1
|
Isabella AJ, Moens CB. Development and regeneration of the vagus nerve. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 156:219-227. [PMID: 37537116 PMCID: PMC10830892 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The vagus nerve, with its myriad constituent axon branches and innervation targets, has long been a model of anatomical complexity in the nervous system. The branched architecture of the vagus nerve is now appreciated to be highly organized around the topographic and/or molecular identities of the neurons that innervate each target tissue. However, we are only just beginning to understand the developmental mechanisms by which heterogeneous vagus neuron identity is specified, patterned, and used to guide the axons of particular neurons to particular targets. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the complex topographic and molecular organization of the vagus nerve, the developmental basis of neuron specification and patterned axon guidance that supports this organization, and the regenerative mechanisms that promote, or inhibit, the restoration of vagus nerve organization after nerve damage. Finally, we highlight key unanswered questions in these areas and discuss potential strategies to address these questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Isabella
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Cecilia B Moens
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee AS, Ayers LJ, Kosicki M, Chan WM, Fozo LN, Pratt BM, Collins TE, Zhao B, Rose MF, Sanchis-Juan A, Fu JM, Wong I, Zhao X, Tenney AP, Lee C, Laricchia KM, Barry BJ, Bradford VR, Lek M, MacArthur DG, Lee EA, Talkowski ME, Brand H, Pennacchio LA, Engle EC. A cell type-aware framework for nominating non-coding variants in Mendelian regulatory disorders. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.12.22.23300468. [PMID: 38234731 PMCID: PMC10793524 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.23300468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Unsolved Mendelian cases often lack obvious pathogenic coding variants, suggesting potential non-coding etiologies. Here, we present a single cell multi-omic framework integrating embryonic mouse chromatin accessibility, histone modification, and gene expression assays to discover cranial motor neuron (cMN) cis-regulatory elements and subsequently nominate candidate non-coding variants in the congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders (CCDDs), a set of Mendelian disorders altering cMN development. We generated single cell epigenomic profiles for ~86,000 cMNs and related cell types, identifying ~250,000 accessible regulatory elements with cognate gene predictions for ~145,000 putative enhancers. Seventy-five percent of elements (44 of 59) validated in an in vivo transgenic reporter assay, demonstrating that single cell accessibility is a strong predictor of enhancer activity. Applying our cMN atlas to 899 whole genome sequences from 270 genetically unsolved CCDD pedigrees, we achieved significant reduction in our variant search space and nominated candidate variants predicted to regulate known CCDD disease genes MAFB, PHOX2A, CHN1, and EBF3 - as well as new candidates in recurrently mutated enhancers through peak- and gene-centric allelic aggregation. This work provides novel non-coding variant discoveries of relevance to CCDDs and a generalizable framework for nominating non-coding variants of potentially high functional impact in other Mendelian disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur S Lee
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Lauren J Ayers
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Michael Kosicki
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
| | - Wai-Man Chan
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Lydia N Fozo
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Brandon M Pratt
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Thomas E Collins
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Boxun Zhao
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Matthew F Rose
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Medical Genetics Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Alba Sanchis-Juan
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jack M Fu
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Isaac Wong
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Xuefang Zhao
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Alan P Tenney
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Cassia Lee
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Harvard College, Cambridge, MA
| | - Kristen M Laricchia
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Brenda J Barry
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Victoria R Bradford
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Monkol Lek
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Daniel G MacArthur
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Centre for Population Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Population Genomics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eunjung Alice Lee
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Michael E Talkowski
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Harrison Brand
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Len A Pennacchio
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
| | - Elizabeth C Engle
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Medical Genetics Training Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Honzel E, Hernandez-Morato I, Joshi A, Pennington-Fitzgerald W, Moayedi Y, Pitman MJ. Temporal Expression of Hox Genes and Phox2b in the Rat Nucleus Ambiguus During Development: Implications on Laryngeal Innervation. Laryngoscope 2023; 133:3462-3471. [PMID: 37350386 PMCID: PMC10907063 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury results in synkinetic reinnervation and vocal fold paralysis. Investigation of cues expressed in the developing brainstem that influence correct selective targeting of intrinsic laryngeal muscles may elucidate post-injury abnormalities contributing to non-functional reinnervation. Primary targets of interest were Hoxb1 and Hoxb2, members of the Hox family that create overlapping gradients in the developing brain, and their target Phox2b, a transcription factor necessary for cranial nerve branchio- and visceromotoneuron survival. METHODS Rat embryos at developmental days E14, E16, E18, and E20 (4 animals/age) were sectioned for RNA in situ hybridization to detect Hoxb1, Hoxb2, and Phox2b mRNA within the brainstem. Slides were costained with Islet1 antibody for identification of the nucleus ambiguus. Results were confirmed using immunohistochemistry. Sections were imaged on a confocal microscope. RNA and protein expressions were quantified using QuPath. Statistical analyses were performed using R. RESULTS Hoxb1, Hoxb2, and Phox2b expressions varied according to embryologic age. Hoxb1 and Hoxb2 expression peaked at E16, with significant decreases at E18 and E20 (one-way ANOVA p = 0.001 for both). Phox2b expression was highest at E14 and trended downward with increased embryologic age (one-way ANOVA p = 0.005). CONCLUSION Peak expression of Hoxb1 and Hoxb2 is observed at time points when the RLN arrives at the larynx and begins to branch toward individual muscles, positioning these gene products to be involved in cueing laryngeal motoneuron identity and target identification. Higher expression of Phox2b earlier in development suggests a role in laryngeal motoneuron formation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 133:3462-3471, 2023.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Honzel
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - Ignacio Hernandez-Morato
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - Abhinav Joshi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - William Pennington-Fitzgerald
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - Yalda Moayedi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, U.S.A
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, U.S.A
| | - Michael J Pitman
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, U.S.A
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, New York, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Leino SA, Constable SCJ, Streit A, Wilkinson DG. Zbtb16 mediates a switch between Fgf signalling regimes in the developing hindbrain. Development 2023; 150:dev201319. [PMID: 37642135 PMCID: PMC10508701 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Developing tissues are sequentially patterned by extracellular signals that are turned on and off at specific times. In the zebrafish hindbrain, fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signalling has different roles at different developmental stages: in the early hindbrain, transient Fgf3 and Fgf8 signalling from rhombomere 4 is required for correct segmentation, whereas later, neuronal Fgf20 expression confines neurogenesis to specific spatial domains within each rhombomere. How the switch between these two signalling regimes is coordinated is not known. We present evidence that the Zbtb16 transcription factor is required for this transition to happen in an orderly fashion. Zbtb16 expression is high in the early anterior hindbrain, then gradually upregulated posteriorly and confined to neural progenitors. In mutants lacking functional Zbtb16, fgf3 expression fails to be downregulated and persists until a late stage, resulting in excess and more widespread Fgf signalling during neurogenesis. Accordingly, the spatial pattern of neurogenesis is disrupted in Zbtb16 mutants. Our results reveal how the distinct stage-specific roles of Fgf signalling are coordinated in the zebrafish hindbrain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sami A. Leino
- Neural Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Sean C. J. Constable
- Neural Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Andrea Streit
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - David G. Wilkinson
- Neural Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Di Bonito M, Bourien J, Tizzano M, Harrus AG, Puel JL, Avallone B, Nouvian R, Studer M. Abnormal outer hair cell efferent innervation in Hoxb1-dependent sensorineural hearing loss. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010933. [PMID: 37738262 PMCID: PMC10516434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Autosomal recessive mutation of HOXB1 and Hoxb1 causes sensorineural hearing loss in patients and mice, respectively, characterized by the presence of higher auditory thresholds; however, the origin of the defects along the auditory pathway is still unknown. In this study, we assessed whether the abnormal auditory threshold and malformation of the sensory auditory cells, the outer hair cells, described in Hoxb1null mutants depend on the absence of efferent motor innervation, or alternatively, is due to altered sensory auditory components. By using a whole series of conditional mutant mice, which inactivate Hoxb1 in either rhombomere 4-derived sensory cochlear neurons or efferent motor neurons, we found that the hearing phenotype is mainly reproduced when efferent motor neurons are specifically affected. Our data strongly suggest that the interactions between olivocochlear motor neurons and outer hair cells during a critical postnatal period are crucial for both hair cell survival and the establishment of the cochlear amplification of sound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Di Bonito
