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Jin L, Liu Y, Wu Y, Huang Y, Zhang D. REST Is Not Resting: REST/NRSF in Health and Disease. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1477. [PMID: 37892159 PMCID: PMC10605157 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin modifications play a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression. The repressor element-1 (RE1) silencing transcription factor (REST), also known as neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) and X2 box repressor (XBR), was found to regulate gene transcription by binding to chromatin and recruiting chromatin-modifying enzymes. Earlier studies revealed that REST plays an important role in the development and disease of the nervous system, mainly by repressing the transcription of neuron-specific genes. Subsequently, REST was found to be critical in other tissues, such as the heart, pancreas, skin, eye, and vascular. Dysregulation of REST was also found in nervous and non-nervous system cancers. In parallel, multiple strategies to target REST have been developed. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive summary of the research progress made over the past 28 years since the discovery of REST, encompassing both physiological and pathological aspects. These insights into the effects and mechanisms of REST contribute to an in-depth understanding of the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of genes and their roles in the development and progression of disease, with a view to discovering potential therapeutic targets and intervention strategies for various related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Jin
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Yifan Wu
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Dianbao Zhang
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of China, and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of China, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
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2
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The NRSF/REST transcription factor in hallmarks of cancer: From molecular mechanisms to clinical relevance. Biochimie 2023; 206:116-134. [PMID: 36283507 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.10.012] [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: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), or neuron restrictive silencing factor (NRSF), was first identified as a repressor of neuronal genes in non-neuronal tissue. Interestingly, this transcription factor may act as a tumor suppressor or an oncogenic role in developing neuroendocrine and other tumors in patients. The hallmarks of cancer include six biological processes, including proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppressors, resistance to cell death, replicative immortality, inducing angiogenesis, and activating invasion and metastasis. In addition to two emerging hallmarks, the reprogramming of energy metabolism and evasion of the immune response are all implicated in the development of human tumors. It is essential to know the role of these processes as they will affect the outcome of alternatives for cancer treatment. Various studies in this review demonstrate that NRSF/REST affects the different hallmarks of cancer that could position NRSF/REST as an essential target in the therapy and diagnosis of certain types of cancer.
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3
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Lyu M, Shalitana A, Luo J, He H, Sun S, Wang P. Overexpression of the Tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) gene inhibits goat myoblasts proliferation and differentiation in understanding the underlying mechanism of muscle development. Gene 2020; 757:144943. [PMID: 32652105 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The growth of animal skeletal muscle is mainly determined by the synthesis processes of total proteins in skeletal muscle cells, which has a significant impact on the postnatal growth of young animals. An increasing number of studies are focusing on the functions of Tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) during the process of cell protein synthesis and growth. However, it is still unclear the effect of whether and how TSC2 on goat myoblasts proliferation and differentiation. Here, we found that TSC2 gene has opposite expression patterns in proliferation and differentiation of myoblasts. An expression vector containing goat TSC2 cDNA sequences linked with pcDNA3.1 plasmid was constructed. Myoblasts proliferation activity was significantly inhibited and cell cycle transition slowed down after the transfection of pcDNA3.1-TSC2 plasmid into goat primary myoblasts by EdU staining, CCK-8 and flow cytometry. Mechanically, we further confirmed that the overexpression TSC2 was able to down-regulate the mRNA and protein expression of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70 ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (p70S6K) and some cell cycle related genes. In addition, the expression of myogenic genes and myotube formation were attenuated. Collectively, all our results of the experiment demonstrate that TSC2 could regulate myoblasts cells proliferation and differentiation via the activation of the mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Lyu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Alai Shalitana
- Department of Xinjiang Institute for Cancer Research, Xinjiang Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Jun Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Huanshan He
