1
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Ulfig A, Jakob U. Redox heterogeneity in mouse embryonic stem cells individualizes cell fate decisions. Dev Cell 2024; 59:2118-2133.e8. [PMID: 39106861 PMCID: PMC11338707 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.07.008] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can develop into any cell type in the body. Yet, the regulatory mechanisms that govern cell fate decisions during embryogenesis remain largely unknown. We now demonstrate that mouse ESCs (mESCs) display large natural variations in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mitoROS) levels that individualize their nuclear redox state, H3K4me3 landscape, and cell fate. While mESCs with high mitoROS levels (mitoROSHIGH) differentiate toward mesendoderm and form the primitive streak during gastrulation, mESCs, which generate less ROS, choose the alternative neuroectodermal fate. Temporal studies demonstrated that mesendodermal (ME) specification of mitoROSHIGH mESCs is mediated by a Nrf2-controlled switch in the nuclear redox state, triggered by the accumulation of redox-sensitive H3K4me3 marks, and executed by a hitherto unknown ROS-dependent activation process of the Wnt signaling pathway. In summary, our study explains how ESC heterogeneity is generated and used by individual cells to decide between distinct cellular fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Ulfig
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Ursula Jakob
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Biological Chemistry Department, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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2
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Su H, Zhi D, Song Y, Yang Y, Wang D, Li X, Cao G. Exploring the formation mechanism of short-tailed phenotypes in animals using mutant mice with the TBXT gene c.G334T developed by CRISPR/Cas9. Gene 2024; 910:148310. [PMID: 38401832 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148310] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
With the change in diet structure, individuals prefer to consume mutton with less fat. However, sheep tail has a lot of fat. We identified a breed of low-fat short-tailed sheep (i.e., Hulunbuir short-tailed sheep). It is necessary to develop an animal model that can promote research on the potential mechanisms of the short-tail phenotype in sheep, which results from the TBXT gene c.G334T mutation. To create animal models, we selected mice as experimental animals. Mouse embryos lacking the TBXT protein, which crucially regulates mouse embryonic development, cannot develop normally. We utilized CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to generate site-specific mutation (c.G334T) in the TBXT gene of mice, and found that the mouse TBXT mutation (c.G334T) leads to a short-tail phenotype. Furthermore, we investigated the interaction between TBXT and Wnt signaling pathways. The expressions of TBXT, Axin2, Dkk1, Wnt3, Wnt3a, and Wnt5a were discovered to be significantly different between mutant embryos and wild embryos by obtaining mouse embryos at various developmental stages and examining the expression relationship between the TBXT and Wnt signaling pathway-related components in all of these embryos. Therefore, as a transcription factor, TBXT regulates the expression of the aforementioned Wnt signaling pathway components by forming a regulatory network for the normal development of mouse embryos. This study enriches the research on the functional role of the TBXT in the development of mouse embryos and the mechanism by which the short-tailed phenotype in sheep develops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China.
| | - Dafu Zhi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China.
| | - Yongli Song
- College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, China.
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China.
| | - Daqing Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China; Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China.
| | - Xiunan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China; Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China.
| | - Guifang Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China.
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3
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Alganatay C, Balbasi E, Tuncbag N, Sezginmert D, Terzi Cizmecioglu N. SETD3 regulates endoderm differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells through canonical Wnt signaling pathway. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23463. [PMID: 38334393 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301883r] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
With self-renewal and pluripotency features, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provide an invaluable tool to investigate early cell fate decisions. Pluripotency exit and lineage commitment depend on precise regulation of gene expression that requires coordination between transcription (TF) and chromatin factors in response to various signaling pathways. SET domain-containing 3 (SETD3) is a methyltransferase that can modify histones in the nucleus and actin in the cytoplasm. Through an shRNA screen, we previously identified SETD3 as an important factor in the meso/endodermal lineage commitment of mouse ESCs (mESC). In this study, we identified SETD3-dependent transcriptomic changes during endoderm differentiation of mESCs using time-course RNA-seq analysis. We found that SETD3 is involved in the timely activation of the endoderm-related gene network. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway was one of the markedly altered signaling pathways in the absence of SETD3. The assessment of Wnt transcriptional activity revealed a significant reduction in Setd3-deleted (setd3∆) mESCs coincident with a decrease in the nuclear pool of the key TF β-catenin level, though no change was observed in its mRNA or total protein level. Furthermore, a proximity ligation assay (PLA) found an interaction between SETD3 and β-catenin. We were able to rescue the differentiation defect by stably re-expressing SETD3 or activating the canonical Wnt signaling pathway by changing mESC culture conditions. Our results suggest that alterations in the canonical Wnt pathway activity and subcellular localization of β-catenin might contribute to the endoderm differentiation defect of setd3∆ mESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceren Alganatay
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emre Balbasi
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Dersu Sezginmert
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nihal Terzi Cizmecioglu
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
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4
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Mitchell DG, Edgar A, Mateu JR, Ryan JF, Martindale MQ. The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi deploys a rapid injury response dating back to the last common animal ancestor. Commun Biol 2024; 7:203. [PMID: 38374160 PMCID: PMC10876535 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05901-7] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Regenerative potential is widespread but unevenly distributed across animals. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying regenerative processes is limited to a handful of model organisms, restricting robust comparative analyses. Here, we conduct a time course of RNA-seq during whole body regeneration in Mnemiopsis leidyi (Ctenophora) to uncover gene expression changes that correspond with key events during the regenerative timeline of this species. We identified several genes highly enriched in this dataset beginning as early as 10 minutes after surgical bisection including transcription factors in the early timepoints, peptidases in the middle timepoints, and cytoskeletal genes in the later timepoints. We validated the expression of early response transcription factors by whole mount in situ hybridization, showing that these genes exhibited high expression in tissues surrounding the wound site. These genes exhibit a pattern of transient upregulation as seen in a variety of other organisms, suggesting that they may be initiators of an ancient gene regulatory network linking wound healing to the initiation of a regenerative response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy G Mitchell
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, Saint Augustine, FL, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Allison Edgar
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, Saint Augustine, FL, USA
| | - Júlia Ramon Mateu
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, Saint Augustine, FL, USA
| | - Joseph F Ryan
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, Saint Augustine, FL, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Mark Q Martindale
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, Saint Augustine, FL, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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5
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Eroshkin FM, Fefelova EA, Bredov DV, Orlov EE, Kolyupanova NM, Mazur AM, Sokolov AS, Zhigalova NA, Prokhortchouk EB, Nesterenko AM, Zaraisky AG. Mechanical Tensions Regulate Gene Expression in the Xenopus laevis Axial Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:870. [PMID: 38255964 PMCID: PMC10815341 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020870] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
During gastrulation and neurulation, the chordamesoderm and overlying neuroectoderm of vertebrate embryos converge under the control of a specific genetic programme to the dorsal midline, simultaneously extending along it. However, whether mechanical tensions resulting from these morphogenetic movements play a role in long-range feedback signaling that in turn regulates gene expression in the chordamesoderm and neuroectoderm is unclear. In the present work, by using a model of artificially stretched explants of Xenopus midgastrula embryos and full-transcriptome sequencing, we identified genes with altered expression in response to external mechanical stretching. Importantly, mechanically activated genes appeared to be expressed during normal development in the trunk, i.e., in the stretched region only. By contrast, genes inhibited by mechanical stretching were normally expressed in the anterior neuroectoderm, where mechanical stress is low. These results indicate that mechanical tensions may play the role of a long-range signaling factor that regulates patterning of the embryo, serving as a link coupling morphogenesis and cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fedor M. Eroshkin
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCH RAS), 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena A. Fefelova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCH RAS), 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Denis V. Bredov
- Laboratory of Development Biophysics, Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Eugeny E. Orlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCH RAS), 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nataliya M. Kolyupanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCH RAS), 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander M. Mazur
- Federal State Institution “Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Leninsky Prospect, 33 Build. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey S. Sokolov
- Federal State Institution “Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Leninsky Prospect, 33 Build. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadezhda A. Zhigalova
- Federal State Institution “Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Leninsky Prospect, 33 Build. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Egor B. Prokhortchouk
- Federal State Institution “Federal Research Centre “Fundamentals of Biotechnology” of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Leninsky Prospect, 33 Build. 2, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey M. Nesterenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCH RAS), 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Biotechnologies of Federal Medical-Biological Agency, 1 Build 10 Ostrovityanova Str., 117513 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey G. Zaraisky
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (IBCH RAS), 16/10 Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117997 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 1 Build 70 Ostrovityanova Str., 117513 Moscow, Russia
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6
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Frith TJR, Briscoe J, Boezio GLM. From signalling to form: the coordination of neural tube patterning. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 159:168-231. [PMID: 38729676 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.11.004] [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] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate spinal cord involves the formation of the neural tube and the generation of multiple distinct cell types. The process starts during gastrulation, combining axial elongation with specification of neural cells and the formation of the neuroepithelium. Tissue movements produce the neural tube which is then exposed to signals that provide patterning information to neural progenitors. The intracellular response to these signals, via a gene regulatory network, governs the spatial and temporal differentiation of progenitors into specific cell types, facilitating the assembly of functional neuronal circuits. The interplay between the gene regulatory network, cell movement, and tissue mechanics generates the conserved neural tube pattern observed across species. In this review we offer an overview of the molecular and cellular processes governing the formation and patterning of the neural tube, highlighting how the remarkable complexity and precision of vertebrate nervous system arises. We argue that a multidisciplinary and multiscale understanding of the neural tube development, paired with the study of species-specific strategies, will be crucial to tackle the open questions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Briscoe
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.
