1
|
Kanata E, Duffié R, Schulz EG. Establishment and maintenance of random monoallelic expression. Development 2024; 151:dev201741. [PMID: 38813842 PMCID: PMC11166465 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201741] [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] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
This Review elucidates the regulatory principles of random monoallelic expression by focusing on two well-studied examples: the X-chromosome inactivation regulator Xist and the olfactory receptor gene family. Although the choice of a single X chromosome or olfactory receptor occurs in different developmental contexts, common gene regulatory principles guide monoallelic expression in both systems. In both cases, an event breaks the symmetry between genetically and epigenetically identical copies of the gene, leading to the expression of one single random allele, stabilized through negative feedback control. Although many regulatory steps that govern the establishment and maintenance of monoallelic expression have been identified, key pieces of the puzzle are still missing. We provide an overview of the current knowledge and models for the monoallelic expression of Xist and olfactory receptors. We discuss their similarities and differences, and highlight open questions and approaches that could guide the study of other monoallelically expressed genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Kanata
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rachel Duffié
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind, Brain, and Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Edda G. Schulz
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yusuf N, Monahan K. Epigenetic programming of stochastic olfactory receptor choice. Genesis 2024; 62:e23593. [PMID: 38562011 PMCID: PMC11003729 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The mammalian sense of smell relies upon a vast array of receptor proteins to detect odorant compounds present in the environment. The proper deployment of these receptor proteins in olfactory sensory neurons is orchestrated by a suite of epigenetic processes that remodel the olfactory genes in differentiating neuronal progenitors. The goal of this review is to elucidate the central role of gene regulatory processes acting in neuronal progenitors of olfactory sensory neurons that lead to a singular expression of an odorant receptor in mature olfactory sensory neurons. We begin by describing the principal features of odorant receptor gene expression in mature olfactory sensory neurons. Next, we delineate our current understanding of how these features emerge from multiple gene regulatory mechanisms acting in neuronal progenitors. Finally, we close by discussing the key gaps in our understanding of how these regulatory mechanisms work and how they interact with each other over the course of differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nusrath Yusuf
- Division of Life Sciences-Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kevin Monahan
- Division of Life Sciences-Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Department, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hirota J. Molecular mechanisms of differentiation and class choice of olfactory sensory neurons. Genesis 2024; 62:e23587. [PMID: 38454646 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23587] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The sense of smell is intricately linked to essential animal behaviors necessary for individual survival and species preservation. During vertebrate evolution, odorant receptors (ORs), responsible for detecting odor molecules, have evolved to adapt to changing environments, transitioning from aquatic to terrestrial habitats and accommodating increasing complex chemical environments. These evolutionary pressures have given rise to the largest gene family in vertebrate genomes. Vertebrate ORs are phylogenetically divided into two major classes; class I and class II. Class I OR genes, initially identified in fish and frog, have persisted across vertebrate species. On the other hand, class II OR genes are unique to terrestrial animals, accounting for ~90% of mammalian OR genes. In mice, each olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) expresses a single functional allele of a single OR gene from either the class I or class II OR repertoire. This one neuron-one receptor rule is established through two sequential steps: specification of OR class and subsequent exclusive OR expression from the corresponding OR class. Consequently, OSNs acquire diverse neuronal identities during the process of OSN differentiation, enabling animals to detect a wide array of odor molecules. This review provides an overview of the OSN differentiation process through which OSN diversity is achieved, primarily using the mouse as a model animal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junji Hirota
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
