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Zhang Z, Xu J, Liu J, Wang J, Lei L. SEC: A core hub during cell fate alteration. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23680. [PMID: 38758186 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400514r] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Pol II pause release is a rate-limiting step in gene transcription, influencing various cell fate alterations. Numerous proteins orchestrate Pol II pause release, thereby playing pivotal roles in the intricate process of cellular fate modulation. Super elongation complex (SEC), a large assembly comprising diverse protein components, has garnered attention due to its emerging significance in orchestrating physiological and pathological cellular identity changes by regulating the transcription of crucial genes. Consequently, SEC emerges as a noteworthy functional complex capable of modulating cell fate alterations. Therefore, a comprehensive review is warranted to systematically summarize the core roles of SEC in different types of cell fate alterations. This review focuses on elucidating the current understanding of the structural and functional basis of SEC. Additionally, we discuss the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing SEC in various models of cell fate alteration, encompassing both physiological and pathological contexts. Furthermore, leveraging the existing knowledge of SEC, we propose some insightful directions for future research, aiming to enhance our mechanistic and functional comprehension of SEC within the diverse landscape of cell fate alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijing Zhang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Jingyi Xu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Jiqiang Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Jiaqiang Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
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Saumweber E, Mzoughi S, Khadra A, Werberger A, Schumann S, Guccione E, Schmeisser MJ, Kühl SJ. Prdm15 acts upstream of Wnt4 signaling in anterior neural development of Xenopus laevis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1316048. [PMID: 38444828 PMCID: PMC10912572 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1316048] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in PRDM15 lead to a syndromic form of holoprosencephaly (HPE) known as the Galloway-Mowat syndrome (GAMOS). While a connection between PRDM15, a zinc finger transcription factor, and WNT/PCP signaling has been established, there is a critical need to delve deeper into their contributions to early development and GAMOS pathogenesis. We used the South African clawed frog Xenopus laevis as the vertebrate model organism and observed that prdm15 was enriched in the tissues and organs affected in GAMOS. Furthermore, we generated a morpholino oligonucleotide-mediated prdm15 knockdown model showing that the depletion of Prdm15 leads to abnormal eye, head, and brain development, effectively recapitulating the anterior neural features in GAMOS. An analysis of the underlying molecular basis revealed a reduced expression of key genes associated with eye, head, and brain development. Notably, this reduction could be rescued by the introduction of wnt4 RNA, particularly during the induction of the respective tissues. Mechanistically, our data demonstrate that Prdm15 acts upstream of both canonical and non-canonical Wnt4 signaling during anterior neural development. Our findings describe severe ocular and anterior neural abnormalities upon Prdm15 depletion and elucidate the role of Prdm15 in canonical and non-canonical Wnt4 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernestine Saumweber
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Slim Mzoughi
- Center of OncoGenomics and Innovative Therapeutics (COGIT), Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New-York, NY, United States
| | - Arin Khadra
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anja Werberger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sven Schumann
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Center of OncoGenomics and Innovative Therapeutics (COGIT), Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New-York, NY, United States
| | - Michael J. Schmeisser
- Institute of Anatomy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Focus Program Translational Neurosciences, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne J. Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Shah R, Amador C, Chun ST, Ghiam S, Saghizadeh M, Kramerov AA, Ljubimov AV. Non-canonical Wnt signaling in the eye. Prog Retin Eye Res 2023; 95:101149. [PMID: 36443219 PMCID: PMC10209355 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling comprises a group of complex signal transduction pathways that play critical roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis during development, as well as in stem cell maintenance and adult tissue homeostasis. Wnt pathways are classified into two major groups, canonical (β-catenin-dependent) or non-canonical (β-catenin-independent). Most previous studies in the eye have focused on canonical Wnt signaling, and the role of non-canonical signaling remains poorly understood. Additionally, the crosstalk between canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling in the eye has hardly been explored. In this review, we present an overview of available data on ocular non-canonical Wnt signaling, including developmental and functional aspects in different eye compartments. We also discuss important changes of this signaling in various ocular conditions, such as keratoconus, aniridia-related keratopathy, diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, optic nerve damage, pathological angiogenesis, and abnormalities in the trabecular meshwork and conjunctival cells, and limbal stem cell deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchi Shah
- Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Regenerative Medicine Institute Eye Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia Amador
- Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Regenerative Medicine Institute Eye Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Steven T Chun
- Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Regenerative Medicine Institute Eye Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sean Ghiam
- Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Regenerative Medicine Institute Eye Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sackler School of Medicine, New York State/American Program of Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mehrnoosh Saghizadeh
- Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Regenerative Medicine Institute Eye Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrei A Kramerov
- Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Regenerative Medicine Institute Eye Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alexander V Ljubimov
- Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Regenerative Medicine Institute Eye Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Neurosurgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Diacou R, Nandigrami P, Fiser A, Liu W, Ashery-Padan R, Cvekl A. Cell fate decisions, transcription factors and signaling during early retinal development. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 91:101093. [PMID: 35817658 PMCID: PMC9669153 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate eyes is a complex process starting from anterior-posterior and dorso-ventral patterning of the anterior neural tube, resulting in the formation of the eye field. Symmetrical separation of the eye field at the anterior neural plate is followed by two symmetrical evaginations to generate a pair of optic vesicles. Next, reciprocal invagination of the optic vesicles with surface ectoderm-derived lens placodes generates double-layered optic cups. The inner and outer layers of the optic cups develop into the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), respectively. In vitro produced retinal tissues, called retinal organoids, are formed from human pluripotent stem cells, mimicking major steps of retinal differentiation in vivo. This review article summarizes recent progress in our understanding of early eye development, focusing on the formation the eye field, optic vesicles, and early optic cups. Recent single-cell transcriptomic studies are integrated with classical in vivo genetic and functional studies to uncover a range of cellular mechanisms underlying early eye development. The functions of signal transduction pathways and lineage-specific DNA-binding transcription factors are dissected to explain cell-specific regulatory mechanisms underlying cell fate determination during early eye development. The functions of homeodomain (HD) transcription factors Otx2, Pax6, Lhx2, Six3 and Six6, which are required for early eye development, are discussed in detail. Comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of early eye development provides insight into the molecular and cellular basis of developmental ocular anomalies, such as optic cup coloboma. Lastly, modeling human development and inherited retinal diseases using stem cell-derived retinal organoids generates opportunities to discover novel therapies for retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raven Diacou
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Prithviraj Nandigrami
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Andras Fiser
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Ruth Ashery-Padan
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Ales Cvekl
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
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5
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Fuhrmann S, Ramirez S, Mina Abouda M, Campbell CD. Porcn is essential for growth and invagination of the mammalian optic cup. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1016182. [PMID: 36393832 PMCID: PMC9661423 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1016182] [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: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma (MAC) are congenital ocular malformations causing 25% of childhood blindness. The X-linked disorder Focal Dermal Hypoplasia (FDH) is frequently associated with MAC and results from mutations in Porcn, a membrane bound O-acyl transferase required for palmitoylation of Wnts to activate multiple Wnt-dependent pathways. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is suppressed in the anterior neural plate for initiation of eye formation and is subsequently required during differentiation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Non-canonical Wnts are critical for early eye formation in frog and zebrafish. However, it is unclear whether this also applies to mammals. We performed ubiquitous conditional inactivation of Porcn in mouse around the eye field stage. In Porcn CKO , optic vesicles (OV) arrest in growth and fail to form an optic cup. Ventral proliferation is significantly decreased in the mutant OV, with a concomitant increase in apoptotic cell death. While pan-ocular transcription factors such as PAX6, SIX3, LHX2, and PAX2 are present, indicative of maintenance of OV identity, regional expression of VSX2, MITF, OTX2, and NR2F2 is downregulated. Failure of RPE differentiation in Porcn CKO is consistent with downregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin effector LEF1, starting around 2.5 days after inactivation. This suggests that Porcn inactivation affects signaling later than a potential requirement for Wnts to promote eye field formation. Altogether, our data shows a novel requirement for Porcn in regulating growth and morphogenesis of the OV, likely by controlling proliferation and survival. In FDH patients with ocular manifestations, growth deficiency during early ocular morphogenesis may be the underlying cause for microphthalmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Fuhrmann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Sara Ramirez
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Mirna Mina Abouda
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Clorissa D. Campbell
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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Loss of Hes1 in embryonic stem cells caused developmental disorders in retinal pigment epithelium morphogenesis and specification. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 632:76-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.09.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Functions of block of proliferation 1 during anterior development in Xenopus laevis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273507. [PMID: 36007075 PMCID: PMC9409556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Block of proliferation 1 (Bop1) is a nucleolar protein known to be necessary for the assembly of the 60S subunit of ribosomes. Here, we show a specific bop1 expression in the developing anterior tissue of the South African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. Morpholino oligonucleotide-mediated knockdown approaches demonstrated that Bop1 is required for proper development of the cranial cartilage, brain, and the eyes. Furthermore, we show that bop1 knockdown leads to impaired retinal lamination with disorganized cell layers. Expression of neural crest-, brain-, and eye-specific marker genes was disturbed. Apoptotic and proliferative processes, which are known to be affected during ribosomal biogenesis defects, are not hindered upon bop1 knockdown. Because early Xenopus embryos contain a large store of maternal ribosomes, we considered if Bop1 might have a role independent of de novo ribosomal biogenesis. At early embryonic stages, pax6 expression was strongly reduced in bop1 morphants and synergy experiments indicate a common signaling pathway of the two molecules, Bop1 and Pax6. Our studies imply a novel function of Bop1 independent of ribosomal biogenesis.
