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Yang J, Sun Q, Liu X, Yang Y, Rong R, Yan P, Xie Y. Targeting Notch signaling pathways with natural bioactive compounds: a promising approach against cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1412669. [PMID: 39092224 PMCID: PMC11291470 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1412669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling pathway is activated abnormally in solid and hematological tumors, which perform essential functions in cell differentiation, survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis. The activation of Notch signaling and communication among Notch and other oncogenic pathways heighten malignancy aggressiveness. Thus, targeting Notch signaling offers opportunities for improved survival and reduced disease incidence. Already, most attention has been given to its role in the cancer cells. Recent research shows that natural bioactive compounds can change signaling molecules that are linked to or interact with the Notch pathways. This suggests that there may be a link between Notch activation and the growth of tumors. Here, we sum up the natural bioactive compounds that possess inhibitory effects on human cancers by impeding the Notch pathway and preventing Notch crosstalk with other oncogenic pathways, which provoke further study of these natural products to derive rational therapeutic regimens for the treatment of cancer and develop novel anticancer drugs. This review revealed Notch as a highly challenging but promising target in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yang
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qihui Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classical Theory, Ministry of Education, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Rong Rong
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Peiyu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao SAR, China
| | - Ying Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Sun J, Zhu W, Luan M, Xing Y, Feng Z, Zhu J, Ma X, Wang Y, Jia Y. Positive GLI1/INHBA feedback loop drives tumor progression in gastric cancer. Cancer Sci 2024; 115:2301-2317. [PMID: 38676428 PMCID: PMC11247559 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16193] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
GLI1, a key transcription factor of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, plays an important role in the development of cancer. However, the function and mechanisms by which GLI1 regulates gene transcription are not fully understood in gastric cancer (GC). Here, we found that GLI1 induced the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells, accompanied by transcriptional upregulation of INHBA. This increased INHBA expression exerted a promoting activity on Smads signaling and then transcriptionally activated GLI1 expression. Notably, our results demonstrate that disrupting the interaction between GLI1 and INHBA could inhibit GC tumorigenesis in vivo. More intriguingly, we confirmed the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) activation mechanism of the Helicobacter pylori/FTO/YTHDF2/GLI1 pathway in GC cells. In conclusion, our study confirmed that the GLI1/INHBA positive feedback loop influences GC progression and revealed the mechanism by which H. pylori upregulates GLI1 expression through m6A modification. This positive GLI1/INHBA feedback loop suggests a novel noncanonical mechanism of GLI1 activity in GC and provides potential therapeutic targets for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingguo Sun
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenshuai Zhu
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Muhua Luan
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuanxin Xing
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhaotian Feng
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Jingyu Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yunshan Wang
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yanfei Jia
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Bou-Rouphael J, Doulazmi M, Eschstruth A, Abdou A, Durand BC. Cerebellar granular neuron progenitors exit their germinative niche via BarH-like1 activity mediated partly by inhibition of T-cell factor. Development 2024; 151:dev202234. [PMID: 38860486 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202234] [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: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Cerebellar granule neuron progenitors (GNPs) originate from the upper rhombic lip (URL), a germinative niche in which developmental defects produce human diseases. T-cell factor (TCF) responsiveness and Notch dependence are hallmarks of self-renewal in neural stem cells. TCF activity, together with transcripts encoding proneural gene repressors hairy and enhancer of split (Hes/Hey), are detected in the URL; however, their functions and regulatory modes are undeciphered. Here, we established amphibian as a pertinent model for studying vertebrate URL development. The amphibian long-lived URL is TCF active, whereas the external granular layer (EGL) is non-proliferative and expresses hes4 and hes5 genes. Using functional and transcriptomic approaches, we show that TCF activity is necessary for URL emergence and maintenance. We establish that the transcription factor Barhl1 controls GNP exit from the URL, acting partly through direct TCF inhibition. Identification of Barhl1 target genes suggests that, besides TCF, Barhl1 inhibits transcription of hes5 genes independently of Notch signaling. Observations in amniotes suggest a conserved role for Barhl in maintenance of the URL and/or EGL via co-regulation of TCF, Hes and Hey genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Bou-Rouphael
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS) - Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Mohamed Doulazmi
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR8256, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS) - Laboratoire Adaptation Biologique et Vieillissement, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Alexis Eschstruth