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose (iBV), Nice, France
| | - Jérôme Bourien
- University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Montpellier, France
| | - Monica Tizzano
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Naples, Italy
| | - Anne-Gabrielle Harrus
- University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Luc Puel
- University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Montpellier, France
| | - Bice Avallone
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Biology, Naples, Italy
| | - Regis Nouvian
- University of Montpellier, Inserm, CNRS, Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (INM), Montpellier, France
| | - Michèle Studer
- Université Côte d’Azur (UCA), CNRS, Inserm, Institute of Biology Valrose (iBV), Nice, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tenney AP, Di Gioia SA, Webb BD, Chan WM, de Boer E, Garnai SJ, Barry BJ, Ray T, Kosicki M, Robson CD, Zhang Z, Collins TE, Gelber A, Pratt BM, Fujiwara Y, Varshney A, Lek M, Warburton PE, Van Ryzin C, Lehky TJ, Zalewski C, King KA, Brewer CC, Thurm A, Snow J, Facio FM, Narisu N, Bonnycastle LL, Swift A, Chines PS, Bell JL, Mohan S, Whitman MC, Staffieri SE, Elder JE, Demer JL, Torres A, Rachid E, Al-Haddad C, Boustany RM, Mackey DA, Brady AF, Fenollar-Cortés M, Fradin M, Kleefstra T, Padberg GW, Raskin S, Sato MT, Orkin SH, Parker SCJ, Hadlock TA, Vissers LELM, van Bokhoven H, Jabs EW, Collins FS, Pennacchio LA, Manoli I, Engle EC. Noncoding variants alter GATA2 expression in rhombomere 4 motor neurons and cause dominant hereditary congenital facial paresis. Nat Genet 2023; 55:1149-1163. [PMID: 37386251 PMCID: PMC10335940 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01424-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary congenital facial paresis type 1 (HCFP1) is an autosomal dominant disorder of absent or limited facial movement that maps to chromosome 3q21-q22 and is hypothesized to result from facial branchial motor neuron (FBMN) maldevelopment. In the present study, we report that HCFP1 results from heterozygous duplications within a neuron-specific GATA2 regulatory region that includes two enhancers and one silencer, and from noncoding single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) within the silencer. Some SNVs impair binding of NR2F1 to the silencer in vitro and in vivo and attenuate in vivo enhancer reporter expression in FBMNs. Gata2 and its effector Gata3 are essential for inner-ear efferent neuron (IEE) but not FBMN development. A humanized HCFP1 mouse model extends Gata2 expression, favors the formation of IEEs over FBMNs and is rescued by conditional loss of Gata3. These findings highlight the importance of temporal gene regulation in development and of noncoding variation in rare mendelian disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan P Tenney
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Silvio Alessandro Di Gioia
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | - Bryn D Webb
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wai-Man Chan
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Elke de Boer
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah J Garnai
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brenda J Barry
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Tammy Ray
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael Kosicki
- Environmental Genomics & System Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Caroline D Robson
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhongyang Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas E Collins
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alon Gelber
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brandon M Pratt
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuko Fujiwara
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arushi Varshney
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Monkol Lek
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Peter E Warburton
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carol Van Ryzin
- Metabolic Medicine Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tanya J Lehky
- EMG Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher Zalewski
- Audiology Unit, Otolaryngology Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kelly A King
- Audiology Unit, Otolaryngology Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carmen C Brewer
- Audiology Unit, Otolaryngology Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Audrey Thurm
- Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joseph Snow
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Flavia M Facio
- Center for Precision Health Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Invitae Corporation, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Narisu Narisu
- Center for Precision Health Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lori L Bonnycastle
- Center for Precision Health Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Amy Swift
- Center for Precision Health Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter S Chines
- Center for Precision Health Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jessica L Bell
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suresh Mohan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mary C Whitman
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sandra E Staffieri
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - James E Elder
- Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph L Demer
- Stein Eye Institute and Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alcy Torres
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elza Rachid
- Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Christiane Al-Haddad
- Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rose-Mary Boustany
- Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine/Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - David A Mackey
- Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Angela F Brady
- North West Thames Regional Genetics Service, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, UK
| | - María Fenollar-Cortés
- Unidad de Genética Clínica, Instituto de Medicina del Laboratorio. IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Melanie Fradin
- Service de Génétique Clinique, CHU Rennes, Centre Labellisé Anomalies du Développement, Rennes, France
| | - Tjitske Kleefstra
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Center of Excellence for Neuropsychiatry, Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, Venray, the Netherlands
| | - George W Padberg
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Salmo Raskin
- Centro de Aconselhamento e Laboratório Genetika, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Mario Teruo Sato
- Department of Ophthalmology & Otorhinolaryngology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Stuart H Orkin
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephen C J Parker
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tessa A Hadlock
- Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lisenka E L M Vissers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans van Bokhoven
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ethylin Wang Jabs
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francis S Collins
- Center for Precision Health Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Len A Pennacchio
- Environmental Genomics & System Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Irini Manoli
- Metabolic Medicine Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Engle
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Leclerc K, Remark LH, Ramsukh M, Josephson AM, Palma L, Parente PEL, Sambon M, Lee S, Lopez EM, Morgani SM, Leucht P. Hox genes are crucial regulators of periosteal stem cell identity. Development 2023; 150:dev201391. [PMID: 36912250 PMCID: PMC10112919 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Periosteal stem and progenitor cells (PSPCs) are major contributors to bone maintenance and repair. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms that regulate their function is crucial for the successful generation and application of future therapeutics. Here, we pinpoint Hox transcription factors as necessary and sufficient for periosteal stem cell function. Hox genes are transcriptionally enriched in periosteal stem cells and their overexpression in more committed progenitors drives reprogramming to a naïve, self-renewing stem cell-like state. Crucially, individual Hox family members are expressed in a location-specific manner and their stem cell-promoting activity is only observed when the Hox gene is matched to the anatomical origin of the PSPC, demonstrating a role for the embryonic Hox code in adult stem cells. Finally, we demonstrate that Hoxa10 overexpression partially restores the age-related decline in fracture repair. Together, our data highlight the importance of Hox genes as key regulators of PSPC identity in skeletal homeostasis and repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Leclerc
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lindsey H. Remark
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Malissa Ramsukh
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Anne Marie Josephson
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Laura Palma
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Paulo E. L. Parente
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Margaux Sambon
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sooyeon Lee
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Emma Muiños Lopez
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Cell Therapy Area, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Sophie M. Morgani
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Philipp Leucht
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gopinathan G, Zhang X, Luan X, Diekwisch TGH. Changes in Hox Gene Chromatin Organization during Odontogenic Lineage Specification. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:198. [PMID: 36672939 PMCID: PMC9859321 DOI: 10.3390/genes14010198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Craniofacial tissues comprise highly evolved organs characterized by a relative lack of expression in the HOX family transcription factors. In the present study, we sought to define the epigenetic events that limit HOX gene expression from undifferentiated neural crest cells to semi-differentiated odontogenic progenitors and to explore the effects of elevated levels of HOX. The ChIP-chip data demonstrated high levels of repressive H3K27me3 marks on the HOX gene promoters in ES and cranial neural crest cells when compared to the H3K4me3 marks, while the K4/K27 ratio was less repressive in the odontogenic progenitors, dental follicle, dental pulp, periodontal ligament fibroblasts, alveolar bone osteoblasts, and cementoblasts. The gene expression of multiple HOX genes, especially those from the HOXA and HOXB clusters, was significantly elevated and many times higher in alveolar bone cells than in the dental follicle cells. In addition, the HOX levels in the skeletal osteoblasts were many times higher in the trunk osteoblasts compared to the alveolar bone osteoblasts, and the repressive mark H3K27me3 promoter occupancy was substantially and significantly elevated in the alveolar bone osteoblasts when compared to the trunk osteoblasts. To explore the effect of elevated HOX levels in craniofacial neural crest cells, HOX expression was induced by transfecting cells with the Cdx4 transcription factor, resulting in a significant decrease in the mineralization markers, RUNX2, OSX, and OCN upon HOX elevation. Promoting HOX gene expression in developing teeth using the small molecule EZH2 inhibitor GSK126 resulted in an increased number of patterning events, supernumerary cusp formation, and increased Hoxa4 and Hoxb6 gene expression when compared to the controls. Together, these studies illustrate the profound effects of epigenetic regulatory events at all stages of the differentiation of craniofacial peripheral tissues from the neural crest, including lineage specification, tissue differentiation, and patterning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gokul Gopinathan
- Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
| | - Xinmin Zhang
- Bioinforx Inc., 510 Charmany Dr#275a, Madison, WI 53719, USA
| | - Xianghong Luan
- Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
| | - Thomas G. H. Diekwisch
- Center for Craniofacial Research and Diagnosis, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Regionalization of the Early Nervous System. Neurogenetics 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-07793-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
10
|
Abstract
Hox genes encode evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that are essential for the proper development of bilaterian organisms. Hox genes are unique because they are spatially and temporally regulated during development in a manner that is dictated by their tightly linked genomic organization. Although their genetic function during embryonic development has been interrogated, less is known about how these transcription factors regulate downstream genes to direct morphogenetic events. Moreover, the continued expression and function of Hox genes at postnatal and adult stages highlights crucial roles for these genes throughout the life of an organism. Here, we provide an overview of Hox genes, highlighting their evolutionary history, their unique genomic organization and how this impacts the regulation of their expression, what is known about their protein structure, and their deployment in development and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharine A. Hubert
- Program in Genetics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Deneen M. Wellik
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chen CH, Behringer RR. Transgenic human HOXB1-9 directs anterior-posterior axial skeleton pattern in Hoxb1-9 deficient mice. Differentiation 2022; 127:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
12
|
Needham J, Metzis V. Heads or tails: Making the spinal cord. Dev Biol 2022; 485:80-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
13
|
OUP accepted manuscript. Stem Cells 2022; 40:175-189. [DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
|
14
|
Hombría JCG, García-Ferrés M, Sánchez-Higueras C. Anterior Hox Genes and the Process of Cephalization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:718175. [PMID: 34422836 PMCID: PMC8374599 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.718175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During evolution, bilateral animals have experienced a progressive process of cephalization with the anterior concentration of nervous tissue, sensory organs and the appearance of dedicated feeding structures surrounding the mouth. Cephalization has been achieved by the specialization of the unsegmented anterior end of the body (the acron) and the sequential recruitment to the head of adjacent anterior segments. Here we review the key developmental contribution of Hox1-5 genes to the formation of cephalic structures in vertebrates and arthropods and discuss how this evolved. The appearance of Hox cephalic genes preceded the evolution of a highly specialized head in both groups, indicating that Hox gene involvement in the control of cephalic structures was acquired independently during the evolution of vertebrates and invertebrates to regulate the genes required for head innovation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James C-G Hombría
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Junta de Andalucía/Universidad Pablo de Olavide), Seville, Spain
| | - Mar García-Ferrés
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Junta de Andalucía/Universidad Pablo de Olavide), Seville, Spain
| | - Carlos Sánchez-Higueras
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Junta de Andalucía/Universidad Pablo de Olavide), Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Maheshwari U, Kraus D, Vilain N, Holwerda SJB, Cankovic V, Maiorano NA, Kohler H, Satoh D, Sigrist M, Arber S, Kratochwil CF, Di Meglio T, Ducret S, Rijli FM. Postmitotic Hoxa5 Expression Specifies Pontine Neuron Positional Identity and Input Connectivity of Cortical Afferent Subsets. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107767. [PMID: 32553152 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian precerebellar pontine nucleus (PN) has a main role in relaying cortical information to the cerebellum. The molecular determinants establishing ordered connectivity patterns between cortical afferents and precerebellar neurons are largely unknown. We show that expression of Hox5 transcription factors is induced in specific subsets of postmitotic PN neurons at migration onset. Hox5 induction is achieved by response to retinoic acid signaling, resulting in Jmjd3-dependent derepression of Polycomb chromatin and 3D conformational changes. Hoxa5 drives neurons to settle posteriorly in the PN, where they are monosynaptically targeted by cortical neuron subsets mainly carrying limb somatosensation. Furthermore, Hoxa5 postmigratory ectopic expression in PN neurons is sufficient to attract cortical somatosensory inputs regardless of position and avoid visual afferents. Transcriptome analysis further suggests that Hoxa5 is involved in circuit formation. Thus, Hoxa5 coordinates postmitotic specification, migration, settling position, and sub-circuit assembly of PN neuron subsets in the cortico-cerebellar pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Upasana Maheshwari
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Kraus
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Vilain
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sjoerd J B Holwerda
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vanja Cankovic
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nicola A Maiorano
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hubertus Kohler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daisuke Satoh
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Biozentrum, University of Basel, Kingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Sigrist
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Biozentrum, University of Basel, Kingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Arber
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; Biozentrum, University of Basel, Kingelbergstrasse 70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudius F Kratochwil
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Di Meglio
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastien Ducret
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Filippo M Rijli
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, 4058 Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, 4051 Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Beiriger A, Narayan S, Singh N, Prince V. Development and migration of the zebrafish rhombencephalic octavolateral efferent neurons. J Comp Neurol 2021; 529:1293-1307. [PMID: 32869305 PMCID: PMC8238524 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrate animals, motor and sensory efferent neurons carry information from the central nervous system (CNS) to peripheral targets. These two types of efferent systems sometimes bear a close resemblance, sharing common segmental organization, axon pathways, and chemical messengers. Here, we focus on the development of the octavolateral efferent neurons (OENs) and their interactions with the closely-related facial branchiomotor neurons (FBMNs) in zebrafish. Using live-imaging approaches, we investigate the birth, migration, and projection patterns of OENs. We find that OENs are born in two distinct groups: a group of rostral efferent neurons (RENs) that arises in the fourth segment, or rhombomere (r4), of the hindbrain and a group of caudal efferent neurons (CENs) that arises in r5. Both RENs and CENs then migrate posteriorly through the hindbrain between 18 and 48 hrs postfertilization, alongside the r4-derived FBMNs. Like the FBMNs, migration of the r4-derived RENs depends on function of the segmental identity gene hoxb1a; unlike the FBMNs, however, both OEN populations move independently of prickle1b. Further, we investigate whether the previously described "pioneer" neuron that leads FBMN migration through the hindbrain is an r4-derived FBMN/REN or an r5-derived CEN. Our experiments verify that the pioneer is an r4-derived neuron and reaffirm its role in leading FBMN migration across the r4/5 border. In contrast, the r5-derived CENs migrate independently of the pioneer. Together, these results indicate that the mechanisms OENs use to navigate the hindbrain differ significantly from those employed by FBMNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Beiriger
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sweta Narayan
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Noor Singh
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Victoria Prince
- Committee on Development, Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Genome-Wide Binding Analyses of HOXB1 Revealed a Novel DNA Binding Motif Associated with Gene Repression. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9010006. [PMID: 33546292 PMCID: PMC7931043 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the diverse DNA binding specificities of transcription factors is important for understanding their specific regulatory functions in animal development and evolution. We have examined the genome-wide binding properties of the mouse HOXB1 protein in embryonic stem cells differentiated into neural fates. Unexpectedly, only a small number of HOXB1 bound regions (7%) correlate with binding of the known HOX cofactors PBX and MEIS. In contrast, 22% of the HOXB1 binding peaks display co-occupancy with the transcriptional repressor REST. Analyses revealed that co-binding of HOXB1 with PBX correlates with active histone marks and high levels of expression, while co-occupancy with REST correlates with repressive histone marks and repression of the target genes. Analysis of HOXB1 bound regions uncovered enrichment of a novel 15 base pair HOXB1 binding motif HB1RE (HOXB1 response element). In vitro template binding assays showed that HOXB1, PBX1, and MEIS can bind to this motif. In vivo, this motif is sufficient for direct expression of a reporter gene and over-expression of HOXB1 selectively represses this activity. Our analyses suggest that HOXB1 has evolved an association with REST in gene regulation and the novel HB1RE motif contributes to HOXB1 function in part through a repressive role in gene expression.
