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Chen Y, Li Q, Liu Y, Chen X, Jiang S, Lin W, Zhang Y, Liu R, Shao B, Chen C, Yuan Q, Zhou C. AFF4 regulates cellular adipogenic differentiation via targeting autophagy. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010425. [PMID: 36149892 PMCID: PMC9534390 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional elongation is a universal and critical step during gene expression. The super elongation complex (SEC) regulates the rapid transcriptional induction by mobilizing paused RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Dysregulation of SEC is closely associated with human diseases. However, the physiological role of SEC during development and homeostasis remains largely unexplored. Here we studied the function of SEC in adipogenesis by manipulating an essential scaffold protein AF4/FMR2 family member 4 (AFF4), which assembles and stabilizes SEC. Knockdown of AFF4 in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes inhibits cellular adipogenic differentiation. Overexpression of AFF4 enhances adipogenesis and ectopic adipose tissue formation. We further generate Fabp4-cre driven adipose-specific Aff4 knockout mice and find that AFF4 deficiency impedes adipocyte development and white fat depot formation. Mechanistically, we discover AFF4 regulates autophagy during adipogenesis. AFF4 directly binds to autophagy-related protein ATG5 and ATG16L1, and promotes their transcription. Depleting ATG5 or ATG16L1 abrogates adipogenesis in AFF4-overepressing cells, while overexpression of ATG5 and ATG16L1 rescues the impaired adipogenesis in Aff4-knockout cells. Collectively, our results unveil the functional importance of AFF4 in regulating autophagy and adipogenic differentiation, which broaden our understanding of the transcriptional regulation of adipogenesis. Obesity is a major health problem jeopardizing millions of individuals worldwide. From a pathological perspective, obesity occurs in the process of white adipose tissue expanding its mass through the enlargement of adipocyte size or advanced differentiation of adipocyte precursors to mature adipocytes. Studies have documented the dysregulated adipocyte metabolism of adipose tissue and associated disorders. However, our understanding of adipocyte development in which mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) commit their fate and preadipocytes undergo differentiation and maturation is scarce. Here, we identify the super elongation complex (SEC) scaffold protein AFF4 as an essential regulator of adipogenesis. We reveal that AFF4 promotes adipocyte formation by regulating the cellular autophagic process. AFF4 directly regulates the transcription of the autophagy-related protein ATG5 and ATG16L1, which are essential for autophagosome formation. This finding further elucidates the physiological role of SEC during tissue development, besides its recognized role in cancer occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiwen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelan Chen
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weimin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- * E-mail: ;
| | - Chenchen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- * E-mail: ;
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Ji C, Wang Y, Wei X, Zhang X, Cong R, Yao L, Qin C, Song N. Potential of testis-derived circular RNAs in seminal plasma to predict the outcome of microdissection testicular sperm extraction in patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2649-2660. [PMID: 34477868 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do testis-derived circular RNAs (circRNAs) in seminal plasma have potential as biomarkers to predict the outcome of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) in patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA)? SUMMARY ANSWER Testis-derived circRNAs in the seminal plasma can indeed be used for predicting the outcome of micro-TESE in patients with idiopathic NOA. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Micro-TESE is an effective method to obtain sperm samples from patients with idiopathic NOA. However, its success rate is only 40-50% in such patients. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Six idiopathic NOA patients with different micro-TESE results were included as the discovery cohort. Their testicular tissues were used for extracting and sequencing circRNAs. Five circRNAs with the most significantly different expression levels were selected for further verification. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Fifty-two patients with idiopathic NOA were included as the validation cohort. Preoperative seminal plasma samples of 52 patients with idiopathic NOA and 25 intraoperative testicular tissues were collected and divided into 'success' and 'failure' groups according to the results of micro-TESE. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to verify differences in the expression levels of the selected circRNAs between the two groups in the testicular tissues and seminal plasma. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Whether at the seminal plasma or testicular tissue level, the differences in the expression levels of the three circRNAs (hsa_circ_0000277, hsa_circ_0060394 and hsa_circ_0007773) between the success and failure groups were consistent with the sequencing results. A diagnostic receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis of the AUC indicated excellent diagnostic performance of these circRNAs in seminal plasma in predicting the outcome of micro-TESE (AUC values: 0.920, 0.928 and 0.891, respectively). On the basis of least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression, the three circRNAs were combined to construct a new prediction model. The diagnostic ROC curve analysis of the model showed an AUC value of 0.958. The expression levels of these circRNAs in seminal plasma using three normospermic volunteer samples remained stable after 48 h at room temperature. LARGE SCALE DATA NA. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This was a single-center retrospective study with relatively few cases. The functions of these circRNAs, as well as their relationship with spermatogenesis, have not yet been established. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Testis-derived circRNAs in seminal plasma can reflect the microenvironment of the testis and can be used as reliable biomarkers to screen patients with idiopathic NOA who might be suitable for micro-TESE. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This article was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no. 81871151). There were no competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengjian Ji
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yichun Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiyi Wei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xingyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Cong
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Liangyu Yao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chao Qin
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ninghong Song
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.,Department of Urology, The Affiliated Kezhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Xinjiang, China
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3