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Shuang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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Song Z, Shah SZA, Yang W, Dong H, Yang L, Zhou X, Zhao D. Downregulation of the Repressor Element 1-Silencing Transcription Factor (REST) Is Associated with Akt-mTOR and Wnt-β-Catenin Signaling in Prion Diseases Models. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:128. [PMID: 28515679 PMCID: PMC5413570 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of infectious diseases characterized by multiple neuropathological changes, yet the mechanisms that preserve function and protect against prion-associated neurodegeneration are still unclear. We previously reported that the repressor element 1-silencing transcription factor (REST) alleviates neurotoxic prion peptide (PrP106-126)-induced toxicity in primary neurons. Here we confirmed the findings of the in vitro model in 263K infected hamsters, an in vivo model of prion diseases and further showed the relationships between REST and related signaling pathways. REST was depleted from the nucleus in prion infected brains and taken up by autophagosomes in the cytoplasm, co-localizing with LC3-II. Importantly, downregulation of the Akt–mTOR and at least partially inactivation of LRP6-Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathways correlated with the decreased levels of REST in vivo in the brain of 263K-infected hamsters and in vitro in PrP106-126-treated primary neurons. Overexpression of REST in primary cortical neurons alleviated PrP106-126 peptide-induced neuronal oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and partly inhibition of the LRP6-Wnt-β-catenin and Akt–mTOR signaling. Based on our findings, a model of REST-mediated neuroprotection in prion infected animals is proposed, with Akt–mTOR and Wnt-β-catenin signaling as the key pathways. REST-mediated neuronal survival signaling could be explored as a viable therapeutic target for prion diseases and related neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Song
- The State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Syed Z A Shah
- The State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Wei Yang
- The State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Haodi Dong
- The State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Lifeng Yang
- The State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Xiangmei Zhou
- The State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Deming Zhao
- The State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, Key Lab of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, National Animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural UniversityBeijing, China
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Evidence Supporting a Lymphatic Endothelium Origin for Angiomyolipoma, a TSC2(-) Tumor Related to Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2016; 186:1825-1836. [PMID: 27289491 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Angiomyolipoma (AML) is a tumor closely related to lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Both entities are characterized by the proliferation of smooth muscle actin and melanocytic glycoprotein 100 (recognized by antibody HMB-45)-positive spindle-shaped and epithelioid cells. AML and LAM are etiologically linked to mutations in the tsc2 and tsc1 genes in the case of LAM. These genes encode the proteins tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-1 and TSC2, which are directly involved in suppressing the mechanistic target of rapamycin cell growth signaling pathway. Although significant progress has been made in characterizing and pharmacologically slowing the progression of AML and LAM with rapamycin, our understanding of their pathogenesis lacks an identified cell of origin. We used an AML-derived cell line to determine whether TSC2 restitution brings about the cell type from which AML arises. We found that AML cells express lymphatic endothelial cell markers consistent with lymphatic endothelial cell precursors in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, on TSC2 correction, AML cells mature into adult lymphatic endothelial cells and have functional attributes characteristic of this cell lineage, suggesting a lymphatic endothelial cell of origin for AML. These effects are dependent on TSC2-mediated mechanistic target of rapamycin inactivation. Finally, we demonstrate the in vitro effectiveness of norcantharidin, a lymphangiogenesis inhibitor, as a potential co-adjuvant therapy in the treatment of AML.
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miR-218 Involvement in Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy Is Likely through Targeting REST. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17060848. [PMID: 27258257 PMCID: PMC4926382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17060848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as key players in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which is associated with significant risks of heart failure. However, many microRNAs are still not recognized for their functions in pathophysiological processes. In this study, we evaluated effects of miR-218 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy using both in vitro and in vivo models. We found that miR-218 was evidently downregulated in a transverse aortic constriction (TAC) mouse model. Overexpression of miR-218 is sufficient to reduce hypertrophy, whereas the suppression of miR-218 aggravates hypertrophy in primary cardiomyocytes induced by isoprenaline (ISO). In addition, we identified RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) as a novel target of miR-218; it negatively regulated the expression of REST in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes and the TAC model. These results showed that miR-218 plays a crucial role in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, likely via targeting REST, suggesting a potential candidate target for interfering hypertrophy.