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhang H, Xie J, So KKH, Tong KK, Sae-Pang JJ, Wang L, Tsang SL, Chan WY, Wong EYM, Sham MH. Hoxb3 Regulates Jag1 Expression in Pharyngeal Epithelium and Affects Interaction With Neural Crest Cells. Front Physiol 2021; 11:612230. [PMID: 33505317 PMCID: PMC7830521 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.612230] [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: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Craniofacial morphogenesis depends on proper migration of neural crest cells and their interactions with placodes and other cell types. Hox genes provide positional information and are important in patterning the neural crest and pharyngeal arches (PAs) for coordinated formation of craniofacial structures. Hox genes are expressed in the surface ectoderm and epibranchial placodes, their roles in the pharyngeal epithelium and their downstream targets in regulating PA morphogenesis have not been established. We altered the Hox code in the pharyngeal region of the Hoxb3Tg/+ mutant, in which Hoxb3 is driven to ectopically expressed in Hoxb2 domain in the second pharyngeal arch (PA2). In the transgenic mutant, ectopic Hoxb3 expression was restricted to the surface ectoderm, including the proximal epibranchial placodal region and the distal pharyngeal epithelium. The Hoxb3Tg/+ mutants displayed hypoplasia of PA2, multiple neural crest-derived facial skeletal and nerve defects. Interestingly, we found that in the Hoxb3Tg/+ mutant, expression of the Notch ligand Jag1 was specifically up-regulated in the ectodermal pharyngeal epithelial cells of PA2. By molecular experiments, we demonstrated that Hoxb3 could bind to an upstream genomic site S2 and directly regulate Jag1 expression. In the Hoxb3Tg/+ mutant, elevated expression of Jag1 in the pharyngeal epithelium led to abnormal cellular interaction and deficiency of neural crest cells migrating into PA2. In summary, we showed that Hoxb3 regulates Jag1 expression and proposed a model of pharyngeal epithelium and neural crest interaction during pharyngeal arch development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Junjie Xie
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Karl Kam Hei So
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Ka Kui Tong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Jearn Jang Sae-Pang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Li Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Sze Lan Tsang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Wood Yee Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Elaine Yee Man Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Mai Har Sham
- School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Singh NP, De Kumar B, Paulson A, Parrish ME, Zhang Y, Florens L, Conaway JW, Si K, Krumlauf R. A six-amino-acid motif is a major determinant in functional evolution of HOX1 proteins. Genes Dev 2020; 34:1680-1696. [PMID: 33184220 PMCID: PMC7706710 DOI: 10.1101/gad.342329.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Gene duplication and divergence is a major driver in the emergence of evolutionary novelties. How variations in amino acid sequences lead to loss of ancestral activity and functional diversification of proteins is poorly understood. We used cross-species functional analysis of Drosophila Labial and its mouse HOX1 orthologs (HOXA1, HOXB1, and HOXD1) as a paradigm to address this issue. Mouse HOX1 proteins display low (30%) sequence similarity with Drosophila Labial. However, substituting endogenous Labial with the mouse proteins revealed that HOXA1 has retained essential ancestral functions of Labial, while HOXB1 and HOXD1 have diverged. Genome-wide analysis demonstrated similar DNA-binding patterns of HOXA1 and Labial in mouse cells, while HOXB1 binds to distinct targets. Compared with HOXB1, HOXA1 shows an enrichment in co-occupancy with PBX proteins on target sites and exists in the same complex with PBX on chromatin. Functional analysis of HOXA1-HOXB1 chimeric proteins uncovered a novel six-amino-acid C-terminal motif (CTM) flanking the homeodomain that serves as a major determinant of ancestral activity. In vitro DNA-binding experiments and structural prediction show that CTM provides an important domain for interaction of HOXA1 proteins with PBX. Our findings show that small changes outside of highly conserved DNA-binding regions can lead to profound changes in protein function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bony De Kumar
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA
| | - Ariel Paulson
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA
| | - Mark E Parrish
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA
| | - Ying Zhang
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA
| | - Laurence Florens
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA
| | - Joan W Conaway
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Kausik Si
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| | - Robb Krumlauf
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri 64110, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Méndez-Maldonado K, Vega-López GA, Aybar MJ, Velasco I. Neurogenesis From Neural Crest Cells: Molecular Mechanisms in the Formation of Cranial Nerves and Ganglia. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:635. [PMID: 32850790 PMCID: PMC7427511 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural crest (NC) is a transient multipotent cell population that originates in the dorsal neural tube. Cells of the NC are highly migratory, as they travel considerable distances through the body to reach their final sites. Derivatives of the NC are neurons and glia of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the enteric nervous system as well as non-neural cells. Different signaling pathways triggered by Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs), Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs), Wnt proteins, Notch ligands, retinoic acid (RA), and Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) participate in the processes of induction, specification, cell migration and neural differentiation of the NC. A specific set of signaling pathways and transcription factors are initially expressed in the neural plate border and then in the NC cell precursors to the formation of cranial nerves. The molecular mechanisms of control during embryonic development have been gradually elucidated, pointing to an important role of transcriptional regulators when neural differentiation occurs. However, some of these proteins have an important participation in malformations of the cranial portion and their mutation results in aberrant neurogenesis. This review aims to give an overview of the role of cell signaling and of the function of transcription factors involved in the specification of ganglia precursors and neurogenesis to form the NC-derived cranial nerves during organogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karla Méndez-Maldonado
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular - Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Guillermo A Vega-López
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.,Instituto de Biología "Dr. Francisco D. Barbieri", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Manuel J Aybar
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (INSIBIO, CONICET-UNT), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.,Instituto de Biología "Dr. Francisco D. Barbieri", Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Iván Velasco
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular - Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico.,Laboratorio de Reprogramación Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía "Manuel Velasco Suárez", Ciudad de México, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Retinoids and developmental neurotoxicity: Utilizing toxicogenomics to enhance adverse outcome pathways and testing strategies. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:102-113. [PMID: 32544423 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of genomic approaches in toxicological studies has greatly increased our ability to define the molecular profiles of environmental chemicals associated with developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). Integration of these approaches with adverse outcome pathways (AOPs), a framework that translates environmental exposures to adverse developmental phenotypes, can potentially inform DNT testing strategies. Here, using retinoic acid (RA) as a case example, we demonstrate that the integration of toxicogenomic profiles into the AOP framework can be used to establish a paradigm for chemical testing. RA is a critical regulatory signaling molecule involved in multiple aspects of mammalian central nervous system (CNS) development, including hindbrain formation/patterning and neuronal differentiation, and imbalances in RA signaling pathways are linked with DNT. While the mechanisms remain unresolved, environmental chemicals can cause DNT by disrupting the RA signaling pathway. First, we reviewed literature evidence of RA and other retinoid exposures and DNT to define a provisional AOP related to imbalances in RA embryonic bioavailability and hindbrain development. Next, by integrating toxicogenomic datasets, we defined a relevant transcriptomic signature associated with RA-induced developmental neurotoxicity (RA-DNT) in human and rodent models that was tested against zebrafish model data, demonstrating potential for integration into an AOP framework. Finally, we demonstrated how these approaches may be systematically utilized to identify chemical hazards by testing the RA-DNT signature against azoles, a proposed class of compounds that alters RA-signaling. The provisional AOP from this study can be expanded in the future to better define DNT biomarkers relevant to RA signaling and toxicity.
Collapse
|
22
|
Coughlan E, Garside VC, Wong SFL, Liang H, Kraus D, Karmakar K, Maheshwari U, Rijli FM, Bourne J, McGlinn E. A Hox Code Defines Spinocerebellar Neuron Subtype Regionalization. Cell Rep 2019; 29:2408-2421.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|
23
|
Parker HJ, Bronner ME, Krumlauf R. An atlas of anterior hox gene expression in the embryonic sea lamprey head: Hox-code evolution in vertebrates. Dev Biol 2019; 453:19-33. [PMID: 31071313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In the hindbrain and the adjacent cranial neural crest (NC) cells of jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes), nested and segmentally-restricted domains of Hox gene expression provide a combinatorial Hox-code for specifying regional properties during head development. Extant jawless vertebrates, such as the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), can provide insights into the evolution and diversification of this Hox-code in vertebrates. There is evidence for gnathostome-like spatial patterns of Hox expression in lamprey; however, the expression domains of the majority of lamprey hox genes from paralogy groups (PG) 1-4 are yet to be characterized, so it is unknown whether they are coupled to hindbrain segments (rhombomeres) and NC. In this study, we systematically describe the spatiotemporal expression of all 14 sea lamprey hox genes from PG1-PG4 in the developing hindbrain and pharynx to investigate the extent to which their expression conforms to the archetypal gnathostome hindbrain and pharyngeal hox-codes. We find many similarities in Hox expression between lamprey and gnathostome species, particularly in rhombomeric domains during hindbrain segmentation and in the cranial neural crest, enabling inference of aspects of Hox expression in the ancestral vertebrate embryonic head. These data are consistent with the idea that a Hox regulatory network underlying hindbrain segmentation is a pan vertebrate trait. We also reveal differences in hindbrain domains at later stages, as well as expression in the endostyle and in pharyngeal arch (PA) 1 mesoderm. Our analysis suggests that many Hox expression domains that are observed in extant gnathostomes were present in ancestral vertebrates but have been partitioned differently across Hox clusters in gnathostome and cyclostome lineages after duplication.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo J Parker
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Marianne E Bronner
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Robb Krumlauf
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Gruner HN, Kim M, Mastick GS. Robo1 and 2 Repellent Receptors Cooperate to Guide Facial Neuron Cell Migration and Axon Projections in the Embryonic Mouse Hindbrain. Neuroscience 2019; 402:116-129. [PMID: 30685539 PMCID: PMC6435285 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The facial nerve is necessary for our ability to eat, speak, and make facial expressions. Both the axons and cell bodies of the facial nerve undergo a complex embryonic developmental pattern involving migration of the cell bodies caudally and tangentially through rhombomeres, and simultaneously the axons projecting to exit the hindbrain to form the facial nerve. Our goal in this study was to test the functions of the chemorepulsive receptors Robo1 and Robo2 in facial neuron migration and axon projection by analyzing genetically marked motor neurons in double-mutant mouse embryos through the migration time course, E10.0-E13.5. In Robo1/2 double mutants, axon projection and cell body migration errors were more severe than in single mutants. Most axons did not make it to their motor exit point, and instead projected into and longitudinally within the floor plate. Surprisingly, some facial neurons had multiple axons exiting and projecting into the floor plate. At the same time, a subset of mutant facial cell bodies failed to migrate caudally, and instead either streamed dorsally toward the exit point or shifted into the floor plate. We conclude that Robo1 and Robo2 have redundant functions to guide multiple aspects of the complex cell migration of the facial nucleus, as well as regulating axon trajectories and suppressing formation of ectopic axons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah N. Gruner
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
| | - Minkyung Kim
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
| | - Grant S. Mastick
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, 1664 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Porras-Gallo MI, Peña-Meliáan Á, Viejo F, Hernáandez T, Puelles E, Echevarria D, Ramón Sañudo J. Overview of the History of the Cranial Nerves: From Galen to the 21st Century. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018; 302:381-393. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- María Isabel Porras-Gallo
- Department of Medical Sciences; Medical Faculty of Ciudad Real, University of Castilla-La Mancha; Ciudad Real Spain
- Regional Center of Biomedical Research (CRIB); University of Castilla-La Mancha; Ciudad Real Spain
| | - Áangel Peña-Meliáan
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - Fermín Viejo
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid; Madrid Spain
| | - Tomáas Hernáandez
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology; Universitat de Vàlencia; Valencia Spain
| | - Eduardo Puelles
- Department of Histology and Anatomy; University of Miguel Hernández; Alicante Spain
| | - Diego Echevarria
- Department of Histology and Anatomy; University of Miguel Hernández; Alicante Spain
| | - José Ramón Sañudo
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid; Madrid Spain
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Frank MM, Goodrich LV. Talking back: Development of the olivocochlear efferent system. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2018; 7:e324. [PMID: 29944783 PMCID: PMC6185769 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Developing sensory systems must coordinate the growth of neural circuitry spanning from receptors in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) to multilayered networks within the central nervous system (CNS). This breadth presents particular challenges, as nascent processes must navigate across the CNS-PNS boundary and coalesce into a tightly intermingled wiring pattern, thereby enabling reliable integration from the PNS to the CNS and back. In the auditory system, feedforward spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) from the periphery collect sound information via tonotopically organized connections in the cochlea and transmit this information to the brainstem for processing via the VIII cranial nerve. In turn, feedback olivocochlear neurons (OCNs) housed in the auditory brainstem send projections into the periphery, also through the VIII nerve. OCNs are motor neuron-like efferent cells that influence auditory processing within the cochlea and protect against noise damage in adult animals. These aligned feedforward and feedback systems develop in parallel, with SGN central axons reaching the developing auditory brainstem around the same time that the OCN axons extend out toward the developing inner ear. Recent findings have begun to unravel the genetic and molecular mechanisms that guide OCN development, from their origins in a generic pool of motor neuron precursors to their specialized roles as modulators of cochlear activity. One recurrent theme is the importance of efferent-afferent interactions, as afferent SGNs guide OCNs to their final locations within the sensory epithelium, and efferent OCNs shape the activity of the developing auditory system. This article is categorized under: Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development.
