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Afouda BA. Towards Understanding the Gene-Specific Roles of GATA Factors in Heart Development: Does GATA4 Lead the Way? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095255. [PMID: 35563646 PMCID: PMC9099915 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors play crucial roles in the regulation of heart induction, formation, growth and morphogenesis. Zinc finger GATA transcription factors are among the critical regulators of these processes. GATA4, 5 and 6 genes are expressed in a partially overlapping manner in developing hearts, and GATA4 and 6 continue their expression in adult cardiac myocytes. Using different experimental models, GATA4, 5 and 6 were shown to work together not only to ensure specification of cardiac cells but also during subsequent heart development. The complex involvement of these related gene family members in those processes is demonstrated through the redundancy among them and crossregulation of each other. Our recent identification at the genome-wide level of genes specifically regulated by each of the three family members and our earlier discovery that gata4 and gata6 function upstream, while gata5 functions downstream of noncanonical Wnt signalling during cardiac differentiation, clearly demonstrate the functional differences among the cardiogenic GATA factors. Such suspected functional differences are worth exploring more widely. It appears that in the past few years, significant advances have indeed been made in providing a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which each of these molecules function during heart development. In this review, I will therefore discuss current evidence of the role of individual cardiogenic GATA factors in the process of heart development and emphasize the emerging central role of GATA4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boni A Afouda
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill Health Campus, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK
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LOX family and ZFPM2 as novel diagnostic biomarkers for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Biomark Res 2020; 8:1. [PMID: 31921422 PMCID: PMC6950830 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-019-0180-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the pleural and outer layer of tissues surrounding the lungs. MPM is primarily caused by occupational exposure to asbestos and results in a poor prognosis. Effective therapeutics as well as early diagnostics for the MPM are still lacking. To identify potential diagnostic biomarkers for MPM, we performed bioinformatics analysis of public database. Methods Utilizing databases from Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), we identified several potential candidates that could act as MPM biomarkers. We carried out additional molecular analyses of these potential markers using MPM patient tissue samples via quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results We identified Lysyl oxidase (LOX), Lysyl oxidase homologs 1&2 (LOXL1& LOXL2) Zinc Finger Protein, FOG Family Member 2 (ZFPM2) as potential diagnostic biomarkers for MPM. In this study, we found that the LOX family and ZFPM2 showed comparable diagnostic ability to Fibulin-3 or mesothelin (MSLN) and would be better potential biomarkers than Sulfatase 1 (SULF1), Thrombospondin 2 (THBS2) and Cadherin 11 (CDH11). Conclusions LOX family and ZPFM2 were identified as novel MPM diagnostic biomarkers which could strengthen MPM clinical diagnostic capabilities.
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Zhu Y, Xu W, Wang S, Gan T, Shao C, Li M, Wang N, Chen S. Cloning, tissue distribution and methylation analyses of Lhx9 in Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Gene 2018; 691:176-184. [PMID: 30580070 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Lhx9 is a LIM-homeodomain protein related to gonad development and sex reversal. In this study, we cloned and characterized CS-Lhx9 in the gonads of the Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). The full-length cDNA of CS-Lhx9 was 3123 bp, including an ORF of 1149 bp encoding 383 amino acids which contains two LIM domains and a homeobox domain. CS-Lhx9 transcripts were primarily observed in the testis of male and neomale at 1 yah, but nearly undetectable in the ovary. During the development of gonad, CS-Lhx9 exhibited an increasing trend and appeared to reach its peak value of expression in testis at 1 yah. In situ hybridization was performed in male and neomale gonads at 210 dah and 1 yah. The results showed strong CS-Lhx9 signals in the spermatids and spermatozoa (germ cells). Methylation level of CS-Lhx9 promoter was higher in female and lower in male and neomale gonads, showing a negative correlation with CS-Lhx9 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Key Lab for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Wenteng Xu
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Key Lab for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Shuangyan Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Key Lab for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Tian Gan
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Key Lab for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Changwei Shao
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Key Lab for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Ming Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Key Lab for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Na Wang
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Key Lab for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Songlin Chen
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, CAFS, Key Lab for Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Qingdao 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China.
