1
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Saibo NV, Maiti S, Boral S, Banerjee P, Kushwaha T, Inampudi KK, Goswami R, De S. The intrinsically disordered transactivation region of HOXA9 regulates its function by auto-inhibition of its DNA-binding activity. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 273:132704. [PMID: 38825283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132704] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
HOXA9 transcription factor is expressed in hematopoietic stem cells and is involved in the regulation of their differentiation and maturation to various blood cells. HOXA9 is linked to various leukemia and is a marker for poor prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This protein has a conserved DNA-binding homeodomain and a transactivation domain. We show that this N-terminal transactivation domain is intrinsically disordered and inhibits DNA-binding by the homeodomain. Using NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation, we show that the hexapeptide 197AANWLH202 in the disordered region transiently occludes the DNA-binding interface. The hexapeptide also forms a rigid segment, as determined by NMR dynamics, in an otherwise flexible disordered region. Interestingly, this hexapeptide is known to mediate the interaction of HOXA9 and its TALE partner proteins, such as PBX1, and help in cooperative DNA binding. Mutation of tryptophan to alanine in the hexapeptide abrogates the DNA-binding auto-inhibition. We propose that the disordered transactivation region plays a dual role in the regulation of HOXA9 function. In the absence of TALE partners, it inhibits DNA binding, and in the presence of TALE partners it interacts with the TALE protein and facilitates the cooperative DNA binding by the HOX-TALE complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita V Saibo
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Snigdha Maiti
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Soumendu Boral
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Puja Banerjee
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Tushar Kushwaha
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Krishna K Inampudi
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ritobrata Goswami
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India
| | - Soumya De
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, WB 721302, India.
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2
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Marchese D, Guislain F, Pringels T, Bridoux L, Rezsohazy R. A poly-histidine motif of HOXA1 is involved in regulatory interactions with cysteine-rich proteins. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:194993. [PMID: 37952572 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Homopolymeric amino acid repeats are found in about 24 % of human proteins and are over-represented in transcriptions factors and kinases. Although relatively rare, homopolymeric histidine repeats (polyH) are more significantly found in proteins involved in the regulation of embryonic development. To gain a better understanding of the role of polyH in these proteins, we used a bioinformatic approach to search for shared features in the interactomes of polyH-containing proteins in human. Our analysis revealed that polyH protein interactomes are enriched in cysteine-rich proteins and in proteins containing (a) cysteine repeat(s). Focusing on HOXA1, a HOX transcription factor displaying one long polyH motif, we identified that the polyH motif is required for the HOXA1 interaction with such cysteine-rich proteins. We observed a correlation between the length of the polyH repeat and the strength of the HOXA1 interaction with one Cys-rich protein, MDFI. We also found that metal ion chelators disrupt the HOXA1-MDFI interaction supporting that such metal ions are required for the interaction. Furthermore, we identified three polyH interactors which down-regulate the transcriptional activity of HOXA1. Taken together, our data point towards the involvement of polyH and cysteines in regulatory interactions between proteins, notably transcription factors like HOXA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Marchese
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Place Croix du Sud 5 (L7.07.10), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Florent Guislain
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Place Croix du Sud 5 (L7.07.10), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Tamara Pringels
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Place Croix du Sud 5 (L7.07.10), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Laure Bridoux
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Place Croix du Sud 5 (L7.07.10), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - René Rezsohazy
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, Place Croix du Sud 5 (L7.07.10), B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
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3
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Jiang Y, Chiu TP, Mitra R, Rohs R. Probing the role of the protonation state of a minor groove-linker histidine in Exd-Hox-DNA binding. Biophys J 2024; 123:248-259. [PMID: 38130056 PMCID: PMC10808038 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA recognition and targeting by transcription factors (TFs) through specific binding are fundamental in biological processes. Furthermore, the histidine protonation state at the TF-DNA binding interface can significantly influence the binding mechanism of TF-DNA complexes. Nevertheless, the role of histidine in TF-DNA complexes remains underexplored. Here, we employed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations using AlphaFold2-modeled complexes based on previously solved co-crystal structures to probe the role of the His-12 residue in the Extradenticle (Exd)-Sex combs reduced (Scr)-DNA complex when binding to Scr and Ultrabithorax (Ubx) target sites. Our results demonstrate that the protonation state of histidine notably affected the DNA minor-groove width profile and binding free energy. Examining flanking sequences of various binding affinities derived from SELEX-seq experiments, we analyzed the relationship between binding affinity and specificity. We uncovered how histidine protonation leads to increased binding affinity but can lower specificity. Our findings provide new mechanistic insights into the role of histidine in modulating TF-DNA binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibei Jiang
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tsu-Pei Chiu
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Raktim Mitra
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Remo Rohs
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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4
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Pinto PB, Domsch K, Lohmann I. Hox function and specificity – A tissue centric view. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022:S1084-9521(22)00353-6. [PMID: 36517344 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Since their discovery, the Hox genes, with their incredible power to reprogram the identity of complete body regions, a phenomenon called homeosis, have captured the fascination of many biologists. Recent research has provided new insights into the function of Hox proteins in different germ layers and the mechanisms they employ to control tissue morphogenesis. We focus in this review on the ectoderm and mesoderm to highlight new findings and discuss them with regards to established concepts of Hox target gene regulation. Furthermore, we highlight the molecular mechanisms involved the transcriptional repression of specific groups of Hox target genes, and summarize the role of Hox mediated gene silencing in tissue development. Finally, we reflect on recent findings identifying a large number of tissue-specific Hox interactor partners, which open up new avenues and directions towards a better understanding of Hox function and specificity in different tissues.
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5
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Ghoshdastidar D, Bansal M. Flexibility of flanking DNA is a key determinant of transcription factor affinity for the core motif. Biophys J 2022; 121:3987-4000. [PMID: 35978548 PMCID: PMC9674967 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective gene regulation is mediated by recognition of specific DNA sequences by transcription factors (TFs). The extremely challenging task of searching out specific cognate DNA binding sites among several million putative sites within the eukaryotic genome is achieved by complex molecular recognition mechanisms. Elements of this recognition code include the core binding sequence, the flanking sequence context, and the shape and conformational flexibility of the composite binding site. To unravel the extent to which DNA flexibility modulates TF binding, in this study, we employed experimentally guided molecular dynamics simulations of ternary complex of closely related Hox heterodimers Exd-Ubx and Exd-Scr with DNA. Results demonstrate that flexibility signatures embedded in the flanking sequences impact TF binding at the cognate binding site. A DNA sequence has intrinsic shape and flexibility features. While shape features are localized, our analyses reveal that flexibility features of the flanking sequences percolate several basepairs and allosterically modulate TF binding at the core. We also show that lack of flexibility in the motif context can render the cognate site resistant to protein-induced shape changes and subsequently lower TF binding affinity. Overall, this study suggests that flexibility-guided DNA shape, and not merely the static shape, is a key unexplored component of the complex DNA-TF recognition code.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manju Bansal
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India.
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6
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Sipani R, Joshi R. Hox genes collaborate with helix-loop-helix factor Grainyhead to promote neuroblast apoptosis along the anterior-posterior axis of the Drosophila larval central nervous system. Genetics 2022; 222:6632667. [DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Hox genes code for a family of a homeodomain (HD) containing transcription factors that use TALE-HD containing factors Pbx/Exd and Meis/Hth to specify the development of the anterior-posterior (AP) axis of an organism. However, the absence of TALE-HD containing factors from specific tissues emphasizes the need to identify and validate new Hox cofactors. In Drosophila central nervous system (CNS), Hox execute segment-specific apoptosis of neural stem cells (neuroblasts-NBs) and neurons. In abdominal segments of larval CNS, Hox gene Abdominal-A (AbdA) mediates NB apoptosis with the help of Exd and bHLH factor Grainyhead (Grh) using a 717 bp apoptotic enhancer. In this study, we show that this enhancer is critical for abdominal NB apoptosis and relies on two separable set of DNA binding motifs responsible for its initiation and maintenance. Our results also show that AbdA and Grh interact through their highly conserved DNA binding domains, and the DNA binding specificity of AbdA-HD is important for it to interact with Grh and essential for it to execute NB apoptosis in CNS. We also establish that Grh is required for Hox-dependent NB apoptosis in Labial and Sex Combs Reduced (Scr) expressing regions of the CNS, and it can physically interact with all the Hox proteins in vitro. Our biochemical and functional data collectively support the idea that Grh can function as a Hox cofactor and help them carry out their in vivo roles during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Sipani
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) , Inner Ring Road, Uppal, Hyderabad-500039. India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education , Manipal 576104, India
| | - Rohit Joshi
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) , Inner Ring Road, Uppal, Hyderabad-500039. India
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7
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Özturan D, Morova T, Lack NA. Androgen Receptor-Mediated Transcription in Prostate Cancer. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050898. [PMID: 35269520 PMCID: PMC8909478 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR)-mediated transcription is critical in almost all stages of prostate cancer (PCa) growth and differentiation. This process involves a complex interplay of coregulatory proteins, chromatin remodeling complexes, and other transcription factors that work with AR at cis-regulatory enhancer regions to induce the spatiotemporal transcription of target genes. This enhancer-driven mechanism is remarkably dynamic and undergoes significant alterations during PCa progression. In this review, we discuss the AR mechanism of action in PCa with a focus on how cis-regulatory elements modulate gene expression. We explore emerging evidence of genetic variants that can impact AR regulatory regions and alter gene transcription in PCa. Finally, we highlight several outstanding questions and discuss potential mechanisms of this critical transcription factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doğancan Özturan
- School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey;
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Tunç Morova
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada;
| | - Nathan A. Lack
- School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey;
- Koç University Research Centre for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3Z6, Canada;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-604-875-4411 (ext. 6417)
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8
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Joshi R, Sipani R, Bakshi A. Roles of Drosophila Hox Genes in the Assembly of Neuromuscular Networks and Behavior. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:786993. [PMID: 35071230 PMCID: PMC8777297 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.786993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hox genes have been known for specifying the anterior-posterior axis (AP) in bilaterian body plans. Studies in vertebrates have shown their importance in developing region-specific neural circuitry and diversifying motor neuron pools. In Drosophila, they are instrumental for segment-specific neurogenesis and myogenesis early in development. Their robust expression in differentiated neurons implied their role in assembling region-specific neuromuscular networks. In the last decade, studies in Drosophila have unequivocally established that Hox genes go beyond their conventional functions of generating cellular diversity along the AP axis of the developing central nervous system. These roles range from establishing and maintaining the neuromuscular networks to controlling their function by regulating the motor neuron morphology and neurophysiology, thereby directly impacting the behavior. Here we summarize the limited knowledge on the role of Drosophila Hox genes in the assembly of region-specific neuromuscular networks and their effect on associated behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Joshi
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India
| | - Rashmi Sipani
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India.,Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Asif Bakshi
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad, India.,Graduate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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9
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Dynamic Expression of the Homeobox Factor PBX1 during Mouse Testis Development. ENDOCRINES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/endocrines3010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the pre-B-cell leukemia transcription factor (PBX) family of homeoproteins are mainly known for their involvement in hematopoietic cell differentiation and in the development of leukemia. The four PBX proteins, PBX1, PBX2, PBX3 and PBX4, belong to the three amino acid loop extension (TALE) superfamily of homeoproteins which are important transcriptional cofactors in several developmental processes involving homeobox (HOX) factors. Mutations in the human PBX1 gene are responsible for cases of gonadal dysgenesis with absence of male sex differentiation while Pbx1 inactivation in the mouse causes a failure in Leydig cell differentiation and function. However, no data is available regarding the expression profile of this transcription factor in the testis. To fill this knowledge gap, we have characterized PBX1 expression during mouse testicular development. Real time PCRs and Western blots confirmed the presence Pbx1 mRNA and PBX1 protein in different Leydig and Sertoli cell lines. The cellular localization of the PBX1 protein was determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence on mouse testis sections at different embryonic and postnatal developmental stages. PBX1 was detected in interstitial cells and in peritubular myoid cells from embryonic life until puberty. Most interstitial cells expressing PBX1 do not express the Leydig cell marker CYP17A1, indicating that they are not differentiated and steroidogenically active Leydig cells. In adults, PBX1 was mainly detected in Sertoli cells. The presence of PBX1 in different somatic cell populations during testicular development further supports a direct role for this transcription factor in testis cell differentiation and in male reproductive function.
