1
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Zhang Y, Wu F, Guo S, Yin R, Yuan M, Li X, Zhao X, Li X. Critical role of apoptosis in MeCP2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of ARPE-19 cells. J Cell Physiol 2024:e31429. [PMID: 39238182 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a complex disease that significantly contributes to recurrent retinal detachment. Its development is notably affected by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), where apoptosis plays a crucial role as a regulator of EMT. However, the function of MeCP2 in governing apoptosis and EMT in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and its implications for PVR development have remained inadequately understood. Thus, we investigated the impact of MeCP2 on proliferation, migration, apoptosis and EMT in ARPE-19 cells to provide a fresh perspective on the etiology of PVR. The morphological changes in ARPE-19 cells induced by recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown were observed. Wound healing assay were performed to verify the effects of recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown on ARPE-19 cell migration. Furthermore, cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. Western blot analysis, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence analysis were conducted to measure the protein levels associated with apoptosis, cell cycle and EMT. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays confirmed that MeCP2 promoted EMT formation in ARPE-19 cells. The CCK-8 assay revealed that MeCP2 treatment enhanced the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells, whereas MeCP2 knockdown inhibited ARPE-19 cell proliferation. Treatment with recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown altered the morphology of ARPE-19 cells. Wound healing assay demonstrated that MeCP2 knockdown inhibited ARPE-19 cell migration, and MeCP2 treatment promoted ARPE-19 cell migration. MeCP2 knockdown induced a G0/G1 phase block, inhibiting cell growth, and qRT-PCR data indicated reduced expression of cell cycle-related genes. Increased apoptosis was observed after MeCP2 knockdown in ARPE-19 cells. Overall, MeCP2 treatment stimulates cell proliferation, migration and EMT formation; conversely, MeCP2 knockdown inhibits EMT, cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle G1/S phase transition, and induces apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongya Zhang
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fei Wu
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sibei Guo
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruijie Yin
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Min Yuan
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xue Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xueru Zhao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Eye Institute, Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China
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2
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Tomasello DL, Barrasa MI, Mankus D, Alarcon KI, Lytton-Jean AKR, Liu XS, Jaenisch R. Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased reactive oxygen species production in MECP2 mutant astrocytes and their impact on neurons. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20565. [PMID: 39232000 PMCID: PMC11374804 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71040-y] [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: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies on MECP2 function and its implications in Rett Syndrome (RTT) have traditionally centered on neurons. Here, using human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines, we modeled MECP2 loss-of-function to explore its effects on astrocyte (AST) development and dysfunction in the brain. Ultrastructural analysis of RTT hESC-derived cerebral organoids revealed significantly smaller mitochondria compared to controls (CTRs), particularly pronounced in glia versus neurons. Employing a multiomics approach, we observed increased gene expression and accessibility of a subset of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes upon mutation of MECP2 in ASTs compared to neurons. Analysis of hESC-derived ASTs showed reduced mitochondrial respiration and altered key proteins in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and electron transport chain in RTT versus CTRs. Additionally, RTT ASTs exhibited increased cytosolic amino acids under basal conditions, which were depleted upon increased energy demands. Notably, mitochondria isolated from RTT ASTs exhibited increased reactive oxygen species and influenced neuronal activity when transferred to cortical neurons. These findings underscore MECP2 mutation's differential impact on mitochondrial and metabolic pathways in ASTs versus neurons, suggesting that dysfunctional AST mitochondria may contribute to RTT pathophysiology by affecting neuronal health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Mankus
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Katia I Alarcon
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Abigail K R Lytton-Jean
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - X Shawn Liu
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rudolf Jaenisch
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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3
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Chua GNL, Watters JW, Olinares PDB, Begum M, Vostal LE, Luo JA, Chait BT, Liu S. Differential dynamics specify MeCP2 function at nucleosomes and methylated DNA. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024:10.1038/s41594-024-01373-9. [PMID: 39164525 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01373-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is an essential chromatin-binding protein whose mutations cause Rett syndrome (RTT), a severe neurological disorder that primarily affects young females. The canonical view of MeCP2 as a DNA methylation-dependent transcriptional repressor has proven insufficient to describe its dynamic interaction with chromatin and multifaceted roles in genome organization and gene expression. Here we used single-molecule correlative force and fluorescence microscopy to directly visualize the dynamics of wild-type and RTT-causing mutant MeCP2 on DNA. We discovered that MeCP2 exhibits distinct one-dimensional diffusion kinetics when bound to unmethylated versus CpG methylated DNA, enabling methylation-specific activities such as co-repressor recruitment. We further found that, on chromatinized DNA, MeCP2 preferentially localizes to nucleosomes and stabilizes them from mechanical perturbation. Our results reveal the multimodal behavior of MeCP2 on chromatin that underlies its DNA methylation- and nucleosome-dependent functions and provide a biophysical framework for dissecting the molecular pathology of RTT mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella N L Chua
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, New York, NY, USA
| | - John W Watters
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Dominic B Olinares
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Masuda Begum
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lauren E Vostal
- Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology, New York, NY, USA
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua A Luo
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian T Chait
- Laboratory of Mass Spectrometry and Gaseous Ion Chemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shixin Liu
- Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Borgognone A, Casadellà M, Martínez de Lagrán M, Paredes R, Clotet B, Dierssen M, Elizalde-Torrent A. Lamivudine modulates the expression of neurological impairment-related genes and LINE-1 retrotransposons in brain tissues of a Down syndrome mouse model. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1386944. [PMID: 39100749 PMCID: PMC11294114 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1386944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Elevated activity of retrotransposons is increasingly recognized to be implicated in a wide range of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases, including Down syndrome (DS), which is the most common chromosomal condition causing intellectual disability globally. Previous research by our group has revealed that treatment with lamivudine, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor, improved neurobehavioral phenotypes and completely rescued hippocampal-dependent recognition memory in a DS mouse model, Ts65Dn. We hypothesized that retrotransposition rates would increase in the Ts65Dn mouse model, and lamivudine could block retrotransposons. We analyzed the differentially expressed long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) mapping on MMU16 and 17, and showed for the first time that retrotransposition could be associated with Ts65Dn's pathology, as misregulation of L1 was found in brain tissues associated with trisomy. In the cerebral cortex, 6 out of 26 upregulated L1s in trisomic treated mice were located in the telomeric region of MMU16 near Ttc3, Kcnj6, and Dscam genes. In the hippocampus, one upregulated L1 element in trisomic treated mice was located near the Fgd4 gene on MMU16. Moreover, two downregulated L1s rescued after treatment with lamivudine were located in the intronic region of Nrxn1 (MMU17) and Snhg14 (MMU7), implicated in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. To gain further insight into the mechanism of this improvement, we here analyzed the gene expression profile in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of trisomic mice treated and no-treated with lamivudine compared to their wild-type littermates. We found that treatment with lamivudine rescued the expression of 24% of trisomic genes in the cortex (located on mouse chromosome (MMU) 16 and 17) and 15% in the hippocampus (located in the human chromosome 21 orthologous regions), with important DS candidate genes such as App and Ets2, rescued in both regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - María Martínez de Lagrán
- Center for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roger Paredes
- IrsiCaixa, Badalona, Spain
- Department of Infeccious Diseases and Immunity, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pathology, Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Infectious Diseases Service, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Badalona, Spain
- Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Bonaventura Clotet
- IrsiCaixa, Badalona, Spain
- Department of Infeccious Diseases and Immunity, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Infectious Diseases Service, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Badalona, Spain
- Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Mara Dierssen
- Center for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Chen L, Zhang M, Yang X, Wang Y, Huang T, Li X, Ban Y, Li Q, Yang Q, Zhang Y, Zheng Y, Wang D, Wang X, Shi X, Zhang M, Sun Y, Wu J. Methyl-CpG-binding 2 K271 lactylation-mediated M2 macrophage polarization inhibits atherosclerosis. Theranostics 2024; 14:4256-4277. [PMID: 39113793 PMCID: PMC11303070 DOI: 10.7150/thno.94738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Posttranslational modifications of proteins have not been addressed in studies aimed at elucidating the cardioprotective effect of exercise in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In this study, we reveal a novel mechanism by which exercise ameliorates atherosclerosis via lactylation. Methods: Using ApoE-/- mice in an exercise model, proteomics analysis was used to identify exercise-induced specific lactylation of MeCP2 at lysine 271 (K271). Mutation of the MeCP2 K271 lactylation site in aortic plaque macrophages was achieved by recombinant adenoviral transfection. Explore the molecular mechanisms by which motility drives MeCP2 K271 lactylation to improve plaque stability using ATAC-Seq, CUT &Tag and molecular biology. Validation of the potential target RUNX1 for exercise therapy using Ro5-3335 pharmacological inhibition. Results: we showed that in ApoE-/- mice, methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) K271 lactylation was observed in aortic root plaque macrophages, promoting pro-repair M2 macrophage polarization, reducing the plaque area, shrinking necrotic cores, reducing plaque lipid deposition, and increasing collagen content. Adenoviral transfection, by introducing a mutant at lysine 271, overexpressed MeCP2 K271 lactylation, which enhanced exercise-induced M2 macrophage polarization and increased plaque stability. Mechanistically, the exercise-induced atheroprotective effect requires an interaction between MeCP2 K271 lactylation and H3K36me3, leading to increased chromatin accessibility and transcriptional repression of RUNX1. In addition, the pharmacological inhibition of the transcription factor RUNX1 exerts atheroprotective effects by promoting the polarization of plaque macrophages towards the pro-repair M2 phenotype. Conclusions: These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which exercise ameliorates atherosclerosis via MeCP2 K271 lactylation-H3K36me3/RUNX1. Interventions that enhance MeCP2 K271 lactylation have been shown to increase pro-repair M2 macrophage infiltration, thereby promoting plaque stabilization and reducing the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We also established RUNX1 as a potential drug target for exercise therapy, thereby providing guidance for the discovery of new targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangqi Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Meiju Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Xueyan Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Tuo Huang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Yunting Ban
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Qifeng Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Qingyuan Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Yongxiang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaoqi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Xiujie Shi
- The Clinical Skills Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Maomao Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Yong Sun
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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6
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Hu K, Ma R, Huang M, Cao X, Ding Y, Li Y, Chen Y, Xiao L, Ling S, Huang Y, Yin H, Tan B. Mecp2 promotes the anti-inflammatory effect of alpinetin via epigenetic modification crosstalk. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18510. [PMID: 38953409 PMCID: PMC11217806 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18510] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, inflammatory disorders have emerged as a significant concern for human health. Through ongoing research on anti-inflammatory agents, alpinetin has shown promising anti-inflammatory properties, including involvement in epigenetic modification pathways. As a crucial regulator of epigenetic modifications, Mecp2 may play a role in modulating the epigenetic effects of alpinetin, potentially impacting its anti-inflammatory properties. To test this hypothesis, two key components, p65 (a member of NF-KB family) and p300 (a type of co-activator), were screened by the expression profiling microarray, which exhibited a strong correlation with the intensity of LPS stimulation in mouse macrophages. Meanwhile, alpinetin demonstrates the anti-inflammatory properties through its ability to disrupt the synthesis of p65 and its interaction with promoters of inflammatory genes, yet it did not exhibit similar effects on p300. Additionally, Mecp2 can inhibit the binding of p300 by attaching to the methylated inflammatory gene promoter induced by alpinetin, leading to obstacles in promoter acetylation and subsequently impacting the binding of p65, ultimately enhancing the anti-inflammatory capabilities of alpinetin. Similarly, in a sepsis mouse model, it was observed that homozygotes overexpressing Mecp2 showed a greater reduction in organ damage and improved survival rates compared to heterozygotes when administered by alpinetin. However, blocking the expression of DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) resulted in the loss of Mecp2's anti-inflammatory assistance. In conclusion, Mecp2 may augment the anti-inflammatory effects of alpinetin through epigenetic 'crosstalk', highlighting the potential efficacy of a combined therapeutic strategy involving Mecp2 and alpinetin for anti-inflammatory intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Hu
- Medical CollegeHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
| | - Ruoting Ma
- Department of General Medicine, The Third Xiangya HospitalCentral South UniversityChangshaChina
| | | | - Xiangyu Cao
- Medical CollegeHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
| | - Yan Ding
- Medical CollegeHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
| | - Yuxian Li
- Medical CollegeHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
| | - Yuefu Chen
- Medical CollegeHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
| | - Lijun Xiao
- Medical CollegeHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
| | - Sha Ling
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated HospitalHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
| | - Youliang Huang
