1
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Álvarez-Campos P, García-Castro H, Emili E, Pérez-Posada A, Del Olmo I, Peron S, Salamanca-Díaz DA, Mason V, Metzger B, Bely AE, Kenny NJ, Özpolat BD, Solana J. Annelid adult cell type diversity and their pluripotent cellular origins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3194. [PMID: 38609365 PMCID: PMC11014941 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47401-6] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Many annelids can regenerate missing body parts or reproduce asexually, generating all cell types in adult stages. However, the putative adult stem cell populations involved in these processes, and the diversity of cell types generated by them, are still unknown. To address this, we recover 75,218 single cell transcriptomes of the highly regenerative and asexually-reproducing annelid Pristina leidyi. Our results uncover a rich cell type diversity including annelid specific types as well as novel types. Moreover, we characterise transcription factors and gene networks that are expressed specifically in these populations. Finally, we uncover a broadly abundant cluster of putative stem cells with a pluripotent signature. This population expresses well-known stem cell markers such as vasa, piwi and nanos homologues, but also shows heterogeneous expression of differentiated cell markers and their transcription factors. We find conserved expression of pluripotency regulators, including multiple chromatin remodelling and epigenetic factors, in piwi+ cells. Finally, lineage reconstruction analyses reveal computational differentiation trajectories from piwi+ cells to diverse adult types. Our data reveal the cell type diversity of adult annelids by single cell transcriptomics and suggest that a piwi+ cell population with a pluripotent stem cell signature is associated with adult cell type differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Álvarez-Campos
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM) & Departamento de Biología (Zoología), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Helena García-Castro
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Elena Emili
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Alberto Pérez-Posada
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Irene Del Olmo
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM) & Departamento de Biología (Zoología), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sophie Peron
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - David A Salamanca-Díaz
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Vincent Mason
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Bria Metzger
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA, 05432, USA
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis. 1 Brookings Dr. Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Alexandra E Bely
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Nathan J Kenny
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, Aotearoa, New Zealand
| | - B Duygu Özpolat
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA, 05432, USA.
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis. 1 Brookings Dr. Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Jordi Solana
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
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2
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Rojas S, Barghouth PG, Karabinis P, Oviedo NJ. The DNA Methyltransferase DMAP1 is Required for Tissue Maintenance and Planarian Regeneration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.10.588909. [PMID: 38645093 PMCID: PMC11030423 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.10.588909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
The precise regulation of transcription is required for embryonic development, adult tissue turnover, and regeneration. Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in orchestrating and regulating the transcription of genes. These modifications are important in the transition of pluripotent stem cells and their progeny. Methylation, a key epigenetic modification, influences gene expression through changes in histone tails and direct DNA methylation. Work in different organisms has shown that the DNA methyltransferase-1-associated protein (DMAP1) may associate with other molecules to repress transcription through DNA methylation. Thus, DMAP1 is a versatile protein implicated in a myriad of events, including pluripotency maintenance, DNA damage repair, and tumor suppression. While DMAP1 has been extensively studied in vitro, its complex regulation in the context of the adult organism remains unclear. To gain insights into the possible roles of DMAP1 at the organismal level, we used planarian flatworms that possess remarkable regenerative capabilities driven by pluripotent stem cells called neoblast. Our findings demonstrate the evolutionary conservation of DMAP1 in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. Functional disruption of DMAP1 through RNA interference revealed its critical role in tissue maintenance, neoblast differentiation, and regeneration in S. mediterranea. Moreover, our analysis unveiled a novel function for DMAP1 in regulating cell death in response to DNA damage and influencing the expression of axial polarity markers. Our findings provide a simplified paradigm for studying DMAP1's epigenetic regulation in adult tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador Rojas
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343
| | - Paul G. Barghouth
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343
| | - Peter Karabinis
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343
| | - Néstor J. Oviedo
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343
- Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA, 95343
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3