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Schreiner C, Kernl B, Dietmann P, Riegger RJ, Kühl M, Kühl SJ. The Ribosomal Protein L5 Functions During Xenopus Anterior Development Through Apoptotic Pathways. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:777121. [PMID: 35281111 PMCID: PMC8905602 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.777121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Ribosomal biogenesis is a fundamental process necessary for cell growth and division. Ribosomal protein L5 (Rpl5) is part of the large ribosomal subunit. Mutations in this protein have been associated with the congenital disease Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA), a so called ribosomopathy. Despite of the ubiquitous need of ribosomes, clinical manifestations of DBA include tissue-specific symptoms, e.g., craniofacial malformations, eye abnormalities, skin pigmentation failure, cardiac defects or liver cirrhosis. Here, we made use of the vertebrate model organism Xenopus laevis and showed a specific expression of rpl5 in the developing anterior tissue correlating with tissues affected in ribosomopathies. Upon Rpl5 knockdown using an antisense-based morpholino oligonucleotide approach, we showed different phenotypes affecting anterior tissue, i.e., defective cranial cartilage, malformed eyes, and microcephaly. Hence, the observed phenotypes in Xenopus laevis resemble the clinical manifestations of DBA. Analyses of the underlying molecular basis revealed that the expression of several marker genes of neural crest, eye, and brain are decreased during induction and differentiation of the respective tissue. Furthermore, Rpl5 knockdown led to decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis during early embryogenesis. Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying Rpl5 function revealed a more than additive effect between either loss of function of Rpl5 and loss of function of c-Myc or loss of function of Rpl5 and gain of function of Tp53, suggesting a common signaling pathway of these proteins. The co-injection of the apoptosis blocking molecule Bcl2 resulted in a partial rescue of the eye phenotype, supporting the hypothesis that apoptosis is one main reason for the phenotypes occurring upon Rpl5 knockdown. With this study, we are able to shed more light on the still poorly understood molecular background of ribosomopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Schreiner
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Bianka Kernl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.,International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Petra Dietmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ricarda J Riegger
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Susanne J Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Transcriptome Profiling across Five Tissues of Giant Panda. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:3852586. [PMID: 32851066 PMCID: PMC7436357 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3852586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Gene differential expression studies can serve to explore and understand the laws and characteristics of animal life activities, and the difference in gene expression between different animal tissues has been well demonstrated and studied. However, for the world-famous rare and protected species giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), only the transcriptome of the blood and spleen has been reported separately. Here, in order to explore the transcriptome differences between the different tissues of the giant panda, transcriptome profiles of the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney from five captive giant pandas were constructed with Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform. The comparative analysis of the intertissue gene expression patterns was carried out based on the generated RNA sequencing datasets. Analyses of Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were performed according to the identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We generated 194.52 GB clean base data from twenty-five sequencing libraries and identified 18,701 genes, including 3492 novel genes. With corrected p value <0.05 and |log2FoldChange| >2, we finally obtained 921, 553, 574, 457, and 638 tissue-specific DEGs in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney, respectively. In addition, we identified TTN, CAV3, LDB3, TRDN, and ACTN2 in the heart; FGA, AHSG, and SERPINC1 in the liver; CD19, CD79B, and IL21R in the spleen; NKX2-4 and SFTPB in the lung; GC and HRG in the kidney as hub genes in the PPI network. The results of the analyses showed a similar gene expression pattern between the spleen and lung. This study provided for the first time the heart, liver, lung, and kidney's transcriptome resources of the giant panda, and it provided a valuable resource for further genetic research or other potential research.
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Yoon KH, Fox SC, Dicipulo R, Lehmann OJ, Waskiewicz AJ. Ocular coloboma: Genetic variants reveal a dynamic model of eye development. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 184:590-610. [PMID: 32852110 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ocular coloboma is a congenital disorder of the eye where a gap exists in the inferior retina, lens, iris, or optic nerve tissue. With a prevalence of 2-19 per 100,000 live births, coloboma, and microphthalmia, an associated ocular disorder, represent up to 10% of childhood blindness. It manifests due to the failure of choroid fissure closure during eye development, and it is a part of a spectrum of ocular disorders that include microphthalmia and anophthalmia. Use of genetic approaches from classical pedigree analyses to next generation sequencing has identified more than 40 loci that are associated with the causality of ocular coloboma. As we have expanded studies to include singleton cases, hereditability has been very challenging to prove. As such, researchers over the past 20 years, have unraveled the complex interrelationship amongst these 40 genes using vertebrate model organisms. Such research has greatly increased our understanding of eye development. These genes function to regulate initial specification of the eye field, migration of retinal precursors, patterning of the retina, neural crest cell biology, and activity of head mesoderm. This review will discuss the discovery of loci using patient data, their investigations in animal models, and the recent advances stemming from animal models that shed new light in patient diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin H Yoon
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Women & Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Sabrina C Fox
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Women & Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Renée Dicipulo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Women & Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Ordan J Lehmann
- Women & Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrew J Waskiewicz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Women & Children's Health Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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Sun J, Yoon J, Lee M, Hwang YS, Daar IO. Sprouty2 regulates positioning of retinal progenitors through suppressing the Ras/Raf/MAPK pathway. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13752. [PMID: 32792568 PMCID: PMC7426826 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70670-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sproutys are negative regulators of the Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway and involved in regulation of organogenesis, differentiation, cell migration and proliferation. Although the function of Sproutys have been extensively studied during embryonic development, their role and mode of action during eye formation in vertebrate embryonic development is still unknown. Here we show that Xenopus sprouty2 is expressed in the optic vesicle at late neurula stage and knockdown of Sprouty2 prevents retinal progenitors from populating the retina, which in turn gives rise to small eyes. In the absence of Sprouty2, progenitor cell population of the retina can be restored by blocking the MAPK signaling pathway through overexpression of DN-Ras or DN-Raf. In contrast, activation of the MAPK pathway through overexpression of a constitutively active form of c-Raf (ca-Raf) inhibits progenitor population of the retina, similar to the Sprouty2 loss-of-function phenotype. Moreover, we present evidence that the retinal defect observed in Sprouty2 morphants is attributed to the failure of proper movement of retinal progenitors into the optic vesicle, rather than an effect on progenitor cell survival. These results suggest that Sprouty2 is required for the positioning of retinal progenitors within the optic vesicle through suppressing Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Sun
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jaeho Yoon
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Moonsup Lee
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Yoo-Seok Hwang
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Ira O Daar
- Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA.
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12
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Pan CW, Zhang O, Hu DN, Wu RK, Li J, Zhong H, Hu M. Iris Color and Lens Thickness in Chinese Teenagers. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2018; 7:25. [PMID: 30323998 PMCID: PMC6181192 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.7.5.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We aimed to determine the association of iris color with lens thickness (LT) in a school-based sample of Chinese teenagers. Methods In total, 2346 grade 7 students, from 10 middle schools, aged 13 to 14 years in Mojiang located in Southwestern China were included in the analysis. A grading system was developed to assess iris color based on standardized slit-lamp photographs. LT was measured by the LenStar LS900. Refractive error was measured after cycloplegia using an autorefractor and ocular biometric parameters, including axial length (AL), were measured using an IOL Master. Results There was a significant trend of decreasing LTs with darker iris color. On average, eyes with “grade 1” (the lightest) iris color, when compared with those with “grade 5” (the darkest), had greater LTs (mean difference, 0.1 mm). After adjusting for other potential confounders including sex, height, and ALs in generalized estimating equation models, the trend was similar and did not change significantly. Compared with individuals with iris color of grade 1, those with grade 5 had a thinner lens of 0.1 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01, 0.19) in sex-adjusted model and a 0.09 mm (95% CI: 0, 0.18) in multivariate-adjusted model. Conclusions Lighter iris color might be associated with greater LTs in Chinese teenagers. The biological mechanisms underlying the association warrant further clarification. Translational Relevance As LT is an important refractive component, knowledge on the effect of iris color on LTs may assist in the design of novel technologies, which could control refractive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Wei Pan
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ou Zhang
- Department of General Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Dan-Ning Hu
- New York Eye and Ear Infirmary at Mount Sinai, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rong-Kun Wu
- School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Hua Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Min Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
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Pfister AS, Kühl M. Of Wnts and Ribosomes. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 153:131-155. [PMID: 29389514 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Wnt proteins are secreted glycoproteins that activate different intracellular signal transduction pathways. They regulate cell proliferation and are required for proper embryonic development. Misregulation of Wnt signaling can result in various diseases including cancer. In most circumstances, cell growth is essential for cell division and thus cell proliferation. Therefore, several reports have highlighted the key role of Wnt proteins for cell growth. Ribosomes represent the cellular protein synthesis machinery and cells need to be equipped with an appropriate number of ribosomes to allow cell growth. Recent findings suggest a role for Wnt proteins in regulating ribosome biogenesis and we here summarize these findings representing a previously unknown function of Wnt proteins. Understanding this role of Wnt signaling might open new avenues to slow down proliferation by drugs for instance in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid S Pfister
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Michael Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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14