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS) - Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Asna Abdou
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS) - Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Béatrice C Durand
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS) - Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, 75005 Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR8256, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS) - Laboratoire Adaptation Biologique et Vieillissement, 75005 Paris, France
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Cucun G, Köhler M, Pfitsch S, Rastegar S. Insights into the mechanisms of neuron generation and specification in the zebrafish ventral spinal cord. FEBS J 2024; 291:646-662. [PMID: 37498183 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16913] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
The vertebrate nervous system is composed of a wide range of neurons and complex synaptic connections, raising the intriguing question of how neuronal diversity is generated. The spinal cord provides an excellent model for exploring the mechanisms governing neuronal diversity due to its simple neural network and the conserved molecular processes involved in neuron formation and specification during evolution. This review specifically examines two distinct progenitor domains present in the zebrafish ventral spinal cord: the lateral floor plate (LFP) and the p2 progenitor domain. The LFP is responsible for the production of GABAergic Kolmer-Agduhr neurons (KA″), glutamatergic V3 neurons, and intraspinal serotonergic neurons, while the p2 domain generates V2 precursors that subsequently differentiate into three unique subpopulations of V2 neurons, namely glutamatergic V2a, GABAergic V2b, and glycinergic V2s. Based on recent findings, we will examine the fundamental signaling pathways and transcription factors that play a key role in the specification of these diverse neurons and neuronal subtypes derived from the LFP and p2 progenitor domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokhan Cucun
- Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Melina Köhler
- Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Pfitsch
- Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute for Biological and Chemical Systems - Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Chen F, Köhler M, Cucun G, Takamiya M, Kizil C, Cosacak MI, Rastegar S. sox1a:eGFP transgenic line and single-cell transcriptomics reveal the origin of zebrafish intraspinal serotonergic neurons. iScience 2023; 26:107342. [PMID: 37529101 PMCID: PMC10387610 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sox transcription factors are crucial for vertebrate nervous system development. In zebrafish embryo, sox1 genes are expressed in neural progenitor cells and neurons of ventral spinal cord. Our recent study revealed that the loss of sox1a and sox1b function results in a significant decline of V2 subtype neurons (V2s). Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we analyzed the transcriptome of sox1a lineage progenitors and neurons in the zebrafish spinal cord at four time points during embryonic development, employing the Tg(sox1a:eGFP) line. In addition to previously characterized sox1a-expressing neurons, we discovered the expression of sox1a in late-developing intraspinal serotonergic neurons (ISNs). Developmental trajectory analysis suggests that ISNs arise from lateral floor plate (LFP) progenitor cells. Pharmacological inhibition of the Notch signaling pathway revealed its role in negatively regulating LFP progenitor cell differentiation into ISNs. Our findings highlight the zebrafish LFP as a progenitor domain for ISNs, alongside known Kolmer-Agduhr (KA) and V3 interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fushun Chen
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Melina Köhler
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Gokhan Cucun
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Masanari Takamiya
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Caghan Kizil
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Tatzberg 41, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Neurology and the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mehmet Ilyas Cosacak
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Tatzberg 41, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Campus North, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
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Hedgehog-GLI and Notch Pathways Sustain Chemoresistance and Invasiveness in Colorectal Cancer and Their Inhibition Restores Chemotherapy Efficacy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15051471. [PMID: 36900263 PMCID: PMC10000782 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15051471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and chemoresistance is a major medical issue. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the primary step in the emergence of the invasive phenotype and the Hedgehog-GLI (HH-GLI) and NOTCH signaling pathways are associated with poor prognosis and EMT in CRC. CRC cell lines harboring KRAS or BRAF mutations, grown as monolayers and organoids, were treated with the chemotherapeutic agent 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) alone or combined with HH-GLI and NOTCH pathway inhibitors GANT61 and DAPT, or arsenic trioxide (ATO) to inhibit both pathways. Treatment with 5-FU led to the activation of HH-GLI and NOTCH pathways in both models. In KRAS mutant CRC, HH-GLI and NOTCH signaling activation co-operate to enhance chemoresistance and cell motility, while in BRAF mutant CRC, the HH-GLI pathway drives the chemoresistant and motile phenotype. We then showed that 5-FU promotes the mesenchymal and thus invasive phenotype in KRAS and BRAF mutant organoids and that chemosensitivity could be restored by targeting the HH-GLI pathway in BRAF mutant CRC or both HH-GLI and NOTCH pathways in KRAS mutant CRC. We suggest that in KRAS-driven CRC, the FDA-approved ATO acts as a chemotherapeutic sensitizer, whereas GANT61 is a promising chemotherapeutic sensitizer in BRAF-driven CRC.
