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Dentici ML, Niceta M, Lepri FR, Mancini C, Priolo M, Bonnard AA, Cappelletti C, Leoni C, Ciolfi A, Pizzi S, Cordeddu V, Rossi C, Ferilli M, Mucciolo M, Colona VL, Fauth C, Bellini M, Biasucci G, Sinibaldi L, Briuglia S, Gazzin A, Carli D, Memo L, Trevisson E, Schiavariello C, Luca M, Novelli A, Michot C, Sweertvaegher A, Germanaud D, Scarano E, De Luca A, Zampino G, Zenker M, Mussa A, Dallapiccola B, Cavé H, Digilio MC, Tartaglia M. Loss-of-function variants in ERF are associated with a Noonan syndrome-like phenotype with or without craniosynostosis. Eur J Hum Genet 2024:10.1038/s41431-024-01642-7. [PMID: 38824261 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-024-01642-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic, largely truncating variants in the ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) gene, encoding a transcriptional regulator negatively controlling RAS-MAPK signaling, have been associated with syndromic craniosynostosis involving various cranial sutures and Chitayat syndrome, an ultrarare condition with respiratory distress, skeletal anomalies, and facial dysmorphism. Recently, a single patient with craniosynostosis and a phenotype resembling Noonan syndrome (NS), the most common disorder among the RASopathies, was reported to carry a de novo loss-of-function variant in ERF. Here, we clinically profile 26 individuals from 15 unrelated families carrying different germline heterozygous variants in ERF and showing a phenotype reminiscent of NS. The majority of subjects presented with a variable degree of global developmental and/or language delay. Their shared facial features included absolute/relative macrocephaly, high forehead, hypertelorism, palpebral ptosis, wide nasal bridge, and low-set/posteriorly angulated ears. Stature was below the 3rd centile in two-third of the individuals, while no subject showed typical NS cardiac involvement. Notably, craniosynostosis was documented only in three unrelated individuals, while a dolichocephalic aspect of the skull in absence of any other evidence supporting a premature closing of sutures was observed in other 10 subjects. Unilateral Wilms tumor was diagnosed in one individual. Most cases were familial, indicating an overall low impact on fitness. Variants were nonsense and frameshift changes, supporting ERF haploinsufficiency. These findings provide evidence that heterozygous loss-of-function variants in ERF cause a "RASopathy" resembling NS with or without craniosynostosis, and allow a first dissection of the molecular circuits contributing to MAPK signaling pleiotropy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Lisa Dentici
- Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Niceta
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cecilia Mancini
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Priolo
- Medical and Molecular Genetics, Ospedale Cardarelli, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Adeline Alice Bonnard
- Service de de Génétique Moléculaire Hôpital Robert Debré, GHU AP-HP Nord - Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR_S1131, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Université Paris Cité, Paris-Cité, 75019, Paris, France
| | - Camilla Cappelletti
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Leoni
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Ciolfi
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Pizzi
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Cordeddu
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Cesare Rossi
- Medical Genetics, IRCSS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Ferilli
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Mafalda Mucciolo
- Translational Cytogenomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Vito Luigi Colona
- Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Christine Fauth
- Institute for Human Genetics, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Melissa Bellini
- Pediatrics and Neonatology, Gugliemo da Saliceto Hospital, 29121, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Giacomo Biasucci
- Pediatrics and Neonatology, Gugliemo da Saliceto Hospital, 29121, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Sinibaldi
- Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvana Briuglia
- Genetics and Pharmacogenetics, Ospedale Universitario "Gaetano Martino", 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Gazzin
- Pediatric Clinical Genetics, Ospedale Pediatrico "Regina Margherita", 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Diana Carli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Università of Torino, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Luigi Memo
- Medical Genetics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health-IRCCS, Burlo Garofolo, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Eva Trevisson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Università di Padova, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Concetta Schiavariello
- Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Luca
- Department of Medical Sciences, Università of Torino, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Antonio Novelli
- Translational Cytogenomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Caroline Michot
- Center for Skeletal Dysplasia, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris Cité University, INSERM UMR 1163, Imagine Institute, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Anne Sweertvaegher
- Service de Pédiatrie, Centre hospitalier de Saint-Quentin, 02321, Saint-Quentin, France
| | - David Germanaud
- Département de Génétique, CEA Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- Service de Génétique Clinique, AP-HP, Hôpital Robert-Debré, 75019, Paris, France
| | - Emanuela Scarano
- Department of Pediatrics, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Luca
- Medical Genetics Division, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013, San Giovanni, Rotondo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zampino
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alessandro Mussa
- Department of Medical Sciences, Università of Torino, 10126, Torino, Italy
| | - Bruno Dallapiccola
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Helene Cavé
- Service de de Génétique Moléculaire Hôpital Robert Debré, GHU AP-HP Nord - Université Paris Cité, INSERM UMR_S1131, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Université Paris Cité, Paris-Cité, 75019, Paris, France
| | - Maria Cristina Digilio
- Rare Diseases and Medical Genetics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Molecular Genetics and Functional Genomics, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy.