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7
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Şişli HB, Hayal TB, Şenkal S, Bulut E, Kıratlı B, Asutay AB, Şahin F, Bayrak ÖF, Doğan A. Activation of Wnt Pathway Suppresses Growth of MUG-Chor1 Chordoma Cell Line. Cell Biochem Biophys 2023; 81:823-837. [PMID: 37751039 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01178-5] [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] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Chordoma as a malignant bone tumor, occurs along the axial skeleton and does not have an effective therapy. Brachyury, which is a crucial player for the formation of early embryonic notochord, is abundantly found in both sporadic and familial chordoma. During embryonic development, Brachyury expression was reported to be regulated by the Wnt pathway. The objective of the study is to investigate the role of Wnt signaling in a human chordoma cell line in terms of proliferation, survival, and invasiveness. We tried to elucidate the signaling events that regulate Chordoma cancer. In this regard, Wnt pathway was activated or inhibited using various strategies including small molecules, siRNA-based knockdown and overexpression applications. The results indicated the negative regulatory effect of Wnt signaling activity on proliferation and migration capacity of the chordoma cells. It was revealed that when GSK3β was inhibited, the Wnt pathway was activated and negatively regulated T/Bra expression. Activity of the Wnt pathway caused cell cycle arrest, reduced migration potential of the cells, and led to cell death. Therefore, the present study suggests that the Wnt pathway plays a key role in suppressing the proliferation and invasive characteristics of human chordoma cells and has a great potential as a therapeutic target in further clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Burcu Şişli
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Taha Bartu Hayal
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Selinay Şenkal
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Bulut
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Binnur Kıratlı
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Ayla Burçin Asutay
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Fikrettin Şahin
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Ömer Faruk Bayrak
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey
| | - Ayşegül Doğan
- Faculty of Engineering, Genetics and Bioengineering Department, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, 34755, Turkey.
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8
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Kemmler CL, Smolikova J, Moran HR, Mannion BJ, Knapp D, Lim F, Czarkwiani A, Hermosilla Aguayo V, Rapp V, Fitch OE, Bötschi S, Selleri L, Farley E, Braasch I, Yun M, Visel A, Osterwalder M, Mosimann C, Kozmik Z, Burger A. Conserved enhancers control notochord expression of vertebrate Brachyury. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6594. [PMID: 37852970 PMCID: PMC10584899 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42151-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell type-specific expression of key transcription factors is central to development and disease. Brachyury/T/TBXT is a major transcription factor for gastrulation, tailbud patterning, and notochord formation; however, how its expression is controlled in the mammalian notochord has remained elusive. Here, we identify the complement of notochord-specific enhancers in the mammalian Brachyury/T/TBXT gene. Using transgenic assays in zebrafish, axolotl, and mouse, we discover three conserved Brachyury-controlling notochord enhancers, T3, C, and I, in human, mouse, and marsupial genomes. Acting as Brachyury-responsive, auto-regulatory shadow enhancers, in cis deletion of all three enhancers in mouse abolishes Brachyury/T/Tbxt expression selectively in the notochord, causing specific trunk and neural tube defects without gastrulation or tailbud defects. The three Brachyury-driving notochord enhancers are conserved beyond mammals in the brachyury/tbxtb loci of fishes, dating their origin to the last common ancestor of jawed vertebrates. Our data define the vertebrate enhancers for Brachyury/T/TBXTB notochord expression through an auto-regulatory mechanism that conveys robustness and adaptability as ancient basis for axis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie L Kemmler
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jana Smolikova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hannah R Moran
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brandon J Mannion
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Comparative Biochemistry Program, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Dunja Knapp
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabian Lim
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anna Czarkwiani
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Viviana Hermosilla Aguayo
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vincent Rapp
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivia E Fitch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Seraina Bötschi
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Licia Selleri
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emma Farley
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ingo Braasch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Maximina Yun
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Axel Visel
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Marco Osterwalder
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Alexa Burger
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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9
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Schüle KM, Weckerle J, Probst S, Wehmeyer AE, Zissel L, Schröder CM, Tekman M, Kim GJ, Schlägl IM, Sagar, Arnold SJ. Eomes restricts Brachyury functions at the onset of mouse gastrulation. Dev Cell 2023; 58:1627-1642.e7. [PMID: 37633271 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.07.023] [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: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian specification of mesoderm and definitive endoderm (DE) is instructed by the two related Tbx transcription factors (TFs) Eomesodermin (Eomes) and Brachyury sharing partially redundant functions. Gross differences in mutant embryonic phenotypes suggest specific functions of each TF. To date, the molecular details of separated lineage-specific gene regulation by Eomes and Brachyury remain poorly understood. Here, we combine mouse embryonic and stem-cell-based analyses to delineate the non-overlapping, lineage-specific transcriptional activities. On a genome-wide scale, binding of both TFs overlaps at promoters of target genes but shows specificity for distal enhancer regions that is conferred by differences in Tbx DNA-binding motifs. The unique binding to enhancer sites instructs the specification of anterior mesoderm (AM) and DE by Eomes and caudal mesoderm by Brachyury. Remarkably, EOMES antagonizes BRACHYURY gene regulatory functions in coexpressing cells during early gastrulation to ensure the proper sequence of early AM and DE lineage specification followed by posterior mesoderm derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin M Schüle
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Jelena Weckerle
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simone Probst
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra E Wehmeyer
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lea Zissel
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Chiara M Schröder
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 19a, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Signaling Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mehmet Tekman
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gwang-Jin Kim
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Inga-Marie Schlägl
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sagar
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Center University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian J Arnold
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Signaling Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse18, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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10
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Vijayakumar S, Sala R, Kang G, Chen A, Pablo MA, Adebayo AI, Cipriano A, Fowler JL, Gomes DL, Ang LT, Loh KM, Sebastiano V. Monolayer platform to generate and purify primordial germ-like cells in vitro provides insights into human germline specification. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5690. [PMID: 37709760 PMCID: PMC10502105 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41302-w] [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: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Generating primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) advances studies of human reproduction and development of infertility treatments, but often entails complex 3D aggregates. Here we develop a simplified, monolayer method to differentiate hPSCs into PGCs within 3.5 days. We use our simplified differentiation platform and single-cell RNA-sequencing to achieve further insights into PGCLC specification. Transient WNT activation for 12 h followed by WNT inhibition specified PGCLCs; by contrast, sustained WNT induced primitive streak. Thus, somatic cells (primitive streak) and PGCLCs are related-yet distinct-lineages segregated by temporally-dynamic signaling. Pluripotency factors including NANOG are continuously expressed during the transition from pluripotency to posterior epiblast to PGCs, thus bridging pluripotent and germline states. Finally, hPSC-derived PGCLCs can be easily purified by virtue of their CXCR4+PDGFRA-GARP- surface-marker profile and single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals that they harbor transcriptional similarities with fetal PGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sivakamasundari Vijayakumar
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Roberta Sala
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Gugene Kang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Angela Chen
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Michelle Ann Pablo
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Abidemi Ismail Adebayo
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Andrea Cipriano
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jonas L Fowler
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Danielle L Gomes
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Lay Teng Ang
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Kyle M Loh
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Vittorio Sebastiano
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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11
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Gattiglio M, Protzek M, Schröter C. Population-level antagonism between FGF and BMP signaling steers mesoderm differentiation in embryonic stem cells. Biol Open 2023; 12:bio059941. [PMID: 37530863 PMCID: PMC10445724 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059941] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mesodermal precursor populations for different internal organ systems are specified during gastrulation by the combined activity of extracellular signaling systems such as BMP, Wnt, Nodal and FGF. The BMP, Wnt and Nodal signaling requirements for the differentiation of specific mesoderm subtypes in mammals have been mapped in detail, but how FGF shapes mesodermal cell type diversity is not precisely known. It is also not clear how FGF signaling integrates with the activity of other signaling systems involved in mesoderm differentiation. Here, we address these questions by analyzing the effects of targeted signaling manipulations in differentiating stem cell populations at single-cell resolution. We identify opposing functions of BMP and FGF, and map FGF-dependent and -independent mesodermal lineages. Stimulation with exogenous FGF boosts the expression of endogenous Fgf genes while repressing Bmp ligand genes. This positive autoregulation of FGF signaling, coupled with the repression of BMP signaling, may contribute to the specification of reproducible and coherent cohorts of cells with the same identity via a community effect, both in the embryo and in synthetic embryo-like systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Gattiglio
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Systemic Cell Biology, 44227Dortmund, Germany
| | - Michelle Protzek
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Systemic Cell Biology, 44227Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christian Schröter
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Systemic Cell Biology, 44227Dortmund, Germany
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12
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Ayad NM, Lakins JN, Ghagre A, Ehrlicher AJ, Weaver VM. Tissue tension permits β-catenin phosphorylation to drive mesoderm specification in human embryonic stem cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.14.549074. [PMID: 37503095 PMCID: PMC10370032 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.14.549074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The role of morphogenetic forces in cell fate specification is an area of intense interest. Our prior studies suggested that the development of high cell-cell tension in human embryonic stem cells (hESC) colonies permits the Src-mediated phosphorylation of junctional β-catenin that accelerates its release to potentiate Wnt-dependent signaling critical for initiating mesoderm specification. Using an ectopically expressed nonphosphorylatable mutant of β-catenin (Y654F), we now provide direct evidence that impeding tension-dependent Src-mediated β-catenin phosphorylation impedes the expression of Brachyury (T) and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) necessary for mesoderm specification. Addition of exogenous Wnt3a or inhibiting GSK3β activity rescued mesoderm expression, emphasizing the importance of force dependent Wnt signaling in regulating mechanomorphogenesis. Our work provides a framework for understanding tension-dependent β-catenin/Wnt signaling in the self-organization of tissues during developmental processes including gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia M.E. Ayad
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California Berkeley, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Johnathon N. Lakins
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ajinkya Ghagre
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0E9, Canada
| | - Allen J. Ehrlicher
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Centre for Structural Biology, Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A3, Canada
| | - Valerie M. Weaver
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helen Diller Family Cancer Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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13
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Repina NA, Johnson HJ, Bao X, Zimmermann JA, Joy DA, Bi SZ, Kane RS, Schaffer DV. Optogenetic control of Wnt signaling models cell-intrinsic embryogenic patterning using 2D human pluripotent stem cell culture. Development 2023; 150:dev201386. [PMID: 37401411 PMCID: PMC10399980 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
In embryonic stem cell (ESC) models for early development, spatially and temporally varying patterns of signaling and cell types emerge spontaneously. However, mechanistic insight into this dynamic self-organization is limited by a lack of methods for spatiotemporal control of signaling, and the relevance of signal dynamics and cell-to-cell variability to pattern emergence remains unknown. Here, we combine optogenetic stimulation, imaging and transcriptomic approaches to study self-organization of human ESCs (hESC) in two-dimensional (2D) culture. Morphogen dynamics were controlled via optogenetic activation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling (optoWnt), which drove broad transcriptional changes and mesendoderm differentiation at high efficiency (>99% cells). When activated within cell subpopulations, optoWnt induced cell self-organization into distinct epithelial and mesenchymal domains, mediated by changes in cell migration, an epithelial to mesenchymal-like transition and TGFβ signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that such optogenetic control of cell subpopulations can be used to uncover signaling feedback mechanisms between neighboring cell types. These findings reveal that cell-to-cell variability in Wnt signaling is sufficient to generate tissue-scale patterning and establish a hESC model system for investigating feedback mechanisms relevant to early human embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A. Repina
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Hunter J. Johnson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Xiaoping Bao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Joshua A. Zimmermann
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - David A. Joy
- Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Shirley Z. Bi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ravi S. Kane
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - David V. Schaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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14
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Hayal TB, Doğan A, Şenkal S, Bulut E, Şişli HB, Şahin F. Evaluation of the effect of boron derivatives on cardiac differentiation of mouse pluripotent stem cells. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2023; 79:127258. [PMID: 37451093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The heart is one of the first organs to form during embryonic development and has a very important place. So much that the formation of a functional heart is completed on the 55th day of human development and the 15th day of mouse development. Myocardial, endocardial and epicardial cells, which are derived from the mesoderm layer, are the cells that form the basis of the heart. Cardiac development, like other embryonic developments, is tightly controlled and regulated by various signaling pathways. The WNT signaling pathway is the most studied of these signaling pathways and the one with the clearest relationship with heart development. It is known that boron compounds and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway are highly correlated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of boron compounds in heart development as well as its effect on pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells for the first time in the literature. METHODS Toxicity of boron compounds was evaluated by using MTS analysis and obtained results were supported by morphological pictures, Trypan Blue staining and Annexin V staining. Additionally, the possible boron-related change in pluripotency of embryonic stem cells were analyzed with alkaline phosphatase activity and immunocytochemical staining of Oct4 protein as well as gene expression levels of pluripotency related OCT4, SOX2 and KLF4 genes. The alterations in the embryonic body formation capacity of mouse embryonic stem cells due to the application boron derivatives were also evaluated. Three linage differentiation was conducted to clarify the real impact of boron compounds on embryonic development. Lastly, cardiac differentiation of mESCs was investigated by using morphological pictures, cytosolic calcium measurement, gene expression and immunocytochemical analysis of cardiac differentiation related genes and in the presence of boron compounds. RESULTS Obtained results show that boron treatment maintains the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells at non-toxic concentrations. Additionally, endodermal, and mesodermal fate was found to be triggered after boron treatment. Also, initiation of cardiomyocyte differentiation by boron derivative treatments caused an increased gene expression levels of cardiac differentiation related TNNT2, Nkx2.5 and ISL-1 gene expression levels. CONCLUSION This study indicates that boron application, which is responsible for maintaining pluripotency of mESCs, can be used for increased cardiomyocyte differentiation of mESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taha Bartu Hayal
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey; Current affiliation: Translational Stem Cell Biology Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States.
