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Ramos-Rodríguez M, Subirana-Granés M, Norris R, Sordi V, Fernández Á, Fuentes-Páez G, Pérez-González B, Berenguer Balaguer C, Raurell-Vila H, Chowdhury M, Corripio R, Partelli S, López-Bigas N, Pellegrini S, Montanya E, Nacher M, Falconi M, Layer R, Rovira M, González-Pérez A, Piemonti L, Pasquali L. Implications of noncoding regulatory functions in the development of insulinomas. CELL GENOMICS 2024:100604. [PMID: 38959898 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors arising from pancreatic β cells, characterized by aberrant proliferation and altered insulin secretion, leading to glucose homeostasis failure. With the aim of uncovering the role of noncoding regulatory regions and their aberrations in the development of these tumors, we coupled epigenetic and transcriptome profiling with whole-genome sequencing. As a result, we unraveled somatic mutations associated with changes in regulatory functions. Critically, these regions impact insulin secretion, tumor development, and epigenetic modifying genes, including polycomb complex components. Chromatin remodeling is apparent in insulinoma-selective domains shared across patients, containing a specific set of regulatory sequences dominated by the SOX17 binding motif. Moreover, many of these regions are H3K27me3 repressed in β cells, suggesting that tumoral transition involves derepression of polycomb-targeted domains. Our work provides a compendium of aberrant cis-regulatory elements affecting the function and fate of β cells in their progression to insulinomas and a framework to identify coding and noncoding driver mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Ramos-Rodríguez
- Endocrine Regulatory Genomics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Subirana-Granés
- Endocrine Regulatory Genomics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Richard Norris
- Endocrine Regulatory Genomics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valeria Sordi
- Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) - IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ángel Fernández
- Endocrine Regulatory Genomics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Program for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Georgina Fuentes-Páez
- Endocrine Regulatory Genomics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Pérez-González
- Endocrine Regulatory Genomics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Clara Berenguer Balaguer
- Endocrine Regulatory Genomics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Helena Raurell-Vila
- Endocrine Regulatory Genomics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Murad Chowdhury
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Raquel Corripio
- Paediatric Endocrinology Department, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí I3PT, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Sabadell, Spain
| | - Stefano Partelli
- Pancreas Translational & Research Institute, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital and University Vita-Salute, Milan, Italy
| | - Núria López-Bigas
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Research Program on Biomedical Informatics, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Pellegrini
- Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) - IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Eduard Montanya
- Bellvitge Hospital-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat Nacher
- Bellvitge Hospital-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Massimo Falconi
- Pancreas Translational & Research Institute, Scientific Institute San Raffaele Hospital and University Vita-Salute, Milan, Italy
| | - Ryan Layer
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA; Department of Computer Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Meritxell Rovira
- Department of Physiological Science, School of Medicine, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Pancreas Regeneration: Pancreatic Progenitors and Their Niche Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Program for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Abel González-Pérez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain; Research Program on Biomedical Informatics, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Piemonti
- Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) - IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pasquali
- Endocrine Regulatory Genomics, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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2
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Weatherbee BAT, Gantner CW, Iwamoto-Stohl LK, Daza RM, Hamazaki N, Shendure J, Zernicka-Goetz M. Pluripotent stem cell-derived model of the post-implantation human embryo. Nature 2023; 622:584-593. [PMID: 37369347 PMCID: PMC10584688 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06368-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
The human embryo undergoes morphogenetic transformations following implantation into the uterus, but our knowledge of this crucial stage is limited by the inability to observe the embryo in vivo. Models of the embryo derived from stem cells are important tools for interrogating developmental events and tissue-tissue crosstalk during these stages1. Here we establish a model of the human post-implantation embryo, a human embryoid, comprising embryonic and extraembryonic tissues. We combine two types of extraembryonic-like cell generated by overexpression of transcription factors with wild-type embryonic stem cells and promote their self-organization into structures that mimic several aspects of the post-implantation human embryo. These self-organized aggregates contain a pluripotent epiblast-like domain surrounded by extraembryonic-like tissues. Our functional studies demonstrate that the epiblast-like domain robustly differentiates into amnion, extraembryonic mesenchyme and primordial germ cell-like cells in response to bone morphogenetic protein cues. In addition, we identify an inhibitory role for SOX17 in the specification of anterior hypoblast-like cells2. Modulation of the subpopulations in the hypoblast-like compartment demonstrates that extraembryonic-like cells influence epiblast-like domain differentiation, highlighting functional tissue-tissue crosstalk. In conclusion, we present a modular, tractable, integrated3 model of the human embryo that will enable us to probe key questions of human post-implantation development, a critical window during which substantial numbers of pregnancies fail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey A T Weatherbee
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carlos W Gantner
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lisa K Iwamoto-Stohl
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Riza M Daza
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nobuhiko Hamazaki
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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3
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Hu H, Ho D, Tan DS, MacCarthy C, Yu CH, Weng M, Schöler H, Jauch R. Evaluation of the determinants for improved pluripotency induction and maintenance by engineered SOX17. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8934-8956. [PMID: 37607832 PMCID: PMC10516664 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
