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Lu H, Zhang J, Chen YE, Garcia-Barrio MT. Integration of Transformative Platforms for the Discovery of Causative Genes in Cardiovascular Diseases. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2021; 35:637-654. [PMID: 33856594 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-021-07175-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are powerful epidemiological tools to find genes and variants associated with cardiovascular diseases while follow-up biological studies allow to better understand the etiology and mechanisms of disease and assign causality. Improved methodologies and reduced costs have allowed wider use of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, human-induced pluripotent stem cells, organoids, metabolomics, epigenomics, and novel animal models in conjunction with GWAS. In this review, we feature recent advancements relevant to cardiovascular diseases arising from the integration of genetic findings with multiple enabling technologies within multidisciplinary teams to highlight the solidifying transformative potential of this approach. Well-designed workflows integrating different platforms are greatly improving and accelerating the unraveling and understanding of complex disease processes while promoting an effective way to find better drug targets, improve drug design and repurposing, and provide insight towards a more personalized clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haocheng Lu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2800, USA
| | - Jifeng Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2800, USA.,Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2800, USA. .,Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Minerva T Garcia-Barrio
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2800, USA.
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Human progranulin-expressing mice as a novel tool for the development of progranulin-modulating therapeutics. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 153:105314. [PMID: 33636385 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The granulin protein (also known as, and hereafter referred to as, progranulin) is a secreted glycoprotein that contributes to overall brain health. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the progranulin protein (Granulin Precursor, GRN) are a common cause of familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Gene therapy approaches that aim to increase progranulin expression from a single wild-type allele, an area of active investigation for the potential treatment of GRN-dependent FTD, will benefit from the availability of a mouse model that expresses a genomic copy of the human GRN gene. Here we report the development and characterization of a novel mouse model that expresses the entire human GRN gene in its native genomic context as a single copy inserted into a defined locus (Hprt) in the mouse genome. We show that human and mouse progranulin are expressed in a similar tissue-specific pattern, suggesting that the two genes are regulated by similar mechanisms. Human progranulin rescues a phenotype characteristic of progranulin-null mice, the exaggerated and early deposition of the aging pigment lipofuscin in the brain, indicating that the two proteins are functionally similar. Longitudinal behavioural and neuropathological analyses revealed no significant differences between wild-type and human progranulin-overexpressing mice up to 18 months of age, providing evidence that long-term increase of progranulin levels is well tolerated in mice. Finally, we demonstrate that human progranulin expression can be increased in the brain using an antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits a known GRN-regulating micro-RNA, demonstrating that the transgene is responsive to potential gene therapy drugs. Human progranulin-expressing mice represent a novel and valuable tool to expedite the development of progranulin-modulating therapeutics.
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Cunningham AM, Santos TL, Gutzeit VA, Hamilton H, Hen R, Donaldson ZR. Functional Interrogation of a Depression-Related Serotonergic Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, rs6295, Using a Humanized Mouse Model. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3197-3206. [PMID: 30694044 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1A) system has been extensively implicated in modulating mood and behavior. Notably, 5-HT1A levels in humans display remarkable variation, and differences in receptor levels have been linked with a variety of psychiatric disorders. Further, reduction of receptor levels by 30-50% in mice suggests that changes in receptor levels that model existing human variation are sufficient to drive behavioral alterations. As a result, genetic mechanisms that modulate human 5-HT1A levels may be important for explaining individual differences in mood and behavior, representing a potential source of psychiatric disease risk. One common genetic variant implicated in differential 5-HT1A levels is the G/C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6295, located upstream of the human 5-HT1A gene. This SNP differentially binds the transcription factor, NUDR/Deaf1, leading to cell-type specific effects on transcription in vitro. To investigate the direct effects of this SNP in the heterogeneous cellular context of the brain, we generated humanized transgenic mice using a design that maximized the local transcriptional landscape of the human HTR1A gene while also controlling for effects of genomic insertion location. We integrated a 180 kb human bacteria artificial chromosome (BAC) transgene containing G- and C-alleles of rs6295 flanked by FRT or loxP sites. Subsequent deletion of each allele by Cre- or Flp-recombinase resulted in rs6295G and C alleles in the same genomic location. These alleles were bred onto a 5-HT1A null mouse such that the human BAC was the sole source of 5-HT1A in these mice. We generated three separate lines, two of which had detectable human 5-HT1A levels in the brain, although none displayed expression in the raphe. Of these, one line exhibited rs6295-dependent differences in 5-HT1A levels and differences in behavior, even though the overall levels were considerably lower than native expression levels. The line-dependent effect of rs6295 on protein levels and behavior may depend upon differences in background genetic factors or different insertion sites across each line. This work confirms that relatively subtle differences in 5-HT1A levels can contribute to differences in behavior and highlights the challenges of modeling human noncoding genetic variation in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M. Cunningham
