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Yin Y, Wu S, Niu L, Huang S. A ZFP42/MARK2 regulatory network reduces the damage of retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma: a study based on GEO dataset and in vitro experiments. Apoptosis 2022; 27:1049-1059. [PMID: 36131186 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-022-01746-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a common disorder in which the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) results in a progressive loss of sight, even blindness. This study was performed to reveal the key molecular mechanism of RGC damage in glaucoma based on the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Glaucoma-related microarray datasets were identified, followed by collection of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with the key genes discovered by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Through LASSO regression analysis, candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma were identified with their accuracy evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The glaucoma-specific transcriptional regulatory network was constructed to determine the key transcription factor regulatory axis. Then, in vitro cell models were established using H2O2 for further verifying the regulatory role of identified ZFP42/MARK2 axis in RGC damage in glaucoma. Differential analysis of GSE27276, GSE45570, and GSE101727 microarray datasets yielded 165 DEGs, and 22 key genes were identified following. Then, 9 candidate genes involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma was collected and the key ZFP42/MARK2 regulatory axis was found. In vitro cell experiments further confirmed that ZFP42 and MARK2 were down-regulated in RGCs treated with H2O2. In addition, overexpression of ZFP42 increased the expression of MARK2 to increase RGC cell viability, and reduce cell apoptosis and ROS levels, while silencing MARK2 could reverse the protective effect of ZFP42. We confirmed that ZFP42 reduced the damage of RGCs in glaucoma by up-regulating the expression of MARK2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130042, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuai Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130042, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingzhi Niu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, 250014, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiwei Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130042, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
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Mirzaei S, Gholami MH, Hushmandi K, Hashemi F, Zabolian A, Canadas I, Zarrabi A, Nabavi N, Aref AR, Crea F, Wang Y, Ashrafizadeh M, Kumar AP. The long and short non-coding RNAs modulating EZH2 signaling in cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:18. [PMID: 35236381 PMCID: PMC8892735 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01235-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a large family of RNA molecules with no capability in encoding proteins. However, they participate in developmental and biological processes and their abnormal expression affects cancer progression. These RNA molecules can function as upstream mediators of different signaling pathways and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is among them. Briefly, EZH2 belongs to PRCs family and can exert functional roles in cells due to its methyltransferase activity. EZH2 affects gene expression via inducing H3K27me3. In the present review, our aim is to provide a mechanistic discussion of ncRNAs role in regulating EZH2 expression in different cancers. MiRNAs can dually induce/inhibit EZH2 in cancer cells to affect downstream targets such as Wnt, STAT3 and EMT. Furthermore, miRNAs can regulate therapy response of cancer cells via affecting EZH2 signaling. It is noteworthy that EZH2 can reduce miRNA expression by binding to promoter and exerting its methyltransferase activity. Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) are synthetic, short ncRNAs capable of reducing EZH2 expression and suppressing cancer progression. LncRNAs mainly regulate EZH2 expression via targeting miRNAs. Furthermore, lncRNAs induce EZH2 by modulating miRNA expression. Circular RNAs (CircRNAs), like lncRNAs, affect EZH2 expression via targeting miRNAs. These areas are discussed in the present review with a focus on molecular pathways leading to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Mirzaei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Kiavash Hushmandi
- Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Division of Epidemiology and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farid Hashemi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, 1417466191, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Zabolian
- Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, 5th Azar Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran
| | - Israel Canadas
- Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istinye University, Istanbul, 34396, Turkey
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Department of Urological Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada
| | - Amir Reza Aref
- Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Translational Sciences, Xsphera Biosciences Inc., Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesco Crea
- Cancer Research Group-School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Department of Urological Sciences and Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6H3Z6, Canada.
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, Istanbul, 34956, Turkey.