| | - Ayşegül Doğan
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Selinay Şenkal
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Bulut
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hatice Burcu Şişli
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fikrettin Şahin
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey
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15
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Vetrova AA, Kupaeva DM, Kizenko A, Lebedeva TS, Walentek P, Tsikolia N, Kremnyov SV. The evolutionary history of Brachyury genes in Hydrozoa involves duplications, divergence, and neofunctionalization. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9382. [PMID: 37296138 PMCID: PMC10256749 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35979-8] [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: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Brachyury, a member of T-box gene family, is widely known for its major role in mesoderm specification in bilaterians. It is also present in non-bilaterian metazoans, such as cnidarians, where it acts as a component of an axial patterning system. In this study, we present a phylogenetic analysis of Brachyury genes within phylum Cnidaria, investigate differential expression and address a functional framework of Brachyury paralogs in hydrozoan Dynamena pumila. Our analysis indicates two duplication events of Brachyury within the cnidarian lineage. The first duplication likely appeared in the medusozoan ancestor, resulting in two copies in medusozoans, while the second duplication arose in the hydrozoan ancestor, resulting in three copies in hydrozoans. Brachyury1 and 2 display a conservative expression pattern marking the oral pole of the body axis in D. pumila. On the contrary, Brachyury3 expression was detected in scattered presumably nerve cells of the D. pumila larva. Pharmacological modulations indicated that Brachyury3 is not under regulation of cWnt signaling in contrast to the other two Brachyury genes. Divergence in expression patterns and regulation suggest neofunctionalization of Brachyury3 in hydrozoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra A Vetrova
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis Evolution, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology RAS, Vavilova 26, Moscow, 119334, Russia
| | - Daria M Kupaeva
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory 1/12, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - Alena Kizenko
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Tatiana S Lebedeva
- Department for Molecular Evolution and Development, Centre of Organismal Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Walentek
- Renal Division, Internal Medicine IV, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- CIBSS-Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nikoloz Tsikolia
- Institute of Anatomy and Embryology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 36, 37085, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stanislav V Kremnyov
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis Evolution, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology RAS, Vavilova 26, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
- Department of Embryology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory 1/12, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
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16
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Chang WCL, Ghosh J, Cooper HS, Vanderveer L, Schultz B, Zhou Y, Harvey KN, Kaunga E, Devarajan K, Li Y, Jelinek J, Fragoso MF, Sapienza C, Clapper ML. Folic Acid Supplementation Promotes Hypomethylation in Both the Inflamed Colonic Mucosa and Colitis-Associated Dysplasia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2949. [PMID: 37296911 PMCID: PMC10252136 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15112949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of folic acid (FA) supplementation on colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CRC) using the azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS) model. METHODS Mice were fed a chow containing 2 mg/kg FA at baseline and randomized after the first DSS treatment to receive 0, 2, or 8 mg/kg FA chow for 16 weeks. Colon tissue was collected for histopathological evaluation, genome-wide methylation analyses (Digital Restriction Enzyme Assay of Methylation), and gene expression profiling (RNA-Seq). RESULTS A dose-dependent increase in the multiplicity of colonic dysplasias was observed, with the multiplicity of total and polypoid dysplasias higher (64% and 225%, respectively) in the 8 mg FA vs. the 0 mg FA group (p < 0.001). Polypoid dysplasias were hypomethylated, as compared to the non-neoplastic colonic mucosa (p < 0.05), irrespective of FA treatment. The colonic mucosa of the 8 mg FA group was markedly hypomethylated as compared to the 0 mg FA group. Differential methylation of genes involved in Wnt/β-catenin and MAPK signaling resulted in corresponding alterations in gene expression within the colonic mucosa. CONCLUSIONS High-dose FA created an altered epigenetic field effect within the non-neoplastic colonic mucosa. The observed decrease in site-specific DNA methylation altered oncogenic pathways and promoted colitis-associated CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chi L. Chang
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA (L.V.); (E.K.)
| | - Jayashri Ghosh
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (J.G.); (B.S.)
| | - Harry S. Cooper
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA (L.V.); (E.K.)
- Department of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Lisa Vanderveer
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA (L.V.); (E.K.)
| | - Bryant Schultz
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (J.G.); (B.S.)
| | - Yan Zhou
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Kristen N. Harvey
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA (L.V.); (E.K.)
| | - Esther Kaunga
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA (L.V.); (E.K.)
| | - Karthik Devarajan
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Yuesheng Li
- DNA Sequencing and Genomic Core Facility, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jaroslav Jelinek
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (J.G.); (B.S.)
| | - Mariana F. Fragoso
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA (L.V.); (E.K.)
| | - Carmen Sapienza
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, 3500 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (J.G.); (B.S.)
| | - Margie L. Clapper
- Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA (L.V.); (E.K.)