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Wiggans M, Zhu SJ, Molinaro AM, Pearson BJ. The BAF chromatin remodeling complex licenses planarian stem cells access to ectodermal and mesodermal cell fates. BMC Biol 2023; 21:227. [PMID: 37864247 PMCID: PMC10589948 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01730-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The flatworm planarian, Schmidtea mediterranea, has a large population of adult stem cells (ASCs) that replace any cell type during tissue turnover or regeneration. How planarian ASCs (called neoblasts) manage self-renewal with the ability to produce daughter cells of different cell lineages (multipotency) is not well understood. Chromatin remodeling complexes ultimately control access to DNA regions of chromosomes and together with specific transcription factors determine whether a gene is transcribed in a given cell type. Previous work in planarians determined that RNAi of core components of the BAF chromatin remodeling complex, brg1 and smarcc2, caused increased ASCs and failed regeneration, but how these cellular defects arise at the level of gene regulation in neoblasts is unknown. RESULTS Here, we perform ATAC and RNA sequencing on purified neoblasts, deficient for the BAF complex subunits brg-1 and smarcc2. The data demonstrate that the BAF complex promotes chromatin accessibility and facilitates transcription at target loci, as in other systems. Interestingly, we find that the BAF complex enables access to genes known to be required for the generation of mesoderm- and ectoderm-derived lineages, including muscle, parenchymal cathepsin, neural, and epithelial lineages. BAF complex knockdowns result in disrupted differentiation into these cell lineages and functional consequences on planarian regeneration and tissue turnover. Notably, we did not detect a role for the BAF complex in neoblasts making endodermal lineages. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides functional insights into how the BAF complex contributes to cell fate decisions in planarian ASCs in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallory Wiggans
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Shu Jun Zhu
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada
| | - Alyssa M Molinaro
- Present address: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Bret J Pearson
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Toronto, ON, M5G0A4, Canada.
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S1A8, Canada.
- Present address: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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Halim Harrath A, Dahmash W, Alrezaki A, Mansour L, Alwasel S. Using autophagy, apoptosis, cytoskeleton, and epigenetics markers to investigate the origin of infertility in ex-fissiparous freshwater planarian individuals (nomen nudum species) with hyperplasic ovaries. J Invertebr Pathol 2023:107935. [PMID: 37209811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The origin of the sterility observed in ex-fissiparous freshwater planarians with hyperplasic ovaries has yet to be explained. To improve our understanding of this enigmatic phenomenon, immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy examination were used the assess autophagy, apoptosis, cytoskeleton, and epigenetics markers in the hyperplasic ovaries of ex-fissiparous individuals and the normal ovaries of sexual individuals. Immunofluorescence positivity for the autophagic marker microtubule-associated protein1 light chain 3 (LC3) was significantly lower in the hyperplasic ovary than in the normal ovary. Compared with the normal ovary, the hyperplasic ovary exhibited significantly higher immunofluorescence positivity for the apoptotic marker caspase 3, suggesting that autophagy and apoptosis are closely associated in this pathogenicity. Furthermore, the level of global DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3) protein expression was significantly higher in the normal ovary than in the hyperplasic ovary, suggesting that DNA methylation is involved in the infertility phenomenon. The cytoskeleton marker actin also exhibited relatively higher immunofluorescence intensity in the normal ovary than in the hyperplasic ovary, consistent with previous findings on the role of cytoskeleton architecture in oocyte maturation. These results help improve our understanding of the causes of infertility in ex-fissiparous planarians with hyperplasic ovaries and provide new insights that will facilitate future studies on this mysterious pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdel Halim Harrath
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Waleed Dahmash
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelkarem Alrezaki
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lamjed Mansour
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Alwasel
- King Saud University, Department of Zoology, College of Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Álvarez-Campos P, García-Castro H, Emili E, Pérez-Posada A, Salamanca-Díaz DA, Mason V, Metzger B, Bely AE, Kenny N, Özpolat BD, Solana J. Annelid adult cell type diversity and their pluripotent cellular origins. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.25.537979. [PMID: 37163014 PMCID: PMC10168269 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.25.537979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Annelids are a broadly distributed, highly diverse, economically and environmentally important group of animals. Most species can regenerate missing body parts, and many are able to reproduce asexually. Therefore, many annelids can generate all adult cell types in adult stages. However, the putative adult stem cell populations involved in these processes, as well as the diversity of adult cell types generated by them, are still unknown. Here, we recover 75,218 single cell transcriptomes of Pristina leidyi, a highly regenerative and asexually-reproducing freshwater annelid. We characterise all major annelid adult cell types, and validate many of our observations by HCR in situ hybridisation. Our results uncover complex patterns of regionally