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Tan K, Wilkinson MF. A translation regulator that drives spermatogonial stem cell formation. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 39382845 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for adult spermatogenesis. Themolecular mechanisms driving SSC generation are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES Zou et al. reported that the precursor cells that give rise to SSCs-prospermatogonia (ProSG) require the RNA-binding protein, DDX20, in orderto undergo the obligatory proliferative re-activation step that proceeds SSC formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Literature search. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We summarize the authors' discovery that the RNA-binding protein, DDX20, iscritical for driving the proliferative re-activation of ProSG, a key step that proceeds SSC generation in vivo. They provide evidence that DDX20 performs this role through its ability to promote the translation of mRNAs encoding proteins known to be essential for cell-cycle and spermatogonial homeostasis. It remains to be determined whether this role is conserved inhumans. It will also be interesting to elucidate whether other post-transcriptional regulators also have roles in early germ cell development. More broadly, it will be fascinating to determine whether post-transcriptional regulators workin concert with transcriptional regulators to drive germ-cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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He Z, Yan RG, Shang QB, Yang QE. Elevated Id2 expression causes defective meiosis and spermatogenesis in mice. Dev Dyn 2024; 253:593-605. [PMID: 38063258 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibitors of DNA binding (ID) proteins mainly inhibit gene expression and regulate cell fate decisions by interacting with E-proteins. All four ID proteins (ID1-4) are present in the testis, and ID4 has a particularly important role in spermatogonial stem cell fate determination. Several lines of evidence indicate that ID proteins are involved in meiosis; however, functional experiments have not been conducted to validate this observation. RESULTS In this study, we report that ID2 is enriched in spermatocytes and that forced ID2 expression in germ cells causes defects in spermatogenesis. A detailed analysis demonstrated that Id2 overexpression (Id2 OE) decreased the total number of spermatogonia and changed the dynamics of meiosis progression. Specifically, spermatocytes were enriched in the zygotene stage, and the proportion of pachytene spermatocytes was significantly decreased, indicating defects in the zygotene-pachytene transition. The number of MLH1-positive foci per cell was decreased in pachytene spermatocytes from Id2 OE testes, suggesting abnormalities in recombination. Transcriptome analysis revealed that forced Id2 expression changed the expression of a list of genes mainly associated with meiosis and spermatid development. CONCLUSIONS ID2 protein is expressed in spermatocytes, and its genetic ablation in the germline does not affect spermatogenesis, likely due to genetic compensation of its family members. However, forced Id2 expression changes meiosis progression and causes defects in spermiogenesis. These data provide important evidence that ID proteins play pivotal roles in male meiosis and spermatid development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen He
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rong-Ge Yan
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qin-Bang Shang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
| | - Qi-En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Plateau Animal Breeding and Functional Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, China
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Yang HB, Li Y, Li XH, Yan QM, Han XZ, Cao J, Sang HP, Li JL. The compensatory increase of Gli-similar 3 inhibited neuronal apoptosis through regulating Mps one binder kinase activator 1b (MOB1b): a possible strategy for the functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Exp Anim 2024; 73:61-72. [PMID: 37574269 PMCID: PMC10877155 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.23-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disease characterized by neuronal apoptosis. Gli-similar 3 (GLIS3), a transcriptional factor, was involved in cell apoptosis and associated with the transcription of downstream target genes related to neuronal function. However, the function of GLIS3 in SCI remains unknown. Therefore, we used the mouse model of SCI to explore the role of GLIS3 in SCI. The results showed that GLIS3 expression was significantly increased in spinal cord tissues of SCI mice, and GLIS3 overexpression promoted the functional recovery, reserved histological changes, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis after SCI. Through online tools, the potential target genes of GLIS3 were analyzed and we found that Mps one binder kinase activator 1b (Mob1b) had a strong association with SCI among these genes. MOB1b is a core component of Hippo signaling pathway, which was reported to inhibit cell apoptosis. MOB1b expression was significantly increased in mice at 7 days post-SCI and GLIS3 overexpression further increased its expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that GLIS3 bound to the promoter of Mob1b and promoted its transcription. In conclusion, our findings reveal that the compensatory increase of GLIS3 promotes functional recovery after SCI through inhibiting neuronal apoptosis by transcriptionally regulating MOB1b. Our study provides a novel target for functional recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Bo Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, No. 42 Wangfu Street, Songshan District, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, 024000, P.R. China
- Institute of Orthopedic Diseases, Chifeng University, No.1 Yingbin Road, Hongshan District, Chifeng, 024000, P.R. China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, No. 42 Wangfu Street, Songshan District, Chifeng, 024000, P.R. China
| | - Xiu-Hai Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, No. 42 Wangfu Street, Songshan District, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, 024000, P.R. China