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
Studies of the vertebrate hindbrain have revealed parallel mechanisms that establish sharp segments with a distinct and homogeneous regional identity. Recent work has revealed roles of cell identity regulation and its relationships with cell segregation. At early stages, there is overlapping expression at segment borders of the Egr2 and Hoxb1 transcription factors that specify distinct identities, which is resolved by reciprocal repression. Computer simulations show that this dynamic regulation of cell identity synergises with cell segregation to generate sharp borders. Some intermingling between segments occurs at early stages, and ectopic egr2-expressing cells switch identity to match their new neighbours. This switching is mediated by coupling between egr2 expression and the level of retinoic acid signalling, which acts in a community effect to maintain homogeneous segmental identity. These findings reveal an interplay between cell segregation and the dynamic regulation of cell identity in the formation of sharp patterns in the hindbrain and raise the question of whether similar mechanisms occur in other tissues.
Collapse
|
28
|
Drake KA, Adam M, Mahoney R, Potter SS. Disruption of Hox9,10,11 function results in cellular level lineage infidelity in the kidney. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6306. [PMID: 29679048 PMCID: PMC5910417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24782-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hox genes are important regulators of development. The 39 mammalian Hox genes have considerable functional overlap, greatly confounding their study. In this report, we generated mice with multiple combinations of paralogous and flanking Abd-B Hox gene mutations to investigate functional redundancies in kidney development. The resulting mice developed a number of kidney abnormalities, including hypoplasia, agenesis, and severe cysts, with distinct Hox functions observed in early metanephric kidney formation and nephron progenitor maintenance. Most surprising, however, was that extensive removal of Hox shared function in these kidneys resulted in cellular level lineage infidelity. Strikingly, mutant nephron tubules consisted of intermixed cells with proximal tubule, loop of Henle, and collecting duct identities, with some single cells expressing markers associated with more than one nephron segment. These results indicate that Hox genes are required for proper lineage selection/maintenance and full repression of genes involved in cell fate restriction in the developing kidney.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keri A Drake
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Mike Adam
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Robert Mahoney
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - S Steven Potter
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Magella B, Mahoney R, Adam M, Potter SS. Reduced Abd-B Hox function during kidney development results in lineage infidelity. Dev Biol 2018; 438:84-93. [PMID: 29596840 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Hox genes can function as key drivers of segment identity, with Hox mutations in Drosophila often resulting in dramatic homeotic transformations. In addition, however, they can serve other essential functions. In mammals, the study of Hox gene roles in development is complicated by the presence of four Hox clusters with a total of 39 genes showing extensive functional overlap. In this study, in order to better understand shared core Hox functions, we examined kidney development in mice with frameshift mutations of multiple Abd-B type Hox genes. The resulting phenotypes included dramatically reduced branching morphogenesis of the ureteric bud, premature depletion of nephron progenitors and abnormal development of the stromal compartment. Most unexpected, however, we also observed a cellular level lineage infidelity in nephron segments. Scattered cells within the proximal tubules, for example, expressed genes normally expressed only in collecting ducts. Multiple combinations of inappropriate nephron segment specific marker expression were found. In some cases, cells within a tubule showed incorrect identity, while in other cases cells showed ambiguous character, with simultaneous expression of genes associated with more than one nephron segment. These results give evidence that Hox genes have an overlapping core function at the cellular level in driving and/or maintaining correct differentiation decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bliss Magella
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Robert Mahoney
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - Mike Adam
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States
| | - S Steven Potter
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Coupling the roles of Hox genes to regulatory networks patterning cranial neural crest. Dev Biol 2018; 444 Suppl 1:S67-S78. [PMID: 29571614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The neural crest is a transient population of cells that forms within the developing central nervous system and migrates away to generate a wide range of derivatives throughout the body during vertebrate embryogenesis. These cells are of evolutionary and clinical interest, constituting a key defining trait in the evolution of vertebrates and alterations in their development are implicated in a high proportion of birth defects and craniofacial abnormalities. In the hindbrain and the adjacent cranial neural crest cells (cNCCs), nested domains of Hox gene expression provide a combinatorial'Hox-code' for specifying regional properties in the developing head. Hox genes have been shown to play important roles at multiple stages in cNCC development, including specification, migration, and differentiation. However, relatively little is known about the underlying gene-regulatory mechanisms involved, both upstream and downstream of Hox genes. Furthermore, it is still an open question as to how the genes of the neural crest GRN are linked to Hox-dependent pathways. In this review, we describe Hox gene expression, function and regulation in cNCCs with a view to integrating these genes within the emerging gene regulatory network for cNCC development. We highlight early roles for Hox1 genes in cNCC specification, proposing that this may be achieved, in part, by regulation of the balance between pluripotency and differentiation in precursor cells within the neuro-epithelium. We then describe what is known about the regulation of Hox gene expression in cNCCs and discuss this from the perspective of early vertebrate evolution.
Collapse
|
31
|
Molecular specification of facial branchial motor neurons in vertebrates. Dev Biol 2018; 436:5-13. [PMID: 29391164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Orofacial muscles are critical for life-sustaining behaviors, such as feeding and breathing. Centuries of work by neuroanatomists and surgeons resulted in the mapping of bulbar motor neurons in the brainstem and the course of the cranial nerves that carry their axons. Despite the sophisticated understanding of the anatomy of the region, the molecular mechanisms that dictate the development and maturation of facial motor neurons remain poorly understood. This fundamental problem has been recently revisited by physiologists with novel techniques of studying the rhythmic contraction of orofacial muscles in relationship to breathing. The molecular understanding of facial motor neuron development will not only lead to the comprehension of the neural basis of facial expression but may also unlock new avenues to generate stem cell-derived replacements. This review summarizes the current understanding of molecular programs involved in facial motor neuron generation, migration, and maturation, including neural circuit assembly.
