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Conforti P, Besusso D, Brocchetti S, Campus I, Cappadona C, Galimberti M, Laporta A, Iennaco R, Rossi RL, Dickinson VB, Cattaneo E. RUES2 hESCs exhibit MGE-biased neuronal differentiation and muHTT-dependent defective specification hinting at SP1. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 146:105140. [PMID: 33065279 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
RUES2 cell lines represent the first collection of isogenic human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) carrying different pathological CAG lengths in the HTT gene. However, their neuronal differentiation potential has yet to be thoroughly evaluated. Here, we report that RUES2 during ventral telencephalic differentiation is biased towards medial ganglionic eminence (MGE). We also show that HD-RUES2 cells exhibit an altered MGE transcriptional signature in addition to recapitulating known HD phenotypes, with reduced expression of the neurodevelopmental regulators NEUROD1 and BDNF and increased cleavage of synaptically enriched N-cadherin. Finally, we identified the transcription factor SP1 as a common potential detrimental co-partner of muHTT by de novo motif discovery analysis on the LGE, MGE, and cortical genes differentially expressed in HD human pluripotent stem cells in our and additional datasets. Taken together, these observations suggest a broad deleterious effect of muHTT in the early phases of neuronal development that may unfold through its altered interaction with SP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Conforti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Dario Besusso
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Silvia Brocchetti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Ilaria Campus
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Claudio Cappadona
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Maura Galimberti
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Angela Laporta
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaele Iennaco
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Riccardo L Rossi
- Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Vittoria Bocchi Dickinson
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy
| | - Elena Cattaneo
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare, Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi, Milan 20122, Italy.
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Jullien N, Romanet P, Philippon M, Quentien MH, Beck-Peccoz P, Bergada I, Odent S, Reynaud R, Barlier A, Saveanu A, Brue T, Castinetti F. Heterozygous LHX3 mutations may lead to a mild phenotype of combined pituitary hormone deficiency. Eur J Hum Genet 2018; 27:216-225. [PMID: 30262920 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-018-0264-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
LHX3 is an LIM domain transcription factor involved in the early steps of pituitary ontogenesis. We report here functional studies of three allelic variants, including the first heterozygous variant of LHX3 NM_178138.5(LHX3):c.587T>C (p.(Leu196Pro)) that may be responsible for a milder phenotype of hypopituitarism. Our functional studies showed that NM_178138.5(LHX3):c.587T>C (p.(Leu196Pro)) was not able to activate target promoters in vitro, as it did not bind DNA, and likely affected LHX3 function via a mechanism of haplo-insufficiency. Our study demonstrates the possibility that patients with a heterozygous variant of LHX3 may have pituitary deficiencies, with a milder phenotype than patients with homozygous variants. It is thus of vital to propose an optimal follow-up of such patients, who, until now, were considered as not being at risk of presenting pituitary deficiency. The second variant NM_178138.5(LHX3):c.622C>G (p.(Arg208Gly)), present in a homozygous state, displayed decreased transactivating ability without loss of binding capacity in vitro, concordant with in silico analysis; it should thus be considered to affect LHX3 function. In contrast, the NM_178138.5(LHX3):c.929G>C (p.(Arg310Pro)) variant, in a heterozygous state, also predicted as deleterious in silico, proved functionally active in vitro, and should thus still be classified as a variant of unknown significance. Our study emphasizes the need for functional studies due to the limits of software-based predictions of new variants, and the possible association of a pituitary phenotype to heterozygous LHX3 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pauline Romanet
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, Hôpital de la Conception, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Marseille, France
| | - Mélanie Philippon
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, Hôpital de la Conception, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille, France
| | | | - Paolo Beck-Peccoz
- Institute of Endocrine Sciences, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ignacio Bergada
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinologicas (CEDIE) « Dr. César Bergada » Division de Endocrinologia, Hospital de Ninos Ricardo Guttierrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sylvie Odent
- Service de Génétique Clinique, Centre de référence "Maladies Rares" CLAD-Ouest, université de Rennes 1, CNRS UMR6290, Hôpital SUD, Rennes, France
| | - Rachel Reynaud
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, Hôpital la Timone Enfants, Department of Pediatrics, Marseille, France
| | - Anne Barlier
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, Hôpital de la Conception, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Marseille, France
| | - Alexandru Saveanu
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, MMG, UMR1251 Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Thierry Brue
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, Hôpital de la Conception, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille, France
| | - Frederic Castinetti
- Aix Marseille Univ, APHM, INSERM, MMG, Hôpital de la Conception, Department of Endocrinology, Marseille, France.