| | - Qing-Ming Yan
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, No. 42 Wangfu Street, Songshan District, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, 024000, P.R. China
| | - Xian-Zhang Han
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, No. 42 Wangfu Street, Songshan District, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, 024000, P.R. China
| | - Jian Cao
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, No. 42 Wangfu Street, Songshan District, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, 024000, P.R. China
- Institute of Orthopedic Diseases, Chifeng University, No.1 Yingbin Road, Hongshan District, Chifeng, 024000, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Peng Sang
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, No. 42 Wangfu Street, Songshan District, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, 024000, P.R. China
- Institute of Orthopedic Diseases, Chifeng University, No.1 Yingbin Road, Hongshan District, Chifeng, 024000, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Long Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, No. 42 Wangfu Street, Songshan District, Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, 024000, P.R. China
- Institute of Orthopedic Diseases, Chifeng University, No.1 Yingbin Road, Hongshan District, Chifeng, 024000, P.R. China
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Kang HS, Grimm SA, Liao XH, Jetten AM. GLIS3 expression in the thyroid gland in relation to TSH signaling and regulation of gene expression. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:65. [PMID: 38281222 PMCID: PMC10822819 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05113-6] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Loss of GLI-Similar 3 (GLIS3) function in mice and humans causes congenital hypothyroidism (CH). In this study, we demonstrate that GLIS3 protein is first detectable at E15.5 of murine thyroid development, a time at which GLIS3 target genes, such as Slc5a5 (Nis), become expressed. This, together with observations showing that ubiquitous Glis3KO mice do not display major changes in prenatal thyroid gland morphology, indicated that CH in Glis3KO mice is due to dyshormonogenesis rather than thyroid dysgenesis. Analysis of GLIS3 in postnatal thyroid suggested a link between GLIS3 protein expression and blood TSH levels. This was supported by data showing that treatment with TSH, cAMP, or adenylyl cyclase activators or expression of constitutively active PKA enhanced GLIS3 protein stability and transcriptional activity, indicating that GLIS3 activity is regulated at least in part by TSH/TSHR-mediated activation of PKA. The TSH-dependent increase in GLIS3 transcriptional activity would be critical for the induction of GLIS3 target gene expression, including several thyroid hormone (TH) biosynthetic genes, in thyroid follicular cells of mice fed a low iodine diet (LID) when blood TSH levels are highly elevated. Like TH biosynthetic genes, the expression of cell cycle genes is suppressed in ubiquitous Glis3KO mice fed a LID; however, in thyroid-specific Glis3 knockout mice, the expression of cell cycle genes was not repressed, in contrast to TH biosynthetic genes. This indicated that the inhibition of cell cycle genes in ubiquitous Glis3KO mice is dependent on changes in gene expression in GLIS3 target tissues other than the thyroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Soon Kang
- Cell Biology Section, Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Sara A Grimm
- Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Xiao-Hui Liao
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Anton M Jetten
- Cell Biology Section, Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
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Yan RG, He Z, Wang FC, Li S, Shang QB, Yang QE. Transcription factor E4F1 dictates spermatogonial stem cell fate decisions by regulating mitochondrial functions and cell cycle progression. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:177. [PMID: 37749649 PMCID: PMC10521505 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01134-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) provide a foundation for robust and continual spermatogenesis in mammals. SSCs self-renew to maintain a functional stem cell pool and differentiate to supply committed progenitors. Metabolism acts as a crucial determinant of stem cell fates; however, factors linking metabolic programs to SSC development and maintenance are poorly understood. RESULTS We analyzed the chromatin accessibility of undifferentiated spermatogonia at the single-cell level and identified 37 positive TF regulators that may have potential roles in dictating SSC fates. The transcription factor E4F1 is expressed in spermatogonia, and its conditional deletion in mouse germ cells results in progressive loss of the entire undifferentiated spermatogonial pool. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis of control and E4f1-deficient spermatogonia revealed that E4F1 acts as a key regulator of mitochondrial function. E4F1 binds to promotors of genes that encode components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, including Ndufs5, Cox7a2, Cox6c, and Dnajc19. Loss of E4f1 function caused abnormal mitochondrial morphology and defects in fatty acid metabolism; as a result, undifferentiated spermatogonia were gradually lost due to cell cycle arrest and elevated apoptosis. Deletion of p53 in E4f1-deficient germ cells only temporarily prevented spermatogonial loss but did not rescue the defects in SSC maintenance. CONCLUSIONS Emerging evidence indicates that metabolic signals dictate stem cell fate decisions. In this study, we identified a list of transcription regulators that have potential roles in the fate transitions of undifferentiated spermatogonia in mice. Functional experiments demonstrated that the E4F1-mediated transcription program is a crucial regulator of metabolism and SSC fate decisions in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Ge Yan
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhen He
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fei-Chen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qin-Bang Shang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China
| | - Qi-En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China.
