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Qi YB, Xu Z, Shen S, Wang Z, Wang Z. MYRF: A unique transmembrane transcription factor- from proteolytic self-processing to its multifaceted roles in animal development. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300209. [PMID: 38488284 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300209] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The Myelin Regulator Factor (MYRF) is a master regulator governing myelin formation and maintenance in the central nervous system. The conservation of MYRF across metazoans and its broad tissue expression suggest it has functions extending beyond the well-established role in myelination. Loss of MYRF results in developmental lethality in both invertebrates and vertebrates, and MYRF haploinsufficiency in humans causes MYRF-related Cardiac Urogenital Syndrome, underscoring its importance in animal development; however, these mechanisms are largely unexplored. MYRF, an unconventional transcription factor, begins embedded in the membrane and undergoes intramolecular chaperone mediated trimerization, which triggers self-cleavage, allowing its N-terminal segment with an Ig-fold DNA-binding domain to enter the nucleus for transcriptional regulation. Recent research suggests developmental regulation of cleavage, yet the mechanisms remain enigmatic. While some parts of MYRF's structure have been elucidated, others remain obscure, leaving questions about how these motifs are linked to its intricate processing and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchuan B Qi
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhimin Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiqian Shen
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhao Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhizhi Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
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Wang S, Wang Y, Zou S. A Glance at the Molecules That Regulate Oligodendrocyte Myelination. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:2194-2216. [PMID: 35678678 PMCID: PMC9164040 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44050149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligodendrocyte (OL) myelination is a critical process for the neuronal axon function in the central nervous system. After demyelination occurs because of pathophysiology, remyelination makes repairs similar to myelination. Proliferation and differentiation are the two main stages in OL myelination, and most factors commonly play converse roles in these two stages, except for a few factors and signaling pathways, such as OLIG2 (Oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2). Moreover, some OL maturation gene mutations induce hypomyelination or hypermyelination without an obvious function in proliferation and differentiation. Herein, three types of factors regulating myelination are reviewed in sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunqi Wang
- Institute of Life Science & School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (S.W.); (Y.W.)
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Yingxing Wang
- Institute of Life Science & School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (S.W.); (Y.W.)
| | - Suqi Zou
- Institute of Life Science & School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China; (S.W.); (Y.W.)
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
- Correspondence:
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3
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Zhang S, Wang R, Huang C, Zhang L, Sun L. Modulation of Global Gene Expression by Aneuploidy and CNV of Dosage Sensitive Regulatory Genes. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12101606. [PMID: 34681000 PMCID: PMC8535535 DOI: 10.3390/genes12101606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy, which disrupts the genetic balance due to partial genome dosage changes, is usually more detrimental than euploidy variation. To investigate the modulation of gene expression in aneuploidy, we analyzed the transcriptome sequencing data of autosomal and sex chromosome trisomy in Drosophila. The results showed that most genes on the varied chromosome (cis) present dosage compensation, while the remainder of the genome (trans) produce widespread inverse dosage effects. Some altered functions and pathways were identified as the common characteristics of aneuploidy, and several possible regulatory genes were screened for an inverse dosage effect. Furthermore, we demonstrated that dosage changes of inverse regulator Inr-a/pcf11 can produce a genome-wide inverse dosage effect. All these findings suggest that the mechanism of genomic imbalance is related to the changes in the stoichiometric relationships of macromolecular complex members that affect the overall function. These studies may deepen the understanding of gene expression regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (S.Z.); (R.W.); (C.H.); (L.Z.)
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (S.Z.); (R.W.); (C.H.); (L.Z.)
| | - Cheng Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (S.Z.); (R.W.); (C.H.); (L.Z.)