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7
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Liu B, Cheng S, Xing W, Pourteymoor S, Mohan S. RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor (Rest) is a Novel Regulator of Osteoblast Differentiation. J Cell Biochem 2016; 116:1932-8. [PMID: 25727884 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
RE1-silencing transcription factor (Rest) has been identified as a master negative regulator of neuronal differentiation. Nothing is known about Rest function in bone cells. In this study, we examined the Rest expression levels and role during osteoblast differentiation. We found that Rest is abundantly expressed in bone marrow stromal cells, calvarial osteoblasts, and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Treatment of primary osteoblasts with ascorbic acid (AA) down regulated Rest mRNA expression at an early stage, but not in later stages of differentiation. Consistent with treatment of primary cultures, AA treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells significantly reduced Rest protein expression at day 3 and at day 8 after initiation of osteoblast differentiation. Treatment of bone marrow stromal cells with BMP-2 and dexamethasone, but not IGF-I for 3 days greatly decreased Rest mRNA expression. To test the function of Rest during osteoblast differentiation, Rest expression was knocked down in MC3T3-E1 cell subclones segregated on the basis of ALP activity (differentiation status) using lentivirus expressing shRNA against Rest. An 80% knockdown of Rest expression decreased Osterix (Osx) expression by 52-57% and as a result, increased both basal and AA induced ALP expression and activity in the subclone that expresses low basal level of ALP (undifferentiated). By contrast, a 98% knockdown of Rest expression in cells that express high basal levels of ALP (differentiated cells) caused a significant reduction in Osx expression, basal and AA induced ALP expression and activity. These data suggest that Rest regulates early osteoblast differentiation via modulating Rest expression that is independent of Osx expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L Pettis VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, California.,Department of Orthopedics, The 3rd Xiangya Hosptial, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Departments of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Shaohong Cheng
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L Pettis VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, California
| | - Weirong Xing
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L Pettis VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, California.,Departments of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | - Sheila Pourteymoor
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L Pettis VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, California
| | - Subburaman Mohan
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L Pettis VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, California.,Departments of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
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REST Regulates Non-Cell-Autonomous Neuronal Differentiation and Maturation of Neural Progenitor Cells via Secretogranin II. J Neurosci 2016; 35:14872-84. [PMID: 26538656 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4286-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), a master negative regulator of neuronal differentiation, controls neurogenesis by preventing the differentiation of neural stem cells. Here we focused on the role of REST in the early steps of differentiation and maturation of adult hippocampal progenitors (AHPs). REST knockdown promoted differentiation and affected the maturation of rat AHPs. Surprisingly, REST knockdown cells enhanced the differentiation of neighboring wild-type AHPs, suggesting that REST may play a non-cell-autonomous role. Gene expression analysis identified Secretogranin II (Scg2) as the major secreted REST target responsible for the non-cell-autonomous phenotype. Loss-of-function of Scg2 inhibited differentiation in vitro, and exogenous SCG2 partially rescued this phenotype. Knockdown of REST in neural progenitors in mice led to precocious maturation into neurons at the expense of mushroom spines in vivo. In summary, we found that, in addition to its cell-autonomous function, REST regulates differentiation and maturation of AHPs non-cell-autonomously via SCG2. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our results reveal that REST regulates differentiation and maturation of neural progenitor cells in vitro by orchestrating both cell-intrinsic and non-cell-autonomous factors and that Scg2 is a major secretory target of REST with a differentiation-enhancing activity in a paracrine manner. In vivo, REST depletion causes accelerated differentiation of newborn neurons at the expense of spine defects, suggesting a potential role for REST in the timing of the maturation of granule neurons.