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Kang HS, Grimm SA, Liao XH, Jetten AM. Role of GLIS3 in thyroid development and in the regulation of gene expression in thyroid specific Glis3KO mice. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3044388. [PMID: 37461635 PMCID: PMC10350233 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3044388/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Loss of GLI-Similar 3 (GLIS3) function in mice and humans causes congenital hypothyroidism (CH). In this study, we demonstrate that GLIS3 protein is first detectable at E15.5 of murine thyroid development, a time when GLIS3 target genes, such as Slc5a5 (Nis), become also expressed. We further show that Glis3KO mice do not display any major changes in prenatal thyroid gland morphology indicating that CH in Glis3KO mice is due to dyshormonogenesis rather than thyroid dysgenesis. Analysis of thyroid-specific Glis3 knockout (Glis3-Pax8Cre) mice fed either a normal or low-iodine diet (ND or LID) revealed that, in contrast to ubiquitous Glis3KO mice, thyroid follicular cell proliferation and the expression of cell cycle genes were not repressed suggesting that the inhibition of thyroid follicular cell proliferation in ubiquitous Glis3KO mice is related to loss of GLIS3 function in other cell types. However, the expression of several thyroid hormone biosynthesis-, extracellular matrix (ECM)-, and inflammation-related genes was still suppressed in Glis3-Pax8Cre mice particularly under conditions of high blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). We further demonstrate that treatment with TSH, protein kinase A (PKA) or adenylyl cyclase activators or expression of constitutively active PKA enhances GLIS3 protein and activity, suggesting that GLIS3 transcriptional activity is regulated in part by TSH/TSHR-mediated activation of the PKA pathway. This mechanism of regulation provides an explanation for the dramatic increase in GLIS3 protein expression and the subsequent induction of GLIS3 target genes, including several thyroid hormone biosynthetic genes, in thyroid follicular cells of mice fed a LID.
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Tan K, Wilkinson MF. Developmental regulators moonlighting as transposons defense factors. Andrology 2023; 11:891-903. [PMID: 36895139 PMCID: PMC11162177 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13427] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The germline perpetuates genetic information across generations. To maintain the integrity of the germline, transposable elements in the genome must be silenced, as these mobile elements would otherwise engender widespread mutations passed on to subsequent generations. There are several well-established mechanisms that are dedicated to providing defense against transposable elements, including DNA methylation, RNA interference, and the PIWI-interacting RNA pathway. OBJECTIVES Recently, several studies have provided evidence that transposon defense is not only provided by factors dedicated to this purpose but also factors with other roles, including in germline development. Many of these are transcription factors. Our objective is to summarize what is known about these "bi-functional" transcriptional regulators. MATERIALS AND METHODS Literature search. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We summarize the evidence that six transcriptional regulators-GLIS3, MYBL1, RB1, RHOX10, SETDB1, and ZBTB16-are both developmental regulators and transposable element-defense factors. These factors act at different stages of germ cell development, including in pro-spermatogonia, spermatogonial stem cells, and spermatocytes. Collectively, the data suggest a model in which specific key transcriptional regulators have acquired multiple functions over evolutionary time to influence developmental decisions and safeguard transgenerational genetic information. It remains to be determined whether their developmental roles were primordial and their transposon defense roles were co-opted, or vice versa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Miles F. Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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Kang HS, Grimm SA, Jothi R, Santisteban P, Jetten AM. GLIS3 regulates transcription of thyroid hormone biosynthetic genes in coordination with other thyroid transcription factors. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:32. [PMID: 36793061 PMCID: PMC9930322 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-00979-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loss of the transcription factor GLI-Similar 3 (GLIS3) function causes congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in both humans and mice due to decreased expression of several thyroid hormone (TH) biosynthetic genes in thyroid follicular cells. Whether and to what extent, GLIS3 regulates thyroid gene transcription in coordination with other thyroid transcriptional factors (TFs), such as PAX8, NKX2.1 and FOXE1, is poorly understood. METHODS PAX8, NKX2.1, and FOXE1 ChIP-Seq analysis with mouse thyroid glands and rat thyrocyte PCCl3 cells was performed and compared to that of GLIS3 to analyze the co-regulation of gene transcription in thyroid follicular cells by these TFs. RESULTS Analysis of the PAX8, NKX2.1, and FOXE1 cistromes identified extensive overlaps between these TF binding loci and those of GLIS3 indicating that GLIS3 shares many of the same regulatory regions with PAX8, NKX2.1, and FOXE1, particularly in genes associated with TH biosynthesis, induced by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and suppressed in Glis3KO thyroid glands, including Slc5a5 (Nis), Slc26a4, Cdh16, and Adm2. ChIP-QPCR analysis showed that loss of GLIS3 did not significantly affect PAX8 or NKX2.1 binding and did not cause major alterations in H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 epigenetic signals. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that GLIS3 regulates transcription of TH biosynthetic and TSH-inducible genes in thyroid follicular cells in coordination with PAX8, NKX2.1, and FOXE1 by binding within the same regulatory hub. GLIS3 does not cause major changes in chromatin structure at these common regulatory regions. GLIS3 may induce transcriptional activation by enhancing the interaction of these regulatory regions with other enhancers and/or RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Soon Kang
- grid.280664.e0000 0001 2110 5790Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709 USA
| | - Sara A. Grimm
- grid.280664.e0000 0001 2110 5790Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709 USA
| | - Raja Jothi
- grid.280664.e0000 0001 2110 5790Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709 USA
| | - Pilar Santisteban
- grid.5515.40000000119578126Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols”, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Anton M. Jetten
- grid.280664.e0000 0001 2110 5790Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27709 USA
