xiao
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China.,Department of Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Yi-Ming Li
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Lian-Yue Yang
- Liver Cancer Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China. .,Department of Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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9
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Qiu XB, Qu XK, Li RG, Liu H, Xu YJ, Zhang M, Shi HY, Hou XM, Liu X, Yuan F, Sun YM, Wang J, Huang RT, Xue S, Yang YQ. CASZ1 loss-of-function mutation contributes to familial dilated cardiomyopathy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 55:1417-1425. [DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2016-0612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AbstractBackground:The zinc finger transcription factor CASZ1 plays a key role in cardiac development and postnatal adaptation, and in mice, deletion of theMethods:The coding exons and splicing junction sites of theResults:A novel heterozygous CASZ1 mutation, p.K351X, was identified in an index patient with DCM. Genetic analysis of the mutation carrier’s family showed that the mutation co-segregated with DCM, which was transmitted in an autosomal dominant pattern with complete penetrance. The nonsense mutation, which was absent in 400 referential chromosomes, altered the amino acid that was highly conserved evolutionarily. Biological investigations revealed that the mutant CASZ1 had no transcriptional activity.Conclusions:The current study reveals
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10
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CASZ1 loss-of-function mutation associated with congenital heart disease. Gene 2016; 595:62-68. [PMID: 27693370 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.09.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
As the most common form of birth defect in humans, congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in both children and adults. Increasing evidence demonstrates that genetic defects play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of CHD. However, CHD is of great heterogeneity, and in an overwhelming majority of cases, the genetic determinants underpinning CHD remain elusive. In the present investigation, the coding exons and flanking introns of the CASZ1 gene, which codes for a zinc finger transcription factor essential for the cardiovascular morphogenesis, were sequenced in 172 unrelated patients with CHD. As a result, a novel heterozygous CASZ1 mutation, p.L38P, was identified in an index patient with congenital ventricular septal defect (VSD). Genetic scanning of the mutation carrier's available family members revealed that the mutation was present in all affected patients but absent in unaffected individuals. Analysis of the proband's pedigree showed that the mutation co-segregated with VSD, which was transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with complete penetrance. The missense mutation, which altered the amino acid that was highly conserved evolutionarily, was absent in 200 unrelated, ethnically-matched healthy subjects used as controls. Functional deciphers by using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system unveiled that the mutant CASZ1 had significantly reduced transcriptional activity as compared with its wild-type counterpart. To the best of our knowledge, the current study firstly identifies CASZ1 as a new gene predisposing to CHD in humans, which provides novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying CHD and a potential therapeutic target for CASZ1-associated CHD, suggesting potential implications for personalized prophylaxis and therapy of CHD.
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11
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A Matter of the Heart: The African Clawed Frog Xenopus as a Model for Studying Vertebrate Cardiogenesis and Congenital Heart Defects. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2016; 3:jcdd3020021. [PMID: 29367567 PMCID: PMC5715680 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd3020021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The African clawed frog, Xenopus, is a valuable non-mammalian model organism to investigate vertebrate heart development and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of human congenital heart defects (CHDs). In this review, we outline the similarities between Xenopus and mammalian cardiogenesis, and provide an overview of well-studied cardiac genes in Xenopus, which have been associated with congenital heart conditions. Additionally, we highlight advantages of modeling candidate genes derived from genome wide association studies (GWAS) in Xenopus and discuss commonly used techniques.