expressed genes in the annelid gut, as well as neuronal, muscle and epidermal specific genes. We also characterise annelid-specific cell types such as the chaetal sacs and globin+ cells, and novel cell types of enigmatic affinity, including a vigilin+ cell type, a lumbrokinase+ cell type, and a diverse set of metabolic cells. Moreover, we characterise transcription factors and gene networks that are expressed specifically in these populations. Finally, we uncover a broadly abundant cluster of putative stem cells with a pluripotent signature. This population expresses well-known stem cell markers such as vasa, piwi and nanos homologues, but also shows heterogeneous expression of differentiated cell markers and their transcription factors. In these piwi+ cells, we also find conserved expression of pluripotency regulators, including multiple chromatin remodelling and epigenetic factors. Finally, lineage reconstruction analyses reveal the existence of differentiation trajectories from piwi+ cells to diverse adult types. Our data reveal the cell type diversity of adult annelids for the first time and serve as a resource for studying annelid cell types and their evolution. On the other hand, our characterisation of a piwi+ cell population with a pluripotent stem cell signature will serve as a platform for the study of annelid stem cells and their role in regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Álvarez-Campos
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM) & Departamento de Biología (Zoología), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Helena García-Castro
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Elena Emili
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Alberto Pérez-Posada
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Vincent Mason
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Bria Metzger
- Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA, USA, 05432
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis. 1 Brookings Dr. Saint Louis, MO, USA, 63130
| | | | - Nathan Kenny
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand
| | - B Duygu Özpolat
- Marine Biological Laboratory, 7 MBL Street, Woods Hole, MA, USA, 05432
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis. 1 Brookings Dr. Saint Louis, MO, USA, 63130
| | - Jordi Solana
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
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6
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Neiro J, Sridhar D, Dattani A, Aboobaker A. Identification of putative enhancer-like elements predicts regulatory networks active in planarian adult stem cells. eLife 2022; 11:79675. [PMID: 35997250 PMCID: PMC9522251 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Planarians have become an established model system to study regeneration and stem cells, but the regulatory elements in the genome remain almost entirely undescribed. Here, by integrating epigenetic and expression data we use multiple sources of evidence to predict enhancer elements active in the adult stem cell populations that drive regeneration. We have used ChIP-seq data to identify genomic regions with histone modifications consistent with enhancer activity, and ATAC-seq data to identify accessible chromatin. Overlapping these signals allowed for the identification of a set of high-confidence candidate enhancers predicted to be active in planarian adult stem cells. These enhancers are enriched for predicted transcription factor (TF) binding sites for TFs and TF families expressed in planarian adult stem cells. Footprinting analyses provided further evidence that these potential TF binding sites are likely to be occupied in adult stem cells. We integrated these analyses to build testable hypotheses for the regulatory function of TFs in stem cells, both with respect to how pluripotency might be regulated, and to how lineage differentiation programs are controlled. We found that our predicted GRNs were independently supported by existing TF RNAi/RNA-seq datasets, providing further evidence that our work predicts active enhancers that regulate adult stem cells and regenerative mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakke Neiro
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Divya Sridhar
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anish Dattani
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Aziz Aboobaker
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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7
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DNA Methyltransferases: From Evolution to Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168994. [PMID: 36012258 PMCID: PMC9409253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark that living beings have used in different environments. The MTases family catalyzes DNA methylation. This process is conserved from archaea to eukaryotes, from fertilization to every stage of development, and from the early stages of cancer to metastasis. The family of DNMTs has been classified into DNMT1, DNMT2, and DNMT3. Each DNMT has been duplicated or deleted, having consequences on DNMT structure and cellular function, resulting in a conserved evolutionary reaction of DNA methylation. DNMTs are conserved in the five kingdoms of life: bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals. The importance of DNMTs in whether methylate or not has a historical adaptation that in mammals has been discovered in complex regulatory mechanisms to develop another padlock to genomic insurance stability. The regulatory mechanisms that control DNMTs expression are involved in a diversity of cell phenotypes and are associated with pathologies transcription deregulation. This work focused on DNA methyltransferases, their biology, functions, and new inhibitory mechanisms reported. We also discuss different approaches to inhibit DNMTs, the use of non-coding RNAs and nucleoside chemical compounds in recent studies, and their importance in biological, clinical, and industry research.