An engineered SOX17 variant with point mutations within its DNA binding domain termed SOX17FNV is a more potent pluripotency inducer than SOX2, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Although wild-type SOX17 was incapable of inducing pluripotency, SOX17FNV outperformed SOX2 in mouse and human pluripotency reprogramming. In embryonic stem cells, SOX17FNV could replace SOX2 to maintain pluripotency despite considerable sequence differences and upregulated genes expressed in cleavage-stage embryos. Mechanistically, SOX17FNV co-bound OCT4 more cooperatively than SOX2 in the context of the canonical SoxOct DNA element. SOX2, SOX17, and SOX17FNV were all able to bind nucleosome core particles in vitro, which is a prerequisite for pioneer transcription factors. Experiments using purified proteins and in cellular contexts showed that SOX17 variants phase-separated more efficiently than SOX2, suggesting an enhanced ability to self-organise. Systematic deletion analyses showed that the N-terminus of SOX17FNV was dispensable for its reprogramming activity. However, the C-terminus encodes essential domains indicating multivalent interactions that drive transactivation and reprogramming. We defined a minimal SOX17FNV (miniSOX) that can support reprogramming with high activity, reducing the payload of reprogramming cassettes. This study uncovers the mechanisms behind SOX17FNV-induced pluripotency and establishes engineered SOX factors as powerful cell engineering tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoqing Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Derek Hoi Hang Ho
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong
| | - Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Cheng-han Yu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mingxi Weng
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong
| | | | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong
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4
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Li Y, Zheng C, Liu Y, He J, Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Kou X, Zhao Y, Liu K, Bai D, Jia Y, Han X, Sheng Y, Yin J, Wang H, Gao S, Liu W, Gao S. Inhibition of Wnt activity improves peri-implantation development of somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos. Natl Sci Rev 2023; 10:nwad173. [PMID: 37593113 PMCID: PMC10430793 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwad173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) can reprogram differentiated somatic cells into totipotency. Although pre-implantation development of SCNT embryos has greatly improved, most SCNT blastocysts are still arrested at the peri-implantation stage, and the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we develop a 3D in vitro culture system for SCNT peri-implantation embryos and discover that persistent Wnt signals block the naïve-to-primed pluripotency transition of epiblasts with aberrant H3K27me3 occupancy, which in turn leads to defects in epiblast transformation events and subsequent implantation failure. Strikingly, manipulating Wnt signals can attenuate the pluripotency transition and H3K27me3 deposition defects in epiblasts and achieve up to a 9-fold increase in cloning efficiency. Finally, single-cell RNA-seq analysis reveals that Wnt inhibition markedly enhances the lineage developmental trajectories of SCNT blastocysts during peri-implantation development. Overall, these findings reveal diminished potentials of SCNT blastocysts for lineage specification and validate a critical peri-implantation barrier for SCNT embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhe Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Caihong Zheng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yingdong Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jincan He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the MARA, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yalin Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaochen Kou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanhong Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Kuisheng Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Dandan Bai
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanping Jia
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yifan Sheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiqing Yin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of the MARA, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wenqiang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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5
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Kamaletdinova T, Zong W, Urbánek P, Wang S, Sannai M, Grigaravičius P, Sun W, Fanaei-Kahrani Z, Mangerich A, Hottiger MO, Li T, Wang ZQ. Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 Lacking Enzymatic Activity Is Not Compatible with Mouse Development. Cells 2023; 12:2078. [PMID: 37626888 PMCID: PMC10453916 DOI: 10.3390/cells12162078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) binds DNA lesions to catalyse poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) using NAD+ as a substrate. PARP1 plays multiple roles in cellular activities, including DNA repair, transcription, cell death, and chromatin remodelling. However, whether these functions are governed by the enzymatic activity or scaffolding function of PARP1 remains elusive. In this study, we inactivated in mice the enzymatic activity of PARP1 by truncating its C-terminus that is essential for ART catalysis (PARP1ΔC/ΔC, designated as PARP1-ΔC). The mutation caused embryonic lethality between embryonic day E8.5 and E13.5, in stark contrast to PARP1 complete knockout (PARP1-/-) mice, which are viable. Embryonic stem (ES) cell lines can be derived from PARP1ΔC/ΔC blastocysts, and these mutant ES cells can differentiate into all three germ layers, yet, with a high degree of cystic structures, indicating defects in epithelial cells. Intriguingly, PARP1-ΔC protein is expressed at very low levels compared to its full-length counterpart, suggesting a selective advantage for cell survival. Noticeably, PARP2 is particularly elevated and permanently present at the chromatin in PARP1-ΔC cells, indicating an engagement of PARP2 by non-enzymatic PARP1 protein at the chromatin. Surprisingly, the introduction of PARP1-ΔC mutation in adult mice did not impair their viability; yet, these mutant mice are hypersensitive to alkylating agents, similar to PARP1-/- mutant mice. Our study demonstrates that the catalytically inactive mutant of PARP1 causes the developmental block, plausibly involving PARP2 trapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Kamaletdinova
- Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (T.K.); (P.U.); (M.S.); (P.G.); (Z.F.-K.)
| | - Wen Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (W.Z.); (S.W.); (W.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Pavel Urbánek
- Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (T.K.); (P.U.); (M.S.); (P.G.); (Z.F.-K.)
| | - Sijia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (W.Z.); (S.W.); (W.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Mara Sannai
- Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (T.K.); (P.U.); (M.S.); (P.G.); (Z.F.-K.)
| | - Paulius Grigaravičius
- Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (T.K.); (P.U.); (M.S.); (P.G.); (Z.F.-K.)
| | - Wenli Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (W.Z.); (S.W.); (W.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Zahra Fanaei-Kahrani
- Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (T.K.); (P.U.); (M.S.); (P.G.); (Z.F.-K.)
| | - Aswin Mangerich
- Molecular Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany;
- Nutritional Toxicology, Institute of Nutritional Science, University of Potsdam, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Michael O. Hottiger
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Tangliang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (W.Z.); (S.W.); (W.S.); (T.L.)
| | - Zhao-Qi Wang
- Leibniz Institute on Aging—Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745 Jena, Germany; (T.K.); (P.U.); (M.S.); (P.G.); (Z.F.-K.)
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, 72 Binhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China; (W.Z.); (S.W.); (W.S.); (T.L.)