- Center for Integrative Biosciences, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hirose A, Nakamura G, Nikaido M, Fujise Y, Kato H, Kishida T. Localized Expression of Olfactory Receptor Genes in the Olfactory Organ of Common Minke Whales. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3855. [PMID: 38612665 PMCID: PMC11012115 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073855] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Baleen whales (Mysticeti) possess the necessary anatomical structures and genetic elements for olfaction. Nevertheless, the olfactory receptor gene (OR) repertoire has undergone substantial degeneration in the cetacean lineage following the divergence of the Artiodactyla and Cetacea. The functionality of highly degenerated mysticete ORs within their olfactory epithelium remains unknown. In this study, we extracted total RNA from the nasal mucosae of common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) to investigate ORs' localized expression. All three sections of the mucosae examined in the nasal chamber displayed comparable histological structure. However, the posterior portion of the frontoturbinal region exhibited notably high OR expression. Neither the olfactory bulb nor the external skin exhibited the expression of these genes. Although this species possesses four intact non-class-2 ORs, all the ORs expressed in the nasal mucosae belong to class-2, implying the loss of aversion to specific odorants. These anatomical and genomic analyses suggest that ORs are still responsible for olfaction within the nasal region of baleen whales, enabling them to detect desirable scents such as prey and potential mating partners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Hirose
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan;
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Gen Nakamura
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Masato Nikaido
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan;
| | | | - Hidehiro Kato
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
- The Institute of Cetacean Research, Tokyo 104-0055, Japan
| | - Takushi Kishida
- Museum of Natural and Environmental History, Shizuoka 422-8017, Japan;
- College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa 252-0880, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Gedam M, Comerota MM, Propson NE, Chen T, Jin F, Wang MC, Zheng H. Complement C3aR depletion reverses HIF-1α-induced metabolic impairment and enhances microglial response to Aβ pathology. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e167501. [PMID: 37317973 PMCID: PMC10266793 DOI: 10.1172/jci167501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the major cell type expressing complement C3a receptor (C3aR) in the brain. Using a knockin mouse line in which a Td-tomato reporter is incorporated into the endogenous C3ar1 locus, we identified 2 major subpopulations of microglia with differential C3aR expression. Expressing the Td-tomato reporter on the APPNL-G-F-knockin (APP-KI) background revealed a significant shift of microglia to a high-C3aR-expressing subpopulation and they were enriched around amyloid β (Aβ) plaques. Transcriptomic analysis of C3aR-positive microglia documented dysfunctional metabolic signatures, including upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling and abnormal lipid metabolism in APP-KI mice compared with wild-type controls. Using primary microglial cultures, we found that C3ar1-null microglia had lower HIF-1α expression and were resistant to hypoxia mimetic-induced metabolic changes and lipid droplet accumulation. These were associated with improved receptor recycling and Aβ phagocytosis. Crossing C3ar1-knockout mice with the APP-KI mice showed that C3aR ablation rescued the dysregulated lipid profiles and improved microglial phagocytic and clustering abilities. These were associated with ameliorated Aβ pathology and restored synaptic and cognitive function. Our studies identify a heightened C3aR/HIF-1α signaling axis that influences microglial metabolic and lipid homeostasis in Alzheimer disease, suggesting that targeting this pathway may offer therapeutic benefit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manasee Gedam
- Huffington Center on Aging
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
| | | | | | - Tao Chen
- Huffington Center on Aging
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
| | | | - Meng C. Wang
- Huffington Center on Aging
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Texas, USA
| | - Hui Zheng
- Huffington Center on Aging
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Olfactory receptor choice: a case study for gene regulation in a multi-enhancer system. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2021; 72:101-109. [PMID: 34896807 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian genome possesses >2000 olfactory receptor (OR) alleles regulated by 63 known OR-Enhancer elements, yet each olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) expresses only a single OR allele. Choreographed changes to OSN nuclear architecture are evidently necessary for OR expression. Additionally, the insulated organization of OR-enhancers around an OR allele is a hallmark of the chosen OR. However, the biology guiding OR choice itself is unclear. Innovations in single-cell and biophysics-based analysis of nuclear architecture are revising previous models of the nucleus to include its dynamic and probabilistic nature. In this review, we ground current knowledge of OR gene regulation in these emerging theories to speculate on mechanisms that may give rise to diverse and singular OR expression.