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Laverrière JN, L'Hôte D, Tabouy L, Schang AL, Quérat B, Cohen-Tannoudji J. Epigenetic regulation of alternative promoters and enhancers in progenitor, immature, and mature gonadotrope cell lines. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 434:250-65. [PMID: 27402603 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotrope cell identity genes emerge in a stepwise process during mouse pituitary development. Cga, encoding for the α-subunit of TSH, LH, and FSH, is initially detected at E11.5 followed by Gnrhr and steroidogenic factor Sf1 at E13.5, specifying cells engaged in a gonadotrope cell fate. Lhb and Fshb appear at E16.5 and 17.5, respectively, typifying differentiated gonadotrope cells. Using the αT1-1, αT3-1 and LβT2 cell lines recapitulating these stages of gonadotrope differentiation, DNA methylation at Gnrhr and Sf1 was investigated. Regulatory regions were found hypermethylated in progenitor αT1-1 cells and hypomethylated in differentiated LβT2 cells. Abundance of RNA polymerase II together with active histone modifications including H3K4me1, H3K4me3, and H3K27ac were strictly correlated with DNA hypomethylation. Analyses of epigenomic modifications and chromatin accessibility were further extended to Isl1, Lhx3, Gata2, and Pitx2, highlighting alternative usages of specific regulatory gene domains in progenitor αT1-1, immature αT3-1, and mature LβT2 gonadotrope cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Noël Laverrière
- Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative (BFA), F-75013, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 8251, F-75013, Paris, France; Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope INSERM U1133, F-75013, Paris, France.
| | - David L'Hôte
- Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative (BFA), F-75013, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 8251, F-75013, Paris, France; Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope INSERM U1133, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Laure Tabouy
- Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative (BFA), F-75013, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 8251, F-75013, Paris, France; Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope INSERM U1133, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Laure Schang
- Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative (BFA), F-75013, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 8251, F-75013, Paris, France; Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope INSERM U1133, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Quérat
- Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative (BFA), F-75013, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 8251, F-75013, Paris, France; Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope INSERM U1133, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Joëlle Cohen-Tannoudji
- Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative (BFA), F-75013, Paris, France; CNRS UMR 8251, F-75013, Paris, France; Physiologie de l'axe gonadotrope INSERM U1133, F-75013, Paris, France
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4
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Whole-genome sequence-based analysis of thyroid function. Nat Commun 2015; 6:5681. [PMID: 25743335 PMCID: PMC4366514 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal thyroid function is essential for health, but its genetic architecture remains poorly understood. Here, for the heritable thyroid traits thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4), we analyse whole-genome sequence data from the UK10K project (N=2,287). Using additional whole-genome sequence and deeply imputed data sets, we report meta-analysis results for common variants (MAF≥1%) associated with TSH and FT4 (N=16,335). For TSH, we identify a novel variant in SYN2 (MAF=23.5%, P=6.15 × 10(-9)) and a new independent variant in PDE8B (MAF=10.4%, P=5.94 × 10(-14)). For FT4, we report a low-frequency variant near B4GALT6/SLC25A52 (MAF=3.2%, P=1.27 × 10(-9)) tagging a rare TTR variant (MAF=0.4%, P=2.14 × 10(-11)). All common variants explain ≥20% of the variance in TSH and FT4. Analysis of rare variants (MAF<1%) using sequence kernel association testing reveals a novel association with FT4 in NRG1. Our results demonstrate that increased coverage in whole-genome sequence association studies identifies novel variants associated with thyroid function.