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17
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Abstract
The heart is the first functional organ established during embryogenesis. Investigating heart development and disease is a fascinating and crucial field of research because cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, there is great interest in establishing in vitro models for recapitulating both physiological and pathological aspects of human heart development, tissue function and malfunction. Derived from pluripotent stem cells, a large variety of three-dimensional cardiac in vitro models have been introduced in recent years. In this At a Glance article, we discuss the available methods to generate such models, grouped according to the following classification: cardiac organoids, cardiac microtissues and engineered cardiac tissues. For these models, we provide a systematic overview of their applications for disease modeling and therapeutic development, as well as their advantages and limitations to assist scientists in choosing the most suitable model for their research purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lika Drakhlis
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
- Authors for correspondence (; )
| | - Robert Zweigerdt
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover 30625, Germany
- Authors for correspondence (; )
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18
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Kemmler CL, Smolikova J, Moran HR, Mannion BJ, Knapp D, Lim F, Czarkwiani A, Hermosilla Aguayo V, Rapp V, Fitch OE, Bötschi S, Selleri L, Farley E, Braasch I, Yun M, Visel A, Osterwalder M, Mosimann C, Kozmik Z, Burger A. Conserved enhancer logic controls the notochord expression of vertebrate Brachyury. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.20.536761. [PMID: 37131681 PMCID: PMC10153258 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.20.536761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The cell type-specific expression of key transcription factors is central to development. Brachyury/T/TBXT is a major transcription factor for gastrulation, tailbud patterning, and notochord formation; however, how its expression is controlled in the mammalian notochord has remained elusive. Here, we identify the complement of notochord-specific enhancers in the mammalian Brachyury/T/TBXT gene. Using transgenic assays in zebrafish, axolotl, and mouse, we discover three Brachyury-controlling notochord enhancers T3, C, and I in human, mouse, and marsupial genomes. Acting as Brachyury-responsive, auto-regulatory shadow enhancers, deletion of all three enhancers in mouse abolishes Brachyury/T expression selectively in the notochord, causing specific trunk and neural tube defects without gastrulation or tailbud defects. Sequence and functional conservation of Brachyury-driving notochord enhancers with the brachyury/tbxtb loci from diverse lineages of fishes dates their origin to the last common ancestor of jawed vertebrates. Our data define the enhancers for Brachyury/T/TBXTB notochord expression as ancient mechanism in axis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie L. Kemmler
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jana Smolikova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hannah R. Moran
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brandon J. Mannion
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Comparative Biochemistry Program, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dunja Knapp
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabian Lim
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anna Czarkwiani
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Viviana Hermosilla Aguayo
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vincent Rapp
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivia E. Fitch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Seraina Bötschi
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Licia Selleri
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emma Farley
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Ingo Braasch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Maximina Yun
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Axel Visel
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Marco Osterwalder
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, Berne University Hospital, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexa Burger
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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19
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Li D, Yang J, Ma F, Malik V, Zang R, Shi X, Huang X, Zhou H, Wang J. The pluripotency factor Tex10 finetunes Wnt signaling for PGC and male germline development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529824. [PMID: 36865339 PMCID: PMC9980098 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Testis-specific transcript 10 (Tex10) is a critical factor for pluripotent stem cell maintenance and preimplantation development. Here, we dissect its late developmental roles in primordial germ cell (PGC) specification and spermatogenesis using cellular and animal models. We discover that Tex10 binds the Wnt negative regulator genes, marked by H3K4me3, at the PGC-like cell (PGCLC) stage in restraining Wnt signaling. Depletion and overexpression of Tex10 hyperactivate and attenuate the Wnt signaling, resulting in compromised and enhanced PGCLC specification efficiency, respectively. Using the Tex10 conditional knockout mouse models combined with single-cell RNA sequencing, we further uncover critical roles of Tex10 in spermatogenesis with Tex10 loss causing reduced sperm number and motility associated with compromised round spermatid formation. Notably, defective spermatogenesis in Tex10 knockout mice correlates with aberrant Wnt signaling upregulation. Therefore, our study establishes Tex10 as a previously unappreciated player in PGC specification and male germline development by fine-tuning Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Jihong Yang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Fanglin Ma
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Vikas Malik
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Ruge Zang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Xianle Shi
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Jianlong Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development and Stem Cell Therapies, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
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20
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Schwaiger M, Andrikou C, Dnyansagar R, Murguia PF, Paganos P, Voronov D, Zimmermann B, Lebedeva T, Schmidt HA, Genikhovich G, Benvenuto G, Arnone MI, Technau U. An ancestral Wnt-Brachyury feedback loop in axial patterning and recruitment of mesoderm-determining target genes. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:1921-1939. [PMID: 36396969 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-022-01905-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors are crucial drivers of cellular differentiation during animal development and often share ancient evolutionary origins. The T-box transcription factor Brachyury plays a pivotal role as an early mesoderm determinant and neural repressor in vertebrates; yet, the ancestral function and key evolutionary transitions of the role of this transcription factor remain obscure. Here, we present a genome-wide target-gene screen using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, an early branching non-bilaterian, and the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, a representative of the sister lineage of chordates. Our analysis reveals an ancestral gene regulatory feedback loop connecting Brachyury, FoxA and canonical Wnt signalling involved in axial patterning that predates the cnidarian-bilaterian split about 700 million years ago. Surprisingly, we also found that part of the gene regulatory network controlling the fate of neuromesodermal progenitors in vertebrates was already present in the common ancestor of cnidarians and bilaterians. However, while several endodermal and neuronal Brachyury target genes are ancestrally shared, hardly any of the key mesodermal downstream targets in vertebrates are found in the sea anemone or the sea urchin. Our study suggests that a limited number of target genes involved in mesoderm formation were newly acquired in the vertebrate lineage, leading to a dramatic shift in the function of this ancestral developmental regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Schwaiger
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences,University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Andrikou
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rohit Dnyansagar
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences,University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricio Ferrer Murguia
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences,University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Danila Voronov
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples, Italy
| | - Bob Zimmermann
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences,University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tatiana Lebedeva
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences,University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heiko A Schmidt
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Grigory Genikhovich
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences,University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Ulrich Technau
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences,University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Research Platform 'Single Cell Regulation of Stem Cells', University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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21
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Wehmeyer AE, Schüle KM, Conrad A, Schröder CM, Probst S, Arnold SJ. Chimeric 3D gastruloids - a versatile tool for studies of mammalian peri-gastrulation development. Development 2022; 149:280536. [PMID: 36326003 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200812] [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: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Stem cell-derived three-dimensional (3D) gastruloids show a remarkable capacity of self-organisation and recapitulate many aspects of gastrulation stage mammalian development. Gastruloids can be rapidly generated and offer several experimental advantages, such as scalability, observability and accessibility for manipulation. Here, we present approaches to further expand the experimental potency of murine 3D gastruloids by using functional genetics in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to generate chimeric gastruloids. In chimeric gastruloids, fluorescently labelled cells of different genotypes harbouring inducible gene expression or loss-of-function alleles are combined with wild-type cells. We showcase this experimental approach in chimeric gastruloids of mESCs carrying homozygous deletions of the Tbx transcription factor brachyury or inducible expression of Eomes. Resulting chimeric gastruloids recapitulate reported Eomes and brachyury functions, such as instructing cardiac fate and promoting posterior axial extension, respectively. Additionally, chimeric gastruloids revealed previously unrecognised phenotypes, such as the tissue sorting preference of brachyury deficient cells to endoderm and the cell non-autonomous effects of brachyury deficiency on Wnt3a patterning along the embryonic axis, demonstrating some of the advantages of chimeric gastruloids as an efficient tool for studies of mammalian gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra E Wehmeyer
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katrin M Schüle
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexandra Conrad
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Chiara M Schröder
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 19a, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 1, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Signaling Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simone Probst
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian J Arnold
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 25, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.,Signaling Research Centers BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestrasse 18, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
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22
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Gropp M, Waldhorn I, Gil Y, Steiner D, Turetsky TT, Smith Y, Sabag O, Falick-Michaeli T, Ram SE, Reubinoff BE. Laminin111-based defined culture promoting self-renewing human pluripotent stem cells with properties of the early post-implantation epiblast. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2643-2660. [PMID: 36368331 PMCID: PMC9768580 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mammalian embryo, a formative pluripotent phase is proposed to exist at the early post-implantation period, during the transition from the pre-implantation naive-to the post-implantation primed-epiblast. By recapitulating a laminin component of the extracellular matrix niche during embryonic formative transition, and defined culture conditions, we generated cultures highly enriched for self-renewing human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), exhibiting properties of early post-implantation epiblast cells. These hPSCs display post-implantation-epiblast gene expression profiles. FGF and TGF-β signaling maintain their self-renewal for multiple passages. They have inactive canonical Wnt signaling, do not express primitive streak markers, and are competent to initiate differentiation toward germline and somatic fates. hPSCs exhibiting early post-implantation epiblast properties may shed light on human embryonic PSCs development and may serve for initiating somatic and germ cell specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Gropp
- The Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ithai Waldhorn
- The Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yaniv Gil
- The Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Debora Steiner
- The Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tikva Tako Turetsky
- The Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yoav Smith
- The Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofra Sabag
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tal Falick-Michaeli
- Rubin Chair in Medical Science, Department of Developmental Biology & Cancer Research, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sharona Even Ram
- The Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin E. Reubinoff
- The Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel,Corresponding author
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23
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Walker SE, Sabin KZ, Gearhart MD, Yamamoto K, Echeverri K. Regulation of stem cell identity by miR-200a during spinal cord regeneration. Development 2022; 149:274347. [PMID: 35156681 PMCID: PMC8918811 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Axolotls are an important model organism for multiple types of regeneration, including functional spinal cord regeneration. Remarkably, axolotls can repair their spinal cord after a small lesion injury and can also regenerate their entire tail following amputation. Several classical signaling pathways that are used during development are reactivated during regeneration, but how this is regulated remains a mystery. We have previously identified miR-200a as a key factor that promotes successful spinal cord regeneration. Here, using RNA-seq analysis, we discovered that the inhibition of miR-200a results in an upregulation of the classical mesodermal marker brachyury in spinal cord cells after injury. However, these cells still express the neural stem cell marker sox2. In vivo cell tracking allowed us to determine that these cells can give rise to cells of both the neural and mesoderm lineage. Additionally, we found that miR-200a can directly regulate brachyury via a seed sequence in the 3′UTR of the gene. Our data indicate that miR-200a represses mesodermal cell fate after a small lesion injury in the spinal cord when only glial cells and neurons need to be replaced. Summary: Axolotl spinal cord cells have the potential to form cells of the ectoderm and mesoderm depending on the extent of the injury they are responding to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Walker
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Keith Z Sabin
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | | | | | - Karen Echeverri
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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24