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Lord T, Law NC, Oatley MJ, Miao D, Du G, Oatley JM. A novel high throughput screen to identify candidate molecular networks that regulate spermatogenic stem cell functions†. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:1175-1190. [PMID: 35244684 PMCID: PMC9198950 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenic regeneration is key for male fertility and relies on activities of an undifferentiated spermatogonial population. Here, a high-throughput approach with primary cultures of mouse spermatogonia was devised to rapidly predict alterations in functional capacity. Combining the platform with a large-scale RNAi screen of transcription factors, we generated a repository of new information from which pathway analysis was able to predict candidate molecular networks regulating regenerative functions. Extending from this database, the SRCAP-CREBBP/EP300 (Snf2-related CREBBP activator protein-CREB binding protein/E1A binding protein P300) complex was found to mediate differential levels of histone acetylation between stem cell and progenitor spermatogonia to influence expression of key self-renewal genes including the previously undescribed testis-specific transcription factor ZSCAN2 (zinc finger and SCAN domain containing 2). Single cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed that ZSCAN2 deficiency alters key cellular processes in undifferentiated spermatogonia such as translation, chromatin modification, and ubiquitination. In Zscan2 knockout mice, while spermatogenesis was moderately impacted during steady state, regeneration after cytotoxic insult was significantly impaired. Altogether, these findings have validated the utility of our high-throughput screening approach and have generated a transcription factor database that can be utilized for uncovering novel mechanisms governing spermatogonial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Lord
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathan C Law
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Melissa J Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Deqiang Miao
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Guihua Du
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Jon M Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
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GLIS1-3: Links to Primary Cilium, Reprogramming, Stem Cell Renewal, and Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111833. [PMID: 35681527 PMCID: PMC9180737 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The GLI-Similar 1-3 (GLIS1-3) genes, in addition to encoding GLIS1-3 Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factors, also generate circular GLIS (circGLIS) RNAs. GLIS1-3 regulate gene transcription by binding to GLIS binding sites in target genes, whereas circGLIS RNAs largely act as miRNA sponges. GLIS1-3 play a critical role in the regulation of many biological processes and have been implicated in various pathologies. GLIS protein activities appear to be regulated by primary cilium-dependent and -independent signaling pathways that via post-translational modifications may cause changes in the subcellular localization, proteolytic processing, and protein interactions. These modifications can affect the transcriptional activity of GLIS proteins and, consequently, the biological functions they regulate as well as their roles in disease. Recent studies have implicated GLIS1-3 proteins and circGLIS RNAs in the regulation of stemness, self-renewal, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell reprogramming, lineage determination, and differentiation. These biological processes are interconnected and play a critical role in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, and cell plasticity. Dysregulation of these processes are part of many pathologies. This review provides an update on our current knowledge of the roles GLIS proteins and circGLIS RNAs in the control of these biological processes in relation to their regulation of normal physiological functions and disease.
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Tan K, Song HW, Wilkinson MF. RHOX10 drives mouse spermatogonial stem cell establishment through a transcription factor signaling cascade. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109423. [PMID: 34289349 PMCID: PMC8357189 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for male fertility. Here, we report that mouse SSC generation is driven by a transcription factor (TF) cascade controlled by the homeobox protein, RHOX10, which acts by driving the differentiation of SSC precursors called pro-spermatogonia (ProSG). We identify genes regulated by RHOX10 in ProSG in vivo and define direct RHOX10-target genes using several approaches, including a rapid temporal induction assay: iSLAMseq. Together, these approaches identify temporal waves of RHOX10 direct targets, as well as RHOX10 secondary-target genes. Many of the RHOX10-regulated genes encode proteins with known roles in SSCs. Using an in vitro ProSG differentiation assay, we find that RHOX10 promotes mouse ProSG differentiation through a conserved transcriptional cascade involving the key germ-cell TFs DMRT1 and ZBTB16. Our study gives important insights into germ cell development and provides a blueprint for how to define TF cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hye-Won Song
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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12
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Novel Gene Regulation in Normal and Abnormal Spermatogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030666. [PMID: 33802813 PMCID: PMC8002376 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex and dynamic process which is precisely controlledby genetic and epigenetic factors. With the development of new technologies (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing), increasingly more regulatory genes related to spermatogenesis have been identified. In this review, we address the roles and mechanisms of novel genes in regulating the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis. Specifically, we discussed the functions and signaling pathways of key new genes in mediating the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of rodent and human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as well as in controlling the meiosis of spermatocytes and other germ cells. Additionally, we summarized the gene regulation in the abnormal testicular microenvironment or the niche by Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, and Leydig cells. Finally, we pointed out the future directions for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis. This review could offer novel insights into genetic regulation in the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis, and it provides new molecular targets for gene therapy of male infertility.
