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Yang J, Kinyamu HK, Ward JM, Scappini E, Muse G, Archer TK. Unlocking cellular plasticity: enhancing human iPSC reprogramming through bromodomain inhibition and extracellular matrix gene expression regulation. Stem Cells 2024; 42:706-719. [PMID: 38825983 PMCID: PMC11291304 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxae039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
The transformation from a fibroblast mesenchymal cell state to an epithelial-like state is critical for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming. In this report, we describe studies with PFI-3, a small-molecule inhibitor that specifically targets the bromodomains of SMARCA2/4 and PBRM1 subunits of SWI/SNF complex, as an enhancer of iPSC reprogramming efficiency. Our findings reveal that PFI-3 induces cellular plasticity in multiple human dermal fibroblasts, leading to a mesenchymal-epithelial transition during iPSC formation. This transition is characterized by the upregulation of E-cadherin expression, a key protein involved in epithelial cell adhesion. Additionally, we identified COL11A1 as a reprogramming barrier and demonstrated COL11A1 knockdown increased reprogramming efficiency. Notably, we found that PFI-3 significantly reduced the expression of numerous extracellular matrix (ECM) genes, particularly those involved in collagen assembly. Our research provides key insights into the early stages of iPSC reprogramming, highlighting the crucial role of ECM changes and cellular plasticity in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Chromatin and Gene Expression Section, Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - H Karimi Kinyamu
- Chromatin and Gene Expression Section, Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - James M Ward
- Integrative Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Erica Scappini
- The Fluorescence Microscopy and Imaging Center, Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Ginger Muse
- Chromatin and Gene Expression Section, Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Trevor K Archer
- Chromatin and Gene Expression Section, Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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2
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Seetharaman A, Galagali H, Linarte E, Liu MHX, Cohen JD, Chetal K, Sadreyev R, Tate AJ, Montgomery TA, Ruvkun G. Caenorhabditis elegans SynMuv B gene activity is down-regulated during a viral infection to enhance RNA interference. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.12.603258. [PMID: 39071373 PMCID: PMC11275910 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.12.603258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Small RNA pathways regulate eukaryotic antiviral defense. Many of the Caenorhabditis elegans mutations that were identified based on their enhanced RNAi, the synMuv B genes, also emerged from unrelated genetic screens for increased growth factor signaling. The dozen synMuv B genes encode homologues of the mammalian dREAM complex found in nearly all animals and plants, which includes the lin-35 /retinoblastoma oncogene. We show that a set of highly induced mRNAs in synMuv B mutants is congruent with mRNAs induced by Orsay RNA virus infection of C. elegans . In wild type animals, a combination of a synMuv A mutation and a synMuv B mutation are required for the Muv phenotype of increased growth factor signaling. But we show that Orsay virus infection of a single synMuv A mutant can induce a Muv phenotype, unlike the uninfected single synMuv A mutant. This suggests that decreased synMuv B activity, which activates the antiviral RNAi pathway, is a defense response to viral infection. Small RNA deep sequencing analysis of various dREAM complex mutants uncovers distinct siRNA profiles indicative of such an siRNA response. We conclude that the synMuv B mutants maintain an antiviral readiness state even in the absence of actual infection. The enhanced RNAi and conservation of the dREAM complex mutants suggests new therapeutic avenues to boost antiviral defenses.