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Schifferl D, Scholze-Wittler M, Wittler L, Veenvliet JV, Koch F, Herrmann BG. A 37 kb region upstream of brachyury comprising a notochord enhancer is essential for notochord and tail development. Development 2021; 148:273520. [PMID: 34822716 PMCID: PMC8722351 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The node-streak border region comprising notochord progenitor cells (NPCs) at the posterior node and neuro-mesodermal progenitor cells (NMPs) in the adjacent epiblast is the prime organizing center for axial elongation in mouse embryos. The T-box transcription factor brachyury (T) is essential for both formation of the notochord and maintenance of NMPs, and thus is a key regulator of trunk and tail development. The T promoter controlling T expression in NMPs and nascent mesoderm has been characterized in detail; however, control elements for T expression in the notochord have not been identified yet. We have generated a series of deletion alleles by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in mESCs, and analyzed their effects in mutant mouse embryos. We identified a 37 kb region upstream of T that is essential for notochord function and tailbud outgrowth. Within that region, we discovered a T-binding enhancer required for notochord cell specification and differentiation. Our data reveal a complex regulatory landscape controlling cell type-specific expression and function of T in NMP/nascent mesoderm and node/notochord, allowing proper trunk and tail development. Summary: Genetic dissection of the mouse brachyury locus identifies a notochord enhancer and predicts additional control elements essential for trunk and tail development of the mouse embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Schifferl
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuela Scholze-Wittler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Wittler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jesse V Veenvliet
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frederic Koch
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard G Herrmann
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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25
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Miyamoto M, Andersen P, Sulistio E, Liu X, Murphy S, Kannan S, Nam L, Miyamoto W, Tampakakis E, Hibino N, Uosaki H, Kwon C. Noncanonical Notch signals have opposing roles during cardiac development. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 577:12-16. [PMID: 34487959 PMCID: PMC8484041 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.08.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The Notch pathway is an ancient intercellular signaling system with crucial roles in numerous cell-fate decision processes across species. While the canonical pathway is activated by ligand-induced cleavage and nuclear localization of membrane-bound Notch, Notch can also exert its activity in a ligand/transcription-independent fashion, which is conserved in Drosophila, Xenopus, and mammals. However, the noncanonical role remains poorly understood in in vivo processes. Here we show that increased levels of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in the early mesoderm inhibit heart development, potentially through impaired induction of the second heart field (SHF), independently of the transcriptional effector RBP-J. Similarly, inhibiting Notch cleavage, shown to increase noncanonical Notch activity, suppressed SHF induction in embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived mesodermal cells. In contrast, NICD overexpression in late cardiac progenitor cells lacking RBP-J resulted in an increase in heart size. Our study suggests that noncanonical Notch signaling has stage-specific roles during cardiac development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Miyamoto
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
| | - Peter Andersen
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
| | - Edrick Sulistio
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
| | - Xihe Liu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
| | - Sean Murphy
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
| | - Suraj Kannan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
| | - Lucy Nam
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Present address: Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - William Miyamoto
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
| | - Emmanouil Tampakakis
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD,Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Narutoshi Hibino
- Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Hideki Uosaki
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Chulan Kwon
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; Heart and Vascular Institute, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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26
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Ajima R, Sakakibara Y, Sakurai-Yamatani N, Muraoka M, Saga Y. Formal proof of the requirement of MESP1 and MESP2 in mesoderm specification and their transcriptional control via specific enhancers in mice. Development 2021; 148:272544. [PMID: 34679163 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
MESP1 and MESP2 are transcriptional factors involved in mesoderm specification, somite boundary formation and somite polarity regulation. However, Mesp quadruple mutant zebrafish displayed only abnormal somite polarity without mesoderm specification defects. In order to re-evaluate Mesp1/Mesp2 mutants in mice, Mesp1 and Mesp2 single knockouts (KOs), and a Mesp1/Mesp2 double KO were established using genome-editing techniques without introducing selection markers commonly used before. The Mesp1/Mesp2 double KO embryos exhibited markedly severe mesoderm formation defects that were similar to the previously reported Mesp1/Mesp2 double KO embryos, indicating species differences in the function of MESP family proteins. However, the Mesp1 KO did not display any phenotype, including heart formation defects, which have been reported previously. We noted upregulation of Mesp2 in the Mesp1 KO embryos, suggesting that MESP2 rescues the loss of MESP1 in mesoderm specification. We also found that Mesp1 and Mesp2 expression in the early mesoderm is regulated by the cooperation of two independent enhancers containing T-box- and TCF/Lef-binding sites. Deletion of both enhancers caused the downregulation of both genes, resulting in heart formation defects. This study suggests dose-dependent roles of MESP1 and MESP2 in early mesoderm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rieko Ajima
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.,Division for Development of Genetic-engineered Mouse Resource, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.,Department of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Yuko Sakakibara
- Division for Development of Genetic-engineered Mouse Resource, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Noriko Sakurai-Yamatani
- Division for Development of Genetic-engineered Mouse Resource, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muraoka
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Yumiko Saga
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.,Division for Development of Genetic-engineered Mouse Resource, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.,Department of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
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27
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Świerczek-Lasek B, Dudka D, Bauer D, Czajkowski T, Ilach K, Streminska W, Kominek A, Piwocka K, Ciemerych MA, Archacka K. Comparison of Differentiation Pattern and WNT/SHH Signaling in Pluripotent Stem Cells Cultured under Different Conditions. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102743. [PMID: 34685722 PMCID: PMC8534321 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are characterized by the ability to self-renew as well as undergo multidirectional differentiation. Culture conditions have a pivotal influence on differentiation pattern. In the current study, we compared the fate of mouse PSCs using two culture media: (1) chemically defined, free of animal reagents, and (2) standard one relying on the serum supplementation. Moreover, we assessed the influence of selected regulators (WNTs, SHH) on PSC differentiation. We showed that the differentiation pattern of PSCs cultured in both systems differed significantly: cells cultured in chemically defined medium preferentially underwent ectodermal conversion while their endo- and mesodermal differentiation was limited, contrary to cells cultured in serum-supplemented medium. More efficient ectodermal differentiation of PSCs cultured in chemically defined medium correlated with higher activity of SHH pathway while endodermal and mesodermal conversion of cells cultured in serum-supplemented medium with higher activity of WNT/JNK pathway. However, inhibition of either canonical or noncanonical WNT pathway resulted in the limitation of endo- and mesodermal conversion of PSCs. In addition, blocking WNT secretion led to the inhibition of PSC mesodermal differentiation, confirming the pivotal role of WNT signaling in this process. In contrast, SHH turned out to be an inducer of PSC ectodermal, not mesodermal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Świerczek-Lasek
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.-L.); (D.D.); (D.B.); (T.C.); (K.I.); (W.S.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Damian Dudka
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.-L.); (D.D.); (D.B.); (T.C.); (K.I.); (W.S.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Damian Bauer
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.-L.); (D.D.); (D.B.); (T.C.); (K.I.); (W.S.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Tomasz Czajkowski
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.-L.); (D.D.); (D.B.); (T.C.); (K.I.); (W.S.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Katarzyna Ilach
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.-L.); (D.D.); (D.B.); (T.C.); (K.I.); (W.S.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Władysława Streminska
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.-L.); (D.D.); (D.B.); (T.C.); (K.I.); (W.S.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Agata Kominek
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.); (K.P.)
| | - Katarzyna Piwocka
- Laboratory of Cytometry, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland; (A.K.); (K.P.)
| | - Maria A. Ciemerych
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.-L.); (D.D.); (D.B.); (T.C.); (K.I.); (W.S.); (M.A.C.)
| | - Karolina Archacka
- Department of Cytology, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland; (B.Ś.-L.); (D.D.); (D.B.); (T.C.); (K.I.); (W.S.); (M.A.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-55-42-203
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28
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Diaz-Cuadros M, Pourquié O, El-Sherif E. Patterning with clocks and genetic cascades: Segmentation and regionalization of vertebrate versus insect body plans. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009812. [PMID: 34648490 PMCID: PMC8516289 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Oscillatory and sequential processes have been implicated in the spatial patterning of many embryonic tissues. For example, molecular clocks delimit segmental boundaries in vertebrates and insects and mediate lateral root formation in plants, whereas sequential gene activities are involved in the specification of regional identities of insect neuroblasts, vertebrate neural tube, vertebrate limb, and insect and vertebrate body axes. These processes take place in various tissues and organisms, and, hence, raise the question of what common themes and strategies they share. In this article, we review 2 processes that rely on the spatial regulation of periodic and sequential gene activities: segmentation and regionalization of the anterior-posterior (AP) axis of animal body plans. We study these processes in species that belong to 2 different phyla: vertebrates and insects. By contrasting 2 different processes (segmentation and regionalization) in species that belong to 2 distantly related phyla (arthropods and vertebrates), we elucidate the deep logic of patterning by oscillatory and sequential gene activities. Furthermore, in some of these organisms (e.g., the fruit fly Drosophila), a mode of AP patterning has evolved that seems not to overtly rely on oscillations or sequential gene activities, providing an opportunity to study the evolution of pattern formation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarete Diaz-Cuadros
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Olivier Pourquié
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ezzat El-Sherif
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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29
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Anlas K, Trivedi V. Studying evolution of the primary body axis in vivo and in vitro. eLife 2021; 10:e69066. [PMID: 34463611 PMCID: PMC8456739 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The metazoan body plan is established during early embryogenesis via collective cell rearrangements and evolutionarily conserved gene networks, as part of a process commonly referred to as gastrulation. While substantial progress has been achieved in terms of characterizing the embryonic development of several model organisms, underlying principles of many early patterning processes nevertheless remain enigmatic. Despite the diversity of (pre-)gastrulating embryo and adult body shapes across the animal kingdom, the body axes, which are arguably the most fundamental features, generally remain identical between phyla. Recently there has been a renewed appreciation of ex vivo and in vitro embryo-like systems to model early embryonic patterning events. Here, we briefly review key examples and propose that similarities in morphogenesis and associated gene expression dynamics may reveal an evolutionarily conserved developmental mode as well as provide further insights into the role of external or extraembryonic cues in shaping the early embryo. In summary, we argue that embryo-like systems can be employed to inform previously uncharted aspects of animal body plan evolution as well as associated patterning rules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vikas Trivedi
- EMBL BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- EMBL Heidelberg, Developmental BiologyHeidelbergGermany
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30
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Lebedeva T, Aman AJ, Graf T, Niedermoser I, Zimmermann B, Kraus Y, Schatka M, Demilly A, Technau U, Genikhovich G. Cnidarian-bilaterian comparison reveals the ancestral regulatory logic of the β-catenin dependent axial patterning. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4032. [PMID: 34188050 PMCID: PMC8241978 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24346-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In animals, body axis patterning is based on the concentration-dependent interpretation of graded morphogen signals, which enables correct positioning of the anatomical structures. The most ancient axis patterning system acting across animal phyla relies on β-catenin signaling, which directs gastrulation, and patterns the main body axis. However, within Bilateria, the patterning logic varies significantly between protostomes and deuterostomes. To deduce the ancestral principles of β-catenin-dependent axial patterning, we investigate the oral–aboral axis patterning in the sea anemone Nematostella—a member of the bilaterian sister group Cnidaria. Here we elucidate the regulatory logic by which more orally expressed β-catenin targets repress more aborally expressed β-catenin targets, and progressively restrict the initially global, maternally provided aboral identity. Similar regulatory logic of β-catenin-dependent patterning in Nematostella and deuterostomes suggests a common evolutionary origin of these processes and the equivalence of the cnidarian oral–aboral and the bilaterian posterior–anterior body axes. The authors show in Nematostella that the more orally expressed β-catenin targets repress the more aborally expressed β-catenin targets, thus patterning the oral-aboral axis. This likely represents the common mechanism of β-catenin-dependent axial patterning shared by Cnidaria and Bilateria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Lebedeva
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrew J Aman
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Graf
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Isabell Niedermoser
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bob Zimmermann
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yulia Kraus
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye gory 1/12, Moscow, Russia
| | - Magdalena Schatka
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Adrien Demilly
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich Technau
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria
| | - Grigory Genikhovich
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, Austria.