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Voisin N, Schnur RE, Douzgou S, Hiatt SM, Rustad CF, Brown NJ, Earl DL, Keren B, Levchenko O, Geuer S, Verheyen S, Johnson D, Zarate YA, Hančárová M, Amor DJ, Bebin EM, Blatterer J, Brusco A, Cappuccio G, Charrow J, Chatron N, Cooper GM, Courtin T, Dadali E, Delafontaine J, Del Giudice E, Doco M, Douglas G, Eisenkölbl A, Funari T, Giannuzzi G, Gruber-Sedlmayr U, Guex N, Heron D, Holla ØL, Hurst ACE, Juusola J, Kronn D, Lavrov A, Lee C, Lorrain S, Merckoll E, Mikhaleva A, Norman J, Pradervand S, Prchalová D, Rhodes L, Sanders VR, Sedláček Z, Seebacher HA, Sellars EA, Sirchia F, Takenouchi T, Tanaka AJ, Taska-Tench H, Tønne E, Tveten K, Vitiello G, Vlčková M, Uehara T, Nava C, Yalcin B, Kosaki K, Donnai D, Mundlos S, Brunetti-Pierri N, Chung WK, Reymond A. Variants in the degron of AFF3 are associated with intellectual disability, mesomelic dysplasia, horseshoe kidney, and epileptic encephalopathy. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:857-873. [PMID: 33961779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The ALF transcription factor paralogs, AFF1, AFF2, AFF3, and AFF4, are components of the transcriptional super elongation complex that regulates expression of genes involved in neurogenesis and development. We describe an autosomal dominant disorder associated with de novo missense variants in the degron of AFF3, a nine amino acid sequence important for its binding to ubiquitin ligase, or with de novo deletions of this region. The sixteen affected individuals we identified, along with two previously reported individuals, present with a recognizable pattern of anomalies, which we named KINSSHIP syndrome (KI for horseshoe kidney, NS for Nievergelt/Savarirayan type of mesomelic dysplasia, S for seizures, H for hypertrichosis, I for intellectual disability, and P for pulmonary involvement), partially overlapping the AFF4-associated CHOPS syndrome. Whereas homozygous Aff3 knockout mice display skeletal anomalies, kidney defects, brain malformations, and neurological anomalies, knockin animals modeling one of the microdeletions and the most common of the missense variants identified in affected individuals presented with lower mesomelic limb deformities like KINSSHIP-affected individuals and early lethality, respectively. Overexpression of AFF3 in zebrafish resulted in body axis anomalies, providing some support for the pathological effect of increased amount of AFF3. The only partial phenotypic overlap of AFF3- and AFF4-associated syndromes and the previously published transcriptome analyses of ALF transcription factors suggest that these factors are not redundant and each contributes uniquely to proper development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norine Voisin
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Rhonda E Schnur
- GeneDx, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, USA; Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Division of Genetics, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Sofia Douzgou
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester M13 9WL, UK; Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Susan M Hiatt
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Cecilie F Rustad
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Natasha J Brown
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | | | - Boris Keren
- Department of Genetics, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupe de Recherche Clinique Déficience Intellectuelle et Autisme UPMC, Paris 75013, France
| | - Olga Levchenko
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia
| | - Sinje Geuer
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin 14195, Germany; Institute for Medical and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Sarah Verheyen
- Institute of Human Genetics, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Diana Johnson
- Sheffield Clinical Genetics Service, Sheffield S10 2TQ, UK
| | - Yuri A Zarate
- Section of Genetics and Metabolism, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72701, USA
| | - Miroslava Hančárová
- Charles University Second Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David J Amor
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - E Martina Bebin
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jasmin Blatterer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Alfredo Brusco
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy; Medical Genetics Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Torino 10126, Italy
| | - Gerarda Cappuccio
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University, Naples 80131, Italy; Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Naples 80078, Italy
| | - Joel Charrow
- Division of Genetics, Birth Defects & Metabolism, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Nicolas Chatron
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland; Genetics Department, Lyon University Hospital, Lyon 69007, France
| | - Gregory M Cooper
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL 35806, USA
| | - Thomas Courtin
- Department of Genetics, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupe de Recherche Clinique Déficience Intellectuelle et Autisme UPMC, Paris 75013, France
| | - Elena Dadali
- Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moscow 115522, Russia
| | | | - Ennio Del Giudice
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Martine Doco
- Secteur Génétique, CHU Reims, EA3801, SFR CAPSANTE, 51092 Reims, France
| | | | - Astrid Eisenkölbl
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johannes Kepler University, Kepler University Hospital Linz, Krankenhausstraße 26-30, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | | | - Giuliana Giannuzzi
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Ursula Gruber-Sedlmayr
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | - Nicolas Guex
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland; Bioinformatics Competence Center, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Delphine Heron
- Department of Genetics, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupe de Recherche Clinique Déficience Intellectuelle et Autisme UPMC, Paris 75013, France
| | - Øystein L Holla
- Department of Medical Genetics, Telemark Hospital Trust, 3710 Skien, Norway
| | - Anna C E Hurst
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | | | - David Kronn
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | | | - Crystle Lee
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Séverine Lorrain
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland; Protein Analysis Facility, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Else Merckoll
- Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Mikhaleva
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | | | - Sylvain Pradervand
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland; Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste 34100, Italy
| | - Darina Prchalová
- Charles University Second Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Victoria R Sanders
- Division of Genetics, Birth Defects & Metabolism, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Zdeněk Sedláček
- Charles University Second Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Heidelis A Seebacher
- Institute of Human Genetics, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Elizabeth A Sellars
- Section of Genetics and Metabolism, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72701, USA
| | - Fabio Sirchia
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste 34100, Italy
| | - Toshiki Takenouchi
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Akemi J Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Heidi Taska-Tench
- Division of Genetics, Birth Defects & Metabolism, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Elin Tønne
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristian Tveten
- Department of Medical Genetics, Telemark Hospital Trust, 3710 Skien, Norway
| | - Giuseppina Vitiello
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Markéta Vlčková
- Charles University Second Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomoko Uehara
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Caroline Nava
- Department of Genetics, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupe de Recherche Clinique Déficience Intellectuelle et Autisme UPMC, Paris 75013, France
| | - Binnaz Yalcin
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland; Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch 67404, France
| | - Kenjiro Kosaki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1608582, Japan
| | - Dian Donnai
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester M13 9WL, UK; Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - Stefan Mundlos
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin 14195, Germany; Institute for Medical and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, Federico II University, Naples 80131, Italy; Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Naples 80078, Italy
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alexandre Reymond
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland.