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10
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The Small-Molecule Wnt Inhibitor ICG-001 Efficiently Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Stemness and Metastasis by Suppressing MEIS1 Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413413. [PMID: 34948208 PMCID: PMC8704261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrence and metastasis remain major obstacles in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. Recent studies suggest that a small subpopulation of cells with a self-renewal ability, called cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), promotes recurrence and metastasis in CRC. Unfortunately, no CSC inhibitor has been demonstrated to be more effective than existing chemotherapeutic drugs, resulting in a significant unmet need for effective CRC therapies. In this study, transcriptomic profiling of metastatic tumors from CRC patients revealed significant upregulation in the Wnt pathway and stemness genes. Thus, we examined the therapeutic effect of the small-molecule Wnt inhibitor ICG-001 on cancer stemness and metastasis. The ICG-001 treatment efficiently attenuated self-renewal activity and metastatic potential. Mechanistically, myeloid ecotropic viral insertion site 1 (MEIS1) was identified as a target gene of ICG-001 that is transcriptionally regulated by Wnt signaling. A series of functional analyses revealed that MEIS1 enhanced the CSC behavior and metastatic potential of the CRC cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that ICG-001 efficiently inhibits CRC stemness and metastasis by suppressing MEIS1 expression. These results provide a basis for the further clinical investigation of ICG-001 as a targeted therapy for CSCs, opening a new avenue for the development of novel Wnt inhibitors for the treatment of CRC metastasis.
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11
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Cain B, Gebelein B. Mechanisms Underlying Hox-Mediated Transcriptional Outcomes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:787339. [PMID: 34869389 PMCID: PMC8635045 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.787339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metazoans differentially express multiple Hox transcription factors to specify diverse cell fates along the developing anterior-posterior axis. Two challenges arise when trying to understand how the Hox transcription factors regulate the required target genes for morphogenesis: First, how does each Hox factor differ from one another to accurately activate and repress target genes required for the formation of distinct segment and regional identities? Second, how can a Hox factor that is broadly expressed in many tissues within a segment impact the development of specific organs by regulating target genes in a cell type-specific manner? In this review, we highlight how recent genomic, interactome, and cis-regulatory studies are providing new insights into answering these two questions. Collectively, these studies suggest that Hox factors may differentially modify the chromatin of gene targets as well as utilize numerous interactions with additional co-activators, co-repressors, and sequence-specific transcription factors to achieve accurate segment and cell type-specific transcriptional outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Cain
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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12
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Gavory G, Baril C, Laberge G, Bidla G, Koonpaew S, Sonea T, Sauvageau G, Therrien M. A genetic screen in Drosophila uncovers the multifaceted properties of the NUP98-HOXA9 oncogene. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009730. [PMID: 34383740 PMCID: PMC8384169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) underlies the uncontrolled accumulation of immature myeloid blasts. Several cytogenetic abnormalities have been associated with AML. Among these is the NUP98-HOXA9 (NA9) translocation that fuses the Phe-Gly repeats of nucleoporin NUP98 to the homeodomain of the transcription factor HOXA9. The mechanisms enabling NA9-induced leukemia are poorly understood. Here, we conducted a genetic screen in Drosophila for modifiers of NA9. The screen uncovered 29 complementation groups, including genes with mammalian homologs known to impinge on NA9 activity. Markedly, the modifiers encompassed a diversity of functional categories, suggesting that NA9 perturbs multiple intracellular events. Unexpectedly, we discovered that NA9 promotes cell fate transdetermination and that this phenomenon is greatly influenced by NA9 modifiers involved in epigenetic regulation. Together, our work reveals a network of genes functionally connected to NA9 that not only provides insights into its mechanism of action, but also represents potential therapeutic targets. Acute myeloid leukemia or AML is a cancer of blood cells. Despite significant progress in recent years, a majority of afflicted individuals still succumbs to the disease. A variety of genetic defects have been associated to AML. Among these are chromosomal translocations, which entail the fusion of two genes, leading to the production of cancer-inducing chimeric proteins. A representative example is the NUP98-HOXA9 oncoprotein, which results from the fusion of the NUP98 and HOXA9 genes. The mechanism of action of NUP98-HOXA9 remains poorly understood. Given the evolutionarily conservation of NUP98 and HOXA9 as well as basic cellular processes across multicellular organisms, we took advantage of Drosophila fruit flies as a genetic tool to identify genes that impinge on the activity of human NUP98-HOXA9. Surprisingly, this approach identified a relatively large spectrum of conserved genes that engaged in functional interplay with NUP98-HOXA9, which indicated the pervasive effects that this oncogene has on basic cellular events. While some genes have been previously linked to NUP98-HOXA9, thus validating our experimental approach, several others are novel and as such represent potentially new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaëlle Gavory
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Caroline Baril
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Gino Laberge
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Gawa Bidla
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Surapong Koonpaew
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Thomas Sonea
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Guy Sauvageau
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Département de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Marc Therrien
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Département de pathologie et de biologie cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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13
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Rao S, Ahmad K, Ramachandran S. Cooperative binding between distant transcription factors is a hallmark of active enhancers. Mol Cell 2021; 81:1651-1665.e4. [PMID: 33705711 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Enhancers harbor binding motifs that recruit transcription factors (TFs) for gene activation. While cooperative binding of TFs at enhancers is known to be critical for transcriptional activation of a handful of developmental enhancers, the extent of TF cooperativity genome-wide is unknown. Here, we couple high-resolution nuclease footprinting with single-molecule methylation profiling to characterize TF cooperativity at active enhancers in the Drosophila genome. Enrichment of short micrococcal nuclease (MNase)-protected DNA segments indicates that the majority of enhancers harbor two or more TF-binding sites, and we uncover protected fragments that correspond to co-bound sites in thousands of enhancers. From the analysis of co-binding, we find that cooperativity dominates TF binding in vivo at the majority of active enhancers. Cooperativity is highest between sites spaced 50 bp apart, indicating that cooperativity occurs without apparent protein-protein interactions. Our findings suggest nucleosomes promoting cooperativity because co-binding may effectively clear nucleosomes and promote enhancer function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyanarayan Rao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kami Ahmad
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Srinivas Ramachandran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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14
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López-Delgado AC, Delgado I, Cadenas V, Sánchez-Cabo F, Torres M. Axial skeleton anterior-posterior patterning is regulated through feedback regulation between Meis transcription factors and retinoic acid. Development 2021; 148:dev.193813. [PMID: 33298461 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193813] [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: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate axial skeletal patterning is controlled by co-linear expression of Hox genes and axial level-dependent activity of HOX protein combinations. MEIS transcription factors act as co-factors of HOX proteins and profusely bind to Hox complex DNA; however, their roles in mammalian axial patterning remain unknown. Retinoic acid (RA) is known to regulate axial skeletal element identity through the transcriptional activity of its receptors; however, whether this role is related to MEIS/HOX activity remains unknown. Here, we study the role of Meis in axial skeleton formation and its relationship to the RA pathway in mice. Meis elimination in the paraxial mesoderm produces anterior homeotic transformations and rib mis-patterning associated to alterations of the hypaxial myotome. Although Raldh2 and Meis positively regulate each other, Raldh2 elimination largely recapitulates the defects associated with Meis deficiency, and Meis overexpression rescues the axial skeletal defects in Raldh2 mutants. We propose a Meis-RA-positive feedback loop, the output of which is Meis levels, that is essential to establish anterior-posterior identities and patterning of the vertebrate axial skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra C López-Delgado
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
| | - Irene Delgado
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
| | - Vanessa Cadenas
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
| | - Fátima Sánchez-Cabo
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
| | - Miguel Torres
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
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15
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Bulajić M, Srivastava D, Dasen JS, Wichterle H, Mahony S, Mazzoni EO. Differential abilities to engage inaccessible chromatin diversify vertebrate Hox binding patterns. Development 2020; 147:dev194761. [PMID: 33028607 PMCID: PMC7710020 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Although Hox genes encode for conserved transcription factors (TFs), they are further divided into anterior, central and posterior groups based on their DNA-binding domain similarity. The posterior Hox group expanded in the deuterostome clade and patterns caudal and distal structures. We aimed to address how similar Hox TFs diverge to induce different positional identities. We studied Hox TF DNA-binding and regulatory activity during an in vitro motor neuron differentiation system that recapitulates embryonic development. We found diversity in the genomic binding profiles of different Hox TFs, even among the posterior group paralogs that share similar DNA-binding domains. These differences in genomic binding were explained by differing abilities to bind to previously inaccessible sites. For example, the posterior group HOXC9 had a greater ability to bind occluded sites than the posterior HOXC10, producing different binding patterns and driving differential gene expression programs. From these results, we propose that the differential abilities of posterior Hox TFs to bind to previously inaccessible chromatin drive patterning diversification.This article has an associated 'The people behind the papers' interview.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Bulajić
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Divyanshi Srivastava
- Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Jeremy S Dasen
- Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Shaun Mahony
- Center for Eukaryotic Gene Regulation, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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16
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Gonçalves CS, Le Boiteux E, Arnaud P, Costa BM. HOX gene cluster (de)regulation in brain: from neurodevelopment to malignant glial tumours. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 77:3797-3821. [PMID: 32239260 PMCID: PMC11105007 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03508-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
