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Lichawska-Cieslar A, Szukala W, Prajsnar TK, Pooranachandran N, Kulecka M, Dabrowska M, Mikula M, Rakus K, Chadzinska M, Jura J. MCPIP1 functions as a safeguard of early embryonic development. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16944. [PMID: 37805647 PMCID: PMC10560294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44294-1] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-induced protein 1 (MCPIP1), also called Regnase-1, is an RNase that has been described as a key negative modulator of inflammation. MCPIP1 also controls numerous tumor-related processes, such as proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. In this study, we utilized a zebrafish model to investigate the role of Mcpip1 during embryogenic development. Our results demonstrated that during embryogenesis, the expression of the zc3h12a gene encoding Mcpip1 undergoes dynamic changes. Its transcript levels gradually increase from the 2-cell stage to the spherical stage and then decrease rapidly. We further found that ectopic overexpression of wild-type Mcpip1 but not the catalytically inactive mutant form resulted in an embryonic lethal phenotype in zebrafish embryos (24 hpf). At the molecular level, transcriptomic profiling revealed extensive changes in the expression of genes encoding proteins important in the endoplasmic reticulum stress response and in protein folding as well as involved in the formation of primary germ layer, mesendoderm and endoderm development, heart morphogenesis and cell migration. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the expression of zc3h12a must be tightly controlled during the first cell divisions of zebrafish embryos and that a rapid decrease in its mRNA expression is an important factor promoting proper embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Lichawska-Cieslar
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Weronika Szukala
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
- Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Lojasiewicza 11, 30-348, Kraków, Poland
| | - Tomasz K Prajsnar
- Department of Evolutionary Immunology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Niedharsan Pooranachandran
- Department of Evolutionary Immunology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Maria Kulecka
- Medical Center for Postgraduate Education, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Oncology, Marymoncka 99/103, 01-813, Warsaw, Poland
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Roentgena 5, 02-781, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michalina Dabrowska
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Roentgena 5, 02-781, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Mikula
- Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Roentgena 5, 02-781, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Rakus
- Department of Evolutionary Immunology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Magdalena Chadzinska
- Department of Evolutionary Immunology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jolanta Jura
- Department of General Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
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2
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Sylvén C, Wärdell E, Månsson-Broberg A, Cingolani E, Ampatzis K, Larsson L, Björklund Å, Giacomello S. High cardiomyocyte diversity in human early prenatal heart development. iScience 2022; 26:105857. [PMID: 36624836 PMCID: PMC9823232 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyocytes play key roles during cardiogenesis, but have poorly understood features, especially in prenatal stages. Here, we characterized human prenatal cardiomyocytes, 6.5-7 weeks post-conception, by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and ligand-receptor interaction information. Using a computational workflow developed to dissect cell type heterogeneity, localize cell types, and explore their molecular interactions, we identified eight types of developing cardiomyocyte, more than double compared to the ones identified in the Human Developmental Cell Atlas. These have high variability in cell cycle activity, mitochondrial content, and connexin gene expression, and are differentially distributed in the ventricles, including outflow tract, and atria, including sinoatrial node. Moreover, cardiomyocyte ligand-receptor crosstalk is mainly with non-cardiomyocyte cell types, encompassing cardiogenesis-related pathways. Thus, early prenatal human cardiomyocytes are highly heterogeneous and develop unique location-dependent properties, with complex ligand-receptor crosstalk. Further elucidation of their developmental dynamics may give rise to new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christer Sylvén
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden,Corresponding author
| | - Eva Wärdell
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Ludvig Larsson
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Björklund
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefania Giacomello
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden,Corresponding author
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3
