1
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Giri A, Kar S. Interlinked bi-stable switches govern the cell fate commitment of embryonic stem cells. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:915-934. [PMID: 38408774 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14832] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The development of embryonic stem (ES) cells to extraembryonic trophectoderm and primitive endoderm lineages manifests distinct steady-state expression patterns of two key transcription factors-Oct4 and Nanog. How dynamically such kind of steady-state expressions are maintained remains elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that steady-state dynamics involving two bistable switches which are interlinked via a stepwise (Oct4) and a mushroom-like (Nanog) manner orchestrate the fate specification of ES cells. Our hypothesis qualitatively reconciles various experimental observations and elucidates how different feedback and feedforward motifs orchestrate the extraembryonic development and stemness maintenance of ES cells. Importantly, the model predicts strategies to optimize the dynamics of self-renewal and differentiation of embryonic stem cells that may have therapeutic relevance in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitava Giri
- Department of Chemistry, IIT Bombay, Powai, India
| | - Sandip Kar
- Department of Chemistry, IIT Bombay, Powai, India
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2
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Brahma S, Henikoff S. The BAF chromatin remodeler synergizes with RNA polymerase II and transcription factors to evict nucleosomes. Nat Genet 2024; 56:100-111. [PMID: 38049663 PMCID: PMC10786724 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01603-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin accessibility is a hallmark of active transcription and entails ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling, which is carried out by complexes such as Brahma-associated factor (BAF). However, the mechanistic links between transcription, nucleosome remodeling and chromatin accessibility are unclear. Here, we used a chemical-genetic approach coupled with time-resolved chromatin profiling to dissect the interplay between RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII), BAF and DNA-sequence-specific transcription factors in mouse embryonic stem cells. We show that BAF dynamically unwraps and evicts nucleosomes at accessible chromatin regions, while RNAPII promoter-proximal pausing stabilizes BAF chromatin occupancy and enhances ATP-dependent nucleosome eviction by BAF. We find that although RNAPII and BAF dynamically probe both transcriptionally active and Polycomb-repressed genomic regions, pluripotency transcription factor chromatin binding confers locus specificity for productive chromatin remodeling and nucleosome eviction by BAF. Our study suggests a paradigm for how functional synergy between dynamically acting chromatin factors regulates locus-specific nucleosome organization and chromatin accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandipan Brahma
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
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3
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Chew YH, Marucci L. Mechanistic Model-Driven Biodesign in Mammalian Synthetic Biology. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2774:71-84. [PMID: 38441759 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3718-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Mathematical modeling plays a vital role in mammalian synthetic biology by providing a framework to design and optimize design circuits and engineered bioprocesses, predict their behavior, and guide experimental design. Here, we review recent models used in the literature, considering mathematical frameworks at the molecular, cellular, and system levels. We report key challenges in the field and discuss opportunities for genome-scale models, machine learning, and cybergenetics to expand the capabilities of model-driven mammalian cell biodesign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Hoon Chew
- School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Lucia Marucci
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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4
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Okamoto K, Fujita H, Okada Y, Shinkai S, Onami S, Abe K, Fujimoto K, Sasaki K, Shioi G, Watanabe TM. Single-molecule tracking of Nanog and Oct4 in living mouse embryonic stem cells uncovers a feedback mechanism of pluripotency maintenance. EMBO J 2023; 42:e112305. [PMID: 37609947 PMCID: PMC10505915 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112305] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanog and Oct4 are core transcription factors that form part of a gene regulatory network to regulate hundreds of target genes for pluripotency maintenance in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). To understand their function in the pluripotency maintenance, we visualised and quantified the dynamics of single molecules of Nanog and Oct4 in a mouse ESCs during pluripotency loss. Interestingly, Nanog interacted longer with its target loci upon reduced expression or at the onset of differentiation, suggesting a feedback mechanism to maintain the pluripotent state. The expression level and interaction time of Nanog and Oct4 correlate with their fluctuation and interaction frequency, respectively, which in turn depend on the ESC differentiation status. The DNA viscoelasticity near the Oct4 target locus remained flexible during differentiation, supporting its role either in chromatin opening or a preferred binding to uncondensed chromatin regions. Based on these results, we propose a new negative feedback mechanism for pluripotency maintenance via the DNA condensation state-dependent interplay of Nanog and Oct4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuko Okamoto
