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Coppola U, Kenney J, Waxman JS. A Foxf1-Wnt-Nr2f1 cascade promotes atrial cardiomyocyte differentiation in zebrafish. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.13.584759. [PMID: 38558972 PMCID: PMC10980076 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.13.584759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Nr2f transcription factors (TFs) are conserved regulators of vertebrate atrial cardiomyocyte (AC) differentiation. However, little is known about the mechanisms directing Nr2f expression in ACs. Here, we identified a conserved enhancer 3' to the nr2f1a locus, which we call 3'reg1-nr2f1a (3'reg1), that can promote Nr2f1a expression in ACs. Sequence analysis of the enhancer identified putative Lef/Tcf and Foxf TF binding sites. Mutation of the Lef/Tcf sites within the 3'reg1 reporter, knockdown of Tcf7l1a, and manipulation of canonical Wnt signaling support that Tcf7l1a is derepressed via Wnt signaling to activate the transgenic enhancer and promote AC differentiation. Similarly, mutation of the Foxf binding sites in the 3'reg1 reporter, coupled with gain- and loss-of-function analysis supported that Foxf1 promotes expression of the enhancer and AC differentiation. Functionally, we find that Wnt signaling acts downstream of Foxf1 to promote expression of the 3'reg1 reporter within ACs and, importantly, both Foxf1 and Wnt signaling require Nr2f1a to promote a surplus of differentiated ACs. CRISPR-mediated deletion of the endogenous 3'reg1 abrogates the ability of Foxf1 and Wnt signaling to produce surplus ACs in zebrafish embryos. Together, our data support that downstream members of a conserved regulatory network involving Wnt signaling and Foxf1 function on a nr2f1a enhancer to promote AC differentiation in the zebrafish heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Coppola
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jennifer Kenney
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joshua S. Waxman
- Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division and Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Developmental Biology Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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Zhu D, Huang R, Chen L, Fu P, Luo L, He L, Li Y, Liao L, Zhu Z, Wang Y. Cloning and characterization of the LEF/TCF gene family in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and their expression profiles in response to grass carp reovirus infection. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 86:335-346. [PMID: 30500548 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2018.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (TCF/LEF) proteins from the High Mobility Group (HMG) box family act as the main downstream effectors of the Wnt signaling pathway. HMGB proteins play multifaceted roles in the immune system of mammals. To clarify the immunological characteristics of LEF/TCF genes in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), five LEF/TCF genes (TCF7, LEF1, TCF7L1A, TCF7L1B, and TCF7L2) were identified and characterized. All five LEF/TCF proteins contained two characteristic domains: a HMG-BOX domain and a CTNNB1_binding region. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that the LEF/TCF proteins were represented different lineages. These results of subcellular localization showed that four of the LEF/TCF genes were localized exclusively within the nucleus, while TCF7L2 was localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The mRNA expression profiles of these LEF/TCF family genes differed across different tissues. The mRNA expression levels of TCF7, TCF7L1A, and TCF7L2 changed significantly in liver after grass carp reovirus (GCRV) challenge; TCF7 and TCF7L1A responded early while TCF7L2 responded late. This suggests that these genes may participate in GCRV-related immune responses. Moreover, TCF7 promoted Bcl6 transcription in response to the GCRV challenge. These findings further our understanding of the function of LEF/TCF genes in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denghui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Rong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Liangming Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Peipei Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lifei Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Libo He
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yongming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Lanjie Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Zuoyan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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Liang R, Liu Y. Tcf7l1 directly regulates cardiomyocyte differentiation in embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:267. [PMID: 30326964 PMCID: PMC6190650 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-1015-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family protein Tcf7l1 is highly abundant in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), regulating pluripotency and preparing epiblasts for further differentiation. Defects in the cardiovascular system in Tcf7l1-null mouse were considered secondary to mesoderm malformation. Here, we used temporally controlled Tcf7l1 expression in Tcf7l1-null ESCs to address whether Tcf7l1 directly contributes to cardiac forward programming. Tcf7l1 knockout during differentiation impaired cardiomyocyte formation but did not affect mesoderm formation. Tcf7l1-null ESCs showed delay in mesoderm formation, but once completed, ectopic Tcf7l1 augmented cardiomyocyte differentiation. Further, Tcf7l1-VP16 and Tcf7l1dN showed procardiac activity whereas Tcf7l1-En was ineffective. Our results support that Tcf7l1 contributes to cardiac lineage development as a β-catenin-independent transactivator of cardiac genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liang
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77004, USA
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77004, USA.