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Nazeer NU, Bhat MA, Rah B, Bhat GR, Wani SI, Yousuf A, Dar AM, Afroze D. Mutational Assessment in NKX2-5 and ACTC1 Genes in Patients with Congenital Cardiac Septal Defect (CCSD) from Ethnic Kashmiri Population. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19169884. [PMID: 36011517 PMCID: PMC9408331 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19169884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background globe. The etiology of CHDs is complex and involves both genetic and non-genetic factors. Although, significant progress has been made in deciphering the genetic components involved in CHDs, recent reports have revealed that mutations in Nk2 homeobox5 (NKX2-5) and actin alpha cardiac muscle1 (ACTC1) genes play a key role in CHDs such as atrial and ventricular septum defects. Therefore, the present study evaluates the role of key hotspot mutations in NKX2-5 and ACTC1 genes of congenital cardiac septal defect (CCSD) in ethnic Kashmiri population. (2) Methods: A total of 112 confirmed CHD patients were included in the current study, of which 30 patients were evaluated for mutational analysis for hotspot mutations of NKX2-5 and ACTC1 genes. The total genomic DNA was extracted from the samples (cardiac tissue/blood) and were subjected to amplification for NKX2-5 (exon 1 and 2), and ACTC1 (exon 2) genes by using PCR specific primers to analyze the hotspot mutations in respective exons. The amplified products obtained were sent to Macrogen Korea for sequencing by Sanger’s method. (3) Results: Our results confirmed that not a single mutation was found in either hotspot exon 1 and 2 of NKX2-5 and exon 2 of ACTC1 in the patients included in the current study. Interestingly, a novel synonymous nucleotide variation leading to G > C transversion (GCG > GCC) was found in exon 2 of NKX2-5 gene of CCSD patient. (4) Conclusions: The current findings demonstrated the role of NKX2-5 and ACTC1 in cardiac development. The study will provide an insight in understanding the genetic etiology and highlights the role of newly identified mutations in patients with CDS’s in ethnic Kashmiri population. In silico findings revealed amino acid changes, splice site variation and the creation of new site. Furthermore, the study warrants complete screening of genes involved in CCSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadeem Ul Nazeer
- Department of CVTS, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar 190011, India
| | - Mohammad Akbar Bhat
- Department of CVTS, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar 190011, India
- Correspondence: (M.A.B.); (D.A.)
| | - Bilal Rah
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar 190011, India
| | - Gh Rasool Bhat
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar 190011, India
| | - Shadil Ibrahim Wani
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar 190011, India
| | - Adfar Yousuf
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar 190011, India
| | - Abdul Majeed Dar
- Department of CVTS, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar 190011, India
| | - Dil Afroze
- Advanced Centre for Human Genetics, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar 190011, India
- Correspondence: (M.A.B.); (D.A.)
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4
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The role of DNA methylation in syndromic and non-syndromic congenital heart disease. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:93. [PMID: 33902696 PMCID: PMC8077695 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01077-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a common structural birth defect worldwide, and defects typically occur in the walls and valves of the heart or enlarged blood vessels. Chromosomal abnormalities and genetic mutations only account for a small portion of the pathogenic mechanisms of CHD, and the etiology of most cases remains unknown. The role of epigenetics in various diseases, including CHD, has attracted increased attention. The contributions of DNA methylation, one of the most important epigenetic modifications, to CHD have not been illuminated. Increasing evidence suggests that aberrant DNA methylation is related to CHD. Here, we briefly introduce DNA methylation and CHD and then review the DNA methylation profiles during cardiac development and in CHD, abnormalities in maternal genome-wide DNA methylation patterns are also described. Whole genome methylation profile and important differentially methylated genes identified in recent years are summarized and clustered according to the sample type and methodologies. Finally, we discuss the novel technology for and prospects of CHD-related DNA methylation.
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Abstract
Cardiac development is a complex developmental process that is initiated soon after gastrulation, as two sets of precardiac mesodermal precursors are symmetrically located and subsequently fused at the embryonic midline forming the cardiac straight tube. Thereafter, the cardiac straight tube invariably bends to the right, configuring the first sign of morphological left–right asymmetry and soon thereafter the atrial and ventricular chambers are formed, expanded and progressively septated. As a consequence of all these morphogenetic processes, the fetal heart acquired a four-chambered structure having distinct inlet and outlet connections and a specialized conduction system capable of directing the electrical impulse within the fully formed heart. Over the last decades, our understanding of the morphogenetic, cellular, and molecular pathways involved in cardiac development has exponentially grown. Multiples aspects of the initial discoveries during heart formation has served as guiding tools to understand the etiology of cardiac congenital anomalies and adult cardiac pathology, as well as to enlighten novels approaches to heal the damaged heart. In this review we provide an overview of the complex cellular and molecular pathways driving heart morphogenesis and how those discoveries have provided new roads into the genetic, clinical and therapeutic management of the diseased hearts.