- Laboratory for Comprehensive BioimagingRIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR)KobeJapan
- Amphibian Research CenterHiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Hideaki Fujita
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and MedicineHiroshima UniversityHigashi‐HiroshimaJapan
| | - Yasushi Okada
- Laboratory for Cell Polarity RegulationRIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR)OsakaJapan
- Department of Cell BiologyGraduate School of Medicine, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Department of PhysicsUniversal Biology Institute (UBI)Graduate School of Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI‐IRCN)Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Soya Shinkai
- Laboratory for Developmental DynamicsRIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR)KobeJapan
- Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics (RcMcD)Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Shuichi Onami
- Laboratory for Developmental DynamicsRIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR)KobeJapan
| | - Kuniya Abe
- Technology and Development Team for Mammalian Genome DynamicsRIKEN BioResource Research Center (BRC)TsukubaJapan
| | - Kenta Fujimoto
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and MedicineHiroshima UniversityHigashi‐HiroshimaJapan
| | - Kensuke Sasaki
- Laboratory for Comprehensive BioimagingRIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR)KobeJapan
| | - Go Shioi
- Laboratory for Comprehensive BioimagingRIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR)KobeJapan
| | - Tomonobu M Watanabe
- Laboratory for Comprehensive BioimagingRIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR)KobeJapan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and MedicineHiroshima UniversityHigashi‐HiroshimaJapan
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5
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Brahma S, Henikoff S. RNA Polymerase II, the BAF remodeler and transcription factors synergize to evict nucleosomes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.22.525083. [PMID: 36711459 PMCID: PMC9882304 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.22.525083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin accessibility is a hallmark of active transcription and requires ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling by Brahma-Associated Factor (BAF). However, the mechanistic link between transcription, nucleosome remodeling, and chromatin accessibility is unclear. Here, we used a chemical-genetic approach to dissect the interplay between RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII), BAF, and DNA-sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) in mouse embryonic stem cells. By time-resolved chromatin profiling with acute transcription block at distinct stages, we show that RNAPII promoter-proximal pausing stabilizes BAF chromatin occupancy and enhances nucleosome eviction by BAF. We find that RNAPII and BAF probe both transcriptionally active and Polycomb-repressed genomic regions and provide evidence that TFs capture transient site exposure due to nucleosome unwrapping by BAF to confer locus specificity for persistent chromatin remodeling. Our study reveals the mechanistic basis of cell-type-specific chromatin accessibility. We propose a new paradigm for how functional synergy between dynamically acting chromatin factors regulates nucleosome organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandipan Brahma
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave North, Seattle, WA, 98109
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave North, Seattle, WA, 98109
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA
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6
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Andersson E, Sjö M, Kaji K, Olariu V. CELLoGeNe - An energy landscape framework for logical networks controlling cell decisions. iScience 2022; 25:104743. [PMID: 35942105 PMCID: PMC9356104 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental and computational efforts are constantly made to elucidate mechanisms controlling cell fate decisions during development and reprogramming. One powerful computational method is to consider cell commitment and reprogramming as movements in an energy landscape. Here, we develop Computation of Energy Landscapes of Logical Gene Networks (CELLoGeNe), which maps Boolean implementation of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) into energy landscapes. CELLoGeNe removes inadvertent symmetries in the energy landscapes normally arising from standard Boolean operators. Furthermore, CELLoGeNe provides tools to visualize and stochastically analyze the shapes of multi-dimensional energy landscapes corresponding to epigenetic landscapes for development and reprogramming. We demonstrate CELLoGeNe on two GRNs governing different aspects of induced pluripotent stem cells, identifying experimentally validated attractors and revealing potential reprogramming roadblocks. CELLoGeNe is a general framework that can be applied to various biological systems offering a broad picture of intracellular dynamics otherwise inaccessible with existing methods. CELLoGeNe – Computation of Energy Landscapes of Logical Gene Networks Cell states as landscape attractors Maintenance and acquisition of cell pluripotency applications Single cell stochastic landscape navigation and visualization tool
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7
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de Cesare I, Salzano D, di Bernardo M, Renson L, Marucci L. Control-Based Continuation: A New Approach to Prototype Synthetic Gene Networks. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:2300-2313. [PMID: 35729740 PMCID: PMC9295158 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Control-Based Continuation