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8
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Abel C, Powers K, Gurung G, Pellettieri J. Defined diets for freshwater planarians. Dev Dyn 2022; 251:390-402. [PMID: 34258816 PMCID: PMC8758798 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Planarian flatworms are popular invertebrate models for basic research on stem cell biology and regeneration. These animals are commonly maintained on a diet of homogenized calf liver or boiled egg yolk in the laboratory, introducing a source of uncontrolled experimental variability. RESULTS Here, we report the development of defined diets, prepared entirely from standardized, commercially sourced ingredients, for the freshwater species Schmidtea mediterranea, Dugesia japonica, and Girardia dorotocephala. These food sources provide an opportunity to test the effects of specific nutritional variables on biological phenomena of interest. Defined diet consumption was not sufficient for growth and only partially induced the increase in stem cell division that normally accompanies feeding, suggesting these responses are not solely determined by caloric intake. Our defined diet formulations enable delivery of double-stranded RNA for gene knockdown in a manner that provides unique advantages in some experimental contexts. We also present a new approach for preserving tissue integrity during hydrogen peroxide bleaching of liver-fed animals. CONCLUSIONS These tools will empower research on the connections between diet, metabolism, and stem cell biology in the experimentally tractable planarian system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Abel
- Department of Biology, Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
| | - Kaleigh Powers
- Department of Biology, Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
| | - Gargi Gurung
- Department of Biology, Keene State College, Keene, NH, USA
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9
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Sridhar D, Aboobaker A. Monitoring Chromatin Regulation in Planarians Using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Followed by Sequencing (ChIP-seq). Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2450:529-547. [PMID: 35359327 PMCID: PMC9761535 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2172-1_28] [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] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Planarians are an accessible model system to study animal regeneration and stem cells. Over the last two decades, new molecular techniques have provided us with powerful tools to understand whole-body regeneration and pluripotent adult stem cells specifically. We describe a method for performing Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) on planarian cells that relies on FACS to isolate different cell populations followed by immunoprecipitation and library preparation for next-generation sequencing. Whole-genome profiling of histone modifications enables a greater understanding of epigenetic mechanisms in development, pluripotency, and differentiation. This protocol adds to the growing list of functional genomic approaches to study whole-body regeneration in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Sridhar
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Aziz Aboobaker
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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10
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Salvetti A, Degl'Innocenti A, Gambino G, van Loon JJ, Ippolito C, Ghelardoni S, Ghigo E, Leoncino L, Prato M, Rossi L, Ciofani G. Artificially altered gravity elicits cell homeostasis imbalance in planarian worms, and cerium oxide nanoparticles counteract this effect. J Biomed Mater Res A 2021; 109:2322-2333. [PMID: 33960131 PMCID: PMC8518838 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Gravity alterations elicit complex and mostly detrimental effects on biological systems. Among these, a prominent role is occupied by oxidative stress, with consequences for tissue homeostasis and development. Studies in altered gravity are relevant for both Earth and space biomedicine, but their implementation using whole organisms is often troublesome. Here we utilize planarians, simple worm model for stem cell and regeneration biology, to characterize the pathogenic mechanisms brought by artificial gravity alterations. In particular, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of molecular responses in intact and regenerating specimens, and demonstrate a protective action from the space-apt for nanotechnological antioxidant cerium oxide nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Salvetti