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3
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Medwig-Kinney TN, Kinney BA, Martinez MAQ, Yee C, Sirota SS, Mullarkey AA, Somineni N, Hippler J, Zhang W, Shen K, Hammell C, Pani AM, Matus DQ. Dynamic compartmentalization of the pro-invasive transcription factor NHR-67 reveals a role for Groucho in regulating a proliferative-invasive cellular switch in C. elegans. eLife 2023; 12:RP84355. [PMID: 38038410 PMCID: PMC10691804 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that cell division and basement membrane invasion are mutually exclusive cellular behaviors. How cells switch between proliferative and invasive states is not well understood. Here, we investigated this dichotomy in vivo by examining two cell types in the developing Caenorhabditis elegans somatic gonad that derive from equipotent progenitors, but exhibit distinct cell behaviors: the post-mitotic, invasive anchor cell and the neighboring proliferative, non-invasive ventral uterine (VU) cells. We show that the fates of these cells post-specification are more plastic than previously appreciated and that levels of NHR-67 are important for discriminating between invasive and proliferative behavior. Transcription of NHR-67 is downregulated following post-translational degradation of its direct upstream regulator, HLH-2 (E/Daughterless) in VU cells. In the nuclei of VU cells, residual NHR-67 protein is compartmentalized into discrete punctae that are dynamic over the cell cycle and exhibit liquid-like properties. By screening for proteins that colocalize with NHR-67 punctae, we identified new regulators of uterine cell fate maintenance: homologs of the transcriptional co-repressor Groucho (UNC-37 and LSY-22), as well as the TCF/LEF homolog POP-1. We propose a model in which the association of NHR-67 with the Groucho/TCF complex suppresses the default invasive state in non-invasive cells, which complements transcriptional regulation to add robustness to the proliferative-invasive cellular switch in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N Medwig-Kinney
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookUnited States
| | - Brian A Kinney
- Cold Spring Harbor LaboratoryCold Spring HarborUnited States
| | - Michael AQ Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookUnited States
| | - Callista Yee
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Sydney S Sirota
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookUnited States
| | - Angelina A Mullarkey
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookUnited States
| | - Neha Somineni
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookUnited States
| | - Justin Hippler
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookUnited States
- Science and Technology Research Program, Smithtown High School EastSt. JamesUnited States
| | - Wan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookUnited States
| | - Kang Shen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | | | - Ariel M Pani
- Departments of Biology and Cell Biology, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - David Q Matus
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook UniversityStony BrookUnited States
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4
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Yang J, Karimi Kinyamu H, Ward JM, Scappini E, Archer TK. Unlocking cellular plasticity: Enhancing human iPSC reprogramming through bromodomain inhibition and extracellular matrix gene expression regulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.13.562265. [PMID: 37873209 PMCID: PMC10592827 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.13.562265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The transformation of fibroblasts into epithelial cells is critical for iPSC reprogramming. In this report, we describe studies with PFI-3, a small molecule inhibitor that specifically targets the bromodomains of SMARCA2/4 and PBRM1 subunit of SWI/SNF complex, as an enhancer of iPSC reprogramming efficiency. Our findings revealed that PFI-3 induces cellular plasticity in multiple human dermal fibroblasts, leading to a mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) during iPSC formation. This transition was characterized by the upregulation of E-cadherin expression, a key protein involved in epithelial cell adhesion. Additionally, we identified COL11A1 as a reprogramming barrier and demonstrated COL11A1 knockdown increased reprogramming efficiency. Notably, we found that PFI-3 significantly reduced the expression of numerous extracellular matrix (ECM) genes, particularly those involved in collagen assembly. Our research provides key insights into the early stages of iPSC reprogramming, highlighting the crucial role of ECM changes and cellular plasticity in this process.
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5
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Özcan I, Tursun B. Identifying Molecular Roadblocks for Transcription Factor-Induced Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo by Using C. elegans as a Model Organism. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:37. [PMID: 37754839 PMCID: PMC10531806 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11030037] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Generating specialized cell types via cellular transcription factor (TF)-mediated reprogramming has gained high interest in regenerative medicine due to its therapeutic potential to repair tissues and organs damaged by diseases or trauma. Organ dysfunction or improper tissue functioning might be restored by producing functional cells via direct reprogramming, also known as transdifferentiation. Regeneration by converting the identity of available cells in vivo to the desired cell fate could be a strategy for future cell replacement therapies. However, the generation of specific cell types via reprogramming is often restricted due to cell fate-safeguarding mechanisms that limit or even block the reprogramming of the starting cell type. Nevertheless, efficient reprogramming to generate homogeneous cell populations with the required cell type's proper molecular and functional identity is critical. Incomplete reprogramming will lack therapeutic potential and can be detrimental as partially reprogrammed cells may acquire undesired properties and develop into tumors. Identifying and evaluating molecular barriers will improve reprogramming efficiency to reliably establish the target cell identity. In this review, we summarize how using the nematode C. elegans as an in vivo model organism identified molecular barriers of TF-mediated reprogramming. Notably, many identified molecular factors have a high degree of conservation and were subsequently shown to block TF-induced reprogramming of mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Özcan