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Feng K, Guo HK. Eaf2 protects human lens epithelial cells against oxidative stress‑induced apoptosis by Wnt signaling. Mol Med Rep 2017; 17:2795-2802. [PMID: 29257273 PMCID: PMC5783493 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.8246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor suppressor protein ELL-associated factor 2 (Eaf2) serves an important role in lens development and maturation; however, its role in oxidative stress-induced cataract formation remains unclear. In the present study, an in vitro apoptosis model was constructed by treating HLE-B3 cells with 50 µM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and was confirmed by flow cytometry. Subsequently, overexpression of Eaf2 was induced in H2O2-induced HLE-B3 cells by ligating Eaf2 cDNA to a pcDNA3.0 plasmid and the role of Wnt3a in the function of Eaf2 was also assessed by inhibiting the expression of the gene in Eaf2-overexpression cells. The expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3β, β-catenin, Eaf2, caspase 3, Wnt3a, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein were examined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Immunocytochemistry was used to locate Eaf2 and Wnt3 protein expression in the H2O2-induced HLE-B3 cells. The results indicated that Eaf2 was able to effectively suppress H2O2-induced apoptosis of HLE cells via inhibition of caspase 3 production and activation of Wnt3a signaling. In addition, knockdown of Wnt3a in Eaf2-overexpression cells evidently counteracted the effect of Eaf2 in antagonizing H2O2-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggested that Eaf2 may suppress oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of HLE-B3 cells exerted through the activation of Wnt3a signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Feng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
| | - Hai-Ke Guo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, P.R. China
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15
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Seigfried FA, Cizelsky W, Pfister AS, Dietmann P, Walther P, Kühl M, Kühl SJ. Frizzled 3 acts upstream of Alcam during embryonic eye development. Dev Biol 2017; 426:69-83. [PMID: 28427856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Formation of a functional eye during vertebrate embryogenesis requires different processes such as cell differentiation, cell migration, cell-cell interactions as well as intracellular signalling processes. It was previously shown that the non-canonical Wnt receptor Frizzled 3 (Fzd3) is required for proper eye formation, however, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that loss of Fzd3 induces severe malformations of the developing eye and that this defect is phenocopied by loss of the activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (Alcam). Promoter analysis revealed the presence of a Fzd3 responsive element within the alcam promoter, which is responsible for alcam expression during anterior neural development. In-depth analysis identified the jun N-terminal protein kinase 1 (JNK1) and the transcription factor paired box 2 (Pax2) to be important for the activation of alcam expression. Altogether our study reveals that alcam is activated through non-canonical Wnt signalling during embryonic eye development in Xenopus laevis and shows that this pathway plays a similar role in different tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska A Seigfried
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany; International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Tissue Homeostasis Joint-PhD-Programme in Cooperation with the University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Wiebke Cizelsky
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany; International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Astrid S Pfister
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Petra Dietmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Paul Walther
- Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Susanne J Kühl
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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16
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Vacca B, Sanchez-Heras E, Steed E, Balda MS, Ohnuma SI, Sasai N, Mayor R, Matter K. MarvelD3 regulates the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway during eye development in Xenopus. Biol Open 2016; 5:1631-1641. [PMID: 27870636 PMCID: PMC5155527 DOI: 10.1242/bio.018945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular morphogenesis requires several signalling pathways controlling the expression of transcription factors and cell-cycle regulators. However, despite a well-known mechanism, the dialogue between those signals and factors remains to be unveiled. Here, we identify a requirement for MarvelD3, a tight junction transmembrane protein, in eye morphogenesis in Xenopus MarvelD3 depletion led to an abnormally pigmented eye or even an eye-less phenotype, which was rescued by ectopic MarvelD3 expression. Altering MarvelD3 expression led to deregulated expression of cell-cycle regulators and transcription factors required for eye development. The eye phenotype was rescued by increased c-Jun terminal Kinase activation. Thus, MarvelD3 links tight junctions and modulation of the JNK pathway to eye morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Vacca
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | - Emily Steed
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Maria S Balda
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Shin-Ichi Ohnuma
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Noriaki Sasai
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Developmental Biomedical Science Laboratory, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), 8916-5, Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - Roberto Mayor
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Karl Matter
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London EC1V 9EL, UK
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17
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Sikora MJ, Jacobsen BM, Levine K, Chen J, Davidson NE, Lee AV, Alexander CM, Oesterreich S. WNT4 mediates estrogen receptor signaling and endocrine resistance in invasive lobular carcinoma cell lines. Breast Cancer Res 2016; 18:92. [PMID: 27650553 PMCID: PMC5028957 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-016-0748-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) of the breast typically presents with clinical biomarkers consistent with a favorable response to endocrine therapies, and over 90 % of ILC cases express the estrogen receptor (ER). However, a subset of ILC cases may be resistant to endocrine therapies, suggesting that ER biology is unique in ILC. Using ILC cell lines, we previously demonstrated that ER regulates a distinct gene expression program in ILC cells, and we hypothesized that these ER-driven pathways modulate the endocrine response in ILC. One potential novel pathway is via the Wnt ligand WNT4, a critical signaling molecule in mammary gland development regulated by the progesterone receptor. METHODS The ILC cell lines MDA-MB-134-VI, SUM44PE, and BCK4 were used to assess WNT4 gene expression and regulation, as well as the role of WNT4 in estrogen-regulated proliferation. To assess these mechanisms in the context of endocrine resistance, we developed novel ILC endocrine-resistant long-term estrogen-deprived (ILC-LTED) models. ILC and ILC-LTED cell lines were used to identify upstream regulators and downstream signaling effectors of WNT4 signaling. RESULTS ILC cells co-opted WNT4 signaling by placing it under direct ER control. We observed that ER regulation of WNT4 correlated with use of an ER binding site at the WNT4 locus, specifically in ILC cells. Further, WNT4 was required for endocrine response in ILC cells, as WNT4 knockdown blocked estrogen-induced proliferation. ILC-LTED cells remained dependent on WNT4 for proliferation, by either maintaining ER function and WNT4 regulation or uncoupling WNT4 from ER and upregulating WNT4 expression. In the latter case, WNT4 expression was driven by activated nuclear factor kappa-B signaling in ILC-LTED cells. In ILC and ILC-LTED cells, WNT4 led to suppression of CDKN1A/p21, which is critical for ILC cell proliferation. CDKN1A knockdown partially reversed the effects of WNT4 knockdown. CONCLUSIONS WNT4 drives a novel signaling pathway in ILC cells, with a critical role in estrogen-induced growth that may also mediate endocrine resistance. WNT4 signaling may represent a novel target to modulate endocrine response specifically for patients with ILC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Sikora
- Women's Cancer Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Present address: Department of Pathology, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8104, Research Complex 1 South, Room 5117, 12801 East 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Britta M Jacobsen
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kevin Levine
- Women's Cancer Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jian Chen
- Women's Cancer Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nancy E Davidson
- Women's Cancer Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Adrian V Lee
- Women's Cancer Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Caroline M Alexander
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Steffi Oesterreich
- Women's Cancer Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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18
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Vouyovitch CM, Perry JK, Liu DX, Bezin L, Vilain E, Diaz JJ, Lobie PE, Mertani HC. WNT4 mediates the autocrine effects of growth hormone in mammary carcinoma cells. Endocr Relat Cancer 2016; 23:571-85. [PMID: 27323961 DOI: 10.1530/erc-15-0528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The expression of Wingless and Int-related protein (Wnt) ligands is aberrantly high in human breast cancer. We report here that WNT4 is significantly upregulated at the mRNA and protein level in mammary carcinoma cells expressing autocrine human growth hormone (hGH). Depletion of WNT4 using small interfering (si) RNA markedly decreased the rate of human breast cancer cell proliferation induced by autocrine hGH. Forced expression of WNT4 in the nonmalignant human mammary epithelial cell line MCF-12A stimulated cell proliferation in low and normal serum conditions, enhanced cell survival and promoted anchorage-independent growth and colony formation in soft agar. The effects of sustained production of WNT4 were concomitant with upregulation of proliferative markers (c-Myc, Cyclin D1), the survival marker BCL-XL, the putative WNT4 receptor FZD6 and activation of ERK1 and STAT3. Forced expression of WNT4 resulted in phenotypic conversion of MCF-12A cells, such that they exhibited the molecular and morphological characteristics of mesenchymal cells with increased cell motility. WNT4 production resulted in increased mesenchymal and cytoskeletal remodeling markers, promoted actin cytoskeleton reorganization and led to dissolution of cell-cell contacts. In xenograft studies, tumors with autocrine hGH expressed higher levels of WNT4 and FZD6 when compared with control tumors. In addition, Oncomine data indicated that WNT4 expression is increased in neoplastic compared with normal human breast tissue. Accordingly, immunohistochemical detection of WNT4 in human breast cancer biopsies revealed higher expression in tumor tissue vs normal breast epithelium. WNT4 is thus an autocrine hGH-regulated gene involved in the growth and development of the tumorigenic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile M Vouyovitch
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de LyonUMR INSERM 1052-CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jo K Perry
- Liggins InstituteUniversity of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Dong Xu Liu
- Liggins InstituteUniversity of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laurent Bezin
- Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de LyonUMR INSERM U1028-CNRS5292, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Eric Vilain
- Department of Human GeneticsUniversity of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jean-Jacques Diaz
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de LyonUMR INSERM 1052-CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Peter E Lobie
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore and Department of PharmacologyNational University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Hichem C Mertani
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de LyonUMR INSERM 1052-CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
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19
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Effects of ELL-associated factor 2 on ultraviolet radiation-induced cataract formation in mice. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:6605-11. [PMID: 26328919 PMCID: PMC4626200 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
ELL-associated factor 2 (Eaf2) has an important role in crystalline lens development and maturation; however, its role in ultraviolet radiation (UV)-induced cataract formation has remained elusive. The present study compared UV-induced cell apoptosis, activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and changes in protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2), bcl-2-associated X protein (bax) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase in wild-type and Eaf2-knockout mice. The results showed that Eaf2 knockout can reduce UV-induced apoptosis in crystalline lenses and mitigate the formation of cataracts. Further functional studies indicated that Eaf2 can induce the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, increase the protein expression of the pro-apoptotic protein bax and inhibit the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2; thereby, Eaf2 promotes cell apoptosis and is implicated in the formation and development of cataracts. The present study laid a theoretical foundation for the development of drugs for cataract treatment.