- Università di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineBiology and Genetics unitPisaItaly
| | - Andrea Degl'Innocenti
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaCenter for Materials Interfaces, Smart Bio‐InterfacesPisaItaly
| | - Gaetana Gambino
- Università di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineBiology and Genetics unitPisaItaly
| | - Jack J.W.A. van Loon
- Dutch Experiment Support Center (DESC), Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral PathologyAmsterdam UMC location VU University Medical Center & Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA)AmsterdamThe Netherlands
- TEC‐MMG LIS labEuropean Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Center (ESTEC)NoordwijkThe Netherlands
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Biology and Genetics UnitUniversità di PisaPisaItaly
| | - Sandra Ghelardoni
- Department of Pathology, Biochemistry UnitUniversità di PisaPisaItaly
| | - Eric Ghigo
- Institut Hospitalo‐Universitaire Méditerranée InfectionMarseilleFrance
- Techno JouvenceMarseilleFrance
| | - Luca Leoncino
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaElectron Microscopy FacilityGenoaItaly
| | - Mirko Prato
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaMaterials Characterization FacilityGenoaItaly
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Università di Pisa, Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineBiology and Genetics unitPisaItaly
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaCenter for Materials Interfaces, Smart Bio‐InterfacesPisaItaly
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11
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Molina MD, Cebrià F. Decoding Stem Cells: An Overview on Planarian Stem Cell Heterogeneity and Lineage Progression. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1532. [PMID: 34680165 PMCID: PMC8533874 DOI: 10.3390/biom11101532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Planarians are flatworms capable of whole-body regeneration, able to regrow any missing body part after injury or amputation. The extraordinary regenerative capacity of planarians is based upon the presence in the adult of a large population of somatic pluripotent stem cells. These cells, called neoblasts, offer a unique system to study the process of stem cell specification and differentiation in vivo. In recent years, FACS-based isolation of neoblasts, RNAi functional analyses as well as high-throughput approaches such as single-cell sequencing have allowed a rapid progress in our understanding of many different aspects of neoblast biology. Here, we summarize our current knowledge on the molecular signatures that define planarian neoblasts heterogeneity, which includes a percentage of truly pluripotent stem cells, and guide the commitment of pluripotent neoblasts into lineage-specific progenitor cells, as well as their differentiation into specific planarian cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Dolores Molina
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Cebrià
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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12
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Planques A, Kerner P, Ferry L, Grunau C, Gazave E, Vervoort M. DNA methylation atlas and machinery in the developing and regenerating annelid Platynereis dumerilii. BMC Biol 2021; 19:148. [PMID: 34340707 PMCID: PMC8330077 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01074-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methylation of cytosines in DNA (5mC methylation) is a major epigenetic modification that modulates gene expression and constitutes the basis for mechanisms regulating multiple aspects of embryonic development and cell reprogramming in vertebrates. In mammals, 5mC methylation of promoter regions is linked to transcriptional repression. Transcription regulation by 5mC methylation notably involves the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase complex (NuRD complex) which bridges DNA methylation and histone modifications. However, less is known about regulatory mechanisms involving 5mC methylation and their function in non-vertebrate animals. In this paper, we study 5mC methylation in the marine annelid worm Platynereis dumerilii, an emerging evolutionary and developmental biology model capable of regenerating the posterior part of its body post-amputation. RESULTS Using in silico and experimental approaches, we show that P. dumerilii displays a high level of DNA methylation comparable to that of mammalian somatic cells. 