2
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Karvas RM, McInturf S, Zhou J, Ezashi T, Schust DJ, Roberts RM, Schulz LC. Use of a human embryonic stem cell model to discover GABRP, WFDC2, VTCN1 and ACTC1 as markers of early first trimester human trophoblast. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:425-440. [PMID: 32359161 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human placental development during early pregnancy is poorly understood. Many conceptuses are lost at this stage. It is thought that preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and other placental syndromes that manifest later in pregnancy may originate early in placentation. Thus, there is a need for models of early human placental development. Treating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with BMP4 (bone morphogenic protein 4) plus A83-01 (ACTIVIN/NODAL signaling inhibitor) and PD173074 (fibroblast growth factor 2 or FGF2 signaling inhibitor) (BAP conditions) induces differentiation to the trophoblast lineage (hESCBAP), but it is not clear which stage of trophoblast differentiation these cells resemble. Here, comparison of the hESCBAP transcriptome to those of trophoblasts from human blastocysts, trophoblast stem cells and placentas collected in the first-third trimester of pregnancy by principal component analysis suggests that hESC after 8 days BAP treatment most resemble first trimester syncytiotrophoblasts. To further test this hypothesis, transcripts were identified that are expressed in hESCBAP but not in cultures of trophoblasts isolated from term placentas. Proteins encoded by four genes, GABRP (gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit Pi), WFDC2 (WAP four-disulfide core domain 2), VTCN1 (V-set domain containing T-cell activation inhibitor 1) and ACTC1 (actin alpha cardiac muscle 1), immunolocalized to placentas at 4-9 weeks gestation, and their expression declined with gestational age (R2 = 0.61-0.83). None are present at term. Expression was largely localized to syncytiotrophoblast of both hESCBAP cells and placental material from early pregnancy. WFDC2, VTCN1 and ACTC1 have not previously been described in placenta. These results support the hypothesis that hESCBAP represent human trophoblast analogous to that of early first trimester and are a tool for discovery of factors important to this stage of placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan M Karvas
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Samuel McInturf
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jie Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Danny J Schust
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - R Michael Roberts
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Biochemistry University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Laura C Schulz
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
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3
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Rangrez AY, Kilian L, Stiebeling K, Dittmann S, Schulze-Bahr E, Frey N, Frank D. A cardiac α-actin (ACTC1) p. Gly247Asp mutation inhibits SRF-signaling in vitro in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 518:500-505. [PMID: 31434612 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We recently identified a novel, heterozygous, and non-synonymous ACTC1 mutation (p.Gly247Asp or G247D) in a large, multi-generational family, causing atrial-septal defect followed by late-onset dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Molecular dynamics studies revealed possible actin polymerization defects as G247D mutation resides at the juncture of side-chain interaction, which was indeed confirmed by in vitro actin polymerization assays. Since polymerization/de-polymerization is important for the activation of Rho-GTPase-mediated serum response factor (SRF)-signaling, we studied the effect of G247D mutation using luciferase assay. Overexpression of native human ACTC1 in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRVCMs) strongly activated SRF-signaling both in C2C12 cells and NRVCMs, whereas, G247D mutation abolished this activation. Mechanistically, we found reduced GTP-bound Rho-GTPase and increased nuclear localization of globular actin in NRVCMs overexpressing mutant ACTC1 possibly causing inhibition of SRF-signaling activation. In conclusion, our data suggests that human G247D ACTC1 mutation negatively regulates SRF-signaling likely contributing to the late-onset DCM observed in mutation carrier patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Yusuf Rangrez
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Lucia Kilian
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Katharina Stiebeling
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Sven Dittmann
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Eric Schulze-Bahr
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Derk Frank
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
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4
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Frank D, Rangrez AY, Friedrich C, Dittmann S, Stallmeyer B, Yadav P, Bernt A, Schulze-Bahr E, Borlepawar A, Zimmermann WH, Peischard S, Seebohm G, Linke WA, Baba HA, Krüger M, Unger A, Usinger P, Frey N, Schulze-Bahr E. Cardiac α-Actin (
ACTC1
) Gene Mutation Causes Atrial-Septal Defects Associated With Late-Onset Dilated Cardiomyopathy. CIRCULATION-GENOMIC AND PRECISION MEDICINE 2019; 12:e002491. [DOI: 10.1161/circgen.119.002491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Familial atrial septal defect (ASD) has previously been attributed primarily to mutations in cardiac transcription factors. Here, we report a large, multi-generational family (78 members) with ASD combined with a late-onset dilated cardiomyopathy and further characterize the consequences of mutant α-actin.
Methods:
We combined a genome-wide linkage analysis with cell biology, microscopy, and molecular biology tools to characterize a novel
ACTC1
(cardiac α-actin) mutation identified in association with ASD and late-onset dilated cardiomyopathy in a large, multi-generational family.
