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Goes CP, Botezelli VS, De La Cruz SM, Cruz MC, Azambuja AP, Simoes-Costa M, Yan CYI. ASCL1 promotes Scrt2 expression in the neural tube. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1324584. [PMID: 38655067 PMCID: PMC11036302 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1324584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
ASCL1 is a transcription factor that directs neural progenitors towards lineage differentiation. Although many of the molecular mechanisms underlying its action have been described, several of its targets remain unidentified. We identified in the chick genome a putative enhancer (cE1) upstream of the transcription factor Scratch2 (Scrt2) locus with a predicted heterodimerization motif for ASCL1 and POU3F2. In this study, we investigated the role of ASCL1 and this enhancer in regulating the expression of the Scrt2 in the embryonic spinal cord. We confirmed that cE1 region interacted with the Scrt2 promoter. cE1 was sufficient to mediate ASCL1-driven expression in the neural tube through the heterodimerization sites. Moreover, Scrt2 expression was inhibited when we removed cE1 from the genome. These findings strongly indicate that ASCL1 regulates Scrt2 transcription in the neural tube through cE1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Purcell Goes
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vitória Samartin Botezelli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shirley Mirna De La Cruz
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru
| | - Mário Costa Cruz
- Core Research Facilities (CEFAP), Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Azambuja
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- Department of Systems Biology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marcos Simoes-Costa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
- Department of Systems Biology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Chao Yun Irene Yan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Wu D, Zhang J, Jun Y, Liu L, Huang C, Wang W, Yang C, Xiang Z, Wu J, Huang Y, Meng D, Yang Z, Zhou X, Cheng C, Yang J. The emerging role of DOT1L in cell proliferation and differentiation: Friend or foe. Histol Histopathol 2024; 39:425-435. [PMID: 37706592 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Cell proliferation and differentiation are the basic physiological activities of cells. Mistakes in these processes may affect cell survival, or cause cell cycle dysregulation, such as tumorigenesis, birth defects and degenerative diseases. In recent years, it has been found that histone methyltransferase DOT1L is the only H3 lysine 79 methyltransferase, which plays an important role in the process of cell fate determination through monomethylation, dimethylation and trimethylation of H3K79. DOT1L has a pro-proliferative effect in leukemia cells; however, loss of heart-specific DOT1L leads to increased proliferation of cardiac tissue. Additionally, DOT1L has carcinogenic or tumor suppressive effects in different neoplasms. At present, some DOT1L inhibitors for the treatment of MLL-driven leukemia have achieved promising results in clinical trials, but completely blocking DOT1L will also bring some side effects. Thus, this uncertainty suggests that DOT1L has a unique function in cell physiology. In this review, we summarize the primary findings of DOT1L in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Correlations between DOT1L and cell fate specification might suggest DOT1L as a therapeutic target for diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China.
| | - Yang Jun
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Li Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Cuiyuan Huang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Wei Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Chaojun Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Zujin Xiang
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Jingyi Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Yifan Huang
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Di Meng
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Zishu Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhou
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Chen Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China
| | - Jian Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University and Yichang Central People's Hospital, Yichang, PR China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, PR China
- Hubei Clinical Research Center for Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease, Yichang, PR China.