- Department of Biology, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Baris Tursun
- Department of Biology, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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6
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Konzman D, Fukushige T, Dagnachew M, Krause M, Hanover JA. O-GlcNAc transferase plays a non-catalytic role in C. elegans male fertility. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010273. [PMID: 36383567 PMCID: PMC9710795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal behavior is influenced by the competing drives to maintain energy and to reproduce. The balance between these evolutionary pressures and how nutrient signaling pathways intersect with mating remains unclear. The nutrient sensor O-GlcNAc transferase, which post-translationally modifies intracellular proteins with a single monosaccharide, is responsive to cellular nutrient status and regulates diverse biological processes. Though essential in most metazoans, O-GlcNAc transferase (ogt-1) is dispensable in Caenorhabditis elegans, allowing genetic analysis of its physiological roles. Compared to control, ogt-1 males had a four-fold reduction in mean offspring, with nearly two thirds producing zero progeny. Interestingly, we found that ogt-1 males transferred sperm less often, and virgin males had reduced sperm count. ogt-1 males were also less likely to engage in mate-searching and mate-response behaviors. Surprisingly, we found normal fertility for males with hypodermal expression of ogt-1 and for ogt-1 strains with catalytic-dead mutations. This suggests OGT-1 serves a non-catalytic function in the hypodermis impacting male fertility and mating behavior. This study builds upon research on the nutrient sensor O-GlcNAc transferase and demonstrates a role it plays in the interplay between the evolutionary drives for reproduction and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Konzman
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Tetsunari Fukushige
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Mesgana Dagnachew
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael Krause
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - John A. Hanover
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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7
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Lin JM, Mitchell TA, Rothstein M, Pehl A, Taroc EZM, Katreddi RR, Parra KE, Zuloaga DG, Simoes-Costa M, Forni PE. Sociosexual behavior requires both activating and repressive roles of Tfap2e/AP-2ε in vomeronasal sensory neurons. eLife 2022; 11:e77259. [PMID: 36111787 PMCID: PMC9525060 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal identity dictates the position in an epithelium, and the ability to detect, process, and transmit specific signals to specified targets. Transcription factors (TFs) determine cellular identity via direct modulation of genetic transcription and recruiting chromatin modifiers. However, our understanding of the mechanisms that define neuronal identity and their magnitude remain a critical barrier to elucidate the etiology of congenital and neurodegenerative disorders. The rodent vomeronasal organ provides a unique system to examine in detail the molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation and maturation of chemosensory neurons. Here, we demonstrated that the identity of postmitotic/maturing vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs), and vomeronasal-dependent behaviors can be reprogrammed through the rescue of Tfap2e/AP-2ε expression in the Tfap2eNull mice, and partially reprogrammed by inducing ectopic Tfap2e expression in mature apical VSNs. We suggest that the TF Tfap2e can reprogram VSNs bypassing cellular plasticity restrictions, and that it directly controls the expression of batteries of vomeronasal genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyUnited States
- The RNA Institute, University at AlbanyAlbanyUnited States
| | - Tyler A Mitchell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyUnited States
- The RNA Institute, University at AlbanyAlbanyUnited States
| | - Megan Rothstein
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Alison Pehl
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyUnited States
- The RNA Institute, University at AlbanyAlbanyUnited States
| | - Ed Zandro M Taroc
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyUnited States
- The RNA Institute, University at AlbanyAlbanyUnited States
| | - Raghu R Katreddi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyUnited States
- The RNA Institute, University at AlbanyAlbanyUnited States
| | - Katherine E Parra
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyUnited States
| | - Damian G Zuloaga
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyUnited States
| | - Marcos Simoes-Costa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell UniversityIthacaUnited States
| | - Paolo Emanuele Forni
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New YorkAlbanyUnited States
- The RNA Institute, University at AlbanyAlbanyUnited States
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8