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31
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Ye Z, Braden CR, Wills A, Kimelman D. Identification of in vivo Hox13-binding sites reveals an essential locus controlling zebrafish brachyury expression. Development 2021; 148:268973. [PMID: 34061173 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During early embryogenesis, the vertebrate embryo extends from anterior to posterior because of the progressive addition of cells from a posteriorly localized neuromesodermal progenitor (NMp) population. An autoregulatory loop between Wnt and Brachyury/Tbxt is required for NMps to retain mesodermal potential and, hence, normal axis development. We recently showed that Hox13 genes help to support body axis formation and to maintain the autoregulatory loop, although the direct Hox13 target genes were unknown. Here, using a new method for identifying in vivo transcription factor-binding sites, we identified more than 500 potential Hox13 target genes in zebrafish. Importantly, we found two highly conserved Hox13-binding elements far from the tbxta transcription start site that also contain a conserved Tcf7/Lef1 (Wnt response) site. We show that the proximal of the two elements is sufficient to confer somitogenesis-stage expression to a tbxta promoter that, on its own, only drives NMp expression during gastrulation. Importantly, elimination of this proximal element produces shortened embryos due to aberrant formation of the most posterior somites. Our study provides a potential direct connection between Hox13 and regulation of the Wnt/Brachyury loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Ye
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
| | - Christopher R Braden
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
| | - Andrea Wills
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
| | - David Kimelman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7350, USA
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32
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Ramirez AN, Loubet-Senear K, Srivastava M. A Regulatory Program for Initiation of Wnt Signaling during Posterior Regeneration. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108098. [PMID: 32877680 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-body regeneration relies on the re-establishment of body axes for patterning of new tissue. Wnt signaling is required to correctly regenerate tissues along the primary axis in many animals. However, the causal mechanisms that first launch Wnt signaling during regeneration are poorly characterized. We use the acoel worm Hofstenia miamia to identify processes that initiate Wnt signaling during posterior regeneration and find that the ligand wnt-3 is upregulated early in posterior-facing wounds. Functional studies reveal that wnt-3 is required to regenerate posterior tissues. wnt-3 is expressed in stem cells, it is needed for their proliferation, and its function is stem cell dependent. Chromatin accessibility data reveal that wnt-3 activation requires input from the general wound response. In addition, the expression of a different Wnt ligand, wnt-1, before amputation is required for wound-induced activation of wnt-3. Our study establishes a gene regulatory network for initiating Wnt signaling in posterior tissues in a bilaterian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyson N Ramirez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Loubet-Senear
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Mansi Srivastava
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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33
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Repina NA, McClave T, Johnson HJ, Bao X, Kane RS, Schaffer DV. Engineered Illumination Devices for Optogenetic Control of Cellular Signaling Dynamics. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107737. [PMID: 32521262 PMCID: PMC9357365 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatially and temporally varying patterns of morphogen signals during development drive cell fate specification at the proper location and time. However, current in vitro methods typically do not allow for precise, dynamic spatiotemporal control of morphogen signaling and are thus insufficient to readily study how morphogen dynamics affect cell behavior. Here, we show that optogenetic Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation can be controlled at user-defined intensities, temporal sequences, and spatial patterns using engineered illumination devices for optogenetic photostimulation and light activation at variable amplitudes (LAVA). By patterning human embryonic stem cell (hESC) cultures with varying light intensities, LAVA devices enabled dose-responsive control of optoWnt activation and Brachyury expression. Furthermore, time-varying and spatially localized patterns of light revealed tissue patterning that models the embryonic presentation of Wnt signals in vitro. LAVA devices thus provide a low-cost, user-friendly method for high-throughput and spatiotemporal optogenetic control of cell signaling for applications in developmental and cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Repina
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Thomas McClave
- Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Hunter J Johnson
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Xiaoping Bao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Ravi S Kane
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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34
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Dinh TTH, Iseki H, Mizuno S, Iijima-Mizuno S, Tanimoto Y, Daitoku Y, Kato K, Hamada Y, Hasan ASH, Suzuki H, Murata K, Muratani M, Ema M, Kim JD, Ishida J, Fukamizu A, Kato M, Takahashi S, Yagami KI, Wilson V, Arkell RM, Sugiyama F. Disruption of entire Cables2 locus leads to embryonic lethality by diminished Rps21 gene expression and enhanced p53 pathway. eLife 2021; 10:50346. [PMID: 33949947 PMCID: PMC8099427 DOI: 10.7554/elife.50346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo function of CDK5 and Abl enzyme substrate 2 (Cables2), belonging to the Cables protein family, is unknown. Here, we found that targeted disruption of the entire Cables2 locus (Cables2d) caused growth retardation and enhanced apoptosis at the gastrulation stage and then induced embryonic lethality in mice. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed disruption of Cables2, 50% down-regulation of Rps21 abutting on the Cables2 locus, and up-regulation of p53-target genes in Cables2d gastrulas. We further revealed the lethality phenotype in Rps21-deleted mice and unexpectedly, the exon 1-deleted Cables2 mice survived. Interestingly, chimeric mice derived from Cables2d ESCs carrying exogenous Cables2 and tetraploid wild-type embryo overcame gastrulation. These results suggest that the diminished expression of Rps21 and the completed lack of Cables2 expression are intricately involved in the embryonic lethality via the p53 pathway. This study sheds light on the importance of Cables2 locus in mouse embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tra Thi Huong Dinh
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Ph.D. Program in Human Biology, School of Integrative and Global Majors (SIGMA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Traditional Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.,Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Iseki
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Seiya Mizuno
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Saori Iijima-Mizuno
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Experimental Animal Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoko Tanimoto
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yoko Daitoku
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kanako Kato
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuko Hamada
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ammar Shaker Hamed Hasan
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctor's Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Hayate Suzuki
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctor's Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kazuya Murata
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masatsugu Ema
- Department of Stem Cells and Human Disease Models, Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan.,Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Jun-Dal Kim
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Division of Complex Bioscience Research, Department of Research and Development, Institute of National Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Junji Ishida
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Fukamizu
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Mitsuyasu Kato
- Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Experimental Pathology, Faculty of. Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Yagami
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Valerie Wilson
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, SCRM Building, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth M Arkell
- John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Fumihiro Sugiyama
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Transborder Medical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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35
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Human ES Cell Culture Conditions Fail to Preserve the Mouse Epiblast State. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:8818356. [PMID: 33828592 PMCID: PMC8004371 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8818356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and mouse epiblast stem cells (mEpiSCs) are the pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of preimplantation embryos at embryonic day 3.5 (E3.5) and postimplantation embryos at E5.5-E7.5, respectively. Depending on their environment, PSCs can exist in the so-called naïve (ESCs) or primed (EpiSCs) states. Exposure to EpiSC or human ESC (hESC) culture condition can convert mESCs towards an EpiSC-like state. Here, we show that the undifferentiated epiblast state is however not stabilized in a sustained manner when exposing mESCs to hESC or EpiSC culture condition. Rather, prolonged exposure to EpiSC condition promotes a transition to a primitive streak- (PS-) like state via an unbiased epiblast-like intermediate. We show that the Brachyury-positive PS-like state is likely promoted by endogenous WNT signaling, highlighting a possible species difference between mouse epiblast-like stem cells and human Embryonic Stem Cells.
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36
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Diaz‐Cuadros M, Pourquie O. In vitro systems: A new window to the segmentation clock. Dev Growth Differ 2021; 63:140-153. [PMID: 33460448 PMCID: PMC8048467 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Segmental organization of the vertebrate body plan is established by the segmentation clock, a molecular oscillator that controls the periodicity of somite formation. Given the dynamic nature of the segmentation clock, in vivo studies in vertebrate embryos pose technical challenges. As an alternative, simpler models of the segmentation clock based on primary explants and pluripotent stem cells have recently been developed. These ex vivo and in vitro systems enable more quantitative analysis of oscillatory properties and expand the experimental repertoire applicable to the segmentation clock. Crucially, by eliminating the need for model organisms, in vitro models allow us to study the segmentation clock in new species, including our own. The human oscillator was recently recapitulated using induced pluripotent stem cells, providing a window into human development. Certainly, a combination of in vivo and in vitro work holds the most promising potential to unravel the mechanisms behind vertebrate segmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarete Diaz‐Cuadros
- Department of GeneticsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of PathologyBrigham and Women’s HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Olivier Pourquie
- Department of GeneticsHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of PathologyBrigham and Women’s HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Stem Cell InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
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37
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Söderholm S, Cantù C. The WNT/β‐catenin dependent transcription: A tissue‐specific business. WIREs Mech Dis 2020; 13:e1511. [PMID: 33085215 PMCID: PMC9285942 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
β‐catenin‐mediated Wnt signaling is an ancient cell‐communication pathway in which β‐catenin drives the expression of certain genes as a consequence of the trigger given by extracellular WNT molecules. The events occurring from signal to transcription are evolutionarily conserved, and their final output orchestrates countless processes during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Importantly, a dysfunctional Wnt/β‐catenin pathway causes developmental malformations, and its aberrant activation is the root of several types of cancer. A rich literature describes the multitude of nuclear players that cooperate with β‐catenin to generate a transcriptional program. However, a unified theory of how β‐catenin drives target gene expression is still missing. We will discuss two types of β‐catenin interactors: transcription factors that allow β‐catenin to localize at target regions on the DNA, and transcriptional co‐factors that ultimately activate gene expression. In contrast to the presumed universality of β‐catenin's action, the ensemble of available evidence suggests a view in which β‐catenin drives a complex system of responses in different cells and tissues. A malleable armamentarium of players might interact with β‐catenin in order to activate the right “canonical” targets in each tissue, developmental stage, or disease context. Discovering the mechanism by which each tissue‐specific β‐catenin response is executed will be crucial to comprehend how a seemingly universal pathway fosters a wide spectrum of processes during development and homeostasis. Perhaps more importantly, this could ultimately inform us about which are the tumor‐specific components that need to be targeted to dampen the activity of oncogenic β‐catenin. This article is categorized under:Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Cancer > Stem Cells and Development
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Söderholm
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Linköping University Linköping Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Health Science Linköping University Linköping Sweden
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Linköping University Linköping Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Health Science Linköping University Linköping Sweden
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38