(CBC) is a general and systematic method
to carry out the bifurcation analysis of physical experiments. CBC
does not rely on a mathematical model and thus overcomes the uncertainty
introduced when identifying bifurcation curves indirectly through
modeling and parameter estimation. We demonstrate, in silico, CBC applicability to biochemical processes by tracking the equilibrium
curve of a toggle switch, which includes additive process noise and
exhibits bistability. We compare the results obtained when CBC uses
a model-free and model-based control strategy and show that both can
track stable and unstable solutions, revealing bistability. We then
demonstrate CBC in conditions more representative of an in
vivo experiment using an agent-based simulator describing
cell growth and division, cell-to-cell variability, spatial distribution,
and diffusion of chemicals. We further show how the identified curves
can be used for parameter estimation and discuss how CBC can significantly
accelerate the prototyping of synthetic gene regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene de Cesare
- Engineering Mathematics Department, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, U.K.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Salzano
- Engineering Mathematics Department, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, U.K.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario di Bernardo
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Ludovic Renson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, U.K
| | - Lucia Marucci
- Engineering Mathematics Department, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TW, U.K.,BrisSynBio, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K.,School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, U.K
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8
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Ferré Q, Capponi C, Puthier D. OLOGRAM-MODL: mining enriched n-wise combinations of genomic features with Monte Carlo and dictionary learning. NAR Genom Bioinform 2022; 3:lqab114. [PMID: 34988437 PMCID: PMC8693575 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqab114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Most epigenetic marks, such as Transcriptional Regulators or histone marks, are biological objects known to work together in n-wise complexes. A suitable way to infer such functional associations between them is to study the overlaps of the corresponding genomic regions. However, the problem of the statistical significance of n-wise overlaps of genomic features is seldom tackled, which prevent rigorous studies of n-wise interactions. We introduce OLOGRAM-MODL, which considers overlaps between n ≥ 2 sets of genomic regions, and computes their statistical mutual enrichment by Monte Carlo fitting of a Negative Binomial distribution, resulting in more resolutive P-values. An optional machine learning method is proposed to find complexes of interest, using a new itemset mining algorithm based on dictionary learning which is resistant to noise inherent to biological assays. The overall approach is implemented through an easy-to-use CLI interface for workflow integration, and a visual tree-based representation of the results suited for explicability. The viability of the method is experimentally studied using both artificial and biological data. This approach is accessible through the command line interface of the pygtftk toolkit, available on Bioconda and from https://github.com/dputhier/pygtftk
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Ferré
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, UMR U1090, TAGC, Marseille, France
| | - Cécile Capponi
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, UMR 7020, LIS, Qarma, Marseille, France
| | - Denis Puthier
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, UMR U1090, TAGC, Marseille, France
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9
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Luke Krishnan CS, Brasch HD, Patel J, Bockett N, Paterson E, Davis PF, Tan ST. Stemness-Associated Markers Are Expressed in Extracranial Arteriovenous Malformation. Front Surg 2021; 8:621089. [PMID: 33816543 PMCID: PMC8017302 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2021.621089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) consists of a nidus with poorly formed low-resistance vessels in place of a functional capillary network. The role of somatic mutations in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and vascular anomalies and the presence of primitive populations in vascular anomalies led us to investigate the presence of a primitive population in extracranial AVM. Methods: Extracranial AVM tissue samples from 12 patients were stained for stemness-associated markers OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, KLF4, and c-MYC using immunohistochemical staining. In situ hybridization (ISH) was performed on six tissue samples to determine transcript expression. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were performed on two AVM-derived primary cell lines to determine protein and transcript expression of these markers, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on two tissue samples to investigate marker co-localization. Results: Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the expression of OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC on the endothelium and media of lesional vessels and cells within the stroma of the nidus in all 12 AVM tissue samples. ISH and RT-qPCR confirmed transcript expression of all five markers. Western blotting showed protein expression of all markers except NANOG. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated an OCT4+/SOX2+/KLF4+/c-MYC+ population within the endothelium and media of the lesional vessels and cells within the stroma of the AVM nidus. Conclusions: Our findings may suggest the presence of a primitive population within the AVM nidus. Further investigation may lead to novel therapeutic targeting of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen D Brasch