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4
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Li J, Lee YK, Fu W, Whalen AM, Estable MC, Raftery LA, White K, Weiner L, Brissette JL. Modeling by disruption and a selected-for partner for the nude locus. EMBO Rep 2020; 22:e49804. [PMID: 33369874 PMCID: PMC7926259 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A long‐standing problem in biology is how to dissect traits for which no tractable model exists. Here, we screen for genes like the nude locus (Foxn1)—genes central to mammalian hair and thymus development—using animals that never evolved hair, thymi, or Foxn1. Fruit flies are morphologically disrupted by the FOXN1 transcription factor and rescued by weak reductions in fly gene function, revealing molecules that potently synergize with FOXN1 to effect dramatic, chaotic change. Strong synergy/effectivity in flies is expected to reflect strong selection/functionality (purpose) in mammals; the more disruptive a molecular interaction is in alien contexts (flies), the more beneficial it will be in its natural, formative contexts (mammals). The approach identifies Aff4 as the first nude‐like locus, as murine AFF4 and FOXN1 cooperatively induce similar cutaneous/thymic phenotypes, similar gene expression programs, and the same step of transcription, pre‐initiation complex formation. These AFF4 functions are unexpected, as AFF4 also serves as a scaffold in common transcriptional‐elongation complexes. Most likely, the approach works because an interaction's power to disrupt is the inevitable consequence of its selected‐for power to benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Li
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA.,Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Yun-Kyoung Lee
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Wenyu Fu
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA.,Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Anne M Whalen
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Mario C Estable
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laurel A Raftery
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Kristin White
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Lorin Weiner
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA.,Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Janice L Brissette
- Department of Cell Biology, State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, USA.,Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
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5
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Gross N, Peñagaricano F, Khatib H. Integration of whole-genome DNA methylation data with RNA sequencing data to identify markers for bull fertility. Anim Genet 2020; 51:502-510. [PMID: 32323873 DOI: 10.1111/age.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Predicting bull fertility prior to breeding is a current challenge for the dairy industry. The use of molecular biomarkers has been previously assessed. However, the integration of this information has not been performed to extract biologically relevant markers. The goal of this study was to integrate DNA methylation data with previously published RNA-sequencing results in order to identify candidate markers for sire fertility. A total of 1765 differentially methylated cytosines were found between high- and low-fertility sires. Ten genes associated with 11 differentially methylated cytosines were found in a previous study of gene expression between high- and low-fertility sires. Additionally, two of these genes code for proteins found exclusively in bull seminal plasma. Collectively, our results reveal 10 genes that could be used in the future as a panel for predicting bull fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Gross
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | | | - Hasan Khatib
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
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6
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Yu Y, Sha SB, Zhang B, Guan Q, Liang M, Zhao LG, Zhang QY, Wen J, Sun W. Effects and mechanism of action of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation in patients with abnormal semen parameters. Acupunct Med 2019; 37:25-32. [PMID: 30942613 DOI: 10.1136/acupmed-2017-011365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation (TEAS) on sperm parameters and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: A total of 121 patients diagnosed with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia or oligoasthenozoospermia were randomised into four groups (three treatment groups, one control): the TEAS groups were treated with 2 Hz (n=31), 100 Hz (n=31), or mock stimulation (n=29) at acupuncture points BL23, ST36, CV1 and CV4 for 2 months. The control group (n=30) was provided with lifestyle advice only. Results The changes in total sperm count and motility in the 2 Hz TEAS group were significantly greater than those in the mock group and the control group. The change in neutral α-glucosidase (NAG) and zinc levels in the 2 Hz group were significantly greater than those in the mock group and control group, and the changes in fructose levels of the 2 Hz group were significantly greater than those in the control group. Significant increases in calcium and integrin-binding protein 1 (CIB1) and reduction of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 b (CDK1) were also found after 2 Hz TEAS treatment. Conclusions The present findings suggest that 2 Hz TEAS can improve sperm count and motility in patients with abnormal semen parameters, and is associated with increases in seminal plasma zinc, NAG and fructose. The upregulation of CIB1 and downregulation of CDK1 by TEAS may be associated with its positive effects on sperm motility and count. Trial registration: http://www.chictr.org ; registration no. ChiCTR-TRC-11001775.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yu
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shu-Bin Sha
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qun Guan
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming Liang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu-Gang Zhao
- Reproductive Medicine Research Centre, 6th Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi-Yao Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ji Wen
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Sun
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
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Buñay J, Larriba E, Moreno RD, Del Mazo J. Chronic low-dose exposure to a mixture of environmental endocrine disruptors induces microRNAs/isomiRs deregulation in mouse concomitant with intratesticular estradiol reduction. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3373. [PMID: 28611354 PMCID: PMC5469815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02752-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans are environmentally exposed not only to single endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) but to mixtures that affect their reproductive health. In reproductive tissues, microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as key targets of EDCs. Here, we analysed changes in the testis "miRNome" (and their biogenesis mechanism) in chronically exposed adult mice to a cocktail of five EDCs containing 0.3 mg/kg-body weight (BW)/day of each phthalate (DEHP, DBP, BBP) and 0.05 mg/kg-BW/day of each alkylphenol (NP, OP), from conception to adulthood. The testis "miRNome" was characterised using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Expression levels of genes involved in miRNA biogenesis were measured by RT-qPCR, as well as several physiological and cytological parameters. We found two up-regulated, and eight down-regulated miRNAs and thirty-six differentially expressed isomiRs along with an over-expression of Drosha, Adar and Zcchc11. A significant decrease of intratesticular estradiol but not testosterone was detected. Functional analysis showed altered spermatogenesis, germ cell apoptosis and negative correlation of miR-18a-5p with Nr1h2 involved in the deregulation of the steroidogenesis pathway. Here, we present the first association between miRNA/isomiRs deregulation, their mechanisms of biogenesis and histopathological and hormonal alterations in testes of adult mice exposed to a mixture of low-dose EDCs, which can play a role in male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Buñay
- Department of Physiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo Larriba
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo D Moreno
- Department of Physiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Jesús Del Mazo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
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Genome-wide analysis identifies 12 loci influencing human reproductive behavior. Nat Genet 2016; 48:1462-1472. [PMID: 27798627 PMCID: PMC5695684 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The genetic architecture of human reproductive behavior-age at first birth (AFB) and number of children ever born (NEB)-has a strong relationship with fitness, human development, infertility and risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. However, very few genetic loci have been identified, and the underlying mechanisms of AFB and NEB are poorly understood. We report a large genome-wide association study of both sexes including 251,151 individuals for AFB and 343,072 individuals for NEB. We identified 12 independent loci that are significantly associated with AFB and/or NEB in a SNP-based genome-wide association study and 4 additional loci associated in a gene-based effort. These loci harbor genes that are likely to have a role, either directly or by affecting non-local gene expression, in human reproduction and infertility, thereby increasing understanding of these complex traits.