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Tester DJ, Wong LCH, Chanana P, Gray B, Jaye A, Evans JM, Evans M, Fleming P, Jeffrey I, Cohen M, Tfelt-Hansen J, Simpson MA, Behr ER, Ackerman MJ. Exome-Wide Rare Variant Analyses in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. J Pediatr 2018; 203:423-428.e11. [PMID: 30268395 PMCID: PMC6394853 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether a monogenic basis explains sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) using an exome-wide focus. STUDY DESIGN A cohort of 427 unrelated cases of SIDS (257 male; average age = 2.7 ± 1.9 months) underwent whole-exome sequencing. Exome-wide rare variant analyses were carried out with 278 SIDS cases of European ancestry (173 male; average age = 2.7 ± 1.98 months) and 973 ethnic-matched controls based on 6 genetic models. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis also was performed. The cohort was collected in collaboration with coroners, medical examiners, and pathologists by St George's University of London, United Kingdom, and Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Whole-exome sequencing was performed at the Genomic Laboratory, Kings College London, United Kingdom, or Mayo Clinic's Medical Genome Facility, Rochester, Minnesota. RESULTS Although no exome-wide significant (P < 2.5 × 10-6) difference in burden of ultra-rare variants was detected for any gene, 405 genes had a greater prevalence (P < .05) of ultra-rare nonsynonymous variants among cases with 17 genes at P < .005. Some of these potentially overrepresented genes may represent biologically plausible novel candidate genes for a monogenic basis for a portion of patients with SIDS. The top canonical pathway identified was glucocorticoid biosynthesis (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS The lack of exome-wide significant genetic associations indicates an extreme heterogeneity of etiologies underlying SIDS. Our approach to understanding the genetic mechanisms of SIDS has far reaching implications for the SIDS research community as a whole and may catalyze new evidence-based SIDS research across multiple disciplines. Perturbations in glucocorticoid biosynthesis may represent a novel SIDS-associated biological pathway for future SIDS investigative research.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Tester
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (Division of Heart Rhythm Services), Pediatrics (Division of Pediatric Cardiology), Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Leonie C H Wong
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom; Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's University Hospitals' National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pritha Chanana
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Belinda Gray
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom; Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's University Hospitals' National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology, Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Amie Jaye
- Medical and Molecular Genetics, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jared M Evans
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Margaret Evans
- Department of Pathology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Fleming
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Iona Jeffrey
- Department of Cellular Pathology, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Cellular Pathology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Cohen
- Histopathology Department, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS FT, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob Tfelt-Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael A Simpson
- Medical and Molecular Genetics, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elijah R Behr
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom; Cardiology Clinical Academic Group, St George's University Hospitals' National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael J Ackerman
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (Division of Heart Rhythm Services), Pediatrics (Division of Pediatric Cardiology), Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
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5
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Radhakrishna U, Vishweswaraiah S, Veerappa AM, Zafra R, Albayrak S, Sitharam PH, Saiyed NM, Mishra NK, Guda C, Bahado-Singh R. Newborn blood DNA epigenetic variations and signaling pathway genes associated with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203893. [PMID: 30212560 PMCID: PMC6136787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common Critical Congenital Heart Defect (CCHD). The etiology of TOF is unknown in most cases. Preliminary data from our group and others suggest that epigenetic changes may play an important role in CHD. Epidemiologically, a significant percentage of CHD including TOF fail to be diagnosed in the prenatal and early newborn period which can negatively affect health outcomes. We performed genome-wide methylation assay in newborn blood in 24 non-syndromic TOF cases and 24 unaffected matched controls using Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. We identified 64 significantly differentially methylated CpG sites in TOF cases, of which 25 CpG sites had high predictive accuracy for TOF, based on the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC ROC) ≥ 0.90). The CpG methylation difference between TOF and controls was ≥10% in 51 CpG targets suggesting biological significance. Gene ontology analysis identified significant biological processes and functions related to these differentially methylated genes, including: CHD development, cardiomyopathy, diabetes, immunological, inflammation and other plausible pathways in CHD development. Multiple genes known or plausibly linked to heart development and post-natal heart disease were found to be differentially methylated in the blood DNA of newborns with TOF including: ABCB1, PPP2R5C, TLR1, SELL, SCN3A, CREM, RUNX and LHX9. We generated novel and highly accurate putative molecular markers for TOF detection using leucocyte DNA and thus provided information on pathogenesis of TOF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uppala Radhakrishna
