1
|
Choi TY, Jeon H, Jeong S, Kim EJ, Kim J, Jeong YH, Kang B, Choi M, Koo JW. Distinct prefrontal projection activity and transcriptional state conversely orchestrate social competition and hierarchy. Neuron 2024; 112:611-627.e8. [PMID: 38086372 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Social animals compete for limited resources, resulting in a social hierarchy. Although different neuronal subpopulations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which has been mechanistically implicated in social dominance behavior, encode distinct social competition behaviors, their identities and associated molecular underpinnings have not yet been identified. In this study, we found that mPFC neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens (mPFC-NAc) encode social winning behavior, whereas mPFC neurons projecting to the ventral tegmental area (mPFC-VTA) encode social losing behavior. High-throughput single-cell transcriptomic analysis and projection-specific genetic manipulation revealed that the expression level of POU domain, class 3, transcription factor 1 (Pou3f1) in mPFC-VTA neurons controls social hierarchy. Optogenetic activation of mPFC-VTA neurons increases Pou3f1 expression and lowers social rank. Together, these data demonstrate that discrete activity and gene expression in separate mPFC projections oppositely orchestrate social competition and hierarchy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Yong Choi
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoungseok Jeon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Sejin Jeong
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea; Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Eum Ji Kim
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongseop Kim
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu 41988, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Ha Jeong
- Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Byungsoo Kang
- Sysoft R&D Center, Daegu 41065, Republic of Korea; Neurovascular Unit Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Murim Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ja Wook Koo
- Emotion, Cognition and Behavior Research Group, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea; Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, Daegu 41988, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Park SW, Do HJ, Huh SH, Sung B, Uhm SJ, Song H, Kim NH, Kim JH. Identification of a putative nuclear export signal motif in human NANOG homeobox domain. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2012; 421:484-9. [PMID: 22516749 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
NANOG is a homeobox-containing transcription factor that plays an important role in pluripotent stem cells and tumorigenic cells. To understand how nuclear localization of human NANOG is regulated, the NANOG sequence was examined and a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) motif ((125)MQELSNILNL(134)) was found in the homeodomain (HD). To functionally validate the putative NES motif, deletion and site-directed mutants were fused to an EGFP expression vector and transfected into COS-7 cells, and the localization of the proteins was examined. While hNANOG HD exclusively localized to the nucleus, a mutant with both NLSs deleted and only the putative NES motif contained (hNANOG HD-ΔNLSs) was predominantly cytoplasmic, as observed by nucleo/cytoplasmic fractionation and Western blot analysis as well as confocal microscopy. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis of the putative NES motif in a partial hNANOG HD only containing either one of the two NLS motifs led to localization in the nucleus, suggesting that the NES motif may play a functional role in nuclear export. Furthermore, CRM1-specific nuclear export inhibitor LMB blocked the hNANOG potent NES-mediated export, suggesting that the leucine-rich motif may function in CRM1-mediated nuclear export of hNANOG. Collectively, a NES motif is present in the hNANOG HD and may be functionally involved in CRM1-mediated nuclear export pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Won Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
A potential role for the homeoprotein Hhex in hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Med Oncol 2011; 29:1059-67. [PMID: 21656028 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-011-9989-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver, often associated with the dysregulation of transcriptional pathways involved in cell growth and differentiation. The hematopoietically expressed homeobox protein (Hhex) is an important transcription factor throughout liver development and is essential to liver bud formation and hepatoblast differentiation. Here, we report a relationship between Hhex expression and HCC. First, adenovirus-mediated Hhex delivery into the hepatoma cell line, Hepa1-6, resulted in decreased expression of several proto-oncogenes (c-Jun and Bcl2), increased expression of some tumor suppressor genes (P53 and Rb), and enhanced expression of a cluster of hepatocytic and bile ductular markers. Second, Hhex expression significantly attenuated Hepa1-6 tumorigenicity in nude mice. Third, we report a correlation between Hhex expression and the differentiation state of human HCC. In 24 cases of clinical specimens, there was a significant difference in Hhex expression between poorly differentiated HCC and well-differentiated HCC (P < 0.001). Taken together, these results indicate that Hhex is a potential candidate molecular marker for HCC pathological evaluation, suggesting a need to evaluate Hhex as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
|
4
|
Ye W, Lin W, Tartakoff AM, Tao T. Karyopherins in nuclear transport of homeodomain proteins during development. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2011; 1813:1654-62. [PMID: 21256166 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2011.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2010] [Revised: 12/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Homeodomain proteins are crucial transcription factors for cell differentiation, cell proliferation and organ development. Interestingly, their homeodomain signature structure is important for both their DNA-binding and their nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. The accurate nucleocytoplasmic distribution of these proteins is essential for their functions. We summarize information on (a) the roles of karyopherins for import and export of homeoproteins, (b) the regulation of their nuclear transport during development, and (c) the corresponding complexity of homeoprotein nucleocytoplasmic transport signals. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Regulation of Signaling and Cellular Fate through Modulation of Nuclear Protein Import.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenduo Ye