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
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6
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Fröhlich J, Rose K, Hecht A. Transcriptional activity mediated by β-CATENIN and TCF/LEF family members is completely dispensable for survival and propagation of multiple human colorectal cancer cell lines. Sci Rep 2023; 13:287. [PMID: 36609428 PMCID: PMC9822887 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-27261-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Unrestrained transcriptional activity of β-CATENIN and its binding partner TCF7L2 frequently underlies colorectal tumor initiation and is considered an obligatory oncogenic driver throughout intestinal carcinogenesis. Yet, the TCF7L2 gene carries inactivating mutations in about 10% of colorectal tumors and is non-essential in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. To determine whether CRC cells acquire TCF7L2-independence through cancer-specific compensation by other T-cell factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (LEF) family members, or rather lose addiction to β-CATENIN/TCF7L2-driven gene expression altogether, we generated multiple CRC cell lines entirely negative for TCF/LEF or β-CATENIN expression. Survival of these cells and the ability to propagate them demonstrate their complete β-CATENIN- and TCF/LEF-independence. Nonetheless, one β-CATENIN-deficient cell line eventually became senescent, and absence of TCF/LEF proteins and β-CATENIN consistently impaired CRC cell proliferation, reminiscent of mitogenic effects of WNT/β-CATENIN signaling in the healthy intestine. Despite this common phenotype, β-CATENIN-deficient cells exhibited highly cell-line-specific gene expression changes with little overlap between β-CATENIN- and TCF7L2-dependent transcriptomes. Apparently, β-CATENIN and TCF7L2 independently control sizeable fractions of their target genes. The observed divergence of β-CATENIN and TCF7L2 transcriptional programs, and the finding that neither β-CATENIN nor TCF/LEF activity is strictly required for CRC cell survival has important implications when evaluating these factors as potential drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna Fröhlich
- grid.5963.9Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katja Rose
- grid.5963.9Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 17, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Hecht
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 17, 79104, Freiburg, Germany. .,Faculty of Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany. .,BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
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7
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Loss-of-function mutations of SOX17 lead to YAP/TEAD activation-dependent malignant transformation in endometrial cancer. Oncogene 2023; 42:322-334. [PMID: 36446891 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02550-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant hyperactivation of the Hippo pathway effector YAP/TEAD complex causes tissue overgrowth and tumorigenesis in various cancers, including endometrial cancer (EC). The transcription factor SOX17 (SRY [sex-determining region Y]-box 17) is frequently mutated in EC; however, SOX17 mutations are rare in other cancer types. The molecular mechanisms underlying SOX17 mutation-induced EC tumorigenesis remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that SOX17 serves as a tumor suppressor to restrict the proliferation, migration, invasion, and anchorage-independent growth of EC cells, partly by suppressing the transcriptional outputs of the Hippo-YAP/TEAD pathway. SOX17 binds to TEAD transcription factors through its HMG domain and attenuates the DNA-binding ability of TEAD. SOX17 loss by inactivating mutations leads to the malignant transformation of EC cells, which can be reversed by small-molecule inhibitors of YAP/TEAD or cabozantinib, an FDA-approved drug targeting the YAP/TEAD transcriptional target AXL. Our findings reveal novel molecular mechanisms underlying Hippo-YAP/TEAD pathway-driven EC tumorigenesis, and suggest potential therapeutic strategies targeting the Hippo-YAP/TEAD pathway in SOX17-mutated EC.
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8
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Ramakrishnan AB, Burby PE, Adiga K, Cadigan KM. SOX9 and TCF transcription factors associate to mediate Wnt/β-catenin target gene activation in colorectal cancer. J Biol Chem 2022; 299:102735. [PMID: 36423688 PMCID: PMC9771724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102735] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates gene expression by promoting the formation of a β-catenin-T-cell factor (TCF) complex on target enhancers. In addition to TCFs, other transcription factors interact with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway at different levels to produce tissue-specific patterns of Wnt target gene expression. The transcription factor SOX9 potently represses many Wnt target genes by downregulating β-catenin protein levels. Here, we find using colony formation and cell growth assays that SOX9 surprisingly promotes the proliferation of Wnt-driven colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. In contrast to how it indirectly represses Wnt targets, SOX9 directly co-occupies and activates multiple Wnt-responsive enhancers in CRC cells. Our examination of the binding site grammar of these enhancers shows the presence of TCF and SOX9 binding sites that are necessary for transcriptional activation. In addition, we identify a physical interaction between the DNA-binding domains of TCFs and SOX9 and show that TCF-SOX9 interactions are important for target gene regulation and CRC cell growth. Our work demonstrates a highly context-dependent effect of SOX9 on Wnt targets, with the presence or absence of SOX9-binding sites on Wnt-regulated enhancers determining whether they are directly activated or indirectly repressed by SOX9.
