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An interview with Peter Rugg-Gunn. Development 2024; 151:dev204218. [PMID: 38995119 DOI: 10.1242/dev.204218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Peter Rugg-Gunn is a Group Leader and Head of Public Engagement at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, interested in the epigenome during early human development. Peter is scientific lead of the Human Developmental Biology Initiative (HDBI), a member of the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), and is active in UK and international efforts to establish guidance in stem cell-based embryo models. We spoke to Peter about his career path, his interest in public dialogue and his role as an Editor for Development.
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Li Y, Ma K, Dong Z, Gao S, Zhang J, Huang S, Yang J, Fang G, Li Y, Li X, Welch C, Griffin EL, Ramaswamy P, Valivullah Z, Liu X, Dong J, Wang DW, Du, Chung WK, Li Y. Frameshift variants in C10orf71 cause dilated cardiomyopathy in human, mouse, and organoid models. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e177172. [PMID: 38950288 PMCID: PMC11178530 DOI: 10.1172/jci177172] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Research advances over the past 30 years have confirmed a critical role for genetics in the etiology of dilated cardiomyopathies (DCMs). However, full knowledge of the genetic architecture of DCM remains incomplete. We identified candidate DCM causal gene, C10orf71, in a large family with 8 patients with DCM by whole-exome sequencing. Four loss-of-function variants of C10orf71 were subsequently identified in an additional group of492 patients with sporadic DCM from 2 independent cohorts. C10orf71 was found to be an intrinsically disordered protein specifically expressed in cardiomyocytes. C10orf71-KO mice had abnormal heart morphogenesis during embryonic development and cardiac dysfunction as adults with altered expression and splicing of contractile cardiac genes. C10orf71-null cardiomyocytes exhibited impaired contractile function with unaffected sarcomere structure. Cardiomyocytes and heart organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells with C10orf71 frameshift variants also had contractile defects with normal electrophysiological activity. A rescue study using a cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, restored contractile function in C10orf71-KO mice. These data support C10orf71 as a causal gene for DCM by contributing to the contractile function of cardiomyocytes. Mutation-specific pathophysiology may suggest therapeutic targets and more individualized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Ma
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Zhujun Dong
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Shijuan Gao
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Huang
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Guangming Fang
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yujie Li
- Novogene Co. Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Carrie Welch
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Emily L. Griffin
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jianzeng Dong
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Dao Wen Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Du
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Wendy K. Chung
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yulin Li
- Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung & Blood Vessel Disease, Beijing, China
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-Related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
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Ravanelli S, Park JYC, Wicky C, Ewald CY, von Meyenn F. Metabolic enzymes aldo-2 and pdhb-1 as potential epigenetic regulators during C. elegans embryogenesis. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2024; 2024:10.17912/micropub.biology.001222. [PMID: 38947245 PMCID: PMC11211921 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The intersection of metabolic processes and epigenetic regulation during embryogenesis is crucial yet not fully understood. Through a candidate RNAi screen in Caenorhabditis elegans , we identified metabolic enzymes ALDO-2 and PDHB-1 as potential epigenetic regulators. Mild alteration of the chromatin remodeler LET-418 /Mi2 activity rescues embryonic lethality induced by suppressing aldo-2 or pdhb-1 , suggesting a critical role for glucose and pyruvate metabolism in chromatin remodeling during embryogenesis. Given the conservation of central metabolic pathways and chromatin modifiers across species, our findings lay the foundation for future mechanistic investigations into the interplay between epigenetics and metabolism during development and upon disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Ravanelli
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ji Young Cecilia Park
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chantal Wicky
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Collin Y. Ewald
- Laboratory of Extracellular Matrix Regeneration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ferdinand von Meyenn
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics, Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
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Milne TA. Chromatin and aberrant enhancer activity in KMT2A rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 86:102191. [PMID: 38579381 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
To make a multicellular organism, genes need to be transcribed at the right developmental stages and in the right tissues. DNA sequences termed 'enhancers' are crucial to achieve this. Despite concerted efforts, the exact mechanisms of enhancer activity remain elusive. Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL or KMT2A) rearrangements (MLLr), commonly observed in cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia, produce novel in-frame fusion proteins. Recent work has shown that the MLL-AF4 fusion protein drives aberrant enhancer activity at key oncogenes in ALL, dependent on the continued presence of MLL-AF4 complex components. As well as providing some general insights into enhancer function, these observations may also provide an explanation for transcriptional heterogeneity observed in MLLr patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK.