Collapse
|
7
|
Abbas G, Tang S, Noble J, Lane RP. Olfactory receptor coding sequences cause silencing of episomal constructs in multiple cell lines. Mol Cell Neurosci 2021; 117:103681. [PMID: 34742908 PMCID: PMC8669572 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2021.103681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian olfactory system consists of sensory neurons with specialized odorant-binding capability accomplished by mutually exclusive odorant receptor (OR) expression. Mutually exclusive OR expression is a complex multi-step process regulated by a number of cis and trans factors, including pan-silencing of all OR genes preceding the robust and stable expression of the one OR selected in each sensory neuron. We transfected two olfactory-placode-derived cell lines modeling immature odorant sensory neurons, as well as the GD25 fibroblast cell line, with episomes containing CMV-driven GFP and TK-driven hygromycin reporter genes. We inserted various coding sequences, along with an IRES, immediately upstream of the GFP gene to produce bicistronic mRNAs driven from the local CMV promoter. We found that the presence of several OR coding sequences resulted in significantly diminished episomal expression of GFP in all three cell lines. These findings suggest that OR coding sequences have intrinsic self-silencing capability that might facilitate mutually exclusive OR expression in olfactory sensory neurons by making it less likely that multiple ORs acquire an above-threshold level of expression at once.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ghazia Abbas
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457, USA
| | - Spencer Tang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457, USA
| | - Joyce Noble
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457, USA
| | - Robert P Lane
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06457, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Manzini I, Schild D, Di Natale C. Principles of odor coding in vertebrates and artificial chemosensory systems. Physiol Rev 2021; 102:61-154. [PMID: 34254835 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00036.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological olfactory system is the sensory system responsible for the detection of the chemical composition of the environment. Several attempts to mimic biological olfactory systems have led to various artificial olfactory systems using different technical approaches. Here we provide a parallel description of biological olfactory systems and their technical counterparts. We start with a presentation of the input to the systems, the stimuli, and treat the interface between the external world and the environment where receptor neurons or artificial chemosensors reside. We then delineate the functions of receptor neurons and chemosensors as well as their overall I-O relationships. Up to this point, our account of the systems goes along similar lines. The next processing steps differ considerably: while in biology the processing step following the receptor neurons is the "integration" and "processing" of receptor neuron outputs in the olfactory bulb, this step has various realizations in electronic noses. For a long period of time, the signal processing stages beyond the olfactory bulb, i.e., the higher olfactory centers were little studied. Only recently there has been a marked growth of studies tackling the information processing in these centers. In electronic noses, a third stage of processing has virtually never been considered. In this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge of both fields and, for the first time, attempt to tie them together. We hope it will be a breeding ground for better information, communication, and data exchange between very related but so far little connected fields.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Manzini
- Animal Physiology and Molecular Biomedicine, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Detlev Schild
- Institute of Neurophysiology and Cellular Biophysics, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Corrado Di Natale
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu Q, Mishra M, Saxena AS, Wu H, Qiu Y, Zhang X, You X, Ding S, Miyamoto MM. Balancing selection maintains ancient polymorphisms at conserved enhancers for the olfactory receptor genes of a Chinese marine fish. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:4023-4038. [PMID: 34107131 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The study of balancing selection, as a selective force maintaining adaptive genetic variation in gene pools longer than expected by drift, is currently experiencing renewed interest due to the increased availability of new data, methods of analysis, and case studies. In this investigation, evidence of balancing selection operating on conserved enhancers of the olfactory receptor (OR) genes is presented for the Chinese sleeper (Bostrychus sinensis), a coastal marine fish that is emerging as a model species for evolutionary studies in the Northwest Pacific marginal seas. Coupled with tests for Gene Ontology enrichment and transcription factor binding, population genomic data allow for the identification of an OR cluster in the sleeper with a downstream flanking region containing three enhancers that are conserved with human and other fish species. Phylogenetic and population genetic analyses indicate that the enhancers are under balancing selection as evidenced by their translineage polymorphisms, excess common alleles, and increased within-group diversities. Age comparisons between the translineage polymorphisms and most recent common ancestors of neutral genealogies substantiate that the former are old, and thus, due to ancient balancing selection. The survival and reproduction of vertebrates depend on their sense of smell, and thereby, on their ORs. In addition to locus duplication and allelic variation of structural genes, this study highlights a third mechanism by which receptor diversity can be achieved for detecting and responding to the huge variety of environmental odorants (i.e., by balancing selection acting on OR gene expression through their enhancer variability).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiaohong Liu
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Mrinal Mishra
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ayush S Saxena
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Haohao Wu
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | - Ying Qiu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinhui Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinxin You
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Genomics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Breeding in Marine Economic Animals, BGI Academy of Sciences, BGI Marine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shaoxiong Ding