HOX genes encode a family of evolutionarily conserved homeodomain transcription factors that are crucial both during development and adult life. In humans, 39 HOX genes are arranged in four clusters (HOXA, B, C, and D) in chromosomes 7, 17, 12, and 2, respectively. During embryonic development, particular epigenetic states accompany their expression along the anterior-posterior body axis. This tightly regulated temporal-spatial expression pattern reflects their relative chromosomal localization, and is critical for normal embryonic brain development when HOX genes are mainly expressed in the hindbrain and mostly absent in the forebrain region. Epigenetic marks, mostly polycomb-associated, are dynamically regulated at HOX loci and regulatory regions to ensure the finely tuned HOX activation and repression, highlighting a crucial epigenetic plasticity necessary for homeostatic development. HOX genes are essentially absent in healthy adult brain, whereas they are detected in malignant brain tumours, namely gliomas, where HOX genes display critical roles by regulating several hallmarks of cancer. Here, we review the major mechanisms involved in HOX genes (de)regulation in the brain, from embryonic to adult stages, in physiological and oncologic conditions. We focus particularly on the emerging causes of HOX gene deregulation in glioma, as well as on their functional and clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline S Gonçalves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Elisa Le Boiteux
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM-iGReD, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Philippe Arnaud
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM-iGReD, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bruno M Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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17
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Zargari S, Negahban Khameneh S, Rad A, Forghanifard MM. MEIS1 promotes expression of stem cell markers in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:789. [PMID: 32819319 PMCID: PMC7441725 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07307-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MEIS1 (Myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1) as a homeobox (HOX) transcription factor plays regulatory roles in a variety of cellular processes including development, differentiation, survival, apoptosis and hematopoiesis, as well as stem cell regulation. Few studies have established pluripotency and self-renewal regulatory roles for MEIS1 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and our aim in this study was to evaluate the functional correlation between MEIS1 and the stemness markers in ESCC patients and cell line KYSE-30. METHODS Expression pattern of MEIS1 and SALL4 gene expression was analyzed in different pathological features of ESCC patients. shRNA in retroviral vector was used for constantly silencing of MEIS1 mRNA in ESCC line (KYSE-30). Knockdown of MEIS1 gene and the expression pattern of selected stemness markers including SALL4, OCT4, BMI-1, HIWI, NANOG, PLK1, and KLF4 were evaluated using real-time PCR. RESULTS Significant correlations were observed between MEIS1 and stemness marker SALL4 in different early pathological features of ESCC including non-invaded tumors, and the tumors with primary stages of progression. Retroviral knockdown of MEIS1 in KYSE-30 cells caused a noteworthy underexpression of both MEIS1 and major involved markers in stemness state of the cells including SALL4, OCT4, BMI-1, HIWI and KLF4. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight the important potential role of MEIS1 in modulating stemness properties of ESCCs and cells KYSE-30. These findings may confirm the linkage between MEIS1 and self-renewal capacity in ESCC and support probable oncogenic role for MEIS1 in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Zargari
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Shabnam Negahban Khameneh
- Department of Biology, Damghan branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O.Box: 3671639998, Cheshmeh-Ali Boulevard, Sa'dei Square, Damghan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Abolfazl Rad
- Cellular and Molecular Research center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Forghanifard
- Department of Biology, Damghan branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O.Box: 3671639998, Cheshmeh-Ali Boulevard, Sa'dei Square, Damghan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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18
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Chang LW, Tseng IC, Wang LH, Sun YH. Isoform-specific functions of an evolutionarily conserved 3 bp micro-exon alternatively spliced from another exon in Drosophila homothorax gene. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12783. [PMID: 32732884 PMCID: PMC7392893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69644-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-exons are exons of very small size (usually 3–30 nts). Some micro-exons are alternatively spliced. Their functions, regulation and evolution are largely unknown. Here, we present an example of an alternatively spliced 3 bp micro-exon (micro-Ex8) in the homothorax (hth) gene in Drosophila. Hth is involved in many developmental processes. It contains a MH domain and a TALE-class homeodomain (HD). It binds to another homeodomain Exd via its MH domain to promote the nuclear import of the Hth-Exd complex and serve as a cofactor for Hox proteins. The MH and HD domains in Hth as well as the HTh-Exd interaction are highly conserved in evolution. The alternatively spliced micro-exon lies between the exons encoding the MH and HD domains. We provide clear proof that the micro-Ex8 is produced by alternative splicing from a 48 bp full-length exon 8 (FL-Ex8) and the micro-Ex8 is the first three nt is FL-Ex8. We found that the micro-Ex8 is the ancient form and the 3 + 48 organization of alternatively spliced overlapping exons only emerged in the Schizophora group of Diptera and is absolutely conserved in this group. We then used several strategies to test the in vivo function of the two types of isoforms and found that the micro-Ex8 and FL-Ex8 isoforms have largely overlapping functions but also have non-redundant functions that are tissue-specific, which supports their strong evolutionary conservation. Since the different combinations of protein interaction of Hth with Exd and/or Hox can have different DNA target specificity, our finding of alternatively spliced isoforms adds to the spectrum of structural and functional diversity under developmental regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Wen Chang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - I-Chieh Tseng
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Institute of Genomic Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Life Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Lan-Hsin Wang
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Y Henry Sun
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. .,Institute of Genomic Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
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19
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Hankey W, Chen Z, Wang Q. Shaping Chromatin States in Prostate Cancer by Pioneer Transcription Factors. Cancer Res 2020; 80:2427-2436. [PMID: 32094298 PMCID: PMC7299826 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a critical therapeutic target in prostate cancer that responds to antagonists in primary disease, but inevitably becomes reactivated, signaling onset of the lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) stage. Epigenomic investigation of the chromatin environment and interacting partners required for AR transcriptional activity has uncovered three pioneer factors that open up chromatin and facilitate AR-driven transcriptional programs. FOXA1, HOXB13, and GATA2 are required for normal AR transcription in prostate epithelial development and for oncogenic AR transcription during prostate carcinogenesis. AR signaling is dependent upon these three pioneer factors both before and after the clinical transition from treatable androgen-dependent disease to untreatable CRPC. Agents targeting their respective DNA binding or downstream chromatin-remodeling events have shown promise in preclinical studies of CRPC. AR-independent functions of FOXA1, HOXB13, and GATA2 are emerging as well. While all three pioneer factors exert effects that promote carcinogenesis, some of their functions may inhibit certain stages of prostate cancer progression. In all, these pioneer factors represent some of the most promising potential therapeutic targets to emerge thus far from the study of the prostate cancer epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Hankey
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
| | - Qianben Wang
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
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20
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Delgado I, López-Delgado AC, Roselló-Díez A, Giovinazzo G, Cadenas V, Fernández-de-Manuel L, Sánchez-Cabo F, Anderson MJ, Lewandoski M, Torres M. Proximo-distal positional information encoded by an Fgf-regulated gradient of homeodomain transcription factors in the vertebrate limb. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz0742. [PMID: 32537491 PMCID: PMC7269661 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz0742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The positional information theory proposes that a coordinate system provides information to embryonic cells about their position and orientation along a patterning axis. Cells interpret this information to produce the appropriate pattern. During development, morphogens and interpreter transcription factors provide this information. We report a gradient of Meis homeodomain transcription factors along the mouse limb bud proximo-distal (PD) axis antiparallel to and shaped by the inhibitory action of distal fibroblast growth factor (FGF). Elimination of Meis results in premature limb distalization and HoxA expression, proximalization of PD segmental borders, and phocomelia. Our results show that Meis transcription factors interpret FGF signaling to convey positional information along the limb bud PD axis. These findings establish a new model for the generation of PD identities in the vertebrate limb and provide a molecular basis for the interpretation of FGF signal gradients during axial patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Delgado
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandra C. López-Delgado
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Roselló-Díez
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Giovanna Giovinazzo
- Pluripotent Cell Technology Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanessa Cadenas
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Fátima Sánchez-Cabo
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matthew J. Anderson
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Mark Lewandoski
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Miguel Torres
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
- Corresponding author.
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21
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Epigenomic signatures underpin the axonal regenerative ability of dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:1913-1924. [PMID: 31591560 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0490-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Axonal injury results in regenerative success or failure, depending on whether the axon lies in the peripheral or the CNS, respectively. The present study addresses whether epigenetic signatures in dorsal root ganglia discriminate between regenerative and non-regenerative axonal injury. Chromatin immunoprecipitation for the histone 3 (H3) post-translational modifications H3K9ac, H3K27ac and H3K27me3; an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin; and RNA sequencing were performed in dorsal root ganglia after sciatic nerve or dorsal column axotomy. Distinct histone acetylation and chromatin accessibility signatures correlated with gene expression after peripheral, but not central, axonal injury. DNA-footprinting analyses revealed new transcriptional regulators associated with regenerative ability. Machine-learning algorithms inferred the direction of most of the gene expression changes. Neuronal conditional deletion of the chromatin remodeler CCCTC-binding factor impaired nerve regeneration, implicating chromatin organization in the regenerative competence. Altogether, the present study offers the first epigenomic map providing insight into the transcriptional response to injury and the differential regenerative ability of sensory neurons.