5mC methylation in P. dumerilii is dynamic along the life cycle of the animal and markedly decreases at the transition between larval to post-larval stages. We identify a full repertoire of mainly single-copy genes encoding the machinery associated with 5mC methylation or members of the NuRD complex in P. dumerilii and show that this repertoire is close to the one inferred for the last common ancestor of bilaterians. These genes are dynamically expressed during P. dumerilii development and regeneration. Treatment with the DNA hypomethylating agent Decitabine impairs P. dumerilii larval development and regeneration and has long-term effects on post-regenerative growth. CONCLUSIONS Our data reveal high levels of 5mC methylation in the annelid P. dumerilii, highlighting that this feature is not specific to vertebrates in the bilaterian clade. Analysis of DNA methylation levels and machinery gene expression during development and regeneration, as well as the use of a chemical inhibitor of DNA methylation, suggest an involvement of 5mC methylation in P. dumerilii development and regeneration. We also present data indicating that P. dumerilii constitutes a promising model to study biological roles and mechanisms of DNA methylation in non-vertebrate bilaterians and to provide new knowledge about evolution of the functions of this key epigenetic modification in bilaterian animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabelle Planques
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Kerner
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Laure Ferry
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Christoph Grunau
- IHPE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia, F-66860, Perpignan, France
| | - Eve Gazave
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006, Paris, France.
| | - Michel Vervoort
- Université de Paris, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, F-75006, Paris, France.
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13
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Fraguas S, Cárcel S, Vivancos C, Molina MD, Ginés J, Mazariegos J, Sekaran T, Bartscherer K, Romero R, Cebrià F. CREB-binding protein (CBP) gene family regulates planarian survival and stem cell differentiation. Dev Biol 2021; 476:53-67. [PMID: 33774010 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In developmental biology, the regulation of stem cell plasticity and differentiation remains an open question. CBP(CREB-binding protein)/p300 is a conserved gene family that functions as a transcriptional co-activator and plays important roles in a wide range of cellular processes, including cell death, the DNA damage response, and tumorigenesis. The acetyl transferase activity of CBPs is particularly important, as histone and non-histone acetylation results in changes in chromatin architecture and protein activity that affect gene expression. Many studies have described the conserved functions of CBP/p300 in stem cell proliferation and differentiation. The planarian Schmidtea mediterranea is an excellent model for the in vivo study of the molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell differentiation during regeneration. However, how this process is regulated genetically and epigenetically is not well-understood yet. We identified 5 distinct Smed-cbp genes in S. mediterranea that show different expression patterns. Functional analyses revealed that Smed-cbp-2 appears to be essential for stem cell maintenance. On the other hand, the silencing of Smed-cbp-3 resulted in the growth of blastemas that were apparently normal, but remained largely unpigmented and undifferentiated. Smed-cbp-3 silencing also affected the differentiation of several cell lineages including neural, epidermal, digestive, and excretory cell types. Finally, we analysed the predicted interactomes of CBP-2 and CBP-3 as an initial step to better understand their functions in planarian stem cell biology. Our results indicate that planarian cbp genes play key roles in stem cell maintenance and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Fraguas
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Spain
| | - Sheila Cárcel
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Coral Vivancos
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ma Dolores Molina
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Spain
| | - Jordi Ginés
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Judith Mazariegos
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Rafael Romero
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Cebrià
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Spain.