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Brain REST/NRSF Is Not Only a Silent Repressor but Also an Active Protector. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:541-550. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9658-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Garcia-Manteiga JM, Bonfiglio S, Folladori L, Malosio ML, Lazarevic D, Stupka E, Cittaro D, Meldolesi J. REST-Governed Gene Expression Profiling in a Neuronal Cell Model Reveals Novel Direct and Indirect Processes of Repression and Up-Regulation. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:438. [PMID: 26617488 PMCID: PMC4639699 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of REST changes in neurons, including the rapid decrease of its level during differentiation and its fluctuations during many mature functions and diseases, is well established. However, identification of many thousand possible REST-target genes, mostly based on indirect criteria, and demonstration of their operative dependence on the repressor have been established for only a relatively small fraction. In the present study, starting from our recently published work, we have expanded the identification of REST-dependent genes, investigated in two clones of the PC12 line, a recognized neuronal cell model, spontaneously expressing different levels of REST: very low as in neurons and much higher as in most non-neural cells. The molecular, structural and functional differences of the two PC12 clones were shown to depend largely on their different REST level and the ensuing variable expression of some dependent genes. Comprehensive RNA-Seq analyses of the 13,700 genes expressed, validated by parallel RT-PCR and western analyses of mRNAs and encoded proteins, identified in the high-REST clone two groups of almost 900 repressed and up-regulated genes. Repression is often due to direct binding of REST to target genes; up-regulation to indirect mechanism(s) mostly mediated by REST repression of repressive transcription factors. Most, but not all, genes governing neurosecretion, excitability, and receptor channel signaling were repressed in the high REST clone. The genes governing expression of non-channel receptors (G protein-coupled and others), although variably affected, were often up-regulated together with the genes of intracellular kinases, small G proteins, cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix proteins. Expression of REST-dependent genes governing functions other than those mentioned so far were also identified. The results obtained by the parallel investigation of the two PC12 clones revealed the complexity of the REST molecular and functional role, deciphering new aspects of its participation in neuronal functions. The new findings could be relevant for further investigation and interpretation of physiological processes typical of neurons. Moreover, they could be employed as tools in the study of neuronal diseases recently shown to depend on REST for their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Garcia-Manteiga
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Bonfiglio
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Folladori
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience and Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre Milan, Italy
| | - Maria L Malosio
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience and Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre Milan, Italy
| | - Dejan Lazarevic
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
| | - Elia Stupka
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Cittaro
- Center for Translational Genomics and Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Meldolesi
- Division of Neurosciences, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and Scientific Institute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
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Epigenomics of Neural Cells: REST-Induced Down- and Upregulation of Gene Expression in a Two-Clone PC12 Cell Model. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:202914. [PMID: 26413508 PMCID: PMC4564578 DOI: 10.1155/2015/202914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cell epigenomics depends on the marks released by transcription factors operating via the assembly of complexes that induce focal changes of DNA and histone structure. Among these factors is REST, a repressor that, via its strong decrease, governs both neuronal and neural cell differentiation and specificity. REST operation on thousands of possible genes can occur directly or via indirect mechanisms including repression of other factors. In previous studies of gene down- and upregulation, processes had been only partially investigated in neural cells. PC12 are well-known neural cells sharing properties with neurons. In the widely used PC12 populations, low-REST cells coexist with few, spontaneous high-REST PC12 cells. High- and low-REST PC12 clones were employed to investigate the role and the mechanisms of the repressor action. Among 15,500 expressed genes we identified 1,770 target and nontarget, REST-dependent genes. Functionally, these genes were found to operate in many pathways, from synaptic function to extracellular matrix. Mechanistically, downregulated genes were predominantly repressed directly by REST; upregulated genes were mostly governed indirectly. Among other factors, Polycomb complexes cooperated with REST for downregulation, and Smad3 and Myod1 participated in upregulation. In conclusion, we have highlighted that PC12 clones are a useful model to investigate REST, opening opportunities to development of epigenomic investigation.
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12