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The role of Hedgehog and Notch signaling pathway in cancer. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2022; 3:44. [PMID: 36517618 PMCID: PMC9751255 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-022-00099-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Notch and Hedgehog signaling are involved in cancer biology and pathology, including the maintenance of tumor cell proliferation, cancer stem-like cells, and the tumor microenvironment. Given the complexity of Notch signaling in tumors, its role as both a tumor promoter and suppressor, and the crosstalk between pathways, the goal of developing clinically safe, effective, tumor-specific Notch-targeted drugs has remained intractable. Drugs developed against the Hedgehog signaling pathway have affirmed definitive therapeutic effects in basal cell carcinoma; however, in some contexts, the challenges of tumor resistance and recurrence leap to the forefront. The efficacy is very limited for other tumor types. In recent years, we have witnessed an exponential increase in the investigation and recognition of the critical roles of the Notch and Hedgehog signaling pathways in cancers, and the crosstalk between these pathways has vast space and value to explore. A series of clinical trials targeting signaling have been launched continually. In this review, we introduce current advances in the understanding of Notch and Hedgehog signaling and the crosstalk between pathways in specific tumor cell populations and microenvironments. Moreover, we also discuss the potential of targeting Notch and Hedgehog for cancer therapy, intending to promote the leap from bench to bedside.
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Jacobs CT, Kejriwal A, Kocha KM, Jin KY, Huang P. Temporal cell fate determination in the spinal cord is mediated by the duration of Notch signalling. Dev Biol 2022; 489:1-13. [PMID: 35623404 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During neural development, progenitor cells generate different types of neurons in specific time windows. Despite the characterisation of many of the transcription factor networks involved in these differentiation events, the mechanism behind their temporal regulation is poorly understood. To address this question, we studied the temporal differentiation of the simple lateral floor plate (LFP) domain in the zebrafish spinal cord. LFP progenitors generate both early-born Kolmer-Agduhr" (KA") interneuron and late-born V3 interneuron populations. Analysis using a Notch signalling reporter demonstrates that these cell populations have distinct Notch signalling profiles. Not only do V3 progenitors receive higher total levels of Notch response, but they collect this response over a longer duration compared to KA" progenitors. To test whether the duration of Notch signalling determines the temporal cell fate specification, we combined a transgene that constitutively activates Notch signalling in the ventral spinal cord with a heat shock inducible Notch signalling terminator to switch off Notch response at any given time. Sustained Notch signalling results in expanded LFP progenitors while KA" and V3 interneurons fail to specify. Early termination of Notch signalling leads to exclusively KA" cell fate, despite the high level of Notch signalling, whereas late attenuation of Notch signalling drives only V3 cell fate. This suggests that the duration of Notch signalling, not simply the level, mediates cell fate specification. Interestingly, knockdown experiments reveal a role for the Notch ligand Jag2b in maintaining LFP progenitors and limiting their differentiation into KA" and V3 interneurons. Our results indicate that Notch signalling is required for neural progenitor maintenance while a specific attenuation timetable defines the fate of the postmitotic progeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig T Jacobs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Aarti Kejriwal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Katrinka M Kocha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Kevin Y Jin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Probiotics Enhance Bone Growth and Rescue BMP Inhibition: New Transgenic Zebrafish Lines to Study Bone Health. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094748. [PMID: 35563140 PMCID: PMC9102566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish larvae, especially gene-specific mutants and transgenic lines, are increasingly used to study vertebrate skeletal development and human pathologies such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis and osteoarthritis. Probiotics have been recognized in recent years as a prophylactic treatment for various bone health issues in humans. Here, we present two new zebrafish transgenic lines containing the coding sequences for fluorescent proteins inserted into the endogenous genes for sp7 and col10a1a with larvae displaying fluorescence in developing osteoblasts and the bone extracellular matrix (mineralized or non-mineralized), respectively. Furthermore, we use these transgenic lines to show that exposure to two different probiotics, Bacillus subtilis and Lactococcus lactis, leads to an increase in osteoblast formation and bone matrix growth and mineralization. Gene expression analysis revealed the effect of the probiotics, particularly Bacillus subtilis, in modulating several skeletal development genes, such as runx2, sp7, spp1 and col10a1a, further supporting their ability to improve bone health. Bacillus subtilis was the more potent probiotic able to significantly reverse the inhibition of bone matrix formation when larvae were exposed to a BMP inhibitor (LDN212854).