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated HospitalHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
| | - Huiming Yin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated HospitalHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
| | - Bifeng Tan
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated HospitalHunan University of MedicineHuaihuaChina
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7
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Yang J, Zou S, Qiu Z, Lai M, Long Q, Chen H, Lai PL, Zhang S, Rao Z, Xie X, Gong Y, Liu A, Li M, Bai X. Mecp2 fine-tunes quiescence exit by targeting nuclear receptors. eLife 2024; 12:RP89912. [PMID: 38747706 PMCID: PMC11095939 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89912] [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] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Quiescence (G0) maintenance and exit are crucial for tissue homeostasis and regeneration in mammals. Here, we show that methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2) expression is cell cycle-dependent and negatively regulates quiescence exit in cultured cells and in an injury-induced liver regeneration mouse model. Specifically, acute reduction of Mecp2 is required for efficient quiescence exit as deletion of Mecp2 accelerates, while overexpression of Mecp2 delays quiescence exit, and forced expression of Mecp2 after Mecp2 conditional knockout rescues cell cycle reentry. The E3 ligase Nedd4 mediates the ubiquitination and degradation of Mecp2, and thus facilitates quiescence exit. A genome-wide study uncovered the dual role of Mecp2 in preventing quiescence exit by transcriptionally activating metabolic genes while repressing proliferation-associated genes. Particularly disruption of two nuclear receptors, Rara or Nr1h3, accelerates quiescence exit, mimicking the Mecp2 depletion phenotype. Our studies unravel a previously unrecognized role for Mecp2 as an essential regulator of quiescence exit and tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Shitian Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Zeyou Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Mingqiang Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Qing Long
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Huan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Ping lin Lai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Sheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhi Rao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaoling Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Yan Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Anling Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Mangmang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaochun Bai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
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8
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Ortega-Alarcon D, Claveria-Gimeno R, Vega S, Kalani L, Jorge-Torres OC, Esteller M, Ausio J, Abian O, Velazquez-Campoy A. Extending MeCP2 interactome: canonical nucleosomal histones interact with MeCP2. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3636-3653. [PMID: 38321951 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae051] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
MeCP2 is a general regulator of transcription involved in the repression/activation of genes depending on the local epigenetic context. It acts as a chromatin regulator and binds with exquisite specificity to gene promoters. The set of epigenetic marks recognized by MeCP2 has been already established (mainly, cytosine modifications in CpG and CpA), as well as many of the constituents of its interactome. We unveil a new set of interactions for MeCP2 with the four canonical nucleosomal histones. MeCP2 interacts with high affinity with H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. In addition, Rett syndrome associated mutations in MeCP2 and histone epigenetic marks modulate these interactions. Given the abundance and the structural/functional relevance of histones and their involvement in epigenetic regulation, this new set of interactions and its modulating elements provide a new addition to the 'alphabet' for this epigenetic reader.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ortega-Alarcon
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Sonia Vega
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ladan Kalani
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BCV8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Olga C Jorge-Torres
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), 08907 l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Ausio
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BCV8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Olga Abian
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Adrian Velazquez-Campoy
- Institute of Biocomputation and Physics of Complex Systems (BIFI), Joint Unit GBsC-CSIC-BIFI, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el Área Temática de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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Ren P, Tong X, Li J, Jiang H, Liu S, Li X, Lai M, Yang W, Rong Y, Zhang Y, Jin J, Ma Y, Pan W, Fan HY, Zhang S, Zhang YL. CRL4 DCAF13 E3 ubiquitin ligase targets MeCP2 for degradation to prevent DNA hypermethylation and ensure normal transcription in growing oocytes. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:165. [PMID: 38578457 PMCID: PMC10997554 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05185-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The DNA methylation is gradually acquired during oogenesis, a process sustained by successful follicle development. However, the functional roles of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), an epigenetic regulator displaying specifical binding with methylated DNA, remains unknown in oogenesis. In this study, we found MeCP2 protein was highly expressed in primordial and primary follicle, but was almost undetectable in secondary follicles. However, in aged ovary, MeCP2 protein is significantly increased in both oocyte and granulosa cells. Overexpression of MeCP2 in growing oocyte caused transcription dysregulation, DNA hypermethylation, and genome instability, ultimately leading to follicle growth arrest and apoptosis. MeCP2 is targeted by DCAF13, a substrate recognition adaptor of the Cullin 4-RING (CRL4) E3 ligase, and polyubiquitinated for degradation in both cells and oocytes. Dcaf13-null oocyte exhibited an accumulation of MeCP2 protein, and the partial rescue of follicle growth arrest induced by Dcaf13 deletion was observed following MeCP2 knockdown. The RNA-seq results revealed that large amounts of genes were regulated by the DCAF13-MeCP2 axis in growing oocytes. Our study demonstrated that CRL4DCAF13 E3 ubiquitin ligase targets MeCP2 for degradation to ensure normal DNA methylome and transcription in growing oocytes. Moreover, in aged ovarian follicles, deceased DCAF13 and DDB1 protein were observed, indicating a potential novel mechanism that regulates ovary aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peipei Ren
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaomei Tong
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junjian Li
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Huifang Jiang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Siya Liu
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengru Lai
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weijie Yang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Rong
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingyi Zhang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiamin Jin
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yerong Ma
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weiwei Pan
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, 314001, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Songying Zhang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Yin-Li Zhang
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Dysfunction Management of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
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10