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9
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Izumi K, Nakato R, Zhang Z, Edmondson AC, Noon S, Dulik MC, Rajagopalan R, Venditti CP, Gripp K, Samanich J, Zackai EH, Deardorff MA, Clark D, Allen JL, Dorsett D, Misulovin Z, Komata M, Bando M, Kaur M, Katou Y, Shirahige K, Krantz ID. Germline gain-of-function mutations in AFF4 cause a developmental syndrome functionally linking the super elongation complex and cohesin. Nat Genet 2015; 47:338-44. [PMID: 25730767 PMCID: PMC4380798 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional elongation is critical for gene expression regulation during embryogenesis. The super elongation complex (SEC) governs this process by mobilizing paused RNA polymerase II (RNAP2). Using exome sequencing, we discovered missense mutations in AFF4, a core component of the SEC, in three unrelated probands with a new syndrome that phenotypically overlaps Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) that we have named CHOPS syndrome (C for cognitive impairment and coarse facies, H for heart defects, O for obesity, P for pulmonary involvement and S for short stature and skeletal dysplasia). Transcriptome and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analyses demonstrated similar alterations of genome-wide binding of AFF4, cohesin and RNAP2 in CdLS and CHOPS syndrome. Direct molecular interaction of the SEC, cohesin and RNAP2 was demonstrated. These data support a common molecular pathogenesis for CHOPS syndrome and CdLS caused by disturbance of transcriptional elongation due to alterations in genome-wide binding of AFF4 and cohesin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Izumi
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Research Center for Epigenetic Disease, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Nakato
- Research Center for Epigenetic Disease, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew C. Edmondson
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarah Noon
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matthew C. Dulik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ramkakrishnan Rajagopalan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Karen Gripp
- Division of Medical Genetics, A. I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware
| | - Joy Samanich
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | - Elaine H. Zackai
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- The Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Matthew A. Deardorff
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- The Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dinah Clark
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Julian L. Allen
- The Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dale Dorsett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Ziva Misulovin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Makiko Komata
- Research Center for Epigenetic Disease, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashige Bando
- Research Center for Epigenetic Disease, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maninder Kaur
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuki Katou
- Research Center for Epigenetic Disease, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Shirahige
- Research Center for Epigenetic Disease, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Ian D. Krantz
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- The Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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10
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Vieweg M, Dvorakova-Hortova K, Dudkova B, Waliszewski P, Otte M, Oels B, Hajimohammad A, Turley H, Schorsch M, Schuppe HC, Weidner W, Steger K, Paradowska-Dogan A. Methylation analysis of histone H4K12ac-associated promoters in sperm of healthy donors and subfertile patients. Clin Epigenetics 2015; 7:31. [PMID: 25806092 PMCID: PMC4372182 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-015-0058-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Histone to protamine exchange and the hyperacetylation of the remaining histones are hallmarks of spermiogenesis. Acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 12 (H4K12ac) was observed prior to full decondensation of sperm chromatin after fertilization suggesting an important role for the regulation of gene expression in early embryogenesis. Similarly, DNA methylation may contribute to gene silencing of several developmentally important genes. Following the identification of H4K12ac-binding promoters in sperm of fertile and subfertile patients, we aimed to investigate whether the depletion of histone-binding is associated with aberrant DNA methylation in sperm of subfertile men. Furthermore, we monitored the transmission of H4K12ac, 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) from the paternal chromatin to the embryo applying mouse in vitro fertilization and immunofluorescence. Results Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) with anti-H4K12ac antibody was performed with chromatin isolated from spermatozoa of subfertile patients with impaired sperm chromatin condensation assessed by aniline blue staining. Fertile donors were used as control. DNA methylation analysis of selected H4K12ac-interacting promoters in spermatozoa was performed by pyrosequencing. Depletion of binding sites for H4K12ac was observed within the following developmentally important promoters: AFF4, EP300, LRP5, RUVBL1, USP9X, NCOA6, NSD1, and POU2F1. We found 5% to 10% hypomethylation within CpG islands of selected promoters in the sperm of fertile donors, and it was not significantly altered in the subfertile group. Our results demonstrate that the H4K12ac depletion in selected developmentally important promoters of subfertile patients was not accompanied by a change of DNA methylation. Using a murine model, immunofluorescence revealed that H4K12ac co-localize with 5mC in the sperm nucleus. During fertilization, when the pronuclei are formed, the paternal pronucleus exhibits a strong acetylation signal on H4K12, while in the maternal pronucleus, there is a permanent increase of H4K12ac until pronuclei fusion. Simultaneously, there is an increase of the 5hmC signal and a decrease of the 5mC signal. Conclusions We suggest that aberrant histone acetylation within developmentally important gene promoters in subfertile men, but not DNA methylation, may reflect insufficient sperm chromatin compaction affecting the transfer of epigenetic marks to the oocyte. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13148-015-0058-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Vieweg
- Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Katerina Dvorakova-Hortova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology AS CR, v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Biocev Group, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 12844 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Dudkova
- Biocev Group, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, 12844 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Przemyslaw Waliszewski
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebieg University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Marie Otte
- Fertility Center, 35578 Wetzlar, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebieg University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weidner
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebieg University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Klaus Steger
- Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Paradowska-Dogan
- Section Molecular Andrology, Biomedical Research Center Seltersberg, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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11
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Laf4/Aff3, a gene involved in intellectual disability, is required for cellular migration in the mouse cerebral cortex. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105933. [PMID: 25162227 PMCID: PMC4146563 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the AFF (AF4/FMR2) family of putative transcription factors are involved in infant acute leukaemia and intellectual disability (ID), although very little is known about their transcriptional targets. For example, deletion of human lymphoid nuclear protein related to AF4/AFF member 3 (LAF4/AFF3) is known to cause severe neurodevelopmental defects, and silencing of the gene is also associated with ID at the folate-sensitive fragile site (FSFS) FRA2A; yet the normal function of this gene in the nervous system is unclear. The aim of this study was to further investigate the function of Laf4 in the brain by focusing on its role in the cortex. By manipulating expression levels in organotypic slices, we demonstrate here that Laf4 is required for normal cellular migration in the developing cortex and have subsequently identified Mdga2, an important structural protein in neurodevelopment, as a target of Laf4 transcriptional activity. Furthermore, we show that the migration deficit caused by loss of Laf4 can be partially rescued by Mdga2 over-expression, revealing an important functional relationship between these genes. Our study demonstrates the key transcriptional role of Laf4 during early brain development and reveals a novel function for the gene in the process of cortical cell migration relevant to the haploinsufficiency and silencing observed in human neurodevelopmental disorders.