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13
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Yasuoka Y, Matsumoto M, Yagi K, Okazaki Y. Evolutionary History of GLIS Genes Illuminates Their Roles in Cell Reprograming and Ciliogenesis. Mol Biol Evol 2020; 37:100-109. [PMID: 31504761 PMCID: PMC6984359 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The GLIS family transcription factors, GLIS1 and GLIS3, potentiate generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In contrast, another GLIS family member, GLIS2, suppresses cell reprograming. To understand how these disparate roles arose, we examined evolutionary origins and genomic organization of GLIS genes. Comprehensive phylogenetic analysis shows that GLIS1 and GLIS3 originated during vertebrate whole genome duplication, whereas GLIS2 is a sister group to the GLIS1/3 and GLI families. This result is consistent with their opposing functions in cell reprograming. Glis1 evolved faster than Glis3, losing many protein-interacting motifs. This suggests that Glis1 acquired new functions under weakened evolutionary constraints. In fact, GLIS1 induces induced pluripotent stem cells more strongly. Transcriptomic data from various animal embryos demonstrate that glis1 is maternally expressed in some tetrapods, whereas vertebrate glis3 and invertebrate glis1/3 genes are rarely expressed in oocytes, suggesting that vertebrate (or tetrapod) Glis1 acquired a new expression domain and function as a maternal factor. Furthermore, comparative genomic analysis reveals that glis1/3 is part of a bilaterian-specific gene cluster, together with rfx3, ndc1, hspb11, and lrrc42. Because known functions of these genes are related to cilia formation and function, the last common ancestor of bilaterians may have acquired this cluster by shuffling gene order to establish more sophisticated epithelial tissues involving cilia. This evolutionary study highlights the significance of GLIS1/3 for cell reprograming, development, and diseases in ciliated organs such as lung, kidney, and pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuuri Yasuoka
- Laboratory for Comprehensive Genomic Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masahito Matsumoto
- Laboratory for Comprehensive Genomic Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.,Diagnostics and Therapeutics of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Advanced Diabetic Therapeutics, Department of Metabolic Endocrinology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Yagi
- Laboratory for Comprehensive Genomic Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yasushi Okazaki
- Laboratory for Comprehensive Genomic Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan.,Diagnostics and Therapeutics of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Tremblay JR, Lopez K, Ku HT. A GLIS3-CD133-WNT-signaling axis regulates the self-renewal of adult murine pancreatic progenitor-like cells in colonies and organoids. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:16634-16649. [PMID: 31533988 PMCID: PMC6851293 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The existence and regenerative potential of resident stem and progenitor cells in the adult pancreas are controversial topics. A question that has been only minimally addressed is the capacity of a progenitor cell to self-renew, a key attribute that defines stem cells. Previously, our laboratory has identified putative stem and progenitor cells from the adult murine pancreas. Using an ex vivo colony/organoid culture system, we demonstrated that these stem/progenitor-like cells have self-renewal and multilineage differentiation potential. We have named these cells pancreatic colony-forming units (PCFUs) because they can give rise to three-dimensional colonies. However, the molecular mechanisms by which PCFUs self-renew have remained largely unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that PCFU self-renewal requires GLIS family zinc finger 3 (GLIS3), a zinc-finger transcription factor important in pancreas development. Pancreata from 2- to 4-month-old mice were dissociated, sorted for CD133highCD71low ductal cells, known to be enriched for PCFUs, and virally transduced with shRNAs to knock down GLIS3 and other proteins. We then plated these cells into our colony assays and analyzed the resulting colonies for protein and gene expression. Our results revealed a previously unknown GLIS3-to-CD133-to-WNT signaling axis in which GLIS3 and CD133 act as factors necessary for maintaining WNT receptors and signaling molecules in colonies, allowing responses to WNT ligands. Additionally, we found that CD133, but not GLIS3 or WNT, is required for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT Ser/Thr kinase (AKT)-mediated PCFU survival. Collectively, our results uncover a molecular pathway that maintains self-renewal of adult murine PCFUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob R Tremblay
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91006
| | - Kassandra Lopez
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010
| | - Hsun Teresa Ku
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91006
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15
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Singh P, Patel RK, Palmer N, Grenier JK, Paduch D, Kaldis P, Grimson A, Schimenti JC. CDK2 kinase activity is a regulator of male germ cell fate. Development 2019; 146:dev180273. [PMID: 31582414 PMCID: PMC6857589 DOI: 10.1242/dev.180273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The ability of men to remain fertile throughout their lives depends upon establishment of a spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool from gonocyte progenitors, and thereafter balancing SSC renewal versus terminal differentiation. Here, we report that precise regulation of the cell cycle is crucial for this balance. Whereas cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) is not necessary for mouse viability or gametogenesis stages prior to meiotic prophase I, mice bearing a deregulated allele (Cdk2Y15S ) are severely deficient in spermatogonial differentiation. This allele disrupts an inhibitory phosphorylation site (Tyr15) for the kinase WEE1. Remarkably, Cdk2Y15S/Y15S mice possess abnormal clusters of mitotically active SSC-like cells, but these are eventually removed by apoptosis after failing to differentiate properly. Analyses of lineage markers, germ cell proliferation over time, and single cell RNA-seq data revealed delayed and defective differentiation of gonocytes into SSCs. Biochemical and genetic data demonstrated that Cdk2Y15S is a gain-of-function allele causing elevated kinase activity, which underlies these differentiation defects. Our results demonstrate that precise regulation of CDK2 kinase activity in male germ cell development is crucial for the gonocyte-to-spermatogonia transition and long-term spermatogenic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Singh