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12
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Monteiro CB, Midão L, Rebelo S, Reguenga C, Lima D, Monteiro FA. Zinc finger transcription factor Casz1 expression is regulated by homeodomain transcription factor Prrxl1 in embryonic spinal dorsal horn late-born excitatory interneurons. Eur J Neurosci 2016; 43:1449-59. [PMID: 26913565 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor Casz1 is required for proper assembly of vertebrate vasculature and heart morphogenesis as well as for temporal control of Drosophila neuroblasts and mouse retina progenitors in the generation of different cell types. Although Casz1 function in the mammalian nervous system remains largely unexplored, Casz1 is expressed in several regions of this system. Here we provide a detailed spatiotemporal characterization of Casz1 expression along mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal spinal cord development by immunochemistry. In the DRG, Casz1 is broadly expressed in sensory neurons since they are born until perinatal age. In the dorsal spinal cord, Casz1 displays a more dynamic pattern being first expressed in dorsal interneuron 1 (dI1) progenitors and their derived neurons and then in a large subset of embryonic dorsal late-born excitatory (dILB) neurons that narrows gradually to become restricted perinatally to the inner portion. Strikingly, expression analyses using Prrxl1-knockout mice revealed that Prrxl1, a key transcription factor in the differentiation of dILB neurons, is a positive regulator of Casz1 expression in the embryonic dorsal spinal cord but not in the DRG. By performing chromatin immunoprecipitation in the dorsal spinal cord, we identified two Prrxl1-bound regions within Casz1 introns, suggesting that Prrxl1 directly regulates Casz1 transcription. Our work reveals that Casz1 lies downstream of Prrxl1 in the differentiation pathway of a large subset of dILB neurons and provides a framework for further studies of Casz1 in assembly of the DRG-spinal circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- César B Monteiro
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Luís Midão
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Rebelo
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carlos Reguenga
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Deolinda Lima
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipe A Monteiro
- Departamento de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.,Pain Research Group, I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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13
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Mattar P, Cayouette M. Mechanisms of temporal identity regulation in mouse retinal progenitor cells. NEUROGENESIS 2015; 2:e1125409. [PMID: 27606333 PMCID: PMC4973599 DOI: 10.1080/23262133.2015.1125409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
While much progress has been made in recent years toward elucidating the transcription factor codes controlling how neural progenitor cells generate the various glial and neuronal cell types in a particular spatial domain, much less is known about how these progenitors alter their output over time. In the past years, work in the developing mouse retina has provided evidence that a transcriptional cascade similar to the one used in Drosophila neuroblasts might control progenitor temporal identity in vertebrates. The zinc finger transcription factor Ikzf1 (Ikaros), an ortholog of Drosophila hunchback, was reported to confer early temporal identity in retinal progenitors and, more recently, the ortholog of Drosophila castor, Casz1, was found to function as a mid/late temporal identity factor that is negatively regulated by Ikzf1. The molecular mechanisms by which these temporal identity factors function in retinal progenitors, however, remain unknown. Here we briefly review previous work on the vertebrate temporal identity factors in the retina, and propose a model by which they might operate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Mattar
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit; Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Cayouette
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit; Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine; Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Division of Experimental Medicine; McGill University Montréal, QC, Canada
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14
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Dorr KM, Amin NM, Kuchenbrod LM, Labiner H, Charpentier MS, Pevny LH, Wessels A, Conlon FL. Casz1 is required for cardiomyocyte G1-to-S phase progression during mammalian cardiac development. Development 2015; 142:2037-47. [PMID: 25953344 DOI: 10.1242/dev.119107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Organ growth occurs through the integration of external growth signals during the G1 phase of the cell cycle to initiate DNA replication. Although numerous growth factor signals have been shown to be required for the proliferation of cardiomyocytes, genetic studies have only identified a very limited number of transcription factors that act to regulate the entry of cardiomyocytes into S phase. Here, we report that the cardiac para-zinc-finger protein CASZ1 is expressed in murine cardiomyocytes. Genetic fate mapping with an inducible Casz1 allele demonstrates that CASZ1-expressing cells give rise to cardiomyocytes in the first and second heart fields. We show through the generation of a cardiac conditional null mutation that Casz1 is essential for the proliferation of cardiomyocytes in both heart fields and that loss of Casz1 leads to a decrease in cardiomyocyte cell number. We further report that the loss of Casz1 leads to a prolonged or arrested S phase, a decrease in DNA synthesis, an increase in phospho-RB and a concomitant decrease in the cardiac mitotic index. Taken together, these studies establish a role for CASZ1 in mammalian cardiomyocyte cell cycle progression in both the first and second heart fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry M Dorr
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Nirav M Amin
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Lauren M Kuchenbrod
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Hanna Labiner