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22
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Schulte D, Geerts D. MEIS transcription factors in development and disease. Development 2019; 146:146/16/dev174706. [PMID: 31416930 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MEIS transcription factors are key regulators of embryonic development and cancer. Research on MEIS genes in the embryo and in stem cell systems has revealed novel and surprising mechanisms by which these proteins control gene expression. This Primer summarizes recent findings about MEIS protein activity and regulation in development, and discusses new insights into the role of MEIS genes in disease, focusing on the pathogenesis of solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Schulte
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Dirk Geerts
- Department of Medical Biology L2-109, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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23
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Nagy Á, Ősz Á, Budczies J, Krizsán S, Szombath G, Demeter J, Bödör C, Győrffy B. Elevated HOX gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia is associated with NPM1 mutations and poor survival. J Adv Res 2019; 20:105-116. [PMID: 31333881 PMCID: PMC6614546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal disorder of hematopoietic progenitor cells and the most common malignant myeloid disorder in adults. Several gene mutations such as in NPM1 (nucleophosmin 1) are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of AML. The aim of this study was to identify genes whose expression is associated with driver mutations and survival outcome. Genotype data (somatic mutations) and gene expression data including RNA-seq, microarray, and qPCR data were used for the analysis. Multiple datasets were utilized as training sets (GSE6891, TCGA, and GSE1159). A new clinical sample cohort (Semmelweis set) was established for in vitro validation. Wilcoxon analysis was used to identify genes with expression alterations between the mutant and wild type samples. Cox regression analysis was performed to examine the association between gene expression and survival outcome. Data analysis was performed in the R statistical environment. Eighty-five genes were identified with significantly altered expression when comparing NPM1 mutant and wild type patient groups in the GSE6891 set. Additional training sets were used as a filter to condense the six most significant genes associated with NPM1 mutations. Then, the expression changes of these six genes were confirmed in the Semmelweis set: HOXA5 (P = 3.06E-12, FC = 8.3), HOXA10 (P = 2.44E-09, FC = 3.3), HOXB5 (P = 1.86E-13, FC = 37), MEIS1 (P = 9.82E-10, FC = 4.4), PBX3 (P = 1.03E-13, FC = 5.4) and ITM2A (P = 0.004, FC = 0.4). Cox regression analysis showed that higher expression of these genes - with the exception of ITM2A - was associated with worse overall survival. Higher expression of the HOX genes was identified in tumors harboring NPM1 gene mutations by computationally linking genotype and gene expression. In vitro validation of these genes supports their potential therapeutic application in AML.
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Key Words
- AML, acute myeloid leukemia
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Clinical samples
- FAB classification, French–American–British classification
- FC, fold change
- Gene expression
- HOX genes
- HOX, homeobox
- HR, hazard ratio
- ITD, internal tandem duplication
- MEIS, myeloid ecotropic viral integration site
- Mutation
- NCBI GEO, National Center for Biotechnology Gene expression Omnibus
- OS, overall survival
- PBX, pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox
- Survival
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- WHO, World Health Organization
- qPCR, quantitative polymerase chain reaction
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Nagy
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, Tűzoltó utca 7-9, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Ősz
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, Tűzoltó utca 7-9, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jan Budczies
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Szilvia Krizsán
- MTA-SE Lendület Molecular Oncohematology Research Group, 1st Department of Pathology, and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Szombath
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Demeter
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Bödör
- MTA-SE Lendület Molecular Oncohematology Research Group, 1st Department of Pathology, and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, Tűzoltó utca 7-9, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
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24
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Peng L, Guo H, Ma P, Sun Y, Dennison L, Aplan PD, Hess JL, Friedman AD. HoxA9 binds and represses the Cebpa +8 kb enhancer. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217604. [PMID: 31120998 PMCID: PMC6532930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
C/EBPα plays a key role in specifying myeloid lineage development. HoxA9 is expressed in myeloid progenitors, with its level diminishing during myeloid maturation, and HOXA9 is over-expressed in a majority of acute myeloid leukemia cases, including those expressing NUP98-HOXD13. The objective of this study was to determine whether HoxA9 directly represses Cebpa gene expression. We find 4-fold increased HoxA9 and 5-fold reduced Cebpa in marrow common myeloid and LSK progenitors from Vav-NUP98-HOXD13 transgenic mice. Conversely, HoxA9 decreases 5-fold while Cebpa increases during granulocytic differentiation of 32Dcl3 myeloid cells. Activation of exogenous HoxA9-ER in 32Dcl3 cells reduces Cebpa mRNA even in the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting direct repression. Cebpa transcription in murine myeloid cells is regulated by a hematopoietic-specific +37 kb enhancer and by a more widely active +8 kb enhancer. ChIP-Seq analysis of primary myeloid progenitor cells expressing exogenous HoxA9 or HoxA9-ER demonstrates that HoxA9 localizes to both the +8 kb and +37 kb Cebpa enhancers. Gel shift analysis demonstrates HoxA9 binding to three consensus sites in the +8 kb enhancer, but no affinity for the single near-consensus site present in the +37 kb enhancer. Activity of a Cebpa +8 kb enhancer/promoter-luciferase reporter in 32Dcl3 or MOLM14 myeloid cells is increased ~2-fold by mutation of its three HOXA9-binding sites, suggesting that endogenous HoxA9 represses +8 kb Cebpa enhancer activity. In contrast, mutation of five C/EBPα-binding sites in the +8 kb enhancer reduces activity 3-fold. Finally, expression of a +37 kb enhancer/promoter-hCD4 transgene reporter is reduced ~2-fold in marrow common myeloid progenitors when the Vav-NUP98-HOXD13 transgene is introduced. Overall, these data support the conclusion that HoxA9 represses Cebpa expression, at least in part via inhibition of its +8 kb enhancer, potentially allowing normal myeloid progenitors to maintain immaturity and contributing to the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia associated with increased HOXA9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Peng
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hong Guo
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Peilin Ma
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United Sates of America
| | - Yuqing Sun
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United Sates of America
| | - Lauren Dennison
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Peter D. Aplan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jay L. Hess
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United Sates of America
| | - Alan D. Friedman
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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25
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Shen LY, Zhou T, Du YB, Shi Q, Chen KN. Targeting HOX/PBX dimer formation as a potential therapeutic option in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:1735-1745. [PMID: 30844117 PMCID: PMC6501045 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox genes are known to be classic examples of the intimate relationship between embryogenesis and tumorigenesis, which are a family of transcriptional factors involved in determining cell identity during early development, and also dysregulated in many malignancies. Previously, HOXB7, HOXC6 and HOXC8 were found abnormally upregulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues compared with normal mucosa and seen as poor prognostic predictors for ESCC patients, and were shown to promote cell proliferation and anti‐apoptosis in ESCC cells. These three HOX members have a high level of functional redundancy, making it difficult to target a single HOX gene. The aim of the present study was to explore whether ESCC cells are sensitive to HXR9 disrupting the interaction between multiple HOX proteins and their cofactor PBX, which is required for HOX functions. ESCC cell lines (KYSE70, KYSE150, KYSE450) were treated with HXR9 or CXR9, and coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent colocalization were carried out to observe HOX/PBX dimer formation. To further investigate whether HXR9 disrupts the HOX pro‐oncogenic function, CCK‐8 assay and colony formation assay were carried out. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, and tumor growth in vivo was investigated in a xenograft model. RNA‐seq was used to study the transcriptome of HXR9‐treated cells. Results showed that HXR9 blocked HOX/PBX interaction, leading to subsequent transcription alteration of their potential target genes, which are involved in JAK‐signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activation and apoptosis inducement. Meanwhile, HXR9 showed an antitumor phenotype, such as inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing cell apoptosis and significantly retarding tumor growth. Therefore, it is suggested that targeting HOX/PBX may be a novel effective treatment for ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Yan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Bing Du
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ke-Neng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Thoracic Surgery I, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, Beijing, China
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26
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Ramón-Vázquez A, de la Rosa JV, Tabraue C, Lopez F, Díaz-Chico BN, Bosca L, Tontonoz P, Alemany S, Castrillo A. Common and Differential Transcriptional Actions of Nuclear Receptors Liver X Receptors α and β in Macrophages. Mol Cell Biol 2019; 39:e00376-18. [PMID: 30602495 PMCID: PMC6379585 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00376-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver X receptors α and β (LXRα and LXRβ) are oxysterol-activated transcription factors that coordinately regulate gene expression that is important for cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. In addition to their roles in lipid metabolism, LXRs participate in the transcriptional regulation of macrophage activation and are considered potent regulators of inflammation. LXRs are highly similar, and despite notable exceptions, most of their reported functions are substantially overlapping. However, their individual genomic distribution and transcriptional capacities have not been characterized. Here, we report a macrophage cellular model expressing equivalent levels of tagged LXRs. Analysis of data from chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with deep sequencing revealed that LXRα and LXRβ occupy both overlapping and exclusive genomic regulatory sites of target genes and also control the transcription of a receptor-exclusive set of genes. Analysis of genomic H3K27 acetylation and mRNA transcriptional changes in response to synthetic agonist or antagonist treatments revealed a putative mode of pharmacologically independent regulation of transcription. Integration of microarray and sequencing data enabled the description of three possible mechanisms of LXR transcriptional activation. Together, these results contribute to our understanding of the common and differential genomic actions of LXRs and their impact on biological processes in macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ramón-Vázquez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Biomedicina (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación Medio Ambiente y Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Juan Vladimir de la Rosa
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Biomedicina (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación Medio Ambiente y Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Carlos Tabraue
- Unidad de Biomedicina (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación Medio Ambiente y Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Felix Lopez
- Unidad de Biomedicina (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación Medio Ambiente y Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Bonifacio Nicolas Díaz-Chico
- Unidad de Biomedicina (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación Medio Ambiente y Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Lisardo Bosca
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Biomedicina (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación Medio Ambiente y Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Peter Tontonoz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Susana Alemany
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Biomedicina (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación Medio Ambiente y Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Antonio Castrillo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Unidad de Biomedicina (Unidad Asociada al CSIC), Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Sanitarias, Grupo de Investigación Medio Ambiente y Salud, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
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27
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Maiti S, Acharya B, Boorla VS, Manna B, Ghosh A, De S. Dynamic Studies on Intrinsically Disordered Regions of Two Paralogous Transcription Factors Reveal Rigid Segments with Important Biological Functions. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:1353-1369. [PMID: 30802457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Long stretches of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are abundantly present in eukaryotic transcription factors. Although their biological significance is well appreciated, the underlying structural and dynamic mechanisms of their function are still not clear. Using solution NMR spectroscopy, we have studied the structural and dynamic features of two paralogous HOX transcription factors, SCR and DFD, from Drosophila. Both proteins have a conserved DNA-binding homeodomain and a long stretch of functionally important IDR. Using NMR dynamics, we determined flexibility of each residue in these proteins. The flexibility of the residues in the disordered region is not uniform. In both proteins, the IDRs have short stretches of consecutive residues with relatively less flexibility, that is, higher rigidity. We show that one such rigid segment is specifically recognized by another co-transcription factor, thus highlighting the importance of these rigid segments in IDR-mediated protein-protein interactions. Using molecular dynamics simulation, we further show that the rigid segments sample less conformations compared to the rest of the residues in the disordered region. The restrained conformational sampling of these rigid residues should lower the loss in conformational entropy during their interactions with binding partners resulting in sequence specific binding. This work provides experimental evidence of a "rigid-segment" model of IDRs, where functionally important rigid segments are connected by highly flexible linkers. Furthermore, a comparative study of IDRs in paralogous proteins reveals that in spite of low-sequence conservation, the rigid and flexible segments are sequentially maintained to preserve related functions and regulations of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snigdha Maiti
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Bidisha Acharya
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Veda Sheersh Boorla
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Bharat Manna
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Amit Ghosh
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Soumya De
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India.