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Cheffer A, Garcia-Miralles M, Maier E, Akol I, Franz H, Srinivasan VSV, Vogel T. DOT1L deletion impairs the development of cortical parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:10272-10285. [PMID: 37566909 PMCID: PMC10545437 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad281] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The cortical plate (CP) is composed of excitatory and inhibitory neurons, the latter of which originate in the ganglionic eminences. From their origin in the ventral telencephalon, maturing postmitotic interneurons migrate during embryonic development over some distance to reach their final destination in the CP. The histone methyltransferase Disruptor of Telomeric Silencing 1-like (DOT1L) is necessary for proper CP development and layer distribution of glutamatergic neurons. However, its specific role on cortical interneuron development has not yet been explored. Here, we demonstrate that DOT1L affects interneuron development in a cell autonomous manner. Deletion of Dot1l in Nkx2.1-expressing interneuron precursor cells results in an overall reduction and altered distribution of GABAergic interneurons in the CP from postnatal day 0 onwards. We observed an altered proportion of GABAergic interneurons in the cortex, with a significant decrease in parvalbumin-expressing interneurons. Moreover, a decreased number of mitotic cells at the embryonic day E14.5 was observed upon Dot1l deletion. Altogether, our results indicate that reduced numbers of cortical interneurons upon DOT1L deletion result from premature cell cycle exit, but effects on postmitotic differentiation, maturation, and migration are likely at play as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arquimedes Cheffer
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Marta Garcia-Miralles
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Esther Maier
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Ipek Akol
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Henriette Franz
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Vandana Shree Vedartham Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
| | - Tanja Vogel
- Department of Molecular Embryology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModul Basics), Medical Faculty, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Freiburg 79104, Germany
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4
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Cui J, Carey J, Reijo Pera RA. Identification of DOT1L inhibitor in a screen for factors that promote dopaminergic neuron survival. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1026468. [PMID: 36578445 PMCID: PMC9791259 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1026468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra region of the midbrain. Diagnostic criteria for PD require that at least two of three motor signs are observed: tremor, rigidity, and/or bradykinesia. The most common and effective treatment for PD is Levodopa (L-DOPA) which is readily converted to DA and has been the primary treatment since the 1960's. Dopamine agonists have also been developed but are less effective than L-DOPA. Although the lack of a model system to study PD has hampered efforts to identify treatments, diverse screening strategies have been proposed for identification of new pharmaceutical candidates. Here, we describe a pilot screen to identify candidate molecules from a bioactive compound library, that might increase formation, maintenance and/or survival of DA neurons in vitro. The screen used a previously characterized reporter construct consisting of the luciferase gene inserted downstream of the endogenous tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene and neurons differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells for 18 days. The reporter mimics expression of TH and includes a secreted luciferase whose activity can be measured non-invasively over multiple timepoints. Screening of the bioactive compound library resulted in the identification of a single molecule, SGC0946, that is an inhibitor of DOT1L (Disruptor Of Telomeric silencing 1-Like) which encodes a widely-conserved histone H3K79 methyltransferase that is able to both activate and repress gene transcription. Our results indicate that SGC0946 increased reporter luciferase activity with a single treatment for 48-h post-plating being equivalent to continuous treatment. Moreover, data suggested that the total number of neurons differentiated in the assays was comparable from experiment to experiment under different SGC0946 treatments over time. In contrast, data suggested that the survival and/or maintenance of DA neurons might be specifically enhanced by SGC0946 treatment. These results document the feasibility of a set of tools for further exploration of small molecules that may impact DA neuron differentiation, maintenance and/or survival. Results provide evidence in support of other reports that indicate inhibition of DOT1L may play an important role in maintenance and survival of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and their lineage-specific differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cui
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Joseph Carey
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Renee A. Reijo Pera
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
- McLaughlin Research Institute, Great Falls, MT, United States
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Huang W, Yuan Z, Gu H. Exploring epigenomic mechanisms of neural tube defects using multi-omics methods and data. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2022; 1515:50-60. [PMID: 35666948 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a heterogeneous set of malformations attributed to disruption in normal neural tube closure during early embryogenesis. An in-depth understanding of NTD etiology and mechanisms remains elusive, however. Among the proposed mechanisms, epigenetic changes are thought to play an important role in the formation of NTDs. Epigenomics covers a wide spectrum of genomic DNA sequence modifications that can be investigated via high-throughput techniques. Recent advances in epigenomic technologies have enabled epigenetic studies of congenital malformations and facilitated the integration of big data into the understanding of NTDs. Herein, we review clinical epigenomic data that focuses on DNA methylation, histone modification, and miRNA alterations in human neural tissues, placental tissues, and leukocytes to explore potential mechanisms by which candidate genes affect human NTD pathogenesis. We discuss the links between epigenomics and gene regulatory mechanisms, and the effects of epigenetic alterations in human tissues on neural tube closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqi Huang
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhengwei Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui Gu
- Key Laboratory of Health Ministry for Congenital Malformation, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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