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Yang X, Zhou W, Zhou J, Li A, Zhang C, Fang Z, Wang C, Liu S, Hao A, Zhang M. Pcgf5: An important regulatory factor in early embryonic neural induction. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27634. [PMID: 38533065 PMCID: PMC10963245 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Polycomb group RING finger (PCGF) proteins, a crucial subunits of the Polycomb complex, plays an important role in regulating gene expression, embryonic development, and cell fate determination. In our research, we investigated Pcgf5, one of the six PCGF homologs, and its impact on the differentiation of P19 cells into neural stem cells. Our findings revealed that knockdown of Pcgf5 resulted in a significant decrease in the expression levels of the neuronal markers Sox2, Zfp521, and Pax6, while the expression levels of the pluripotent markers Oct4 and Nanog increased. Conversely, Pcgf5 overexpression upregulated the expression of Sox2 and Pax6, while downregulating the expression of Oct4 and Nanog. Additionally, our analysis revealed that Pcgf5 suppresses Wnt3 expression via the activation of Notch1/Hes1, and ultimately governs the differentiation fate of neural stem cells. To further validate our findings, we conducted in vivo experiments in zebrafish. We found that knockdown of pcgf5a using morpholino resulted in the downregulated expression of neurodevelopmental genes such as sox2, sox3, and foxg1 in zebrafish embryos. Consequently, these changes led to neurodevelopmental defects. In conclusion, our study highlights the important role of Pcgf5 in neural induction and the determination of neural cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Wenjuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Juan Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Anna Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Changqing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Zhenya Fang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Chunying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Shiyu Liu
- International Center, Jinan Foreign Language School, Jinan, 250108, China
| | - Aijun Hao
- Key Laboratory for Experimental Teratology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Department of Anatomy and Histoembryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Meihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, 250014, China
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Sasai N, Tada S, Ohshiro J, Kogiso C, Shinozuka T. Regulation of progenitor cell survival by a novel chromatin remodeling factor during neural tube development. Dev Growth Differ 2024; 66:89-100. [PMID: 38014908 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
During development, progenitor cell survival is essential for proper tissue functions, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we show that ERCC6L2, a member of the Snf2 family of helicase-like proteins, plays an essential role in the survival of developing chick neural cells. ERCC6L2 expression is induced by the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling molecule by a mechanism similar to that of the known Shh target genes Ptch1 and Gli1. ERCC6L2 blocks programmed cell death induced by Shh inhibition and this inhibition is independent of neural tube patterning. ERCC6L2 knockdown by siRNA resulted in the aberrant appearance of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, ERCC6L2 cooperates with the Shh signal and plays an essential role in the induction of the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2. Taken together, ERCC6L2 acts as a key factor in ensuring the survival of neural progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Sasai
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Shogo Tada
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Jumi Ohshiro
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Chikara Kogiso
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Takuma Shinozuka
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
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Ong ALC, Kokaji T, Kishi A, Takihara Y, Shinozuka T, Shimamoto R, Isotani A, Shirai M, Sasai N. Acquisition of neural fate by combination of BMP blockade and chromatin modification. iScience 2023; 26:107887. [PMID: 37771660 PMCID: PMC10522999 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107887] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural induction is a process where naive cells are converted into committed cells with neural characteristics, and it occurs at the earliest step during embryogenesis. Although the signaling molecules and chromatin remodeling for neural induction have been identified, the mutual relationships between these molecules are yet to be fully understood. By taking advantage of the neural differentiation system of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, we discovered that the BMP signal regulates the expression of several polycomb repressor complex (PRC) component genes. We particularly focused on Polyhomeotic Homolog 1 (Phc1) and established Phc1-knockout (Phc1-KO) ES cells. We found that Phc1-KO failed to acquire the neural fate, and the cells remained in pluripotent or primitive non-neural states. Chromatin accessibility analysis suggests that Phc1 is essential for chromatin packing. Aberrant upregulation of the BMP signal was confirmed in the Phc1 homozygotic mutant embryos. Taken together, Phc1 is required for neural differentiation through epigenetic modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Lee Chen Ong
- Division of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - Toshiya Kokaji
- Data-driven biology, NAIST Data Science Center, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - Arisa Kishi
- Division of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Takihara
- Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-0037, Japan
| | - Takuma Shinozuka
- Division of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - Ren Shimamoto
- Division of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - Ayako Isotani
- Division of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
| | - Manabu Shirai
- Omics Research Center (ORC), National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibe Shinmachi, Suita, Osaka 564-8565, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sasai
- Division of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
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Identification of the Time Period during Which BMP Signaling Regulates Proliferation of Neural Progenitor Cells in Zebrafish. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021733. [PMID: 36675251 PMCID: PMC9863262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling regulates neural induction, neuronal specification, and neuronal differentiation. However, the role of BMP signaling in neural progenitors remains unclear. This is because interruption of BMP signaling before or during neural induction causes severe effects on subsequent neural developmental processes. To examine the role of BMP signaling in the development of neural progenitors in zebrafish, we bypassed the effect of BMP signaling on neural induction and suppressed BMP signaling at different time points during gastrulation using a temporally controlled transgenic line carrying a dominant-negative form of Bmp receptor type 1aa and a chemical inhibitor of BMP signaling, DMH1. Inhibiting BMP signaling from 8 hpf could bypass BMP regulation on neural induction, induce the number of proliferating neural progenitors, and reduce the number of neuronal precursors. Inhibiting BMP signaling upregulates the expression of the Notch downstream gene hairy/E(spl)-related 2 (her2). Inhibiting Notch signaling or knocking down the Her2 function reduced neural progenitor proliferation, whereas inactivating BMP signaling in Notch-Her2 deficient background restored the number of proliferating neural progenitors. These results reveal the time window for the proliferation of neural progenitors during zebrafish development and a fine balance between BMP and Notch signaling in regulating the proliferation of neural progenitor cells.