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Li Y, Zhang S, Tang C, Yang B, Atrooz F, Ren Z, Mohan C, Salim S, Wu T. Autoimmune and neuropsychiatric phenotypes in a Mecp2 transgenic mouse model on C57BL/6 background. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1370254. [PMID: 38524134 PMCID: PMC10960363 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1370254] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) impacts the central nervous system (CNS), leading to severe neurological and psychiatric manifestations known as neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). The complexity and heterogeneity of clinical presentations of NPSLE impede direct investigation of disease etiology in patients. The limitations of existing mouse models developed for NPSLE obstruct a comprehensive understanding of this disease. Hence, the identification of a robust mouse model of NPSLE is desirable. Methods C57BL/6 mice transgenic for human MeCP2 (B6.Mecp2Tg1) were phenotyped, including autoantibody profiling through antigen array, analysis of cellularity and activation of splenic immune cells through flow cytometry, and measurement of proteinuria. Behavioral tests were conducted to explore their neuropsychiatric functions. Immunofluorescence analyses were used to reveal altered neurogenesis and brain inflammation. Various signaling molecules implicated in lupus pathogenesis were examined using western blotting. Results B6.Mecp2Tg1 exhibits elevated proteinuria and an overall increase in autoantibodies, particularly in female B6.Mecp2Tg1 mice. An increase in CD3+CD4+ T cells in the transgenic mice was observed, along with activated germinal center cells and activated CD11b+F4/80+ macrophages. Moreover, the transgenic mice displayed reduced locomotor activity, heightened anxiety and depression, and impaired short-term memory. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed IgG deposition and immune cell infiltration in the kidneys and brains of transgenic mice, as well as altered neurogenesis, activated microglia, and compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB). Additionally, protein levels of various key signaling molecules were found to be differentially modulated upon MeCP2 overexpression, including GFAP, BDNF, Albumin, NCoR1, mTOR, and NLRP3. Discussion Collectively, this work demonstrates that B6.Mecp2Tg1 mice exhibit lupus-like phenotypes as well as robust CNS dysfunctions, suggesting its utility as a new animal model for NPSLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxi Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chenling Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Bowen Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Fatin Atrooz
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Zhifeng Ren
- Department of Physics, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Chandra Mohan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Samina Salim
- Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tianfu Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
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11
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Lewerissa EI, Nadif Kasri N, Linda K. Epigenetic regulation of autophagy-related genes: Implications for neurodevelopmental disorders. Autophagy 2024; 20:15-28. [PMID: 37674294 PMCID: PMC10761153 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2023.2250217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy/autophagy is an evolutionarily highly conserved catabolic process that is important for the clearance of cytosolic contents to maintain cellular homeostasis and survival. Recent findings point toward a critical role for autophagy in brain function, not only by preserving neuronal health, but especially by controlling different aspects of neuronal development and functioning. In line with this, mutations in autophagy-related genes are linked to various key characteristics and symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism, micro-/macrocephaly, and epilepsy. However, the group of NDDs caused by mutations in autophagy-related genes is relatively small. A significant proportion of NDDs are associated with mutations in genes encoding epigenetic regulatory proteins that modulate gene expression, so-called chromatinopathies. Intriguingly, several of the NDD-linked chromatinopathy genes have been shown to regulate autophagy-related genes, albeit in non-neuronal contexts. From these studies it becomes evident that tight transcriptional regulation of autophagy-related genes is crucial to control autophagic activity. This opens the exciting possibility that aberrant autophagic regulation might underly nervous system impairments in NDDs with disturbed epigenetic regulation. We here summarize NDD-related chromatinopathy genes that are known to regulate transcriptional regulation of autophagy-related genes. Thereby, we want to highlight autophagy as a candidate key hub mechanism in NDD-related chromatinopathies.Abbreviations: ADNP: activity dependent neuroprotector homeobox; ASD: autism spectrum disorder; ATG: AutTophaGy related; CpG: cytosine-guanine dinucleotide; DNMT: DNA methyltransferase; EHMT: euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase; EP300: E1A binding protein p300; EZH2: enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit; H3K4me3: histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation; H3K9me1/2/3: histone 3 lysine 9 mono-, di-, or trimethylation; H3K27me2/3: histone 3 lysine 27 di-, or trimethylation; hiPSCs: human induced pluripotent stem cells; HSP: hereditary spastic paraplegia; ID: intellectual disability; KANSL1: KAT8 regulatory NSL complex subunit 1; KAT8: lysine acetyltransferase 8; KDM1A/LSD1: lysine demethylase 1A; MAP1LC3B: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; MTORC1: mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1; NDD: neurodevelopmental disorder; PHF8: PHD finger protein 8; PHF8-XLID: PHF8-X linked intellectual disability syndrome; PTM: post-translational modification; SESN2: sestrin 2; YY1: YY1 transcription factor; YY1AP1: YY1 associated protein 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elly I. Lewerissa
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
| | - Nael Nadif Kasri
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
| | - Katrin Linda
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behavior, Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Belgium
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12
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Kalani L, Kim BH, Vincent JB, Ausió J. MeCP2 ubiquitination and sumoylation, in search of a function†. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 33:1-11. [PMID: 37694858 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad150] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
MeCP2 (Methyl CpG binding protein 2) is an intrinsically disordered protein that binds to methylated genome regions. The protein is a critical transcriptional regulator of the brain, and its mutations account for 95% of Rett syndrome (RTT) cases. Early studies of this neurodevelopmental disorder revealed a close connection with dysregulations of the ubiquitin system (UbS), notably as related to UBE3A, a ubiquitin ligase involved in the proteasome-mediated degradation of proteins. MeCP2 undergoes numerous post-translational modifications (PTMs), including ubiquitination and sumoylation, which, in addition to the potential functional outcomes of their monomeric forms in gene regulation and synaptic plasticity, in their polymeric organization, these modifications play a critical role in proteasomal degradation. UbS-mediated proteasomal degradation is crucial in maintaining MeCP2 homeostasis for proper function and is involved in decreasing MeCP2 in some RTT-causing mutations. However, regardless of all these connections to UbS, the molecular details involved in the signaling of MeCP2 for its targeting by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and the functional roles of monomeric MeCP2 ubiquitination and sumoylation remain largely unexplored and are the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Kalani
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Bo-Hyun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - John B Vincent
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry & Development (MiND) Lab, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, 27 King's College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Juan Ausió
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
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13
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Siqueira E, Kim BH, Reser L, Chow R, Delaney K, Esteller M, Ross MM, Shabanowitz J, Hunt DF, Guil S, Ausió J. Analysis of the interplay between MeCP2 and histone H1 during in vitro differentiation of human ReNCell neural progenitor cells. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2276425. [PMID: 37976174 PMCID: PMC10769555 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2276425] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