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ravi K Patel
- Cornell University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Nathan Palmer
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jennifer K Grenier
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Darius Paduch
- Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Urology, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Philipp Kaldis
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138673
- Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Republic of Singapore
| | - Andrew Grimson
- Cornell University, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - John C Schimenti
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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16
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Jetten AM. Emerging Roles of GLI-Similar Krüppel-like Zinc Finger Transcription Factors in Leukemia and Other Cancers. Trends Cancer 2019; 5:547-557. [PMID: 31474360 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
GLI-similar 1-3 (GLIS1-3), a subfamily of Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factors, function as key regulators of several biological processes important to oncogenesis, including control of cell proliferation, differentiation, self-renewal, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. This review provides a short overview of the critical roles genetic changes in GLIS1-3 play in the development of several malignancies. This includes intrachromosomal translocations involving GLIS2 and ETO2/CBFA2T3 in the development of pediatric non-Down's syndrome (DS), acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL), a malignancy with poor prognosis, and an association of interchromosomal translocations between GLIS3, GLIS1, and PAX8, and between GLIS3 and CLPTM1L with hyalinizing trabecular tumors (HTTs) and fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FHCC), respectively. Targeting upstream signaling pathways that regulate GLIS signaling may offer new therapeutic strategies in the management of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton M Jetten
- Cell Biology Section, Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 111 Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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17
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Jung M, Wells D, Rusch J, Ahmad S, Marchini J, Myers SR, Conrad DF. Unified single-cell analysis of testis gene regulation and pathology in five mouse strains. eLife 2019; 8:e43966. [PMID: 31237565 PMCID: PMC6615865 DOI: 10.7554/elife.43966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To fully exploit the potential of single-cell functional genomics in the study of development and disease, robust methods are needed to simplify the analysis of data across samples, time-points and individuals. Here we introduce a model-based factor analysis method, SDA, to analyze a novel 57,600 cell dataset from the testes of wild-type mice and mice with gonadal defects due to disruption of the genes Mlh3, Hormad1, Cul4a or Cnp. By jointly analyzing mutant and wild-type cells we decomposed our data into 46 components that identify novel meiotic gene-regulatory programs, mutant-specific pathological processes, and technical effects, and provide a framework for imputation. We identify, de novo, DNA sequence motifs associated with individual components that define temporally varying modes of gene expression control. Analysis of SDA components also led us to identify a rare population of macrophages within the seminiferous tubules of Mlh3-/- and Hormad1-/- mice, an area typically associated with immune privilege.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Jung
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Daniel Wells
- The Wellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Department of StatisticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Jannette Rusch
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Suhaira Ahmad
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Jonathan Marchini
- The Wellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Department of StatisticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Simon R Myers
- The Wellcome Centre for Human GeneticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Department of StatisticsUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Donald F Conrad
- Department of GeneticsWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research CenterOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
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18