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2
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Lackner A, Müller M, Gamperl M, Stoeva D, Langmann O, Papuchova H, Roitinger E, Dürnberger G, Imre R, Mechtler K, Latos PA. The Fgf/Erf/NCoR1/2 repressive axis controls trophoblast cell fate. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2559. [PMID: 37137875 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38101-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental development relies on coordinated cell fate decisions governed by signalling inputs. However, little is known about how signalling cues are transformed into repressive mechanisms triggering lineage-specific transcriptional signatures. Here, we demonstrate that upon inhibition of the Fgf/Erk pathway in mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), the Ets2 repressor factor (Erf) interacts with the Nuclear Receptor Co-Repressor Complex 1 and 2 (NCoR1/2) and recruits it to key trophoblast genes. Genetic ablation of Erf or Tbl1x (a component of the NCoR1/2 complex) abrogates the Erf/NCoR1/2 interaction. This leads to mis-expression of Erf/NCoR1/2 target genes, resulting in a TSC differentiation defect. Mechanistically, Erf regulates expression of these genes by recruiting the NCoR1/2 complex and decommissioning their H3K27ac-dependent enhancers. Our findings uncover how the Fgf/Erf/NCoR1/2 repressive axis governs cell fate and placental development, providing a paradigm for Fgf-mediated transcriptional control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lackner
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Müller
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Gamperl
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Delyana Stoeva
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivia Langmann
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Henrieta Papuchova
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Richard Imre
- Institute of Molecular Pathology, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl Mechtler
- Institute of Molecular Pathology, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulina A Latos
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
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3
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Vogiatzi A, Keklikoglou K, Makris K, Argyrou DS, Zacharopoulos A, Sotiropoulou V, Parthenios N, Gkikas A, Kokkori M, Richardson MSW, Fenwick AL, Archontidi S, Arvanitidis C, Robertson J, Parthenios J, Zacharakis G, Twigg SRF, Wilkie AOM, Mavrothalassitis G. Development of Erf-Mediated Craniosynostosis and Pharmacological Amelioration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7961. [PMID: 37175668 PMCID: PMC10178537 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097961] [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: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) insufficiency causes craniosynostosis (CRS4) in humans and mice. ERF is an ETS domain transcriptional repressor regulated by Erk1/2 phosphorylation via nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling. Here, we analyze the onset and development of the craniosynostosis phenotype in an Erf-insufficient mouse model and evaluate the potential of the residual Erf activity augmented by pharmacological compounds to ameliorate the disease. Erf insufficiency appears to cause an initially compromised frontal bone formation and subsequent multisuture synostosis, reflecting distinct roles of Erf on the cells that give rise to skull and facial bones. We treated animals with Mek1/2 and nuclear export inhibitors, U0126 and KPT-330, respectively, to increase Erf activity by two independent pathways. We implemented both a low dosage locally over the calvaria and a systemic drug administration scheme to evaluate the possible indirect effects from other systems and minimize toxicity. The treatment of mice with either the inhibitors or the administration scheme alleviated the synostosis phenotype with minimal adverse effects. Our data suggest that the ERF level is an important regulator of cranial bone development and that pharmacological modulation of its activity may represent a valid intervention approach both in CRS4 and in other syndromic forms of craniosynostosis mediated by the FGFR-RAS-ERK-ERF pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeliki Vogiatzi
- Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- IMBB, FORTH, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Kleoniki Keklikoglou
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBC), Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), P.O. Box 2214, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Biology Department, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Angelos Gkikas
- Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Maria Kokkori
- Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Melodie S. W. Richardson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Aimée L. Fenwick