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Zandvakili A, Uhl JD, Campbell I, Salomone J, Song YC, Gebelein B. The cis-regulatory logic underlying abdominal Hox-mediated repression versus activation of regulatory elements in Drosophila. Dev Biol 2018; 445:226-236. [PMID: 30468713 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
During development diverse transcription factor inputs are integrated by cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) to yield cell-specific gene expression. Defining how CRMs recruit the appropriate combinations of factors to either activate or repress gene expression remains a challenge. In this study, we compare and contrast the ability of two CRMs within the Drosophila embryo to recruit functional Hox transcription factor complexes. The DCRE CRM recruits Ultrabithorax (Ubx) and Abdominal-A (Abd-A) Hox complexes that include the Extradenticle (Exd) and Homothorax (Hth) transcription factors to repress the Distal-less leg selector gene, whereas the RhoA CRM selectively recruits Abd-A/Exd/Hth complexes to activate rhomboid and stimulate Epidermal Growth Factor secretion in sensory cell precursors. By swapping binding sites between these elements, we found that the RhoA Exd/Hth/Hox site configuration that mediates Abd-A specific activation can convey transcriptional repression by both Ubx and Abd-A when placed into the DCRE. We further show that the orientation and spacing of Hox sites relative to additional binding sites within the RhoA and DCRE is critical to mediate cell- and segment-specific output. These results indicate that the configuration of Exd, Hth, and Hox site within RhoA is neither Abd-A specific nor activation specific. Instead Hox specific output is largely dependent upon the presence of appropriately spaced and oriented binding sites for additional TF inputs. Taken together, these studies provide insight into the cis-regulatory logic used to generate cell-specific outputs via recruiting Hox transcription factor complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Zandvakili
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Medical-Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Juli D Uhl
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ian Campbell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Joseph Salomone
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Medical-Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Yuntao Charlie Song
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7007, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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29
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Maeda RK, Sitnik JL, Frei Y, Prince E, Gligorov D, Wolfner MF, Karch F. The lncRNA male-specific abdominal plays a critical role in Drosophila accessory gland development and male fertility. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007519. [PMID: 30011265 PMCID: PMC6067764 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although thousands of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) have been identified in the genomes of higher eukaryotes, the precise function of most of them is still unclear. Here, we show that a >65 kb, male-specific, lncRNA, called male-specific abdominal (msa) is required for the development of the secondary cells of the Drosophila male accessory gland (AG). msa is transcribed from within the Drosophila bithorax complex and shares much of its sequence with another lncRNA, the iab-8 lncRNA, which is involved in the development of the central nervous system (CNS). Both lncRNAs perform much of their functions via a shared miRNA embedded within their sequences. Loss of msa, or of the miRNA it contains, causes defects in secondary cell morphology and reduces male fertility. Although both lncRNAs express the same miRNA, the phenotype in the secondary cells and the CNS seem to reflect misregulation of different targets in the two tissues. In many animals, the male seminal fluid induces physiology changes in the mated female that increase a male’s reproductive success. These changes are often referred to as the post-mating response (PMR). In Drosophila, the seminal fluid proteins responsible for generating the PMR are made in a specialized gland, analogous to the mammalian seminal vesicle and prostate, called the accessory gland (AG). In this work, we show that a male-specific, long, non-coding RNA (lncRNA), called msa, plays a critical role in the development and function of this gland, primarily through a microRNA (miRNA) encoded within its sequence. This same miRNA had previously been shown to be expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) via an alternative promoter, where its ability to repress homeotic genes is required for both male and female fertility. Here, we present evidence that the targets of this miRNA in the AG are likely different from those found in the CNS. Thus, the same miRNA seems to have been selected to affect Drosophila fertility through two different mechanisms. Although many non-coding RNAs have now been identified, very few can be shown to have function. Our work highlights a lncRNA that has multiple biological functions, affecting cellular morphology and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert K. Maeda
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (RKM); (FK)
| | - Jessica L. Sitnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Yohan Frei
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elodie Prince
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dragan Gligorov
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mariana F. Wolfner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - François Karch
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (RKM); (FK)
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30
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Li G, Han N, Yang H, Wang L, Lin X, Diao S, Du J, Dong R, Wang S, Fan Z. Homeobox C10 inhibits the osteogenic differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells. Connect Tissue Res 2018; 59:201-211. [PMID: 28605223 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2017.1341496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a reliable cell source for tissue regeneration. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the directed differentiation of MSCs remain unclear which impedes potential clinical applications. Recent studies have discovered that Homeobox (HOX) genes are involved in the differentiation regulation of MSCs and bone formation. In this study, we investigate the HOXC10 function in the osteogenic differentiation potential of MSCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were used in this study. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, ALP staining, Alizarin red staining, quantitative calcium analysis, osteogenesis-associated gene expression, and in vivo transplantation experiments were used to study osteogenic differentiation potential. RESULTS Our results showed that overexpression of HOXC10 in SCAPs inhibited ALP activity and mineralization in vitro and decreased the mRNA expression of collagen alpha-1 (I) chain, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, and a key transcription factor, runt-related transcription factor 2, in SCAPs. Depletion of HOXC10 promoted osteogenic differentiation in SCAPs in vitro. In addition, in vivo transplantation experiments in nude mice confirmed that SCAPs osteogenesis was triggered when HOXC10 was downregulated. Furthermore, depletion of HOXC10 also enhanced osteogenic differentiation in ADSCs. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results indicated that HOXC10 decreased the MSC osteogenic differentiation potential. Thus, inhibition of HOXC10 in MSCs might have the potential to improve tissue regeneration and provide insight into the mechanism underlying the directed differentiation of MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoqing Li
- a Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China.,b Molecular Laboratory for Gene Therapy and Tooth Regeneration, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China
| | - Nannan Han
- a Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China.,c Department of Periodontology , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China
| | - Haoqing Yang
- a Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China
| | - Liping Wang
- a Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China
| | - Xiao Lin
- a Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China.,d Department of Implant Dentistry , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China
| | - Shu Diao
- a Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China.,e Department of Pediatric Dentistry , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China
| | - Juan Du
- a Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China
| | - Rui Dong
- a Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China
| | - Songlin Wang
- b Molecular Laboratory for Gene Therapy and Tooth Regeneration, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China.,f Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , Capital Medical University School of Basic Medical Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Zhipeng Fan
- a Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells Therapy, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction , Capital Medical University School of Stomatology , Beijing , China
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31
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Yan T, Ooi WF, Qamra A, Cheung A, Ma D, Sundaram GM, Xu C, Xing M, Poon L, Wang J, Loh YP, Ho JHJ, Ng JJQ, Ramlee MK, Aswad L, Rozen SG, Ghosh S, Bard FA, Sampath P, Tergaonkar V, Davies JOJ, Hughes JR, Goh E, Bi X, Fullwood MJ, Tan P, Li S. HoxC5 and miR-615-3p target newly evolved genomic regions to repress hTERT and inhibit tumorigenesis. Nat Commun 2018; 9:100. [PMID: 29311615 PMCID: PMC5758779 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02601-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The repression of telomerase activity during cellular differentiation promotes replicative aging and functions as a physiological barrier for tumorigenesis in long-lived mammals, including humans. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here we describe how miR-615-3p represses hTERT expression. mir-615-3p is located in an intron of the HOXC5 gene, a member of the highly conserved homeobox family of transcription factors controlling embryogenesis and development. Unexpectedly, we found that HoxC5 also represses hTERT expression by disrupting the long-range interaction between hTERT promoter and its distal enhancer. The 3'UTR of hTERT and its upstream enhancer region are well conserved in long-lived primates. Both mir-615-3p and HOXC5 are activated upon differentiation, which constitute a feed-forward loop that coordinates transcriptional and post-transcriptional repression of hTERT during cellular differentiation. Deregulation of HOXC5 and mir-615-3p expression may contribute to the activation of hTERT in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- TingDong Yan
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Wen Fong Ooi
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Aditi Qamra
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
| | - Alice Cheung
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - DongLiang Ma
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | | | - Chang Xu
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Manjie Xing
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Cancer Therapeutics and Stratified Oncology, Genome Institute of Singapore, 60 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - LaiFong Poon
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Jing Wang
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Yan Ping Loh
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Jess Hui Jie Ho
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Joscelyn Jun Quan Ng
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Muhammad Khairul Ramlee
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Luay Aswad
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
| | - Steve G Rozen
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Sujoy Ghosh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
| | - Frederic A Bard
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Prabha Sampath
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Institute of Medical Biology (IMB), 8A Biomedical Grove, Singapore, 138648, Singapore
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - James O J Davies
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Jim R Hughes
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Eyleen Goh
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Neuroscience Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Department of Research, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore, 308433, Singapore
| | - Xuezhi Bi
- Bioprocessing Technology Institute, 20 Biopolis Street, Singapore, 138669, Singapore
| | - Melissa Jane Fullwood
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551, Singapore
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Singapore, 138673, Singapore
| | - Patrick Tan
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Singapore
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Centre for Computational Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore
- Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Centre, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore, 169610, Singapore
| | - Shang Li
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore, 169857, Singapore.