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Kagoshima H, Kohara Y. Co-expression of the transcription factors CEH-14 and TTX-1 regulates AFD neuron-specific genes gcy-8 and gcy-18 in C. elegans. Dev Biol 2015; 399:325-36. [PMID: 25614239 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2014] [Revised: 12/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A wide variety of cells are generated by the expression of characteristic sets of genes, primarily those regulated by cell-specific transcription. To elucidate the mechanism regulating cell-specific gene expression in a highly specialized cell, AFD thermosensory neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans, we analyzed the promoter sequences of guanylyl cyclase genes, gcy-8 and gcy-18, exclusively expressed in AFD. In this study, we showed that AFD-specific expression of gcy-8 and gcy-18 requires the co-expression of homeodomain proteins, CEH-14/LHX3 and TTX-1/OTX1. We observed that mutation of ttx-1 or ceh-14 caused a reduction in the expression of gcy-8 and gcy-18 and that the expression was completely lost in double mutants. This synergy effect was also observed with other AFD marker genes, such as ntc-1, nlp-21and cng-3. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed direct interaction of CEH-14 and TTX-1 proteins with gcy-8 and gcy-18 promoters in vitro. The binding sites of CEH-14 and TTX-1 proteins were confirmed to be essential for AFD-specific expression of gcy-8 and gcy-18 in vivo. We also demonstrated that forced expression of CEH-14 and TTX-1 in AWB chemosensory neurons induced ectopic expression of gcy-8 and gcy-18 reporters in this neuron. Finally, we showed that the regulation of gcy-8 and gcy-18 expression by ceh-14 and ttx-1 is evolutionally conserved in five Caenorhabditis species. Taken together, ceh-14 and ttx-1 expression determines the fate of AFD as terminal selector genes at the final step of cell specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kagoshima
- Genome Biology Laboratory, Center for Genetic Resource Information, National Institute of Genetics, Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan; Transdisciplinary Research Integration Center, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Toranomon 4-3-13, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
| | - Yuji Kohara
- Genome Biology Laboratory, Center for Genetic Resource Information, National Institute of Genetics, Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.
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6
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Malik RE, Rhodes SJ. The role of DNA methylation in regulation of the murine Lhx3 gene. Gene 2013; 534:272-81. [PMID: 24183897 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Revised: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
LHX3 is a LIM-homeodomain transcription factor with critical roles in pituitary and nervous system development. Mutations in the LHX3 gene are associated with pediatric diseases featuring severe hormone deficiencies, hearing loss, developmental delay, and other symptoms. The mechanisms that govern LHX3/Lhx3 transcription are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the role of DNA methylation in the expression status of the mouse Lhx3 gene. Pituitary cells that do not normally express Lhx3 (Pit-1/0 cells) were treated with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, a demethylating reagent. This treatment leads to activation of Lhx3 gene expression suggesting that methylation contributes to Lhx3 regulation. Treatment of Pit-1/0 pituitary cells with a combination of a demethylating reagent and a histone deacetylase inhibitor led to rapid activation of Lhx3 expression, suggesting possible crosstalk between DNA methylation and histone modification processes. To assess DNA methylation levels, treated and untreated Pit-1/0 genomic DNAs were subjected to bisulfite conversion and sequencing. Treated Pit-1/0 cells had decreased methylation at specific sites in the Lhx3 locus compared to untreated cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated interactions between the MeCp2 methyl binding protein and Lhx3 promoter regions in the Pit-1/0 cell line. Overall, this study demonstrates that DNA methylation patterns of the Lhx3 gene are associated with its expression status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raleigh E Malik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Simon J Rhodes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, IN, USA; Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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7