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Sofia Archontidi
- Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Christos Arvanitidis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBC), Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), P.O. Box 2214, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- LifeWatch ERIC, Sector II-II, Plaza de España, 41071 Seville, Spain
| | - Jeremy Robertson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | | | | | - Stephen R. F. Twigg
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Andrew O. M. Wilkie
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - George Mavrothalassitis
- Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- IMBB, FORTH, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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4
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Kaur N, Lum M, Lewis RE, Black AR, Black JD. A novel anti-proliferative PKCα-Ras-ERK signaling axis in intestinal epithelial cells. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102121. [PMID: 35697074 PMCID: PMC9270260 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that the serine/threonine kinase PKCα triggers MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK)-dependent G1→S cell cycle arrest in intestinal epithelial cells, characterized by downregulation of cyclin D1 and inhibitor of DNA-binding protein 1 (Id1) and upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Cip1. Here, we use pharmacological inhibitors, genetic approaches, siRNA-mediated knockdown, and immunoprecipitation to further characterize anti-proliferative ERK signaling in intestinal cells. We show that PKCα signaling intersects the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK kinase cascade at the level of Ras small GTPases, and that anti-proliferative effects of PKCα require active Ras, Raf, MEK and ERK, core ERK pathway components that are also essential for pro-proliferative ERK signaling induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF). However, PKCα-induced anti-proliferative signaling differs from EGF signaling in that it is independent of the Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Ras-GEFs), SOS1/2, and involves prolonged rather than transient ERK activation. PKCα forms complexes with A-Raf, B-Raf and C-Raf that dissociate upon pathway activation, and all three Raf isoforms can mediate PKCα-induced anti-proliferative effects. At least two PKCα-ERK pathways that collaborate to promote growth arrest were identified: one pathway requiring the Ras-GEF, RasGRP3, and H-Ras, leads to p21Cip1 upregulation, while additional pathway(s) mediate PKCα-induced cyclin D1 and Id1 downregulation. PKCα also induces ERK-dependent SOS1 phosphorylation, indicating possible negative crosstalk between anti-proliferative and growth-promoting ERK signaling. Importantly, the spatio-temporal activation of PKCα and ERK in the intestinal epithelium in vivo supports the physiological relevance of these pathways and highlights the importance of anti-proliferative ERK signaling to tissue homeostasis in the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navneet Kaur
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Michelle Lum
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Robert E Lewis
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Adrian R Black
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Jennifer D Black
- Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
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5
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Tsiomita S, Liveri EM, Vardaka P, Vogiatzi A, Skiadaresis A, Saridis G, Tsigkas I, Michaelidis TM, Mavrothalassitis G, Thyphronitis G. ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) is involved in T lymphocyte maturation acting as regulator of thymocyte lineage commitment. J Leukoc Biol 2022; 112:641-657. [PMID: 35258130 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1a0720-439r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymocyte differentiation and lineage commitment is regulated by an extensive network of transcription factors and signaling molecules among which Erk plays a central role. However, Erk effectors as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying this network are not well understood. Erf is a ubiquitously expressed transcriptional repressor regulated by Erk-dependent phosphorylation. Here, we investigated the role of Erf in T cell maturation and lineage commitment, using a double-fluorescent Erf-floxed mouse to produce thymus-specific Erf knockouts. We observed significant accumulation of thymocytes in the CD4/CD8 DP stage, followed by a significant reduction in CD4SP cells, a trend for lower CD8SP cell frequency, and an elevated percentage of γδ expressing thymocytes in Erf-deficient mice. Also, an elevated number of CD69+ TCRβ+ cells indicates that thymocytes undergoing