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12
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Calcium- and integrin-binding protein-1 is down-regulated in the sperm of patients with oligoasthenozoospermia : CIB1 expression in patients with oligoasthenozoospermia. J Assist Reprod Genet 2014; 31:541-7. [PMID: 24464679 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-014-0177-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/13/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine whether altered expression and distribution of calcium- and integrin-binding protein-1 (CIB1) is involved in the pathogenesis of patients with oligoasthenozoospermia. METHODS Sperm samples were obtained from 25 infertile Chinese men who had failed to achieve conception after a period of 1-2 y and had been referred to the Reproductive Laboratory of the second hospital affiliated to the Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants were divided into two groups: oligoasthenozoospermia (n = 13) and asthenozoospermia (n = 12); as a third group, fertile men (n = 19) were included as controls. The expression levels of mRNA and protein levels of CIB1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) were measured using qRT-PCR and western blotting. RESULTS mRNA and protein expression levels of CIB1 were decreased in the oligoasthenozoospermia patients. Interestingly mRNA and protein expression levels of CDK1 were increased in the oligoasthenozoospermia patients. CONCLUSION The results of the present study indicate that that CIB1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of oligoasthenozoospermia by the CDK1 signaling pathway.
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13
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Paradowska AS, Miller D, Spiess AN, Vieweg M, Cerna M, Dvorakova-Hortova K, Bartkuhn M, Schuppe HC, Weidner W, Steger K. Genome wide identification of promoter binding sites for H4K12ac in human sperm and its relevance for early embryonic development. Epigenetics 2012; 7:1057-70. [PMID: 22894908 PMCID: PMC3466190 DOI: 10.4161/epi.21556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Sperm chromatin reveals two characteristic features in that protamines are the predominant nuclear proteins and remaining histones are highly acetylated. Histone H4 acetylated at lysine 12 (H4K12ac) is localized in the post-acrosomal region, while protamine-1 is present within the whole nucleus. Chromatin immunoprecipitation in combination with promoter array analysis allowed genome-wide identification of H4K12ac binding sites. Previously, we reported enrichment of H4K12ac at CTCF binding sites and promoters of genes involved in developmental processes. Here, we demonstrate that H4K12ac is enriched predominantly between ± 2 kb from the transcription start site. In addition, we identified developmentally relevant H4K12ac-associated promoters with high expression levels of their transcripts stored in mature sperm. The highest expressed mRNA codes for testis-specific PHD finger protein-7 (PHF7), suggesting an activating role of H4K12ac in the regulatory elements of this gene. H4K12ac-associated genes revealed a weak correlation with genes expressed at 4-cell stage human embryos, while 23 H4K12ac-associated genes were activated in 8-cell embryo and 39 in the blastocyst. Genes activated in 4-cell embryos are involved in gene expression, histone fold and DNA-dependent transcription, while genes expressed in the blastocyst were classified as involved in developmental processes. Immunofluorescence staining detected H4K12ac from the murine male pronucleus to early stages of embryogenesis. Aberrant histone acetylation within developmentally important gene promoters in infertile men may reflect insufficient sperm chromatin compaction, which may result in inappropriate transfer of epigenetic information to the oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka S Paradowska
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
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14
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Komori T, Doi A, Nosaka T, Furuta H, Akamizu T, Kitamura T, Senba E, Morikawa Y. Regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase signaling by AFF4 protein, member of AF4 (ALL1-fused gene from chromosome 4) family of transcription factors, in hypothalamic neurons. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:19985-96. [PMID: 22528490 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.367854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the hypothalamus, fasting induces a member of the AF4 family of transcription factors, AFF4, which was originally identified as a fusion partner of the mixed-lineage leukemia gene in infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, the roles of AFF4 in the hypothalamus remain unclear. We show herein that expression of AFF4 increased upon addition of ghrelin and fasting in the growth hormone secretagogue receptor-expressing neurons of the hypothalamus. In the growth hormone secretagogue receptor-expressing hypothalamic neuronal cell line GT1-7, ghrelin markedly induced expression of AFF4 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Overexpression of AFF4 in GT1-7 cells specifically induced expression of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α2 subunit but failed to induce other AMPK subunits and AMPK upstream kinases. The promoter activity of the AMPKα2 gene increased upon addition of AFF4, suggesting that AFF4 regulates transcription of the AMPKα2 gene. Additionally, AFF4 also increased the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACCα), a downstream target of AMPK. In GT1-7 cells, ghrelin phosphorylated ACCα through AMPKα phosphorylation in the early phase (15 min) of the activation. However, ghrelin-induced expression of AMPKα2 and phosphorylation of ACCα in the late phase (2 h) of the activation were independent of AMPKα phosphorylation. Attenuation of expression of AFF4 by its siRNA in GT1-7 cells decreased ghrelin-induced AMPKα2 expression and ACCα phosphorylation in the late phase of the activation. AFF4 may therefore help to maintain activation of AMPK downstream signaling under conditions of prolonged stimulation with ghrelin, such as during fasting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadasuke Komori
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan
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Bardoni B, Abekhoukh S, Zongaro S, Melko M. Intellectual disabilities, neuronal posttranscriptional RNA metabolism, and RNA-binding proteins: three actors for a complex scenario. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2012; 197:29-51. [PMID: 22541287 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-54299-1.00003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) is the most frequent cause of serious handicap in children and young adults and interests 2-3% of worldwide population, representing a serious problem from the medical, social, and economic points of view. The causes are very heterogeneous. Genes involved in ID have various functions altering different pathways important in neuronal function. Regulation of mRNA metabolism is particularly important in neurons for synaptic structure and function. Here, we review ID due to alteration of mRNA metabolism. Functional absence of some RNA-binding proteins--namely, FMRP, FMR2P, PQBP1, UFP3B, VCX-A--causes different forms of ID. These proteins are involved in different steps of RNA metabolism and, even if a detailed analysis of their RNA targets has been performed so far only for FMRP, it appears clear that they modulate some aspects (translation, stability, transport, and sublocalization) of a subset of RNAs coding for proteins, whose function must be relevant for neurons. Two other proteins, DYRK1A and CDKL5, involved in Down syndrome and Rett syndrome, respectively, have been shown to have an impact on splicing efficiency of specific mRNAs. Both proteins are kinases and their effect is indirect. Interestingly, both are localized in nuclear speckles, the nuclear domains where splicing factors are assembled, stocked, and recycled and influence their biogenesis and/or their organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bardoni