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RNAi-mediated TCF-3 gene silencing inhibits proliferation of Eca-109 esophageal cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. Biosci Rep 2017; 37:BSR20170799. [PMID: 28864779 PMCID: PMC5678029 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20170799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (EC) remains an important health problem in China. In the present study, through the use of siRNA, specific gene knockdown of transcription factor 3 gene (TCF-3) was achieved in vitro and the effect of TCF-3 gene on human EC Eca-109 cell proliferation and apoptosis. Eca-109 cells were treated using negative control (NC) of siRNA against TCF-3 (siTCF-3) and siTCF-3 group. Colony formation assay was used to detect the colony formation ability in Eca-109 cells. MTT assay was used to measure the cell growth and viability, whereas BrDU assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation, and flow cytometry (FCM) to assess cell apoptosis. Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to measure TCF-3 gene expression. Protein expressions of TCF-3, apoptosis-related proteins, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 were determined using Western blotting. Transfection of siTCF-3 successfully down-regulated TCF-3 gene expression. In addition, siTCF-3, reduced Eca-109 cell viability and proliferation, in a time-dependent manner, and inhibited progression of cell cycle from G0/G1 to S-stage. When treated with siTCF-3, the Eca-109 cells exhibited increased apoptosis, with up-regulated cleaved caspase and Bax expressions, whereas Bcl-2 expression was down-regulated. The present study shows that TCF-3 gene silencing inhibits Eca-109 cell growth and proliferation, suppresses cell cycle progression, and promotes apoptosis, which might serve as a new objective for EC treatment.
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Cao Q, Shen Y, Zheng W, Liu H, Liu C. Tcf7l1 promotes transcription of Kruppel-likefactor 4 during Xenopus embryogenesis. J Biomed Res 2017; 32:215. [PMID: 29336356 PMCID: PMC6265397 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.32.20170056] [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: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) is a zinc finger transcriptionfactor and plays crucial roles in Xenopus embryogenesis. However, its regulation during embryogenesis is stillunclear. Here, we report that Tcf7l1, a key downstream transducerof the Wnt signaling pathway, could promote Klf4 transcription and stimulate Klf4 promoter activity in early Xenopus embryos. Furthermore, cycloheximide treatmentshowed a direct effect on Klf4 transcriptionfacilitated by Tcf7l1. Moreover, the dominant negative form of Tcf7l1(dnTcf7l1), which lacks N-terminusof the β-catenin binding motif, could still activate Klf4 transcription, suggesting that thisregulation is Wnt/β-catenin independent. Taken together, ourresults demonstrate that Tcf7l1 lies upstream of Klf4 to maintainits expression level during Xenopus embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Cao
- . College of Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471023, China
| | - Yan Shen
- . College of Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471023, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- . College of Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471023, China
| | - Hao Liu
- . College of Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan 471023, China
| | - Chen Liu
- . Department of Developmental Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
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Mandal A, Holowiecki A, Song YC, Waxman JS. Wnt signaling balances specification of the cardiac and pharyngeal muscle fields. Mech Dev 2017; 143:32-41. [PMID: 28087459 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Canonical Wnt/β-catenin (Wnt) signaling plays multiple conserved roles during fate specification of cardiac progenitors in developing vertebrate embryos. Although lineage analysis in ascidians and mice has indicated there is a close relationship between the cardiac second heart field (SHF) and pharyngeal muscle (PM) progenitors, the signals underlying directional fate decisions of the cells within the cardio-pharyngeal muscle field in vertebrates are not yet understood. Here, we examined the temporal requirements of Wnt signaling in cardiac and PM development. In contrast to a previous report in chicken embryos that suggested Wnt inhibits PM development during somitogenesis, we find that in zebrafish embryos Wnt signaling is sufficient to repress PM development during anterior-posterior patterning. Importantly, the temporal sensitivity of dorso-anterior PMs to increased Wnt signaling largely overlaps with when Wnt signaling promotes specification of the adjacent cardiac progenitors. Furthermore, we find that excess early Wnt signaling can cell autonomously promote expansion of the first heart field (FHF) progenitors at the expense of PM and SHF within the anterior lateral plate mesoderm (ALPM). Our study provides insight into an antagonistic developmental mechanism that balances the sizes of the adjacent cardiac and PM progenitor fields in early vertebrate embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Mandal
- Heart Institute, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45208, USA
| | - Andrew Holowiecki
- Heart Institute, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yuntao Charlie Song
- Heart Institute, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45208, USA
| | - Joshua S Waxman
- Heart Institute, Molecular Cardiovascular Biology Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Wilkinson RN, Jopling C, van Eeden FJM. Zebrafish as a model of cardiac disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2014; 124:65-91. [PMID: 24751427 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-386930-2.00004-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish has been rapidly adopted as a model for cardiac development and disease. The transparency of the embryo, its limited requirement for active oxygen delivery, and ease of use in genetic manipulations and chemical exposure have made it a powerful alternative to rodents. Novel technologies like TALEN/CRISPR-mediated genome engineering and advanced imaging methods will only accelerate its use. Here, we give an overview of heart development and function in the fish and highlight a number of areas where it is most actively contributing to the understanding of cardiac development and disease. We also review the current state of research on a feature that we only could wish to be conserved between fish and human; cardiac regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert N Wilkinson
- Department of Cardiovascular Science, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Jopling
- CNRS, UMR-5203, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Département de Physiologie, Labex Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics, Montpellier, France; INSERM, U661, Montpellier, France; Universités de Montpellier 1&2, UMR-5203, Montpellier, France
| | - Fredericus J M van Eeden
- MRC Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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