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Sangeetha Vishweswaraiah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Avinash M. Veerappa
- Department of Studies in Genetics and Genomics, Laboratory of Genomic Sciences, University of Mysore, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| | - Rita Zafra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Samet Albayrak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Prajna H. Sitharam
- Department of Studies in Genetics and Genomics, Laboratory of Genomic Sciences, University of Mysore, Mysore, Karnataka, India
| | - Nazia M. Saiyed
- Biotechnology, Nirma Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Nitish K. Mishra
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Chittibabu Guda
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology & Anatomy College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Ray Bahado-Singh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America
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Yang Y, Workman S, Wilson M. The molecular pathways underlying early gonadal development. J Mol Endocrinol 2018; 62:JME-17-0314. [PMID: 30042122 DOI: 10.1530/jme-17-0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The body of knowledge surrounding reproductive development spans the fields of genetics, anatomy, physiology and biomedicine, to build a comprehensive understanding of the later stages of reproductive development in humans and animal models. Despite this, there remains much to learn about the bi-potential progenitor structure that the ovary and testis arise from, known as the genital ridge (GR). This tissue forms relatively late in embryonic development and has the potential to form either the ovary or testis, which in turn produce hormones required for development of the rest of the reproductive tract. It is imperative that we understand the genetic networks underpinning GR development if we are to begin to understand abnormalities in the adult. This is particularly relevant in the contexts of disorders of sex development (DSDs) and infertility, two conditions that many individuals struggle with worldwide, with often no answers as to their aetiology. Here, we review what is known about the genetics of GR development. Investigating the genetic networks required for GR formation will not only contribute to our understanding of the genetic regulation of reproductive development, it may in turn open new avenues of investigation into reproductive abnormalities and later fertility issues in the adult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisheng Yang
- Y Yang, Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Megan Wilson
- M Wilson , Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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7
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Hu F, Zhu Q, Sun B, Cui C, Li C, Zhang L. Smad ubiquitylation regulatory factor 1 promotes LIM‐homeobox gene 9 degradation and represses testosterone production in Leydig cells. FASEB J 2018; 32:4627-4640. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.201701480r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Hu
- Department of Geriatric EndocrinologyChinese People's Liberation Army General HospitalNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DiseasesBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of ProteomicsBeijing Proteome Research CenterNational Center of Protein SciencesBeijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingChina
| | - Qiong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of ProteomicsBeijing Proteome Research CenterNational Center of Protein SciencesBeijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingChina
| | - Banruo Sun
- Department of Geriatric EndocrinologyChinese People's Liberation Army General HospitalNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Chunping Cui
- State Key Laboratory of ProteomicsBeijing Proteome Research CenterNational Center of Protein SciencesBeijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingChina
| | - Chunlin Li
- Department of Geriatric EndocrinologyChinese People's Liberation Army General HospitalNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatric DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Lingqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of ProteomicsBeijing Proteome Research CenterNational Center of Protein SciencesBeijing Institute of LifeomicsBeijingChina
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Zhao W, Huang Y, Zhang J, Liu M, Ji H, Wang C, Cao N, Li C, Xia Y, Jiang Q, Qin J. Polycomb group RING finger proteins 3/5 activate transcription via an interaction with the pluripotency factor Tex10 in embryonic stem cells. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:21527-21537. [PMID: 29054931 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.804054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are epigenetic transcriptional repressors that orchestrate numerous developmental processes and have been implicated in the maintenance of embryonic stem (ES) cell state. More recent evidence suggests that a subset of PcG proteins engages in transcriptional activation in some cellular contexts, but how this property is exerted remains largely unknown. Here, we generated ES cells with single or combined disruption of polycomb group RING finger protein 3 (Pcgf3) and Pcgf5 with the CRISPR-Cas9 technique. We report that although these mutant cells maintained their self-renewal and colony-forming capacity, they displayed severe defects in mesoderm differentiation in vitro and in vivo Using RNA-seq to analyze transcriptional profiles of ES cells with single or combined Pcgf3/5 deficiencies, we found that in contrast to the canonical role of the related polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) in gene repression, Pcgf3/5 mainly function as transcriptional activators driving expression of many genes involved in mesoderm differentiation. Proteomic approaches and promoter occupancy analyses helped to establish an extended Pcgf3/5 interactome and identified several novel Pcgf3/5 interactors. These included testis-expressed 10 (Tex10), which may directly contribute to transcriptional activation via the transcriptional co-activator p300. Furthermore, Pcgf3/5 deletion in ES cells substantially reduced the occupancy of Tex10 and p300 at target genes. Finally, we demonstrated that Pcgf3/5 are essential for regulating global levels of the histone modifier H2AK119ub1 in ES cells. Our findings establish Pcgf3/5 as transcriptional activators that interact with Tex10 and p300 in ES cells and point to redundant activity of Pcgf3/5 in pluripotency maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wukui Zhao