positive selection accumulate at this stage. The expression of transcription factors Gata3, ThPOK, and Socs1 that promote CD4+ cell commitment was significantly decreased in Erf-deficient mice. These findings suggest that Erf is involved in T cell maturation, acting as a positive regulator during CD4 and eventually CD8 lineage commitment, while negatively regulates the production of γδ T cells. In addition, Erf-deficient mice displayed decreased percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ splenocytes and elevated levels of IL-4 indicating that Erf may have an additional role in the homeostasis, differentiation, and immunologic response of helper and cytotoxic T cells in the periphery. Overall, our results show, for the first time, Erf's involvement in T cell biology suggesting that Erf acts as a potential regulator during thymocyte maturation and thymocyte lineage commitment, in γδ T cell generation, as well as in Th cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridoula Tsiomita
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Effrosyni Maria Liveri
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Panagiota Vardaka
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Angeliki Vogiatzi
- Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Argyris Skiadaresis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - George Saridis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsigkas
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.,Department of Biomedical Research, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Theologos M Michaelidis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.,Department of Biomedical Research, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Ioannina, Greece
| | - George Mavrothalassitis
- Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,IMBB, FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - George Thyphronitis
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
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6
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Vega-Sendino M, Olbrich T, Tillo D, Tran AD, Domingo CN, Franco M, FitzGerald PC, Kruhlak MJ, Ruiz S. The ETS transcription factor ERF controls the exit from the naïve pluripotent state in a MAPK-dependent manner. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabg8306. [PMID: 34597136 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg8306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The naïve epiblast transitions to a pluripotent primed state during embryo implantation. Despite the relevance of the FGF pathway during this period, little is known about the downstream effectors regulating this signaling. Here, we examined the molecular mechanisms coordinating the naïve to primed transition by using inducible ESC to genetically eliminate all RAS proteins. We show that differentiated RASKO ESC remain trapped in an intermediate state of pluripotency with naïve-associated features. Elimination of the transcription factor ERF overcomes the developmental blockage of RAS-deficient cells by naïve enhancer decommissioning. Mechanistically, ERF regulates NANOG expression and ensures naïve pluripotency by strengthening naïve transcription factor binding at ESC enhancers. Moreover, ERF negatively regulates the expression of the methyltransferase DNMT3B, which participates in the extinction of the naïve transcriptional program. Collectively, we demonstrated an essential role for ERF controlling the exit from naïve pluripotency in a MAPK-dependent manner during the progression to primed pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vega-Sendino
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, CCR, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Teresa Olbrich
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, CCR, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Desiree Tillo
- Genetics Branch, CCR, NCI, National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andy D Tran
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, CCR, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Catherine N Domingo
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, CCR, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mariajose Franco
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, CCR, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter C FitzGerald
- Genome Analysis Unit, CCR, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael J Kruhlak
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, CCR, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sergio Ruiz
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, CCR, NCI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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7