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Chen Y, Ye Z, Lin M, Zhu L, Xu L, Wang X. Deciphering the Epigenetic Landscape: Placental Development and Its Role in Pregnancy Outcomes. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:996-1014. [PMID: 38457061 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-024-10699-2] [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] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The placenta stands out as a unique, transitory, and multifaceted organ, essential to the optimal growth and maturation of the fetus. Functioning as a vital nexus between the maternal and fetal circulatory systems, it oversees the critical exchange of nutrients and waste. This exchange is facilitated by placental cells, known as trophoblasts, which adeptly invade and remodel uterine blood vessels. Deviations in placental development underpin a slew of pregnancy complications, notably fetal growth restriction (FGR), preeclampsia (PE), recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), and preterm birth. Central to placental function and development is epigenetic regulation. Despite its importance, the intricate mechanisms by which epigenetics influence the placenta are not entirely elucidated. Recently, the scientific community has turned its focus to parsing out the epigenetic alterations during placental development, such as variations in promoter DNA methylation, genomic imprints, and shifts in non-coding RNA expression. By establishing correlations between epigenetic shifts in the placenta and pregnancy complications, researchers are unearthing invaluable insights into the biology and pathophysiology of these conditions. This review seeks to synthesize the latest findings on placental epigenetic regulation, spotlighting its crucial role in shaping fetal growth trajectories and development. Through this lens, we underscore the overarching significance of the placenta in the larger narrative of gestational health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Chen
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-Human Primate, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhoujie Ye
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-Human Primate, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Meijia Lin
- Department of Pathology, Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fujian Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liping Zhu
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-Human Primate, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liangpu Xu
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Xinrui Wang
- Medical Research Center, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- National Health Commission (NHC), Key Laboratory of Technical Evaluation of Fertility Regulation for Non-Human Primate, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
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Rossant J. Why study human embryo development? Dev Biol 2024; 509:43-50. [PMID: 38325560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2024.02.001] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the processes and mechanisms underlying early human embryo development has become an increasingly active and important area of research. It has potential for insights into important clinical issues such as early pregnancy loss, origins of congenital anomalies and developmental origins of adult disease, as well as fundamental insights into human biology. Improved culture systems for preimplantation embryos, combined with the new tools of single cell genomics and live imaging, are providing new insights into the similarities and differences between human and mouse development. However, access to human embryo material is still restricted and extended culture of early embryos has regulatory and ethical concerns. Stem cell-derived models of different phases of human development can potentially overcome these limitations and provide a scalable source of material to explore the early postimplantation stages of human development. To date, such models are clearly incomplete replicas of normal development but future technological improvements can be envisaged. The ethical and regulatory environment for such studies remains to be fully resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Rossant
- The Gairdner Foundation and the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, MaRS Centre, Heritage Building, 101 College Street, Suite 335, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada.
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Wu J, Yue B. Regulation of myogenic cell proliferation and differentiation during mammalian skeletal myogenesis. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116563. [PMID: 38583341 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116563] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian skeletal myogenesis is a complex process that allows precise control of myogenic cells' proliferation, differentiation, and fusion to form multinucleated, contractile, and functional muscle fibers. Typically, myogenic progenitors continue growth and division until acquiring a differentiated state, which then permanently leaves the cell cycle and enters terminal differentiation. These processes have been intensively studied using the skeletal muscle developing models in vitro and in vivo, uncovering a complex cellular intrinsic network during mammalian skeletal myogenesis containing transcription factors, translation factors, extracellular matrix, metabolites, and mechano-sensors. Examining the events and how they are knitted together will better understand skeletal myogenesis's molecular basis. This review describes various regulatory mechanisms and recent advances in myogenic cell proliferation and differentiation during mammalian skeletal myogenesis. We focus on significant cell cycle regulators, myogenic factors, and chromatin regulators impacting the coordination of the cell proliferation versus differentiation decision, which will better clarify the complex signaling underlying skeletal myogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China; College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Binglin Yue
- Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, Sichuan Province and Ministry of Education, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China.
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Li Y, Mo Y, Chen C, He J, Guo Z. Research advances of polycomb group proteins in regulating mammalian development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1383200. [PMID: 38505258 PMCID: PMC10950033 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1383200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are a subset of epigenetic factors that are highly conserved throughout evolution. In mammals, PcG proteins can be classified into two muti-proteins complexes: Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that PcG complexes play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression, genomic imprinting, chromosome X-inactivation, and chromatin structure. Accordingly, the dysfunction of PcG proteins is tightly orchestrated with abnormal developmental processes. Here, we summarized and discussed the current knowledge of the biochemical and molecular functions of PcG complexes, especially the PRC1 and PRC2 in mammalian development including embryonic development and tissue development, which will shed further light on the deep understanding of the basic knowledge of PcGs and their functions for reproductive health and developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jin He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhiheng Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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Mueller F, Witteveldt J, Macias S. Antiviral Defence Mechanisms during Early Mammalian Development. Viruses 2024; 16:173. [PMID: 38399949 PMCID: PMC10891733 DOI: 10.3390/v16020173] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The type-I interferon (IFN) response constitutes the major innate immune pathway against viruses in mammals. Despite its critical importance for antiviral defence, this pathway is inactive during early embryonic development. There seems to be an incompatibility between the IFN response and pluripotency, the ability of embryonic cells to develop into any cell type of an adult organism. Instead, pluripotent cells employ alternative ways to defend against viruses that are typically associated with safeguard mechanisms against transposable elements. The absence of an inducible IFN response in pluripotent cells and the constitutive activation of the alternative antiviral pathways have led to the hypothesis that embryonic cells are highly resistant to viruses. However, some findings challenge this interpretation. We have performed a meta-analysis that suggests that the susceptibility of pluripotent cells to viruses is directly correlated with the presence of receptors or co-receptors for viral adhesion and entry. These results challenge the current view of pluripotent cells as intrinsically resistant to infections and raise the fundamental question of why these cells have sacrificed the major antiviral defence pathway if this renders them susceptible to viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Mueller
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK; (F.M.); (J.W.)
- Centre for Virus Research, MRC-University of Glasgow, Garscube Campus, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Jeroen Witteveldt
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK; (F.M.); (J.W.)
| | - Sara Macias
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, King’s Buildings, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK; (F.M.); (J.W.)
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