- Division of Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
- Departments of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Tabia L. Santos
- Division of Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Vanessa A. Gutzeit
- Division of Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Heather Hamilton
- Departments of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - René Hen
- Division of Integrative Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Zoe R. Donaldson
- Departments of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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Twenty-Seven Tamoxifen-Inducible iCre-Driver Mouse Strains for Eye and Brain, Including Seventeen Carrying a New Inducible-First Constitutive-Ready Allele. Genetics 2019; 211:1155-1177. [PMID: 30765420 PMCID: PMC6456315 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.301984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand gene function, the cre/loxP conditional system is the most powerful available for temporal and spatial control of expression in mouse. However, the research community requires more cre recombinase expressing transgenic mouse strains (cre-drivers) that restrict expression to specific cell types. To address these problems, a high-throughput method for large-scale production that produces high-quality results is necessary. Further, endogenous promoters need to be chosen that drive cell type specific expression, or we need to further focus the expression by manipulating the promoter. Here we test the suitability of using knock-ins at the docking site 5′ of Hprt for rapid development of numerous cre-driver strains focused on expression in adulthood, using an improved cre tamoxifen inducible allele (icre/ERT2), and testing a novel inducible-first, constitutive-ready allele (icre/f3/ERT2/f3). In addition, we test two types of promoters either to capture an endogenous expression pattern (MaxiPromoters), or to restrict expression further using minimal promoter element(s) designed for expression in restricted cell types (MiniPromoters). We provide new cre-driver mouse strains with applicability for brain and eye research. In addition, we demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of using the locus 5′ of Hprt for the rapid generation of substantial numbers of cre-driver strains. We also provide a new inducible-first constitutive-ready allele to further speed cre-driver generation. Finally, all these strains are available to the research community through The Jackson Laboratory.
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Peeters SB, Korecki AJ, Simpson EM, Brown CJ. Human cis-acting elements regulating escape from X-chromosome inactivation function in mouse. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:1252-1262. [PMID: 29401310 PMCID: PMC6159535 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A long-standing question concerning X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) has been how some genes avoid the otherwise stable chromosome-wide heterochromatinization of the inactive X chromosome. As 20% or more of human X-linked genes escape from inactivation, such genes are an important contributor to sex differences in gene expression. Although both human and mouse have genes that escape from XCI, more genes escape in humans than mice, with human escape genes often clustering in larger domains than the single escape genes of mouse. Mouse models offer a well-characterized and readily manipulated system in which to study XCI, but given the differences in genes that escape it is unclear whether the mechanism of escape gene regulation is conserved. To address conservation of the process and the potential to identify elements by modelling human escape gene regulation using mouse, we integrated a human and a mouse BAC each containing an escape gene and flanking subject genes at the mouse X-linked Hprt gene. Escape-level expression and corresponding low promoter DNA methylation of human genes RPS4X and CITED1 demonstrated that the mouse system is capable of recognizing human elements and therefore can be used as a model for further refinement of critical elements necessary for escape from XCI in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha B Peeters
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Andrea J Korecki
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Brown