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Luk ST, Ng KY, Zhou L, Tong M, Wong TL, Yu H, Lo CM, Man K, Guan XY, Lee TK, Ma S. Deficiency in Embryonic Stem Cell Marker Reduced Expression 1 Activates Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinase 6-Dependent p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling to Drive Hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatology 2020; 72:183-197. [PMID: 31680287 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Embryonic stem-cell-related transcription factors are central to the establishment and maintenance of stemness and pluripotency, and their altered expression plays key roles in tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a malignancy with no effective treatment. Here, we report on the embryonic stem cell marker, reduced expression 1 (REX1; also known as zinc finger protein 42), to be selectively down-regulated in HCC tumors. APPROACH AND RESULTS Deficiency of REX1 in HCC was attributed to a combination of hypermethylation at its promoter as well as histone modification by methylation and acetylation. Clinically, hypermethylation of REX1 was closely associated with neoplastic transition and advanced tumor stage in humans. Functionally, silencing of REX1 potentiated the tumor-initiating and metastasis potential of HCC cell lines and xenografted tumors. Lentivirus-mediated Rex1 ablation in liver of male immunocompetent mice with HCC, induced by hydrodynamic tail vein injection of proto-oncogenes, enhanced HCC development. Transcriptome profiling studies revealed REX1 deficiency in HCC cells to be enriched with genes implicated in focal adhesion and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. From this lead, we subsequently found REX1 to bind to the promoter region of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6), thereby obstructing its transcription, resulting in altered p38 MAPK signaling. CONCLUSIONS Our work describes a critical repressive function of REX1 in maintenance of HCC cells by regulating MKK6 binding and p38 MAPK signaling. REX1 deficiency induced enhancement of p38 MAPK signaling, leading to F-actin reorganization and activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-mediated oxidative stress response, which collectively contributed to enhanced stemness and metastatic capabilities of HCC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve T Luk
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kai-Yu Ng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Lei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Man Tong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Tin-Lok Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Huajian Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Hong Kong
| | - Chung-Mau Lo
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Kwan Man
- Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Xin-Yuan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Oncology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Terence K Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Zeng YT, Liu XF, Yang WT, Zheng PS. REX1 promotes EMT-induced cell metastasis by activating the JAK2/STAT3-signaling pathway by targeting SOCS1 in cervical cancer. Oncogene 2019; 38:6940-6957. [PMID: 31409905 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0906-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
ZFP42 zinc finger protein (REX1), a pluripotency marker in mouse pluripotent stem cells, has been identified as a tumor suppressor in several human cancers. However, the function of REX1 in cervical cancer remains unknown. Both IHC and western blot assays demonstrated that the expression of REX1 protein in cervical cancer tissue was much higher than that in normal cervical tissue. A xenograft assay showed that REX1 overexpression in SiHa and HeLa cells facilitated distant metastasis but did not significantly affect tumor formation in vivo. In addition, in vitro cell migration and invasion capabilities were also promoted by REX1. Mechanistically, REX1 overexpression induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating VIMENTIN and downregulating E-CADHERIN. Furthermore, the JAK2/STAT3-signaling pathway was activated in REX1-overexpressing cells, which also exhibited increased levels of p-STAT3 and p-JAK2, as well as downregulated expression of SOCS1, which is an inhibitor of the JAK2/STAT3-signaling pathway, at both the transcriptional and translational levels. A dual-luciferase reporter assay and qChIP assays confirmed that REX1 trans-suppressed the expression of SOCS1 by binding to two specific regions of the SOCS1 promoter. Therefore, all our data suggest that REX1 overexpression could play a crucial role in the metastasis and invasion of cervical cancer by upregulating the activity of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway by trans-suppressing SOCS1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Zeng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Xiao-Fang Liu
- Section of Cancer Stem Cell Research, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Wen-Ting Yang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China.
| | - Peng-Sheng Zheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China. .,Section of Cancer Stem Cell Research, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, PR China.
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Shiota M, Fujimoto N, Kashiwagi E, Eto M. The Role of Nuclear Receptors in Prostate Cancer. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060602. [PMID: 31212954 PMCID: PMC6627805 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily consists of 48 members that are divided into seven subfamilies. NRs are transcription factors that play an important role in a number of biological processes. The NR superfamily includes androgen receptor, which is a key player in prostate cancer pathogenesis, suggesting the functional roles of other NRs in prostate cancer. The findings on the roles of NRs in prostate cancer thus far have shown that several NRs such as vitamin D receptor, estrogen receptor β, and mineralocorticoid receptor play antioncogenic roles, while other NRs such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and estrogen receptor α as well as androgen receptor play oncogenic roles. However, the roles of other NRs in prostate cancer remain controversial or uninvestigated. Further research on the role of NRs in prostate cancer is required and may lead to the development of novel preventions and therapeutics for prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Shiota
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Naohiro Fujimoto
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
| | - Eiji Kashiwagi
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Masatoshi Eto
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
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Kelly GM, Gatie MI. Mechanisms Regulating Stemness and Differentiation in Embryonal Carcinoma Cells. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:3684178. [PMID: 28373885 PMCID: PMC5360977 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3684178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Just over ten years have passed since the seminal Takahashi-Yamanaka paper, and while most attention nowadays is on induced, embryonic, and cancer stem cells, much of the pioneering work arose from studies with embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs) derived from teratocarcinomas. This original work was broad in scope, but eventually led the way for us to focus on the components involved in the gene regulation of stemness and differentiation. As the name implies, ECCs are malignant in nature, yet maintain the ability to differentiate into the 3 germ layers and extraembryonic tissues, as well as behave normally when reintroduced into a healthy blastocyst. Retinoic acid signaling has been thoroughly interrogated in ECCs, especially in the F9 and P19 murine cell models, and while we have touched on this aspect, this review purposely highlights how some key transcription factors regulate pluripotency and cell stemness prior to this signaling. Another major focus is on the epigenetic regulation of ECCs and stem cells, and, towards that end, this review closes on what we see as a new frontier in combating aging and human disease, namely, how cellular metabolism shapes the epigenetic landscape and hence the pluripotency of all stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Kelly