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9
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Rowton M, Perez-Cervantes C, Hur S, Jacobs-Li J, Lu E, Deng N, Guzzetta A, Hoffmann AD, Stocker M, Steimle JD, Lazarevic S, Oubaha S, Yang XH, Kim C, Yu S, Eckart H, Koska M, Hanson E, Chan SSK, Garry DJ, Kyba M, Basu A, Ikegami K, Pott S, Moskowitz IP. Hedgehog signaling activates a mammalian heterochronic gene regulatory network controlling differentiation timing across lineages. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2181-2203.e9. [PMID: 36108627 PMCID: PMC10506397 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.08.009] [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: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Many developmental signaling pathways have been implicated in lineage-specific differentiation; however, mechanisms that explicitly control differentiation timing remain poorly defined in mammals. We report that murine Hedgehog signaling is a heterochronic pathway that determines the timing of progenitor differentiation. Hedgehog activity was necessary to prevent premature differentiation of second heart field (SHF) cardiac progenitors in mouse embryos, and the Hedgehog transcription factor GLI1 was sufficient to delay differentiation of cardiac progenitors in vitro. GLI1 directly activated a de novo progenitor-specific network in vitro, akin to that of SHF progenitors in vivo, which prevented the onset of the cardiac differentiation program. A Hedgehog signaling-dependent active-to-repressive GLI transition functioned as a differentiation timer, restricting the progenitor network to the SHF. GLI1 expression was associated with progenitor status across germ layers, and it delayed the differentiation of neural progenitors in vitro, suggesting a broad role for Hedgehog signaling as a heterochronic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Rowton
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carlos Perez-Cervantes
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Suzy Hur
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jessica Jacobs-Li
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Emery Lu
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nikita Deng
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander Guzzetta
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrew D Hoffmann
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Matthew Stocker
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Steimle
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sonja Lazarevic
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sophie Oubaha
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xinan H Yang
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chul Kim
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shuhan Yu
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Heather Eckart
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mervenaz Koska
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Erika Hanson
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sunny S K Chan
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Daniel J Garry
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Michael Kyba
- Lillehei Heart Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Anindita Basu
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kohta Ikegami
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sebastian Pott
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ivan P Moskowitz
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, Human Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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10
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Riva C, Hajduskova M, Gally C, Suman SK, Ahier A, Jarriault S. A natural transdifferentiation event involving mitosis is empowered by integrating signaling inputs with conserved plasticity factors. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111365. [PMID: 36130499 PMCID: PMC9513805 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Transdifferentiation, or direct cell reprogramming, is the conversion of one fully differentiated cell type into another. Whether core mechanisms are shared between natural transdifferentiation events when occurring with or without cell division is unclear. We have previously characterized the Y-to-PDA natural transdifferentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans, which occurs without cell division and requires orthologs of vertebrate reprogramming factors. Here, we identify a rectal-to-GABAergic transdifferentiation and show that cell division is required but not sufficient for conversion. We find shared mechanisms, including erasure of the initial identity, which requires the conserved reprogramming factors SEM-4/SALL, SOX-2, CEH-6/OCT, and EGL-5/HOX. We also find three additional and parallel roles of the Wnt signaling pathway: selection of a specific daughter, removal of the initial identity, and imposition of the precise final subtype identity. Our results support a model in which levels and antagonistic activities of SOX-2 and Wnt signaling provide a timer for the acquisition of final identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riva
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Martina Hajduskova
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Christelle Gally
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France.
| | - Shashi Kumar Suman
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Arnaud Ahier
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Sophie Jarriault
- Development and Stem Cells Department, IGBMC, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm U 1258, Université de Strasbourg, 67400 Illkirch, France.
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11
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Mukherjee S, Luedeke DM, McCoy L, Iwafuchi M, Zorn AM. SOX transcription factors direct TCF-independent WNT/β-catenin responsive transcription to govern cell fate in human pluripotent stem cells. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111247. [PMID: 36001974 PMCID: PMC10123531 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
WNT/β-catenin signaling controls gene expression across biological contexts from development and stem cell homeostasis to diseases including cancer. How β-catenin is recruited to distinct enhancers to activate context-specific transcription is unclear, given that most WNT/ß-catenin-responsive transcription is thought to be mediated by TCF/LEF transcription factors (TFs). With time-resolved multi-omic analyses, we show that SOX TFs can direct lineage-specific WNT-responsive transcription during the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into definitive endoderm and neuromesodermal progenitors. We demonstrate that SOX17 and SOX2 are required to recruit β-catenin to lineage-specific WNT-responsive enhancers, many of which are not occupied by TCFs. At TCF-independent enhancers, SOX TFs establish a permissive chromatin landscape and recruit a WNT-enhanceosome complex to activate SOX/ß-catenin-dependent transcription. Given that SOX TFs and the WNT pathway are critical for specification of most cell types, these results have broad mechanistic implications for the specificity of WNT responses across developmental and disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyasi Mukherjee
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - David M Luedeke
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Leslie McCoy
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Makiko Iwafuchi
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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12
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Hagey DW, Bergsland M, Muhr J. SOX2 transcription factor binding and function. Development 2022; 149:276045. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The transcription factor SOX2 is a vital regulator of stem cell activity in various developing and adult tissues. Mounting evidence has demonstrated the importance of SOX2 in regulating the induction and maintenance of stemness as well as in controlling cell proliferation, lineage decisions and differentiation. Recent studies have revealed that the ability of SOX2 to regulate these stem cell features involves its function as a pioneer factor, with the capacity to target nucleosomal DNA, modulate chromatin accessibility and prepare silent genes for subsequent activation. Moreover, although SOX2 binds to similar DNA motifs in different stem cells, its multifaceted and cell type-specific functions are reliant on context-dependent features. These cell type-specific properties include variations in partner factor availability and SOX2 protein expression levels. In this Primer, we discuss recent findings that have increased our understanding of how SOX2 executes its versatile functions as a master regulator of stem cell activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Hagey
- Karolinska Institutet 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine , , SE-171 77 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Maria Bergsland
- Karolinska Institutet 2 Department of Cell and Molecular Biology , , Solnavägen 9, SE-171 65 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Jonas Muhr
- Karolinska Institutet 2 Department of Cell and Molecular Biology , , Solnavägen 9, SE-171 65 Stockholm , Sweden
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13
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The DevTox Germ Layer Reporter Platform: An Assay Adaptation of the Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Test. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10070392. [PMID: 35878297 PMCID: PMC9321663 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10070392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Environmental chemical exposures are a contributing factor to birth defects affecting infant morbidity and mortality. The USA EPA is committed to developing new approach methods (NAMs) to detect chemical risks to susceptible populations, including pregnant women. NAM-based coverage for cellular mechanisms associated with early human development could enhance identification of potential developmental toxicants (DevTox) for new and existing data-poor chemicals. The human pluripotent stem cell test (hPST) is an in vitro test method for rapidly identifying potential human developmental toxicants that employs directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells to measure reductions in SOX17 biomarker expression and nuclear localization. The objective of this study was to expand on the hPST principles to develop a model platform (DevTox GLR) that utilizes the transgenic RUES2-GLR cell line expressing fluorescent reporter fusion protein biomarkers for SOX17 (endoderm marker), BRA (mesoderm marker), and SOX2 (ectoderm and pluripotency marker). Initial assay adaption to definitive endoderm (DevTox GLR-Endo) was performed to emulate the hPST SOX17 endpoint and enable comparative evaluation of concordant chemical effects. Assay duration was reduced to two days and screening throughput scaled to 384-well format for enhanced speed and efficiency. Assay performance for 66 chemicals derived from reference and training set data resulted in a balanced accuracy of 72% (79% sensitivity and 65% specificity). The DevTox GLR-Endo assay demonstrates successful adaptation of the hPST concept with increased throughput, shorter assay duration, and minimal endpoint processing. The DevTox GLR model platform expands the in vitro NAM toolbox to rapidly identify potential developmental hazards and mechanistically characterize toxicant effects on pathways and processes associated with early human development.