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Pappas MP, Peifer LN, Chan SSK. Dual TGFβ and Wnt inhibition promotes Mesp1-mediated mouse pluripotent stem cell differentiation into functional cardiomyocytes. Dev Growth Differ 2020; 62:487-494. [PMID: 33048365 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Efficient derivation of cardiomyocytes from mouse pluripotent stem cells has proven challenging, and existing approaches rely on expensive supplementation or extensive manipulation. Mesp1 is a transcription factor that regulates cardiovascular specification during embryo development, and its overexpression has been shown to promote cardiogenesis. Here, we utilize a doxycycline-inducible Mesp1-expressing mouse embryonic stem cell system to develop an efficient differentiation protocol to generate functional cardiomyocytes. Our cardiac differentiation method involves transient Mesp1 induction following by subsequent dual inhibition of TGFβ and Wnt signaling pathways using small molecules. We discovered that whereas TGFβ inhibition promoted Mesp1-induced cardiac differentiation, Wnt inhibition was ineffective. Nevertheless, a combined inhibition of both pathways was superior to either inhibition alone in generating cardiomyocytes. These observations suggested a potential interaction between TGFβ and Wnt signaling pathways in the context of Mesp1-induced cardiac differentiation. Using a step-by-step approach, we have further optimized the windows of Mesp1 induction, TGFβ inhibition and Wnt inhibition to yield a maximal cardiomyocyte output - Mesp1 was induced first, followed by dual inhibition of TGFβ and Wnt signaling. Our protocol is capable of producing approximately 50% of cardiomyocytes in 12 days, which is comparable to existing methods, and have the advantages of being technically simple and inexpensive. Moreover, cardiomyocytes thus derived are functional, displaying intrinsic contractile capacity and contraction in response to electric stimulus. Derivation of mouse cardiomyocytes without the use of growth factors or other costly supplementation provides an accessible cell source for future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Pappas
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Lindsay N Peifer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sunny S K Chan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Paul and Shelia Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, Stem Cell Institute, Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Reddy PC, Gungi A, Ubhe S, Galande S. Epigenomic landscape of enhancer elements during Hydra head organizer formation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2020; 13:43. [PMID: 33046126 PMCID: PMC7552563 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-020-00364-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Axis patterning during development is accompanied by large-scale gene expression changes. These are brought about by changes in the histone modifications leading to dynamic alterations in chromatin architecture. The cis regulatory DNA elements also play an important role towards modulating gene expression in a context-dependent manner. Hydra belongs to the phylum Cnidaria where the first asymmetry in the body plan was observed and the oral-aboral axis originated. Wnt signaling has been shown to determine the head organizer function in the basal metazoan Hydra. RESULTS To gain insights into the evolution of cis regulatory elements and associated chromatin signatures, we ectopically activated the Wnt signaling pathway in Hydra and monitored the genome-wide alterations in key histone modifications. Motif analysis of putative intergenic enhancer elements from Hydra revealed the conservation of bilaterian cis regulatory elements that play critical roles in development. Differentially regulated enhancer elements were identified upon ectopic activation of Wnt signaling and found to regulate many head organizer specific genes. Enhancer activity of many of the identified cis regulatory elements was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis upon activation of Wnt signaling further confirmed the enrichment of H3K27ac on the enhancer elements of Hv_Wnt5a, Hv_Wnt11 and head organizer genes Hv_Bra1, CnGsc and Hv_Pitx1. Additionally, perturbation of the putative H3K27me3 eraser activity using a specific inhibitor affected the ectopic activation of Wnt signaling indicating the importance of the dynamic changes in the H3K27 modifications towards regulation of the genes involved in the head organizer activity. CONCLUSIONS The activation-associated histone marks H3K4me3, H3K27ac and H3K9ac mark chromatin in a similar manner as seen in bilaterians. We identified intergenic cis regulatory elements which harbor sites for key transcription factors involved in developmental processes. Differentially regulated enhancers exhibited motifs for many zinc-finger, T-box and ETS related TFs whose homologs have a head specific expression in Hydra and could be a part of the pioneer TF network in the patterning of the head. The ability to differentially modify the H3K27 residue is critical for the patterning of Hydra axis revealing a dynamic acetylation/methylation switch to regulate gene expression and chromatin architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puli Chandramouli Reddy
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Akhila Gungi
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Suyog Ubhe
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India
| | - Sanjeev Galande
- Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411008, India.
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Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are the in vitro counterpart of the pluripotent epiblast of the mammalian embryo with the capacity to generate all cell types of the adult organism. During development, the three definitive germ layers are specified and simultaneously spatially organized. In contrast, differentiating PSCs tend to generate cell fates in a spatially disorganized manner. This has limited the in vitro study of specific cell-cell interactions and patterning mechanisms that occur in vivo. Here we describe a protocol to differentiate mouse PSCs in a spatially organized manner on micropatterned surfaces. Micropatterned chips comprise many colonies of uniform size and geometry facilitating a robust quantitative analysis of patterned fate specification. Furthermore, multiple factors may be simultaneously manipulated with temporal accuracy to probe the dynamic interactions regulating these processes. The micropattern system is scalable, providing a valuable tool to generate material for large-scale analysis and biochemical experiments that require substantial amounts of starting material, difficult to obtain from early embryos.
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TATA box-binding protein-related factor 3 drives the mesendoderm specification of human embryonic stem cells by globally interacting with the TATA box of key mesendodermal genes. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:196. [PMID: 32448362 PMCID: PMC7245780 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01711-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesendodermal formation during early gastrulation requires the expression of lineage-specific genes, while the regulatory mechanisms during this process have not yet been fully illustrated. TATA box-binding protein (TBP) and TBP-like factors are general transcription factors responsible for the transcription initiation by recruiting the preinitiation complex to promoter regions. However, the role of TBP family members in the regulation of mesendodermal specification remains largely unknown. METHODS We used an in vitro mesendodermal differentiation system of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), combining with the microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, loss of function and gain of function to determine the function of the TBP family member TBP-related factor 3 (TRF3) during mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs. The chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and biochemistry analysis were used to determine the binding of TRF3 to the promoter region of key mesendodermal genes. RESULTS The mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs was confirmed by the microarray gene expression profile, qRT-PCR, and immunocytochemical staining. The expression of TRF3 mRNA was enhanced during mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs. The TRF3 deficiency did not affect the pluripotent marker expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, and cell cycle distribution of undifferentiated hESCs or the expression of early neuroectodermal genes during neuroectodermal differentiation. During the mesendodermal differentiation, the expression of pluripotency markers decreased in both wild-type and TRF3 knockout (TRF3-/-) cells, while the TRF3 deficiency crippled the expression of the mesendodermal markers. The reintroduction of TRF3 into the TRF3-/- hESCs rescued inhibited mesendodermal differentiation. Mechanistically, the TRF3 binding profile was significantly shifted to the mesendodermal specification during mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs based on the ChIP-seq data. Moreover, ChIP and ChIP-qPCR analysis showed that TRF3 was enriched at core promoter regions of mesendodermal developmental genes, EOMESODERMIN, BRACHYURY, mix paired-like homeobox, and GOOSECOID homeobox, during mesendodermal differentiation of hESCs. CONCLUSIONS These results reveal that the TBP family member TRF3 is dispensable in the undifferentiated hESCs and the early neuroectodermal differentiation. However, it directs mesendodermal lineage commitment of hESCs via specifically promoting the transcription of key mesendodermal transcription factors. These findings provide new insights into the function and mechanisms of the TBP family member in hESC early lineage specification.
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Yan X, Li Z, Li H, Liu P, Zhao Z, Cheng S, Wang Z, Zhang Q. Inhibition Of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Beta Suppresses The Growth And Survival Of Skull Base Chordoma Cells By Downregulating Brachyury Expression. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:9783-9791. [PMID: 31819479 PMCID: PMC6874116 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s218930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Chordomas are locally aggressive tumors arising from notochordal remnants. Brachyury, a protein coded by T-gene, is crucial for chordoma cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) activity on brachyury expression and on the growth and survival of skull base chordoma cells. Patients and methods In this study, 16 paraffin-embedded specimens of primary skull base chordomas were analyzed for the expression of phosphorylated GSK3β and brachyury using immunohistochemistry. The UM-Chor1 cell line derived from a clival chordoma was treated with AR-A014418 (AR), an inhibitor of GSK3β, and brachyury expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The possible mechanism by which brachyury regulates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was investigated by immunocytochemistry. The effects of AR on cell proliferation as well as sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs were also examined. Results The results suggested that phosphorylated GSK3β and brachyury were upregulated in chordoma tissues. The GSK3β inhibitor (AR) decreased brachyury expression and suppressed the growth and survival of the chordoma cells, possibly via regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, AR increased the sensitivity of chordoma cells to chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro. Conclusion This study provides evidence for the clinical development of the GSK3β inhibitor (AR-A014418) as a potential chemotherapeutic adjuvant for the treatment of chordoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Yan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyuan Li
- Key Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Zehang Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenlin Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuhang Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Wu T, Kamikawa YF, Donohoe ME. Brd4's Bromodomains Mediate Histone H3 Acetylation and Chromatin Remodeling in Pluripotent Cells through P300 and Brg1. Cell Rep 2019; 25:1756-1771. [PMID: 30428346 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The pluripotent state of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is defined by its transcriptome and epigenome. The chromatin reader Brd4 determines ESC identity. Although Brd4 regulation in gene transcription has been well described, its contribution to the chromatin landscape is less known. Here, we show that Brd4's bromodomains partner with the histone acetyltransferase P300, increasing its enzymatic activities. Augmenting histone acetylation by Brd4-P300 interaction recruits the chromatin remodeler Brg1 altering chromatin structure. This pathway is important for maintaining the expression and chromatin patterns of pluripotency-associated genes, such as Oct4, Nanog, and the X chromosome regulatory long noncoding RNAs Tsix and Xite. Furthermore, we show that the Brd4-P300 interaction regulates the de novo formation of chromatin marks during ESC differentiation, as exemplified by controlling the master regulators of mesoderm formation. Collectively, we delineate the function of Brd4 in organizing the chromatin structure that contributes to gene transcriptional regulation and cell fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wu
- Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, NY 10605, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Brain Mind Research Institute, Department of Cell & Development, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yasunao F Kamikawa
- Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, NY 10605, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Brain Mind Research Institute, Department of Cell & Development, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mary E Donohoe
- Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, NY 10605, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Brain Mind Research Institute, Department of Cell & Development, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Eomes and Brachyury control pluripotency exit and germ-layer segregation by changing the chromatin state. Nat Cell Biol 2019; 21:1518-1531. [PMID: 31792383 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-019-0423-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The first lineage specification of pluripotent mouse epiblast segregates neuroectoderm (NE) from mesoderm and definitive endoderm (ME) by mechanisms that are not well understood. Here we demonstrate that the induction of ME gene programs critically relies on the T-box transcription factors Eomesodermin (also known as Eomes) and Brachyury, which concomitantly repress pluripotency and NE gene programs. Cells deficient in these T-box transcription factors retain pluripotency and differentiate to NE lineages despite the presence of ME-inducing signals transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Nodal and Wnt. Pluripotency and NE gene networks are additionally repressed by ME factors downstream of T-box factor induction, demonstrating a redundancy in program regulation to safeguard mutually exclusive lineage specification. Analyses of chromatin revealed that accessibility of ME enhancers depends on T-box factor binding, whereas NE enhancers are accessible and already activation primed at pluripotency. This asymmetry of the chromatin landscape thus explains the default differentiation of pluripotent cells to NE in the absence of ME induction that depends on activating and repressive functions of Eomes and Brachyury.