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061
| | - Yikai Huang
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061
| | - Jingzi Zhang
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061
| | - Mengjie Liu
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061
| | - Haijing Ji
- the College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210014
| | - Congcong Wang
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061
| | - Ning Cao
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061
| | - Chaojun Li
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061
| | - Yin Xia
- the School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, and
| | - Qing Jiang
- the Department of Sports Medicine and Adult Reconstructive Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 21008, China
| | - Jinzhong Qin
- From the MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, 12 Xuefu Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210061,
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Tandon P, Wilczewski CM, Williams CE, Conlon FL. The Lhx9-integrin pathway is essential for positioning of the proepicardial organ. Development 2016; 143:831-40. [PMID: 26811386 DOI: 10.1242/dev.129551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate embryonic heart occurs by hyperplastic growth as well as the incorporation of cells from tissues outside of the initial heart field. Amongst these tissues is the epicardium, a cell structure that develops from the precursor proepicardial organ on the right side of the septum transversum caudal to the developing heart. During embryogenesis, cells of the proepicardial organ migrate, adhere and envelop the maturing heart, forming the epicardium. The cells of the epicardium then delaminate and incorporate into the heart giving rise to cardiac derivatives, including smooth muscle cells and cardiac fibroblasts. Here, we demonstrate that the LIM homeodomain protein Lhx9 is transiently expressed in Xenopus proepicardial cells and is essential for the position of the proepicardial organ on the septum transversum. Utilizing a small-molecule screen, we found that Lhx9 acts upstream of integrin-paxillin signaling and consistently demonstrate that either loss of Lhx9 or disruption of the integrin-paxillin pathway results in mis-positioning of the proepicardial organ and aberrant deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. This leads to a failure of proepicardial cell migration and adhesion to the heart, and eventual death of the embryo. Collectively, these studies establish a requirement for the Lhx9-integrin-paxillin pathway in proepicardial organ positioning and epicardial formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panna Tandon
- Department of Biology, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Caralynn M Wilczewski
- Department of Genetics, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Clara E Williams
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Frank L Conlon
- Department of Biology, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Department of Genetics, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, UNC at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
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10
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Yang Y, Wilson MJ. Lhx9 gene expression during early limb development in mice requires the FGF signalling pathway. Gene Expr Patterns 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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11
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The Lhx9 homeobox gene controls pineal gland development and prevents postnatal hydrocephalus. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:1497-509. [PMID: 24647753 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0740-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Lhx9 is a member of the LIM homeobox gene family. It is expressed during mammalian embryogenesis in the brain including the pineal gland. Deletion of Lhx9 results in sterility due to failure of gonadal development. The current study was initiated to investigate Lhx9 biology in the pineal gland. Lhx9 is highly expressed in the developing pineal gland of the rat with transcript abundance peaking early in development; transcript levels decrease postnatally to nearly undetectable levels in the adult, a temporal pattern that is generally similar to that reported for Lhx9 expression in other brain regions. Studies with C57BL/6J Lhx9(-/-) mutant mice revealed marked alterations in brain and pineal development. Specifically, the superficial pineal gland is hypoplastic, being reduced to a small cluster of pinealocytes surrounded by meningeal and vascular tissue. The deep pineal gland and the pineal stalk are also reduced in size. Although the brains of neonatal Lhx9(-/-) mutant mice appear normal, severe hydrocephalus develops in about 70% of the Lhx9(-/-) mice at 5-8 weeks of age; these observations are the first to document that deletion of Lhx9 results in hydrocephalus and as such indicate that Lhx9 contributes to the maintenance of normal brain structure. Whereas hydrocephalus is absent in neonatal Lhx9(-/-)mutant mice, the neonatal pineal gland in these animals is hypoplastic. Accordingly, it appears that Lhx9 is essential for early development of the mammalian pineal gland and that this effect is not secondary to hydrocephalus.