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14
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Ma Z, Davis SW, Ho YY. Flexible copula model for integrating correlated multi-omics data from single-cell experiments. Biometrics 2022. [PMID: 35622236 DOI: 10.1111/biom.13701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
With recent advances in technologies to profile multi-omics data at the single-cell level, integrative multi-omics data analysis has been increasingly popular. It is increasingly common that information such as methylation changes, chromatin accessibility, and gene expression are jointly collected in a single-cell experiment. In biomedical studies, it is often of interest to study the associations between various data types and to examine how these associations might change according to other factors such as cell types and gene regulatory components. However, since each data type usually has a distinct marginal distribution, joint analysis of these changes of associations using multi-omics data is statistically challenging. In this paper, we propose a flexible copula-based framework to model covariate-dependent correlation structures independent of their marginals. In addition, the proposed approach could jointly combine a wide variety of univariate marginal distributions, either discrete or continuous, including the class of zero-inflated distributions. The performance of the proposed framework is demonstrated through a series of simulation studies. Finally, it is applied to a set of experimental data to investigate the dynamic relationship between single-cell RNA-sequencing, chromatin accessibility, and DNA methylation at different germ layers during mouse gastrulation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zichen Ma
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Shannon W Davis
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Yen-Yi Ho
- Department of Statistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
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15
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Min JK, Park HS, Lee YB, Kim JG, Kim JI, Park JB. Cross-Talk between Wnt Signaling and Src Tyrosine Kinase. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051112. [PMID: 35625853 PMCID: PMC9138253 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Src, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, was first discovered as a prototype oncogene and has been shown to critical for cancer progression for a variety of tissues. Src activity is regulated by a number of post-translational modifications in response to various stimuli. Phosphorylations of Src Tyr419 (human; 416 in chicken) and Src Tyr530 (human; 527 in chicken) have been known to be critical for activation and inactivation of Src, respectively. Wnt signaling regulates a variety of cellular functions including for development and cell proliferation, and has a role in certain diseases such as cancer. Wnt signaling is carried out through two pathways: β-catenin-dependent canonical and β-catenin-independent non-canonical pathways as Wnt ligands bind to their receptors, Frizzled, LRP5/6, and ROR1/2. In addition, many signaling components including Axin, APC, Damm, Dishevelled, JNK kinase and Rho GTPases contribute to these canonical and non-canonical Wnt pathways. However, the communication between Wnt signaling and Src tyrosine kinase has not been well reviewed as Src regulates Wnt signaling through LRP6 tyrosine phosphorylation. GSK-3β phosphorylated by Wnt also regulates Src activity. As Wnt signaling and Src mutually regulate each other, it is noted that aberrant regulation of these components give rise to various diseases including typically cancer, and as such, merit a closer look.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Ki Min
- Department of Biochemistry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 25242, Korea; (J.K.M.); (Y.-B.L.); (J.-G.K.)
- Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252, Korea
| | - Hwee-Seon Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (H.-S.P.); (J.-I.K.)
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Yoon-Beom Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 25242, Korea; (J.K.M.); (Y.-B.L.); (J.-G.K.)
- Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252, Korea
| | - Jae-Gyu Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 25242, Korea; (J.K.M.); (Y.-B.L.); (J.-G.K.)
- Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252, Korea
| | - Jong-Il Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea; (H.-S.P.); (J.-I.K.)
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
| | - Jae-Bong Park
- Department of Biochemistry, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 25242, Korea; (J.K.M.); (Y.-B.L.); (J.-G.K.)