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Josie Patel
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Erin Paterson
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Paul F Davis
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Swee T Tan
- Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Wellington, New Zealand.,Centre for the Study & Treatment of Vascular Birthmarks, Wellington Regional Plastic, Maxillofacial and Burns Unit, Hutt Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.,Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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10
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Luo W, Liu RS, E LL, Bai Y, Kong XP, Liu HW, Wu H, Liu HC. Identification, characterization and microRNA expression profiling of side population cells in human oral squamous cell carcinoma Tca8113 cell lines. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:286-296. [PMID: 32319646 PMCID: PMC7248475 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the stem cell markers, characteristics and biological functions of cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells in human oral cancer. SP cells were isolated from the human oral squamous cell carcinoma Tca8113 cell line by Hoechst 33342 fluorescence dye and flow cytometry. The colony forming and proliferative capability of SP and non-SP cells were detected using a live-cell analysis system in vitro. The number of cells expressing stem cell markers was compared between SP cells and non-SP cells by flow cytometry. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of stem cell genes, respectively. Differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in SP and non-SP cells was determined by microarray hybridization and an miRNA regulation network was produced. With regard to the proliferation capability, SP cells reached 60.0% confluence after 40 h of growth compared with 35.1% confluence for non-SP cells (P<0.05). The number of colonies in SP cells was 43.1±9.2 compared with 33.0±8.2 of non-SP cells (P<0.05). The aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH1)-positive cell number in the SP cells was increased by 10 times compared with the non-SP cells (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of ALDH1, SRY-box 2, POU class 5 homeobox 1 and Nanog homeobox in SP cells were significantly higher compared with non-SP cells (P<0.05). Microarray hybridization demonstrated that 21 miRNAs were upregulated and 13 miRNAs were downregulated in SP cells compared with non-SP cells. SP cells in Tca8113 demonstrated greater capability of proliferation and colony formation compared with non-SP cells in vitro. Stem cell markers were overexpressed in SP cells compared with non-SP cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Luo
- Institute and Department of Stomatology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Rong-Sen Liu
- Institute and Department of Stomatology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Ling-Ling E
- Institute and Department of Stomatology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Yang Bai
- Institute and Department of Stomatology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Xiang-Pan Kong
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial‑Head and Neck Oncology, Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, P.R. China
| | - Hua-Wei Liu
- Institute and Department of Stomatology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Hao Wu
- Institute and Department of Stomatology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Chen Liu
- Institute and Department of Stomatology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
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11
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Dries R, Stryjewska A, Coddens K, Okawa S, Notelaers T, Birkhoff J, Dekker M, Verfaillie CM, Del Sol A, Mulugeta E, Conidi A, Grosveld FG, Huylebroeck D. Integrative and perturbation-based analysis of the transcriptional dynamics of TGFβ/BMP system components in transition from embryonic stem cells to neural progenitors. Stem Cells 2019; 38:202-217. [PMID: 31675135 PMCID: PMC7027912 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cooperative actions of extrinsic signals and cell‐intrinsic transcription factors alter gene regulatory networks enabling cells to respond appropriately to environmental cues. Signaling by transforming growth factor type β (TGFβ) family ligands (eg, bone morphogenetic proteins [BMPs] and Activin/Nodal) exerts cell‐type specific and context‐dependent transcriptional changes, thereby steering cellular transitions throughout embryogenesis. Little is known about coordinated regulation and transcriptional interplay of the TGFβ system. To understand intrafamily transcriptional regulation as part of this system's actions during development, we selected 95 of its components and investigated their mRNA‐expression dynamics, gene‐gene interactions, and single‐cell expression heterogeneity in mouse embryonic stem cells transiting to neural progenitors. Interrogation at 24 hour intervals identified four types of temporal gene transcription profiles that capture all stages, that is, pluripotency, epiblast formation, and neural commitment. Then, between each stage we performed esiRNA‐based perturbation of each individual component and documented the effect on steady‐state mRNA levels of the remaining 94 components. This exposed an intricate system of multilevel regulation whereby the majority of gene‐gene interactions display a marked cell‐stage specific behavior. Furthermore, single‐cell RNA‐profiling at individual stages demonstrated the presence of detailed co‐expression modules and subpopulations showing stable co‐expression modules such as that of the core pluripotency genes at all stages. Our combinatorial experimental approach demonstrates how intrinsically complex transcriptional regulation within a given pathway is during cell fate/state transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Dries