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14
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Stelman CR, Smith BM, Chandra B, Roberts-Galbraith RH. CBP/p300 homologs CBP2 and CBP3 play distinct roles in planarian stem cell function. Dev Biol 2021; 473:130-143. [PMID: 33607113 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin modifications function as critical regulators of gene expression and cellular identity, especially in the regulation and maintenance of the pluripotent state. However, many studies of chromatin modification in stem cells-and pluripotent stem cells in particular-are performed in mammalian stem cell culture, an in vitro condition mimicking a very transient state during mammalian development. Thus, new models for studying pluripotent stem cells in vivo could be helpful for understanding the roles of chromatin modification, for confirming prior in vitro studies, and for exploring evolution of the pluripotent state. The freshwater flatworm, Schmidtea mediterranea, is an excellent model for studying adult pluripotent stem cells, particularly in the context of robust, whole-body regeneration. To identify chromatin modifying and remodeling enzymes critical for planarian regeneration and stem cell maintenance, we took a candidate approach and screened planarian homologs of 25 genes known to regulate chromatin biology in other organisms. Through our study, we identified six genes with novel functions in planarian homeostasis, regeneration, and behavior. Of the list of genes characterized, we identified five planarian homologs of the mammalian CREB-Binding Protein (CBP) and p300 family of histone acetyltransferases, representing an expansion of this family in planarians. We find that two planarian CBP family members are required for planarian survival, with knockdown of Smed-CBP2 and Smed-CBP3 causing distinct defects in stem cell maintenance or function. Loss of CBP2 causes a quick, dramatic loss of stem cells, while knockdown of CBP3 affects stem cells more narrowly, influencing differentiation of several cell types that include neuronal subtypes and cells of the eye. Further, we find that Smed-CBP1 is required for planarian fissioning behavior. We propose that the division of labor among a diversified CBP family in planarians presents an opportunity to dissect specific functions of a broadly important histone acetyltransferase family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara R Stelman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Britessia M Smith
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Bidushi Chandra
- Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Rachel H Roberts-Galbraith
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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15
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Zullo L, Bozzo M, Daya A, Di Clemente A, Mancini FP, Megighian A, Nesher N, Röttinger E, Shomrat T, Tiozzo S, Zullo A, Candiani S. The Diversity of Muscles and Their Regenerative Potential across Animals. Cells 2020; 9:cells9091925. [PMID: 32825163 PMCID: PMC7563492 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cells with contractile functions are present in almost all metazoans, and so are the related processes of muscle homeostasis and regeneration. Regeneration itself is a complex process unevenly spread across metazoans that ranges from full-body regeneration to partial reconstruction of damaged organs or body tissues, including muscles. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in regenerative processes can be homologous, co-opted, and/or evolved independently. By comparing the mechanisms of muscle homeostasis and regeneration throughout the diversity of animal body-plans and life cycles, it is possible to identify conserved and divergent cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying muscle plasticity. In this review we aim at providing an overview of muscle regeneration studies in metazoans, highlighting the major regenerative strategies and molecular pathways involved. By gathering these findings, we wish to advocate a comparative and evolutionary approach to prompt a wider use of “non-canonical” animal models for molecular and even pharmacological studies in the field of muscle regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Zullo
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Micro-BioRobotics & Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology (NSYN), 16132 Genova, Italy;
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (A.Z.)
| | - Matteo Bozzo
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 5, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
| | - Alon Daya
- Faculty of Marine Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Michmoret 40297, Israel; (A.D.); (N.N.); (T.S.)
| | - Alessio Di Clemente
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Micro-BioRobotics & Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology (NSYN), 16132 Genova, Italy;
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Aram Megighian
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Nir Nesher
- Faculty of Marine Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Michmoret 40297, Israel; (A.D.); (N.N.); (T.S.)
| | - Eric Röttinger
- Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging (IRCAN), Université Côte d’Azur, CNRS, INSERM, 06107 Nice, France;
| | - Tal Shomrat
- Faculty of Marine Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Michmoret 40297, Israel; (A.D.); (N.N.); (T.S.)
| | - Stefano Tiozzo
- Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-Mer (LBDV), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, 06230 Paris, France;
| | - Alberto Zullo
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.Z.); (A.Z.)
| | - Simona Candiani
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto XV 5, 16132 Genova, Italy; (M.B.); (S.C.)