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20
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La Torre A, Hoshino A, Cavanaugh C, Ware CB, Reh TA. The GIPC1-Akt1 Pathway Is Required for the Specification of the Eye Field in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells 2015; 33:2674-85. [PMID: 26013465 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
During early patterning of the neural plate, a single region of the embryonic forebrain, the eye field, becomes competent for eye development. The hallmark of eye field specification is the expression of the eye field transcription factors (EFTFs). Experiments in fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals have demonstrated largely conserved roles for the EFTFs. Although some of the key signaling events that direct the synchronized expression of these factors to the eye field have been elucidated in fish and frogs, it has been more difficult to study these mechanisms in mammalian embryos. In this study, we have used two different methods for directed differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to generate eye field cells and retina in vitro to test for a role of the PDZ domain-containing protein GIPC1 in the specification of the mammalian eye primordia. We find that the overexpression of a dominant-negative form of GIPC1 (dnGIPC1), as well as the downregulation of endogenous GIPC1, is sufficient to inhibit the development of eye field cells from mESCs. GIPC1 interacts directly with IGFR and participates in Akt1 activation, and pharmacological inhibition of Akt1 phosphorylation mimics the dnGIPC1 phenotype. Our data, together with previous studies in Xenopus, support the hypothesis that the GIPC1-PI3K-Akt1 pathway plays a key role in eye field specification in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna La Torre
- Department of Biological Structure, Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Akina Hoshino
- Department of Biological Structure, Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christopher Cavanaugh
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Carol B Ware
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Thomas A Reh
- Department of Biological Structure, Institute for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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21
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Hammad MA, Azam SS. Structural dynamics and inhibitor searching for Wnt-4 protein using comparative computational studies. Drug Des Devel Ther 2015; 9:2449-61. [PMID: 25995617 PMCID: PMC4425240 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s79784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt-4 (wingless mouse mammary tumor virus integration site-4) protein is involved in many crucial embryonic pathways regulating essential processes. Aberrant Wnt-4 activity causes various anomalies leading to gastric, colon, or breast cancer. Wnt-4 is a conserved protein in structure and sequence. All Wnt proteins contain an unusual fold comprising of a thumb (or N-terminal domain) and index finger (or C-terminal domain) bifurcated by a palm domain. The aim of this study was to identify the best inhibitors of Wnt-4 that not only interact with Wnt-4 protein but also with the covalently bound acyl group to inhibit aberrant Wnt-4 activity. A systematic computational approach was used to analyze inhibition of Wnt-4. Palmitoleic acid was docked into Wnt-4 protein, followed by ligand-based virtual screening of nearly 209,847 compounds; conformer generation of 271 compounds resulted from extensive virtual screening and comparative docking of 10,531 conformers of 271 unique compounds through GOLD (Genetic Optimization for Ligand Docking), AutoDock-Vina, and FRED (Fast Rigid Exhaustive Docking) was subsequently performed. Linux scripts was used to handle the libraries of compounds. The best compounds were selected on the basis of having maximum interactions to protein with bound palmitoleic acid. These represented lead inhibitors in further experiments. Palmitoleic acid is important for efficient Wnt activity, but aberrant Wnt-4 expression can be inhibited by designing inhibitors interacting with both protein and palmitoleic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirza A Hammad
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Syed Sikander Azam
- National Center for Bioinformatics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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22
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López-Escobar B, Cano DA, Rojas A, de Felipe B, Palma F, Sánchez-Alcázar JA, Henderson D, Ybot-González P. The effect of maternal diabetes on the Wnt-PCP pathway during embryogenesis as reflected in the developing mouse eye. Dis Model Mech 2014; 8:157-68. [PMID: 25540130 PMCID: PMC4314781 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.017723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryopathies that develop as a consequence of maternal diabetes have been studied intensely in both experimental and clinical scenarios. Accordingly, hyperglycaemia has been shown to downregulate the expression of elements in the non-canonical Wnt-PCP pathway, such as the Dishevelled-associated activator of morphogenesis 1 (Daam1) and Vangl2. Daam1 is a formin that is essential for actin polymerization and for cytoskeletal reorganization, and it is expressed strongly in certain organs during mouse development, including the eye, neural tube and heart. Daam1gt/gt and Daam1gt/+ embryos develop ocular defects (anophthalmia or microphthalmia) that are similar to those detected as a result of hyperglycaemia. Indeed, studying the effects of maternal diabetes on the Wnt-PCP pathway demonstrated that there was strong association with the Daam1 genotype, whereby the embryopathy observed in Daam1gt/+ mutant embryos of diabetic dams was more severe. There was evidence that embryonic exposure to glucose in vitro diminishes the expression of genes in the Wnt-PCP pathway, leading to altered cytoskeletal organization, cell shape and cell polarity in the optic vesicle. Hence, the Wnt-PCP pathway appears to influence cell morphology and cell polarity, events that drive the cellular movements required for optic vesicle formation and that, in turn, are required to maintain the fate determination. Here, we demonstrate that the Wnt-PCP pathway is involved in the early stages of mouse eye development and that it is altered by diabetes, provoking the ocular phenotype observed in the affected embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz López-Escobar
- Grupo de Neurodesarrollo, Unidad de Gestión de Pediatría, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - David A Cano
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Anabel Rojas
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (CABIMER), 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Beatriz de Felipe
- Grupo de Neurodesarrollo, Unidad de Gestión de Pediatría, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Francisco Palma
- Unidad de Experimentación animal. Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | | | - Deborah Henderson
- Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Patricia Ybot-González
- Grupo de Neurodesarrollo, Unidad de Gestión de Pediatría, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain.
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23
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Bankhead EJ, Colasanto MP, Dyorich KM, Jamrich M, Murtaugh LC, Fuhrmann S. Multiple requirements of the focal dermal hypoplasia gene porcupine during ocular morphogenesis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2014; 185:197-213. [PMID: 25451153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Revised: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Wnt glycoproteins control key processes during development and disease by activating various downstream pathways. Wnt secretion requires post-translational modification mediated by the O-acyltransferase encoded by the Drosophila porcupine homolog gene (PORCN). In humans, PORCN mutations cause focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH, or Goltz syndrome), an X-linked dominant multisystem birth defect that is frequently accompanied by ocular abnormalities such as coloboma, microphthalmia, or even anophthalmia. Although genetic ablation of Porcn in mouse has provided insight into the etiology of defects caused by ectomesodermal dysplasia in FDH, the requirement for Porcn and the actual Wnt ligands during eye development have been unknown. In this study, Porcn hemizygosity occasionally caused ocular defects reminiscent of FDH. Conditional inactivation of Porcn in periocular mesenchyme led to defects in mid- and hindbrain and in craniofacial development, but was insufficient to cause ocular abnormalities. However, a combination of conditional Porcn depletion in optic vesicle neuroectoderm, lens, and neural crest-derived periocular mesenchyme induced severe eye abnormalities with high penetrance. In particular, we observed coloboma, transdifferentiation of the dorsal and ventral retinal pigment epithelium, defective optic cup periphery, and closure defects of the eyelid, as well as defective corneal morphogenesis. Thus, Porcn is required in both extraocular and neuroectodermal tissues to regulate distinct Wnt-dependent processes during morphogenesis of the posterior and anterior segments of the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Bankhead
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Mary P Colasanto
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kayla M Dyorich
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Milan Jamrich
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Sabine Fuhrmann
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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24
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Cooke Bailey JN, Yaspan BL, Pasquale LR, Hauser MA, Kang JH, Loomis SJ, Brilliant M, Budenz DL, Christen WG, Fingert J, Gaasterland D, Gaasterland T, Kraft P, Lee RK, Lichter PR, Liu Y, McCarty CA, Moroi SE, Richards JE, Realini T, Schuman JS, Scott WK, Singh K, Sit AJ, Vollrath D, Wollstein G, Zack DJ, Zhang K, Pericak-Vance MA, Allingham RR, Weinreb RN, Haines JL, Wiggs JL. Hypothesis-independent pathway analysis implicates GABA and acetyl-CoA metabolism in primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-pressure glaucoma. Hum Genet 2014; 133:1319-30. [PMID: 25037249 PMCID: PMC4273559 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-014-1468-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Using genome-wide association single-nucleotide polymorphism data from the Glaucoma Genes and Environment study and National Eye Institute Glaucoma Human Genetics Collaboration comprising 3,108 cases and 3,430 controls, we assessed biologic pathways as annotated in the KEGG database for association with risk of POAG. After correction for genic overlap among pathways, we found 4 pathways, butanoate metabolism (hsa00650), hematopoietic cell lineage (hsa04640), lysine degradation (hsa00310) and basal transcription factors (hsa03022) related to POAG with permuted p < 0.001. In addition, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene family was significantly associated with POAG (p < 0.001). In the POAG subset with normal-pressure glaucoma (NPG), the butanoate metabolism pathway was also significantly associated (p < 0.001) as well as the MAPK and Hedgehog signaling pathways (hsa04010 and hsa04340), glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis-heparan sulfate pathway (hsa00534) and the phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis pathway (hsa0400). The butanoate metabolism pathway overall, and specifically the aspects of the pathway that contribute to GABA and acetyl-CoA metabolism, was the only pathway significantly associated with both POAG and NPG. Collectively these results implicate GABA and acetyl-CoA metabolism in glaucoma pathogenesis, and suggest new potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian L. Yaspan
- Center for Human Genetics Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Louis R. Pasquale
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael A. Hauser
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jae H. Kang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stephanie J. Loomis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Murray Brilliant
- Center for Human Genetics, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Marshfield, WI, USA
| | - Donald L. Budenz