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
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Gupta RP, Bajpai A, Sinha P. Selector genes display tumor cooperation and inhibition in Drosophila epithelium in a developmental context-dependent manner. Biol Open 2017; 6:1581-1591. [PMID: 29141951 PMCID: PMC5703612 DOI: 10.1242/bio.027821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
During animal development, selector genes determine identities of body segments and those of individual organs. Selector genes are also misexpressed in cancers, although their contributions to tumor progression per se remain poorly understood. Using a model of cooperative tumorigenesis, we show that gain of selector genes results in tumor cooperation, but in only select developmental domains of the wing, haltere and eye-antennal imaginal discs of Drosophila larva. Thus, the field selector, Eyeless (Ey), and the segment selector, Ultrabithorax (Ubx), readily cooperate to bring about neoplastic transformation of cells displaying somatic loss of the tumor suppressor, Lgl, but in only those developmental domains that express the homeo-box protein, Homothorax (Hth), and/or the Zinc-finger protein, Teashirt (Tsh). In non-Hth/Tsh-expressing domains of these imaginal discs, however, gain of Ey in lgl- somatic clones induces neoplastic transformation in the distal wing disc and haltere, but not in the eye imaginal disc. Likewise, gain of Ubx in lgl- somatic clones induces transformation in the eye imaginal disc but not in its endogenous domain, namely, the haltere imaginal disc. Our results reveal that selector genes could behave as tumor drivers or inhibitors depending on the tissue contexts of their gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Prakash Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Anjali Bajpai
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - Pradip Sinha
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
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Khandelwal R, Sipani R, Govinda Rajan S, Kumar R, Joshi R. Combinatorial action of Grainyhead, Extradenticle and Notch in regulating Hox mediated apoptosis in Drosophila larval CNS. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1007043. [PMID: 29023471 PMCID: PMC5667929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hox mediated neuroblast apoptosis is a prevalent way to pattern larval central nervous system (CNS) by different Hox genes, but the mechanism of this apoptosis is not understood. Our studies with Abdominal-A (Abd-A) mediated larval neuroblast (pNB) apoptosis suggests that AbdA, its cofactor Extradenticle (Exd), a helix-loop-helix transcription factor Grainyhead (Grh), and Notch signaling transcriptionally contribute to expression of RHG family of apoptotic genes. We find that Grh, AbdA, and Exd function together at multiple motifs on the apoptotic enhancer. In vivo mutagenesis of these motifs suggest that they are important for the maintenance of the activity of the enhancer rather than its initiation. We also find that Exd function is independent of its known partner homothorax in this apoptosis. We extend some of our findings to Deformed expressing region of sub-esophageal ganglia where pNBs undergo a similar Hox dependent apoptosis. We propose a mechanism where common players like Exd-Grh-Notch work with different Hox genes through region specific enhancers to pattern respective segments of larval central nervous system. Specification of the head to tail axis of the developing central nervous system is carried out by Hox genes. Hox mediated programmed cell death of the neural progenitor cells plays an important role in specification of this axis, but the molecular mechanism of this phenomenon is not well understood. We have studied this phenomenon in abdominal and subesophageal regions of larval central nervous system of Drosophila. We find that different Hox genes use a combination of common players (Extradenticle, Grainyhead and Notch) but employ region specific enhancers to cause progenitor cell death in different segments of developing central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risha Khandelwal
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Tuljaguda Complex, Nampally, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal University, Manipal, India
| | - Rashmi Sipani
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Tuljaguda Complex, Nampally, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal University, Manipal, India
| | - Sriivatsan Govinda Rajan
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Tuljaguda Complex, Nampally, Hyderabad, India
| | - Raviranjan Kumar
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Tuljaguda Complex, Nampally, Hyderabad, India
- Graduate Studies, Manipal University, Manipal, India
| | - Rohit Joshi
- Laboratory of Drosophila Neural Development, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Tuljaguda Complex, Nampally, Hyderabad, India
- * E-mail: ,
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Le Tanno P, Breton J, Bidart M, Satre V, Harbuz R, Ray PF, Bosson C, Dieterich K, Jaillard S, Odent S, Poke G, Beddow R, Digilio MC, Novelli A, Bernardini L, Pisanti MA, Mackenroth L, Hackmann K, Vogel I, Christensen R, Fokstuen S, Béna F, Amblard F, Devillard F, Vieville G, Apostolou A, Jouk PS, Guebre-Egziabher F, Sartelet H, Coutton C. PBX1 haploinsufficiency leads to syndromic congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) in humans. J Med Genet 2017; 54:502-510. [PMID: 28270404 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2016-104435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) represent a significant healthcare burden since it is the primary cause of chronic kidney in children. CNVs represent a recurrent molecular cause of CAKUT but the culprit gene remains often elusive. Our study aimed to define the gene responsible for CAKUT in patients with an 1q23.3q24.1 microdeletion. METHODS We describe eight patients presenting with CAKUT carrying an 1q23.3q24.1 microdeletion as identified by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Clinical features were collected, especially the renal and urinary tract phenotype, and extrarenal features. We characterised PBX1 expression and localisation in fetal and adult kidneys using quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS We defined a 276-kb minimal common region (MCR) that only overlaps with the PBX1 gene. All eight patients presented with syndromic CAKUT. CAKUT were mostly bilateral renal hypoplasia (75%). The most frequent extrarenal symptoms were developmental delay and ear malformations. We demonstrate that PBX1 is strongly expressed in fetal kidneys and brain and expression levels decreased in adult samples. In control fetal kidneys, PBX1 was localised in nuclei of medullary, interstitial and mesenchymal cells, whereas it was present in endothelial cells in adult kidneys. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that PBX1 haploinsufficiency leads to syndromic CAKUT as supported by the Pbx1-null mice model. Correct PBX1 dosage appears to be critical for normal nephrogenesis and seems important for brain development in humans. CMA should be recommended in cases of fetal renal anomalies to improve genetic counselling and pregnancy management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Le Tanno
- Département de Génétique et Procréation, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Julie Breton
- Département d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Marie Bidart
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- UF Clinatec, Pôle Recherche, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Véronique Satre
- Département de Génétique et Procréation, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Equipe "Génétique, Epigénétique et Thérapies de l'Infertilité", Institut Albert Bonniot, La Tronche, France
| | - Radu Harbuz
- Département de Génétique et Procréation, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Equipe "Génétique, Epigénétique et Thérapies de l'Infertilité", Institut Albert Bonniot, La Tronche, France
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Génétique et Moléculaire, Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Caroline Bosson
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Génétique et Moléculaire, Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Klaus Dieterich
- Département de Génétique et Procréation, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Sylvie Jaillard
- CHU Rennes, Service de Cytogénétique et Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Rennes, Rennes, France
| | - Sylvie Odent
- CHU Rennes, Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement CLAD-Ouest, Hôpital Sud, Rennes, France
| | - Gemma Poke
- Genetic Health Service New Zealand Central Hub, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Rachel Beddow
- Genetic Health Service New Zealand Central Hub, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Antonio Novelli
- Department of Medical Genetics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Bernardini
- Mendel Laboratory IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" Hospital, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Luisa Mackenroth
- Institut fuer Klinische Genetik, Medizinische Fakultaet Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karl Hackmann
- Institut fuer Klinische Genetik, Medizinische Fakultaet Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ida Vogel
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rikke Christensen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Siv Fokstuen
- Service of Genetic Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Frédérique Béna
- Service of Genetic Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florence Amblard
- Département de Génétique et Procréation, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Francoise Devillard
- Département de Génétique et Procréation, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Gaelle Vieville
- Département de Génétique et Procréation, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Alexia Apostolou
- Département d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Pierre-Simon Jouk
- Département de Génétique et Procréation, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Hervé Sartelet
- Département d'Anatomie et Cytologie Pathologiques, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Charles Coutton
- Département de Génétique et Procréation, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Equipe "Génétique, Epigénétique et Thérapies de l'Infertilité", Institut Albert Bonniot, La Tronche, France
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- Génétique et Procréation, Laboratoire de Génétique Chromosomique, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
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DLX3 interacts with GCM1 and inhibits its transactivation-stimulating activity in a homeodomain-dependent manner in human trophoblast-derived cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2009. [PMID: 28515447 PMCID: PMC5435702 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02120-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The placental transcription factors Distal-less 3 (DLX3) and Glial cell missing-1 (GCM1) have been shown to coordinate the specific regulation of PGF in human trophoblast cell lines. While both factors independently have a positive effect on PGF gene expression, when combined, DLX3 acts as an antagonist to GCM. Despite this understanding, potential mechanisms accounting for this regulatory interaction remain unexplored. We identify physical and functional interactions between specific domains of DLX3 and GCM1 in human trophoblast-derived cells by performing immunoprecipitation and mammalian one hybrid assays. Studies revealed that DLX3 binding reduced the transcriptional activity of GCM1, providing a mechanistic explanation of their functional antagonism in regulating PGF promoter activity. The DLX3 homeodomain (HD) was essential for DLX3-GCM1 interaction, and that the HD together with the DLX3 amino- or carboxyl-terminal domains was required for maximal inhibition of GCM1. Interestingly, a naturally occurring DLX3 mutant that disrupts the carboxyl-terminal domain leading to tricho-dento-osseous syndrome in humans displayed activities indistinguishable from wild type DLX3 in this system. Collectively, our studies demonstrate that DLX3 physically interacts with GCM1 and inhibits its transactivation activity, suggesting that DLX3 and GCM1 may form a complex to functionally regulate placental cell function through modulation of target gene expression.
