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Kruger RE, Frum T, Brumm AS, Hickey SL, Niakan KK, Aziz F, Shammami MA, Roberts JG, Ralston A. Smad4 is essential for epiblast scaling and morphogenesis after implantation, but nonessential before implantation. Development 2024; 151:dev202377. [PMID: 38752427 PMCID: PMC11190579 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling plays an essential and highly conserved role in embryo axial patterning in animal species. However, in mammalian embryos, which develop inside the mother, early development includes a preimplantation stage, which does not occur in externally developing embryos. During preimplantation, the epiblast is segregated from extra-embryonic lineages that enable implantation and development in utero. Yet, the requirement for BMP signaling is imprecisely defined in mouse early embryos. Here, we show that, in contrast to previous reports, BMP signaling (SMAD1/5/9 phosphorylation) is not detectable until implantation when it is detected in the primitive endoderm - an extra-embryonic lineage. Moreover, preimplantation development appears to be normal following deletion of maternal and zygotic Smad4, an essential effector of canonical BMP signaling. In fact, mice lacking maternal Smad4 are viable. Finally, we uncover a new requirement for zygotic Smad4 in epiblast scaling and cavitation immediately after implantation, via a mechanism involving FGFR/ERK attenuation. Altogether, our results demonstrate no role for BMP4/SMAD4 in the first lineage decisions during mouse development. Rather, multi-pathway signaling among embryonic and extra-embryonic cell types drives epiblast morphogenesis postimplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin E. Kruger
- Cell and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Training Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Tristan Frum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - A. Sophie Brumm
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute,London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Stephanie L. Hickey
- Research Technology Support Facility, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Kathy K. Niakan
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute,London NW1 1AT, UK
- The Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Wellcome Trust – Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Farina Aziz
- Cell and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Marcelio A. Shammami
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Training Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Genetics and Genome Sciences Ph.D. Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jada G. Roberts
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Ph.D. Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Amy Ralston
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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2
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Lo Conte M, Lucchino V, Scalise S, Zannino C, Valente D, Rossignoli G, Murfuni MS, Cicconetti C, Scaramuzzino L, Matassa DS, Procopio A, Martello G, Cuda G, Parrotta EI. Unraveling the impact of ZZZ3 on the mTOR/ribosome pathway in human embryonic stem cells homeostasis. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:729-743. [PMID: 38701777 PMCID: PMC11103890 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are defined as stem cells with self-renewing and differentiation capabilities. These unique properties are tightly regulated and controlled by complex genetic and molecular mechanisms, whose understanding is essential for both basic and translational research. A large number of studies have mostly focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing pluripotency and differentiation of ESCs, while the regulation of proliferation has received comparably less attention. Here, we investigate the role of ZZZ3 (zinc finger ZZ-type containing 3) in human ESCs homeostasis. We found that knockdown of ZZZ3 negatively impacts ribosome biogenesis, translation, and mTOR signaling, leading to a significant reduction in cell proliferation. This process occurs without affecting pluripotency, suggesting that ZZZ3-depleted ESCs enter a "dormant-like" state and that proliferation and pluripotency can be uncoupled also in human ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Lo Conte
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valeria Lucchino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefania Scalise
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Clara Zannino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Desirèe Valente
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giada Rossignoli
- Department of Biology (DiBio), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Stella Murfuni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Chiara Cicconetti
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy; Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), 10060 Candiolo Torino, Italy
| | - Luana Scaramuzzino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Danilo Swann Matassa
- Department of Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Procopio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Cuda
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
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3
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Mulas C. Control of cell state transitions by post-transcriptional regulation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230050. [PMID: 38432322 PMCID: PMC10909504 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell state transitions are prevalent in biology, playing a fundamental role in development, homeostasis and repair. Dysregulation of cell state transitions can lead to or occur in a wide range of diseases. In this letter, I explore and highlight the role of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in determining the dynamics of cell state transitions. I propose that regulation of protein levels after transcription provides an under-appreciated regulatory route to obtain fast and sharp transitions between distinct cell states. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Causes and consequences of stochastic processes in development and disease'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Mulas
- Altos Labs Cambridge Institute of Science, Granta Park, Cambridge, CB21 6GP, UK
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4
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Yücel AD, Gladyshev VN. The long and winding road of reprogramming-induced rejuvenation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1941. [PMID: 38431638 PMCID: PMC10908844 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46020-5] [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: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Organismal aging is inherently connected to the aging of its constituent cells and systems. Reducing the biological age of the organism may be assisted by reducing the age of its cells - an approach exemplified by partial cell reprogramming through the expression of Yamanaka factors or exposure to chemical cocktails. It is crucial to protect cell type identity during partial reprogramming, as cells need to retain or rapidly regain their functions following the treatment. Another critical issue is the ability to quantify biological age as reprogrammed older cells acquire younger states. We discuss recent advances in reprogramming-induced rejuvenation and offer a critical review of this procedure and its relationship to the fundamental nature of aging. We further comparatively analyze partial reprogramming, full reprogramming and transdifferentiation approaches, assess safety concerns and emphasize the importance of distinguishing rejuvenation from dedifferentiation. Finally, we highlight translational opportunities that the reprogramming-induced rejuvenation approach offers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Doğa Yücel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koc University, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Vadim N Gladyshev