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ludan Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (S.Z.); (R.W.); (C.H.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lin Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Gene Resource and Molecular Development, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; (S.Z.); (R.W.); (C.H.); (L.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Wu P, Zhen X, Li B, Yu Q, Huang X, Shi N. Crystal structure of the MyRF ICA domain with its upstream β-helical stalk reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying its trimerization and self-cleavage. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:2931-2943. [PMID: 34345217 PMCID: PMC8326128 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.57673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Myelin gene regulatory factor (MyRF), a novel membrane transcription factor expressed on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, functions as a trimer. The trimerization of MyRF is associated with a fragment between the DNA binding domain and transmembrane domain that shares homology with the triple-β-helix and intramolecular chaperone autocleavage (ICA) domain of phage tailspike proteins. The molecular details of these domains in eukaryotes have not been elucidated. Here, we present the crystal structure of the MyRF ICA domain with its upstream β-helical stalk, determined at 2.4Å resolution. The structure showed that its upstream β-helical stalk is different from the triple β-helix reported before. This is the first structure of the mammalian protein with a triple β-helix. Structure analysis demonstrated that the triple α-helical coiled-coil formed at the MyRF ICA domain C-terminal was the main driving force for the trimerization. Additionally, our findings showed that MyRF was cleaved via a highly conserved serine-lysine catalytic dyad mechanism and that cleavage would be activated only if the ICA domains were organized as trimers. In contrast to the viral ICA domain, almost no interaction was found between the MyRF ICA domain and its upstream neighboring β-helix of the stalk; thus, activation of self-cleavage may not be triggered by the upstream region of the ICA domain, contrary to the observations made in phages. These findings provided an important insight into the molecular mechanisms of MyRF trimerization and self-cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 155 Yangqiao Road West, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiangkai Zhen
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 155 Yangqiao Road West, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Bowen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 155 Yangqiao Road West, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Qian Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 155 Yangqiao Road West, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xiaochen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 155 Yangqiao Road West, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Ning Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fujian College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 155 Yangqiao Road West, Fuzhou, 350002, China.,Institute of Vascular Anomalies, Shanghai TCM-Integrated Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 230 Baoding Road, Hongkou, Shanghai, 200082, China
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Xia SL, Li M, Chen B, Wang C, Yan YH, Dong MQ, Qi YB. The LRR-TM protein PAN-1 interacts with MYRF to promote its nuclear translocation in synaptic remodeling. eLife 2021; 10:e67628. [PMID: 33950834 PMCID: PMC8099431 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67628] [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: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural circuits develop through a plastic phase orchestrated by genetic programs and environmental signals. We have identified a leucine-rich-repeat domain transmembrane protein PAN-1 as a factor required for synaptic rewiring in C. elegans. PAN-1 localizes on cell membrane and binds with MYRF, a membrane-bound transcription factor indispensable for promoting synaptic rewiring. Full-length MYRF was known to undergo self-cleavage on ER membrane and release its transcriptional N-terminal fragment in cultured cells. We surprisingly find that MYRF trafficking to cell membrane before cleavage is pivotal for C. elegans development and the timing of N-MYRF release coincides with the onset of synaptic rewiring. On cell membrane PAN-1 and MYRF interact with each other via their extracellular regions. Loss of PAN-1 abolishes MYRF cell membrane localization, consequently blocking myrf-dependent neuronal rewiring process. Thus, through interactions with a cooperating factor on the cell membrane, MYRF may link cell surface activities to transcriptional cascades required for development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Li Xia
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Meng Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Bing Chen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Chao Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Yong-Hong Yan
- National Institute of Biological SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Meng-Qiu Dong
- National Institute of Biological SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yingchuan B Qi
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech UniversityShanghaiChina
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouChina