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Morgunova E, Taipale J. Structural perspective of cooperative transcription factor binding. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2017; 47:1-8. [PMID: 28349863 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2017.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In prokaryotes, individual transcription factors (TFs) can recognize long DNA motifs that are alone sufficient to define the genes that they induce or repress. In contrast, in higher organisms that have larger genomes, TFs recognize sequences that are too short to define unique genomic positions. In addition, development of multicellular organisms requires molecular systems that are capable of executing combinatorial logical operations. Co-operative recognition of DNA by multiple TFs allows both definition of unique genomic positions in large genomes, and complex information processing at the level of individual regulatory elements. The TFs can co-operate in multiple different ways, and the precise mechanism used for co-operation determines important features of the regulatory interactions. Here, we present an overview of the structural basis of the different mechanisms by which TFs can cooperate, focusing on insight from recent functional studies and structural analyses of specific TF-TF-DNA complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Morgunova
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jussi Taipale
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, SE 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Genome-Scale Biology Research Program, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
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Brechka H, Bhanvadia RR, VanOpstall C, Vander Griend DJ. HOXB13 mutations and binding partners in prostate development and cancer: Function, clinical significance, and future directions. Genes Dis 2017; 4:75-87. [PMID: 28798948 PMCID: PMC5548135 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent and exciting discovery of germline HOXB13 mutations in familial prostate cancer has brought HOX signaling to the forefront of prostate cancer research. An enhanced understanding of HOX signaling, and the co-factors regulating HOX protein specificity and transcriptional regulation, has the high potential to elucidate novel approaches to prevent, diagnose, stage, and treat prostate cancer. Toward our understanding of HOX biology in prostate development and prostate cancer, basic research in developmental model systems as well as other tumor sites provides a mechanistic framework to inform future studies in prostate biology. Here we describe our current understanding of HOX signaling in genitourinary development and cancer, current clinical data of HOXB13 mutations in multiple cancers including prostate cancer, and the role of HOX protein co-factors in development and cancer. These data highlight numerous gaps in our understanding of HOX function in the prostate, and present numerous potentially impactful mechanistic and clinical opportunities for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Brechka
- The Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Raj R Bhanvadia
- The Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Calvin VanOpstall
- The Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Donald J Vander Griend
- The Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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He Y, Deng H, Hu Q, Zhu Z, Liu L, Zheng S, Song Q, Feng Q. Identification of the binding domains and key amino acids for the interaction of the transcription factors BmPOUM2 and BmAbd-A in Bombyx mori. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 81:41-50. [PMID: 27986639 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor BmPOUM2 interacted with another transcription factor BmAbd-A to regulate the expression of the wing cuticle protein gene BmWCP4 in Bombyx mori. In this study, the binding domains and amino acids for the interaction between BmPOUM2 and BmAbd-A were reported. Two isoforms of BmPOUM2 were identified. The short isoform (BmPOUM2-S) lacks a 114-amino acid sequence containing a POU-homeodomain and a nuclear localization signal peptide (NLS), as compared to the full-length isoform (BmPOUM2). Both BmPOUM2 and BmPOUM2-S proteins bound to the BmAbd-A through the POU-specific domain. When the six amino acids (Lys166, Gly173, Gln176, Ser192, Glu200 and Asn208) that are highly conserved in POU family genes were mutated, BmPOUM2 did not bind to BmAbd-A. BmAbd-A interacted with BmPOUM2 by the homeobox domain or the LCR2 (low complexity region) domain. When seven amino acids (Phe156/248, His158/250, Ala175/263, Cys180/265, Glu190/268, Trp196/274 and Val214/289) that are shared in the homeobox and LCR2 domains were mutated, BmAbd-A did not bind to BmPOUM2. Overexpression of either BmPOUM2 or BmAbd-A or both increased the activity of BmWCP4 promoter in CHO cells. ChIP assay and EMSA showed that BmAbd-A protein bound to the Hox cis-regulatory element in the BmWCP4 promoter, while the BmPOUM2 bound to the nearby POU CRE. A model for the interaction and action of BmPOUM2 and BmAbd-A in regulation of the BmWCP4 expression is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong He
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Huimin Deng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
| | - Qihao Hu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Zidan Zhu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Sichun Zheng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
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Bovine Lhx8, a Germ Cell-Specific Nuclear Factor, Interacts with Figla. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164671. [PMID: 27716808 PMCID: PMC5055334 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
LIM homeobox 8 (Lhx8) is a germ cell-specific transcription factor essential for the development of oocytes during early oogenesis. In mice, Lhx8 deficiency causes postnatal oocyte loss and affects the expression of many oocyte-specific genes. The aims of this study were to characterize the bovine Lhx8 gene, determine its mRNA expression during oocyte development and early embryogenesis, and evaluate its interactions with other oocyte-specific transcription factors. The bovine Lhx8 gene encodes a protein of 377 amino acids. A splice variant of Lhx8 (Lhx8_v1) was also identified. The predicted bovine Lhx8 protein contains two LIM domains and one homeobox domain. However, one of the LIM domains in Lhx8_v1 is incomplete due to deletion of 83 amino acids near the N terminus. Both Lhx8 and Lhx8_v1 transcripts were only detected in the gonads but none of the somatic tissues examined. The expression of Lhx8 and Lhx8_v1 appears to be restricted to oocytes as none of the transcripts was detectable in granulosa or theca cells. The maternal Lhx8 transcript is abundant in GV and MII stage oocytes as well as in early embryos but disappear by morula stage. A nuclear localization signal that is required for the import of Lhx8 into nucleus was identified, and Lhx8 is predominantly localized in the nucleus when ectopically expressed in mammalian cells. Finally, a novel interaction between Lhx8 and Figla, another transcription factor essential for oogenesis, was detected. The results provide new information for studying the mechanisms of action for Lhx8 in oocyte development and early embryogenesis.
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40
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The C. elegans hox gene lin-39 controls cell cycle progression during vulval development. Dev Biol 2016; 418:124-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Kalyani R, Lee JY, Min H, Yoon H, Kim MH. Genes Frequently Coexpressed with Hoxc8 Provide Insight into the Discovery of Target Genes. Mol Cells 2016; 39:395-402. [PMID: 27025388 PMCID: PMC4870187 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2016.2311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying Hoxc8 target genes is at the crux of understanding the Hoxc8-mediated regulatory networks underlying its roles during development. However, identification of these genes remains difficult due to intrinsic factors of Hoxc8, such as low DNA binding specificity, context-dependent regulation, and unknown cofactors. Therefore, as an alternative, the present study attempted to test whether the roles of Hoxc8 could be inferred by simply analyzing genes frequently coexpressed with Hoxc8, and whether these genes include putative target genes. Using archived gene expression datasets in which Hoxc8 was differentially expressed, we identified a total of 567 genes that were positively coexpressed with Hoxc8 in at least four out of eight datasets. Among these, 23 genes were coexpressed in six datasets. Gene sets associated with extracellular matrix and cell adhesion were most significantly enriched, followed by gene sets for skeletal system development, morphogenesis, cell motility, and transcriptional regulation. In particular, transcriptional regulators, including paralogs of Hoxc8, known Hox co-factors, and transcriptional remodeling factors were enriched. We randomly selected Adam19, Ptpn13, Prkd1, Tgfbi, and Aldh1a3, and validated their coexpression in mouse embryonic tissues and cell lines following TGF-β2 treatment or ectopic Hoxc8 expression. Except for Aldh1a3, all genes showed concordant expression with that of Hoxc8, suggesting that the coexpressed genes might include direct or indirect target genes. Collectively, we suggest that the coexpressed genes provide a resource for constructing Hoxc8-mediated regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruthala Kalyani
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology Lab., Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
| | - Ji-Yeon Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology Lab., Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
| | - Hyehyun Min
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology Lab., Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
| | - Heejei Yoon
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351,
Korea
| | - Myoung Hee Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology Lab., Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
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Uhl JD, Zandvakili A, Gebelein B. A Hox Transcription Factor Collective Binds a Highly Conserved Distal-less cis-Regulatory Module to Generate Robust Transcriptional Outcomes. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005981. [PMID: 27058369 PMCID: PMC4825978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) generate precise expression patterns by integrating numerous transcription factors (TFs). Surprisingly, CRMs that control essential gene patterns can differ greatly in conservation, suggesting distinct constraints on TF binding sites. Here, we show that a highly conserved Distal-less regulatory element (DCRE) that controls gene expression in leg precursor cells recruits multiple Hox, Extradenticle (Exd) and Homothorax (Hth) complexes to mediate dual outputs: thoracic activation and abdominal repression. Using reporter assays, we found that abdominal repression is particularly robust, as neither individual binding site mutations nor a DNA binding deficient Hth protein abolished cooperative DNA binding and in vivo repression. Moreover, a re-engineered DCRE containing a distinct configuration of Hox, Exd, and Hth sites also mediated abdominal Hox repression. However, the re-engineered DCRE failed to perform additional segment-specific functions such as thoracic activation. These findings are consistent with two emerging concepts in gene regulation: First, the abdominal Hox/Exd/Hth factors utilize protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions to form repression complexes on flexible combinations of sites, consistent with the TF collective model of CRM organization. Second, the conserved DCRE mediates multiple cell-type specific outputs, consistent with recent findings that pleiotropic CRMs are associated with conserved TF binding and added evolutionary constraints. Enhancers are regulatory elements that interact with transcription factor proteins to control cell-specific gene expression during development. Surprisingly, only a subset of enhancers are highly conserved at the sequence level, even though the expression patterns they control are often conserved and essential for proper development. Why some enhancer sequences are highly conserved whereas others are not is not well understood. In this study, we characterize a highly conserved enhancer that regulates gene expression in leg precursor cells. We find that this enhancer has dual regulatory activities that include gene activation in thoracic segments and gene repression in abdominal segments. Surprisingly, we show that the conserved enhancer can tolerate numerous sequence changes yet mediate robust transcription factor binding and abdominal repression. These findings are consistent with abdominal transcription factors binding numerous different configurations of binding sites. So, why is this enhancer highly conserved? We found that overlapping sequences within the enhancer also contribute to thoracic activation, suggesting the enhancer sequences are under added functional constraints. Altogether, our results provide new insights into why some enhancers are highly conserved at the sequence level while others can tolerate sequence changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juli D Uhl
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.,Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Arya Zandvakili
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.,Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
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43
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Rezsohazy R, Saurin AJ, Maurel-Zaffran C, Graba Y. Cellular and molecular insights into Hox protein action. Development 2016; 142:1212-27. [PMID: 25804734 DOI: 10.1242/dev.109785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hox genes encode homeodomain transcription factors that control morphogenesis and have established functions in development and evolution. Hox proteins have remained enigmatic with regard to the molecular mechanisms that endow them with specific and diverse functions, and to the cellular functions that they control. Here, we review recent examples of Hox-controlled cellular functions that highlight their versatile and highly context-dependent activity. This provides the setting to discuss how Hox proteins control morphogenesis and organogenesis. We then summarise the molecular modalities underlying Hox protein function, in particular in light of current models of transcription factor function. Finally, we discuss how functional divergence between Hox proteins might be achieved to give rise to the many facets of their action.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Rezsohazy
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve B-1348, Belgium
| | - Andrew J Saurin
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM, UMR 7288, Marseille 13288, Cedex 09, France
| | | | - Yacine Graba
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM, UMR 7288, Marseille 13288, Cedex 09, France
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44
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Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Zhang L. Variant of PBX2 gene in the 6p21.3 asthma susceptibility locus is associated with allergic rhinitis in Chinese subjects. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2016; 6:537-43. [PMID: 26852910 DOI: 10.1002/alr.21725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa, caused by an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. As evidence suggests that some genetic variants may increase susceptibility to both AR and asthma, the objective of this study was to identify asthma susceptibility variants associated with AR in the Chinese population. METHODS A cohort of 402 individuals with physician-diagnosed AR and 416 healthy controls were recruited from the Han Chinese population in Beijing. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood and a total of 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) shown to be associated with asthma in Japanese subjects were selected for genotyping using the SequenomMassARRAY technology platform. RESULTS Analysis of frequency differences of allele between the AR patients and control subjects showed that the C allele of rs204993 in the pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox 2 (PBX2) gene from the 6p21.3 locus was significantly associated with AR (p = 0.0006, pcorrected = 0.0340). Genotype analysis further confirmed the difference in distribution of this variant between AR patients and controls in the both the dominant (pT/C+C/C vs T/T = 7.37×10(-5) ) and co-dominant (pT/C vs T/T = 1.98 × 10(-4) , pC/C vs T/T = 0.004) models. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the PBX2 gene in the 6p21.3 asthma susceptibility locus may be associated with increased risk for both AR and asthma in Chinese subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China
| | - Luo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing, China.,Department of Allergy, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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45
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Generating Diverse Spinal Motor Neuron Subtypes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cells Int 2015; 2016:1036974. [PMID: 26823667 PMCID: PMC4707335 DOI: 10.1155/2016/1036974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Resolving the mechanisms underlying human neuronal diversification remains a major challenge in developmental and applied neurobiology. Motor neurons (MNs) represent a diverse pool of neuronal subtypes exhibiting differential vulnerability in different human neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The ability to predictably manipulate MN subtype lineage restriction from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) will form the essential basis to establishing accurate, clinically relevant in vitro disease models. I first overview motor neuron developmental biology to provide some context for reviewing recent studies interrogating pathways that influence the generation of MN diversity. I conclude that motor neurogenesis from PSCs provides a powerful reductionist model system to gain insight into the developmental logic of MN subtype diversification and serves more broadly as a leading exemplar of potential strategies to resolve the molecular basis of neuronal subclass differentiation within the nervous system. These studies will in turn permit greater mechanistic understanding of differential MN subtype vulnerability using in vitro human disease models.