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, CNRS-UMR6097, Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis,Valbonne, France.
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16
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Alves BCA, Tobo PR, Rodrigues R, Ruiz JC, de Lima VFMH, Moreira-Filho CA. Characterization of bovine transcripts preferentially expressed in testis and with a putative role in spermatogenesis. Theriogenology 2011; 76:991-8. [PMID: 21664671 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2010] [Revised: 04/27/2011] [Accepted: 04/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Although the number of genes known to be associated with bovine spermatogenesis has increased in the past few years, regulation of this biological process remains poorly understood. Therefore, discovery of new male fertility genetic markers is of great value for assisted selection in commercially important cattle breeds, e.g., Nelore, that have delayed reproductive maturation and low fertility rates. The objective of the present study was to identify sequences associated with spermatogenesis that could be used as fertility markers. With RT-PCR, the following five transcripts preferentially expressed in adult testis were detected: TET(656) detected only in adult testis; TET(868) and TET(515) expressed preferentially in adult testis but also detected in fetal gonads of both sexes; and TET(456) and TET(262,) expressed primarily in the testis, but also present in very low amounts in somatic tissues. Based on their homologies and expression profiles, we inferred that they had putative roles in spermatogenesis. Detection of sequences differentially expressed in testis, ovary, or both, was a useful approach for identifying new genes related to bovine spermatogenesis. The data reported here contributed to discovery of gene pathways involved in bovine spermatogenesis, with potential for prediction of fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- B C A Alves
- Centro de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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17
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Melko M, Douguet D, Bensaid M, Zongaro S, Verheggen C, Gecz J, Bardoni B. Functional characterization of the AFF (AF4/FMR2) family of RNA-binding proteins: insights into the molecular pathology of FRAXE intellectual disability. Hum Mol Genet 2011; 20:1873-85. [PMID: 21330300 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddr069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The AFF (AF4/FMR2) family of genes includes four members: AFF1/AF4, AFF2/FMR2, AFF3/LAF4 and AFF4/AF5q31. AFF2/FMR2 is silenced in FRAXE intellectual disability, while the other three members have been reported to form fusion genes as a consequence of chromosome translocations with the myeloid/lymphoid or mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs). All AFF proteins are localized in the nucleus and their role as transcriptional activators with a positive action on RNA elongation was primarily studied. We have recently shown that AFF2/FMR2 localizes to nuclear speckles, subnuclear structures considered as storage/modification sites of pre-mRNA splicing factors, and modulates alternative splicing via the interaction with the G-quadruplex RNA-forming structure. We show here that similarly to AFF2/FMR2, AFF3/LAF4 and AFF4/AF5q31 localize to nuclear speckles and are able to bind RNA, having a high apparent affinity for the G-quadruplex structure. Interestingly, AFF3/LAF4 and AFF4/AF5q31, like AFF2/FMR2, modulate, in vivo, the splicing efficiency of a mini-gene containing a G-quadruplex structure in one alternatively spliced exon. Furthermore, we observed that the overexpression of AFF2/3/4 interferes with the organization and/or biogenesis of nuclear speckles. These findings fit well with our observation that enlarged nuclear speckles are present in FRAXE fibroblasts. Furthermore, our findings suggest functional redundancy among the AFF family members in the regulation of splicing and transcription. It is possible that other members of the AFF family compensate for the loss of AFF2/FMR2 activity and as such explain the relatively mild to borderline phenotype observed in FRAXE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille Melko
- CNRS UMR 6097, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, 06560 Valbonne, France
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18
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Hermo L, Pelletier RM, Cyr DG, Smith CE. Surfing the wave, cycle, life history, and genes/proteins expressed by testicular germ cells. Part 5: intercellular junctions and contacts between germs cells and Sertoli cells and their regulatory interactions, testicular cholesterol, and genes/proteins associated with more than one germ cell generation. Microsc Res Tech 2010; 73:409-94. [PMID: 19941291 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In the testis, cell adhesion and junctional molecules permit specific interactions and intracellular communication between germ and Sertoli cells and apposed Sertoli cells. Among the many adhesion family of proteins, NCAM, nectin and nectin-like, catenins, and cadherens will be discussed, along with gap junctions between germ and Sertoli cells and the many members of the connexin family. The blood-testis barrier separates the haploid spermatids from blood borne elements. In the barrier, the intercellular junctions consist of many proteins such as occludin, tricellulin, and claudins. Changes in the expression of cell adhesion molecules are also an essential part of the mechanism that allows germ cells to move from the basal compartment of the seminiferous tubule to the adluminal compartment thus crossing the blood-testis barrier and well-defined proteins have been shown to assist in this process. Several structural components show interactions between germ cells to Sertoli cells such as the ectoplasmic specialization which are more closely related to Sertoli cells and tubulobulbar complexes that are processes of elongating spermatids embedded into Sertoli cells. Germ cells also modify several Sertoli functions and this also appears to be the case for residual bodies. Cholesterol plays a significant role during spermatogenesis and is essential for germ cell development. Lastly, we list genes/proteins that are expressed not only in any one specific generation of germ cells but across more than one generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Hermo
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B2.