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Corso-Díaz X, de Leeuw CN, Alonso V, Melchers D, Wong BKY, Houtman R, Simpson EM. Co-activator candidate interactions for orphan nuclear receptor NR2E1. BMC Genomics 2016; 17:832. [PMID: 27782803 PMCID: PMC5080790 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-016-3173-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background NR2E1 (Tlx) is an orphan nuclear receptor that regulates the maintenance and self-renewal of neural stem cells, and promotes tumourigenesis. Nr2e1-null mice exhibit reduced cortical and limbic structures and pronounced retinal dystrophy. NR2E1 functions mainly as a repressor of gene transcription in association with the co-repressors atrophin-1, LSD1, HDAC and BCL11A. Recent evidence suggests that NR2E1 also acts as an activator of gene transcription. However, co-activator complexes that interact with NR2E1 have not yet been identified. In order to find potential novel co-regulators for NR2E1, we used a microarray assay for real-time analysis of co-regulator–nuclear receptor interaction (MARCoNI) that contains peptides representing interaction motifs from potential co-regulatory proteins, including known co-activator nuclear receptor box sequences (LxxLL motif). Results We found that NR2E1 binds strongly to an atrophin-1 peptide (Atro box) used as positive control and to 19 other peptides that constitute candidate NR2E1 partners. Two of these proteins, p300 and androgen receptor (AR), were further validated by reciprocal pull-down assays. The specificity of NR2E1 binding to peptides in the array was evaluated using two single amino acid variants, R274G and R276Q, which disrupted the majority of the binding interactions observed with wild-type NR2E1. The decreased binding affinity of these variants to co-regulators was further validated by pull-down assays using atrophin1 as bait. Despite the high conservation of arginine 274 in vertebrates, its reduced interactions with co-regulators were not significant in vivo as determined by retinal phenotype analysis in single-copy Nr2e1-null mice carrying the variant R274G. Conclusions We showed that MARCoNI is a specific assay to test interactions of NR2E1 with candidate co-regulators. In this way, we unveiled 19 potential co-regulator partners for NR2E1, including eight co-activators. All the candidates here identified need to be further validated using in vitro and in vivo models. This assay was sensitive to point mutations in NR2E1 ligand binding domain making it useful to identify mutations and/or small molecules that alter binding of NR2E1 to protein partners. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3173-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Corso-Díaz
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.,Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Charles N de Leeuw
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Vivian Alonso
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | | | - Bibiana K Y Wong
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - René Houtman
- PamGene International B.V., Den Bosch, The Netherlands
| | - Elizabeth M Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada. .,Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada. .,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada. .,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 3N9, Canada.
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7
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New Transgenic Technologies. Mov Disord 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405195-9.00003-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Schmouth JF, Dion PA, Rouleau GA. Genetics of essential tremor: From phenotype to genes, insights from both human and mouse studies. Prog Neurobiol 2014; 119-120:1-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Schwartz RE, Fleming HE, Khetani SR, Bhatia SN. Pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells. Biotechnol Adv 2014; 32:504-13. [PMID: 24440487 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2012] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver disease is an important clinical problem, impacting over 30 million Americans and over 600 million people worldwide. It is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States and the 16th worldwide. Due to a paucity of donor organs, several thousand Americans die yearly while waiting for liver transplantation. Unfortunately, alternative tissue sources such as fetal hepatocytes and hepatic cell lines are unreliable, difficult to reproduce, and do not fully recapitulate hepatocyte phenotype and functions. As a consequence, alternative cell sources that do not have these limitations have been sought. Human embryonic stem (hES) cell- and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells may enable cell based therapeutics, the study of the mechanisms of human disease and human development, and provide a platform for screening the efficacy and toxicity of pharmaceuticals. iPS cells can be differentiated in a step-wise fashion with high efficiency and reproducibility into hepatocyte-like cells that exhibit morphologic and phenotypic characteristics of hepatocytes. In addition, iPS-derived hepatocyte-like cells (iHLCs) possess some functional hepatic activity as they secrete urea, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and albumin. However, the combined phenotypic and functional traits exhibited by iHLCs resemble a relatively immature hepatic phenotype that more closely resembles that of fetal hepatocytes rather than adult hepatocytes. Specifically, iHLCs express fetal markers such as alpha-fetoprotein and lack key mature hepatocyte functions, as reflected by drastically reduced activity (~0.1%) of important detoxification enzymes (i.e. CYP2A6, CYP3A4). These key differences between iHLCs and primary adult human hepatocytes have limited the use of stem cells as a renewable source of functional adult hepatocytes for in vitro and in vivo applications. Unfortunately, the developmental pathways that control hepatocyte maturation from a fetal into an adult hepatocyte are poorly understood, which has hampered the field in its efforts to induce further maturation of iPS-derived hepatic lineage cells. This review analyzes recent developments in the derivation of hepatocyte-like cells, and proposes important points to consider and assays to perform during their characterization. In the future, we envision that iHLCs will be used as in vitro models of human disease, and in the longer term, provide an alternative cell source for drug testing and clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Schwartz
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA
| | - H E Fleming
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - S R Khetani
- Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - S N Bhatia
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA.