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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5
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Kruger RE, Frum T, Brumm AS, Hickey SL, Niakan KK, Aziz F, Shammami MA, Roberts JG, Ralston A. Smad4 is essential for epiblast scaling and morphogenesis after implantation, but nonessential prior to implantation in the mouse. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.23.576717. [PMID: 38328075 PMCID: PMC10849569 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.23.576717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) signaling plays an essential and highly conserved role in axial patterning in embryos of many externally developing animal species. However, in mammalian embryos, which develop inside the mother, early development includes an additional stage known as preimplantation. During preimplantation, the epiblast lineage is segregated from the extraembryonic lineages that enable implantation and development in utero. Yet, the requirement for BMP signaling in mouse preimplantation is imprecisely defined. We show that, in contrast to prior reports, BMP signaling (as reported by SMAD1/5/9 phosphorylation) is not detectable until implantation, when it is detected in the primitive endoderm - an extraembryonic lineage. Moreover, preimplantation development appears normal following deletion of maternal and zygotic Smad4, an essential effector of BMP signaling. In fact, mice lacking maternal Smad4 are viable. Finally, we uncover a new requirement for zygotic Smad4 in epiblast scaling and cavitation immediately after implantation, via a mechanism involving FGFR/ERK attenuation. Altogether, our results demonstrate no role for BMP4/SMAD4 in the first lineage decisions during mouse development. Rather, multi-pathway signaling among embryonic and extraembryonic cell types drives epiblast morphogenesis post-implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin E. Kruger
- Cell and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Training Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Tristan Frum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Current address: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - A. Sophie Brumm
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute; London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Stephanie L. Hickey
- Research Technology Support Facility, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Kathy K. Niakan
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute; London, NW1 1AT, UK
- The Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Wellcome Trust – Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Farina Aziz
- Cell and Molecular Biology Ph.D. Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Marcelio A. Shammami
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Training Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Genetics and Genome Sciences Ph.D. Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Jada G. Roberts
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology Ph.D. Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Amy Ralston
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Training Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
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6
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Li Y, Zheng C, Liu Y, He J, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Kou X, Zhao Y, Liu K, Bai D, Jia Y, Han X, Sheng Y, Yin J, Wang H, Gao S, Liu W, Gao S. Inhibition of Wnt activity improves peri-implantation development of somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad173. [PMID: 37593113 PMCID: PMC10430793 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) can reprogram differentiated somatic cells into totipotency. Although pre-implantation development of SCNT embryos has greatly improved, most SCNT blastocysts are still arrested at the peri-implantation stage, and the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we develop a 3D in vitro culture system for SCNT peri-implantation embryos and discover that persistent Wnt signals block the naïve-to-primed pluripotency transition of epiblasts with aberrant H3K27me3 occupancy, which in turn leads to defects in epiblast transformation events and subsequent implantation failure. Strikingly, manipulating Wnt signals can attenuate the pluripotency transition and H3K27me3 deposition defects in epiblasts and achieve up to a 9-fold increase in cloning efficiency. Finally, single-cell RNA-seq analysis reveals that Wnt inhibition markedly enhances the lineage developmental trajectories of SCNT blastocysts during peri-implantation development. Overall, these findings reveal diminished potentials of SCNT blastocysts for lineage specification and validate a critical peri-implantation barrier for SCNT embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhe Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Caihong Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yingdong Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jincan He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the MARA, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yalin Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaochen Kou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanhong Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Kuisheng Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Dandan Bai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanping Jia
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yifan Sheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiqing Yin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the MARA, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wenqiang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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7
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Yordanov B, Dunn SJ, Gravill C, Arora H, Kugler H, Wintersteiger CM. The Reasoning Engine: A Satisfiability Modulo Theories-Based Framework for Reasoning About Discrete Biological Models. J Comput Biol 2023; 30:1046-1058. [PMID: 37733940 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2023.0117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a framework called the Reasoning Engine, which implements Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT)-based methods within a unified computational environment to address diverse biological analysis problems. The Reasoning Engine was used to reproduce results from key scientific studies, as well as supporting new research in stem cell biology. The framework utilizes an intermediate language for encoding partially specified discrete dynamical systems, which bridges the gap between high-level domain-specific languages and low-level SMT solvers. We provide this framework as open source together with various biological case studies, illustrating the synthesis, enumeration, optimization, and reasoning over models consistent with experimental observations to reveal novel biological insights.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Himanshu Arora
- Bar-Ilan University, Faculty of Engineering, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Hillel Kugler
- Bar-Ilan University, Faculty of Engineering, Ramat Gan, Israel
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