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Urban Sea Ecological Conservation and Restoration, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shah A, Ratkowski M, Rosa A, Feinstein P, Bozza T. Olfactory expression of trace amine-associated receptors requires cooperative cis-acting enhancers. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3797. [PMID: 34145232 PMCID: PMC8213819 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23824-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory sensory neurons express a large family of odorant receptors (ORs) and a small family of trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs). While both families are subject to so-called singular expression (expression of one allele of one gene), the mechanisms underlying TAAR gene choice remain obscure. Here, we report the identification of two conserved sequence elements in the mouse TAAR cluster (T-elements) that are required for TAAR gene expression. We observed that cell-type-specific expression of a TAAR-derived transgene required either T-element. Moreover, deleting either element reduced or abolished expression of a subset of TAAR genes, while deleting both elements abolished olfactory expression of all TAARs in cis with the mutation. The T-elements exhibit several features of known OR enhancers but also contain highly conserved, unique sequence motifs. Our data demonstrate that TAAR gene expression requires two cooperative cis-acting enhancers and suggest that ORs and TAARs share similar mechanisms of singular expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ami Shah
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Madison Ratkowski
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Alessandro Rosa
- The Graduate Center Programs in Biochemistry, Biology and CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Feinstein
- The Graduate Center Programs in Biochemistry, Biology and CUNY Neuroscience Collaborative, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Bozza
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Fei A, Wu W, Tan L, Tang C, Xu Z, Huo X, Bao H, Kong Y, Johnson M, Hartmann G, Talay M, Yang C, Riegler C, Herrera KJ, Engert F, Xie XS, Barnea G, Liberles SD, Yang H, Li Q. Coordination of two enhancers drives expression of olfactory trace amine-associated receptors. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3798. [PMID: 34145235 PMCID: PMC8213717 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23823-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) are functionally defined by their expression of a unique odorant receptor (OR). Mechanisms underlying singular OR expression are well studied, and involve a massive cross-chromosomal enhancer interaction network. Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) form a distinct family of olfactory receptors, and here we find that mechanisms regulating Taar gene choice display many unique features. The epigenetic signature of Taar genes in TAAR OSNs is different from that in OR OSNs. We further identify that two TAAR enhancers conserved across placental mammals are absolutely required for expression of the entire Taar gene repertoire. Deletion of either enhancer dramatically decreases the expression probabilities of different Taar genes, while deletion of both enhancers completely eliminates the TAAR OSN populations. In addition, both of the enhancers are sufficient to drive transgene expression in the partially overlapped TAAR OSNs. We also show that the TAAR enhancers operate in cis to regulate Taar gene expression. Our findings reveal a coordinated control of Taar gene choice in OSNs by two remote enhancers, and provide an excellent model to study molecular mechanisms underlying formation of an olfactory subsystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aimei Fei
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanqing Wu
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Longzhi Tan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Cheng Tang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brian-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengrong Xu
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaona Huo
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brian-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongqiang Bao
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yalei Kong
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mark Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Griffin Hartmann
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Mustafa Talay
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Cheng Yang
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Clemens Riegler
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kristian J Herrera
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Florian Engert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - X Sunney Xie
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gilad Barnea
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Stephen D Liberles
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brian-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Li
- Center for Brain Science of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Razin SV, Ioudinkova ES, Kantidze OL, Iarovaia OV. Co-Regulated Genes and Gene Clusters. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:907. [PMID: 34208174 PMCID: PMC8230824 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
There are many co-regulated genes in eukaryotic cells. The coordinated activation or repression of such genes occurs at specific stages of differentiation, or under the influence of external stimuli. As a rule, co-regulated genes are dispersed in the genome. However, there are also gene clusters, which contain paralogous genes that encode proteins with similar functions. In this aspect, they differ significantly from bacterial operons containing functionally linked genes that are not paralogs. In this review, we discuss the reasons for the existence of gene clusters in vertebrate cells and propose that clustering is necessary to ensure the possibility of selective activation of one of several similar genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey V. Razin
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.I.); (O.L.K.); (O.V.I.)
- Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena S. Ioudinkova
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.I.); (O.L.K.); (O.V.I.)
| | - Omar L. Kantidze
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.I.); (O.L.K.); (O.V.I.)
| | - Olga V. Iarovaia
- Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia; (E.S.I.); (O.L.K.); (O.V.I.)