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10
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Schmouth JF, Castellarin M, Laprise S, Banks KG, Bonaguro RJ, McInerny SC, Borretta L, Amirabbasi M, Korecki AJ, Portales-Casamar E, Wilson G, Dreolini L, Jones SJM, Wasserman WW, Goldowitz D, Holt RA, Simpson EM. Non-coding-regulatory regions of human brain genes delineated by bacterial artificial chromosome knock-in mice. BMC Biol 2013; 11:106. [PMID: 24124870 PMCID: PMC4015596 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7007-11-106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The next big challenge in human genetics is understanding the 98% of the genome that comprises non-coding DNA. Hidden in this DNA are sequences critical for gene regulation, and new experimental strategies are needed to understand the functional role of gene-regulation sequences in health and disease. In this study, we build upon our HuGX ('high-throughput human genes on the X chromosome') strategy to expand our understanding of human gene regulation in vivo. RESULTS In all, ten human genes known to express in therapeutically important brain regions were chosen for study. For eight of these genes, human bacterial artificial chromosome clones were identified, retrofitted with a reporter, knocked single-copy into the Hprt locus in mouse embryonic stem cells, and mouse strains derived. Five of these human genes expressed in mouse, and all expressed in the adult brain region for which they were chosen. This defined the boundaries of the genomic DNA sufficient for brain expression, and refined our knowledge regarding the complexity of gene regulation. We also characterized for the first time the expression of human MAOA and NR2F2, two genes for which the mouse homologs have been extensively studied in the central nervous system (CNS), and AMOTL1 and NOV, for which roles in CNS have been unclear. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated the use of the HuGX strategy to functionally delineate non-coding-regulatory regions of therapeutically important human brain genes. Our results also show that a careful investigation, using publicly available resources and bioinformatics, can lead to accurate predictions of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Schmouth
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
| | - Mauro Castellarin
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4S6, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Laprise
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Kathleen G Banks
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Russell J Bonaguro
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Simone C McInerny
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Lisa Borretta
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Mahsa Amirabbasi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Andrea J Korecki
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Elodie Portales-Casamar
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Gary Wilson
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Lisa Dreolini
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Steven JM Jones
- Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4S6, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Wyeth W Wasserman
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Daniel Goldowitz
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Robert A Holt
- Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4S6, Canada
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2A1, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Genetics Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2A1, Canada
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11
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Deussing JM. Targeted mutagenesis tools for modelling psychiatric disorders. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 354:9-25. [PMID: 24078022 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1708-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Accepted: 07/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the 1980s, the basic principles of gene targeting were discovered and forged into sharp tools for efficient and precise engineering of the mouse genome. Since then, genetic mouse models have substantially contributed to our understanding of major neurobiological concepts and are of utmost importance for our comprehension of neuropsychiatric disorders. The "domestication" of site-specific recombinases and the continuous creative technological developments involving the implementation of previously identified biological principles such as transcriptional and posttranslational control now enable conditional mutagenesis with high spatial and temporal resolution. The initiation and successful accomplishment of large-scale efforts to annotate functionally the entire mouse genome and to build strategic resources for the research community have significantly accelerated the rapid proliferation and broad propagation of mouse genetic tools. Addressing neurobiological processes with the assistance of genetic mouse models is a routine procedure in psychiatric research and will be further extended in order to improve our understanding of disease mechanisms. In light of the highly complex nature of psychiatric disorders and the current lack of strong causal genetic variants, a major future challenge is to model of psychiatric disorders more appropriately. Humanized mice, and the recently developed toolbox of site-specific nucleases for more efficient and simplified tailoring of the genome, offer the perspective of significantly improved models. Ultimately, these tools will push the limits of gene targeting beyond the mouse to allow genome engineering in any model organism of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M Deussing
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Molecular Neurogenetics, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany,
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12