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Adlat S, Sah RK, Hayel F, Chen Y, Bah FB, Al-Azab M, Bahadar N, Myint M, Oo ZM, Nasser MI, Zhang L, Feng X, Zheng Y. Global transcriptome study of Dip2B-deficient mouse embryonic lung fibroblast reveals its important roles in cell proliferation and development. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:2381-2390. [PMID: 33005301 PMCID: PMC7502710 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Disco-interacting protein 2 homolog B (Dip2B) is a member of Dip2 family encoded by Dip2b gene. Dip2B has been reported to regulate murine epithelial KIT+ progenitor cell expansion and differentiation epigenetically via exosomal miRNA targeting during salivary gland organogenesis. However, its molecular functions, cellular activities and biological process remain unstudied. Here, we investigated the transcriptome of Dip2B-deficient mouse embryonic lung fibroblasts (MELFs) isolated from E14.5 embryos by RNA-Seq. Expression profiling identified 1369 and 1104 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from Dip2b−/− and Dip2b+/− MELFs in comparisons to wild-type (Dip2b+/+). Functional clustering of DEGs revealed that many gene ontology terms belong to membrane activities such as ‘integral component of plasma membrane’, and ‘ion channel activity’, suggesting possible roles of Dip2B in membrane integrity and membrane function. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that multiple metabolic pathways are affected in Dip2b−/− and Dip2b+/− when compared to Dip2b+/+ MELFs. These include ‘protein digestion and absorption’, ‘pancreatic secretion’ and ‘steroid hormone synthesis pathway’. These results suggest that Dip2B may play important roles in metabolism. Molecular function analysis shows transcription factors including Hox-genes, bHLH-genes, and Forkhead-genes are significantly down-regulated in Dip2b−/− MELFs. These genes are critical in embryo development and cell differentiation. In addition, Dip2B-deficient MELFs demonstrated a reduction in cell proliferation and migration, and an increase in apoptosis. All results indicate that Dip2B plays multiple roles in cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis during embryogenesis and may participate in control of metabolism. This study provides valuable information for further understanding of the function and regulatory mechanisms of Dip2B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salah Adlat
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - Rajiv Kumar Sah
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - Farooq Hayel
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - Fatoumata Binta Bah
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - Mahmoud Al-Azab
- Department of Immunology, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510623, China
| | - Noor Bahadar
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - May Myint
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - Zin Mar Oo
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - M I Nasser
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - Luqing Zhang
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xuechao Feng
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
| | - Yaowu Zheng
- Transgenic Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin 130024, China
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7
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Perino MG, Yamanaka S, Riordon DR, Tarasova Y, Boheler KR. Ascorbic acid promotes cardiomyogenesis through SMAD1 signaling in differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188569. [PMID: 29232368 PMCID: PMC5726630 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous groups have documented that Ascorbic Acid (AA) promotes cardiomyocyte differentiation from both mouse and human ESCs and iPSCs. AA is now considered indispensable for the routine production of hPSC-cardiomyocytes (CMs) using defined media; however, the mechanisms involved with the inductive process are poorly understood. Using a genetically modified mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) line containing a dsRED transgene driven by the cardiac-restricted portion of the ncx1 promoter, we show that AA promoted differentiation of mESCs to CMs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Treatment of mPSCs with AA did not modulate total SMAD content; however, the phosphorylated/active forms of SMAD2 and SMAD1/5/8 were significantly elevated. Co-administration of the SMAD2/3 activator Activin A with AA had no significant effect, but the addition of the nodal co-receptor TDGF1 (Cripto) antagonized AA’s cardiomyogenic-promoting ability. AA could also reverse some of the inhibitory effects on cardiomyogenesis of ALK/SMAD2 inhibition by SB431542, a TGFβ pathway inhibitor. Treatment with BMP2 and AA strongly amplified the positive cardiomyogenic effects of SMAD1/5/8 in a dose-dependent manner. AA could not, however, rescue dorsomorphin-mediated inhibition of ALK/SMAD1 activity. Using an inducible model system, we found that SMAD1, but not SMAD2, was essential for AA to promote the formation of TNNT2+-CMs. These data firmly demonstrate that BMP receptor-activated SMADs, preferential to TGFβ receptor-activated SMADs, are necessary to promote AA stimulated cardiomyogenesis. AA-enhanced cardiomyogenesis thus relies on the ability of AA to modulate the ratio of SMAD signaling among the TGFβ-superfamily receptor signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Perino