Collapse
|
32
|
Kamkar F, Xaymardan M, Asli NS. Hox-Mediated Spatial and Temporal Coding of Stem Cells in Homeostasis and Neoplasia. Stem Cells Dev 2017; 25:1282-9. [PMID: 27462829 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hox genes are fundamental components of embryonic patterning and morphogenesis with expression persisting into adulthood. They are also implicated in the development of diseases, particularly neoplastic transformations. The tight spatio-temporal regulation of Hox genes in concordance with embryonic patterning is an outstanding feature of these genes. In this review we have systematically analyzed Hox functions within the stem/progenitor cell compartments and asked whether their temporo-spatial topography is retained within the stem cell domain throughout development and adulthood. In brief, evidence support involvement of Hox genes at several levels along the stem cell hierarchy, including positional identity, stem cell self-renewal, and differentiation. There is also strong evidence to suggest a role for Hox genes during neoplasia. Although fundamental questions are yet to be addressed through more targeted and high- throughput approaches, existing evidence suggests a central role for Hox genes within a continuum along the developmental axes persisting into adult homeostasis and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Kamkar
- 1 Department of Cell and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa , Ontario, Canada
| | - Munira Xaymardan
- 2 Discipline of Life Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney , Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
| | - Naisana S Asli
- 2 Discipline of Life Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney , Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Allen JR, Bhattacharyya KD, Asante E, Almadi B, Schafer K, Davis J, Cox J, Voigt M, Viator JA, Chandrasekhar A. Role of branchiomotor neurons in controlling food intake of zebrafish larvae. J Neurogenet 2017; 31:128-137. [PMID: 28812416 PMCID: PMC5942883 DOI: 10.1080/01677063.2017.1358270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The physical act of eating or feeding involves the coordinated action of several organs like eyes and jaws, and associated neural networks. Moreover, the activity of the neural networks controlling jaw movements (branchiomotor circuits) is regulated by the visual, olfactory, gustatory and hypothalamic systems, which are largely well characterized at the physiological level. By contrast, the behavioral output of the branchiomotor circuits and the functional consequences of disruption of these circuits by abnormal neural development are poorly understood. To begin to address these questions, we sought to evaluate the feeding ability of zebrafish larvae, a direct output of the branchiomotor circuits, and developed a qualitative assay for measuring food intake in zebrafish larvae at 7 days post-fertilization. We validated the assay by examining the effects of ablating the branchiomotor neurons. Metronidazole-mediated ablation of nitroreductase-expressing branchiomotor neurons resulted in a predictable reduction in food intake without significantly affecting swimming ability, indicating that the assay is robust. Laser-mediated ablation of trigeminal motor neurons resulted in a significant decrease in food intake, indicating that the assay is sensitive. Importantly, in larvae of a genetic mutant with severe loss of branchiomotor neurons, food intake was abolished. These studies establish a foundation for dissecting the neural circuits driving a motor behavior essential for survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James R. Allen
- Division of Biological Sciences, and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kiran D. Bhattacharyya
- Department of Biological Engineering, and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Emilia Asante
- Division of Biological Sciences, and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Badr Almadi
- Division of Biological Sciences, and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kyle Schafer
- Division of Biological Sciences, and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jeremy Davis
- Division of Biological Sciences, and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jane Cox
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Mark Voigt
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - John A. Viator
- Department of Biological Engineering, and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Anand Chandrasekhar
- Division of Biological Sciences, and Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Chilton JK, Guthrie S. Axons get ahead: Insights into axon guidance and congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders. Dev Neurobiol 2017; 77:861-875. [DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John K. Chilton
- Wellcome Wolfson Centre for Medical Research; University of Exeter Medical School, Wellcome-Wolfson Centre for Medical Research; Exeter EX2 5DW United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Guthrie
- School of Life Sciences; University of Sussex; Falmer Brighton, BN1 9QG
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Nuclear derivatives and axonal projections originating from rhombomere 4 in the mouse hindbrain. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 222:3509-3542. [PMID: 28470551 PMCID: PMC5676809 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1416-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The r4-derived territory is located in the pontine region of the brainstem, forming a wedge-shaped slice that broadens from the choroidal roof to the ventral midline. R4-derived neuronal populations migrate radially inside and tangentially outside this rhombomere, forming nuclei of the sensorimotor auditory, vestibular, trigeminal and reticular systems. R4-derived fibre tracts contribute to the lateral lemniscus, the trigeminothalamic tracts, the medial tegmental tract and the medial forebrain bundle, which variously project to the midbrain, thalamus, hypothalamus and telencephalon. Other tracts such as the trigeminocerebellar and vestibulocerebellar tracts reach the cerebellum, while the medial and lateral vestibulospinal tracts, and the reticulospinal and trigeminal oro-spinal tracts extend into the spinal cord. Many r4-derived fibres are crossed; they decussate to the contralateral side traversing the midline through the cerebellar, collicular and intercollicular commissures, as well as the supraoptic decussation. Moreover, some fibres enter into the posterior and anterior commissures and some terminals reach the septum. Overall, this study provides an overview of all r4 neuronal populations and axonal tracts from their embryonic origin to the adult final location and target.
Collapse
|
36
|
Dixon K, Chen J, Li Q. Gene expression profiling discerns molecular pathways elicited by ligand signaling to enhance the specification of embryonic stem cells into skeletal muscle lineage. Cell Biosci 2017; 7:23. [PMID: 28469839 PMCID: PMC5414197 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-017-0150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of lineage specification and differentiation in embryonic stem (ES) cells can be achieved through the activation of endogenous signaling, an avenue for potential application in regenerative medicine. During vertebrate development, retinoic acid (RA) plays an important role in body axis elongation and mesoderm segmentation in that graded exposure to RA provides cells with positional identity and directs commitment to specific tissue lineages. Nevertheless, bexarotene, a clinically approved rexinoid, enhances the specification and differentiation of ES cells into skeletal myocytes more effectively than RA. Thus profiling the transcriptomes of ES cells differentiated with bexarotene or RA permits the identification of different genetic targets and signaling pathways that may contribute to the difference of bexarotene and RA in efficiency of myogenesis. Interestingly, bexarotene induces the early expression of a myogenic progenitor marker, Meox1, while the expression of many RA targets is also enhanced by bexarotene. Several signaling molecules involved in the progression of myogenic specification and commitment are differentially regulated by bexarotene and RA, suggesting that early targets of rexinoid allow the coordinated regulation of molecular events which leads to efficient myogenic differentiation in ES cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Dixon
- 0000 0001 2182 2255grid.28046.38Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Room 2537, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5 Canada
| | - Jihong Chen
- 0000 0001 2182 2255grid.28046.38Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
| | - Qiao Li
- 0000 0001 2182 2255grid.28046.38Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Room 2537, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5 Canada ,0000 0001 2182 2255grid.28046.38Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON Canada
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Di Bonito M, Studer M. Cellular and Molecular Underpinnings of Neuronal Assembly in the Central Auditory System during Mouse Development. Front Neural Circuits 2017; 11:18. [PMID: 28469562 PMCID: PMC5395578 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2017.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, the organization of the auditory system into distinct functional subcircuits depends on the spatially and temporally ordered sequence of neuronal specification, differentiation, migration and connectivity. Regional patterning along the antero-posterior axis and neuronal subtype specification along the dorso-ventral axis intersect to determine proper neuronal fate and assembly of rhombomere-specific auditory subcircuits. By taking advantage of the increasing number of transgenic mouse lines, recent studies have expanded the knowledge of developmental mechanisms involved in the formation and refinement of the auditory system. Here, we summarize several findings dealing with the molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie the assembly of central auditory subcircuits during mouse development, focusing primarily on the rhombomeric and dorso-ventral origin of auditory nuclei and their associated molecular genetic pathways.
Collapse
|
38
|
Roux M, Laforest B, Eudes N, Bertrand N, Stefanovic S, Zaffran S. Hoxa1 and Hoxb1 are required for pharyngeal arch artery development. Mech Dev 2016; 143:1-8. [PMID: 27956219 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2016.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hox transcription factors play critical roles during early vertebrate development. Previous studies have revealed an overlapping function of Hoxa1 and Hoxb1 during specification of the rhombomeres from which neural crest cells emerge. A recent study on Hoxa1 mutant mice documented its function during cardiovascular development, however, the role of Hoxb1 is still unclear. Here we show using single and compound Hoxa1;Hoxb1 mutant embryos that reduction of Hoxa1 gene dosage in Hoxb1-null genetic background is sufficient to result in abnormal pharyngeal aortic arch (PAA) development and subsequently in great artery defects. Endothelial cells in the 4th PAAs of compound mutant differentiate normally whereas vascular smooth muscle cells of the vessels are absent in the defective PAAs. The importance of Hoxa1 and Hoxb1, and their interaction during specification of cardiac NCCs is demonstrated. Together, our data reveal a critical role for anterior Hox genes during PAA development, providing new mechanistic insights into the etiology of congenital heart defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marine Roux
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, GMGF, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Hessinger C, Technau GM, Rogulja-Ortmann A. The Drosophila Hox gene Ultrabithorax acts in both muscles and motoneurons to orchestrate formation of specific neuromuscular connections. Development 2016; 144:139-150. [PMID: 27913640 PMCID: PMC5278631 DOI: 10.1242/dev.143875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hox genes are known to specify motoneuron pools in the developing vertebrate spinal cord and to control motoneuronal targeting in several species. However, the mechanisms controlling axial diversification of muscle innervation patterns are still largely unknown. We present data showing that the Drosophila Hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) acts in the late embryo to establish target specificity of ventrally projecting RP motoneurons. In abdominal segments A2 to A7, RP motoneurons innervate the ventrolateral muscles VL1-4, with VL1 and VL2 being innervated in a Wnt4-dependent manner. In Ubx mutants, these motoneurons fail to make correct contacts with muscle VL1, a phenotype partially resembling that of the Wnt4 mutant. We show that Ubx regulates expression of Wnt4 in muscle VL2 and that it interacts with the Wnt4 response pathway in the respective motoneurons. Ubx thus orchestrates the interaction between two cell types, muscles and motoneurons, to regulate establishment of the ventrolateral neuromuscular network. Summary: Ultrabithorax controls correct innervation of ventrolateral muscles by coordinating Wnt4 ligand expression in muscles with the signalling pathway response in motoneurons.
