1
|
Umeyama T, Matsuda T, Nakashima K. Lineage Reprogramming: Genetic, Chemical, and Physical Cues for Cell Fate Conversion with a Focus on Neuronal Direct Reprogramming and Pluripotency Reprogramming. Cells 2024; 13:707. [PMID: 38667322 PMCID: PMC11049106 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080707] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Although lineage reprogramming from one cell type to another is becoming a breakthrough technology for cell-based therapy, several limitations remain to be overcome, including the low conversion efficiency and subtype specificity. To address these, many studies have been conducted using genetics, chemistry, physics, and cell biology to control transcriptional networks, signaling cascades, and epigenetic modifications during reprogramming. Here, we summarize recent advances in cellular reprogramming and discuss future directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taichi Umeyama
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Taito Matsuda
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nazarov IB, Zilov DS, Gordeev MN, Potapenko EV, Yeremenko N, Tomilin AN. Transcriptional Coactivator BOB1 (OBF1, OCA-B) Modulates the Specificity of DNA Recognition by the POU-Domain Factors OCT1 and OCT2 in a Monomeric Configuration. Biomolecules 2024; 14:123. [PMID: 38254723 PMCID: PMC10812921 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BOB1, a mammalian lymphocyte-specific transcriptional coactivator of the transcription factors OCT1 and OCT2 (OCT1/2), plays important roles in normal immune responses, autoimmunity, and hematologic malignancies. The issue of a DNA sequence preference change imposed by BOB1 was raised more than two decades ago but remains unresolved. In this paper, using the EMSA-SELEX-Seq approach, we have reassessed the intrinsic ability of BOB1 to modulate the specificity of DNA recognition by OCT1 and OCT2. Our results have reaffirmed previous conclusions regarding BOB1 selectivity towards the dimer configuration of OCT1/2. However, they suggest that the monomeric configuration of these factors, assembled on the classical octamer ATGCAAAT and related motifs, are the primary targets of BOB1. Our data further specify the DNA sequence preference imposed by BOB1 and predict the probability of ternary complex formation. These results provide an additional insight into the action of BOB1-an essential immune regulator and a promising molecular target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and hematologic malignancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor B. Nazarov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (D.S.Z.); (M.N.G.)
| | - Danil S. Zilov
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (D.S.Z.); (M.N.G.)
| | - Mikhail N. Gordeev
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (D.S.Z.); (M.N.G.)
| | - Evgenii V. Potapenko
- Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel;
- University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Nataliya Yeremenko
- Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology UMR1064, 30 Bd Jean Monnet, Nantes University, CEDEX 01, 44093 Nantes, France;
| | - Alexey N. Tomilin
- Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky Ave. 4, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia; (D.S.Z.); (M.N.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
MacCarthy CM, Wu G, Malik V, Menuchin-Lasowski Y, Velychko T, Keshet G, Fan R, Bedzhov I, Church GM, Jauch R, Cojocaru V, Schöler HR, Velychko S. Highly cooperative chimeric super-SOX induces naive pluripotency across species. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:127-147.e9. [PMID: 38141611 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of pluripotency remains limited: iPSC generation has only been established for a few model species, pluripotent stem cell lines exhibit inconsistent developmental potential, and germline transmission has only been demonstrated for mice and rats. By swapping structural elements between Sox2 and Sox17, we built a chimeric super-SOX factor, Sox2-17, that enhanced iPSC generation in five tested species: mouse, human, cynomolgus monkey, cow, and pig. A swap of alanine to valine at the interface between Sox2 and Oct4 delivered a gain of function by stabilizing Sox2/Oct4 dimerization on DNA, enabling generation of high-quality OSKM iPSCs capable of supporting the development of healthy all-iPSC mice. Sox2/Oct4 dimerization emerged as the core driver of naive pluripotency with its levels diminished upon priming. Transient overexpression of the SK cocktail (Sox+Klf4) restored the dimerization and boosted the developmental potential of pluripotent stem cells across species, providing a universal method for naive reset in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Guangming Wu
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; International Bio Island, Guangzhou, China; MingCeler Biotech, Guangzhou, China
| | - Vikas Malik
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Taras Velychko
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gal Keshet
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rui Fan
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Ivan Bedzhov
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vlad Cojocaru
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; STAR-UBB Institute, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Hans R Schöler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.