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - John Fingert
- Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IO, USA
- Department of A natomy/Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IO, USA
| | | | - Terry Gaasterland
- Scripps Genome Center, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Peter Kraft
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard K. Lee
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Paul R. Lichter
- Department of Ophthalmology and V isual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yutao Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Sayoko E. Moroi
- Department of Ophthalmology and V isual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Julia E. Richards
- Department of Ophthalmology and V isual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Tony Realini
- Department of Ophthalmology, WVU Eye Institute, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Joel S. Schuman
- Department of Ophthalmology, UPMC Eye Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - William K. Scott
- Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Kuldev Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Arthur J. Sit
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Gadi Wollstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, UPMC Eye Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Donald J. Zack
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - R. Rand Allingham
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Robert N. Weinreb
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jonathan L. Haines
- Center for Human Genetics Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Janey L. Wiggs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA
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25
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Cizelsky W, Tata A, Kühl M, Kühl SJ. The Wnt/JNK signaling target gene alcam is required for embryonic kidney development. Development 2014; 141:2064-74. [PMID: 24764076 DOI: 10.1242/dev.107938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Proper development of nephrons is essential for kidney function. β-Catenin-independent Wnt signaling through Fzd8, Inversin, Daam1, RhoA and Myosin is required for nephric tubule morphogenesis. Here, we provide a novel mechanism through which non-canonical Wnt signaling contributes to tubular development. Using Xenopus laevis as a model system, we found that the cell-adhesion molecule Alcam is required for proper nephrogenesis and functions downstream of Fzd3 during embryonic kidney development. We found alcam expression to be independent of Fzd8 or Inversin, but to be transcriptionally regulated by the β-Catenin-independent Wnt/JNK pathway involving ATF2 and Pax2 in a direct manner. These novel findings indicate that several branches of Wnt signaling are independently required for proximal tubule development. Moreover, our data indicate that regulation of morphogenesis by non-canonical Wnt ligands also involves direct transcriptional responses in addition to the effects on a post-translational level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Cizelsky
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm 89081, Germany
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26
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Yip HK. Retinal stem cells and regeneration of vision system. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2013; 297:137-60. [PMID: 24293400 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate retina is a well-characterized model for studying neurogenesis. Retinal neurons and glia are generated in a conserved order from a pool of mutlipotent progenitor cells. During retinal development, retinal stem/progenitor cells (RPC) change their competency over time under the influence of intrinsic (such as transcriptional factors) and extrinsic factors (such as growth factors). In this review, we summarize the roles of these factors, together with the understanding of the signaling pathways that regulate eye development. The information about the interactions between intrinsic and extrinsic factors for retinal cell fate specification is useful to regenerate specific retinal neurons from RPCs. Recent studies have identified RPCs in the retina, which may have important implications in health and disease. Despite the recent advances in stem cell biology, our understanding of many aspects of RPCs in the eye remains limited. PRCs are present in the developing eye of all vertebrates and remain active in lower vertebrates throughout life. In mammals, however, PRCs are quiescent and exhibit very little activity and thus have low capacity for retinal regeneration. A number of different cellular sources of RPCs have been identified in the vertebrate retina. These include PRCs at the retinal margin, pigmented cells in the ciliary body, iris, and retinal pigment epithelium, and Müller cells within the retina. Because PRCs can be isolated and expanded from immature and mature eyes, it is possible now to study these cells in culture and after transplantation in the degenerated retinal tissue. We also examine current knowledge of intrinsic RPCs, and human embryonic stems and induced pluripotent stem cells as potential sources for cell transplant therapy to regenerate the diseased retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry K Yip
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Adminstrative Region, People's Republic of China; Research Center of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Adminstrative Region, People's Republic of China; State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Adminstrative Region, People's Republic of China
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27
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Cavodeassi F. Integration of anterior neural plate patterning and morphogenesis by the Wnt signaling pathway. Dev Neurobiol 2013; 74:759-71. [PMID: 24115566 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Wnts are essential for a multitude of processes during embryonic development and adult homeostasis. The molecular structure of the Wnt pathway is extremely complex, and it keeps growing as new molecular components and novel interactions are uncovered. Recent studies have advanced our understanding on how the diverse molecular outcomes of the Wnt pathway are integrated during organ development, an integration that is also essential, although mechanistically poorly understood, during the formation of the anterior part of the nervous system, the forebrain. In this article, the author has summarized these findings and discussed their implications for forebrain development. A special emphasis has been put forth on studies performed in the zebrafish as this model system has been instrumental for our current understanding of forebrain patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Cavodeassi
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049, Madrid, Spain
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28
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Fuhrmann S, Zou C, Levine EM. Retinal pigment epithelium development, plasticity, and tissue homeostasis. Exp Eye Res 2013; 123:141-50. [PMID: 24060344 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2013.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a simple epithelium interposed between the neural retina and the choroid. Although only 1 cell-layer in thickness, the RPE is a virtual workhorse, acting in several capacities that are essential for visual function and preserving the structural and physiological integrities of neighboring tissues. Defects in RPE function, whether through chronic dysfunction or age-related decline, are associated with retinal degenerative diseases including age-related macular degeneration. As such, investigations are focused on developing techniques to replace RPE through stem cell-based methods, motivated primarily because of the seemingly limited regeneration or self-repair properties of mature RPE. Despite this, RPE cells have an unusual capacity to transdifferentiate into various cell types, with the particular fate choices being highly context-dependent. In this review, we describe recent findings elucidating the mechanisms and steps of RPE development and propose a developmental framework for understanding the apparent contradiction in the capacity for low self-repair versus high transdifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Fuhrmann
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - ChangJiang Zou
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Edward M Levine
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
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29
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Ai J, Pascal LE, O'Malley KJ, Dar JA, Isharwal S, Qiao Z, Ren B, Rigatti LH, Dhir R, Xiao W, Nelson JB, Wang Z. Concomitant loss of EAF2/U19 and Pten synergistically promotes prostate carcinogenesis in the mouse model. Oncogene 2013; 33:2286-94. [PMID: 23708662 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2013.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Revised: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Multiple genetic alterations are associated with prostate carcinogenesis. Tumor-suppressor genes phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (Pten) and androgen upregulated gene 19 (U19), which encodes ELL-associated factor 2 (EAF2), are frequently inactivated or downregulated in advanced prostate cancers. Previous studies showed that EAF2 knockout caused tumors in multiple organs and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) in mice. However, EAF2-knockout mice did not develop prostate cancer even at 2 years of age. To further define the roles of EAF2 in prostate carcinogenesis, we crossed the Pten+/- and EAF2+/- mice in the C57/BL6 background to generate EAF2-/-Pten+/-, Pten+/-, EAF2-/- and wild-type mice. The prostates from virgin male mice with the above four genotypes were analyzed at 7 weeks, 19 weeks and 12 months of age. Concomitant loss of EAF2 function and inactivation of one Pten allele induced spontaneous prostate cancer in 33% of the mice. Prostatic tissues from intact EAF2-/- Pten+/- mice exhibited higher levels of phospho-Akt, -p44/42 and microvessel density. Moreover, phospho-Akt remained high after castration. Consistently, there was a synergistic increase in prostate epithelial proliferation in both intact and castrated EAF2-/-Pten+/- mice. Using laser-capture microdissection coupled with real-time reverse transcription-PCR, we confirmed that co-downregulation of EAF2 and Pten occurred in >50% clinical prostate cancer specimens with Gleason scores of 8-9 (n=11), which is associated with poor prognosis. The above findings together demonstrated synergistic functional interactions and clinical relevance of concurrent EAF2 and Pten downregulation in prostate carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ai
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - L E Pascal
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - K J O'Malley
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - J A Dar
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - S Isharwal
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Z Qiao
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - B Ren
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - L H Rigatti
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - R Dhir
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - W Xiao
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - J B Nelson
- Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Z Wang
- 1] Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA [2] Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA [3] University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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30