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Liu WB, Jiang X, Han F, Li YH, Chen HQ, Liu Y, Cao J, Liu JY. LHX6 acts as a novel potential tumour suppressor with epigenetic inactivation in lung cancer. Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e882. [PMID: 24157876 PMCID: PMC3824675 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
LIM homeobox domain 6 (LHX6) is a putative transcriptional regulator that controls the differentiation and development of neural and lymphoid cells. However, the function of LHX6 in cancer development remains largely unclear. Recently, we found that LHX6 is hypermethylated in lung cancer. In this study, we analysed its epigenetic regulation, biological functions, and related molecular mechanisms in lung cancer. Methylation status was evaluated by methylation-specific PCR and bisulfite genomic sequencing. LHX6 mRNA levels were measured in relation to the methylation status. The effects of LHX6 expression on tumourigenesis were studied in vitro and in vivo. LHX6 was readily expressed in normal lung tissues without methylation, but was downregulated or silenced in lung cancer cell lines and tissues with hypermethylation status. Treatment of lung cancer cells with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine restored LHX6 expression. Moreover, LHX6 hypermethylation was detected in 56% (52/93) of primary lung cancers compared with none (0/20) of the tested normal lung tissues. In lung cancer cell lines 95D and H358, forced expression of LHX6 suppressed cell viability, colony formation, and migration, induced apoptosis and G1/S arrest, and inhibited their tumorigenicity in nude mice. On the other hand, knockdown of LHX6 expression by RNA interference increased cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. These effects were associated with upregulation of p21 and p53, and downregulation of Bcl-2, cyclinD1, c-myc, CD44, and MMP7. In conclusion, our results suggest that LHX6 is a putative tumour suppressor gene with epigenetic silencing in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- W-b Liu
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
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Park S, Mullen RD, Rhodes SJ. Cell-specific actions of a human LHX3 gene enhancer during pituitary and spinal cord development. Mol Endocrinol 2013; 27:2013-27. [PMID: 24100213 DOI: 10.1210/me.2013-1161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The LIM class of homeodomain protein 3 (LHX3) transcription factor is essential for pituitary gland and nervous system development in mammals. In humans, mutations in the LHX3 gene underlie complex pediatric syndromes featuring deficits in anterior pituitary hormones and defects in the nervous system. The mechanisms that control temporal and spatial expression of the LHX3 gene are poorly understood. The proximal promoters of the human LHX3 gene are insufficient to guide expression in vivo and downstream elements including a conserved enhancer region appear to play a role in tissue-specific expression in the pituitary and nervous system. Here we characterized the activity of this downstream enhancer region in regulating gene expression at the cellular level during development. Human LHX3 enhancer-driven Cre reporter transgenic mice were generated to facilitate studies of enhancer actions. The downstream LHX3 enhancer primarily guides gene transcription in α-glycoprotein subunit -expressing cells secreting the TSHβ, LHβ, or FSHβ hormones and expressing the GATA2 and steroidogenic factor 1 transcription factors. In the developing nervous system, the enhancer serves as a targeting module active in V2a interneurons. These results demonstrate that the downstream LHX3 enhancer is important in specific endocrine and neural cell types but also indicate that additional regulatory elements are likely involved in LHX3 gene expression. Furthermore, these studies revealed significant gonadotrope cell heterogeneity during pituitary development, providing insights into the cellular physiology of this key reproductive regulatory cell. The human LHX3 enhancer-driven Cre reporter transgenic mice also provide a valuable tool for further developmental studies of cell determination and differentiation in the pituitary and nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyoung Park
- PhD, Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, LD222, 402 North Blackford Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5120.