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Hageter J, Waalkes M, Starkey J, Copeland H, Price H, Bays L, Showman C, Laverty S, Bergeron SA, Horstick EJ. Environmental and Molecular Modulation of Motor Individuality in Larval Zebrafish. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:777778. [PMID: 34938167 PMCID: PMC8685292 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.777778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate behavioral biases such as human handedness are a ubiquitous form of inter-individual variation that are not strictly hardwired into the genome and are influenced by diverse internal and external cues. Yet, genetic and environmental factors modulating behavioral variation remain poorly understood, especially in vertebrates. To identify genetic and environmental factors that influence behavioral variation, we take advantage of larval zebrafish light-search behavior. During light-search, individuals preferentially turn in leftward or rightward loops, in which directional bias is sustained and non-heritable. Our previous work has shown that bias is maintained by a habenula-rostral PT circuit and genes associated with Notch signaling. Here we use a medium-throughput recording strategy and unbiased analysis to show that significant individual to individual variation exists in wildtype larval zebrafish turning preference. We classify stable left, right, and unbiased turning types, with most individuals exhibiting a directional preference. We show unbiased behavior is not due to a loss of photo-responsiveness but reduced persistence in same-direction turning. Raising larvae at elevated temperature selectively reduces the leftward turning type and impacts rostral PT neurons, specifically. Exposure to conspecifics, variable salinity, environmental enrichment, and physical disturbance does not significantly impact inter-individual turning bias. Pharmacological manipulation of Notch signaling disrupts habenula development and turn bias individuality in a dose dependent manner, establishing a direct role of Notch signaling. Last, a mutant allele of a known Notch pathway affecter gene, gsx2, disrupts turn bias individuality, implicating that brain regions independent of the previously established habenula-rostral PT likely contribute to inter-individual variation. These results establish that larval zebrafish is a powerful vertebrate model for inter-individual variation with established neural targets showing sensitivity to specific environmental and gene signaling disruptions. Our results provide new insight into how variation is generated in the vertebrate nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Hageter
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Matthew Waalkes
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Jacob Starkey
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Haylee Copeland
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Heather Price
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Logan Bays
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Casey Showman
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Sean Laverty
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK, United States
| | - Sadie A. Bergeron
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Eric J. Horstick
- Department of Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
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11
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Marczenke M, Sunaga-Franze DY, Popp O, Althaus IW, Sauer S, Mertins P, Christ A, Allen BL, Willnow TE. GAS1 is required for NOTCH-dependent facilitation of SHH signaling in the ventral forebrain neuroepithelium. Development 2021; 148:272617. [PMID: 34698766 PMCID: PMC8627604 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Growth arrest-specific 1 (GAS1) acts as a co-receptor to patched 1, promoting sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling in the developing nervous system. GAS1 mutations in humans and animal models result in forebrain and craniofacial malformations, defects ascribed to a function for GAS1 in SHH signaling during early neurulation. Here, we confirm loss of SHH activity in the forebrain neuroepithelium in GAS1-deficient mice and in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell models of human neuroepithelial differentiation. However, our studies document that this defect can be attributed, at least in part, to a novel role for GAS1 in facilitating NOTCH signaling, which is essential to sustain a persistent SHH activity domain in the forebrain neuroepithelium. GAS1 directly binds NOTCH1, enhancing ligand-induced processing of the NOTCH1 intracellular domain, which drives NOTCH pathway activity in the developing forebrain. Our findings identify a unique role for GAS1 in integrating NOTCH and SHH signal reception in neuroepithelial cells, and they suggest that loss of GAS1-dependent NOTCH1 activation contributes to forebrain malformations in individuals carrying GAS1 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Marczenke
- Molecular Physiology, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, 12169 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Popp
- Proteomics Platform, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Irene W Althaus
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sascha Sauer
- Genomics Platform, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Mertins