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Katreddi RR, Taroc EZM, Hicks SM, Lin JM, Liu S, Xiang M, Forni PE. Notch signaling determines cell-fate specification of the two main types of vomeronasal neurons of rodents. Development 2022; 149:dev200448. [PMID: 35781337 PMCID: PMC9340558 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The ability of terrestrial vertebrates to find food and mating partners, and to avoid predators, relies on the detection of chemosensory information. Semiochemicals responsible for social and sexual behaviors are detected by chemosensory neurons of the vomeronasal organ (VNO), which transmits information to the accessory olfactory bulb. The vomeronasal sensory epithelium of most mammalian species contains a uniform vomeronasal system; however, rodents and marsupials have developed a more complex binary vomeronasal system, containing vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) expressing receptors of either the V1R or V2R family. In rodents, V1R/apical and V2R/basal VSNs originate from a common pool of progenitors. Using single cell RNA-sequencing, we identified differential expression of Notch1 receptor and Dll4 ligand between the neuronal precursors at the VSN differentiation dichotomy. Our experiments show that Notch signaling is required for effective differentiation of V2R/basal VSNs. In fact, Notch1 loss of function in neuronal progenitors diverts them to the V1R/apical fate, whereas Notch1 gain of function redirects precursors to V2R/basal. Our results indicate that Notch signaling plays a pivotal role in triggering the binary differentiation dichotomy in the VNO of rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Ram Katreddi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Ed Zandro M. Taroc
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Sawyer M. Hicks
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Shuting Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Mengqing Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Paolo E. Forni
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- The Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
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9
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Mellis IA, Edelstein HI, Truitt R, Goyal Y, Beck LE, Symmons O, Dunagin MC, Linares Saldana RA, Shah PP, Pérez-Bermejo JA, Padmanabhan A, Yang W, Jain R, Raj A. Responsiveness to perturbations is a hallmark of transcription factors that maintain cell identity in vitro. Cell Syst 2021; 12:885-899.e8. [PMID: 34352221 PMCID: PMC8522198 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the particular transcription factors that maintain cell type in vitro is important for manipulating cell type. Identifying such transcription factors by their cell-type-specific expression or their involvement in developmental regulation has had limited success. We hypothesized that because cell type is often resilient to perturbations, the transcriptional response to perturbations would reveal identity-maintaining transcription factors. We developed perturbation panel profiling (P3) as a framework for perturbing cells across many conditions and measuring gene expression responsiveness transcriptome-wide. In human iPSC-derived cardiac myocytes, P3 showed that transcription factors important for cardiac myocyte differentiation and maintenance were among the most frequently upregulated (most responsive). We reasoned that one function of responsive genes may be to maintain cellular identity. We identified responsive transcription factors in fibroblasts using P3 and found that suppressing their expression led to enhanced reprogramming. We propose that responsiveness to perturbations is a property of transcription factors that help maintain cellular identity in vitro. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Mellis
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Genomics and Computational Biology Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hailey I Edelstein
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel Truitt
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lauren E Beck
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Orsolya Symmons
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret C Dunagin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ricardo A Linares Saldana
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Parisha P Shah
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Arun Padmanabhan
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA, USA; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wenli Yang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rajan Jain
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Arjun Raj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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10
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Abstract
Establishment of neural circuits requires reproducible and precise interactions between growing axons, dendrites and their tissue environment. Cell adhesion molecules and guidance factors are involved in the process, but how specificity is achieved remains poorly understood. Glycans are the third major class of biopolymers besides nucleic acids and proteins, and are usually covalently linked to proteins to form glycoconjugates. Common to most glycans is an extraordinary level of molecular diversity, making them attractive candidates to contribute specificity during neural development. Indeed, many genes important for neural development encode glycoproteins, or enzymes involved in synthesizing or modifying glycans. Glycoconjugates are classified based on both the types of glycans and type of attachment that link them to proteins. Here I discuss progress in understanding the function of glycans, glycan modifications and glycoconjugates during neural development in Caenorhabditis elegans. I will also highlight relevance to human disease and known roles of glycoconjugates in regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes E Bülow
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States; Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States.