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Mullen RD, Park S, Rhodes SJ. A distal modular enhancer complex acts to control pituitary- and nervous system-specific expression of the LHX3 regulatory gene. Mol Endocrinol 2011; 26:308-19. [PMID: 22194342 DOI: 10.1210/me.2011-1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Lin-11, Isl-1, and Mec-3 (LIM)-homeodomain (HD)-class transcription factors are critical for many aspects of mammalian organogenesis. Of these, LHX3 is essential for pituitary gland and nervous system development. Pediatric patients with mutations in coding regions of the LHX3 gene have complex syndromes, including combined pituitary hormone deficiency and nervous system defects resulting in symptoms such as dwarfism, thyroid insufficiency, infertility, and developmental delay. The pathways underlying early pituitary development are poorly understood, and the mechanisms by which the LHX3 gene is regulated in vivo are not known. Using bioinformatic and transgenic mouse approaches, we show that multiple conserved enhancers downstream of the human LHX3 gene direct expression to the developing pituitary and spinal cord in a pattern consistent with endogenous LHX3 expression. Several transferable cis elements can individually guide nervous system expression. However, a single 180-bp minimal enhancer is sufficient to confer specific expression in the developing pituitary. Within this sequence, tandem binding sites recognized by the islet-1 (ISL1) LIM-HD protein are essential for enhancer activity in the pituitary and spine, and a pituitary homeobox 1 (PITX1) bicoid class HD element is required for spatial patterning in the developing pituitary. This study establishes ISL1 as a novel transcriptional regulator of LHX3 and describes a potential mechanism for regulation by PITX1. Moreover, these studies suggest models for analyses of the transcriptional pathways coordinating the expression of other LIM-HD genes and provide tools for the molecular analysis and genetic counseling of pediatric patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel D Mullen
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5120, USA
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Rybina OY, Pasyukova EG. A naturally occurring polymorphism at Drosophila melanogaster Lim3 Locus, a homolog of human LHX3/4, affects Lim3 transcription and fly lifespan. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12621. [PMID: 20838645 PMCID: PMC2935391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2010] [Accepted: 08/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lim3 encodes an RNA polymerase II transcription factor with a key role in neuron specification. It was also identified as a candidate gene that affects lifespan. These pleiotropic effects indicate the fundamental significance of the potential interplay between neural development and lifespan control. The goal of this study was to analyze the causal relationships between Lim3 structural variations, and gene expression and lifespan changes, and to provide insights into regulatory pathways controlling lifespan. Fifty substitution lines containing second chromosomes from a Drosophila natural population were used to analyze the association between lifespan and sequence variation in the 5'-regulatory region, and first exon and intron of Lim3A, in which we discovered multiple transcription start sites (TSS). The core and proximal promoter organization for Lim3A and a previously unknown mRNA named Lim3C were described. A haplotype of two markers in the Lim3A regulatory region was significantly associated with variation in lifespan. We propose that polymorphisms in the regulatory region affect gene transcription, and consequently lifespan. Indeed, five polymorphic markers located within 380 to 680 bp of the Lim3A major TSS, including two markers associated with lifespan variation, were significantly associated with the level of Lim3A transcript, as evaluated by real time RT-PCR in embryos, adult heads, and testes. A naturally occurring polymorphism caused a six-fold change in gene transcription and a 25% change in lifespan. Markers associated with long lifespan and intermediate Lim3A transcription were present in the population at high frequencies. We hypothesize that polymorphic markers associated with Lim3A expression are located within the binding sites for proteins that regulate gene function, and provide general rather than tissue-specific regulation of transcription, and that intermediate levels of Lim3A expression confer a selective advantage and longer lifespan.