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Enomoto T, Wakui K, Hirota J. Bcl11b is required for proper odorant receptor expression in the mouse septal organ. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 384:643-653. [PMID: 33783611 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-021-03444-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Individual olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the mouse main olfactory epithelium express a single odorant receptor (OR) gene from the repertoire of either class I or class II ORs. The transcription factor Bcl11b determines the OR class to be expressed in OSNs. The septal organ (SO), a small neuroepithelium located at the ventral base of the nasal septum, is considered as an olfactory subsystem because it expresses a specific subset of ORs. However, the mechanisms underlying the generation and differentiation of SO-OSN remain unknown. In the present study, we show that the generation and differentiation of SO-OSN employ the same genetic pathway as in the OSN lineage, which is initiated by the neuronal fate determinant factor Ascl1. Additionally, the key role of Bcl11b in the SO is demonstrated by the abnormal phenotypes of Bcl11b-deficient mice: significant reduction in the expression of OR genes and in the number of mature SO-OSNs. Although SO-OSNs are specified to express a subset of class II OR genes in wild-type mice, the Bcl11b deletion led to the expression of class I OR genes, while the expression of class II OR genes was significantly decreased, with one exception of Olfr15. These results indicate that Bcl11b is necessary for proper OR expression in SO-OSNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Enomoto
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan.,Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Koji Wakui
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Junji Hirota
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan. .,Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Leme Silva AG, Nagai MH, Nakahara TS, Malnic B. Genetic Background Effects on the Expression of an Odorant Receptor Gene. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:646413. [PMID: 33716678 PMCID: PMC7947310 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.646413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There are more than 1000 odorant receptor (OR) genes in the mouse genome. Each olfactory sensory neuron expresses only one of these genes, in a monoallelic fashion. The transcript abundance of homologous OR genes vary between distinct mouse strains. Here we analyzed the expression of the OR gene Olfr17 (also named P2) in different genomic contexts. Olfr17 is expressed at higher levels in the olfactory epithelium from 129 mice than from C57BL/6 (B6) mice. However, we found that in P2-IRES-tauGFP knock-in mice, the transcript levels of the 129 Olfr17 allele are highly reduced when compared to the B6 Olfr17 allele. To address the mechanisms involved in this variation we compared the 5′ region sequence and DNA methylation patterns of the B6 and 129 Olfr17 alleles. Our results show that genetic variations in cis regulatory regions can lead to differential DNA methylation frequencies in these OR gene alleles. They also show that expression of the Olfr17 alleles is largely affected by the genetic background, and suggest that in knock-in mice, expression can be affected by epigenetic modifications in the region of the targeted locus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bettina Malnic
- Department of Biochemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Iwata T, Tomeoka S, Hirota J. A class I odorant receptor enhancer shares a functional motif with class II enhancers. Sci Rep 2021; 11:510. [PMID: 33436797 PMCID: PMC7804114 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79980-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In the mouse, 129 functional class I odorant receptor (OR) genes reside in a ~ 3 megabase huge gene cluster on chromosome 7. The J element, a long-range cis-regulatory element governs the singular expression of class I OR genes by exerting its effect over the whole cluster. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying class I-specific enhancer activity of the J element, we analyzed the J element sequence to determine the functional region and essential motif. The 430-bp core J element, that is highly conserved in mammalian species from the platypus to humans, contains a class I-specific conserved motif of AAACTTTTC, multiple homeodomain sites, and a neighboring O/E-like site, as in class II OR-enhancers. A series of transgenic reporter assays demonstrated that the class I-specific motif is not essential, but the 330-bp core J-H/O containing the homeodomain and O/E-like sites is necessary and sufficient for class I-specific enhancer activity. Further motif analysis revealed that one of homeodomain sequence is the Greek Islands composite motif of the adjacent homeodomain and O/E-like sequences, and mutations in the composite motif abolished or severely reduced class I-enhancer activity. Our results demonstrate that class I and class II enhancers share a functional motif for their enhancer activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuo Iwata
- Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.,Biomaterial Analysis Division, Technical Department, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Satoshi Tomeoka
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Junji Hirota
- Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan. .,Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Carleton JB, Ginley-Hidinger M, Berrett KC, Layer RM, Quinlan AR, Gertz J. Regulatory sharing between estrogen receptor α bound enhancers. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:6597-6610. [PMID: 32479598 PMCID: PMC7337896 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The human genome encodes an order of magnitude more gene expression enhancers than promoters, suggesting that most genes are regulated by the combined action of multiple enhancers. We have previously shown that neighboring estrogen-responsive enhancers exhibit complex synergistic contributions to the production of an estrogenic transcriptional response. Here we sought to determine the molecular underpinnings of this enhancer cooperativity. We generated genetic deletions of four estrogen receptor α (ER) bound enhancers that regulate two genes and found that enhancers containing full estrogen response element (ERE) motifs control ER binding at neighboring sites, while enhancers with pre-existing histone acetylation/accessibility confer a permissible chromatin environment to the neighboring enhancers. Genome engineering revealed that two enhancers with half EREs could not compensate for the lack of a full ERE site within the cluster. In contrast, two enhancers with full EREs produced a transcriptional response greater than the wild-type locus. By swapping genomic sequences, we found that the genomic location of a full ERE strongly influences enhancer activity. Our results lead to a model in which a full ERE is required for ER recruitment, but the presence of a pre-existing permissible chromatin environment can also be needed for estrogen-driven gene regulation to occur.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia B Carleton