An immortalized neural cell line derived from the human ventral mesencephalon, called ReNCell, and its MeCP2 knock out were used. With it, we characterized the chromatin compositional transitions undergone during differentiation, with special emphasis on linker histones. While the WT cells displayed the development of dendrites and axons the KO cells did not, despite undergoing differentiation as monitored by NeuN. ReNCell expressed minimal amounts of histone H1.0 and their linker histone complement consisted mainly of histone H1.2, H1.4 and H1.5. The overall level of histone H1 exhibited a trend to increase during the differentiation of MeCP2 KO cells. The phosphorylation levels of histone H1 proteins decreased dramatically during ReNCell's cell differentiation independently of the presence of MeCP2. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that MeCP2 exhibits an extensive co-localization with linker histones. Interestingly, the average size of the nucleus decreased during differentiation but in the MeCP2 KO cells, the smaller size of the nuclei at the start of differentiation increased by almost 40% after differentiation by 8 days (8 DIV). In summary, our data provide a compelling perspective on the dynamic changes of H1 histones during neural differentiation, coupled with the intricate interplay between H1 variants and MeCP2.Abbreviations: ACN, acetonitrile; A230, absorbance at 230 nm; bFGF, basic fibroblast growth factor; CM, chicken erythrocyte histone marker; CNS, central nervous system; CRISPR, clustered regulated interspaced short palindromic repeatsDAPI, 4,'6-diaminidino-2-phenylindole; DIV, days in vitro (days after differentiation is induced); DMEM, Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium; EGF, epidermal growth factor; ESC, embryonic stem cell; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GFAP, glial fibrillary acidic proteinHPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography; IF, immunofluorescence; iPSCs, induced pluripotent stem cells; MAP2, microtubule-associated protein 2; MBD, methyl-binding domain; MeCP2, methyl-CpG binding protein 2; MS, mass spectrometry; NCP, nucleosome core particle; NeuN, neuron nuclear antigen; NPC, neural progenitor cellPAGE, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; PFA, paraformaldehyde; PTM, posttranslational modification; RP-HPLC, reversed phase HPLC; ReNCells, ReNCells VM; RPLP0, ribosomal protein lateral stalk subunit P0; RT-qPCR, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase-chain reaction; RTT, Rett Syndrome; SDS, sodium dodecyl sulphate; TAD, topologically associating domain; Triple KO, triple knockout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edilene Siqueira
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil
| | - Bo-Hyun Kim
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Larry Reser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Robert Chow
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Kerry Delaney
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Manel Esteller
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Physiological Sciences Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Mark M. Ross
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Jeffrey Shabanowitz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Donald F. Hunt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Sonia Guil
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- GermansTrias i Pujol Health Science Research Institute, Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Juan Ausió
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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14
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Odabasi Y, Yanasik S, Saglam-Metiner P, Kaymaz Y, Yesil-Celiktas O. Comprehensive Transcriptomic Investigation of Rett Syndrome Reveals Increasing Complexity Trends from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Neurons with Implications for Enriched Pathways. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:44148-44162. [PMID: 38027357 PMCID: PMC10666228 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that has no cure apart from symptomatic treatments. While intense research efforts are required to fulfill this unmet need, the fundamental challenge is to obtain sufficient patient data. In this study, we used human transcriptomic data of four different sample types from RTT patients including induced pluripotent stem cells, differentiated neural progenitor cells, differentiated neurons, and postmortem brain tissues with an increasing in vivo-like complexity to unveil specific trends in gene expressions across the samples. Based on DEG analysis, we identified F8A3, CNTN6, RPE65, and COL19A1 to have differential expression levels in three sample types and also observed previously reported genes such as MECP2, FOXG1, CACNA1G, SATB2, GABBR2, MEF2C, KCNJ10, and CUX2 in our study. Considering the significantly enriched pathways for each sample type, we observed a consistent increase in numbers from iPSCs to NEUs where MECP2 displayed profound effects. We also validated our GSEA results by using single-cell RNA-seq data. In WGCNA, we elicited a connection among MECP2, TNRC6A, and HOXA5. Our findings highlight the utility of transcriptomic analyses to determine genes that might lead to therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf
Caglar Odabasi
- Department of Bioengineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Sena Yanasik
- Department of Bioengineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Pelin Saglam-Metiner
- Department of Bioengineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Yasin Kaymaz
- Department of Bioengineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Yesil-Celiktas
- Department of Bioengineering,
Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkey
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15
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Kwon H, Lee EH, Park SY, Park JY, Hong JH, Kim EK, Shin TS, Kim YK, Han PL. Lactobacillus-derived extracellular vesicles counteract Aβ42-induced abnormal transcriptional changes through the upregulation of MeCP2 and Sirt1 and improve Aβ pathology in Tg-APP/PS1 mice. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2067-2082. [PMID: 37704750 PMCID: PMC10545704 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01084-z] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that probiotics are beneficial for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanisms by which specific probiotics modify AD pathophysiology are not clearly understood. In this study, we investigated whether Lactobacillus paracasei-derived extracellular vesicles (Lpc-EV) can directly act on neuronal cells to modify amyloid-beta (Aβ)-induced transcriptional changes and Aβ pathology in the brains of Tg-APP/PS1 mice. Lpc-EV treatment in HT22 neuronal cells counteracts Aβ-induced downregulation of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), Neurotrophin 3 (Nt3), Nt4/5, and TrkB receptor, and reverses Aβ-induced altered expression of diverse nuclear factors, including the downregulation of Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2) and Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1). Systematic siRNA-mediated knockdown experiments indicate that the upregulation of Bdnf, Nt3, Nt4/5, and TrkB by Lpc-EV is mediated via multiple epigenetic factors whose activation converges on Mecp2 and Sirt1. In addition, Lpc-EV reverses Aβ-induced downregulation of the Aβ-degrading proteases Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (Mmp-2), Mmp-9, and Neprilysin (Nep), whose upregulation is also controlled by MeCP2 and Sirt1. Lpc-EV treatment restores the downregulated expression of Bdnf, Nt4/5, TrkB, Mmp-2, Mmp-9, and Nep; induces the upregulation of MeCP2 and Sirt1 in the hippocampus; alleviates Aβ accumulation and neuroinflammatory responses in the brain; and mitigates cognitive decline in Tg-APP/PS1 mice. These results suggest that Lpc-EV cargo contains a neuroactive component that upregulates the expression of neurotrophic factors and Aβ-degrading proteases (Mmp-2, Mmp-9, and Nep) through the upregulation of MeCP2 and Sirt1, and ameliorates Aβ pathology and cognitive deficits in Tg-APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyejin Kwon
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Hwa Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Young Park
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Young Park
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Hwan Hong
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Kyung Kim
- MD Healthcare Inc., Rm 1403 Woori Technology Bldg, World Cup Buk-Ro 56-Gil, Mapo-Gu, Seoul, 03923, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Seop Shin
- MD Healthcare Inc., Rm 1403 Woori Technology Bldg, World Cup Buk-Ro 56-Gil, Mapo-Gu, Seoul, 03923, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon-Keun Kim
- MD Healthcare Inc., Rm 1403 Woori Technology Bldg, World Cup Buk-Ro 56-Gil, Mapo-Gu, Seoul, 03923, Republic of Korea.