- Institute of Cell Differentiation and Aging, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon 24252, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-33-248-2542; Fax: +82-33-244-8425
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16
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Torres-Aguila NP, Salonna M, Hoppler S, Ferrier DEK. Evolutionary diversification of the canonical Wnt signaling effector TCF/LEF in chordates. Dev Growth Differ 2022; 64:120-137. [PMID: 35048372 PMCID: PMC9303524 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is essential during animal development and regeneration, but also plays an important role in diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway is one of the most conserved signaling cascades in the animal kingdom, with the T‐cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) proteins being the major mediators of Wnt/β‐catenin‐regulated gene expression. In comparison with invertebrates, vertebrates possess a high diversity of TCF/LEF family genes, implicating this as a possible key change to Wnt signaling at the evolutionary origin of vertebrates. However, the precise nature of this diversification is only poorly understood. The aim of this study is to clarify orthology, paralogy, and isoform relationships within the TCF/LEF gene family within chordates via in silico comparative study of TCF/LEF gene structure, molecular phylogeny, and gene synteny. Our results support the notion that the four TCF/LEF paralog subfamilies in jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) evolved via the two rounds of whole‐genome duplications that occurred during early vertebrate evolution. Importantly, gene structure comparisons and synteny analysis of jawless vertebrate (cyclostome) TCFs suggest that a TCF7L2‐like form of gene structure is a close proxy for the ancestral vertebrate structure. In conclusion, we propose a detailed evolutionary path based on a new pre‐whole‐genome duplication vertebrate TCF gene model. This ancestor gene model highlights the chordate and vertebrate innovations of TCF/LEF gene structure, providing the foundation for understanding the role of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in vertebrate evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria P Torres-Aguila
- Gatty Marine Laboratory, The Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Marika Salonna
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Stefan Hoppler
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - David E K Ferrier
- Gatty Marine Laboratory, The Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
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17
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Abstract
The Wnt pathway is central to a host of developmental and disease-related processes. The remarkable conservation of this intercellular signaling cascade throughout metazoan lineages indicates that it coevolved with multicellularity to regulate the generation and spatial arrangement of distinct cell types. By regulating cell fate specification, mitotic activity, and cell polarity, Wnt signaling orchestrates development and tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation is implicated in developmental defects, cancer, and degenerative disorders. We review advances in our understanding of this key pathway, from Wnt protein production and secretion to relay of the signal in the cytoplasm of the receiving cell. We discuss the evolutionary history of this pathway as well as endogenous and synthetic modulators of its activity. Finally, we highlight remaining gaps in our knowledge of Wnt signal transduction and avenues for future research. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Biochemistry, Volume 91 is June 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Youngsoo Rim
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Developmental Biology, and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA;
| | - Hans Clevers
- Hubrecht Institute and Oncode Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roel Nusse
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Developmental Biology, and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA;
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18
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Jansen C, Paraiso KD, Zhou JJ, Blitz IL, Fish MB, Charney RM, Cho JS, Yasuoka Y, Sudou N, Bright AR, Wlizla M, Veenstra GJC, Taira M, Zorn AM, Mortazavi A, Cho KWY. Uncovering the mesendoderm gene regulatory network through multi-omic data integration. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110364. [PMID: 35172134 PMCID: PMC8917868 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesendodermal specification is one of the earliest events in embryogenesis, where cells first acquire distinct identities. Cell differentiation is a highly regulated process that involves the function of numerous transcription factors (TFs) and signaling molecules, which can be described with gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Cell differentiation GRNs are difficult to build because existing mechanistic methods are low throughput, and high-throughput methods tend to be non-mechanistic. Additionally, integrating highly dimensional data composed of more than two data types is challenging. Here, we use linked self-organizing maps to combine chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq)/ATAC-seq with temporal, spatial, and perturbation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from Xenopus tropicalis mesendoderm development to build a high-resolution genome scale mechanistic GRN. We recover both known and previously unsuspected TF-DNA/TF-TF interactions validated through reporter assays. Our analysis provides insights into transcriptional regulation of early cell fate decisions and provides a general approach to building GRNs using highly dimensional multi-omic datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camden Jansen
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kitt D Paraiso
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jeff J Zhou
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ira L Blitz
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Margaret B Fish
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Rebekah M Charney
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jin Sun Cho
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Yuuri Yasuoka
- Laboratory for Comprehensive Genomic Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Norihiro Sudou
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Toho University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ann Rose Bright
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marcin Wlizla
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Gert Jan C Veenstra
- Department of Molecular Developmental Biology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Masanori Taira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Ken W Y Cho
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
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19
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Li Y, Baccouche B, Olayinka O, Serikbaeva A, Kazlauskas A. The Role of the Wnt Pathway in VEGF/Anti-VEGF-Dependent Control of the Endothelial Cell Barrier. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:17. [PMID: 34542556 PMCID: PMC8458780 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.12.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Investigate the contribution of the Wnt pathway to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/anti-VEGF-mediated control of endothelial cell permeability. Methods High glucose-treated primary human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) were exposed to either VEGF, or VEGF and then anti-VEGF. Changes in gene expression were assayed by RNAseq and qRT-PCR. Permeability was monitored by electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). Approaches to activate the Wnt pathway included treatment with LiCl and overexpression of constitutively activated β-catenin. β-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity was monitored in HRECs stably expressing a TCF/LEF-driven reporter. Results VEGF/anti-VEGF altered expression of genes encoding many members of the Wnt pathway. A subset of these genes was regulated in a way that is likely to contribute to control of the endothelial cell barrier. Namely, the VEGF-induced alteration of expression of such genes was reversed by anti-VEGF, and such adjustments occurred at times corresponding to changes in barrier function. While pharmacological and molecular approaches to activate the Wnt pathway had no effect on basal permeability, they suppressed VEGF-induced relaxation. Furthermore, anti-VEGF-mediated restoration of barrier function was unaffected by activation of the Wnt pathway. Conclusions VEGF/anti-VEGF engages multiple members of the Wnt pathway, and activating this pathway enforces the endothelial barrier by attenuating VEGF-induced relaxation. These data suggest that FDA-approved agents such as LiCl may be an adjuvant to anti-VEGF therapy for patients afflicted with blinding conditions including diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueru Li
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Basma Baccouche
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Olamide Olayinka
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Anara Serikbaeva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Andrius Kazlauskas
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Chicago, IL, United States
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20
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Kahn M. Taking the road less traveled - the therapeutic potential of CBP/β-catenin antagonists. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:701-719. [PMID: 34633266 PMCID: PMC8745629 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1992386] [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: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
AREAS COVERED This perspective discusses the challenges of targeting the Wnt signaling cascade, the safety, efficacy, and therapeutic potential of specific CBP/β-catenin antagonists and a rationale for the pleiotropic effects of CBP/β-catenin antagonists beyond Wnt signaling. EXPERT OPINION CBP/β-catenin antagonists can correct lineage infidelity, enhance wound healing, both normal and aberrant (e.g. fibrosis) and force the differentiation and lineage commitment of stem cells and cancer stem cells by regulating enhancer and super-enhancer coactivator occupancy. Small molecule CBP/β-catenin antagonists rebalance the equilibrium between CBP/β-catenin versus p300/β-catenin dependent transcription and may be able to treat or prevent many diseases of aging, via maintenance of our somatic stem cell pool, and regulating mitochondrial function and metabolism involved in differentiation and immune cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kahn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute, 1500 East Duarte Road Flower Building, Duarte, CA, USA
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21
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Topological isolation of developmental regulators in mammalian genomes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4897. [PMID: 34385432 PMCID: PMC8361032 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24951-7] [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: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise control of mammalian gene expression is facilitated through epigenetic mechanisms and nuclear organization. In particular, insulated chromosome structures are important for regulatory control, but the phenotypic consequences of their boundary disruption on developmental processes are complex and remain insufficiently understood. Here, we generated deeply sequenced Hi-C data for human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that allowed us to identify CTCF loop domains that have highly conserved boundary CTCF sites and show a notable enrichment of individual developmental regulators. Importantly, perturbation of such a boundary in hPSCs interfered with proper differentiation through deregulated distal enhancer-promoter activity. Finally, we found that germline variations affecting such boundaries are subject to purifying selection and are underrepresented in the human population. Taken together, our findings highlight the importance of developmental gene isolation through chromosomal folding structures as a mechanism to ensure their proper expression. The phenotypic consequence of 3D genome boundary disruption on developmental processes remains insufficiently understood. Here, the authors show that perturbation of a SOX17 boundary in human pluripotent stem cells interferes with proper differentiation and that germline variations affecting such boundaries are subject to selection, resulting in underrepresentation in the human population.