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12
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Gata4 is required for formation of the genital ridge in mice. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003629. [PMID: 23874227 PMCID: PMC3708810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, both testis and ovary arise from a sexually undifferentiated precursor, the genital ridge, which first appears during mid-gestation as a thickening of the coelomic epithelium on the ventromedial surface of the mesonephros. At least four genes (Lhx9, Sf1, Wt1, and Emx2) have been demonstrated to be required for subsequent growth and maintenance of the genital ridge. However, no gene has been shown to be required for the initial thickening of the coelomic epithelium during genital ridge formation. We report that the transcription factor GATA4 is expressed in the coelomic epithelium of the genital ridge, progressing in an anterior-to-posterior (A-P) direction, immediately preceding an A-P wave of epithelial thickening. Mouse embryos conditionally deficient in Gata4 show no signs of gonadal initiation, as their coelomic epithelium remains a morphologically undifferentiated monolayer. The failure of genital ridge formation in Gata4-deficient embryos is corroborated by the absence of the early gonadal markers LHX9 and SF1. Our data indicate that GATA4 is required to initiate formation of the genital ridge in both XX and XY fetuses, prior to its previously reported role in testicular differentiation of the XY gonad. During mammalian fetal development, the precursor of the testis or ovary first appears as a simple thickening, in a specific region, of the epithelial cell layer that lines the body cavity. The resulting structure is called the genital ridge, which then differentiates into either testis or ovary, depending on whether the sex chromosome constitution is XY or XX. A handful of genes, including Lhx9, Sf1, Wt1, and Emx2, are required to sustain the growth of the genital ridge. However, mice with mutations in any of these genes still undergo the initial step of epithelial thickening, suggesting that an additional step (or factor) is required to initiate genital ridge formation. We found that the evolutionarily conserved transcription factor GATA4 is expressed in the epithelium of the genital ridge before initial thickening. We produced a mouse with a Gata4 mutation in this tissue and demonstrated that the initial thickening does not take place; the mutant embryos fail to initiate gonad development. In support of this observation, the Gata4 mutant does not express the early gonadal markers LHX9 and SF1. These findings indicate that a genetically discrete, Gata4-dependent initiation step precedes the previously known processes that result in formation of testes and ovaries.
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Tandon P, Miteva YV, Kuchenbrod LM, Cristea IM, Conlon FL. Tcf21 regulates the specification and maturation of proepicardial cells. Development 2013; 140:2409-21. [PMID: 23637334 DOI: 10.1242/dev.093385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The epicardium is a mesothelial cell layer essential for vertebrate heart development and pertinent for cardiac repair post-injury in the adult. The epicardium initially forms from a dynamic precursor structure, the proepicardial organ, from which cells migrate onto the heart surface. During the initial stage of epicardial development crucial epicardial-derived cell lineages are thought to be determined. Here, we define an essential requirement for transcription factor Tcf21 during early stages of epicardial development in Xenopus, and show that depletion of Tcf21 results in a disruption in proepicardial cell specification and failure to form a mature epithelial epicardium. Using a mass spectrometry-based approach we defined Tcf21 interactions and established its association with proteins that function as transcriptional co-repressors. Furthermore, using an in vivo systems-based approach, we identified a panel of previously unreported proepicardial precursor genes that are persistently expressed in the epicardial layer upon Tcf21 depletion, thereby confirming a primary role for Tcf21 in the correct determination of the proepicardial lineage. Collectively, these studies lead us to propose that Tcf21 functions as a transcriptional repressor to regulate proepicardial cell specification and the correct formation of a mature epithelial epicardium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panna Tandon
- University of North Carolina McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
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Li A, Ponten F, dos Remedios CG. The interactome of LIM domain proteins: The contributions of LIM domain proteins to heart failure and heart development. Proteomics 2012; 12:203-25. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201100492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Revised: 11/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abstract