Collapse
|
40
|
Devi U, Kumar V, Gupta PS, Dubey S, Singh M, Gautam S, Rawat JK, Roy S, Yadav RK, Ansari MN, Saeedan AS, Kaithwas G. Experimental Models for Autism Spectrum Disorder Follow-Up for the Validity. REVIEW JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-016-0088-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
41
|
Nonautonomous Roles of MAB-5/Hox and the Secreted Basement Membrane Molecule SPON-1/F-Spondin in Caenorhabditis elegans Neuronal Migration. Genetics 2016; 203:1747-62. [PMID: 27225683 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.116.188367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nervous system development and circuit formation requires neurons to migrate from their birthplaces to specific destinations.Migrating neurons detect extracellular cues that provide guidance information. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the Q right (QR) and Q left (QL) neuroblast descendants migrate long distances in opposite directions. The Hox gene lin-39 cell autonomously promotes anterior QR descendant migration, and mab-5/Hox cell autonomously promotes posterior QL descendant migration. Here we describe a nonautonomous role of mab-5 in regulating both QR and QL descendant migrations, a role masked by redundancy with lin-39 A third Hox gene, egl-5/Abdominal-B, also likely nonautonomously regulates Q descendant migrations. In the lin-39 mab-5 egl-5 triple mutant, little if any QR and QL descendant migration occurs. In addition to well-described roles of lin-39 and mab-5 in the Q descendants, our results suggest that lin-39, mab-5, and egl-5 might also pattern the posterior region of the animal for Q descendant migration. Previous studies showed that the spon-1 gene might be a target of MAB-5 in Q descendant migration. spon-1 encodes a secreted basement membrane molecule similar to vertebrate F-spondin. Here we show that spon-1 acts nonautonomously to control Q descendant migration, and might function as a permissive rather than instructive signal for cell migration. We find that increased levels of MAB-5 in body wall muscle (BWM) can drive the spon-1 promoter adjacent to the Q cells, and loss of spon-1 suppresses mab-5 gain of function. Thus, MAB-5 might nonautonomously control Q descendant migrations by patterning the posterior region of the animal to which Q cells respond. spon-1 expression from BWMs might be part of the posterior patterning necessary for directed Q descendant migration.
Collapse
|
42
|
Vogel M, Velleuer E, Schmidt-Jiménez LF, Mayatepek E, Borkhardt A, Alawi M, Kutsche K, Kortüm F. Homozygous HOXB1 loss-of-function mutation in a large family with hereditary congenital facial paresis. Am J Med Genet A 2016; 170:1813-9. [PMID: 27144914 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.37682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary congenital facial paresis (HCFP) belongs to the congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders. HCFP is characterized by the isolated dysfunction of the seventh cranial nerve and can be associated with hearing loss, strabismus, and orofacial anomalies. Möbius syndrome shares facial palsy with HCFP, but is additionally characterized by limited abduction of the eye(s). Genetic heterogeneity has been documented for HCFP as one locus mapped to chromosome 3q21-q22 (HCFP1) and a second to 10q21.3-q22.1 (HCFP2). The only known causative gene for HCFP is HOXB1 (17q21; HCFP3), encoding a homeodomain-containing transcription factor of the HOX gene family, which are master regulators of early developmental processes. The previously reported HOXB1 mutations change arginine 207 to another residue in the homeodomain and alter binding capacity of HOXB1 for transcriptional co-regulators and DNA. We performed whole exome sequencing in HCFP-affected individuals of a large consanguineous Moroccan family. The homozygous nonsense variant c.66C>G/p.(Tyr22*) in HOXB1 was identified in the four patients with HCFP and ear malformations, while healthy family members carried the mutation in the heterozygous state. This is the first disease-associated HOXB1 mutation with a likely loss-of-function effect suggesting that all HOXB1 variants reported so far also have severe impact on activity of this transcriptional regulator. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Vogel
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eunike Velleuer
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Leon F Schmidt-Jiménez
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ertan Mayatepek
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Arndt Borkhardt
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Malik Alawi
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Bioinformatics Service Facility, Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Bioinformatics, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz-Institute for Experimental Virology, Virus Genomics, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Kutsche
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fanny Kortüm
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
The subdivision of tissues into sharply demarcated regions with distinct and homogenous identity is an essential aspect of embryonic development. Along the anteroposterior axis of the vertebrate nervous system, this involves signaling which induces spatially restricted expression of transcription factors that specify regional identity. The spatial expression of such transcription factors is initially imprecise, with overlapping expression of genes that specify distinct identities, and a ragged border at the interface of adjacent regions. This pattern becomes sharpened by establishment of mutually exclusive expression of transcription factors, and by cell segregation that underlies formation of a straight border. In this review, we discuss studies of the vertebrate hindbrain which have revealed how discrete regional identity is established, the roles of Eph-ephrin signaling in cell segregation and border sharpening, and how cell identity and cell segregation are coupled.
Collapse
|
44
|
Loss of Projections, Functional Compensation, and Residual Deficits in the Mammalian Vestibulospinal System of Hoxb1-Deficient Mice. eNeuro 2015; 2:eN-NWR-0096-15. [PMID: 26730404 PMCID: PMC4697082 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0096-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic mechanisms underlying the developmental and functional specification of brainstem projection neurons are poorly understood. Here, we use transgenic mouse tools to investigate the role of the gene Hoxb1 in the developmental patterning of vestibular projection neurons, with particular focus on the lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST). The LVST is the principal pathway that conveys vestibular information to limb-related spinal motor circuits and arose early during vertebrate evolution. We show that the segmental hindbrain expression domain uniquely defined by the rhombomere 4 (r4) Hoxb1 enhancer is the origin of essentially all LVST neurons, but also gives rise to subpopulations of contralateral medial vestibulospinal tract (cMVST) neurons, vestibulo-ocular neurons, and reticulospinal (RS) neurons. In newborn mice homozygous for a Hoxb1-null mutation, the r4-derived LVST and cMVST subpopulations fail to form and the r4-derived RS neurons are depleted. Several general motor skills appear unimpaired, but hindlimb vestibulospinal reflexes, which are mediated by the LVST, are greatly reduced. This functional deficit recovers, however, during the second postnatal week, indicating a substantial compensation for the missing LVST. Despite the compensatory plasticity in balance, adult Hoxb1-null mice exhibit other behavioral deficits that manifest particularly in proprioception and interlimb coordination during locomotor tasks. Our results provide a comprehensive account of the developmental role of Hoxb1 in patterning the vestibular system and evidence for a remarkable developmental plasticity in the descending control of reflex limb movements. They also suggest an involvement of the lateral vestibulospinal tract in proprioception and in ensuring limb alternation generated by locomotor circuitry.
Collapse
|
45
|
Du H, Taylor HS. The Role of Hox Genes in Female Reproductive Tract Development, Adult Function, and Fertility. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2015; 6:a023002. [PMID: 26552702 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
HOX genes convey positional identity that leads to the proper partitioning and adult identity of the female reproductive track. Abnormalities in reproductive tract development can be caused by HOX gene mutations or altered HOX gene expression. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and other endocrine disruptors cause Müllerian defects by changing HOX gene expression. HOX genes are also essential regulators of adult endometrial development. Regulated HOXA10 and HOXA11 expression is necessary for endometrial receptivity; decreased HOXA10 or HOXA11 expression leads to decreased implantation rates. Alternation of HOXA10 and HOXA11 expression has been identified as a mechanism of the decreased implantation associated with endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, leiomyoma, polyps, adenomyosis, and hydrosalpinx. Alteration of HOX gene expression causes both uterine developmental abnormalities and impaired adult endometrial development that prevent implantation and lead to female infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongling Du
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Hugh S Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Mechanisms of FGF gradient formation during embryogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2015; 53:94-100. [PMID: 26454099 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have long been attributed to influence morphogenesis in embryonic development. Signaling by FGF morphogen encodes positional identity of tissues by creating a concentration gradient over the developing embryo. Various mechanisms that influence the development of such gradient have been elucidated in the recent past. These mechanisms of FGF gradient formation present either as an extracellular control over FGF ligand diffusion or as a subcellular control of FGF propagation and signaling. In this review, we describe our current understanding of FGF as a morphogen, the extracellular control of FGF gradient formation by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and mechanisms of intracellular regulation of FGF signaling that influence gradient formation.