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NRSF: an Angel or a Devil in Neurogenesis and Neurological Diseases. J Mol Neurosci 2014; 56:131-44. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-014-0474-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Charbord J, Poydenot P, Bonnefond C, Feyeux M, Casagrande F, Brinon B, Francelle L, Aurégan G, Guillermier M, Cailleret M, Viegas P, Nicoleau C, Martinat C, Brouillet E, Cattaneo E, Peschanski M, Lechuga M, Perrier AL. High throughput screening for inhibitors of REST in neural derivatives of human embryonic stem cells reveals a chemical compound that promotes expression of neuronal genes. Stem Cells 2014; 31:1816-28. [PMID: 23712629 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Decreased expression of neuronal genes such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with several neurological disorders. One molecular mechanism associated with Huntington disease (HD) is a discrete increase in the nuclear activity of the transcriptional repressor REST/NRSF binding to repressor element-1 (RE1) sequences. High-throughput screening of a library of 6,984 compounds with luciferase-assay measuring REST activity in neural derivatives of human embryonic stem cells led to identify two benzoimidazole-5-carboxamide derivatives that inhibited REST silencing in a RE1-dependent manner. The most potent compound, X5050, targeted REST degradation, but neither REST expression, RNA splicing nor binding to RE1 sequence. Differential transcriptomic analysis revealed the upregulation of neuronal genes targeted by REST in wild-type neural cells treated with X5050. This activity was confirmed in neural cells produced from human induced pluripotent stem cells derived from a HD patient. Acute intraventricular delivery of X5050 increased the expressions of BDNF and several other REST-regulated genes in the prefrontal cortex of mice with quinolinate-induced striatal lesions. This study demonstrates that the use of pluripotent stem cell derivatives can represent a crucial step toward the identification of pharmacological compounds with therapeutic potential in neurological affections involving decreased expression of neuronal genes associated to increased REST activity, such as Huntington disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie Charbord
- Inserm U861, AFM Evry Cedex, France; UEVE U861, AFM Evry Cedex, France
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REST/NRSF-mediated intrinsic homeostasis protects neuronal networks from hyperexcitability. EMBO J 2013; 32:2994-3007. [PMID: 24149584 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2013.231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic homeostasis enables neuronal circuits to maintain activity levels within an appropriate range by modulating neuronal voltage-gated conductances, but the signalling pathways involved in this process are largely unknown. We characterized the process of intrinsic homeostasis induced by sustained electrical activity in cultured hippocampal neurons based on the activation of the Repressor Element-1 Silencing Transcription Factor/Neuron-Restrictive Silencer Factor (REST/NRSF). We showed that 4-aminopyridine-induced hyperactivity enhances the expression of REST/NRSF, which in turn, reduces the expression of voltage-gated Na(+) channels, thereby decreasing the neuronal Na(+) current density. This mechanism plays an important role in the downregulation of the firing activity at the single-cell level, re-establishing a physiological spiking activity in the entire neuronal network. Conversely, interfering with REST/NRSF expression impaired this homeostatic response. Our results identify REST/NRSF as a critical factor linking neuronal activity to the activation of intrinsic homeostasis and restoring a physiological level of activity in the entire neuronal network.
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Negrini S, D'Alessandro R, Meldolesi J. NGF signaling in PC12 cells: the cooperation of p75(NTR) with TrkA is needed for the activation of both mTORC2 and the PI3K signalling cascade. Biol Open 2013; 2:855-66. [PMID: 23951412 PMCID: PMC3744078 DOI: 10.1242/bio.20135116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PC12-27, a PC12 clone characterized by high levels of the transcription repressor REST and by very low mTORC2 activity, had been shown to be unresponsive to NGF, possibly because of its lack of the specific TrkA receptor. The neurotrophin receptor repressed by high REST in PC12-27 cells, however, is shown now to be not TrkA, which is normal, but p75(NTR), whose expression is inhibited at the transcriptional level. When treated with NGF, the PC12-27 cells lacking p75(NTR) exhibited a defective TrkA autophosphorylation restricted, however, to the TrkA(Y490) site, and an impairment of the PI3K signaling cascade. This defect was sustained in part by a mTORC1-dependent feed-back inhibition that in wtPC12 cells appeared marginal. Transfection of p75(NTR) to a level and surface distribution analogous to wtPC12 did not modify various high REST-dependent properties of PC12-27 cells such as high β-catenin, low TSC2 and high proliferation rate. In contrast, the defective PI3K signaling cascade and its associated mTORC2 activity were largely rescued together with the NGF-induced neurite outgrowth response. These changes were not due to p75(NTR) alone but required its cooperation with TrkA. Our results demonstrate that, in PC12, high REST induces alterations of NGF signaling which, however, are indirect, dependent on the repression of p75(NTR); and that the well-known potentiation by p75(NTR) of the TrkA signaling does not concern all the effects induced by NGF but primarily the PI3K cascade and its associated mTORC2, a complex known to play an important role in neural cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Negrini
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute , DIBIT, via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan , Italy ; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University , Division of Neuroscience, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan , Italy
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Expression and function of the dense-core vesicle membranes are governed by the transcription repressor REST. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:1915-22. [PMID: 23651552 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Revised: 04/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The membrane of dense-core vesicles is present only in neural cells, where it is instrumental to the regulated discharge of important molecules such as the catecholamine neurotransmitters. The mechanism underlying the specificity of this membrane to certain cell types has so far been unclear. Studies of this problem have been carried out by employing the pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line and its clones defective of dense-core vesicles. REST, the transcription repressor expressed at high levels in non-neural and at very low levels in neural cells, was found to regulate the genes encoding almost all the proteins of both the core and the membrane of the dense-core vesicles, including the transporter for catecholamines and the SNAREs for their exocytosis. Moreover, REST appears to control the assembly of the vesicle membrane. The role of REST in the various steps of the expression and function of the dense-core vesicle membrane is critical during development and participates in the dynamic regulation of mature cell physiology.