| | - Sergiy Velychko
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lin HC, Makhlouf A, Vazquez Echegaray C, Zawada D, Simões F. Programming human cell fate: overcoming challenges and unlocking potential through technological breakthroughs. Development 2023; 150:dev202300. [PMID: 38078653 PMCID: PMC10753584 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there have been notable advancements in the ability to programme human cell identity, enabling us to design and manipulate cell function in a Petri dish. However, current protocols for generating target cell types often lack efficiency and precision, resulting in engineered cells that do not fully replicate the desired identity or functional output. This applies to different methods of cell programming, which face similar challenges that hinder progress and delay the achievement of a more favourable outcome. However, recent technological and analytical breakthroughs have provided us with unprecedented opportunities to advance the way we programme cell fate. The Company of Biologists' 2023 workshop on 'Novel Technologies for Programming Human Cell Fate' brought together experts in human cell fate engineering and experts in single-cell genomics, manipulation and characterisation of cells on a single (sub)cellular level. Here, we summarise the main points that emerged during the workshop's themed discussions. Furthermore, we provide specific examples highlighting the current state of the field as well as its trajectory, offering insights into the potential outcomes resulting from the application of these breakthrough technologies in precisely engineering the identity and function of clinically valuable human cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Chuan Lin
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, 4057 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aly Makhlouf
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Camila Vazquez Echegaray
- Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Centre, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Dorota Zawada
- First Department of Medicine, Cardiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance, 80636 Munich, Germany
- Regenerative Medicine in Cardiovascular Diseases, First Department of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine and Health, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Filipa Simões
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7TY, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Spurlock B, Liu J, Qian L. Can we stop one heart from breaking: triumphs and challenges in cardiac reprogramming. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 83:102116. [PMID: 37797568 PMCID: PMC10872832 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102116] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic cardiac injury causes irreversible muscle loss and scarring, but recent years have seen dramatic advances in cardiac reprogramming, the field focused on regenerating cardiac muscle. With SARS-CoV2 increasing the age-adjusted cardiovascular disease mortality rate, it is worth evaluating the state of this field. Here, we summarize novel innovations in reprogramming strategies, insights into their mechanisms, and technologies for factor delivery. We also propose a broad model of reprogramming to suggest directions for future research. Poet Emily Dickinson wrote, "If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain." Today, researchers studying cardiac reprogramming view this line as a call to action to translate this revolutionary approach into life-saving treatments for patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Spurlock
- McAllister Heart Institute, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jiandong Liu
- McAllister Heart Institute, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Li Qian
- McAllister Heart Institute, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hu H, Ho D, Tan DS, MacCarthy C, Yu CH, Weng M, Schöler H, Jauch R. Evaluation of the determinants for improved pluripotency induction and maintenance by engineered SOX17. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8934-8956. [PMID: 37607832 PMCID: PMC10516664 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
An engineered SOX17 variant with point mutations within its DNA binding domain termed SOX17FNV is a more potent pluripotency inducer than SOX2, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Although wild-type SOX17 was incapable of inducing pluripotency, SOX17FNV outperformed SOX2 in mouse and human pluripotency reprogramming. In embryonic stem cells, SOX17FNV could replace SOX2 to maintain pluripotency despite considerable sequence differences and upregulated genes expressed in cleavage-stage embryos. Mechanistically, SOX17FNV co-bound OCT4 more cooperatively than SOX2 in the context of the canonical SoxOct DNA element. SOX2, SOX17, and SOX17FNV were all able to bind nucleosome core particles in vitro, which is a prerequisite for pioneer transcription factors. Experiments using purified proteins and in cellular contexts showed that SOX17 variants phase-separated more efficiently than SOX2, suggesting an enhanced ability to self-organise. Systematic deletion analyses showed that the N-terminus of SOX17FNV was dispensable for its reprogramming activity. However, the C-terminus encodes essential domains indicating multivalent interactions that drive transactivation and reprogramming. We defined a minimal SOX17FNV (miniSOX) that can support reprogramming with high activity, reducing the payload of reprogramming cassettes. This study uncovers the mechanisms behind SOX17FNV-induced pluripotency and establishes engineered SOX factors as powerful cell engineering tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haoqing Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Derek Hoi Hang Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong
| | - Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Cheng-han Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mingxi Weng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong
| | | | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Weng M, Hu H, Graus MS, Tan DS, Gao Y, Ren S, Ho DHH, Langer J, Holzner M, Huang Y, Ling GS, Lai CSW, Francois M, Jauch R. An engineered Sox17 induces somatic to neural stem cell fate transitions independently from pluripotency reprogramming. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh2501. [PMID: 37611093 PMCID: PMC10446497 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh2501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Advanced strategies to interconvert cell types provide promising avenues to model cellular pathologies and to develop therapies for neurological disorders. Yet, methods to directly transdifferentiate somatic cells into multipotent induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) are slow and inefficient, and it is unclear whether cells pass through a pluripotent state with full epigenetic reset. We report iNSC reprogramming from embryonic and aged mouse fibroblasts as well as from human blood using an engineered Sox17 (eSox17FNV). eSox17FNV efficiently drives iNSC reprogramming while Sox2 or Sox17 fail. eSox17FNV acquires the capacity to bind different protein partners on regulatory DNA to scan the genome more efficiently and has a more potent transactivation domain than Sox2. Lineage tracing and time-resolved transcriptomics show that emerging iNSCs do not transit through a pluripotent state. Our work distinguishes lineage from pluripotency reprogramming with the potential to generate more authentic cell models for aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingxi Weng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Haoqing Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Matthew S. Graus
- The David Richmond Laboratory for Cardiovascular Development: Gene Regulation and Editing Program, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Genome Imaging Centre, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ya Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shimiao Ren
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Derek Hoi Hang Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jakob Langer
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Markus Holzner
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guang Sheng Ling
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Cora Sau Wan Lai
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive and Brain Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mathias Francois
- The David Richmond Laboratory for Cardiovascular Development: Gene Regulation and Editing Program, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Genome Imaging Centre, The Centenary Institute, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney, School of Medical Sciences, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tan DS, Cheung SL, Gao Y, Weinbuch M, Hu H, Shi L, Ti SC, Hutchins AP, Cojocaru V, Jauch R. The homeodomain of Oct4 is a dimeric binder of methylated CpG elements. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1120-1138. [PMID: 36631980 PMCID: PMC9943670 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Oct4 is essential to maintain pluripotency and has a pivotal role in establishing the germline. Its DNA-binding POU domain was recently found to bind motifs with methylated CpG elements normally associated with epigenetic silencing. However, the mode of binding and the consequences of this capability has remained unclear. Here, we show that Oct4 binds to a compact palindromic DNA element with a methylated CpG core (CpGpal) in alternative states of pluripotency and during cellular reprogramming towards induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). During cellular reprogramming, typical Oct4 bound enhancers are uniformly demethylated, with the prominent exception of the CpGpal sites where DNA methylation is often maintained. We demonstrate that Oct4 cooperatively binds the CpGpal element as a homodimer, which contrasts with the ectoderm-expressed POU factor Brn2. Indeed, binding to CpGpal is Oct4-specific as other POU factors expressed in somatic cells avoid this element. Binding assays combined with structural analyses and molecular dynamic simulations show that dimeric Oct4-binding to CpGpal is driven by the POU-homeodomain whilst the POU-specific domain is detached from DNA. Collectively, we report that Oct4 exerts parts of its regulatory function in the context of methylated DNA through a DNA recognition mechanism that solely relies on its homeodomain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shun Lai Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ya Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Maike Weinbuch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China,Institute for Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Haoqing Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Liyang Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shih-Chieh Ti
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Andrew P Hutchins
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Vlad Cojocaru
- STAR-UBB Institute, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,Computational Structural Biology Group, Utrecht University, The Netherlands,Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Ralf Jauch