Collapse
|
47
|
Sajgo S, Ali S, Popescu O, Badea TC. Dynamic expression of transcription factor Brn3b during mouse cranial nerve development. J Comp Neurol 2015; 524:1033-61. [PMID: 26356988 DOI: 10.1002/cne.23890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
During development, transcription factor combinatorial codes define a large variety of morphologically and physiologically distinct neurons. Such a combinatorial code has been proposed for the differentiation of projection neurons of the somatic and visceral components of cranial nerves. It is possible that individual neuronal cell types are not specified by unique transcription factors but rather emerge through the intersection of their expression domains. Brn3a, Brn3b, and Brn3c, in combination with each other and/or transcription factors of other families, can define subgroups of retinal ganglion cells (RGC), spiral and vestibular ganglia, inner ear and vestibular hair cell neurons in the vestibuloacoustic system, and groups of somatosensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia. The present study investigates the expression and potential role of the Brn3b transcription factor in cranial nerves and associated nuclei of the brainstem. We report the dynamic expression of Brn3b in the somatosensory component of cranial nerves II, V, VII, and VIII and visceromotor nuclei of nerves VII, IX, and X as well as other brainstem nuclei during different stages of development into adult stage. We find that genetically identified Brn3b(KO) RGC axons show correct but delayed pathfinding during the early stages of embryonic development. However, loss of Brn3b does not affect the anatomy of the other cranial nerves normally expressing this transcription factor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Szilard Sajgo
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892.,Molecular Biology Center, Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Science, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, 400084, Romania
| | - Seid Ali
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892
| | - Octavian Popescu
- Molecular Biology Center, Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Bio-Nano-Science, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, 400084, Romania.,Institute of Biology, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, 060031, Romania
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Roux M, Laforest B, Capecchi M, Bertrand N, Zaffran S. Hoxb1 regulates proliferation and differentiation of second heart field progenitors in pharyngeal mesoderm and genetically interacts with Hoxa1 during cardiac outflow tract development. Dev Biol 2015; 406:247-58. [PMID: 26284287 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Revised: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Outflow tract (OFT) anomalies are among the most common congenital heart defects found at birth. The embryonic OFT grows by the progressive addition of cardiac progenitors, termed the second heart field (SHF), which originate from splanchnic pharyngeal mesoderm. Development of the SHF is controlled by multiple intercellular signals and transcription factors; however the relationship between different SHF regulators remains unclear. We have recently shown that Hoxa1 and Hoxb1 are expressed in a sub-population of the SHF contributing to the OFT. Here, we report that Hoxb1 deficiency results in a shorter OFT and ventricular septal defects (VSD). Mechanistically, we show that both FGF/ERK and BMP/SMAD signaling, which regulate proliferation and differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells and OFT morphogenesis, are enhanced in the pharyngeal region in Hoxb1 mutants. Absence of Hoxb1 also perturbed SHF development through premature myocardial differentiation. Hence, the positioning and remodeling of the mutant OFT is disrupted. Hoxa1(-/-) embryos, in contrast, have low percentage of VSD and normal SHF development. However, compound Hoxa1(-/-); Hoxb1(+/-) embryos display OFT defects associated with premature SHF differentiation, demonstrating redundant roles of these factors during OFT development. Our findings provide new insights into the gene regulatory network controlling SHF and OFT formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marine Roux
- Aix Marseille Université, GMGF, 13385 Marseille, France; Inserm, UMR_S910, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Brigitte Laforest
- Aix Marseille Université, GMGF, 13385 Marseille, France; Inserm, UMR_S910, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Mario Capecchi
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Nicolas Bertrand
- Aix Marseille Université, GMGF, 13385 Marseille, France; Inserm, UMR_S910, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Stéphane Zaffran
- Aix Marseille Université, GMGF, 13385 Marseille, France; Inserm, UMR_S910, 13385 Marseille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Raines AM, Magella B, Adam M, Potter SS. Key pathways regulated by HoxA9,10,11/HoxD9,10,11 during limb development. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2015; 15:28. [PMID: 26186931 PMCID: PMC4506574 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-015-0078-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background The 39 mammalian Hox genes show problematic patterns of functional overlap. In order to more fully define the developmental roles of Hox genes it is necessary to remove multiple combinations of paralogous and flanking genes. In addition, the downstream molecular pathways regulated by Hox genes during limb development remain incompletely delineated. Results In this report we examine limb development in mice with frameshift mutations in six Hox genes, Hoxa9,10,11 and Hoxd9,10,11. The mice were made with a novel recombineering method that allows the simultaneous targeting of frameshift mutations into multiple flanking genes. The Hoxa9,10,11−/−/Hoxd9,10,11−/− mutant mice show a reduced ulna and radius that is more severe than seen in Hoxa11−/−/Hoxd11−/− mice, indicating a minor role for the flanking Hox9,10 genes in zeugopod development, as well as their primary function in stylopod development. The mutant mice also show severe reduction of Shh expression in the zone of polarizing activity, and decreased Fgf8 expression in the apical ectodermal ridge, thereby better defining the roles of these specific Hox genes in the regulation of critical signaling centers during limb development. Importantly, we also used laser capture microdissection coupled with RNA-Seq to characterize the gene expression programs in wild type and mutant limbs. Resting, proliferative and hypertrophic compartments of E15.5 forelimb zeugopods were examined. The results provide an RNA-Seq characterization of the progression of gene expression patterns during normal endochondral bone formation. In addition of the Hox mutants showed strongly altered expression of Pknox2, Zfp467, Gdf5, Bmpr1b, Dkk3, Igf1, Hand2, Shox2, Runx3, Bmp7 and Lef1, all of which have been previously shown to play important roles in bone formation. Conclusions The recombineering based frameshift mutation of the six flanking and paralogous Hoxa9,10,11 and Hoxd9,10,11 genes provides a resource for the analysis of their overlapping functions. Analysis of the Hoxa9,10,11−/−/Hoxd9,10,11−/− mutant limbs confirms and extends the results of previous studies using mice with Hox mutations in single paralogous groups or with entire Hox cluster deletions. The RNA-Seq analysis of specific compartments of the normal and mutant limbs defines the multiple key perturbed pathways downstream of these Hox genes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12861-015-0078-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Raines
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
| | - Bliss Magella
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
| | - Mike Adam
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
| | - S Steven Potter
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Rosin JM, Kurrasch DM, Cobb J. Shox2 is required for the proper development of the facial motor nucleus and the establishment of the facial nerves. BMC Neurosci 2015; 16:39. [PMID: 26156498 PMCID: PMC4495855 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-015-0176-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Axons from the visceral motor neurons (vMNs) project from nuclei in the hindbrain to innervate autonomic ganglia and branchial arch-derived muscles. Although much is known about the events that govern specification of somatic motor neurons, the genetic pathways responsible for the development of vMNs are less well characterized. We know that vMNs, like all motor neurons, depend on sonic hedgehog signaling for their generation. Similarly, the paired-like homeobox 2b (Phox2b) gene, which is expressed in both proliferating progenitors and post-mitotic motor neurons, is essential for the development of vMNs. Given that our previous study identified a novel role for the short stature homeobox 2 (Shox2) gene in the hindbrain, and since SHOX2 has been shown to regulate transcription of islet 1 (Isl1), an important regulator of vMN development, we sought to determine whether Shox2 is required for the proper development of the facial motor nucleus. Results Using a Nestin-Cre driver, we show that elimination of Shox2 throughout the brain results in elevated cell death in the facial motor nucleus at embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) and E14.5, which correlates with impaired axonal projection properties of vMNs. We also observed changes in the spatial expression of the vMN cell fate factors Isl1 and Phox2b, and concomitant defects in Shh and Ptch1 expression in Shox2 mutants. Furthermore, we demonstrate that elimination of Shox2 results in the loss of dorsomedial and ventromedial subnuclei by postnatal day 0 (P0), which may explain the changes in physical activity and impaired feeding/nursing behavior in Shox2 mutants. Conclusions Combined, our data show that Shox2 is required for development of the facial motor nucleus and its associated facial (VII) nerves, and serves as a new molecular tool to probe the genetic programs of this understudied hindbrain region. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12868-015-0176-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Rosin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., BI286D, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Deborah M Kurrasch
- Department of Medical Genetics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive N.W., Room HS2275, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - John Cobb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive N.W., BI286D, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|