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Das CM, Taylor P, Gireud M, Singh A, Lee D, Fuller G, Ji L, Fangusaro J, Rajaram V, Goldman S, Eberhart C, Gopalakrishnan V. The deubiquitylase USP37 links REST to the control of p27 stability and cell proliferation. Oncogene 2013; 32:1691-701. [PMID: 22665064 PMCID: PMC3435483 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Revised: 03/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST) is a repressor of neuronal differentiation and its elevated expression in neural cells blocks neuronal differentiation. In this study, we demonstrate a role for REST in the control of proliferation of medulloblastoma cells. REST expression decreased the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)NIB/p27, a CDK inhibitor and a brake of cell proliferation in these cells. The reciprocal relationship between REST and p27 was validated in human tumor samples. REST knockdown in medulloblastoma cells derepessed a novel REST target gene encoding the deubiquitylase ubiquitin (Ub)-specific peptidase 37 (USP37). Ectopically expressed wild-type USP37 formed a complex with p27, promoted its deubiquitination and stabilization and blocked cell proliferation. Knockdown of REST and USP37 prevented p27 stabilization and blocked the diminution in proliferative potential that normally accompanied REST loss. Unexpectedly, wild-type USP37 expression also induced the expression of REST-target neuronal differentiation genes even though REST levels were unaffected. In contrast, a mutant of USP37 carrying a site-directed change in a conserved cysteine failed to rescue REST-mediated p27 destabilization, maintenance of cell proliferation and blockade to neuronal differentiation. Consistent with these findings, a significant correlation between USP37 and p27 was observed in patient tumors. Collectively, these findings provide a novel connection between REST and the proteasomal machinery in the control of p27 and cell proliferation in medulloblastoma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra M. Das
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Pete Taylor
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Monica Gireud
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Akanksha Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Dean Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Greg Fuller
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Lingyun Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Jason Fangusaro
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Veena Rajaram
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Stewart Goldman
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Charles Eberhart
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Vidya Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Brain Tumor Center, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Centers for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- Program in Neuroscience, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas
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Negrini S, Prada I, D'Alessandro R, Meldolesi J. REST: an oncogene or a tumor suppressor? Trends Cell Biol 2013; 23:289-95. [PMID: 23414932 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2013.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Revised: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Repressor Element-1 (RE-1) Silencing Transcription (REST) factor, which is highly expressed in stem cells and non-neural cells, with low expression in neurons and other neural cells, orchestrates neural differentiation and preserves the unique neural phenotype. REST also plays a role in proliferation, although its effect differs depending on the cell type. It acts as an oncogene in neural cells and tumors (medulloblastomas, neuroblastomas, glioblastomas) and as a tumor suppressor in carcinomas of the lung, breast, and colon. The mechanisms underlying this duality have started to emerge recently and new therapeutic approaches based on these findings are being developed. Here, we present the mechanisms proposed to account for the oncogenic and antioncogenic roles of REST and discuss the therapeutic perspective of recent advances, particularly for small-cell lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Negrini
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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Tagliavacca L, Colombo F, Racchetti G, Meldolesi J. L1CAM and its cell-surface mutants: new mechanisms and effects relevant to the physiology and pathology of neural cells. J Neurochem 2012; 124:397-409. [PMID: 22973895 PMCID: PMC3557714 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2012] [Revised: 09/05/2012] [Accepted: 09/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The L1 syndrome, a genetic disease that affects 1/30 000 newborn males, is sustained by numerous missense mutations of L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), an adhesion surface protein active also in transmembrane signaling, essential for the development and function of neurons. To investigate the cell biology of L1CAM, we employed a high RE1-silencing transcription (factor) clone of the pheochromocytoma PC12 line, defective in L1CAM expression and neurite outgrowth. The clone was transfected