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16
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Xu Z, Han Y, Li X, Yang R, Song L. Molecular cloning and characterization of DjRac1, a novel small G protein gene from planarian Dugesia japonica. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 526:865-870. [PMID: 32278548 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.03.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Rac proteins are classified as a subfamily of the Rho family of small G proteins. They are important molecular switches which act as key signal transducers regulating a wide variety of processes in the cell. DjRac1, a novel Rac gene from planarian Dugesia japonica was cloned by RACE method and characterized. This cDNA contains 851 bp with a putative open reading frame of 190 amino acids. It has a predicted molecular mass of 21.12 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.42. Whole-mount in situ hybridization and relative quantitative real-time PCR were used to study the spatial and temporal expression pattern of DjRac1 from 1 to 7 days in the regenerating planarians. Results showed that the expression of DjRac1 was concentrated in the blastema and the transcription level of DjRac1 was significantly upregulated after amputation within three days, suggesting DjRac1 might participate in the process of regeneration in planarian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenbiao Xu
- College of Life Science, Shandong University of Technology, China
| | - Yahong Han
- College of Life Science, Shandong University of Technology, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- College of Life Science, Shandong University of Technology, China
| | - Rui Yang
- College of Life Science, Shandong University of Technology, China
| | - Linxia Song
- College of Life Science, Shandong University of Technology, China.
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17
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Alessandra S, Rossi L. Planarian Stem Cell Heterogeneity. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1123:39-54. [PMID: 31016594 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-11096-3_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Planarian (Platyhelminthes, Triclads) are free-living flatworms endowed with extraordinary regenerative capabilities, i.e., the ability to rebuild any missing body parts also from small fragments. Planarian regenerative capabilities fascinated scientific community since early 1800, including high-standing scientists such as J.T. Morgan and C. M. Child. Today, it is known that planarian regeneration is due to the presence of a wide population of stem cells, the so-called neoblasts. However, the understanding of the nature of cells orchestrating planarian regeneration was a long journey, and several questions still remain unanswered. In this chapter, beginning from the definition of the classical concept of neoblast, we review progressive discoveries that have brought to the modern view of these cells as a highly heterogeneous population of stem cells including pluripotent stem cells and undifferentiated populations of committed progenies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvetti Alessandra
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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18
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Dattani A, Kao D, Mihaylova Y, Abnave P, Hughes S, Lai A, Sahu S, Aboobaker AA. Epigenetic analyses of planarian stem cells demonstrate conservation of bivalent histone modifications in animal stem cells. Genome Res 2018; 28:1543-1554. [PMID: 30143598 PMCID: PMC6169894 DOI: 10.1101/gr.239848.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Planarian flatworms have an indefinite capacity to regenerate missing or damaged body parts owing to a population of pluripotent adult stems cells called neoblasts (NBs). Currently, little is known about the importance of the epigenetic status of NBs and how histone modifications regulate homeostasis and cellular differentiation. We have developed an improved and optimized ChIP-seq protocol for NBs in Schmidtea mediterranea and have generated genome-wide profiles for the active marks H3K4me3 and H3K36me3, and suppressive marks H3K4me1 and H3K27me3. The genome-wide profiles of these marks were found to correlate well with NB gene expression profiles. We found that genes with little transcriptional activity in the NB compartment but which switch on in post-mitotic progeny during differentiation are bivalent, being marked by both H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 at promoter regions. In further support of this hypothesis, bivalent genes also have a high level of paused RNA Polymerase II at the promoter-proximal region. Overall, this study confirms that epigenetic control is important for the maintenance of a NB transcriptional program and makes a case for bivalent promoters as a conserved feature of animal stem cells and not a vertebrate-specific innovation. By establishing a robust ChIP-seq protocol and analysis methodology, we further promote planarians as a promising model system to investigate histone modification–mediated regulation of stem cell function and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anish Dattani
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
| | - Damian Kao
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
| | - Yuliana Mihaylova
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
| | - Prasad Abnave
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha Hughes
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
| | - Alvina Lai
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
| | - Sounak Sahu
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
| | - A Aziz Aboobaker
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom
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