| | - Pyung-Lim Han
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Scranton College, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Alves VC, Figueiro-Silva J, Ferrer I, Carro E. Epigenetic silencing of OR and TAS2R genes expression in human orbitofrontal cortex at early stages of sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:196. [PMID: 37405535 PMCID: PMC10322771 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04845-1] [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: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Modulation of brain olfactory (OR) and taste receptor (TASR) expression was recently reported in neurological diseases. However, there is still limited evidence of these genes' expression in the human brain and the transcriptional regulation mechanisms involved remain elusive. We explored the possible expression and regulation of selected OR and TASR in the human orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-demented control specimens using quantitative real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. Global H3K9me3 amounts were measured on OFC total histone extracts, and H3K9me3 binding at each chemoreceptor locus was examined through native chromatin immunoprecipitation. To investigate the potential interactome of the repressive histone mark H3K9me3 in OFC specimens, native nuclear complex co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was combined with reverse phase-liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. Interaction between H3K9me3 and MeCP2 was validated by reciprocal Co-IP, and global MeCP2 levels were quantitated. We found that OR and TAS2R genes are expressed and markedly downregulated in OFC at early stages of sporadic AD, preceding the progressive reduction in their protein levels and the appearance of AD-associated neuropathology. The expression pattern did not follow disease progression suggesting transcriptional regulation through epigenetic mechanisms. We discovered an increase of OFC global H3K9me3 levels and a substantial enrichment of this repressive signature at ORs and TAS2Rs proximal promoter at early stages of AD, ultimately lost at advanced stages. We revealed the interaction between H3K9me3 and MeCP2 at early stages and found that MeCP2 protein is increased in sporadic AD. Findings suggest MeCP2 might be implicated in OR and TAS2R transcriptional regulation through interaction with H3K9me3, and as an early event, it may uncover a novel etiopathogenetic mechanism of sporadic AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Cunha Alves
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research, Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Autonoma de Madrid University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joana Figueiro-Silva
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Molecular Life Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Network Center for Biomedical Research, Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Neuropathology, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Carro
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research, Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Present Address: Neurobiology of Alzheimer’s Disease Unit, Functional Unit for Research Into Chronic Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Golubiani G, van Agen L, Tsverava L, Solomonia R, Müller M. Mitochondrial Proteome Changes in Rett Syndrome. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:956. [PMID: 37508386 PMCID: PMC10376342 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder with mutations in the X-chromosomal MECP2 (methyl-CpG-binding protein 2) gene. Most patients are young girls. For 7-18 months after birth, they hardly present any symptoms; later they develop mental problems, a lack of communication, irregular sleep and breathing, motor dysfunction, hand stereotypies, and seizures. The complex pathology involves mitochondrial structure and function. Mecp2-/y hippocampal astrocytes show increased mitochondrial contents. Neurons and glia suffer from oxidative stress, a lack of ATP, and increased hypoxia vulnerability. This spectrum of changes demands comprehensive molecular studies of mitochondria to further define their pathogenic role in RTT. Therefore, we applied a comparative proteomic approach for the first time to study the entity of mitochondrial proteins in a mouse model of RTT. In the neocortex and hippocampus of symptomatic male mice, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and subsequent mass-spectrometry identified various differentially expressed mitochondrial proteins, including components of respiratory chain complexes I and III and the ATP-synthase FoF1 complex. The NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase 75 kDa subunit, NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] iron-sulfur protein 8, NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] flavoprotein 2, cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, and ATP synthase subunit d are upregulated either in the hippocampus alone or both the hippocampus and neocortex of Mecp2-/y mice. Furthermore, the regulatory mitochondrial proteins mitofusin-1, HSP60, and 14-3-3 protein theta are decreased in the Mecp2-/y neocortex. The expressional changes identified provide further details of the altered mitochondrial function and morphology in RTT. They emphasize brain-region-specific alterations of the mitochondrial proteome and support the notion of a metabolic component of this devastating disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gocha Golubiani
- Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia
| | - Laura van Agen
- Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lia Tsverava
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia
- Ivane Beritashvili Centre of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
| | - Revaz Solomonia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia
- Ivane Beritashvili Centre of Experimental Biomedicine, Tbilisi 0160, Georgia
| | - Michael Müller
- Institut für Neuro- und Sinnesphysiologie, Georg-August Universität Göttingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany
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18
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Bajikar SS, Anderson AG, Zhou J, Durham MA, Trostle AJ, Wan YW, Liu Z, Zoghbi HY. MeCP2 regulates Gdf11, a dosage-sensitive gene critical for neurological function. eLife 2023; 12:e83806. [PMID: 36848184 PMCID: PMC9977283 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss- and gain-of-function of MeCP2 causes Rett syndrome (RTT) and MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), respectively. MeCP2 binds methyl-cytosines to finely tune gene expression in the brain, but identifying genes robustly regulated by MeCP2 has been difficult. By integrating multiple transcriptomics datasets, we revealed that MeCP2 finely regulates growth differentiation factor 11 (Gdf11). Gdf11 is down-regulated in RTT mouse models and, conversely, up-regulated in MDS mouse models. Strikingly, genetically normalizing Gdf11 dosage levels improved several behavioral deficits in a mouse model of MDS. Next, we discovered that losing one copy of Gdf11 alone was sufficient to cause multiple neurobehavioral deficits in mice, most notably hyperactivity and decreased learning and memory. This decrease in learning and memory was not due to changes in proliferation or numbers of progenitor cells in the hippocampus. Lastly, loss of one copy of Gdf11 decreased survival in mice, corroborating its putative role in aging. Our data demonstrate that Gdf11 dosage is important for brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer S Bajikar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
| | - Ashley G Anderson
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
| | - Mark A Durham
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Alexander J Trostle
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Ying-Wooi Wan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s HospitalHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
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19
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Farley SJ, Grishok A, Zeldich E. Shaking up the silence: consequences of HMGN1 antagonizing PRC2 in the Down syndrome brain. Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:39. [PMID: 36463299 PMCID: PMC9719135 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00471-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability is a well-known hallmark of Down Syndrome (DS) that results from the triplication of the critical region of human chromosome 21 (HSA21). Major studies were conducted in recent years to gain an understanding about the contribution of individual triplicated genes to DS-related brain pathology. Global transcriptomic alterations and widespread changes in the establishment of neural lineages, as well as their differentiation and functional maturity, suggest genome-wide chromatin organization alterations in trisomy. High Mobility Group Nucleosome Binding Domain 1 (HMGN1), expressed from HSA21, is a chromatin remodeling protein that facilitates chromatin decompaction and is associated with acetylated lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27ac), a mark correlated with active transcription. Recent studies causatively linked overexpression of HMGN1 in trisomy and the development of DS-associated B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). HMGN1 has been shown to antagonize the activity of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and prevent the deposition of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation mark (H3K27me3), which is associated with transcriptional repression and gene silencing. However, the possible ramifications of the increased levels of HMGN1 through the derepression of PRC2 target genes on brain cell pathology have not gained attention. In this review, we discuss the functional significance of HMGN1 in brain development and summarize accumulating reports about the essential role of PRC2 in the development of the neural system. Mechanistic understanding of how overexpression of HMGN1 may contribute to aberrant brain cell phenotypes in DS, such as altered proliferation of neural progenitors, abnormal cortical architecture, diminished myelination, neurodegeneration, and Alzheimer's disease-related pathology in trisomy 21, will facilitate the development of DS therapeutic approaches targeting chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Farley