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Matthew Ginley-Hidinger
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kristofer C Berrett
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ryan M Layer
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.,Department of Computer Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Aaron R Quinlan
- Departments of Human Genetics and Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jason Gertz
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Olender T, Jones TEM, Bruford E, Lancet D. A unified nomenclature for vertebrate olfactory receptors. BMC Evol Biol 2020; 20:42. [PMID: 32295537 PMCID: PMC7160942 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-020-01607-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Olfactory receptors (ORs) are G protein-coupled receptors with a crucial role in odor detection. A typical mammalian genome harbors ~ 1000 OR genes and pseudogenes; however, different gene duplication/deletion events have occurred in each species, resulting in complex orthology relationships. While the human OR nomenclature is widely accepted and based on phylogenetic classification into 18 families and further into subfamilies, for other mammals different and multiple nomenclature systems are currently in use, thus concealing important evolutionary and functional insights. RESULTS Here, we describe the Mutual Maximum Similarity (MMS) algorithm, a systematic classifier for assigning a human-centric nomenclature to any OR gene based on inter-species hierarchical pairwise similarities. MMS was applied to the OR repertoires of seven mammals and zebrafish. Altogether, we assigned symbols to 10,249 ORs. This nomenclature is supported by both phylogenetic and synteny analyses. The availability of a unified nomenclature provides a framework for diverse studies, where textual symbol comparison allows immediate identification of potential ortholog groups as well as species-specific expansions/deletions; for example, Or52e5 and Or52e5b represent a rat-specific duplication of OR52E5. Another example is the complete absence of OR subfamily OR6Z among primate OR symbols. In other mammals, OR6Z members are located in one genomic cluster, suggesting a large deletion in the great ape lineage. An additional 14 mammalian OR subfamilies are missing from the primate genomes. While in chimpanzee 87% of the symbols were identical to human symbols, this number decreased to ~ 50% in dog and cow and to ~ 30% in rodents, reflecting the adaptive changes of the OR gene superfamily across diverse ecological niches. Application of the proposed nomenclature to zebrafish revealed similarity to mammalian ORs that could not be detected from the current zebrafish olfactory receptor gene nomenclature. CONCLUSIONS We have consolidated a unified standard nomenclature system for the vertebrate OR superfamily. The new nomenclature system will be applied to cow, horse, dog and chimpanzee by the Vertebrate Gene Nomenclature Committee and its implementation is currently under consideration by other relevant species-specific nomenclature committees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsviya Olender
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Tamsin E M Jones
- HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Elspeth Bruford
- HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, UK.,Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Doron Lancet
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100, Rehovot, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Seo W, Shimizu K, Kojo S, Okeke A, Kohwi-Shigematsu T, Fujii SI, Taniuchi I. Runx-mediated regulation of CCL5 via antagonizing two enhancers influences immune cell function and anti-tumor immunity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1562. [PMID: 32218434 PMCID: PMC7099032 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15375-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
CCL5 is a unique chemokine with distinct stage and cell-type specificities for regulating inflammation, but how these specificities are achieved and how CCL5 modulates immune responses is not well understood. Here we identify two stage-specific enhancers: the proximal enhancer mediates the constitutive CCL5 expression during the steady state, while the distal enhancer located 1.35 Mb from the promoter induces CCL5 expression in activated cells. Both enhancers are antagonized by RUNX/CBFβ complexes, and SATB1 further mediates the long-distance interaction of the distal enhancer with the promoter. Deletion of the proximal enhancer decreases CCL5 expression and augments the cytotoxic activity of tissue-resident T and NK cells, which coincides with reduced melanoma metastasis in mouse models. By contrast, increased CCL5 expression resulting from RUNX3 mutation is associated with more tumor metastasis in the lung. Collectively, our results suggest that RUNX3-mediated CCL5 repression is critical for modulating anti-tumor immunity. CCL5 is an important chemokine for modulation of inflammatory responses, but how CCL5 expression is regulated is still unclear. Here the authors show that the CCL5 locus contains two enhancers, with the proximal enhancer being responsible for homeostatic expression and the distal enhancer enforcing inducibility, while both enhancers are modulated by RUNX3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wooseok Seo
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan. .,Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Showa-ku Tsurumai-Cho 65, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Kanako Shimizu