Two major functions of the mammalian ovary are the production of germ cells (oocytes), which allow continuation of the species, and the generation of bioactive molecules, primarily steroids (mainly estrogens and progestins) and peptide growth factors, which are critical for ovarian function, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, and development of secondary sex characteristics. The female germline is created during embryogenesis when the precursors of primordial germ cells differentiate from somatic lineages of the embryo and take a unique route to reach the urogenital ridge. This undifferentiated gonad will differentiate along a female pathway, and the newly formed oocytes will proliferate and subsequently enter meiosis. At this point, the oocyte has two alternative fates: die, a common destiny of millions of oocytes, or be fertilized, a fate of at most approximately 100 oocytes, depending on the species. At every step from germline development and ovary formation to oogenesis and ovarian development and differentiation, there are coordinated interactions of hundreds of proteins and small RNAs. These studies have helped reproductive biologists to understand not only the normal functioning of the ovary but also the pathophysiology and genetics of diseases such as infertility and ovarian cancer. Over the last two decades, parallel progress has been made in the assisted reproductive technology clinic including better hormonal preparations, prenatal genetic testing, and optimal oocyte and embryo analysis and cryopreservation. Clearly, we have learned much about the mammalian ovary and manipulating its most important cargo, the oocyte, since the birth of Louise Brown over 30 yr ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Edson
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
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Smart N, Dubé KN, Riley PR. Coronary vessel development and insight towards neovascular therapy. Int J Exp Pathol 2009; 90:262-83. [PMID: 19563610 PMCID: PMC2697550 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2009.00646.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2008] [Accepted: 12/21/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Formation of the coronary arteries consists of a precisely orchestrated series of morphogenetic and molecular events which can be divided into three distinct processes: vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and arteriogenesis (Risau 1997; Carmeliet 2000). Even subtle perturbations in this process may lead to congenital coronary artery anomalies, as occur in 0.2-1.2% of the general population (von Kodolitsch et al. 2004). Contrary to the previously held dogma, the process of vasculogenesis is not limited to prenatal development. Both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are now known to actively occur within the adult heart. When the need for regeneration arises, for example in the setting of coronary artery disease, a reactivation of embryonic processes ensues, redeploying many of the same molecular regulators. Thus, an understanding of the mechanisms of embryonic coronary vasculogenesis and angiogenesis may prove invaluable in developing novel strategies for cardiovascular regeneration and therapeutic coronary angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Smart
- Molecular Medicine Unit, UCL-Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Riazi AM, Takeuchi JK, Hornberger LK, Zaidi SH, Amini F, Coles J, Bruneau BG, Van Arsdell GS. NKX2-5 regulates the expression of beta-catenin and GATA4 in ventricular myocytes. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5698. [PMID: 19479054 PMCID: PMC2684637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2009] [Accepted: 04/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The molecular pathway that controls cardiogenesis is temporally and spatially regulated by master transcriptional regulators such as NKX2-5, Isl1, MEF2C, GATA4, and β-catenin. The interplay between these factors and their downstream targets are not completely understood. Here, we studied regulation of β-catenin and GATA4 by NKX2-5 in human fetal cardiac myocytes. Methodology/Principal Findings Using antisense inhibition we disrupted the expression of NKX2-5 and studied changes in expression of cardiac-associated genes. Down-regulation of NKX2-5 resulted in increased β-catenin while GATA4 was decreased. We demonstrated that this regulation was conferred by binding of NKX2-5 to specific elements (NKEs) in the promoter region of the β-catenin and GATA4 genes. Using promoter-luciferase reporter assay combined with mutational analysis of the NKEs we demonstrated that the identified NKX2-5 binding sites were essential for the suppression of β-catenin, and upregulation of GATA4 by NKX2-5. Conclusions This study suggests that NKX2-5 modulates the β-catenin and GATA4 transcriptional activities in developing human cardiac myocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali M Riazi
- Labatt Family Heart Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Manuylov NL, Smagulova FO, Leach L, Tevosian SG. Ovarian development in mice requires the GATA4-FOG2 transcription complex. Development 2008; 135:3731-43. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.024653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We have demonstrated previously that mammalian sexual differentiation requires both the GATA4 and FOG2 transcriptional regulators to assemble the functioning testis. Here we have determined that the sexual development of female mice is profoundly affected by the loss of GATA4-FOG2 interaction. We have also identified the Dkk1 gene, which encodes a secreted inhibitor of canonical β-catenin signaling, as a target of GATA4-FOG2 repression in the developing ovary. The tissue-specific ablation of theβ-catenin gene in the gonads disrupts female development. In Gata4ki/ki; Dkk1-/- or Fog2-/-;Dkk1-/- embryos, the normal ovarian gene expression pattern is partially restored. Control of ovarian development by the GATA4-FOG2 complex presents a novel insight into the cross-talk between transcriptional regulation and extracellular signaling that occurs in ovarian development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lyndsay Leach
- Department of Genetics, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03755,USA
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