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Alla Grishok
- grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Department of Biochemistry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA ,grid.189504.10000 0004 1936 7558Boston University Genome Science Institute, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Ella Zeldich
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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Zhang WJ, Shi LL, Zhang L. Dysregulated cortical synaptic plasticity under methyl-CpG binding protein 2 deficiency and its implication in motor impairments. World J Psychiatry 2022; 12:673-682. [PMID: 35663301 PMCID: PMC9150038 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v12.i5.673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Caused by the mutation of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), Rett syndrome leads to a battery of severe neural dysfunctions including the regression of motor coordination and motor learning. Current understanding has revealed the motor cortex as the critical region mediating voluntary movement. In this review article, we will summarize major findings from human patients and animal models regarding the cortical synaptic plasticity under the regulation of MeCP2. We will also discuss how mutation of MeCP2 leads to the disruption of cortical circuitry homeostasis to cause motor deficits. Lastly, potential values of physical exercise and neuromodulation approaches to recover neural plasticity and motor function will be evaluated. All of this evidence may help to accelerate timely diagnosis and effective interventions for Rett syndrome patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jia Zhang
- GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ling-Ling Shi
- GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li Zhang
- GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
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21
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Li W. Excitation and Inhibition Imbalance in Rett Syndrome. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:825063. [PMID: 35250460 PMCID: PMC8894599 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.825063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A loss of the excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance in the neural circuit has emerged as a common neuropathological feature in many neurodevelopmental disorders. Rett syndrome (RTT), a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1:10,000-15,000 women globally, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the Methyl-CpG-binding Protein-2 (Mecp2) gene. E/I imbalance is recognized as the leading cellular and synaptic hallmark that is fundamental to diverse RTT neurological symptoms, including stereotypic hand movements, impaired motor coordination, breathing irregularities, seizures, and learning/memory dysfunctions. E/I balance in RTT is not homogeneously altered but demonstrates brain region and cell type specificity instead. In this review, I elaborate on the current understanding of the loss of E/I balance in a range of brain areas at molecular and cellular levels. I further describe how the underlying cellular mechanisms contribute to the disturbance of the proper E/I ratio. Last, I discuss current pharmacologic innervations for RTT and their role in modifying the E/I balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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22
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The Methyltransferase Smyd1 Mediates LPS-Triggered Up-Regulation of IL-6 in Endothelial Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123515. [PMID: 34944023 PMCID: PMC8700543 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123515] [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: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The lysine methyltransferase Smyd1 with its characteristic catalytic SET-domain is highly enriched in the embryonic heart and skeletal muscles, participating in cardiomyogenesis, sarcomere assembly and chromatin remodeling. Recently, significant Smyd1 levels were discovered in endothelial cells (ECs) that responded to inflammatory cytokines. Based on these biochemical properties, we hypothesized that Smyd1 is involved in inflammation-triggered signaling in ECs and therefore, investigated its role within the LPS-induced signaling cascade. Human endothelial cells (HUVECs and EA.hy926 cells) responded to LPS stimulation with higher intrinsic Smyd1 expression. By transfection with expression vectors containing gene inserts encoding either intact Smyd1, a catalytically inactive Smyd1-mutant or Smyd1-specific siRNAs, we show that Smyd1 contributes to LPS-triggered expression and secretion of IL-6 in EA.hy926 cells. Further molecular analysis revealed this process to be based on two signaling pathways: Smyd1 increased the activity of NF-κB and promoted the trimethylation of lysine-4 of histone-3 (H3K4me3) within the IL-6 promoter, as shown by ChIP-RT-qPCR combined with IL-6-promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene assays. In summary, our experimental analysis revealed that LPS-binding to ECs leads to the up-regulation of Smyd1 expression to transduce the signal for IL-6 up-regulation via activation of the established NF-κB pathway as well as via epigenetic trimethylation of H3K4.
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23
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Lee W, Mariappan R, De K, Ohn T. Loss of MeCP2 causes subtle alteration in dendritic arborization of retinal ganglion cells. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2021; 25:102-109. [PMID: 34234891 PMCID: PMC8118406 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2021.1920459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Methyl-CpG-binding protein (MeCP2) is highly expressed in neurons. It plays an important role in the development of synapses and the formation of circuits in the central nervous system (CNS). Mutations in MECP2 cause neurodevelopmental disorders and mental retardation in humans. Therefore, it has become important to determine the distribution and function of MeCP2 in vivo. The retina consists of three nuclear cell layers and two layers of synapses; neurons in each layer are connected to form fine circuits necessary for visual signal transduction. Using immunohistochemical analysis, we found that MeCP2 was expressed in all nuclear cell layers, with differences in the levels of MeCP2 expression observed among the layers. To understand the structural defects in the retina due to the loss of MeCP2, we sought to elucidate the organization of the retinal structure in the Mecp2 knockout (KO) mouse. Overall, we found a normal retinal structure in Mecp2 KO mice. However, because Mecp2 mutations have a highly variable effect on neuronal architecture, we analyzed morphological changes in a subset of retinal ganglion cells of Mecp2 KO mice. In Thy1-GFP mice crossed with Mecp2 mutant mice, Sholl intersections analyses showed a subtle increase in number of intersections due to increased branching proximal to the soma in Mecp2 KO mice. Our results demonstrate that the expression of MeCP2 and the effects of Mecp2 mutations are highly specific to tissue and cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wooje Lee
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea.,Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ramesh Mariappan
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Koushitak De
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Takbum Ohn
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
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24