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Satoshi Yamanaka
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Daniel R. Riordon
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yelena Tarasova
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kenneth R. Boheler
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Consortium, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China
- Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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8
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Barnes RM, Harris IS, Jaehnig EJ, Sauls K, Sinha T, Rojas A, Schachterle W, McCulley DJ, Norris RA, Black BL. MEF2C regulates outflow tract alignment and transcriptional control of Tdgf1. Development 2016; 143:774-9. [PMID: 26811383 DOI: 10.1242/dev.126383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects in humans, and those that affect the proper alignment of the outflow tracts and septation of the ventricles are a highly significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. A late differentiating population of cardiac progenitors, referred to as the anterior second heart field (AHF), gives rise to the outflow tract and the majority of the right ventricle and provides an embryological context for understanding cardiac outflow tract alignment and membranous ventricular septal defects. However, the transcriptional pathways controlling AHF development and their roles in congenital heart defects remain incompletely elucidated. Here, we inactivated the gene encoding the transcription factor MEF2C in the AHF in mice. Loss of Mef2c function in the AHF results in a spectrum of outflow tract alignment defects ranging from overriding aorta to double-outlet right ventricle and dextro-transposition of the great arteries. We identify Tdgf1, which encodes a Nodal co-receptor (also known as Cripto), as a direct transcriptional target of MEF2C in the outflow tract via an AHF-restricted Tdgf1 enhancer. Importantly, both the MEF2C and TDGF1 genes are associated with congenital heart defects in humans. Thus, these studies establish a direct transcriptional pathway between the core cardiac transcription factor MEF2C and the human congenital heart disease gene TDGF1. Moreover, we found a range of outflow tract alignment defects resulting from a single genetic lesion, supporting the idea that AHF-derived outflow tract alignment defects may constitute an embryological spectrum rather than distinct anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralston M Barnes
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-3120, USA
| | - Ian S Harris
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-3120, USA Division of Cardiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Eric J Jaehnig
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-3120, USA
| | - Kimberly Sauls
- Cardiovascular Developmental Biology Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Tanvi Sinha
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-3120, USA
| | - Anabel Rojas
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-3120, USA
| | - William Schachterle
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-3120, USA
| | - David J McCulley
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-3120, USA
| | - Russell A Norris
- Cardiovascular Developmental Biology Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Brian L Black
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-3120, USA Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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9
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Ruggiero D, Nappo S, Nutile T, Sorice R, Talotta F, Giorgio E, Bellenguez C, Leutenegger AL, Liguori GL, Ciullo M. Genetic variants modulating CRIPTO serum levels identified by genome-wide association study in Cilento isolates. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1004976. [PMID: 25629528 PMCID: PMC4309561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/29/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cripto, the founding member of the EGF-CFC genes, plays an essential role in embryo development and is involved in cancer progression. Cripto is a GPI-anchored protein that can interact with various components of multiple signaling pathways, such as TGF-β, Wnt and MAPK, driving different processes, among them epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cell proliferation, and stem cell renewal. Cripto protein can also be cleaved and released outside the cell in a soluble and still active form. Cripto is not significantly expressed in adult somatic tissues and its re-expression has been observed associated to pathological conditions, mainly cancer. Accordingly, CRIPTO has been detected at very low levels in the plasma of healthy volunteers, whereas its levels are significantly higher in patients with breast, colon or glioblastoma tumors. These data suggest that CRIPTO levels in human plasma or serum may have clinical significance. However, very little is known about