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Lupo G, Novorol C, Smith JR, Vallier L, Miranda E, Alexander M, Biagioni S, Pedersen RA, Harris WA. Multiple roles of Activin/Nodal, bone morphogenetic protein, fibroblast growth factor and Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the anterior neural patterning of adherent human embryonic stem cell cultures. Open Biol 2013; 3:120167. [PMID: 23576785 PMCID: PMC3718331 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.120167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have successfully produced a variety of neural cell types from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), but there has been limited systematic analysis of how different regional identities are established using well-defined differentiation conditions. We have used adherent, chemically defined cultures to analyse the roles of Activin/Nodal, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and Wnt/β-catenin signalling in neural induction, anteroposterior patterning and eye field specification in hESCs. We show that either BMP inhibition or activation of FGF signalling is required for effective neural induction, but these two pathways have distinct outcomes on rostrocaudal patterning. While BMP inhibition leads to specification of forebrain/midbrain positional identities, FGF-dependent neural induction is associated with strong posteriorization towards hindbrain/spinal cord fates. We also demonstrate that Wnt/β-catenin signalling is activated during neural induction and promotes acquisition of neural fates posterior to forebrain. Therefore, inhibition of this pathway is needed for efficient forebrain specification. Finally, we provide evidence that the levels of Activin/Nodal and BMP signalling have a marked influence on further forebrain patterning and that constitutive inhibition of these pathways represses expression of eye field genes. These results show that the key mechanisms controlling neural patterning in model vertebrate species are preserved in adherent, chemically defined hESC cultures and reveal new insights into the signals regulating eye field specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lupo
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
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31
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Yuan Y, Yeh LK, Liu H, Yamanaka O, Hardie WD, Kao WWY, Liu CY. Targeted overexpression of TGF-α in the corneal epithelium of adult transgenic mice induces changes in anterior segment morphology and activates noncanonical Wnt signaling. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2013; 54:1829-37. [PMID: 23412089 PMCID: PMC3626521 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.12-11477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) transduces its signal through the epidermal growth factor receptor and is essential for corneal epithelial homeostasis. Previous studies have demonstrated that overexpression of TGF-α in the developing eye leads to anterior segment dysgenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we examined the effects of TGF-α overexpression on adult ocular surface homeostasis. METHODS Binary Tet-On transgenic Krt12(rtTA)/tet-O-TGF-α mice were subjected to doxycycline (Dox) induction to overexpress TGF-α in the corneal epithelium. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by noninvasive tonometry. The enucleated eyes of the experimental mice were subjected to histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and biochemistry examination. RESULTS Histologic and immunofluorescent examination showed that double-transgenic mice overexpressing TGF-α manifested peripheral anterior synechiae. Elevation of IOP, activation of glial cells, and loss of retinal ganglion cells were also observed. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the expressions of genes (RXRα, PITX2, and FOXC1) related to anterior segment dysgenesis were downregulated. Canonical Wnt signaling was suppressed, whereas noncanonical Wnt ligands (Wnt4 and Wnt5a) were upregulated. Increased myosin light chain phosphorylation suggested that noncanonical Wnt signaling is activated in affected eyes. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of TGF-α in the corneal epithelium induces changes in anterior segment morphology. Corneal endothelial abnormalities are associated with the activation of the noncanonical Wnt and RhoA/ROCK signaling axis, indicating a potential application of RhoA/ROCK inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy for certain types of secondary angle-closure glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yuan
- From the
Crawley Vision Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; the
| | - Lung-Kun Yeh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang-Gung University College of Medicine, Linko, Taiwan; and
| | - Hongshan Liu
- From the
Crawley Vision Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; the
| | - Osamu Yamanaka
- From the
Crawley Vision Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; the
| | - William D. Hardie
- Divisions of Pulmonary Biology and Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Winston W.-Y. Kao
- From the
Crawley Vision Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; the
| | - Chia-Yang Liu
- From the
Crawley Vision Research Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; the
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32
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Fuhrmann S. Wnt signaling in eye organogenesis. Organogenesis 2012; 4:60-7. [PMID: 19122781 DOI: 10.4161/org.4.2.5850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2008] [Accepted: 03/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate eye consists of multiple tissues with distinct embryonic origins. To ensure formation of the eye as a functional organ, development of ocular tissues must be precisely coordinated. Besides intrinsic regulators, several extracellular pathways have been shown to participate in controlling critical steps during eye development. Many components of Wnt/Frizzled signaling pathways are expressed in developing ocular tissues, and substantial progress has been made in the past few years in understanding their function during vertebrate eye development. Here, I summarize recent work using functional experiments to elucidate the roles of Wnt/Frizzled pathways during development of ocular tissues in different vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Fuhrmann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences; John A. Moran Eye Center; University of Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah USA
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33
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Perry AS, O'Hurley G, Raheem OA, Brennan K, Wong S, O'Grady A, Kennedy AM, Marignol L, Murphy TM, Sullivan L, Barrett C, Loftus B, Thornhill J, Hewitt SM, Lawler M, Kay E, Lynch T, Hollywood D. Gene expression and epigenetic discovery screen reveal methylation of SFRP2 in prostate cancer. Int J Cancer 2012; 132:1771-80. [PMID: 22915211 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.27798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of Wnts is common in human cancers, including prostate. Hypermethylation associated transcriptional silencing of Wnt antagonist genes SFRPs (Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins) is a frequent oncogenic event. The significance of this is not known in prostate cancer. The objectives of our study were to (i) profile Wnt signaling related gene expression and (ii) investigate methylation of Wnt antagonist genes in prostate cancer. Using TaqMan Low Density Arrays, we identified 15 Wnt signaling related genes with significantly altered expression in prostate cancer; the majority of which were upregulated in tumors. Notably, histologically benign tissue from men with prostate cancer appeared more similar to tumor (r = 0.76) than to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH; r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Overall, the expression profile was highly similar between tumors of high (≥ 7) and low (≤ 6) Gleason scores. Pharmacological demethylation of PC-3 cells with 5-Aza-CdR reactivated 39 genes (≥ 2-fold); 40% of which inhibit Wnt signaling. Methylation frequencies in prostate cancer were 10% (2/20) (SFRP1), 64.86% (48/74) (SFRP2), 0% (0/20) (SFRP4) and 60% (12/20) (SFRP5). SFRP2 methylation was detected at significantly lower frequencies in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN; 30%, (6/20), p = 0.0096), tumor adjacent benign areas (8.82%, (7/69), p < 0.0001) and BPH (11.43% (4/35), p < 0.0001). The quantitative level of SFRP2 methylation (normalized index of methylation) was also significantly higher in tumors (116) than in the other samples (HGPIN = 7.45, HB = 0.47, and BPH = 0.12). We show that SFRP2 hypermethylation is a common event in prostate cancer. SFRP2 methylation in combination with other epigenetic markers may be a useful biomarker of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette S Perry
- Prostate Molecular Oncology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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Cavodeassi F, Houart C. Brain regionalization: Of signaling centers and boundaries. Dev Neurobiol 2012; 72:218-33. [DOI: 10.1002/dneu.20938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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35
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Pescadillo homologue 1 and Peter Pan function during Xenopus laevis pronephros development. Biol Cell 2011; 103:483-98. [PMID: 21770895 DOI: 10.1042/bc20110032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND INFORMATION pes1 (pescadillo homologue 1) and ppan (Peter Pan) are multifunctional proteins involved in ribosome biogenesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration and regulation of gene expression. Both proteins are required for early neural development in Xenopus laevis, as previously demonstrated. RESULTS We show that the expression of both genes in the developing pronephros depends on wnt4 and fzd3 (frizzled homologue 3) function. Loss of pes1 or ppan by MO (morpholino oligonucleotide)-based knockdown approaches resulted in strong malformations during pronephric tubule formation. Defects were already notable during specification of pronephric progenitor cells, as shown by lhx1 expression. Moreover, we demonstrated that Xenopus pes1 and ppan interact physically and functionally and that pes1 and ppan can cross-rescue the loss of function phenotype of one another. Interference with rRNA synthesis, however, did not result in a similar early pronephros phenotype. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that pes1 and ppan are required for Xenopus pronephros development and indicate that their function in the pronephros is independent of their role in ribosome biosynthesis.
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36
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Tanaka S, Terada K, Nohno T. Canonical Wnt signaling is involved in switching from cell proliferation to myogenic differentiation of mouse myoblast cells. J Mol Signal 2011; 6:12. [PMID: 21970630 PMCID: PMC3198762 DOI: 10.1186/1750-2187-6-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2011] [Accepted: 10/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Wnt/β-catenin signaling is involved in various aspects of skeletal muscle development and regeneration. In addition, Wnt3a and β-catenin are required for muscle-specific gene transcription in embryonic carcinoma cells and satellite-cell proliferation during adult skeletal muscle regeneration. Downstream targets of canonical Wnt signaling are cyclin D1 and c-myc. However both target genes are suppressed during differentiation of mouse myoblast cells, C2C12. Underlying molecular mechanisms of β-catenin signaling during myogenic differentiation remain unknown. Results Using C2C12 cells, we examined intracellular signaling and gene transcription during myoblast proliferation and differentiation. We confirmed that several Wnt signaling components, including Wnt9a, Sfrp2 and porcupine, were consistently upregulated in differentiating C2C12 cells. Troponin T-positive myotubes were decreased by Wnt3a overexpression, but not Wnt4. TOP/FOP reporter assays revealed that co-expression with Wnt4 reduced Wnt3a-induced luciferase activity, suggesting that Wnt4 signaling counteracted Wnt3a signaling in myoblasts. FH535, a small-molecule inhibitor of β-catenin/Tcf complex formation, reduced basal β-catenin in the cytoplasm and decreased myoblast proliferation. K252a, a protein kinase inhibitor, increased both cytosolic and membrane-bound β-catenin and enhanced myoblast fusion. Treatments with K252a or Wnt4 resulted in increased cytoplasmic vesicles containing phosphorylated β-catenin (Tyr654) during myogenic differentiation. Conclusions These results suggest that various Wnt ligands control subcellular β-catenin localization, which regulate myoblast proliferation and myotube formation. Wnt signaling via β-catenin likely acts as a molecular switch that regulates the transition from cell proliferation to myogenic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Tanaka
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan.