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Garcia-Reyero N, Kroll KJ, Liu L, Orlando EF, Watanabe KH, Sepúlveda MS, Villeneuve DL, Perkins EJ, Ankley GT, Denslow ND. Gene expression responses in male fathead minnows exposed to binary mixtures of an estrogen and antiestrogen. BMC Genomics 2009; 10:308. [PMID: 19594897 PMCID: PMC2713996 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-10-308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2008] [Accepted: 07/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aquatic organisms are continuously exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals, many of which can interfere with their endocrine system, resulting in impaired reproduction, development or survival, among others. In order to analyze the effects and mechanisms of action of estrogen/anti-estrogen mixtures, we exposed male fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) for 48 hours via the water to 2, 5, 10, and 50 ng 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2)/L, 100 ng ZM 189,154/L (a potent antiestrogen known to block activity of estrogen receptors) or mixtures of 5 or 50 ng EE2/L with 100 ng ZM 189,154/L. We analyzed gene expression changes in the gonad, as well as hormone and vitellogenin plasma levels. Results Steroidogenesis was down-regulated by EE2 as reflected by the reduced plasma levels of testosterone in the exposed fish and down-regulation of genes in the steroidogenic pathway. Microarray analysis of testis of fathead minnows treated with 5 ng EE2/L or with the mixture of 5 ng EE2/L and 100 ng ZM 189,154/L indicated that some of the genes whose expression was changed by EE2 were blocked by ZM 189,154, while others were either not blocked or enhanced by the mixture, generating two distinct expression patterns. Gene ontology and pathway analysis programs were used to determine categories of genes for each expression pattern. Conclusion Our results suggest that response to estrogens occurs via multiple mechanisms, including canonical binding to soluble estrogen receptors, membrane estrogen receptors, and other mechanisms that are not blocked by pure antiestrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natàlia Garcia-Reyero
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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20
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Rossi P, Lolicato F, Grimaldi P, Dolci S, Di Sauro A, Filipponi D, Geremia R. Transcriptome analysis of differentiating spermatogonia stimulated with kit ligand. Gene Expr Patterns 2007; 8:58-70. [PMID: 18036996 DOI: 10.1016/j.modgep.2007.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2007] [Revised: 10/02/2007] [Accepted: 10/17/2007] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Kit ligand (KL) is a survival factor and a mitogenic stimulus for differentiating spermatogonia. However, it is not known whether KL also plays a role in the differentiative events that lead to meiotic entry of these cells. We performed a wide genome analysis of difference in gene expression induced by treatment with KL of spermatogonia from 7-day-old mice, using gene chips spanning the whole mouse genome. The analysis revealed that the pattern of RNA expression induced by KL is compatible with the qualitative changes of the cell cycle that occur during the subsequent cell divisions in type A and B spermatogonia, i.e. the progressive lengthening of the S phase and the shortening of the G2/M transition. Moreover, KL up-regulates in differentiating spermatogonia the expression of early meiotic genes (for instance: Lhx8, Nek1, Rnf141, Xrcc3, Tpo1, Tbca, Xrcc2, Mesp1, Phf7, Rtel1), whereas it down-regulates typical spermatogonial markers (for instance: Pole, Ptgs2, Zfpm2, Egr2, Egr3, Gsk3b, Hnrpa1, Fst, Ptch2). Since KL modifies the expression of several genes known to be up-regulated or down-regulated in spermatogonia during the transition from the mitotic to the meiotic cell cycle, these results are consistent with a role of the KL/kit interaction in the induction of their meiotic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pellegrino Rossi
- Dipartimento di Sanita' Pubblica e Biologia Cellulare, Universita' degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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21
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Niedzielski MF, Hopewell R, Ismail Z, Estable MC. MCEF is localized to the nucleus by protein sequences encoded within three distinct exons, where it represses HIV-1 Tat-transactivation of LTR-directed transcription. Int J Biol Sci 2007; 3:225-36. [PMID: 17389929 PMCID: PMC1820876 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.3.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2006] [Accepted: 02/27/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocations between the human Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) and AF4 Family (AFF) member genes, are implicated in leukemia. Mutations to AFFs can disrupt lymphopoesis, CNS development and spermatogenesis. However, despite the growing list of pathologies linked to AFF members, their evolutionary relationship and the structure/function of individual members, remain to be elucidated. Here, we first report that database mining and phylogenetic analysis with AFF proteins from multiple species, revealed two monophyletic sister clades, suggesting a common Bilateria ancestor. We then examined the structure/function of the most recently discovered AFF member, MCEF (also known as AF5q31 or AFF4). In silico, the human MCEF gene was found to have 21 exons, and code for a protein with seven nuclear localization sequences (NLS). In HeLa cells, an MCEF-EGFP fusion protein, localized exclusively to the nucleus. Consequently, we made twenty constructs, expressing MCEF deletion mutants fused to EGFP and/or DsRed fluorescent proteins. Three distinct protein sequences, encoded by three separate MCEF exons, were found to mediate nuclear localization, only two of which were predicted in silico. Importantly, we also found that ectopic expression of MCEF, repressed HIV-1 LTR-directed RNA Polymerase II transcription, at the level of Tat-transactivation. We suggest that portions of MCEF could be exploited for chimeric transcription factor repression (CTFR) of HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksymilian F. Niedzielski
- 1. Ryerson University, Department of Chemistry & Biology, Toronto, Ontario, M5B2K3, Canada
- 2. University of Guelph, Department of Chemistry, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Hopewell
- 1. Ryerson University, Department of Chemistry & Biology, Toronto, Ontario, M5B2K3, Canada