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11
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Kim KK, Park KS, Song SB, Kim KE. Insulin represses transcription of the thyroid stimulating hormone beta-subunit gene through increased recruitment of nuclear factor I. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:32003-11. [PMID: 20685655 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.107573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the regulation of thyroid stimulating hormone β-subunit gene (TSHβ) has been intensively studied, the functions of transcription factors involved are not fully understood. The authors found that the -615/-516 promoter region of the TSHβ interacts specifically with nuclear proteins derived from pituitary tissue or from cultured thyrotroph cells. The actual binding site at the nucleotide level, as revealed by DNase I protection assay, includes the consensus sequence for nuclear factor I (NFI). RT-PCR analysis indicated that NFI-B expression is restricted to thyrotroph cells in the anterior pituitary. EMSA and ChIP analysis showed that NFI-B binds most efficiently to the -588/-560 region of TSHβ promoter. The forced expressions of NFI-B markedly reduced TSHβ promoter activity and its mRNA expression. Furthermore, it was also shown that the -588/-560 region is involved in the insulin-mediated repression of the TSHβ. It was of particular interest to observe that NFI-B was recruited to the -588/-560 region of the TSHβ promoter in an insulin-dependent manner. Taken together, this study provides new insights of the delicate regulations of energy metabolism and hormonal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kee Kwang Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
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12
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Castinetti F, Reynaud R, Saveanu A, Quentien MH, Albarel F, Enjalbert A, Barlier A, Brue T. Congenital pituitary hormone deficiencies: role of LHX3/LHX4 genes. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2008; 3:751-760. [PMID: 30764064 DOI: 10.1586/17446651.3.6.751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
LHX3 and LHX4 are LIM domain transcription factors involved in the early steps of pituitary organogenesis. They are necessary for the proper differentiation of Rathke's pouch that gives rise to the anterior pituitary lobe. Mutations of these transcription factors are involved in congenital hypopituitarism: to date, nine mutations of LHX3 have been reported, responsible for variable pituitary hormone deficiencies and extrapituitary manifestations, including limited neck rotation. By contrast, only five LHX4 mutations have been reported, responsible for variable hormone deficiencies, and pituitary/intracranial abnormalities. Future investigations will aim to better understand human pituitary organogenesis and to shed light on the interspecies differences in the roles of these transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederic Castinetti
- a Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), UMR6231, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de la Méditerranée and Centre de Référence des Déficits Hypophysaires, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Rachel Reynaud
- a Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), UMR6231, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de la Méditerranée and Centre de Référence des Déficits Hypophysaires, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Alexandru Saveanu
- b Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), UMR6231, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de la Méditerranée and Centre de Référence des Déficits Hypophysaires, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France and Laboratoire de Biochimie-Biologie Moléculaire, Hôpital Conception, Marseille, France
| | - Marie-Helene Quentien
- a Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), UMR6231, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de la Méditerranée and Centre de Référence des Déficits Hypophysaires, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Frederique Albarel
- a Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), UMR6231, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de la Méditerranée and Centre de Référence des Déficits Hypophysaires, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Alain Enjalbert
- b Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), UMR6231, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de la Méditerranée and Centre de Référence des Déficits Hypophysaires, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France and Laboratoire de Biochimie-Biologie Moléculaire, Hôpital Conception, Marseille, France
| | - Anne Barlier
- b Centre de Recherche en Neurobiologie et Neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), UMR6231, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de la Méditerranée and Centre de Référence des Déficits Hypophysaires, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France and Laboratoire de Biochimie-Biologie Moléculaire, Hôpital Conception, Marseille, France
| | - Thierry Brue
- c Centre de Recherche en neurobiologie et neurophysiologie de Marseille (CRN2M), UMR6231, Faculté de Médecine Nord, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de la Méditerranée and Centre de Référence des déficits hypophysaires, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13385 Marseille, France.