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kojo
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Arinze Okeke
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | | | - Shin-Ichiro Fujii
- Laboratory for Immunotherapy, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ichiro Taniuchi
- Laboratory for Transcriptional Regulation, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22, Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Camargo AP, Nakahara TS, Firmino LER, Netto PHM, do Nascimento JBP, Donnard ER, Galante PAF, Carazzolle MF, Malnic B, Papes F. Uncovering the mouse olfactory long non-coding transcriptome with a novel machine-learning model. DNA Res 2020; 26:365-378. [PMID: 31321403 PMCID: PMC6704403 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsz015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Very little is known about long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the mammalian olfactory sensory epithelia. Deciphering the non-coding transcriptome in olfaction is relevant because these RNAs have been shown to play a role in chromatin modification and nuclear architecture reorganization, processes that accompany olfactory differentiation and olfactory receptor gene choice, one of the most poorly understood gene regulatory processes in mammals. In this study, we used a combination of in silico and ex vivo approaches to uncover a comprehensive catalogue of olfactory lncRNAs and to investigate their expression in the mouse olfactory organs. Initially, we used a novel machine-learning lncRNA classifier to discover hundreds of annotated and unannotated lncRNAs, some of which were predicted to be preferentially expressed in the main olfactory epithelium and the vomeronasal organ, the most important olfactory structures in the mouse. Moreover, we used whole-tissue and single-cell RNA sequencing data to discover lncRNAs expressed in mature sensory neurons of the main epithelium. Candidate lncRNAs were further validated by in situ hybridization and RT-PCR, leading to the identification of lncRNAs found throughout the olfactory epithelia, as well as others exquisitely expressed in subsets of mature olfactory neurons or progenitor cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio P Camargo
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago S Nakahara
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz E R Firmino
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo H M Netto
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - João B P do Nascimento
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elisa R Donnard
- Molecular Oncology Center, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro A F Galante
- Molecular Oncology Center, Hospital Sirio-Libanes, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo F Carazzolle
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Bettina Malnic
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabio Papes
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Farber JE, Lane RP. Bioinformatics Discovery of Putative Enhancers within Mouse Odorant Receptor Gene Clusters. Chem Senses 2019; 44:705-720. [PMID: 31529021 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjz043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory neuronal function depends on the expression and proper regulation of odorant receptor (OR) genes. Previous studies have identified 54 putative intergenic enhancers within or flanking 40 mouse OR clusters. At least 2 of these putative enhancers have been shown to regulate the expression of a small subset of proximal OR genes. In recognition of the large size of the mouse OR gene family (~1400 OR genes distributed across multiple chromosomal loci), it is likely that there remain many additional not-as-yet discovered OR enhancers. We utilized 23 of the previously identified enhancers as a training set (TS) and designed an algorithm that combines a broad range of epigenetic criteria (histone-3-lysine-4 monomethylation, histone-3-lysine-79 trimethylation, histone-3-lysine-27 acetylation, and DNase hypersensitivity) and genetic criteria (cross-species sequence conservation and transcription-factor binding site enrichment) to more broadly search OR gene clusters for additional candidates. We identified 181 new candidate enhancers located at 58 (of 68) mouse OR loci, including 25 new candidates identified by stringent search criteria whose signal strengths are not significantly different from the 23 previously characterized OR enhancers used as the TS. Additionally, we compared OR enhancer versus generic enhancer features in order to evaluate likelihoods that new enhancer candidates specifically function in OR regulation. We found that features distinguishing OR-specific function are significantly more evident for enhancer candidates located within OR clusters as compared with those in flanking regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James E Farber
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA
| | - Robert P Lane
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Degl’Innocenti A, Meloni G, Mazzolai B, Ciofani G. A purely bioinformatic pipeline for the prediction of mammalian odorant receptor gene enhancers. BMC Bioinformatics 2019; 20:474. [PMID: 31521109 PMCID: PMC6744719 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-019-3012-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In most mammals, a vast array of genes coding for chemosensory receptors mediates olfaction. Odorant receptor (OR) genes generally constitute the largest multifamily (> 1100 intact members in the mouse). From the whole pool, each olfactory neuron expresses a single OR allele following poorly characterized mechanisms termed OR gene choice. OR genes are found in genomic aggregations known as clusters. Nearby enhancers, named elements, are crucial regulators of OR gene choice. Despite their importance, searching for new elements is burdensome. Other chemosensory receptor genes responsible for smell adhere to expression modalities resembling OR gene choice, and are arranged in genomic clusters - often with chromosomal linkage to OR genes. Still, no elements are known for them. RESULTS Here we present an inexpensive framework aimed at predicting elements. We redefine cluster identity by focusing on multiple receptor gene families at once, and exemplify thirty - not necessarily OR-exclusive - novel candidate enhancers. CONCLUSIONS The pipeline we introduce could guide future in vivo work aimed at discovering/validating new elements. In addition, our study provides an updated and comprehensive classification of all genomic loci responsible for the transduction of olfactory signals in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Degl’Innocenti