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Jeon K, Kumar D, Conway AE, Park K, Jothi R, Jetten AM. GLIS3 Transcriptionally Activates WNT Genes to Promote Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Posterior Neural Progenitors. Stem Cells 2018; 37:202-215. [PMID: 30376208 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Anterior-posterior (A-P) specification of the neural tube involves initial acquisition of anterior fate followed by the induction of posterior characteristics in the primitive anterior neuroectoderm. Several morphogens have been implicated in the regulation of A-P neural patterning; however, our understanding of the upstream regulators of these morphogens remains incomplete. Here, we show that the Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factor GLI-Similar 3 (GLIS3) can direct differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into posterior neural progenitor cells in lieu of the default anterior pathway. Transcriptomic analyses reveal that this switch in cell fate is due to rapid activation of Wingless/Integrated (WNT) signaling pathway. Mechanistically, through genome-wide RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, and functional analyses, we show that GLIS3 binds to and directly regulates the transcription of several WNT genes, including the strong posteriorizing factor WNT3A, and that inhibition of WNT signaling is sufficient to abrogate GLIS3-induced posterior specification. Our findings suggest a potential role for GLIS3 in the regulation of A-P specification through direct transcriptional activation of WNT genes. Stem Cells 2018 Stem Cells 2019;37:202-215.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilsoo Jeon
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dhirendra Kumar
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amanda E Conway
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kyeyoon Park
- NIH Stem Cell Unit, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Raja Jothi
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anton M Jetten
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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19
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Jetten AM. GLIS1-3 transcription factors: critical roles in the regulation of multiple physiological processes and diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:3473-3494. [PMID: 29779043 PMCID: PMC6123274 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2841-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Krüppel-like zinc finger proteins form one of the largest families of transcription factors. They function as key regulators of embryonic development and a wide range of other physiological processes, and are implicated in a variety of pathologies. GLI-similar 1-3 (GLIS1-3) constitute a subfamily of Krüppel-like zinc finger proteins that act either as activators or repressors of gene transcription. GLIS3 plays a critical role in the regulation of multiple biological processes and is a key regulator of pancreatic β cell generation and maturation, insulin gene expression, thyroid hormone biosynthesis, spermatogenesis, and the maintenance of normal kidney functions. Loss of GLIS3 function in humans and mice leads to the development of several pathologies, including neonatal diabetes and congenital hypothyroidism, polycystic kidney disease, and infertility. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in GLIS3 genes have been associated with increased risk of several diseases, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, and neurological disorders. GLIS2 plays a critical role in the kidney and GLIS2 dysfunction leads to nephronophthisis, an end-stage, cystic renal disease. In addition, GLIS1-3 have regulatory functions in several stem/progenitor cell populations. GLIS1 and GLIS3 greatly enhance reprogramming efficiency of somatic cells into induced embryonic stem cells, while GLIS2 inhibits reprogramming. Recent studies have obtained substantial mechanistic insights into several physiological processes regulated by GLIS2 and GLIS3, while a little is still known about the physiological functions of GLIS1. The localization of some GLIS proteins to the primary cilium suggests that their activity may be regulated by a downstream primary cilium-associated signaling pathway. Insights into the upstream GLIS signaling pathway may provide opportunities for the development of new therapeutic strategies for diabetes, hypothyroidism, and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton M Jetten
- Cell Biology Group, Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
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20
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Ungewitter EK, Rotgers E, Kang HS, Lichti-Kaiser K, Li L, Grimm SA, Jetten AM, Yao HHC. Loss of Glis3 causes dysregulation of retrotransposon silencing and germ cell demise in fetal mouse testis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9662. [PMID: 29941866 PMCID: PMC6018429 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27843-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal germ cell development is regulated by an elaborate combination of cell-extrinsic and cell-intrinsic signals. Here we identify a novel role for the Krüppel-like transcription factor Gli-Similar 3 (Glis3) in male germ cell development in the mouse embryos. Glis3 is expressed in male germ cells during the brief window of time prior to initiation of piRNA-dependent retrotransposon surveillance. Disruption of Glis3 function led to a widespread reduction in retrotransposon silencing factors, aberrant retrotransposon expression and pronounced germ cell loss. Experimental induction of precocious Glis3 expression in vivo before its normal expression resulted in premature expression of several piRNA pathway members, suggesting that GLIS3 is necessary for the activation of the retrotransposon silencing programs. Our findings reveal an unexpected role for GLIS3 in the development of male germ cells and point to a central role for GLIS3 in the control of retrotransposon silencing in the fetal germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica K Ungewitter
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Emmi Rotgers
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hong Soon Kang
- Immunity, Inflammation & Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kristin Lichti-Kaiser
- Immunity, Inflammation & Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Leping Li
- Biostatistics & Computational Biology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sara A Grimm
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anton M Jetten
- Immunity, Inflammation & Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Humphrey H-C Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA.