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Fan C, An H, Sharif M, Kim D, Park Y. Functional mechanisms of MYRF DNA-binding domain mutations implicated in birth defects. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100612. [PMID: 33798553 PMCID: PMC8094900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myrf is a pleiotropic membrane-bound transcription factor that plays critical roles in diverse organisms, including in oligodendrocyte differentiation, embryonic development, molting, and synaptic plasticity. Upon autolytic cleavage, the Myrf N-terminal fragment enters the nucleus as a homo-trimer and functions as a transcription factor. Homo-trimerization is essential for this function because it imparts DNA-binding specificity and affinity. Recent exome sequencing studies have implicated four de novo MYRF DNA-binding domain (DBD) mutations (F387S, Q403H, G435R, and L479V) in novel syndromic birth defects involving the diaphragm, heart, and the urogenital tract. It remains unknown whether and how these four mutations alter the transcription factor function of MYRF. Here, we studied them by introducing homologous mutations to the mouse Myrf protein. We found that the four DBD mutations abolish the transcriptional activity of the Myrf N-terminal fragment by interfering with its homo-trimerization ability by perturbing the DBD structure. Since the Myrf N-terminal fragment strictly functions as a homo-trimer, any loss-of-function mutation has the potential to act as a dominant negative. We observed that one copy of Myrf-F387S, Myrf-Q403H, or Myrf-L479V, but not Myrf-G435R, was tolerated by the Myrf N-terminal homo-trimer for structural and functional integrity. These data suggest that F387S, Q403H, and L479V cause birth defects by haploinsufficiency, while G435R does so via dominant negative functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuandong Fan
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Hongjoo An
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Mohamed Sharif
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Dongkyeong Kim
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Yungki Park
- Hunter James Kelly Research Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
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Hagedorn J, Avdic A, Schnieders MJ, Roos BR, Kwon YH, Drack AV, Boese EA, Fingert JH. Nanophthalmos patient with a THR518MET mutation in MYRF, a case report. BMC Ophthalmol 2020; 20:388. [PMID: 33004036 PMCID: PMC7528587 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-020-01659-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nanophthalmos has a significant genetic background and disease-causing mutations have been recently been reported in the myelin regulatory factor (MYRF) gene. We report clinical features in a patient with nanophthalmos and a Thr518Met MYRF mutation. Case presentation A three-year-old male was discovered to have nanophthalmos after first presenting to the emergency department for a frontal headache, eye pain, emesis, and lethargy. Imaging studies (CT and MRI) were negative except for increased posterior fossa cerebrospinal fluid. Subsequent examinations revealed nanophthalmos (short axial eye lengths 18.1 mm OD and 18.3 mm OS), microcornea, and a large crystalline lens. Peripheral chorioretinal pigment abnormalities were also observed. He experienced episodes of marked ocular hypertension (53 mmHg OD and 60 mmHg) likely due to intermittent angle closure precipitated by nanophthalmos. The ocular hypertension was responsive to topical medicines. Genetic analysis of known nanophthalmos genes MFRP and TMEM98 were negative, while a novel mutation, Thr518Met was detected in MYRF. The Thr518Met mutation was absent from 362 matched normal controls and was extremely rare in a large population database, allele frequency of 0.000024. The Thr518Met mutation altered a highly conserved amino acid in the MYRF protein and three of four algorithms suggested that this mutation is likely pathogenic. Finally, molecular modeling showed that the Thr518Met mutation is damaging to MYRF structure. Together these data suggest that the Thr518Met mutation causes nanophthalmos. Conclusions Nanophthalmos may present at an early age with features of angle closure glaucoma and a Thr518Met mutation in MYRF was detected in a patient with nanophthalmos. Prevalence data, homology data, mutation analysis data, and protein modeling data suggest that this variant is pathogenic and may expand the phenotypic range of syndromic nanophthalmos caused by MYRF mutations to include central nervous system abnormalities (increased posterior fossa cerebrospinal fluid).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Hagedorn
- Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Armin Avdic
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Michael J Schnieders
- Department of Biochemistry, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Benjamin R Roos
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Young H Kwon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Arlene V Drack
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Erin A Boese
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - John H Fingert
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. .,Institute for Vision Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. .,Medical Education and Research Facility, University of Iowa, 375 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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Functional mechanism and pathogenic potential of MYRF ICA domain mutations implicated in birth defects. Sci Rep 2020; 10:814. [PMID: 31964908 PMCID: PMC6972908 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57593-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Myrf is a membrane-bound transcription factor that plays a key role in various biological processes. The Intramolecular Chaperone Auto-processing (ICA) domain of Myrf forms a homo-trimer, which carries out the auto-cleavage of Myrf. The ICA homo-trimer-mediated auto-cleavage of Myrf is a prerequisite for its transcription factor function in the nucleus. Recent exome sequencing studies have implicated two MYRF ICA domain mutations (V679A and R695H) in a novel syndromic form of birth defects. It remains unknown whether and how the two mutations impact the transcription factor function of Myrf and, more importantly, how they are pathogenic for congenital anomalies. Here, we show that V679A and R695H cripple the ICA domain, blocking the auto-cleavage of Myrf. Consequently, Myrf-V679A and Myrf-R695H do not exhibit any transcriptional activity. Molecular modeling suggests that V679A and R695H abrogate the auto-cleavage function of the ICA homo-trimer by destabilizing its homo-trimeric assembly. We also found that the ICA homo-trimer can tolerate one copy of Myrf-V679A or Myrf-R695H for its auto-cleavage function, indicating that V679A and R695H are not dominant negatives. Thus, if V679A and R695H in a heterozygous state caused birth defects, it would be via haploinsufficiency of MYRF.
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