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Li N, Zhang T, He M, Mu Y. MeCP2 attenuates cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reperfusion-induced injury via regulation of the SFRP4/Wnt/β-catenin axis. Biomarkers 2021; 26:363-370. [PMID: 33726573 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2021.1903999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Methylated CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is closely associated with heart failure, but its role in I/R injury remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the role and underling mechanism of MeCP2 in myocardial I/R injury.Methods: Hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R)-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes was used to establish an in vitro I/R injury model. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Cell viability and cell cycle arrest were evaluated by the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and cell cycle assay, respectively. Apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry analysis.Results: The expression of MeCP2 in H9c2 cells was decreased after H/R treatment. The overexpression of MeCP2 inhibited H/R-induced oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of H9c2 cells. Moreover, MeCP2 inhibited the activation of secreted frizzled related protein 4 (SFRP4)/Wnt/β-catenin axis, and SFRP4 relieved the effect of MeCP2 on oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in H/R-induced H9c2 cells.Conclusions: MeCP2 attenuated H/R-induced injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes by modulating the SFRP4/Wnt/β-catenin axis, which suggested that MeCP2 might serve as a therapeutic target of patients with AMI after reperfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Department of Cardiology, Xi'an Central Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xi'an Central Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Mengying He
- Department of Center sterile supply, Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yudong Mu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shaanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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25
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Good KV, Vincent JB, Ausió J. MeCP2: The Genetic Driver of Rett Syndrome Epigenetics. Front Genet 2021; 12:620859. [PMID: 33552148 PMCID: PMC7859524 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.620859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) are the major cause of Rett syndrome (RTT), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with a notable period of developmental regression following apparently normal initial development. Such MeCP2 alterations often result in changes to DNA binding and chromatin clustering ability, and in the stability of this protein. Among other functions, MeCP2 binds to methylated genomic DNA, which represents an important epigenetic mark with broad physiological implications, including neuronal development. In this review, we will summarize the genetic foundations behind RTT, and the variable degrees of protein stability exhibited by MeCP2 and its mutated versions. Also, past and emerging relationships that MeCP2 has with mRNA splicing, miRNA processing, and other non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) will be explored, and we suggest that these molecules could be missing links in understanding the epigenetic consequences incurred from genetic ablation of this important chromatin modifier. Importantly, although MeCP2 is highly expressed in the brain, where it has been most extensively studied, the role of this protein and its alterations in other tissues cannot be ignored and will also be discussed. Finally, the additional complexity to RTT pathology introduced by structural and functional implications of the two MeCP2 isoforms (MeCP2-E1 and MeCP2-E2) will be described. Epigenetic therapeutics are gaining clinical popularity, yet treatment for Rett syndrome is more complicated than would be anticipated for a purely epigenetic disorder, which should be taken into account in future clinical contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina V. Good
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - John B. Vincent
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry & Development (MiND) Lab, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Juan Ausió
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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26
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Vincent JB, Ausió J. MeCP2: latest insights fundamentally change our understanding of its interactions with chromatin and its functional attributes. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2000281. [PMID: 33416207 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) was initially isolated as an exclusive reader of DNA methylated at CpG. This recognition site, was subsequently extended to other DNA methylated residues and it has been the persisting dogma that binding to methylated DNA constitutes its physiologically relevant role. As we review here, two very recent papers fundamentally change our understanding of the interactions of this protein with chromatin, as well as its functional attributes. In the first one, the protein has been shown to bind to tri-methylated histone H3 (H3K27me3), providing a hint for what might turn out to be the first described chromodomain-containing protein reader in the animal kingdom, and unequivocally demonstrates the ability of MeCP2 to bind to nonmethylated CpG regions of the genome. The second paper reports how the protein dynamically participates in the formation of constitutive heterochromatin condensates. Histone H3K27me3 is a critical component of this form of chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B Vincent
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry & Development (MiND) Lab, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juan Ausió
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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MeCP2 Levels Regulate the 3D Structure of Heterochromatic Foci in Mouse Neurons. J Neurosci 2020; 40:8746-8766. [PMID: 33046553 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1281-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is a nuclear protein critical for normal brain function, and both depletion and overexpression of MeCP2 lead to severe neurodevelopmental disease, Rett syndrome (RTT) and MECP2 multiplication disorder, respectively. However, the molecular mechanism by which abnormal MeCP2 dosage causes neuronal dysfunction remains unclear. As MeCP2 expression is nearly equivalent to that of core histones and because it binds DNA throughout the genome, one possible function of MeCP2 is to regulate the 3D structure of chromatin. Here, to examine whether and how MeCP2 levels impact chromatin structure, we used high-resolution confocal and electron microscopy and examined heterochromatic foci of neurons in mice. Using models of RTT and MECP2 triplication syndrome, we found that the heterochromatin structure was significantly affected by the alteration in MeCP2 levels. Analysis of mice expressing either MeCP2-R270X or MeCP2-G273X, which have nonsense mutations in the upstream and downstream regions of the AT-hook 2 domain, respectively, showed that the magnitude of heterochromatin changes was tightly correlated with the phenotypic severity. Postnatal alteration in MeCP2 levels also induced significant changes in the heterochromatin structure, which underscored importance of correct MeCP2 dosage in mature neurons. Finally, functional analysis of MeCP2-overexpressing mice showed that the behavioral and transcriptomic alterations in these mice correlated significantly with the MeCP2 levels and occurred in parallel with the heterochromatin changes. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the essential role of MeCP2 in regulating the 3D structure of neuronal chromatin, which may serve as a potential mechanism that drives pathogenesis of MeCP2-related disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neuronal function is critically dependent on methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a nuclear protein abundantly expressed in neurons. The importance of MeCP2 is underscored by the severe childhood neurologic disorders, Rett syndrome (RTT) and MECP2 multiplication disorders, which are caused by depletion and overabundance of MeCP2, respectively. To clarify the molecular function of MeCP2 and to understand the pathogenesis of MECP2-related disorders, we performed detailed structural analyses of neuronal nuclei by using mouse models and high-resolution microscopy. We show that the level of MeCP2 critically regulates 3D structure of heterochromatic foci, and this is mediated in part by the AT-hook 2 domain of MeCP2. Our results demonstrate that one primary function of MeCP2 is to regulate chromatin structure.
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Das P, Taube JH. Regulating Methylation at H3K27: A Trick or Treat for Cancer Cell Plasticity. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2792. [PMID: 33003334 PMCID: PMC7600873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Properly timed addition and removal of histone 3 lysine 27 tri-methylation (H3K27me3) is critical for enabling proper differentiation throughout all stages of development and, likewise, can guide carcinoma cells into altered differentiation states which correspond to poor prognoses and treatment evasion. In early embryonic stages, H3K27me3 is invoked to silence genes and restrict cell fate. Not surprisingly, mutation or altered functionality in the enzymes that regulate this pathway results in aberrant methylation or demethylation that can lead to malignancy. Likewise, changes in expression or activity of these enzymes impact cellular plasticity, metastasis, and treatment evasion. This review focuses on current knowledge regarding methylation and de-methylation of H3K27 in cancer initiation and cancer cell plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph H. Taube
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, USA;
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