- Xiamen University School of Life Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yasuhara N, Shibazaki N, Tanaka S, Nagai M, Kamikawa Y, Oe S, Asally M, Kamachi Y, Kondoh H, Yoneda Y. Triggering neural differentiation of ES cells by subtype switching of importin-alpha. Nat Cell Biol 2006; 9:72-9. [PMID: 17159997 DOI: 10.1038/ncb1521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2006] [Accepted: 10/19/2006] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear proteins are selectively imported into the nucleus by transport factors such as importin-alpha and importin-beta. Here, we show that the expression of importin-alpha subtypes is strictly regulated during neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, and that the switching of importin-alpha subtype expression is critical for neural differentiation. Moreover, reproducing the switching of importin-alpha subtype expression in undifferentiated ES cells induced neural differentiation in the presence of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and serum, coordinated with the regulated expression of Oct3/4, Brn2 and SOX2, which are involved in ES-neural identity determination. These transcription factors were selectively imported into the nucleus by specific subtypes of importin-alpha. Thus, importin-alpha subtype switching has a major impact on cell differentiation through the regulated nuclear import of a specific set of transcription factors. This is the first study to propose that transport factors should be considered as major players in cell-fate determination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Yasuhara
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Baranek C, Sock E, Wegner M. The POU protein Oct-6 is a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling protein. Nucleic Acids Res 2005; 33:6277-86. [PMID: 16260476 PMCID: PMC1275591 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gki947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2005] [Revised: 10/18/2005] [Accepted: 10/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Like many POU domain proteins, Oct-6 plays important roles during vertebrate development. In accord with its function as a transcriptional regulator during neurogenesis and myelination, Oct-6 is predominantly found in the nucleus. Nuclear import is mediated by a nuclear localization signal at the N-terminal end of the POU homeodomain. Here we show, that Oct-6 in addition contains a nuclear export signal so that Oct-6 is able to shuttle constantly between nucleus and cytoplasm. This nuclear export signal is also localized in the POU homeodomain as part of helix 2 and the connecting loop to DNA recognition helix 3. It conforms to the consensus of hydrophobic leucine-rich export sequences and mediates export from the nucleus via CRM1/Exp1. Several amino acid substitutions or insertions that inactivate this nuclear export sequence, reduce DNA-binding of Oct-6 to its octamer recognition element slighty, but interfere strongly with Oct-6-dependent transcriptional activation, thus arguing that nuclear export and nucleocytoplasmic shuttling are essential aspects of Oct-6 function. Importantly, the nuclear export signal identified for Oct-6 is conserved in most, if not all other vertebrate POU proteins. Nuclear export might therefore be of general relevance for POU protein function throughout development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Constanze Baranek
- Institut für Biochemie, Universität Erlangen-NürnbergD-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Sock
- Institut für Biochemie, Universität Erlangen-NürnbergD-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Wegner
- Institut für Biochemie, Universität Erlangen-NürnbergD-91054 Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ubhi K, Price J. Expression of POU-domain transcription factor, Oct-6, in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. BMC Psychiatry 2005; 5:38. [PMID: 16246257 PMCID: PMC1282578 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-5-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2005] [Accepted: 10/24/2005] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The POU-domain transcription factor Oct-6 has been reported to be differentially expressed between schizophrenic and control post-mortem brains. In this study, we attempted to replicate this finding and to discover whether Oct-6 was also dysregulated in bipolar disorder and major depression. METHODS Oct-6 mRNA and protein expression were determined by in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry respectively in sections of post-mortem brain. RESULTS We did not observe any differences in Oct-6 expression between any of the groups under study. Oct-6 mRNA and protein was identically expressed in the hippocampal and cortical regions of most specimens in all groups, including controls. CONCLUSION Oct-6 is, therefore, unlikely to be a specific marker for any psychological disorder; rather its expression in controls suggests that it is normally expressed in most adult brains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kirenjeet Ubhi
- Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, Denmark Hill, London, UK
| | - Jack Price
- Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, Denmark Hill, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ilia M, Sugiyama Y, Price J. Gender and age related expression of Oct-6--a POU III domain transcription factor, in the adult mouse brain. Neurosci Lett 2003; 344:138-40. [PMID: 12782346 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3940(03)00445-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Oct-6 is a POU III domain transcription factor whose primary role is thought to be developmental. It is expressed in embryonic stem cells, Schwann cells, and in neuronal subpopulations during telencephalic development. Its best characterised role is in Schwann cells where it is thought to regulate myelin specific gene expression. Expression of Oct-6 was recently discovered in neurons in post-mortem human schizophrenic specimens while being undetectable in matched controls. This study of human tissue contrasted in a number of regards with earlier studies of rodent brain, and questioned what we can consider to be normal adult expression of this gene. In this study, we have investigated Oct-6 expression via in situ hybridisation and Western blot analysis in normal adult female mice of different ages. We show that both RNA and protein levels of Oct-6 expression are highly sustained in the adult and aging cerebellum, whereas they are attenuated in the telencephalon by PW30 (postnatal week 30). These observations suggest that Oct-6 expression takes place in a sex and age dependent way.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ilia
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, P039, 1 Windsor Walk Ground, London SE5 8AF, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|