| | - Zohra Ismail
- 1. Ryerson University, Department of Chemistry & Biology, Toronto, Ontario, M5B2K3, Canada
| | - Mario C. Estable
- 1. Ryerson University, Department of Chemistry & Biology, Toronto, Ontario, M5B2K3, Canada
- 2. University of Guelph, Department of Chemistry, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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22
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Kawa S, Ito C, Toyama Y, Maekawa M, Tezuka T, Nakamura T, Nakazawa T, Yokoyama K, Yoshida N, Toshimori K, Yamamoto T. Azoospermia in mice with targeted disruption of the Brek/Lmtk2 (brain-enriched kinase/lemur tyrosine kinase 2) gene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:19344-9. [PMID: 17158803 PMCID: PMC1748228 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0603603103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Brek/Lmtk2 (brain-enriched kinase/lemur tyrosine kinase 2) is a member of the Aatyk family of kinases that comprises Aatyk1, Brek/Lmtk2/Aatyk2, and Aatyk3. Although several potential roles have been proposed for Brek and other Aatyk family members, the physiological functions of these kinases remain unclear. Here, we report that Brek(-/-) male mice are infertile, with azoospermia. Detailed histological analysis revealed that Brek(-/-) germ cells differentiated normally until the round-spermatid stage, but failed to undergo the normal change in morphology to become elongated spermatids. Testicular somatic cells appeared normal in these mice. Expression of Brek in testis was restricted to the germ cells, suggesting that the maturations of germ cells in Brek(-/-) mice are affected in a cell-autonomous manner. On the basis of these findings, we concluded that Brek is essential for a late stage of spermatogenesis. Further clarification of the mechanism by which Brek regulates spermatogenesis may help identify new targets for reproductive contraceptives and treatments against infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chizuru Ito
- Laboratory of Gene Expression and Regulation, Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; and
| | - Yoshiro Toyama
- Laboratory of Gene Expression and Regulation, Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; and
| | - Mamiko Maekawa
- Laboratory of Gene Expression and Regulation, Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; and
| | | | | | | | | | - Nobuaki Yoshida
- Laboratory of Gene Expression and Regulation, Center for Experimental Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; and
| | - Kiyotaka Toshimori
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Tadashi Yamamoto
- *Division of Oncology, and
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at:
Division of Oncology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Shirokanedai 4-6-1, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan. E-mail:
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Yuan W, Leisner TM, McFadden AW, Clark S, Hiller S, Maeda N, O'Brien DA, Parise LV. CIB1 is essential for mouse spermatogenesis. Mol Cell Biol 2006; 26:8507-14. [PMID: 16982698 PMCID: PMC1636792 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01488-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CIB1 is a 22-kDa calcium binding, regulatory protein with approximately 50% homology to calmodulin and calcineurin B. CIB1 is widely expressed and binds to a number of effectors, such as integrin alphaIIb, PAK1, and polo-like kinases, in different tissues. However, the in vivo functions of CIB1 are not well understood. To elucidate the function of CIB1 in whole animals, we used homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells to generate Cib1(-/-) mice. Although Cib1(-/-) mice grow normally, the males are sterile due to disruption of the haploid phase of spermatogenesis. This is associated with reduced testis size and numbers of germ cells in seminiferous tubules, increased germ cell apoptosis, and the loss of elongated spermatids and sperm. Cib1(-/-) testes also show increased mRNA and protein expression of the cell cycle regulator Cdc2/Cdk1. In addition, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from Cib1(-/-) mice exhibit a much slower growth rate compared to Cib1(+/+) MEFs, suggesting that CIB1 regulates the cell cycle, differentiation of spermatogenic germ cells, and/or differentiation of supporting Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiping Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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24
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Ono R, Ihara M, Nakajima H, Ozaki K, Kataoka-Fujiwara Y, Taki T, Nagata KI, Inagaki M, Yoshida N, Kitamura T, Hayashi Y, Kinoshita M, Nosaka T. Disruption of Sept6, a fusion partner gene of MLL, does not affect ontogeny, leukemogenesis induced by MLL-SEPT6, or phenotype induced by the loss of Sept4. Mol Cell Biol 2006; 25:10965-78. [PMID: 16314519 PMCID: PMC1316963 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.25.24.10965-10978.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Septins are evolutionarily conserved GTP-binding proteins that can heteropolymerize into filaments. Recent studies have revealed that septins are involved in not only diverse normal cellular processes but also the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancer. SEPT6 is ubiquitously expressed in tissues and one of the fusion partner genes of MLL in the 11q23 translocations implicated in acute leukemia. However, the roles of this septin in vivo remain elusive. We have developed Sept6-deficient mice that exhibited neither gross abnormalities, changes in cytokinesis, nor spontaneous malignancy. Sept6 deficiency did not cause any quantitative changes in any of the septins evaluated in this study, nor did it cause any additional changes in the Sept4-deficient mice. Even the depletion of Sept11, a close homolog of Sept6, did not affect the Sept6-null cells in vitro, thus implying a high degree of redundancy in the septin system. Furthermore, a loss of Sept6 did not alter the phenotype of myeloproliferative disease induced by MLL-SEPT6, thus suggesting that Sept6 does not function as a tumor suppressor. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that a disruption of the translocation partner gene of MLL in 11q23 translocation does not contribute to leukemogenesis by the MLL fusion gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoichi Ono
- Division of Hematopoietic Factors, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Japan
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