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Rajab A, Kelberman D, de Castro SCP, Biebermann H, Shaikh H, Pearce K, Hall CM, Shaikh G, Gerrelli D, Grueters A, Krude H, Dattani MT. Novel mutations in LHX3 are associated with hypopituitarism and sensorineural hearing loss. Hum Mol Genet 2008; 17:2150-9. [PMID: 18407919 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddn114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Homozygous loss-of-function mutations in the transcription factor LHX3 have been associated with hypopituitarism with structural anterior pituitary defects and cervical abnormalities with or without restricted neck rotation. We report two novel recessive mutations in LHX3 in four patients from two unrelated pedigrees. Clinical evaluation revealed that all four patients exhibit varying degrees of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, which has not been previously reported in association with LHX3 mutations, in addition to hypopituitarism including adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency and an unusual skin and skeletal phenotype in one family. Furthermore, re-evaluation of three patients previously described with LHX3 mutations showed they also exhibit varying degrees of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. We have investigated a possible role for LHX3 in inner ear development in humans using in situ hybridization of human embryonic and fetal tissue. LHX3 is expressed in defined regions of the sensory epithelium of the developing inner ear in a pattern overlapping that of SOX2, which precedes the onset of LHX3 expression and is known to be required for inner ear and pituitary development in both mice and humans. Moreover, we show that SOX2 is capable of binding to and activating transcription of the LHX3 proximal promoter in vitro. This study therefore extends the phenotypic spectrum associated with LHX3 mutations to encompass variable sensorineural hearing loss and suggests a possible interaction between LHX3 and SOX2 likely to be important for development of both the inner ear and the anterior pituitary in human embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rajab
- Genetics Unit, DGHA, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
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Liu S, Luo H, Liu J, McNeilly AS, Cui S. Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) plays role in regulating LIM homeodomain transcription factor Lhx4 gene expression. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2008; 366:36-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.11.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2007] [Accepted: 11/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Savage JJ, Mullen RD, Sloop KW, Colvin SC, Camper SA, Franklin CL, Rhodes SJ. Transgenic mice expressing LHX3 transcription factor isoforms in the pituitary: effects on the gonadotrope axis and sex-specific reproductive disease. J Cell Physiol 2007; 212:105-17. [PMID: 17311285 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The LHX3 transcription factor plays critical roles in pituitary and nervous system development. Mutations in the human LHX3 gene cause severe hormone deficiency diseases. The gene produces two mRNAs which can be translated to three protein isoforms. The LHX3a protein contains a central region with LIM domains and a homeodomain, and a carboxyl terminus with the major transactivation domain. LHX3b is identical to LHX3a except that it has a different amino terminus. M2-LHX3 lacks the amino terminus and LIM domains of LHX3a/b. In vitro experiments have demonstrated these three proteins have different biochemical and gene regulatory properties. Here, to investigate the effects of overexpression of LHX3 in vivo, the alpha glycoprotein subunit (alphaGSU) promoter was used to produce LHX3a, LHX3b, and M2-LHX3 in the pituitary glands of transgenic mice. Alpha GSU-beta galactosidase animals were generated as controls. Male alphaGSU-LHX3a and alphaGSU-LHX3b mice are infertile and die at a young age as a result of complications associated with obstructive uropathy including uremia. These animals have a reduced number of pituitary gonadotrope cells, low circulating gonadotropins, and possible sex hormone imbalance. Female alphaGSU-LHX3a and alphaGSU-LHX3b transgenic mice are viable but have reduced fertility. By contrast, alphaGSU-M2-LHX3 mice and control mice expressing beta galactosidase are reproductively unaffected. These overexpression studies provide insights into the properties of LHX3 during pituitary development and highlight the importance of this factor in reproductive physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse J Savage
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA
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Mullen RD, Colvin SC, Hunter CS, Savage JJ, Walvoord EC, Bhangoo AP, Ten S, Weigel J, Pfäffle RW, Rhodes SJ. Roles of the LHX3 and LHX4 LIM-homeodomain factors in pituitary development. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2007; 265-266:190-5. [PMID: 17210222 PMCID: PMC1853274 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2006.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The LHX3 and LHX4 LIM-homeodomain transcription factors play essential roles in pituitary gland and nervous system development. Mutations in the genes encoding these regulatory proteins are associated with combined hormone deficiency diseases in humans and animal models. Patients with these diseases have complex syndromes involving short stature, and reproductive and metabolic disorders. Analyses of the features of these diseases and the biochemical properties of the LHX3 and LHX4 proteins will facilitate a better understanding of the molecular pathways that regulate the development of the specialized hormone-secreting cells of the mammalian anterior pituitary gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel D. Mullen
- Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Stephanie C. Colvin
- Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
- Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Chad S. Hunter
- Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
- Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Jesse J. Savage
- Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
- Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN
| | | | | | - Svetlana Ten
- Infants and Children’s Hospital of Brooklyn at Maimonides, Brooklyn, NY
| | | | | | - Simon J. Rhodes
- Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
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