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Lee CH. Reversal of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Natural Anti-Inflammatory and Pro-Resolving Lipids. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1841. [PMID: 31766574 PMCID: PMC6966475 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in the progression of malignant cancer. Therefore, blocking the EMT can be a critical fast track for the development of anticancer drugs. In this paper, we update recent research output of EMT and we explore suppression of EMT by natural anti-inflammatory compounds and pro-resolving lipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Hoon Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Seoul 100-715, Korea
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Sagy N, Slovin S, Allalouf M, Pour M, Savyon G, Boxman J, Nachman I. Prediction and control of symmetry breaking in embryoid bodies by environment and signal integration. Development 2019; 146:dev.181917. [PMID: 31575644 DOI: 10.1242/dev.181917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
During early embryogenesis, mechanical constraints and localized biochemical signals co-occur around anteroposterior axis determination and symmetry breaking. Their relative roles, however, are hard to tease apart in vivo Using brachyury (Bra), a primitive streak and mesendoderm marker in mouse embryoid bodies (EBs), we studied how contact, biochemical cues and neighboring cell cues affect the positioning of a primitive streak-like locus and thus determine the anteroposterior axis. We show that a Bra-competent layer must be formed in the EB before Bra expression initiates, and that Bra onset locus position is biased by contact points of the EB with its surrounding, probably through modulation of chemical cues rather than by mechanical signaling. We can push or pull Bra onset away from contact points by introducing a separate localized Wnt signal source, or maneuver Bra onset to a few loci or to an isotropic peripheral pattern. Furthermore, we show that Foxa2-positive cells are predictive of the future location of Bra onset, demonstrating an earlier symmetry-breaking event. Our analysis of factors affecting symmetry breaking and spatial fate choice during this developmental process could prove valuable for in vitro differentiation and organoid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naor Sagy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shaked Slovin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Maya Allalouf
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Maayan Pour
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Gaya Savyon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Jonathan Boxman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Iftach Nachman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) require a complete reorganization of cadherin-based cell-cell junctions. p120-catenin binds to the cytoplasmic juxtamembrane domain of classical cadherins and regulates their stability, suggesting that p120-catenin may play an important role in EMTs. Here, we describe the role of p120-catenin in mouse gastrulation, an EMT that can be imaged at cellular resolution and is accessible to genetic manipulation. Mouse embryos that lack all p120-catenin, or that lack p120-catenin in the embryo proper, survive to midgestation. However, mutants have specific defects in gastrulation, including a high rate of p53-dependent cell death, a bifurcation of the posterior axis, and defects in the migration of mesoderm; all are associated with abnormalities in the primitive streak, the site of the EMT. In embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5) mutants, the domain of expression of the streak marker Brachyury (T) expands more than 3-fold, from a narrow strip of posterior cells to encompass more than one-quarter of the embryo. After E7.5, the enlarged T+ domain splits in 2, separated by a mass of mesoderm cells. Brachyury is a direct target of canonical WNT signaling, and the domain of WNT response in p120-catenin mutant embryos, like the T domain, is first expanded, and then split, and high levels of nuclear β-catenin levels are present in the cells of the posterior embryo that are exposed to high levels of WNT ligand. The data suggest that p120-catenin stabilizes the membrane association of β-catenin, thereby preventing accumulation of nuclear β-catenin and excessive activation of the WNT pathway during EMT.
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Kay M, Soltani BM, Aghdaei FH, Ansari H, Baharvand H. Hsa-miR-335 regulates cardiac mesoderm and progenitor cell differentiation. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:191. [PMID: 31248450 PMCID: PMC6595595 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background WNT and TGFβ signaling pathways play critical regulatory roles in cardiomyocyte fate determination and differentiation. MiRNAs are also known to regulate different biological processes and signaling pathways. Here, we intended to find candidate miRNAs that are involved in cardiac differentiation through regulation of WNT and TGFβ signaling pathways. Methods Bioinformatics analysis suggested hsa-miR-335-3p and hsa-miR-335-5p as regulators of cardiac differentiation. Then, RT-qPCR, dual luciferase, TOP/FOP flash, and western blot analyses were done to confirm the hypothesis. Results Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were differentiated into beating cardiomyocytes, and these miRNAs showed significant expression during the differentiation process. Gain and loss of function of miR-335-3p and miR-335-5p resulted in BRACHYURY, GATA4, and NKX2-5 (cardiac differentiation markers) expression alteration during the course of hESC cardiac differentiation. The overexpression of miR-335-3p and miR-335-5p also led to upregulation of CNX43 and TNNT2 expression, respectively. Our results suggest that this might be mediated through enhancement of WNT and TGFβ signaling pathways. Conclusion Overall, we show that miR-335-3p/5p upregulates cardiac mesoderm (BRACHYURY) and cardiac progenitor cell (GATA4 and NKX2-5) markers, which are potentially mediated through activation of WNT and TGFβ signaling pathways. Our findings suggest miR-335-3p/5p to be considered as a regulator of the cardiac differentiation process. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-019-1249-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Kay
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Mohammad Soltani
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, 14115-111, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fahimeh Hosseini Aghdaei
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Ansari
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran. .,Royan Institute, P.O. Box: 16635-148, Banihashem Sq., Banihashem St., Ressalat Highway, Tehran, 1665659911, Iran.
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Transfection of T-Box Transcription Factor BRACHYURY and SOX2 Synergistically Promote Self-Renewal and Invasive Phenotype in Oral Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113620. [PMID: 30453543 PMCID: PMC6275038 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) correlates with cancer metastasis. In addition, there is growing evidence of the association of EMT with cancer stem cells (CSCs). Recently, we showed that the T-box transcription factor BRACHYURY could be a strong regulator of EMT and the CSC phenotype, which were effectively suppressed by a BRACHYURY knockdown in an adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line. In this study, we further tested whether BRACHYURY is a regulator of cancer stemness by means of forced expression of BRACHYURY in oral cancer cell lines. BRACHYURY, SOX2, or both were stably transfected into oral carcinoma cell lines. We analysed these transfectants with respect to self-renewal phenotypes using a sphere-formation assay, and we assessed the expression levels of EMT markers and stem cell markers using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell migration and invasiveness in vitro were evaluated using a wound healing assay and a tumour cell dissemination assay, respectively. Forced expression of BRACHYURY or SOX2 slightly increased expression of EMT and stem cell markers and the self-renewal phenotype. The expression levels, however, were much lower compared to those of cancer stem cell-like cells. Forced co-expression of BRACHYURY and SOX2 strongly upregulated EMT and stem cell markers and the self-renewal phenotype. Cell migration and invasiveness in vitro were also remarkably enhanced. These synergistic effects increased expression levels of FIBRONECTIN, SNAIL, SLUG, ZEB1, and TGF-β2. In particular, the effects on FIBRONECTIN and TGF-β2 were significant. We found that BRACHYURY and SOX2 synergistically promote cancer stemness in oral cancer cells. This finding points to the importance of gene or protein networks associated with BRACHYURY and SOX2 in the development and maintenance of the CSC phenotype.
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Warkus ELL, Marikawa Y. Fluoxetine Inhibits Canonical Wnt Signaling to Impair Embryoid Body Morphogenesis: Potential Teratogenic Mechanisms of a Commonly Used Antidepressant. Toxicol Sci 2018; 165:372-388. [PMID: 29893963 PMCID: PMC6154268 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluoxetine is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Epidemiologic studies have suggested a link between maternal fluoxetine use during pregnancy and an increased incidence of birth defects. However, the mechanisms by which fluoxetine adversely impacts embryonic developments are unknown. Here, we used the mouse P19C5 embryoid body (EB) as a 3D morphogenesis model to investigate the developmental toxicity of fluoxetine. Morphological and molecular changes in P19C5 EBs replicate the processes of axial elongation and patterning seen in early embryos, and these changes are specifically and sensitively altered by exposure to developmental toxicants. Treatment with fluoxetine, or its major metabolite, norfluoxetine, adversely affected EB morphogenesis at concentrations of 6 µM and above. Treatment with other serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin itself did not impair EB morphogenesis, suggesting that the adverse effects of fluoxetine are independent of serotonin signaling. Gene expression analyses showed that various key developmental regulators were affected by fluoxetine, particularly those involved in mesodermal differentiation. Reporter assays demonstrated that fluoxetine inhibited canonical Wnt signaling, and that the pharmacologic activation of canonical Wnt signaling partially alleviated the morphogenetic effects of fluoxetine. Fluoxetine also exhibited cytostatic effects independently of inhibition of the serotonin transporter or canonical Wnt signaling. These results suggest that the SSRI-independent actions of fluoxetine, namely inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling and reduction of cellular proliferation, are largely responsible for the observed adverse morphogenetic impacts. This study provides mechanistic insight for further investigations on the teratogenicity of fluoxetine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica L L Warkus
- Developmental and Reproductive Biology Graduate Program, Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
| | - Yusuke Marikawa
- Developmental and Reproductive Biology Graduate Program, Institute for Biogenesis Research, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
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