with wild-type L1CAM and four missense, disease-inducing point mutants encoding proteins distributed to the cell surface. The mutant-expressing cells, defective in adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins and in migration, exhibited unchanged proliferation. The nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth was re-established in defective clone cells transfected with the wild-type and the H210Q and I219T L1CAMs mutants, but not in the others. The stimulated outgrowth was confirmed in a second defective PC12 clone over-expressing the NGF receptor TrkA, treated with NGF and/or a recombinant L1CAM chimera. These results revealed a new function of L1CAM, a positive, robust and dose-dependent modulation of the TrkA receptor activated spontaneously or by NGF. The variable effects observed with the different L1CAM mutants suggest that this function contributes to the marked heterogeneity of symptoms and severity observed in the patients affected by the L1 syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigina Tagliavacca
- Department of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Institute, Milano, Italy
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Mikulak J, Negrini S, Klajn A, D'Alessandro R, Mavilio D, Meldolesi J. Dual REST-dependence of L1CAM: from gene expression to alternative splicing governed by Nova2 in neural cells. J Neurochem 2012; 120:699-709. [PMID: 22176577 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07626.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), an adhesion/signaling protein encoded by a gene target of the transcription repressor RE-1-Silencing Transcription factor (REST), is expressed in two alternatively spliced isoforms. The full-length isoform, typical of low-REST neural cells, plays key roles in survival/migration, outgrowth/fasciculation/regeneration of axons, synaptic plasticity; the isoform missing two mini-exons, abundant in a few high-REST non-neural cells, maintains some effect on migration and proliferation. To investigate whether and how L1CAM alternative splicing depends on REST we used neural cell models expressing low or high levels of REST (PC12, SH-SY5Y, differentiated NT2/D1 and primary neurons transduced or not with REST). The short isoform was found to rise when the low-REST levels of neural cells were experimentally increased, while the full-length isoform increased in high-REST cells when the repressor tone was attenuated. These results were due to Nova2, a neural cell-specific splicing factor shown here to be repressed by REST. REST control of L1CAM occurs therefore by two mechanisms, transcription and alternative splicing. The splicing mechanism, affecting not only L1CAM but all Nova2 targets (∼7% of brain-specific splicing, including the mRNAs of other adhesion and synaptic proteins) is expected to be critical during development and important also for the structure and function of mature neural cells.
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Racchetti G, D'Alessandro R, Meldolesi J. Astrocyte stellation, a process dependent on Rac1 is sustained by the regulated exocytosis of enlargeosomes. Glia 2011; 60:465-75. [PMID: 22144092 PMCID: PMC3306795 DOI: 10.1002/glia.22280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2011] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cultured astrocytes exhibit a flat/epitelioid phenotype much different from the star-like phenotype of tissue astrocytes. Upon exposure to treatments that affect the small GTPase Rho and/or its effector ROCK, however, flat astrocytes undergo stellation, with restructuring of cytoskeleton and outgrowth of processes with lamellipodia, assuming a phenotype closer to that exhibited in situ. The mechanisms of this change are known only in part. Using the ROCK blocker drug Y27632, which induces rapid (tens of min), dose-dependent and reversible stellations, we focused on two specific aspects of the process: its dependence on small GTPases and the large surface expansion of the cells. Contrary to previous reports, we found stellation to be governed by the small G protein Rac1, up to disappearance of the process when Rac1 was downregulated or blocked by a specific drug. In contrast cdc42, the other G-protein often involved in phenotype changes, appeared not involved. The surface expansion concomitant to cytoskeleton restructuring, also dependent on Rac1, was found to be at least partially sustained by the exocytosis of enlargeosomes, small vesicles distinct from classical cell organelles, which are abundant in astrocytes. Exhaustion of stellation induced by repeated administrations of Y27632 correlated with the decrease of the enlargeosome pool. A whole-cell process like stellation of cultured astrocytes might be irrelevant in the brain tissue. However, local restructuring of the cytoskeleton coordinate with surface expansion, occurring at critical cell sites and sustained by mechanisms analogous to those of stellation, might be of importance in both astrocyte physiology and pathology. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Racchetti
- Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Division of Neuroscience and IIT Network, Research Unit of Molecular Neuroscience, via Olgettina 58, Milan, Italy
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