- Department of Biology, Molecular Genetics Unit, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Child Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohamed I. Gatie
- Department of Biology, Molecular Genetics Unit, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Huang Y, Tao T, Liu C, Guan H, Zhang G, Ling Z, Zhang L, Lu K, Chen S, Xu B, Chen M. Upregulation of miR-146a by YY1 depletion correlates with delayed progression of prostate cancer. Int J Oncol 2017; 50:421-431. [PMID: 28101571 PMCID: PMC5238785 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2017.3840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously published studies explained that the excessive expression of miR-146a influences the prostate cancer (PCa) cells in terms of apoptosis, progression, and viability. Although miR-146a acts as a tumor suppressor, current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that controls its expression in PCa is limited. In this study, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed negatively enriched expression of miR-146a target gene sets and positively enriched expression of gene sets suppressed by the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) after YY1 depletion in PCa cells. The current results demonstrated that the miR-146a levels in PCa tissues with high Gleason scores (>7) are significantly lower than those in PCa tissues with low Gleason scores (≤7), which were initially observed in the clinical specimens. An inverse relationship between YY1 and miR-146a expression was also observed. Experiments indicated the decrease in cell viability, proliferation, and promoting apoptosis after YY1 depletion, while through inhibiting miR-146a could alleviate the negative effect brought by YY1 depletion. We detected the reversed adjustment of YY1 to accommodate miR-146a transcriptions. On the basis of YY1 depletion, we determined that the expression of miR-146a increased after EZH2 knockdown. We validated the combination of YY1 and its interaction with EZH2 at the miR-146a promoter binding site, thereby prohibiting the transcriptional activity of miR-146a in PCa cells. Our results suggested that YY1 depletion repressed PCa cell viability and proliferation and induced apoptosis at least in a miR-146a-assisted manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeqing Huang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Tao Tao
- Department of Urology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Chunhui Liu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Han Guan
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Guangyuan Zhang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Zhixin Ling
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Kai Lu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Shuqiu Chen
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Ming Chen
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Zhongda Hospital, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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Zhao W, Ji X, Zhang F, Li L, Ma L. Embryonic stem cell markers. Molecules 2012; 17:6196-236. [PMID: 22634835 PMCID: PMC6268870 DOI: 10.3390/molecules17066196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2012] [Revised: 03/31/2012] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cell (ESC) markers are molecules specifically expressed in ES cells. Understanding of the functions of these markers is critical for characterization and elucidation for the mechanism of ESC pluripotent maintenance and self-renewal, therefore helping to accelerate the clinical application of ES cells. Unfortunately, different cell types can share single or sometimes multiple markers; thus the main obstacle in the clinical application of ESC is to purify ES cells from other types of cells, especially tumor cells. Currently, the marker-based flow cytometry (FCM) technique and magnetic cell sorting (MACS) are the most effective cell isolating methods, and a detailed maker list will help to initially identify, as well as isolate ESCs using these methods. In the current review, we discuss a wide range of cell surface and generic molecular markers that are indicative of the undifferentiated ESCs. Other types of molecules, such as lectins and peptides, which bind to ESC via affinity and specificity, are also summarized. In addition, we review several markers that overlap with tumor stem cells (TSCs), which suggest that uncertainty still exists regarding the benefits of using these markers alone or in various combinations when identifying and isolating cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Zhao
- Life Science Division, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (X.J.); (F.Z.); (L.L.)
| | - Xiang Ji
- Life Science Division, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (X.J.); (F.Z.); (L.L.)
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fangfang Zhang
- Life Science Division, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (X.J.); (F.Z.); (L.L.)
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Liang Li
- Life Science Division, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (X.J.); (F.Z.); (L.L.)
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lan Ma
- Life Science Division, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China; (W.Z.); (X.J.); (F.Z.); (L.L.)
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Rezende NC, Lee MY, Monette S, Mark W, Lu A, Gudas LJ. Rex1 (Zfp42) null mice show impaired testicular function, abnormal testis morphology, and aberrant gene expression. Dev Biol 2011; 356:370-82. [PMID: 21641340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.05.664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2011] [Revised: 05/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Rex1 (Zfp42), GeneID 132625, is a gene whose expression is closely associated with pluripotency/multipotency in both mouse and human embryonic stem cells. To study the function of the murine Rex1 gene in vivo, we have used cre/lox technology to create Rex1(floxed) mice and mice deficient in Rex1 gene function. Rex1(-/-)males are characterized by an age-associated decrease in sperm counts, abnormal sperm morphology, and mild testicular atrophy. We characterized global patterns of gene expression in primary germ cells by microarray and identified the growth hormone responsive gene, GRTP1, as a transcript present at a 4.5 fold higher level in wild type (WT) compared to Rex1(-/-) mice. We analyzed immature germ cell (Dazl), proliferating (PCNA), and Sertoli cell populations, and quantitated levels of apoptosis in Rex1(-/-) as compared to WT testes. We evaluated the expression of proteins previously reported to correlate with Rex1 expression, such as STAT3, phospho-STAT3, p38, and phospho-p38 in the testis. We report a distinct cellular localization of total STAT3 protein in Rex1(-/-) affected testes. Our data suggest that loss of Rex1 leads to impaired testicular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naira C Rezende
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
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