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Vogiatzi A, Baltsavia I, Dialynas E, Theodorou V, Zhou Y, Deligianni E, Iliopoulos I, Wilkie AOM, Twigg SRF, Mavrothalassitis G. Erf Affects Commitment and Differentiation of Osteoprogenitor Cells in Cranial Sutures via the Retinoic Acid Pathway. Mol Cell Biol 2021; 41:e0014921. [PMID: 33972395 PMCID: PMC8300784 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00149-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ETS2 repressor factor (ERF) haploinsufficiency causes late-onset craniosynostosis (CRS) (OMIM entry 600775; CRS4) in humans, while in mice Erf insufficiency also leads to a similar multisuture synostosis phenotype preceded by mildly reduced calvarium ossification. However, neither the cell types affected nor the effects per se have been identified so far. Here, we establish an ex vivo system for the expansion of suture-derived mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (sdMSCs) and analyze the role of Erf levels in their differentiation. Cellular data suggest that Erf insufficiency specifically decreases osteogenic differentiation of sdMSCs, resulting in the initially delayed mineralization of the calvarium. Transcriptome analysis indicates that Erf is required for efficient osteogenic lineage commitment of sdMSCs. Elevated retinoic acid catabolism due to increased levels of the cytochrome P450 superfamily member Cyp26b1 as a result of decreased Erf levels appears to be the underlying mechanism leading to defective differentiation. Exogenous addition of retinoic acid can rescue the osteogenic differentiation defect, suggesting that Erf affects cranial bone mineralization during skull development through retinoic acid gradient regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yan Zhou
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Andrew O. M. Wilkie
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen R. F. Twigg
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - George Mavrothalassitis
- Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- IMBB, FORTH, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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8
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Ter Huurne M, Stunnenberg HG. G1-phase progression in pluripotent stem cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4507-4519. [PMID: 33884444 PMCID: PMC8195903 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03797-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
During early embryonic development both the rapid increase in cell number and the expression of genes that control developmental decisions are tightly regulated. Accumulating evidence has indicated that these two seemingly independent processes are mechanistically intertwined. The picture that emerges from studies on the cell cycle of embryonic stem cells is one in which proteins that promote cell cycle progression prevent differentiation and vice versa. Here, we review which transcription factors and signalling pathways play a role in both maintenance of pluripotency as well as cell cycle progression. We will not only describe the mechanism behind their function but also discuss the role of these regulators in different states of mouse pluripotency. Finally, we elaborate on how canonical cell cycle regulators impact on the molecular networks that control the maintenance of pluripotency and lineage specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menno Ter Huurne
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, 6525GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Rd, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Hendrik G Stunnenberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, 6525GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Princess Maxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Dissection of two routes to naïve pluripotency using different kinase inhibitors. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1863. [PMID: 33767186 PMCID: PMC7994667 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22181-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be maintained in the naïve state through inhibition of Mek1/2 and Gsk3 (2i). A relevant effect of 2i is the inhibition of Cdk8/19, which are negative regulators of the Mediator complex, responsible for the activity of enhancers. Inhibition of Cdk8/19 (Cdk8/19i) stimulates enhancers and, similar to 2i, stabilizes ESCs in the naïve state. Here, we use mass spectrometry to describe the molecular events (phosphoproteome, proteome, and metabolome) triggered by 2i and Cdk8/19i on ESCs. Our data reveal widespread commonalities between these two treatments, suggesting overlapping processes. We find that post-transcriptional de-repression by both 2i and Cdk8/19i might support the mitochondrial capacity of naive cells. However, proteome reprogramming in each treatment is achieved by different mechanisms. Cdk8/19i acts directly on the transcriptional machinery, activating key identity genes to promote the naïve program. In contrast, 2i stabilizes the naïve circuitry through, in part, de-phosphorylation of downstream transcriptional effectors.