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21
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Hamer G, de Rooij DG. Mutations causing specific arrests in the development of mouse primordial germ cells and gonocytes. Biol Reprod 2018; 99:75-86. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Geert Hamer
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk G de Rooij
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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22
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Kang HS, Kumar D, Liao G, Lichti-Kaiser K, Gerrish K, Liao XH, Refetoff S, Jothi R, Jetten AM. GLIS3 is indispensable for TSH/TSHR-dependent thyroid hormone biosynthesis and follicular cell proliferation. J Clin Invest 2017; 127:4326-4337. [PMID: 29083325 DOI: 10.1172/jci94417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency in Krüppel-like zinc finger transcription factor GLI-similar 3 (GLIS3) in humans is associated with the development of congenital hypothyroidism. However, the functions of GLIS3 in the thyroid gland and the mechanism by which GLIS3 dysfunction causes hypothyroidism are unknown. In the current study, we demonstrate that GLIS3 acts downstream of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and TSH receptor (TSHR) and is indispensable for TSH/TSHR-mediated proliferation of thyroid follicular cells and biosynthesis of thyroid hormone. Using ChIP-Seq and promoter analysis, we demonstrate that GLIS3 is critical for the transcriptional activation of several genes required for thyroid hormone biosynthesis, including the iodide transporters Nis and Pds, both of which showed enhanced GLIS3 binding at their promoters. The repression of cell proliferation of GLIS3-deficient thyroid follicular cells was due to the inhibition of TSH-mediated activation of the mTOR complex 1/ribosomal protein S6 (mTORC1/RPS6) pathway as well as the reduced expression of several cell division-related genes regulated directly by GLIS3. Consequently, GLIS3 deficiency in a murine model prevented the development of goiter as well as the induction of inflammatory and fibrotic genes during chronic elevation of circulating TSH. Our study identifies GLIS3 as a key regulator of TSH/TSHR-mediated thyroid hormone biosynthesis and proliferation of thyroid follicular cells and uncovers a mechanism by which GLIS3 deficiency causes neonatal hypothyroidism and prevents goiter development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Grace Liao
- 1, Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory
| | | | - Kevin Gerrish
- 3, Molecular Genomics Core, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Samuel Refetoff
- 4, Department of Medicine, and.,5, Department of Pediatrics and Committee on Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Raja Jothi
- 2, Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, and
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23
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Scoville DW, Kang HS, Jetten AM. GLIS1-3: emerging roles in reprogramming, stem and progenitor cell differentiation and maintenance. Stem Cell Investig 2017; 4:80. [PMID: 29057252 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2017.09.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have provided evidence for a regulatory role of GLI-similar (GLIS) transcription factors in reprogramming, maintenance and differentiation of several stem and progenitor cell populations. GLIS1, in conjunction with several other reprogramming factors, was shown to markedly increase the efficiency of generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from somatic cells. GLIS2 has been reported to contribute to the maintenance of the pluripotent state in hPSCs. In addition, GLIS2 has a function in regulating self-renewal of hematopoietic progenitors and megakaryocytic differentiation. GLIS3 plays a critical role during the development of several tissues. GLIS3 is able to promote reprogramming of human fibroblasts into retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells. Moreover, GLIS3 is essential for spermatogonial stem cell renewal and spermatogonial progenitor cell differentiation. During pancreas development, GLIS3 protein is first detectable in bipotent pancreatic progenitors and pro-endocrine progenitors and plays a critical role in the generation of pancreatic beta cells. Here, we review the current status of the roles of GLIS proteins in the maintenance and differentiation of these different stem and progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Scoville
- Cell Biology Section, Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Hong Soon Kang
- Cell Biology Section, Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Anton M Jetten
- Cell Biology Section, Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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24
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Wen X, Yang Y. Emerging roles of GLIS3 in neonatal diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes. J Mol Endocrinol 2017; 58:R73-R85. [PMID: 27899417 DOI: 10.1530/jme-16-0232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
GLI-similar 3 (GLIS3), a member of the Krüppel-like zinc finger protein subfamily, is predominantly expressed in the pancreas, thyroid and kidney. Glis3 mRNA can be initially detected in mouse pancreas at embryonic day 11.5 and is largely restricted to β cells, pancreatic polypeptide-expressing cells, as well as ductal cells at later stage of pancreas development. Mutations in GLIS3 cause a neonatal diabetes syndrome, characterized by neonatal diabetes, congenital hypothyroidism and polycystic kidney. Importantly, genome-wide association studies showed that variations of GLIS3 are strongly associated with both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in multiple populations. GLIS3 cooperates with pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene family, protein A (MAFA), as well as neurogenic differentiation 1 (NEUROD1) and potently controls insulin gene transcription. GLIS3 also plays a role in β cell survival and likely in insulin secretion. Any perturbation of these functions may underlie all three forms of diabetes. GLIS3, synergistically with hepatocyte nuclear factor 6 (HNF6) and forkhead box A2 (FOXA2), controls fetal islet differentiation via transactivating neurogenin 3 (NGN3) and impairment of this function leads to neonatal diabetes. In addition, GLIS3 is also required for the compensatory β cell proliferation and mass expansion in response to insulin resistance, which if disrupted may predispose to T2D. The increasing understanding of the mechanisms of GLIS3 in β cell development, survival and function maintenance will provide new insights into disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic target identification to combat diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianjie Wen
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of AnesthesiologyThe First People's Hospital of Foshan & Foshan Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, China
| | - Yisheng Yang
- Division of EndocrinologyDepartment of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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