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Bolkhovitinov L, Weselman BT, Shaw GA, Dong C, Giribhattanavar J, Saha MS. Tissue Rotation of the Xenopus Anterior-Posterior Neural Axis Reveals Profound but Transient Plasticity at the Mid-Gastrula Stage. J Dev Biol 2022; 10:38. [PMID: 36135371 PMCID: PMC9503425 DOI: 10.3390/jdb10030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The establishment of anterior-posterior (AP) regional identity is an essential step in the appropriate development of the vertebrate central nervous system. An important aspect of AP neural axis formation is the inherent plasticity that allows developing cells to respond to and recover from the various perturbations that embryos continually face during the course of development. While the mechanisms governing the regionalization of the nervous system have been extensively studied, relatively less is known about the nature and limits of early neural plasticity of the anterior-posterior neural axis. This study aims to characterize the degree of neural axis plasticity in Xenopus laevis by investigating the response of embryos to a 180-degree rotation of their AP neural axis during gastrula stages by assessing the expression of regional marker genes using in situ hybridization. Our results reveal the presence of a narrow window of time between the mid- and late gastrula stage, during which embryos are able undergo significant recovery following a 180-degree rotation of their neural axis and eventually express appropriate regional marker genes including Otx, Engrailed, and Krox. By the late gastrula stage, embryos show misregulation of regional marker genes following neural axis rotation, suggesting that this profound axial plasticity is a transient phenomenon that is lost by late gastrula stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyuba Bolkhovitinov
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Bryan T. Weselman
- School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA
| | - Gladys A. Shaw
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Margaret S. Saha
- Department of Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA
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Katsuyama T, Kadoya M, Shirai M, Sasai N. Sox14 is essential for initiation of neuronal differentiation in the chick spinal cord. Dev Dyn 2021; 251:350-361. [PMID: 34181293 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The neural tube comprises several different types of progenitors and postmitotic neurons that co-ordinately act with each other to play integrated functions. Its development consists of two phases: proliferation of progenitor cells and differentiation into postmitotic neurons. How progenitor cells differentiate into each corresponding neuron is an important question for understanding the mechanisms of neuronal development. RESULTS Here we introduce one of the Sox transcription factors, Sox14, which plays an essential role in the promotion of neuronal differentiation. Sox14 belongs to the SoxB2 subclass and its expression starts in the progenitor regions before neuronal differentiation is initiated at the trunk level of the neural tube. After neuronal differentiation is initiated, Sox14 expression gradually becomes confined to the V2a region of the neural tube, where Chx10 is co-expressed. Overexpression of Sox14 restricts progenitor cell proliferation. Conversely, the blockade of Sox14 expression by the RNAi strategy inhibits V2a neuron differentiation and causes expansion of the progenitor domain. We further found that Sox14 acted as a transcriptional activator. CONCLUSIONS Sox14 acts as a modulator of cell proliferation and is essential for initiation of neuronal differentiation in the chick neural tube.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Katsuyama
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Minori Kadoya
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Manabu Shirai
- Omics Research Center (ORC), National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sasai
- Developmental Biomedical Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
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Aboitiz F, Montiel JF. The Enigmatic Reissner's Fiber and the Origin of Chordates. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:703835. [PMID: 34248511 PMCID: PMC8261243 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.703835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Reissner’s fiber (RF) is a secreted filament that floats in the neural canal of chordates. Since its discovery in 1860, there has been no agreement on its primary function, and its strong conservation across chordate species has remained a mystery for comparative neuroanatomists. Several findings, including the chemical composition and the phylogenetic history of RF, clinical observations associating RF with the development of the neural canal, and more recent studies suggesting that RF is needed to develop a straight vertebral column, may shed light on the functions of this structure across chordates. In this article, we will briefly review the evidence mentioned above to suggest a role of RF in the origin of fundamental innovations of the chordate body plan, especially the elongation of the neural tube and maintenance of the body axis. We will also mention the relevance of RF for medical conditions like hydrocephalus, scoliosis of the vertebral spine and possibly regeneration of the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Aboitiz
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan F Montiel
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile
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