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11
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Haeussler S, Yeroslaviz A, Rolland SG, Luehr S, Lambie EJ, Conradt B. Genome-wide RNAi screen for regulators of UPRmt in Caenorhabditis elegans mutants with defects in mitochondrial fusion. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6204483. [PMID: 33784383 PMCID: PMC8495942 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dynamics plays an important role in mitochondrial quality control and the adaptation of metabolic activity in response to environmental changes. The disruption of mitochondrial dynamics has detrimental consequences for mitochondrial and cellular homeostasis and leads to the activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt), a quality control mechanism that adjusts cellular metabolism and restores homeostasis. To identify genes involved in the induction of UPRmt in response to a block in mitochondrial fusion, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen in Caenorhabditis elegans mutants lacking the gene fzo-1, which encodes the ortholog of mammalian Mitofusin, and identified 299 suppressors and 86 enhancers. Approximately 90% of these 385 genes are conserved in humans, and one third of the conserved genes have been implicated in human disease. Furthermore, many have roles in developmental processes, which suggests that mitochondrial function and the response to stress are defined during development and maintained throughout life. Our dataset primarily contains mitochondrial enhancers and non-mitochondrial suppressors of UPRmt, indicating that the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis has evolved as a critical cellular function, which, when disrupted, can be compensated for by many different cellular processes. Analysis of the subsets 'non-mitochondrial enhancers' and 'mitochondrial suppressors' suggests that organellar contact sites, especially between the ER and mitochondria, are of importance for mitochondrial homeostasis. In addition, we identified several genes involved in IP3 signaling that modulate UPRmt in fzo-1 mutants and found a potential link between pre-mRNA splicing and UPRmt activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Haeussler
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Assa Yeroslaviz
- Computational Biology Group, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Stéphane G Rolland
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.,Center for Genomic Integrity, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Ulsan 44919, South Korea
| | - Sebastian Luehr
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Eric J Lambie
- Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Barbara Conradt
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.,Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, London WC1E 6AP, United Kingdom
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12
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Urso SJ, Lamitina T. The C. elegans Hypertonic Stress Response: Big Insights from Shrinking Worms. Cell Physiol Biochem 2021; 55:89-105. [PMID: 33626269 DOI: 10.33594/000000332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell volume is one of the most aggressively defended physiological set points in biology. Changes in intracellular ion and water concentrations, which are induced by changes in metabolism or environmental exposures, disrupt protein folding, enzymatic activity, and macromolecular assemblies. To counter these challenges, cells and organisms have evolved multifaceted, evolutionarily conserved molecular mechanisms to restore cell volume and repair stress induced damage. However, many unanswered questions remain regarding the nature of cell volume 'sensing' as well as the molecular signaling pathways involved in activating physiological response mechanisms. Unbiased genetic screening in the model organism C. elegans is providing new and unexpected insights into these questions, particularly questions relating to the hypertonic stress response (HTSR) pathway. One surprising characteristic of the HTSR pathway in C. elegans is that it is under strong negative regulation by proteins involved in protein homeostasis and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The role of the ECM in particular highlights the importance of studying the HTSR in the context of a live organism where native ECM-tissue associations are preserved. A second novel and recently discovered characteristic is that the HTSR is regulated at the post-transcriptional level. The goal of this review is to describe these discoveries, to provide context for their implications, and to raise outstanding questions to guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarel J Urso
- University of Pittsburgh, Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Physiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,University of Pittsburgh, Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Todd Lamitina
- University of Pittsburgh, Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Physiology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, .,University of Pittsburgh, Departments of Pediatrics and Cell Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Konzman D, Abramowitz LK, Steenackers A, Mukherjee MM, Na HJ, Hanover JA. O-GlcNAc: Regulator of Signaling and Epigenetics Linked to X-linked Intellectual Disability. Front Genet 2020; 11:605263. [PMID: 33329753 PMCID: PMC7719714 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.605263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular identity in multicellular organisms is maintained by characteristic transcriptional networks, nutrient consumption, energy production and metabolite utilization. Integrating these cell-specific programs are epigenetic modifiers, whose activity is often dependent on nutrients and their metabolites to function as substrates and co-factors. Emerging data has highlighted the role of the nutrient-sensing enzyme O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) as an epigenetic modifier essential in coordinating cellular transcriptional programs and metabolic homeostasis. OGT utilizes the end-product of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway to modify proteins with O-linked β-D-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc). The levels of the modification are held in check by the O-GlcNAcase (OGA). Studies from model organisms and human disease underscore the conserved function these two enzymes of O-GlcNAc cycling play in transcriptional regulation, cellular plasticity and mitochondrial reprogramming. Here, we review these findings and present an integrated view of how O-GlcNAc cycling may contribute to cellular memory and transgenerational inheritance of responses to parental stress. We focus on a rare human genetic disorder where mutant forms of OGT are inherited or acquired de novo. Ongoing analysis of this disorder, OGT- X-linked intellectual disability (OGT-XLID), provides a window into how epigenetic factors linked to O-GlcNAc cycling may influence neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - John A. Hanover