the variability of serum levels of CRIPTO at a population level and the genetic contribution underlying this variability remains unknown. Here, we report the first genome-wide association study of CRIPTO serum levels in isolated populations (n = 1,054) from Cilento area in South Italy. The most associated SNPs (p-value<5*10-8) were all located on chromosome 3p22.1-3p21.3, in the CRIPTO gene region. Overall six CRIPTO associated loci were replicated in an independent sample (n = 535). Pathway analysis identified a main network including two other genes, besides CRIPTO, in the associated regions, involved in cell movement and proliferation. The replicated loci explain more than 87% of the CRIPTO variance, with 85% explained by the most associated SNP. Moreover, the functional analysis of the main associated locus identified a causal variant in the 5’UTR of CRIPTO gene which is able to strongly modulate CRIPTO expression through an AP-1-mediate transcriptional regulation. Cripto gene has a fundamental role in embryo development and is also involved in cancer. The protein is bound to the cell membrane through an anchor, that can be cleaved, causing the secretion of the protein, in a still active form. In the adult, CRIPTO is detected at very low levels in normal tissues and in the blood, while its increase in both tissues and blood is associated to pathological conditions, mainly cancer. As other GPI linked proteins such as the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), one of the most used tumor markers, CRIPTO is able to reach the bloodstream. Therefore, CRIPTO represents a new promising biomarker and potential therapeutic target, and blood CRIPTO levels might be associated to clinical features. Here we examined the variability of blood CRIPTO levels at a population level (population isolates from the Cilento region in South Italy) and we investigated the genetic architecture underlying this variability. We reported the association of common genetic variants with the levels of CRIPTO protein in the blood and we identified a main locus on chromosome 3 and additional five associated loci. Moreover, through functional analyses, we were able to uncover the mechanism responsible for the variation in CRIPTO levels, which is a regulation mediated by the transcriptional factor AP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ruggiero
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Nappo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Nutile
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Rossella Sorice
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Talotta
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Emilia Giorgio
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Celine Bellenguez
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France
- Inserm, U744, Lille, France
- Université Lille-Nord de France, Lille, France
| | - Anne-Louise Leutenegger
- Inserm, U946, Paris, France
- Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, IUH, UMR-S 946, Paris, France
| | - Giovanna L. Liguori
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Ciullo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy
- * E-mail:
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10
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The multifaceted role of the embryonic gene Cripto-1 in cancer, stem cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Semin Cancer Biol 2014; 29:51-8. [PMID: 25153355 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cripto-1 (CR-1)/Teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor1 (TDGF-1) is a cell surface glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked glycoprotein that can function either in cis (autocrine) or in trans (paracrine). The cell membrane cis form is found in lipid rafts and endosomes while the trans acting form lacking the GPI anchor is soluble. As a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)/Cripto-1-FRL-1-Cryptic (CFC) family, CR-1 functions as an obligatory co-receptor for the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family members, Nodal and growth and differentiation factors 1 and 3 (GDF1/3) by activating Alk4/Alk7 signaling pathways that involve Smads 2, 3 and 4. In addition, CR-1 can activate non-Smad-dependent signaling elements such as PI3K, Akt and MAPK. Both of these pathways depend upon the 78kDa glucose regulated protein (GRP78). Finally, CR-1 can facilitate signaling through the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and Notch/Cbf-1 pathways by functioning as a chaperone protein for LRP5/6 and Notch, respectively. CR-1 is essential for early embryonic development and maintains embryonic stem cell pluripotentiality. CR-1 performs an essential role in the etiology and progression of several types of human tumors where it is expressed in a population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) and facilitates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this context, CR-1 can significantly enhance tumor cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Collectively, these facts suggest that CR-1 may be an attractive target in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of several types of human cancer.
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