- Department of Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Marta S Charpentier
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Larysa H Pevny
- Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Neuroscience Center, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Andy Wessels
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Frank L Conlon
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
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15
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Yang IV, Pedersen BS, Rabinovich E, Hennessy CE, Davidson EJ, Murphy E, Guardela BJ, Tedrow JR, Zhang Y, Singh MK, Correll M, Schwarz MI, Geraci M, Sciurba FC, Quackenbush J, Spira A, Kaminski N, Schwartz DA. Relationship of DNA methylation and gene expression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2014; 190:1263-72. [PMID: 25333685 PMCID: PMC4315819 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201408-1452oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an untreatable and often fatal lung disease that is increasing in prevalence and is caused by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms control gene expression and are likely to regulate the IPF transcriptome. OBJECTIVES To identify methylation marks that modify gene expression in IPF lung. METHODS We assessed DNA methylation (comprehensive high-throughput arrays for relative methylation arrays [CHARM]) and gene expression (Agilent gene expression arrays) in 94 patients with IPF and 67 control subjects, and performed integrative genomic analyses to define methylation-gene expression relationships in IPF lung. We validated methylation changes by a targeted analysis (Epityper), and performed functional validation of one of the genes identified by our analysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We identified 2,130 differentially methylated regions (DMRs; <5% false discovery rate), of which 738 are associated with significant changes in gene expression and enriched for expected inverse relationship between methylation and expression (P < 2.2 × 10(-16)). We validated 13/15 DMRs by targeted analysis of methylation. Methylation-expression quantitative trait loci (methyl-eQTL) identified methylation marks that control cis and trans gene expression, with an enrichment for cis relationships (P < 2.2 × 10(-16)). We found five trans methyl-eQTLs where a methylation change at a single DMR is associated with transcriptional changes in a substantial number of genes; four of these DMRs are near transcription factors (castor zinc finger 1 [CASZ1], FOXC1, MXD4, and ZDHHC4). We studied the in vitro effects of change in CASZ1 expression and validated its role in regulation of target genes in the methyl-eQTL. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that DNA methylation may be involved in the pathogenesis of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana V. Yang
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Brent S. Pedersen
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Einat Rabinovich
- Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease and Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Corinne E. Hennessy
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | | | - Elissa Murphy
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Brenda Juan Guardela
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - John R. Tedrow
- Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease and Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yingze Zhang
- Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease and Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mandal K. Singh
- Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease and Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mick Correll
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Marvin I. Schwarz
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Mark Geraci
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Frank C. Sciurba
- Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease and Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - John Quackenbush
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Avrum Spira
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Naftali Kaminski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - David A. Schwartz
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Center for Genes, Environment and Health, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
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Sojka S, Amin NM, Gibbs D, Christine KS, Charpentier MS, Conlon FL. Congenital heart disease protein 5 associates with CASZ1 to maintain myocardial tissue integrity. Development 2014; 141:3040-9. [PMID: 24993940 DOI: 10.1242/dev.106518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The identification and characterization of the cellular and molecular pathways involved in the differentiation and morphogenesis of specific cell types of the developing heart are crucial to understanding the process of cardiac development and the pathology associated with human congenital heart disease. Here, we show that the cardiac transcription factor CASTOR (CASZ1) directly interacts with congenital heart disease 5 protein (CHD5), which is also known as tryptophan-rich basic protein (WRB), a gene located on chromosome 21 in the proposed region responsible for congenital heart disease in individuals with Down's syndrome. We demonstrate that loss of CHD5 in Xenopus leads to compromised myocardial integrity, improper deposition of basement membrane, and a resultant failure of hearts to undergo cell movements associated with cardiac formation. We further report that CHD5 is essential for CASZ1 function and that the CHD5-CASZ1 interaction is necessary for cardiac morphogenesis. Collectively, these results establish a role for CHD5 and CASZ1 in the early stages of vertebrate cardiac development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Sojka
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Nirav M Amin
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Devin Gibbs
- Department of Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Kathleen S Christine
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Marta S Charpentier
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Frank L Conlon
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
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