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Shyam K Sharan KB, Sharan SK. Manipulating the Mouse Genome Using Recombineering. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2013; 2. [PMID: 31404315 DOI: 10.4172/2169-0111.1000108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Genetically engineered mouse models are indispensable for understanding the biological function of genes, understanding the genetic basis of human diseases and for preclinical testing of novel therapies. Generation of such mouse models has been possible because of our ability to manipulate the mouse genome. Recombineering is a highly efficient recombination-based method of genetic engineering that has revolutionized our ability to generate mouse models. Since recombineering technology is not dependent on the availability of restriction enzyme recognition sites, it allows us to modify the genome with great precision. It requires homology arms as short as 40 bases for recombination, which makes it relatively easy to generate targeting constructs to insert, change or delete either a single nucleotide or a DNA fragment several kb in size; insert selectable markers, reporter genes or add epitope tags to any gene of interest. In this review, we focus on the development of recombineering technology and its application in the generation of transgenic and knockout or knock-in mouse models. High throughput generation of gene targeting vectors, used to construct knockout alleles in mouse embryonic stem cells, is now feasible because of this technology. The challenge now is to use the "designer" mice to develop novel therapies to prevent, cure or effectively manage some the most debilitating human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shyam K Sharan
- Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland 21702
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Yang C, McLeod AJ, Cotton AM, de Leeuw CN, Laprise S, Banks KG, Simpson EM, Brown CJ. Targeting of >1.5 Mb of human DNA into the mouse X chromosome reveals presence of cis-acting regulators of epigenetic silencing. Genetics 2012; 192:1281-93. [PMID: 23023002 PMCID: PMC3512139 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.112.143743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory sequences can influence the expression of flanking genes over long distances, and X chromosome inactivation is a classic example of cis-acting epigenetic gene regulation. Knock-ins directed to the Mus musculus Hprt locus offer a unique opportunity to analyze the spread of silencing into different human DNA sequences in the identical genomic environment. X chromosome inactivation of four knock-in constructs, including bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) integrations of over 195 kb, was demonstrated by both the lack of expression from the inactive X chromosome in females with nonrandom X chromosome inactivation and promoter DNA methylation of the human transgene in females. We further utilized promoter DNA methylation to assess the inactivation status of 74 human reporter constructs comprising >1.5 Mb of DNA. Of the 47 genes examined, only the PHB gene showed female DNA hypomethylation approaching the level seen in males, and escape from X chromosome inactivation was verified by demonstration of expression from the inactive X chromosome. Integration of PHB resulted in lower DNA methylation of the flanking HPRT promoter in females, suggesting the action of a dominant cis-acting escape element. Female-specific DNA hypermethylation of CpG islands not associated with promoters implies a widespread imposition of DNA methylation during X chromosome inactivation; yet transgenes demonstrated differential capacities to accumulate DNA methylation when integrated into the identical location on the inactive X chromosome, suggesting additional cis-acting sequence effects. As only one of the human transgenes analyzed escaped X chromosome inactivation, we conclude that elements permitting ongoing expression from the inactive X are rare in the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Andrea J. McLeod
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Allison M. Cotton
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Charles N. de Leeuw
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Laprise
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Kathleen G. Banks
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Elizabeth M. Simpson
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics at the Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Carolyn J. Brown
- Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular Epigenetics Group, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Retina restored and brain abnormalities ameliorated by single-copy knock-in of human NR2E1 in null mice. Mol Cell Biol 2012; 32:1296-311. [PMID: 22290436 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.06016-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nr2e1 encodes a stem cell fate determinant of the mouse forebrain and retina. Abnormal regulation of this gene results in retinal, brain, and behavioral abnormalities in mice. However, little is known about the functionality of human NR2E1. We investigated this functionality using a novel knock-in humanized-mouse strain carrying a single-copy bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). We also documented, for the first time, the expression pattern of the human BAC, using an NR2E1-lacZ reporter strain. Unexpectedly, cerebrum and olfactory bulb hypoplasia, hallmarks of the Nr2e1-null phenotype, were not fully corrected in animals harboring one functional copy of human NR2E1. These results correlated with an absence of NR2E1-lacZ reporter expression in the dorsal pallium of embryos and proliferative cells of adult brains. Surprisingly, retinal histology and electroretinograms demonstrated complete correction of the retina-null phenotype. These results correlated with appropriate expression of the NR2E1-lacZ reporter in developing and adult retina. We conclude that the human BAC contained all the elements allowing correction of the mouse-null phenotype in the retina, while missing key regulatory regions important for proper spatiotemporal brain expression. This is the first time a separation of regulatory mechanisms governing NR2E1 has been demonstrated. Furthermore, candidate genomic regions controlling expression in proliferating cells during neurogenesis were identified.
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