Results:
Using a genome-wide linkage analysis, the ASD disease locus was mapped to chromosome 15q14 harboring the
ACTC1
gene. In 15 affected family members, a heterozygous, nonsynonymous, and fully penetrant mutation (p. Gly247Asp) was identified in exon 5 of
ACTC1
that was absent in all healthy family members (n=63). In silico tools predicted deleterious consequences of this variant that was found absent in control databases. Ultrastructural analysis of myocardial tissue of one of the mutation carriers showed sarcomeric disarray, myofibrillar degeneration, and increased apoptosis, while cardiac proteomics revealed a significant increase in extracellular matrix proteins. Consistently, structural defects and increased apoptosis were also observed in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes overexpressing the mutant, but not native human ACTC1. Molecular dynamics studies and additional mechanistic analyses in cardiomyocytes confirmed actin polymerization/turnover defects, thereby affecting contractility.
Conclusions:
A combined phenotype of ASD and late-onset heart failure was caused by a heterozygous, nonsynonymous ACTC1 mutation. Mechanistically, we found a shared molecular mechanism of defective actin signaling and polymerization in both cardiac development and contractile function. Detection of ACTC1 mutations in patients with ASD may thus have further clinical implications with regard to monitoring for (late-onset) dilated cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derk Frank
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, P.U., N.F.)
- Co-affiliated with DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), sites Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck and Göttingen, Germany (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, W.H.-Z., W.A.L., N.F.)
| | - Ashraf Yusuf Rangrez
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, P.U., N.F.)
- Co-affiliated with DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), sites Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck and Göttingen, Germany (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, W.H.-Z., W.A.L., N.F.)
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (C.F., S.D., B.S., Ellen Schulze-Bahr, S.P., G.S., A.U., Eric Schulze-Bahr), University Hospital Münster
- Institute for Human Genetics (C.F), University Hospital Münster
| | - Sven Dittmann
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (C.F., S.D., B.S., Ellen Schulze-Bahr, S.P., G.S., A.U., Eric Schulze-Bahr), University Hospital Münster
| | - Birgit Stallmeyer
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (C.F., S.D., B.S., Ellen Schulze-Bahr, S.P., G.S., A.U., Eric Schulze-Bahr), University Hospital Münster
| | - Pankaj Yadav
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg (P.Y.)
| | - Alexander Bernt
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, P.U., N.F.)
- Co-affiliated with DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), sites Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck and Göttingen, Germany (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, W.H.-Z., W.A.L., N.F.)
| | - Ellen Schulze-Bahr
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (C.F., S.D., B.S., Ellen Schulze-Bahr, S.P., G.S., A.U., Eric Schulze-Bahr), University Hospital Münster
| | - Ankush Borlepawar
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, P.U., N.F.)
- Co-affiliated with DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), sites Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck and Göttingen, Germany (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, W.H.-Z., W.A.L., N.F.)
| | - Wolfram-Hubertus Zimmermann
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Medical Center Göttingen (W.H.-Z.)
- Co-affiliated with DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), sites Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck and Göttingen, Germany (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, W.H.-Z., W.A.L., N.F.)
| | - Stefan Peischard
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (C.F., S.D., B.S., Ellen Schulze-Bahr, S.P., G.S., A.U., Eric Schulze-Bahr), University Hospital Münster
| | - Guiscard Seebohm
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (C.F., S.D., B.S., Ellen Schulze-Bahr, S.P., G.S., A.U., Eric Schulze-Bahr), University Hospital Münster
| | - Wolfgang A. Linke
- Institute of Physiology II (W.A.L.), University Hospital Münster
- Co-affiliated with DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), sites Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck and Göttingen, Germany (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, W.H.-Z., W.A.L., N.F.)
| | - Hideo A. Baba
- Institute of Pathology, University of Duisburg-Essen (H.A.B.)
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Proteomics Facility, University of Cologne (M.K.)
| | - Andreas Unger
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (C.F., S.D., B.S., Ellen Schulze-Bahr, S.P., G.S., A.U., Eric Schulze-Bahr), University Hospital Münster
| | - Philip Usinger
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, P.U., N.F.)
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, P.U., N.F.)
- Co-affiliated with DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), sites Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck and Göttingen, Germany (D.F., A.Y.R., A. Bernt, A. Borlepawar, W.H.-Z., W.A.L., N.F.)
| | - Eric Schulze-Bahr
- Institute for Genetics of Heart Diseases (IfGH), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (C.F., S.D., B.S., Ellen Schulze-Bahr, S.P., G.S., A.U., Eric Schulze-Bahr), University Hospital Münster
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