- Proteomics Platform, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annabel Christ
- Molecular Physiology, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Benjamin L Allen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Thomas E Willnow
- Molecular Physiology, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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Lainez-González D, Serrano-López J, Alonso-Domínguez JM. Understanding the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells: A Necessary Step toward a Cure. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10040255. [PMID: 33804919 PMCID: PMC8063837 DOI: 10.3390/biology10040255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The Hedgehog signaling pathway is related to the cell cycle. In particular, it is considered to play a fundamental role in the quiescence of leukemic stem cell (i.e., a temporary resting state without cell replication). Leukemic stem cells are the cells supposed to give rise to the relapses of the leukemia. Therefore, the Hedgehog pathway must be understood to improve the current treatments against acute myeloid leukemia and avoid the relapse of the disease. In this review, we gather the present knowledge about the physiological Hedgehog pathway function, the aberrant activation of Hedgehog in leukemia, and highlight the lack of evidence regarding some aspects of this important pathway. Finally, we summarize the acute myeloid leukemia treatments targeting this signaling pathway. Abstract A better understanding of how signaling pathways govern cell fate is fundamental to advances in cancer development and treatment. The initialization of different tumors and their maintenance are caused by the deregulation of different signaling pathways and cancer stem cell maintenance. Quiescent stem cells are resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic treatments and, consequently, are responsible for disease relapse. In this review we focus on the conserved Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway which is involved in regulating the cell cycle of hematopoietic and leukemic stem cells. Thus, we examine the role of the Hh signaling pathway in normal and leukemic stem cells and dissect its role in acute myeloid leukemia. We explain not only the connection between illness and the signaling pathway but also evaluate innovative therapeutic approaches that could affect the outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia. We found that many aspects of the Hedgehog signaling pathway remain unknown. The role of Hh has only been proven in embryo and hematopoietic stem cell development. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of GLI transcription factors for therapeutic targeting. Glasdegib, an SMO inhibitor, has shown clinical activity in acute myeloid leukemia; however, its mechanism of action is not clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lainez-González
- Experimental Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avenida Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.-G.); (J.S.-L.)
| | - Juana Serrano-López
- Experimental Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avenida Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.-G.); (J.S.-L.)
| | - Juan Manuel Alonso-Domínguez
- Experimental Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Avenida Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (D.L.-G.); (J.S.-L.)
- Hematology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Avenida Reyes Católicos 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-918488100-2673
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Danesin C, Darche-Gabinaud R, Escalas N, Bouguetoch V, Cochard P, Al Oustah A, Ohayon D, Glise B, Soula C. Sulf2a controls Shh-dependent neural fate specification in the developing spinal cord. Sci Rep 2021; 11:118. [PMID: 33420239 PMCID: PMC7794431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulf2a belongs to the Sulf family of extracellular sulfatases which selectively remove 6-O-sulfate groups from heparan sulfates, a critical regulation level for their role in modulating the activity of signalling molecules. Data presented here define Sulf2a as a novel player in the control of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh)-mediated cell type specification during spinal cord development. We show that Sulf2a depletion in zebrafish results in overproduction of V3 interneurons at the expense of motor neurons and also impedes generation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), three cell types that depend on Shh for their generation. We provide evidence that Sulf2a, expressed in a spatially restricted progenitor domain, acts by maintaining the correct patterning and specification of ventral progenitors. More specifically, Sulf2a prevents Olig2 progenitors to activate high-threshold Shh response and, thereby, to adopt a V3 interneuron fate, thus ensuring proper production of motor neurons and OPCs. We propose a model in which Sulf2a reduces Shh signalling levels in responding cells by decreasing their sensitivity to the morphogen factor. More generally, our work, revealing that, in contrast to its paralog Sulf1, Sulf2a regulates neural fate specification in Shh target cells, provides direct evidence of non-redundant functions of Sulfs in the developing spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Danesin
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Université de Toulouse, CNRS (UMR 5547), Toulouse, France.