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Hou C, McCown C, Ivanov DN, Tsodikov OV. Structural Insight into the DNA Binding Function of Transcription Factor ERF. Biochemistry 2020; 59:10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00774. [PMID: 33175491 PMCID: PMC8110599 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.0c00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
ETS family transcription factors control development of different cell types in humans, whereas deregulation of these proteins leads to severe developmental syndromes and cancers. One of a few members of the ETS family that are known to act solely as repressors, ERF, is required for normal osteogenesis and hematopoiesis. Another important function of ERF is acting as a tumor suppressor by antagonizing oncogenic fusions involving other ETS family factors. The structure of ERF and the DNA binding properties specific to this protein have not been elucidated. In this study, we determined two crystal structures of the complexes of the DNA binding domain of ERF with DNA. In one, ERF is in a distinct dimeric form, with Cys72 in a reduced state. In the other, two dimers of ERF are assembled into a tetramer that is additionally locked by two Cys72-Cys72 disulfide bonds across the dimers. In the tetramer, the ERF molecules are bound to a pseudocontinuous DNA on the same DNA face at two GGAA binding sites on opposite strands. Sedimentation velocity analysis showed that this tetrameric assembly forms on continuous DNA containing such tandem sites spaced by 7 bp. Our bioinformatic analysis of three previously reported sets of ERF binding loci across entire genomes showed that these loci were enriched in such 7 bp spaced tandem sites. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the observed tetrameric assembly is a functional state of ERF in the human cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Hou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Claudia McCown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Dmitri N. Ivanov
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Oleg V. Tsodikov
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
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11
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ERK signalling: a master regulator of cell behaviour, life and fate. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:607-632. [PMID: 32576977 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0255-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 472] [Impact Index Per Article: 118.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The proteins extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 are the downstream components of a phosphorelay pathway that conveys growth and mitogenic signals largely channelled by the small RAS GTPases. By phosphorylating widely diverse substrates, ERK proteins govern a variety of evolutionarily conserved cellular processes in metazoans, the dysregulation of which contributes to the cause of distinct human diseases. The mechanisms underlying the regulation of ERK1 and ERK2, their mode of action and their impact on the development and homeostasis of various organisms have been the focus of much attention for nearly three decades. In this Review, we discuss the current understanding of this important class of kinases. We begin with a brief overview of the structure, regulation, substrate recognition and subcellular localization of ERK1 and ERK2. We then systematically discuss how ERK signalling regulates six fundamental cellular processes in response to extracellular cues. These processes are cell proliferation, cell survival, cell growth, cell metabolism, cell migration and cell differentiation.
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Haghighi F, Dahlmann J, Nakhaei-Rad S, Lang A, Kutschka I, Zenker M, Kensah G, Piekorz RP, Ahmadian MR. bFGF-mediated pluripotency maintenance in human induced pluripotent stem cells is associated with NRAS-MAPK signaling. Cell Commun Signal 2018; 16:96. [PMID: 30518391 PMCID: PMC6282345 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-018-0307-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) open new windows for basic research and regenerative medicine due to their remarkable properties, i.e. their ability to self-renew indefinitely and being pluripotent. There are different, conflicting data related to the role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in intracellular signal transduction and the regulation of pluripotency of PSCs. Here, we investigated the effect of bFGF and its downstream pathways in pluripotent vs. differentiated human induced (hi) PSCs. METHODS bFGF downstream signaling pathways were investigated in long-term culture of hiPSCs from pluripotent to differentiated state (withdrawing bFGF) using immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry and qPCR. Subcellular distribution of signaling components were investigated by simple fractionation and immunoblotting upon bFGF stimulation. Finally, RAS activity and RAS isoforms were studied using RAS assays both after short- and long-term culture in response to bFGF stimulation. RESULTS Our results revealed that hiPSCs were differentiated into the ectoderm lineage upon withdrawing bFGF as an essential pluripotency mediator. Pluripotency markers OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG were downregulated, following a drastic decrease in MAPK pathway activity levels. Notably, a remarkable increase in phosphorylation levels of p38 and JAK/STAT3 was observed in differentiated hiPSCs, while the PI3K/AKT and JNK pathways remained active during differentiation. Our data further indicate that among the RAS paralogs, NRAS predominantly activates the MAPK pathway in hiPSCs. CONCLUSION Collectively, the MAPK pathway appears to be the prime signaling pathway downstream of bFGF for maintaining pluripotency in hiPSCs and among the MAPK pathways, the activity of NRAS-RAF-MEK-ERK is decreased during differentiation, whereas p38 is activated and JNK remains constant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Haghighi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Dahlmann
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Clinic, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Saeideh Nakhaei-Rad
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexander Lang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Present address: Department of Urology, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ingo Kutschka
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Clinic, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martin Zenker
- Institute of Human Genetics, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - George Kensah
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Clinic, Otto von Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Roland P Piekorz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mohammad Reza Ahmadian
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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