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22
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Pagin M, Pernebrink M, Pitasi M, Malighetti F, Ngan CY, Ottolenghi S, Pavesi G, Cantù C, Nicolis SK. FOS Rescues Neuronal Differentiation of Sox2-Deleted Neural Stem Cells by Genome-Wide Regulation of Common SOX2 and AP1(FOS-JUN) Target Genes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071757. [PMID: 34359927 PMCID: PMC8303191 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor SOX2 is important for brain development and for neural stem cells (NSC) maintenance. Sox2-deleted (Sox2-del) NSC from neonatal mouse brain are lost after few passages in culture. Two highly expressed genes, Fos and Socs3, are strongly downregulated in Sox2-del NSC; we previously showed that Fos or Socs3 overexpression by lentiviral transduction fully rescues NSC's long-term maintenance in culture. Sox2-del NSC are severely defective in neuronal production when induced to differentiate. NSC rescued by Sox2 reintroduction correctly differentiate into neurons. Similarly, Fos transduction rescues normal or even increased numbers of immature neurons expressing beta-tubulinIII, but not more differentiated markers (MAP2). Additionally, many cells with both beta-tubulinIII and GFAP expression appear, indicating that FOS stimulates the initial differentiation of a "mixed" neuronal/glial progenitor. The unexpected rescue by FOS suggested that FOS, a SOX2 transcriptional target, might act on neuronal genes, together with SOX2. CUT&RUN analysis to detect genome-wide binding of SOX2, FOS, and JUN (the AP1 complex) revealed that a high proportion of genes expressed in NSC are bound by both SOX2 and AP1. Downregulated genes in Sox2-del NSC are highly enriched in genes that are also expressed in neurons, and a high proportion of the "neuronal" genes are bound by both SOX2 and AP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Pagin
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Mattias Pernebrink
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Mattia Pitasi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Federica Malighetti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Chew-Yee Ngan
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA;
| | - Sergio Ottolenghi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Giulio Pavesi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20134 Milano, Italy;
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden;
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (S.K.N.)
| | - Silvia K. Nicolis
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; (M.P.); (M.P.); (F.M.); (S.O.)
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (S.K.N.)
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23
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Stevanovic M, Drakulic D, Lazic A, Ninkovic DS, Schwirtlich M, Mojsin M. SOX Transcription Factors as Important Regulators of Neuronal and Glial Differentiation During Nervous System Development and Adult Neurogenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:654031. [PMID: 33867936 PMCID: PMC8044450 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.654031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The SOX proteins belong to the superfamily of transcription factors (TFs) that display properties of both classical TFs and architectural components of chromatin. Since the cloning of the Sox/SOX genes, remarkable progress has been made in illuminating their roles as key players in the regulation of multiple developmental and physiological processes. SOX TFs govern diverse cellular processes during development, such as maintaining the pluripotency of stem cells, cell proliferation, cell fate decisions/germ layer formation as well as terminal cell differentiation into tissues and organs. However, their roles are not limited to development since SOX proteins influence survival, regeneration, cell death and control homeostasis in adult tissues. This review summarized current knowledge of the roles of SOX proteins in control of central nervous system development. Some SOX TFs suspend neural progenitors in proliferative, stem-like state and prevent their differentiation. SOX proteins function as pioneer factors that occupy silenced target genes and keep them in a poised state for activation at subsequent stages of differentiation. At appropriate stage of development, SOX members that maintain stemness are down-regulated in cells that are competent to differentiate, while other SOX members take over their functions and govern the process of differentiation. Distinct SOX members determine down-stream processes of neuronal and glial differentiation. Thus, sequentially acting SOX TFs orchestrate neural lineage development defining neuronal and glial phenotypes. In line with their crucial roles in the nervous system development, deregulation of specific SOX proteins activities is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The overview of the current knowledge about the link between SOX gene variants and NDDs is presented. We outline the roles of SOX TFs in adult neurogenesis and brain homeostasis and discuss whether impaired adult neurogenesis, detected in neurodegenerative diseases, could be associated with deregulation of SOX proteins activities. We present the current data regarding the interaction between SOX proteins and signaling pathways and microRNAs that play roles in nervous system development. Finally, future research directions that will improve the knowledge about distinct and various roles of SOX TFs in health and diseases are presented and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Stevanovic
- Laboratory for Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.,Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.,Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Drakulic
- Laboratory for Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Andrijana Lazic
- Laboratory for Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Stanisavljevic Ninkovic
- Laboratory for Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Schwirtlich
- Laboratory for Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Mojsin
- Laboratory for Human Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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24
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Figiel DM, Elsayed R, Nelson AC. Investigating the molecular guts of endoderm formation using zebrafish. Brief Funct Genomics 2021:elab013. [PMID: 33754635 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elab013] [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] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate endoderm makes major contributions to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts and all associated organs. Zebrafish and humans share a high degree of genetic homology and strikingly similar endodermal organ systems. Combined with a multitude of experimental advantages, zebrafish are an attractive model organism to study endoderm development and disease. Recent functional genomics studies have shed considerable light on the gene regulatory programs governing early zebrafish endoderm development, while advances in biological and technological approaches stand to further revolutionize our ability to investigate endoderm formation, function and disease. Here, we discuss the present understanding of endoderm specification in zebrafish compared to other vertebrates, how current and emerging methods will allow refined and enhanced analysis of endoderm formation, and how integration with human data will allow modeling of the link between non-coding sequence variants and human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela M Figiel
- Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research at Warwick Medical School
| | - Randa Elsayed
- Medical Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research at Warwick Medical School
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25
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Abstract
The fertilized frog egg contains all the materials needed to initiate development of a new organism, including stored RNAs and proteins deposited during oogenesis, thus the earliest stages of development do not require transcription. The onset of transcription from the zygotic genome marks the first genetic switch activating the gene regulatory network that programs embryonic development. Zygotic genome activation occurs after an initial phase of transcriptional quiescence that continues until the midblastula stage, a period called the midblastula transition, which was first identified in Xenopus. Activation of transcription is programmed by maternally supplied factors and is regulated at multiple levels. A similar switch exists in most animals and is of great interest both to developmental biologists and to those interested in understanding nuclear reprogramming. Here we review in detail our knowledge on this major switch in transcription in Xenopus and place recent discoveries in the context of a decades old problem.
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26
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Söderholm S, Cantù C. The WNT/β‐catenin dependent transcription: A tissue‐specific business. WIREs Mech Dis 2020; 13:e1511. [PMID: 33085215 PMCID: PMC9285942 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
β‐catenin‐mediated Wnt signaling is an ancient cell‐communication pathway in which β‐catenin drives the expression of certain genes as a consequence of the trigger given by extracellular WNT molecules. The events occurring from signal to transcription are evolutionarily conserved, and their final output orchestrates countless processes during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Importantly, a dysfunctional Wnt/β‐catenin pathway causes developmental malformations, and its aberrant activation is the root of several types of cancer. A rich literature describes the multitude of nuclear players that cooperate with β‐catenin to generate a transcriptional program. However, a unified theory of how β‐catenin drives target gene expression is still missing. We will discuss two types of β‐catenin interactors: transcription factors that allow β‐catenin to localize at target regions on the DNA, and transcriptional co‐factors that ultimately activate gene expression. In contrast to the presumed universality of β‐catenin's action, the ensemble of available evidence suggests a view in which β‐catenin drives a complex system of responses in different cells and tissues. A malleable armamentarium of players might interact with β‐catenin in order to activate the right “canonical” targets in each tissue, developmental stage, or disease context. Discovering the mechanism by which each tissue‐specific β‐catenin response is executed will be crucial to comprehend how a seemingly universal pathway fosters a wide spectrum of processes during development and homeostasis. Perhaps more importantly, this could ultimately inform us about which are the tumor‐specific components that need to be targeted to dampen the activity of oncogenic β‐catenin. This article is categorized under:Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Cancer > Stem Cells and Development
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Söderholm
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Linköping University Linköping Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Health Science Linköping University Linköping Sweden
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Linköping University Linköping Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Health Science Linköping University Linköping Sweden
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27
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Mukherjee S, Chaturvedi P, Rankin SA, Fish MB, Wlizla M, Paraiso KD, MacDonald M, Chen X, Weirauch MT, Blitz IL, Cho KW, Zorn AM. Sox17 and β-catenin co-occupy Wnt-responsive enhancers to govern the endoderm gene regulatory network. eLife 2020; 9:58029. [PMID: 32894225 PMCID: PMC7498262 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lineage specification is governed by gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that integrate the activity of signaling effectors and transcription factors (TFs) on enhancers. Sox17 is a key transcriptional regulator of definitive endoderm development, and yet, its genomic targets remain largely uncharacterized. Here, using genomic approaches and epistasis experiments, we define the Sox17-governed endoderm GRN in Xenopus gastrulae. We show that Sox17 functionally interacts with the canonical Wnt pathway to specify and pattern the endoderm while repressing alternative mesectoderm fates. Sox17 and β-catenin co-occupy hundreds of key enhancers. In some cases, Sox17 and β-catenin synergistically activate transcription apparently independent of Tcfs, whereas on other enhancers, Sox17 represses β-catenin/Tcf-mediated transcription to spatially restrict gene expression domains. Our findings establish Sox17 as a tissue-specific modifier of Wnt responses and point to a novel paradigm where genomic specificity of Wnt/β-catenin transcription is determined through functional interactions between lineage-specific Sox TFs and β-catenin/Tcf transcriptional complexes. Given the ubiquitous nature of Sox TFs and Wnt signaling, this mechanism has important implications across a diverse range of developmental and disease contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyasi Mukherjee
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Praneet Chaturvedi
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Scott A Rankin
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Margaret B Fish
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Marcin Wlizla
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Kitt D Paraiso
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States.,Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Melissa MacDonald
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Xiaoting Chen
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, United States.,Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology (CAGE), Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States
| | - Ira L Blitz
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Ken Wy Cho
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, United States
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM), Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, United States.,University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati, United States
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