| | - Romain Darche-Gabinaud
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Université de Toulouse, CNRS (UMR 5547), Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Escalas
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Université de Toulouse, CNRS (UMR 5547), Toulouse, France
| | - Vanessa Bouguetoch
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Université de Toulouse, CNRS (UMR 5547), Toulouse, France
| | - Philippe Cochard
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Université de Toulouse, CNRS (UMR 5547), Toulouse, France
| | - Amir Al Oustah
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Université de Toulouse, CNRS (UMR 5547), Toulouse, France
| | - David Ohayon
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Université de Toulouse, CNRS (UMR 5547), Toulouse, France
| | - Bruno Glise
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Université de Toulouse, CNRS (UMR 5547), Toulouse, France
| | - Cathy Soula
- Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Centre de Biologie du Développement (CBD), Université de Toulouse, CNRS (UMR 5547), Toulouse, France
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Jacobs CT, Huang P. Complex crosstalk of Notch and Hedgehog signalling during the development of the central nervous system. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:635-644. [PMID: 32880661 PMCID: PMC11072263 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03627-3] [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: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) is tightly regulated by many highly conserved cell signalling pathways. These pathways ensure that differentiation and migration events occur in a specific and spatiotemporally restricted manner. Two of these pathways, Notch and Hedgehog (Hh) signalling, have been shown to form a complex web of interaction throughout different stages of CNS development. Strikingly, some processes employ Notch signalling to regulate Hh response, while others utilise Hh signalling to modulate Notch response. Notch signalling functions upstream of Hh response through controlling the trafficking of integral pathway components as well as through modulating protein levels and transcription of downstream transcriptional factors. In contrast, Hh signalling regulates Notch response by either indirectly controlling expression of key Notch ligands and regulatory proteins or directly through transcriptional control of canonical Notch target genes. Here, we review these interactions and demonstrate the level of interconnectivity between the pathways, highlighting context-dependent modes of crosstalk. Since many other developmental signalling pathways are active in these tissues, it is likely that the interplay between Notch and Hh signalling is not only an example of signalling crosstalk but also functions as a component of a wider, multi-pathway signalling network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig T Jacobs
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Wasson CW, Ross RL, Wells R, Corinaldesi C, Georgiou IC, Riobo-Del Galdo NA, Del Galdo F. Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR induces GLI2 expression through Notch signalling in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:286. [PMID: 33303026 PMCID: PMC7726858 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02376-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by tissue fibrosis of the major organs of the body including the skin, lungs and heart. We have previously reported that the lncRNA HOTAIR plays a central role in the activation of SSc myofibroblasts, the key cellular elements of fibrosis. HOTAIR induces fibroblast activation through H3K27me3-mediated activation of the Notch signalling pathway. Here we aimed to identify the signalling events downstream of Notch that drive SSc myofibroblast activation. METHODS Patient fibroblasts were obtained from full-thickness forearm skin biopsies of 3 adult patients with SSc of recent onset. The lncRNA HOTAIR was expressed in healthy dermal fibroblasts by lentiviral transduction. Hedgehog signalling pathway was inhibited with GANT61 and GLI2 siRNA. Gamma secretase inhibitors RO4929097 and DAPT were used to block Notch signalling. GSK126 was used to inhibit Enhancer of Zeste 2 (EZH2). RESULTS Overexpression of HOTAIR in dermal fibroblasts induced the expression of the Hedgehog pathway transcription factor GLI2. This is mediated by activation of Notch signalling following epigenetic downregulation of miRNA-34a expression. Inhibition of H3K27 methylation and Notch signalling reduced expression of GLI2 in HOTAIR-expressing fibroblasts as well as in SSc dermal fibroblasts. Importantly, the inhibition of GLI2 function using GANT61 or siRNA mitigates the pro-fibrotic phenotype induced by HOTAIR. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicates that GLI2 expression is stably upregulated in SSc myofibroblasts through HOTAIR and that GLI2 mediates the expression of pro-fibrotic markers downstream of Notch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Wasson
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Rebecca L Ross
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Rebecca Wells
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Clarissa Corinaldesi
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Ioanna Ch Georgiou
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Natalia A Riobo-Del Galdo
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
- Scleroderma Programme, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, UK.
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