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46
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Stefanakis N, Carrera I, Hobert O. Regulatory Logic of Pan-Neuronal Gene Expression in C. elegans. Neuron 2015; 87:733-50. [PMID: 26291158 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
While neuronal cell types display an astounding degree of phenotypic diversity, most if not all neuron types share a core panel of terminal features. However, little is known about how pan-neuronal expression patterns are genetically programmed. Through an extensive analysis of the cis-regulatory control regions of a battery of pan-neuronal C. elegans genes, including genes involved in synaptic vesicle biology and neuropeptide signaling, we define a common organizational principle in the regulation of pan-neuronal genes in the form of a surprisingly complex array of seemingly redundant, parallel-acting cis-regulatory modules that direct expression to broad, overlapping domains throughout the nervous system. These parallel-acting cis-regulatory modules are responsive to a multitude of distinct trans-acting factors. Neuronal gene expression programs therefore fall into two fundamentally distinct classes. Neuron-type-specific genes are generally controlled by discrete and non-redundantly acting regulatory inputs, while pan-neuronal gene expression is controlled by diverse, coincident and seemingly redundant regulatory inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Stefanakis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ines Carrera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oliver Hobert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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47
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Bürglin TR, Affolter M. Homeodomain proteins: an update. Chromosoma 2015; 125:497-521. [PMID: 26464018 PMCID: PMC4901127 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-015-0543-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Here, we provide an update of our review on homeobox genes that we wrote together with Walter Gehring in 1994. Since then, comprehensive surveys of homeobox genes have become possible due to genome sequencing projects. Using the 103 Drosophila homeobox genes as example, we present an updated classification. In animals, there are 16 major classes, ANTP, PRD, PRD-LIKE, POU, HNF, CUT (with four subclasses: ONECUT, CUX, SATB, and CMP), LIM, ZF, CERS, PROS, SIX/SO, plus the TALE superclass with the classes IRO, MKX, TGIF, PBC, and MEIS. In plants, there are 11 major classes, i.e., HD-ZIP (with four subclasses: I to IV), WOX, NDX, PHD, PLINC, LD, DDT, SAWADEE, PINTOX, and the two TALE classes KNOX and BEL. Most of these classes encode additional domains apart from the homeodomain. Numerous insights have been obtained in the last two decades into how homeodomain proteins bind to DNA and increase their specificity by interacting with other proteins to regulate cell- and tissue-specific gene expression. Not only protein-DNA base pair contacts are important for proper target selection; recent experiments also reveal that the shape of the DNA plays a role in specificity. Using selected examples, we highlight different mechanisms of homeodomain protein-DNA interaction. The PRD class of homeobox genes was of special interest to Walter Gehring in the last two decades. The PRD class comprises six families in Bilateria, and tinkers with four different motifs, i.e., the PAIRED domain, the Groucho-interacting motif EH1 (aka Octapeptide or TN), the homeodomain, and the OAR motif. Homologs of the co-repressor protein Groucho are also present in plants (TOPLESS), where they have been shown to interact with small amphipathic motives (EAR), and in yeast (TUP1), where we find an EH1-like motif in MATα2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Bürglin
- />Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- />Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 28, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Affolter
- />Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
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48
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Merabet S, Galliot B. The TALE face of Hox proteins in animal evolution. Front Genet 2015; 6:267. [PMID: 26347770 PMCID: PMC4539518 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hox genes are major regulators of embryonic development. One of their most conserved functions is to coordinate the formation of specific body structures along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis in Bilateria. This architectural role was at the basis of several morphological innovations across bilaterian evolution. In this review, we traced the origin of the Hox patterning system by considering the partnership with PBC and Meis proteins. PBC and Meis belong to the TALE-class of homeodomain-containing transcription factors and act as generic cofactors of Hox proteins for AP axis patterning in Bilateria. Recent data indicate that Hox proteins acquired the ability to interact with their TALE partners in the last common ancestor of Bilateria and Cnidaria. These interactions relied initially on a short peptide motif called hexapeptide (HX), which is present in Hox and non-Hox protein families. Remarkably, Hox proteins can also recruit the TALE cofactors by using specific PBC Interaction Motifs (SPIMs). We describe how a functional Hox/TALE patterning system emerged in eumetazoans through the acquisition of SPIMs. We anticipate that interaction flexibility could be found in other patterning systems, being at the heart of the astonishing morphological diversity observed in the animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Merabet
- Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon Lyon, France ; Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon Lyon, France
| | - Brigitte Galliot
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Faculty of Science, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, University of Geneva Geneva, Switzerland
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49
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Heinonen H, Lepikhova T, Sahu B, Pehkonen H, Pihlajamaa P, Louhimo R, Gao P, Wei GH, Hautaniemi S, Jänne OA, Monni O. Identification of several potential chromatin binding sites of HOXB7 and its downstream target genes in breast cancer. Int J Cancer 2015; 137:2374-83. [PMID: 26014856 PMCID: PMC4744995 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
HOXB7 encodes a transcription factor that is overexpressed in a number of cancers and encompasses many oncogenic functions. Previous results have shown it to promote cell proliferation, angiogenesis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, DNA repair and cell survival. Because of its role in many cancers and tumorigenic processes, HOXB7 has been suggested to be a potential drug target. However, HOXB7 binding sites on chromatin and its targets are poorly known. The aim of our study was to identify HOXB7 binding sites on breast cancer cell chromatin and to delineate direct target genes located nearby these binding sites. We found 1,504 HOXB7 chromatin binding sites in BT‐474 breast cancer cell line that overexpresses HOXB7. Seventeen selected binding sites were validated by ChIP‐qPCR in several breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we analyzed expression of a large number of genes located nearby HOXB7 binding sites and found several new direct targets, such as CTNND2 and SCGB1D2. Identification of HOXB7 chromatin binding sites and target genes is essential to understand better the role of HOXB7 in breast cancer and mechanisms by which it regulates tumorigenic processes. What's new? The transcription factor HOXB7 is overexpressed in various cancers, but it's not yet known just which genes HOXB7 activates. How does it influence cancer on a molecular level? This study found 1500 sequences where HOXB7 binds the chromatin in breast cancer cells. They went on to identify several potential target genes near the HOXB7 binding sites. Not only will finding these genes help explain how HOXB7 overexpression promotes tumor growth, it will help understand what side effects might result from hindering HOXB7 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henna Heinonen
- Research Programs' Unit, Genome-Scale Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tatiana Lepikhova
- Research Programs' Unit, Genome-Scale Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Biswajyoti Sahu
- Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henna Pehkonen
- Research Programs' Unit, Genome-Scale Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Pihlajamaa
- Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riku Louhimo
- Research Programs' Unit, Genome-Scale Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ping Gao
- Biocenter Oulu and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Gong-Hong Wei
- Biocenter Oulu and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Sampsa Hautaniemi
- Research Programs' Unit, Genome-Scale Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli A Jänne
- Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Monni
- Research Programs' Unit, Genome-Scale Biology and Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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50
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Hench J, Henriksson J, Abou-Zied AM, Lüppert M, Dethlefsen J, Mukherjee K, Tong YG, Tang L, Gangishetti U, Baillie DL, Bürglin TR. The Homeobox Genes of Caenorhabditis elegans and Insights into Their Spatio-Temporal Expression Dynamics during Embryogenesis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126947. [PMID: 26024448 PMCID: PMC4448998 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox genes play crucial roles for the development of multicellular eukaryotes. We have generated a revised list of all homeobox genes for Caenorhabditis elegans and provide a nomenclature for the previously unnamed ones. We show that, out of 103 homeobox genes, 70 are co-orthologous to human homeobox genes. 14 are highly divergent, lacking an obvious ortholog even in other Caenorhabditis species. One of these homeobox genes encodes 12 homeodomains, while three other highly divergent homeobox genes encode a novel type of double homeodomain, termed HOCHOB. To understand how transcription factors regulate cell fate during development, precise spatio-temporal expression data need to be obtained. Using a new imaging framework that we developed, Endrov, we have generated spatio-temporal expression profiles during embryogenesis of over 60 homeobox genes, as well as a number of other developmental control genes using GFP reporters. We used dynamic feedback during recording to automatically adjust the camera exposure time in order to increase the dynamic range beyond the limitations of the camera. We have applied the new framework to examine homeobox gene expression patterns and provide an analysis of these patterns. The methods we developed to analyze and quantify expression data are not only suitable for C. elegans, but can be applied to other model systems or even to tissue culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Hench
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, Södertörns Högskola, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Johan Henriksson
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, Södertörns Högskola, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Akram M. Abou-Zied
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, Södertörns Högskola, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Martin Lüppert
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, Södertörns Högskola, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Johan Dethlefsen
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, Södertörns Högskola, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Krishanu Mukherjee
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, Södertörns Högskola, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yong Guang Tong
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, Södertörns Högskola, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lois Tang
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, Södertörns Högskola, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Umesh Gangishetti
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - David L. Baillie
- Dept. of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Thomas R. Bürglin
- Dept. of Biosciences and Nutrition & Center for Biosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Hälsovägen 7, Novum, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
- School of Life Sciences, Södertörns Högskola, Huddinge, Sweden
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