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Agata Stryjewska
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kathleen Coddens
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Satoshi Okawa
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg.,Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Tineke Notelaers
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Judith Birkhoff
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mike Dekker
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Antonio Del Sol
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg.,CIC bioGUNE, Bizkaia Technology Park, Derio, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque, Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Eskeatnaf Mulugeta
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Conidi
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frank G Grosveld
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Danny Huylebroeck
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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12
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Pedone E, Postiglione L, Aulicino F, Rocca DL, Montes-Olivas S, Khazim M, di Bernardo D, Pia Cosma M, Marucci L. A tunable dual-input system for on-demand dynamic gene expression regulation. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4481. [PMID: 31578371 PMCID: PMC6775159 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12329-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular systems have evolved numerous mechanisms to adapt to environmental stimuli, underpinned by dynamic patterns of gene expression. In addition to gene transcription regulation, modulation of protein levels, dynamics and localization are essential checkpoints governing cell functions. The introduction of inducible promoters has allowed gene expression control using orthogonal molecules, facilitating its rapid and reversible manipulation to study gene function. However, differing protein stabilities hinder the generation of protein temporal profiles seen in vivo. Here, we improve the Tet-On system integrating conditional destabilising elements at the post-translational level and permitting simultaneous control of gene expression and protein stability. We show, in mammalian cells, that adding protein stability control allows faster response times, fully tunable and enhanced dynamic range, and improved in silico feedback control of gene expression. Finally, we highlight the effectiveness of our dual-input system to modulate levels of signalling pathway components in mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Pedone
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Lorena Postiglione
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Francesco Aulicino
- BrisSynBio, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Dan L Rocca
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
- BrisSynBio, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
| | - Sandra Montes-Olivas
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK
| | - Mahmoud Khazim
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Diego di Bernardo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Cosma
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Dr Aiguader 88, 08002, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitati Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Luis Companys, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory (GRMH-GDL), 510005, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Science, 510530, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lucia Marucci
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
- BrisSynBio, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
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Pedone E, Marucci L. Role of β-Catenin Activation Levels and Fluctuations in Controlling Cell Fate. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10020176. [PMID: 30823613 PMCID: PMC6410200 DOI: 10.3390/genes10020176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells have developed numerous adaptation mechanisms to external cues by controlling signaling-pathway activity, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a highly conserved signaling pathway involved in many biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, somatic cell reprogramming, development, and cancer. The activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the temporal dynamics of its effector β-catenin are tightly controlled by complex regulations. The latter encompass feedback loops within the pathway (e.g., a negative feedback loop involving Axin2, a β-catenin transcriptional target) and crosstalk interactions with other signaling pathways. Here, we provide a review shedding light on the coupling between Wnt/β-catenin activation levels and fluctuations across processes and cellular systems; in particular, we focus on development, in vitro pluripotency maintenance, and cancer. Possible mechanisms originating Wnt/β-catenin dynamic behaviors and consequently driving different cellular responses are also reviewed, and new avenues for future research are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Pedone
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
| | - Lucia Marucci
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1UB, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
- BrisSynBio, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK.