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gabriella Meloni
- Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
| | - Barbara Mazzolai
- Center for Micro-BioRobotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
| | - Gianni Ciofani
- Smart Bio-Interfaces, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Enomoto T, Nishida H, Iwata T, Fujita A, Nakayama K, Kashiwagi T, Hatanaka Y, Kondo H, Kajitani R, Itoh T, Ohmoto M, Matsumoto I, Hirota J. Bcl11b controls odorant receptor class choice in mice. Commun Biol 2019; 2:296. [PMID: 31396576 PMCID: PMC6685970 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0536-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Each olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) expresses a single odorant receptor (OR) gene from the class I or class II repertoire in mice. The mechanisms that regulate OR class choice in OSNs remain unknown. Here, we show that the transcription factor Bcl11b determines the OR class to be expressed in OSNs. Both loss- and gain-of-function analyses demonstrate that class I is a default fate of OSNs and that Bcl11b dictates a class II OR choice by suppressing the effect of the J-element, a class I-OR enhancer. We further demonstrate that OSN-specific genetic manipulations of Bcl11b bias the OR class choice, generating mice with "class I-dominant" and "class II-dominant" noses, which display contrasting innate olfactory behaviors to two distinct aversive odorants. Overall, these findings reveal a unique transcriptional mechanism mediating a binary switch for OR class choice that is crucial to both the anatomical and functional organization of the olfactory system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Enomoto
- Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Hidefumi Nishida
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Tetsuo Iwata
- Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Akito Fujita
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Kanako Nakayama
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Takahiro Kashiwagi
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Yasue Hatanaka
- Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Hiro Kondo
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Rei Kajitani
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Takehiko Itoh
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| | - Makoto Ohmoto
- Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | | | - Junji Hirota
- Center for Biological Resources and Informatics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
- Department of Life Science and Technology, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, 226-8501 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Cichy A, Shah A, Dewan A, Kaye S, Bozza T. Genetic Depletion of Class I Odorant Receptors Impacts Perception of Carboxylic Acids. Curr Biol 2019; 29:2687-2697.e4. [PMID: 31378611 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.06.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian main olfactory pathway detects myriad volatile chemicals using >1,000 odorant receptor (OR) genes, which are organized into two phylogenetically distinct classes (class I and class II). An important question is how these evolutionarily conserved classes contribute to odor perception. Here, we report functional inactivation of a large number of class I ORs in mice via identification and deletion of a local cis-acting enhancer in the class I gene cluster. This manipulation reduced expression of half of the 131 intact class I genes. The resulting class I-depleted mice exhibited a significant reduction in the number of glomeruli responding to carboxylic acids-chemicals associated with microbial action and body odors. These mice also exhibit a change in odor perception marked by a selective loss of behavioral aversion to these compounds. Together, our data demonstrate that class I ORs play a critical role in representing a class of biologically relevant chemosignals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annika Cichy
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Ami Shah
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Adam Dewan
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sarah Kaye
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Thomas Bozza
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Bushdid C, de March CA, Topin J, Do M, Matsunami H, Golebiowski J. Mammalian class I odorant receptors exhibit a conserved vestibular-binding pocket. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:995-1004. [PMID: 30599066 PMCID: PMC7313674 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2996-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Odorant receptors represent the largest family of mammalian G protein-coupled receptors. Phylogenetically, they are split into two classes (I and II). By analyzing the entire subclass I odorant receptors sequences, we identified two class I-specific and highly conserved motifs. These are predicted to face each other at the extra-cellular portion of the transmembrane domain, forming a vestibular site at the entrance to the orthosteric-binding cavity. Molecular dynamics simulation combined with site-directed mutagenesis and in vitro functional assays confirm the functional role of this vestibular site in ligand-driven activation. Mutations at this part of the receptor differentially affect the receptor response to four agonists. Since this vestibular site is involved in ligand recognition, it could serve ligand design that targets specifically this sub-genome of mammalian odorant receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Bushdid
- Institute of Chemistry - Nice, UMR CNRS 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Claire A de March
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Jérémie Topin
- Institute of Chemistry - Nice, UMR CNRS 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Matthew Do
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Hiroaki Matsunami
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Jérôme Golebiowski
- Institute of Chemistry - Nice, UMR CNRS 7272, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, DGIST, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|