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +852 3917 9511; Fax: +852 28559730;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Sukparangsi W, Morganti E, Lowndes M, Mayeur H, Weisser M, Hammachi F, Peradziryi H, Roske F, Hölzenspies J, Livigni A, Godard BG, Sugahara F, Kuratani S, Montoya G, Frankenberg SR, Mazan S, Brickman JM. Evolutionary origin of vertebrate OCT4/POU5 functions in supporting pluripotency. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5537. [PMID: 36130934 PMCID: PMC9492771 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32481-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The support of pluripotent cells over time is an essential feature of development. In eutherian embryos, pluripotency is maintained from naïve states in peri-implantation to primed pluripotency at gastrulation. To understand how these states emerged, we reconstruct the evolutionary trajectory of the Pou5 gene family, which contains the central pluripotency factor OCT4. By coupling evolutionary sequence analysis with functional studies in mouse embryonic stem cells, we find that the ability of POU5 proteins to support pluripotency originated in the gnathostome lineage, prior to the generation of two paralogues, Pou5f1 and Pou5f3 via gene duplication. In osteichthyans, retaining both genes, the paralogues differ in their support of naïve and primed pluripotency. The specialization of these duplicates enables the diversification of function in self-renewal and differentiation. By integrating sequence evolution, cell phenotypes, developmental contexts and structural modelling, we pinpoint OCT4 regions sufficient for naïve pluripotency and describe their adaptation over evolutionary time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Woranop Sukparangsi
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri, Thailand
| | - Elena Morganti
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Molly Lowndes
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hélène Mayeur
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins, UMR7232, F-66650, Banyuls sur Mer, France
| | - Melanie Weisser
- Structural Molecular Biology Group, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fella Hammachi
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5 Little France Drive, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Hanna Peradziryi
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fabian Roske
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jurriaan Hölzenspies
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alessandra Livigni
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, 5 Little France Drive, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Benoit Gilbert Godard
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, FR2424, Development and Evolution of Vertebrates Group, Station Biologique, F-29688, Roscoff, France.,CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche, UMR7009, F-06234, Villefranche sur Mer, France
| | - Fumiaki Sugahara
- Division of Biology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kuratani
- Laboratory for Evolutionary Morphology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Kobe, Japan
| | - Guillermo Montoya
- Structural Molecular Biology Group, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Sylvie Mazan
- CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins, UMR7232, F-66650, Banyuls sur Mer, France.
| | - Joshua M Brickman
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), University of Copenhagen, 3B Blegdamsvej, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
POUV is a relatively newly emerged class of POU transcription factors present in jawed vertebrates (Gnathostomata). The function of POUV-class proteins is inextricably linked to zygotic genome activation (ZGA). A large body of evidence now extends the role of these proteins to subsequent developmental stages. While some functions resemble those of other POU-class proteins and are related to neuroectoderm development, others have emerged de novo. The most notable of the latter functions is pluripotency control by Oct4 in mammals. In this review, we focus on these de novo functions in the best-studied species harbouring POUV proteins-zebrafish, Xenopus (anamniotes) and mammals (amniotes). Despite the broad diversity of their biological functions in vertebrates, POUV proteins exert a common feature related to their role in safeguarding the undifferentiated state of cells. Here we summarize numerous pieces of evidence for these specific functions of the POUV-class proteins and recap available loss-of-function data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny I. Bakhmet
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexey N. Tomilin
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bakhmet EI, Tomilin AN. Key features of the POU transcription factor Oct4 from an evolutionary perspective. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:7339-7353. [PMID: 34698883 PMCID: PMC11072838 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03975-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Oct4, a class V POU-domain protein that is encoded by the Pou5f1 gene, is thought to be a key transcription factor in the early development of mammals. This transcription factor plays indispensable roles in pluripotent stem cells as well as in the acquisition of pluripotency during somatic cell reprogramming. Oct4 has also been shown to play a role as a pioneer transcription factor during zygotic genome activation (ZGA) from zebrafish to human. However, during the past decade, several studies have brought these conclusions into question. It was clearly shown that the first steps in mouse development are not affected by the loss of Oct4. Subsequently, the role of Oct4 as a genome activator was brought into doubt. It was also found that the reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could proceed without Oct4. In this review, we summarize recent findings, reassess the role of Oct4 in reprogramming and ZGA, and point to structural features that may underlie this role. We speculate that pluripotent stem cells resemble neural stem cells more closely than previously thought. Oct4 orthologs within the POUV class hold key roles in genome activation during early development of species with late ZGA. However, in Placentalia, eutherian-specific proteins such as Dux overtake Oct4 in ZGA and endow them with the formation of an evolutionary new tissue-the placenta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny I Bakhmet
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Alexey N Tomilin
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|