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Urso SJ, Comly M, Hanover JA, Lamitina T. The O-GlcNAc transferase OGT is a conserved and essential regulator of the cellular and organismal response to hypertonic stress. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008821. [PMID: 33006972 PMCID: PMC7556452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The conserved O-GlcNAc transferase OGT O-GlcNAcylates serine and threonine residues of intracellular proteins to regulate their function. OGT is required for viability in mammalian cells, but its specific roles in cellular physiology are poorly understood. Here we describe a conserved requirement for OGT in an essential aspect of cell physiology: the hypertonic stress response. Through a forward genetic screen in Caenorhabditis elegans, we discovered OGT is acutely required for osmoprotective protein expression and adaptation to hypertonic stress. Gene expression analysis shows that ogt-1 functions through a post-transcriptional mechanism. Human OGT partially rescues the C. elegans phenotypes, suggesting that the osmoregulatory functions of OGT are ancient. Intriguingly, expression of O-GlcNAcylation-deficient forms of human or worm OGT rescue the hypertonic stress response phenotype. However, expression of an OGT protein lacking the tetracopeptide repeat (TPR) domain does not rescue. Our findings are among the first to demonstrate a specific physiological role for OGT at the organismal level and demonstrate that OGT engages in important molecular functions outside of its well described roles in post-translational O-GlcNAcylation of intracellular proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarel J. Urso
- Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Marcella Comly
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - John A. Hanover
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Todd Lamitina
- Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
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Esse R, Grishok A. Caenorhabditis elegans Deficient in DOT-1.1 Exhibit Increases in H3K9me2 at Enhancer and Certain RNAi-Regulated Regions. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081846. [PMID: 32781660 PMCID: PMC7464606 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The methylation of histone H3 at lysine 79 is a feature of open chromatin. It is deposited by the conserved histone methyltransferase DOT1. Recently, DOT1 localization and H3K79 methylation (H3K79me) have been correlated with enhancers in C. elegans and mammalian cells. Since earlier research implicated H3K79me in preventing heterochromatin formation both in yeast and leukemic cells, we sought to inquire whether a H3K79me deficiency would lead to higher levels of heterochromatic histone modifications, specifically H3K9me2, at developmental enhancers in C. elegans. Therefore, we used H3K9me2 ChIP-seq to compare its abundance in control and dot-1.1 loss-of-function mutant worms, as well as in rde-4; dot-1.1 and rde-1; dot-1.1 double mutants. The rde-1 and rde-4 genes are components of the RNAi pathway in C. elegans, and RNAi is known to initiate H3K9 methylation in many organisms, including C. elegans. We have previously shown that dot-1.1(-) lethality is rescued by rde-1 and rde-4 loss-of-function. Here we found that H3K9me2 was elevated in enhancer, but not promoter, regions bound by the DOT-1.1/ZFP-1 complex in dot-1.1(-) worms. We also found increased H3K9me2 at genes targeted by the ALG-3/4-dependent small RNAs and repeat regions. Our results suggest that ectopic H3K9me2 in dot-1.1(-) could, in some cases, be induced by small RNAs.
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Forkosh E, Kenig A, Ilan Y. Introducing variability in targeting the microtubules: Review of current mechanisms and future directions in colchicine therapy. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2020; 8:e00616. [PMID: 32608157 PMCID: PMC7327382 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules (MTs) are highly dynamic polymers that constitute the cellular cytoskeleton and play a role in multiple cellular functions. Variability characterizes biological systems and is considered a part of the normal function of cells and organs. Variability contributes to cell plasticity and is a mechanism for overcoming errors in cellular level assembly and function, and potentially the whole organ level. Dynamic instability is a feature of biological variability that characterizes the function of MTs. The dynamic behavior of MTs constitutes the basis for multiple biological processes that contribute to cellular plasticity and the timing of cell signaling. Colchicine is a MT-modifying drug that exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. This review discusses some of the functions of colchicine and presents a platform for introducing variability while targeting MTs in intestinal cells, the microbiome, the gut, and the systemic immune system. This platform can be used for implementing novel therapies, improving response to chronic MT-based therapies, overcoming drug resistance, exerting gut-based systemic immune responses, and generating patient-tailored dynamic therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Forkosh
- Department of MedicineHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical CentreJerusalemIsrael
| | - Ariel Kenig
- Department of MedicineHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical CentreJerusalemIsrael
| | - Yaron Ilan
- Department of MedicineHebrew University‐Hadassah Medical CentreJerusalemIsrael
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