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Bugner V, Tecza A, Gessert S, Kühl M. Peter Pan functions independently of its role in ribosome biogenesis during early eye and craniofacial cartilage development in Xenopus laevis. Development 2011; 138:2369-78. [PMID: 21558383 DOI: 10.1242/dev.060160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The Xenopus oocyte possesses a large maternal store of ribosomes, thereby uncoupling early development from the de novo ribosome biosynthesis required for cell growth. Brix domain-containing proteins, such as Peter Pan (PPan), are essential for eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that PPan is expressed maternally as well as in the eye and cranial neural crest cells (NCCs) during early Xenopus laevis development. Depletion of PPan and interference with rRNA processing using antisense morpholino oligonucleotides resulted in eye and cranial cartilage malformations. Loss of PPan, but not interference with rRNA processing, led to an early downregulation of specific marker genes of the eye, including Rx1 and Pax6, and of NCCs, such as Twist, Slug and FoxD3. We found that PPan protein is localized in the nucleoli and mitochondria and that loss of PPan results in increased apoptosis. These findings indicate a novel function of PPan that is independent of its role in ribosome biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Bugner
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
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Valesio EG, Zhang H, Zhang C. Exposure to the JNK inhibitor SP600125 (anthrapyrazolone) during early zebrafish development results in morphological defects. J Appl Toxicol 2011; 33:32-40. [PMID: 21751222 DOI: 10.1002/jat.1708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SP600125 (anthrapyrazolone) is a synthetic polyaromatic chemical that inhibits c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling by interfering with phosphorylation of c-Jun. To determine the pharmacological impact of SP600125 on zebrafish development, we incubated embryos in various concentrations of SP600125 from 18 h postfertilization (hpf) to 48 hpf. Embryos treated with 1.25 µm appeared with occasional pericardium edema. Treatment with 12.5 µm resulted in complete mortality by 120 hpf, preventing an assessment of physiological defects. Embryos treated with 5 µm exhibited slowed overall growth, a delay in hatching and numerous morphological defects such as pericardium edema, yolk sac edema, swim bladder deflation, bent vertebrae and eye and jaw malformations. Whole-mount immunohistochemical studies using an anti-acetylated β-tubulin antibody confirmed developmental defects in the nervous system. Within the retina, fish treated with 1.25 µm showed a mild reduction of immunoreactivity. Immunoreactivity in the retina was further reduced in fish treated with 5 µm of SP600125. In these fish, eyes and olfactory organs were half the size compared with other groups. Multiple lenses were observed in 67% of these fish. A second experiment with a shorter exposure period of SP600125 (6 h) presented significantly fewer morphological defects. The treatment led to a delay in hatching, and increased incidences of swim bladder deflation and pericardium edema with increasing concentrations. In summary, SP600125 caused developmental abnormalities during zebrafish organogenesis starting at 1.25 µm and the defects were exacerbated with increasing concentrations. Our study suggests that SP600125 at 1.25 µm and beyond has devastating consequences for zebrafish development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric G Valesio
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Physical Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, 3101S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
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Lovicu FJ, McAvoy JW, de Iongh RU. Understanding the role of growth factors in embryonic development: insights from the lens. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2011; 366:1204-18. [PMID: 21402581 PMCID: PMC3061110 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2010.0339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth factors play key roles in influencing cell fate and behaviour during development. The epithelial cells and fibre cells that arise from the lens vesicle during lens morphogenesis are bathed by aqueous and vitreous, respectively. Vitreous has been shown to generate a high level of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling that is required for secondary lens fibre differentiation. However, studies also show that FGF signalling is not sufficient and roles have been identified for transforming growth factor-β and Wnt/Frizzled families in regulating aspects of fibre differentiation. In the case of the epithelium, key roles for Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signalling have been demonstrated in embryonic development, but it is not known if other factors are required for its formation and maintenance. This review provides an overview of current knowledge about growth factor regulation of differentiation and maintenance of lens cells. It also highlights areas that warrant future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. J. Lovicu
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia
- Vision Cooperative Research Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - J. W. McAvoy
- Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia
- Vision Cooperative Research Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - R. U. de Iongh
- Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Savas S, Azorsa DO, Jarjanazi H, Ibrahim-Zada I, Gonzales IM, Arora S, Henderson MC, Choi YH, Briollais L, Ozcelik H, Tuzmen S. NCI60 cancer cell line panel data and RNAi analysis help identify EAF2 as a modulator of simvastatin and lovastatin response in HCT-116 cells. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18306. [PMID: 21483694 PMCID: PMC3070731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2010] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simvastatin and lovastatin are statins traditionally used for lowering serum cholesterol levels. However, there exists evidence indicating their potential chemotherapeutic characteristics in cancer. In this study, we used bioinformatic analysis of publicly available data in order to systematically identify the genes involved in resistance to cytotoxic effects of these two drugs in the NCI60 cell line panel. We used the pharmacological data available for all the NCI60 cell lines to classify simvastatin or lovastatin resistant and sensitive cell lines, respectively. Next, we performed whole-genome single marker case-control association tests for the lovastatin and simvastatin resistant and sensitive cells using their publicly available Affymetrix 125K SNP genomic data. The results were then evaluated using RNAi methodology. After correction of the p-values for multiple testing using False Discovery Rate, our results identified three genes (NRP1, COL13A1, MRPS31) and six genes (EAF2, ANK2, AKAP7, STEAP2, LPIN2, PARVB) associated with resistance to simvastatin and lovastatin, respectively. Functional validation using RNAi confirmed that silencing of EAF2 expression modulated the response of HCT-116 colon cancer cells to both statins. In summary, we have successfully utilized the publicly available data on the NCI60 cell lines to perform whole-genome association studies for simvastatin and lovastatin. Our results indicated genes involved in the cellular response to these statins and siRNA studies confirmed the role of the EAF2 in response to these drugs in HCT-116 colon cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevtap Savas
- Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - David O. Azorsa
- The Pharmaceutical Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
- The Clinical Translational Research Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Hamdi Jarjanazi
- Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Irada Ibrahim-Zada
- Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Irma M. Gonzales
- The Pharmaceutical Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
- The Clinical Translational Research Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Shilpi Arora
- The Pharmaceutical Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Meredith C. Henderson
- The Pharmaceutical Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
- The Clinical Translational Research Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Yun Hee Choi
- Prosserman Centre for Health Research, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Laurent Briollais
- Prosserman Centre for Health Research, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hilmi Ozcelik
- Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sukru Tuzmen
- The Pharmaceutical Genomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Scottsdale, Arizona, United States of America
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Schmidt J, Schuff M, Olsson L. A role for FoxN3 in the development of cranial cartilages and muscles in Xenopus laevis (Amphibia: Anura: Pipidae) with special emphasis on the novel rostral cartilages. J Anat 2011; 218:226-42. [PMID: 21050205 PMCID: PMC3042756 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2010.01315.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The origin of morphological novelties is a controversial topic in evolutionary developmental biology. The heads of anuran larvae have several unique structures, including the supra- and infrarostral cartilages, the specialised structure of the gill basket (used for filtration), and novel cranial muscle arrangements. FoxN3, a member of the forkhead/winged helix family of transcription factors, has been implicated as important for normal craniofacial development in the pipid anuran Xenopus laevis. We have investigated the effects of functional knockdown of FoxN3 (using antisense oligonucleotide morpholino) on the development of the larval head skeleton and the associated cranial muscles in X. laevis. Our data complement earlier studies and provide a more complete account of the requirement of FoxN3 in chondrocranium development. In addition, we analyse the effects of FoxN3 knockdown on cranial muscle development. We show that FoxN3 knockdown primarily affects the novel skeletal structures unique to anuran larvae, i.e. the rostralia or the fine structure of the gill apparatus. The articulation between the infrarostral and Meckel's cartilage is malformed and the filigreed processes of the gill basket do not develop. Because these features do not develop after FoxN3 knockdown, the head morphology resembles that in the less specialised larvae of salamanders. Furthermore, the development of all cartilages derived from the neural crest is delayed and cranial muscle fibre development incomplete. The cartilage precursors initially condense in their proper position but later differentiate incompletely; several visceral arch muscles start to differentiate at their origin but fail to extend toward their insertion. Our findings indicate that FoxN3 is essential for the development of novel cartilages such as the infrarostral and other cranial tissues derived from the neural crest and, indirectly, also for muscle morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Schmidt
- Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany.