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Postiglione L, Napolitano S, Pedone E, Rocca DL, Aulicino F, Santorelli M, Tumaini B, Marucci L, di Bernardo D. Regulation of Gene Expression and Signaling Pathway Activity in Mammalian Cells by Automated Microfluidics Feedback Control. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:2558-2565. [PMID: 30346742 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Gene networks and signaling pathways display complex topologies and, as a result, complex nonlinear behaviors. Accumulating evidence shows that both static (concentration) and dynamical (rate-of-change) features of transcription factors, ligands and environmental stimuli control downstream processes and ultimately cellular functions. Currently, however, methods to generate stimuli with the desired features to probe cell response are still lacking. Here, combining tools from Control Engineering and Synthetic Biology (cybergenetics), we propose a simple and cost-effective microfluidics-based platform to precisely regulate gene expression and signaling pathway activity in mammalian cells by means of real-time feedback control. We show that this platform allows (i) to automatically regulate gene expression from inducible promoters in different cell types, including mouse embryonic stem cells; (ii) to precisely regulate the activity of the mTOR signaling pathway in single cells; (iii) to build a biohybrid oscillator in single embryonic stem cells by interfacing biological parts with virtual in silico counterparts. Ultimately, this platform can be used to probe gene networks and signaling pathways to understand how they process static and dynamic features of specific stimuli, as well as for the rapid prototyping of synthetic circuits for biotechnology and biomedical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Postiglione
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Sara Napolitano
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Elisa Pedone
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, U.K
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, U.K
| | - Daniel L. Rocca
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, U.K
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, U.K
- BrisSynBio, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
| | - Francesco Aulicino
- BrisSynBio, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, U.K
| | - Marco Santorelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Barbara Tumaini
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
| | - Lucia Marucci
- Department of Engineering Mathematics, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, U.K
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1UB, U.K
- BrisSynBio, Bristol BS8 1TQ, U.K
| | - Diego di Bernardo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
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15
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Mathematical Modeling Reveals the Role of Hypoxia in the Promotion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Long-Term Expansion. Stem Cells Int 2018; 2018:9283432. [PMID: 29861746 PMCID: PMC5976908 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9283432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many experimental studies have found that human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in long-term culture exhibited enhanced cell proliferation and prolonged lifespan under hypoxia (around 1%–7% oxygen) against the normoxic condition (about 21% oxygen). Inspired by the experimental findings, we aimed to investigate the hypoxic effects on MSC expansion quantitatively through mathematical modeling to elucidate the corresponding biological mechanism. A two-compartment model based on ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which incorporate cellular division and senescence via state transition, was developed to describe the MSC expansion process. Parameters of this model were fitted to experimental data and used to interpret the different proliferative capacities of MSCs under hypoxia and normoxia along with model sensitivity analysis. The proposed model was tested on data from two separate experimental studies, and it could reproduce the observed growth characteristics in both conditions. Overall, this compartmental model with a logistic state transition rate was sufficient to explain the experimental findings and highlighted the promotive role of hypoxia in MSC proliferation. This in silico study suggests that hypoxia can enhance MSC long-term expansion mainly by delaying replicative senescence, which is indicated by the slowdown of the state transition rate in our model. Therefore, this explanatory model may provide theoretical proof for the experimentally observed MSC growth superiority under hypoxia and has the potential to further optimize MSC culture protocols for regenerative medicine applications.
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Lin YT, Hufton PG, Lee EJ, Potoyan DA. A stochastic and dynamical view of pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells. PLoS Comput Biol 2018; 14:e1006000. [PMID: 29451874 PMCID: PMC5833290 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent embryonic stem cells are of paramount importance for biomedical sciences because of their innate ability for self-renewal and differentiation into all major cell lines. The fateful decision to exit or remain in the pluripotent state is regulated by complex genetic regulatory networks. The rapid growth of single-cell sequencing data has greatly stimulated applications of statistical and machine learning methods for inferring topologies of pluripotency regulating genetic networks. The inferred network topologies, however, often only encode Boolean information while remaining silent about the roles of dynamics and molecular stochasticity inherent in gene expression. Herein we develop a framework for systematically extending Boolean-level network topologies into higher resolution models of networks which explicitly account for the promoter architectures and gene state switching dynamics. We show the framework to be useful for disentangling the various contributions that gene switching, external signaling, and network topology make to the global heterogeneity and dynamics of transcription factor populations. We find the pluripotent state of the network to be a steady state which is robust to global variations of gene switching rates which we argue are a good proxy for epigenetic states of individual promoters. The temporal dynamics of exiting the pluripotent state, on the other hand, is significantly influenced by the rates of genetic switching which makes cells more responsive to changes in extracellular signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen Ting Lin
- Theoretical Division and Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter G. Hufton
- School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Esther J. Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Davit A. Potoyan
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States of America
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