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42
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Barnett C, Krebs JE. WSTF does it all: a multifunctional protein in transcription, repair, and replication. Biochem Cell Biol 2011; 89:12-23. [PMID: 21326359 PMCID: PMC3251257 DOI: 10.1139/o10-114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome transcription factor (WSTF) has emerged as an incredibly versatile nuclear protein. WSTF and the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in which it exists, WINAC, WICH, and B-WICH, have been studied in a variety of organisms. This research has revealed roles for WSTF in a number of diverse molecular events. WSTF function includes chromatin assembly, RNA polymerase I and III gene regulation, vitamin D metabolism, and DNA repair. In addition to functioning as a subunit of several ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, WSTF binds specifically to acetylated histones and is itself a histone kinase as well as a target of phosphorylation. This review will describe the three known WSTF-containing complexes and discuss their various roles as well as mechanisms of regulating WSTF activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Barnett
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508
| | - Jocelyn E. Krebs
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508
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43
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Daftarian N, Kiani S, Zahabi A. Regenerative therapy for retinal disorders. J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2010; 5:250-64. [PMID: 22737370 PMCID: PMC3381091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2010] [Accepted: 07/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Major advances in various disciplines of basic sciences including embryology, molecular and cell biology, genetics, and nanotechnology, as well as stem cell biology have opened new horizons for regenerative therapy. The unique characteristics of stem cells prompt a sound understanding for their use in modern regenerative therapies. This review article discusses stem cells, developmental stages of the eye field, eye field transcriptional factors, and endogenous and exogenous sources of stem cells. Recent studies and challenges in the application of stem cells for retinal pigment epithelial degeneration models will be summarized followed by obstacles facing regenerative therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narsis Daftarian
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Correspondence to: Narsis Daftarian, MD. Ophthalmic Research Center, #23 Paidarfard St., Boostan 9 St., Pasdaran, Tehran 16666, Iran; Tel: +98 21 2258 5952, Fax: +98 21 2259 0607; e-mail:
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44
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Weisel KC, Kopp HG, Moore MA, Studer L, Barberi T. Wnt1 Overexpression Leads to Enforced Cardiomyogenesis and Inhibition of Hematopoiesis in Murine Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2010; 19:745-51. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2008.0356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Katja C. Weisel
- University of Tübingen, Medical Center, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Kopp
- University of Tübingen, Medical Center, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Malcolm A.S. Moore
- James Ewing Laboratory of Developmental Hematopoiesis, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Lorenz Studer
- Developmental Biology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Tiziano Barberi
- Department of Neurosciences, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, California
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45
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xGit2 and xRhoGAP 11A regulate convergent extension and tissue separation in Xenopus gastrulation. Dev Biol 2010; 344:26-35. [PMID: 20380829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2010.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2009] [Revised: 03/01/2010] [Accepted: 03/31/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In a microarray-based screen for genes that are involved in tissue separation downstream of Paraxial Protocadherin (PAPC) and Frizzled-7 (Fz7)-mediated signaling we identified xGit2 and xRhoGAP 11A, two GTPase-activating proteins (GAP) for small GTPases. xGit2 and xRhoGAP 11A are expressed in the dorsal ectoderm, and their transcription is downregulated in the involuting dorsal mesoderm by PAPC and Fz7. Overexpression of xGit2 and xRhoGAP 11A inhibits Rho activity and impairs convergent extension movements as well as tissue separation behaviour. We propose that Rho activity in the involuting mesoderm is enhanced through inhibition of xGit2 and xRhoGAP 11A transcription by PAPC and Fz7. By this mechanism xRhoGAP 11A and xGit2 are restricted to the dorsal ectoderm, while Rho signaling is inhibited.
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46
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Wan X, Ji W, Mei X, Zhou J, Liu JX, Fang C, Xiao W. Negative feedback regulation of Wnt4 signaling by EAF1 and EAF2/U19. PLoS One 2010; 5:e9118. [PMID: 20161747 PMCID: PMC2817739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0009118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2010] [Accepted: 01/20/2010] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies indicated that EAF (ELL-associated factor) family members, EAF1 and EAF2/U19, play a role in cancer and embryogenesis. For example, EAF2/U19 may serve as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. At the same time, EAF2/U19 is a downstream factor in the non-canonical Wnt 4 signaling pathway required for eye development in Xenopus laevis, and along with EAF1, contributes to convergence and extension movements in zebrafish embryos through Wnt maintenance. Here, we used zebrafish embryos and mammalian cells to show that both EAF1 and EAF2/U19 were up-regulated by Wnt4 (Wnt4a). Furthermore, we found that EAF1 and EAF2/U19 suppressed Wnt4 expression by directly binding to the Wnt4 promoter as seen in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. These findings indicate that an auto-regulatory negative feedback loop occurs between Wnt4 and the EAF family, which is conserved between zebrafish and mammalian. The rescue experiments in zebrafish embryos showed that early embryonic development required the maintenance of the appropriate levels of Wnt4a through the feedback loop. Others have demonstrated that the tumor suppressors p63, p73 and WT1 positively regulate Wnt4 expression while p21 has the opposite effect, suggesting that maintenance of appropriate Wnt4 expression may also be critical for adult tissue homeostasis and prevention against tumor initiation. Thus, the auto-regulatory negative feedback loop that controls expression of Wnt4 and EAF proteins may play an important role in both embryonic development and tumor suppression. Our findings provide the first convincing line of evidence that EAF and Wnt4 form an auto-regulatory negative feedback loop in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Wan
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Conservation of Aquatic Organisms, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
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Abstract
Vertebrate eyes begin as a small patch of cells at the most anterior end of the early brain called the eye field. If these cells are removed from an amphibian embryo, the eyes do not form. If the eye field is transplanted to another location on the embryo or cultured in a dish, it forms eyes. These simple cut and paste experiments were performed at the beginning of the last century and helped to define the embryonic origin of the vertebrate eye. The genes necessary for eye field specification and eventual eye formation, by contrast, have only recently been identified. These genes and the molecular mechanisms regulating the initial formation of the Xenopus laevis eye field are the subjects of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Zuber
- Center for Vision Research, SUNY Eye Institute, Departments of Ophthalmology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
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48
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Martinez-Morales JR, Wittbrodt J. Shaping the vertebrate eye. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2009; 19:511-7. [PMID: 19819125 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2009.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2009] [Revised: 07/24/2009] [Accepted: 08/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
For over a century, the vertebrate eye has served as a paradigm for organogenesis. It forms through a complex sequence of morphogenetic events, involving the lateral evagination of the optic vesicles and their subsequent folding into the optic cups. Through intensive studies by experimental embryologists, anatomical descriptions of the process were available since many decades. Recent genetic and molecular work has illuminated essential features of the stereotyped cellular behaviour driving eye morphogenesis. The first pieces of the molecular machinery operating in each individual progenitor cell have been identified. These studies now set the groundwork for a system-wide approach towards understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in shaping the vertebrate eye.
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Yu H, Pask AJ, Shaw G, Renfree MB. Comparative analysis of the mammalian WNT4 promoter. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:416. [PMID: 19732466 PMCID: PMC2758904 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2008] [Accepted: 09/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background WNT4 is a critical signalling molecule in embryogenesis and homeostasis, but the elements that control its transcriptional regulation are largely unknown. This study uses comparative cross species sequence and functional analyses between humans and a marsupial (the tammar wallaby,Macropus eugenii) to refine the mammalian Wnt4 promoter. Results We have defined a highly conserved 89 bp minimal promoter region in human WNT4 by comparative analysis with the tammar wallaby. There are many conserved transcription factor binding sites in the proximal promoter region, including SP1, MyoD, NFκB and AP2, as well as highly conserved CpG islands within the human, mouse and marsupial promoters, suggesting that DNA methylation may play an important role in WNT4 transcriptional regulation. Conclusion Using a marsupial model, we have been able to provide new information on the transcriptional regulators in the promoter of this essential mammalian developmental gene, WNT4. These transcription factor binding sites and CpG islands are highly conserved in two disparate mammals, and are likely key controlling elements in the regulation of this essential developmental gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongshi Yu
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Kangaroo Genomics, Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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50
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Liu JX, Hu B, Wang Y, Gui JF, Xiao W. Zebrafish eaf1 and eaf2/u19 mediate effective convergence and extension movements through the maintenance of wnt11 and wnt5 expression. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:16679-16692. [PMID: 19380582 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.009654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies have attributed several functions to the Eaf family, including tumor suppression and eye development. Given the potential association between cancer and development, we set forth to explore Eaf1 and Eaf2/U19 activity in vertebrate embryogenesis, using zebrafish. In situ hybridization revealed similar eaf1 and eaf2/u19 expression patterns. Morpholino-mediated knockdown of either eaf1 or eaf2/u19 expression produced similar morphological changes that could be reversed by ectopic expression of target or reciprocal-target mRNA. However, combination of Eaf1 and Eaf2/U19 (Eafs)-morpholinos increased the severity of defects, suggesting that Eaf1 and Eaf2/U19 only share some functional redundancy. The Eafs knockdown phenotype resembled that of embryos with defects in convergence and extension movements. Indeed, knockdown caused expression pattern changes for convergence and extension movement markers, whereas cell tracing experiments using kaeda mRNA showed a correlation between Eafs knockdown and cell migration defects. Cardiac and pancreatic differentiation markers revealed that Eafs knockdown also disrupted midline convergence of heart and pancreatic organ precursors. Noncanonical Wnt signaling plays a key role in both convergence and extension movements and midline convergence of organ precursors. We found that Eaf1 and Eaf2/U19 maintained expression levels of wnt11 and wnt5. Moreover, wnt11 or wnt5 mRNA partially rescued the convergence and extension movement defects occurring in eafs morphants. Wnt11 and Wnt5 converge on rhoA, so not surprisingly, rhoA mRNA more effectively rescued defects than either wnt11 or wnt5 mRNA alone. However, the ectopic expression of wnt11 and wnt5 did not affect eaf1 and eaf2/u19 expression. These data indicate that eaf1 and eaf2/u19 act upstream of noncanonical Wnt signaling to mediate convergence and extension movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Xia Liu
- From the Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Conservation of Aquatic Organisms, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Bo Hu
- From the Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Conservation of Aquatic Organisms, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Fresh Water Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jian-Fang Gui
- State Key Laboratory of Fresh Water Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Wuhan Xiao
- From the Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Conservation of Aquatic Organisms, Wuhan 430072, China.
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